Goals

Well... it is now the end of March :) Did you have a good month? In case you are new to my blog... I am evaluating my yearly goals at the end of each month to make them more attainable. So... How did March go?

Bible Reading: My goal was to read through the New Testament in 90 Days. PTL!! I finished today :)
My parents got Wes and I each a KindleFire for Christmas (highly recommend) My favorite app that assisted in my Bible reading is called the YouVersion. It has multiple versions of the Bible including the audios, reading plans and much much more. It is a free app... take advantage.

My next goal in Bible reading is to read through the Psalms and Proverbs in 45 days.

In the area of Healthy Living for the month of March, I focused on water consumption. I noticed in January and February I was hardly drinking any water. My goal- at least 2 nalgenes of water every day. Did I accomplish-- CHECK :) I am floating.

Book reading- Goal: At least one fiction and one non-fiction each month.
First up in the fiction
Strength of His Hands by Lynn Austin.
This is a great book series focused around the Kings in the Old Testament. This book was on King Hezekiah. I really enjoyed it. I loved cheering for him when he was making decisions that honored the Lord and I cringed when he fell to his pride. Great way to bring the Old Testament to live.

This is another book in a series- The Intervention Series. It is a mystery/thriller books. LOVED this book. Read the series.

I am going to skip to a non-fiction- Loving the Little Years. This is a wonderful book for moms(and dads.) Rachel has a great way of writing to bless you heart and encourage you in your walk as a godly mom. Some of my favorite quotes from this book:
"Your children are not a situation. They are individuals"
"Be a pastor to your children. Study them. Seek them out. Sacrifice the things you were doing to work through minor emotional issues... Prioritize your children far and away above the other work ou need to get done. They are they only part of your work that really matters"
It is a great easy (yet challenging) read

One more non-fiction that is close to my heart. I adore Karen Kingsbury books. She is an amazing author. I got connected to the Baxter and Flanigan families many many books ago starting with Redemption. Karen Kingsbury allows you to get intimately involved in the lives of these precious character through multiple series of books. This is the last book in the Bailey Flanigan series. I feel so sad... I know she is just a book character... but I feel a connection to her sweet spirit. With the series ending... I feel like I have said "good-bye" to one of my dear friends. (yes... maybe I am crazy... but I get attached to fiction characters. Just ask Wes about my best friend from middle/high school - Christy Miller - character in series written by Robin Jones Gunn ... haha) Anyways, if you love reading and need a good book-- start reading Karen Kingsbury books. I recommend starting with Redemption.
BTW-- I love the way sweet Bailey's journey ended

What have you been reading??

Finally... I wanted this to happen for a long time (although I wouldn't necessary call it a "goal") BUT Parker is sleeping unswaddled :) Hooray.

Tofu and Spinach in Garlic Sauce

2 teaspoons cornstarch (or flour)
½ cup chicken stock
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
½ teaspoon sugar
1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil
2 blocks of smoked tofu or white tofu, patted dry (I have done it with both... like smoked better)
1 inch fresh ginger grated
2 large garlic cloves (minced)
1 bunch fresh spinach, chopped
1. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch or flour with 1 tablespoon or so of the chicken stock and set aside. In another bowl, stir together the remaining stock, soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar
2. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat and add the vegetable oil. Add the tofu, and stir-fry for about 1 minute. Add the ginger and garlic and stir-fry for 1 more minute.
3. Add the spinach and toss until beginning to wilt, then pour in the soy sauce mixture.
4. Stir the cornstarch (flour) mixture well, then scrape it into the stir-fry. Simmer and stir until the sauce thickens, 1 to 2 minutes.

Serve over rice. 
(recipe adapted from Fit Pregnacy)

Seperation anxiety?

Parker has to be the over-all happiest baby I have ever seen.  He is generally smiling and happy.  Recently (like in the past 2 days) he is still happy... but only when he is in "momma's arms"  I put him in his walker or play mat while I cook dinner and the tears and fake crying starts.  I pick him up... happy boy.  HUMMMM.  Maybe it is just a quick phase.  It does make you feel good that he loves to be with you... but it also makes stirring ingredients, kneading dough and making dinner somewhat dificult.
Who can resist that cute face?  So... I am learning a new skill of cooking with one free hand.

7 months old

Parker turns 7 months tomorrow.  Wow.  We went to Guangzhou (a big city in China) for his 6 month immunizations (his schedule is a little off)  On the train ride and subways, he would smile then bury his head... followed by peaking out to smile again at anybody that would pay attention to him.  Super cute. 

We went to Guangzhou for all of my prenatal appointments, so we were pretty familiar with the territory.  I wanted to get his 7 month pictures while we were there (Guangzhou is about 1000 times more beautiful than Hengyang)  BUT Parker didn't want much to do with pictures.  He was low on sleep and high on a bad attitude after the 3 hour trip (which he hasn't shaken yet-- as I write this-- he is on his 2nd hour of crying and fighting his nap)   :(
Here are a few that we got... no smiles but some great scenery.

Looking at Fish

Eating "bunny" a new member in his toy family

Touching pretty flowers

Making sure I knew he didn't want to participate in the photo shoot

 

My Friend, Sharolyn

 

Sharolyn and her family came to China the same time as Wes and I.  We immediately fell in love with their family.  Trey is the most well-behaved, fun little boy :)  Last year in Thailand, we were able to take him to the zoo... he is a dream child... very obedient and kind.  Anyways, this post is about his lovely mom- Sharolyn.  This past year in Thailand, we were able to spend some time together... get coffee... chat and encourage each other... It was so refreshing.  This semester we have been keep in touch with e-mail and google chat.  I was talking to her yesterday and she was encouraging me with the Word.  She shared this verse with me and I wanted to share it with all of you.  I particularly LOVE the part that says "cast all your cares on HIM because He cares for you."  The God of the Universe cares for YOU!! 
Sharolyn and I were talking about how if we constantly surround our lives and hearts with the promises from the Father, our outlook on life will dramatically improve.  What you put into your mind- comes out in your daily life.  Flood your mind with the promises from the All-Time Promise Keeper...  He cares for you!!

 

First Tooth

We have a tooth popping through :)  It's on the bottom.  He won't hardly lets us see it... but it has broken skin and is making an appearance.  I have to say... he has an amazing attitude even while teething!!
Love this little boy!!

I pinned it... I did it!

Braided Apple Bread
I have a man that LOVES bread!!  So I LOVE making bread for him :)
After seeing this recipe all over pinterest.com... I thought I would give it a try.  I adapted it to make it "China-friendly" but is a winner in our book.  Made it last night... it is totally gone tonight!

Water anybody??

 

Many of you know from my weekly e-journal that our running water has been shut off for some unknown reason.  One day it was off for 12 hours (retuning at 11:00 pm... turned off again by the time I woke up at 6:00)  and about 5 hours the following day.  I was beginning to wonder when our next shower would come... when our dishes would be washed... or better... when we would be able to flush the toilet. 
As soon as it came back on Wes said "Avery, grab your towel... water's back on"  We got a quick shower not knowing when the next one would be.  I thought it would be wise to wash the dishes that were beginning to pile up.  I filled our bathroom sink with water and brown water comes out.  After saying-- "GROSS I just showered in that"... I thought to myself... the dishes can wait :)  I did fill up two buckets for flushing the toilet ... just in case we had another 12 hours without water.
I never thought about hoarding clean water... but maybe it is a good idea :) 

 

Blogger Help

Any of my readers good at blogger?? I have some things I want to fix on the blog... but I can't figure out how to do it. For example- the picture of Wes and I at the top is TOO big-- how do I get to it smaller and looking good? or How do I get pictures next to each other instead of all in one long column?
If you are willing to help me- shoot me an e-mail- avery.thomas@elic.org
Thank you :)

Crib Time

Recently, we have been trying to break the swaddle.  It hasn't gone as easy as I would have hoped.  After getting some advice from my "mommy friends" ... we started the one arm out method.  We have done this for 4 days.  I think he is finally use to it... but it has cut his nap time down.  He would sleep 2 hours swaddled but with one arm out... down to 1 to 1.5 hours.  So... when he wakes up and clearly isn't going back to sleep... he has "crib time."  He is allowed to play with blanket, bear bear or his paci :)  He seems to like it just fine. 

Yesterday I tried to do a body swaddle with two arms out ... the result- two hours of crying.  I check on him every 15 minutes.  This child just realy loves a swaddle.  I can just picture me going with him to kindergarden and having to swaddle my 5 year old for nap time-- yikes. 
Wes and I went on a semi-date last night... "semi" meaning we took Parker with us.  He was perfect on our date.  We walked home through the campus and he conked out.  This is how he came out of the Ergo carrier.... but as soon as he realized he wasn't swaddled or in mommy's arms... he woke up.

Moms any other advice??

Pumpkin for my Pumpkin

We have been trying different "solid" foods recently.  Pumpkin is a big hit around here.  (I think some of it got in his mouth)  Believe it or not... I was feeding him with a spoon... and NONE of the pumpkin on the face was intentional :)  It seemed like he would be ready for a bite... move towards the spoon and then fake me out by face planting in the spoon :)  Tons of fun!!  When he takes the last bite, I sign "all done" and clap my hands... every time, I get a BIG smile :) 

Happy Friday :)

 

Bath Time Fun

Bath time has gotten funner and funner :)  We have a rubber ducky that my sister gave Parker and a hairbrush.  Parker loves them both.  The ducky sprays water out his mouth which always gets giggles.  Parker is sitting up in the little tub my himself.  He loves to hit the water and watch Mommy get soaked :) 

 

After bath time, he gets all lotioned up, dressed and even a stylish hairdo :) 

Chocolate Hazlenut Tea

When we were in Thailand, I went to an afternoon tea for moms with ELIC. My favorite thing... a goodie bag from a church in America sent for all the moms. In my goodie bag was a bag of Tazo Chocolate Hazelnut Tea. Hesitantly, I tried it, and it was DELICIOUS!! My mom was preparing to send a package... so I said-- send this Chocolate Hazelnut Tea. She looked in the stores and on-line... but didn't have success in finding it. My mom is super amazing and she got creative. She sent a Creamy Chocolate and Hazelnut Creamer and suggested I add it to black tea. Again, hesitantly, I tried it... WOW... delicious :) Just thought I would share what I am drinking on this cold... and yes again... rainy Wednesday.

Meet Terence

This is our friend Terence. Wes met him one Friday night and they exchanged numbers. Last night he came over for his first Western dinner. He ate and ate and ate... until he said "I am up to here" (motioning to his head :)
He is a great guy. I asked him what he liked to do for fun- he said something like-- reading, hanging out with friends... and then shopping :) He said- sometimes when I feel sad, I will go shopping, buy some things and then feel better. Love it :) I taught him "retail therapy" So... since he loves shopping and I love shopping... we are all going out shopping. Wes is a good sport... and a new handbag is in my near future.

Monsoon Season

We are in the midst of Monsoon Season here in South Central China. Last year, I think that we had a very light "rainy" season... but this year we are in the middle of 3 weeks straight of rain. This isn't any normal rain either... it is a soaking, open-sewer-overflowing, get-your-pants-wet-up-to-your-knees, mud-puddle jumping, rats-swimming-down-stream... rain. So needless to say... Parker and I haven't left the house much (or at all really) What does our day look like...
After Parker's first feeding, he goes back to bed. I have made it a bit of a habit to get up and get my day started. I start by spending some time in the Word.

Then I get my workout going. I have been doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, but I just added Billy Banks to my exercises just to mix it up a bit.

My goal is to shower and get ready before P wakes up again.

After that... play time. It is a mix of reading books to P, singing songs, dancing, tummy time... you know all the fun things you do with a 6 month old. Of course with eating and nap time in the middle of all the play. Nap time is my time to do some cooking/baking, catch up on e-mails, clean the house, wash laundry and check out pinterest :)

This past weekend, Wes and I did get one of our teammates to watch P, so we could run to the DVD store. My mom and dad sent an amazing packaged filled with tons of goodies... included - movie candy. We had a home date (after P was in bed) of a movie marathon. I would give any high recommendaitons... but we saw- Jack and Jill and Big Year... all while eating our favorites.