Meet Eleanor

I would like to introduce you all to Eleanor. She is a dream. She came to us at a VERY crazy time in our lives. But she couldn't be more PEACEFUL and SWEET.

This is what she looked like before she got fitted with a chub suit.
(You know the chubby little thighs, and the creases around the wrists and ankles.)

This is Eleanor now at almost 4 months. You can't see it very well but she sports some great chub. And yes the fluffy hair is all natural.

Blowing the Dust Off!

I am not sure why I am finally starting this thing back up again. Maybe it's because I read my sister's blog (Debbie) last night and it inspired me. Maybe it is because I am supposed to be writing my dissertation right now and I am trying to escape it momentarily. Or just maybe, it is because I know all you blog stalkers out there--who have nothing better to do with your time--are dying to know what is going in the Rarick family's life. Well we have not posted in at least a year if I remember correctly. Much has happened since then so I won't even try to cover everything here. Here are the biggest, RED-LETTER moments:

-We are expecting our 4th child/3rd daughter April 18th (same due date as sister Debbie's baby girl).

-We are moving at the end of March after almost 5 years in wonderful Kansas, our destination: Rexburg, ID.

-I (Tim) am almost done with my 30 year stint with schooling and have been hired as a faculty member at Brigham Young University-Idaho. By the way, the first day of the semester there is also the due date of our child. Can you say "induce"?

-Jodi has accomplished far more than anything I ever will with her steady dedication to our children and home. We celebrated our 10 year anniversary last year and it keeps getting better. It may sound a bit cheesy but that woman (Jodi) somehow gets prettier and more wonderful each year.

-Carter is 7 and loving 1st grade in Mr. Umsheid's class. I wish we could bring his teacher with us to Idaho......so does Carter. Carter is a loving son who has such a sweet spirit about him. He really always tries to do what is right.

-Molly is 4.5 and is always the mellow yet creative presence in the home. Jodi and I frequently wish we could be in Molly's head/world because it seems far better than reality.

-Naomi is 2.5 and retains the title "Miss Ray" for the sunshine she constantly exudes. She is full of life and energy. Naomi's hair is also still as bright as ever.

There is so much more to say and hopefully Jodi or myself will have the gumption to keep this going. We are currently trying to prepare for a move by packing, finding a new place to live, writing a dissertation, teach one last class at K-State, prepare for 4 new classes at BYU-I, find new doctors to prepare for a new arrival, and the list goes on. We have been SO blessed here in the Heartland (KS). This will always be hallowed ground for our family because of the experiences, the growth, and the people. There is not a doubt in our minds that the Lord guided us here.

Naomi

I know I am a lame blogger but oh well, I just wanted to post a few photos of Naomi I took yesterday when I saw her sitting on the couch in the sun. Enjoy.

Where Have You Been?

Growing

Playing in the sprinklers

Playing with cousins.

Going to the temple

Having a birthday.

Playing tennis







Going to Nauvoo.






Working for world peace.

Visiting the train in Topeka.
And much, much more.

Guangzhou, China Day 1 - Tuesday

I mentioned about the insanity surrounding swine flu. It is blown to epic proportions and China did not skimp on the precautions. After taking a train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, China we were waiting to enter the country officially at the train station when I snapped this photo. There were about 500 people waiting in lines to get in because they were screening for swine flu with scanners and such. I was told that you are not allowed to take photos of government officials or anything that is even related to a government facility. I thought that the train station would be ok, but the man you see in the photo with the surgical mask came over to me directly and told me to put my camera. I guess I was lucky because they often take cameras for such actions. Welcome to China!
Bill took us on a tour of South China Normal University after we arrived at our hotel (which is also located on campus). The campus was beautiful and unique of course. The students were very kind and polite to us and this proved to be true with nearly everyone I came across in and outside of the campus. The first thing I did notice in China was the thickness in the air. Hong Kong was very humid but nothing like Guangzhou. This was hands down, the most humid and muggy air I have ever experienced. I think one could chew the air if they really wanted to.
This is Luann Hoover and Bronwyn Fees (faculty in my department at K-State) in front of the Education building. Two days later, the 3 of us each presented and an enormous education conference for kindergarten teachers and directors.
A statue of one of the most revered teachers here: Confuscious and two of his top pupils.
One of the older dorms on campus. Nearly all students and faculty live on campus which is a bit different than my school back in the heartland. Another interesting tidbit is the clothes that are hanging out at every building in the city where people reside. I was told because it is so humid, people will get home from a long day and hand wash their clothes in the sink then hang them out to dry immediately. If they were to let their clothes pile up then they would begin to grow mildew quickly.
This was a large area of equipment that looked a bit like a child's playground. Bill told us that it was actually adult workout equipment so he decided to demonstrate to us how it is used. We saw places like this all over Guangzhou.
I am not sure what kind of school this was but it is on SCNU campus. They were well behaved and excited to practice their English on us.
Another great sign in China. I will let you draw your own conclusions on what it is supposed to mean.
We were treated to several high class, fancy dinners in Guangzhou. This was the first of many. This happens to be with the President of SCNU who is sitting next to Bronwyn. His first question for us was, "What do you think about our philosophy to push mathematics to our youngsters?" We thought we were in for a long dinner with intense questions but it turned out to be comfortable and interesting. The table you see has a lazy susan in the middle of it with all of the food. Nearly every single meal we ate was this format: large round table, lazy susan, variety of foods, warm-wet handtowel instead of napkin, chopsticks, and hot tea. The President made a couple of toasts with the wine you see on the table. Needless to say I can't remember the rest of the night.

Hong Kong Day 2 - Monday

Ok, I think you can figure out what this is for and how to use it. Let's just say that this is very common in the restrooms and you can really build up your triceps and quads if so desired.

We went to a less touristy (yes, that is a word) part of Hong Kong on Day 2. While looking around the boat marina we had the privilege of being hassled by one of the boat owners who wanted to take us for a boat ride. She kept trying to bargain with us and followed us for a while. It is amazing how many salesmen are in Hong Kong, everyone it seems is trying to sell you something. It is annoying, interesting, sad, and understandable all at the same time.
We eventually picked a boat to ride around the area. If you go to the right places you can get really good deals on neat little experiences such as the one we had. We paid a small fee for a half hour boat ride around the area. The boat belonged to an older couple who use it to make a living by giving tourists rides around the area. They were very sweet but did not speak a lick of English. This part of Hong Kong had very few folks who speak English and I think it I prefer it that way because it makes for a more foreign experience.

This is the couple who gave us the boat ride, they were sweet (double meaning). I have a small glimpse of what a new missionary must feel like when beginning his mission in a foreign country. I wanted several times to chat with people throughout my trip but my Cantonese and Mandarin proved to be insufficient.

Just an FYI to those of you who are going to be in Hong Kong and thinking about fishing (this was photo taken right next to the dock). You'll have to click on the picture to be able to read it all. Notice how much the turtle is enjoying himself.

A possible victim of swine flu?

This little girl (about age 4-5) was left here by herself while her mom shopped in the market. It was quite hot and when we saw her there she was fast asleep. This photo is a great representation of the collectivist culture where everyone is kind of "in this together". This would not fly in the States and was a great cultural moment for me. Little did I know of the experiences to come.
This is supposed to be the longest outdoor escalator in the world. Whether or not that is true I do not know but it was incredibly long. As you can see we could have chosen an alternate route but in true American style we went for the easy route.
Our yield signs need to be changed to something a bit more commanding like this.
Yao is big here and even bigger in China. But Kobe is king, he is everywhere and the Chinese love him. They were shocked when I told them he was a good friend of mine. More details on that to come in future blogs.
Every night at 8pm there is a light show on the huge business buildings on the island across the harbor. It was a little anti-climatic. The skyline itself is awesome enough by itself. This concluded the end of a long yet exciting day.

Little did I know of the amazing experiences that yet awaited me in Guangzhou, China. I will say this over and over.......this experience as a whole has been so indescribable that I don't know how I am going to recount it to my family and friends when I return. I have been so blessed to have a journey on the other side of the world. To meet the Saints who are dedicated to the gospel in southeast Asia. Meeting the humble, kind, and warm people of China has truly warmed my heart and it feels as though I have left a little piece of me there........or maybe I have taken a piece of China with me as there will always be a soft spot in my heart for the people and culture.

Hong Kong Day 1 - Sunday

This is in Tokyo on the plane when we were scanned because of the extreme paranoia for swine flu. Two can play this camera game buddy! I can't even begin to tell you the level of paranoia in these Asian countries. Don't cough or you might get put in jail.

This is the Mickey D's that is a few blocks from our hotel. I ate here on my way to church yesterday (a Big Mac tastes exactly the same in case you were wondering). This place was wall-to-wall people just like the rest of the city.


The harbor that I road a ferry across to get to church on Sunday. I went all over the city by myself for about 6 hours. It was an amazing adventure.


The ferry that took us across the harbor to Hong Kong island.


Sunday was District Conference and it was one of the most spiritual meetings I have been to. The church is consistent and true around the world!


I am the visitor and I was indeed welcome.



Words cannot describe the immensity of this city. Building go on far beyond your vision. This is a little piece of it from Victoria Peak.


Riding the ferry back across the harbor.



Looking for a place to eat that is authentic yet safe.


Chop sticks? No problem (just as long as I can eat really slow).