White Chicken Enchiladas

I felt great the two days after my run. My hamstrings and glutes were sore in ways they never have been before, but other than that I was good.

On Monday, after a KB workout I started feeling ill and have felt that way ever since. Low grade fever and aches. No other symptoms. Probably just a virus. I have had to nap almost every day. Thankfully it was an already planned much slower Homeschool week. I am still doing all my duties and able to do them, I just feel ick! And I know you all know the feeling.

On my menu plan was Mexican, which is usually a little involved around here. I ran out of taobao bought tortillas so I taught our helper how to make them last week and this time she did it almost all on her own! On Thursday we made salsa. David brought me pinto beans from Thailand so I soaked those. It is my opinion that almost any bean can work in my 'refried bean' recipe. And I never re-fry them either. No lard whatsoever in these, but just as flavorful.

I tried a new recipe and it was a huge  hit! I did change it up a bit based on what I had available of course, Here is the link to the original.


Here is her list of ingredients and directions with my additions:

• 10 soft taco shells (I made 12 and had to use homemade tortillas)
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (I cooked chicken quarters in the crockpot with salt, pepper, garlic powder nothing else on high a few hours, then shredded the chicken, so tender and flavorful, this is how I cook all my chicken when I need it in chunks or shredded)
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (I had to use half Gouda half Mozzarella, not very Mexcian I know but it was great, though Jack cheese would have been even better)
• 3 Tbsp. butter
• 3 Tbsp. flour
• 2 cups chicken broth (this was homemade and quite fatty which made the whole thing creamier, I think)
• 1 cup sour cream  (made by adding vinegar to my cream)
• 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies (definitely don't have these, I used my very spicy mock Jalapenos and this is what MADE this dish, it added the right amount of spice to the sauce, I divided it actually because I wasn't sure the kids would love it, theirs had no peppers)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan
2. Mix chicken and 1 cup cheese. Roll up in tortillas and place in pan.
3. In a sauce pan, melt butter, stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add broth and whisk until smooth. Heat over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
4. Stir in sour cream and chilies. Do not bring to boil, you don't want curdled sour cream.
5. Pour over enchiladas and top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake 22 min and then under high broil for 3 min to brown the cheese.

I served this with mashed pintos (my 'refried beans', re-posted below), shredded lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and homemade salsa. 

Even our helper liked it! 

In the original link she says the chilis don't make it spicy, but mine are and we love them, I wouldn't go back.

I half this recipe, put beans in water, soak overnight, then I usually only need to cook 4-5 hours, and I don't put in cumin, you can add jalapenos to this as well, but I don't.

REFRIED BEANS

• 1 onion, peeled and halved
• 3 cups dry pinto beans, rinsed
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 5 teaspoons salt
• 1 3/4 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin, optional
• 9 cups water

Directions

1. Place the onion, rinsed beans, garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin into a slow cooker. Pour in the water and stir to combine. Cook on High for 8 hours, adding more water as needed. Note: if more than 1 cup of water has evaporated during cooking, then the temperature is too high.
2. Once the beans have cooked, strain them, and reserve the liquid. Mash the beans with a potato masher, adding the reserved water as needed to attain desired consistency.      

My Half Marathon

21km=13.1 miles

David: So, how long is this going to take you?
Me: At least 2 hours, probably about 2:10.
David: can you imagine going twice that long/ 4 hours!!???
Me: No, not now. But when I had all of this envisioned, the 25-year-old me thought anything was possible: train and do it, no sweat...
David: (laughing) Hey, if Karla Kay can you can.
Me: She was a running machine, but she did do her 42k when she was 42 I think. I will need to wait at least until then.

___________

My half marathon was a true non-event. I did train for 12 weeks, I did not quit. There was only one time when I contemplated whether this was the best use of my time for this season and realized a full marathon by 40 would never fly for this season of life. But I didn't want to have to re-start, and truly it really only ate up my Saturday mornings because I wasn't following a true half training program, I only ran 3x/week.

David was supportive the whole time. He reads all his KB forum stuff and always gives me good advice about how to train. Maybe next time I will take a year for a full, who knows...lots of Science behind it all.

But I was in the mental game and feeling good, I was also ready for it to be over.

The game plan was for me to run the first hour and then the fam would come find me. My goal was to get out of the door by 6:30 a.m.  David knew the route, I told him the hardest parts (first 3km, last 5km) and where I may could use some water.

I woke up at 5:30, got prepared and read the next Psalm in my reading plan. You have got to love this! It was Ps. 121, perfect inspiration for what I was about to do, fully surrounded by mountains:

     I lift up my eyes to the Mountains
     Where does my help come from?
     My help comes from the Lord
     The maker of heaven and earth
     He will not let your foot slip--
     he who watches over you will not slumber;
     indeed he who watches over Israel
     will neither slumber nor sleep...

And on it goes in perfect serenade of my morning, refreshing sustenance for my soul.

I prayed. For help and for no dogs (seriously, one of my biggest fears in running these days! I know you are not a runner in Asia until you are bit by a dog, I would just as soon not join the club).

I actually left at 6:00 a.m. with Doug Wilson on 'The Christian Home' set to entertain and encourage (convict the heck out of) me. When I first started this training I thought no way would I run 2 hours with a phone, but now I knew there was no way I would run without it.

In order to make the full 21 km I actually had to start by running 2 laps in our neighborhood. I treated it like my warm up.

The stars were spectacular!
I ran in the dark (street lights) most of the way. First half felt great and on the back side of the route the town turned the lights off. It was 7:00 a.m.

By the time I got on the back highway I called David to let him know where to look.
He called back a bit later, struggling to get the crew in the car and confirming my whereabouts. Yes, I was talking on the phone and running.

Because I was on a highway where I never run I had no landmarks to tell him, except I knew I had passed the stadium. This made him go all the way down the road and then come up.

Next a tinted out van pulled up and slowed next to me, not near a light. I became completely aware and started talking myself through what to do (these are the vans we hear horror stories about in some villages around here having to do with child trafficking). I kept going, it slowed more and a window came down with a child in the seat a lady asking directions to the big market. I didn't stop I just yelled to her that I didn't know. I do know where the big market is but I didn't know where I was on this road so I wasn't lying. She moved on and I kept my pace, and my heart actually slowed a bit.

When I turned off of the big highway I called David one last time and told him just to meet me on the new road.

Then the sun came up. My hamstrings were so tight by now, and my right foot hurting a little in the toes. I took this pic without stopping, all the rest David took.

 David pulled ahead and the kids got ready to hand me water!

 This inaugural Valley 21km boasts gorgeous views!

 Just past the army base the fam set up another water station. This was the last 3km, slow up hill and right into a corner that has a wet market. I did have to avoid a few dogs right here.

 David asked how my body was doing. 'Fine' I said, and what I meant by 'fine' was that my hamstrings were screaming and my foot was bothersome, but at least I had no hip pain! I told him all of this later!

Last water grab. I am glad the kids got to feel a part of this. They still have no idea how far I actually ran.

I almost got stuck in traffic of motos, 3 wheeled vehicles, people walking and cars at the last light. The market was busy. David told me later they had to wait through two lights to get through. I wasn't willing to stop so I hopped on the broken sidewalk and dodged people to get back on the road around the corner.

 Waiting for me....

You can barely see me.

 I wasn't sure it was going to flip over to 21 km, as soon as it did I put my hands up.

 This girl only wanted me to hold her...and I only wanted her to hold me.

 I had to sit down and loosen up, the strings on the back of my legs that felt like they were about to pop!

 Thanks for supporting me fam!!!

 Notice the 10+10+1 of their fingers, this was Sophia's idea. 21km!

 I stretched. We walked up to the market for breakfast, bought some Gatorade, my sponsor for life.
Then the kids played outside while David and I had couch time, which means unless you are bleeding, don't interrupt.


My lungs could have ran forever it felt like, but my hamstrings probably could not have made it another 2 miles....

Feet up. Feeling good. We were actually talking a bit through what I had just listened to which was very helpful: Doug Wilson on marital conflict/disagreements before children: 'Model Unity, teach that you have differences, don't teach unity and model all your differences'. There was more to it than that. 

Then we continued our previous discussion on both of our failure to remember certain things. Our retention is going...we laugh about this. David has these great flashcard systems for many languages, verses, history, etc. I told him he will need to make one for us in old age with people's pictures and where we know them from, etc.

In the above picture this is the conversation we ended on and I leave you with:

David: I just read: 'submit your brain to this algorithm and you will remember 95% of what you would like' what do you think about that?

Me: hmmm.....yes...but..

David: (laughing sarcasm), This is what I love about you, you are so agreeable. You always say 'yes' and always follow it with a 'but'. 

He explained a little further what he was talking about, and I assured him I agreed: tell me the algorithim and lets grow old together!

Parody/Satire on Running a Marathon

This was a timely link: The First Person to Run a Marathon Without Talking About It.

I found this hilarious, especially since I will post tidbits about my just-run HALF marathon soon. Making fun of myself here.

I did try to get others on board with me to train, then I just decided to do it without a race. K, an ex-pat friend here, knew I was running one but didn't know when until the night before, she texted 'what, with no fanfare?'

I told her I would do it early and that maybe David would text them if he thought they were up by my last km to see me at the finish, but no need.

I am the gazillionth person to run a HALF marathon, and I will journal here soon!

Friday Miscellanies

On Friday, David needed some office hours (like usual but even post-trip), It worked out because Tobin's class had a field trip, and the girls were at school. So I decided  to have Ayi watch Gabrielle and I took an hour at a coffee shop/bakery to read and pray and enjoy quiet.

This was a precious hour reading through Job 31 and Ps 119 and 'Treasuring Christ When Your Hands are Full' and then I just brainstormed and took notes on various ideas, and to-dos.

I enjoyed a decent Mocha.

 Job is a mysteriously awesome book. All his friends said he was chosen for suffering because of his unrighteousness. What the reader knows is that it was precisely because he was righteous that God chose him to suffer. Still learning/mulling/mining through a lot of this.

. 

I picked up Bella and then Tobin. David decided to pick up Sophia and C because he needed to talk to Soph's teachers about her table mate. I have talked to her 3x about it already, it needed a father's touch.

We had a very light homeschool day, spelling tests, some grammar, a little writing. Sophia chose to go to Chinese school in the afternoon (ends at 4pm). David picked her up and took the girls to piano, while I prepared his birthday meal, Chicken Parmesan, yum!
Cheesecake was already done and waiting to be eaten (this is actually not his real birthday cake, just a great excuse to make a cheesecake and divide it, I delivered some to K for her bday!

We had made the decision based on my previous long run and hip pain that I would give my body just one more long run: The Half Marathon. This meant trying to get to bed early so I could get up early to run for 2 hours and avoid traffic, etc.
Thus ended a very pleasant and relaxed Friday, as opposed the tiresome and grumpy Thursday.

Dear David...Day 5, Your Return

I know you know all of this, but just to finish the series...
Day 5 was a difficult day. It always is.
We had been grace filled in all of our mistakes and short tempers thus far. The grace was no different this day, it was just harder to recognize in the shorter tempers and contrariness displayed (in myself too).
 Isn't that grace? That in rebellion we are loved. And we are rescued from our own self-absorption, selfishness, self-whatever...Maybe I should say God's grace abounded even more that day....

In the middle of the night I tossed and turned. I realized my sleep was barely restful and some time in the wee hours of the morning I changed my alarm to 6:30 not 5:30. My intention was to interval run around our neighborhood.

And even though I left Sophia a note, I knew I would still get up before her so I didn't take it down during my mid-night change of plans.

At 5:30 I heard something I had never heard in my sleep before: One of our big bolted doors was opened. I jumped out of bed, literally. I immediately saw Sophia and Bella's bedroom door open and then my heart calmed. My brain put together what had happened.
I walked out and there stood Sophia. I told her she had over an hour of sleep left and that I wasn't running. She had read the clock wrong.
She did turn the laundry room light on, but also opened the heavy metal door because you cannot tell if the light is on or not.

Thus started our day. We both went back to bed to not very restful sleep. By the time they needed to go to school Sophia was almost refusing to go. I told her she could call me if she was really too tired.
I got the morning going. Did my normal routine with Tobin.

Except he fought me tooth and nail. He would not trust that we would read only 10 minutes and it would be easy. This led to him disrespecting me quite a bit, and then refusing to submit to the discipline process. That sounds so funny as I write it. Of course he refuses, his hole is digging deeper and he is being fueled by his emotions and self-preservation.
I finally did resolve the entire episode promptly to his complete surprise and then said: 'we are done.'
We hugged and kissed and prayed together. This was just what was needed.
We read together, I read to him for a longer period of time and we enjoyed playing with Gabrielle together too.

 I finally decided I would do a 5k run of intervals at 9 a.m. (yes, all that happened before 9 a.m.)
Tobin wanted to bike with me. I told him every loop I would run by the back way and he could bike some with me, he was so excited.
Three-fourths of my way around, Sophia called afraid she would fall asleep in class and be rapped on the hand or scolded by the teacher. I went to pick her up.
I put her in bed for a bit, knowing she wouldn't sleep. I ran one loop just so Tobin could bike with me, it was a faster pace so I felt like I had at least done something.
Next we started on cheesecake for you and K's birthday.
Sophia got up and we actually did some school stuff. This was helpful to be done early.
I picked up Bella at 10:40, and cleaned, and cleaned her classroom!
More school.
Things were moving fast, everyone excited about your return. By early afternoon we had heard from you. Praise.
But grouchy grumpies by almost everyone, except maybe Bella (even-keeled, go with the flow, stabilizer of our fam) had us diffuse some situations.
It was blazing hot, but I finally did decide, once for all to get my run in, especially since we talked about changing my half marathon to this weekend.
A short, 4-5 laps with intervals while the kids started watching Narnia. This was needed down time, and break time for me.
We worked on Chinese homework and warmed up leftovers for dinner.
Then it was clean up get ready for daddy time.
In the car to pick you up I almost turned around. I had to stop and discipline, not Tobin this time. With the eldest crying and defiant, and me talking/lecturing (not a good parenting device usually), we drove to the airport. At one point she told me I talked about it too much (her wrongs) and she is right.
I was surprisingly calm during this and she apologized and I talked through how to wisely talk to me, and her need to actually listen to correction.We agreed to work on our communication, her on humility and listening, me on talking less and working to understand more. This happened in the ten minutes it took us to get up the road.
And then God blessed us with the most beautiful orange and pink and blue sunset behind the mountains. Breathtaking. We marveled at such grace. And Bella spotted your airplane landing, we were still five minutes out.
Also by God's grace I slowly proceeded when my red light turned green. This was the highway and an SUV came flying and ran his red light almost plowing right into us. Seriously,  only God's providence could have made me pause and pay attention that way. My heart skipped a major beat, much like it had at the wake-up of my day.

And then we greeted you!
We did miss you lots but lived so much in the reality of His goodness and forgiveness in our brokenness.
You brought goodies, sticky rice! Manao soda! And cool gifts for the kiddos.
So glad my best friend is home.

Dear David...day 4

Last night when G was giving out good night kisses, we got to you and I said:
'where's daddy?'
She held her hands up in a question and said 'daddy?' Then she said: "feiji" (Chinese for airplane).

This morning (after a much better nights sleep) Gabrielle spilled her milk and granola, of course.

 Tobin was contrary to reading, but I calmly (grace!) encouraged him. All that we are doing now is  easy, he just is struggling to have to work at any part of it. Once I spurred him a little he did great and even laughed as we read the story.
He says "I don't like reading" but then he is always finding things he can read in his unlocked world of words and sounds and making sense. So he does actually love the fruit of it.

They were playing on the trundle bed. Gabrielle can say 'big girl bed' but I am not sure we are moving her there any time soon.

And for the first time today she said: 'wait a second'. And so she gets in on the delay tactic!

As I was changing her diaper I was telling her and Tobin that I was going to do a Kettle Bell workout while they went to the market. Gabrielle starting saying: 'tst tst tst'. I thought for a moment and then said: "are you mimicking how I sound when I do Kettle bells? How is it?" And she did it again. She is absolutely right, she has the breathing down. I was laughing hard at this.

Bella at school. Her math teacher was keeping them a little late.

And we cleaned again. All week.

I got the text last night that Tobin was supposed to wear his old uniform to school. But it was hot and I had no idea why. He wasn't loving the long sleeve collared white shirt and I wasn't either. I just stuffed it in his bag and he wore this:

very interesting.

Bella and I have not gotten much school done in the 15 minutes between times to go get Sophia (usually 30 minutes), so we did more in the afternoon.

Thanks for texting us all you are eating (per the kids' request). We are not too jealous (except the Swensons icecream!) It was funny you asked what we ate for lunch. The kids fave, that we do every 3 months now: ramen noodles. Nutritionally stout, I know. We also ate lots of fruit and raw veg too!

This week's read aloud are various stories from China and India, so we are reading the awesome Barefoot Books we have of dance stories or horse stories and they always explain a bit about where they come from first. And the Usborne Illustrated Stories from around the world.

We were behind today so we didn't read much...
During History we read about India and the Taj Mahal.

Tobin wrote his name and then said: 'look I did an upside down 'i' so you have to say it loud'. In the morning I had taught him about the exclamation point adding strength to what is being said. Hilarious. I love the dots on his I!

The girls did all they could do of school without me (mainly math, reading, and Bible review) and were playing 'school' outside when I returned from taking Tobin and others to school.

Bella learned how to use a dictionary in her Literature/grammar study of "Little House". She loved it.

 Sophia plugged along with me on her Grammar/spelling.

  And pre-Latin, base word/prefix/suffix learning. LOVE this curriculum.

 We were actually done a little early with core, so I prepped our Sci Lab.
How do animals reproduce? The lab part was a virtual dissection of a crayfish, it was still gross on the screen, and didn't take us long. We did look at the female and male body parts. Then we went to our Science notebooks and I had them draw an animal that reproduces by 'live birth' one that reproduces by 'laying eggs' and one that 'fragments'. And then....

Then I read to them book #2 about God's design for sex. Yes, at six and eight years old. The book is for 5-8 year olds. They heard it here first, and for that I am so glad!

I am not sure Bella really got it, which is fine. Sophia's eyes got big and she turned pinkish when I read the most detailed part. But I kept emphasizing the beauty of it all, to down play what could seem to be gross or, for the childbirth part, painful. They didn't ask any questions, but I told them to please ask us any time! I also really emphasized how we are made in God's image, and how this process is not mere science, it is miraculous and creative genius.

Bella took the book and looked back through it, which has very tasteful and beautiful pictures, especially of a baby in the womb.

Ayi cooked us a great meal and I was thankful just to let her do the whole meal today. SO helpful.
Tobin still complained of a bellyache and I am not sure if it is a short virus or if he has other issues. Nothing has come of his belly ache so far.
I turned on an OLD superman/superhero movie.

It had 'hawkman' and 'wondergirl' in it.

The girls only watched a few minutes, then their tutor came. They split the time mostly, except Sophia's homework took a bit longer than 30 minutes, so her piano practice was shorter. I took G with me to the wholesale bakery store. They have 1 can of peaches, 12 yuan, Jars of red maraschino cherries, 25 yuan, a few cans of strawberries, 18 yuan, and 1 can left of pineapple 12 yuan. I didn't buy anything, I will let you decide what will top your birthday cheesecake.

We returned and all was well, girls still plugging along at Chinese, Tobin's video just ending.

Then Tobin came in while I was changing G and said: 'Sophia pinched me.'
I replied, 'thanks for telling me, and good job on self control not doing anything back'....in walked Sophia with a huge red scratch near her eye. Tobin started crying: ' I didn't mean to...'
So much for great self control! And the whole thing unfolded, which was not a big deal at all. Sophia was really playing (which I knew) and Tobin wasn't taking the joke (obviously).

I made them hug well! Then they all got together (except G who was in bed by this time) and started reenacting the movie and playing really well together, while I sat and started this post.

They then wanted pictures and video taken. So I oblige, it is blurry and gives no full effect:

Last night when Tobin and Gabrielle went to bed I had to go in a few times. When I left the last time G was crying. After 10 minutes I heard her cackle laughing. I had to go in and tell them again, and emphasize to Tobin, 'no playing'. But he told me he was just trying to keep her from crying. I was actually thankful for that.

Tonight, he said she was being 'annoying', and when I gave her a little discipline she pointed to Tobin and said: 'Tobin, Tobin!' She wanted him to share in her discipline. 

Things are quiet now, but probably not for long. My stomach isn't quite fully recovered, I may go to bed early or call SC to catch up, she can't talk until 9 p.m. and I am not sure I will have a coherent thought by then. I better call it a night. 

You return tomorrow night, and we are SO excited! 

Dear David....Day 3

Did I get up early and run?
Yes, and no. Up early. check.
At 3:30 a.m. when Tobin peed in his bed. Changed sheets, back in bed.
Fifteen minutes later his belly ached. I prayed for him, talked a bit. Back to bed.
Fifteen minutes later he needed a blanket. By now G woke up and said: 'out out'.
I tried to put her back, but she did not obey your note about not screaming. In order not to wake the house I put her in bed with me. She lay wide awake.
Between 4:30 and 5 a.m. I put her back in bed. My alarm was set to go off in 30 minutes. I promptly changed it to 6:30 a.m. and got up to much needed word and prayer. Not running.
I got the girls out the door at 7:25 and the other two slept until 7:45, late for them, but they were tired!

This was a two cup of coffee morning. I changed my run schedule to do 40 minutes of hills today instead of 5 miles and intervals. I did this at 8:50, after Tobin read to me and I read to him. We did no memory work today apart from his time with the older girls later at CC class.

You called mid-day, thanks for encouraging our kiddos. They really are wondering what you are eating. :)

We did school, of course, followed our normal schedule. Sang, 'All glory be to Christ' because it is the only tune we can keep without you. But I still LOVE it.

We did not do GeoMap today. We worked on some stuff for our mid semester celebration for you when you return. And the girls played much needed play.

They recruited Ayi to play school outside on their make-shift blackboard. I am considering taking down their hanging chair in their room and making room for a blackboard for them...not sure yet.

 Gabrielle sat in the sink and laughed.

 Sophia took a selfie with G.

Tobin came home on the 'bus' carpool. He is in need of a helmet.

We went with the S family for our weekly dumplings. We ate fast, for HW was still undone by Sophia. And my belly now aches!

G may be having stomach issues as well. I put her to bed at 7 just to help me out, though she napped until 4. She is calling for me now...at 7:26. Must go get the others out of the bath. Pray for good health! I am going to bed...very soon!

love and miss you!

Dear David.... Day 2

I did forget to mention that yesterday, after you left, Tobin said, kind of to himself, "Daddy, I wish you didn't have to leave." I know he said that to you, but this melted my heart even more. He wasn't overly sad either.

I have seen so much grace these two days in him, and I have told him so. Yes, he still thinks he is in charge and even said so once, but over all is exercising self-control over his actions and his tongue.
And he is still making me laugh.

Here his mouth is full of Mantou.

I decided to take an exercise day off, and since I had not quite finished my HS prep I spent the extra moments changing my CC board and  catching up a little.

Pipsqueak followed Tobin's antics and is literally saying: 'na na, na na na', as she wiggles her hips.

While outside with them I redesigned our yard in my head. It is just what you said...involves moving trees, growing bushes high, taking down the fence, and putting in some sod. It will be fabulous. One day.

I did do memory work with Tobin, though I am always tempted not to. He played while we reviewed. And then I did some reading with him, he didn't fight me. I got out the "Ordinary Parents Guide". Lessons are short and easy and we did two, though I think he wants to read books. I think I came up with a loose plan for the next few months until we start The Phonics Road. Not sure and I am not worried.

He reminded me he that when he grows up he wants a race car, a truck, a motorcycle, and a knife, a cool knife, blue, to be exact. I reminded him that he has to be able to read well to get his driver's license, and we laughed.

Bella went back to school after 4 days of sickness. She said she didn't want to go. When I picked her up I said, how was it, was it just okay or what? She said: "I LOVED IT".

Last night after we got home from our outings I got the text of another math supply Soph needed, but the S family came through in the clutch and helped us out, because I was not going out again!

It was Bella's day to clean at school. Oh my. I do love this about Chinese school, I just don't like how it cramps my time. And these other 5 parents were all into it, mopping, dusting, etc. I thought for sure it was enough, but they kept cleaning, so I had to too. Bella loved it. And went right into your office to tell you when she got home, and then remembered.

On our way home I stopped by the grocery store to ask Sophia's old table mate's mom to please text me the homework when she gets it since you are out of town and it goes to your phone. She was happy to help and actually remembered promptly!

'Another 45' (a restaurant we love, so called because it takes at least 'another 45 minutes' for the food to be ready after you order), his daughter is in the same group as Bella, so the mom and I cleaned together.

 I did see Soph when I picked up Bella and she told me it was her cleaning day too! This was okay since I didn't get Bella home until 11:15, I had some time to work in her spelling part of LA.

We decided on PB J for lunch since our fave ersi noodle place is still closed!

Sophia worked hard at Homeschool until her stomach really started hurting. She actually did have diarrhea some, but not throw ups.
She finally recovered but I didn't make her finish her Grammar.
She is SO into her Northwoods series book #3!
When I did receive her homework text it was...wait for it...yes. A worksheet! I had to go back up to the school to get it! For the love.

 Sophia recovered enough to eat a little chicken and finish her hw.

Tobin came home happy as usual, but did mention the same boy who hits him. He said he just moves away from him, that he doesn't hit back. May ask teachers about this, may not...

Gabrielle was being so. cute. She would put her hands up and say 'race!' then she would say her mumbled version of 'on your mark. get set. go.' and race to the cabinet. It sounds like: "dit dit dit GO!" I know you have heard her do this many times, it just seemed extra cute today because she was completely entertaining herself.

I couldn't capture it and finally got Bella to demo, and she started making the same faces Bella was. This got us all laughing!

Sophia and Bella split time with the tutor tonight and did the other half hour on piano, they both sounded great and did not complain about it!

Sophia did complain about not getting a chance to play outside (having recovered from her belly ache, somewhat). I put Gabrielle to bed and took the other three out back for a few minutes of play, though it is dark these days!

We came in, got ready for bed, and I read: 'The Story of Me', Book 1 of the God's Design for Sex series. Oh My. This was  a re-read with no new info for them, but book 2 will come to the girls sometime this week (I will leave Tobin out of it for now)...should be interesting as the questions come in. Sophia did say she hopes she has a baby the natural way, as she does not want to be cut open. This goes right along with our CC Science question: how do animals reproduce?!

All seems quiet now, though Bella's cough still lingers. I did spend 30 minutes in language review which was good.

I am off to bed now, and hope to get up and run intervals....I explained to Sophia that I will lap every 6-7 minutes, not leave our loop and she can turn a light on to show me she is up, but I seriously doubt she will get up by the time I get back, I usually return by 6:45.

We are missing you, but doing fine. Tobin thinks you were only going to be gone 4 days, so he debated me for many minutes that you were coming back in 2 days! Tomorrow I can say that!
These kids love their daddy! And so do I.

Dear David...day 1

I am not sure I will stick with this series while you are gone this time. But for today, here I am. 

I decided to make today the day we have real special times in your 5 day absence. Of course starting tomorrow it is back to the grind and we will be busy!

I was thankful you made your delicious french toast and helped gear the kids to be big helpers while you are away. 

After we left you at the airport (and Sophia cried more), we went to the store to buy some snacks for our 'tea party'. Each got to choose a special under 10 kuai special candy or something. Tobin chose a cool car that flips when it hits a wall. He always chooses the best things because they last longer than the candy!

I bought them oreos (so special) and made their favorite punch with the last two packets I had from America. I promised them we would par-tay after I got up from my nap! Yes, I wasn't feeling great, not sure if it was from my early run or if I am fighting the virus Bella had last week, but I knew I needed rest. 

When we arrived home friends were playing on the swings. This was perfect, K and I got to catch up while the kids played. Our kids HAD to show J and A the house and train track going around it. Then Sophia recruited all girls to play school while J and Tobin played kungfu and other boy stuff. K and I actually could talk. It was great!

We had Sunday soup for lunch. I thought the chili flavor made it delicious, but the kiddos only said 'so-so'. They love their Asian soups. 

Our power did go off as scheduled at 12:30, but the ipad had power so I put on the only movie on that device, Dolphin Tale 2, which they love! 

I put Gabrielle down and I was able to sleep as well. Apparently I slept longer than she did, they had gotten her up and said she started crying at 2 pm. I got up at 2:30 feeling much better. 

Then I got things ready for our tea party. The only thing that makes this a tea party is that we put our juice in a tea pot and drink out of real tea glasses like civilized people. 

Gabrielle wanted their candy (and I gave her a half of a skittle, or 2), and she loves the fruit punch as well. (get that hair out of her eyes, will you mama?)

While we snacked, we prayed for you! We also read each note you gave us, and that was very special and they loved it. I read aloud the note you wrote me too and I think it helped them think through some things (as you mentioned things I do that they may not notice). I wasn't trying to be self-serving in this, I just mention it because later, when Sophia wrote me a note in our back-and-forth journal she mentioned some of the same things you did and she never has before. Thanks for leading our family like this even while you are away!


Then I decided to have a teeny little mini 'state fair'. They have no idea what a real one is like so this was no problem. I had three games. Toss the rings into a square, shoot the doll with the bow and arrow, and toss balls into a basket.

Poor baby doll. The kids loved all of these, and actually really struggled with some of them. Tobin was the best at the bow of course because it is his and he shoots it all of the time.  The kids all got 'tickets' or tally marks redeemable for a gift. Except I only had a gift suitable for Tobin, so I let Sophia and Bella redeem theirs on our outing later.

Bella had made you an encoded 'I miss you daddy' sign.

And already a 'welcome home' sign, though you had not been gone 5 hours.

I also had decided to brave the shangchang, 'mall', and kfc, to top off the 'very special day'. The ShangChang is crazy enough when you are with us, and it was no less so, except I put all kids on guard, and made sure they listened well. We were buying Bella a new, much needed, back pack, big enough to fit all of her books. She found one we both loved in less than 10 minutes. I love that she is not afraid to choose something different. This is not at all what Sophia would have chosen. It is red and white polka dots!

Next stop, we crossed the street to the mall bookstore, but the girls couldn't find anything there, but Miniso (the Japanese gift shop) never fails, and is extremely affordable. And off to KFC, while rain came out of no where.

There is still some kind of sewer problem right there, so it stunk. But in we went. They went upstairs to play while I got the food. We went down stairs for ice cream and the guys behind us mentioned (not to us) about the 'xiao LaoWais' (small outsiders).

This sparked quite the discussion with Tobin, who had overheard them.
T: some people call me xiao LaoWai
Me: who, at school?
T: no, when we go buy ManTou with Ayi (our helper)
Me: Oh, yeah, I bet
T: what is a xiao LaoWai?
Me: it is just like a 'wai guo ren', someone from another country, and since we are not Chinese, they call you that.
T: Oh, well I am not a xiao lao wai.
Me: hmm...well, you kind of are, but I know it is hard to think that you are from somewhere else.

Then he started calling Sophia and Bella, xiao Laowai as if it were a bad thing (and I know sometimes it can be). This unsettled the KFC lady who was right there and she really tried to encourage me that this was just a saying, not a bad thing. And I knew it and said no problem.

The guys behind us who started this whole thing were laughing, and we all were really. I reminded Sophia that she had the same conundrum when she was 3-4, she asked how people knew she was a foreigner. She said: 'yeah, I remember, I thought I was brown just like them'.

Gabrielle went straight to sleep since she had such a short nap, the girls too, are out, though Sophia said she could read all night.

Tomorrow a full school day, praying for gentlekindness on my tongue and grace for all the moments I am tempted for it not to be. Also praying you get some good rest, relaxation, and feel truly free from worries of home. We are in HIS hands, trusting, and resting ourselves.


A snapshot for you:
We love and miss you!!!

Two weeks to go: run update

Sunrise 11k run a few weeks ago. This ferris wheel in our town is not working yet.

My hill workouts are at a school nearby where some construction is going on.  This guy atop the truck was an interesting scene.

16km this morning. I was on the last 2km.

I have two weeks until my scheduled 'race' on October 31st. On our date night we finally found a doable route, we think. I was amazed how hard it was to find a 13.1 mile route in our town without having to double back. And I still think I will have to do two loops in our neighborhood to get my first 2km in.

This morning I tried out the route, cutting it short at the end. I literally perimetered our city on a new 'outer beltline' as I call it. The first km is flat, the next two are the hardest part, up hill pretty good though not steep. Then it is steady steady, small inclines and some longer downhills. The back 7 km are pretty flat. And today's run, as will be the half marathon will end with a gradual uphill before it tapers. I am not sure I can actually do it.

I told David that I always thought (in pride) that I could just train for a marathon and do it. Or train for a half and do it. But the nitty gritty is a mental exercise. And it is hard. So far I have had no real pain to speak of, a little foot pain here and there. My lungs are never an issue (I run pretty darn slow). But today, on my longest run so far in this training, at the 8km mark my left hip was in serious pain. And I knew stopping wouldn't stop the pain. It subsided after 4km and then came back for a bit. The only other issue I had upon arriving home were the tightness of my hamstrings. I told David I should have just gone the extra 5km today and be done with it.

I am debating running the half next weekend, right near DAvid's bday. He is fine with it. Or doing another long run 16-17km and then sticking to my original plan...not sure yet.

In all of my running I have been listening to some GREAT teaching. First, I listened to Carolyn Mahaney on Titus 2: To teach what is good. This was a 6 part (I think) series that she taught like 20 years ago now. It was SO helpful. I got so many nuggets out of this, especially on the 'loving your husbands' part.

I then moved on to re-listen to Mark Dever teach a 4 part series on Job, this is also an old one, but SO helpful. I was very challenged as I listened to him expound the word and ask probing questions about suffering, and my view of God in it!

Running and listening on....