A Tree Top Walk...

The past couple of weekends we have had time with Daddy on Saturday (which if you know our life in Singapore... this is very rare)... so one Saturday we decided to go for a walk on the Tree Top Trail... It was an exciting afternoon full of sweat, monkeys, someone wanting to be carried, praying not to fall, fun and good family time.  Here are some pics of our adventure...  From where you have to park the car to get to the Tree Top Bridge is quite a distance (forgot about this)... and we did a fare bit of walking.  Blake was trying to push our son to walk but you know the mom has to give in (and feel bad) so I did give Pierce some short piggy back rides... but daddy stayed strong... Pierce is better and tougher for it...

We did get to see some monkeys on our way into the "jungle"... and they were up close and personal hoping that we had food.


I love this picture... might be a keeper...

My two boys...

One of the early stopping points Pierce was anxious to keep going... his tuned definitely changed about an hour later... he was always asking to stop.  Grandma and Grandpa did this trail with me a couple of years ago... you guys will know how long it is..

Here Pierce is showing off another battle wound he got from a friend... his poor face...

We made it... yeah...



A great afternoon with my boys... sweat and all.

13 weeks...

13 weeks... introducing our little Peach (this was taken about 3 weeks ago).  The baby is usually referred to the fruit that is equal to its size... this week the baby is a size of a peach... and boy did I feel it.  Watch our progression... fun times ahead... I got huge with Pierce so you never know... this could amuse us all.


Age: 13 Weeks

Size: similar to a peach

Mom's Cravings: anything salty or spicy and the occasional ice cream

Pierce's comments: This is awesome... I want a Brother

Dad's Prediction: Baby #2 will be a boy

Movement:  None that I can feel but during the ultrasound there are lots of hiccups and lots of movement

Sweet Moment:  In your latest ultrasound you were sucking your thumb

Sweet Moment #2:  While standing in a taxi que, Pierce and I were second in line and a man and his son were in front.  Pierce out of no where said to the man "excuse me... my mom is having a baby"... well you can imagine the look of concern that immediately flashed on the man's face and I was quick to jump in an say "not yet"... lets just say the man was thrilled but Pierce was a little confused.

Date of Arrival:  Aug 6th - 11th due date

Our family is growing by 2 feet!

We are thrilled to announce that our family is growing by 2 feet... and what a journey we have had up to this point and we can't wait to see all that lies ahead.  Back in Dec. (right before we were to leave for a holiday in the states) I was not feeling right... some of my favorite things were not tasting right and I knew the waiting game was soon to be revealed for that month.  More than 30+ months has the monthly waiting game not ended the way we wanted and when this one came I did not believe it at first.  I found out with 2 little pink stripes and Blake was in the process of kissing me goodbye as he walked out the door... so I decided to wait until he came home that night to surprise him.  That whole day was like a blur... constantly praying and thanking God, telling myself over and over that it was real (I think I looked at those 2 pink stripes like 20 times to make sure I was not seeing double), and patiently/excitedly waiting for Blake to get home.  After dinner and putting Pierce to bed I handed Blake a bag that had a new pair of baby booties in them (the same ones above).  This is how I told Blake 5 years ago we were pregnant with Pierce (after 8 months of marriage he was a little confused)... but this time he knew exactly what was going on and reached over and threw his arms around me.  We were beyond thrilled and so thankful for this Blessing.  I have always said that it takes 3 to make a baby and at different points in the past 3 years, 2 of us (different depending on the month) were working really hard.  However I was wrong... it actually took 4 of us (now don't get me wrong God is the miracle maker and the only one that really counts but for the story purpose... it took 4 of us to make a baby)... regardless God has perfect timing and we are so thankful for our little one.

We landed in Texas about 4 days later and could hardly wait to share the news with the family.  We had yet to tell Pierce but wanted to share with the family so everyone could start praying and join in our excitement.  We thought the best way to share with the various family members the big news was to take a picture of Pierce holding a sign saying "I'm a Big Brother"... so here it is... I wish I had a camera each time we shared this picture with a family member or friend... great memories for sure.  Pierce can not read yet so he was clueless as to what he was holding but he will do anything for a piece of candy... already a good big brother!

We had a blood test in Singapore to ensure that all the levels were good but when we got to Texas we called our doctor there and told him the good news.  He was a bit sad that he did not get any part in this one and was not going to since we lived overseas... so he said why don't you come in and at least let me show you your first picture of your little one.  So you better believe we were there as fast as they would get us in... and here is our little olive/oliver (back in Dec.)  The size of the baby at the time was an olive (and I liked the sound of that but Blake soon said Oliver).

At the doctor visit is where we got to tell Pierce the good news... that he was soon to be a big brother... we let the ultrasound and doctor do the talking at first (he was not sure why we were there) and afterwards we asked him if he understood what just happened... and I will never forget this moment.  We had him in his car seat all buckled in and daddy in the driver seat asking him this question and me in the passenger seat turned to look at him... and to answer the question Pierce picked up his hands in little fist by his side (shaking them a little) and with a big smile and tons of excitement said "I'm going to have a baby".  He has been thrilled ever since this moment and has often told complete strangers that he was going to have a baby or be a big brother.

We are all besides ourselves and can't wait to meet our little one in early Aug. 2012!

Thursday in Cambodia... saying Goodbye!

Our last and final day in Cambodia... is it really over... I wish was back there this very minute.  Welcome to Thursday... a day full of tears...
Here is our trusty driver... he was amazing and kept us safe and on time the whole trip.  He was a joy to be around and he was happy to share with us his new marriage to a beautiful bride.  We knew we were thankful for him but especially when we got to the airport later that day and meet a group of college students that had a similar van to ours (no seat belts and 7 passengers) and they were in a horrific car accident that killed the driver and co-pilot and several of the students were injured and were being taken back to Singapore (where they were going to college) to get further care.  We are so thankful for a safe trip.


Our gang with all of our loot... we had a great mission and we did some shopping too.

I will forever remember these people and remember the good times we shared and the stories they told... If I could only be half the woman/man these people are... I will be doing good.


Here is a random street... but here is a better shot of the street that we were on when we had out flat tire... now you tell me that God was not all over that...

Teacher Mo is one of the teachers that has to share the office to sleep in with another male teacher... he has a hard time sleeping bc the other teacher stays up talking with his girlfriend... but Mo never complained just gave his friend a hard time... so my gift to him was a clean pair of ear plugs... sleep well Mo.

If we were away from the kids... this is usually what I was doing...

One of the Cambodian Ministries that IBC supports is Kingdom Creations... where they make mostly bags (that look like Vera Bradley)... if you know me you have probably bought one of these or been given one as a gift... on our way out of Cambodia we got to see the shop where these ladies make the bags... a great ministry where they are trying to teach women in Cambodia to sew and make income for their family... a great safe place for them to be and they are awesome and make some cute stuff.

Leaving Cambodia... what a great group of ladies...


Oh yeah... we had to do one more shopping adventure at a local market... oh boy...


This is what I came for... cow bells... they are known for here in Cambodia and along time ago this is how the farmers use to tag their cows... by ornate cow bells... I got me a couple.. they are so pretty.

And some old pipes for some substance that will stay unnamed... use your imagination... I do have to say they were pretty.

Our team (minus a few and plus some new ones) are going back in April for another VBS visit with the village... I really prayed hard over this but with the timing and some other key important reasons (you will learn soon) Blake and I thought I should stay here in Singapore and pray for the team while they are there... it breaks my heart to miss this opportunity but no matter how bad I want to go (selfish reasons I am sure) God is saying no... can't wait to hear about all the amazing things the team will do and so thankful that our church will get to love on that country again (and again).

Last time with the kids in Cambodia...

Once we finished at the village we headed back to the school for another afternoon session.  One of my favorite times of the days are in-between sessions while the kids are just playing and in their element.  I spotted the kid below sitting in a tree taking the tree sap and putting it on one of his wounds (from bugs).  I asked someone later and they said that the sap helps heal it and keep other bugs out.

Once VBS started we were back at Games... they were so happy to be playing with a balloon.


This was the night that we opened up the school for MOVIE NIGHT for all... anyone in the village was invited to come and we brought popcorn kernals from Singapore to share with the people.... Here is our gang trying to whip up some popcorn... the cook (lady in pink) was fascinated...

We had a good turnout for the movie... we watched Rio in English but they did not mind they seemed to laugh at the right parts and loved all the color...

Sorry the pics are out of order but here this is a good picture of what happens during the day... we talk and then a teacher translates for us... time consuming but it worked.

Can I just take the boy home with me... please...

More clothes for the kids...

At the end we had the kids line up and we gave them all candy... oh boy...

Here is our gang, with some children that got new clothes, and the teachers...



Never forget their faces... and please join me in thanking God for them...

Afterwards we had some good times with the teachers... they wanted to show us their local dancing and they even taught us some moves... we of course had a lot of fun... here is our charlie's angels pic...


A great last day with the kids... tomorrow we are coming back to spend some special time with the teachers, encouraging them and thanking them for their dedication and commitment.  It is so hard to say goodbye...