Embrace the Camera - Thailand Style

Even while in Thailand, I was able to Embrace the Camera with my kids!

We Skyped with them almost every day.

The time change (12 hours) made it difficult...

but we would try to catch them while they were eating breakfast...

or right before they went to bed.

This is me and Ellie on a Skype call :-)

And that is how you Skype with an 18 month old.

Make funny faces and tell her that you love her :-)

I was SO thankful for technology while we were half way around the world...

LITERALLY!

my babies on another Skype call

We were on the search for free wifi every where.

I had to stay connected for my own sanity.

My kids were like a billion miles away and I HAD to be within an email away from them.

I couldn't stand the thought of not being able to know how they were doing.

Here we are taking advantage of free wifi at a Starbuck's at a mall.

This is me Skyping on my iPhone in a coffee shop in another mall.

Did I mention there were a lot of malls in Bangkok??

Steve had to shoosh me a few times...

I had my earbuds in and was probably making silly noises a little too loud ;-)

But I didn't care!

I was talking to my babies!

I can't even imagine what it was like being in foreign countries years ago away from your family.

before internet...

before email...

before Skype...

When all you could do was make a super expensive phone call or write a letter.

Wow.

Thankful for technology.

And now I'm thinking of Napoleon Dynamite :-)

Joining Emily with ETC

Travel Apps - Thailand

Is this not the busiest time of year?!

Goodness gracious.

If it isn't a Fall Festival...it's an oppurtunity for my girls to wear their costumes.

And you know I'm going to show those off as much as I can!

And did I mention that Hubby and I are going to Thailand on Saturday?!
As in...tomorrow!

Umm..ya.

We're kinda busy.

I was worried that our trip might get cancelled.

There is flooding in Bangkok right now with more on its way.

The leaders of the conference we're helping to run have been in prayer about it...a lot.

As of this moment...we're still going.

The area our hotel is in and the airport are still bone dry.

Hoping it stays that way for the next couple weeks!

So you might be seeing some blog posts from Thailand next week!

ooo getting all International on ya!

With that being said.

I wanted to share a travel app tip.

My hubby tracked down one really cool one that I'm sure we'll use in Thailand.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand developed this one.

Makes me think that a lot of other countries and cities may have similar apps.

Make sure to research that before your next trip.

There might be a really useful app just waiting for you!

Speak Thai



Speak Thai on iTunes

It translates over 2500 words and speaks in Thai for you.

Now when I need to go potty...

I just find "Where are the restrooms?"

and the app will ask for me.

phew...that's a relief (horrible pun intended) :-)

I'm off to finish packing and prepare myself to leave my babies for 2 whole weeks.
{sigh}
I mean...I'm not one of those moms that misses their kids when they're sleeping
or anything crazy like that ;-)
I'll be ok.
But I'm pretty sure I will miss them while I'm half way around the world.
Yikes!
{deep breath}



I mean...seriously?!



I Heart Garage Saling

I wish I could go garage saling every day of the week.  Recently when I was in OH I went to a community garage sale on a Friday night.  I was in heaven!  I can't think of anything better to do on a Friday night!

Luckily, my husband enjoys garage saling too!  (I know...he's amazing.)  So the last couple Saturday mornings we've headed out after the kids wake up.  (It's not like we're missing out on sleeping in - sad face)

I've been using the iGarage Sale App on my phone and it is super fun!  (I have the Lite FREE version right now, but will probably splurge and get the full version soon) It's like Geocaching and Garage Saling all in one...which if you haven't Geocached before - you should!  It's like a treasure hunt...and who doesn't like a good treasure hunt?!

Mommy and Anna Garage Saling - she did NOT get to take that bear home

I wish I had taken a picture of everything we got on Saturday :-(  I'll have to do that next time.  Here's the list:

1 shirt for Mommy - .50
2 black 8x10 picture frames - $2
1 plastic but looks like glass pitcher - $1
1 socket extender (Steve's purchase) - .25
1 electric edger (needs blade and new front wheel) - FREE
1 car buffer - FREE
1 small group bible study book on James - FREE
3 decks of playing cards - FREE
1 cork board (that I can recover at some point and make cute) - FREE

Grand Total - $3.75 and hours of family entertainment

Anna now knows how to point garage sales out to us...it's cute :-)  Garage saling for Anna means she gets to play with other people's toys and she gets to eat lots of snacks in the car = a very fun activity for our 2 year old.

BTW - spellcheck does not like the word "saling."  What's up with that, spellcheck?

Obsessed

Notice what # puzzle I am on.  Ya...little obsessed.  It's called Unblock Me Free and it has a bazillion levels, which is awesome for a free game on the iPhone.  And I just noticed that I got caught :-)  This pic also captured the time that I was playing the game.  Yes, I am a night owl.  If I want to play a game on my iPhone at 2:06am then that's my perogitive! :-)

What are your favorite free or cheap games on the iPhone??  I need some new obsessions!

And on a non-related note...I finished another nametag board for the children's ministry at church.  This one is for the flower room where all the babies will be.  (Someone else painted the fun flower on for me)