Welcoming the Year of the Ox

This is the first year we didn't travel on Chinese New Year. It has been so nice to have Jason around and we have mostly stayed inside because it is pretty chilly and we've all been a bit sick. We did brave the crowds to watch the fireworks over the harbor and we enjoyed seeing the Lion Dance at our housing estate. Gung Hay Fat Choy!


Gotta love the peach blossoms

Do you have your lucky red underwear for the new year?

Firework show over the harbor. We have never seen such an explosive finalee

The traditional Lion Dance- it was very impressive watching the lion dance on the platforms

Can you see the lion climbing the pole behind us?

Ricky is our favorite security guard but today Josiah was a little scared, either the costume or drumming or both!

Chinese New Year Flowers

Those of you who know me well know that I LOVE flowers. In fact my all time favorite spot in Hong Kong is the huge Mong Kok Flower Market. I just find it so relaxing to stroll through rows of beautiful and unique flowers. So, you can imagine my excitment when we stumbled upon a large make- shift market near our house, selling New Year's Flowers. For Chinese people getting potted mandarin orange trees, crysanthunums, and peach blosooms is equivalant to American's choosing a Christmas tree. All week it seems like everyone I pass has their arms full of flowers- how fun is that?



Contest- I have NO idea what this last plant is. I will send a New Year prize to the first person who can identify it for me. (:

World's Coolest Parents

I love this photo my sister took of my parents this weekend. It's great to see them enjoying life so much and more in love than ever as they enter their 60s.

birthday fun

In celebration of Jason's 29th I took him to Cheung Chau Island for the weekend. This island is just a 30 min ferry ride from Hong Kong Island and such a different pace. There are no cars on the island and it is so refreshingly down to earth. It's a great place to have seafood while watching the bustle of the fishing village. We stayed at a Christian retreat center up on a hill Fri night. It was great to share a meal and talk with some of the missionaries from China and Mongolia that were staying at the retreat center. On Saturday we took a family hike that led us to a secluded beach. Josiah got to play in the sand for the first time- it was fun watching his tiny fists dig in. I am so thankful for each passing year with my husband. He just gets more patient, wise, fun and handsome with age! Happy Birthday Honey!

Promise Fulfilled

At the end of September 2007 Jason and I spent the night on Cheung Chau island for a little escape from the busy city life . I was 8 weeks pregnant (feeling very sick) and we hadn't told anybody yet. We both have a clear memory of sitting on our hotel balcony looking down at a little play ground and talking about bringing our baby back here someday. It seemed like such a crazy and distant dream at the time. This last weekend we took Josiah to that park. We couldn't stop smiling and saying to each other "God is so good!"

Party In My Crib

Josiah is moving so much these days! He is crawling, pulling himself up to stand, cruising on furniture and loving every moment of it! Here are some of his crib acrobatics.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

New Start

I love new beginnings, don't you? Every new year I make many lofty resolutions, and although I don't usually hold to them all year (sometimes not even all month) that does not deter my enthusiasm. It has been great coming back to Hong Kong and feeling a fresh excitement for the year ahead. One of my resolutions this year is to read through The Message version of the Bible. Already I have been so blessed by this fresh and candid translation. Here, the Lord's prayer expresses my heart for the upcoming year.

Our father in heaven, reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what is best- as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.

In case you missed the boat and didn't set a New Year's resolution, it is not too late- Chinese New Year is only three weeks away!

Beaches and Butterflies

We have been enjoying every moment of part II of our California Christmas, especially soaking in the perfect blue skies, warm sun and cool wildlife. We took a day trip up the coast to see the 2 1/2 TON elephant seals that come to have their babies on the beach. We also got the see the monarch grove in full force which was so a first for me. God is so beautiful, creative and splendid!