Picture of the Week: Married Toes

It's official. Brian and I are married. Yes, I know that happened almost 7 years ago, but on this side of the world we have marked a new milestone. 

I have declared it with my toes.

 In this country, that ring on my left hand doesn't announce my relationship status. Toe rings do the trick. A trip with some girl friends to the "commercial district" and I came back a [culturally declared] married woman. (We also managed to find culturally appropriate...and cute...sandals [worn here] and clothing!)

Picture of the Week: Feels like Home

So, here's a new blog thing. I'm gonna try and be disciplined enough to post at least one picture a week that sums up life here as best I can. A picture is worth a thousand words...and right now I am too jetlagged and this is just too surreal to put 1,000 words to.

We were welcomed "home" by our team very early Tuesday morning with this gift bag. I think they had read my previous blog post (see below). It does feel like home. Even now. Even without an address or our own place. Suppose it's the joy of resting in God's caring providence. HERE is where He has led and IS leading. Yes, welcome home. 

Home

The Stock Household has been in transition lately. Well, since April of last year really. We sold our house in Cartersville and moved into our friends’ house.  After nine months, we moved into Brian’s parents’ house (and shoved them out to their RV) for a week. Now, we are in the middle of 5 weeks of living in a training center in Colorado, with about 50 other people. Come next Friday, we’ll be back at my gracious in-laws’ for a week. Then, gulp, we head off to another continent.

Transition seems like too weak a word. Uproot? Take the plunge? Blast off? Whatever the word; it’s coming and we won’t be settled for quite some time.

I’m a homemaker…a domestic engineer, a house-wife, a stay-at-home mom. Home is my job. Home is so much part of how I love my family, rest in who I am in Christ and work for God’s glory.  Today I realized how much being homeless in some sense is wearing me down. There are some things I never counted when I counted the cost of this calling. Seems silly, but God...let me be silly?? I grieve the loss of the rooms, the rocking chair, our yard, the walk to the mailbox, smells and sounds, familiarity and safety. 

There is hope, because of course I know Jesus was homeless, transient and quite removed from the comforts of Heaven. I know until I get to Heaven, I am merely a sojourner and here is not my home. And I know God can give me grace through this shifting about. He gives me a sense of home in Him, in His Word, in His arms, in the stillness and the following. He gives grace in resourcefulness to set up home wherever the Stocks are. But here, in transition, it's hard to dwell in that. 

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from Brian Stock on Vimeo.

Jolly

Many miles away...soon to be MANY more miles away...this picture makes me happy. Er, jolly.

Lydia with such good friends: Dresden, Simon and Violet Jolly.

Disney Trip: Meet the Princess ... (Part II)

Ten. That is the number of officially "Disney" princesses to this date and Lydia "the Princess Hunter" looked under every seashell, in every sand dune, and of course, all enchanted castles. Over the four days, she found all but one princess but she made up for it by finding most of them several times.

ARIEL

We traveled deep under the sea to find Ariel, the princess of the sea. Actually, all the water made Lydia have to go potty after we have been waiting in line for about 25 minutes. But, we only had a few minutes to wait. The Disney staff and the people in line were very nice and let us swim up those few spots. The first thing Lydia did for Ariel was dance like a mermaid. Very cute. Then, she asked questions about Ariel's friends and Ariel assured Lydia that Flounder was having fun with Sebastian.  

   

Lydia also met Ariel after her father turned her into a human and she married prince Eric. Lydia was super happy to see Ariel and wanted her to eat with us. 

RAPUNZEL

With her golden locks, Lydia loved Rapunzel. And Lydia did the sweetest thing... By herself, she decided she wanted to give Rapunzel her lay of flowers. Rapunzel was so surprised and flattered by Lydia's gesture. It was the sweetest thing! 

SLEEPING BEAUTY "AURORA"
Lydia met Aurora two times both times she wasn't sleeping which was good for Lydia because she had many questions to ask her. She asked her, "Where are her friends?" To which Aurora told Lydia about her "aunts". To which Lydia repeated the questions, "No, where are your other friends in the woods?" Lydia wanted to know her woodland friends such as the squirrels and birds she sings with.

JASMINE

It was a beauty day at Epcot to meet a few princess and Lydia found the beautiful princess of Agrabah, Jasmine and her prince, Aladdin. Lydia first gave them each a sticker and then asked about their monkey, Abu. Though there was no appearance of Abu, Lydia had lots of fun with them.

TIANA
The newest Disney princess from the movie, The Princess and the Frog, Lydia found Tiana in the American Southland. We will have to attempt that Lydia can capture a princess and a crowd. After giving the normal formal greetings which all princesses know, Lydia processes to hop around Tiana like a frog. Everybody was in smiles and it was quite a show!

More to come...

Disney Trip: Meet the Characters (part 1)

Our Disney World Trip
Date Arrived: January 21st, 2013 (Monday)
Date Departure: January 24th, 2013 (Thursday)

Starring
(List in no particular order except for Lydia and Molly, being the kids and all)

The Princess Hunter played by Lydia Stock
She has one objective: To meet as many princesses as possible within the four days. She will go across all four parks, brave the long lines, and stand in the pouring rain (thankfully, there was none!) to see all 10 Disney princesses. Load with questions, hugs and kisses, and a few gifts for any princess she sees. Repeats are full acceptable and welcomed. If it is "princess-y", it is for her!






Wonder Baby played by Molly Stock
Fully content and in total awe on all the rides, she loved every minute of it. She gained her title by being wonderful throughout the whole trip. Even with the ill-regular schedule, the colorful animatronics lit up her eyes wide and the nighttime show of fireworks kept her for wanting more. Often she appears sleeping in the stroller or riding in the carrier on daddy!






Trip-planner Extraordinaire played by Nana 
Do we have the schedule? Down-to-the "nana"-second. Do we have the tickets? Check. Where are we going to eat? Reservations made. Where are the princesses? She has the app! To get the most out of Disney, since there is SO much to do, Nana researched, planned, and prepared all things Disney so that we DID get the most out of our four day stay.

"The Beast" played by Pop-pop
Sort of a man for all roles, Pop-pop stage wasn't just for us six, but all of Fantasyland. I don't know what it was about him? In a large crowd, the people up front always chose Pop-pop to play the role of this or that. Neat as it was, he didn't let the crowds down as he had them laughing and crying all at the same time. He deserves an Oscar for it!




Cast and Costumes played by Mommy
All actors and actresses need a "super-awesome" makeup/wardrobe assistant and this special task was Mommy. She gladly took on this role and did a fantastic job. There were no wardrobe malfunctions, no crazy lipstick, and certainly, no empty tummies. Best of all, she was always right there when you needed her whether it was on a ride to cover your eyes for a scary part or having a snack while waiting in line.





"The supporting actor role" played by Daddy
There can only be one star of the show and that was certainly The Princess Hunter. But, any good actor or actress needs a supporting actor to make them shine brighter. Daddy filled that role. With her hand in daddy's hand, and a little courage from daddy's heart, Lydia scouted, marched, and danced around DisneyWorld enjoying rides, meeting character especially the princesses and watching the fireworks. When the Princess Hunter was off and running, Wonder Baby need to be carried around, face forward to see all the sights, sounds, and people.



(Other cast)
"The Minivan" played by the stroller

Quesadillas and Coke

Lydia turned 3!

We had a party featuring James (born one day before Lydia), Violet (due before Lydia...but born a week after) and well, of course, Lydia.

We had over a dozen princes and princesses (our theme) over for dress-up time, stories and a toddler snack buffet...ending with cupcakes.

Then, we met Grandma and Grandpa for picnic.

We had hotdogs on princess plates...and more cake.

On her ACTUAL birthday, we sang several times and had all sorts of family calling and face-timing in to share a birthday message for the birthday girl.

Daddy and Lydia went on special date to get a dress (a birthday tradition). Lydia chose the one with the "most twirl".

Then, we had quesadillas and coke: the birthday dinner menu Lydia chose about a month ago. She had her first coke all to herself.

Molly had a banana. (Did I mention she is waking up twice a night...we are starting solid foods!)

  For dessert: ice cream sundaes. And we watched Cinderella (and danced for most of it).

The Night Before Christmas & Rabbits

What does Santa Claus and rabbits have to do with each other? You will have to watch the video to find out! It was one of the most precious moments of this Christmas. Unscripted, unrehearsed, and pure laughter for our family and I hope yours too.

A Good Day

Today:

"Mommy, put down your coffee...and dance!"
Cranberry muffins, one with pseudo-crumb topping for Brian
Molly laughed...for the first time...at her sister
Bacon for lunch
Sold our computer
We found out why Molly's tummy was upset last night (3 times)
Applied for Visas! (They are in the mail!!)
Made Chocolate Crinkles
Ate Snickerdoodles
Nana and PopPop came just before nighttime

It was a good day. 

"Leave" It To Daddy and Lydia

I was upstairs vacuuming with Molly in the bouncy seat, and what to my wondering eyes did appear, but Daddy and Lydia...with a rake and wheelbarrow.

 I sneaked outside to take a few pictures of the leaf clean up. 

Here are your camera-women

Cute one of Lydia, right? I did not intentionally cut off my husband's head. It's just plain hard to take pictures and hold a baby at the same time. Of course, he was wearing my hat....