China Girls Reunite...with a few additions

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Some of you who will read this knew me during this time...and received my CRAZY play by play emails of what we were up to on the other side of the world! So, this will bring back some memories. By the way, we had NO digital camera for this trip, so I just took pictures of pictures since I have no scanner..haha!

In January 2002, Kim, Shawn and I packed our bags and headed to Beijing, China to teach English. We were going to be gone for six months and were not sure what adventures we would encounter. Needless to say, we had many!! I have many emails that my mom printed out that I need to go through and share some stories with you all. They are hilarious!!!All I can say, is thank goodness we had each other. We were stuck together like glue for six months...that is until Shawn lost a form that she needed to get out of the country and Kim and I had to leave her in China for an extra day. Of course, Kim and I were squawling like big babies in the Beijing airport...drama queens even back then! But, Shawn was the one who said that she would not stay a day more than six months in that country...well, she ended up staying six months and one day! Be careful what you say!! On January 28, it will have been six years (wow!) since we boarded that flight..China bound...not knowing what would lie ahead for those six months or for our lives.

( This picture was taken right after we got home)

Where we are now...

When our plane hit American soil on July 28, 2002 our lives began to go in different directions. The time overseas definitely changed us, but we were glad to be home and excited to see what God had in store for our lives...and boy did He have some cool plans! Kim and I don't get to see Shawn very often, but the bond that the three of us share cannot be duplicated. We have been through and seen things that most friends don't get to experience together.

Kim brought back a 26 (or so) year old souvenir named Jacob. They are married and have the most precious 3 year old son named Joseph. They live here and Kim teaches Kindergarten.

Shawn married Konrad, who is a doctor. They live in Oregon where she is currently in nursing school. They had their first bundle of joy in August...Luke...who is absolutely precious. Kim and I met him for the first time today.

And me...well, I'm still waiting for Mr. Right, and have no kids, except for the 23 fifth graders that God has entrusted to me this year. I am hoping for the next phase of life to begin soon, but I am blessed, content and love to give hugs and kisses to all of my friend's babies.

Here we are now...with some new additions...I am holding the stuffed alligator cause I just couldn't be left out...haha!

I get sad when I see pictures of our trip, but all of the memories make me so happy! It was an experience of a lifetime, and who better to share it with than your friends. We have changed, and life goes on, but we will always be "The China Dolls!" I love you Kim and Shawn!!! Zai Jian (Byeeee) Oh, by the way...If all goes as planned I will be heading back to Beijing in July for about 3 weeks during the 2008 Summer Olympics...woohoo!!!