Pallet couch for our Home school room

OUr new PLace and SPace:

Here are a few pictures of our upstairs. (some are pretty grainy) We made it into our Homeschool/everything room. 

It is also where I give english lessons to a small class of boys. 

Well here we are: our homemade couch (pallet couch) and it is used ALL the time and is comfy with the thick foam. One day I would like to make a patch work cover for it ...one day. 

It also stores our Math -u- see blocks and certain board books. David found where they make pallets here and bought me 4 as a surprise for 9 lira a piece (that is about $4 each).

FOUR pallets?? - I wasn't to sure what I was going to do with 4 but I was excited and we have successfully used three - 2 for this couch and one for a desk we made. (pictures on that another time) 

I don't know if you can see it so well but I stencilled on our terrace door window. I used a stencil I found online for free and then used water colours and dabbed and sponged. It created a fun little design and is easily wiped off without scrubbing. So if you ever want to stencil a window... 

use water colours with just enough water to create a paste and dab and sponge away. 

Quick story: 

Although I have lived in Turkey now for 9 years there are still moments and situations where I feel intimidated by the culture, sometimes a little and sometimes a lot. 

This chair you see below is an example of me overcoming some of that fear and intimation I feel at times.  

In my little corner here there are a few used furniture places that are down a narrow alley in the downtown area.  It is a street with about seven or so little storefronts full of used furniture and household items. It is not a bad part of the town but for some reason it has always intimidated me and I have never went without Dave. (even though I love the thought of finding some treasure there)  

Well, I needed foam for our pallet couch and when I found out the price, it was more than we could afford so I decided to get over my 'I don't feel like I belong, intimidation issue' and head to the narrow street.  Let me mention that it is hard to get our big van in and out of the narrow street, and it is usually all men sitting about and drinking tea watching you walk up and down and into their shops. However I went and I was successful! I found foam for 10 lira ($5) and this adorable chair with wheels that I bargained for from 30 tl to 15 tl (about 7 dollars) from a very kind shop owner, mind you. So a victory for me and a huge savings on my upstairs furnishings!!! 

Here is the full span of the room. Yes it is huge, yes it is aMaZIng. We do not need this space for learning because I believe learning should and can happen in every room in our house but there are NO complaints from me. It is so nice to have an upstairs and not be worried about keeping the kids quiet all the time. So while we have this space we are using it to the fullest. 

The kids do lots of dancing shows, magic shows, forts and 

everything and anything else you can imagine. 

Here is a picture of two little boys I give english lessons too every Monday and Thursday. :) 

This Monday I am adding one more little guy.... we shall see how three,  5 and 6 year old boys do! 

Well Happy Mother's day to all you moms! 

I had breakfast in bed - homemade scones, green tea and fruit and was smothered with homemade cards. :) I am grateful that my husband and kids have shown their appreciation for me today. It is a gift to be appreciated and loved; not a right. 

In my little west corner in a not so 'little' apartment,

Becky

Splashes of Spring around me

Finding splashes of Spring and moments of joy around me. 

This is just down a bit on my new street. 

"Patient endurance is what you (I) need now, so that you (I) will continue to do God’s will. Then you (I) will receive all that he has promised." Heb. 10:36

Finding a rhythm of rest.. my new favourite spot.

My fireman in spring. 

The wild poppies are out, sprinkling red. 

"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the

 LORD in the land of the living." Ps. 27:13

In my new place, in my new corner,

Becky

My offering

Offering: a gift- something offered in worship or devotion- sacrificial

I find a lot of  peace when the Lord gives me new insight into my current situations. The other day I had a break through in my understanding and here is a peak into it from my journal.

I want to give living without the outdoor freedom for my kids and myself as an offering to the Lord. It may be a small offering to some but to me it is and has been costly.  I have born it only as a hardship to be endured but now I see there is a better way to give it, as an offering of love to my King.

Let me be glad/honoured to give this offering to my King.

Is there a hardship in your life that you have been enduring? Is there a way for you to take that hardship and offer it to the Lord as a gift or love? The Lord knows what it is costing you and I believe it will bring a lighter heart and a greater sense of devotion to the Lord as you give an offering that costs you something. 

In my west corner ~ 

finding peace in offering my hardships to the living God. 

Becky

Our morning of good-byes.

Febuary 12th has come and this morning our friends and co-workers for over 8 years 

left to move back to the States.

We have had 3 nights all together in our home. Busy, sad, heavy, comfortable, happy to be eating together, kids playing together, kids crying in intervals. 

Then at 7:00 am this morning final good byes were said and out the door they each went 

to climb in our van and head to Istanbul to start a new life in the States.

The house is empty, messy and quiet. 

The kids and I all stood together as the van pulled away and hugged and cryed some quiet tears. 

Then I let them watch some cartoons and I made a special brk for them, colored pancakes...

with a little suprise of choclate chips in 3 of the pancakes...

and the day begins and so our new season of life begins. 

Good bye dear friends and thank you. 

Received a call this afternoon from Sema a mutual friend of Alyssa's and mine. She called to see how the kids and I were doing and expressed her sadness as well. Tomorrow I will go and visit Dilek as she is also another mutual friend and we will chat and have tea and feel the loss of our friend in this city with us. 

Full of hope and a heavy heart brought by true friendship. 

 So thankful today for the 8 years of consistant friendship and fellowship and hardship that will last a life time.  

In our west corner... 

Becky

A and C - this post is as much for you as for us, we know you understand. I especially knew you would enjoy the pics. 

Out our back window.

Here's a little Turkish culture for you:

Summer is the season for weddings and circumcision parties here in Turkey.  :) This summer for several weekends in a row we had celebrations around our neighborhood.  It is typical to have these celebrations outside and the music and dancing is allowed until midnight. (They do have receptions and parties in weddings halls as well but the cheaper route is not reserving a hall and having it open air.)


This particular night it was in our apartment's parking lot directly in our back yard!
I took this video out my sons bedroom window. 

It was very loud!  As I write this post I hear traditional Turkish music off in the distance where yet another end of the summer wedding is being celebrated outside, and the hoots and howlers of the dancers are heard. However off in the distance is MUCH more tolerable than directly out your back window. I am guessing this will be one of the last ones we will hear as the summer has come to an end here.

Good night from our little west corner,
Becky

Working out my mommy-hood

I have now lived in Turkey for 8 1/2 years and my oldest child is 9 1/2 years old. That tells me that of the 9.5 years of parenting I have parented 8.5 of those years overseas in a different culture, with children who have embraced two cultures and languages. Yet in all these difference there are times I still try and fit into the mould of something I am not "a typical American mommy" and I try and force my kids into a mould that they are not "typical American kids."  Learning to know who our family is and our unique thumbprint takes time and disicpline on my part not to compare myself with great intentions/books/families that don't even fit our life here. Also that I would let go of old ideals that need to be laid to rest. (I think one of my ideals looks a bit to much like perfection. :))

I am struggling these last few weeks being a mama, doing this job and giving 100%. Wondering so much if I am doing any of it right, seeing more negatives in myself and my kids then are healthy.
SO I have been looking for ways I can give thanks, and not just the obvious ones like... my bed, home, husband etc but really find how to be grateful in the hard situation I may find myself in today.  There are days I just have to stick it out until I can find something to be grateful for in the situation, and not stop until the well breaks and I can't stop thanking God for all his benefits.

Today I offer my sacrifice of thanksgiving for: the constant challenges of raising these three kids. If these challenges were not here that would mean my kids and their unique persons would not be here either, and I am without words when it comes to my gratitude to God for giving me these three kiddos and there specific personalities that give our family that unique thumbprint I am talking about.

"I will praise the Lord @ all times. I will constantly speak his praises." Ps. 34:1

"Be thankful in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
1 Thes 5:18

"Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God..." Ps. 50:14a

Here is a verse that I have been re-reading this week:

"The steps of a good woman are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in her way. Though she fall, she shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds her with His hand. " Ps. 37:23-24

In my west corner working out my mommy-hood in this culture,
Becky

and I am thankful for knowing two languages, that my children know two languages, that my children accept different types of people, that my children are not intimidated by others beliefs and are confident in their own, that we are together a lot seeing each others weaknesses and strengths and loving anyway, that we always have what we need and my children are not surrounded by the constant excess in the States, that I have to run to Jesus all the time for wisdom, grace and patience, that I am not alone in the challenges of motherhood, that my husband is an amazing sounding board and Baba..... 

Turkish subway art

Made my first piece of Subway art for our office this last week. :) 

I cut part of it off because I tend to be pretty secretive about my present location. ;) he he

It looked super cute too. 

My husband got it printed out 60x60 and then we framed it with a black frame. :) 

I also went in with a black sharpie and added a few extras to some of the turkish lettering that was lacking because of the fonts I chose. 

Happy subway art for Turks and English speakers a like. :)

Thinking of making one for you all ....all you Turkey dwellers that is. 

We shall see. 

In my west corner....in Love with my creator/saviour/friend who has set me free! 

Becky

Our remedy: An indoor snowmen

Our first real snow of the season!!! SNOW what a wonderful gift this past week.

The snow was too soft the first day for a snowmen.  Living on the 5th floor over looking a street makes playing in the snow and making snowmen challenging, especially the 2nd day when the snow is melting and people are using the sidewalks more.

So to remedy that issue this is what we did: 

A bowl full of snow from our balcony onto our kitchen table.

and this is what we made:

George the snowmen.

George the Snowmen went back out onto our balcony transformed into a new man. ;) ha ha ha

Thank you kiddos for being so easy to enthral, for not noticing we don't have a back yard to play in, for diving in wherever you are with joy and freedom. You teach me so much about enjoying where I am.

In my little west snowy corner of Turkey,

Becky

The grey coat crowd

Pulling into my sons preschool one foggy morning there were lots of older kids lining up outside for the Turkish National Anthem, the middle school and the preschool are connected. As the song begins everyone stops where they are and respectfully waits for the song to finish. (Every Monday and Friday)  You could hear a pin drop. Even the little kids going into the school are held back to wait and told to be still until the song is over. When the song is finished and all begin to find their places this way and that way. I see a sea of grey and black coats. The girl wearing the light orange coat sticks out and my eyes are drawn to her in the midst of this very grey morning. 

Then I realise that I too added to the grey madness surrounding me, because I have a grey coat, grey hat and mittens! However I breath a sigh of relief as my scarf is my saving grace of green and fusha . I am not sure what it is culturally but grey and black seem to be the dominate colour in winter.

During the winter I miss color. 

Winter here is difficult as there is little ability to get outside and outside is often dreary. I crave colour. At my little girls' school handmade scarves and hats are plentiful and it seems that grandmas, aunts and moms unleash all there knitting abilites to help bring a little life to the winter by their colorful products bestowed upon the heads and necks of their little ones. This is always a bright spot in my day. 

This bright red door caught my eye and made me smile!

  

So I say to myself on these oh so grey days, when the coal is billowing smoke out of the chimneys ... 'don't loose heart you color lover surrounded by grey, the beautiful truth is you will tend to notice color more quickly and enjoy it more fully when you see the splashes. '

" I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the dawn, and settle on the farside of the sea, even there your hand will guide me and your strength will support me. I COULD ASK DARKNESS TO BECOME NIGHT--BUT EVEN IN THE DARKNESS I CANNOT HIDE FROM YOU. To you the night shines as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you."
 Ps. 139:7-12

During this winter where I am homeschooling my oldest for the first time, my middle daughter is in 1st grade with all its hours of homework, my son jumps off the couches, chairs and his sisters;the days have been rainy, and we are on the 5th floor overlooking the street with lots of construction, my heart finds hope and joy that:

THERE IS NO WHERE I CAN GO THAT IS TOO DARK (or dreary) FOR GOD'S RADIANCE! :)

Finding peace in God alone, In my little west corner ~ Goodnight.  Becky

quick note: we have had 2 days of sunshine, since I typed this out. 

10 bags of stuff and snoopy waffles

My west corner is super sweet to me as we are HOME!! It has been 4 1/2 months and we are all so happy to be where we belong.  Kids have started school, I have unpacked 10 bags and gotten rid of 6 garbage bags full of clothes, toys and etc. Out with the old to make room for the new. 

It is easy when you have more space to store things. I am very grateful today that I do not have that extra space to store extra "things". There are times I want to grumble at this fact but honestly I find it so freeing to have to purge every time we bring in something to our home.  Seriously isn't it amazing how the challenge to live in an apartment on the 5th floor with my family of 5 brings me to a place of gratitude. I get to live more simply, I get to teach my children that 20 stuffed animals does not make you happier than 5 stuffed animals, you just end up with no where to sleep on your bed. 

Oh the lessons learned.

Following are a series of pictures that have nothing to do with the previous paragraphs. ;) 

Yes SNOOPY Waffles made by Grandma Schneider a little tradition that seems to 

make all the grandkids smile. Thank you Bunny for being a piece of stability to my kiddos 

every time we return to the States. 

May Snoopy live on....

From my west corner...unable to sleep because I am hacking and hacking,
nothing like a crazy midnight post.
Becky

My odd and beautiful life

It is now the 5th night back in my Sweet little west corner.  Every time I return from the States back to Turkey I can't help but see my life a little clearer and crisper. I love that.  Returning 'home' presents a wanting and contentment for me, to have seen all that I could have and yet be so grateful I don't have it.?  Oh my odd and beautiful life. So very glad to be home.

Good night all and Good night Sweet Savior. 

Arian Armstrong~ Good night print
Check out her other prints!

I have a beautiful life given to me by beauty Himself. In love with my creator who made the heavens and the earth and all that is in it and who is here with me across the ocean as I adjust. 

Drinking sleepy time tea to help hush away the jet lag~
In my sweet little west corner.
Becky

Cultural jems ~ Teyze

The Story

The bus was crowded, the aisle so full there was no room for your feet. We, my daughter and I, squeezed on and stepped (tripped) over the luggage in the aisle. We were heading to Istanbul and had gotten on a service bus to take us to the bus station just outside of town. I was not concerned, this to shall pass was my thought. I have found myself (with and without my kiddos) in this sort of  crowed situation before, I was just wanting my 8 year old to have a firm hold on the bar beside her so she didn't fall. There wasn't enough room for me to be close because the aisle was so packed with lugguge our feet didn't fit next to each other. We stopped let on more passengers and had to inch our way up the aisle a bit more to make room. My daughter was now standing in a place that had no good place to hold on, before I could help her, Teyze (sweet Teyze) who was sitting down, grabbed her and drew her close and held on to her for the rest of the 15 minute ride.   Definition of Teyze: Maternal Aunt, Older lady in society

In Turkey this is so common, children are well looked after and so many look after other people's children with no thought of their own inconvenience. I am certain that was the same for Teyze, she did what was natural to her.

When you live in a different culture it can be easy to see the negatives...the irritations and to speak about them and then forget all the jems and all the precious things. I want my heart to be set on the positives on the little jems that shine out from time to time, I just need to keep my eyes open.

A thought that struck me the other day was, I am sure Christ saw and spoke the positives while on earth, even though I am certain He saw all the negatives. Christ is not negative, he is positive.

My gem for the day is Teyze and all the Teyzes who remind me to consider others and make me grateful for some of those 'inconviences' that keep me keen to others needs and wants and not just my own.

Sometimes you might have to dig a bit to find the jem ;) but they are there,  just slightly hiding beneath the service. Happy jem seeking where you are.


In my west corner... finding jems where I am.
Becky

Being a part, feeling a part (Kids Turkish school program)

Being a part, feeling a part.

Being a part of the School program this year was more than just a fun thing the kids were able to be apart of, we as a family became more a part of our community and neighborhood. 

Lydia and her bestest friend, Elif Ezgi.

Do you see the little arrows singling out our little girl? 

Aren't these Smurf costumes fun? Here is Autty with two of her closest school mates.

Autty is in the row to the left, third back. :)

Getting ready and on our way. 

My girls are natural performers. They love to dance and being in front of others is fairly easy for both of them. They both did exceptional at their programs and had a blast being a part of 'Children's day' here, that is celebrated on the 23 of April. They also preformed for Mothers day.

 I find it so interesting how connected to the Turkish culture my kids feel. It is their home. It is my home too but they seem to see through different lenses then me on so many things. 

Love this picture of my sweet daughter and me. 

Autty is the one I see the cultural differences in the most these days, she is such a unique kid. I like who she is and who she is becoming so very much. She adds a unique flair to everything she touches. 

In our west corner...wanting to record these precious moments.
Also there are a few Grandmas waiting for these pics. ;)
Becky


FYI ~I think I will be posting a lot this week. I have a lot I am thinking about and creations I am wanting to record.