this is what it looks like...

when daddy has Anna for the afternoon. Baseball hat. Oddly wrapped diaper. And lots of fun!

Toddler Activities?

We are on day 5 of non-stop rain. NON-STOP. So we're all going a bit stir crazy! Normally we get out for walks to the "park" once or twice a day, but we haven't gone out at all this week. And it's caused me to start thinking that I need to provide Anna with more creative ways to play. (Even when the rain stops!). Can you suggest any fun & engaging activities for a toddler (17 months) that we can try indoors? Thanks!

My First Thanksgiving in Panama!

We decided to bring America to Panama this year, and cook a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. We had two large turkeys, and a variety of other dishes... there was lots of food! And it was a good thing... as we had more than 60 (SIXTY!) people come to the church on a rainy Thursday evening to share in this holiday with us. Pastor Bert first shared the history of Thanksgiving and it's significance to us as Americans. Then we ate. And ate. And ate. (It was just like back home! :)

I'll admit, that the 5 minute video call to my family back home in the middle of the evening was probably not the best idea. I had to take a 20 minute "break" in the other room to have a good cry before I pulled myself together and enjoyed the rest of the night. But it was a blessing to share my traditions (and food) with our new family here... even if not a single person liked the candied yams.

Soooooo I made it through my first big holiday without my family or familiar traditions. It was hard. But God is bigger, much bigger, than a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. So now I just have to make it through Christmas!

My Thankful Thanksgiving List of Thankfulness

I have much to be thankful for today and everyday! But here's my top 20:

1. My salvation in Christ.
2. My loving husband- a truly good man.
3. My beautiful daughter.
4. My supportive family who I miss very much.
5. A house that doesn't leak when it rains.
6. An abundance of food to eat and clean water to drink.
7. A ministry that is blessed of the Lord.
8. My computer- not sure I could live without it.
9. The internet- also not sure I could live without it.
10. Baby Einstein videos that always do the trick when nothing else works.
11. Worship music
12. My dog Scarlet- even if she did roll in trash yesterday
13. The highchair- cause feeding a toddler elsewhere is just a disaster
14. My work station built by hubby... my own private area and I love it.
15. Skype- which makes the world a much smaller place for me.
16. Pizza- hec I just can't help it, okay?
17. My camera which allows me to capture this bizarre life we live in photos.
18. My broom & mop- helping me keep my sanity once to three times per day.
19. Los Chinos- the little store around the corner which always seems to have what I need when I run out of something.
20. Pricemart- because every once in awhile it's nice to go see other Americans (and buy goldfish crackers).

A Makeover!

The Mommy Chronicles Blog is now right here! I combined my two blogs into this one- and gave the site a whole new look! Please note that I will be doing all my posting here from now on... although the old mommychroniclesblog.com address will still work and route you here. Please stick around for lots of photos and stories, and all my ramblings.

Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving!
Lindsey

Changes

For the past two years I have kept a family blog. A few months ago, I decided to reserve that blog for just ministry & family, and to begin the Mommy Chronicles Blog to have a place to express myself and post about my interests. But I have come to the difficult decision, that it just isn't working.

In an attempt to establish the Mommy Chronicles Blog, I have neglected the Tharaldson Family blog. And I've realized, that there really is no need for two separate blogs- as I'm just too busy to keep up both efficiently.

So I have decided to combine, and redesign both blogs, into one all-inclusive, super-duper, brand-new but old, even better and more comprehensive blog! The old address: http://www.mommychroniclesblog.com/ will automatically route you to http://www.tharaldsonfamily.com/ once I have completed the transformation!

I plan to take this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend to revamp the blog, and at some point, you will notice a whole new site. But please stick with me and follow me to the new location! You'll be able to see many more pics of my family and life here in Panama!

Cold Toes

It's 80 degrees. And my toes are freezing. So I'm now wearing fleece socks.

Adapted? Yes. I think I am.

Structure

We are in desperate need of it! Since Anna was 3 weeks old, we have been a Babywise family- all the way. Even now, at 17 months, she wakes up, eats, naps, and goes to sleep at the same times everyday. We worked very hard in the beginning to set her on a routine, and it has been a lifesaver. But, lately, we have been slacking. Random snacking, sporadic activities and unstructured playtimes have been the rule in recent months. And I can't stand it anymore! I thrive on routine, and I know that not only does Anna need more consistency, discipline, and structure... but so do I! It's fair to say my plate is very full... with ministries, kids everywhere, my design business, learning spanish, doing my quiet times, feeding my family, sweeping and mopping daily, etc. etc. etc... And I need to have set times to do these different activities... because the most important aspects of my day, like reading the Word and sitting with the Lord, have been sorely lacking.

Tonight, in a moment of divine motivation, I rejected the desire to plop in front of the computer and watch "Mythbusters" and instead grabbed Toddlerwise off the bookshelf to refresh my memory. Just like the first time reading Babywise, the sound and logical words jumped off the page! I started writing down the discipline strategies, activity structure, and other tips given and ran to get Eric. We sat together and discussed the changes we want to make in order to regain structure and routine in our household. So tomorrow is a new day, and we begin a new routine. We need this, and I can't wait.

Some Updates...

1. Anna Grace seems to be on the mend. After nearly a week of smashed bananas, rice cereal, yogurt, and water she seems to be coming around. We are going to give her regular food today, and hope she keeps it down! So thank you for your prayers, we are so blessed.

2. Eric and I have still not been able to apply for our missionary visas. It's complicated, and I don't want to get into all of it here, but please, if you think about it, please just pray that the Lord would open the doors and speed this horrendously long process up!

3. We are having our first church baptism on Sunday, and we are all very excited! Pastor Bert taught on baptism last Sunday, and those being baptized are truly joyful... so neat!

4. We decided to share our Thanksgiving traditions with the church this year. They do have a "Day of Thanks" here in Panama, but not with cranberries and mashed potatoes! So next week Eric will take me into the city to the big American grocery store (normally we can't afford the nice, imported food... like $4 for a box of rice-a-roni!!!!) But I'm going to splurge and get some traditional American food to share. Vero and I will each bake a Turkey (I haven't told anyone that I don't know how... MOM I WILL BE CALLING YOU VERY SOON.)

5. We continue to love this country (and this town especially) more and more. I find it so amazing that God has done such a work in my heart in particular. This truly feels like home, and I have no desire to be in the U.S. (Although I'd kill for a Starbucks Frappaccino!) Eric and I are eager to have our visas so we can truly feel settled here... maybe even find a house of our own and really dig in for the long haul. How exciting!

6. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. You are each an important part of what we do here, and we are incredibly blessed by your love and friendship. We miss our CCSFS family, but have you guys very close to our hearts!

Teeth brushing routine?

Okay people, I need honest answers here! If you have a kid under the age of 2 (or remember when you did) please share with me how often and how faithfully you brushed your child's teeth. Months ago someone in a baby forum I used to participate in, asked this question and EVERYONE replied that they do it religiously twice a day since the baby was sprouting tooth #1. Now, call me a skeptic, but I think at least SOME of them were fibbing. We brush Anna's teeth at night, about 90% of the time (occassionally we just flat out forget). But she basically won't really open up for the toothbrush, and so I fear that her teeth are not really getting clean and that I am a terrible mother! So tell me, what is your teethbrushing situation with your little one?