Moving On

I've thought a lot about writing this for a while now, even composing sentences in my head when I was supposed to be sleeping.  In short, Gary and I feel like we've turned a corner, in a good direction, from where we were as a family when we arrived in Michigan almost six months ago.

Perhaps surprising to some, although not those closest to us, coming "home" from Haiti was a really hard transition.  For our kids, Haiti held many things of a child's dream come true.  They had adventures, played a lot outside with many friends both at Good Neighbor and other American friends.  We were always together, which for our kids, they loved.  We schooled at our own pace, in our own style, in our own home.  For us adults, we had jobs that felt very purposeful.  Although the actual "living" part of living in Haiti was mostly difficult, it felt rewarding and fulfilling.  If you are truly interested (like for instance, if you know us in real life), I encourage you to read {THIS} article, because it explains many of our emotions and conflicts more accurately than I have the brain cells to process on this early morning.  Besides, why reinvent the wheel, you know?  Seriously though, please read this article for a better understanding of our transition as well as for someone you may know and love who has or will be returning from the mission field.  We had a lot of support returning, and I am so thankful for family, old friends and new friends, for providing so many tangible and material things for our family as we restarted life here.  Also, I'm very thankful for those in our life who, although they couldn't know first hand what we were feeling, they gave us the safe space to feel sad and discouraged, and prayed for and listened to me cry.    The most amazing gift was from those who acknowledged that this was hard for us and stepped in to whatever role, no matter how small, to help lighten our load.

So here we are, six months later, finally able to say, "the fog has lifted" in our hearts and minds.  We still wrestle with how to do life within the American church and American culture even though we no longer conform to many of the values within these institutions.  

To sum it up, thank you for sticking with us and supporting us in our journey.  We know it doesn't just belong to us, but also to the countless people who supported us financially when we were in Haiti, prayed and continue to pray for us, and who sent us notes and pictures of encouragement.  We are in this life together.  Thank you.

It's time for us to move on the next phase of God's plan.  Krulls in Haiti, no more.

On Getting Old and Flirted with by an Abercrombie Model

I am willing to bet that this is a common tale.  One morning, about five months ago, I discovered my first grey hair.  Up until this point, I'm sure they were there, but I was living in total denial.  Also significant to note; my bathroom for the last year had been lit by one lonesome bare lightbulb, so the lighting situation was totally an accomplice to my lack of personal inventory.  I wore no make-up, did little more than comb my wet hair straight from the shower and put it in a braid.  I wore workout clothes during the day, and to sleep in at night.  My outward appearance was of little concern to me.

Then I moved back to the U.S. and suddenly the last year of physical appearance neglect was glaringly obvious.  Turns out, that one grey hair was actually about about 15 grey hairs.  My clothes were all outdated, stained, and ridden with holes.  I have split ends, sunspots, dry skin, crows feet, and a good bit of stubborn baby weight.  Aging, you are a jerk.

I'm working on it.  My physical appearance ranks about 11th on my priority list, but I'm working on it.

So this morning, Mylie and I made a Starbucks run.  Our barista was "Evan".  He had shoulder length hair, a requisite slouchy beanie, and a dimple.  It was like a professional snowboarder and abercrombie model mated and had an even more attractive love child.  The problem with my encounter was the fact that he flirted with me in the same manner that a college kid might flirt with an eighty year old lady.  I know what that looks like because my brother Michael is a master at it, and was always a favorite with my grandma and all her friends at the old folks home.  After I purchased my non-fat hot chocolate and new mug, he asked if I wanted a receipt in case something happened and I needed to return the mug.  I told him no thanks, and then he said, "Oh, living on the edge, I like it."  The pity flirt.  Trying to make the old gal feel cool.  I get it.  It would have been sweet, had I not realized what he was doing and actually felt insulted.  Seriously.

Heard Around the House: December 2013

Presley:  

Mom, can you say poor girl to me?  I still have a runny nose, poor girl.

Presley, on cold weather: 

It feels like a smoovie (smoothie) outside!

Mylie, in regards to the cover of my Jillian Michaels workout DVD:  

Why does it look like she wants to hurt you?

Handmade Gifts on the Cheap

Happy Monday!  Just a quick note to let everyone know that I'm offering 40% off at my etsy shop, today only.  Use coupon code "MONDAY13"  during checkout and the discount will be taken off automatically.  Go {HERE} to visit.  

Thanks friends!

 Ornaments, great for teacher gifts, present toppers, stocking stuffers, or for the newlyweds or baby's first Christmas! Available in gold or silver, any letter!

 Do you have a custom logo or specific font that you love?  I can do custom orders specific to the size, color, and font that you want!

 This ampersand and "EAT" set are my two top sellers and a customer favorite!

Observations from The Mitten

So.  I've been living in The Mitten State for two months now and I have some observations.  First off, I have spent the last 35 years living in only hot places.  However, I have always reveled in what can only be described as "Sweater Weather", of which I had very little experience in.  Many times I attempted Sweater Weather in Arizona if the high for the day was in the 60's.  I wanted crunchy fall leaves, like real real bad.  I would get white hot jealous of people posting pictures of themselves in a sweater, sipping their pumpkin spice latte with falling leaves in the background.  In the city mouse versus country mouse division, I would classify myself squarely in the city mouse category.  In our neck of western Michigan, although we're not in the country, it has a very small town feel.  These are some neighborly folks, ya'll.

When we moved into our house, on day one, our new mailman stopped by just to say hi and introduce himself.  He literally said to us, "welcome aboard the neighborhood", and then waved goodbye as he walked to the next house.  I swear he was whistling and practically skipping as he went next door to deliver mail.  Oh, and that's another cultural difference.  Our mailbox is on our front porch, not a communal lockbox at the end of the street.  If our mailman sees me through the large picture window in the front room, he won't just drop the mail in the box, but actually knocks and hand delivers it.  Small town America, I tell you. 

We have three squirrels living in our backyard.  Presley is obsessed and has named them all, and convincingly calls them by name when she sees one.  We have Lucy, Miss Gingerbread, and Chet.  Interesting to note:  did you know that there is a squirrel hunting season in Michigan.  What the what?!?!  People here actually eat squirrel.  And when I say "people", really I mean some people.  I'm going to go on record as a firm believer that squirrels are close relatives to rodents, and although they are quite adorable, should not be consumed as sustenance in the day and age we live in where eating squirrel does not equate to staying alive.  Gary, a native Michigander (that's what they call themselves!), tells me I'm wrong and that they are delicious, but I just can't get on board with this.

We went to buy our pumpkins... from a pumpkin farmer.  There was no one there attending the pumpkin stand, just a bucket to put the money, on the honor system.  I love this.  PLUS... it was legitimately sweater AND jacket weather.

 This is Noah and Mylie's school.  It is a really old building with so much character.  As I have gotten to know the school secretary, I learned that she went to this school as a little girl.  Students back then walked home for lunch everyday.  Her parents, who are now in their 90's, still live in the same house just down the road.

I'm really doing my best to be positive, because living here is going to be so great.  Truth is, we're struggling.  Lots of emotions of loss, grief, anger, resentment, sadness.  So, in the midst of this difficult time, I'm going to focus on what is GOOD in our lives right now, today.  There is so much good, life can just be messy sometimes!

Heard Around the House: October 2013

An Original Poem, by Noah

Fall

Fall is wonderful

Fall is grand

When Fall is here its a wonderland

All the leaves, the joy never ends

We must be thankful for the fun nature lends

Presley, reading a book with a pull-up on her head, like you do.

Presley-isms:

"nectarinas"-  nectarines

"parrots"- pears

"the woodens"- the woods

"amen"- the end

"sparklers"- sprinkles or glitter

"beanie bag"- beanie (hat)

Presley, on a hike:  "My legs are no use!"



Noah, after visiting the Principal's office at school 
(I feel the need to include he wasn't in trouble):
"Now I'm not scared of her... I looked around her office and there was more than five pink things.  There's no way someone with that many pink things can be mean."

I LOVE Haitian Creations (And I Think You Should Too)

Once upon a time, when I was significantly cooler and well-kept, I was consistently cute.  Every day I got dressed in real clothes, put on make-up, did more than brush my hair, and was very attentive to the shape my eyebrows were in.  If my looks were a bell curve, I would have peaked in my hottness factor in the year 2001 while I was actively pursuing The Most Attractive Man I've Ever Seen In Real Life (that's Gary, FYI).  Then, my cool factor took a sharp turn south, where it hovered for roughly nine years while I selflessly gave life to three beautiful, yet needy, little time and money suckers.  I have been on the rise once more, and like a phoenix rising from the ashes, I will be cool again.

Let me share a secret... every single accessory I own right now comes from Haitian Creations.  So, as I battle the opposing forces of age and natural lameness in my quest for feeling more put together, I try to always throw on a few bracelets or a unique necklace as I head out the door to up my cool quotient.  I already love the way my Haitian Creations jewelry and bags look, but because I know the story behind them, I adore them even more.

I have written before about my anguish for children becoming orphans based on poverty.  After living in Haiti, and feeling at times that I was part of the bigger problem, I can clearly see that Haitian Creations, a branch of Heartline Ministries in Haiti, was part of the solution.  Women (and a few men!) use their God given talents and creativity to earn a legitimate income, therefore becoming capable of providing and caring for their children.  To hand out money or create non--sustainable (and in affect "fake") jobs for people, robs them of their work ethic, culture, and dignity.  Haitian Creations offers skill training, with room for creativity, and culturally appropriate jobs.  When you purchase an artisan made piece from Haitian Creations, it doesn't just look good, but it is good.  Also, I want to adamantly point out that this isn't a "pity purchase".  You know that ones I'm talking about... you buy something that you really don't even like, nor do you plan to ever actually use because you don't like the way it's made or the way it looks.  Heck, it might even be downright ugly, but you bought it because some of the proceeds went to help someone in need.   Every item I own from Haitian Creations, I actually love to wear.  It is a quality item, with a modern style, and as a bonus, I know that it is helping another momma, be a momma.  My money provides a job for someone, and allows her the autonomy to raise her children and use her gifts.

Haitian Creations is generously allowing me to give away an unique bag to one lucky reader!  

There are several ways to enter below, but if you want an extra bunch of entries, host a shopping party.  I hosted one a couple years ago, but they are even better now with amazing new products!  It is really easy, everything you need comes in one big box, you host a girls night (or mother/daughter night, because they have kid stuff too!) and let your friends buys some really great gifts for themselves or others.  This would be great to plan this fall, just in time for Christmas!

Enter the giveaway below, and spread the word!  Winner announced next week!

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