India and Maldives Vacation Index:
- Introduction
- Overview and Statistics
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Dehli and Agra
- Jaipur
- Hyderabad
- Aurangabad/Mumbai
- Making Peace with the Poverty
- Quotes
- Top 10 Favorite Things About India
- Maldives & 11.5 Maldives with the Meyers
- Top 10 Favorite Things About the Maldives
- Paris
- What We Would Have Done Differently & What We Did Right
- Meanwhile, Back At Home…..
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So, just as an explanation, I am waaayyyyy behind on blogging due in part to some technical difficulties with the blog. We recently switched servers and now I can’t upload pictures to the posts. So, I still need to do Halloween, Hawaii, a random life post, and our new playroom pictures. To be honest, the break has been rather nice. Life has been intensely busy so, although I normally enjoy blogging, lately it’s felt more like a burden instead of a boost.
I finished this post a while back but I couldn’t add pictures. I decided to post it anyway! It’s really about Natalie’s sweet, loving care of my children and her great writing and storytelling more than the pictures anyways. Although, she did get some good snaps. Hopefully I’ll find a way to upload them one day.
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Finally! The last post about this trip. I’m so ready to move on. This may be the best of all the posts though. Ben’s AMAZING mother and sister were kind enough to watch the kids for us. We were so grateful! It wouldn’t have happened without their loving service. We knew they were in great hands and that peace of mind was priceless. Natalie was great about corresponding with us; usually she sent a lengthy email each night with pictures. We loved getting the updates and cherished each detail she shared. I thought I’d share snipets from her emails with some of her phone pictures.
I should note some of the things we did to prepare the kids. We told them we were going away for a loonnnggg time. We emphasized it wouldn’t be a short trip – 11 days in all. We told them starting months out what would happen and who would watch them. I put out 11 piles of clothing with a present for each child on top of each day’s clothes as a visual countdown for the kids. Cliffie and Natalie would lay out their clothes on the sofa each night with their present. So, when they woke up they were told they could open their present as soon as they had their clothes on. McKay always fights me about getting dressed and having his diaper changes so this was my way of getting him to cooperate for Cliffie and Natalie. We also had a flexible schedule set up with fun activities – beach, zoo, story time, visiting cousins and Mimi, etc. I hoped if they stayed semi-busy they would be happier and not thinking about our absence.
So, on to Natalie’s great emails. If you read nothing else, though, just read how sweet she is when describing the kids in Friday’s email. I’ve read these lines over and over again. I wish I could write like her. She captured the kids so perfectly and her love for them radiates from the message.
Sadie is absolutely darling. She is so cute and sweet. I love how she sparkles when she’s happy, and how visible her feelings are. She’s so good at expressing her emotions, and she is just so delightfully dainty, feminine, and expressive. She’s so good at entertaining herself, too and mom and I love to share smiles and giggles when we see her singing to herself, or talking to herself, or doing her little preschool book in the car. I love watching her create and the joy she finds in her creations. I also love Sadie’s eyes. They are so deep, intense, and beautiful. There is so much expressed in her eyes. Really all three of the kids have uniquely amazing, expressive eyes in their individual ways.
Jax… Oh where to even begin with Jax. That little one is so hilarious and quirky. He is so sweet and so tender with just enough mischievousness to keep life interesting. His little low chuckle and his little high giggle and squeals have to be my favorites… and his little chubby cheeks, and his sweet little voice, and how he starts every sentence with the same two words: “No because…” and how much inflection he uses when asking questions, and how his eyes get all cloudy and stormy when he’s really thinking hard and then how they become little lines when he really smiles or laughs. I love his goofy smile. I love that he loves to be tickled and asks for it regularly. I love that he invites teasing and silliness. I love how he loves to snuggle and he regularly runs to me for protection from Sadie or Moe if they’re playing monsters or something… And I love how he always has something funny to say or do. His dance moves kill me.
McKay… What an angel! Seriously, one look from those immense eyes, and there I am: A big sloppy puddle at his feet. I love his teasing, his grin, his laugh, his cute voice, his prayers (oh my goodness his prayers!!), his snuggles, his soft soft hair and skin, his patience with the other kids when they get too crazy, his opinions and way of expressing himself, the inflection in his voice, his sense of humor… We’ve become special buddies. I secretly think he prefers me over Grandma, but maybe it’s just me hoping so? Anyway, I could gush forever about all three of them, but I’m sure none of it is new information to you. I’m pretty much smitten and I’m so grateful to have this time together with these three little angels. I’m having a blast.
When your a half a world away from the three people you love most it can be pretty concerning. Natalie’s emails gave me such peace of mind and allowed me to relax and enjoy the trip. We are eternally indebted to them!
So, on to the other great emails……
Tuesday:
The kids are doing great. I think they miss you guys for sure (especially McKay at bed time and when he wakes up) but overall everyone is really happy and mostly obedient. 🙂
We are having soooo soooo much fun!! Everything is going well. The children are happy and we are enjoying them so much. Mo asks for “MOMMY/DADDY” when he first wakes up, but he is fine once he gets out of bed and is in with the rest of us. Hope you are having a great time too!! Love MOM / Grandma Cliffie 🙂
Wednesday:
McKay seems to be getting used to what’s going on. He didn’t whine at all for you guys tonight before bed. (I know he still misses you, but I think he finally understands that we’ll put him to bed until you come home.) All three of the kids mention you throughout the day and I think it’s great because they seem to totally get it that you still love them and haven’t abandoned them, and will come home to them after your long trip.
Thursday:
We had such a fun day! The kids were very happy. We dropped Sadie off at school, then took the boys to Brooker Creek nature preserve (The kids LOVED their toys today, by the way. See Jax’s face in that first picture? It’s the same face he made when he opened it. He’s been carrying that camera around with him all day.), then we went to Tarpon Springs then the sponge docks, then McKay and Grandma Fie Fie took a nap in the car (see picture) while we were waiting for Sadie. Then we went to McDonald’s for Sadie’s school thing then we came home, got ready for bed and watched the jungle book. Then mom put Sadie and Jax to bed and I put McKay to bed, and by the time I got done, mom was already asleep. Now here I am sending you pictures. Sounds like you guys are having a great time. I can’t wait to get more details when you get back. Everyone (especially Sadie) is excited for the ZOO tomorrow!
Friday:
Boy what a fun day! I started this email hours ago, but then Jax and Sadie decided not to be asleep after all, so I just finished putting them to bed again when McKay decided to wake up too. Like you, rocking and singing them to sleep is my favorite so I really didn’t mind getting to do it three times tonight. They are so sweet.
We had a great time at the zoo. The kids loved the animals and we all had a blast. It was pretty funny… there was this one incident I’ll tell you about: We were near the petting zoo, and Jax kept asking to “go brush the goats!!!” So we made our way over and we went inside the little goat pen. I assured them I would stay very close and that these were really nice goats. We did great! They took turns brushing them–first Jax, then McKay, then Sadie. Then, the zoo people decided to feed the goats and we were watching this happen. Soon, a couple of the goats started running at each other and butting heads and Jax freaked out! He scrambled behind me and I scooped him up in my arms. Poor little guy didn’t understand that they were just playing. He was so scared he tried to keep climbing me, until he was trying to climb up over my head. I couldn’t just get out of the pen with him because I had to stay near Sadie & Mo and they weren’t as anxious to leave as the flailing, wailing Jax. Poor little guy. It was pretty hilarious, though, I must admit, and Jax was able to laugh about it later after we talked about. And when we got home, they wanted to watch the jungle book again. (Why not?) They also loved their sparklers. (Sadie has been calling them twinklers!) It was pretty fascinating.
Saturday:
Yes, McKay and I are definitely bonding. I am so in love with him. He is completely, 100% irresistible, you know. He and Grandma Fie Fie are getting along great as well. Really we both are with each of the kids. I have so many moments where I’m spending one-on-one time with one of them and I just think, “Oh Sadie. She’s my favorite.” And then I’ll be with Jax. “Oh Jax… He’s definitely my favorite!” Then the same thing with McKay… We’ll be together and I’ll just think, “He is my favorite.” (It’s so cute how he always says that, too. “That’s my fravrite!”)
Speaking of gushing, I keep forgetting to tell you: Every time we’re in public, I can’t count how many people comment on the kids. At the zoo the other day, several people fell in love with your kids. Jax and McKay and I were saying goodbye to the mere-cats, [Oh insert here: It was so funny. Jax wanted to see the merecats one more time as we were leaving “Africa.” I told them to say goodbye and McKay said, “Bye mere-cats. Miss you!” It was so funny.] Anyway, we were watching the mere-cats, and this one lady came right up to me and said, “You have the sweetest boys!!!” [Grandma and Sadie were sitting on a bench across the way, so she obviously didn’t see Sadie.] “I can’t believe how beautiful, and how sweet, and well-behaved they are!” I said, “Thanks so much, They are so fun.” or something like that. She gushed on and on, “Oh I just can’t get over it! They are sooooooooooo cute!” I had about four people ask me if the boys were twins. I decided it was easier to just answer their questions and not correct them when they thought I was their mom. Most people don’t want to know that much, anyway, but I definitely want you to know you get the credit. Though, if we’re being completely honest, I really don’t mind if people think they’re mine. They’re so well-behaved and adorable, it’s a good reflection on me. 🙂 Have I ever told you that I still love to play “house?” I especially think the grown-up version is so fun. I love taking the kids places and having adventures, cuddling with them, reading stories, and singing lullabies as they fall asleep in my arms and then singing more even after I know they’re asleep just so I can watch them sleep a little longer. It’s so my favorite, so thanks for going on a trip so I could “play house” for a few days.
Tonight I took McKay to Publix. There was this lady in line behind us, and she saw McKay. She gushed and gushed. It was so cute to see her talking to him, and asking me questions about him. She specifically talked about his eyes (told you–they’re amazing). She asked me, “How do you ever say ‘no’ to that? One look at those eyes, and I wouldn’t be able to!” I said, “It’s really hard!” She said, “Do you have any other kids?” I said, “Well, actually I’m his aunt, and he has a brother and a sister.” She said, “Oh so you probably get to spoil him to death!” Gush gush gushy gush gushity gush gush gush… So fun.
To answer your question: Mom’s doing really well. She is definitely tired, but she does well if she can get a nap and go to bed early. We joke about her having the morning shift and me having the night shift and how well it works out.
I am amazed at how well the kids are doing. They are the sweetest kids in the world. I’m so impressed at how they seem to understand what the situation is. When they talk about you it’s not miserable, whiny, etc… It’s more like “I miss Mom & Dad and am happy they are having such a fun trip. I’m excited for them and excited to see them again when they come home in seven days!” They’re so awesome. You guys obviously prepared them very well.
Oh… PS… love When you ask Jax what he’s doing when he’s doing something he’s not supposed to be doing and he answers, “Just nussing!” It’s so cute!
Oh hugs are ever-present here. Sometimes I worry if we hug the kids too much. (Alright, we don’t really worry, but you get the point…) They are hugged and loved on constantly, and they dish it right back. We love it! Mom keeps saying, “Take a picture!” every time one of the kids cuddles with her. It’s pretty adorable. I’ll attach some in the next email.
All is well in Zion. 🙂 We’re so glad you could have this amazing experience, and likewise we’re glad we could have this special time with the kids.
Sunday:
McKay sure knows how to wriggle his way deeper and deeper into my heart. This morning around 7:00 I woke up to hear him crying (the first time he’s cried in the morning since the morning after you guys left, by the way… Usually he wakes up pretty happy and doesn’t cry.) (And the first time I’ve woken up so early in a long time.) I listened for a minute because Mom had gotten up to get him. As I was waking up a little bit, I smiled as I heard what he was saying, “Want. Naaaaaaaaalllllyyyyy. Get. Meeee. Oooouuuuttt!! Nooooooooooooooooooooo!! Wwwwaaaaaannnnttt. NNNAAAAALLLLYYYYY! Want. Naaaaaalllllllyyyyyy!” He stopped crying as soon as I got in there and picked him up. I so love him.
Grandma Fie Fie decided that we need to switch jobs more. She got jealous. 🙂 So she put McKay down (he still asked for me, but only once) and I put Sadie and Jax to bed. They are so sweet. I love bedtime. Fie Fie also said that she wants to help Mo get out of his car seat more because I usually do it since we’re on the same side. She’s so funny.
McKay also said the cutest thing at Mimi’s house: He asked Mimi, “You like snakes?” She said, “Oh no! I don’t like snakes!” He asked Grandma Fie Fie, “You like snaaaakes??” She said, “Yes, I like snakes!” Then he pointed at me, “Nally you also?” It was so cute how he said, “You also?” We thought that was so grown-up of him to use the word “also.”
He always wants to say the prayers and he always says something along these lines: “Pleessse. Blesss. Mommydaddy. [I love that it’s one word!] Thank. You Mommydaddy. Cccoooooommme. Hooooomee. Soooooon.” So sweet.
Sunday (later):
Here are a couple cute things from today: Sadie kept telling Mom and I that she was going to miss us while she was on her sleepover.
When we were at Mimi’s house, Jax randomly (and gently) hugged shadow around the neck and whispered excitedly in his ear, “Shadow, I need your help!!” It was so cute.
As we were leaving Mimi’s house, Grampy was carrying McKay out and McKay got mad and said, “No! Nally do it!! Nally cawwwy me caaaaaawww!” Way to melt my heart again kid.
Tonight McKay said the prayer. I recorded it. I transcribed it for you. He said, “Helenly faaaaaddow, tanks mommydaddy comee back ouwww houssse. Tanks fowww… Jesus Cwwist aaaaaaammmeeeeeeennn!!!!!!”
The kids did great at church. Mom and I were amazed that your kids and Joe & Julie’s kids could all be sitting together and still be so reverent. You guys are great parents! (Don’t you just LOVE Natalie?!!!)
Tuesday (from Cliffie):
Today was another fun day! There is never a dull moment around here. These children just keep us laughing. I was helping the children brush teeth this morning and they had “lined up” by the bathroom sink. I had handed each one their toothbrush with toothpaste on it. Sadie was first to get to the top step. Jax was trying to get on the top step next to her so he could put his toothbrush in the running water. Sadie said “I’m the tallest”. Then Jax said: “I’m the tallest too!” Sadie said: “I am growing taller and you are growing smaller. Jax replied: “I am not growing smaller, I am growing taller because I am potty trained!”
I’ve made Crepes twice and the children love them!! We haven’t had any problems with finding things that they like once we got past the split-pea soup. We had your coconut chicken nuggets for dinner tonight and they were delicious. That is a recipe that we would like to get from you.
We had fun at the pool again tonight. Sadie is quite the swimmeroo! Jax is cautious but wanted to jump in and have me catch him. Mo brought the little teapot and had fun filling it up and pouring out the water. They all loved playing “motor-boat, motor boat”.
We watched Jungle Book tonight before bedtime. I love the way Jax sings “doo-bee, doo-bee” He likes Balloo singing the Bear Necessities. We watched Peter Pan on Saturday night and they all love watching “Never Smile at a Crocodile” on Natalie’s phone. I am amazed at how quickly they learn things through music.
We were so happy to hear about your Sunday in Hyderabad. That had to be a high point of the trip for Ben. It is so rewarding to go back to your mission field and see people you knew who were young in the gospel still strong and now in the leadership positions of the church. I think this is what it means when the scriptures say: “My joy was full!” We are so glad that you are having such great experiences and that we could be here playing with the children.
I think Natalie told about visiting with Mary and Joe on Sunday and then again on Monday. They are such a wonderful couple and have such a great family. We enjoy so much our visits with them. Be safe and have fun!! Love MOM 🙂
Tuesday (from Natalie):
Oh how I adore your three little ones!
I was playing with the boys today while Sadie was still in school and we were in McKay’s room. The boys found some balloons under the crib. I hope it’s okay, but I blew up several of them. They were a big hit! I think they played with them for like 45 minutes straight! We got the sharpie and wrote their names on the balloons (I miss how Jax used to call them banayoons!) They played with them later, too, after Sadie got home. I hope you weren’t saving them for something special. There are still most of them left.
Alicia-you mentioned that you were concerned if Sadie would want to go back to school after her long weekend. She was actually really looking forward to it. Last night before she went to sleep, she asked me, “Do I go to school tomorrow?” When I said, “Yes.” and explained, she got really happy and smiley. She said she was excited to go back to school. She really seems to love it. She comes home happy every day. So your prayers have been answered! She’s done great. She’s gotten green on her calendar every day.
She is so sweet. I love how cuddly she is. When we were watching Jungle Book tonight, she and I got to snuggle. I loved it.
Jax is so hilarious. In his prayers he always mentions, “Tank you naw be scared at da Dinosaur Restaurant….” That experience was quite a while ago, right?
Wednesday:
The kids are counting down the days on the calendar every day. They are so excited to see you guys. Every time it is time to say a prayer, McKay wants to say it, and he always says, “Tank. you. mommydaddy. coome. back. hoooome. our. hooooooouuuuuuse.” It’s so sweet. Know you’ll make it home, because we’re praying for you. Jax and I talked about you guys before bed tonight, too, and he said he misses you, but doesn’t want Grandma FIe Fie and me to leave when you get back. 🙂 So cute. Sadie also asks about how many more days and seems happy that there are only a few days left!
Mom is doing amazingly well. She’s done so much! She is so much better at multi-tasking than I am. Holy cow. She’s so good at Mommy things and at keeping things organized too. If you’d left the kids with just me, the house would be a mess at all times, we probably would eat weird food combinations, and I don’t think I would be able to keep all the kids happy at the same time, but Mom’s like superwoman. She’s doing so well. She takes naps here and there when she can, and I think that’s good. But overall, I think we’ve been a good team.
Thursday:
Another fun day has come and gone. We really miss Sadie when she’s at school, though. Just sayin’. I can understand a little bit of your pain. We spent some time cleaning up the house this morning. Then, we took the boys to Tarpon Springs. Mom and I wanted another Bakalava, so we dropped by Dodecanese Blvd and picked some up to go, then we headed for Fred Howard Park Beach. Jax fell asleep in the car between the Sponge Docks and the beach (see picture #1. Poor little fella. It sure looked uncomfortable. We straightened him up after I took the picture. It was funny. Mo said, “Nally! Take. Pitttchure. Jaxxx. Seepping!”)
So Grandma Fie Fie and Jax relaxed in the car while Mo and I played on the beach. It was too “cold” to swim and the boys even wanted to wear sweaters today. (It got way down to like 69 degrees today! Your kids are totally Floridian, by the way.) We hunted for “shhheeeshewws” and “biiiigggg. wwwooocks.” We found a cute little crab in a beautiful shell in the water (we put him back, of course), chased the birds (see Pic #2–oh we took McKay’s shorts off because we didn’t want him to get them wet. His diaper got a bit wet, so it was good. Even though it got warmer, he loved wearing his sweater and wanted to leave it on, so we rolled up the sleeves so they wouldn’t get wet either. Sorry, I felt the need to explain his outfit.), and we took a nice walk along the waterline. It was lovely. Mom really enjoyed it as well. She had a nice time relaxing, and Jax got a good nap.
The kids LOVE opening a surprise every day, and they’re really looking forward to the Trunk or Treat tomorrow night.
Friday:
The kids were really excited to get their costume on and to get ready for Trunk or Treat! We put Sadie’s fluffy white skirt under Sadie’s Cinderella dress for extra effect. She LOVED it. She twirled and twirled and danced the whole evening. She didn’t want to wear her “glass slippers” (aka jellies) even for the pictures, so she went barefoot for the pictures and insisted on wearing her boots to the church event because she was convinced it would be cold at the church event and the boots would keep her feet warm. She is so cute and funny! {It was too warm for the kids to even want sweaters at the church, in case you were wondering…}
Jax I think was the most ecstatic about his costume. He could hardly stand the excitement! During the day he would go check on his costume to make sure it was still laid out where it should be, or he’d carry it around the house and tell me or Grandma Fie Fie, “Is it time to put on my Buzzlye Eeehr clothes yet?” Tonight he kept looking down at it once it was on and smiling to himself. It was adorable.
Mo was also excited about being a surfer dude. He didn’t want to carry around his surf-board, but he did carry it on and off before we left as well as at the party. So cute! I tried to teach him to do the Shaka (you know that Hawaiian hand sign, right?). it was so cute. He did it a couple of times, but didn’t quite grasp it enough to do it on command. I didn’t catch any pictures of him doing it either. Also, Jax let McKay borrow his flip-flops for the pictures, but then we found his real ones on the way out.
McKay got a mow-hawk. I thought it looked surfer dud-ish. It was pretty much adorable (see pic #1), and he was pretty excited about it.
I gave Jax a sleek gel’d do with a curly-cue on the right side just like Buzzlye Eeehr. (see pic #2)
Mom did a beautiful, classy Cinderella up-do–complete with headband–on Sadie. (see pic #3) It was darling.
I think the kids really enjoyed the Trunk or Treat. When we first arrived, we decorated the trunk, then we walked around the parking lot admiring all of the trunks. People really go all-out, don’t they? It was cute and fun.
Lots of people asked when you guys get home. (One guy dressed as Mario even said, “Hey you’re back! How was your trip??” to me. 🙂 I was flattered he would think I was you, but I won’t take it too seriously since it was getting dark and he was mostly looking at your darling children… I mean Cinderella, Buzz Lightyear, and the Surfer-Dude. I responded, “Oh they get back late tomorrow night.”) Several people commented on your awesome pictures from facebook and how jealous they were and how wonderful your trip looks and asked if I was sure you guys were going to come back home. They said they didn’t know if you would after seeing how beautiful it was there. I pointed to the kids, and said, “I’m not worried. They’ll come back. They miss the kids too much to leave them permanently.”
THANK YOU NATALIE AND CLIFFIE!
You guys are amazing!
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