sore thumb

So I met my language tutor earlier today for the first time.  I know that I was never this excited/giddy for any of my Chinese classes.  In fact, I was totally overwhelmed this morning with praise just thinking about how this has been a long time coming.  Thankfully, I got all my joyful crying done before my teacher got here.  Nothing spectacular happened during our hour and half together.  We discussed how I want to study and looked through some really good material I had been given.  We started the alphabet...I just stared at her mouth and did my darnedest to copy her.  It was awesome.  I totally suck but it was awesome none the less.  And really, when I think about how nothing spectacular happened here at my dining room table, I can't help but imagine there was a loud shout of rejoicing in the heavens.  Wouldn't you think that when our Father's will is being done here on earth, it is great cause for rejoicing in the realms unseen...

This is, bar none, the best place we've lived in CH.  We've been back for just over 2 months now and it hasn't been rosy everyday but most days have been pretty darn good. ---Amazing to live with moutains in our backyard and every side of the city ---The weather is a sweet treat. - blue skies, thunderstorms and stars ---I love that Lily dances and learns the cutest songs at her CH preschool.  There's this one song in particular.  Ms. Xue plays the piano as each child takes a turn standing in front of all the other kids.  The kids sing a welcome song to that child and at the end the child in front, in a very loud voice and with a little bow, says, "Thank you everyone!"  It is just about the cutest thing on earth to see all these little CH 3 and 4 year olds singing, bowing and thanking their classmates.  Of course, by far, the cutest is the one little blonde 4 year old bowing and thanking in CH. ---Our apartment complex.  It is amazing.  It's a...