The Bestest Dad Ever

One of my favorite things to do is watch Ryan playing with the kids. The only reason isn't that it gives me a break, but I love to see how much he loves them and how much they love him! When Ryan is at work, everytime a motorbike drives by Sydney looks up with her big brown eyes darting everywhere and she starts saying "dada, dada!" waiting for him to walk in the door. Brayden will do anything he see's his daddy doing, he's a mini-Ryan!! These are a couple of my favorite Ryan with the kids pictures:

Dad and Sydney

Dad and Brayden

Dad and The Kids

The Latest Exploration

Well it was my birthday last weekend and since we didn't really have anything planned we thought we might as well explore a part of the Island we had never been to before. We been able to drive North and South but never completely through the Island. We have actually attempted to a couple of times before but with never much succes, so off we went with plenty of snacks and determination with a destination in mind. Directly East of us and 4km from the coast of a town named San Carlos is a tiny white beach Island. We've heard it's beautiful and so we thought we should check it out for ourselves.

The drive through Negros Island is only about 150km from Bacolod City to San Carlos City. It was so remarkable! It's been quite wet these last 2 months and all the sugar cane is almost ready for harvest, the rice terraces were such a bright green and they looked like a rich velvet from the road. You drive up to the top of the mountains where you see tall overgrown coconut tree silhouettes outlining the neighboring hills, tradition bamboo woven houses on stilts and brimming mango trees. At one point Brayden needed to get out for a pee break and I walked across the street to look down the drop and there was this great waterfall tumbling down the opposite mountain, a hidden gem we wouldn't have otherwise uncovered.

When we were on Bohol Island during Christmas last year, we never made it to see the famous Chocolate Hills. They are a cluster of hills that are different sizes but each completely semetrical in appearance. While we were driving to San Carlos Ryan made a joke about a group of hills we saw off the road. They looked just like the pictures of the Chocolate Hills of Bohol and he said now we don't have to go see them, we have our own right here. Well I was researching it a bit and I found out they are actually called the Choco Hills... and are extreamly simular in nature so I guess he was right, if we go back to Bohol we won't have to make a trip to the Chocolate Hills!

On more then one occasion during our excursion we would see these motorbikes pass by with 4 or 5 adults squished onto the seat! I don't know how many times I have to see this before it's not so inconceivable! Somethings just never get old, no matter how long we've been here! But back to business... Once you get to the top of the mountain and start on the downward decent you look down on the coastline. There's a small town on the ocean with this small island that looks only a couple of feet away inticing you with it's white coast line on the South and North tips. We drove down to the pier where you catch a 20 minute boat to the island but no sooner had we been spotted then a small group of men started running towards our car at just a high enough speed to freak us out and make us drive away. Neither of us were in the mood to be mobbed by porters fighting over our 1 diaper bag! SO, off we went on our way home!!

The Humble Filipino

I always thought that you were supposed to feel good after doing something good for others. I don't know if I've ever mentioned the orphanage that Focus sponsers. It's run by nuns and filled with all these little kids who are so cute and always smiling up at you. I've only been a couple of times and each time I leave so upset with the situation. I just can't figure out why some of us get the oppertunity to be born into stable loving homes in a country where we are free to make a life of our choosing and some of us are put in positions where we won't ever know what it is like to be free like that.

I just had a simular feeling earlier this week. We went to visit a couple members from church, some single mom families where in both cases they are widows with young kids still at home. I feel the need to describe how some of these people live so that the rest of us can understand how blessed we are. The one family lives in a bamboo room on stilts that is open to the cluttered streets and homes around. We arrived in the dark and even before we could see them we were greeted warmly. We took with us some small things like a tiny bit of rice and noodles and we were informed it was there only food they had, now they could eat. The daughter and mom were both sick, the Grandma has cancer and they all live together in this little room with no means to get medicine. The sick mother still had to do all the household chores since there was no one else there to help. To see how thankfull for the little that we gave just made me feel sick. It made me wonder our whole way home, why??

I have that strong knowledge that we are never given a trial that we cannot overcome and it just makes me admire the strength of the all these beautiful people that surround me. I guess many of them don't know any different but it is so frustrating to think that there is no way out for them. They struggle to get enough money just to eat a meal a day let alone save enough money for a decent education for their children where even that just guarantees them a job at a department store or as a taxi driver.
I hope that when the time comes for Ryan and I to come back to North America I can bring these feelings back with me, that I don't forget them. I want to always remember how blessed I am to be given all the oppertunities I have, the family I have and the chance to do and be anyone I want to be. It just makes my heart ache for all those who don't have those things. They are so friendly, happy and generous, always helping eachother out even when they don't have anything to give. They are such an example to me, they put the important things of life in prospective and make me realize that I can always do more to help...

A Late Farewell

Well last Sunday our new friends from Utah (the Fosters) left us after a 2 month stay in the Philippines. Sam Foster works with Focus and came to help train Ryan and teach him some new skills. He brought his beautiful family with him and they rented a house just down the road from us. It was so wonderful to have another family here that could understand the different trials we've had and to experience how wonderful the Philippines can be.
The kids; Alex (6yrs) and Meadow (3yrs) both attended the school Brayden is enrolled at and Brayden quickly became quite attached to his new friends, as did we. The time flew by and now it is slowly sinking in that they are really gone. The last weekend they were here we were able to get together every night and get in as much Foster goodness as we could! Unfortunately for them their last week was filled with three seperate trips to the hospital, two sets of stiches and Alex actually spent a couple nights admitted! Their strength, courage and positive attitudes were such an example to us as I would have lost my mind in their situation! Hopefully when we end up back in Utah we will be fortunate enough to end up close to Morgan where we can get together often! The companionship and friendship they showed us was an answer to prayers as we were getting a little very lonely!

Thank you Fosters for everything, we are already missing you!!

That's My Boy

Today I was outside in the back yard doing some laundry and on my way back into the house I heard the front door slam shut. I knew that Sydney was upstairs taking a nap and that Ryan was at work so I quickly came to the conclusion that Brayden was on the run. Well not really since our property is all gated up and he can't get out on his own... but I knew he was on a mission. He was wearing only his underwear so I went out to ask him to put some clothes on before he started playing outside and I found him sitting on his dads motorbike with a helmet on and everything. It was so cute I just had to go run back into the house and grab the camera! It put the biggest smile on my face to walk outside and have him look at me with this proud smile on his face.

We spent a couple days this week potty training Brayden which turned out to be a lot easier then I expected. I've been told when they are ready, they're ready and he was. We only had an accident the first day and he's been so great since *knock on wood.* He just loves his hot pink potty and his new big boy underwear! Although in years to come Brayden might get upset with me for posting this picture, I just couldn't resist!

Cruising...

Well this week we got ourselves a second vehicle. It's been a little difficult at times to only have the one car since Ryan's work schedule conflicts with Braydens school schedule. Also since it's beautiful weather year round and Ryan has been going through motorbike withdrawals we've decided to get a Motorbike, or scooter type motorbike. Brayden decided that it's called Bumblebee the Transformer so that's what we've sinced called it.
It's so great to take it for a ride. It's a whole new Bacolod when you can smell the world go by. Some smells were wonderful, fress pork BBQ and Chicken Inasal fresh from the grill while other smells weren't as nice like the wet market (where they sell the raw fish, poulty, chicken and pork). Nothing beats the warm breeze cooling you down while the palm trees fly by!
Today I took my second motorbike lesson and even drove it around the neighborhood by myself!! Quite the experience. Here are some fancy pictures of our new ride:

Rain... The Perfect Excuse

Do you ever have those days where you just don't feel like having to get ready for the day? We decided to see if Brayden was ready to be potty trained now that Grandma and Grandpa have gone back to Canada and the excitment has settled down, we could dedicate a little more time and attention to it. It's always hard after family or friends go when we realize how far away we really are; so yesterday was just one of those days where I didn't feel like doing much of anything. Fortunately for me it was pouring rain most of the day so I didn't have to do anything! I was able to open up all the screen doors and windows and let the refreshing cooler breeze flow through the house instead of relying on the air conditioning and we had a relaxing movie day with frequent breaks for Brayden to sit on the potty. We ended up going to Harry Potter in the afternoon which was great for the kids to get out of the house.
It always shocks me when I take a minute to sit down, relax and watch the kids and I realize how big they are getting and how quickly it happens. I still see Sydney as a baby and it hits me some days that she's just not anymore. We've moved on from bottles to sippy cups, she's starting to say a couple of words, have some little temper tantrums where she'll throw herself on the floor and cry for her 10 seconds. She's getting into that fun toddler stage with her quirky little personality.

And Brayden, he's turning into such a little man. Going to school, making friends and making jokes. It helps me remember how important every second I get with them is and I'm just so thankful that I get to be at home with them enjoying all these special moments!

First comes love, then comes marriage....

We have ourselves a little ladies man! Brayden has now had his very first kiss, and we've been told they are now married ;) Meadow is a 3 year old girl that lives down the street from us. Her dad, Sam, works with Focus and they have been here from Utah for the past 2ish months and Brayden has become so fond of Meadow. He will actually grab her cheeks and pull her face towards him so he can kiss her! Apparently she doesn't mind too much because the other day she informed us that they are now married! A little shocker since we've been told she has a little boyfriend back in Utah....

Paradise

Last week we decided to take a semi-spontaneous trip to Boracay Island here in the Philippines. The beach has made it into the worlds top 10 beaches multiple times and although we couldn't figure it out the first time we came for New Years we defiantly changed our minds this second time around! It was such an action packed trip that we hardly had time to rest but then I've heard that you should need a vacation to recover from your vacation which is exactly what we need!
Close your eyes and imagine the sitting on a motorbike with the warm breeze cooling you from the hot sun with the white sand beach and the different shades of tourquise water to look at... sigh. It was so beautiful. We decided to get it all in; snorkeling, motorbiking, beaches, shopping, food and parasailing. We were able to cover the entire by land, water and air! It was incredible. We started with snorkeling and had a pumpboat take us around the Island stopping at one beach with these little warriors and these great white beaches spotting the entire coastline;

Of course after enjoying a day in the water you have to fill up on food! Boracay is lined with buffets and foods from all over the world. We were able to eat Greek, Steak, Mexican, Mongolian and more...

One of the things that I've always wanted to do is to go Parasailing so when we were able to get the perfect price we couldn't pass it up!! Ryan and I were able to go up together with Brayden and Sydney watching with wide eyes.

After parasailing in the morning we spent a couple of hours in the afternoon on a motorcycle having a look at the island from the interior. It seemed that no matter which direction we drove we ended up at a white beach lined with pump boats and kids playing in the sand. And of course you can't have a trip to Boracay without a picture of one of the sandcastles that line the White Beach:

The weather was perfect, the food was great and we had the wonderful company. It was defiantly one of the tops of our trips so far and how could you not want to go back when you get to end your days like this:

Kuala Lumpur Days 3&4

The last two days in Kuala were really busy. We spent the majority of the time going from place to place on the monorail and window shopping. We saw huge malls with 10 floors and cluttered malls that were like mazes but no mall too big for me.
In the city there is a lake with a huge wheel called "The Eye on Malaysia." You can go around in it and see the city from the top. It was really nice and relaxing to sit down and take in the view.

We ended up getting tickets to go up to the skywalk on the Petronas Towers so off we went to downtown. There on the 41st floor is this huge skywalk that connects the two towers together. The walkway can sway a couple of inches on each side allowing it to withstand 180km winds! I guess once it blows stronger then that they evacuate the building. I'm thinking that if it's that windy, I'd be home long before that. It was really beautiful to up and see the city with the mountains in the background! So great.

We also headed to China town which again was amazing. Such great deals and I just love the buzzing, crowded, energy of a market. I don't know what it is but it just energizes me. We saw so many great purses, movies, watches, shirts, fruit. Just your typical China town but it was a gem.

Kuala Lumpur: Days 1&2

Ryan's folks are here for a visit right now and so we decided that we would use our Visa renewal trip out of the country while they were here so that we could experience something new together. We took off for four days to Malaysia to see the big city of Kuala Lumpur.
Our hotel was situated right by the monorail and pretty much in the center of the city activities so it was incrediably easy to get around and find things to do. The first thing I noticed was the great speeds on the highway! It felt so amazing to go 120km/hour again on an open road. Then we were upgraded for free from our hotel room to suites because of an overbooking... I just knew it was going to be a great little holiday!

We spent the first days looking around at a couple of the malls, shops and some of the city sites. Everyone was very friendly and offering us help and smiles, especially to Brayden and Sydney ;) We walked downtown around the Kuala Lumpur City Center and met a Buddhist who gave us what we thought were free gifts but ended up coming at the price of a generous donation to something. We had no idea, since it was in symbols and he seemed to know very little english.
We stopped to check out a temple and got caught in this great rain storm. We had to run about 2 minutes in the rain to make it to the closest monorail stop and we were all completely soaking wet but it was such a great time running for our lives through this massive down pour! The kids didn't seem to mind it either which made it even more enjoyable! It was a beautiful Hindhu Temple with these impressive statues and engravings throughout:

While we were downtown in the City Center we decided to check out the Aquarium which is located behind the Petronas Towers (the 2nd tallest twin towers in the world). It was really great, I think the best feature was this underwater tunnel you went through with all these fish, sharks and stingrays swimming around you. There was one stingray that would go over your head and the entire tunnel would get dark, it was so huge.

Kuala Lumpur is home to the 2nd largest twin tower buildings in the world so of course we had to make our way downtown to check out them out in person. Unfortunately it was Monday and so we couldn't go inside the buildings but we decided that we would be back later in the week to check it out further. We ate a great lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe which was so familiar and wonderful. The kids got the enormous hotdogs which to my disbelief they both finished!

Mambukal

Last week my sisters great friends Benessa and Chris made it to Bacolod for a couple of days. They have been teaching english in China for the last 10 months and are slowly making their way home to Lethbridge. Benessa's family is from the Philippines and she decided it was time to bring her boyfriend here to visit so they could explore the Philippines beauty together. It was just so wonderful to have them here, to have someone who knew exactly what it is like to live in a different culture and be on your own. It was only a short stay with us since they were making their way to Bohol Island but we were able to take them up into the interior of the Island to a Mountain Resort in the jungle. It was the perfect day for it! The name of the place is Mambukal and it's famous for it's huge bats and annual Mudpack festival where people wear beautiful tribal outfits and they play in huge mud pools!

Benessa and Chris went on a hike to see 3 of the 7 waterfalls while we took the kids for a dip in the natural hot springs. Such a dream! When you don't have a bathtub it's such a treat to sit in a hot pool and relax, ahhhh. The pools are so hot that they have two hoses pumping in cold water to moderate it a bit. The kids just love playing with the hoses, all the times we've been to the pools they hardly spend anytime in the water. The majority of the time they are outside the water playing with the cold water spraying themselves and to my dissaproval, ME. It was such a great day and we had a really fun time relaxing in the middle of the jungle.