tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-289118622024-03-05T11:46:23.500+07:00Living In The Land Of SmilesMerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-34731208478489265642009-11-17T22:26:00.002+07:002009-11-17T22:34:28.795+07:00Funny Things I Heard Them SayThe other day, after intently listening to the story of Adam and Eve and how they first sinned, Daniel looked up at me with his very serious eyes and said, "Mom, Satan is a <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">jerk</span>, and a liar, too!"<br /><br />And in response to my Thai aunt (whose English is the Australian brand) when she mentioned Helen's mummy, "That's not right! A mummy is a dead person in Egypt!" Oh, thank you, classical education!<br /><br />Sam just turned 2. I know, I know, where did those 2 years go? And little Abi slept 7.5 hours last night! Life is good.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-29628536718053419462009-11-06T10:22:00.002+07:002009-11-06T10:25:41.874+07:00Something to think on:<br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/10/shortest-surest-rule-to-happiness.html">The Shortest, Surest Way to Happiness</a><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-79043121792952392482009-11-05T22:24:00.004+07:002009-11-05T22:41:27.250+07:00Jabberwocky<span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >For those of you who had Miss Taylor for English at BRCS, and maybe for some of you who didn't, this poem may hold fond memories.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves</span><br /> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;<br />All mimsy were the borogoves,<br />And the mome raths outgrabe.<br /><br />"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!<br />The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!<br />Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun<br />The frumious Bandersnatch!"<br /><br />He took his vorpal sword in hand:<br />Long time the manxome foe he sought—<br />So rested he by the Tumtum tree,<br />And stood awhile in thought.<br /><br />And as in uffish thought he stood,<br />The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,<br />Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,<br />And burbled as it came!<br /><br />One, two! One, two! and through and through<br />The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!<br />He left it dead, and with its head<br />He went galumphing back.<br /><br />"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?<br />Come to my arms, my beamish boy!<br />O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"<br />He chortled in his joy.<br /><br />'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves<br />Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;<br />All mimsy were the borogoves,<br />And the mome raths outgrabe.</p><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Daniel, Helen and I read it together for the first time a couple of days ago. It delights my heart now as the grow through the house attacking the Jabberwock and speaking of the Jubjub birds...</span></span> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial; font-style: italic;"><br /></p> <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-31416785426175937592009-10-29T15:56:00.000+07:002009-10-29T11:36:18.542+07:001st Grade and Pre K in our houseI thought there might be one or two people who would like to see what we are doing this year for school. Really, I feel like I am in my element with homeschool. I absolutely love it. Every part of it, nearly. I love to read books about homeschooling, look through catalogues from homeschool companies, and plan every aspect of our curriculum.<br /><br />We are using the <span style="font-style: italic;">Well Trained Mind</span> approach ( a classical education meaning you teach the student how to learn) and meshing it with <a href="http://www.sonlight.com/">Sonlight</a> books. We are now completing are 6th week and I can't believe how fast it is flying by. I think we are all having fun, but I am sure I am having the most fun!<br /><br />Daniel is technically PreK and we are really stressing the basics, ABC's, counting, fine motor skills for writing. This kid could color and draw all day and loves any and all super heroes. Buckling down for school is really not his idea of a good time, but he is plugging away at it. We don't push him too hard yet. He joins Helen for Bible time and then does a little pencil excercise to help him get ready to write, works on his counting or ABC's, and then I try to read to him a bit.<br /><br />Now that Helen is in 1st grade, I feel like to she is finally in school for "real." She has Bible time with Daniel. We are working through <span style="font-style: italic;">Leading Little Ones to Christ</span>. It's a great basic theology for early elementary. While I read the lesson, they listen and draw in their Bible notebooks. Then it is on to handwriting practice which is the verse that she is memorizing at the time. Currently she is finishing up Psalm 1.<br /><br />Then we switch gears to reading time. She has a book that she reads alone, then I question her on comprehension. Then I read aloud to her. Right now we are reading <span style="font-style: italic;">Homer Price</span>. Such a cute story. She also a very short basic grammar lesson and spelling work.<br /><br />Next is history. We are taking a very fun journey through the ancients this year. Like so many others I have talked to, I didn't really enjoy history when I was in school. Now, it is my favorite subject to study with Helen. We have spent the last six weeks learning about Ancient Egypt--pyramids, mummies, pharoahs and more. We have built our own pyramid with sand blocks, written on clay tablets using cunieform writing, and made clay seals like they had in ancient times. Helen is building a history notebook full of narrations from what she has learned, coloring pages, maps and her own artwork. She is also working on a time line book.<br /><br />In science this year we are introducing animals, the human body, and plants. Just like history, we are making a science notebook of all the things we are learning and the experiments we do.<br /><br />For math I am using Rightstart and really enjoying it. It is a hands on program that helps the student really understand numbers not just memorize facts.<br /><br />On top of all of the this, Helen and Daniel have begun Thai school in the mornings. We are seeing improvement in their ability to understand and speak Thai. Helen is even writing Thai now.<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-58201673707174333482009-09-06T21:34:00.005+07:002009-09-07T17:40:04.046+07:00More on Abi<div>Pun put up the last post for me, which I am very grateful for, otherwise you wouldn't be seeing any pictures until now. I am still figuring out what our new "normal" looks like with 4 instead of 3. All you who have larger families, I can hear you smirking! :) Anyway, as with all our births, Abi decided to come late. She was our earliest birth, though, at just<span style="font-style: italic;"> 6</span> days late! She was also my easiest and shortest labor. In fact, my friend who helped us with her birth began to call people in for her birth when I thought I still had a few hours to go. She was born 15 minutes later. And she was our smallest baby. She is such a sweet, petite little thing. The first night she only squeaked like a kitten when she woke to eat!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8-oWtzXVLoaj8kz9iMtCCWZ7PtOkdHE5QHdcbaE-ha3ajTU87Rpeh_Da93a2iytmaWdbM2gblQwfujOrwQDz48J5xb31iWSb4Bnm-gMTxt-TalK98GWwbJpFxzamzMM9emCpyw/s1600-h/sweet+abi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378363367440873666" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8-oWtzXVLoaj8kz9iMtCCWZ7PtOkdHE5QHdcbaE-ha3ajTU87Rpeh_Da93a2iytmaWdbM2gblQwfujOrwQDz48J5xb31iWSb4Bnm-gMTxt-TalK98GWwbJpFxzamzMM9emCpyw/s400/sweet+abi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Our Sweet Abi...</span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UtK0u9pnmEY8kn6rORDlOjLUYT_5UU7kEFDYaJS0NVtRi6Lrm7cGNdOyDebWQrAk3v4Pp1mVHR5_2A1ldMjKekheQ2pzE3UorCdnNBAw0UaV8Nh2gES8FPYCu13mZMdzeAlv7A/s1600-h/Abi+Pink+dress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378363360248763922" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UtK0u9pnmEY8kn6rORDlOjLUYT_5UU7kEFDYaJS0NVtRi6Lrm7cGNdOyDebWQrAk3v4Pp1mVHR5_2A1ldMjKekheQ2pzE3UorCdnNBAw0UaV8Nh2gES8FPYCu13mZMdzeAlv7A/s400/Abi+Pink+dress.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Truly, we have all fallen head over heals for Abi. She is so easy to care for and so much fun to hold and kiss. All 3 of her brothers and sister are in love with her and fight for turns to hold her.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DSzSh6FeiGxQIQOvP59D-kIB6LNYQ7zx-_RfNG3A1irl1l3qJeu9w3MutL913mcUb99kaT8XDOZ-ndU8GJi7BBpn8b619Sll4TYVgsBOP3k481_4n9OWWCQpiZ4be1NIhzDeaw/s1600-h/HDS+lying+down.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378363349773763570" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DSzSh6FeiGxQIQOvP59D-kIB6LNYQ7zx-_RfNG3A1irl1l3qJeu9w3MutL913mcUb99kaT8XDOZ-ndU8GJi7BBpn8b619Sll4TYVgsBOP3k481_4n9OWWCQpiZ4be1NIhzDeaw/s400/HDS+lying+down.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Helen, Daniel, and Sam</span><br /><br />Abi and Helen share the same due date (Aug 20) so we were wondering if they would share their birthday as well. That didn't quite happen, so 4 days after Abi was born we celebrated Helen's 6th birthday with lots of friends and family.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmdxbPt9u-HRdYTk51PEF1Jhu_fHuyoRUW_WNa5mPPDFQFrrNSPV72q35TyZd_WB7ISaQ3B2nS6dZXsAAl3nHJ1ZK-p-vJs0llgEL8hnIsl7dC0Ti0dmYRrehqgTuhOA7EqOrkA/s1600-h/all+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378363339926603906" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmdxbPt9u-HRdYTk51PEF1Jhu_fHuyoRUW_WNa5mPPDFQFrrNSPV72q35TyZd_WB7ISaQ3B2nS6dZXsAAl3nHJ1ZK-p-vJs0llgEL8hnIsl7dC0Ti0dmYRrehqgTuhOA7EqOrkA/s400/all+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Helen, Daniel, Sam, and Abi on Helen's birthday.</span><br /><br />Today Helen started 1st grade and Daniel Preschool. It was a bit crazy as I am trying to figure out a new curriculum in combination with Sonlight. I think it will be a great year once I get the logistics down.<br /><br />Throw in a visit from Grandma and Grandpa from Utah, some extra outings to the Crocodile Farm and Elephant Island with them and we are keeping busy.<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-86888103039847809642009-08-27T07:50:00.003+07:002009-08-27T08:07:24.925+07:00Abigail Anne Birth Announcement<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ABwUstizCKaX30GUEymXV9ZansAL4KrdLuZg_ta9fqnoIDkQPS1nT0r8tEvkq4JVH-zEKLriQkZGCNfho7dX4V52E6bEaygrP39PyreUts6-mLyaigN4lG26f8uEOd2lF1u6Ag/s1600-h/PICT0293.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ABwUstizCKaX30GUEymXV9ZansAL4KrdLuZg_ta9fqnoIDkQPS1nT0r8tEvkq4JVH-zEKLriQkZGCNfho7dX4V52E6bEaygrP39PyreUts6-mLyaigN4lG26f8uEOd2lF1u6Ag/s400/PICT0293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374443531491941986" border="0" /></a><br />Dear friends,<br /> After 6 hours of active labor (not to mention 6 days past the due date) we welcomed Abigail Anne to the world on August 26 at 16:21 (GMT +7). She came out without a cry and started to nurse right away! Merri had a good night of sleep after only 2 hours of rest the night before. Helen, Daniel and Samuel were excited. Helen couldn't contain herself from such joy to have a little sister. Abigail was 7 lbs. 4 oz. (3.3 kgs). She was born at home, completely natura<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-2752076268115424122009-04-02T11:01:00.007+07:002009-04-02T12:30:46.575+07:00Home Improvements<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqBlbfFDhu7ZpsjurdzrE9UY7xlQplQ6-VyI5X_6qeiG3HsFR9J_QfYr50Qi8GfisE0vJWaucbygkoLsFCGYYit2TWHQnWIV_khuOluHMcagINj0kAzD37N-PPfNjuKkdiKzdyQ/s1600-h/Sam+on+the+patio.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqBlbfFDhu7ZpsjurdzrE9UY7xlQplQ6-VyI5X_6qeiG3HsFR9J_QfYr50Qi8GfisE0vJWaucbygkoLsFCGYYit2TWHQnWIV_khuOluHMcagINj0kAzD37N-PPfNjuKkdiKzdyQ/s400/Sam+on+the+patio.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319943427563458434" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sam, 16 months, hanging out on the patio.</span><br /><br /><br />We have been in our new house, it's hard to believe, for a year and 4 months! Over the months we have been making progress, not steadily, but in spurts. Lately, lots of exciting things have been happening...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhB7txGfITq5XMy2Ifur9o3qNUm01up7fVlXZtvE8nPgNcq-OV6vPkOmQRmBDyWv5OTdYHIcCYOPOBTHI9qdQ5rdYBdLI4SzyTQAgV3rRQ3XyOEV9WTl6oAXknNfuhPz_lzeN6g/s1600-h/front+flower+bed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhB7txGfITq5XMy2Ifur9o3qNUm01up7fVlXZtvE8nPgNcq-OV6vPkOmQRmBDyWv5OTdYHIcCYOPOBTHI9qdQ5rdYBdLI4SzyTQAgV3rRQ3XyOEV9WTl6oAXknNfuhPz_lzeN6g/s400/front+flower+bed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319943414224922082" border="0" /></a><br />This is our front patio area. Pun put down concrete tiles and we added a table and chairs. We sometimes eat breakfast or lunch out here. It is very well shaded so it feels sort of secluded and cozy. Most recently, Pun "planted" this stump in the flower bed and then put in flowers.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3qkcxY8HsRCw-iIfWNJhV66oFgiG2IQGFcpFHMDnaojuH2spUBMNMeuuz-dIbtOvScJdURGOUtLcQz1NSYI6BqCHYPWR5zSWmOwR9SZbwNgqRD4B2cMTJxSsWrS7-46R4_zTDg/s1600-h/rocks+and+plants+along+the+wall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3qkcxY8HsRCw-iIfWNJhV66oFgiG2IQGFcpFHMDnaojuH2spUBMNMeuuz-dIbtOvScJdURGOUtLcQz1NSYI6BqCHYPWR5zSWmOwR9SZbwNgqRD4B2cMTJxSsWrS7-46R4_zTDg/s400/rocks+and+plants+along+the+wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319943420098883074" border="0" /></a><br />We put down rocks in all the little areas where there was only dirt and then planted creeping vines to grow on the walls.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwFCZ5LpBeDNQ3Zp8PSWhlQMqXZyIoqOegFOJZ5fMWbWbr7EzsVY_ohtV7d3J_plXp6_9pBoVB1EO6XRaOiw0NtmDhey0qrKZ1iln6uFXtCsMqnr5QoQ37Dp2owJJnFRtCfzQxw/s1600-h/vege+planter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwFCZ5LpBeDNQ3Zp8PSWhlQMqXZyIoqOegFOJZ5fMWbWbr7EzsVY_ohtV7d3J_plXp6_9pBoVB1EO6XRaOiw0NtmDhey0qrKZ1iln6uFXtCsMqnr5QoQ37Dp2owJJnFRtCfzQxw/s400/vege+planter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319943422988493602" border="0" /></a><br />Ok, so don't look in the planter here. Look <span style="font-style: italic;">at</span> the planter. It wasn't there before and it represents several hours of sweat and back breaking work on a very hot summer day for Pun. This wall runs along the back of our yard. The kitchen window faces it. When I do dishes this is what I see. Before we put the planter in a couple weeks back we had been throwing all our "compostable" garbage here and it was looking pretty ugly! I hated staring at it every day. But, in all that we threw out there to compost, several plants began to grow on there own including a nice tomatoe plant which has already given us 8 tomatoes (and we didn't do a thing!) What you see is what has grown up on its own, except for a couple little plants we stuck in there to see what would happen. This will be a little vegetable garden as soon as we go pick out our plants.<br /><br />Our bedroom has been the last on the "honey-do" list for so many reasons, but lately we have begun to tackle it and I am so excited about this room! We have it almost all the way painted. It was supposed to be red, but when the red paint that we chose actually went up, oh boy, it was a mistake:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoifEYo1waL-ZiY8gGYpogm9e9lLlq6HT9_zcRn5C-yLlyiMfEqbAwaa0m_iR1b85hDY9goV5_hKiArWGP-09vZ_CX8d3mPsdWk4a_cF0BdvZkK_u6bofDgxFQal4XYUZk-zhFA/s1600-h/wrong+color.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoifEYo1waL-ZiY8gGYpogm9e9lLlq6HT9_zcRn5C-yLlyiMfEqbAwaa0m_iR1b85hDY9goV5_hKiArWGP-09vZ_CX8d3mPsdWk4a_cF0BdvZkK_u6bofDgxFQal4XYUZk-zhFA/s400/wrong+color.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319958922830478722" border="0" /></a><br />So we changed to a brick red terracotta sort of color. It is beautiful! (the picture really doesn't do it justice)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_neJmTg-TlsDmhU4msD7k_I55EYgttBMo1kJ8EVtg3LjCNJVEdVHoRkSaBCDlp3IeZLsOlpdVGLnVSVR_EU3A1ONaIkqY6KVzBMwf4bUjVGgGrZTr2cqXYXlvyUD4jpWRDDulEA/s1600-h/Bedroom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_neJmTg-TlsDmhU4msD7k_I55EYgttBMo1kJ8EVtg3LjCNJVEdVHoRkSaBCDlp3IeZLsOlpdVGLnVSVR_EU3A1ONaIkqY6KVzBMwf4bUjVGgGrZTr2cqXYXlvyUD4jpWRDDulEA/s400/Bedroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319958913444657682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I would say we are 70% done. I am waiting for Pun to help me move some heavy furniture so I can finish.<br /><br />This last weekend Pun put up wood shelves that he made for the two recessed spaces on either side of our balcony doors. I have been waiting and hoping for these for weeks (months, actually!) and I couldn't be more thrilled with how they turned out. Now the hard task of organizing them to be beautiful<span style="font-style: italic;"> and </span>functional awaits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkoKj367VE1_4hXoRBJDfb68jTidSA1dd3saRx_avH_nMGu9uYdUvsHaoZp24LHIq6Ut5-Y1LrS3HkZ8s1v2Pu_8shx9F-EaAc4iE7GoNd-qAM2Q7qDoTqfbI5slyhlMiE4oY7Q/s1600-h/Bedroom+shelf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkoKj367VE1_4hXoRBJDfb68jTidSA1dd3saRx_avH_nMGu9uYdUvsHaoZp24LHIq6Ut5-Y1LrS3HkZ8s1v2Pu_8shx9F-EaAc4iE7GoNd-qAM2Q7qDoTqfbI5slyhlMiE4oY7Q/s400/Bedroom+shelf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319958920148393810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We are planning to work more this Saturday...I can hardly wait to see what we will get done!!Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-59935462480419094262009-03-26T12:51:00.000+07:002009-03-26T12:51:52.953+07:00For Bakers and Sweet ToothsYesterday I had a craving for some cinnamon rolls. I had seen a few mentions on line of a certain <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/cinammon_rolls_/">cinnamon roll recipe</a> that was to die for. So I tried. Oh my...<br /><br />Well, I loved them, my kids were crazy about them and, here is the clincher...even Pun (who doesn't eat my desserts) was licking his fingers. I even caught him sneaking downstairs later for one more! I made a big pan and a little pan of these and we polished off the big pan in about 10 minutes. Ouch!<br /><br />We ate up the little pan for breakfast this morning. I thought I should have a picture to show you but this is all I have...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMA98eRwpkhA7eHzFLUr8hFdrc9ULdAHKkp9h5XSIIKGdTxO2u5Ev4iWS6UWAlv7PWnvJjrZdOv8JqT9F96A2GVPtEFwyZt0XwQYTNiePb4f0jkcb9uNXWfUrIMUBmj-_OyDnkA/s1600-h/cinnamon+rolls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMA98eRwpkhA7eHzFLUr8hFdrc9ULdAHKkp9h5XSIIKGdTxO2u5Ev4iWS6UWAlv7PWnvJjrZdOv8JqT9F96A2GVPtEFwyZt0XwQYTNiePb4f0jkcb9uNXWfUrIMUBmj-_OyDnkA/s400/cinnamon+rolls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317364743962038898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Oh, and did I mention they are easy-peasy! It is a recipe for those who are afraid of making anything involving yeast. No kneading involved and it turned out to be the softest and lightest dough I have ever made. It is very simple. I did cut this recipe down to a fourth (just in case you are wondering how we put away so many cinnamon rolls!) And the frosting is made with coffee. Yummy! The great thing about making these for me is that all the ingredients are easy for me to get (except the maple flavoring, I substituted vanilla) and they are also inexpensive. I am in the process (and I think that this will take years) of learning to cook with the different ingredients and methods for food prep available here to produce the foods I love. This recipe is a keeper!Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-62509739243924856102009-03-25T13:57:00.006+07:002009-03-25T14:32:03.931+07:00Hello again (part 2)I meant to do all this in one post, but then my pictures messed up and it was just easier to separate it into two posts.<br /><br />So, I was saying, shortly after we got home from Chaing Rai, my parents came for a visit. The kids were counting down the days until Grandma and Grandpa arrived. Having my mom here was such a help. She really took care of our family while I felt so pukey.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju23Qp96FZbk_VMkBUQSMYTNafakg1y3_rmfb_lSOlYaMGFZ_-K0xkktwPaeyoVr2WIUq4NWoTIHPBel1FtSMisKM59_EsMplKZYPcxZwQ5wV7-velq4NQM1lGUEppocBlfA8XvA/s1600-h/Taking+a+walk+with+Grandpa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju23Qp96FZbk_VMkBUQSMYTNafakg1y3_rmfb_lSOlYaMGFZ_-K0xkktwPaeyoVr2WIUq4NWoTIHPBel1FtSMisKM59_EsMplKZYPcxZwQ5wV7-velq4NQM1lGUEppocBlfA8XvA/s320/Taking+a+walk+with+Grandpa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316999249526118706" border="0" /></a><br />Helen and Daniel took some walks down our street with Grandpa.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKx6v9fJcfKd9Qepiq7q9XJ6E5nWnaqj3tJKPAYNUq65CS-51eiQDs4npjQvvli6GeaJpfZUBB7BMtzMjeh2IzAGX8sLmgfZl11AhnXq5nlK1HV3BFWLaCr2JZyH2qr-2HsYn4Q/s1600-h/Painting+with+Grandma+and+pa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKx6v9fJcfKd9Qepiq7q9XJ6E5nWnaqj3tJKPAYNUq65CS-51eiQDs4npjQvvli6GeaJpfZUBB7BMtzMjeh2IzAGX8sLmgfZl11AhnXq5nlK1HV3BFWLaCr2JZyH2qr-2HsYn4Q/s320/Painting+with+Grandma+and+pa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316999250353363522" border="0" /></a><br />We also spent some time painting, which was a lot of fun because Grandma <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> Grandpa painted! What you will do for your grandkids...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGu8uQ4cpMvJZJvrn4K4ssmIWwBM_5fcjiNMEZnNQ5I6teprSUvrQSQwjQPIMGTumeeq1qQ-kLq4J1GmKYycb4B7wJN0eJxe0eO_uaMsMgQMhztYZS-1u4fs5CWBdHVbKp0-R-w/s1600-h/Daniel+turns+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGu8uQ4cpMvJZJvrn4K4ssmIWwBM_5fcjiNMEZnNQ5I6teprSUvrQSQwjQPIMGTumeeq1qQ-kLq4J1GmKYycb4B7wJN0eJxe0eO_uaMsMgQMhztYZS-1u4fs5CWBdHVbKp0-R-w/s320/Daniel+turns+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316998623365187522" border="0" /></a><br />Daniel turned 4 while my parents were here. We celebrated the ususal way with cake<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdGKMAdOXo20VLmBwB-omCfrXYqEYGfMhozwQ88EAPY7LcrhJi-gFdhG258EuUn7J_N_ZS4I6M47oa4r60OK1lfxb0VavcaTsresp0ot3jM7rvDrvKh0cqD9BSuoRDZE3BjLAJg/s1600-h/Daniel+and+his+presents.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdGKMAdOXo20VLmBwB-omCfrXYqEYGfMhozwQ88EAPY7LcrhJi-gFdhG258EuUn7J_N_ZS4I6M47oa4r60OK1lfxb0VavcaTsresp0ot3jM7rvDrvKh0cqD9BSuoRDZE3BjLAJg/s320/Daniel+and+his+presents.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317019294531933890" border="0" /></a>and presents.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ogStiaK9AForn6-6cfoAOdkscncgcSbQWbMl5tiSKbdk9pGsD8rgFMMkqQVkdstEKXX3cvh9yfA-boWn9IsfFoRL8XzUOfFSE3kqDHkFgdm4Xi3cUBjuxRECADrCPkCF8ap7ow/s1600-h/Helen+the+pirate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ogStiaK9AForn6-6cfoAOdkscncgcSbQWbMl5tiSKbdk9pGsD8rgFMMkqQVkdstEKXX3cvh9yfA-boWn9IsfFoRL8XzUOfFSE3kqDHkFgdm4Xi3cUBjuxRECADrCPkCF8ap7ow/s320/Helen+the+pirate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317020672825185186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Helen couldn't wait to try on Daniel's new pirate suit!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmcRvGaSD1gn-9pLrlSDVukog0A6L33kUmbvfntVWLVVaQoGRxzitde1NSvdyTW9vuV5j_x6SwtjAeIsoj6nPlnTLuVtVovs2Sma_NuS7b0rF9ChIffjCVCuhBgbQo7EybRk2TQ/s1600-h/Grandpa+and+Sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmcRvGaSD1gn-9pLrlSDVukog0A6L33kUmbvfntVWLVVaQoGRxzitde1NSvdyTW9vuV5j_x6SwtjAeIsoj6nPlnTLuVtVovs2Sma_NuS7b0rF9ChIffjCVCuhBgbQo7EybRk2TQ/s320/Grandpa+and+Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316998626661397362" border="0" /></a><br />Sam really bonded well with my Dad and my Mom.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPOD8hcw-OlXOiTkBLZuV5iQMJgUyNs8JBLOxXthIxQF3ltwWW0zqX04qVSzef8M9PveH4ZIyCO0smsPScojQwTmq7o90Qfgon3FmuEV3gwX0Df1LUr5FQj4io1yAyYyfO3bnIw/s1600-h/Crocodile++farm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPOD8hcw-OlXOiTkBLZuV5iQMJgUyNs8JBLOxXthIxQF3ltwWW0zqX04qVSzef8M9PveH4ZIyCO0smsPScojQwTmq7o90Qfgon3FmuEV3gwX0Df1LUr5FQj4io1yAyYyfO3bnIw/s320/Crocodile++farm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316998613511928418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIlR6Xjx8GOs6Uf0Wcq3DEGyb0_0rOiETlV_E20GukSzan8RpeIWUgptkzD4D7YCvnAKvW6T1WSk35y497oPCACOIsSBK_lYOcO-h-tC6zMvZRO-D3cKd5-okBCUv9ydRRwh0og/s1600-h/Holding+the+baby+tiger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIlR6Xjx8GOs6Uf0Wcq3DEGyb0_0rOiETlV_E20GukSzan8RpeIWUgptkzD4D7YCvnAKvW6T1WSk35y497oPCACOIsSBK_lYOcO-h-tC6zMvZRO-D3cKd5-okBCUv9ydRRwh0og/s320/Holding+the+baby+tiger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316999241836730082" border="0" /></a><br />At the crocodile farm...crazy man putting his head in the croc's mouth and the kids and Mom holding a baby tiger.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF5JJdrlGbBS7mQTzmQGFwPmAPGi69QrKxGNPx99xcrMrrZ-REtGXybOR4Ntv7rXMSIejMiyzkEQcm8H0oZRDcjiITIrEACjQQ0v4x9BfNT2tgEEFfbIewIWLnFdXDU9GjAvr1A/s1600-h/Helen+in+Northern+Thai+tribal+dress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF5JJdrlGbBS7mQTzmQGFwPmAPGi69QrKxGNPx99xcrMrrZ-REtGXybOR4Ntv7rXMSIejMiyzkEQcm8H0oZRDcjiITIrEACjQQ0v4x9BfNT2tgEEFfbIewIWLnFdXDU9GjAvr1A/s320/Helen+in+Northern+Thai+tribal+dress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316999227678489042" border="0" /></a><br />Helen showing off her Northern Thai Tribal costume<br /><br />We have also been hard at work trying to get more done on our house. It is amazing how much time it seems to take! Such a long list of projects I have for Pun (and me, too) to "finish" house. Our favorite phrase these days is "little by little". I will post pictures of this soon.<br /><br />So I am back online. There is much to tell. I will try to be faithful and continue sharing.Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-14815731338407619472009-03-24T11:28:00.015+07:002009-03-25T14:31:00.165+07:00Hello againYes, yes, I know it has been awhile. Of course, lots of things have been going on since I last wrote. The main reason I have been away so long (if you don't already know) is that I am 19 weeks pregnant. I have finally reached a point of "normalcy" in this pregnancy. It seemed to take me longer this time to get over the morning sickness and I have just been so tired. I am due late August and we are so excited to meet another new baby!<br /><br />Though I have been under the weather we have still kept relatively busy. Over the new year we went with our dear friends up to the village where they have been working for years writing down the people's language and then translating the Bible book by book as well as several other cultural type books. It was, to say the least, a fascinating experience and one that endeared us to these people. Here are a few pictures:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18X3-P1hMAmpao2vw8VbLUEMs5eRgDj6RTgE9OFInfPMQJrtmmBZc5zoVsQM5QPtkOaddEmpBZjXXBscDzUvo0fGpdBmB0fnXJZssq1NF6Tyi82_RG94DPIWSyPVxbaysNNLPnQ/s1600-h/Christmas+party.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18X3-P1hMAmpao2vw8VbLUEMs5eRgDj6RTgE9OFInfPMQJrtmmBZc5zoVsQM5QPtkOaddEmpBZjXXBscDzUvo0fGpdBmB0fnXJZssq1NF6Tyi82_RG94DPIWSyPVxbaysNNLPnQ/s320/Christmas+party.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316996239879480690" border="0" /></a><br />The annual Christmas party for everyone in the village<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5K8YUJc1BdiK5XXMeDJtTE2V0qztIuUDsYfL9acfL6oUV-SMe_7vxJ796boMDEQ_ky4-EMfYyD7Klyxg-muTMYsvSF2EQgFTFb6BDqgL6gPkymQwDTUn_GVMsh6jGGg6IG4gG7Q/s1600-h/Guest+at+the+party.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5K8YUJc1BdiK5XXMeDJtTE2V0qztIuUDsYfL9acfL6oUV-SMe_7vxJ796boMDEQ_ky4-EMfYyD7Klyxg-muTMYsvSF2EQgFTFb6BDqgL6gPkymQwDTUn_GVMsh6jGGg6IG4gG7Q/s320/Guest+at+the+party.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316990770793010738" border="0" /></a><br />A guest at the party<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZQ3Lu-x0i_OXohc_CRd2lMBjmyTBPEXa6GCjkfLNvgvLVr6aJpU8r5LyjUtZABvuGNJvIbcevQj4cF1Z5Uj5djq88kXoGX1GFXj6mPR35pbSdpDQQJf12f3zNahd7XMsXYt1BQ/s1600-h/Heading+out+for+a+hike.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZQ3Lu-x0i_OXohc_CRd2lMBjmyTBPEXa6GCjkfLNvgvLVr6aJpU8r5LyjUtZABvuGNJvIbcevQj4cF1Z5Uj5djq88kXoGX1GFXj6mPR35pbSdpDQQJf12f3zNahd7XMsXYt1BQ/s320/Heading+out+for+a+hike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316990780775859042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksKrhAfUPXXsloqAYIbFL-xFqAOsVpNz5YcKO1rGUVFiUNNrr9ZZ3hrx57Gzl1efyRHf0uBIXFRzzFXMTM9GK2nQ4JLtYkxAPhJmwjnCmCNBQYVlGlwKuJAr3bg6Azp6dRvW3dg/s1600-h/in+the+rice+field.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksKrhAfUPXXsloqAYIbFL-xFqAOsVpNz5YcKO1rGUVFiUNNrr9ZZ3hrx57Gzl1efyRHf0uBIXFRzzFXMTM9GK2nQ4JLtYkxAPhJmwjnCmCNBQYVlGlwKuJAr3bg6Azp6dRvW3dg/s320/in+the+rice+field.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316999998820960194" border="0" /></a><br />Going on a hike through rice fields<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xqgomIiv_kojRyDFYGvGMcwjbuppjP1SAKvJCRmRzNNy3w7e2PgeUdZqNdN8NnpEX2IAsYLVZtKSO1hiX69R29w7FM114ozGFG9Ouh26PA709iq_IwQWIk0SbyXc0huNjIPuqQ/s1600-h/Daniel+and+Austin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xqgomIiv_kojRyDFYGvGMcwjbuppjP1SAKvJCRmRzNNy3w7e2PgeUdZqNdN8NnpEX2IAsYLVZtKSO1hiX69R29w7FM114ozGFG9Ouh26PA709iq_IwQWIk0SbyXc0huNjIPuqQ/s320/Daniel+and+Austin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316990292641524626" border="0" /></a><br />Daniel and his best buddy<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUOEjySziOmmyNY5mO145-DMlxWviXB7T2_rrIYVVaI3NapyJ7Bq7smLo_BeDzgGbUG9j0nVovS77iTD_ztOut_NrYGtAEZPMwXv48kHeO-fxV0_So_JYV24OJBi3OFSCI2uCKA/s1600-h/children+performing+music.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUOEjySziOmmyNY5mO145-DMlxWviXB7T2_rrIYVVaI3NapyJ7Bq7smLo_BeDzgGbUG9j0nVovS77iTD_ztOut_NrYGtAEZPMwXv48kHeO-fxV0_So_JYV24OJBi3OFSCI2uCKA/s320/children+performing+music.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316990288451943058" border="0" /></a>Northern Thai children performing music at the market<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6BncFQjVAwr5UIx_-DCmzbLCtn3bf-lg7wUX2ah4r-mTu915J0HSirS7VCEGx0_0tqZxsgP9vqmnNFi-IaM5HmF-FCHD32JInAPkMFvS1h4B67dpb00BPya7qwwH26LRFsH8eA/s1600-h/Burmese+Monks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6BncFQjVAwr5UIx_-DCmzbLCtn3bf-lg7wUX2ah4r-mTu915J0HSirS7VCEGx0_0tqZxsgP9vqmnNFi-IaM5HmF-FCHD32JInAPkMFvS1h4B67dpb00BPya7qwwH26LRFsH8eA/s320/Burmese+Monks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316990285795915778" border="0" /></a>Burmese monks at the Thai-Burmese border<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJZi2ohvyhc3MzZZ2tnVqFoLATWWGybUgVtDKpbc-7mQ7P83Qp9IgiTMlO1jFtAAKtSYEKUiWHUOWu4R_zAlJwLAnGvSL7DY3yjsyna7LYu8S4g2283ea6nyvZOUs-RtmeB974A/s1600-h/gecko.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJZi2ohvyhc3MzZZ2tnVqFoLATWWGybUgVtDKpbc-7mQ7P83Qp9IgiTMlO1jFtAAKtSYEKUiWHUOWu4R_zAlJwLAnGvSL7DY3yjsyna7LYu8S4g2283ea6nyvZOUs-RtmeB974A/s320/gecko.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316990280540132882" border="0" /></a>And of course, a few wild life pictures. One sad little gecko who just lost his tail!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmzzcOCAa7DfpsxiNEDHQpCV-dRkey2mtRu3Gk5qGvGoWfeWD3l8ruKyiq7Jh2tPn3oaQJshWtabHkV9Z3gfGZRHHLvioTpZIl0xvPqMUHo14WvVet7YdCGLxugIBHHrXAQ_I1g/s1600-h/Spider.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmzzcOCAa7DfpsxiNEDHQpCV-dRkey2mtRu3Gk5qGvGoWfeWD3l8ruKyiq7Jh2tPn3oaQJshWtabHkV9Z3gfGZRHHLvioTpZIl0xvPqMUHo14WvVet7YdCGLxugIBHHrXAQ_I1g/s320/Spider.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316990275258715234" border="0" /></a>And a very large spider in the tree.Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-18268091187350751502008-12-15T22:47:00.002+07:002008-12-15T22:52:16.084+07:001000 More Reasons Come Visit Us<span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081215/sc_afp/sciencethailandseasiawildlife_081215132156">Check this out!</a></span>Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-35336978625288517722008-11-24T14:26:00.005+07:002008-11-24T23:31:18.443+07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCAq75xPELUnkjrKSFMncvWOXjEZWbO4V6gzoHo6GTdD8BJjOrZ52434fLbirXYjGy7o-LsgDQ8HAd1XwYG9Tu8GMFJU8uAy5SIGQK_JflTLiNhOyJzeGeJS2Nxz7VvZkb9Fn3A/s1600-h/HS+Schedule.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCAq75xPELUnkjrKSFMncvWOXjEZWbO4V6gzoHo6GTdD8BJjOrZ52434fLbirXYjGy7o-LsgDQ8HAd1XwYG9Tu8GMFJU8uAy5SIGQK_JflTLiNhOyJzeGeJS2Nxz7VvZkb9Fn3A/s200/HS+Schedule.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272251059942258706" border="0" /></a><br />We are now 11 weeks into Helen's kindergarten year. Wow! We are having a great time. Even before we moved to Thailand I longed to home school. Now, it is nearly a necessity. I do think that I might be just a bit more excited about it all than Helen. Daniel hangs out with us for as long as his interest lasts. He's only 3 1/2 so some days that's not long at all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLXHEQF0o3eUdHFe0LuXN2MHCvRHk7UKMmQHNSfIJjokdfhcKMGNk5UDTsAcjQ385IbgGe8I9X_nqunpE1RQF3SmbMtI4nIB72CbghUt39ReBM8fFs5Go849QpEuLc5KuZV6iAA/s1600-h/Daniel+reading.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLXHEQF0o3eUdHFe0LuXN2MHCvRHk7UKMmQHNSfIJjokdfhcKMGNk5UDTsAcjQ385IbgGe8I9X_nqunpE1RQF3SmbMtI4nIB72CbghUt39ReBM8fFs5Go849QpEuLc5KuZV6iAA/s400/Daniel+reading.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272258988821994050" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a typical day for us:<br /><br />* Bible story, one hymn (we usually spend about 3 weeks working on the first verse of a well known hymn), and Bible verse for the week<br /><br />* Read Alouds: this usually includes a Mother Goose poem and a fable or another short story<br /><br />* Either a Science or a Social Studies read aloud. We are currently reading from a Berenstein Bears Science book, and an Usborne book about different kinds of jobs people do<br /><br />* An early learning worksheet<br /><br />* And occasionally, a fun hands on project/game<br /><br />This lasts anywhere from 30-90 minutes, depending on the interest level.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aCTYY_PMuq5hyJea6yGaSAd_5y5hshT7VHcCC4RqsoHxtG1rLU0ofCJUIAGuwt0w4wlUB1FTQ49pNWgKCpOsSk6ctwGEQQzN0PtP6RIzw6VeTMWCRYgaz5Y5eTyDJ-5IAjy7mg/s1600-h/Daniel+and+the+tornado.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aCTYY_PMuq5hyJea6yGaSAd_5y5hshT7VHcCC4RqsoHxtG1rLU0ofCJUIAGuwt0w4wlUB1FTQ49pNWgKCpOsSk6ctwGEQQzN0PtP6RIzw6VeTMWCRYgaz5Y5eTyDJ-5IAjy7mg/s400/Daniel+and+the+tornado.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272258983856472690" border="0" /></a><br />After lunch when Sam and Daniel take naps Helen and I work on:<br /><br />*Handwriting<br /><br />*Math<br /><br />*Thai<br /><br />*Spelling<br /><br />*Reading<br /><br />*Art<br /><br />*Memorizing Poetry<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2csy0FZt1wINvaiPLDQkW1ZoCpnOmeq4YDk8i4TpI_CUNec_vAr0791zPJPGW29QkfhxJqhbs42vaEtwhwm09dcRaXRVzT_wxx1a8tgRqpeYKH2-91c-Uy6IU8llH7Put4FvIcQ/s1600-h/Helen+Home+school.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2csy0FZt1wINvaiPLDQkW1ZoCpnOmeq4YDk8i4TpI_CUNec_vAr0791zPJPGW29QkfhxJqhbs42vaEtwhwm09dcRaXRVzT_wxx1a8tgRqpeYKH2-91c-Uy6IU8llH7Put4FvIcQ/s400/Helen+Home+school.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272258978260714322" border="0" /></a><br />Though it looks like a lot, we don't usually spend more than 10-15 minutes on any one thing and we certainly don't tackle everything everyday! Our afternoon session is about an hour.<br /><br />We are using <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.sonlight.com"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sonlight</span></a> and though at first I had other plans for home school, this has turned out to be a great fit for us now. It is a literature based history program, meaning that history is the base of the curriculum with lots of period literature added in. For the most part "living books" (books written by one author who is knowledgeable and writes from his love/interest on the subject) are used instead of textbooks. Also, it does a great job with world cultures and missions. It is a curriculum well known for its excellent choice in books. If you love to read to your children, the Sonlight catalog is a great resource for finding books worth reading.Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-46440423518853637032008-11-24T14:13:00.006+07:002008-11-24T14:25:52.399+07:00Bonnie and Clyde<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q7-OywERNkdpj6U7qWhsW0EC76XDmPbCpGdnBs2HeUG5451t96TsfWhGxsVqUFxpce24YEPBMs3-Ob3Ga4TwJCcN_jpRPtsTAzoJRf2conD0HFuJNShKU1U39d0LTTCgqnzytg/s1600-h/Bonnie+and+CLyde.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q7-OywERNkdpj6U7qWhsW0EC76XDmPbCpGdnBs2HeUG5451t96TsfWhGxsVqUFxpce24YEPBMs3-Ob3Ga4TwJCcN_jpRPtsTAzoJRf2conD0HFuJNShKU1U39d0LTTCgqnzytg/s400/Bonnie+and+CLyde.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272121757067491090" border="0" /></a>Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-37681255940601880832008-11-18T23:06:00.008+07:002008-11-19T08:44:11.856+07:00My One Year Old<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DMDDtlMJh5DN2A5tlZDCruazOK7JqueNXxK4CUDVpwXht9PonicIQRV71kCm4SoGgc1ZvE-qu797BwBja4FPYEgWbu-OxnkVPkBu_GpYBF2V0vYNFfkjHOBIwotMpK__1Q_QWQ/s1600-h/Sam+and+cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DMDDtlMJh5DN2A5tlZDCruazOK7JqueNXxK4CUDVpwXht9PonicIQRV71kCm4SoGgc1ZvE-qu797BwBja4FPYEgWbu-OxnkVPkBu_GpYBF2V0vYNFfkjHOBIwotMpK__1Q_QWQ/s400/Sam+and+cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270175761771651714" border="0" /></a>One tired little boy...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuFsSxzoSCyKd_0wsgWfFIC5quIe57FcozZ3cLDh1tX2jE0OmCiEx3OMdQUNZ-LGP8Oey4gFmNPY8eSUI3XiJ56eJJJ3zU4T2cO5BcYmNi6kZcaZgS1CxGN_MnvtK2jW60-eV9A/s1600-h/Birthday+cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuFsSxzoSCyKd_0wsgWfFIC5quIe57FcozZ3cLDh1tX2jE0OmCiEx3OMdQUNZ-LGP8Oey4gFmNPY8eSUI3XiJ56eJJJ3zU4T2cO5BcYmNi6kZcaZgS1CxGN_MnvtK2jW60-eV9A/s400/Birthday+cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270177752685593522" border="0" /></a>One adorable lady bug birthday cake filled with chocolate chips inside...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbPcC3Jv840TnKk9CdkBg-4TrXOeqcelbIZEWhjPnGvOoLdA62wW4zGEMeohLad70y90Bju-U5IZ0Ieevzys-DdxrgjqwjdwrYOVQPM0vo3CUrWbJA7mLzzKeJ-Jp0aA2wF95AA/s1600-h/Sam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbPcC3Jv840TnKk9CdkBg-4TrXOeqcelbIZEWhjPnGvOoLdA62wW4zGEMeohLad70y90Bju-U5IZ0Ieevzys-DdxrgjqwjdwrYOVQPM0vo3CUrWbJA7mLzzKeJ-Jp0aA2wF95AA/s400/Sam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270177256789682818" border="0" /></a><br />One fat little belly from a day full of eating...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASuzCHCGivBSVjEjfFkK-4K9-TVcGGrFPZ8TmSyYexRhZECozhpelwV12YWD1_5oWlYcsSfB2h5bbWgEAh-iL2X1IWyxbuIMFpl4IiTMqAoJoFt5qtFPWzieiJUjivogji1RrOA/s1600-h/Sam+looking+at+his+cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASuzCHCGivBSVjEjfFkK-4K9-TVcGGrFPZ8TmSyYexRhZECozhpelwV12YWD1_5oWlYcsSfB2h5bbWgEAh-iL2X1IWyxbuIMFpl4IiTMqAoJoFt5qtFPWzieiJUjivogji1RrOA/s400/Sam+looking+at+his+cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270175759314749842" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Birthday to my One Year Old!Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-86055687037583171652008-11-14T09:41:00.004+07:002008-11-18T23:05:45.593+07:00September, October, NovemberThese are the months that I am the most homesick for Utah. Living in the tropics. Hmmm...no fall colors, no snow. For a few brief days, we get some cool weather. Those days came early this year. And when they hit, I felt like a new woman! I was energized and ready to take on all kinds of projects. I was baking and cleaning and creating! Well, the temperature is spiking unfortunately, but I have hopes it will drop again.<br /><br />When the fall months hit, I get this silly desire to bake apples and light candles and pretend it is cold out, even if is 90 degrees and 70% humidity. When the coolness came last week we didn't have to pretend so much as we sipped our apple cider. I found this Starbuck's knock-off recipe and it was a hit with my kids and even Pun!<br /><br />Caramel is scarce here so we boiled some sweetened condensed milk in the can for a few hours, and wa-la! Something like caramel pours out. The whole experience was yummy and quite nostalgic for me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Starbuck's Caramel Apple Cider</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> (as copied straight from the web)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">For one mug:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Fill a mug nearly to the top with apple cider/juice. Add 1/2 stick cinnamon. Put mug in microwave for 2 minutes and walk away.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Ten minutes later, remember there is a mug in the microwave. Remove cinnamon stick and decide cider isn't warm enough. Microwave 1 minute more. (You could be less distracted than I am, but then your cinnamon wouldn't have a chance to steep into your cider. Perhaps you could warm it on the stove?)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Add a nice squeeze of Smucker's Caramel Sundae Topping (conveniently packaged in an upside down squeeze bottle)--I add 1 to 1 1/2 TBSP. Stir briskly. Top with canned whipped cream and sprinkles if desired.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">A bottle of apple juice and the caramel topping cost less than a grande from Starbucks! </span>Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-10172782428521831782008-11-12T00:24:00.007+07:002008-11-14T00:25:09.192+07:00Healthy SnacksI have one child who would prefer to eat only fruits and vegetables. She tells me after a few bites of ice cream that she has had enough. She would agree that sugar is not good for you. I know. She really can't be mine. This child definitely belongs to Pun.<br /><br />Then I have another child. He's a sweet boy. He wakes up in the morning with a silly grin thinking about candy. He will warn me not to eat all of the cookies (ice cream, cake, candy, ...) so there will more for him later. For him, there is only one food group--sugar. The rest is complimentary. Now, <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> is my child.<br /><br />Children in Thailand typically do not eat sweet things. Or at least they do not crave them the way my son does. They eat things like seaweed chips or squid-on-a-stick as seen being sold by this lady.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXcGMHuBCe6Os7YWtvyJPONFxrV2iE9QzuXJEG9SiQYcxQG6KMXwdxjC2nI7s78VD6hvPtFAcaAWPV0ej3OsZUil0tYMqqylaYRkk-gC6cHKi8tOvWyxcV2N3ZWpraXnmL1aj3Q/s1600-h/squid+lady.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXcGMHuBCe6Os7YWtvyJPONFxrV2iE9QzuXJEG9SiQYcxQG6KMXwdxjC2nI7s78VD6hvPtFAcaAWPV0ej3OsZUil0tYMqqylaYRkk-gC6cHKi8tOvWyxcV2N3ZWpraXnmL1aj3Q/s400/squid+lady.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267454281469447490" border="0" /></a>Just seconds before I took this next picture, the little boy behind the girl in a pink dress was tearing into his squid stick. Seriously, I thought he was going to growl. My kids watched in shock, not convinced that it was as delicious as these children made it look.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_d9Wjt2f-2SIxAEaxIATzld0FtogXFg2_cpgWjWdUgO11a27oSSHGVdxGKab9tXVXHEEmzoZ-DcEZte6LRM4kGZjnL6dwlDnipUsqvW-sau4_dG4fDgNtMhnabWzqYlKNxAK2hA/s1600-h/kids+eating+squid.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_d9Wjt2f-2SIxAEaxIATzld0FtogXFg2_cpgWjWdUgO11a27oSSHGVdxGKab9tXVXHEEmzoZ-DcEZte6LRM4kGZjnL6dwlDnipUsqvW-sau4_dG4fDgNtMhnabWzqYlKNxAK2hA/s400/kids+eating+squid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267454266369351874" border="0" /></a>So imagine my surprise when my children (both the responsible one and the one like me) began eating Taro. What is Taro?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSx1CkA1rfD7Tv7oQRnjInXL9o0gj6axCofjTOoSwCRhtp-hRxB7yG2CP5NqotYkGsG9gBIpcWTxVMUMxrQgvw-5m9XpvnzTPYizv7Z_EPdoarfpAzbh0z6RJpvZ0gscQyhpfZpg/s1600-h/Taro.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSx1CkA1rfD7Tv7oQRnjInXL9o0gj6axCofjTOoSwCRhtp-hRxB7yG2CP5NqotYkGsG9gBIpcWTxVMUMxrQgvw-5m9XpvnzTPYizv7Z_EPdoarfpAzbh0z6RJpvZ0gscQyhpfZpg/s400/Taro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267959811212251538" border="0" /></a><br />Well, it is made of flour and fish and pressed into long, thin, dry strips. It tastes fishy. Apparently, this package is Bar-B-Q flavor. My kids don't like fish, they tell me. But they love this stuff. I think some of it is made from squid. These days it is not uncommon for me to hear:<br /><br />"Mom, do we have any 'quid'?"<br />"Yes."<br />"Oh, good!"<br /><br />I watch him tear into it with a big sweet smile, but I am not so convinced that is as delicious as he makes it look.Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-47945547896728092572008-11-12T00:10:00.004+07:002008-11-12T00:19:59.377+07:00Dear Grandma and Grandpa<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyl6RRPGIf1ccMMRy-D86Baw2tVgsFwHHIa3biPE-kldvihnatJ3MxA0YjmaU7mNq7RUcppNFt8hZ8' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />I can walk!<br /><br />Love,<br />SamMerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-67669479045494692262008-10-17T10:07:00.000+07:002008-10-17T10:14:30.127+07:00I know I haven't been around much. And I won't be for a little while longer. We are leaving today for a border town near Laos. Pun has another conference to attend there and I am so thankful we can all go with him. We will be gone for 9 days. It is a region of Thailand I have never seen before so I am very excited to be going for that reason as well.<br /><br />When we get back, I hope to post about the trip as well as our homeschooling adventures. I love homeschooling! In just 7 short weeks I am hooked! My only problem so far is time management--hence no blogs lately!<br /><br />Gotta run!Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-58732162798775086162008-10-17T10:06:00.001+07:002008-11-14T00:26:56.530+07:00Proverbs 16I just can't get out of Proverbs. I have been reading it for nearly a year but it is still so fresh to me. This morning, in Proverbs 16:<br /><br /><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NASB-16842" class="sup">1</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> The plans of the heart belong to man,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NASB-16843" class="sup">2 </span><span style="font-style: italic;">All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> But the LORD weighs the motives.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NASB-16844" class="sup">3</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Commit your works to the LORD</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> And your plans will be established.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NASB-16845" class="sup">4</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Even the wicked for the day of evil.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NASB-16846" class="sup">5</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NASB-16847" class="sup">6</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NASB-16848" class="sup">7</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NASB-16849" class="sup">8</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Better is a little with righteousness</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Than great income with injustice.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NASB-16850" class="sup">9</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> The mind of man plans his way,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> But </span><span style="font-style: italic;">the LORD directs his steps.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NASB-16874" class="sup">33 </span><span style="font-style: italic;">The lot is cast into the lap,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> But its every decision is from the LORD.</span><br /><br /></div><br />In light of the coming election in the U.S. and the political trials in Thailand, these verses comfort me.Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-39585756759974899672008-09-30T21:54:00.004+07:002008-09-30T22:40:43.014+07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvb73nBSi5VjHfNVbuZnzfoL9zlgWdU7ca_amCMrZPNg7LY08rtzBnwmYpzL5wLOOabXEIhZixboQGXqzMTb1yeXzM1-8YdGTpMm4SA-zxsf6-Huof4XzpAT0ulKPafK6INJy1VA/s1600-h/sunnyday+umbrella.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvb73nBSi5VjHfNVbuZnzfoL9zlgWdU7ca_amCMrZPNg7LY08rtzBnwmYpzL5wLOOabXEIhZixboQGXqzMTb1yeXzM1-8YdGTpMm4SA-zxsf6-Huof4XzpAT0ulKPafK6INJy1VA/s400/sunnyday+umbrella.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251835256486854754" border="0" /></a><br />I was told before I moved to Bangkok that it is the hottest city in the world. Now I have proof:<br /><h2 class="var0" style="margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"According to the World Meteorlogical Organization, Bangkok, Thailand qualifies as the <span style="font-style: italic;">world's hottest city</span>. Some cities may get hotter during the day, but BKK doesn't cool down much at night. Average Annual High is 32.7 C or 90.0 F; Low is 24.1 C and 73.4 F."</span></h2><br />Umbrellas are used every bit as much for sun as they are for rain. No wonder, when you take a look at <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT002890">these</a> statistics!Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-13544168669281066982008-09-27T23:01:00.002+07:002008-09-27T23:06:02.168+07:00On ServanthoodWorth your time; read it, I promise it will encourage you.<br /><br /><a href="http://aholyexperience.com/2008/09/making-of-heroes.html"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Making of Heroes</span></a>Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-8962517359312705322008-09-26T16:31:00.005+07:002008-09-26T16:43:33.829+07:00Remember Highlights Magazine??If you have little ones kindergarten age or so, this <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.highlightskids.com/">Highlights</a><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.highlightskids.com/"> website</a><a href="http://www.highlightskids.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></a>should be quite entertaining for them. Helen and Daniel are especially enjoying the hidden pictures games.<br /><br />Also,<span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"> </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/">here</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>is a great site for free homeschooling material--something new and free each weekday.Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-11102553678575265592008-09-22T18:56:00.003+07:002008-09-27T23:07:36.711+07:00Things You Don't Want to Hear...Helen and I sitting at the computer, Helen reads out loud an advertisement on the site I am at:<br /><br />"'Lose Stomach Fat!'--Hey Mom, that's what you have!"<br /><br />Guess I won't eat any dessert tonight! LOL!Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-32891549932033406452008-09-20T00:11:00.003+07:002008-09-20T00:56:22.275+07:00Visiting the Orphans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBrE0Ox0yJcOCdlGRak5XhLvSR9fYgYwVpoMi-xj65UnwtZkwMbWrgRl00cN9Q3BjZiibRpgJOOuIzwVwD2XmwX1qK4bzRpdoC1zFW3YiEcFnA-VGJInW5yLuK-e7_dyerRsQGQ/s1600-h/orphans.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBrE0Ox0yJcOCdlGRak5XhLvSR9fYgYwVpoMi-xj65UnwtZkwMbWrgRl00cN9Q3BjZiibRpgJOOuIzwVwD2XmwX1qK4bzRpdoC1zFW3YiEcFnA-VGJInW5yLuK-e7_dyerRsQGQ/s400/orphans.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247787054719243042" border="0" /></a>Last weekend we had the opportunity to visit an orphanage. I really didn't know what to expect. This particular one was started 30 years ago by a monk because soldiers kept bringing him children after killing their communist parents. I haven't completely processed my thoughts about this experience but I want you to see what we saw. So many children without a dad or a mom or any family to love them...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LJRMYHIvFw6e2HK-p6fugdQDoqGs4gDBHu9Qhv8ezYHgztGeF_Dc6jIKXG0e9-HEwW9oEyA1t7S_WACZ3TrkEM0wJla_AVgoC5LwKtLoiXnMd5wvqBUbfXsGeF2J91araFF6Rg/s1600-h/girls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LJRMYHIvFw6e2HK-p6fugdQDoqGs4gDBHu9Qhv8ezYHgztGeF_Dc6jIKXG0e9-HEwW9oEyA1t7S_WACZ3TrkEM0wJla_AVgoC5LwKtLoiXnMd5wvqBUbfXsGeF2J91araFF6Rg/s400/girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247787047730034850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTI9KJ9M1p-6xcP8dw3sAGn2Oo9e8z7Qx8Hn8kNNkph98VVQxtO4jHPtNEd53JuFU35lVKMISB7mmDplrGgwiv4fjBud53RvPX7hrM61gKOWFps4g41cjkcAMDyfdAGeFxPNTjMA/s1600-h/boy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTI9KJ9M1p-6xcP8dw3sAGn2Oo9e8z7Qx8Hn8kNNkph98VVQxtO4jHPtNEd53JuFU35lVKMISB7mmDplrGgwiv4fjBud53RvPX7hrM61gKOWFps4g41cjkcAMDyfdAGeFxPNTjMA/s400/boy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247787045278388482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0FIhY4wIkMzvUidXeis0wdB4B7wzcarW40iL8E3rMdhD0X_kJVjMFbA9ukKBWgV-ZVtEMhevCmivTg7CdsPaxSvLjuhPc97dKZKb7lfDg_ny8gOY1g-b3Yz3CtU1JXCPlDVE-w/s1600-h/working+on+craft.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0FIhY4wIkMzvUidXeis0wdB4B7wzcarW40iL8E3rMdhD0X_kJVjMFbA9ukKBWgV-ZVtEMhevCmivTg7CdsPaxSvLjuhPc97dKZKb7lfDg_ny8gOY1g-b3Yz3CtU1JXCPlDVE-w/s400/working+on+craft.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247787056952076162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92AFf_5_56T2c2qWCe7kiaycgIL8pOXDHZO0k1aYXeIK_KQICBqy_aFibcXAcZ8UtOuRZmyh8pPZLAxKRi3_EYps6kQDyNMxggstSWdkcEr9ELIWyIDhRMPGL0PeirjYtjtLWZw/s1600-h/monk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92AFf_5_56T2c2qWCe7kiaycgIL8pOXDHZO0k1aYXeIK_KQICBqy_aFibcXAcZ8UtOuRZmyh8pPZLAxKRi3_EYps6kQDyNMxggstSWdkcEr9ELIWyIDhRMPGL0PeirjYtjtLWZw/s400/monk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247787041845596466" border="0" /></a>Everyone who donated items to the orphans came up to the pile of stuff and placed their hands on it to receive back the merit for their good deed. This is a picture of those who did so just after.Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28911862.post-33783684394579293202008-09-16T00:12:00.005+07:002008-09-16T07:22:34.054+07:003, 2, 1, Penguins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV70Z71lu2jXPRWs_mUseEAns7XABUKfHCG4oCSH7ZCyXrUhiyCm-0TKU8eYrotiiJzAMQ3T8m56N1buiP51DJS_vWB8SMQGFlNW3frbHw7RR4xAQc0AT07yF-HQU6salb4q0btQ/s1600-h/3,2,1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV70Z71lu2jXPRWs_mUseEAns7XABUKfHCG4oCSH7ZCyXrUhiyCm-0TKU8eYrotiiJzAMQ3T8m56N1buiP51DJS_vWB8SMQGFlNW3frbHw7RR4xAQc0AT07yF-HQU6salb4q0btQ/s320/3,2,1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246407860695530594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />in <span style="font-style: italic;">Thai!?<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Merrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180324970031726992noreply@blogger.com0