It occurs to me in the drama of life.....I missed our 2nd anniversary of living overseas. WOW! I am not quite sure how that happened, but my favorite quote of late is, "The days are slow, the years are fast!" So true!
I will spare you the "wow I can't believe it has already been 2 years" rhetoric because I think I say that enough!!!
Just know that we are still so happy to be here, have been blessed beyond what we could ever imagine, and are looking forward to the year ahead because we can't wait to see what is in store for us! We just wish air travel was as cheap as bus and train travel so we could go home for a weekend every once in a while. :) Right family? (or Wright family, which we love too!! ha ha )
As I have written in the past....we are "always counting" up and/or down. Several people have asked me lately when we will be coming home.....soon, comparatively. We should be home next summer and fall. I will let you know when that countdown begins....or you can ask my mom, she probably already knows.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Unexpected Suprises
Sometimes your week doesn't end up the way you thought it would when you woke up on Monday morning. Mine changed by noon Monday.
Hudson hasn't been hearing well the last 2 weeks. In fact, he can't hear us when we talk to him in the same room. It is rather frustrating...for all of us. I will spare you all the medical history, but we have had enough experience to know that he likely needs another set of tubes. So....either Rob or myself would need to take him to Hong Kong for tubes.
Since I recently enjoyed a week in Hong Kong, I thought Rob should do the honors. However, Rob is frankly, too busy to leave. So, by Monday night I was on a bus to Hong Kong.
We have now traveled every mode of transportation available to us. The overnight bus to Hong Kong was the final mode. One we had been avoiding because all night long on a bus with strangers, doesn't appeal much to me. Not that all night on the train is much better. However, our doctor's appointment was for Tuesday at noon and believe it or not......the plane and the train couldn't get us there before noon. I am happy to report that the bus was not so bad. In fact, Hudson is asking to take it back home.
Upon arriving in Hong Kong with no shower and yesterday's clothes, we spent a few hours at MCDonalds for breakfast and homework. Then we dropped all of our stuff of at a friend's office, and headed to the doctor. He confirmed our thoughts, and scheduled surgery for 2 days later. So....we had a day to do nothing.
We woke up this morning, after a better night's sleep than the one on the bus, and Hudson came and reported that there was a lady out in the living room who looked like a friend of ours from our city....in fact the lady who I walk with every morning. I told him there was no way she was here. But....sure enough it was her. Her 5 yr. old son had an accident while playing outside and they had to quickly come to the dentist.
So, our unplanned day....ended up being a fun day with friends. Well, maybe not "fun" becuase we helped them get to the doctor and stayed with them while the friend underwent almost 2 hours of oral surgery and helped them as he came out of anesthesia, etc. But don't you know we serve the Faithful One who knew they would need some help today, and we would be there with nothing to do but HELP! Also, we serve a Faithful One who knew my son, who is nervous about his own surgery tomorrow, would be encouraged by helping his little friend today.
Hudson and I had a great talk over lunch today. We had originally planned to do whatever he wanted to do. But he graciously wanted to forgo that to be with his buddy. At lunch he said, "Mom, I am so glad we were here to be with our friends today. I think my buddy needed me to play with today too to keep his mind off of his own surgery. And now, I am not so worried about mine. " We talked about how the Faithful One ALWAYS provides exactly what we need, even before we know we need it. He said, "Who do you think He will send tomorrow when I have my surgery?"
I expect to see you here about 5pm tomorrow night.
Hudson hasn't been hearing well the last 2 weeks. In fact, he can't hear us when we talk to him in the same room. It is rather frustrating...for all of us. I will spare you all the medical history, but we have had enough experience to know that he likely needs another set of tubes. So....either Rob or myself would need to take him to Hong Kong for tubes.
Since I recently enjoyed a week in Hong Kong, I thought Rob should do the honors. However, Rob is frankly, too busy to leave. So, by Monday night I was on a bus to Hong Kong.
We have now traveled every mode of transportation available to us. The overnight bus to Hong Kong was the final mode. One we had been avoiding because all night long on a bus with strangers, doesn't appeal much to me. Not that all night on the train is much better. However, our doctor's appointment was for Tuesday at noon and believe it or not......the plane and the train couldn't get us there before noon. I am happy to report that the bus was not so bad. In fact, Hudson is asking to take it back home.
Upon arriving in Hong Kong with no shower and yesterday's clothes, we spent a few hours at MCDonalds for breakfast and homework. Then we dropped all of our stuff of at a friend's office, and headed to the doctor. He confirmed our thoughts, and scheduled surgery for 2 days later. So....we had a day to do nothing.
We woke up this morning, after a better night's sleep than the one on the bus, and Hudson came and reported that there was a lady out in the living room who looked like a friend of ours from our city....in fact the lady who I walk with every morning. I told him there was no way she was here. But....sure enough it was her. Her 5 yr. old son had an accident while playing outside and they had to quickly come to the dentist.
So, our unplanned day....ended up being a fun day with friends. Well, maybe not "fun" becuase we helped them get to the doctor and stayed with them while the friend underwent almost 2 hours of oral surgery and helped them as he came out of anesthesia, etc. But don't you know we serve the Faithful One who knew they would need some help today, and we would be there with nothing to do but HELP! Also, we serve a Faithful One who knew my son, who is nervous about his own surgery tomorrow, would be encouraged by helping his little friend today.
Hudson and I had a great talk over lunch today. We had originally planned to do whatever he wanted to do. But he graciously wanted to forgo that to be with his buddy. At lunch he said, "Mom, I am so glad we were here to be with our friends today. I think my buddy needed me to play with today too to keep his mind off of his own surgery. And now, I am not so worried about mine. " We talked about how the Faithful One ALWAYS provides exactly what we need, even before we know we need it. He said, "Who do you think He will send tomorrow when I have my surgery?"
I expect to see you here about 5pm tomorrow night.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Cooking , Hudson, and Theology
My kids love to help in the kitchen! Hannah very naturally is quite a big help these days. She has asked to start cooking dinner by herself every once in a while. I think that will be a great idea for her! (and me) She is very good at following the recipes and she has become quite good with the "dangerous" aspects of cooking......gas stove, hot oven, open flame, etc. I love spending time with her in the kitchen becasue it is a great time to talk!
Hudson also likes to help in the kitchen, and it something fun that we enjoy together. He, however, is not ready to solo in the kitchen! Recently I have discovered the best job for Hudson. Flipping tortillas. We make our tortillas from scratch. It is a job that is best done with 2 people. Once I have the dough ready, I role them out and he cooks them, flipping them halfway through. After a while he usually asks to switch jobs. I let him and he realized that rolling out the dough is a little harder than it looks. His tortilla is usually long and narrow instead of round....but it eats just the same.
This week, we were making chicken tacos. He eagerly accepted my invitation to help with the tortillas. He took charge telling me where to put the flour, the plate, which burner was the best burner to use, where I should roll the dough, etc.....(wonder where he gets that from?) Then we went to work.
Hudson:"Mom, you know this is really God making this tortilla!"
ME:" What!?!?!"
Hudson: "It is God making the tortilla."
ME:"OK...can you explain that to me?"
Hudson:"Well, God gave me the mind to know that when the first side of the tortilla starts to bubble, I flip it to the other side. It is Him who gave me the mind and without that I couldn't do this. So it is Him who is doing it."
ME: "Oh, so it is God working through you to make the tortilla."
Hudson: "Yeah, that's what I said."
I love cooking in the kitchen with my kids because while you are waiting for the fire to get hot or the tortilla to cook there is good talking time!!
Hudson also likes to help in the kitchen, and it something fun that we enjoy together. He, however, is not ready to solo in the kitchen! Recently I have discovered the best job for Hudson. Flipping tortillas. We make our tortillas from scratch. It is a job that is best done with 2 people. Once I have the dough ready, I role them out and he cooks them, flipping them halfway through. After a while he usually asks to switch jobs. I let him and he realized that rolling out the dough is a little harder than it looks. His tortilla is usually long and narrow instead of round....but it eats just the same.
This week, we were making chicken tacos. He eagerly accepted my invitation to help with the tortillas. He took charge telling me where to put the flour, the plate, which burner was the best burner to use, where I should roll the dough, etc.....(wonder where he gets that from?) Then we went to work.
Hudson:"Mom, you know this is really God making this tortilla!"
ME:" What!?!?!"
Hudson: "It is God making the tortilla."
ME:"OK...can you explain that to me?"
Hudson:"Well, God gave me the mind to know that when the first side of the tortilla starts to bubble, I flip it to the other side. It is Him who gave me the mind and without that I couldn't do this. So it is Him who is doing it."
ME: "Oh, so it is God working through you to make the tortilla."
Hudson: "Yeah, that's what I said."
I love cooking in the kitchen with my kids because while you are waiting for the fire to get hot or the tortilla to cook there is good talking time!!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Easter Fun
Here are some pics of our Easter Weekend. Sorry, no frilly dresses or new shirts and pants for my two kids! I asked them if they would dress up so I could take a picture.....they both looked at me like I had lost my mind !!!! Oh well.
Here are 4 dozen eggs before..
....and after!
My kids hard at work! The beauty of having "big kids" was that Hudson boiled all the eggs for me this year. He job was keeping them boiling, changing them out, and setting them in front of the fan to cool. I was very happy with this! While he did this, Hannah iced and decorated 2 doz cupcakes for our Sunday event! I am so blessed with good help! Hannah and Hudson didn't even really need me for the dying eggs part. I sat with them and decorated a few with them, but by far it was the easiest egg dying I have ever had! 
Our eggs along with dozens more.
Hudson listening to the story with his little buddies. 
Here are lots of our friends all playing together. 
Pardon the "proud mom" moment to follow.....My kids have again turned another corner. This year at the activity, my kids were all about helping the little kids find eggs and have a good time. Even with the lure of "American" candy in the plastic eggs, they still kept none for themselves. They both gave away all they found to other children. They looked for ways they could serve the younger children and the local children.....and it made this mom and dad very happy! AND....there was no prompting from mom or dad to "look for ways to help out"!
Pardon the "proud mom" moment to follow.....My kids have again turned another corner. This year at the activity, my kids were all about helping the little kids find eggs and have a good time. Even with the lure of "American" candy in the plastic eggs, they still kept none for themselves. They both gave away all they found to other children. They looked for ways they could serve the younger children and the local children.....and it made this mom and dad very happy! AND....there was no prompting from mom or dad to "look for ways to help out"!Monday, April 5, 2010
ELECTRICITYYYYYY!!!!!!
If you have been reading my blog from the beginning, you may have read about our house not being grounded, electrically. This has caused all sorts of pain in our lives, literally! We have learned and figured out how to avoid the pain for the most part, but we ocasionally slip up and get ZINGED!!
Last week, we had a crazy electricity incident. As I dried my hair before class, all of a sudden, there was a huge pop and a fire ball. The result?? 
The cord completely exploded in two pieces. Thankfully my hair didn't catch on fire! Good thing we are moving soon!! Saturday, April 3, 2010
Happy Birthday MOM!!!
April 3, 19??? was the day that my best mom ever came into the world! 
She is a hard worker and I am not sure that she ever has a full night's sleep, but she doesn't ever seem to tire! I am so blessed to have such a wonderul, giving MOM who loves us no matter what we do, or where we live :) !! 
She is a hard worker and I am not sure that she ever has a full night's sleep, but she doesn't ever seem to tire! I am so blessed to have such a wonderul, giving MOM who loves us no matter what we do, or where we live :) !! Happy Birthday MOM! Thanks for being you and loving each one of us the way you do! I hope you day is filled with joy and blessing!
Friday, April 2, 2010
House Hunting
As you probably know, we are moving. We have lived in our current city 2 weeks shy of 2 years. It is a big city with all sorts of good places to eat, wonderful parks, stores with imported products, etc. But, in August, we will move out about 2 hours away to more of a rural area.
We have begun preparing for the move by house hunting. House hunting here is different than in the USA. We went about a month ago to try and familiarize ourselves with the town, see which locations were suitable. and possibly look at a few examples and floor plans. We came home having 2 good possibilities of where we wanted to live. We weren't able to see any apartments in these complexes becasue there isn't an office to go to, it is done more like condos. You find an owner than work with them to see their home, etc. The catch? Finding an owner.
Last week we went back, determined to find phone numbers and actually see some apartments. Like I said, there are 2 areas we could live. The first one is on the outskirts of town in the "new" area. There is a large basketball court and park inside this one (Hudson really likes this one) with lots of wonderful views of mountains all around. We weren't able to see inside any apartments, but we did obtain the phone numbers of two owners who are wanting to rent. We have scheduled a time to go back tomorrow to see the insides (finally).
The second area is in the "city center" of our new city. We like this because there is a lot of activity and people to meet, etc. There is one newer complex with suitable apartments. Last time we saw that most of the apartments are 2 bedroom, with some 3 bedroom and a few 4 bedroom. We would love to have a 4 bedroom because we would like to make one room a classroom as we will begin homeschooling once we move out. However, the 4 bedrooms are all on the top floor (no elevator) of only a few buildings. We haven't ever found any rental signs, or properties available in this complex, but we have hope!
So, last week, we made up our minds to just start knocking on doors and see if anyone wanted to rent their apartment to us. I know this sounds a little crazy, but crazy happens here. We walked up to the top floor and found an empty apartment that hadn't been finished yet, just concrete on the inside. We were able to see the floor plan and really liked the apartment even more! When the owner came in, we asked if he would rent it to us, he said "no" he was building it to live in.
So, we went to the next building, and found 2 finished apartments with people living in them. The lady in the first one invited us in and showed us all around her house, invited us to stay and eat lunch and visit for a while. Funny, huh? We declined, thanked her profusely for letting us barge in on her, then asked her if they wanted to rent their apartment to us, she said no. The neighbor across the hall didn't want to rent to us either. We walked away laughing at the thought of knocking on someone's door in America and asking to see their house because we wanted to rent it.....don't think we would be invited to stay for lunch, do you?
The third building we went in, the kids and I decided to let Rob go alone. 10 minutes later he called me and said he had found a man who owned 5 or 6 apartments in this complex, 2 of which were exactly what we were looking for......and he wanted to rent them out. He took us to see one of them and told us we could rent it. :) It is not finished inside, so we could pick how we wanted to finish it out and it would be ready about the time we are planning to move. We are going to look at it again tomorrow and "talk price".
The house hunting continues tomorrow! We are all excited to go back out and try again. We have been relflecting lately on our 2 year mark of living here, which is coming up shortly. It is really amazing to us how far we have come with our language that we can barge in on people, find apartments, negotiate price and size, and all that comes with moving and understanding a new area. I guess after living here 2 years and going to class every day, we shoudn't be shocked, but we have definitely come a long way!
We have begun preparing for the move by house hunting. House hunting here is different than in the USA. We went about a month ago to try and familiarize ourselves with the town, see which locations were suitable. and possibly look at a few examples and floor plans. We came home having 2 good possibilities of where we wanted to live. We weren't able to see any apartments in these complexes becasue there isn't an office to go to, it is done more like condos. You find an owner than work with them to see their home, etc. The catch? Finding an owner.
Last week we went back, determined to find phone numbers and actually see some apartments. Like I said, there are 2 areas we could live. The first one is on the outskirts of town in the "new" area. There is a large basketball court and park inside this one (Hudson really likes this one) with lots of wonderful views of mountains all around. We weren't able to see inside any apartments, but we did obtain the phone numbers of two owners who are wanting to rent. We have scheduled a time to go back tomorrow to see the insides (finally).
The second area is in the "city center" of our new city. We like this because there is a lot of activity and people to meet, etc. There is one newer complex with suitable apartments. Last time we saw that most of the apartments are 2 bedroom, with some 3 bedroom and a few 4 bedroom. We would love to have a 4 bedroom because we would like to make one room a classroom as we will begin homeschooling once we move out. However, the 4 bedrooms are all on the top floor (no elevator) of only a few buildings. We haven't ever found any rental signs, or properties available in this complex, but we have hope!
So, last week, we made up our minds to just start knocking on doors and see if anyone wanted to rent their apartment to us. I know this sounds a little crazy, but crazy happens here. We walked up to the top floor and found an empty apartment that hadn't been finished yet, just concrete on the inside. We were able to see the floor plan and really liked the apartment even more! When the owner came in, we asked if he would rent it to us, he said "no" he was building it to live in.
So, we went to the next building, and found 2 finished apartments with people living in them. The lady in the first one invited us in and showed us all around her house, invited us to stay and eat lunch and visit for a while. Funny, huh? We declined, thanked her profusely for letting us barge in on her, then asked her if they wanted to rent their apartment to us, she said no. The neighbor across the hall didn't want to rent to us either. We walked away laughing at the thought of knocking on someone's door in America and asking to see their house because we wanted to rent it.....don't think we would be invited to stay for lunch, do you?
The third building we went in, the kids and I decided to let Rob go alone. 10 minutes later he called me and said he had found a man who owned 5 or 6 apartments in this complex, 2 of which were exactly what we were looking for......and he wanted to rent them out. He took us to see one of them and told us we could rent it. :) It is not finished inside, so we could pick how we wanted to finish it out and it would be ready about the time we are planning to move. We are going to look at it again tomorrow and "talk price".
The house hunting continues tomorrow! We are all excited to go back out and try again. We have been relflecting lately on our 2 year mark of living here, which is coming up shortly. It is really amazing to us how far we have come with our language that we can barge in on people, find apartments, negotiate price and size, and all that comes with moving and understanding a new area. I guess after living here 2 years and going to class every day, we shoudn't be shocked, but we have definitely come a long way!
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