Family – Page 8 – Casting A Stone

Fallen off the edge of the earth?

Posted on August 23, 2014 by Tammy

Since I haven’t posted in weeks, I am sure you assume I have fallen off of the edge of the earth. Nope. Just traveled around it and we are now heading back again!

At the beginning of July we flew to the States with the main goal of getting Little Man a new prosthetic leg made. (Totally need to blog about that process, but we will save that for another time.) He now is proudly cruising on new toes! Mission accomplished, but that isn’t the whole story. The side benefits of needing to come stateside for medical reasons – well they were numerous, to numerous to list, but I might give you a few of the highlights.

Little Monkey got to see the Great Wall for the first time on our way out of the country. She had mentioned the grievance that the Chinese members of our family had not seen the Great Wall. A day hiking the wall was our remedy and it was all she had hoped for and then some.

2. Hang’n with the grandparents was a highlight for all of us. Being spoiled with favorite foods, riding four-wheelers, tagging along “helping” and chattering non-stop makes for some great summer memories!

3. The beach. Nothing else needs to be said. No photo needed since I was in a bathing suit! 😉

4. Connecting with friends. I can’t tell you how many times I was in tears this summer over the joy of friendship. You can’t beat good friends who support you, love you and pray over you. We are blessed. Here are two examples – great friends I was in Bible study with 10 years ago! The sweet fellowship continues.

5.Simpson Park Camp meeting was a time of peace and renewal for me. The few days we camped there were filled with such sweet times. Love that place. Every furlough should include some time soaking in the goodness of a campmeeting!

6. I met my new niece! The one weekend we were around and this sweet, obedient, little one arrived as if on cue! Okay, her mom might not say that, but her Aunt was thrilled by her delay! Thank you for coming into the world just in time for us to welcome you, precious!

7. Making it to the Hurley family reunion. It was so fun to see cousins that I hadn’t seen in years and years and then to watch as our children became friends. Priceless.

8. Worm guts, blue gill and gnats usually wouldn’t make any highlights list, but enjoying the great outdoors in the country – well I needed that! I am ready now to go back to our city life after soaking in some country.

Thinking I should make this a good top ten list, but then who can stop at ten? It has been a great summer, but we are now ready to return. Looking forward to a new season.

Exam week

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Tammy

If one of my professors in university had been a hot red-head – I would have been day dream’n and getting nothing done. Oh, wait…I was day dreaming but it was because the red-head was sitting behind me and distracting me! Now that guy is the professor.

He has given his final lectures for the semester and is now administering exams. We both can hardly believe that his first year of teaching English is done. Although teaching here has been drastically different from what and where he has taught in the past, He has loved it and is ready to tackle another year.

He has been able to share more content than we ever could have imagined and the time investing in students has been rich. Not only that, his students have asked if he will be their teacher again next year. Now that makes ya feel good! More good news, he has been assigned more literature classes come fall and the department has asked him to give lectures on cross-cultural communication to the other staff. All in all a great note to end on.

It has been a great semester, but we are looking forward to a change of pace. As soon as Hubby gets the last exam graded we will be boarding a train for Beijing. From there we are headed to the States. Main objective for our trip is to get our youngest son a new leg…a prosthetic with the toes broken off…not so useful. We also are looking forward to some American food and time with friends and family.

The summer will go fast for sure….which is a good thing because we are excited to get back here and start another year of doing what we love doing best!

Mountain Man

Posted on June 17, 2014June 17, 2014 by Tammy

This past weekend Hubby had the delight of chaperoning a camping trip for Soccer Dude’s afternoon 6th grade class. Delight isn’t the first word that Dad used as he walked in the door smelling of campfire and needing a desperate cup of coffee after no sleep and miles of hiking….but after a hot shower and a cup of coffee! 😉

I have mentioned in the past that we live in a city of millions – but I am not sure if I have explained that we are also in the mountains. The city where we live is huge…..but if you travel just a short distance you realize that the mountains that surround us dwarf the city. My guys went and tackled some of those mountains.

I loved hearing that as soon as camp was set up Soccer Dude had a large stick and took off on his own to hike to the peak. Once he made it, he opened his pocket knife and used it to slow himself down as he jumped to the waiting cliff more than 16 feet below. (That is why Dad’s chaperone and not Moms!) Once at camp again, he rallied his friends and led them to the top as well.

Can you find our Mountain Man in this photo?

Here is a zoom in to prove he made it!

There are many, many more peaks to explore on future trips.

There is nothing like getting out of the city for a few days. We might be country people who are thriving in a large city, but every once in awhile you just need a bit of country. Thankful that we are surrounded by places that can scratch that itch. My guys came home with grand plans of picking up more camping gear and heading out as a family! The little 2 man tent that Hubs feet stuck out of all night (we are taller than most asians!) isn’t quite gonna cut it! Tents, sleeping bags, fishing poles and fire gear are in our future….now just for a car! Can’t believe I am even thinking about driving in this country; I love me some city buses! After seeing these photos and hearing the excitement in my boy’s voice….it might be worth it.

2.5 million people

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Tammy

Ever wonder how two country kids can end up living in a city of millions and thrive?

It’s true, Hubby and I both grew up in small towns and at least for myself the thought of living in a city of millions was unimaginable. But yesterday, we laughed again how living in a large city in this culture at times can be so like living in a small town.

Little Man and I were walking back from the market. We have learned to ignore the stares as I pull him in the wagon (Thanks to another expat friend who gave us their wagon that had been shipped over from the States. Gotta love hand-me-downs!) I was hauling my load up the small hill to the back gate of campus when a middle-aged man stepped in to help. Rare! We often get watched but don’t get helped.

I turned to thank him and a conversation began.

It started like most conversations….”So this is your son?” We chatted about us having four kids; he has one. I told him how long we lived in China and he told me he grew up in this city. He asked about Little Man’s leg and the conversation turned a bit more personal.

“Oh, yeah we all know your family. Your husband is a teacher and we see your children. We know you live on the 2nd floor in building 5, but we do have questions?

At first this could feel creepy…..but really it speaks to the communal nature of this culture. It might be a big city, but our little apartment complex filled with neighbors in high risers – they know each other and they want to know and understand me.

“Did your son have an accident which made him lose his leg? It looks like you love your Chinese children the same as your birth children, but that can’t be true. Is it? We watch you come and go….where do you work? Would you adopt a child from here? What is this thing you are pulling your son in? This is my first time seeing a wagon. You are different!”

I answered his questions as we walked through campus, knowing he would report all my answers to his wife, a teacher along side my husband. She is sure to tell the other neighbors. It is like living in a fishbowl. Maybe if I hadn’t grown up in a small town that would bother me. Believe it or not, I welcome the curiosity of my neighbors.

As they ask questions our hope is that they see something different about our family and they will be intrigued by who makes us different.

Homeschool wrap up

Posted on June 5, 2014June 5, 2014 by Tammy

It is 10 a.m. and I am sipping a cup of coffee and munching on a cookie. Ahhh. Lazy mornings of summer have arrived and I am so thankful. I think I need the break from homeschooling as much or more than the kiddos do, but I am glad to report that I am not in a place of desperation. This has been a great year of homeschooling and I think for the first time I have loved it. It has only taken me five years to hit a stride – a place where the kids are thriving and so am I.

I have begun planning for next year….ordering curriculum and prepping to school four kiddos (yikes!) Before I can turn to much attention to our next season of school, I want to recap how far the kiddos have come.

Soccer Dude: my 6th grade graduate!

Favorite subject: “If I had to choose something besides reading, I guess it would be math.” (We are loving Teaching Textbooks around here! He still reads so much that it is difficult keeping him supplied in books. Praise God for the Kindle!)

Most improved: His Chinese skills have blown me away. He can sit down and read entire paragraphs of Chinese characters putting me to shame. He has his daddy’s aptitude for languages.

Hobbies: training his pet birds, learning computer coding

This summer I would like to: go fishing

Roo: my 4th grade graduate!

Favorite subject: art and music

Most improved: She has fallen in love with reading this year! What a joy to find her hiding in a fort finishing up the last chapter of a book! Her favorite book is”From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” She mostly likes reading on the Kindle….”because you can read a long chapter book and not even know it. On the Kindle you don’t see how thick and scary a book might seem.”

What I want to do this summer: learn to play the piano

What do you want to be when you grow up: a hair dresser just like Nana used to be. (The girl knows I need help with haircuts!)

Little Monkey: my 1st grade graduate!

Favorite subject: Everything!

Favorite food: rice

Most improved: She went from sounding out letters to reading chapter books! (I must admit that homeschooling 1st grade is one of my favorites! It is so rewarding to teach a child to read!) Her favorite books are Henry and Mudge.

What I want to do this summer: eat at Chick-fil-A and go to a water park.

What do you want to be when you grow up: a gymnasts and ballerina who plays the flute.

Little Man: is graduating to a larger prosthetic leg!

Favorite subject: Disney planes, coloring and reading Cars books

Most improved: He is coloring in the lines, is a verbal dude who now can ride a tricycle without his prosthetic being strapped to the peddle.

What he wants to do this summer: eat ice cream and go for wagon rides.

What do you want to be when you grow up: “I don’t want to be big. I will always be your baby.” (No I didn’t prompt him to say that. Yes, it made me cry a little and he will now get double dessert!)

Afternoon learning fun and split pants.

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Tammy

We have the benefit of two worlds…homeschooling and an international school. In the mornings you will find us huddled around our coffee table learning together, but by noon the three big kids are packed up and heading out the door to the international school. There they have Chinese classes and specials (art, music, PE, and library) plus some invaluable time with others kids who live in a culture that is not their own. They have made some great friendships and their Chinese, including reading and writing, has improved dramatically over the year.

This past week the school hosted an art fair. It was a great time for all….well except for Little Man. Oh, that is a story in itself!! I will get back to that. Each of the big kids had projects in the fair and I loved taking it all in. Got a few ideas for my classes too! Their art teacher is amazing. So appreciate her hard work!

The highlight of the afternoon was Roo winning the award for best project of the 4th grade. She came up with this monochromatic masterpiece on her own using many different materials to show texture. When she first showed me her piece, I again was amazed by her natural talent. What a blessing to have our little artist encouraged by winning. So proud of her.

While big sister was shining, Little Man was trying to hide.

Let’s start the story by saying that he has become Mr. Independent of late. When he headed to the restroom on his own the thought ran through my head that it could be disastrous. I should always listen to that still small mommy warning voice in my head!

He didn’t aim well. He got wet. Really wet.

So in the middle of the art show I was scrambling to find him a change of pants. I found a gracious Chinese mom who was willing to loan us her son’s extra set of clothes. I was so relieved until I noticed that they were traditional Chinese split pants. Split pants are exactly what they sound like. There is a split in the middle….for easy aiming, I might add, so that you don’t have wet clothes with young ones. No pull-ups around here, young kids walk around with it all hanging out of the split.

So poor little man had to be wet or exposed. Hard choice. He really hates being wet.

True to his nature, he pulled those pants on and turned those cheeks towards me and shook them singing, “booty, booty, booty!”

The rest of the afternoon he spent wrapped up in my sweater trying to hide that cute little booty.

He said, “I don’t like these “showing” pants. I might have been born in China, but I am American and we don’t wear split pants!”

For many reasons, it was an afternoon we won’t forget!

No photos of Little Man from the day! 😉

Double Digits

Posted on May 14, 2014May 14, 2014 by Tammy

I am sure you anticipate a sappy post about another one of my babies getting older. It has been established; I am a sap. If an anti-growth serum existed, I would for sure inject my children. I love the stage and age we are at…always…and hate to see each season pass.

Usually.

But, Roo, who turned 10 today, said something that stopped this sap in her tracks.

I asked how she wanted to celebrate her birthday this year. After a moment of thought she replied, “could I celebrate by going to the orphanage and helping you with art classes this week?”

She is growing up to be such a compassionate young lady. I love how she thinks of others and is looking for a way to give of herself. I am proud of her and her soft heart.

We have often been asked how adoption and moving to Asia has impacted our children. Two different questions, but yet kinda the same.

I am not exactly sure how to answer them, but when I hear my 10 year old ask to help at the orphanage I know that the impact has been real and good. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

All this to say…I am excited to see how Gd is shaping this young soul and I guess I wouldn’t slow it down one bit. I probably am half way through my time with her in my home (sniff, sniff) but I think the most exciting part is yet to come!

Priceless

Posted on May 6, 2014May 6, 2014 by Tammy

When I was in High School I babysat….a lot. I loved those three kids like they were my own sister and brothers and dreamt of a day that I would be the mom. I burnt their canned ravioli, figured out how to change diapers and to give baths (although there were many times I seemed to need every towel in the cabinet to get it done). I learned that you shouldn’t leave a baby on a counter who might roll and figured out the art of pretending that I knew what to do even when I was clueless.

Just thinking about those babysitting days and how grateful my children should be that they were spared the many mistakes that I learned in my teens. I never have let another child roll from a counter top….thank you AJ Lobb.

Now I am the mom. It is a job that isn’t over after a few hours and I don’t get paid $2.50 an hour.

I didn’t know that being a mom meant breaking up a fight for the millionth time and that I would need to be a detective to find out who broke the cup that was hidden behind a dresser. I had no idea that I would need to be a counselor when faced with a spelling word meltdown (ok, honestly it was me having the meltdown over the spelling list not one of the kiddos, but still.) Cook, nurse, friend, teacher….I have decided that there is good reason mom’s are worth more than $2.50.

I hauled the kids out on campus for photos. I had it in my mind that I needed some new photos of my sweet babies to celebrate mother’s day. They had it in their minds that I was being sappy.

I downloaded the photos and began to edit and I could hardly stand it. (Sappy as charged.) Looking at their smiling faces (okay and a few grumpy “aren’t we done yet” poses) it hit me again how blessed I am. I feel like my heart walks around outside of my body….a piece with each one of these precious four.

Priceless.

Somedays I get tired of being referee, maid, dentist, coach mom, but those are the days that I have forgotten to slow down and take a good look at my four crazies.

So for Mother’s Day this is what I want…..a good look so I can remember. Motherhood is priceless and I don’t ever want to take my four blessings for granted.

Kicking Tail

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Tammy

The last two weeks we have been in the full swing of things….and it is kicking our tails. We just can’t seem to catch the rhythm of everything. Hubby and I are both teaching, homeschooling, open houses with English students and just day to day living here (which takes more work.) When I type it out it doesn’t seem so much, but we are feeling it at the moment.

Yesterday, after scrambling to get all the homeschooling done in time to pick up the paper I needed for art class at the orphanage, I forgot to make bread and hang up the laundry. Crazy how forgetting one day of wash (when you don’t have a dryer) can really get you behind. Breakfast with no bread wasn’t pretty either, I might add. This isn’t even mentioning that I totally had to wing art class because I had forgotten that my class was changed to Monday from Tuesday. Sigh. At least I had bought the paint paper!

It’s times like these that I switch into Super Woman mode. I pretend to have it all together even when I know that life is kicking my tail. Maybe if I would run from the kitchen to the laundry I would be able to squeeze in the spelling test I need to give Roo. When it doesn’t work – when my hurried steps don’t get me anywhere faster….then I want to throw up my hands and say I just can’t do it all. {DUH!}

So I have been thinking a lot over the past week – how do I hit a rhythm. Where do I dig when I need an extra something something to do what I am called to do. That’s when I read a simple sentence that made me pause. A coincidence that this verse was the next in my daily reading. Totally not.

“He must become greater; I must become less.” Jn 3:30

I stopped dead in my tracks as the words sunk deeply into my soul.

John the bapt!st was asked how he felt about JC bapt!zing and everyone now following him. I can almost picture him not missing a beat and explaining that “a man can only receive what is given him from heaven.” He explains that his JOY is complete because he has seen JC come and JC is to be greater and himself become less.

I know it doesn’t totally apply to our crazy semester – but then again it does.

How, did John have that attitude about his min and life. I so want that!

In my busy season would that my heart say, ” GREAT. BRING IT ON. I only have what has been given me from heaven and may HE become greater.”

Yup, this semester is kicking our tails – may it be that He is greater as I walk through it.

Trains, Planes and Rickshaws!

Posted on February 25, 2014February 25, 2014 by Tammy

Since I last wrote, we have traveled by bus, train, plane, boat and rickshaw.

After a long and exhausting day (exhausting, is the nice word I came up with after sitting here and pondering for several moments) of traveling we couldn’t find taxis. Only 4 people are allowed in a taxi, so we need two. We opted to jump in two of these crazy contraptions with our luggage for the last leg of our journey. The kids thought it was hysterical. My husband kissed me and said this is why he married me. Hehehe – I guess it only takes me being a bit crazy to keep him crazy in love with me!

Where did we go that was worth traveling by rickshaw?

We went to a community center in south China to meet up with others who work with our company teaching english in various parts of Asia. In part this was to fulfill the yearly requirement of training, but it wasn’t just training (although there was a good deal of that). We enjoyed getting to know others who live lives similar to our own – we worshiped together, studied together, shared stories and gained encouragement. On top of that, the kids loved the classes and activities that were prepared for them!

I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t mention that I also enjoyed not cooking, staying in a western guest house that had a washer and dryer! We also enjoyed the english library and playground along with some warmer weather. I am embarrassed at how much pizza, hamburgers, and coffee we consumed. I am not a huge McDonalds fan – but there is something about not having a hamburger for 6 months that makes a Big Mac and a Diet Coke taste super yummy. The drink I got at Starbucks was also heavenly!

While we were there we celebrated Little Monkey’s 7th birthday. Birthdays are a big deal in our family and I have never tried to pull one off while away from home. It stressed me out a bit. But, I should not have worried. All the kids at the conference enjoyed pitching in for a birthday bash for our girl and our sweet leaders planned a special evening of activities – cupcakes, an orbz ball (kinda like a human hamster ball that kinda made me want to be sick but the kids thought it was grand fun) and fireworks! She deemed it the “best birthday ever” as she watched the fireworks and ran around with her new friends spelling her name with sparklers.