Yesterday was quite the adventure for the whole family as we ventured out to find IKEA. Yes, there is an IKEA here, and it is very cool. It’s kind of a long way away, but we wanted to go and price furniture while we still have some time on our hands before Daddy starts classes and we have to move. We started off taking our first bus for a few stops. Then we rode the subway, changing trains one time. Then we had to take a taxi to actually get all the way there. The whole trip took about an hour, but we made it without any problems, and we were so proud of ourselves. The boys did a pretty good job. On the way back we had to break up several spats between them as all were getting tired and grumpy (including the parents). Once we go to the store, we walked in and just about wanted to walk back out, except that it took so much for us to actually get all the way there. But there were just SO MANY PEOPLE there. Oh My. I don’t think there’s really any way to explain it without seeing the sheer masses of humanity. Really, it was just quite overwhelming. But, as I said, after an hour of travel and 3 different modes of transportation, we were not turning back now! We put the two big boys in the play place (awesome, by the way). It works just like it does in the U.S. You can leave the kids in the play place where they can’t get out and are watched by adults. Everything was surprisingly very well organized, so we felt good about leaving the boys there. And, of course, they loved it. We were able to navigate through the masses to see the things we wanted to see most. And I even convinced Daddy to stand in line for the restaurant to get food for us while I nursed Mercy. He got to eat the Swedish meatballs that he likes so much, so there was incentive.
Of course, we were the show-stealers as everyone wanted to see the cute white babies. People (there and just anywhere on the street) literally stop in their tracks to look at us and comment. A favorite phrase that we hear is literally translated “so much fun” or “very playful”, but they’re basically saying, “Oh how cute!” We hear it all the time.
We have taken the kids to all kinds of restaurants and shopping places. Again, they’re taking it all in stride like this is “normal” for us. It’s funny, though, since “normal” is really us just staying at home in our routine and pattern. But since we currently don’t have a home nothing is really normal for us. And the Lord has given me a peace in that in the way that only He can. Yes, I still long to be settled and unpacked, but it’s been a fun week. We’ve done things that I really don’t think we have done if were in our “normal” routine. It’s been hard at times, but good for us.
One thing Daddy noted was that we’re making up our own little routines, like the getting-in-the-taxi-routine. First Joshua gets in and slides over, then Luke starts making his way while we’re getting Micah out of the stroller. I get Micah in the backseat while Daddy gets the stroller folded up and put in the trunk. Then I squeeze in back (while wearing Mercy in the front carrier) with the 3 boys and Daddy sits in the front. It might not sound like that big of a deal, but we have to do all of this in a hurry since we’re on the side of the road and the taxi driver is waiting for us. Several times I’ve come back from somewhere with 3 of the kids (while one of the big boys stays out with Daddy), and that’s worked out okay. The other day I was doing that and we had made the block when I realized that I didn’t have the house keys! I hurriedly told the driver to turn around and go back to find my husband and I called Daddy on the phone. He was able to run back to meet us and I got the keys and went on. We have often wondered what in the world we would do if we didn’t speak the language! I’m so thankful to be in a place where we do.
Another day I came home and discovered that the kitchen door, that Luke had closed before we left that morning, was locked from the inside. Thankfully I was able to search around for some random keys and found it so that we could get in the kitchen again!
I better close for now. It’s time to feed Mercy. I’m sure I’ve left out fun things that we’ve done, but at least you can get a little taste of what life has been like this past week. It’s been an adventure, that’s for sure! Here are a few pictures for you…
This is us crossing the street on one of the massive foot bridges.
We let the kids play in the "Children's World" at this mall we went to. They had a blast!
Today the boys were playing around the living room and Micah got himself stuck in this huge vase. Somehow he had climbed in it, but couldn’t get out. It took quite the maneuvering for Daddy and me to get him out!
This was just last night. The boys were so wiped out from all the day’s activities that they both passed out on the couch before we could have family devotions. Daddy ended up just carrying them to bed.
Pictures of Mercy to come soon!
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