REMOTE ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE!

A place called Juniper Tree on Dolphin Bay/Hua Hin is where we booked our Christmas vacation this year.  Our first Christmas overseas, without family was starting to wear on me after Thanksgiving.  I saw the lights go up at the malls, heard the Christmas songs in all the stores, and the weird, flashy decorations that make me wonder at the Thai's view of Christmas.  I was starting to get stressed.  We decided to do Christmas different this year.  One family present and a trip.  Since our children were incredulous that we weren't getting them anything, we went ahead and bought our family gift to ease their disappointment.   A wonderful ping pong table was delivered to our house the Wednesday before we left.  Hailley and Elijah were ridiculously excited until I told them they couldn't play on it until Christmas.  So, as the Grinch who stole Christmas (literally and figuratively) furiously packed for the beach, I had all these plans for our vacation.  We were going to kayak, hike, ride elephants, and go on so many adventures, they wouldn't care if they got presents or not.

Day one of vacation started by us riding in a borrowed truck (from some wonderful missionaries who are on sabbatical  (Thank you Bobby and Paula!)  I felt like I was back in Georgia riding in a big truck out in the country.  It was weird leaving the city and finding cows tied up to trees on the side of the road and chickens running along side each other.  The strangest, most beautiful sight was the palm trees against the backdrop of the mountainside.  Hello?  Can you say beautiful?  So, as we are nearing the end of our four hour drive, I am wondering to myself what the heck we got ourselves into.  This place is so remote, there was hardly anything around for miles!  I was thinking, okay, where are the kayaks, elephants and guides to take us hiking?  We get to our rooms, and I have to say they were spectacular.  Not in the sense that they were luxurious, or beautiful, but we were situated facing the beach, not even 100 yards away.  We unpacked and I just decided I would lay down for a little nap.  Well, after sleeping for almost two days, I finally awoke from my hibernation to see if my outings were still available--only to find out that dinner would not be served that night and we were on our own.  We drove the 40 minutes into Hua Hin (only to run into 10 of Chris' students) to eat and to go to the mall.  I pouted all the way home.  I told Chris that this was not the vacation I thought it was going to be and I was really upset.  As we were driving up to our room, something came over me and I realized how lucky I was to be there, observing the beautiful canvas that God has gifted to me for enjoyment.  How could I pout?  As soon as my attitude changed, we had the best adventures ever.  We met so many other missionaries from around the world who gave us encouragement, support and friendship.  We listened to stories from an older couple who had been missionaries for years, but started out just like Chris, as a teacher and coach.  Our children met friends and experienced freedom and fun.  We hiked up a mountain, down into a cave with stalactites and stalagmites(thank you Gretchen Curl or I would have no idea what these are).  I kayaked in the waving ocean and flipped over and gave everyone a show.  We saw monkeys gallore and got massages.  I bought artwork at the floating market and secret "souveniers" for the kids.  We also gave t shirts to some girls we met from Finland who befriended Hailley and Elijah and some money to a single mother and her daughter who were down on their luck. Then, after all that, we were taken to this deserted beach with mounds of sea shells and huge rocks. Who cares that we didn't do all that I had planned?  It may not have been the vacation I planned, but it was the vacation I needed. When we got up this morning to leave, I just couldn't believe how much fun we had and how blessed we were to be there.  I ran around the beach yelling, "WE LIVE IN BANGKOK THAILAND!!!!!!!  THANK YOU GOD, THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!  I know that even though this Christmas won't be traditional, it will be a Christmas to remember forever.  My husband and I have a renewed spirit, a renewed love for missions, and I am pretty sure we fell just a little bit more in love with each other and the two babies God has blessed us with.  Merry Christmas to everyone and Happy Birthday Jesus!

Thanksgiving in Thailand

I have many things to be thankful for.  I am thankful for my Mom and Stepdad, my Dad and Stepmom, my sister and her husband.  I am thankful for my husband, who is above and beyond all blessings.  I am thankful for my kids, who are just as crazy as I am, though in a different way.  I am thankful that God is working through me and Chris to make a huge difference in their lives, but I'm more thankful that He's using them to work on us too.  I am thankful for my friends, both in the States and Thailand. 

Although the list goes on and on and I am blessed beyond my deserve, I am homesick.  The honeymoon was over long ago and just as I was getting adjusted to real life here in Bangkok, the holidays came zooming in on me like they want to smash me to smitherines.  The first problem was when Chris and I argued over buying a turkey that costs $50.  The second problem was when I found and bought the turkey of my dreams at half the price and came home to realize it will barely fit in my Charlie Brown oven.  Then, on to the rest of the problems of cooking the side dishes and dessert and oh, I could have made some things on the stovetop, but I only have two burners. Not that I have four and only two will work, but I only have two!  

I thought all our traditions were lost when my parents got divorced, but when we adopted the kids we decided to have the tradition of eating at my sister's house.  Last year we set the oven on fire, and her firefighter husband had the fire out, all smoke sucked out of the house and the oven cleaned and ready for us to continue cooking in 30 minutes.  It was crazy, but pretty darn awesome!  And the turkey was fabulous! I am sad about not being with my family over the holidays.  I know we are crazy, we are all fighters and nothing ever seems to go just as planned, but it's home. So, with all of these emotions swimming around in my head, and me trying to pretend I'm not sad--my friend and I went into a store and she said, "Look! They have Christmas ornaments!" and it hit me.  I just stood there and my face started leaking.  I don't know why at that moment it chose to hit me, but it did.  I won't have porch time with my sister while the turkey is cooking, I won't get to shop Black Friday for my kids, and I miss the cold weather, colorful leaves falling off the tree, the fight over when to play Christmas music and that stupid movie, The Christmas Story (my dad always made me watch it growing up, and then when I married Chris, he too, made us watch it every year).  

Living in a foreign country is hard.  Being without family during the holidays is harder.  I know we are giving our children a better life and exposing them to the TRUE meaning of following God's plan, but old habits are hard to break.  I miss my family and friends, my church, and my people.  But I am so thankful for the many blessings, grace and mercy that God gives me--even when I'm not so grateful.  Thanksgiving in Thailand will be interesting, but I'm determined to make it fun.  The face still leaks, but it also makes funny sounds called laughter.  My turkey will surely have some difficulties, and something dramatic or drastic will occur, but one day it will be the funniest story to tell at one of our future feasts.  And I am thankful for all the many blessings-past, present and future-that God has given me!  Here's to my first Thanksgiving in Thailand......CHEERS! 

My Latest Adventures

So, it is rainy season here in Thailand.  There has been some flooding and people around here are crazy.  I don't know why it surprises me, but I'm just as crazy.   I have been running around all week trying to get ready for a flood that may or may not come.  So far, 260something people have died because of the flooding in Thailand.  As you all know how smart I am, you will understand that even if I watched the news and could understand anything they were saying, I know nothing of geography and the names of the towns, villages, and cities that have been flooded mean absolutely nothing to me.  I only know that I am in Thailand and the waters are a comin'.  I also know that even though some of my friends have poo pooed the flood and say that it won't happen, the truth is there are no eggs or bread on the shelves and you see the motorcycle taxi's making runs all around with gas tanks on them for people who have gas stoves.  Also, as I drove up (on my orange bicycle, named Nanny McFee), I see four dump trucks full of sand.  Ladies at the shop in my hood are handing out bags and it's a free for all.  The sad thing is, as I sit there thinking how fast I can peddle home and get the bags, the cold hard truth is---I cannot get the bags home on Nanny McFee!  So, what do I do instead?  Lose my ever lovin' mind!  I go home, start doing laundry like my family is naked and we've happened upon free clothes, and what's that?  CLEANING?  It's almost like I'm a pregnant woman nesting before giving birth.  How I would know that is only because all my friends who've given birth get crazy when pregnant.  Each at different months of pregnancy.  Anyway-I digress.
So, my laundry is on, clothes rack drug inside the house with fans blowing on it, the miniature lawn mower, miniature weed eater and you got it, mini grill is all drug upstairs.  I have swept the driveway (crazy I know), charged all my electronics, taken everything I can lift upstairs, taken the dogs on a walk and there is nothing left to do but eat.  So, I take myself in and start eating the food rations that I have stocked up for the flood.  Popcorn, gone, pop tarts, gone.  I even broke into the coke that I have threatened to kill if anyone snuck in and had one.  In my food induced, flood crazed out of my mind experience, I totally forgot to take something out for dinner, so my crazy husband makes me ride two miles to McDonald's for dinner.  Talk about preventative medicine!  Exercise like a maniac BEFORE you eat!  I am pretty sure I worked off all the food I ate, like a whole box of pop tarts, and such.  That's my story and I am stickin' to it.   I am pretty sure if Chris has to eat at the market one more time he might vomit.  And he didn't want noodle lady or chicken lady either (vendors in our neighborhood).  So, I (slightly) feel the obligation to cook something tomorrow.  So, now I am exhausted and I start writing in the new Bible I bought Chris (old one drove off in a taxi).  Our neighbor, Dave Ketchum, graciously came over and boarded up and caulked our back door and bolted something over the drain in our downstairs bathroom.  For those of you who are too delicate, look away at this next sentence.  Poop comes up out of the toilets and drains!  Thank goodness he has tools and knows how to use them!  And has lived through this and knows what to do.  Thank you Dave!
So, I have no idea what tomorrow will bring.  Rain, floods, eggs, bread and maybe some self control where me and the kitchen are concerned.  I just know that so far, we have been so blessed with friends who are ready to help, to over look my craziness, to offer advice, to pray with, to borrow eggs, bread and milk.  And still, in the face of this storm, I know that God is with us.  I know He will provide.  And if you don't mind, send up an extra prayer for all the people here in Thailand.  Those who have lost loved ones, those who have lost their homes, those who are in need and for those of us getting ready for all of the above.  I miss you all, and know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers daily.   Stay tuned for more adventures!

Honeymoon Adventures End

So, the honeymoon period of being in Bangkok is over and real life begins.  Chris, Hailley and Elijah have started school and I am trying to find where I fit and what groups I'll join.  While I wait to decide, there are decisions I face that I never thought I'd deal with.  Do I get a maid, will she cook or do laundry, how do I get to my child's basketball games, the flooding that happens when it rains and how to communicate with the neighborhood handyman.  Do I teach Sunday school and how much do I commit to one ministry in case I might find more than one I feel led to?  All of the normal settling in things that are so much fun (said in jest).
All of you who know Hailley and Elijah know that school has never been easy for them.  They never even went to school before we got them so this is their 4th full year of school.  We are having the usual defiance and homework until 8:30 bedtime, lying about homework, not bring home or turning things or the organization of two little pigs hiding from the big bad wolf in a pile of all the good grades and the bad grades hidden in the depths of who knows where.  The social issues are harder here because the school is smaller, and my children have been exposed to a hideous previous life that the children here, even in their worst nightmares, couldn't imagine.  The thing about expat children is that they have brought up from birth in a Christian home, learned all the social skills and are emotionally safe and sound in their little boxes.  Trying to fit my crazy, unsure, socially unkempt, emotionally unruly round peg children in to those square little safe boxes is all the things you think it would be----embarrassing, confusing, frustrating, and just downright strange.  The thing Chris and I are learning is that it is great to have some really true friends to pray with, encourage us, cry with, laugh with and just love us.  We had some fabulous friends who did the same with us at home and we miss them dearly.  We are so thankful we have it here and count our blessings as more than we deserve.  We are learning a new parenting style.  Most of you know Chris and I are military authoritarian style parents.  We are strict, have had to retrain and now are retraining again.  Everything we are teaching is always turned back to what God says about their behavior, what God says He wants and expects of us.  Wow, how we have changed in just the last week even.  I can't tell you I've seen this miraculous turn around.  I can't tell you my children even understand what we are trying to teach them.  What I can tell you is that I have faith that God can and will do anything.
In my struggles this week of parenting my two lovelies, I began to look through the bible to find what is said about adoption.  I realized the ultimate story of adoption is of Jesus.  God sent His son to earth to be adopted ,  brought up, loved and be a part of Joseph and Mary's family.  It was hard.  He was persecuted, ridiculed, called a liar, beat, tortured and still went on to do miraculous things.  Esther, another who was adopted went through trials and tribulations but went on to do great things.  Moses, and on and on.  I just finally realized that God really does have a plan, and He chose Chris and me to raise them.  The key is--He chose us to raise them as they should go.  Not as I would have them, or even want them to go.  AS THEY SHOULD GO.  He gives very explicit instructions on that, and I'm sorry it took three years for me to figure it out.  I love my kids. As crazy as they are, they are my crazy.  I will always, and even as embarrassing as it is and painful to see and hear and do, I will always choose them.  Thank you to my friend Lisa, for letting me borrow a fabulous book called Creative Correction that has so many fabulous ideas and I am so appreciative of.  Thank you to my friend Kim, who has been there for me to vent to, cry to, and who has the wisdom of the ages and the patience of a saint, all packaged in a beautiful lady who can cook better than Julia, Martha, Paula, and Emeril all put together-and make it seem like she did it in 5 minutes.  And for all the other wonderful teachers here at ICS who have included me, prayed for me, and just loved my crazy cartoon life.  And for those of you back home, I still am thankful everyday God brought you into our lives.
So, on to the crazy fun things we've seen since last time.  Hailley and I saw a woman walking down the street in panties and a pair of shorts, nothing else.  No shirt, bra, or shoes.  Can you say weird?  We were just speechless, and for that, most people know if almost impossible!  I saw my first baby elephant on the side of the road, got off my bike and petted it and took pictures of it all the while it's owners were yelling at me.  We road our first Tuk Tuk, and had a blast.  I went to my first tea with the women of Bangkok Christian Fellowship, our new church.  It was so special, and I even got up the nerve to tell my story of how we came to Bangkok, Thailand.  We went on a shopping trip and my husband has literally spoiled me rotten.  He bought me a desk, my koi painting, a rug for my bedroom, a table to put all my toiletries on, a shoe rack (no shoes in house in Thailand),  a pedicure, and a plethera of other things I can't even remember.  Things he knows will make me feel at home and not so stressed out.  That he loves me enough to care makes my heart squish beyond measure.  Again, something I am blessed more than I deserve.  Even though the honeymoon is over, I am still left with blessings beyond measure.  I just want to say I love you God, and thank YOU!  Until the next adventure.......

God has built in punishments

Ok, so I bit the dust on my new ride today.  It started out with Elijah being a little punk and stopping or slamming on his breaks.  So I put him in the back of the line (Chris, Hailley, Elijah and me were riding to the park).  You have to ride in a line because there are taxis and mopeds flying around like maniacs and you can't ride side by side.  So Elijah kept asking if he could get in front of me and I kept telling him no!  Chris slowed down and asked me what he did and instead of using my words like I always tell Elijah and Hailley, I tried to show him.  My handlebars came loose, slid down, and I did a beautiful flip and landed on my shoulders and hips.   Nice.  I just laid there in the dirt, the garbage and whatever else was in the street and heard Chris say, "OH MY GOSH, ARE YOU OKAY?"  I looked up and saw a little boy peeking out of his mom's shop and I yelled, "SAWADEE KHA!"  which means "hello!"  I jumped up and laughed and poor Elijah kept asking and asking if I was okay.  I said to him, "See?  God really does have built in punishments!"  I shouldn't have kept him in the back, I shouldn't have tried to be a smarty pants and showed Chris what he was doing, and I should have listened to Chris and stopped to get my handle bars fixed.  So, the lesson is, that even for mom, God has built in punishments.
As I lay here on the couch, my children keep looking over to see if I'm really okay, especially Elijah.  I guess the sight of his ginormous mother doing a flip over the handle bar was traumatic.  So, even though I have bruises already coming up on leg and shoulder, and Chris has made me ice and take 800 mg of motrin, I tell you, my pride is bruised more than my body.  The only good thing out of this is that my kids will see that it's okay to fall, you just have to get back up and ride again.  Not only your bike, but in everything.  I laughed and had a great attitude after my lesson, and I hope my kids learned from it too.  Maybe I will pay more attention to the things I say and the way I speak to Hailley and Elijah. In any case, I heard you God!  Lots of love and many more adventures to come!

God has built in punishments

Ok, so I bit the dust on my new ride today.  It started out with Elijah being a little punk and stopping or slamming on his breaks.  So I put him in the back of the line (Chris, Hailley, Elijah and me were riding to the

Celebration Adventures!

On August 3, 2011 Chris and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary.  Our first celebration in Thailand!  We had a lady in our neighborhood keep Hailley and Elijah while we went out, so that was great.  Chris scheduled messages at a place called Pyroma Spa for an hour and a half.  It was absolutely fabulous-so fabulous that I fell asleep and woke myself up by grunting and scared the lady half to death.  Chris heard me in the adjoining room and I am pretty sure it woke him up too.  After getting messaged for that long, it is common to feel a little "drunk" from the toxins being released in your body.  So, instead of calling for a taxi, we walked, and walked, and walked.  We thought our restaurant was a few blocks down, and evidently we were wrong.  A taxi obviously knew we were lost and pulled over and beeped for us to get in.  We ran and jumped in and just told him to go straight.  He laughed and took off.  So, we finally found our restaurant but the taxi driver flew right past it.  We ended up eating at a place in Tesco Lotus, the Walmart-like store that has fast food in it.  We went to KFC, which was absolutely fabulous and then took another taxi to get our bikes from the school(which we just remembered we had left them).  Then we rode back home on our bikes. It was a relaxing, fun night with my wonderful husband who I would obviously follow into the fiery pits of hell/or across the entire world and through the hood to find our way home!  Yay 15 years of marriage!  It has been so much fun, and I have to say that I love being Chris Irvin Wolski's wife.
So, on to our second celebration.  Hailley's 14th birthday was August 6th, 2011.  We got up, had brownies for breakfast, got dressed and got on our first BTS train ride ever.  It was awesome.  We saw our first therapist since we've been in Bangkok(for those of you who don't know our children were adopted and we all go to family counseling to help with the transition).  She was so nice, but we certainly miss our Dr. Coots in the US.  I think the new one will be just as wonderful given time.  So, after meeting her, we all were walking back to the train when Chris saw a foot massage place.  Chris asked Hailley if she would like a massage for her birthday and she screamed "yes!"  So, we ALL went in and got an hour foot massage.  It was fabulous!  Even Elijah got his first massage ever.  He did giggle the whole time and was really silly, but the Thai women love him as usual.  After the wonderful foot massage, we got the train back to the station, took a taxi to the mall where Chris let Hailley pick out anything she wanted.  She bought a necklace with her birthstone in it and some hair clips with sparkly things in them(which I might steal).  We then went to any restaurant she wanted and she picked a Thai place!  Very surprised by that one.  It was awesome.  They bring your food to the table in a skillet and you actually grill it yourself-to your liking.  The food was great and I was so excited they had veggies!  Not alot of that here, mostly rice and meat, with veggies as a garnish or for flavoring.  After that, we went down and got the most delicious cream puffs in the world and sang happy birthday really loud and toasted our cream puffs.  It was great.
Tonight we went to the furniture store(an Ikea-type) to buy a desk.  We had to wait almost an hour for help while a young man ran all over the store to find someone who speaks English.  When the girl who could speak English came up, we explained we wanted to buy the desk and chair.  She asked us if we needed help carrying it out and we just looked at her like she was crazy.  We told her we were on bicycles and she said they only deliver if you buy 7,000baht worth of stuff($233US).  So, we decided to wait until we could afford to buy that much and have it delivered and so we left without a desk----again!  Oh, well.  Everything is turning into an adventure here.  It is fun, crazy, sad, frustrating, and yet, I still love it.  We still struggle with the kids, their behavior, our behavior, being a new family and moving across the world.  I have faith that God brought us all  here for a reason and letting go and realizing I never had control in the first place is the hardest thing to do.  Leaning on God and knowing that no matter what, He's got us in his hands, is the most peaceful feeling and I love it.  Please continue to pray for us, our safety-for ourselves, the kids, and spreading the love and word of God to the Thai people through education and missions.  With love from the Gypsies!

The Crazy Bike Adventure

We have been walking everywhere for the last few weeks and have been planning on getting new bikes before school starts so Chris, Hailley and Elijah don't have to walk or taxi to school.  We actually had a guy take Chris to buy Hailley and Elijah's last week but couldn't work out a time when he could take us to buy ours.  Chris actually couldn't ride any of the bikes in the regular stores because of his height, so we had to go to the mall the furthest from us and ride the bikes home.  After making many excuses (saying I'm too fat, I haven't been on a bike in 10 years,etc.) all of which are true, I made up my mind to do it.  When we came to Thailand I promised myself I would enjoy it to the fullest and not be scared to do things.  I don't want Hailley and Elijah to say I can't or quit before they try something, so I quit making excuses and told Chris I would do it.
We took a taxi to the Paradise Park Mall.  I don't know how many miles it is, but with traffic, in the taxi it took us about 20 minutes to get there.  We went in, picked out our bikes, got them serviced and started off on our trek home.  Someone had told Chris about a back way to get home but not any specifics.  So, in our adventurous state, we rode through the hood of Bangkok, through neighborhoods, through construction sites, over bridges, through towns, shops and many places I believe no foreigners have ever been.  I say that because all the Thai people were coming out of their houses, shops and their jaws would drop when they drove by.  A few people were yelling LUK FARONG!  Which I'm pretty sure is crazy foreigner!  It was great.  I knew Chris did not have an exact knowledge of where we were, but I know he has good insticts and good directions, so I just followed and prayed that God would guide him and help us get home safely.  After about an hour and a half, Chris said, "I know exactly where we are!  We're on market street!"  We turned left and were home in less than 3 minutes.  I'm telling you, the girl who was too fat, who hadn't been on a bike in 10 years, who said she couldn't and wouldn't------DID!  I rode that cute, bright orange bike with basket and bell through the hood of Bangna, Bangkok, following the love of my life and trusting God completely.  It was the most exhilerating, fun adventure we have had in a while.  I know I made it with God's grace and love and that if I can ride that bike for an hour and a half, I can just about ride it anywhere in Bangkok, even if I do look like Nanny McFee!  So, THAT is the funnest story I have had so far and there is no way my words could do it justice.  I just know that I proved that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything through Jesus Christ.  AND........we made some Thai people's week.  I'm sure they will talk about that sight for weeks!  Love you all and until the next adventure..........Love!

We're here!

We are here, safe and unharmed.  Our flight was crazy.  16 hours from Atlanta to Seoul, South Korea.  We had great seats back by the bathroom and there was a walkway behind our seats for us to walk around and get circulation into our legs.  The last 20 minutes of our flight, a lady came and took us to first class.  We were a bit confused and were excited in hopes of us getting to fly from Seoul to Bangkok in first class.  NOT!  We got off the plane and a lady that could be no more than 90 pounds soaking wet was holding a sign that read BANGKOK.  When all 10 of us who were going to Bangkok got there, she took off running through the airport and we took off after her.  We were chasing her through the airport while she was screaming and waving her arms, Bangkok, Bangkok!  We were nervous about going through customs but she ran through there screaming and moving people out of the way.  We got on the plane just in time.  They were holding our flight and all 10 of us were the only foreigners.  No first class for us.  When we got off the plane in Bangkok after 5 hours, we had two guys waiting for us.  The Headmaster of the entire school and Hailley's middle school principle.  We got our luggage with no problem-it was actually already off the belt and waiting for us.  We then went to our first meal in Bangkok, McDonald's!  My first impressions were of all the hot pink taxis and the mopeds that fly around the cars.  There is no speed limit, three cars to one lane, and four people on a moped at a time.  I held my breath all the way to the school.  They put us in an on school appartment for three days then took us to look at a house.  Right away I knew I had to have it.  It is so cute!  Then, we found out the dogs had been delayed and would not be coming for another week.  They eventually arrived safe and sound and we were very relieved to have them with us.  That was the only snaffu in the whole trip.
As we sold everything we owned, I had forgotten how stressful it is to set up house.  I wanted to buy only specific things and purchase only expensive things we would take with us, but that soon flew out the window.  I will never take silverware and pots and pans to wherever we go next, if we ever leave.  So I decided it's cheapy cheap for everything except art, pottery and rugs.  And trips.  So many places we want to go here.  I would say the some of the most frustrating things are, #1 the transportation.  We have yet to get all of us bikes and we have to walk, take a taxi, or get a crazy moped taxi.  It is very limiting to not be able to get in my car and just go where I want.  The positive about that is I get plenty of excersize and the school is only a 20 minute walk from our house.  There are also lots of food venders and little open air shops on the way, what they call Market Street.  #2 not knowing what some of the food is.  What we've been able to figure out has been great, but I just can't make myself eat things I don't know.  #3 not being able to communicate with people.  The first day we moved in our house, the guy pulled up on a moped with a gas tank to hook up.  He installed it and wanted to get paid his 300 baht and I only had 120 baht.  I ran next door to the maid and held out my money and she paid the bill for me.  We immediately went to the bank and paid her back, but I tell you, that was a tense moment.  The good in that is the maid was super sweet and our landlord is also.  Very kind and helpful. 
The craziest thing that's happened is on the night we were waiting for Mango and Sophia to arrive.  We were sitting there playing cards when a man jumped over our fence(which has sharp spikes), ran through the yard and jumped over our front fence too(which also has sharp spikes).  When Chris ran out there he started yelling in Thai and ran off.  I am pretty sure Chris startled him.  All the neighbors were running around yelling and pointing and upset.  Our landlords came home from work, came over and appologized profusly like it was their fault.  They had the fence raised with sharper spikes the next day.  Apparently, they found out the police had busted a gambling ring and he was an escapee.  Just crazy! 
This week, we have been getting to know all the new teachers and doing fun things with them.  It's so cool how a family of 4 can eat for 4-6 dollars here.  There are some strange things, like how all the facial creams have whitning cream like toothpaste.  Also, all the girls wear 5 inch heels!  Crazy!  The mall has 7 floors with an amusement park on top and a movie theater.  There are street venders everywhere, and Chris makes fun of me because I call them vending machines.  Everyone has been so nice, supportive(especially when I had a meltdown over buying wire hangers) and it just seems like a dream to be living here and working with wonderful people and their families.  It is all new to us, and I am sure there will be some frustrations along the way, but so far, I have already formed a love for this place.  Please continue to pray for us as we all adjust-especially the kids.  It is the first time in three years we have not had a therapist, a psychologist and our beloved behavior specialist.  They have done great so far and I have had just as many meltdowns as they have so we shall continue to put our faith in God and know that He has a plan.  We miss you all and love you dearly. 

Saying Goodbye to the South.

As I sit here in Atlanta, watching the planes fly over our hotel, I realize I am going to be on one of those in two days.  It makes me wonder about the people on them.  Where are they going, what are their stories?  I'm about to take an adventure of a lifetime!  I'm so excited, yet it's bittersweet.
In two days, I will be saying goodbye to all I've ever known.  I will say goodbye to the beautiful four seasons that bring memories and favorites in themselves.  I sit back and think about the summer weather all year round in Bangkok.  What will the start of school be like with no colorfull leaves, fall festivals, and harvest/Halloween decorations to mark the season?  What will Thanksgiving and Christmas be like with no sweaters, scarves and gloves?  No football games and parties with all our coaching friends.  And going an entire year without seeing my family and thinking about the sweet potato suffle, squash cassarole and having porch time with Nikki.  I will miss Spring too, because life happens in the Spring.  My hummingbirds come out, the butterflies, lizards, azealias, dogwoods, cherry trees, crepe mertles, and the excitement that school is almost out. 
I am going to miss my friends, the people who know us and love us.  The friends who give us parenting advice and love our children and us through all our parenting misshaps.  The friends who love our children and help them learn the things they missed out on.  The friends who know our faults and love us, not in spite of them, but because of them.   I will miss my family and knowing that at any second, they would come help me if I need them.  I will miss seeing my children with my parents and watching them form relationships.  Hearing Hailley and Elijah scream when they see Aunt Nikki and Uncle Philip is one of my favorite things in the world. 
Speaking of them, we spent last week with Nikki and Philip, just lounging around the pool, eating Uncle Philip's best grilled chicken in the world, and having the porch time with Nikki while they all went to the Air Force Museum.  Basking in the friendship and love and holding on to those memories and knowing it will be a long time before I can hug her neck and be silly and cry and laugh with the only other person who understands it all. 
This week we have been at a hotel in Atlanta, running around, tying up loose ends and taking care of the dogs.  It is torturous, but we will be leaving them at a doggy day care and they will be flying out next week after we find our home.  I will say that watching HGTV's House Hunters International has helped me alot.  It helps to be reminded that people do this kind of thing everyday, just not anybody WE know.  So, tomorrow, all we have to do is clean out the rental van, and repack our suitcases.  This is crazy trying to fit everything you own into two suitcases and a carryon.  Our flight leaves at one o'clock on Sunday.  Wow!  Goodbye Georgia, Goodbye everything I've ever known.  I will miss you, but----WE WILL BE BACK! 
Love,
The Wolski's

11 days until liftoff!

As we left my daddy's in Titusville, Florida, I sit here with so many emotions.  Again I watched one of my parents be a grandparent to my children and it made my heart squish.  We went to the beach and saw four dolphins, and two wild piglets on the side of the road.  We also went to the Kennedy Space Center, where my stepmom works.  On our way there we saw alligators on the side of the road in the canals.  The Space Center was cool, and the kids loved it.  It was fun seeing it, but kind of sad.  The last time I was there was the only time in my life that I was pregnant and I slept through the whole thing.  We all know how that turned out, so the visit was kind of bittersweet.
My daddy, who never wanted an animal, fed Mango and Sophia until they were rotten.  Just like Momma when we were at her house!  Chris took the kids to Universal while I went shopping with my stepmom, Karen as my body is like an old lady and I vomit and have to go to the chiropractor for weeks after riding a roller coaster.  We went to Smoothie King where there was a guy who had to be high, as he told us," Uhhhh, like, you guys have nice hair.  Uhhhh, like, the both of you."  And after we paid and left, he ran out and chased us down saying, "Uhhhh, like, did I charge you?  Cause, uhhhh, like I just don't know if I did."  Interesting........
So, today while we are sitting in our hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, I just miss Dad and Karen so bad, just like I do Mom and Ben.  Even now I realize so many things about why I am the way I am.  I watched dad organize the grocery cart just like I do, put things in "specific" spots, and freak out when they aren't the way I want them.  I see his love of all things nature.  His yard is the best on the block, and he quietly watches the bunnies and birds with appreciation.  I remember hours in the yard as a little girl pulling "onions" in the yard and helping bag leaves and watching him chop wood.  I thought I was a queen when he'd let me play jungle barbies in the monkey grass.
I think about the legacy that most people want to leave their children and again, wonder if I'm crazy.  Most people want to leave a house, cars and even pay for their children's college to help them get ahead.  They want to leave a sense of family and values or morals.  Roots, if you will.  Even though I want to leave those things to my kids too, I more than anything want to leave a legacy of faith.  I hope with this trip, and with our lives from now on, we leave the legacy of following God's will and teaching others through Jesus Christ.  That material things are never important and that service to others will always give us a satisfaction that a video game never could.  I will miss my family, and it makes me choked with emotions that I cannot even begin to unravel at this moment.  However, I know without a shadow of a doubt that we are following the right path, for us, and for Hailley and Elijah.  I get ready to go to my sister's in Macon, GA tomorrow.  This, somehow is going to be the most torturous.  For my sister is like a part of my soul.  She is so like me, yet so beautiful, so loving, kind, fun, talented and everything I wish I could be.  She is the one who loves me enough to tell me I'm wicked, laughs and cries with me and knows my thoughts and finishes my sentences.  She is so full of life and energy and I will miss her more than anything.
I am still so excited about our trip.  11 days!  I want to vomit and pass out at the thought of getting on that plane, but sooooooo ready to do it.  Our gypsy days are coming to a count down and I'm not gonna lie, it's crazy!  Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers, and for those of you who have continued texting and checking up, THANK YOU!  I am sure I will have more to say in a few days, but hopefully the next post will be more organized and my feelings less erratic.  We love you all!

Our first days as gypsies.

We were supposed to leave Sunday, June 19th, to visit my mother in south Georgia but didn't finish cleaning out the house until Monday.  It was crazy getting everything we wanted to keep into 13 suitcases.  Some things we had to throw out and that was hard, but hey, you get to a point where you just want to shove it in and get on with it!  So, we got up on Monday and left to start our trip as gypsies.  It's funny how you notice things when you think you might not see them ever again.  Things like grand old oak trees dripping Spanish moss, bright pink azaleas, miles of farmland and temperatures reaching hotter than four hells.  I love seeing the huge tractors and lines of traffic waiting to fly by, hearing the 3 radio stations of southern baptist preachers screaming of salvation, 2 country stations and the one hip hop station that plays rap and gospel in intervals.  Long red dirt roads and produce stands everywhere.
So here we are at my mother's house and she is spoiling my kids rotten.  They've already eaten everything in the house and driven the golf cart until there's no more gas.  They have watched movies (Goonies, Grease, Facing the Giants, Major Pane,etc), eaten ice cream and played games.  And speaking of ice cream, Hailley and Elijah have never been to Dairy Queen, and got to go for the first time on Monday night!  It is so fun to see my mom and my kids together.  It is also sad to know it will be a long time before we will see them together again.  On Tuesday, I got sick, and thought I was going to die.  My mom took the kids and Chris stayed at the hotel and took care of me.  So I really don't have much to blog about on that day, or what I do, you don't want to hear about! Today is a lazy day, and we have watched more movies and as I'm still weak from yesterday, I am watching my mom run around after the kids and spoil them some more.  I'm too tired to even care.  So, I am going to try to blog something every day but it will probably be every three.  As you all know, I'm a bit crazy right now!  Much love to everyone and know that we are missing you all already!