Blog slacker

Wow, has it really been 10 days since my last post? Gracious, I really am a blog-slacker recently. So, I haven't blogged because I have just been so busy. What have been doing, you ask? Umm, well, nothing really exciting, just life. Going to class, the market, picking up and dropping off kids, studying. Life is just marching along. As an aside, today marks 2 years of us living in China. Time has just flown especially this last year. While I am sure that there are things about this culture that will always perplex me, so much I just take in stride and think nothing about anymore. I have been pondering recently about not blogging anymore. I feel like I am telling the same stories over. Thoughts?

Huh? Ohio?

Found this hat in a small park just outside Suzhou. Can you read the fine print at the bottom?

Happy Mother's Day!

We spent this weekend in Xi'an and had a wonderful time. Maybe not your typical Mother's Day. . . but then again when have we been typical. Last night (Mother's Day evening in China) we called each of our Moms from the train to wish them a happy Mother's day. Though we got to talk with each of them briefly, it was wonderful to pass on well-wishes. And fun because since they knew that we would be traveling neither of them expected a call from us. I don't really get into the "Hallmark-y" holidays, but I think the exception might have to be Mother's Day. I think that Moms can be the most under-appreciated people. They do so much and it is usually done quietly in the background. Kind of like stage managers, quietly orchestrating things behind the scenes. Andy and I have been blessed with exceptional Moms. So, I just want to thank each of them.

Mom, thank you for always believing in me and giving of yourself to both David and I. Thank also for being so faithful in our communication (especially since our move). I also greatly appreciate how you take time with each of our kids.

Duease, thank you for raising such an exceptional son. He is such a great husband and father and I know that a big part of that is because of you. I also treasure my relationship with you. You are such a blessing in my life!

Thank you each for supporting and loving us, even when our dreams took us so far away from you. You are each wonderful and I know that we wouldn't be the people we are without your influence. We love you!

Should be

This week I have midterms. This weekend I should have studied a bit more, but the weather was beautiful and we had a 3 day holiday. I should be studying right now. But in a few minutes, I will snuggle up with little T and read a stack of books. Tonight I should be studying, but a friend is having a birthday party. Now in between the two, I will be hitting the books hard, but I have a feeling the tests will be hard and I could some extra time. But given a choice between reading to my girlie and studying what do you think that I will choose? I feel this need, this pressure to do well. But really, that is mostly self-imposed. I have come to realize that while there is nothing wrong with doing well. Doing well and sacrificing time with the things that really matter (like the kiddos) puts it into perspective. Now I am off to read as I should do. :-)