Growing.....

The boys have had the opportunity to see many different aspects of life as we have travelled. They have seen the very poor, the very rich.  They have seen unsafe drinking water, and varieties of living standards.  I think they realize how lucky they are to live where they do, and have access to the luxuries of their lives.

They have been witness to how others are treated, and how hard it might be to make a days living.  They have witnessed how fair things can be, and how unfair things can be.  They have witnessed how kind people are, and how money does not buy happiness.  I think they realize that our standard of living is pretty high, but that it is hard to compare one to another, when the scales are so vastly tipping in our favour.

The boys have been party to corruption....they have seen the effects of communist governments, filtering what is available as general knowledge to the public.  They watched our taxi driver bribe a police officer, so as not to be ticketed a full amount.  Their eyes have been opened to the greed and, perhaps, even the desperation of some....

They have played with children who speak a different language, communicating with open minds and welcoming smiles.  They have been ambassadors for our country, proudly wearing Canadian pins and offering warm hellos.

These are the character building blocks our boys are accumulating....these are the futures we are shaping....

We're still traveling....

Sorry for the absence of posts, but I have not had decent access to wifi in a very long time!  I guess that is one of the many things I have taken for granted!!!

We are currently in New Zealand, where we have been joined by my mom, dad and sister. We are having a fabulous time!  We are really enjoying the green, open spaces, and access to clean drinking water!  It's so nice to be able to brush your teeth using the tap water--something we haven't been able to do since we left Japan!!!

New Zealand certainly reminds us of home, at least the areas we have seen. We are on the North Island, traveling a circular loop, including Auckland, Hamilton, Taupo, Rotorua, and Tauranga. Not very extensive, but enough to let us know we want to come back!!!

The 2 older boys and I joined a Scout troop in Taupo, which was great!  The boys got to get some insider tips from kids their age, some new badges for their campfire blankets, and shared some of their knowledge of Canada!!! It was a fantastic experience!!!

We also took time out to enjoy an early Christmas dinner with Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie!  We had chicken, lamb, mashed potatoes, and a pavlova for dessert!  Almost like Christmas back home, except we were able to eat outside!!!  

Joshua proudly wearing his new Blue Jays hat with the maple leaf!!!

Ok, gotta run...Auntie's got a super fun filled afternoon planned with the boys, making Christmas goodies, while Grandma, Grandpa, Mom and Dad  go check out a few wineries in the Hawke's Bay area!!!