And We're Off!!!

I have to admit something here to everyone that reads this blog. When I leave, I cry. It doesn't matter where I leave, how long I've been there, or where I'm going... I always cry. It's one of those things that you try to call endearing to make yourself feel better, but secretly it's a negative attribute that clouds ones personality. When Maddie was born, I promised myself that I would try really, really hard not to pass that personality trait on to her. Life is about enjoying the moment and looking forward to the wonderful possibilities that come your way.

Obviously, she is older now and more aware of the whole leaving aspect. She's aware of what "missing you" feels like... it hurts sometimes and I don't blame her one little bit for trying to avoid it at all costs. The way Maddie is growing up though, she is always going to be missing somebody, but I want her to learn that she gets to go on life adventures and then come back to share all that she has learned, hopefully enriching her life and the lives of everyone she touches.

The adventures this summer have been most excellent. Thanks to Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Earl for getting us set up in our new home. Thanks to Connor and Sam for spending such quality time with us and building memories. Thanks to Susan and Doug for striving to bring the family together for special occasions (you prove that it CAN be done)! Thanks to Larry and Kim for helping with move and sharing your wonderful AND GROWING family with us. Thanks to Grandma Dotty for showing us the Wild West and all the wonderful things it has to offer. There are so many thanks for so many things... this was just the tip of the iceberg.

So... we'll be missing you (the ones we saw and the ones we didn't... and we'll be looking forward to the next time we meet face to face where we'll enrich each others lives and enjoy the moment.

And.... WE'RE OFF!

Family Day...

Sam and Connor came over for the last time today before we leave to China. Maddie simply loves them and they are soooooo good to her and for her. She just beams. I'll tell ya something... there are almost 12 years between her and Connor and there are nearly 12 years between me and my brother, Mikey. (I think I'm the only one in the world that still calls him that by the way.) When I was a little girl, I remember being in absolute awe when Mikey would shuffle cards. I remember being in absolute awe when we would make pudding on the stove together and he had the strength to push that flexible wire whisk to the bottom of the pan so that it did not burn. I really looked up to my big brother and Maddie is starting to do the same thing with Connor. He can do no wrong in her eyes.

Today we all went to the park to run around a bit. I love to see the joy in Maddie's face when she is on the swings. I caught her singing "our" song today when she thought nobody was looking or listening. I sang it to her when she was a tiny little baby in Saudi Arabia and we had a red Little Tykes booster swing on our front porch. I'm amazed that she remembers the words and sings it without any prompting.

Swingin', being, good as pizza pie...
Swingin', being, I could swing all night...
I close my eyes...
I count to three...
Now let me tell you...
What I see...
My toes up to the sky!
I think I'll swing all night!
Swingin', being, good as pizza pie...
Swingin', being, I could swing all night...

Aunt Susan and Elena came over in the afternoon to give Maddie an early birthday present. Elena is the girl in Maddie's family that she strives to be. This summer Maddie has "informed" me that we must stop trimming her hair because she wants long hair like Elena. She wants to wear Elena's dresses... she wants to be Elena. This Maddie Anna is one lucky kid - let me tell you.

After "the boys" and Maddie went shopping they came home and we invited Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Earl over for dinner at our place. Andy made a great feast of smoked ribs, pork chops, salmon, spuds, broccoli... it was kind of a potpourri feast! In other words, we were cleaning out our fridge! After dinner we sat around the table and played cards. It was great fun for Maddie to sit there and listen to all of us chattering at the same time. We were all talking and listening at the same time and she sat there desperately trying to follow. Before we knew it, she started talking very loud in tried to grab our attention with her own story. She was very serious and was thrilled to be a part of it!




Thanks Connor for showing Maddie was a good hand in poker looks like... she listened and learned! Of course, all she learned from me most of the night was how to say, "I fold!" I guess that's what big brothers are for though...

A Daddy Day!

I was along for the ride all day, but I was the official photo taker - I've gotta blog more! I like to tell stories about Madeline. We started the morning off with heading out to Reedville Cafe in the morning for some excellent grub... there's nothing better than a hometown breakfast on a rainy day! Maddie, of course, had her fill of pancakes which left her in an excellent mood!

We then went shopping with Dad and got some things for him - he still needs more things but getting him to shop for himself is almost impossible. He bought some new running shoes with Maddie's approval on the color choice. It will surprise you to know that she felt if he bought anything other than pink, then he just was not a hip dad!

We then HAD to stop by the golf store and as soon as we got in there, I took Maddie to the putting green in order to let dad concentrate on mecca experience around him. Immediately, Maddie went to the PINK gripped putter and started putting away. She was cute in that she would plant her feet and kind of rock back and forth on them to get set up and then she line up the putter and usually get it in. Granted, she was swinging the putter between her legs, but the ball was getting in! We had just bought her a PINK baseball cap at REI and she told me that her pink cap gave her luck.

The lucky pink hat was simply too tempting for Andy so Maddie and I politely sat on the putting green and watched daddy work his magic. We have him the courtesy golf clap and then decided to go ahead and get a putter for Maddie. It does not have a pink grip, but she wanted it and I know she'll use it. We live on a golf course in China and we best take advantage of it while we have it! I envision waking up on Saturday morning and heading to the club house while dad goes to the driving range and Maddie and I hit the putting green!

When we left there, we headed to the recycling place and Maddie knew exactly what to do She is a true Oregonian at heart and gets the recycling thing. When she finished with something that is recyclable, she puts in the our recycle bin without thinking twice. She's a green girl!!

Four more sleeps until we get on that plane! The next couple of days will be spent playing with the boys, getting some last minute shopping in and simply enjoying the moment. It's raining and it's gorgeous... the air is fresh, the birds are singing, the grass is green... I love Oregon - I simply love it. I'm glad that Maddie is proving to love it too!

And She Sleeps...

It has been a week since I've written in Maddie's blog - we've been busy. I think because it gets dark soooooo late (9:30), I find that the day just isn't long enough. I usually blog at night when Maddie goes to sleep. Sleep has not been plentiful for Maddie and she needs it. She'll not be a happy camper when she's older and realizes that I snapped this candid moment and posted it to her blog! Had to do it Maddie!!

Maddie and I have something in common right now though! I'm sleeping even less than she is simply because of my back! Sheesh - this pregnancy thing was much more novel the first time around. Look at this picture and SEE how huge I am - doesn't it look like my back would hurt? :)

We're all so happy in our new home (especially Maddie with her bunk beds) and we're really not ready to head back to Shanghai... I feel like we just got back to the States a few weeks ago. Perhaps it's time though to head back... perhaps.

Making Brownies

Andy and I have been at workshops so Maddie has been spending time with Grandma Barbara and her cousins, Elena and Ethan. I know she loves the time with them, but I miss her so much when I'm away from her... you know, distance makes the heart grow fonder! Summer is supposed to be OUR time so I feel like the workshops are intruding on that sacred time.

When we got home though, Maddie begged to make brownies. What a perfect time to use our new mixer!


Then of course we had to use our new convection oven!


But of course, we had to eat some of the batter before baking the brownies!

Of course... it was good quality time!!!

The Last Birthday Celebration...

... before your birthday celebration Maddie! You've been counting the birthdays and the next one will be yours - I promise!

It was a great celebration today and Maddie had a great hula lesson from Sammy! I think they are both naturals! Maddie helped wrap Connor's birthday presents and even helped unwrap the presents. I don't know who was smiling more - Maddie or Connor. They both were thrilled to give and/or receive the gifts. Thanks to all who came over, for sharing the All Star Game, and Connor's birthday cake with us!!

Maddie's Busy Day At the Races!

The peanut had to wake up early, but she made it to the ultrasound appointment with us and as soon as she saw Amelia's pictures on the screen, she immediately woke up! I'm so glad that she is going with us to all of these appointments. She's excited - I can tell because she's wanting to give up some of her securities in order to share them with her new sister. SHE actually said to me yesterday, "mommy, maybe baby Amelia should take my blanket. I think she'll like my blanket." That is HUGE!

Maddie spent the rest of the day with her Grandma Barbara and cousins Ethan and Elena. She loves her cousins and just kind of claims them as her own. She's not shy and she looks up to every single one of them for different reasons. Today, she went with Ethan to the veledrome to watch her cousin's bicycle races. He's quite the competitor and I wouldn't be surprised if you saw him in the Olympics someday. He's smart and dedicated which is an excellent combination to achieve dreams. It's good for Maddie to see other people's dreams as she forms her own.

Take Maddie Out to the Ball Game!

Things that Maddie likes at baseball games....

1. wearing sunscreen, glasses and a hat
2. eating snowcones
3. eating pretzels
4. eating licorice
5. running the bases after the game with her cousin Kayana
6. reading books with her cousin Elena
7. notice that baseball is NOT on this list



It's the most perfect thing to do on a warm Sunday afternoon and you can't beat the $8.00 general admission tickets. Baseball, even if it's triple A, is Americana at it's finest! We spent the afternoon with Grandma, Grandpa, Larry, Kim, Alexis, Kayana, Susan, Doug, Elena, and Ethan. Maddie was in absolute heaven! The video below is over a minute, but for those of you that are interested, you will see her completely miss the bases, run past the bases, and you will notice that she is the shortest on out there!

Maddie turned Grandma's Hair Purple....

On our last day in Tucson, Maddie and Grandma Dotty had some serious bonding moments. Andy and I packed and just let them be all day long. If Maddie asked for something, Grandma Dotty gave it to her... it worked well in Madeline's eyes! They started off the day finger painting and I noticed that Maddie was showing her controlling side by making Grandma observe rather than participate! I can't tell if she thinks that she's a teacher or if it's the need for a sense of order in her life. They were both having fun though as Maddie narrated a story for every single one of her pictures with the reoccurring theme of rainbows!

Now, what I'm about to tell you in slightly hilarious, but you must know that I asked permission to tell the story and post the pictures. The bottom line is that Maddie turned Grandma Dotty's hair purple. About a year ago, mom decided to let her go grey... actually hit had been grey but she was exposing it to the world! We went to the store and bought this beautiful dark blond color.... Maddie wanted to buy pink, but we talked her out of it. Maddie wore gloves and we worked together in squeezing the color on Grandma's hair and mixing it in well. We followed the directions to a "T" - I promise! After 25 minutes of waiting, then rinsing, Grandma Dotty came downstairs to show off her color (note: she's waiting for her new glasses to come in and can't really see what color it is herself). Let's just say that Maddie could not have been more pleased with herself! She had gotten her way after all!!!!!!! Shades of purple and pink will rule the world if she has her way!!

It provided all of us with a good chuckle and we had to live mom in Tucson for her to fix her own hair. Bless mom's heart though, she proudly took us to the airport with her purple hair and strutted her stuff so as not to hurt Maddie's feelings. Now that's brave! :)

Thanks for a great Tucson Trip mom - Grandma Dotty! Baking cakes, eating icing, going for walks in the wash, swimming, and having a girl's night were the most fun of all.

Hope you can fix your hair....

Happy Fireworks Day in the States... and China?

The 4th has always been special. I think it became even more special on a personal level when we moved overseas. America with all of it's positive and negative attributes is still the best country in the world. We've discovered that many of the people that live here don't really know how lucky they have it day in and day out. Maybe it's because it's so familiar, but I think it's easiest country in the world to live in. Your worries are different when you live overseas and it's a pleasure to "head home" for the summers to let those worries be at bay for a short time. I love America and I want Maddie to grow up loving it too inspite of her TCK (Third Culture Kid) status.



The 4th is about fireworks and BBQs. Even in the heat of Tucson, we had it all. Andy decided to give Maddie a "lesson" of sorts. Even though she looked at him like he had two heads it was quite funny! Maddie has seen fireworks in Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon I have to admit that as far as SPECTACULAR goes, nothing will beat the fireworks over Chinese New Year in Shanghai. Below is a video clip from the outskirts of "town" on the last day of the new year... it was a panoramic view from one end of the sky to the other... at midnight!

Maddie and the Moosehound

Jacob Terwilliger is his name when he's in trouble. He's a moosehound (aka: a chocolate lab) that I bought the week I moved home from Hokkaido, Japan. Jake is officially 11 years old. To be honest, he wasn't supposed to live this long. He had parvo when he was a pup and the vet said it would shorten his life (he's 11) and that he would be smaller (he weighs 110lbs). He's a well traveled moosehound - he has lived in the States and in Saudi Arabia.

Jake is the most gentle giant and even in his old age, lets Maddie torment him just a bit! I think he secretly loves it when Maddie arrives mostly because she has been feeding him either intentionally or unintentionally since she was born. This time she noticed that he's a drooler though and she would hold a piece of her hot dog up in the air and swing it in circles just so that she could see the drool fly off his face. She's a very clever girl!

Top Six Things to Do With a Moosehound:

1. Take Jake and Grandma down to the wash for a walk which works pretty well with the moosehound being the age he is... besides, Grandmas, three year olds and older moosehounds all move at about the same pace.

2. Feed him your table scraps but make him beg for as long as possible.

3. Throw the ball for him and demand that he sit before hand no matter how much he protests.

4. Put small things on his back and watch him run around the house with it on until it falls off.

5. Lounge around with him and use him as a pillow when watching television.

6. All in all - just love him because that's all he really wants out of this life!

Thanks Jake for being such a great moosehound to us for all these years - you're a trooper!!!

Maddie's Carpet

When we lived in Saudi Arabia we had access to some of the best carpets in the world. It's funny because we didn't even like carpets... until me moved to Saudi. It's kind of like how I didn't like pottery... until I moved to China. (See the April 16th blog entry!) Since we moved into our new place in Oregon and have bamboo floors, it only makes sense to buy a carpet!

In the middle of May, we contacted our favorite carpet man in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He was absolutely wonderful when we lived in Saudi and Maddie loved going to his store because he would let her crawl all over the carpets. He's actually from Afghanistan and always had "the story" behind the carpet. See the article written in Arab News back in January of 2003 where they wrote a great article called "From Andkhoy to Jeddah" about him and his shop.

Sadly, we have discovered that because of recent times, the US had made it VERY difficult to wire funds overseas and it just didn't seem to pan out. So...... we started looking for carpets in the States. When in Tucson, look for Persian carpets! (That just sounds so weird.) Today Maddie got a taste of carpet shopping again and it felt great! Hope you all like Maddie's choice!

Larry the Balloon Man!

Grandma Dotty surprised Maddie today by inviting her neighbor, Larry, over to the house because he is a balloon man! If you remember, a few weeks ago Maddie encountered a balloon man at the Portland Saturday Market. This was more special though because Maddie got a few different things and Larry explained to Maddie (and us) how he puts these things together.

He actually started doing this 10 years ago in college and has not been able to give up this great hobby. (See www.twistedtucson.com) What a great thing it is to have the ability to make people and their children smile! Thanks Larry for the pink horsey, the flowers, the toucan, and the American chopper bike! Don't be surprised if we come knocking on your door for a princess tomorrow! Don't ever give up your talents because the smiles you help create last all day long and then some!!

My Little Nest

Sometime around February of each year, Andy and I start craving quality Mexican food. In our honest opinion, the only place in the entire world to get this food is at Mi Nidito in Tucson. I couldn't enjoy the margaritas this year, but the food was enough to knock my socks off. As Maddie gets older, she too is learning to appreciate the finer things in life! Andy always orders the President's Plate which was named after Bill Clinton's order when he dined at the restaurant during his presidency. Dad shows off his ability to match President Clinton!


Item 1: Beef Taco... you must eat this first to maintain the crispy outer shell

Item 2: Chile Relleno... you have to eat it when the cheese is still hot or it gets congealed

Item 3: Beef Tamale... who cares if you're already getting full? If Bill can do it, so can you!

Item 4: Chicken Enchilada... you feel your arteries closing, but you must persevere

Item 5: Bean Tostada... you must eat this last so that it soaks up all the "juice" from the other items.

Maddie Nests...

I love seeing Andy nest. When Andy nests, then Maddie takes his lead and she nests too. It's good for the soul!!!

Today, Andy helped clean up Mom's back patio. When we were falling asleep last night, I "heard" it raining so I went outside to inspect and found that it was only "raining" in one spot on the patio. The sprinkler system had sprung a leak so Andy (and Maddie kind of-sort of) helped repair it this morning. Once Andy got started though, he went nuts. He re-potted tomato plants, planted columbines, put that basil plant into the ground, blew all the leaves off the patio and most importantly installed a misting system over the patio. It actually works quite well as it brought the temperature down from 110 to 85 in that area!!!



As dad finished up, Maddie came inside to nest even more. She is a girly girl and helped to paint both Grandma Dotty's nails and my nails. She is actually getting quite good at this! I still am thankful that she chooses the lightest pinks though as it doesn't show up on the skin like bright red. Good job Maddie and thanks for taking charge on the "How To" of painting your nails!