Last Days 1

Things I will miss (or not) in China.
Well, I find myself taking a taxi to school now every day, one-- I'm going to school every day because I'm getting tired of making up things to do in my house that I'm going to pack up in 2 weeks... there's only so much re-arranging dressers to fit a bassinet in the bedroom... Second, I take a cab because I'm at the point now that I could have to stop walking at any second and I'm not up to crossing Chinese major intersections to get a bus while pregnant. I used to be hard core and ride my bike or walk to school as much as possible.. and then less hard core when I started taking the bus. Now I'm not hard core at all... definitely not. But women who are expecting to give birth in 6 days don't have to be hard core.

So anyway, here are a couple of shots of my journey to school and in school, trying to capture the things I will miss. I will miss funny guys on the back of trucks and all other kinds of interesting transportation options in China. Biking in China... I already do miss this! That's my friend Joe who just happened to ride by while I was snapping shots from the cab. Hi Joe. We came to China together and ran a marathon together, and his wife Susie had 2 kids in China and has been an awesome resource for me during this pregnancy, thanks Joe and Susie!! I'll miss them but they live near Ottawa so I do hope we can see them in years to come.

Traffic and construction... definitely NOT going to miss that!

Riding to school in a taxi with Chinese pop music playing along and the driver singing to it... very amusing... just hope he doesn't get in an accident!

High school chapels and crazy kids... gotta love em! I will really really really miss them!!

Working together with my husband... definitely been a blessing! I'm surethat we will continue to work together, obviously being parents is the ultimate partnership, but it's been really cool to share a job and be a department at our school the last 3 years.

Trying to weave through the cafeteria during lunch hour.... hmmm... not sure if I'll miss this or not.

The Gandys.... will definitely miss the Gandys!

And of course, my Thursday lunchtime prayer group:) I will miss them immensely-- what a privilage to spend every Thursday with these awesome girls and pray together!!

Being a pregnant teacher... it's had it's ups and downs. Now that I can hardly fit behing my desk or into any clothes.. I am looking forward to having more waredrobe options for sure. But it's been a great place to be pregnant for an entire school year!! I couldn't have asked for a more supportive environment or community!! I will definitely miss that!

More to come.

Still Waiting....

I am only at 38 weeks and 5 days, and will be 6 days in the next 40 minutes.... but it's 11 21 pm and I can't sleep. Josie is moving around like a ..... a..... I'm not sure what... a baby? One that's eager to stretch her arms and legs out, waaaayy out and not be confined to the womb much longer. I'm having simliar sentiments at the moment. Baby status... all is good, the doctor thinks she's coming within these 2 weeks (I hope so!! It is my due date and we want to see her!) And besides this pesky umbilical cord that is wrapped 1.5 times around her neck (which the doctor isn't too concerned about) things all seem to be aok. When they put me on a moniter to see her movements and heartbeat however, both nurses and doctor were surprised at just how active she was. "Zenma lihigh!" they say "so active" is the loose translation... Yeah, I know. Definitely can feel it and can feel it still. While watching the ultrasound it was fun to feel her move so dramatically and see it on the screen. When we were focused on her head she blinked her eyes, opened her mouth a couple times and then put her hand right over her face like she was hiding from the camera. It was cute.

Dave taught his final class today, and has finals left to give either this Thursday and Friday or if we need to go up to the hospital, next Thursday and Friday so really, we are ready to go. It would be nice to have my mother be here for the birth, and she will be arriving this Sunday night. Of course there are other things I'd like to do, farewell dinners and art shows all happening before Sunday, but at the same time, I'd like to be able to walk like a normal person again. At the moment, I hobble. Not that bad all the time, but there are moments when I feel like a knife has been driven into my right butt cheek and pain radiates down from that. It guess it's what they call the siatic nerve. Ouch!

So, after waking up at 6 with Dave, and then taking a nap from 7:30-9:30 this morning and going to school and taking another nap from 3:30-5:30 I guess I serve myself right for being wide awake in the middle of the night! Oh well.

So, it's been a good week though... overall. Dave did an awesome job celebrating mybirthday last Friday by inviting lots of special people in my life for a dinner at this really neat newsly restored Italian part of town at a real Italian restaurant. Fun because we could all eat outside on a summer evening. Of course I was spoiled throughout the day too, and thankful that we only had a half day of school which made it even better. Dave even learned to make my favorite cake- Angel Food- and made it himself with the help of my excellent gormet cook friends next door (and surprised me with it!) Lovely husband!

We've also had some down time this week, a blessed relief. And of course the weekly trip to BJ by train. Here's a picture of what a trek to BJ looks like. I should someday (like this Sunday) show the whole thing. This past Sunday we brought up all our stuff and left it at my friend Tamara's apartment who so conveniently lives a couple of minutes from the hospital. What an awesome provision that is!! So, if we must go up before next Sunday, we merely have to hop in a cab and go... and not worry about packing anything.

This is such a time of transition, and really kind of strange... hard to believe that this are really my last couple of days at TIS, last couple of meetings with students, last times of walking the halls as a teacher. A lot has happened in my life there, more than I can even say. So many times of wonderful things and heartache, so many lessons that I've learned. I must say that I'm glad to pass along the things that I've built up and started to people I know can take them the next step and go beyond what I've done or ever dreamed of. I'm thankful that I've been a part of such a community and place that has a heart of following Christ in teaching others and loving students and seeking to grow. It's been a blessing. Of course, we aren't leaving for another month, but I really only have 3 more days of school time before we say goodbye and wait for this daughter of ours to arrive.

I can't imagine it being long now... she's lodged down quite low, I have Braxton Hicks contractions often (especially when I walk stairs which there are plenty of here!) I walked up 12 flights of stairs on Saturday to visit some friends in the hospital... I certainly felt that!! And living on the 5th floor mean stairs every time I go home... Honestly, I don't think that any normal pregnant woman in the US could possibly walk this many stairs unless they just did the step machine every day. The sheer amount of steps for everything was a big shock when I got to China, and though I thought I was used to it, my calves of steel have wained and each and every step is felt nowadays (probably because it's like walking up steps carrying a 25 lb. pack strapped to your front!) I did run a marathon once while living on the 6th floor... I ended up having to belay myself down on the railing for a week after running because my quads couldn't handle the strain of walking down or up those concrete steps! Now I just haul myself up on the railing or on Dave's arm when he's there. I'm a little nervous though because this nerve in my leg renders me unable to put any weight on it, and concrete steps along with unexpected numb legs can't be the best combination.

Oh, I must also announce that Beth Hubbard had Emily Kate this past Sunday May 24th and Julene Barder right after her early Monday morning with Naomi Rose... So, now that my friends who were due just before me have had their little sweet girls, I would love to join in!! :) Mom, I'll try and wait for you but this last week definitely feels the longest ever!!!

So, now I'm at 38 weeks and 6 days, Dave is fast asleep (and so should I be but my little squirmer is not about to stop doing what feels like somersaults!) I can try though! Goodnight everyone.

38 weeks.....

I think I might have shocked Josie last night- we went to Star Trek at the movie theator and the full sound effects were probably a shock to her system.... She was going nuts. And putting my hands over where I figured her ears were didn't seem to help much. Maybe she just liked it... maybe she'll become a Trekky... not sure. The movie was good though and it was fun to actually go to the theator in China and watch and English film! Just trying to get in as many dates as possible in these last few weeks!

Went to the doctor on Monday, all looks pretty good. She's head down but face up when means both knees and legs are free to move up and down the front of my stomach-- and boy do I feel it when she gets her little heel jammed into a stomach muscle. I'm just starting to get a couple stretch marks on my stomach and still very much have an inny belly button. It's such an inny I can't imagine it changing at all. She's a little squirmer though and has managed to get the umbilical cord wrapped one and a half time around her neck. I'm hoping she'll turn face down in the direction she came from and unwind herself. But, the doctors don't seem too concerned about the cord as it's quite loose still. We'll go in again this Sunday to check things out.

In the meantime, life goes on. I'm about to go to school and join Dave with the kindergarten class who is doing a simulation on what life is like in a Chinese countryside school. I'm sure they are loving it. The plan is to form a relationship with a mountain school Dave got to know well on his China treks and continue it through the years.

Besides that.... the waiting game is full on. I'm packed, ready to go, in fact, most of this stuff is in a bag by the door.... In other news, Dave celebrated his 29th b-day last Thursday and today is the last day we are the same age cause 30 comes tomorrow!!! I wonder how many May birthdays will be in this family?????

And, I just had to post this picture because it's just so cute. Little "miny Kim" is becoming so fun and animated!!! Check out Keturah!

A Father's Blessing

Blessing for Josanna

May the Lord increase in all you are,
His grace be where you start,
May your beauty be of His design,
Wonderfully knit at every part.
That your parents' love remain always pure,
And you forever beloved,
With many a brother and sister too,
Whom the Lord is Father of.
That His Truth would be radiant sun,
Lighting your journeys far and wide,
Traversing oceans and many nations,
Forever in His love you'll abide.
That His faithfulness outlast the darkest night,
A rock that cannot be moved,
Let the furnace of trial warm your love,
And from your soul all fear remove.
May Jehovah be your God, O Josie Mei,
The Lord of Heaven and Earth,
Your mommy and daddy eagerly await,
The wondrous day of your birth.

Written by Dave while he was gone to be read at the shower given to me for Josie on Mothers' Day:)

too funny!

Here's a picture collage my friend Marilyn made from my baby shower. There seemed to be as many little girls there are moms! Seems like the majority of my friends have had little girls lately! So, they wanted to see how well I do holding babies, and my own, all together. Needless to say, it was a little hectic.

From left to right there is Kayla Shedd, Tanielle Kidd, Keturah Smith, Josie Coons with her mom, Madelyn Hoffman, Ella Shedd and Sophie Sonnichsen.

So fun!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day everyone!!!

It's actually 6:36 the following Monday here, and I'm up (have been since 5 with the light) and will probably get a lot done this morning and take a nap before teaching for Dave this afternoon. He's on a flight home as I type and I'm so excited to see him tonight! Yay!! I made it so far with the help of lots of friends and lots of back up plans should I go into labor by some surprise. I've got about 12 hours left to go before Dave comes home so I think I should make it:)

I have been well taken care of and loved this weekend! Jenn stayed with me Wednesday and Thursday night, Kimmie Hubbard came in to stay for the weekend and DB finished up by staying with me last night.

Yesterday I was awakened by a familiar "tap tap tap.... tap tap tap" on the door. The last time I heard that familiar sequence of taps was our anniversary when I was in the tub taking a leisurely bath and Dave was at school and the phone rang. I got up to answer the phone, and it was Dave on the phone who then told me to answer the door... so , in a bathrobe I met a lady at the door with a huge boquet of flowers! This time I got out of bed, pulled on some pants and answered the door completely bed-headed.... And again, a huge boquet of flowers awaited me, this time for Mother's Day! Somehow Dave manages to surprise me in delightful ways even when he's across the Pacific Ocean taking in deep breaths of fresh air and relaxing with friends in breathtaking places:)

Mother's Day 2 years ago we celebrated our China wedding. Mother's Day this year I'm 3 weeks from my due date! And the same wonderful people who helped me plan my wedding here threw a baby shower for me! (I have AMAZING friends!!!!) I was so blessed! Since my camera is with Dave, I have limited pictures of the shower.

Jenn has been working on a baby quilt for Josie since I told her I was pregnant and having a girl! Isn't it beautiful? (There will still be a small yellow binding on the edge) I love it!!!! And the little Chinese doll matches it perfectly.

You can see that there are little Chinese girls in the fabric, perfect for our little "made in China" daughter!

More pictures to come when I get them.... but needless to say, I was so so so blessed by my "family" in China this day! I'm going to miss them so much!

Now it's just a matter of days or weeks before some really big changes happen in our lives. We can't wait!

36 weeks!

36 weeks along and I'm feeling very big. Very very big. Luckily my clothes seem to fit just fine for the most part, and I'm making good use of my awesome tailored shorts (see week 34) because they ARE super comfortable.

(Ok, here's a shot from my computer, as I was in school today subbing)

Today is my last official day of substitute teaching except for what I'm doing for Dave monday afternoon for one philosophy class on post-modernism. Today is middle school English and Social Studies. Yay!

And yes, Dave is in Vancouver! I hope he's arrived safely because I haven't heard from him yet, but he was supposed to get off the plane, have a tour around Regent College and hand in his application, then join his friends for the wedding weekend ahead. This is definitely a record-- 3 weddings in 2 weekends!! I'm glad I'm done with the ones here, but also glad Dave can enjoy time with good friends, enjoy fresh air, the Pacific Northwest, moutains, ocean and (ahhhh... I'm making myself jealous!). Anyway, I do hope he's having and splendid time.

We both gave Josie strict instructions to remain in utero until Dave's return. I'm testing out her listening and obeying skills this week. Of course, if she is an obstinate one, I do have a backup plan of drivers to the BJ hospital, friends to go with me and places to stay. But I do hope Josie decided to listen and obey:) Anytime after Dave's return though, I'm all game for labor and delivery!! In a week she's full term and if the amount of movement causing my belly to contort into strange shapes that I never thought possible is any indication, she's ready to say hello to the world any time. And we'd love to see her too!!! I've decided May 24th would be a perfect date-- Dave's b-day is May 14th and mine the 22nd so why not just keep all the big events of our lives in the same couple of months? :) We'll see. I'm not really in charge of this part of her life.

Ok, time to be a teacher!!!

wedding #2

After setting up and going to a wedding on Fridayy, a rehersal for another wedding on Saturday, I was a little tired when Sunday rolled around and a promised day of surprise and hard work lay before us. As the marital counselors, decorators, bridal party and good friends of Adam and Sally, we had a lot invested in this big day. So, we began it, (my hoping I could make it though knowing my exhaustion meter would soon run out)

I wondered what it would be like to set up a wedding in a public park.. Well, it's an interesting process. First, find a plot of land and rent it for the day. And show up at 9 amand then begin to try and set up in the middle of tai chi practice. So, we just had to start setting up in the middle of things. Of course people wanted to help where they could (the man in the suit is just an onlooker)and watch where they could... when a crowd gathers... well, it gathers and gathers and gets bigger and bigger with no end.
And brides and grooms from all over flocked to see what was happening (and use our wedding decor for their photos). This is not the bride and groom, nor are they getting married this day. In China all the couples get their wedding pictures done months before (or after) their actual wedding day.

This is the real groom, and I think Dave is trying to reassure him that everything will be ok. He looks a little worried about the state of things (and honestly, so was I... How in the world were we going to keep people out of the wedding ceremony when there were hundreds of onlookers just at our set up? Some of them asked what time the wedding was and then promised they would come back for it! What can you do?)

So, we just proceeded, and got dressed for the event after a big morning of setting up. You can see behind us, behind the purple fabric we wrapped around the trees people beginning to gather)And it begins!!

And crowds they did gather, pressing in despite our best efforts of marking off the wedding spot.

Cute (very cute) flower girls. (Everyone standing behind the arch is just an onlooker-- this is what surrounded the entire wedding!!! The bride and groom were told that they were responsible if anyone got hurt in the outside crowds because of the attention they drew by having a wedding-- interesting logic) And down the isle Sally came-- a radiant bride!
Aren't they cute?
And these ones too?
And this particuar one? (I mean, the one moving up a storm on the inside! (Josie was excited to be a part of the ceremony and let me know !)
Will I ever have a waistline again?

Ahhhhh..... she made it though the ceremony-- still smiling!

And so did we. Our job wasn't finished until we snuck over and set up the bridal suite with candles and flowers and lovely things for a newlywed couple. So, it was a full full day. I woke up this morning hardly able to walk my feet were so sore. I will need an entire day to recover (or more) from this but we are certainly glad that everything went better than we expected-- it was a beautiful wedding and most importantly-- THEY ARE MARRIED!!! Yay!