Wow, this was an incredible year for our family! We are so grateful for the many blessings we have received. Especially the amazing experiences we have had here in China thus far. It has been one of the most challenging, and most rewarding years of our life. Thinking back on the events, there were times that we didn't think that we'd make it. I had a feeling that if we could survive the preparations for the move, that we could survive anything. My intuition proved right. Anything would seem like cake compared with that! And this from a woman who has moved...I'm counting now...Nine times since I've been married. We are so proud of our amazing children who have had wonderful attitudes, and been incredibly resilient. Yes, 2005 will always be a year that stands out in our memories!
Our children spent New Year's Eve, as Mike and I did growing up...At home. We figured that since we both spent the New Year's Eves we can remember babysitting and having an "at-home party", that our children could do that too! They had snacks and DVDs and had their own count-down. Michael and I went out with some good friends. We enjoyed a meal at a Japanese steak house. Next to us was a group of Canadians, who felt the need to dress-up for the new year. There were two guys dressed as girls, who got more entertaining as the night went on, and they had more to drink. They even begged a photo with a policeman who was standing outside. I was relieved to see that they could not talk him into a drink. We were, however, glad that we were going to the Mullen's home for dessert, because there was still two hours left of drinking before the new year rang in, and they were getting awfully "happy".
Mike was off today, because of the New Year. We had a great day. First we went to a restaraunt, where we were the only people there! That is definitely the best situation for our family to be in. We went to the Nanjing Folk Museum after lunch. We all had a really nice time. Mike and I were able to buy a wonderful painting from an artist there at the museum. There were a lot of neat things to look at. We are sad that Mike has to go back to work tomorrow, but we had a very nice weekend.
The children still have a week left before they have to go back to school. They are enjoying their time relaxing. We hope that you all had a wonderful Holiday, and that your 2006 is the best year for you yet!
