Family Update-April 2015

"You gotta be a moron to want to be a fighter."-Rocky Balboa

Rodney celebrated his birthday this month. We went out to dinner with friends and then surprised him with a "Rocky" themed evening back home. In a momentary lapse of my better judgment I even purchased two small turtles "Cuff and Link" who were on the table in a glass bowl when he arrived home. They only cost about two dollars total, and my plan was to set them free in a pond nearby after they had served their purpose. That didn't go over well with the family, though, so we are pet owners once again! They have a proper habitat now, and we think they are pretty easy and entertaining to have around. 

"If you could sing and dance, I wouldn't be doin' this, ya know?"-Rocky Balboa to his pet turtles

 Rodney is also beginning the process of applying for a work Visa. His language school has been so helpful not only in his progress with Chinese, but also in providing a hassle-free Visa for the whole family for the last three years. Studying Chinese will be our way of life as long as we live here, but he's ready to leave the formal classroom setting and be freed up to spend more time doing other things. Prayers are appreciated that this would go smoothly!

Waiting to be prepped for the procedure

Amy went in to see an ophthalmologist about a bump she's had for awhile on her lower eyelid, and ended up having minor surgery to remove it. Turns out it was a cyst, and, if left unchecked, could have caused her problems in the future. She was really brave and calm throughout the procedure, then had to wear a bandage over her eye for 24 hours. Once it was removed, you couldn't even tell anything had happened. We are really thankful for the medical care we receive here at Beijing United Hospital.

Co-op planning session

I have been on the planning committee for our home school co-op this year, and Amy and I are looking forward to rejoining the group again in the fall. The white board in the photo is from the planning session where we endeavored to match up parents to teach the requested classes for next year. It looks like I will facilitate a book club for the high school students for two quarters, and teach writing to middle school students for another quarter. Amy will be in my book club, and will also have the opportunity to have public speaking, a yearbook project, art and personal finance classes.

Real Chinese take-out. No cute white boxes or fortune cookies!

Ian has been excelling in his self-taught computer skills, so much so that he was able to rid us of a nasty virus that attacked ALL of our devices this week. He admitted afterwards that he'd always secretly hoped we would get a virus so that he could try his hand at getting rid of it. He's also been able to help friends who were infected with the same bug. As a reward we had a celebratory dinner from his favorite local restaurant.

Testing season is officially upon him: two weeks ago he took the ACT, this Saturday he's taking the SAT, and then in June he'll take some SAT II subject tests.

We continue to give thanks daily for all of our friends and family back in the States, and for the support that we receive from so many of you in a variety of ways. I hope this short update encourages you today!