Arriving and First Week

Blog Post About June 2021

When we arrived in Istanbul, we were all SO tired. It had been a big week and we had such a late flight.

This is Karis and Keira after a small breakfast.

June 20, 2021

When we landed, we were finally in the same time zone as Kylie, but it would be another two weeks before I would see her. 

First, I had to get my cell phone hooked up, and then we had some shopping to do before we started traveling everywhere.

The dance studio that we have been a part of in the past told me Keira could come to their dance camp, so that helped tremendously!

After Karis and I went to Old Navy, Kohls, TJ Maxx, and two Targets, we were worn out and we hadn't found much. Selections were scarce. We decided to just go sit somewhere and order things online.

We also had a few advisor visits at Texas A&M.

After four days, it was time to travel to see my parents. This is how the six of us communicated while we were apart. Three of us in South Texas, one in Tennessee, and two in the Middle East.

June 25, 2021

We stayed three nights with my parents and we also went to church, and then we went to see Doug's parents.

June 29, 2021

We had high hopes of finding better shopping options in their town. 

We went to Target, Old Navy, Kohls, Claire's Boutique, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Ollies, Sam's, and Walmart in a two day span, and I think we found enough to get by :) The tough item to find was good, reasonably priced luggage (I was going to take some things back for a friend, and I needed some extra luggage space)

After three nights with them, we headed back to our base.

First Day of School 2019-2020

One of the rare times I get my kids to pose all together (semi-willingly) is the first day of school, so I try not to miss the opportunity.

September 1, 2019

But of course, sometimes pictures take a downhill turn.

As long as everyone is having fun, right?

First Days of School in Uganda

First Days of School in Texas

First Days of School in the Middle East

Things I See (Vol 13) -US Version

Welcome to "Things I See."  If you want to see the previous installments, you can click on:

 Volume 1 , Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4, Volume 5, Volume 6, Volume 7, Volume 8, 

Volume 9, Volume 10, Volume 11, Volume 12

While making short trips to the US the past couple of summers, I've seen some interesting and amazing things.

Unbelievable! 

 The old movie theater in my hometown was refurbished by the Steinmann's, and they did an amazing job!  This where I saw "Empire Strikes Back" in 1980!

When I ordered a large sandwich at Schlotzsky's, I had NO IDEA!

 

Two summers ago, in San Antonio, we were at the River Walk.  On the boat cruise, we told Keira to take a tip to the man driving the boat.  She said, "Oh! Is this special San Antonio money?"

I had forgotten that she didn't remember what American money looked like.

Wouldn't it be crazy if every town had their own money?

At the Alamo, Keira (4.5 years old) tried a water fountain for the first time.

I think it entertained me as much as it entertained her!

Who knew it took so much talent to drink out of a water fountain?

Texas and More

I had the opportunity to take the girls back this summer so they could attend ballet camp in Mississippi again.  This camp is so instrumental to their spiritual life and dancing skills, so we try to make it a priority for them to be able to attend. 

This year, we went a month ahead of time so Kylie and I could visit colleges.  

But first, "Hamilton."

Kylie had a doctor's appointment for her knee in Austin, so we took advantage of the fact, and ordered tickets for the musical we had all been dying to see for quite some time.

June 9, 2019

We educated my mother on the musical on the ride there.  It was nice to share this experience with her.

Second need, a driving permit.

Kylie had completed the necessary hours online to apply for a permit, so off we headed to the county seat.

And wouldn't you know it, Texas had a gift waiting for us beside the road in true Texas fashion.

The rest of the ride was beautiful, though.

Mission Accomplished!

 June 11, 2019

Next, Karis reunited with her oldest friend and stayed with her for a few weeks while Kylie and I visited campuses.

June 13, 2019 

 June 14, 2019

Kylie and I headed off through northeast Texas, across Arkansas, and on to Nashville, with Kylie driving!

In Nashville, we stayed with a friend we met at our training 10 years ago preparing to go to Africa.

Since Kylie has decided to go to school in Nashville, it makes me happy to know our friend is there if Kylie needs anything.

After touring the school in Tennessee, we traveled ALL the next day back to Flower Mound to stay with my brother and sister-in-law for one night before touring North Texas (my sister-in-law's alma mater) the next day.

After one more night, we traveled to West Texas, where we were met with this stunning sunset driving into Canyon, Texas.

The next morning, they were expecting us for our tour.

After the tour, we headed down to Waco where Karis met us, and we spent a couple of nights with Doug's parents.


Then, we drove back to my hometown for two nights.

The girls finishing an afternoon run/stroll.

Seeing friends one last time.

Seeing some cousins one last time.

Then back to the airport so the girls could fly to Mississippi for ballet camp.



I stayed with my parents four more days before heading back over to the Middle East.

It was the fastest month of my life!