When we first arrived in China, the first few months of eating were rough on all of us. The first month, we spent living in a hotel room, so we ate out a lot. The following few months, I was adjusting to cooking in a kitchen I didn't understand and with ingredients I wasn't as familiar with. I tried new recipes, and often threw the finished product in the trash. During that time, Josiah mainly lived off of Ritz crackers and raisins. Literally. He gradually started eating yogurt and Chinese food, but it took a while for him to transition.
These days, I'm comfortable in the kitchen and a much better cook than I was even in the comfort of the States. But, I still lack a serious skill.....
...making all veggies so delicious that my kids and I want to gobble them up. Who has this skill? A LOT of Chinese people!
In particular, our helper. She comes once or twice a week to clean and cook for us. She is amazing! She buys the ingredients she needs to cook, and whips up 4-5 dishes every time. And my kids devour her food--every time!
For example, the other day she made homemade tortillas with 4 different fillers: green peppers and potatoes, tofu and bean sprouts, broccoli and garlic, celery and potatoes...and then a sauce with eggs in it (sounds gross, but was DELISH).
I had to chuckle tonight as the kids and I all scarfed down 4 wraps. At one point, I had just helped each boy take a bite, and bean sprouts and tofu were hanging out of both of their mouths. If we still lived in the States, I'm not sure this would have ever happened.
Another interesting thing? We eat much less meat here, and don't even notice it! In our home, we eat mostly chicken, and usually only a few times a week. The veggie dishes are so good that we don't even miss the meat!
I have some serious learning to do.
*I'm not trying to make anyone feel bad, just trying to share that kids (and formerly very picky adults!) can love just about anything if it's made with some pizzazz!!
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Times are a Changin'
Out of the blue, Josiah starts this conversation with Erika, who is visiting right now
Josiah: Do you have any games?
Erika: No, do you?
Josiah: No, I don't have a phone.
Ha! We do have board games that he also loves to play, but I guess his mind was just on electronic games at the moment!
Josiah: Do you have any games?
Erika: No, do you?
Josiah: No, I don't have a phone.
Ha! We do have board games that he also loves to play, but I guess his mind was just on electronic games at the moment!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Easter!
On Easter Sunday, we went to a friend/former tutor's house to have dinner and play. Her son is also 3, so he and Josiah hit it off well. Who cares that they don't speak the same language?! All they needed were toy guns and all those "boy" noises! :)
The day after Easter, a group of my classmates and our tutors had a party. We dyed eggs, decorated cookies, and told the Easter story with the help of Resurrection Eggs. It was a lot of fun and cool to see how much the locals already knew of the story!
**Oh, and yes, the kids didn't have special "Easter attire" this year because it's still so cold! So, they just wore their spiffy winter attire. Ah well...they sure didn't notice!
I brought along some eggs filled with treats and we hid them around one of the bedrooms. Sadly, it was still too cold and too much ice was on the ground to do an outdoor hunt. But, the boys didn't care! It was EnTong's first hunt, and he had a blast!
Then we sat around and played the piano, guitar, and danced. Such a fun family!!
The day after Easter, a group of my classmates and our tutors had a party. We dyed eggs, decorated cookies, and told the Easter story with the help of Resurrection Eggs. It was a lot of fun and cool to see how much the locals already knew of the story!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Malachi's words
Gēgē)--which means "older brother," which is what he calls Josiah. He also sort of hums words. For example, I'll say "thank you," exaggerating my tones, and he'll respond to me like a little parrot, mimicking those tones. So cute. He'll say "mama" and "dada" on command, but still doesn't call us those names. Someday, right?
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
The Trip Home
The trip back to Chiberia started at 5am. We had called a red truck taxi(also need a pic of this---think of a pick-up with a cover over it, and benches inside..confusing?!) the night before and scheduled for him to pick us up at 5:10am to catch our 7:50 flight. We waited for him with another family that was heading back to China on the same flight. A red truck pulled up at 5:!0, but with another family inside, and the family we had been waiting with knew it was theirs. We continued to wait, swatting at mosquitoes and driving the kids around in the stroller to keep them moving, hoping to keep the blood-sucking bugs off of them.
5:25 rolled around. I told Michael he needed to call. He did, and woops! The driver didn't know which families he was taking, and didn't realize he was supposed to take all 3 bunches of us. So, he said he would be there in 10 minutes. Poor guy, felt so bad. We didn't mind..we figured we would still be ok for the flight.
When we arrived, it was pushing 6:00. We got in line..a long line. It seemed to just crawl. When we finally got to the counter, we had the same problem as the trip there. No ticket for Malachi. For real?! So, just like the first round, the clerk checked us through partially. Through Bangkok, but in Guangzhou, we'd have to retrieve our bags and check in again. I was beyond annoyed, and we had only begun our day. Not an awesome start. And the kids were already getting whiny.
There was nothing we could do at this point, so we took what we had and finished checking in...which also took forever. By the time we got to our gate, it was well after 7:00 and our plane was to board any minute. The other 2 families that took our red truck taxi by accident were already there. (They felt bad, by the way--but they didn't know it was also for us!) We boarded shortly thereafter.
It was a short flight, and Malachi took a short nap. I remember them serving "breakfast." A box with a cup of juice and three 1/2 sandwiches--2 filled with something green, and the other yellowish. None of us touched them! Thank heavens for granola bars.
Bangkok was uneventful except for the fact that we walked another mile or two--literally--to get to our gate. Josiah was already starting to break down, wanting to ride in the stroller. This was only the beginning. We made it to the gate with no time to spare--we boarded immediately.
In Guangzhou, thankfully, we had a few hour layover. Our flight was almost an hour late landing, though. We quickly picked up our bags and headed to the domestic transfer desk. Thankfully, hardly any line. But we still were at that desk for at least 30 minutes. The kids really started to break down at this point. Josiah, whining. Malachi, only wanting me to hold him. All we could do was bribe both of them to calm down with candy. I hated doing that. At one point, I barked at why we should be giving in to their whines. Michael reminded me---we still have half the day left and 2 flights to catch. Oh yeah. My attitude was going downhill as well. Poor Michael.
The clerk was able to check our bags and everyone except Malachi, of course, through to Changchun. We had a second-guess moment, wondering if we should just check the stroller, too, knowing we wouldn't have much time to use it in Beijing. We decided not to. Dropping it off and picking it up at the gate had been working so far, and at least one child needed to be in it to stay calm and quiet. This decision would bite us later.
By the time all of that was over, we had about 30 minutes to get to our gate. Planes board 30 minutes early. We made it, with some running, and 2 very cranky kids and 1 cranky momma. Bless Michael.
On this 3 hour flight, we were separated by a few rows. Michael and Josiah behind Malachi and me. I thought this would be tough, but it actually was better for Malachi. He wasn't distracted by his brother, so he settled down for a nap early into the flight. Sadly, it only lasted 20 minutes. *sigh* Thankfully, we had a seat open next to us and a cute 15 year-old in front of us that helped keep the energizer bunny entertained. Overall, not a bad flight. Except one thing. Right before the plane took off, a flight attendant told Michael we would have to check the stroller and pick it up in Beijing. I was furious, once again, knowing we wouldn't have time to pick it up.
We were scared about our last flight. We landed in Beijing with maybe 45 minutes before our next flight was to leave. And probably the last flight of the night to our city. How could this happen again?! We decided to skip baggage claim for the stroller at this point. We wanted to be on our flight more than get the stroller. We ran into the domestic transfer room with, thankfully, no line. And Josiah had to pee. So I ran the 2 of them back down the 18-mile-long hall to the bathroom while Michael figured things out. We ran back, and found them still trying to figure things out. The clerk was just as confused as all the other clerks were as to why Malachi didn't have a ticket.
I was pacing, trying to stay calm, but thoroughly annoyed. I kept reminding myself that He was watching over us, and whatever happened, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Thankfully, the kids were on some adrenaline high at this point and not too crabby.
Finally, they got all of our boarding passes. Then, Michael mentioned to them about our stroller. The clerk gave us a bewildered look and told us we could choose: catch our flight that was leaving in 20 minutes, or go fetch our stroller and miss our flight. I was annoyed they wouldn't help us...that it was their fault we were leaving our stroller behind. But, there was no time to be mad. We had to RUN!
We caught the flight, thanks be to Him. I was still upset about the stroller, but Michael assured me this has happened to him several times. They would probably just deliver it to us the next day.
When we arrived in Changchun, it was 10pm. Long day! We had to ask around and figure out how to report about our stroller. That took another 30 minutes. The taxi driver we had reserved was waiting for us, what seemed like the last people in the airport. We walked outside, as bundled as we could be, and immediately our teeth started chattering in the sub-zero temperatures. The driver didn't really think things through and made all of us walk across the entire parking lot to his frigid car. Sheesh. I thought we were all going to get frost bite for sure.
Malachi was exhausted and slept the 45 minute car ride home. We walked in to a warm home, all ready to crash. I put Malachi down right away, and he was out for the night. Josiah had fun remembering all the things he had left behind a few weeks before. Thankfully, our stroller was delivered to us by noon the next day. Props to the airport for such speedy delivery!
Lesson learned: No more insane flight plans...spend the extra money to get a hotel for a night somewhere in the middle!
5:25 rolled around. I told Michael he needed to call. He did, and woops! The driver didn't know which families he was taking, and didn't realize he was supposed to take all 3 bunches of us. So, he said he would be there in 10 minutes. Poor guy, felt so bad. We didn't mind..we figured we would still be ok for the flight.
When we arrived, it was pushing 6:00. We got in line..a long line. It seemed to just crawl. When we finally got to the counter, we had the same problem as the trip there. No ticket for Malachi. For real?! So, just like the first round, the clerk checked us through partially. Through Bangkok, but in Guangzhou, we'd have to retrieve our bags and check in again. I was beyond annoyed, and we had only begun our day. Not an awesome start. And the kids were already getting whiny.
There was nothing we could do at this point, so we took what we had and finished checking in...which also took forever. By the time we got to our gate, it was well after 7:00 and our plane was to board any minute. The other 2 families that took our red truck taxi by accident were already there. (They felt bad, by the way--but they didn't know it was also for us!) We boarded shortly thereafter.
It was a short flight, and Malachi took a short nap. I remember them serving "breakfast." A box with a cup of juice and three 1/2 sandwiches--2 filled with something green, and the other yellowish. None of us touched them! Thank heavens for granola bars.
Bangkok was uneventful except for the fact that we walked another mile or two--literally--to get to our gate. Josiah was already starting to break down, wanting to ride in the stroller. This was only the beginning. We made it to the gate with no time to spare--we boarded immediately.
In Guangzhou, thankfully, we had a few hour layover. Our flight was almost an hour late landing, though. We quickly picked up our bags and headed to the domestic transfer desk. Thankfully, hardly any line. But we still were at that desk for at least 30 minutes. The kids really started to break down at this point. Josiah, whining. Malachi, only wanting me to hold him. All we could do was bribe both of them to calm down with candy. I hated doing that. At one point, I barked at why we should be giving in to their whines. Michael reminded me---we still have half the day left and 2 flights to catch. Oh yeah. My attitude was going downhill as well. Poor Michael.
The clerk was able to check our bags and everyone except Malachi, of course, through to Changchun. We had a second-guess moment, wondering if we should just check the stroller, too, knowing we wouldn't have much time to use it in Beijing. We decided not to. Dropping it off and picking it up at the gate had been working so far, and at least one child needed to be in it to stay calm and quiet. This decision would bite us later.
By the time all of that was over, we had about 30 minutes to get to our gate. Planes board 30 minutes early. We made it, with some running, and 2 very cranky kids and 1 cranky momma. Bless Michael.
On this 3 hour flight, we were separated by a few rows. Michael and Josiah behind Malachi and me. I thought this would be tough, but it actually was better for Malachi. He wasn't distracted by his brother, so he settled down for a nap early into the flight. Sadly, it only lasted 20 minutes. *sigh* Thankfully, we had a seat open next to us and a cute 15 year-old in front of us that helped keep the energizer bunny entertained. Overall, not a bad flight. Except one thing. Right before the plane took off, a flight attendant told Michael we would have to check the stroller and pick it up in Beijing. I was furious, once again, knowing we wouldn't have time to pick it up.
We were scared about our last flight. We landed in Beijing with maybe 45 minutes before our next flight was to leave. And probably the last flight of the night to our city. How could this happen again?! We decided to skip baggage claim for the stroller at this point. We wanted to be on our flight more than get the stroller. We ran into the domestic transfer room with, thankfully, no line. And Josiah had to pee. So I ran the 2 of them back down the 18-mile-long hall to the bathroom while Michael figured things out. We ran back, and found them still trying to figure things out. The clerk was just as confused as all the other clerks were as to why Malachi didn't have a ticket.
I was pacing, trying to stay calm, but thoroughly annoyed. I kept reminding myself that He was watching over us, and whatever happened, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Thankfully, the kids were on some adrenaline high at this point and not too crabby.
Finally, they got all of our boarding passes. Then, Michael mentioned to them about our stroller. The clerk gave us a bewildered look and told us we could choose: catch our flight that was leaving in 20 minutes, or go fetch our stroller and miss our flight. I was annoyed they wouldn't help us...that it was their fault we were leaving our stroller behind. But, there was no time to be mad. We had to RUN!
We caught the flight, thanks be to Him. I was still upset about the stroller, but Michael assured me this has happened to him several times. They would probably just deliver it to us the next day.
When we arrived in Changchun, it was 10pm. Long day! We had to ask around and figure out how to report about our stroller. That took another 30 minutes. The taxi driver we had reserved was waiting for us, what seemed like the last people in the airport. We walked outside, as bundled as we could be, and immediately our teeth started chattering in the sub-zero temperatures. The driver didn't really think things through and made all of us walk across the entire parking lot to his frigid car. Sheesh. I thought we were all going to get frost bite for sure.
Malachi was exhausted and slept the 45 minute car ride home. We walked in to a warm home, all ready to crash. I put Malachi down right away, and he was out for the night. Josiah had fun remembering all the things he had left behind a few weeks before. Thankfully, our stroller was delivered to us by noon the next day. Props to the airport for such speedy delivery!
Lesson learned: No more insane flight plans...spend the extra money to get a hotel for a night somewhere in the middle!
Time in Thailand
If you read my mega-blog about the trip to Thailand, good for you. Here is what I remember from what we did IN Thailand. Next, the trip home. Sit down with a cup o' something warm for these long ones...
*For pictures of Thailand, go here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.855705058709.2165540.66804516&type=1&l=fc9dc6facb
We got to Chiang Mai 5 days before our conference started. During this time, we ate tons of great food--most of it being Thai food, which surprised me. Both Michael and I kept craving the sweet and spicy curries with the aromatic long-grain rice. We didn't mind skipping the over-priced Western restaurants. We still hit up a few of those, but the flavors just didn't match up to the scrumptious Thai food. Best yet, we found our new favorite restaurant, and it was right down the street! We could feast as a family for less than $10, which included 3 entrees and a smoothie to share. Why didn't I take a pic of this place?! It's called Lemongrass if you ever find yourself in Chiang Mai. :)
We had tentatively planned on going to the zoo this time since we haven't been yet. But, the kids didn't do so well adjusting to a new place, so we skipped it. Maybe next year! So, for those 5 days, we just hung out, took lots of walks outside--because we could without freezing!--and met up with friends and former teammates we hadn't seen in a year. It's always so amazing to gather with people who are in the same situation you are. Not to compare, but to understand each other. We also met up with a family who knows my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins. They have lived in CM for 7 years doing ministry for orphans and refugees. It was cool to hear what is going on in their lives and what work the Father is doing there.
When conference started, I was a little nervous at how the boys would react to going to child care for half the day while we were in sessions of fellowship and learning. The first few days, we put Malachi in for the entire morning, which meant he was skipping his nap. He didn't do so well with that. He really likes his morning nap! So, for the rest of the time, we would take turns taking him back to the room for a nap. During some of those "room" times, I had some pretty sweet times with the Father. So great to know He doesn't need anywhere special to meet with and speak to us.
Josiah got sick right before conference started, but not with anything terrible. Just a fever and annoying, dry cough. We kept him out of child care the first day, but felt he was good enough to go the second day. I dropped him off in the room full of 3, 4, and 5 year-olds, and he didn't cry! So proud! I asked him daily if he talked to anyone or made any friends and he said, "no" every time. Haha. I challenged him the last day to make a friend. He came out with 3 names of friends he had met. Good job, little guy!
The boys did the worst at meal times. I don't know if it was different food or too many people. I'm thinking the latter, because once we were tired of hearing wailing through every meal, we finally just ate in our room. Less crying and more eating..yes!
The conference for me was refreshing. It was the first time out of 3 years I got to hear most of what was taught and talked about. And boy, is corporate fellowship something! When it's not available for several months, you really soak it up and learn to appreciate every moment of it.
A couple of the teachings were from Psalm 139 and Romans 8. The Father really spoke to me through a few of those verses, giving me practical advice to speak with wisdom and remember that He knows my every thought. I still need to mull over these some more.
The last day of conference, the kiddos--all of them, including the babies!--got on stage and sang a song. I recorded it, but you can't see our kids. When the 0-5 year-olds lined up, Josiah was in the back. When the music started, he just sat down on the back of the stage--ha! That's my little introvert! (Later, I played the same song and learned that he did know the song and motions! Little stinker!) Malachi spotted me before the song started and bawled through the entire thing. Way to go, kids! :)
The last night of conference, we had a special dressy dinner at a nicer hotel nearby. Apparently a donor gave specifically to fund this dinner. Awesome! It was fun to get dressed up and eat good, Western food. After dinner, there was another concert full of heartfelt singing and wo-ship. Awesome.
The last few days there, we just soaked up more sun with walks and more Thai food, of course! It was tough to leave, knowing we'd be losing 100 degrees. It wasn't the warmest welcome home. :)
*For pictures of Thailand, go here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.855705058709.2165540.66804516&type=1&l=fc9dc6facb
We got to Chiang Mai 5 days before our conference started. During this time, we ate tons of great food--most of it being Thai food, which surprised me. Both Michael and I kept craving the sweet and spicy curries with the aromatic long-grain rice. We didn't mind skipping the over-priced Western restaurants. We still hit up a few of those, but the flavors just didn't match up to the scrumptious Thai food. Best yet, we found our new favorite restaurant, and it was right down the street! We could feast as a family for less than $10, which included 3 entrees and a smoothie to share. Why didn't I take a pic of this place?! It's called Lemongrass if you ever find yourself in Chiang Mai. :)
We had tentatively planned on going to the zoo this time since we haven't been yet. But, the kids didn't do so well adjusting to a new place, so we skipped it. Maybe next year! So, for those 5 days, we just hung out, took lots of walks outside--because we could without freezing!--and met up with friends and former teammates we hadn't seen in a year. It's always so amazing to gather with people who are in the same situation you are. Not to compare, but to understand each other. We also met up with a family who knows my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins. They have lived in CM for 7 years doing ministry for orphans and refugees. It was cool to hear what is going on in their lives and what work the Father is doing there.
When conference started, I was a little nervous at how the boys would react to going to child care for half the day while we were in sessions of fellowship and learning. The first few days, we put Malachi in for the entire morning, which meant he was skipping his nap. He didn't do so well with that. He really likes his morning nap! So, for the rest of the time, we would take turns taking him back to the room for a nap. During some of those "room" times, I had some pretty sweet times with the Father. So great to know He doesn't need anywhere special to meet with and speak to us.
Josiah got sick right before conference started, but not with anything terrible. Just a fever and annoying, dry cough. We kept him out of child care the first day, but felt he was good enough to go the second day. I dropped him off in the room full of 3, 4, and 5 year-olds, and he didn't cry! So proud! I asked him daily if he talked to anyone or made any friends and he said, "no" every time. Haha. I challenged him the last day to make a friend. He came out with 3 names of friends he had met. Good job, little guy!
The boys did the worst at meal times. I don't know if it was different food or too many people. I'm thinking the latter, because once we were tired of hearing wailing through every meal, we finally just ate in our room. Less crying and more eating..yes!
The conference for me was refreshing. It was the first time out of 3 years I got to hear most of what was taught and talked about. And boy, is corporate fellowship something! When it's not available for several months, you really soak it up and learn to appreciate every moment of it.
A couple of the teachings were from Psalm 139 and Romans 8. The Father really spoke to me through a few of those verses, giving me practical advice to speak with wisdom and remember that He knows my every thought. I still need to mull over these some more.
The last day of conference, the kiddos--all of them, including the babies!--got on stage and sang a song. I recorded it, but you can't see our kids. When the 0-5 year-olds lined up, Josiah was in the back. When the music started, he just sat down on the back of the stage--ha! That's my little introvert! (Later, I played the same song and learned that he did know the song and motions! Little stinker!) Malachi spotted me before the song started and bawled through the entire thing. Way to go, kids! :)
The last night of conference, we had a special dressy dinner at a nicer hotel nearby. Apparently a donor gave specifically to fund this dinner. Awesome! It was fun to get dressed up and eat good, Western food. After dinner, there was another concert full of heartfelt singing and wo-ship. Awesome.
The last few days there, we just soaked up more sun with walks and more Thai food, of course! It was tough to leave, knowing we'd be losing 100 degrees. It wasn't the warmest welcome home. :)
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