Lapse

Sorry for the lapse in my blogging! We actually went on a trip back to the states for Christmas and I need to post pictures of that. It was a very quick trip and we really spent almost all our time with family (sorry to those of you that I couldn't see or didn't even tell about our trip). The good news is that we're planning to be back in Texas from mid-November to mid-April so we'll be able to catch up with people a lot more then.
Update - we made the move to the provincial capital (although we had already been living here since the end of October, it was in a temporary furnished place). This time, we will be living in an apartment with all our stuff again. The move went so much better than last time - and we were blessed to have a lot of help from other American friends and a local friend. I am really looking forward to having all our stuff in one place again and being able to "make home" with all my stuff. It is just stuff but sometimes that stuff really makes life easier - especially with two little ones.
We took Mason for a check-up while in Austin and the pediatrician confirmed that his eyes had problems - one or both of them tend to cross at varying times. Thankfully, we were able to get him in to see a pediatric eye doctor before we left and he was fitted for little glasses and the doctor recommended he have surgery before one year of age. We're going to be taking him to see a doctor in Hong Kong in February to get the process started. We appreciate your prayers for Mason! I'm interested to see how Father will work all of this out for His glory, because I know He will!
We are going to be traveling again next week so I may or may not get to post pictures very soon... but I'll try!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Free Blog Makeover Giveaway

My friend from college, Tyne, has started her own blog design business and is giving away a free blog makeover. You can visit her site and comment to be entered into the giveaway. Her blog is one of my favorites to follow because she is so transparent - tells the funniest stories about her life as a Mom of three little ones (and one on the way) yet also throws in great encouragement as she seeks Father daily!

other recents pics

Mason gettin some tummy time


Our cute little two year old

Entertaining his brother

With a local buddy - who is three months younger than Reister but is already potty trained! But the funny thing is he yells "ba ba" (local language for daddy) when he needs to go and his mom rushes him to the bathroom. Not sure what the connection is there ... :)

Five Months Old

Fresh after a bath...like the hair?


Finally - a smile captured!

The blue outfit was the under layer for this outfit... my little Texan! (A hand-me-down outfit from his cousin Jackson who used to live in Houston)

The Fall

a new friend

This lady is a new friend and a LOT of help to me. We hired her to come in the mornings to help with the housework and cook some yummy food for lunch. She also loves holding Mason which is really helpful when he's fussy and I'm trying to get other stuff done! PTL for XL who is a joy to have around!

How about some rice cereal?

Huh... new flavor...

Eckk! What IS this stuff?


Followed by around 45 minutes of fussiness... maybe his tummy isn't quite ready for the rice cereal... we'll try again a little later!

Let's Go Fly a Kite

This was at the end of October, but better late posting than never, huh?

This was not in the capital city, where we've been and will be moving permanently, but in the smaller city north of here. It was a beautiful day and this river is just behind the apartment there.

Fight for Life

I have to preface this post by telling you I am strongly pro-life. I refrained from commenting before the election but I really feel I must post this so you know of an opportunity to make your voice heard. In a speech at a Planned Parenthood event in July 2007, Obama stated that the first thing he would do as president in the area of abortion would be sign the FOCA. You can watch the video footage for yourself at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf0XIRZSTt8

I'm not sure if signing this petition at the below site will help but it surely can't hurt.

This is from the website below:

FOCA Would Wipe Away Every Restriction on Abortion Nationwide
This would eradicate state and federal laws that the majority of Americans support, such as:
Bans on Partial Birth Abortion (if you don't know what this is, you should - google it)
Requirements that women be given information about the risks of getting an abortion
Only licensed physicians can perform abortions
Parents must be informed and give consent to their minor daughter's abortion
FOCA would erase these laws and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.

Please read the expert analysis by Americans United for Life (AUL) and sign the Fight FOCA petition at:
http://www.fightfoca.com/
Thank you!

Blog Following

Did you know you could "follow" blogs? All it means is that you list the blogs you like to read through your Google account. I added the gadget on the right side. You can click on the "follow this blog" link if you want to be a follower of my blog.

"J" - you left a comment on my baby shoes post, but I'm not sure who you are? Can you leave another comment to reveal your identity?

Baby Shoes

Does anyone have any advice on baby shoes? I never got the slip on kind for Reister but am thinking about getting some for Mason (his socks won't stay on, plus it's a little too cold for socks only). I know there are a couple different brands like the Robeez below. If you have some experience or advice on which kind are good, please leave a comment!

I Like:

Busy Cars (Infant/Toddler)
by Robeez

We Love Our Boys

Sweet Mason

Mason is so sweet - check out his beautiful blue eyes and precious handsome face! He's wearing an outfit of Reisters below
I can't get him to smile when I actually take the picture - he smiles before but when the red light on the camera comes on he's mesmerized and doesn't smile! I'll keep trying though

We assume his eyes will still change colors but we're enjoying his blue eyes for now

5 years

Micah and I have been married for five years! We celebrated Friday night (the day before our actual anniversary) by going out to eat (ALONE!) at a Turkish restaurant in town. It was very yummy (see one of the things we ordered below) Some other American friends agreed to watch the boys so we were able to get away (in between Mason's feedings, mind you, so it wasn't for too long) for a date.


We had hummus, falafel, turkish naan bread, and then this platter of beef, mashed potatoes, carrots and asparagus. Yummy!


I should have gotten a picture of us afterward with our Starbucks - we went and both got Toffee Nut Lattes to go and had finished them by the time we got back to our friends' home they were SOOO good. They don't have the Pumpkin Spice ones here, but the Toffee Nut was awesome!

It was a great night and we are so thankful for five wonderful years of marriage. We're planning to take a ski vacation while we're back in the states in 2009-10 so we're saving up for that and didn't do a lot this year.

Uncle Jon

Since Jon stayed with us four nights, Reister grew quite fond of him and asked him often "Uncle Jon, whatchyoudoing?" (he often asks us what we're doing too) Here's Reister and Uncle Jon...