world aids day

Today, December 1, is World AIDS Day.

Please take a moment and check out what Food for the Hungry is doing around the world and see how you can get involved. Last year FH trained 265,273 people in HIV/AIDS care and prevention! They are doing amazing work! For more information check out http://www.fh.org/worldaidsday2011 

You can make a difference!

maya

Over Thanksgiving we had a breakthrough with Michael's niece. She has been "afraid" of us in the past ... but this time she finally started warming up to us. And we even got to snuggle a little! So fun! She is such a cutie:)

thanksgiving in stanwood

We had a great time with Michael's family in Stanwood during the Thanksgiving holiday. Lots of family time. Here are some pictures from our time there.

tree farm

 

When we were in Stanwood for Thanksgiving we went with Michael's sisters and their families to the tree farm to help them pick out their Christmas trees. It was fun to share in this tradition since we don't usually get to living so far away.

               

 

                

 

nick and chris

Right before Thanksgiving, Michael's good childhood friends, Nick and Chris, stopped by on their way to California. The three of them reminisced about the good old days ... introduced us to epic meal time ... and Michael showed off his brownie and pancake making skills.   It was great to see them again and to have them stay in our home.

learning to lean on others

I have always been very independent so the last two months have been really hard having to rely on others, especially my amazing husband, to do things for me. Not being able to walk well has kept me from doing simple things like house chores and grocery shopping. It has been so frustrating not to be able to really go anywhere and do anything on my own. And it has been hard giving up control and letting others do things for me .

This Thanksgiving we went to Stanwood, Washington to hang out with Michael's family. Since my legs/feet are still in pain and I can only walk very slowly - we had to get a wheelchair. It felt weird and awkward to be driven around like that. We got to pre-board on the airplane and I felt uncomfortable - like an impostor or something. Michael had to remind me several times on the trip that they have these things for people like me. It is still not easy to get used to.

skype

I just love Skype. I remember back in the day when it cost so much to call long distance ... let alone all the way to Denmark. We used to have to spend more than $1 per minute to call family and friends in Denmark and now it is less than 3 cents via Skype ... or of course completely free if calling Skype to Skype. Even though I love Phoenix, I really miss my family and wish we lived closer. I hate the thought of my new nephew not knowing his aunt Signe. BUT that is where Skype comes in ... it at least makes the distance a little better as I am able to see my family's faces while we talk. I love being able to sing Danish children's songs to Anders and see him smile at the screen above:) What a cutie. I look forward to seeing my family at Christmas, but till then Skype is my connection.