Sunday, June 20, 2010
Where to pick up?
Hello to all - I'm not sure where to begin! Since our truck was stolen, it's been a whirlwind of events around here. I'll update you with bullets since it's the simplest.
1. Rachael came to help with the boys and work here :-)
2. Truck stolen, Szemi poisoned (but recovered and is well now) :-(
3. The day before our truck disappeared, our neighbor brought us a brand new baby kitten :-)
4. Baby kitten (Milo) needs fed a bottle every two hours and has a flesh eating fungus that can spread to other pets and people :-(
5. The end of her tail fell off due to the fungus, a toe is hanging, and nearly lost an ear :-(
6. We got our work permit!
7. Rental car broke down
8. Our wonderful landlord lent us his Mercedes :-)
9. It broke down twice :-(
10. We found a 'school' for Bennett! It's not a formal school, but even better for him...and me!
11. I got a car! It's a little SUV type-thing. Perfect for us.
12. Still waiting on insurance to settle so Mike can replace the truck.
13 TANNER IS COMING...TICKETS PURCHASED FOR AUGUST 16-29!!!
14. Bennett has continued to ride at the stables even with the chaos of having no cars...so happy about that!
15. Both boys are in piano and love it.
16. I finished my job in Laos - home study done, baby in their home, and almost a US citizen. Such a great feeling.
17. I have two new clients in Singapore and Indonesia and possibly Thailand...very nice.
18. Mike and I have had time alone with our boys safely and comfortably at home with Rachael!
19. Our stuff is here!
20. We unpacked and set up in less that four days...last job is to hang pictures.
I'll leave off here. I'll try to be more faithful to my blog. I miss you all! Here are a few pics of some random events in our last two months starting with Miss Milo.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Catching up...
A few pictures to catch you up! Our two months has been filled with much activity. In the midst of it we've managed to have some fun and even get a new kitty. Enjoy the pics. As you can see, Szemi is feeling much better!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
RIP Simon
After a half dozen trips to the vet, good days when we thought he'd recover, and bad days when we said good-bye, Simon has passed. I'm writing from Laos so didn't get to see him once last time. Poor Mike had to take the boys say good-bye and bring him to be put to sleep this weekend without me. We're all pretty torn up. He had saddle thrombosis. It's a blood clot that eventually shut down his heart and kidneys. For all you pet lovers, I know you'll understand. We really loved him. It's so painful to say good bye.
Another nephew!
Mike's brother Bryan and his wife Courtney gave me another nephew this week! His name is Samuel David Cannon. Just gorgeous! That makes seven nephews and two nieces for me. My other sister in law is due in August. Babies everywhere :-)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Engagement
The highlight of January was an invitation to the engagement of our neighbor's daughter. First all the disclaimers for the photos! We weren't expecting any opportunities to take photos so Mike took these on his phone. Even worse...I know this is vain, but I look so bad! It was pouring rain so my hair inflated and turned fuzzy like a Q-tip. Added to this, my neighbor lent me a proper dress for the occasion...in green! There is just about NO shade of green I can wear, but this one was the worst possible. I hoped for a head scarf like the other gals (to cover my hideous hair) but she thought I'd be uncomfortable since I'm not used to it. Uhg! I also didn't know how to tie the skirt, or that the top has a hook and eye to keep is nicely in place. I felt so ugly all night! It's for your benefit that I'm posting even ONE picture of me that night.
Despite how I felt, it was an amazing night! I'll try my best to cover it all. In Muslim engagements, the groom isn't even there! Nor his parents! The rest of the family: siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. come to do all the negotiations. This was my favorite part. The families sit opposite each other with the engagement gifts between them. If the groom's side provides 9 gifts, the bride's side will provide 11...always plus two. I'm not sure of the significance. The gifts are cakes, candies, and fruit arranged and prepared in the most amazing of ways. I hope the pics do them justice. The wedding arrangements are agreed upon before the bride joins the party. The families plan the details in rhyme and song. They agree on bride price, number of gifts to be given, dates, times, locations, etc. Amazing! After the plans are agreed upon, the bride comes and sits on a decorated pedestal for the giving of the ring. Odd for us, but an aunt or sister of the groom is the one that puts on the ring. After this, the bride poses for pictures with family then there is a feast! That's the brief version of the night. Of all my experiences living cross-culturally, this is my favorite! Enjoy!
What I need to do more of in 2010!
Now to January! I'll post more holiday pics when I get them from Mike. January wasn't the best month for us. Mainly, we were sad to see Tanner go. Also, as we were coming down from the holidays and getting back into the swing of the school routine, it became apparent that I needed to pull Bennett from school. We're now in our third week of home schooling. Wow! In addition to this we STILL have no internet, this is my excuse for not keeping up with my blog...lack of time! February already feels better. I should have a rental car by the end of the week...freedom!
Thailand
The good pics are on Mike's camera. I'll get around to putting them on the blog later. Tanner's visit was amazing. I could elaborate, but it makes me teary. We miss him more than ever. It took all of January to be happy again :-( Here are a few pics of the boys at the beach and riding the baby elephant that came to play in the water each afternoon. They loved it! Also, a random pic of Tanner (the only one I took with my camera) just because I miss him.
Food
Many of you ask what we're eating. I'll try to post pics of anything new and exciting we try. This is fermented bean curd with a few stir fried veggies. It's fantastic!
A trip to the rabbit farm
It sounds more exciting than what it is. The 'farm' is actually in a grocery store parking lot. If the kids are good during my shop, we sometimes go. On this trip we brought along some kids from our street. Enjoy the pics...adorable!
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