Yes!

We moved! The apartment we were praying for became availiable and we moved in the night before Hetee left for UB to start translating. I left the next day to join him and to translate as well. The kids stayed with my parents for the week we were gone so unpacking took a backseat until we got back and were able to focus on that. Now we're pretty much settled and Nate says that when he uses the bathroom he doesn't feel like he's at someone's house anymore. =)

Thanks for your prayers! Our apartment is in a building that is owned by the Erel cement company. The director of the company lives on the same floor as us. =) It's clean, warm (very important!) and affordable. The building and parking spaces are enclosed and we have a guard to keep an eye on things. It's nice to have a safe place for the kids to play. Best of all, we are now neighbors with our friends, the Robinsons, an awesome American family who's kids are friends with our kids. We are also much closer to town--the bank, stores etc. Makes life easier.

Tomorrow we'll be traveling to UB to renew Abi's passport. Hopefully it will be a short trip and I can get back to my nesting. Only 5 more weeks till Baby Girl is born! We're all excited, although I'm not too thrilled about labor. Hopefully I'll be sick and tired of being pregnant by then that labor will seem like a really good idea. =)

Hetee and I still can't decide upon a name and I'm starting to get anxious. I can never seem to rest until we've got the name picked out. There is one name I really like but Hetee could take it or leave it. We'll see if I can persuade him. =)

Just a little update

Thank you to those who have been praying for our apartment situation. We looked at a few leads yesterday but they all fell through right around bedtime. Then right before we were about to go to bed, Hetee's phone rang with another lead. We will go and look at it today. We are down to the wire and having to wait is not easy for me. =) After the move we will be in Ulaan Baatar for a week of ministry so we really need to get this thing going.

School has been going great, now that we're all adjusting. I still have to plan a lot but the kids seem to be enjoying it. Every day I pray for God's wisdom and I can feel the Holy Spirit directing me as we go. We have our days but all in all, it's been good.

We have been memorizing Scripture more as a part of school, which is something I've been wanting to do. At first I didn't think Kenny (3) would be interested, but he has become very good at it and can memorize and quote as good as anybody. So far the kids have memorized 3 Scriptures. I hope to memorize about 30 throughout the school year.

I'm so excited about a new project that myself and my G12 group of women will be starting soon! A little background: About a month ago I got a call from an OBGYN who goes to our church. She was calling from work to ask for help for a woman who had given birth but was unable to take her baby and go home because she was so poor and had absolutely nothing to clothe or wrap the baby in. Since Mongolian mothers swaddle their newborns, the doctor asked me if I could send a swaddling blanket over right away. I sent over a couple baby blankets and some baby clothes but I was left thinking that there must be a bigger way that we can help. I found out from the doctor that this happens a few times a month so my ladies and I decided that we will help to provide for this need. We can't wait to get started and bless the community!

Well, I'm off to start breakfast and school. Have a good day all!

So tell me what ya want, what ya really, really, want

Over the past couple weeks several people have asked us what we would like for the new baby. We appreciate everyone's kindness SO much and, in an effort to make it easier for everyone, I have devised a Target wishlist at target.com (accessed by "Melanie A Kocke"). Since they do not ship to Mongolia, if you order something you will have to have it sent to yourself and then ship it to our address (it's in my blog side bar). The things that I've chosen are small and can be packed/sent pretty easily. My list is also set on "public" so you can access it from a target store as well.

I don't have many clothes picked out, since we don't know if we are having a boy or a girl. If you'd like, please feel free to browse the "for momma" list. Momma likes surprises, too. =)

Thanks guys, for making this time extra special for us. We love and appreciate you all!

What's been making me smile...

• Reaching week 30 with nary a discomfort and feeling the Holy Spirit so near and helpful during this pregnancy and the demands of my life right now.
• Listening to Kenny tell me about the car he's going to get when he grows up. He said that daddy, Nate and Abi will ride in the back but I get to ride in the front with him. How cool is that?
• hugging and kissing my kids and husband every morning and telling them for the first time that day that I love them. What an incredible thing!
• This song
• A young Mong. girl asking me if they celebrate Christmas in places where it doesn't snow.
• Feeling my baby kick and move and counting down the days until he/she makes their appearance.
• Abi and Nate selling their art and sunflowers (that Nate planted all by himself) at my cell group and making a killing.
• French toast with powdered sugar sprinkled on top.
• Visiting with my friend, Maryellen
• Mom's encouragement

What's been making you smile?

1 Day Down...

179 more to go!

We kicked off our first day of school today with the excitement and enthusiasm only a 7 year-old, a 5 year-old and a 3-year-old could supply. The kids were awake at 6 (!) this morning and ready to get going. But, the sweet and considerate little people they are, (They really are. I'm not being sarcastic!) they stayed in bed until I was up about 20 minutes after. Then they asked me if they could get up and start their day. As sleepy as I was, we got up and I made pancakes while they poured over their new school supplies like it was Christmas morning.

We had fancy pancakes with whipped cream and Russian blackberry and strawberry preserves and homemade maple syrup. After breakfast we gave the kids their September 1st gifts (it's a Mongolian thing) that consisted of snacks and sweets that they normally don't have. Then we got started and, to my delight, had a pretty smooth morning. I had a few things prepared for Kenny and, I'm glad I did. He was right in the middle of everything and wanted to take part in all the excitement. He is one busy guy.

I've decided to homeschool 4 days a week and have Fridays off. I know of one family who did this and I thought it'd be a good idea to do it while my kids are little. With a new one coming soon I think I'll really appreciate the extra time for myself and to adjust to having another little one around. We'll still have some structure on our day off, only it will be very relaxed and probably include a lot of reading and educational games. I think it's important to give ourselves a day to rest as ministry families tend to be busiest on weekends and don't really have Saturday's off much less Sundays. We'll see how this goes...

I REALLY wanted to take pictures today but I cannot find my digital camera battery charger anywhere. So, since I couldn't take any pictures I just let myself enjoy the moment without obsessing over preserving it. My children are so awesome and I look forward to working closely with them throughout the year. They are wise beyond their years and they love God and others.

It's going to be an interesting year. One full of changes, adjustments and learning for our family. Please pray for us as we begin this homeschooling journey and as we prepare to move soon. We are looking for an apartment to rent that is more affordable than the place where we are now. I hate to move but if it's worth it, then so be it. Don't worry, we have lots of help and my husband won't let me do any heavy lifting. =)

God is in control!