Ukraine Trip so Far!

We are off from DFW! In great spirits and excited about the adventures that lie ahead. We made it and actually in the past 3 days I've learned more than I can imagine!


From one plane to the other---we were in 4 different airports 3 different planes, lots of delays and hours later, we made it to Ukraine (without our luggage! Lesson 1, always carry the address and phone number of the person you are visiting. I wasn't able to tell them airlines where I was going...it was in another part of the country!The good thing about no luggage, is that we didn't have "go through customs" Since our plane was delayed 3 hours from JFK, my sister was waiting at the Kiew airport for hours, at the exit with camera in hand In Ukraine, they don't let you know when the plane is coming. So she stood there taking pictures of every 'mother and son type" until we came! It didn't take AS long because no one had to check our bags. It was a delight to see her! I actually cried!After landing in Kiev, we directly went another airport to take a plane to Simperofol. I was a little spacey at this point....ok, I still am :)

Thank God for the red bomb!  Matt picked us up at the Simperfol airport and we went home and literally crashed!  It was so good to be in Tammy's home.  Lesson 2...the roads ARE really bumpy here.  Lesson 3  I learned how to go on a squatty potty...you have to have really strong quad muscles.

The next day Tammy had a "women's tea" set up at her church.  The theme was Women of Strength, and I was the main speaker!  (I'm international now ha)  Lesson 4...I'm not really good when I actually have to pause to think about what to say.  I'm better when I can just have a my mouth run.  I had a translator, the people were great.  Lesson 5...I'm a VERY social person, and I DO NOT like the language barrier.  I Want to get to know these people.

Isaac really hadn't had any culture shock at all.  He fits right in and actually can say 2 Russian words.  He participated in the women's tea craft.  He has been so patient, and so sweet.  Doing everything we ask.  

At church Tammy and I sang a special. They had the words in Russian on the screen. Lesson 5...you can worship in any language.

Isaac made some friends with another missionaries daughters.  They REALLY liked him and wanted to be RIGHT beside him the entire time.  It made him feel like home, with his two sisters...which he misses by the way!

This is Tammy's front porch area where they live.  It cracks me up because on the outside of the gate is dusty, old, rundown roads with giant potholes, no greenery or landscape, then you walk in a big iron/brick gate to an oasis.  Cherry trees, roses, veggies, plums.  It's beautiful.  Lesson 6 Ukrainians utilize every space they have.

Our trips to the market have been few, but VERY interesting to Isaac.  He hates walking but loves the fish, meat, and random things all over the place.  LEsson 7... I take Walmart for granted!

This is what we're doing today.....Planning trips to the beach, visiting friends and on the road all next week.  Just wanted to keep you up to speed on the amazing journey so far!  God is so good.  Lesson 7...I love being with my sister!  Lesson 8... I miss my husband and girls with all my body!   More pictures and blog to come!

New Beninnings and Ends

"What Time is It? Summer Time!"

Summer is officially here at the McKee house...And surprisingly I CRIED on Isaac's last day of kindergarten. (Have no idea why?) But we have so much to look forward to this summer.
It started off with a visit from one my dearest and wisest friends! She and her kids visited for the day and we enjoyed SUMMER! Watching the kids play in the pool, getting sun ourselves, talking about what matters in life: meals, diapers, and church! (my kids and Velvet's kids)

Yes I got to visit with Velvet, Jenny and Candace at length over the past couple of days---and I now realize just how much strength I get from these women! Thank you girls for being such positive examples in my life. You all TRULY make me want to be a better person.

So- yes, although Isaac will not be rushed out of the house at 7:30---we'll be trekking all over the world visiting friends, family and soon to be friends. I love Summer!
What time is it? Summertime, it's our Vacation? What time is it? Summertime!

Pants down and Sleeping buddy

Ok- I have so much to do but wanted to make this quick post!
Last week I had strep throat and went to the Dr. to get a shot...the kind that hurts! Well here comes the "shot-giver" a 20 something good-looking paramedic intern coming in to rub me down and give me a shot. I don't Think I've ever had a shot in my bum by a man (good looking or not) So immediately I'm kinda embarassed. So here I am bent over pants half down and he rubs the area with alcohol. And he says "are you ready" pulls back and BOOOOOM! No he didn't stick me--- the lights go out. I mean OUT--- Pitch black dark. Here I am bent over, cute guy with a needle behind me and can't see my hand in front of my face. It was funny---I got caught with my pants down.....so 20 minutes later I got the shot--and now I'm better.

Part two: Last night I was playing bingo with the girls (that sounds so old ladyish) and Marty decided to go to bed without me. As he was in between sleep land and awake he feels a tickle on his back. He instinctly jumps up and grabs something. He feels he has something in his hand and throws it against the wall. "click" he hears. He pulls the covers back and sees a balloon. "Those darn kids---leaving deflated balloons in my bed"....but just to make sure he picks up MY pillow and finds a 3-4 inch gecko having spasms. He threw him so hard it knocked his brain loose. So as he is throwing the poor think that just wanted to snuggle out the front door, I walk in the back door....he explains it all. Then this morning as he's telling the animated story to the munckins we look out to see if he made it. Well, the trauma put him out if his misery. Poor thing, sleeping with a 200 pound giant, then getting slammed against the wall, suffocated by a pillow and then thrown out with no medical care. All he wanted was a snuggle!

So check your sheets tonight!!!! And don't get caught with your pants down!

Whirl Wind Weekend and Birthday Girl~

We headed to T Town, the big Tulsa for my cousin Jacqueline's wedding. We went up early to get the most out of our hotel experience! Plus I was to help my mom with the flowers and wanted to spend time with my family.

We had a birthday party for Abby in the hotel restaurant. We called all the family and invited them--not realizing the breakfast buffet was $16 a person! WHOA!. We made sure we told our guests it was a 'dutch party' However, my generous father picked up the tab anyway. We didn't have a birthday cake, but did have birthday pancake. Rhea insists she can't be two yet because we didn't have a birthday cake. We put the candles in a hardboiled egg. Abby liked it!

The wedding was precious and the reception spectacular. Rhea and Isaac have some moves...must be from my side of the family! About 10 pm, Isaac was begging to back to the hotel and sleep. I couldn't get Rhea off the dance floor! \
They also had a "kid table" at the reception full of candy, coloring books, glowy jewelry. It was fun for them!

We are truly blessed with such a beautiful sweet family! But this little trip made me realize, I probably don't need anymore. It's hard to sleep in the same room with 3 kids--especially when 3 out of 3 snore! Plus the simple knowledge that there is an indoor pool just 3 floors below made them excited and anxious the entire time. We swam a total of 4 different times in a 2 day span.

All in all, we bonded! As an immediate family and extended family. My kids couldn't go anywhere without Mamasita and Grandpa, and my Grandy, Papa, Aunt Donna and Uncle Terry were such blessings to be around. I praise God for a family who fears the Lord!
The best part was dancing with my husband! The last time we danced was at our own wedding! I love to dance...

Where Have I been!

HI! Wow, talk about busy-ness! I miss my favorite pastimes of blog searching and posting intimate things about my sweet precious family. Yesterday was my last day of school---and I have lots to post. SO be ready! First of all.....I've started yet another business. But this one I LOVE! Thirty One has become my way to actually contribute financially to my family. And it's a Christian based company--based on Proverbs 31!

I spoke at my Grandy's Mother's Day banquet. There were 80 plus women there and it was a blast. Rhea also sang! SOOOOO CUTE. I don't have that particular one, but here she is singing the gospel! Rhea Singing

Also, we've been working on a little fund raiser. Isaac and I are heading to Ukraine for 2 weeks in June! We've had lemonade stands and garage sales. He is so excited to fly over the ocean and "make a friend that doesn't speak his language" Be praying for us---we leave June 11. BTW--every proceed made from my thirty one goes to the trip. You can order online---and there is some CUTE personalized stuff!

We are heading to a big family wedding this weekend and Abby will be two. So I'll blog her sweet party too! So that's where I've been! Exhausted.

MONEY RAISIN'

Ok friends, family, and blog servers... This is not very deep, but needed. I have an opportunity to go to Ukraine this summer with Isaac my 6 yr. old! I cannot wait to see where my sister lives, where and to whom she ministers. I will get to help her with their new home, work with the orphans she loves on, and maybe even encourage some women in her church while we are there! Here is the deal...it's gonna cost a lot! SO---do any of you have ideas on getting money fast??

If you want to help and want to shop at the same time, you can go to my website: www.mythirtyone.com/heidi31 and go shopping....the money I make from those sales will go directly to my trip! I'm hoping to pay it all off and not charge any!

So if you have creative ideas, let me know! I'm already having garage sale :)--- want any junk!

I can't wait to post the pictures of our trip. Isaac cannot wait to make a friend who doesn't speak his language, and to ride on a plane. I'm delighted to shared this experience with him! Thanks for listening!

A Few of My Favorite Things

I've been pondering this entry for a while. It was easy to pick my kid's favorite things, but for myself, it was a little challenging. So I'll start with the easy ones. My 6-yr. old Isaac has few favs. Right now he is ADDICTED too Under Armor shirts. What is that? You ask? Well it's kinda like spandex but softer and WAY more expensive. Of course, thanks to WalMart we buy the knock-off brand, which suits him. He has a White, Red, and Blue one and wears one every single day---night AND day. Under his t-shirts, uniform, and as a night shirt. He cracks me up. His other favorite is playing his DS in my robe! It's very soft and comfy so he snuggles up and plays "surf's up"--for hours at a time if I let him! Oh to be 6 again!

My 4-yr Old Rhea's clothing favorite is her skirts. It is a battle field to get her to wear anything but a skirt....long, short, ugly, if it's a skirt she'll wear it. Even to play in the snow ;) BUT her absolute, hands down favorite is her sit-n-spin! The best $2 we have ever spent (at a garage sale). She'll get the mp3 player and sit and spin singing her praise songs all day! No lie...ask my sister. They were getting worried she might be losing brain cells! She loves it!! Cracks me up!

And my baby---almost 2-yr old, Abby. Her favorite is eating breakfast. She wakes up early just so she can eat. 6:30 you hear, "Moma, I hundry" We usually start with a banana, then move to pancakes...in which she lives for "kankakes" The sad thing is that is really the only meal she eats...she'll snack a little but that's it! No hearty meats, veggies or even mac-n-cheese! You scramble eggs though, she'll fight ya! And of course she loves to be kissed and tickled! It's a 2 yr old thing!

As for me--there are many on the list. I love warm sun while I'm by the pool. I love a good book I can't put down. I love it when the laundry is done and put away. I love a clean house. I love a good praise and worship time. But Honestly think my FAVORITE things lately are the little things I take for granted. Sunday mornings are crazy at our house. We are invovled in a ton of ministries so getting to church early is manditory. So I don't get time to eat...but at church they serve donuts! One of my favorite things is fresh donuts dipped into my coffee which is in a strofoam cup! Another favorite is when Marty comes home early and starts making dinner, or when Isaac runs to me after school and hugs me, or when Rhea wants to pray for someone. The little things in life are my favorite! And the other favorite thing is blog serving...I like getting away and reconnecting to other's lives!

Lastly, if you'd ask Marty---probably would be a snuggle by the fire, a good cup of coffee AFTER sleeping in--and ultimately spending QUALITY ALONE time with me :) DUH!

So what are a few of YOUR favorite things??? :)