Last week we went to our annual meeting in Thailand. The hotel we stayed in was really big and equipped with some great pools. Unfortunately many of the kids at the meeting came down with a virus. It was a nasty little bug and spread to many of the kids and their parents. Unfortunately, Abigail was one of those who became sick. She is only four months old and became dehydrated quickly. Less than 8 hours after throwing up the first time, she was admitted to the hospital where they immediately started an IV. We were so blessed in many ways, there were several doctors from America at our hotel volunteering their time to help out those at our meeting, there was also a really nice hospital less than 20 minutes away, and last but not least we knew that many people were praying for Abi. (Thanks for all your prayers and notes.) The rooms at the hospital were really nice, the staff was also super friendly to both Tiffany and Abigail. They were able to come home after 48 hours, once Abigail stopped having any of her previous symptoms.

Tim and Emily stayed at the meetings. Emily did not get sick while in Thailand but did not want to go to childcare. She figured out that if she refused to eat and drink that daddy would come and get her from the nursery. Both Tiffany and I were unable to attend several of the meetings as we catered to our kids. We did have a great time seeing and catching up with old friends and also really enjoyed worshiping our Savior by singing and listening to sermons.

Emily did get really sick after we returned home. She got a different virus while in Thailand, this one was respiratory. She had a really high fever and at times had difficulty breathing. She is doing much better now.

When we were healthy and had free time, we were able to hang out at the beach and pool.

Every Wednesday morning several of our neighbors come over for play group. After we got home from Thailand, Tiffany invited some of the women in our neighborhood, who had kids the same age as Emily, to come over. She has had the same women and kids come every week since then.

Here is what happens at a typical play group;

Usually the kids play together as they wait for everyone to arrive. Tiffany then does some sort of activity to get the kids attention. She then tells a story and the kids do a craft related to that particular story. Tiffany then has Emily go around and say each kids name as she gives them a drink and a snack. For the rest of the time all the kids play in our backyard while Tiffany and the moms talk.

Tim and Emily getting the yard ready for everyone to play.

Almost every day we can expect something ‘different’ to come right to our front door. This day, it was a ferris wheel, a miniature one. It gets from place to place on the front of what use to be a motorcycle. The driver turns the ferris wheel by hand, its that simple. For about 11 cents you could give it a whirl, that is if you were here. But remember, if it was not this ferris wheel, it would be something else.

We went to Safari World zoo today. It was a really nice park and we would recommend you go if you are ever passing through Bangkok. We went with a couple of our friends that we made while living here in Thailand. Emily had a blast looking at all the animals with her buddy Noah.

Tiffany carried Abi all over the park in the Baby Bjorn. It was an especially hot day, we all did our best to stay out of the sun and to drink lots of fluids.

One of the neatest parts of the park was the safari lookout. It put us all right at eye level with the giraffes. We watched our friends feed the giraffes and even tried ourselves but did not have too much success. Emily kept saying over and over that, ‘I do not like them.’ Their big heads and long tongues really freaked her out.

It was fun for us as we watch the excitement on Emily’s face as she looked at all the animals as if she had never seen them before.

I did not take too many pictures today. We recently purchased a video camera and I spent most of the day using it as we walked around the park. I will try to edit all of the video and post it on the website as soon as I can. It may not be too soon however, as things are starting to get a little busy around here. We pick up Abigail’s visa this Friday and fly home on Saturday! Sunday we will drive to our house and begin to get our house back in order. It will have been over 15 weeks since we last saw our house!

Happy Birthday Emily! We love you so much.

For Emily’s second birthday party we had a couple of her friends over to play in the yard. It has been really hot here in Bangkok lately (lower-mid 90’s), so what better way to party than to get the water hose out and run around! I think the kids had lots of fun. Emily spent almost the entire time running circles in the yard.

After they played in the yard, they came in and ate hot dogs and chips.. and of course cupcakes! We’ve been practicing blowing out birthday candles and Emily did not disappoint when the time came. Emily savored every bite of her cupcake. She picked off all the sprinkles, followed by the icing, before she got down to the cake.

 

We were so glad we did something special for Emily. It is kind of neat how seeing her so happy really made us feel happy.

Emily pushing her baby around in her new stroller.

(FYI April 2nd is her birthday but it worked out better to have the party a day early.) If you like you can read our friend’s blog about the party.