Are we really leaving in one day?

This past week has been a whirlwind of sorting, packing, shopping, more packing and of course the hardest...goodbyes. Its amazing how India---and its people and culture---has woven its way into so much of our everyday life and how much of it we will miss. I can only hope we have enough tucked away in our hearts to carry with us as we transition back home and onto Arizona. Among those we will miss the most is Usha---our house help, but more appropriately, our dear friend. I'm bracing myself for the first time Addie asks for her, waiting to twirl around to "ring-a-ring-a-rosa". Consider yourself "officially tucked" Usha---we will certainly miss you!


And thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers as we prepare for the journey home. We can't wait to see you all and catch up soon!

What a Week!

It's been quite a week here in Bangalore and here are just a few highlights:

The not so fun parts:
1. All of us taking turns with a nasty cold bug with poor little Abe still flighting it---meaning not-so-sleep-filled nights for the rest of us.
2. Our trusty stroller deciding to fall apart while Addie was in it and while I was coming home from the grocery store with both kids. I'm now trying to figure out the best way to get out---and don't laugh---have actually tossed around the idea of using both the front pack and back pack carrier simultaneously.
3. Discovering an ant farm living between our two mattresses---after having a dream about ants biting me in the night---seriously.
4. Finally succumbing to my first round of food poisoning here in India---not a pretty sight.
5. Spending over 9 hours between the Police Commissioner's Office, State Bank of Mysore and Bangalore's State Capitol offices trying to secure exit paperwork for Abe---most of which Abe had to be present for and including one fee/bribe paid to the Commissioner and another gift paid to the "goddess Lakshmi" in order for a State Bank employee to accept payment after closing early for an office party...I'm not kidding.

The great parts:
1. Our friend Ben Thomas visiting Bangalore from the US (but we're missing Susie, Simon and Talya dearly!)
2. Eventually receiving the necessary exit paperwork for Abe and securing permission to leave as a family on September 10th!

So all is well that ends well and we're thankful to be enjoying a seemingly back-to-normal weekend. Now on to some serious packing!

Here are some pictures of the kids from this week...

Arizona or Bust!

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind, as Jonathan returned late Monday evening from a week-long trip to the States. The purpose of his time there was two fold -- to attend a conference on international development and to meet with the staff of Food for the Hungry. You may remember that he started doing contract work for some of their academic programs this past May, and just last month they offered him a full-time position managing their University Relations Department. We have accepted the offer and will be relocating to Phoenix, Arizona (where their home office is located) next month! We are very excited about the opportunity and the work seems to be a perfect blend of Jonathan's background and experience, as he will be focused on recruiting faculty at large research universities to take part in FH's research and student academic programs. While Phoenix was not necessarily an anticipated destination, we are so thankful to have a college roommate, best friend from high school, childhood neighbor and a few other college/grad school connections living there and willing to help with the transition. Please know that we will be anxious for visitors, so start planning those winter trips to sunny AZ! We'd love to see you.

And thank you again for all who have been thinking of and praying for us as we prepared for this next step. It is bittersweet to leave India after nearly 1 1/2 years of calling it home, but we are excited for the work ahead and the chance to catch up with many of you along the way! Thanks again and we will be sure to keep you posted these next several weeks.

p.s. Here's a shot of Abe wearing his new Arizona Diamondbacks gear (compliments of our friends Brian and Edwina) and also of Addie...who's not as thrilled!

Trip to the Park...

Jonathan is in Portland, Oregon for a week-long conference, so the kids and I are riding solo this week. I braved the park with both this morning and we had an incident-free trip! Here are a few pictures of Addie...and just to be fair, a recent one of Abe too!

Down to Business...

Can you tell what Abe is getting ready to do? Here's one of Addie in her "big girl bed" too. Miss you all!

Abe...

Here's a short clip of Abe from tonight. Enjoy!

We're back!

We returned from Chennai late Wednesday night and had an incredibly smooth trip---thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Our visit to the US Consulate went like clockwork and it was so refreshing to be working with Americans! We hope to receive Abe's passport in 2-3 weeks and will then visit the police commissioner's office here in Bangalore to complete the process (therein lies the chance for complications and a continued request for prayer!)

Here are just a few shots from our train journey...