It will all work out...somehow :)

I loved this quote I came across today because I've been really stressed the last few weeks!  Not sure if it's the only-seeing-my-husband-6-out-of-the-last-40-days, selling cars/motorcycles/couches, gathering/scanning/sending a million documents for the kid's applications for school, gathering/scanning/sending two million documents for immigration to get visa's, the 26 doctor appointments we've had,  the 4 trips to the car mechanic, sending my first-born to a week-long scout camp for his very first time, or potty-training a two year-old, all whilst trying to make sure my kids don't get jipped out of fun summer activities!!

I'll admit, I think I could have handled some situations a little better than I have.  My kids have seen too much of momma grouchy bear especially this past week.  I had to stop and reasses my behaviour when my daughter told me this morning that I was the best Mom eVeR - even when I'm mean... hmmmm.... So I'm trying to slow down and accept that things are not working out as smoothly (or quickly) as I anticipated. But do you know what?  They are working out.  I'm convinced that as you walk along the path that the Lord has directed you toward that things can't not work out :)  So I'm trying to say "yes" a little more, and not worry that my floor has not been mopped in *ahem* 3 weeks.  Yep, if you come to visit dOn'T leave your shoes at the door :)

So, in other news, we closed on the house (yay!!).  Rob had to scramble to find service on his phone while backpacking in a remote wilderness in New Mexico to call the title company to verify the Power of Attorney - and guess what - it worked out.

The kids and I have spent the last few weeks playing at Sea World and their new Aquatica water park, going to movies, swimming, and playing with friends. It's all working out :)

I am a little rugged piece of coal, but I am working on MY Diamond - every day - It's the stressful times in life when our true character has a chance to either put us to shame or SHINE...

Shine on my friends.....


 

Sold

We decided to sell our house here in Texas. We listed the house on a Friday.  Saturday morning we left so it could be shown.  Saturday night we had a full-price offer and they want to close in 30 days!  I can't begin to express how fortunate and blessed I feel that this has been such a quick process.  This might sound silly, but as we decided to list the house I prayed for the right family to find us and I truly feel this has been an answer to my prayers.  There are many houses for sell in the neighborhood and we tried to price it competitively; but I really feel that the right people found it at the right time.  One more assurance that this move was MEANT TO BE :)

School

A topic I've been asked about a lot is about the schools for the kids.  No they will not be going to a public Chinese school.  But I'm hoping they will be exposed to a lot of Chinese culture and language at school.

Rob is in China right now as I type touring a few different schools that we've narrowed our search down to.  Believe it or not we almost have too many choices!  There are several international schools with American based curriculum, there are British schools, Canadian, German, Russian, and Japanese schools, Montessori schools, schools that have Chinese emersion where half the school day is done in English and the other half in Chinese, some schools are in the city, others are in the suburbs by the expat communities...

I'm a little worried about getting accepted to the one we really want simply because we're coming into the game a little late.  Some of the schools are already filled for next school year and have waiting lists.  So I guess we'll cross our fingers and hope for the best...Rob just texted me telling me about one of the schools he just visited, the text said "very very impressive.  best campus facilities I've ever seen.  All kids grade 4 and up have their own macbooks..." 

 I know my kids will be getting a top-notch education while we're away and that helps me sleep better at night!  I'll let you know how it all turns out and which school is lucky enough to get my kids!

Where Are You From?

We had a conversation the other day trying to guess what our kids will say when they are asked where they are from.  It's going to be fun watching confused people when one kid says they are from a different state than the other kid :)  Maybe we should try and streamline their answers?  When we asked them Luke said Arizona, Zak and Keely said Texas, I said Utah, and Rob said Wisconsin.  We are a confused family :)  I do think that Arizona will be our standard answer, that's where we've lived 85% of our married life!

The classic response from people in Texas that have moved here from other states is "I grew up in (insert state), but I got here as fast as I could!"  I have a hard time disagreeing with this thought even though we've only been here a couple of years.  This small-town girl is tempted to say she's from Texas! I would have a harder time leaving if we weren't going on such an exciting adventure!  But I'm definitely packing the boots (don't think they'll be as fashionable in China as they are here)!

We're Moving to China!!!

Wow, I said it! Kind of sounds like a joke when I say it outloud ;) But it's true, we're finally doing it! After many years of having conversations composed of sentences with 'would we ever consider it' 'should we do it' 'we would need to go before the kids get too old' --- it's finally happening for real!

Rob has been given a great opportunity at work to go on assignment to Beijing for a couple years. I know what you're thinking... what about ?? and?? and?? what if?? do they?? and...and... yeah, yeah, I know, I've thought those same things :) I'm still freaking out (but just a little). And we're SOOO excited! The plan is to leave this summer. WOW!

This has been a very tough, exciting, emotionally draining, stressful, butterfly-in-the-stomach, and lots-of-time-on-the-knees, last couple of weeks! The kids have been involved during the whole process (it's their lives too!) and they truly are just as excited as we are! The hardest thing for them has been not being able to tell their friends and classmates as we have been working out the details. They did great and I know it's been hard - well, one little slip-up by Keely when she told her best friend(s) and "couldn't remember" if she told her teacher or not ;)

A few things we thought about...

-When would we ever be given the opportunity to live internationally again (and have someone else pay for it)?
-The kids will go to an amazing private international school and have friends from all over the world.
-What an amazing experience for our family!
-Won't be able to do all the same hobbies, but look at all the new things we'll get to try - especially travel.
-Exposure to foreign culture and language.
-Awesome family togetherness time :)

Yes, I'm very sad to once again be moving even further away from family and friends. Realistically though, we'll probably see them more or at least for longer periods of time than we do now!

So I know y'all want to come see the Great Wall and when you do...you'll have somewhere to stay!!!