A blog from Gigi

My mom went back to Texas a little over a week ago and we had a great time with her and really miss her a lot.  We took her to the airport in Chiang Mai on Monday, January 4 and then went on a short team-building trip with the Reeses, Binkleys, and Haley.  We were so busy on our trip, I guess I didn’t really realize how much I missed her until we got back to Phayao on Sunday afternoon and  I saw her empty bedroom and didn’t hear her playing with the boys or reading books before bedtime.  I’m so thankful God gave her the opportunity to come spend time with us and that we got to share our lives with her here in Phayao.  Before she left to go home, I asked her if she would like to write something for the blog and she said yes.  So, this is what she wrote after her three weeks here in Thailand along with a slideshow of highlights of her time here, if you would like to see the gallery of all the pictures while she was here you can click here:

“Well, I arrived in Chiang Mai bearing gifts.  I brought five suitcases full of food and Christmas gifts.  I was greeted by three happy boys all jumping and bouncing around.  Corban put flowers around my neck and I received lots of hugs and kisses.

Now… it is time for me to leave Phayao and my precious children.  I have had a such a wonderful time with my son Chris.  He loved showing me their new home and the people who surround them there.

Then my sweet Tonya Gail, I miss her a lot so I soaked up all the time I could with her.  Not only is she a super daughter-in-law, but also a very dear friend.  I have had such a wonderful time and did so many things: I visited Corban’s school twice, went to two waterfalls, had a picnic by the lake, went to Chiang Rai to visit friends, we had Christmas eve and Christmas day parties, we had “Suki Santa”, we went to the neighbor’s new year’s eve “Countdown” party, I got to keep all the children while the moms and dads went out, we made stew, and we went camping in the backyard.  The most fun was spending time with my precious family.  Being with Corban, Esan and Teagan was the best of all!!

We all had fun just hanging out at home and attending to daily matters.  One of the best things I did was help Tonya set up her classroom for the boys.  What fun!!  She is such a great mom and teacher.  The two older boys enjoyed taking me to do a special activity also; Esan chose to take me to eat fried pork and rice, and Corban chose to take me to eat ice cream.  So two different days Chris and each one of the boys took me out.

I also loved spending time with the team.  They are awesome.  It was great being with them and seeing each of their homes.  The children are so much fun.  We had a great play day and night ending with a movie and popcorn.  Spending time with Haley was also special.  I went to her house one Sunday and enjoyed meeting her “Tai Chi” lady friends.  She is blessed by them and they bring such joy.

So, my time here has come to an end, but I will be taking so many memories with me AND… I will return!”