Big News in the Sandness Family

When we first told the kids that we had big news, I jokingly said "We have some big news...we're going to have another baby." Not sure what I was expecting, except that I was trying to lighten the soon-to-be-heavy mood...but they all got excited! So, I quickly had to come out with the truth...The Sandness family is relocating to California this summer.

Craig has been offered a position based out of Irvine, California, with his current company. Although I wouldn't say all the kids were jumping up and down happy about it, I think it will be okay. Another move will be hard, as now we have made so many new friends here in Hong Kong, but one thing that has been reinforced in my mind here over and over is that it is truly a small world. As soon as we were able to tell people here that we were moving to California, we soon discovered that several people we know here in Hong Kong came from California, have a home in California, are moving back to California this summer as well, etc. It's kind of like how our first week here in Hong Kong I ran into a woman that came from Edina, Minnesota. What are the chances? Actually, pretty good here in Hong Kong. It is truly a pool of people from around the world.

I am excited about the move. Nervous about meeting new people and hopefully making new friends, again, but as I have told our kids several times...our home is where our family is and we are truly blessed in so many ways, but especially to have each other no matter where we go. And God is with us no matter where we are in the world. I hold on to that and want our kids to know that as well. I know our kids will adjust fine, and make even more friends, but between now and August we will be filled with ups and downs of emotions.

It will be hard to be leaving our friends here in Hong Kong, so the kids and I are sticking with the plans that we already had in place to spend at least part of the summer in Minnesota and Wisconsin (so that not all our plans are changing). We will be heading to California at the end of July to start getting acclimated to our new home and community. We hope to see all you Minnesotans this summer. I am trying to be very intentional about the kids spending time with their Minnesota friends that they still miss so much!!

The adventure continues for the Sandnesses...

Hong Kong Flower Show

Keely's preschool class recently did a field trip to the flower show and thought I'd share some photos of the amazing flower creations.

Trey's 12th Birthday

Although we haven't set up his birthday party with friends yet, we did celebrate Trey's 12th birthday while his Grandma and Grandpa Sandness were here visiting...so at least we celebrated it with family this year! Birthday dinner location chosen by Trey was Outback Steakhouse...gotta get our steaks!!!

D Grade Basketball Champs - 2nd Year In A Row

The HKIS D Grade team won the ISSFHK (International Schools Sports Federation of Hong Kong) championship again this year, second year in a row for the Under 12s Division. Although, some of the boys are new to the team this year, a handful of the boys (including Trey) were on the D Grade team last year also. The boys had a lot of fun and did a great job in all their games. Fun to watch!

Kyra's Birthday with Friends

As per usual, we had a birthday party a little later than the actual birthday...we finally had Kyra's birthday with her friends. Originally, she was thinking of redoing last year's Amazing Race themed party since we were hit with a horrible rain storm the day we had her party, but decided to go with a Minute to Win It theme instead. She had a lot of fun testing the games pre-party so that we knew they were doable by kids her age. The party was a bit hectic, to say the least, but we all survived.