Christmas in June

The thing about only seeing your grandparents once a year, is that they bring Christmas with them, whatever time of the year it happens to be! We loved getting to open their suitcases to the wonder of American novelties we could not even have imagined existed! Thank you to each of you who enclosed something special for us! Cadence had bitten the tops off of her old sippie cups, so we ordered some new spouts. Jody turned them into a fashion statement. Now we have to convince Cadence of their original purpose! And what is life without a whole new shoe wardrobe? There was even something in the luggage for Bee!

Exploring

The cobalt blue ocean spread out beneath us as we sat, perched like eagles in a quiet villa on the edge of the cliff. It was the perfect way to spend our first day with family, making memories to last for the next 365 days and catching up on the year that had passed. We enjoyed exploring the island and seeing how sea salt is made. We enjoyed the beauty of God's creation and bargaining for things we probably didn't need. We enjoyed watching our daughter embrace her grandparents and allow them to take up the space of her daily life. It is such a blessing to have family here.

Honey and Bee

Jordan's parents, whom Cadence knows only as "Honey and Bee" are finally here! It feels good to have 3 generations of Ladshaws on the same continent again! Oh the fun we have had in the last 24 hours! Presently it is 10am and Cadence is already in the pool. Notice the shirt Honey made for her on the plane ride over. She loved playing with stickers with her grandparents in the car. And eating treats that she usually doesn't get to eat.

Our little super hero

Cadence has started insisting on doing things by herself. Today she wanted to put on her own shirt. This is how it turned out. I guess we have been putting her cape on wrong for nearly two years but I think we get it now. She's also figured out how to use a pencil. Now it is time to teach her how to use the eraser!

What's cooking?

With two waves of Grandparents on their way for the summer, my neighbor, Nini, graciously offered to come over and teach me how to cook a couple of local dishes that I can prepare for my family while they are here. Nini treats Cadence like her own grandchild and we are so blessed to have her living just around the corner. It makes it seem like family isn't quite so far away when we can drop by Nini's house each day. For the past two mornings, we ate breakfast with her...delicious yellow rice with shredded chicken and vegetables that she has ready by 7am each morning. These are just a few of the spices that she used. Cadence was taking notes as Nini sat on the floor and ground the spices by hand with a mortar and pestle. Nini did most of the work while I wrote out recipes for shredded chicken and mixed vegetables. These are two of my favorite dishes, made from the freshest ingredients, nothing dried or powdered or refined in any way. It's delicious served over brown rice...you have to taste it!

Raining cats and dogs

Our neighbor's dog had puppies again. That makes three times in the past year that we have lived in this house! Cadence literally woke up every morning asking to go and get a puppy to bring to our house to play with. Thankfully, all 4 puppies have now found new homes far away from ours!

Mother's Day

For Mother's Day, Jody and Cadence celebrated me with a cabin in the mountains. We enjoyed resting and being outside together in the cool air. I was serenaded with lovely music by the most adorable musicians! We went for a walk through a large coffee plantation. Cadence loved getting to pet the horses. On the way home, the car broke down in front of these people's house. They were so sweet to invite us in to wait on a local friend to come to our rescue.

Daddy's girl

Growing up

When I was little, my mom would tell me, "You can be whatever you want to be when you grow up." It was good advice. We try to give Cadence lots of room to explore who God has made her to be. She may grow up to be a rock star,

a veterinarian,

a biker chic,

an artist,

a ballerina,

a bunny?

or a mommy.

"IT TAKES COURAGE TO GROW UP AND BECOME WHO YOU REALLY ARE." -E. E. CUMMINGS

Fun World

Just 2 hours drive from our house is "Fun World"...the land where kids get to rule the world,

drive cars,

fly through the air,

and go bull riding with dad

or mom

until they are able to hold on for 8 seconds by their selves!