tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90935759582484954082024-02-22T16:39:55.258+03:00a Kenyan-Texan family (old)multicultural lifeRachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.comBlogger592125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-41738718322444774482014-12-27T13:21:00.000+03:002014-12-27T13:21:00.066+03:00new urlStarting in 2015, I will be posting from <a href="http://akenyantexanfamily.blogspot.com/">akenyantexanfamily.blogspot.com</a>. I know how annoying it is to have to update your readers -- pole sana (very sorry)! I've been using this as our identity on this blog for a long time, now and I want to reflect it in the url. This blog will stay open, so that any links to old posts won't be lost, but all new posts will be over there. I'm importing parts of this blog over there, from about the time we started getting ready to move to Kenya, as well as some older posts about Kenya and being a mixed family.<br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-35456978271568094482014-12-24T12:43:00.001+03:002014-12-24T12:51:08.457+03:00The (Kenyan) Christmas SongIf The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) had been written in Kenya:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Cashews roasting on an open fire<br />
Hot sun scorching all the rest<br />
Christian songs being sung by a choir<br />
And folks dressed up in Sunday best<br />
<br />
Ev'rybody knows some freshly made treats<br />
Help to start the day off right<br />
Tiny tots with their tummies full of meat<br />
Will all sleep in peace tonight<br />
<br />
Because the pilau is on its way<br />
Baked with a goat slaughtered today<br />
And ev'ry mother's child is gonna try<br />
To sneak some extra bites on the sly<br />
<br />
And so I'm offering this simple phrase<br />
To kids from 1 to 92<br />
Although it's been said many times, many ways<br />
Merry Christmas to you!</blockquote>
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And Merry Christmas from the MKKs:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/EFTBnrtWNEI" width="420"></iframe>
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-74634192891102076602014-12-23T16:39:00.000+03:002014-12-23T16:48:15.434+03:002014 <h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
January</h3>
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Nate turned 4 in January, and we pondered over how it was possible that 4 </div>
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years had passed since that very eventful day when he came into the world. </div>
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My parents also made their second trip to Kenya in January. We took them<br />
several new places, including Arabuko-Sokoke forest and Sabaki River.<br />
And of course, we took some trips to the beach!</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
February</h3>
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The highlight of February was Nate's half-term break. <br />
We headed to Malindi for a long weekend. We spent our time in the pool, <br />
on the beach, and at ice cream and pizza parlors, per Nate and Ben's request.</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
March</h3>
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March is hot. While coping with the heat, we got ready for our trip to the US!</div>
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<h3>
April</h3>
We went to Texas! It was a longer visit this time than the last time we went, <br />
with break time worked in throughout the weeks we were there. <br />
We started our trip with a real vacation - fun family time with no work on the side! <br />
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<h3>
May</h3>
It seems (from the outside) that our time in the US should betotally relaxing - <br />after all, we aren't home cleaning our house, cooking for ourselves, keeping up <br />with the daily grind, and we're in the most comfortable place on earth (the US).<br />
But, we are on the go all the time. We took a few days off here<br />
and there, but it was still a tiring month of travel and visits. <br />
Nate and Ben really, really love Texas.</div>
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<h3>
June</h3>
The end of our US trip. At one point I calculated the number <br />
of miles we traveled, excluding trips within the towns we were staying in <br />
at different times, just from one stop to another around the state. <br />
I don't remember what it was anymore. Thousands. Texas is big, <br />
and we didn't even make it to west Texas, the panhandle, the valley... <br />
Nate got back to school almost as soon as we were home. He missed it so much!<br />
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<h3>
July </h3>
We got back in to the swing of life here. <br />
The Maisha Kamili Transition Home became fully functional, <br />
eventually housing 4 transitioners.<br />
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<h3>
August</h3>
Kenya's school breaks are in April, August, and November-December. <br />
While Nate was on break, we took a family trip to Nairobi to <br />
renew his passport. We stayed an extra day or two to take <br />
advantage of time in the Big City.<br />
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<h3>
September</h3>
This was the beginning of the last school term in which <br />
Ben would not be in school yet. We also celebrated him turning 3!<br />
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<h3>
October</h3>
We started going to church in Malindi this year. It is quite a drive to make <br />
(several times a week), but we feel it is a place we can <br />
serve usefully. We are all making new friends, which is <br />
something we really needed (especially me!).<br />
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<h3>
November</h3>
We celebrated Thanksgiving with great friends! <br />
It was the best Thanksgiving I've ever had outside of the US.<br />
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<h3>
December</h3>
<div>
With schools closed and many people on leave, December has <br />
brought a lot of visits with friends! <br />
We will spend Christmas with Rodgers' family, followed by a <br />
Skype with my family during their Christmas celebration. </div>
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<div>
It's hot, we haven't had running water for weeks, <br />
Nate and Ben have spent way too much time with each other since schools <br />
let out last month and they are getting on each other's (and my) nerves, <br />
people disappoint us, we disappoint ourselves, but God is here. <br />
He has brought us a long way this year, and he continues to <br />
mold and shape us into the likeness of Jesus. <br />
The year was good because God is. </div>
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-68789323562376484052014-12-10T17:16:00.002+03:002014-12-10T17:16:53.752+03:00Santa is not that critical<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rodgers grew up without Santa Claus at all - he doesn't come to Kenya. I grew up with a fictional Santa, but we didn't believe in him - my parents' choice. Rodgers and I saw no reason to have our kids believe in Santa. We both feel Christmas is full without him. Not surprisingly, complete strangers have Very Important Opinions about this. And you know what? If you are on the other side, other complete strangers have Very Important Opinions about that. It's not unlike...well everything else that goes along with using social media as a parent. Sure some people will say these things to you in person, but with social media, you get read complete strangers' opinions about how you're ruining your children's lives from the comfort of your own sofa, at any hour of the day or night.<br />
<br />
My sister <a href="http://gospelcenteredmom.blogspot.com/2014/12/what-to-do-about-santa.html" target="_blank">posted this on Facebook yesterday</a>, which I felt is one of the most well-thought-out pieces on why <i>not </i>to believe in Santa. The post itself is not judgmental, but there are always judgmental comments on posts like this. For what it's worth, I love that post and agree with all of her points, especially numbers 1 and 4 (and even more the first one since we live in a country where there is no Santa - I mean, can you imagine the American kids not only getting more Christmas gifts from their parents but also being the only kids in town visited by Santa?!).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://imgur.com/gallery/vlD2g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GNPFwdCqiZMkuSugfgC_HdC7WstjIOJ3F7H6jB2Tm24mUrQyNCMkOMPKMDc6V235tkMaTXJsD1vPbNQUsf5yHD_I2-sc5hCi1IRBY34cT_Ou_dA5quHU27knAtEE4a8BCdCMyNhPSs4/s1600/critical.gif" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://imgur.com/gallery/vlD2g" target="_blank">the whole bit in gifs here on imgur</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Later yesterday, Christianity Today <a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/women/2011/december/why-santa-belongs-in-your-kids-christmas.html?paging=off" target="_blank">posted this one</a>, which is a bit more inflammatory (tactic to ensure more people will click on it). The title says that <i>your</i> kids <i>should </i>believe in Santa, whereas the previous one just said that their kids don't. While I agree with the conclusion on that post (that Jesus communicated truth using parables to appeal to the imagination through fiction, and other fiction can be used the same way), I don't agree that believing fiction is real is necessary.<br />
<br />
There are a zillion other posts, from both sides. Some simply state the practice of the particular family, like the first post I linked to. Others tell you why you (and, more importantly, your kids) would be better off adopting their viewpoint. Regardless, the comments are predictable:<br />
<br />
"HOW COULD YOU LIE TO YOUR KIDS?!"<br />
"HOW COULD YOU DEPRIVE YOUR KIDS OF THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS?!"<br />
"Your kid is going to ruin Christmas for all the other kids!"<br />
"Your kids only behave because of that creepy elf? How sad."<br />
"There's enough reality when you're an adult. Let the kids have some fun."<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGd1tXGo056Us7XcW8ANw3IXqT7Obz88Ve67w7Q1I5wQyQJWV0dYtN7z4FhtEiRUUIB_bWNJxQRUOQagjl98tTDDFTXEYO0chDruCnucMnlyPPMxLLuaMp3xphEPmbJ8nfQ4DrnNYBJ4/s1600/little+john.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGd1tXGo056Us7XcW8ANw3IXqT7Obz88Ve67w7Q1I5wQyQJWV0dYtN7z4FhtEiRUUIB_bWNJxQRUOQagjl98tTDDFTXEYO0chDruCnucMnlyPPMxLLuaMp3xphEPmbJ8nfQ4DrnNYBJ4/s1600/little+john.jpg" width="250" /></a>"Well, I grew up not believing in Santa, and I'm just fine."<br />
"Well, I grew up believing in Santa, and I'm just fine."<br />
<br />
Let's focus a little on the last two comments.<br />
<br />
While there are people who feel deprived to not have experienced believing in Santa, and there are people who felt betrayed when they found out their parents had lied about Santa, for the most part, it just doesn't matter much. It's not that critical.<br />
<br />
And if people comment to you in ALL CAPS that it is that critical, that what you're doing will Ruin Christmas or Deprive Your Kids, just imagine them like Little John because this is what they're fighting over.<br />
<br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-433280223078455182014-12-08T16:37:00.003+03:002014-12-08T16:45:30.757+03:00Lamu<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZqH1bI8nDY/VIHCEqIJPRI/AAAAAAAAXBE/_-A0ph2EiPM/s1600/IMG_20141205_062709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZqH1bI8nDY/VIHCEqIJPRI/AAAAAAAAXBE/_-A0ph2EiPM/s1600/IMG_20141205_062709.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yG5QUwqwYJY/VIHA8mcZp2I/AAAAAAAAW5s/I_nr2bExuEA/s1600/IMG_20141203_203003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yG5QUwqwYJY/VIHA8mcZp2I/AAAAAAAAW5s/I_nr2bExuEA/s1600/IMG_20141203_203003.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Lamu from a boat</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and me in a boat taxi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since becoming parents, I have done many an overnight with the kids without Rodgers. I have spent some nights away from the kids, with Rodgers. But I have never left them with him overnight. It's not that I didn't want to, I just had no reason to - nowhere to go without them. Until...<br />
<br />
My friend said she wanted to take me to Lamu, where she grew up, and we actually put it on the calendar and started planning it. And did it! My very first ladies' getaway for 4 days and 3 nights, and it was everything I dreamed it would be. The boys called me at least twice a day, and Rodgers and I texted pictures back and forth to each other. I did miss them, but the break was extremely welcome!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uehphevgd1k/VIHAXvUs7xI/AAAAAAAAW2c/MxWlmnsk7CI/s1600/DSCN5629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uehphevgd1k/VIHAXvUs7xI/AAAAAAAAW2c/MxWlmnsk7CI/s1600/DSCN5629.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dtm6zqlyq6g/VIHA0T-2vLI/AAAAAAAAW40/Iml9hJoUPeY/s1600/DSCN5656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dtm6zqlyq6g/VIHA0T-2vLI/AAAAAAAAW40/Iml9hJoUPeY/s1600/DSCN5656.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boats</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">donkeys hauling sand from the Indian Ocean side of the <br />
island to a construction site in town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We took a bus. It takes about 7 hours from Kilifi. The road is not paved the whole way, but actually the unpaved part of the road is smoother than some of the "paved" part! The bus takes you all the way to Mokowe. Then, you hop on a boat to cross to Lamu Island.<br />
<br />
Lamu's biggest industry has been tourism, but recently, that industry has been suffering tremendously. Until two weeks ago, they had been under a 6 pm curfew enforcement. No one wants to go on vacation and be stuck in their hotel room for the night starting at 6 pm. The curfew has now been pushed back to 10 pm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tRL7A9fwf1E/VIHAUSDq0aI/AAAAAAAAW2E/AsKryfPA-LE/s1600/DSCN5627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tRL7A9fwf1E/VIHAUSDq0aI/AAAAAAAAW2E/AsKryfPA-LE/s1600/DSCN5627.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud9s7KTLKNA/VIHCCHW6jfI/AAAAAAAAXA0/5wKSS33rYzA/s1600/DSCN5735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud9s7KTLKNA/VIHCCHW6jfI/AAAAAAAAXA0/5wKSS33rYzA/s1600/DSCN5735.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">empty mkokoteni on the seaside road</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">around 4 o'clock every day, they roll out the mats and play bao</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Everyone told me how happy they were to see a tourist in Lamu again. Restaurants have only been keeping the basics stocked so that they don't waste money on ingredients that won't be used. Artisans are selling other things in their shops because there aren't any tourists to buy souvenirs. The economy is really suffering from the lack of tourists. We did our part to stimulate the economy: stayed in a hotel, ate in restaurants, shopped, went to the museum, used boat taxis, and shopped some more.<br />
<br />
Lamu is famous for having no cars on the island. The only way to get to the island is by boat. There are no bridges. There is only one road that can accommodate a car, anyway (we saw 2 cars and a tractor using it). The other streets are narrow corridors between buildings. This trait, probably more than anything else, has caused ancient culture to be preserved. They say Mombasa and Zanzibar started much like Lamu, but because they've made way for roads and cars, much of the old culture of the town is lost. Walking the streets of Lamu today is not much different than walking the streets of Lamu 400 years ago. The main differences being that now there are power lines overhead and everyone carries a cell phone. Also, within the main part of town, all of the streets are paved and there is a drainage system in place.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1Ql5TbHtf4/VIHBjC08kuI/AAAAAAAAW90/erLWd12abWU/s1600/DSCN5692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1Ql5TbHtf4/VIHBjC08kuI/AAAAAAAAW90/erLWd12abWU/s1600/DSCN5692.JPG" height="320" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one's actually not <i>so </i>narrow.</td></tr>
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<br />
The main method for getting around town is walking. If you have a load, there are mkokotenis (the cart in the picture above), but they don't navigate the streets quite as smoothly as the donkeys. Lamu claims the highest number of donkeys per capita in the world. They use them to transport loads of sand or whatever else they need carried, including themselves! It's not uncommon to see donkeys roaming around unattended when they are off-duty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UClixsw16Fg/VIHBPQg4J0I/AAAAAAAAW7c/bDwkFEWQ-4Q/s1600/IMG_20141203_170347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UClixsw16Fg/VIHBPQg4J0I/AAAAAAAAW7c/bDwkFEWQ-4Q/s1600/IMG_20141203_170347.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HpCXvHXwW_U/VIHBzxy0MdI/AAAAAAAAW_c/SG0uxIrMYfM/s1600/DSCN5708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HpCXvHXwW_U/VIHBzxy0MdI/AAAAAAAAW_c/SG0uxIrMYfM/s1600/DSCN5708.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">off-duty donkeys</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">donkeys bringing the sand through town<br />
The street wasn't wide enough for us and them, so we hopped <br />
up on someone's front stoop. They all have benches outside <br />
their front doors, where they sit in the evenings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There are 3 cities on the island, all along the coast. The center of the island is orchards of mangoes and coconuts. You might be able to walk through the orchards to get from one town to the next, but why do that when you can get a boat taxi? This is the fastest mode of transport on the island. My friend's parents live on the outskirts of town, and we were staying in a hotel right in the middle of town. We walked to and from a couple of times, but it is far. Our last visit with them, we were so tired when we left, we just walked to the beach and got a boat taxi to take us back to town center. Much better!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5vah_o1CdDI/VIHAfWECUDI/AAAAAAAAW3M/S_fl-ok-X5I/s1600/DSCN5638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5vah_o1CdDI/VIHAfWECUDI/AAAAAAAAW3M/S_fl-ok-X5I/s1600/DSCN5638.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our captain for the time we stayed<br />
We called him any time we needed a ride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My cultural experiences included: labania (a sort of cardamom praline made in Witu, on the road to Lamu), kahawa tamu (local spiced coffee that has more sugar than coffee in it) mixed with kahawa tungu (unsweetened local coffee, which they didn't think I could handle, but which I had the following day without the tamu mixed in because good gracious! the sugar!), and henna. Also we walked all over town one day, with a guide who pointed out some of the old architectural traits like door carvings and coral facades. He took us to some of the historic homes that have been converted to guest houses and past an old, but still-functioning water well (the kind you draw with a bucket, rope, and pulley).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3vQ2XBDc68/VIHBKZ6yB8I/AAAAAAAAW68/u05c23O8vBo/s1600/IMG-20141205-WA0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3vQ2XBDc68/VIHBKZ6yB8I/AAAAAAAAW68/u05c23O8vBo/s1600/IMG-20141205-WA0043.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NKoaHKXRwg/VIHBmzgiKoI/AAAAAAAAW-U/-OEIqhFBays/s1600/IMG-20141205-WA0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NKoaHKXRwg/VIHBmzgiKoI/AAAAAAAAW-U/-OEIqhFBays/s1600/IMG-20141205-WA0021.jpg" height="320" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">henna in progress</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">posing in the street/corridor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Rodgers is a little jealous because this is part of his own country he has never visited. I have an invitation from our friend's parents to bring my family to visit them. The dad actually asked me to bring my family for Christmas this year, which is not possible. Maybe we can try for a family visit to Lamu next year.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtgo_yMHGcBlJlJ5-hjjC8bfj7VmeFc7ZU4lmoSKplBjD6F4WUT0yabe6ALuBJWVCWj2FBmC4EtUd49weNyLM6pxCbwXOVpnpUWCbdLEVAOv5hzNimVdyxqcfhFn0-POlnTJEPYdLJ1Y/s1600/signature+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtgo_yMHGcBlJlJ5-hjjC8bfj7VmeFc7ZU4lmoSKplBjD6F4WUT0yabe6ALuBJWVCWj2FBmC4EtUd49weNyLM6pxCbwXOVpnpUWCbdLEVAOv5hzNimVdyxqcfhFn0-POlnTJEPYdLJ1Y/s1600/signature+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-26677139936391277412014-11-21T12:57:00.001+03:002014-11-21T20:55:59.249+03:00Monthly Musings [a linkup]Spending Thanksgiving as an American expat is weird. Christmas is different - it's hard being away from our family in the US, but at least the holiday is celebrated, and some familiar things like nativity scenes and Christmas carols help make me feel more homey. Thanksgiving is kind of like Independence Day. The day comes and goes like any other. No one is off work. No one is celebrating. I had a very hard time my first Thanksgiving outside of the US, during which our Thanksgiving dinner had to be postponed for about 7 weeks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52LV9B4GXel92sSCug4Ux_MhUGR-QkHcyCpGcmpLvlUyg44I-6aIJCMWrESvphYfEDOtUXqrLfWCaruVEUSh0eUpxE2PQ1oiHkaVl4SOroGCmP0nIH8t2A7mt3S_KwTJ-W8lyGlFrTpk/s1600/yum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52LV9B4GXel92sSCug4Ux_MhUGR-QkHcyCpGcmpLvlUyg44I-6aIJCMWrESvphYfEDOtUXqrLfWCaruVEUSh0eUpxE2PQ1oiHkaVl4SOroGCmP0nIH8t2A7mt3S_KwTJ-W8lyGlFrTpk/s1600/yum.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving dinner in the dining room of a ship in the Philippines, 2006</td></tr>
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Since then, with help from Rodgers, I try to introduce the holiday to my non-American friends. It is <a href="http://rodgersrachel.blogspot.com/2014/11/thanksgiving-in-kenya.html" target="_blank">a lot of work for me in the kitchen</a>, but so much fun! We get to teach a tiny bit of American history and introduce our friends to some super yummy American foods. It helps that I make cornbread dressing and the staple food here is corn (as in maize). The dressing and turkey are always eaten up very quickly. Not so much the veggies, but that's ok with me - I can eat creamy green beans for days!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XaKBDKz_IsU/ULDbT_exCJI/AAAAAAAAR1o/ciOD2AL_TUI/s1600/DSCN2293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XaKBDKz_IsU/ULDbT_exCJI/AAAAAAAAR1o/ciOD2AL_TUI/s1600/DSCN2293.JPG" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first Thanksgiving in Kenya, 2012</td></tr>
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As Christians, it is important to us to have a day set aside to particularly focus on giving thanks to God for providing for us. Of course, we give thanks every day, every time we pray. But we have holidays to pay special attention. We celebrate Christmas to pay special attention to the coming of Christ. We celebrate Easter to pay special attention to Jesus' death and resurrection, even though we worship on Sundays every week for the same reason. In Deuteronomy, the Hebrews were commanded to celebrate God's provision for seven days! (<a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/Feast-of-Tabernacles.html" target="_blank">The Feast of Tabernacles</a>) We don't personally celebrate the Jewish feasts, but I believe Thanksgiving Day serves the same purpose to us as the Feast of Tabernacles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_SSI29fiF9o/UpD4-foQRHI/AAAAAAAAUu8/caoS0aoraEI/s1600/DSCN4468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_SSI29fiF9o/UpD4-foQRHI/AAAAAAAAUu8/caoS0aoraEI/s1600/DSCN4468.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgXR6ut8t7M/UpD4vv17XqI/AAAAAAAAUt0/h9FHhBXCnUE/s1600/DSCN4456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgXR6ut8t7M/UpD4vv17XqI/AAAAAAAAUt0/h9FHhBXCnUE/s1600/DSCN4456.JPG" height="200" width="199" /></a></td><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxhB3tTulYc/UpD40Nubl-I/AAAAAAAAUuM/2fsRxWcyH64/s1600/DSCN4460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxhB3tTulYc/UpD40Nubl-I/AAAAAAAAUuM/2fsRxWcyH64/s1600/DSCN4460.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1fd_ExTIRrg/UpD4y8URb-I/AAAAAAAAUuE/e78mC-X1FlY/s1600/DSCN4459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1fd_ExTIRrg/UpD4y8URb-I/AAAAAAAAUuE/e78mC-X1FlY/s1600/DSCN4459.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" colspan="4" style="text-align: center;">Our second Thanksgiving in Kenya, 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We invite Christian friends to celebrate with us. We thank God for what he has done for us, for the ways he has worked in all of our lives, for the ways he has made his presence known in the world around us. We eat before the Lord our God, and we rejoice! (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+12%3A7&version=ESV" target="_blank">Deut 12:7</a>)<br />
<br />
This is a monthly linkup. Check it out for more musings about thankfulness:<br />
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<a href="http://theramblingllama.blogspot.com/2014/11/monthly-musings-round-1-november.html" target="_blank"><img alt="The Rambling Llama" src="http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g167/PineappleHead87/november1_zps6cc16d4c.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-63209391579781144392014-11-17T16:18:00.000+03:002014-11-18T10:11:26.487+03:00Advent 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love suspense movies and books. And TV shows. Suspense is fun. Alfred Hitchcock is quoted as saying, "There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it." In the same way, as a lover of Christmas, I enjoy the days leading up to Christmas so much. Not that Christmas is terrifying. There is fun in the anticipation. And Suspense's last name is Anticipation.<br />
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This anticipation, the expectant waiting, is what Advent is about. Thus, we have an Advent calendar. As we anticipate the arrival of Christmas Day, we do Advent readings as a family and focus on what Christmas is about, why it's all about Jesus, and who Jesus is anyway.<br />
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This year we are using the same short Scripture readings for each day, December 1 - 24, that we used last year. We start with some prophecies, move on to the gospels (particularly who John the Baptist said Jesus is and how Jesus describes himself), and conclude in Paul's letters. I print out the list, cut the days apart, and tuck each one into a pocket of our Advent calendar, with the tree ornament for that day. You can find my printable file below, if you want to follow along! Or if you prefer to follow digitally, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/MaishaKamili" target="_blank">Maisha Kamili on Twitter</a> or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/abunchograpes" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. I will post each day's reading, as well as posts for the 4 Sundays of Advent on the <a href="http://www.maishakamili.org/" target="_blank">Maisha Kamili blog</a>.<br />
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The boys are very eager to get the new ornament out each day. They bring me the slip of paper and I read the designated Scripture as they place the ornament.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ocyuvbyogf3uip/advent.pdf?dl=0" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt=" advent pdf" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggIfZxd7Rec_C8i313MgFoETLC49JngoU-8AzYUfYt8qR-hMNmliXMIbPQrucDvi76tWtnr8tt1q6xjs7RsWgBiTG_hGF2Hk3DMvPWzugTCbU9Ej0-UHah34jY4d4ayAg-y-gesOXGS8/s1600/advent.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ocyuvbyogf3uip/advent.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Click for the pdf.</a></div>
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In past years, I've done a daily blog post Advent guide. If you're looking for a different kind of Advent reading, flip through some of these:<br />
<a href="http://rodgersrachel.blogspot.com/2013/12/advent01.html" target="_blank">Advent 2013 (Dec 1)</a> || <a href="http://rodgersrachel.blogspot.com/2012/12/advent-day-1.html" target="_blank">Advent 2012 (Dec 1)</a> || <a href="http://rodgersrachel.blogspot.com/2010/12/advent-day-1.html" target="_blank">Advent 2010 (Dec 1)</a><br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-55633485132558512482014-11-12T11:51:00.000+03:002014-11-12T12:55:24.909+03:00Mamas Tell All: Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle [a linkup]<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKSrfQYB9gM/Tlfga9llojI/AAAAAAAALnA/4S__Ni86cs4/s1600/DSCN4079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKSrfQYB9gM/Tlfga9llojI/AAAAAAAALnA/4S__Ni86cs4/s1600/DSCN4079.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">during one anti-sleep phase, Rodgers would sleep on the couch<br />
and let Nate play in the living room. Nate would end up<br />
crashing somewhere like this eventually. Always entertaining!</td></tr>
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...when you have children.<br />
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The three main components in physical health are sleep, nutrition, and exercise. The problems with being healthy when you have kids are many. Here's how I deal with them!<br />
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<h3>
sleep </h3>
Kids don't sleep when you need them to. They eventually start sleeping through the night, then have sleep regressions due to cognitive development, teething, illness, name it. Both of our kids had their last major sleep regression around age 30 months (2 1/2 years). Now they may wake up during the night occasionally, but for the most part we sleep through the night.<br />
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After Nate was born, we started going to bed way earlier to make sure we got enough sleep. Rodgers wakes up before dawn, so he tends to take a nap in the evenings. I am not a good napper, so I have to get all of my sleep overnight. I sleep until the kids wake me up, which is usually around 6:15.<br />
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It was obviously much harder with infants. However, since they were bottle fed, we had the freedom to split the night feedings. If it was before 2 am, Rodgers would get up. If it was after 2 am, I would get up. (Or was it the other way around? I don't have a clear memory from those time periods...) That way, even if we both woke up when the baby woke, one of us could go back to sleep, and we each got at least half a night's worth of sleep.<br />
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<h3>
nutrition </h3>
Either you have no time to feed yourself and go hungry or you end up eating too much, i.e. all of your toddler's leftovers because they keep saying they're hungry, but are "done" after a bite and a half. It's hard to eat well!<br />
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One of my time savers is to prep produce as I put it away. Fruit will be cleaned and put away ready to grab and eat. Veggies will be cleaned, blanched, and frozen, ready to add to a quick recipe later. I don't always stay on top of this, but snacking well and cooking meals are so much easier when I do! We keep healthy snacks like yogurt, boiled eggs, and nuts, too. We also enjoy some not-so healthy snacks in moderation.<br />
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<h3>
exercise</h3>
With kids, I feel I have neither the time nor energy to exercise. I've never really <i>liked </i>exercising anyway. However, in the interest of health, I try to stay active and exercise for real a few times per week. I rely on the internet. I don't have time to go to a gym to exercise. I also don't have childcare. My gym is my living room floor, and my trainer is YouTube. I'm not strict about it, though. If I am genuinely tired (or if it's too hot - we don't have a/c), I will skip exercising. It works for me!<br />
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Visit the linkup:</div>
<div class="Mamas-Tell-All-button" style="margin: 0 auto; width: 200px;">
<a href="http://thatsouthernmama.blogspot.com/2014/11/mamas-tell-all-healthy-family.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <img alt="Mamas Tell All" src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv586%3A%3Dot%3E2368%3D763%3D%3C4%3B%3DXROQDF%3E2%3B362%3C985323%3Aot1lsi" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-54419630226731756462014-11-08T15:11:00.000+03:002014-11-08T15:22:51.258+03:00end of year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today was the first kindergarten graduation ceremony for Nate's school. They did presentations/performances and gave awards certificates for each class before the actual graduation. It was actually lots of fun! The kids had learned a lot of songs and poems to present, and Nate recited a Bible verse all by himself, as well as participating in several of the group poetry recitations. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i98t_BanF_Y/VF3-YzRt7eI/AAAAAAAAWys/hicRZVItm74/s1600/DSCN5554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i98t_BanF_Y/VF3-YzRt7eI/AAAAAAAAWys/hicRZVItm74/s1600/DSCN5554.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent a lot of time waiting between different parts of the program. <br />
Here we're keeping Ben occupied with chewing gum and taking pictures.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teacher Leah gave him a balloon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Rodgers read the newspaper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5jhQoALLko/VF3-pTrmbpI/AAAAAAAAWzc/ZKpugbwzozY/s1600/DSCN5583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5jhQoALLko/VF3-pTrmbpI/AAAAAAAAWzc/ZKpugbwzozY/s1600/DSCN5583.JPG" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During one of the waiting times, they started up a game of Musical Chairs <br />
for the parents! Rodgers was selected to play in the first group. <br />
He did not win, unfortunately.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BckyuCIIcv0/VF3-g3eC2hI/AAAAAAAAWzE/xXBgLw_Jj-g/s1600/DSCN5575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BckyuCIIcv0/VF3-g3eC2hI/AAAAAAAAWzE/xXBgLw_Jj-g/s1600/DSCN5575.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nate's 3rd from the left in this pic, getting set up to recite a poem together!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UooxuttHGGg/VF3-jf06dcI/AAAAAAAAWzM/urrFz1rUQL0/s1600/DSCN5581.JPG" height="200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nate was not in this one - it was a very cool Giryama folk song and dance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17OM3YKsrvg/VF3-rZZkzcI/AAAAAAAAWzk/f3nh8TEKgu4/s1600/DSCN5588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17OM3YKsrvg/VF3-rZZkzcI/AAAAAAAAWzk/f3nh8TEKgu4/s1600/DSCN5588.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was called on to present award certificates for "Best in Language" <br />
for each class. Nate got the award for his class! Rodgers was not <br />
fast enough to take a picture of us, but there we are from a <br />
distance, while they were still getting all of the kids on stage. </td></tr>
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Nate used to go to dance class on Wednesday afternoons, but one day they told us, "Nate says his body won't dance right for dance class. He's in chorale now instead." I thought 'choir,' singing. But actually they memorize and recite poetry as a group. In addition to the chorale verses, each class recited something as a group and sang a song. Also, some of the kids recited poems or Bible verses on their own.<br />
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They begin each presentation by saying "On the stage is [either the class, the individual's name, or "Bright Beginnings Kindergarten" if it's the chorale group], ready to recite a poem, entitled ________. Welcome (with a bow)." Then they recite. At the end, and this is my favorite part, they bow again and say, "Pleasure!"<br />
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Chorale (with some extras, I think!) learned "I Will Forget" to recite at a music festival in June. We were in Texas, so Nate missed it. However, he got to recite it with the group today! Nate's by the microphone on the left side. The poem talks about letting students learn at their own pace, in their own style, rather than forcing them to learn by rote.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8QgTZokpYEM" width="420"></iframe>
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A smaller chorale group (I think this may be the Wednesday group?) presented "6 O'clock," which is a cute poem about a bedtime routine.<br />
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KG2 class presented "Education." Education is like an orange situated in a desert, and I am a traveler. Those are oranges they're holding, and even though they're green, they are ripe.<br />
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Towards the end of the presentations, Nate got to recite John 1:1. He didn't even seem nervous. I'm so impressed. There were about 100 people watching him.<br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-85037829091225302602014-11-03T12:09:00.000+03:002014-11-03T20:32:54.596+03:00Thanksgiving in Kenya<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the US, we share Thanksgiving with our family. The menu is arranged in advance, everyone brings something, and we all eat together. Here, we share Thanksgiving with friends. Each year, we invite different people to eat with us. Sometimes they will bring something to go with the meal, but as for my favorite Thanksgivingy foods, I cook it all by myself. This is a big undertaking with an American kitchen. With a Kenyan kitchen, it takes meticulous planning. First, let me show you what I'm up against.<br />
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I have four burners on my stovetop. However, I've never been able to use all four of them at the same time. Here it is with a 12" skillet and a 2 quart saucepan. I could fit my tiniest saucepan on the front left, but the back right is completely un-usable with the skillet there. I don't even have a big saucepan for the stovetop because it's easier for me to cook multiple things in smaller batches than to cook one thing at a time.<br />
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The oven is super small, too. It's difficult to take pictures inside a black oven, but here it is with a 13x9x2 pan. (I'll explain the thermometer in a minute.) You can see better in the picture on the right that the pan is not sitting on the rack. It's suspended by its own handles along the next-level guides for the rack.<br />
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These are the controls for the oven. This is the reason for the thermometer. How hot is big flame and how hot is small flame? Well, it varies: the longer the flame has been lit, the hotter the oven will be. Since it doesn't maintain a temperature on it's own, I have to monitor it constantly, adjusting the flame size, cracking the oven door open if it gets too hot or closing it if it cools off too much.<br />
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Then there's this little guy. I call it an electric roasting pan, but it's so much more. It's a slow cooker, a deep fryer, a skillet. I can bake in it, roast a chicken (or a beef roast), make soups/stews/chilis/beans, stir fry, deep fry. As long as the power is on, there's not much I can't do with this. Plus, it's bigger than all of my pots for the stovetop. AND it doesn't heat up the 80-degrees-on-a-cool-day kitchen.<br />
<br />
Back to Thanksgiving. My plan has worked pretty well the past couple of years, though my menu has evolved.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Menu</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>veggies and Ranch dip (this is ambitious of me because I have not been able to find dill in any store, but I have found seeds and am attempting to grow some to make dip with)</li>
<li>tortilla chips with guacamole</li>
<li>creamy parmesan green beans</li>
<li>dressing</li>
<li>turkey</li>
<li>chocolate pie (with optional sweetened whipped cream topping)</li>
<li>buttermilk pie</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
T-2 days (i.e. 2 days before Thanksgiving dinner)</h3>
<br />
<ul>
<li>make pie crust dough, put in fridge to chill overnight</li>
<li>bake cornbread (in the oven or electric pan - I don't like the texture of cornbread in the electric pan, but since it's for dressing, the texture is moot)</li>
<li>make Ranch dip</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
T-1 day</h3>
<br />
<ul>
<li>bake the pies</li>
<li>make the dressing</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
T-6 hours (start time, but the last items are done just before we eat)</h3>
<br />
<ul>
<li>put turkey in electric pan to slow cook</li>
<li>prep veggies for veggie tray</li>
<li>make guacamole</li>
<li>whip cream</li>
<li>cook green beans on the stovetop</li>
<li>reheat dressing</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Who's hungry?<br />
<br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-30036542340817456092014-10-29T11:54:00.000+03:002014-10-29T11:59:02.349+03:00Mamas Tell All: Making Time for Mama [a linkup]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos-f.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xap1/10522812_718791331534221_463930977_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photos-f.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xap1/10522812_718791331534221_463930977_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Based on my own unprofessional, unofficial observations, mom burnout is very common. However, it has a simple remedy, and we all know what it is: taking some time for ourselves. This is not profound. It's not news. And yet, for some reason we often feel we have to be busy 100% of the time. Taking care of our kids is immeasurably important. Taking care of our homes is an endlessly repetitive to-do list. And then all of the other things we do...well, we wouldn't be doing them if they weren't important. Can we justify taking time for ourselves?<br />
<br />
Jesus himself sets an example of <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+6%3A31&version=ESV" target="_blank">going away to rest</a>. He is God. And he needed time to rest. His work on the earth was infinitely more important than anything we could do. And he took time away from it.<br />
<br />
We need to refresh our bodies and minds. Jesus did. He told his disciples to rest with him, depsite the very important and urgent things they had on their to-do lists. We are no different. Next question: How?<br />
<br />
Really, how do I take time for this? How can I work it into my day? It is a discipline, and I have to be intentional about it.<br />
<br />
I rely very much on my husband's help for this. My kids aren't old enough to fend for themselves. If I'm going to have time to myself (more than a few minutes), he has to be with the kids. There are a few ways I try to work this in.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #274e13;">
5 minute pick-me-up</span></h3>
<div>
If Rodgers is not home and I really need some time, I turn on the TV and/or give the boys a snack. I tell them that I need to take a break and go to my room. They understand by now what this means. I may read or just zone out. I introvert for 5 minutes. It's a similar concept to a power nap. The boys can handle being alone for that amount of time. And it helps me keep going.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #274e13;">
30 minutes to an hour break</span></h3>
<div>
If I need more than just a few minutes, I tell Rodgers, "I'm taking a break," almost as soon as he walks in the door. This is hard in practice because after a few minutes, the boys still come to me asking for things. We both have to constantly remind them that Rodgers knows how to fix snacks, help with toileting, or put superhero capes on, and I need to be left alone during my break time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #274e13;">
A day off</span></h3>
<div>
Rodgers is very understanding of my need for time to myself, and he can even recognize the signs that it's time! Every now and then (maybe 4 times per year) he will take the boys on a guys' outing, leaving me home alone for up to 8 hours. It is glorious. I am always so refreshed and energized when they get home! </div>
<div>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #274e13;">How do you make time to rest?</span></h3>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Visit the linkup:</div>
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<a href="http://socalledhomemaker.com/2014/10/mamas-tell-making-time-mama/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <img alt="Mamas Tell All" src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv586%3A%3Dot%3E2368%3D763%3D%3C4%3B%3DXROQDF%3E2%3B362%3C985323%3Aot1lsi" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-57788644866104733332014-10-22T13:52:00.000+03:002014-10-28T13:36:18.465+03:00Mamas Tell All: Never would I ever... [a linkup]<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8iCEYSNnr-U7wzhEwSyBCwkgkgsVSwczo8Svvn57Q52lepK_FRzzcL3UZVFyeANUQtZ-8BgniTnshiF-CrZgId87EJLGOQOoEzBJs2Bc3Zd_QOuwKKNEB1CmjMZUTWH7Ybr35g_1cng/s1600/burpee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8iCEYSNnr-U7wzhEwSyBCwkgkgsVSwczo8Svvn57Q52lepK_FRzzcL3UZVFyeANUQtZ-8BgniTnshiF-CrZgId87EJLGOQOoEzBJs2Bc3Zd_QOuwKKNEB1CmjMZUTWH7Ybr35g_1cng/s1600/burpee.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nate doing his favorite exercise</td></tr>
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I learned my lesson with this early in life. Don't say "I'll never..." because that is exactly what you're going to end up doing! I was never going to be or marry a missionary or someone going into vocational ministry. Look where I ended up.<br />
<br />
I try not to say/think/feel "I'll never" as a parent, too. Not all people, families, or situations are the same. You never know what's going to work this time with this kid. Rodgers and I try to be open minded and creative in problem solving with our kids. We experiment, we change things up, we try something new. We end up doing things that I never <i>thought </i>about doing, not because I didn't want to do those things, I just never considered them.<br />
<br />
We recently started trying something new, which I initiated on a whim. It seemed to work, so we stuck with it. I noticed that often, when I have to repeat instructions, it's because the boys are too active, too distracted, and too energized to even hear the instructions, let alone stop what they're doing to follow said instructions. I try to be realistic in my expectations of them. They should be able to be still and listen for short periods of time, even at their ages. But they have all of this crazy energy, and they need to <i>do something with it </i>so that their ears and minds can work.<br />
<br />
Therefore now, if they don't listen and follow instructions, they have to do burpees or jumping jacks (their choice).<br />
<br />
It is so much less frustrating for me to say "do 5 burpees or jumping jacks for not listening" and give the instruction to listening ears, than to repeat myself and keep being ignored. The boys like it better, too. They think burpees are fun, and they don't feel like they're in trouble because I'm not cross.<br />
<br />
This has also been successful (or even more successful) when I use it preemptively. When the boys are especially wild and we're getting ready to do something quiet, they have to do 5-10 reps, depending on their level of energy. It helps get the wiggles out so that they are capable of being still for a few minutes.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
See what other moms said they'd never do. Visit the linkup:</div>
<div class="Mamas-Tell-All-button" style="margin: 0 auto; width: 200px;">
<a href="http://socalledhomemaker.com/2014/10/mamas-tell-never-ever/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <img alt="Mamas Tell All" src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv586%3A%3Dot%3E2368%3D763%3D%3C4%3B%3DXROQDF%3E2%3B362%3C985323%3Aot1lsi" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Also, find more <a href="http://rodgersrachel.blogspot.com/2014/09/boy-mom-tricks-high-energy-and-noise.html" target="_blank">tricks for dealing with high energy kids in this post</a>. These are more "day long" solutions while the exercise trick is a quick fix.<br />
<br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-81718513983756398212014-10-21T11:32:00.000+03:002014-10-21T13:36:28.486+03:00last minute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a matatu, not a bus, <br />
but I took this pic while sitting on a bus...</td></tr>
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<i>A little disclaimer first: I am not writing this in any kind of judgement, it's just an observation.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The phrase "last minute culture" is used frequently in Kenya - by Kenyans - to describe Kenyan culture. For example, (1) when there were new laws passed requiring public transport vehicles to have speed governors installed (again), those who work in the industry asked for more time to comply, suggesting a new deadline, and it was granted. The new deadline came, but it wasn't until the next morning (after another suggested deadline was denied) that owners of the vehicles started trying to get the speed governors installed. They were out of stock for weeks after that because of the rush, and many vehicles were parked for those weeks. (2) There have recently been new requirements for those who are licensed to officiate weddings. Only a fraction of officiants have gotten the new licensing, and the deadline is fast approaching. No one really expects the rest of them to work on the new license until the deadline arrives. (3) We know countless people who have the money to pay their bills, but they don't actually pay the electric bill until they are being disconnected. They don't actually pay their kids' school fees until the kid is sent home from school for failure to pay fees. They don't want to pay until they absolutely must.<br />
<br />
They say, "This is last minute culture."<br />
<br />
One experience I had on <a href="http://rodgersrachel.blogspot.com/2008/07/safari-ya-kenya-day-8-in-malindi-and.html">my first trip to Kenya</a> illustrated this even better. Rodgers and I were traveling from Malindi to Mombasa. He had no car, and we hadn't borrowed one (which we did on our next trip to Kenya), so we were at the mercy of public transportation. We got on a bus. It was to leave in 20 minutes, and there were already a few other people seated.<br />
<br />
After we took our seats, Rodgers told me to look out the window. There were tons of people standing near the buses.<br />
<br />
He said, "They are all going to Mombasa today."<br />
<br />
I asked why they weren't getting on a bus yet - there were 2 currently loading passengers.<br />
<br />
"They will only get on when the bus is leaving."<br />
<br />
So I watched, expecting them to line up and get on board in 20 minutes. They did not.<br />
<br />
We did not leave at the scheduled departure time because the bus wasn't full. There were enough people waiting for the bus that we could have left on time if they would have gotten on board.<br />
<br />
It's a stalemate: The bus won't leave until it's full. The driver's "last minute" is when the last seat is occupied. The people won't get on until the bus is leaving. Their "last minute" is the bus pulling out of the parking lot. But it won't pull out of the parking lot because they aren't on board. But they won't get on board.<br />
<i><br /></i>
When we should have been leaving for Mombasa, the driver simply rolled forward about 10 feet, then stopped when a wave of people rushed to board. The bus was not yet full, thus we still did not leave. The bus driver plays this game every single day, and wins. He has to bluff and trick the passengers into thinking that he is leaving so that they will think it's the "last minute" and get on board. But some of them are not fooled by the first, second, third, or fourth bluffs. We did the roll-forward-and-stop-for-passengers bit several times, reached the end of the parking lot, backed up and started again.<br />
<br />
Eventually the last seat was filled. I think we ended up leaving close to an hour late. I would not be a good bus driver. I have no patience for that kind of game; I would have left with a half-empty bus.<br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-85633515401721886602014-10-15T18:40:00.000+03:002014-10-28T13:36:18.469+03:00Mamas Tell All: Making Motherhood Work [a linkup]This week's prompt is: <i>Are you a working mom, a stay at home mom or something else entirely, and how do you make that role work for your family?
</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-d.ak/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1979536_10152425827833869_8409069742467636167_n.jpg?oh=251c7f569d3a90a6047ea30453a14e86&oe=54EFC619&__gda__=1420479091_362cb7fecc08f629a39ddae3821ff304" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-d.ak/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1979536_10152425827833869_8409069742467636167_n.jpg?oh=251c7f569d3a90a6047ea30453a14e86&oe=54EFC619&__gda__=1420479091_362cb7fecc08f629a39ddae3821ff304" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What WFHMWOC looks like. <br />
I type a few lines, I look up<br />
to see his new trick. And repeat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When Nate was born, I was the breadwinner for our family (a working outside the home mom - WOHM). Rodgers had just graduated from college and was looking for a full-time job, while working part-time. <i>(I used to do a blog linkup in those days called "<a href="http://rodgersrachel.blogspot.com/search/label/wmw" target="_blank">Working Mommy Wednesday</a>." Remembering this got me sucked into a vortex of reading those past posts. That was some fun stuff!)</i> I have also done a few stints as a stay-at-home mom (SAHM), which I have to say: I loved.<br />
<br />
Now I guess I'm a work-from-home mom without childcare (WFHMWOC) because I do some work for <a href="http://www.maishakamili.org/" target="_blank">Maisha Kamili</a>, which I talked about in <a href="http://rodgersrachel.blogspot.com/2014/10/mamas-tell-all-choosing-your-family.html" target="_blank">a previous MTA</a>, but most of my time is occupied with keeping house and taking care of my kids. The oldest is in school all day, 5 days a week, and the youngest will join him in January, which will turn me into a standard WFHM.<br />
<br />
How does it work for us? Scheduled flexibility. Or flexible scheduling.<br />
<br />
I schedule housework and laundry weekly and try (this part is harder) to get daily tasks done in specific time frames. I try to do most of the housework while Rodgers and Nate are gone during the day so that we can all relax in the evenings.<br />
<br />
However, having Ben still at home, I get a lot of interruptions. I don't mind them so much. I love that I get to hang out with him one-on-one until he starts school. I discipline myself to stick to the schedule, as in not wasting time or procrastinating, but I am flexible when it comes to Ben's interruptions, which include making many snacks, extended lunch breaks, fort building, holding paper for him to practice cutting, writing and coloring together, snuggling, looking at stuff outside, and sometimes even playing with toys.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out how their many roles work for other moms at the linkup:</div>
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-65240574376483385372014-10-10T09:30:00.000+03:002014-10-10T09:30:03.995+03:00a year reading aloud to little boysLast year, during Christmas holidays, Nate and I started reading <i>A Christmas Carol</i>. Most of it was over his head, though he liked the fact that it was a ghost story. We didn't make it to the end of the book, but it got me thinking about beginning to read chapter books aloud to the boys. I always loved having chapter books read aloud to me as a kid. The earliest I remember were the <i>Little House</i> books and <i>The Chronicles of Narnia</i>. Some of my favorites were my teacher reading <i>The Great Brain </i>series to us in 4th grade and my 5th grade teacher reading various Gary Paulsen books after lunch. <br /><br /><i>(As a sidenote, I am rarely sad that I have only boys, but I will miss having a girl to share my love of Madeline L'Engle. I read those on my own and loved every single one of them. They are just so female-centric, except perhaps </i>A Wrinkle in Time<i>, which is the best one, and which I will encourage my boys to read. But, I can't wait for them to be old enough to read Paulsen's </i>Hatchet <i>and </i>Woodsong<i>.)</i><br />
<br />
I started a <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2994782?shelf=read-aloud-with-little-boys">bookshelf on Goodreads</a> for books I have read, am currently reading, or am planning to read to the boys. The ones we have finished are reviewed!<br />
<br />
I mostly read books in the public domain, free downloads for the Kindle, and that's where I started with the boys. We worked it into our bedtime routine. We still read picture books (fewer than we used to) and a Bible story every night, then I read our chapter book.<br />
<br />
We have read 6 and a half books so far this year and are planning to read 2 more by the end of the year. Here's our reading list:<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2994782?shelf=read-aloud-with-little-boys" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGo8vln-giLR3uJZDisqqpSu_V4-X7lWqoHuKxZ22fyAUkx4upRF5__MkMzIQpQXgkTUIc6f7e1Y4GXhD5iYEtmDMXCHO3SvPrJPywm2AbPkZHad9S-sWAlAXijUhtut53HokM33uHzY/s1600/read.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><i>The Wind in the Willows</i>. It was a bit too much for a 2 and a half year old, but ok for a just-turned 4 year old.</li>
<li><i>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz</i>. Great for the 4 year old, ok for the 2 year old (or maybe he was getting used to chapter books?). Perfect chapter length for us. Good action!</li>
<li><i>Black Beauty</i>. It was easy to read aloud, and a good reading (listening) level for their age.</li>
<li><i>Rikki Tikki Tavi</i>. Very short (it's one ~30 minute chapter from <i>The Jungle Book</i>). The 4 year old and almost 3 year old both loved it.</li>
<li><i>Captain's Courageous</i>. The boys seemed to like it (though the 3 year old kept asking if we could read <i>Rikki Tikki Tavi </i>again), but I don't know how much of the plot they got. This one would be better around age 8.</li>
<li><i>Winnie the Pooh </i>and <i>The House at Pooh Corner</i>. For Ben's birthday, his uncle sent him these<i> </i>on the Kindle! They are perfect for this age group (3 and 4 year olds). The chapters are short, interesting, funny, and there is even a picture every so often. </li>
</ul>
<br />
After <i>The House at Pooh Corner</i>, we will probably read <i>The Jungle Book</i>. Then, it should be time to try <i>A Christmas Carol </i>again. I love that one myself and want to start a family tradition of reading it every year. <i>Charlotte's Web</i>, <i>The Borrowers</i>, and <i>Stuart Little</i> are also on my list for the future, but none of them are public domain.<br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-3587098570202981512014-10-08T13:53:00.000+03:002014-10-28T13:36:18.461+03:00Mamas Tell All: The Happiest and Crappiest of Motherhood [a linkup]<h3>
The Crappiest</h3>
We're going to start with this one so we can end on a good note. I don't share this to complain or bring everyone down. I share this to stand in solidarity with other moms having bad days. We've all been there! Try to salvage the day if possible, otherwise, just survive, get the kids to bed, and breathe.<br />
<br />
Juggling an infant and a 2-year old after moving to a new country was the toughest part of motherhood for me. There were good days and bad days, like always, but the bad days were exceptionally bad.<br />
<br />
There were a few months when Rodgers had to be at church all day on Sundays. We all went to the English worship service, where Rodgers was spontaneously asked to preach (but we expected it because it happened every week). I was holding infant Ben, feeding him, then putting him to sleep for his morning nap, and simultaneously trying to keep 2-year old Nate under control. It was stressful and exhausting. I hated going to church those days. It's not like I was able to participate in any part of the service - I was busy with my kids the entire time. We went home while Rodgers stayed for meetings upon meetings at church. Being off our schedule, both kids were insane. I was already exhausted and short-tempered. Nate always threw one of his 45-minute screaming fits. Ben was hungry but not ready to eat, tired but not ready to sleep - a schedule baby off his schedule is such a mess! Rodgers eventually came home from the meetings, sometimes in time for supper, but sometimes after the boys were already in bed for the night. He was totally frustrated by the meetings and needed to unload some of that, but I had nothing left for him.<br />
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Those were the crappiest days of motherhood. Those were the days that I wasn't sure we would all survive, and surviving the day and getting the kids to bed was my one and only goal. That was when I often thought <i>maybe I don't have what it takes to be a mom</i>. But those days passed! We did survive! Thank God!<br />
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<h3>
The Happiest</h3>
A picture is worth 1000 words, right? A quick flip through my Instagram pictures and previous FB profile pics resulted in almost 50 pictures of My Happiest Motherhood Moments. Here are my favorites:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/26394_374887728868_4598078_n.jpg?oh=335af20350fa5b8445f494d07d7c09bc&oe=54CADA76" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/26394_374887728868_4598078_n.jpg?oh=335af20350fa5b8445f494d07d7c09bc&oe=54CADA76" width="200" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/65973_436756778868_7681653_n.jpg?oh=f520e550848b2c8c2a2bfe6447ed9c29&oe=54C886D1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/65973_436756778868_7681653_n.jpg?oh=f520e550848b2c8c2a2bfe6447ed9c29&oe=54C886D1" width="150" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-f.ak/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/1002403_10151455641098869_788559750_n.jpg?oh=6056da0b9c3b095aed637c509e5c3443&oe=54B98585&__gda__=1422177162_43e18fd7c5eaf355bb5ec1adc2b23053" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-f.ak/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/1002403_10151455641098869_788559750_n.jpg?oh=6056da0b9c3b095aed637c509e5c3443&oe=54B98585&__gda__=1422177162_43e18fd7c5eaf355bb5ec1adc2b23053" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing on the floor with <br />
baby Nate before work</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bouncing baby Nate to sleep <br />
at Cat's wedding in England</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nate, after falling asleep <br />
on me in church</td></tr>
<tr><td height="30"></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/148127_10151136902643869_633712676_n.jpg?oh=01562b0a38399be439f167f100abe8d9&oe=54C5B28E" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/148127_10151136902643869_633712676_n.jpg?oh=01562b0a38399be439f167f100abe8d9&oe=54C5B28E" width="200" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-b.ak/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/403437_10151109893078869_274915207_n.jpg?oh=bb64a080b44b1fcd8cdfe15e31eb34b7&oe=54BE3AD0&__gda__=1422305622_8bb5a9585dbe1da13d74f0515463f435" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-b.ak/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/403437_10151109893078869_274915207_n.jpg?oh=bb64a080b44b1fcd8cdfe15e31eb34b7&oe=54BE3AD0&__gda__=1422305622_8bb5a9585dbe1da13d74f0515463f435" width="200" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-d.ak/hphotos-ak-frc3/v/t1.0-9/529475_10151755774193869_28671278_n.jpg?oh=781d8083776193ba0dae3a1f02069a69&oe=54BB7992&__gda__=1421170278_498eab7e40485e41b698882fbba56fd9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-d.ak/hphotos-ak-frc3/v/t1.0-9/529475_10151755774193869_28671278_n.jpg?oh=781d8083776193ba0dae3a1f02069a69&oe=54BB7992&__gda__=1421170278_498eab7e40485e41b698882fbba56fd9" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just getting a hug from Nate</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby Ben snuggling while <br />
drinking his bedtime milk</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben giving me a biiiiiiiiiig kiss</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1620390_10151959213773869_1058291877_n.jpg?oh=8ec7a07910df33d499a1387fa6d87783&oe=54B5D5EF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1620390_10151959213773869_1058291877_n.jpg?oh=8ec7a07910df33d499a1387fa6d87783&oe=54B5D5EF" width="200" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/564771_10150635603103869_913130085_n.jpg?oh=a2ac6392055d8df5c628b5612627f27e&oe=54832347" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/564771_10150635603103869_913130085_n.jpg?oh=a2ac6392055d8df5c628b5612627f27e&oe=54832347" width="200" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-c.ak/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/22829_10151088545043869_1069986925_n.jpg?oh=e2636022fe24c56d0573b16adae304c8&oe=54CA75FA&__gda__=1421816275_edb3089b07422ee5271bc63210935b97" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-c.ak/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/22829_10151088545043869_1069986925_n.jpg?oh=e2636022fe24c56d0573b16adae304c8&oe=54CA75FA&__gda__=1421816275_edb3089b07422ee5271bc63210935b97" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swinging with Ben</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">talking to baby Ben, nose to nose</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hugging both of my boys</td></tr>
<tr><td height="30"></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/602980_10151446871978869_244611167_n.jpg?oh=0bebf0ae2c183642846f72429189d1f1&oe=54C9D9AB" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/602980_10151446871978869_244611167_n.jpg?oh=0bebf0ae2c183642846f72429189d1f1&oe=54C9D9AB" width="200" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-b.ak/hphotos-ak-frc3/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/578082_10150827516658869_294842116_n.jpg?oh=9d8e9a15f417bca2b9b6c665a1f28855&oe=54881AEC&__gda__=1421113340_a1768fe83139e3219e0da091a3e4ac9b" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-b.ak/hphotos-ak-frc3/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/578082_10150827516658869_294842116_n.jpg?oh=9d8e9a15f417bca2b9b6c665a1f28855&oe=54881AEC&__gda__=1421113340_a1768fe83139e3219e0da091a3e4ac9b" width="149" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/397884_10151388434023869_70895707_n.jpg?oh=58a454dd8a2fcfa524eb557d8e4b87ce&oe=54CD8029" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/397884_10151388434023869_70895707_n.jpg?oh=58a454dd8a2fcfa524eb557d8e4b87ce&oe=54CD8029" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">reading stories</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing one, holding the <br />
other, as you do</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cuddle time on the couch <br />
with my cuddly guys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Visit the linkup for more:<br />
<br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-90328834676501145312014-10-01T10:12:00.000+03:002014-10-28T13:36:18.477+03:00Mamas Tell All: Choosing Your Family Size [a linkup]<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlomWFg-jwnGG_PmR9sFwXqMV_kMqrDLiRFg7_MhKd2lT_GwNF34sesGPCufsrQJCqWqK_gnQpbPZbT2sm1zDFdgMoWEabsoNYc7wNCdphfX4IWRCxKpeKE0hgVb78BkjhFEXwdyJkD8/s1600/DSCN6118-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlomWFg-jwnGG_PmR9sFwXqMV_kMqrDLiRFg7_MhKd2lT_GwNF34sesGPCufsrQJCqWqK_gnQpbPZbT2sm1zDFdgMoWEabsoNYc7wNCdphfX4IWRCxKpeKE0hgVb78BkjhFEXwdyJkD8/s1600/DSCN6118-001.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our family of 4 in 2012, with the Indian Ocean behind us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The question for this week's linkup is: How did you choose the size of your family?<br />
<br />
What a question!<br />
<br />
We were actively trying to avoid pregnancy when I got pregnant with Nate. We had talked about adoption. We had talked about waiting for a couple of years, then trying to get pregnant. We had not yet totally decided to have kids, how many, or how they would join our family.<br />
<br />
I was sick the entire pregnancy, had a physically traumatic and damaging delivery, and had many horrible months postpartum, trying to heal. I was not eager to repeat the experience, and Rodgers was dead set against it. We talked more about adopting the rest of our family, but we were starting to plan moving to Kenya, where we would start an orphan ministry (which we did - <a href="http://www.maishakamili.org/" target="_blank">Maisha Kamili</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/abunchofgrapes" target="_blank">Facebook link</a>). How would we choose one or two to adopt and not the rest?<br />
<br />
With the prospect of moving overseas, and with Nate already a biracial, bi-cultural, dual citizen kid (my husband is Kenyan, and I am American), I started really, really wanting him to have a biological sibling. We would be bouncing between the US and Kenya. Nate would be part of both cultures, and yet be an outsider in both cultures. Wouldn't it be best for him to have a sibling to experience all that with him? Rodgers was not on board. But he did get on board with not trying to avoid pregnancy, and if God gave us another kid, so be it! Ben was born 9 months later (scheduled c-section, much nicer delivery, and much, much easier recovery, but pregnancy is still my enemy).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the MKKs</td></tr>
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With a biological sibling for Nate, I was content, at peace. Rodgers was way past done. We won't have any more biological children (unless God surprises us again). Is our family complete? Not really.<br />
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There are 35 kids in Kenya, some single orphans (have lost their fathers), some double orphans (have lost both parents). Most of them live with their relatives, but 4 (ages 18 and older) live in a duplex right next to our house, and some other 18+ year olds live in rooms we rent for them near their schools. We help them with school fees, buying books and uniforms, medical care, and even groceries, where necessary. These are also our kids!<br />
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Some of them have exited Maisha Kamili's sponsorship for various reasons (finished school, got a job, found alternate means of support), but we still count them as MKKs (Maisha Kamili Kids).<br />
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People have asked us how many we plan to help. The duplex can fit 8, and we can handle 30 sponsored kids at a time, but as they grow up, finish school, and get jobs, we can take on more. Children's homes for those who have no relatives to live with are also in our future. That will increase our capacity over 30, also, as new staff will be hired as house parents. There is no limit but what God has planned!<br />
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Find more family stories at the linkup:</div>
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<a href="http://socalledhomemaker.com/2014/10/mamas-tell-im-probably-kids/"><img border="0" src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv586%3A%3Dot%3E2368%3D763%3D%3C4%3B%3DXROQDF%3E2%3B362%3C985323%3Aot1lsi" height="295" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-41938872528712157692014-09-26T11:14:00.000+03:002014-09-26T11:14:00.145+03:00advertising in KenyaWe have many of the same products here that exist in the US. But the advertising is very different. It is culturally appropriate.<br />
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In the US, advertisers often compare their products to "the other leading brand." There are some here which follow that method. However some products aren't competing against another brand but a completely different way of doing things. For example, Pampers are compared to old-fashioned flat cloth diapers without waterproof covers. Always are compared to using folded up toilet paper.<br />
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Not many people have washing machines. The vast majority of laundry detergents are hand washing powders. They do compare to other brands, are a little too obvious about to which brand they are comparing, and get in trouble all the time. The commercials are quite different to what we would have in the US, yet they use the same elements.<br />
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OLX is like craigslist in Kenya. Most of their ads show people living in flats in Nairobi. They have house help putting away groceries and advising the woman of the house to sell some stuff so she can buy a bigger refrigerator. Or a couple is preparing for the birth of their first baby, selling stuff from the husband's bachelor days to make room and get money for baby gear. But one is such a great juxtaposition of traditional Kenya and modern technology - a country boy using a smart phone to sell stuff on OLX so that he can buy a cow.<br />
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I'm hoping that these commercials are available worldwide, and you can watch them. Enjoy!<br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-88398589781011915492014-09-24T10:31:00.000+03:002014-10-28T13:36:18.473+03:00Mamas Tell All: Kids and Eating [blog linkup]<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJbbFPQt3jXDphPEg91Ax36ap5m3Y8MnhzfJ07W3brk5cPoX2t9jx11foibcG9pxmCsDAx8M8iw1SRdsbJSbmSG08n2TKkL2Xq-_qry_F-JY00VF225eCbNT1KSOPH9JLNVXhqx5AQvc/s1600/DSCN4337-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJbbFPQt3jXDphPEg91Ax36ap5m3Y8MnhzfJ07W3brk5cPoX2t9jx11foibcG9pxmCsDAx8M8iw1SRdsbJSbmSG08n2TKkL2Xq-_qry_F-JY00VF225eCbNT1KSOPH9JLNVXhqx5AQvc/s1600/DSCN4337-001.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my picky eater, eating a zucchini spear</td></tr>
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If you're visiting from the linkup, you won't know this, but I would say I have <a href="http://rodgersrachel.blogspot.com/2013/10/kids-moving-internationally-and-eating.html">some experience in this category</a>! When my oldest was 20 months old, his baby brother was born, 6 weeks later we moved to a temporary home, 4 months after that, we moved to another country. He was, understandably, shaken up. As a strong-willed kid, he needs to feel in control of some things, and his whole life seemed to change, 3 times, in rapid succession. What could he control? What he ate. He stopped eating everything but bread, deli meat, grapes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, and junk food. For us, picky eating was all about insecurity, fear, and control. I think this applies to a lot of picky eaters, even when their lives haven't been so completely turned upside down.<br />
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When he was 2 years old, Nate (now 4 1/2) couldn't be reasoned with. I focused on making sure he ate enough calories and gave him vitamins. Still, he didn't gain weight at all for several months. After he turned 3, Nate was more reasonable and had started eating a little more variety. It was a window of opportunity. We used it.<br />
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<ul>
<li>I identified that trying new things was scary for him. We encouraged bravery (doing what you need to do, even though you are afraid), started with just 1 bite, and celebrated that bite!</li>
<li>He wanted to be in control, so he was allowed to choose when he would eat his new food, but he had to eat it or he gave up second helpings of what he liked at supper and couldn't have his usual bedtime snack.</li>
<li>I focused on vegetables because that is the main food group he has trouble with, and it was a huge hole in his nutrition. I choose my battles, in all things parenting. One I don't fight, for example, is potatoes. If he never eats potatoes (besides the fried variety), he's not missing much. He knows this and enjoys the control. He voluntarily tried roasted potatoes recently, liked them, but chose not to eat them the next time they were served. Fine by me. My battle is veggies.</li>
<li>In the beginning, I served the same vegetable for supper every night for a week. The first 2 days, he had to eat 1 bite only, then 2 bites for 2 days, then a full serving until the end of the week. </li>
<li>The next week, I still served the previous vegetable once or twice (now a welcomed old friend), but added a new every-night-veggie, and we repeated the process until we worked through all of our usual vegetables.</li>
<li>When we are not at home, we take a break from the rules. Sometimes when we're at a restaurant, he wants to eat nothing but a plate of french fries. Hey - it's a special occasion! Why not?</li>
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Now, he knows he is required to eat the veggies on his plate, and if he doesn't, there are no seconds or snack. I don't fight him about it because the conflict makes him more resolute and me more grumpy. I just remind him of the consequences. Two nights ago, he chose not to eat his veggies, and we held to our consequences. Last night, he apologized and told me, "I will eat my vegetables tonight so I can have a snack." And he did.<br />
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My advice to parents dealing with a picky eater:<br />
<ol>
<li>Determine <i>why</i>. Do they genuinely not like the taste of many foods? Are they afraid? Do they just want control? (If said picky eater is a toddler, you may just be dealing with toddlerhood.) Then address it from that angle.</li>
<li>Choose your battles. </li>
<li>Have consequences and stick to them.</li>
<li>Give the kid a break sometimes! </li>
</ol>
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Find more tips at the linkup!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://socalledhomemaker.com/2014/09/mamas-tell-getting-around-picky-eater/"><img border="0" src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv586%3A%3Dot%3E2368%3D763%3D%3C4%3B%3DXROQDF%3E2%3B362%3C985323%3Aot1lsi" height="295" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-60476015768225699412014-09-22T11:19:00.000+03:002014-09-22T11:19:00.139+03:00tomato soup: a recipeAs a kid, one of my favorite lunches was tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches. Of course, it was quick and painless canned soup. There are canned soups here, possibly even Campbell's tomato, but processed food is expensive. Also, I had about 3 cups of diced tomatoes (from our tomato plants!) in the freezer. It was time to recreate my childhood lunch. I threw this soup together on a whim, without a recipe. All measurements are approximate, especially the seasonings. I just sprinkled, tasted, added more, tasted, etc, until it was enough. I added carrots for consistency because I thought the tomatoes would be runny by themselves. A lot of recipes add sugar to combat the acidity of the tomatoes, but I think the sweetness of the carrots did the job. My husband, who as rule doesn't like tomato soup, said it was good, for tomato soup. I, who love tomato soup, thought it was awesome.<br />
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3 cups diced tomatoes<br />
2 or 3 carrots, diced<br />
1 small to medium onion, diced<br />
2" ginger, grated<br />
4 cloves garlic, minced<br />
2 cups bone broth<br />
2 cups water<br />
1/2 tsp (or more) basil<br />
1/2 tsp (or more) oregano<br />
salt and pepper to taste<br />
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Put tomatoes, carrots, onion, ginger, garlic, broth, and water in a big pot. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.<br />
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Add seasonings. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes.<br />
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Remove from heat. Transfer to blender and purée.<br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-29090722654090303192014-09-19T10:22:00.000+03:002014-09-19T16:47:42.655+03:00The Hair<div style="text-align: center;">
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My naturally curly hair has long been my most identifying feature. When I've been mistaken for someone else, it has never been because we have similar facial features, build, or fashion sense. It is always because of The Hair. When someone searches for me in a crowd - even my own mother - they just look for The Hair.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFo74QaCNZ2w8n59bibrL_vRgp7hwCyHRDOrHlIGbP4g987x8Gy0PEoeFNaS6jE4vuWyZvF3G13GbepxiEZXplmgvIG_Yj6oOI6cNHkSm7Zzk6p3JX-4s6czhQ493dnqv-NUBQwqANmAY/s1600/img177-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFo74QaCNZ2w8n59bibrL_vRgp7hwCyHRDOrHlIGbP4g987x8Gy0PEoeFNaS6jE4vuWyZvF3G13GbepxiEZXplmgvIG_Yj6oOI6cNHkSm7Zzk6p3JX-4s6czhQ493dnqv-NUBQwqANmAY/s1600/img177-003.jpg" height="200" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: x-small;">5th grade. The beginning of the end.</span><br />
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From preschool through most of elementary school, I always had fluffy, wavy hair. Sometime in 5th grade, prepubescent hormones fundamentally changed the texture. My mom and I spent the next few years grasping at straws trying to figure out how to deal with my coarse, frizzy, unruly mass of curls.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">8th grade. Losing the hair battle. Bonus: me before braces.</span></td></tr>
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My mom has naturally curly hair, and she tried all of her tricks to get my hair under control, to no avail. Her curls are completely different from mine. After I left for college, I experimented with my curls on my own. Finding the best way to wear my curls has been a 2 decades long project.<br />
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I've tried mousses, creams, gels, sprays, serums, oils, relaxers, every shampoo and conditioner made for curls and/or dry hair, and chemical straighteners. I've used blow dryers (with diffuser of course), curling irons, hot rollers, foam rollers, and hair straighteners. I've had my hair long, short, and in between. When ceramic hair straighteners became popular, I bought one and started straightening my hair regularly. But I realized that I prefer my hair curly. I feel more "me" when my hair is natural, and also, it takes less work! The curl isn't my enemy; it's the frizziness. (And the straightening may have tamed my hair, but it did not solve the frizz.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-yPLB0N4LG9ExypB5CKCIElBKXTsWdt8KvAmUbQshVT30574HzrLhRnxQd-lDSZXAe2dsInSy6hQG1rlG3bOJuuvfc7PLGshtjgh3MzjhdSkv9UAgUuFFANgtTPhgiPqjwAs4rpi4Z4/s1600/DSCN5441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-yPLB0N4LG9ExypB5CKCIElBKXTsWdt8KvAmUbQshVT30574HzrLhRnxQd-lDSZXAe2dsInSy6hQG1rlG3bOJuuvfc7PLGshtjgh3MzjhdSkv9UAgUuFFANgtTPhgiPqjwAs4rpi4Z4/s1600/DSCN5441.JPG" height="198" width="200" /></a></div>
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My curls are somewhere between <a href="http://www.naturallycurly.com/hair-types" target="_blank">Type 3A and Type 3B</a>, <a href="http://www.naturallycurly.com/texture-typing/hair-porosity" target="_blank">high porosity</a>, <a href="http://www.naturallycurly.com/texture-typing/hair-density" target="_blank">high density</a>, and <a href="http://www.naturallycurly.com/texture-typing/hair-width" target="_blank">medium width</a>. I love the curl. The density and width serve me well. The porosity has been the root (pun intended) of all of my hair woes. So I plan my attack accordingly. I am very much loving my curls these days. Here is my current method:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I do need a better curly hair cut.</span><br />
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<li>Shampoo only in extreme circumstances (like if I've been swimming), and then with sulfate-free shampoo. Working conditioner through the hair and rinsing with water cleanses it sufficiently.</li>
<li>Use a thick, hydrating conditioner several times per week.</li>
<li>Don't brush or comb, just work knots out with fingers while hair has conditioner in it.</li>
<li>Squeeze water out of hair with an old t-shirt, not terry-cloth. </li>
<li>Turn hair upside down, separate curls, scrunch a bit, spray on argan oil and leave-in conditioner.</li>
<li>Turn right-side up, part hair on opposite side (to prevent the flat-head look), smooth coconut oil through hair.</li>
<li>Let air dry partially, correct part, style now if not wearing hair down, let hair air dry the rest of the way. </li>
<li>"<a href="http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/kinky-hair-type-4a/how-to-pineapple-your-hair/" target="_blank">Pineapple</a>" hair to sleep.</li>
<li>Sleep on a satin pillow case.</li>
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-17641708930798240302014-09-17T15:05:00.000+03:002014-10-28T13:36:18.449+03:00Mamas Tell All: How to Keep Your Marriage Alive After Children [Blog linkup]<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLt4n9lMfYgAiM2ZE9q1aZJcfRPLqv_zkNFY_VeuNwBzpiOKFSLgzxwKkfJA9WK9yNE9CKt81jDGZAe_o5TBNFoFsAxlYRLa0fMJNsO-GIxj2swtsDcrCmIseRYwpXt17jh7-cLrXJ5w/s1600/IMG_20131130_172048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLt4n9lMfYgAiM2ZE9q1aZJcfRPLqv_zkNFY_VeuNwBzpiOKFSLgzxwKkfJA9WK9yNE9CKt81jDGZAe_o5TBNFoFsAxlYRLa0fMJNsO-GIxj2swtsDcrCmIseRYwpXt17jh7-cLrXJ5w/s1600/IMG_20131130_172048.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging out while our boys were playing with friends</td></tr>
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There are so many lists of ways to have a strong marriage with kids. I must see one posted online every month in one parenting magazine or another. I think they take turns. "Let's see, Parenting.com, you publish the list January. Parents.com take February. Parenthood.com will be March..." [I'm joking.]<br />
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Clearly it's a topic that's important to a lot of families. I think in a lot of ways, marriage maintenance after having kids is a lot like marriage maintenance before having kids, in that you have to do it on purpose, you have to pay attention, you have to put forth effort. It's just that after having kids, we are totally distracted by our needy offspring. I say "I think" because our first child was born 10 months (and 1 day, if you want to be specific) after our wedding. We don't really know much about marriage without kids.<br />
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The magazine lists always include these in some way: keep dating, flirt, have sex, share kid-related tasks, and something about dads pitching in around the house. I'm going to focus on the first one because it is a particular challenge for us. Even when were "dating," it was a long-distance relationship (and for a year an extremely long-distance relationship), so we didn't go on dates much. Now we have to find a babysitter, and our kids hate babysitters, and Ben isn't used to being away from me and screams the whole time until he passes out on my pillow... We average about one real babysitter date per year right now. We find ways to date without a babysitter.<br />
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<b>1. Post-bedtime dessert date. </b>We wait until the boys are asleep, then sit on the couch and have dessert together in peace and quiet. Sometimes we talk about grown-up things; sometimes we are so exhausted we say nothing at all.</blockquote>
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<b>2. Restaurant with a playground. </b>One of our favorite Saturday lunch spots has a playground. There are tables right next to the slide. The boys play with minimal supervision, Rodgers and I sip Malindi macchiatos, and none of us minds if it takes them too long to cook our lunch.</blockquote>
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<b>3. Use naptime. </b>Our boys still nap most days. Once they're asleep, we have one-and-a-half to three hours to ourselves, to do whatever we want.</blockquote>
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<b>4. Lunch dates (when kids are in school). </b>This is one I intend to implement when Ben starts school next year!</blockquote>
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-80860559547693610272014-09-15T12:17:00.000+03:002014-09-15T21:14:54.030+03:00Ben 20 questions, age 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The interview itself took place over the course of several days. He would only answer a few questions before saying, <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">"I don't want to talk to you anymore!"</span></b> My words; <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Ben's words.</span></b><br />
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1. What is your favorite color?<span style="color: #b45f06;"> <b>orange and green </b></span><br />
2. What is your favorite toy? <span style="color: #b45f06; font-weight: bold;">Zuma. </span>You don't have a Zuma toy. <b style="color: #b45f06;">Marshall that's stuck in his truck </b><a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=33826386&cp=2255956.2262937.12015478.34326946&parentPage=family" target="_blank">[like this]</a><b style="color: #b45f06;">, Rubble that's stuck in his digger</b> <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=33826286&cp=2255956.2262937.12015478.34326946&parentPage=family" target="_blank">[like this]</a><b style="color: #b45f06;">, Chase that's stuck in his truck </b><a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=33826556&cp=2255956.2262937.12015478.34326946&parentPage=family" target="_blank">[like this]</a><b style="color: #b45f06;">.</b><br />
3. What is your favorite fruit? <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">apple </span></b><br />
4. What is your favorite tv show? <span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Teenage Muni Turtles </b></span>[that's TMNT] <b style="color: #b45f06;">and Paw Patrol </b><br />
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Well, it's pizza</span></b><br />
6. What is your favorite outfit? <b style="color: #b45f06;">Ice cream shirt </b>[from the Blue Bell Creamery]<b style="color: #b45f06;">.</b><b style="color: #b45f06;"> I can make ice cream by my own self!! And jeans.</b><br />
7. What is your favorite game? <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">My favorite game is the hotel game that we used to swim in the hotel.</span></b> [He's talking about Pictureka (just the cards, not the board game), which we bought while staying in a hotel with a pool.]<br />
8. What is your favorite snack? <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">goldfish snack</span></b><br />
9. What is your favorite animal? <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">CAAATS!</span></b><br />
10. What is your favorite song? [singing "Do Something" by Matthew West] <b style="color: #b45f06;">I'm sick and tired of life with no desire. I don't want a flame. I want a fire! </b>[but lately he's more likely to request <a href="http://youtu.be/B7u423HXZgY" target="_blank">"Low Down the Chariot" by the Gaither Vocal Band</a>. Like father, like son.]<br />
11. What is your favorite book? <span style="color: #b45f06; font-weight: bold;">My favorite book is...is...Toy Story! </span>[a Toy Story 3 book]<br />
12. Who is your best friend? <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Daddy and Nate and Mama and Mikey </span></b>[TMNT]<br />
13. What is your favorite cereal? <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Oatmeal</span></b><br />
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">I can play in the dirt with cars</span></b><br />
15. What is your favorite drink? <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">My favorite drink is milk only.</span></b><br />
16. What is your favorite holiday? <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">A holiday from school with drinking milk. Do we have milk in this house?</span></b><br />
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">my blankie and my animals and books and my flashlight</span></b><br />
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? <span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>I like omelette!</b></span><br />
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? <span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>pizza</b></span><br />
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">When I'm growned up, I can wear my ice cream shirt and make ice cream!</span></b><br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-28232592505164107022014-09-12T14:58:00.000+03:002014-09-12T14:58:43.266+03:00felt TMNT masksLast year the boys started watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It wasn't long before they chose their favorite Turtles and started acting out their favorite scenes. I made them masks out of some old jersey fabric I had. It didn't look right, but they have good imaginations.<br />
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When my parents came in January, my mom brought me some felt. The first thing I did was let the boys choose a color and make quick masks out of them. Nate had red for Raphael. There was no orange for Ben's Michelangelo, so he went with anonymous green. Of course, the felt stretched out. By now they need to be thrown away. </div>
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For Ben's birthday, I decided to make a set of better felt masks. I didn't have all the right colors for the Turtles, but Ben said he wanted one of every color I had.</div>
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I made the pattern by trial and error: cut, hold it up to his face, cut some more, and repeat. I back-stitched around all the edges for reinforcement, hopefully preventing too much stretching. </div>
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I also reinforced the ends before sewing the elastic on, as illustrated below (that stitching didn't show up well in the pictures). I didn't have enough elastic for all six, so the last one ended up with ribbons to tie it on instead.</div>
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Ben knows about them already because of the trials, and he's very excited to get them. He's always asking if they are ready. We'll have some friends over to celebrate and have cake on Sunday, so he will open his presents from us tomorrow!<br />
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Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9093575958248495408.post-18710357637552981812014-09-11T11:25:00.000+03:002014-10-28T13:36:18.453+03:00Mamas Tell All: The Perfect Mama [Blog linkup] I was still in high school when I started learning about "The Perfect Mama," via Bible studies on Proverbs 31. During pregnancy and as a new mom, lots of people had advice for me. I've written before about how this advice - even so-called expert advice - doesn't always agree. It's impossible to be absolutely perfect because perfect according to Expert A is harmful according to Expert B. Even if they did agree, we all know that no one will ever achieve perfection. However, an idea of what perfection is will give us a goal to work towards.<br />
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At my baby shower for Nate, I was given a small scrapbook. Before they gave it to me, they passed around a few of the pages for the attendees to write parenting advice for me. There were a lot of sweet blessings and "cherish every moment" (which is impossible - some moments aren't cherish-able!). But there was also much more than that. What I see in this advice, and I what I've learned through experience, is that perfection as a mom is not so much in what we do, but in our faith in God, in our sanctification in Christ, in our eternal perspective. The things we do are important, but the good things will flow out from God at work within us when we are disciplined followers of Jesus.<br />
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Here is my favorite advice, some which helps me identify what I want to be like, and some which was just very helpful during the infant stage.<br />
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Patience is the one thing I learned right off the bat. Patience with labor, crying, husbands, countless diapers.</blockquote>
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Never be afraid to hold and rock your baby as much as you want. Many times when a baby cries, he just needs warmth and comfort that only you can provide. You won't spoil him!</blockquote>
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Always look to God for guidance. He has wonderful plans for you.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The most important thing I can think of is to love your children. Spoil them with love, and I know you will bring them up to love the Lord Jesus. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Truly the greatest gift God has given me is the privilege to be a wife and a mother. I have learned so much about the character of God through the lives of my children. One of the things I have learned as a mother is that God loves my children even more than I do...He is trustworthy! He will give us wisdom concerning our children, as well.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Remember that the Scripture says, "Raise up your child in the way he should grow and when he's old he will not go away from it." Because I'm the oldest one at your shower, please let me encourage you to begin early to teach your child the Word and prayer. The Word will get him through life, prayer will help him have a personal relationship with Jesus. These will take him through his entire life no matter what comes.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtgo_yMHGcBlJlJ5-hjjC8bfj7VmeFc7ZU4lmoSKplBjD6F4WUT0yabe6ALuBJWVCWj2FBmC4EtUd49weNyLM6pxCbwXOVpnpUWCbdLEVAOv5hzNimVdyxqcfhFn0-POlnTJEPYdLJ1Y/s1600/signature+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtgo_yMHGcBlJlJ5-hjjC8bfj7VmeFc7ZU4lmoSKplBjD6F4WUT0yabe6ALuBJWVCWj2FBmC4EtUd49weNyLM6pxCbwXOVpnpUWCbdLEVAOv5hzNimVdyxqcfhFn0-POlnTJEPYdLJ1Y/s1600/signature+copy.jpg" /></a>Rachel Kahindihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14278402073177841954noreply@blogger.com2