Abigail Turns 15!

Almost a month ago, my baby girl turned 15 years old.  As we were taking a holiday from all things intellectual (work and school), I decided not to blog.  However, now is a good time to celebrate Abigail.

One of the disadvantages of living away from your home country is that usually all your old photos are back where you came from, and that is the case with us.  However, I have managed to collect a few favourites and this is definitely one of them.  Abby was a DOLLY when she was a little girl, and every year we are quite convinced that she gets more beautiful, both inside and out.

Tris and I are pretty proud of her and how hard she works.  I would like to post a photo of her awards and trophies but #1, she's hidden them away in her closet and #2, she'd probably chase me down.  I will say, however, that I believe that the hard work ethic that she maintains at 15 will help her to succeed in future years, and she follows God's leading and puts her mind to what He directs her to.

Although Abby works hard, she also knows how to play.  I'm tempted to post a few of her goofier moments but usually her bbf Zoe is usually in most of those photos and I'm afraid I may be blacklisted if I do.  A few summers ago my mom came up with an old pair of very large, very '80s, glasses, which Abby and Matt have adopted.  They loved them so much they bought a 2nd pair at the Thrift Store.  This past month, Abby and Zoe wore them to the local mall (lense-less), and as I watched them enter the mall, I saw more than a few double-looks.  Made me laugh!

It's good to have Abby around, because when she's ready to relax, she often forces us to as well.  One of my favourite memories is of a picnic (sushi and rice paper spring rolls) we had outside one Sunday afternoon, under our pink Frangipani tree.  It was during Ramadhan, so we weren't really supposed to eat in public, so we made sure we were hidden from inquiring minds.

One of the greatest blessings in my life is my children, and I love that they like each other.  They usually enjoy each other's company, and I hope and pray that this lasts into a lifetime relationship of communication, loyalty and commitment.

I've mentioned it before, and I will say it again, that having a blog is a great way to tell others how wonderful I think my children are.  So, happy birthday my Abby-girl!  You are a blessing to me and your Dad, and we can't think of anything more wonderful than to have you as our daughter.

WaterBorn Exhibition

If you've been reading this blog over the years, you may recognize this painting by Amelia Alcock-White.  She is Tris' cousin, and is an artist living in Vancouver, BC (Canada, for those of you wondering).  She just recently held an Exhibition at the Petley Jones Gallery on 6th in Vancouver, and her painting of Matt was the theme painting.  We are very sad not to have been a part of this event, but thankfully the Internet has allowed us to see her show and even some of the guests who attended.  For a more in-depth look at her work, check out Amelia's website.

This photo was taken at a hotel in Singapore, and is significant to our family because it signifies our new lives overseas.  We were stopping over in Singapore to have our visas taken care of before we landed in Indonesia.  I love how this water theme (overseas) links up with Amelia's WaterBorn theme.  Don't forget to take a look at her work...she says a lot without words.

Thanks for reading.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!  Well, that was a month ago, but time and lack of turkey dictated that we eat our Thanksgiving meal a little later than usual. It IS almost American Thanksgiving, so technically we're doing ok.  When my kids were little it was lots of fun to decorate the table with dried leaves and ceramic pumpkins, but things change, and it's harder to remember Autumn when it's a humid 70% and 31*C outside.  The grey skies add a little to the long-weekend feeling, as well as the fact that we have Thursday and Friday off for Islamic New Year.

As I write, turkey's in the oven, cheese cake and apple pies are on the counters, veggies are cut, and I'm procrastinating doing any coursework.  Company is coming at 6:00 and with a few hours left, I'm just going to sit and enjoy the smells of the kitchen.  I might even haul out a few ceramic pumpkins and a candle or 2.

No matter what time of year, what season or celebration, my family is always on my mind.  I miss sitting around the table with the ones I love, participating in all the "kibbitzing" as my mom calls it, and I even miss the rat-tail tea towel whips that my brothers make, even to this day (does this ever stop? Like, once they turn 50 or something?).  At least those rat-tails mean that they're doing the dishes.  I especially miss the kids.  They're growing big without me, and that is the hardest part of being overseas.  All of our nieces and nephews are incredible, and we miss the time that we're NOT getting with them.

I remember a saying that used to make me chuckle as a kid, and it's "you can pick your friends, you can  pick your nose, but you can't pick your family"...or is it "you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose"...Silliness aside (thanks Poppa), I am thankful for my family, both my childhood one and the one I married into (plus those lovely extras that married my brothers).  If I pine after one thing about Canada, it's my family.

One thing I am thankful for here is that when you do live in a community like ours, you CAN pick your family.  We have friends coming over to share our Thanksgiving meal, that we consider our 'Indo relatives,' and we have others who help us care for our kids when we need a hand.  We are surrounded by people who love us and who we love like family, and for that I am thankful.

It's been a while since I've posted, and lots has gone on, but this is what's up today.

Thanks for reading.

Company's Coming!

They're almost on their way!  Tris' parents are heading here for their 2nd visit (first was Dec 2009) for almost 5 weeks and we're really excited.  This time will be a little different as last time it was over Christmas break and this time it's over April break (no Spring Break here...Spring doesn't exist!), so we don't have as much visit time.  However, we plan on making the best use of our time and hopefully they'll have a lot of opportunity to just relax.  One of my mom in law's favourite Indonesian things:  having her dirty clothes picked up in the morning and delivered the next day, washed, dried, ironed and folded!

March is flying by so fast it's making my head spin.  My days are full of books, reading, writing and lots of editing of papers and assignments.  I'm learning a lot in my first class, and am looking forward to learning in the second one that I just started last Monday.  It's a research/statistics class, and that kind of scares me.  It's kind of fun working alongside my kids, as they work on essays and projects, and meet school deadlines.



We still have fun around here, it's just more intentional.  Our school held it's annual Soccer Carnival a few weeks ago, and Tris and the kids were really into preparing for it.  Our house team (Merapi...named after the volcano) was going with a military theme, and so our family went along with another Merapi family, the Comries, to some shops far, far away in Jakarta to buy military garb.  Once all was said and done, they looked great.  Abby, our friend Sophie, and a few other girls did a cheerleading dance to get our team going (all-school assembly just before the carnival started).

I thought matt was going for 'sasquatch' but apparently this is military camouflage.

Report cards came out and the kids did really well.  It's neat to see what areas they're really developing into, and what gifts God has given them.  Abby loves to write, and it shows.  Matt loves art, especially photography, and it shows.  Below is a photo that he took for a lighting lesson in digital art.  He was supposed to use lighting to show emotion.  Here, it's hopelessness.  

Thankfully, this is just a staged photo.

We're off to Bali in April, something that we haven't done since Tris and Sunny were last here, and so we're really, really excited.  

thanks for reading.

Settled Once More

We're back.  In Indonesia, I mean.  It was a full, fun, short 6 weeks (5 for Tris) in Canada, but we're glad we went.  I can't imagine NOT returning to Canada at least once a year.  Not returning in those first 2 years was very, very difficult for me.  This time, as noted earlier, we went on a road trip, so those 7 days used up some of our 'normal' visiting time, yet we were able to see my brother Darren and his wife Chrystal in Red Deer, Tris' cousins in Calgary, and our friends Jamie and Sheldon in Idaho.  It was a beautiful, sunny trip through the Rockies that our family will never forget.  Thanks to those of you who fed us and put us up for a few days:)

This time, while in Canada, we tried to keep it low-key.  When asked "so what would you like to do?" we usually responded, "sit and visit".  Mostly we just sat on back decks, back porches, couches and in restaurants, and visited.  It was just like we wanted.  Time and circumstance always take a few things away, and we weren't able to go fishing or canoeing, but the way we see it is that we did travel 7000 kilometers in our van, and you can't do everything.

Tris left one week earlier than the kids and I, and while he was getting his classroom ready for school, he was spending his home time preparing our new place for us.  He got our cable hooked up, internet ready, and he unpacked almost every one of the 60 plus boxes we had shoved into one of the bedrooms of our new home.  Between him and Ami, our helper, our house was almost perfect when we walked in the door.  Of course, by us walking in the door, perfection occurred as we were back as a family again.  I must admit, I have "rearranged" perfection since then, and made a few things a little easier for me to find.  When we said yes to moving into this new home, I had only seen it twice, and really didn't know what I was in for.  This place is absolutely wonderful.

There are things in my life here in Indonesia that I just accepted because of our circumstance, like having to fetch hot water for dishes from the main floor shower. We now have hot water in our kitchen and in our bathroom sinks.  We also have a great kitchen that looks out over a nice, tropical garden, and I have enough drawers in my kitchen to successfully store and eventually FIND any of my cooking or baking tools.  There are a lot of bonuses to this house that are well-suited to our family of 4, 2 of whom are teenagers.  It was the landing at the top of our stairs that sold me on moving into this house, and now the kids are using it just like I had imagined.  It holds our big desk, a sofa bed, and a lamp, and it has become "The Pad".  It's a real treat to know the kids are upstairs hanging with their friends while we are downstairs watching a video.  Before, whenever kids came over, Tris and I would usually hang out in our bedroom and watch a movie on his computer.  This wasn't a problem in any way, but it's now a treat to be able to watch the big screen while the kids make their noise upstairs.

It really is good to be home, although it's amazing how quickly I began to miss my Canadian family and friends.

Thanks for reading.

Alberta Bound

Candace and Nathan cutting their Mario cake

It's been two weeks since we arrived in Canada, and we've done a good job of vacationing.  The weather hasn't been too bad, not nearly as cold as last year but still not super sunny either.  I usually walk around with a light jacket on each day, so that's a bit of a treat after spending the last year trying to wear as little as possible while still being acceptable in public.  So far on our trip we've seen both sets of parents and we've been able to get a few dinners/coffee dates with a few friends.

lovely Dale

The highlight of our quick, 4 day return to Vancouver Island, other than reuniting with family and watching the Canucks lose to Boston, was watching a good friend Candace get married to a guy who seems just perfect for her.  They're quite two peas in a pod, and it's a delight to see her happily skipping off into the sunset with the man she loves, and didn't even know existed this time last year.  Sadly, although I was able to visit with my dear friend Dale (Candace's Aunty Dale) at the wedding, our paths won't cross again this trip home and that makes me sad.  On a happy note, I was able to meet and quiz my friend Rebes' new husband Wayne, giving him the friend-5th-degree, which he passed with flying colours.  Again, sadly, I will not see Rebes again for a long time as she's moved from the Island as well.  Thankfully, all three of the above mentioned women have spent some time in Indonesia and we have some wonderful memories and photos for me to look at whenever I miss them.

Last year I had fun camping with some girlfriends for my 40th, but with time and circumstance being the way that they are, we settled this year for a girlie, reminiscent-of-7th grade, sleeping-on-foamies-on-the-cement-floor-of-the-basement sleepover.  Times have changed since the 7th grade, and after a delicious steak dinner, a cooler or two, and some intense catch-up chatting, we were all fast asleep before midnight.  My goal is to one day all meet in Bali and we can chat non-stop for a week!

the cousins after a long walk

hanging in the hot tub

The last week has been spent in Cloverdale, visiting my husband's family and mostly just hanging out.  This year our intent is to just be with others, rather than always going, and overall we've done that quite nicely.  We've gone on long forest walks, explored the birthplace of British Columbia (Fort Langley--gotta get some Canadian history in my kids while I still can!!), gone for coffee and just hung out in the back yard.  I have to admit, I've gone shopping a few times, much more than last year, and it's been difficult to say no to all the good things that jump out at me ALL over the place.  Did Value Village twice and a few bookstores as well...very successful but not sure how we'll get it all home.

cousins panning for gold in Fort Langley

Today we're all sleeping in on the day we should be running around getting packed up.  In 2 hours we're expected to be at the Rod and Gun Club for a special events day, and after 2 hours of shooting fun our family of 4 will head off down the highway, take a left towards Alberta, a few zigs and zags and we'll be at the foot of the Rocky Mountains before we know it.  Tomorrow we explore the mountains, Banff and whatever else comes our way.  After that we'll head to my brother's house in Red Deer (I'm so excited!), down to cousins in Calgary and then further south to Idaho to visit friends we met in Indonesia.  This is a trip I'd never thought we'd take and so I am very excited about it, and about seeing all the people we'll get to visit.

Once we head back to Canada we'll keep on driving and will start the 3rd leg of our journey in Campbell river with my family. At this point the thought of returning to Indonesia overwhelms me, not because it's a negative thing, but because there's still so much to see and do before we pulang (head home).  Instead of stressing, I'm going to sit in the passenger seat of our van, watch the beautiful scenery whiz by, enjoy time with family and friends, and keep up the constant eating that I've done since I arrived.

Thanks for reading!

Darren, Tyler, and poverty (not related)

It's funny how life can get really busy and I don't have time to write, and then when I have an evening free I can't remember the phantom blogs I've written in my head.  There are a variety of topics that I've been thinking on in the last while, one of them is homesickness, and another is poverty. Why?  They are things I've experienced in the last while.

Just over a week ago, for a few days, I felt extremely homesick.  Not sure what triggers it, and how to alleviate it, but I do know that as I am in it, the weirdest thing happens.  I see my brothers everywhere here in Indonesia.  I saw Darren, my big bro, in a mall, as an actor in a sitcom and a movie, heard him talking behind me in public.  I see Tyler, my baby bro (36 and still my baby bro) in an Indonesian driver, on the local golf course during a tournament, and when I look at my sons legs (identical!).  Why that is, I do not know.  If you think about it, it's weird.  These are two people I lived with for less than 1/2 of my lifetime (Darren about 12 years, TJ about 18) and who I didn't always particularly like when I was in the same room with them for at least half of that time.  I'm pretty sure, and would bet money on it, that they didn't particularly always like me either {Note:  I'll never forget, when I was little,  I'd be so angry at Darren and all I could think of was to yell "I hate you!" at him, and he'd make me even madder by saying "I love you, Kimmie" right back at me. Can you believe the jerk??}.  It must be that although as we age we spend less and less time together (rather difficult to do so when I live halfway across the earth), their lives have impacted me.  Things they've said, choices they've made and things they've done have influenced my life, making it so that no matter where I live, I will never forget that they are eating, sleeping, living, working and playing on the other side of this globe.  I miss them.  I like that.

Completely unrelated, the other day I headed into the slums with my camera, able to take photos much more freely than usual because I was with an Indonesian woman who goes into the area regularly, and she was also toting HER camera.  I just followed her around like a goose and stopped when she stopped.  It was an extremely bright day and so the photos are all quite shadowy, yet we were able to capture some pretty incredible shots.  Incredible because they were of newly dug graves sitting right next to a person's home (not their family's grave...that of strangers), of a woman trying to boil water in a large pot using garbage wood for fuel (pressboard, plywood, glue-based wood products, painted wood), sitting out in the open with a tree as her kitchen wall.  On it hung her fry-pan, string, and cooking utensils. A large, brown river was her backdrop, as was a crystal blue sky.  On the river men in rickety catamarans were plunging poled baskets into the river, fishing for whatever they could scoop.  Often what they came up with was plastic or mud...I didn't see many fish.  Across the trail from her were piles upon piles of plastic, already sorted, and more graves.  I do not have these photos up yet, as my own computer is still "down," but I hope to show a few at least, later.

What is really apparent to me is that if I was to move home, back to Canada, it's these kinds of settings that I will miss.  I'm not really sure why because they're dirty, uncomfortable, challenging and quite sad, really.  I think it's because they have impacted me so deeply, and I love being there.  I love the kids, I love the potential photos (most I don't take, I just store in my personal memory-bank), I hate the lifestyles that these people are forced to live and it makes me think of what I can do to impact others, either them or someone else, in some way.  It inspires me--although inspiration and actually DOING are two different things--and I love living where I'm forced to feel deeply.  It's kind of weird to admit, but sitting in a graveyard, next to a river, surrounded by tropical trees and grasses, I feel like I'm closer to nature than in my own world here, too.  Yes, reading it over, it does sound weird.

O well.

Thanks for reading.

Wendy Degrazio (October 17, 1950-November 6, 2010)

In honour of Wendy Degrazio, in celebration of who she was to us and of the strong, quiet life that she lived.

Wendy is Tanya's mom, and Tanya is my baby brother's wife. Tanya is also one of my dearest friends and a woman I admire greatly. Many of her beautiful attributes were given and taught to her by her mother, who died November 6, 2010, at the age of 60.

Unable to attend the memorial in Oyster River, our family wanted to send our love and regrets in some way, and so we wrote a letter describing what Wendy has been to us in our lives. Here is a summary of things that remind us of Wendy:

"Some of the words that we would use to describe Wendy and her life are: gentle, peaceful, beautiful, gardener, quiet, natural, generous, private, kind, classy, sacrificial, caring, patient, soft, motivated, one who appreciated beauty and life, loving grandmother, proud mother, loyal wife, and a good listener.

Some of the things or scenes that remind us of Wendy are: hummingbirds, deer, horses, flowers, strawberry patches, canned antipasto, gardens, special gifts given to our children, a grandma loving on her grandchildren, a mother opening her door for her children, parties in the backyard, bonfires and marshmallows."

Although we were not at the memorial, we have been sent the letters and eulogy that were given at it, and from them there were a few things I learned about Wendy. They are:

*Wendy loved to cook. I knew she loved to cook, but she LOVED to cook and tried new recipes all the time.

*Wendy was born in Golden, BC and married Jim Degrazio in 1969, a young man she'd gone to both elementary and highschool with. Jim we know, their history we didn't.

*She lost her mom when she was only 20 years old.

Mostly, I learned that no matter who spoke or wrote, each aspect or description of Wendy and her life matched those descriptions give by others: Wendy lived a life of kindness, strength, creativity, consistency and love.

With Wendy's passing comes many reminders of how life is fragile and short and that we need to take every opportunity to live it to the best of our ability. What I am personally reminded about is that I shouldn't stop taking photos, because they are what ties me to those I love;

a life can be quiet and lived to the maximum at the same time; you can't say 'i love you' too many times in a day; a woman who loves her family and lives for them is one of the most powerful positive influences a child will experience in his/her life; a mother cannot be replaced, no matter how old she is when she passes.

I never took the opportunity to tell Wendy what an incredible woman she was, and so this is my way of saying thank you, Wendy, for how you lived the life you were given.

Thank you for reading.

Memories of Summer 2010...Summer-ized

So here we are, "back in the saddle," so to speak. Of course, there aren't really any horses around to speak of, and those that we do see are so skinny I couldn't imagine putting a saddle on them, let alone hopping onto one. What I mean is that we're back in Indonesia, school starts tomorrow, uniforms and school supplies are purchased, organized (Abby) and ready to go. I was told that when I returned back to Lippo from Canada I'd suffer culture shock and that it would be a difficult transition. I have to say that we've been here a week tomorrow, and I haven't regretted our return. Of course I LOVED visiting our family, friends and hiking/walking/fishing/camping/canoeing/swimming (NOT...way too cold), but seeing that we've signed on for at least one more year, I'm not dreading it in any sense of the word. In fact, I've been thrilled so many times over since returning, just to see our community and how it's changed with the arrival of newbies and the departure of some good friends as well. I was a little worried that I'd pine so terribly over the ones I left back in Canada that I wouldn't be able to readjust here, but all is well.

I have admit though, I had a lovely summer and the highlights were definitely those spent with my beautiful, hilarious, talented and rambunctious nieces and nephews. It's those memories that will carry me over to our next visit next summer. There are so many things to think on, to turn over in my memory and savour, to smile about and even chuckle now and then (like when Elijah, 5, asked my mom, "Grandma, are you over 100 years old yet?"). I've wondered how I will record those memories on this blog and am not sure that it is possible. With over 25oo photos and about 7 slideshow/movies, I have visuals to last me at LEAST 11 months.

I can't believe it, but there are actually things we didn't do this year, like lay out and watch the stars (it took too long...we go to bed too early!), swim in a lake (tooooo cold), eat a roast ham with mashed potatoes and creamed corn (forgot!), and eat a peach. However, we did so many other things that I am going to list those I can remember off the top of my head, just for posterity sake.

WE: played mini-golf; rode tandem with Poppa; tore down Paul & Laura's drywall (renos); had weiner roasts at the Big Rock; took "cousin" photos at White Rock; rode a gondola and stood where Olympians stood at Whistler; ate ice cream on the pier; toured UBC (too many changes for my liking. Does this mean I'm getting old??); watched a parade; ate lemon crunch cookies and bought more to bring home; visited the Vancouver Art Gallery (a date Tris and I have promised each other for almost 20 years); witnessed my girlfriend officially become a nurse; picked out and am now wearing a 40th birthday diamond ring; hiked 8 km up and down a mountain, with an incredible ocean view at the top; visited little Zoey and her brother Zak, and older sister Eliana (Zoey's the one we've been praying for); picked berries; learned a few words to Justin Bieber songs; swam in a man-made pond; Ikea; ran into Indonesian friends in YVR; took morning walks along a river; checked out a few antique stores; met old friends; ate enough to feed an Indonesian family of 3 for a year; celebrated my 40th (many times over); golfed into the ocean (and searched unsuccessfully for those golf balls later); ate s'mores (many times); visited family in Port Alberni; dressed up special for a breakfast with the Devries cousins; rode bikes; walked the beach; slept on the beach; ran into Miranda in Port Alberni (how unlikely and how serependipitous ~ sp?~); visited Coombs (Goats on the Roof); hung with brothers and sisters; hung with cousins; hung with grandparents; played fetch with Willie (how sad the poor little guy was when we left!!); camped in really cold weather; camped with my girlfriends (Kim); canoed; kissed Fisher's fat cheeks; fished (ate a trout!); cooked meals over a fire; gained weight; celebrated our niece's "coming of age" at a very special party; cleaned out our storage locker; ate a 14A at the Saigon Noodle House (yum!); saw Fred and met my namesake for the first time (she's 9!!); visited dear friends; ran into wonderful friends; shopped on 5th Street; played bocci; had a water fight; rode a motorcycle for the first time (Matt); saw a coyote; saw a mama bear and 2 cubs (barely saw them through the telescope but I'll count it); saw HUNDREDS of deer; saw oodles of eagles; saw my first salamander; DIDN'T SEE A WHALE; learned the moves of a Jedi warrior (from a professionally trained 5 year old who knows them ALL); ate raspberries off the branch; folded dryer-fluffed laundry; heard frustrating news at our home church; met baby Benjamin who wasn't supposed to be born until after we left; sat on the back porch and listened to Gipsy Kings; scraped a blackberry pie off the walls, floor and suitcase; met my nephew for the first time; met my sister-in-law for the first time; chopped wood; cried when I left our families; ate at Dick's Fish and Chips; got my skirt sucked up into a leaf blower (hilarious...skirt is toast; I'm ok); o dear, what else did we do, or rather, what DIDN'T we do???

I'm out of breath, my computer is blinking red (no power left) and Matthew is insisting I turn out the big light so that he can go to sleep. I guess that's it for tonight.

Thanks for reading

Mother's Day

What does it mean to be a Mother? I guess it's a different description for each woman, with our own experiences and situations. What I've learned is that it's hard being a mom, not because of the children being rotten (although that happens) but because of the love that you have for your kids.

I've been given a gift, and sometimes I take that gift for granted. I let life get my attention and forget to look at the world directly around me, the one that is really, truly the center of why I exist for these years I'm in right now. My heart mourns the days when these two beautiful, chubby (they were chubby once!) little babies filled my entire day. Now my two favourite times of the day are 1: when they head off to school and 2: even better, when they return! Although I do miss those days, and I actually cry tears when I think of how precious those days at home with Matthew and Abigail were, I am so thankful that they're growing up healthy, happy, and that they know the Lord.

When the kids entered elementary school and their lives began expanding, it was my duty to begin to cut loose the apron strings. One of my favourite "development" memories is of when I forced them, quite literally, to walk together the 1 1/2 country blocks to our mail box. I watched them walk down the street from my red front door, the mailbox key in Matthew's hand, and waited for their return. It took all of 6 minutes (I think they ran once they got to the corner of our street and the "bigger" country road) yet it was a big day for all of us.

Now, with Matthew in Middle School and Abby in her last year of Junior (elementary) school, I am struggling to keep up with where they are, who they are with, and what they're doing. I trust that they're making good choices, and usually they're just hanging with friends at the school, but it's my prerogative to keep tabs on them at all times. There's talk of university applications already, and where we'll be when they graduate highschool. Really, we're looking at a possible 4 years left with Matt in our home, and 6 with Abby. That goes by so quickly! When that happens I won't be there any more to hug them when they're sad, or hurt, or both. There won't be anyone to come home to a house that smells like cookies, made just for them. There'll be Tris, but he doesn't throw his stuff down, fling his shoes wherever, and run into the kitchen to see what's baking. He at least washes his hands first.

I think the biggest privilege I've ever had in my life is to be able to raise Matthew and Abby. I've struggled for years with the idea that I've not used my education for income, yet it's all ok when I think that I've got years ahead to pursue my education and to expand my skills when they're off doing their own thing. I am thankful that I've been a mom and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Thanks for reading.

Little Momma

I don't have much to say today, but I saw this photo on my nephew's Facebook and laughed pretty good! My mom looks so cute!!!

Left to right: Poppa (my dad), Josh (nephew), Darren (big brother), Justin (nephew), mom (itty bitty mom).

Thanks for reading.

My Two Cents

The other day someone commented that my blog reads like a travel blog. It's funny because blogging is just like any other area of your life; you learn what to do and what not to do over time and there's an 'etiquette' involved. What I've learned over the last year and a half is that this little bit of writing is available to all the world at the touch of a button, and so I have been careful to write with an 'informative' style. The problem with writing and then publishing immediately is that without a 'cooling period' there is the chance that the emotion that was written into a blog at say one o'clock has mellowed by 5 o'clock.

I realize that I have to use wisdom. If I had written about my emotional state on one of my homesick days, people back home would have taken up a collection and couriered me a ticket home. However, that's not why I'm here. I'm here to support my husband while he pursues a dream job in a place where there are palm trees (his personal dream for years), to encourage my kids in their education and personal development, and to find a niche of my own while I am here. On most days, I love it here. There are some times when I don't understand the cultural aspects around me and if I blogged about it I'd sound like a complaining whiner. I am a guest in this country, and if I was to write about all of the negative aspects of living here, what good is that to me and to those who are hosting me? Granted, I have shared a variety of stories, some funny, some sad, and some even kind of gross, but those go with the adventure of living here. Sometimes I neglect to write about the homesickness, the smells, the disgusting habits of some, and that's on purpose. I have chosen to keep some of my opinions to myself. I do realize though, that I need to continue to be honest and when it's necessary, share that through this blog.

People ask if I like it here. Yes I do. Will we be here a long time? I don't know. We're here until June 2011 for sure, and we'll take each year as it comes. Do I miss Canada? You'd better believe it. I miss the grandeur of BC, I miss quiet roads, I miss walking through cool trails and even cooler lakes. I especially miss my family and friends, sometimes to the point where I shed tears when no one is looking. Am I content? Yes, I am content in that I am where I am supposed to be. I am not always happy that my life takes these big turns and sometimes leaves me spinning, but I am learning through it all. This new life has been a huge learning curve and I am thankful for it. I'm curious to see where I'll be in a year from now, and what I'll be doing.

Chances are the next blog post will read like a travel blog, but I'll try and include some emotion in it now and then. I promise that I will always try and include photos...they say more than any words I could put together.

Thanks for reading.

He's Here!!!

Fisher Hayes Saxby, 7 lbs, 4 oz, arrived December 7, at around 6:30 pm. Hello Fisher! Mommy Tanya called my little brother (her husband) around 4 pm to say she was pretty sure she was in labour, and in a few short hours later (short for me...I wasn't there and didn't find out until it was over!) Fisher arrived. I've seen photos and I'm not sure it was Tanya who gave birth....she doesn't look like she'd just had a baby. Lucy and Elijah are over the moon, and now Eli thinks it's time for a dog. He's a little confused as well, because the baby came home today and Elijah wasn't sure why his parents weren't putting baby Fisher in the high chair to eat. This is gonna be good!

Last year I had only lived here for 5 months before Christmas arrived, and it was our first Christmas away from home. Although my parents were here, we weren't here on Christmas Day, and things were chopped up. This year I am feeling more settled and as much as I love and miss Canada, I can now call this place home, at least while we are here. It was so much easier to "create" the holiday season and today was the best day yet. I had our bible study girls over and when they arrived, the Christmas tree lights were on, the yule tide log was on the tv (gotta have a fire at Christmas time!!) and the smell of mulled apple cider was wafting through our house. Poinsettias scream Christmas, and so the one I have on the side table pulled "the look" together for me. Our place is small and we don't need many decorations; if I was to buy many more it would be too stuffed in here. The very best part of this party for me was singing Christmas carols. Music pierces the heart, and when you sing songs that you've sung with loved ones over the years, or at least listened to them on cds, tapes and even records years back, it hits hard. Not painfully, but emotionally. I admit that my own tears accompanied a few other ladies' tears as well. Not loud ones, just Silent Ones.

I am thankful. I am healthy, I am where I am supposed to be living in this point of my life, my family is strong and content, my in-laws are on their way over, and baby Fisher has arrived safely. God is good!

Thanks for reading.

Countdown for the Whites' Arrival!

Happy Birthday to Grandpa Tris, who we will be seeing in only 4 more days! Our family is excited, anticipating the arrival of both Tris' parents and of Christmas. Christmas is just so much better with family. We're off to Bali while they're here and are looking forward to relaxing in the sun.

We are also patiently awaiting the news of the arrival of our new niece or nephew. As before, we are wondering if this one will be a redhead like his/her pretty mom. Tanya, my baby brother's wife, was due December 2nd and is still waiting on this little one. Elijah and Lucy are eagerly awaiting baby's arrival as well, although it's a toss up between the dog ("Muddy") that Elijah seems to think he's getting next summer, and the new baby. Being the talker that he is, I'm looking forward to hearing Elijah's stories of baby's first few days home. Six year old Lucy will be good for filling in the gaps that four year old Elijah leaves out.

Christmas here is definitely different. Although it's becoming more so in North America, here Jesus is not typically see as the reason for the season. There are trees, carols in the malls, tinsel and decorations, but very few "Merry Christmas's" and those only from foreigners. I did see Santa tonight, sitting in a horse-drawn sleigh, making his rounds of each gated neighbourhood. Mostly he was authentic, but rather "brown" to North American standards. I think he was a little overdressed for the heat as well, but he had the nice round belly all Santas need to jiggle while they laugh. As of yet there have been no nativity scenes on front lawns. I am looking forward to the grade 6 Christmas concert this Friday afternoon, and then another all-school one next week. My Moms' bible study will meet here this Wednesday and we'll have some mulled cider, exchange cookies and even sing some carols around the piano. Now THAT'S celebrating Christmas:)

If I have ever had need of prayer, it's now. My camera died and is in the shop, and everyday I see things I NEED to photograph, like the naturally-occuring heart shape in a tree on main street, or the old bicycle leaning on a palm tree. We have no idea when it'll get fixed and I am feeling desperate to have it for when Tris and Sunny are here.

As for celebrating, I also want to wish my mom and dad a happy 44th anniversary (again, I am so bad at math! Please forgive me if I'm wrong) for last Friday, 4th of December. Thanks for being the example of a good, strong Christian marriage.

Thanks for reading, and
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas has made its way into our home

We have successfully produced a feeling of Christmas in our home. The plastic tree is up, complete with sometimes blinking, sometimes solid white Christmas lights, some favourite Christmas decorations brought from home, and new decorations to fill in the gaps. This year's purchase: teal balls. I noticed that our tree has a rather "red" theme and so the teal really breaks it up. Very pretty. Very small. In fact, I can look our beautiful German Angel right in the eyes. As for baking, the smell of "Nonnie's Almond Tarts" is filling the air, and the sugar cookie and gingerbread doughs are cooling and hardening in the fridge as I type. Earlier Bing was singing about bells ringing and it was quite the treat. The banister is green with, well, greenery, and I have even been able to squeeze some more cinnamon scent out of the pine cones mom and dad brought over last year. Last June, thinking in advance, I bought some cinnamon sticks which I have now spread throughout the pine cones. Looks woodsy, if not Christmasy.

With the decorations, as expected, come the emotions of the season. Today is my nana's birthday and each year a tear or two squeezes out as I go about my day, remembering her. I think of her sitting on her green couch, under her lamp, crocheting while watching tv, usually with a really fat poodle-type dog either at her feet or at her side. Either that, or Nana standing in her kitchen, either over the sink or next to the oven. I remember things like Alphaghettis, vanilla pudding pops, home made raisin pie, or even better, home made bread. In honour of Nana on her birthday, I am baking in one of the aprons mom brought me from home. I'm not sure if she made it, but it was Nana's at one time. It's amazing how much you can miss someone even when they've been gone for over a decade. I often wonder if I ask God, if He'd pass on a message to her and tell her I love her and miss her? No harm in trying.

***Those first two paragraphs were written a few hours ago. Since then I joined a friend and headed to the plant store on the side of the road. I bought one hanging plant and two varigated bush type plants that will go in some wall pots (one side of the pot is flat so you can hang it on the wall). I am covered in sweat from drilling holes for screws into a cement wall. It took me about 45 minutes to hang the potted plant, which isn't unusual with cement walls. Seems to be about the average! I am going to go to the school for a swim and then when I return, I'll turn on the Christmas tree, put on some Bing (or maybe Ella Fitzgerald for tonight) and try and recreate the ambiance I had earlier when the smell of Christmas baking was floating through our home.

More Christmas to come...

Thanks for reading.

Abby's Award

Blogs are for the blogger to do whatever they want to with, right? Well, as a mom, I am using this opportunity to praise my daughter's achievements. As I wrote in the last posting, today the family was to head to Jakarta to an award ceremony for a Math/English competition, in which Abby received a gold medal. Unfortunately for me, some little bug came back from Bali with me and so I have remained at home with lots of remorse at missing the event and a little guilt that it's the 2nd time I've missed something of Abby's due to illness. It's good Sam is here to stand in as the female figure and to cheer Abby on. Matt was lured to the three hour event by the promise of a Marriott lunch afterwards:)

It has been through word of mouth only that I have heard of Abby's achievements, and it wasn't until last night when I read a letter sent home with Abby of what exactly the University of New South Wales International Mathematics and English competition is. Here is a quote from the newsletter:

SPH {our school, Sekolah Pelita Harapan} results are comparable not only within Indonesian but also across the region. Several of our students will receive recognition...and will be awarded Gold or Silver medals as the highest achievers in Indonesian and the region.


...Please sit down with your child and affirm their efforts as this was not a basic assessment but a world standard competition.

I thought that was pretty exciting, and then when I looked at her results, she's placed in the top 1% (it was a rumour we'd heard but not yet confirmed until last night).

Thanks for letting me share this bit of news with you.

Thanks for reading.

Let's Discuss Good Stuff for a Bit

Happy Birthday to Dale for September 30!

Things we are looking forward to in the near future:
*Aunt Sam (Tris' aunt) is coming to Indo and arriving on Matt's 14th birthday (October 15th). We're getting excited!
*Tris and Sunny (Tris' parents) are coming for 5 weeks beginning December 11. We're not doing the countdown yet because it's too hard. I don't let myself begin anticipating someone's arrival until just weeks before, or else the wait is too long...BUT we are still getting excited to see them, too.
*I am going to be Auntie Kimmie for the 3rd time for Tyler and Tanya sometime around the beginning of December. That means Abby and Matt get another 'sepupu' and mom and dad one more 'cucu'. This is very, very hard for me to not be there or see the baby, or see Lucy and Elijah's response to the baby, or TJ with his newest, or Tan after she does one more great job of making an incredible baby, OR see my kids with the little one. Wow, hard to type that without tears. I miss family.

Speaking of new ones, these are the newest editions to our family:

This is a photo of Darren, my big brother, and his wife, Chrystal. They were married September 12 of this year. Congratulations, Darren and Chrystal. We are looking forward to meeting Chrystal and her 2 girls next summer. Welcome to the family!

Tris' cousin Jain was married to Peter on the same date as Darren and Chrystal. Although we wouldn't have been able to go to both weddings even if we lived in Canada (one on the island, one in Alberta), we are sorry to have missed either one. Congratulations to Jain and Peter!


Our Australian friends, Jonny and Mel, that I've written about over our time here, aren't blood family but we love and miss them since they've moved back to Adelaide, Australia. They've just had a baby girl, Zoey Sheree, and we're hoping one day to meet her.

On our end, as much as Abby wants to adopt, there are no babies in our home and no weddings yet. Matt's learning how to flirt but hey, that's all for now. Abby's not interested in boys, and in fact, they're "horrid," to quote Ab.
Junior school had an Athletics Day yesterday and Abby ran in 7 of the 8 events. She came home a very tired young lady yesterday, but had a good time. She placed first in a relay and 2nd in long jump. I ran a relay for parents at the end but I didn't place. I just ran.


Totally aside, but something exciting to me...I went to a gardening area along a main road in Jakarta, where you walk along the road, dicker and sweat in the hot sun until you have a car full of plants. I bought a hydrangea plant and it sits outside my kitchen, across from my rosemary plant (which one day will be a bush). In my front yard is a basket of petunias that I have to admit are getting a bit faded in the sun...they need a new location. The hydrangea plant at home would be about $25. I bought it for rp 30 000 ($3).

Thanks for reading.