Memphis Cousins

After our quick stop in Kentucky, we headed down to Memphis. The Campbellclankids could not wait to see the Memphis cousins. The week was full of swim dates, sleepovers, staying up late, and trying to cram a year's worth of lost time into a few short weeks. Week One was a blast!

Nothing says summer like bomb pops! Anyone reading this ever buy one from an ice cream truck?

We are looking forward to more memories in the weeks to come!

Kentucky Days Part III

Here's the sweet group of girls with whom we got to spend a Saturday morning in Kentucky. They learned about the country of Turkey and our lives there. They were all so eager and attentive and friendly to our kids.

 Here's my friend Kelly. We taught in the same school way back 16 years ago when I married CC and just before we moved overseas. She and her husband have also served with our organization in Brazil. We've also been able to stay in touch through a moms' email group.

 Judge Langford was just about the nicest person you could ever meet. They say he is tough behind the bench, but we only saw his soft side!

 Our event took place in a Civil War park. Here's a cannon from that era.

And this enormous anchor and its 20 pound links were stretched across the Mississippi River to hold the Union troops back. I commented to CC (who took this picture) what a great photo he got. He said it was taken about 3 seconds before Big Ben fell off the anchor and scraped up his knees. Oh well, at least he was injured on a piece of Confederate history! Long live the South!

Kentucky Days Part II

It was an absolute joy to visit with the Langford family. They were gracious and hospitable to our family of 7.

The kids enjoyed exploring the outdoors with the little bit of time they had after our big country breakfast. Mrs. Karen served us a sausage and egg casserole. I told her that was our Christmas morning treat normally, since getting pork in Turkey is difficult.

 This is the back porch of the home, but long, long ago would have been the front porch.

I was fascinated with the history of this home. This log cabin dated back to the early 1800's. It is now the dining room, and the new house was built around it. To look at those big, old beams, think how hard the people worked for survival, and appreciate the craftsmanship that has lasted so long was a highlight of our time there for me.

I am glad my children can say they spent the night inside a two hundred year old log cabin. I find that God gives me so many bonuses, things that I didn't even know would happen when I agreed to go somewhere. Has God given you a bonus lately?

Kentucky Days Part I

We made a little side trip to the great state of Kentucky to see an old friend and to talk to some sweet girls about what we do in Turkey. Miss Middler is such a friend magnet. She's always so quick to click with people. She made this new friend soon after we arrived.

The drive into Hickman, Kentucky, was a beautiful one. We passed sleepy little towns with town squares that were the real deal, not made over just for appearance sake. And when we pulled into the drive of the family with whom we stayed, Big Ben pretended to faint he was so excited to see the farm equipment.

There was a very, big tractor.

After a nice dinner together, the farmer (and local judge) put the little boys in the cab of his tractor and let them drive.

For kids just off the plane from the Middle East, a night at a Kentucky farm couldn't have been better!

Swim Princess/Swim Tank

My little Turks, bless them, started swim lessons the morning after we flew in from our 24 hour commute. They did great! We love our swim teacher. She's taught every one of the kids how to swim within days of the lessons starting.

I really breathed a sigh of relief when Big Ben started to 'get it.' That's a great feeling to know your last little one could swim his way out if he fell in. He teared up a time or two, but he's a boy and a fifth one at that. Let's be honest, mama's not going to rescue a boy nor a fifth. Sink or swim, I stayed back from the pool and let him whimper.

 And in the end, my little tank did swim, not sink!

They learned to swim, to do handstands, to jump off the diving board, even to float like a watermelon. Well done, little Turks!

Twinkle's Big Surprise

After CC and the middlers arrived in the US, CC and I asked Twinkle Toes if she wanted to go to Walmart with us. "Mama, may I PLEASE stay home?" Um. No. I told her I really thought she'd have fun, that we were inviting her cousin buddy to go, too, that I'd buy her an icee. The icee got her. So, she went. And soon after getting to Walmart, we wandered up to the jewelry counter.

 We asked her if she knew what was about to happen. It was then that her face lit up and she said, "Yes! Yes! Yes! I'm getting my ears pierced!"

There was another lady there who assumed the role of distractor. She tried to distract Twinkle Toes by telling her she was sure Twinkle would be back in a few years for more piercings.

 She doesn't know my Campbellclankids. Two holes, one in each ear. That's all. No tattoos.

 It was a great memory for Twinkle Toes and fun to have her sweet cuz along.

Tractor Time

Something we always look forward to is getting to ride Grandaddy's tractor. In Big Ben's case, it wasn't actually riding it, it was driving it he wanted to do.

 This picture is a keeper. I have a picture of me riding a tractor with my PaPa.

 And then Big Sis finished the mowing and fixed the path her little brother cut. (Hmmm, looks like someone who could get a driver's permit in a couple of years!)