March {Month in Review}

Basketball

March in the Kinne household always means BASKETBALL!

From the time I was young, I can remember watching the NCAA college basketball tournament every March. I have wonderful family memories of those 3 special weekends, and am so glad that God provided me with a husband who shares in that excitement like I do!

Even though we have been away from the U.S. for March Madness last year and this year, we still find ways in stay in the action. I must confess that I almost didn't fill out my bracket this year (gasp!) but my husband gently guilted guided me into it. Oh yes, he's wonderful like that!

The great thing about our move to Hong Kong is that it actually offers us a much better time zone difference to communicate with family and friends in the U.S. - and to watch the NCAA tournament. So for the past 3 weekends, you could find us each morning eating breakfast while watching basketball games on our laptop. Charlotte really enjoys the commerials - especially the one with the baby driving his walker all over the country (I think it's a printer commercial) - she yells her favorite word, "Baby!"

And our brackets - well, those were busted pretty early on, even Brendan had no hope after the 2nd weekend of games. We really love watching good games and seeing underdogs be victorious, so it has been an awesome tournament to watch!

Charlotte & Brendan watching a game

Other Adventures

On the weekends, we started exploring some of the islands that surround Hong Kong. We only made it to one island - Lamma Island - but have many more on our list.

For our trip to Lamma, we packed up Charlotte's jogging stroller with snacks, drinks and layers of clothing and headed to Central Pier. Although the weather was overcast, it wasn't threatening rain and the temperature was great - a great chance to get outside in Hong Kong! On our way to the pier I remembered that there is a Subway there, so that was our lunch stop - exciting for us, maybe not so much for you who see Subway everyday. :)

Brendan on the beach in Lamma

The island itself is so different from Hong Kong...laid back, no skyscrapers, no cars! There are two small villages that begin and end an easy hiking trail, and a beach is located halfway through the trail. It was a really great day! We plan to spend much more time there while we are in Hong Kong - such a nice, quick escape from the crazy city.

During the week, Charlotte and I have been making friends at our new church, Island ECC, and with other moms and toddlers in our area of Hong Kong. I'm sure Charlotte doesn't appreciate these friendships nearly as much as I do, but over the next few months it will be great for her to have little friends as well.

Me & Charlotte at the playground with our local playgroup

Reading

In January, I posted my reading list for the year. It has helped me a lot to have a list to refer to when I finish one book and want to pick up another one. I didn't actually finish any reading in March. I continued - and am almost finished with - Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts. This book is so full of weighty spiritual stuff, I just haven't wanted to race through it. I feel I've really needed to let certain chapters really soak in. (I've read from many others who have felt the same way.) I've just got one more chapter to go, so I should be wrapping it up in April.

Another book I started reading in March is The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. I really wish I would have known about this book and taken the time to read it last year when I first became a mother. God used other things last year to help me begin to form a biblical understanding of motherhood, and now this book is really helping me build on that. It is encouraging and challenging and also full of stuff that I don't want to read too quickly through. I'm hoping to finish it this month.

I hit a point in the middle of March when I really wanted to read some fiction. My mind just needed a break from all the challenging, weighty stuff! :) I didn't have anything around, but have since started re-reading Pride & Prejudice because it was a free download on my Nook app for iPad. Oh, how I have enjoyed reading this again! I'm now on a Jane Austen (and similar genre) reading kick. Up next, I think, is Mansfield Park.

Gratitude

I'll wrap up this review of March by sharing some of my gratitude journal with you...enjoy!

646. morning trips to the playground
647. surprise! running into new friends at the playground
649. daughter helping me unload groceries
656. taped-up board books are like brand-new books to little one
658. neon cross out our kitchen window
659. nursery rhymes
660. little daugher learning to feed herself oatmeal
661. Big Mama learning to let go as oatmeal only sometimes makes it to little one's mouth
663. figuring out what "o-mang-o-mang" means after months of Charlotte saying it ("no more monkeys"...jumping on the bed!)
667. long, strong hug from my husband
671. pictures - reminders - of a short-lived home in a foreign land
672. British voice telling us to "mind the gap" on the MTR (subway)
683. sweet emails from friends
694. talking to my grandparents on Skype
695. good news that Daddy Jack is feeling stronger
697. "Uh-Ba" = Uncle Boo
700. husband offering to do the dishes so he can listen to his 28 minutes of Bible reading (You've Got the Time)
703. watching a ship come into the harbour on a clear morning
705. relaxing bus ride with Charlotte in my lap
709. calm, peaceful mornings together as a family since Brendan doesn't need to leave early for work
711. Brendan working so diligently, using his gifts for God's glory
715. view of the island mountain out our kitchen window