Sunday, July 31, 2011

We're Moving!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you so much for being a part of our lives here at "In the Moment" over the last 3 years. I love the community of bloggers/ readers that we get to share our lives with via internet. Today (in 2 hours) our family sets off on a year long trip from Hong Kong- Philippines-South Africa- Mozambique- Hong Kong- America. We are very excited, nervous, and expectant. For the next year we will be writing at our new blog "Moving in the Moment". Please add us to your RSS feed and come along with us as a "follower" (no vaccines necessary!) We value your friendship and look forward to hearing from you in blogland!!

Much Love,
Christine and gang

Monday, July 25, 2011

Staying Cool

We go to the pool practically every afternoon these days since it is like 140 degrees here. It has been really fun to watch Josiah's confidence in the water take off. Last summer he didn't even like being splashed in the face and now he dives under water. Annette is a little water bug too and nods her head and smiles after we dunk her.

When there is not a pool around there is icecream. I love summer. How are you staying cool?

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Summer School Safari

Here are a few pictures from Josiah's first two weeks of summer school. The theme was the Rainforest and the teachers did a fabulous job really transforming the kindergarten into a tropical paradise. It is such a great feeling to entrust him to wonderful Christian teachers that we know. Most mornings Josiah gets a little reluctant to go, but he is all smiles at the end of the day and proud to show us his work. Parents are not allowed to volunteer, but we got these photos off the school's website.



He's pretty easy to spot with his blond hair (:

This was on safari dress up day

I am excited to get to take Josiah to school now as Jason takes his turn teaching.

Spontaneous

Jason and I love being spontaneous, but have come to learn 1 and 3 year olds prefer routine. One thing we've loved about having a car this month is the ability to explore more spontaneously. On Friday Jason picked me up from school and our two tired tots were asleep before we got home.

Seizing the opportunity I spontaneously grabbed some frappacinos from Starbucks and we drove our little bug almost to the China border. We pulled off the road at one point to have a good conversation at a vista overlooking a waterfall.

Around this time the kids woke up, but in the spirit of spontaneity we decided to stop by Tai Mei Tuk on the way home for a Friday afternoon bike ride. 30 minutes was all our kids really needed, but it was so refreshing and beautiful.


Josiah put his arm protectively around Annette- so sweet!

By the time the bike ride was over our lack of planning had caught up to us and we had a a baby in a soggy diaper and a starving little boy. It was so nice to zip home rather that wait for the bus and train.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Getting Out







Our first summer in Hong Kong is now in full swing. I drop Christine and Josiah off at summer school and then I get to hang with my little girl all morning. She is now an adamant walker, which means greater exploration. Speaking of exploration, with our friend's car we have been able to zip around this beautiful place. Annette has been my co-pilot on these adventures.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Independence Day




(thanks Sara for the title)

While all you Americans were grilling burgers and watching fireworks, we were kicking off the 4th with summer school! We have been preparing Josiah for this school experience for a while and took him last Saturday to tour the school, find the toilets, meet his teachers etc. He seemed very confident and prepared this morning. The summer program was a big jump for Josiah since he has never really been in anything organized unless I was teaching it. And it is 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. He goes to five different teachers for music, art, science, pe, and reading. Pretty full on. The teachers are great and although he is a minority (actually the only white kid) he didn't seem to notice. Josiah reported that he cried a "little bit" but had fun. Fortunately I was teaching at the elementary campus which distracted me from thinking about my big boy that became more independent today.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Biola Reunion


Five years ago we had a reunion when Biola University's beloved president Clyde Cook was in HK. This week the new president Barry Correy was on an Asia tour so we had the chance to meet him. We also got to hear more about the vision Biola has for the future. It was interesting to meet other alumni in the city and one family that came from mainland China. We LOVED our years at Biola and were deeply impacted by our time there. We hope one day our kids can have a similar university expereince, but we'd better get saving because the sticker price is now 38K a year. Yikes!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Sunset on Monte Vista

Monday was our last night in Tower 2, 35 Floor, Flat A at Monte Vista. Although we only lived here a year this little home will forever hold sweet memories for me of bicycle rides on the podium, beautiful ocean and mountain views, and a baby pitter pattering happily across the wooden floors. One thing we especially enjoyed about our time here has been the sunsets.

So the last week has been busy as I've been tutoring a lot and going through a very sophisticated/ creative packing, loaning, selling, storing, donating, trashing process. What little stuff we have left is now residing in five different locations across Hong Kong. Cray-zee!I guess the kids have been a bit neglected and I even said "mmm hmmm" from another room when Josiah announced that he was "dwawing on Annette". Yeah, that was permanent marker
Anyways, but look at my sweet accomplishment. An entire kitchen in ONE plastic bin. Don't ask me how I did it.

We are now moved into our friends' house in Tai Po while they are away in Canada. The home is spacious and so accommodating for our family's needs. We have the use of their two cars (we've never driven in HK, it is so nice) and wait for it. . . . . a domestic helper! That means no cooking, dishes, laundry, cleaning for a month plus free child care! We love Elsa and are so thankful for this peaceful arrangement in this time of transition. Here is a pic of Annette and I playing the piano today in our "new house". Here ends one chapter and begins another.