more from China

We've moved on to our final destination here in China. We are not in Tianjin, it is the 3rd largest city in China (about 11 million people). There are buildings as far as you can see in every direction and people absolutely everywhere. We have been treated well by everyone that we come in to contact with and have loved the experience of assimilated into the culture, don't get me wrong...we are stared at everywhere we go, but the Chinese need to get used to the pale faces as the Olympics draw ever closer. Tianjin is hosting soccer, handball, and ping-pong, the people in the city are very excited.

greetings from China!

This is a picture from "The Temple of Heaven" in Beijing. Google it, it's pretty interesting. We have been all over this city and have had some awesome experiences. I am here with the Chinese Bridge for American Schools run by the College Board and Hanban (Chinese Language Agency run by the Chinese government). It has been a privilege to be here and have this chance, what an opportunity! I will post another picutre tomorrow, I am off to the Great Wall today! This last pic is at one of the welcoming ceremonies...we've had camera crews and local TV station all over us since we've been here. Pretty cool.

fishing fun, and still more prayer needs...

Mommy wanted one last swimsuit to complete her shopping for Mexico so Case and I took the opportunity to run out to the river. We had a big time (as usual) caught a few fish on the fly rod, touched them all (eeeuuuh, slimy daddy!), threw some rocks, and got to drive daddy's car! Too much fun. Here's a few pics.

Thank you for the prayers for Allison's mom, she is at home for a few days but still struggling a bit, we know she will be ok. We'll keep you updated. Also pray for us as I embark on my trip to China tomorrow. Allison and Case will be making the Texas Grandparent's Tour so pray for their safety!

prayer request

please keep Case's KK (my mom) in your prayers...she is currently in the hospital....no info yet...they are running all sorts of tests...all I know is that they have ruled out a heart attack based on enzyme levels .

6/21/08 Update . . . thank you for your prayers, emails and calls. KK is still in the hospital. They are thinking that her 'episode' was a result of a blood pressure spike (high bp runs in the family and she is already on meds, the meds just weren't working like they should) they are adjusting the meds. No damage to the kidneys & liver according to the ct scan. No cardiac issues (thank God)and no sign of Stroke (very possible when blood pressure gets that high) Her Crohn's disease is flared up and causing some irritation, but they think that is more a result of what is going on currently and not the cause of Wednesday's episode. Pulmonary test results weren't very good and she will meet with a Pulmonologist today. We area also waiting on a few other results that are coming from regional labs instead of local, so since it is now the weekend it may be next week before those come back.

6/22/08 Update . . . Mom was released from the hospital, but will continue to see a Pulmonologist, meds will continue to be adjusted as needed, etc. Thank you all for your prayers. Case and I are going to see her (and Papa Doc) later this week while J is gone. She insisted that we not rush to A during all of this, that we come when she was out of the hospital and feeling a little better...so that's the plan.


love,allison

MARRIAGE

8 years today! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!!!! :)

Visit with KK & Papa Doc

C & I went to Abilene for a short visit while J and a few buddies were in NYC for the Yankee games...I'll leave the posting of those pics to him.

bebe bleu

Enjoying a warm {almost} summer evening with a dip in the pool.

We celebrated Memorial Day at the lake with "Nanny and PawPaw". We had a relaxing, low-key visit...fishing...swimming...fish-fry...
Case thoroughly enjoyed himself. Here he is lounging in his little pool, eating strawberries!

Pretty Bird

Gotta love this pic of C's cute "Great Nana" (A's Nana) in her new,red T-Bird convertible named "Pretty Bird" ...celebrating Memorial Day in style...

Today's obsession:

BOOTS!!!

2 days ago Case went into my closet and came out with my boots on....he wore them the rest of the evening...yesterday first thing he wanted "my boots, my boots" and was adamant about it....today I decided that it might be time to break out HIS boots (cute little Nordstrom boots...courtesy of The Fisher family) they are still a little big, but Case is not phased by that....we've had them on since 7:00 this morning and no sign of them coming off. Nevermind the fact that all he has on otherwise is a droopy diaper that he's currently refusing to let Mama change! :)
Love it! Too bad he won't always be this easily entertained.
J has the camera or I would post a pic...
Oh, and I forgot to mention that he insisted that I put on my boots as well. The next big trend...you ready for this?...layered cotton tanks, soffe shorts and brown snake skin tipped Justin boots! COUTURE FOR SURE! lol!
pics to come...

http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

heartbreaking for all of them, but her brother will carry the guilt of this accident for as long as he lives... :(

luau!

We went to the SCS Senior Luau last night, had a great time, took pics of families, visited, had a great meal...thanks to the Jones Family for opening your beautiful yard/home!

the countdown is on!

Ice cream and other thought worthy topics

Okay, so I just watched Rob Bell's NOOMA video titled "RICH" (watch it and you'll understand the icecream reference) My intention was to post this particular video to our blog, but I don't want to limit you to one.
The way this guy delivers a message is good - very good - streamlined and efficient. So, if you want to be blessed...and gain some incredible insight...go to youtube, search Rob Bell, look for the videos that say "Nooma", and choose one. I haven't seen one yet that I couldn't identify with, or that I didn't gain insight from. "Rich" is a short one if you are pressed for time...choose the one that is 1 minute 29 seconds...there are longer versions of it as well.

Sorry, I know this was a bait and switch...

Here are a few updates:

The house is still on the market (we remind ourselves daily - scratch that - hourly that God is in control and it just isn't time to move yet)

For the past couple of weekends we've been visiting a church in FW...we want to try to make our move to FW (it will happen) as smooth as possible and we feel that this is one way to do that.

J has just been given a once in a lifetime opportunity for some travel abroad....this hopefully will also lead to some opportunities for study at a higher level (more on this later)

C is great...doing new things everyday and is just such a sweet, loving boy. He makes us laugh a lot...and that is truly a blessing.

I am excited for a girlfriend and her husband who have been praying for a baby for a long, long time....she is a wee bit past the 12 week mark! YAY! Praises.

We just booked our flight & condo. We are looking forward to the 2nd anual getaway to the Mayan Riviera with some friends from college.

My first group of 6th graders will graduate here in a few weeks - I'm not sure how I feel about that! I cannot believe it has been that long.
My first group of 1st grade students will start high school this fall. Wow!

I know, I know, I know...we haven't posted in a bit...we have been so busy with R&Co. stuff, school stuff, the house (yes, it is still on the market!....please say a little prayer for us...we're soooo ready for the house to sell so that Case can begin at Montessori a day or two per week and so that I can begin my new career, well schooling anyway, and so that J isn't making the drive to FW everyday) Whew!runonsentence! :)
These were taken a while back before the bluebonnets bit the dust. I love his little vest sweater (thank you S,E & E, what a sweet gift!)

Our little Lovebug is 2 today!

we celebrated at Babe's in Roanoke...the best fried chicken and biscuits around! Yum'o!




We headed to a nearby park for cupcakes...



In one sense it just does not seem possible that you have been with us for 2 years, yet in another I feel like I've known your precious spirit for forever and a day. Happy Birthday Lovie!


You have been with me since the beginning. John 15:27

MAVS

Pregame:
We're off to watch the MAVS play tonight...and honor Collin Madison, an SCS student who Joey nominated as a MAVS/Apple Orthodontix Livewire...and he was chosen (YAY Collin!) and will be honored at tonight's game.

Postgame Report:
Collin got to meet several of the Mavs star players (Dirk, Kidd, Terry, Howard) and was a captain at mid court before tip-off. He even got to take part in their pregame huddle and give each of the starters high-fives as they were introduced onto the floor. He was the man of the hour and was so appreciative. We had a wonderful time and Case was an angel! How cool are some of these pics? He will never forget the moment, it was so neat to see him honored for being an awesome young man.

impromptu bluebonnet pics

Well, we did not set out to take pictures in the bluebonnets today, but we were struck by the beauty of a nicely slopped hill that was covered with Bluebonnets and dotted with a few Indian Paintbrush and Coreopsis. Of course, we did have the camera, but then again....we usually do. We decided the BBQ we were after could wait a few more minutes. Afterall, it was that special time of day that photographers love, there was a prime spot that every Texan would be proud of and we just happened to have a kiddo with us that we thought looked pretty cute...even if he wasn't dressed in his "bluebonnet outfit". Before you ask, yes, he does have an outfit that was purchased with this ritual in mind. I know, I know, I know...BUT, I recognize the fact that here in a few years he won't allow something as ridiculous as taking pictures in a patch of flowers to take place..."pictures in flowers? c'mon mom, how g**!" I can hear it now! So, YES while I still has a say HE has an outfit just for this silly thing that happens every spring in Texas! Here are our first bluebonnet pics!

On a side note, we don't make a habit of picking wildflowers, but the damage was done before we could stop it!

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/pr032602.htm

pandora

I cannot imagine a world without music!
I could give up tv, no problem! But, music? No way!
Check out this website! Our friends Shane & Erin told us about it several months ago...I can't believe we haven't mentioned it on the blog before now.
www.pandora.com