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?)

Saturday, O' Saturday

 Saturday morning. The girls put on these minority dresses and Tobin got in between them and then wanted out! But don't they look charming...

 They danced a little in the yard, and then when a few people came by they shied from the attention and came back inside to play with some dry beans in their kitchen.

Tobin actually tried to eat some. Twice. And after digging them out of his mouth, and praising God he didn't choke, I let the girls close him out of their room, and he and I played trains in his room...

Where did Tobin go?

And then I said yes to a living room fort...I turned the couches all on their sides and off they went into their house. David, meanwhile had some catching up to do in the office, with my being gone and his recent illness. But he was in and out when things got crazy (and oh they do sometimes).

Date night and boots

In general, every Thursday we try to go on a date. Usually it is for two hours or less, over a meal. A quiet meal. And we started at the end of last year trying to document the year in events, trials, victories, etc. books we read, places we visited, etc. It really is a great way to remember things we may otherwise forget. We usually start the list over our dinner and fill in some things on our own. We realized that we traveled a lot this year!

When we got home, I took my big 'ole boots off at the door, and Sophia put them on. Then Bella put on Sophia's boots, then I put another pair of my boots on Tobin, all for fun....it was hilarious, this is usually how we spend our evenings, laughing at (with, ahem) our kids.

Ballet and more, Christmas continued

 Sophia did put on her new ballet outfit and danced around.

 No, we don't have indoor heating, just space heaters, and only one that we use, early in the morning. By this time, no heater was needed. The sub-tropics.

She is dressed for snow, but...it was a new gift she was just trying it out.

 David had just gotten over one illness, and flu-like symptoms with fever were coming on, so after our long outdoor bike ride/walk, we ate in, grilled cheese, cucumbers, and fresh strawberries for our Christmas dinner. We actually really loved it. 


Finally also, Bella put on her ballet outfit...and showed her style:

 We let Tobin run around in this new onesie before bed. It showed off his chunkiness.

And then there are his feet. I started calling him 'Tobin fat feet' as a little joke. But he started repeating it. And then we told our helper and she started using our surname and adding 'fat feet' in Chinese. We don't do this all the time, but it has stuck a little. David said today we probably need to stop calling him that. He is just so cute and chunky and cuddly and huggable, loveable Tobin. He is our little hobbit for sure!  I couldn't get him to stop long enough to get a good pic.

Then he started propping himself up on the couch, stretching between the trunk and couch and plopping down in between. He thought it was so much fun and got many giggles out of it.

Christmas morning!

 Merry Christmas! Yeah! Bacon and egg biscuits! The girls helped me make them.

We moseyed into our time of Advent readings. We read this book every night from beginning to end for the past 25 days. Usually Sophia did the reading, though both girls could just pretty much quote it. We love this tradition and it is all Scripture! We finally got to open the last page, and complete our hanging Advent calendar.

 We sang some songs, prayed together and opened gifts.

 Tobin had a few more gifts from Poppy and CC to open..his faces are hilarious.

 Then we did our stocking gifts. David received an ikea coffee thermos for him to pack coffee in his backpack on his moto.

Sour candy, some of his favorite

 And Twix, also not local.

And Sophia came up with making these cute fans to put in people's stockings.

Some gifts in the stockings: little aprons

 cool puppets

Huge lollipops with princess Belle on them. They love them some lollipops

recorders....noise makers!

some hammering tools

Excitement.

She put on her apron, and her new ballet shoes (they also got leotards), and started on the lollipop!

Then our friends came over, four young ladies, including our helper. We were so thankful they came, I told them NO gifts, but they brought small ones.

We fed them our biscuits and bacon and they really seemed to enjoy them!

 We hung out, played and enjoyed good company. Then we put on the Nutcracker (barbie) in Chinese and watched for a bit.

In the afternoon we went outside for awhile, bike riding and Tobin riding in the stroller. We went over two miles and it was nice and warm, mid-70s. We had a wonderful Christmas day! Low key and truly blessed.