Too Long!

I know it's been forever since I posted! I'm posting a BUNCH today to make up for it. The quick version of what's been going on...

--We've moved the guest room, gotten rid of the playroom, and given the baby a bedroom. Everything is neat and organized.

--I've been doing a LOT of cooking trying to get as much as possible into the freezer so that I don't have to do much cooking after the baby comes.

--I'm twenty days away from the due date. Yesterday at my doctor appointment the doctor said, "If you haven't had the baby by next week, we'll do an ultrasound." The idea that he could even be here before next Tuesday is overwhelming! I'm not counting on it, but it did help me realize that I am full term and will have a son very, very soon.

--For now, I'm just trying to stay busy and enjoy these last days before I have on more person to take care of.

Enjoy the next FIVE posts!

Vera and Daddy Wrestle

This video makes me laugh every time I watch it. I especially love how quickly she moves on in the end. Hmm... Someone comment. Is there a video here or not? I can't see it, but that might be because it's blocked for me here.

Mics Pics

These are a few misc pics around the house.

















This is Vera's old playroom. She still thinks it's hers! She's "playing buttons" on the bed...

















...and cleaning the buttons that fell under the bed!

















Reading on the bed.

















Vera has recently started "helping" me in the kitchen. Here she is helping me make banana bread one morning.

Baby Shower

My good friend Emily and I had a joint baby shower last weekend. I'm due June 24. She's due June 30. Here are a few pics from the shower.


































My stomach looks huge in this picture! All of my shirts are getting too short!






















Vera and Morgan. Morgan watches V every once in a while so that Matt and I can have a quiet dinner out.

















Lots of presents for the babies.























V and I.

Happy Children's Day!

June 1 was Children's Day. We spent the morning at a park with many kids from the O.
















One of my favorite nannies and favorite babies! Aren't they cute!

















Vera with the director of the welfare center. We realized at one point that she was "missing". Turns out he picked her up to go play!






















Who do you think enjoyed it more?

Future Hope Teacher Retreat

A couple of weeks ago the Future Hope teachers had a two-day training retreat at Gu Lang Yu, a small island just off of Xiamen's coast. Vera and I spent an afternoon with them.



















Getting off the ferry.

















All of the teaching staff.

















Vera and Daddy "riding" a horse.

















All of the male staff.

















Vera and Daddy at the top of Sunlight Rock, the highest point on Gu Lang Yu. Xiamen Island is in the background.

















Another pic of the two islands. We live in the center of Xiamen island.
















After climbing Sunlight Rock we went to the aviary. Vera didn't want to get too close...

















...but this teacher didn't mind. Yes, she's putting an umbrella in the birds mouth!

















We finished the afternoon by playing on the beach.

We are fine!

We've gotten a few emails this morning asking if we are okay. We did not feel anything from the large earthquake yesterday. We do have a few friends in Chengdu and are praying that they are all okay.