Step 5: "The Blog Before The Blog"

So we are home, enjoyed a great meal for Thanksgiving and now continue on the battle of jet lag. Both Liam and Cole did amazing on the trip and are doing amazing at home but we all find ourselves up at 3am wondering what to do. I know time will fix it, until then, it is a fun memory. Mark and Cole shared a 3am grocery run the first night because they were both wide awake. Cole enjoyed it and found it to be his special treat.

So I wanted to get a post on the blog because I know that many of you have waited patiently. So this is kind of like the blog before the blogs. I am putting together two blogs, one from our trip to Vietnam, the other from our time spent in Cambodia. As I would love to post all the pictures I have, and talk about everything we did, I have to be cautious. Many of the places that we went  have people there that are at high risk of trafficking, either they have been rescued, or being at high risk of being sold. There are amazing people out there, doing amazing things, and they need to be protected. So, many times the stories I tell will be vague, but that shouldn't take away from anything. This is the main reason I did not post much while I was over there. That and I had a 5 month old attached to me for about most of the day and then when it was bed time it was time for bed. :)

I hate to jump on the bandwagon with this next comment, but I am realizing how true it is. As Americans, living in the States, who have never been out of the country, it is so hard to understand the concept of freedom. Visiting a country that basically tells you when to eat, sleep, and drink, and where most people run to Cambodia because that is the closest thing to what they believe is freedom and a better life, I began to understand what I took for granted my whole life. Even the poorest of poor in the States seem wealthy to the slums of Vietnam/Cambodia. Children eating in trash piles, and sleeping in the city sewer, and PAYING $5 a month to be able to do that. Unthinkable. (I will write more on this and post pics in the Vietnam/Cambodia blog) This Thanksgiving I am thankful for EVERYTHING I have and for those that fought and those that gave their life for me to have it. I was always thankful, but my heart never really knew the way that others had to live without freedom. My heart is with the children in Vietnam today and those in Cambodia that are unable to fight, that are forever in my heart.

To say all that, I am not taking away from America and what we have. As Christians, shoot as Humans, we need to be aware of those around us, and help. Doesn't matter where, just do it.

LOVE YOU ALL!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Step 4: "Seeing Our New World"

I figured it out...it the midst of all the Vietnamese, I found the english button. Thank you for waiting so patiently.

Well it is Midnight here on November 12. Most of you are honoring 11.11.11 as it is only 9 AM California time....(side note...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!)

Oh, where to start. I have to say that I have the most amazing kids in the world. They have rolled with everything that we have had to do. From LONG bus rides, to long days, and no complaining. Poor Cole, I think his face might be close to falling off. Being the red hair, white boy, he draws A LOT (and I mean a lot) of attention and as we walk through a crowd everyone women grabs at his face and rubs his hair. It is in a loving gesture, but can be a little physical at times. Cole just keeps a smile on his face and a look up at me silently screaming HELP!! :)  With Liam, everyone wants to hold him, or play with his hands, or give him kisses. At one point, a sweet lady I let hold him, didnt want to give him back. She insisted I go about my business and that she would watch him for me. Momma bear kicked in a little and was able to 'nicely' get him back. Good times.

I have posted 2 new videos to the blog. The first being the first time that we stepped foot onto our new home as a family, and another being some family fun we had at the local resort that is only 10 min away from the property. Hope you enjoy the videos.

The property is AMAZING!! The video shows a little of how amazing it is, but nothing can compare to the actual view of the land. We were able to sit around the table and eat of the fruit that grows on the land. I have never tasted fruit so sweet and fresh. I crave it!! As Mark and I walked around, we could hear the children running and playing. It felt like home. We are excited to begin the process of getting the homes built on the property.

Well, I would love to write more, but we have an early morning and it has been a long, amazing day that I can’t wait to fill you in on....tomorrow. :)

Step 3: "Get through The Insanity"

Someone please tell me why I thought it was a good idea to have a garage sale the day before we take off for Vietnam for 3 weeks. I guess the wonderwomen in me thought, "Hey, that shouldnt be a problem."  But you know what? It had to get done, and when it is over, I know that I will be glad that I did it. But in the meantime, IT IS HELL. :)

Today my son Cole and I, cleaned bathrooms. It was fun. I got to hang out with my son that is quickly, before me, becoming a little man. I found myself looking at pictures the other day, amazed at how quick it has been. I feel like he was just born, and now he is a big "4 and a half Mommy" And that big four and a half year old can clean a bathroom like a beast.

So I am sorry that it took so long to get another post up, and that it is so short, but time is not very much right now and I have to move on. I think I hear laundry screaming my name.

Little Bunny Trail, and feel free to comment. But what is your least favorite part of laundry. I HATE putting clothes away. Washing and folding, ok. Hanging and putting away..PLEASE NOOOO.

Okay, Thanks.