Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Earl

One of the greatest challenges of living overseas is staying connected with family. We've been pretty darn creative though. We have phone calls, we have Skype calls, we have video i chats, we have care packages going back and forth... I have to admit though that there's no replacement for having family come visit and there's no replacement for us heading back to the States to spend time with them. Within the past year, we've had Grandma Barbara, Grandpa Earl, Aunt Susan, Grandma Dotty, Grandma Bill and Mary, Great-Aunt Rhonda, Great-Uncle Jack, and we have Aunt Sissy and Unca' Bubba heading our way at the end of March. We have been very, very lucky!

As soon as Barb and Earl arrived this time, Maddie was right in step with them. There was no warming up time needed... it was just instantaneous adoration. They have come to school a couple of times while they have been here and Maddie has loved it. They came for Chinese New Year celebrations and Maddie's teacher, Ms. Preeti, video-taped some of the performances on that day. In today's elementary assembly, Ms. Preeti showed the movie and Maddie sat right in front and re-lived having her Grandma and Grandpa at school. She yelled "GRANDPA" when she saw him flash across the screen! When Barbara and Earl came to school in the middle of the assembly to walk her home from school, she was absolutely giddy! This truly has been quality family time and that is irreplaceable!