Steve and Jenny Valentine

January 22-On this particular day, I found Olivia "carrying" around her grandparents! We have small pictures printed of their grandparents and she just found them on the shelf and was staring at them. It was so sweet, and she can identify them all without hesitation. Thank you FaceTime for allowing our kids to still see their grandparents regularly! Then later that day I found the kids fighting over who's grammy was who's, and who's papa and grandma and grandpa belonged to. They carry these around, in the car, around the house, hiding them from each other. We even had an exciting game of hide and go seek with papa this evening before we finally found him under the couch and then they all proceeded to sit on the couch and just stare at them for a while. Of course, Olivia saw me take the camera out and decided to cheese it up! Have I won you grandparents over to hurry and buy plane tickets to come visit yet?! They love and miss you all tons, as do we ...

January 15-We were given several cash Christmas gifts and chose to put it all together and use it for buying a T.V. The children were thrilled to say the least! It was fun to have our Friday night movie night on a bigger screen rather than the computer screen. And Netflix came to Poland, which is exciting for nights when we want to chill, but maybe a little distraction when we need to be studying ;) The fun thing is that we do have access to Polish television because of how our internet service works here and it's good to hear the language more and more for me since I'm not out and about as much as Steve. January 16-Eggs, milk and creamer...all found on the aisles in the grocery stores here rather than in the cooler section. This was very different from what we were used to back in the States, but these are the little things that are fun to learn and figure out as we walk through each day of life here. January 17-We have been going full steam ahead learning ...

January 10 - On several days, I (Jenny) have the opportunity to meet with other ladies I have met through Poznan International Church (PIC) and their children. It's fun for Olivia to have some special play dates and we got to hang our with her new friend from Finland on this "winter wonderland" of a day! January 11 - A family tradition we started was "movie night" a while back and after this exciting game of yahtzee the other night, we may be establishing a regular game night in our home as well. Isaac even rolled a yahtzee-plays like his mama if youask me ;) Also, when we get to see this smile on him lately, we are very excited! January 10 - Steve preached again this past week at PIC and one thing they do during the services here is a children's time where the pastor leads a children's devotion. It's always fun to see how excited kids get when they hear and talk about Jesus. Also, notice the worship team behind them, we have people lea...

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 ...

After I took this picture and saw it on the computer, I was reminded that sometimes I want too much. Many times, it's things that don't really even matter. When I took this picture, I just wanted one where all three kids are smiling, but we all know that can be a tall order. However, as you see, success...all it took was Steve doing a silly dance and there you have it! So you may be wondering what the problem is then, why did I find myself wanting "too much" when I looked at this picture later on. If you look closer, you will notice that we don't have a tree skirt (as evidenced by all the wires sticking everywhere) and barely any ornaments on our tree (maybe soon we will have our things from the States). Then I glance at their sweet faces and think, we have three of the cutest little humans alive, what is wrong with me to think about tree skirts and ornaments!? I get frustrated with myself for swinging from one side to the next of want vs. contentment. I can ...

Before moving to Poland, we were told (and briefly experienced on our first visit here a couple years ago) that many people here do not have the same demeanor as many Americans. What I mean by that, is people are not necessarily going to smile or wave when you pass by on the sidewalk or chat with you while you wait in the check out line in the grocery store. This can be taken as someone being rude (through an American perspective) but it's not, it's a cultural difference. However, we have figured out, that people here will in fact, smile at you on the tram and begin chatting with you randomly only because of one thing. Our children. Yes, we attract a lot of attention out and about with our three children (all still very little and obviously close in age) and it draws stares, many, many stares. On several occasions, it lures people to talk to them (and us) which in turn provides mutual smiles. And don't you worry if we are on a tram and the kids are sitting down while we sta...

It has been quite the effort to process all the thoughts, feelings and changes that have taken place over the past month for me and our family moving across the world. Many of you back in the states have asked how we are doing, how we are feeling. Our responses have usually been pretty brief as it is hard for us to understand the full scope of how we are doing, let alone be able to relate that to you. We are grateful for the concern and thankful that God has placed people in our lives who care so deeply for us, so much so that to ask about how we are doing, to pray for us and encourage us consistently. Thank you. This means a lot to us. It has not always been easy, in fact quite the opposite. It has not always been filled with joy, but many tears. The truth is...I feel weak. This would be the best way to describe how I feel. We laugh (sometimes) that it often takes both Steve and I to accomplish one task here that would have only taken one of us to do in the States. This wears us ...