For those who haven't heard...

A few weeks ago we had a big decision to make. It has been confirmed that our decision has been validated to stay here in Tashkent Uzbekistan for another year! This means our tour will end May 2015.

This means that while we don't get home leave at the end of 2 years, we will get another R&R. Our first R&R is coming up and we couldn't be more ready and excited. Life in another country takes a lot of effort with getting to know the area, culture, language, people, not to mention a new job. Even adding in little extra time consuming tasks like washing all fruits and vegetables in bleach water seems to zap our energy. We are super ready to relax and be at our leisure. We are flying to Rome and from there we will leave on our cruise. One week of heaven! I only hope Saileey will go easy on us.

Saileey understands so much English as well as sign language. When she signs a word and we say it she gets so happy that we understand her that she leaps toward us with a smile and a happy exclamation meaning get to it now that you know what I want.

Saileey is on a roller coaster with her eating habits and cheese continues to be her favorite food item with frozen grapes a distant second. Her sleeping habits are atrocious however. She was sick a couple weeks ago waking up multiple times a night. Now she is better but still wakes up around 1 or 2 AM wanting milk.

We thought spring was here for good last week, however we had rain and snow this last weekend and it was so cold! The apricot tree outside our gate had already bloomed so we aren't expecting the same gooey mess we had last year on our driveway and lawn.

 Outside the circus. Of the 3 hour show we only made it through 2, Saileey wasn't interested one bit.

This is as close to a smile as we can get while the camera is out.

 Trying out the new stroller.

 Saileey's nanny Zubira

 Playing dress up.

 Signing cat.

 Snow on the apricot blossoms!

 Signing baby.

A favorite place of Saileey's to sit. Usually she has her doll or animals sitting next to her.

Joseph and I are still trudging along with our Russian. We haven't had much opportunity to use it lately since we stayed cooped up all winter. I am looking forward to going out to the bazaars and brushing up my number skills which remain to be extra hard for me. Everything is in the thousands here. If things get tough enough they usually have a calculator or use their cell phone to show you the price they are asking. I can't wait to pay 500 soum ($.25) for 1/2 kilo (1 lb) of tomatoes again!