Accra, Ghana

We made a stop in Ghana when the Delta flight was canceled due to mechanical issues.

Needless to say, all 200+ passengers were scrambling and unhappy. Delta offered to put up everyone at local hotels, which were surprisingly nice.

I ended up bunking with wonderful Dr. Faith Lamb-Parker. She is brilliant, compassionate, and funny. We had a great time.

The day we arrived in Ghana was the day before their Inauguration of a new President.
The streets had colorful ribbons, and UN diplomat planes on the tarmac.

It was very exciting.

After Ghana, we arrived in Liberia. (My original arrival date was Jan 4th, I arrived on Jan 8th) I had lost my phone on the plane during our disembarkation in Accra. Every phone number I needed was on that phone, and I had no way to contact either the Hotel, nor the friendly Quita who was to pick me up and deliver me to the hotel.

Again, Dr. Faith to the rescue, she helped me file the paperwork for the lost bags, and then had her private driver deliver me to the hotel. (after we had to stop for diapers and water at the supermarket)

I finally arrived at Moko's around 7 pm. local time.

Peter and I were HUNGRY and anxious to get showered and fed.

Moko's staff was wonderful, they ordered us a pizza and brought it to the room.

Everyone here in Liberia is friendly, helpful and kind. I have been so blessed by the Agency staff, and by all I have met.
I do have to say; I already have 2 mosquito bites, and Peter & I are both feeling a bit under the weather. But we made it to the pharmacy yesterday and hopefully our meds will help us to feel better soon!

I wanted to make a list for anyone who is traveling here; things NOT to forget at home, because even though they have a super market, they do not stock things like we have at home.

Items we are missing:
Huggies Diapers (the diapers on the shelf here have plastic exterior and tape tabs)
SHOES my flip-flops have broken and I have not seen a great place to buy better shoes. (they have wheelbarrow carts selling shoes made from recycled tires, but i have worn those in the past and they can be uncomfortable)
American Clothes are a premium around here, you wont find an easy place to replace your lost luggage! (there are NO shops/malls here)
A good hamburger! (I ordered a burger yesterday, and honestly it reminded me of the scene in Les Mis during the song "Master of the House" if you get my drift?
the french fries were good, but Peters plate of Chicken & Rice was $13!!

For now that is all that I have compiled on the list, mostly because I figure, we can live without anything else. I have not even tried to find a swim suit, as that was also lost in the luggage, but I suppose I can swim in my leggings and tee shirt.

New York, New York 2013

Our unplanned visit to NYC has been an adventure! The tickets to get to Liberia today were ONLY routed through Ghana, and I do not have a visa for Ghana, therefore I would not be able to fly there. Lame. So we made the best of a batch of sour milk! Peter and I checked back into our hotel room (that we checked out of 4 hours earlier) We charged up the cel phone, and hit the streets of NYC. Our shuttle driver (Henry) was AWESOME. He told me which train to ride, and where to get off, told me how to find yummy food.... New Yorkers have a reputation.... Let's just say the newspaper vendors can be RUDE. (one hawking papers sounded JUST like Rosie O'donnel...with attitude) any Who.... the NYPD are GREAT, and the professionals I have met with are some of the nicest folks I have ever met, Delta ticketing agents (known for ATTITUDE!) were SUPER kind and helpful!!

Unplanned visit to 9/11 memorial

As Peter & were delayed at FJK airport, we decided to go on an adventure! We hiked to the subway (yeah!) and walked to the 9/11 memorial site. We were going on less than 3 hours of sleep, so we honestly did not take much time, just walked through the 16 security check-points, looked into the 2 vast water falls, and then scuttled our way back towards the subway. i had to carry Peter almost half way, as even HE ran out of energy! (hard to believe!)

Scavenger hunt....

One place I frequently stop into is Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. They sell used items for rock bottom prices, a gallon of pain can be less than $5 sometimes I go there, I look through the paint aisles and if I find a color I like, I buy it and save it for a project. I have about 15 gallons of paint in varying colors in the basement. This week it came in handy. We have been saving every last penny for our traveling expenses, while it is Christmas Time and everyone else is out shopping and adorning their home with the latest styles, we are scheming, planning and enjoying a simplified Christmas. I am pretty sure it is the nesting instinct, even though Peter is already here with us, it is nerves from the upcoming events that are causing me to stress, worry ad fidget. So Last week I called in the helpers and on Monday we painted, for 10 hours straight, and then this week I painted solo some more... I am so happy that I had these paint colors stashed away for this time, when I had the energy and desire to "DO SOMETHING" but I needed to limit my resources! What fun it was to paint the 'projector screen' onto the wall, and then the boys room got a little wains-coat type accent color, in all, i feel accomplished. and now i go back to planning our global journey!

The joy & the Pain

Being a mother has brought immense JOY... First smiles, First Tooth, blowing kisses, snuggles throughout the morning, Watching them discover their reflection in a mirror.

So many fun, happy moments.... Then the opposite can be said as well, Sick babies, emergency rooms, 31 days in ICU, disappointments, postpartum depression, sneaking out (teens), ornery neighbors that seem hell-bent on torturing your children ;)

what do we focus on? Where do we linger?

Natural man tendency is to linger on the negative. Which then creates a stronger memory of that negativity. We as mother's need to fight the impulse to linger in the mire. We need to take out those happy moments like a treasured photo and bask in that glorious memory. To look at it from every angle.

It is this method of noticing the GREAT times, the GOOD deeds, and the HAPPY moments that we will then be led to smile more.... and ENJOY our journey of Motherhood. I pray that you will make a list of all the finest moments in your recollection as a Mother. Go ahead. Right now. Bask.....

red heads, new teeth, warm newborn breath, nursing sounds, First coo, the first moment you held your babe, giggles, crawling, fascination with ceiling fans, first outings, park days, first words, mama, dadda, creativity, hard work,