Taj Thursday

We just got off the plane from an incredible trip to Thailand for a few days, but I'll try to keep the posts in order.... So a week later here are a few of our Taj pics.

Taj Trip:

We got to show the family how we roll here. They experienced the train and the auto rickshaw for the first time. Both were a success!

We got to show the family just how hot and humid it can get here :) They are troopers.

We not only saw the Taj, but also got to go and see the Agra Fort. This was a first for all of us.  It was super neat. Crazy to think people actually lived there!

We also got to enjoy so super yummy pizza at the local Pizza Hut.

It was a LONG day, but we had great time together :)

Did I mention I forgot to wear sunscreen while we were out that whole day? What was I thinking?!!!!

And So It Begins...

Our family (Dad, Mom, and B) arrived right on time at 8:30pm, Tuesday July 13th, after over 30 hours in transit with every piece of luggage and smiles on their faces :) Maybe a few tears too! 

They've been here for just a little over 24 hours and I still keep thinking someone needs to pinch me. But it's true... they really are here in my home!!

I don't know how well I will do with keeping this updated, but I know so many people have been excited for us and praying for this special time so I'm going to try to update a little as we go.

Joe and I were completely overwhelmed by the love that was sent our way yesterday. You know... I might actually make it to see January 2011 now! We had so many letters and pictures from family, friends, and family friends. I even got to open up my birthday presents a month early :)

Thank you Gracen and family!!!!

My sweet cousin, Gracen, coordinated a package for us from so many of our family friends and relatives. She filled it full of some of our favorite things including: beautiful artwork, mac and cheese, poppy seeds, and everything else you can imagine. I really think I'm old fashioned when I say it, but I absolutely LOVE hand written cards. Seeing the handwriting and physically hold the letter.... it's just the best!

Needless to say, I'm on a cloud right now. I've never felt more loved than I do right now.... My cup is truly overflowing.

TODAY'S AGENDA:

Shopping for Mom's new Indian wear.

Lunch at Cafe Turtle (one of our favorite spots)

Joe's Chana Salad

Dessert at Cocoberry. Had to start their vacation off right.

Pooja (Indian style worship) and Dinner with fellow workers and team.

Lots of much needed hugs and laughter!!!

Tomorrow's plans:

Taj Mahal

I'm going to bed with a happy heart and a full house :)

Inside Waterfall

Let me set the stage for this video by saying:

Yesterday morning I was trying to get my new house helper to understand that I wanted her not only to sweep the stairs, but also wash them. It took a while for us to communicate back in forth about the topic, but, with the little Hindi I know and the no English she knows, we successfully got the stairs washed. Only to hear my landlord beginning to gripe about the water from the stairs messing up the paint. Oops! I talked it over with the landlord and agreed that from now on the house helper would use the cloth only.

Fast forward to last night. As I was talking to Beth on skype I noticed it began to rain and rain and thunder and rain... Eventually I could barely hear Beth because of the rain and thunder.

Then we heard a loud noise. Joe went to check on it and came back...."Ams, you better come see this!!!"

Hope you enjoy the video of our crazy weather yesterday. Crazy Monsoon.

Monsoon

Monsoon Rains

are

here!

Unfortunately that means it's turned from 'just plain hot' to 'hot and humid'. Perfect timing too, my Dad, Mom, and brother are about to be here! It should feel just like the River Valley by the time they arrive.

For the past couple of days I have been running around like a "chicken with it's head cut off" trying to get everything ready for their arrival. Trying to get things in perfect order for when they get here tomorrow.

My list is kind of long and overwhelming... but since we're on the topic of chicken, I should let you know that I've already marked cooking, shredding and freezing 4 lbs of chicken off of my list. Other priorities include and start with: getting our toilets (yes both) fixed (a dire necessity), stocking the cupboards and fridge, cleaning, dusting, and preparing the beds. 

Whew! I better get off of here and go get after it. We'll see if we can get it all done before they arrive in 30 hours!!! Now, back to that list.... if I can find it :)

It's Independence Day!

Joe and I have been looking forward to our "American" day at the Embassy since last year when we missed out on the festivities. So it was no surprise that I woke up early and began humming patriotic songs. hehe... I tried to let my husband sleep, but it just wasn't happening. I was too excited!

The party was supposed to begin at 6:30 pm, and our plan was to be very American like with our timing and be there at 6:30.  Oops! I had a little trouble with the map and we ended up going pretty much completely around the city before getting to the Embassy, so we were a little late.
But we made it just in time for pulled pork bbq!!! It was such a treat. Oh how I've missed American style BBQ.

We had a great time hang out with our friends and eating American treats. There was even a small fireworks show for us, but nobody cheered for them like they do in Arkansas. I thought everyone cheered while the fireworks went off and commented on every one of them. Nope. Just me :) haha

Our evening ended sooner than expected when the monsoon rains decide to join the party. We really weren't that disappointed though because the rain felt awesome! Such relief from the heat.

So we drove home with huge smiles on our faces because we were wet from the rain, full from the BBQ, and proud to be American!

Another Team Birthday

We celebrated the second of the three team birthdays yesterday. This one didn't go quite as well as the other one. I think this has to do with a few of different things.
 1. Our power was out for almost 5 hours straight (we looked like we all had been at the gym working out)
 2. Our two toilets in the house were "out of order" after a mishap with the tp
 3. Our first and only arrivals to the party were 3 hours late

But we still had a great time with the two new friends that did stop by for a few minutes. They shared a few cultural traditions with the birthday girl. Apparently it's tradition for everyone to feed each other cake and smother frosting all over the bg. Our bg was a good sport and wore the melting chocolate well.

Before the guests left, our bg gave them both party favors of bangles. She explained how each bangle represented the transformation which has happened in her life through the Father. The girls loved them!

We are now asking the Father that they would be reminded through this small gift of His ultimate gift for them personally.