My life as I see it

We made play dough today. It was my first time and was so much fun- and easy too! Can you believe that I didn’t remember to take pictures of it?! What was I thinking?! Oh well. Here is the recipe. I had to put in more water because it was too dry. And I also didn’t add colors- because I didn’t want to fight dyed hands for weeks, plus all the colors jumble together right? Enjoy!:)

Uncooked Playdough

Materials

• Bowl
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 cup salt
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• Tempera paint or food coloring
• 3 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions

1. In bowl, mix water, salt, oil, and enough tempera paint or food coloring to make a bright color.
2. Gradually add flour and cornstarch until the mixture reaches the consistency of bread dough.
3. Store covered.

Tomorrow, March 3rd, is Travis’ birthday. Sometimes he can remember how old he is, and sometimes not. I like to joke with him and make him roll his eyes. It’s a game I play. Anyways, I want to tell all of you out there that he’s a wonderful person who deserves a big bash. Unfortunately, things have been crazy busy here and I haven’t been able to plan my usual big parties for him. And babe, I’m sorry. I’m sure you would have liked everyone to focus the entire time on you and make you feel uncomfortable loved.

I am making him his favorite cake tomorrow and you can count on me taking pictures of it. (big and beautiful it will be, oh yeah!)

Trav,

I love you more each day because I get to see the myriad of different aspects of your character, love and trust. You amaze me with your walk with God and I am so happy that we are together. Happy Birthday babe!

Alexis

So this will be a complilation of things that has been in my mind.

One: I was looking through Barfoot Contessa’s book and decided that I was going to make her roasted veggies for a side to dinner last night. I do not like carrots in general but wow! They were great! Naturally sweet and salty too. Awesome.

Simply lather in olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake at 400′F. About 15 min was all. One helpful hint is to remember to keep everything the same size, that way things cook at the same time.

Secondly: Emma has been in heaven having some of her best friends over to play. I was able to capture some ADORABLE pictures. Kinzie and Josiah, thank you for hanging out with us!

All togther now: Awwwww!

Kids have the BEST expressions. Period. There are days when I don’t feel like myself, but then I just have to hang with Emma to get a better perspective.

Lastly: When Emma was an infant I told people that I looked forward to seeing her be creative in whatever way she wants to be. I said that if she wanted to be a tattoo artist, I would support it and be proud of her. I guess she was listening to me.

Emma thought Chloe obviously looked like she needed a snuggle from her plastic baby.

When Emma saw how I was taking pictures of Chloe she snuggled down besides her…awww my little starlet.

It’s weird that since the new year, a ton of blogs I’m following are trying to keep up and post more frequent…when I’m doing the opposite. funny.

It’s another sunny day here but pretty chilly…we’ll by chilly I mean in the 40’s. Yeah, pretty nice. My mom left yesterday and I was struck with how I got used to her presence. I really miss her. And you too Jamie. I am pretty much caught up with household things, and now just focusing on what is ‘normal’. Like our normal schedule. Emma’s normal nap time, we should make something fun with markers and coffee filters today. Yeah, and maybe I’ll give in and we could watch Snow White and eat some Cheeto’s – Emma’s all time favorite. She LOVES LOVES LOVES chips. *sigh just like her mommy.

I have tons of food in my cupboards and I am feeling itchy to make a meal schedule for the next 2-3 weeks. Is that sick that I’m itching to do that? Hmmm.  My mom took me to Safeway (which is CRAZY expensive if you don’t coupon) and she bought me things I NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER buy.  Curry Powder, Brie, really nice Olive Oil, V8 Splash for Emma and other things. Thank you mom for spoiling me!

Many cool new recipes to follow, and I promise that they’ll be easy to do too.

We also went…shoe shopping! Enjoy- I sure did.

Will not be here this coming week. I’ll miss…

Enjoy watching the season premier of LOST with Trav. Even though I really don’t care about that show.

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Enjoy the balmy weather in Portland. 50′ F is crazy warm for January.

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I am looking forward to 20-30 min showers and no interuptions in my sleep. Good luck Travis.

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I want to drastically change my hair…maybe some piksie bangs will do the trick

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Well, I had my one day of unpacking and just finished packing again for tomorrow. I’m going to Michigan with a couple friends. First stop Chicago. I think I was there less than 24 hours ago. *sigh

Then off to Grand Rapids and then about an 1 1/2 hour car ride to our destination. Have a great week….I won’t be posting since I won’t be having internet. It’s a remote place.

The dragon is a napkin holder…interesting and very artistic. The other picture is of a new scarf. Some last minute things before we leave. Pack everything. Harder than it sounds. Calling taxi’s, meeting with friends, playing with play dough with Emma, calling the landlord, etc.

Emma got a pair of shoes a couple days ago. We were getting back from Wrocław and Emma was really fussy. We went through Galleria and decided to just have dinner there- food always makes Emma a happier person. It took forever for the food to arrive so Emma and I went to surrounding shops to distract Emma walk around. We entered a shoe shop and she went crazy! She was so excited to see colorful shoes that she immediately wanted to take her boots off and try some on. She kept holding up her feet and asking, ‘help, help?’ I was shocked, this was the first time she really showed her preference for shoes. So I bought the cheapest pair and she was beaming I tell you carrying her shoes to the counter. She couldn’t wait to show daddy too. They’re pretty cute if I do say so myself.

This is in one of the surrounding parks by the square. Trav took this and I think it’s absolutely beautiful.

We are leaving at 5am tomorrow morning and will first be flying to Warsaw-stay there 5 hours (oh yuck) then flying to Chicago (9 hours-not bad) then to Portland. *sigh It will be a long day. Would appreciate your prayers.

We went out today and it was cold. We went to the old Jewish district in Krakow. It is in Schindler’s List and unfortunately the massacre did really happen there.  The buildings are beautiful and even though you begin to stop feeling your legs, hands and nose it really takes your breath away. The beauty, not the low temps. (but I’m such a weeny. really.)

Taadaaa! Here we are freezing our tushes off.

We were waiting for the light rail. Yes it was cold, but it is during these times that I thank God that Emma is like Travis. She seems to always be warmer than me so I don’t have to worry too much. What can I say, I’m always the extreme. Our flat is just down the street to the left, about 200 meters. We are so lucky to be near a tram stop. Most people are bundled just like me. However they’re hats and scarfs all match. I even saw girls in SHORTS with dark tights on. Yes, in like 3′F weather. Bold and daring. Me, not so much. Pants all the way, and I won’t mention the fleece pants I’m wearing right now. (Oh so attractive - not) Peace out peeps!

Well, maybe you do, but I’m still getting used to it. I’m from such a mild temp place.

We actually found an unsecured wifi network! This will, of course be an overwhelming amount of pictures. Enjoy them! Right now it’s about 25′F, really warm compared to the -3 F temps we experienced last night coming back from a different city. At least it’s sunny today, I could almost imagine what it would be like here in the Spring. (the one season I’ve yet to see here)

Obviously we will have no idea if this will be available when we move here, BUT….it’s within our budget, love the location and it’s even on a quiet street! *sigh, can’t you just imagine how pretty it would be in the summer?!

This is in a huge mall right near where we’re staying. It’s called the Galleria and has fountains- which Emma MUST visit each time we go there. She enters and yells, ‘Wawa?’ And then we make our journey to the bottom floor where they are. Life’s little pleasures we grown ups ignore, I love her perspective.

The fountains and our friend Kuba and Emma laughing. We enjoyed his company when he came over and we had tea, cookies and chocolate.

I had those glow sticks from the Dollar tree and we had some friends stay the night with us in Krakow and it was so much fun for Emma and Esterka. They loved them. Thank you Dollar tree.

And Amy: Yes. We hang dry our clothes here

At a couple’s house who we got to know over the weekend.  We went to Wrocław, and got to see a couple who pastors a church here. We were able to also stay with amazing hosts. Story time: while we were having breakfast I noticed they had salt and cinnamon…interesting. I asked and she said it was for coffee. What a good idea! Who needs pepper anyways right?!

Trav went to a conference in Wrocław about Love. They talked about the five love languages but also had moving testimonies. Our friends talked and gave their testimonies. I was unable to go, but Trav was moved by it. The conference was from 9am-8:30pm

Gotta run, we’re going to the jewish section of the city. Where Schindlers Lost was made. More pictures to come

OK, really quick before Emma freaks out in Trav’s lap and screams bloody murder. That’s just what we would need…

It’s been snowing here all day, but the light dry kind. It’s cold here too. 18′F We’re bumddled up though and once you get used to the cold it’s not so bad. You just learn to love snuggies. (Brandon where is mine you promised me for Christmas!?)

We used the WIFI here to look at some possible flats here for rent. There are a couple that are really nice. Emma though is not doing well and her time is just about up. We’ve bribed stuffed her with french fries and soft serve ice cream from McDonalds. The rhythm of our daily schedule is showing us how much slower things will be like for us here. It will definatly be an adjustment. But it is good and insightful. I have a new found respect for Kerstin, The Balons, Robyn and Katie.

We’re having a couple come up from Nowy Targ with their daughter to stay with us for a night. It should be nice. I think we’ll see some of the city with them, then have a nice quiet WARM night.

Well, I think that’s it for now. If you have any questions just ask. I promise we will post more when we move here. It really sucks being out of the loop of the world for days on end. We just found out about the earthquakes in Haiti. What the heck?! It’s horrible. Anyhoo, I’m also dying inside because I can’t post any pictures. I wish I could…but when we live here we’ll be able to. Promise. OK, that’s all. Peace out my peeps.