Three Great Things on Tuesday

1.) I made the world's best homemade chicken noodle soup complete with homemade egg noodles.  My family said so, so it must be true, right?  It was something that I have been craving so I was pleased. :)

2.) I made my first trip to the outdoor fish vendors.  My sidekick Little Sojourner and a good friend of mine tagged along.  I was brave.  I bought.  I came home with fish.  I am so excited about what I am going to make.  I'll share more about it later this week!

3.) I read this great blog post by a very talented lady who I always enjoy reading.  I think she does a wonderful job of portraying and defending biblical womenhood.  You should go check out her blog Boundless Treasures.

What great things happen to you this fine Tuesday?!

Kind regards,

My Adventures in Baby Registery

I have to admit that I am not really organized or a very good at planning ahead.  I never have been, but I'm pretty sure it has gotten worse over the years.  But, when you are having a baby 1,000's of miles away from family and friends (not to mention cilvilation with Targets and Walmarts and all that), and add to that that it takes 4-8 weeks to get mail...you have to do at least a little bit of planning ahead.  So, this has been my adventure the last week trying to figure out what we need for this baby without actually going to a store and looking at things.  I'm pretty sure not having had a baby in 5 years is also sort of playing against me in this.  I have very little idea what I might need!

We will be here a year after baby #4 is born so I am trying to be minimalistic.  We have been given me a hand-me-down infant carseat, walker, and bouncer....sweet!  And, I have arranged to buy a used pack-n-play bassinet and booster seat/high chair from some friends of ours that will be leaving in October...also amazing.  With some basics taken care of I am not too concerned.

One huge thing that will be on the registry is cloth diapers.  I have not done this with my other kids, but think it is the best option for us here.  Disposable diapers are expensive and very poor qualitry here.  Not to mention, because I think I've already harped on it quite a few times, the huge garbage issue here as well.  As I have been looking into the cloth diapers I am a bit nervous.  Did you know there aren't tips on how to use these things in Africa?!  (Well at least I haven't found them.)  So, I am a bit concerend that I will spend large quantities of money (those suckers are expensive!) on something that will fall apart in the African water and heat.  Thankfully my friend has pioneered it for me and given me all her advice.  I love it when friends do that for you.

So, as I am registering I came across this contraption and am pretty mortified....

Picture Credit.

What the heck?!  Gross.  (You remember my nose issue?)  I will not be doing that.  You definitely will not see that on my registery.

*Edited to add:

Picture Credits.

The first picture isn't that great, so just to clear up exactly what the contraption does (and what I will NOT be doing), here is another picture.

*Linking up to Try New Adventures Thursday @ Alicia's Homemaking.

Kind regards,

My 1st OB Adventure in Africa

Baby #4

Yesterday I had my first OB visit here in Africa.  I had been dreading it and therefore procrastinating it.  I really do not like to go to the doctor ever, but lauguage and cultural complications were making me dread it even more then usual.  I decided I would procrastinate until my second trimester and then make myeslf go.  Thankfully a friend offered to go with me and her French is much better then mine!  That helped ease my dread a little.  I can function pretty well in the local language but most medical terms are in French (and those I am definitely not familiar with) so I was very glad to have her there.  Between her French, my local language, and the tiny bit of English that the doctor knew we faired pretty well.  I feel much better about follow-up visits.  The doctor asked me all the normal questions (they don't do paperwork here because the litteracy rate is so low, so the doctor asks all the questions and records them).  Then, she led us to the ultrasound room.  As I was following her I was thinking she is really, really tall.  Of course part of that may be that I am only 5'2" and another part might be that African women have a thing for high heels (which I do not really understand, I would definitely die trying to walk around these horrible rocky roads with high heels).  She did an ultrasound and we heard the heart beat.  She *thinks* it is a boy, but wasn't able to get a really good look this time, so we won't know for sure until next ultrasound.  She did all the measurements and everything looks good.  She said I'm in my 5th month.  We asked for pictures and she sends me home with two very similar pictures of the head.  So, now I have two pictures (one shown above) of my babies head.  It's not quite the cute prfofile pics I have with my other kids, but maybe we can work on trying to explain that and ask for a new one next time?  We will see.  Oh, and she gave me a script for all the blood work I have to get done.  I am dreading all that even more.  I do not like needles.  Did I mention I am a total baby?!  No, but you figured it out, right? ;)

Kind regards,

Beggars: The Silly & The Serious

Seeing beggars is an everyday part of our life here.  It's one of the things that took a lot of getting used to.  Well, maybe it is better to say it is one of the things we will never get used to.

We typically do not give beggars money (for several reasons, one of which I will explain later), but try to keep some food in the truck to hand out to them.

This morning, while we were out running errands, Mr. Sojourner gave a handicap beggar money and afterwards this conversation insued between him and Little:

Little: Daddy, why did you give that man money?
Mr.: Because he only had one arm.
Little: Will he buy another arm with the money?

It is amazing how litteral of a thinker Little is (or any kid at her age for that matter).  Leave it to Little to lighten up a serious issue. :)

Handicap beggar.  Picture credits.

"Tomato Can Boys."  Picture Credits.

While looking up some pictures to share I came across this really great (in the informative sense) article about Tomato Can Boys and I thought it does a good job of giving the truth, seriousness, and sadness of it.  If you get a chance please check it out.  The article shares the reason behind why we don't give these boys money, but instead give them food they can eat right away like bread, bananas, etc.

Kind regards,

I Could Eat My Weight in Stawberries

I love this picture.  Picture Credits.

Last year I had not one strawberry.  Ok, that is a little dramatic.  I did buy a few while we were in the States in mid December.  But, that was barely in the year.  And really I had none from June 2009 until mid December 2010 so that is the truth.  Strawberry season in super short here and is over in the blink of an eye.  Litterally last year it was maybe a month (it was not a good rainy season and therefore not good crops), I don't even think it was that long and I missed me chance!  This year that was not going to happen!

I LOVE strawberries.  Well, I love fruit period, but strawberries are my favorite; have been ever since I was little.  I'd pick fruit hands down over anything else offered to me.  Still will.  So, needless to say, this lack of strawberries has been rough.

So far this year to make sure my lack of stawberries would not do me in again I have: bought a deep freeze, purchased 18 kilos of strawberries (paid a little over $100), and spent 6 hours in the 90 something degree kitchen washing, treating, sorting, cutting, preparing, and storing them.  Would I do it all over again?  Yes, in a heart beat.  I will get to enjoy stawberry smoothies, or strawberry shortcake, or some other strawberry creation sporaticlly throughout the year!  I am siked about that (and so are the other Sojourners)!  All until next strawberry season when we will do it all over again.

What is your favorite strawberry recipe?

Kind regards,

Wordless Wednesday

Kind regards,

19.5

19.5 months since we came to Africa & 19.5 until we head back to the U.S. for 6 months.  We're at the 1/2 way mark!  Wow.  We have come a long way.  We have learned a lot.  About the world.  About ourselves.  About our Creator and Sustainer.  We still have a long way to go.  I know that it will not be easy.  I also know that He will go before me.  I am very grateful for that.  'Cause one thing is for certain...we could not have come this far, or finish, without Him.

Reflecting on the past & pondering the future,

How big is Africa?

{Picture credits.}

I didn't really fathom just how big ot was until I moved here.  Last January we flew from where we live in West Africa to Kenya in Eastern Africa and our flight was about eight hours.  (It took us about that long when we flew from the east coast of the US to the coast of Africa in June 2009.)  We have not been to South Africa but we have heard that is an eight or more hour flight from here to there as well.  It's a really BIG continent.  This picture really helped me visualize just how big it is.

Africa is a big and very diverse continent.  There are lots of different languages and peoples.  There are over 50 countries in Africa and in some of those there are more then 20 different ethnic groups and most of the time each ethnic group has it's own distinct language.

It's a big and interesting place and having lived here for a year and a half in no way makes be an expert.  In fact, the longer I live here the more I realize there is to learn about the interesting and beautiful people and cultures of Africa.

Kind regards,

Thursday's Travel Tales & Tips: My Trip to Kenya Pt. 3

It's time to link up your travel posts again.  And, look I actually remembered it was Thursday....on Thursday.  (Of course the 5 hour power outage and slower then molasses internet delayed things a bit.)  A novel idea, I know.  Last week I posted more about my Kenyan adventures (up close and person adorable animals) and there was also this great post about "why not to travel"; check it out!  I can't wait to check out your links this week!  (Don't forget to check out the rules.)

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My Kenyan adventure continues with a safari!  I never in my life would have thought I would get to do something so very cool.  It was amazing.

We went a few hours outside of Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park.  (The one thing to know about Lake Nakuru is that it is a smaller game park, with less animals, and it has no elephants because of it's size.  But, because it is so small your chances of seeing everything are great and it is perfect for a 1-2 day safari.) On our way we stopped at a lookout to see over the Great Rift Valley. 

It was a beautiful view (and this poor picture does it no justice).

We stayed at the Lake Nakuru Lodge.  The rooms were very nice and our rooms overlooked the national park with cape buffalo right outside the fence line (and the occasional monkey or baboon visitor inside the fence).  The food was delicious and we ate lunch outside overlooking the park.  The Lodge was a wonderful place to stay and we enjoyed it very much.

 Driving through the National Park up to the Lodge.

Our room and the view from it out into the National Park.

Cape buffalo right outside the fence from whee we were staying.

Our driver/guide was excellent.  He drove slowly on our way into the park and we saw many animals.  Then we had a late afternoon drive after lunch, a dip in the awesome pool, tea time, and a nap.  The next morning we grabbed a quick bit to eat, did an early morning drive, came back and showered and packed, and checked out.  On the way out our guide drove slowly again so we could see more, and we stopped at the "Out of Africa" lookout to get a last view of the park.

A quick dip in the pool. 

Afternoon tea.  I loved this about Kenya! 

The whole crew in the very cool safari van.

 Giraffe crossing in front of us.

 Lions; oh my!

 Carcass.

White rhinos; they were one of my faves.

Look Daddy; I'm up at the crack of dawn smiling at lions.

Heading to water early in the morning.

The "Out of Africa" over look.

It was a short safari, but I am so glad we did it.

There are lots of places you can safari at while in Kenya.  I would also recommend Masai Mara National Reserve or Nairobi National Park (depending upon where you fly into, how long you have, what time of year it is (during rainy seasons some areas are much harder to get to), and what kind of experience you would like).

The last place I want to share with you about on our Kenyan adventure was a cultural center called The Bomas of Kenya.  The cost is 600 ksh (about $8)/adult and 300ksh (about $4).  A group of dancers do traditional dances to traditional music dressed in traditional costumes representing each of the tribes in Kenya.  It was very neat to see the similarities and differences of each tribe.  They also have replicas of different traditional tribal villages that you can tour.

Traditional dancers.

Husband's hut of one tribe.

1st Wife's hut of another tribe.

My biggest tip for a trip to Kenya: have a really good camera.  That is my one regret.

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Thursday's Travel Tales & Tips: My Trip to Kenya Pt. 2

A day late (because I didn't actually realize it was Thursday until I was heading to bed...oops!) but still looking forward to hearing your travel stories and advice.  Maybe you want to share about a trip you have taken (like I did about Kenya last week) or you want to share about the places you would love to see like Alicia did last week?  You can read the rules and then link up at the bottom of this post.  You have until Monday to link up. 

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Today I want to share two of our favorite places that we went while we were in Kenya (they are especially favorites of the Little Sojourners!).  Both were not far outside of Nairobi.

The first is called the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.  Is is a trust for orphaned endangered animals (most commonly elephants and black rhinos).  They raise the elephants until they are old enough to be able to function in a herd when released back into the wild. 

It is only open to visitors from 11-12 daily because they are trying to not allow the elephants to get too used to being around so many people.  (Except I understand that if you sponsor/foster one of the orphans you can schedule a special visit on Thursdays to see the orphans bedtime routine.)  If you get a chance to go I would suggest getting their early so that you can get in line and not miss anything.  It is 300 kshs (roughly $4) to get in which is a great price.  You can also donate more or buy some of their t-shirts, postcards, prints, etc. to support the trust.

The keepers parade the baby elephants out together in groups of size.  I believe this was the smaller sized group.  They are so adorable!

Each orphaned elephant has their own keeper who basically functions as their mother until they are weened.  They go everywhere and do everything together.  The keeper even sleeps with the elephant in it's stable.  You can tell through their interaction how attached they are to them.

You are able to touch and pet them if you are close enough.  The Little Sojourners thought this was so cool.  (OK, me too!)

They share some of the stories of the elephants.  Some of their mothers were killed by poachers, others got lost from their herd, many different sad stories.  But, it is really neat hearing about their rescues also and how they are thriving now.  (Of course all of this is in Kenyan English which takes some getting used to.)

Little Sojourner still talks about the elephants even eight months later.  She asks to hear about their Mommys and Daddys.

The next place we went to was called the Giraffe Center.  It has a viewing deck where you can feed and pet the giraffes.  The cost to enter was 700 kshs (about $9-$10)  for adults and 250 kshs ($3-$4) which I thought was a bit steep for what it was, but it was still very worth it.

 Right on the land of the sanctuary there is a hotel called Giraffe Manor.  I think it would be an amazing place to stay.  Though I am sure it is way out of my family's price range, it is still fun to dream right?!

 The giraffes come right up to the observation deck and eat out of your hand.  Their tongues are very long and feel kind of like sand paper.  If you are really brave, you can kiss a giraffe.  I was not that brave.  Neither was Mr. Sojourner.  Neither were the Little Sojourners.  But, we saw lots of people do it and it is a very popular thing to do.  We are just not trendy enough.

The Little Sojourners were up and down, down and up the observation deck following the giraffes and trying to get another turn feeding them.  This was Daisy.

She was the hungriest giraffe there and the Little Sojourners fed her about ten tons of food, I think.

So, if you ever get the chance to go to Kenya; check these places out.  If not, you can just dream about kissing a giraffe or petting an elephant.
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Thanks for linking up!

Kind regards,

Thursday's Travel Tales & Tips: My Trip to Kenya Pt. 1

It's that time of week again!  (Sorry it's a little late.)  Link up your posts about travel: places you want to travel, travel tips, or stories about past travels.  You can read the rules (or more details).  You can also see last week's posts including mine about the North Carolina Mountains and Alicia's get-away with her hubby to a great B&B.

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Our Kenyan Adventure:

In January Mr. Sojourner had some meetings to attend in Kenya and so the Little Sojourners and I tagged along (poor us!).  When we got off the plane and started driving to Brakenhurst International Conference Centre (where we would be staying for our first two weeks) the Little Sojourners (and me!) were in awe of just how different it was then where in Africa we live.  Ms. Sojourner said, "We are still in Africa?!  It's so GREEN!"

Brakenhurst was a wonderful place to stay.  They staff was very helpful, the food was delicious and reasonably priced, and the grounds were gorgeous!  We stayed in one of their cottages which worked perfectly for our family. 

The cottage we stayed in was called "Mapacha" which means "twins" in Swahili.  Apparently someone gave birth to twins there years ago.

For dining they have two choices on the grounds.  First, is a dining room with buffet style food (which I think they only use when enough people are staying on the grounds), but really, really good buffet with produce grown on the grounds and some of the best soups I have ever had in my life.  The other choice is the cafe with a menu of really great priced and yummy foods.  We used both while we were there.  The grounds and surrounding area are beautiful and are really great for hiking, walking, and running. 

One of the trails we walked right beside some beautiful tea fields.

They have a great gift shop with very reasonable prices if you aren't going to hit the Massai Market or don't want to deal with negotiating prices.  The one issue I had was there laundry prices (which would not have been so bad if it hadn't been the 5 of us), but other then that it was an amazing place to stay and if we ever have the opportunity to go to Kenya again we will be heading back there!

Near by Brakenhurst is the Kiambethu Tea Farm. 

Middle Sojourner on our tour of the tea fields while visiting the tea farm.

The girls and I spent a delightful afternoon there with new friends we met during our vacation. 

The lunch spread.

We had lunch and afternoon tea.

Ms. Sojourner sippin' on some tea with her milk and sugar at tea time.  (I loved this British influence there!)

We heard the story of the farm, learned about tea, and took a tour of the grounds (including a forest).

An adventure walk through the forest; exciting!

 Oh--- and we fed monkeys!!!!

Little Sojourner getting a little help feeding the monkey a banana.

Of course I was in awe of all the malls in Nairobi (after not living in a country with such things for seven months) and visited several while were there (1,2&3 and we went to each multiple times!).  That's probably not that interesting to you, but it was hugely fun to us with food courts, reasonably priced items, put-put golf, and movies...in English!  But, one thing that may be interesting to you is that all of the malls I went to host the Massai Market once a week and so you can go there to get some beautiful African items at really great prices; if you negotiate prices! 

Not the greatest pic (but the only pic I took) of the Massai Market on the roof of Westgate Mall.

My advice: know what you want to pay for it, start lower then that, and don't go above what you want to pay.  Walking away works well too.  "No thanks, I'll keep looking.  Have a nice day!"  Don't worry about going to low; they will not agree to a price they don't make money on.  They usually try to get double or triple the fair price of an item because they think you don't know any better.

A few words of caution: Pick-pockets love places like this with lots of tourists, lots of people, and lots of chaos.  Keep your money close.  Also, if you name a price and they agree to it then you are obligated to buy so only name a price if you are serious about buying it.

Lastly (for today at least), I discovered my love for Kazuri beads as I visited the factory and shopped at the Kazuri store at each of the malls we went to (and the airport!).  You can order them online, but they are a lot cheaper in person.  I can't properly express the beauty of each unique bead.  If you go to Kenya: buy something Kazuri!

Surrounded by lots of beautiful and unique creations.

Come back next week for Pt. 2 of our Kenyan adventure; we haven't even gotten to animals or safari yet!

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I can't wait to read about your travel dreams, stories, or tips!

Dreaming of travel,