Thailand 'Top 10'

Probably one of the things I was most grateful for at Christmas, was the fact that I was not dying to leave S.Asia when it came time for our visa run! Unlike last time, I was really looking forward to the rest and fun with friends (and the meat that moo's) but I wasn't about to explode from cultural stress leading up to take off. (Well, minus one 'highway pit-stop bathroom incident' on the way to the airport, where I chewed a lady out for pushing and shoving me and my son to cut in "line").

It was such a refreshing time away, a needed break to a milder culture, some good comfort food, sweet fellowship with friends, beautiful scenery, lots of out-door fun for the kids, and shopping for mommy! But, I was actually not fighting back tears on the plane ride home, and was looking forward to returning home! I came back so refreshed and excited for all that God has in store for us this year, the work He has for us to do, and the new chapter of life in S. Asia minus formal language school. (Insert some hoops and hollers here!) But what 2013 has in store for us is a 'whole-nother' blog entry to write.

Back to Thailand... I could go on and on, but to spare you, I will give our TOP 10 of What We Love Most About Thailand to put our trip in a nut-shell and to show lots of pictures. (These are in no particular order of importance b/c they all rock!)

#10 Elephants! The boys loved feeding the baby elephants the most.

Oh I wish I knew what was going on inside Hudson's head here.

That baby elephant kept giving me vacuum suction-wet-stinky kisses on the cheek!

Oh yeah, taking a bath!

#9- Zoos! 

"Look mom, turtles!"

Petting a pony with sweet friends.

#8- Our Friend's Yard, Swingset, Dog, etc! 

#7-Tuk Tuk's- We rode one, but didn't get a picture of it. Jackson kept calling Bangkok, "My city" and saying, "I ride a Tuk Tuk b/c I'm a Thai boy!" (He was born in Bangkok) So we had to get him a Tuk Tuk shirt.

 #6-Indoor playgrounds! They are in abundance and are cheap. I tried hard not to covet these and just be grateful that our city finally has a few.

#5-Hot Dogs & "King Burger" (aka- Burger King)

#4-Donuts! (Sorry we ate all these too fast to take pictures)
#3-Candy, Fresh cut cheap fruit by the road, Cherry Coke & Soda Manoa

#2-Seeing our friends, the Tidwells...why in the world do I not have any pictures??? Probably b/c we were too busy chatting, eating, and shopping! We'll just have to come back ASAP!

#1-Happy kids & Great family memories!

All things Merry!

We celebrated our first Christmas in South Asia this year and while it was very different, we still enjoyed it and made the most of every opportunity to celebrate Christ in our family and amongst our friends and neighbors.

One new tradition we've started is having a children's Christmas party in our home for neighborhood kids. It was fun for our kids and a chance to share the true meaning of Christmas with our friends who know little to nothing about Jesus.

We also had a Christmas Eve party in our home with co-workers and American friends, which was a blast. Our families were greatly missed but we are so thankful that God has given us spiritual brothers and sisters to make us feel more at home here.

I also had an in-prompt Christmas party at a girls home near my house that I've started visiting. These girls, mostly orphans, are precious and were so thrilled to eat our poorly decorated Christmas sugar cookies and to enjoy the rare treat of Fanta and Coke! Thanks to my sister, we also had some nativity scene bookmarks for them to color, and while I was unsure if they'd like it at first (because many of them are over 10), they all LOVED it and spent 45 minutes decorating their book marks. Even the two "mammas" of the house joined in and turned it into a contest to see whose was the best.

Excited about his new drum and puzzles

sugaring up those cookies as much as he could

Hudson basically ate sprinkles, frosting, and Fanta all night

Proud of himself for finishing the puzzel. Thanks aunt Nini & uncle Jerry!

A happy and grateful boy on Christmas morning.

I have so much to be thankful for this season. We're feeling more adjusted to life here, I passed my language exam, our kids are healthy and happy, we have good friends and a fulfilling job. But most of all I've felt a full heart of gratitude for my Savior whom has given us reason to celebrate. And I'm praying that here, in our new home, His name was glorified and His fame made known amongst those who need to hear of Him.