January Pictures

"Helping" me pack for our vacation At the "Chinese" restaurant in Ourlandia. This gives you an idea of what it's like here...

Enjoying a swim in the living room on a rainy day. One benefit of having a tiled house!
Our new hammock on the back porch...

The church shows up for my "birthday".

On the Bookshelf

Since I am unable to upload photos due to VERY slow internet, I am switching to a more literary bent, at least until we get home and I can start uploading pictures and video again!

Now that I am shelving my photo journalling, I thought it appropriate to share some of the books that are on my book shelf right now. Well, actually on the floor since we don't have a bookshelf. Not a single one to be had for hundreds of kilometers, unless we have it specially made. No libraries here, and I haven't found a bookstore yet.

This is not my official book list for this year. Due to limited space, I brought down three books for myself to read plus a book of activities for Jessica. I am still in the process of compiling my list - but I have a lot of time to do that since I won't be able to access any of them until April.

So here are the books:

The Six Days of Genesis by Paul F. Taylor
A Scientific Appreciation of Chapter 1 -11

The Difference is the Son by Daniel Shayesteh
A study of Islam and Christianity by a former Iranian politician who became a Christian and had to escape to Turkey then to America with his wife and children

Daniel: Godly Living in a Hostile World by William Burnett
Not the usual prophetic take - this one is a practical application of the life and example of Daniel.

Surviving Your Toddler by Trish Kuffner
While I think the title of this book should be Enjoying Your Toddler, this is an excellent resource that I've had for over a decade. It contains several chapters with a variety of activities, games, art projects for your one to three year old. Although Jessica is not quite ready for most of them yet, there are some that I think she'll enjoy. Plus having it here gives me time to plan ahead for when we get home.

Storm clouds are brewing and the temperature is at 44 degrees so time to disconnect!

Jessica First 1st Birthday Party

We invited a few of the neighbourhood children to come for Jessica's party.

This little guy was quietly sharing treats with Jessica.

Chocolatey treats which Jessica really enjoyed!

This picture came up twice - and I can't seem to delete it.

It was a great afternoon!

A Sample of the Wildlife...

We came home to find this in our living room.




The day before, Richard found one in his boot - after he had been wearing them for 30 minutes!

Sunday Afternoon at the Falls

Sunday afternoon is the only time off that Richard has. We spent one afternoon relaxing at a waterfall about 20 minutes from where we live. Don't worry - no pirranhas!

November shots

Trying out Brazilian foods...

"What is this you're trying to feed me??!!"

"This is not what I ordered!"

"Okay. I'll give it a try."

"Hey it's good! I always say, it's good to try new things!"

Our First Day in Ourlanjia

Photos were taken by one of Richard's coworkers.

More House Pictures

Jessica is enjoying her new "wheels"

The bathroom off of our bedroom. The picture doesn't do justice to the brightness of the tiles!

The livingroom - not too exciting but comfortable. We are hoping to get a bookshelf or something that will function as one.

Outside the house. The walls are 10 feet high all the way around with electric fencing on top. The gate is automatic and has an intercom system.

The front yard - looking from the front door towards the gate. The brick chimney is a built in barbeque with eating area.

I'll post inside pictures when we get moved in.

Our new house

I'm having trouble uploading today so I'll just post this one for now and work on the others. This is the front of the house standing inside the gate.