Scared

I remember stepping off of an old bus in Kualoa, Hawaii.  I stared ahead at the start of a trail completely dressed with trees.  The sky was gray and mysterious.  I felt a few sprinkles on my wrist.  I was barely 18. 

It was beautiful, but I wasn’t thinking about that.  I had arrived in the town of Laie 3 or 4 weeks before.  A roommate of mine had taken me and a few guys to a secluded water hole the day before.  We took the 15 minute bus ride from Laie to the “Welcome to Kualoa” sign then walked the 2 mile trail to the most magical water hole I’d ever seen.  We were sure we were the only ones who knew about it.  We were in the jungle.  Better yet, we were in Jurassic Park.  We were so naïve. 

When Kristy & I made it back to our little green house, I panicked.  My wallet was gone.  I needed that wallet.  I had everything in it – my ID, my money, my cards…everything.  I was so mad at myself.  I knew I must’ve left it at the water hole.  I was determined to get it back.

The next morning I took the same bus back to the same spot.  “What am I doing?” I thought.  “I must be stupid to walk this trail alone.”  Then I remembered my wallet.  I was going to find it.  Call it insane, call it stubbornness, call it plain stupidity; I called it determination. 

The first mile was fine.  I cleared a few bushes and heard a few noises that rattled me.  I prayed with every little step.   “Just a little longer,” I thought, “and then I’ll have my wallet.  It’ll be like none of this ever happened.” 

And that’s when I saw it - a wild boar less than 100 feet away from me.  I stopped in my tracks.  It stared me down.  Oh, it was mean.  It was big.  I was terrified.  I had a feeling come over me, “Don’t break eye contact,”  so I didn’t.  I backed away staring at the boar the entire time.  Eventually, I was far enough away from it.  I took off running, not really knowing where I was going anymore. 

I never found my wallet, but I did make it back to the bus stop.  I knew what it felt like to be scared, but I was okay.  

*****

I remember a time in South Texas.  I was young, maybe 21.  I was alone, running on a treadmill in the work-out facility of our apartment complex.  Two black men came through the main office.  I watched it all through a glass wall. 

They were fighting and one had a gun.  The secretary grabbed the phone to call the police.  The gunman saw me.  I kept running - pretending I didn’t notice.  I had a feeling come over me to  “Go out the back door,” so I did.  I was careful.  I scathed the exterior wall of the building like I was a sniper then made a run for our apartment.  Five minutes after making it into my apartment, I heard a gunshot.  Later that night, I watched the news report the murder I nearly witnessed.  I knew what it felt like to be scared, but I was okay.    

*****

Now I’m preparing to leave Argentina again, not really knowing when I’ll be coming back.  I’m scared to board an international flight at 35 weeks pregnant.  I’m scared to leave my husband before the birth of our son.  I’m scared to not have our own little residence to bring baby boy to.  Call me wimpy, but it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, and I’m scared. 

But I can and will do hard things.  Emma Smith said, “Strength is not something you have, it’s something you find.”  I believe it and pray I can find strength as I put faith to the test and face my fears.  I’ll trust that those feelings will navigate me through this, and when all is said and done, I’ll be okay.

Behold the Power of Fine Arts

I sit on the couch a lot lately.  I have to.  My changing body is making it difficult for me to get around.  This discourages me.  I don’t like to sit, but I try to focus on the things I CAN do…like teaching my daughter how to read & how to play the piano.

In January, my mother-in-law gave me The Basic Reading Series.  Do you remember those books?  (A Pig Can Jig, A Hen in a Fox’s Den, etc.)  Boy, do I ever!  Those stories never made a lot of sense to me (Tin-
Can can win the ham.  Tin-Can had the ham.), but I was so excited to learn how to read.

Apparently, the schools are using different tools/books now for teaching little ones how to read.  My literacy lover mother-in-law used her hot connections and found the first 3 books of the series on E-bay for us.  AnnMarie has been dying to learn how to read, so this was perfect timing.  She just finished the first book last week, and we celebrated by making fudgy bars.  She’s halfway into the second book now, and with every little sentence, she’ll say, “I’m doing it mommy!  I’m really doing it!  I can read!!”  It touches my heart.

After AnnMarie turned 3, I purchased the music book called My First Piano Adventure: Writing Book A Pre-Reading by Faber & Faber.   AnnMarie is almost finished with it.  I don’t have a rigid schedule for working through it with her;  I try to follow her lead.  When she shows an interest in working on it, we’ll sit down together & work through it.  I don’t want piano to become a chore for her – not yet anyway. ;)  After she finishes this book (hopefully in a few weeks), I’m starting her in Alfred’s Prep Course for the Young Beginner, Lesson Book Level A.  My hope is to get her through Levels A & B of this Young Beginner series by the time she turns 6.  You can find these books at your local music store guaranteed.  If not, they’ll order it for you ASAP.

The piano teacher in me:  If you want to expose your child (ages 3-5) to music education, but don’t know how, or if you’re questioning whether or not to start your 6 year old in piano, BUY THIS BOOK.  You do not have to have a degree in music to work through this book with your child!  The instructions for each activity are very clear.  You will obviously have to take the time to work through the activities with them, but it is well worth it.  Little fingers (3-5 year olds) typically don’t have the finger dexterity to play weighted keys.  This book has a few ‘piano playing’ activities, but it basically focuses on introducing your child to simple concepts like finger numbers, low/high sounds, black-key groups, louds & softs, or the music alphabet, and it is a fun fun tool for doing so.  Faber & Faber is one of my two favorite methods for teaching beginning piano students.

On a final note, my little ballerina, Carlie Joy:

Oh, how I wish I could enroll her in a dance class!  Soon enough, soon enough.  I did pull up a few YouTube videos in an attempt to teach her a routine.  THAT was a sight to behold.  Carlie tapped my belly and said, “Hey, hey, hey…just sit back down on the couch mama.”

Man Post No. 1

This picture looks like something you’d see in a 1980s agriculture campaign.  Jared looks so cool, yes he does.

Anyway, due to recent criticism (from the males in the household), I’ve decided to do a man post.  I’m sure my many male readers (ha!) will appreciate the following stream of pictures.

Nathan had to renew his passport, so a trip to Uruguay (the closest country) was in order earlier this week. 

This was a perfect opportunity for Jared to visit some of the farms and expose Nathan to soybean harvest up north.  They also spent a few early mornings loading cattle & delivering bulls.

The man in the next picture looks highly skilled in Flamenco Dance.

Real Argentine gauchos (cowboys)…

I’m pretty sure Jared was talking to me in this next picture.  He called one morning at 6 AM to check on us.  I wasn’t overly thrilled, let’s be honest - a 6 AM wake-up call was what it was.  (But hey, he worries about his girls, so that’s a good thing, and I like hearing his voice when he’s gone).

They had to stop at a tire shop.  This looks interesting.

Their last day was spent in El Quebracho, a cattle ranch…with goats, too.

The manager at El Quebracho celebrated their arrival with a traditional asado (grilled meat barbecue).

Check-out their hats.  These gauchos equate to fashion.

This wouldn’t be a man post without a final picture of tantalizing pleasure.

Chao.

Self-reliance

The days are gliding by.  Nathan made it back from Buenos Aires.  He keeps things entertaining around here.  I feel lucky to live with my little brother.  I’m not sure if I’ll ever get a chance to live with him again, so I’m trying to relish in his humor for the next few weeks amidst the madness of life.

He’s intense about drinking mate (mah-tay). 

That makes my day.

Yesterday I spoke in church about the importance of self-reliance.  I spent most of the week preparing.  I felt good about my preparations & was ready to just get it done.  I used my great husband as an example of independence.  He’s always been so motivated to be self-reliant on so many levels.  I appreciate this more & more as the years go by. 

I talked about how when we first got engaged, he suggested that we put together a detailed budget for our first few years of marriage.  Little did I realize, this would become a very important part of our marriage.

We call this time our ‘companionship inventory.’  We use to be very religious about this little ritual (every Sunday night), but now we sit down together maybe once a month or so.  I look forward to this time when we evaluate our expenses, plan for our future, & discuss our finances.

I told the congregation that I look forward to this time when we evaluate our expenses, plan for our future, & argue about our finances.  Yep, it was classic.  At least I got a good laugh from the congregation. 

Jared corrected me from the stand.  I now know the difference between the verbs to argue & to discuss.  At least I didn’t tell them that this ‘companionship inventory’ started shortly after we hooked-up & started living together like I did in my first draft. ;)

Last night I talked myself into doing a load of laundry.  I try to avoid running the washer & dryer on Sundays, but Carlie was having a little UTI problem, & suffice it to say, I needed to wash some clothes.

The washer broke down half way through the cycle.  Crumb.  Luckily, my self-reliant husband drained the washer, finished washing all the clothes in the sink, & rung them out before putting them in our dryer…after cussing and showing me the real problem (a little label that said made in Argentina).  He has strong hands my friends, & the dryer still took seven hours to dry the clothes.  I now fully appreciate the spin power of a washer.  Oh my.  Who knows when I’ll have a washer again. 

One day we’ll look back at this & remember all the little things we worked through together.  For now, I’ll keep appreciating these experiences & chalk them up to becoming self-reliant. 

Growing

Carlie is catching her big sister, & she’s catching her fast.  I can’t believe it.  People always ask me if they’re twins.  She’s not as tall as AnnMarie, but her little face is maturing for sure.  That darn goose-egg on her forehead from two months ago is still trying to go away. 

A sensitive, mischievous, sweetheart she is.

Carlie’s not the only one growing.  Captain Wolfley is growing; therefore, I’m growing.

I taught in a district workshop last weekend.  Oh boy, that was a little stressful.  Jared snapped a picture of me incognito.  Here’s me trying to successfully teach,  ‘how to successfully teach music in primary.’ 

(Did I confuse you?) 

Spanish may have been rocky, but at least I smiled.

On a completely different note, I’m glad Jared’s home this week.  I’m feeling a little friendless at the moment.  Everyone thinks that because I speak English I must be British, therefore I definitely must drink tea all afternoon all proper-like with my pinky in the up position. 

I was invited to several coffee parties this week alone.  The moms from the girls’ school are very outgoing.  I went to one coffee party on Wednesday which was a semi-success, but I turned down one today (three hour commitments kill me people), & I think she (the mom who invited me) was not happy.  Turns out, the party was suppose to be in “my honor.”  I’m not sure what she meant by that.  Details would’ve been nice before I declined??

The only thing I can figure is that sometimes when I can tell people are watching me speak to my girls, I’ll speak with a British accent just for kicks, but then AnnMarie blows my cover by telling me that I’m talking weird.

Now that I think about it, if I were them, I’d think I was weird, too.  Ha!

Homemade Slingshots

Yes, these are my children 30 minutes before school started the other day.

Hair uncombed, teeth not brushed, making homemade slingshots with Elmo panties…insisting I take a picture of it…you know, just the usual.

I’m Just Sayin’

I’m so glad I got married at the ripe old age of 19.

When my husband’s out of town, I have a bad habit of going through old pictures.  I don’t know why.  I just do.  Maybe I only do it when I’m pregnant.  Heck, I don’t remember.

I really, really, really want to be skinny again.  This giant-ness I’m experiencing is so. not. fun.  I’ll be going into hiding for the next 12 weeks…looking through old pictures…dreaming of skinniness..blah blah blah.

Temaiken Zoo

On Jared’s birthday, we had planned to go to the Temaiken Zoo in Buenos Aires. 

We almost didn’t go.  It was raining all through the night, & Mr. front desk man at our hotel told us the zoo was closed.  I didn’t believe him, so we went anyway – I have trust issues sometimes.  Besides, it was Jared’s birthday for crying out loud – we couldn’t just turn around and go home.  That would be sad, AND I didn’t get eaten alive by mosquitos through the night for nothing.

When we pulled up, we entered the empty Disneyland-size parking lot and realized it was open.  It was merely sprinkling outside, but we figured we’d get poured on at some point.  We bought some rain ponchos & went for it. 

I’m so glad we did.

Seriously, this is how many cars were in the parking lot.

We’ll always remember having the ‘biggest zoo in South America’ to ourselves.

We were literally inside the pen with the kangaroos (pictured below in the upper left hand corner).

A lot of the birds were up-close & personal – a little too close for my comfort level.

There was so much to see – I feel like this little batch of pictures doesn’t do it justice.  We were enjoying the moment too much, I guess.  It was definitely a highlight of our experience here thus far.

Ta-ta for now!

A Beautiful Life

I keep wanting to post pictures of our Temaiken Zoo venture, & I will.  I promise.  But  this week I’ve been thinking so much about my many friends, supporters, & exemplars - their lives, and the different journeys that we all go through here on earth.

I have a dear friend in Washington who is struggling.  Her little 4 1/2 year old girl, Elisabeth, is very sick right now.  My prayers are with her.

I have another friend who just welcomed a little girl into their family last night through the miracle of adoption.  I rejoice with her.

I read NieNie.  I admire her.  I think of her often.  Her story strengthens me.

It’s a beautiful life.  I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who is very aware of each one of us & our different lives.

The weather is turning cold, and we’re having heat issues; but today is warm, and we’re feeling good.  I’m back to boiling water & doing this:

Her smile melts my heart.

I love my little family of 4 (almost 5).  Little Captain Wolfley is getting bigger all the time, & we can’t wait  to welcome him into our family.

Birthday Week

This past week has been great.  My husband & my brother both had birthdays.  We celebrated with chocolate.

  Nothing like Duncan Hines creamy frosting & colored sprinkles from the States.

Jared & Nathan are almost exactly 10 years apart by one day.  (The candles have nothing to do with their ages – I put the girls in charge of that part.)

We took Nathan to Buenos Aires.  He started an International School there and will be staying with a host family for about one month.  I am so proud of my brave brother.  Here he is with Luz & Martin, two very good people who don’t speak English.

To our surprise, the house was full of seven other students from all over the world – Australia, Holland, Brazil, NYC, & England.  He’s in for an adventure, that’s for sure.  There was a common area outside & a very tidy itty bitty bedroom for Nate. ;)

 

We stayed in a hotel outside of Buenos Aires for two nights to make time for a Dr.’s visit, hospital tour, & a little exploring.  There was a storm the second night, and our power went out.  It was incredibly hot.  In an effort to cool things down we opened the door for maybe 1 minute, and mosquitos galore filled our room.  My face & AnnMarie’s left leg took one for the team.  I will not be posting pictures of myself (or AnnMarie’s left leg) anytime soon.

BUT we had so fun swimming in the rain and visiting the biggest & most beautiful zoo in South America on Jared’s birthday.

I have a lot of pictures to go through, but for now, here’s a glimpse of Temaiken ZOO.  Photo courtesy of my little photographer, AnnMarie.