Silence

Often when I have a period of silence of blogging it generally means that I am just too busy to write. But this last week, unfortunately my silence has been for another reason. I have spent much of the last week sick. :-P So while the kids were off to their first days of school, I spent much of my time on the couch. Though I am still not feeling great, I hope to be doing well enough for my first day of school tomorrow. But for now, I think the couch is calling to me for one more nap...

WHAT is that on the bike?

When you need to transport something and you don't have a car, what do you do? Clearly, you transport using what you have. Can you see what this man is carrying on the back of his bike? A tank containing goldfish and small goldfish bowls. He is ready to park somewhere and sell his fish! As long as they make it to the destination without sloshing over the edge. :-)

Last Ice Cream

Tori enjoying a last ice cream at Graeter's.

Wisdom according to Becca

Becca was watching me weigh all of our suitcases (because I ALWAYS run out of weight before I run out of space, we have some seriously BIG suitcases). She had a good thought: "Mom, why don't they let you check more weight in your suitcases if you weigh less?" Hmm, I think that she might have a good point.

Bittersweet

Our time in the US is rapidly slipping away. I would say that leaving our home in the US and returning home to China is definitely bittersweet. We miss Andy. We miss our friends in China. I am seriously missing good Chinese food. Well, at least authentic Chinese food. This year I didn't even try to eat at a Chinese restaurant (last year it was a disappointing experience). But at the same time, we are so sad to say good bye to family and friends. I will miss driving. I will miss all those conveniences of living here. Hard to explain what I thinking and feeling today. Our bags are packed. The kids are off at the zoo enjoying a last day in the US. And I am feeling melancholy. I think today is my day to grieve leaving the US. Tomorrow I will be excited and ready to get on the plane. But I just need today to say goodbye. Which is kind of ironic considering I haven't seen anybody today. Thank you, dear friends and family for a great summer. For keeping in touch with us and making time for us when we are back. Know that when I get on that plane tomorrow, I will leave a part of my heart here with you all.

Rite of Passage

Yesterday Becca got her ears pierced. Somehow that seems like a rite of passage. The beginning of body adornment, the road leading to jewelry and make-up. My little girl, my first born is well on her way to being a young woman. If I stop and think of the road that lies ahead, it can be overwhelming and scary. Things like dating and puberty. Boys and make-up. But then I pause and look at my girlie, and see her sweet spirit, her love and concern for others, and her integrity, then I think this will be okay. I know the road is still long, but I am encouraged by the young woman she is becoming.

She looks so worried!

On the second ear looking a little less worried.

My beautiful girlie.

Week to go

We are on the home stretch of our visit to the U.S. And I must say that I am pretty much ready to go back to China. I miss Andy and being in our own house. So I have begun the organization of the packing. When we come back to the U.S., I am not stressed about packing and usually just pack the day before we leave. Going back to China is a different story. There are a number of things that we buy here and take back with us. In fact, I roll up several duffel bags within our suitcases and then fill those with all of our goods. I think that I am mostly done with the shopping. In all honesty, even if I wasn't I just reach a point where I declare it done. Because I am strange and am not the biggest fan of shopping. Then I either have to find it in China or just deal without it. My packing list looks like the most random of things.

• Deodorant (a year's supply)
• Books
• Spices (grilling spices, taco seasoning, cajun seasoning)
• Toothpaste
• Vitamins
• Even more books
• Coffee

While I have plenty of room, I am a little concerned about weight. But even in spite of that, I think there is one more trip to Half Price Books in our future. Because everyone knows, you can never have too many books! (Especially in a country where buying English books, especially children's books is difficult).