Hot

It's HOT outside... So we have played in the AC all day.

Jet lagged boys

So sweet- little nap on the boat. Perfect weather - perfect day!!

Cousin play

I have been waiting for this moment since the day Lexie was born... P and Lexie met for the first time and it was adorable. We played all day and ended the night with story time :)

Father's Day

We are MILES and MILES apart right now... but my heart is right there with him.  He is my BFF!
He is my hero, example, inventor, creative-thinker, promise-keeper, grace-giving Boo Boo.  He is my favorite author, advice giver and spiritual counselor. 
When I was little we did everything together.  He use to sing "you are my sunshine" to me at bed time.  He took me to the fair and circus every year (well into my college days) 
We rode bikes all over town.  He is the Biff to my Buff... the Frick to my Frack. 
We share a love for my mom, chocolate and the lake and MANY other things.
He is amazing... the most wonderful dad in the world.

I love you Dad!!  Just a few short days and I'll deliver the HUG that goes with this post! 

Baby ... It's HOT outside

The Hengyang heat is here in FULL force... it's partner humidity is tagging along.
Poor Parker and I are sweating buckets (as I carry him in the Ergo)
This mom found a better outfit for her son.
Let's just say... he was MUCH cooler than Parker.
 

Bear Bear

Last week, I posted a letter from Parker to Sock Mokey... but if we are all honest... Sock Monkey is like pond scum compared to  Bear Bear.  Wes and I gave him Bear Bear for Christmas.  (actually I gave it to him about 2 weeks before Christmas because I was so excited)  For whatever reason... Parker immediately fell in LOVE with him.  They have been BFF ever since.  

Bear Bear gets the BIGGEST smiles, squeals, giggles, screams, kisses etc...

 Yesterday, Parker officially started crawling on hands and knees (previously it was belly army crawl)
Maybe just maybe because Bear Bear was cheering him on :)

Parker spots Bear Bear

Crawls over

Grabs and Kisses him :)

I absolutely adore this little boy.  He has a great personality and lots of energy.
Watch out America... we are coming :) 

 

Love

He loves Daddy's Kisses!!
He loves Flying though the air!

We LOVE him!!

The harder life of HY

This is a common scene in our everyday life in Hengyang and it breaks my heart.
These women are about my parents age carrying heavy buckets of pig slog (sometimes vegetable for sale) on their shoulders.  
Notice their shoes are not top-of-the-line for comfort... nor the bicycle seat padded for comfort yet bagged for rain-proofing. 
Needless to say- we are immensely blessed!

Most Adorable Girl Ever

Sweet Lexie Girl!!

Love this face... Love this smile... Love this girl!!
Can't wait to "meet" her in real life :)

Funny story- Ashley sent me a video of Lexie blowing raspberries... Parker and I sat down to watch it together... when he saw Lexie on the computer the BIGGEST smile came to his face and he leaned into the computer screen.  I am so excited for my little boy to play with Lexie!! 
I can't imagine what his reaction will be when he realizes he isn't the only baby on the planet :)

What did I do for Children's Day?

I left Parker at home with Wes. (it is sheer madness out there)

And took my 4 little Chinese "children" out for a couple hours :)
I have seen these 4 accept the Father... grow in the belief... and we've had tons of fun in the process.

On Friday, we went to a photo booth and took these pictures

Kiss or Fish... you decide :)

Best Crazy face

Lots of LOVE

And a little joking

Full of Smiles

Full of air

Plain silly!

Hear no evil, See no evil, Say no evil :)

After several re-takes... we were all happy.
It was lots of fun :)  After tons of photos... ice-cream for all!! 

May Goals Update

Goals Update-- I love this time each month :)
Many of you remember last month I told you about my 30 Day- 30 Day Shred... some of you have even joined me :)
I am happy to report that things are going good.  I now have 4 days left in the challenge. 
How do I feel you might ask? - I feel great that I have almost completed the task.  I feel old!!  My knees are KILLING me!  I feel bored... BUT the end is in sight.  I will make it. 
Hooray for almost being finished with Health goal and challenge for May!  I am deciding on a goal for June... but I can tell you it will not be another 30 consecutive days of the same DVD :)

Reading Goals (one fiction/one non-fiction each month)
This month, I had the extreme pleasure of reading The Practice of the Presence of God
Everyday at 9:30, P and I have reading time.  He will hold one of his books and I will read to him.  I read this book out loud to him.  We both enjoyed it. 
One quote that spoke to my heart
"I am in the hands of God, He will do with me as He pleases.  If I do not serve Him here, I will serve Him elsewhere."
How fitting for this time of transition between China and America.

Fiction-
Two recommendations-

I adore Robin Jones Gunn.  I have been reading her books since I was 14 years old.  I feel like most of the characters are my childhood best friends. 
She just released the last book in the Katie Weldon Series (again I have known Katie since she was 14) I LOVE how Katie's life has transformed. 
You may think this sounds crazy to "know" these fictional characters... but give her books a try... you will feel like you know the too :)

I LOVE a good Suspense, Mystery book. 
One of my friends recommended Vince Flynn and I choose his book Transfer of PowerLoved it!! 
I have a funny story to accompany this book.  Every other Tuesday, my friend Caroline and I go to get Pedicures.  Wes keeps Parker and it is my moment to get out :) I will post more about this later.
Anyways, generally I give Caroline an update of whatever book I am reading.  As we left the house on Tuesday, I calmly stated "well the terrorist are still in control of the White House" (as it is the premise of the book)  Caroline just about stopped in her tracks- "What? I hadn't heard this."
Well perhaps I should have prefaced by "in my book..." :)
haha... we both got a good laugh.

I am on the hunt for good books for June.  It is getting harder and harder for me to read.  I used to read while feeding P... but as happens with life... this season is changing. 

Lastly Some Goals for June

Finish Strong and Start Well
We have almost finished our commitment of 2 years in China.  We have 16 days left in Hengyang.  It has been on my heart to "finish strong"
I want to leave and love well and have lots of fun with these girls!

I am still working up a Health Goal and Bible Reading Goal... Stayed Tuned

P turned 9 months. 
He is on the move!!  He LOVES to stand, smile, give Mommy kisses, play hide and seek in his walker, read books with Mom, blow raspberries with Dad and eat... lots of eating. 
He does not like to sleep, sit still, or cuddle.

 

I'm not sure what he was wanting to say to all of you... but love this "I mean business" face :)
Here's to June!