Shillig 4 Family

Above will have to serve as his Fall 2019 3rd grade picture (on the Great Wall of China) since he missed the real one back here in Texas. Solomon's got a mind like no other.  He thinks of things and analyzes in a way that makes even adults stop and think.  He shared his testimony on Sunday on how can we help Heavenly Father?  He said he helps his parents by doing chores, but he doesn't know how to help Heavenly Father.  He talked about how when he prays he thanks Heavenly Father and he asks him for things and for forgiveness, but he doesn't know what he can do for him.  I grabbed my phone after his intro so here is a piece of it.  I loved this boy getting to go to China.  I loved hearing about all his experiences there.  He is growing up, excited about his sister to come (he tells his teachers every week what size she is), and he is so smart and cuddly!  Solomon is still our "wet noodle" when it comes to his body moveme...

Above is his 5th grade Fall 2019 school photo. Malachi is my biggest helper, and so kindhearted, but also quick to anger and impatience.  We are working on him channeling his kind heart into everyone and all situations.  He has a tendency to be impatient when he thinks people should know things he knows or lets his frustrations be known.  He has made LEAPS and BOUNDS at school and has the best reports on behavior and grades.  I am so proud of this boy! Malachi has the sweetest bond with Solomon and he missed him so much while he was in China recently.  I love that they are best brothers.  They look out for one another and I appreciate that bond.     Malachi makes sure I am always taken care of with this pregnancy.  He tells me that I can't do this or that because I'm pregnant and that he will do it for me.  He never gives me any flack when I ask him to help me with extra chores.  He gives the best hugs and kisse...

Above is her 7th grade Fall school photo  Mali Su is still our smart hardworking girl.  She is in all the "smart" classes at school, varsity choir (and headed to a big competition in San Antonio next year), in theater with Aimi Lark, and has athletics every morning.  She has a full schedule and is learning to balance it all. Mali Su has sweetly taken it upon herself to research and learn all she can about Leila Jin's upcoming arrival.  She asks me about my doctor appointments, wants to be there at the birth, and even researched how to know what each cry means (even emailing me lots of info to read up on).  The kids are excited to say the least.     I am so grateful to be this sweet girls Mama.  She reminds me of myself as a girl, bossy, wanting to be liked/do what's right, and oh so smart!  I love our girl!

Above is her 7th grade Fall school photo. Aimi Lark is still our peace keeping kindhearted girl.  She is in all the "smart" classes at school, loves her Spanish class (that she's at the top of), has a part in the Lion King play as a lioness, and is busy with athletics every morning.   She is knitting away in preparation for Leila Jin and even surprised us by learning how to make her a beanie!  She is also busy trying to finish up Personal Progress from church before the program goes away in December to make way for a new program in January 2020. She had the opportunity to go down to Vidor with Daddy to work on mucking out our flooded Vidor house.  She loved the "date" with Dad even if it was yucky and moldy.   She is such a sweet girl and I am so grateful she is my daughter.  I love her!

Top 3 Current Situations: 1.  Baby Leila Jin is due anytime now (officially the 17th, but I thought the 15th). 2.  Jake and I have branched out with our own PLLC Law Firm.  Shillig Law PLLC 3.  Our Vidor house flooded AGAIN, thanks Tropical Storm/Depression Imelda. The kids are GREAT!  The school year is well on its way and I am still in love with where we ended up after Hurricane Harvey.  They get to go to amazing schools that meet their needs, challenge them, and are so close to our beautiful home.  I feel so safe in our little pocket of DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth).  I love that we are close enough to everything without being in the mix of anything.  The kids' schools are SO CLOSE & now with Jake working from home and baby on the way I feel like we are all just right around one another and the closeness can't be beat.  I will work on more updates for SURE.  I have to get back in the habit of blogging more with Leila Jin...

Solomon is in China with Daddy.  They still have a week and a half left and have already seen and done and worked so much!  The pictures are coming through fuzzy so here are a couple just to get an idea.  They have been to Beijing and Shanghai so far.   I am so grateful for this trip for so many reasons!

Jake was gone with the Army and school was getting ready to start so I decided to impromptu (how most of my plans go) plan a getaway.  We took off and spent two incredible days swimming, snacking, and hanging out with family.  It was PERFECT!  It felt like we had the whole place to ourselves and thanks to Jake's fancy upgrades we had an amazing suite.  Here are all the pics from my big camera I took out on the first morning.  After that I just sat back and relaxed as the kids buddied up and took off. Since their resort water park is only open Memorial-Labor day we will say goodbye til Next summer!