Where in the World Have I Been?

I know.

It's been a long long time.

I have dreaded writing this post,

because I just done know where to start.

I've been gone.

I can't tell you where,

because then I'd have to shoot you.

Not really, I just like saying that sometimes.

Since this is a house blog right now,

I feel obligated to show you

that while we were gone 

to the other side of the world,

my husband found some projects

to work on.

He is not one to lounge around reading magazines,

eating delightful chocolates,

sleeping,

watching Christmas movies,

sleeping,

or sleeping.

Instead, 

he chose to look about for things

that needed fixing,

and set out to fix them.

Not always the easiest task

in a country where you don't know the language 

and you don't know where the nearest Home Depot is.

But not one easily deterred,

my husband managed to fix several things

on our world trip,

and enjoyed several trips to the

neighborhood hardware shop.

Alas, I have no pictures of this phenomenon,

because I was either

lounging,

eating delightful chocolates

sleeping

or watching Christmas movies,

or sleeping.

Here is hubs fixing the bathroom sink.

Here he is assisted by his faithful

plumber's assistant,

interpreter,

chauffeur,

question answerer,

and 

favorite 

son-in-law.

Notice how intently

he watches the master's 

every move?

Now. 

For the real reason we travelled 

to the ends of the earth.

This onesie says

"Someone in Kansas Loves Me"

It was a big hit!

Oh boy, Maya,

A new historical commentary

indie film!

You're gonna love this one!

I can't believe my 

mother-in-law

came all this way for Christmas

and all she got me

was new underwear!!!

And she didn't even get the 

bikini kind

like we told her too!

Lame.

Let's read your first

"Twas the Night Before Christmas" book...

It was a wonderful trip.

A trip I will never forget.

We saw many wonderful sights.

We ate wonderful food.

We got to hang with some of our favorite old friends.

We made some wonderful new friends.

But the best thing of all

was this.

I don't really feel ready to get back to the real world yet.

I just want to look at these pictures and remember 

how soft this little one's skin is.

I want to snuggle her close

and smell her sweet smell.

She's coming to see her Nana in a few months

and I will hold her close then,

Meantime,

there's a house waiting in the cedars,

waiting to be finished.

Then we will all be together again.

Lord willing.

switching gears!

It is hard to imagine 

not being here every day

smelling the raw wood,

listening to the birds cooing,

the cows mooing,

the geese calling...

Except for chosing a color 

for the front door,

the exterior is finished.

Doesn't she look dreamy 

in this picture?

I must tell you now though,

the next pictures you will see

on this house building journey

will not involve

paint

or sawdust

or wiring

or heat ducts

or plumbing.

Today we take a little detour

on the journey,

and leave this house behind.

We are traveling

far and away...

and by God's grace

we will see our precious daughter

and precious son-in-law

and precious new grand-daughter

very soon now.

I am feeling a little weepy 

just thinking about it...

excuse me while I 

try to imagine what that gathering 

will be like!

There will be fresh baby smells,

fresh baby cooing,

and hopefully,

fresh baby sleeping...

hours and hours

of hanging out,

laughing,

walking,

and talking.

God willing.

Stay tuned for pictures...

many silly pictures!