Rainy day

On our hike today chrissie was Heidi (we've been reading Heidi). And Matthew was Peter the goatherd. Chrissie was as "light-hearted and happy as a bird" the whole hike (quite honestly when is she not). She had two sticks, a hat, and bounded up the mountain calling to the "goats." Matthew occasionally followed her. However, he wanted to use the stick as a "gun" not as a "walking" stick, which Chrissie insisted was it's purpose. And they spent a portion of the hike arguing about the purpose of the sticks. Actually, Chrissie spent the time trying to calmly ask Matthew to please use the stick as a "walking stick." Chrissie's very good at orchestrating their play time. But, Matthew completely ignored her and "poked" things. Meanwhile, I just wanted to be sure he didn't poke Jane in the eye.

Rain is a rare treat in Phoenix, so, the kids can't help but to soak themselves in its splendor. A rainy day is always a happy day.

Sunday/Ngorngoro Center

Rick continues on his safari ride beginning at the Ngorongoro Crater, which is the inside of an old volcano and has essentially a small eco-system in it. There were lots of animals in the crater. Rick even saw a black rhino, which is very rare. Then they drove through the serengetti to Mwanza. In the Serenghetti he saw lots of other animals including lions.

The kids and I had a wonderful Sunday with fresh baked cinnamon rolls, a lovely day at church (Matthew went to nursery all by himself-well done son). We ended our day eating dinner outside. This is the middle of January and we ate dinner outside! Ah, I love Phoenix.

Saturday Jan 29/safari ride

(Matthew as the "frince")

Rick went on the safari ride today in a convertible, extended toyota Land Cruiser. His companions are Dr. Sonntag and some Cornell folk: a couple of attendings, residents, nurses, and med student.

They went to a small national park near the serengetti and saw lots of animals. He saw a lot of elephants, even baby elephants; not only did he see them, but, he stood right next to them.e saw a lot of them and we were right next to them. And as one would expect to see on a safari ride, he saw giraffes, lots and lots of baboons, hippo's, and more.

Here in Phoenix, Chrissie had her violin practice with her friend Macey...very exciting.

Matthew pretended to be a "frince" today and Chrissie was his princess. They were true to character even at the grocery store. Matthew had his batman cape (work with me here) and his sword and froggy boots. Chrissie was technically in her "pioneer dress," but, today it was a princess dress and she had a shawl (just like Aurora does in Sleeping beauty). The acting reached its height when Matthew repeatedly yelled (in the grocery store), "watch out there's a dragon!" and then he and Chrissie would run.

the zoo/arusha

The kids and I began our day with a good ol' Phoenix outdoor activity: hiking. We attempted to hike North Mountain (yes, the mountains are named). I made Chrissie walk. Matthew would occasionally alleviate her of this duty. Our hike came to an end when Chrissie fell and skinned her knees. However, she had heart and hiked the whole way down because I was worried the stroller would take me down if any more weight was added. In fact, I even made Matthew walk near the end.

( chrissie's zoo attire)

Rick flew to Arusha to begin his two day safari ride between Arusha and Mwanza. He said in Arusha there was a car accident nearby he and his traveling companions. They ran over to see what they could do. The people said, "oh there's nothing you can do." And then one of the men died, right there. Rick said that if he were at St. Joseph's the man's life could've been saved. Rick felt helpless.

I'm not sure if I'll hear from him anymore until he returns home Sunday, February, 6. He's not sure of internet reception in Mwanza and he doesn't have a laptop. And I don't think the hotels in Mwanza have a business lounge.

So the kids and I went to the zoo this afternoon in honor of Rick.

Finally Matthew gets to see the elephant. Last time he was utterly perturbed that the elephant wasn't right in his view. He made us wait for a long time to see if the elephant would come to the spot he had chosen for it. Not this time, the elephant was close enough for him to see.

Don't mind me, I'm just a peacock chillin' on a fence.

Chrissie and Matthew looking out at Phoenix's "safari"

bread baking day/wires from sears

The kids and I made bread today. Matthew thoroughly enjoyed rolling out the bread very thin and then stuffing it in his bread pan. Chrissie has got quite the hang of "bread making" and made three loafs easily. No big deal, I only learned to make bread when I was 21.

matthew broke a window....not awesome.

I heard from Rick. He and Dr. Sonntag have been lecturing/operating in Dar es Salaam. One of the topics of discussion was about how they ( the doctors of Tanzania, I assume) can apply the surgical techniques done in the United States to a third world country like Africa with such low resources.

Dr. Sonntag had an answer:wires from Sears (not so sure what this means, but, supposedly it's quite ingenious) something he did back in the 80s.

Dr. Sonntag did spine surgery before all the current technology and has tremendous insight into how spine surgery can be done with limited resources (need I remind that he also operated on the Queen of Saudi Arabia). Rick has been so impressed with Dr. Sonntag's abilities and knowledge.

waiting...still waiting

(and what does Chrissie do in her spare time sans brother and sister...she plays with her dolls/stuffed animals. And yes my friends that is underwear that adorns the horse and mouse's head, but, for the moment, it is being cleverly used as a hat)

I've yet to hear from Rick....

I've been reading to Chrissie from "On the Banks of Plum Creek." And I relate to "Ma" as she anxiously awaits for a letter from "Pa" who has gone to find work. I'm anxiously waiting for an email from Rick. I check my email several times every hour until I know that its too late in Tanzania and that I'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Chrissie has mastered pretend play and during the kids nap time she played with her dolls/stuffed animals (as pictured above). She doesn't need entertaining. And who does, when one has stuffed animals, dolls and doll clothes (or underwear and I assure you they're clean) at one's disposal and no brother to ruin one's masterpiece.

Latter in the afternoon, we ran errands and went to pizza for dinner. As I was in the mall, I was reminded why I never go to the mall alone with three young kids. Matthew, being the boy he is, likes to run and climb. Jane, being the baby she is, likes to be held. So, Chrissie came to my rescue and helped me in every conceivable way: pushing the stroller, watching Jane while I took Matthew to the restroom, watching Matthew, watching Jane while I ran after Matthew, etc.

reality

As Rick walked a distance from his hotel (near the embassies) he felt like he went through a time warp. He was not prepared for what he saw his first day in Tanzania's capital: women walking to and from with baskets on their hed, men riding bikes with loads of "cargo"-eggs, foam, chickens in cages, etc, people crowded into buses, and hundreds of people waiting for buses. A very different quality of life than he's ever seen. He didn't get many pictures of the people of Tanzania because they're highly sensitive to white people taking pictures of them.

Rick's hotel in Dar es Salaam (this is the nicer area of Dar es Salaam)

Dr. Sonntag lecturing

Rick and Dr. Sonntag (Dr. Sonntag is from Germany and set up the opportunity for Rick to do a fellowship there-we owe him)

Here in Phoenix, the kids had a park day with friends. And then Chrissie and Matthew spent the afternoon pretending to be "Woody" and "Jessie" running away from Emperor Zurg.

Throughout the day, with Rick's email in the forefront of my mind, I thought about my lifestyle compared to that of people in Africa (or other third world countries). I could live with so much less and be just as happy, if not happier.

So it begins...

Rick is off to Tanzania for two weeks and I'm flying solo. He left late last night and should be arriving in Dar es salaam, Tanzania about now.

Today he spent all day, twenty two hours, on the plane. Twenty-two hours is a long time, but, no so bad when you're flying business class. He will stretch out his long, long legs, and enjoy free drinks in the airport's lounges-that is one rough life.

Back in Phoenix, the kids and I spent the day organizing, catching up, and getting things under control. Chrissie "organized" her room, Matthew "organized" the toys by playing with them and then the rest of the afternoon was spent playing and imagining.

Then we ended our night with family home evening where Chrissie took charge. She wanted to "play" the music for f.h.e. on the piano. But she had to practice first. So, we waited. And then she wanted to give the lesson and unknowingly got down our German Book of Mormon and "read" a verse from it and showed pictures. Of course, Matthew didn't want to be left out. He got down my Book of Mormon, sat next to Chrissie, and just said the word, "so," over and over.

Jane's first birthday

Chrissie and Matthew made Jane's birthday a real success. They oohed and aahed over her gifts. Chrissie meticulously wrapped each one. And she even chose a gift for Jane: Chrissie insisted Jane would like a kitty-cat (oddly enough Chrissie wants a cat, purple to be exact). Matthew took charge over the birthday cake candles. He was utterly disappointed that there was only one candle; he wanted lots of candles on Jane's cake. Chrissie was qutie pleased with Jane's b-day hat and insisted that Jane wear it all day long. Everytime Chrissie saw Jane she squealed, "Oh! There's the birthday girl!" or "Where's my birthday girl!" Matthew smoothered Jane with birthday kisses. Jane is one loved little girl.

Opening presents.

No, Jane did not get a nerf gun for her birthday. That lovely thing belongs to Matthew.

Singing happy birthday

Jane eating the birthday cake. A special heart shaped cake just her size courtesy of Chrissie.