They say time flies when you’re having fun…I guess that’s my excuse for not writing a blog entry for over a month now! This last month was jammed packed with lots of family, friends, and traveling. Here are a few pictures from our first days back in the U.S. I’ll post more as I get pockets of free time over the next few days.
At the airport: Both our families arrived to greet us and then it was off to Pappasito’s for some yummy fajitas! What a joy it was to see them after almost 2 years!
On Mother’s Day, we were together again to celebrate “mommyhood” and Jackson’s dedication at Hillcrest.
Isn’t this cake so cute?!! A few of our friends hosted a “sip-n-see” for Jackson and us. It was a special time to show off our new family addition and to connect with old friends.
Sweet Julie (the cake maker)
Friends from High School: Lyndsey, Toni, and Carla
Then we were off to Waco to celebrate Alex’s graduation (Ryan’s younger brother) from Baylor.
Filed under: Uncategorized on June 8th, 2009 | 3 Comments »
We’ve had quite an eventful last week. We went to a friend’s wedding, celebrated Easter, and have been enjoying a visit from our friend, Justin. Here is some of our week in pictures.
The triumphal entrance of the bride to the groom’s house
Jackson’s first wedding: sweat and all!
Ok, this one is so cute b/c Justin works for Texas A&M in Qatar right? And in honor of his visit, I dressed Jackson in his A&M onesie, only to discover that Justin arrived wearing a maroon A&M shirt…Gig’em!
Watch out ladies!!
My turn for a round in the pool…still not sure what J thinks
Filed under: Uncategorized on April 17th, 2009 | No Comments »
It’s hard to believe Jackson is already 3 months old. Here are some recent pictures from his little life and whereabouts. Enjoy!
On the way to a friend’s house to play
J has discovered the toys associated with his play mat
Ryan took Jackson in the swimming pool…we’re not sure what he thought about it, but at least it’s good practice for Uncle Michael and Aunt Chesle’s house this summer.
Off to the mall again and so of course he’s got to wear warm clothes
Jackson now sleeps thru the night in his crib…way to go!
Posing in our driveway before an afternoon outing. We love spending time together!
Filed under: Uncategorized on April 8th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
The big event of the week was the baby dedication ceremony and party at our house. Our pastor led the ceremony and Ryan translated some of the scriptures in the local language for our friends to hear. It was a very memorable time for us to commit to God to raising Jackson according to the teachings of the Bible and to promise to teach him about Jesus.
There was a brief exhortation about parenthood, a declaration of our vows as Jackson’s parents, followed by scripture reading, and a time of prayer where we asked anyone who wanted to pray aloud for Jackson. It was such a sweet time as there were prayers said to God in 4 different languages representative of the friends who were in our home.
Afterward, we of course did what everyone around the world would do - we ate! The buffet included a beef dish cooked in soy sauce, a spicy chicken dish, a curry dish inclusive of potatoes, cauliflower, and carrots, and of course it was all served with rice!! I also made some brownies and cookies as they are always a hit with our friends here.
We had a great turnout of around 150 people, and it was a special time for our family- one we will tell Jackson about for many years.
Yes, it’s important in this culture that your family’s clothes match at big parties
Reading from the scriptures
Friends from around the world
Have you noticed we sit on the floor a lot here?
And we eat with our hands too…it’s been said rice tastes better this way…try it! 
Who needs a nap when all these people are holding me?
Filed under: Uncategorized on March 27th, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Some of our friends visited us from College Station last week. On their first evening here, we took them (jet lagged and all) to a nearby island with some of our local friends for a boat ride and bbq. Here are some pictures.
Ryan and Jackson had a good time playing in the sand together
Jiha and Jackson after his first boat ride. Notice how big his new life jacket is!
Kim and Awin grilling chicken for us all
Filed under: Uncategorized on March 24th, 2009 | No Comments »
Last weekend we met some friends up in the mountains. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the tea plantations and cooler weather. Here are a few pics
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Jackson’s first experience with cooler weather…he seemed to like it!
Check out that beautiful lettuce!
Jackson’s first visit to the tea plantations
Filed under: Uncategorized on March 3rd, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Jackson is now six weeks old, and cuter and more fun each day. He is able to look people in the face now and keep his gaze, and he just began smiling this week. Our hearts of course melt every time we see him smile, and we spend countless hours trying to do rather silly things in hopes to see that little face light up.
Here’s some of what we’ve been up to the past couple of weeks.
Jackson went to tea with my friend and me last week. We had a fun time together on one of our first outings.
This was on our way to the air-conditioned mall…so it was an excuse to wear his hat and pants.
And this is what happens on most car rides.
Jackson visited his friend Daniel last week who was born 2 weeks before him…though their awake times didn’t really coordinate that day, we’re sure they had fun together!
Our friends Sheda and Faisal are so cute with Jackson…they like him so much. The other night we had dinner at their house and they were constently making sure he was comfortable and enjoying himself.
Daddy Time - Jackson loves his daddy so much and Ryan is so good with him
Filed under: Uncategorized on February 15th, 2009 | 3 Comments »