Asa's field trip

Joab and Asa had a wonderful time at Asa' fall field trip this week! The weather was amazing!

Above (with matching Husker Shirt!) on a very small tractor

You usually can not see clouds like this. Miriam calls these "American Clouds" when/if we ever see clouds! Usually it is so overcast you can not see very many defined clouds like this.

The kiddos




Asa loves to say he is from Arizona (he was born there). So we was more than willing to dive right into the cacti garden and pose!

Asa

Asa and his swords

He decided to use all this swords at once. Asa truly enjoys himself!!!

Children are the future for the Motherland

"Mom, I can not breathe!!!" Miriam said to me as we sped home on the bike a few weeks ago. My mind was racing to what happened while she simply sat on the back of the bike! Asthma attack, bee sting, a gun pointed at her? I got home as soon as I could and said - "what in the world happened"?

Miriam explained she saw a picture of herself on a poster- painting! I had no idea what she was walking about- but Miriam was beyond excited (enough to take her breath away I guess!)! Our first year here Miriam was in an art contest and I guess it was pictures from that they were using for the banner.

So I finally went by this sign again and took some pictures. These type of banners/signs are everywhere here. Usually to cover up construction work (the wall behind this sign is a huge unfinished construction project).

The sign translated says:

Children are the future for the Motherland

After taking these pictures and looking more closely, I was really glad Miriam was not asked to play with birds for her picture! I also love this guy looking at me, as if to say "what in the world are you doing?!"

Children are indeed a blessing from God. Praying that Miriam would love China in a special way!

Birthday Boy

Having formatting problems. But wanted to share some pictures of Asa's sixth Birthday! First we started the say with some Krispy Kreme donuts with friends! Then had some Chinese friends over for cake, pumpkin donuts, fruit and games outside! Fun was had by all!

My friend Karen. Also behind me is a new clock. I love that it does not have any numbers. Joab thinks I am crazy. But I love it. It is fun (for me!) to have people guess what time it is!

She Shan Hike

China celebrates October Holiday every year! A whole week off to celebrate the founding of modern China. We took one day and went to a hotel about an hour away. Here are my kids when I told them to look "normal" for a picture. Salome goes into Chinese squat, Asa looks goofy and Miriam is telling Asa how to act. This picture pretty much sums up our lives parenting right now!



Then I told them I meant it "LOOK NORMAL". I also love the "ad" car in the background.

They call it the She Shan Mountain. It is just a really big hill. But being so near to the ocean here we do not have many hills...so we decided to climb it. Here is Joab with Salome in front on a pagoda as you enter the park on the hill.

There is a huge Catholic Church on the top of the hill. You can read more about it here

With anything on a National Holiday that is free to go to, you have a ton of people hiking up the hill and taking pictures of you hiking up the hill. Asa had enough and exited this picture- leaving Joab all alone.

Finally a picture! Oh October Holiday we loved you! Can't wait for next year! And for those (and I know you are out there!!!) who would love to come and visit us....this time of year is perfect for visitors!!!!