Crazy but good times

We have had so much going on recently. My mom visited and we had a wonderful time. My mom worked hard and the kids enjoyed playing with Aiya. Dinosaur cupcakes were enjoyed by all.

Alex and Ryan have begun their first season of soccer. They are both so cute out there. Ryan, while timid, gets into the play more. He tries hard and has a great time. I am so proud of him for giving it his all and having fun while doing it. Alex enjoys playing too. Sitting on the sidelines, talking to people, doing some sort of Tai Chi, and going after the ball are all things he likes to do on the field. He loves being part of the team and when he wants to go after the ball, he goes after it until he falls down (which everyone does in this age group). Katie wishes she could play. She probably would do really well, but she would also be the smallest kid out there and I dont think Lori or I are ready to handle her out there.

Easter was on Sunday and it was the first time in a while we all sat together in service. Usually Alex and Katie stay in extended care, but we decided to keep them with us and it was a real blessing. We then went to Nana and Grandpa's house and had dinner with them and Aunt Christy. The rain came in the morning but the easter bunny found a way to hide eggs outside and the kids had a blast. Even Butchie found an egg!

Anyway, soccer goes on for a few more weeks. I'll even get a chance to coach a week and I cant wait. Feels good to be back on the field.

Candy Candy Candy!!!!!!

Alex Found an egg!

Katie and Alex Hunting

Alex Always has Fun Playing Soccer

Ryan in goal!

Can I play pleeeeeeaseeeee

Important Team meeting

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Ryan won the Kindergarten 1st prize for his drawing of what Easter means to him. It made the Friday newspaper!!!! I am not at all biased, but I think his was the best drawing even better than 1st and 2nd grade!!!

Watching for how He Works

God works in wonderous ways. I have been praying and frustrated about my inability to find a way to learn Chinese. Suddenly, I met someone quite out of the blue and I am now taking Chinese lessons for a reasonable cost IN BOLIVAR with a fellow learner(someone to practice with!). Also, quite suddenly I have an opportunity to work with a wonderful international organization. I am praying about the details and trusting God will show me where He wants to use me in this situation. Check out their video - I love the end montage.

Spring Break

Aiya (Eric's Mom) is down for the week and so far, the kids are having a blast. Ryan had a double ear infection and bronchitis and now Alex has it, but both are feeling well enough to make cookies and cupcakes and play.

Last Wednesday we went to the zoo and Chuck E Cheese. The weather has mostly been beautiful and we are happy that Spring is here!!

Signs of Wonderful Progress

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123683410215005161.html

I love this video and the accompanying article. These are historical changes for China and further proof to me that we are going to see amazing things happening there in the future.

I think of the special needs orphans still in China every day.
My heart still longs to do more. I am continuing to pray about someday adopting again from China as well as living and working there - short term and then permanently - at some point in my life.

Time to SERIOUSLY start studying Mandarin.

Magic Treehouse "The Musical"

We spent the weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It was nice to be back in my home state. I didn't realize just how much I had missed it. Northwest AR is a fun and beautiful place and the kids and Eric really enjoyed it.

We went down to see the Magic Treehouse Musical. The Magic Treehouse is a series of books that Ryan absolutely loves - he owns every book now I believe. Aiya introduced him to them. They have a traveling musical now and there was also a "Family Festival" that raised money for the Arts Center that was hosting the musical. There was food, crafts, and face painting. Alex loved the swordfighting demonstration that was done by folks that are apparently "Renaissance Fair" people.
They were all dressed up running around interacting with the kids.
I don't think I realized it when I bought the tickets, but the author, Mary Pope Osbourne, made an appearance. She gave a talk to all the families and kids and did a reading from the newest book due out soon. Then a line formed and the kids could go meet her and get their photos taken. Ryan was thrilled and enthralled to meet her. She was a bit stunned by him and asked "How old are you?"

Afterward, while Eric took Ry to the play, I took Kate and Alex to a local park. Then we spent the night at a hotel in the area with an indoor swimming pool. The kids spent the whole next morning in the pool before we drove home.

We've really had some wonderful memories from these short "regional" trips the last two years. It's great family time and the kids have had some really fun experiences.

Birthdays and a few school notes

Early March is a time of a few birthdays. They tend to represent a lot of different things to me personally and I thought I'd share them. There are 3 people who have already had birthdays this month who represent almost every aspect of my life; (geographically) from MA to MO to China, (personally) from family to friends to work, and (religiously) an early influence to a recent divine gift. Special birthday wishes to you all.

Of course around the house Katie's birthday is the big one for us. It was so much fun. Katie seemed so little last year and while she is physically tiny still, she is so much larger in so many ways this year.








Katie is now 4 and it is so awesome to be able to enjoy birthdays with her.

All our kids are doing well in school. Katie just got moved into the big kids room, Alex continues to learn things at an unbelievable pace (not that he will show off though), and Ryan received an honor this past week.

Ryan was named the Kindest in his class in their "Kindness in contagious" program. This was a vote of his peers and we couldn't be more proud. Lori was able to be there to see him get the award (that HE did not know was coming). Ryan said he voted for Justin and Alex said he voted for Brooklyn (even though preschool didnt vote, go figure!).



Also, a belated happy brithday to my firend Mark and my niece Samantha and a happy future birthday to Benjamin.

Snow Day

Well more like snow week. Monday night was very icy then it snowed a lot on Tuesday and school was out until today.

We played in the snow and made a snowman on Wednesday.
Daddy thinks he may regain his sanity just in time for the Super Bowl.
(Go Cardinals!!)