Celebrating Two Holidays

In China today, it is Children's Day!
In honor of, we did not teach but rather we celebrated with a series of games and prizes for the kids and ended the day early with a big luncheon. All of the parents were there complete with cameras and video cam's.

And in America today, it's Memorial Day! I'm so grateful for the country I live in. Having the opportunity to travel and experience other countries like this has been so great. It's eye opening and has helped me develop a real love and appreciation for my country. Of the 6 + billion people populating the earth today, it's hard not to wonder what my life would be like if I were not born into America. What if I were raised in the Sudan? or Cambodia? China? or Nigeria? What would my life be like? Would I be starving? homeless? Would I still be alive? Would I be able to practice my religion of choice? Makes you wonder how or why we're so blessed to be where we are. But so grateful. And I am. I'm so grateful for the men and women that have given their lives for our country so that we have the freedoms we have today. Not only those who have in the past but those who are serving and protecting our great nation today.

Happy Memorial Day!... and Children's Day :)

The What If...? game

What if the fat lady lost her voice?
-She would be so sad...and eat some cheese, LOTS of cheese.

What if Bob Marley appeared at our door with a Papa Johns Pizza, RIGHT NOW?
-We'd all kiss him on the face and eat it all in about 30 seconds.

What if you were as crazy as Jeanie?
-'Then we'd all talk like this'(haha... she's from Canada-raised French speaking)

What if we had another 6 months in China?
-We would be peeing in streets, our hair would turn black and our eyes would become slanted.

What if Mikelle never dated another man?
-Men all over the world would cry.

What if you could get a degree without finishing school?
-Then the world would be filled with doctors that are in malpractice.

What if Shaila was from Utah and not Virginia?
-Then she would not have her suuuper cool accent, "Gra-a-ama! I miss you!"

What if the pool outside overflowed into our house?
-Then we would all either go swimming or all DIE.

What if we found out that Jeanie is not really from Canada?
-My world would be turned upside down.

What if all of Jaimie's toenails fell off?
-We would probably have to lock her somewhere dark where no one could see her... EVER because that is really gross.

What if Dan came to China next week and Jaimie and him got married in China?
-Then she could really wear her ugly dress and party like it's Chinese NEW YEAR again.

What if Channing Tatum was our Sparky? a.k.a handyman
-I would NEVER get off the school bus! or something in our apartment would ALWAYS be broken. (because Shaila would always be breaking things :)

What if China had a democracy and the U.S was a Communist Country?
-Then Sarah would marry the Kaiyin teacher and just call China home.

This was our FHE activity tonight. We had a lot of fun.

Something sweet that happened at school today: Chinese people all have the same eye color, (brown) so that is one thing that the kids notice right away on foreignors are our eyes. I was sitting watching the kids practice 'Spectacle' today when William ran up and sat on top of me. He wrapped his little arms around my neck and looking me square in the eyes he said, "Green teacher. Eyes, Beautiful green." :) I thought it was so cute.

Affirmations

I love myself.
I can do anything good.
I love my life. My life is so GREAT!
I love my hair. I love my hair cut.
I love my family, I love my Dad, I love my Mom.
I love China. I love my Chinese kids.
I can do anything good.
I love soft serve ice cream. Soft serve ice cream is sooo goood!

So Funny. Watch this. It's adorable. This little girl could take on the world with her attitude :)
http://comedy.video.yahoo.com/?v=7519839 cx

A perfect weekend.

I got frames. Pink and Orange. Yes.

We had a unique opportunity this Sunday to attend church at the Shenzen Branch for their District Conference. Truly a magnificent day. It was great meeting. The District President came down from Beijing to help reorganize the Branch Presidency. It's so incredible to me. We can meet across the globe in a home dedicated in His name, and witness the reorganization of a Branch without skipping a beat. The men that were called have been called of God. They have been chosen specifically at this time to help build our Fathers Kingdom in China. Even if the church isn't here yet... these are the baby steps. The meeting was sweet, the message was powerful, and the spirit was so strong. I'm so glad we were able to attend.

I do not have a shopping addiction...

That would be false. BUT. When it comes to bowls and any sort of home decor really, it is so hard. I'm a real sucker for it. I bought some great things today. :)

I had a really great run tonight. The more I do, the easier it gets and the more I enjoy it. (Naturally) It just feels good to be exercising consistently again. It's been a while. And so far, no pain in my knee, so I plan to keep going and hope for no flashing lights. Hopefully we'll just go up from here. On top of that, I timed myself just for kicks to see where I am at. AND.... so exciting. I'm running a faster mile than I thought I was. Nothing special by any means, but a nice surprise indeed.

I think I might come home soon. Yeah. I'm thinking like, uh, hmmm ... 28 days. Whaaaa!?
Mixed feelings.

Hmmm, what to do today?

We don't have that much time left in China.

The last couple of days we have been trying to do more than just take the bus home after school because our time here is so quickly coming to an end. Yesterday, Jillie and I walked to the park down the street from our school and we spent the afternoon there. We walked around, took pictures, sat and visited. And all the while, we didn't worry about anything! We didn't think about having to be somewhere or do anything but just what we were doing then. And it was sooo great! We chatted, had some great conversations. And on top of that we stopped for cheesecake and a mango slush on our way home. Mmmm. So good!

That was yesterday, and today! Today Jillie and I took the school bus to ju yuan and missed the bus, so we went into the clothing store right there, where I bought a GREAT skirt for Tarah. I love it. She gave me a few bucks to buy her some things and she will love this skirt. I'm excited to give it to her. Also... again (my latest weakness) we got another Mango smoothie. Oh they are just too good to say no to. Ah! We finally caught the bus and we took it down to Jusco. We got off and walked to the bridge and walked along the river. It's so beautiful down there. We've always taken the bus past there and thought how lovely it looks so today we finally went and explored a little bit. We found a random Museum on our walk. It was very small, and looked a little bit deserted. It certainly wasn't a very busy or well known museum. So we went in, hoping they wouldn't charge us on our way out. It was incredible. It was a Children's Art Museum and it was really magnificent. We loved it.

It was fun. Fun to just get out and see the city and again just walk, just look, just enjoy.
My run tonight was really great. I ran 2 miles and it is getting easier the more I do it. Just like most things tend to. Next week I will probably bump it to 3 and I hope to be doing 5 by the time I go home. That is the goal anyway.
Every night at the track there are a handful of kids playing soccer. And every night I want so bad to jump in and ask them if I can play with them. I have yet to do it, but I want to... eventually. And I plan on getting a soccer ball as well. Goodness I miss it. I miss it so much. Sometimes I just want to get my ball and go out and juggle. Or just take shots, or just kick it up against the wall. I don't know.

Something that irritates me a little bit. I shouldn't let it irritate me. But it's a little bit hard not to. We get fruit every day from Michael, and today we got a watermelon. I came home after dinner and I cut it all up and put it into a big bowl for everyone later one when we could get it out and eat it all together. But... that was not the case. Rather, I was in my bedroom writing in my journal and doing some reading and I took a break and went out to have some watermelon with everyone because I heard everyone out there. I went out to find the ENTIRE HUGE bowl of watermelon that I HAD CUT UP for EVERYONE was gone. None left. I said, "oh! hey it's a party out here." then I walked up and saw the bowl and I took a little piece that was left and said, "Wow. Thanks for leaving some watermelon you guys. Really. You shouldn't have." I wasn't really suuper jokey or nice when I said it either. I definitely had an irritated tone to my voice. Then I turned around and went right back into my room as they were saying "oh yeah, (haha hahaha)" giggling the entire time of course as if they had done nothing wrong. And Jillie said, "I kept telling them to stop and leave some for my roommate." But she's full of it. Jillie could care less. Anyway, I just looked at them and said, "mei shi... mei shi" but really. I was and am frustrated. I just don't get it. That has not been the first time that has happened and we get 3 meals a day and we get fruit to bring home so that fruit is supposed to be our snack for when we do get hungry. And for me... because I do care about my funds and I don't like to spend all my money on food which everyone else does anyway, I really look forward to that fruit because it helps me not want to buy anything when I am hungry. But they are just so self absorbed. Rarely do they think of those around them. Just a little minor irritation that I wanted to vent about a little. But it's fine. No worries.

Pura Vida.

A Fabulous Sunday Afternoon in Zhongshan, China.

Sunday night we went to dinner at Rachels house. Rachel is our friend who we met at my surprise birthday party. She's a friend of Tina's. Her and her parents invited us over to make Jiao zi and spend the evening with them. We got there and the Womens China vs. Australia soccer game was on, which was great! We watched that for a little while whilst we snacked on the most delicious chocolate cookies (the ones in the tin boxes that they sell at Costco... Tu sabes?) and grapes (which I haven't had since I left America because they are so expensive in China) and pears and peanuts. :) Mmmm. So great. Once the jiao zi filling was finished, we all sat around the table and made folded the dumplings. That is always a great time. I love making jiao zi. I think it is so fun, especially the way they do it here. It's like a family activity where everyone gathers around the table and folds jiao zi. And the result is absolutely wonderful.

For dinner we had the Jiao zi of course, as well as... a plate of outlandishly spicy cucumbers that ignited my entire mouth after the first bite, so unfortunately... that was all I could handle. Also a dish of sprouts, corn on the cob, and... my personal favorite :) a very large oddly seasoned chicken wing. I'm being sarcastic. Thus far, I have not been too picky about what we've been served here. I've never been a real picky food eater. Besides the real spicy things, chicken feet, and a few others... I've been fairly content. But I took one bite of this chicken wing and I felt nauseous. I'm sure that sounds really exaggerated but I'm completely serious. I couldn't eat it but I felt horrible because it was really big and I didn't want to offend them or waste it. I came up with an alternate plan. The kitchen table was conveniently located right beside the sliding glass door that went out onto the porch. We were the 13th floor up from the ground, and I thought, as soon as Rachel gets up and goes into the kitchen with her parents, I will just walk out there and throw it over the balcony real fast. So as soon as she left I wrapped my leg in a napkin and got up to take it out... but right then Rachel turned back around and was coming back to the table. I don't think I've ever moved so quickly. I sat back down in my chair and put the chicken leg in my lap. Oh gosh. I was cursing myself for the idea in the first place and I was really wishing I hadn't wrapped it in the napkin that was now stuck to the chicken leg and I couldn't get it off without pieces of it remaining. But now, Rachel had definitely sat down for good. She was there to stay and it was clear she wouldn't be getting up for a little while. And my chicken leg was in my lap wrapped in a napkin that was stuck to it and would not come off. I was under the table trying to pull off all the bits and pieces of the napkin that I could, and once I thought I'd gotten enough of it off, I got my camera out and gave it to Rachel to look at something so as to distract her so I could transfer my chicken leg from my lap to my plate. It worked. Mei wen ti. I got it there. I have no idea if she noticed that I had nothing on my plate for 5 minutes and then a whole chicken leg appeared but that is how it worked out. And despite my efforts, it was still dotted with little specs of napkin so I had to quickly bite and eat those parts of the chicken leg off so that it wouldn't form questions. :) It was hilarious. Abby was sitting across the table from me trying not to laugh the entire time. Poor Rachel was feeling a bit left out I think because she had NO idea what we were all laughing at. But... it all worked out. I ended up eating most of it. I just couldn't waste it. My parents raised me well :)

After dinner we just talked and played a few games with Rachel and her family. It's always the best spending time with families. Even if it isn't our families, just being with families is the greatest.

Oh dear. I have one more funny story. After dinner Rachel was helping us learn how to say some phrases in Chinese and Mikelle wanted to learn a phrase that she now knows in a handful of languages. The phrase is, “Shut up and kiss me.” She asked Rachel and she was a bit confused and didn't know right away what Mikelle wanted to know. Abby jumped in and suggested, (I'm paraphrasing) Maybe not shut up... that is a little abrupt and not the nicest way to say it. Maybe if you said, “be quiet and kiss me, or stop talking and kiss me, or close your mouth and kiss me.” haha... Then she said, “Wait. What kind of a kiss are we talking about here?” AHA! I think you had to be here, and you'd have to know Abby to really appreciate how funny that is. It would be like Tarah saying that. Ha. Soooo s.t.i.n.k.i.n.g. f.u.n.n.y. We laughed. A great deal. For a long time. Shoot. I'm still laughing about it.

It was such a great night. I love spending time with Chinese people. They are so sweet and kind hearted. Rachel is so genuine and great, and her parents are wonderful. Rachel is 18 and she is moving to Michigan to live with her Aunt to go to school in August. She is so excited, and so are we. I know I don't often go to Michigan, but the chances of us seeing her again are much more likely with her in America than in China. :)

New Student!

We got a new student today. His name is Nicholas. He is such a sweetheart. Real well behaved, speaks well, & participates. I think he has a big crush on Angel. And I think Angel likes him back which is too sweet. She holds his hand and shows him around, where to go, what to do. It's adorable.

I learned today, in my lesson... that evidently, the Chinese do not eat raw vegetables. At all! Or maybe it's just the kids they don't allow to have raw vegetables. Either way, I got a kick out it. Kind of ruined my lesson a little since that was what we were using... and what fun is a Kitchen lesson when you can't eat what you make after ward right?

I'm afraid I've been slacking a little with our Family Night's. But this last one was fun. It was so fun. Just the seven of us and we had a blast. A suuper great night that involved, signs, laughing way too much, watermelon, golden oreo's, video clips and a really great spiritual thought from Kelle.



I love laughing. I love it so much. I feel so good after I laugh a lot. Life is here to laugh. Really. It has to be, because it's so much better when we do.

Let's speak some English shall we?

Tina, Jilly and I went on a little day excursion with Aiden and his Mother today. We were waiting outside our apartment complex for her to pick us up and Tina received a phone call, and … it was her, Aidens mom. Her name is Xiang. So Tina answers the phone, “Wei ni hao Aidens mama!” ha. Jilly and I got a kick out of that and thought it was so funny that she referred and called her Aidens mama, even directly to her. When she got off the phone, I asked her, “Tina. What is Aidens mothers name?” and she just looked at me, then at Jilly, and back at me and said... “I don't know”, in a tone and with an expression as if to say “should I know?” ha.

We got into the car and noticed right away how quiet Aiden was, because at school it is quite the contrary. He almost looked sad, so we asked him what was wrong and Tina told us that he was sad because they were so late picking us up. Ha. I thought that was so sweet, especially because they were about 4 minutes late. :)

They took us down to walking street and we walked up to the big pagoda there. It was beautiful. A beautiful pagoda and the walk up there was scenic as well. I felt like I was in a rainforest. It's so lush and green. It was really a splendid day. We didn't do anything elaborate or anything that required a whole lot of planning. We just walked. We walked down around walking street. They took us up to a neighborhood where there were a lot of older homes built years ago but also many newer homes scattered in around them. Xiang explained to us some of the history that was there. She was born and raised in Zhongshan so it was neat to have her there with us. We continued our walk and went down to a big lake with a handful of big pagoda pavilions and willow tree's, and bridges. It was beautiful.

And of course... the reason we agree to these outings (not really, but maybe a little bit). We then went to the Shangri La Hotel. We have been once before with the same family only that time they took ALL of us out to eat. This time, it was just Jilly and I. Oh my goodness. I had a food baby last time we ate there, and I certainly had a food baby this time. But you can't help it. It's unavoidable because these sweet, great people are paying a fortune for us to eat at this International Hotel with a Western Buffet that is known all over the world, so 2 plates of food just won't suffice. Period. Even if we wanted it to. If there was ever a period where I did not have anything in front of me they told me to go get more. And there is simply no arguing. 1) Because it's not easy to argue in a language you hardly know and 2) because they are paying for you to eat. So Jilly and I obliged... :) It was worth the pain, and the food baby, and waking up the next morning still never wanting to eat anything again in our lives.

Such a great enjoyable day though. I'd rather be out with the locals walking around the city than in our flat skyping family or updating my blog, or running, or reading, or any of the other activities I find myself doing on Saturday days. (I love skyping my family, don't get me wrong :)

The main purpose of our Saturday excursions with Aiden and his mom are because his mom is smart and she knows how to work the system. So, what she does is she offers to take a couple of us teachers out each week to museums or to dinner or just out to see the city so that she can take advantage of us (the English teachers) while we are here and get Aiden to speak as much language with us as possible. So during our walk today, she just had him drill us with questions and questions and questions. Most of which consist of something like, “What is that?” pointing to a pillar, or a tree, or something we know he already knows :) but it makes his mom happy to just see him speaking English. So that is what we do. We just talk to Aiden, the whole time. And it's fun. I love it. He can be a pain in the rear during class but when we are outside of class, he is so bright. He is such a smart kid and speaks and understands English so well. He's only 5! But we have full on conversations. No problem. And on the flip side, he teaches us Chinese. I love it.

34 days left! AHHH!

Sarah's blog has been high-jacked by her twin sister for this important message. (I hope you don't mind me taking the liberty of updating YOUR blog for you)

I'm not counting down, but.................


SARAH WILL BE HOME IN 34 DAYS! and uh...hmm................I CANNOT WAIT! Sarah! You're coming home so so soon! It's about time darn it. It's been like a year already hasn't it? That's how slow time has gone for me. It's been a good semester but so many things would have been easier if you were here with me. SO, when you come home, would you just stay put for a little bit? Plehehease! Atleast til you're sick of me again. ;) great. I love you sis.

Deviled Eggs.

We made Deviled Eggs today in Kitchen class. The kids LOVED them. I can't believe how soon we are coming home. We were asked to write down a wish or hope for each of our kids today. A good fortune type thing so that they can have it and always keep and look at for the future. My kids are the oldest ones here at the school, and their group is graduating from the Kindergarten this semester. Oh I will miss them so much.

Oh Decklin...

Decklin, will you marry me? Not now... but eventually, 5 years down the road when I'm ready. Not literally Decklin. I don't actually know a Decklin. Rad name, but it doesn't have to be his. That is just how I refer to the man I should like to spend the rest of my life with. My Decklin is witty... he'll make me laugh. Not just giggle and smile (that too) but I mean like laughing out loud laughing... crying, tears coming from my eyes, can't breathe, squinty eyes laughing. He will have the ability to grow facial hair. I know that's weird, but... so are bug nets that don't keep bugs out. He will tease and joke and have a sense of humor...play along with jokes, instigate them. An accent would be ideal, but.... well, no. We'll just leave it at that. :) Brunette would be great. I've got the blonde covered. :) Tall. I'm short, and I know I don't ever wear heels, but maybe (according to my sister-in-law Sonia) someday I will :) He'll have a smile that takes my breath away. I mean that. I want my heart to skip a beat every time he smiles.

Okay, I could go on but I think maybe I will stop because others are reading this, and that makes me feel weird. I will finish this entry eventually. But it was just a thought that I wanted to put into words. I know I have somewhat sacrificed this being a private journal by making it public, but it is indeed still a form of journal for me, so... for those of you who follow it, you get all the good stuff. Thoughts, stories, experiences... the works. Luck you! :)

A Wedding.

My big sister got married today! I wish I could have been there to give her a big congratulations hug and a great big kiss on the cheek. But I wasn't. And that's okay. My family is so wonderful and they Skyped me into the ceremony. What a beautiful wedding. I'm so excited for Jesse to be a part of our family and to be connected with the Rongos. They are so great.

I love you Rebekah... and Jesse! :)

What Confucious would say...

When you change a diaper, and it smells REALLY bad. . . throw it out. -M.D Norton
If you think you're lost. . . think you're not.
When you're with a little girl and she is screaming REALLY loud. . . throw her out. -M.D Norton
If it appears to be closed . . . go in anyway, what's the worst thing that could happen?
When you want ice cream . . . (for crying out loud!) go get some ice cream.
If you miss the bus. . . start walking.
When you think so. . . you better say so.
If you have really miserable cramps. . . take pain relievers.
When someone elderly gets on the bus. . . give him/her your seat.
If you smile. . . you will have to be happy, eventually :)
When someone wants to talk. . . listen.
If you need money from the ATM but forgot the card. . . . you'll figure out how to not need it anymore.
When you realize how little time you have left. . . all of a sudden time starts to matter.
If your sister is getting married and you can't be there. . . Skype in!
When your sister is getting married during class. . . get a substitute.
If you need help . . . ask for it.
When you leave you're bed net open all night. . . you're going to get eaten alive.
If you set a goal for yourself. . . you have to try to accomplish it. It won't accomplish itself.
When in doubt. . . take a picture.
If it's 100% humidity outside. . . you're going to wet ALL DAY LONG.
When you throw something away, that you wish you hadn't... Retrieve it. Dumpster Dive. Do what it takes. Absolutley.
If you're full and cannot possibly eat any more... keep eating.
When you're tired. . . go to bed.


Hao le.
Wan an.

If I wanted to,

I would be a preschool/kindergarten teacher when I grow up because even though it is difficult, stressful, and not easy sometimes {especially for someone as inexperienced as me...} kids just make me happy. They are so funny, and sweet. They do the darndest things, that they just don't think about. But it's okay and you can't be upset because they're kids, and their cute and they don't know any better. I guess this isn't really a job, but it's hard not to see it like that in our current situation. SO, I think I am safe to say, this is the greatest job ever! :) I just laugh. ALL DAY! I love these kids. I really do. aha. The more time we spend with them the harder it is to really say that someone is a favorite over another someone, because really... they're all so stinking adorable. And hysterical. I'm not kidding. I'm just laughing all the time. I try to share funny stories as often as I can but sometimes it's not the same to try to replicate it in words.

Teaching continues to stress me out, which isn't saying much because I stress over things like... hmmmm, teaching a 25 minute class to a bunch of 4 year olds. :) Yeah. It's hard. For me anyway. I really struggle to get the language out on the table, which is really the point of our lessons. No matter how cute my craft turns out, or how delicious my kitchen item tastes, or how fun my game is... that doesn't matter. It's the language that matters. So, I've made a goal to try really hard these next 6 weeks to make a special effort to focus on the areas I need work in so that both my kids, and I can get the very most out of this splendid experience.

Speaking of.... Whoa! Saturday it will be 5 1/2 weeks until I come home. Why does time go by so fast? I can't believe it. I really can't.

Tarah. Wo xiang nian ni

Sometimes, I feel like Tarah and I are married. That is how much I miss her. Ha. It kind of makes me sick. It hasn't changed a bit. When we're together we usually just laugh, ALL THE TIME. At nothing in particular. Sometimes we create fictional conversations in our heads and have mini role plays and recite them in different situations and instances. Inside jokes, dance moves... It's probably not even funny, but we think it is. Really Tarah is just hysterical. I laugh out loud every time I talk to her and I love it. The purpose for this blog post: I got to talk to Tarah for a good portion of the day today, as well as study the scriptures and listen to the words of our Prophet and Apostles from General Conference. Indeed, SUCH a marvelous day. And I got to do so in solitude. My flat mates took off and went to Shenzen for the day. Mmmmmm. I love those days where you lay in bed at the end of it, with a long sigh and a smile and think... THAT was a great day. :) And today was one of those days.

Wo de Mama... Wo ai ni

Wo de Mama! Happy Mothers Day! Wo ai ni... hen duo! You're so great Mom. Ni fei cheng zhenbang! The 12 of us are the luckiest kids on earth. There just isn't another mother out there like you. We are so blessed to have you. Below is a list of 50 things that either I love about you or reasons that I love you. MUAH! I wish I could be there to give you a kiss on the cheek and a massive hug! If I were there, I would give you a foot massage :) You can count on one when I get home.

1) I love the way you talk to your plants to make them grow beautifully. It DOES work :)
2) I love when you play the piano.
2) You and Dad are the best examples of service anyone could ask for. You're so great.
3) I LOVE how much you love your grandkids. You are such a great nana/grandma. I can't wait to have little ones for you to teach, love and spoil :)
4) You always give the best advice, naturally. That's what mothers are for. You remind me to take decisions in my life to my Father in Heaven first, always.
5) You yell and cheer, LOUD at our sporting events :)
6) I love that you celebrate Valentines Day almost as much as any other holiday. You always take opportunities to make sure we know how much you love us.
7) You're a babe. I have the most beautiful mom. This is not debatable.
8) Your permanent and contageous smile.
9) Your incredible, never ending love and concern for those around you... particularly our family.
10) You never let a teaching moment slip away.
11) The way you spontaneously bare testimony to us of the truthfulness of the Gospel.
12) Packages you send. containing delicious foods. :) Cadbury egg delicious, and other great and fun things :)
13) Your example of important righteous traditions in the home such as
14) FHE
15) sabbath worship and observance
16) family prayers
17) fasting
18) family scripture study
19) attending church meetings
20) a home of order
21) attending/watching all sessions of general conference.
22) Your example of frugality and being thrifty and resourceful.
23) Hard work... yours and for teaching us how to do a job and do it right.
24) 'Waste not, want not.'
25) How much you do. You are always doing something for someone.
26) I love conversing with you during foot rubs, even if they are sometimes one sided conversations :)
27) Your love of nature and planting and beauty
28) yours sincere prayers
29) kissing babies bums after changing their diapers
30) The sweet occasional notes you leave for us.
31) A full pantry and refrigerator after you leave our apartment
32) Coming to be there for surgeries. Helping in every possible way
33) Your love and excitement about the things we get excited about. Soccer, music, crushes, you name it :)
34) Your impeccable advice.
35) Your total and complete commitment and love for our growing family.
36) I love watching movies with you. I am so much like you in that sense :)
37) Dairy Queen Root Beer Freeze runs. Mmmmm. I love that you crave them, because conveniently... so do I! :)
38) Road trips with you.... it is ALWAYS a great time.
39) The way you drive... go get em.
40) The way you sing to songs you don't know the words to. :)
41) Messages you leave on my phone while I'm at school or work or soccer. They ALWAYS cheer me up. Simply hearing your voice cheers me up.
42) Your goofy moods when you are just silly and crack us up! I love it.
43) I love laughing with you. I love it when you are laughing so hard that your eyes squint up and it gets hard to breathe. Ah, so great.
44) How you dance with your hands. Ha!
45) Your trust. You trust me. I love that.
46) How much you love Dad
47) Canning peaches together
48) Cooking and learning in the kitchen with you. You're the master.
49) I love our outings together. Girls nights, or days... Lunches, shopping... just spending time with you.
50) I love you for being the incredible mother you have been to the 12 of us kids. For raising us together with Dad in the gospel. For teaching me to love and value what is most important, and never questioning what is most important. For always being the most prime example to me. You are so amazing Mama. In so many ways. I can only hope and pray to be half the mother you are to us... to my children someday.

The list could go on and on. I love you. Happy Mothers Day! And to all the other wonderful mothers in my life. Leah, Anna, Julia, Lisa... I love you. You are such fabulous mothers and examples to me. Have a great mothers day!

Sheng Ri Kuai Le wo de di di

Today is May 8th in China. It is indeed my little brothers birthday. Jordan! I can't believe you are 16. I really can't. It's crazy to me. My baby brother is getting his license, and he can date!... ah! Anyway.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I sure love ya, and I hope it's a great day for you. Muah!

The Frog Prince and The Princess Pat.

I've been awake off and on since 1:30. Big storm. I woke up to a lit up sky and rumbling thunder and I L.O.V.E.D it! We've yet to really have a big storm like this. It just mists, and an occasional down pour, so this morning was such a great surprise.

The last couple of days I've been back with the older kids. I miss the babies, so much. Even if it was just glorified babysitting. But not really. Our babies are so smart. They speak far more than they get credit for. Smart smart kids. My new homeroom is Leo, Morris, Angel, Belinda, Justin, Zoe, & Navin. It's fun to be back with the older kids. They were certainly missed. They all just have such fun personalities it's hard not to miss them. However, once again, it is teaching that is the hard part. Teaching the babies was less stressful because it was just great to have them repeating anything at all. With the older kids, we have to really get creative and think outside of the box... not an easy task for this mind.

We have started practicing with our kids for the Children's Day Spectacle Performances after lessons each day. It serves as quite the entertainment. I love it. I don't think I've laughed as much as I have the last few days since.... wo bu zhidao. We are doing a skit of The Frog Prince & The Princess Pat with a few added songs and scenes. Leo is the Frog Prince, Bella is the Princess. Angel is the Fairy, and William is the Alligator. William is a hoot. Hands down, the funniest kid. I wish I could put video clips on here. If I could, he'd be the main character and the star of this blog. I have been assigned to work with the Leads (the characters I've just listed) and it's so fun going over the lines with the kids. Particularly Leo because you tell him to say one thing, but then it just sounds like a whole different thing. :) Hence, the practice. It'll be great.

And of course, we too have the privilege of performing at Spectacle and our piece is also coming along.... slowly but surely. The Chinese Fan Dance is no more. A shame. They must have decided against it after watching us in motion :) It just isn't done with the grace that the Chinese display it with. So rather, we are doing a Chinese version of an aerobics/cheer dance (that is how we've labeled it anyway). There is a lot of clapping, marching, jumping, and hands moving oddly. Really funny. It's just a bad idea all around (for me), but... I'm afraid I have no choice. Ugh hu hu. It is kind of fun though, to just be silly and dance. We're dancing with 20 other Chinese teachers and somehow all of them are expert dancers. Not to mention, so are the other 6 American teachers I'm here with. Perfect.

China is still beautiful as ever, the kids are still sweet, hilarious, rowdy, and crazy as ever, and it's still more humid than I wish it were :) And I'm still LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

A little bit broken...

A little bit of my heart broke today. I think it's so true everything they say about pains that twins feel. After I talked to Tarah today I felt so empty. It wasn't me doing what she had to do, I have no idea even the slightest idea how she feels or how difficult of a thing it was to do but I just bawled my eyes out for her. It makes me so sad to see her so sad and see her have to do something so hard. But I cannot even imagine how much she has learned and grown and matured from this experience. Not only because of the individual, Dan... but because of decisions she was forced to make. She really had to rely on our Savior.

How hard. I hope I am never ever in a situation like that. Ever. But if I am, I pray that I will be doing all of the right things and that I will be able to have a clear contience and be able to hear the spirit and follow it's guidance for me. Tarah is so great. I look up to her so much. I just think about how much she wanted Dan. I'll never forget coming home all of those nights after ward activities and crying with her because she wanted him so bad. That is the only thing for me that was hard to see her let him go. Of course, I want what is right for her, but it is hard to see her let such a great person go. I hope someday I can find myself a Dan Palmer, that I am sure about.

I wished I could have been there at home to hug Tarah and tell her everything is going to be okay today. But I couldn't. I sure love that Tarah. I hope she knows it, and feels it.

Sanya! Vacation.

Sanya!

It's beautiful. So beautiful. We had a great time this weekend. Blue skies, big white clouds. The water was a teal blue, clear, not too warm, not too cold. Just perfect. The sun was shining, with a cool breeze, a little rain. It was more than pleasant. I got fried, like a chicken the first day on the beach. Even with plenty of sunscreen. I don't even do the sunscreen thing at home... but I did it here, and I was baked. But it was beautiful. Every minute of it. Only 4 of us went and it was just relaxing... and fun. We made a handful of new Chinese friends. All of whom have promised to email if they ever come to America, which I would LOVE! That would be so fun.

Here are some pictures of our trip. {I know that was brief... if you're interested in a more indepth description of our weekend... you can go to Kelle's blog, mikelledionne.blogspot.com, otherwise, enjoy :)}

Sleeper Bus...




The country side on our bus ride back. I didn't take my eyes away from the window the whole first day. It was just so gorgeous!




The receptionists at our hostel.




I love you all! :)










Our Hostel: Sanya Lost International Hostel


The main shopping street in Sanya. WAY too much bartering took place here :)




Ah.... yes.





Kelle, Abs and I