We're ba-ack!

Playing with Julie (doll) in the yard

Some quality time with Daddy on the night before he left for China

Riding the "moo" at Chic-fil-A at breakfast Saturday morning

So, I just realized it's been over a month since I posted, and if I only post every two months, then I'm afraid I'll fall a little short of my goal to chronicle Kate's growing and our family's happenings!  My brother pointed out that my last post was a little long (which it was!), so I'm going to try to do better by posting shorter segments but more often.  These days, if something doesn't get on a calendar, then it doesn't get done, so I've officially added "blog post" to Tuesdays and Thursdays on my Google Cal... and I'm sharing it here to hold myself accountable.  So, get ready for some weekly action! ;)

A quick update on each of us...

• Kate turned 19 MONTHS yesterday!!  Where did the time go?!  She is now talking in short (3-word) sentences and possibly entering the "terrible two's" (although she still has her sweet personality, a few face-down fits have graced our last few days).  Stay tuned for an upcoming "18 month update" post.
• Jeff is on Day #7 of his 12-day trip to China!  I'll do a full post later with more details, but he went to visit his best friend, Matt Perdue and family, who have lived in Chengdu for the past year and a half while Matt teaches at an international school.  Check out more about his trip at his travel blog: http://mancation-china.posterous.com.  Kate and I miss him greatly, although we really enjoy Skying or video chatting with him on the iPad (Kate likes to kiss the screen, LOL).
• I have finished writing the first three chapters of my dissertation and am now working through the grueling process of revising, which I'm finding takes much, much longer than the original writing process.  My ultimate goal is May or August graduation (either way, the study will definitely be finished and my dissertation defended by May).  Perseverance is the key word... I often feel like I'm on mile 13 of a marathon and have hit a wall!

Thanks for caring enough to read about the details of our lives! :) Prayers are welcomed and appreciated for safety in travel for Jeff and friends.  We can't wait to have him home next Monday!