That Time We Made A Surprise Visit Home! Part 1

We have officially been back in Malaysia for a week. Flying home to surprise everyone without anyone knowing was priceless. The looks of surprise were fantastic. It was without a doubt one of the most fun things I have ever done.

 

I seriously want to share every moment we were there and all the fun, so I'm going to have to break it up into a few posts. I promise, you'll get to see them all! :O)

 

 

Did I tell y'all that the kids didn't even know we were coming until about 8 hours before we left? THAT my friends, was great! It was also probably the closest to going crazy I've truly ever been.

I had to keep my excitement all to myself. Cleaning, trying to get things together, all the while bursting on the inside made me CRAZY! I deserve an academy award for that performance!

I'd like to start off by thanking God, my husband and children. Without you, this would have never been possible! Haha!

 

Anyway...lets get back to the fun stuff!

 

Telling the kids. I recorded it for y'all. Their reactions were priceless! They continued to get more and more excited..guess I stopped to early, but hey! We had packin' to do!

 

 

The packing came together remarkably better than I expected. I was a hot mess, worried we would forget something we need or would want. Hello toothbrush, deodorant, underwear?!?! We all did great though. Claire and Tucker must have came into our room 10 thousand times asking "Is this OK to take? How about this outfit?" NUTS! It was NUTS!

 

There was very little sleep to be had that night. We packed, ordered pizza for supper and all laughed and talked about how surprised our families would be! What would their reactions really be like? We couldn't wait to see! The 7 1/2 to 8 hours between telling the kids and getting picked up to go to the airport passed faster than the previous 24 had. Promise!

 

We loaded up at 2:30 am and off we went. 27+ hours of traveling by car and plane is a LOOOONG time. It's no joke! Ask Alicia. She'll tell ya. She'll also tell ya she knew we were coming home! LOL! This is what she had to deal with! That's why she's been my best friend FOREVER! Literally! 

My mom was freaking out because she hadn't heard from any of us. We hadn't been on Facebook or any form of social media. We were off the radar. But not really...we just weren't posting anything for fear of ruining our surprise! A BIG thanks to Alicia for covering for us and risking the wrath of Mawmaw's and Pawpaws and Moms and Dads all over TC! You rocked girl!

We boarded our plane at 6 am Friday morning in Singapore. That was 6 pm Thursday evening in Kentucky. We were set to arrive in Louisville around 6:30 pm Friday evening. Have I said how long the flights are???

Fortunately all the seats have TVs with movies and games in the back of the head rest! Thank you Delta! Plus the booze and wine was free! Bonus for Dad and Mom!

 

 

Someone is all "Tuckered" out! Hehe!

Tvs out, movies on, pillows and blankets in use. The excitement must have gotten to them...finally!

 

 Bulk head seats rule. They are THE BEST on long flights...unless your special and get to fly first class. Obviously we aren't, or our family is just too big. Either way, the bulk head seats made a world of difference. Especially for that tall man of mine. Being 6'2" means you need some extra leg room!

 

 

 

We arrived in Louisville right on time Friday evening. We were all tired, but excited and the adrenaline had kicked in at this point! We grabbed our luggage and car from Enterprise and were on our way!

 

There were some big surprises in the future for our family!

 

 

Feelin' Loved

When someone will fly all the way around the world, 27+ hours of travel time with very little sleep in a cramped airplane seat...you feel really loved! 

This crazy girl, whose been my BFF since foreva' was willing to do just that! Yay for that first day of middle school when we met! 

We took her shopping at our best malls! Or at least the ones where they sell every name brand knock off you could ever dream of and some you haven't ever heard of! Purses, shoes, wallets, scarves, and more oh my! I found this killer head band! Maybe I should have dressed up as Minnie Mouse for Halloween this year! 

Tucker is NOT a good shopper. He was bored to death and begging for some man time! Where's dad??? Working as always! Boo! 

Tatum found this killer outfit...and put it on backwards! Oops! 

Beach day came next! Because what else do you do to your BFF who is still jet lagged and probably would rather nap or float around a nice clean pool!?!?!

Drag her butt to the beach! I mean seriously, you can't fly around the world without going to the beach and dipping your toes into the South China Sea! 

Some locals who were picnicking on the beach shared their lunch with us. Alicia swears it was Singapore Noodles. I have no idea what it really was...except hot and spicy! Altogether not bad though and very nice on the part of that family. 

We gave them the plate and silverware back! 

Nice butt Tatum...GET UP! lol

The kids found a huge hermit crab. They wanted to keep him, but we convinced them to let him go home and find his own family. 

He was a giant! 

Skinny Minnie there! Ugh....where was I when God said if you want to be tall and thin stand in this line!

Favorite Aunt right there! ;)

 

On the way home we stopped to feed her more local food at what I call the "Malaysian Little Town & Country!" There is almost always a bunch of older gentlemen siting around. Probably talking farm talk. See...Town & Country! Haha! 

Cold drinks in a bag...cause that's how they do it here. 

Awwwww, two of my favorite people ever! 

We spent a day in Singapore. Tatum and Olivia insisted on going for dumplings. Din Tai Fung was the place. It was delicious. I can NOT eat with chop sticks. I used my fingers. Country girl right here! ;o)

Marina Bay Sands. Crazy kids....what is Claire even doing!?!?

Almost time for her to head home. :( We decided we needed one day with just the two of us. Pedicures it was! Cody was left with the kiddos! Poor guy! I made it up to him with beer! Haha!

WHAT are they painting on my legs? Mud? Lotion? I still don't know, but they were super soft when they were done! 

Check out those nails! 

Dinner out that night at Permas Village! Terrible lighting for pictures, but it's the best we got. Womp womp!

This is such a great picture of Alicia...too bad Claire didn't get the straw out of the way before she took it! SMH!



 

We all had a blast and I'm sure she was more exhausted leaving than when she came! It was so great to get to share some of our experience here with someone from home! And have a little bit of home here with us! Knowing she was willing to use her personal vacation time, spend some money and fly waaaaaaaaaaaay over here definitely had us feeling the love! 

And I'm not gonna lie. I cried a little when I dropped her off at the airport. Tatum made fun of me. Brat!

Stuff

I may have taken another blogging break. Oops! I have lots of ideas for things to blog but no patience to sit down and make them happen. Sorry! Today I have a bunch of randomness for you. New, old, interesting, boring. It's a jumble of stuff! 

My hair is all brown again! I LOVE my blonde, but no roots, no upkeep! Yay! Hence the smile! :) 

 

 

I saw this pillow on Pinterest. Uhm, vodka may have told me that a time or ten....two! I can't dance. I don't think...unless there's liquor involved and then, hell, I can fly! Hahaha! 

This guy. He makes me happy. All hard workin', sweatin' busting' his butt off to take of our family. Awwww, he's such a good man. I'm so lucky!

This girl! Will be here, in Malaysia on FRIDAY!!!!!!! What? What?! You know your BFF loves you and your family when she'll take a whole lotta vacation time off and fly around the world to see you! I. Cannot. Wait! Exited doesn't even begin to cover it. 

These 2 beauties! My other BFF/cousin whom I miss more than anything in this world and her sweet little niece. I can't wait to get home and hug and love on them both! And meet miss Layla! Boo for missing out on her first months! :(

Oh, yeah...here's just one of my favorite pics of my sexy husband! ;) love love love him! Hotness right there! Don't hate ladies!

This kid. She wanted shrimp for supper. Fresh shrimp. I told her it was disgusting to peel and devein, but she said no big deal...till she started doing it! It was hilarious. And gross. I really don't know how I eat that stuff! Haha! 

Found this old picture in my bible. My PawPaw Webster with Tatum and Kayla when they were itty bitty. I miss him and Mawmaw so much. It made me smile and a little bit sad. They were the best! 

 

 

Oh, here's that kid again! She had to try on this jacket. I forget why. Here's the big question....Do you really need a jacket like this in Malaysia?!?! It's hot as hell here! 

My phone here. It's not smart! It actually may be from the prehistoric era. I dropped it and maybe broke it the other day. Not on purpose I swear! 

 

 

This sketch. It may now be permanently inked onto my body... 

 

 

This notice on our door. It didn't make me happy. No electricity all freaking day?!?!? Seriously! Get it together Malaysia! 

 

 

 

Hari Whatta?

Hari Raya is a Muslim celebration that occurs after the month long fasting of Ramadan. During the month of Ramadan the Muslims devote their time to worship, charitable deeds, and acts of compassion. They practice fasting from food and drink during the day to purify their souls and body. The more devoted (not to say all aren't devoted to their religion) will not even swallow their saliva, won't smoke or even chew gum. Its super hot here so that's a huge sacrifice on their parts. The nurse in me worries about dehydration! Haha! I'm sure that is the least of their concern though! 

During the fast each night, families come together to break fast with prayers and family meals. There were food stands and vendors set up everywhere during the whole month. More so than usual. Although they fast during the day, it is my understanding that eating is definitely a huge part of this holiday. Traditional foods are served and when Hari Raya arrives the men and women will dress in a more traditional manner with matching colors to signify their unity. 

Hari Raya is a HUGE BIG deal! I can only equate it with our traditional Christmas...although they celebrate much longer! Three days of eating, family time, and celebrating their love for their god. Some of the men Cody works with took up to 6+ days off! Apparently here, Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur are the 2 major metropolis's in the country. Many people had to travel very far to go home to their families to celebrate. They put their celebration above everything...including work. 

Seeing how basically the whole country "shuts down" for this celebration, Cody had some extra time off that weekend. So we did what any American would do, and celebrated too! Of course we didn't have a Hari Raya celebration. We cooked out and invited what seemed like the majority of our complex to the festivities! Haha! 

A trip to the grocery store to stock up and start preparing some yummy traditional American cookout food!

We had brats, baked beans, Mac & (velvetta) cheese, and corn on the cob! 

Enjoying the dinner and company! 

The kids played in the pool and used a lounge chair to eat on! 

This adorable little girl is one of Cody's coworkers nieces! She was a little shy!

After waiting 30 minutes to get back in the pool....

Ok...they didn't really wait! There was too much fun to be had! 

I'm sure these 3 were talking shop. They always do!

I made some desserts...potato candy and fruit loops crispies. I had to improvise, no rice crispies to be found! I think Marcus liked it. He was trying to hide it to take with him! 

Why these kids love playing with ice, I'll never know! 

Idle chit chat...Tatum and Olivia love accents. They get a kick out of listening to anyone from another country talk. And then complain because they don't have a cool accent. A country accent apparently isn't cool?!?!

This man absolutely adores his wife. He has pictures of them together all over his apartment. It's soooooo sweet. 

Goofy girls! Man, they are so beautiful...when did they grow up so much?

I'm a good friend...I picked the best picture of Marlena to post. Ain't nobody wants a bad pic of themselves floating around the www! 

This little bottle of liquid courage came from Germany. It smelled like Jäger....nasty. I DID NOT partake in it! Ugh! 

After a drink or three...there's the love! 

We had a fabulous evening! The kids were worn out, the adults were worn out and most of the food was eaten! 

*this post was meant with no disrespect towards the Muslim people or their religion...I am completely admitting ignorance regarding it. If any information is incorrect, I apologize in advance!