Saltines: The Newest Trend in Hair Accessories!

If Kayla could talk (or if I could understand her language!):

"But Mom, it's much more fun to crumble the saltines over my head rather than eat them!"

To China and Back

Jeff arrived home safely from China two weeks ago. He learned that the Chinese culture is vastly different than anything he has experienced! From religious freedom and "civil rights" to food and dress to interpersonal styles, he found surprising differences in every area.

The kids LOVED singing "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes."

One very sweet girl was named "Iris" (English translation). She is pictured in the back row, 4th from the left. Sadly, she has a severe spinal deformity and is not expected to live for more than two more years. She will eventually not be able to breathe. She was so happy and helpful and certainly won a very special place in the heart of each team member. Uncer China's "one child" policy, second children, girls, or disabled children are often left abandoned. If orphans are not adopted and do not have money for higher education by the age of 14, the government will require them to work in a factory job.
Jeff's team also led seminars for 19 pastors. The pastors declined to have photos taken due to potential danger if they are identified.

The team on the Great Wall. Jeff was very impressed! What an amazing feat it was to build a gigantic wall stretching over 4,000 miles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China

(This link tells more about the Great Wall)

Below: One of the many buldings in the Forbidden City

Below: Enjoying some authentic Chinese Cuisine; Jeff was very happy to find a Starbucks located near the hotel!

Books and "IN"

Each day it seems Kayla figures out something new! It is so fun to see her develop.

The other night I quoted a line from one of the books we read to Kayla somewhat often, and she went right over to her book box, picked out that particular book, and brought it to her dad! I thought it might be a coincidence, so we repeated the routine with about 5 or 6 other books (I couldn't remember lines out of any more!) Kayla went over all by herself and chose the correct book without hesitation every time!

Little did we know she actually has been listening when we read the books!

Kayla also really enjoys putting things "IN." So, when I am missing something I know where to look - she has "favorites" including the china cabinet, an empty wipes box, the drawer at the bottom of the oven, or the trash can... Kayla's favorite part of a diaper change is when she gets to put the diaper "IN" the trash.

Recently, I found Kayla in the Kitchen playing in an "off-limits" cupboard. She had discovered some straws and an old baby bottle and decided it was a lot of fun to stick the straws "IN" the bottle one by one!

This morning we were singing "head and shoulders... eyes and ears and mouth and nose." She lingered on the "nose" part, picked a surprise out of hers, then she walked over to the trash to put it "IN!" What a "little booger!"

Pumpkins, Goodbyes, and Elephants

Kayla Grace enjoyed her Halloween. Jeff and I celebrated our fifth anniversary last Saturday on October 25th. A fun part of the day involved choosing a pumpkin at a pumpkin patch with Kayla. We carved it later in the week, and Kayla thought it was so funny how the seeds would stick to her! Once we discovered that our pumpkin rind was about two inches thick, we opted to forego the knife and the candle and just draw a face with a marker!

The morning of the 31st, Kayla and I said goodbye to Jeff as he left to go to China for 8 days. He and a group of five others from Christ Community Church will be in Beijing until November 7. They miscalculated when purchasing tickets and missed the Olympics by a couple of months! :) No, actually they are headed to the other side of the globe for a short-term missions trip. They will be providing education for pastors of small house churches as well as working in Miss Choy's orphanage.

Kayla and Mommy spent the day visting Grandpa Stratman at work as well as Grandma Great, Grandpa Great, Aunt Debbie, Uncle Buddy and Grandma. We enjoyed the evening with Grandma and Grandpa Stratman and with Kayla's friend Lexi and her mom, Cassie.

Stay tuned for some photos of the cutest Elephant in Omaha!