Summer Poem

I just needed to share this with you. The kids have been playing school together recently. Of course, Becca is the teacher. She assigned a Summer accrostic poem to Josh. Here is what he wrote:

SUMMER:
Swimming, visit

U.S.A.,

Meet family and friends, eat

Meat,

Eat other yummy foods,

Read books.

By Josh Wilcox

And there you have it, through the eye of my boy what our summer is all about.

you can take our kids out of China. . .

but some behaviors are just second nature by now. If we have to wait in any kind of line at all, our kids drop down into a squat position.

Not even in line, just waiting for the rest of the family to emerge from the restaurant.

And Josh even found a bit of shade.

Tori is using her stirring sticks as chopsticks to get all the whipped cream our of her strawberry smoothie.

normalcy

This week was so very normal. At least a typical summer week in the U.S. Filled with things like swimming lessons, camps for the older two, trips to the pool and LOTS of ice cream. So far, we have been pretty consistent and have had ice cream almost every day since landing in the States. It's hard work fitting a year of ice cream into just 7 weeks.

Josh with his swim teacher Nate. Loved the individual pairing of experienced swimmers with those still learning. 

Working on freestyle.

At the beginning of the week, Tori was using floaties and didn't like putting her face in the water. By the end of the week, she was swimming underwater, had learned to do both front and back floats, and passed the intermediate swim test at the YMCA. She is so determined that when she puts her mind to something, there is no stopping her!

People upon finding out that we live in China, make comments like: "Wow, you are so lucky." "It must be quite an experience for you and your children." "What a valuable childhood for them." And while each of these are true, sometimes I just miss the normalcy of life in the States. As you read this (Mom), don't get too excited. I don't miss it enough to move back. At least not yet. But our time here in the summer provides us with those snippets of American life.

Closing ceremonies of camp. B had such a great week. She looks forward to this week all year long. And this year didn't disappoint. Josh went for an overnight and will tackle the week-long-deal next year.

We miss things like meeting friends at the park. The convenience of driving. Ah, don't get me started on how much easier transportation is here. . . But our life is rich and full in China as well. How could I give up my favorite Sichuan restaurant? The diversity of our neighborhood? Each day is an adventure. The summer here provides the balance we need of comfort in contrast to the adventures of our daily life there.

T loves the garden and never misses an opportunity to help pick veggies.

So excited to be holding a hot pepper (that she only enjoys picking NOT eating).

And this summer is living up to expectations and providing all the comfort and calm that we could hope for. Though, I am seriously missing Andy. He left Monday and we are now down to 21 days until we see him again. Also must confess that I am getting a little tired of the 1 pair of shorts, 3 skirts, 10 t-shirts, and 4 tanks I packed. The downside to packing light. Maybe some shopping is in order?

The library. I cannot tell you how much we love the library. I think the library is one of Josh's favorite places in the world.

I love the pile of books sitting off to the side, just waiting to be read.

Hope that you enjoy your weekend!

camp

Each summer as we come back to the US, there are things that are familiar to our children. These things and people mean more to me than I can express. Because our children's reality and norm is NOT the States. I wonder if it is strange and overwhelming for them to be here or comforting like it is to Andy and I. I know that since Becca remembers living here, for her there is comfort of coming back to familiar places and seeing so many people she knows. I am not sure that it is true for our younger two. Most of their life has been spent in China. But because this is not our children's norm, I worry about things that would not even be on my radar in Suzhou or if we lived here. As I drop Tori off for Sunday school, she gets worried. She told me: "what if I don't know anyone? what if they don't like me? what if they laugh at me?" And how can I as a Mom, not worry? But then a special friend comes along that she remembers and makes her feel right at home. And that means so much more than I can express.

Sunday I dropped Becca off at camp. This is a church camp that she attends every year and she knows some girls who attend as well. But when we got there, she discovered that one of her good friends who she was looking forward to being with was in a different cabin. And of course I worried. I mean, she only knew a handful of people there and it felt like others know one another so well. I even asked if she wanted me to talk to someone and see if she could be moved. And my girlie, so mature answered, "no, Mom. It will work out. I am disappointed that I won't be with Sarah, but I will see her and maybe even make some new friends." Yeah, message received: RELAX A BIT, MOM.

I don't think I will ever really let go and not worry about our kids. I mean, what mother can ever stop worrying? I will always watch them as we come back into this familiar-environment-but-not-quite-their-home. But at the same time, I will try to relax. To trust that this transition is not as big as I make it. Really, I will try to relax. Not making any promises though.

time flies

Here we are at July 20th and this is the first time I have had to sit down and even think about a post. I feel like there is so much that I could share and so much we have done over the last 16 days. But since a picture  is worth more than my words, I will share snipets and let the pictures do the talking.

Seattle, Washington

Top of the Space Needle. If you look real close, you can see Rainer in the background. This was the 4th of July. See our girls displaying their pride in our country?

Foothills of the Cascades. Hiking at Watts Falls (or something similar starting with a W. it has been a whirlwind)

Beth and I. (Roommates in college and like a sister to me. Don't you just love friendships like this?)

At a park beside Lake Washington

 Indianpolis, Indiana

Connor Praire. We are blessed to come back to so many friends that it is impossible to see everyone. Our kids and some of their friends that we got to spend the day with.

how sweet are they? born only months apart, I have been friends with their mommies forever. and now our girls continue the friendship.

 Dayton, Ohio

Can you see what she is holding? My girl, the one who fears crabs and most creepy crawly things, LOVES daddy long legs. Go figure.

T looking way too serious while enjoying a s'more.
 Have I mentioned that we plan to eat ice cream every day? And are pretty close to succeeding? 

 Cincinnati, Ohio

Just look at the lush greenery. This would be one of those things I don't even realize I miss until I am back here and am stunned by the amazing beauty found in a backyard.

Josh is on a mission to lose most of his teeth that are loose while we are in the US. I think he figured out that the exchange rate is better if he gets US dollars. Savvy boy. Here he is showing a creative way to eat corn on the cob when you are missing a front tooth and the other is loose.

Andy leaves in 5 days to return to China. And then we will spend the next 4 weeks apart (actually 25 days to be exact). I am not looking forward to seeing him go. But I also know that as I watch our kids soak up time with family and doing quintessential American things, our time here is worthwhile. And yes you read that right, we have been to 4 cities in 3 states in 16 days. There was a stretch of time that each day Tori would ask me, "now, which city are we in?"

taking a breath

In the midst of packing, I am stopping to take a breath. So instead of doing something productive, I am blogging. I am so looking forward to being back to the US. After living outside our home country for more than 3 years, I have a greater appreciation for it. We will be back for our first 4th of July on US soil in 4 years and the kids and I are pretty excited about it. I can't really even explain why. Other than I just appreciate our country and what it stands for. When you live in a country that is so different than ours, this becomes more obvious. I will never again take for granted my right to vote, my right to protest and make my voice heard, or my many other freedoms. So this fourth, I want to challenge each of us to remember and be thankful for what our country stands for. I think that it can be easy to be cynical and judgmental of our government. While our government is less than perfect, if we disagree we can let that be known and not fear jail time or worse. And join me as we keep in mind those many around the globe who would love for a chance to make their voice heard.

And, . . . how did I get here? I guess when your mind is going in a million different directions this is what happens. In lighter and more humorous stream of consciousness, our kids are cracking up that we are going back in time tomorrow. We leave Shanghai at 9:30 AM on Saturday and then arrive in Seattle at 9:15 AM on Saturday. Tomorrow is going to be a L-O-N-G day (starting at 4:00 AM). So on that note, I will sign off. Hope to see many of you while we are back!

Sunday Snapshot: Last week

We are in the final week of our countdown -- 5 days. Not only is this the last week before our visit back to the US, it is also our last week with a French family that we count as really good friends. It is very likely that they will be moving while we are in the US. Josh and Matteo (their son) are the best of friends. And Tori and Elise (their daughter) are super close. This is going to be really hard for our two youngest ones. So we have been trying to take advantage of our time together. Last week the girls were outside playing and I seized the opportunity to grab the camera and capture the moment.

To our dear friends, the Jourdans, it has been such a privilege to get to know you.

We have loved watching our kids enjoy one another and grow so much together.

You are so dear to us. And you will be greatly missed.

But as you go on the next part of your journey,

we were glad for the time we had with you and hope that you continue to be part of our lives.

Since I don't want to say goodbye or even au revoir, I will just say it in Chinese: 再见！(zàijàin, which literally means not goodbye, but see you again).