Cynwood Trail

Last Sunday morning we explored the Cynwood Heritage Trail. It's a beautiful trail where they paved over old railroad tracks. It's a perfect trail for bikers, runners, walkers and talking your dog out.
The kids brought their bikes and Dave and I walked. At one point the trail looks out over 76 and Manayunk. There are also huge boulders to climb on.

Reading time

This is our neighbor's girfriend's son, Elijah. He's in 1st grade. 

The kids got a couple of new books and Elijah was reading to the kids.

Life is Good

For the first time since we lived in China I'm doing really well. Now, let me clarify...
Ever since my senior year in college my relationship with God has been fairly strong. There hasn't been much to really rock that in a major way. Our first year of marriage was tough, but we got married young. When I realized that my job was going to be telling people why I believe what I believe, I then examined my faith and stood firmer in my faith.
For the school year that we lived in China I was challenged more than EVER if I really want to follow God with my whole heart and with my life. Although I fought God that year, I also spent most weekday afternoons reading my Bible and journaling. I was frustrated with God, but really I was frustrated with myself because I was seeing the sin in my heart that was deep within and I hated it! Anyway, I some how came out of that year stronger in my relationship with God.
Then Alex was born.
My world was really rocked again. I have lived a really coushy life. A life with no hardship, a life of luxury and a life where I mostly got what I wanted. I'm very thankful that my family never struggled with bills or food or clothes. God blessed us. However, it has set my expectations too high.
So when Alex was born and he had colic, was covered with eczema, had reflux, and was an extremely demanding baby I was angry with God. How could he give me a child this difficult! Why did God hate me so much?
Alex stopped napping in January (he'll be 3 Oct 12th). Lilia is so extraverted that she hated being alone. Therefore I never got alone time. I was going and going and going every day, never tapping into the source that gives me strength - Jesus.
For a LONG time I resented the needy baby Alex was and I was angry with God for not making Alex easier. Leave it to having children to see how messed up, selfish, and sinful we truly are!
Thanks to my parents and my in-laws and their love for us and the grandkids, we made it through the first couple of years.
Now everything has changed...for the better!
Lilia is in full day Kindergarten and she loves it! Alex and I get QUALITY time each day. I remember when he was born. As I held him in the hospital bed I looked at him so lovingly, so fondly. I called him my little buddy. Finally that day has come! We're buddies! We hang out at parks, museums, the zoo and at home and just have fun together. It's wonderful!
Yes, he still requires supernatural amounts of patience, but because Lilia is in school I have the capability to give that to him - with God's help of course. The best part is that almost every week day I get to spend time with God, reading my Bible and praying some. That's been the real turning point for me.
So now life is good. I'm thankful for hardship because it draws us closer to Jesus. Now I feel like I'm living out of thankfulness and joy! Praise be to God!

Free Sale

Yesterday morning we had a free yard sale. I collected things from the basement and from friends and we had a free sale out front. We had a lot of people come by. Some of whom were really in need. This woman came with her daughter. She said she saw one of my signs. She left with so many things and she said over and over how thankful she was and how much this was a blessing.

The kids sold lemonade for 25 cents. I think they made somewhere around $10.

10 years

 On Friday, September 14th, Dave and I celebrated 10 years of marriage.
In college when we first started dating, everyone said we were perfect for each other. Honestly I didn't see it. I knew I really liked Dave and he was an awesome guy, but I wouldn't have said "perfect."
Ten years later, although I've seen it before this, I can really see that he is perfect for me. I have a husband who never tires of joyfully serving me. I have a husband who is fun, funny, handsome, brilliant, pushes me closer to God, and keeps (help to at least) me balanced.
I know I have a man who wouldn't leave my side only because he is committed to Christ.
He's perfect for me.
I'm glad I listened to those friends back in college. If I hadn't said yes, I'd be missing out on something so big and so worth wild!

Longwood Gardens, The Meadow

Inch worm

Inchy the inch worm was spotted doin' his thang.

As part of our anniversary weekend, we spent Saturday afternoon at Longwood Gardens. It had been 12 years since we were there last.
The weather was perfect; reminiscent of our wedding day.
The gardens were so beautiful.
We loved strolling around as a couple, remembering the love we share.

Up close at Longwood

 I truly love nature. (Although it's funny how terrified I am of things that crawl and fly.)
Here are so close ups of nature's beauty.

Giant lily pad

Fei & June

On Friday Alex and I took some Chinese friends to the zoo.
Fei & June are new to America, Philadelphia & Penn. They are grad students in the engineering department with great English.
I met them at the BBQ we had labor day weekend. They were so sweet and stood in line to get me a plate of food since I was with the kids.
On Friday we explored the zoo as they learned the English words for many of the animals. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed some great conversation.

Nurse Lilia

 Lilia is in her element here with her nurse outfit (my mother-in-law made for Julie when she was a kid) and all her gear. Alex patiently sits while nurse Lilia exams him and gives him a check up.
Last week she asked me, "Mom, can we go to the doctor's office?"
It was purely because she wanted to watch and be reminded of what they do there.

More Alex quotes

Picture the scene: All four of us are in my bedroom. It's dark. Alex is sitting on my lap and Lilia is next to me. Dave bends over and releases some gas in the process. I was trying to be funny and point out what just happened by saying, "Guys did you hear that? Daddy just bent over and farted."

Alex replied, "I don't see the fart, where did it go?"   (I'm classless, I know.)

Picture the scene: We are at the dinner table. The menu is pulled pork sandwiches, roasted vegetables and waffle fries (from the freezer). Alex eats his sandwich and 2 carrots. He wants a "chip," thinking they were potato chips. I gave him 1 and then he could have more when he ate more vegetables. He finishes what he needs to so I put a pile of fries and ketchup on his plate. He takes one bite and then spits it out. He then says, "Why is there white sand in this?"

We really don't eat fries. We eat out at PeiWei and I cook fries at home once a year. Either it was the salt, but I don't think it's likely, or it was the crispyness of the fry that bothered him. Don't worry, we aren't ultra healthy eaters. We sure love dessert!

Alex's quote of the day

As we walked in the door from picking Lilia up from school, Alex turned to Lilia and said, "I missed you today Wiwwia (Lilia)."

School

 Lilia loves school! I'm SOOO thankful.
She comes home each day exhausted, hungry and happy. She's excited to go again the next day. It's wonderful.
On mine and Alex's end it's kinda strange. I like it, but it's more lonesome. I know school is the absolute best for her. She's outgoing, smart, likes learning and she's high-energy.
It's just weird filling in the day with Alex. I really love the one-on-one time I get with him. Our relationship needs it. He's been a really tough kid since he was born. Only in the last couple of months do I see that changing. He still requires Mother Teresea-type patience. I'm certainly not there yet, but I'm getting much better with him.

Lilia's favorite part about school is when daddy takes her there on his bike. It's a win, win! I don't have to leave the house by 7:50 and she loves the bike. Dave ordered a basket so they don't have to carry their bags on their laps.

Exposure

 Yesterday was a day on constant running from one thing to another, but it was a wonderful day. Lilia had her 2nd day of school with all the kids in her class. She loved it!
We then had a play date at Sister Cities with Lilia's new friend Maggie from school (Lilia & Maggie are the only 2 white kids in her class. The rest are black, with 4 Chinese kids.) And believe me, it's not that I don't want her to become friends with other kids in the class. I love that her class is diverse. Culturally there is a difference in every race. Lilia and Maggie connected quickly and easily.
Anyway, we ran home to grab flyers for one of the biggest events of the year. It's a welcome back BBQ for Penn students. Last year there were 500 people!
Dave, myself, the kids and others stood in front of the International House and handed our invitations to Chinese students, inviting them to come out to the BBQ. The kids loved being a part of it. As students were approaching Alex pointed and said, "There's a Chinese." I explained to him that it was a little rude, but I love that he gets the idea!