Peter is interpreting for her in the video.
Thank you all so much!
Find not too frequent updates from the Livesay family here
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Thank You
Telicia Pierre (also known as Madame Felius) - and I made this video for all of you who provided for her surgery through prayer and financial giving. It was a blessing and a testament of God's power for her, for the community, this mission, and our family. She is doing great, starting to walk with her walker, and hoping to be back to work soon.
Peter is interpreting for her in the video.
Peter is interpreting for her in the video.
First Day of School
Proud as peacocks ... these two are kind of a big deal!
Troy, the teacher is in the turquoise. They were meeting all the other kids in the lobby of the school. The class is about 20 kids, more boys than girls. Paige told Isaac to be careful about hugging or kissing strangers and that some girls might be offended if he tells them they are beautiful too often. We want him to be him ... we just don't want anyone slapping a sexual harassment suit on the poor kid. It should be interesting.
Well, I have 100 jumbled thoughts that need processing --- mainly I just don't think I know how to "do" this fast paced culture all that well anymore. This entry will jump around, following the way my thoughts are working right now ... forgive the unorganized spewing.
Hope and Isaac went to Kindergarten at 9:15. Britt and Paige went to swim practice a bit ago. I pick one group up at 3:30, the next at 4:30, plan to see the last one around 7pm after she does her own errands. It's just me and Jack-Jack and we really don't quite know how to handle all the coming and going and rushing about. Britt has her own set of wheels and that makes me nervous in and of itself. (In the photo below Isaac spotted me, he thought I had already left.) :)
Being used to having all my kids in one place, almost always with me, it is a serious adjustment watching them all head their own directions. Paige is struggling a little bit I would say, but the rest of them seem to be taking it in stride. It has only been a week, maybe this will feel pretty normal to us by next week? It's just plain ODD having such MOBILE and busy kids.
I did not cry dropping off Hope and Isaac. As we walked in the building I got teary, but I pulled it together before any liquid left my eyes. I honestly feel so unready for the baby (mentally and physically) and unready for Britt to go to college ... and since all things are relative, it was not that hard to send Hope and Isaac off -- it is smaller on my scale of concerns and hormonal issues.
Britt is job searching, she only has two classes to finish to officially meet her high-school graduation requirements. She is hearing from the four colleges she is interested in that they will offer her the final information about loans, scholarships and details by mid-October. Once she compares that information she and I will go visit her top choice and get it all nailed down. She had hoped to know sooner than that but because she starts in January she will still have close to three months of knowing where she is headed, before she actually has to head there. She will end up in Texas, Indiana, or Florida --- just a SLIGHT difference between her geographical options, it is good she has learned to be flexible. If only her mother could be so calm.
Paige thought I kind of gypped her by not mentioning this was a milestone day for her too. She is officially a Junior High student. Her books came in the mail before we got here and she is off to a good start as a 7th grader! Congratulations Paige ... here are your props. We are so proud of you honey.
After a week here ... I have many observations, random and obvious, interesting and not.
Troy, the teacher is in the turquoise. They were meeting all the other kids in the lobby of the school. The class is about 20 kids, more boys than girls. Paige told Isaac to be careful about hugging or kissing strangers and that some girls might be offended if he tells them they are beautiful too often. We want him to be him ... we just don't want anyone slapping a sexual harassment suit on the poor kid. It should be interesting.
Well, I have 100 jumbled thoughts that need processing --- mainly I just don't think I know how to "do" this fast paced culture all that well anymore. This entry will jump around, following the way my thoughts are working right now ... forgive the unorganized spewing.Hope and Isaac went to Kindergarten at 9:15. Britt and Paige went to swim practice a bit ago. I pick one group up at 3:30, the next at 4:30, plan to see the last one around 7pm after she does her own errands. It's just me and Jack-Jack and we really don't quite know how to handle all the coming and going and rushing about. Britt has her own set of wheels and that makes me nervous in and of itself. (In the photo below Isaac spotted me, he thought I had already left.) :)
Being used to having all my kids in one place, almost always with me, it is a serious adjustment watching them all head their own directions. Paige is struggling a little bit I would say, but the rest of them seem to be taking it in stride. It has only been a week, maybe this will feel pretty normal to us by next week? It's just plain ODD having such MOBILE and busy kids.I did not cry dropping off Hope and Isaac. As we walked in the building I got teary, but I pulled it together before any liquid left my eyes. I honestly feel so unready for the baby (mentally and physically) and unready for Britt to go to college ... and since all things are relative, it was not that hard to send Hope and Isaac off -- it is smaller on my scale of concerns and hormonal issues.
Britt is job searching, she only has two classes to finish to officially meet her high-school graduation requirements. She is hearing from the four colleges she is interested in that they will offer her the final information about loans, scholarships and details by mid-October. Once she compares that information she and I will go visit her top choice and get it all nailed down. She had hoped to know sooner than that but because she starts in January she will still have close to three months of knowing where she is headed, before she actually has to head there. She will end up in Texas, Indiana, or Florida --- just a SLIGHT difference between her geographical options, it is good she has learned to be flexible. If only her mother could be so calm.
Paige thought I kind of gypped her by not mentioning this was a milestone day for her too. She is officially a Junior High student. Her books came in the mail before we got here and she is off to a good start as a 7th grader! Congratulations Paige ... here are your props. We are so proud of you honey.
After a week here ... I have many observations, random and obvious, interesting and not.
- TV is so trashy. Some of the shows are shockingly bad. Not having TV is a nice thing.
- News is depressing. Not knowing about weird things happening in public restrooms with US Senators is just fine with me. Too much news is not very helpful. Again, not having TV is a nice thing.
- Advertising works on kids. Things that did not exist in their little minds just last week are suddenly necessary to them.
- People drive fast.
- Ankles do not swell as much in cooler environments.
- Given the opportunity, Hope, Isaac, and Noah will all eat one pound of grapes EACH per day. I wish I were exaggerating.
- Real milk is really good. (Except Noah still won't drink it. Haiti and Carnation ruined him.)
- There really is something LEGITIMATE to the cold culture - warm culture thing that Britt posted back here. People move and interact in totally different ways.
- The USA sells weird things that don't make that much sense to me. What are multicultural markers? Are the regular ROY G. BIV ones intended for only one race/ethnicity?
Have - power.
Have - fans.
Have - internet.
Don't Have - time.
I can't believe how busy things have been here in Haiti since the rest of the tribe left. The beginning of the school year is always a busy time as I battle to get an unorganized culture organized, and try to enforce deadlines in a deadline-free society.
Phoebe is doing great, she's a fun little sidekick ... right up until she doesn't get what she wants or isn't able to put anything she finds in her mouth. Then she can be quite fierce. Then she gets to lay down for a minute. Then we start all over again. We've got it down to a science.
I've been putting off my Port trip(s) for the week after going there four days in a row last week. The work is piling up, though, so I'm going to have to make two trips in to take care of it all.
Everyone around here can sense that my activity level is ramping up, even the ones that don't know that I'm leaving yet can probably tell that something is afoot. You know how when parents are stressed out the children often act up even more? That's pretty much what is going on here. I'm trying desperately to tie up loose ends, put old problems to bed, get caught up on past work, and plan for the future months so everything goes smoothly - but everytime I turn around there's a new fire to be put out or request for help or semi-emergency. I keep flipping back and forth between wanting to take a break from it and not wanting to leave at all.
Gotta go - Phoebe is chewing on an unidentifiable object. Oh, wait, it's just an old fruit loop she found somewhere. We'll let that one go.
-TL2 in Haiti
Have - fans.
Have - internet.
Don't Have - time.
I can't believe how busy things have been here in Haiti since the rest of the tribe left. The beginning of the school year is always a busy time as I battle to get an unorganized culture organized, and try to enforce deadlines in a deadline-free society.
Phoebe is doing great, she's a fun little sidekick ... right up until she doesn't get what she wants or isn't able to put anything she finds in her mouth. Then she can be quite fierce. Then she gets to lay down for a minute. Then we start all over again. We've got it down to a science.
I've been putting off my Port trip(s) for the week after going there four days in a row last week. The work is piling up, though, so I'm going to have to make two trips in to take care of it all.
Everyone around here can sense that my activity level is ramping up, even the ones that don't know that I'm leaving yet can probably tell that something is afoot. You know how when parents are stressed out the children often act up even more? That's pretty much what is going on here. I'm trying desperately to tie up loose ends, put old problems to bed, get caught up on past work, and plan for the future months so everything goes smoothly - but everytime I turn around there's a new fire to be put out or request for help or semi-emergency. I keep flipping back and forth between wanting to take a break from it and not wanting to leave at all.
Gotta go - Phoebe is chewing on an unidentifiable object. Oh, wait, it's just an old fruit loop she found somewhere. We'll let that one go.
-TL2 in Haiti
Monday, September 03, 2007
Valleyfair
Britt, Paige and Isaac had a full day of riding rides yesterday. These photos are for Troy-boy. They met their cousins, Mya and Luke for the second half of the day. We are excited for tomorrow, the first day of school for two very anxious Kindergartners! Troy- give us some Haiti news ... saw the weather, now we want news. :)
Forecast
If variety is the spice of life, things are looking pretty bland around here. Bland, and HOT.
Minnesota here I come...where no day has the same weather for more than an hour, let alone a 10-day forecast. Don't worry, I'm sure my human nature will kick in once I'm there and will begin complaining about the cold very quickly. The weather's always better on the other side of the Caribbean...
Hair DO and Hair DON'T
The other day I (tara) was on the phone with Troy. I said, "So what are you guys doing?"
Troy said, "Well, I have Lumen and Caroline here working on new braids for Phoebe. We will have to re-do them again on Thursday I think."
I chuckle every time I think of Troy setting up hair appointments and being in charge of this detail. Isn't he cute? Dads in charge of little girl hair. I like it. I asked Troy to send me some photos of recent days ... this is what I received.
Troy said, "Well, I have Lumen and Caroline here working on new braids for Phoebe. We will have to re-do them again on Thursday I think."
I chuckle every time I think of Troy setting up hair appointments and being in charge of this detail. Isn't he cute? Dads in charge of little girl hair. I like it. I asked Troy to send me some photos of recent days ... this is what I received.
Troy and Phoebe -
We're all thinking about you and hope you're not missing all the noise too much. We love you! Keep up the EXCELLENT work on the hair-do's.
~Tara
We're all thinking about you and hope you're not missing all the noise too much. We love you! Keep up the EXCELLENT work on the hair-do's.
~Tara
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Crazed Isaac
Britt and Paige took their brother to an amusement park today. The rest of us are too pregnant or too short to ride rides, we are going through boxes of clothes trying to get organized.
Isaac called me, here is what he said:
"Mom - Oh - aaaahhhhh -- sbllbjajfdlkhejhrahgjkgbng kjfd kjfh -- fdfhadkfh - dfjalkdjfdklsjf ... wecvkhjrfgh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mom, you won't believe it. dfjdkgjdklgjdkjwejfkj. Roller Coaster. dkfjdkfjdfjkjdfkjd"
Or something like that.
He is FAR too spazzy to comprehend, but from what I gathered he likes it. Britt said if they did not ride another ride, her day would be complete because they are laughing so hard at how amazed he is by all of it.
He absolutely cannot believe such a place exists. :-)
Isaac called me, here is what he said:
"Mom - Oh - aaaahhhhh -- sbllbjajfdlkhejhrahgjkgbng kjfd kjfh -- fdfhadkfh - dfjalkdjfdklsjf ... wecvkhjrfgh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mom, you won't believe it. dfjdkgjdklgjdkjwejfkj. Roller Coaster. dkfjdkfjdfjkjdfkjd"
Or something like that.
He is FAR too spazzy to comprehend, but from what I gathered he likes it. Britt said if they did not ride another ride, her day would be complete because they are laughing so hard at how amazed he is by all of it.
He absolutely cannot believe such a place exists. :-)
Saturday, September 01, 2007
For Troy
hi babe-
you said you want to be able to picture us in our new place ... i skipped the bathroom photo, and hallway/laundry room too. they look like a bathroom, a hallway and a laundry room. use your imagination.
first photo is standing in family room facing kitchen - peanut's butt is in front of the door that goes into Paige and Phoebe's room. The computer is in the kitchen. Britt is upstairs at Matt and Tina's house - in a big bedroom.
see the bed next to the fireplace? vavoom. That is ours. Yeah, there is no door or ability to have privacy ... so, maybe just va - but with no voom. either way, we will be toasty warm. noah is napping on the bed - look closely. i will kick him off/out before you get here.
it is cozy and totally workable ... we're mainly organized now - i even found some of your winter clothes - lucky you gained the 15 pounds back. :)
i have no idea how I managed to blur the photos --- but you get the idea.
the 3 little kids are in the room shown here- it was picked up for 30 seconds while i got the photo
hey twin cities friends,
do any of you have a full size crib that we can use for three months? If you do please email us - tl7inhaiti@yahoo.com phoebe is too big for a portable version.
troy has not seen this house -- matt and tina and mom and dad bought it this year, troy has not been in mn for a looong time.
you said you want to be able to picture us in our new place ... i skipped the bathroom photo, and hallway/laundry room too. they look like a bathroom, a hallway and a laundry room. use your imagination.
first photo is standing in family room facing kitchen - peanut's butt is in front of the door that goes into Paige and Phoebe's room. The computer is in the kitchen. Britt is upstairs at Matt and Tina's house - in a big bedroom.
see the bed next to the fireplace? vavoom. That is ours. Yeah, there is no door or ability to have privacy ... so, maybe just va - but with no voom. either way, we will be toasty warm. noah is napping on the bed - look closely. i will kick him off/out before you get here.
it is cozy and totally workable ... we're mainly organized now - i even found some of your winter clothes - lucky you gained the 15 pounds back. :)i have no idea how I managed to blur the photos --- but you get the idea.
the 3 little kids are in the room shown here- it was picked up for 30 seconds while i got the photo
hey twin cities friends,
do any of you have a full size crib that we can use for three months? If you do please email us - tl7inhaiti@yahoo.com phoebe is too big for a portable version.
troy has not seen this house -- matt and tina and mom and dad bought it this year, troy has not been in mn for a looong time.
FIVE years ago this weekend ...
Five years ago in late August we got an email that Hope was very sick. She was screaming and did not want to be touched. We spent a day trying to decide what to do. Tara booked a flight to go see what was happening. Hope had passed a kidney stone by the time Tara got down to her.These photos were taken over the Labor Day weekend Tara spent in a hotel room with Hope and Isaac. Hope left Haiti 25 days later on a medical visa for surgery and Isaac stayed behind.
On this (2002) Labor Day weekend Isaac took his FIRST steps, Tara was able to see it.
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!
Last Saturday
A week flies by ... by the way, we flew Spirit for the first time and thought it was good!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Quick News - Cool Devotional
Tara here, posting from the land of lots to buy and much to do.
Britt and Paige have been busy with their swim team stuff. Both girls said tonight how different it is to be apart so many hours of the day ... we really did learn to work as a team in Haiti -- we all decided it is a really nice way to live. They are happy to be swimming, just wishing it demanded a little less of their time. The team has been very kind and has embraced them.
Tomorrow night is the first football game of the year. The boys are VERY excited to go. Britt and Paige both get to help Uncle Matt on the sidelines. Paige is the water runner and Britt is a note-taker. Matt is an intense coach, I keep warning them not to expect "Uncle" Matt out there --- it will very much be COACH Matt. The first game is against one of the best teams in the entire state, kind of a bummer ... but I am going to watch the coach, the water girl, and the notetaker ... the football game is the side-show.
Hope and Isaac went to meet their teacher. I need to tell her they are only staying until January 1st, just have not gotten to it yet. She seems very nice. On the way home they argued about how to pronounce her name. It is all very interesting to observe. Hope and Isaac are as different as two kids can be, I think it will be entertaining to hear their take on school and new kids and all of it. Isaac thinks the school looks like a Doctors office. I have no idea what that means, but that is what he said. They start Tuesday. They are all set to go. My friend Lisa did an amazing job of garage sale and Good Will shopping for them. We have not needed winter clothes for a long time. Both Hope and Ike have grown six inches or more, but Lisa found really nice stuff for them and spent almost nothing doing it. I am so over the whole shopping thing, it is a huge blessing to not have to go do that now too. THANK YOU SUPREME SHOPPER LISA!!!!
She also got the other kids things too. We need to come up with one or two winter coats but that is it! Paige took in a major haul from a friend of Britt's and now needs nothing else. We're feeling pretty blessed by all of it!
I had an OB appt today. The Doctor said, "You did amazing your weight is great, we should send all of our ladies to Haiti for seven or eight months of their pregnancy." Take that Dr. Guichard. So odd the totally opposite opinions these two guys have about what I weigh. My C-section got moved by a day, not that a day matters --- but my Dad is leaving for a long mission trip to the Ukraine the night before the baby comes now ... that makes me sad. Sigh.
Troy had an AMAZING day in Haiti today ... but neither he nor I have the energy to fully tell the story tonight. He is in bed already, and I need to head there too. I will share sometime this weekend. Troy sent this devotional to me yesterday, we both really liked it ... it is very fitting for us right now, we thought maybe you would enjoy it too.
Happy Labor Day Weekend,
Tara
SUBLIME INTIMACY - My Utmost for His Highest
Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe,
thou shouldest see the glory of God?"
John 11:40
Every time you venture out in the life of faith, you will find something in your common-sense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith.
Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture heroically on Jesus Christ's statements when the facts of your common-sense life shout - "It's a lie?" On the mount it is easy to say - 'Oh, yes, I believe God can do
it'; but you have to come down into the demon-possessed valley and meet with facts that laugh ironically at the whole of your mount-of-transfiguration belief. Every time my programme of belief is clear to my own mind, I come across something that contradicts it. Let me say I believe God will supply all my need, and then let me run dry, with no outlook, and see whether I will go through the trial of faith, or whether I will sink back to something lower.
Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict. What is your faith up against just now? The test will either prove that your faith is right, or it will kill it. "Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in Me." The final thing is confidence in Jesus. Believe steadfastly on Him and all you come up against will develop your faith.
There is continual testing in the life of faith, and the last great test is death. May God keep us in fighting trim! Faith is
unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us.
Britt and Paige have been busy with their swim team stuff. Both girls said tonight how different it is to be apart so many hours of the day ... we really did learn to work as a team in Haiti -- we all decided it is a really nice way to live. They are happy to be swimming, just wishing it demanded a little less of their time. The team has been very kind and has embraced them.
Tomorrow night is the first football game of the year. The boys are VERY excited to go. Britt and Paige both get to help Uncle Matt on the sidelines. Paige is the water runner and Britt is a note-taker. Matt is an intense coach, I keep warning them not to expect "Uncle" Matt out there --- it will very much be COACH Matt. The first game is against one of the best teams in the entire state, kind of a bummer ... but I am going to watch the coach, the water girl, and the notetaker ... the football game is the side-show.
Hope and Isaac went to meet their teacher. I need to tell her they are only staying until January 1st, just have not gotten to it yet. She seems very nice. On the way home they argued about how to pronounce her name. It is all very interesting to observe. Hope and Isaac are as different as two kids can be, I think it will be entertaining to hear their take on school and new kids and all of it. Isaac thinks the school looks like a Doctors office. I have no idea what that means, but that is what he said. They start Tuesday. They are all set to go. My friend Lisa did an amazing job of garage sale and Good Will shopping for them. We have not needed winter clothes for a long time. Both Hope and Ike have grown six inches or more, but Lisa found really nice stuff for them and spent almost nothing doing it. I am so over the whole shopping thing, it is a huge blessing to not have to go do that now too. THANK YOU SUPREME SHOPPER LISA!!!!
She also got the other kids things too. We need to come up with one or two winter coats but that is it! Paige took in a major haul from a friend of Britt's and now needs nothing else. We're feeling pretty blessed by all of it!
I had an OB appt today. The Doctor said, "You did amazing your weight is great, we should send all of our ladies to Haiti for seven or eight months of their pregnancy." Take that Dr. Guichard. So odd the totally opposite opinions these two guys have about what I weigh. My C-section got moved by a day, not that a day matters --- but my Dad is leaving for a long mission trip to the Ukraine the night before the baby comes now ... that makes me sad. Sigh.
Troy had an AMAZING day in Haiti today ... but neither he nor I have the energy to fully tell the story tonight. He is in bed already, and I need to head there too. I will share sometime this weekend. Troy sent this devotional to me yesterday, we both really liked it ... it is very fitting for us right now, we thought maybe you would enjoy it too.
Happy Labor Day Weekend,
Tara
SUBLIME INTIMACY - My Utmost for His Highest
Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe,
thou shouldest see the glory of God?"
John 11:40
Every time you venture out in the life of faith, you will find something in your common-sense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith.
Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture heroically on Jesus Christ's statements when the facts of your common-sense life shout - "It's a lie?" On the mount it is easy to say - 'Oh, yes, I believe God can do
it'; but you have to come down into the demon-possessed valley and meet with facts that laugh ironically at the whole of your mount-of-transfiguration belief. Every time my programme of belief is clear to my own mind, I come across something that contradicts it. Let me say I believe God will supply all my need, and then let me run dry, with no outlook, and see whether I will go through the trial of faith, or whether I will sink back to something lower.
Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict. What is your faith up against just now? The test will either prove that your faith is right, or it will kill it. "Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in Me." The final thing is confidence in Jesus. Believe steadfastly on Him and all you come up against will develop your faith.
There is continual testing in the life of faith, and the last great test is death. May God keep us in fighting trim! Faith is
unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Glory IN the Highest/Glory TO the Highest
This is the show God put on for Haiti tonight...He's been busy...
Change the Order
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in
weakness. ~2 Corinthians 12:9
"Rather than saying 'God, here is my problem,' we should put the
problem into perspective by saying 'Problem, here is my God!'" Whoever wrote
those words must have understood that there is no problem God cannot handle
in our lives.
When we make our problems the object of our lives, it is easy to become
discouraged and forget that we have a God who will sustain us during
our trials. However, when we change our perspective and the order of the
words, we see that God becomes the object and the focus of our lives. It seems
like such a small detail wouldn't matter much, but when you visualize
introducing your problems to Almighty God, suddenly they seem smaller, and you
realize just how triumphant you can be with His help.
Often, it is only a matter of changing our perspective in order to
overcome adversity. No matter what troubles you are facing, always remember our
God is big enough, strong enough, and powerful enough to take care of them.
He is the answer to all of life's problems, and He is enough.
He comes to us in the brokenness of our health, in the shipwreck of our
family lives, in the loss of all possible peace of mind, even in the
very thick of our sins. He saves us in our disasters, not from them.
-Robert Farrar Capon
weakness. ~2 Corinthians 12:9
"Rather than saying 'God, here is my problem,' we should put the
problem into perspective by saying 'Problem, here is my God!'" Whoever wrote
those words must have understood that there is no problem God cannot handle
in our lives.
When we make our problems the object of our lives, it is easy to become
discouraged and forget that we have a God who will sustain us during
our trials. However, when we change our perspective and the order of the
words, we see that God becomes the object and the focus of our lives. It seems
like such a small detail wouldn't matter much, but when you visualize
introducing your problems to Almighty God, suddenly they seem smaller, and you
realize just how triumphant you can be with His help.
Often, it is only a matter of changing our perspective in order to
overcome adversity. No matter what troubles you are facing, always remember our
God is big enough, strong enough, and powerful enough to take care of them.
He is the answer to all of life's problems, and He is enough.
He comes to us in the brokenness of our health, in the shipwreck of our
family lives, in the loss of all possible peace of mind, even in the
very thick of our sins. He saves us in our disasters, not from them.
-Robert Farrar Capon
MSNBC Story
Go to-
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20293963/fromET
for a recent story on child slavery in Haiti.
There is a video story as well as an article.
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20293963/fromET
for a recent story on child slavery in Haiti.
There is a video story as well as an article.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Rat Race Update
This land is exhausting.
We have a nice set-up at my Sister's house. Eventually my parents will live in Texas most of the year and will have their summer home be the lower-level of Matt and Tina's house. So, it is set up as a two bedroom apartment. We have a small kitchen and plenty of room to have our own space. I did not want to mooch off of my sister, the kitchen is the best! So, today we went to get groceries and basics to set up our little house. Grocery shopping in Haiti is WAY easier. I think less is more. I think less is easier. I am sorry I ever griped about no choices. No choices is easy. I made more decisions today then I have made in the last 30 days.
Isaac now owns tennis shoes. He is pumped. SUPER pumped. Another decision. :-)
Hope and Isaac both had immunizations today. Hope sat quiet and calm and "took it like a man." Isaac screamed from the minute he was in the room until we were five miles away from the place. Either way, it is done -- they are all ready to go to Kindergarten next Tuesday. Isaac told the lady who did our intake that she "has a beautiful voice." The boy knows how to charm women.
I attended a swim meet. Yes, day two in USA ... a swim meet.
Tomorrow is Kindergarten Round-Up, we are meeting the teacher. It is all surreal and weird. These kids just joined our family via the Grace of the Lord --- about 12 days ago --- they were babies --- now this. Kindergarten. How does it happen so fast?
I cannot find my way from the place that I live to their school, so that might be something to learn before tomorrow. I had to use MapQuest to find the swim meet tonight.
I realized today as I drove to St.Paul that Troy and I have switched roles in many ways. When we first started dating I was used to doing everything on my own and figuring out problems as the leader. I had been a single mom long enough to be totally self-sufficient. I would even say that in our early marriage I took too much charge of everything and did not even allow him to lead. At times my behavior and strong personality would technically have been unhealthy and just plain uncool. Between getting more in line with what God had planned for our family and moving to Haiti where I know nothing about anything; I have been put in a position to allow my husband to be the leader he was made to be. (Troy, you are a hoss. King hoss actually.) It is odd to be back in a position of doing stuff on my own. I think I like it when Troy takes care of me. I like not needing to know how to get places. This is all making life in Haiti seem sort of simple in many ways.
Troy and Phoebe, I think of you at least once an hour. I love you and I am missing you. We all are. Hope you had a fun night together.
-Tara
We have a nice set-up at my Sister's house. Eventually my parents will live in Texas most of the year and will have their summer home be the lower-level of Matt and Tina's house. So, it is set up as a two bedroom apartment. We have a small kitchen and plenty of room to have our own space. I did not want to mooch off of my sister, the kitchen is the best! So, today we went to get groceries and basics to set up our little house. Grocery shopping in Haiti is WAY easier. I think less is more. I think less is easier. I am sorry I ever griped about no choices. No choices is easy. I made more decisions today then I have made in the last 30 days.
Isaac now owns tennis shoes. He is pumped. SUPER pumped. Another decision. :-)
Hope and Isaac both had immunizations today. Hope sat quiet and calm and "took it like a man." Isaac screamed from the minute he was in the room until we were five miles away from the place. Either way, it is done -- they are all ready to go to Kindergarten next Tuesday. Isaac told the lady who did our intake that she "has a beautiful voice." The boy knows how to charm women.
I attended a swim meet. Yes, day two in USA ... a swim meet.
Tomorrow is Kindergarten Round-Up, we are meeting the teacher. It is all surreal and weird. These kids just joined our family via the Grace of the Lord --- about 12 days ago --- they were babies --- now this. Kindergarten. How does it happen so fast?
I cannot find my way from the place that I live to their school, so that might be something to learn before tomorrow. I had to use MapQuest to find the swim meet tonight.
I realized today as I drove to St.Paul that Troy and I have switched roles in many ways. When we first started dating I was used to doing everything on my own and figuring out problems as the leader. I had been a single mom long enough to be totally self-sufficient. I would even say that in our early marriage I took too much charge of everything and did not even allow him to lead. At times my behavior and strong personality would technically have been unhealthy and just plain uncool. Between getting more in line with what God had planned for our family and moving to Haiti where I know nothing about anything; I have been put in a position to allow my husband to be the leader he was made to be. (Troy, you are a hoss. King hoss actually.) It is odd to be back in a position of doing stuff on my own. I think I like it when Troy takes care of me. I like not needing to know how to get places. This is all making life in Haiti seem sort of simple in many ways.
Troy and Phoebe, I think of you at least once an hour. I love you and I am missing you. We all are. Hope you had a fun night together.
-Tara
Monday, August 27, 2007
The Stats
1,788 - Miles Covered
27 - Hours driving
47.5- Hours it took including sleep time and bathroom time to get from FLL airport to Tina & Matt's house
0- Number of times we were pulled over or arrested
32- Number of times Isaac said "It is BEAUTIFUL here."
78- Number of times someone said, "I cannot wait to get to MN."
Port St. Lucie, Florida - First fast food: Wendy's
Port St Lucie, Florida - First grocery store: Winn Dixie
Macon, Georgia - First WalMart
7 - The number of states traveled through (FL-GA-TN-KY-IL-WI-MN)
5- The number of states Tara cried in (Kentucky and Wisconsin were tear-free states)
3- The number of times Paige made us listen to Wyclef Jean's CD
1 - The number of times the Van pulled off the freeway for a spanking (incidently, this was in the last 90 minutes of the trip - so close yet so far)
1 - Criticism of the Dodge Caravan: NEEDS LUMBAR SUPPORT
4.5- Number of tanks of gas
7- Number of stops time did not allow for... Museum of Drag Racing, Florida Citrus Center, Rusty and Cheryl's house in FL, Road to Tara Gone with the Wind Museum, Amy's house in TN, National Quilt Museum, Kris's house in IL.
6- Number of times Troy called to check on us
0 - The likelihood that a roadtrip resembling this one will ever happen again
2- Number of strangers Isaac hugged or told they were beautiful (equaling one happy flight attendant and one surprised waitress)
0- Chances that AVIS will get business from the Livesay's ever again. They charge a full day at two hours. The van was returned at two days and 2 hours -- they charged three full days. The bawling pregnant customer made NO IMPACT on their decision to charge $140 for 2 hours. Down with Avis.
1- The number of times Noah got lost from us in Fort Lauderdale airport. He got on an escalator going down while we were still ten steps behind him with four 50 pound bags and no plan or need to go down the escalator ... it made for an interesting moment of decision ... Isaac and Hope were left with four bags and told to scream if anyone talked to them, while I got Noah and came back up another escalator to reunite the group - soaking in sweat at end of short panic attack.
4- Number of people who smiled pleasantly and said, "You sure have your hands full!"
10- The score Peanut gets out of 10 possible, she is THE ROAD TRIP DOG -- she earned her trip with perfect behavior
6- The number of hours Britt took over at the wheel.
18 - The hours I am now going to sleep.
ONE MILLION - Thanks to all of you who were praying for us. It went much better than expected!
27 - Hours driving
47.5- Hours it took including sleep time and bathroom time to get from FLL airport to Tina & Matt's house
0- Number of times we were pulled over or arrested
32- Number of times Isaac said "It is BEAUTIFUL here."
78- Number of times someone said, "I cannot wait to get to MN."
Port St. Lucie, Florida - First fast food: Wendy's
Port St Lucie, Florida - First grocery store: Winn Dixie
Macon, Georgia - First WalMart
7 - The number of states traveled through (FL-GA-TN-KY-IL-WI-MN)
5- The number of states Tara cried in (Kentucky and Wisconsin were tear-free states)
3- The number of times Paige made us listen to Wyclef Jean's CD
1 - The number of times the Van pulled off the freeway for a spanking (incidently, this was in the last 90 minutes of the trip - so close yet so far)
1 - Criticism of the Dodge Caravan: NEEDS LUMBAR SUPPORT
4.5- Number of tanks of gas
7- Number of stops time did not allow for... Museum of Drag Racing, Florida Citrus Center, Rusty and Cheryl's house in FL, Road to Tara Gone with the Wind Museum, Amy's house in TN, National Quilt Museum, Kris's house in IL.
6- Number of times Troy called to check on us
0 - The likelihood that a roadtrip resembling this one will ever happen again
2- Number of strangers Isaac hugged or told they were beautiful (equaling one happy flight attendant and one surprised waitress)
0- Chances that AVIS will get business from the Livesay's ever again. They charge a full day at two hours. The van was returned at two days and 2 hours -- they charged three full days. The bawling pregnant customer made NO IMPACT on their decision to charge $140 for 2 hours. Down with Avis.
1- The number of times Noah got lost from us in Fort Lauderdale airport. He got on an escalator going down while we were still ten steps behind him with four 50 pound bags and no plan or need to go down the escalator ... it made for an interesting moment of decision ... Isaac and Hope were left with four bags and told to scream if anyone talked to them, while I got Noah and came back up another escalator to reunite the group - soaking in sweat at end of short panic attack.
4- Number of people who smiled pleasantly and said, "You sure have your hands full!"
10- The score Peanut gets out of 10 possible, she is THE ROAD TRIP DOG -- she earned her trip with perfect behavior
6- The number of hours Britt took over at the wheel.
18 - The hours I am now going to sleep.
ONE MILLION - Thanks to all of you who were praying for us. It went much better than expected!
A look at the future?
I have a friend who thinks he's really funny. He forwarded the following story to me with the subject line - FUTURE TROY?
Hardy-har-har.
World's oldest father has 21st child at 90
The world's oldest father has done it again, fathering a child for at least the 21st time, at the age of 90.
Indian farmer Nanu Ram Jogi, who is married to his fourth wife, boasts he does not want to stop, and plans to continue producing children until he is 100.
Mr Jogi admits he is not certain how many children his series of four wives have borne him - but counts at least 12 sons and nine daughters and 20 grandchildren.
Proud father: Nanu Ram Jogi with his youngest child, two-week-old Girija Rajkumari
Two-week-old daughter Girija Rajkumari is the latest addition to the proud father's family.
"Women love me," Mr Jogi said. "I want to have more children. I can survive another few decades and want to have children till I am 100 - then maybe I will stop."
Mr Jogi, who attributes his remarkable virility to daily walks and plenty of meat, said: "I eat all kinds of meat - rabbits, lamb, chicken and wild animals."
Mr Jogi fathered his eldest daughter, Sita Devi, in 1943. His latest wife, Saburi, who has given him seven children, was first married to his eldest son Shiv Lal, who died 10 years ago.
Speaking from the family home in a remote village in Rajasthan, she said:
"At first I didn't want to stay here after my husband died. But Nanu promised to look after me and now we have seven children."
Mr Jogi's children and grandchildren live in six houses attached to his two-storey family home.
He said: "I have a perfect life - with so many children and grandchildren all around me, it keeps me young."
-I won't be talking to that friend anymore.
Update
At the last check-in, the rest of the tribe had made it to Rochelle, IL, and were considering calling it a day and finding a hotel for the traveling circus. It sounds like they're doing great and Tara is holding up well. She's driven 1,400 miles in a day and a half, with five kids and a dog, at EIGHT point five months pregnant. You don't want to mess with a woman like that. I wish I was there to help them, but it really doesn't sound like they need it.
They're hoping to make it back to MN in time for Britt's swim team practice by this afternoon...not wasting any time before jumping into the crazy fast-paced busy life in America.
Phoebe and I had a fun day going to church, taking a nap, and then trying spagetti for her first time. Yes, it was a mess. No, I didn't remember to take a picture.
They're hoping to make it back to MN in time for Britt's swim team practice by this afternoon...not wasting any time before jumping into the crazy fast-paced busy life in America.
Phoebe and I had a fun day going to church, taking a nap, and then trying spagetti for her first time. Yes, it was a mess. No, I didn't remember to take a picture.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
They're Stateside
Phoebers and I are a bit disturbed by the silence so far and just kind of stare at each other and then look around for everyone else.
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