Us in the East

 Here's some pictures from China!

Great Wall!!  We took a toboggan slide down the mountain-- so cool and highly recommend it!

Tienanmen Square. Very interesting history. Also, this was about 10 mins walk from our hostel. 

This is our entire group by the Olympic Bird's Nest Stadium! Well.... minus the lady on the left.  She was walking by and decided to pop on into our group photo and have her husband take a picture with her camera.  Very rude.  Also very China. So I just that's just the way things are-- just "different" ...not bad! :) 

Maybe she thought we were former Olympians.  Or maybe she just thought we were 12 Caucasian people. 

Home!

Cross "Become homeowners" off the list!  

Well, that's about all that's new in our lives!  Closed on this house last Wednesday and Ben's parent's brought all our stuff Thursday (thanks again to our packers, unpackers, and movers !!!). We went home (as in back to where we had previously lived) for the weekend for a few weddings and a few hours of friend time.

My madre came for a day of yard work which was extremely helpful! Promise that lady some trips to home improvement stores and a day out in the sun and she's a happy camper! 

I've got a few lists of things to do, things to buy, and places to call.  I've been at Panera for a while using their internet.  I plan to set that up for our home today :) 

Ben likes his job! Doing some "rapid continuous improvement" (is that right, Ben??) projects last week and this week. Friday the 1st AND Monday the 4th off of work! Lucky!  oh wait... I get every day off :) However, unpacking has been full-time! 

Here's a few pictures!  I'm still yet to cross "become a better picture taker" off my list! 

First few minutes of our new home! 

Unpacking begins! 

Moving the sign in our yard-- as to not confuse passerby-ers

Oh, here's  picture of me! We're figuring out the correct "slam" to the storm door.

Happy house! 

Another Proposal

I mean, how cute is this??

Maybe Ben would be interested in proposing to me again....

Back in the US of A

We're home! And what a trip!  There are 10 faces that I'm a little sad I won't get to see today... but we have LOTS to be thankful for and LOTS of great memories!

When I woke up this morning, I was very confused as to where I was. Also, I think I contracted some cold virus on that 13 hour flight because I've had some sore throat, coughy, sneezy symptoms ever since then. So I'm not really thinking clearly!

We've both been to China before this time for 2 months each.  Its fun to come back with a new perspective and appreciate some "simple conveniences" that I usually don't think about in my typical day-to-day life!

I mean, wow, our bed here is so comfortable.  I slept in 6 different beds in China and all were kinda like slim padding over plywood.

I'm glad for washing machines.  Washing our same 7 outfits in the bathroom sink by hand got a little old. It's also fun to see my clothes/shoes again.  I left several articles of clothing all over China.  A skirt and shirt in one hotel.... a t-shirt in an airport trash can... and another shirt and shoes in a Beijing hostel.  It was all intentional though-- I brought old and worn things anyways.

Also glad to not drink water only out of water bottles.  I enjoy forks and spoons.  I like speaking and listening to a language that I have no trouble with.

I'm also glad I can throw the toilet paper in the toilet. ...yeah, they don't do that in China!


So we came home to our half-packed basement home.... and packing the other half is on my to-do list for this week!  Ben starts work on Monday. We'll close on our house within the week or so and then move to a new city and new chapter of life!!

Some would say, "wow- you've got a lot to do after getting back!"  But right now, I'm thinking it won't be that difficult!  I know what needs to happen and I know how to do it.  I know how to speak the language to talk to people if I need to figure things out. I know where to buy anything I need and I know exactly how to get to that store.

This next week or so will be a piece of cake after our last 5 weeks!  :)

cats

He's never been too fond of cats and I've always been overly fond of cats.  So instantly this was a disagreement in our marriage.  We've talked about it randomly over the last year and have had some petty "cats vs. dogs" spats. 

 I remember last summer when I saw a picture of a beautiful cat in a magazine while Ben and I were driving somewhere. We talked about it then... and he again expressed his dislike for cats.  And then I actually started to tear up!  I realized that I might never own a cat in my entire life.  It was so suddenly so sad!  I grew up with cats and have only positive memories with cats.  Owning a pet has never been an option until this summer when we'll move and start being "real people." 

So when Ben promised that I could get a cat this summer-- I was very excited!  And I was thankful for him.  But I also think his "I hate cats" attitude is a total scheme and he really doesn't mind them.  He might even like them! We'll have to wait and see... :)

What should our cat's name be?  I like "Nemo"-- what do you think??

Instantly- cats and I worked well together.

Dinky was our longest cat who literally grew up with me and went to cat Heaven whenever I went to college.

See Ben, look how playful??!!

Jace-er-Ace

 Happy golden birthday to my favorite little brother!!!

 Thanks for letting me dress you up and boss you around as a kid!  I remember that you didn't always make a good student when we played school.  :)

You've turned a fine young man!

(I'll bring you back something from China!)

Happy Mother's Day to our mommas!!

Thanks for raising us, of course, and for all you are to us today!  

Sorry we have to leave and go to China on your day...