November 2024

We started November off by putting up our Christmas tree. 

Then came Diwali. We love to enjoy the lights, shoot off fireworks with our neighbors and play Christmas music, pretending it is the beginning of the season. 

Jumping over spinners is a fun game with fireworks in India. 

Sparklers are always a must. 

One last round of golf at Forest Hills. 

We also celebrated the dogs birthdays. This is sadly the last we will celebrate with our Shih-Tzu Snuggles. He is not able to fly with us back to the US because of his "short snout" but Sadie is able to make the trip. We found a wonderful new home for him where he will be well loved but we will miss him terribly.

Sharing at sweet fellowships we love one last time. 

Sad goodbyes with friends

Holding sweet baby Jessica

We had all of our nearby friends and partners over for a huge goodbye party. These people have been such a gift to us and while we will continue to talk regularly we will miss doing life with them face to face. 

At the Rock Garden with friends. 

I used to carry Ezra in this same carrier... talk about full circle. 

One last playdate with her friends at our house. Ezra went to his best friend Swarit's house. 

One last performance at school. This final song had Luke and I crying hard. 

One last Thanksgiving with all the sides, lots of desserts and KFC for meat. 

Playing outside after eating. 

Flag football fun

A final goodbye party with all of their classmates. 

God has been so good to us. 

He made this place wonderful and he will do it again wherever he is sending us to. 

October 2024

October began with the shocking and grievous news that because of immigration issues we would need to move out of India. After 11 years of calling it home, it was a hard reality to imagine for all of us but we trust that all things are in God's hands and He uses even things like this to guide us into what He has always been planning. 

In light of our impending transition we began making a list of all of our favorite places and people other than make sure we could enjoy them one last time. 

Forest Hills with teammates or partners has always been a favorite of ours. 

Its rugged atmosphere was like a mini-nature escape in the middle of busy city living. 

I also began saving pictures sent from the school of the kid's outings with the their classmates. 

FirstSteps has been such a blessing to our family. The classmates have always been kind and fun. I never imagined my children fitting in and thriving to the extent that they did. 

These kids have been the sweetest gift. 

Doing classwork with friends. 

We definitely made a trip back up to our favorite mountain house. We brought Sadie with us. 

We were there right before Diwali and enjoyed some fireworks. 

All kinds of mountain tourist fun.. like pictures with Yaks. 

The daily family hikes are a favorite of ours. 

Looking at the beautiful view and trusting God's goodness in every unknown. 

There was a pony born behind our Airbnb and Madelyn was able to pet it. It was adorable. 

We love to play family games! 

Riding up the mountain side on ponies is one of our favorite activities. 

When we get to the top we stop for some chai (tea) and Maggi (pasta). 

We brought our pickleball set for afternoon fun. 

I will miss this view. It has been such a gift to remember how big and powerful our God is in the midst of whatever overwhelming circumstances life had to offer. 

Ezra's school held a photography competition and Ezra entered. 

He one first place with this beautiful photo of an ant. 

Ezra's class doing rangoli. 

Making pumpkin shaped cookies for Fall. 

Holding sweet Esther on the walk from the bus stop. 

Practicing for their pickleball competition. 

They both compete for Ventus house and their house got 2nd place. 

In the field together. 

After school the kids love going to the driving range to hit balls and drink Nimbu Pani. 

My favorite place in town.. the Foot Spa Cafe. Oh how I will miss amazing 45 minute massages for $10! 

Madelyn had never been to the Taj Mahal so we made a trip over and were able to get this great family photo. I will treasure it forever! 

We also finished out the Fall Tour for US Kids in North India. Both kids competed and did great! 

They had fun and made friends. 

I'm so thankful the kids were able to learn language and join in what we do. 

I dreamed of moments like this as I rocked fussy toddlers. 

It's crazy that they are the big kids now. 

Our last Halloween hunt in our house. Every year I wrap and hide candy for each kid in their wrapping paper to find. It has been a fun tradition. 

For Halloween we went to the zoo and invited lots of other American friends. Madelyn was Rey from Star  Wars and Ezra was an astronaut.