Biggest Easter Celebration Ever!

Easter This Year was quite the "To Do". I'm not sure how it happened but our little home group started rolling with some ideas and the next thing you know we had ourselves a fantastic party for 35 or so. Here's some details for our friends that are itching for some more information from the silent Spanish expat.

First, a tiny bit of backstory. We have the pleasure of hosting a family home group for our church. Each week on Friday five families with children get together at our home to have some fellowship, enjoy a cooperative meal (the ladies take turns in teams of two), and learn from the Bible. The kids are cared for by a couple of fantastic volunteer sitters downstairs in our spacious playroom. There are 10 kids in our group and 10 adults from all around the world (Venezuela, UK, Romania, Spain and of course, US). It's this group plus 3 more families that got together for the Easter celebration. I am blessed beyond belief to have all these friends quite litterally fallen into my lap. Someone mentioned wanting to join / start a home group, we said, hey we'd love to host and that's how it happened. We've been meeting together for a couple of months now and I feel like we've finally got our footing being surround with a little family of believers.

Now, I'm sure it was the combination of some ladies itching for a creative outlet, the fact that I didn't get to 'do it up' for any other major holidays this year (since our belongings arrived after Christmas), and the lack of any Easter festivities here that resulted in this big party. At first, I was thinking 'What did I get myself into'?  But now that it's all done I realize that if there is any holiday worth really celebrating, it's this one! My savior has risen and that's a lot to get excited about.

What with entertaining 15 kids and feeding as twice as many people we had a lot going on, so the few pics I didn't snap (when I wasn't desperately searching for my camera) will have to do.

The kids warming up with a few games in our garage exercise room. 

Good thing being silly works in every language. I don't even know how many languages we had going, but those kids were troopers and played right along. We had some guests from Africa whose kids didn't speak English or Spanish... but they had fun anyway. 

The men breaking in Josh's new european grill - birthday prize. 

Resurrection eggs, we told the Easter story with the help of these fun toys. K'Lynn, mother of five was our amazing story teller. 

        

Each child colored six eggs and got to take them home to eat later. I like the jewel tones that brown eggs produce even better than the pastel ones we are used to. 

This was the first time many of our guests, adults and children had experienced egg coloring. 

Huge mason jars, lots of apple cider vinegar, hot water and 3 ampules of food coloring is what it took to get that rich color quick - we only had 15 minutes to work with each group as they went through the stations. 

We practiced the night before, so little bit was all ready to go and was an egg coloring expert! 

Part of our celebration involved showing off American Easter customs, the other learning about traditional  Catalan food. We enjoyed our first calçotada -a gastronomical event in which the calçots (a speciic variety of onions) are grilled and served with romesco sauce. Here you can see our new native Catalan friend preparing "el pa de tomàquet". - grilled bread, rubbed with whole raw garlic cloves, then rubbed tomato, then drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with a bit of salt - delicious. 

My dear friend Kathi spooning out the most delicious sauce to accompany the calçots. 

Apparently when you eat these in restaurants they give you a huge bib to go with it. It's a mess, but a fun and tasty experience. 

Sergio and Joana, our friends from Romania who were the masterminds behind the calçotada event. 

The kids enjoyed egg salad sands, some fresh veggies and rice crispy treats complete with uber expensive imported marshmallows! 

Little precious ones exploring one another. 

We rounded out the crafts and games with a huge egg hunt. Thanks to my husband stuffing his suitcase full of plastic eggs and American candy, a bit of creativity and some begged eggs we were able to hid 25 eggs for each child in their own special unique color. This was great because we could fill them age / gender appropriately, and because each child got the same amount. Not so great when we had a couple of older girls who wouldn't give up on finding the last egg. The Daddy's hid them too well. 

Not sure if these pics do our work justice. Can you see those cute baskets? Well, they don't sell Easter baskets in Spain! The girls and I got together and in an afternoon were able to turn 11 shoeboxes into cute personalized, sturdy easter baskets that hold a lot of eggs. We used whatever craft supplies we could find around the house since um, their ain't no Michaels down the street. I'm sure there is a craft store somewhere, but I've never heard of it or seen it. 

Counting up to make sure there are 25! 

The little one sit down in the sun to inspect their treasures. 

The bigger kids begin their hunt, this one lasted much longer. 

Kathi and I enjoying the fruits of our labor, smiling kids! 

The striped shirt gang, these boys stuck together the whole day. 

Annika made a new friend that speaks only Spanish and a tiny bit of English. She is excited to have her over for a playdate soon. 

New friends, chatting while their kids are happily engaged. 

After all the excitement the kids relaxed with a couple of Easter DVDs on the couch. I love how they are all piled up on one another and so at ease together.

Josh remembering how small ours used to be. He is holding Samuel, one of my personal favs in our group! 

One of the best things about having the keyboard/ piano in our home is the spontaneous worship that happens when Nes and Nick are here for group. Nick sits down to the piano and pretty soon a little group forms, complete with parents dancing with wee ones in arms, Annika practicing her best voice and me singing out of tune. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord! 

I hope your Easter Celebrations were glorious as well. Much Love, Nicole

So it's been a While....

I'm getting a lot of flack lately for not posting in such a long long time. What it's been four months already? Jeesh, what have I been doing anyway?

You mean besides my regular mama jobs (planning, shopping, cooking, cleaning, caring, driving, reading stories, home working, listening, explaining, disciplining, hugging, comforting, kissing...)?

I've been figuring out life abroad, exploring, decorating, learning Spanish, hosting, excercising, and lastly but most importantly feeling uber guilty for not staying in touch with my stateside friends and family. Truth be told, it's exhausting acclimating to an entirely new life abroad and by the time my precious three have been securely tucked and re tucked into their beds my free time feels a lot more like my flop time. I've had little energy left to put into relationships and I've been feeling like a jerk for it.

How do you balance all those relationships you cherish from 'home' and making a new life for yourself in your new home? I'm still grappling with that here. So really a thanks to those who have said, 'hey why aren't you posting?" I need the accountability. If you like reading, you know what else would really help me stay current? Just comment every now and then if it strikes your fancy or with questions. If you don't comment I don't know if I have an audience or not.

So heres a shout out that I'm back on the blog'n wagon. Of course it's gonna take little time to catch up.

Some Things Are Easier Here - On Healthcare

Our little caboose has been struggling with a terrible cough for some time. As per usual, we tried to ride it out hoping that his God-given, healthy body would fight off the bugs. But, after 2.5 weeks of coughing all night, I gave in and stated that we were heading to the doctor - today - no excuses! Problem is, even though we have Spanish health insurance I have no idea how to use it. After a few hours on the Internet and phone, it was revealed to me that no doctor could fit him in because it was, yet another, National Holiday. So on the advice of a friend we headed to the 24-hour 'Urgencias'. Somehow I was thinking we were going to an urgent care clinic, not an ER, so when our GPS took us to the emergency room I nearly turned the car around. But that poor little boy was coughing and choking so in the back seat, so I pushed down the urge to avoid a sticky language situation and we herded the family in.

Side note: In Spain you have to pay for parking at medical facilities, even hospitals -- but luggage carts at the airport are free. In the US you pay for luggage carts but parking at most healthcare facilities (I've been to) is free. Not wrong, just different. Somehow though, I begrudged having to pay for parking when I had a sick three year old in tow. I think I'd rather pay for the luggage cart when I'm healthy.

Turns out, all the triage areas at the hospital are filled with coughing and feverish folks. No gun shot wounds, or broken bones to be found here. The place looked like a regular medical waiting room. The wait was a bit long due to the holiday but eventually we got a diagnosis - Bronchitis - and were on our way out (to pay for parking) and get prescriptions.

That first round of antibiotics wasn't potent enough to do the trick. Probably has something to do with the fact that two weeks ago I didn't realize a 'nevera' was Spanish for 'fridge'.  I admit I botched that round by leaving the antibiotics on the counter, and not in the fridge. Well, when you are busy mixing and shaking and translating kilos to lbs and calming a boy who hates medicine some things tend to slip your mind.

After 10 days, not much improvement, and the onset of a 2 a.m. ear ache, I woke with a renewed energy to tackle the "we need a doctor" situation. Thanks to a friend's recommendation I found one that accepted our insurance on the first try. They were so kind to put up with my 'muy malo español' for several minutes. But at one point I was told to wait and I knew they were trying to fetch someone whose English was better than my Spanish. I asked if they could get him in today and they offered, "Okay, can you come right now"? Of course I could!  After 20 minutes of the GPS taking us the most indirect route, we arrived at the location and found free street parking. Yes! Things were looking up.

The office building didn't have a number or the doctor's name on the door.  I was standing outside wondering if this was the right place when a kind mom suggested I go in, informing me it was the doctor's office. (How did she know?) We entered, it was small and very clean. Even better, the nice nurse-man I had talked to on the phone immediately knew it was me and ushered us straight back to the doctor. Apparently, I don't blend it so much. I had no appointment and there were others obviously waiting for their appointments in the waiting room, but we were swept right in.

We were taken back to an office/patient room where we were told to take a seat in front of desk of a pleasant, youngish women. She asked about our wee one's health history. She asked five questions (not five hundred) and took neat hand written notes on a half sheet of paper. It was only when she asked us to take him over to the table and began examining him that I realized this was the doctor. All the time I thought it was some assistant. Nice nurse-man remained with us the entirety of the visit comforting and genuinely trying to sooth my baby too.  The both practiced their rusty English with me and insisted it was their pleasure to do so. After the observations were completed we retreated back to her desk where she again neatly hand wrote the prescription for four different medications and the detailed instructions on how to administer them in English.

When I went to leave I asked if they needed my insurance card, realizing it was in Daddy's wallet after the previous hospital adventure. They said any kid's card would do. No copay. No showing of ID. No filling out those obnoxious multi-page forms. (You know the ones.)  I heartily thanked them (I could have kissed em) and headed around the couple of blocks up the street to the pharmacy.

I love these pharmacies! Here's why. It's simple and easy! You hand the piece of paper to the clerk who returns in an instant with all of the medications, puts them in a bag, I pay and leave. Grand total for all four medications -- € 22 ($30). No insurance needed - you don't need insurance for medications in Spain because it's already so cheap.  Then she handed me back my prescription. Guess we could go back for more ... ?

If you are a Mom or you've ever lived in the US you don't need me to belabor the differences between the US and Spanish ways of dealing with medical appointments and obtaining prescriptions. Let's just say I don't miss the long waits and piles of paper work.

Some Things Are Easier Here.

With the news that we only have to wait six more days for our possessions, the safe arrival of two big boxes bursting with Christmas presents from the Grands, and our new phones finally obtained from a  long wait in customs -- it feels too as if some things are getting easier. It's all Good news here in our 'casa' as we await the Celebration of the Best News ever, Christ's birth.

Merriest of Christmases to you and yours. You are well loved and missed from abroad.

Making Nice

Sometimes what you are looking for is not that hard to find. 

Admittedly, our landing in Spain has been a bit rocky. In fact, if I'm honest I'd say Spain and I just didn't like each other THAT much in the first months. She's slow, I'm efficient. She's complicated, I'm simple. She's multi-linguist, I'm a floundering Spanish student. She's cultural and mod, I'm a homemaker and secret wanna be homesteader. 

Yesterday marked tres meses en España. At last with our home stocked with basics and our routines established these last few weeks I've had enough breathing room to explore our neighborhood. 

Many of the other families from Benjamin Franklin International School live within walking distance of the school and the heart of Barcelona and English speakers. We live out of the city in a suburban, very Catalan area. We rely heavily on our car to get around a lot of the time. I've found myself envious of those able to be footloose and fancy free in the city. However, taking the time to check out what is just around the corner from our house has afforded me the perspective to realize we've got it pretty good out here in the 'country' too. While I still can't wait to check out the Picasso museum and tour the Cathedrals my heart is full and thankful for what is just around the corner. 

These pics are a collection from a few explorations last week. What I lack in photographic quality I make up for in quantity... or something like that. 

Big kids, posing for me. They were such troopers and didn't complain (much) about all the walking.

It's a shame this house on the left is abandoned. It could be so amazing.

Pretty, unique architecture greets us at every turn.

Spanish tend to enjoy their privacy, so getting a glimpse of a traditional style house is not always possible.

Wish these flood lights weren't blocking the view. This is a beautiful, dilapidated church 5 minutes from our house.

Pure energy.

A beautiful antique church stained glass window.

Beautiful wrought iron fences, picturesque stonework everywhere.

Peeking through the gate of a house being renovated. So pretty.

If old houses could talk, I wonder what this one would say. Why did they leave her behind? 

The kids love drawing with sticks in the sand at the parks.

I wish I could trade up my modern entry for this lovely gate.

This mountain peeking behind looks truly majestic on clear days.

Two old friends, leaning on on another.

Catching a glimpse of an abandoned building.

For this Oregon born girl, these houses make me stop in gasp! 

The weather here in late November is something like September in Seattle. Crisp. Highlight of the walk was collecting beautiful fall leaves and hearing my son thank Jesus aloud for them. 

Love the palm trees.

DH calls this one the watch tower. They have super high privacy fences but you can see the tower daunting above. Maybe that's where the guards stand ready with big guns? 

Closer to the mountain the houses start looking more rural. 

Still can't believe I live right next to these houses. 

Gorgeous path up to...

... the clock tower on this building.  Every day on my way home I see it and I've been dying to find out what it was. 

Turns out it's an old farm, that the owners had to let go and agreed to give to the city for farming. Later when the 'crisis' (recession) subsides they intend to renovate it for some community purpose. 

 

A lovely little vineyard. 

And huge garden.

Authentically rustic, complete with obsolete farm equipment and old window panes leaning beside the building. 

Major cactus bushes decorate the back of the buildings. 

The path returning. 

A little further up the opposite road I discovered a hiking path.

I admit the first time I came alone I was quite scared. There are wild boars (ugly ones) that live in these parts. I realized I didn't have any identification on me or a cell phone. Good thing I had my running shoes one because when I heard a rustle in the woods I was running! 

A vista on the way up. 

Although the way was steep it was a short ten minutes before my eyes were blessed with this sight. 

It's called La Salut (Chapel of Health),  I couldn't believe this was here the whole time and I never knew it! 

It is made up of some pre-Roman and tenth century pieces. It's undergone several name changes but it's existence as a parish is documented from the late 9th century. It now serves as a warm greeting at the top of the mountain for hikers, mountain bikers and picnickers. Apparently it's open on local holidays and events take place on the grounds.

The view of Barcelona while standing atop the benches outside the church. You can hear the faint hum of the city far away...

 Beautiful door, DH says the lock would be easy to pick, maybe we'll sneak in sometime. How can it be wrong to want to be in God's house and worship him?

Sweet window. 

Spanish sky. 

Now that I've seen a bit more of her natural side and not so much of the bureaucratic side Spain and I are getting along quite nicely. After all, I'm okay skipping the tourist sites and finding my own jewels.