If Home Is Where Your Heart Is. . . .

Lesley is doing an amazing job with my kids!  Are we surprised?  No.  She is Mary Poppins and Wonder Woman all at the same time!  She (L) recorded the commentary by Tiki (T), Dax (D) and Gabby (G) as they were reading my last Bangalore post and here is how it went down: D:  This is no fair, they're showing off! D:  Maggie is gonna show off so much when she gets home! D:  McDONALDS!!! T:  hahahahahahahahahah, Tikki burger. . .they ate me! G:  Awww, no fair, Maggie got Wheat Thins and Sprite.  That's why I wanted to go with Mommy.  I want Sprite! D:  No fair, those kids have TRIPLE bunk beds! L:  D-man, they may have fun beds, but they don't have parents. D:  Yeah, you're right.  That's not better at all. G:  Cool, that girl has skin color like mine! T:  hahahahahahah!  Maggie's alseep on that cool bed! G:  Awww, Maggie looks so cute! D:  Not fair, Mom's just showing off putti...

This morning we left Bangalore and headed to Jaipur.  If you are ever flying on an Indian airlines, please stop by the market first and get a garland of Jasmine to put around your neck. . .the smell is indescribable on the airplane and we were even on a brand new one.  YUCK! Anyway, we landed in Jaipur and I love it!  THIS is what I thought India would be like!  What a rush!  We had the afternoon unplanned (we are officially on a tour starting tomorrow. . .private tour where apparently I am a V.V.V.V.I.P.--Wow!) and so we asked our driver to take us shopping!  We drove through the pink city (we'll spend the day there tomorrow) and to this store that is in the Guiness Book of World Records as the best hand knotted carpets in the world. The store was an experience (a good one).  They showed us how they dyed materials used for scarves and table linens and clothes and then we got to do it!  Amazing!  They stretch the silk and then have thes...

Fourteen years ago today my life changed forever and I am a better and happier person because of it!  I have never been as happy as when they put Hays into my arms.  There is nothing in the world like that!  It was real I'd-do-anything-for-you-and-die-for-you-without-thinking-true-love at first sight!  I felt like I was holding the entire world in my arms.  I loved him immediately and still love him more than I can describe! Hays, I love you!  I love you so much!  You've done so much growing up this past month and you have handled everything with such maturity and compassion.  I've been so proud of you!  I've hurt so much for you and with you.  I've loved having you crawl up in my lap and cry like you were my little bitty guy again (loved the crawling up in my lap part, not the hurting part).  You've been so compassionate and empathetic and sweet.  I'm so amazed by the realness I have seen in you this past month.  You...

Today there is some national (or state-wide. . .we aren't really sure) strike against the government.  Everything is closed and taxis aren't running.  We have been told it isn't very wise (due to safety) to go out today.  So we're staying in.  (Please, all moms and other overly concerned friends, don't worry.  We are fine and enjoying the day to relax.)  Since we're in, I downloaded pictures off of Wendi's camera and I will share some with you now! Staying in. Our Tuk Tuk ride.  This one was fairly uneventful, but our ride home was out of control! I couldn't believe that the name of the McDonald's "burger" (non cow meat) is the Tikki Burger.  Its spelled wrong for our Tiki, but it is still so fun! This picture is just of the street, not the guy picking his nose! Tomorrow we are headed up north.  We will start in Jaipur and move to Agra and then to Delhi over the next few days.  I cannot wait to see all...

Yes, I really really want to adopt this orphan.  She stole my heart! Maggie isn't handling jet lag at all. . .wide awake and chatty at 4 a.m. and then this is what she looks like until dinner!  Not good!  Sweet girl!

We've had a jam packed two days!  Wow!  We dedicated the past 48 hours to our Kivu Gap Year (that is why I'm in India after all).  I am sending our Gap Year students here in February or March, so I had to come check out where they will be living and working.  Tomorrow I will be checking out another place. Yesterday (and today) we were at Gerizim Home.  It is actually seven locations and we saw four of them.  The first home we saw was for Special Needs children; some are orphans and some are not.  We got to work with them on "school" work and then they did a dance performance for us.  They were adorable.  The girls were so loving and adored having us sit with them.  The boys were so proud of their work.  We had a great time with them! The next three homes we went to were on the same two blocks so we went back and forth often.   One is a church compound where the pastor lives and where the guest house is.  The chur...

Today was super fun!  It was our "jet lag" day and we made the most of that part by sleeping until we were woken up at 11.  It was a great night's sleep!  The rest of the day we spent shopping around Bangalore and the three of us had the best time!  This may be my last post because my computer won't charge on my adapter.  So don't hold your breath for any more news after today! Maggie trying on her sari This is Wendi, my friend who met us here.  She is a great travel companion (but hates to have her picture taken)! We spent most of the afternoon in this shop. . .we bought some material and we are having traditional Indian outfits made for us!  This was the highlight of our day!!! At dinner. . . yummy!