POLAND 365 :: WEEK 1

Three years ago, we enjoyed documenting each day in pictures on our blog - you can check it out by clicking on the 365 label link on the right hand side or click here where week 1 began in pictures for 2013. Ironically enough, that was the year that we began the journey to move to Poland. So we thought it would be fun to have 365 pictures in Poland. We will attempt to "show you around" Poland, what we do day to day, Polish culture that we are experiencing and everything else in between! Under each picture, you will see descriptions. We are not photographers by any means (and sometimes we use our phones for the daily picture) but it will be fun no less! Enjoy getting to know some more about Poland through our "foreigner" eyes.

January 1 - I walked past the girls' bedroom to find our oldest perched in the
window seal saying "isn't it amazing what God has made?" I walked over to
where she was looking out her window and agreed that, indeed, God is amazing
in all He has made. It's rare for me to see a sunrise as I am not an early bird...
but because the days are shorter here right now, I actually see the sun rise
(usually around 8:00 in the morning) and this particular day was extra beautiful
seeing that we also got the first snow of the winter. Great way to start the New Year!

January 2-We've had the privilege of meeting several new Polish friends since
we first arrive in Poland. This particular evening some of these new friends invited
us to go meet more of their family in a nearby village and also walk around a
fun light display. We really enjoyed spending them with them and their family.
The viewing the light display was not as "fun" as it was -10 Celsius and we
were all very cold!  

January 3-Steve has the opportunity to preach on several occasions
at the international church here in Poznan. Click link to check out
more about the international church. They meet at a local hotel and
sometimes the conference room where we gather is booked for some
type of other event, and so we get relocated to the pub downstairs. It
certainly does teach us about flexibility and to have a sense of humor,
I mean check out the disco ball even!

January 4-Our son is at the age where he is obsessed with super heroes and
has a couple shirts that he refuses to take off (usually for several days at a time).  He
has even nicknamed each family member with their respective super hero names.
I am happy to report that I am Wonder Woman, after all it is a fitting title ;)
Steve is always happy to play along and help "Batman" fly around the house
on many occasions! I also intentionally did NOT crop this photo so you see the crazy
that is our home most days: messy countertops, cupboard doors falling off, dish-
washer half emptied...it's life for us right now and we LOVE it! 

January 5-One thing I love about Polish culture is that when you go to someone's
house for dinner, you always bring a gift. It can be many different things, usually
a drink, flowers, dessert, candy, etc. We had some dinner guests this night and
even though they aren't Polish they still brought gifts (for us and the kids). I was
happy to have another plant to brighten up the kitchen and the kids were thrilled
to have a new movie in Polish...maybe it'll help their language learning!

January 6-the snow began on the first and keeps on coming and the kids are
very pleased about that. I think this is the first time Steve has shoveled and I
happily watch from the kitchen window!

January 7-We have had a few days off during the
holidays here, and the kids have been out of school for a few
weeks now. After Christmas, in Poland, not only do they celebrate
New Years, but they also celebrate Three kings day, so kids started
back to school after that holiday. I'm still learning about all these holidays
that they celebrate here and when it came to Three Kings day, I didn't
hear too many people talk about the significance here other than saying that it's
a "religious holiday"and so every thing is closed for it. See, whenever it's a
holiday here, all stores are generally closed (except we found out that McDonalds
is open, haha!) So being off and having just snowed, our kids want to spend a
lot of time outside playing in it! Since we moved here from Florida and
they haven't spent much time in the snow (and Olivia none at all)
they are enjoying this new weather change. Olivia still calls it bubbles
(oh my Florida Disney child!) and it's the cutest thing.
We found these sleds for really cheap at the local "Walmart type" store
and they had a blast when daddy pulled them around. I jumped outside
only long enough to take this picture before heading back inside to my
warm cup of afternoon coffee!

 We are glad you stopped by to check out our blog, come again soon!