Snow, snow go away!
9 years ago
Sunday, December 5, 2010
One Misty, Moisty, Morning
I had some meetings at the church this morning and as I walked to the church (it's a block away), the weather reminded me of exactly 10 years ago when I was living in Russia and every day was cold, foggy, overcast and it seemed to always be snowing at least a little because of the humidity. It was beautiful! We are so happy to be back home for the Holiday Season. We got so homesick last year when we had to squeeze Thanksgiving into a normal evening meal (though we invited some people over to make it a bit more special) and last Christmas especially when Scott had to work on Christmas and we tried to be excited while opening our presents on a Saturday morning in our short sleeves while home and all the beauty of the Christmas season seemed so far away. It really is special to live in a nation which has Christian holidays.
Friday, December 3, 2010
It's been a while
I know, I know. We have been lame, lame, lame for not keeping up our blog. And it's kind of sad that as soon as we moved back to America, we disappeared again (so to speak). I'm not sure why this happened. Perhaps we thought our readers wouldn't be interested in us anymore now that we are back to the average American routine. Or perhaps it's because we have been so busy adjusting back to said American routine. Or perhaps we are just lazy. Maybe it's a little of everything. In any case, here's the rundown.
Well, we arrived back in May and stayed with Scott's sister for 3 weeks while we waited for our home to be re-carpeted, a necessity because of the previous owners love of nasty dogs who peed freely all over the house (we had it checked with a black light to prove what the stench already told us).
Meanwhile, Meili went to the last month of American Kindergarten and LOVED it. I mean, everyone was speaking English! She was so happy that she came home and when asked how it went, she said, "It was the best day ever!". And she repeated that sentiment every day for the whole month.
Sophie was just happy playing with her cousin Jack who is close to her age every day from morning until night.
Euan, on the other hand was fully traumatized by the move. What once was a great sleeper and a mild boy turned into a MONSTER who wouldn't sleep for months. No, literally, he wouldn't sleep. It was so bad that even after re-doing sleep training on him, I can count on one hand how many full nights of sleep I have gotten since we've been back (6 months).
Scott went straight to work fixing up other little problems with the house (leaky roof, etc) and also trying to find a job. He got hired to teach online at BYU-I soon after we got back, but that didn't start until September. Finding a job isn't the funnest thing in the world. Especially with a brand new mortgage looming over your head. And moving is always expensive, but moving from a different country (for the second time in 2 years) is draining. Especially if you come back to very little because you sold everything. But thanks to Scott's family, we got by, and Scott found a job in July teaching for Steven's Henager College.
Also, we were really blessed to have a small day care that just fell into our laps. Our neighbor needed someone to watch her 4 year-old boy 3 days a week and Scott's sister needed someone to watch her 3 year-old girl and newborn. Plus, her 2 elementary-age girls are on the track program so I watch them for 3 weeks every 3 months. And one of our other friends just moved back to town and is busy trying to find work, so i am watching their boy who is the same age as Euan once a week.
At first, I honestly didn't know if I would like it or if I had the energy for it, but I love it.
So, Scott working two part-time jobs and me running a full-time day care and throw in me selling a little AVON on the side and we feel busier than ever.
Well, we arrived back in May and stayed with Scott's sister for 3 weeks while we waited for our home to be re-carpeted, a necessity because of the previous owners love of nasty dogs who peed freely all over the house (we had it checked with a black light to prove what the stench already told us).
Meanwhile, Meili went to the last month of American Kindergarten and LOVED it. I mean, everyone was speaking English! She was so happy that she came home and when asked how it went, she said, "It was the best day ever!". And she repeated that sentiment every day for the whole month.
Sophie was just happy playing with her cousin Jack who is close to her age every day from morning until night.
Euan, on the other hand was fully traumatized by the move. What once was a great sleeper and a mild boy turned into a MONSTER who wouldn't sleep for months. No, literally, he wouldn't sleep. It was so bad that even after re-doing sleep training on him, I can count on one hand how many full nights of sleep I have gotten since we've been back (6 months).
Scott went straight to work fixing up other little problems with the house (leaky roof, etc) and also trying to find a job. He got hired to teach online at BYU-I soon after we got back, but that didn't start until September. Finding a job isn't the funnest thing in the world. Especially with a brand new mortgage looming over your head. And moving is always expensive, but moving from a different country (for the second time in 2 years) is draining. Especially if you come back to very little because you sold everything. But thanks to Scott's family, we got by, and Scott found a job in July teaching for Steven's Henager College.
Also, we were really blessed to have a small day care that just fell into our laps. Our neighbor needed someone to watch her 4 year-old boy 3 days a week and Scott's sister needed someone to watch her 3 year-old girl and newborn. Plus, her 2 elementary-age girls are on the track program so I watch them for 3 weeks every 3 months. And one of our other friends just moved back to town and is busy trying to find work, so i am watching their boy who is the same age as Euan once a week.
At first, I honestly didn't know if I would like it or if I had the energy for it, but I love it.
So, Scott working two part-time jobs and me running a full-time day care and throw in me selling a little AVON on the side and we feel busier than ever.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
America!
We are here in America! I miss Taiwan, but we are definitely happy to be back for all of the reasons that we left (family, friends, Meili's schooling).
I'll just share a couple of things since we don't have internet in our home yet:
The most interesting thing that happened to us on our journey back to America was that we flew over an erupting volcano! It was over southern Japan and it was really amazing.
Mei and Sophie are super happy to be home and near cousins and Meili loved the month that she went to Kindergarten here.
Euan took some time to adjust back to America. He didn't sleep and he and the girls all got sick, though his lasted a whole month!
After 3 weeks of staying at Scott's sister's house because we were waiting for new carpet to be installed (the old was soaked with pet urine!), we have now been in our own house for about 2 weeks. And we want people to come visit! We have lots of room!
Scott got a job soon after we came back which is part-time starting in fall as an online instructor for BYU-I. We have some other leads for more work, so keep praying for us!
Since we want all of our friends and Scott's students to be able to keep up with us on our blog, we are going public again.
I really hope that we have access to the internet soon because I really want to show you our last month in Taiwan, our journey home, and our first month home.
I'll just share a couple of things since we don't have internet in our home yet:
The most interesting thing that happened to us on our journey back to America was that we flew over an erupting volcano! It was over southern Japan and it was really amazing.
Mei and Sophie are super happy to be home and near cousins and Meili loved the month that she went to Kindergarten here.
Euan took some time to adjust back to America. He didn't sleep and he and the girls all got sick, though his lasted a whole month!
After 3 weeks of staying at Scott's sister's house because we were waiting for new carpet to be installed (the old was soaked with pet urine!), we have now been in our own house for about 2 weeks. And we want people to come visit! We have lots of room!
Scott got a job soon after we came back which is part-time starting in fall as an online instructor for BYU-I. We have some other leads for more work, so keep praying for us!
Since we want all of our friends and Scott's students to be able to keep up with us on our blog, we are going public again.
I really hope that we have access to the internet soon because I really want to show you our last month in Taiwan, our journey home, and our first month home.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Un-schooled
Since our big Chinese New Year break during the month of February, the girls haven't gone to Chinese Kindergarten. Instead I am homeschooling them and hoping to have Meili up to par for Kindergarten when we get home. But without many outlets or friends, here are some ways that mommy deals with having 3 children at home all the time:
*Go to Scott's High School next door (when the 10,000 students aren't there-which is rare) and go "scooter riding" on the girls' scooters, and don't forget climbing trees and hiking the hills.
*The kids also love it when I put on some classical "ballet" music so they can dance. They also help their brother get on his special dance clothes since he wants to do everything they do, even if it means putting on a tutu...
...or a princess costume. (To which Scott cringes at the mere mention).
*Errands with mommy. These always give us a chance to practice our Chinese skills because everyone stops to see and talk to the waiguoren (foreigner) children. We're going to miss how nice people are, but I don't think that we'll miss being pseudo-celebrities.
*And don't forget, just relaxin'
(by the way, I totally love picnik for fixing our red eyes at the click of a button. Pretty sweet.)
There aren't many pictures of "school", I guess maybe homeschooled means un-schooled.
*Go to Scott's High School next door (when the 10,000 students aren't there-which is rare) and go "scooter riding" on the girls' scooters, and don't forget climbing trees and hiking the hills.
*The kids also love it when I put on some classical "ballet" music so they can dance. They also help their brother get on his special dance clothes since he wants to do everything they do, even if it means putting on a tutu...
...or a princess costume. (To which Scott cringes at the mere mention).
*Errands with mommy. These always give us a chance to practice our Chinese skills because everyone stops to see and talk to the waiguoren (foreigner) children. We're going to miss how nice people are, but I don't think that we'll miss being pseudo-celebrities.
*And don't forget, just relaxin'
(by the way, I totally love picnik for fixing our red eyes at the click of a button. Pretty sweet.)
There aren't many pictures of "school", I guess maybe homeschooled means un-schooled.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Small Sweet Moments
Meili heard about a window seat that will be in our new house, so she made her own now because she thought it was such a great idea. I found her reading to her brother there soon after.
And Sophie was reading in her bed...
He's just so cute...
And Sophie was reading in her bed...
He's just so cute...
Super Sophie!
Sophie is 4 years old!
Last year Sophie's birthday was while we were on the plane moving to Taiwan. This year, mom was still supposed to be in bed. So next year we owe Sophie a super sweet birthday party with all of the trimmings. Still, this was a unique birthday mostly because it will probably be the only birthday where she will be wearing a tank-top because it is so warm (her birthday is in February) and she got to open presents in her jammies.
Sophie is our little sweetheart:
*She shares EVERYTHING. Even her treats and toys.
*She is silly, especially when taking pictures. It is hard to get a normal smile from her.
*She loves to brush her mommy's hair.
*She wears almost the same size shoes and shirts as Meili.
*She is really tender-hearted.
*She gives the greatest hugs and snuggles.
*She is part werewolf we think because she is always hot and sweaty!
*She is super smart. She is learning to read and still has one more year before Kindergarten.
*She is really good at drawing. Her pictures really closely resemble what she is actually drawing. She stays up for hours sometimes just sketching away in her bed.
*She is a lefty.
*She speaks Chinese without an accent.
And she is really excited to get to our house in America and play in our yard with her grandparents and cousins.
Last year Sophie's birthday was while we were on the plane moving to Taiwan. This year, mom was still supposed to be in bed. So next year we owe Sophie a super sweet birthday party with all of the trimmings. Still, this was a unique birthday mostly because it will probably be the only birthday where she will be wearing a tank-top because it is so warm (her birthday is in February) and she got to open presents in her jammies.
Sophie is our little sweetheart:
*She shares EVERYTHING. Even her treats and toys.
*She is silly, especially when taking pictures. It is hard to get a normal smile from her.
*She loves to brush her mommy's hair.
*She wears almost the same size shoes and shirts as Meili.
*She is really tender-hearted.
*She gives the greatest hugs and snuggles.
*She is part werewolf we think because she is always hot and sweaty!
*She is super smart. She is learning to read and still has one more year before Kindergarten.
*She is really good at drawing. Her pictures really closely resemble what she is actually drawing. She stays up for hours sometimes just sketching away in her bed.
*She is a lefty.
*She speaks Chinese without an accent.
And she is really excited to get to our house in America and play in our yard with her grandparents and cousins.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Cinco de Mayo!
At least WE will be partying this cinco de mayo! Where will you be? We will all be on a plane heading back home to America! Yeah!!!
Although things haven't seem to have gone perfectly as we have been preparing to go home (far from, actually), everything has all been for the best. For example, we actually found a house too soon and had to head home to America before we wanted to (we hate to break contract, even if we got a replacement), but because everything happened when it did, we locked in a rate for our home just before they started to rise, we qualified for the tax credit, and we now have a beautiful house that we are excited to make into a home (just to name a few of the blessings we have received lately).
I was reading an article in the Ensign by President Uchtdorf and he said that if we put our faith and trust in our Heavenly Father, that we will start to see His miracles. I have seen the truths of this as I have had to put my plan aside and just trust in the Lord's. Then, I see how His plan was better all along and that, just like any other loving parent, He always has our best interests in mind.
Although things haven't seem to have gone perfectly as we have been preparing to go home (far from, actually), everything has all been for the best. For example, we actually found a house too soon and had to head home to America before we wanted to (we hate to break contract, even if we got a replacement), but because everything happened when it did, we locked in a rate for our home just before they started to rise, we qualified for the tax credit, and we now have a beautiful house that we are excited to make into a home (just to name a few of the blessings we have received lately).
I was reading an article in the Ensign by President Uchtdorf and he said that if we put our faith and trust in our Heavenly Father, that we will start to see His miracles. I have seen the truths of this as I have had to put my plan aside and just trust in the Lord's. Then, I see how His plan was better all along and that, just like any other loving parent, He always has our best interests in mind.
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