in a bloggy mood tonight

• I am about to confess my html ignorance. "I know nothing about working html on my blog." Whew! I feel better now. So right now my blog only writes in single space and won't indent. That is, unless I use bullet points. Go figure. Do you mind reading about my life in bullet-point format?

• Grace still enjoys school. She's been a happy girl and often comes home with a sticker on her forehead for being "good." She loves to do the morning exercises with her class and wants to make sure we make it to school on time each morning because that's the first thing they do. Three days ago a boy ran up and hit her in the head a few times. The teacher saw Grace rubbing her head, but apparently no one saw who hit her. Grace said it was a "big boy" from another class. She said she didn't hit back but that she was "so frustrated." It was a teachable moment. You better believe we're watching that situation closely.

• We're having a little party at our house on Saturday for cookie-making. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is to us. Why? Because when we moved here a few months ago I assumed we would make friends easily and host local friends all the time in our home. Sounds like a good plan, eh? To my surprise, making new friends has been a real challenge. Yes, we have local friends over for meals, but mainly ones we already knew. Yes, we have conversations often and can share Cool ideas. Kevin and I can get out separately and talk with people. But when we go out as a family Kevin and I often have to slip into "protect my children" mode because our kids are getting too much unwanted attention. So that's not always a natural way to meet new people. ("Hello, yes, we are foreigners. Would you please stop touching my child's hair because she doesn't like it! Please stop making her scream! By the way, would you like to come over for tea sometime?!") But last Saturday our family was enjoying a picnic when our girls began to play with 3 other girls in the picnic area. Then their mothers joined us. Then some more friends came. We had some great conversations with a family of 3 sisters and their daughters, all while our girls happily played together. They had us over for dumplings the next night. We're hosting a Christmas party for them. They are all from this area and don't plan on moving! Seems like we have some real budding friendship opportunities there!

• I've decided I like driving Kevin's motorcycle. I KNOW! Hey, a person can change. I genuinely enjoy it. Why? For one, with my helmet on it's one of the few times I feel like I blend in. People have to look closely to see if I am a foreigner. AND how great is this? Having a helmet on also serves as great acoustics for singing. You can provide your own radio and have the same acoustics as singing in the shower! Not to mention, Alicia and I could have some great girls' night outs as biker chicks, right? Oh and I can't forget we only spend about $3.50 a week on gas.

• My girls make me laugh every day right now. Sometimes they make me sigh. But laugh more than sigh. They have some pretty silly times together every night which usually culminates in one or both of them stripping off their clothes and running through the house. Be forewarned if you come visit!

• Guess where we are going for Christmas? FRANCE! I know! Kevin's parents have graciously provided a way for all the family to meet up in France, where Kevin's sister lives. We are excited! And nervously trying to think of ways to make the kids sleep on the plane. But mostly, we're excited! Should be great fun!

• We've had some highs and lows lately. We are trying to keep our eyes on Him and not what we see. He has been completely gracious and tender to encourage us. What an amazing God we serve!

• Until next time, I'm off to pick up some of the clothes my girls stripped off not long ago...