Sunday, December 4, 2011
Something New
I am a bit frustrated with blogger these days so we're trying something new. Please check out a new post at skinnersaim.wordpress.com and let me know if you have any thoughts. The internet, power, and water have all been off more than on these days (this is a slight exaggeration, but only a slight one!), so I haven't bothered to make it look like I'd like. This is just a trial - we'll see...
Friday, November 25, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
We have had another wonderful Thanksgiving here in Uganda! It's been raining like crazy this week and this morning didn't look any different, but it ended up being a beautiful day. The power went off in the morning, but came back on in the afternoon. AND the water stayed on all day! (This was a huge prayer request as I knew there'd be a lot of dishes - and there were!)
Since the dogs escaped the kennel when I was going to start taking pictures of the food and people eating all the food, let me tell you there was a lot of food. It was great!
So after we ate we took our annual picture. My plan was to count the people in the picture, add 4 (because I know of at least 4 who weren't in the picture), and use that as my official head count.
But I seem to get a different number every time I count. I think there was between 85-91. (We used 91 plates, but I'm not convinced that's a reliable way to count.) Regardless, despite my attempts to keep it smaller this year - we had about 15 more than last year! The really cool part was that there were 7 different countries represented - Australia, Canada, India, Netherlands, Uganda, the U.K., and the good ol' U.S.A.
We had just 2 games this year, but they were enough. It was just right.
Dara and her new friend, Manshi. She's 14 and her father is working in construction here. Her family is a neighbor to Ankita, my Indian girlfriend.
This young lady thought of a good way to recycle the "snow balls".
I am so thankful that we have such a wonderful variety of friends here. They are such a blessing to us, and we are thankful! God is so good to us!
Since the dogs escaped the kennel when I was going to start taking pictures of the food and people eating all the food, let me tell you there was a lot of food. It was great!
So after we ate we took our annual picture. My plan was to count the people in the picture, add 4 (because I know of at least 4 who weren't in the picture), and use that as my official head count.
But I seem to get a different number every time I count. I think there was between 85-91. (We used 91 plates, but I'm not convinced that's a reliable way to count.) Regardless, despite my attempts to keep it smaller this year - we had about 15 more than last year! The really cool part was that there were 7 different countries represented - Australia, Canada, India, Netherlands, Uganda, the U.K., and the good ol' U.S.A.
We had just 2 games this year, but they were enough. It was just right.
Dara and her new friend, Manshi. She's 14 and her father is working in construction here. Her family is a neighbor to Ankita, my Indian girlfriend.
This young lady thought of a good way to recycle the "snow balls".
I am so thankful that we have such a wonderful variety of friends here. They are such a blessing to us, and we are thankful! God is so good to us!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Favorite Time of Year
I love the fall! It's wonderful when the air is a bit crisp and the leaves change colors (at least up North) and then fall off the trees . Back in the day when we had seasons, I loved watching the kids play in the leaves. 
I found these old pictures on a hard drive that had been tucked away. I think these were taken in the fall of 2004. Dara would have been 4 and 1/2. Dade would have been about 16 months old.
Dade tried to sweep the leaves up that year :)
I love wearing shorts and a sweat shirt - that is my definition of the perfect temperature! I love football, Mrs. Lowe's potato casserole (a dish I associate with Thanksgiving), and how the cool nights are good for snuggling together as a family.
But most of all I love the month of November because it holds two of my favorite days: my anniversary and Thanksgiving. One week ago today Joel and I celebrated 13 years of marriage.
This week holds my other favorite day: Thanksgiving, and even though we miss celebrating it at home, we are looking forward to enjoying the day here with our friends. We are truly blessed beyond measure!
I found these old pictures on a hard drive that had been tucked away. I think these were taken in the fall of 2004. Dara would have been 4 and 1/2. Dade would have been about 16 months old.
Dade tried to sweep the leaves up that year :)I love wearing shorts and a sweat shirt - that is my definition of the perfect temperature! I love football, Mrs. Lowe's potato casserole (a dish I associate with Thanksgiving), and how the cool nights are good for snuggling together as a family.
But most of all I love the month of November because it holds two of my favorite days: my anniversary and Thanksgiving. One week ago today Joel and I celebrated 13 years of marriage.
This week holds my other favorite day: Thanksgiving, and even though we miss celebrating it at home, we are looking forward to enjoying the day here with our friends. We are truly blessed beyond measure!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Bonfire Night
Bonfire night is a British holiday we've celebrated on November 5th for the past 3 years. Apparently back in the 1600's a man tried to burn down the British Parliment buildings. His attempt failed and every year they celebrate his failing by having a bonfire.
I wanted a family picture so here we are from left to right: Ruth, Dara, Dade, Viki, Me, and Joel. It seems our family is expanding yearly, and we love it!.
Joel, Dara, and Seb - before it got too dark.
I didn't take as many pictures this year. The kids were playing and I just spent the time visiting with friends. Thanks, Zillah, for a great party!
I wanted a family picture so here we are from left to right: Ruth, Dara, Dade, Viki, Me, and Joel. It seems our family is expanding yearly, and we love it!.
Joel, Dara, and Seb - before it got too dark.I didn't take as many pictures this year. The kids were playing and I just spent the time visiting with friends. Thanks, Zillah, for a great party!
Monday, October 31, 2011
The Funny and the Beautiful
Some sights here make us chuckle. Here are two we saw the last time we went to Kampala.
Once we arrived at Kampala, Joel noticed the front of this truck on the 3rd floor of this building! How on earth did it get up there? Do you know when you see strange things in trees after a flood? It reminded me of those pictures, but I'm pretty sure there hasn't been a flood like that in Uganda since The Flood.
Now for the "beautiful"...These are some flowers that grow at Matoke Inn (where we usually stay when we're in Kampala). Dara says this one is her favorite flower "ever". It is very pretty.
And this last one is at a woman's home in Mbarara. This tiny praying mantis was just too precious. We can't help but appreciate God's good work and artistry!
What do you think when you read the window of this bus? Is it a bus you want to follow or ride on? The driver seemed to be driving responsibly, so maybe the words don't apply to driving?... 
Once we arrived at Kampala, Joel noticed the front of this truck on the 3rd floor of this building! How on earth did it get up there? Do you know when you see strange things in trees after a flood? It reminded me of those pictures, but I'm pretty sure there hasn't been a flood like that in Uganda since The Flood.
Now for the "beautiful"...These are some flowers that grow at Matoke Inn (where we usually stay when we're in Kampala). Dara says this one is her favorite flower "ever". It is very pretty.
I think this one is my favorite...
And this last one is at a woman's home in Mbarara. This tiny praying mantis was just too precious. We can't help but appreciate God's good work and artistry!
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