Back track with photos a bit...

It is only Tuesday. The week started off with a bang with Bella getting sick, and then Tobin a little. Bella still has stomach issues, but seems to be doing fine now. This was day 1 with David away. I am so thankful for Ayi and the morning nap I got since I was up all night with Bella.

But really, the week has been okay so far. Home school presses on, I did lessons from the couch in 30 minutes this morning, to get them done! Then back to bed. I pushed our CC week 12 back a day since I wasn't ready. Tomorrow that commences, and then the rest of the week I will gear my mind up for our trip on Sunday. 

Last night Soph went to bed wanting to live where Poppy and CC live: 'so we can play in the snow', they had sent pictures. I told her it wasn't really like that. She gets her snow antics from the "Little House" books, I told her that was Wisconsin. She said: 'okay then I want to live in Wisconsin', 'no you don't dear, you really don't'.

Sophia is also sad her neighbor friend left to day to go to her grandparents for Chinese New Year. Other friends are still around....

I finally took these pictures off my phone and put them on the computer. Some of them date back as far as Dec 6. Let's take a look. Then I am off to bed. My clock says 8:26 p.m. House is quiet, who knows what the night will bring. I am turning in EARLY.

 Our friend came to visit in early December. He was an incredible story teller, and had incredible stories to tell, I kept telling him that he needs to write a book. It would be fantastic. Here is reading Green Eggs and Ham like I have never heard before, the kids, including Tobin, were enthralled.

 This was one of the hidden blessings of my broken tooth and minor surgery: the new Ikea in BKK, you can take the sky train out there and catch a free shuttle or short taxi to the store. I did the train-taxi-store-shuttle-train. Quite easy, except I had no kids with me remember?

TeamWork. The name of the coffee/wine shop in town. They serve Angus beef steaks for a hefty price. The owner asked us what we wanted to see on the menu. We told him to get online and look up 'Outback steakhouse' or 'Chili's'. Yeah right. We will see what happens. We did eat some curry beef, flavor was good, but couldn't chew the meat. The coffee is excellent. I hide upstairs and back in this corner. The atmosphere is nice, Norah Jones was on the speaker (then alternately rap, etc.). I get done in an hour here what would take me 3 hours at home. 

One Sunday David had a meeting, in our house. I took the kids outside. Yes, it is January and Tobin has his shirt off. The sun was blaring down. In the shade he would have been cold. I even let them play with water.

 

This little boy is super sweet and looks out for Tobin. The girl is LuBingHua, one of Soph's best neighborhood friends. 

These are current: Tobin crawled up in the girls window and played their little piano today.

At the end of the semester the girls' school gave us these big posters of them with the new year calendar. I thought they were awesome. 

 

 

Lots of shoes at the back door means lots of friends inside!

And last but not least, we just received a small package in the mail! It had this snowman in it with chocolates inside and really sweet cards from some TCC families. This was the second thing we have received at our new address! The Chiltons, however, win the day, their Christmas card came first to our new address. Thanks everyone for thinking of us! 

Smoothie face and More

Tobin loves him some green smoothies...He begs for them. No matter what I add to it (flax seed, protein, wheat germ), he loves them.

 He finally turned his cup up after the straw wouldn't get the rest out of his cup.

Our daily outdoor play. This is the 'back road' behind our apartment. Neighborhood kids were out and Sophia joined the jump rope fun while Bella and Tobin drove their cars.

 The kids also played many rounds of tug-of-war on the grass, Sophia was sore and wanted to go straight to bed that night.

In other news...

...David and I started packing today. He will take all of our checked baggage with him (2 duffles), while I will have three kids and a carry-on a week later. This is our plan anyway. Hoping it works.

...our water gets shut off every morning, they are trying to fix a problem. But even though we get it back throughout the day, never enough for a hot shower at night. 

...We are about to hit week 12 of CC cycle 1, this is the half way mark. We are loving it. The girls just sang their 11 weeks of Science facts over their night time snack. 

...David and I went on a date last night, we chatted and laughed over things, discussed serious family topics, and enjoyed sitting outside while trying a 'Basil Butter Chicken Steak', it was pretty good actually. We went home, tucked the kids in, and watched the movie 'Lincoln', it was really good! We hadn't watched a movie in forever, it was a good choice!

...We are working hard at things here to finish strong before our little 3 week hiatus. 

... everyone is gearing up for Chinese New Year (Feb 10) around here, cleaning, buying fireworks, incense, etc. Kids are on break for over a month! 

...the girls helped me cook Chili today. I finally let Sophia stand and stir over the hot (gas flamed) burner, it was helpful actually. Bella meanwhile helped me put all the spices in a little bowl and she stirred them (this wasn't necessary but it was something for her to do). Soph also helped Bella and Tobin with their baths after she had taken her shower. 

...tomorrow is Saturday, we will make white chocolate peppermint scones, and then David is giving me some prep time at a REALLY good new local coffee shop. I need to prep for two big things this week and then I can spend the rest of the week preparing for the trip!

play-by-play a few days

Monday
Tobin woke up just before 1 a.m. and stayed awake for over two hours. We gave him milk. We put him in our bed. We dozed a little. Finally I took him back to bed. He yelled for more milk (in Chinese), I gave him some more. This boy.

This is always how our Mondays start. Good intentions of getting up early, rested, ready to start the week, all flummoxed by something. I woke, after a short night, saying 'no' to everything. Then I heard all my snappiness and vowed to change. I started saying 'yes' a little more. We trudged through some school stuff, after coffee. And in the afternoon I slept. Finally refreshment. We ordered food for dinner, which is never a Monday option. I didn't care. Yummy Thai Chicken rice with the most delicious soup in town, our kids drink bowls of it.

I started preparing for Tuesday, which is our Classical Conversations day. Week 11. I reviewed it for myself when the kids went to bed (I have to learn it first), doing dances and motions all by my lonesome in the homeschool room to practice. (go ahead and laugh, but I am getting a pretty good education here, it is sticking this time).

Then while I cut up some things that I had laminated, David and I watched an old 'West Wing'. One of the best written and well cast shows ever. We laughed out loud a lot.

We were in bed by 9 p.m.. David didn't nap after the horrible previous night, so he was SO tired. Plus he had put in a full days work on both Sunday and Monday doing various things, having people over, discussing lots of stuff, going to the office and on and on. His days are sometimes very long.

Monday night was much better, filled with sleep and an earlier rise. David took Soph on a much needed daddy date, and came back in time for us to stay on schedule with our CC intro....

After the intro hour, we had a small snack, and I let Sophia walk down the back road three houses down to call for her friend, LuBingHua. She ended up playing there for about 45 minutes (she was there yesterday afternoon with a ton of kids playing tug-of-war). I let her go to this house, because I really really get along with the mom, she is trustworthy, is a stay-at-home mom (unheard of here), and cares for her 5 year old well.

We had a snack lunch, cheese slices, bread, cucumbers, carrots, strawberries, and green smoothies.

I did a Kettle Bell workout, showered (this is my mid-day routine, 2-3 days a week), and then spent about an hour booking doctors' appointments for when we are in Thailand. The kids will get check-ups, I will get a check-up, and a dental check-up, David will see his heart doctor, go to the dentist, and get an eye exam. These all together will probably take two full days.

Next up, Sophia read to me some, and then I read to her. Both Little House books. Then I read to Bella some. She is pretty much dropping her nap, though I give her room time to rest then room time to play, then she can come out.

And here it is late Tuesday afternoon, I need a nap, or a Coke Zero (which I am trying to drink less of).
The nap doesn't seem like an option, so maybe half a coke. 

I took the girls on the electric bike to a seamstress. I am seeing if she will make me some Pioneer era bonnets. We will see how they turn out. If only I were crafty and/or had the time to put into it, it would probably be fun...but I hire it out for now.

Another friend just walked in our house. YangYang. She is very sweet, and now the kids, Tobin included, sit at the table drawing, while Tobin makes spitting noises to which they all crack up laughing. 

Then it is dinner out again, definitely can't change the Tuesday Dumpling night! We are missing our friends, who are in the States now, maybe they are enjoying...Pizza night, or whatever the American equivalent may be...

Wednesday is up next. What will you hold?

Rice play, Kisses, and Tea Party

Tobin literally just climbed up on the couch and kissed Bella and then Sophia, unprompted. Total sweetness. He is an affectionate little booger. This moment served to remind me, that at the end of the day, these kids and these moments are here and then gone and that these kids and these moments (even the hard ones) really are treasures.

 It hasn't been the easiest few days. With colds, various kids waking in the night, various attitudes creeping. A bumped, bruised, head, fights between siblings, etc. This mama is tired, but thankful.

Here are some more things we have done, in between all the chaos:

 Yesterday, I let the kids play with rice, they thoroughly enjoyed this. We did this after the girls helped me make granola bars for some friends I had coming over.

Tobin shows the remnants of chocolate on his face from the granola bar.

Today, as promised the girls and I had a little tea party.

 Go dress up and bring a friend!

I found these peg board things at Ikea. We broke them out and we all had fun. 

Bella made her own little pattern, two colors than another two.

I got Sophia started on this pattern and she finished it well.

Later after lunch we started rereading "A Dangerous Journey". This is already a family favorite. They sat still through three chapters (not Tobin). Bella was scared by the pictures but kept by my side in anticipation. 

then later Soph started flipping through and being very dramatic in her reaction to the pics. Bella and Tobin followed suit, they oohed and ahhed, and gasped.

 So much fun!

And yes, Bella chose the dress herself, very timely since State just beat Duke!

What it's lookin' like

David returned for two days and left again.

Here is how things are shaping up. Some of these pics are from the weekend when he was here.

 Kids making a little mini-house with the couch cushions.

We were going out to run errands and grab a meal, the girls brought purses (mainly because soph has quite the cold and needs tissue and chapstick. Tobin really wanted a bag too and kept going for the girls' stash. No, no, no, sir. Here is a bag that men from a local minority wear. 

He looks just like them, except the light hair and blue eyes.

 Monday photos:

Girls went to school in the afternoon, so the morning was play and homeschool. 

They took all of the plastics out of our 'plastic drawer' and had their own little breakfast. They even prayed before their meal. It was hilarious.

 

What school looks like with a toddler toddling around:

 Most days we do school after Soph has some down time by listening/coloring while other kids are down. But on mornings, we do a subject then break, I set the timer for about 15 min, then we do another. This usually gets us to snack time (10ish). This is definitely harder with all three kiddos. Sometimes Ayi takes Tobin to the market, but not today.

And then finally they all decided to play under the piano. They did this for what seemed like forever. All the way through to lunch! Glory. I was even able to get a short Kettle bell workout in. (the warm up I do in front of the kids, the actual swings I went into David's office to do (they are dangerous with kids around). Ayi was in the kitchen, but the kids played fine. Right as I was finishing (2 minutes early because I just couldn't push through), Soph and Bella got into it and needed mommy to regulate. Perfect timing.  Kids close in age, while certainly hard, is such a blessing!

Tidbits...

Lets just do a list, because I love them:

1. David is gone for 5 days, back for 2, gone for 5, back for 6, gone for 7, then we vacate for Chinese New Year, did I say that out loud? I mean, go on vacation while the kids are on school break, and deal with passport stuff, etc. in Thailand.
2. We still love our new apt. I have been outside every afternoon on a road that literally sees no traffic, yet. I am hoping people do not ever move into the mansions right behind us (on this road). The kids drive their cars, play in some grassy areas, go a friends house, draw with chalk, all while I supervise (read my kindle).
3. David and I read the Hobbit aloud. New for him, an incredible reread for me. Then I saw the movie while getting my teeth fixed in Bangkok. It was entertaining, not as good as LOTR, but nothing compared to the genius of Tolkien in written form!
4. Homeschool: I know I have not posted our daily schedule (we do have one), or what Classical Conversations looks like for us, or anything that may be helpful, but I may one day. I am a newby so I hesitate. But we will get through CC week 12 (half way), and honestly, I am amazed. Things are going well here. I am loving teaching, kids are not complaining (often). Music to my ears when Soph asked on the way home from dumplings: 'mama can we sing some geography'. Bella too, amazes me. Really, more on that later. It is not my kids, it is the system that works.
5. quotables and tidbits per child:

Bella:

•      I am not scared because you are here now, and the Lord is near. (we have lots of theological discussions about the literal presence of God, she thinks about these things apparently)

• (she hates to be made a fuss over) so when David and Sophia started cheering her for getting a hard catechism question right, she said: 'guys, don't worry about me' (she meant, stop making such a fuss and move on)
• oh that's so cool
• I love my Yang LaoShi (Teacher Yang) 
• Bella is about to be over run in size by Tobin, we now call her our 'peanut Bella' and she loves it.
• She has an incredible memory but lacks the attention span, normal for her age. She often says things way wrong on purpose. Even if quizzing her about her letter of the week, I think she doubts herself, it is all about the way you ask. I knew she wasn't being completely honest when she was getting things wrong and then David asked her: 'at the beginning of the game yesterday, which letter did you hop on first?' (in my mind, I thought 'no way') but she remembered. I am a sucker no more.

Tobin:

• when changing his diaper he has started telling me or our helper: xiao xin, this means 'be careful'
• he also says: 'hen chou' which means really stinky, and then he waves his hand away from his face and scrunches up his eyes and nose. This is hilarious because his hand position is completely wrong but the face is right on (and adorable)
• he has a very high pitched scream we are trying to nip in the bud. And we are teaching him to look in the eyes, which he understands and does, and say 'I'm sorry' which could be the cutest thing ever. 
• in constant training mode with him. Wow, boys are different. So everyone keeps saying (wink wink). Living it now.
• He loves to dance, and can wiggle his bottom right down to the floor without falling over.

Sophia

• I am sure I am forgetting some great quotes from her. She is a thinker, it is funny how she articulates some times. But none come to mind right now.
• She still likes Chinese school but is ready for a break, frankly so am I. Her situation is one will debate next semester, not because of her attitude, but because of the actual situation...
• Is loving 'Little House' series again. We just reread book 1 in order to get our bearings for the rest of the series. For an upcoming assignment, she has chosen to be Laura. I need to get crafty with some props! There are great lessons to be learned in these books.
• She is certainly a big helper and growing fast. I took a thirty minute nap today, I woke up went into their room where Sophia said: 'Bella called during her nap so I am reading her a book'. I laid on the couch, closed my eyes for 15 more minutes while they read back in their room quietly. Whoa!
• Being the eldest she gets the brunt of responsibility, and the fact that we are still learning how to parent.

Refreshing

No, this isn't my word for the new year (btw, Happy New Year!). Maybe it should be. But I don't have one. I have goals, not fully stated, but they are there in my brain. This New Year started fast and furious, and that seems to be my life these days. And often, when overwhelmed by my own faults, my circumstances, my whatever whines, I get in a mood, I write of the joy that comes out of despair (it always does come) and I move on in grace. But lately...

I can say that lately, for the past few months, the good news has been penetrating my heart deep and wide and has brought great refreshment for me. I am busier than I have ever been, fighting for joy harder than ever before, sin rearing its head in uglier ways than ever, and still, HE, the creator God of the Universe, has shown me more of him in all my seeking. It is there for the taking, this gospel of grace that I turn to works on a dime. 

It has been refreshing. I more and more have a steady sense that the god of this world seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, and more and more rest in the 'hope held out for me in the gospel'. I do strive. To know Jesus more in His word, to cling to the truths when the lies come pounding. And I tell you it is real: refreshment, rest, freedom, joy. Here in this whirlwind of life, I am tired, but I live refreshed. All I can do is utter amazing, humble thanks to Jesus.

Some 'things' I am thankful for, helping me do this:

• a husband who knows how to talk to me, and one who lives out such Christ-likeness

• listening to truth: sermons, etc. (live the miracle, by JP is excellent, blessed self-forgetfulness another, by Keller). )

• up before the kids: this makes all the difference most days: get focused, get praying, the only way to win the war.

• really good books: so many here, but currently I am reading 'Because He loves Me' by I forget. These truths are what I have already digested and this read is just solidifying what I have been learning. To mull here is truly helpful.

• and of course, literally count blessings. 

• teaching others, even my kids, daily truths, an ever-present mirror! (ugh)

 We boomed in the new year with a few fireworks. (I actually think it was Jan 2nd or 3rd?)