Eric’s week looked like this: Work, work, work. Eat. Work, work, work. Snag a few hours of sleep. Work, work, work. This is Eric’s busy month (he’s speaking at a conference, helping to run the Talbot session, and working on the Talbot assessment report), so I’m steeling myself for a month of theological-education widowhood.
Monday night, Eric usually has brothers’ meeting (like an elder meeting). These start at 7:30 p.m., and usually last until at least 10:30. But this past Monday was the day after our pastor’s birthday, so he showed up expecting to discuss difficult issues, but instead they ate cake.
Tuesday, I found a worm inching up our kitchen wall as I sliced apples for sauce. I popped him in a jar, and Dietrich spent the whole day carrying the worm from room to room, so that the worm could watch him play. Slimy entertainment! I also started our newsletter. Did you get it?
Wednesday, we took the boys to the doctor. Dietrich needed a TB test so that he can get a TB vaccination. Lev needed his four-month immunizations. I thought I might need Eric’s help on the metro. I was right: On the way there, Dietrich fell into a deep sleep, and Lev lost it. Nothing I tried would soothe him, which meant: hungry Lev.
I clearly wasn’t thinking ahead when got ready that morning, because I was wearing a jacket, a Moby wrap, and several layers under the Moby. No milk access. I made a last-second decision to jump off the metro, abandoning Eric and Dietrich.
On the subway platform, holding the screaming Lev, I made all the necessary adjustments, jumped on the next train, and fed Lev the rest of the way. Once his tummy was full, he was a dream. He didn’t even wince (much less cry) when he got the shot. Also? 19.25 pounds.
And, as expected, no TB for D, so more shots are in his future.
Thursday morning, I got to introduce another missionary to my favorite outdoor market. (We live a 30-minute walk from most of our teammates, and those 30 minutes make a big difference in which market you frequent.) This particular teammate is rather new to Kyiv, but very experienced in missionary life. She’s Martha-esque in her wide range of abilities, except that she’s more practical and not at all off-putting. Today, for instance, she’s helping someone gut and prepare a live goose. (Which probably is off-putting to the goose, but I think it's rad.) I always leave her presence inspired to make some small change that will help me serve my family a bit better.
Thursday at 10:30 p.m., we learned that Friday was Teacher Appreciation Day. I pulled three loaves of pumpkin bread out of the freezer and sent poor Eric out for flowers. We have two 24-hour flower kiosks just outside our building. We used to laugh at them. "What kind of sad sap would need flowers in the middle of the night," we scoffed. Since starting sadik, we’ve been caught off-guard by two holidays, and now we look at the kiosks with deep appreciation.
Friday, our crazy day, was crazy. Eric had to go in to work super early, so I took Dietrich and the Teacher Appreciation presents over to school. Home to do a flier for the upcoming Talbot lecture. Back to sadik with snacks in my pocket to pick up Dietrich and rush him to music class. I walk in, and the teacher comes over, excited, to announce that Dietrich ate his whole lunch!
“That’s odd,” I think. “Lunch usually doesn’t start for another 30 minutes.”
At this point, I should have realized something was up, but instead, I was just happy that we didn’t have to fill Dietrich full of snacks on the bus ride to music class.
Music. Back home for a quick break before dance class.
We walk in the door for dance class, and an extraordinary number of parents are there picking up their kids. Unperturbed by the kids all around us putting on their clothes, I tell Dietrich to change into his dance clothes.
He gets half his clothes off before the teacher’s assistant comes running out, saying, “What are you doing?!?”
Um. Something tells me dance class is a no-go. Teacher's Appreciation Day evidently also means a short day. See, now, that's appreciative!
Saturday, Eric had to work and Dietrich really wanted to have someone over to play. I had a ton of loose ends from the week to tie up, so I asked one of the preteen girls on our team if she’d like to be a mama’s helper for a little while. So for about 90 blissful minutes on Saturday morning, I finished up all the things that were hanging over my head while Dietrich played hide-and-seek with someone who doesn't go crazy when he hides in the same place 10 times in a row. After she left, I was free to play with the kids all day!
Sunday, we took both kids to church for the second time, but it was not a success. The tram that we normally would take was parked on the tracks, not moving. We walked, but my back was sore from toting the 19.25-pounder before we even got there. Lev decided sleep wasn’t for him. Dietrich kept trying to intentionally choke himself on pretzel sticks. After about 40 minutes, I gave up and took the kiddos home. Thankfully, Sunday comes once a week, so we can try again.
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5 comments:
that's my josie. the only person in the world who still says, "rad."
but i guess that's better than being a workaholic, which it seems i am, so you can rad it up.
Not only does she still use the word "rad," she combines it with "off-putting" for excellent comedic results. Your Josie is rad.
Also, I think Shaun is considering shipping me to Ukraine that I may become even a fraction as industrious as y'all are.
I third the "josie is rad"...and awesome. Would it be easier to carry Little Buddha on your back? Caroline loved the beach...all 17 pounds of her. Hugs and Kisses
Josie is rad and any other compliment one can think of.
I think Gypsy should come for a visit because that would be not only rad but also so fun and not one bit off-putting.
About the flower kiosks. I hadn't really formulated any thoughts except for who buys flowers in the middle of the night except for the drunk who knows he shouldn't have waited until 2 to depart from his friends and then have to walk the whole way home and hopefully he's coherent enough to realize he had better buy his wife flowers (although she might just throw them in his face at that point)?! But that all goes along with our perspective that the only occasion that demands flowers is when men are trying to impress or show love to women... right? Forgetting about the birthdays, teacher days (for those multiple number of teachers), secretary-days, and all the other occasions that demand flowers in Ukraine. I'm glad you've got one of those kiosks so close. (The nearest one is about 15 minutes from me but thankfully I have no need of one.)
Oh, I miss that (and you guys). No one has given me flowers in 4 months. Sigh. I guess the bagels and coffee will have to suffice as good things.
P.S I love the idea of 24 hour flowers.
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