Recent happenings

Oh my…poor neglected blog! 

Much grace over the last few weeks- thankful-

- for good Skype connections

- for new work visas!

- for our adoption in Christ

- for good work going on in fighting abortion

- for a smily 9 mo old

- for a great eater 3 yr old

- for a super helper 5 yr old

- for a responsible 6 yr old

- for remembering 

- for dust storms, and thunder storms!  and no humidity!

- for a sweet visit with family

- for good books

- Wonderland - a fun arcade near our house :)

- we hear the speech that is being poured out day to day in the heavens (Ps 19) here in our new home

- easy to find oats

- and much more…

And some quotes heard around the apt:

From our 6 year old- truth loving- boy, who doesn't often say funny things…

On marriage- telling Gracie she can't marry one of their friends, "Gracie you can't marry your friends or relations!"  (We've been reading lots of Pooh lately :))

And on living in the deep hole we saw outside, "If you're going to live you will need a phone, water and food."  He KNOWS it- gotta check those scores ;)

And Tito…much to say these days-

"Jesus has super power.  And a cape…" 

"We should go in the bathy and put soap on our chins and be like Jesus"

 (while alone in his room, into the fan) "I love you Daddy Adam Coady, I love you Huddy John Coady, I love you Aber Harwood Coady, I love you Titus Jay Coady, I love you Gracie Joanie Coady…" :)

Some recent pics- (a few instagram repeats)

 Clouds! and blue skies :)

 with Mimi and Papa at the Yellow River

a neighbor friend who is often at our house (a fun new b'ball buddy for Huddy)

on our Hong Kong visa run

the baber (doing what he does- being sweet) with Mimi 

at home on the subway in Hong Kong

power out!

little rascal

visit from our sweet friends!!

picnic :)

 new bath!  our first in China

Our fall boy and summer baby

We recently realized we've got a child born in each season...

Huddy, our fall boy- just turned 6 and a half!  I don't know why it seems SO old!  Just lost his 8th tooth...Not sure what I think about this :)  And his little buddy (who has a special affection for his oldest brother) is now 8 months!  The last month was a big one for Abey...getting his first tooth, starting to wave at us (gave Hudson his first big wave when he woke up a week or so ago), he's cruising around everywhere, is already liking the computer and phone more than other toys (where did our innocent little baby go?), and got through his first stomach bug in China.  (So thankful he is 8 months and not 1 month and needing to go to the ER like we did in IL!)

A few recent pics:

Our middle 2

Many of you have been especially remembering our sensitive little 3rd born over the past few months of transition. We are thankful and thankful for evidence of greater peace in his heart and joy. He has even picked up his old habit of telling us that he is happy and asking if we are too. :)

among other funny things:

He likes his "ANGRY hair" (Spiky hair)- which I ended up cutting with scissors (the buzzer is traumatizing for him)- I'm having haircut regret now...

When asked if he likes living in China a couple days ago he said, "yes living in china and our new home in china and eating cereal." (which ironically we do waaaay less here :))

When craig was out shooting off fireworks with our neighbor and a friend of his (who gave them to Gracie for her birthday (seriously)), the kids were discussing who was who out the window- titus looked at me with his trademark one eyebrow up and said "is that you out there?" "or is that you?" pointing to me...:)

He's winking (blinking) lots - often after eating something and with a thumbs up telling me "it's pretty good"

He's also often asking to go to friends and family's homes back in the states, this is sad for both him and me- he does seem to be our most sensitive...but is doing really well- we are so thankful.

Here he is with his usual many layers (sometimes 5 short sleeve shirts!):

And Gracie...the other poor, neglected middle child...ha!...she is also full of interesting things to say...

(While peeling carrots) "Hudson, did you know carrots make you glow?"  You can imagine what our oldest, truth-loving Hudson said...Gracie apparently learned this from an older friend :)

Craig yesterday asked all the kids at the table if they could be one animal, what they would be- GJ (immediately)- "A Unicorn!" :) and then Titus, "A Bug! A SSSCCOOORRRPPIIOONN!" (scorpion)- to which everyone responded, "But Tony (a friend who arrives on the train this afternoon for a visit from Beijing, who also informed the kids of his eating adventures in Wang Fu Jing when we saw him last)  might eat you!!"  ha...

I asked GJ a couple days ago to fold some laundry for her chore (hadn't asked her to do that before)- she picked up my phone, tried to look up "How to fold clothes" ha! Craig ended up helping her find an article and she followed the photo directions and folded the whole basket- (and was upset that I folded the other 3 baskets while she was sleeping!)...I like the outlook here :)

Thankful for these guys...and much more grace here...

Can our little princess really be 5?

So so thankful for Gracie Jo and 5 years with my girl...

thankful for her helpfulness- often asking how she can help, how she loves serving our guests
her compassion- always jumping at the chance to calm a crying brother
her love of reading- when the boys were telling me what they wanted to do tonight (a pillow pile made into stairs, combined with hide and seek and freeze tag- thank you Bryn! :))- GJ said, "I just want to relax and read books" :)
her style the way she rides her bike through our complex with 8 princess dolls in the front, one princess bear tied with a ribbon to the back, a silver helmet, heart jacket, flower tights, poofy skirt, gym shoes and a backpack (and sometimes swimming goggles)
her growing love for Jesus a few weeks after moving into our new home sweet Grace in a moment of clarity asked about what it meant to be a Christian...we talked and since then she's been very thankful that she is now "a Christian"

a few pics from the big day- (including her biggest gift- from a neighbor- a huge box of fireworks that him and craig later shot off for our viewing pleasure! :))

Easter

The sweetest of days- hope power joy encouragement victory...

and some pictures:

Sermon recommendations

These have been deeply encouraging- so good - listened to many times already here... Highest of recommendations! (I know I do this too much, but can't help myself...)

Platt on m work
And piper on the love of god

yay for visitors

KK (as we like to call her- but actually gracie spells KK Kiki- ha!)- is our official interior decorator and has over the ocean chosen paint colors, given me ideas for our new home... One idea of hers that I'll be working on soon in some way is putting up pictures of all our visitors- who we've been blessed to have already in our short time here- Thankful for these sweet friends who came to encourage, help, explore, hang out!