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).

3rd Prize

Our local favorite ice cream and a long standing Cincinnati tradition, Graeter's is celebrating 140 years of the yummiest ice cream in the country. To celebrate they are offering several fun events, one of the them being a coloring contest. Seeing that the each child received a free ice cream just for entering, each kid was excited about the contest. Imagine my surprise the week after we dropped off their pictures when I got an email saying that Tori had won 3rd prize! And that she needed to come and pick up her prize.

Way to go, Super T!

Birthdays and other random musings

Last week was Andy's birthday and tomorrow is mine. And for both of them we are apart (he is back in China and I am currently at my parents'). So maybe this is one of the reasons that the birthday does not seem like a big deal. Though I am told that this number is the beginning of middle age. Really? Huh. I don't feel middle aged. My response to that is that I won't be middle aged until I have a teenager. Somehow those are linked in my mind. No clue as to why. . .

Sure I will go out to eat with my parents tomorrow. And I really don't dread the day or even the getting older. But for some reason it just seems like another day. I think a bigger day for me is our anniversary. Which coincidentally is next week. And you guessed it, we will be apart for that one too. For me that seems like a more significant marking of time. This year we celebrate 12 years. 12 years of wonderful life -- challenges and adventures and through it all just walking it together. So to my wonderful companion on this journey, happy birthday and anniversary (though you can't read this due to the great firewall. hmm, maybe I will email it to you). We will have some celebrating to do when I get home!

Great anticipation

Becca had been waiting with great anticipation for camp for so many months. Now as I am going to pick her up today, I await with great anticipation to hear about her week.

Eagerly awaiting the time to go.

B with some of the girls from her cabin.