Last week we celebrated our 9^th wedding anniversary. Marriage is a beautiful gift from God and I’m thankful for having that gift in Josh from God these past nine years. When I view marriage as a gift rather than a right, it totally changes my perspective on marriage. It changes the ways we interact with each other on a daily basis. If marriage is my right then I’m going to spend a lot of time frustrated about not getting all my rights. But if I view marriage as a gift, my heart is turned to joy for the many ways I’m being blessed each day by my husband.

The week of our anniversary we had a friend visiting with us, so Josh and I were able to get away for several hours to celebrate. It might sound silly, but I just wanted to go swimming with Josh. We were able to find a nice pool not too far from our town and enjoyed a lovely afternoon together. The next day I took the kids back to go swimming too.

One gift I’m very thankful about in our marriage is our commitment to honor each other in our words whether or not our spouse is present. The longer we’re married the more important I feel this is, especially as our children get older. I love knowing that Josh is holding me safe in his heart when he talks about me to others. I don’t have to worry about him sharing my faults and weaknesses with others. I don’t have to worry about not being around to defend myself. I know he honors me with his words. And as we grow older I don’t feel like I have to worry about what he’s telling the kids about me when I’m not around and vice versus. That to me is priceless. We’re so refreshed when we spend time with men and women who honor their spouses with their words (even when I know there’s a lot they are leaving unsaid). I want to be that kind of woman in our marriage too. I want to always honor Josh with my words and tone. I would love when I die someday for our kids to be able to say that I always honored Josh with my words. I want them to know that marriage is a gift from God and to see me life that out. May God work in me and help me.

Thankful for the gift of marriage – thankful for Josh.

Happy Father’s Day to my beloved man. We scheduled our Daddy’s Day celebrating for the Monday after Father’s Day, since our Sunday was packed out with activities. While thinking over that busy day I was stuck with the thought that Josh spent Father’s Day doing a lot of father-like activities. Sunday morning, he preached in our Jarai church, Sunday afternoon he did our neighborhood Bible Club teaching the kids to play kickball and teaching them the Bible. Sunday evening, we had a small gathering of believers (our family, one Khmer family, and an Indian man) over for singing, prayer, and some Bible study. The funny thing about our evening meeting is that there was not one language we could all speak together. Josh had to teach in Khmer for our Khmer friends and English for the Indian man. It was a full day doing things that we should all do as part of the body of Christ.

The next Monday we celebrated “Daddy’s Day” with pulled pork sandwiches for lunch, cinnamon rolls for an afternoon snack, and a roast for supper (ok – the Khmer beef was very chewy). After supper we gave cards to Josh and the kids did a play for him. We’re reading through the Bible and we had just read Judges 3, so the kids did a play about Ehud and Eglon. They each took their parts very seriously. Isaiah was a wonderful jolly fat King Eglon, Anna played a mean guard – my favorite part was her mean face and the way she kept asking “is he going to the potty?” Becca was a wonderful Ehud – dagger and all. So ended our “Daddy’s Day” celebration.

I’m so thankful to be parenting our kids with Josh. So glad we’re on the same team as we raise these little ones together. Thankful that Josh loves us and serves us in so many ways. Thankful he’s not only the best Daddy our kids could have, but that he’s also my best friend. Thankful for God’s many good blessings to us in Josh.

The past three weekends we’ve had overnight trips to BanLung (the main town that’s a 45-minute drive from our home). We had not planned to have so many trips in a row, it’s just the way the everyone’s schedule worked out.

The first Sunday in June we gathered in the evening to celebrate the faithful service of the Olson family in Cambodia. After many years here, they are returning home for an indefinite period to help with Kevin’s parents. The missionary families up here met for a pot-luck meal and a time of sharing. Robin Olson is one of the most thoughtful people I know. She is always thinking about how she can help others. A few days after we moved to BanLung, she showed up at our door with a chocolate cake. She has helped me multiple times with various things (loaning me books, bringing things to the kids, visiting me, bringing food when we hosted missionary fellowship, etc). I want to follow her sweet example of constantly thinking of others.

(The pictures below are of our Clara and Elisha, one of our co-worker’s children. Clara is 6 months older than Elisha, but is much lighter than him.)

The second weekend in June, we gathered on Friday to have fellowship with the other EMU families in the area (Crowleys, Kanes, Famers, and Brooke). Both the men and women were able to have separate prayer times. I think it was the first time the five women have prayed together. It was a great blessing to me. Saturday morning about 14 ladies from different missionary organizations met together for breakfast. We enjoyed our time together.

The third weekend in June, the Olson family hosted the weekly missionary fellowship at their house. Usually, the missionaries meet on Saturday night, but the Olsons’ moved their week to Friday night so we could attend. That night we stayed at a hotel because our co-workers were leaving the country the next day and it didn’t work for us to spend the night with them. We went in a few hours early on Friday so the kids could enjoy the hotel pool.

And so ends our weekends of travel. We enjoyed the extra fellowship and encouraging conversations with our missionary co-workers. Thankful that they are only a drive away.

While the rains have continued (though not every day), the mud play has increased. Our kids have so much fun. The worse part for me is trying not to think about all the animal dung which they are playing in. The clean-up afterwards isn’t too awful. Even though I rise out the muddy clothes multiple times, they still seem full of mud. Our bathroom is also gets very dirty, but it’s pretty easy to clean out.

Thankfully Clara has stayed out of the mud! Anna plays in the mud too, but she never seems to get as bad as her older siblings and doesn’t stay as long.

Last week we celebrated Isaiah’s 5th birthday! We started out the celebration about three weeks ago with his birthday countdown calendar. Some of the special things he got to do included: new books, an audio recording of the original Peter Pan (I think they’ve listened to it 3 times already!), treats, a camp-out on the front porch with Josh, and making a cake.

Isaiah woke up before 5:30 the morning of his birthday and promptly woke up his siblings because he was so excited about the balloons that decorated his bunk-bed. We had Cheerios for breakfast, apple muffins for snacks, and he went on a errands run with Josh. At 3 we had a birthday party for Isaiah with all our neighborhood kids. First we played games, then continued with our Bible Club lesson, and then we had cake.

Supper included hot-dogs, mac & cheese, potato salad, and chips. After supper Isaiah got some gifts from our family (a favorite has been his real garden shovel – he goes all over the place digging with it). After gifts we finished the evening watching the 1960 Broadway version of Peter Pan starring Mary Martin. The kids loved it. They’ve spend hours acting like pirates.

This year Isaiah wanted a zebra cake. I was thankful to find an idea on the internet using cupcakes. The night I frosted the cake I had some trouble keeping bugs from flying onto the frosting and a mouse ran across my foot!

One of our goals for Isaiah this year was for him to ride a bike without training wheels. I was expecting to focus on that the second half of this year, but Isaiah was ready and started riding training-wheels-free a few months ago. (Which inspired Anna to actually start pedaling her tricycle). It was a community effort to teach him. Becca helped him a lot and a few of the neighbor children helped him out too. It is so fun to watch him ride. We love it.

Learning: Last month Isaiah finished the Pre-Level All About Reading. He’s been so excited to “do school.” Isaiah seems to have a good mind for math. He catches on to math concepts very quickly. He surprised me one day by counting to 100. On a recent sleep-over I had with him when Josh was away, Isaiah typed up a number chart from 1-100.

Books: This year Isaiah has enjoyed listening to audio versions of: the original Pinocchio, the original Peter Pan, The Princess and the Goblins, Briar Rabbit Stories, Kiplings’ Just So Stories, and several Focus on the Family Radio Theater productions. Currently Josh is reading through the Chronicles of Narnia to Isaiah for the first time. I’ve been reading several books by Eleanor Estes: Ginger Pye, The Moffats, and Rufus M.

Isaiah is a sweet, fun-loving boy who loves to help and is a good leader to his younger sisters (who love picking on him). We’re so thankful for the many ways we’ve seen Isaiah mature this year and learn to love more like Jesus. Happy Birthday to our little man. So thankful you’re our son.

Rainy season for our yard means lots of water flowing from downpours, draining from the street, and draining from off the roofs into our yard. The water flows from the front yard into the backyard. Depending on the strength and length of the downpour, our yard is a mess. Of course, this provides lots of opportunities for mud fights and mud play! I’m thankful we have rain barrels for the kids to rinse off from.

Last week some neighbor kids and Isaiah worked on a huge mud hole. Everyone enjoyed the project! Only half the mud ended up in our bathroom.

The Khmer kids continue to come up to our house everyday from 3-5. A few weeks ago the three brothers on the left started coming. Their family is up on Oyadao working in other people’s farms. I found out this week, after they hadn’t come around for two weeks, that our neighbors suspect the oldest boy of stealing money from several people and doing & selling drugs. We don’t know if these rumors are true, but it is a good reminder that we interact with several different class groups around our home. An opportunity to show the love of Christ to people of every race and class.

These pictures are of a 30 piece puzzle we did. The kids have been interested in puzzles lately and I pulled out this one (I’ve had to teach them how to do puzzles and they still don’t completely get it). After doing the boarder and a few other pieces of this terribly hard Where’s Waldo puzzle, the two boys gave up. I worked on it for several days until earlier this week when I finished enough for the boys to finish it up without frustration.

Please pray for me as I seek to manage both our own kids and the Khmer kids during the late afternoons. Though everyone gets along, the two groups only play together about 25% of the time. The other 75% I’m managing both groups. Many times our older kids are playing outside while I supervising the Khmer kids playing upstairs on our porch, and our younger girls are experiencing after-naptime blues. I need a lot of grace, energy, and patience. God is good!

Yesterday we put together our second set of bunkbeds! We’d promised Anna that when she was wearing underwear consistently, we’d give her a bunkbed. Goodbye pack-n-play! Isaiah got to move to a top bunk as part of his birthday countdown calendar. Clara got Anna’s pack-n-play matress. Becca was thrilled to have a bunkbed next to hers and have Anna as her new shipmate

Setting up the beds was an all day event. First thing in the morning I started washing everyone’s sheets and mosquito nets. The first half of the morning the girls and I moved tubs, swept, and dusted. The second half of the morning Josh and the kids put the beds together.

The afternoon was spent putting bedding back on, arranging fans and other electronics, and rehanging mosquito nets.

Our kids were thrilled with the new arrangement. Anna looks so cute in her big bed. Isaiah loves being on the top bunk. Becca said it was the best night ever. The kids were wild with excitement. They have decided the beds are ships. Giggles and screams of delight came from their room long after I was done putting them to bed. I finally had to tell them to go to sleep…Isaiah promptly fell asleep. Love these days of delight!

Happy 14-month birthday to this rambunctious little girl! Climbing has become a favorite activity. The other day Anna came to get me since Clara was on top of my kitchen work table trying to open a soda can. We’re constantly having to move chairs and other containers to prevent Clara from climbing.

Clara has also become meticulous about throwing things out the window or off the porch. We thought she had gotten over this hobby. She’s very deliberate about what she chooses to throw over. Once some neighbor kids came up with over 10 alphabet blocks Clara threw through the porch railing. One day I watched her throw 2ft long pick-up sticks out the window. She kept running back for more. She even was able to maneuver a broom through our porch railing. She held it there by the bristles without dropping it, since she saw me looking at her. Crazy girl! I always have to be on the alert!

Clara’s getting some more teeth. She just loves eating mango/passion fruit smoothie ice pops. She’s such a clown!

This month Clara has made progress sleeping through the night.  We’re looking forward for this to be her new normal!

Love this little girl! Can’t get enough of her giggles and crazy villain laugh!

Meet Puimeng, a 61 year old Singaporean lady who is a missionary in a Jarai village near our town. Puimeng came to Cambodia about 2.5 years ago to help a church in the Jarai village of Le. She is very much”alone” in her work and we admire all that she does for the sake of the Gospel. Her main ministry is running English classes and Bible clubs in the village church. I love that she makes her students memorize the verse in Khmer before she teaches it in English.

We’ve enjoyed having regular fellowship over lunch with Om (older aunt) Puimeng about twice a month. Our kids love her.  She often does craft projects with them that she’s given them. Recently I’ve been having a prayer time with Puimeng at the end of our visits. It has been a great encouragement to me to be able to pray with another woman in English (something I’ve missed since moving to Cambodia). I’m very thankful.

I hope that when I’m 61 I’m like Puimeng – faithfully ministering to all people even if it means great discomfort and isolation.

Don’t let this picture fool you, this 13-month old is full of energy and mischief! Clara regularly laughs her “villain laugh” and looks like she’s wickedly pleased with getting away with something. She’s always trying to climb on the school table or any other tall surface she can get to. Take her outside and all she wants to do is climb the tall steps back to our house. (B&W picture credit goes to Gregory Whitaker.)

Clara bottom two middle teeth are starting to come in. On top her side tooth still reigns and it looks like the other top side tooth is starting to come in…not sure where her top middle teeth are hiding.

Clara loves to feed herself – she does not like to be fed! She happy and funny…as long as she gets exactly what she wants. She has learned to yell “MAMA” and I sometimes call her the Queen of Hearts for it sounds like she’s yelling “off with her head!” Love this little girl who brings so much laughter into our home.

Last week we were invited to join some friends from Phnom Penh at the Nature Lodge in Mondulkiri (the province directly south of us). We made the 4-hour drive Tuesday morning and returned home Thursday around supper time. It was a great time for our family to get away and be with three other ministry families.

On our way to the lodge, we stopped at Bu Sra Falls (about 20mins from the Lodge) and had a picnic lunch and played in the waterfalls. Unfortunately, the place was packed with tourist still on vacation for Khmer New Years and we/our kids had our photo taken over 20 times. Minus the photo sessions, we had a great time!

The Nature Lodge was a wonderful place for our family. Our cabin had a loft for the older kids to sleep in which was a treat. Our kids had lots of place to play and didn’t need to be supervised all the time. There were cows and horses wandering around the campus. The day we arrived a horse walked right up to Becca and nuzzled her head. The horses made it a perfect place for Becca.

On Wednesday, we went into the town to go swimming. The other families had rented a mini bus for the week to provide their transportation from Phnom Penh, so we rode with them. This bus was equipped with purple seats, disco balls, and a karaoke mike. We all enjoyed singing on the bus with the curtains shut and the lights going – a great experience for our kids. The swimming was great.

Wednesday evening Josh and the older kids went on a sunset hike to the red dirt mounds. They had a blast sliding down the dunes.

Thursday we went back to the falls with the group, played a little bit, had lunch and then headed home. We had a great time and look forward to going back again

A very happy 36th birthday to my Josh (April 3rd)! I’m so glad you chose me to be your wife and that we can journey on this adventure together – raising our children and serving together in Cambodia. I adore you! Thankful for every day we get to be together.

We started Josh’s birthday with fresh cinnamon rolls for breakfast. While Josh was out studying language in the morning, the kids finished making their gifts for him and we decorated Josh’s office as a surprise when he returned. In the afternoon we had a birthday snack of baked apples. For supper I made a roast in the crock-pot with carrots and mashed potatoes. We finished off the evening with a strawberry cake for dessert and gift giving.

Looking forward to celebrating many more birthdays with my wonderful husband and fun daddy! What a treasure God has given us.

Right after Emily’s wedding reception, the Sutter clan gathered at the hotel where most of them were staying to celebrate Grandma Sutter’s 80th birthday. All 5 of Grandma Sutter’s children where present, 7 of her grandchildren with spouses, and all 10 of her great grandchildren participated in the celebration. I’m so thankful we were able to celebrate with Grandma. She’s a pretty special lady…she continues to serve in the church where she can and still teaches children’s SS at her church faithfully. Thanks Grandma for all you’ve done for all of us!

Sunday, New Year’s Day, we were all pretty wiped out. We got to spend some extra time with Sam and Ashley and their kids and visit with some other friends. Our kids had a great time playing with their cousins, Colette and Jude.

Monday we were able to visit with our good friends Michael and Erin Lyons. They were visiting Erin’s parents in PA and squeezed us in too. Thankful for our short time together – it’s always a joy and never long enough!

Monday through Wednesday we visited with friends, packed and packed, and made our last stop at Chick-fil-A. We’re very thankful we were able to spend extra time with Grandma Buecher. Becca enjoyed being her roommate and the kids enjoyed interacting with her. So thankful they could have some time to get to know their Great Grandma B.

On Tuesday Becca got to go to first grade with Grammy. My mom teaches first grade at Logos Academy in York, Pa. It was a special treat for Becca to get to be a first-grader at the school for the day. Becca even gave a presentation for the class about her life in Cambodia. Becca was thrilled with her day!

On Thursday we packed up a van and were driven to NY by a man from my dad’s church and my dad. We spent several hours with the Flower family before we flew out at 12:45AM Friday. Thankful for the ride to NY and all the Flowers did for us as we waited and to take us to the airport. (No pictures.)

A huge thank you to all my parents did for us while we were in PA. Isaiah just loved being with Grampy Grace. My dad took Isaiah everywhere with him. They made several trips to Starbucks so Isaiah could get hot chocolate. My dad gave Isaiah a special bag and spent the week filling it up with things for Isaiah to take back with him (random things like name tags, pencils, gum, stickers, pens, fruit snacks, etc.). They were always on a mission to find more things to put in the special bag. Becca and Anna also got special bags. Unfortunately my dad got a bad cold after the wedding…so the hot chocolate trips decreased in frequency.

My dad also went out of his way to feed us. My dad loves grocery shopping and had asked for a list of foods we wanted to eat. He kept the house stocked with fresh fruit, chips and salsa, hotdogs, and he kept asking us what he could get. And he expectantly grilled us steaks. We liked the steaks so much he went out and grilled them again the very next night! So glad we were able to spend some time with my mom after the busyness of the wedding.

December 31st, 2017 my little sister married Daniel Miller. It was a beautiful, clear, freezing cold day. Everything went smoothly and my sister remembers the day as being perfect. She was a beautiful bride and they were both glowing.

We started out with having all the bridesmaids come to my parents’ house to get ready for pictures. I was running around between nursing Clara, getting things ready for Josh to watch and dress the kids while I was out for pictures, and trying to get myself ready. I hadn’t even tried on my bridesmaid dress yet – so glad it fit, thanks to my mom! It was a bustle of activity. One of Emily’s friends, Amy Krape, did my hair and Becca’s hair. I’m so thankful she did that for us.

Of course I made time to help pack Emily’s honeymoon bag. I think the happy couple had glitter with them the whole time they were away and even when they got back to their apartment. We had a scare when Emily wanted to get some socks out of her bag. I kindly volunteered my own socks so she didn’t have to go to the car and get out her bag.

The wedding party photos were taken at funeral home in downtown York. We were supposed to be allowed inside, but there was a miscommunication and the building was locked. It was freezing! The photos turned out beautiful (most of these are my mom’s), but let me tell you, this Cambodian girl was dying!

One funny thing was that is hadn’t been discussed was where we would go during the “first look” pictures. So we all just stood there. For the girls of course it was sweet, but I heard one of the guys mention that it was awkward. It looked like Daniel was delighted with his bride.

Let me take a commercial break from the wedding to give you a peek into my brain. I can’t remember the last time I had such a fast-paced, packed, stressful day. Between nursing Clara, being a bridesmaid, running the wedding, trying to take care of stressed out children (the little girls were bawling by the reception), talking to people, and giving a speech…inside I was frazzled (and of course I hadn’t gone to bed the night before until after 11PM). Somewhere during the day it hit me…I was at least 10 years older than everyone else in the wedding party and the only one with kids. BUT – it was worth it. I am so honored that Emily asked me to be her matron of honor and that I was able to be such a part of my little sister’s wedding.

Emily’s wedding went off smoothly. It was short and sweet – around 30 minutes. The kids did great walking down the aisle. We were shocked that without instruction Isaiah and Anna walked down side-by-side (it was their own idea) and took their job seriously. Anna still talks about throwing petals out for Aunt Emily’s wedding. I enjoyed singing with my brother.

The reception afterwards went well. Our little girls were a mess. Josh stayed in the car while the little girls slept for around an hour. I’m so thankful Josh was there to help with all our kids. There was more than enough food and everyone seemed to have a good time. I gave a matron of honor speech. Becca ran up and got the bouquet Emily threw that dropped on the ground. I figured that was pretty “fair” since Emily threw my bouquet. The bride and groom were some of the last people to leave. We stayed and helped with the clean up. Then on to the after “Sutter-family” party. My only sadness of the day is that I didn’t get a picture with Josh. Between running around with everything else, talking with people, and taking care of the kids, we hardly saw each other and didn’t take time to take a picture of us dressed up.

Emily was a beautiful bride. So amazing to see my sister so grown up and getting married. I got teary-eyed at several points during the day and choked up during my speech. Now I’m excited to be able to share conversations about married-life with my sister. I’m so thankful God blessed me with a sister.

We’re so delighted in the husband God has provided Emily. It was a beautiful day. Everyone was happy. Everything went smoothly. Thankful for this new family unit the Lord has begun and we’re looking forward to seeing Him work in their family.

After celebrating Christmas and dealing with a sick baby, I jumped into to seeing how I could help Emily prepare for her wedding. Emily had everything prepared for her wedding in great detail, but she lacked one thing: a wedding coordinator and reception coordinator. I put on my teacher personality and took on the job. (Haha…my mom got some “great” pictures of me telling people what to do!)

Friday morning we went over and set up the reception hall for the wedding. Thankfully, we were able to get everything set up and decorated by lunchtime. We had some good help and I kept things going with my unsocial-able let’s-get-it-done personality. I sent the happy couple off to get their wedding licence.

In the afternoon there was time for lunch, naps, and other miscellaneous preparations. My older brother, Sam, and I rehearsed for singing at Emily’s wedding. Others went over and decorated the church.

Friday evening I ran the wedding rehearsal with my older brother Sam, who officiated the wedding. Thankfully I’d just been in a wedding, so I had a refresher course two weeks before.

A big part of the rehearsal was having the nieces and nephews practice coming down the aisle.

After the rehearsal we went out for dinner at a nice diner. Our kids were exhausted. Then I left the kids with Josh and went with Emily to her bachelorette party. Wow – zow! I’ll just write for the record, Friday and Saturday were crazy days for me with wedding prep and being in the wedding (and nursing a baby every 3 hours and helping some cranky kids who hadn’t had their mommy around as much as usual). I’m so thankful we were able to jump in and help Emily, especially since I wasn’t able to help with anything before that week, being in Cambodia.

(A big thanks to Uncle Joey who took most of these pictures. I don’t think I took a single picture on my camera for this post.)

Christmas Eve morning we flew out of Atlanta to go to PA to prepare for Emily’s wedding. (A big thanks to Mom J for driving us there early in the morning from Grandma M’s house.) We spent Christmas Day with my parents, Aunt Emily, and Uncle Joey. We had a simple celebration Sunday afternoon.

Our kids were delighted to be at my parents house. A highlight for Isaiah was sharing a room with Uncle Joey. Isaiah got to sleep on the top bunkbed, while Uncle Joey slept on the bottom. On Tuesday my mom’s mom arrived (Great Grandma Buecher) and she was Becca’s roommate for the rest of our time in PA. Becca slept on the top bunk and Grandma slept on the bottom.

Thursday afternoon the rest of the Sutter sibling families arrived and we had Christmas again. There were 10 cousins together. The big event was a gift exchange among the cousins. Each cousin had been assigned one cousin to buy a gift for. It was really fun to watch.

It was also fun to watch my brother all interact with their children and their nephews and nieces. A lot has changed since it was just the six of us!

The big event was the big family picture. We all survived. At my suggestion, Grammy bribed all the kids with ice cream afterwards if they looked at the camera.

The last gift-giving was Uncle Joey’s traditional Christmas pajamas.

But wait, the party wasn’t over. Then my dad’s family showed up for a little fun. Our kids really enjoyed playing with my aunts and uncles. It was fun to watch them have as much fun with Uncle Johnny as I remember having.

There’s a very brief glimpse of our Christmas in PA. Coming up in the next few weeks…Emily’s wedding. 🙂

Sometimes God surprises me with unexpected friends. Three years ago this month we traveled to Macon, GA to present our ministry at Central Baptist Church. Shane and Abbey Gottwals hosted our family that weekend. Little did we know we’d become good friends. (Shane was amazed to find out he had a twin.)

Somehow in the short time we were together we clicked and Abbey became a close friend as our family moved to Cambodia. The texts she sends me halfway across the world have been a great encouragement as she takes time to share her life with me. Looking back over our soon to be three years in Cambodia, Abbey is one of the people who has kept me going with her encouragement and friendship. So thankful for her!

A highlight for us was being able to spend a few hours with the Gottwals the day before Christmas Eve. We left SC at 5am so we could spend some time with their family before we went on to visit Josh’s grandma in Altanta. So glad we could make them a part of our short time in the States.

After our time in Macon, we traveled to Altanta to visit with Josh’s mom’s side of the family. Unfortunately the traffic (due to a bad car accident) kept us from getting there as early as we planned, but we were still able to visit with everyone there. We spent the night with Grandma Martin. So glad we could see family!

After the Yamada wedding, we rented a van to drive down to SC to visit with Josh’s family. On the way we had a lovely overnight visit with the Raslau family (no pictures). Flavius and Cristina always go above and beyond to make our family feel welcome – they spoil us.

We spent 4 days in SC visiting mostly with family. Tuesday we had a drop-in for friends in the area. It was great to catch up with several of our friends.

Wednesday we visited with Grandpa Hess. Grandma Hess died in November and we missed seeing her. We spent Wednesday the morning with the Rodriguez family. Becca was delighted to play with Amaris – they’ve been friends since they were about 6-months in  the church nursery in Texas.

Wednesday evening we had a get together with Josh’s Dad’s side of the family.

We spent Thursday morning with Grandpa and Grandma Jensen. This was one of our main reasons for coming south on this trip. We wanted to spend time with our Grandparents and for our kids to get to be with their Great Grandparents. The kids had a great time playing bean-bag toss with Great Grandpa.

Thursday afternoon and evening we spent with Dad, Mom, and Josh’s sister, Caroline with her two children, Bella and Carson. The men worked at the wood pile, while the kids played outside decorating a Christmas tree with leaves and flowers. Afterwards, Mom did a cookie Christmas tree project with the kids.

Our time in SC was very full with hardly a minute to spare. (We also made visits to my two brothers’ homes who live in Greenville.) So thankful we could have this time in SC to visit with so many people in such a short time. Looking forward to seeing them all again when we return for a longer visit in 2.5 years.

Happy 10-month birthday to our dear Clara Grace! She seems to have an older girl look in these pictures. Slow down baby girl, slow down!

Clara has transitioned to full crawling. She now climbs stairs, so I can’t keep her contained in the kitchen while I work. She continues to be on the go constantly. She is starting to give kisses, and I see evidence of a upper tooth starting to emerge. She loves to nibble on things and isn’t too enthusiastic about eating pureed foods. She wants to eat like the big kids. Clara did a great job traveling to the States and back. She had little trouble with the time change. She got to meet lots of extended family members and attend two weddings.

Our Clara continues to be the sweetest happiest baby, full of giggles and life. Thanking God for gifting us with our Clara.