Our First Christmas

Being in a new country (where only foreigners celebrate Christmas) definitely has a different feel to it. We were able to get a Christmas tree and a few other decorations, but once you leave our apartment there are no reminders of the Christmas season. Admittedly the change in atmosphere left me longing for the way things used to be. Walking into a store and hearing Christmas music or having trouble deciding what Christmas wrapping paper I like best. The day before Christmas I walked around looking for matching pajamas for the boys. For the last few years I have bought the boys matching pajamas for Christmas (though its more a present for myself than for them I guess) and I was having trouble finding some. Most children in this country do not wear pajamas, but sweat suits or something similar. I have resigned myself to buying sweat suits instead and found some I was willing to settle on - only to find that my credit card wouldn't work! As I walked back to our apartment I was a little upset. I was reminded of a shopping experience a few weeks prior, when I couldn't find anything affordable that I thought the boys would like. Again I was thankful that our reason for celebrating the Christmas season would never change. No matter where we live or what we have access to we still have a reason to rejoice and to celebrate.

Just so you know - it all worked out in the end - they boys had their matching pajamas and I still had my tradition! Despite the fact that all their friends were at school Christmas day the boys had a wonderful day - complete with matching pajamas, presents from grandparents, Christmas carols and the Christmas story.

Thanksgiving and the amoeba.

Though Caleb spent most of Thanksgiving resting in another room we still had a very enjoyable holiday. We are grateful to have been able to spend the holiday with a few other families. Are meal was complete with all the trimmings, though we did not have a big turkey. You can buy a turkey here for about $40 (15lb) but we were all satisfied to just have turkey breast. This Wal-Mart shopper could never bring myself to pay that. Unfortunately Caleb started to feel bad again that night and on Friday we had to take him to the doctor. Caleb was unable to keep anything down and had eaten very little for three days. We were all retested for the amoeba and Caleb, Lucas and I were still positive. By this doctor visit someone in the family had been sick for at least a month. Though Lucas will be retested tomorrow I am happy to report that the other boys are now amoeba free!!!!!! Though I am not taking medicine to fight the amoeba (because of the pregnancy) I feel 100 times better. We are now entering our second week without illness and we are very excited about that. We are so thankful for those who so faithfully pray for our family. I did take a few pictures of us at the doctor's office - maybe it will make the scrapbook.

Caleb makes an appearance on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving with friends = fun.

Lucas enjoys the festivities.

Passing time at the doctor's office.

Lucas waits for his test results.