Headed Home

As many of you know, a few weeks ago we found out that Scott is moving to a new position in the company, which will take us back to Dallas. While Scott will start his new job in Dallas soon, Annie and the girls will remain in Shanghai until the end of the school year.

Although we are excited to get back to the country that is home to On the Border and Outback Steakhouse, we are really going to miss China. We had no idea when we decided over two years ago to take this assignment that we would find a home away from home like no other. When we think back we could never have imagined:

• That we would get used to the smell of fish.
• That Juliet would learn about economics in first grade.
• That we could become so close to Xue Feng and Mr. Chen despite effectively communicating with hand signals and about 25 Chinese words.
• That we would meet lifelong friends who we will always keep in touch with.
• That one human being can balance a couch and a refrigerator on the back of a bicycle.
• That Annie would not learn how to use chopsticks ("ya'll got a fork in this joint?").
• That Scott's digestive system would "have issues" on days he doesn't eat rice.
• That two beautiful Chinese girls would make our lives more complete.

We'll continue to keep you updated on our plans and preparations and for now, "Chopstixchronicles" will not end...even once we are all settled back in Texas. It seems many of you think our girls and daily happenings are funny, so at least for a while, we'll try to keep you entertained.

We can't say too much about it here, but for those of you who have asked, we will be going home as a family of four. And hopefully in the next year or so, Annie and Scott will return to China to once again officially add to our brood.

Please keep the children in your prayers over the next several weeks. Scott will return to Dallas on the 23rd and for those of you that know our family well, you know Annie hasn't seen the inside of an oven for eight or nine years. Pray the children can survive on EasyMac and PB&J until May.