I am still here

I am sorry I have been away so long. I must admit my motivation is lacking as I really began this blog for my mom to read and keep up with us. But as I have received a few comments I realize that there are others out there who as well would like to know of our life and activities.

I have tried 2x to load pixs of recent events and neither time has it worked so I will post this and then add pixs on another attempt.

So it has been almost 2 months since Mom's passing and the reality has settled in and found a peaceful place. I genuinely am happy to know that she is home and free of so many burdens of health that she had to bear day in and day out. I have had many moments of wanting to Skype her and ask a question or think of a story to tell her about what Caleb did or said. I hurt most for my Step Dad who really is having to find a new rhythm to his life and misses her terribly.

L-R Caleb, Iosef, Moi, Erin, Maren, Kelly and Elias

So what have we been up to in these last 2 months of silence? Well my biggest event was the visit of the Capps family and friend. Kelly and Erin and their growing family have faithfully come to visit every year and a half just to drink coffee and sit around and talk and catch up on life. This time we added an adventure out to the Fayoom. Along with the Turland family and GJ we headed out for a 3 day camping trip in the desert. They Fayoom Oasis is really only about 2 hours away, but for some reason it is a high security area. We drove and made one tourist visit en route to the campsite before the police caught wind of us and took over! The police bluntly told us that if we were just Germans and Australians then "No problem" BUT because some of us were Americans that was a problem! At this point the police attached themselves to us and NEVER left! Nothing like trying to get out of the city away from it all and instead find yourself in the permanent company of 9 leering soldiers all day and all night.

soldiers moving their campsite in the morning

soldiers watching us at camp site

It was a bit surreal and frustrating but we had a great time regardless!

Kids on the dunes

A full car load

Erin and Elias

Time Moves so Fast

                               Judith Lee Bixler Sept 14 1940-Jan 30 2012

Time is a funny thing and it certainly plays tricks with your mind. Things that happened yesterday slip your memory yet things from 30 years ago seem very real and vivid. Looking at time over my shoulder it seems to have moved in blink. I was young, she was young.

My mind is filled with so many images and as I look at pictures of her I am fascinated at how real she is and how I can even sense touching her, knowing the feeling of her hands. We saw each other so rarely these last 20 years and yet she is indelibly marked in my mind.

So it was a good ride, filled with way more ups than downs, lots of laughter and good words. I feel it was too soon, but this isn't about me is it? It is and always will be God's story and our role in that story. My part of the story is not yet finished and so I will keep on with more laughter, love and the usual ups and downs.

Catch Up

Ben 10 invades Bethlehem.

My attempt at Christmas cuteness, thanks to pinterest

This is my post Christmas Christmas party

Our camping location

Caleb in the boys tent

Lake Fayoum

New Years 2012! Sarah and Jonathan Turlan above and Dad and Caleb below