Big Belly Early Edition

Okay, I've gotten a request for some belly pictures from far away friends.  Here you go!  I guess the first one would have been May ... the last probably almost a month ago.  6 more weeks to go!

Ghana

I've been home from Ghana one month now, but am still processing the experience. When describing the trip, I keep using the word "Mind-expanding," which makes it sound hallucinaginic, I know. But the culture, language, and basic worldview is so very different from my own... I come from a culture that is individualistic; Ghana is community-focused, to an extreme and beautiful degree. My culture is optimistic about change, especially with regards to science and medicine; Ghanaians tend not to be. In my culture, we tend to expect the experts to make life safe and easy; Ghanaians don't expect (in comparison) much of anything to be safe, and are much stronger because of it. I could go on and on, but I don't really know what I'm talking about, and understand these are simply impressions from a short time period. I can't wrap up or explain a different culture on a blog, and don't mean too. Just suffice it to say I was really impressed by Ghana, its people, and the unique challenges I found there.
The picture above is from our first off-site clinic in old Teshie, a suburb of Accra. It was a rowdy bunch, and kind of a rough start to the mission. Many of us were overwhelmed with the level of need in the neighborhood. You can't see, but behind me there is a lean-to made out of corrugated tin and a pile of tires with kids and a mom living in it. I'll post more later

Gordon Girl Extravaganza: San Fran Edition

Okay, I am destined to be a month (or more!) behind.  Here are some shots of the trip that Katie and Sarah and I took to San Francisco at the end of June.  

We had such a good time!  All of our earlier Gordon Girl Extravaganzas involved seedy motels in Gatlinburg and "fun" things like driving across NC and back in a weekend.  This one was definitely an upgrade!

We stayed right downtown, had lovely shopping times and just meandered all over the city.  The Mission District was one of my favorite areas (note the tasty fig ice cream from an indian market) and walked from there over to Haight-Asbury (learning how to pronounce it on the way), stopping off at the top of one of the highest hills in the city where we could see all the way across to the bay and the bridge. 

We rented a car (all they had was a mini Cooper- darn!) and drove through the Napa Valley one day and then biked to the Golden Gate bridge the next.  We fit as much as we could in 4 days and had such a good time.  I guess to get any better than this, we'll have to go to Paris for our next trip!

Back from Ghana

Five Years

Today is my fifth anniversary to the prime specimen of husbands. Bryce is a blessing beyond blessings... and the pickle of my eye. I have only learned more to love since I married him- his character and his capacity to love just runs so deep.

How better to celebrate one's fifth anniversary than with a surprise party 2 weeks early? That's what Bryce thought, too, since he is in Ghana now. I was not the most compliant surprisee, my sister was charged with keeping me busy on Friday afternoon (for six hours! tall order!) and I really just wanted to go home. She kept me out forever at Target and THEN acted like she wanted to deep talk... it was difficult to tear myself away, but I did... then when I walked in my house and saw all my favorite people, I really couldn't have been more surprised. So surprised that I couldn't even figure out WHY they were surprising me- good thing there was a banner that said "Happy Anniversary."

I really think the main reason he wanted to have a party was so he could toast me and our love in front of all the people who love us so well. He said he had a longer toast planned... which involved a song... but he waited to sing that until later. 5 or 6 people did stayed long into the night for the dance party portion- whew!

One of the best parts was the present he gave me- a back porch! He has been working on it for months. It used to just be the cement part with the overhang- FILLED with junk- now the junk is gone, he laid a brick patio and made an area beside the house with a table and chairs. We ate breakfast and dinner out there all weekend. Such a great space that we have never been able to use!

If anyone wants to keep up with this lovely man while he is in Africa, here is the blog that the team has been posting on (look carefully and you will find his ear: smi-ghana.blogspot.com.

Sons of Thunder Canoeing

A couple of weekends ago, we went canoeing with the Utley Family- three of the four boys came with us, Jack, Charlie and wild Harry (George is too small for now). Tracey and Michael (parents) are so cool and have so much fun with their little football team. It was a great day, the rain cleared just in time for us to get on the river. I didn't know how much time you spend with boys looking down and investigating everything happening under your feet- interesting-shaped rocks, skipping stones, spiders, dragonflies, more spiders. I loved having an Utley boy to paddle for me all day- such luxury as I sat in the middle of the canoe! And of course, Bryce and I had to stop at Sonic on the way back- what are water sports for if not for the food you look forward to at the end. Ah tater tots and chocolate malts... mmm...

Faye + Jeff

Okay, I really am trying to get caught up. Faye and Jeff's wedding in Augusta was just a wonderful day- beautiful garden ceremony in the morning (it was May- not as hot as now!) and then fascinating Greek Orthodox ceremony in the evening. I really enjoyed the liturgy of the Orthodox ceremony- everything was sung back and forth from the priest to the reader several times. Apparently Jeff is the servant of God and Faye is His handmaiden- beautiful.
Jeff had some amazing moves to share with the celebrants in lieu of the first dance- he and his best man busted out to some crazy 80's song. After that, everyone had no choice but to dance like idiots for the rest of the night- it set a precedent, for sure. Bryce was busting out moves that have not been in the public eye before- Jeff, you may have set this bird free.
Melanie and Jeremy were there- always good to get time to catch up, even if we didn't get them to play "son of a preacherman" for us.

And we stayed for the weekend at Josh and Clare's in Crawford, GA! It is always a respite to be with them. Good friends are like homegrown tomatoes that the chickens haven't eaten yet (that is their chicken house behind Clare, wee Esme is in her arms.)
Bryce is pretty much in love with Jack. You should look at Clare's blog at www.thegreengate.blogspot.com. She definitely posts more than I do... and gets much more built, planted and fed in a day than I ever will.