The story of a lasting friendship. .

Posted on June 2, 2015 by HALEY MILES

About 10 days after we first moved to East Asia. . . and spoke no Chinese whatsoever . . . this dear sister, LY, came to work for our family. She helped watch Caden, cook and clean. This allowed David and I to meet our company’s requirements of an intense language program. She came to work joyfully EVERYDAY! I’m not kidding. . . EVERYDAY. (I wish I could say the same for myself). As our language SLOWLY improved, we were able to talk more and more each day. She was also very patient with us. Can you imagine working so closely for someone and not being able to communicate well? It wasn’t without it’s problem days. Our culture’s are different of course. She would tell me I couldn’t nurse Caden while I was sick, or we shouldn’t be drinking cold water ever, or our kids were sick because they weren’t wearing enough clothes (for us it was sufficient, but not compared to their many layers of clothes). Looking back I wish I would have had the vision to see that she was just CARING about us and not get aggravated at her seemingly “pushiness.”

Uncle Liu with our crazy kiddos and his daughter . . . they were just driving up and down the sidewalk (don’t worry)

One day I found out she told a friend, who told my friend, who told me (yes, it’s more “appropriate to go through mutual friends than talk face-to-face regarding some issues). . . that she wanted a pay raise. Initially, I was offended. I thought, “I already do a ton to make your job easier. I think you get paid enough for what we ask you to do.” So, at the time, we didn’t respond back to our friend to her friend to her (that’s confusing).

As time passed though and we, again, learned more language. . .we were able to understand her story which we posted at www.forakidney.wordpress.com. Thank you to so many of you who have given. You have greatly encouraged and blessed not only their family, but our hearts too in sharing this burden with us!

She REALLY was in need of a pay raise, which we glady gave her! Man, not being able to communicate can really have some disadvantages at times! Regardless, through the year and a half that she lovingly served our family, we became dear friends!

Our nanny became one of our dearest friends!

I was talking with her this morning. She is due with their second child on August 2nd (that’s Colt’s bday by the way!). I asked her if she would follow their cultural customs and not touch water or use fans/cold air. She said of course she would, but she admitted it would be hard to bear because of the intense August heat!! I agree!! Of course, I’ve already told her that we don’t have those customs, and my body is fine so she doesn’t HAVE to do that 🙂 She said I’m American and she’s Chinese, so our bodies are different!

Sweet family that loves the Father and loves and serves others so joyfully!

Thank you to so many of you who have given to their family in their time of need. Again, this morning talking on the phone to her she expressed how moved and grateful they are! Her husband is in a lot of pain and discomfort, so we are asking the Father that LDH receive the right donor soon! We are also asking for a healthy baby to be born in the next 2 months time! We will definitely go back to CD to see them and the baby. They will be forever friends I know!

They have loved on our kiddos and our kiddos love them too!

Thoughts on raising kids overseas

Posted on May 26, 2015 by HALEY MILES

Lately I’ve had several thoughts (note: not doubts) about raising our kids overseas. What are they “missing out” on? What I think childhood should look like – or a “normal” childhood – could only be based on my childhood experience though. . .

1. They don’t get to play with and know their cousins.
2. They don’t get to run freely in the grass and dirt.
3. They won’t be used to riding in cars and using seat belts (which could be bad when we visit the States).
4. They are missing out on family birthdays and holiday traditions.
5. They won’t get to eat Mamaw Betty’s strawberry jam and yummy breakfasts, Uncle Dale’s yummy cooking, Nana Gail’s texas sheet cakes and coconut cream pies, Gma and Gpa Haas’ hospitality, or Grandma Miles’ yummy cooking either.
6. Will they be missing out educationally? Will they be able enter college without problems?
7. Where will they consider home?

But, you know what? The Father proves faithful, and He loves my kids way more than I ever could. . . So, though the above is true, this is also true:

1. The time they WILL get with their cousins will be extra special and never taken for granted again!
2. Moving to this city, we chose to live on the first floor specifically so the kids COULD play in the tiny grass area that goes with our apartment 🙂 PLUS, this city has lots of hiking and nature to enjoy that we didn’t have before!
3. It’s definitely more convenient here to get around, though not as safe I know. Just hop on or pile in (i.e. family of 5 on a scooter to get around)! When we go back to the States. . .well, we will cross that bridge when we get there!
4. We really miss the birthdays and holidays, but we have started our own traditions which make holidays special in this culture. I’m not sure what their traditions will look like when they get older and have families of their own though!
5. Missing out on these yummy things that make my tummy rumble just typing about it, but the kids have eaten Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, etc. cuisine. Hopefully they will have a vast palate and appreciate food!
6. I’m homeschooling in addition to their attending the local school. That’s a big responsibility. . . but I realize the vast benefit of their experiencing and learning another culture, another language, and obtaining a cross-cultural education.
7. Colt told me last night that we have had “lots of homes!” Pretty much anywhere we have ever stayed long enough to unpack the suitcase is considered “one of our homes.” 🙂

We are American, immersed in a country, culture, and people foreign to our home nation. . . but it is becoming more and more familiar to us. Caden was only 8 months old when we moved here, and he prefers to eat rice and noodles. Kylie’s Chinese is fluent and just as good as her English. Colt speak fluently and has adapted amazingly to our (yet another) “home” here. These kids are amazing. Maybe it’s just Mommy that is missing all of the things above because they don’t know any differently. . .

Kylie started “ballelet” (just throw an extra “luh” in the middle)

Posted on May 21, 2015 by HALEY MILES

Kylie loves ballet. Her little preschool has lessons for $1.50 per class. Just a few little girls and one teacher. She could have started sooner, but she didn’t want to start until she got a pretty dress, tights, and shoes like the other girls. She loves “all things pretty!” We can be walking down the street, and she will point out all the pretty dresses and shoes. She cracks me up (and makes me nervous at the same time)! What are we in for. . . ? 🙂

She always get s sticker at the end of the day from her teacher. . . and she always puts it on her forehead 🙂

He’s a cutie. . .

Posted on May 19, 2015 by HALEY MILES

Caden is loving school! His teachers are so fabulous, and they randomly send me pics and videos throughout the day. This one made me smile 🙂

Danger ranger. .

Posted on May 15, 2015 by HALEY MILES

One of the things we love and appreciate about living in this city is the beauty of the surrounding mountains! It’s easy to access the mountains, so there is a lot of climbing to be done! Most have paths or trails, and some even have stairs to the top. One day David and I went to climb the one across from our apartment. It’s a great way to see the city, learn about the city (for those like me who may or may not be directionally challenged), and PR over the city.

We noticed there were 2 people on the mountain peak next to the mountain we were on, so we went down and decided to check that mountain out. When we got to the bottom, there was no trail though. Just rocks. . . like straight up rock faces. So for me, it was a “must not be able to climb this one” thought. Then a 66 year old man came up and started climbing up the rock faces.

He said he climbs that mountain regularly and it wasn’t hard. He talked us into following him. . . which we regretted SEVERAL times in the hour that followed 🙂 Once we started up, there was no turning back. It was the kind of climbing for experienced climbers (not D and I), and it would NOT have been a bad idea to have a safety rope and harness either!

We climbed 4 or 5 different rock faces, following our guide’s lead on the hand and foot holds. . . I was terrified. One wrong move and you will fall to your doom. Of course, I had faith in the Father that He wasn’t done with us yet . . . BUT I also thought we really needed to give the kids’ schools several more contact numbers in case something happened to both of us at the same time! AAAAAGH!

Let me just say. . . that man was amazing. Over twice my age and definitely climbing better than we did! Thankful to be at the bottom safely!

Our 66 year old “guide”

Me being goofy. . . it was seriously scary though

Stud muffin taking a break on the edge of a cliff because there was no where else to rest.

View from the top! Nice, but I won’t do it again!

Mother’s Day 2015

Posted on May 10, 2015 by HALEY MILES

Little creations made for Mommy by sweet little hands!

Colt’s Last Day at Hsu Boshi You’eryuan

Posted on May 8, 2015 by HALEY MILES

This video is pretty sweet. We were so so pleased with Colt’s school in our previous city. I mentioned to the teachers that I wanted to bring a little treat on his last day, and they went all out! They made the whole afternoon about him. . . singing, hugging, crying, saying sweet words of encouragement. Of course, I cried. That really meant a lot to a mama who was watching her little boy struggle in leaving his little buddies at school. Colt loved looking at these pictures and videos on my phone, so I made a little video for him to remember. He still talks to these little friends at times, but he has adjusted well to his new school in our new city. The Father is good to us and His love for us is shown in all of these little things. . .

This kid. . . Caden Luke

Posted on May 7, 2015 by HALEY MILES

Just so I don’t forget some of the smiles. . . Caden is really a fun little guy. He’s growing up fast!! He wants to do everything Colt and Kylie can do. He eats everything! He wants rice or noodles for breakfast. He speaks both Chinese and English. He likes animals like Colt (while Kylie remains terrified of them) and getting dirty. He likes to build blocks and play with his little lego men! He LOVES music and singing. The second music starts there is immediate dancing from this little guy. We are excited to see what he grows up to be and love. Asking the Father to capture his heart!

The rainy season. . .

Posted on April 19, 2015 by HALEY MILES

No pictures to go with this post. . . so I will tell you the story, and you can imagine it in your mind 🙂

Supposedly March, April and May-ish is the rainy season in our new city. They say everything stays wet, clothes hang out to dry for. . . ever, moisture and mold can become a problem if you don’t stay on top of it. We have been here 1 week now, but it hasn’t rained though! The weather has been great actually! Everything has stayed dry too. I thought to myself, “If this is the rainy season, I can handle this!” We actually joked about it tonight as we ate dinner with some new friends.

After we finished our dinner we walked out to discover a HUGE downpour!!! I mean, flood the streets rain. It was insane!! We stood there with our family of 5 and their family of 3 trying to figure out what to do. The bus stop was too far, there were no taxis that would come that way, no umbrella. We had the phone numbers of 5 different drivers, but none of them were willing to come.

David and the other guy decided to face the torrential rains and walk to the main road, flag a taxi and come rescue us. They did! All 8 of us crammed into a taxi and the driver brought us back to our hotel (that we have lived in for the past week while our house was getting painted and previous mold/moisture issues were addressed), then he was going to drive them home to their apartment. HOWEVER, the street to our hotel was on was flooded. . . with sewer water that had backed up and was about 2 feet deep! It was the craziest thing. And probably one of the stinkiest things. . . he couldn’t get us out of the water to the hotel door because someone had left their car parked out in the entrance. After about 10 minutes, someone got into that car and moved it (who wasn’t the driver) and we were able to get out. Across the road was David’s scooter that he bought YESTERDAY. It’s under water, which means the batteries are more than likely ruined. Bummer.

Rainy season is not to be joked about again 🙂

Saying goodbye to CD friends. . .

Posted on April 16, 2015 by HALEY MILES

These goodbyes were especially hard, but who knew we would have such good and deep friendships after just 17 months in a city. . . not to mention a city where we didn’t speak their language at all to begin with 🙂 The Father has been so good! We are so thankful.

Our last week in CD the kids had lots of chances to play together. Lyric even had his first sleepover ever (at our house) where the boys giggled until midnight! Colt definitely misses his buddy Lyric!

My friend Tracy treated us to dinner the night before we left (when everything is packed up with no food in the house and I was exhausted) Love her!!

Jean – she’s awesome! She was our 2nd Chinese teacher 🙂

David’s teacher and his fiancee. They are a lot of fun. We played hours of Phase 10 together 🙂 They really like to come over for Mexican or biscuits/gravy!