Elliot

For no particular reason I wanted to feature Elliot.  
The Bible calls children a blessing.  I try not to take my time with my kids for granted.  Even when they get my temper going and disappoint, I will still be their mom. A calling I try not to take lightly. I am reminded that behind all I do, love should be at the heart of it.  It can be a hug, a word, time shared and yes it can even be a time-out.
A friend of mine recently loss a baby nephew.  It was her sister's ( a mother of 5) only son.
If you are a parent, may you take the time today, if physically able, to hug one of your kids and tell them they are loved.

Elliot's way of roller skating is to go as fast as he can before falling.  This method can help one to learn to skate, but has it's drawbacks as you can see from the elbow. 

Why is this book so big? Because it is part of an album jacket.
Elliot is listening while reading.  My record player is a basic one and requires an individual to get up and flip it over, the kids are still learning this concept. At least they will know what a record is! 

  Elliot's Aunt Shanda  and Carissa had a  birthday party for him. 

 He got a storm trooper and Darth vader helmet, they talk.

Ice cream cake from Cold Stone. Inside the cake there were mini chocolate bars.
Good stuff! 

We like being back in the States, as it is allowing us to spend time with Benjamin. He really likes his big cousins. 

Rosy Mound

One of our first treks outdoors upon our return was to
Rosy Mound.
This is a park located along Lake Michigan in Grand haven.
The natural dunes make it unique.

The water was likely below 50 degrees F
but the kids couldn't resist.

Jane, retreating from the icy cold water.

The wind was formidable, it didn't stop the kids from enjoying jumps off the dunes.

Do you know what these are?
West Michigan is Dutch country. The name of a local town is Holland.
 I can claim a great great grandmother on my dad's side as being Dutch.
These plants are called Dutchman's breeches.
That being said, the plant is apparently only native to North America, which I am guessing means if I ever get to visit the "real" Holland one day ( which I really hope happens) I won't see these growing wild. 

First we gave the camera to Jane. I have a droopy eye, or I smile too big, as a result it usually takes more than one photo of me to get a normal shot.
Nathan thought it would be funny to tickle me, as a result all of those photos that Jane took turned out not to my liking.
This time around Elliot gets the camera, he holds it literally up and starts clicking, We started to laugh at the thought of him getting pictures of the ground, trees, anything but us. The auto focus wasn't on and we are a little blurry.
 He did end up capturing mom and dad but sister is cut out.  Maybe he knew what he was doing.

This family hike was a little reminiscent of 
the family hikes in 
Hong Kong, without the bamboo, altitude and heat.
The possibility of never returning to Hong Kong and seeing friends again, was quite fresh in all our minds on this day.
Upon seeing the pristine dunes and the beauty of the Great Lakes, I felt comforted that I was able to return to a place that had such a treasure.  God used His creation that day to bring joy to the kids and remind me that He is always near.  

Four Months

Four months...That is how long we have been repatriates.   Is that the correct term? I thought maybe since we were expats we would now be repats.

What have I  learned in four months?

That I won't necessarily die if the temperature falls below 45 degrees F. Although having warmer clothes  is a great help in not freezing in colder temps.

Why Chinese people are quick to call Americans fat.  After living in Asian culture, I come home to find that everyone looks HUGE!

My opinion: genetics plays a part, yes nice Chinese lady store clerk, not every person is suppose to be 5 feet and 80lbs. Body-type- all shapes and sizes.  That being said Americans could slow down on the 40 ounce sodas and Big macs.  Yes I have gained weight, why do you ask?

Things like space, clean air, clean water and sales tax, should not be  taken for granted.  I really dislike that I have to add 6% again to my purchases, how nice it is to look at a sticker and know that is the price you pay. Simple, lovely and a blessing for the mathematically challenged. Is it awful that I almost wish it was 10% just so the math would be easier?

I am not as easily replaced as I'd imagine, people like me they really do! Well those who have returned my calls.

That having a big house,  is often a big pain. People who have to fit their life into 700 sq feet can teach you a lot about priorities.

Cars offer personal space, convenient trips, time-saving travel, not time travel, easy furniture shopping, a way for money to leave our bank account a lot quicker, they cost a lot to buy, put gas in and to keep-up.  Cars are a bit overrated

Except in the winter. Then cars are lovely ,warm traveling automobiles,  that keep me from walking in snow and cold.  

My 7-year-old  has developed a craving for garlic ramen noodles and fish balls from a 7-11.

Not having 7-11 on every corner, serving Asian style food is inconvenient.

I am sad that the 7-year-old may one day abhor fish balls, seaweed and cucumber sushi.

I am concerned my daughter will forget to write her name in Chinese.

If I thought speaking Chinese in China was intimidating, speaking it to the  American Chinese restaurant owner is terrifying.

The choices at the grocery store are still a bit overwhelming,  We have everything prepacked and convenient! Everything that I care about. Canned abalone and frozen ready to heat and serve shao mai were always in stock at the Tai Po Parknshop.  Cottage cheese- not so much.

Jane and I really, really like cottage cheese.

Rice cookers are precious commodities and I really have no business attempting to cook it on the stove.

I could have made some money selling knock off designer everything on the Internet.  Well I don't know this for sure, but I came home to realize people like name brand purses, glasses, shoes and they don't necessarily care if it is real.  I can't help but think it was a way to supplement income. Wait, is this actually legal for people to do? Probably not, I guess it is OK that this never happened.

Well this list can go on.  I have found myself keenly aware of people who look like they are of  Asian origin.  I try to listen to their conversations with their families to hear if they are speaking a different language? I want to have conversations mostly  that revolve around food.  If they speak Korean I want to talk kimchee, Japanese onigari, Vietnam Pho Chinese where can we get authentic food? I restrain myself as I realize  that America is a melting pot.
My pastor is half Chinese, but is more like a Duke of Hazzard  than Jackie Chan.

I try to not talk too much about our life abroad, I want to share, not dump.
  It is fresh and I don't have 6 months of a memory without our life in Hong Kong, so my conversations usually include something.  I have found most people have been gracious and show sincere interest.  This has helped me.

In other news....

Creepiest photo of my son ever! 

Less creepy photo of Jane

Our first baseball game of the year and a rainbow appeared! 

 A video of our roller skating trip

Memorial Day

This is my Memorial day post. Yes Memorial Day is in May and I realize it is July.  I am hoping soon to be up to date and writing about current activities.  


We went up to Coleman and hung out with the Roman side of the family for the weekend.

The girls opened a spa.

I got a really good back massage and a pedicure. 

Michelle enjoying the magic hands of Emma's spa

The prices were reasonable, but yes they did charge.

The girls convinced Elliot to get his hair done and wear glow-in-the dark nail polish. Unfortunately I think his hair was a bit too long for the mohawk he wanted.

Carissa and Benjamin came up for a little bit. 

 The Coleman Memorial Day Parade

 Coleman population- about 1300 people.

  Emma and Moriah's baseball team float

During a ceremony unveiling a new war memorial, Elliot had to use the restroom.  The closest one was the Coleman fire station. Aunt Jan helped us out and asked if he could use theirs.
He thought that was awesome. I think he tried to brag about it later in the day to his sister. Jane is not one for humoring her little brother and made it clear she was not impressed.

Memorial Day is close to Moriah's birthday. She is four months older than Jane. There was a celebration at Uncle Tim's pond.

Landon coming out after a quick dip.

Emma and Moriah have asked this year instead of presents, for everyone to help them fill 

100 shoe boxes. 

The shoe boxes are filled with things like toothpaste, soap, small toys etc. Then they are sent out as gifts to kids all over the world.  God is blessing the generous nature of these two girls and they are quickly seeing those boxes filled. 

Guess the Lego

Jane recreated characters from various cartoons and shows using Lego. Can you guess who they are?

Royal Trio
Left: Loses her voice and learns to walk
Middle: Has seven friends and dislikes apples
Right: Princely Roar

Famous couple that get into "hairy" situations
Middle: likes to read and talks to dishes
Left: horse friend of famous couple

Left: Follows rabbits and plays cards
Middle: Trouble with sibling rilvary and losing her shoes
Left: Has a space ranger for a best friend

You might want to live on their street.

I do believe in fairies!

Don't forget to eat your veggies

 The Answers

First photo: Ariel, Snow White and Simba

Second Photo: Flynn Rider/Eugene and Rapunzel from Tangled, Belle(Beauty and the Beast) and Maximus (Tangled)

Third Photo: Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella and Woody

Fourth Photo: Bert and Ernie (Sesame Street)

Fifth: Tinker Bell

Sixth: Bob and Larry from Veggie tales (and Franken celery from " Where is God when I am scared?)

  People often spend time and money planning trips to new and exciting places. We have spent three years traveling Southeast Asia. We felt upon our return to Michigan we should take time and explore all the natural beauty it has to offer.

First stop: Hartwick Pines in Grayling.
 The nature walk gives you information on the different types of trees and how they grow.   They have reconstructed logging camp and explain how lumberjacks lived and worked.

The lady at the visitor center gave us the tip to visit the Elk reserve before heading out of town.
A large fenced in farm is home to rescued elk.

Second:    The U.P (Upper Peninsula)

Before we crossed the bridge the kids dipped their toes in the frigid waters of Lake Huron.




How can you remember the names of the Great Lakes? Think of HOMES
Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior.

The Mackinac Bridge ( pronounced Mackinaw) is the third largest suspension bridge in the world it connects the lower peninsula of Michigan to the upper.

Third Stop:
We stayed over at St. Ignace. The Mystery Spot has been around since the 1950's.
Generations of families have traveled to the Mystery Spot to experience phenomena of nature. Such things as water running up. The tour is quick and you aren't allowed any free time to explore the place on your own, maybe if you did you could figure it out.


This is how the story goes:

        In the early 1950’s, 3 surveyors named Clarence, Fred and McCray came from California to explore the Upper Peninsula.  They stumbled across an area of land where their surveying equipment didn’t seem to work properly.  For instance, no matter how many times they tried to level their tripod, through the use of a plum-bob or level, the plum-bob would always be drawn far to the east, even as the level was reading level.  As they continued their research of this land, they noticed a constant feeling of being light-headed.  Later, realizing their queasiness and problems with the surveying equipment only occurred in an area about 300 feet in diameter, they felt they had discovered a “Mystery Spot”.

         

The next day we were ready for the Fourth place: 
Mackinac Island.

Our trip to the Island can be summed up with four Fs.

Ferry, Fort, Family and Fudge

 We took the Star Ferry of course.

Not this Star Ferry...

The ride on the Star Line Ferry takes about 25 minutes. It was cooler that day and we did not stay up top for too long.

Mackinac Island does not allow automobiles. Therefore lots of bikes and horses, watch your step!

 The View from the top of Fort Mackinac. A statue below is of Pere Marquette the founder of the first European settlement in Michigan. He was a Jesuit missionary to the Indians.

The cannon demonstration was a hit with Elliot.

The living room of an officer who lived at the Fort.

There were a lot of interactive displays and the people who performed the demonstrations were interesting and helpful.

We were walking down from the fort when we hear Nathan's name being called out.  We turn and see Aunt Dee and Uncle David sitting on a bench.  I remembered they were planning a marriage retreat at the Grand Hotel, but I hadn't recalled when.  It was great  to meet up with them.

 Growing up in Traverse City, another tourist destination in Michigan, I learned the term "Fudgies." This refers to people from out of town. Originates from people coming to sample the delicious homemade fudge.  We took the opportunity to be fudgies on the island.

Father Marquette's first European Settlement was Sault Ste Marie.

Our Fifth stop.

The Soo Locks were built to help ships navigate the St. Mary's rapids.  A difference of 21 feet between Huron and Superior made the crossing a little precarious.  
When we arrived we were able to see a ship being raised for heading out and one being lowered for coming in. 
It was my first time watching the ships and found it fascinating. 
The kids were bored and not happy that we were going to stay until the ship made its way out, but at least they can say they have been there. 

Canada is on the other side of the bridge

We would have considered a drive across, but we did not have our passports. The last time I went to Canada, you didn't need one. 

Number six: 

Tahquamenon Falls

 One of the photographs I remember looking at the most as a kid, was a faded yellowish tinted photo of my mom in a bikini top and shorts standing near the falls.

 I believe the U.P was my parents honeymoon location and that photo was taken then.

How did we round out the trip? The seventh and final destination.  Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City. Indoor water park and hotel.

 Elliot jumped on the lilly pads over and over until he could do it without falling.

 The big bucket being poured out and ready to drench the people underneath.