Today I met a friend of mine whom I met about a year ago. Donna is from my brother's church. We met at Olive Garden, where she surprised me by treating me to the meal. After a couple of hours of talking there, we went to the Christian bookstore in town, and I treated her to some coffee, and we continued our conversation (and enjoyed some shopping time, too)! We had the gal who had made the coffee drink to take our picture. We found out that we had many things in common, one of which is loving to read. As we went through the checkout, we handed each other a gift -- we had each bought each other a book and a bookmark! The lady who had checked us out enjoyed our surprising of each other, too!

One of the things that we had in common was that of being "Adult-Third-Culture Kids." This was a new term/concept to her, but I have been aware of this, read up on it, and have been to a conference of ATCK's.  Here is one brief article if anyone is interested in learning more, but here is the introductory paragraph:" A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture. The TCK frequently builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture may be assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background."

Donna was a military kid, and I a missionary kid; she had been in two places outside of the U.S. (plus MANY places in the U.S.); I had 9-1/2 years in the Philippines, and the U.S. off and on in small amounts until I was 14. I also did my student teaching back in my other home. Here we are:   The rest are the latest pics I've "swiped" off of Facebook, of our grandkids. I can't get enough of them! I love the first one of Brogan with "attitude." Brogan is with his mom in the second picture -- you  can see from whom he got his blue eyes! Tristen is posing with her best friend. Quinn had those pictures taken yesterday (I believe) ... she is 8 weeks old now. Such a blessing to have grandchildren!!!