Moments That Matter Most

Some Friends that are Great as Hale

These are some of our best family friends. They have truly been a blessing to Ben and I since living in OH. They are a couple that would do anything for you and we have learned so much from their example of service and love. Thanks so much for all you do and ALL the fun we have down in Tennessee!

Red and Oh So Sweet!

Last year was our first year picking strawberries, I just about missed the season. This year, I've been keeping tabs on a local strawberry farm just down from our house. We even brought Ben along to help us with our efforts. Jake was old enough this year to walk along side of us and eat what he picked. He was a mess by the time we were finished. I had to remind the big boys to only pick the red ones, not the green or orange ones. Thank goodness I was making freezer jam with them...it calls for a ton of sugar!

Sorry to all those that aren't on my visiting teaching route...this was there June treat with visit!

Fun as Hale

We love spending our Memorial Day weekend down in Tennessee! This year there was a new addition to the Hale family...our boat! My vote for his name is, "Fun as Hale"...let me know if you have any better ideas for names?!?! Here is a few pictures from our weekend of fun.

The maiden voyage. Our friends dropped us in and drove the truck back to the cabin so we could take the boat out for the first time as a family!

Yes, I was finally able to get up on the wake board...I know it might be hard to believe since this picture doesn't show me up.

A weekend at the cabin wouldn't be complete without fire crackers*****

The Beginning of the End

Maxton's last day of preschool was Thursday. On his last day, the school has an olympic day and picnic and each kid can bring one parent. I was thrilled when Max picked me over Ben to attend...it rare that the boys pick me over Ben. Here are a few pictures of us at Olympic Day.

Max with his teacher this year, Miss Kelly. He has really enjoyed her class this year!

That same night, was his Preschool Graduation. Ben thinks it's silly that there should be any graduations besides for High School and College, but I thinks it's great to celebrate these milestones in their little lives. It was such a special night, and he looked so grown up. I didn't cry, I think because he is so ready and excited to move on...I'm happy for him. He was able to walk in the Flag as you can see here.

Here's Miss Carroll giving Max his certificate.

What a doll you are Max. I love you! You've grown so much. All that stands between me being a mom of little ones that stay home and a mom that has school age kids is three short months. I pray we enjoy every minute before that bus shows up.

A Bunny Called Easter

My neighbor was telling me about her little boy who just turned three this last weekend. He met the Easter Bunny for the first time at a family hunt a week prior to Easter Weekend. Days after this meeting, he asks his mom, "Is there a bunny named Easter?"

The last great thing about my trip to China, was that I made it home in time for Easter Weekend. Saturday we woke up early and got ready to hunt eggs with a group of our friends. Saturday night, while I was putting the boys to bed, I asked what Easter was about...thankfully Max said it was about Jesus, I couldn't have asked for a better answer or understanding!

(Seth is starting to dress himself...I'm sure you could tell by this picture)

This picture was taking on Monday after Easter...can you tell Jake raided his brother's Easter Baskets?!?!

Ni Hao

I'm back from my wonderful trip to China. The only bad part of the whole ten days, was the plane ride. Me and my sister had the best time with my parents. My folks have been living in Beijing working for about 15 months now. They now feel comfortable a world of away from the USA, my dad can speak enough Mandarin to make basic communications with the locals, and they know the best places to eat, shop and use the bathroom (you'll understand that last one a few pictures down).

Good Eats-We went to this amazing dumpling restaurant, and I loved it so much, we had to go one more time before we left. My mom's maid, would cook an amazing chinese lunch a few times during the week, and did I mention she would also wash our clothes every day. It's fun to see my folks eat only with chopsticks, they have really mastered the art. Yes, that is me totally enjoying my lunch and sporting my new black pearl bracelet I picked up at the Silk Market.

Good Shopping-We literally shopped till we dropped. It was amazing all the pearls and purses I came home with. My parents knew all the good vendors and they knew my parents were locals, so they would give us the best deals.

Good relaxation-While in China, I had a 2 hour Korean facial, two foot massages that lasted an hour, one one hour body massage, and a gel manicure. I was in heaven. Just to put it in perspective, it only cost 9 dollars for an hour foot massage!

Good weather-Spring over there is awesome. All the cherry blossoms were out and the temperature was perfect.

Good produce-Everything is so fresh, my mom buys her produce several times a week. She usually buys just what she will eat that day because it doesn't have the preservatives our produce has in the States.

Bad Bathrooms-this is what the toilets look like in China. I took a picture so I will always be grateful for the Western accommodations we fail to enjoy! You can't put any toilet paper in these toilets, all your wipings have to go in the waste basket beside the facility. Thankfully, my parents did know where the Western toilets were and would encourage us to take advantage when we happened upon them.

Good touring-The first day we were there, my whole family took a walk on the Great Wall of China. It was so beautiful and amazing! My mom also took us to the Temple of Heaven, The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Hutongs (the traditional housing of long ago...there is only a small pocket of these hutongs, they've all but been replaced with ski rise apartments).

It was a trip of a life time! Thanks to my folks, and Ben and his parents for taking such great care of my little ones while I was a world away!