Well it has been 2 years since we came to live in Kenya.  The first 6 months were rough – missing family, friends, our church, and the comforts of America.  After about 1 year I was able to call this place home -as I have learned that home is where God has placed you.  Yet, the missing didn’t cease.  Many people say it gets easier….but missing loved ones hasn’t gotten easier for me.  We have missed two weddings in the family – our nephew’s in May and our niece’s in November.  I have missed the birth of a baby boy to one of my childhood friends, Kelly.  The list goes on…there have been countless family celebrations that we were not able to attend – birthdays, graduations, wedding showers, dance recitals, sport events, etc..  The hardest part of it all was when a family member or dear friend was going through a trial and we were not there to hug them.  It breaks my heart.  However, the Lord reminds me that they feel the same way about us.  There have been birthday parties they were not apart of (at least not physically) and holidays celebrated without them, along with trials that they could not hug us through.  But we felt their prayers each time.  Plus, we saw the pictures of monumental events which gave us a sense of being there.  We have been blessed by encouraging emails even if it was just to let us know about a typical day in their life.   I hope we have done the same for them.  Thankfully, the Lord has brought many family members to visit us and now it is our turn – in 3 days we will be back in the States for our furlough (“home assignment” as AIM calls it).  I look forward to catching up on some of those monumental events in the lives of my family and friends, along with participating in some new ones while we are there.

Today is my daddy’s birthday!  I’m 35 yrs old and sometimes I still call him “Daddy”

One of my Dad’s favorite vacation spots is Lake Powell.  I have memories of growing up riding along with him on his boat.  He taught all of his kids (and our friends) how to water ski.

My Dad is an amazing athlete.  I love this picture of him golfing in Hawaii

My Dad has been there for me whenever I needed him – ALWAYS

He is a dedicated Grandpop!

He knows how to make each member of his family feel special

We love you Daddy!

Here are just a couple of the things we have been doing during the school break:

The boys preforming a play at home for their Dad:

The boys are holding up their “Programs” for the play

The play in action

Petr made his own jump rope below:

made out of his clothes (his idea!)

Saying Good Bye to some precious friends from Petr’s school (they are returning to the States) – this is one of the most difficult parts of being a missionary.

We went to the movie theater for the first time in Kenya (it only took us two years to finally go!):

Petr and Andrej watching Toy Story 3 in the theater

Everyone seems to ask if we have big bugs and creepy crawlers around here….

Oh, it’s not real!!!  Andrej found this remote control spider at a garage sale.  He has had fun “spooking” people with it, especially me!  No, I have not seen a REAL spider this big around here.  Thankfully!  However, one of our friends did find a tarantula last year under their dining table on Easter Day!!! Yikes!!!

I found Petr boxing at the wall the other day….turns out he was boxing his shadow!

The boys with boxes from all those wonderful packages people send us.  They painted them and set them up as a horse drawn carriage – with no prompting from me!  I love Andrej’s addition of his bike helmet.

We were blessed to have my brother, Charlie, come and visit!  He came back with me after our trip to the States.  It was so nice to have someone to help with the boys for the long journey back.  (Paul had left earlier because he needed to get back for work.) (picture of Charlie and the boys when we stopped for the night in London)

Charlie planned on staying one month…one month turned into two months, which turned into three months.  He decided to push back his original return flight because there were some missionaries going to Mombasa.  But then that flight was canceled because of the British Airway strikes.  The soonest he could return was April  – so he decided to go to Mombasa a second time (he like it so much!).  And then, his flight was canceled AGAIN because of the volcano irrupting in Iceland.  He left two weeks ago and we miss him so much!  It was great to have him LIVE with us.  After three months, he really got a sense of what is like to live here.  And I had a chance to get to know my brother in a different way, now that he is all grown up!

Here are some pictures of Charlie’s visit:

The weather was nice and hot so we took Andrej (Petr was in school) to SPLASH, a pool place with slides.

In case you were wondering about the water situation – they do filter the water so it is “safe”.

Note: the small filter in the picture.  Charlie and Andrej were swimming for a while before the pool workers brought the filter.  Once they hooked up the filter we realized that the water was not very clean so we move to a different pool.  Thankfully, no one seemed to get sick from it!

Charlie “Stay-n-Alive” in Africa! I couldn’t resist the pun!

On the top of Ngong Hills (it is extremely windy as you can see in the picture)

Charlie and I were able to go on a brother-sister safari trip (Paul was able to go with another gentleman in November so he took care of the boys and let me go with Charlie)  I am not a fan of small planes so you can see my tension in the first picture (Charlie had some fun with it all).  The second picture is the from our seat.  I could see out the front window of the plane (didn’t like that part very much).  And we landed on a dirt airstrip….oh, the joys of flying in Africa!

We arrived safely and this was the scene as we were driving to the camp.  This picture looks like it is straight out of National Geographic.  We were amazed at the beauty of the wildlife  (different from the Wild Animal Park in CA).

Charlie with a Massi Man who was walking around the camp.  We had a nice conversation with him trying to understand the customs of his people.

We had breakfast with a view….

down the road from this guy – Fortunately for us, he already had breakfast!

We had an incredible time.  We kept wanting to pinch ourselves to make sure we weren’t dreaming the adventure.  I was so glad to have some “bonding” time with my younger brother.  But after two days and one night, it was time to get back to city life….

Charlie had many opportunities to visit Kenyan homes and eat their food.  He seemed to enjoy getting to know the people and experience “life” with them (and us).

Then we got out of the city again and took a drive to Paradise Lost:

Charlie was brave enough to venture into this dark tunnel.  After the fact, we found out the tunnel is often used as a bathroom facility…Yuck!

At Bomas of Kenya:

This is a picture of Charlie in front of the “Boys Hut” ( as the sign states).  We went to a tourist area where you are able to walk around and see huts from different tribes. It concluded with traditional dancing

Some fun pictures of Uncle Charlie hanging around:

Boxing with Andrej

Being the “Cool Guys”

Charlie, thanks for a wonderful visit! We love you and miss you very much!

Today is Mother’s Day and it just happens to be my mom’s birthday too!

Mom, I am so thankful for a mother like you!You are beautiful, both inside and out!  I’ll never forget what you used to tell me (that your Grandmother used to tell you), “Smile and you will always be beautiful.”  It is true.  You have that ‘ Mary Tyler Moore’ smile but it is the smile that comes from your heart that makes you so beautiful!  Celebrating your life today!

Our first born turned 7 years old on April 23rd.

It seems like just yesterday….

You were a babe in my arms

A sweet little baby who was wide eyedwith a smile full of charms

You are a lot like your daddy

with your love of computers

and your love of maps

But you look like me

You are my helper

A wonderful big brother

A good friend

I love you, my precious boy!

We had an Easter lily on Easter Day!  (Thanks to Grandma for giving us money to plant some beautiful flowers after our yard was torn up from the back wall falling down)

I wanted to share more pictures from our trip to the States so here are the ones that capture some of our family traditions

The Living Nativity at Horizon North County:

We have enjoyed attending the Living Nativity with Paul’s family for many years.

During the time of Christmas when our focus may be on other things, it is good to SEE the reason for the season

Prime Rib at my Dad’s house:

Some years back my father got a huge slab of prime rib and called it “Prime-icis Rib-icis”.

It  has become the special occasion meal at the Idler house.  It was so nice to have some tender meat.

Christmas Eve at Paul’s parents:

On Christmas Eve, before opening presents, Paul’s dad has the tradition of reading Luke 2 with the youngest children sitting on his lap.

Petr and Andrej had the honors.

And then came the unwrapping of the presents – always a special time of Grandpa reading his gift tags that are hidden codes.  Only he knows who the gift belongs to.  We have fun trying to guess.

Paul and his Grandmom (This is one of my favorite pictures from Christmas – they look so joyful!)

The “Sisters” on Paul’s side of the family.  I am so blessed to have married into a family where the sister-in-laws are my close friends.  Growing up with two brothers (who I love and adore), I always wanted to know what it was like to have a sister. Some of you know that I do have a sister in Heaven, who I am named after, but I didn’t have the chance to know her.  She would have been forty years old this month.  I thank God that He has provided other means of having sisters.  I am blessed with one on my side of the family and three on Paul’s side of the family.

Christmas morning:

Doughnuts!  My mom always made these doughnuts on Christmas morning.  Yummy!!

“like father, like son” – Paul reads the Christmas story to the boys before opening Christmas presents

Christmas stockings by the fire!

Andrej with his guitar!

Petr displaying the visual for the “No whining” sign.

I think he’s had practice…looks like he’s got the whining thing down.

Decorating the Birthday Cake for Jesus!

Singing to Jesus

New Traditions that will continue when we visit the States (I’m pretty sure):

Buying the Boys a Root Beer at the mall

(we can’t get root beer in Kenya).

The boys were strutting with their “big boy” sodas.  They were shocked when we ordered them a large!

Chuck E. Cheese

We went with my parents and my brother’s family.  I’m sure the boys will try to make it a family tradition!   Grandpop and Uncle Brandon watch as the boys drive a boat on a simulated screen of Lake Powell – our family’s vacation spot!  It was so cool.  Petr hit the “jack pot” with the tickets.  Andrej looks like he is used to crazy driving in Nairobi….

I don’t have a picture for the next tradition so I used this one because it sums up the “end product” of the tradition…..drum roll please….SLEEP OVER AT GRANDMAS WITH ALL THE GRANDCHILDREN – or as many as can make it!!!  Paul’s mom loves to have all of her grandchildren under one roof, sharing together in life’s experiences.  Our little Andrej makes a baker’s dozen – 13 grandchildren in all!  So much fun:)

The Childrens Museum with Nonni

there were many activities to keep my boys interested!

Missing the 70′s, anyone?

Yes, I jumped too!  Nonni, thanks for treating us to the museum.

SEA PORT Village

We used to take the trolley down to seaport village and walk around, mostly on Saturdays.  Sometimes we would go with the grandparents and buy ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s.  My Mom and I took the boys after The Childrens Museum.  We were prepared with a football.  After the boys ran around with the ball we got the traditional ice cream!

McDonald’s!!!

The boys were given gift cards for Christmas from our dear friend Joan Chaffin.  Thanks Joan! They enjoyed their Happy Meals.

Those of you who know my Dad will understand these pictures.  My Dad loves to dress as a cowboy.  He loves horses, but mostly likes wearing his cowboy boots and hat.  And I have seen him wear those boots to church…hello El Cajon!  He takes advantage of any excuse to dress up like a cowboy (since he doesn’t have a horse).   I used to have a horse and did some horse shows.  When I won a fancy silver belt buckle, he would ask to borrow it!  My winning worked out pretty well for him.  He would be dressed in Cowboy attire from head to toe.   Anyways, back to the pictures:  My Dad has a friend named Gary who is the care taker of their property (he lives in a trailer on the property).  Gary wanted to do something special for my boys for Christmas so he hired a lady that brings horses for rides.  She even brought her brother to do some circus juggling! My Dad told me to invite my friends and their kids to join the fun.  We had one BIG playdate.  My Dad took the opportunity to give the kids golf cart rides, cowboy hat and all!

Here are the rest of the pictures:

Thanks, Gary, for a wonderful time!  And a “Hee Ha” to the Cowboy whom I am proud to call my “Daddy”:)

These pictures are symbolic of the growth of my boys.   They used to be scared of the Star Wars mask.  We went to Aunt Julie’s house and they went to the closet (remembering where the mask  was) and surprised us by putting it on!  The first picture is of Petr with his cousin, Mark.  The second picture is Andrej.  We had some good laughs.

Planting Pine Trees with Grandpop in his yard.

When I was growing up we had pine trees (old Christmas trees from our house) that my Dad planted.  It was fun to watch them grow through the years.  Well, my Dad surprised us with having the same idea for Petr and Andrej to plant some with him this year.

Paul and I had a tradition of taking the boys to Denny’s on Sundays after church.  Petr kept mentioning this fact during our visit, but we didn’t make it to Denny’s until the morning of our departure.  We met family for breakfast to say our good byes.  It was rough, but there was comfort in knowing we will see them all again when we come back in August!