America Thoughts

When we first arrived in America, I began writing down the funny things that we recognized or experienced as a family. As our time in America comes to a close, it is fun to go back and look at this list to see how comfortable we have become during our Stateside assignment. We have had a blast seeing our kids enjoy so many firsts and the excitement in their eyes to be apart of some pretty awesome events in America!

AMERICA

I was paying for clothes at Kohl’s and was waiting for the lady to give me a receipt to sign and she looked at me and said, “I am just waiting  for you to sign.” I had totally forgotten how to sign that mechanical box.

I can’t follow directions on the telephone very well anymore because Theresa had to set up my voice mail on my cell phone. I kept messing up and it was quite frustrating.

I had forgotten how fast things are here. We order food and it is out instantly or within 15 minutes. When it comes we are not ready for it because we are used to waiting anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 ½ hours.

Free refills, fountain drinks, ice tea, and ICE in our drinks are a true gift!

I have been so surprised because the weather has been amazing! I went for a run early in the morning and really enjoyed the run in a beautiful park! I guess we are really outdoorsy people now because we are shocked that there isn’t anyone outdoors walking or just sitting and enjoying the weather!

Automatic soap dispensers and Purell are everywhere!

It is odd not to see people walking on the road.

I was reminded that people use lawn mowers and that you can cut your grass year round in America!

A woman had her dog in Kohl’s and I was like, “she has her dog on a leash in Kohl’s!”

I was amazed that I could run the washer, dryer, stove and oven at the same time! And to use a dishwasher…wow!

Government offices were so organized, clean, just, and the staff was incredibly educated! It was awesome to get new driver’s licenses in TEN minutes when in Zambia it took NINE months!!!

I had forgotten about Wendy’s, Arby’s, McAlister’s to list a few!

CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!

The Price is Right was on the TV and I didn’t even know what the game show was! It has changed so much…design and Drew Carey!

As we drove down the road an ambulance drove by with his lights and sirens on and Easton yells out, “LOOK! It’s the doctor truck!” Then Kendall was ironing his pants and Easton says, “Daddy, why are you grating your pants? Why are you flattening your pants?” It was hilarious! Then he dipped his French fry into the ketchup and said, “my French fry looks like a match that is on fire!!”  Lily asks if she can drink the water from all of the water fountains that we see.

Easton saw a car wash and said, “Look! A washing machine for cars!”

He is RISEN!!

Being home for Easter was such a blessing. Easter is what our lives are all about, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter weekend was so special for our family and it was awesome to see how the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus were always incorporated with our activities. On Good Friday, we began the morning by opening several Resurrection Eggs and telling the story of Jesus. Later that afternoon we took the kids to Stone Mountain to climb the mountain. This was the first time that our family had done this so it was very special. The day was quite cloudy and overcast and as we got closer to the top of the mountain Easton said, “we are almost to Jesus!” And to our surprise, on top of the mountain was a cross. Lauren quickly chimed in to remind us that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Saturday morning the kids woke me up with the Resurrection eggs in hand and so excited to see what was going to happen next in the story of Jesus! We really just rested and relaxed on Saturday and told the kids that this was the day that Jesus was in the tomb. Sunday morning was just like Saturday and we began the day with Resurrection Eggs! How fun it was to see the kids eyes light up when the last egg was empty! We dressed up and headed to church and celebrated Jesus birthday with a burger and fries from Five Guys and a scoop of ice cream from Brusters. What a blessed weekend to spend as a family and always remembering what Jesus did for us in order that we may know Him and have eternal life through Him! Praise HIM!

A Special Birthday Surprise!

April 14^th was a special day for our family. It was my dad’s birthday. Lily, Easton, and Lauren were so excited to celebrate D-Daddy’s birthday with him. We knew that we had to do something special to celebrate. Mamie helped us to decide that a surprise would be the best! The pictures below will tell the story of our D-Daddy birthday surprise!

The excitement was hard to contain as we drove to Parkview High School to surprise D-Daddy at track practice!

We brought a poster...wait first, I have to share this. I came home with the poster board to make a sign and I said, "Ok, we are going to make a poster!" And Lily said, "what is a poster?!" Easton replied, "Lily, a poster is a BIG NOTE!" Precious. We came with a sign, balloons, and mini cupcakes!

D-Daddy was so surprised and he opened his gifts as the track girls watched and shared the cupcakes!

Lily with the running girls!

D-Daddy with his grandkids! Happy Birthday D-Daddy! We love you so much!

Procrastination...and an update...finally!

I have been dreading this day for about a month now. I have really dropped the ball on blogging during our time in the States. Many people who read our blog regularly have asked me, "when are you going to update the blog?" Well, here is the first attempt to update everyone on what we have been up to! One thing is for sure, I am a better blogger in Zambia than I am in America!
We have been so blessed to have made so many awesome memories as a family during our time in the States. If I were to list all of the people and events we have been apart of you would stop reading before I was finished! One of the amazing weeks that we had was during Lily's Spring Break. The Boyle Family came to visit us from College Station, Texas. We showed them a pretty good time in the ATL! Here are some of the fun things that we did during our Spring Break!

Our good friends, Dave and Danielle, went with us to the Varsity before we went to see the Braves play the Phillies. If you are ever in Atlanta..you MUST eat at the Varsity!

We made it to Turner Field! This was another first for the kiddos...a baseball game!

Kendall and I love baseball! Our first date was to a Rangers game and we have made it a family tradition to go to opening day or close to it!

Our seats were great! We could see everything!

We made our inaugural trip to the Georgia Aquarium. Lauren could have sat in front of the tanks for hours!

Lauren, Kendyl, Lily, and Easton in front of the most amazing fish tank I have ever seen!

Lauren could not contain her excitement over the diver!

HOLY COW! The fish was GINORMOUS!!!

The kiddos loved touching the sting rays and the hammerhead sharks! (So did the parents!)

We had a fun day at Stone Mountain Park. Shana and I surprised the kids with Elmo and Cookie Monster cookies for dessert after our picnic!

The Helgren and Boyle kids!

Mark and Kendall have been best friends since the 9th grade. It has been so fun to see the Boyle's and make some great memories!

I am so glad that I have gotten to know Shana better! What a precious friend she is!

Here we all are in front of the carving at Stone Mountain!

It was Shana's birthday while they were here and we went to Medieval Times to celebrate! We had so much fun on our double date!

Our seats were amazing, the food and entertainment were great, but the friends were incredible!!!

 What a blessed Spring Break! Thanks Mark, Shana, Kendyl, and Kale for coming to hang out with us east of the Mississippi!!! We love you very much!