1st round of Christmas photos

Merry Christmas!

We are having a blast with my parents in town...especially Grace! I've never seen her so happy. I hope to post more pictures soon, but for now, Merry Christmas, everyone!

more pics

Yes, that is a mushroom...
Grace found this doll at the studio and cried when we took it away, so the photographer ended up taking pictures with it...um, wish I could photo-shop it out!
You should see some of the baby outfits they had at the picture place. There was another baby at the studio, probably 6 months old, wearing a HUGE curly blonde wig for her pictures. It just didn't look right!

pictures

Well, the story surrounding these photos is an epic saga in itself, maybe someday I'll feel like sharing the details. But, for now, here are a few pictures we had taken several weeks ago. There are several more pictures (particularly of Grace) that I'll post in the future....

But, we wanted to wish Kevin's dad, Pat Godin, a happy birthday, today! We love you, Dad Godin!

The family photos didn't turn out so great, because at the time it was several hours into the photo shoot and well past Grace's lunch time, but we retrieved what we could!


This one is my personal favorite...

role reversal

Today Kevin played Mr. Mom and I went out traveling to take care of some things in preparation for visitors we have coming over the holidays. I also went to try and encourage a friend. It was actually my first time to travel alone in this country. I think everyone enjoyed having a change of pace today! I know I did. Hmmm, perhaps more day trips are in my near future. I'm really sad, though, that I forgot to take my camera. I'm the only picture-taker in the family, so if I don't take them it just doesn't happen. Oh well, next time. Anyway, when I got home tonight Grace seemed really happy, like she'd had a super fun-filled day. Makes me wonder what kinds of things she got away with today...:) Ok, probably not much and she just enjoyed some good ole' fashioned play time with Daddy. We've been getting over strep throat here but are on the mend. We are most excited that my parents will be here in a few short days!!

Grandpa George

One of the toughest things about living overseas is missing out on big family events, funerals included. There's something healing about being able to get together with the whole family and remember a loved one. Of course, we knew this was a possibility when we decided to move to Asia. But since we have moved overseas, my Pop Wallace and Grandma Gerlt have both gone on to be with Him. On Thursday, Kevin's Grandpa George passed away. Currenlty Kevin is in the other room, composing a letter to be read at the funeral. He just shared some memories with me I hadn't heard, like Grandpa George taking him to watch the airplanes in Borger years ago and always making sure there was sugar involved! I always wanted to ask him what his secret was...the man could eat 3 desserts a day and still remained a bean pole! I'll remember Grandpa George as the sugar-loving, gentle man who really loved Him and wanted His grandkids to work overseas. In fact, 3 of the 6 grandkids currently are. He and Grandma George used to get up very early and lift up all their kids and grandkids together. PTL for family who points us to Him! We will miss you, Grandpa George...

3 years ago...

Three years ago tonight, we landed in Asia. The university where we would attend language school met us at the airport, and on the way to the hotel we stopped to eat a meal which mainly consisted of pig stomach and random chicken organs. We had the privilege of treating the school official and van driver to that meal. After being harassed for how much luggage we brought, we stayed in a dumpy hotel that night, all the while wondering, "what in the world are we doing here?!" Those first few weeks we went into survival mode, getting super excited over little things like finding peanut butter and jelly at the supermarket. And we had our own little pity party on Dec 25. After being in Asia for only 2 weeks at the time, we really had a rough first Christmas. What a difference three years makes. Today we had lunch with some Asian friends and were able to converse in a quasi-articulate manner. We don't get as grossed out any more at people spitting and kids peeing on the street. Kevin's even been known to throw down more than his share of animal organs at a meal! Even though we are still considered outsiders, there are times when it seems like home here. How does one sum up three years of cross-cultural living? It's just impossible. But, we definitely are different people than we were three years ago. In some ways I think we've changed for the better, maybe in some ways for the worse. I don't think we are as fun-loving as we used to be; we don't laugh as often. (But, we're trying to work on that!!) Discounting those first few days of thinking "what have we done?" we've never regretted moving overseas. Sure we miss our loved ones and all the great stuff living in America has to offer. But, it's been a fun, wild ride. Kevin and I sometimes comment on what a weird life it is to live overseas. But it's a fun kind of weird. We're thankful Dad's allowed us to see some cool stuff, and we hope it's only the beginning of great things to come. It's hard to believe this time next year we'll be celebrating Christmas with family in the States!