multicultural

Last weekend the boys had their first 'major' cross-cultural experience.  Certainly, they've met many of Mike's employees, and hearing the Spanish language is nothing new for them, but I don't believe they've been totally immersed in it up until this point.  One of Mike's employees invited us to her son's 4th birthday party.  First of all, she told Mike 4pm.  At one point beforehand I wondered if Latin Americans in the U.S. operate on Latino time (4pm does NOT actually mean 4pm) or U.S. time (4pm does actually mean 4pm).  Well, I wonder no longer!  We showed up a few minutes after 4pm and were EARLY.  So, we sat on the couch in this tiny house, and sat, and sat, and sat.  At one point a mom and her two kids came, and we all just sat there in silence.  The Spanish I used to have is basically nonexistent, the boys don't know any, and Mike felt awkward, too, even though he can carry on a conversation quite well.  (How do you strike up a conversation with a lady you don't know that speaks a different language??)  I was hoping the boys would magically hit it off with some other kids (you know, language is no barrier type of thing), but that didn't happen.  Eventually more and more people filtered in.  So now we're packed in a tiny house feeling completely awkward because we know almost no one, and can't talk with anyone.  Thankfully, a couple of Mike's other employees showed up later on, and that helped at least a little bit (they don't speak English, but I at least appreciated seeing a couple familiar faces).  Mike was able to talk a bit with one of the gals' husband, who works on a large dairy farm in the area.  Overall, it was one of the longest evening's of my life, but it was a good experience, and it was good that we went.  :)

Tuesday afternoon the boys and I went to my parent's house so that I could spend some time helping my dad with his 'books' to get ready for his appointment with the tax guy (farmer's have an earlier due date).  It went really well with the kids, and we were actually able to get our work done!  Levi napped in his sleeping bag for the first time and he LOVED it.  Caleb and Logan had a bit of a quiet time on separate couches and did a good job.  The next day, all three of the boys went outside to play in the snow after lunch, and they played so good for so long that we just skipped nap/quiet time.  Love, love, love seeing them play nice together!

Thursday evening was Mike's first council meeting of the new year, and he was elected to be Chairman of the Deacon board.  I know he'll do a great job.  :)  The bright spot of him being elected to that position is no more Sunday's where he's "on duty" (having to go early to unlock doors, shovel sidewalks, count during the evening service, lock up, etc., etc., etc.)!!!  Those Sunday's are always a bit of a struggle for me.

Friday morning Mike and I met with the superintendent at a school in the area as we're trying to make a decision on the boys' schooling for next year.  I don't feel grown up enough to be making this kind of decision...  The boys were thrilled to spend some time at Grandpa & Grandma's house while we did that.

Saturday I finally took down the Christmas tree!  Figured it was about time.  It always seems so dark and empty with it gone.  :(  We went to my parent's for the afternoon in order to spend time planning our upcoming Southwest Adventure.  We're so excited!  There are so many cool things to see, and alot of ground to cover -  it's hard to choose!  Our current countdown is for a little getaway to Frankenmuth - just an overnight to an indoor waterpark.  Caleb and Logan especially are very excited and enjoy talking about what they are going to do.

Just remembered a couple fun conversations I've had with Logan lately.  He's making plans to open a bakery & cafe for me since I am the "best cooker".  (Which is a bit ironic since it seems he hardly eats anything I cook, but anyways....)  He mostly wants sweet, dessert type stuff, but I've convinced him we can have a few other food items (hence the "cafe" part of the name).  He brought it up that we shouldn't allow pets.  And, of course, Mike can come in and get whatever he wants.  I'm going to make the food, Logan is going to serve it.  Caleb has no desire to work there, he intends to work at Schreur Farms and come as a customer to our bakery.  :)  Was so fun to talk over all the ideas he came up with!