Ukraine Election

On Sunday Kristen and I went with a friend to the polling station while she voted in the Ukrainian Presidential election. There was really no difference from voting back in the State's, except that they use paper ballots instead of electronic ballots. Because there were 18 candidate's on the ballot no one won a majority of the votes and so a runoff will be held between the top two on Feb. 7th. Viktor Yanukovich got 35% and Yulia Timoshenko got around 25%. Here's a good article about the election if you're interested.

In spite of all the disillusionment with this election it is encouraging that Ukraine, for the first time, held an election where all seemed to go smoothly and there weren't widespread reports of fraud. Hopefully Feb. 7th is the same.

Baby Stuff

So I've been thinking that now is the time for action. At 21/22 weeks I still have the ability to travel easily and comfortably, so I thought I should get out there and scout out all of the options for baby. Then I thought hmmm... maybe I should create some kind of master list of necessities before I just go out and look. So then I thought I should ask those who have gone before me what have been some of the things that have "saved you" in bringing up your own baby. What are some things you would suggest any first time mom have to make life a little easier? I've gotten some great feedback from my sisters and friends; boppy pillow, thermometer, humidifier, "booger sucker", finger nail clippers, receiving blankets. Do you have any suggestions? What made life easier for you after baby arrived?

Basket Weaving Extravaganza!

Our family and friends at Covenant Church in PA sent us a huge package for Christmas! A large part of the poundage of that package was basket weaving supplies! As I was singing for joy over such a treasure a couple of the ladies on our team asked if I could teach them how to make a basket. So the ladies on our team all got together one afternoon and had a basket weaving lesson.

Thank you Cindi Teti for the pattern for Pretzel Basket! There were 5 women and 2 girls who participated in the event. The 5 women tackled the Pretzel Basket and the 2 girls (Alison and Natalie Eide) made a Tea Bag Basket together. I was extremely impressed with outcome seeing as none of the ladies had ever made a basket before!

I marvel at the creativity that is inherent in each of us. It comes out so clearly in basket weaving (I'm sure in other things as well, but for now basket weaving is enough). 5 ladies were given the exact same supplies with the exact same instructions and 5 completely different baskets were created! One was square, from base to top, square, another square on the bottom and oval at the top, another square at the bottom and round at the top, another tightly woven bottom making the outcome much smaller, but still quite handy, and another made with a continuous weave (which made for it's own unique intricacies)!

I'm planning on posting pictures, but for some reason our blog has not been working to post pictures...
So if all else fails, I will post the pictures on Facebook.

Thank you to all who sent basket supplies! It was a wonderful day of fellowship and creativity. There is something very special about having a tangible thing to represent the love shown by others. Thank you!!!

With much love and gratitude,
Kristen