Keepin’ it real

Lest any of my posts be misleading that our life is a steady stream of Pinterest parties, culinary creativity and that my kids are ever-adaptable and polite, let me set the record straight.  Today was less than stellar.

Feeling like quite the Martha-Stewart-Wannabe, I bravely tried a new recipe today that came highly recommended by a friend.  A delicious, healthy, pumpkin soup.  Im not gonna lie….it was a lot of work.  But following a recipe with 16 complicated, time consuming steps means it will taste awesome, right?

Yes, Im well aware that its 80 degrees here and not really “soup weather”, but living in Thailand, we don’t wait for the weather to be right.  Our family generally likes hearty soups and stews and chili….so I thought this would pass.  It smelled great simmering.  Perfect savory seasonings.  Blended up smoothly.  Robust color.  The makings of a great dinner (or so I thought).

I got called to go to a birth before I could taste test it.  Several hours later, I sent Abi an email from the hospital asking how it had gone over.

Can I just say, I so appreciate the candor in her response.  Abi, you’re awesome!

Mother of the Year right here!!

So….”everyone said it was ok,” except HALF of the kids eating it.  And Tristan said it was “kinda good“.  A glowing review indeed!  Humbling to know that my youngest food critic went running from the room and that Izzy hates it a bit less than Evie hates it.

Im a winner!

Guess Ill be serving up Kraft mac-n-cheese tomorrow and steering away from creative and nutritious.  After that raving review, give me a shout if you’d like the recipe.

……or better yet, just come eat our leftovers! 🙂

Bring the Boy Home!!

Its been five-and-a-half weeks since we squeezed his neck.  With bags packed and a huge grin on his face, he waved goodbye and set off on his first solo trip without family.  Tristan has spent the summer back in his happy place – the good ole’ USA!  …..and tomorrow, he’s coming HOME!

This move to Bangkok has fallen under that “character building” category for Tristan.  Its not a mistake that God has directed our family here and there have been good things that have come of it, but it has not been easy for him especially.  This boy has been homesick for a year-and-a-half and he needed this break.  Transitioning schools, skipping a grade to move into middle-school, being introduced to a new language and culture,  surrounded by sisters, having dad traveling so much and exchanging  the freedom of life in the country for the confinements of a city dwelling apartment has been HARD!  For heavens sake, this kids’ least favorite food has always been rice.  Living in Asia has been uniquely challenging to him.  You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy!!

It was time.  It was time for him to have a break.  To get away.  To get back in touch with his “roots” and be reunited with the aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents he’s missed so much.  It was time to let him venture out on his own a bit and……it was good for him to be gone long enough to miss us!

He has had the time of his life.  This will be the summer that goes down in his treasure trove of memories as an unforgettable adventure.  He’s been passed on to someone new every few days which means there’s been no shortage of energy, ideas, outings, excursions, and entertainment to keep him busy!  Blueberry picking, swimming, tubing, fishing, hunting, camping, more fishing, eating American food, hiking, hanging with cousins, World Cup watching, making new friends, reconnecting with old friends, exploring and more fishing…..its been non-stop fun!

The dynamic has been very different at home without our balance-bringing boy in the mix.  Britain cried almost every night the first two weeks because her sisters were “so boring and she missed Tristan!”  There is for sure a void when our boy is gone!  But I am SO grateful he’s had this opportunity!

Uncle Isaac and Aunt Jo – welcoming committee in Atlanta

Pillow present waiting at Grandmoni’s

Checkers with great-Grandpa

Tristan’s 93 year old great-grandparents

My favorite pic from Tristan’s trip

Tristan getting acquainted with my best childhood friends’ boys

Braves game with the uncles

Watchin’ the World Cup with cousin David

Getting his fix with Aunt Katherine

Air soft with Aunt Katherine in Athens GA

Tristan sandwich with Uncle Adam

hanging out with cousin Eli in SC

Out on Grandpa’s boat in Columbia SC

Camping in NC with grandparents

Edisto beach with his best buddy Charles

Reunited with friends from school

Saturday morning striper fishing Lake Murray

Shooting range with uncle DJ

What a summer, huh?  Im pretty sure its going to take nothing short of a straightjacket and a tranquilizer to get him on the plane this morning to fly back to Bangkok.  Cant compete with all that excitement when he gets back here……but…….we do have a pretty cute 3-year-old who is asking daily “when Tristan come back“?  She can’t wait to have her bubbly home and I think he misses her even more than he misses his momma 🙂 An entire day of travel time ahead and we’ll have him back home!!  Expecting a very tired boy in T-minus 24 hours!!

Brandy saying goodbye (I think Tristan needs a dog!!)

Goodbyes are HARD!

Sending our boy back

Cupcake turns 8

Oh this girl….

Izzy, you are so uniquely YOU!  Daddy and I laugh sometimes because we don’t understand how someone so sincerely selfless, kind and giving could come from two people who are so flawed.  Every day, every day you make us smile!  Your beautiful heart and sunshiny character and go-with-the-flow demeanor is the perfect personality sandwiched in the middle of our crazy family.  Wherever there is drama, you are nowhere to be found.  You’re the peacemaker in the family….the calming presence.  The first to give up your turn or to offer someone else the biggest piece.  Your sense of humor is engaging and your giggle is contagious.  Oh how that belly laugh lights up a room!

So glad we got to celebrate with a day as sweet as you are.

breakfast date with daddy

Abi made Izzy’s birthday dress

girlfriends having tea time