It's Independence Day!

Day 102 (Thursday):

The fourth of July, always makes me think of Independence day, and Independence day, always reminds me of the country song.  If you'd like to get it stuck in your head too, you can listen here.  It's kind of weird, there's a lot of nostalgia when I listen to this song.  I don't listen to much music now, unless it's Thai radio, so thinking back to my country music listening days is strange, like a whole different universe.  I couldn't find a link that had the original music video, but this one has a nice patriotic flare to it.

So, the morning of the 4th we headed out around 8:15, to Maesariang, to visit co-workers who are serving at a bible training center with tribal believers.  Doug had visited over 10 years ago, but I'd never been, so it was great to finally get up there.

The drive up was uneventful, thank you Lord!  That's always a good thing.  The kids slept most of the way, I may need to take more road trips, it was a solid 3 hours of just talking with Doug, don't get that very often.  Oh, I guess it wasn't exactly uneventful, we did see some cows in the road. ;)

On our way!

Side-lying Buddhist statue.

Bridge, only one direction can go at a time, the car on the other side waited for us to cross.

Cows!

We got lost, so Hal met us on the main road and we followed him back.

Teak trees, just planted.

 The kids enjoyed exploring their surroundings.  Some, more than others, Kora was quite a challenge the whole weekend.  It was one of those times where I just think, why do we take these kids anywhere?  Two is so much more than one, especially when you think you have it figured out with the first one and the second one is completely opposite.  We are still learning about this parenting thing, and hope we can keep seeking God's guidance in how to raise them up for his glory.  There's always things we can work on and I'm realizing more and more how important our role is and how we have to be so intentional with the choices we make because our kids are watching and hearing everything.

Exploring.

This makes a nice bed!

 After we got situated, we all went for a walk to explore the campus.  Hal told us that these trees are Teak trees.  In 30 years they will be ready to harvest to use for teakwood...obviously.  We were also to see some that were planted about 20 years ago. 

Solving the world's problems.

I hung back with Kees to discuss his attitude, in the mean time Kora went exploring and found some pigs.

Beth brought her back and she saw us through the window.

Looking out.

Kees loves finding flowers.

Kora loves destroying flowers, it's a win-win.

We let her walk on her own, but we kept having to re-direct her so she'd stay with the group.

Checking out the big meeting area.

She could get up, but she couldn't get down. This is how she explained the situation to me.  I picked her up. :)

Kora tried to stand and lunge herself off this swing.  Sometimes I wonder if behind her smile she hides a dark sadness...since she's always trying to commit suicide.  Nah, let's be real, so has no concept of consequences to actions...we're still learning through exploration and play, and using up just a smidge of Momma's sanity.

 After our walk, we hung out.  The Hansens had a lot of amazing children's books and spent time reading to the kiddos and still had toys around from when their kids were younger. They have a son and daughter that are both in college in the OKLAHOMA, of all places. :)  They are both home (in Thailand) for the time being and we were able to swap Oklahoma stories.

Kees wanted to read all of their books.

Dinosaurs and animals.

 After dinner we went for another walk and went the other direction to feed the fish!  We saw a scarecrow too!

The whole Hansen family helped out with our crazy kids so much.  I'm sure they are glad we are out of their hair and they can get back to peace and calm.  But a little bit of crazy is fun every now and again.

Walking with Daddy.

One of the many gorgeous views.

Clouds.

I'm glad she didn't jump into any of the ponds.

Kora running to Mommy and Kees.

Feeding the fish.

So much fun!

Scarecrow, the trees to the left are also teak, they are about 20 years old...I think. ;)

After our walk was over, we bathed the kids while we waited for it to get dark outside.  Once the fireworks started, both kids weren't too excited about it.  Here's a little idea of how they responded...

Hmmm, so I'm guess you're not loving the noise.

This looks staged, but this was his real reaction.  He ran over to the hallway and hugged the wall.

Then he was fine. He didn't want to go back outside, but he enjoyed these toys.

Kora was pretty tired at this point, so I put her to bed while they finished the fireworks. Then we had an amazing "Heavenly pie" for dessert and played "Funglish". It was a really fun game!

Sleeping girl.

Kees skipped the pie and just finished his peanut butter sandwich.

Reading wtih Daddy.

Playing "Funglish".

Doug and I stayed up late talking and then Kora woke up at 5 am!  She's one of those kids who gets out of their comfort zone and doesn't sleep well.  Kees has always been a great sleeper, so messing up sleep schedules has never had a negative impact.  So, it's a learning curve.  Hopefully next time, we'll get to bed a little earlier, so if Kora wakes up at 5 am, I won't look like my face got run over by a truck.  Sorry, Hansens, no one should have to see my morning face, especially after only 4 hours of sleep and a road trip.

Day 103 (Friday):

Petting the kitty. There were two cats, they are about 70 in cat years and not too impressed with anything.  They put up with Kora.

She was very gentle, but if the cat moved she got a little freaked out and started squealing.  Again, why did we think we should take these kids anywhere.  Think I'll have to wait to visit people until they are a little older. 

Jane reading to Kees.

She loves that kitty.

I didn't take very many pictures outside because the sun was so bright I couldn't see the screen on my ipod, so I couldn't even turn the screen brightness up because I couldn't see anything.  I finally stood under a shade tree and managed to get a couple as we were going inside.

Bird nest.

Yep, all those lovely organized crayons got dumped by the little Tomlinson crew.  I was too busy talking to even realize what they were doing.  We got them mostly put back right,  I think.  Sorry, Beth.

Kees told her to draw a helicopter and he was going to draw a boat, but he was too busy watching her work.

I should have taken way more pictures of the food and demanded ALL the recipes before I left.  It would have been easy enough, I could have just threatened to stay another night if they didn't give me all the recipes I wanted. ;)

Doug took the kids out after lunch and took this one.  So glad he did!

On our way home, rice fields.

The Thai flag.  This one was really big and beautiful. I love flags!

At the second rest stop.  I needed to use the restroom before left the Hansen's place, but forgot because I got busy talking.  Then none of the restrooms looked "usable" to my foreign eyes. Doug stopped at a 7-11 and told me to use the handicap bathroom, but I felt bad so I just went into the regular bathroom and used the squatty...successfully I might add.  But then a little down the road we stopped again and I just used the handicapped stall, I claim cultural handicap.

They went in and got drinks.

On our way back through town we stopped at our foundation office and we had a package!

We had such a nice refreshing time with the Hansens. It was just what we needed, exactly when we needed it. So thankful they opened up their home and spoiled us for a couple days.  We had sandwiches (a very special and rare treat), hamburgers, baked oatmeal, amazing pie, and lasagna with homemade bread sticks.  It was all delicious and all very much appreciated!  And as great as the food was, the fellowship was even better.  They took time to pray with us before we went home and it was such a sweet time.  A very special memory, I'll never forget.  Thankful for their kindness and love!

Why, Kora, why?

Day 101 (Wednesday):

Well this is attempt number 2.  I'm already 3 days behind! Ack!  We were out late on Wednesday because we went to cell group, and I was too tired when we got home, then we left the next day to visit co-workers for the 4th of July.  They work at a bible training center here in Thailand.  Doug had visited a long time ago, but it was my first time visiting.  Okay, so the plan is to catch you up on Wednesday, then I'll do a separate post about our trip. Ready, set, go...

Kora is into everything.  She is a full time job, like 24/7, not just 8 hours a day, like every waking hour of her day plus sometimes overnight.  Love her so much and cannot imagine life without her.  She is happiness itself most of them time and doesn't get too deterred by being told "no"....we're working on that.

That being said, here's how Wednesday went.  I had lunch with my good friend and language consultant Janna.  I cannot say enough how thankful I am for her.  Our time together on Wednesday was particularly good and encouraging.  She's put up with a lot from us as we've maneuvered through things here and she's never quit trying.  Wish I'd gotten a picture at lunch, but I was too focused on drinking!  I was so thirsty and even after lunch when we went back to our foundation office, I got another cup of water and took some for the road.

Crazy to think I used to not drive here. The whole first year we lived here I only drove one time.  I finally bit the bullet and now I drive quite often and it's nice.  I enjoy it for the most part, I especially love seeing cool things like this!

When I got home, we were all planning to run a couple errands, but Doug volunteered to go by himself so Kora could get her nap.  While we were discussing where all he needed to go and what he needed to do, Kora did this...

This is Doug's water cup, it has a tiny whole at the top to fit a straw in, Kora had to work hard to get this water everywhere. But when she puts her mind to something, she can do it!

When Doug got back from running errands, he entertained Kora while I made dinner.

Watching a video of herself laughing when she was just a few months old.

I may have gotten distracted while I was making dinner and felt the NEED to make this...


I didn't make the topping that came with the recipe, but I still have leftover buttercream frosting from Doug's birthday cake.  The cake itself was not quite sweet enough and tasted a little too salty, but I used all natural peanut butter, so that could have accounted for that.  I'd tweak this recipe a little next time, but I definitely make it again.  Trying not to feel too bad about eating this before my dinner, at least since it was a single serving, there's no leftovers to tempt me. That's good, right?

Yum in a mug.

After dinner, I found Kora in the kitchen doing this....

Why, Kora, why? Look at the guilt all over her face.  She's precious.

Just doing what I do, mom!

After dinner, we relaxed a bit before we headed out to cell group.  It's a great chance to fellowship with our Thai church family and our kids love playing with their friends and eating yummy snacks after.  So thankful for them!

Kees playing.

These things are so cool!

Kora found a new place to sit. All the rest of us were on the floor, but she thought this couch would be comfy!

Batman Kees.

Kora doesn't have any barbies or dolls like these, she was excited to discover them.

She was dancing and lifting this doll up during the singing time.

Box milk!

Purple/pink dragon fruit and pineapple!  She's a mess, but she's my mess and I love her. :)

A millipede and a giant-ish spider, oh my.

Day 99 (Monday):

Well Monday is Monday, if you know what I mean.  I got to talk to my parents, on the phone, we almost never do that and I was thankful they took some time out of their day for me. They are the best.

I bought a bunch of peanut butter the other day.  This is another special buy!  Before I started buying the bagged peanut butter I was paying a lot more for natural peanut butter and it didn't taste half as good as this stuff.  This bag is around $5 and it's about 2 jars worth of a regular size peanut butter.  I put 2 bags into an airtight container and have one left.  We go through a lot of peanut butter, but it's all natural and no sugar, just peanuts and a tiny bit of salt, so quit judging me, I'm trying to fatten Kees up.  

Mmmm... peanut butter goodness...which goes great with this recent discovery...

Tiny ritz like crackers.  I got so many and it was less than $3 for the bag. (85 baht to be exact).  I bagged these up into individual servings, so we can grab them on the run if need be. It's also nice for when Kora just eats one or two, then they can go right back into the bag for 5 minutes later when her highness requests more royal treats.

I am still studying vowels. It's a little funny, actually, I can remember the new set for the day really well, but when she adds back in the ones from previous days I get so confused. She made some little cards on the spot for me to point to. This works well. We started out with 10 or so, then she just kept adding them.  Slow and steady, trying not to feel stupid that I can't memorize these faster, but I'm old and have two kids, so I guess it's to be expected that I'm not as sharp as I was in high school and college.

Vowels...there's a lot 32, but really only 28 that get used often or that I'm learning anyway.  Don't quote me on that number, remember I'm old.

Kora always feels like she needs to come in at the very last and check my work.  She marks it all up, so it must not be up to her standard.

We finally opened our "snow" that Alicia gave us!  Kees has been talking a lot about wanting to go to America and show Kora how to play in the snow.  Hate to tell him that's not likely to happen for the next 4 years or so.  We are planning to be in the states next summer, but he won't be seeing any snow. Poor guy.

Anything we do must involve cars. It's a rule.

Day 100 (Tuesday):

Doug went to pastor's meeting today.  I stayed home and had to deal with THIS!

Someday I will be hospitalized when something like this happens, if it's before I'm 70 it will be a slip or fall that happens, post 70 I'm guessing heart attack.

I had such a crazy screaming reaction to this thing. It started crawling up the side of the sink while I was doing dishes. Both kids started crying after my gasp for air and subsequent scream.  I had two options, let it crawl off into the unknown or deal with the situation.  Man was I wishing Doug was home.  I grabbed my trusty tongs (the ones our friend Dan had to use to get the dead bird out of our ceiling in the old house that had caused maggots to fall from the sky).  I couldn't do it.  I wanted to, but I couldn't. I was holding Kora, and I called for Kees to come help me.  He wouldn't enter the room, but he was standing in the doorway. I told him, "Mommy needs a pep talk.  Just tell me to grab him quick and throw him in the trash."  Kees eventually obliged and I conquered, but I got the willies while doing it. I just said, "I have to protect my babies!" Keep in mind these things are completely harmless, but you are more than welcome to have one crawling around your food preparation area if you so choose.  I'd rather not.

An insane amount of my day was spent recovering from our wardrobe breaking. I was not expecting it to take as long as it did. But I had to re-arrange and organize everything.  I was also getting rid of some stuff, not as much stuff as I had hoped, so I may have to take a second sweep.  I fully intended to take a picture of the chaos, but I'm just too embarrassed, it was ridiculous and I'm hoping I can edit my own memory of the incident, so if I had photographic proof on this blog it would defeat that goal.  Too bad, so sad, I think you'll live.

When Doug got home it was 2, and I had fed the kids, but not myself.  He warmed up some food for me and even made me a sweet tea. Love that guy!  Then he put Kora down for a nap, so Kees and I could work. Basically, I ignored Kees because I was studying my Thai vowels and making a color coding system to help me memorize them. In the meantime, Kees opened the large tote that contains all the "storage" school room stuff.  I try to rotate the books, puzzles, and other learning manipulatives. So the stuff that isn't currently on our shelves gets stored.  I should have told him to stay out of it, but I figured if he was interested in something in there, then he could explore.  When it was time to clean up, quite a few things had been cleaned up by just tossing them back in the box, rather than putting them into their baggies or containers. So, once we cleaned up, I put a combination lock on the storage.  If Kees knows he wants something out of there, I'll help him get it, but just one thing at a time. I put a blanket over the top and added a pillow, it'll make a nice bench for reading.   Almost forgot to mention that Pi Tone stopped by to play for about 45 minutes or so.  Kees loves it when he comes!  

On our way into the school room, we saw this.

I think he made the tote a boat.

Pi Tone asking about our calendar. We should have changed it today, but we didn't! That's alright, I still have 29 days left to do it.

Oh the joys of colored paper and markers. Or should I say paper that has color?  Not trying to make a political statement or voice any opinion on the Paula Deed debacle...at all.

Tonight, I finally got around to dividing out my cheese.  Did I mention that I bought the LAST bag?!?  It's always a mix of emotions when this happened, relieved that they had, excited that I'm the proud new owner, and fear that it may never be re-stocked again.

Tonight as we were telling Daddy the story of the millipede thingy, Kees said, "Momma, we shouldn't have thrown it away.  We should have cooked it up into chicken pox."  His expression was priceless, wish I had a picture.  Just suffice it to say it was a conniving, smarter-than-you, mastermind type of face, and I hate to say it a smidge of evil genius.