Snaggletooth

Our baby lost her first tooth today. Doesn't she look adorable? Every time she spoke to me this afternoon I was compelled to interrupt her to tell her how adorable she was. A teenager might have rolled her eyes, but in her sweet 5-year-old-ness, she just basked.

Her tooth has been loose for about 2 weeks. When she initially told me that her "tooth hurt", I examined her and was absolutely shocked to find that she had a loose tooth! Upon further reflection, I realized that she has just turned 5 and it's getting to be that time, but I was completely unprepared for this newest milestone. They're coming fast and furious these days.

She wouldn't let us touch her tooth, and it eventually got so loose that she could push it down horizontally with her tongue. We warned her that she might lose it and not know it, and sadly, this is what happened. The best we can tell, she swallowed it while enjoying her lunch of rice and pork at Fuji, our local yummy Japanese restaurant. I expected her to be devastated, but she took it in stride, and I was more sad about it than she was. Thankfully, the one next to it is loose, too, and will probably come out very soon, so that will be my keeper. And the tooth fairy will come tonight regardless, so all is well. The big question is, in light of our impending trip to America, will the tooth fairy leave American money or Thai baht?

Virtual Wedded Bliss

On Sunday morning, we got up at 4:30 a.m. to attend, via Skype, the Saturday evening Atlanta wedding of Tim's cousin Joshua and his beautiful bride Sharon. Thanks to the church's wireless internet connection, we were able to sit on the front pew (with our camera turned off) and had the best seats in the house for the beautiful ceremony. It was truly amazing. And I bet we were the only ones drinking orange juice during the ceremony!

After the ceremony, we turned our camera on and had a great visit with everyone in the family, including the bride and groom. They even put us in one of the family pictures! I wonder if the photographer has ever before had a laptop in one of his wedding photos?

Despite the early hour, it was incredible and fun to be able to attend this wedding. We had been really sad to have to miss this long-awaited family celebration, especially as it was happening just a month before we arrived back in Atlanta. Things like this make the world seem smaller and make it just a little bit easier to be 9,000 miles away from so many people we love. Wishing you much joy, Joshua and Sharon!

How She Falls Asleep

Our little bookworm "reads" herself to sleep every night; after stories are read and prayers are said, we leave the room and she begins to look at books until she's ready to sleep. I loved going in and finding her sound asleep the other night with her book still propped open- isn't that the best feeling, reading until you can no longer keep your eyes open, and being too tired to even put the book down?

What Our Sundays Look Like

Just a few pictures to show what Sunday worship is like in our little church...

The Thai Beatles:)

Lunch after church

Happy Birthday America

Happy Independence Day from southeast Asia! I love this holiday. I love most holidays, really, because what's better than a reason to celebrate? But the 4th of July has lots going for it- love of country, a laid back summer feel, no gifts, great activities like eating, swimming and fireworks. The 4th fell on Friday, our family day, so we had fun being together, reading a great book about America (and Emmy found it quite humorous that I couldn't get through it without sentimental tears!), making a fun wreath out of Asa's handprints, swimming, and then preparing a feast that night- hamburgers, parmesan pita chips, corn on the cob, and, oh my goodness, fried pickles!

Tim outdid himself on these; they were incredible.

And apple pie and ice cream for dessert.
(Please indulge the pregnant lady's exuberance for good food!)

The next day there was more fun to be had at the annual Bangkok Independence Day picnic. This is a place for (more) good American food, great music (by a band called the Soi Dogs:), Uncle Sam himself (pictured above with Em and PJ in the subway station), and the opportunity to salute our flag and sing our national anthem. And of course, a great fireworks show at the end (which Asa found terrifying but was willing to endure while snuggled safely on a shoulder).





A quick, unrelated note about Asa that's just fun. He's in his "no" stage. He's not defiant about it at this point, just a bit negative. For example, whenever I suggest books to read I get a steady response of no's. So I'm teaching him to say "no, ma'am", because I figure I might as well use his negativity to reinforce some manners. Even if you're not from the South and don't find "ma'am and sir" to be polite, it is worth it just to hear the cuteness from the mouth of a 22 month old. Asa's version sounds something like, "ny-oo m'nyayam"

Big News From Bangkok

Well, at least from our little corner of it. We're overjoyed to share that we're expecting a little one- an anniversary gift due on January 9th, our 10th anniversary! Of course, based on prior experience we have no expectation that Baby will make his or her appearance anywhere near that due date, but it's still a fun one to have. God has given us the gift of having this little one when we're going to be in America, and we're very excited to share the joy with family and friends there.

This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago, the night we had a candlelight dinner and shared the news with the kids. Asa is fairly oblivious (his only comment was, "Baby Adele", who is his favorite baby), but Emmy is very excited and is, of course, lobbying for a girl. We told her we'll just have to wait and see, and we'll welcome with open arms either boy or girl upon arrival. She's satisfied with this, but still refers often refers to Baby as "she".

I'm almost 13 weeks along, and feeling very well now. The first several weeks were very difficult in terms of nausea and general unwell-ness, but it helps me now to so appreciate feeling well! We're very excited and thankful, and looking forward to this next adventure. And to being outnumbered- yikes!