Last night somewhere in Arlington, VA were a Princess, a dinosaur, an Army Commando, a tiger kitty and an Abby Cadabby Fairy out for candy and a fun time. Did they find candy? Check! Did they have fun? Check! We even had a special guest with us last night, Uncle Jeff. He hadn't been trick or treating in MANY years, so we had to give him a refresher course. We even made "Uncle Jig" wear the glow stick necklace so he was safe : ) We hope you had a good, safe night as well. Blessings to all~

This past weekend was a great one. Here are two of our highlight photos. The "twins" have loved sitting with their feet in the kitchen sink and playing with bubbles. It is so fun to watch them play, they are truly best friends!

The second picture is of "The Big Three" overlooking the Potomac. We were back at Mount Vernon today. This photo was taken at the back of the Mansion. The colors are changing. I love fall, what a beautiful time of year. I loved the fact that this photo was not staged at all, just a glimpse of them enjoying God's amazing handiwork.

What did you do this weekend? I hope it was a great one for you~

Today at the park a strange apparition appeared in one of my photos that I was taking of Hope. Is it Casper the friendly ghost? I have no idea where this face came from, spooky!!! It couldn't be our second daughter, Faith jumping in front of the camera screaming "No! Mommy, take my picture! Take MY picture." As I was downloading the photos tonight I noticed this one and couldn't help but laugh : )

Hello All! It seems that immediately after my last post our weather went from nice and sunny to cold and rainy. Very ironic after just posting about the weather being so amazing! We are surviving, barely.

It is hard to be in a small space in the city with five kids. I am doing the best I can, but at the end of each day I am truly spent. Our homeschooling is going very well. God has given me the strength to do it. Normally when the babies go down for their naps I would have some time to myself. I might update my blog, read a book from my long "must read" list or clean. That time is spent exclusively for school, now. My preference would be to do a majority of our schooling in the morning. Usually in the morning the kids and I are freshest and ready to take on the day. It is hard to balance time between my "twins" and the "Big Three". We are getting into quite a little pattern now and I am surprised at how much I am enjoying it. I love to see them learn or master something new. I also love to color and do crafts with them.

We have really been enjoying this video series on these rain drenched days. All three of our oldest can now tell you so much about our Revolutionary war. Including the famous patriot who said " Give me liberty or give me death". They are eating it up, they have so many wonderful questions about history and the beginnings of our great nation. Kel and I are also re-learning much of this and enjoying the refresher course.

Later this past week we spent a fun filled day at Chuck E Cheese. Don't worry we used loads of hand sanitizer and washed hands many times. We almost had the whole place to ourselves because we went early on Friday morning. We are hopeful tomorrow that the sun will break through so we can run and play at a local park.

We found out this week that we won't be leaving D.C. until around the 7th of December. There are pros and cons with this. The pros being, we get to spend Thanksgiving stateside, we get to see D.C. with all lit up for Christmas and we get to continue to explore here. Not feeling settled is the biggest con. I can't wait to be in a more permanent living situation. I miss my stuff and especially my "mommy chair". But, I choose to focus on the positive. God is providing and for that we praise him! We have an offer on our house!!!! It is supposed to close as soon as possible. Thank you God for lifting that weight off our shoulders!

In the photo I posted above, Faith holds one of our craft projects from this week. We sculpted things with modeling clay. Faith, loved it she made a tree, birds nest, bird eggs, mother and father birds that are feeding their already hatched babies. This kind of clay doesn't harden. She has played with her bird nest all week. She has made other additions to it and re sculpted it over and over. It has been so fun getting to see how "the big three" love to learn!

Hello All! As I have lived in Arlington now for over a month I must list some of my observations.

First, everyone is kind here. Rare is the person who doesn't stop and say "Hello" to the kids and me. People have helped us with doors, chatted with Timmy in the elevator about his new crocs and random people have reciprocated when kisses are blown at them from two giggling toddlers in a large double stroller. Once Timmy even insisted that a random white bald man on the Metro was "Daddy", I of course was horrified as the man was old enough to be my father. The stranger kindly made funny faces at Tim for the remainder of the journey. We even had a homeless women get on the metro on night and sing for us. She sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and the kids were thrilled!! Now the kids think all the metro trips should include live entertainment.

Second, the weather is gorgeous here in Virginia. We are used to it being markedly cooler by this time of the year back in Michigan. I haven't worn much more than a polar fleece jacket a couple of times since arriving. It has been sunny and warm, which is an amazing blessing when you are trapped in a small apartment with five kids. We have been to the park at every available opportunity.

Lastly, everything is uber expensive here. I am still not over sticker shock on many food items we buy. OUCH! I am told this will help to prepare me for Kuwait. I miss getting a Little Caesar's Pizza for five bucks. I can't even buy a frozen pizza for that much. Everything is here, but nothing is as convenient as in the Midwest. You can have anything you want in theory, but you can't find parking. I took HUGE parking spots for granted for too many years.

In closing the transition is becoming easier and we are enjoying it. We miss all those back in Michigan and we hope you are well~

Hello All! I miss my friend, Saskia. She and I had become very close by the end of my time in Muskegon. We went to the same church for years. Our friendship blossomed last year about this time. Why didn't God bring us together sooner? She is very similar to me in many ways. She has a great sense of humor and I love that in people. People who take themselves too seriously are well, serious. I am rarely serious. If I am serious my kids and Kelly know the change by just my tone of voice.

Saskia, was and is a true friend to me. She is someone who I look up to literally and figuratively. She is amazingly talented, a great cook, a veracious reader, a self sacrificing mother, an encouraging wife, and a best bosom friend. In Anne of Green Gables, Anne and her close friend Diana are "Bosom Friends". The kind of friend you can share secrets with and know they are safe. The kind of friend who sees you at your craziest and still loves you. The kind of friend who values the same things you do. The kind of friend that also challenges you to think outside of the sub culture you were born into. The kind of friend who shares the same God. Saskia sent me this in the mail today for a birthday gift. I couldn't hold it together I cried like a baby. Thanks, Saskia!!!!!! You will always hold a special place in my heart, right next to your famous NACHOS! Saskia you and your family are always welcome to visit us anytime you want. Come to Kuwait and we'll paint the town red! Well maybe not red, it is a conservative country after all. Maybe we could paint the town a nice shade of pale pink while sporting our Burquinis and Crocs. Are you game? Love and miss you~

Hello All! Last night I typed up this sweet tribute to my mother in law, Grandma Briden. I forgot to save it on blogger and lost the whole blog post. UGHHHH!



Here is is in a nutshell. My mother in law turned 74 while with us this past weekend. We go to enjoy her day with her and that was a treat! We went to Arlington National Cemetery. It was a beautiful day that was full of reflection about all those we have loved who have served in our military. Thank you everyone who has served, without you we would not be living freely in this great country of ours!



We got to see the changing of the Guard at the Tomb Of The Unknown Solider. Grandma Briden in all her trips to D.C. had never seen it and I think she really enjoyed it. We also had a celebration dinner topped off with Chocolate Decadence cake, YUM.



Grandma Briden went home to New Mexico on Sunday. She was such a blessing while here. She did load upon load of laundry, washed mounds of dishes and read books aloud for hours to five kids who love to be read to. Thank you, Mom Briden! I missed you like crazy today, but I know I must take it from here. I wish you could have seen the new park we visited today. It was much fun. All five of the kids miss you and Granddad, please come to Kuwait soon!!!!!!



On Sunday we went to Mount Vernon, George Washington's home in Northern Virginia. I loved it! It was a beautiful day and we had a picnic on the banks of the Potomac river. I am in awe at times of the beautiful country God created here. I could have easily retired up the road from Mount Vernon. When I returned home I surfed the net to see how much houses Alexandria cost, YIKES! I have such sticker shock here. How do people live in homes and pay them off that start at 1 million dollars? So, sadly I don't think I will be retiring near General Washington's old homestead, but I have a season pass. That means I can at least visit when I want and sit on the porch over looking the river, hey I can dream!



The kids favorite thing at Mount Vernon? The Blacksmith house. We returned there three or four times. All our children love fire and building things. All in all a good weekend, but we miss GRANDMA!!!!! Blessings to you all~

Hello All! Today was Kelly's flag ceremony. If you follow me only via our blog than you may not know , but the flag we received was the flag of Kuwait. Those of you who are my friends on Facebook, this is not news to you. But for all of the blogospehere here is the official announcement. Our home for the next couple years will be Kuwait City. We are so excited to see our new home, meet all the Americans we will be in a close community with and to see the Kuwait towers. I have attached a map of the Persian Gulf countries. Kuwait is a small country bordering Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the Persian Gulf.

The second photo is of a large landmark in Kuwait. The Kuwait Towers. They are large water towers in Kuwait City.

Please come and visit, we would love to have you! Washington D.C. has a direct flight from Dulles. For now we learn all we can about our new home and prepare our big move. Cheers~

Hello All! Tomorrow is a momentous occasion. Kelly has his flag ceremony. This is what has been shared with me regarding the Flag ceremony. Tomorrow new hires who do not know where they will spend the next couple years will get assigned to a post officially. We have known for awhile somewhat unofficially where we are headed. Other people have been bidding for different posts. So the country flag on this post is where we are headed. Tomorrow I will share some photos of Kelly and his new flag and the excitement we have in learning about our first post. Have a great night~

Hello All! I cannot believe my sweet Faith is six today. Time has gone way to fast. I remember I was pregnant with Faith at the same time as our close friends from Bolivar, Missouri. Jeff and Jacki, and Brian and Christy both had girls in October of 2003 and we loved to watch them grow into toddlers together. I was thrilled to have friends who had babies doing the same things at around the same times. I miss those girls and my friends as well.

Faith, you are a joy! I am so glad God made you!!! What fun we have had in these six years. You are always a fun filled bright spot in my day. You have a zest for life that is unmatched in our family. I am thrilled to say that you know God and you love him with your whole six year old heart. You have a thirst for him and for helping others in difficult situations. Today we went to the National Zoo in Washington D.C., you loved seeing the Cheetahs, Elephants, Orangutans, and Guerrillas. What a great day! We spent it with our whole family, Grandma Briden and Uncle Jeff. We have so enjoyed Grandma Briden being here in D.C. to help us with this major transition. She has enjoyed reading and teaching you. Uncle Jeff also has really enjoyed you all, but it was so sweet to see you snuggle him today. I think snuggling people is truly your gift, Faith! You can warm even the coldest heart!!!

These pictures were taken today, the first of you, my little Fay Mae big six year old. The second is of a beautiful flower at the National Zoo, representing the perfect day we had. Lastly, is a photo of all the Briden Bunch children, Grandma Briden and Uncle Jeff. Good times, good times!!! In closing my letter to you, sweet Faith, know I love you with all my heart and so does your father! We praise God for you and for who he is making you into. God Bless your next year baby~ Mommy

Hello All! Welcome to our new home : ) It is believe it or not beginning to feel like home. We are the proud tenants (albeit temporarily) of a three bedroom, two bath, laundry room and kitchen with dishwasher in Northern Virgina. our new home is within in walking distance to the Metro, Subway, a shopping Mall, a yummy Chinese restaurant, and The Smoothie King. We have a park across the street with a large playground and a huge library literally right below our building!!!!! I am a rabid reader and LOVE to read to my children, needless to say this is one of my favorite places in our new neighborhood.

I am homeschooling our children with the help of my mother in law. It is going very well, Faith even said the other day " Mommy, you my favorite teacher!" The kids all look forward to our school time and I am really enjoying it. I have little to no free time, but I sleep like a rock. We are hoping to take a day trip to Colonial Williamsburg this weekend for Faith's sixth birthday. I think she will love the costumes, she is my dress up girl.

Lastly here is a cute quote from Luke the other day. We were riding the metro to the the Butterfly exhibit in the Natural History Museum. We had hit the end of the morning rush hour on the Metro. Luke said " They (looking around at full metro car) are all wearing their boy dresses this morning." My response "What, buddy?" Luke sighed and said "Mom, you know Daddy wears on to the State Department." The light bulb goes on in my head : ) Kelly has been wearing a suit and tie every day, that is not his normal work day outfit. I couldn't stop laughing! Luke's new catch phrase " Boy Dress"= a Suit. I love these kids, they are always making me laugh. God Bless you and yours~

Hello, I'm back!! I will be updating my blog again tonight. For those of you praying for my Internet connection to be fixed, THANKS! I am back and ready to share more of our adventures. Thanks for your patience! This is my last sunset over Lake Michigan. What a great parting view. I would be lying if I said I don't miss Michigan. I will always take a part of it with me. Until tonight~

Hello All! I am going to try to upload more photos from our first week in Virginia soon. We are loving it here! We have concurred the Metro, driving in the traffic and learning alot of State Department terms. We are enjoying Grandma Briden, and we even had a visit from Uncle Jeff and Grandpa B. Jeff, my youngest brother got a job out here also and will be moving from Michigan this week. We are thrilled to be here, and I am probably most thrilled about our recent IKEA visit yesterday!

Comcast is coming on Wednesday to fix our internet connection, THANK GOD. I am ready to burst with all the stories and photos to share. Please keep coming back and reading, I will back in full swing soon : ) Blessings~