being sick is no fun....

...but its nice to have a buddy to cuddle with.

or maybe two buddies.

(have no fear - we are all healthy now!)

mom's hair salon

first you climb onto the counter and make sure the tangles are gone.

then you put hair up, wrap in a dish towel and begin the chopping!!

thankfully the girls can last the 45 minutes it takes me to finish the job! Then you take pictures to document the happy girl with her new style! She is growing up so fast!!

that was A LOT of hair!!

things i love :: in no particular order

I was inspired to write my own list, from an amazing friend named Sarah. ox.

justin. asia. eden. sydney. lemonade. guitars. my 5 parents. jason & kris. ian & arienne. my 3 nieces & 1 nephew! being an auntie. my old house on emeline avenue. hearing God's voice. falling snow. swimming. the beach. sand in my toes, but not anywhere else. waves. China open markets. quilts. anything handmade. thrift stores. books. subaru forresters. melon in summer. picnic baskets. gardening. anything with pumpkin. making bread. a good book with the girls. santa cruz, ca. learning something new. a thoughtful gift. animals: all kinds. homeschooling. art projects. walking in the creek. rainy days & umbrellas. succulent plants. etsy. the color green. jesus. sewing. chai tea with milk & honey. tickling my girls. hammocks. swing dancing. scarves & cowls. organic things. hiking. crossing the street in China. cultures. traveling. owls & acorns & clover. libraries. grass under my feet. adoption. sentimental things. the doans. writing letters. communication. my best friend. being known. hard questions. green smoothies. my new iphone. angry birds. road-trips. the sounds of nature. picking berries. dusk. dreaming together. chocolate & peanut butter. family game nights. camping outside in tents. drinking tea. old window panes. letting my creative juices flow. cloth napkins. living simply. burritos. skinny dipping. fruits of the spirit. taking a walk with my babe. expensive shoes. homemade pesto. making rag dolls. summer. bonfires on the beach. oriental rugs. legos. feeding the ducks. fresh flowers in a vase. being used by God. authenticity. new haircuts. my wedding ring. strawberries. apricots. painted toes. kings mansion. dying to self. forgiveness. spending time with other moms. the sparkle in my girls' eyes. survivor. date night. old farm houses. the flea market. the farmer's market. composting. planning parties. driving a car with kids in carseats. organizing. avocados. oceanview park. getting healthy. bookshelves. scrapbooking. playing dutch blitz. doing puzzles. sushi. the psalms. surrender. porches. closets. home birth. sand castles. popcorn. action-packed movies. the nomads. acorn slippers. bamboo. maps. photography. pigtails. kaleidoscope. lists. blogging friends. fair trade. old jeans. yurts. henna & mehndi art. newborn babies. homemade jiaozi. pique assiette. christmas ornaments. coke zero. my apron.

....there are many more things I am sure...and perhaps I will continue to add to this list as I think of new things! these are just the first ones that came to mind (which is a huge disclaimer, and again, in no particular order of love & admiration, so one day if Sydney reads this she won't feel I loved her any less than Asia or Eden since I listed her 4th). This is just fun to reminisce and think about. :) Thanks Sarah!!

two new drinks in our city

Let me introduce you to some new varieties of drinks that are now available at my local XiaoMaiBu (小卖部 tiny convenient store, downstairs!): Badam Nut Drink and Victory Vitamin!

BADAM NUT DRINK: This tasty drink comes in a glass bottle, which is nice. Its very nutty in flavor, kinda like a watery almond milk - but pretty sweet. A little earthy too.

VITAMIN WATER: I am still not sure of the actual flavor or this light pink drink - but it tasted like a twist of the Vitamin Water (in the States) and a strong Lemonade. A slightly watery lemonade - with some extra vitamins to make you feel better. There are lots of flavors/colors to choose from.

Anyhow, its nice to have some new flavors to choose from!!

welcome home!!

Yes!! We made it!! It feels like Christmas as the girls remember their rooms and toys and books. They are enthralled with being home again, which is so lovely. And, we are SO tired & groggy. More like exhausted. We can barely stay awake during the day, and wide-eyed at 2am. I can't seem to adjust to this new (opposite) time zone. Also, we re-inherited our orange kitty - Sushi!! Our local friend decided she couldn't take care of her anymore. That was unexpected. We also came back to a dusty apartment....in desperate need of some deep cleaning! Fun!

Eden was in heaven with Sushi back again. Even with her slight cat allergies - she wants to be holding Susu any chance she gets. I (on the other hand) am ready to find her another new home since she attacks my feet in the middle of the night, when I wish I was sleeping. Crazy cat.

The weather outside is freezing cold, and it's snowing again today. Beautiful white flakes that show the intricate designs of each flake when it lands. Huge flakes. This weather doesn't really bother me, since I love the chance to get cozy indoors, unpack, get organized, and figure out a new rhythm for life here. It takes awhile to remember how to cook from scratch again, stock my pantry, and get utilities back up and running smoothly. The dust needs wiping too. But the snow just makes it peaceful. Like I can ease back into normal life without all the rush. Just enjoy the moment and watch the flakes fall.

Off to make some hot chai with honey & milk. Home.

travels: just 36 hours. easy-peasy.

After goodbyes are over...traveling isn't so bad. With more practice, it keeps getting easier. Plus - the girls each got a new carry-on, filled with their own special items for the flight(s). They were so proud (and giddy) to wheel their own stuff around the terminals.

On the first flight we even got comments from people sitting around us, that our kids were such easy-going travelers. We were so amazed ourselves! They are world travelers, so I think they are just used to long, cramped flights: not anything special we have done. But it doesn't hurt to be prepared with games, toys, snacks and surprises. This was by far, our best family traveling experience to date.

Asia was quite entertained by her new Journal (a gift) that taught her how to draw Mehndi Art. She literally drew for a hour. Lots of squiggles, curly-ques and swirly lines. I had no idea she could learn it (and love it) so fast. Thank you Dawn+Ella!

The girls also slept for a good chunk of time, sprawling wherever they could ...we all got some needed shut eye. :)

We stayed overnight in Beijing since we got in so late, and had to catch the next flight in the morning. In the morning we had the buffet breakfast - which consisted of tofu, spicy veggies, white rice, tuna dumplings and over-hard boiled eggs. We weren't so daring, but opted for toast and rice. We were all laughing when we realized there was toast, but no knives to spread the butter. The next best thing: a chopstick of course!! Yes, we are back in China!!

Here we are, waiting for our shuttle to the airport (for flight #2) - bright and early. I was scolded a few times for letting the girls take off their bulky winter attire. Not enough layers. :) Yes, we are back in China!!

In the terminal, we used our new-to-us iphone to call uncle Jason on skype for the first time overseas!! It worked!! Now I just need to find a way to unlock it so I can use it in China!!

And since I know you were dying to see what kinds of meals are served on flights in our beloved country....I took a picture for ya. They were out of the "beef dish" so we got some sort of seafood+veggie stir fry with rice, as well as red bean paste in a bun, plain yogurt, melon, and some gelatinous meat dish over cold noodles. Let me just say, I am so glad we brought our own snacks. Justin was the only daring one. :)

But we finally made it!! ...all 8 pieces of luggage, all our layers and happy to be HOME! Now if only jet-lag were this easy!! :)

goodbye america

the view from the house we stayed @ in Santa Cruz for 6 weeks!

Yes, that is the ocean!

Yup, that time has come. We are mostly packed, doing last minute errands, cleaning, and spending every waking moment with loved ones...before we board that huge airplane and fly across the Pacific. It doesn't feel completely real yet, but I can tell that my emotions are often guarded, or the other extreme: RAW! I am tired of saying goodbye. I think we have said more 'goodbyes' than any normal person has done in their lifetime...and I'm young!! This is most likely the hardest part of living overseas. I love my life, but it has its hard parts too. Just keeping it real!

the view of the terraced garden! = so peaceful!

I find myself taking lots of pictures, wanting to capture those last moments just sitting around, being together. I definitely feel surrounded by incredible love and encouragement and support. Then my mind is racing with thoughts of items I still haven't purchased to stock up on... but I need to just relax. It will all come together with time to spare, right?? Being with people is most important. :)

So many people have gone out of their way for us this trip! Gift cards, food, gas money, a beautiful home, a minivan to borrow, hand-me-downs, homemade gifts!, chiropractic visits - just to mention a few! Thank you to a community of friends that are really family. I will miss you dear friends: for seeking to know me deeply, asking hard questions, and taking the time to be real. I will miss you too, California: your fresh ocean air, healthy foods, variety, green open spaces, sandy beach, and so much more. But I shall see you ALL again in a few years. (sniff sniff)

day o' love 2011

For the love of all holidays and celebration: we (as in Ali, the momma) tend to go all out: for the memories, for the traditions, for the pure joy of celebration. The girls love it too. We made 21 Valentines for other kids. We drew, cut, wrote loving notes, and drew pictures all morning. It was fun! We chose our favorite party clothes in all shades of pink...for a sweet Valentine Party with friends.

The girls loved every moment. The strawberries, the cupcakes, the crafts & fruit loop necklaces, the book exchange, the Valentine mailboxes....every detail was so perfectly planned.

Thank you Jana (and Matt for planning the man-date) for such a special day!! As we get nearer to our departure, we try to bask in each moment with friends - not wanting to miss anything. Only 5 days before we depart....and we are so FULL with love for our amazing friends. We miss you already.

(and now we must start packing!!)