Connor turns 13!

 Wow!  How can my baby be 13 already?

Connor was the first Israel to celebrate his birthday here in Serbia.  His birthday was on Thursday.  We had a pretty low key day.  We had birthday pancakes for breakfast and soft chicken tacos with DR. PEPPER for dinner and a giant snickerdoodle double doozie cookie for dessert.  He got to open up some presents and the cards that we received from the states.  It was cool to get cards from old friends, new friends, and even his kindergarten teacher.

Connor is blowing out the candle on his birthday pancakes.

The family enjoys celebrating Connor's life with the Dr. Peppers we had been hoarding for several weeks.

Connor is blowing out the candles on his cookie cake

On Friday is when the real fun began.  We had seventeen thirteen year olds here to eat pizza, cake and go on an "Amazing Race" through Novi Sad.  Trey and I worked all week writing clues, gathering answers, and translating everything into Serbian.  I must admit; I was afraid I'd bitten off more than I could chew, but it turned out great.  We're thankful for lots of you lifting us up and to our friend Kirk for helping out at one of the locations.

Friends

And More Friends

And More friends

And More and More Friends

The kids didn't know about the show, so we let them view a clip of it and then sent them racing to 5 different locations with 7 different tasks throughout our town.  They really got into it.  We only lost one along the way. (Seriously, we did, but as far as I know everything is fine.)

At the finish line we ate cookies and tallied the points.  I enjoyed getting to know Connor's classmates and watching them interact with each other.  Kids here stay with the same group from first through the eighth grade.  They are like a little family after seven years together.

One of the tasks was to go to the pijaca (open air market) and use 50 dinar (about 69 cents)  to buy something red and present it to Connor as a gift at the finish line.

Things we learned:

Serbian girls do not eat pizza at parties.

It is customary to wait until everyone is gone and open the presents after the party.

These kids are really competitive and great sports.

Sometimes you receive live animals as gifts.

God is in the details.

Meet Ivan and Misho...the newest members of the Israel family


Bonus:

As we were finishing up the party in the town square where we had the finish line set up there was a sweet little "baka"  (grandma) there watching all the crazy happenings.  She began to talk to us and told us how sweet our kids were.  She teared up as she told us she'd had three children too, but they had all passed away.  As we continued our conversation we decided that she needs someone to talk to and I need someone to speak Serbian with.  She wrote down my phone number and I'm hoping to meet Jelena for coffee sometime this week.

Randi and the Not so Good, Things Didn't Go as Planned, I'm Really Tired, Pretty Bad Day.

***Disclaimer***
I love Judith Viorst's book, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.  I don't want to break any copyright laws (it's been a bad enough day) and so this is me, trying to give credit where credit is due.   Thanks Judith for the inspiration.

This morning when I woke up it was raining and cold, and I hadn't washed the dishes from last night and I knew it was going to be a not so good, things aren't going to go as planned, I'm really tired, pretty bad day.

At breakfast the kids wanted to eat something other than cereal...they said, "Can't you just make pancakes and bacon and eggs?" and I said, "No!"  So so they ate cereal and complained.  I think I'll move to Australia.

On the way to Merkator for groceries on 10% off Tuesday it was still raining and I forgot my umbrella and my pants got wet in the driveway and the Merkator parking garage was so totally insane that I completely aborted the mission and tried to call Trey, but remembered I can't talk on the phone and drive without getting a ticket and so I pulled over to call him and ended up at the end of a dead end street and I knew it was going to be a not so good, things aren't going to go as planned, I'm really tired, pretty bad day.

We picked the kids up from school and dropped them off and went to Merkator and parked on the street this time and didn't have our umbrellas and it was STILL raining and we spent almost 9000 dinar and didn't even get anything fun and I think I'll move to Australia.

And then I pinched my booty on the broken toilet seat, and cleaned up the house because we had three different sets of visitors coming (I was praying they didn't have to pee while they were here, and that they wouldn't all arrive at the same time), and I knew it was going to be a not so good, things aren't going to go as planned, I'm really tired, pretty bad day.

I don't think toilet seats ever break in Australia.

And then I started cooking dinner and I didn't have time to make a yummy dessert and so we had store bought boxed cookies, and I burned the meatloaf (like to smithereens), and one of our visitors peed on Brooke's bed (I guess she had seen the toilet seat) and I said next week, I'm going to Australia.

It has been a not so good, things didn't go as planned, I'm really tired, pretty bad day.  

I think some days are like that...even in Australia.

So, here is the burned meatloaf.  And, in keeping with my day, the picture didn't rotate and so it is posted sideways and I can't figure out how to turn it around.  I bet if I was in Australia it would look right. 

Here is the pan the meatloaf came out of...it may never be the same.

Here is me...showing off my sad little supper.  Not a great picture, but hey...it hasn't been the best of days.

I was thinking just this week about how I always post these sweet little snapshots of our life.  I love my life.  I love where God has me and all the great things we get to experience and all the new people we are meeting and so I like you to see the fun stuff, but some days are like this one.  And so, here it is...the bad side.  I didn't have a quiet time and I didn't study language and things didn't go as planned, but tomorrow is a new day and I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Kyle Cooks Dinner

One thing that I've always hated is deciding what to cook for dinner.  I do much better when I have a plan for the week or the month.
As I was planning the menu for this week I asked everyone for an idea and told them they would help me cook the night we ate what they had picked.
Well, Kyle is the only one who followed through and here are the pictures...

He is chopping the cucumber for the Greek salad.

Here he is turning the чивапи, his favorite Serbian meat. 

Smashing taters...

Close up of the чивапи (chivoppy).

The completed meal.

One very proud little man.  We all enjoyed it.  Now I've just got to get the rest of them helping out this much.

Just Another Week in Serbia

Well friends, I've been sitting here for almost half an hour trying to think up something wonderful and interesting to post for the world to see.
I've come up with a list of ideas for the future:
In two weeks you'll be able to read about Connor's birthday, in 6 weeks it'll be about Thanksgiving...etc.etc.

But today...Today as our friend Graham Hagood would say, "I've got a big bag of nothin'"
Last week was a really good week for us, but there was nothing really exciting.  Just life; our life.

So, I decided to just let you all know what a regular week looks like here in our new home:


Monday
    All the kids leave for school about 7:35.  Trey and I have some time in the word and look at the week.  We get out the schedule and the to do list and map it all out.  We studied Serbian in a quiet house for two hours and then headed out to walk B and K home from school.  We grabbed some quick lunch and left the kids at home as we headed to class for a couple of hours.   Then it was soccer practice for the boys, homework for the kids, dinner, and we watched the lastest episode of the Amazing Race before bedtime.

This is Brooke in her classroom as everyone is getting ready to start the day.

Tuesday
     Merkator Day...We drove the kids to school today on our way to do some weekly grocery shopping.  I can get 10% off my groceries on Tuesdays.  We were there when they opened at 8, got everything on the list, brought it home, put it away, and still had time to study for two hours before we had to pick everyone up.  Kyle was done at 11:40 and Brooke was done at 12:30.  Trey got the kids while I made cookies and then we packed up a picnic for some family time at the park.  We try to do something special together on the Wednesdays when the kids have morning school, but the weather looked bad for Wednesday, so we decided to head to the park across the river today instead.   When Connor got home a little before two we loaded up and headed out.  We hiked around, ate, played football, volleyball, and soccer, ate some more, and lost Kyle's jacket.  We then headed to Kirk and Amy's to share some cookies and kiss on their new baby.  After that we went to see our landlords, talk some (a little English, a little Serbian), drink some coffee, eat some cookies, and drop off their mail.  She really liked the Snickerdoodles and asked for the recipe.  She said she wanted me to type it up for her...in Serbian.  She said that way if they didn't turn out well she could blame it on my Serbian and not her cooking.  Then Trey took B to volleyball practice...which doesn't even start until 8 pm!

This is us sharing a  giant Snickerdoodle cookie at the picnic on Tuesday afternoon.

I love baby feet!

Wednesday

     This was basically a replay of Monday.   Except that Trey was able to enjoy some coach talk as he shared coffee with the boys soccer coach.

Homework Time

Thursday
     Kids had school as usual and we had morning class.  After lunch we headed to the pijaca for produce for the week.  Trey ran a bunch of errands (paying bills, etc.) while I cleaned the house.  Then he and Brooke whipped up some homemade salsa and I made a chocolate cake in preparation for our dinner guest.  One of the single young men from church came over for dinner.  We introduced him to enchiladas, and really enjoyed talking and praying together.  I took B to volleyball and got to see her practicing and meet her new friend from the team.


Friday
     Brooke got out of school early today and so I picked her up at 10:40, Trey got K at 11:40.  We ate some lunch and Trey took the car in to get snow tires put on it.   Kyle's new friend Boris came over and if you follow me on fb you got to hear a little about our conversations.  Boris is a very funny kid.  His mom came over and we visited for quite a while.  It was really great.  She speaks great English, but was also great at having Serbian conversations with me.   Trey and Brooke headed out to vb practice and the boys and I headed for bed.


Saturday
     A wonderfully lazy day!  The boys had early soccer and then we just laid around all morning.  Brooke made chocolate muffins.  Completely independently and from scratch.  They were yummy.  We then straightened up and had my Seriban angel, Lidija, over for coffee.  Dinner was yummy chicken and rice soup...great dinner on a cold and rainy lazy Saturday.

Kyle at practice.

Sunday
     Church.  I was so excited that I felt like I really worshipped in Serbian for the first time.  There was a song that I completely understood the words to and was able to sing with my heart and my mind...not just my mouth like I too often do.  On the way home I was telling the fam how excited I was about that and Connor (who I might add will be 13 very soon...as you will be able to tell by the next comment), asked me, "Was it the hallelujah song?"...He's such a little toot, and was too far away for me to smack him. ; )
We shared lunch with good friends and wrapped up the day with family worship and prayer time and some skype calls.

Well, there it is...our week in review.

Nothing too exciting, but that is life...usually just the same old same old thing.

We're learning to abide in the regular weeks.

The pastor in church on Sunday talked about how sometimes it's easier to die for Christ than it is to live for Him.  It's in the living that we learn to die to self.  We want to hear that still small voice.  We hope you've heard His voice.  Listen, He knows you and He loves you and He wants you to know Him too.

Solo Trip to Belgrade

Okay, this picture really has nothing to do with the post.  I just love it.  I guess if I think about it this sweet little one is like the sister Brooke never got and this post is about sisterhood...so...there ya go.
I took a couple of pictures on my phone, but after some terribly unfortunate happenings we are unable to upload them to the computer.



Well, I am proud to report that I've returned from my first successful solo out of town trip.  I went to Belgrade to enjoy a meeting of Sisters from around the country.  We had almost 400 ladies from over forty different cities gathered together.  It was a joy to  share in worship, teaching and fellowship.  

I left here with directions to my friend's flat, correct change for the toll booth and fog...lots of fog.
I'll be honest...I prayed a lot on the way...between the stress of driving with SERIOUS fog...like I've never driven through before, and the fear that one of the bridges might be closed rendering my meticulous directions useless I was doing some praying.  Thankfully, I got behind an 18-wheeler going a good speed and just stayed right there behind him until the fog began to lift.  The bridge was open and I made it to my friend's place without any problems.  God is good.  

The conference was a blessing.  One of the speakers was talking about ways that women can show love to each other...some of them are universal and some are not.  She suggested things like:
    *ironing a friend's laundry for her
    *sending a note of encouragement
    *giving a hug
    *spend a whole day in prayer for her
    *giving her some chocolate...a personal favorite
    *helping her with her pickling
These are just a few of the things she talked about.  I love the last one...it gave me that "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore" kind of feel.  It also reminded me of my friend Kristin, who when she found out we were moving here, offered to help me learn how to can.  Kristin is just one of those "let me help you do your pickling" kind of friends.

As I drove back I was praying for a friend who has some medical concerns and was thinking how great it is to have sisters.  Sisters all over the world.  What a blessing it is to get a great word of encouragement, or to know someone has been praying for you that day, to get  a note in the mail, or care package with real salsa in it...sometimes it is a hug, or other times a really great laugh...sometimes it is a friend who will parallel park your car for you in downtown Belgrade.  I love the way that we can show love to each other and am grateful to my Father for blessing me with so many who love me.  With all of my issues and condissues...I have sister/friends who still love on me.  I was humbled and thankful.  I am richly blessed and am asking the Lord to help me bless others abundantly.

Okay, I can't close this post without including a funny little side story...I have two American friends who where there today, both of whom speak much better Serbian than I do, neither of whom seemed to be in sight when I was drowning in language.
Well, we got to stand up to let everyone know what city we were from as they announced the places from all over Serbia that were represented.  A sweet lady behind me was thrilled to see I was from Novi Sad.  She began to talk to me right as both of my friends left...we were leaving to move the cars because we'd used up our 180 minutes of parking...I was trying to leave too and was trying my best to say this to the nice lady.  I was trying to tell her I had to move my car and that I would love to talk to her as soon as I got back, but I couldn't think of the word for "to move".  I asked her if she understood and she said, "Yes, you live in Novi Sad and you have a car."...Well, not exactly...I'm now starting to worry that they might send "the spider" (they don't mess around with wimpy things like tow trucks in these parts...no, they use these crane like things that are called spiders to pick your car up) to take my car away.  Worrying about one thing while trying to speak in my new language about another thing doesn't work...
So, I finally just walked away, hoping she didn't think I was the rudest kind of friend who wouldn't help you pickle your fall harvest.   As soon as we returned she found me again...thankfully, she was not deterred by my earlier mid-conversation departure.  She continued to tell me that her son lived in Novi Sad and something about a church near one of the pijacas (a farmer's market type place), and needing an address, and could I help her and a phone number and a text message...it was all quite confusing...again...a sea of women and none of my English/Serbian speaking friends are in sight.
Finally, we had to skip out a little early and she stopped me on the way out to write down her phone number (or maybe it is her son's phone number...I really don't know) and she wrote down something about texting her.  I smiled and told her I would be happy to...(happy to what I really don't know...there's no telling what I've gotten myself into).  So, now my mission is to find a way to show this lady some sisterly love.  I wish she's just asked me to help her can some beets or something easy like that.

Fun with Family

We had the joy of having KK and Pop Pop here with us for the last two weeks.  Here are a few of the highlights of our time together.

Here the kids are with KK and Pop Pop outside a great Hungarian restaurant that they treated us
to while we were in Budapest.  The food was amazing!

Connor got to meet them in Rome for a couple of days to explore before they all came back here on the 19th.

Connor at the Trevi Fountain in Rome

Unfortunately, life must go on and so we had to work around the CRAZY class schedules that the five of us have, but we were able to:

Play ball at the park,

Enjoy ice cream in the town center,

Explore a beautiful historic small town near Novi Sad,

We saw this little lady driving her "cart" down the road in Šremski Karlovci the day we were there visiting.  I really didn't even notice her...I've kind of gotten used to this sort of sight; luckily KK got a photo for the rest of you to see.

Play lots of games...Kyle tends to win most of them,

Visit the bread festival here in Novi Sad,

Eat lots of good food,

Escape for a weekend in Budapest,
An AMAZING city...I'll devote a whole blog to our trip there next.

Have dinner at the Fortress here in Novi Sad watching the sunset over the Danube,

Play more games,

Read some great books together,


Eat some more,

and make a super quick trip to the fortress in Belgrade.

We loved having them here to share our lives, to see where we eat and shop and sleep and learn and play.  We can't wait to share our city and our new friends with the rest of you, so give us a call and book a flight and come on over.

254 days in a shoe

254 days in a shoe, in a shoe, in a plastic bin, in a box, in a crate, on a boat, in the middle of the sea...The story of one sock's journey to serbia

This is my story. I am a sock...one of the roughly 542 socks purchased by the Israel family to prepare for their journey to their new home.
I was packed on New Year's Eve, 2009. I was put in a shoe that was (quite ingeniously) placed inside another shoe and packed tightly into a plastic storage box that was put into a cardboard box along with some of the following things...700 packets of taco seasoning mix, 2000 zip-lock bags, a crock pot, an electric keyboard, some light sabers, some photographs, a few holiday decorations, some knives, some games, some books and too many clothes. (plus some)

Trey and Randi packed me away on December 31, 2009.

I was picked up by a storage company in Carrollton on January 20th.

Trey, Randi, and a very nice man from Equatorial Guinea packed me along with all these other things into a 5'x 5'x 4' crate in Irving, Texas, where I waited for a very, very, very long time.

Finally, on June 1st I was released for shipment across the Atlantic.

I spent a little time in Houston and then boarded a boat bound for the Balkans.

Sometime in late July I ended up on dry land again in Slovenia. This is an interesting fact because...Slovenia only has 25 total miles of coastline; so who would have thought that would be my point of entry?

My owners were contacted and asked to pay for my continued transport. Trey went to four banks and the post office. He finally got some help from some wonderful people in London who helped get it all paid for.

I then very slowly traveled from the port city of Koper to Belgrade, Serbia, where I arrived some time in the middle of August.

The Israels had their hopes up...thinking that they would see me very soon now that we were finally in the same country.

But alas, it took another three and a half weeks, 242 phone calls (most of these phone calls were in broken half Serbian and half English), and more money than Randi cares to talk about before...

Trey and his friend packed me and all the other junk into the van and brought us home on September 11th.

I am now happily here on Randi's foot, enjoying my new life.

I hope you enjoy the video.