Potty Training Pitfalls

The goal is to get your kids out of diapers, right? The little one has been waking up dry for a month now and wouldn't you know it, I decided not to put a diaper on her last night. Oh,and by chance, on the same night, my hubbie decided not to move her from our bed. I had confidence in my child, what was his excuse? I guess it was destined to happen, and I suspect it won't be the last time I wake up with someone elses pee on me. We reached the next level in stage 1 training... NEVER get up and leave the immediate target area without proper bottom checking! Every 2 year old needs adiquate QC in this department. The big question around this house is, 'who's most qualified for this job? I argue that just because I'm the most qualified, this makes me a supervisor, and they, the trainees.

The middle child seems to have it down. The oldest, is there too,although I'm trying to maintain the idea of being safe, make the right decisions, don't partake in events that could leave you permanently injured, etc. The last thing I want is for her to end up seriously hurt and wearing some kind of urine catching devise before she reaches the 'golden years'. Hmmmm, the 'golden years'?:)) I crack myself up! This post is going down the toilet fast:D

Today's gold star goes to my middle monkey for keeping the down low on this subject all together! Good Job B!!

First Last Prom

I spent the day with D as she prepared for her Senior Prom. We went to lunch, sat through a hair appointment, ran to Macy's for makeup, shopped for last minute items, home to dress and up to the golf course for pictures. I choked back the tears as I watched the limo drive away with my first born. I have to say though, I am so happy for her right now. She is going with bunch of friends that she has been with for years. I love these kids like my own, and have just as much time invested in each of them as I do D. Sporting events, awards, school functions, dances, sleep overs, meals, rides, texts, etc. Here she is...the four besties. I'm not ready for graduation, but it is soon approaching. I have two more girls and two more Senior Proms. It's all going too fast!

Habits passed on...

If you are not sure of your parenting style, stop and watch your children and the habits they have learned. I never knew how much I said a certain word or phrase, until my 2 year old first started talking. You quickly assess and adjust your vocab when something pops out of their mouths that give you a double take and ask "what did she just say?". I am happy to report that there hasn't been anything coming out of my toddlers mouth that is rude, crude, or inappropriate for her age, or anybody else for that matter. I credit this small triumph to the fact that she is child number three and we have retrained ourselves with better words.

What I didn't anticipate was how she would take an everyday event, that has become a daily ritual, and turn it into something so ugly. That's right...U-G-L-Y! My daughter aquired a small panda bear from a friend and wanted to take her (i think it is a her, how do you check animals for that stuff?)home for a bath. Aaawwhhh, you might say? For a number of days after we got home with our new best friend, she asked repeatedly if Panda could have a bath with her. Of course I wasn't willing to give in to this idea. Unfortunately, I said 'no' too many times, and that is when she decided to take matters into her own little, 2 year old, hands. She decided to wash Panda in the toilet. I supose she was wanting to put Panda in the spin cycle, when she decided to flushed Panda down the toilet. I can't tell you how proud she was of herself!


She quickly reported the events as they took place, and as I ran to the bathroom and heard the sound of water filling the tank, I knew it was too late...for me and Panda. I won't fill you in on the event to follow, but I think the photo explaines it all.

Ruby Slippers

It never fails, when your far from home you always think of Dorthy and those ruby slippers...'there's no place like home'. She was right. After 33 hours of travel we finally arrived home this morning at 12:01 am. The house was still standing, in fact it looked better than when I left it. DD took extra time in cleaning up for me and I feel bad, because there are still bags, laundry, mail and newspapers scattered everywhere. I didn't get much done today, just hung out with the entire family, took an afternoon nap and thought about everything we experienced.

We had the greatest time in Cambodia. I think Carol hit the nail on the head when she made a comment on the way home last night. We were reaping the fruits of past trips this time around. Relationships and trust have been built over the past 5 years and we were really able to enjoy each other. Many times when we (foreigners) are at villages, we are seen as tourist. They think we are there to look at the poor village people. Foreigners are met with scepticism, what do they want from me or what are they here for? Curiosity, who are they and what makes them come? This trip, there was warm welcomes, remembering back to past visits, thankfulness for remembering them, thankfulness for returning, thankfulness for prayer, catching up with friends and making new friendships. Those working with the Krung were greatful for our return and our commitment to encourage, pray, and support their work. Trust has been established and friendships built. We did reap the fruits of past visits.

We were asked regularly, "why are you going? What is the purpose?" Here is what one missionary wrote in his January 31st newsletter...

The past several days we have had an enjoyable and encouraging time with four visitors from a congregation in Oregon that has a special interest and commitment to the work among the Krung people. They were able to visit a number of outlying Krung villages with one of our friends working here and then they had time with us at our translation office and home, and were able to see up close some of the details of what we do. I am reminded of what Paul wrote as he anticipated a future visit to the believers at Rome: "...that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." (Romans 1.12)


This missionary was at our hotel in the early morning darkness to wish us farewell. He wanted to make sure our taxi arrived and we were headed in the right direction. To see this giant of a man melt as BB hugged his waist was a special moment. They miss their children and grandchildren. To have a few short days together, and share a few meals, meant as much to them as it did us.

It was the little moments like the early morning good-bye that I want to remember the most. Our time in Phnom Penh and Seim Reap was memorable for other reasons. But the real heart of the trip was in Ban Lung. I started a list of those 'nothing' or small things that I wanted to remember. Here's what I had written down:

Silverware in boiling water
The fabric of my skirt & how it must feel to foreign fingers
Fresh, sweet mango
Seeds/pits in the bananas
Baby at the internet cafe
Bubbles in the village
Excitement over small items from home
Translation of Exodus
Watching a going home video
Leg on Carols lip
Carols first moto ride
Bridge mending
Giving individuals their prayer cards
Chocolate chip cookies
2 vehicles damaged from the terrain
2 moto accidents in the dust
Baby in the hammock
Lotus balm
Tribal ladies at the market
Church in the village
Kane children hugging and cuddling us
Elephant on main street Phnom Penh
Hannah hugging Chuck
Hunting wild pig
Xing bamboo bridge in jungle
International keyboards
Big spiders
Hammocks
Baskets
Iced coffee
Ankor Wat
Frog legs
Dr Fish


I'm still processing all that we did and all that we shared. I don't know how to answer some of the questions people are going to have for us. If I stare at you blankly its because I don't know where to start and when to end. I can tell you it was Amazing! I am forever greatful for having the experience.

I'll try and figure out how to post photos this weekend.

Backfill from Monday

The last couple od days have been a blur. We left Ban Lung, Ratanakiri on Monday enroute to Siem Reap. One taxi, one bus and fourteen hours later we arrived. There was alot of the country side to see and lots of memories to relive during the trip. Carol and I boarded the bus and it was obviouse we had never done this before. Many of the veterans pointed to the back of the bus. Not what I had pictured in my mind. I'm someone who gets car sick on the three mile drive to Oakland. I picked a seat that didn't have anything in it and waited with anxiety hoping that no one would come and tell me the seat I was in was already taken. Wouldn't you know it, a man came down the isle and saw Carol in his seat. We were sure this is what he was communicating. Carol got up and started wondering up and down the isle like a lost lamb. The man took pity and gave her back the seat. She sat down and now we both wondered who's chair I had taken. When the bus started to roll we both took a sigh of relief.

We arrived at the hotel and Carol's friend was waiting to meet us. It was late but we all decided to get a quick bite to eat. We then hit the hay with a heavy head. That was pretty much our Monday. We are getting ready to board for Taipei. I'll fill u in on yesterday when we land.

Sunday church with Krung

Last night was a real blast. We spent the night visiting with all the missionary families working here. They all gather at a home and have a special time together. It is always a highlight of the trip and a great chance to meet those serving here. The house was full of kids, laughter, and great food. We spent most of the day with the Kellers, swimming, eating, and visiting. What a great couple!

This morning the Swearingen clan went to a home church with the Kane family. Carol went to visit another church and isn't back yet. I'm dieing to find out how it went. The Kane family is working in a small village called Toey (2-ee). They meet in a families home, the only family who are believers. There is another woman in the village who says she would become a follower if her husband would let her. Apparently if she goes to church, or becomes a believer, her husband will kick her out of the home. This is pretty serious, and the Kanes are continuing to spend time with her and the husband. He is apprehensive of the foreigners and doesn't yet trust. This is a dedicated family and a patient God we are talking about.

Church lasted a couple of hours, and i didn't understand much of anything. We listened to some songs, turned to Mathew in our bibles and listened quietly. Crying babies, pigs, dogs, and chickens could be heard in the background. I mostly watched the man preaching and his wife. He spoke with conviction and love. She listened intently and gently rubbed her pregnant belly. Their son had just fallen the day before and was laying next to us with a large bandage on his forehead. He was give several stitches and some medication for infection. He layed with his head near my leg and occasionally, in his drowsy state, would reach over and rub the fabric of my skirt between his fingers. He would realize what he was doing and look at me from the corner of his eye, until he finally dozed off. I didn't mind a single minute of it.

At the moment, I'm having a rest period. The Kane's are taking care of the kids and we are all going out to see some of the local sites at 4. These families have been so giving to us. We came to encourage them and let them know we are thinking of them and are deeply interested in the work they are doing. We've been richly blessed this week.

Our taxi arrives early in the morning and will take us on a 12 hour trip to Seim Reap. While there we are meeting a family friend/daughter to Carol and touring Ankor Wot. All the missionaries have expressed how important it is to the trip. It will give us a better understanding of the history of the country and the make up of the people. I'm looking forward to it, just not the drive. Thanks for following-

Building Bridges

The other day when we went with Kevin to visit some villages we crossed many bridges. Some made me a little nervous. Let me tell you, I've crossed some questionable bridges in my time but the ones that really make me power pray are the wooden ones. Kevin stopped at one bridge and asked us to help him with some 'minor'repair work. Is there such a thing when it comes to bridges? Dad (retired ODOT bridge inspector)? Several of the boards had fallen into the creek below. Kevin went under the bridge and slid boards to the surface as Scott collected them and placed them in the areas we needed. I say placed because we didn't have nails, nuts, bolts, ties, nothing! This was pretty mandatory repair for us to cross. The stop made me realize that there weren't many vehicles that drive this far out, mostly moto's. We all climbed back into the vehicle and as we were driving across the thought entered my mind that we should have walked across and had Kevin pick us up on the other side. Like most thoughts, it was too late and we were committed. We made it coming and going, thank the Lord! It would have been a long walk home!

Yesterday we spent the day with the Keller and Kane families. Keller's gave us a small glimpse into what it takes to translate the bible. I cant tell you it takes alot of what I don't have! We listened to Carol and the Keller's talk horse lingo (yawn, i know more than i did)and stories or their early missionary years. My only connection to horses is Don and Carol. I was greatful we had Carol with us to bridge that gap. You could tell horses are a big part of their lives and it meant alot to them to have someone who knew what they were talking about.

Hearing all the great stories of the early years was a highlight of the day. It never gets old hearing how people get where they are and what path took them there. Talk about real Hero's of the Faith! many missionaries here are looking for someone to document and write the Keller biography. After listening to just some of the many stories I can see why.

We returned back to our hotel to give them a little break and the four of us discussed how great it was to see their work in action. Carol and I are in a bible study that is walking us over/through the tabernacle. We were in the room as the words of Exodus were going through the first phase of translation. To here "the cloud they followed by day, and the fire they follow by night. God dwelled in that place" gave me goose bumps. There wasn't enough time for us all to email the experience (and I drew short straw), but boy was it rich! All day I kept thinking gluttony, gluttony, i am so full! I couldn't not share this with you.

We walked back to the Keller's and looked at pictures of their 2 day old grand-daughter. We watched as they looked at a going home video on facebook and could see the sacrifice they are making to be here. She played the video over and over and we happily watched. I've only been gone a short while and I look at the same pictures on my ipod and read Demi's emails over and over.

Piling into a car the Kellers drove us all over to the Kane home for dinner. This sweet family has four children under the age of five years old. We visited, laughed, ate sloppy joes and fresh mango, and enjoyed the great view and each others company. Mrs Kane was so appreciative of the things we brought her from the states. I need to say a big 'Thank You' to everyone who took the time to add mayonnaise, chocolate chips, chapstick and so on to your shopping lists. These little things meant so much to these families. Just to give you an idea of how special this family is, Mrs Kane asked for chocolate chips. We brought several bags for all the families and she made us chocolate chip cookies for desert. None of us wanted to eat them because we knew what a big treat these were for them. I relished every morsel of that cookie.

We have finally reached a place with these families that is deeper and more personal than before. we are hearing intimate and delicate prayer request. These families know that we are sincerely interested in the work they are doing and in each individual person. Emails to one another can only be so effective, but to break bread with one another and look into their eyes and hear the triumphs and trials is a whole-nother level.

Today is expected to be another great day. We are all getting ready to go for a swim and the local swimming hole. More time with the Keller and Kane's. Can't wait!