spring

Warmer weather and longer days has brought tulips to our front yard (see above). It's also created a concept we call "front yard party" - which basically means we open up the front doors (turn down the heat), close the front gate, and walk in and out of the house . . . because we can. We also blur the boundaries of what belongs inside (sticks, rocks, mud, moss) and outside (apparently, spatulas). Compared to this, winter was seriously lame.

501 Brandywine

These photos were taken in Springfield on Gramma's fancy camera. They highlight some of the activities Alden found while there -- far below, a game we call "breaking the alarm clock". My folks have made their home a wonderful place to grow-up for multiple generations of dudes.

return from thailand

Heres footage from the airport:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-9Rv9HDjNU

Heading Home

This has been a remarkable trip and my eyes have been opened to some aspects of our world that I had never really considered before. Parts of the past 10 days have been wonderful and parts tragic, but I feel fortunate to have experienced them all (well, not the stomach bug part). The people I met were strong and resilient, and inspirational.

Above is Min Min -- head of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. He is standing in front of a poster that shows former political prisoners, each holding up their hand with the name of a current political prisoner written on the their palm in black marker. Many of the faces in the poster were familiar to us from the training, and even some of the names written on people's palms were names of people who have been freed since the time the photo was taken and are now working to become mental health clinicians. It was very powerful to see.

Here is our training group on the last day -- can you tell I'm about to throw up?

And this is why I'm going home a day early -- I borrowed this bike this morning and thought of Alden (though I'd probably never actually put him in this child carrier) and knew that however enticing a luxury hotel for 2 nights in Bangkok might be right now, what I most wanted was to go home to my family. Distance has made this heart all the more appreciative of them. Farewell, Thailand! Thank you!

Mingdalarbar!

Mingdalarbar is "good morning" in Burmese. Carl just sent me this photo to help get me through the rest of my time here. It is working like a charm...

springfield / thailand

Alden and dad have been in Springfield this week -- to visit grandfolks while mom is in rural Thailand for work. A new experiment for this family to be separated for so long -- we have kept in touch via skype, e-mail, and staggered package mailed from mom before she left Seattle. Alden is doing quite well -- if not a little sleep-deprived -- spoiled at every turn with oreo ice cream dessert, feeding Ophelia (the dog) pizza, playing with piano with uncle freddy/miyuki, making pop-pop chase balls down the aisle of the grocery store, and taking naps on gramma's lap.

Per mom (below) she is having a very memorable experience, listening to beautiful resilient people tell terrible stories, seeing a gorgeous country in 100 degree heat, and enjoying cheap noodles and basil-flavored drinks -- and missing Alden A LOT. An emotional week for everyone -- we re-group on friday.

Parenting

When you read the nice things I say about Carl's parenting below, keep in mind that this is how I just found him and Alden -- on this day when it's a balmy 46 degrees outside...

Reading

Carl spends at least half of his time with Alden immersed in books -- and it seems the time has paid off. Alden now often requests a "chair!" and "book!" and then the house takes on a quietness that we wouldn't otherwise experience unless it was nap time...

In case you can't recognize it, this comfy chair is actually the mini-wagon, given to Alden by grandma and pop pop.

post-nap

red carpet