The Chaos of Moving
We are still alive, we promise, but the reality of moving back overseas to the country of Georgia has completely consumed our time. In the next month, we hope to get back to our regular schedule, and boy, do we have some fun blog posts to share!
long hair, don’t care (because I can’t care but I want to look like I do) “hacks”
Ok guys. At risk of sounding vain I need to say this: I love my hair. I enjoy doing a whole host of things to care for it: hair masks, certain kinds of shampoo and conditioner, protective hairstyles, etc. (Future post? Hmmm…). My reason for telling you all this is so that when I say I just do NOT have time for it these days, you get the gravity of the situation. I love it; sadly, I don’t have time for it.
I’m a mom.
As such, certain things (hair care) take a back seat to other, more important things (child care). The level of hair care that I enjoy is just not on the priority list most days. But my mane IS on my head, which is usually pretty noticeable by most, so I like to at least make it look like I care about my appearance a little bit.
(Note: obviously, you do not have to be a mom to enjoy these “hacks”. It’s just that momhood has pushed me to like them more than I already did).
Here are four things I do to my hair when I want to look like I tried but honestly took anywhere from 7 seconds to 10 minutes to do my hair. (Did I time these? Yes. Yes I did. That said, these are based on my own personal speed.)
One: Dry shampoo.
Level: buy at store, spray in hair.
Time: 30 seconds
Dry shampoo is my bff. My favorite brand is Batiste (mostly because I admit to being influenced by my favorite YouTuber and also because I can buy this one overseas where I’ve been living). If you haven’t yet delved into the world of dry shampoo, there are lots of options out there. And, if you’re anything like me (read: up to my eyeballs in momlife on the daily) it may be worth a try. I typically pack a small travel-size can of dry shampoo for trips too. You never know when the shower situation is going to be questionable or unavailable.
High ponytails, topknots, braids and more all benefit from this genius invention because you can disguise that less-than-clean hair and get the added bonus of hold for your hairstyle. Win-win.
Two: Beanies.
Level: own a beanie.
Time: 7 seconds to 1 minute, depending on the hairstyle under the hat and if I used dry shampoo or not
Are beanies even “in” anymore? Don’t know, don’t care, I’ll be wearing them in the cold and coldish months til they are outlawed or I’m dead, whichever comes first. I like the look, I like the warmth, and I like that they hide my day 4 hair. Or day 5 hair? What day is this?? You see my point here.
So, hair down, hair in side pony, hair in a braid or two… it’s a WIN when you slap a beanie over it. Or — and I’m just spitballing here — any other hat could work too. I guess I’m mostly thinking of baseball caps… but could we bring back top hats please? I’d wear one…
An. Y. Way. I’ve talked far too long about hats. Moving on.
Three: French/Dutch pigtail braids.
Level: gotta know how to braid your own hair
Time: for medium length hair, about 8 minutes. (For me this included a quick search for hairties since I was unprepared, and excluded getting distracted midway through as I’m prone to do.)
This hair hack is for when you finally get a shower and have 10 minutes to devote to your hair. I know, I KNOW. What mom does?? Hear me out. Do this one and it will save you up to 3 days of real hair care. So really it’s an investment, right?
It goes like this: shower. Let your hair air dry a tiny bit so it’s not dripping wet… just plain old wet. Add product if you’re into that sort of thing. Divide hair and don’t spend your brain power or precious time on making it a beautiful part down the middle. (You can’t see the top and back of your head anyway and no one cares that much. If they do, you’ve just provided some bored individual with something to talk about, so count that as a win.) French or Dutch braid that wet mane into pigtails. Go to bed because mama, you deserve the sleep! (Clearly my showers happen at night these days…). Wake up, live your life, and in a day or two, release the mane into braid waves. Spray with dry shampoo if ya need it, and rock it with confidence.
Four: Hair stick(s).
Level: a bit more practice intensive at first, until you get the hang of it
Time: 17 seconds
One day I was gifted a pretty, handmade pair of hair sticks and my hair life was forever changed. Sounds dramatic. It is. But it’s also true. Here’s the catch: you gotta have long hair for this. The good news is you don’t have to have fancy hair sticks to do it. A writing utensil or chopstick will work too. I’ve only mastered the Lazy Wrap Bun but I love it and have worn it at all different heights on my head. Excluding right at my hairline above my forehead. I have no desire to resemble a unicorn. If you’re so inclined though, you do you.
Using hair sticks may take a little practice but once I got the hang of it? So easy. And they don’t typically put kinks in my hair or pull at it uncomfortably like hair ties do. The only downside? They aren’t really portable. It’s a little inconvenient to carry a small stick around if you decide to take your hair down for a bit. But like I said, if you don’t have a hair tie handy, snatch up a pen, and throw your hair up with it. Easy. Pretty. Done before your kid starts screaming for your help or attention.
Now, could I go on and on about hair? Yes. Have I already planned at least one future hair-related post? Also yes. For now, I’ll leave it at these four hair-related things for the mama who still cares a little about her hair and wants a smidge more variety in her life than a messy bun (which I’m totally not knocking, by the way. That one is classic and will forever be a go-to for anyone with hair long enough to pull back).
May each and every one of you troopers who made it to the end of this post have many good hair days ahead. And if you don’t? That’s what a beanie is for. :)
Terrible Seasons!?!
I am a father of two boys. When I became a father, it was life-altering but very exciting. Through all of the challenges, joys, and moments of uncertainty, I am very thankful that I have been blessed to be the father of my two sons. As of writing this, my first son is 3 years old and the other is a month and a half. However, this blog post will focus primarily on my three year old, because I think we have entered into one of my most favorite seasons as of yet. My three-year-old an extremely smart, caring, gentle, albeit active little boy. I love communicating with my son and discussing what he has learned at church or from those around him. I love showing him how things work and then sitting back and watching him mimic what I just showed him. He is a little sponge that longs to learn and experience different things but still values structure and mommy cuddles. This is why I love being a dad. It is these rich moments that make everything worth it; however...
Along with this season of growth and development, there is another side to the equation that makes me want to jump off the roof... well, not literally. Still, seriously, there are moments when a switch seems to flip, and my son morphs into this obstinate, grumpy, antagonistic child whose entire goal in life is to get under my skin. Can you believe it? This three-year-old already knows the areas that frustrate me the most. HE IS THREE, for goodness sake, and he already knows. In these moments, I find myself equally amazed and infuriated. I am surprised at his intuition which enables him to recognize and understand the areas that frustrate me. I find myself thinking that I need to encourage this development because it will be such an asset in life. However, the other side of me is trying to control my frustration because my stinking three-year-old is poking all the right (well, more accurately, wrong) places at the moment.
What we are experiencing is what the world or our culture likes to call the “terrible twos” or, in this case, “terrible threes”. While I understand the meaning behind the Terrible Threes, I actually hate it! I think that perspective is essential, and when we use labels such as terrible, it will shape our mindset during these seasons. When this shift in mindset occurs, we often transition to survival mode. While survival mode is necessary in some cases, I would argue that in this instance, it can be more detrimental than beneficial. Survival mode causes us to manage the moment and focus on the future. While this might help us survive the hard seasons, we can miss many beautiful moments because our energy is focused on the challenging aspects. Blinders can develop, which causes us to miss many beautiful and rich moments that often occur in these seasons.
Right now, am I experiencing what the world likes to call the terrible threes, and is it occurring right when my second child has been born? Yes, but I don't want to see it that way! While this season is challenging and frustrating, there are far too many good things that my son is learning, and I would never want to label it as terrible. Therefore, perspective is key.
Instead of surviving, we need to seek to thrive during these moments. In our case, this has created a world of difference. Shifting our mindset has affected our son as well. As I stated before, my son is very intuitive, and he will feed off our emotions. When Liesel and I are patient but firm, praising the good behavior and diminishing the bad, I have been amazed to watch my son sincerely come to terms with some of his bad behavior on his own, seeking reconciliation and forgiveness. This is thriving! This is what makes this terrible season worth every moment.
Story of a Onesie
To the reader of these words, this cute little bear-covered onesie is just an unassuming piece of clothing that’s not worth a second look. It’s just a onesie, why would you give it more than a passing glance or comment? You wouldn’t.
But it’s different for me. For me, I see a story.
This onesie was gifted to me in 2014 by a friend. It was for our rainbow baby, due in May 2015. That baby never got to wear it. I packed it away for a someday that we didn’t know if we’d ever have… or honestly, want. Losing that second baby hurt us that much.
Since we didn’t know if we could or would have kids, and still hurting from loss, I placed the onesie in a small shoebox with a few other baby related items. For the next year or so, it stayed tucked away in a dresser drawer out of sight and unused. And then, despite knowing we’d be overseas for four years minimum, we left it stateside in a storage unit. It sat there collecting dust and age, almost forgotten but not quite.
Fast forward to 2018. The Lord blessed us with a strong, tenacious baby boy — the one we call our first and oldest, but who is really the rainbow baby to our would-have-been rainbow baby. He never wore the bear onesie either, but that was because it still lay waiting in that storage unit across the ocean. By the time we had access to it, Ro was nearly two and couldn’t have worn it if we wanted him to.
Fast forward again to 2022. Eight long years after it was gifted, our final little munchkin finally wears this bear onesie. When I see it I remember the journey it took to get here… a whole lot of tears, a whole lot of questions I’ll never know answers to. But looking at it I remember a story of joy in the midst of pain and of good gifts given by a good Father.
So this may be a plain old piece of clothing to anyone else, but oh, the depth of my joy and gratitude to know that my littlest gets to wear it.
At least for a little while. Babies grow so stinkin’ fast, you guys…
I want a knife, like Daddy...
Recently Liesel asked Ro what he really wanted, and his response surprised us. It wasn't a book, new toy, or even some kind of sweet treat. It was a knife. About two years ago, I started carrying a knife. Was I influenced by the EDC (Everyday Carry) culture? Kinda, but honestly, I really enjoyed having a practical tool, and to be honest, since I have started carrying my knife, I have discovered that I have used it pretty much every day.
A knife has become such an important part of my EDC that my 3-year-old son has noticed and now wants to have one for himself (Ro, I am sorry, but not until you are older). I have gotten so used to carrying a knife that it feels bizarre not to have it on my person. For instance, today, I forgot to grab my knife as I walked out the door, and I can't tell you how many times I have reached for it.
There is one problem with EDC knives: there are way too many options. It is easy to get lost and overwhelmed by the different steels, actions, and brands, and we cannot forget the different prices. Knives can also be costly! If it wasn't for my brother-in-law giving me my first knife for Christmas, I would be still lost trying to make a decision. Ok, I am joking, but seriously the fact that my first knife was a gift made it a lot easier to get started.
I want to offer some help to anyone thinking about starting their EDC journey of carrying a knife. These will be beginner options that are on the cheaper end of the EDC Knife culture, but in my opinion, they are excellent options and worth buying.
Smith and Wesson SWAT
This was my first EDC knife. I really liked this knife, and it was a great beginner EDC knife. It is a 7.5-inch knife with a 3.2-inch blade, and it weighs about 3.9 ounces.
The knife has what the company calls a "M.A.G.I.C" assisted opening. Basically, what this means is there is a thumb knob that will release the spring-loaded blade. Let me tell you, it became pretty addicting releasing that blade at what felt like Mach Speed. An embellishment, yes, but according to my family, it seemed very fast and to some kind of scary. Therefore, I would advise caution when opening it in front of people.
Now, this wouldn't be a Smith and Wesson if it didn't have a safety, and this knife does not disappoint. There is a safety lock on the body of the knife, which will prevent the knife's M.A.G.I.C assist from releasing unexpectedly while the knife is in one's pocket. The scales are aluminum with Trac-Tec inserts. The grip tape feel has a nice tactile feel when held. Finally, the blade is 4034 Steel, and there is a black Oxide coating which gives the knife a really nice blacked outlook.
At a price point of $30, this is a fantastic knife with many great things going for it. However, I have two main issues with this knife, and they primarily revolve around the blade.
While the blade looks very sleek because of its blacked outlook, the Black Oxide coating is not durable. Within days, I had multiple scratches, and the paint started to chip off within a week. If you are obsessed with how your stuff looks, this will quickly become frustrating.
While the company says that the blade is 4034 steel, I have never seen 4034 steel act like this. For those who might not know, 4034 steel is on the cheaper end, but it is decently strong, great against corrosion, and easy to sharpen. This is why most kitchen knives use this steel. However, this blade is very soft, and it cannot hold an edge for long. I smooshed the tip of the blade by accidentally hitting a glass when engaging the M.A.G.I.C assist. The glass was perfectly fine, the knife was not...
If you are looking for a decent knife at a great price, knowing that you might have to replace it within a year, this is a great option, and you can't beat the $30 price point. Check out the link below.
CIVIVI Elementum
My word do I love this knife. Is it the best knife out there? No, of course not! However, it is the knife that I have on me every day. The Elementum comes in various looks and steels, but I really liked the stone-washed D2 steel with the wood scales.
The knife is 4.03 inches, and the blade is 2.96 inches long. I really like this size because the knife is big enough to tackle any situations you might face but is small enough that people do not seem as concerned if used in public.
The knife is a drop action knife that can become very addictive to flip open and closed. Also, the ergonomics of the knife make it comfortable to use and being 6'4" with large hands, I have never had trouble using it.
Finally, the D2 steel blade is great quality because of its durability and ability to hold an edge. For instance, I have owned this knife for about a year, and I sharpened the blade last month. The only downside of D2 steel is that it can corrode easily, but I have never experienced this problem.
There is only one thing that I do not like about his knife, and it is the "discrete" carry clip. Discrete is the company’s word, not mine. I really hate this clip because it catches on everything. I have bent it because it got stuck on my seatbelt and was ripped out of my pocket. I have scratched walls, chairs, and even poked Ro in the head because of it. And it all comes down to the design.
CIVIVI designed the clip to have a lip at the end that sticks out more than other knives. On the one hand, this makes it very easy to slip into my pocket, but it also makes it stick out more than other knives, and in my experience, it has caused more problems.
Aside from my rant about the carry clip, I really love this knife, and I would buy it again! While the price point is double that of the Smith and Wesson, the quality and durability has held firm. So if you are comfortable paying $65 for a blade, I would really recommend checking out the CIVIVI Elementum. Check out the link below.
CIVIVI Ki-V
Ok, this cute little knife was a Christmas gift from Liesel this year. Therefore, it has not been used as much as the Elementum or the Smith and Wesson. Still, I have found it to be a lot of fun to use. Its small size makes it easy to carry, and I will either keep it in my watch pocket or the front pocket of my bag.
The knife is a whopping 3.94 inches long, and the blade is only 1.55 inches. This knife is so small that many people did not notice it was a knife at first.
The Ki-V is a slip joint knife and functions very similar to the well-known Swiss Army knife. It seems that more people are more comfortable with slip joints instead of liner locks. I think that people are less afraid of cutting themselves with a slip joint.
The blade is 9Cr18Mov steel... yeah, confusing, right? Basically, it is a mid-range steel that will hold a decent edge, but it is not as strong as the D2 steel.
As of this moment, I do not have a complaint about this knife, other than I foresee frustration when sharpening this blade in the future because of how small it is. This little blade is excellent for what it was designed to do, simple everyday tasks. Therefore, if you need a knife to open boxes, cut rope or twine, or open letters, then this is the knife for you! Plus, you can't beat the price $45 price point! Check out the link below.
Celebrating the Small Victories: Spoon Ring Edition
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked out of my door and said to my self, “Well, this is about to be an adventure…”. It’s part of the challenge of living in a foreign context, I think. This particular time I was on a mission of the creative variety. Specifically, I wanted to buy spoons and have someone turn them into rings — and there was no telling if I’d come back successful or if I was embarking on a wild goose chase. Here’s what happened:
Step 1: Find cute little spoons at the local market.
One of my favorite places to visit is a large marketplace called the bazroba. It’s my theory that you can find pretty much ANYTHING there if you look hard enough or ask the right person. Going there is like a big treasure hunt, whether you go into it with a specific item in mind or just to see what you end up finding at the end of your quest.
Anyway.
I almost always take the time to go by a specific stall that sells a plethora of secondhand dishes, utensils, and kitchen supplies. The first win didn’t take long at all; I found and bought five small spoons with pretty handles that in my mind would make beautiful spoon rings. Next step:
Step 2: Take the spoons to a jeweler to ask if he or someone he knows can transform them into rings.
There was man I knew of who had worked on several jewelry projects for friends of mine and had done a fantastic job. While I wasn’t sure if he would be able or willing to attempt my spoon ring request, I decided to start with him just see what he would say. I trekked all the way across the bazroba to find his small stall and, after showing him my own spoon ring, I asked if he could do the same with the small spoons I had. His response? “Of course! How would it NOT be possible?” Well, ok! I’ll take it.
I left my spoons with the jeweler and was told to come back in a week or so.
Step 3: Pick up and pay for the spoons-turned-rings.
I returned the following week to find that the jeweler had absolutely delivered on my request. I happily paid him for his time and expertise and returned home with my purchases and a smile on my face. The biggest victory? I used the local language during the whole process. The WHOLE process. THE WHOLE PROCESS. I emphasize this because this is a big deal. The local language is hard, people.
Living in a foreign context is a challenge. Some days I’m ok with it. Ready to take on the day, even. Other days its just… hard, exhausting, draining. Maybe its the challenging days that make the small wins feel like such a big deal. Whatever it is, I will absolutely celebrate the small wins, and this will always be one of my favorites.
A Pair of Ducks
When it rains, it pours...
I hate this saying. Why?
Well, because it seems so pessimistic. However, there are times in life when this phrase is very accurate. It is those times when multiple negative situations occur at the same time, and what initially felt like a slight drizzle turns into a downpour. No matter how optimistic you might want to be, there comes a moment when you have to face reality and say, "This sucks, and I really wish things were different right now."
The Pair of Ducks Philosophy
Liesel and I learned about the pair of ducks philosophy during a training course that we took about 5 years ago. The idea is there are two types of ducks, the “yay duck”, and the “yuck duck”. Ok, I know at this moment you might be wondering, what in the world?? Bare with me. This training was meant to be applicable to families. Therefore: ducks.
Ok so, we have these two ducks — one is yay, and the other is yuck. Let's be honest, I think that we would all prefer the yay duck way more since it is comfort, safety, and all the nice stuff. But honestly, that is very unrealistic. Life is not perfect, and there will be plenty of times in life that we will have to acknowledge the yuck duck in the corner.
Think about it this way, the yay duck sees the positive in every situation, and on the flip side, the yuck duck sees the negatives. Together they are a paradox (or a pair of ducks… get it?). While it is easy for us to tend toward the yay duck, it is essential for us to acknowledge both because, in any given situation, both perspectives are equally valid.
It is important to remember that both the yay duck and yuck duck are constantly swimming together. So if at this moment the yay duck is "swimming in front of you”, do not forget that the yuck duck is right there with it.
For example, when Liesel and I first moved overseas, we were excited about all the new things we would experience and learn (yay duck). Still, at the same time, we had to acknowledge the sadness that we were experiencing when we had to say goodbye to friends and family (yuck duck). By recognizing both sets of emotions, we were able to have a healthier outlook on our situation.
Therefore, when we are in situations where the phrase "when it rains, it pours" is applicable, it is essential to realize the yay moments that are also occurring.
Our Real Paradox
Recently, we were blessed with the birth of our second son! However, with this birth, some medical conditions occurred as well. At this moment, it can be easy to focus solely on the yuck duck and forget about all the yay duck moments.
For instance, we have a healthy new son and praise God he sleeps decently well for a newborn. Our firstborn loves and enjoys being a big brother and has been super helpful during this season. We also have been blessed with fantastic support from our family and friends, and most importantly, we are never alone because we have a God who is always with us.
So at this moment, when it seems like it is pouring, we have to honestly admit that it doesn't seem that bad because there are so many things to be thankful for. Yes, there are some pretty significant concerns that we are facing right now, but you know what, God is good, and in Isiah 41:10, it says, "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
I hope that this truth helps you like it has helped me when I process my “Pair of Ducks.”
Ok, but this oatmeal…
So this blog post is about oatmeal but I’m going to take a minute and talk about gestational diabetes. It’s related, I promise.
I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 28 weeks of my pregnancy with our second child. This diagnosis was an instigator for me to do some slight changes to my diet and while I won’t go into much detail in this post, I’ll say this: pregnancy is not my favorite and gestational diabetes didn’t make me fonder of it. Gestational diabetes in my life goes a little like this: cut the sugars, cut the major carbs, veggies are freebies and its a good thing that I mostly like trailmix. I miss chocolate, cookies, and pasta so much right now…
BUT.
The silver lining of this particular bump in the pregnancy road looks like, smells like, tastes like oatmeal. I know, I know. I’m probably late to the oatmeal scene somehow, but humor me ok? It’s worth it.
The basic recipe for this oatmeal was suggested as a gestational diabetes approved breakfast food that would keep sugars low and be fairly filling. I wish I could give accurate credit to the person who came up with this, but I don’t know who it was… or maybe this is nothing revolutionary and everyone has been doing this or something similar for a WHILE and catch up, Liesel! Whatever the case, I’m just glad I know about this hearty little meal and I can’t resist sharing it with you guys too.
Ok, enough talking. Let’s get to it!
Oatmeal Mash Recipe
1/4 cup of minute oats
1/2 cup of water
2-ish Tbsp chia seeds (or sesame seeds)
1 heaping Tbsp of peanut butter
A handful of blueberries
Microwave the oats + water for a minute and a half.
Add the other things on top.
Mix together.
Eat.
That’s it! And it’s delicious!
The original recipe I based this off of suggested raisins, but raisins are a NO from me. I had blueberries in the fridge so I decided to try those instead. Worth it. Maybe other things could be substituted as well? Raspberries? Strawberries? Bananas? A combination of fruit? Hmmm…
Try this out, guys. It’s so YUM!
PS: So the presentation is less than pretty, but your tastebuds will only care about how good it tastes. Trust me.
PPS: For you observant individuals out there, YES these are different bowls... I eat this for breakfast at least 4 times a week…
Lost in Chaos
We have all been there. The overwhelmed feeling we get when we look and evaluate all that is happening in the world around us, and all we see is chaos and uncertainty. I have equated this feeling to being hit by a wave or, more importantly, what I would call a wave of chaos which is quickly followed by a wave of uncertainty. As these waves continue to wash over us, they cause us to feel lost, beat down, and make us wonder if we will ever make it through a given situation.
Many of us have been to the beach before and experience the joy that can occur when we play in the ocean. However, there are times when a storm causes the waves to become too powerful. When these waves crash over us, they hit with a force that sparks a moment of fear. While we might be able to withstand the onslaught of multiple powerful waves, there comes a moment when our strength begins to fail, and our body begins to hurt from the crushing weight of the swell. If we don't respond soon and adjust to our current situation, the waves will overwhelm us, and we could be washed out to sea.
Living through a season of chaos is never fun and can shake us to our core. How can we weather the storm of chaos that brings the crushing weight of life's waves?
For many, our first response is to put our heads down and weather the storm, but this is not sustainable. Like the waves at the beach, we will get washed away by the force and pressure asserted on us. If relying on our strength is not enough, then what can we turn to? For many, they turn to worldly options such as alcohol, sexual pleasure, and even food, to name a few. For instance, a Harvard study showed that the chaos created from the pandemic brought about a 58% increase in heavy drinking. Why is this the case? I would hazard a guess that when people turn to worldly solutions to battle chaotic situations, the desire is to deaden their feelings. If one can not feel for a few hours and can forget their current situation, it will help them lessen the pressure caused by their current situation. However, here is the reality, seeking worldly solutions does not help in the long term, and it will undoubtedly fall short. As soon as the buzz from the alcohol leaves, the reality of the world will come crashing down again. The problem was not fixed but just avoided!
Our best option is to stop relying on our strength and the world's remedies and allow God to help us grow through the situation. This can be a difficult challenge because God typically does not remove us from our troubles. However, if we are willing to surrender ourselves to his leading and place our complete trust in Him, the long-term benefits are more significant than and short-term option that the world might offer.
The author of Proverbs reminds us in Proverbs 3:5-8 to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones" (ESV). It is time for us to stop leaning on our understanding and allow God to make straight our paths. Trusting in His perfect time and not wavering when things do not align with what we think is our ideal plan. God is inviting us on a journey of trust, and when the waves of chaos come crashing down, He is asking us not to lean on our own understanding but to put our trust in him. The question is, are you willing to take that leap of faith and surrender complete control? The choice is yours!
Introduction
Hey, so... yeah, I guess we are doing a thing. Is it new? Ehhh... I mean, yes and no. Liesel and I have always loved sharing with others the lessons that we have learned and experiences that have taken place in our lives. Switching our medium from direct communication to a blog or a podcast will be a new but exciting challenge for us, and we thought, why not?
The goal of this website is to share, discuss, and explore all things family, culture, and travel. Why? These are the three main areas that Liesel and I are most passionate about. Plus, it gives us a creative outlet so that’s a win in itself.
So anyway, lets unpack these areas a bit.
Family
We love our little family and all of the joys and challenges that come with it. We believe that being parents is not something that should be taken lightly and because of this outlook there are so many lessons that we have learned and are still learning. We’ve also been married for nearly 11 years and while we are not experts by any stretch of the imagination, we’ve learned a lot about ourselves and each other in that chunk of time. It’s likely that we will share some of that aspect of our lives as well.
Culture
Liesel and I love experiencing different cultures and allowing them to develop and expand our outlook. We believe that it is essential for people to get outside of their home culture and experience a new and different one. The growth that takes place during this time can make a lasting impact that will shape a person’s worldview for the rest of their lives. A wide worldview is worth having.
Travel
Traveling... my word. It’s probably one of our most favorite pastimes. Both of us place a higher value on traveling and experiences than we do on material things. From 2016 to 2020 we had the opportunity to live and travel overseas. Within that four year period, were able to see many amazing places. There are so many more we have not been able to visit yet, but we want to! You can bet we will make the effort to as well.
Finally, I saved the most important area of our lives for last: our faith. This is something that permeates all three of our passions. Our faith in Jesus Christ impacts how we love our family, how we relate to and react to other cultures, and how we conduct ourselves on our travel adventures.
This is a small glimpse into our lives and our purpose for trying something new together. We hope to share our interests and a bit of our lives with you all. And maybe some humor here and there to make you smile? Sure, why not?