The Searchlight of Insight

on a junk, saw a junk, watched a junk

From our guest blogger, MoZiLLa...

Last Wednesday evening I was kindly included in an evening's outing to Lamma Island.  Some of the leadership from Union Church wanted to have a fellowship kind of get-together.  A couple that attends Union Church co-own a rather spacious modern junk with 3 other couples and are generous in sharing the boat.  We boarded in the "Fragrant Harbour" at dusk and the beauties of the HK shoreline and skyline were startling - the million lights winked and beckoned from both HK side and Kowloon side of the harbour.  I found it breathtaking.  It was from this modern junk that I saw a sight I have only seen once before - a real junk from the days of 'old China'.  The large sails were dark green and it was majestic as it swept past. 

We dined at Rainbow Restaurant on Lamma - open air, full, loud, fabulous food.  Other groups were cheek to jowl with us and as the wine flowed the standing and bowing and toasting grew ever more frequent as faces grew more florid by the minute.  I rationalized with candor the fact that those nice little fish swimming just over there in those big tanks were suddenly part of dinner - "Now that's what you call fresh"!!  A facet of life here that charms me is the eclectic mix of nationalities.  I sat in my chair, was wonderfully wined and dined and embraced the visual feast of Korean, Chinese (mainland and Hong Kong Island), English, Australian, American, Canadian, Scottish and mixes of the aforementioned.  And of course the  accents.  They tickle my ears.  It was a splendid evening.

The third junk happened last night - Tess and I slipped away around 6:30p.m. and went downtown to see the movie, "The Painted Veil".  RUN - DON'T WALK - to see this movie.  We were thrilled by it.  The cinematography is breathtaking with the story taking place mainly in China as well as England; superb acting.  A poignant tale by Somerset Maugham.  Shall not say another word as I do not wish to ruin it for you all as I know you are going to see it  :-)

Charles is at the Men's Walk to Emmaus this weekend since Thursday evening. He is charge of prayer and the Prayer Chapel.  And next weekend I will be the novice Pilgrim at the Women's Walk.  I truly have almost no idea as to what to expect so..... won't it be exciting to find out. Today Tess and I went to the ABC with the children where they played and played.  We had lunch as well and generally did an excellent job of tiring the gang out  :-)  Now, tomorrow is Lita and De's day off....... do you see where this is going?..... Charles does not get home until after 6 PM......  this leaves Tess and me ....... I think all of you who believe in prayer should do just that on our behalf.... or better still - for the children's sake!!

My love to you all,

M   xox

Forged in the furnace loyalties

From our guest blogger, MoZiLLa...

I could not wait until tomorrow to share this tidbit.

It is currently 2:20 PM... the time of day when naps generally are ending.

Naps in this house usually are successful for the triplets on weekdays as 'school' in the morning tires them out. Today.... not so much.  Instead, they threw another party and when their mother entered their bedroom they had moved the two beds that could be moved, pulled out drawers and emptied their contents as well as liberally dispensing Thomas train track pieces on the floor. Time stood still as all movement within the room froze..... Tess fixed Jasper with a steely eye and asked, "Jasper, who did this mess"?

"Thela and Caryth," Jasper replied.

"Sela, who did this mess?" Tess asked... "Carys and JJ," Sela replied.

"Carys, who did this mess?" Tess asked... "Sela and Jasper," Carys replied.

I stood at the doorway and that is what I heard - I cannot tell a lie! Priceless conversation followed. There were wails of mortification that they had been 'busted' but very little remorse for the actual crime! Some of their comments to Tess had us unable to look at them as we fought back smiles ..... such as JJ's last minute dead-man-walking attempt for clemency: "JJ, you know I have to give you a spanking for disobeying, don't you"?

"No, how about Caryth"? was his manly reply.

I bid you adieu!!

M xox

ABC Swimming & The Peak

More from our guest blogger, MoZiLLa...

Sunday was special - I so enjoy attending and worshiping at Union Church with my family. Tess is still in the Five Step Recovery Program from having taught Sunday School to 3 year olds as the regular teacher was away :-) 

After church, we came home, changed and all but Tess and Carys left for the Aberdeen Boat Club - you can imagine the level of excitement for the children at the prospect of 'swimming' at the ABC.  Carys was so tired and fell right into her nap - she and Tess joined us later at the Club.  Charles
and I kept Jasper, Sela and Sebastian afloat as the latter was in the big pool with is dad and I kept my eyes darting from JJ to Sela.  Of everyone, Sela truly had the best time all round - she was busy busy in the small shaded pool with her bucket and shovel while JJ felt led to spend most of his time in the foot bath (3'x4') leading onto the pool deck  :-)  (Left, pink-eyed and tired but still happy Sebastian after several hours in the pool.)

By the way, Dad returned from his US business trip with one piece swim suits - see pics - for the triplets that, while not life jackets, provide enough buoyancy to help the triplets gain agility in the kids' pool. Sela - and eventually Carys once she arrived post-nap - took to these suits like ducks to water and had a grand time with their new found water freedom. (At left, Sela looks like Dora-On-Steroids while wearing her buoyancy suit.)

Jasper and I had  a 'moment' when he lowered himself into the kiddies' pool and slipped on the stairs.  Fortunately, I was watching him as he no longer had his flotation swim suit on.  I leapt to the ladder and just as JJ slipped on the ladder I landed beside him in the water with an almighty splash as he floated spread-eagled and face down in the water.  Scooped him up and with much spluttering he was just fine!!  These moments either keep grandparents eternally young or head them to the grave with gay abandon and much speed!

Seb did well as got into the swing of swimming once again but this time without any flotation so there were occasions when his reach exceeded his grasp, so to speak.  He has realized that more lessons would be a good idea to prepare him to be a stronger and safer swimmer.   The weather
was warm and sunny and after Carys had had a turn at 'swimming' we enjoyed dinner before heading home and to bed with four happy, wrinkled kiddies.  (Left, Jasper laughs while Sebastian jumps into the big pool.)

Yesterday I struck out on my own and for 2 1/2 hours I wandered around the paths of the rainforest.  My goal was to hike to the Peak and the required pains and remarkable pleasures associated with reaching the Peak are worthy of mention.  First, the pain - I think this might have something to do with my very young age..... but that path was unrelenting and unforgiving!  I
tried to figure out the angle and was quite sure it had to be close to 45 degrees.... maybe a little extreme? 30 degrees? 15?Whatever it was it did not stop going straight up for a good half hour - but so worth it as this led to flip side of the coin - the pleasure.  The view is delicious - the forest rolls away beneath your feet and waaaaaay down at the bottom is the Reservoir that marks the beginning of the hike.  The South China Sea fans out to the horizon and great tankers filled with cargo move silently across it.  It was humid and wonderfully warm and I discussed with myself how I really 'do' warmth better than cold!  I entered the shopping centre for cold bottled water while other visitors from assorted nations milled around outside and soaked in the sun, tooks photos of one another, laughed and made exciting plans.

The bubonic plague that I seem to have contracted is not keeping me down - although I am going to stick pretty close to home today and see if I cannot tame the ongoing sore throat, coughing and now 'goopy eye'.  I am pretty cute to behold.  But I am happy, content and feel very blessed.

Trusting you are all feeling the same - minus the plague.  God bless you.

Love, M   xox

Editor's note: You are always cute to behold. That is why we call you Gorgeous Gran.

No Shame Shopping

More from our guest blogger...

Tess and I partook of two tremendous extremes with the first on Wednesday and the second on Thursday.  As Charles was out of town on business travel he very kindly treated me and his darling wife to tickets to an oh so tasty luncheon with Nicky Gumbel on Wednesday afternoon.  For those who might not be familiar with this name I will give a little background - Nicky Gumbel is the driving international force for Alpha from Holy Trinity Brompton Church just outside London, England.  It is he who one listens to during the video tapes when partaking in the course. 

An international Asia Pacific Alpha Conference just took place here in HK this week with Nicky as the guest speaker.  I knew about it and knew I could attend the whole conference if I so wished but chose not to as I am attending a three day/three night Walk to Emmaus Retreat later in April (with Tess).  So, attending this luncheon was such an unexpected treat from Charles and I am most appreciative.  For starters, it was refreshing to be in a room with 60 Asian/expat fellow Alpha-ers.  I spoke with a most charming young man who is orginally from Toronto but has come to HK under God's leading and wishes to be used by Him in mainland China - he believes this is God's plan for him.  The willingness to share Alpha with others in the workplace, with neighbours, through church, etc. was inspiring.  Nicky spoke to us during a gorgeous lunch - he was passionate and excited about how HK is surely at the crossroads of a Christian explosion in Asia and prays the Christians here will be able to model life without becoming ensnared in the "money, money, money" side of life in HK.  We were given the opportunity to have our photo taken with Nicky so Tess and I trotted forward to do so.  His lovely wife Pippa was by his side.  I proudly showed them, via a map I had printed off the computer at Tess' suggestion, where I lived in northern Canada and told them we have Alpha there.  Delightful people.  I thought as we left how I love the Christian faith - it is exciting and alive and secure.

Thursday dawned.  And the two Lyons women were up and set out early - I nearly did not go as I had started coughing the day before.  I never cough! And the cough proceeded to a sore throat that kept me spluttering all night and was feeling pretty saggy and achy by morning .... BUT! the chance to go to Shenzhen does not come often and as the early morning progressed I felt a little better... so off I went with Tess.  Going to Shenzhen is a complex operation for the novice and even though I have gone a few times I still find it challenging as so much time passes between trips.  It requires
buses, underground travel and a train ride and I love the train ride into mainland China as it offers me the time to eat my McDonald's Egg McMuffin breakfast with oj!  Such fun and I always feel like I am breaking all the rules :-)  Such a rebel!  Upon arrival in Shenzhen you are kept busy with checkpoint after checkpoint requiring forms to be filled out and money to be paid, etc. etc.  FINALLY, you are through and Tess captured the spirit of the moment by saying, as we neared the HUGE complex where we shop, "I smell the smell of Free Enterprise at work!"  And at work it is.  I know I have written about Shenzhen before but it bears repeating - every sense is assaulted.  And this visit afforded a new experience - an attempted robbery occurred 10 feet from us as we 'sat' squatting on stools in one 'store' looking at their wares.  Oh my goodness, the shouting and  reaming and physical strong-arming that went on.  Not sure how it was resolved as I was trying not to stare!!  2 delightful friends of Tess', Cora and Terry, came along as well - it was a rich experience and I ate my first ever Peking Duck at lunch.  VERY rich and I only managed one piece.  And my little Blake wishes to sample the joys of Shenzhen again when we arrives so more fun awaits.

I have been a very well behaved girl today and stayed in all day - did not even go out and climb the 144 stairs to Tess' flat - my goal is to do that at least twice a day  ;-(  Not doing too well yet.  Trying to get this silly throat under control.  Tomorrow Charles arrives home and Tess and Charles have the joy of attending their church's AGM within minutes of Charles disembarking from his plane!

Many hugs to all from lovely HK,

M

xox

Editorial note: Nicky and shopping in the same post. Hmmm...

bits of this and bits of that with more to come

More from our guest blogger...

When I arrived in Hong Kong last Thursday evening I would have expected to see an airport ad reading - "WANTED: applicants for Disneyland and Superhero characters. Apply immediately." I emerged from the Immigration line and from collecting my bags and saw a large group of excited welcomers waiting in the Arrivals area - another plane in addition to mine had just arrived. Friends and family peered around, up and over the throng as they tried to spy their dear one's face.

As I turned the final corner and burst into the Arrivals I quickly picked out Tess holding Carys - we waved and beamed at one another. Big hugs as the others in the Caldwell clan joined us. I then took in what I was really looking at: the boys were dressed as Supermen and the girls were wearing their floating yellow Belle dresses (Beauty and the Beast) complete with "shiny black shoes" and white "fur" capes. It was a precious sight and a royal welcome :-)

As I mentioned in an earlier letter Lita and De had a MUCH DESERVED 5 day weekend off over Easter. Apart from their invaluableness we were very pleased for them to be able to relax, sleep in, visit friends and apparently on Monday they travelled to the island of Lamma for a BBQ. Mmmmmm. They are both well and much loved by this family.

You might recall I suggested we were going out to the ABC (Aberdeen Boat Club) for dinner on Saturday evening - minus JJ and Tess. (Picture above of the ABC view from near where e sat.) It turned out to be a pleasant time although Tess and Jasper were missed by the rest of us. After a play in the playground we sat on the terrace overlooking the busy Aberdeen harbour with its moored boats and junks. Behind it the famous Floating Restaurant lit up although it is not as spectacular as usual as most of it has been removed for refurbishing. Thoughts of Graeme floated through my head as he performed there as "Brenda" one evening during his sojourn in Hong Kong a few years ago. The wind was warm, the sky slowly darkened and the endless apartment lights came on as evening crept over the city.

Seb, the girls and I had dinner while Charles sipped water..... Charles was on the final hour of a 45 day fast. For Lent he gave up food and had faithfully been fasting for the entire 45 days. (Not a single morsel for 45 days other than two communions!) What an example to me of discipline and obedience. He did it for the Lord and when we arrived home and the children were in bed we prayed and he thanked God for his fasting experience and then had some hot chicken broth. :-)

We celebrated the joy of the next day at Union Church. It was a rich time of joy and thanksgiving and worship. The service was televised and it will have made good viewing as the choir sang beautifully of the Resurrection victory, the children's choir was a delight, a quintet movingly sang "Were You There?" and Pastor Greg spoke forcefully and challenged us to LIVE our beliefs, to get out there and be counted and not be insipid (my words).

And in closing for today I want to share with you one of my joys - each morning I waken to the sounds of the birds singing and calling from the trees. I do not know why I do not recall this vividly from previous visits but this time they are noticeable. Their calls are different from anything I am familiar with and I lay in bed and let their songs wash over me. What a pleasant way to start the day.

I send each of you my love,

Maureen xox

Easter Monday Madness

Today we have a guest blogger... Tess' mom, Maureen - otherwise known as Gorgeous Gran - is visiting for six weeks. This is her latest description of life with us in Hong Kong...

Today's post is also entitled, "And to think I used to believe in helpers having a day off!" Today - Easter Monday - after Charles left for work and then the airport to fly to the States, Tess and I prepared and took the foursome to Chung Hom Kok Beach. We took lunch, towels, water, lemon tea, suntan lotion, Jasper's emergency asthma bag, camera and a change of clothes for everyone. At approximately 10:30 AM we left with terribly excited children and hailed a taxi. In spite of Jasper walking straight into the taxi door as I loaded bags in the front seat we five had an enjoyable drive out towards Stanley to the  aforementioned beach.  There are 200 steps down to this beach and therefore, after doing the math, there are 200 steps back up at the end of a long, hot day with four tired children.... but I race ahead of myself. We truly had a grand day - the weather was perfect (in spite my hecking Weather Network yesterday and seeing a dismal forecast); the beach is the same one the triplets had their birthday party at - beautiful; the lure of sun and sand and ocean kept all six of us happy as clams. 

Interesting learning experience for Mo as she took triplet after triplet up to the bathroom and learned the joy of helping a three year old go 'poopers' or 'wee wee'  in a porcelain hole in the ground (at least it was porcelain). We left around 4-ish and at this point we were still enjoying life and all it had to offer.  We taxied home after praying for a one to appear after climbing the 200 steps and up a steep hill with me bringing up the rear with Jasper who doesn't exactly 'do' anything energetic with much speed.  We got home, Tess raced upstairs for her wallet and we then turned around and headed for a quick shop for groceries.  Note to self - NEVER EVER TAKE FOUR TIRED CHILDREN SHOPPING IN THE LATE AFTERNOON.  And it is here that I now take issue with the concept of helpers having a day off.... ever!  The grocery shopping trip was so awful that we needed not only Lita and De, who had had a much deserved five day weekend, but we could have used the absentee father of Seb, Jasper, Sela and Carys who thought it was more important to fulfill work obligations and fly to the States than go to Park ‘N Shop and be the third pair of hands and eyes!! 

Never believe that miracles are not still happening in our modern day.  We experienced them today - upon arrival at Park ‘N Shop it was assessed that I would take Seb and Sela to the playground across the street while Tess shopped with JJ and Carys.  Off we went in our two directions.  Suddenly, Tess arrived with her two and left Carys with me as Carys suddenly wanted to play.  Back she went with Jasper to shop.  Within 45 seconds both girls announced they needed to go 'wee wee'.  Dilemma for Mo - what to do with Seb... pressure for a decision as both girls are now clutching themselves due to the dire need to find relief in a bathroom.... leave Seb at playground and take off with the girls....... but!! Carys becomes a raving animal because 'Mama' is not the one taking her to the bathroom.  I finally fling the limp, screaming child onto my hip and clutch Sela's hand and we cross the street and enter PNS.  Can't find the bathroom; find Tess instead and deposit Sela with her and take the limp crying, snotty-nosed Carys with me and seek out an employee to show me where I might find a bathroom.  Finally, the bathroom visit is done. 

Carys will now stay with her mother, Sela wants to go back to the playground, JJ will stay with Tess.... I head to the door with Sela and bump straight into Seb .... That means he crossed the road by himself.... he now has to go to the bathroom..... back to the loo.... and at this point I suggest we all just stay in the store and get the *(&*^%#$#@@ shopping done!!  With only one cart at this point all four are not contained - it gets surreal as the triplets are crying at the tops of their voices..... Tess called a halt, we circled the wagons and prayed.  I got another cart and flung the two boys in and left Tess to handle the girls.  We met in the produce, someone bumped someone else and Sela (who has the loudest crying voice of the four) fell apart and started to wail while I held her and stood in line as Tess took the other three and nabbed the few last items.  A lady appears at our side to advise Tess that Seb had headed outdoors and crossed the road to the playground, Tess goes after him as the triplets and I began unloading groceries onto the moving belt.  As we bagged groceries I froze as JJ was now missing.

I found him OUTSIDE CRAWLING UNDER THE BARRIER OFF THE ROAD AND BACK ONTO THE SIDEWALK. Heart attack! Came back into the grocery store and helped Carys as we all headed outside to hail a cab.  Her attitude to her loving grandmother's helping hand was abysmal - and Mo HAD HAD ENOUGH!  I clipped her cute little back side and paid a big price! Carys proceeded to have a non-stop meltdown whilst wailing, "Mama, I need my Mama". White-knuckled I held onto the platinum blonde bombshell until a cab arrived, got the groceries in the cab with Tess using her foot to help JJ into the backseat - remember JJ rarely moves quickly and we now have an impatient bus right behind us, and we headed home with Carys still bellowing out "Mama, I need my Mama"..... I'll Mama you!!  Arrive back at home, vacate the cab when Carys now has phase two of her meltdown - complete battle of the wills so I take 3/4 of the Caldwell children upstairs with the groceries while Tess and Carys have a meeting of the minds in the carpark. 

Bath time with me "in charge" - I am drinking a Carlsberg by this point whilst washing children who are drenching me as their four little bods slip and slide in the tub. Dinner.  And Praise the Lord - bedtime.  The triplets were asleep within seconds of the light off, Tess has showered and disappeared to her bed and here I am tap tapping to you.  Tess and I reasoned that at the end of the day there had been no deaths and figured we had done pretty well! OH MY GOODNESS!!

I cease and desist - a little food and then to bed!

Blessings to all,

M   xox

Easter Egg Hunt

Today we have a guest blogger... Tess' mom, Maureen - otherwise known as Gorgeous Gran - is visiting for six weeks. This is her latest description of life with us in Hong Kong...

Today dawned with almost every child living in this complex excited with the prospect of THE Easter Egg Hunt at 10 AM in the playground.  And it was a great success - parents divided the assembled children into two age groups and on the word "Go" off they wildly raced to search out their treasures.  (Beforehand adults placed treats while others - top pic - held kids in waiting areas.)

My EVER competitive second daughter has already started plans for the Caldwell triplets to have pre-Easter Egg Hunt classes next year on "how to search faster and score more in the shortest amount of time." (Left, a scramble of kids in all different directions. Right, Carys checks over her shoulder while keeping her egg close to her out of harm's way.)

Jasper investigates a chocolate egg with delight... and perhaps a mischievous eye, too!)

Mothers had brought down coffee and muffins (some of which had been baked by Charles) for the adults and for two hours a joyous time was enjoyed by all. Gradually the kids started to fly higher and higher and tears started to flow more easily as the sugar/chocolate highs hit hard.  Tess periodically would ask, "Was this a good idea" and also mentioned, "I thought the sugar high wouldn't last quite so long!!".   Personally, I thought it was a great idea and had a really nice time  as I shot digital pic after digital pic of not only my grandchildren but others as well.  (Above, after just too much sugar, the Easter-treat laden bags were placed out of reach.)

I made only three extra trips upstairs to the flat for wee wees and poopers with various and sundry and victory was experienced by Team Caldwell as everyone had dry nickers and bobs.  Charles then slipped away with Sebbie to take him to a downtown fair (Seb on the Bouncy Castle Slide at left) and Tess and I fed the little ones and put them to bed to "nap". 

"Nap" is such a relative term - for the two naps I have been here for it has consisted of all three lying perfectly still in their beds, all cuddled down in their grow-bags, stuffed animals and dollies lined up beside them, drapes shut, kisses duly delivered by Mummy and Mo.  1.3 seconds after the door is closed the party begins.  And they have a BALL.  How do you go in and discipline when the trio are belting out Gospel songs at the tops of their voices as they jump, play, rearrange furniture, laugh and talk non-stop?

Tess and I reasoned that they were having a good time and that we were having a good time sitting on the couch sipping tea and listening to them. Still... the psychology of this "nap" time is fascinating - they NEVER fight.  If they were three feet across the hall in their playroom, in other words playing and not "napping", there would eventually be fights but none ever happen during "nap" time.  Tears periodically happen - as they are right now as someone got hurt in the melee - but not fighting.  Fascinating.

So yes, life is wonderful at 6A and I am so very happy to be here.

......alright, I hardly know how to say this...... there was a fight amongst the triplets DURING "nap" time.  My theory has just been shot down and Sela is now the not-so-proud bearer of a bite delivered by brother JJ.  When asked by his mother "Why did you bite her?" he answered, "Because she is Sela".  So there you are, folks - three year old rationale.  To tell you the truth, neither Tess nor I think the wound has come from a bite - it does not look like a bite - hmmm, the plot thickens.  And now Tess is trying to think of the appropriate discipline for the man of the hour - we are slated to go out for dinner tonight ..... JJ may miss out on this but unfortunately that means an adult will miss out too!

So dear family and friends, love to you all from "Team Caldwell's" home in humid and rather smoggy HK.

M   xox

Gorgeous Gran Guest Blogger

Today we have a guest blogger... Tess' mom, Maureen - otherwise known as Gorgeous Gran - is visiting for a month. This is her latest description of life with us in Hong Kong...

Carys got over her nasty run-in with ill health and after much sleep is back to herself.  Charles returned from Korea on Thursday evening which was so nice for Sebbie especially as he waited up for his dad and they cuddled and read a book together before bedtime.  Friday was, as you know, the day of The Showdown at the 6A Corral with Carys and after the little miss was in bed Tess and I quickly applied a layer of lipstick, took a flashlight and were off down the path heading towards the reservoir.  It was dark now and before leaving I removed my heels as the thought of tromping along that footpath with the gnarled roots, crumbling concrete blocks from which the path is comprised and unexpected dips ..... well, I did not think the combination was a good one!  We were off to Lucy and Ray's for dinner.  The orginal plan was that Ray was off with the boys for an evening out, Charles was at the office interviewing people for jobs, and we girls were going to enjoy an evening together.  We arrived at Lucy's only to find that Ray was home and I had the immense good fortune of meeting their new little.... no, not little, HUGE ..... new son, Max, who is 6 months old and a 100% Sumo wrestler!!  Gorgeous.  Tried to reach Charles, to no avail, but had a lovely visit and a gorgeous meal. 

Interestingly enough, the conversation turned to the Black Tie Dinner that Lucy is planning for Friday evening, March 3, to which I too have been invited.  You know the old saying, "I have NOTHING to wear!!"  Well, in this case it is soooo true.  Lo and behold Lucy insisted I try on some of her many dresses and we came up with a few winners!!  You will ALL be glad to know one skirt and top ensemble is in my colours!!  Needs to be taken in slightly but I think I may have an outfit for the big event.  How kind of her to be so generous with her gorgeous gowns.  As we walked home together I again enjoyed the walk immensely.  How different from Yellowknife, each fascinating in their own unique ways, one so cold, the other so pleasant - we were in light sweaters - the north where a tree works hard to make it and here where a tree springs up overnight almost.  There is an unusual feeling of safety here - have always felt it and I know Tess loves how incredibly safe she feels as she is often alone when out and about. 

Saturday was one party after another.  Seb and Charles went to the first birthday party in the late morning and arrived home just in time to attend the second one which took place on the playground of 122 Pokfulam.   Great food, great people and all in all most interesting as older kids roared around on bikes and skateboards while younger toddlers tottered about and narrowly missed getting pasted by the bigger ones!!!  We ate and chatted and as always I enjoyed listening to the variety of accents from old and young alike. 

***** As grandmother of these four children I must make a typical Maureen statement at this point!  In the pictures I sent recently the kids are dressed in whatever outfits of mismatched tops and bottoms.  They get so scruffed up on the playground that they wear only their rubby clothes there.  Just needed to clarify that   ;-)  NOT that I am AR or anything like that!

Charles is off to India on Tuesday.  Really too bad as it is because of some work emergency and was not regularily slated to happen.  Charles basically spends his life too tired to even sleep, ie:  Friday night he had approximately 1 1/2 hours of actual sleep - gross.  Right now, it is 9:37a.m. Sunday morning and Lita has just taken the foursome to the playground and T&C are still sleeping - Tess was up earlier but Charles has not shown up as yet which makes me suspect and hope that maybe they will both just sleep and get caught up a little and not worry about the 11a.m. service today at church. 

Lita chopped up a pineapple this morning - oh my, what is it about pineapples that makes them soooooooooo tasty!!

Last night we had a dinner party at 6A.  I loved how Charles helped Tess prepare - he is "Mr. Ambience" and was busy with candles.  The cutest set up was in 'my' bathroom which serves as the guest bathroom.  He ran a little water in the tub, placed a few Nemo's and friends in the water along with a couple of candles in holders.  The effect in the darkened bathroom was delightful.  He helped with setting the table, getting out the good china and glasses.  Lovely to see.  We all helped with the preparation of the food and at 7:30 with the kids in bed our guests arrived and I believe all enjoyed a most pleasant evening.  The sumptuous menu included Mo's h'ors d'houevres (sp) of crackers, jalapeno jelly and cream cheese with wine.  Lasagna, asparagus, salad and garlic french bread was the main course followed buy Mo's cream puffs!  Mmmmmmm.  Not all ingredients are necessarily available here so it is interesting how creative one becomes  :-)  All in all, we managed to find pretty well all the ingredients except chocolate sauce as we know it.  Sooo tired by the time I went to bed - it was a good day indeed. 

De is coming along - he is covered by bazillions of chicken pox, according to Lita, and has not been seen by any of us since he came down with the plague last week.  He should be at the non-catchy stage very soon.  As yet, the triplets have not shown any spots - cannot imagine it isn't going to happen soon-ish.

Alright my loves, a new day has dawned and I send you all a hug and know that I am praying for you all - M    xox