not on hiatus, yet

Family has been visiting, and blogging has taken a very appropriate back seat. I do hope I can capture all the memories. Lee and Laura already left, and we were SO glad they were able to share in our lives here, even if only for one week, it was incredibly fun to share in their amazement and joy over our girls, and over various aspects of culture here. Thanks so much for the sacrifice of coming to see us, we know it is very hard to travel so long for so short a time. We miss you already.

Here are tidbits of what we have been doing:


double date night: we went to eat pulled noodles and happened upon another dish that tasted like yummy Mexican food, so good. Then we got fruit drinks and walked around the big square.



We took a drive out to the lake and up to the Pagoda that overlooks the city.


we drove out to some surrounding villages, it was so hazy the mountains were invisible





we stopped for a little while in one village and talked to some folks

we looked at their temple ...


took pictures of their cute pigs...

and learned about harvesting tobacco.



On a separate outing we went a little ways into the mountains out of town and had a picnic dinner.



We met this lady who is 75 years old, and remembers the last time she saw Americans was when she was just a little girl, China was fighting Japan and the Americans came through to help (WWII).
She was collecting food for her pigs.

A shout out to our dearest friends

who just had a precious baby girl...
Annabelle Grace S, born January 19th
we are SO excited for you guys and miss you much.
Congratulations!!!!

Bella is 7 months old

She is rolling, rolling. Jabbering some, trying to pull up on her hands (and toes, like a push up), she is still constant smiles, eats a variety of foods very well, and now takes two naps. She is loving the attention from Poppy, CC, Laura and Lee.

gift giving and receiving

After a morning outside playing, delicious Shan noodles (with lemonade and egg pancake, yum), and an afternoon at the tailors, we spent time giving and receiving gifts. Sophia loves giving them out and opening them, and moves right on to the next one.





Abby bought CC and Laura local minority skirts, and bought the boys a Longyi each (a skirt that Burmese (and Indian) men wear)



reading how to use the Valentine's day paint project

a girl cannot have too many bags... too cute

and Airplane books, She was thrilled.

Heather, Abby loved the socks and scarf! She really misses you.
And Julie, the Melissa and Doug Cake? Major cool points there, she is playing with it as we speak.

Coker Craft team arrive

Family is here. here are a few pics. all are nestled snug in their beds (it is 9:30pm).
Pics aren't great, but they are what they are...


waiting outside to watch the plane land


waving as it goes by, she was yelling to them also, hilarious. We got some great video, to be posted later.

she finally gets their attention with her yells of : "Hi Poppy, CC, Laura, Lee

sweet reunions


making sure they see her sign, she was so proud of it.


the lady let her go inside to baggage claim, usually a big no-no



we stayed back, which is why these pics aren't great. But oh so sweet.


CC and Bella


Laura Meeting Bella for the first time




Uncle Lee

Fool Moon

The Sun was eclipsed by the moon yesterday, and it was quite amazing. To see an incredible picture of it go here and it is the fourth picture that you scroll to. Sophia and I were playing outside around 4:30 p.m., it started getting dark, I said to Sophia: 'I guess it might rain,' though it hasn't done that in over a month. We made our way upstairs when David called to tell me about the eclipse. We caught glimpses of it, as it was also cloudy. I have never witnessed one before, so I really didn't know just how incredible it was, coolest thing ever. But it also reminded me of one of my favorite books of Sophia's 'Fool Moon Rising', about how the moon steals glory from the Sun, and in the end realizes his light comes from the sun not himself...how often do I try to eclipse the Son completely and make much of myself? A lot. Hoping this year I will make much more of the Son.

Preppin' for visitors

and not just any 'ole visitors, Poppy, CC, and Aunt Laura and Uncle Lee are making the LOOONG journey to come our way. They arrive Monday evening. We are so excited. Sophia keeps saying: 'its Monday! It's Monday!' and I have to tell her it is not, 'but it is, it is,' she replies. She has been a big help preparing. Today we made Chocolate Eclair cake, a great thing for children to help with, it is all edible raw and putting the crackers on is like doing a puzzle. We can only get one of the ingredients locally, but the others were sent to us (by Poppy and CC no less).