A Little Bounce-House Lesson

bounce-house envelope

Josiah: Momma, raisins please.
Me: Sorry Juju. We don't have any more raisins.
Josiah: Momma, go store buy raisins.

I guess it isn't too early to teach about being wise with money. So I had a simple conversation with my toddler when he asked to play on a bounce-house and I didn't have any money with us. I told him that we need money to eat, to live in our apartment and to have fun. If I used all our money for fun, then we wouldn't have any money for food. "Ooohhhh, yes!" responded Josiah as if he was grasping the concept.

So, my little toddler has been allotted 2 ten lei bills a week to go to the bounce-house and play. That is just less than two dollars. He was elated! He keeps them in a special envelope. He knows that when he uses up the money, he has to wait until Sunday when he gets two more.

Of course, the bounce-house days are usually the first days he get his lei. Ten lei gets him ten minutes of bounce-house fun, so that is twice a week he gets to go.

Here is how our conversation went after the first week:

Josiah: No more money. Finished!
Me: You will need to wait until Sunday when you get two more.
Josiah: (After a pause) Momma, go store buy money.

Okay, so maybe it is baby steps...

So sad. Too wet to play on!

Chaotic Crafting With Two

It's been a busy three months, but we are settling into being a family of four. Today we even broke out a craft to go with our story, The Three Little Pigs.

It was the fastest craft we have done. It kind of went like this...."draw a big circle, draw a little circle, quick-color, cut, glue, clip"...and done! It was accomplished while Evan serenaded us in the background with his protest to be picked up.

Evan enjoyed the story much better than the craft. Josiah is always ecstatic to have a glue stick in his hands. And I got to feel like a creative mom, even if it was a little chaotic!

Lazy Golubtsy

I've been longing to make this dish. It is a simple recipe that always gets me excited to pick up my spoon and be glad to be at a Moldovan dining table. Any Moldovan will probably chuckle at this, as it is a simple and common dish. Plus, the cost of this meal puts my American recipes to shame. 

True to its name, it is the lazy version of the cabbage rolls. I guess this is my way of working up to actually making cabbage rolls.

I used ground beef with this recipe, but you could also use chopped chicken or go without meat.

Ingredients:

meat

diced onions

chopped cabbage

grated carrots

water

rice

tomato paste

dill

bay leaf

salt

pepper

• Sauté meat along with onion until meat in almost cooked through.
• Add cabbage and cook until leaves are tender.
• Add carrots and cook for a few minutes.
• Add amount of water according to how much rice is used and bring to a boil.
• Add rice, tomato paste, dill, bay leaf, pepper and salt. Use a good amount of salt.
• Stir together, bring the water back to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and cook until rice is soft.
• To complete this Moldovan dish, you need to slice of bread to go with!

*The next time I make this dish I'll use less rice and include more cabbage.

E and His Little Blue Book

Evan got his passport book. I guess this means we can come home and visit....well, we'll have to wait a couple of months.

It was a comedy of red tape to get Evan's birth certificate from the civil office, which was first needed before we could register Evan's birth at the US Consulate. First, Mike was told that we needed to get married in Moldova before the birth certificate could be issued. Thankfully that wasn't true. Then it took visiting several notaries before they would accept our marriage certificate without it being sent back to the State of California to be apostille. Three days later we had a birth certificate for our little one and it was off to the US Consulate.

I wish I could show you Evan's passport photo. It makes Grandma laugh so hard I question the cuteness of my kid. But I guess that's what you get when you take a passport photo of a three week old.

Chicken Salad with Pineapple

For Orthodox Christmas, the Admirals Basketball boys did all the dinner cooking. They did a great job and it was fun watching a kitchen full of teenage boys chopping, stirring and browsing over recipes.

Chicken Salad with Pineapple was one of the dished they made. I was surprised at how tasty it was, especially with the combination of pineapple and potatoes. This recipe has made it into my recipe box and I wanted to share it with you.

Chicken Salad with Pineapple

3 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped

3 potatoes, boiled with skins on, remove skins and then chop

20 oz. can of pineapple chunks, drained

15 oz. sweet corn, drained

1 red pepper, chopped

lots of fresh chopped Parsley

mayonnaise (Moldovans like lots of mayo in their salads)

salt/pepper

*Ingredients are chopped into small pieces, even the pineapple chunks.

Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!

Circumcision

Circumcision: a surgical removal of the foreskin (prepuce) on a human's penis.

I chose to circumcise my first son based on what I thought was a traditional medical practice. Considered common sense for a parent to have their son circumcised, I didn't question the procedure and had my first son circumcised based on the 'look like daddy' belief.

As I entered the world of parenting, I began to realize circumcision isn't as widely a practice as I thought. I also became aware that many cultures do not circumcision their baby boys. Thus, when it came time to deliver my second son, I knew I had to research the procedure myself.

I researched three areas: Biblical background, American history, and the medical benefits. Here are very brief facts that stood out to me.

Biblical Background:

The Hebrew words used for circumcision are 'naval' (to clip) and 'muwl' (to blunt). The Hebrews were to make a small clip of the overhanging foreskin. They were not to remove the whole foreskin as we do today. If they did, the child would have more than likely bled to death.

Around 140 AD, Rabbis introduced the practice of removing the whole foreskin. Jews were trying to disguise their circumcision as it was causing them to be unable to participate in social events.

American History:

John H. Kellogg

Circumcision was not a medical tradition in American society until about the 1900's. The medical practice was introduced in the late 1800's as a way to discourage masturbation.

"In cases of masturbation we must, I believe, break the habit by inducing such a condition of the parts as will cause too much local suffering to allow of the practice being continued. For this purpose, if the prepuce is long, we may circumcise the male patient with present and probably with future advantage; the operation, too, should not be performed under chloroform, so that the pain experienced may be associated with the habit we wish to eradicate."
-Athol A. W. Johnson, On An Injurious Habit Occasionally Met with in Infancy and Early Childhood, The Lancet, vol. 1 (7 April 1860): pp. 344-345.

"A remedy [for masturbation] which is almost always successful in small boys is circumcision. The
operation should be performed by a surgeon without administering an anesthetic, as the pain attending the operation will have a salutary effect upon the mind, especially if it be connected with the idea of punishment."
-John Harvey Kellogg [creator of the corn flake], Treatment for Self-Abuse and Its Effects, Plain Facts for Old and Young, Burlington, Iowa: P. Segner & Co. 1888, p. 295.

When Mr. Johnson quoted circumcision be used to curtail masturbation only .001% of Americans were circumcised. In 1888, when Mr. Kellogg was quoted, 15% of American males were circumcised. By the 1930's over half of the American male population had undergone this medical procedure.

Medical Benefits:
The original medical benefits of circumcision are far fetched.

"Local indications for circumcision: Hygienic, phimosis, paraphimosis, redundancy (where the prepuce more than covers the glans), adhesions, papillomata, eczema (acute and chronic), oedema, chancre, chancroid, cicatrices, inflammatory thickening, elephantiasis, naevus, epithelioma, gangrene, tuberculosis, preputial calculi, hip-joint disease, hernia. Systemic indications: Onanism [masturbation], seminal emissions, enuresis, dysuria, retention, general nervousness, impotence, convulsions, hystero-epilepsy." Editor, Medical Record, Circumscisus, Medical Record, vol. 49 (1896): p. 430.

"The prepuce is an important factor in the production of phthisis [tuberculosis]. This can be proven by the immunity of the Jewish race from tubercular affections." S. G. A. Brown, A Plea for Circumcision, Medical World, vol. 15 (1897): pp. 124-125.

The Center for Disease Control uses the word 'may' before several benefits to circumcision.

It is challenging for me to believe that the foreskin needs to be removed due to health benefits. God designed the body in a 'fearfully and wonderfully' way.

I wanted to write this post to briefly educate about circumcision. I feel that many Americans don't really know the facts about circumcision or why it is practiced in our society. I didn't. Maybe this will be a springboard to do your own research.

A few links I found helpful about circumcision:
http://www.drmomma.org
http://www.cirp.org/library/history/peron2/

Artur's Statement

A few Sundays ago we got to attend the baptism of one of the Admiral boys. It was a special event as any baptism should be.

Before his teammates, his mother and those in the church he has been attending, Artur made a public statement of living his life for Christ. There is a profound beauty to see a life changed by the love of God.

"Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."
                                                                                                                    - Matthew 10:39

Rice Porridge

With the visit of my sister in law and her fiancé, I thought I would share with them some Moldovan foods. This morning we had a breakfast dish called rice porridge. It is a dish that varies depending where you are in the world, even served as a dessert. So, I thought I would share this basic version found in Moldova with you as well.

Rice Porridge

1/2 c. rice

3 1/2 c. milk

4 tbsp. butter

1 tbsp. vanilla sugar

optional: raisins, salt

Step 1: Melt butter and add in rice.

Step 2: Stir in milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 20 minutes.

Step 3: Turn off heat and stir in vanilla sugar and raisins. Let porridge set for 5 minutes.

PS- Don't forget your bread with lots a delicious butter atop!

Welcoming Baby Evan

"What was I thinking?!" was the question that ran through my head as I gripped the bed railing and muttered a few words and then called on Jesus. Yes, I got to that point in my labor where I questioned my sanity for going through labor again.

When I gave birth to my firstborn, I had a textbook labor. I still can tell you the hour my contractions started, when we timed them and when we chose to head to the hospital. But my second born decided to switch things up. I've heard siblings are different, so I guess their entrance into this world can be too!

I woke up on my due date thinking that this baby wouldn't be born today. I was feeling pretty good. The night before I had irregular contractions but they faded as I went to bed. After breakfast I took a walk to the pharmacy to pick up a needed item. I had to stop a few times as I started my irregular contractions again. Mike and I decided that I was fine and he should go to his morning Bible study. Even though my contractions continued they remained short and the pain low in my abdomen, signs that it was false labor....according to the internet.

I was confused as to what my body was doing, but the pleas of my toddler to go outside won me over. Needless to say, the rest of my morning was spent on the playground, crawling around building train tracks and picking up toys. I'd stop to work though my 'false' labor and then continue about my day.

Mike got home and I felt a sense of relief to have him nearby. Josiah went down for a nap and I jumped into the shower to try and slow down my contractions. I'll spare you the details of the other signs of labor. By now I was seriously thinking I was in labor and started asking God for signs if I should go to the hospital. I like to labor at home, but I didn't want to be foolish and wait too long if this was indeed labor.

With a wet head and comfy clothes on, we began timing my contractions again. They were still only 30 seconds long but 3 min apart and very painful. It was then my water broke and my very excited husband exclaimed that we were going to have a baby!

Our babysitter and ride rushed over as fast as they could, and we were off to the hospital.

Mike and I were separated as he had to fill out paperwork and dress for the delivery room. I don't think the nurses knew how far along I was in my labor. But when the doctor checked me she said I would have this baby in 20 minutes.

It all happened fast. I remember asking where my husband was, snapping at the doctor when she told me not to push and asking if they saw a head. And then it was all done. I had a wet, little blue baby on my chest. He made his gurgling first cries right in my arms. It was beautiful.

Evan Alexandru was born May 5th. He is all sweetness. Mike and I are amazed at the little life God has made and feel beyond blessed that God has entrusted him to us.

   

Easter Weekend

Last weekend was a beautiful time to spend together as a family. It was also refreshing to stop, remember, reflect and rejoice in God's grace.

Friday evening was spent in communion with believers at our church. We quietly reflected on what Christ went through, nailed written praise on a cross and prayed with one another. I enjoy this day. It is a day to remember the power of Jesus' words, "It is finished." And indeed it is. Redemption was made complete. We were made right with God. There is nothing we can do to obtain salvation because Christ has done it for us.

We spent the weekend strolling around a very quiet Chisinau, dying Easter eggs and hanging out in the parks. 

Sunday morning we enjoyed a nice Easter breakfast with the traditional sweet bread served on this holiday. Then we played a Balkan Easter egg game we learned while in Macedonia; our toddler made sure every egg was cracked. Then it was off to fellowship at church, where we greeted one another by saying "Hristos a inviat!" (Christ resurrected), and responding "Adevarat a inviat!" (Indeed resurrected!).

Thanks to Gigi, who sent us plastic Easter eggs, Josiah got to have his first Easter egg hunt. He was excited to open every egg he found and promptly eat what was inside. Lesson learned for this momma! Then it was off to our nearby park where we enjoyed the beautiful afternoon with other families.

  

Sunday's Sermon:

City Wheels

"The wheels on the bus go round and round....all through the town." As a parent of a toddler I know this song very well. I even sing it on the bus with my Juju-Bug, who loves to entertain those around him.

Chisinau is an easy city to get around. Most apartments and homes are located near public transportation. Ours is a little bit off the main road and takes us about 10 minutes to walk to, depending on the zig-zagged path of our two year old.

There are a few options for traveling around the city if you don't own a car. One can travel by foot, by public bus or trolleybus, and by marshukas/rutieres. If you can pay more, there are plenty of taxis to get you through the city. 

Chisinau is slowly replacing the older buses for newer ones with help from other European countries. Though we do hear that some of the money gets pocketed and not all of it goes to replacing the buses. It only costs 2 lei (less than 20 cents) to ride the trollybuses. You have to make sure you don't lose your ticket on the bus or you could be fined if someone were to check. If you have a cute toddler with you, you are guaranteed a seat...okay, Moldovans will kindly give up a seat for any parent with a toddler.

Marshukas (Russian), rutieres (Romanian) or properly named maxi-taxis in English can be a quick way around the city. They have designated routes but no designated stops; you need to tell the driver when to stop. Marshukas aren't for most westerners. Once the seats fill up, they can get tighter than a sardine can with people pressed against one another standing in the aisle, and with not much ventilation it can get very hot inside. As tall as Mike is, he opts for the buses unless they aren't jammed packed. But for 3 lei (30 cents) and a little bravery marshukas can get you places quickly, especially if you have a certain driver from marshuka 113! 

Finally, I can't pass up a picture of our little stroller. This little stroller has just about been retired by our self-proclaimed-independent two year old, but it has served us well. It has been our 'family-wheels' for over the past two years. It has journeyed from the four corners of the US, to the not so easy streets of Chisinau and Ukraine and has hauled bags and bags of groceries. It is torn, wheels bent inward from over loading and lasted us longer than ever expected. But all good things must be retired.....or we could get a few more bumpy kilometers out of it for baby number two.

Chisinau: An Emerald City

I'll admit, the only time Chisinau is beautiful in winter is under a blanket of snow, untouched by the snowplows that clear only the main driving roads. There is something stunning about the city sparkling in the snow. Other than that, Chisinau is dreary and grey.

But when spring makes its arrival, Chisinau transforms into a city of emerald beauty. What was once lifeless looking blooms forth into beautiful shades of green with bursts of color to delight anyone within sights. It is a place that draws everyone into the open.

As I move about the city or stroll through the parks, I can't help but think of my grandfather. He was a quiet, simple man, whose greatest treasure on this earth was his family. He had a love for the earth and a special fondest for trees. With a soft voice he would quote the poem Trees by Joyce Kilmer. As a child he would take me back into his garden and stroll among his rows of vegetables. My favorite gathering would be from the zucchini plants. He would lift up the gigantic prickly leaves, reveal the vegetable, slice it off with his small pocket knife and hand it to me. Even as he aged and had to rely on his family to plant a small garden, he would bend over from his chair, place his massive hands upon the earth and pray over the seeds and for wisdom to care for God's creation.

As I enjoy the beauty of Chisinau in spring, I can't but carry with me the love my grandfather had for the beauty God creates in the emerald colored trees and the burst of new life. 

Trees

Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see

A poem as lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day, 

And lifts her leafy arms to pray,

A tree that in summer may wear

A nest of robins in her hair,

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

Preparing For Baby

Three weeks to go and we'll be welcoming our newest little one to our family. The reality that our family will grow to four has not sunk in, but we are excited. Just as we couldn't have imagined life after Josiah, we'll feel the same way once this little one is in our arms.

37 weeks feels good to me. Looking back on this pregnancy journey, I have a feeling of gratefulness that we are finally here...with a few weeks to spare to help realize that a new life will be coming. So I'm treasuring the last moments of pregnancy, still uncharming as they might be, getting extra snuggles in with my little one, finding out all the more how amazing of a husband and father Michael is, and taking advantage of some extra sleep.

We're thankful to a giver who has helped us afford care at the international hospital

He is one awesome dad!

Our first baby crib!

Practicing how to hold baby with Fuzzy Wuzzy.

The Tuesday Breakfast Crew

I love our ministry meetings! Every Tuesday morning we gather together to chat, laugh....guys talk basketball....fellowship, share an encouraging word, talk about the needs and upcoming events of the academy, and bring our praises before the Lord as well as our petitions. Oh, and we love to eat a nice breakfast.

This breakfast was extra tasty. Nick and Uliana surprised us with finding meat cut and prepared just like...bacon!!! Now to our American taste buds, and this pregnant lady's cravings, it was a special treat to have the frying pan out and a bacon smell coming from the kitchen. And in Anna's own words, "An American breakfast."

Yes, excited to have bacon!

It's not Pillsbury, it's homemade cinnamon rolls.

Chisinau Zoo

"BUS! ZOO!" Josiah shouted to the elderly lady we sat next to on the crowded bus. She had a big smile for him.

We decided to welcome the warm weather by meeting up with Logan and Rosbie at the Chisinau Zoo. For only paying 50 lei (about $4), the Chisniau Zoo isn't too shabby. But I do think the bears would agree with me that they are cramped in their cages. We got to see Bengal tigers, lions ('Mufasa' according to Josiah), lynxes, monkeys, wolves, camels, sheep and to Josiah's delight zebras. You just can't go wrong when you take a toddler to the zoo!

  

      

  

Welcoming a Little Sunshine

Growing up in Southern California,  I had no need to complain about the lack of sunshine. Maybe this is why I think large windows and natural light are a must. It wasn't until we got a few days of sunshine and 50 degree weather that I realized the nourishment the sun provides. I even braved the motherly comments of the babushkas when I took Josiah's cap off so he could get some vitamin D on his noggin.

Once the snow melted, the unshoveled walkways revealed themselves, and with the return of some sunshine, a shedding of winter seemed to peel itself from my mood. I didn't realize how much the lack of sunshine had affected me. I am rejuvenated, even though I struggle to keep up being 31 weeks pregnant.

The Moldovans put me to shame. They have their little ones bundled and out in the fresh air, no matter what the temperature or how deep the snow. I'm going to blame my lack of winter exercise on my Southern California upbringing.

But Spring is upon us and our trips to the park have returned and Josiah is trying to make up for the lack of exercise he has missed these past months.