Parks and Strawberries

We have been finding more and more beautiful places around our city. One of my friends takes me somewhere new regularly. A few weeks ago she took me to a nearby park and strawberry pickin'. The weather was beautiful and sunny with a slight breeze. The flowers and scenery were beautiful. Grady always tags along so Britton can keep doing language.

This area was so pretty. It kind of looks like fall. 

 pretty mountains. I really want to go back here by myself, just sit, and take in the beauty of nature.

 me with my friend

 This park also has several monkeys...scary monkeys I might add.

 After walking around the park, we picked some strawberries at another place. It smelled so nice, and I've never seen such red strawberries.

 There were yummy too.

 Right next to where we picked our berries...so pretty.

 The more I see of our city, the more I'm thankful to live here.

Eating and Sitting

Grady is growing so very fast. I enjoy every day that I see his sweet smile and watch him move. He's done so great with learning how to do things. I don't know if it's because he constantly watches his brother or because he doesn't have reflux like Caden had (PTL...so very thankful, he isn't effected by that!). Caden didn't sit up until he was 8 1/2 months because we didn't know he was so uncomfortable from his reflux. Grady is 6 months and has started to sit up and seems to be pretty steady. He's also been eating well. He prefers to sit in my lap and hold the spoon with me and feed himself. So far, he's had rice cereal, oatmeal, avocados, carrots, bananas, pumpkin (his favorite...with a little cinnamon), squash, applesauce, and sweet potatoes. I'm having to make some food, but thank goodness Britton's mom, grandmother, and aunt sent us some Gerber baby food...makes my life a whole lot easier. Here's my sweet boy.

He loves Caden's seat especially since it comes with a toy. I'm thinking he'll cut a tooth in the next month or so because he's drooling a ton and gnawing on everything like a dog chewing on a bone.

 He really is so happy...got his mama's mouth.

 I love this face. It's his happy-go-lucky, not a care in the world face. He's very interested in making noises with his mouth these days, especially spitting at people. Don't take offense; it means he really likes you!

 This is quite possibly my favorite photo of him to date. He's so sweet. Just precious.

 His first bite of food...rice cereal. He didn't love it but didn't hate it either.

 He immediately decided he wanted to feed himself.

 'Where'd my cereal go?!'

 He really really likes pumpkin. And I really really like fixing it because it's so easy and mushes right up.

 Yay for my big boy sitting up all by himself. He started doing this a little over a week ago when Britton was on a trip. Now, he can sit up without supporting himself by his hands. He's still a little shaky and doesn't sit for a super long time, but he's getting there. I love his face here...

So proud of my healthy boy. Love him!

Potty Training

Oh potty training. Some say, "It was so easy. He/she figured it out in a day." Others say, "We started too soon. He/she wasn't ready." Then others say, "He/she was ready, but it just takes a lot of patience." We would be in the last category. I really believe Caden was ready to start potty training. He's been 'interested' for a while now, and we have to take into account all of our travels and when the best time to start something like this really is. It also really makes things hard when you have a person from another culture helping to potty train...not to mention, in her culture, the kids have splits in their pants and they just squat wherever (and I do mean wherever) and go. We started potty training last month with Caden. He's had some really awesome days, and some really terrible days (a terrible day being pooping in his underwear 3 times and peeing several times). He's definitely had the hardest time going poop, but he's come a long way. I know there's tons of blogs, books, and opinions on potty training, but it really does differ with every kid and we have just tried to help Caden how Caden can be helped. It's just a road of perseverance and remembering that he won't poop or pee in his pants forever! He really is doing great. We're proud of him and really just can't believe he's so big.

He was so happy to put his new underwear on, then pee in them soon thereafter :o) I ordered him some pixar underwear complete with Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Nemo, The Incredibles, and Cars. 

He also was really excited to sit on the potty and read Daddy's Sports Illustrated magazines. He hopped right up there and started reading like he was a grown man. We were pretty much invisible. It really helped us to start training when he could communicate better to us. Now, he tells us to leave the bathroom when he has to poop. Who wants an audience (says the mom posting photos of her kid on the potty!)?

 We decided to do a sticker reward chart, and it was really great for Caden. He could see his progress and had an incentive to go. You must first put the sticker on his hand, then he puts the sticker on his chart. He's very particular.

He filled up his first chart, so we had to make a new one. In case you're wondering, yes, the smaller Toy Story stickers are for peeing and the big animal stickers are for pooping. We make a big deal out of pooping, because who wants to clean that up?! In the words of Caden, 'Yucky!'

Yay for potty training, and yay for saving money on diapers!

Easter

I kind of feel like this is when Easter should be happening, but who am I to decide?! Last week, the weather felt like it was winter. We had our heater on all weekend! Then this week it's been in the 80s and the sun has been glaring (so bright that one day I got dizzy and felt like I was going to pass out!)! A friend told me yesterday that people hear say that Spring and Fall disappeared, and we went straight from winter to summer, which is a shame because Spring and Fall are the absolute best weather! Oh well. Here's hoping Spring will make an appearance. This year, our Easter was very low key, but that helped me really focus on the day and being grateful for the Lord overcoming death so that I can be restored to Him. Fortunately, it was a beautiful sunny day that day, and we had a great time with friends.

I drew this on our chalkboard paper. I like drawing something for different occasions. Britton and I got to chat with each other while I drew it. We had fun talking about our hobbies and what we would do if we had more time. I'm just glad I actually had some time to sit down and do something I enjoy.

 No family photo, but I at least got a quick snapshot of Grady's first Easter. He's wearing the same outfit that Caden wore his first Easter.

 Happy Resurrection Day!

HK

We recently had to go on a visa run and medical run to Hong Kong. It was a very quick visit over 3 days and 2 nights with half of that being travel. The worst part is always getting through customs. After a plane flight, 2 bus rides, 2 hours of waiting in lines, and a taxi ride, we finally got there. We went straight to the doctor to get Grady's immunizations. The next day we celebrated Britton's 28th birthday. Here's some shots of our quick trip.

After Grady's shots, we grabbed some pizza at a New York style pizza place. It was so delicious.

 They had a 24 inch pizza. It was HUGE! Britton said, we should get a 24in just to get it. I looked at him like that's the biggest waste of money, which it would have been. I think we ended up getting the 16in. Caden had the worst attitude while waiting because of the long day of travel with tons of waiting and no nap. We finally got back to our hotel, ate pizza, and went to bed!

 that's one slice...Grady's first food. That's ok right? ;o)

 Our hotel room. They upgraded us. The room was super nice. We were so glad they had a baby bed for Grady. The first night, Caden slept with us as you can see in this picture, but with his feet in my back and his head in Britton's chest, we decided to turn that couch around enclosed next to our bed, and it worked perfectly. I slept much better and didn't worry about him turning over and hitting me in the head!

 The morning of Britton's birthday we went to the dentist. It was a super nice office with really nice people. I got x-rays and talked with the dentist first and kept Grady with me in the stroller. Britton and Caden got their teeth cleaned first. This was Caden's first time to the dentist, so I had no idea how he would do. I hyped it up to him the week before. The hygienist was so great. Britton laid down with Caden in the really pink chair. It really really really helped that they had flat screen tv's on their ceiling and Caden got to watch Cars. He also had chocolate flavored toothpaste...sounds disgusting, but I had it too and it actually wasn't too bad. I was so proud of him! We were in and out in under 2 hours. We all had good reports, which made things even better.

 After the dentist, we headed over to McD's for lunch and enjoyed some Western food. Caden showing off his clean pearly whites.

 After McD's, we went to the greatest import store ever. I could spend hours in there gazing at the gigantic bags of chocolate chips, huge containers of spices, canned goods, and so much more. We rode the ferry back over to where our hotel was, which is always a fun ride. That morning on the way to the dentist, we had to walk a lot more than we expected and were in a huge hurry but had just enough time to grab some Starbucks. We hopped on the ferry that was leaving and ate some breakfast on the boat. I took a sip of my beloved Starbucks and unfortunately burnt my tongue. We then docked into the station, and after my one sip, I spilled the entire cup all over the ferry!! I was so sad. I just glared straight ahead and chuckled a moment. Britton knew I had been waiting for that and said he would make sure I got a cup. Our last morning I finally enjoyed a yummy mocha. Better late than never.

 on the ferry...Happy Birthday Britton!

 The view from our hotel was so beautiful. I loved that we could see the harbor.

 That night we went to Outback steakhouse for dinner and walked alongside the water to see all the lights. It really is a beautiful city, but I really wouldn't want to live there.

 Walking home was fun as long as Caden stayed on Britton's shoulders.

 Ok. This was definitely the worst part of the trip, but my little man is such a trooper. This actually happened at the beginning of the trip right when we finally checked into our hotel. Grady had a blow out, so Britton was changing his clothes while I tried to wash all the poop off. Our hotel room had, what Britton calls, cutesy architecture design, which really ends up being useless space. The windows were jagged and had a ledge all the way across. Caden thought it was the best climbing spot. Well, he got a little too sandwiched, fell (although we didn't see the fall), and ended up with this for his eye. I was SO grateful it was not any closer to his eye or we would have been staying a little longer. He cried but not for long. He's such a trooper and tough little man. It immediately bruised, which confirmed everyone's suspicions here that we beat him because he always has a bruise somewhere. He's just a clumsy kid. There's a saying here that we use for him that is literally translated, "Stupid hands, stupid feet." His eye is much better now. I love the people that point to his eye and say, 'Oh!' then look at us like, 'Did you notice his eye looks really bad?!' We always have to have some kind of story! This was taken in the airport before heading back home. Poor kid was SO tired. He was asking to sit in the front of the stroller where Grady usually sits. I walked him around and within 5 minutes he was asleep. We just held Grady, but it was worth not dealing with tired Caden.

 It was a whirlwind of a trip but still fun and good memories. I'm sure it will be the memory of, "Remembr that time we went to Hong Kong for your birthday and Caden busted his eye?!" We're hoping before we go back to the states to take a few extra days in HK on another visa run to go to Disneyland. I know Caden will love it, and Grady will be over a year by then, so that should be fun too. Here's hoping!

Alone time

I've really learned a lot about myself while living overseas. I think the number one thing I've learned is how much I fuel on time alone. If I don't have a little bit of time where no one is bothering me or desperately needing me for something then rest assure I will be running on empty. A little bit goes a long way so I can recharge and keep going. Britton and I have begun for 3 months now having one day a month where we have a day of reflection and refocus. We take a day, but it ends up being more like a half day when you factor in kids and all that entails...so is the way life goes. In a previous blog, you read about some of my woes and struggles from another one of those reflection days. This past week I took a day to rest and refocus and really took a hard look at my relationship with my kids. Needless to say, over the weekend I had the toughest battle with Caden. So much surrounds the battles I fight with him these days. It makes life incredibly hard and frustrating when a third person (our house helper) is involved in helping raise him. It often seems like our hard work is flushed down the drain when he is spoiled to pieces and allowed to get away with anything. All that said, we are also working on how to handle our house helper handling Caden. This is all the more reason for us to learn this language and be done with full time language so we don't need full time help anymore!

I have been so busy, too busy, lately that once again my priorities are out of whack, and I end up occupying my kids time some other way so I can get things done rather than just spending time with them and helping them grow. In my head, my priorities are very clear. I know exactly the right order things should be in, but my life most certainly does not reflect that order. The things I want to do become demands and seemingly must be done before I do the things that really need to be done. I need to let go of some things. A friend recently told me that in this phase of life (small kids and full time language study) that I will be a C student in some areas that I used to be an A student in. For instance, my home is generally clean and organized, but right now there are days when there are mounds of laundry. It is also very rare that there are dirty dishes in the sink by the time I go to bed, but there have been nights when the dishes are there for two or more nights because spending time with my husband or just going to sleep is more important. If certain things don't get done because I'm investing in relationships, then a C it is. This is so very hard to accept and so very hard to put into practice. Life simply isn't what it used to be, but it is also the best it could be. The Lord is always faithful to fill my cup and keep my going. Here are some of my thoughts from my journal that day of struggling with the things I want to do verses the things I need to do (and trying to make those needs, 'wants').

"I am dropping the ball many times on raising my kids. I struggle to find balance in the busyness of life. I often find myself trying to do things the same way before kids. I start gasping for air because I'm so overwhelmed with my lack of free time. Where does my time go? I don't do any of the things I want to and also don't feel like I'm teaching my kids anything. This is a lie and leads me to demanding more time. The truth is I do get things (many things) done that I want to -- just not as fast as before. I am teaching my kids life lessons mainly through my own life, but I study them and care for their needs and try to be creative in having fun. If I am not intentional in being alone with God and His Word then everything is off track, out of whack, and imbalanced. I demand time alone because I've spent zero time with the Lord. But once I finally get that time I do the other things I'm 'wanting' to do. I'm not refueled at all because what should be my #1 priority isn't a priority at all. It's not even in the category of things I 'want' to do. I desperately need a hunger for the Word. Life is warped and frustrating if that desire is not in me. For the believer, the Holy Spirit makes it a natural desire to be in the Word, but it is my sin that distorts that. The other things I want to do and need to do are not sin in and of themselves, but when they are greater than my desire for the Lord, they become sin. In this, I am surely the chief of sinners. The Lord is waiting to do so much in my heart. It doesn't require a whole day -- just a few moments. Lord, give me a hunger for You and Your Word so that I want You more than anything.

"I get defensive when I feel like time is being taken away from me. It produces complaining, frustration, entitlement, anger, pride, and the list goes on. Lack of time will always happen so I must keep perspective in those times rather than trying to keep things from happening. Always keep an open mind and heart. The things taking away my time are actually things the Lord has allowed to happen. Ask, 'What is the Lord trying to teach me in this?' Maybe He's trying to teach me patience or humility, a kind heart or peace and delight in Him (instead of feelings of being overwhelmed). What must change? My #1 priority must change. If my main purpose of each day is to spend time with the Lord in some form or fashion, He will surely take care of the rest. Never think that just because you are doing good that you are truly serving the Lord. If all you are doing is doing what the Lord called you to and not actually having a relationship with Him then what you are doing is meaningless even if it is good."

Romans 7-8 really encouraged me that day in what the Lord was teaching me. I want my motives to change and to have a yearning desire to seek hard after my Savior.

"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" ~Romans 7:21-25a

Chapter 8 is a huge encouragement and reminder of what the Spirit makes possible in the life of a believer.

I'm so thankful for alone time, not because I can get so much done but because the Lord always speaks in those still quiet moments.

A friendly visit

I love random emails that say, 'Hey I have some free time and want to come see you. Can I do that?' I wish that would happen more often, but I'm thankful for getting that email from a friend that lives an overnight train ride away. She lived with us in the states for 2 months just before moving overseas, so she knows us pretty well. Her room was even right next to Caden's, so she got to wake up often to his 10 month old cries at the time...wow, the time flies. I'm so grateful for any visit from anyone. Can you come see us? :o)

Right around the time my friend came, we actually saw the moon! Since our city is usually cloudy (we're talking takes 10 solid minutes going through clouds when flying), we were excited to get to see it. It's the little things that keep us amazed.

 me and my friend at a famous spot in my city

 One night we went with some friends to a super yummy restaurant. Not much better than good friends and good food.

 You might think it looks gross, but it was some of the yummiest food. My favorite was the green beans in what tasted like terriaki sauce. I could've eaten the whole bowl by myself, and I think I mostly did.

The waiters and waitresses were all dressed up.

After our yummy food, the girls headed over to get a massage. One of our favorite parts is when they light the end of these stick things and put it in a glass cup. Then they suction the glass cup to the bottom of your foot. It's supposed to help make your blood flow better. I just like watching them handle the fire then being scared to death when they wave it around.

Grady came along with us since it was a last minute thing and he would have to eat. He got fussy a few times, so he joined me in the chair. What 4 month old (at the time) doesn't love a good massage?!

we finished out her stay with a movie together.

Good times of togetherness.