Rangers Pitcher Yu Darvish Betrays Jesus to the Pharisees?

So we are reading the Bible story tonight leading up to Easter. So I review last night's story and ask the kids, who gave Jesus to the bad guys? They thought and thought and couldn't remember. So I said, "let me help you, it starts with Juu...." and Hobs pops off "Darvish", the new Japanese stud pitcher for the Rangers named Yu Darvish. I said, "No goofball, not JU Darvish, JU-Das." I swear...that kid's got one thing on his mind.

                                                         Ju Darvish, I mean Yu Darvish

We watched a movie last night that was set in Hawaii.  It made my mind wander back to last year.  At the beginning of April Todd and I got to go to Hawaii for practically free and without kids for a wonderful long 9 days.  Seeing the scenery made me want to be there again.  When we were there we felt like we were not in America because of all the different languages, cultures and life style.  I think if we save our frequent flyer miles for the next couple of years until we go home again that we will be able to fly free again.  I don't know if I am ready to take the kids with us yet... but one day we need to get Hobs Kanoa there.  He'll blend in with all the locals just fine I guess so will Ian.  We really didn't realize that when we gave Elijah a Hawaiian middle name that he would be the one that truly lives up to the name. 

Yeah for the Weekend!

 Ian has his back pack on flying everywhere

 Just hanging out and being crazy

We enjoyed being silly this weekend.  The kids and I survived my first week of really intensive language study.  The kids are learning how to adjust to mom in class so much.  We had our moments everyone had a melt down and I have to learn how to block it all out and focus.  They did go from spending the past month being around each other all day every day so they are missing mom and dad who is also in class.  And as each semester brings a new schedule the kids have to figure out and go with the change.  I am taking 3 hours of class a day but with the oral way that I am learning I have to get in at least 2 hours of review on my own.  So that takes 5 hours of my day away from other duties of mine.  The weeks I was looking for a teacher I started cooking and freezing parts of meals, breads, and extra things that just take up so much of my time.  After studying so much during the day I am worn out.  This week realized how with beginning to learn another language it means that I am now functioning in three languages.  I focus with my teacher then I am with the kids and speak English but while our babysitter helper is also still around I am talking to her in Chinese.  My brain is trying to figure out what I am asking it to do.  While I study the kids have Chinese class two times a week two hours each time.  My previous teacher comes and teaches the kids using the same method that I am learning the other language.  It is very interactive and the kids not only love my teacher but really enjoy learning the language.  That is a very positive thing in my book.  Then on Tuesdays the kids to go Art class with good friends of their where the teacher teaches in Chinese.  Going to Art class is one of the highlights of Ev's week.  We know this season is going to be more intensive than in the past but we really want to take advantage of this time I have before I begin homeschooling in the fall.  Once I start I've heard from other moms that it is difficult to keep up language studies.  My kiddos will be in back to back grades so once we begin we will be in this for a long time. 

Hobs Rockin as a Baby

I ran across this short video of Hobs headbanging to Project 86 as an infant, pretty funny.

Celebrating 8 Years of Marriage

Today was our 8th Wedding Anniversary.  We have done a lot in  the past 8 years.  I think it was funny that when meeting a new friend today she was surprised that I was older than 22.  I guess it is good that people still think Todd and I are young, it just seems like the older we do get the younger people think we are.  I guess that is a good thing? 

We've spent half of our anniversaries overseas.  We've  lived in 5 places between States in America and apartments here in China.  We've welcomed 2 children into the world as well as welcomed one into our hearts/lives through adoption.  We've sold all the furniture we owned in the first couple of years of marriage to buying everything again over here.  We've been all over the world.  Before kids we traveled one entire summer and now with kids we've traveled to several different cities in different countries.  We've changed and grown in good ways through the situations that life has brought us yet in all of it we have had each other by our sides and are stronger today that we were 8 years ago.  I still love Todd like crazy and am thankful to call him my husband. 

Happy Anniversary Todd, you know how much I love you!

Chiang Mai- The Zoo, Night Safari and Elephant Camp

  The kids loved the baby elephant!

 This is why we love Chiang Mai, all of the animals are really upclose and personal.

 Waiting for the Night Safari to start. 

 Nice expressions!  They loved going to the indoor play area every day while Todd and I went to meetings.

 The kids loved looking at the maps everywhere they went.

Hobs and his buddy. 

Even the dads got tired and took naps together!  :)

The kids really enjoyed playing with our friends.

Nai Nai and Dew Daddy brought us new clothes and toys.

After all the swimming the kids enjoy taking naps with Dew Daddy

I have more pictures to post from our time in Thailand. The last week there the kids got to go to the Zoo with Nai Nai and Dew Daddy along with going to an indoor playground and then the Night Safari and Elephant camp.  More pictures to come!