Some photos from the first month back in Thailand...

Just some photos I found on my camera....

Coffee/library in Thailand :)

Yes, everyone needs a photo with an owl reading...

Went for my first Thai massage the other week...and it was
very refureshing :)

letting our lights shine in CM or at least our Minnie Mouse ears :)

Happy Birthday to my boss! We went out to eat and
the guys who worked there sang Happy Birthday :)

Chinelos

I am so excited to say that I got new chinelos (Portuguese for flip-flops) from Brasil!

 I am so excited for my new Havaianas and Ipanemas.

I had my Havaianas for about 4 years and wore them pretty much everyday! I also ran two 5k "Run for Relief" races in them. We have Havaianas here at the Night Bazaar, but I am pretty sure that they aren't really Havaianas just say have the name on them. 

This is why I just kept wearing my old ones...UNTIL this summer when my friend, Lydia, bought me not just one pair of chinelos BUT two in Brasil. She then brought them to the US where she left them with my friend and neighbor (in Thailand) who brought them all the way to Thailand for me!

They are wonderful and I am so happy and my feet are sooooo happy!

Here are some photos so you can all see my wonderful new chinelos and my old ones.

Just so you can see the difference....

and another view...they are actually lined up and the same
size just got worn down....alot

The two new pairs of chinelos

Names...

I am teaching K-6th graders this year and that means I need to learn about 200 students' names. It means so much when someone calls you by your name, but I am terrible at remembering names.

So...I need your help...

What do you do to remember names? 

I do have pictures of the students to help me. They also are saying their names to me and I am writing myself hints to know how to pronounce all the different names.

I am giving myself until Sept. 1st to know all their names. After that every time I can't remember their name I will have to give them a jolly rancher. I really need the help cause I only have a 3 lbs bag!

After I learn all my students' names I am going to work on learning 50+ high schoolers' names and 50+ kids names for the Agape Home ministry.  I don't think I will give them jolly ranchers though....

Even more summer photos...they just keep coming...

The kids thought that Old Country Buffet would be the best
place to eat...so 4 generations went...

Many nights and afternoons were spent watching
Little League and T-Ball!

Up to bat...

Pitching....yes at 9 years old....

Last game of the season!

The photographer wanted a photo as well...

The boys wanted to go to the Mall of America with me before I left the country. We enjoyed the Lego Store, Gamestop, and going up and down escalators! Yes, they were wonderful- they reminded me that rides weren't in my budget and never asked for food even. We were only there for a couple of hours, but it was wonderful! I would take them anytime!

We found the Lego Store!

So excited!

At least an hour in the Lego Store

They thought their sister would like this lego girl...
but they have to look cool...

Some more summer fun photos....

I am so blessed by these 4 Minnesota girls...Glad we were all in the same area this summer!

Oh and one of them has a very cute daughter...

 T-Ball games!

The ball player at his last game...

Going rafting down the Cannon River...

This 3 year old was wonderful on the river
and made sure everyone was safe

Trying to work together to cross the river...they needed a little help in the middle

Deke floating down the river...dad was the stopping point