Updates

Anthony pointed out to me that it's been well over a month since my post, so I should update it! Things have just been so busy in this last month. I got a MUCH NEEDED break without any children last month - with a short trip back to the States. Despite jet lag, which is so much easier to handle when you have no children, I was able to have a fun time and enjoy a few days of relaxation and visiting with family in Austin. Shortly after I arrived back home in Shanghai, then Anthony departed for a week visit to the States - to work and visit his parents.

Since then, we've gotten a minivan with a driver. That has been very useful and I am so happy to not have to wait for taxis and try to keep the little ones from slamming their heads into seats while taxi drivers drive crazily around town. The other big news is that I am now LEGAL to DRIVE myself here in China! Just yesterday, I took the test and passed with flying colors and was awarded my very own Chinese Drivers License. Since the driver only works 5 days a week until 6pm, it is nice to have the option of driving around when he is not available to work.

We leave tonight for our latest vacation trip! I am so excited to be getting out of China for a proper vacation! We are going to Boracay which is in the Phillippines! It is supposed to be absolutely beautiful with white sand and clear water. We are planning on some snorkeling and hope that Ashley will join us this time around since she is keen to try and snorkel. We leave tonight at 12:30 am (yes, in the middle of the night!) - that's what we get for buying cheap airfare tickets. We'll get into Manila around 4am, transfer to the domestic airport, take a small plane to Caticlan, then take a boat to Boracay. It outta be an adventure - especially with 3 small children. There are 5 other families from Shanghai that are all going, so we will know lots of others and they all have kids, so we're all in this together! Wish us luck!

I will try to post more when we return...