Arbitrary Reflections

6 Months in REVIEW

2007-11-04T15:37:00.001+08:00

Yah, I'm just not good at this computer thing... there are too many other things shouting for my time... besides 3 amazing kids, an amazing husband... I have lots of church events that I serve at along with my enormous social calendar!!! So, sorry for the blog-less life!!!

Highlights...
June -
Jasmine graduates from DMK - P1 (or 1st grade)

Summer -
Actually this was the first summer in the ROGERS IN HK history that we haven't gone back to the USA. The flights were so full all summer that we couldn't go. My parents stayed for almost 3 weeks which was so great. We really enjoyed just hanging out - and believe it or not HK was CLEAR & GORGEOUS all summer.

Believe it or not these two photos were taken from OUR living room window :)

Of course we visited Disney & spent a night there at the Hollywood hotel... awesome!!!

Check out the view from our room - on the clearest day I've ever seen!!!

AUGUST --

Was a momentous occasion... JASMINE GOES TO REAL PRIMARY SCHOOL! It was a big change. She went from a 4 hour day to an 8 hour day! She's a champion. She had to skip P2 and went straight to P3 because of her age (they go on age here in Hong kong, and don't really care whether you've completed the previous years!!! strange but true.) She's LOVING school.

SEPTEMBER --

Another momentous occaions... BRIANNA GOES TO SCHOOL (and turns 3) all in the same month. She cracked us up... she just had no fear whatsoever. I think she thinks she owns the place! She just hopped on that bus the first day and turned back with a smile & a wave!!!!! Yikes, how did that happen so fast?

****ANOTHER HUMONGOUS EVENT....*****
Aaron became a captain for Cathay... This is an old picture, but I think it's cool anyways...

In September we took a MUCH NEEDED family holiday. We went to Singapore for 5 days. It was so great - the zoo, night safari, dolphin swimming and relaxing by the pool made for a perfect trip.

OCTOBER -
Jasmine was in her first assembly at her shcool. She had to memorize some lines & dress in a toga! it wa SO great.

Brianna came down with a HORRIBLE illness this month. It was quite scary. I don't think we've ever seen any of our kids that sick... here's a picture of her feet - her whole body was consumed with a horrid rash that was hot & itchy and blotchy. Poor girl, looked like she had leprosy. Thank goodness she came out of it fine after 4 days!

We went to Disneyland with some great friends - check us out - we have so many kids between us - it's crazy!!!!

Well, that takes us to now... so it's been a full few months. Of course these were just SOME of the highlights. I'm sure I've forgotten something important :)

Thanks for reading an update on the Rogers family!

Say CHEEEEEEESE please!!!!!!!

2007-05-29T12:09:00.001+08:00

Drum roll please.........................

Here is Jasmine with her BRAND NEW toothless smile! How cute!?

Here's what she looked like just a few days ago. Seriously - this tooth HUNG ON for dear life. It just hung and wobbled. and of course Jasmine would have NOTHING to do with us pulling it for her... so there it sat for ONE WHOLE WEEK!!!!!

This was ONE week ago. Wow - doesn't take long :)

The UN-Blogger

2007-05-22T14:36:00.000+08:00

Yes, I'm just fairly sure that 6 months between blogs means that I DO NOT blog!!!!

*Sigh* Such is the life of a busy mommy of 3. There are just these priorities that get lined up and blogging doesn't tend to be towards the top. I'm always envious of my friends like Derek, Tom and Andrew who are just blogging KINGS!!!!!!!

So I've decided NOT to go through six months of BORING information... I'll just start with today.

Last night Jasmine lost her THIRD tooth. Seriously - this phase in a childs life is just so hilarious. You don't mean to laugh, but really, how you can you help it when you see what LACK of teeth can do to a person's normally winning smile :0)

BEFORE.... AFTER....

Annabelle is doing VERY well. Her hair seems to get longer and shinier each day. I just love that kid. She's full of SPUNK!!! Her biggest news is that SHE IS READING HER FIRST WORDS! She can blend words like cat, sat, hand, sand etc. VERY impressive at 4 y/o! She just loves school so much.

Artist at work....

Brianna is a charmer as always. She is just SO funny. We call her the "Bag Lady" as she always has a backpack AND a purse full of small treasures she finds around the house!!!! If Annabelle is missing Barbie's shoe I can already know where it is!

Out an about with the Breezy Brianna!

Well, enough for now. Just thought I"d try to connect myself back to the Blogger Radar.

Buckle your seatbelts....

2006-12-15T20:54:00.000+08:00

Ready for it?

You must be shocked that I’m even updating this thing. Are there rules to how long you can NOT blog before you’re considered a NON blogger? Surely there must be some “unwritten bloggers writing code”! Ha. Anyhow, enough with the chit chat. Let’s get down to business….

WHAT THE HECK have I been doing for nearly THREE months? Well, I’ll go with the highlights....

First off was a trip in SEPTEMBER to Southern California. It was JUST ME! I was happy to have some time off with my girl friends for some R&R (though jet lag will always kill at least one of those Rs) and some great “God time” at a fantastic WOMENS CONFERENCE at a Christian City Church of San Diego. This is a church that Linda Pesavento (formerly my HK sis) sister & brother in law pastor. It was a wonderful time meeting up with my 4 favorite women…Linda P (Sydney, Aus), Shauna K (another former HKer – but now a Vancouver bum), Crystal M (my long time pal from San Diego – waaaaay long time, like 7th grade!!!!) and finally my most darling family member EVER – Michelle. Truly the sister I never had. Anyhow, we had an absurdly fun time ☺

By the way I should take the chance to say that my friend Linda Pesavento has written a fantastic book - called KEEP WALKING. Please visit the site...buy a book. Seriously, if you know anyone who's going through a tough time in their lives, this is the book for them!

Early OCTOBER came and my PARENTS arrived from Salt Lake City. Wow. What a fantastic 3 weeks we had with them. I HATE it that they couldn’t stay for like 6 months!!!! Our new home makes having guests a real treat – honestly! We did all the traditional HK stuff – shopped, ate and shopped some more. Occasionally we threw a church service or two in there!

Just 5 short days after they left my IN LAWS (or are they out-laws…just kidding Mom!) came along with our adorable nephew Eli. The kids had the BEST time and I must say they were all very well behaved. We enjoyed more hanging out, eating and of course the obligatory Disney trip. They stayed for 2 weeks.

Then, 5 days after they left – Our BESTEST friends from Down Under came. Wow. What a fun time we had. 8 days too short. Really – there were four of them bunked in with us and it was fantastic. The highlight was definitely our trip to Disneyland Hotel. Because of course we needed to go see our friend Boise in the LION KING (he absolutely rocks in that show). The DL hotel is WORTH it – you must go if you get the chance.

((((((OKAY, is the picture thing ticking you off yet??? IRRITATING [to coin my favorite uncle's word!] I'm obviously a picture-placing-novice. Sorry for the bizarre placement. Can't figure it out... and really, WHO CARE's!!!!!))))))))

And that brings us right up to first part of DECEMBER...

Annabelle had her first “Ballet appearance”. Wow. She really knows how to knock ‘em out! She was the only one who actually MOVED on the stage ☺ Cute. Hopefully we’ve found a talent that she’ll build on for years to come. Her teacher says she’s a natural.

A highlight for the girls is always the TREE DECORATION! We love Christmas time. My favorite time of year….

And then there was last week….. This has been such a happy up-beat post, so I won’t drag it down. I’ll write more about this event in a coming post. Most of you will have heard by now, but I flew to California last Sunday night because my aunt was dying in the hospital after attempted suicide. She’s beautiful and 54. I watched her take her final breaths on Tuesday 5 December. Words don’t describe….. But, for this post, let’s focus on one thing….

JESUS is the REASON for this SEASON. I love Christmas. I’m proud to celebrate a holiday that represents the foundation of my faith!!!!

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

The one you've waited for...

2006-09-06T21:56:00.000+08:00

...Okay, maybe you weren't really holding your breath, but here's the long awaited BLOG update. Sheesh. I tell you what, getting internet connection these days is just hard to come by! Our lovely house is still not equipped with the wonderfully fast broadband. I mean it's here.just having signal issues to the office where the computer is. Needless to say I have tried to blog like 10 times in the past week and usually become annoyed when after logging in and waiting for the create post page to load its been 10 minutes. THIS IS A WORLD WHERE WE NEED THINGS NOW!!!! (No actually..... YESTERDAY!!!!!!)

Heres some updates on our world (Heres Rogers WORLD in a minute)

BRIANNA

Yes my BABY has turned two. I cannot believe it. Where did those two years go?

She is such a little light. She is SO still the Goodge. I have to tell you this (though I have reservations!) that she is at the 100th PERCENTILE for height and weight. Okay, she's off the charts for a two year old. AWESOME she'll be 6 feet of gorgeous blonde curls & blue eyes. Sweeeeeet. Here she is with her adored sisters. "Berday, berday, berday" Is what she shouted all day long.

DISNEY

Our beautiful friend Jen treated us to Disneyland last week. We had the most amazing day. Though it was hotter than hades out there. The girls were in heaven.

SCHOOL

Jasmine & Annabelle have (finally) started school. I say finally because they've been begging me for 3 weeks to go!!!!

My little K1 student may only be 3 1/2 but she's ready for the world. She couldn't WAIT to be there. While other parents were "hanging around" for the week to "ease" their cherubs into the routine, my little angel says to me "You go now, I go to 'cool my telf"

My first born is now in the equivalent of 1st grade! Her K3 class has 12 students and a lovely Aussie teacher named Meg - who I can already see Jasmine will adore. It's going to be a great year.
(OK I have to be honest this is not a photo from the last 7 days!!! I am too lazy to upload them from my camera so I used an old one from May!!!!)

CHURCH

HUGE event this week. Our church is opening a new service time & place. May not seem that big to most, but it's huge for my little home town/community. Disocvery Bay will now have a Friday Night-TOO-awesome-for-words-church-service. So many volunteers have worked long hours and sweat buckets to get this thing off the ground. http://www.thevine.org.hk/grapevine/pages/article1.html

It all happens on Friday night....
If you are in Hong Kong...
BE THERE OR BE QUADRILATERAL. (get a dictionary).

ME!

Okay, silly but I did think I should tell you how I am doing, since it's MY blog. In two words....

Fantastically Blessed!

And WHY did I include this picture? Because doesn't it look delicious? How do I get a picture to convey the above statement...I don't. So I thought I'd present a colorful tasty looking table setting - a meal ready for consumption. That's my life! It's all there for the taking :) Oh and by the way - that's not MY plate, it's the serving plate! It kind of looks like my personal plate at the table! And YES I absolutely made this roast dinner and in a word...it was DELISH.

Alright, this was probably one of my longer blogs, but hopefully you're not sleeping because I've included pictures and centered-bolded-colored (or coloured) text to keep your eyes from wandering to the back of your head.

LOVE YA!!!!!!!

Shameful Blogger

2006-08-16T18:57:00.000+08:00

Okay, so first I just have to say a great big

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

to all of you who responded to my last post.Wow.

Secondly I will apologize for NOT blogging over the past 27 days. I have a few great excuses. However, the BEST one is that I've had NO INTERNET at home connection until now. Well, thats not entirely true. I do have Aarons computer, but he has been taking it with him and it has all of his settings, emails, blogs etc.

I've been to Pac Coffee a couple times, but let's face it. Not the most ideal place to blog! So I haven't checked my email in over a week. WAHHHHHHHH. That is a record for like years... actually I think it's a record going back to the BEGINNING OF INTERNET!!!! Ha. You got it, ever since the inception of email, I've been a fan :)

So, some of you may ask, "What are DOING with your time if your not emailing and blogging these days, Heidi?" Well, mostly I've been decorating and sorting and organizing and shelving and tossing and finding and moving in to a new house!!!!! And I'm sure you can appreciate that between that & three kids this is basically my whole day.

Upon our arrival into Hong Kong exactly two weeks ago I walked into my BRAND SPANKING NEW 2220 Square Foot apartment. It exceeds my dreams and Aaron is just the best hubby in the world for working hard to provide us with such an amazing home. And of course all the Glory goes WHERE? You got it.... GOD is amazing and has paved the way for this place.

Okay. I've rambled on enough. Some of you are bored now. Sorry for the delay in blogging.I'm here to tell you to come and check back in a week or so. I promise to post some more great photos and possibly have something interesting or deep to say (not!)

What is a blog without a good photo? Boring. So here is a random photo I found on Aarons computer. It's of Aaron excitedly showing me the brick stone wall in our living room... and then I couldn't resist showing you my shower.... Count the shower heads....VERY VERY COOL :)

Ciao!

The Best Shower in Hong Kong!!!

I have GROUPIES!!!!!!!

2006-07-20T12:59:00.000+08:00

I just wanted to tell all the people who check out my blog and consistently post comments...

I MISS YOU & YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to get back home to Hong Kong. You guys are so awesome and I miss every one of you. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to read my silly boring diaper talk.

For those of you who read up on this blog and DON'T post comments (and you TOTALLY know who you are), feel free to post even the "Ned Flanders" slam-comments! Hey it's free :)

Love all you Hong Kong people. See you soon.

Okay, check out the blue skies & that GORGEOUS mountain!!! I LOVE Utah :)

Translating “Kid” language

2006-07-10T05:07:00.000+08:00

I got to thinking the other day that I do a lot of translation each day. My three girls talk to me in their own unique ways and each day I must interpret what they’re saying. And usually each day they are teaching me more and more words and phrases in their own little language. Sometimes I just don’t get it, sometimes it’s repeated multiple times, and usually it’s funny!

I thought I’d write down some of their lanugauge….

If Brianna gets any sort of hint that SOMEONE is going “bye-bye” she immediately runs for her shoes… “FOOF, FOOF, FOOF” she yells. I think sometimes she’s afraid she’ll get left behind! She loves going somewhere, and she loves to wear her shoes.

I also need to be careful that I don’t misinterpret FOOF--which is shoes for FOOF -- which can also be juice! See, as a mom I need to keep my ears open at all times for translation of each situation!

Brianna must like using the “FFFFF” sound… because “FAHF” means trash. If she wasn’t 22 months I’d say she had a speech impediment!!!! But it’s just toddler pronouncing!

EVERY SINGLE TIME we are in the car – and only have driven out of the neighborhood, the age-old kid question is asked by Annabelle – “Mama, are we here? Yes or no?” It’s the same question, phrased in exactly the same way at almost the exact same time.

Each morning once Annabelle’s feet hit the ground she is “ready” for the day! After she says “morning mama” it will always be followed by “Can I put my Chose-on”. Chose-on are her clothes. I think she says “chose-on” because I’m always telling her to put her clothes on!!!! So now she thinks they are called “chose-on” I think what cracks me up the most is that she loves to get dressed first thing in the morning…always the first request. She never would think of eating breakfast in her Pjs! (I’m not sure where she gets this from, since her mommy gladly stays in her PJs until at least 9am. Yah, my secret is out, I’m not one of those “get-up-get-showered-&-dressed-before-my-kids” moms!!!!)

A few days ago, all four of us were in the car and Annabelle said something like “Mama, are you a naughty girl?” (Because I apologized to Jasmine for something). To which Jasmine says “Annabelle, Mama isn’t naughty. Grown ups are never naughty, they just make mistakes.”

Jasmine also likes to say “ah, ah, ah, ah – no bad words”. This means that she doesn’t want my voice to be raised, or in a cross tone. She knows that this means I’m frustrated! So she’ll catch me before I start talking! She also frequently asks me “Mama, are you frustrated at me?”

And finally, my least favorite words to hear…

“Somebody wipe my bottom….”

It’s funny that both Annabelle & Jasmine will say “somebody”, as if someone else other than ME is going to come & help them!!!! This is the cry I hear multiple times a day…usually quite loud…usually when I’m eating. Gosh, what am I feeding my children that they have mutiple bowel movements!!? I guess it means they’re certainly healthy. This is probably one of my least favorite ways to START my morning. I’ll be sound asleep and hear this phrase to wake me up. Hmmmm…. Sounds like need a new alarm system!!

Ahhhh, the joys of mothering. Sometimes I think (like the above) that I’ll be glad when they get out of certain phases in life…but then I stop and realize that I’m going to miss all of this someday….(Maybe not the bottom wiping!)

Full day’s work – no time to spare

2006-07-01T06:25:00.000+08:00

So I’m back in the USA for our yearly visit (without the man of the house, whom we miss VERY much!). Sorry for the extremely unexcusable LONG delay of not writing on my blog… but I’m back in the land of “motherhood reality”. Yes REALITY. I realize every year when I visit here that my life in Hong Kong is a fairy tale dream compared to living in the USA. (Funny because I’m sure most would think it’s the opposite!)

I went from recovering from jet lag with the three little ones to being knee deep in poopy diapers, dirty laundry, dirty dishes, daily swim lessons, picnics at the park, 3-in-the-bath, trips to Carls Jr for “chicken stars, my favorite”, trips to the zoo, 3-6 kids running in the backyard (neighbors have 6 y/o triplets!!!), buckling up three kids in car seats in the back of a “sports car” and who knows what else!!!

Absolutely 18-hours-a-day-all-consuming-full-time-job!!!!!!! Wow. I missed my beautiful Sri-Lankan domestic helper just about the moment I landed on US soil! But alas, I’m coping. In fact, I’m having a blast.

Here’s what I’ve realized though…there would be NO time for tea with friends, reading a book, social outings and definitely not for all the time that we spend doing our church things out here in America!!!! God has blessed us in HK with the ability to have a full-time-domestic-helper so that we can do things outside the home…of course this takes careful work to not compromise the amount of time we spend with our lovely angels.

I’m enjoying my very boring life of just hanging out with the girls!

Well, that’s all for now. I promise to write more soon =) Enjoy some pix....

Anna LOVING the horse ride!!!

Brianna LOVING the zoo!

Beautiful Jasmine soaking up the sun!

The Rogers girls at the zoo!

Introducing our oldest...

2006-06-11T20:45:00.000+08:00

Jasmine Holly Rogers

She is 6 years and 3 months - and Her name means “Night blooming flower" – double flower because her middle name also means flower.

We feel that she was our night blooming flower because she bloomed (or was born) when our life (in Christ) was completely dark…it was night in our faith. Have you ever smelled fresh blooming Jasmine at night? It’s a gorgeous scent - and she is what brought us to our “senses” (or “Scents-es”!!!!) and woke us up so we could start a brand new life in Christ.

I’d describe Jasmine as a “quiet-sensitive-gentle” spirit. She just has the biggest heart and is lovely to be with. She has grown up so much in this past year and is really beginning to mature in so many areas. She is actually quite obedient, and really quite disciplined in all she does.

Jasmine’s love language is MOST CERTAINLY ‘words of affirmation’. She is just the best at compliments, encouragement and kind words. She almost always has something positive to say about people.

:.: Her favorite TV shows are Art Attack on Disney and the cartoon version of Mr. Bean!

:.: Her DEFINITE favorite past-time right now is SWIMMING. She’d swim for hours and hours if she could. I guess it’s a new found skill and she can’t get enough.

:.: She loves school. I’m proud to say that she is really maturing in that area too. She’s just learning heaps and keeping up pretty well. This is SUCH good news, because last year at this time I was one WORRIED mom. Her teacher said she wasn’t doing well and needed to be held back for one year. Not a real biggie when you’re 5, so I’m glad we did it NOW.

:.: She’s a fantastic big sister. She really tries to help out and she is rarely the instigator of problems! She especially loves to blow kisses on Brianna’s big “Goodge” belly.

:.: Her favorite breakfast is Organic Fruit Loops. Her favorite lunch is “Cheese sandwich with JUST cheese and butter please”. Her favorite dinner is definitely going out to Jaspa’s for pizza. The one vegetable that she’ll eat and loves is Broccoli.

:.: Jasmine used to suck her thumb – from the time she was 4 months old (when I VERY FOOLISHLY took the dummy away from her) until she turned 5. At which point she said “Dad, I think it’s time I stop sucking my thumb now” And she did (with a little help from that disgusting ‘Bite-x’ stuff.) Now she has a dummy in her bed, with her soft t-shirt which she’s slept with since she was 3 1/2 . She doesn’t suck on the dummy though… she chews on it. Strange but true!!!!!

:.: Jasmine lost her first tooth in April this year! Cute :)

:.: FUNNY WAYS OF TALKING…..I was sitting at the table getting frustrated with the girls because they weren’t obeying. I said “Oh, why does it have to be SO DIFFICULT with you guys”. Jasmine says “Mommy it’s because you have difficult children!”

The other day she said… “So when I get to be like a grandma or another one of those other ‘old things’ will I have wrinkly hands?”

Sometimes I’ll say “Oh, good job Jasmine”. But maybe I’m semi-distracted and just telling her that while I’m doing other things… she’ll say to me, “Um, mommy, can you say it a little louder and more like you mean it?”

Jasmine you are precious to me. I know that God’s spirit is shining through you brightly. I belive that because of your extreme sensitivity you are going to speak prophetically to many people. You are going to see visions and dream amazing dreams. Go get ‘em Presh!

This picture was taken in Australia with her beloved friend Sophia Pesavento - April 2006.

FORGET the past...NEW things ahead

2006-06-10T22:46:00.000+08:00

18 "Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

Three times in one week this verse has been brought to my attention, through pastors, speakers, leaders. Hmmmmmm.

We were praying on FRIDAY NIGHT for the Discovery Bay Friday Night VINE SERVICE and this verse was highlighted. Since this was the third time this week I'd read it or heard it mentioned I figured I'd better sit up and take notice. God's speaking!!!!!

I think it's hard to forget the past because as humans... WE ARE BUILT ON MEMORIES. But I guess God is trying to tell us that we shouldn't rely on that as our reality. HE IS DOING A NEW THING. Wow.

I want the "streams in the wasteland". That is such a great picture of what it is to quench our thristy land.

God, you are amazing....BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ruled out by emotion

2006-06-04T21:02:00.000+08:00

So, it's just one of those days when I feel... OFF.

What is it about those days when you just can't seem to get your mind, body and soul to override the emotions. It's like one day your emotions say "TODAY, I AM IN CONTROL."

I hate these days. I feel like I am outside my own body watching myself...watching me yell at my little girls (who are just acting like 6, 3 and 1 year olds!)...watching me get overly angry because I couldn't catch that bowl of cereal before it hit the floor in a huge mess...watching me get very irritated at my poor unsuspecting hubby who's just trying to ask a few questions from across the Pacific Ocean.

I keep praying

"God I know I'm not suppose to feel this way. I am in desperate need of your JOY and PEACE."

But.... JOY IS A CHOICE isn't it?

Sometimes it's the hardest choice for me to make.

A change of circumstance is usuall what can snap me out of it... a change of scenery... change of venue... change of surroundings. (Unfortunately this isn't always possible!!!)

God reminded me of this amazing scripture (Psalm 139:23-24):

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

So Heavenly Father, I ask you to purge my emotions of all my anxious, strange reactions that don't line up with your word.

Maybe someday I'll get to where I can overcome my anxious thoughts and emotions as soon as it's recognized; to choose JOY...HIS way...RIGHT AWAY.

For now I'm thankful for his AMAZING GRACE.

Get to know Brianna Michelle

2006-05-30T12:52:00.000+08:00

So I decided that I would take a little time to write about each of my precious girls, a little something about each of them.... It may take me a few days, but here goes.

Brianna Michelle Rogers

Her name means STRONG DISCIPLE of GOD.

Brianna was born on 1 September 2004. That means she's EXACTLY 21 months old!

Brianna's personality is only just beginning to emerge. We're starting to find out a little more about her each day. So far here's what she's like...

::.::She loves her dummy and her blanket although she only uses them when she is sleeping or napping.

::.::Her favorite toy is her baby. She loves to hold it, cuddle it and place it in her baby stroller. She also really likes her bags & purses, a girl after her mom's heart!!!!

::.::She is obsessed with shoes. She loves to wear them and change them - no matter the size!

::.::Her first word (other than mama!) was "JESSE" because we have a hamster named Jesse and she'd go up to the cage and call out her name!!!!

::.::We call her the GOODGE... because she is just the most squeezable goodgy-goodge. When will I ever be able to squeeze my daughters FAT thighs again? Yah, it doesn't last long. So for now, I must get my hourly squeezes!!! Try it next time you see her...it's very satisfying!

::.::She LOVES rice, bananas, apples, dried mango, cheese and fish sticks. She HATES any eggs, all forms of veggies and anything not of the above variety!

::.::She may be the youngest, but she is NOT to be taken advantage of! She has learned to use both hands and all her body weight (which isn't slight!) to push her big sister Annabelle.

::.::She has an amazingly high-pitched scream that alerts us to injustices committed by the other sisters, or just general unhappiness about her circumstances!!!

::.::She learned very early on to say "I love you". And it's just the best thing in the world to hear it!

::.::When she gets into trouble, sometimes she'll do the "death stare". As if to say "Are you talking to ME???"

::.::She still takes one big nap each day - about 3 hours sometimes. And she's a fantastic night sleeper too.

::.::Haven't had her weighed or measured recently, but I wouldn't be surprised if she was off the charts. She is just quite tall for her age and she must have lead bricks in her belly!!!!

::.::One of her favorite things to do is to JUMP on her daddy. (Or mommy when I'm the only one around!) She will literally sit on top of him and just jump like she's riding a horse! She uses all her weight too! It's hilarious.

::.::And finally, who wouldn't love those gorgeous blonde curly locks!?!

Brianna is beautiful. I love her fiesty spirit and her cheesy smile when there is a camera around. She likes to laugh and loves to play peek-a-boo. She absolutely ADORES her daddy and brightens up when he's around. And she gives the best 1 year old bear hugs in the world.

Where did THAT week go?

2006-05-29T17:28:00.000+08:00

Wow. Sometimes time freaks me out. I just don't know where the past week went. I feel like I JUST wrote the previous post... not until I read Derek's comments did I realize it's been a week. THAT IS BAD BLOG BEHAVIOUR!!!

So I am not sure what I've been doing. Basically running around trying to pick out stuff for the new house and make decisions like whether or not to have the Kokuryou lamenant or the Seaglass. All these crazy choices.

It's amazing to watch all the china men buzzing around....

They do a fantastic job - and I just love to stand in there and listen to the buzz of cantonese. Sometimes I could swear they're yelling at each other, but my designer says that some of them don't know how to control the volume level of their voices!!! Funny.

And then there is the SMELL... How could several chinese men smell so bad? And it's not the sweat...I found the source of this HORRID smell the other day...

TOTALLY GROSSSSS! I guess they have to wee somewhere...but this toilet isn't really hooked up. It's just sitting there....

The place is in desperate need of some incense and candles!!!!

And finally here is something terrific... check out the number of aircons here. It fills up half a room.... That is bordering on ridiculous! Aaron tried to get just one or two big units (that's what we'd do in the US) but the cost was double... interesting!

Alright. Well that's the update on the house.

Here's my Spiritual thought for the week.....

2 Kings 5:1-15
Read this amazing story of Naaman.... a guy who has terrible leporsy and is told by Elisha to "Go wash 7 times in the jordan...and your flesh will be restored"
Well, Naaman gets VERY ANGRY at the silly thought of going into the filthy jordan to wash his disease. So he ALMOST MISSES HIS MIRACLE & HEALING... Luckily, his wise servant told him he'd have done anything else had it been more "great" (vs 13) and he goes, dips 7 times and is HEALED!

SO... how many times have we missed out on our miracle because we were looking for the great answer to our prayer and not the "less obvious, more mysterious" answer. God says his "ways are far beyond anything you can imagine" (Is 55:8). So I reminded myself to NEVER doubt answers that we get from Him.

Don't miss God...it may be that He is telling you to step out in FAITH & do something strange to reach your next miracle!

To Freedom

2006-05-23T20:39:00.000+08:00

Okay, so I'm giving the girls a bath tonight. I took off Annabelle's (the infamous three year old) clothes and couldn't believe what I saw. SOMEHOW, she had managed to get a rubberband... (wait for it...) AROUND HER WAIST! How this happened, I cannot even begin to know. How long it had been there...no idea. But it left a huge welt mark on her belly area... I gasped and said "Annabelle, didn't this hurt you?" She just shrugged and turned around to hop in the bath.

So it made me think.... how many things in our life do we let strangle us to the point that we no longer realize they are there. How many things are we "slaves" to without realizing the impact their having on our lives. We just become DEAD to them.

I need to always remember to check all things in my life....all habits, all plans, all dreams, all tasks and be sure that they are conforming to my life as a disciple of Christ.

Galatians 5:1
Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.
(the awesome Message)

Recording a live CD!

2006-05-21T20:25:00.000+08:00

So this is actually one of the first opportunities I've had to sit down and explain a recent VERY EXCITING event in my life (and my churchs' life).

My church is the Vine Christian Fellowship... go check out their site it's pretty cool. In fact you should download some sermons...they really rock. Anyhow, one of the things that we do BEST is worship! We have the most kickin' worship team on the planet...no kidding!!! So someone (pastors obviously!) decided we should try to record a live CD. After many many months of preparation (especially on our Worhsip Pastor's part) we did it! I was planning to sit down write out the whole event, but asked Tom (the worship pastor) if I could borrow his words instead...so please go to Tom Read's site and you can see what happened. There is a second part too.

It was a fantastic experience. One that I will NEVER forget. And through the past 6 months God has taught me more than I could share in this blog...lots of life lessons, lots of humility, an amazing journey really! My written journal is crammed!

Oh, there are also some FANTASTIC photos... so don't miss out! (You can also see some photos on there of our Christmas pageant...notice Jasmine in the "dalmation dog" costume...she was supposed to be part of the nativity barnyard animals!!!!! Her choice.

Anyhow, I'll be sure to ship out a CD to all of you abroad. Who knows, maybe someday you'll see the "Who May Ascend by the Vine Christian Fellowship-Hong Kong" CD in your local Christian bookstore!!!!!!!!

I hope you all have a fabulous week.

The "full circle" of life...

2006-05-18T22:48:00.000+08:00

YOU GO GIRL!

My friend commented that I needed more pix on this blog....

Here it is everyone.... Jasmine's BIG day. She learned to ride her bike without training wheels. She was so happy I thought she'd come out of her own skin!!!!

Wow, I just can't believe it. My very OWN DAUGHTER has learned to ride a bike. I guess it kinda freaks me out because I completely remember the first day that my dear daddy taught me. I remember my Green Schwinn - complete with sparkle bannana seat. NO WAY. I remember my dad running after me holding on until I said "I'm ready"... and wobble, wobble I was away. And so the circle of life is completing. How strange. I thought you had to be really old for that to happen. I'm NOT so what's up with that!!!!!!

So it was with Jasmine today. She was such a champ. She's been bugging us for days to go down and take them off. I must admit I haven't been too keen, because she has done this twice in the past year "PLEEEEEEASE daddy, take them off, I'm ready". But then they'd be off for 2 minutes and she'd freak and cry and the bike riding would cease for weeks.

So she did it. Well done Jasmine. You are my little star and I adore your heart.

Of course my sweet little Belle had to get in on the action.... Here is she is PROUDLY showing off her riding her bike too. "Watch me mama, I can too!"

And here is my cute pudgy, "Goodge"... blue-eyed Brianna. Gotta love her cute babbling.

Great momentous day in the Rogers household!

Calm in the midst of the T3

2006-05-18T11:59:00.000+08:00

So yesterday was TYPHOON day! They called me at 8am to say "no school" for Annabelle & Jasmine. Wow. I figured we were in for a very long day in our tiny little apartment!!!!

You know what? It was one of the BEST days I've had in a long time. I mean it was quiet, it was fun, it was relaxing.... Because of the typhoon we couldn't really go anywhere, I didn't even feel like making my way down t the plaza because of the wind and rain. (You mix that with the three girls and I would have just been asking for trouble!!!!) So we hung out, watched videos, did drawings, wrote letters to friends, played Polly Pockets and ate popcorn. It was amazing.

I realized that I NEED days like this. I need days where I am forced to stay inside the "boat" because of the storm that rages outside.... so it made me think of Jesus in the boat with the disciples.... (one of my favorite stories - because I remember the felt story boards from Sunday School as a child!!!!)

Matthew 8:23-27

23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

Sometimes we just need to chill out at the bottom of the boat and "REST" in Him. I loved my easy day yesterday - where all those SOOOO important things I usually do & had to do waiting on the outside in the storm! And look - everything waited for me quite nicely :)

Toilet choices & God revelations...

2006-05-15T23:06:00.000+08:00

So I spent hours in wan chai today. Who knew there could be SO many taps, SO many tubs, SO many showers, SO many ovems, hobs & microwaves to choose from. Oh, here is what cracks me up....the amount of TOILET options. HELLO?????? This is a place I spend SO little time of the day. I mean 1 minute max/time. And one could spend upwards of $15,000 HK if you wanted to. What? NO WAY. I just don't get it. The thing that is more funny? Aaron really cares about the type we get. He has a preference. In the 15+ years of marriage I'll never understand his "toilet time". :-) It's a guy thing. I'll leave the toilet shopping to him.

So in all my shopping I thought of this.... (here's the God revelation part)

There is not ONE SINGLE corner, crevice, space or place in our 2100 square feet that we are not renovating. I mean it. It will all be touched, looked at, inspected, cared for, scraped, tiled, painted, carpeted or dressed in some fashion. So it got me thinking that this is the way GOD WANTS OUR HEARTS. We should be doing COMPLETE renovations on our souls. God cares about every corner of our spiritual life and he wants it to be the best it can be. Aaron and I aren't locking up specific areas of the house or rooms or corners and telling our designers "No, dont' touch this part, we like the old yucky apartment to stay there". NO WAY! We want the whole thing to be new and amazing. "...

Mark 2:22
And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins."

God, come in and shine your designing light on my heart and help me see every single space. Help me to surrender each corner of my heart to your will and help me become the BEST I CAN BE TO GLORIFY YOU.

Hong Kong demolition

2006-05-14T23:05:00.000+08:00

Hit it baby!

Here is Aaron taking a shot at the wall. Man I tell you what it makes a RIDICULOUSLY LOUD noise!

And here I am taking a shot. Let me tell you - these sledge hammers are NOT for wussies... I could barely lift it, much less haul it over my shoulders!!!! See the tiny hole I made. YES - Satisfaction indeed!

TWO is better than ONE

2006-05-14T23:00:00.000+08:00

So I thought I'd just update anyone who I haven't already bored to tears about our renovations!

We have purchased not ONE but TWO flats here in Hong Kong. WOW. If you would have told me that 8 years ago we'd be buying property I would have laughed in your face for sure. I was here for one year! Ha. God CAN do miracles...I'm that miracle. How can he change a stubborn heart? He does!

So we bought two flats side by side in a high rise. 1C Greenmont Court is 1088 and 1D Greenmont court is 999 square feet. So when we knock out the one adjoinging wall that divides two very massive living areas we get 2100 sqares. I'm SOOOOO psyched I can't wait. Our renovations are underway. Right now the place looks like a bad day in Baghdad! We're set to move in around July 20th!

I'll try to upload some pictures soon...

Levels of "tidiness"

2006-05-14T22:41:00.000+08:00

So how can it take me ONE HOUR 45 MINUTES to "tidy up". How can that be possible. I always think of "just tidy up" as something that should take a few mintues. So there must be levels of cleanliness... how much do you pick up!?

I just unpacked the LAST box! Hooray. Now we can breathe a little better. I planned to do so much this evening, but my "tidy up" time took the hole evening. WHATS UP WITH THAT? Oh well.

***********SOOOOOOOOOOOOO BLESSED*****************
I just have to comment that today was Mother's Day - it's really my 6th mothers day (oldest daughter is 6 so it's high tech math), but I have to say that it was the BEST one yet. I guess because Aaron really made the effort to make me feel special. And also in Jasmine and Annabelle's classes they made me stuff...A card with Jasmine's foot prints, a flower pot with paper pieces and hand made paper flowers. SO CUTE :) So I'm very blessed. Thank you God for such amazing blessings... just makes me think of one of my favorite verses...
Proverbs 31:28...Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her...

To all the mommies (or mUmmies) out there...HAPPY MOTHERS DAY. You are blessed.

This week I will be hitting the hong kong pavement to purchase bathtubs, shower taps, ovens, hobs and picking tile. WOW. This stuff takes SO long in HK...I need a car!!!

Have a great week!

Box heaven or box hell?

2006-05-13T20:02:00.000+08:00

So we did it!!!!!

Successful move this weekend!!!

It was not the easiest move (what moves ARE?). I guess we completely complicated matters by having 1/3 of our stuff moved to our "Temporary flat" and the other 2/3 to our "storage flat". Add to all of that trying to ship kids to and from school, Aaron suffering from a food allergy/poisoning, special mothers day picnics and various park trips. (If kids like parks so much, how come mine didn't want to stay at the park for 5 hours?! What else can you do when packers are swarming like bees and there isn't any place to sit or stand that isn't getting moved or swept!!) Oh, I forgot to add the 4 and 5 phone calls a day from our very trusty contractors - asking for decisions on hob size, fridge size and bathroom toilet location. (Side note: we have the best contractors in Hong Kong. I love them! They are gems!)

So busy doesn't really describe. But actually it was relatively smooth for a move. Aaron and I only shared a few hours of "tense conversation" (tense is the mild term!)

Okay. So that's why I haven't been on-line. We just got up and running to our new flat in Neo Horizon (gotta love the house names in HK).

So that's what I've been up to... the girls were fantastic. Our helper was more valuable than gold. Our golf cart was worth every dollar we spend on it. And our friends were SO helpful, true gems.

More soon.... (hopefully with photos if I can figure this thing out!)

How to blog

2006-05-12T16:13:00.000+08:00

Step one...observe blogging
Step two...continue journaling the "old fashined way"
Step three... contemplate blogging
Step four...continue journaling the "old fashined way"
Step five...contemplate blogging again
Step six...branch out and get a blog account
Step seven...give it a try

And so, here I am. Finally in the 21st century. Let's see how long I can keep this up. As a mom, I really need to keep better track of my random thoughts, my kids cute comments and God's daily works in my life.

Here goes nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!