Happy NEW Years 2012

Well, it is here again!! The beginning of a new year. This is the year of the dragon here in China. I don't know much about what that means... but I think dragons are good :)
Every year about this time, I reflect on the previous year and set goals for the coming year.
Many of you know my dad (and if you don't you want to after reading my blog post:) He is an amazing man. I go to him for advice, he is a huge giver of encouragement, he always looks on the optimistic-side, he is godly, he is crazy fun :) ... but to me... he is DAD :)

Anyways... every year as a child, he encouraged my sister and I to write goals for the coming year. Different than resolutions... goals are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and have a time-table)

Today and tomorrow-- I am working on my goals. I want to encourage you to do the same thing. This year... I am working on something a little different too. I really like 3x5 index cards with reminders (some people like post-it notes... I like index cards:) Combine this with goals. I have decided to break down my year goals to monthly goals written on 3x5 cards as a reminder. I will post some pictures later of what my goals look like.

I would love to know what kind of goals you have :)

Precious smile and squeels

Recently, Parker has been squeezing like crazy. Wes and I love it. Many time we will look at each other and say... "isn't it just the CUTEST sound you have ever heard" He doesn't need anything to squeel at either. He can just be lying in this tent- by himself- squeeling. So cute. He is so happy!!

Decked out for First Christmas

We love Skype :) We were able to connect with both of our families- Wes' Dad, Karen, Grandmother and Aunt Aloma on Christmas Eve and this morning we skyped with my parents, Ashley and Salomon. While skyping with my family, we opened presents :) They had gifts from Wes and I... and we had a USPS Priority box full of gifts from them. Amongst the presents ... the AMAZING outfit pictured above. SUPER CUTE. LOVE LOVE LOVE the hat :)

Merry Christmas

Love
Wes, Avery and Parker Thomas :)

Ballcap Baby

When I found out I was having a boy... I decided he would like to wear hats :) I always thought I would have a girl... I mean I know it is a 50/50 chance... but never in my life did I think I would have a little boy. I always thought about a little girl with ribbons and bows, dresses and frill. BUT the Father blessed me with an amazing little boy ... whom I ADORE... and I put in ball caps :) His head is finally big enough and we don't leave the house without a hat on the head.
On a side note-- I am super excited that my sister is having a precious little girl in Janruary (Lexie Claire- aka... Lil Lexie, Parker's best friend, the Princess that goes with the P, etc... I have lots of nicknames for them). I will be the Aunt that buys all kinds of hairbows and cute pink items.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Parker and I get bundled to go outside. It is remarkably warmer than last year... but still quite cold outside. I LOVE this lion outfit that I bought at Kid-to-Kid in Cary, NC. It is super warm for Parker and I don't catch any flack from the well-meaning grannies :) Win Win.

4th Anniversary

(If you click on the collage picture above... it will enlarge for you to see it better :)

Wes and I celebrated 4 years of marriage yesterday, December 15. We had a wonderful day. Our anniversary happen to fall on an "off-teaching day" for Wes. I surprised Wes and asked one of our teammates to watch Parker so we could go out on a date. (This was my first time away from him since coming to China) As we were leaving, I told Wes he could choose any place in HY to eat and gave him some options of nicer restaurants in our city. After giving him some selections... he says... I would like McDonalds :) haha. So... what my baby wants... my baby gets :) We went to McDonalds. After McDonalds we went for a walk and decided to hit up the only other Western restaurant in our city - Dairy Queen. We shared a new Blizzard - Chocolate Hazlenut with Waffle Cone. It was SUPER yummy!! We had a great time walking around hand-in-hand.

I told Wes the only thing I wanted for our anniversary was "lovers shirts." In China, if you are boyfriend/girlfriend or even husband/wife/ child... you have at least one matching outfit. For boyfriend/girlfriend it is called "lover shirts" for the family it is "family uniform" Wes got us amazing "lover" sweatshirts. They say "Dunk Rock/ Laced with Venom" and they have a picture of a rock band with short shorts and all. Love the color (pink), love the Chinglish, love the feel... I LOVED THEM. They came from Nike- just in case you want to match with us. Later I will post a picture of us wearing them.

We have had a wonderful four years of marriage. In honor of Wes... I want to blog the top 4 things I LOVE about him
1. Friendship- we share an amazing friendship with each other. I love having him as my best friend.
2. Hard worker- Wes is the hardest worker I have ever met. No matter what he does in life... he will succeed because he works so hard.
3. Giving- He is always willing to give to others... maybe it is something they need or just giving of time. He has a generous heart.
4. Great Dad- He has given me a beautiful son and I LOVE watching him be a father to Parker.

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Morning Coffee with Wes

I consider myself to be a morning person... not a 4:00 am person... but I would rather get up early than stay up late. This semester, Wes has some early mornings to leave to teach at the "new campus" that is about an hour bus ride from our apartment. I get up and feed Parker and sometimes Wes and I have time to share a cup of coffee together. I truly treasure this time with him... it isn't long... but it is refreshing! A little bit of peace before the noise of China wakes up.

Big Boy in the Bumbo Seat

This week Parker has been doing some pretty cool stuff. He is standing (with assistance) and sitting in the Bumbo. He is so adorable. With both of his new tricks... he smiles, giggles and looks around... like he is saying "look at me"

Big Blue Eyes

Nap-time in the tent

Parker has been doing all his nap-times in the PeaPod. I have been leaving him un-swaddled for naps BUT I still miracle blanket him for the bedtime. He takes great naps in the morning and afternoons... he wants to skip an evening nap... it is ok by me because he is sleeping through the night from 9:30 pm to 6:00 am. :)

After Bath

Love this face :) After bath-times (which have become TONS of fun) Our bathroom has no heat and gets chilly... but Parker is a spoiled little youngin'-- I take the space heater in the bathroom about 10 minutes before bath-time... then it is toasty warm for him. :)

Encouraging words from Amazing People back home

In this past weeks e-journal, I asked my friends and family back home to send me an encouraging verse for me to carry around.

Back up to Thanksgiving, I was feeling a little blue and put together a card to remind my heart to REJOICE in the Father... here is my 3X5 card from Thanksgiving...

Taste and see the Lord is GOOD!! I will praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. Give thanks to the Lord for HE is GOOD and His love endures forever. Give thanks in all circumstances (even when feeling homesick) for this is God's will for me. The Lord is my strength and shield. My heart will trust in HIM. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

I really enjoyed having this reminder in my pocket. Any time I needed a smile, I would just pull out my card and read it aloud. SO... I decided to do the same thing for Christmas :)

I have amazing friends and family. I am still working on the verse card... in fact... it will be sent out in this weeks e-journal.

BUT

Two friends sent something they read in their personal studies and I wanted to share them on the blog to encourage other ELI teachers away from their families... actually... I think they could encourage ALL my readers :)

Sweet Debbie H. read in InTouch Magazine an article by Charles Stanley and shared it with me... here is her amazing encouragement.

At the time she was pregnant, not yet married, and alone. No one could share her weighty calling - no one could give birth to the incarnate Messiah for her. But joy came from that wondrous presence within her, even as she would soon be deeply misunderstood and most likely shunned. There's something far beyond human comfort we can draw from the knowledge that JC is G d with us. There is life-giving courage. His presence tells us that loneliness isn't the whole of our story. It tells us that there's much more than what we initially see - that reality goes deeper than the surface of pain or even momentary happiness. JC has come to us right where we are, just as we are. He enters into our loss, comes to share our sorrows and infuse them with His healing presence. He is with us ( He is with you Avery).
And truly knowing that He's come to make His home in us - and invites us to make our home in Him - changes everything. The lonely space our heart currently navigates may not change, but the substance of our journey through it can be transformed. The true beauty of Christmas never fades and never loses its power. The great Light came quietly into the world to redeem it and has never stopped shinning. Even now, His presence surrounds you waiting to break through any shade of darkness to reveal itself as the truer, deeper reality of your life. So wherever you are,(China) no matter how alone you feel right now(homesick) make room for the Light to come. Because this is why He came -to be with you."

An amazing man, Ron D. (who I have had the extreme privileged to know since I was a youngin' and then to work for at Farm Bureau) sent this from his quiet time reflections in ... none other than... InTouch with Charles Stanley. (this man is putting out some amazing reflections)

If you can't read it ... click on the picture and it will enlarge for you :)

I am incredibly blessed with an amazing support group.

BE ENCOURAGED!!

Ok friends, one day left to submit verses. I will be sending out the Christmas 3x5 tomorrow. Love you all!!

What do you get...

What do you get when you mix 4 Chinese girls, Chick-flick, delicious food and me??

About 10 braids and a high side pony-tail. :)Almost like a middle-school sleep over ... except no sleeping over :)

My cooking girls come every Saturday night. Most Saturdays, we meet about 4:00 to buy vegetables and then cook. Eat around 6:00 then chat for a bit.

This past Saturday, Wes was gone to the new campus... so, I asked them if they wanted to stay and watch a movie. They picked out a great chick flick- No Reservations. We watched the movie for a bit ... and then somehow ... we started doing hair. I was giving them all elegant hair-dos and then it was my turn. Four girls pulling, brushing, braiding and laughing. They said they were making a "surprise for Wes" AND surprised was he :) I looked like his middle-school crush :) haha

It was lots of fun. As soon as they left... I got a text message that said "We had a really fun night. Love you!" Now that warmed my heart!!

Manger Scene

Well... here in Hengyang- we don't have a church that Parker can play Baby Jesus in the Christmas cantata... so we decided to pretend :)
This is a wall hang in our house that we used as the back drop.
He is too cute :)

Saturday after Thanksgiving

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Team Hengyang and Team Changsha get together for a big Thanksgiving meal. We travel by fast train to Changsha (about a 30 minute train ride) It was Parker's first time on the train :) He is a great traveler. Most people didn't even know he was on the train. I did take him out of the carrier and he sat on my lap. Unfortunately... I only took two pictures the entire trip. It was great to see our friends in Changsha and hang out with other "foreigners"(that's us Americans) for the holiday.

Family of Three

 

Chinese cooking

This year I have a lot less interaction with students and friends at our school... but one thing I treasure is "growing time" on Tuesdays and then cooking on Saturdays with some girls I mentored last year. On Saturday afternoons, we go shopping for vegetables, meat and tofu and then head back to my house for cooking lessons (I am the student... trying to learn the art of Chinese cooking) We always have fun chopping and stir-frying. I always take notes in hope to recreate it in the future :)
Here we are after all dished have been cooked.

Girls Cook for Boys Team Thanksgiving

Every Thursday the girls on the team have "Girl Time" :) We alternate between studying the Word together and a fun activity. Thanksgiving Thursday fell on a fun activity ... so... I recommended the girls cook dinner for the boys :)

We each signed up for a couple things to make but decided to do the cooking together. They came over about 4:00 and we got busy. Here is Sarah rolling out the pie crust (she had all the ingredients from America for a Pecan Pie) AND not pictured- but she got a little Thanksgiving package and contributed cranberry sauce :)

And with finished delicious product!!
Caroline and Ani busy in the (outdoor) kitchen

The birds of the day-- chicken (pre-head and leg chopping)

Post decapitation and stuffed with apples and onions

Chris and Allie with our almost finished table of food

And last but not least... all of us patiently taking a photo before we dig in! It was a ton of fun!!

Best part about the meal-- since girls cooked boys cleaned.

Fun at the French Restaurant

Last night was our big night out with our team and PA, Cathy. We had a wonderful time at one of the nicest restaurants in town.
Last night for some reason the food wasn't nearly as amazing as it was last time... but the environment makes up for everything else that is lacking.
Wes and I both order the "Filet of Beef" Wes enjoyed a beef steak... while mine was not beef- we are thinking it was pork.
I didn't eat much of mine, but I am so happy that Wes had steak.
I truly had a great time just hanging out and talking with our friends.

Thank you Cathy and ELI for treating us to dinner.

P man pictures

Happy Boy

I'm going to think about smiling.

Okay- BIG smile :)

Foodie Friday

Yesterday was a busy cooking day here at the Peak of Mount Thomas (if you remember affectionately named due to the 5 flight hike)
My morning started with a bowl of Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal topped with Crasins and a cup of Good Earth Tea. The flavors were wonderful... but the company better!! I enjoyed this meal with my friend Kate :-) She drank a glass of Eggnog on one side of the computer ... and me with my oatmeal on the other. Loved our skype date.


I have enjoyed many cooking blogs recently (Crockpot 365, Whisk and Prayer, Market 2 Meal etc...) I found a Cinnamon Sugar bread recipe. Since Wes happens to love bread and cinnamon and sugar... I made it :-) It turned out DELICIOUS!! A definite keeper in the recipe book.


Cathy came over for dinner so I prepared an Ameican meal for our enjoyment. I didn't get any pictures... but we had Baked Potato soup in Bread Bowls and Brownies for dessert. Delish!
Today I plan to eat PP&J on a paper towel because my drying rack is full and my hands are pruned from all the dishes.

Parenting in China

So... being a white face in Hengyang draws a LOT of attention... but a white face with a white baby... oh my!! Things haven't been too crazy but crazy all at the same -- for instance- we go to our favorite Japanese noodle place for a nice relaxing meal (it is a treat to go here) and suddenly the waitress thinks it is ok to break out her cell phone and start taking pictures ... then send it to all her friends. This is rabbit trail.
Recently the weather in Hengyang has been simply beautiful- I would say an average of 75 over 60s... no rain... pollution only if you look in the distance (well... still highly polluted... but that's ok) You may be wondering- what does the weather have to do with the title of this post "Parenting in China" ... it will take some rabbit trails but eventually we will get around to it.
Back to the parenting part... many people like to give you advice -- rather tell you what you should and shouldn't be doing. This unsolicited advice is not limited to people with children but even my student friends feel the need to tell me how I should care for Parker.

For example, Parker has on one layer of clothing- sweatpants and a long sleeve shirt... we are inside where it is relatively warm here is a conversation

My friend says "I think Parker must be cold. You should put some more clothes on him"
(Not thinking I touch his hands... they are warm...)
so I say "Ok... I think he is alright"
Later (about 5 minutes)
Friend- "Avery, do you think Parker is cold?"

Another time with a different friend, I had Parker sitting on the couch right next to me and another
friend says "Can Parker move yet?"
Me: "nope, not yet"
friend: "do you think he is ok to sit there like that"
Me: "Yep, I am sitting right next to him... I think he is fine"
friend: "Are you sure... he might get hurt"

These are friends... but the advice also comes from anybody on the street. For example, you should put more layers on your child, why doesn't he have a hat on? I think he must need more sun. etc...

My teammate, Allie, and I went to the grocery store together. It was another warm 75 degree day and I saw this lady with her baby... I told Allie- I have to get a picture of this (she is great and said sure :)
This poor little one is about the same age as Parker... can't move his arms or legs and is sweating bullets.

Poor baby!!
As we leave, I am certain all the people said "the foreigner should put more clothes on that poor baby"

:)

So I know that this is the Hengyang way of showing care and love for other. The proper response is a smile and "thank you" then move along. Grace extended :)

Do Happy

There is a store in Hengyang called "Do Happy" and it does make you happy. They have random things like 15 RMB ($2 USD) Starbucks coffee mugs, home decor and tons of things with Chinglish (for example the sign at the entrance- Hello, my name is Christmas, will you merry me?")

This year the part that particularly makes me happy is all the stuffed animals They have every thing from "scary-looking-what-kind-of-animal-is-that" to Mickey, Minnie and Tiger too :) I know what Parker is getting for Christmas :)


Just thought I would share a fun store in Hengyang with you.