For some reason living in Poland can be so dang tough! I mean just the day-to-day stuff that we spoiled Americans take for granted. Take getting to church for example. Today Ben, who is the second counselor in the district presidency, had to go to Lublin on assignment (where he goes once a month). I could go with him, but I already have twice and it's over a two hour drive and you have to drag the kids there and church in a teeny-tiny apartment with nowhere for Caroline to crawl except all over the dirty floor. So, Ben took Em and I opted to attend the local branch here, where I teach primary. So, I got up at 7:30, got Em dressed, hair done, lunch and books packed, and she was on her way with daddy. Then I showered, got Caroline fed, dressed, hair done, ready for church. Then I gathered up all my stuff for the primary lesson.
So, since Ben took our only car, it was up to me to take the metro. Leaving 5 minutes before church started didn't QUITE give me enough time. I pushed the stroller down to the bus stop (in my high heels, mind you). Got on the bus, got off the bus, walked to the metro, took the elevator down to the metro, rode the metro, got off the metro, and took the elevator back up to the street. Come to find out I'm on the wrong side of the street, and you can't cross the busy thing because of a barrier down the median, so you have to cross from underneath where I just came from. So, I went back under, but came to find there's no elevator on that side of the street. I had no choice but to carry the stroller up the three sets of stairs (in my high heels, mind you). I got up two sets (thanks to P-90x) and then a guy came running down and carried the stroller the rest of the way. Phew! Then, God is so mean, I had to pass by the sweetest smelling bakery where I can see people through the windows sitting enjoying their drinks and yummy pastries. It was all I could do to just keep walking. So, I arrive at the church, carry the stroller up another dang set of stairs, and plop down in my seat at 11:00, just as Sacrament Meeting was ending. Lovely.
Next is primary. Primary is always interesting because you don't know who you're going to get. Every week it's a different mix of kids. You see some kids just one a month, some twice a month, but none every week. Today it was a four and five year old who I've never taught before. And the primary president tells me she's going home because she's sick. Oh, and we can't get into the nursery because one of the toddlers who is a complete spaz jammed the door last week. So, all the younger kids (there's three of them there today) have no toys to play with and have to hang out in the older kids' room. I have to take the four year old and five year old to another room and try to teach a lesson on the Holy Ghost. Have you ever tried to teach a four year old what the Holy Ghost is? I was having a hard time. Might have had to do with the fact that I don't speak Polish. My sweet Polish friend who usually translates for me was gone today of course. So, the sweet elders did their best to translate, but it was pretty scary. I mean it in the kindest way because they were trying their darndest, but I really don't know how much got through to these little kiddos. And of course, while I'm ironically trying to rely on the Holy Ghost to convey the message about the Holy Ghost to these clueless kids, Caroline is sitting at my feet smashing crackers into the carpet and stinking up the room with her messy diaper. I'm sure it added to the spirit of the lesson.
Luckily I was smart enough to ask the dear senior missionaries for a ride home. We jammed myself, the stroller and the car seat, and another passenger in the back of their itty-bitty European car, but it was a fun ride home and fun to talk to Ellie and the Richards (from England and Las Vegas respectively). I know I could have called the Richards this morning for a ride to church, or the mission president and his wife, but I feel funny doing it, like an entitled American. Most of the members here take public transportation to church, they don't have cars. But, it's their way of life, and yes, several families with small children do it too. Single moms too. So, why should I be treated any differently?
It was definitely one of those days when you question, is this really worth it? If I hadn't had to teach the primary lesson I would have totally stayed home in my pjs, but I guess that's what callings are for... to give us responsibility and a reason to show up on those really hard days. AT least I got to come home, kick up my feet, and watch that cool clip of the guy jammin' to Mozart (see below). Did you listen to it? That's good stuff. My love for classical music has been rekindled here.
Ben was put in charge of the girls for exactly 1.5 hours while I toured the castle with mom and mary, and this is how I found poor Emily... strapped to a harness and bungie cord ready for lift off. Her facial expression reveals just how good of an idea she thought this was. 
Another moment when Ben was in charge of the girls. He found a decapitated head sculpture on the town square and thought it was the coolest thing he ever encountered.
Aren't they beautiful? This is my mother and my younger sister Mary. I was so happy that they came to visit me! Mary is a student at BYU and is a super nerdy science major. She's majoring in molecular biology and was a TA for Chemistry 105 and 106. My chemistry career never went past high school... I vowed I would never take it again! So, she's a heck of a lot smarter than me! During their stay, Mary was waiting for her mission call to arrive. She had it all arranged for Bonnie to check the mail every day and then skype us when she got it.... so you have to keep reading to find out where she is going....
Old Town. Isn't it beautiful? I've been to a few other Polish cities but I think Warsaw has the prettiest town center.
Mmmmmm.... Tasty!
One of my favorite pics!
This is at beautiful Ujazdowskie Park.
I love this park... it is right across from the US embassy. If you remember, I took some beautiful fall pictures last October and now it is in its spring splendor!
Wilanow Palace
They were here for Emily's 3rd b-day. Funny that Mary was here for her 2nd b-day as well in Virginia. Em loves practicing her writing.
A Saturday morning out in front of our local market. Note the dandelions which are giving me terrific allergy problems.
And this is us at church with one of the members Slawek. We met him last fall and found out we have a very special connection. About 20 years ago he left Poland as a political refugee and moved to Southern California. There he met the missionaries and was baptized. He attended a a single's ward where it just so happened that my grandpa was the bishop and my great-uncle was the stake president. Slawek was 29 when he converted and really wanted to go on a mission, but the cut off age is 26. So, my grandpa asked the stake president (my uncle) and he contacted church hq where he was unequivocally told 'no.' But, when he explained that Slawek spoke fluent Russian and Polish they told him they'd "pray about it" and get back to him. A few days later they called back to give Slawek permission to submit his papers and he was called to serve in Poland! He was the first Polish missionary to serve here. How cool is that? Slawek has very fond memories of my grandparents and my uncle and his family. It's so awesome to see how far reaching their influence has been!
April 29, 2008 was one of the happiest days of my life. My sister and mother-in-law were there for the birth; Ben was in Afghanistan but was able to webcam during the labor and delivery. When she was born my sister exclaimed, "She looks just like Snow White!" Dark hair, beautiful light skin, and ruby red lips. I was immediately smitten.
April 29, 2009 Clarksville, TN
April 29, 2010 Alexandria, VA
April 29, 2011 Warsaw, Poland
