Easter Photos

It is always a rush in the morning to get everyone out the door.  We stop each day though and as the kids are ready to go, one by one, we pray for them about their day and lives.

The above photo I caught as the Bruiser was being prayed for by Daddy.

Below: the shot after the first one, he knew that I had taken a photo...but also that he should keep his eyes closed during Daddy's prayer for him...and should he smile?...obviously conflicted

Below:  5:30 am on Easter morning after finding the baskets.

Below:  I taught my annual lesson on Friday before Easter to all the students at school about Easter.  What is is...how it is celebrated in the West...etc.  One of the flash cards I had was of an "Easter Cake" so I thought I'd take a stab at making a coconut cake from scratch.  This process took me much of Saturday, and then, due to the major bend in my over sized toaster oven's "rack" it baked unevenly....thus it has a bit of a "sliding" appearance. Regardless, it tasted quite delicious and may have been nearly worth the work!

Below:  For our Easter meal we set the plywood table with three bedsheets, used the Coco-cola giveaway glasses from McDonalds last year and managed a "Spring-y" looking table.

Below:  Our fellow teammates from the 4th Floor have announced that they are leaving and returning to the US to care for sick relatives.  (Pray for us, and especially Magpie and The Bug who will be losing their daily friends, classmates, and playmates due to this change.)  So, we thought it important to have one last, large meal celebrating the holiday and their past year and a half living alongside us Here.

Below:  We did manage an egg hunt in our apartment complex.   Bub and The Bug teach the Singer how it is done. Many of the neighbor kids also got involved...it was a frenzy for about 5 minutes!  

Below:  One of the neighborhood two-year-olds.  He LOVED it!

Below:  Potato and The Bruiser searching and searching!

Below:  The Singer shows off one of his finds.

We hope you had a blessed Easter!  It is a time of transition for us with the Wu's departure.  We've had great provision for our paperwork costs for Nehemiah, we're expecting some special visitors from an Abbottsford organization in two weeks, and we have our major English Performance/Competition in two weeks, too!  We could use prayers for stamina and confidence as we face this major change in our life and team situation.  We had great news this week however that two new couples will be joining our team in August as teachers at the school.  This is welcome news.  He gives and takes away.

No matter where we live or what our experiences are, Easter is the ultimate celebration of power over the grip of darkness and despair.  We're so thankful for the hope we have in Him.

Meeting Confucius

I had an unexpected meeting with Confucius on Tuesday.

Well, truth be told, with several of the devout followers of his teachings.

I hustled out of the school at 2:30 on Tuesday, hopped into the yellow van which serves as the school bus (and often our private car that we hire when we need to get somewhere with our big family.)  I fought a horrible case of nausea all the way into the twisting, narrow roads of the inner city.  It would seem that the longer I live the pedestrian lifestyle I am terribly susceptible to car-sickness.  (I remember this being the case, especially for Potato when she came home so many years ago...she HATED to ride in the car...felt car sick and very anxious about how fast we drove in the West.  Now I have a much deeper understanding of this matter.)

Anyway, off I was jostling side to side through the twists and turns in the van with no shocks...bouncing and shifting all over.  Finally we pulled up to an impressive building, 30 stories tall, and Uncle (our local family friend) met me to be the translator.  Up to the 26th floor we were ushered into an interesting scene.  An office, several gentleman wearing traditional mandarin-collared jackets smiling warmly, welcomed us into the honcho's office.  The door said, "Confucius Academic Studies Association."

I was drawn to the windows that offered an easterly and westerly view of our city.  Two lakes in view, one East and West, were proof that the mega-city I looked over at one time was a natural landscape.  I am certain that no one remembers that time Here now.  No matter how long I live Here, I don't think I will ever get used to the head-scratching, sheer magnitude of the population and its effect.

We sat down on wooden couches, that sling you back into a semi-reclining position.  I always feel unsettled in those chairs, a bit like a turtle on my back.  They eagerly brought in other chairs for the meeting attendees to swarm upon.  The tea kettle was switched on (thanks to electricity this standard element of culture takes so little time to produce.)  Tea leaves were sprinkled into 6 plastic cups...and soon the red light told us that the water was boiling.

Then the dance began.

First introductions.  Second a display of important, we're- worthy- of- your- respect-type items to show that I was not meeting with unimportant people.  Third, exchanges of warm, yet a bit forced in their flowery-ness, pleasantries to establish good will.  (I am so thankful that I'm learning tiny elements of how to do this ritual, though I'm not very good at it, I'm at least not so "foreign" to it anymore.)

Finally, after about 40 minutes of preliminary chat, the heart of the matter.

These dear souls are eager to address kids who do not get families, to open a center where they could live, go to school outside, but return for intense education in traditional, Confucian teachings.

Furthermore, they wanted me to come an speak at one of their seminars.  To speak about adoption, why we have done it, what our experience has been, and why we would agree to adopt children with special needs.

They desired a mutual exchange of thinking...East and West...to address this worrisome matter of children without families.

I have no idea what will come of this meeting.  Perhaps we will establish some relationship in which I can learn more about key philosophies that have shaped this mighty nation...and even our city...so impressively seen outside the two windows at 26 stories high.

As I left, I used some Mandarin to dazzle them...and rode off into the hazy sunset, through the warren of streets, the smell of ripe fruit in my nostrils, the challenging presence of people undeniable, and the persistent nausea in my blue, tin-can, taxi.  The view from the street is a very different sight to behold.

These high-minded men, who devote their lives to the teachings of filial piety, honor, respect, duty see the answer for the questions of the populace at street-level...in returning to traditional culture.  They were so ambitious, so engaging in conveying their purpose.  I respect them greatly and am so honored they considered talking with me something to be desired.

As I rode around at street level, I kept looking for Him, in the eyes of the people.  Amidst the daily struggle to survive...where would I find Him?

Then I remembered the man I'd seen the day before.  Face down, missing his leg, filthy and lying on torn papers...

We gave him some money, and he looked up and caught my eye...and in just that instant, I saw Him again, staring back at me...inviting me to love Him more.

It is true that the view up above is amazing.   And the thoughts I think up there are involved, my mind stretching to contain new concepts...it is a lofty place to visit.

 But the sights to be seen in the eyes of those around me down here on the ground...divine.

Progress!

On the heels of my last, "stuck in the mud" post, we have suddenly had a great deal of movement...I'm delighted to report!

We traveled to GZ last Friday on the "fastest train in the world" and were delighted to complete our 5th set of fingerprints.  I'm sure the fingerprint tech was really impressed with our style and the flourish of our impeccable "whorls!"  Since riding on the fast train, things have been coming at us at just such a rapid pace!

We've had some news about close ones to us that has been difficult to process.  I'll write more about that in a later post.

We got an email that some folks we highly respect from BC will be paying us a personal visit next month, just to encourage us!  What great news this was!  As we live away from the main cities that people visit...we're always blessed when someone makes the EXTRA effort to come see us!  They want to be with us, to hear about our projects here and the school...we're so, so excited about it!

Out of the blue I received a call from an interested local person who would like to potentially "partner" with us on some humanitarian work assisting older kids who have no family.  Specifically, the need for older kids, with no family, to receive a real education and life skills.  We too often see that this group of kids is so vulnerable to exploitation!  The brothels and crime rings are all too happy for a young person with no family who will come looking for them.  I've a meeting later today with this person, so I'm cautiously enthusiastic about what it will entail.

We also finally have a breakthrough with the tiniest beginning of a relationship between us (our school) and a large,   "officially" run location that houses young children with no family.  This has been a very difficult road.  But soon we'll be rolling out a full project to raise funds for formula, milk, diapers, and other necessities for some dear ones who live at The Bruiser's old "home."  For this, we are praising Him!  Whenever we've reached an impasse these past several months I remember that there are more like our Bruiser waiting for their families...and I feel renewed to press for more avenues to support the work going on there.

Another huge praise is that we received an email yesterday, quite out of the blue, from our dear Grandma D!  She said she was thinking about bringing Nehemiah home and the money we were waiting to come and that she remembered and old policy, purchased when Daddy was just a kid (10 years ago or so ;) that had a small cash value!  It is so fun to see how He moves to bring these resources to us that we need to pay the "ransom" due for our children.

Nightly, during our family prayer time, our kids have been lifting up Nehemiah's homecoming.  They ask for it to come quickly, for him to be prepared for his big, crazy family, and for the money we need to come in.  Lately, we've been praying for the specific amount we need to send the paperwork on to the next step.  For two weeks the kids have been praying nightly for the $2800 to move the paper.  I want to encourage any of you out there with children in the home to ask them to pray with you about specific things...these are FAITH BUILDERS for our kids!  Our kids pray with enthusiasm and total trust that He will meet whatever need it is!    What a joy to share that He was indeed answering their prayer for the $2800, and that we had received word of $1200 coming from out of the blue from the old insurance policy!  After they did the math problem, they amended their prayer last night, and added genuine heart-felt prayers of thanksgiving that He was hearing their prayers and was working to provide what was needed to bring Nehemiah home!

I once read in some adoption literature that often the money of adoption is the dream-killer for bringing a child home to one's family.  I have experienced this many times as I've now counseled dozens of families about adoption.  Our retreat time in February was an endless string of families who wanted to adopt, but were too afraid of the money.  But I loved the way that this author put it, that as believers, we should view this "money" as instead a "ransom" that was due, since the Word often speaks of a ransom being paid for us.  The writer encouraged us to examine our hearts and consider what would happen if one of our children, currently in the home, was kidnapped and was being held for a ransom.  Of course, your mind then goes to the reality that you would do ANYTHING, sell anything, ask anyone for help to bring your child home to where they belong.  In essence, the author went on to explain that if we have determined that we will parent a child who is waiting somewhere in the world for us, they are JUST AS MUCH our child as those already living at home...and a ransom is due to bring them home.  We have certainly followed this pattern, as the needs have arisen for our adoptions, to use/sell whatever we have, to raise the money.

In that vein, and because of how we were blessed to see the many responses to help Qian Qian, we're following the recommendation of some readers and posting another "ChipIn" where if you would like to help us bring Nehemiah home, you can easily give.  We were astounded how gifts of every denomination added up so quickly to provide for Qian Qian's medical needs.  Should you like to be a part of bringing him home, the avenue is there.

On another matter, we've updated the blog to include an "email" opportunity for following us.  I believe (and I'm eager to hear from someone who has done it and it has worked) that if you enter your email address on the top right of the blog, that you can be notified by email whenever there is a new post here.  Just wanted to draw your attention to it...and if anyone experiences it working...please let me know!

We have some big transitions coming for our family in the next month.  Please be remembering us and the children as we go through them...a time of shaking appears to be at hand.  But The Singer's favorite song from our Sunday morning gatherings is "I will not be shaken!"  He has memorized nearly all the words and asks to sing it ALL THE TIME (on the bus, on the way to school, on the field trip, with Dad playing guitar in the evening.)  I will share more specifically about this when I am able.

Thanks for carrying us in your hearts...we are encouraged by you.

Waiting in high gear...

There are a number of issues that are pressing/pending that I simply cannot massage out of the "waiting" category to the "moving forward" category.

We have paperwork creeping its way through Immigration channels for Nehemiah.  We are waiting for a determination from the IRS to know what we must send in to substantiate our tax returns, we've only received a "we've selected your return for further review."  I've been trying for a week to get a response from the US consulate in GZ giving us an appointment time for this Friday, so that we can make an expensive train trip down and back in one day to renew our fingerprints for Immigration for the 5th time in 5 years...to prove we still have no criminal record  in the US.  We've been creeping through some visa issues Here with renewing our Teaching Certificates (complete with ANOTHER medical exam this past Friday.)   We're waiting to see where the next money will come from that we need to further the adoption paperwork.   We're waiting to sign four new teachers than I've worked on recruiting over several months.  We're waiting for final arrangements for Qian Qian's surgery next month...and on and on the list goes.

If I'm not really careful, the above makes a tornado of thought that leaves me sitting and spinning and ANXIOUS for some break in the stalemate.  Herein lies the problem.

When I allow my thoughts to swirl and I get too focused on the angst of waiting...I lose my joy.  My eyes slip from their gaze on Him, in whom ALL these DETAILS are already resolved.  HE KNOWS, and HE has made provision for all these matters.  When I am keeping my eyes and heart focused on Him, allowing his Word to sink deeply into my heart each day...I experience peace.

It is ironic...and shameful...that just a few weeks ago I was reveling in how He attends to every detail, resolved every issue, even BEFORE I often know there is a problem!  This reality was awash over me so recently as I contemplated The Bruiser's needed surgery and medical care,  his acceptance to the charitable hospital which led to my need to remain in the States for a longer period of time, which led to the need for our children to travel back Here without a parent.  Once we realize the significant challenge that was there, nearly immediately, we also discovered His beautiful plan to meet those needs.

I was IMing with a friend who is herself waiting, and waiting, and waiting for an adoption to come to fruition.  I "spoke" of my frustration with some of these waiting matters I listed above.  She said that she couldn't wait to see how He was going to resolve our every need.

Thanks to that dear sister, I was once again aware of my need to cast all my cares upon Him...to not forget this amazing gift He gives us...so that we can experience peace, in the midst of any wait/trial/circumstance.  How marvelous it will be to SEE what He will do!  How He will move mountains again and again and again.

I see a great flaw in my thinking as it pertains to how GOOD He is.  I often find myself viewing His mercy and goodness through a lens I picked up a long time ago.  One that dictates that for every good thing that He does, I must earn it, I MUST do something to deserve it.  And, that there is some sort of "limit" to His miracle working goodness, and that for every miracle we see, we're ever closer to the line where we've used up all our "miracle credit."

The lens dulls my vision, it makes my peripheral vision completely out of focus, so that my eyes can ONLY see the issue just before me.  The headache from looking through this lens muddles my memory of all He has done in our lives.

I am so thankful for the Word that, when I meditate on it...FORCES me to put down that lens and EXPAND my vision of who He is and how indescribably GOOD He is.  It is far beyond what my mind will EVER be able to comprehend.   I was forced to put down that lens just recently when I read again the story of Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan river.

During the last adoptions, a dear sister spoke encouragement to us about our situation and the parting of the Red Sea.  Often that story resonated and built faith in our hearts to believe in the miracles we needed to bring the boys home.

Some time recently, while I was looking through that faith-debilitating lens, I came upon the story of Joshua crossing the Red Sea.  My vision through the lens was viewing our current needs for Nehemiah's adoption as well as The Bruiser's medical needs, and various other difficulties as  BIG PROBLEMS...we will need more miracles to move these mountains for our sons.  When I read the story of Joshua, I simply could not continue to see things as I was...I had to put the lens down and refocus my eyes on the One who parted the Red Sea AND the Jordan river!

From Joshua, Chapter 4:

²⁰ And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. ²¹ He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ ²² tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ ²³For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea^[b] when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. ²⁴ He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”


I was confronted with the truth that the One I put my trust in did not just ONCE part the waters for His people to pass over on dry land through the Red Sea...but AGAIN He did it so that they could pass through the Jordan.  There is no limit on His provision, His mercy, His goodness, His deliverance or His miracles.  If at anytime I'm allowing my thinking to be otherwise...I must change my thinking...


Our part is just like that of those who crossed the Red Sea AND the Jordan...to tell our descendants what He has done..."so that all the peoples of the Earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that we might always fear the Lord (our) God."

I'm thankful this morning that my eyes have returned to their right focus on Him who does miracles...and that my waiting is now joy...the joy of anticipation, for I know how marvelous it will be when He reveals how He intends to move us through the obstacles...on dry land.

Predator & Prey

It was a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon.  We decided to head out on the buses and see what trouble we could stir up.  Daddy had the idea that we take some dice along with us (perfect for the Lord's Day ;) and roll them once we got on the bus...then get off at the stop whose number corresponded with our roll of the die.  Then get onto the first bus that came to the stop, roll and repeat.

What a creative guy!

We didn't get to bring this to fruition fully yet...but next time, we'll be more serious about the fun of it...we HAD to find a pet store to get some fish food...that sort of dictated the direction we had to end up in, at least.

It was a great day to be pressed on the bus with 500 others.  The sweat started to bead on our brows...promising that the furnace will soon be turned on here in our fair city...and we'll walk around constantly sweating for months on end.

Once we reached the fish food store...we decided to prowl the city streets and look in the shops. ) Everything Here is clustered by the products they sell.  If you want a toilet, you go to "toilet street" where you will find 20 shops that sell toilets.  If you need kitchen appliances, you go to "kitchen appliance street" and decide from which of the nearly identical row of shops you want to buy your products.  It seems that, to my western-free-enterprise-style thinking that this is not the best business model...but hey...it works and it is VERY convenient for the consumer.)

Near the fish food shops were many flower shops and live fish shops...and then we came upon one shop selling lovebirds.  The kids were smitten and we gave into an impulse purchase ($20 for birds, cage, food, and two stones apparently important for their beaks.) Below, our new tenants...the girls named them "Paris" and "Helen" as we this week were just studying Greek history and the story from Greek Mythology about the "cause" of the Battle of Troy.  (The History class I teach has now produced names for the cats "Tigris" and "Euphrates" and now "Paris" and "Helen.")

 So I've already mentioned in the paragraph above our two cats, Tigris and Euphrates, who were keenly interested in Paris and Helen.  We thought we'd put the birds up high, on top of the kong tiao (standing air conditioner)...but within about 5 minutes of cheery lovebird song...Tigris had scaled the curtains and had pounced on the cage...very nearly making Paris and Helen another tragic love story.

So, in our desperation, we moved Paris and Helen outside, literally hanging them on our clothesline.  

Below:  Tigris and Euphrates are spellbound by the laundry.

Tomorrow is Monday and we must decide how to bring these four into some sort of peaceful cohabitation.  For tonight, Paris and Helen are locked in the bathroom.  Tigris and Euphrates are resting, delirious from their blood lust. 

Here's to my hope that the children won't have a life science lesson to add to the History lesson.

I just found them...

We have officially experienced our first "kids say stupid/hurtful things" related to our family.

Two days ago Brownie came to my desk at school and said, "Momma, Shannon told Rose and everyone else that you are not Potato's and my REAL Momma.  You just found us.  She said they can tell that you're not our REAL Momma because we're Chinese." (Let me interrupt this story to be clear that the child telling me this tale is Brownie, one of our bio kids.  Apparently she has REALLY assimilated into the culture Here so that her fellow 1st Graders look at her and see her as a Chinese kid.)

I smiled widely, and said, "Now that is silly, isn't it?  Not your REAL Momma?  So then she thinks I'm your FAKE Momma?"

We had only a moment between classes so she sort of crinkled up her nose and gave me a half-hearted smile...and then she went on.

That night, at dinner, she began to tell the story to Daddy.  This time her "twin" Potato, who has been home for five years now, and is in the same 1st Grade class, helped the story along.  Telling us that many of the kids in class were passing around this "fact" that I was not their REAL Momma.  That I FOUND them.

I was a little anxious, wanting to handle this potentially sensitive discourse with some wisdom.

I repeated my, "Isn't that silly? So they think that I'm your fake Momma...and I just found you?"

Potato pipes up with an authoritative, passionate summation of her thoughts on the matter...

"That is SO silly!  GOD found each of us and brought us to our family!"

We recently have been talking about the fact that He has a plan for all of our lives.  That the journey of our lives, the being a "family" was always THE PLAN, He used many different people and circumstances to fulfill His plan for each of our lives.  She was born to be our daughter,  just as those to whom I gave birth.  His plan was for her to come to HER family via adoption, also several of her brothers the same, other siblings came via birth.  But God is the author of all of it..".He found EACH of us and brought us to our family.:"

We pray for everyday for a deeply grounded sense of identity and belonging, for each of us, to our family.  We were so encouraged by the fact that for now, she has that sense of identity firmly in place.

Life on the Range

It has been awhile since I've offered a "newsy" sort of update.  I suppose this sleepless night offers me the opportunity to do so, though I have tons of writing to do for the school play/musical/English performance...

We have good news on the Qian Qian front...looks like in about 3 weeks he'll be traveling with his parents to have his palate surgery!  We've been waiting all winter for him to gain enough weight (now that his lip is closed, it has been much faster) so that he could undergo anesthesia under the hospital protocols.  We'll be sending the family to a city in the South where they will meet up with a team of foreign doctors.  The foreign team will do one week of surgeries and then Qian Qian will remain there for about 2 more weeks while his sutures heal.  Many heartfelt thanks to all of you who have continued to carry Qian Qian in your hearts!  How wonderful it will be to see him taking another giant step toward his future!  We are so blessed that He arrested us on the side of the road and gave us the privilege to participate!

In other amazing news...

We saw Little Kevin (young boy hit by a truck last September)...and he is WALKING!  What an enormous answer to prayer this is!  The last time we saw him, in January, he was unable to walk and was confined to a stroller.  He came to visit the Kindergarten (and Bub's classroom) last week and we're told that if he continues to strengthen, he may soon return to school.  He's lost nearly an entire year of his life to his injury and rehabilitation...but we are so thankful to see how he has been restored!  We are giving praise for this development!

Related to school...

Our character eduction program headed up by the Dean of Students (aka our Daddy) is taking off!  The school has had weekly lessons on various character traits.  This week, Justice, is the morality issue and Daddy produced a 70 page powerpoint depicting visually some of the injustices in the world.  Our students will be confronted with the disparity between images of wealth and poverty.  Please be lifting this up, that seeds will be planted!

We had a huge meeting with local officials (one that I've been hoping for over our 3 years here!)   We are eager to provide our students with a practical outreach, an opportunity to put this character education into practice within the community here.  We were blown away at how positive the meeting went, though less than 12 hours before we were told it was a non-starter!  It was staggering for me to consider that in this meeting,  the language, cultural understanding, and credibility required to not get tossed out the door simply couldn't have culminated until now.  So often we have great ideas, even vision for our future, but we have to be careful not to be too hasty.  We must get in sync with a time schedule far beyond our understanding!

Related to family business...

We are so thrilled to report that The Bruiser has been accepted for treatment into a major charitable hospital this summer!  This is a profound answer to prayer!

His acceptance through us a bit of a curve ball as we found out that his treatment required 10 weeks to correct his feet...not the 6 weeks we had been told by another hospital previously!  We have only 6 weeks furlough each summer before school begins again.

We were astounded to discover that His plan has provided for a long-term substitute for my position (allowing me to remain in the US for The Bruiser's treatment!)   Due to Daddy's Dean position, he must return after only a four week furlough, so this situation will cause for a significant separation of our family, something we are not accustomed to!  Additionally, our dear Grandma D will have her first trip to see our home Here, when she travels with the girls to bring them back before the start of school!

So the boys and I will remain in the US for 12 weeks (living like squatters off friends and family members!!!) ;)  The girls will have 8 weeks to visit their home culture (and will be able to attend their first Fair in 3 years, which used to be the ANNUAL HIGHLIGHT of our summers.)  It is a beautiful picture of how He takes care of our every need, the finest detail, even BEFORE we understand what our needs will be!

On the adoption front...

We are fully in the throes of paperwork now.  We're back in the line-up waiting for immigration approval for Nehemiah.  This wait will be a tough one as we know that he is in a tough spot...and he's getting older...we so hope to have him home before his 5th birthday!  Please lift up with us the need for speedy approvals and the next $2800 we need to send our paperwork on to the next step...we wait and watch for the miracles to unfold!

Now to make a long post, even longer...

These photos are from our recent Spring Field trip for the Elementary school.  I'm mostly posting them because they show a little bit of how many people we rub shoulders with on a trip to "the zoo."  These photos were taken on a Thursday, prime field trip day, in our little city of 10 million.  

 Above:  While we were lining up to go into the "seal show" these folks were doing their daily routine...we see this often...groups of people gathered from morning to night...to exercise.  It is one of the charming things of Here, I think.

Below:  This shot is of a fraction of the seating area for the "seal show," there was not an empty seat in the place...the sound was deafening...throbbing masses of school children!

Below: this was the line for entering the "elephant show"...we stood in this amusement-style line for 30 minutes...every inch of the four winding lanes was jammed with people...everywhere throngs of people!

Below:  walking through the zoo/park with some other patrons...

It is because of this population where we live now that when I visit my home culture I keep thinking, "WHERE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE?!" Truly, it is the strangest thing to me during a furlough in the West...where are all the people?

Below:  These students where snapping photos and practicing their English with Daddy...a daily phenomenon for us...they were so cute...and so excited about seeing a foreigner!

 Below:  another shot of some park patrons on Field Trip day...

 Below:  one of our students...(he's the one in the hat)

Below:  a few familiar students pose for a shot

Below:  Tomb Sweeping holiday has just concluded Here.  As we did not have any ancestors' tombs to sweep, we took advantage of the extra day off school to go to our local shopping area...these are a few photos of that...

Potato gets a ride on Magpie...

Below:  The Bug and Brownie sporting her new glasses...we found out a few weeks ago during a routine eye check by the school nurse that Brownie's eyes were not seeing distance very well...so off we traipsed to the eye doctor...upon wearing her new eyewear...she said after about 20 minutes..."Momma!  I can see!"  I felt SO BAD!  Immediately, her work in Chinese class (where she has to identify hundreds of characters comprised of fine strokes often from flashcards or written on the whiteboard) has dramatically improved!

Below:  Daddy and the tribe...no, we're not too conspicuous while out shopping...

Below:  In front of the main entrance to our little shopping area...it supposedly has the "longest pedestrian shopping area" anywhere...well, it sounds impressive!

We should be able to blend in with all this activity around us...right?

 Below:  Since we're in year 3 with no personal vehicle...we ride the city bus.  This is a photo of a typical bus stop where we must fight for position, run to an approaching bus, press ourselves (sometimes shouting) on the bus...it is always high stress!  This line up of people, here extending several feet OFF the bus stop and into the street, was nearly 1 city block long!

Okay, enough for this ridiculously long post.  Sorry that I've been off my normal rhythm of writing...I do hope to be past my adoption paperwork, writing the school play, and tax stuff soon!

All for One!