Honest reflections on family reunions

Earlier this month Jonah's family gathered for a reunion/memory service for his mom.  It is always fun to have the family together but also a lot of time and work.  It may be easier if the reunion was not at our home and my feelings about such reunion might be different.  I have to be honest when I say that reunions I have a love hate relationship with.  I love that the family can get together once a year because for most of them that is the only time we see them because of distance and finances.  but I am not always happy that my home, schedule and structure are invaded.  When the family comes they all stay at our house because it is the only place that is big enough to hold everyone.  It was only for a couple of days so not to bad.  The pictures are just a couple of snapshots of the weekend.  The reunion weekend I can say is always full of a lot of food and laughter though.

 

 

 Mark helping Junrey with the ice

 

 Brother in laws catching up and talking shop

 

 Kids having fun with bubbles

 

 Mark shaving a cocunut

 

 Airsoft game; uncles vs nephews

 

Rhaim one of the uncles practising his pose

 

 

The reunion was one of the first weekends of the month.  on Saturday the 16th we took a chance to get away with some friends and a few of our nephews to go back to snorkel and swim near panglao.  We went about a month before and went early to go dolphin watching and saw no dolphins.  This time we went without thinking we would see any dolphins but saw a lot of them.  There where about 5 pods of 10 or more each.  The kids where in love and the adults where all pretty excited to.  It was an awesome site.  We stayed and watched the dophins for about 15 minutes and then went on to dock near the island to swim and snorkel.  There is a protected area of the ocean there where there is no fishing or swimming or boating allowed so there are so many fish by the coral that it is awesome to see Gods beauty in its natural environment.  It gives one a new appreciation for all that God created.  The rest of the month has been the normal of school and living life.  One big accomplishement to make note of though is that Faith finished her kindergarten work and has started first grade.  She is learning so much and does well most of the time.  She has some days that she does not want to do school, but we remind her of her goal and that helps.  She really wants to be classmates with one of the girls in the orphanage who will be in 2nd grade next year, in order to achieve that Faith has to excell through two years this year and she is well on her way to achieving that goal.  I am seeing that homeschooling her this year was the better option though or she would have been bored in school and been held back from reaching her full potential. 

 

       Next month we have a wedding to look forward.  Junrey one of our water employees and great friends is getting married and we all get to be a part of his wedding.  pictures and more updates after the big day.

 

Hope you are blessed and have a great day.