Why we not Classicals?

One of the many things we enjoyed during our US sojourn this summer was access to music channels on our local cable TV system. The kids soon learned that Erin's favorite channels were the Contemporary Christian music channel and the Classical channel. Trying to figure out which was which, and how it related to us was a little trickier for Danna, our 3 year old philosopher. "Daddy..." she asked one day, pointing to the TV, "this Christian or Classical?" I explained in some detail how usually the Classical station had music with no singing, while the Christian channel had music with words.

She pondered this information for a while before asking "Daddy... we Christians?" "Yes", I replied, "we are Christians." Obviously, the Sunday School lessons and Vacation Bible School talks were beginning to pave the way for a spiritual conversation - or so I thought. Her little brow furrowed in another question. "Why we not Classicals?" she asked. I'm not sure if there was some deeper meaning to her question... but it sure kept us giggling for a couple days!

This summer has been a great taste of "real America" for our multicultural kiddos. From Rodeos and Native American Powwows, to Fourth of July Fireworks and a parade down Main Street, the stuff of have become lasting memories. Our family has grown - both in numbers and in size, as the ever shortening length of Jad's jeans will testify to! Pictures that will give you a flavor our of adventures during the last few months are up on the website.

And so last week, we packed up the accumulations of our summer in Oklahoma. Diapers, clothes, shoes, books, toys and more crammed into every available spot in ten pieces of checked luggage, ranging from carseats to trunks and every type of suitcase in between. Amazingly, all the pieces (and each of the three kids) joined us on the other end of our first flight to Washington DC! We have just a few more days left here, meeting friends and colleagues before we jump on another plane and head "home" to our new home in Prague! (continued at the link below...)

We've been looking forward to this change in scenery for over a year now, and Saturday, we'll finally touch down in the Czech Republic. We're excited... and to be honest, a little nervous at the same time! This will be a brand new country, language and culture for all of us. A new way of living, travelling and shopping, a new job, and a lot of unpacking remains before our house will once again feel like our home! We'll be sure to update you all more frequently here on the blog on our first impressions on touchdown.

For all of you in the Oklahoma area - it sure was nice visiting with you this summer! For those in Portland and elsewhere... sorry we couldn't make it by... we're expecting you to come visit us in Europe instead!

Signing off from the U.S.!

Kevin, Erin, Jad, Danna and Kyler

Cowpokes in the Heart of Oklahoma

I could almost see our minivan blushing as it slunk into a spot between a Dodge RAM 3500 and a Ford F-150. Not only was it... well... a minivan, but it didn't have even a speck of mud on it! Definitely a ride no self-respectin', mud-sloggin', tobacca-chewin' cowboy (or girl) would drive to the rodeo! Fortunately, our crew of mini cowpokes has no idea how cool our minivan is (or isn't)... they just know they're at their first rodeo (not to mention Kyler's first big outing.)

We're just off Kickapoo road at the International Youth Finals Rodeo (IYFR) at the "Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center", Shawnee, Oklahoma in - say this one out loud a couple times - Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma.

As with any traveler entering a foreign culture for the first time, one of the first tasks was to get "gussied up" for the big event. Fortunately, the rodeo is equipped with a Western Market, stocking all manner of cowboy ("And cowgirl, Daddy!" - Danna) paraphernalia. We passed on the $2400 saddle, but picked up a set of "real cowboy" (and girl) hats. Upon trying his new hat on, Jad declared that he was going to become the "most famousest cowboy ever", and Danna broke into a dance in front of the mirror, trying on her best "Cowgirl Licia" face (her alias while in cowgirl gear). Suitably equipped, we picked our way through the horse trailers, motor homes and big, muddy trucks to the grandstand just in time for the big show.

Click here to continue...



There are a couple things you have to understand about Oklahoma. It's flat. There aren't any pro sports teams. There are oil rigs everywhere. Oklahomans live on Sonic (a drive-in eatery that allows you to enjoy great drinks like "cherry limeade" while eating your extra-long chili-cheese-dog in the comfort of your own car!)

Oh - and one other thing. Actually, the most important thing. In 1943, a little musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein opened on Broadway. Starring characters by the names of Curly (a cowboy), Jeb (a farm hand), and Laurey (a farm girl), the musical Oklahoma! (note the exclamation point) has become the central tenet of life in this great state. In fact, all kindergarteners are required to learn the lyrics to the title song (also named "Oklahoma!") before graduating to first grade (both Jad and Danna already know them, by the way.)

Back to the rodeo. Being a public event, and being in Oklahoma (in the "Heart of Oklahoma" no less), the festivities kicked off with a couple horses galloping around the ring, their riders holding American Flags high. The crowd of several hundred rose to their feet as one, removed their hats, looked toward the guest singer with anticipation, and joined with him as he sang...

Oklahoma!
Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain
And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain...

More horses flew into the ring, each rider carrying a flag with one of the letters of the State's name. By the time the final "Yeeow!" rang out from the bleachers, the crowd was ready for a party. The chaplain said a quick prayer for the soldiers, the cowboys (and girls) and the livestock, and the show was on! Oh... they did also manage to sneak in a quick rendition of the national anthem while the US flag was on the field and everyone was standing, hats in hand for "Oklahoma!"... but it was pretty clear that the audience's true alliance was with the state with "plen'y of air and plen'y of room."

Official songs out of the way, the rodeo got underway! For the next several hours, we were entertained by a procession of cowboys (and girls) roping and 'rasslin all manner of cows and goats, and riding horses that were doing their level best to buck them off! Did you know that a good cowboy can rope and 'rassle a steer in under 8 seconds? That a cowgirl who's worth her salt can tie a goat in 7 seconds flat? Oklahoma's record rain in the past month added a healthy dose of mud to the festivities. But then real cowboy boots are supposed to be muddy!

This is what home leave is all about! Getting reacquainted with authentic American culture. Learning new songs. Wearing cowboy hats. Slurping down refreshing drinks from Sonic. That's the news for now, from the Heartland of America!

Mastiffs, Chiwawas and Poodles, oh my!

The OKC Summer Classic Dog Show was the Rubesh kids' latest stop on the list of "fun things to do in Oklahoma City." This time, I got to tag along, have fun and take pictures as well! I flew to Oklahoma a week ago, and have been enjoying life as a full time Dad for the first time in seven weeks!

Back to the dog show... we got to see just about every breed of dog there is. From Danna's favorite (a long-haired Chiwawa) to a Great Dane which was an inch or so taller than Jad. Question for you all... who's the genius that decided poodles had to have such a funny looking haircut? Most of the poodles we saw were getting final blow drys, getting ribbons tied in their hair, and looked postively embarassed by the two poofs of hair on their butts and ball of hair on their tails.

Three quarters of us decided that a much better family dog (once we get settled down in Europe) would be a Bullmastiff. Erin waddled over and sat down next to one of these gentle giants and it immediately snuggled its 180 pounds of muscle up to her and switched into "protective mode." 3/4's of us? Yep - Danna's holding out for a little "yippie puppy."

First things first though - we're eagerly awaiting the arrival of "Baby Waby" - with an expected due date sometime around July 15th. We've toured the hospital, and still debating names (how about "Edmond" after the town he'll be born in?) Jad and Danna made a unanimous decision this afternoon at lunch that "Fred" would be a great name. Coincidentally, Jad had been playing with an imaginary turtle he'd named "Fred" earlier in the day.

Check back here for news as soon as we have it for you!

Dancin' Fun in Oklahoma City

Jad and Danna love to dance, be it the two-step, the limbo, or the bunny hop!! What made this dance party so much fun was that they were with their cousins -- the big ones (Christopher and Cory) and the younger ones (Isaiah, Joseph, and Savanah).

Being in Oklahoma in June, we were able to attend part of the Red Earth Festival -- one of the largest gatherings of Native Americans in the world. The costumes and outfits were stunning, to say the least!!! I wish I had Kevin's zoom lens -- my little photos just don't do justice to the exquisite clothing of so many tribes.