These two. . .

Posted on July 17, 2015 by HALEY MILES

This is not the norm for Colt and Kylie. . . So, when I saw them walking down the sidewalk like this I had to get a picture!

Seven Star Park

Posted on July 15, 2015 by HALEY MILES

There is a beautiful park near our apartment that cost about $10 to get into during the day. If you go after 6:30pm you can get in for free 🙂 So we decided to check it out before paying the big bucks!

The sunset

It was huge, and really neat! It has a little zoo and climbing things that were all closed after 6:30p, but we will go back for a special day sometime. It’s called Seven Star Park because there are 7 different mountain peaks. We climbed to the top of one just in time to watch the sun setting. It was really beautiful with all the mountains in this city. We didn’t know we would be living in such a neat place! Despite the rainy season and now extreme heat and humidity. . . it’s still pretty awesome!

We found these crazy “cars” to drive around in the park! The kids loved it!

Kylie climbed all the way to the top in her dress and sandals 🙂

Enjoying the view from the top!

Duck for dinner!

Posted on July 12, 2015 by HALEY MILES

We invited our friends over for dinner, but they insisted on bringing the meat – which was duck. That is common meat here, and we have all grown to really like it! We cooked together and made a yummy meal of duck (spicy and non-spicy versions), egg and tomato dish, carrot and onion dish, and a finely sliced potato dish. It was yummy! We LOVE the food here!

Children’s Day Festivities!

Posted on July 3, 2015 by HALEY MILES

One fun thing about living in a foreign country is you get to celebrate twice and many holidays. One fun extra holiday is called “Children’s Day” and it’s always on 6/1 (I’m a little late I know). They made a big to do over the kids, give them gifts, take off school for that day, and do special performances!

I combined all 3 kids’ performances into this one video. For Caden’s class, we were supposed to dress up and “walk the runway” with our child. Caden and I were first. Awkward. That is not my style. He wouldn’t walk, so I carried him the whole time. Did I mentioned it is sooo hot here?!

Kylie’s teachers handmade the girls little grass skirts! Their class did a fun little performance, and I think she was a superstar 🙂 She was obviously in her element. ha!

Colt. . . don’t even talk to me about their outfits, but he didn’t like it and we didn’t see it until the performance! Oh my. He was a good sport with the rest of them! He is in the back. . . sort of hard to see 🙂

We are proud of them all and celebrated them extra that day with ice cream!

Some pics from the kids’ teachers

Posted on July 2, 2015 by HALEY MILES

Kylie’s class went on a field trip!

Kylie and Caden’s teachers send me pics and videos of the kids everyday. I love it! The kids love it too. . . We are thankful for this school! Our kids are learning lots, playing lots, and getting loved on lots!

Teaching About Teeth

Posted on June 30, 2015 by HALEY MILES

Kylie’s school is asking parents to come teach the kids about what they do. . . since they knew I was a nurse in the States, they asked me to come teach the kids about keeping their teeth clean(?). I don’t really think nursing specializes in teeth cleaning, but I can handle talking to 3-4 year olds about cleaning their teeth:)

It was actually really neat, because a dentist from my home town in Alum Creek sent a ton of toothbrushes to give away. This would be a perfect opportunity for that, right? Thank you Dr. Buffington!!

They also wanted me to teach some English. It was fun! I liked to be there and get to know the teachers and the kids. I’m hoping to get my foot in the door so that we can build relationships, and when opportunities arise to share we are there and ready!

Family Time. . . .

Posted on June 29, 2015 by HALEY MILES

5 people, 2 bikes, 2 out of 3 kids fell asleep. Tired after a day of swimming in the river 🙂

Outdoors and friends

Posted on June 26, 2015 by HALEY MILES

We met this family via Colt’s soccer team. They have a 4.5 year old boy who also plays soccer. They want him to be friends with English speakers so they have quickly tried to become our best friends 🙂 It’s kind of funny – but we don’t mind because we have been asking for some friends, right?

They take David and Colt out to dinner every Tuesday after soccer. They come over almost every other day, and always bring lots of fresh fruit, eggs, or vegetables. Our whole family has gone out to dinner with them twice now, and they really are kind. The dad is a doctor in a clinic he owns in the countryside. I’m very interested in volunteering there at least once a week if possible to learn more about their way of medicine and to serve/build relationships. It’s about 1 hour from my house. . . we shall see if it works out or not!

The kids play well together. Our kids are too accustomed to speaking Chinese with other local kids and no matter how many times we remind them to try to use English with Ben (that’s what his parents want him to be exposed to), “they just can’t.” Colt says his mind won’t let him 🙂 haha. This family actually has 2 sons. The older boy is 12 and goes to a boarding school during the week and comes home on the weekend. We met him for the first time last weekend.

The mom’s Chinese name means fall, so I named her “Autumn.” She’s a hoot! She just comes over without notice, skips waiting in line at restaurants and walks right to the front. . . really quite funny to be around. She called one morning at 8:40am and said she was almost at our house. She wanted to take us on a bike ride. We rode to a park, hiked for about an hour, then rode back. We were gone for 4+ hours! You just never know what to expect with her.

Talking and riding on a busy road isn’t the best idea 🙂

Autumn and Haley

David and I have been riding our bikes and exploring the city as much as we can. We have found so many villages hidden in these back roads. It’s amazing how they are tucked away right in this city we live in!! None of them are Miao people. . . but it’s still so neat!!