Ryan and Amy’s Space

Because we’ve been busy and it’s been way too long since I’ve posted a blog…here is our month in pictures.

Jackson got his first big boy haircut.  He did really well.  Mostly he sat in the chair quietly.  Maybe b/c he was shocked.  Best part was - the haircut only costs us $1.50!

Jackson also discovered how to open cabinets and drawers.  So I gave him his own cabinet full of plastic items and he loves it!  And this means that I can usually cook dinner while he is entertained.

We’ve had a few play dates with a neighbor.  I’ve really enjoyed getting to know her.  And she has a son that is 1 1/2 years old so Jackson has enjoyed having a little buddy too.

Other friends in the neighborhood have twins that recently turned one.  So we went to their birthday party.

Their mom even made this cake…can you believe that?!  It was beautiful and it tasted yummy too!

One Sunday afternoon we hosted a family at our house and their 5 little girls.  Aren’t they cute?!

Filed under: Uncategorized on February 1st, 2010 | No Comments »

Hard to believe!  I have a feeling this will be something I’ll be saying as each year passes by.  Seems like yesterday we brought him home and wondered what we should do now.  Jackson is such a joy to us and to everyone he meets.  He’s got his mama’s big smile and extroverted demeanor.  And he’s got his daddy’s analytical skills.

Who knew it was possible to love someone this much?  He’s taught us oh so much about the love of God and of His goodness.

Here’s to you Jackson Daniel.  Hope you had a happy happy birthday.

Wish you were all here to celebrate with us!

Filed under: Uncategorized on January 13th, 2010 | No Comments »

The week of Christmas to New Years is full of celebrating around here.  Not only are we busy with the normal celebrations of Christmas and the New Year, we also celebrate my birthday, Jackson’s birthday, and our wedding anniversary within that week.

Enjoy some of the pictures from the past couple of weeks (I’ll post a separate entry for Jackson’s birthday).

Jackson sort of opened his gifts.  He loved playing with them (notice the curled up toes)

Jackson and Papaw playing with his new toys

Trying out his new push toy from his great-grandmother

Happy Birthday to me.  29 years and holding!

Day trip in search of cooler weather in the mountains

Dad and Ryan’s project before J’s birthday party: fixing the fish tank.  They did a great job.

At dinner to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary.  I am truly married to the best husband a girl can dream of.

Filed under: Uncategorized on January 5th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

My parents arrived on Sunday and we’ve so enjoyed their company this week.  Our days have been very busy including a trip to the city we used to live in as well as getting ready for Christmas.  Here are a few highlights of the last few days.

Our first picture of many

Conquering the coconut

Enjoying dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe…and yes, that is Jackson sleeping in his high chair.  Too much fun and sun for one day!

Introducing my parents to our friends

With Linda and Faisal and family

Filed under: Uncategorized on December 24th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Jackson just past the 10 month mark.  And it’s been a while since I posted pictures of him.  So seeing as it’s my job as his mother to brag on him, here are a few pics from the last month.

He’s growing and changing all the time.  He started crawling, has 4 teeth, and likes to eat cheerios, mangoes (yep, one of the benefits of living here is that they’re always in season), avocados and cheese…all with his hands.  He is pulling up, trying to climb, and likes to walk if you hold his hands.  He also really loves play time with daddy as they do whatever boys do together like grunt and wrestle.

So here ya go…

The beginning stages of crawling

Playing with daddy

At the cafe at Ikea in the capital

Eating broccoli for the first time

Kisses from mommy

With “big brothers” Will and Hayden

Filed under: Uncategorized on November 8th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

On the second day of Raya my true love gave to me…a baju and some nasi (a new shirt and some rice)!

Day 2 was not as busy as Day 1 as we only went to 2 friends’ houses.  Our first stop - Uncle Shamsudin.  This was our 3rd time to raya at their house, and every year we take the same picture.  We had a great time talking about the addition of Jackson, how big their youngest grandson was getting, and about different business ideas they think we should pursue after Ryan finishes school.

Usually they speak a lot of English with us, because they were educated in British schools and have traveled.  And maybe because they are afraid we won’t understand them.  However, this raya we spoke Bahasa only and they were quite impressed with our progress.  We don’t see them often, so it was a good chance to reconnect with their family.

The infamous picture we take every year together

After uncle Shamsudin’s house, we visited a new neighbor that moved to our subdivision while we were in the States.  We met him at a neighborhood block party and he invited us for Hari Raya.  It’s funny how different each holiday experience is depending on which house you visit.  Sometimes we’re sitting on the floor eating with our hands and sweating.  Other times, like at this neighbor’s house, we’re eating at tables using fine china and a maid serving us.  But I guess that’s the same in our culture.  We’ve got the informal paper plates eating in the living room families and formal dining room, place card at each table setting families as well.  Either way, we really enjoy these times with friends and experiencing this inside part of their lives.

Our new friends

Filed under: Uncategorized on October 11th, 2009 | No Comments »

Hari Raya, which is the Islamic celebration after the month of fasting, began this week.  As it is our 3rd Hari Raya here, we’ve come to appreciate and even look forward to this ever so important holiday in the lives of our friends.  During Hari Raya, people go back to their hometowns and spend several days visiting relatives and friends.  It is a time to seek forgiveness as well, and there is a phrase everyone says (”Maaf zahir dan batin”) to ask forgiveness for any offense they have done to one another over the past year.  It is custom to wear new clothes, and each family has a theme or a color that coordinates.  This year we were BLUE.  Of course there is lots of traditional food involved as well as sweets (my favorite!) and even money in envelopes, which is given to children at each house.  Jackson even collected some…hmm…maybe we’ll start his college fund with this.

So here’s the first day in pictures.

Our first stop: Ridzuan and Zuraini’s house

Ridzuan and Zuraini live in our old neighborhood and this is our second year to visit their house.  This year we both have new additions to the family.  Their son, Daniel, is 2 weeks older than Jackson.

2nd stop: Faisal and Linda’s house

Faisal and Linda and family are some of our best friends here.  They call themselves our adopted family so it was nice to celebrate their holiday with them.

Alamin and Nurin’s family wore this blue and purple flower design.  Every year I always look forward to what they will wear.

This is Mama.  We don’t know her by any other name.  She’s one of a kind.  A very special lady indeed.  And she even does facebook.  Ha!

3rd Stop: Izmin and Kartika’s house

Our last stop of the day was out in a village.  We drove down dirt roads until we arrived at one of the coolest houses I’ve ever seen.

Jackson watching the big kids feed the turtles

So after lots of food, driving around, and visiting with friends, we called it a day.  Because day 2 was just right around the corner and then it was time to do it all over again.

Filed under: Uncategorized on September 23rd, 2009 | 1 Comment »