As we near month 3....

October 23 will be 3 months since we left "The Old Place"...

On October 23, 9 years ago, we were waiting for Magpie's arrival...it was her due date...it would not be an overstatement to say..."We've come a long way, Baby!"

Here's some things we HAVEN'T done in nearly 3 months:

1) Drive a car
2) Eat at Wilsons' (our favorite Asian restaurant back at The Old Place)
3) Watched a Canadian Newscast
4) Play cards with our best buddies on Friday night
5) Go to the grocery and be able to read the labels...ALL the labels
6) Shop for clothes that fit us (the adults, that is)
7) Sit on the front row at our Sunday meetings
8) Savor one of Mama K's "just because I love you" massive casseroles
9) Rush to co-op...still be late...relish the sweet conversation with sisters
10) Go to OCB with Gramma...for a "business lunch"

That's a tiny, minuscule representation of all the things we're thinking of now as we dig in...suffice it to say...we miss you.

Things are going well here. School has moved into a comfortable, enjoyable place for we teachers and our family's 5 students. Our energy seems to be picking up and we've had a happy Fall thus far. We wear a couple of layers to school now. Monday was really cool...so we wore a couple of sweaters, each...it would have been warmer if the windows would've been shut as there was a stiff breeze...but, no..."we need fresh air." We're going to feel this winter like no winter before. We've lived in really cold places...but we've always enjoyed central heat...most of the places here will not be heated. Though it may only get down to 30 degrees on the average winter day...it will be only about 35 indoors.

Sad casualty...1 of my 3 sweaters that I lovingly brought from home was washed...it was wool. Now Magpie has a new red sweater and I'm down to 2.

On a very bright note reflecting our teaching... Jack hit Mary on the head. (This was, of course, bad...but it was an accident) The crisis happened in my (Momma's) English class. At the height of emotion, aggravation and blame, Jack burst forth with "I'm sorry." To which Mary replied "That's OK." OH HEAVENLY DAYS! I shouted and danced around giving both of the startled students a fright while I commanded them to give me a "High Wu (5)!" THEY SPOKE ENGLISH TO EACH OTHER IN A MOMENT OF GREAT STRESS! This from two of my students who spoke not one word of English on September 1.

I've taught them something...

Dad's superstar status continues here at the old mine...

Today while we were struggling with our tutor to produce the correct tone for a word we wanted to learn...the tutor said..."Teacher D is good."

No comment was made about my efforts. The beat goes on...

I am just glad I get to hang with him...

And, a late "public" shout-out to our darling oldest girl "Butterfly" who turned 18 yesterday...thanks to SKYPE we were able to call her before she started her day and sing to her from the other side of the world! What a joy she has been to see grow into such a lovely, compassionate and wise young woman!

Love to all...