My family and I had a real vacation this summer. Real vacation. We stayed in Florida at the home of our very generous friend, Ann. It was great to be with just our family, smiling, playing, etc.

This Pizza Hut was like something out of Deliverance. Small, hidden in the trees up on a hill, and there was NOBODY in there except us. Ok so there was one person in there, eating a plain cheese pizza on the right as we first entered the room. The funny thing is that she wiped her mouth, got up, and then took our order! I thought, man this is odd, that customer is taking our order!?!?! Just one of the fun memories of this vacation.

We went to Chick-fil-a on cow appreciation day. Dress like a cow and get free chicken. Does Libby look cute in those cow ears?

Acacia, Sadie and Lucie (cousins) and Hava at the Chick-fil-a playground.

Canadians, why in the world do you call Kraft Macaroni and Cheese “Kraft Dinner”? It’s MAC and CHEESE people and that does not count as dinner. On second thought it has been dinner for me several times. Nevermind.

Mom, I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for carrying baby Libby a little later in your life. Thank you for “keeping her” against the suggestion of the local doctors. Thank you for caring for Libby and raising her as a little girl, making the most of special moments. Thank you for modeling motherhood for her, it is paying off well, wouldn’t you say? Thank you for bringing her back to Africa with you because without that pivotal decision she may not know Jesus. Thank you for making her every moment when she was home on vacation from school special. Thank you for creating, together with Dad and Libby, all of those memories that have turned into terrific photographs and to even more amazing stories. Thank you for somehow deciding to move to Wilmore. I know it was destined to be a long time before. Thank you for letting me step into your lives right away when you came here and for sharing your hearts and your daughter with me. I will never forget the first time I met you, mom.  You and dad were in the back bathroom there at 400 Talbott Drive standing in a hole in the floor repairing or installing the tub. I remember thinking how fun it was that you were doing that work together (husband and wife) Ok so I might have thought you were a little crazy too 😉 Thank you for all the endless hours of slide shows. I truly enjoyed every minute. Thank you for trusting me with Libby. Thank you for letting go of your daughter and giving her over to me. I may know someday how that feels but at this time I cannot imagine being able to do that. Thank you for supporting Libby and I in our calling to Kenya and even on to Qatar. Thank you, mom, for loving our kids so amazingly well; for being able to relate, somehow so well, to 3 little ones at the beginning of their lives, even when you are facing the end of yours. Thank you mom, for your life.

Libby’s influence is everywhere. People have brought ME food just because of Libby. Two times this week in fact, people have brought me food, Libby’s friends. First time was the Ethiopian food (see below) and just tonight Lolita brought me over soup beans and corn bread! I was so touched when I started thinking of what an amazing person my wife is that even when she is gone her friends in Doha want to take care of her and brought me food to eat just to demonstrate that. Really, how amazing is that? Libby you are a gift to people, a gift to your parents (especially your mom right now) and a gift to me.

Ok so I am just a nerd I know but the Google home page of Pac-Man is amazing. It is playable people, P-L-A-Y-A-B-L-E!! That is just too cool. Libby, come on, I know you have played Pac-Man at least once, right? http://www.google.com

So Ethiopian food is one of Libby and I’s favorites. A family from church found out that Libby was still gone with the kids and decided to “help me out” by bring over some Ethiopian food. Since they are Ethiopian, the food was fantastic! I think it was Doro Wat (spicy chicken in sauce), Atkilt (vegetables), and some kind of Alicha (split peas in sauce) oh yea and Njera. I don’t know why I just capitalized those foods; I guess because I am used to seeing them on menus! So here’s a few pics of the delicious food! Thanks so much Emi and your family for sharing your terrific food!!!

The Emir cup is the playoff game for the whole country of Qatar’s club football (soccer if you are in the US) league. I got a few tickets and decided to see what all the fuss is about. Here’s some pics:

Parked a long way from the stadium.

Chaos getting into the place

The Emir (like the king) drove up in a limo on this ramp. I saw it.

There was actually a game going on too.

These fans are dedicated! (and wild) There were kids up past this guy throwing apples into the crowd below; man that would hurt.

There was so many people texting and calling you could hardly make a call.

Check out the middle eastern mullet on that guy. He would fit right in back in KY!

I really wish the kids could have seen the fireworks display!

After the game it’s “Everybody hang out of your cars and ride on the roof and do other insane things” time.

I finished up this swing for Tolan today. It was 100 degrees outside but I had the time to work on it because it was Saturday so I went out there and sweated it out! I am sure Acacia will use it too (maybe even Hava) but it is definitely more Tolan-sized. Now I just need the kids here to test it out!

I even added a little hook so the swing could be kept to the side.