I am so amazed at how fast our kids are growing up. We feel that time moves very slowly where we live, and yet the kids are growing twice as fast. It feels like the kids will have had 10 birthdays in our 3 plus years here. We have had a couple of experiences lately that have really driven that home.
Isabella called Tim into her bedroom the other night, this is very common, a hope to spend 5 more minutes awake. She informed Tim that she had names picked out for her children when she grows up. The girl will be Angelina (after Angelina Ballerina). And the boy will have the name of Peter Pan. Already planning names, ahhh!
And yesterday, she was, as many little girls her age do, pretending to get married. We only had a purple blanket for her to drape around herself so she decided that I needed to buy her a white "marrying dress." On a whim, as I was trying to do something and wanted something that would occupy her, I pulled up the David's Bridal website and let her look at wedding dress. She had blast! In fact she looked again last night. After she felt she had seen all the dresses that were "her favorite" she called Elijah in and they looked at tuxes. Next we'll be picking out the hall to have the reception in and the future will only have to show up.
As for Elijah, he is making great steps forward. He is changing from the squirly toddler to a preschooler. I have told him that in the fall he will start preschool. He is very excited. He'll even sometimes sit quietly with us while Isabella does her Kindergarten. Lately, he's been asking me to do some school with him while Isabella takes breaks. This consists of reading just a couple stories, but six months ago, he couldn't sit through any story let alone two. If only we could get him to eat! Last night he did eat carrots willing...in carrot cake!
And Lydia has gone from just "being able" to walk to preferring to walk. She's so funny to watch running here and there. She's figured out how to go down the stairs. She turns around and slides her legs down first. She can even climb down off of our bed without going head first! She, as opposed to Elijah, will eat just about anything. But will happily let you know she's done by knocking the spoon out your hand or spitting the food out. It usually comes without warning and makes a great mess!
Lasts but not least, although the smallest, the new baby is I guess growing...my belly sure is. I am not as sick as I had been. I am hoping that if I keep telling this baby to be lazy and laid back I won't have another crawler until I am back in the States! We'll see!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
The Year of the Golden Pig
Many of you I am sure have been to a Chinese restaurant where they put down the paper place mats that you can use to figure out whether you are a dog or a dragon, a rat or a snake. These also detail who you ought and ought not marry and tell you your personality...with varying degrees of accuracy! As my Mom always says, a stopped clock is right twice a day. Anyway, also in the cycles of Chinese divination is some kind of metal rotation that is then matched with the animal. This year is the Year of the Golden Pig...a very lucky year! I'm sure you all remember the big rushed to be married in 1999, well, that was NOTHING compared to the baby rush this year! Apparently all children born this year will be wealthy. I'm not so sure I can believe that though. And our decision to have a child this year was not based in anyway on this fact (or fiction!). The following, though, is my attempt to have my first prenatal check.
The first hospital we went to we left rather quickly. It was, in general, overflowing with patients. When I went to the maternity section, the nurse angrily sent me to the gynecology department...where we were rebuffed again. When we got back to the nurse in the maternity department, she told me the wait would be over three hours. I needed to come back at 7 the next morning...no, they don't do appointments here. So off we went to find another hospital.
We told the taxi driver one hospital, but he insisted on taking us to another (everyone always knows better than everyone else...I get tired of being told what to do and where!). So off we went to another, of course it was all the way across town (gee, I wonder why he wanted me to go there?). When we arrive, we are directed to a crowded hall. Women are sitting, standing, pushing into the exam rooms...total chaos. We finally find the nurse who is to check in the 2 month pregnant women. Her first question: Does she want the baby? Are you sure? The push to get abortions here is worse than a Planned Parenthood clinic! She directs us to a door.
At the door, which is open, I have to take my chart in and line it up with the other charts on the nurses desk...while one patient is talking to a nurse and another is getting undressed to be examined. So I go back to door where we wait, in the doorway listening to the girl who is in there have her appointment. The only thing separating us from the girl getting undressed for her exam is a curtain and a plexi-glass wall. Yet, because of the lighting situation (none in the main part of the room, and very bright exam light on the other side of the curtain) we can see everything going on behind in silhouette. I find it very uncomfortable. Also I realize that these girls are having to place the exam table's sanitation paper up there themselves. I don't see anyone wash their hands.
After waiting for over an hour and half, I am finally called in (with another girl in tow). I am told that she won't see anymore patients. My friend who is there translating for me, tells them I have been waiting a long time. I don't want the female exam...which upset everyone. They tell them I just want some blood work. They look at my list and tell me I don't need these test. Then after some arguing, they say I don't need them until I am 3 month pregnant (I think they are just trying to get me to leave). Finally, after a great deal of explaining, they roll their eyes and we go into another room. Where two nurses are seeing two girls at the same time. By the way, there is no such thing as doctor (or nurse) patient confidentiality. The nurse who is leading the way tells my friend to follow her into another room. She goes into the room, turns around immediately to come. "There is a girl being examined in there." My poor friend has seen it all now! She tells me she is glad that she was not wearing her glasses!
We finally get someone who is willing to right the order for me and we are sent to the 3rd floor only after we pay. On the 3rd floor, I sit down to give my blood and ask, as always, if they were new (meaning the needles. The nurse said no and I jerked my hand back...she was not about to let my hand go so fast. But my friend clarifies my question, to which she answers, "yes, the needles are new. I thought she meant this stack of papers." (like I would care anything for her stack of paper!)
With my blood drawn, we carry my blood down to another window where they will finish the tests. After we get the results, we take them back down to the second room we went to in order to see the nurse again...this time we don't have to wait! We are told that the test is normal (or literally, no BIG problems). So back to the 3rd floor for the urinalysis, and for all you girls out there all I can say is "squatty potty." I feel very gifted! Once that ordeal is over, it is back down to the nurse who tells me again, ok. Then she says I need to come back at 4:30 that afternoon. I can tell, that did NOT happen. And I will not go back to the hospital unless I have a major problem and it is unavoidable.
So this was my person experience with the "baby boom" in the Year of the Golden Pig. And the next time you think that the doctors office is a big time drain...I was gone for about 4 hours with little to show for it. Be glad that you have private appointments. Be glad your doctor washes his/her hands. And for the doctors in America, I know you all work long hours...but at least you are paid for it. Here they are paid like common workers with little to no training. My friend told me of a friend who said that she wanted to quit being a doctor to become a waitress. She said that she worked for 24 hour shifts or more and was paid about the same as a waitress.
Well, that's all for now...I hope to post some pictures soon of the BIG girl Lydia who was one on Wednesday!
The first hospital we went to we left rather quickly. It was, in general, overflowing with patients. When I went to the maternity section, the nurse angrily sent me to the gynecology department...where we were rebuffed again. When we got back to the nurse in the maternity department, she told me the wait would be over three hours. I needed to come back at 7 the next morning...no, they don't do appointments here. So off we went to find another hospital.
We told the taxi driver one hospital, but he insisted on taking us to another (everyone always knows better than everyone else...I get tired of being told what to do and where!). So off we went to another, of course it was all the way across town (gee, I wonder why he wanted me to go there?). When we arrive, we are directed to a crowded hall. Women are sitting, standing, pushing into the exam rooms...total chaos. We finally find the nurse who is to check in the 2 month pregnant women. Her first question: Does she want the baby? Are you sure? The push to get abortions here is worse than a Planned Parenthood clinic! She directs us to a door.
At the door, which is open, I have to take my chart in and line it up with the other charts on the nurses desk...while one patient is talking to a nurse and another is getting undressed to be examined. So I go back to door where we wait, in the doorway listening to the girl who is in there have her appointment. The only thing separating us from the girl getting undressed for her exam is a curtain and a plexi-glass wall. Yet, because of the lighting situation (none in the main part of the room, and very bright exam light on the other side of the curtain) we can see everything going on behind in silhouette. I find it very uncomfortable. Also I realize that these girls are having to place the exam table's sanitation paper up there themselves. I don't see anyone wash their hands.
After waiting for over an hour and half, I am finally called in (with another girl in tow). I am told that she won't see anymore patients. My friend who is there translating for me, tells them I have been waiting a long time. I don't want the female exam...which upset everyone. They tell them I just want some blood work. They look at my list and tell me I don't need these test. Then after some arguing, they say I don't need them until I am 3 month pregnant (I think they are just trying to get me to leave). Finally, after a great deal of explaining, they roll their eyes and we go into another room. Where two nurses are seeing two girls at the same time. By the way, there is no such thing as doctor (or nurse) patient confidentiality. The nurse who is leading the way tells my friend to follow her into another room. She goes into the room, turns around immediately to come. "There is a girl being examined in there." My poor friend has seen it all now! She tells me she is glad that she was not wearing her glasses!
We finally get someone who is willing to right the order for me and we are sent to the 3rd floor only after we pay. On the 3rd floor, I sit down to give my blood and ask, as always, if they were new (meaning the needles. The nurse said no and I jerked my hand back...she was not about to let my hand go so fast. But my friend clarifies my question, to which she answers, "yes, the needles are new. I thought she meant this stack of papers." (like I would care anything for her stack of paper!)
With my blood drawn, we carry my blood down to another window where they will finish the tests. After we get the results, we take them back down to the second room we went to in order to see the nurse again...this time we don't have to wait! We are told that the test is normal (or literally, no BIG problems). So back to the 3rd floor for the urinalysis, and for all you girls out there all I can say is "squatty potty." I feel very gifted! Once that ordeal is over, it is back down to the nurse who tells me again, ok. Then she says I need to come back at 4:30 that afternoon. I can tell, that did NOT happen. And I will not go back to the hospital unless I have a major problem and it is unavoidable.
So this was my person experience with the "baby boom" in the Year of the Golden Pig. And the next time you think that the doctors office is a big time drain...I was gone for about 4 hours with little to show for it. Be glad that you have private appointments. Be glad your doctor washes his/her hands. And for the doctors in America, I know you all work long hours...but at least you are paid for it. Here they are paid like common workers with little to no training. My friend told me of a friend who said that she wanted to quit being a doctor to become a waitress. She said that she worked for 24 hour shifts or more and was paid about the same as a waitress.
Well, that's all for now...I hope to post some pictures soon of the BIG girl Lydia who was one on Wednesday!
Monday, May 07, 2007
Xinku: a language lesson
Well, ok, so my Chinese isn't that great. And really, I'm sure that no one wants a Chinese lesson, but this is really less about the language and more about the mindset.
"Xinku" (pronounced "Shin-coo) is something you say when you ask someone to help you do something and then it ends up being a lot of trouble (Sorry, I "xinku" you). The meaning is causing a lot of trouble or work. It literally translates "heart bitterness." It is not a positive word at all.
Since we have been back, most people who know that I have three kids tell me how "xinku"ed I am. In the States, we might say "Wow, you must really be busy!" But it is not meant to say that the parents are not blessed. Here, that is not true. It is almost like people are saying that we are cursed...I know it is not quite that strong, but it feels that way. I would have to admit that, yes, right now in my life, it's a lot of work. Sometimes, the kids go through phases where they cause constant trouble. I have days when I wait all day long to put them to bed at night...but it's funny because it seems that those are the days that about 15 minutes after they have gone to sleep I miss them. I have to resist the temptation to get them up and hug them and say, "let's just play a bit."
So in a country, where families only have one child, spend very little time with their children, and never discipline them, I feel I am the least "xinku" of them all. I pray that I will never feel that my children are "xinku" for me. I pray that I will always remember that they are my "xingfu" (blessing!).
So if you have kids, go love on them and tell them that you are blessed to have them and not troubled to have them. Each child is a gift!
"Xinku" (pronounced "Shin-coo) is something you say when you ask someone to help you do something and then it ends up being a lot of trouble (Sorry, I "xinku" you). The meaning is causing a lot of trouble or work. It literally translates "heart bitterness." It is not a positive word at all.
Since we have been back, most people who know that I have three kids tell me how "xinku"ed I am. In the States, we might say "Wow, you must really be busy!" But it is not meant to say that the parents are not blessed. Here, that is not true. It is almost like people are saying that we are cursed...I know it is not quite that strong, but it feels that way. I would have to admit that, yes, right now in my life, it's a lot of work. Sometimes, the kids go through phases where they cause constant trouble. I have days when I wait all day long to put them to bed at night...but it's funny because it seems that those are the days that about 15 minutes after they have gone to sleep I miss them. I have to resist the temptation to get them up and hug them and say, "let's just play a bit."
So in a country, where families only have one child, spend very little time with their children, and never discipline them, I feel I am the least "xinku" of them all. I pray that I will never feel that my children are "xinku" for me. I pray that I will always remember that they are my "xingfu" (blessing!).
So if you have kids, go love on them and tell them that you are blessed to have them and not troubled to have them. Each child is a gift!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
News worthy!
Hey, everybody. It's been a while mostly because there hasn't been a lot of "news worthy" things going on in our lives. We have arrived safely back at our home. Already gotten to "enjoy" the priviledge of being the center of everyone's attention. And been blessed with warm (translate HOT) weather. But as most of you who know me, I love the hot. So now that we have gotten all of our bags unpacked and the winter clothes put away, I find myself with just a bit of free time to sit down and write.
In regards to the pregnancy, I was blessed that I didn't have any morning sickness on the flight back home...which was really good because Isabella got an ear infection and Lydia didn't think that sleeping was all THAT important. But since we have been back, it's started up. I can't wait to get past this part of the pregnancy. I can never say which is worse, feeling sick or throwing up. In other pregnancy news, I've had my first craving. With Lydia I craved dumplings from the restaurant right around the corner from us. Right now I'm craving I dish from the same restaurant. It's tofu that's been pressed to be thin and flat like a tortilla. You use it to wrap around meat (pork with some kind of gravy) cilantro and thinly sliced leeks. It's so good. It's about all I can think about too! Well, at least it's something I can get!
In more exciting news (yes, I know there is something more exciting than the weird things I want to eat), Lydia is WALKING! We've been saying "any day now" forever it seems. And she finally let go. She's pretty proud of herself too. When she walks she gets a very satisfied look on her face. We plan to get the video camera out soon and get a clip of it. Lydia's fourth tooth has also broken through with two more just starting to push down. She's growing up so fast!
Well, that's about it for now!
In regards to the pregnancy, I was blessed that I didn't have any morning sickness on the flight back home...which was really good because Isabella got an ear infection and Lydia didn't think that sleeping was all THAT important. But since we have been back, it's started up. I can't wait to get past this part of the pregnancy. I can never say which is worse, feeling sick or throwing up. In other pregnancy news, I've had my first craving. With Lydia I craved dumplings from the restaurant right around the corner from us. Right now I'm craving I dish from the same restaurant. It's tofu that's been pressed to be thin and flat like a tortilla. You use it to wrap around meat (pork with some kind of gravy) cilantro and thinly sliced leeks. It's so good. It's about all I can think about too! Well, at least it's something I can get!
In more exciting news (yes, I know there is something more exciting than the weird things I want to eat), Lydia is WALKING! We've been saying "any day now" forever it seems. And she finally let go. She's pretty proud of herself too. When she walks she gets a very satisfied look on her face. We plan to get the video camera out soon and get a clip of it. Lydia's fourth tooth has also broken through with two more just starting to push down. She's growing up so fast!
Well, that's about it for now!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
All the latest news!
As most of you know, we are in the States right now~whooo-hoo! We are having a great time. We had over a week with my mom. We got to visit with some good friends in Louisville...oh, and there was a fabulous wedding! Tim and I even got a date while we were in Louisville without kids. And, by the way, Disturbia is a pretty good movie (a remake of an old Alfred Hitchcock film, The Rear Window).
In other news, Isabella is such a big girl! She had her ears pierced. I'll try to post a picture soon.
And the last, most exciting news, we are expecting again. Number 4 is in the works! We just found out. And I'm due December 21st. I really hope the baby is born before Christmas.
Well, this is just a quick update. Hopefully I'll post more soon!
In other news, Isabella is such a big girl! She had her ears pierced. I'll try to post a picture soon.
And the last, most exciting news, we are expecting again. Number 4 is in the works! We just found out. And I'm due December 21st. I really hope the baby is born before Christmas.
Well, this is just a quick update. Hopefully I'll post more soon!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
D-Day
Today is the first day of the rest of my vacation...or something like that. Only about 4 1/2 hours before we leave for the airport. Then begins the LONG travel. I am so excited that my stomach is a little gittery. I was debating whether or not to have coffee...but I'm sure that you can figure out what I decided there!
Anyway, the kids are so funny. Isabella keeps telling us that Grandma doesn't have (fill in the blank) in America. And Elijah keeps asking, "How many days til we go to Thailand?" And when I tell him we aren't going, he says," No, America Thailand." DUH! How could I be so stupid?!? And Lydia has no clue. Except last night she really enjoyed chewing the locks on our suit cases. And she tried to help me stitch up one of the suit cases.
But, nevertheless, the DAY has come. We are all packed up...save a few last minute things...and we have a plan for what to do in airports, and when we should make the kids sleep (I hope that'll work). We get to find out in just a few long hours if we have built America up to be "Disneyland." Or if the food really tastes as good as we remember. Or if a personal car is really as convenient as we remember. But we know that all of our family and friends are as wonderful as we remember them...we think. ;)
Love you all, and see you soon!!!
Anyway, the kids are so funny. Isabella keeps telling us that Grandma doesn't have (fill in the blank) in America. And Elijah keeps asking, "How many days til we go to Thailand?" And when I tell him we aren't going, he says," No, America Thailand." DUH! How could I be so stupid?!? And Lydia has no clue. Except last night she really enjoyed chewing the locks on our suit cases. And she tried to help me stitch up one of the suit cases.
But, nevertheless, the DAY has come. We are all packed up...save a few last minute things...and we have a plan for what to do in airports, and when we should make the kids sleep (I hope that'll work). We get to find out in just a few long hours if we have built America up to be "Disneyland." Or if the food really tastes as good as we remember. Or if a personal car is really as convenient as we remember. But we know that all of our family and friends are as wonderful as we remember them...we think. ;)
Love you all, and see you soon!!!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Coffee
As most of you know, saying that coffee is an addiction for me is a bit of an understatement. I drink coffee every morning. And most mornings, I feel like there isn't enough coffee in the world for me. I am usually drinking my coffee while I do school with Isabella. We do Bible, history, reading, hand writing, and copy work. Copy work, as opposed to handwriting, requires me to read a word of sentence out loud and Isabella sounds it out and spells it.
Ok, ok, all this sounds like meaningless drivel...I'm getting there, be patient! I've never told a story quickly in my life.
So...this morning, Isabella was working on math and science with Daddy, and Elijah and I were reading his preschool books (for which he has no attention span!) Anyway, when we finished reading, I went to get a little more coffee. Elijah said to me, "Oookaay, now I'm ready to do my coffee work!"
And I thought that was pretty cute!
Have a good day!
Ok, ok, all this sounds like meaningless drivel...I'm getting there, be patient! I've never told a story quickly in my life.
So...this morning, Isabella was working on math and science with Daddy, and Elijah and I were reading his preschool books (for which he has no attention span!) Anyway, when we finished reading, I went to get a little more coffee. Elijah said to me, "Oookaay, now I'm ready to do my coffee work!"
And I thought that was pretty cute!
Have a good day!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Warm Sunday
Ok, so here's something really vain that I miss about America: dressing up the kids. At home I used to put the kids in onesies or normal stuff throughout the week, but on Sundays, we all dressed up. And as every one knows, dresses and little suits are WAY cuter when they are teeny tiny! During the winter, I never dress the kids up. It's always just as much as I can put on them. But now, my vanity can be appeased. The weather has taken a pleasant turn for the warmer, and the cute little outfits have been pulled out. Don't worry, it's between 75 and 80, so I'm still getting nasty looks for dressing my children in too few clothes.
The Crazy Life!
The funny thing about the things that I really miss about America is most of them are totally superfluous. Foods (ranging from baby carrots to crab legs), convenience items (Swiffer!), carpet, and personal cars are all things that we can live, and live well, without. It's amazing how growing up with things we become so attached. Sometimes, I don't understand why the Chinese think that Air conditioners and heaters are so unnecessary. I guess sometimes when you grow up living without something you become attached to not having it. Now, of course, missing family is the one thing that is completely necessary. I'm just glad that we are here in this day and age. 100 years ago people moved to other countries and no one ever expected to see them alive again. Things have really changed.
ANYWAY...below are pictures are the kids in pretty clothes!
All smiles (well, almost!)
Beautiful girls
Taking care of sister!
Crazies!
The Crazy Life!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Eight days a week
Ok, so if I base my weeks on the old Beatles song, I only have a week until we leave for the States. Excitement doesn't even begin to touch what's going on here. Isabella keeps up with the official countdown. Elijah argues that we are going today or tomorrow or "3 days" depending on his mood. One of his favorite things to say is "3 days." "When's the last time you went potty, Elijah?" --"3 days." Which of course we all know isn't true, but he says it with confidence. "Elijah, when's your birthday?" --"3 days" It's the staple answer to any time related question...the three-year-old equivalent of "two weeks." (Money Pit)
We can't imagine what it will be like to be in a restaurant where no one is smoking. Or use seatbelts again. And don't even get me started on the car seat issue...which in all honesty could be a big deal as Lydia has never really been in one. Our kids are used to climbing all over the back seat of taxi, how are we ever going to strap them down?!? What's it going to be like to wear flip flops out and not come back with black feet? Or not having to dodge hockers, well, anywhere (hospitals included)? And of course, a very question, once I'm in a place where I can buy clothes that fit...how much money will I spend? Old Navy, here I come!!! Well, these are just a few questions that we are looking forward to answering! Hope to see you all soon!
We can't imagine what it will be like to be in a restaurant where no one is smoking. Or use seatbelts again. And don't even get me started on the car seat issue...which in all honesty could be a big deal as Lydia has never really been in one. Our kids are used to climbing all over the back seat of taxi, how are we ever going to strap them down?!? What's it going to be like to wear flip flops out and not come back with black feet? Or not having to dodge hockers, well, anywhere (hospitals included)? And of course, a very question, once I'm in a place where I can buy clothes that fit...how much money will I spend? Old Navy, here I come!!! Well, these are just a few questions that we are looking forward to answering! Hope to see you all soon!
Baking in the East
One of my biggest stress relievers is cooking...more specifically baking! I usually like to bake cookies, brownies, cakes, or whatever sounds good at the moment. One of the blessings of living here is that since we don't have many bread products, I have been forced to bake for necessity not just pleasure. Out of this I have become better at making all kinds of things. Flour tortillas has become quite a regular for me. And lately we have added Naan (Indian flat bread) to our diet. We try to eat a lot of salads, and Naan adds a lot of variety in that we can wrap our salads! My latest conquest has been bagels. Yes, after living here for two years and wishing we had bagels, I finally broke down and started making them myself. One of the reasons I like to bake sweets over bread (besides the obvious "chocolate" answer) is that it doesn't take as much time. Bread is SO time consuming. And my previous experience with trying to make bagels had been painstakingly long. But this time I found a true Jewish (yes, folks, these are Kosher!) recipe and it is so easy. So we are now on our second batch...and it's pretty exciting and a lot of fun. As for the kids, they were tickled pink (or blue) when I made them blueberry bagels (thank you to whomever sent the dried blueberries!). After this, who knows what I'll add!
In other truly more exciting news...
Right now, Isabella is pretending to be a penguin. Thanks to the movie March of the Penguins (and they have only seen it is French) the kids have learned a lot about a penguin's life. So Isabella has a plastic ball (her egg) between her feet and is waddling around like a penguin. Pretty funny!
Elijah has finally conquered the "potty training" thing. It's been a long time since he wet his pants last. We are so proud. And another thing we are proud about is that the vegetable hater is finally coming around. He has eaten salad a couple of times now and asked for seconds on broccoli...these are major milestones in his life, I think! He's really a great kid!
Just the other day, Lydia started clapping. It's funny because she has been ahead of the curve in a lot of things (crawling, etc.), but never even tried to clap. She is also struggling to get those top two teeth down, should be any day now!
In other truly more exciting news...
Right now, Isabella is pretending to be a penguin. Thanks to the movie March of the Penguins (and they have only seen it is French) the kids have learned a lot about a penguin's life. So Isabella has a plastic ball (her egg) between her feet and is waddling around like a penguin. Pretty funny!
Elijah has finally conquered the "potty training" thing. It's been a long time since he wet his pants last. We are so proud. And another thing we are proud about is that the vegetable hater is finally coming around. He has eaten salad a couple of times now and asked for seconds on broccoli...these are major milestones in his life, I think! He's really a great kid!
Just the other day, Lydia started clapping. It's funny because she has been ahead of the curve in a lot of things (crawling, etc.), but never even tried to clap. She is also struggling to get those top two teeth down, should be any day now!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
10 month old
Also in today's news, Lydia is officially 10 months old. I can't believe how fast she is growing. She can say "Dada" and "Mama," although never on command. She waves, even bows sometimes when the Thai ladies said hello to her in Thailand. Mostly she is curious and busy all day long. She has two new teeth that have almost broken through. She LOVES eating table food that's been cut up (don't worry, I didn't give her any of those fried green beans!).
She's a happy girl. 
Sisters, sisters, there were never more devoted sisters...
More of the happy girls!
I love being a big brother. It's a serious, contemplative job.
But there's a time to play too!
The Three Amigos!
San ge Hao Pengyou!
Hope everyone has a great day!!!
French Fried Green Beans
Well, I had my first Chinese cooking lesson yesterday. Two ladies from our favorite restaurant came to teach 3-4 of us how to cook a few of our favorite dishes, only one of which we knew was fried. So yesterday's menu consisted of beer-battered corn, spicy green beans, and fish. The beer-battered corn turned out funny because as most of you know, we don't have any beer in the house! And I learned yesterday how to fry a fish skeleton (head and all!) and arrange it on a platter so that it is "pretty." Actually, I think it's a little scary--a smiling, fried, smashed-down fish head! But the meat and sauce was great! The lady who showed us how to cook it was concerned I think because none of us ate the fried bones or head. The only disconcerting thing was that even though the fish fillets were boiled, at the end she poured hot oil over it. The last dish the spicy green beans is one of my all time favorites. I used to feel good about myself when I went out to eat here because we always order a lot of vegetables. I no longer have that good feeling. I found out yesterday that they deep fry the green beans. Yes, not sauted in bit of oil. We are talking about a wok filled with oil and the green beans are just thrown in! I have never heard of this before! So if you want my advice, never learn REAL Chinese cooking...it will only depress you (and make you fat!).
Monday, March 12, 2007
Pictures
Isabella spots Daddy in the crowd during the concert!
Isabella wanted to know what Jonah must have felt like.
Is this all there is to life? I'm hot and bored!
Lydia's baby dedication
Elijah loves to sing!Sunday, March 11, 2007
Long time, no post!
As many of you have noticed, it's been awhile since I blogged last. We have been out of the home since the beginning of the month. Travel has been interesting--more so than usual! Our first hotel we were supposed to have two adjoining rooms. We had two rooms but they were five doors apart. Also, the hotel was supposed to have a crib for Lydia, but when we got there we were informed that they never have cribs...not really a good place to have a FAMILY education conference! This led to a lot of confusion and early nights for us. I think I went to bed at 9 or so a couple of times. But from there the trip looked up. We were blessed with relative health, only one small 24 hour virus and a couple of colds. The kids had a great time in the their classes. Even Lydia seemed to love playing with the other babies. We also had a great improvement in name recollection this year. Last year, all of the kids' teachers were simply called teacher and the other kids were just called girl and boy. Lydia was lovey with all of her teachers and has done better not "having" to have Mama all the time. Big plus for Mama!
But for us the best time was the middle week of our trip with the blessing of great worship time and preaching. One of the highlights that week was the day we Lydia dedicated. It was a great moment knowing that all of our friends were committing to pray for her and us as she grows up. After the baby dedication, the kids (including Isabella and Elijah) got up to give a little concert. They were so cute! Last year only Isabella was in the concert and she refused to sing. But this year both sang and sang with smiles and all the motions! Elijah likes to sing the song "I have a friend, his name is Jesus J-E-S-U-S." Well, his spelling skills are still developing, so he spells it "S-U-S-U-S." Isabella who started the week out only swimming with her floaty, now splashes around without it. (Yes, this is still just the kiddie pool, but we felt it was a big step!)
Once we finally finished all our meeting, we headed back to Bangkok. Tim and Elijah then flew back home and we girls stayed in Bangkok for Isabella to have her tonsils out. With that done, we just waited around for her last two appointments so we could finally get back home. We were suppose to fly all the back on March 8, but as some of you have heard it didn't quite work out that way. We arrived in Kunming only to find out that we had no flight to Nanning. I was really upset. To make a really long and confusing story short, they decided to bump the flight up from 8:20 to 5:30. Not very convenient for me considering I wasn't off the last plane at that point! Oh, well, it's all over with!
And we now have only 18 days until we climb on another plane to head back to the States. I'm a little overwhelmed considering we have not been on US soil in over 2 year. I am anxious to see how America has changed and how we have changed. I am also interested to see how our kids react. Isabella only remembers bits and pieces, and Elijah remembers nothing. Lydia of course has never been! We are really hoping that it will be a very relaxing time of rest and rejuvenation! See you all soon!
But for us the best time was the middle week of our trip with the blessing of great worship time and preaching. One of the highlights that week was the day we Lydia dedicated. It was a great moment knowing that all of our friends were committing to pray for her and us as she grows up. After the baby dedication, the kids (including Isabella and Elijah) got up to give a little concert. They were so cute! Last year only Isabella was in the concert and she refused to sing. But this year both sang and sang with smiles and all the motions! Elijah likes to sing the song "I have a friend, his name is Jesus J-E-S-U-S." Well, his spelling skills are still developing, so he spells it "S-U-S-U-S." Isabella who started the week out only swimming with her floaty, now splashes around without it. (Yes, this is still just the kiddie pool, but we felt it was a big step!)
Once we finally finished all our meeting, we headed back to Bangkok. Tim and Elijah then flew back home and we girls stayed in Bangkok for Isabella to have her tonsils out. With that done, we just waited around for her last two appointments so we could finally get back home. We were suppose to fly all the back on March 8, but as some of you have heard it didn't quite work out that way. We arrived in Kunming only to find out that we had no flight to Nanning. I was really upset. To make a really long and confusing story short, they decided to bump the flight up from 8:20 to 5:30. Not very convenient for me considering I wasn't off the last plane at that point! Oh, well, it's all over with!
And we now have only 18 days until we climb on another plane to head back to the States. I'm a little overwhelmed considering we have not been on US soil in over 2 year. I am anxious to see how America has changed and how we have changed. I am also interested to see how our kids react. Isabella only remembers bits and pieces, and Elijah remembers nothing. Lydia of course has never been! We are really hoping that it will be a very relaxing time of rest and rejuvenation! See you all soon!
Friday, December 22, 2006
In the Party Mood
Last night we went to our first Chinese Christmas party. Some of you may be really really shocked because this is our second Christmas here. Last year, however, we had just moved to our present city, so we didn't have any parties to go. I'm not sure what I expected but as usual, expectations never turn out. It ended up being a really nice party.
The soiree of the season was held at a Brazillian BBQ--yes, I know, the words Twilight Zone have already been suggested. It is a really fancy restaurant that is located at one side of a really nice hotel...and as usual, directly on the other side is a slum. Now, we had been to another Brazillian BBQ place in town (yep, there are more than one!) and were less than excited about the food. But the food at this restaurant was very tasty! The best beef I've had in a while, really tender too! Tim tried the camel but said the flavor was a little odd, imagine that.
With all that said, we made it past all the intestines, donkey meat, and unidentifiable items to have a very lovely meal. We went on to the social graces of the night. The school officials came around to toast all of us foreign students. The whole "cheers" and clanking of the glasses is a big deal here. But there is a little more too it than just throwing one's glass up and hollering "ganbei!" Now there is actually a proper ettiquete, which there probably is in the States too, but I'm ignorant of it. The higher the ranking the higher the glass is head, but it is always polite to defer and hold your glass lower. So with two people, each trying to be the more "humble" of the two, a lot of glass bobbing goes on as someone is always trying to move his or her glass lower. We hope we made it through the evening without seeming too proud or without causing anyone to lose face.
I have almost forgotten to tell you all of the most entertaining (by far!) part of the evening. At some point, the restaurant switched over from Muzak to a real live sax player. Here we are in the middle of China in a Brazillian restaurant watching the lounge-singer version of a sax player wearing skin tight (no, the pants could not have been tighter) pants, a leopard print shirt and a Crocodile Dundee hat rocking out to Kenny G. I have to add this, of course, to compete with someone else's Christmas party that had a Cruise theme--complete with Gilligan's Island (wannabe) cast and Karaoke (yeah, we avoided Karaoke yet again--crying kids can be such a blessing!).
I hope everyone else at home is enjoying Christmas parties, seeing friends and being with family. Enjoy all the lights and smells of Christmas for us. Tim bought me a sweet pre-Christmas treat--Cranberry juice! Wal-Mart just happened to be selling it today, how cool is that! So I'm off to sip a little!
If I don't get back to blog again before Christmas...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
The soiree of the season was held at a Brazillian BBQ--yes, I know, the words Twilight Zone have already been suggested. It is a really fancy restaurant that is located at one side of a really nice hotel...and as usual, directly on the other side is a slum. Now, we had been to another Brazillian BBQ place in town (yep, there are more than one!) and were less than excited about the food. But the food at this restaurant was very tasty! The best beef I've had in a while, really tender too! Tim tried the camel but said the flavor was a little odd, imagine that.
With all that said, we made it past all the intestines, donkey meat, and unidentifiable items to have a very lovely meal. We went on to the social graces of the night. The school officials came around to toast all of us foreign students. The whole "cheers" and clanking of the glasses is a big deal here. But there is a little more too it than just throwing one's glass up and hollering "ganbei!" Now there is actually a proper ettiquete, which there probably is in the States too, but I'm ignorant of it. The higher the ranking the higher the glass is head, but it is always polite to defer and hold your glass lower. So with two people, each trying to be the more "humble" of the two, a lot of glass bobbing goes on as someone is always trying to move his or her glass lower. We hope we made it through the evening without seeming too proud or without causing anyone to lose face.
I have almost forgotten to tell you all of the most entertaining (by far!) part of the evening. At some point, the restaurant switched over from Muzak to a real live sax player. Here we are in the middle of China in a Brazillian restaurant watching the lounge-singer version of a sax player wearing skin tight (no, the pants could not have been tighter) pants, a leopard print shirt and a Crocodile Dundee hat rocking out to Kenny G. I have to add this, of course, to compete with someone else's Christmas party that had a Cruise theme--complete with Gilligan's Island (wannabe) cast and Karaoke (yeah, we avoided Karaoke yet again--crying kids can be such a blessing!).
I hope everyone else at home is enjoying Christmas parties, seeing friends and being with family. Enjoy all the lights and smells of Christmas for us. Tim bought me a sweet pre-Christmas treat--Cranberry juice! Wal-Mart just happened to be selling it today, how cool is that! So I'm off to sip a little!
If I don't get back to blog again before Christmas...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
A quick update...
So, it's been exactly a month since my last "real" blog...I'm not even sure anyone is reading anymore! Then it was the week before Thanksgiving and now it is the week before Christmas. From the chaos of Thanksgiving to the chaos of the the countryside to the chaos of sending Tim and Elijah to Hong Kong...Christmas is really starting to feel like a vacation. I'm not studying again until after the New Year, Isabella is starting "real" kindergarten...Speaking of kindergarten, the kids are no longer going to Chinese kindergarten. I have already had one person express his great disappointment in this happening, so sorry (or not) to all those who feel that they have been let down by my not taking the kids to school any longer. Poor Isabella, the school has begged me to bring Elijah back, but have said that they don't really care for her...which only reinforces my suspicion that they like smaller children and the older the children, the less they are liked. And another way that I have been branded as a "bad mother" is that in this culture, a baby is carried around at all times. I can see a grandma from my balcony. She holds the baby while she watches her soap operas. She holds the baby while she puts clothes on the line and takes them down and while she sweeps and while he sleeps...in short, she never puts the child down. Apparently, the grandmothers down stairs have been talking saying that I am never at home and that I don't carry the baby enough. Another foreigner who lives in the complex thought they were talking about her, but I assured her that they were pointing to my building and that she off the "bad mother" list.
In the Holiday report, I heard a rumor that the news is reporting that China celebrates Hanukkah...I'm sure that this report comes from the East part of the country but I am unaware of any Chinese person who even knows what it is! And their celebrating Christmas is interesting. There many Christmas trees up in stores, most of which make the Charlie Brown Christmas tree look good enough to put up in the White House. It makes me long for Al's huge Christmas tree with all the lights and decorations place nicely (and evenly). But yet again, I have so far been able to control myself from "fixing" everyone else's tree. As for our own celebrations, Tim's school is taking the foreigners out for Christmas. We are going to the Brazilian BBQ restaurant, which I fear has little to do with either. But it is a nice place and relatively western. I am going to make cookies and caramel popcorn for the officials and teachers. I hope they will like these gifts, but even after almost two years, I'm always at a loss for what is an appropriate gift. Anyway, these are the things going on here at Christmas time. We hope to be able to talk to everyone on Christmas day...either ours or yours, whatever makes you happy! We really miss everyone at Christmas time especially.
In the Holiday report, I heard a rumor that the news is reporting that China celebrates Hanukkah...I'm sure that this report comes from the East part of the country but I am unaware of any Chinese person who even knows what it is! And their celebrating Christmas is interesting. There many Christmas trees up in stores, most of which make the Charlie Brown Christmas tree look good enough to put up in the White House. It makes me long for Al's huge Christmas tree with all the lights and decorations place nicely (and evenly). But yet again, I have so far been able to control myself from "fixing" everyone else's tree. As for our own celebrations, Tim's school is taking the foreigners out for Christmas. We are going to the Brazilian BBQ restaurant, which I fear has little to do with either. But it is a nice place and relatively western. I am going to make cookies and caramel popcorn for the officials and teachers. I hope they will like these gifts, but even after almost two years, I'm always at a loss for what is an appropriate gift. Anyway, these are the things going on here at Christmas time. We hope to be able to talk to everyone on Christmas day...either ours or yours, whatever makes you happy! We really miss everyone at Christmas time especially.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Don't get too excited...
Well, I would like to say that I am sitting down now and finally getting out something really interesting for you all to read, but alas, no. This is mainly an apology for neglecting my page, although I am sure that this was inevitable. I would love to say that this is just because I am a mother of three living in a foreign country...but those of you who know me really well will laugh and say, "nah, she's always had time management issues." So, I promise that my intention is that once Tim and Elijah return and life settles (at least a bit) I will post again with pictures and everything!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are having a blessed time preparing for Christmas and celebrating the arrival of the Christ child!!!
Looking forward to having a break to sit down and write again...
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are having a blessed time preparing for Christmas and celebrating the arrival of the Christ child!!!
Looking forward to having a break to sit down and write again...
Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Rain in Spain
OK, so I don't really know anything about "The Rain in Spain," except that it is a poem and it was used in "My Fair Lady." But I do know a little about the rain in China. As you might have guessed it rained today, and I feel that it has been a very educational experience. First things, I discovered today that my umbrella leaks. My first question that I asked myself was, "Why is it on a raining day that I find out that my umbrella leaks?" Then it dawned on me: first, unlike most Chinese I do not carry my umbrella with me where ever I go, and second, even if I did, the sun doesn't drip. So I think that would be the dumbest question I have ever asked myself. Of course I wouldn't find out that my umbrella leaks until a rainy day. Second thing I learned was that people here are more polite on rainy days. Not to say that no one stared...that'll never happen. But people stood up for me to sit down on the bus. I was carrying Lydia like always, and while lately people have just been avoiding eye contact, today they made a big show of it. One bus driver actually yelled at one of the guys sitting and told himto get up and let me sit, that doesn't usually happen.
But all this niceness did not stop the constant barrage of advice. Winter blew in on Saturday. Literally, Friday was about 85 degrees and Saturday, after the wind started, 65. So I dressed the kids warmly, sweat pants and sweat shirt. Yet, this was not warm enough. I was told that they were not wearing enough clothes. One little boy had on a shirt, tightly knit woolen sweater, and a sweatshirt...at least that was all that I could see. But one of the teachers, after asking if the kids were cold, said that it was because our health was better than theirs. This is because we eat more beef, she informed me. So to all my friends, here's to your health, have that triple cheeseburger delux today. If someone asks if you are afraid that it will make you fat or clog your arteries, just tell them it is the Chinese way to improve your health...you will have a heart attack, but avoid winter's pesky sniffles!
(This website is not certified to give health advice. Take any and all advice at your own risk. We claim no responsibility for that heart attach if you eat that triple cheeseburger delux! Nor are we responsible for any colds you may happen to catch despite eating the triple cheeseburger delux!)
Have a great day everybody!
But all this niceness did not stop the constant barrage of advice. Winter blew in on Saturday. Literally, Friday was about 85 degrees and Saturday, after the wind started, 65. So I dressed the kids warmly, sweat pants and sweat shirt. Yet, this was not warm enough. I was told that they were not wearing enough clothes. One little boy had on a shirt, tightly knit woolen sweater, and a sweatshirt...at least that was all that I could see. But one of the teachers, after asking if the kids were cold, said that it was because our health was better than theirs. This is because we eat more beef, she informed me. So to all my friends, here's to your health, have that triple cheeseburger delux today. If someone asks if you are afraid that it will make you fat or clog your arteries, just tell them it is the Chinese way to improve your health...you will have a heart attack, but avoid winter's pesky sniffles!
(This website is not certified to give health advice. Take any and all advice at your own risk. We claim no responsibility for that heart attach if you eat that triple cheeseburger delux! Nor are we responsible for any colds you may happen to catch despite eating the triple cheeseburger delux!)
Have a great day everybody!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
I'd rather fight you for something I don't really want...
Rich Mullins was a singer/poet/philosopher of our day. He was kind of a rebel (part of which led to his early death) but wrote a lot of profound songs. One of his songs has a line in it that summarizes human nature. He writes speaking to God, "I'd rather fight you for something I don't really want, than to take what you give and I need." I found this to be true so many times in my life...mostly in situations that I would rather not lay out for public ridicule...but I have a cute story that gives some validation to his statement. Elijah is going through a rough time. The terrible 2's were simply a prologue to this time in his life. Right now, the major "daily" battles are potty training and eating...some child psychologists say that this is an attempt for a child to control his own life. In eating, usually before I finish cooking dinner he is crying in the kitchen telling me he doesn't like it and he won't eat it. But one afternoon I was baking, as I really love to do (and it shows!), I had the crisco, a very prized posession here, on the counter for me to use it. Elijah came into see what I was doing. I told him I was baking, and he immediately started in saying that he wanted some. I replied that it was not yet finished. He proceeded to demand that I give him some crisco. He insisted that he "liked it." He proceeded to scream and throw himself on the floor (something we are working hard to deal with). So finally after quite some ruckus, I caved. I scraped some up on my finger and shoved it in his mouth. Now I say I caved, but really, I hardly feel like I was giving him what he "really" wanted. Anyone who has ever tasted crisco can imagine that he immediately said he did not like it. Surprisingly just a few days later, I was making popcorn (the old fashioned way). I had the oil out, and the same scene started to commence. This time I learned a little quicker. I told him he didn't like it, and as soon as he began to fuss with me I poured some in his mouth. (I had clean that one up!) But just like the quote, Elijah fights me over every meal saying he won't like it and then insists on things I know he won't like. Tonight though, we had a major break through. He ate his dinner, Mexican chicken stew, a meal he repeated has turned his nose up at. I suppose I should thank the kindergarten. Since he only eats rice there (I suppose they give him candy, too), he's pretty hungry for dinner. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed these stories from our sweet boy--oh, wait sorry, he's the King of the Wild Things. He's really a great little boy coming into his own personality!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Middle Child Syndrome
It has been recently noticed that our wonderful middle child Elijah has been left out of the picture taking and posting. He has fallen victim to the middle child syndrome. I repent, and we have taken some pictures. The reason that he has recently been left out is that Lydia is doing something new: crawling and pulling up; and Bella's teacher took some of the pictures and her class had an activity today. So, poor Elijah just got left out. I promise to try to work on more pictures this weekend of all of the kids. Hope you enjoy these! And feel free anytime to let me know that one or more of the kids is getting left out!
The cheesiest!
Strong man competitions have a new applicant!
Move over Emeril LaGassi, there's a new chef in town! (As always, it's pancakes. The favorite meal of every week is Saturday morning breakfast, usually pancakes.)
The cheesiest!
Strong man competitions have a new applicant!
Move over Emeril LaGassi, there's a new chef in town! (As always, it's pancakes. The favorite meal of every week is Saturday morning breakfast, usually pancakes.)
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