Bicycle Trips Are For Lovers

Labor Day (Chinese Labor Day) provided a day off for Drew. Seizing the opportunity, we took a day-long bike trip north along the river, out of the city and into the country. Auntie Wang and no less than four other play babysitters tag-teamed to care for our boys 8am - 8pm. 

Drewbs and I pedaled all morning, stopped for lunch at a roadside restaurant, turned around and rode back to Changsha for supper, then back home. I wiped out twice, which was rockin awesome. First time I was speeding through a construction zone with loose dirt, tumbled and rolled. Drew thought it was hot. Added to the romance. Second time I was angling down a grassy hill and caught my pedal, slid out. Also viewed as cute by my husband. I just can't lose.

Did about 80 kilometers / 50 miles.

We saw herds of horses, temples, picnickers, and a barge parking lot.

Also saw laborers erecting big trees without any equipment! Heeve-hooo in unison, they did it! They did it for like 20 trees!

To honestly and accurately recount this day, I should let you know that the air pollution was nasty. Our throats were awful for several days. Other, smarter, cyclists wore masks. 

But my husband was so happy. So so happy. Happiest I've seen him in many months. It was like he's been waiting our whole marriage to take his wife out on a bike trip. 

Guess what!? In six years of parenthood, this is the longest we've ever been away from our children, 12 hours. Beat out our previous record of 6 hours. 

Friend joked, maybe after an additional six years you'll get away for an ENTIRE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

lunch with women, honesty, encouragement, girl time, fun

after-dinner strolls with the family at dusk

reading storybooks to kiddos

snuggling with Jonathon and treasuring

Titus can't got to school because of his virus so we have several days of 1-on-1 time to connect and learn

yellow pepper

getting to know John the Baptist

Jonathon's Send-off Celebration

Marvelous Success!

Jonathon's community came together to mark a new chapter in his life and ours -- incredibly meaningful.

200+ people traveled over early on a drizzling Saturday morning.

Children and big friends came from all three of our kids' preschool classes, Chinese church, international fellowship, playgroup, Butterfly Home, our neighborhood and Drew's office.

Their support strengthens us.

Jonathon had fun, and as he carries memories of this day and looks back over the photos, he will know that he was loved and cared for by an immense community.

When he is curious about his first five years in China, it won't be a question mark.

There are faces, messages and a clear story of favor for Jonathon.

Friends won't wonder what happened to Jonathon as he disappeared over the ocean. They have seen his new family's photos which clearly portray their love, they've heard our confident attitude that Jonathon will be happy, they know he has a wonderful future ahead.

Unmistakably, this party testified to the intense love and justice of God working through his people.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

huge community support all for one young life, an orphan boy -- this is your miracle, your justice

waking up to the most dense fog ever, you've always got a new wonder for us to behold

jumping for joy at all you are doing in our families

after a day of many moments of tears, holding Titus on the bed and ending the day alright

catching up with an engaged couple and imagining all the potential that lies within them

best friends who help clean up, stay for the after-party lunch, meet you for coffee before, and give you an electric guitar the next day

amazing photo book from Jonathon's preschool teachers

these words, "I love the holy Lamb of God..."

folding laundry with Tim Keller and the truth

Christmas, Easter and birthday cards received all in one week!

'Lil Flair in the Hair for Spring

inspired by

vibrant spring blooms bursting out,

also David Bowie, clowns, snocones, Care Bears, the planet Jupiter, punk rock and My Little Pony

inspired by

David Beckham, the 1920s, stock traders, mobsters, a 60-hour work week with zero extra pay, 

and also the Starbucks barista sporting a rad undercut who steeped my green tea

counting the graces

thank you Father for

four awesome morning hours plopped down in a coffeehouse close to Drew, connecting, comforting

Ciccottis visiting these two days, always encouraging and exciting to listen to their plans and dreams

Jon's teachers' effort to promote his farewell party to the classmates

creating photo posters with Titus

si gua (some kind of delicious melon) that Wang Ayi cooks deliciously well

health

being sick which afforded time for reading