Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Mia Turns 13!

We can't believe how much Mia has grown over the last year and a half. She had a milestone birthday on April 12th. She turned 13. We explained to her that she is now a teenager. Oh yea, I also had to explain what to expect as she becomes a young lady. Since both Mia and Anna talk to each other so much I knew I better tell them both. Anna sat in horror as I explained just the part about needing a pad. Not sure if I will ever tell them about having little ones of their own until they are at least thirty. Doesn't that sound about right to you?
When we were still in China we had met some friends who are missionaries. Their family had lived in China for the past 10 years and so they new Mandarin Chinese. One of their daughters, Joy, who was in her twenties had sat the girls down to ask them a question that I wanted to know. That was if Mia had started yet. Once Joy was finished talking to them, she concluded with certainty that Mia hadn't and also didn't know what it was. She said Anna piped in and said that she new what a period was and went on to explain, "first you go in the bathroom, then you get a band-aid, then you put it on your arm where you are bleeding. Then you shut off the light and close the bathroom door." Joy was right about then not knowing anything. Now we wait for that shining moment.
Here is a pic of Mia when she was just a baby. She is with a caregiver.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

New Hair Cut For Anna!


Anna at age of five.
Anna has had a very hard time keeping her hair combed and out of her face so she has asked if we would get her hair cut. A lot of you are aware that in China they cut the girls hair short to keep control of lice and easier for girls to take care of short hair. Anna was having a hard week in school. She was getting into a lot of trouble so on a Friday, Phil took her to get her hair cut. Before they left they looked at dozens of hair styles on line, found one they both liked, sent me a copy and off they went. Here is a photo before and after. Her hair cut looks a lot like the one on here referral when she was about five years old (see above). We always loved that picture of her.
Anna at age 10 and a pic of her a few months earlier.




Monday, January 20, 2014

Museum in Chicago!

We went to the museum in Chicago over Christmas vacation and here are a few pictures!

"Sue", Anna and Mia

Anna, a friend, and Mia

Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!

Mia is underground.

Anna and her underground friend!

Christmas and Christmas Parade!

We all had a great time over Christmas vacation. Christmas was spent with our daughters and their families!

Mia and Anna at the Christmas parade in Peoria, IL
Austin, Stephen, Jax, Jennifer, Jordyn, Jamie, Mia, Benjamin, back row; Matthew, Anna, Kadina, Mark, and Julie