A fun way to spend a summer Friday evening

When Dad is trying to recover from the 12 hour time difference...the family will join the Family Film Night on the church lawn.  Beautiful evening to watch "The War Room"!

Sharing memories from traveling abroad

 Ted always has such interesting stories when he comes home after his business trips!  We have seen money from different countries.  We learn the time differences for the countries.  We look at the maps to understand how far away he actually is...and we always pray for his safe return.

 We look forward to hearing that his plane has landed.  I always get choked up with excitement when he texts, "At the curb."  When Dad walks through the door...all is right with our world again...and Mom breathes an audible sigh of relief!

 Gifts with special meaning for each of us.  Ted's hosts took him around to see various sights.  They also helped him choose gifts in the way of Chinese culture.

 Velle liked the box!

 The story of the scarf brought tears to my eyes.  The shop-keeper made sure that Ted would remember which scarf went to which lady in his life. "The scarves behind the locked cabinet are for those that are held in great esteem in the family.  Proverbs 31 talks about the worth of a woman...'her price is far above rubies'."

 Chocolate from Germany...and purses, silk scarves, and ties from China...and love expressed for his family with words of gratitude and grace.

A special plan for some special kiddos

 They have been counting down the days for their special trip to Florida!

 We left our house at 7am to drive through rush hour to the airport.  We got all checked in and they were ready for some breakfast.  "I'm excited now!  I was nervous at first!" said Teddy.  Security is always a little un-nerving when you are first learning to navigate what to do and how to do it.

 We paid the escort fee for unaccompanied minors.  I delivered them to their gate and they got to board the plane first.  I stayed till the plane backed away from the gate...and they were off to Tampa!

 I am excited for the kiddos to spend time with their aunt and uncle and cousin in Florida...and a tad bit jealous.  It is very quiet at our house...so Velle and I sat outside with the birds and other noises.

 Yep...now I am fully jealous!  How fun to hit the beach and make a new little buddy!

 Such special times with family...and we are grateful for the opportunities afforded to us!

Ted and I are having a stay-cation...and Velle is amusing us!  I'm thankful for the slower pace of summer and lack of schedule.

From the US to GERMANY to CHINA and back in 3 weeks

 We are currently watching the flight status of Ted's plane today!  He lands this afternoon in Detroit after being gone for three weeks...we are ready to hug his neck...and then let him sleep.

 He sent pictures off and on as time allowed.  His hosts took him around on the weekends and he enjoyed some sites that no one in our family has ever seen up close and personal.

There is a 12 hour time difference between the States and China.

 These are a couple pictures that showed the cuisine Ted experienced.  I am so proud of his willingness to try different things...and "not be that American guy who wouldn't eat local fare."

 How different the cultures are around the world!  Ted has more stories to share with us...and we are looking forward to the "real life History lessons".

                                                           "What goes in must come out!"

                                                                 Experiencing the Great Wall!

And all the modern conveniences that we enjoy...just still so very different.

Helping hands and keeping up with responsibilities!

I had to finish up with 6 conferences that took all of my Thursday.  Gotta remember to plan that different next year!

 There were lots of little odds and ends that we could all help with...but for the most part...Brad and Mari had everything organized and ready for open house on Saturday.

Yard work touch ups kept the guys busy.  Chair hauling and tent set up.

 We still had things to take care of and bowed out for a couple hours.  It is important to be able to see!

 Friday night Graduation went well and Allison is now ready for her next step...college!

 Now...we are ready to party!  Ice cream sundaes on the patio with a test run for the popcorn machine...Grampy nailed it!  We are ready for Saturday's party...

 Opening her gift from us...Uncle Ted made her work for it!  She did it less than 10 minutes!

 Many hands make light work!  Donut hole and strawberry kabobs...because cake is so not cool anymore!  "You can celebrate special events without cake now, ya know!"

 Mari is every bit as creative as I am...she always says she isn't...here is proof!  Her writing is pretty too!  So many cool ideas from Pinterest!

 Looks great!

 A beautiful day!

 A lot of hard work!

 Time to just enjoy now!

 I was a runner for the food tables...and I ran into my little K5 friend..."Are you the graduation fairy?"  She said no and that she just went to a fairy party...but she will forever be my idea of a graduation fairy!

A wonderfully fun yet exhausting day!

Awards and Ice Cream

 First time ever for Grammy and Grampy to experience the closing chapel for awards.

 The grandkiddos wanted to share our traditional ice cream treat with Grammy and Grampy at Dairy Twist.  It was such a beautiful day!

 Ashlynn missed her last day and a half with 100 plus degree fever.  "But you will miss Dairy Twist!" She did not even care.

Just try...try not to talk with your hands...I dare you!

 Bright spot...Velle was starting to perk up...the girls babied her by spoon feeding her, "We feel so bad, she doesn't even want to bend to drink!"