Slowly Catching Up

We have been back from our fantastic visit to the Philippines for a month now. Those 3 weeks were fantastic!! We so enjoyed our time with the believers in our tribal village, seeing many of our former coworkers, and just in general feeling at home in Asia.

I had so many exciting things that I had planned to share soon after returning. What I didn't plan on, however, was to spend the 1st 2 weeks back in bed, causing my already piled up work in my office to pile up even higher.

Our first week back, the flu bug, which had been going around campus, found its way into our home. My body might also have been looking for an excuse for some downtime with our trip home from Manila having an unexpected 21 hr. layover at the airport in Abu Dhabi, causing a 60 hr. stretch without sleep. My aching bones, fever and chills gave me an excuse for some catch up on sleep.

Just when I was starting to feel better from that another 'guest' came to visit. Looking back, since recently having an Ultrasound on my liver, we think it was probably related to that result - "I have the best news possible for you (considering my high liver blood count) - your gallbladder is full of large gall stones.' I can only guess what they were excepting to find!

Ragnar too was pleased with the results. He was on his way for a 2 week Workshop in Germany the following day and had been toying back and forth whether he should go or not.

For now, being very careful what I eat and drink, I am doing fine and my energy is slowly returning.

All that to say why I am way behind with my blog (again). Hopefully I will soon be able to share some of our Filipino trip.  



Great start to 2012

As I was on my way to spend 3 weeks with Ryan and Kara, I knew that my time with them would fly by quickly, but I didn't expect those weeks to seemingly just disappear. I had barely unpacked my suitcase when it was time to pack it up again. Yet I sure did enjoy each moment I was there and wouldn't want to trade them for anything. 

It was wonderful having Noah and Selah join their daddy in meeting me in Toronto. Soon we were back in the Niagara area and I was also getting hugs from Kara and Andrew and meeting my little angel - Kandace Isabel who was 12 days old. Although I had seen pictures of Kandace and heard her little noises via Skype and phone, it was so wonderful to be able to cuddle her in my arms and see her sweet facial expressions. I was on cloud 9!!

6 year old Noah is always active and inviting me to play hide and go seek, or 'chase me' in the back yard, or at the nearby playground. I just loved doing Home School with him too. It was so fun doing math problems together and seeing him sounding out the words in his reader. Reminded me of doing that with his dad many years ago.

A great big brother!

4 year old Selah has quite an imagination. Going from doing crafts, to playing with dolls to dancing around the living room floor to outside activities, she kept us moving. Her sweet smile is charming.

2 year old Andrew had grown so much since our last visit. He kept me entertained with his version of lots of words like 'yes please' and 'I don't know'. He was always bringing me books to read to him and I loved it when he wanted to be held for a looooong time after his afternoon nap.

Thanks for the help bud!

Kandace (who was 1 month old when I was there) is a super little doll. I just loved the way she interacted with my conversations with her. Her smiles were so precious. It was amazing to watch her begin to fill out even during my short time there.

Each time I am in the Niagara Falls area, I am also blessed to have time with my sister, Luella, and her family. This time, I saw her 3 grown kids as well. The timing was good for a short visit with our niece before she was on her way to Bangladesh with 'Doctors without Borders' for a year. Our nephew and family also popped in for a few hours one day. Their new little son is just 3 weeks older than Kandace.

The weather was very pleasant while I was there - not what I had been expecting for January. Most of my time there all I saw was green grass and clear roads. There was only one day there was enough snow for sledding, so we took advantage of that while we could. After bundling them all up in snow suits we made our way to the back yard, where there was a small hill perfect for that.

Ryan, Kara and I always enjoy playing Settlers when we are together. Over the past few years there has only been one drawback though - Kara and I basically didn't expect to win. This time changed that record though. Ryan 'let' us both win a game. Well maybe he wouldn't use that word, but both of us finished a game with a smile on our faces.

What wonderful days with the only sad part being the good byes at the end of that special time. Tears were rolling down my eyes as I stood outside the Toronto airport watching them drive away. However as I looked back over those weeks I sure have lots of wonderful memories. Then I coached myself into focusing on the other end of the trip across the ocean - I would soon be back in the arms of my charming prince.

Can't get much better than that!!

Lots of help making cinnamon rolls!

They took very good care of me - even making sure my hair was ready for the day.

3 handsome men!

Kandace Isabel

   

We were soooo excited when we received the phone call with the wonderful news that Kandace Isabel had joined Ryan and Kara's family on December 15, 8:12 p.m., weighing in at 8 lb. 7 oz.

We were thrilled to hear that the homebirth went extremely well, and both mother and baby were doing well. 

We think Kandace is absolutely adorable and are so extremely happy for Ryan, Kara, Noah, Selah and Andrew.

It has brought such joy to our hearts to see our family grow and we feel blessed beyond measure to be the grandparents of 7 fantastic little ones!!

Kandace enjoying love from Grandma Allen.   

My sister Luella, and niece Jodi.