tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33889079599713255252024-03-05T21:08:03.343+07:00The Austs' Adventures...snippets and snapshots of life in Thailand and beyondMike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.comBlogger410125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-73805364775647682412014-03-24T19:51:00.002+07:002014-03-25T00:18:31.159+07:00Goodbye blogger, hello wordpress!For several reasons, I have decided to make the change the blog from blogger to wordpress. Check out the new blog at:<br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.theaustsadventures.wordpress.com/">www.theaustsadventures.wordpress.com</a></span><br />
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See you over there! :)<br />
<br />Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-29549503901672196232014-03-21T07:34:00.000+07:002014-03-22T21:20:35.495+07:00Driver's license<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Over our Christmas break, we ventured to get our Thai drivers licenses. We would have been fine obtaining an international license from AAA but they only last one year (and we would pay $30/year for both of us to get them). Additionally, if we were to be pulled over for anything and it was put "on record," it would be put on our Minnesota record, since an international license is given through the state. </span><br />
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There were several things we had to get in order before actually going to the "DMV":</div>
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- I had to get a notarized affidavit indicating that I do indeed reside in Thailand; Mike did not have to do this because he has a work visa. This cost $50.00. I had to laugh at the embassy worker because he took one look at me, probably thought I was younger than I really am and asked, "Are you SURE you want to be driving in Bangkok?" I told him that I already do, to which he replied, "PLEASE be careful." Thankful for his heart and wanting for me to be safe...driving in Bangkok can indeed be chaotic.</div>
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- Health certificate indicating we are in good health and physically capable of driving. The interesting thing about this, is that we walked into a nearby pharmacy and paid $6.00 for the certificates. No exam. No questions. Nothing. Just the exchange of the certificates for money.</div>
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- We had to fill out a license application, gather our passports, passport pictures, as well as copies of every page of our passports (and sign every page).</div>
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Then we were finally ready to go the DMV. We had to do this within 30 days of the date we obtained the affidavit and health certificates, or else we would have to start all over.</div>
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Our Thai friend, Wat, took us to the DMV to assist us in the process. We got there as early as possible and what do you know...just like the MN DMV, we waited and waited. :) We were supposed to watch an hour long video on driving cautiously in Bangkok, but we somehow missed it (darn!). It wouldn't have proved that helpful anyway since it was all in Thai! Then we were shuffled into a room with about 15 other people and had to take 4 tests.</div>
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Test #1: test for color recognition/blindness by looking at a stop light and indicating the name of the color that turns on.</div>
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Test #2: place your chin on a machine and name the color of the light that you see in your peripheral vision.</div>
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Test #3: test your reflexes by accelerating on a gas pedal when you see a green light and slamming on the breaks as soon as the light turns red.</div>
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Test #4: test your depth perception by using a remote to maneuver a vertical electronic post forward or backwards to be parallel with a stationary vertical <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">post. The two posts are located in a box 15-20 feet away from where you stand and you have to get the posts parallel within a 3 centimeter margin on either side.</span></div>
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All of the tests were easy for us to do, despite feeling a little nervous after many people before us needed to repeat test #3. Correction...I was feeling nervous. Mike said the only reason he was feeling nervous was because he kept thinking about all the people around him that maybe couldn't slam on the breaks fast enough to prevent an accident.</div>
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After we passed all of our tests and got the stamp of approval, we paid our dues for the cards ($12.00) and walked out with our new licenses.</div>
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These licenses are a temporary one year license. We will have to go through this whole process again next Christmas break to obtain 5 year licenses. So for 6 years of a current license, it will be $136 if prices don't change from this year to next. For 6 years of an international drivers license it would be $180 and a possible Minnesota record if anything were to happen. So despite the hassle of going to the embassy and waiting at the Thai DMV, I think it is worth it.</div>
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Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-38196870544051985322014-02-07T23:01:00.001+07:002014-02-07T23:43:56.085+07:00Fear of manLately, I have found myself worrying. Worrying about what certain people may think of me or how they may react to the things that I do or say. At times, it has paralyzed me due to fear. Other times, it has made me frustrated that I don't feel that I can be myself and to say or do what I feel is necessary. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As I have prayed and processed, I have to admit, I have found freedom in clinging to Proverbs 29:25: "The fear if man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." I am finding that having fear of man inhibits my ability to fear God and to hear Him clearly. </span><br>
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My heart has recently been stirred to take Thai classes to be able to grow in relationship with our Thai neighbors and condo complex guards. We are meeting so many wonderful people when we take our regular evening walks with the twins, or when I go running around the complex. The guards now recognize us and love to try to get our children to smile and laugh at them. It is delightful. I know it would be even more delightful if we could communicate better and grow in relationship.</div>
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Upon coming to Thailand, we were so focused on the ministry of the school and put off learning Thai since we were busy with adjusting to life in new country, learning the ins and outs of a new school, figuring out how to teach AP classes for the first time, etc. By year three, when it finally felt that we were in our groove and perhaps ready to take on language classes, we found our family multiplying in size. The first year of life with the twins was a blur with jumping into parenthood and adjusting to what the new normal was. I wish I could remember more from that first year, but honestly, it was hard for me to even hold a conversation due to extreme sleep deprivation. :) I now find myself in a place where I feel comfortable leaving the twins with our helper for a while, not feel guilty about it, and not have to worry about nursing or pumping. </div>
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So what does all of this have to do with the fear of man? </div>
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I am not a "yes-man." I say no to most things, honestly. A large part of it is due to being an introvert (I'm sure only introverts themselves really truly understand that). Another part of it is because I simply cannot handle having my hands in a lot of things...I like to dedicate myself to one or two things and do them really well. And the last part of it is that I guard my time and energy so that God and my family are my top priorities. Because if my priorities are not right, I am not patient and loving towards my family, I cannot be a model of Christ-like love, I don't demonstrate the gospel to my children, I am not a prayerful wife, I don't discipline lovingly to nurture and guide. Honestly, I just act ugly. </div>
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So as God stirs my heart's affection for my neighbors and our neighborhood guards, and lays on my heart to take intensive Thai classes, it means less. Less opportunity to play with my children during the day when I go to class, less time to meal plan and have dinner ready for a tired husband, less time to take a cat nap when the kids are sleeping so that I feel rested and ready to lovingly display the gospel to them, and less time with friends because I will be saying "no" even more to guard the precious family time that I do have. It also means less energy. As a former language student and teacher, I know how mentally draining it is to intensely learn a new language. When I lived in Spain and learned through full immersion, I took naps that were 3 hours long after school and then slept 10 hours at night. With age comes responsibility, so I unfortunately don't have the luxury to do that now that I am no longer 16. ;)</div>
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I have been fearing the potential reactions of being more guarded and even more of a "no-man". Fearing mainly that I will be misunderstood...that me saying "no" will come across as me being insensitive, unsupportive or mean. As I write this, it sounds so silly...things that God has placed on my heart and how to best care for my family vs. fearing what others may think of me if I follow through with what God has placed on my heart and how I care for my family. </div>
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I recently read this <a href="http://marshill.com/2013/05/11/the-fear-of-man">devotional</a> on the fear of man by Mars Hill Church. An excerpt from it said, "We live with either the fear of God or the fear of man. It's impossible to live fearing both God and someone else at the same time. Whom we fear determines what we do and how we live." </div>
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I don't want to miss out on what God has for me just because I am fearful of what someone thinks of me. So today I commit to choosing. Choosing faith instead of fear. Choosing to fear God instead of man. Choosing joy instead of worry. Choosing to surrender instead of cling to opinion of others. Choosing to be obedient to His call instead of the world's. Choosing to be the "no-man" when I feel it is necessary and choosing not to feel guilty about being more guarded. </div>
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So if I say no to you, it's not because I don't care for you...it's because I care about how my heart has been stirred by God and because I care about honoring and loving my family well.</div>
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Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-47060565010527173342013-12-31T15:38:00.001+07:002013-12-31T16:06:01.015+07:00Grieving<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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But nonetheless, I grieve. I grieve not being with family, not having them see our children grow up and know who they are except via skype and pictures when we aren't visiting during the summer . I grieve being away for celebrations, holidays and family dinners. I yearn for convenient grocery shopping, pull in (instead of backing in) parking, orderly lines, for people to not assume I am Thai, malls that don't require you to take a seemingly pointless parking card that ends up causing traffic jams during busy times, for driving or traffic that doesn't seem quite as chaotic, where I don't feel as guarded when making new friends since it is a revolving door with contracts around here, and for many other little, yet perhaps ridiculously convenient things that I have often taken for granted.<br>
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It's hard. I don't always like to admit that; I think in large part because I understand and know that this is where God has called us. But that doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt at times, or that I won't longingly look online for jobs and houses back in the states, that I won't get sad when I see pictures on Facebook of things my friends are doing, that I won't cry when I wish I could have been at a funeral, or give a hug to a friend on a rough day, or meet a new baby.<br>
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Being in Thailand often seems like a choice to many people. And in one way or another, it is. After all, I can choose to obey or disobey the call that God places on my heart and life. But I choose to obey...sometimes it is while digging my heels in or while having to make a conscious effort to do so, or even while throwing a tantrum. Now don't get me wrong, we love the school and the mission/ministry of it, we love the expat community we have and the wonderful group of friends we have made, and we love our small group...those are the things that make life here so great (and keeps us sane in difficult times)! But there are definitely times when being halfway around the world does indeed feel like a sacrifice and I wish it didn't take 24 hours to get to Minnesota just for a hug from my parents.<br>
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Read this great article: <a href="http://www.alifeoverseas.com/outlawed-grief-a-curse-disguised/">Outlawed Grief, a Curse Disguised</a><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving grandparents kisses via skype.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture family album...how our kids are learning family members and names.<br>Auntie Sarah & Uncle Pete, Grandpa Gary & Grandma K.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa Dave, Cousin Bennett & Grandma C, Godparents Uncle P. and Auntie T.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Ben, Auntie Em, Cousin Bennett & Uncle Joey<br>Grandpa Gary & Uncle Greg</td></tr>
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Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-79069413030045869842013-11-18T15:11:00.000+07:002013-11-18T15:18:27.908+07:00Courage<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Aside from getting married and having children, nothing in life has caused me to pray more than driving in Bangkok. Bangkok streets are full of potholes (nothing that a Minnesota resident isn't used to after a long winter), traffic jams, lanes that are created out of nowhere, busses that pay no attention to you, pedestrians that cross whenever they wish, and motorbikes that zip in and out of traffic (usually giving me a partial heart attack).</div>
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So needless to say, when we decided to get a car, the thought of driving here terrified me. I wasn't sure I could do it. I mean, I was the kid growing up who was fine not getting my driver's license. There was a time where I thought my brothers, my parents and then my husband would drive me around so basically I would never need to learn. Clearly I did get my license, but driving has never been something that I enjoy. But I knew that having a car here was really a necessity with the twins along with the move to our new condo...</div>
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We had become every taxi driver's worst nightmare by the end of last year with our stroller that was too large to fit in the trunk due to their natural gas tank, and needed to be put in the front seat but often times was dirty and got in the way of shifting. And we were quite the spectacle getting in and out when we had groceries...those poor drivers were patient with us, thankfully. But then there were the times that the twins would be screaming their heads off, banging on the windows, crawling around in the back, and causing a ruckus. Two words my friends: car seats. Yes, I know they are law in America, but they aren't here in Thailand...boy on boy, do car seats make a world of difference. Additionally, we have had plenty of a scary scary drivers...the kind where you fear for your life. And then to add kids into the mix...yep, we knew we were done with taxis. </div>
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Then there was our move. We moved to a condo complex about 15 minutes from school. It is more of a Thai neighborhood than Parkland ever was, so it feels a little more remote. There isn't a convenient taxi stand just right outside the complex (there are motos, but not taxis), so if you need a taxi, you have to pay a moto 20 baht to go fetch you a taxi.</div>
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Anyway, having a car has been life changing. It has made trips to school, church, the park, small group, play group, etc. possible without feeling overwhelmed and worn. Mike has taken to driving nicely...he is confident and directionally knowledgable. He has had very little hesitation driving a manual on steep parking ramps, backing into parking spots, parallel parking from the opposite side, navigating traffic, etc. </div>
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I have been slower to warming up to it all. Despite owning a manual car back in the states, I have had to kind of relearn how to drive because of a more sensitive clutch. Driving with kids is a different experience too...especially if I am alone with the twins. Screaming children, Bangkok traffic, being slightly directionally challenged, going somewhere new...wow, talk about a stressful situation for me. However, I have gotten significantly more comfortable, slightly more aggressive, and much more confident as I have learned to navigate the roads better. I decided to start backing into a parking spot at our condo (it is not necessary) to get practice, which has made parking at the mall a breeze and not stressful when people are waiting behind me.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>Anyway, we are thrilled with our car and so happy we have it. It has been a huge blessing and has seriously been life changing. Our world feels so much bigger and more accessible...it has just taken a bit of courage for me to get there. :)</span></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-74647081246001358642013-11-12T23:22:00.001+07:002013-11-12T23:22:26.449+07:00Long time no blogHello dear reader, it has been a while. Thanks for stopping by despite my lack of posts.<div><br></div><div>What's new?</div><div>-Mike finished coaching basketball. (Thank you Jesus!)</div><div>-<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We are enjoying more family time now because of him no longer coaching</span></div><div>-Next big thing for Mike is field day in December; it is a big event so you can pray for the planning and that all the details would come together nicely.</div><div>-I am getting much more comfortable driving here in Bangkok. (More on that next post...)</div><div>-I have been enjoying running again and am planning on running my first post pregnancy race in December. It is only a 10k, but you have to start somewhere!</div><div>-We have always enjoyed every stage the twins have been in, but one seems particularly fun and entertaining.</div><div>-We went on vacation to Phuket (pronounced<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> pooh-ket) for a week to visit our fear friends who recently moved there (pics in another blog post)</span></div><div><br></div><div>Prayers for:</div><div>-Field day</div><div>-Wosdom in parenting</div><div>-Consistency in discipline</div><div>-Disciplined quiet times</div><div>-This time of year at ICS teachers need to submit their letter of intent, indicating their plans for next year. It seems that there will be quite a few of our close friends leaving this next year, which is always hard. It is easy not to want to engage or invest once you know someone is leaving. So prayers to desire to want to be involved and pursue friendships despite the outcome.</div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-55780030177771094832013-10-11T22:39:00.001+07:002013-10-11T22:39:38.423+07:00FoodiesMy children do not like cheesy brats. Who doesn't like cheesy brats!?!? Yet they eat hummus by the spoonful, black beans by the can and stuff their mouth with peas like they're candy. I am grateful....I just think it's funny.Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-24449477203362215562013-10-11T11:34:00.001+07:002013-10-11T11:34:19.334+07:00Chillaxin'Owen is pretty chill most of the time. He loves to race around in the pool and splash, jump, kick, chew on dive sticks etc. but he also loves just sitting on a lap and hanging out. I love that he is so snuggly.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRHmyvEtENtbkJOKovckNbuO1L7MeKbxKIX0wNn4oM8wzjDfQmt38rnczSEnGvMiZ-4Pygm5DX2ZchM8_jc3fzBbK_xUm2wqhNfSIIuv2ZWZAg40cqYD16wSE2yf6aZ2xlvxJ-FLjWoo/s640/blogger-image-2040983546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRHmyvEtENtbkJOKovckNbuO1L7MeKbxKIX0wNn4oM8wzjDfQmt38rnczSEnGvMiZ-4Pygm5DX2ZchM8_jc3fzBbK_xUm2wqhNfSIIuv2ZWZAg40cqYD16wSE2yf6aZ2xlvxJ-FLjWoo/s640/blogger-image-2040983546.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-56656648173446829222013-10-08T10:13:00.001+07:002013-10-08T10:13:52.541+07:00Fighting for joyI will be honest...these past few days, I have really been struggling to be joyful and content in my circumstances. A large part of it is just my pride and my desire for things to go the way I expect or in a way that doesn't inconvenience me.<div><br></div><div>Sunday mornings always throw us into a shift in schedule with church and a lack of a long morning nap. This essentially throws off the start of the week with tired and grumpy babies. Needless to say, there's part of me that doesn't look forward to going to church these days. Sunday night was filled with Owen pooping in the bathtub, later having an explosive blowout diaper that got all over his pajamas, and then neither child going to sleep until 8:30. Monday morning, both kids were up earlier than anticipated, Emma had three massively poopy diapers within a two hour span of time and she was clingy and tired. Owen was particularly whiny, is currently in a stage of boycotting all solid foods so throws all his food on the floor, and then he was falling everywhere and hitting his head because he was tired, and stealing toys from Emma but hollering like a crazy man if she tried to get it back.</div><div><br></div><div>It is hard for me to put Owen down for a nap when Emma wants to cling to me or screams like a banshee if I set her down, so I usually wait for our helper, Miss Ning, to arrive first. She normally arrives around 9, but because we are in the rainy season, flooding will sometimes affect her commute. So by 9:30 when she arrived, I had two screaming babies and several poopy cloth diapers to spray out, I hadn't eaten breakfast and I was a mess emotionally. </div><div><br></div><div>Sigh. It's hard to fight for joy in those moments. It's easy for me to give in to ugly thoughts and feelings towards my job as a mother, towards my husband who leaves each morning for work and can't help with the hard Monday mornings, towards Owen and Emma for not sleeping a bit longer so they aren't as tired and crabby.</div><div><br></div><div>So in trying to fight for joy this morning, I thought I would write down some things for which I am thankful, counteracting my poor attitude with gratefulness...</div><div><br></div><div>Beautiful and healthy babies</div><div>Great healthcare at an international hospital</div><div>A husband who cares for one of the twins in the middle of the night so I can get sleep</div><div>A husband who works hard so I can stay at home with our babies</div><div>A husband who decided not to coach soccer so he has more time with his family</div><div>A wonderful helper who loves our children</div><div>Technology to stay in touch with family and friends around the world</div><div>A church we are fed at</div><div>Time to read (and blog!) when Emma naps in a carrier on my chest</div><div>Time to cook</div><div>The new condo we are living in</div><div>Our car</div><div>The way Owen laughs hysterically when he thinks Emma is chasing him (she usually isn't) </div><div>Toothy baby grins</div><div>Homemade caramel macchiatos</div><div>Friends who check in and are intentional about seeing me</div><div>Sprinkle water delivery so I don't have to fill up jugs of water from the filtered faucet anymore</div><div>How Emma loves kissing Owen, laying on his back and holding his hand</div><div>The way Emma is soothed by touching my face</div><div>A big oven</div><div>Babies that love to read and dance to music</div><div>Food delivery to my door</div><div>Cute cloth diapers that save us tons of money</div><div>Soft baby skin</div><div>Regular quiet times that I can stay awake for finally since I am not so sleep deprived. :)</div><div>Emma sleeping through the night</div><div>Small group</div><div>Air con</div><div>Cool breezes every now and again</div><div>The kiddie pool at school</div><div>Cheesy brats from the more American grocery store</div><div>The gospel</div><div>Homemade ice cream, particularly the favors that are hard to find here</div><div>Books that feed me and help me grow spiritually, as well as challenge my walk.</div><div>People buying my handmade cards/placing orders</div><div><br></div><div>There is so much for which to be grateful...so many more things than what has irritated me these past couple of days. So I cling to these precious gifts and the joy of the gospel and everything else grows strangely dim...because that's how you fight for joy.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-35082640992283328582013-10-02T21:56:00.001+07:002013-10-02T21:56:36.959+07:00Playground<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At our condo complex, there is a little playground. Miss Ning frequents it with the kids, particularly Emma when she wakes up earlier than Owen from a nap. This morning, Owen kept standing by the he door and hollering to go out. (I think he just wanted to push the elevator buttons).So all four of us walked down to the playground, stopping to see the kitty on the way...</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1BWEvJJVbqwQlXJdj1kuCLV3SXQ6yGvWVVLsU9w-fSzPfzxflqbCi_rbL_mjGqoKylr7wMkhFVjHoxYIk6w8yhWmwQmNS-t_nXt27uX9ZCjZh4d81SMkQs_wMpUimFbXSWusWewenZ0/s640/blogger-image-1833337199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1BWEvJJVbqwQlXJdj1kuCLV3SXQ6yGvWVVLsU9w-fSzPfzxflqbCi_rbL_mjGqoKylr7wMkhFVjHoxYIk6w8yhWmwQmNS-t_nXt27uX9ZCjZh4d81SMkQs_wMpUimFbXSWusWewenZ0/s640/blogger-image-1833337199.jpg"></a></div>Chasing after the poor cat while hollering at him. Emma was fine and brave with the cat as long as it was on her terms (aka: she chases after the cat and it runs away), but as soon as the cat started coming towards her, she got scared and started running away. She is so funny like that...she is so brave and sure of herself, but then is curiously terrified of animals. On the other hand, Owen loves animals and even loves it when dogs lick him. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FH6uaETkCIMFi-LqTrtgMWvrKnvnW4HY2_wvIniFGnmcFmBacr_78cQE0CII4QaEHF3tLyVJpQ8wPjPg99_QwMBid2UB34VG_gIJL4ucl8dwhWxE0mSOQQyxHCe4CgBG-yMzQLxq3ew/s640/blogger-image--625980417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FH6uaETkCIMFi-LqTrtgMWvrKnvnW4HY2_wvIniFGnmcFmBacr_78cQE0CII4QaEHF3tLyVJpQ8wPjPg99_QwMBid2UB34VG_gIJL4ucl8dwhWxE0mSOQQyxHCe4CgBG-yMzQLxq3ew/s640/blogger-image--625980417.jpg"></a></div>The little mister chillin'.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQ-jtBr7vgHcThb8WnjkhdhqfQS_4Ow6MLMIBanX2MU44vvt6GthHkK6L1s7Eh5gPEOP_KY0MKSjlfHhrhn-otO5xOr8_USXLbz2JhPH6xi7VfisoDIo3PIuPi3GfdfbR8poxf83TWjw/s640/blogger-image--936874635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQ-jtBr7vgHcThb8WnjkhdhqfQS_4Ow6MLMIBanX2MU44vvt6GthHkK6L1s7Eh5gPEOP_KY0MKSjlfHhrhn-otO5xOr8_USXLbz2JhPH6xi7VfisoDIo3PIuPi3GfdfbR8poxf83TWjw/s640/blogger-image--936874635.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Emma is really into exploring the limits of her body. She loves moving, grooving, kicking, dancing, and climbing. She climbed up to the top of the slide without any help; Miss Ning just spotted her in case she slipped, but she didn't. I think she may be part billy goat. </div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-11299119493763226562013-10-01T21:31:00.001+07:002013-10-01T21:31:54.193+07:00FriendsI pray everyday that Owen and Emma will not only get along, but will be great friends.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41ftjOjKRg4IlYV90xYFdFvjPsC-UkwjjXEkZ2AcYinv40NteMpjeJQvw3fXHbG-7-qo1lESKfqD33Jy1g0HApn4ybRvZQAMJoCjEvZ8Cin2ShsJkwZJ1YhCltPbaVhDhbmw7h2uNj6k/s640/blogger-image-59375504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41ftjOjKRg4IlYV90xYFdFvjPsC-UkwjjXEkZ2AcYinv40NteMpjeJQvw3fXHbG-7-qo1lESKfqD33Jy1g0HApn4ybRvZQAMJoCjEvZ8Cin2ShsJkwZJ1YhCltPbaVhDhbmw7h2uNj6k/s640/blogger-image-59375504.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-55329012519614774062013-09-30T14:37:00.001+07:002013-10-01T07:19:14.940+07:00OneEmma and Owen are one!!! <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiVLgNRCmMnoUrdMsgCmE1-yYHs5Zo2OP_X2sTOY35nkns1R14j7YMN0FEY2Qfkv5bjqumMnp52AfadI6-v27-kGxSSeRRQsY-ZqnEJns0lgqPPjPkAkYcfH6ncac-z5rJduTFXJbZqw/s640/blogger-image-266335247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiVLgNRCmMnoUrdMsgCmE1-yYHs5Zo2OP_X2sTOY35nkns1R14j7YMN0FEY2Qfkv5bjqumMnp52AfadI6-v27-kGxSSeRRQsY-ZqnEJns0lgqPPjPkAkYcfH6ncac-z5rJduTFXJbZqw/s640/blogger-image-266335247.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">One...I am having a hard time letting that sink in. Honestly, I don't know where this past year has gone and how my itty bitty preemie babies are now toddlers who walk and talk, eat hummus by the spoonful and black beans by the can, who run to daddy when he comes home from work, and run to me while saying "Mama" over and over again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t1h52RRt8lYSQBySP0iCPTz-9S6Jek3RJ-peCFhN_u0eJdzYRNO9QNn1kJktHjRpcWnUpqs-SGP9dimfAtkQXjfjAlInSTYH-iKN4j1nzHWulLxAP37iiyLWfE_TLviRGV9aEmIaV3A/s640/blogger-image-2089389742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t1h52RRt8lYSQBySP0iCPTz-9S6Jek3RJ-peCFhN_u0eJdzYRNO9QNn1kJktHjRpcWnUpqs-SGP9dimfAtkQXjfjAlInSTYH-iKN4j1nzHWulLxAP37iiyLWfE_TLviRGV9aEmIaV3A/s640/blogger-image-2089389742.jpg"></a></div><br></div></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This past year has been full of learning about and delighting in each other. I am so grateful for two happy little kiddos who exude joy and are teaching me so much about life and love. I am cherishing each moment, writing down memories and taking pictures...and in it all, my heart feels so ridiculously full. I didn't know that life could ever be so amazing, so fresh, so full of love that points me to God. It is refreshing and tiring and worth every moment.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWRjyQ2HjVx49JfD-tYS2iYVc2KSsefuXHsENLtNlVQziihvjGl25I_Ok4AskmBqMce3x3a9o7BlsNgYqpPHMbM5jtP1E7SflvuwpOlTDXCmbAbFBDSxHZPuHmcskCzXjG9a9JFxkcCQ/s640/blogger-image--58776272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWRjyQ2HjVx49JfD-tYS2iYVc2KSsefuXHsENLtNlVQziihvjGl25I_Ok4AskmBqMce3x3a9o7BlsNgYqpPHMbM5jtP1E7SflvuwpOlTDXCmbAbFBDSxHZPuHmcskCzXjG9a9JFxkcCQ/s640/blogger-image--58776272.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I am so thankful for Owen and Emma, for their distinct differences in personality, for how both of them contribute to and complete our family in different ways. It has been so fun to see their personalities unravel.</div><div><br></div><div>Emma is our little character. She is full of laughter, silliness and games. She loves to smile and is a total charmer. The other day she had some waitresses and guests wrapped around her finger as she smiled, laughed, clapped and squealed for them in the restaurant. She loves to give kisses, read books, try to feed me with her spoon, play peek-a-boo, laugh, take naps with me, snuggle, run around, be chased and tickled, help push the laundry baskets to the drying rack when they are full of clothes (this is her "chore" now), dance to music, play with shoes (thankfully she no longer licks them), sweep with her toy broom, and turn everything into a game. She has a fun personality and sense of humor. She is smart as a whip, can follow some simple directions, do a few baby signs, and point to what she wants. She is a tough cookie, rarely crying if she gets hurt, giving whatever hurt her a scowl as she rubs her aching body part. Emma has the most adorable nose squinch smile that shows off two of her four pearly whites, is passionate about food (she loves peas, hummus, black beans, spaghetti and blueberries the most), and is a total Mama's girl. She is a joy.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxufyJy_Sr9ehBixc2X1Z4-kzfhXUahOfDoafO2zjGGchEk3UQv5HioYhpUUvWotaTTbI4_MAE1-hFfRvujJvOXmsBMvTB-bFXqGsB-c8GEslIq8Kx0Ivdrny3iP6qNRCfD-wISvngde8/s640/blogger-image--1283758902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxufyJy_Sr9ehBixc2X1Z4-kzfhXUahOfDoafO2zjGGchEk3UQv5HioYhpUUvWotaTTbI4_MAE1-hFfRvujJvOXmsBMvTB-bFXqGsB-c8GEslIq8Kx0Ivdrny3iP6qNRCfD-wISvngde8/s640/blogger-image--1283758902.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Owen is our fairly laid back, somewhat serious little dude. Unlike his extrovert sister, Owen is an introvert and enjoys spending time in his crib alone. Often times after taking a nap, he will play in his crib for a good 20 minutes and just laugh his head off at who knows what. He has an infectious belly laugh, which is most noticed when he is chased, tickled or held upside down. He loves to be tossed, go swimming, take baths, stand at the window, bang or drum on anything, sleep, his owl blanket (Mr. Owl), touch anything that has a light, a cord, or spins. He is particularly fond of remotes, the elevator, the ceiling fans at our condo, and wheels on anything. He loves pasta, peas, yogurt and applesauce. He makes his parents nervous though too because he is excellent at shoveling WAY too much food in his mouth and then moaning at us because he can't swallow it, while simultaneously not allowing us to help him. He is less quick to give a smile but has an easier time adjusting to being around other people. He is as sweet as sweet can be, loving snuggles, sitting in a lap to read or just relax. His big brown eyes melt my heart. He is a joy.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSDbiO_LXIL7snVA_zhpMRWwRvB0S0OveaqhKPRfnrTX8xwGfYfwwEZP4dWqZNsyZNVz7eTS63UPRJnaGHQOiRmIIA8eAkHVeJw-fIBBAbjL4PbNyEh97xlsm5v3ZCZfkKAde628s2Dw/s640/blogger-image--278843795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSDbiO_LXIL7snVA_zhpMRWwRvB0S0OveaqhKPRfnrTX8xwGfYfwwEZP4dWqZNsyZNVz7eTS63UPRJnaGHQOiRmIIA8eAkHVeJw-fIBBAbjL4PbNyEh97xlsm5v3ZCZfkKAde628s2Dw/s640/blogger-image--278843795.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We are so blessed by them and grateful to be their parents.</div><div><br></div></div></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-54323300237353466692013-09-22T21:48:00.001+07:002013-09-22T21:48:18.052+07:00Picture of the day: September 21Somebody didn't want to be kissed...<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocul9xBcK2wUhezQPuavHByB3QWNP-5CFjAxFxNMd1AIFJpTid1A1etU-0XwKGtUCMSjv7v2ugc2NpS9Iib23h2Lzfo6oIOiFur_zvyZSqLIL1_OCycq26n1kCy4epl_9AzSV8Q8K3Fs/s640/blogger-image-1451079951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocul9xBcK2wUhezQPuavHByB3QWNP-5CFjAxFxNMd1AIFJpTid1A1etU-0XwKGtUCMSjv7v2ugc2NpS9Iib23h2Lzfo6oIOiFur_zvyZSqLIL1_OCycq26n1kCy4epl_9AzSV8Q8K3Fs/s640/blogger-image-1451079951.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-24819146090664407592013-09-20T22:09:00.001+07:002013-09-20T22:09:35.352+07:00Picture of the day: September 20<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My sweet babies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeYD7ZA2c0WnpL8keXtvq3Cc3C3aphJtyRUs39fK9bzaJC3WE2Qdm3gEPdLYwPD_XFrvd1IGSWjLMMoJvMJA6dVSpsE0ziQ57sdb_YwXoV9B2NGaMTevMUwOEpz_qnYzJSkpmDgjZV4I/s640/blogger-image-796399674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeYD7ZA2c0WnpL8keXtvq3Cc3C3aphJtyRUs39fK9bzaJC3WE2Qdm3gEPdLYwPD_XFrvd1IGSWjLMMoJvMJA6dVSpsE0ziQ57sdb_YwXoV9B2NGaMTevMUwOEpz_qnYzJSkpmDgjZV4I/s640/blogger-image-796399674.jpg"></a></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-50055103573823489192013-09-12T11:20:00.001+07:002013-09-12T11:21:17.040+07:00Picture of the day: September 11Emma is really into reading (hooray!!) and kissing everyone and everything these days. I love that she'll crawl into my lap to read, or that when we Skype with people, she kisses the ipad screen. <div><br></div><div>Our wonderful helper, Miss Ning plays with and loves on our kids so well. i managed to capture a few sweet pictures of Emma and her reading "Snuggle Bunny" together...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sO7PhCwmNkxPXj89anWRbYCSlbJDgcm_c-LUCbpkYqhyphenhyphen1OMjkZaHHOe5im2pK6uEAa14IKrLb_jUAT3IDnyU1y69nJkqMeJD40WCPN7cxcOuhv3BdmDBIB4NF6T0KQT9tY5JalN0p2A/s640/blogger-image-888392058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sO7PhCwmNkxPXj89anWRbYCSlbJDgcm_c-LUCbpkYqhyphenhyphen1OMjkZaHHOe5im2pK6uEAa14IKrLb_jUAT3IDnyU1y69nJkqMeJD40WCPN7cxcOuhv3BdmDBIB4NF6T0KQT9tY5JalN0p2A/s640/blogger-image-888392058.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHaIlHMHBar9vmKDQLsKqYciYL_nPi_1HqV0GQSQ5qBk3guuwBu7Af6lbmgVoRZe11i0Y98FgIElWNvR15d5o97SHOSwbaip8eJ70ABKnrEaqhFM34vEInTVRMfmJrIAl-gCYhNCCuKg/s640/blogger-image--672565313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHaIlHMHBar9vmKDQLsKqYciYL_nPi_1HqV0GQSQ5qBk3guuwBu7Af6lbmgVoRZe11i0Y98FgIElWNvR15d5o97SHOSwbaip8eJ70ABKnrEaqhFM34vEInTVRMfmJrIAl-gCYhNCCuKg/s640/blogger-image--672565313.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-85726256495290030252013-09-03T10:42:00.001+07:002013-09-12T10:59:05.037+07:00Picture of the day: September 2Most mornings I get to enjoy a good 30-40 minutes alone with this handsome little guy. He is such a happy boy overall, but mornings are when he is by far the happiest and full of the most giggles. We spend our time taking morning milk, laughing, pointing and staring at the ceiling fan, playing catch with a ball...which means him tossing it and me rolling it back to him, clapping, singing and squealing in delight over everything (him, not me) and sometimes taking pics. <br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzwh6lF9IdWt2fl8R5h_mIUC71F5tsEVyFTYI8lR7x3l3rjFrIL0S6m0wFnKx5PnNFyE2TUXvRLJS1LjxKn2jSCny8NYnYOWFAPoD84SSmOqeRZwX5fqMRYnKKZ9g5gqLDChKw4n0xGE/s640/blogger-image--1259017985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzwh6lF9IdWt2fl8R5h_mIUC71F5tsEVyFTYI8lR7x3l3rjFrIL0S6m0wFnKx5PnNFyE2TUXvRLJS1LjxKn2jSCny8NYnYOWFAPoD84SSmOqeRZwX5fqMRYnKKZ9g5gqLDChKw4n0xGE/s640/blogger-image--1259017985.jpg"></a></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-85733440704176187302013-08-29T08:01:00.001+07:002013-08-29T08:01:55.090+07:00Picture of the day: August 29<div>This is Owen's new thing that has developed in the last 2 weeks: feeding himself. He immediately throws his body backwards to lay down/lounge to drink it and he does it whether you are ready to catch him or not. Ha! What a goofer.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDNBl43R3Hub24arq2rq1ddiA72P47gKw7jt6U3X0k9GxotuC86kd-_HzVEkjiGAWEBRbBFOHOA0_jhawbqlj6RJaLyVz2m0rmUWdYvkX-_orf9zR110X_I5Orkt7A59k5-QomYeDtnU/s640/blogger-image--68404411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDNBl43R3Hub24arq2rq1ddiA72P47gKw7jt6U3X0k9GxotuC86kd-_HzVEkjiGAWEBRbBFOHOA0_jhawbqlj6RJaLyVz2m0rmUWdYvkX-_orf9zR110X_I5Orkt7A59k5-QomYeDtnU/s640/blogger-image--68404411.jpg"></a></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-23384834464358641102013-08-28T14:45:00.001+07:002013-08-28T14:49:09.955+07:00Picture of the day: August 28<div>Emma doesn't drink well from the nuby sippy cup but does fantastic with the straw sippy. Owen is the exact opposite. Funny kidlets with funny differences.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqem6W4zLGOJNlTtJYT7vkrMuvPExPa495r4_91q0i30z3z5wT1MCh75Oo9pgWPShyphenhyphenmBP2mFoLpRyP7vRW9oEIzA_7Hn2RfkbllunsrZ9bvLNNVMCUdyAmsvpIZ2kSc7Cp8ARQqxn7yVo/s640/blogger-image--1835334464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqem6W4zLGOJNlTtJYT7vkrMuvPExPa495r4_91q0i30z3z5wT1MCh75Oo9pgWPShyphenhyphenmBP2mFoLpRyP7vRW9oEIzA_7Hn2RfkbllunsrZ9bvLNNVMCUdyAmsvpIZ2kSc7Cp8ARQqxn7yVo/s640/blogger-image--1835334464.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-38021830720208600722013-08-26T23:57:00.001+07:002013-08-26T23:57:22.052+07:00What if we encouraged instead of judged?<div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">I found this post sitting in my drafts from April! Thought I would add to it and finally post!</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">So today I was asked by another mother if my children were sleeping through the night. I know hers have slept through the night practically since birth so I knew what was coming...the comparisons,the judgement, the "you're a bad mother" looks. I answered truthfully; they still get up. Sometimes it is just at 5 am, sometimes it's at 11, 2 & 5...I never know what it will be. It depends on their needs, how much they ate before bed, if they are having a growth spurt, etc. Anyway, I got the sympathetic yet slightly judgmental pause with an "ooh...they should be sleeping through the night by now" response. And suddenly I found myself swirling in a world of motherhood doubt. Should they be sleeping through the night?! Stupid. I let one measly comment make me second guess the needs of my children. MY CHILDREN. The children that no one else knows better than me except for the one who created them. So judge away all you want, but I have decided not to really care and not take off hand comments or unwelcome suggestions seriously or personally.</span><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">There are so many different parenting methods out there and really, none of them work well unless you know youself and your limits, as well as the needs of your child. I am finding that what works for Owen does not work for Emma; they are individuals with different needs. Clearly, if anything, that demonstrates the necessity to know your child.</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">So perhaps instead of being quick to judge others for how they decide to parent or how their child behaves, or quick to offer unsolicited "words of wisdom," maybe see what doors open if you just ask how their heart is doing or how you could pray for them. Because really, if that mom had just asked me how things were going, I would have told her they weren't sleeping through the night had I thought it was a problem.</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnXySOPsFO5g4y-8a-hP2-LTXlZQS0p8VbmefSZ6LYmZl1l4B7A3XHUrMZ-zBJ7aB96LrIT8oKWVgZnSsMKDAtA5bQUWSBEz_7KsQ5MW7ly0B5xzVR9CtZnJ0_4RY4bBJogKPbffphB4/s640/blogger-image-454479294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnXySOPsFO5g4y-8a-hP2-LTXlZQS0p8VbmefSZ6LYmZl1l4B7A3XHUrMZ-zBJ7aB96LrIT8oKWVgZnSsMKDAtA5bQUWSBEz_7KsQ5MW7ly0B5xzVR9CtZnJ0_4RY4bBJogKPbffphB4/s640/blogger-image-454479294.jpg"></a></span><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o1aKP_MT5HMc4sxckmfFb0euM5LC2uLdQuvPsxzkvQztmWkb2VEnUtFD05S03QMi8PjOBQjSjdoOJo4Rxh6juXyKMB2D9HJ9SotsyX-VD0cKF1A2_9Yyw9r1gXSCYJEAaI6awABdXPI/s640/blogger-image--1850358100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o1aKP_MT5HMc4sxckmfFb0euM5LC2uLdQuvPsxzkvQztmWkb2VEnUtFD05S03QMi8PjOBQjSjdoOJo4Rxh6juXyKMB2D9HJ9SotsyX-VD0cKF1A2_9Yyw9r1gXSCYJEAaI6awABdXPI/s640/blogger-image--1850358100.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><font color="#0000ee"><u><br></u></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><font color="#0000ee"><u><br></u></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><font color="#0000ee"><u><br></u></font></div></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-92135108133368642732013-08-26T22:53:00.000+07:002013-08-29T07:57:22.783+07:00Picture of the day: August 26One of my friends, in an effort to blog more and give glimpses into her daily life, decided to post almost daily pictures on her blog. She doesn't stress about posting a pic every day, but is at least more intentional about taking pictures. qI liked that idea, so am going to take it and run with it as well. Thanks, Clare!<br>
<br>
<span id="goog_1435526071"></span><span id="goog_1435526072"></span>Mama went to a baby shower and didn't get home until around/after bedtime. Daddy was on double bottle and bedtime duty. Good thing they can hold their own bottles...I remember when they were tiny and if I needed them to drink on their own, I had to prop up their bottle.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vhR7SB8r3FX_eMiLA_SVrMaoR3Ao8eK15g0Thlp7cHtgKyEcvTCnYQOyb0U2aE-pnAw5v0eYmhblfvdnsw7RnXsw4_br_o51uLkSSWJVx1xfPCxeX5A55W65bb0Bxyj3U0kRBBKJ6ww/s640/blogger-image--706534007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vhR7SB8r3FX_eMiLA_SVrMaoR3Ao8eK15g0Thlp7cHtgKyEcvTCnYQOyb0U2aE-pnAw5v0eYmhblfvdnsw7RnXsw4_br_o51uLkSSWJVx1xfPCxeX5A55W65bb0Bxyj3U0kRBBKJ6ww/s640/blogger-image--706534007.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-64262911674517199622013-08-25T22:16:00.001+07:002013-08-25T22:16:32.801+07:00Nothing out of the ordinary...Mike has a sweet little girl in grade 2 who, when she was in k4, once talked to Mike about her babies (dollies) named Cake and Cookie. I remember getting a good chuckle over the names of her dollies, but after having lived in Thailand for 4+years and having students with original (and not so original) nicknames such as Cake or Cookie, it is nothing unusual now.<br />
<br />
Transition now into this little girl being in grade 2:<br />
Student: I have diarrhea this morning.<br />
Mike: I am sorry to hear that.<br />
<br />
Again nothing unusual about that...morning attendance/excuses is sent to teachers each morning and often times the reason a student is missing from school because of diarrhea. Yep...diarrhea. The excuse doesn't say an upset stomach or food poisoning or sickness. It is so interesting to me how we Americans are so private and find certain questions or conversation topics awkward. Most everything here is fair game...how much money you make, why you don't have children, why you have so many children, why you aren't married, aaaaaand bodily functions. Ha!Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-43239250231705841822013-07-22T21:49:00.002+07:002013-07-22T21:49:52.936+07:00The tipping pointIt's mid July and our time in Minnesota is winding down. This summer seemed to fly by at warp speed, as did this past school year. The birth of the twins seemed to be the spark that kicked life into high gear and we haven't looked back since!<br />
<br />
We have had a delightful 6 weeks stateside. We have enjoyed spending time with family and friends, hanging out in the kiddie pool, being part of my best friend's wedding day, seeing my brother and his new wife, taking naps, playing in the grass, watching our beautiful babes take everything in and learn new things, watching our kids interact with the children of so many of our dear friends, spending time together as a family, eating good beef, worshipping at Sovereign Grace Church, riding bikes with a trailer for the babes, etc.<br />
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Yet despite all these wonderful things, this year--like every other year that we come back for a visit, I never feel quite at home. Part of it is living with other people, living out of a suitcase, having people constantly around, not having our normal routine, etc., but I think we have reached a tipping point in our life now. Mike and I have been feeling the effects of being in Thailand for four years. We have now lived in Thailand the same number of years we lived in Minnesota as a married couple, we have been in Thailand almost twice as long as the number of years we spent worshipping at Sovereign Grace. This next year, Mike will have taught the same number of years in Thailand as in Minnesota.<br />
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In all of this, our church body has changed and we feel like we don't know half the people anymore, some friendships are perhaps a little more distant from not keeping up on a regular basis through the year, former acquaintances are not really acquaintances anymore, and once familiar places are not quite as easy to remember how to get to anymore, conversations are more updates because our worlds are just different.<br />
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Parts of me grieve all these changes that I feel and observe, knowing that the longer we stay in Thailand (or wherever we live) the more pronounced they will become. Despite change not being anything out of the ordinary...close friends stay close, acquaintances drift, policies and populations change...it doesn't make the sometimes abrupt feeling change (due to being overseas and only coming back for a few weeks in the summer) easier.<br />
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But even when my heart aches for things of this earth though, I delight in knowing that Thailand is where we are supposed to be for this season.Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-19753467627803751882013-05-27T20:45:00.001+07:002013-05-27T20:45:59.051+07:00Thoughts from an adopteeMy beautiful friend, Holly, wrote this remarkable <a href="http://hollyslifeoutloud.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/asia-is-in-me-and-i-cant-do-a-thing-about-it/">blog post</a> on being an adopted Korean-American, growing up in California, but currently residing in Asia...and what that means, how it feels, etc. As I read her post, I found myself literally saying aloud, "Yeah!! That's totally how it is!" She so eloquently expressed things for which I simply did not have words.<br />
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One of the first things that Holly asked me after the birth of Owen and Emma was, "So how does it feel to have your first blood relations?" Deep. I hadn't really sorted through the raw emotion of it at the time, but since then I've unpacked more of what it means to me, a fellow adopted Korean-American.<br />
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Adoption is a beautiful thing. Families are made and babies are not aborted or entirely abandoned. However, it is not without its issues no matter how well families address them. <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">It took going to counseling for me to really understand the impact that adoption has had on me. </span>I struggled; namely with abandonment and self-esteem issues, which manifested in seeking attention, control and security. I also struggled, as many adoptees tend to, with over attachment and under attachment issues as well, which swung like a pendulum through the years.<br />
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Due to being adopted myself, adoption has honestly never been something I have been drawn to. Maybe my heart will change but I think it is, like many things, a calling...and one that I simply do not currently feel called to. Some might say that I would understand adoptee issues well, but I think there is a part of me that fears having to continue to deal with them, just on a different level. That being said, it has always been really really important to me to have my own biological children.<br />
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So how does it feel to have my first biological relations in my midst? Amazing. Amazing to love and hold them from birth. Amazing to have them recognize me and attach to me emotionally. Amazing to see both Mike and me in them. Amazing to see characteristics or personality traits of Mike and me. Amazing... Simply amazing.<br />
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And then there is a part of me that is so enormously relieved. Relieved to know that they won't be asked, "Where's your REAL family" or " Who's your REAL mom?" Yeah..try dealing with that as a kindergartener! That they (hopefully) won't get mistaken as their sibling's significant other, or feel ashamed of the color of their hair and eyes or the shape of their eyes and nose. Relieved that they won't have peers ask them if they are a "commi" from North Korea. Relieved that when they look at family pictures, there won't be twinges of insecurity at being different. Relieved that they get to answer some of the family medical history questions at the doctor because they will actually know some of their medical history, albeit parts of it missing due to my lack of knowledge of my own family history.<br />
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So...as grateful for I am for the gift that adoption is to adoptees (including myself) and adopters, as an adoptee, having biological children of my own is really truly one of the greatest gifts I could have ever been given.Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-18606879106148452912013-05-17T21:51:00.000+07:002013-05-17T21:51:09.204+07:00Enamored<div style="text-align: center;">
We just adore these two precious gifts!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2n5kVuslXR3x8rjpxwTdf-aIA5EnKP5qDJUeWBI15mpS8FccDwN-4YDWOUYG7vvh9Qqtj_r9APYhOwr7rApcOnBDiClKa80Kj5yPCO85SS3HUo1Z8a3uw70ZVi36dudjuwmGFEFe6gM/s1600/IMG_3048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2n5kVuslXR3x8rjpxwTdf-aIA5EnKP5qDJUeWBI15mpS8FccDwN-4YDWOUYG7vvh9Qqtj_r9APYhOwr7rApcOnBDiClKa80Kj5yPCO85SS3HUo1Z8a3uw70ZVi36dudjuwmGFEFe6gM/s400/IMG_3048.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7.5 months</td></tr>
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<br />Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388907959971325525.post-81023871781986216732013-05-13T13:40:00.002+07:002013-05-13T13:41:50.462+07:00Heartache in the midst of happinessYesterday was Mother's Day. I spent the day getting lavishly loved on by my husband and playing with my kiddos. It was wonderful. Yet my heart was heavy with grief in so many ways...aching for friends who are single and want to be married and start their own family, those who are walking the road of infertility and possibly undergoing painful procedures, for those (including myself) who have experienced miscarriage and unmet expectation, for friends who have lost their mother, for friends who are waiting and waiting to adopt, for the adopted and adoptees who sometimes hear the question, "But who's your REAL mom?"<br />
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So as I scroll through Facebook and see several pregnancy announcements, pics of people with their own kids or mother... Know that if you are one of those people, you are beyond blessed. So squeeze your mother and your child, but remember to squeeze a friend who might be walking a difficult journey as well.Mike and Karlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974847540017889145noreply@blogger.com4