Big Week

It all started on Saturday night when our neighbors invited us to go swimming with them...required swimcaps and all. We've had quite a week here...(I wish I had pics of those swimcaps...not including mine)

Welcomed friend Brittany to town (156)!, planning on taking off the training wheels (don't know we'll end up having time to do that- seeing as we take out Hudson's bike like 5 times a year), GJ had her first day of school (more on that later), and Titus -- well, he just walked into the guest room where Grace was napping and punched her head (didn't wake her up though, she's our sleeper) and then was found playing with what Gracie forgot to flush down the toilet...yuck!

Yesterday's ready for school shots- forehead bump and all: (Titus felt left out and wanted to take one too- and actually felt left out when we said bye, he ran in the gate after them) :)





So, Grace and Hudson walked into school- no big deal was the feeling of the morning (that i was faking/not feeling). They walked in no problem, Grace's sweet teacher waiting at the gate (they're in different classes), walked her in (bonus= no screaming kids at the gate). Spyed on them come out for the opening ceremony including exercises, the Chinese national anthem and a speech of the principal's. Went back to get them at 11:30...they came out holding hands- Hudson as happy as can be (as has always been the case since coming out that first day)- Grace looking fine, then more and more sad til she lost it when she got to us. She cried for a while- probably just sad/scared and kept it in all morning. Thankfully, a pkg had just arrived from Mimi Coady- that caused Grace to 180 :)

The teacher said she was great- no crying, listened, did as told. I'm wondering what tomorrow will bring!? I think she'll make a quick adjustment, make some friends quickly, we'll see...she has been so sweet lately I hate to make her go- but know that it will be good for her for this season to work on her language, interact a bit with kids her age. I'm guessing she'll start liking it soon...

thankful for:
these sweet questions asked today:
157. how do you tell people about jesus?
158. how do you do pat-a-cake?
159. can i see girls shirts? (online shopping)
160. can i help you mommy?
and-
161. a pretty good first day for GJ
162. that I can spy on the kids at school :)
163. turning the calendar to September
164. football- HS, college, pro, fantasy, and games in the house...
165. that He does never leave us
166. for the real food of the Word
167. cheap pottery sellers
168. plans to see family
169. our family
170. sweet friends blogs that encourage me...
171. a husband i miss when he's gone during the day
172. the spirit who helps put to death the deeds of the body

Old Video

The kiddos loved shooting this one back in June...

teachers and school

Our dear friend and teacher is about to leave for Malaysia...we will miss her so much!

Hudson also got some new teachers - and seems to have adjusted quickly to a new classroom (on the 3RD! floor) and will next week be taking his little sister with him!?!

We're excited and confident its a good time for GJ to start up a bit of Chinese preschool- but sad to see her be so big too. As a treat for one of her last mornings at home with mama (after getting her blood drawn for a check-up for school) we went to paint our toe-nails together- Gracie's choice- yellow. It was soon after getting home that Titus discovered it and has been scraping at it since that morning. My toes look terrible! :)

the latest

Wrestling! This is getting more and more fun- similarly, the kids are also really into "3 person hugs". :)




Saturday it was rainy- and cool- we went out 3 times and got soaked 3 times that day.




Titus likes fall clothes too (he really wanted to put on this new long-sleeved shirt from Mimi Coady, even though it is HOT here)- but who doesn't love fall clothes?



And this he learned from his big brother...push over the big chair, climb on top, step into pantry and reach for the sweet basket.

another sweet visit

Hard to believe just a few days ago Craig's parents took off back to the States. As often is the theme of our blog, we were so blessed to have them here for 2 weeks!　:) (144) Had lots of fun- playing rummikub, going for walks, exploring new places in the city, trip to Xian!...So thankful for such great parents/grandparents! (145) Kids had a blast with them of course.

Saw the impressive Terra Cotta soldiers and also super exciting got to see sweet friends on our trip to Xian ;) (146) It was fun too that Hudson is old enough to enjoy the tourist spots- he loved the "terrifying soldiers" as he was calling them to begin with. G and I- on the other hand- spent a lot of time outside the exhibits there, which was sweet time with my girl. (147) Another thing I am so thankful for was my bioband! (motion sickness bracelet) (148) Worked so well on the flight there (Hudson got sick though)- and on the way back worked really well for him! We've ordered another one- WELL worth the $11- for me and H to get to avoid using the little paper bags...so exciting!

149. other out of town friends here now!
150. the real food that we are eating more and more of at meals
151. windy sand storms that lead to blue skies!
152. eating sunday lunch outside yesterday, so nice
153. a little friend who is here for the afternoon/evening and who is getting WAY too much attention especially from grace, but is handling it well
154. dinner w C tonight!
155. the law being fulfilled by Christ, being released from it and new life in the Spirit to empower us to do the law- loving God and others.