Packing

So, yesterday I promised I would comment about some of the items on the list to bring to New Guinea and while I fully intended to do that earlier today, things got crazy, and by "things" I mean my kids. I had a headache most of the day while my husband was gone to some meetings for our church. We have no phone and one vehicle, so I was stuck here with no way to contact him to bring me something for it. (and by "something" I mean Dr. Pepper b/c Tylenol wasn't enough, sometimes a little caffeine goes a long way) The girls both decided to be cranky today, so being on the computer for more than 5 seconds at a time was not an option. Then tonight Lu had her first soccer practice ever, and I almost died from the cuteness on the field. There is nothing cuter than 4 year olds playing soccer!! (pic above is proof!) I fully planned on coming straight home to blog and take care of some other stuff when our pastor's wife called me to go hang out with her, to which I eagerly (probably a little too eagerly) said, "YES" because I have been in the house for 2 days straight with no adult interaction other than JM who has been gone a lot. I am sure that my intense energy made her feel a little bombarded (who can name that movie reference??) and I know I talked way too much, so she will probably be too scared to call me again for a while. But, I had lots of fun and it was sweet of her to entertain me! Anyway, here I am now talking about that crazy list!

First of all, I wanted to comment on that picture I found of the mosquito net. Anyone else notice how nice that house is? Seriously, mosquito net dealer, is that who you think your market is? People with houses like that? Um no, this would be more appropriate.

Secondly, I would like to talk about the "clothing" on that list. She made no mention of the wonderful fashion of PNG for the ladies. Here is a picture of a the typical attire for women. It is called a "meri" blouse. My husband is very excited about seeing me in this everyday, I know. I also thought I would tell you here one of my favorite things we learned while in the training. One day, a teacher of ours who spent many years on the field of New Guinea was explaining cultural differences and told us very seriously that women going to PNG should NEVER wear tight pants or any pants for that matter that weren't accompanied by a long shirt that went past your "rear end". He then said, and I quote, "It is would be more appropriate for you ladies to go topless than to wear tight jeans." Needless to say this made me really excited about going there.

I would also like to mention that we will be gone for about 4 years at a time. For adults that is really not a big deal, but when you are packing for 3 very young children, it is a nightmare. I am going to have to buy clothes from sizes 5 to 9 for Lu, and then fill in the gaps for the younger girls where the hand-me-downs are winter clothes. That is going to be a fun experience...sorting through tubs of clothes picking out all winter stuff and trying to find summer stuff in those sizes. When are we leaving again. January 2012?? Wait, THIS COMING JANUARY??? I guess I better get started. If I am missing for a few days, please come look for me in the pile of baby girls' clothes in the middle of my floor.