Life As We See It

May 30, 2009

This website has not been wanting to update recently so I apologize for the long space between updates. Plus we have been busy! I don’t get much time to actually do anything on the computer with two little ones around. I can read emails and look at stuff one handed but typing is a bit more difficult!

Last weekend we attended a friends wedding feast. It was really fun. The following morning we had a moving sale that went really well. Then that night was a farewell staff dinner at a cool Japanese restaurant. Then Sunday we had a family lunch (where I cried) and then Tim and I went out to celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary. Oh and then Monday night we had a dinner with Tim’s Chinese class at the huge Muslim restaurant. So we’ve been busy.

Things are going well though. We have sold or given away a lot of stuff. Reality is starting to sink in. This has been a difficult year for me but now that it is official that we are moving back to the States I am sad. I will really miss my family. This is the first time I have lived near my family and cousins and I love that Kaitlyn has such a great relationship with them.

I think one of the main reasons updating this site is taking so long is due to the amount of photo’s I have on here. So to relieve that you can click HERE and see what all we have been up to in the month of May.

May 14, 2009

The other day I was out walking with the girls and I was told that Kyra looked like a boy. The person telling me this said it as if it were quite the compliment. Apparently in Kunming if your girl looks like a boy it means that your next child will be a boy. Which is what most Chinese want. I just smiled. To me Kyra is looking more and more like Kaitlyn. I know that we are blessed with two gorgeous daughters. I don’t know what we are going to do when they start getting interested in boys!

We have plane tickets - we are flying to Portland, OR on June 29th. Now I am sorting through everything in our home. Diving things into keep, maybe, and give away. Thankfully we haven’t accumulated too much in the year we’ve been here so I think packing will go fairly smoothly.

May 9, 2009

As most of you have read in our newsletter, we are moving in another direction for next year as Tim will step down from working at KIA as the Business Manager. He will be working full-time with our company NeedsMet, which we started over four years ago. The main focus of the business is to help churches better serve their community through internet applications.

At first, we thought that we would be able to continue living in China, but after some analysis and wise counsel we realized that moving back to the US would be the best decision. We did not think that our time in Asia would only be one year but we clearly feel Father's leading. We are not sure where we will be living but have these three areas in mind- Elgin, IL, Spokane, WA, or Portland, OR.

Please lift us up as this transition means needing to find a home, a church, new friends, etc...

We will keep you up to date via email and our website in the coming months.

We really appreciate you lifting us up as we begin another adventure in serving Him!

April 30, 2009

We were able to skype with our home fellowship - CITW last Sunday! It was really cool to be able to be apart of that group again. . Although now I really miss the people and the fellowship. We were so blessed to be able to attend there as long as we did. It is very true that you don’t realize how good something is until it’s gone. So everyone at CITW realize how blessed you are and let Patrick & Tami and the rest of the staff know it!

KIA had a beautiful baby shower for me this week. Lots of people came and we were blessed with gifts and red envelopes! Here are some pictures from that and some more of the girls.

April 25, 2009

We are home! We flew from Chiang Mai on Tuesday, the 21st; had a short layover in Bangkok and then flew on to Kunming. Both of the girls were great on the flight.

Leaving Juniper Tree

Kyra in the bassinet on the flight

Kaitlyn has told me several times that she is happy to be home. She has gotten reacquainted with all her toys and books. She also got a big girl bed! It really is a big bed. The school provides the furniture for our apartment so we told Curt that we needed a bed for Kaitlyn since we needed her crib for Kyra and they brought us this huge bed! Kaitlyn loves it though and we don’t really have to worry about her rolling off. She was so excited when the bed arrived and she has slept great in it for both naps and bedtime.

Tim started back to work Wednesday and he is very happy for the weekend. There are a few months left of school and he is going to be very busy as he is in charge of moving the school. He also has his management class keeping him busy.

It is really great to be back at our home. I was gone so long that I had to stop and think about where things were kept in the house!

I will miss some things about Chiang Mai...

the great variety of restaurants

having a car

the amazing western style supermarkets

people smiling and saying hi instead of staring

the laundry service at Juniper Tree

our friends at Juniper Tree

the swimming pool and playground areas

the malls

the cool shops and the Night Market

fruit smoothies

the $1.50 foot/head/shoulder massage

the chiropractor

the lack of cigarette smoke

I will not miss...

the heat

the mosquito’s

the ants

living out of one room

Kyra’s first Thai massage

Kaitlyn’s first time playing with play-doh.

April 15, 2009

Tim and Kaitlyn were golfing this morning.

Here is my new favorite picture of the girls.

One thing I forgot to mention about the hospital is a question the nurses asked me - “Do you go poo poo, pee pee?” I tried really hard not to laugh.

Today is the last day of the Songkarn festival so it also marks our last day of hiding out. Hopefully all the water splashing will be over after today. Tomorrow we call to see if the passports are back. Pray they are! Our flights are booked for Tuesday and we are REALLY ready to get back to our apartment in Kunming.

April 12, 2009 ~ Happy Easter!

We hope that you have a truly joyful Easter as you celebrate the reason for what we believe!

Here are the girls on Easter morning.

April 10, 2009

We are still in Chiang Mai, waiting for Kyra’s passport to come from the States. After we get her passport we then have to get her Chinese visa. We have our flights booked for April 21st to fly back to Kunming but that is cutting it close with getting the passport back. The reason is because April 13-15 is the Thai New Year. Did you know that we are in the year 2552? That’s the date on Kyra’s birth certificate!!

The Thai New Year, called Songkram, is celebrated by throwing water...it is to cleanse them of sin and also symbolizes having enough water for the crops for the new year. Apparently it gets really crazy. They will even open your car doors and throw water in your car! We’ve been warned not to go out at all from Sunday to Wednesday unless we want to get soaked.

It has been interesting being in Thailand. Their main religion is Buddhism and there are temples and statues everywhere. You often see people giving merit (bowing/praying/offering incense) to the statues. It is nice to be in a culture where people look at you and smile and say hello rather than just staring at you like you’re a zoo animal. The Thai people are very friendly. It is also nice to be in an area where there are nice department stores and grocery stores and lots of good western food! I think going back to Kunming will be difficult in that regard.

April 6, 2009

Kaitlyn got her own baby to take care of...

...but she still wants to take care of Kyra. Every time she comes in the room she says “What Kyra doing? She drinking mommies milk? I want to kiss her. I want to kiss her little hand!” She is a great big sister!

April 4, 2009

Kyra is one week old! This week has seemed to take forever but now that it’s over it seems like I was just in the hospital yesterday. We only stayed in the hospital one night. The doctor came in the next morning to see how I was doing. He said I was a good mother and that I could go home! He never checked my stitches or felt my abdomen or anything. I was surprised but we left the hospital. This picture is us arriving back at Juniper Tree.

Kaitlyn has been adjusting pretty well to being a big sister. I think she is getting more spoiled because she has had Nana and Papa’s undivided attention. She has been very emotional and has basically leeched herself to Tim several times a day. She really doesn’t want too much to do with me at times but she loves to kiss Kyra and she always wants to help. Kaitlyn is still enjoying being at Juniper Tree with all the play areas and the new friends she has made. My mom also took her to a play place with slides and ball pit. She loved it.

This week has been pretty rough for me. I got an infection so I have had fever, chills, etc. I started antibiotics yesterday and Kyra is nursing better so we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It did seriously make me consider adoption for the future instead of anymore births! I am doing better ‘cause I was able to sleep more last night. I still have a fever and some pain but the chills are gone.

Kyra is doing great. She is growing and kicking and is so strong. She holds her head up really well. We put her on her tummy and she started trying to crawl! She is really alert and will follow objects. If she hears a noise nearby she’ll turn her head to see what it is.

Having my parents here has been invaluable. I can’t imagine doing this without them here, especially since I got sick. I know Tim would have gone crazy without their help. Kaitlyn has been sleeping in their room, they’ve been taking her to eat and swimming and they’ve been taking care of Kyra too. Cup feeding her when I couldn’t nurse and calming her and taking care of her so I could sleep. They are a HUGE blessing.

By the way, we are NOT going to have all of our children’s names start with K, it has just happened that way, we didn’t plan it. We chose Kyra ‘cause we liked the sound and the meaning. It means Lady and/or Light. We chose Dawn for her middle name because that is Tim’s mom’s middle name.

March 27, 2009

NEW BABY- Kyra (Keer-ah) Dawn Krauss

Kyra (Keer-ah) Krauss was born 1:16pm at Chiangmai Ram Hospital. It's a GIRL! She is 9lbs 5oz and 21 inches (big baby girl).

Marianne went into labor in the morning, labored at Juniper Tree for several hours then everything decided to jump into high gear. We barely made it to the hospital! We entered the hospital at 1:11pm and she was born five minutes later. The nurse had to deliver the head and then the doctor just made it to deliver the body.

It truly was a Supernatural Childbirth and we praise the Lord for it!

Yummy Fingers and yes the Mohawk is back!

Kyra says Hallelujah!

March 22, 2009

So.... we are still waiting but the baby is coming soon. We are all ready to see the new little bundle of joy. The time in Thailand has been good for our family. We have been playing, swimming, napping, reading and resting before the new baby arrives. It is good to stop and spend quality time with family. I highly recommend an extended time off, as it helps you to unwind and realign your focus.

We went on a picnic today in the Botanical Gardens in the NW mountains of Chiang Mai (see pictures below). Really pretty.

Tim

March 12, 2009

I think we’re cute. :) This is from our date night - we were walking around the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

All together again! Tim’s arrival in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Kaitlyn didn’t let go of him all night!

March 2, 2009

Happy Texas Independence day! :)

Tim asked me to add this to the website ~ exciting news! We and all of heaven are rejoicing!

“Last week, I found out that a new student in our school has joined the family! Several staff members and students talked to Sabrina and she gave her life to the Father. I was very excited to hear about this and hear that we are making an eternal difference at the international school. Making this decision can cause family problems, but she called her mom and told her the whole thing. Her mom didn't seem mad but was open to it. Please join us in lifting her family up as this one teenage girl could change her whole family.”

March 1, 2009

I have a little devotional book called God Calling that I read sometimes and the other day it talked about sharing and giving. I know the importance of giving and I know the verses about it but I still find myself having a hard time.

Many times I think that I need to keep what I have for myself because Father has given it to Me. But why did He give it to me? To bless others, not to keep for myself. This refers to everything from clothes to food to money to even a flower. Several times I have even justified myself by thinking - Father has given this to me so I need to be a good steward and use it for myself, or better yet, for my family. “I can’t give that toy to that child - what if Kaitlyn decides next week that it’s her favorite?”

Kaitlyn and Tim have helped me a lot in this area. When we were in Bali Tim bought Kaitlyn a set of toy animals. Lions, zebras, hippos, etc. Kaitlyn really had fun playing with them - especially the giraffe and hippo. We befriended a guy named Leo and he had a son who was two. Kaitlyn got to play briefly with him one day and Tim suggested she give one of her animals to Leo’s son. So the next day Tim and Kaitlyn were picking out which animal to give to Leo’s son. I immediately felt myself get defensive. “What if Kaitlyn doesn’t understand and really wants her toys back after they’re gone?” “Why would Tim even suggest she give her NEW toys away?” I certainly wasn’t being Christ-like. I tried to pretend that I felt it was a good idea even though I was thinking the opposite inside. I told Kaitlyn that when she gave them to Leo’s son then they would be his toys - not hers anymore. She said okay and picked out two to give to Leo for his son. She and Tim went out and came back a few minutes later. Kaitlyn had decided she wanted to give the giraffe to Leo’s son too. Once again I sat her down and said, “Are you sure you want to give your giraffe to Leo’s son? When you give it to him it will be his toy and you won’t have it to play with anymore.” She said “okay” and trotted outside to give it to Leo. She only asked about the toy once the next day and I said “Remember, you gave it to Leo’s son.” She remembered and never asked for it again.

I certainly need to learn to give like that. Not just to give but to give and share even my new and favorite things. Knowing that my Father is going to take care of me as He is able to use me to bless others. “...I shall not want.”

February 27, 2009

I was just trying to catch up on some news and I found some interesting things. There were numerous stories about the economic crisis but also one of the top stories but about how a comic book is being auctioned for 6 digits! It will probably end up at over 127,000. Glad to see not everyone is being adversely affected by the economy. I’m also sad to say that I missed out on the application for the “best job in the world” of babysitting an Australian island. Would’ve been fun.

We have been in Chiang Mai for over a week already! I am very happy to say that I feel like it has gone by quickly. I still haven’t completely decided on a doctor or hospital but I have met with my top two picks and have toured two hospitals. We have moved out the the Juniper Tree - our home away from home - but we will be changing rooms on Monday. So we have one more “move” before we can really settle in. The Juniper Tree has worked out perfectly for Kaitlyn. They have a pool with a kiddie pool and playground equipment as well as a little indoor play area with toys, books, and a slide. My favorite part about it is that they do laundry and meals!

Yesterday we went to a butterfly and orchid farm. Here are some pictures from that trip.

February 22, 2009

Time apart...

I am so thankful that we had time together on vacation because now we are apart for three weeks! Kaitlyn and I are in Chiang Mai, Thailand waiting for the baby to come. My parents are here too which is great. Tim is planning on coming a week before the baby is due - I hope we got the timing right!

Now I have the tasks of finding a doctor and a hospital and preparing for the baby. I realize I’ve forgotten a lot from the Bradley classes so I have some reading to do!

I toured one hospital today. I liked the postpartum rooms but not the labor/delivery room. I think it’s a bit more important that I like the labor/delivery rooms because that’s where all the action is so I’m definitely going to check out the other two hospitals. I’m a bit concerned though because the one I toured today is the one most recommended. They certainly don’t compare to where I gave birth to Kaitlyn, or probably most American hospitals, but I guess they are better than Kunming hospitals.

I am really really tired and Kaitlyn has allergy stuff so I think everything seems worse. Hopefully in a few days we’ll be adjusted to this new place and things will look brighter.

February 15, 2009

With the economic crisis that has hit the US and the World, all of us tend to wonder what will happen next? Will I lose my job? Will my company go bankrupt over night? Can we still keep our house?

A possible answer is times like this- Lets Move Overseas

Think about the advantages of selling all you own and coming to live in a foreign land like China:

1) You don't have the worry and stress of keeping your mortgage afloat or car payments to manage

2) You don't have to live paycheck to paycheck hoping that you can buy gas sometime before the car stops

3) Cost of living in China is about 1/4th of the cost of living in Chicago

4) You get to explore new opportunities like starting your own business or teaching english to random people

5) You don't have to drive ever again, no long commutes on I-90

6) Minister the Love of the Father to people that don't know Him

7) Don't have to be involved in politics because it is a communist country so there is only one way

8) You can afford to hire someone to clean your house, wash your clothes, and cook for you

Now we don't want to paint a perfect picture here because it isn't. There are many challenges and difficulties that are involved in living as a foreigner and many of them aren't money related. I also want to mention that moving overseas is not as permanent a deal as most people think. You can always move back.

So pack up- Have a few garage sales- and move over for 1 or 2 years.

See what God does.

Let us know your flight info, we will see you soon.

Tim

February 13, 2009

We arrived back from vacation yesterday. We had a great time but unfortunately we all came back with some issue - Tim got pink eye on the flight, I have a bruised rib, and Kaitlyn had a swollen mosquito bite! We are healing up and should be fine in no time. Speaking of no time that is practically what I have before I leave for Thailand to have the baby. I feel enormous! I am planning on leaving on Thursday but I will take the laptop with me so I will still be able to update this site.

We went to Bali for our vacation. It was a place that we always wanted to go. When I lived in Hong Kong they used to always show commercials about vacationing in Bali. I dreamed it would be my honeymoon destination but I would say that six years later isn’t bad. :) Although we didn’t stay at the Four Seasons! We stayed on the north side of Bali at a nice little B&B type place run by expats right on the black sand beach. It also had a little pool which was great because the sea was too choppy to swim in.

We spent most of our time napping, swimming, and seeing animals. We saw sea turtles, monkeys, fish, and Tim saw a pygmy sea horse when he was scuba diving. We also had fruit juice smoothies every day and really enjoyed being together. Since Kaitlyn and I will be separated from Tim for almost a month it was really important that we have this time together now.

January 29, 2009

Today we are officially on vacation! I won’t be able to update the website while we’re gone so check back in two weeks! :)

January 25, 2009

Tomorrow is Chinese New Year and tonight the sky is on fire with fireworks! It really is quite crazy and does feel like a war zone.

Last night we attended our first banquet in China. We were invited by a young man that my brother tutors. It was his family, two families they are friends with, and then my family. It was very very nice; although Tim decided to try to appease the host and drink “bai jiu”, which translated means white lightening! I think it’s like drinking straight alcohol, he said it burned. Our host and his two friends drank quite a bit of it and then insisted on driving us home. PTL for angels!

The lobster was really good - Kaitlyn liked it too. All the flowers and little dolls and statue are the centerpiece. The statue in the middle is a famous statue in Kunming. The real one is large and was found in the 70’s in a lake near Kunming. During the flood a town got buried as well as the statue. It is believed to be 4,000 years old! It is of a water buffalo protecting its child from a tiger attack. You can’t see it in this picture but there is a baby buffalo under the bigger one and there is a tiger attacking the back of the buffalo. I thought it was interesting that they told us it was buried during the flood.

In China they give “lai see” (little red envelopes filled with money) to children and young adults on Chinese New Year. This is Kaitlyn raking it in from the women at the banquet. Kaitlyn was a good sport about saying “xie xie” (thank you) and giving everyone high fives. They loved her.

They went around the table several times toasting the New Year and all loved to toast Kaitlyn because she would say “cheers!” with her sippy cup and then take a drink. :)

This is Dave with his student, Thomas. Thomas is hoping to get into MIT to study engineering.

January 21, 2009

These are Kaitlyn’s must haves when sleeping - bink, purple bink, purple bear, and her elephant which she calls Gussy but when asked says his name is Sam. :)

January 20, 2009

Everyone is gearing up for Chinese New Year. The schools are already out and we see fireworks everynight. I know the fireworks are going to be absolutely crazy on the actual night. Kaitlyn loves to go back and forth between her bedroom window and the living room window to try to see fireworks. It’s become a nightly occurrence. Also, every time I go out there are loads of people with luggage traveling home for the holidays. Buses are packed and it can be really difficult to get a taxi. Last friday Kaitlyn and I went to see Tim at work and we ended up walking for over five blocks because we couldn’t get on a bus and there were no available taxi’s!

In case I forget later - Happy Year of the Ox! :)

January 15, 2009

I’ve been realizing some things this year.

First - you can be in Father’s will and not feel that you are doing much. That has been one of the more difficult realizations for me. I know that I am where Father wants me/needs me. And I also know that I don’t feel that I am accomplishing much, especially for the kingdom. I am encouraged though by that song “Thank you for Giving to the Lord” because maybe when I get to heaven I will be able to see the lives I have touched during this time here.

Second - you can be in Father’s will and not be happy or feel content. This one shocked me when I realized that I truly am in Fathers perfect will and I am not perfectly happy. The reality of this is that this isn’t Father’s perfect world and I am not a perfect being. It is all a work in progress and as long as I am where He needs me to be and I am letting Him work in as well as through me - then one day that perfection will arrive.

Third - you don’t have to have a plan. I love schedules and order but having a husband like Tim and a toddler and living in a country where you never really know what the day will bring causes you to realize that plans don’t always work out. And that that is OKAY :)

There are others but I think that’s enough for now...feel free to email me your thoughts - mari_80@yahoo.com.

January 14, 2009

I have to brag on my genius daughter for a bit. She won’t be two for a few more days, so technically she is still just one. At one year old she can: sing Amazing Grace and Jesus, Jesus How I love Thee; she can sing and sign Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little children, Oh How I Love Jesus, and the alphabet song; she can count to 20 in Chinese and English; she can speak about 30 words in Chinese and too many in English to count; she knows too many words in sign to count; she can finish every sentence in just about every book we read together (she probably knows all of them I just haven’t tried it with all of them yet!); she can jump, dance, dress/undress herself, clean things up, straighten things without being told, prays in sentences, and is content to play on her own when I’m busy. She truly is a blessing!!

January 13, 2009

I’ve decided that I really do need a camera phone. I never remember to take the camera with me but I always see something that I want to take a picture of when I go out. Also, all the pictures I have are of Kaitlyn in the house! I know you all like seeing Kaitlyn but I am sure you’d enjoy seeing a bit of China and what we do. I just have to convince my husband and find some money. :) But in the meantime here are some pictures I have stolen from other friends sites. Some of the things I have wanted to take pictures of include a girl riding on the back of her boyfriend’s bike - standing up, a baby sound asleep and 1/2 falling out of the traditional Chinese baby carrier strapped to his mothers back, a bike piled high with styrofoam - three times as high as the guy peddling it!

Here is the link to the KIA website. Tim has completely redone the site for the school and it looks great.

back alleyway

Excellent English translation - “ Choiceness raw material Produced meticulous”

Traffic at a flooded intersection.

January 9, 2009

Happy 1/2 Birthday to Us! :)

We are officially into the busy part of the year. I know the spring is going to fly by. We had a wonderful Christmas and New Years. We had a great time surprising my Mom for her 60th with the whole family going out to MiLe, a city three hours from Kunming with a hot springs resort.

Now I am wrapping up my teaching. I have four more classes before school is out for Chinese New Year and then I will not be returning to teaching as it will almost be time for me to go to Thailand to have the baby! I have really enjoyed my class and I know that they have learned at least a little bit of English and we’ve had a lot of fun. I know I have learned more Chinese! I am happy that I have been able to bless them these last few months.

Tim and the school are adjusting to an interim director as the previous director left right before Christmas. It has been a good transition but change is never easy.

Here are a few pictures from our MiLe trip.