We're coming home... well, at least for a few weeks!

Many of you know that Joey and I will be heading back to North Carolina for two weeks to take part in two separate weddings in LESS than a month! (FYI: September 23rd to October 1oth) We're so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family, AND the ability to fill most of our time catching up with great people -- we hope to see you! (Joey will have more updates later on the when and where for all you NC folks.)

Basically we'll be arriving on the same day we left a year ago, and it's going to be a whirlwind for sure. Many of you have asked us over the last year what types of things we might need or want, AND we've been extremely lucky to receive such kind and thoughtful care packages. THANK YOU!

So this is where the reading becomes optional...

Since shipping is so expensive to send packages to Azerbaijan, if you have been inclined to send a care package but haven't had the time to stand in line at the post office... here's your chance to skip the lines and the fees and help out a Peace Corps Volunteer! My sisters, Mom and in-laws have all agreed to collect and bring things to us from you. (Joey's folks are coordinating a trip from Oklahoma to North Carolina to coincide with the first week of our stay!) Since Allison's getting married and already has a few obligations of her own, it might be best to hand things off to Jess if you are a Biogen Idec person. (I can provide contact information if you need, so just email me if you have questions.)

If you do pass things along, please make sure to put your name, address and email address on a note. My kids would love to say thank you!

I've provided a guideline below of the kinds of things that might be helpful, but it's certainly not limited to these 4 categories. Ultimately, we want to do more craft-type things with the kids here in Quba, but we've run into issues with supplies or having the means to get the supplies. I created the guidelines below with activities for next summer in mind, and we'll also be attempting to create an art club when we return in October. Likewise, I've included things that won't be the end of the world if we don't receive them, but also won't be a problem if we receive a large portion! New and used items are A-OK!

We sincerely thank you for your interest in our service in Azerbaijan, and we appreciate all the thoughts, prayers and well wishes. We'll need them all for another 14 months!

Our first trash pick-up party!

School Supplies

• Dry erase markers – any size or color


• Non-machine paper laminate


• Reading books – child or young adult


• Index cards


• Anything to help make learning English fun

Games

• Frisbee


• Boomarang


• Puzzles – any variety from kids to adult


• Uno


• Memory


• Anything smallish and easy to teach that's fun

Crafts

• Construction paper


• Embroidery floss – for friendship bracelets


• Magazines – any variety ( I cut them up for activities)


• Crayons


• Kid-size scissors


• Elmer’s glue


• Velcro stickers


• Popsicle sticks


• Stencils


• Watercolor set


• Little paint brushes


• Coloring books


• Pipe cleaners


• Googly eyes


• Colorful feathers


• Yarn


• Ribbons

Personal

• Toms Of Maine toothpaste


• Bear Creek Soups, or just-add-water soups


• Peanut butter


• Fair-trade ground coffee


• Hot chocolate


• Mint tea


• Individual water flavor packets


• Granola bars


• Packs/bags of American candy for our neighbors


• Food flavor packets -- Taste Of Thai, Indian sauces, French onion dip, etc.

Çox sağol! We thank you SO MUCH from the bottom of our hearts. And... we hope to see you all soon!