Alex's 1st haircut...Before

He was so tired that he was just starring off in a daze. We were able to distract him easily.

Takin' a little off the side

All done and so handsome!

Alex at the polar bear exhibit. 11 mo

Gorilla

She approached the gorilla timidly thinking it was real. It took me knocking on it's bronze body and hugging it before she got close enough to touch and hug it herself.

It's starting

Yesterday Dave and I were sitting facing each other. Alex went back and forth, taking 2-3 steps between us. He did this about 4 or 5 times. Lilia was getting excited, "He's walking!"

Powerful thinking

I'm still reading one of the best books I've read. Here's a powerful quote from it...

"We always live out of some kind of identity, and the identities we assign ourselves powerfully influence our responses to life."
"The longer we struggle with a problem, the more likely we are to define ourselves by that problem (divorced, addicted, depressed, co-dependent, ADD). We come to believe that our problem is who we are. But while these labels may describe particular ways we struggle as sinners in a fallen world, they are not our identity."
"There is a radical difference between saying, 'I am a depressed person,' and saying, 'I am a child of God 'in Christ' and tend to struggle with depression.' The second statement does not pretend that the war isn't raging, but it is infused with hope. It says, 'Yes, I wrestle with depression every day, but I am not alone. I do not rest on my own strength and wisdom. I have come to understand that my Creator and Savior is also my Father. I am beginning to grasp how rich I really am because of my place in his family, and I am learning to live out of the riches he has provided, rather than the poverty of the identities I used to assign myself.' " pg 260-261

Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands, Paul Tripp

Wedding day mission field

Dave is currently at an outdoor wedding by Kelly Drive. There is a couple at our church who is very purposeful I'm told. They had an open table at their reception and asked Dave to invite international students to come so they can see an American wedding and hear the gospel! How selfless!!!

Anyway, I hope he took the camera so I can post a couple of pics. Either way, be praying. There are about 8-9 Chinese students there right now. What a cool opportunity!

Crap...I just now noticed that readers can leave comments on my blog. (That wasn't an option in East Asia for security reasons.) I wonder how many I've missed! Sorry if I've never posted something back...sheer ignorance!

1st Day of Preschool

There she is! Our little girl. This picture cracks me up! The sun was brightly hidden behind the clouds causing a much needed squint. Anyway, she was great. She was excited for school and quickly felt comfortable.

On the drive over this morning she said to me, "Mom when I grow up I want to be a giraffe." I laughed so hard!

As I picked her up her teacher said that Lilia was fine. She informed me that Lilia is independent and a take charge kind of kid. (Gee I wonder where she gets that!) I already knew that about her, but it was fun to hear from her first day of preschool.

Our little girl

Dave was getting a little teary putting Lilia in the car this morning. He stayed back with Alex preparing for staff prayer.

First Favorites

Lilia's favorite animal is a giraffe. I quickly pointed these out to her and as you can see by her face, she was very excited. She actually screamed with excitement at one point.

This little girl, Hamilton, came over to Lilia, sat down and asked her name. They quickly started playing.

Long ago

I can't sleep. I think I had tea too late.

I was laying in bed and a picture jogged my memory. It's not this one, but it's one of Dave and I in Thailand. Thailand is where Dave proposed. It was during his first STINT year to East Asia.

He had set things up so well. A fire and fondue chocolate on our on private beach. We exchanged Christmas presents. It was Feb, but we hadn't seen each other since August. The last present Dave gave me was a Bible with my new name engraved in the lower right hand corner; Katie Brindley. I looked down at it and teared up. That's when he got down on one knee and asked me to be his bride. It was so beautiful and so perfect.

After some more days together in Thailand I had to get on a plane and fly 20+ hours home...alone. I had almost missed my flight because we didn't want to say good bye. I was actually running down the hall to the gate. That only added to the emotions of it all. I remember I had a window seat. I remember resting my head against it and crying, missing Dave so much and knowing we wouldn't see each other until July.

Today we celebrated 8 incredible years together. I don't regret a singe day with Dave Brindley. I love him more now than I did when we first started. I understand better, but not well, how to love. Selflessly, though not done always. Respectfully, I try to remember to do that. But Dave, Dave loves me really well. I am so grateful to God.

Parent Teacher night

Dave and I just got back from our first (of many) parent/teacher night. We already know parents of one of Lilia's classmates from our ultimate frisbee days.

There are so many fun things for the kids to do from dress up to legos, blocks to bikes and small figurines of animals to crafts. She's gonna have a blast!

We'll see who sheds tears on Thursday. Any bets???

Milestones

Today Alex is 11 months. Where did the time go??? I never said that with Lilia, but with Alex and Lilia life s happening fast. Bonus: only 1 more month of buying formula!!!

Lilia starts preschool on Thursday! We have our very first Parent Teacher Night on Monday. Wow. Awesome.

She's gonna love it. She's so social; she'll thrive there.

Penn's Campus

If you get a chance to walk around Penn's campus, do it! It's so beautiful.
Yesterday my mother-in-law had the day off and offered to come down and watch the kids. I had the opportunity then to go on campus for a time of prayer. The coolest thing was out of the 13 people; only 5 were represented by Campus Crusade. Out of the 5, 2 are working with undergrad Americans, 1 with faculty & professors and then us with internationals. The other people there were with different Christian groups either to reach students or their purpose is to create unity among the religious groups. It was awesome. We worshiped together and prayed for the semester and for students. I was SO blessed to have been a part of it. Thanks so much Mom B!
Today I took the kids down and we explored the campus and played on the grass. There is also this hidden garden area & pond with huge coy fish and turtles. If you want to come down I can show you where it is some time. (Just email me or call.) The kids love campus and I love exposing them to it.

Up with the squirrels

We went to Morris Arbortetum on Monday. Dave and Alex got in free. If you have a Penn card, you can get in free too.

Anyway, it was a lot of fun and the grounds are really neat. It's great for kids. You go on this passport adventure where you get pages embossed then you get a prize at the end. Lilia was SO excited and kept asking, "What will the surprise be?"

When we entered the gift shop to retrieve the prize Lilia's face dropped with such disappoint when they handed her a button. When we went back outside she cried exclaiming, "A button's not a good prize." She's right, it's not. It's boring. It didn't even have fun colors! Despite the button is was a great day in perfect weather!

The nest

I am purposefully not writing much about these things throughout the grounds. I don't want to give away exactly what you'll find. It's really fun for kids.

I love trees

Stick house

Chillin' with daddy

Hiking on the trail

Poppy & Lilia

Bucks County wild daisy's

Lilia in lavender

Lavender

http://www.carouselfarmlavender.com/index/CAROUSEL_FARM_LAVENDER.html

Roaming through the fields

Stinkin cute

How adorable is this!? Alex kept checking out the other baby in the kick guard on my parent's front door.

What are the odds?

Early this morning, before the day got too hot, we set off for a walk. We headed over 3 blocks to Barkin Park where the kids played on the playground for a little while. A young Chinese woman and her baby who is Alex's age started talking to us.
As we made small talk I came to find out that she had gotten baptized as a Christian last Sunday. How cool!!! As we talked more I learned that her husband Jacob studied for grad school at the same university we were at 2 years ago. They aren't even from anywhere near that part of China. Crazy small world!!!
I got Lina's number and she offered to make us Chinese dumplings; Lilia's favorite and mine!