Journey 2017 USA-Canada

We left home as early as possible in the morning of day one in order to take our time yet  make it to Kokomo, IN.  One thing that we love to do is get off of the main road and find interesting places to stop.  We drove back roads through Tennessee starting on Hwy 127 out of Chattanooga and found a fun little small town restaurant and some beautiful countryside.   Our stop was Jack's BBQ in Sparta, TN and they offered checker board tables for the kids to play while we waited for great food!  Another interesting twist to this adventure is that we are driving the Jeep - five people, 16 days in a Jeep!   On the way, we had a rain storm and then the most amazing full rainbow.  

It was so nice to have no agenda on day two that we all slept late.  We meandered up toward Lake Michiganand had lunch at Coral Gable in Saugatuck, MI.   We enjoyed walking around town for a little while and spent some time in Saugutuck Drug/Village Store.  There were so many items the kids would love to have, fun/funny gifts and Mom bought a hand full of encouraging cards to mail to loved ones.  We arrived at 3033 Midland around 2PM for a couple of days of family fun!  

Costa Rica July 20-30

Travel and Acquires

This trip is finally here.  Departure time is 9:40 for a direct flight to San Jose, Costa Rica.   Carry-on luggage only.  We are practicing being a traveling family!  

The flight was very smooth for the most part; we arrived in San Jose, breezed through customs and got a sim card for local phone then shuttle to the rental car.   Settled in the car, we began an adventurous drive to Acquires, which is 15 minutes from Vanessa and Theresa.  The drive in the city was busy, less traffic than Atlanta but I’m sure our professional driver, John, had to get used to the driving habits of locals.  Once we got out of the city, we were driving a mountainous road where there are brief areas of lush green farm lands and natural terrain interspersed with local homes, lots of people walking, bikes, motorcycles, cows and dogs.   Dogs everywhere.  At one point, I was telling John, “Dog, dog, dog..” because he was laying in the road where we were about to run over him.   John was looking all around except in the road.

 

We finally arrived near our location and drove in a few circles trying to figure out where the caretaker’s home is to pick up the key and be guided to the villa.  Leaving the paved road behind as we arrived in Acquires, we found major pot holes.   We were looking for a bakery but didn’t know there would be no sign.  We finally drove by the bakery and ‘Maria’ Fernanda came out to us, in the street, because she was looking for us.   She squeezed into the back of the car with the kids and I do mean squeezed.    We drove to the top of a bumpy, pot hole like you’ve never seen, road which ended at a beautiful lawn with two little homes across the lawn.  Behind the villa’s was a huge valley extending into a hillside of coffee trees.  Coffee and banana plants all around us.   

While John touched base with work, the kids and I went with Sabatian to explore the area a little on foot.  The boys had been playing futbol with him on lawn.  We left the property and Parker helped Sabas knock a few guava from the tree to try.  The kids and I weren’t as brave to just break it apart and eat like he did but we took it back to cut open and try.  We wandered down the hill to visit the horses and play with the kids in the park.    We started our observations about how simply the people live and they are so friendly and happy.

We settled in a little, touched base with Vanessa and Theresa and decided on Pizza at Vanessa’s house for the evening.   Vanessa has three very sweet dogs so Carter was in heaven.  She held Grace in her lap all evening so she was in heaven.   Parker was just enjoying the new atmosphere and soaking it in.  What a fun time to spend with family and get to know Jonathan a little.  We think they are going to be so happy and good together!  Back at our villa, we opened up the slider doors for the night to listen to the sound of the river below.  Great sleep!!

Goodnight and Bye

So a month or so ago, Carter added a new deminsion to his bedtime routine.   We always talk about how much we love each other and make a circle with our fingers and then say, ‘night, night; sweet dreams; sleep with the angels.’  Kisses…  Funny little man that that he is - suddenly, the goodnight is not acceptable without the following with Daddy or me standing at the door:  “I got something to tell you,” he says.  We have to say, ‘what is it?’  Reply, “It’s gonna be funny (giggle, giggle)"; {we say, ‘ok’}, "Goodnight and Bye."  We have to reply, ‘goodnight and bye’ and Mommy blows kisses across the room.  Door closed and all is well.  If this doesn’t take place, just as prescribed by our little man, you proceed to have a melt down.

I don’t know how long this will go on because I remember my sweet friend Mary Lindsey writing about her daughter’s nighttime routine and it just suddenly ended as though it had never happened.  This is something we don’t want to forget.  So sweet!

Chinese New Year

We had a very modest celebration for Chinese New Year.  Parker headed up the lantern making and coloring Chinese zodiac pictures for each year of the kids birth.  We ordered food to be delivered so we could just spend time with the kids.  It turned out that the whole idea of having a party was much more fun than the actual event.  :)  I think we are all very tired, Carter is fighting a cold, Parker trying to adjust to the idea that he is growing up a little and Mom & Dad are just low on patience.  We did make it through and actually managed to get the camera out for this little celebration.  We are so very blessed with these three amazing little people who are wonderfully and uniquely created by God!  We are discovering though that it would sometimes be nice if they all came with their very own manual to teach us how to be the best parents we can be with each of them.  Sometimes its so completely tiring but the most incredibly rewarding job ever!!   We love these guys so much!! 

Day Out

We had a gorgeous day so decided to get outside a little.  The kids love to be outdoors and in the woods so Vickery Creek trail was a good place to get a short hike in.   Parker is in his element out there!  He is just so happy and leads the pack.  Grace right behind him has absolutely no fear and tries her best to keep up.  Carter mostly takes his time to take in every sight along the way - every stump, rock, bug...  

Carter saw this piece of a fallen tree leaning up the hillside and 

wanted to climb it so we defeated it together. 

After 'burning all of those calories' :), we had a fun, indulgent dinner out at Five Guys.  The kids all love the fact that we can sit and have peanuts while we wait.  By the end of dinner, Carter & GraceLin we just wiped out and melting.  Straight home to bath and bed and hopes for a late morning sleep!  

Kids who ate the Canary

The two big guys in the house did an amazing job of making dinner tonight and 'kind of' keeping and eye on the little people while I did some school work.  :)  When I was finished and dinner was in the over, John, Parker and I were just having a little conversation that quickly was swept away and never to be returned to because...  I suddenly realized that C & G were way too quiet!  I turned around to find them leaning over a chair in the family room.  When asked what they were up to, they both turned to look at me with such guilty faces - they tried so hard to play it cool and Carter even said, 'what Mom?!' When John asked what he had in his mouth, he just clutched his little hands behind his back even tighter.  Parker, who doesn't want to miss an opportunity to 'bust' them, walked over to find an empty plastic candy cane that, just moments earlier had been full!  John laughed at them and said, 'did you at least share with Gracie?'  While he answered yes, he slyly put his hand over hers and a moment later, she was popping and M&M into her mouth.  I'm certain that had he not been sharing all along though, she would have been the tattle tale!   Carter hesitantly made his way toward us with that hand behind his back and finally revealed the remaining 5 or 6 M&M's.   I'm only sad that I didn't catch this all on video.  Here are a few shots of the aftermath (mostly blurred because the sugar kicked in quickly:)!   They are certainly partners in crime!

Happy Birthday Jesus

'Mary had a baby boy, baby boy, baby boy, Mary had a baby boy and Jesus was his name!'

Carter loved practicing for his school program starting before Thanksgiving. (He was an angel but I didn't seem to catch a photo of him:(  He had such fun doing it! Our little man is so animated and fun loving.  In addition to really getting into the fact that Jesus had a birthday coming up and we would have a party, he started to catch on that Santa would come to his house and leave surprises.  He started singing Santa Clause is Coming to Town frequently.  He has been fun to watch as he realizes so many things.  The fact that we got so much time with family and friends was so much excitement to him!  What a blessing this little man is in our family and this world!

When we went to see Santa at our clubhouse, Carter just walked right in and started having a conversation with him.  Too precious!  He told Santa that he wanted a surprise - he never had any specific want which I was thrilled about.  He hasn't yet gotten caught up in the commercialism of that takes away from the true meaning of Christmas!

This man has a huge heart for children!  (I know, I know! But this Santa is special!)

Parker has been such an amazing big brother as usual this season.  He has kept the 'little people' entertained if need be when I'm trying to get something done.  He loves to have fun and be funny.   He has been sharing information about the birth of Jesus and reading stories to the them!  Parker did have a specific list for Santa and was just mater of fact that 'this was the first year that he didn't get everything from Santa that he asked for.'  He was very happy about the fact that he got some substitutes though.  The big thing I noticed about Parker this season besides his constant joy was that on Christmas Eve when it was time to open the one gift they get to open, he pulled gifts from under the tree for me and his grandparents.  He is such a giver and has such a big heart!!  

 Best gift of the season - duct tape covered tissue box filled with tissue on top and a little duct tape tab sticking out.  Pulling the tape reviled a roll of dollar bills ending with a $2 and finally a $5.  :)  Creativity from Nanannette.

GraceLin so got into the excitement of the Christmas season although she didn't really get it.  She is trying to hard to talk and keep up with the boys.  Her speech is getting better but her comprehension and knowledge of what she wants is pretty awesome.  She tries to keep up with her brother's every move.  She has also been singing lots lately - she copies Carter's songs and she just sings along with anything whether it's familiar or not.  She has enjoyed the ornaments on the tree and learned quickly to touch with one finger.  She also started spending more time focusing on coloring, reading books and any iDevice she could get her hands on.  Its such a joy watching her personality come to life!

 Grace didn't like Santa and of course, big brother was to the rescue as usual!

Amazingly blessed to be given the privilege of raising these three amazing wondrous works!

So thankful this season to be focused on the one true Light and not just lights and gifts and all that this world has made of it.  Thankful for the hope of that Light in the crazy world that we live in filed with uncertainties and pain.  Thankful to be home with three precious babes to help them keep their innocence a little longer and learn to rely on The Light of Jesus instead of themselves or anything man can do for them.  Prayerful that they all seek Him their whole lives long!  

Blessed Christmas memories!