My Husband Rocks!

On June 12 we passed a huge milestone!  Gana received his Degree from Fuller Thological Seminary.  He now has a Masters of Arts in Christian Leadership.  I'm so proud of him.  Not many men can balance being a husband, father of six, full-time work and seminary studies!  And Gana did it all with grace and excellence! 

Honey, I am soooooo proud of you! 

(The little kids didn't attend the graduation.  It was too long to ask them to sit through it.  But, we all celebrated with Daddy at home.)

My American Husband Rocks!

Two days ago we passed a big milestone in our lives. My rockin' husband became a citizen of the United States of America! Although we have lived abroad for years and I consider Mongolia my second-home, I am very patriotic in my heart. When the National Anthem is sung I still stand up and sometimes I tear up. So, this was a very meaningful day for our family.

Taking the long walk from the car to the ceremony, rather symbolic of the long journey to citizenship.


The immigrants go in one door for clearance and guests go in another. Here is Gana walking past a check point, getting his miniature American flag.


Saraa madly waving her flag, with Mama's help as I sang "It's A Grand Ol' Flag" to her.

My mother, sister and niece were also in attendance! The ceremony, although quite brief, was very moving. First the 1,956 new Americans took their oath of allegiance. Then the judge gave a short address challenging the Americans to take their responsibilities as citizens seriously. Then the director of the INS gave a short speech. This was followed by a video of President Obama welcoming the new citizens and Lee Greenwood's "Proud To Be An American" video. Then we said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem. I cried during Lee Greenwood's song. Gana cried during the National Anthem. Luc cried, too.

Two Americans:

That evening we had a special dinner at the house. I didn't take a picture of all the lovely food. It's too bad because it was really beautiful food. But here is a shot after much of it was scarfed down.

Menu:

Brisket

Lavender Chardonnay Pork Tenderloin

Roast potatoes

Layered Salad

Beet, Carrot, and Gorgonzola Salad

Rolls

Sauteed Mushrooms

Dessert:

Russian cakes from a local bakery

Children's Menu:

Mac 'n' Cheese

Mini-corndogs

Popcorn

Red, White, and Blue Jello

A spirit of celebration and fellowship was in the house!

Giving a toast:

Gana said, "And now that I am done with this process, I don't need Daja anymore."

Daja said, pointing at a few of Gana's friends, "Don't you dare drink to that!"

"To the United States of America!"

The children muddled their way through dazzled us with a rendition of "America" (My Country 'Tis of Thee"), all four verses!

My husband rocks. And I was so proud of him for taking this huge step. During the toast at dinner he thanked all the Americans present and those who served in the armed forces for all that America has done for the world. He appreciates this country and our freedoms more than most natural born Americans I know. The Lord planted a love for America in his heart in recent years. In these times when it is seen as hip and indie to diss America, he consistently stands up for this country, loving it, praying for it, and believing in the American dream.

I love you, Honey! Congratulations!

My Husband Rocks....

....because he's cuddly.

My Husband Rocks!

My invisible friend thinks you have serious mental problems.

My Husband Rocks! The Civics Exam

Yesterday Gana took a civics exam, which is the next to last step in becoming a U.S. citizen. This was something neither of us ever had on our radar. But, it seems that in the last couple years God has given him the desire to become an American.

For the past few weeks he has been studying American history and government. He started asking me questions that I'm not sure the average American could answer. (Thankfully, I was homeschooled!)

What is federalism?

Name at least one writer of the Federalist Papers.

When was the Constitution written?

Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

Explain the separation of powers.

Name at least one of the U.S. territories.

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

What promises do you make when you become a United States citizen?

These are just a sampling from the study manual. Hmmmmm.....I'd like to take some high school graduates from LAUSD and see if they can answer these satisfactorily!

So, Gana had to answer 6/10 correctly. The examiner stopped asking him after he got the first six correct.

Now we just wait for the final step, which should take place in the next couple months, that is being sworn in as an American. I can't wait for him to belt out "I'm proud to be an American...." next Fourth of July with me! Now he can sing all our patriotic songs with us and have it be true!

God bless the U.S.A. and my husband who totally rocks!

(for more, visit The Great Adventure blog.)

My Husband Rocks Friday (on a Saturday)!

My Dad is cooler than your dad because.....

Meg: he's stronger.

Israel: he is much wiser.

Luc: takes us camping.

Captain: he is more bigger.

Belgee: he wuvs mommy.

Saraa: *crickets chirping*

Gana is a fun dad. He boogie boards with the kids, takes them camping, sword fights, wrestles, takes so many pictures of them there's no way I could get them all on the blog, takes them one at a time to Home Depot, buys them ice cream, catches bugs with them, helps them with school work, does the boys' hair all spiky and in Mohawks and so much more. They simply adore him. Which is good, because I do too.

My Husband Rocks! (or "my husband is a better boogie boarder than yours")

Last month while camping Gana discovered his love for the ocean. I guess he's always liked the beach, but now he loves the ocean. He learned to boogie board. He was out in the surf with Meg and Israel who are like little fish!

He decided that we must get one more weekend of camping in before the weather changed. So, this last Sunday (right after church) we hit the beach. We camped in San Clemente until Tuesday afternoon. We spent hours at the beach. Riding a big wave to shore, my husband looks exactly like he did when I met him: youthful, full of laughter, and fun!

So, just to prove that I still had it, I got some boogie boarding in too! (It's only been 17 years, how different could it be?) I discovered that I am old(er) now. My arms were sore for three days.

But, Gana, was amazing! He has stamina for sure! He played in the water tirelessly with Meg and Israel out on boards, too. (I laid in the sun and read a book.) I love it that my husband is so strong, athletic and adventurous!

My Husband Rocks....

.....so much that I vacation without him!

Seriously, though. The ladies from my mommies prayer group decided this week to go on a cruise together in January. My husband, the understanding man that he is, didn't bat an eye. He just forked over the money. How great is that?!

I can hardly wait. It's just a small, intimate group of girlfriends who want to let their hair down and chill for a whole weekend without husband nor children. No lessons plans or church projects, no paperwork or ministry, no schedule or routine, no bedtimes or alarm clocks. It's going to be wonderful! Like I said, I can hardly wait.

Thank you, Gana, for being the kind of guy who needs me without being needy, who shows love sometimes by letting go, and for the generosity of your heart! While I'm partying my heart out with my girls, I'll be thinking of you.

(for more MHR, visit The Great Adventure.)

My Husband Rocks!

"Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." Proverbs 22:29

My man works hard. He's a handyman and skilled carpenter. Basically, he can fix anything, build anything, do anything.

Despite the hard economic times, my husband has been busy with work. Well, that's sort of any understatement. He has almost more work than he can handle! Yesterday he got two more calls for projects that can begin immediately. Yes, it's God's grace and favor on His children. But, also, it's that Gana is GOOD at what he does! He is diligent and precise. His work is top-notch! I'm so proud of my husband's work ethic.

Plus, have I mentioned how hot he looks in a tool belt?

(for more wives bragging on their husbands, visit The Great Adventure.)

My Husband Rocks

Gana is good at a lot of things. He can build anything. He's speaks, reads, and writes Mongolian, Russian, and English fluently. He also reads and writes Greek. He can draw. He can paint. He has a great sense of humor. But, he has this amazing gift that always amazes me--more than all the rest.

Are you ready?

He can always find a parking space right in front of the building he needs. It's almost like living in a movie.


I circle the parking lot over and over. I go around the block for 30 minutes until I end up parking four blocks over and having to run to an appointment. Gana pulls up in front of the building just as someone is pulling out. He gets the perfect space and there is money left in the meter from the car before!


How this happens I have no idea. The cosmos must really dig him, as much as I do.

My Husband Rocks Friday

My dear husband is a picky eater. He didn't grow up eating a big variety of foods, simply because it wasn't available! Food was simple and sometimes scarce in the Soviet days of Mongolia. He stood in breadlines sometimes; sometimes he went to bed hungry. Though now he's been all over the world and tasted so many kinds of fare, he still likes the most basic Mongolian food. You can pretty much cook anything he'd like with beef or mutton, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, rice, white flour and salt. Short shopping list. I'm not exaggerating at all.

I know there are lots of men who are picky eaters and their wives are at their wits' ends to find foods that they will eat. They can only make a select number of recipes because "he just won't eat ________." But, my husband does not insist that I cook only what he likes. He eats whatever I make and does not complain. He doesn't expect me to cater to his limited tastes. It's so great that's he's still willing to try things with the word Mediterranean or reduction in the title! He only asks that once a week I make Mongolian food for him. I think that is a very good arrangement.

You rock, Honey, because you don't burden me with your food preferences or expect anyone to cater to you when we go out. You're unselfish. I love that.

My Husband Rocks Friday--How Do I Love Thee....

....let me count the ways.

I love you more than Obama loves his teleprompter.

I love you more than Mr. T. loves his bling.

I love you more than Antonio Villaraigosa loves the media.

I love you more than Chef Ramsey loves expletives.

I love you more than Nancy Pelosi loves power.

I love you more than the Cookie Monster loves cookies.

I love you more than Mr. Toad loves his motorcar and more than Rat loves his boat.

I love you more than Simon Cowell loves his own opinions.

I love you more than David Hasselhoff loves the mirror.

I love you more than Al Gore loves his jet plane.

I love you more than this guy loves his guitar.

I love you more than a Mongolian nomad love airag.

I love you more than the Dalai Lama loves Richard Gere.

I love you more than hippies love their birkenstocks.

I love you more than Seattle-ites love coffee.

I love you more than Larry loves his lips.

I love you more than homeschool moms love their denim jumpers.

I love you more than socially awkward folks love Harry Potter.

I love you more than middle aged women love Twilight.

I love you more than emergent churchers love Brian McLaren.

I love you more than white people love Eastern Religions.

Gana, I love you more than you know!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

My Husband Rocks Friday

You know how you hear people say that they don't give money to beggars on the street because they might spend it badly or drink or something?

Well, my husband is not like that at all. We went walking together in Old Towne a few nights ago. He gave money to two men who asked him. I was so proud of him. He is not at all proud. And he sees the humanity of everyone. He doesn't see people as projects, but as men made in God's image.

Give to him who asks you,
and from him who wants to borrow from you
do not turn away. Matthew 5:42

When I commented on his giving to people on the street and how other people object to doing so because they might spend it on something less than worthy, he said, "I wouldn't want to be held to that standard, so I won't hold these men to it." He also feels that if he walks past someone in need and refuses to give to them and doesn't share Christ with them either that he's ignored their physical and spiritual need. What justification is there for that?

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor
will be ignored in their own time of need.
Proverbs 21:13

When I observed how he treated those men on the street with such respect and equality, my heart just melted. I am so proud of my husband for being the kind of man he is.

My Husband Rocks....

....because he gave me this love-bug who looks just like him.


(for more MHR Friday click here.)

My Husband Rocks--At The Movies

As I readily confessed here, I like stupid movies.

Gana on the other hand likes movies that have you on the edge of your seat, trying to figure it out, thrilling adventures that leave you saying, "Wow, I totally didn't see that coming." He also likes movies that challenge you and make you see a new point of view. In addition he's a big fan of the documentary--especially ones about past wars or strange cults.

*sigh*

But, I married a man willing to lay down his life and his movie preferences for me. When we go out to the show or rent a movie for "couple time" he always lets me choose. For example the last movie we saw in the theater was "The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" even though there were clearly other things he would have chosen. Last night we watched a Netflix on demand on the computer. He let me choose. Of course I chose a romantic comedy. He's a good guy that way.

When "his" movies arrive from Netflix he usually watches them alone and I go to bed or blog, because I just can't take the stress his movies bring. And he never makes me feel badly about it by saying, "I watched your movie with you! Now you should watch my movie with me!" Which is exactly the kind of thing I would say if the shoe was on the other foot.

Gana, you're nicer than I am! You rock!

MHR Blog Party

Katy Lin over at The Great Adventure is having a My Husband Rocks Blog Party in honor of the one year anniversary of MHR Fridays!

So head on over! Party crashers welcomed! Even if you've never participated in MHR Fridays, go check it out! There are PRIZES!!! Who doesn't love that?!

My Husband Rocks--A Guest Blogger

From Meg:

My Dad is.......

Funny

Strong

Really good at building things

Good at making me feel better

A Good Designer

Smart

Good at knowing how things work

The Best Dad Ever

**********************

Gana, you rock and everyone knows it! Even better, though, is that you are a hero to your family. I'm so proud of you for making us number one.

My Husband Rocks Friday!

Last week Gana turned 36! It was like a week-long celebration around here. Usually he doesn't do much for his birthday and I thought it was time for a change. He rocks like the whole party, so he deserved a big celebration!

First breakfast in bed. The kids planned the whole menu and with a little help from ol' mom, they made blueberry crepes, fruit, bacon, coffee and orange juice.

With the help of some Mongolian friends we made a big Mongolian dinner. Buuz, banshtei tsai, nisel salat, baitsai salat. (All the Mongolian readers can now laugh at the way I spell Mongolian words. I cannot for the life of me spell Mongolian words using Roman characters. I have a severe mental block in this regard.) For dessert we bought a Russian cake from a local Russian bakery.

A few days later we got together with some friends for some fun at Dave and Buster's. It was fun to just let our hair down!

(For the record, I have no skillz at Dance Revolution. My friend, Heather, made it look so easy.)

Happy Birthday, Gana! (Again!) You rock! I'm so happy you were born! You've made the world a much better place!