The Case of the Jet Lagged Toddler

Well, as some of you have no doubt heard, our flight here was the definition of Horrible.
I will post Morgan's telling of that story at some point soon.
Let's just cite a few stats for now:
June 10, 2014: Leave Kudjip.
30 minute drive.
1 hour flight.
4 hour layover (tired toddler. first tantrum. first dose of Benadryl. Tantrum. Nap. Delayed flight. Toddler wakes up from nap as we finally board flight)
3 hour flight. (no toddler sleep. much toddler screams.)
bus ride to hotel (wrangling screaming children)
hotel (Toddler refuses to sleep in pack n play. finally goes to sleep on mommy.)
6 am get up. 7:20 bus ride. 8 am check in.
10:30 flight.

13 hour flight. 2 toddler naps, 45 minutes each. much toddler screams. much toddler tantrums. terrible, horrible flight from the Hot Place that never, ever, ever was going to ever, ever end.

7:00 am touchdown in LA.
Toddler finally passes out waiting for our flight to Denver, followed by the rest of the family. We almost miss our flight to Denver because we are all sleeping.
3 hour flight. Toddler and baby both sleep the entire flight. Heaven.
layover.
1 hour flight. Toddler is antsy, but containable.
6:30pm get to OKC.
Exhausted parents, but Trip From You Know Where is finally over! Sleep approaches! ... or not.

Enter: the Case of the Jet Lagged Toddler.
Theron took until 4am that first night to finally go to sleep, after going into hysterics many times. He was so very tired, but he didn't feel like it should be night time. We finally got him calmed down in a bath... and then I tried to put a diaper on him. Cue screams. He finally went to sleep on the living room floor watching his favorite movie. At a couple points during this night, which had followed many many hours of awake and emotional trauma, all members of the family were crying. Poor family.

Night 2: to bed at 11pm. Up at 12. Not down again until 3.
Nights 3-5: much the same as night 2, with slightly improving times and shorter Wake Ups.
Night 6: Down at 11:30, stayed down all night (Hallelujah!)

Lula did have some trouble staying asleep at the start of the nights, but improved each night pretty drastically. She just didn't want to go to sleep until 11 or so, even by Night 6.

Well, I have sworn that I will not rest (metaphorically speaking. I need all the literal rest I can get.) until I find some Magic Substance that will Knock Out my toddler for the return flight. Because we can't go through this again.
I hate using "drugs" on my kids unless absolutely necessary -- plus, Theron doesn't seem to respond well to them always. Needless to say, Benadryl on the flight was a dismal failure.
So, I'm starting with essential oils. I'm a little skeptical about them actually working, but a lot of people have told me to try them and hey, they smell really good. So why not? At least my kids will smell good while they are screaming!

So, on Night 7 (last night) I tried the essential oil blend we settled on in Theron's bath and on Lula's basket she sleeps in.
Both children went to bed at 9 and slept like they do at home all night long! (Theron all night, Lula with feeding) Now, I don't know if I have discovered Wonder Oil, or if jet lag is finally passing, but something worked last night. I'll keep trying this essential oil at different times (like the 10 hour drive we undertake later this week) and see if it works then.

If you know any Wonder Knock Out Toddler Substances that are safe and effective... let me know! I'm compiling a list for further testing. Hopefully, in two months, our flights are not such Purgatory Experiences.

Home Assignment!

The time has come which of course you have all been waiting for with bated breath: Home Assignment!

We will be coming back to the States this summer to share with some churches, to attend my (Danielle's) brother's wedding, and to raise support to enable us to return and continue serving in the fall. Our support goal is $11,000, which will pay for our plane tickets as well as housing, food, and transportation on the field. 

Right now our schedule stands as follows:

June 15, 10:30am: The Vine Community Church (49th & Western, OKC, OK)

June 18, evening: Edmond First Church of the Nazarene (3001 S Boulevard, Edmond, OK)

June 20, VBS evening: Tulsa Hills Church of the Nazarene (840 W. 81st St., Tulsa, OK  74132)

June 22, 10:30 am: Tulsa Hills Church of the Nazarene (short sharing during Sunday Morning)  

June 29, AM: Hope Springs Community Church of the Nazarene (559 Denver Ave. Loveland, CO)

July 6, AM: Valley Church of the Nazarene (228 Madison Street, Monte Vista, CO)

July 13, AM: Chapel Hill Church of the Nazarene (10 Chapel Hill Dr Brighton, CO)

August 3, 10am: Woodland Park Church of the Nazarene (750 N Hwy 67, Woodland Park, CO)

August 13, 7pm: Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene (950 N 7th E., Mountain Home, Idaho)


We will be updating that schedule as more is added. You can see our updated schedule at any time by clicking the Home Assignment link at the top of our blog.

If you are interested in having us come share with your church, your Sunday school, a group, or just getting together with us for coffee or dinner, email us at asmidgenofmadness@gmail.com 

If you are interested in joining our financial support team, see the Join Us link at the top of our blog. 

We're packing our suitcases! See you soon!

What the Parents Think

After doing interviews of all the highschool students to introduce you to them, I decided to ask their parents an "interview" question. I thought I'd share a couple responses with you, just to give you an idea of why I am here doing what I do!

Question: What does it mean to you and your ministry to have a highschool for the missionary kids here at Kudjip?

Ethan's parents: "We could not do our jobs if it weren’t for the HS.  We feel strongly that sending our kids to a boarding school is not an option for our family.  We are also committed to serving in our areas of ministry which requires full-time work.  In order to do that we need to know that our kids can get the education they need here on our station.  God has been faithful every year for as long as we have been here to provide teachers for our children and they have thrived!"

Allison's parents: "We would be having long conversations with our Father about His direction in our lives.  We have always felt that God has called our family to stay together.  If Kudjip did not have a high school and boarding school was the only option, that would directly affect our mission career. 

"Homeschooling would be an option, but Gail (me) helping as a teacher for the highschool age students would be a large stress!"

Jo and Lydia's parents:
"Having a highschool for the MK's at Kudjip means:
-our chlldren can live at home and still go to school!
-they have a teacher to help organize and supervise their schooling
-we parents can have input and make decisions about curriculum for our students
-they have a teacher who is also a spiritual mentor and a friend in their everyday life. (they see their teacher outside of the classroom).
-the kids can enjoy each other's company during the school day and for after-school activities
-our MK's participate in prayer and evangelism, as well as hospital visitation because they live right where ministry is taking place.
We love having our children as a part of our team at home, at work and at church!"