Mango Rains

Praise the Lord! It rained yesterday. We've had more than 3 months of dry weather and the air quality has been terrible. Just before it rained there was a strong wind that blew a bunch of soot and dust down on me and PiiLa as we were standing in the kitchen. But thankfully, the rain has settled the dust and the air smells clean for the first time in months. These early rains are called mango rains because the mango fruits are just now growing.

Check out our blog for a cute pic of Gabe.

Chic

I must admit that I often feel at a loss for posting. I want to put something on, but the pieces of my life feel rather insignificant...and almost silly. My days are so similar: take care of Elinore, wash dishes, do laundry, clean up, go for a walk if it's nice,... I'm guessing you can relate. Often the only things I can think of to write are about Elinore, but then I'm hesitant. You're going to think I'm obsessed with her. Well, I am. She is my life right now, so I'm not going to be bashful about showing you all her pictrures and telling you what she's doing. Sorry.

We were at the grocery store on Monday and Elinore had hooked her fingers in her hat. It made her look like a chic little flapper girl. The sweetest thing was that she then fell asleep like that! Too bad we were at the grocery store and I didn't have my camera. Oh well, I got this one as soon as we got home.

I cooked my meal for my cooking group this week: African Peanut and Ginger Chicken. Yum. I even got all of the dishes done before Kevin got home (a true miracle because cooking these meals always takes over my kitchen). Go me! That's about all I can think of to say. 

This Old House

After years of neglect, this old house is finally getting some attention. Today a paint estimate, tomorrow carpet, and Brian's transforming work for the past week. While it really feels good to be making some changes, I do feel rather self-absorbed checking and rechecking paint chips, towel colors, hardware details, etc., etc. As long as this is a brief "season" in our lives, I guess it's OK, and the results will be well worth it. Brian does great work, and we're eager for the rest of you to see the changes.

Quantell called last night from Fort Leonard Wood, MO, where he will be for another five weeks before receiving his permanent assignment--possibly Okinawa or Iraq. We hope he can get here for a visit before leaving. I have his address if anyone would like to write to him.

Dad and I went for a long walk tonight and realized that spring is really here. Many people, still wearing warm jackets of course, were out, working in their yards, walking, or riding bikes. We hope all of you can take some time to....well, there are no roses to smell yet, but there may be a few daffodils to see soon. As for Eric, Ang, and Gabe, you probably have flowers all year long. Enjoy Spring or Songkran!

Little Worker Guy

Eric and Ang, I hope you remember the Toolbox book you gave Sam a few Christmases ago. Well, I have been saving it until the winter he was three and today we pulled it out for the first time. He is totally inthralled and pretending to build all sorts of things with it. He started out building a wooden toy car for my "new baby." He gave it to me, then explained that it was "about this big" and painted. Then I asked if he could build me a bookshelf. He took in details about what I wanted it to look like. He popped his head in to ask if I wanted it made out of wood or construction, I chose wood. A few minutes later he returned with the finished product. (All of this is invisible, remember...with very serious and grown-up looks on his face, never cracking a smile.) He explained how it was exactly what I asked for and how he used a hammer and a screwdriver. I told him I was very pleased and asked what he charged. "Two and three inches." A second later, "Could you please watch my dog while I go to work? He can take a bath, if you want, he likes that and it's OK if he licks himself. OK?" I agreed and he entered the pantry for his drive to work, emerging another minute later. "I'm at work!" and off to make me a drum...a gold drum! (I got to choose between wood, metal, or gold.) Thanks for giving him something that is warming my heart today!

Not so fresh air

Well, it's our turn to be jealous. After you all got to be jealous of Kevin & Jen enjoying our wonderful February weather we get to be jealous of your March weather. Hot season is here with a vengence and our weather is as hot & dry as it can possibly be. You may think that dryness is good when it's hot, but in our case it's not. In spite of the days of blazing sunshine, the night temps are quite comfortable. Comfortable to us means cold to Thai people so they are still lighting fires at night and since it hasn't rained in months the air is getting intolerably smokey and dusty. Every night soot and burnt leaves descend in our kitchen. I stayed up till 2:00 am once last week and the smoke got so thick I felt like I was back in the VFW hall playing bingo with Eric & Brian. We are so thankful that we can sleep in the aircon where our lungs can get a break. We started the aircon earlier this year to avoid months of smoker's cough we had last year and it has worked so far. Unfortunately, it's getting hazy during the day now too as the heat starts wild fires occasionally. Today, you could see the smoke in the air during the entire day. We still have at least a month more for it to get worse. We may need to escape during songkran. So I was quite jealous of your clear, fresh spring air. Hope you all enjoy it.

Fresh Air

I echo Amy in enjoying the first glimpes of spring. We spent the weekend up north with Megs and Alan (our dear friends). Although the temperature didn't climb quite as high as in Holland, the sun was bright and warm and the air was fresh. We relaxed, filled our tummies, walked, and revelled in good friendships. What a wonderful weekend. 

Spring Fever

It was almost 70 on Saturday and we released the kids into the wild for the first time this spring. We had good friends here for the weekend who came with us. Sam was bummed when he realized there were no slides and swings at this park, but soon forgot what he was "missing" among the sticks and acorns.
He ran almost the entire walk of 1 1/2 hours. Lydia joined in the fun of throwing little things of the bridge into the water. It is healing for all of us to be out in the faithfulness of nature with the promise of spring to come. Thank you, God, for this beautiful park on this beautiful day! 

PFC Taylor

The pics below reminded me of when my brother came home on leave after basic training. It was very weird. He was thin, tan, disciplined, obsessed about laundry, slightly brainwashed and shell-shocked. I'd wake up at 4:00 in the morning to find him ironing his uniforms. It was very strange, but overall, I think it did him lasting good as I hope it will for Quantel.

Sam and Pfc Quantel Jackson

Here are the pictures of Quantel's February visit on his leave after basic training. 

Dress-Up With the Cousins

Here is the picture I promised. Notice Eric (the director) lurking in the shadows. 

Lydia...taking stying cues from uncle Kevin