Excitment Around Here!

Exciting...
The big news around here is that we just bought our tickets to the US! I can't believe how fast the last three years have gone! It seems like we were just on furlough last year. It's a weird feeling to be so excited about going to the US while loving life here in the PI.

Even more exciting...
The flight will be on Emirates, one of the nicest airlines around! My parents found us a really great rate. No more herding us into an airborne cave for 27 hours (cough) Delta (cough). I couldn't be more excited! Here are some highlights:

* ONLY one layover, and it's in Dubai! I feel fancy already!

*The first flight is 8 hours, 25 minutes to Dubai, then we hang out there for 4 hours, and then we tuck in for 13 hours 45 minutes to New York City.

*The length of those flights would have made me groan in the past, but I'm all excited about the 1200 channels to surf through on my personal TV, and more importantly, on the kids personal TV's!

*Mackenzie said, "I love flying on Emirates because you NEVER HAVE TO GO TO SLEEP!"

*When we were looking at the web site, Mackenzie and I of course went straight to the first-class pictures. They have their own personal suites with doors that close them in, beds, mini-bar, unlimited snacks, and access to the on-board shower! Mackenzie said, "Ok, we need to start selling stuff so that we can get those seats!"

*The kids get little backpacks full of activities, special children's meals that are delivered before the rest of the passengers, and even Caleb gets his own personal supply of baby food.

*Wi-fi and power outlets at my seat! Yeah, you know I'll be updating my status every few moments. "Now I'm stretching my legs out because I have room to do so!" "Now I'm watching Gone With the Wind." "Now I'm chatting with Josh from 6 miles above the ocean!"

Most exciting...
My mom found an almost unheard of price on Emirates for airline tickets to the PI, so she's coming for the last couple weeks of school and then she'll fly home with me and the kiddos!

Just like last furlough, Josh has to stay here for 6 extra weeks of basketball ministry trips. If I stayed here with him, I'd only see him for 2 of those weeks, so we decided that if we're going to be without him anyway, we should have Panera Bread access. Plus, we won't be able to travel quite as freely this furlough b/c the girls will be in school, so I want to get as much time in with my family as possible!


And just so my post isn't without pictures...

Yesterday, Bella was playing with a toy and accidentally hit Caleb in the face with it. She felt so badly about it that she drew two pictures for him and taped them to his crib so that it was the first thing he saw when he woke up.


Last weekend was the annual Talent Night at school. I love that Mackenzie loves fun headbands as much as I do! Mackenzie also borrowed my pashmina and wrapped it around her neck. She looked like quite the Parisian school girl with her little beret and scarf.