Simply Stupendous at Seven

We celebrated our sweet Asa's birthday recently (sans camera, still, alas!)...and celebrated, and celebrated some more. We love those special mornings when the whole family gathers outside the birthday blessing's door, lights the candle and enters singing. Bites are shared all around and we're able to tell that child, "We are so thankful God gave you to us."

This birthday fell on a busy day, the very first worship service for our new church (!) (will share about that wonderful thing soon), so we had a quiet morning, Japanese for lunch (the birthday boy was hoping for a restaurant called 'Corn Dog Dude', but, sadly, upon arrival we found that the corn dog magic did not work on Bangkok, and our spot was all closed up)...

 ...home for Optimus Prime cake, and then off to an evening of worship.

The next day we celebrated with his adorable class at the end of the school day...

And then, the following Saturday, the grand finale- a few best buddies came over for a celebration that included...

swimming...

A Lego challenge game...

with their final creations

 

...and another Transformers cake.

This fellow's big transition is that he's just begun first grade, and a month and half in, it's safe to say that he's thriving. He's finding all of it- friends, books, math, music, computer, p.e., art- to be a big wide world of great adventure. He revels in playing soccer with his buddies at recess and he's kicking and punching (natural affinities, you may recall) in taekwando after school, as well as dabbling in piano every other week. We couldn't be more thankful for where he is, nor for who he is and is becoming. Our boy is a treasure, a unique combination of sensitive spirit, sweet smile and warrior constitution, and we give thanks to God for His good gift to us.

A Birthday

Our camera's in the shop, but life goes on and we're depending on Em's to document life these days...low resolution is better than no resolution, and the memories are precious...

I had a birthday this week. A really, really good one. One of Em's friends saw me after school and knowing it was my birthday, asked, "Whadya get?"

I got...

 ...time with my favorite people in the world.

Japanese food all together, looking out over a big city, then a foot massage all by myself. What more could I ask for? (I did also have an impromptu birthday party with snacks and birthday song with two dear friends at school pickup, and that was a treat for my heart, too:)

cake donut courtesy of Krispy Kreme, which now resides in the mall just steps from our home!

As I begin this new year, I am rich in love. Thanks be to God.

On a Sunday Morning

Because these days are fleeting, and sweet...

Snaggletooth...finally lost the one that's been dangling...and the tooth fairy was generous. 

Stairsteps- 10, very nearly 7, and 4

They're Off

Oh, my, yesterday was the first day of school...ever, for our first grade boy...and the last first day of elementary for our fifth grade girl. The day started with lots of nerves and excitement, and I won't say it was easy for me. In fact, I was a sad, sad mama. I think transition is just difficult for some of us and we have to give ourselves lots of grace through it.  Especially when it involves our treasures growing up and away...

Of course, the sun'll come out to-morrow...and today, day #2, was much better for me. These sweeties are dear friends, and Em's enjoying having little brother join her at the early morning breakfast table and on the train...

Initial reports have been very good. They're going to fly.

And this new year leaves me with my days filled with one special little fellow...

I see this season as a unique window of time to be with him. He hasn't missed a beat- not sad that he's the lone little at home, but ALWAYS at my side, which is a big change in a home where playing with siblings is the norm. So we'll work toward structuring our days to give him the stimulation he needs and give me the bit of space I need. I can already see how my time with him alone will be so unique- focusing in on his imaginative scenarios and joining in his games as we ride an escalator or walk down a sidewalk. He is a gift.

So, we're hopeful as we begin. Here's to growing!

Oh, Summer!

It has been a beautiful summer. Rest and imagination balanced with exploration and learning. The break from the school schedule has allowed for fullness in other areas, and it has been good. Just one more week, and we're all anticipating the joy and excitement that the school year brings (this year two children in 'real school'!), even as we'll sigh a bit at the passing of later nights and mornings, time to explore the city with friends, and lots and lots of imaginative play time for siblings that love each other deeply. These are golden days, golden years, and for all these gifts we open our hands in thankfulness to God.

A few snapshots of our summer days...

Dress up at Museum Siam:: Asa the Footballer:: Transportation of Three

Emmy cooks her first dinner:: Ju the Puzzler:: Summer Thai Study

My weekend away in Krabi... in paradise with a wonderful friend 

Cousin Friends

We met in 6th grade, two little girls, when my family moved to her lifelong little town. We declared ourselves to be BFF, and I gained sisters as we became part of one another's families. We weathered the wacky years of junior high together, then high school and different colleges, then stood by one another as we each married our high school sweethearts (my marriage was to her cousin, cementing us all as family happily ever after!) They headed off to seminary and the wide world overseas, while we settled down to enjoy married life in Atlanta. Little did we dream that our turn to feel the call of missions work overseas would come just 8 years later. But it did, and now we share memories of time together in some far-flung places- Italy, France, India, Thailand. When we have these times together, the cousin kids just play from dawn until dark and the 'grown up' cousins just talk and laugh and laugh (Chris has made me laugh in a unique way ever since that first French class together all those years ago), and we have some great adventures. So thankful for the grace of God that has woven our paths and our hearts together.

A few more pictures from our recent visit and road trip to the beach...

Don't miss the children's hut in the background, surrounded by staff in orange shirts...those kiddos were photographed and fawned over completely!

Cousins in a cave

These two kayaked across to 'monkey island', where, much to Asa's chagrin, the monkeys frolicked on their boat but declined to jump on his back!

He just gets more handsome.

This was a cave that we worked hard to reach- a rocky, sweaty hike, then a jaunt across a beach filled with mosquitoes like a plague- "don't stop or they'll swarm!", then another steep, rocky, rain forest-y, somewhat treacherous hike made more exciting and slippery by a well-timed monsoon. Soaked to the skin and thankful for no injuries, we arrived in what was one of the neatest places we've seen- two underground caves, dripping with limestone, that are really giant sinkholes- it was hard to capture the grandeur in photographs, but it was amazing! The monkeys we saw swinging through the trees on our return hike were the icing on the cake, then we hired a boat to take us on the return leg from the beach...adventure complete.