Wookie Cookies

 

Look what Paul found at the library.

Then Peter found it at home and

started making a grocery list.

Tonight we made TIE Fighter Ties.

I don't know what these are,

but I'd guess maybe they are flying machines.

 We did our best to get them to look
like the photo in the book.

 Yep.

 Quality Control stopped by "to help."

 Charlie and his Elvis impersonation enjoyed them.

 Peter was pleased.

 Reuben too.

Ah-ha, I found a photo...

Looks just like them.

Scroll back up to Reuben to compare.

Also on our menu for this week are:

*Princess Leia Danish Dos*

(cinnamon rolls)

 These turned out just like the picture in the book, amazingly.
The photos are pretty funny,
with action figures strategically placed.
 

*Yoda Soda*

(lime sherbet float)

*The Force Fruit Fun*

(fruit leather)

*Wookie Cookies*

(chocolate chip cookies)

*Greedo's Burritos*

(black beans and beef)

Fun and tasty times with my boys.

Charlie

How's Charlie doing?

He is doing so, so well.  Our whole family has adjusted wonderfully.

He has a crazy cute run and it looks like he might be pigeon-toed like many great Bennetts before him.

He hasn't had an ear infection for over a month, he's eating a ton, and starting to repeat words and sounds.  He definitely understands things like, "Let's get your shoes on," and "It's time to brush your teeth."  And he successfully communicates what he wants by grabbing my hand and pulling me to where he needs me, then pointing and grunting until I figure it out.  Words will be nice when they come.  He has a fun, fast-paced personality.

 Reuben taught him how to lick a beater.

And Paul's the only boy in the house who matches his socks.

 He's discovered the Bionicle stash

and is preparing to battle his brothers.

 Oh, ha.

One day, Reuben was upstairs and he jumped

and it made the ancient light in our downstairs living room

fall from the ceiling.

Shattered shards of glass everywhere.

This is our new light.

Charlie took care of the box for us.

Lightsaber training.

His first spin on the Children's Museum carousel.

Lots of fun.

Cute husband.

 

 Big brothers showing him how it's done.

Currently Charlie is seventeen months,

Reuben is five,

and Peter is nearly nine.

Sweet, sweet boys.

Except for when they're not.

The Interviews Revisited

As Peter, Reuben, Charlie, and I pushed our grocery cart to the check-out this afternoon, the cashier giddily exclaimed,

"I saw you!  You all were in the paper this morning!  You're famous!  You're celebrities!  You're movie stars!"

I'm totally serious.  She was so excited.

I responded with, "Yeah, maybe they'll make a movie out of it.  Ha, ha."

This was the picture on the front page of today's paper.

The reporter who was supposed to come to our house on Monday, but didn't, and then again on Tuesday, but didn't, and then said she'd come the following Wednesday... came on Wednesday.  She was late, but she did come.  And she wrote a nice article about our family and international adoption;  even mentioning Steven Curtis Chapman, Show Hope, and Bethany Christian Services - all key players in our adoptions.

If you'd like to bask in the glory of knowing someone famous read the article, I can email the link to you.  Parents and siblings, it's already in your inbox, because, you know, I'd want to read about you if you were in the paper.

*Remember that one time when I was in the Sports section of the Press Democrat because I won first place at a swim meet in high school?  Except really, I won last place.  I felt sad for the swimmer who actually won and missed her opportunity for glory and fame.*

Okay, so Interview Number One turned out okay.  Let's move on to Interview Number Two.


"I'm terribly sorry, not the news you wanted to hear I'm sure."

and

"Again, I know this is disappointing."

This interview process with the international school is not going the direction I was hoping.

They would prefer me to be single or for both Paul and I to be applying for positions at the school.  For reasons I don't understand,  they "have had some very trying situations with this type of arrangement and it just has not worked out well."  The director of the school has not requested or reviewed my file due to this.

So, it will truly take the Holy Spirit to move the director to consider me.  Which is great.  We want to be in God's will.  If this school isn't it, then there must be a reason.  But the whole time I was reading the disappointing email from the school, I was thinking, "But I want this so much.  This is what I want.  I want to teach at this school.  This is perfect for our family."  Immediately the Bible verses about God's will, not mine flooded my sad heart.  Isn't it good to be guided by God?  He's so much more emotionally stable and non-hormonal than me.

While in this process to be a full-time teacher again, I have become very excited about it all - moving, getting rid of all our possessions, meeting new people, being a professional again, teaching kids to read, wearing dresses, serving God in a new way...

We shall see.

Christmas Away From Home

A short video to remind us to encourage families living overseas during the Holidays.



Do you know a family living away from all things American?  They would love to receive some Christmas cheer from you.


If the video above doesn't work for you, here's the YouTube link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kuX7OA6nRC4

Interviews

Shall I report on the good interview or the dumb one first?

Dumb one it is.  It's better to end on a high note, right?

Dumb Interview

A reporter from a nearby newspaper called our house asking to interview our family at our home with her camera.  She wanted to do a piece about international adoption.

(She learned about the internationalness of our family from a homeschool field trip we went on to the newspaper office.)

So we set up an appointment for this last Monday at 3:45.

House clean, faces washed, photogenic clothing on.

4:20, no reporter.

I called the newspaper office...

She had it down for Tuesday, not Monday.

No, it was Monday.  I had confirmed it with her.  But, I'm all for advocating adoption so I rescheduled it for the next day.

It's Tuesday now.  House, faces, and clothes still pretty much clean.  4:15, no reporter.

Serious?

I called her office again and she said she had forgotten.  Her and her husband are down to one car, you know.  That was her excuse.  Really?  I just talked to you yesterday when you stood me up the first time and you didn't think to call me?!

She wanted to reschedule but I told her that I was afraid she wasn't going to show up again and we have been putting our life on hold for her to come.  I want to put the word out about adoption, but this is ridiculous.

She ended up interviewing me on the phone right then and said she will for sure come to our house next Wednesday.  She wrote it in pen on her calendar.  As if that means anything.

So I've spent the last several days fretting and wondering and hoping that this irresponsible woman will properly represent our family and adoption.  It seems unlikely and I'm already penning a letter to the editor in my mind.  I finally just gave these worries to God and asked him to take care of it all.

That's better.


The Good Interview

I applied for that teaching job, remember?  Since then I have had an online interview, several emails back and forth, references requested, and a phone call with the school representatives.

And now they are on Winter Holiday.  So we get to wait.

But, it's been fun to be in this process and to think about the realities of moving next summer and professionally teaching again.

Ahh!  Really, so neat.

There are others who have applied ahead of me and the word is that the Director is nearly ready to offer the position to someone who is not me.  He has not seen my file yet due to all of my references not being back in.  But, I know that my name has been made known to him so perhaps my file has been in front of him.  And perhaps he will be newly inspired to offer me the job!

As in the above Interview That Wasn't, I have put my trust in God to fully guide this situation.  What a perfectly wonderful thing... to know that God will do what He knows is best.  If I am not offered the position, then it's not the right path for our family.

I want what he wants.

I'll let you know what that is when I know.

Shopping!

Tis the season, right?

To shop galore.

I recently bought from these organizations.  I hope you will too.

They each work with women rescued from sex slavery, human trafficking, and prostitution.  They teach them skills like sewing and jewelry-making.  These women now can support themselves and their children by making and selling these things.  But they need people to buy them!  Lucky for us, it's time to shop for Christmas.  or Hanukkah.  or Valentine's Day.  or Just Because You Want to Help a Woman Out.

Each website below will tell you more about their work.

*I bought the Ring of Fire bracelet from International Sanctuary.  They work in India.  Here's their link...

http://www.shopsanctuary.org/the-ring-of-fire.html

And here's my Ring of Fire bracelet in action...

It goes with so many outfits.

And adds a nice dazzle to pajama time.

*I bought these pajama pants from International Princess Project.  They also work in India.  I love them.  They are so comfy and cute.  I just ordered another pair today.  And they have free shipping for the rest of December.  AND, because I'm their friend and you're my friend you can use the code friendofIPP to get 40% off through this Sunday, December 11.  Here's their link...

http://www.punjammies.com/collections/punjammies/products/usha-capri-1

*And Paul bought me a necklace from Cross Cultural Connections.  They work in Turkey and I've met them personally.  Good people.  Here's their link...

http://crossculturalconnections.org/catalog/index.php/cPath/22

Here's my necklace.  I got it in green...

When you buy from these groups you are giving a wonderful gift to the rescued women, those helping to rescue them, and to whomever you give the gift to (maybe yourself). 

Happy Shopping.  May you be blessed as you bless these women.

~Stacey

...and Reuben

A Possibility

I applied for a job last night.

Teaching first grade.

At an international school.

In the middle east.

In a certain particular country we know of.

And then I felt sick.

And couldn't sleep.

Oh man, to re-enter the professional world

after nine years of domesticality...

How exciting.

We'll see.



Paul and I were praying together last night.

Specifically for our future plans.

"God, we're ready.  Show us, guide us.

What would you have us do?

Where do you want us to go?

When?  How?"



Right after our 'Amens' I was inspired to look up

this International School we had visited in 2009 to see if they

were, by chance, hiring a first grade teacher for next year.

Um, they are.

Not a second or third or fourth or fifth or sixth grade.

First grade.

Maybe you don't know that I was a first grade teacher in

a dear public school in my California days.



Paul and I have been discussing the work and power

of the Holy Spirit lately.

Was this an instance of the Holy Spirit

quickly, specifically answering our prayers?

We asked, he answered?

Isn't there a verse about asking but not believing?

Okay, I found it in Mark 11.

"Whatever you ask for in prayer,

believe that you have received it

and it will be yours."

Perhaps not totally applicable.

But maybe it is.



Sometimes it's hard to know...

Is this me?

Or is this the Holy Spirit in me?

Is God up there hitting his hand on his forehead?

"You asked!  I answered!  Have faith.  Geez."



We would love your prayers about our future.

We just want to do what God desires for us.

We are waiting to know his will.

"We humans keep brainstorming options and plans,

But God's purpose prevails."

Proverbs 19:21

California

Charlie and I needed to go to California.  Do you ever need to go to California?

My parents had tickets to come visit us here in early November, but had to cancel last minute.  So I started looking for tickets for me to bring Charlie to them in California.

Paul's been really busy and I hadn't had a chance to talk to him about it until Monday, November 21.  It was his day off and that morning as he was headed to the shower I mentioned to him that I really would like to be on a noon flight to California that day.  And would he please be prepared to talk about that after his shower.

Thirty minutes later I was packing!

Do you know my husband?  He is a very understanding, kind, and loving man.


 

Relaxing in the airport.

Layover in Las Vegas where a cup of Starbucks water

provided our entertainment.

 

 Oh, did I mention my parents were camping.

At the beach.

In southern California.

Yes, we were happy to be there.

 Charlie had his first trip to the Stone Steps,

a sentimental beach for me.

And we shared an old fashion donut with chocolate icing

from Leucadia Donut Shoppe,

as is our family tradition.

"Donuts on the beach!"

Saying good morning to Korea

across the Pacific.

 This is the view from the campsite.

We just walked right out to the beach.

It was sunny and warm,

I'm just going to tell you.

Charlie and I went for two beach walks a day

for his naps.

Here the tide is out, exposing coral and seaweed.

 Here's my brother David and his son Brody.

Their family was camping too,

along with his lovely inlaws.

 Having a chip with Granpa by the campfire.

And here's a demo of how the fire was started.

By a fireman.

With a roofing torch.

 My niece Gigi

leaning back in her chair and being stoic.

 Dueling highchairs.

Charlie and Brody having chips from El Indio.

(Which I stopped at on my way to the airport to buy two bags to bring home to share the crunchy goodness of thick fresh tortilla chips with my boys back home.)

Charlie and Brody about to go for a bike ride.

Night time hats.

Brody is three months older than Charlie.

 I really wanted to go to California when I did

because it was Thanksgiving week and my dad

and brother were off work all week

and we could all just be together at the campground.

And I could eat my Mom's sage stuffing.

Thanks, Mom.

Here's Nick,

the turkey cooker.

Also known as David's father-in-law.

The turkey smoked all day while...

... they watched football.

Yep.

 Here we all are.

Thanksgiving feast at the beach.

Here's a video tour of the Thanksgiving Goodness.

 Brody was hilarious with the turkey leg.

 Charlie just wanted cranberry sauce...

... Until he took over my plate and discovered

his Aunt Nicole's amazing green beans.

Video of

The Eating of the Cranberry Sauce...

(Granny's special recipe)

 The next day another one-year-old cousin arrived.

Meet Micah on the far right.

A final stroll in the sunset.

 We camped from Monday to Sunday,

then I spent a few days at my parents' house with them.

 Charlie and my Dad having breakfast together.

More Aunts and Uncles and Cousins came over to meet Charlie.

This is my cousin Elizabeth.

 Just a few days ago

my Mom drove us to the San Diego airport

where we said goodbye.

Ten glorious days in So Cal with my faraway family.

Did you remember that I am far from fond of camping?

Aha!

I got to be a day camper.

It was great.

My brother David's house was not far from the campground.

Charlie and I got to stay at their house

and sleep in beds and take showers

and scream and cry at 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, and
5:30 in the morning

without bothering anyone else.

The time change can be a bit rough for a tot.

Driving to and fro and stopping at the grocery store
and gas station and Target
gave me the dreamy sense that I lived there.

But I don't.
I did once.
But now I am here.
Which is perfectly wonderful too.