Two opposing videos

our girls 'reading' aloud.


Why David needs a boy: this is what I found he and Sophia doing when I went to investigate some really weird noises I was hearing (you have to love the iphone and all the APPS available, what would mankind do without it?):



Titled: 'gunbattle to kill big bad wolves' this is actually what they were doing. Sophia was shining a little flashlight and David wielded the gun, this after he let Sophia choose which gun she wanted. CRAZY. Do you hear her little attitude in there? we are working on that....

Aunt Beth's package

Last night we received a package from Aunt Beth filled with goodies. My favorite is the peppermint caramel tea, it is now my morning tea!
But the girls LOVED their cards and their sweatshirts, which they both had to immediately put on, and I let them sleep in them. Perfect for this time of year. Thank you Beth so much!!!
(Okay, so I also have eaten more than my fair share of chocolate too, sshhh....)


Bella's new thing is really acting like she is reading. It is hilarious. She is 'reading' Beth's card.



I include this blurry pic because Sophia so appreciated Beth's message inside: 'Here is a doggie you can pet and not be afraid.' This because Sophia was so scared of Beth's dog. This was great!


Sophia is trying to 'smile' but can't figure out that her fake smile is really more like a grimace.
Love these sweatshirts. When I put Bella's on her she said: 'cute.' A little smug, girl, but yes you are cute.

Princesses

Meanwhile, the girls are being girls.
David and I have both read some great parenting books recently, and after watching my sis and bro in law, we have made some good changes in discipline and parenting. It just takes constant guarding of the heart and mind to relax, enjoy, and stay consistently strict at this stage in order to get first time obedience in a context of love and grace . I fail daily, but am encouraged too. I am in constant 'training' mode, but I know it will pay off, IF I stay consistent. Need much prayer here.

All of that to say, I am really enjoying the girls. Now that Sophia is out of school, we do 'preschool' in the mornings and do a lot of reading aloud in the middle of the day before naps, then the afternoons are free to go outside or bake or do whatever!

Today, we played dress up. Sophia wanted me to put on a dress too. 'Girl, do you see how big I am, my dresses don't fit!'


In the closet (shadows, sorry)


what is this thing on my head.....get it off.....


But I talked her into wearing it (she understands everything!)


Look at that. Precious. And a HAM.



My joys.

28 weeks, and a Room Redo

yes, yes. Can you believe it? 28 weeks, that is like, 7 months pregnant!!????
Our tentative departure date is March 25. Yikes.
I am really really starting to feel pregnant, back aches, varicose veins, etc. You know the drill.
But overall I am doing really well.

We had our last guests in our 'guest room' (a great visit with good friends), it is now being converted to didi's room! I wish I had better 'before' pics. But I will certainly post an 'after' pic. Since next week is the Chinese New Year, every place of business is SO busy and/or not working. We will need to wait until late February to really get going on the room. But we did get it painted, and we also lent our double bed to some neighbors. Clearing out, decluttering. Feels so good.



My search for paint was interesting. The prices varied so much. I knew I wanted a good, 'safe' paint. I also knew we did not need that much for this small room (the back is David's office). Finally, at the Dupont store, the lady said she would sell it per kg to me (because I was foreigner, so she said, yeah right). Then she said no way could it be done before the New Year. 'Please? It will only take two hours, it is a SMALL room.' She decided to call her worker and ask. I sat there and drank hot water with her, while we discussed her fine for having two kids....

The guy agreed and came over right then. I chose a blue color out of their options, but no machine mixes this. I was still confident they knew what they were talking about and could get me the color I wanted. Until I started seeing the mixture. I made him put them all on the wall, and all of them made me, well, gag a little. I was trying to avoid the turquoisy powdery blue color. But check it out:

I was going for a little darker and a little grayer, but still vibrant blue. None of these were quite right, these guys were probably annoyed. I almost just gave in to one of these colors, until David persuaded me to not let my 'feeling bad for them' override what I really wanted, they were getting paid for this, and they were not mad. So David asked if they could go get some black to add into the mix to at least get a little close to the color I had originally showed them.
They did. And I was pleased. It is BLUE, but it is a grayish deep blue. We both are pleased.
It will be at least a month before the room is done with everything added, so no sneak peeks on the color. But stay tuned...


Now what do we do with all the stuff that was under the double bed? We got rid of some stuff, condensed some other stuff, and had already decluttered under our bed, so the crates fit under there. The squashable bags will go under the single bed we hope to get for didi's room. Of course the bed store here could not do any delivering until after the New Year. We decided not to order it yet. We have looked a lot at the second hand store for a dresser and book shelf, but have found nothing. And new, the stuff is not that expensive. I am waiting on a response from one place and hope they can make what I asked, I probably won't here back until mid-Feb. So we wait and clean out, and make our prep lists, packing lists, etc.

And every so often I go in the 'blue room' and picture me rocking my baby boy....

Delayed and a KitchenAid

Well, I spoke to soon with my Language goals. So far this week my teacher has been sick and also may not always be available during the time I would like (the girls' nap time). But I have been able to work on a lot of 'to do before baby' projects. But my teacher just called He is coming over right now just to hang out! Sophia is SO excited (this is one of her favorite people).

One thing that should distract me and has not has been the arrival of my KITCHENAID!!! I am ecstatic! As you may recall this was a 'gift' a while ago, A 'promise to buy' from my beloved husband. But I could never get my head around spending so much money, so I always said 'no'. Also, buying it here is almost twice the price as getting it in America and having to work with electricity conversions. Around Christmas they were on Amazon for less than $200!!! I was ready, David had always been willing.

I have had it for almost a week and have not turned it on yet. This is because even though we borrowed a big converter from a friend we were still a bit wary (I have posted about electricity many times). But I asked my friend, who is a master chef, uses her kitchenAid with a converter in this country, and she is an electrical engineer, David now feels we are pretty much cleared for take off. What should I make first?

Here is what happened to the box:




peek a boo.

Language study? Crazy.

There may be a couple questions floating out there in la-la land, like what happened to my language study, and what happened to our veganhood? I plan to address both, mainly for my own sense of flow of things for our family, a record so to speak.
Remember how I started Language number 3 (4 if you count that I had five years of Spanish, almost all of which has been replaced by Chinese, seriously. I used to say poems in Spanish. Now, I can barely count, and everyone can do that, that file in my brain is very corrupted)?

Remember, I made a good push before going to the U.S. this was my start. I listened and listened in all my classes, then I started speaking some with my teacher. Next, we went Stateside for three months, where I listened...very little.

Upon return, all I have done is review those previous 36 lessons. A lot of it was actually getting back out the pictures that went with the words to really drill it back in my brain, and honestly, those last few classes, cramming in more vocab, I never learned....

I was doing all this to gear up for starting class again and really 'loosing my tongue.' Just speaking and speaking. Then my teacher (Abby) left....now what? I kept reviewing, and now it is 'spring holiday' so we came up with the brilliant plan to have David's old teacher come and teach me while he is on holiday. He is completely willing and he is a great teacher. I know he will be patient and I know he will correct me.

Now, I know this is going to be hard. But only hard for a short time. He has about five weeks. So, I am going to go intense for five weeks, four days a week. I don't know when else I will have this opportunity.

I will give myself lots of grace here too, I am almost 28 weeks prego and chase youngin's all day, my brain is mush anyway, but I know if I don't try to really make some kind of slow progress in speaking now, it may never happen. So, I will try. It can't hurt, only help. And at the very least we will have one of our family's favorite people around for a while.

2011 book list

I don't make a 'to read' list every year, but I definitely wanted to for 2011.

I have had 40 books on my list before, but in a ‘newborn’ year, no way, if I read more than this great, less, no problem either. I usually read two at a time aim at a chapter in each a day (or more). Right now I am reading ‘standing on the promises’(parenting) and ‘organized simplicity’. I am loving both. ‘Standing’ is weighty in some of his beginning chapters about cov’t theol as it relates to parenting, this has brought up great discussion for David and me (love those kinds of books, David always teaches me so much). Organized simplicity (home management) is really resonating with me too, I think this lady and I are cut from the same mold!

I always try to do one ‘harder’ book , one that will really make me think, and then an easier read together. I plan on reading ‘meaning of the Pentateuch’ next, not all of it, just the parts that blew David away when he read it, this will be like being back in grad school and I am excited about it, but I can’t read that with a newborn. I know I won’t read ‘Religious Affections’ by Jonathan Edwards, with a newborn either, it is a hard read but SO worth it, this is reread for me, it rocked my world in grad school, is deep, but so challenging. So I plan to get those two read in the next two months, and they may take that long (ha).

I also always plan on never making it through my list, giving grace there, and having enough variety to allow me to choose what is best at that time. If a book is not ‘working’ for me in some ways I have no problem putting it down. But sometimes I need to work through a book anyway. (I put down Brainard’s biography 2x before I finished it b/c it was so depressing, but it was WELL worth the read at the right time). A book is all about timing and content!

For what it is worth, here is what I hope to get into this year, these are in random order not my intended reading order:

Marriage:

1. War of words

2. As unto the lord, a workbook, questions for wives

Homeschooling

1. Review Latin centered curriculum
2. Review 100 easy lessons,

3. Review ordinary parent's guide to teaching reading

4. Look at Veritas kindergarten

Parenting

1. Standing on the promises (reading now)

2. Gospel powered parenting
3. Sacred parenting

Home/womanhood

1. Radical womanhood
2. Designing a lifestyle that pleases God
3. Creative family, Soule
4. Organized simplicity (reading now)

Other/counseling

1. Getting things done
2. Thrive, vegan nutrition guide to opt…
3. You can change, chester
4. Bookends of the christian life
5. Just do something, Kevin DeYoung
6. Running scared, welch

7. Relationships: a mess worth making, Lane and Tripp

8. Pilgrim's progress (a reread)
9. Grow great grub

Theo/ sp growth

1. The meaning of the Pentateuch, Sailhamer (Certain chapters, not all)

2. Religious Affections, Edwards (reread)
   
3. Humility (a reread, plan to read this every year)

4. 1000 gifts, Ann Voskamp

Read alouds with david/and biography

1. Unbroken (reading now, it is incredible)
2. We have lots more on this list, but David did the choosing so I never know what will be next this year

Game night

We received the game 'Blokus' for Christmas (it came highly recommended by so many). We busted it open last night and played. It is for five years and up but Sophia played well, followed the rules, and tied with mommy. Daddy beat us both, of course. This is a game of strategy, and it is FUN. We all enjoyed it. Thanks Poppy and CC for the game. I think Sophia and I will have to play without Daddy for a little while and build good strategy and then challenge him again.
A great family game!



Bella enjoyed the game, but then got down to do other things. I found her here, curled up in Sophia's bed with Sophia's baa baa (they each have their own). Bella is possibly ready to move to a big bed, but we will see, maybe in a month!

Saturday with daddy back

David came back Friday night and had a great trip learning all about the Chinese Medicine that he will help plant/cultivate/whatever. He had the opportunity to eat Yak meat and Donkey meat. And they said they found the best ice cream in China, except that it was freezing cold outside...

We had a wonderful family Saturday....

The girls played together in the living room


Bella gets ready for our outing


It wasn't that cold out but we bundled up anyway. We decided to take a stroll down our street to look for some furniture for DiDi's (little brother) room, we need a dresser, a book shelf, and a one meter bed. We do not need all of these things right now, but I would love the room mostly done by the time we leave. We are on a much tighter budget than before on these things, so I am really trying to shop around. Anyway, we took a long family stroll, we even looked at some electric motorbikes for me, ones that two kids can fit on when old enough (scary). On the way back we stopped for pulled noodles, and Sophia was fascinated with the guy 'pulling' the noodles, this takes some serious arm strength to do this all day.



Later in the afternoon we borrowed Caleb's bike and Sophia rode for probably an hour. She LOVES it! Though she did complain of her 'bottom hurting' later that night.


Bella ate her snack down stairs while we watched Sophia ride.


She really did well on the bike, training wheels help, of course.

Sophia's last day of school

Though it is pretty cold out, the Chinese Spring Holiday has begun. School is out until Feb 28. Yes, a whole month and a half. We love it because that means no students on campus where we live (less motos, cars, traffic). It does mean fireworks, all hours of the day and night leading up until the actual Chinese New Year (the night that sounds like a war zone). This equates to less sleep until Feb 3rd. And more small kids around the neighborhood, unless they plan on traveling, which many families do...

Sophia's last day was Friday, I was informed in the morning of a parent meeting in the afternoon. I had actually already planned on taking Sophia back for one last chance of play with her friends. She really wanted to go. I put her down early for her nap and woke her up at 2:30. I went back to get her and go to the meeting at 4:30. A typical teacher meeting, I think. The teacher read four pages of information, about this past semester and general 'rules', "please give your child medicine, we cannot, please do this, don't do that. Most kids can put on and take off clothes, but we will help....they will use scissors next semester please get the rounded edge and tape their name to it..."

One child was throwing a fit and continually hitting her mom, Sophia stared in awe. Finally the mom took her child out....
The teachers then gave out the kids' school work, they must do those great crafts in the afternoon because Sophia had never done any (we may change her to the afternoon??!!)
I had some questions, but was also needing to get home so I will just have to call them later and clarify a few things....
Sophia loves school and her new friends. I hope she feels the same way next semester!


There are supposedly 49 students in her class. CRAZY.


She was acting a little shy for this picture.


As we headed out the door at lunch time she saw they were having stir fried rice: 'I love that!' she exclaimed. What the heck, it was her last day, we can stay! She ate all that was given to her!

For doing so well with going to school this semester, I gave her a few M&Ms as a treat.
Congrats girl, on a great semester of school.

Hall of Fame (a family story)

Sophia's Uncle Herschel, My big bro.

He may not love the idea of me blogging this, but man is it blogworthy, and as I thought about this event it conjured up so many memories that I had to write something.

My brother, Herschel, five years my elder, is about to be inducted into our High School's Athletic Hall of Fame. May not sound like a huge deal, but it really is.

Herschel's 'fame' was our world for a while when he was in high school, and he took it well (meaning he wasn't an arrogant jerk, he let his actions talk, enjoyed himself, and worked extremely hard). What started with a love for the game of soccer grew to a love for running. He took up cross country, and then of course, track and field. All of these activities are great ways to get in shape for soccer season (I heard it said somewhere that midfielders can run up to 7-8 miles per game?!). And so he ran.

But Herschel was different. He was good. And by good I mean fast. He obtained a gazillion medals and entered so many very competitive meets. And we followed him everywhere, all over the state of Florida, to cheer him on. My dad, Julie, and me, his cheering section (and others too), but we were the caravan. And it was fun, truly. I honestly think on these memories and just smile. Not just because he won, and won almost every time. But because we were there, we were all there, together. For a family so broken at times, this is a purely joyful memory.

And my dad. A single dad, how he made every race, I have no idea. Every. Single. One. And he worked-- hard. And Julie and I were playing sports too, and he made our events too. At the time I took it all for granted. But as I chase around a 3 year-old and 1 year-old, I wonder at how he managed to get us all everywhere and not just drive us there but actually BE there too, he coached us on the sidelines, got us the gear we needed, and put food on the table. Yes, I will never forget, the night before one of Herschel's big races, we were bound to be eating a hearty pasta meal. Thoughtful and dedicated to his children. My dad.

Back to Herschel: Reporters would call, colleges would write. He made the front page of the sports more than once with full picture too. Why? Because he was darn fast, and because he was a State Champion. A State Champion times three, all in one year. He blew past the competition in the cross country state meet. And then headed to the Track and Field State Championship as a favorite for the mile, and a good contender for the two mile.

I remember each race, really. Cross country is a little hard to cheer on because you have to get to know the course yourself and be strategic about where to be to spur him on. We would run to every place we could and then to the finish. By the time he came around the corner, we were ecstatic…not just because he was the first, that was a surprise, but because we didn’t see anyone else coming. Wow. Cross Country State Champion, my brother, Herschel Johnson.

The track meets draw HUGE crowds. Herschel paced himself well and knew when to kick for the mile, and there you have it, Track and Field, State Champion in the 1600 meters, Herschel Johnson. I forget his time, some ungodly time of just over four minutes. Seriously? High schoolers run that fast? He did.

And then came the two mile, 3200 meters. The big crowds don't usually pay much attention to these distance races, but this one had every one on their feet. Just before the last lap bell rang, Herschel was behind, far behind. He was in second place, but by a long shot. Let's say, about 300 meters (440 is one lap, I really forget this detail, I just know he had a lot of catching up to do, it seemed impossible), this is a long way in track, and he had less than a lap to catch up. But Herschel, he saved it up, he knew when to kick, and kick he did. And that poor guy in front of him, he had nothing left. Everyone in the bleachers realized what was happening, almost before I did. I mean I was already screaming at the top of my lungs, but what was happening was truly amazing. My brother, already proven to be an amazing athlete, was showing just how huge his heart was. He was pulling an upset. And the crowd just roared for this stranger, my brother. They cheered him around the last curve, and in the last 10-20 meters he overtook the leader, and won his third state championship of the year. Unbelievable.

Yes, these were exciting times at our house. And Herschel, he took this all in stride (ha ha). I know he worked his tail off running around Gainesville, for miles and miles and miles. But at the time I did not realize just how disciplined and dedicated he was, I just knew he practiced A LOT, and excelled. Looking back I am truly amazed.

It was just a race, I know. And many have long forgotten them. But it made Herschel a champion, and we will always remember, and treasure the memories. And it is not just past events that make us so proud of my big bro, it is the person he has become, still dedicated and hardworking, he is a cherished friend.

Congrats on the Hall of Fame, bro. You deserve it. You know if I were in the States I would still be right by your side cheering you on tonight.

Excelling at work, he advises Sophia on College.

Showing us around Siesta Key, we had a great summer with Herschel.

What else daddy is missin'....

"Mommy, I am going to be the mommy and you are going to be the grandma, okay?"
Thanks girl.
But today, I felt like a grandma. Well, that is not fair, the grandmas I know have more energy than I do. I am dragging. But things are going well. Bella has a cold and is very clingy, she did not nap well, Sophia did not nap at all. But they 'rested' I suppose, and I caught up in language study....while eating chocolate and sipping a little coke lite (never did this with pregnancy one, rarely did it with prego 2, and do it more often than not this prego go round, only half a can, really).

We received a much anticipated package from Poppy and CC, it included Shutterfly picture books I had made. I was so excited to see these. I am very pleased and so glad I made them. One included our 2009 year of pictures, so glad I finally captured these moments. I am now caught up!
They also gave the girls a few books, one of which has them reading it aloud via recording. Sophia LOVES this book. Laura and Lee gave them one awhile ago and she loves them both! very special gifts!
thanks guys for the gifts!



enjoying the book

While Sophia and I fingerpainted, Bella explored what was under the rug in the living room...




we had fun opening our new fingerpaint! Sophia made a sign for daddy (she already told him this, no surprise). I actually enjoyed myself too...

Now we are waiting for K and her entourage to come upstairs to eat take out with us!
the kids will play play play, and then we will call it a night!
One more day before daddy arrives!!! We miss him something terrible!

Adore more in 2011

Some people have a word for the new year. I have never done that. Ever. But as I was praying the other day, I really thought about what I would like to do a whole lot better this year. I contemplated areas of weakness and struggle, and oh there were many.

But if it was one thing that I really failed at a lot, in my walk, in my marriage, in parenting, and in daily life, it was the idea of adoring. Adore Jesus, adore my husband, adore my children, yes it goes along with enjoying and not just doing. But I chose adore because I was praying for David and I just thought how little I really let him know how much I adore him, truly treasure him, really trust him, truly just enjoy him, who he is and the amazing husband, leader and friend that he is….and my confession just spiraled from there.

You see I am a task oriented person. I love lists. Lists are good. But I can check off a reading plan, a reading plan intended to help me know and adore God. I can check off books I have read, good marriage books, intended to help me better communicate adoration to my husband. I can instill all the great parenting techniques, time management techniques, all intended to help me enjoy more...but all this doesn't mean I am doing it.

In the area of parenting I confessed to David that even though sometimes I am sitting there playing with the girls, my thoughts may be on how to better organize the room, when I should start with dinner, how much language study do I have left (the multi tasking brain is a must have for a mom, I know, but too often for me it really has precluded pure adoration for the gifts that they are to me, and prevented me from just enjoying them). My thoughts are far from them….and boy do I do this with my Father in heaven as well…

It has been a trend in my life as my life has gotten busier. ..

It is the whole Mary and Martha thing, one was doing something, the other adoring someone. And which was the better way? We all know. So do I.

I do not plan on missing out on that enjoyment anymore. This year, I plan to tell, and show, and love my husband by truly adoring him. With the girls, I will work hard to just be with them, play with them, without moving on in my brain to the next task on my list….I want to have fun with them and show them how much I adore them. Because I do.

And with my Lord, yes, I have a reading plan, and some memorization goals. But it is prayer and praise, and the Journaling thus far that is keeping me thinking on who He is and adoring Him more. The plans help me, they guide me, they keep me consistent, but having to put down on paper what is impressed on me that day, attributes to reflect on, this is keeping me more contemplative, more at his feet like Mary, more just sitting in wonder than moving on to my to-do list.

I know this will be a daily battle. But I press on to adore my God more this year, and loving him by enjoying and yes, even adoring, those good gifts he has given me.

Adore more.

A good start

Things were going too well, I just knew. I got Sophia off to school, a friend took her by the hand and led her to play. I replaced our lost 'entrance' card to the school, and then bought fruit on the way home. Bella and I had some good time together, as I finally taught her how to use the gift that Sophia (and Daddy) picked out for her for Christmas, this was great fine motor skill practice, and she did it no problem. Stringing big beads to make a necklace. They are all shapes, some are fruits, some animals. great buy.



wow, girl. good job.

I even took Bella on a bicycle outing. We went to the book store where I found a great Chinese version of 'guess how much I love you,' Sophia still loves this book and it will be great language practice too.

We headed home. Off to pick up Sophia from school (trip number three of the day up and down the stairs, it usually totals five or more). I watched outside the door for a minute as they sang a song with motions and I could tell she was loving it. She did not want to leave. Her friends wanted her to stay too. She wanted to eat there, but the food had not arrived. She usually likes the thought of eating there but not always the food and I hate and am embarrassed by the wastefulness of it. But....she only has two more days with these friends for a while, I reasoned. I went to the bakery and came back. They were eating rice, corn, and a sour veg that I don't even like. I made her eat half of the bowl, since she asked for it. Out the door and on the bike a whine and complain turned to crying as I refused to give her a snack....
And then ensued what I hope to be the end of the drama for the day. ...

Her complaining and bad attitude subsided a little. We received a package with goodies, and then the selfishness set in and turned to meanness towards Bella. What followed was a thirty minute session of discipline and calming down. Everything taken away. (David and I are on a serious kick to STAY consistent with first time obedience). I stuck it out. Discipline, Prayer, Forgiveness, fresh starts. Meanwhile, our helper was feeding Bella, and listening to a very dramatic Sophia through closed doors....oh well. Sophia knows if you whine for something you will not get it, end of story. We will see what happens when she wakes up from her nap and wants a piece of chocolate...

Did I expect perfect obedience while daddy was gone? No. I was just on an upswing in attitude, joy, etc. And I had to fight anger, impatience and all the other attitudes that come when a child is not doing what I would like, when a child, my child is simply acting out what my heart is feeling (complainy and whiny)...ouch. This is why I love the restoration part of our discipline sessions, restores calmness in every way, it brings us all back together, just how God intended. And He will give grace for the next time and time after that of training our children to be wise and not rebellious. Constant training for my heart and hers....
Day two without daddy, only half way done.

What daddy is missin'

01.11.2011

David left mid morning, as the rains came tumbling down. I took a tuk-tuk to pick Sophia up from school. She did not want to leave...I am so happy she loves school. We had a great day yesterday.
I gave them baths in the middle of the day thinking I would not have hot water that night. I am glad I did, since I didn't feel like doing baths later anyway.

In the afternoon Sophia's friend, Anna, came over to play. I thought of all kinds of things to do with them, but in the end let them enjoy the kitchen together. I let them take out EVERYTHING from the kitchen. It was fun to watch them. One would 'do the dishes' while the other 'cooked' and they talked about this too. Three year olds are serious fun.

We went downstairs to eat take out with K, whose hubby is away with David. Caleb and Sophia played well together, and they even shared some marshmallows with us that they roasted over the gas burner. YUM.

I put the girls to bed, regulated that for about 45 minutes on and off. I sometimes think Bella instigates and Sophia can't say No. I tell her to ignore Bella, but how hard is that? There was some discipline involved for some direct disobedience. They finally fell asleep.
I read books about teaching your child to read...(sounds fun I know, but it engrossed me until 10 p.m. I had planned on going to bed at 9:30)



first we have to put lipstick on...


too many cooks in the kitchen...but they managed well.

We are home

We are back home and have our work visas!!! We are so excited. No more leaving every two months, except we will leave in two months to have a baby....
We are so glad to be back home. Sophia now has one more week of school before spring holiday begins. The schools will be out until the END of February. Crazy. And the fireworks have already begun. Daily. Next week I predict an ever increasing onslaught, until Chinese New Year.

In other news, a mighty Hail storm blasted us the other night around midnight, or who knows when it was, it was LO-UD. The girls slept right on through it...

And David is leaving today on a business trip for four days. Just the girls and me until Friday. We don't plan on doing much, taking Sophia to school, hosting a play date, cooking some soup, and then some chili, Eating take out, making sugar cookies (David outlawed these this Christmas since we ate too many last year), possibly finger painting, who knows what the week may hold. We hope it to be very uneventful. I may try to post every day, our usual: 'while daddy is away,' in order to fill him in on the mundane tidbits and hilarious happenings that make up our daily life. He, meanwhile, may be freezing cold has he leaves the subtropics for a more northern, much windier climate.

Doctor's appts

Originally David was going to go to Chiang Mai today, but because he cannot deal with visa stuff until tomorrow and there were no flights that could get him back in time to do that, he stayed. This meant that we headed to the hospital for my 25 week check up with my doc.

He did an ultrasound and everything looked great, very healthy. AND, definitely a boy! Okay, now I can paint the room and by some blue clothes...

We also took the girls to their doc appointments so that I would not need to do it by myself tomorrow. This proved invaluable to me. Tomorrow while daddy is at the embassy and then in Chiang Mai, the girls and I will play, play, play!

From Bangkok

Happy New Year everyone!

We left our city on Thursday and have been enjoying a very non-busy Bangkok. Everyone is out of town, making traffic flow smooth and outings enjoyable. The weather too is great, we know in late March when we return it will be HOT, so we are loving this.

The evening of our arrival we ordered in Lebanese (possibly our favorite here) and went to bed. The girls traveled really well, Bella slept for 1.5 hours of the 2 hour flight to Bangkok. David and Sophia enjoyed games on the iphone (this thing is proving to be well worth the price (though we were blessed by it as a gift to us)). But it probably is really well worth the price, fork out the dough and enjoy an iphone.

Our first full day we went to a mall with a 'play place' and also shopped some. I forgot my list at the guest house, and have proved to be inept at making even small decisions when overwhelmed with choices. That and I hate spending money. So, which bag of brown rice to buy? Couldn't do it. This girls underwear seems too expensive, I will wait. The bed rail for toddlers? At almost 100 USD, I said I would have to wait, and David nixed that too (we can make one or find it on taobao). My indecisiveness is also inefficient, I hate to waste time too, which I did. I forgave myself and asked God to help me relax and enjoy whatever the next day might bring, shopping, playing, eating...and I have done this more. (the starbucks toffee nut latte helps too)

We are here to deal with our visas, and of course we knew that the Embassies would be closed, including today (Monday) which we were not quite expecting. David has rearranged his trip to Chiang Mai half a dozen times, and because we could not change our tickets back to China, we will return home On Thursday, not the next Sunday. It is just as well, we are ready to get into the new year with good home routines.

We have enjoyed play places, walks, playing with new friends at the guest house, David and I took turns going to see 'the Tourist' at the Theatre, and eating good food. The movie was pretty good by the way.

We will live at this guest house for baby 3 so we are getting our bearings and checking out the neighborhood. We think it will be great for the potential of friends for the girls to play with, this trumps a lot of the comforts we might find else where (that and it is really cheap).

Last night we ventured on a long walk and ate Thai food at a nearby hostel (David would eat Thai food every meal off the street and we would save big bucks, but I can't do it and am scared since they use shrimp a LOT and one wok to make the stuff in).

I brought some preschool stuff in order to not skip a week and Sophia was eager to do it. To my surprise I have been listening to a lot of language review as well. I set some goals for listening to all my reviews three times by Jan 15 (I set this goal a week and a half ago). In order to meet this I knew I would need to listen for at least 5 days of our ten day trip (our trip is now 7 days). So far so good. I may even try to get ahead so that when we get home I won't be as pressed. The tentative plan is to start phase 2 of this language gig and talk talk talk, plod plod plod! Must find a teacher...I digress.

That's it for miscellaneous from the Kingdom of Thailand, our home away from home.