A Dream So Big by Steve Peifer {Book Review}

I know it has been a while since I last reviewed a book. I am sad to say that my personal reading time is basically nil at this point, which is sad for a reader like me. I love to read and used to read multiple books for pleasure each week sometimes. But, well, school has kind of gotten in the way. I have had this book for a few months and I just barely finished it, which is kind of sad, because I really enjoyed the book.

This book is right up my alley. Many of you know that I have a heart for the underprivileged as well as third-world countries and their children. This book is the story of the Peifer family, Steve & Nancy, as well as their children, who have lived in Kenya for over a decade now. They originally committed to be missionaries in Kenya for one year after they experienced the loss of their third son, who was born with birth defects. After their one year in Kenya was up, they knew that they needed to stay. In their time there, they have worked for a boarding school for children of other missionary families (Rift Valley Academy), as well as starting a school lunch program for children that now feeds over 10,000 children daily, and starting computer programs in many of the poorest schools in the country so as to give the children a chance in life.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved that it was written with humor and that I feel like I really got to know the Peifer family. I admire so much that they have given up everything, including their home, Steve's high-profile career, and life in America, to give back in Kenya. This was truly a story that shows the power of one person. It is inspiring to see the good that Steve's plans have done in Kenya. Obviously, everything is done with the financial support of a great network in the United States, but Steve was the one who initially saw the hunger of school children and decided to do something about it. It would be easy to say that something is so overwhelming that you aren't even going to try, but that is not what Steve did. Upon visiting some of the poorest schools in the country, Steve witnessed that many of the kids were lying on the floor. When he asked the teacher about it, she said that the children were so hungry that they were lethargic and couldn't pay attention in school. He decided to ask donors in the United States to help him start a school lunch program. The program started in just a few schools and has grown immensely. The outcomes of the students in school have increased exponentially as they are able to focus. Many of the children do not get any meals except for the lunch at school each weekday.

I also loved this book because it has an adoption theme as well. A few years after arriving in Kenya, Steve and Nancy had the opportunity to adopt twins from a local orphanage. It is sweet to read about their story and to see how these two little ones helped heal the grief of the loss of their son.

The only (small) criticism I have of the book is that it felt a little long at times. It really isn't that long of a book, but there are a lot of details packed into it. A good portion of the text comes from emails that Steve has sent to their supporters over the years, and while this was a good touch often, some of them could have been left out or reduced. This really is a small complaint though, as I am sure that summarizing over a decade of adventures, happenings, missteps, etc was really difficult.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a down-to-earth and inspiring book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Hello/Goodbye Party

Last week, we had a hello/goodbye ice cream party at Devin's parents house. Have I mentioned that his parents moved to the town next to us? Well they have and it is wonderful! Already we have seen them a lot more (and a big part of that is because they are watching the kids for us once a week-- SO grateful!) and it is so great. I really enjoy having family nearby and having get-togethers. I am so family oriented. I fear that if (when) we move out of state, the hardest part for me is going to be not having family nearby. Anyway. Last week, there was a one day period where everyone was going to be in town, except Slava and Karl. Shawna and kids flew in from Russia on Saturday night. They will be here all summer again (yay!) and Jana flew out Monday to North Carolina, where her husband just got a job (yay for them, boo for us!). So, we had a little ice cream party at Devin's parents house to say welcome to one and see you later to the other.

I meant to take more pictures than I did....but, what we have will have to do!

Tyge, at age 14 is getting to be as tall as Devin! He is probably going to pass him. Whoa. 

The girls in the family (okay some of them). Brooklyn and Brelynn in particular are so sweet with Flor. They took her outside to play and got a group together to play ring around the rosies. So cute.

Silly faces! Brooklyn, Brelynn, Katelyn, Samara, Hallie, and Flor. 

We got a picture of all the women, too, which was fun because I don't think we have ever done that before. The men weren't all present, so we couldn't have one with them. I love each of my sisters-in-law individually and for many different reasons. They are really all so great. I wish you all could have married into such a great family. Sorry. :) My mother-in-law is also so wonderful. I have talked about her before, but there really aren't words to describe the goodness of her heart. L to R: Jenny, Kim, Mesha, Marcene, Jana, Mom, Shawna, Kirston, Alisa. 

Devin and three of his sisters. Jana, Alisa, and Shawna. Kirston and Mesha had already left. 

Gotta love that face...(Devin's!)

Kylie with Hals and Jace. She is a fireball. Love her.

That's all. Lame, I know. I probably missed getting a picture of 3/4 the members of the family. Whoops.

Sorry my blog is so boring these days. It is basically just putting up pictures, but I want to at least maintain that while I am in school for the journaling aspect of it. I like to keep a history of life and this is the way to do it. This term should be a little less busy than last term, so maybe I will have more time to actually write. I do like to write, but I haven't had much time to put a lot of effort into it, other than writing one 25 page and one 8 page research paper last term. Talk about getting thrown back into the fire! :) I can post those if you want...(Haha, just kidding- how boring).

2 Years

The anticipation of hard anniversaries is sometimes just as difficult as the day of. That has been the case this week for me. I also know that technically, Linda passed away on June 22, but it is the 21st that is the hardest day for me because that's when it all happened-- the phone call, the frantic drive to the hospital, the hours-long wait for her life-flight to come in-- all the trauma centers around the 21st in my mind. That's hard because really, we should be celebrating the 21st because it is sweet Charlie's birthday. The two are difficult to separate for me, though.

Anyway, the day today has been hard, but I was determined that we should do something to remember Linda. I talk to my kids about her (and Chris, and the others who are gone) often in hopes that they will know them, somehow. Hallie, though she was only 2 1/2 at the time of Linda's death, remembers having Jack sleep over here shortly after and talks about how he was crying for his mama. Yeah, that's not exactly the memory I want to stick with her, but it's reality. Sad. Hallie at least knows Linda and has pictures with her, but the other kids don't have that luxury. I wish Linda were here to have met Flor. I can honestly say that she was probably the most excited of anyone that we told about adopting her. She was genuinely thrilled and made me feel that she wasn't anything less than 100% supportive. Somehow, though, I still think that she and Flor are aware of each other.

There was a birthday party for Charlie today in Idaho, but since we weren't there, we decided to do something here to remember Linda. We bought balloons and I had the kids draw something for Linda and then I wrote a message from each of them. I also wrote a message to her, which was rather therapeutic in a Gestalt/Empty Chair kind of way. I filled up two balloons full of writing to her. We then went outside and set them free. Hallie was very curious about this experience and kept asking how I knew that they would make it to her. She made sure that we put her name on each balloon so that they made it. She also said that she was concerned that Heavenly Father or Jesus would get the balloons first and pop them before giving them to Linda. Where she comes up with this stuff, I have no idea. She has quite an inquisitive mind, though.

After we launched the balloons (tearfully, might I add. For me and for Jace specifically. Me because well, that's obvious, and Jace because just as soon as he had released it, he determined that he did not in fact want to release his balloon and he wanted it back), we came inside and watched Linda's video. We have quite the collection of videos of our dearly departed loved ones, but I am so glad that we have something that we can watch and remember them. I cried a lot and I laughed a lot, because well, Linda was unintentionally hilarious. There are video clips throughout of her, which is so great to be able to hear her voice and to see her expressions. I also love that my kids will be able to "know" her through the video.

Ahhh...life. So hard sometimes. Here are some pictures of our balloon launch, minus my balloons because, well, no one wants to read all that.

From Hallie. She dictated the message and I wrote it, word for word for her. 

Her side. Linda, Pink, a heart, and her name, since I know that 4 year old writing is hard to decipher. Why pink you ask? Because she recently learned to write it and now she writes it all over everything, all the time.

Also written word-for-word from Jace. I guess he thinks it is important for her to know that he likes motorcycles. 

From Flor (with a little help from mom)

Ready to let them go (Dev was at work for this whole process, just in case you wonder)

There they go

And...the video watching. On our old boxy TV. I know you are jealous. :)

Time has healed some of the hurt, but in some ways, things are still just as deep and raw. We love you and miss you more than words can say, Linda. Love, Kim, Kim, Kimmie. (Brad still calls me that by the way, but  it just isn't the same!) (It's from "My Best Friend's Wedding, for those of you who are confused. It is when Julia Roberts goes into a bathroom to look for Cameron Diaz's character and she calls, "Kim, Kim" over and over and a homeless lady echoes her, "Kim, Kimmie, Kim, Kimmie". Brad and Linda have done this to me for years. Probably since I was 12 or so when they were dating and I was wreaking havoc at Linda's house for a week each summer with my partners in crime, Cortney, Che', and Jennifer. Good times. I should write a whole post about those memories. Some day.) 

The New Crazy

I just thought I would jot down a few thoughts about how school is going. I am 4 weeks in and almost done with this term (2 more weeks!). I have another summer term, which should be a bit less intense, and then August off before starting again in the fall.

Going in, I was honestly really anxious and worried. It has been five years since I have done the whole school thing and so that was my main worry. Honestly, though, I have been loving the whole school experience. Maybe it is because grad school seems to be more hands-on and less about memorizing a bunch of things just to spit them back out for a test. I enjoy all my classes and look forward to going to school every day, which is huge. I also have loved the diversity at the U. While I appreciated my undergrad years and BYU and feel that that was the perfect place for me then, I am really enjoying the perspectives and experiences of people who are not just like me. I love that each of us have different backgrounds and experiences and that we can share and learn from one another.

The practice class is my favorite, by far. It is always a really powerful (and fun) experience. You non social workers would probably not enjoy it, but I am loving it. I always come home and talk to Devin about what we have done or talked about and he most definitely would be hating it. Haha. Besides the practice class, I have a research class (not my favorite), a macro class, and a DSM class. Next term, I continue with the research class (boo) and then add a sexual abuse class and a play therapy class. yippee.

The schedule has worked out just fine so far. I go to school Monday-Thursdays. Monday is the longest day, but Devin is home with the kids all day. Tuesday and Thursday we have a neighbor girl watching the kids from 6:30 am to 1:30 pm when I get home. I get up at 5:30 (SUPER rough for me if you know me at all!) and get on the train at 6:50. The train ride is about an hour and then there is a 20 minute bus ride to campus. I use all of this time for doing my homework and reading, which has worked out great because I get almost everything done on the rides to/from school. This way, I can be home and present with my kids when I am home. Wednesdays Devin's parents have been with the kids for the same hours. It has worked out really well so far. I am home all day Friday/Saturday/Sunday and that is good because I can recharge. I am still working, but just 10 hours per week instead of my usual 20. Devin is working both of his jobs, but will be done with the golf course at the end of the summer. At that point, he will be home with the kids all the time when I am gone for the fall schedule. So, it's a tad bit crazy, but going well so far.

4 weeks down, 48 to go! :)

Memorial Day Weekend 2013

Disclaimer: I do apologize, but this post is super picture heavy! Proceed at your own risk.

This year for Memorial Day, the kids and I decided on a last minute trip to Idaho because A) we haven't been in a while and B) we had a long weekend and C) It was also Che's birthday and we wanted to be there to celebrate that with her. So, off we went, minus Devin, because our schedules are just insane right now and there is no way that he could have missed work all weekend long. I missed him A LOT on this trip. Single parenting is hard work, ya'll. And that was only for three days. Boy is having a husband around a nice thing! Anyway, we left Friday in the early afternoon and then basically all we did was party and party some more all weekend long.

Just had to add this picture-- Jace insisted that Mickey sit on my lap during our drive. That kid and his Mickey...seriously. He is the 6th member of our family for sure!

And now, broken down into individual events, here are some pictures:
Cemetary 1 visit: 
Saturday morning, we made our way to my Grandma's house where we met up with a bunch of other family members to go visit the family graves in Ashton. Don't be too alarmed that there are a lot of grave pictures to follow. We visited Linda, Nic, my great-uncle Harold, Lynn's first wife Kathy, and my great-grandparents in this cemetery.

Linda

Brad has her grave decorated so cute. He also comes and  gives her diet mountain dew with rabbit poop ice whenever he is in town and a box of her favorite candy. Such a good man. 

Keeping two 2-year-olds occupied in a cemetery is a real chore. There may or may not have been a few graves that they were jumping over and jumping on and flowers that they were smashing...Yikes.

Good thing we have an Uncle Lynn who is kind enough to help me with kids. My kids adore Uncle Lynn and so it was easy for them to go to him. 

Oh and don't mind the huge coats. I brought only shorts, tshirts, and sandals for my kids the whole weekend. How could I have forgotten about Idaho weather?!

She kept giving him kisses over and over. You can tell who she really likes because she will give them repeated kisses. I guess Uncle Lynn made the list.

Nic's grave

Avery cleaning her daddy's grave. I have some serious sadness about how many kids have lost a parent in our families.

Warm River: 

After our cemetery trip, we drove up the road a ways to a campground called Warm River, where we all froze and ate our picnic lunches. We also fed the huge fish some bread, which the kids loved.

Barb, Mason, Mari Ann, Ron, Lynn, and Doyle

Lynn, Doyle, and Grandma. I was happy to see my Grandma doing well as she had gallbladder surgery and hasn't been doing so hot. She seemed great to me though, so hopefully she is completely on the mend! 

Che', Landon, Flor, Avery, Cortney, and my mom

Feeding those massive and greedy fish some more bread

What a good uncle Uncle Ron is too..helping Jace get clear out there for a better view of the fish,

No trip to Ashton would be complete without some ice cream from the lovely hole-in-the wall grocery store. It was delish.

BBQ at Grandpa Dave's:
And I have a grand total of two pictures of this event. Fail. We went to my dad's house on Saturday night for a BBQ with Mikey and Lara, my dad, and he and Sharon's exchange student, Hannah. Sharon was out of town helping her son Brady move.

Hals just loves baby Claire. She loves to make her smile and laugh. 

Just because she is cute

Baseball with PoppE:
My mom's husband, Dave, otherwise known as PoppE, is so great with the kids. He took them outside one morning and showed Jace and Hallie how to hit the baseball. He even set up bases and let them play a mock game. It was so cute. Hallie actually got quite good at hitting the ball...who knew? Jace, not so much. Dave would just throw the ball and have it hit the bat and then count that as Jace's "hit." Fun.

Again the massive jackets because of my failure as a mother...

Who knows when this was, but from all the partying, Jace  fell asleep in the car far more often than normal.

BBQ/Birthday Party at Sue's: 

Sunday night, we had a BBQ and a birthday party for Che' at Sue's house. As always, it was a great time. It was fun to see my Uncle Judd as it has been since he was in the hospital down here that I have seen him. He is doing so well and it is amazing to see how he has returned to many aspects of his regular life. Miracles happen, people, miracles happen.

Here is our other miracle, sweet Charlie girl. This girl is so darn cute. I can't get enough of her. It is always fun to see all the kids, but because of what Charlie represents, I think it is always good for everyone to see her especially.

The kids were playing kickball with Landon and I do believe that the teams started out as Hudson and Jace against everyone else. Hmmm, I will let you guess how that went!

Yes, I know it is lovely. 

BBQ at Jennifer's:
Monday, for the actual Memorial Day, we went to Jennifer's house and had another BBQ! Man, do we know how to pack in the BBQ's! She had Chris's family there, plus my mom and Dave, Mikey and Lara. It was really fun to see everyone. Chris's sisters are super sweet to me and include me as if I am a sister-in-law too. They are so great. They were recently here in town for BYU's Women's Conference and invited me to go to dinner with them. That's how sweet they are. Anyway, I have no pictures of them, of course, but I do have a few other random ones. I will have to get some more from Jennifer later because I think she took a bunch. Mikey and I played catch for a while in the yard and that was fun since I do love baseball.

BFF's forever!

Hmm 1 out of 3 kids looking isn't too bad...ha.

Cute Brookie. She is getting so big. Not the best picture ever, but that's all I took, so here it is.

Cemetery #2 visit: 

We have so many family members who have passed away, but the nice thing is that they are all in two cemeteries basically. My mom's side are all in Ashton and my dad's side are all in the same place in I.F. So we stopped at this cemetery on the way out of town to come back home. We were able to visit my cousin Damien's grave, Chris's grave, my Grandpa Ed, and my uncles Josh, James, and Joe. Our family takes up a whole huge section of this cemetery. Sad. 

Josh's grave- this picture is upside down. Oops.

Our family plot in this cemetery. 

Whew. I think that sums up the weekend! We had such a great time. I have no pictures, but my favorite parts were staying up late and playing games with my siblings, mom, cousins, and aunts. We played once at Jennifer's house, once at my mom's, and once at Sue's. Game night every night. It's the best.