Clik here to view.
Goodbye, Bamako!
Tomorrow we board an airplane bound for Europe. After a brief layover there we head off to the USA. It is hard to believe this is all happening to Mali. It is still frankly hard to believe we are...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chaos to calm
It has been three weeks ago since we arrived in Michigan via our "Authorized Departure" from Bamako, Mali. When we arrived it was chaotic, but now we are in the calm of somewhat normal life. In three...
View ArticleClik here to view.
8 weeks as a single parent
Phew! I am exhausted! Over eight weeks ago I took an "Authorized Departure", via the US State Department, from our home of Bamako, Mali. We left behind the best husband and father, ever! We were...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What a difference two months makes
We have an exciting update in the lives of the Briden Bunch :) we have been re-assigned to Santiago, Chile! After much prayer and weighing our options we asked to curtail Kelly's assignment in Mali....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Life as a "trailing spouse"
Imagine this is your life..................... You move to a third new continent in three years, have to unpack clothes yet again, organize the hotel room, try to access the Internet, take taxis when...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Life is so cool in Chile!
We are doing just great here in Chile! We have been getting much better adjusted. The kids are enjoying school. Our shipment from Africa has arrived and it is almost unpacked. Yay!After our authorized...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Three years
Three years ago we left the safety and security of U.S. soil to live abroad. It is hard to believe that it has been three years since we lived permanently in the U.S. In some ways this time has flown...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Goodbye Granddad
We have had many events over these last months in Chile. The most difficult by far was the death of my father in law, Ken. He was a great man that lived his faith in God daily, loved his family and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Adoption and School
Today because of a close friend of mine, Melissa, I get to chat with Timmy's class about adoption. Melissa has coordinated sharing about adoption at our children's school in Santiago. Melissa and her...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Rain, rain go away!
In 20 days I leave Chile for SUMMER vacation in the USA! Today we have loads of rain pouring down again in Chile. I would complain, but I love to see the snow capped mountains here so much. I mean look...
View ArticleClik here to view.
15 days!
In fifteen days we return to the USA for our Winter/Summer vacation! It is winter break here in Chile and we are ready to escape it to trade for another summertime. It is hard to believe that we have...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Yes, I have days!
There are so many things I miss often about the USA, but mostly it is the people I miss! I miss my nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters, my mom and dad. I am truly thankful everyday for Viber and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Packing for a six week vacation
I am currently packing for a six week vacation in the USA. You may ask "How do you pack for that time?" Well, that is a good question!!!! This is the secret.............. Empty suitcases:)We are...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Michigan Summer
We have so enjoyed our summertime fun in Michigan, USA! We have caught fish, turtles, eaten ice cream, tons of berries, played with cousins and family, laughed, fought in the many car rides and overall...
View ArticleClik here to view.
You can meet me in St Louis
We had an amazing visit with Kelly's brother and sister in law in St.Louis. We were also thrilled to have Kenna, Kelly's sister visit St. Louis at the same time we were there!!! We had a wonderful time...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Leaving besties in Michigan
I have decided no matter how old I get, I hate goodbyes. I remember being at a small airport in Michigan and crying when my aunt, who lived in Seattle, would fly out after a visit. The older I get the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bad blogger!
As you can see I have been on a sabbatical from blogging! It has almost been one year since my last confession........oops I mean my last post. Much has changed first I graduated from college in the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
6 moves since 2009!
My husband has been in the US Foreign Service for 5 years in September. In that time we have had many moves! First, Michigan to DC. Next, DC to Kuwait City. After 1.5 years we moved to Bamako, Mali....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ghana Bound
Pack out has begun! This is the part of the foreign service life that Is quite a bother! We are now living in chaos and suitcases till we arrive in Ghana at the end of July. It is exhausting trying to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The dreaded pack out ......
Yesterday was the end of our Santiago "pack out". It was very slow and frustrating! We are all glad it is over. We were overweight, again. This is after dumping and selling tons of stuff. I have yet to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The summer comes to an end
We made it home to Michigan and Missouri after leaving the Santiago winter. It is hard to leave people you love! But, it is exciting to visit family and friends you have not seen in too long. We even...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Akaawba or Welcome in Twi
We have made it to our new home in Accra! It took us all weeks to get acclimated and settled. The children began school and are getting used to the new ways of doing everything. We love our house and...
View ArticleOn the way to the money changer
When I got up today it was a normal day. Other than Kelly has been traveling since the end of September. He has visited Guinea and Sierra Leone. The early morning went quick with the rush of getting...
View ArticleClik here to view.
One embarrassed American
Wow...........I never thought that would be a title of a blog post referring to me. But, seriously I am so embarrassed! My husband can attest to the fact that I am one of the MOST patriotic Americans...
View ArticleSome days I win the biggest prize, it is finding items on my shoppinglist
My life in Ghana with five children and a spouse that travels quite frequently can be just plain hard. I do not tell you this so we can all celebrate at my pitty party, but so I can get it off my...
View Article
