Valentine's Day!

When we first moved to Chiang Mai as a newly married couple, we didn't feel very connected. Everyone in our organization was in a different period of life and we felt like we didn't have another couple who was sharing this same time in their lives. That started to change about a year ago when James and Twyla moved next door. Joey had gone to school with James and been good friends with Twyla's brother, but we didn't really know eachother very well. Now a year later we've had the joy of becoming good friends over food, and lots of Settlers of Catan. They've watched Ilyria many times for us, and we've enjoyed petsitting for them. They're expecting a daughter in July and we're now anticipating the fun of having a little friend for Ilyria just next door.

This month we got to celebrate Valentine's together, rather unexpectedly! Twyla and I knew we wanted to bake some cookies together, so we had made plans for that. Then the day before Valentine's, Joey and James decided to have a guys date and go out and buy their ladies chocolates and flowers. So Twyla and I spent the afternoon making cookies, playing with Ilyria and chatting about a multitude of things. Then when the guys came back we decided to all pool our ingredients and whip up pasta and sauce, and a delicious salad topped with chicken! We ended up with a beautiful dinner, with flowers and candlelight and a rousing game of Ticket to Ride! It was a great day and reminded us again just how thankful we are for how God has given us friends and community for our little family here in Chiang Mai!

 Ilyria with her rose from Daddy, a tradition he started last year

 Ilyria absolutely LOVES Twyla!

 The three ladies with their flowers.

 James, Twyla and Joey with our delicious dinner!

Ilyria and the card she made for her friend from church, Bella.

Happy Valentine's Day!

New beginnings

It has been simply ages since I've blogged! In fact, it's been so long I can't even figure out how to log into any of my old accounts! And so here we go, an attempt at a new year, new beginnings, and new blogging. It seems a little odd to start blogging now. We've been married two years, Ilyria is a year old. Why start now? I'm not really sure, only I'm finally starting to feel really settled, maybe even a little organized and on top of things. Of course, we'll see how long it lasts! Either way, I thought it is about time I try to start keeping friends, family and supporters abreast of our life here in Thailand, and stop inundating Facebook with all the inane facts of our life.

Life is really going well! We're moving forward with plans for Family Retreat in April. It's a huge undertaking and Joey and I both feel pretty overwhelmed at times, but God has brought some amazing partners into our life and things are really moving forward! We have eight families, plus more in the wings, and efforts to find volunteers are moving along as well. God is good!

Life with Ilyria is of course a fun adventure! She keeps us on our toes! She has about 15-20 words, and a good five signs after only a month of serious signing on our part (really, Jasmine's.) She's all toddler now and hardly any baby, except maybe when she needs some snuggles and nursy with Mommy. That's right, she's still nursing. Shhhh.

Now for the gratuitous pictures!

Ilyria has been such an imp lately! This is a face we see a lot!

One of four containers in few weeks. Oh my!

We finally found a way to manage having Ilyria present during container unloading. 

Ilyria celebrating the new year!

We've received SO much equipment this month! Two containers from Joni and Friends, one from Wheels of Hope and one from a new partner, Convoy of Hope from Germany!

Ilyria simply adores our neighbor's pets! We like them a lot too, especially because they keep Ilyria from needing a pet of her own... yet. 

Fun with Daddy.

Another way I get work done with Ilyria, strapping her to my back! Love her little head peaking out here. 

Mama got a hair cut, and so did Ilyria! Bangs for everyone!

Most of our current Wheelchair Project team and a few one time volunteers. 

Blessings!
Joey, Jasmine & Ilyria