I love my students!

The other day I got this email from one of my 4th graders. I think it's sums up why I love these kids so much. Just for context, if kids don't have their homework, they have to move their clip on our behavior chart and if they don't move their clip they earn stamps.

"Dear Mrs Phillips

I forgot to bring my homework folder home, so can i do my math homework after the morning work and the language for homework for tomorrow. Can you please forgive me?

(PS. i don't mind to move my clip, if i can move my clip that is no problem because learning is better than stamps.

please Mrs Phillips

I am very very very very very very very very very very very very very sorry."

When our dog arrived in Hong Kong

It's been 2 months, but I wanted to post about when my dog, Asia first arrived in Hong Kong. It was such an exciting day for us. Blair and I arrived a few days before Asia, because Delta wouldn't allow her to fly on a weekend. Since she was required to be in the cargo area of the plane, we weren't sure the weather would be cool enough for her to fly. If it was too hot she would have to wait another month to come. After countless documents and a very expensive flight, the weather held out and Delta allowed her to fly. Her trip took over 24 hours! We had to pick her up at this separate area for cargo. It was a very noisy warehouse with forklifts and all we could think is "where is our dog??" We had to see 3 people in different parts of the building and then finally they brought her crate into the room. They had zip tied it shut, so Blair had to cut the door open. I can't describe how it felt to see her. Asia was so happy, but clearly exhausted. They had a vet check her out and put another microchip in her neck before we left. We tried to sneak her on a bus, but with the big crate they wouldn't allow it. We found a taxi and rode home together.
It's 8 weeks later and Asia has totally settled in. Instead of barking at squirrels, she barks at the people coming and going on our floor or she'll stare out our window at the water. We walk her 3-4 times a day, which was an adjustment for us. It was so much easier to just let her out in the backyard. With Blair working from home, she gets plenty of attention. I know a lot of you prayed for my dog to make it here safely. It meant the world to us. Thank you!

"LET ME OUTTA HERE!!!"

Daddy reunited with his pup!

My 31st Birthday Party

We ate at an Indian restaurant named Surya for my 31st birthday. After that, we went to Starbucks on the harbor. Thanks everyone for helping me celebrate.

Blair ate like a king!

Guess where Melanie went to high school, Vestavia!! Small world. Too bad she graduated from Auburn.

Tim and Connie have been my friends since my first stint in HK, they are the best!

On the right is my sweet friend Amber, her baby boy is due 10 weeks before me!

Man talk, you know... football, guitars, iphones...

Step 1 to Becoming a Mommy

Learn How to Cook

Actually Blair and I have really changed our ways. We cook a lot more now. Last year we ate out every meal. It's fun to stay at home and cook together. Blair is the master chef and I'm the sous chef. I take care of chopping, making the side dishes, and talking to him while he cooks the main dish. Our specialties are spaghetti, anything mexican, lemon butter fish with capers, stir fry with suki-yaki beef, and anything with garlic and butter. I wanted to learn how to make spring rolls. After burning the first few, the rest turned out to be super yummy.

oops the grease was too hot!

12 Weeks Update- We're having a BABY!!

Blair and I are going to have a baby! We found out July 12th, while we were visiting our families in the U.S.. What a gift to be able to tell them face to face. I just had a healthy 12 week appointment, so now I'm ready to tell the world! My official due date is March 21st. We've decided to wait to find out the gender, although the doctor says he already knows. I hope he doesn't spill the beans.

Our 8 week ultrasound of the little kidney bean

3 Month Bump Alert

When we come home next summer we'll have a family of three! That's so weird. We could use your prayers for a healthy, growing baby. Praise God for what he's already done!

Love,

Blair and Heather