HAPPY Day

I know there's probably some unspoken blog rule that you just should have a post about the first day of school and that you should have at least 17 pictures (which have been expertly posed- to not look posed -that include grade or age indicating props and cute new shoes and hairbows and on and on and on).  Well I'm just going to rebel and not do it.....nope ...not gonna do it. I refuse to be persuaded by peer pressure and do things just because I'm supposed to.   (whisper from my powerful internal rule follower:  You can see my first day of school photos  on facebook).  Instead I'm going to show you another day that caused quite a bit of happiness here a few weeks ago.  Rebellious I know......

It was one morning and Xan and I were in the living/dining room.  We heard some incessant knocking on our neighbors door and since I was nosy concerned about who would knock for so long when clearly no one was home and at such an early hour (it was before 8am) I looked thru the peep hole and boy was I glad I did.  There was a guy trying to deliver a package that was obviously from America and I knew my neighbors weren't so I decided I needed to intervene.  I opened the door and in all my pajama clad, sheet creased cheek, bed head glory I walked over to him, glanced at the box and confidently told him that it was mine.  He was a bit startled by my appearance boldness but after convincing him that we were indeed the Everitts that were listed on the label he smiled and went on his way.  

Xan and I couldn't wait to tear into that box and see what treasures awaited us.  Stan's parents (who love us very much as evidenced by what they pay to send these surprises over to us) had packaged up some little pieces of home and we were absolutely giddy.   We had no idea what all was included but the anticipation is 1/2 the fun......well at least 1/4 of the fun.  We thought about waiting for Stan but then thought again and decided he wouldn't find it near as exciting as we girls would so we went ahead without him.    

There were lots of goodies in the box and we had fun spreading it all out and taking our time to look at each thing.  Here are a few that made us really HAPPY.  

This made Xan very HAPPY.  Her Nana knows how she loves gum and the assorted flavors were just almost too much.  

These made me very HAPPY.  Nana also knows how much I love sunflower seeds and the "jumbo" variety too!  Oh my......I was so very smiley.  

These little treasures made me HAPPY too.......wonderful and cute note cards (you can't find any little notecard things here and particularly faith based ones) and this book that I'd been wanting for sometime.  

These made all of us HAPPY.  We love pepper and this brand is very hard to get here.  If you had told me two years ago I'd be cheesy, big mouth, grinning over McCormick pepper I would have rolled my eyes and thought something smart but today....today I was HAPPY.

So that, my friends, is me letting my inner rebel out.  No first day of school post here....nope.  I'm certain that these pictures of pepper and sunflower seeds have made your day too.  Glad to share some of our HAPPY with you.  If you need me I'll be reading my new book, eating seeds and asking Xan to quit smacking her gum.  

Chat with ya later-

Bubbles

When it's hot outside you get creative to pass the time.  I think Xan spent almost 30 minutes on two different occasions blowing bubbles in this old mixing bowl.  On this particular day I just kept watching her and had one of those "I'm so blessed to be her Momma" moments.  I hurried to snap a photo and I'm so glad I did.....I love it!
Chat with ya later.

Red Rover

Red Rover, Red Rover
Let Xan Come Over!

Xan's bestest little friend here in China, Kallie (next to her in white shirt) had her 6th birthday party
and fun games were played along with delicious cupcakes and lots of giggling.  

I loved her expression.  Pure joy!  This one will be cropped and printed for sure!

Girly Stuff

 So I went earlier this week to have a pedi with some friends of mine and I'd like to say it was because one of them had a birthday the day before but really we just like to go get pedis together and the fact that she had a birthday was just gravy.  We could at least "say" it was for her birthday.  Well....anyway, when Xan got home that afternoon and saw my toes she was jealous to say the least.  I stepped way out of my toenail polish comfort zone (Oh come on!  you know you have those colors you don't ever venture far from....don't judge me!) and went with a dark purple and then really let my inner rebel out and asked them to paint a flower on each of my big toes.  I live on the edge here people.

Stan had to go out of town this weekend so I bribed promised Xan that if she was a sweet girl then we would go get hers painted while he was away.  She kept her end of the bargain and so Sunday afternoon we headed over to a nail shop close to our house.  We had a gift card from a friend who had moved back to the states (thanks Ms Lori) and so on top of it being close and a fun treat.....it was free!  I love free!

Here is little Miss Thing being way to comfortable getting pampered.  I can't imagine where she has learned to enjoy such fine things.  

She was loving it!

Seriously......she had the best time!  It was fun.

And for the final results -

She thinks it is so cool that we have matching toes.  I think it is so cool that she wants to have matching toes with her Momma.  


Chat with ya later-

2 Months, Facebook and Mother's Day

So......embarrassed that I just looked at my blog and it's been 2 months since my last post.  I don't know how long it's going to take me to just admit that I'm not good at blogging.  I have lots of "great" ideas that float around in my head about a blog post but somewhere between there and actually sitting down with my computer and making it happen I choke.  Well what do you do after you choke? You are supposed to get up and wipe yourself off and start fresh.  So here I am, freshly brushed off and starting fresh.

I've committed to a 30 day break from facebook and it's been a bit refreshing to not feel that "need" to sit down each day and catch up on things {that until facebook I would have never known and probably never missed not knowing it}.  That being said, I'm not going to lie and say I haven't been curious about my besties and familiy that I keep up with via fb.  I posted on my wall that if anyone needed me they could email me and I haven't gotten one single email so I"m guessing that I'm not missing anything earth shattering.  I'll be back to FB in June unless I decide that this way of life is better for me......I"m guessing my curiosity will win and I'll be back getting my daily fix just like the rest of you information junkies. :-)

Happy Mother's Day!  It's Sunday afternoon here in China and my girl is sleeping soundly so I poured myself a nice big diet coke and decided to get back on this horse.  We've had a good day here and it started with Xan wishing me a Happy Mother's Day about 5 or 6 times between the time we got up and when we left for church.  If she thought about it she would just tell me again......so stinking sweet!  I know I've said it before but I am so blessed to have that girl call me Momma.  After church we had lunch with some friends and then home for a nice Sunday nap.  Stan works on weekends so it's usually just us girls hanging out and today was pretty much that way. It has been nice to reflect some today on being a mom and seriously what a blessing and daunting responsibility it is.  I just can't imagine trying to do it without relying on Christ to guide and lead us in this life long endeavor.  I fail every single day and today was no different but by His grace I'm allowed to continue and hopefully one day see this sweet little one He has entrusted to us come to know Him.

I've also spent some time today reflecting on the life of my Grandma who we lost only 6 short months ago.  I miss her.  I haven't lived near her since 2003 but I miss talking to her.  I miss knowing that she was going to be excited for me and whatever I was doing or experiencing.  I miss her.  It's still surreal that she isn't here or there...and its sad.  I miss her.  She was far from perfect and had no trouble at all sharing her opinions but I still miss her.  I'm sad for my aunts too.....this is their first Mother's Day with no Momma.  They didn't buy a card for her this year......they didn't have her over for lunch.......they didn't call her early this morning to tell her they love her.  Instead, they will probably be sad and melancholy as they remember her or visit the cemetery and place a beautiful arrangement there for her.  They miss her too.

And because I've got some catching up to do on posting pics....here's a picture of me and my girl when we were at an Easter brunch/egg hunt.

Chat with ya later-

Caddies, tenderloin and a rabbit

We hosted another group of caddies on Monday night and had a good time as usual.  I'm getting more and more used to having these larger groups (and having a helper to assist me with the food and house preparations) so my stress level for the evenings is very low.  I really get to enjoy them being here.  This group was very sweet and so kind.  They always want a group photo with Stan and Xan (I'm always the designated photographer :)......here's the group.

Stan usually plans some kind of fun game or icebreaker activity and this time is was the "who am I" game where you ask "yes" and "no" questions to try and figure out what name is on the sticker you are wearing.  It was a bit of a challenge for us this time b/c all the names and characters were famous chinese people and we weren't familiar with most of them.  Stan's assistant, Carol,  is always so helpful to  him in getting the activities translated and planned.  (In the photo above, she is the one in the striped sweater with her hand on Xan's arm).

                         

Our menu this time was beef tenderloin, mashed potatoes, green beans, deviled eggs and yeast rolls.  They were all well received and the only leftover we had was some beef and a few rolls.  These girls may look small but they can put away the food.  It's interesting b/c they usually all go thru the line and serve themselves with very small portions and then they taste all the "different" foods and come back thru the line and serve themselves man size portions.....some even return for third helpings.  Of course, making them happy with my food makes me happy so I'm always glad to have them leave with a full stomach and smiling face.  

The other thing that these evenings result in is gifts.....it's a cultural thing here to give gifts for everything.  We've told them over and over to not bring us anything but they always do.  This particular night we received a very large fruit basket...emphasis on large.  They also brought Xan an extremely large stuffed bunny rabbit....again-emphasis on the large.  Oh yeah......they also brought her another bunny.  One that is not stuffed.  Yep....you heard me correctly.  One of these sweet young girls bought my daughter a real- live- breathing - hopping - eating - pooping - peeing rabbit.  I thought for a brief time that she had brought her pet with her to just "show" Xan but I was corrected and warmly and graciously thanked them for such a "thoughtful" gift.  

So.....everyone....please meet Charlie.

And.....as you will see here my daughter is already in love with this little thing so I guess he'll get to hang around a while.  *sigh*

????Any guesses on what is going through Stan's head right here?  :)

Chat with ya later.

Dancing with Dong Mei

Dong Mei spends a lot of time at our house.  She is our ayi (pronounced ahh yee) and we love her.  One of the blessings of expat living is having someone help me around the house and with Xan when we need a sitter.  It is one of those things that is still so very surreal but also very nice- I must admit.  She is a sweet woman and we view her being in our home for so much time as a perfect opportunity to just be Christ in her life.....every day, day in and day out....when noone else sees what we are doing, what we are saying, and how we treat her and others.  Her native language is of course, Chinese, and mine of course....is not.  Therefore, we have some very interesting conversations that consist of pantomimes, broken english and very poor chinese and when necessary good ol' google translator on the laptop.  All that being said.....we have become very dear friends.  It really is amazing how much can be communicated without the same language.

It is also fair to say that the relationship between Dong Mei (pronounced dong.....like ding dong, may) and Xan has been one that has grown from Xan's awkward acceptance of this strange person in our home into a sweet, caring one that has them each giggling, playing tricks on each other and most recently acting as the other's language teacher.  Xan really does enjoy her time with Dong Mei now and Dong Mei is absolutely wonderful with Xan.  Here are a few pictures I snapped of them after school yesterday during an impromptu dance session b/c Xan wanted to show me her "new moves" and she just happened to have on a great twirly skirt.

Chat with ya later.