Today is Friday. Sunny, beautiful. A bit chilly but warm for us here. :) Kids were super helpful this morning when I said I needed to get to school early today. Well, it's not really early enough yet, but it's getting better. I got to my desk by about 8.45. Just 45 minutes earlier to go! ;)
Yvelle and Josiah are really growing up. In one way it's fun--and enjoyable that sometimes they can play happily together for quite some time without needing parental intervention! Of course, there are those other days which require almost constant attention and redirection. ;) I'm sure you know what I mean.
We moved into our new apartment a few weeks ago and I think we're starting to feel settled in. One room is still all boxes (and other boxes remain scattered around) but everyone is getting used to this, our new home. Two and a half more months of a little too-long commute to school. Hopefully next year the kids and I will all be at the new campus, which is pretty close to our new place.
Work is super busy. We are looking for new teachers for next year and getting students ready for their big spring Cambridge exams. Whew! Lots of details to remember and pay attention to!
That's all for now, just wanted to post something as I was working on my school blog (skyebagsh.blogspot.com) and thought I'd better make sure I still knew how to log in to this one!! ;)
Love to friends and family!! We do miss you!
Friday, March 21, 2014
Friday, July 26, 2013
Packages... :)
A couple people have mentioned sending us a package, so I thought I'd compile some thoughts here in a post to make it easier.
First, a couple of comments. :)
We can get plenty of things to meet our everyday needs here. Still, though, little packages can really brighten up our day! So, if you're thinking of sending us something, thanks!
**Special advice from Javkhaa's mom: please don't consider it necessary to type in exactly the amount you spent when you fill out the "value" box. (And try to use the smallest box possible.) The reason? Larger boxes and larger "value" amounts invite the interest of workers and customs agents. Sometimes (depending on size and value) a tax may be levied, based on the value you claim. Also, boxes may be opened, for official and unofficial reasons, based on the same things.
That said, here are some possibly fun ideas:
(Just brainstorming...)
-craft kits, art supplies (esp less-common items, see below), paper dolls, tiny toys, decorations for holidays (window clings, napkins, etc)
- kids' sizes (as of July 2013)
*Josiah is 3 and wears about size 3 pants, but slightly larger shirts are fine.
*Yvelle is 5 and wears about size 4 pants. slightly larger shirts/dresses are fine. (They're def in the lower percentiles of weight/height!). Her favorite colors are pink and purple, but she likes "all colors". Both of them like the typical characters: hello kitty, barbie, bunnies/cats etc, and spiderman, other superheroes, and cute animals or cars, builders, etc.
- other holiday stuff... we don't really do halloween here, but costumes for dress-up or new year's are lots of fun. :) Fourth of july: napkins, t-shirts for kids; thanksgiving: well, this is mostly about family and food, but dried cranberries or maybe some kind of table decoration or tablecloth; christmas: ornaments (not breakable!), easter egg dying kits would be fun as well (we can use other things but these do make it a little easier!). ;)
Other random things that come to mind:
-Mucinex (kids) melt-in-mouth for cough (generic is fine)
-Band aids (fun pictures)
-lip gloss
well, time to get dinner together. abi's being mommy's girl this afternoon so the 2 of us are gonna go and buy some pasta. ;)
missing home a little... :)
First, a couple of comments. :)
We can get plenty of things to meet our everyday needs here. Still, though, little packages can really brighten up our day! So, if you're thinking of sending us something, thanks!
**Special advice from Javkhaa's mom: please don't consider it necessary to type in exactly the amount you spent when you fill out the "value" box. (And try to use the smallest box possible.) The reason? Larger boxes and larger "value" amounts invite the interest of workers and customs agents. Sometimes (depending on size and value) a tax may be levied, based on the value you claim. Also, boxes may be opened, for official and unofficial reasons, based on the same things.
That said, here are some possibly fun ideas:
(Just brainstorming...)
-craft kits, art supplies (esp less-common items, see below), paper dolls, tiny toys, decorations for holidays (window clings, napkins, etc)
- kids' sizes (as of July 2013)
*Josiah is 3 and wears about size 3 pants, but slightly larger shirts are fine.
*Yvelle is 5 and wears about size 4 pants. slightly larger shirts/dresses are fine. (They're def in the lower percentiles of weight/height!). Her favorite colors are pink and purple, but she likes "all colors". Both of them like the typical characters: hello kitty, barbie, bunnies/cats etc, and spiderman, other superheroes, and cute animals or cars, builders, etc.
- other holiday stuff... we don't really do halloween here, but costumes for dress-up or new year's are lots of fun. :) Fourth of july: napkins, t-shirts for kids; thanksgiving: well, this is mostly about family and food, but dried cranberries or maybe some kind of table decoration or tablecloth; christmas: ornaments (not breakable!), easter egg dying kits would be fun as well (we can use other things but these do make it a little easier!). ;)
Other random things that come to mind:
-Mucinex (kids) melt-in-mouth for cough (generic is fine)
-Band aids (fun pictures)
-lip gloss
well, time to get dinner together. abi's being mommy's girl this afternoon so the 2 of us are gonna go and buy some pasta. ;)
missing home a little... :)
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
this made me cry... and the next made me laugh!
http://tvrdiksinmongolia.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-day-my-monster-cried.html
The Tvrdiks are a family living here in Mongolia... I don't think I've ever met them, but I've read their blog over the years from time to time. I love how they live in the ger district. I love the way Shari is transparent about what she's experiencing... and I love the way her words and thoughts challenge me. And make me want to be more, more than what I am today...
but on a lighter note:
10 things that stood out when Shari came back to Mongolia:
http://tvrdiksinmongolia.blogspot.com/2013/01/top-10-things-first-noticed-upon.html :)
The Tvrdiks are a family living here in Mongolia... I don't think I've ever met them, but I've read their blog over the years from time to time. I love how they live in the ger district. I love the way Shari is transparent about what she's experiencing... and I love the way her words and thoughts challenge me. And make me want to be more, more than what I am today...
but on a lighter note:
10 things that stood out when Shari came back to Mongolia:
http://tvrdiksinmongolia.blogspot.com/2013/01/top-10-things-first-noticed-upon.html :)
Flat Selia comes to Orchlon
We've been long awaiting her arrival...
and today, Flat Selia arrived here at school. Yay! She came from Taiwan about a month ago, and was stuck in the post office for a while (busy being feted by the friendly staff there!). Today Tseegi egch picked her up and brought here to my office.
The ninth graders had fun showing her around the school in various groups. First, they went to the gym and played some sports together...
and today, Flat Selia arrived here at school. Yay! She came from Taiwan about a month ago, and was stuck in the post office for a while (busy being feted by the friendly staff there!). Today Tseegi egch picked her up and brought here to my office.
The ninth graders had fun showing her around the school in various groups. First, they went to the gym and played some sports together...
Monday, March 25, 2013
Cuddled up
What I wrote Sunday morning:
My 2 babies, all snuggled up together and sleeping peacefully. So beautiful. Thank you Lord.
** ** ** ** **
"a daily struggle"
LOVE Ann Voskamp's blog posts, which I get in my email.
Today was introduced to a new 'friend'--and her adoption story felt so real, I want to be able to find it again. http://www.leavingitallonthefield.com
The way she writes about parenting is the way that I feel too--feeling inadequate, not wanting to sacrifice "me" for what my kids and husband need... (Not saying it's always bad to think of ourselves, but often it's the right and better choice to put consistency and training before doing what I want at that moment... )
Off to class~!
last paragraph of her blog post:
We continue to wrestle with feelings of inadequacy as parents. It is a daily struggle to lay down ourselves and make the sacrifices necessary in raising a large family. We are hopeful that there is a little girl from China in our future, but we know that God may have a different plan. Regardless of how the details unfold, God has opened our eyes to the suffering of these precious little souls and we cannot turn away. He is our perfect family planner.
Today was introduced to a new 'friend'--and her adoption story felt so real, I want to be able to find it again. http://www.leavingitallonthefield.com
The way she writes about parenting is the way that I feel too--feeling inadequate, not wanting to sacrifice "me" for what my kids and husband need... (Not saying it's always bad to think of ourselves, but often it's the right and better choice to put consistency and training before doing what I want at that moment... )
Off to class~!
last paragraph of her blog post:
We continue to wrestle with feelings of inadequacy as parents. It is a daily struggle to lay down ourselves and make the sacrifices necessary in raising a large family. We are hopeful that there is a little girl from China in our future, but we know that God may have a different plan. Regardless of how the details unfold, God has opened our eyes to the suffering of these precious little souls and we cannot turn away. He is our perfect family planner.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Winter "Break"
Ah, a more relaxed schedule!
Today is the first day of Winter Break. Well, it's a break for the students... except those that are preparing for the local district Olympiads and other school competitions. They are here at school, hard at work on practice materials.
Mongolian teachers are also at work, finishing grades and working on planning.
I'm here too--I've grades to finish as well and also want to help out with the students getting ready for the English Olympics. One of the Mongolian teachers has more experience and materials for them, but I'll check their writing and hope I can give them some pointers in that area. Essay questions tend to be quite general and often have a pretty short word-count, so they probably shouldn't be too flowery in their writing. There's not the space. ;)
We all had a good weekend this past weekend: Javkhaa did some grocery shopping, we all (finally!) got to church at the same time ;) and spent yesterday afternoon with Javkhaa's family. His parents made "piroshki", which are yummy, deep fried dumplings made with yeast dough and a meat and cabbage mixture inside. Mmmm! Thanks to the Russians for such a good recipe. ;)
more to come--my English teaching colleagues are stretching! ;)
****
ahh!!!! so good!
I've been having periodic neck pain for the last few months and Saturday night it got quite severe. Yesterday I actually went to a Mongolian natural medicine doctor highly recommended by my sister-in-law. Waited in the corridor for almost one hour; there were lots of toddlers there to be seen, and a few adults as well. He massaged my neck a bit and put on some warming gels and it helped somewhat. I think I just need to stretch more (and more regularly!) and... hopefully that will help. The exercises we just did were great! :)
Today is the first day of Winter Break. Well, it's a break for the students... except those that are preparing for the local district Olympiads and other school competitions. They are here at school, hard at work on practice materials.
Mongolian teachers are also at work, finishing grades and working on planning.
I'm here too--I've grades to finish as well and also want to help out with the students getting ready for the English Olympics. One of the Mongolian teachers has more experience and materials for them, but I'll check their writing and hope I can give them some pointers in that area. Essay questions tend to be quite general and often have a pretty short word-count, so they probably shouldn't be too flowery in their writing. There's not the space. ;)
We all had a good weekend this past weekend: Javkhaa did some grocery shopping, we all (finally!) got to church at the same time ;) and spent yesterday afternoon with Javkhaa's family. His parents made "piroshki", which are yummy, deep fried dumplings made with yeast dough and a meat and cabbage mixture inside. Mmmm! Thanks to the Russians for such a good recipe. ;)
more to come--my English teaching colleagues are stretching! ;)
****
ahh!!!! so good!
I've been having periodic neck pain for the last few months and Saturday night it got quite severe. Yesterday I actually went to a Mongolian natural medicine doctor highly recommended by my sister-in-law. Waited in the corridor for almost one hour; there were lots of toddlers there to be seen, and a few adults as well. He massaged my neck a bit and put on some warming gels and it helped somewhat. I think I just need to stretch more (and more regularly!) and... hopefully that will help. The exercises we just did were great! :)
Thursday, January 03, 2013
The Preschool Christmas/New Year's Show, 2012
our little princess ;)
and our little Santa's helper...
above, at the end of a dance to the "Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho" song... I guess they were dwarves ;)
(last pic in this blog has a video of this)
(last pic in this blog has a video of this)
(with Grandpa)
Josiah is the Santa on the left (shorter)
Josiah is the little guy last in line. :)
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
Thoughts after Thanksgiving
We are so remiss in not having written in such a long time. Life sure didn’t slow down for us after we moved to Mongolia! Perhaps life in the countryside of Mongolia is a little less hectic, but we are living here in the capital, and thankful to be here!
Our Thanksgiving was nice, though not quite like ‘home’. I (Skye) am the ‘keeper of the culture,’ I suppose (well, the American culture, while we’re living elsewhere) and now we’ve just started our 2nd year of being back here in Mongolia. Last year Thanksgiving was a simple candlelit meal at home on the day itself. This year we repeated that tradition, but also invited Javkhaa’s family to come on Sunday for Thanksgiving too. Cooking for more than just our family on the one burner we have in this apartment was an adventure, but it all turned out okay. The plan for Christmas, though: a one-pot meal! (Yes, that worked out much better—I made Chuckwagon Stew, mmm. Perhaps a new Christmas tradition! :)
If you know Javkhaa, you won’t be surprised when I say that he’s busier than me. Between work, church, the Christian Youth Association (Future Leaders) and a couple of other groups he’s involved with, he stays a moving target. We remain very thankful for his job, and he works with some great people. It hasn’t been without its stressful seasons, though. He needs God’s wisdom and help to persevere and pursue excellence in all he does, to enjoy it, and to shine God’s love into his workplace. Pray that he and a few colleagues can make time for another prayer breakfast soon. (I’d love to find another believer at my school too!)
Our Thanksgiving was nice, though not quite like ‘home’. I (Skye) am the ‘keeper of the culture,’ I suppose (well, the American culture, while we’re living elsewhere) and now we’ve just started our 2nd year of being back here in Mongolia. Last year Thanksgiving was a simple candlelit meal at home on the day itself. This year we repeated that tradition, but also invited Javkhaa’s family to come on Sunday for Thanksgiving too. Cooking for more than just our family on the one burner we have in this apartment was an adventure, but it all turned out okay. The plan for Christmas, though: a one-pot meal! (Yes, that worked out much better—I made Chuckwagon Stew, mmm. Perhaps a new Christmas tradition! :)
If you know Javkhaa, you won’t be surprised when I say that he’s busier than me. Between work, church, the Christian Youth Association (Future Leaders) and a couple of other groups he’s involved with, he stays a moving target. We remain very thankful for his job, and he works with some great people. It hasn’t been without its stressful seasons, though. He needs God’s wisdom and help to persevere and pursue excellence in all he does, to enjoy it, and to shine God’s love into his workplace. Pray that he and a few colleagues can make time for another prayer breakfast soon. (I’d love to find another believer at my school too!)
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