Valentine's Day in Ivanovo...

I love road trips, adventures, family time and visiting our teammates!!! We had a fabulous time in Ivanovo today! Sarah stayed with the kids and Keith and I went on a double date with Chris and Jill that included fabulous grilled meat, cheese bread and chocolate~~~only to be topped off with cake, coffee and more chocolate when we returned to the Willeke's!!! Thanks guys for a great Valentine's Day!!! We love you!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Valentine's Day Vision: a sweet picture of Gid and ME holding hands with ME in her special sweater with a big heart on it, that by the way she loves. I laid all of their clothes out this morning and then my vision meet with reality and Round 139 of the Battle of the Wills! ME refused to wear her heart sweater and insisted on wearing her gloves and hat! I even tried bribing her with candy, but barely managed to brush her hair!


When I tried to get a picture together, this was ME's response because Gideon touched her!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Sooo Sad...

I am mourning the loss of my Strawberry Yogurt Covered Cheerios. Granny sent me a box for my Birthday and I vowed, when it arrived, to save it. Temptation over took my determination and I just finished my last bowl...a whole box of Cheerios gone in less than 48 hours!

Good Morning Everyone!!!

Our morning conversation (thankfully a cup of coffee was involved!)...
Gid: What is today? (His usual morning question.)
Mommy: School day! (And under my breath declare shouts of joy and praises to God for creating preschools!!!)
Gid: Oh... (very unenthusiastic)
Mommy (in an attempt to give him hope): But, tomorrow we are going to Christians!
Gid: Right now-tomorrow? (adding a big smile)
Mommy: No, tomorrow-tomorrow!
Gideon: Today-tomorrow? (with more hope)
Mommy: No, tomorrow-tomorrow! One more day of school.
Gideon: Oh...
Mommy: Go get your shoes on! It is time to go!
ME: To Christians!!!
I need to teach my kids the concept of time!

First Grade...

Our First Grade Prep Class is has been a blessing. Gideon seems to really enjoy his time, even if he can never remember anything he did. I am also enjoying getting to know the other moms and teachers and pretending to be in First Grade again! We have played games, sang songs, completed math assignments and tonight played wooden flutes! Please join me in praying that Gideon would be ready to begin First Grade, would love school and make many wonderful memories!

Happy Birthday Mel!!!

ME is looking thrilled as always to see you!!! :-)

Happy 50th Birthday Mel!!! I am sooo sad that we are not there to rub in the fact that you are getting old and help you reminisce your younger years (and of course to eat Nancy's delicious Birthday dinner)!!! But, this gives us 14 more days to think of fun ways to help you celebrate this epic event and you 14 more days to gathering new fun bits of wisdom, while you are taking care of business!!! We love you and can't wait to see you!!!

ME the Aspiring Artist...

ME's most recent art work...and yes, her canvas was our hallway wallpaper!!! This happened only 24 hours after receiving a spanking for utilizing mommy's make-up to redecorate the bathroom!!!

Happy Birthday, Grampy!!!

We miss you and hope you have a great day and fabulous cake!!!

Happy Birthday Sarah!!!

Happy Birthday!!! We hope you have a fabulous day today! We miss you and can't wait to see you...and eat Birthday cake in just 16 days!!!

Saturday Fun!

Good Morning Granny!!!

Prayer Time...

ME loves to be first to pray and then loves to tell everyone else what to pray for. Last night, ME told Gideon to pray for Jesus. Gideon said, "You don't pray for Jesus, he is in charge of praying!!!"

ME prayed that Christian would come for a visit! Christian, you better come soon for a visit!!! We miss you!!!

Success and Smiles!!!

Gideon made it throught his prepatory class for the First Grade with no accidents!!! I meet him afterwards and he was laughing and talking with his friends. He smiled when he saw me and immediately said, "I didn't pee my pants!!!" Way to go Gideon!!!

She is Silent...

I did not win the scholarship to attend the She Speaks Conference...bummer! The winner is Karla from Looking Towards Heaven. Keith is now hoping that I will take the hint and now work on being silent!!!

A Great Weekend in Review...

We had a very relaxing, fun weekend! Friday night, the kids and I had movie night, ate lots of treats and sleep in mommy's bed (which is much more fun for them, than for me!)

Saturday morning, we woke-up to Keith's fabulous waffles, eggs and bacon, which has also become of my favorite weekend traditions! Then, Gideon (after asking literally 100 times) talked us into playing "Ukraine" otherwise known as Cadoo by Cranium. After Gideon's victory, we went to the outdoor market, our neighborhood little grocery store and to the playground all via the sled. At 5, Keith left to go to the Church and Masha, a dear friend to our family, joined us for pizza and a great time of fellowship.

Sunday, after Church, we returned home and implemented a Biblical Sabbath and did absolutely NOTHING!!! What a great weekend! Even though we all look forward to Fridays, I am always glad when Monday comes so that I can have my cherished 4 hours of alone time!

Another First...

I have been really tired lately, which is not a first! However, when Gideon asked me to take his picture, my response was definately a first (and possibly a sign of a very serious illness)! I said, "Sorry Gid, I am too tired." Not to worry, a few minutes later I gather up the energy, found the camera and snapped this picture! May God always give me the energy to make memories with my family...and now I am off to take a nap!!!

A First...

This face of innocence told her first lie (that we know of) tonight! The kids and I were watching our traditional Friday night movie and eating popcorn. I ran to the kitchen to get some water and returned to find popcorn smashed into the carpet. Gideon was frozen on the couch watching the movie and ME was walking around dropping popcorn on the floor. I asked ME who smashed the popcorn into the carpet? She looked me straight in the eye and said, "Gideon." OK, I am not employed by CSI, but come on ME!!!

ME Speaks Russian

When I came to get ME from her preschool class, she yelled 'My momma came!'...IN RUSSIAN!!! I have heard her speak Russian before, but usually just in response to a question and usually one or two word answers. Her teacher said she is really doing well in class. Please pray that ME would continue to love school, her teachers and her classmates.

She Speaks Conference 2008

She Speaks…ok, I would prefer never to speak… at least not publicly. Those of you who know me, know that I am, however, rarely silent! As a missionary, I am occasionally called to share what the Lord is doing in our lives and ministry, which requires me to bare my soul and life to all that will listen.

She Speaks is a conference for speakers, writers and leaders, which honestly, I consider myself none of the above...so why would I want to go to the Conference? Besides the fact it would be a weekend with no kids or husband and surrounded by Christian women who like to speak, the sessions sound so amazing, informative and encouraging…Developing A Dynamic Women’s Ministry, Staying Filled Up So You Don’t Burn Out (definitely need!), Experiencing God’s Power In Your Ministry (also a huge need!), Living With Purpose (again-need!), Balancing Marriage and Ministry (most needed!!!). These are all are very important and critical to a successful life on the mission field! In addition to so many fabulous sessions, there will also be a session on What Not to Wear, which our younger colleagues have informed me is also a need in my life…in addition to a new wardrobe!!!

If that wasn’t enough to make me what to jump on the next plane and head straight for the Conference, there will be a session for Bloggers!!! OK, I am really a blogging amateur and think the only people who actually read our blog are personally related to us or very bored! But, 3 of my favorite bloggers: Boo Mama, Big Mama, and Rocks in My Dryer will be speaking and sharing ideas on how to improve your blog…another obvious need!!! Just think, after attending the She Speaks Conference, I could be the best dressed missionary with a dynamic, purposeful and powerful ministry, a balanced life and a fabulous blog to document it all!!!

Sweet Lysa TerKeurst, an award-winning author, nationally known speaker and a part of the Proverbs 31 Ministry, is offering a scholarship (worth over $500) to attend the She Speaks Conference!!!

My mom taught me that it is not nice to beg and I am much to proud to be known as the "poor missionary", not to mention the fact that we will already be in the states possibly leading one to conclude it could very well be the Lord's will!!! But, Lysa, just think of the impact you could have on the women in Russia, our ministry in Yaroslavl and the encouragement you would be to my family and teammates when I return as the most balanced, filled-up, powerful...not to mention best dressed missionary on our team and very possibly all of Russia!!! If that is not reason enough to pick me, all of the World would be able read all about my life changing experience here on our new and improved blog!!!

Seriously, I do appreciate your commitment to the Lord and to others. You, as well as the others involved in the Proverbs 31 Ministry, are truly an encouragement and blessing to us all!!! May the Lord richly bless the She Speaks Conference!!!

Another Class and Another Accident!

Gideon and I attended the second First Grade Prepatory Class tonight. I made him pee before leaving home, made sure we were not rushing or late (we were the first ones there) and poured out the encouragement of how much fun he was going to have and what a great guy he is! I left him happy and laughing with his friends from his Kindergarten Class and was confident that there would be no accidents tonight!!!

Oh, sooo wrong!!! I found Gideon sitting by his school locker wearing his snowsuit minus the undies and socks! He said he had an accident at the end of his class and that noone saw him. He found his snow pants and changed by his locker! I felt terrible for him!!! Keith asked him why he didn't ask the teacher for premission to go to the bathroom? Gideon said that he didn't know where the First Graders went to the bathroom and was too embarrased to ask. Please pray that he would not be so nervous or afraid and that we would find out where First Graders go to the bathroom!!!