Lovin' Life...Somewhere in Asia

Oops...

2010-07-22T05:44:00.002+08:00

So I am pretty much stinking it up as a blogger. I am going to try again. We are, yet again, in another time of transition for our family. We just moved back to the States after living in east Asia for a year. I cannot wait to write more about that, but honestly, I am still processing the whole year. Right now, we are just excited to be near family and friends. More to come really soon:)

Two of my Favorite People

2010-01-26T21:37:00.001+08:00

Brothers don't shake hands, brothers gotta HUG!

2010-01-05T19:08:00.005+08:00

Finals next week...that sounds so weird to me. I haven't taken a final in about a decade. I am so very close to completing my first semester of language school! I have to admit, I was terrified of going to school here, but here we are and no casualties to speak of. I feel a sense of accomplishment even though I have SO MUCH MORE to learn. This language is intense. My speaking skills are progressing, but reading and writing are pretty dern complicated. I really enjoy all three of my teachers, and am curious to see if I have any of them again next semester. We get a break from school from mid January until March...WOO HOO! We are SO excited to have Chad's parents coming for a visit at the end of January. I can't wait to hug their necks. Being so far away from family has made me so much more appreciative of them. Like I said, I CAN'T WAIT. I wasn't really a hugger back in the States, but that has changed. I am going to be so annoying with all the hugging when we return this summer. Friends get ready to be squeezed! ...."Brothers don't shake hands, brothers gotta hug!"....anybody know that movie line???

Hello 2010!

2010-01-03T10:51:00.002+08:00

Holy moly, I cannot believe it is 2010! 2009 was a wild and crazy ride for our family, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't ready for a new year. I love reflecting and evaluating and re-evaluating how the previous year went. I also dream of how different things will be this year. You know, I will be MORE organized, and plan ahead better and eat healthier and read more and exercise some. I like the challenge of trying to find a way to do it all, but I am not a perfectionist...big surprise, I know...so I don't really stress if I can't do it all. So excited to see how Pebbles and Bam Bam grow and change this year. I am excited to hear Bam Bam talking. He is so very close. I think hearing two languages all day everyday has delayed him slightly. That's my professional opinion based on like no experience. Pebbles is getting better at both languages, and will probably be tutoring me soon. I cannot believe she will be 4 this year....wowzers! I hope 2010 is ready for us! I hope your's is filled with adventure, fun, growth, and love.

Approved!

2009-05-21T03:36:00.003+08:00

We have proof! We have been approved to be Short Term "Helpers" in East Asia. So cool, it seems like we have been on this road for such a long time. Well, 2005 is quite a while ago, but we feel so blessed that we have not given up the dream yet. Trust me, I have considered it a time or two, but we know, without a doubt, that we are supposed to be serving in East Asia. We really treasure the time we have been able to spend at Hallmark. We have learned so much from so many people here. Working with this staff and especially Pastor has been priceless. We felt so honored for him to introduce us to the Fellowship. It was one of those times in my life where I wanted to take a snapshot in my mind, so I will never forget it. I felt encouraged by the Lord to keep going. He will get us there when the time is right, His time. Celebrate with us!

Fell off the Wagon

2009-05-21T03:30:00.003+08:00

So... obviously I have completely fallen off ye olde bloggin' wagon! I have so much to write about, so much has happened for us this spring. I will catch up soon....I think I can, I think I can. I will be back with much info and pics!

Blessings

2009-04-02T04:58:00.002+08:00

Playing Photographer

2009-02-06T10:23:00.003+08:00

We have been in desperate need of updated family photos. I really wanted to have the whole cool photo session with the hip photographer, but I am just too cheap these days. I figured we could just snap some shots ourselves using a tripod and the nifty camera timer. Well, I now know why the hip photographers can charge so much. We could not get the super cute toddler to barely stand still, much less sit still. There was much bribing going on, but I guess the lure of a lollipop doesn't buy much cooperation anymore. We were able to get a few cute shots, and hopefully photoshop will help us salvage some more. Next time I might just bite the bullet and leave it to the professionals.

My Boy

2009-01-15T12:54:00.003+08:00

Bam Bam had a great check up, 15 lbs. 3 oz. and 24 3/4 inches, and super smiley.

"Vest" Pals

2009-01-13T23:14:00.004+08:00

Oh, I crack myself up. Chad and Pebbles were headed out the door this morning both wearing their puffy vests. I had to snap a quick pic. Daddy takes her to MDO so that I do not have to get Bam Bam out in the cold, and I pick her up in the afternoon. She loves going to "shool." Bam Bam and I are off to the doctor for his 2 month check up...even though he is 3 months old. I am really curious about his weight, he is a pretty husky boy.

Cuteness

2009-01-12T11:14:00.002+08:00

I could just eat them up.

Success!

2009-01-12T11:06:00.003+08:00

He did it, he finally did it! Bam Bam slept ALL. NIGHT. LONG. No crying or fussing or pacifier wanting. It was super. Neither of the kids woke up until 7:15 this morning. I think I might be coming out of the fog. Oh dear sleep, how I have missed you so. I know, I know it's only been one night, but I have faith that this is gonna last. Just had to share how totally EXCITED I am. Peace out, have a super Monday.

Teaching 'em Young

2009-01-07T00:09:00.006+08:00

A couple of months ago while we were at Chad's Me-Me's house, she was cleaning out some old toys. She wanted Chad to take home the Construx he used to play with at her house. Pebbles was excited from the get go. She wanted to know what was inside the cool yellow suitcase. We told her she had to wait until we got home to play, I know I know, so mean. After we got home, the cool yellow suitcase got put away and forgotten about...until yesterday. Pebbles found it in Bam Bam's room and convinced her daddy to play...yeah, that was sooo hard. She loved it. They played with the Construx in the afternoon and again in the evening. It was super cute, and I am not sure who had more fun. Even Bam Bam got in on the action. So, good job to Fisher Price, this toy stood the test of time.

Road Hawg

2009-01-05T04:36:00.009+08:00

Pebbles received this adorable tricycle for Christmas. She loves to ride it. And, since it has been crazy warm (read: HOT) in our area the last few days, she has been burnin' some rubber...sort of.

Easily Amused

2009-01-05T04:15:00.005+08:00

I found this counter top spray at Target the other day. Technically it is a Christmas scent, but I threw caution to the wind and bought it anyway. I know, I am a wild woman. The scent is called Spiced Pear, and it is FANTASTIC! Seriously, I am loving the way it smells. It was on clearance making it even more lovely. I'm off to spray the kitchen...again.

Rockin' New Year's Eve

2009-01-03T23:08:00.008+08:00

So how is the new year going for you?? Ours' seems to be going well so far. I realize there is much debate on whether to make resolutions or not. This year, I decided it was a great opportunity for me to make some changes. I felt like if I did not get a bit more organized, things in this household would just spin out of control. And that would not be pretty. Chad agreed, so we made a schedule. We scheduled everything down to the washing of bottles every evening and family time on Fridays. It sounds so boring, but it has helped out a lot already. I guess I did not realize how much would change going from one child to two children, but time just seems to fly by. I also had to make the age old "get healthier" resolution. I hate that I had to, but the baby weight from child number 2 was not exactly falling off and after hitting the big 3-0, I think my metabolism all but stopped. So it's back to pilates and walking and eating low carb. We have also started potty training Pebbles. I am of the opinion that potty training is way more labor intensive for the trainer and not the trainee. It is going ok, we are making some progress everyday. That is probably way to much info for you...sorry.

We are getting ready for a great Saturday. Bam Bam spent the night with Gigi and Papa, so Pebbles and I need to go pick him up. I also have some Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket, so I might HAVE to stop at the mall. Saving money has never been my strength. I have to show these pictures from New Year's Eve. We had an exciting evening that started out at Dairy Queen with great friends and a Blizzard, and ended at our place with some serious Guitar Hero. Ok, maybe not serious, but really fun.

This is THE year!

2009-01-02T09:56:00.003+08:00

So...it's here! 2009 is going to be a huge year for our family. We are almost finished with our internship at Hallmark. Our plan is to move to East Asia in June...OF THIS YEAR! I cannot believe this, it is finally starting to feel real. I cannot even imagine the changes that are going to take place for us. I am totally excited, and totally terrified. Chad tells me that is okay, as long as I don't back out. I know he is moving, so I am definitely not staying behind. It doesn't matter where we are, as long as our little family is together. Hopefully I will be able to remember that when we are all living in an apartment, not understanding the launguage, and sick to death of rice. We are about to embark on a serious adventure! To begin our year in the correct fashion, we headed to Pei Wei to have chinese food for dinner. It was "licious" as Pebbles would say. Pebbles was so cute, even she used chop sticks to eat her meal. I think she will do great when we move. Maybe she can help her mommy along. 2009 is going to be an adventure for us, I wish the same for you and your family!