How Does Your Garden Grow?

Our garden is now yielding a ton of veggies. I wish I could say it was from my effort, but our guards have spent hours seeding, planting and weeding. During the month I was gone, our garden has flourished. We now have fresh veggies for every dinner.  

This is about the extent of my contribution to the gardening.  I was on Asa watch the whole time.  
Obviously, I didn't do a very good job.
The beginnings of a great garden

Upon our return from the US and Canada, we had plenty to pick.  In fact, the week before we arrived Axel would not allow anyone to pick anything.  It took less than an hour after we arrived before the kids were in the garden picking.  The white things the kids are holding are an extra spicy white radish.  They are sooooooo delicious!  We also have a year supply of basil thanks to Brad for smuggling in some good Italian Basil seeds.  
Asa grazing.
Now we just have to keep Randy and the bunnies out of our goodies and it is salads galore!

Deondra in Nepal

I've been too busy showing Deondra the true Nepal. No time for blogging, sorry.

Shopping

Since the minute Deondra got off the plane, we have shopped, shopped, shopped. We have spent countless hours in the tailor shops and I hope to have a great post about all our creations.

In about an hour we are off to Chitwan for two days.

Buff

This is what we drove by the first day Deondra arrived:

Welcome to Nepal, Deondra!

Farewell

Ironically, the minute my children got used to sleeping at grandma and grandpa's house, we headed home.  I found out that we were going back to Nepal on Wednesday and we left that Saturday.  I only had 3 full days to prepare for the long flight home. I had so many more things to do and people to see, but I was so thankful I was able to head back to Nepal because it was possible I was not going to see this country again.  Oh, and I missed my husband a whole lot. 

The trip was long but infinitely better than heading to America.  My mom and niece, Deondra, joined me and what a difference!  I was even able to sleep a bit.  We spent a night in Abu Dhabi and on Monday afternoon we arrived in Nepal.   

Deondra and Sedona - Wearing a raincoat she refused to take off.  She wore that plastic heat wrap the entire trip!  

 It is dirty, it is chaotic, but it is home.

Port Dover

A trip back home wouldn't be right unless our family made a trip to Port Dover. My grandmother used to visit this cute town when she was a teenager.  It is tradition.  So, on the last night before the dreaded trip we piled in the car and headed toward Lake Erie.  

Beets, pickles, onions, salad, cucumbers =  The best. hot. dog. ever.  

Who is in charge here? (This was a theme throughout the whole trip).

Smiling on the fine, cold, dirty Lake Erie beach.

Ethan with a hovering death cloud in the background.

Xavier before

Xavier after

Yeah, it was that fun.

Old Friends

We are finally back in Nepal and it is so great to be in my own bed.  It was also so nice to have the help of my mom and niece on the way home.  We divided the kids and conquered.  We have been running fast ever since. 

The trip was difficult but so good to see so many of my old friends. Some of them I have seen as recently as 2 years ago and other I have not seen in 15 or 20 years. It is amazing how much people change and yet, they are the same. It is great to have new memories with old friends.  

Some of my friends aren't featured in this blog.  I just didn't have my camera at the right time.  I also missed visiting with some of my friends because of distance.  I realize that having 4 kids limits your time, it isn't like it used to be.  I was spread too thin.  Where were my maids when I needed them???

The old Brantford Young Women. Me, Carolyn Leigh, Rosa, Rachel, Farrah (and her brand new sweet baby), and Tracey.


Nadine. We were besties in elementary school. 20 years had passed before I reconnected with her during a dinner 2 years ago. SOOOO great to see her. We spent a whole day together and I couldn't believe how quickly time passed.  We used to pretend we were the Barker Beauties from The Price is Right.  We would spend hours on our framing hand gestures.  I think we are still the Barker Beauties we were when we were 8.  I am still waiting for Bob to call.

Nadine and all our kids.

Janine.  Janine and I have been friends since we were two.  We danced to Oliva Newton John, wore Michael Jackson's gloves (R.I.P), and skipped gym class together.  When I recall a childhood memory, it usually has Janine in it.  I love her like a sister and I feel honored to have her as my best friend.

Heavah and Janine's daugher Avery

Tara.  Tara's mother visited the hospital when I was born (she was actually visiting my other high school friend, Katie).  We went to elementary school and were often asked if we were twins. Hun?  She has blue eyes, I have hazel; she had brown curls and I had blonde.  Regardless, it was always a compliment to me.  We also were known as the strange religious girls as I am Mormon and she is Jehovah's Witness.  We lost touch for many, many years while I was homeschooled during high school.  We finally reconnected two years ago.  She is a fabulous photographer. Check her out here.

Living in the same home for 18 years allowed me to develop incredible friendships.  My children will never be able to experience this and it makes me a little sad.  It is the price they pay for elephant rides and exotic adventures.  What is better?  I can't say.

The Falls

On our way home from the Pageant we stopped by Niagra Falls. Heavah was worried about the boat near the falls, "Mom you need to tell someone, they are all going to die."

Pageant 2009

I am going to keep the next few blogs brief and to the point. No time for wit, I just need to record this before my life becomes insane again. Speaking of which, I am headed back to Nepal on Saturday. This was just decided yesterday and I have 3 days to prepare. I am DYING to see Axel. I am not excited about the travel but I am soooo excited about the arrival!

When I left for the Tour de North America I was mostly excited about going to Pageant. It is awesome to see the Book of Mormon come alive and see that many crazy Mormons all in one spot. I was especially excited because two of my bestest friends from Delaware were there with their kids. I must say that it was one of the highlights of my entire trip.


Hanging out at the famous highway stop. Eat egg salad. Grandma found black raspberries, the perfect dessert!

Sedona found a sticker on our luggage and declared it was her tika. You can take the girl out of Nepal but you can't take the Nepal out of the girl!

Chill'n on the '70s blanket. How can something so ugly be so comfy?


And yet, the love is the same since the '70s. It's the magic Pageant blanket

The Stoklosas, Neidermans, and Bromleys. Since we have seen each other we have multiplied a few times. Getting a table at Denny's with this many kids was not. going. to. happen. The next morning we opted for doughnuts at the park. Thank goodness.

5 adults, 12 kids all under 9 years old.


Heavah and Megan. Adults aren't the only people who can pick up friendships where they left off. Friends for life. Heavah slept at Megan's hotel and hid in their van when it was time to leave. So happy they have a renewed memory of each other.


Heavah and Kim. Instant love. Kim always gives candy and presents, mom doesn't.

Checking out all the sites
Sedona with the Palmyra Temple in the distance
Heavah at Joseph Smith's home


Look at the cuteness!

Shelly's beautiful girls

Shelly and I - My smocking twin

Check out the drama! Oh the stories...

The calmest Xavier was the entire trip! He was so in love with Paul and Cole and their cool boyness he collapsed when we drove home.

I was so hard to say goodbye. I have never really missed anywhere I have ever lived as much as Delaware. It has a special place in my heart, mainly because of the relationships I gained while I lived there. Good thing friendships last forever.