Border Run!

Yesterday we had the honor and privilege to travel to the border of Burma/Myanmar and Thailand. It's an all day trip but has beautiful scenery traveling through the mountains. Once there we had our passports stamped in Myanmar then walked back into Thailand. Chiang Mai has lots of foreigners so another blond girl isn't strange to see. However, anytime we travel outside our city, Adriann is flocked with Asians wanting their picture taken with her. Austin has also had his share of pictures taken. Sometimes, they ask, other times they try to sneak a picture. Notice the little girl who was pushed by her Mother into the picture with Austin and Adriann.

Adriann usually thinks it's fun and we've even taking a few of the shots too. It's comical to look back at your pictures and see your children with random Asian people.

Adriann celebrated her birthday with a sleepover. The girls took pictures, made scrapbooks and had manicures/pedicures and giggled a lot.

Adriann and Fer's hair decor, the bows from Aunt Debbie's presents!

Happy 9th Birthday Adriann

Nine years old today!

Happy Birthday Adriann.

We love you and are very proud of the young lady you are becoming.

Dad, Mom and Austin

Spring Break 2008

Austin and Adriann get a two week spring break each year. It is during the hottest season in Thailand, so a perfect time to get away! We traveled to the beach for the first few days where temperatures one day were 118 F, then the last 10 days we brought out the coats for the 32 degrees windchill. Enjoy the few shots we're able to share!

Adriann enjoying the sand! Notice the dog resting under the chair.

What a sight...Clear water, mountains, a longtail boat and the most handsome boy I know!

Girls just wanta have fun! Be glad this is only a picture and not video!!!!

A Night to Remember

Unlike Walter Lord's 1955 book and later film, with the unfortunate ending of the Titanic sinking, Monday night was our "night to remember", in a positive sense. Jerry and I saw Harry Connick, Jr. in Bangkok for his "My New Orleans Asia Tour". It was truly incredible!

Our evening began with dinner, where we sat at a second floor window overlooking a courtyard filled with Thais, mostly young. As it turned out, we saw two concerts! The group playing in the courtyard was voted the Number one rock group in Thailand, having the #1 song and album of the year. We couldn't understand much, if any of what they sang but isn't that true for American rock concerts too! While watching, we made a unique observation. The Thai people are very reserved and quiet. This held true even at this concert! There were a few screams when the group first came out but the crowd was mostly quiet some singing along as they began. We were leaving the area and walked right up to the lead singer. Kodak Moment! You could have thought I actually knew who this guy was! Meet Dax!

The REAL concert was great! Harry Connick, Jr, that is. He mostly sang songs about New Orleans and Cajun country, as this was promoting the "Oh My, New Orleans" CD. It was delightful hearing all the New Orleans songs and live jazz music. Although I have to admit, it did make me a little homesick for the deep south, with the music, his talk of New Orleans, and that Cajun accent!

Here's a couple of picture we were able to get. They aren't great but the best you can get especially since camera's weren't supposed to be allowed! You will notice that there are people crowded at the front. The last song, he invited folks to come up and dance with he and the band. A small crowd, including us joined him, but most remained seated! I'm certain a few had thoughts of the obnoxious and loud foreigners!

What a night to remember! An evening filled with music, food, fun, laughter and the man I love! I am talking about Jerry - not Harry Connick, Jr!

Happy Birthday Keith

Thinking back down memory lane, one thing that stands out was the protectiveness of my older sister and brother. Keith felt the urge after our Dad passed away to take up the "Fatherly" duties, especially in regards to hanging out and dating. He followed me to movies, around town and was always home when I left as well as when I returned for the evening. At the time it drove me crazy (as it did his girlfriend, now wife), I still think it was a little overkill but he wasn't always a saint so he knew what was out there for a teenage girl. Now 25 years later, I can say, thank you Keith for watching out for me. I always knew no matter what, I could depend on you being there. You are a great big brother.

Have a wonderful Birthday!

I love you Kelly

The Latest Southern Miss Fan!

Attention all you Golden Eagle fans, we have an addition to the club!

Khun Phon was sporting her Southern Miss t-shirt today and I couldn't resist capturing the moment.

GO GOLD!

Adriann and a friend had their hair braided while we were at our annual meeting. The first shot was taken the night it was braided and the second, a week later when it was taken down! The funny thing is that on Monday when Austin and Adriann returned to school it was picutre day! (I had no idea.) Adriann had begged to wear her hair one more day to show her friends and I agreed. Everyone has that one year of school pictures that you look back and say "what was I thinking?" This year may turn out to be Adriann's!

Long time no post! A true statement indeed. We have friends who blog almost daily, somehow I never seem to find the time for it or maybe I don't make the time. Either way, here's an update from the past few weeks.


Khun Phon recently celebrated her 46th birthday. In honor of it, Adriann and I baked her a cake. She always enjoys seeing me bake and loves to try the goodies. She and Khun Lyn do a Bible study at lunch on Monday, Wednesday and Friday's at our house. Isn't it just like women to have a snack or meal with Bible study? Guess that crosses all cultural lines!

Khun Phon is to the left and Khun Lyn in the center. If you write Thai, don't be too critical of the "Happy Birthday" on the cake. It's hard enough in English to write with icing, much less in Thai!

Happy 13th Birthday, Austin!

Merry Christmas 2007

Merry Christmas!

May your day be filled with the Hope that Jesus brought that blessed Christmas morning.

Last week, I was at Carrefour, comparable to Target and as I rounded the corner, there they were. The Christmas decorations were all out. All the metallic you would ever want from, garland, banners, bows, balls and trees. I couldn't resist the photo of the tree selection. My favorite was the full size red tree! There were a couple of traditional green trees in the back. But who wants green when you have all these to choose from! At the current exchange rate you could have the blue or purple tree for only $2.32.

Christmas Programs

This year the elementary had an International Christmas program. Each grade sang a traditional Christmas song from a different culture. It was really neat and made me think how wonderful heaven will be, with every nation worshipping Christ. Adriann's class sang a French Christmas song and all wore berets. This is Adriann and her friend Fer.

Austin's Christmas band concert was held on Friday night. The middle school band did a remarkable job! Austin's pretty easy to pick out of this picture.

Austin's track meet was the end of November. (Sorry for the delay in posting!) He did the hurtles and the ran in the 400 meter. He placed third in both and did great. All the practice paid off. Way to go Austin! We're proud of you.

GIS had an outstanding showing and won the meet. Congrats.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

It was treat night at the Southern Home! Memaw had sent them a couple of weeks ago and we saved them for the perfect time.

Oh, so good! Thanks, Memaw!

Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is a festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand. “Loi” means “to float”. “Krathong” is a raft about a hand span in diameter traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk, decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks etc. Many people will release a small raft like this on a river. In addition, fireworks and parades take place during the festival.

Friday night there was a parade near our neighborhood. There were lots of people in traditional dress carrying krathongs or lanterns.

This is one of the floats paying tribute to the King of Thailand.

The parade was at night and each float was beautifully lite. This picture was the truck behind the float that had the generators on it and the power lines connected to the float in front of it. The sight was so funny then we realized the men were pushing the truck! Each float had a generator truck following along behind.

A Day Set Aside to Give Thanks!

Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays! These are a few of the things we are most thankful for this year. First of all, God's mercies which are new every morning, his grace and love showered on us. We are thankful for Jerry's improved health. Our families in America, who have supported and encouraged us and truly "been there" for us this past year. We love you all dearly. Happy thanksgiving to all.

It's been a long time since our last post. Sorry! Guess, we would not be considered avid bloggers. Austin and Adriann have completed their first quarter of the school year. Where does time go? At the end of the quarter they had a 10 day fall break. Six years ago Hume Lake, a Christian Youth Camp based in California, came to Chiang Mai to bring a ‘summer camp experience’ to hundreds of kids living in SE Asia. Needless to say, the camp was a huge success and a deal was struck with Hume Lake to make this an every two year event. So….this year they were back! Austin had a great time at the middle school camp during part of the fall break.

After many years of anticipating... We saw Mickey!

Hong Kong Disneyland is a mini version of Orlando, but was lots of fun! We all had our favorites - Space mountain, Buzz Lightyear laser ride, Lion King Show and the Teacups. Here's a few pictures...

Welcome to Disneyland!

Adriann driving Jerry into the future.

Kelly outside the castle with a handsome Prince and beautiful Princess!

Austin and Adriann with Pluto

Last Day of Summer Break

Today is the Queen of Thailand's Birthday, also known as Mother's Day. It's a national holiday with offices, schools and official buildings closed. With Jerry off work, we decided to go to Dio Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand at 8,500 feet above sea level. After seeing beautiful waterfalls, we reached the top where it was VERY cold and cloudy. It was a fun way to spend the last day of summer before Austin and Adriann begin school tomorrow.

Mongolian Trip

Mongolia is a beautifully, unique country of dry and desert land. It is often called the land of the blue sky. From the sunrises, throughout the day to the sunsets, the sky displays an incredible work of art. The most fond memory I will take away is the people. A smile is a smile anywhere you go and they all need to know Truth. One of the last days in the countryside, we were honored to partake of a feast which included milk products and goat with potatoes and carrots. The neat thing was that the live goat was killed, skinned and pressure cooked all within one hour! Pretty cool! I expected the meat to taste wild, however it was wonderful!

Milk products of every kind are eaten by the Mongols during the summer months. Yummy, if your a Mongol! The above picture is some of the items basting in the sun before dinner time.

This 74 year old lady lived in the Ger during the summer months. She was a very gracious host.

I also, had the opportunity to spend time with and encourage a group of girls from a local Body. They kept me young doing cartwheels and making pom-poms!