Rachel Writes

We just love these edamame (immature soy beans). Boil for 10 minutes. A little salt. So tasty! And they're fun to pop too. Thanks, J, for letting us have the only container of them at the store yesterday. The first time I bought these myself I didn't know you were supposed to boil them. I ate them raw! My friend asked, "How were they?" "A little tough. Not like the time I ate them at your house," I replied. As the words were leaving my mouth, I thought, maybe I should have boiled them. "Did you boil them?" she asked. "Oh. No." I said. Silly me.

Everyday is a lesson in getting along with each other. The lesson for today is trying to see other people's needs and wants through the overwhelming needs and wants of our own. The kids both surprise and disappoint me at times. (I am using the word disappoint. Yes. I feel disappointed, but not in a crazy way. And I try not to send that message to the kids to give them undue guilt-- "you're disappointing me." No, it's just that feeling of "come on! why can't we all get along? It'd be nicer if you'd see another point of view.") For example, right at this very moment, Sojo cannot understand why I need  to type something instead of helping her make sugar cookies NOW IMMEDIATELY STAT! But just earlier in the day, she stopped her playing to help a crying Thaddeus feel much better. It's something we're all working on.

This is Whit enjoying his ham, egg, and cheese sandwich for breakfast. He eats for 30 minutes. Now, some mornings, slow breakfasts aren't so convenient. But on a Sunday, the slower the better. I enjoyed watching Whit eat his breakfast crumb by crumb because these moments combined two of my favorite things-- waking slowly and eating. That's really one of the best presents that I can think of-- a slow, uninterrupted breakfast. Now I get why "breakfast in bed" is really a present to moms.

An Ode to Soj You've been a helper since the time that you could walk. You don't mind that the work is big and you are little. Soj, you inspire me to an enthusiastic work style. Keep helping, even if Mommy gives you jobs that you'd rather not do. Keep helping, even if Mommy is grumpy and asks you to leave the kitchen. Yes, Sojo. Yes, you can help. Gardener Dishwasher Baby Holder

They can sing, but can they get along? :-) Sometimes.

US Embassy Manila (Photo Credit PLM WEbsite) Tad got his papers! We took a trip to Manila for an interview to prove that Tad is indeed an American boy. This is the only picture I took of Tad in Manila. Can't you tell? Really, he's in Manila.

*Please take your foot out of your juice. *My skirt is not a cave for the plastic animals. *Don't put marbles in the toaster.

Went to the beach for 2 days. Just back. Salty, sandy, and refreshed! Hurray.