We are the Webels and this is our blog

How’s this for a fast update…

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:07:48 -0600

Hi. I realize that I am about 3 months behind in my blogging. I realize that according to the blog our family never had Thanksgiving or Christmas. I also realize that major life events have happened which haven’t been shared.
So I will give a quick update so I can continue blogging our lives, and will get back to the past stuff when time allows… so don’t just read the most recent post, but look around and see if there is anything new.
Here we go:
1. We did have Thanksgiving. With turkey. And Christmas was not in China, but in America.
2. We set up our Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving. They were taken down by friends the middle of December.
3. We had planned on going to America for our stateside in August. We flew to America on Dec. 21st with one week notice. Right now we think we will be here until November.
4. We are expecting baby #5. There are complications. I will share more about that later.
5. The kids got enrolled in swimming lessons 10 minutes after we got to America and are doing great. Except that Nate likes to let go of the side of the pool and see if he can still grab on to the side. Sometimes he can’t. There is now a lifeguard planted firmly in front of Nate to save his life on multiple occasions each lesson. See why my kids need lessons. They will stay in swimming lessons until they are certified lifeguards.
6. The kids think that America has an overabundance of grass and that Texas is SOOO big.
7. With our unexpected return to America there were a lot of unknowns… but we have been simply blown away by the way the Lord and the Body of Christ has taken care of our every need. And our family is simply amazing too!
8. I will do my best to stay up to date and get caught up soon!
9. Blessings to y’all!

Christmas Day 2011

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:56:59 -0600

Our Christmas morning started off slowly… with kids up during the night with jet lag, it is hard to get going in the morning!
We started by reading the Christmas story, and then Elizabeth read it from the Jesus Storybook Bible. (We got the electronic version so it could go with us wherever we go).  

We were expecting to not open many presents, as we had already opened presents from family. Our first morning in America, I headed to Wal-Mart at 6am (I was awake… why not. There are no weirdos at Wal-Mart at 6am in case you are wondering. There is just no one) and got a few small gifts for the kids to have something to open ON Christmas morning. It is kind of fun shopping in America.
What I didn’t know was that family from around the US had Fed Exed Christmas presents to the kids. They had lots of gifts to open Christmas morning. It was a fun morning for them.

And I got some new pajamas. I love new pajamas!
Even Hope enjoyed opening her new gifts!!

After present time we headed to some friends house. Russ and Sue have a big family and we have known them for years. Not to mention he is our pastor. The kids had a great time playing with the other kids there and managed to stay away all afternoon and all the way home!
 

 

 

Jet lag attacks

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:39:53 -0600

Our trip from Hong Kong to China was extremely stressful... probably up there with the most stress I have ever felt, so there was no picture taking going on. Our flights from Hong Kong to Tokyo and Tokyo to Dallas were wonderful. The kids did amazing, and slept a large portion of the long flight. Steve and I were so thankful for the prayers that went up on our behalf. We know of people who were tag-team praying our entire flight. We are so thankful that everything went so smooth.
Because the kids slept so great on the flight... going to bed that first night was tough. They fell asleep quickly enough, but were up around 2am. And never did go back to sleep. Steve was up watching silly you tube videos with them on their bedroom floor. Hope's first night was okay - up a few times but always quickly went back to sleep.
That first day our goal was to keep them awake... no napping, but that was not to happen.
They went for a morning walk with Nana to deliver some Christmas gifts to the neighbors.
 

Even Hope got to come out for a few minutes of fabulous sun!
 

I had them outside raking leaves, but Nate lasted outside for only 4 minutes before he went inside to 'go to the bathroom' and I found him passed out on the couch. Anna lasted longer and then went inside and fell asleep on the end of the chair. Causing the chair to fall forward. It was hilarious.
 

*Side note* while we were outside, our neighbors across the street heard the kids and came over to say hi. Their granddaughter, who is a few months younger than Nate, was with them for the day, and was so excited to play with the kids. It made my heart warm and remember the days when her momma would hear me and my brothers outside playing and come over to play!
 

Anyway - our days continued on like that. Steve and I doing everything we could to keep the kids busy, and active all day long and keep them from napping, and then eventually falling asleep some random place around the house and then waking up at 3-4am... and Steve watching them, so I could try to work on Hope's sleeping schedule.
Christmas Eve service found Anna snoring/drooling on my lap (it wasn't you Pastor Russ)... and our usual Christmas Eve traditions were put on hold this year to accommodate sleeply children, and a sick mom. (Morning sickness has been found in the form of dizziness for me).
Nate was the first of the 4 kiddos to sleep through the night. Then Anna made it... 2 out of 4 had Steve and I thrilled! Elizabeth came a few nights later... she requires less sleep than the others and once she wakes up she has a really hard time going back to sleep. When she does wake up she feels the need to talk - and make up for the time she was sleeping and not talking.
Finally Hope made it sleeping through the night again. But only for one night. It was just a fluke thing I think. She has not yet gotten back on her normal sleep schedule of 10-13 hrs a night. She wakes up anytime between 4-7am. We are hoping that when she starts solids it will help her tummy make it through the night again!
So yea, the jet lag was tough this go round, but otherwise the kids have done fabulous adjusting to our trip to America. We usually plan and plan for a trip to the US. We talk to the kids about what they will experience and what to expect, we get them excited and do a good job saying goodbye to friends in China. This time they came with no warning. They came to Hong Kong to be with Hope and I, and at that point we had no idea that they would not go back into China. We left only a few days later!
They have loved the grass, the time with family, the food, the big-ness of Texas. But they also make comments like, I miss this stuffed animal, or this friend... Anna misses her teacher and school... and when we return she will be too old for her preschool and I feel so bad for her.
So overall it has been good... now that Steve and I are caught back up on sleep!

Webel Family Christmas Picture

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 19:36:52 -0600

We usually like to go and get some fun Christmas pictures taken, but this year we used my parents front yard and a tripod!
Because the kids were still quite jet lagged, they weren’t in the mood to go stand outside for a picture. Bribery was needed.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Merry Christmas

Our 2nd Christmas

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:50:28 -0600

We celebrated Christmas 3 times. I had no idea there would be so much celebrating this year!
Our first Christmas was with Steve’s parents the first of December.
Our second Christmas was to be at our home in China… my parents had already sent presents with a visitor we had, and it was going to be simple and small.
Instead, when Steve left China with the kids, we suspected that we wouldn’t be back in China for Christmas, so we packed up the presents from family and brought them to Hong Kong with us so the kids could open them if we were still in Hong Kong on Christmas Day. We ended up bringing those presents, still all wrapped, all the way back to America. And the kids were able to open with my parents there to see!
My family had was not in town for Christmas. They had booked tickets to California many months before we knew we would be in America, and they were to spend Christmas with my grandma and aunt. We all agreed they needed to go anyway… as our family kind of needed the down time to recover from the last month.
So on December 22nd we had an early Christmas with my parents.
We sang Christmas songs together and opened presents.
The kids got a new camera from my parents and they were elated. Anna had one of our old old cameras that ate batteries – literally. And Elizabeth’s old camera was falling apart. This was Nate’s first camera and he was so thrilled as he loves to take pictures!
 
 
 
 
 
Nate got a container of popcorn. He thought he was cool stuff!

Elizabeth got her own tape dispenser and extra rolls of tape. It was the number 1 thing on her Christmas wise list!

It was a fun time together, except that the kids were dragging and completely exhausted!! Memories right?!!

Family photos 2011

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:22:04 -0600

While Grandma and Grandpa were here I really wanted to get a family picture taken. I wanted the kids to have a really great picture with Gma & Gpa to remember their time here, and I also knew that having them here would be 4 extra hands to help with my 4 kids while getting everyone to smile. I welcome help!
I called a local photographer and he came to help shoot the pictures. I appreciate him because he will let Steve and I look at the back of his camera and tell him what to do. He will also offer us his suggestions which I appreciate because sometimes it's all I can do to make sure my kids are looking in the general direction of the camera and not picking their noses at an inopportune time.
Overall I was happy with the pictures. I wasn't crazy about the pictures of the 6 of us, but the other ones turned out pretty cute!
Enjoy! 

Hope’s Bumbo

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:50:05 -0600

The bumbo is a funny thing. I had seen pictures of kids sitting in them and laughed at how adorable and funny the little legs looked sticking out. I thought they were so funny that when we were in America after Nate was born, I saw an open one at Wal-Mart and stuck Nate in it, and took his picture just because it made me smile. But buying one? Not something I ever thought necessary enough to spend money on. If I was living in America and could get one second hand, then maybe. But the ones I had seen in Hong Kong were quite pricey.
And all 3 big kids survived just fine without the bumbo. And then came Hope. I started to fear that perhaps Hope would NOT survive just fine without one. Perhaps she truly NEEDED one of these funny seats. Anytime the girls is laying down she strains her neck trying to sit up. I was convinced she was going to hurt herself in her desire to see all. I can understand it. When you have 3 older siblings running around you, you have to be alert, and aware so you are ready for anything. And when she was laying flat on her back, she felt her defenses were down.
So I wrote a few friends asking if they knew a good way to get one. And a really super resourceful friend wrote back saying she had a friend who was finished with theirs and I could have it. And it was free. And it arrived 3 days later. And we immediately put it to use.

Awesome.

Hope is happy. Mom is happy.
And the big kids are happy! 

And then, the moment comes when she is done. Done sitting, done entertaining, and ready for snuggling. Until next time. 

Nate’s 4th Birthday day

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 06:30:34 -0600

Nate woke up the morning of his birthday to me putting a camera in his face. Nice right? I just love the first picture of the morning!
For awhile the tradition was for Steve and I to fill the kids rooms with balloons while they were sleeping... but we ran out of America balloons, and the balloons we can buy here will randomly just pop. It freaks me out. So, no balloons in the room or they might pop and what a terrifying way to wake up that would be. Who would do that to a birthday kid?

I can't believe my boy is 4. He is really great... this boy of mine.  And at 4 he still loves to hug on his daddy.  And is patient enough to welcome hugs from his sisters. If they make it fast.
Our day started with Nate's breakfast of choice. Muffins and bananas. I offered him ANYTHING. I told him we could have pancakes, french toast, bacon & eggs, doughnuts. I was going to make anything my little boy wanted for breakfast. And he wanted muffins and bananas. Okay then!
Elizabeth made Nate a "Birthday King Crown". She is so thoughtful like that!  And I showed Nate his birthday signs. One larger than life buzz lightyear and another smaller banner with "Happy 4th Birthday Nate" on it. (Where is that picture?!) 
 
Then I also showed him his cake. Thankfully at 4, he isn't too picky. It didn't turn out how I wanted, but it will work! :)

 
 
 He was really happy! 
With Grandma & Grandpa in town there were lots of birthday presents to open... so we did them slowly throughout the day. I don't like kids getting overwhelmed with toys, so we spread it out so he could have time to play with his new treasures.
We are continually working on teaching the kids to rejoice with each other when something good comes up. (With 3 so close in age the tendency would be for jealously to creep in, and we are praying that won't become a problem). So I was really proud of the girls today when they were truly excited for Nate and the presents he received. A good mom moment for me!
 

I love that Hope was able to be involved with the festivities! 
Nate's eyes in the picture above truly capture Nate. When he gets excited his eyes light up so big and bright. It makes everyone smile. And all that excited just because mom & dad got him a DIY helicopter. He can 'fly like granddaddy'.
The rest of the day was spent getting the house cleaned up for the party and opening more presents. Obviously a good day for Nate!!

After dinner it was time for guests to arrive. We only invited one of Nate's classmates because, he could really care less... as long as Grandma, Grandpa and his sisters came! But he did love that other friends came as well to help eat his cake! We had some American friends and Chinese friends come. And everyone, except for Miss Jessica, listened when I said no gifts. Jessica thought it would be a good idea to load him up with sugar! :)
 

After cake we let the kids run off some sugar.
Hope got plenty of loving at the party! I love that my friends enjoy her so much!

Then Nate opened the last few family presents.

Handsome sherriff... 
It was such a fun birthday and I am so glad that he had a good time with all the excitement!

Happy 4th Birthday Nate

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 06:19:03 -0600

Today Nate turns 4. I normally find myself saying every birthday “I can’t believe you are now ___”, but not this time. This year Nate felt 4 to me long ago! He acts like a 4 year old, he does things that a 4 year old does, and 3 didn’t seem to adequately describe Nate for awhile now!

But here it is... 4 years since I first met my darling little boy. I was 9 days... 9 DAYS past my due date and I was beyond ready for him to arrive. And the first time I laid eyes on him I was completely in love! He was such a sweet baby and has become such a sweet boy.

Nate is so much fun. He views life with such awe that it makes everyone around him love life too. When he gets excited, which is multiple times throughout the day, his entire face lights up, his eyes are huge and his smile is contagious. I just enjoy being around him! I love how he makes people feel good.

He also has his mischievous side... he knows exactly how to push his sisters’ buttons, but typically only uses those methods on Anna. He usually chose not to push Elizabeth.

Nate is an awesome big brother. Before Hope was born I suspected he would be good to her, but he has been way better than I could have imagined. He is SO gentle with her and loves to give her kisses, and will do anything for her.

Nate goes to preschool 4 days a week, taking Wednesdays off to have a morning at home. He has had ups and downs through his time there this semester, but we are taking it week by week, evaluating how he is doing. He has bonded with a one of his classmates... a sweet girl from Korea. She isn’t a pushover and I think that she reminds Nate of his sisters! :)
He also spends a little time each week doing some preschool with me. We work on the basics like letters and sounds. He also gets instruction from his older sisters, so I try to keep it relaxed!

Nate has stopped taking naps, but we do a rest time every afternoon. He was having a hard time sleeping, so now we just allow him to take a few toys into his room and play quietly. He has gotten better about staying in his room.

Nate loves his trains, buzz lightyear, lightning mcqueen, the ipod, and playing baseball.

We are so thankful for our sweet boy, and how much he is growing!! We have days that we see the struggle in him to do his own thing, or be obedient to mom & dad... but we are thankful that God is chasing after Nate’s heart and continuing to pursue him.
We love you Nate. SOOOO much!

Nate’s 4th Birthday Pictures

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:32:55 -0600

We had a lot of fun getting Nate’s birthday pictures taken. Usually I take the kids myself, but Steve had some time open, and with Grandma & Grandpa in town, there were live in baby-sitters to watch the other 3 kids. It was special that both Steve and I could take Nate!  He loved the props that I brought and had a good time!

Hope’s 100 day pictures

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:03:35 -0600

It is tradition here for babies to have their pictures taken when they turn 100 days old. Way back when it was normal for babies to not even leave the house until this point, making it an even more special event. These days there are still a fair number of people who adhere to the 100 day rule. We do not... but we do like to celebrate the 100 day mark. With all my kids I have seen a change in them around the 100 day mark. This is usually when they are able to stay on more of a schedule, they are more and more content to not be held all the time, they are rolling and responding more and more to people with big smiles and a few funny giggling sounds. It is just a fun age!

Hope did not disappoint at her photo shoot. She entertained all the ladies and was quite the hit. As usual I brought all the clothes from home, but also allowed them to take a few pictures that the studio ladies chose.

So here is my baby Hope and all her adorableness.

And then the Chinese style pictures:

While all this was going on, Grandma, Grandpa & Elizabeth found ways to entertain themselves...

Play time with Grandma & Grandpa

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:57:10 -0600

Since Grandma & Grandpa got here almost 3 weeks ago, our days have been full! Our daily life continues to go on at it’s normal speed. While we would have liked to have a slower pace while they were here, it was not something we could really control! And the timing of the trip was also based on when we anticipated having the best weather. We chose wisely! :)

But then between the busy days we will have a few slower paced days where we can just enjoying playing.

But whether our days are full or slow, we are thankful that Grandma & Grandpa are here to spend them with us!

11-11-11 party

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:07:47 -0600

It is a well known fact that Steve’s mom has a thing for the number 11... she has had a multiple, significant events happen on the 11th, and she has deemed it ‘the family number’. So when it was November 11th, 2011, we decided to make a party out of it!

Our friends were intrigued enough to come check out the 11th festivities...

Grandma, Elizabeth, & Anna spent a few days making hats for everyone, with a big ’11’ on the front. A lot of love went into those hats!

Then we had DIY calzones. Everyone brought some yummy fillings and I made dough and sauce, and we had quite the feast!

I actually cut out number ‘1’ cookies for us to decorate.

We ended our party with a side splitting game of Boxers & Briefs. ;)

Today’s party and pictures were brought to you by the number 11.

Anna’s reading party

Wed, 9 Nov 2011 00:37:45 -0600

One of the big motivations for Anna to complete her reading book was the party. I had given Elizabeth a reading party the year before, and Anna wanted her turn in the spot-light. I got the idea from my friend Rachel, and I am glad that I had this little something special to help motivate the girls!
For Elizabeth’s party, I made a book cake. I had to switch it up a bit, and my time is more limited these days, so I shamelessly talked Anna into a cupcake cake. I convinced her it was really great for people to just grab their cupcake and eat it without any cutting or silverware necessary. I convinced her it was going to look really fabulous.

And thankfully due to the fact that she is 5, and the fact that she was just thrilled to have her own party/cake, she didn’t complain about how it looked rather sorry! Well, that and I let her dump a mountain of sprinkles on the top. Sprinkles speak loudly to my girls.

Some friends came over for the party and we had chicken salad sandwiches together. I was thankful they were able to come and encourage Anna. I had a paper for everyone to sign and tell her some encouraging words. She also opened some presents of books. Of course books... this is a reading party. The thing that was special was the fact that these books were new to all the kids. Elizabeth had never seen them, so her interest was also very high and Anna was really thrilled to have something that Elizabeth wanted. After a few hours, she finally let Elizabeth get a hold of those books!

We had a fun time and I felt so relieved that after many months, this big moment is behind us!

Anna has transitioned pretty well from her learning to read book to regular books. We started off simple, and she is slowing growing in ability. She knows she must read at least 1 book a day... and now I just start praying that she begins to LOVE it.

Anna’s Reading

Tue, 8 Nov 2011 09:23:57 -0600

Anna first started learning how to read back in April of 2010. She was very young, but really wanted to read like her big sister. I started using the ‘Teach Your Child To Read” book that I was using with Elizabeth at the time. Anna actually picked it up really quickly and we flew through the first 50 lessons.

I thought she would continue to move along quickly... but I was wrong. It has taken over a year to go from lesson 50 to lesson 100. She just wasn’t ready to move forward. I think she was struggling with feelings of inadequacy as she compared herself to Elizabeth, who flies through books and can’t read enough.

After we got back from Hong Kong, and started homeschool, I told her it was time to finish. I figured she had forgotten a lot of what she had learned, and I wasn’t really too concerned with how much she got out of it, I just wanted her to complete it. I was fully prepared to help her as much as I could to get her through, but as we started up again, it all started coming back! We had a few days where she didn’t want to read, and we had a few power struggles, but she did it. And my suspision was right. The pride that came over Anna when she read her last lesson was incredible. She had never accomplished something so big. It boosted her self esteem like crazy!

Here is the progress:
Finishing lesson 80

Finishing lesson 90

And just yesterday - finishing lesson 100!!!

What an incredible moment it was for Anna. I am SO proud of her and so thankful she knows how great it feels to work hard and see something through!!!