Portland

My parents have been here visiting from Massachusetts. We have had such fun. They spent a few nights in our friend's beautiful loft in the Pearl District in downtown Portland. We also had a stop at Coldstone Ice Creamery....oh the joys of being home!

Easter Brunch fun

Devin's Mom, Jan lives on the greatest property~ we had such a nice time gathering there on Easter morning. The children were able to do an egg hunt....play with goats...and run free. Our daughter is soooo happy to have the freedom to run free. The sun even popped out just in time for the egg hunt!

Nevi with a dandelion chain!

Beautiful Stella

Papa Topher and beautiful Stella~

Stella and Nikki, the dog~

Hello Rooster~ I can crawl and move and if you blink, I just might pull myself up all by myself!

I love seeing Stella play with the wooden egg basket....Nevi spent hours doing this when she was a babe. I can not tell you my joy of being able to hold Stella close to my heart...to witness her crawling in person....not to mention being able to hug her parents. The hardest part of being so far away is missing our loves....

reunions

Nevi and Amelia: Genevieve was so happy to be reunited with her cousins! We had a lovely Easter brunch with all our loved ones....well we were missing one very important loved one, Devin.....we miss him so- but are eagerly waiting for him to come home on April 17th!

Nevi and Zeke~

Nevi and Amelia in their Malaysian Easter dresses....dancing and laughing with JOY!

Nevi and Ellery~

First day home

Our flight home was just fine. I have the most wonderful daughter in the world! 20 hour journey and not a whine, cry or complaint. We were met at the airport by Devin's mom and the joy began to flow. Nevi has been leaking joy ever since! It is COLD here! This is Nevi outside walking the dog in her boots and snow coat!

Our first morning home was Easter....and the Easter Bunny found Nevi to her delight. Jetlag hit hard. In fact Nevi was ready to begin her day at 1am....but she crawled in bed with me and slept til 4 am....and then our day began! It has taken at least 5 days to regulate...and we are still a little off.

home

About 6 days ago- Nevi and I touched down in Portland, Oregon:HOME. From the moment we arrived, we have been surrounded by beloveds. being with family and our friends is such a treat- makes me remember how insanely lucky we are!
Genevieve has been pouring out pure joy since arriving in the States. Now, she is not morose or always sad in Malaysia, but it is quite clear that she feels at home, most safe, most secure, most happy right here in Oregon. Being with her cousins and seeing friends has brought back a sparkle that well.....is just not there in Malaysia. It is amazing what the familiar can bring out in us all.
I can't get over the scent of home. All day, I step outside just to breath in deeply. The scent of pine is overwhelming, foreign and yet complete comfort. The weather has been horrible- freezing...wet...gray....wet...cold...Oregon in the winter not the spring. But we do not care at all cause it is different than what we have now become used too...no air con needed here! Just boots instead of sandals....jeans instead of bathing suits....wool hats instead of sun hats.
What I really feel in this first week home is how easy it is to be here- to live here. Living in a less developed country is a privilege and it is also hard. Living in Oregon is easy. I will try and remember that long after I am moved back. I just can't believe how different our daily living is in Malaysia versus here.....and change is good. It is good to be reminded of how lucky you are...to step out of what you know...and then you never really see anything in the same way. My view is very different~ and I appreciate so much. Stay tuned for pictures.....

On our Way

Ok- no photos....sorry. Just a quick post before Nevi and I head for Oregon. Tomorrow after school we will head for Singapore. The three of us will spend the night at the really nice airport hotel...and at about 4am Nevi and I will head for the terminal and begin our about 20 plus hour journey home. Devin will sleep more in the beautiful hotel sheets...and then come back to JB for 2 weeks of work and bachelor-ing. He will join us in Oregon 2 weeks later- yippee.
Wow- trying to get ready to go anywhere takes effort....clean this- write this person that- passports- money-pack bags- oh crap no real shoes only flip flops- where are the long sleeves....or even perhaps a hat...presents for people.....oh god Easter is the day after we arrive- help Easter bunny! On and on....and the anticipation builds....what will this be like-how will I drive on the OTHER side of the road? Jet lag? 20 hours on a plane with a 6 year old.....oh my time for bed!
We are about to embark on yet another chapter of this amazing life we live...and we are living- grateful, appreciative, hopeful, aware, and excited.
Stay tuned as I will blog our Oregon trip just as I have Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia...next blog from the ROSE CITY~
With love-