Hi Everybody!
Some exciting news! We are traveling to America the end of June for few weeks! Yes, we get to show off our little Levi and reconnect with family. We are so thankful for the opportunity to take time and be with our family. The beginning of 2012 we spent a good amount of time visiting everyone, but this 2013 trip will be a bit short and a different focus. We want to see friends but know it is important to spend time with both sides of the family. Levi was born here in Asia as many of you know, and he has yet to travel to America to meet his Great Grandmothers, Grandpa Hilvers, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.
Morgan has been holding our current visa through teaching English on the weekends. So we have to honor the given vacation times. We will all fly out June 24th, but Morgan will head back after 2 weeks to keep his teaching commitment. The kids and I (Lori) will stick around for another week. Lets just see if we can really get Grandpa Hilvers on the plane to travel back with me for his first trip.
We also look forward to taking the kids on a few home school outings. Alleyah has been studying about America in her 2nd grade home school curriculum. What a great way to celebrate July 4th in America and maybe go do some gold mining. We are grateful our kids can experience America a little at a time and always learn about their home country.
We have been doing really well the last few months. Asia feels more and more like home the longer we are granted permission to live here. Sometimes we chuckle how Asian our family is getting on the inside. Noah has no personal space, so be warned now, he might not know you but will sit right next to or almost on your lap to have a conversation with you. Levi is starting to eat and when we are out he can’t get enough of spicy noodles from his family’s plates. Alleyah has a style all of her own of mixed American/Asian traits. Right now we are most impressed with her boldness to speak the local language to people. She could almost teach any visitor all the cultural norms and what is different and the same. Morgan and I both really do love our home and the community that is around us. I have realized lately that it no longer bugs me to have people stop by during the day un-announced. I have picked up on the local hospitality and try my best to be ready to feed or host someone I was not expecting. But to be honest, I do still like the text that someone is on his or her way. My American blood is thick I guess. We also see how close friends around us have been the step-in family for our children and us. They have aunts and uncles of all different cultures that love to be there for them.
Though we have an amazing community, we still look forward to sharing time with our family back in America and creating memories. We can’t wait to see you all, hope we can see a few of you and catch you up on things happening here. A few months away!
Blessings
~Pictures from the last month~
Levi's 9 month picture! Growing so fast~
Alleyah is back in dance, her friend comes over after class.
Noah practicing his chinese writing, "6"
Morgan teaching how to make an American spaghetti dish at Noah's pre school.
Lori, with her new key board given as a gift!
Starfish office, exciting things these last few months.
