Our New Home (Pics of each room)

Here's pictures of our new house in Garden City! We Love it! We're so thankful the Lord has blessed us with a beautiful home, with great sunlight, an awesome cross breeze, incredible view of the city, lots or trees, a residential neighborhood where we feel comfortable walking with the kids & stroller to the store or just for exercise, and a strategic area for why we're here. 

I'll explain each group of pics as if I'm giving you a tour :)

When you walk in the door you step into our living room/family room area (with our dining room on your left). At our old house we had a separate front room and family room, which is why we have separate couch sets. We weren't sure it was going to work, but it's turned out great!

Left Picture: If you look to the left when you walk in the front door you see the guest bathroom & Elijah's room. (Also you'd see the dining room table, but that's in another picture)     Right Picture: Looking to the right when you walk in the front door.

Here's Elise looking out the living room windows at the city, and the the view itself. 

Then standing from Elise's spot in the above picture in our living room you turn around and see our dining table (and Elijah's room on the right). It's such a big open space, which we really enjoy because it not only allows so much sunlight and the breeze to go through the house, but it's a great space for the kids to play.

To the left of the dining table is our kitchen, which is the largest kitchen I've ever had. It's completely open on the one side, which helps when I have to spend such a long time cooking cause I can still see the kids. 

Walking into Elijah's room, you can see his double doors going out to his balcony & a full length window beside them. 

 

 

Here's mine and Neal's room. The door beside the full window leads to the front balcony, which is my favorite.

 I love the view! I'm hopeful to get two small wicker chairs for this balcony.

Here's Elise's room, which is right beside our room. You get to both of our rooms by way of a small hall right off of the family room.

I've always enjoyed rocking my babies, so whenever we're in our home and I can sit in my rocker my heart is so full! Also being able to feel the breeze and look outside at the greenery and neighborhood blesses me! I've longed for such things here in India. 

Here's the sunset view from Elise's window beside the rocker. 

The picture below is the opposite side of her room. The french doors lead out to a balcony that connects with Elijah's. Her room gets the best cross breeze because of the windows that are on both sides of the room. 

 Thanks for coming to see our home :)

Only in India # 52

Only in India do you find interesting warning signs like this one:

When someone has received an electric shock... do this... give them a "quick relief massage"

and then if that doesn't seem to help, take them to a doctor (Duh.- who always will look like this Japanese man in the photo :)

Finally give them another massage if they receive "death to negligence".

Wow! I feel so informed! I am ready for this next time!!

New Home

We have been enjoying our new home.

It feels like a sanctuary from the busyness of life here... it has been nice also for the kids to have their own rooms to sleep in.

There is a constant breeze since the monsoon has been here for well over a month now!
With that in mind we have been (especially Elise) suffering from colds. But it still has been so nice to have a large open area for the kids to play, more room for our items.

We hope and pray that this would be a place of comfort and conversations with new friends and neighbors. Also a place to meet early with our Lord, and rest well at night.

As you can see we love all the light in the day.

May it be used by God to bring comfort to many!

First Local Friend

I'd taken Elijah and Elise to the park one late afternoon and while Elijah was playing I met a kind woman. She had two boys, the oldest nine years and the youngest three.  We talked for a while until other women and children came to get my attention. Instead of walking off or saying goodbye she just waited. Waited patiently till they were finished talking, then continued our conversation. She struck me so differently than so many others. Her patient and gentle spirit was really what drew me to her...and the kindness in her eyes, which was all I could see because she was wearing a burka. 

She invited us to her house, so, we exchanged numbers and I called her later to arrange when we could meet. I took Elijah along on the visit, knowing he could make some new friends. When we arrived on their street the oldest son took Elijah under his wing as if he was his brother. He was so excited to have him visit...he wanted to show him everything.

The oldest showed Elijah all his school work and talked to him about what he was learning. The youngest son woke up from his nap and at first was really shy around the two of us. Once he warmed up, he immediately went to get a car to show Elijah, which is of course his favorite. They played cars in the front room on the table,  then in the side room where all the extra cars were located. To my surprise they played for an hour together, and they only had one instance where they weren't sharing.

 Chai, with a snack is of course always served. What's interesting here, as opposed to Kite City, is they will put the chai in a tea pot, and use china cups and saucers. I was actually thrilled about the tea pot thing because I've always loved them. I brought my favorite white Pottery Barn tea pot from the states with us this time...always being hesitant to do so before..., but unfortunately it broke in the suitcase :( I'll have a get one from here.

The little red cup on the tray was actually for Elijah. She served the boys warm milk and some of the dessert balls in the dish. It was too cute watching them enjoy their "chai"!

Doesn't Elijah look so happy?! He was! He loved being with those two boys playing cars...and my heart was overjoyed!!!

I asked her when we could come back again to visit...her in-laws, who she lives with are very strict and won't allow her to come to my house :( She said she would be really busy till after Ramadan, and then we could return. That time seems so far away, but I'm thankful for a friend whom I enjoy being with, and friends for my son! Thank you Lord, you're good to us!

Pics of the Kids & What They Enjoy

Here's some pictures of the kids here in Garden City. They have come to enjoy many different things, and the pictures will show most of their favorites. It's a lot of pictures, but it's like a story through their eyes of what brings joy.

For Elijah, swinging is not only one of his most favorite things, but it's very soothing to him. He loved swinging in America, but he's struggled so much since we've returned that he longs for the familiarity and solitude that swinging brings. We're hoping to one day get a small swing set for our roof to help Elijah.

Without big bathtubs you have to get creative...so we use small plastic tubs that some people hand wash their clothes in. The kids love it because they aren't too fond of showers :)

No doubt food is something this baby girl enjoys...and she will eat anything and everything now days!

There's a fascination with climbing into each others bed when one is sleeping. You always hear laughter from the next room as they are both now awake and playing. It's something that brings joy to your heart even when nap time is cut short.

 The malls here have play areas for kids that always have balls. Elijah Loves playing in the balls and that's what he always associates malls with...that and coffee :)

 Reading. Elijah has moved past the board books, though he still likes them, and onto the 'big kid' books such as Nemo, his current favorite. He likes looking at the rich pictures and he 'reads' the story to himself. Then when I read the story to him he corrects me with things that aren't actually printed in the book, but they're quoted in the movie.

 While we were staying with our friends when we first moved here Elise discovered their daughters princess castle. She would go into her room and play with the castle everyday we were there. It was the first time she'd ever seen a castle, so it was cute that that's what she gravitated towards...obviously different than my son. I love having a boy and a girl now!

 Standing on our porch overlooking the trees and the street below is something Elijah and Elise do together often. They of course enjoy the outside air, and that I let them go out alone since it's safe.

Elijah's room, as of right now, is the main spot for all the cool toys, especially with his train table in the middle. They love having the table to play trains, cars, animals, anything really. And whatever Elijah is doing, or wherever he is is where Elise wants to be as well :)

 Spinach and fruit smoothy in the morning! Oh yes, both of them always beg for the smoothy. Elise can't actually say it yet, but if she sees Elijah with a cup that looks similar to their smoothy cup she starts grunting and reaching for his cup.

 Elijah enjoys being the big brother by either bringing Elise food when she's playing in her room, or feeding her. He likes to tear her food into small pieces so that they're bite size. What a good helper :)

Walking. Elise took her first steps by herself on June 19th! She's been walking around the house by holding onto things, but, ever since that day she's become more and more risky in stepping out without holding on. She will even stand straight up from a sitting or squatting position and start walking...now that's a good core :)

 Drawing and coloring. Whenever Elijah, or Elise for that matter, are given crayons they tend to just bite them or break them. It's more just frustrating for me than it is fun for them. But, when Elijah's given a pencil, pen, or markers he is really good at drawing, and he always wants to include every color :)

Hanging out on the balcony that connects both of their rooms is such a fun place to play with toys, or run away from Mama or each other.

Elise also really likes being able to swing the door open and shut.

 Look at this girl! There's a wall between their two balconies, but it has a space they can fit through, which is why it's a great area to run from people. This baby girl will squeeze herself between the railing and the wall to go to whatever size Elijah is on. Because she's just now learning to walk, it takes her quite a while to get through.

Playing under the coffee table is a favorite spot, and especially with the Happyland toys. If you're familiar with Little People brand in the states, this is basically the same thing but a British version, which is sold here. They've both always loved Little People, so when we saw these we were thrilled.

Shoes. Elise loves shoes. In India you don't wear your shoes in the house because once they've been out they're gross. So, we have a pile by our door of shoes till we get a shoe stand...and everyday we have to get Elise out of the shoes.

Sneeking into Elijah's room. This girl thinks she needs to always go into Elijah's room when he's sleeping. She knows she's not to do it, so she will play peek-a-boo with the curtain till you notice her. Then she will laugh and continue prancing right into where she's not to go :)

The swimming pool is always a favorite. Gosh, it looked so much bigger when we bought it in Kite City for just Elijah :)

Missing Family

One of the hardest things to "give up" is your family. I'm reminded of Jesus' words when he said, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:37-39) Wow...this is deep, and cuts deep to the heart. To be worthy of Christ...what does that look like? I aspire to live a life worthy of Christ, though I feel I'll never make it. But, praise the Lord it's not by works but by God's grace through faith that we're saved!! (Eph. 2:8-9)

Prior to leaving to head back to India I walked with Elijah through my (Kristen's) parents back yard and explained that we would be saying goodbye soon. I told him how we were going back to India, which he's aware that that's where we live, and we wouldn't see Nanna, Papa, Lolly, etc, or be at Nanna's house anymore. So, we were gonna have to say goodbye to all these things/people. I walked around to some of the places he loved in the yard and said goodbye within his hearing. Not that he understood all of it, but he's very aware of what goodbye means because he's had to do it so often in his short lifetime :(

I didn't know how much of our talk actually sunk in until I overheard him talking to my mom at the airport. I couldn't keep the tears from stinking my eyes when I heard Elijah say, "I not go to your house no more Nanna."

Hugging everyone, watching their reactions and faces, and waving as we walked beyond the elevator doors...not to see them for another two years unless they make the long flight...it hurts. It's never easy,  I never have a dry face, my breathing is always hard cause I'm trying to choke back the emotion. This, again, is no doubt the hardest part of this life.

Then when we arrive life gets busy. We were getting to know our new team - new 'family', getting to know our city, seeing news things, eating new foods. Many new and exciting, and sometimes challenging things. Glimpses of missing family here and there, but your mind is mostly filled with what's in front of you. However, this is not the case for Elijah.

Everyday Elijah's gotten involved with whatever is at hand. While we were staying at our team leaders house he enjoyed playing with their kids, their toys, going to the local park, the mall, etc. Since we've been in our home he enjoys playing with his toys, riding the scooter, playing on our roof, going to the local park, visiting new friends, etc. But, everyday, no lie, Everyday, he talks about his cousins.

While we were in America he got to know his four boy cousins on my side really well. Though he loves all of them, and was thrilled whenever any of them were around, he became especially attached to Jonas, who's six. So, since coming here, although he said goodbye to them, he asks about them or says something he wants to share with them everyday. Here's some examples: He says he wants Jonas to come stay on "that bed", pointing to his bed. He would ask if Jonas, Evan, Micah, and Aden could go to the park with him. He told me to put Jonas' name on the wall after I hung his name. He points out of the living room window and says he wants to go see them at "that house", again pointing. He asks why he can't see them and when I explain that they live in America and we live in India he says, "why they go ore there to Merica?" (as if they're the ones who moved to some crazy place:) He often grabs a toy and tells me he wants to play with it with Jonas. Some days he just says things and is fine, and other days he gets a little emotional.

Here's some pictures of Elijah with his "friends" (cousins) that he "left":

All the boys wearing their Duck Dynasty tshirts

Neal and I have been praying for some good friends for Elijah and Elise. Right now, friends are such an important thing in Elijah's life and he longs for them. He's always asking, "where my friends?" whenever we leave someones house we've been visiting. Lord, bless him in this area with precious boys who come to seek You as we're praying Elijah does.



Here's some pictures of Elijah with the beginnings of his new friendships:
To the right is our team leaders two oldest, Sean who's four, and Katie who's two. Bottom left is a local family I met who's oldest is nine and youngest is three. The bottom right is one of my best friends little girl who's two.