A Day of Thanks

This year, while all of my family was roughing it in New Port, we had our own Thanksgiving with friends~right here in Chengdu.

These "friends" have become family to us.  We spend at least 4 days out of the week together.  They have made the move here worth it.  They are moving to Perth, Australia in January. We are not excited for life in China without the Stokers, but can't wait to visit Perth!

Our meal included Turkey(imported, cooked, and delivered right to our door for free!), homemade stuffing(my first try making it all by myself), pretzel jell-o salad, rolls, green bean casserole, gravy, and pies.  We skipped on the mashed potatoes this year, but we did have another Thanksgiving meal after Church today~complete with mashed potatoes!

I have so many things to be thankful for.  Looking back on this year I am amazed at how much my life has changed.  The biggest change was packing up my family and moving half way around the world to China.  I have never lived away from family, and although it is challenging at times, I am shocked at how much I like it here.  We have become much closer as a family of 4.  We rely a lot more on each other than we have had to in the past, and that feels good.  This move has helped me to become more independent, more confident, more spiritual, a better mom, a better cook, a better wife, a better me.  

Perhaps the most thing I am thankful for is our trip home in 2 weeks and 5 days.  I cannot wait to be in America surrounded by family.  My brother Matthew will be home from his mission on December 14th.  I am so proud of him and the service he has rendered. How sweet it will be to be reunited with him.  

Life is good,and we have been so blessed.   

    

School Starts

QSI International School, Teacher~Mrs. Marcus

Groceries

 This post should make you feel really good about food prices in America.  While you can get some things cheap here in China, imported foods are not one of them.  They have markets lined with fresh vegetables, fruit, and meat, but you have to soak the fruit and vegetables in bleach water for 10 min.  The meat is not refrigerated...in fact it is hanging on hooks as you walk by, and there is everything but chicken breast and normal beef.  I have my meat delivered to my home from a local Australian butcher.  Although expensive, it is safe, tender, and convenient.  I shop at 4 different grocery stores.  Auchan(Close to home), Carrefore( Bigger selection of imported food at a cheaper cost.  Good organic produce.  They also carry the milk I like-boxed from New Zealand- along with sour cream which is hard to find), Wai Foods(Internet home delivery), and Sabrina's Imported Food(For hard to find items.  Most expensive of all the stores).  Here are some common foods in America that have made the adjustment living here a lot easier.      

Vlasic Dill Pickle Spears- $7.75

Karo Syrup- $13.08

Black Beans- $3.25

Campbell's Tomato Soup- $3.58

Campbell's Cream of Chicken-$3.58

Campbell's Cream of Mushroom- $3.58

Skippy All Natural Peanut Butter- $7.08

Best Food Mayo- $6.58

C&H White Sugar(small box)- $3.58

C&H Brown Sugar (small box)- $3.25

Parmesan Cheese Powder(small can)-$4.41

Yeast(packet of 3)- $5.41

Beef Bouillon- $2.75

Chicken Bouillon- $2.75

Can of Chopped Tomatoes- $1.80

BBQ Sauce- $5.13

Heinz Ketchup(small bottle)-$1.65

4 Bagels(from a local bakery)-$2.66

Ground Beef(2lbs)-$10

Ground Chicken (2lbs)- $10.83

Chicken Breast (2lbs)-$8

Dr. Pepper(1 can)- $.92

The currency here is called rmb, yuan, or kuai.  Six of their kuai is equivalent to one of our dollars.  I keep a calculator with me and divide everything by six.  Their money still feels like play money to me and has made it easier to spend a lot more on food than I ever would back in the states.  However, today I wanted to buy Cheetos, but at $6 a bag I could not bring myself to do it.  I have an ever growing list of items I can't wait to eat when I am back in the states during December!

Here is a poor quality picture of one of my many shopping trips.  I usually take these carts, load them up and either walk home, or take a rickshaw.

We Made It!

Here we are writing to you all the way from Chengdu, China.  Blogs, facebook, and a few other web-sites are not allowed in China, but with VPN( A mere $85 a year) we are able to connect to a server in Seattle and bypass the Chinese. We have been here for a little over 2 weeks.  The kids had a rough patch for a week, but seem to finally be adjusting to life in Asia.  Jake is really enjoying his job, and I am so grateful my Mom came with me to help set up house. We have been to Ikea more times than I care to count, but our house is becoming a home.  I am still waiting for our landlord to come by and pick up some pieces of furniture so I can finish everything up...well at least for now.  I am sure I will be adding to with all of my great finds at the local markets.  I will post some before and after pictures of the apartment soon.  

Here is the view from our apartment, one during the day, and the other at night.

  We are on the 12th floor.  The best part is that Ikea, a Mall(with Zara, H&M, and Starbucks), and a grocery store are down the street and around the corner.

 I have so much to write and pictures to upload, but for now know that we are here and life is good.  Different, but good.  I am so excited for this adventure, but there is no place like home!    

A Birthday Interview

 Morgan Age 6

1. What is your favorite color? Blue, green, red, and black
2. What is your favorite toy? Um...my stuffed animals
3. What is your favorite fruit? Cantaloupe
4. What is your favorite T.V. show? Wild Krats, the show where Chris and Martin save animals
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Hotdogs
6. What is your favorite outfit? My Power Ranger costume
7. What is your favorite game? Candyland
8. What is your favorite snack? That would be anything
9. What is your favorite animal? Tiger
10. What is your favorite song? Um...Happy Birthday

 11. What is your favorite book? The Great Monster Hunt

12. Who is your best friend? Grayson, McKadin, John...also Quinn and Maren.  Also my last best friend is Dad.

13. What is your favorite cereal? Captain Crunch

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Race

15. What is your favorite drink? Rootbeer

16. What is your favorite holiday? My birthday

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Sharkie (stuffed animal)

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Toast

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Green beans

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Football player

Easter Sunday

He shoots...He scores!

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Morgan has started his first season in soccer...and he is loving it.  His first game he scored 2 goals and 3 goals in his second game.  This video is from his second game.   Watch out for #3!

Big Jets

While we were in St. George for Jane's 3rd birthday we decided to go watch the jet show.  We passed on paying $20 per adult(kids were free) and drove out into the desert(with the rest of St. George) to watch the jets up close and personal.  Morgan loved it...Jane and Quinn got a little scared from the loud noises and decided to stay in the car with Lauren, Kendall, and Maren.

Driving out to see the jets...so excited!

 Tangled just had to come along for the air show.

We met up with my cousin and his family.  

Morgan and Colin

Mason right after a jet flew over our heads!