Thailand, here we come!
Gone are the days of traveling light. We ended up taking 4 pieces of luggage and a carry-on each. One suitcase was entirely full of toys- for those anticipated sick kids who need to spend the day in the hotel room :)
Day 6 of a terrible fever- we took Olivet in to the international Doctor the day before. He said to get a urine and blood test by day 7 if the fever is still there. Olivet traveled well since she just wanted to be held. However, she screamed on the 45 minute bus ride from the airport to our hotel :(.
Dassah always ready for an adventure!
Phew! We made it to Bangkok! We got to our hotel around 6p.m. after our flight departure around 1:30 p.m. We were so excited to see that we had 3 adjoining rooms! The first was a place to eat and play, the second was where the 4 big kids slept and the third where Josh and I slept. Olivet was in a pack n play in the bathroom. What a blessing!
(We had some opportunities to eat SUBWAY and drink PURPLE GATORADE!!!)
We spent a week here attending a conference and enjoying reunions with lots of friends we have met through the last ten years while serving in China.
SWINGS!!! A rarity in China!
the pool on the 4th floor roof- the water was really cold but that didn't stop many!
We also spent a large portion of time at the hospital. Olivet ended up with a UTI and was feeling much better after a couple days on antibiotics. Most kids also need immunizations and we also had an ultrasound done of baby 6! That was the best part of all the hospital visits :)
feeling better, yeay!
night night
awake!
Cade warming up in the sun
Each day at the end of child care the kids all met together for a puppet show. The childcare workers flew in from the U.S. to bless our kids. They did an amazing job.
After the conference, we took a 3 hour bus ride to Cha Am, a sea side city in Thailand, for "Development Week." Many classes were offered- Josh was in charge of a sem class that brought in a professor we have gotten to know well during a previous trip of his to China.
So these hotel rooms also gave us a surprise- a pirate themed bedroom for the kids!!
Hadassah LOVES seahorses!
ARGGG!
mom and dad's boring room :)
We had a first floor room which was close to the pool. I feel refreshed again just looking at the pictures :)
The hotel was sea side- we spent every afternoon either at the pool or in the ocean for about a week.
"Don't forget to use this in the sun!"
Mom and feeling better Olivet
The littles at first were freaked out by the waves- but they got used to them fast!
This Thailand trip is such an amazing refreshment after years of heavy traffic, lots of pollution and crowds everywhere. The Lord really used this time to refresh our hearts and souls.
Olivet's turn!
After this experience, Olivet could not resist the water!
lots of play time
Hadassah's turn!
Vivi admiring a shell
Me admiring the sky
Olivet admiring me :)
Reuniting with old friends!
Lydia, Hadassah, Julianna & Lily - @ the big kid table
the rest of us trying to wait patiently for yummy Thai food
One of the mornings we weren't at the hospital, the kids were being well cared for in childcare, Josh was in class, and I had 3 hours to myself! I had some refreshing time reading and listening to music.
Breakfast and lunch were served everyday- what a glorious thing to feed all the kids food I didn't make and then to let someone else clean it up :)
Dass at dinner
full and happy Viv
There were about 1,000 of us in Bangkok and about 800+ at Development Week
back to the beach
lots of smiles here
and pondering
The only picture I got of 4 kids together- I didn't even get one of all five. Oh well, next time :)
comfy lobby chairs!
Best Buds Abby & Lily were un-sepperable in Thailand! Even though we live a few hour plane ride apart, their friendship has remained strong!
Every day the kids got homework after childcare. It was so fun to see the kids take responsibility to finish it.
Things that bring Cade joy: "Nate, Tigger, my sisters, my house, my ninjas, God, my Bible, all my legos, my watch, my clothes"
Dassah and I spent an afternoon having girls time. We were both thrilled to spend time together.
Dassah is quite the swimmer- good thing for life jackets!
First we cooled off in the pool, then we went to the beach to play in the sand.
I taught Dass a game my sister and I used to play in the waves. You had to run down when the tide was low and then run really fast back up so the wave wouldn't get you wet. Once was enough for Dass.
We decided to collect some shells- and ran into this interesting creature! Glad he wasn't in the waves instead :)
With full buckets we decided to head back.
Thai pancakes are amazing. Here we were ordering a pancake with bananas, chocolate syrup and whip cream.
Back to the hospital for a check up after antibiotics.
We spent most of our day at the hospital this time. It took 4 hours to get this kid to pee for her urine test. Everything looked good- no more infection!
at the beach again!
Our friends Michelle & Spring trying to get a "couple" shot :)
Lil & Abs enjoying the waves
build & destroy- the life of a boy
Lil & Abs this time with Daddies
Eeewww, what is on my foot??
my 50th pair of glasses 2 seconds before they broke
Hudson, Cade & Levi sporting their new matching hats!
The last day Abby & Lily got to see each other. In this pic Lil had strep throat and just started her antibiotics :(
My last morning of quiet time in Thailand!
Out of all the kids, Dassah definitely enjoyed swimming the most. Even in China, she asks us everyday if we can go swimming.
The last couple days were a little rainy. I think this toad was trying to find a dry spot! None of the kids wanted to touch it- I don't blame them, neither did I!
The hotel had a kids' club with lots of fun activities for rainy days. They begged to go back, so we went twice :).
Getting ready to head back to China!
We got home on January 31st at 9p.m. after a super long day of traveling. We really miss the sun and the beach and friends, but we are glad to be home!
1 comment:
Looks like such a refreshing time - besides all of the sickness! Love all the photos!
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