Sunday Evening Post, issue 9

(I'm setting this to post automatically while we're on our Thanksgiving trip to visit Anna in Odessa.)

A photo from this week:

Our weird cat's favorite way to sleep

(I didn't take many photos at all over the past week.)

Jaan... has been playing the piano a lot lately! It seems a little strange to me, but his teacher has encouraged me not to make him practice. (Is she really Russian?) And when I don't, he sits down at the piano by himself to play his assigned songs and his own compostions.

Raia: I asked Raia what to say about her this week. She replied, "Tell them that I study at home when Asya sleeps." You may already know that, but it's very important to her!

Asya... is a little confused about this trip to Odessa, but very excited. I think the last time we saw Anna was in Poland. Asya understands that she won't see Clarissa (who lives in Poland) this time, but she keeps saying that we're going to Poland to see Anna and feed the swans. She's been pushing her dolls and stuffed animals around in a box, saying that they're on the train to Poland all week.

Will... has been busy this week, but I can't think of anything out of the ordinary that has happened for him. He has spent a lot of time getting us ready to travel to Odessa, buying tickets and such.

School this week: We finished the first term! Also, coincidentally, we finished the Reception level of math. Now Jaan's in MEP, Year 1.

My books and knitting... are still there? I'm afraid I've been neglecting them.

Weather and nature observations: Maybe it's starting to get cooler? We've enjoyed watching the birds out our windows, now that the trees are bare. The jays and woodpeckers are either much more active, or just more visible now.

Other news, ministry, notes and miscellaneous from the week: 'Tis the season for youth conferences! I think there were three going on this weekend and next. Will chose one, and he's getting a group together to attend that when we get back from Odessa. Also, Wednesday night Bible studies are becoming a challenge for Will, because they're evolving from a church youth fellowship time, into something that spans all ages and levels from unbelievers to older Christians. It's good, but--like I said--a challenge.

On this date in. . . 2005: I posted three great photos of Baby Raia and Jaan. In 2006, I wrote about their Thanksgiving crafts.

Just a few things I'm thankful for...

• Thanksgiving Day!
• traveling as a family
• eggs for breakfast, prepared by Will
• the quiet of November days
• a bright sunrise

My question for you (an easy one!): What are five things that you're thankful for?