Take the Trip

Last month we traveled with friends to Manzanillo.  Its a beach located on the Pacific coast of Mexico that is about 3 1/2 hours from our home.  We went with three other families rented a house and made zero plans.  You know what?  It was the best trip ever!  Seriously.  All 10 kids got along. All 8 adults got along too 😉.  The kids swam, built sand castles, we sang all the 90's country songs, laughed til we cried and ate until we couldn't eat anymore.  It was a wonderful time and so many memories were made.  I am so thankful we just took the trip.  We didn't over analyze the housing or the agenda.  We just hopped into the car and off we went.  No regrets.

On the way home it led me to wonder why we don't do things like that more often.  I think there are several reasons. 

 1.  I think it takes an effort to NOT have a plan.  

• We are creatures of habit. We like to know what is coming.  We like to know how out time will be spent and we like to know the cost.  Not just monitarily...

2.  New places can be scary.  Where will you eat? What will the accommodations be like? How will      the days be spent?

• It doesn't hurt to do a little research on the front end - especially when traveling to a new place. Since we live in Mexico, most of our adventures are here.  We always check here to make sure it is safe.  I also like to know about toll roads, gas stations, restaurant or grocery stores around our accommodations.  
• I usually pack a cooler for snacks since, unlike the US, there isn't always a gas station or fast food restaurant every few miles.  And I always pack these for the girls to be able to go to the bathroom ... anywhere.
• For when you get there - I love trip advisor to find things in the area to do or places to eat.  I have also found from living overseas that sometimes facebook is a really helpful resource.  It seems that even if a company doesn't have a website, they have a facebook page and they are usually full of helpful information.  

3. And the last and most important reason, I my opinion is... traveling with kids is hard.  Sometimes it seems like it's just not worth it.  But I am telling you - IT IS.  

So -pack the suitcase(s). The cooler. The sand toys or hiking shoes or tent or whatever it is and just go. Go make the memories. Go see something new. Go. Just Go. Just take the Trip. 

Pinterest Worthy

Earlier I wrote about a "settling in" that occurred our second year in the foreign service.  I shared how that settling in led to a renewed love of our home and country.

Sparked by a combination of requests from our friends and family back home to "see" our home I have sporadically tried to show some pictures of our home.  However, I failed to show Ella's room.  

When we decided to join the foreign service, a veteran foreign service member said that she allowed her children to pick their bedroom decor for each new post.  It gave them a sense of control over the situation and helped build excitement.  Erik and I thought that was a wonderful idea so we decided to do that with our girls.  As you have seen, Anna picked Wonder Woman  and Ella picked the aqua and coral color scheme.

She absolutely loves her room.  It's her haven.  Since she shared a room with her sister all of her life, she took the opportunity to decorate  it just how she wanted.  I really had no say, and I was really ok with that.  I think she, too, would have changed the beige carpet and big yellow drapes.  But they darken the room and, honestly, it's the best sleeping in the entire house!

The other day as I was photographing the Sun Room, she said " We should put my room on the blog. It's really pinterest worthy"

With Ella's blessing, feel free to pin away!

Kumbucha

While I was home this summer, I got a tutorial from a friend on making Kumbucha.  She has really been into gut health for a while now, and she shared some of her "buch" with me while we watched the kids play in the pool.  For me, it was love at first sip!  The taste is similar to a hard cider, and it has fizz!  Feels like you're drinking a treat, like coke or some fruity fizzy yumminess... but it is good for you!

Here is a little information on Kumbucha.  It's a fermented tea that is started when you brew regular tea and combine with with 1 cup of sugar.  The sugar feeds the SCOBY (Symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) and aids in fermentation.  As the tea ferments it creates a natural carbonation.  Kumbucha helps add healthy bacteria to your gut.  As a part of my "Fit by 40" goal, I am trying to learn how to listen to my body and do what is best for it.  Living in a foreign country and eating new foods can wreak havoc on your tummy.  Kumbucha is one of the aids I find that helps regulate my gut.  If you want to know more about probiotics read this or you can follow my pinterest board.  I have learned so much, just from reading about other people's experiences. 

Since brewing my own Kumbucha, I have experimented with many flavors.  Ella's favorite is a blueberry ginger (I'll share that in another post) mine is a ginger lime, but today I tried a more "Fall Flavor"
Ginger Apple Cinnamon.

Here is what I did:
After my new batch of Kumbucha was fermented, I poured it into little bottles and dropped in a slice of green apple, cinnamon, and ginger.  I didn't do a second ferment for two reasons.
1. I am probably going to warm it and enjoy it that way instead of my normal over ice.

2. I had let the batch go for so long, it was already so fizzy when I added to the bottles that I figured it would be fizzy enough. 

I just poured it up, and popped them in the fridge.  I will let the flavors mix for about 24 hours before giving it a try...but I am very optomistic!

What are your favorite Kumbucha flavor Combos?  Please share!  I am always looking for something new to try!

Wonder Woman

A while back I shared some ideas for Anna's room.  After a long overdue amount of time. Here is the finished product.

We ended up swapping the bedspread for this homemade quilt that was a wedding gift to me and Erik.  The original idea was awesome, but really just didn't work because the material caused it to just become wadded into a big mess while she slept.  She loves the quilt more and it still combines the colors she wanted.

Her frame collage wall was a real chore because an 8 year old doesn't care if it matches or looks "pinterest worthy" she wants what she wants.  And that is all.  So we put together this grouping that fully represents Anna.  She loves it.

I removed the drexel lamp from her government issued night stand and did a small arrangement with a star night light that I purchased from Amazon.  It's battery operated which is perfect in a home with a shortage of outlet and even fewer step down transformers for all of our American size plugs.

She has an extra closet because she has the biggest room, and therefore got all the big toys. This closet helps her store some of the little stuff that George just cannot wait to get his hands on. While we have a playroom, again, there are just some toys better kept in a room away from the tornado of a little brother.

We opted not to try to hang the curtains, although, they would have tied in quite well, it would have required a different curtain rod, and permission from post.  We have a wonderful GSO here, who would have probably approved it, but we decided we can make do with the assigned drapes for this next year.

The chest is the last work in progress.  I am searching for a frame that will hold a beautiful picture I have of my sweet Anna B. and I need to paint the bulletin board.  However, I haven't found the right color spray paint, and I am not sure I could get it done well by just hand painting it.... just ask Erik about my painting skills.  Either way, we will do something there.  Then we will be done. 
UPDATE:
I totally did paint the bulletin board.  I went with gold, and painted it by hand.  It looks hand painted, but I don't really care...I love it, and Anna does too.

This room turned out to be an eclectic collection of all the things that represent Anna.  She loves it and it feels like a space that truly represents her free, fearless spirit.


Just in time to pack it up and move again ;-)

My Favorite Space

Our Sri Lankan home is really...Sri Lankan...while the Embassy gives us furniture that is 100% american made and respresentative of the culture, the home is still Sri Lankan.  The walls are cement, the kitchen is a little darker thanks to all the beautiful wood used on the cabinets, and of course, there are bars on every window.  There is one room, however, that is full of light.  It was an addition, and it leaks like a sieve, it gets hot due to lack of insulation, it has stains on the tile floor, and it is my absolute favorite space in the house.  Welcome to our sunroom!

My grandmother's old garden nesting tables need another coat of paint, but I haven't found the right color here.

This plant stand was a wedding present.  And I was thrilled to find a lady that will deliver herbs to your door!

My very amazing husband build this frame from our shipping crates - we brought our swing along only to find out that the Embassy doesn't hang swings.  So we improvised.  It's my favorite seat in the house.

Getting Creative

I'm continuing my theme of Inspiration with this post.  I've moved past my kitchen and living area and now I am on to Anna's room.  When we found out we were being posted overseas, we allowed the girls to pick the bedding for their rooms.  For the first time in their entire lives they do not have to share a room.  They are loving that, but Anna is having a little bit harder of a time. Sleeping with her sister is all she has ever known.

It's for this reason, I have decided to focus on her room first.  She picked this bedding for her room with the idea of a super hero theme.  Now, Ella picked a color scheme and everything she selected matched that theme, but Anna, my free spirit, she just went around picking what she liked.  I love that about her, she doesn't limit her imagination, however, I am determined to make it all coordinate.  I haven't limited her imagination or selections at all, but I have given myself the challenge of still making it look like more than just a hodgepodge of random items all accumulated into one single space.  This comes with the added challenge of putting her in a room that is already furnished.  But I am in a foreign country, I don't speak the native language, I don't drive, so, I've got some time to make it work ;)

So....Here is what I'm looking at:

Link

This is the bedding she chose and these curtains are very similar to what she has decided that she has to have.  The ones we have are Pottery Barn, but they are about 9 years old, so obvs they don't make them anymore.  Rest assured  -  The Lindholms love what the Lindholms love... so we are going to use those bad boys...

Similar - PBK

I've decided to play up the red and pink theme.  She also has these super cute prints my mom purchased for her birthday that will go in a little niche in her room

Link

as well as this Adventure print

Target

that really doesn't match anything, but has an arrow and she is obsessed with Green Arrow's niece Artemis (comic strips) - so we had to get it. I'm thinking it would go well over a door?  And, there is the fact that we are on a pretty cool adventure. I can totally get behind this.   I really just love this kid she is so unique!

Okay, so here are some ideas I have found to tie it all together. I am going for sweet and crafty, of course.    Once we found out we were going into the foreign service, I started scoping out blogs that were geared toward rentals, and moving.  I found this blog post and I was inspired by how warm the girl's room felt.  I just love the way she used simple elements like garlands, and her name to make the room feel personal.  I am hoping to accomplish that in Anna's room.  I found this cute pennant that  will hang over the pink polka dot curtains.

Amazon

She has a large solid wooden headboard, so I plan to break down some of that wood with the felt garland like she has in this space.

Photo Credit

 I also plan to add some of these super cute gold decals to a wall or her closet, because every super hero needs some gold.

Amazon

Here is a picture of these used in a space.  They add so much, don't you think?

Image Credit

I'll be sure to post a picture of how it all comes together.  I want it to be cute, but more than anything, I want Anna to love going into her room.  I want her to be excited about a space that is just hers and and I want it to feel like home, because that is what it is all about isn't it? Making a space feel like home?  It's my goal for our family while we are on this adventure.  I'll post pics soon!

Until then,

Ayubowan,

Jennifer

Inspiration

Ok, don't get too excited but rumor has it that our HHE (Household Effects) could be here next week.  I'm seriously about to jump up and down screaming!  It's like I'm nesting.  For the last 7 weeks we have had this home that is wonderful, but we are completely surrounded by things that aren't ours.  We sleep in beds that aren't ours, we sit on couches that aren't ours, and eat off of plates that aren't ours.  While much of that will remain the same once our HHE arrives, at least the bed will have our sheets and amazing bedding on it, and the couch will have our throw pillows and soft blankets, and we will eat off of our plates, and drink from cups that don't look like we stole them from pizza hut!  I absolutely cannot wait.  I've already been planning  a few purchases to make the place look a little homey...er.  I thought I would give you a sneak peak at what I'm dreaming about these days.

First is this cute little welcome I found on Etsy.  Although, I can't decide on hello, hey y'all, or Ayubowan (hello in Sinhala)

Link 

Then there is this pillow. I spotted on Amazon!  The number 7 is significant to us for so many reasons, and I love that I found it.

Then there is my kitchen.  It is D-A-R-K.  The cabinets are made of beautiful wood (as many island homes are), but the tile backsplash and counter are black.  Add to that the fact that the floor is dark as well, and it literally sucks the light out of the room. I have gone back and forth about the "style" I want, but the truth is, I am going to collect what I like and hope it all works.  Here are a couple of cute little things I have had my eye on.  

www.amazon.com

One of my favorite instagrams Natalie Creates has this cute little coffee bar in her kitchen.  

Link to Her Blog

This is an older blog of hers, but you get the idea.  I want! I've been eyeing this mug tree that will go above an ikea butcher block island I brought with us. 

I saw this on Amazon.

Full Disclosure:  I basically live by Amazon (that's another blog) but I quickly learned it is a life saver in the Foreign Service.  I get groceries, house hold items, gifts, you name it... now that I think of it, it's the same as when we lived in the U.S. ;)  And,  as I was combing through the Natalie Creates Instagram, I realized that I picked her bread box, and hello door sticker...so either she is really inspiring or I am a stalker.  But no worries, Natalie, I live in Sri Lanka.  It's too hard to stalk you ;)

We purchased this island before we left the states and I am so glad we did as our kitchen has NO counter space! I am hoping the white will really brighten up the dark kitchen.  

Ikea

I have tons of more ideas for the playroom, homeschool room as well as our SUNROOM (I always wanted one!) and many of the ideas involve twinkle lights, and cute little pennant banners.  Are you as excited as I am?  I can't wait to start nesting! I'll share as I go.

What are you dreaming about these days?

Ayubowan, 

Jennifer

Our Shared Girls Room

My two oldest share a room.  Santa brought them bunk beds a couple of years ago.  That was very cool for them, and they loved it.  This year, my oldest turned 10 and they stopped loving sharing a room.  To top it off, we are in a rental. So there really isn't much we can do, like lots of those fun pinteresty things that I have pinned here and here. However, we have done a couple of fun little additions that make it extra special. Wanna take a tour?  Enjoy! (disclaimer: While I did make them clean up, I believe in real life pictures - AND I'm not an interior decorator - as much as I love making a home... I'm really just now learning... so  - no judgment ;) I also believe, if I go into their room and "stage it" it sends a message that their style isn't enough.  Right now in our life, they need to feel they have a say in something...their room is their domain, decorated they way they want.

This lamp is one of my favorites! I didn't have a place for it when we moved, so we put it in the girls room.
 They stuck the paper flower under it like a cloche.  They love it and I'm happy to get to use it anywhere I can.
We also chose not to hang their curtains.
We love the natural light that comes in and tried to keep the room from feeling any more cluttered.

These three love hanging out on the top bunk...especially that little boy with the mischievous grin.

This mama can't get enough pictures of these three. 

We did get a little pinteresty in this this corner.
My middle made these all by herself.
We got the idea here.  She even picked the fabric.

I got the idea of using metal shelves from one of my favorite blogs Adaptation House.
She says they travel really well in the foreign service and are so versatile.  My oldest got to put whatever she wanted on these shelves.  She was a happy girl when she saw me posting a picture of them!

Got to have room for toys.
The girls keep things they don't want their brother to get into in their room.
Barbies, Legos, Shopkins... just to name a few. 

They made these paper flowers when we studied Mexico in school.  Their new home is on the fan.  Erik and I don't mind hitting our head on them when we walk in at all...cue the sarcasm.

I really just had to post one more of this kid...love him so much!

Beds: Restoration Hardware Kids //  Dresser: Pottery Barn Kids //  Lamp: JC Penney -no longer available  //   Rug:  Pottery Barn Kids   - no longer available. Similar   

The Freedom of Renting

Our first post in the "Foreign Service" is Washington D.C.  While I will admit, coming from the South made this transition a bit foreign, it wasn't exactly what we had in mind.  We are adapting and even enjoying D.C. One situation that we find ourselves in, that we haven't since 2003 is that we are renters.  While there is no better feeling than living in a home you own, it feels pretty awesome living in someone else's home, too! I've compiled a list of ways I've found freedom in renting.

1. There is no debt.
In 2008 we had a newborn and the economy tanked.  I remember watching the stock market close early to stop the stocks from continuing to plummet and thinking, we are going to be homeless.  (there may have been a little postpartum playing into those thoughts) but the loom of the mortgage was always there.  It was always a consideration in any financial decision we made.

2. There is hardly any upkeep.
When we owned our home, there was the bug man, the semi annual furnace/ac maintenance, termite bond.  Was it time for a new roof? Were the hedges in the front getting too tall?  Was there a tear in the screen? Is there a crack in the tile in the kitchen? It felt constant.  We were always setting aside some money for maintenance or improvements.  Disclaimer: I do understand not all renters have pest control and ac maintenance included in their rent.  We are very fortunate.  But, now that I have had it, it will be something I look for in the future.
We only have to take care of our home and let someone else worry about when its time for the new roof!

3.  Major repairs aren't your worry.
Like I said in number 2, if the refrigerator goes out - I don't have to fix it.  The pipe bursts, I can simply call my property manager. It's comforting knowing that is taken care of.

4.  Decorating is a piece of cake.  In our situation, we're only here a limited amount of time.  We decided not to even ask if we could paint or make changes.  I follow many blogs that advise how to make those changes in a rental.  Someday, I may want to, however, we loved the paint colors they chose and felt no need to do anything other than hang some pictures, throw down some rugs and be done with it. It was so awesome knowing we didn't even have the option to take out a wall or put in a new vanity in the powder room.  It is what it is... that is freedom!

5.  It's Temporary
I understand this isn't the situation for everyone, but if you're foreign service, it's your reality. This home isn't yours, you are simply being entrusted to take care of it.  That is humbling and truly creates a more eternal perspective; for me anyway.  I look at this home as temporary, I am going to make it beautiful, use it for showing Christ-like hospitality, make my family feel secure in it, make wonderful memories and when the time is right, walk away.  I will be ok with that, and so will my family. It's a good home, and there will be another good home awaiting us wherever we end up.


So there you have it - 5 ways I find freedom in renting.  I know this is a stage in our life. It's not how it will always be, maybe that is why it feels so wonderful.  I know I need to soak it in and make the best of where we land.  For now, I'm content...that's enough.  Well, I've got some chores to do and some kids to play with... see you soon!

January Rewind and February Goals

image credit

January was a complete blur.  I almost dread doing this post because I don't feel like I accomplished anything.  Our family stayed from Christmas through January 2.  As I said earlier - it was a wonderful visit filled with lots of laughter, sight-seeing, and celebrations.

Perspective - when you look at a mess and you can see the memories made.

We also had some dear friends come for a visit over the long MLK weekend.  It's always awesome to spend time with those we love so much!  Then there was #winterstormjonas #blizzard2016 #snowisSTILLontheground #nomorehashtags in blogs, I promise!

 The month ended with an Awana Lock-in for Ella, Awana Grand-Prix car building, and a TDY for Erik. He's learning his way around Bishkek! Now for the fun part:
January Goals:
Blog:
     1. Update the blog - Done! How do you like our new look?
Home:
     1. Get the rest of the Christmas put away! - Done
     2. My pantry and coat closet will be getting a make over this month.  - Ummmm not this month.
     3. We are going to become a "leave your shoes at the door" family. Done and it truly makes such a difference.  I love it. 
Health:
     1. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise...Not even once! Unless you count afternoon strolls with Erik and the baby. 
     2. Practice moderation in all things - tv, social media, food and drink, pretty much everything!
I have really done pretty well with this.  I think food may be my biggest downfall with this, I haven't made the healthiest of choice between company, and Erik's TDY.  I've been convicted that I am giving up Social Media for Lent -  so that should help too!

Home school:
     1. Branch out - Done - not in the way I wanted - however we studied Blizzards for a week straight. So I think it was still successful. 
     2. Review the scope of learning for each of my children's grade levels to be sure we are on track for the end of the year. - Done

Family:
     1. Serve more, participate more, reach out more. The kids dove into several big church activities, and I have tried to take a "people before tasks" approach this month. I've enjoyed several morning coffee dates and impromptu dinners with friends. I think if I let my to do list rule then I miss out on this most important aspect of making our way in our new life!

Now for February's less ambitious list

Blog:
     At least one post per week.
Home:
    I'm Flying again.  Even saying that makes me sound like a goof.  I'm not doing everything the FLY lady recommends, but I am following her one room per week approach I will share more about this later.
     I really do want to do my pantry
Health:
     Drink more water
     Exercise
     Giving up Facebook and Instagram for Lent. (Keeping Pinterest because too many of my bible study ideas, book recommendations, recipes and home school sites are on there).
     Find a Dentist

Home School:
     Anna got glasses in January - After some adjustment, I plan to challenge her reading level. I have some small changes that I plan to make to see just what she is capable of when she can see - Ha!
   
Family:
     We are taking a family vacation the first part of the month.  I truly plan to be ALL there. It's so easy to be fringy...but this mama's all in! I'm excited about it.

As always, I will close with some of my favorite January Pictures - Not already posted :)

Erik introduced the kids to Star Wars, this is my princess Leia

When Daddy's away the girls...and George... play

Took a little time for some homemade Valentine's cards

Our Grand Prix Cars - Anna's is Gymnastics Car and Ella's is an eraser