Josiah's 4th Birthday

3 weeks late posting about this. I'm sitting here eating leftover icing from his cake; doesn't that count for something?! I'm actually nearly sick after only eating a few teaspoons. I think my appetite for super sweet things is waning. I pass up tons of recipes on Pinterest because they look nausiatingly sweet. I digress. This is about Josiah, right?!

We celebrated our sweet boy with a big party. Come to think of it, all of his parties have been pretty big in China. It's hard to not invite those we're close to--and that's a lot of people, especially this year! Since our house is too small, we had it at the school. Dear friends Lauren and Emily helped me decorate; had they not helped, I would've upheld my tradition of being severely late for my son's party. (Malachi's 1st: an hour late, then everyone had to help me decorate..ha!)

The theme was Cars, so it was fun and pretty easy to decorate.

 

Friends were gracious enough to bring presents. He got lots of cars...appropriate. :) 

 

This was my first double-layer cake. It was so-so. I'll use a smaller pan next time so the layers aren't so thin!

 

Before his party, we talked through the moment when everyone would sing to him. I reminded him he didn't need to be scared or embarrassed. He assured me he wouldn't be. Well, maybe next year...

 

Michael was in charge of games and did great with choosing them! First was a video series in which people had to guess what happened next. So funny! Next, was a minute to win it type game where 2 people had to keep 6 balloons in the air for as long as possible. The winners? 9 seconds! ha!

We had lots of fun and are thankful for so many people who came to love on our little guy! I should also mention several people sent him packages and cards from the States--thank ya'll sooo much! He may not be able to fully appreciate the extra efforts, but this Momma does!! 

Some extra pics from the day...

 We are so thankful for a fun-loving boy. This past year, I have seen him come out of his little shell. He is now walking up to kids he doesn't know, saying hello and shaking their hand, and ready to play if they aren't too scared of "the foreign kid." Now that Malachi is old enough to move around and have a personality, I have seen Josiah tweak his a bit. For now, Malachi is the instigator for most things--especially when it comes to anything involving risk. In the past, Josiah wouldn't do anything involving risk....no jumping off things, getting dirty, or falling backwards on the bed. After he watches Malachi do it successfully, though, he's all in! I'm mostly glad for this change. He was a little too timid in the past and now his little bro is teaching him how to live a little! He's still very compassionate and caring. Any time someone is hurt, he's quick to apologize (even if it wasn't his fault) and offer them comfort, sometimes insisting that he can pray for them. I love this about him. As with many kids, his memory is amazing. When I take the effort to teach him something new, be it Chinese or a Bible verse or whatever, he has it down pat within 2 days, and hasn't forgotten them yet! I'm looking forward to this next year, to watch him grow and flourish in new ways!

Mini-immersion Trip

A few weekends ago, all of the my classmates (1st and 2nd years) and I went on a mini-immersion trip. We were divided into 4 teams and sent to 4 different areas of our city; places most of us had never been. The main goal: speak only Chinese for 36 hours. Even with our teammates.

My team: Aaron, Lauren, and Jeremiah

Aaron was our map guy. He had spent a long time the night before our trip plotting out where we could go, how to get to our hotel, etc. Sadly, the map couldn't keep up with the changes. (A phrase he repeat often in this country.)

This site became too familiar to us during our trip. We ran into construction site after construction site....it quickly became a team joke!

We trekked around for a few hours to find a way to our hotel. Our part of the city ended up being where all the car factories are. So, we trudged through street after street of car part stores. There weren't even that many people--just those selling and buying car parts!

Part of our assignment was to ask older people what their lifestyle is like. After lunch, I spotted a group of old men playing games on the street. We figured we had better approach them, or we may not be able to complete our assignment since there were so few people milling around!

These guys were great! Far left: 72, middle 89!!

Most of the men we talked to were retired from the military. They said their lives now are very relaxing. They spend their days playing games (Chinese chess, mostly) with their friends, exercising, and strolling. Quite different from our retirees/elderly who are often found in front of the TV! The one on the left emphatically told us to start exercising now to stay healthy. They were all great and spoke fairly clearly, being patient with our imperfect Chinese.

After speaking to them, it started to sprinkle. There was no where we could escape unless we wanted to check out the latest radiator fluid, so we went a smidge outside our "area" to a giant mall where we walked around and drank some coffee, waiting for the storm to pass.

For dinner, we went to KFC. Not anyone's favorite, but it was literally one of two restaurants anywhere near our hotel. To add to the hilarity of our area having nothing interesting, several things we tried to order at KFC were also not available. It fit quite well into the theme of our trip!

It started raining again, so we decided to go back to our hotel and watch a Chinese TV show. We watched "Stars in Danger." I hear it also plays in America; a show about celebrities learning how to dive and competing against one another. We didn't understand it all, but we didn't need to. Watching the horrible diving techniques was funny enough!!

The next morning, we had planned to go to a park near us, but it was still raining and miserable. So, we decided to just head home. Good thing we started then. We waited for a bus for an hour before realizing it probably wasn't going to come, perhaps because it was re-routed.....because of the construction. So, we tried to catch a taxi. This was also impossible because traffic was crawling. We finally got on a bus that took us in the right direction.

We were a bit frustrated, and wet.

 In all, it was a great experience! I'm thankful I was on a team that could laugh at all the annoying situations we ran into. We really had a fun time with each other! Lesson learned: no need to go to that part of the city!

Later in the week, we presented to our Chinese teacher/class about our trip. Some classmates said our presentation was the most interesting. How ironic.

Josiah's Chinese Joke

This may only be funny to those of us who speak Chinese, but I want to record it anyway.

The other day, a friend and I were working on a project. Josiah kept bugging her with "Hey, look at this!....Look at this!" She once responded, "哇塞"(Wa sai), which means "wow!"

He followed with, "Lauren, look at this 哇塞！" :)

He made quote of the week for our community for this clever one!

Highlight of my Week

A dear friend of mine got pregnant last fall. Throughout her 9 months, we often chatted about natural birthing strategies, how to deal with pain, etc. I knew learning about the birthing process was a passion of mine ever since we took a 10 week birthing course (Bradley Method) before Josiah was born. During that class, I was fascinated with the entire process as well as all the helpful tips that had been long forgotten or brushed aside. I was reminded that our bodies were created to go through this process, and yes, insane pain was also promised. (Thanks a lot, Eve!)

When I had Malachi in a giant blow-up tub in my midwife's basement, I realized I much more enjoyed a comfortable place to birth over the bright lights and disruptive nurses and annoying beeping machines. It was a beautiful process that I'm still thankful I was able to experience.

My friend would have loved to have had a home birth, but it's just not possible in this country at this point. So, she picked the best hospital in our city and trusted the Father to figure out the details.

I was able to be with her for 2 days while she labored. I loved being by her side, encouraging her, massaging when the pain increased, and reminding her that she is strong. At one point she yelled, "I can't do this!" For anyone that knows the birthing process, this is called the transition stage. I had to stifle a chuckle because I clearly remember saying the same thing during my labor experiences. I encouraged her by telling her she truly was in transition, which meant she was nearing the end.

Her labor was hard and intense for over 3 hours. Her husband and I used all our strength to push on her hips as she, with every breath, whispered, "You've gotta push harder, guys; you've gotta push harder!"

As soon as she said she felt like she needed to push, she was whisked away to the birthing room, where I wasn't allowed in. Only 1 person could go in with her. Of course, her husband went. I was hoping they could bend the rules for me, but I soon realized they were already bending the rules for her hubby to go in. I sat down in the waiting room next to a nervous-looking man. After striking up a conversation with him, I realized he was an anxious new Daddy, waiting to hear when his wife, alone with the docs and nurses, had given birth to his new little bundle. He, too, wondered why the foreign guy got to go in with his wife and he couldn't. I then swallowed my annoyance, realizing he was probably more frustrated than me. That's just the way it is here.

When I got to meet baby Pilgrim, I was elated. I was beyond blessed to be a part of the process to help him come into this big, new world. Even better was to watch him and his Momma and Daddy bond after a long 2 days of waiting and hard work. Even as I type, my eyes swell with tears, amazed, again, at the beautiful process the Father has created.

If I was in the States, I would probably look into becoming a certified doula. I would love to help other Mommas through this painful, but oh so amazing process of birthing. But, since I'm not, I'll help as many Mommas as I can that live close to me and that desire such help.

*Of course, I realize that everyone has an opinion on the birthing process. Some choose other methods, and that is completely fine! Other Mommas want to have a natural birth, but something comes up and can't. I'm just a proponent of the parents educating themselves on this difficult and intricate process of bringing a baby into the world. :)

A Memorable Mother's Day

How my the started: As soon as I got up, Josiah says, "Happy Valentine's Day!" I gently corrected him, then he followed with, "When is it gonna be Josiah's Day?" 

Michael got me some cereal and chocolate. Cereal may sound random, but it's way expensive here, so it's a definite treat! This has become his tradition for Mother's Day; I love it! 

I ran a few errands. One was to buy some fresh milk. While there, I couldn't resist taking this picture: 

Yes, she is wearing pajamas, a very white face mask, and hair curlers. No shame!

How my the day ended: We decided to go to a local place for burgers, a big deal because we rarely go out as a family. As soon as I got Malachi down from the bike, he pooped. And I had forgotten to pack a diaper. So I asked around for directions to the nearest store, rode to it, and only found newborn-sized diapers. I knew it wasn't even worth a try, so I bought the next best things...giant pads! I returned to the restaurant to find the bathroom was a squatty, so we quickly changed him on the chairs at our table. Surprisingly the pad lasted until we got home!  

So, so blessed to be the Momma of these cute boys!

 

Birthday Boy Request

Josiah is going to turn 4 in about 3 weeks. He's getting to be such a big boy!

Since we're not planning on coming home this summer, I thought a way to bring parts of "home" to him would be if some family and friends would send him a birthday card, picture, etc. If you have kids and they'd be willing to draw him a picture and/or if you could take a picture of your kids, he would love that! He doesn't have many foreign friends here, and I don't want him to forget about his other home. :)

If you get it in the mail within the next week, it has a good chance of getting here on time. Even if it doesn't, who doesn't like a birthday that just keeps on giving?!

Below is the address to attach to the envelope. It's probably easiest if you just print this out and tape it to the card, that is, unless you have a secret talent of writing Chinese characters! *If you don't attach the Chinese part, it may take several months to arrive, or get lost altogether!*

Thanks for loving on our little guy in this way!!

Josiah Felder
ELIC Chinese Language Program
Teacher Training Building #401
Northeast Normal University
#5268 Renmin Dajie
Changchun, Jilin 130024
130024吉林省长春市
人民大街5268号
东北师范大学师训大楼 #401
美国英语学会
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Where are you, Jesus?

The other day, I somehow found myself explaining to Josiah that Jesus can live in his heart. He immediately looked down his shirt and said, "Where are you, Jesus? I don't see you!"

I couldn't contain my giggles. Once under control, I explained to him that he could listen for Jesus' words and read His words in the Bible.

I love little minds.