New Year Fun!!

Happy New Year Everyone!! Lunar New Year, that is!! Where I live it is quite a celebration. My family missed New Year's Eve because we were traveling, but I heard it was like nothing I could ever imagine! Since then, there have been fireworks all day every day, especially in the evenings. The beauty of the whole fireworks thing is there are no limits. You can buy and shoot off ANYTHING and ANYWHERE. Which is perfectly wonderful to my husband and son!! This week Rob, Hudson, and Hannah...well and me too, have been throwing colored smoke bombs off our 6th floor balcony. We have also been throwing off poppers which explode when they hit the ground. It is all sorts of fun!

On the 3rd day of the New Year we celebrated with friends. Here is a snapshot of our fun day split into 3 Parts, the Playing, the Eating, the Fireworks!!!

Part 1 - The Playing

We started the day meeting up with some friends at the park across the street from our house. We felt very local becasue our family along with hunderds of other local families were all at the park, playing. Festivities could NOT be complete without blow-up toys. All the kids, big and small alike, played for several hours.
This sweet girl had fun sliding down all the slides! Daddy and daughter enjoying the day! Hudson playing with his two little buddies. Rob won a BB gun with his efforts at the ring toss. He drew quite a local crowd and everyone was cheering him on. And there was COTTON CANDY!!Hannah and her friend were thrilled with their first taste of the sweet stuff in 2 years!I couldn't resist the way our little friend ate her cotton candy. Isn't this what we all really want to do?? Just stick our whole face in it?

Part 2 - The Food

After the fun at the park, we went back across the street where there was a HUGE shao kao area set up. Shao Kao is local BBQ. It isn't Rib Crib, but it is good. They take your chosen meat and rub spices into it, then place it onto the fire. It was particularly fun this evening becasue there was a lot of music playing and the people who were BBQing were all dancing and singing with the music. This place had every kind of meat you can imaine. Beef, chicken, lamb, ostrich, .......and SHARK!!

And no, we didn't eat BBQ'd shark. But this guy was cooking it.We went for the lamb and the beef. We bought 13 sticks of lamb for $1.50 which was plenty of food. As well as a few sticks of beef. It was sooooo good!!Then we found the people who come from the west bringing muslim bread. (I am sure there is a proper name for it, I just don't know it) This guy is pounding out the bread then putting it down in the fire pot beside him to bake. This is the most amazing bread!!! Between the bread and the BBQ, we were well satisfied! Part 3 - The Fireworks

If you remember my post from last year about New Years you will know that my husband looks forward to this event more than any other!! He is a pyromaniac at heart, and loves fire. So, this is his perfect opportunity to be a little boy. And wouldn't you know it, all the men we were with have this same excitement. I don't know who had more fun, the men or the children who were doing fireworks. (All these pictures are dark, but maybe you can see what we were doing)

Here are Hudson and Rob lighting something. Interesting, we were doing all of this in the middle of our apartment complex, with apartments all around. Safe huh?

The four tubes in the middle are where the BIG fireworks were shot. The guys would light them all at once and then an explosion in the sky would take place, just like the BIG Fireworks on the 4th of July. You can see "the dads" quickly walking away waiting for what has been lit to fire. Ummmm.... where are the children? Oh, there they are, trying not to get blown up!!

Here was our firework scene with children and dads all playing Fire together. The moms, were all off to the side watching all that was going on and making sure everyone was left with all 10 fingers and toes!

In closing....

I would like to say that we had such a fun time enjoying and experiencing this holiday like the locals do. I want to share a last picture with you. The people in this picture are all so very special to me (minus a few who came later, BG). I am thankful for every one of them. Sometimes we focus on what we have "left behind" to come here, but for me I have gained special treasures through the people in this picture. You may never know their names, but they are truly wonderful people through which the Father continually blesses my life!

Thoughts

These pictures have captivated my thoughts today. I knew when I took them that they would be special because in my heart I identified with these pictures. I saw in my son’s eyes a beautiful trust as he followed Rob into the “unknown” and they climbed together. It is the kind of trust I want to have in my Heavenly Father as He continues to lead me each and every day.

The wall the boys are on is basically nothing more than ruins. Ruins of a history that I am unclear on, but they make up an old city gate and a wall that runs around the central part of the old city. What once used to protect a city and make a people feel secure is little more than a tourist photo opportunity with no chance of keeping out the “bad guys”.

As I look at these pictures I see the Scripture in Song of Solomon come to life as our bridegroom says , “Come and run with me!” How many times are we like the small boy who wants the adventure of climbing to new heights, but is afraid. He has no choice but to trust in his father’s hands and strength to pull him across and the faith and belief that his father will not let him fall. In the second picture the father is securely holding on the boy’s hand, yet looking at what is ahead. Always sure footed and steady. As they progress along the wall the father is always in front, guiding, teaching and going before us in all things.

This is such a beautiful picture to me. As you may or may not know, our family is moving out to a more remote place this summer. We are leaving the comforts of “city life” for the unknown. A lot of times I feel all I can do is place my hand in my loving Father’s and allow him to lead me into new places, new heights. When I find myself afraid or unsure, I have confidence I can trust in the security of the hand that is leading me and holding me close!

I look at this picture and I see the Father asking me daily to join Him in His work. I simply must follow!

Not for the Squeamish

The O Fam has been hanging out in Thailand the last two weeks. I hope to have quite a few posts this week about our travels. The highlight of our trip was my mom's visit to Thailand. But....more on that later.

Today I would like to share with you a rather gross/cool experience we had, and even paid for. We had been in Thailand a few days when we began seeing people with their feet in a fish tank with the fish swarming their feet. We inquired as to what in the world they were doing, and found out that the fish "eat off" the dead skin on your feet. So, on an afternoon we had free.....we did it. All the cool kids were doing it, so we joined in!

And let me just say.....the first 5 minutes was DISGUSTING!!!!! As soon as you stick your feet in the water fish swarm your feet and begin nibbling. It is a feeling unlike I have ever experienced. I couldn't look, just had to close my eyes until I got used to it. And still, after that, it was hard to watch. Even the pictures make me a little sick.

I was the first to put my feet in, and it took me a while..... Then, Hudson stuck his feet in, laughing hysterically the whole time. Then there was Rob. He put his feet in, then immediately yelled pulling his feet out. A Thai lady was sitting close by and got so tickled watching Rob, she had to hide her face she was laughing so hard! But finally Rob was able to keep his feet in the water. You will notice there are no pictures of Hannah. Let's just say, maybe she has the more sense than the rest of us!

Writer's Block

I can find nothing to write about. It seems to me that the excitement with which I could write about all of our experiences here feels only lackluster as the daily visions and experiences are now familiar and routine. As I rode through town on my bike today one hand steering, the other hand scanning my ipod for a new song, I marveled at how far I have come. The sights and sounds around me are expected. As I looked at the signs along the road, it was shocking to me the ease I could read the foreign words and understand their meaning without a thought. So, in response to my writer's block at not being able to tell you about something crazy and new or exciting in my world, I would like to tell you what I would like to see on your side of the world!!

1. Traffic driving in nice rows, with no bikes, motorcycles , city buses and pedestrians all weaving together back and forth! AND, traffic following the rules and laws given for safety! Rob disagrees, he loves to drive however he pleases, with no regard to safety or laws! :)

2. Sonics and 7-11's on every corner. Actually I think I would really love to see people carrying big massive Big Gulps or Route 44's filled with ice and whatever coke/pepsi product your heart desires! But NOTHING floating in your cup that even resembles weeds or flowers, I see that enough.

3. Houses with yards. I have a feeling when I come home I will be amazed at the amount of grass sitting in front of and behind each house.

4. Closets. For the last two years I have shared a wardrobe thing with Rob. Most of our clothes are stacked in drawers and cabinets. Hudson's clothes are also in our room, and Hannah's are in a cabinet in her room. A closet would be nice!

5. Restarants where the advertised food out front actually looks appealing. Most of the time, I avoid the menus here, and just say the names of the food I would like to order. The pictures do NOTHING for me!

6. Literacy. While I know I mentioned above that I could read the signs while riding around today, I could read the signs that I have deciphered and seen for almost 2 years now. Take me to a different city and I would again struggle. I would love to be able to read and understand every sign with a single glance, instead of having to stare at it for a while, then ask Rob and Hannah how much they understand and then see if between the 3 of us we can figure it out. (and yes, Hannah is the most literate of the 3 of us!)

7. Women bigger than a size 4. I really can't describe what I will think when I walk into Wal-Mart someday and see men and women with all sorts of different body types!

8. Toilets. Sittable toilets. "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone!"

9. Anything convenient. Garage door openers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, big trash cans, driveways, cars, wal-mart prepackaged meals, canned and boxed goods...... and much much more.

10. Lastly, I would definitely have to write about seeing the beautiful faces of all of our family. It would definitely be blog worthy!

Melting

Do you know what happens when you take a tall cold glass of iced tea outside on a warm day?? Condensation. If you set that glass on a table, within a few minutes the glass will be sweating and there will be a puddle around the bottom edge. If you let that glass sit for a few hours, there will be water everywhere. Well, that is what is happening where I live. Think about concrete buildings that have been trapping in the cold for several months now. When those concrete buildings and all the concrete inside of them meets some warmer weather....look out!! There is water everywhere and the moisture is all enveloping. So what is there to do, but get out of the melting iced tea glass and go outside and enjoy the warmer weather!

Last night we decided to take a picnic to the park and play. Some friends had invited us to dinner, but when we told them our park idea they asked to come along! The more the merrier! Funny thing is, when we arrived with all of our footballs, soccer balls, baseball bats, etc, and started playing, a park employee came up to our group and said we were not allowed to kick the football or soccer ball in the park. ?????? When we inquired of her she said this park was for resting, not playing. Who knew? We didn't let it stop our fun and Hudson even practiced his punting of the football a few times anyway.

The picnic!

The Dads! Hudson playing football.
Our friends have twin 4 yr. old boys who like to play and wrestle with Hudson. They wore their football jerseys last night to the park so they could play football with Hudson. We love our friend's 2 yr. old daughter. She and Hannah have a fun time together. She is about the same age as our cousins Reese and Ainsley, who we haven't had the privilege of spending time with. So when we see this sweet girl we feel like we can "see" all the stages of their lives too.

Of course Dad always makes it a fun night at the park!

New Glasses

About a month ago I realized my girl needed to see the eye doctor. She was sqinting all the time and was getting headaches, both while wearing her glasses. It had been almost a year since her last visit to the eye doctor and I was hoping to wait until we left the country to have her eyes checked again.

But as I looked around I asked myself, "why can't I take her to the eye doctor here? People wear glasses here too!" So one day while Hannah and I were out and about, I said to her, "Let's try to get new glasses for you today!"

So, we went in and I explained to the man that Hannah was getting headaches and couldn't see clearly with her glasses, could he help. He said, "of course" and "follow him". After about 20 minutes the girl could see clearly. She was amazed how clear everything suddenly was. (I felt terrible, of course) and by 8pm that night had a new, cute pair of glasses. I was personally pleased that we went to the eye doctor using another language and had success!!

Baby it's Cold Outside....and inside!!!

I am freezing!! I say this, knowing that my lower 50 degree/upper 40 degree weather would be a welcome change for all my friends in Oklahoma at this point. However, when you live in a concrete building and there is no heat.....it is a different kind of cold. A cold you can't ever escape. The longer you are inside, the colder you get. We bundle in layers and socks and fuzzy slippers and blankets, and yet, we are cold.

So, in an effort to stay warm, we are staying inside and keeping busy. My mom sent some wonderful crafts for the kids as Christmas presents and we have been enjoying them the last few weeks! Here is what we have been doing in the last week or so.

Last weekend I was sick and didn't have a chance to travel with Rob, so Hannah went in my place. They had a great daddy/daughter weekend. And Hudson and I hung out at home. He got "sick mom" so probably the short end of the stick. I tried to make up for it. Hudson and I did our Rice Krispy treat craft together where you make and decorate Rice Krispy dinosaurs. It was tons of fun. This is something I often get to do with Hannah, so it was extra special to do with just Hudson at home.

Hudson and "sick mom". It was very important to him to have a self pic of me and him and the dinosaurs we made!Hudson with his creations. If you look close you will see the Boomer and Sooner dinos as well as the OU dino. He was very proud to show his dad!This weekend we had some friends come in for a visit and tonight i have a total of 7 children spening the night at my house! Fun times. So, thanks again to my mom's gift, we made and decorated flower and fairy cookies! The kids (6 girls plus hudson) had so much fun painting their cookies with edible paint and making the cookies. Hudson asked to take out the dino cookie cutters because he didn't want any part of the flowers or fairies!

And finally, we enjoyed another Christmas present from my brother Reagan and his wife Heather, BBQ sauce from Rib Crib. The restaurant Rob misses the most, being here, is the Rib Crib. In spite of the cold, we grilled chicken and sausage on the balcony of our apartment. It was nice to have a little "taste" of home. Thanks guys for the thoughtful present and the good meal!!