International Nabers

06/07/2017

I love the personality of older houses, but sometimes the spaces don't make sense. Does anyone else feel this way? This is when some major reno takes place, or you just work with what you've got until that demo day arrives! For some, this can seem overwhelming, but for me who lives for organizing, it can be so much fun- shopping for the products that fit… [ 478 more words ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/reorg-project-storage-mudroom-in-one-small-but-workable-space/

I love the personality of older houses, but sometimes the spaces don’t make sense. Does anyone else feel this way? This is when some major reno takes place, or you just work with what you& #82…

03/07/2017

I'm typing this as the kiddos take a nice little nap before more 4th of July festivities later on this afternoon and I have to say, I just love long holiday weekends, especially ones that don't involve a ton of plans! That being said, we've kept super busy with our gorgeous sunny weather- impromptu cook outs, park time, early nights in, lots of quality family time, and relaxing in front of a Netlifx original. [ 616 more words ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/reorg-project-a-clean-bright-mudroom/

I’m typing this as the kiddos take a nice little nap before more 4th of July festivities later on this afternoon and I have to say, I just love long holiday weekends, especially ones that don…

26/06/2017

Is it just me or does everyone else also believe that life literally happens in the kitchen?! I swear, it's the most used room in the house, more than the bedroom IMO, plus it's the place were we eat, discuss the days' events and recap at night. It's were milk is {literally} spilled, and where crumbs on our feet is the norm, not the exception {especially with babies, toddlers, and husbands in tow}! [ 964 more words ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/kitchen-reorg-project/

Is it just me or does everyone else also believe that life literally happens in the kitchen?! I swear, it’s the most used room in the house, more than the bedroom IMO, plus it’s the pla…

17/05/2017

The Kitchen Pantry, where the center of the family universe resides. The Kitchen Pantry, where your day can be totally made or blown apart in a million pieces. The Kitchen Pantry, a mother's worst nightmare or dream maker. We all have one.....whether it be through various cupboards or a separate room with a door, and we all have a love/hate relationship with it. [ 967 more words ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/kitchen-pantry-reorg/

The Kitchen Pantry, where the center of the family universe resides. The Kitchen Pantry, where your day can be totally made or blown apart in a million pieces. The Kitchen Pantry, a mother’s …

19/04/2017

Recently my husband and I took our very first vacation together- WITHOUT KIDS!! I mean, we had done 1-2 nights without them but always within a quick drive. This trip was 4nights/5days in ANOTHER COUNTRY! Woohoo, over 4 years in the making (including while pregnant with our first cause lets be honest, it's just not the same vacay as when you are truly yourself, lol!), talk about long overdue. [ 1,356 more word ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/unbelizeable-ambergris-caye/

Recently my husband and I took our very first vacation together- WITHOUT KIDS!! I mean, we had done 1-2 nights without them but always within a quick drive. This trip was 4nights/5days in ANOTHER C…

30/03/2017

For a long time now, well actually if I'm being honest, since I was a little girl, I've been know to my family & friends as the "organized one"….a nice way of saying I'm a tad OCD, lol! I'm fine with that though, it brings me peace in a world of chaos, especially now with kiddos creating daily tornados in my house, haha! [ 522 more words ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/master-closet-refresh/

For a long time now, well actually if I’m being honest, since I was a little girl, I’ve been know to my family & friends as the “organized one”….a nice way of saying I& #…

13/01/2017

Last night I had a little girls night out with one of my closest, dearest, very honest, and always fun girlfriend. She said some things to me that I so desperately needed to hear, although I had no idea that I did. You see, it's been 6 months since my last post. I think that's my longest stretch of blog silence ever! [ 1,734 more word ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/2017/01/13/forging-ahead-time-to-get-on-with-it/

Last night I had a little girls night out with one of my closest, dearest, very honest, and always fun girlfriend. She said some things to me that I so desperately needed to hear, although I had no…

07/07/2016

It's been over 6 months since I found out I was pregnant with our "surprise" baby #3 and about 5 months since I lost our sweet angel. I'm not the first woman to ever suffer a miscarriage, nor will I be the last. I also know I'm not alone in the feelings I have, this I am certain of after countless conversations with friends, doctors, and family about their own experiences with losing a child, but it still doesn't make the pain any easier or less intense. [ 1935 more words. ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/2016/07/07/trusting-in-gods-planour-angel-baby/

06/06/2016

It's astounding to think that just over 1 year ago we were arriving into the Indianapolis airport from our big move across the world in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia the Thursday before Memorial Weekend, with 2 very tired kids in tow, and us as aching parents from a long 30+ hour journey. How have 12+ months already come and gone so quickly when while in the midst of it all, I felt like life would never calm down and I would never feel settled? [ 1108 more words. ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/2016/06/06/a-reflection-our-1yr-anniversary-of-repatriating-to-the-usa/

It’s astounding to think that just over 1 year ago we were arriving into the Indianapolis airport from our big move across the world in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia the Thursday before Memorial Wee…

17/05/2016

It's officially been a year since we have left Malaysia and I can finally say that I think my daughter may be coming out of whatever trance the repatriation roller coaster had on her….well, the repatriation roller coaster coupled with being TWO that is. Having never been an expat prior to this experience, thus never repatriated, in addition to being new at the whole mommy thing, I had no idea that I was supposed to be prepared for my then 21 month old to feel the aftershocks of our around the world move. [ 1398 more words. ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/2016/05/17/repatriation-toddlers-how-our-girl-is-managing-her-new-life-stateside/

It’s officially been a year since we have left Malaysia and I can finally say that I think my daughter may be coming out of whatever trance the repatriation roller coaster had on her….well, t…

28/04/2016

Just last weekend my dear friend Kirsten and I were lucky enough to be sent on a girls weekend by her husband to Waco, TX to visit the fabulous Magnolia Market (yes, her husband is da bomb for doing so). It was AH-MAZING!!! The whole weekend was really….it was a quick 48 hrs but we sucked every last drop of freedom out of it and had the best time. [ 804 more words. ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/2016/04/28/magnolia-market-fun-in-waco-tx/

Just last weekend my dear friend Kirsten and I were lucky enough to be sent on a girls weekend by her husband to Waco, TX to visit the fabulous Magnolia Market (yes, her husband is da bomb for doin…

07/04/2016

A couple months ago our baby boy Mac turned ONE. Amazing….seriously, does anyone else feel like time these days is flying by at warp speed?! Does this happen when you turn 30? Or when you become a parent? Or when you have little ones in the house- all.day.long.?? Or is it just a sign of the times in general? As I continue on the downward slope, staring 40 in the face, I am realizing just how precious time is. [ 1026 more words. ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/2016/04/07/our-baby-hits-his-1st-milestoneand-how-im-surviving/

A couple months ago our baby boy Mac turned ONE. Amazing….seriously, does anyone else feel like time these days is flying by at warp speed?! Does this happen when you turn 30? Or when you become a …

06/01/2016

Let me start with a little bit about me. I've always been an emotional person, I mean, I AM female- lol! But in all seriousness, its taken me many years in my adult life to look at my God given gift of emotional awareness as a positive, and not a negative. What this does mean though is that I tend to "feel" things the the most extreme- both good and bad. [ 978 more words. ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/2016/01/06/my-new-crossroads-an-identity-crisis/

Let me start with a little bit about me. I’ve always been an emotional person, I mean, I AM female- lol! But in all seriousness, its taken me many years in my adult life to look at my God giv…

15/12/2015

Well it's officially been over 6 months since we've repatriated to the USA from Malaysia and honestly, I'm not sure where the time has gone; I mean heck, I'm not sure what my name is most days, let alone where I live! But let me back up for a second and quickly talk about the Expat Stages- there are 4 stages: 1- The Honeymoon Stage, 2- Homesickness/Complaining Stage, 3- Coping with Your new Normal, & 4- Living with Acceptance. [ 1754 more words. ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/2015/12/15/the-repatriation-rollercoaster-reverse-culture-shock/

Well it's officially been over 6 months since we've repatriated to the USA from Malaysia and honestly, I'm not sure where the time has gone; I mean heck, I'm not sure what my name is most days, let...

25/10/2015

"They say" there are 4 stages of being an expat: 1- The Honeymoon Stage, 2- Homesickness/Complaining Stage, 3- Coping with Your new Normal, & 4- Living with Acceptance. 3 + years later, now having returned to our home country of the USA and having experienced all 4 stages while abroad, I feel like I can relate and definitely share my own experience as a first time expat in Malaysia. [ 1742 more words. ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/2015/10/25/the-4-stages-of-an-expat-as-experienced-by-your-international-nabers/

"They say" there are 4 stages of being an expat: 1- The Honeymoon Stage, 2- Homesickness/Complaining Stage, 3- Coping with Your new Normal, & 4- Living with Acceptance. 3 + years later, now hav...

09/09/2015

Well as per my normal M.O. over the past 6 months, I am severely delayed in writing this post. Life just keeps zipping by and I can hardly catch my breath most days! I guess with a toddler, a newborn, & a move across the world…and all that comes along with that, it's not surprising is it?! But alas, here is my emotional goodbye to our home for 3 years: the stunningly unique and exciting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [ 1833 more words. ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/2015/09/09/an-emotional-goodbye-to-kuala-lumpur/

Well as per my normal M.O. over the past 6 months, I am severely delayed in writing this post. Life just keeps zipping by and I can hardly catch my breath most days! I guess with a toddler, a newbo...

23/07/2015

This travel post about Bali, Indonesia- an island I've dubbed the gem of SE Asia, will undoubtedly be my last blog about our SE Asia travels for quite some time as this was our farewell to SE Asia trip before repatriating to the USA. We are hopeful that we will once again become expats, but who knows where in this beautiful world that will take us….maybe SE Asia but maybe South America, Africa, or Europe??…the possibilities are endless, and thats what truly excites me thinking about the unknown in our future. [ 1186 more words. ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/2015/07/23/a-perfect-farewell-to-bali/

This travel post about Bali, Indonesia- an island I've dubbed the gem of SE Asia, will undoubtedly be my last blog about our SE Asia travels for quite some time as this was our farewell to SE Asia ...

02/07/2015

Such a huge delay in writing about my little man's birth story….the past 4.5 months have been a whirlwind between newborn stage, moving across the world, and transiting into a family of 4! So really, its not like I've had anything on my plate or anything- LOL! But alas, here is Mac's story…. I simply cannot believe that a short 19 months after welcoming our amazing little girl Ava into this world, I found myself birthing our 2nd child, and in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia no less!! [ 1669 more words. ]

http://www.internationalnabers.com/2015/07/02/the-birth-story-of-big-mac-pantai-hospital-kuala-lumpur-malaysia/

Such a huge delay in writing about my little man's birth story….the past 4.5 months have been a whirlwind between newborn stage, moving across the world, and transiting into a family of 4! So re

04/04/2015

3 years and 2 babies later….Your International Nabers are on the move! http://wp.me/p2btpj-1mL

Well I think the cat is out of the bag, as they say. It's official, your beloved International Nabers are on the move once again! This time we depart Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and set our sights on home…..back in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. I simply cannot believe that a short 3 years ago this Easter weekend (On Good Friday in fact) we arrived into Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, just David & I, on a quest for an adventure, a new job, and a world of possibilities. [ 1476 more words. ]

11/02/2015

What to do when you are 2 days late in expecting baby #2?! Write a blog post- LOL! :) http://wp.me/p2btpj-1mk

17/01/2015

Expat Life: Being Thankful Throughout the Holidays (even though you are far away from home) http://wp.me/p2btpj-1iB

I know, I know…..it's way past the time of being "fashionably late" in writing about the recent holiday season of 2014, but lets be honest, when was the last time a 3rd trimester mom of a 17 month old was on time for anything?! Let alone remembering her own name! So there ya go, my excuse for not getting this post out any sooner and for being uber late in posting at all since the beginning of December. [ 1387 more words. ]

10/12/2014

{American} Thanksgiving in Bangkok with friends! http://wp.me/p2btpj-1jX

The American Thanksgiving Holiday is clearly not celebrated throughout the world, unlike the other holidays (Halloween and Christmas) that bookend this autumn holiday. No matter to us, we find friends here in SE Asia to celebrate with always. It's amazing how many fellow Americans are also away from families during the holiday season- sure does help to make us feel at home more….we always manage to buy all the ingredients for the typical side dishes and deserts, although we typically substitute the turkey for chicken, duck or pig since turkeys are outrageously expensive and shipped in frozen from Australia! [ 1249 more words. ]

06/12/2014

One year ago today…..we are blessed beyond words! http://wp.me/p2btpj-1li

It's been one year already, my how time flies. December 6, 2013….I'll never forget it. Of course every time I look at my daughter's precious & mischievous face I'm reminded of how God's looking after us all, no matter how little or insignificant we feel we are to Him. One year ago today I was running around, doing too many things at once trying to get out the door to bible study, and turned my back on my active and playful 4 1/2 month old to find her flat on her back on our hardwood floor after rolling off from our King size bed. [ 1007 more words. ]

28/11/2014

Loved being asked to contribute to a new travel website!! Check it out :)

30 Days of Grateful Travel- Day 26 is from Kimbra Naber and shares her recent family trip to Malaysia http://welltraveledkids.com/2014/11/30-days-of-grateful-travel-day-26/

19/11/2014

Phuket,Thailand with our friends! http://wp.me/p2btpj-1iC

Back in the beginning of November, we were lucky enough to take a 4 day getaway with some very dear friends of ours and their little 6 month old daughter. We have been talking about doing something like this for ages so I am so glad things finally worked out before I got too big to travel- LOL. It's funny, I met my friend K back when I was about 8 weeks pregnant with Ava, and at about the time I was delivering Ava, she became pregnant with their daughter E. [ 674 more words. ]

22/10/2014

Singapore’s pristine beauty- round #3 for the International Nabers! http://wp.me/p2btpj-1hr

Recently the hubs had some work in Singapore so Ava and I decided to join him for a long weekend away- an easy decision since Singapore is a fun and super close getaway to explore, plus I hadn't been there since before being pregnant with Ava. A win-win for us all :). You can read about our first and second… [ 958 more words. ]

07/10/2014

Expat Life: The Helper. http://wp.me/p2btpj-16Z

There is something I would like to share with you friends. Something that I rarely speak about outside of my life here in Kuala Lumpur. Something(one) that most people from "back home" have a huge misconception about. Something(one) that I am so innately grateful for every single day. Something(one) that I cannot live without here in KL. Something(one) that we have factored into our monthly budget. [ 1986 more words. ]

29/09/2014

A quick weekend getaway on Malaysia’s Perhintian Islands- A trifecta of celebrations http://wp.me/p2btpj-1g7

We recently spent a 3 day weekend at the famed Perhintian Islands of Malaysia, a pairing of islands within a larger grouping known for its pristine waters, white sand, and gorgeous snorkeling & diving spots located off the NE coast of peninsular Malaysia. We chose to stay at the Tuna Bay Resort, due to the high remarks it had gotten from fellow travelers as well as its traveler ranking as the "best" on the islands. [ 509 more words. ]

25/09/2014

USA Whirlwind…with toddler in tow! http://wp.me/p2btpj-1ec

Well we've been home a few weeks now and I think, I THINK, that life is starting to get back to normal, whatever that means. This recent trip to the USA was the longest time away from KL yet, at a whopping 4 weeks, but yet it still flew by in a blink of an eye. How can that be? This time Ava and I split our time evenly between Phoenix, AZ and Seattle, WA so that all family members got equal time, while David spent part of the time with us in both cities and yet more time back at his home office in meetings, boohoo for him :(, but yea for the girls! [ 1758 more words. ]

25/09/2014

- Ava planning her next grand adventure!