baggage

When we moved from Bangkok back to Phnom Penh we had a bit of luggage!

books

On a hot humid morning in Phnom Penh we read.

street views

We are staying in an apartment in a building called "House by the Pond".

My friend Debbie asked me to describe our Bangkok neighborhood. It is really hard to put it in words. Perhaps maybe picture - two lane city side streets barely wide enough for cars to pass by each other, add street food vendors, motos weaving in and out, bumpy narrow sidewalks (not stroller friendly), little shops and great massage parlors, skyscrapers in the distance, pink or green taxis whooshing by, and the everyday afternoon rain storm. Then think - that all of that adds up to a neighborhood we have come to think of as having its own charm.

thailand pastime

When both of your grandparents were teachers this is how you play . .



A=aiya, B=baby, C=cedar, E=ezra, G=grandpa, L=ming lindsays, M=mama, P=papa, Y=yayyay

red hair

About an hour after Amanda went to the delivery room, We were walking in the hall with Cedar to pass some time. We walked past the nursery and peeked in.
What a surprise - there was Daniel with a baby wrapped in a pink blanket.



"Breech Baby" Ezra arrived on 9/10 {7lbs 4oz} via C-section.
She is a cutie and has the same red hair as Cedar.



It is easy to pick her out in the nursery among all those Asian babies.



The hospital is like a 5 star hotel - they know how to do it right in Thailand.
We particularly love the grand piano playing in the lobby near the grand staircase.
And . . . it will cost 78,000 baht {$2,500} for a 4 day package.
Imagine what that would cost in the USA!!



Jim and I are trying to be brave, navigating around Bangkok with Cedar {both walking and in taxis}, while Mama and Papa spend the 4 days at the hospital.

the cuddle cure

In a few days grandbaby Talstra will arrive.
So, in preparation we are reading . . .



and perfecting the "Cuddle Cure".

The 5 S’s: Five simple steps that trigger the calming reflex
Swaddling, Side/stomach position, Shushing, Swinging and Sucking

sermons

We leave this morning for our long awaited trip to Thailand to be with Amanda and Daniel as they welcome baby #2 into their family.

While we are away from our church we will fortunately be able to hear weekly sermons posted on-line from our Florida church. These sermons are the reason we choose this church. If you are looking for some inspiration you won't be disappointed.

Venice Presbyterian Church Sermons

blue moon

Where will you be when the blue moon rises on Friday evening?

We will be on the southern shore of Lake Ontario raising a glass of Blue Moon Ale and eating a Moon Pie with friends.



For more than half a century, whenever two full Moons appeared in a single month (which happens on average every 2 1/2 to 3 years), the second has been christened a "Blue Moon." {Farmer's Almanac}

what we think we become

Watching a movie on a rainy afternoon . . . inspired.

The Iron Lady (2011)


Margaret Thatcher:
Watch your thoughts for they become words.
Watch your words for they become actions.
Watch your actions for they become habits.
Watch your habits for they become your character.
And watch your character for it becomes your destiny!
What we think we become.

bangkok

At 5:30am today Amanda, Daniel, and Cedar moved to Bangkok, Thailand to await the arrival of baby #2. They will be there until the baby’s birth {September 18th?} and then, when the little one gets a passport, will return to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In 19 days Jim and I will join them on this journey, staying for 6 weeks. Lucky, lucky us.

Cedar 19 months old ~ Amanda @ 35 weeks pregnant