Home sweet home!

I don't  want anyone to think we didn't make it home safely!!  Here we are in Houston chilling with our 4 hour layover!  Tired but not hungry or thirsty!!  By the time we made it home it had been a 28 hour travel day. I have to admit the long flight (10 hrs over the ocean) were better than any 4-5 hour flight I have been on. I recommend flying Lufthansa for any foreign travel. The meals were great and staff was very polite and professional, even with the drunk fighting Russians.  

I was so excited to see the younger boys that i told Grandma she didn't have to put them to bed. Of course they didnt make it until 11 pm and were all crashed on the couch. I picked Stock up and he opened his eyes, looked at me, cupped his hands around my cheeks and gave me a huge smile. Then fell right back to sleep!  It was precious and made my day!!  All Kase wanted were prizes. He told me he wasn't going to church until he got them. Trey was glad we were home!

Overall our trip was amazing!  Glad we took the time to go. Thankful to those who picked up the slack so we could have a stress-free vacation!!

The End.

Here's to a great vacation!!

We had to leave Kaunas early to return the rental car on time. By early I mean 8:00 am. I am learning that is extremely early for those we have had contact with. Kael was nipped by the ugly-mutt-dog at Alma and Rimondis'. Scared me and him. I wanted to beat the thing. We were fed Bellini (crepes) for breakfast. We have had Bellini for breakfast every morning. Matt refuses to eat any more!! Again, they were gracious hosts and we can't complain.
We got the car returned without incident and tried our hand at a bus ride. It has been cheaper for us to take a taxi most places because we all ride for the same price. Matt wanted to give us the experience. Not sure why we are having all the authentic experiences at the end of our trip!!! Back to back to back ones are an anxiety overload!! Anyway, the bus dropped us off at a mall while we waited for Denis (Denise) to come pick us up. Wireless was the first thing on my menu!! McWireless made me McCry! I got emails and pics from home! I can't make fun of Matt anymore. I. Must. Have. Internet. Especially half way around the world with only half my family!!!
We picked up a few things and Denis brought us to his house and cooked us taco's, doughnuts, and milkshakes! The best meal we have had all trip!!! Denis taught Kael how to make milkshakes with secret ingredients. I guess Kael and grandpa will have to exchange secrets when we get home!!!
We are hanging out listening to Matt and Denis play guitar. Denis has begged Matt to play and sing for him. Matt wrote a song when he got his dear john. It was a hit with Denis and he remembers every word and has taught himself how to play it! Great times:) It is raining and plenty of lightning around us. We are on the top floor of an apartment building. Great view of the church from here.

Our flight is early. Here's to our last night!!! Wish us luck!!
Boys: Only one more day!! I love you, can't wait to see you!!:)

Nemelenoumus (day of annoyance)

Today is when everything catches up! I am annoyed that we paid hard earned money on a hotel that had Wi-Fi. Just no signal?!!! This is where sleep deprivation, missing my kids, warm water, bad eating habits, worse sleeping habits, and large language barrier catch up with me. Deep breath.

We rented bikes in Palonga and rode along the street and onto the boardwalk. They didn't have a bike that would fit Kael so he ran next to us (it wasn't that far and we weren't that fast!) On the boardwalk they were fishing. Catching weird looking, tiny fish. They would barely get their line out and would reel it back in with one on. They had buckets of fish so I don't know if they sale them or take them home for food storage ;) I'm guessing not food storage!!!
We went down to the beach so the kids could play in the water. It was great! Just had to shield them from the topless sunbather. I think we were successful. However, we learned you can just hang out in your bra . . . no matter what age!! Grammy just dressed down! Granni-pannni's are hip too!! I fit right in in the Baltics :)
We drove down to Nida, a city on the peninsula. We took the ferry over and drove 25 miles down the peninsula on empty! There was one gas station on the whole island and they were redoing their tanks. Luckily we were able to get a few gallon! We had authentic lunch, checked out the beach and headed back to Kaunas.

We are staying with Alma and Rimondis tonight. I must apologize for making you all think they serve warm drinks here. Tonight I had tea. It was warm enough to make luke warm 32 degrees!! It was an authentic Lithuanian home (Alma's parents). We were overfed and enjoyed their company. It was interesting for the kids . . . and maybe me . . . to eat things we aren't comfortable with. Matt was able to share the Book of Mormon with them in their native language. I thought it was fitting that we were back in their country too! We visited briefly about the church and they remember the deal they made 17 years ago. Grateful for their hospitality!

Here is to another day closer to being home (and yes we had a toast at dinner)!! Here is to no internet three days in a row. Grrrrr. Miss having contact with my kids ;)

Dyventas Fortes

Today we spent at Dyventas Fortes (Ninth Fort). This fort was built in 1911 and was used by the Soviet Union in protecting the city. There were originally 8 forts built around the city. This was the last one built and the only one maintained. I was under the impression we were going here to learn about the Holocaust and the part the Fort played in it. I was confused throughout the tour because they barely mentioned it. The Fort itself is amazing. It is a jail in the front and then has a series of tunnels in the rear. (They did not allow us to take pics.) There were actually 64 Jews that escaped December 25, 1943. 10 of them remained at large, the last one dying 5 years ago (he was only 21 at the time and was one of the masterminds behind it all.) He has written a book that I want to read.
In 1941 the Nazi's took over and executed 50-80,000 Jews. (The reason for the unsure numbers: The Nazi's destroyed all evidence of what they had done there as soon as they could see they were not going to win the war. When the Soviets took power again they had the graves excavated and claim they found closer to 80,000 remains. The details are sickening and either number is disgusting. With the details they gave us on the tour I don't believe you could tell what was left of one person so I guess I question the larger number, although I know what Hitler was capable of.) There is so much history of the country here. Sorry if it seems like I am blabbing about things but it is stuff I want to remember so I can study if I get the chance.

We drove around looking for Matt's old apartment. We found the one Renaldas lived in when they baptized him. We could not find the one that Matt lived in. It was frustrating for him. He took us inside one of the buildings and made us ride the elevator with him. I was scared the whole time. He loved it!

We picked up our laundry on the way out of town. I was impressed! Neatly folded and smelled good too! We ate and then hit the road to Polanga. Polanga is a resort style town along the shores of the Baltic Sea. It is densely populated with trees and mosquitos!! Along the way we passed a lot of farm land and quite a few holsteins!! We tried to visit with farmers but no one was home. We talked with their neighbors and found out that they have automatic milkers and milk very few cows- 20 or so. Their milk is picked up every other day. The countryside is beautiful!! Beautiful!! Polanga is beautiful too! Matti and I ran down to get pictures of the sunset @ 10:00 pm. It is 11:00 now and I can still see the outline of the trees out my window. More from here tomorrow!

Front view of Ninth Fort

Standing in front of the burial site. 

"Here the remains of 50,000 people Russians, Jewish, Lithuanians, and others killed by the Nazi's are buried"

"There near this wall Nazi's shot and murdered people in 1943-1944"

Soviet memorial

Place near the fort where the Jews were killed. 

Ummm . . .

Welcome to Laisves Aleja! What a whirlwind day!!

I really don't know where to begin so I'm just going to start and I hope it makes sense.

Turns out I'm not the great International driver that I boasted about yesterday. Ran a red light and had a policia follow me! The lights are on the sidewalks. I am so focused on the narrow-am-i-running-someone-off-the-road streets that I forget to look. Trust me when I say there is no talking on your phone and driving here people. I am reassured by Matt and Renaldas that they won't send me a ticket!

First things first this morning. Time to do a little laundry. Matt was always able to drop his laundry off and have the laundromat attendants do it for him. Although it is not as cheap, he insisted this is what we do. I will be interested to see what shape it is in when we pick it up tomorrow. Not fond of someone else washing my undies!

In the parking lot of the laundromat is where we met Alma and Rimondis. They were so happy to see Matt. (They are a family that Matt spent a lot of time with here but were never able to really talk much religion with because the Book of Mormon was only in Russian). They live in Chicago now but are here to see family. Rimondis drives truck and actually surprised us about 3 years ago by showing up at our house.
So this is where things got a little different for me. I guess the culture here is to plant a big wet one right on the lips. Awkward!! Something to laugh about but now I know to at least pucker up!!
We went to lunch with them. It was great to catch up. They ordered Kael cake for his birthday. Then they tell us they have friends coming and I'm thinking, this is great! I'm asking about fabric shops and Alma says her friend can show us around and I'm thinking, this is great!! and then I am listening and finally understanding that these people are taking us around and Alma and Rimondis are abandoning us and I'm thinking, this isn't so great!! (They had a good reason, Alma's dad is in the hospital and they actually diagnosed him with a rare cancer this afternoon). Well, their friends don't exactly speak English so Matt got thrown right into hard core Lithuanian. Plus, we were at a fabric store, out of his element, words he didn't know! They take us other places shopping. A doughnut shop. The wife tries to talk to me and I want to say 'se habla espanol'. They take us shopping more. The husband is pretty good at English, or so he thinks. It is still hard not to pull out my best Spanglish. Matt's brain is about to explode from all the words he is remembering and trying to remember. The wife loves to talk and is jabbering 35 mph. My brain is going about that fast thinking how trusting we are to get in the car with these people!!! Finally we meet back up with Alma and Rimondis and I'm thinking WHEW!! we made it (this was about a 5 hour span of our lives). Then we all go to dinner and I sit with Kael and Matti and the friends husband (I really don't even know their names). He wants to have a conversation about the 'landscape' where we live. I don't think he understood a word I said and when I tried to ask him questions we had to interrupt Matt to translate! Chaotic! Memorable for sure!!

We hurried back to the room so we could freshen up and meet Renaldas for dinner (yes, today I have made up for any lack of food in the last two weeks!) We ate and then Renaldas took us on a tour of Old Town. I loved it! Cobblestone streets, churches and old buildings, the river, and Kaunas Castle. Beautiful at night!! A great, relaxing evening. Just what we needed :) The kids decided to run up and down a hill next to the castle. I realized this is the first time they have been able to run all week. Kael loves to run! It must have been killing him because he didn't even ask if he could do it he just took off!! It was a really steep hill and after his first lap Matti joined him. On the way back down they both crashed. Matti's arm is bothering her but I am hoping it will subside with a little rest.

It is 2:30 am. I really have to get some sleep!

Pics:
#1 Streets of Laisvas Aleja
#2 This is what the birthday boy wanted. A picture in the rock?! Easy to please!!
#3 Keeping our drinks safe!
#4 Dropping off our laundy. 12 kg
#5 In front of where we ate with Alma and Rimondis . . . lunch.
#6 Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday!
#7 A balloon clown and our new nameless friend!!
#8 The friends took us to Akropolis. A huge mall. Inside is this ice rink where we watched them play while we ate. These kids looked like they were 7-10 yrs old.
#9 Kaunas Castle
#10 Running!!!
#11 Telephonas!
#12 Church at the end of Laisvas Aleja.

Scareful

From 11:30 last night to 2:30 this morning I could have had another 3 page post!!! I tried to sleep and started remembering funnies that happened throughout our day. Then Matt and I talked . . . and laughed . . . and laughed some more while the kids slept. They woke up about 1:30 and we laughed . . . and laughed . . . and started Life of Pi. And that is all it took for the parents to fall asleep!! Starting a movie :) Kael watched the whole thing so he didn't go to bed until 4. Before you turn me in to social services though, just know what a blast we are having with our older kids!!! Yes, they are learning a few things here but it is Matt and I that are getting the better end of the deal. I hope it is an experience they will draw from for the rest of their lives. It is GREAT!!

On our way back to the hotel last night we decided we would walk instead of taking a taxsi. Kael was sideswiped by a man on a bike. As we stood on the corner waiting to cross the street, we were nearly hit by a van. Then as we were walking up to the door of the hotel Kael stepped on a light (one that is recessed into the pavement). It gave a little when he did so he turned around-half scared- and said "be scareful"!! Matt thinks it is genius! Look for it in the next addition of Webster's Dictionary!!

So we started the day at the EuroCar - renting a car. They would not accept Matt's temporary driving privileges so I had to put my name and record on the line. The were polite enough to take a large deposit so we smashed our luggage into our VW and off we went. Lena as Pilot and Matt as the Co-Captain. (History lesson: Matt drives everywhere . . . always. Not many exceptions. In April we found ourselves in the same predicament in Phoenix. DO NOT TRY TO RENT A CAR WITH AN EXPIRED LICENSE. Our plan was for me to drive out of the rental terminal and then let him take the wheel. Instead, a miracle happened. We found that there are no arguments if I drive. He gets to do what he loves, give directions and act like he knows where he is all the time, and I don't have to sit in the passenger seat in the fetal position. Second guessing the stupid GPS unit- that may or may not be a few hundred feet off at all times. Yelling. Crying. Praying. (Don't act like this has never happened to you!!) However, after being here, I know where he may have learned some of his driving habits!)) Okay, lesson over. We made it to the TV Tower which symbolizes the freedom of this country and Government in a lot of ways. If you have a chance to watch "The Other Dream Team", it tells the story better than I can. This heroic gesture of the Lithuanians happened in 1991. It is a great view from the top and Matt was able to point out his first apartment from here and the forest where they held an Easter egg hunt for the members and their families.

After lunch we met up with two other past-missionaries and their wives and some of the members. They took us to Trakai, a castle built in the 1400's. It sits on an island in the middle of a lake. We took a boat ride around it and had a great time visiting. I taught Arturas, 6, how to do high five-bones-beat ya. All he could was giggle. He is so stinking cute! His dad or Matt would have to translate every time I tried to talk to him and all he could do was smile! He kept us all laughing with his old-man impersonation!!

We made our way back to town in the rain. Matt ran the windshield wipers while I tried to maneuver round abouts and traffic - it's a team effort!! We had dinner with all of them and then headed to Kaunas. Matt is really looking forward to our time here. Sounds like we have a lot to see and learn, I can't wait :)

Thinking of all my loved ones who have passed on this Memorial Day! Missing you all. Thanks for your sacrifices, loyalty, service, and example. I love you.

I hope you all had a great day and were able to honor your loved ones in some way. It's another late night . . . in fact . . . Happy #10 Kael!! You are one lucky boy!! We love you :)

Stand Ye In Holy Places

Listened to a little Ace of Base on the way to church today. Not exactly "Sounds for Sunday" (my fellow Cache Vallians!) However, I am impressed the taxsi drivers listen to American music! It was a great start to another awesome day!!

Church didn't start until 2:00 so we enjoyed breakfast and a low-key Sunday morning. Again, we had a translator so we were able to understand most of what was said. A senior couple new to the mission spoke today along with an elderly lady (she reminded me of Ellen Clark!). She shared her testimony of prayer with us. She admitted that she read the Book of Mormon twice and was not impressed. How many of us would have kept going? She believed she was doing what she was suppose to be but she didn't understand what the big deal was about the book until she fervently prayed and then read! The senior couple left a newly returned missionary and a business they built to answer the call to serve. They had been asked a few times over the past year and just kept saying no. Their youngest returned from his mission 3 weeks before they left!! I asked her how that transition went and she said they had one normal day with him. One. And the cupboards were bare (she said laughing!!). They are making a huge sacrifice (been here 4 weeks) and are a great asset to the members here. They are in charge of the seminary, institute, and young singe adults.

On Friday we met most of the missionaries serving here. Elder Marshall is from Smithfield so we had an immediate connection. He is a great missionary and I can't wait to meet his mom when I get home!! He translated Sunday school for us today. What a hard job! I can't imagine learning another language, not to mention, thinking in one-speaking in another so quickly! So here is what I learned from Sunday School . . . water cannot run under a rock. I love the way they can speak so simply but so profound.
Matti and Kael went to Primary together during Sunday School and the missionaries translated for them. Then Kael went to Primary by himself. One of the sisters was amazed by how well mannered he was and asked how I taught them that. Good Job Kael for making your momma look good for a few minutes :) He said they spoke English during that part of Primary and had a Lithuanian translator. The Primary President and her husband are there working for the Embassy. Her husband is from Inkom!
Now for my favorite part!! Matti and I went to Young Women's. Since I am working on my Personal Progress with my girls I decided for one of my projects I would make some PP journal covers to give to the girls here. The president asked me to take a few minutes at the beginning to talk to the girls about what we do different in Young Womens in America. Guess what? We do nothing different!! I shared the covers with the girls and then bore my testimony. What a great experience for Matti and I. The president is also the Branch YW President and works at the MTC in Spain. She is a busy girl but knows how to give a great lesson and invite the Spirit!!

We then headed for dinner. Hate to break the Sabbath but feel like I have been fasting much of the week. It was a great time for Matt and I to visit about the weeks events. A bit of marriage counseling if you will. I will spare you some of the details. I always knew he loved his mission and was a great missionary but this trip has been a true testimony of missionary work all over the world. How much one of us can impact the lives of others. It was interesting to watch how each missionary clung to different members. Each of us are different. And that is the way it is suppose to be. Only I can touch certain people. Only you can touch certain people. Although I can't share everything that is in my heart or on my mind, I hope I can live it. I pray that we can look back on this trip in a few years and say we did what we were sent to do! Amazing how The Lord works. The Spirit (and the church) is the same thousands of miles across the ocean!! I Love You ALL!

Picture recap:
#1 Matti and I with the Vilnius, Lithuanian Young Women!!
#2 Matti and Marta, her new friend!
#3 Matt and I at the park downtown.
#4 The mission home when Matt served here. A little run-down he says. It is now in Riga.
#5 A view of downtown.
#6 Elder Marshall and a member.
#7 PP journals
#8 Best buds!! It has been fun to watch these two this week. Kael is a comedian and Matti is his happy-always-giggling sidekick!!