Thoughts and Notions

Mom and Dad Haynes were married 25 years ago today! Happy Anniversary! We love you!

Last spring we took a trip to Holland, MI to get out and enjoy the warmer weather. But this time we were there to visit family. Two weekends ago we drove out to Holland and saw Uncle Mark, Aunt Alisa, and Sarah. Uncle Mark took a painting job out there last fall and we hadn’t seen them since the move. We love you guys!

Last night we called Mom and Dad Hanna to talk with them before they leave for Papua New Guinea. Tonight they begin their long series of flights at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Some twenty hours later they should arrive in Hong Kong. From there they will go to Manila (Phillipines), then to Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), and finally Goroka (Papua New Guinea).

I have mixed emotions. We are really excited for them because we were in Papua New Guinea six years ago and have seen were they will be living. We also know they are needing to settle down in their own place. They have been living in transition since they left Venezuela almost two years ago! But at the same time, we’re going to miss them. Karl showed Chesley where Papua New Guinea is on the globe. It really is almost the other side of the earth!

These next few weeks will be crazy for them. The trip over there is hard with the very long flights and layovers. Then they will deal with jetlag and culture shock as they meet new people and begin to unpack in their new home.

So… have you ever experienced jetlag or culture shock?

The other day while out at Dad Staelens’ house we happened to have the chance to ride their snowmobile. Well actually, Denise and I took a ride, and Chesley and I took several rides… I really like snowmobiles… especially when we have a lot of snowfall!

Amber is my favorite sister-in-law! She’s the coolest! (She’s also my only sister-in-law, but that’s beside the point!) Happy 23rd Birthday! Hope you have a special day!

For those who don’t know, Jeff and Amber are living in Washington. We don’t see them nearly as often as we’d like and miss them tons. We love you guys!