Home Again
We are back in Phnom Penh! We arrived on Sunday and have been busy getting settled. It has been like moving in for the first time as we have had to unpack what we took with us and what we left behind, rearrange things to suit having two babies, find a new house helper and language tutors, etc. But the greetings and helps we have received from friends and coworkers remind us that we are indeed coming home and not beginning again.
Our trip went well, Grace, Jasmin,and I taking a nap to fill our 5 hour wait in Bangkok. Even with that long layover we still managed to almost miss our flight out! Somehow I mixed up the time we would need to get to checkin and get to the gate... and of course not much worked with us: our luggage was overweight so we had to pay and decide which extras to carry on, at immigration I sent Michael on ahead to ask them to wait for us (it was that close), only to discover that we'd overstayed our visas by two days from a missunderstanding (60 days is NOT two months)... so there I was with the 2 crying girls, extra bags (but not the one with our emergency fund), anxious about missing the flight and being askd to fill in extra forms and pay a fine! Thankfully, I "happened" to have exactly the right amount in my pocket and an official took pity on me and filled out the form for me. Next, at the screening check point one of the extra bags had to be searched because it had a jar of Nutella in... at the very bottom, of course! We lost that jar because I wouldn't stay around while they debated if I could take it or not. When I finally got to the gate and caught up with Michael, he told me that the plane was delayed anyhow for technical difficulties and I needn't have rushed! We were just glad we made that plane!
Grace definitely remembered - she has spent the first few days here pulling out all her toys and visiting all her favorite people and places. One of which is halfway up the outside stairs "talking" with the neighbours over the wall! She is definitely happier here, adding to our happiness of being back. She also is taking more interest in Jasmin:
Sometimes I express a bottle of milk for Jasmin so I can leave her with Michael. Often there is a little bit left and I let Grace have it. This is what she decided to do with it!
Shortly after the bottle, Michael cam into the kitchen and saw this... big sister entertaining while mommy made supper!
I've enjoyed working hard at cleaning the courtyard and ordering the house. But now I am paying for it with a sore back and pelvis which was not fully healed from carrying Jasmin inside. We now have someone helping with cleaning until we can find a long term helper; something I am very greatful for.
Michael has been busy helping me in the house and reconnecting with friends and other connections. He will start work for ICC next week and hopefully language study also. He has a manager position now so hopefully he will get more time to study Khmer.
And some left over Thailand pictures:
Floor time!
Miss Secretary!
Our trip went well, Grace, Jasmin,and I taking a nap to fill our 5 hour wait in Bangkok. Even with that long layover we still managed to almost miss our flight out! Somehow I mixed up the time we would need to get to checkin and get to the gate... and of course not much worked with us: our luggage was overweight so we had to pay and decide which extras to carry on, at immigration I sent Michael on ahead to ask them to wait for us (it was that close), only to discover that we'd overstayed our visas by two days from a missunderstanding (60 days is NOT two months)... so there I was with the 2 crying girls, extra bags (but not the one with our emergency fund), anxious about missing the flight and being askd to fill in extra forms and pay a fine! Thankfully, I "happened" to have exactly the right amount in my pocket and an official took pity on me and filled out the form for me. Next, at the screening check point one of the extra bags had to be searched because it had a jar of Nutella in... at the very bottom, of course! We lost that jar because I wouldn't stay around while they debated if I could take it or not. When I finally got to the gate and caught up with Michael, he told me that the plane was delayed anyhow for technical difficulties and I needn't have rushed! We were just glad we made that plane!
Grace definitely remembered - she has spent the first few days here pulling out all her toys and visiting all her favorite people and places. One of which is halfway up the outside stairs "talking" with the neighbours over the wall! She is definitely happier here, adding to our happiness of being back. She also is taking more interest in Jasmin:
Sometimes I express a bottle of milk for Jasmin so I can leave her with Michael. Often there is a little bit left and I let Grace have it. This is what she decided to do with it!
Shortly after the bottle, Michael cam into the kitchen and saw this... big sister entertaining while mommy made supper!
I've enjoyed working hard at cleaning the courtyard and ordering the house. But now I am paying for it with a sore back and pelvis which was not fully healed from carrying Jasmin inside. We now have someone helping with cleaning until we can find a long term helper; something I am very greatful for.
Michael has been busy helping me in the house and reconnecting with friends and other connections. He will start work for ICC next week and hopefully language study also. He has a manager position now so hopefully he will get more time to study Khmer.
And some left over Thailand pictures:
Floor time!
Miss Secretary!
That is SOOOOOOOOOO sweet. Awww...they are bonding! Gracie - you are such a good big sister!
ReplyDeleteWe're glad the family is back home safely. Thanks for keeping us updated. Praise the Lord that all things work together for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
Love,
Sangi and Christina