Winks

Me and Winks are on good terms these days. It's funny how this place feels like paradise when you've been gone for so long. Little things have been so good lately, like how quiet it is here, how bright the stars are at night, living right out on the edge of town with my parents and eating dinner out on the deck (the weather has been very nice). Jet lag only lasted for a few days, and even then we were sleeping pretty well, all things considered. Being back has just been healing. We were so tired in every way at the end of our stint in Japan, and just hanging out at home with family has been so refreshing. My brother C and his wife M were here until yesterday, and my other brother M and his wife S are here right now, so it's been a full house. We went go-karting, out to the movies, out for a few walks, played lots of games (that part just goes without saying around here) and we threw a big EVERYTHING-WE-MISSED party. We haven't ventured out of the house much, except to visit my grandma, and a few close friends. And we've gone to church twice which has been so good too. It is a time for rest.
This weekend we are planning to head across the line and go shopping in Fargo or Grand Forks, and then some time next week we are heading down to see Steve's family in Ontario for a bit. We are really looking forward to that, and are in the process of buying a car. We test drove some today, and we'll be looking around a bit more. Steve is also at an interview as I write, so I think all the practical details of our lives are coming together.
The kinder kids on the last day of school (minus George)

Our last moments in Japan

Not the best shot, but here's my family, all together at the same time.