Sunday, March 18, 2007

Finally, an update! (I just realized these pics are in order from most recent to least recent so start at the bottom for a day to day view :o)

A fun dinner at a "Tex-Mex" restaurant with our friends Bruce and Carol. On the way in we were greeted with a "Howdy!" and on the way out we heard "Ya'll come back!" Cute to hear with a Chinese accent if you can imagine.

The kids first bus ride! Lily looks a little concerned but she loved it after she got used to all the people! It took us almost 40 minutes to get to the same place a taxi would take us in less than 10. However, it only cost us 24 cents for the whole fam.



Yesterday before our fun bus ride we had a not so fun walk. My heart just longed for a quiet patch of grass for the kids to play on. All we found was people, traffic, car exhaust, and cement. Then came the tears. It's moments like these we have to really check our hearts and remember our purpose. What a 'coincidence' that this morning (Sunday) a lady from up front was sharing a similar experience and then immediately wrote off China in her heart. A second later she was strongly reminded in her heart what could be done through her and all the lives she might see changed if she had a soft heart. I ask for a humble heart that's quick to repent.
This is not the first time the girls had almost the exact same outfit on! They are both potty training and doing very well! They like to encourage each other, well, at least share chocolate chips as they sit on their potty chairs.
Sleepover time! Lily thought it was funny that she could sleep in bed with daddy while mommy had a sleepover in the living room! This is my friend Ellen who I met three years ago while she was in college. She is a 'business woman' now so it is difficult to get together during the day. We had a wonderful time of telling stories, reading, singing and laughing!

Our first "official" date! Josh surprised me with a dinner at TGIFriday's and then a long walk to the campus were at in 2003. So many memories!
The kids' two boxes from the U.S. finally came (taking 8 weeks almost to the day). Lily was almost speechless when she saw them; Caedmon just reached for what he could and one by one threw the toys on the floor and laughed!
Lily's Sunday School! She just loves all her friends, craft time and snack time. She talks about this day almost every other day of the week.
"What?? I dropped my paper!"
Lily just loves dressing up Benny & Suzie. The set even comes with a swimsuit and a speedo!
The one time our view looked like this. Most days it's just white. Some days it's in between.
PRESCHOOL!!! Lily has preschool one day a week for a couple hours. Tammy does a wonderful job coordinating, teaching and loving! This month the lessons are focused on sharing and being kind. I think circle time is their favorite!
Caedmon loves to come too. He moves so fast.
Sarah Lynn just turned three! We had a fun birthday celebration.
When the Midwest was getting buckets of snow, we got a little too!


A little lunch date!
A taste of the town...

The end result! The noodles were so yummy!
Josh and Michael cooking away...
bff

Always on the phone

Love and miss friends and family!