Family Values

We heard about coming up with and "posting" family values through a sermon of a friend's pastor.

Dave and I decided to come up with our own. We just put them up on the wall tonight and they look awesome. You are looking at our breakfast table in the kitchen. We spend a lot of time in this area. Hopefully these values will be instilled in the kids, and in us too! They will determine how and what we'll do with our time and even what we'll punish our kids for.

"Hey, go to time out for not having fun!" Just kidding of course...but you probably get the idea behind them.

Oh and this was a great website and very reasonable. I shopped around a lot! mywalldecals.com

Our Values

Caught in the act

We caught Alex "reading" a book in Lilia's chair in her room. All by himself he got a book, climbed in the chair and then looks through the pages. He got down, got a different book and climbed in again to thumb through the pages.

Both of our kids really love books.

Alex fell asleep on Dave's lap yesterday

Diva

Lilia has become insistent on picking out her own clothes for the past 4-5 months. It's nearly impossible for me to have any input with out there being a major power struggle. So I have decided that it's not a fight worth fight (choose your battles) and she picks out what she can wear. Her favorite thing to wear is a dress of some kind.

Yesterday Lilia had preschool. She decided to wear an easter dress, a small sweater/jacket, stockings, and princess high heels. Well it just so happens that yesterday at school they had a surprise fire drill.

As I was in line to get Lilia after school, her teacher came up to me and informed me about the fire drill. Then she added that Lilia couldn't get out fast enough because of the shoes she's was wearing. The teacher told Lilia that maybe these weren't good shoes for school.

Baking party

We had 6 students over for a baking party Saturday night. It was such a fun night! I made sugar cookie dough ahead of time and they got to use cookie cutters to make shapes and then decorate them. They loved it and had so much fun.

They also learned how to make another cookie that a friend of mine taught them. It was a ginger cookie with molasses. They like them too.

Homes don't have ovens in China. They only use a stove top to cook their food. Often when they come to America they don't even know what to do with the oven or how to use it.

What a GREAT night!

One thing we did that night was to gauge the spiritual interest of the students. We asked two questions using picture cards.

The first was, Pick a card that represents your life right now.

The second was, Pick a card that represents your view of God.

Then each person around the circle had to explain the card they picked. Of our Chinese friends that came only 1 is a Christian. His English name is Walker. He is the bald one with white glasses. One of the girls, not pictured, filled out on her comment card that she is interested in learning more about God. She is the same girl that asked me about my Chinese class and also asked me if I would like a language partner. So her and I are going to meet up on Saturday's (when we're free) and speak/learn Chinese as well as learn more about God. Pretty cool!

At the Academy of Natural Sciences

Lilia the paleontologist digging for fossils...

...and Alex throwing the pebbles.

Alex and his dirty mouth

We spent Sunday morning hanging around Rittenhouse Square because our church meets at night. It was a chilly morning, but we had a lot of fun. Alex made friends with a 4 yr old that had a ball. Alex kept putting the ball up to his mouth. Afterall, he's only 16 mo and 16 mo old babies are still putting so much in their mouths. As you can see he looked hilarious with a dirty mouth.

Lilia update

Lilia as of this past Friday night has chosen to wear underwear to bed instead of pull ups. The 1st two nights she did well. Then the following two she we the bed. The first time it happened she was very embarrassed. She insisted that she didn't wet the bed, but her pants did.

Lilia & Clifford

This is Lilia and her best pal Clifford (the big red dog). We know it's a cat and that its pink, but we just go with it being Clifford. Lilia got this from someone for Valentine's day in 2008. When we got back from overseas she fell in love and even sleeps with Clifford sometimes.

As for the poses, she likes to make silly faces before taking a picture where she smiles.

Aunt Courtney

Courtney is our new co-worker as of November. We love her; I love her. She and I have a lot in common. She's a great asset to our team and also to our family. I dubbed her "Aunt Courtney" yesterday because she's so wonderful with the kids and Dave and I think of her as family.

She offered to babysit the kids so Dave and I could go out. Well she brought a marionette giraffe and Alex loved it so much. He kept hugging it and kissing it. It was so adorable. She come over with a bag of books and puppets to play/read to the kids. Lilia and Alex absolutely adore her and vise versa.

Owl Card

Tonight I was inspired to make this card.

Alex after his bath

He thought it was hilarious to spike his hair.

Sis

Alex calls Lilia "sis."

It's just cute, that's all!

So sweet!

Lilia is resting her head on her brother as they watch a video together.

Stroller rides

Stroller rides are a fun activity in our home. We bought this stroller in China for $5. We brought it home with us and now we push the kids around the house in it. It's not for kids, it's for baby dolls, but this is more fun. I'm amazed at the quality and how it holds up. Alex is about 24 lbs. and Lilia is 37lbs. They both ride it and have a blast!

Chinese New Year Party

Last night we had a Chinese New Year's Party. We hosted 30 people for dinner & games. Yes, 30 people! It was great, but I am exhausted this morning.

The crowd was a mix of Christian and non-Christian students from Drexel. However, the woman all the way to the right with long hair and glasses is my Chinese teacher. I am taking a Chinese class at Penn (not for credit) and she is my teacher. She brought a friend; the tall guy in the middle with the white v-neck shirt. She was so excited to have come and they both had a great time.

A local Chinese pastor's wife made most of the food. The students loved it. We had so much fun eating and playing games. Dave then explained who we are and the Bible study he and Feilong host on campus. He also advertised for next week's Bible study about love and dating. Then he had people sign up if they were interested to come back to our house in 2 weeks for a cookie baking party. Oh boy...we had at least 10 names! They are excited to learn and I love opportunities to interact with the students!

Oh and last night Lilia announced to everyone, "You guys can come up and see my room." She is so proud of her room and asks anyone that walks through our door (new face or old) to come and see her room. Some went, but 30 people weren't going to fit in her room, as big as it is!

Pig's feet anyone?

Yup that's right, pig's feet. Feilong brought pig's feet. The Chinese like them. They don't go over as well with the Americans. However, brave, brave Courtney tried it. "Do you even eat the skin with the little hairs on it?" she asked. "Yes you eat everything," replied a Chinese friend.

Courtney did not enjoy eating pig's feet, but I am SO impressed that she tried it. I couldn't do it.

Quote of the day

"I wish I could have a little card, so I could write a note 'Dear Happiness, I love you so. Amen'." -Lilia