April 2009
What a month! The girls had a little over a week off and the boys had 2 ½ weeks off and we had two holidays…EASTER and ANZAC Day (Australia/New Zealand Army Corps). It felt like we were on summer vacation already. Here, the school year is divided up into terms. There are four 10-week terms and in between the first three terms there are 2 weeks of “holiday”. The last term ends in December followed by 6 weeks of “holiday”. All of the sports activities follow the same schedule. For example, the kids all just started an activity for this term (Mackenzie – swimming; Kennedy – gymnastics; Reid – karate and Luke – swimming). Various camps take place during the two week “holiday”. The girls’ schedule doesn’t exactly follow this since they are in the International School but it worked out fine. I had a few days with just the girls, days with all 4 and then it was just me and the boys.
We did a lot of fun stuff this month. The last week of school was Spirit Week and they dressed up in PJs, 70s, Twins, Super Heroes and on the last day there was a “hat parade”. The girls decorated an Easter hat and marched in two parades, one at the school and one at the American Women of Perth Easter Egg hunt and both girls won! Friday night we made nachos and ate outside on our new table. We love to eat outside! Afterwards, we went to the beach for this “Sci-tech” event. They had set up a bunch of telescopes at this place on the beach and you could go look at the stars (free!). Sounds fun, right? So we load up, head over to City Beach and get in line at the first telescope. There were tons of people there and if you know anything about my sweet husband then you know he likes his personal space. Well, many people (cultures) do not respect “personal” space. He’s trying to teach the kids how to use the telescope and he can feel the breath of the guy behind him on his neck. The kids couldn’t see anything at all through the telescope; Clint’s personal space is being invaded and then Luke says the words, “My stomach hurts” and we had to make a mad dash to the bathroom. Needless to say the “family bonding experience” did not go as we imagined. We got back in the car and headed home hoping that it would not be a night of washing sheets and scrubbing carpet. Thankfully it wasn’t!
Saturday we went to an Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the American Women of Perth. It was at this event that Kennedy and Mackenzie won the hat contest (They had almost duplicate hats). Pictures are in the slide show. The kids enjoyed a bounce house, a really nice playground, an Easter egg hunt and taking pictures with the Easter Bunny – for Mackenzie and Kennedy it was TORTURE! I guess they are past the age of the Easter Bunny. Funny how they still expected an Easter basket on Easter morning! We enjoyed a nice family picnic at the park.
Saturday night we went to a dinner party at Tom and Angie Junker’s house. Tom is the manager at Apache. I got to meet all the guys (and one girl) that Clint works with, as well as their spouses. Angie made the most amazing Venezuelan meal – beef, rice, black beans, corn biscuits and fried bananas. I plan on taking a lesson from her on how to make the entire meal. She also made tres leches for dessert and someone else brought a chocolate cake. There is not much better than getting a slice of “white” cake and slice of chocolate cake on the same plate. Love that about weddings! Tom did such a great job of getting people to interact with one another. He split us up into teams for darts and pool and after each round the teams changed. I was never on a team with Clint but these guys and their wives were all so nice and fun it was never awkward or uncomfortable.
Sunday after church we went to Swan Valley with Lisa and Phillip Mier and Lisa and Tom Possell to have lunch at the Sittello winery. I love that we piled into one car and enjoyed each other’s company all the way there, while we were there and all the way home. It was a very relaxing afternoon.
Monday it was just me and the girls. They had to go to the gym with me which they do not like one bit. They took clothes pins for their noses in case one of the babies had a stinky diaper. I had to remind them that they once pooped in their pants. Afterwards I took them to an indoor water park. It only costs $3.70 per kid and I had a coupon for one free entry. My grocery bill in Australia is about $600 per week but by golly we can go to a water park for less than $5.00!! Tuesday, the girls and Luke and I went to the zoo with Pam and her kids (Reid was in school). Wednesday the girls and I went on Luke’s field trip to a park where he did his Easter program. PRECIOUS! Pictures in slide show. That afternoon we went to the beach and Thursday the girls went to the Welkner’s house to play with Tori and Gabrielle, leaving Luke and I to do some grocery shopping for the weekend. I had to plan ahead since everything would be closed for the Easter holiday.
OUR FIRST HOLIDAY IN PERTH:
Most people are off work from Good Friday until Tuesday. Friday was quiet. I went to the church to work the nursery for the “Good Friday” service. When I arrived there were only two kids so they said they did not need me. Honestly, I was kinda glad as I really wanted to be in church. But as I am enjoying the praise and worship music and singing away, the children’s director taps on my shoulder. When I went up to the children’s area I found that 2 kids had turned into 30 in about 5 minutes. So I spent the next hour with these precious kids. I have to admit I had a favorite. I was on the other side of the room and this precious little Australian boy came over to me and asked, “Will you help me?” So I sat with him and helped him make his Easter basket. He had the very cute, surfer boy look. HOT CROSS BUNS (which replaced Cinnamon Roll Friday for the Smiths) were EVERYWHERE! I had no idea that it was a “religious” tradition here and that after Easter we would no longer be able to buy them. This is quite the bummer for the Smith family since “Cinnamon Roll Friday” became “H.C.B. Friday”. I am not sure what we are going to do for Friday morning breakfast now! Someone said I needed to learn how to make homemade cinnamon rolls so if anyone has a good, EASY recipe send it my way. Keep in mind that they do not have biscuits, croissants or anything like that in a “tube”. We could not find Easter egg dye. However, all of the eggs are brown so dying them would not really turn out all that pretty. We spent Good Friday at Sorrento Beach, one of our favorite beaches. Clint actually got Luke on the boogie board! PROGRESS! Saturday we went to John Forrest National Park. We hiked for just a bit but it was a really warm day so that did not last long. We look forward to getting our bikes because there are so many parks with trails for riding. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and then headed back. On the way back we stopped at the “BRITZ” dealer. This is a RV type thing that we plan on renting at some point…maybe to “Monkey Mia”, which is about a 10 hour drive. We’ve been told one of the most spectacular things about this area is that the dolphins come up to the shore. I honestly can’t imagine traveling 10 hours in this thing and then sleeping in it for 3-4 days. Really close quarters for a family of 6 but it is ALL about the adventure, right??!!! We ended up back at the beach but only lasted about 45 minutes before we called it a day. However, I heard something so precious on the beach that day. We had been talking all week about the meaning of Easter – Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and three days later he arose! Reid and Luke were digging in the sand and Reid says “Luke, I would die for your sins” and Luke responded, “You’re the bestest brother I ever had.” PRICELESS!!!!
Another Luke moment was when he was in the shower and he yelled he needed me. I went up stairs to the bathroom and asked him what he needed. He pointed to his wet hair and said, “I need some air conditioning”. It took me a minute to figure it out but the sweet boy wanted “hair conditioner”. Also, Luke pointed to the moon and said – “Mom, look! It’s a toe nail moon!!” That boy keeps me laughing. And for those of you who have seen him dance to Alvin and the Chipmunks soundtrack…he’s STILL got the moves and then some! That bottom can shake sooo fast and with such rhythm!! One of Reid’s funny moments this month was during his break from school. He asked if we had to go to yoga and I said “Yes, it makes mommy strong”. He replies, “Why can’t we do a pattern…go to YOGA, don’t go to YOGA, go to YOGA, don’t go to YOGA??” By the way, YOGA simply means going to the gym to the boys. I did YOGA a lot in Dallas so that is what they called the gym but the YOGA here is not for me.
Steve and Stephanie went to Easter service with us. During the service the worship leader read her interpretation of the crucifixion and resurrection from Peter’s point of view. It was moving. I began to put myself in Peter’s shoes and overwhelmed with the anguish he must have felt when he heard that rooster crow.
If you have seen the movie “Hope Floats” then there is probably one scene that tore your heart to pieces. Birdie (Sandra Bullock) and her husband are getting a divorce because he had an affair with her best friend. There is a scene in which the dad is explaining to Bernice (the daughter) that he needs to be happy and that he needs his own time to foster his new relationship (blah!blah!blah!). Bernice has packed her suitcase and keeps putting it in the back of his car and he keeps taking it out during this entire scene. She is crying that she wants to go with him and he is not budging. The scene ends with Bernice crying her little heart out as her daddy drives off. But there is also another scene in this movie that tears me apart. Birdie was obviously having a hard time moving on with her life after finding out on national television that her husband was having this affair. She had moved back home with her mom and could hardly get out of bed. One morning Bernice forgot her lunch for school. Birdie headed up to the school in her bathrobe. She appeared as if she had not showered in days or even been out of bed. She is hollering for Bernice who was headed back inside after recess. She keeps screaming “Bernice!!”…”Bernice honey!!”….”Bernice!!!” and the little girl ignored her ashamed of what her mother had become. One of the kids asked, “Is that your mom?” and Bernice said “No”. It was a “rooster crowing” moment. I can’t imagine the pain of one of my children disowning me. And to think that Peter disowned Jesus, the maker of the universe, not once but three times! I can’t imagine how this must have saddened Jesus. In addition, I feel for Peter and how absolutely sick he must have felt to have let his Father down. He was so sure of himself when Jesus predicted that it would happen. I can read this passage and think “How could he have disowned Jesus?” He had walked with HIM, talked with HIM, ate supper with HIM…what in the world would cause him to do such a thing. BUT then I take a look at my own life and haven’t I done the same thing??? I looked up the definition of deny and this is what I found: to declare untrue, contradict; refuse to grant; refuse to let have; refuse to recognize or acknowledge. I have certainly acted in ways that contradict who Jesus is (Whoever claims to live in Him must walk like Jesus did (I John 2:6). I have also refused to grant him authority over my life. I have refused to let HIM have HIS way with my life, which never works out for my good that’s for sure! And I have refused at times to acknowledge that He is the reason for ALL the good things in my life and that it has NOTHING to do with me. Sadly, I have denied Jesus and unfortunately, more than three times! Thankfully, his grace and mercy covers me.
After church we went to Steve and Stephanie’s house for Easter lunch/dinner. A couple from South Africa joined us as well. We had an amazing meal – roast and gravy, potatoes in three different forms – mashed, roasted and boiled (in the green beans) LOTS OF STARCH – yum yum, carrots, cream style corn (a recipe from Paula Deen so you know it had good and unhealthy), sour dough bread, salad and RANCH dressing (thanks mom and Brian & Colette)!!! We also had strawberries and fruit dip, tres leches and a carrot cake with white chocolate icing that was INCREDIBLE (Stephanie’s specialty). We ate so much that I literally made myself sick but it was worth it! Steve and Stephanie got our kids all kinds of stuff for Easter. Clint and I were talking about how the Easter bunny really cut back this year (Easter baskets made out of paper – yep, I had a crafty moment only out of necessity…our Easter stuff did not make the “cut”!!) but Steve and Stephanie made up for it that is for sure! The kids enjoyed their heated pool and we enjoyed some adult time. Cristelle and her husband (never could understand his name) told us about living in South Africa and the horrific living conditions. It rained on Monday and so we went to the aquarium. By the time we left it looked like the kids were IN the aquarium! They had this pool where the kids could touch starfish and other little creatures. They LOVED it, so much that they were practically in the pool. We may go back so Clint can scuba with the sharks while we watch underneath. YIKES!
The girls went back to school the 14th and it was just me and the boys again. One of the days we went to this park in a suburb called “Applecross”. They have a playground area shaped like a pirate ship and the boys had a blast! Every morning the boys ask Clint, “Daddy, is today your half work?” So by Friday, when Clint finally said, “yes” that it was his “half work” they were SUPER excited. I left them at home to go get the girls from school and found them watching STAR WARS when I returned – TYPICAL! On Friday, Karis met us at the beach to take a picture of us for my 20 year reunion. It is in June so I am not going to be able to go. I am so bummed to miss it. They are making a DVD of pictures of everyone so at least I will get to see that. Karis and Tyson joined us for dinner and we had what we always have with them – fajitas. They brought the most amazing appetizer –QUESO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tyson’s parents recently visited and they brought velvetta and rotel. The kids were so excited and thankful that they shared it with us!
Monday I had to get my hair done and the boys went with me and were so good. I am so thankful that I am able to take them to get these kinds of things done. I spent Monday afternoon cleaning to prepare for “Christmas in April”. That night we stayed in a hotel and got up early the next morning to get back to the house for the arrival of our shipment. I took the girls to school and headed to the house. When we turned the corner the boys started screaming when they saw the big truck. There was something in every box that I unpacked that day that made me so incredibly thankful. We are still unpacking but for the most part everything made it safe and sound. There were only 4 items that really mattered to me most– our family photo and my platters made with the kids’ handprints. They made it just fine so I can’t really complain that we got a lampshade without the lamp and lamps without the lampshades. I have also just determined that our “Thanksgiving” decorations did not make it. I am a little bummed by that because I love fall décor almost as much as Christmas. We had a few things broken and one piece of furniture damaged but overall it went well. The rest of the week we unpacked and tried to find a “home” for all of our things.
AGGIE MUSTER
On Tuesday, April 21st we went to AGGIE MUSTER! What a special A&M tradition we were able to take part of on the other side of the world. There were probably 40-50 people. We sang the war hymn; we called out some of the names of the deceased and lit candles for each of them and then sat around and told stories about our days at A&M. And of course, we ate (Texas style barbeque)!!! Luke took a nap that day since we would be out late and he was “on” – full force! I wish I had the video camera to capture this moment. Our friends Karis and Tyson were there. The kids absolutely LOVE them. So Luke and Tyson are sitting on these steps having what appeared to be a serious conversation. At one point I walked by and Tyson is saying to Luke, “…to make a long story short…” and I am thinking Luke has NO idea what that means but Luke nods and listens and adds in his own comments. This conversation went on for at least 20 minutes. Luke was cracking jokes and was quite the comedian that night. I am just thankful for men like Tyson who give children time and their full attention to make them feel so loved.
TONY ANTHONY
Kennedy likes to go to big church with me and Clint. I think she considers it HER time with mommy and daddy. This particular Sunday we had a guest speaker, Tony Anthony. When he first started giving his testimony I was a bit concerned that Kennedy was with us. His story is amazing but perhaps a bit startling to a 6 year old. I prayed and asked God to protect her ears from anything she shouldn’t hear but Tony had her full attention. He told about being taken from his parents at the age of 4 to live with his grandfather in China. His grandfather was a Kung Fu Master and had plans to turn Tony into a Kung Fu champion. Tony described how his grandfather beat and tortured him but his horrific methods worked and Tony became a three-time World Kong Fu champion. He eventually used his training to become a body guard to some of the world’s wealthiest, most powerful and influential people. Later he fell in love with a beautiful blind woman and was engaged to be married. Sadly, she was killed in a car accident. Tony’s life was shattered and his life spun out of control. He became a “bloodthirsty, violent man” and ended up in Cyprus’s notorious Nicosia Central Prison. You can only imagine the horror he lived day in and day out until one day God sent Michael Wright to Tony. Michael Wright was a missionary who picked up a newspaper one day and saw a story on Tony’s arrest. God led him to write Tony a letter asking for Tony to grant him permission to visit him in prison. Tony granted him permission but not because he truly wanted to hear about Jesus but because he would be allowed to have a coke during the visits. Michael Wright visited Tony week after week and truly showed him the LOVE of Christ. Eventually Tony asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior. He began to minister to the other prisoners. He was a new man. He served his full sentence and upon his release he went to live with a family that was friends with Michael Wright, the missionary who visited him in prison. He got his life together, met his wife and began serving in the church. His life could not have been more changed but the story doesn’t end here. One night he was driving home, ran a stop sign and hit something. He got out of his car and found nothing. The front of his car had been struck by something but he saw nothing. He assumed he had hit a deer and the deer took off running. He got back in his car and drove away. A few days later he read in the paper of a hit and run accident that had thrown a lady on a bike into the bushes and killed her. It was the same day, the same time and at the same place. Tony was horrified. He thought of the family of the lady whom he had killed, he thought of his wife, his unborn son, his criminal record and thought “I do not want to go back to prison”. So he made the decision not to go to the police. The police finally caught up to him and when they questioned him, he lied. Eventually the truth came out and Tony ended up back in prison. This time he had much more at stake. He now loved his life, he had a family…he was a Christian and Christians aren’t suppose to go to prison. Well, God had an assignment for Tony in prison and I was AMAZED how God used him. Why should I be amazed? “Is anything to hard for my Lord?” (Genesis 18:14) At the end of his testimony he laid out the plan of salvation and prayed. He asked if anyone had made a decision for Christ that morning and sweet Kennedy raised her hand. He then asked everyone who had to step forward. Kennedy wouldn’t do it. We later asked Kennedy why she wanted to be baptized and she really didn’t know. She has expressed that she doesn’t like that she has to skip the crackers and juice each week. We know God is tugging at her heart and who am I to doubt that God had her there that morning for a reason. I am so thankful she was there…I am thankful I was there. I really took away two important things that day. First, I pray I that I am so aware of God speaking to me so that when HE tells me to “write a letter”, I “write the letter”! Secondly, no one is too far out of reach for the Lord. In addition, He can and will use anyone…Anyone…ANYONE to accomplish HIS purposes, even me!! I pray that despite my faults and lack of skills in many areas that He uses me for “SOMETHING BIG” – “For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
Our last big adventure for the month was a trip to Penguin Island. We took a boat out to this Island where we saw penguins, sea lions, humongous pelicans, skinks (lizard/snake looking thing) and many other birds. There were also several dolphins swimming along side of our boat. It doesn’t matter how many times I have seen a dolphin, they are always spectacular to see. We had a nice picnic on the island and the kids played in the sand. It was a very simple and quite pleasant day.
We got lots of exciting news from home this month. First of all my sister Paula is expecting TWINS!!!! Twins run in our family and it was bound to happen to one of us. Paula and Allen already have a beautiful little girl, Kyleigh, and were set on having two kids…and only two! God certainly has a sense of humor. We also found out that Allen will be starting seminary in the fall. We are so excited to see how God will use him in ministry work. We will be having our first visitors in one month!! My sisters (Rachel, Samantha and Kristine) are coming for 6 weeks and also bringing their friend Cassidy. It is going to be crazy fun and we are looking forward to it.
FUNNY AUSTRALIAN WORDS we learned this month:
The other day a guy asked Clint, “Do you have any chewies?” I can only imagine the look in Clint’s face when he said, “Do I have any what??” Turns out the guy wanted some gum.
“No dramas” means don’t worry about it.
You know the sprinkles you put on cakes or find on donuts. Well here you would have to ask for the donut with “100s and 1000s”…they don’t know what sprinkles are!
Well, I guess that about sums up the month of April. Enjoy the pictures. Be sure not to miss the one of Reid doing YOGA! I am so glad I had my camera right by me so I could capture that. Luke did have a busted lip for Easter. He fell down the stairs. Don’t miss me wearing my hat!!! It is my first one! “Mums” have to wear hats to school to if they want to volunteer.
CHEERS!!!
