Rain, rain, go away

This is what our skies have looked like for the last 3-4 months. I don't mind rain, but day-in and day-out for months on end gets to be a little bit much. (We have had a handful of sunny days during that period, but not many.) I have a friend who is very much affected by cloudy skies. I never thought I was, until this year. I have been experiencing quite a few "blue" days and I'm beginning to wonder if the weather isn't, at least, partly to blame. While I'm not looking forward to the heat of the summer, it would be nice to see the sun.

Inspired (?) to return to blogging

My son has started a new blog and thus reminded me that it's been awhile since I posted anything (before Christmas, to be exact). I could give you all kinds of excuses, but instead I'll share a few photos of what's been happening since I last wrote. (Looking back on the past few posts, it looks like I fall back on photos when I don't know what to write.)

A trip to downtown Madrid with a friend in mid-January

The Madrid Cathedral

The Don Quixote monument in Plaza Espana

I was able to go to Denver at the end of January for the wedding of one of my former college students.

The bride and her father in a very "untraditional" dance - very fun!

The lovely couple

My children and I (Jen was a bridesmaid)

I was also able to spend some time with my "surrogate grandchildren"

Tristan

Abi

I enjoyed my time in Denver very much and have been back in Spain for a week now. I think I must still be getting over jet-lag, because I'm not sleeping very well and I'm really tired. Of course, I suppose our cold, cloudy, rainy weather could have something to do with it.

I'll try to do better at "blogging", but I guess you've heard that before. Until next time... ;)

Homeschool Coop Christmas Program

Here are a few photos from the Christmas program last Friday night.

One of the elementary "choir" numbers.

A skit involving the three wise men.

A dance number.

Two of the Sprengers accompanying one of the numbers.

We arrive in Mongolia

We arrived safe and sound last Friday night, with all of our luggage, and were met at the airport by Mike Sprenger and Jen. It was very late (11:30 pm by the time we got our luggage) so everyone else was in bed. I thought I would share a few photos with you from the last week.The picture above was taken in the Beijing airport. I arrived about 5 hours ahead of Dave and then we both waited another 3+ hours before catching our flight to Ulaanbaatar.

This is the building where we are staying. It's the same building that Sprengers and Jen live in so it's been very nice to be one (or two) flights of stairs away.

This is the front of the Bubbling Springs building. It houses many businesses and the Homeschool Coop where Mike and Jen both work, as well as the Mongolian church they worship at. It's within walking distance of the apartment building and we've been over there several times this week. Dave has started working on some of the school computers and I was watching the Christmas program rehearsals.

Sunday morning when we went upstairs to have breakfast with the Sprengers and go to church with them, we discovered that their rabbit (Eggnog) had 4 bunnies in the wee hours of the morning. They are 4 days old in this picture and really look like bunnies now. It's been very fun to check on them daily and watch their progress.

I'll try to post some photos of the Christmas program next and then next week we'll probably do some sightseeing. It's very fun for me to be able to spend this time with my kids.

November was a busy month!

I thought before I take off for Mongolia, I should give you a photo update of some of the happenings in November.

Some of my co-workers at ECA gathered to help me celebrate my birthday.

I went to the zoo.

Some friends who are serving in Germany came for a visit and we did some sight-seeing.

Our Middle School students spearheaded the Operation Christmas Child project at ECA.

Our 1st-3rd graders celebrated Thanksgiving the day before.

It was a fun, but very busy month!