tag:lorirenee.com,2005:/blogs/premier?p=10Premier2023-12-19T12:51:30-08:00Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composerfalsetag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/73214822023-12-19T12:51:30-08:002023-12-21T16:45:12-08:00Have yourself a fuzzy little Christmas!<p> </p><p><span class="text-big">Hi there! </span></p><p><span class="text-big">It's me, Minuet, the Devey family dog. Or as I like to call myself, the Queen! </span></p><p><span class="text-big">Apparently my family is too busy working, studying, teaching, singing, and dancing to come write a little blog. But I don't mind helping when I can! Besides, I help the family with everything else around here. </span></p><p><span class="text-big">For instance, I helped them take beautiful family photos this year! Usually we have my moms friend, Miss Ulrika take photos, but Fall was extra busy this year. Didn't I do a great job making them smile? </span></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/54474/a233f616602f5206e5afe1c638386feba2061ce1/original/dsc-0036-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><span class="text-big">This is my big brother, Jameson! I help him a lot as well! For example, he is super busy with school, playing in two bands, including Saddleback College Wind ensemble, playing basketball, photographing super cars, studying for his drivers permit, and tooting his horn. So, when he comes home from school, I make sure to snuggle him and distract him so he doesn't get stressed. You can hear him tooting his horn at the Chapman University Honor Band last year </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtube.com/shorts/02gSpDqOA9w?si=b9Qa4mX-8BEwnQgu" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">here</span></a><span class="text-big"> and playing basketball </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtube.com/shorts/O0JMolUICIQ?si=YZEBns1SjtxDGajD" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">here</span></a><span class="text-big">. Can you believe Jameson is 15 years old? Don't worry about him driving though, he is more knowledgeable about cars than any other bi-ped I know! </span></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/54474/35b90b751a98d6eed23537af7dbeb23f2670222e/original/screenshot-2023-11-26-at-8-02-17-pm-jpeg.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><span class="text-big">Here is my big sister, Giselle! I am super helpful with my sister as well. She is crazy busy with home school, ballet, ballet, ballet, ballet, piano, art, ballet, and finally ballet! But that is just how she likes it! Giselle even composed, played, sang, and recorded one of her own original compositions for Youth America Grand Prix. You can see her contemporary piece with her original music</span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/qx-T95jVfEw" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big"> here</span></a><span class="text-big"> and her top-12 junior classical YAGP video </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/wK-pOVlktgo" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">here</span></a><span class="text-big">. It's a good thing I am home all day to help sleep on Giselle whilst she does school, and make her smile by stealing her lambs wool and toe spacers! Can you believe Giselle is only 12? I am 14 in dog-years, so technically I am the big sis!!!</span></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/54474/ac945e85fda2c476e62619ffa0cc860b1b6b989c/original/img-2278-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://gallery.umoments.net/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">Miss Ulrika</span></a><span class="text-big"> took this incredible photo of my sister! You can see more of Giselle's dance journey </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.instagram.com/gisellina_ballerina?igshid=YzVkODRmOTdmMw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">here</span></a><span class="text-big">.</span></p><p> </p><p><span class="text-big">Hold on…. I gotta go bark at the UPS driver…. </span></p><p> </p><p><span class="text-big">TBC…..</span></p><p> </p><p><span class="text-big">Oh hey! I'm back and I saved our house from another vicious delivery person!</span></p><p> </p><p><span class="text-big">Let me tell you about my dad!</span></p><p> </p><p><span class="text-big">My dad is an engineer who helps people build bridges and now even bus-charging stations. You can read more about one of his projects </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2022/05/06/san-diego-mts-begins-construction-on-electric-bus-charger-depot" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">here.</span></a><span class="text-big"> When my dad isn't working, he likes to play his guitar, and take my brother to Cars and Coffee in San Clemente. Dad also produced an original song that my sister wrote and sang, you can hear that </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/qx-T95jVfEw" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">here.</span></a><span class="text-big"> I offered to help howl on the song, but they said I could sing on the next track! </span></p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/54474/be71ca472c38dbc5f2b3c1aeeda7a491855ba191/original/jim-and-lori.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><p><span class="text-big">I am also incredily helpful with my mom! She needs me to snuggle with her whilst she practices, which is a lot these days! This year she was a soloist with the St. Cross Choir and Orchestra production of Handel's Messiah. You can watch her howl </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/oA8PyE9f2vQ" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">here</span></a><span class="text-big"> and </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/ZL5-VWywtjU" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">here</span></a><span class="text-big">. Mom is also a regular soloist with </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.umc.org/en/find-a-church/church/?id=75666" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">Christ Church by the Sea</span></a><span class="text-big">, and the South </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.schandbell.org/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">County Community Handbell Choir.</span></a><a data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big"> </span></a></p><p><span class="text-big">When mom isn't practicing, or performing, she continues to teach private music lessons from her </span><a class="no-pjax" href="/lessons" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Lessons" target="_blank"><span class="text-big">home studio</span></a><span class="text-big"> and at </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://scconservatory.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">South Coast Conservatory</span></a><span class="text-big">, group piano at </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.redappleacademy.org/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">Red Apple Academy</span></a><span class="text-big">, and she is a vocal coach for the </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.alisonigueltheatre.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big">Aliso Niguel High School Theater Department.</span></a></p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/54474/617e6b8d5249c25366142ed4f56cdf9f3e7747b9/original/dsc-0052-1-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><p><span class="text-big">Anyhoo, that's what's going on in our little pack! I hope your packs are enjoying the holidays and remembering how lucky we are to have each other! Take lots of time to snuggle with all of your family members whether they are young, or old, fuzzy, or feathery! </span></p><p><span class="text-big">My family wants me to tell you that you are loved! I need to remind them to slow down a bit, and to make time to remember the reason for the season. God loves us so much (yes, he even loves his fuzzy creations) that he sent His only son to the earth as a tiny baby!</span></p><p><span class="text-big">Gods love isn't like my toys that lose their squeaks and fuzziness! His love will never leave or forsake us! Hebrews 13:5</span></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/54474/2f86f8acb28eaa1d225f547403f11374b19f81a3/original/minuet2023.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><span class="text-big">Have yourself a fuzzy little Christmas!</span></p><p><span class="text-big">Love, Minuet (Mini) Penny Devey</span></p><p> </p><p> </p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/71223512022-12-13T23:25:11-08:002023-12-19T12:40:01-08:00We Wish You the Puppiest New year!<p><span class="font_regular">Oh hi! It's me again, Minuet Devey, but you probably know me as Mini! It's that time of year again when mom delegates the task of writing our annual family blog, because she is super busy howling and teaching other humans to howl. I am 15 in dog years, and 16 months in human years! I guess I should start studying for my Drivers Permit! </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d53207923ca644f305e2f96e8c49583c79539c44/original/img-5342.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In case you have not noticed, I am a full-grown dog, but my family still calls me a puppy, AKA perfect puppy princess. That might be because I refuse to drink river water on hikes, and I avoid peeing in the rain at ALL costs. I don't see any of you down on all fours to drink water from a stream, or using the facilities in the great outdoors, so don't judge! </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ea0932fefce619eedba1df0e68c66be77c202dc8/original/img-5295.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Life has been pretty busy around here with lots of changes. But I still greet everyone with a tail wag that shakes my entire body, because no matter how busy they are, I am always available to snuggle and play! If you want to see more of my puppy antics, come over and play, or just follow me on <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/fuzzy.minuet/">Instagram</a>. <a contents="@fuzzy.minuet." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/fuzzy.minuet/" style="">@fuzzy.minuet.</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">Jameson is 168 years old, and 14 in human years, and he actually IS studying for his drivers permit! </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d49cc3e2b2b931f241b9eac1122c8dbdffc9955c/original/img-5321.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Jameson is in 9th grade, and is now the tallest member of the family; that must be why they call it high school! Jameson still loves tooting his horn! Last year he played trumpet in both the CUSD Honor Band as well as the<a contents=" All Southern California Honor Band" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.scsboa.org/welcome-scsboa-honor-groups/" style="" target="_blank"> All Southern California Honor Band</a>. Then, in the summer he spent an entire week away from me at<a contents=" Chapman University at an instrumental music camp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.chapman.edu/copa/music/festivals/instrumental-camp.aspx" target="_blank"> Chapman University at an instrumental music camp</a> learning with some of the best brass teachers in the country. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Just as soon as he arrived home to play with me, Jameson resumed tooting with his High School Marching band, even during the summer. I am proud to say that my brother’s band placed 6th at California State Championships, and I even got to see him perform at the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade last week! The trumpets sounded angelic, but the percussion made me a little nervous. I can't help it, I'm not 5'10" like someone else I know.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Jameson still loves basketball, and I train him regularly, so obviously I helped him make the Freshman basketball team! Between the tooting, the balling, the College Chinese Classes, and the honors classes, I don’t see nearly enough of my brother. But, no matter how tired he is after a long day of tall-school, I always put a smile on his face!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">Giselle is 132 dog years old, and 11 in human years. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f1dff546d4315c9bc6de689e69ed0cd54ba4dc51/original/img-5330.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Giselle is homeschooled, so one would think she would be home to play with me more, but alas, I taught her to dance so well that she dances 20+ hours per week. Giselle's homeschool even featured her on their site, <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaiCadev3IW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">here</a>! My sister was quite successful in her first year as a competitive dancer, and she placed at nearly every competition she danced or sang at. Giselle also loved performing as Flounder in The Little Mermaid, and the Gulnare Variation in Le Corsaire at South Coast Conservatory. All of that dance inspired Giselle to return to her home-dance studio, <a contents="Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dkcba.com/" target="_blank">Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy</a>, where she is continuing her 9th season of dance, and 7th season at DKCBA. You can follow my sister on <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/gisellina_ballerina/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <a contents="sister here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/gisellina_ballerina/" style="" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">All of that training and hard work with <a contents="Miss Savannah" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/savreach/" target="_blank">Miss Savannah</a>, and all of her teachers paid off as my sister was invited to New York City to audition for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Clara role. Don’t tell Giselle, but as her puppy sister, I was a little relieved when Giselle was not cast as Clara, as I am not quite ready to move to NYC for 3 months. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">After her trip to NYC, Giselle learned that a paw issue she had been having since March was a toe injury. Because of this injury, I had hoped she would finally stay home with me to snuggle all day. But, she still went to ballet every day, 6 days per week to do stretching, strengthening, pilates, and to take notes. Thanks to some amazing teachers and doctors, Giselle was able to return to dance and is performing in her 7th Nutcracker at DKCBA as a Party Boy, Soldier, Dew Drop, and Russian. <a contents="Tickets" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/18017/northwood-high-school" target="_blank">Tickets</a> for Orange County Ballet Theater are on sale right now, if you would like to watch my sister, apparently dogs aren’t invited, but you are!!! Purchase Tickets <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/18017/northwood-high-school" target="_blank">here</a>! </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">Mom is 540 dog years old... I'll let you figure that out!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/4a695329856279cffa387ba0a2ca4f1b037369ed/original/img-5352.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My mommy loves music so much that she teaches it night and day. In the past few years, she has directed 11 shows, and countless showcases, including The Little Mermaid at <a contents="South Coast Conservatory" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.scconservatory.com" target="_blank">South Coast Conservatory</a> in June! She absolutely loves directing and teaching, but decided to step down as the musical director to make more time for private instruction and performing. I am hoping that my mom can take a day off every once in a while so we can all play together as a family. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Miss Lori, as they call her, loves teaching her 30+ private voice and piano students every week at SCC and at the <a contents="Devey Music Studio" data-link-label="Lessons" data-link-type="page" href="/lessons">Devey Music Studio</a> and is able to say “yes” to more performances. I still catch my mom working 7 days per week, but I know that she has more flexibility to watch my brother toot his horn, play basketball, and drive my sister to ballet. She even is helping my sister compose original music for her ballet competition. Now that we have a shiny new baby grand piano, we have a beautiful instrument to compose and record with. I also like taking naps on mommy when she plays and sings, as I am always willing to lend a paw!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">You can keep up with my mom on <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/@lorireneedevey-lullaworld8832/featured" target="_blank">YouTube</a> and <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/lullaworld/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/miss_lori_sings/" target="_blank">here</a> for Instagram.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Dad 612 dog years... and he can be taught new tricks!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a102c968fe16ae96f8555d3b116984ebadcaca44/original/img-5307.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This is my dad, and I take after him as we are both experts at making people laugh. When he isn’t making people snorfle their drinks, Jim works from home as an enginerd. Apparently, he has even more expertise at enginerding than he does at making us laugh, as he seems to drive down to San Diego way more than I think is necessary. He is the project manager of a bus charging station there, and is very famous. You can see him on the news <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/mts-begins-work-on-san-diegos-first-overhead-electric-bus-charging-system?_amp=true" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Besides enginerding, my dad likes to play his guitar and bass in our new music room upstairs. Actually, I think all of our rooms are music rooms! I also like to take him for long runs on the trail, or at the dog park. I even let him off leash from time to time, and he always runs back to me. I’ve trained him wel!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">Our beautiful photos were taken again by the famous Ulrika Molin, of <a contents="Umoments" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gallery.umoments.net/">Umoments</a> Photography! </span></p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/68411492021-12-14T21:27:31-08:002021-12-15T12:03:04-08:00Puppy Holidays!!!<p>Oh hi, my name is Minuet, but my family calls me Mini. My mom is busy teaching students how to howl and bang on black and white things that makes music, so she asked me to write this doggy blog for her. I was adopted from <a contents="www.promis4paws.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://promise4paws.org/">www.promis4paws.</a><a contents="www.promis4paws.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://promise4paws.org/">org</a> on Howloween, which seems appropriate as I do like to howl a fair bit.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/19c927a08aaa87c687ad6ca9eb58b65660a63f8c/original/mini-family.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>My family says that I am a dog, or more specifically a terrier mix, and that I am the cutest puppy they have ever had. I am also the only puppy they have ever had. I think they adopted another dog (not a puppy, mind you,) named Lady before my big brother Jameson was born. But, since Lady is gone, I have to play with my human siblings a lot to keep them from leaving the house, because boy are they busy! If you want to see more of my daily puppy-culture, follow me on IG <a contents="@fuzzy.minuet" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/fuzzy.minuet/" target="_blank">@fuzzy.minuet</a>!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Jameson is 91 (13 in human years)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/7a9f0bc8e2f0a93138bc6750e5f2babc6cf0162e/original/img-0714.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>The brother human, who is taller than our mom, is named Jameson and he leaves the house very early for school every day, I know this as I help drop him off. Jameson likes throwing balls and playing tug-of war with me. I also hear him play a silver tooty horn thing, so I know he likes tooting too. He even tooted with The <a contents="Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/fkBajw2v7zM" target="_blank">Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association</a> virtual honor band last year. Sometimes I hear the brother human speak in another language, but it's not as tooty as the horn. It does have tones though; they call it Chinese and they even gave mea Chinese name, 小步舞曲. Brother also completed level 4 last year of the Certificate of Merit piano evaluation!!! Since I have been making this tooty boy play fetch for so many months, he is even better at basketball. He plays with this team called The<a contents=" Aliso Warriors" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.alisowarriors.com/"> Aliso Warriors</a>, and I get to pick him up after practice and lick his face. Thanks to me, his life is pretty sweet!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Giselle is 77 (11 in dog years)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/e49740259437f23f2a075104dd67022cd52a6f83/original/img-0718.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>The sister human is named Giselle, and she does not leave early for school. Instead, she stays home all day to play with me, or at least that's what she should do. She also has to close the door so I don't distract her. When she can be distracted, I teach her how to jump like a gazelle. In fact, she recently jumped like a gazelle at her first ballet competition, and received 4th place thanks to me at <a contents="Universal Ballet Competition in LA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CV8yAt9PpMH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Universal Ballet Competition in LA</a>! The sister human also howls and plays the white and black thing and completed level 1 of Certificate of Merit piano evaluation. Just like her brother, Giselle speaks Chinese, and goes to tutoring every week. I don't know why they need another language, because I teach them Puppese every single day! Giselle will be busy this weekend performing at a dance called The Nutcracker at <a contents="SCC" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.scconservatory.com">SCC</a> where she will be a Columbina doll, Spanish lead, and in another show called The Gift, where she gets to sing and dance on pointe as a ballerina doll. I don't know why she has to leave the house to do this, because she dances at home with me all the time! You can see more of my sister dancing and playing with me <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/gisellina_ballerina/" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Daddy is 350!!! (you do the math!)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d3c4b094e4a502411ec5cf59b169741db5cb7f00/original/img-0734.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Daddy human works from home as an engineer who builds things. He sometimes leaves his office door open so I get to assist him with his meetings. I have been known to help him eat an entire pencil, and I can even help sniff his plans, or as I call it blue-paw-prints! Sometimes the Daddy human plays a plingy guitar thingy for me on the weekends and that makes me cock my head to the side with lopsided ears to help him play even better. Daddy has also learned how to throw the ball for me pretty well, so I am sure glad I get to teach him fetch every day! My Daddy posts fun puppy and human stuff<a contents=" here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/jimdevey/" target="_blank"> here</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Mommy is 308 (I'll let you do the math again)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/986bf70d3eb8c15d9d9576a9dbcc10b26cd505b5/original/img-0708.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>That's my mommy human! She is very busy too, but not too busy to pick up my special presents, feed me, throw my toys, and teach me to sit, stay, and to only chew on the right things. Mommy human likes teaching people to howl beautifully and make music on the piano thingy, she even had two virtual recitals over the last year, and plans to have a live recital for the first time since January 2020. You can watch some of her recitals <a contents="here on her YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3qtSxzWQ-g2Ubc106tnv4w" target="_blank">here on her YouTube</a> Channel. Mommy also likes teaching Musical Theater at <a contents="South Coast Conservatory" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.scconservatory.com" target="_blank">South Coast Conservatory</a> and co-directed an SCC version of Aladdin in February, and an original Musical called Broadway Bound in June! In the future, she should definitely direct these shows at our house so that I can get lots of fetch and belly rub time. But, I guess learning puppy manners means I also have to share my family. This weekend I will be sharing my family a lot as Mommy and sister are in The Gift, and sister is also in Nutcracker. Luckily, I can take care of Daddy and brother by chasing the ball and making messes for them. You can read more about My Mommy's howling life at home <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/lullaworld/" target="_blank">here</a> and at SCC<a contents=" here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/miss_lori_sings_scc/" target="_blank"> here</a>. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b4d234cb42c86bc3b7f3ed2dba8f0ef75a1dd8ae/original/img-0732.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyhoo, thanks for reading my first puppy blog! I am pretty excited for my first holiday season, and am working so hard to learn my manners because I love wrapping paper and Christmas tree water. As one of God's creatures, my family can also learn from me.</p>
<p><em>"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea in form you. Which of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand, is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind!" Job 12:7-10</em></p>
<p>May you all listen to the animals, the earth, and the Lord above and know that you are loved and give love in return! It's getting late for a 3-month old puppy, so.... Puppy Holidays to all, and to all a goodnight!</p>
<p>Love, Minuet Penny Devey, and Jim, Lori, Jameson and Giselle too!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The beautiful photos were taken by the talented<a contents=" Miss Ulrika Molin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gallery.umoments.net/" target="_blank"> Miss Ulrika Molin</a>! Please see more of her beautiful work <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gallery.umoments.net/" target="_blank">here</a>:</p>
<p>Next year, I hope to be part of the family photo shoot! Miss Molin even has a golden retriever gallery, that all k9 friends will love!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/64936282020-12-07T14:22:43-08:002021-05-11T22:36:23-07:002020 Vision <p>We are blessed. In spite of whatever we may have envisioned for this past year, when we weigh the blessings against the curses, we still find ourselves with plenty of everything that matters. This is not a humble-brag, but a coping mechanism! Much has been taken away from us this year, but so much more has been given, and in the end, we are still massively blessed. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f0b9b91e10245bb24ce33b976e33c03c4dc0af1c/original/bk3b3056lr.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>In January, we learned that Jim’s Mom only had a few days to live, so we flew up to Seattle, and spent a few days by her side showering her with love, and receiving much love in return. We were lucky to spend time with Louise and the Devey family before everything shut down, so we count that as a huge blessing. Another blessing is that Jim has worked for SDG&E for an entire year, and is so lucky to have job security and the flexibility to work from home indefinitely. Since Jim gained 9+ hours per week that were usually lost in commute time, he had both time and energy on the weekend to embark on a total home-makeover, COVID edition. We have loved living in our townhouse for the past 7 ½ years, but we are bursting at the seams with everyone working and learning from home. So, we plan to fix up our townhouse and buy a house locally next spring, God willing! Jim has done an incredible job as our general contractor, plumber, painter, and fixer-upper. If you’re going to be stuck at home, we might as well make it a really nice home! Thanks, Jim-dear! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ce971366af330ca5b34b4a0251f7b9ee8dd114fc/original/bk3b3228lr-3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Jameson was one of two trumpet players chosen from his middle school to play for the CUSD Honor Band Concert at <a contents="Segerstrom" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.scfta.org/" target="_blank">Segerstrom</a> Concert Hall, in Costa Mesa. That February concert was the only live concert he was able to play in all year before lockdowns, so he is so blessed to have had that opportunity. Jameson continues to study Mandarin in the Manadarin Immersion Program and he excels in all of his studies in 7th grade. Jameson is so lucky to be able to continue taking private trumpet lessons from <a contents="Tim Hall," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.chapman.edu/our-faculty/timothy-hall" target="_blank">Tim Hall,</a> and also passed the Virtual Level 3 Certificate of Merit piano exam with State Honors. Although they are not allowed to play basketball games, Jameson loves doing basketball training at <a contents="West Coast Legendary" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.westcoastlegendary.com/" target="_blank">West Coast Legendary</a>, and has made great improvement in his basketball skills! Jameson also enjoyed playing in a weekly flag football clinic! Our favorite auto-enthusiast managed to teach us all to differentiate between a Lotus, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and McLaren from a pretty great distance, as we love car-watching at Laguna Beach! Above all, Jameson adores building, and sharing his mechanical knowledge, and making us laugh, so he's a pretty great kid to quarantine with! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/e348a9311eede8eefd269359b061c5717f732f0b/original/bk3b3078lr.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>After 6 years of training and dreaming, Giselle finally went en pointe in July! Giselle trained at DKCBA since the age of 3, but she has shown great talent and interest in singing and acting as well, so we made the difficult decision to switch her to <a contents="South Coast Conservatory" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://Orange%20County%20Dance%20Studio%20%7C%20South%20Coast%20Conservatory%20(scconservatory.com)" target="_blank">South Coast Conservatory</a> where I am the musical director. Luckily, Giselle was welcomed with open arms by Miss Maria and Mr. Enton into the Ballet Conservatory and is thriving in both BC3 and my Musical Theater Conservatory classes. We are so blessed to have an in-studio theater at SCC, so that we could present both an Annie and Sound of Music Showcase with our Musical Theater Conservatory students. Giselle also performed in a Filmed version of <a contents="“Swan Lake” " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bHN-qiAw3xF-ewlnydR-pHIhRzCCo6Oy/view" target="_blank">“Swan Lake” </a>in August, and was in the battle scene and had a solo in the filmed version of “Nutcracker” last weekend at SCC. Swan Lake can be seen <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bHN-qiAw3xF-ewlnydR-pHIhRzCCo6Oy/view" target="_blank">here</a>, and Nutcracker and Aladdin, our Winter Festival shows, will be available soon! Giselle also passed her first Certificate of Merit piano exam virtually at the prep level with State honors. Since G is so busy with piano Mandarin, ballet, acting, and musical theater classes, we also chose to begin homeschooling Giselle for 4th grade with the Capo Home and Virtual School program. We appreciate the flexibility homeschooling brings to our schedule, and we love continuing Giselle’s Mandarin studies with her amazing Mandarin tutor, Miss Lani. Giselle is always making us laugh and delighting us with her beautiful creations, piano compositions, and endless silly faces. Once, again, Jim and I could not find a better team to call our quarantine buddies. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/41cdbb14e58daf8a6041f58834549f2b1807814c/original/bk3b3215lr.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I am a chameleon. This is nothing new for mothers, artists, and teachers, but shifting hats and platforms is our new pedagogical challenge. I sang my last live performance in Laguna Woods on the day Jim’s Mom passed away, then went straight to a Chinese New Year Party at Giselle’s school where I helped with crafts and serving food. Learning to shift through big emotions, or just channeling those emotions to find deeper expression through my craft is my new jam, apparently. Transitioning from live learning to on-line, Zoom, Live-stream, Facetime, and You-Tube learning was not easy, but seeing my students continue to learn and thrive virtually makes all of the technical challenges fade away. Before the shut down, my <a contents="Mandarin Immersion Ambassadors " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.friendsofmip.com/mip-in-the-media.html" target="_blank">Mandarin Immersion Ambassadors </a>performed beautifully at the San Clemente Outlets for the Lunar New Year Festival and were featured in the <a contents="Orange County Register" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ocregister.com/2020/01/28/dancers-and-dragons-welcome-lunar-new-year-at-outlets-san-clemente/" target="_blank">Orange County Register</a>. Giselle sang and danced, while Jameson MC’d the event in Mandarin. I continue to teach my Devey Music Studio students during the week, both live and in person, and 6 of those students took the <a contents="MTAC " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mtac.org/" target="_blank">MTAC </a>Certificate of Merit Virtual Evaluation, and made State Honors! On the weekends, I adore teaching live and virtually at <a contents="South Coast Conservatory " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://scconservatory.com/" target="_blank">South Coast Conservatory </a>where I am the musical director for an Annie and Sound of Music Showcase. Last weekend we recorded vocals for our Aladdin Winter Festival and soon we get to film Aladdin, socially distanced, of course. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/bf044ed186c5c4a742df2d5d6230be6da177e0eb/original/bk3b3015lr.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>If nothing else, 2020 has taught us to be grateful for each moment we spend together. Not every moment is bright and Instagram-ready, but we always find light, even in the darkness. </p>
<p>1st Corinthians 13:12 it says “For now we see in a mirror, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know, in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” </p>
<p>May you be known and loved imperfectly by friends and family on earth (as we are all imperfect), and perfectly loved by our Father in Heaven! Merry Christmas, and Hannukah to all! May 2021 bring new light into your vision as we all continue to change the world by changing our world. </p>
<p>You are loved!!!! </p>
<p>Love, The Devey Family!</p>
<p>Photos by the talented: <a contents="Ulrika Molin with UMoments&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gallery.umoments.net/" target="_blank">Ulrika Molin with UMoments </a><br>Dedicated to my dear Mother-in-law, Louise Devey </p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/60043692019-12-11T15:02:53-08:002021-08-08T10:30:56-07:00Celebrating 2019, and 20 Years in California: <p> A few people we hold dear! </p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/6a30d48239627d687d680a5b5da5e5ff4119dbb7/original/beautiful-family.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>On January 1, 2000, Jim and I rolled out of bed to discover that Y2K had not induced mass world calamity, and that we could indeed move ourselves and our cat, Tosca, to California. Jim had a job as a civil engineer with Cal-trans in the East Bay, and I was accepted into the Masters of opera program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. We were filled with dreams, anticipation, and plenty of hope. </p>
<p>Flash forward 20 years and many of those hopes and dreams have been fulfilled, and many have lead us to dreams across the world, that we could have never have imagined. God has been faithful to us in times of sickness, and in health and so has my amazing husband. We now have two incredible children, a community that we love, and friends and family that we hold dear. </p>
<p>Here are a few people we hold dear this year: </p>
<p>Jim: </p>
<p>After four years at his previous engineering job, Jim recently switched companies to begin working with San Diego General Electric. So far, he is enjoying the new challenges, and of course, the opportunity to work from home a few days each week. </p>
<p>Jim continues to delight us all, as well as Cream Puff the Bunny, with his beautiful guitar playing. In May, Jim purchased, designed, and ran a digital sound-system for the Marian Bergeson VAPA presentation of “Mary Poppins.” He has a natural talent for engineering and sound, so it is always good to see these two gifts married together! In June, Jim planned a trip to Aruba for our entire family. It was such a joy to travel abroad to this tiny country and enjoy island life. We made some beautiful memories and hope to return some day.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/935faf4952842f856b7dadba78c78fbc2370992f/original/jim-headshot.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Lori: </p>
<p>As the musical director for the Marian Bergeson VAPA program, I had the pleasure of directing my fourth show, “Mary Poppins.” It was a joy to see how much this program has grown and how each student has learned to sing, dance, and act with such skill. </p>
<p>In June, I played “Rafiki” in the <a contents="South Coast Conservatory " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://scconservatory.com/" target="_blank">South Coast Conservatory </a>Festival production of “Lion King.” It was my honor to not only teach these amazing artists, but also sing along with them. The Musical Theater Department at SCC has doubled in size, and I look forward to many more beautiful productions with them. </p>
<p>The Devey Music Studio is still going strong as my private voice and piano studio. As always, I love preparing my students for our two DMS recitals per year, plus various other recording, theater, and film projects my students participate in. This year, I have 6 students preparing for the <a contents="Music Teacher’s Association of California" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mtac.org/" target="_blank">Music Teacher’s Association of California</a> Certificate of Merit Program. </p>
<p>This year our <a contents="Mandarin Immersion Program" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.friendsofmip.com/" target="_blank">Mandarin Immersion Program</a> began a MIP Ambassador program to encourage our MIP students to perform and have more Chinese cultural experiences. Our Ambassadors are excited to perform at the San Clemente Outlets again on Chinese New Year again. Last year our MIP Ambassadors were featured in the <a contents="Orange County Register" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ocregister.com/2019/02/05/the-outlets-at-san-clemente-celebrates-lunar-new-year-with-a-dragon-cultural-dances-and-more/" target="_blank">Orange County Register</a>!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/4293cbb77e898e33981c5cceb4f26ebdc00bed1e/original/lori-headshot-portrait.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Jameson: </p>
<p>In May, Jameson delighted us with his beautiful voice, dancing, and acting as “Neleus” in the VAPA production of “Mary Poppins.” He was also accepted into his first honor ensemble, and played his trumpet with some of the best elementary instrumentalists in his school district. He was so passionate about trumpet that we found an amazing private instructor, <a contents="Tim Hall" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.themusicstand.net/trumpetlessonsinstructor.html" target="_blank">Tim Hall</a>, whom he began studying with in June. </p>
<p>In June, Jameson also graduated from elementary school, and officially became a middle schooler. He loves that the Mandarin Immersion Program that we love so much continues on, and that his kindergarten teacher is now his 6th grade Mandarin instructor. He also adores band, and just played his first winter concert this week. </p>
<p>His bright and silly personality always shines through whether he is playing volleyball, basketball, piano, or trumpet. Jameson always loves to build, and still lives up to his Chinese name which means “Brilliant Builder.” Jameson lights up every room with his shining humor and clever wit. We love having him as our son!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/3395236940f21e980b67a5a45c0fe6a97d838890/original/j-head-shot.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Giselle: </p>
<p>Who knew that at 7-years old, Giselle could master a posh British accent and master 19 scenes in her first official school musical? Giselle was selected to play “Jane” in the Bergeson VAPA production of “Mary Poppins,” and she absolutely brought the house down. </p>
<p>In June, Giselle danced in her 6th Spring recital with <a contents="Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://dkcba.com/" target="_blank">Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy</a>. She also just played a party girl and a gingerbread in her 6th Nutcracker this week. Her expression, work ethic, and creativity always light up the stage. </p>
<p>Both Jameson and Giselle participated in a Peking Opera performance. It was such an interesting experience for them to be totally immersed in the art and culture of Peking Opera. Their performances and interviews were on China News and <a contents="US China Press" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.uschinapress.com/2019/0731/1169955.shtml" target="_blank">US China Press</a> and are featured <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn8jKV7YZkM&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">here</a>. I even had a chance to coach the vocalists, which is always a joy!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/0e70e53501719286b44a65001e952f577bbcab72/original/beautiful-g.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>You:</p>
<p>As an artist, musician, teacher, composer, follower of Christ, wife, sister, daughter, volunteer, and mother, it is easy to get find yourself overwhelmed and then depressed. I cannot tell you how many friends and family I lean on every day to keep me inspired. Thank you, dear friend, for supporting me as a friend and as an artist. The world needs more song-birds, and I believe God put me on this earth, not just to sing for His glory, but to teach others to do the same. </p>
<p>Don’t be fooled. OUR LIVES ARE NOT PERFECT! We make daily mistakes, but we are grateful for the Grace of God which saves us, and for the grace of our friends and family! We love you and hold you dear!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/cc116a63caf3702ec0b0cc1949d4bb7658cc8cc6/original/sitting-family.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p>“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves. It is the Gift of God!” Ephesians 2:8. </p>
<p>May you hold onto that gift this Christmas and holiday season! </p>
<p>Warmly, </p>
<p>Lori</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Photographs are by the legendary, Stephanie Norman of <a contents="Reflections By Stephanie!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://reflectionsbystephanie.smugmug.com/" target="_blank">Reflections By Stephanie!</a></p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/55602872018-12-18T23:02:31-08:002018-12-20T10:53:31-08:00Bringing Harmony in 2018<p>“In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.” <br>~Eva Burrows </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/366061c4fb84ed92bfb0ca1c937b6abfd6b0aa3b/original/family-tunnel-edited.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jim - As a Civil Engineer, he is our cement expert who keeps us all together not to mention our resident baseball, soccer, and basketball coach. At work Jim is known as Associate Vice President at Prescience Engineers, but we know him as the Daddy, the math tutor, sound engineer, guitar guru, computer genius, and master griller. </p>
<p>Lori - As a Musician and teacher, I am our resident harmony expert. I adore teaching my Devey Music Studio piano and voice students each week. Last year I joined the<a contents=" Music Teacher’s Association of California" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mtac.org/" target="_blank"> Music Teacher’s Association of California</a> and my students can now participate in the Certificate of Merit program each year as they stretch their technique, sight-reading, theory, and performing abilities. I also began teaching a vocal technique class at <a contents="South Coast Conservatory" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://scconservatory.com/" target="_blank">South Coast Conservatory</a> this year and both directed and performed in their annual holiday showcase called, “The Gift.” I continue to sing with the Orange County Performing group called <a contents="The Showcase Singers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://theshowcasesingers.com/" target="_blank">The Showcase Singers</a> and I directed my third show at Marian Bergeson Elementary School. My “Lullaworld” recording project has turned into a book and I can’t wait to share it with the world! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/abff6dd586526e0784f27a83254caa078c009f06/original/jamo-reservoir-small.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
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<p>Jameson - As both our resident builder and cornet player, he is an expert on building just about anything he can imagine and diverting us with his beautiful cornet and piano playing, not to mention his gorgeous voice! Jameson played the staring role in our production of “The Little Mermaid,” at Marian Bergeson. He was a dashing and debonair Prince Eric who charmed us all with his lilting voice and charming dancing. Jameson loves to play basketball, draw, soccer, baseball, piano, cornet, and make fart jokes. “The Cheetah,” as his last baseball team called him, had an inguinal hernia which required two surgeries, but that won’t keep him down for long. At 10 years old, Jameson is a 5th grader in our beloved Mandarin Immersion Program. His teacher often tells me how impressed she is by his work ethic, and he was student of the month again in October. We love watching Jameson grow and change the world through his love for Christ and his empathy for people who are hurting. </p>
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<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/617dc45988ab72b2470e8d68ed8432539abc9f38/original/close-up-of-g-cut.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
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<p>Giselle - As our resident performer, soccer player, dancer, and artist, Giselle is an expert at creating alternate worlds in her brilliant imagination. In October, Giselle was interviewed by<a contents=" China Central Television " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://m.news.cctv.com/m/a/index.shtml?id=ARTIn8cVJfzAMjALQJcE54qa181027" target="_blank"> China </a><a contents="Central Television " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://m.news.cctv.com/m/a/index.shtml?id=ARTIn8cVJfzAMjALQJcE54qa181027" target="_blank">Central Television </a>where she introduced herself and told how she loves to write in Chinese because the characters are beautiful. In December, Giselle performed in her 5th Nutcracker with Orange County Ballet Theater. She loved playing a pouty Party Girl, Angel, and Gingerbread. At 7 years old, Giselle is a 2nd grader who was just cast as “Jane” in our Marian Bergeson VAPA production of “Mary Poppins,” and we cannot wait to hear her sing and light up the stage. Like her brother, Giselle has a beautiful love for Christ and for people who are hurting. </p>
<p>Whether we are engineering, teaching, performing, building, or playing, we hope to always be loving! Our lives are far from perfect, but the love of Christ we share keeps us in perfect harmony! </p>
<p>Merry Christmas and may God richly bless you in the coming year!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/efe82bc83ffd9939daefbbebf52cc8b5966f1eda/original/siblings.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
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<p> </p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/49746242017-12-12T20:39:23-08:002017-12-23T08:33:04-08:00Branching Out in 2017<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ad1b59c8cf1752eca7f3abcb2b5688de6bc128ef/large/favorite-family-touched-up-small.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>“Families are like branches on a tree,<br>we grow in different directions,<br>yet our roots remain the same.” <br>~Unknown </p>
<p>Our little branches are sprouting up and surprising us daily with their originality, strength, and kindness. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1a658755bd5f7d0dd872a091115bdbe9aa9da910/large/reading-j-small.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Jameson is our EIT. He loves to design, build, and dream of becoming a NASA aerospace engineer. Baseball, basketball, music, books, art, and origami, are a few of Jameson’s favorite things. Each morning at 6:30 you will find Jameson “entertaining his brain” at the piano. This year, Jameson played “The Baker” in the school production of “Beauty and the Beast,” and he was recently cast as “Prince Eric” in the 2018 production of “The Little Mermaid.” Jameson won 3rd place in his division for his story called “Leonardo De Hamster” at the Reflections Art Contest at school. Jameson is now in 4th grade at his Mandarin Immersion school, and he is thriving with both his English teacher, Mrs. Welsh, and Mandarin teacher Mrs. Fong who inspire him to learn and to grow.</p>
<p>Our Renaissance Man delights us with his many talents and creative ideas. Not a day goes by without Jameson declaring, “I’ve got an idea!” </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/86de9d78e97bfc45f6d78119d07a089aed16d5f4/original/giselle-smiles.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p>Giselle is our perfomer/teacher. She loves to design, create, and dream of being a Chinese teacher and ballerina. Ballet, art, music, books, and writing Chinese sentences are a few of Giselle’s favorite things. Each morning I brush Giselle’s hair whilst she plays the piano, as she dearly loves to play. This year, Giselle won first place in the Reflections Art Contest at school for the original video she produced called “How to take care of your American Girl Doll.” Giselle is now in 1st grade at her Mandarin Immersion school and she adores her teacher, Ms. Chang!</p>
<p>Giselle sang two solos during our 2017 production of “Beauty and the Beast,” and she is preparing to sing in “The Little Mermaid” in 2018 as well. Dancing in her fourth Nutcracker season was also a highlight of the year. Not a day goes by without hearing “Mom, look what I made,” as she delights us with her creations! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/7c9ec9bbb661e8e08d3e44cf222ef7111abe9deb/original/reclining-jim-small.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>In January, Jim celebrates his two-year anniversary with PreScience Engineering. As the Associate Vice President, Jim wears many hats and runs various projects around the LA and OC areas. On the weekends, Jim lays tracks for our Lullaworld Album, helps coach Jameson's sports teams, and enjoys spending time with the family. Our children are blessed to call him Dad! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/c4f9cf131b37541ffac913286467d9405363d167/original/green-headshot-edited-cropped-small.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>My private Orange County voice and piano studio will celebrate its three-year anniversary in January. The <a contents="Devey Music Studio " data-link-label="Lessons" data-link-type="page" href="/lessons" target="_blank">Devey Music Studio </a>has grown to 25 vocal and piano students who perform in two studio recitals per year. I was the musical director for "Beauty and the Beast" last May and have the honor of directing "The Little Mermaid" in May of 2018. In October, I began singing with a local Broadway/Opera review company called<a contents=" The Showcase Singers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://theshowcasesingers.com/" target="_blank"> The Showcase Singers</a>. I also enjoy leading worship monthly with<a contents=" Saddleback Aliso Viejo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://saddleback.com/visit/locations/aliso-viejo" target="_blank"> Saddleback Aliso Viejo</a>. It is wonderful to find new ways to develop my gifts. The Lullaworld project was put on hold due to technical difficulties, but we are finally getting back on track. Check back soon for our newest track "Mayim" which will be posted here and on <a contents="Soundcloud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/lori-renee-kelley-devey" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/c6ec943bfa87027c43eefddd8278384d04bea30f/original/j-g-smiles-small.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."<br>John 15:5</p>
<p>I wake every day thanking God for the numerous blessings we have. Having chronic illness helps me remember that I am completely dependent on Christ and that every good and perfect gift is from him. If we are bearing fruit in our lives, then may the glory be to God!</p>
<p>We praise God for our beautiful children who are sprouting up before us and branching out in life!</p>
<p>Our brilliant photographer, Stephanie from <a contents="Reflections by Stephanie " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://reflectionsbystephanie.smugmug.com/" target="_blank">Reflections by Stephanie </a>can be contacted <a contents="here!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://reflectionsbystephanie.smugmug.com/" target="_blank">here</a>!</p>
<p> </p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/45454702017-01-10T22:45:25-08:002017-01-11T07:22:02-08:00When your body feels like a prison<p><span class="font_large"><em><strong>The answer is gratitude! </strong></em><br><br>I have a story to share instead of a secret to hide. <strong>Most of my life I have spent pretending that I do not have chronic pain and that I am not sick.</strong> Sometimes my acting skills are Oscar worthy; yesterday I could no longer act. <br><br>My body demanded rest for weeks, but with performances, a private music studio to run, Christmas, and my family to care for, not to mention my daughter having a five-day high-fever, <strong> I said “no” to my health and “yes” to everything that seemed more important. </strong><br><br>Yesterday, I went to the doctor thinking I had a sinus infection or bronchitis, but it turns out I have pneumonia in spite of having a pneumonia vaccine. <strong>Since I have asthma, scoliosis, 14 vertebrae fused in my spine, Herrington rods, chronic migraines, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia, getting pneumonia is a bit complicated. </strong><br><br>I was devastated yesterday. I needed to take a week off from teaching just 13 days before my student recital and 2 days before the first Beauty and the Beast rehearsal. <strong>Anger and fear held onto my heart like blood-sucking leaches. How could God do this to me?</strong> I have fought through 2 years of mononucleosis, one of the most painful back surgeries ever invented, and managed to have children in spite of discouragement from my doctors. How could this happen after I had changed my diet, attitude, and lifestyle so much? <br><br>The fact remains that no matter how hard I work on my health or how well I take care of my body, aside from a miracle, I will never be completely healthy. Although, as far as I know, humans have a 100% death rate, <strong>so as my body slowly sinks to the grave, I must reach for the heavens. </strong><br><br>But, our culture celebrates healthy people, and why shouldn’t we? Healthy people build more, make more, do more, and become more. Or do they? <strong>Although I pray to be healed daily, I understand that I have a dependence on God that most healthy people may never possess</strong>. I must depend on and therefore give glory to God when I do anything over and above what most doctors expect of me. <br><br>Perhaps doing more isn’t equal to becoming a better person or even a Godlier person. Instead of doing more, I must be grateful for what I can do and what and who I have. <strong>We reject grace when we lose our gratitude, therefore I must be grateful so that I won’t be disgraced! </strong><br><br>Many have questioned whether I have enough faith to be healed, but <strong>sometimes not being healed takes more faith than receiving a miracle; sometimes YOU are the miracle. </strong>The most faith-strenuous exercise I can imagine is choosing to worship and love a God who has not chosen to answer my prayers to my satisfaction. But when I add gratitude to that equation, the strain doesn’t vanish, but my fear decreases and my heart is strengthened. <br><br>My heart needed strengthening when we moved to China in February 2010. Jim had was forced to work on our second day in Shanghai and I was left alone in a frigid Chinese complex with an 18-month-old baby, no internet, no phone, no cable, no friends, and only four Mandarin words in my vocabulary.<strong> I learned from a dear friend in Humboldt County to write gratitude pages when I struggle with despair.</strong> It is those gratitude pages that helped me focus on the beauty of our situation and embrace a gratifying season of our lives. <strong>By having gratitude for the grace of God I did not despair.</strong> <br><br>Yesterday, I fell into despair and for a time rejected grace. Today, I pulled out my gratitude journal and began filling the page with wonderful blessings. <br><br><strong>Below is my first page of my 30-days of gratitude. </strong>My handwriting is shaky from albuterol and steroids, so I will type it out if you wish to read on. <br><br><strong>If you struggle with depression, anxiety, fear, or a broken heart, please open your Bible, pray for guidance, and fill a page every morning with your blessings.</strong><br><br><strong>This will change your life! <br><br>Gratitude: January 10. 2017 </strong></span></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">1. Albuterol, so I may breathe <br>2. Hot tea <br>3. My dear husband who took the day off from work to help <br>4. This gorgeous pen from Shannon <br>5. Dinner provided by Vanessa <br>6. Julie, who took Gisselle to and from school today <br>7. Astrid, who picked up both of my children yesterday <br>8. Sam, who went to Costco for me <br>9. My Seester, who is sending me new vitamins <br>10. Prayer from my friends and family <br>11. Lynn, who always responds to texts, night or day and in any country <br>12. My students who are so understanding as I take a week off from teaching <br>13. Christine, who did library for me <br>14. Mara, who inspired me to write a gratitude list when I fall into despair <br>15. Mango, yumm! <br>16. So much time to read and write this week <br>17. The gift of another day <br>18. My Lord & Savior who is my healer <br>19. Giselle, who wanted to be sure I ate breakfast. <br>20. Jameson, who always has a “brilliant idea” <br>21. Anti-biotics that are helping me heal <br>22. Time to read with my children for longer than usual <br>23. A beautiful house in a free country <br>24. My parents, who were able to visit us <br>25. The sun as it casts glorious shadows and a rainbow of colors before the rain. </span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font_large"> <br><strong>Phillipians 4:6 <br>Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God: and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. <br>I pray that you let gratitude guard your heart, through Christ Jesus! </strong></span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br><strong><span class="font_large">When your back looks like a pretzel, things don't work as they should.</span></strong><br> </div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d9eb164edd217525117fdcf712371b04e7bf68e1/medium/scoliosis-pic-a.jpg?1484113212" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" style="text-align: center;" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br><strong><span class="font_large">But, there is always a reason to be grateful!</span></strong><br> </div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b58c6e8838192a0d950ee6543fe57c81bca7071c/original/journal-pic-1-a-small.jpg?1484113167" class="size_l justify_center border_" style="text-align: center;" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br><strong><span class="font_large">I'm loving my pink fingers on my less-than-proficient hands!</span></strong><br> </div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/45131912016-12-15T16:53:43-08:002016-12-31T16:17:12-08:00Fabulous Four<p>Our family of four is spending our fourth Christmas in Orange County! When you’ve moved 15 times in your life, four Christmases in one location is cause for celebration! </p>
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<p> <br>Here are four reasons we are celebrating this year:<br><br>1. Jameson is in 3rd grade at our Mandarin Immersion School and he loves having both an English teacher and a Chinese teacher for the first time ever. Basketball, baseball, soccer, art, piano, and building are Jameson’s favorite things to do. <br><br>Also, Jameson played “Ed” in the school production of "Lion King", and “Knight One” in a summer production of "Shrek, the Musical". Our 8-year-old boy loves sharks, Legos, cracking jokes, and dreams of having a real pipe-organ in his room someday. We adore this young man! </p>
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<p><br> <br>2. Giselle is in Kindergarten at the same Mandarin Immersion School as her big brother. Gymnastics, ballet, singing, playing soccer, telling stories, and playing the piano are a few of Giselle’s favorite things to do. <br><br>Just a few weekends ago, Giselle performed in her third Nutcracker and was cast as a mini-mouse and an angel. Giselle, like her brother, performs in my studio recitals and made her debut both singing and playing the piano this year. Our 5-year-old loves dolphins, Legos, drawing, writing her own music, making up her own jokes, and one day dreams of riding a dolphin. We love our lovely young lady.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/49ca02676e3f5f60b355c7b34b14d0a1afcd1931/medium/devey-3418-giselle.jpg?1481860836" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> <br>3. Jim accepted a position as the Associate Vice President of PreScience Corporation in Santa Ana. This year, Jim has worked on a BART project, multiple bridges in Orange County, and did IT and marketing for PreScience in Santa Ana. Because of Jim's many accomplishments, he received an Outstanding Engineering Merit Award from the Orange County Engineering Council in February.<br><br>Last month Jim finally acquired a new jazz guitar and has been adding some jazzy vibes to our children’s Album.<br> </p>
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<p><br>4. I now have 25 students at the Devey Music Studio. It is such a gift to do what I love, which is to inspire musicians of all ages and abilities. <br>In May, I had the opportunity to be the musical director for the Lion King at our beloved school. It was a joy to lead the entire cast and to include my children in the production. <br><br>The Lullaworld children’s world album is still under construction and I have begun sharing some of our creations. So far I have songs in Mandarin, Spanish, Hebrew, German, Portuguese, French, and English. I am still searching for a Japanese and Korean song to be added to the collection. Please comment below with any recommendations you may have. I love your input! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/c062ff8af32c783925b12a265d8fbf9ce5cefb41/medium/devey-3690-ukelori.jpg?1481861307" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br>May your days and years be merry and bright! <br>Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight! <br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a75b01d3df552682a300035c7df25f4b0c56fefd/original/devey-3497.jpg?1481861733" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Love, Jameson, Jim, Giselle, & Lori</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">My fabulous friend and photographer from Reflections By Stephanie took our family photos this year. <br>Visit her facebook page <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/reflections.by.stephanie" target="_blank">here</a>, and her website <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.reflectionsbystephanie.smugmug.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/44878642016-11-28T20:26:08-08:002017-09-01T21:51:07-07:007 Steps to proper singing for children<p>Frequently, I am asked when children should begin voice lessons. Most voice teachers will not teach a child until they are at least 12 years old. I do teach younger students, but I do not work on true vocal technique as their voices are still developing. Instead, I teach the student solfege, how to read music, and musicianship. </p>
<p>Outside of vocal lessons, I encourage young singers to join a choir, take piano lessons, and learn how to sight-sing using solfege. Then, I use these seven steps to proper singing in children. If you have a basic knowledge of music, you can help your child improve their singing at home.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><strong>1. Stretch before you sing </strong><br>You can’t sing your best if your body is tense like a rubber band. <br>*Lean over to touch your toes then slowly come back up to a standing position and shake everything out to release tension. <br><br><strong>2. Use good posture </strong><br>Singing well is impossible if you are slouched over like a couch potato. <br>*Stand up straight with your feet hip-width apart; be careful not to lock your knees or you may pass out. Pretend someone is pulling a string from the top of your head, like a marionette, to feel taller. <br><br><strong>3. Practice low breathing </strong><br>Let your abdomen drop forward as you take a breath. Don’t breathe with your shoulders; that’s not where your lungs are. <br>*Place one hand on your lower abdomen, one hand at the side of your lungs, and breathe. You should feel your lungs expand and your abdomen drop forward like there is a giant balloon in your tummy. <br><br><strong>4. Warm up </strong><br>Stretch your vocal chords like you would stretch before playing sports or dancing so you do not injure yourself. <br>*Make a siren sound from high to low. Next, sing the solfege scale, “do re me fa sol la ti do” to stretch your range. Finally, sing an easy song such as “Jingle Bells” or “Do a Deer” to finish warming up. <br><br><strong>5. Sing without straining </strong><br>Sing naturally, as if you are speaking, it should not feel like you are yelling. <br>*If you feel tense, try swallowing and checking your posture. Louder does not equal better singing! <br><br><strong>6. Stay healthy </strong><br>Since your body is your instrument, you must keep your body healthy and strong. <br>*Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and stay hydrated. If you are sick, sing carefully or stop singing and speaking altogether. <br><br><strong>7. Sing every day</strong> <br>Practice makes permanent, so what you sing and how frequently you sing it determines how much you will improve. <br>*Try putting on talent shows at home and practice performing for family and friends.<br><br> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/6558570e6fe1f26e6fecfa454be90195e08e0799/original/cropped-small-black-and-white.jpg?1480393691" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><br><br>My little musicians love to sing! I don't give them formal voice lessons, but we use these principals when they practice for a recital or school performance. Remember, children cannot learn to sing from a recorded voice. It is only possible for a child to learn how to match pitches from another human being. No matter how insecure you may be about your voice, please sing with your child!</p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/39650112015-12-16T09:34:02-08:002022-03-15T18:34:27-07:005 Reasons We’re Grateful for 2015<p style="text-align: center;"><br><span class="font_xl"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ac84353fe594b429835663f5822ef8df8d4f43b4/large/devey-2015-small.jpg?1450287206" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>1. We bought our townhouse! </strong><br>You can finally write our address in pen instead of pencil, we think. After moving 8 times since relocating to California in 2000, we were able to purchase our townhouse that we had rented in Orange County for two previous years. That means not only did we buy, but we didn't have to move again. Hallelujah! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>2. Jim is starting a new job. </strong><br>Besides being an awesome dad, coach, music-producer, and home-improvement master, he will be an Associate Vice President for Prescience in Santa Ana and is excited about his new projects and a shorter commute. </span><br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_xl"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a7b331450b20bbcce18e0b3453c43b6b637cee51/large/fjfameson-small.jpg?1450287327" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>3. Jameson is rocking 2nd grade at Mandarin Immersion School. </strong><br>When Jameson is not at school, he enjoys soccer, Kung Fu, swimming, piano, and rehearsing for the school production of The Lion King. Building, climbing, playing the piano, and telling jokes are a few of Jameson’s favorite things. When Jameson grows up he wants to be an engineer and a pianist. </span><br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/935abc1f4538c0ee4e68bb3eab6e2a888d4ed814/large/giselle-2015-small.jpg?1450287938" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">4. Giselle loves her Mandarin Immersion Preschool. </span></strong><br><span class="font_large">She comes home singing and speaking in Mandarin more than ever. On non-school days I get to enjoy plenty of one-on-one time with Giselle as we have play-dates, visit museums, and homeschool English. Giselle loves learning singing, dancing, studying ballet, playing the piano, and drawing. Once again, Giselle performed in The Orange County Ballet Theater production of Nutcracker and loved playing a delicious Bon Bon. Giselle says she wants to be a doctor and a ballerina when she grows up. </span><br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/945c137ee477cacd0de4e2f3aab2302f78c5f3c8/large/flying-giselle-small.jpg?1450288124" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>5. I am teaching again. </strong><br>Reopening the Devey Music Studio to vocal and piano students was such a treat this year. I love that our house has a steady flow of musicians coming and going and that our lives are filled with music. I am making progress on my children’s world album called “Lullaworld.” So far I have songs in Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Hebrew. If you have any foreign language children’s songs that you would like to recommend, I am delighted to hear your suggestions.<br><br>My fabulous friend and photographer from Reflections By Stephanie took our family photos this year.<br>Visit her facebook page <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.facebook.com/reflections.by.stephanie" target="_blank">here</a>, and her website <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.reflectionsbystephanie.smugmug.com" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br><br><span class="font_xl"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_xl"> </span><br> </p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/39303552015-11-22T22:07:23-08:002017-01-11T05:54:59-08:008 Ways to Get Your Kid to Practice<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span class="font_large"><strong>And make them think it's their idea.<br><br>1. Play more, practice less</strong><br>Albert Einstein said "I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” There is a difference between skill and talent. Musical skills can be obtained by nearly everyone. Deaf, blind, mute, and physically disabled people can develop astounding musical skills. Music is who we are. We are kept alive by a beating drum, therefore we are drawn to learn music like an infant kicking its legs before he can walk. Musical talent is the combination of skill and God-given giftedness. The great news is that skill can trump giftedness to a point, if you work hard enough.<br><br>How do get your kid to work hard and practice? You must instill a playful curiosity and passion for music that drives them to experiment, discover, and create their own art. Early <a contents="learning is rooted in play " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://eyeonearlyeducation.com/2012/05/07/how-do-young-children-learn-through-play/" target="_blank">learning is rooted in play </a>so if you allow your child to play with music, it will feel like a creative process instead of a chore. So, let them play freely. Let them play badly. Let them make mistakes. Allow them space to develop their own style of music. I promise you won’t need ear plugs for long.<br><br><strong>2. Pick up an instrument</strong><br>Did you play clarinet or trumpet in high school? Dust that thing off, or find a used instrument on craigslist. Have you always wanted to play guitar, but never found the time? Make time now. Watch YouTube videos, buy instructional books, or hire an instructor so that you can learn to read and play music along with your child.<br><br>Learning to be musically literate and playing an instrument is difficult; it takes humility to fail over and over again. Show your child that you are not above failure. Model tenacity, perseverance, and artistry and your child will follow in your footsteps. Your child may need to borrow your earplugs, but they will love laughing at your squeaky reeds and blasting horns. Teach them to laugh at their mistakes then learn from them.<br> <br><strong>3. Play together</strong><br>Now that you are hopefully playing an instrument, no matter how poorly, try playing with your child. It might be hilariously off, but it will be fun. Play along with your favorite playlists together. If needed, warn your neighbors and arm them with earplugs or invite them over to play along.<br><br>Playing music together was once a daily occurrence in the average home. Many families also attended churches where hymnals were read and corporate singing was a weekly tradition. Since the dawn of the phonograph, television, and the internet, the act of playing music together has decreased significantly. We often want our music to be perfectly orchestrated, mixed, sung, played, and delivered directly to our ears at the touch of a button. As a result, music can seem like a commodity to be consumed, not an art to be created. We associate playing music with pressing a triangle.<br><br>Thanks to that little triangle we have access to a limitless amount of music. Expose your child to a larger variety of music and listen to something new every day. Don’t make fun of your child’s musical preferences, but introducing them to a musician who was born in the previous century would be a good start. Talk about musicians, not just the music. Do research. Where was the musician born? When did they begin playing music? What sort of obstacles did that musician encounter on his and her journey? Why do you like this musician and how does their music speak to you? Be sure to introduce your children to various genres of music, and tell your child who your favorite jazz musician, classical composer, or Broadway singer is. If you do not have a favorite, find one.<br> <br><strong>4. Play to master, not to conquer and cast </strong><br>Just learning the notes is not enough. Avoid the mentality of conquering a piece just to cast it aside. Classical and pop musicians often spend years, even decades, perfecting their pieces. Find a specific song by your child’s favorite artist. Are there multiple recordings of the same song or piece? If so, how does that artist progress in their performance of that song? You may notice that the earlier performances are technically correct, but lack the depth of emotion that exists in the latter performances. This will demonstrate how the artist did not just learn the song, sing the song, and move on.<br><br>Your child should be building a repertoire not a graveyard of music books, so allow your scholar to take time to master his and her pieces. If your musician is growing tired and hitting road-blocks on a particular piece, ask your child’s teacher if they may take a break and revisit that piece later. I love reviewing older repertoire with my students as it gives them a chance to see their progress.<br><br><strong>5. Practice positively</strong><br>Never use music as a punishment. Yelling “go practice the violin” at your child when they are in trouble will not instill any sense of joy let alone artistry in their playing. Encourage your child to use a timer to reach their practice goal, but make sure you don’t hover while they practice. Yelling out “Oooops” at every mistake does not a mentor make. Since I am both my son’s teacher and mother, I avoid listening too closely while he practices. When he is having trouble, I ask if he wants help. If you are literate in one instrument, you should be able to help your child at a basic level with reading notation. If you feel you cannot do this, ask your child’s teacher for resources to help you become musically literate, or buy a book <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/Music-Literacy-Everyone-Maeve-Smith-ebook/dp/B00JST34W0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1447223988&sr=8-4&keywords=adult+notation+music" target="_blank">here</a>.<br><br>You are your child’s biggest advocate, which means you should be an encourager not an adjudicator. Music should be fun. Tell your child how much you enjoy hearing them play and leave the critiquing to your child’s teacher. If you must say something negative, be constructive. Use your child’s teacher’s own words, such as “Miss Lori says to keep your eyes on your music.” It’s better for your child to progress slowly than to quit and lose everything he or she has learned.<br> <br><strong>6. Play creatively</strong><br>I have never met a non-creative child; they do not exist. Some children are taught to ignore their creativity as they age and turn into self-labeled non-creatives. If you want your child to love music and therefore practice without complaint, they must learn to create their own music. We rarely give a child a piece of art and ask that child to replicate that art exactly, yet that is often the only way young musicians are taught. It is important for your child to be musically literate but make sure your child is not just a “paint-by-number” musician.<br><br>Challenge your musician to write their own endings to their assigned songs. Show your child a beautiful picture and ask them to write a melody that reflects that image. Is your child having a hard day? Ask them to channel that energy into their own song. Teach your child about musical themes. Who isn’t familiar with “The Imperial March” from Star Wars or Lois Lane’s theme from Superman? Encourage your composer to write their own themes for Pikachu, Minecraft, Minions, or even Elsa, she needs a new theme. This creative ownership will fuel your child’s passion for playing music.<br> <br><strong>7. Play frequently</strong><br>I started teaching again last February and my son began taking formal lessons with me as well. Jameson was petrified of performing and begged me to never make him do it. We had two keyboards in the studio, but no acoustic piano. Once we purchased our upright piano, we could not get our children away from it. Jameson plays at 5-10 minute increments throughout the day. He sounds out music that he loves, or songs that he is learning from school. He plays new songs and old song; he plays without being asked. Since he plays so frequently, he discovered that his muscle memory takes over and that helps him play without nerves. Jameson played for my studio recital in June and said it was the best part of the summer.<br><br>Unfortunately, I did not give Jameson any other performance opportunities during the summer months so when we visited family he was too self-conscious again to play for our extended family. I encouraged him to give mini-recitals at home where he practiced being put on the spot and enjoyed the ensuing applause. Now, he plays for anyone. He plays for his friends, he puts on mini-talent-shows with my four-year-old daughter, he plays for grandma and grandpa via facetime, and he can hardly wait for the next recital in January.<br><br>Not every child will want to play music 20 times per day, but the goal is that they play more often. Learning an instrument is all about repetition and <a contents="muscle-memory " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://pianolessonsinyourhome.com/practice-tips-for-muscle-memory/" target="_blank">muscle-memory </a>which is not only developed by the duration of play but the how often one plays.<br> <br><strong>8. Remember the why</strong><br>Why did your child begin studying music? Was this your choice or his and hers? What is your motivation behind these lessons?<br>The why for me and my children is that art is restorative. To recreate is to re-create. In order for people to be healthy and happy they must find meaning, purpose, and love in life. All three of those goals are developed within art and music. I want my children to be individuals who unleash their creative powers to change the world by changing their world first. Playing music encourages children to be sensitive and empathetic to the world around them. When I remember the why I can let go of the forgotten quarter-rest or un-curved fingers, then I may encourage my children to play with music, not just practice it.<br> <br>What is your goal for your child as a musician/artist?<br>What would you add to this list?<br>What would you take away?</span><br><br> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b8d405796df4f460cb57410f08cc089f5fe0ba1d/original/cropped-piano-jamo-boy-small.jpg?1448257512" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Sometimes, Jameson plays backwards</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/211e14535bc9b9893ce9b747db68deb5861038b3/original/bunny-plays-small.jpg?1448258112" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Other times, bunny plays</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/232fae64fa1f131141dd59ab2d9f022196137070/original/sibling-play-small.jpg?1448259157" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">They play before leaving the house,<br>upon returning to the house,<br>before breakfast, after dinner,<br>and often fight over who gets to play first.<br>I love the constant cacophony.</span><br><br><br><br> </p><br> Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/25812782014-02-14T07:58:52-08:002017-01-11T05:54:59-08:00Love is:<br><span class="font_large">1. Snuggling and sharing your valentine candy with your sister, even though you don't always get along</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/e4d5853f6d4b3b9582bf2098c3034f2cb89ab780/original/snuggly-small.jpg?1392393346" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><span class="font_large">2. not about me.</span><br><span class="font_large">3. a choice.<br>4. working for something or someone outside of yourself.<br>5. getting out of a bed flooded in daylight after hearing every ray of a moonlit cry from your feverishly ill children.<br>6. crossing the sea to follow your love.<br>7. leaving for work at 4 AM, driving for 3 1/2 hours, then working for 8 hours, driving for another 3 1/2 hours only to end the day washing dishes.<br>8. a hatbox filled with hershey's kisses fitted with hand-written love-note flags.<br>9. <a contents="Saint Valentine," data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://allsaintsbrookline.org/celtic_saints/valentine.html" target="_blank">Saint Valentine,</a> who married lovers who wished to be united against Roman law in spite of the risk of losing his head. <br>10. a handmade construction-paper valentine.<br>11. answering a call from someone who needs your encouragement almost as much as you need to give it.<br>12. making a way for friends to have a much-needed date-night and even hiring the sitter.<br>13. forgiveness; even without an apology.<br>14. watching these two grow...</span><br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a5d195f2fd5a9610f76e981a7f1e77dfece56e80/original/heart-runnaway-v-day-card-6-small.jpg?1392393311" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br><span class="font_large">...as they remind me that love never fails</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f762a402974a7f8dd7402adb11c69672d271a5d8/original/two-and-balloons-small.jpg?1392393367" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">... to take your breath away</span></div><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/973fe6b61ddf73f2222930975ab1cdd1d7d2b5bf/original/j-g-oh-my-small.jpg?1392393337" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br><span class="font_large"><span class="text 1Cor-13-4" id="en-NIV-28670">Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-13-5" id="en-NIV-28671"><sup class="versenum"><font size="2"> </font></sup>It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-13-6" id="en-NIV-28672">Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.</span> <span class="text 1Cor-13-7" id="en-NIV-28673"><sup class="versenum"><font size="2"> </font></sup>It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.</span></span>
<p><span class="font_large"><span class="text 1Cor-13-8" id="en-NIV-28674">Love never fails. </span><br><br><a contents="1 Corinthians 3:4-8A" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2013&version=NIV" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 3:4-8A</a><br><br><br>What is love to you?</span></p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22637662013-12-20T00:09:05-08:002017-02-03T00:10:35-08:0010 blessings of 2013<strong>1. We moved again. </strong><br>This is our eighth location since moving to California in 2000, so moving may not sound like a blessing, but it is. We are ecstatic that Jim has a job he enjoys and that we get to live in Camelot. We took our photos at Mission San Juan Capistrano with <a contents="Jack Randall Photography" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://jackrandallphotography.com/" target="_blank">Jack Randall Photography</a> where "the sun is shining, the grass is green, and the orange and palm-trees swing." I am beginning to understand what Irving Berlin felt when he wrote White Christmas.<br> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/705c0f7941b9fddfa79bf3cb91ad04b2662dc9f6/original/christmas-pillar-family-small.jpg?1387523115" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><strong>2. Our children are adorable. </strong><br>Giselle has the flu right now and is singing away in our bed at this late-hour. Jameson wanted to sleep next to his sister, as he was worried about her. I cannot ask for a bigger blessing than two beautiful, gregarious, precocious, intelligent, caring, gifts from God.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f2a67a5d8595582acdd06c7f4effca5f37466a8a/original/christmas-fountain-small.jpg?1387523239" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><strong>3. Jameson continues studying Mandarin.</strong><br>When we told our Ayi that we were moving back to the States from China, her biggest regret was that Jameson would forget all that she had taught him. We are so blessed to have found a Mandarin school for Jameson to attend here in Orange County. Jameson adores his teacher and I love learning alongside my child as we do our homework together. I also began teaching Jameson piano lessons as he wants to play the trumpet someday. Thanks to learning Chinese and my constant singing, or perhaps the fact this his great, great, great, great, great, great-Grandfather is <a contents="Orlando Gibbons" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://www.nndb.com/people/355/000093076/" target="_blank">Orlando Gibbons</a>, he has fabulous ear, and picks up melodies quite easily. Jameson says he wants to be an engineer when he grows up. He constantly creates new designs in his head and loves to build with Legos, blocks, paper, or anything that is not nailed down.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/cf336b65017cd5c8987fa2641480dbf569ab8031/original/christmas-jamo-small.jpg?1387523433" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br><br><strong>4. Giselle sings constantly.</strong><br>She is either singing, or using some other part of her vocal capacity (wink, wink!) I am amazed at her capacity to learn new songs. If Giselle is not vocalizing, she is dancing, kicking a pink soccer-ball, or she is "doing it 'self." I love this independent little angel.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/465ab3523c5629815a21249100911120e1fdaeca/original/christmas-mommy-and-me-small.jpg?1387523344" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br><strong>5. Jim is a world-famous engineer.</strong><br>He won't say it, but I will! The <a contents="San Francisco Bay Bridge" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://baybridgeinfo.org/" target="_blank">San Francisco Bay Bridge</a> opened this September, and you will find a picture of my husband hanging at the Bay Bridge grand opening warehouse. Being a part of building this historical bridge in China is a blessing we will never forget.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f4b5fcce8dddf330059e5721a2e084a63f137910/original/jim-bay-bridge.jpg?1387525389" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br><strong>6. Giselle fell out the second-story window. </strong><br>How could I ever call this a blessing? Because my daughter is a living, breathing, walking, singing, miracle. On our third day in our new house, I left the two kids in Jameson's room for a moment to use the restroom. They were looking through boxes of books and I left for two minutes, or less. I did not notice that Jameson had opened a window, nor did I know he was able to unlock the window, and that the window was very low. Giselle climbed up into the window and pushed through the screen. <font color="#000000">Miraculously</font>, she escaped with only a minor fracture to her left-middle finger. I now have locks on all of our upstairs windows and look at Jameson's window with gratitude for a God who protected her when I was exhausted beyond belief. I cried for weeks, but now understand more than ever that in my weakness, God is strong.<br><br><strong>7. I completed the Yak Academy Chinese Children's Album.</strong><br>In the midst of our move to Orange County, somehow I eked out a few hours each night to spend in the studio arranging Yak Songs for the <a contents="San Diego Yak Academy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://www.yakacademy.com/location/san-diego-yak-academy-learning-center" target="_blank">San Diego Yak Academy</a>. This was a great learning experience, and gave me the opportunity to become more autonomous in the studio.<br><br><strong>8. Our music studio is our hideout.</strong><br>When the children are nestled, all snug in their beds, the laundry is finished (or at least started), the dishes are done, the bills are paid, and the house no longer looks like an atomic bomb recently exploded, I escape into the studio. I love this space. Aside from the Yak Songs, I continue to plug away at the Lullaworld Children's album, and have composed three soundtracks for <a contents="Available Light" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://www.availablelight.cn" target="_blank">Available Light</a>, a video production company in Shanghai. I cannot believe I get to use these tools and create every day. Please enjoy listening to a few tracks I've added to my web-site or visit <a contents="https://soundcloud.com/lori-renee-kelley-devey" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/lori-renee-kelley-devey" target="_blank">https://soundcloud.com/lori-renee-kelley-devey</a><br><br><strong>9. Jim is my secret weapon.</strong><br>With each track I complete, Jim spends hours automatic, mixing, and mastering. Jim is my editor when I get stuck, and he adds beautifully creative elements to each track. I love how our little home-studio is set-up and I am so grateful to have married a man who shares my passion for creating beautiful and unique music.<br><br><strong>10. We love our lives.</strong><br>We are not perfect (see #6), but we could not be happier. We adore attending <a contents="Saddleback Church" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.saddleback.com/" target="_blank">Saddleback Church</a> in Lake Forest, and hope to stay in Orange County long enough for Jameson to live in one location for more than 18 months. If I had to sum up 2013 in one word, it would be "blessed." We are blessed <font color="#000000">exceedingly</font> above all that we ask or could ever imagine.<br><br>For me, gratitude is like gravity, it always keeps me grounded. May you find many reasons to be grateful during this Christmas season and all throughout the year! <br><br>"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."<br>Ephesians 3:20-21<br> Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/3676322013-03-13T07:10:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:58-08:00Beautifully Imperfect<span style="font-size: small">This post is about my real life. Recently my dear husband pointed out that I only post pictures of the beautiful things in my life and how that is not very realistic. He is right. I prefer to focus on the smallest beautiful thing I can find in every situation rather than see all of the imperfection and annoyances. I know there is a lot of idealism on facebook, instagram, and other social media, which is why I want to take a few moments to point out the imperfections of my crazy life. You will still see beauty, but not in a perfect way.<br><br>
My day:<br>
7:00 I wake up as soon as I hear anyone stirring and take a shower as quickly as possible. Next, I apply makeup in a way to distract from the dark circles under my eyes.<br>
7:15 Jameson wanders into my bathroom and asks for five things for breakfasts including oatmeal, eggs, toast, yogurt and cereal. I tell him to choose, two.<br>
7:15 I shuffle downstairs in an attempt to not fall down the stairs or break a toe, both of which I have done before.<br>
7:15 I snuggle with Jamo for a bit then prepare the aforementioned two breakfasts. I also pack Jamo's snack for school and pack diaper bag with a snack for Giselle and myself.<br>
7:30 Next, I prepare music to discuss with Jameson's Mandarin teacher regarding a recording project we are doing.<br>
7:45 Giselle wakes up and is starving.<br>
7:46 I snuggle with Giselle before changing her whilst she throws her first tantrum of the day, but the diaper must be changed as it is "ripe"<br>
7:48 I Feed Giselle whilst cleaning up the kitchen, mind you, it is not clean, but it is cleaner.<br>
8:00 It is time to brush teeth, and comb G&J’s hair, I skip brushing mine, as it just makes my hair huge. <br>
8:10 I load the car for the day.<br>
8:15 I put children in the car, Giselle throws another fit as I took her Joe's O's away just long enough to put her arm through the car-seat strap.<br>
8:20 Then I realize that I have not eaten yet so I grab an apple and a cheesetick out of the snack bag.<br>
8:40 We arrive at Jameson's Mandarin school early enough to consult with his teacher regarding the recording project, whilst Giselle throws fit #3 after throwing her entire container of Joe's O's on the floor. Thankfully Jamo's teacher provides her with another snack so I may finish discussing the music project.<br>
9:10 Giselle and I make our way to the San Diego Zoo for a playdate with our Existence Church MOPS group. During the drive I consider how the past four months have been incredibly unsettling as we might be moving, but we don't know when and we don't know where. I am frustrated that I cannot make plans that are more than a month away.<br>
9:20 I decide to give thanks to God for Jims job instead of worrying about where we will live. <br>
9:30 We arrive at the San Diego Zoo where my friend Kim gets us in for free as I have already let my zoo pass expire, thinking we are moving. Thanks so much Kim!<br>
10:00 Giselle eats breakfast #3 as we walk around the zoo, but no fits are in sight. In fact she clapped her hands when she saw where we were.<br>
10:45 Then this cuteness happened<br><br><div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/32311a29a1a95a7f738d27e326a73a09f75f0b5f/large/zoo-cuteness-small.jpg?1380125445" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br><br>
Crosby, Dawsy and Zella are too cool for school!<br>
</div>
<br>
11:00 We eat an early lunch with our MOPS group, somehow Giselle is still capable of eating! Kim shares her sandwich with me as I forgot to bring food for myself again. Seriously, what would I do without friends?<br>
11:20 I Realize I need at least 15 minutes just to get to my car and 25 minutes to get to jamo's school. We say goodbye and Giselle throws fit #4 because I did not give her any food in the car, how can she possibly still be hungry?<br>
12:02 I am actually not the last parent to pick up my child, huzzah! But as soon as I arrive, I know something is wrong.<br>
12:05 Jameson's teacher politely waits until all of the other children have left to tell me about Jameson's behavior that day. Now aside from hitting a little girl over the head with a balloon over a year ago, he has never been aggressive with anyone at school. His teacher informs me that Jameson punched one of his friends in the face, causing no damage, but scaring her greatly. He then proceeded to pinch another friend, and hit him again after that. I am completely shocked and aghast. We talk with Jameson for a while about the consequences of such behavior and how to cope with feelings of anger. I remind myself how to cope with feelings of anger too!<br>
12:15 I drive home while realizing that the front brakes on our 10-year-old Subaru are making a strange noise and will probably need to be replaced soon.<br>
12:30 We arrive home with two tired kiddos who wait in the car in the driveway whilst I empty the car, as our garage door broke last week and will not be fixed until Saturday.<br>
12:35 Jameson and I discuss the consequences for his actions with daddy over the phone and take away privileges accordingly. <br>
12:45 Giselle is working on fit #4 I think, and Jamo is melting down as well, so we begin our naptime routine.<br>
1:00 Both kiddos are in bed, and Jamo is still a bit distraught. <br>
1:10 I read a bit of "The Highly Sensitive Child" as I am a bit distraught as well, so decide to write this blog as therapy.<br>
1:20 As I upload photos and log into web-site I discover that my account is about to expire.<br>
1:25 Then,I try to pay for 6 months of bandzoogle when my credit card is declined.<br>
1:30 Whilst I log onto visa site to see what is wrong when I receive a fraud prevention call from my credit card. <br>
1:35 I can finally log into web-site and write this blog.<br>
2:00 I realize I have nothing prepared for dinner, but the avocados are ripe, so chef’s salad with chicken and avocados it is for dinner.<br>
2:30 Complete this posting before the kiddos wake up.<br><br>
Ok, I could go on and on ‘til my day ends around midnight, but you get the point. That is if anyone is still reading, ha! My point is that I could focus on the negative things in my life, such as:<br>
1. We have no idea when and where we are moving.<br>
2. Our garage door is broken (FWP)<br>
3. My 22 month old throws approximately 10 massive fits per day and needs a huge amount of patience.<br>
4. My 4 year old was very aggressive at school today.<br>
5. My brakes need to be fixed.<br>
6. I look and feel exhausted.<br>
7. I sacrifice keeping my house perfectly clean, to spend time practicing and working on two recording projects.<br>
8. I wake up every morning in so much pain I am nauseous and dizzy.<br>
9. We cannot currently afford any babysitting so I am always with the kiddos.<br>
10. My bathroom currently looks like this as I have not cleaned up from the morning and am letting the bathtub soak in bleach as Giselle went poo in it yesterday.<br><div style="text-align: center">
<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/de564089dab2361c16992cf0f2274c44a22976f7/large/Imperfect-bathroom.jpg?1380125445" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center">
<br>
Or, I could focus on beautiful things. <br><br>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/76051181bf8248f409f4bbc7277d7bb4302e5f8a/large/zoo-zella-small.jpg?1380125445" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="842" width="600" /><br><br>
She is singing "Head, shoulders, knees, and toes"<br>
and showing us her toes</div>
<br>
My hope is that if you see a post on the internet where someone seems to have the perfect life, please remember that I am not one of those people. My life is beautifully imperfect.<br><br><br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22562012-12-17T08:55:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:57-08:00Merry and Bright<div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/57d48bf798fdc3043e3d11b31ce40fc49a9ec448/large/Devey-2012-pic-cropped-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="474" width="600" /><br>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: small">Jameson is 4 and a half years old, and yes that half year is very important. He continues his studies in Mandarin at Yak Academy three days a week while I home-school his English portion of preschool. Jamesons love of cars, trains, buses, and any sort of transportation continues and he is always full of silly faces and a snuggle for his sister, mom, and dad. Riding his bike, talking, singing, reading, laughing, and making stinkies are some of Jamo's favorite activities.</span></div>
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<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/65d92f9fedba4885f726c3708523b51d855104b4/large/Jameson-cropped-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" />
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<div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: small"> Giselle is 19 months old and going on 5. She has absolutely no idea that she is not Jameson's age therefore she does everything he does. Reading, singing, and riding her bike are some of Zella's favorite things to do. She adores dogs, cats, pianos, cars and her big brother. There is no obstacle to great for this little one to overcome, she is one of the most determined children I have ever met and I love her for it!<br><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: small"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/9e02108d8072364babc169c63d6b42acfc596b6c/large/Giselle-twinkle-cropped-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="600" /><br><br><br>
Jim works as an Engineer for Caltrop and enjoys surfing, playing guitiar and recording original music in our studio during his freetime, or all 10 minutes of free time each day. Although he has been required to work more than usual this past month, we are happy to have him home most weekends and by dinner each night. As many of you know, that is not a luxury we have always had.<br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/605e018d90f1c7f91e2d720b3df2a81f8acbf920/large/Happy-daddy-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
I am currently a stay-at-home mom and I love planning weekly playdates with fellow moms and spending nearly every waking moment with my children. I just began working on two new recording projects in my spare time, again all 10 minutes of it. One project is a recording of Mandarin songs for Yak Academy and the other is a children's world album called "Lullaworld." I appreciate staying home with my children while also having the ability to create music such as this and look forward to seeing how these two projects progress.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d583a92c4a0dd5fc9b7df665f3bcf0f39b65993c/large/mom-on-the-go-small.jpg?1380125445" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br><br>
Life is beautiful and soporific, a constant tango and simultaneous lullaby. Living in San Diego with these little ones, we cannot help but to be merry and bright. This year we enjoyed a trip to visit family and friends in Oregon and Seattle this summer and several trips to Disneyland, Legoland, Seaworld and the San Diego Zoo. Our year was a rather a quiet one compared to the previous two years of our lives, but sometimes quiet is good. <br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/12c3a4139b35320a9608da379f15857880d6096c/large/lower-case-t-small.jpg?1380125445" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
As we consider this Christmas season, I am reminded of the selfless act our God made when he sent his only son to this broken world. I must say that if someone ever asked to give up either of my children for anyone or anything, I would find it quite impossible. I am not God, and that is a good thing. I am awestruck by how the Prince of Peace made His way to save the world as an impoverished baby who grew into a despised and rejected man. At least that is how He was described in the Bible. But I imagine he was only despised by those who failed to look into His eyes where they would find he held both the love and the power of the entire universe. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/bb763a40179b1a67c9ce259599ecdbc22bbf07ae/large/bridge-family-small.jpg?1380125445" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="600" /><br><br>
May your days be Merry and your life be bright as you see the hope and joy of the world <br>
through the eyes of a child.<br>
Merry Christmas to all!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f9b95e0c58f78a53375f5c72b8a94ec5ebc6c13c/large/let-me-out-small.jpg?1380125445" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="907" width="600" /></span></div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22622012-02-14T04:35:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:58-08:00Our Funny Valentines<div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: medium">Sometimes there just isn’t enough time and there aren’t enough words to describe just how much we love these two and how much they love each other. Therefore, since I am short on both time and words, let’s just let these two speak for themselves!<br>
Happy St. Valentine’s Day!</span></div>
<br><div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/00d92f391857244b8d4a9e4267f58eeafe1f206c/large/be-mine-faceless-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/56c1825686b28e936143655e6950eed1ba86e2c4/large/be-mine-so-sweet-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="368" width="600" /><br><br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/7e8d1c97b6a869f46d4adcd5d521a3f86ea84563/large/be-mine-xoxo-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/023aef0bc991f225c2f198e3706d8b5daba4df75/large/be-mine-text-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
</div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22652011-12-22T08:50:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:58-08:00Favorite Things<span style="font-size: medium"><br>
Our lives have altered dramatically over the past year. From repatriating from China to the States, to the addition of our gorgeous baby girl and the adjustment of Jim’s new job as well as navigating a new city, we have experienced a lot change this year. But, change is good as it prompts us to prioritize the things that are most important to us.<br><br>
So, in the spirit of the season of “silver-white-winters that melt into springs,” These are a few of our favorite things…<br><div style="text-align: center">
<br>
Our favorite Jameson and Giselle!</div>
<div style="text-align: center">
<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a94587da555d52fc1992c293b6c51f5dc1f0c899/large/gorgeous-two.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="600" />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center">
<br>
Gorgeous Giselle Renée<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/334a6a3087bac697afde56af97bfc07db02a60d0/large/gorgeous-Giselle.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="600" /><br>
</div>
<br><u>Giselle loves:<br></u>Her big brother<br>
Laughing at her big brother<br>
Making her big brother laugh<br>
Singing loudly (La La La!)<br>
Talking loudly (she tries to say “ha” or “hi” when I pick her up)<br>
Crying loudly (if she does not get what she wants<br>
Dancing with mommy and daddy<br>
Listening to music<br>
Reading (fuzzy books are the best!)<br>
Snuggling<br>
Being held constantly! (She would NEVER cry if I held her constantly and fed her every two hours)<br>
Bathtime<br>
Jumping in her “Johnny Jumper”<br>
Eating (she wonders why it took me so long to offer her anything but milk)<br>
Smiling <br>
Blowing “kisses”<br><br><u>Giselle hates:<br></u>Hearing her big brother cry<br>
Being ignored<br>
Cold water<br>
Cold wind<br>
Watching mommy walk away (why would I ever want to do that anyway?)<br><br><u>Giselle is:<br></u>7 months old<br>
15 ½ pounds<br>
Gorgeous<br>
Strong (even as a 5-pound-newborn, she was stronger than most babies)<br>
Working on her two front teeth (and that is not what she wants for Christmas)<br>
Sweeter than Christmas pudding<br>
Grandma Kelley’s twin<br><br><div style="text-align: center">Handsome Jameson Ramsay<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/37f9c1568d3c65e3e4a0e86be923085e5be15045/large/peeka-jameson.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="435" width="600" />
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<br><u>Jameson loves:<br></u>His Daddy, his Mommy and his baby Giselle<br>
Making baby Giselle laugh<br>
His “bigger bigger” house<br>
Bouncing like Tigger<br>
San Diego<br>
The Beach, bathtime, swimming or anything to do with water<br>
Cars, trucks, trains and anything that goes<br>
Cars<br>
Cars (and Cars 2)<br>
Top Gear<br>
Reading books about cars<br>
Cars<br>
Running “presto” like a racecar<br>
Cars<br>
Super cars (he knows the difference between a Lamborghini, a McLaren and a Ferrari)<br>
Dinoco blue<br>
Puzzles<br>
Singing to baby Giselle<br>
Rossini<br>
“Sleigh Ride” and “The Nutcracker Suite”<br>
Swinging<br>
Dancing<br><br><u>Jameson hates:<br></u>Waiting<br>
Boys who don’t share their cars<br>
Cold water<br>
Being cold in general<br>
Strangers<br>
Having his photo taken (as it feels like he is being followed by the Chinese paparazzi in China again)<br><br><u>Jameson misses:<br></u>His Shanghai house<br>
Lulu<br>
Jodie, Amalie, Maddie, Joefish, Joetar, Josh, Heidi and Owen (he remembers so many people!)<br>
His Shanghai ayi<br>
His Shanghai toys (as we could not take them all)<br>
His Shanghai elevator (this cracks me up because our elevator was so slow it was a bit like being stuck in purgatory, and we were on the 22nd floor!)<br><br><u>Jameson is:<br></u>3 ½ years old<br>
35 pounds <br>
Handsome<br>
Daddy’s twin<br>
Helpful<br>
Super silly (but not supercilious)<br>
Precocious<br>
Tenacious<br>
Curious<br><div style="text-align: center">
<br>
Sibling Sweetness</div>
<br><div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/50178e4fd28a3c3a77b427ff536055455f1383da/large/sibling-kiss.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="600" /></div>
<div style="text-align: right"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center">My favorite people!</div>
<br><div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/276ee8d7930f99ec765bb7d65cd5b762e7dd4747/large/happy-family.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="435" width="600" /></div>
<br><div style="text-align: center">
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Our Fabulous family photos are by Hillary at <a target="_new" href="http://www.stillsbyhill.com">www.stillsbyhill.com</a><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
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</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22642011-12-20T08:35:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:58-08:00The Deveys love SD<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium"><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1ebefab466e96b296b4fbf0a861728598b0aaed5/large/deveys-love-SD.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="599" width="600" /><br><br>
Merry Christmas and we wish you all…<br><br><i>HOPE</i> for the future with grace for the past<br><i>JOY</i> in each moment, beyond happiness<br><i>PEACE</i> as we long for eternity’s rest<br><i>LOVE</i> who came down as the gift of Christmas<br><br><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: medium">We welcome this Christmas season with much gratitude for 2011 and hope for 2012. As most of you know, we spent most of 2010 and half of 2012 living in Shanghai, China. Jim worked as a Structural Materials representative Engineer for the State of California (A.K.A. quality assurance) on the new Oakland Bay Bridge, which like so many other products in this country was “Made In China.”<br><br>
The decision for me to move to China with Jim was not easy (as Jameson was only 18 months at the time) but ultimately, we wanted our family to live on the same continent so off to Shanghai we went. Jim’s job required him to work 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, so we only had an hour a day with daddy plus his one day off per week. We quickly learned to appreciate every moment we had with him and made the most of our time living abroad.<br><br>
Jameson and I began learning Mandarin as quickly as possible, as we had a non-English-speaking “Ayi” helping out with chores five days a week. We made loads of amazing friends and loved exploring the vast city of Shanghai. For the first six months of our stay, we were required to leave the country every 30 days. Because of our visa limitations we were able to take four trips to Hong Kong and one trip to Korea. <br><br>
Our friends in Shanghai soon became family. We spent holidays together, celebrated birthdays and shared the ups and downs of daily life in China. Friends like Jodie & Fish, Lenny & Melissa, Carolina & Will and Karen & Jonathan and all of their children made our time in China so amazing that I quite honestly was not ready to leave. <br><br>
Jim was ready to leave, however. He had been working his tail off for 18 months, therefore when he was offered a job in San Diego he took it. The project was coming to a close in China and he was ready to move. Jim was offered the job when I was 8 months pregnant with Giselle (the bridge was not the only thing “Made In China”!)<br><br>
During my pregnancy, I experienced some complications and was hospitalized twice. Therefore, I was a little apprehensive to leave right after Giselle’s birth as I was worried about her health. After lots of rest and even more prayers, beautiful Giselle Renée was born on May 20th, in Shanghai at Shanghai United Hospital. My mother came to stay with us for a month to help out and we were so blessed to have her. Five weeks after Giselle’s birth, we moved to San Diego.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: medium"><br>
Besides being uneasy about moving with a newborn, we were also sad to leave AGIF, our international church. We loved being a part of the core team that started Grace Extended, the Saturday night service. But, by the grace of God we had a healthy baby girl with no complications and I was able to lead worship for two services at Grace Extended before we left Shanghai.<br><br>
The months of June and July are a complete blur. The 12-hour flight home from Shanghai was actually the easiest part of those two months. Poor Jim and Jameson were sick with hand-food-and-mouth disease for two weeks when we first set foot on American soil. We then set to the task of finding a house to rent, moving out of our home in Pleasant Hill (then putting it on the market), searching for a rental home in San Diego and moving in with a newborn baby and a toddler. <br><br>
By August, we had finally begun to settle into our new community and by October our house in Pleasant Hill was sold (thanks to <a target="_new" href="http://www.neighborcity.com/CA/agent-profile/23433-Rosie-Meddaugh/">Rosie Meddaugh</a>) and we finally finished unpacking (thanks to my parents!)<br><br>
Since then, we have enjoyed loads of visitors including my parents, Jim’s brothers, Tom and Dave, My sister and her family, my aunt Tricia and my friend Sally. We have embraced our community and found an inspiring new church <a href="http://www.wavechurchsd.com">www.wavechurchsd.com</a> I am getting involved with the music at Wave Church and am looking forward to singing at the Christmas Eve service on Saturday.<br><br>
Jameson loves his new life in San Diego, as he has an adoring baby sister, a lovely house, loads of trips to the beach and most importantly, more time with Daddy. Because Jameson began speaking Mandarin so young, he has no English accent. We continue to speak Mandarin at home, but we decided to put him in a Mandarin school one day a week to continue his studies. It won’t be long before he will begin teaching me.<br><br>
Life is busy and joyful in the Devey household and I suppose you could call our lifestyle a bit more “normal” than it was abroad. But, we have learned to be content in all things. After the amazing blessings we have received over the past two years, I have learned that every time we question our future, God always delivers more than we could ever ask or imagine!<br><br>
There are so many more tales to tell, and you will find many of them written in my blog below. I look forward to more tales to come as our journey unfolds! May your journey over the next year be filled with faith, hope and Love and the greatest of these…. His love<br><br>
With that said, the Devey’s love San Diego and we love you too! <br><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium"><br><br><br></span></div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22632011-11-29T16:15:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:58-08:00Gorgeous Girl<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium"><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/784a7d50ad1d1964a333134dd06cba066c36ac44/large/four-and-a-half-months-old-small-cut.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium"><br>
I took this photo of our gorgeous girl over 6 weeks ago, but Giselle is even cuter now!<br><br>
Here is a quick update… <br><br>
We have a new church that we love called the Wave <a target="_new" href="http://www.wavechurchsd.com">www.wavechurchsd.com</a> and I had the opportunity to lead worship there last week. It is great to have a church home again as we begin to connect with our community.<br><br>
Our Thanksgiving weekend was fabulously quiet with just the four of us. Although poor Jameson was ill with a stomach flu (which he generously shared with me) we were still able to do a family photo shoot with Hillary from <a target="_new" href="http://www.stillsbyhill.com">www.stillsbyhill.com</a>. I will post photos of our session as soon as I see them! <br><br>
On Sunday we are off to Carolina and Will’s wedding in LA followed by a short trip to Seattle where Jim will see his family for the first time in two years. By the time we get home, we will have just enough time to put up the tree, bake cookies and order my last gifts from Amazon (my favorite store, as it does not require dragging my children through the holiday masses!) <br><br>
Oh, and I plan to finally send out Giselle’s baby announcement/change-of-address just weeks before sending out Christmas cards. Better late than never, seems to be my new motto, especially since most every creative thing I do happens late in the evening (A.K.A. midnight, when Giselle is taking her sweet time going to sleep!)<br><br>
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas, just in case!<br><br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22612011-10-31T08:40:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:58-08:00Moooo (not boo!)<span style="font-size: medium">My computer is dying… my kids ate my camera… I am sleep-deprived!!!<br>
Ok, so I really don’t have a good excuse for not blogging, other than your average, every-day busy-ness! But, more on that topic later as everyone just wants to see the cow and the pilot!<br><div style="text-align: center">
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Here are our gorgeous trick-or-treaters who say "moo"!<br>
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<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/11917125daacaf18fa87029996d95d7a883de0a0/original/cow-and-pilot-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center">
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Actually, Giselle says "Got Milk?" and Jameson says "Got Candy?"<br>
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<span style="font-size: medium"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/2fd580e24b3cde63b87a96a8d3e00a777f5a4b60/original/pilot-Jameson-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
Giselle has just informed me that her 20-minute nap is over...<br>
A.K.A "Got Milk?"<br><br></span><span style="font-size: medium"><br></span>
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<div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: medium">It is now 11 PM and everyone is miraculously asleep so here is a quick update...<br><br>
My mom and Dad helped me unpack our last boxes and organize our garage last week! Yay! San Diego is beginning to feel like home and that feeling is compounded by the fact that our house in Pleasant Hill is finally sold. Thanks to <a target="_new" href="http://www.realestatereviews.com/openhomes.asp">Rosie Meddaugh</a> and her team, we had multiple offers on our house, in spite of this crazy real-estate market.<br><br>
Now that the unpacking and house selling is behind us, we can begin to focus on a few creative things in our lives. I have written a few songs and am hoping to find time to record them. Jim and I did a preliminary recording a few months ago, but I was completely distracted by our sweet little one and learned something about myself. I really don’t like to multi-task. Naturally, I multi-task constantly as a mother of two young children. In fact, I feel like I run a multi-tasking marathon every day of my life. But, when it comes to being creative, I really want to focus on one thing.<br><br>
Jameson began his Mandarin class on Wednesday, so I have some time to run errands and just hang with Giselle. But, Mademoiselle Giselle is not a big sleeper during the day. I cannot guarantee that she will sleep for more than a half-hour at any point during the day right now. So, how much can I really accomplish during that short half-hour in the studio? I am hoping if I just keep writing every day and practice when I can, and be super-efficient when it comes to recording, that I will eventually accomplish my goal.<br><br>
My question for the day is: Am I the only woman/artist who dislikes multi-tasking? If so, does anyone have advice on how to stay creative with constant distractions? How do I stay focused, when honestly, I cannot focus even when I am asleep? I must learn this skill soon or I am bound to write 200 songs that never make it past my iPad!<br><br></span></div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22602011-08-22T09:55:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:58-08:00Baby G<span style="font-size: medium">Both children are sleeping, so I am making this post short and sweet! Baby Giselle is three months old and has not only doubled her weight, but has quadrupled her cuteness!<br><br><div style="text-align: center">I think these photos speak for themselves! </div>
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<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/6b2f4c215fd797c213c85d205cfad5460b0e8ce1/large/giselle-renee-3-months-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
Giselle is Jameson's xiao mei mei...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ccd9dedc0cb7105ab462b1ef591c8b630a4bc499/large/xiao-mei-mei-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br><br>
...A.K.A. his little sister, and Jameson is Giselle's Ge Ge<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/37de0eae44d46f671079ee61106568cb925a7e57/large/little-sister-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
But, she is our baby G... women de bao bei<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1b4e55834b809b8e0a39c84e54096bd01f0149dd/large/baby-g-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br>
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<div style="text-align: justify">Both J and G are still asleep, how did that happen? No, I did not give them benedryl! Since they are still sleeping, I will add a little history to the "xiao mei mei" thing!</div>
<div style="text-align: center"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify">When we first moved to China it took me a few months to figure out why I was always asked how old Jameson was when we were at the park, or anywhere around other children. I quickly learned to tell how old Jameson was, but did not yet know why. In China there is a title given to every person in a child’s life, everyone is family. <br><br>
An elderly woman is Lai Lai or Grandma<br>
An elderly man is Ye Ye or Grandpa<br>
An older woman is Ayi or aunt<br>
An older man is shushu or uncle<br>
An older girl is jie jie <br>
An older boy is ge ge<br>
A younger girl is mei mei<br>
And a younger boy is di di<br><br>
Once I figured out why I was being asked Jameson’s age, we learned to participate in the tradition. Jameson learned to address children and adults according to their age and gender. He still calls baby Giselle Xiao mei mei and we like reinforcing that although she is small, she is a part of our family and therefore deserves our love and respect. One day, she will learn to call him ge ge, I’m sure it will happen sooner than I can imagine!<br><br><br><br><br>
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</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22592011-08-12T07:45:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:57-08:00Birthday Boy - Part II<span style="font-size: medium">Please pardon the nearly weeklong interruption in Jameson’s birthday post. As I was saying (or at least I think I was saying, but please pardon my intense case of “Momnesia”!)<br><br>
Jameson has been asking for a Lightning McQueen cake since I made him a guitar cake for his last birthday. So, in spite of the mountain of boxes in the garage and shabby, but not chic layer of dirt that covered our entire house, I decided to learn how to decorate with fondant. What else could I do? <br><br><div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/78cac70f82177ee8b96cd8024b0eb23f1a5d02c5/large/3bd-cake-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
My mom and I were up 'til midnight finishing the details...<br>
Let's just say it was not easy to cut into something painted and sculpted by hand!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a4acef8791fc3da29b620f44ba3ecb9621ba370d/large/3bd-cake-smile-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
At first sight, he stood up in his chair and squeeled with delight <br>
and has not stopped talking about his McQueen cake since his birthday.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/dbe15119f7c4f2f048e701ed50331f73b246dfbb/large/3bd-allen-wrench-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br><br>
I had some difficulty with the structure of the spoiler...<br>
yes, those are allen wrenches, but they totally worked!<br>
<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ef0f6f9edb91a97e7f97b1fb03152d9a23cf94f7/large/Mom-can-I-eat-the-spoiler-smaller.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" /><br><br>
But he ate the spoiler anyway, so it didn't matter<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/80e7f9fbd37ed8946a8651e17417457d93cc1b9b/large/3bd-candles-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
enough already with the cake...<br>
I would have never attempted to make this cake<br>
if my parents had not come to help.<br>
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/8e1b5ea49bf23760898583380b33c919dc223177/large/Giselle-grandpa-snuggles-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br>
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Giselle (or as Grandpa calls her "<a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limpet">the limpet</a>" as she loves to be held)<br>
put Grandpa to work<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ff5d44d23a712b11f6149b5ff63148f20a8267f9/large/Giselle-smile-small.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
I love Giselle's chubby little smile...<br>
she is not 5 pounds anymore!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/8dcfb520b01d86be7904005ae265c1a478eea236/large/legoland-smile.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" /><br><br>
When we left Shanghai, we promised Jameson four things.<br>
1. A McQueen cake for his birthday<br>
2. A big boy bike<br>
3. A trip to Legoland<br>
4. A house instead of an apartment<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/df76e9c72ff312a239024184440067a90e0d996b/large/legoland-driver.jpg?1380125444" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" /><br>
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<div style="text-align: justify">Jameson has not looked back on the life he left behind, but often talks about Lulu, and Jodie, and Joefish, and Joetar, and Maddie, and Amelie, and Owen. The people with whom we do life make life beautiful.<br><br>
We miss our friends, but are enjoying our new life in San Diego. Yesterday I asked Jameson who his best friend was and he said "I have Mommy friend and Daddy friend". He is learning that as long as we have our family we can call any place, home!</div>
</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22582011-08-06T02:25:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:57-08:00Birthday Boy - part I<span style="font-size: medium">My amazing parents drove down to help us unpack and more importantly help celebrate Jameson’s third birthday. A new bike, Lightning McQueen cake, story-time and tons of snuggles from Grandma and Grandpa were the main events over Jameson’s birthday week.<br><br></span>
<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/475a174decb76efe9723dfbacc1829becf4a283b/large/3bd-helmet-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Jameson has been asking for a bike since his last birthday!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/4dac3b2361615cf262d17733aa0d68f1fe37e203/large/3bd-bike-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="747" width="500" /><br><br>
Jameson soaked up loads of Grandpa love!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/97e1b82b474331f5ba442cfc4174e1db0894f5fe/large/3bd-storytime-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
...and after 6 weeks apart from Grandma,<br>
Giselle needed heaps of Grandma snuggles<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/5f962575a53c5d52ab2790931f6aad5c7798eeee/large/Giselle-grandmatime-small-bw.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="747" width="500" /><br><br>
Gorgeous girl!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/48ef5caaeb116379b276c2406ec62a015e1436b9/large/giselle-bw-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" /><br><br>
Giselle just woke up... <br>
I will post more photos of Jameson's birthday week<br>
when both children are asleep...<br>
But, that might never happen, <br>
so, I'll just post them whenever I can!</span></div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22572011-07-18T16:20:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:57-08:00Beach Babies<span style="font-size: medium">We have a home! Thanks to Jim’s fabulous house-hunting skills we only looked at two houses before deciding on a place to rent. Our new home is amazing and is twice the size of our house in the Bay Area. On top of that, our landlord is Shanghaianese and our neighbors also speak Mandarin. I also discovered that there is a pre-k school nearby that offers Mandarin courses as well. I am super excited about this, as we would love for Jameson to continue learning Mandarin since he has already learned so much. Finding this house in this location is a huge blessing and is no accident!<br><br>
It took us over a week to get everyone well enough to consider starting to move in and last Tuesday Jim pulled an all-nighter driving the U-haul from the Bay Area so that we could begin moving in on Wednesday. Needless to say, we are still unpacking and there is no end in sight.<br><br>
After five days of triple tasking (multi-tasking hardly describes holding one child, caring for the other, unpacking boxes and preparing dinner) we decided to take a trip to the beach on Sunday. Jameson asks to go to the beach every day now, and since we are only 10 miles from the ocean, perhaps Sunday beach trips will become a tradition.<br><br>
My philanthropic parents are driving down to spend some time helping me unpack, as Jim returns to work tomorrow and there is no end in sight to all the boxes (didn't I just say that?). Thankfully, unpacking is a bit like Christmas. I have never been so excited to have a dishwasher, washer and drier, and rocking chair! Oh, and our house has TWO bathtubs! Now Jameson can take a bath in a real bathtub, although he never complained about the blow-up pool we had for 18 months in Shanghai!<br><div style="text-align: center">
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Jameson "swimming" in our Shanghai "Bathtub"<br>
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<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/3743877173231c0025958ce969d78959fd78cc76/large/pool-boy-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" /></div>
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Sadly, this is the only photo I have of the four of us...<br>
I love Jameson's sandy hands!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a73e129ce8160d7b1e212909f9bd0282a79b1a85/large/sketchy-family-photo-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="429" width="600" /><br><br>
Jameson has his "happy feet" on, as Daddy calls them<br>
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<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/edaec2406ea18511c53290363996ebf758208a11/large/beach-running-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1066" width="600" /></div>
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Our gorgeous little beach baby is almost 2 months old!<br>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/8c746e846a6e26aeba1f4da30c3f6c77be39b1d1/large/beach-babies-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="600" /><br><br>
Jameson is such an amazing big brother.... and helpful too!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/0ae6c1f39dc80c96c1ad3e562782f2eb2f2f858a/large/beach-j-and-G-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1066" width="600" />
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</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22432011-07-07T09:45:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:55-08:00Mei Guo<div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: medium">In Chinese, the word for America is "<a target="_new" href="http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/zt/zgwh/speeches/t36370.htm">Mei Guo</a>" and it litterally means "Beautiful Country". The past week has been full of a few surprises, some challenges and lots of blessings in the beautiful US of A. Repatriating from China is not as easy as I thought it would be, but we are happy to be closer to our family and friends here on the West Coast.<br><br>
Getting to and from the airport with all of our luggage seemed to be more stressful than the actual 12-hour flight, but we are so greatful that our friend Justin gave us a ride so we did not have to take two taxis to Pudong International. <br><br>
I was surprised at how smoothly everything went and was amazed that Giselle slept for the entire flight. She slept, she ate, then fell back to sleep. Jim, Jameson and I, however did not sleep. When we reached LAX, Giselle was ready to play and Jameson, Jim and I were ready to sleep. By the time we were ready for bed both kids had fevers, so no one slept that night, or the following night, or the night after that as well.<br><br>
After four days of Jameson experiencing mouth sores, fevers, fussiness and a strange rash, Jim took him to urgent care. He found out that Jameson has hand, foot and mouth disease and is very contagious. Luckily, Giselle and I seemed to fight of the virus as Giselle is still nursing and perhaps I was already exposed to the virus as a child. Unfortunately, JIm caught some symptoms of the virus and did not feel well until this morning.<br><br>
We have spent 6 nights at the Residence Inn at Carmel Mountain and have only made it to the pool one time. This was Giselle's first trip to the pool. She loved being outside, but thought the pool was a little chilly. <br><br></span></div>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b9f035ba4ecf5a90e69f7821bb322bfe61337ce3/large/bathing-beauties-rotated.bmp?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="800" width="600" /><br><br><span style="font-size: medium">In spite of a nasty virus, Jameson is still loving our beautiful country<br></span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/4f5810dcb5ae9e62d449cf7df1e0edb890c55e4a/large/hand-food-and-mouth-Jameson.bmp?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" /><br>
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<span style="font-size: medium">Our biggest blessing this week is signing a lease on a home in Rancho Penasquitos. The house is gorgeous, has great acoustics, is in a lovely location and best of all, it has room for lots of guests. Tomorrow we shall move out of the Residence Inn and may not have internet access for a while, but I will post tons of photos as soon as I can.<br><br>
Jameson calls our new house the "bigger, bigger house" and we are all excited to move in tomorrow. On Sunday, Jim plans to fly to Oakland and move all of our things out of our house in Pleasant Hill. Jameson, Giselle and I will be on our own for a few days in the bigger, bigger house. We will be camping out a bit as we have nothing but clothes to move in at this point, but just having an oven and a bathtub should keep us entertained for hours!<br><br><br><br><br></span><br>
</div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22552011-06-27T16:05:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:57-08:00Zai Jian<span style="font-size: medium">Our move date has moved several times, but as far as we know, we are flying to LA Wednesday (tomorrow) evening. Please pray for traveling mercies and pray for endurance as we travel with a six-week-old baby, a three-year-old, six suitcases, two car seats and a guitar. <br><br>
Sadly, it is time to say “Zai Jian” to an amazing community of people and an exciting culture. We shall miss so many people but are looking forward to being on the same continent as our family and our American friends.<br><div style="text-align: center">
<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1d261fbb5aaf3c4b9c70be386d2b8edfe95e2a21/large/laundry-ayi-kids-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="597" width="400" /><br>
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Tomorrow we must say goodbye to our beloved ayi, Jin Mei Li.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/662d4acaeef6f90530c2e4ef51e49880f36da3ab/large/laundry-ayi-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="597" width="400" /><br><br>
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<div style="text-align: left">I have already felt the loss of great friends leaving the country. But tomorrow I must bid farewell to my dearest friend Jodie. I am not sure how we can do life without the Clark family and <a target="_new" href="http://www.agifshanghai.com/">AGIF</a>, but I know God has a great plan for us in San Diego. <br><br>
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”<br><br><br>
Much Love,<br>
Lori<br>
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</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22542011-06-22T18:15:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:57-08:00Chinese Laundry<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/98cec1d81eb7bf6111574200d402c495bacf4162/large/laundry-basket-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" /></div>
<br><span style="font-size: medium">Every mother of multiple children will tell you how unrealistically perfect many mothers are with their first child. I remember washing all of Jameson’s clothes with a special detergent gentle enough for baby’s skin, then double rinsing everything. It took me an entire month to get over that obsession. Poor baby Giselle does not have that luxury, as our clothes are all hung out to dry in the great Shanghai outdoors. No matter how fancy the detergent, everything ends up smelling like pollution, so what’s the point?<br><br>
Yes, having an Ayi to do our laundry has been a huge luxury, and I shall greatly miss her (for more than just her laundering skills). But, in San Diego, we shall have this new fandangled contraption called a drier and a functional washer. We will also have this fancy thing called a dishwasher, and kitchen counters that are slightly higher than my knees. I am looking forward to those little luxuries. Until then, we still hang our clothes out to dry. <br><div style="text-align: center">
<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/df3cc13d9a0d2d20f363dc47ba0d81471529b025/large/laundry-tongue-1-month-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" /><br><br>
Giselle is one month old and is already 8 pounds!<br>
I wonder if she is like her mother, as she is stronger than she looks!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/fb726340478fcee9f458abd69b57f0f9f4387765/large/smile-sing-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" />
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This afterno<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1308818124140_448"></span><span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1308818124140_126"></span>on I learned that we may be moving as soon as Sunday. Moving with a one-month-old was not a part of the plan, but I am trying not to be too anxious (<a target="_new" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians%204:5-7&version=NIV">Philippians 4:5-7</a>). Our VPN has expired so I cannot access facebook anymore, so keep reading my blog for more updates… perhaps we will move tomorrow, I don’t know, but am learning not to stress about the little things or even the big things.</div>
</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22532011-06-16T16:20:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:57-08:00Wo ai ni<span style="font-size: medium">On the day Giselle was born, my friend Amy told me that Giselle’s birthday is a very special day. </span><a target="_new" href="http://thingsyoudontknowaboutchina.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/5-20-wo-ai-ni-netizens-getting-married-online-on-web-valentines-day/"><span style="font-size: medium">May 20th (520) in Mandarin</span></a><span style="font-size: medium"> sounds like the words “Wo ay ni” which means “I love you”. Giselle is 4 weeks old today and we are truly in love.<br><br>
After a very long night on Wednesday, with three whole hours of sleep, I felt exhausted and overwhelmed. Giselle did not like something I ate and therefore was up most of the night. Just when I was feeling like I could never get out of bed again, Giselle smiled for the first time.<br><br>
God is funny this way, as He times everything so perfectly. After a month of sleep deprivation, a mom may feel like banging her head against the wall or running around wearing a chicken suit clucking “let me sleep”. It is just at that moment where insanity begins that God throws in your child's first smile.<br><br><div style="text-align: center">When your child smiles at you for the first time, <br>
your heart melts and you fall in love all over again.<br>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/6a7de721ccfafa830bacf92fa65a4f6def57cffb/large/daddy-smile-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br><br>
Snuggling with Daddy could make anyone smile<br>
(even though he was annoyed with me for taking his photo)<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/54175ea44418cb02465aad545a98e4ba5c09c144/original/sleepy-daddy-time-small.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br>
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Giselle snuggles in the hospital at four days old</div>
<br><div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/87ad1242708e3ce7b19d6c9c154b442d33b61101/large/first-week-hospital-snuggles-small-cropped.jpg?1380125443" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="971" width="600" /></div>
<br><div style="text-align: center">The whole world seems to be in our hands,<br>
but we are also in His capable hands<br>
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<div style="text-align: center"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/29b76a9e16d75060f3825b2cbc92e31c8f981cf3/large/curved-fingers-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" />
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<br>
“Many”<br>
Lori Renée Devey<br><br>
I was born to take your hand<br>
To settle down and understand why I love<br>
And I love you<br><br>
May I look through your eyes?<br>
See the world in different guise <br>
Then I know, I know<br><br>
Many things I understand<br>
Many I don’t know<br>
Won’t you come and take my hand<br>
Together we will grow<br><br>
I was born to glorify<br>
To understand the reason why I know<br>
And I know you<br><br>
May I live in your world?<br>
Feel the brush as your wings unfurl<br>
Then I know, I know<br><br>
Many things I understand<br>
Many I don’t know<br>
Won’t you come and take my hand<br>
Together we will grow<br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22522011-06-07T18:05:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:57-08:00Wide-eyed<span style="font-size: medium">Mademoiselle Giselle is spending more time wide-eyed and less time sleeping (or should I say, more time eating as I type with my laptop propped on my boppy pillow) so we I finally have a few photos of her beautiful eyes! <br><br>
The past few weeks have been both glorious and arduous. The glorious part was when Jim took 6 days off work. Having four adults and two children made the first week much like a dream. I hardly felt like I had just had major abdominal surgery by the end of his vacation. <br><br>
We celebrated Giselle’s birthday with the Martinez family and Jameson and Giselle exchanged gifts. Jameson loves that Giselle gave him “Spencer” one of “Thomas’ the Train’s” friends. We also spent our first Sunday together at Century Park, as the weather was lovely. <br><br>
The arduous part began last week when Jim went back to work and Giselle began to wake up more throughout the night. That is not a big deal except that I began to have a fever on Sunday that just would not go away.<br><br>
Yesterday Jim and I went to the U.S. Consulate with Giselle to apply for her U.S. passport. One can imagine just how chaotic that task could be. Unfortunately, I still had a raging fever and was seeing stars from time to time. In spite of having to wake Giselle up for another attempt at getting a new photo for her passport (poor dear) and calling our friends in the States to send us a photo of our marriage certificate A.S.A.P. (thank you Dustin and Steph!) I just found out that our application was received and is going through. We should be able to pick up the passport in 10 business days. At that time we have to apply for her visa, which will take another five business days. If you are doing the math in your head, you can tell that everything has to go as planned in order for us all to be on a plane on July 1st.<br><br>
By the time we returned home from our trip to the consulate my fever had spiked to 104 so I went in to see the doc (again). They took a few tests and discovered that my white blood cell count was quite high indicating an infection. Since I had been taking ibuprofen and Tylenol for three days and my fever was still high, my internal doctor chose to give me antibiotics intravenously. <br><br>
Although I was still a mess yesterday, my fever finally broke last night and I feel like a new person today. I am hoping and praying that I can stay well over the next few weeks so that we may move on July 1st. There is much to be done here, but I am doing my best to take photos and post them whenever possible!<br><div style="text-align: center">
<br>
In China an infant is considered 1 year old when they are born,<br>
so this was Giselle's first Chinese Birthday part<br>
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<div style="text-align: center">
<br>
Grandma is going home on Friday, <br>
Although my dad will be happy to have her home, <br>
we shall all miss grandma dearly!<br>
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<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/696d2de5aefb39f98b713b054164f1d3d0a8c104/large/grandma-open-eyes-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="800" width="600" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center">
<br>
I do not have many photos of our wide-eyed baby girl<br>
so I stole a few photos from my mother's camera<br>
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<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/07132e462afc8352cc65ab7a0dd6fa33f815821a/large/wide-open-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /></div>
<br></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium"><span style="font-size: medium">This was definitely glorious!<br>
(although you can see I am keeping an eye on Jameson and not the camera)<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/300654cdba3fcde828d2f49836044274356eb050/large/week-won-mother-daughter-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" /><br><br>
Jameson had another gift for Giselle...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a620daccec2e85cc29e0fc2d06c12d1eabd76bf6/large/week-won-big-bro-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Giselle's first flower from her brother... so glorious!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/9bfb45442669ce62aee7690505a764e5fc4b0616/large/week-won-ge-hua-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
I had to include the gift-flower in Giselle's one-week-portrait<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d6b382a6f559be722eaabb69ae17da9922c19218/large/week-one-blessing-and-gift-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
I will do my best to take more photos of those gorgeous eyes!<br>
But Giselle is so cute when she is sleeping, who can resist?</span></span></div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22512011-05-30T18:30:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:56-08:00Oh, little angel<div style="text-align: justify">
<span style="font-size: medium">Giselle is an Angel and her big brother is amazing. I am not saying that the last week has been a walk in the park, but it has been so much easier than I ever expected. Although </span><a target="_new" href="http://www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com/en/sh/facilities/department/pediatric/index.html"><span style="font-size: medium">Shanghai United Family Hospital</span></a><span style="font-size: medium"> is well over an hour away from our apartment in Pudong, it was well worth the drive. My c-section went smoothly while </span><a target="_new" href="http://www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com/en/sh/facilities/medicalStaff/obsgyn/0/0/202.html"><span style="font-size: medium">Dr. Ji</span></a><span style="font-size: medium"> and the entire staff at UFH cared me for exceptionally well. In spite of my being under general anesthesia, Giselle was born completely awake, pink and mewing like a newborn kitten. <br><br>
Jim was the first to hold Giselle while I finally rejoined the conscious world around 11:30 AM. All three of us stayed in the hospital for four days while Jameson and Grandma commuted to and from the hospital each day. My mother is a saint to brave the world of Shanghai taxis. She even taxied home twice alone with Jameson and even remembered to tell the driver to stop “ting”. I am quite proud of my mom and so blessed that she was here to care for Jameson while we stayed in the hospital with Giselle.</span>
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<div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: medium"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium">Just before leaving for Shanghai United... 39 weeks prego at 5 AM, ayioo!<br><br></span></div>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/3db23c0b810403eab56bfe1f3f8358270e9f209d/large/GR-39-weeks-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br><br><span style="font-size: medium">Love at first snuggle<br></span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/094d6a8d72960f0c407f3d8198ae8b6380e85524/large/GR-mommy-snuggles-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" />
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<div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: medium"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium">Daddy's girl</span><br>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/e0846489892f3fe4defabb529455b6bf293b86e1/large/GR-baba-bao-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br>
<br><span style="font-size: medium">Oh, little angel<br></span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b260492dd996604e26910a9404c1530de9dbb83d/large/GR-mama-bao-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br><br><span style="font-size: medium">All ten fingers<br></span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/291fa75a7108d833970dfa58a9597ec394b15dd1/large/first-week-fingers-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br><span style="font-size: medium">All ten toes<br><br></span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/8e616d9dc9f83c34c3ccf9775f909c9874aa7990/large/first-week-feet-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br><span style="font-size: medium">A Daddy serenade<br><br></span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a5cdfe19ed23e25e187516c2bae93a5c0ed44908/large/GR-daddy-serenade-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br><span style="font-size: medium">Big brother cuddles</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/aa9cfb908716d1b4b6ec4f547e2cc65b1e70d894/large/GR-big-bro-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br>
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<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium">Jameson made the transition into big-brotherhood look so easy. <br>
He even gave Giselle his Maserati!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/03233f620a4ae1ac6a47259c71417356cb17d1fa/large/week-won-share-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
At first Jameson did not want anyone else to hold Giselle,<br>
But we changed his mind<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/3baed2d059263dade86fec4946540ca340f923f2/large/GR-grandma-snuggles-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: medium">So many of our prayers have been diligently answered. For one, Giselle kept cooking for four months past my episode of bleeding and pre-term labor. Both Giselle and I are so healthy that the hospital staff sent us home a day early, yet another prayer answered. God also blessed us beyond what we would ever ask for in an easy-going, angelic, sleepy baby. Last night Giselle slept from 11 PM to 4 AM! All of you mothers out there know what a blessing five hours of consecutive sleep is to a mother of a newborn. <br><br>
We are so blessed; I hardly know how to request more prayer. But, I do ask that you keep us in our prayers as we transition to our new home in San Diego. We have tickets to fly out July 1st and need everything to go smoothly in applying for Giselle’s passport and visa. </span></div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22502011-05-24T18:35:00-07:002022-03-15T18:28:41-07:00Giselle Renee<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1b15fbdd07b0ee9d36930158e76cafeacced590a/large/Giselle-Renee-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center">
<br><br><span style="font-size: medium">Giselle Renée Devey<br>
Born May 20th, 2011 at 9:45 AM<br>
5 Pounds, 13 ounces<br>
18 inches<br>
Practically perfect in every way<br>
</span>
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<span style="font-size: medium"><br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22492011-05-11T11:45:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:56-08:00Back in Beijing<span style="font-size: medium">Tomorrow my mother is coming to stay with us for an entire month! Although seeing her newest grandbaby is a big attraction, she is quite an amazing woman to travel halfway across the world twice in one year.<br><br>
Back in September my mom, Judy, flew home with Jameson and I to spend three weeks with us in Shanghai. During my mom’s visit, her youngest sister, Margaret and Margaret's daughter Vonnie joined us for two weeks. It had been a while since I last saw Margaret and Vonnie, but because I lived with Vonnie for one summer and worked at their resort in Roslyn, Washington, it was just like old times… sort of…. Instead of sheep crossing the roads, there were camels!<br><br>
There was no way I would allow my family to fly all the way to China and not see Beijing. So, we spent a weekend seeing the <a target="_new" href="http://www.chinahighlights.com/greatwall/">Great Wall</a>, <a target="_new" href="http://www.thechinaguide.com/forbidden_city/index.php">The Forbidden City</a>, <a target="_new" href="http://www.thebeijingguide.com/tiananmen_square/index.html">Tiananmen’s Square</a>, and (my favorite) <a target="_new" href="http://www.thechinaguide.com/summer_palace/index.php">The Summer Palace</a>.<br><br>
I visited Beijing with the <a target="_new" href="http://oregonstate.edu/cla/music/chorus/chamber-choir">Oregon State University Chamber Choir</a> in March of 1997, so I had already seen many of the sites, but it was wonderful to share Beijing with my guests. All of my photos are packed away in my garage, so when we move home I’ll have to scan them and post photos of my previous trip.<br><br><div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/cbfb87143ef5c482b1d1f66fbaa390631a5e0095/large/beijing-empresses-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="516" width="700" /><br><br>
Jameson fell asleep at the Summer Palace,<br>
so we decided to play dress up<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/7d1c8c2a4a815c3f7f47253291ac571de248cc78/large/beijing-dragon-and-marble-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
When I visited the Summer Palace 14 years ago, <br>
the Marble Boat was still open<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/01c4e15168123435ca7f496ddc9ca63724f21412/large/beijing-dragon-boat-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
Since the Marble boat is now closed, we settled for a ride on the Dragon boat<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/dd7f69b823b01657e9aac1e25455a4bde75f6963/large/beijing-dragon-jameson-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1244" width="700" /><br><br>
Jameson still talks about the Dragon boat<br>
and having a massive blowout on the boat didn't seem to phase him!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f4867018b688b337afa2611bba2de15ab653dee8/large/beijing-mao-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
The forbidden City has not been forbidden since the <br>
"Reform and Opening" three decades ago<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d1bdf20daacfabda0c1bb6b79e41eee33f68e271/large/beijing-forbidden-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
Ironically, "<a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen">Tiananmen</a>" means<br>
"The gate of heavenly peace" 天安門<br><br>
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/eea820c859d1834950a8b42fb0b4393b800beff2/large/beijing-tien-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
Vonnie and I were proud of our moms for climbing the Ancient Great Wall of China<br>
But, is the wall as old as "Ancient Aunt Judy"?<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/0b4abf8b80aacf22f3aeefeb20cbf63b3060cef8/large/beijing-great-sisters-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1322" width="700" /><br>
<br>
Vonnie (or as Jameson calls her "Funny")<br>
Had to buy a Great Wall Diet Coke<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b85082ccdc9a33a90c0302ef01ad48d77f36a859/large/beijing-great-coke-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
My little Emperor needed to be carried up the Great Wall!<br><br>
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/6f73817a24e54dc94c9b8eed020e0f8cd4bda10e/large/beijing-great-wall-jameson-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1244" width="700" /><br><br>
Mmmmmm...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/5d12a89f645ec4db38a72372306016d824fca74e/large/beijing-peking-duck-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="656" width="700" /><br><br>
I’m afraid Margaret thought the Peking Duck was Peking Yuck…<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/0532f1a97dbf3b127f1c25d63cabfc9b2d84f281/large/beijing-yuck-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="635" width="700" /><br>
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<div style="text-align: justify">Although most people don’t dream of visiting China and being here does not always feel like a vacation, I know that my mother, Margaret and Vonnie made some fabulous memories here. I never dreamed that I would move here let alone deliver my second child here, but in just a week from tomorrow (if not sooner) Giselle will be here! Stay tuned for lots of photos of our little empress!</div>
</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22482011-05-05T11:05:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:56-08:00Nest<span style="font-size: medium">Although baby Giselle does not have her own room in our Shanghai apartment, she does have her own space. We learned of our move to San Diego the day after I purchased a second-hand dresser and changing table for Giselle. At first it seemed as though I should have skipped these purchases, but after receiving so many gorgeous gifts for our little girl, we needed a place to store her things. In spite of the impending move, Giselle will be here in two weeks so let the nesting begin!<br><br></span>
<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/95b36ab9c1c9543398bfe69bc690148caa04ec90/large/Giselles-wall-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" /><br><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center">
<span style="font-size: medium">The cherry blossoms in Century Park were my inspiration for the artwork, <br>
as well as loads of polka dots.<br></span><span style="font-size: medium"><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f126c9a09cc25c323ab689d2dc07cc911bb69c2a/large/Giselles-closer-paintings-small.jpg?1380125442" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" /><br><br>
Who knows what Giselle’s nursery will be like in San Diego (or our lives for that matter), <br>
but for now, I am content with her own little “nest” in our living room!<br><br></span>
</div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22472011-04-27T01:50:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:56-08:00Celebrating LifeLast week was an amazing example of just how lovely life can be. On Tuesday, my friend Marisela drove me to pick up second-hand changing table and dresser for Giselle’s things before taking me to my doctor’s appointment at Shanghai United. If that doesn’t sounds like a huge answer to prayer, imagine me trying to load up two pieces of furniture into a taxi, then taking them for a one-hour tour of Shanghai to visit my doctor, then driving them home to Pudong and getting them into my apartment!<br><div style="text-align: center;">
<br>
On Thursday, my friend Melissa had an Easter egg dying party.<br>
As you can tell, this was Jameson’s first time dying Easter eggs… <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/8d3ae2c3ade388837c1d95b9b3af1c609ef7071a/large/celebration-pink-fingers-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br>
Tia Carolina and Abby made the most beautiful eggs<br>
while Alex and Jameson made a beautiful mess<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ae36d379f3f1008c2b0ce8292c2b5f9033f26d0e/large/celebration-tias-egg-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" />
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<br>
Next, On Friday, my dear friend Karen gathered my friends Melissa, Stacy and Carol for a birthday/baby celebration. I have never felt so spoiled by such amazing friends! Melissa and Carol went to the <a href="http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai/listings/dining/cafes/has/amokka-cafe/" target="_new">Amokka Cafe</a> in Puxi to decorate, while Karen brought Stacy and I. My friends showered me with balloons, fresh flowers, a yummy cake and gorgeous gifts for Giselle; not to mention an awesome time with just the girls as we all had babysitters!<br><div style="text-align: center;">
<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/72c2b54b4e14e34ec6a69980e947149bbf603d39/original/Loris-friends.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" />
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<br><div style="text-align: center;">I only have one photo with Karen... how did that happen?<br>
Carolina, I, Melissa, Karen and Stacy pose at the fabulous <a href="http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai/listings/dining/cafes/has/amokka-cafe/" target="_new">Amokka cafe</a><br>
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Giselle is a lucky young lady with so many gorgeous gifts<br>
and even more importantly, so many people who love her<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ac6c607c2b47bb086caff168357af5b9ea32f5fa/original/giselles-gift.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="907" width="680" /><br>
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Then on Saturday, my friend Marisela gathered my dear friends from AGIF for yet another celebration of Giselle’s life. I am honored to be blessed by so many after only being in Shanghai for one year.<br><div style="text-align: center;">
<br>
Nearly everyone had a pacifier, except for the gorgeous baby!<br>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/66bc8ca06f264ab429a77d7ca96d6cbcf5bcf1e0/large/celebration-binky-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /></div>
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On Easter morning we celebrated with a few beautiful gifts my sweet seester sent from home</div>
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<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a42229838f7a030028f31abf232cf35150a51d31/large/celebration-slippers-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Even Giselle had an Easter gift... her first pink slippers!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/5fbf5df288b5a924b7c52fc3fb1a818b047e75da/large/celebration-easter-morning-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br>
What 2-and-a-half-year-old boy would not want a space shuttle for Easter?<br>
Thanks McKinnon and Monet!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">Finally, on Sunday, we celebrated life and Easter with eggs, chicks and baby bunnies,<br>
at the <a href="http://www.parkyard.com/" target="_new">Parkyard Hotel</a> with many of our friends from <a href="http://www.agifshanghai.com" target="_new">AGIF</a> and Jim’s work as well!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/562c74c92a871831354fa86bd79bf62d244f799f/large/celebration-a-a-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Chicks and geese and ducks better scurry!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a360426ad6bb479932144cfee20c9bf137994aee/large/celebration-look-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Jameson was surprisingly gentle with the baby chicks<br>
I think he is ready to hold his baby sister in a few weeks!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/108d03f1dbcb6070495334ac6b69358fed51ff04/large/celebration-chic-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
I know, I know, enough with the baby chicks!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d4b6a4c29aa46b238151b61d8058fe5abd79cf47/large/celebration-run-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br>
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Hunting for Easter eggs with your best friend is always fun...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/9590914d68eee349e5888430fd2b07a6dc93fdfc/large/celebration-hunt-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
… until you discover a fountain! <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/8e84c5a876b16c4f284e585889eabb38846d3665/large/celebration-fountain-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Carol, Melissa, Nilusha and I.... but where are Jodie and Amy?<br>
I should have kidnapped them for this photo!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/529f2b804f820ad4337705cb457d3d158ff0b4ee/large/celebration-easter-friends-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br>
<br>
Lenny, Jim and Eric have worked 6 days a week for more than a year...<br>
This job is almost finished, right? 7/11/2011 ???<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f1aee0835a26df67ee7b05606d3b0a994ea379d0/large/celebration-easter-boys-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" /><br>
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The Martinez family have been great friends to us in China<br>
It is hard to believe that our time here might be coming to an end...<br>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f47db0ba86ed613fb43d90607cebd8efb115a7ed/large/celebration-martinez-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /></div>
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<br>
I still cannot grasp how we will be expanding to a family of four in three weeks, <br>
especially while living in China!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/60fcf01d863f3323c90d67dbc90f8a88e69bf580/large/celebration-devey-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" />
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<br>
The last exciting thing we have to celebrate in our lives is that we are moving home, or at least we are moving Stateside! Jim was offered a position at the San Diego office starting in July. Jim is ecstatic about the location, whereas I am a little apprehensive about moving with a 2-month old baby. But, I am sure God’s timing is perfect! <br><br>
Speaking of timing, my mother will be here in two weeks from Friday and Giselle will be here in three weeks from Friday. Time is rushing past in spite of the fact that I am in slow motion this week from a flu bug both Jameson and I are fighting. Please pray for health for our family, a complication-free c-section, a healthy baby Giselle, and a smooth transition to San Diego!<br><br><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22462011-04-06T17:35:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:56-08:00Thank You For Visiting<span style="font-size: medium;">We are fortunate enough to have 90-day visas now, which means we only need to leave the country to reset our visas once every three months. Thanks to a month of lots of rest and antibiotics, I was feeling well enough to gain travel approval from my ob-gyn and we opted to go back to Hong Kong Disneyland.<br><br>
After three months, Jameson was still talking about Disneyland, so we decided that we would stay at the <a href="http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/hotels/landing?name=HongKongDisneylandHotelLandingPage" target="_new">Disneyland Resort</a> on<a target="_new" href="http://hongkong.angloinfo.com/maps/918/Lantau+Island+Map.html"> Lantau Island</a> so the commute to the park would be short and easy. Jim and Jameson spent one day at Disneyland while I had a massage and relaxed at the resort. <br><br>
I would have loved to go with my family, but the doc did not approve of my spending the whole day on my feet. I know, what torture, to have to spend the entire day reading by the pool followed by a massage and dinner with my family! <br></span>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br>
Jameson and Jim had a fabulous time at the park <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/28b426d7fa58b57558c27ffe0fe5106581292bf3/large/thank-you-teacup-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Thank you for visiting... again</span><br>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/9d80b110d4d613e6cc0acf65e151673b586052f5/large/Thank-You-for-visiting-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /></div>
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Our room had a view of the South China Sea (and Hong Kong Island on a clear day)<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a5b540650200b20e4fd9740098b86b31c2fe47ca/large/thank-you-view-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" />
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Jameson loved feeding the birds from our balcony</div>
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<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f3f4c6c259a51a2e160306b3dcb5d1ad4881d3a2/large/thank-you-birdies-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br>
The sight, sound and smell of the ocean was invigorating,<br>
Especially since we have not been out of the city in eight months<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f73bc51901c945bfcf9a55332606081722419b03/large/thank-you-running-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br>
The Hotel and the grounds were so gorgeous and since this is our third trip to HK,<br>
We did not even bother going to Hong Kong Island</div>
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<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/8ce74396b97d1367adb539426ce2cc257354fcc5/large/thank-you-resort-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" />
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<br>
After three days of Mickey waffles for breakfast<br>
Jameson finally let Goofy get close enough to take a picture with him<br>
(You have to admit that giant Disney characters are a little intimidating!)<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/187bd74de10cbf55aec263c3e82b81c3883ce119/large/thank-you-goofy-small.jpg?1380125441" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" />
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We had a fabulous four days of “Daddy, Mommy, Jameson” time as J tells us. Now our next visa reset will be approximately 6 weeks after Giselle’s birth, so we are looking for another "quiet and relaxing" destination for our new family of four (wink wink). If all goes as planned, my mom will be here in five weeks and Giselle will be here in six weeks from tomorrow! But, if Giselle is anything like her brother, she will decide to come whenever she is ready.</span><br><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22452011-03-01T15:15:00-08:002017-02-01T11:01:30-08:00Bumps and Bubbles<span style="font-size: medium;">After three months of Jameson re-enacting the <a target="_new" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW4IZ0Flh3M">winter dressing scene from “A Christmas Story,”</a> where Randy exclaims “I can’t put my arms down!” each time we went outside, we finally had one day that was warm enough to shed a few layers. Jim, Jameson and I spent the afternoon at Century Park where Jameson could chase bubbles, kick a ball around and just be free! <br><div style="text-align: center;">
<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1d6529ac02da34e3ada3e11f50ae30d80bccdccf/large/outdoors-bubble-catcher-better-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" />
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"I can put my arms down!"</div>
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<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/741684f7a9b5478f37f7cda4b3e4dbd417c577e3/large/outdoors-running-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" />
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<br><div style="text-align: center;">I suppose my shoes matched Jameson's outfit better than his Adidas<br>
He thought wearing my shoes was hilarious!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/fe37fd9b47a479fbb6806c025fdafaca874c0467/large/outdoors-shoeboy-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" />
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<br><div style="text-align: center;">We had not been to Century Park since my mother was here in October. <br>
Three months is a long time for a two-year-old to be trapped indoors.<br>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/6334b1fdd42aa7f36b9e5b888d479418d5bc52fd/large/century-mom-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" /></div>
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<br>
Just today we confirmed that my mother is planning to come <br>
stay with us for a while when Giselle is born. <br>
Being away from home during the birth of a new baby might be a little complex, <br>
but having my mom here might just eclipse any difficulties.</div>
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<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/c0673602e9dfbaa024615d4b8a350a11adbea66f/large/Giselle-28-weeks-cropped-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="956" width="600" />
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<br><div style="text-align: center;">My baby bump is growing and so is baby Giselle. <br><a href="http://www.babycenter.com/slideshow-baby-size?slideNumber=26" target="_new">At 28 weeks, she is now the size of a head of Napa Cabbage.</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/9a7f53dc0e91ef63ce21cdd16ff46a45489c4f65/large/Giselle-28-weeks-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="511" width="600" />
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<br><div style="text-align: center;">Even though it snowed again yesterday... <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ef521777b2cc150eda831210c6b45acfd47cf18c/large/outdoors-gathering-sticks-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><br>
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<div style="text-align: center;">the cherry blossoms remind us that spring is not far away<br>
and neither is the birth of our baby girl.<br>
We only have 11 weeks and 2 days until May 20th!</div>
<br><br><br><br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22442011-02-24T14:00:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:55-08:00One year ago<span style="font-size: medium;">On May 24, 2010, we packed up five suitcases, a guitar, a stroller, and our most precious possessions, which is each other, and left for China. We have only begun to learn what it means to lean not on our own understanding and to not look back. I have never adapted more, or learned more in my entire life than I have in the last year. While Jim has never worked harder in his life than he has this past year. <br><br>
Our challenges in China have included having minimal time with Jim due to his 6-day workweek, dealing with a 30-day exit entry visa which required monthly trips out of the country, learning an extremely difficult language and learning how to navigate and thrive in a fast-paced city.<br><br>
In spite of the challenges, we have found many rewards here in China. We are grateful that Jim has a challenging, yet well paying job in this crazy economy. Serving at Abundant Grace International Fellowship, I as a keyboardist and worship leader and Jim as a sound engineer, have enriched our lives. We have had the unique pleasure of being a part of the core team to start a new Saturday service aimed at the lost and people who are “young at heart” in Shanghai. <br><br>
One of our biggest rewards is seeing the development of Jameson’s Mandarin skills as well as his knowledge of Chinese culture. I know it is difficult to believe that 2 ½-year old can learn and converse in a foreign language in such a short time, but he has learned so much and has daily conversations with Ayi that are just gorgeous.<br><br>
Our other great reward is the joy of bringing a new baby girl into the world. Baby Giselle Renée is due on May 20th 2011.
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br>
Miss Giselle Renée Devey<br>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/feebf73c0b9c28331f8e98acaa62ca628acd81bc/large/vogue-pose-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> <br>
I think Giselle is praying that we will find a good hospital in China<br>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/86e9d8fe43a33a03be0daaa9430ef3d4b6afa060/large/Giselles-prayer-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="312" width="300" /></div>
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My blogging has been as consistent as my health has been for the past six months. Since the beginning of my pregnancy I have been sick with a respiratory infection 5 times. The last infection landed me in the hospital as my body was not responding to the antibiotics. My two-night stay in the hospital was a blessing, as I decided where I did NOT want to give birth and am checking out a new hospital on Monday. Please pray for healing for my lungs and for baby Giselle to stay in until 38 weeks (as she tried to come early on Chinese New Year, which landed me in a hospital for the first time!)<br><br>
Aside from my tour of hospitals, we have had lots of fun. We spent Christmas here in Shanghai and after singing at the candlelight Christmas Eve service we stayed at a hotel with our friends Joe and Jodie. Although we missed our families, it was great to have our Shanghai family with us!<br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/877e6af037ae784957b41996aa39f0b3dd4d8b33/large/Christmas-family-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1066" width="600" /></div>
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Thanks to my friend Carol, our Christmas tree cost 40 RMB <br>
(about 6 USD)<br>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/03b06d8dfaa185455aed52eb951c00cade95f133/large/Christmas-house-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /></div>
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Jameson helped decorate and not one ornament was broken<br>
(although all of the ornaments are Made-in-China-plastic!)<br>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/9ecdc11666041dc1ed028d28d4ba1331e7481d83/large/christmas-star-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /></div>
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Jameson, Jim and I spent five days in Hong Kong for New Year’s and had a fabulous time as a family. All Jameson asked for every day was to go to the park with Mommy and Daddy. I don't think he had any idea just how fun this park would be!<br><div style="text-align: center;">
<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/658801e99f66c1f49ccb92d024f1293a3967e015/large/Disney-run-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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Even though Disneyland-Hong Kong is the smallest Disneyland in the world<br>
It is still the happiest place on earth for a 2-year-old</div>
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<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/14c29ab2e9169efe4edf64790e481afac0fd9416/large/Disney-smile-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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Although he has never seen the movie, <br>
Dumbo was Jameson's favorite ride. Just ask him!<br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/959132c9f9352c4831b4bc5e2b54dcd3ae4ed2e3/large/disney-dumbo-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
"I like Dumbo, and cars, and Pooh Bear, and Buzz Light Year, and Small World<br>
and horsies, and fireworks..." Jameson tells me every day now!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/0cd35da166e9311ea4bec788fffd1f238699686b/large/disney-cars-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br>
<br>
The only thing Jameson did not like was stopping for a photo shoot<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1bd25c6a06750b850d1c50bd2972d39edcfc590e/large/disney-family-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br><br>
Even the train to and from Disneyland was fun!<br>
We were able to take the Hong Kong Metro all the way from our hotel to the park<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f212a688d57268148183602bbbedad60aee4c4c4/large/disney-train-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
<br>
We are so glad we went to Hong Kong as it was the first relaxing vacation we have had as a family since we went to Hawaii in October of 2009. Just having Daddy around for five whole days was even more of a treat than Disneyland.<br><br>
In the past year, more than anything, we have learned to value each other and truly trust in God. We may be here in China until October, but we still do not know for sure. Almost daily, I am reminded to not look back and to choose joy. Now we look forward to the joy of welcoming our little baby Giselle in May!</div>
</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22422010-12-06T14:50:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:55-08:00In Retrospect<br><span style="font-size: medium;">Back in September we had the pleasure of staying in our own home in Pleasant Hill with our Dog Lady. We spent the first few days just relaxing at home, taking Lady for walks, and trying to switch our hours around. On the second night, I was wide-awake at 3 AM and decided to finally take a pregnancy test and we were delighted to see that it was positive. Jim and I stayed up talking and planning ‘til 8 AM, then took a nap until noon. Perhaps switching hours around was not as important as we thought.<br><br>
After traveling home, visiting Beijing, hosting family, finding an ob-gyn, having morning sickness, singing at the Global Leadership Summit in Puxi as well as singing at the Community Center Shanghai Gala our lives have been a bit of a blur. Jameson also modeled for a “Good Baby” photo shoot where he posed in various car seats. Then we celebrated Thanksgiving twice and bought a Christmas tree in preparation for the next big holiday.<br><br>
I could have (and probably should have) written 20 blogs to cover the photos on my SD card, but will try to condense the past three months in a few retrospective blogs.<br><br><br><div style="text-align: center;">While at home, Jim set up a recording system on a new laptop <br>
so that I may begin recording a new album while we are here in China.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Jameson helped!</div>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/af66ce5354e9345175cfb876c7ff78b5e162e480/large/home-j-mixes-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
We celebrated Jim’s birthday with a day trip to Santa Cruz. The weather was gorgeous in spite of the 103-degree temperature. We felt quite comfortable since at the time it was 100 degrees with 100 percent humidity in Shanghai.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b55b609de81d6715c82911c56d505f60d2386091/large/home-sand-castles-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
Jameson took a ride in Grandpa Kelley’s razor and his “race car” both of which Jameson still talks about.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ec6a1ea60270eee8e4141c60c5bf02d1c8636541/large/home-razor-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
A trip to the pumpkin patch was the perfect autumn Pacific Northwest outing!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/3867af64d68bbfd26d1529d77b60cb86d74a5884/large/home-jamolantern-small-rotate.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><br><br>
I was so happy to see one of my dearest friends, Jilann, <br>
and to meet her baby, Emily!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b25bfc1406ed45af6d7d4201a0bf91ca83ca4730/large/home-jilann-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="800" width="600" /><br><br>
Emily is gorgeous just like her mother!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/93b76e1e4823ab06245c44166848c6a5e55604a6/large/home-emily-scale-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><br><br>
Jameson already has a crush<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b975358b7c35c4422cc7cad236e565f11b436656/large/home-emily-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br><br>
Jameson loved playing on a farm...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/497a717806637fd643ac30ceba5e6eb0811c4d97/large/home-tractor-boy-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1244" width="700" /><br><br>
...and he especially loved playing with his Aunt Char<br>
and his cousins McKinnon and Monet<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b9eefd11c7e23841982be5a6232677dd053b12d3/large/home-gutt-family-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="933" width="700" /><br><br>
Altogether, it was the perfect day for a hayride<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/2eeeb6ab1e3e00cbd04294b34b704972e0583d63/large/home-family-farm-small.jpg?1380125440" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br><br>
Tune in next week for more photos of our trip home and our trip to Beijing…</div>
</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21772010-11-21T16:50:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:49-08:00All That Jazz!!!<div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: medium">During set-up before worship rehearsal at AGIF I was randomly singing “At Last” by Etta Jameson when my friend (and fellow musician) Ron Mona asked what music I was truly passionate about. There are a few types of music that I love and listen to on a daily basis. <br><br>
I listen to Jazz, classical music and worship music, but my first love, is jazz. I fell in love with jazz at the age of 10 when I sang the solo in “When I Fall in Love” with my middle school jazz choir at the Newport Jazz festival (in Oregon, not California.) I have been hooked ever since, and truly struggled to not sing jazz all throughout my collegiate studies as Opera and Jazz do not mix (especially in young voices.) <br><br>
My friend Ron then asked if I might consider singing at the Community Center Shanghai annual Gala at the Historic Peace Hotel. Of course I answered with a resounding yes as the event was titled “All That Jazz” and had a 1920’s theme, therefore I simply could not resist. After being introduced to Steve Sweeting, an exceptionally talented jazz pianist from New York, we began working on a set list. On Saturday evening, we performed an hour set at the fabulous <a target="_new" href="http://www.fairmont.com/PeaceHotel?cm_mmc=icppc-_-Branded-PCE%20-%20Peace%20Hotel%20-%20China-_-msn-_-fairmont+peace+hotel&OVMTC=e&OVKEY=fairmont%20peace%20hotel&timestamp=20101108084153&creative=885770&adcid=3090248">Peace Hotel</a>. <br><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/062bd4880d20e3e47740ec271b3ca4ffa17ac1d7/large/ccs-peace-hotel-bw-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1259" width="700" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: medium"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium">Steve Sweeting played beautifully on a less than beautiful baby grand. <br><br></span></div>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/5f4ba3f78952e0f22d6ea2e9d262f9d4103e5bca/large/CCS-all-that-jazz-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br><span style="font-size: medium">You can learn more about The Peace Hotel and "The Peace Hall," <br>
Shanghai's most famous ballroom, by <a target="_new" href="http://www.fairmont.com/EN_FA/Property/PCE/AboutUs/History.htm">clicking here</a>.<br></span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/979c6b3fa529117555b3cd5f84649b8caa1bb889/large/CCS-Ballroom-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br><span style="font-size: medium">My Gorgeous Shanghai friends Jodie and Heidi!</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/209f0de415899e5c917c78b4bc106894d1f7ec51/large/ccs-pengyou-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br>
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<div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: medium"><br>
The evening was elegant as the Peace Hotel is rich in history and beauty, I had a date with my husband, I had a fabulous time with dear friends and I sang some of my favorite jazz charts with an awesome pianist. I don’t think I could have asked for a better evening!<br></span></div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22132010-11-16T16:20:00-08:002017-02-01T11:01:28-08:00Annie's Song<span style="font-size: medium;">Please excuse my long absence in updating my blog. Over the past two months, we have traveled to California, Oregon and Washington State as well as Beijing, and have taken 7 flights and one road-trip in the process. My mother accompanied Jameson and I back to Shanghai where she stayed with us for over two weeks. While my mom was here, my fabulous Aunt Margaret and cousin “Funnie-Vonnie” (so Jameson has named her) also visited Shanghai. I told them that I could not imagine letting them fly all the way to China without seeing the Great Wall, Forbidden City and (my favorite in Beijing) the Summer Palace.<br><br>
I have a thumb-drive full of photos, but have been lacking the time and energy to blog, but I promise to change that now. My biggest draw of energy (and the most exciting one) is that I am <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-13-weeks_1102.bc?scid=mbtw_preg13:947&pe=2Uv7fwQ" target="_new">13 weeks pregnant</a>! We found out that I am pregnant on the second day of our trip home in September. It was a brilliant blessing to be able to share our news with family and friends in person. I was not, however, prepared to broadcast my pregnancy over the Internet until I was close to or in the second trimester where the odds of miscarriage are much lower.<br><br>
This afternoon I had my second ultra-sound with Dr. Kong at World Path Clinic. During our ultra-sound, I could see little baby Devey kicking around and I could hear the baby’s perfect little heartbeat while a slightly cheesy recording of John Denver's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkGS263lGsQ" target="_new">“Annie’s Song” </a><br>
played in the background. In spite of the cheesy factor, the song brought tears to my eyes as I could picture my mother and father singing together in perfect harmony as they did back in my childhood. Seeing our large baby, so I am told, bouncing around “filled up my senses” in every way imaginable.<br><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<br><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1e0c10b3bc99cce82ab46a42888a7ec32b4d388e/large/Baby-Devey-13-weeeks-november-17-2010-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="558" width="700" /></div>
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In case some of you are thinking, but are afraid to say, “are you crazy? You can’t give birth in China!” please put your minds at ease. In spite of the fact that this pregnancy is technically high-risk because of my spine issues, my doctor has safely delivered 7 children whom I know and whose mothers were kept healthy and happy in the process. This beautiful miracle of ours may have been made in China, but we do not yet know if it will be born in China. If I do deliver here, my c-section will be scheduled for May 20th.<br><br>
Between now and May, I have much to do! I promise to resume regular blogging, starting with photos of our trip home as well as our trip to Beijing. This Saturday I have the privilege of performing at the <a href="./calendar.cfm">Community Center Shanghai Annual Gala</a> which takes place at the renowned <a target="_new" href="http://www.fairmont.com/PeaceHotel?cm_mmc=icppc-_-Branded-PCE%20-%20Peace%20Hotel%20-%20China-_-msn-_-fairmont+peace+hotel&OVMTC=e&OVKEY=fairmont%20peace%20hotel&timestamp=20101108084153&creative=885770&adcid=3090248">Peace Hotel on the Bund</a>. To read more about the performance and purchase tickets <a href="http://www.communitycenter.cn/ccsgala2010.asp" target="_new">click here</a>. <br><br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="./calendar.cfm"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/038ed4d94c6683400e17a87d31b97eb80e378bf6/original/alll-that-jazz-promo.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="383" width="521" /></a></div>
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The event is a 1920’s theme called “All That Jazz” and I have a tailor working on a flapper costume, which will hopefully fit me at three months pregnant. I will be sure to post photos of the event!<br><br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22412010-09-15T19:00:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:55-08:00Suzhou Smile<span style="font-size: medium"><br>
During spring break of March in 1997, I visited China with the OSU Chamber Choir. Most choirs choose more “prestigious” or obvious locations such as Italy, Austria or the UK. But, our director had just returned from a recent tour of China with another chamber choir and decided that we should do the same. Our visit included daily tours and nightly performances in Shanghai, Suzhou and Beijing. It was an awesome experience and one which made my choice to move to China much easier. When asked my favorite part of my trip here in 1997, I always said that I loved Suzhou as it was much less developed then Beijing and Shanghai and it was dripping with gorgeous silk road history.<br><br>
When Jim expressed a desire to escape from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, my first suggestion was to spend a weekend in Suzhou. Shanghai’s population is estimated to be between 19-29 million (no one knows for sure because of the fluctuating population) so when we decided to get out of the big city, we visited the “quaint little hamlet” of Suzhou whose population is a mere 5.9 million. <br><br>
Thanks so my friend Melanie, who purchased our train tickets, Jim, Jameson and I boarded a high-speed bullet train at the Shanghai Train Station early on Saturday morning. Each car had an odometer that showed that we went 300 kilometers per hour. It took a short 30 minutes before we were in the “little” town of Suzhou.<br><div style="text-align: center">
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Since 1997, Suzhou has changed a lot and has been industrialized more than I would have liked to have seen. But, the gardens and pagodas continue to delight visitors with their grace, dignity and beauty just as I remembered from 13 years ago.<br><br><div style="text-align: center">We visited the <a target="_new" href="http://www.szsilkmuseum.com/">Suzhou Silk Museum</a>. <br><br>
Silk worms feast on mulberry leaves before they build a chrysalis or cocoon<br><span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1284629573390_933"></span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/3f61e58ba63d799e989d0fc910a5bcf31cfed552/large/suzhou-mulberry-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="523" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f4058fd51b5946c3ff9908d424b2533fba6853c2/large/suzhou-cris-dry-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="523" width="350" />
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Jameson taking imaginary silk for a spin<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b2775e5c30853a59e49e79da56cb0bd8c49a1c6e/large/suzhou-jameson-spins-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" /><br><br>
Then the <a target="_new" href="http://www.ineedhotel.com/suzhou/tour/sight/sightw.html">northern Temple Pagoda</a>, which boasts the highest Pagoder in Suzhou<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/3d5d1bddd9d424fb3bb38eb2a9a33006b541d02a/large/suzhou-pagoder-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
The temple contains a portion of the original Suzhou city wall<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ec0cb73c495664f0832cd2f0b8a04937dc58da57/large/suzhou-wall-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" /><br><br>
Pagoders make great playgrounds<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ae2c078122122e6b755d92e48e1e591684fb9547/large/suzhou-daddy-better-pagoder-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" /><br><br>
Suzhou Smile<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f446c3cdb07adae02ef20e48690d909c7f8ae9a2/large/suzhou-smile-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" /><br><br>
and finally the <a target="_new" href="http://www.suzhou.gov.cn/English/Travel/5.shtml">Humble Administrator’s Garden</a>, the most famous Garden in Suzhou.</div>
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The garden was packed... but still worth the visit<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f6566548c20950ed0cd0760f2b95623aab43d5ab/large/suzhou-mom-and-j-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" />
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Our weekend trip was a much-needed respite, but now we look forward to our trip home. We are scheduled to fly out on Friday, but Jameson has been sick for a week with a bad cough. I took him in to see the pediatrician on Monday who informed me that he is on his way to getting pneumonia. Therefore, we are spending the week at home doing nebulizer treatments four times a day while trying to get him well before our trip. I am praying that Jameson is completely well by tomorrow morning so that he will not be uncomfortable on our flight home (and so that everyone else on the plane will also not be uncomfortable :)<br><br>
Either way, we are coming home for our first visit in seven months! Ni hao!<br><br><br><br><br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22402010-08-31T18:55:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:55-08:00Dino Beach<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/fb890b707611dde9f1d6ce003499a0a0fe40e57b/large/dino-busy-small-bw.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br></span></div>
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On Wednesday morning Jameson and I attend my friend Jodie’s mum’s group. Jodie is my gorgeous New Zealand friend who has a huge heart for expats (especially the newbies) and has been said to “collect” us in heaps! <br><br>
My Sri Lankan friend Nilushi, who also attends our mum’s group, was quite keen on doing a final summer outing before her daughters returned to school. Nilushi suggested that we all go to a water park called Dino Beach, in Puxi.<br><br>
So all 16 of us (including our friend Jennifer, her two children with her mother-in-law who all just moved back to the states, Nilushi with her two daughters, Jodie with her three daughters, Melissa with Abby and Alex, Jameson and I) piled into Nilushi and Jennifer’s two vans and headed out to Puxi.<br><br>
The weather seemed promising and held out for most of the day. We were not shocked to see that Dino beach was more crowded than Waikiki beach, but hardly prepared for the struggle we had just getting through line to purchase our tickets. <br><br>
But, once we were in, we were pleasantly surprised to find a fabulously outfitted water park, not too unlike Water World in Concord, California near our home in Pleasant Hill.<br><div style="text-align: center">
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Nilushi and Jodie enjoying a day at the "beach"</div>
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<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a3bc4a7d6c0404784abd14cd25fd3162cbe6f087/large/dino-nilushi-jodie-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" />
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<div style="text-align: center">Jennifer relishing her last major outing<br>
before moving back home to Oklahoma<br>
We miss you already, Jennifer!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/48e82544172afb3bdf9dc0820beb014bfbed5488/large/dino-jen-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" />
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<div style="text-align: center">Melissa, Abby and Alex playing in the sand<br>
If it has sand, then it must be a beach!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/4d5767855034ceff03b93ffa874d1a5458b91f01/large/dino-martinez-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br><br>
Having sand was such a novelty that our kids spent <br>
a large majority of our time just playing in it<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b056f9f8c5967279a66ba6e86bf68b41b65eadeb/large/dino-kids-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br><br>
Both Jameson and I were happily covered in sand<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/9c2449314b53c94b062be8bd7d07304d81cf823d/large/dino-j-and-i-color-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br><br>
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<div style="text-align: justify">You are probably thinking “enough about the sand”, but most likely you who are thinking that have been able to visit the ocean this summer. Am I right? I can truly say that I have never appreciated the beauty of the Pacific Ocean until we moved to Shanghai. Although we are relatively close to the Huangpu River, it is a heavily polluted river that resembles a brightly decorated slough more than a national treasure. <br><br>
Although visiting Dino Beach was an awesome experience, I look forward to seeing the sapphire sparkle of the Pacific Ocean on our trip home in just a few weeks.<br><br>
Friend, the next time you see a beautiful, clear, blue body of water please consider what a blessing natural beauty truly is. Remember to be in awe of the awesome!<br>
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</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22392010-08-23T19:00:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:55-08:00The Bund<span style="font-size: medium">Thanks to our friends Melissa and Lenny, Jim and I had our first real date since we moved to Shanghai. Jameson helped hail a taxi on our way to the Martinez family apartment in Yanlord. You know you are raising a city kid when you say, “let’s go” and he says “Taxi, Chūzū chē” then affectivity assists you in hailing a taxi.</span><br><div style="text-align: center">
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<br><span style="font-size: medium">Since our anniversary was in July, we decided to celebrate by visiting the Bund in Puxi and trying a fabulous French restaurant called </span><a target="_new" href="http://www.jean-georges.com/"><span style="font-size: medium">Jean George</span></a><span style="font-size: medium">. To learn more about The Bund, click </span><a target="_new" href="http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_chinaway/2005-07/20/content_70789.htm"><span style="font-size: medium">here</span></a><span style="font-size: medium">.<br></span>
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<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/54b63b5fa35dd4272ceff63592e296240c4dda3a/original/bund-delicious-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="933" width="700" /><br></span></div>
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Although I did not make reservations until the day before our date, I was still able to secure a table with a view of the Pearl Tower. We had a set menu which included an amuse bouche that definitely amused our mouths using Thai flavors with a French twist.<br><br><div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/c85719e3ede281af3e4633e9d434d1e84d41b246/large/bund-dinner-with-a-view-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /></div>
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Jim and I ordered practically the same thing without knowing it. The New Zealand lamb was mouth watering, and the crispy crab cake had fabulous contrast in taste and texture! Jim could not help but order the ice cream for desert with a beet garnish, as beet ice cream has been a family joke since he learned to detest beets as a child. I had an amazing mango soufflé of which there are no pictures because it disappeared before my camera appeared.<br><div style="text-align: center">
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/346d37dd4a86d066b9af216bc63e7d4432ab35ba/large/bund-beet-icecream-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br><br>
After dinner we joined thousands of tourists who take a romantic stroll <br>
along the Huangpu River on The Bund with a gorgeous view of Pudong.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/4c1a964f60ddd382697fcab6d220a3f50023c903/large/bund-non-blurry-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" />
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<br><div style="text-align: center">After failing to hail a taxi (perhaps Jameson should have come with us!) we decided to take a ferry back to the Pudong side of the river.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a86ec31f52f5d8f62b94f0941865bf423b289719/large/bund-pudong-pearl-small.jpg?1380125439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br>
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Six months ago today, we arrived in Shanghai with absolutely no idea what our lives would look like here. In some ways, I still have no idea what my life looks like. We are enjoying the ride and learning not to care so much about how things look while not looking inward as much as we are looking upward.<br><br>
There are days when I tell Jim that “I want out of the fish bowl” and wish that we could live a more private life without the constant attention foreigners seem to draw. But then we have such wonderful experiences, like visiting the Bund, that makes our time here valuable and life changing.<br><br><br><br><br><br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22382010-08-08T18:50:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:54-08:00Shēngrì nánhái <div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: medium">Shēngrì nánhái (Birthday boy)<br><br>
Our birthday boy (Shēngrì nánhái) is growing faster than the population of Shanghai. I never pictured myself raising our son in a foreign country, but we are grateful for the opportunity. As of August 24th, we will have lived in Shanghai for 6 months. That means that Jameson has spent almost one quarter of his life here in China. Although he may or may not remember a lot about his time here, I know these experiences are shaping Jameson’s character. <br><br>
When having a birthday party during the heart of summer in Shanghai when the temperature barely drops below 80 degrees Fahrenheit (even at night) it is necessary to have an indoor party. We decided to have a party in our apartment with a ‘rock star’ theme and I was crazy enough to attempt making my first birthday cake in the shape of a guitar. Although we do not have an oven (or a microwave, dishwasher, mixer, blender, cake pans, and whole host of kitchen gadgets I once thought I needed) I do have a friend who has an oven. My dear New Zealander friend, Jodie, has an oven and invited me to bake at her place on the Thursday before the party. Jodie even gave me edible red glitter to frost the cake! Yay for Shanghai friends! <br><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center">
<span style="font-size: medium">Of course tickets are required to a 'rock star' party</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/0e1faf26f149aeb1ca02a196f4ef62395e5f2b8a/large/bday-admit-one-closeup-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br><span style="font-size: medium">Thanks to Fish and Jodie’s New Zealand influence, <br>
Tim Tams were the cookies of choice for the frets on the guitar. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/294cf342957cba9f67f76226101c8896776e5549/large/bday-cake-candles-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
I used some of my favorite photos of Jameson from the past two years <br>
for this wall-treatment<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d7dac6d1f8e49bafd6534cb17c73638e52f5a25f/large/bday-table-cake-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Our friend Joe (A.K.A. “Joetar” as Jameson named him) <br>
played songs for the kids and was encored quite heartily.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ac1d977675f0cc0a49e867255aebc39ae0c17860/large/bday-joetar-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Little Lulu clapped and sang along with my friend Jodie and her daughter Maddie<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/10b922784427eb803036d69fb365e7a5f4059fcd/large/bday-lulu-sings-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Fish and Jameson's friend Lulu, the love of Jameson's life<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/6b83e4fc87b85373bfe14caed4d5354977faeeb4/large/bday-lulu-and-fish-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Our friends: Amalie, Maddie, Jodie, Lulu, Amy, Eric and I enjoying a little pre-concert photo-op<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a5604b0595643e27ffcdd92dc3762060bee2fbcf/large/bday-clarks-and-tsangs-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Tia Lina is notorious for being in almost all of my blogs<br>
and Tia Kelly was visiting from the States and offered <br>
to help decorate and take photosbefore and during the party<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/2b4a47cf1846045f74b1f7e5913af70fe16f8cd4/large/bday-kelly-carol-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Jameson cannot resist a cuddle from Tia Lina!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/870f538823e3f448a966a45b83adfd94d4c6e99b/large/bday-tia-lina-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Jameson's friend Akemi and her dad Jonathan<br>
I don't know how I missed getting a photo of <br>
Akemi's mom, Karen... but it probably has something to do with<br>
having a 2 year old and an 8-month old<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/0a6c70a08bc205dc2db9948894df4d52d71222fe/large/bday-jonathan-and-akemi-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Here is Melissa with Karen and Jonathan's little girl, Ayumi<br>
Babies don't get much cuter than this!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/feda4c9606be87832dcb836658b4fa7630c1c621/large/bday-melissa-and-ayumi-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
My Chinese Sister (as we have been mistaken for sisters, a very high compliment)<br>
And Jameson’s Chinese Cousins<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/36867a144e8d0e70730b6aea85148636306ead3f/large/bday-abbie-alex-mel-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
The Man of the Hour was a wee bit sleepy at his party after a morning trip<br>
to the park with daddy<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/61961f695f3b01a1cab3cf1214c216a934dfce7c/large/bday-jameson-man-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
But he soon warmed up to the idea of singing "Happy Birthday"...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/83fe558953ee002f84b9ca71880ac440da6e5887/large/bday-birthday-boy-song-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Jameson quickly learned to blow out birthday candles<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/edf9a98a370e28f4004024d1bb82399bb0b1d7cc/large/bday-cake-wishes-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: medium">I am learning that even though we are in China, we can do plenty of “normal” traditions like birthday parties. Jameson is growing up as what is called a “third culture” child. He no longer leads a life of his first culture, which includes mostly western traditions; nore does assimilate completely with the second culture in China. So, we have created a “third culture” along side our community of friends with whom we associate with, celebrate with and enjoy life! I must admit that my life here is nothing as I imagined it to be, it is far superior to my own expectations. This reminds me of this scripture in Ephesians.<br><br><br>
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”<br></span></div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22372010-07-25T19:10:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:54-08:00Music Man<div style="text-align: justify">
<span style="font-size: medium">The past few weeks have been a little crazy so I have been quite negligent in writing my blog. Jameson had the flu accompanied by a fever; therefore I was busy trying to keep his fever down so that he did not have any seizures. Luckily, there were no seizures and he was only sick for a few days. <br><br>
Last week I spent most of my free time preparing for Jameson’s second birthday party. 31 people were invited and 30 people came to the event. I never imagined that we would make so many dear friends here in China who would become like family to us, but of course, we still missed our families. We are blessed to have friends to celebrate Jameson's life with us. <br></span><span style="font-size: medium"><br></span>
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<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium">I am no longer the mother of a tiny and helpless infant.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/252bbaeb161de3647cc5cd09f6b82d7f0fb8ea33/large/mommies-love.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1045" width="700" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: medium"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium">Instead, I am the mother of a handsome, passionate, precocious, <br>
intelligent and articulate 2-year old! </span><span style="font-size: medium"><br><br></span>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/4cf1d839d2e9c9529e2ea516a3afc11d3e327457/large/J-piano-man-BW-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="523" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/08c440093fcee84f59f47fb93adaf4e9a1ab2422/large/J-smiles-again-BW-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="523" width="350" /><br><br>
You cannot buy lashes like this!!! <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/801e0bbec92c6fce21465905be782da56fbdb5d3/large/J-glows-BW-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="933" width="700" />
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I don’t yet have any photos edited from the party yet, but I love the above photos. Jameson adores guitars, drums and pianos; therefore his party was a rock-star theme. Whether he loves music because of us or if he loves music because it is in his soul, I do not yet know. But, he is definitely a music man.</div>
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</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22362010-07-08T18:25:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:54-08:00Sleep baby J<span style="font-size: medium">Four weekends ago Jim went on a mountain-biking trip in the bamboo forests of </span><span style="font-size: small"><a target="_new" href="http://www.gochinatravel.com/n1160c222.aspx"><span style="font-size: medium">Mogan Shan</span></a><span style="font-size: medium">. He tells me that it was wet, hot, a little dangerous, but he had a lot of fun and not a lot of sleep. Three weekends ago, we all went to Korea. Sleeping was not a priority there as our time in Korea was so short. Last weekend, Jim had to work on Saturday, so once again sleep was once again put on the back burner. <br><br></span><span style="font-size: medium">
<div style="text-align: center">On Father’s Day weekend Jim traveled to the Mogan Shan Mountains <br>
with a group of colleagues <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/dea480ee512c6a72dc19c7b45923508f02d52602/large/Mogan-Shan-bike-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" />
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<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: medium">I found Jim passed out on Monday night after playing his guitar….<br>
The plaque on the wall says “live with passion”<br>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/eb1acf6abbf0a2fd9a569afb1c059d8b497c63e6/large/sleep-guitar-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br>
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<span style="font-size: small"></span><span style="font-size: medium">On Tuesday night Jim was fast asleep snuggling with baby J <br>
(who is nearly 2 years old, so he is hardly a baby anymore!)<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/95fb007a5147e2bab782e37bfda4bff3c8b0cb52/large/sleep-baby-j-small.jpg?1380125438" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br><br></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: medium">This weekend, sleep will be a priority in our house. We may visit a neighborhood pool and shop for some recording gear on Saturday. On Sunday we are both playing at <a target="_new" href="http://www.agifpudong.org">AGIF</a> and I get to lead worship again, yay! But in spite of our plans, I promise to make sure that my sleep-deprived husband takes a nap!<br><br></span></div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22352010-07-01T19:10:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:54-08:00Key to Korea<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: larger;">Jim and I celebrated our 12-year-Wedding Anniversary on Sunday. Since Jameson and I are still required to leave the country every 30 days, we timed our anniversary with a trip to visit Jim’s best friend, Ouk ,in Korea. Ouk and Jim met on their first day of kindergarten (over 30 years ago?) and Ouk was also Jim’s best man. It was such a joy to see a friend who is like a brother to Jim especially a friend who attended our wedding 12 years ago.<br><br>
Ouk and his fiancée, Yun, showed us around Seoul on Friday night and Saturday. Unfortunately, we had to fly back to Shanghai early Sunday morning, but we enjoyed the two days we had with our friends.<br><br>
We loved Korea, as the city is clean and the country is politically free while the Korean people are kind and educated. As tiring and expensive as it may be to travel every 30-days with a toddler, I hope to go back to Korea on another one of my monthly excursions.<br></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: larger;"><br><br></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: medium;">Hand-made Korean Court cakes made from solid honey and cornstarch. </span>
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<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/84881487579e3a4087872d7e7e91c366e5c73351/large/K-court-cake-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Jameson was not so sure about putting something in his mouth <br>
that resembled a black-widow spider web. <br>
But thanks to Jameson’s large appetite and us living abroad, <br>
he will try just about anything.</span><br>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/4090b1d9133765c1b40f967011d3749de9f7113f/large/K-court-cake-look-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="197" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/edd356fd8110c3f2233c002939c655381c6bb978/large/K-court-cake-hmmm-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="197" width="350" />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: larger;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br>
Outdoor tea houses function as community living rooms in Korea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: larger;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/6e3ae1a31aba4b20712a1bd58334b4f5e453b75c/large/K-tea-time-grimmace-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
5-spice iced-tea with watermelon and Asian pear is so refreshing! </span><span style="font-size: larger;"><br></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: larger;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f1a599a92dbfac13f3ca1f3445da8ebd1a0a095b/large/K-court-cake-with-tea-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
On Namsam Mountain it is traditional for couples to lock signed pad-locks <br>
to the railing of the Seoul Tower. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/0d6ca987cb04afdb47d6d813999e3ae770422bb7/large/K-key-to-korea-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br><br>
In honor of our 12-year anniversary, we signed two padlocks <br>
and took the heart-shaped keys home with us, <br>
in the hopes of one-day visiting our locks again on day.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/582e7ab0e749b460e8bb05073ef6aef7dfabede4/large/K-jandl-keys-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="263" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/2921e1e96792b1e6c414819eb2e6f2910d929bf1/large/K-tower-couple-cropped-again-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="263" width="364" /><br><br>
Seoul Tower lit up with flames during a laser show.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/927ee25a39f457f9b1fa3deb95b2ca5cd8ad096e/large/K-tower-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br><br>
We took the cable-car from the top of the mountain where the tower is to street level.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/5f1ec59129020517789eda53c855e645bde89216/large/namsan-mountain-sign-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
I love this photo!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/3cef266beffba10e2a4030d9c425befade7b6fdf/large/K-tram-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br><br>
Argh! I wish we had our Nikon for this photo <br>
as it is our only family photo and it is blurrrrrrryyy!!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/003191f8bbbf4031f8644a9848b8e4fc9a6ae9f9/large/K-tower-family-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="800" width="600" /><br><br>
I loved seeing these two squished into Korean-sized bus seats!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/76affde686c160f150f32581be5b61233d1f2497/large/K-bus-buddies-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br><br>
Our group in front of the Hyundai building where they planned to show the Uruguay-Korean world cup game.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1efc3bdce3e55a6b426103556e08808b135c7c6b/large/K-Hundai-building-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br><br>
Whose brilliant idea was it to give our noise-maker a noise-maker?<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/abde42a0072f29fd7b6aa6e22786642430e9d80c/large/K-world-cup-horn-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="525" width="700" /><br><br><br>
After 12 years of marriage, my husband still possesses the key to my heart and now the key to a symbol of our love in Korea. Now we must go back to Korea!<br><br></span></div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22342010-06-23T19:40:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:54-08:00Sister CitiesIt is San Francisco week at the Shanghai Expo as the two cities commemorate having been sister-cities for 30 years. National and state dignitaries (if you will) such as Senator Diane Feinstein, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, former US Secretary of State George Shultz and former Mayors Frank Jordan and Willie Brown all attended various gatherings at the Expo here in Shanghai.<br><div style="text-align: center"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
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As written in the "Shanghai Daily," “California's largest-ever infrastructure project, 67,000 tons of Shanghai steel will be used. When finished in 2013, the iconic San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge will symbolically "bridge" Shanghai and San Francisco...”<br>
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<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1ea208d8f01a3936788399d2e1f2ed97b22e105f/large/expo-postcard-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="501" width="700" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center">
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Yesterday we accompanied Jim to a San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Showcase at the Expo on the Puxi side.<br>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d57b6d60a5c21125b4f78677deff9c5bad123268/large/expo-daddys-bridge-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Jim’s employer <a target="_new" href="http://caltrop.com/Caltrop.asp?mid=112">Caltrop</a> along with <a target="_new" href="http://www.altavistasolutions.com/">Alta Vista</a> presented their current progress on the project.<br>
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<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/98ef75e815601253a0ad89be5a3ae058c7481c63/large/expo-caltrop-alta-vista-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /></div>
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After the presentation and reception we spent the remainder of the day exploring the Pudong side of Expo. I have so many more photos to show you, but only one hour until Jameson will probably wake up. Since we are off to Korea for the weekend, I need to use this time to pack, call credit card companies etc… I suppose I could add a few photos while I complete those tasks. I can multi-task… just don’t be surproised if their arre alaught of spelling errorrs.<br><div style="text-align: center">
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The Ireland Pavilion Queue...<br>
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<br><div style="text-align: center">Jameson’s name-sake… Actually he is just "James' son", but he is the life of the party just like Irish Whiskey!<br>
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Someone dared me to do my version of “River Dance” on this blocked off stage<br>
Never dare and Irish woman unless you are prepared for embarrassment.</div>
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Yesterday we visited the Pavilions for Ireland, Brazil, Columbia (where we were VIPs thanks to Carolina) and finally the USA. I will write more about my impressions and share photos of both the Expo and Korea next week. <br><br>
Thanks for reading, replying and keeping in contact with us! It warms my heart to know that we may stay connected with you all while we are on the other side of the planet! <br>
</div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22332010-06-16T19:20:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:53-08:00Choose joy<span style="font-size: small">Last December, after finding out that we were most likely moving to China in 2010, I visited my favorite store in Albany called <a target="_new" href="http://www.emmadowntown.com">Emma Downtown</a>. I purchased a few Christmas gifts at Emma’s, but I also purchased a necklace for myself that says, “don’t look back” on one side and “choose joy”. That saying has been my anthem since we moved to China. I do not always follow the idea, but I wear the necklace as a reminder to live in the present, not in the past or even in the future. <br><br>
Last week I spent a little too much time thinking about home, worrying about the future and not enough time appreciating Shanghai. This week, I am reminiscing about the great summer we had last year, but beginning to find joy in the adventures we will have here in Shanghai during the summertime. <br><br>
Last summer was filled with daily walks to the park, concerts in the park, two trips to Oregon, a trip to Tahoe and tons of outdoor living. This year I am trying to accept that we cannot do many of the things we did last year, but instead I want to embrace the exciting things we get to do here. Next weekend we are traveling to Korea to reset our visas and to see Jim’s best friend Ouk, whom Jim has known since his first day of Kindergarten. <br><div style="text-align: center">
<br><b>That was then... </b>Jameson's 1st birthday invitation photo<br>
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Parktime with Daddy and Jameson with his "cruising legs"<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f19e6c073573da960dc8241c976bcca6b67a4731/large/park-with-daddy.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br><br>
Our trip to <a target="_new" href="http://treehouses.com/">Vertical Horizons</a> in Oregon where we "camped" in treehouses last June<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/c36a4f6237821c628380e40bc725467cecc05a05/large/monet-tree-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Grandma time in our treehouse<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/bba1969ed00e6385d49ea9d8fe1c4541f5a0b385/large/grandma-tree-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br><br>
Jameson with his sweet little cankles!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b4fc5e9af217537c9be037976803e216d0101b57/large/tree-smile-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Our poor little guy had a fever while I drove the 8-hour trip to Oregon<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/bf383ac29e2f2a09744b492f6360b4120d5f03ce/large/tree-house-swing.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" />
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Everyone except Myra (who kindly looked after Jameson) went on the zip-lines!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/416de81cc8fa52cc1b4cde8b3f6cdce074272ec2/large/zip-line-crew-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
We are definitely going back to the treehouses someday!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/5b31ca7415866b15d6e4fe8cb68cfee6747cdec3/large/ziplining-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
We had a great trip to Tahoe thanks to our neighbors Carl and Keala!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/57827f7c8d54bc90d798f47edb86533e994be0d7/large/tahoe-family.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br><b>This is now...</b><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/cb22469f58f532c7cf2590a20bfcab402cbfc2b9/large/yu-yuan-pose-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1067" width="600" /><br>
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<div style="text-align: justify">Joy is a daily choice wherever you live. It is so easy to focus on what we do not have rather than what we do have. Now that we have lived in China for a mere three months, I know that we have soooo much more than we need. I choose joy because the creator of the universe loves us all unconditionally and we are free to share that love and joy with others.</div>
</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22322010-06-10T17:10:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:53-08:00Gōng yuán<span style="font-size: larger"> I apologize for not posting a blog last week as I had a series of relentless migraines and an achy-icky flu. Unfortunately, my blog was postponed as staring at a computer was not my first priority during my nauseous and blurry-eyed-week. This week Jim is sick with the flu. He was sick enough that he needed to leave work early to see a doctor who prescribed anti-nausea medication to keep him from getting dehydrated and out of the hospital. <br><br>
Now that he has been home with us for a day, I must ask what he thinks of our Chinese-speaking home. When Jim is around, I mostly speak in English, but when Ayi is here, I try to speak as much Mandarin as possible. Since Jim works such long hours, studying Mandarin is simply not possible, so he is a little lost as far as what is going on around here. Luckily sign language can be universal, and he already learned a few new words this morning before he went back to bed. <br><br>
There are days when I long to communicate to our nanny in English as she is co-raising my son, but today I am grateful at the progress that we have both made in learning her language. Whenever she talks about us understanding Mandarin, she says “Nǐmen míngbái, wǒ hěn gāoxìng” which means “You (two) understand, I am joyful!”<br><br>
I am joyful too, as I began writing the following list. This list includes some of Jameson’s Mandarin vocabulary in chronological order of when first spoken:<br><br>
Tsing Tao - Chinese Bear<br>
Māmā - Mom<br>
Bàba - Dad <br>
Āyí - Aunt in Chinese<br>
Yī, Èr - 1, 2 <br>
Chē - car <br>
Nǐ hǎo (heehow) - hello<br>
Péngyǒu - friend<br>
Bǐnggān - cookie<br>
Jítā - guitar<br>
Kùzi - pants<br>
Wàzi - socks<br>
Yì fù - shirt<br>
Gōng yuán - park<br>
Ěrduo - ear<br>
Sān, Sì, Wǔ – 3, 4, 5<br>
Méiyǒu!!!! - no, don’t have<br><br>
I am learning that there are some words that Jameson has learned that I don’t even know yet. For example, just today our Ayi asked me to purchase more hangers and I asked how to say hanger (Yījià) in Chinese and Jameson answered for her. <br><br>
When we have no other plans for the morning, Jameson goes to the park or the “Gōng yuán” with Ayi. If he does not get to go the “Gōng yuán”, chances are he gets to see his friends Alex and Abby. Either way, he has the opportunity to play with either Chinese or Expats “péngyǒu” every day. Jameson now has short conversations with Ayi in the morning where he asks if they are going to the park. If going to the park is not a part of the agenda, he says “Méiyǒu”. The conversations they have are very sweet, but I just realized that my almost-two-year-old-son now knows how to say “no” in two languages. All of you parents feel my pain, I’m sure, but I am excited that he is picking up Mandarin so rapidly.<br><br>
A few weeks ago we went to a “Gōng yuán” in Puxi with Lenny, Melissa, Alex and Abby. The park was similar to Century park in that it had amusement park, a lake with boats, but the reason the boys (I mean “Men”) wanted to go to this particular “Gōng yuán” was because it had an indoor disc-cart racing track.<br></span>
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"Bippity-Boppity-Boo"<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/15ebd7f0b96b34648317c6369d2c37affb4dee46/large/GY-Pumpkin-express-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
I'm on a boat!!!!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/996969ac96a425c4081a435f45535275ff16c3f7/large/GY-im-on-a-boat-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
We had to kill some time with Lenny, Melissa and the kids <br>
before the disk carts opened up, so we rented Chinese motor boats.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ebc021fd738d5f2267a02847835f8b665cd40aa4/large/GY-bridgey-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
Aside from not having life jackets and the water being <br>
nuclear-reactor-by-product-algae-green.... it was great fun!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ceecc7192b093576371b45f2bcc824c16a8986d9/large/GY-Martinez-boat-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
This photo was taken from the bar.... intoxicated indoor racing…. Only in China!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/20432a11a7c83fccac1f8aa3ac6b91277888e141/large/GY-disk-cart-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
Lenny and Jim saddling up.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/81970c2e9b6f4bb89a44d56bbd4beaad3db96d53/large/GY-saddle-up-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
Of course there were no helmets, <br>
so our kids had to be spectators instead of participators.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/dcf44e67157d500a921f1664ba51c6340986b1f5/large/GY-silly-alex-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="197" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/af4064e4a0dd6b41560613448fd12bc79987caf1/large/GY-al-specs-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="197" width="350" /><br><br>
Everybody wins when dad is around<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/6f90f6f2d4d77959ca51df300d84c23fa732f072/large/GY-winners-circle-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
Riding a "Mótuō chē" with daddy<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/222deeddcd3cee33c3fa2aeac168b9007a3ec561/large/GY-moto-che-small.jpg?1380125437" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: larger">I think we all agree that this was the best gōng yuán we have yet to visit. Now that Lenny and Melissa are moving off the island and closer to Thumb Plaza, we hope to have lots more fun adventures with them. We will soon be “neighbors” with one very large city block in between us. Yay for Yanlord!</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-size: larger"></span></div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22312010-05-27T17:25:00-07:002017-02-01T11:01:29-08:00Shenzhen Triathlon<span style="font-size: larger">As you already know, Jameson and I only have 30-day tourist visas, while Jim has a 60-day work visa. That means that Jameson and I must leave the country every 30 days. We decided to take the advice of our friend Carol (A.K.A. Tia Lina) who researched the cheapest options and helped us book our tickets to Shenzhen. Luckily I did not have to do the trip alone as my friend Melissa and her two children also needed to do the same thing. So, we decided to make our air-trip as fun for the kids as possible.<br><br>
The triathlon included a 45-minute taxi ride to Pudong Airport and a 2-hour flight to Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong. We then took a 45-minute bus-ride to Kowloon, Hong Kong where we went through four lines. One line was to exit China, another to enter Hong Kong, then we turned around and got back in line to exit Hong Kong and one last line to enter China again. Our bus trips took longer than anticipated and so did our time in customs, so we missed our flight coming home. Luckily we were able to make a later flight to Hong Qiao and were home in our own beds by 11:00 PM that night. <br><br>
It was a long and tiring day, but the whole trip cost about $400 for both Jameson and I. It was awesome to travel with Melissa while Jameson, Alex and Abby enjoyed playing together and tolerated the trip remarkably well. Although I was so fortunate that Carol gave us such great advice in recommending this trip and very specific instructions as well, The taxi, plane and bus triathlon is not something I wish to do again in 30 days. Next month we plan to visit Ouk in Korea when all three of us need to leave the country. <br><br>
This week has been very busy because of our trip to Shenzhen, but it has not been all work and no play. Skyler (A.K.A. "Ginger"), an engineer who works with Jim, is leaving the project to go home this week so we attended his going away party on Chong Ching Island. <br><div style="text-align: center">
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Jameson has a little crush on Tia Carolina.... Tia Tango<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/844d9c3f0e546b6740d24c93e6ec7896f17949a5/large/AM-Tia-bumps-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="197" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ead387db2603916d16545cfb97910e7fa958e5dd/large/AM-tia-tango-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="197" width="350" /><br><br>
My friends Debbie, Carol, Amy and Melissa<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f7b4676d4351045474933fb6c2e2b033f623f446/large/AM-pengyou-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" /><br><br>
No pyrotechnic permit required, This is China<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d0db5f1feb6eda05629f70594cbc287ae6190886/large/AM-pyro-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="197" width="350" /><span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1275025844687_950"></span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f55e7c20cade98bc427303d17d6dfee952cc5157/large/AM-fireworks-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="197" width="350" /><br><br>
Skyler’s cake had a frosting Tinky Winky on it… Does Tinky Winky have a soul?<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1b29d27982df6666ca119245fa94d9bf4f224040/large/AM-skyler-cake-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="700" />
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Tomorrow I am excited to join the <a target="_new" href="http://www.agifpudong.org">Abundant Grace International Fellowship</a> <a target="_new" href="http://www.touchingheaven.net">Touching Heaven band</a> that is playing for an event called “One Prayer for the City” (Jeremiah 29:7) in Puxi. The evening is a night of worship along with prayer for the city and the people of Shanghai. The evening begins at 7:00 and ends at 9:00 PM at the <a target="_new" href="http://www.shanghaifellowship.org">Shanghai Community Fellowship</a> 53 Hengshan Road, Xuhui District (cross intersection Wulumuqi Rd). Click <a target="_new" href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E4%B8%8A%E6%B5%B7%E5%9B%BD%E9%99%85%E6%95%99%E5%A0%82&sll=31.756196,121.14624&sspn=1.261103,1.875916&ie=UTF8&hq=%E5%9B%BD%E9%99%85%E6%95%99%E5%A0%82&hnear=Shanghai,+China&ll=31.206433,121.448407&spn=0.012553,0.030835&z=16&iwloc=A">here</a> to view map of the area. If you live in Shanghai, please come!<br><br>
I have written enough for one blog. Now it is your turn to write! I have no idea how many people read my blog and I would love to get a general count of those who do. Please scroll down to the bottom of this posting and click on “Comment.” If you wish to remain anonymous, just say “hi” and do not enter your name.<br><br>
Also, I’d love to have your feedback. Since you are the reader, what do you want to read and see? What do you like and dislike about my blog so far? Do you want more photos and less writing or vice versa? What interests you in China? Do you have any questions about the Chinese culture, where we are or why we are here? I look forward to hearing from all of you! <br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22302010-05-18T19:05:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:53-08:00Groundhog Day<div style="text-align: justify">Now I am not a big Bill Murray fan, but I am beginning to understand his plight in the 1998 movie Groundhog Day. Each morning when the alarm goes off at 5:30 AM it seems like I am stuck in a peculiar China time continuum. I often wake up in a daze and I am frequently a little shocked to not be in my bed at home in Pleasant Hill with Lady at my feet. Living in China feels either like a pleasant dream or a nightmare. Either way my life is still in dream mode.</div>
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Some days I get excited to explore the city and learn the language. Other days my brain is fried and I cannot think in Chinese any more. I go to Carrefour (our supermarket across the street) and the same annoying Dido song is playing in the clothing section, “My Favorite Things” is playing at the entrance, and a wacky French rap song is playing on the bottom floor. Sometimes, it is charming to hear these familiar tunes, but other days I want to scream “WAKE UP” just to see what happens.<br><br>
Since I feel this strange dichotomy, it makes me wonder just how Jameson feels about our new life here. There are days when I think he appreciates all of the exciting adventures we have had here in Shanghai. Then, there are other days when he just wants enough freedom to run around outside like he did in our backyard. There is no place equivalent to a backyard in Shanghai unless you are blessed enough to live in a house. Whether it is just the terrible twos, or the stress of living in a foreign country, Jameson’s frustration is showing.<br><br>
Life in a foreign country is equipped with both blessings and curses. I know what a blessing it is to have an opportunity to teach my son a foreign language at this time of his life. Toddlers have the unique ability to learn up to 10 new words a day. Jameson is learning words in two languages, and although I am told that I have a very good accent, his accent is much better than mine is. <br><br>
I also know what a curse it feels like for Jameson to constantly get so much attention. He grows weary of strangers talking to him, taking his picture, touching him while some even try to pick him up. Jameson has therefore developed a defense mechanism of yelling back at the locals. Now this sounds really bad, but because the locals tend to talk very loudly, I think he is just trying to match their volume level. To remedy these situations, I do a few things. I try to avoid tourist traps, and if we must visit crowded locations and people surround Jameson (sometimes a large crowd forms) I encourage him to be cordial (he says “heehow) then I move him away. When we visited Yu Yuan a few weekends ago Jameson became the tourist attraction that he dislikes so much. But once we were inside, he enjoyed running around wearing his "Monkey". <br><div style="text-align: center">
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Just getting to the 500 year-old Yu Yuan takes patience... but inside it is an oasis of peace<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/fcdce240ff4e77adecaa84add0677b69d12ab833/large/YY-bridge-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="263" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/9c5b92a79571c9634fceef074f47a31884a801e1/large/YY-pond-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="263" width="350" /><br><br>
At least it was peaceful until we arrived... we disturbed the "Hall of observing in quietness".... oops<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/e483883c0149e08d3a65b05c1eb9b93ac9e9f94c/large/yy-quietness-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" /><br><br>
Sometimes Jameson enjoys the Chinese Paparazzi and other times he wants to hide.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/cbd6d4997607ab0219431ea323df15d03c1c1381/large/YY-hiding-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="467" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d4732d8bd57395730e343b94ca45061e6cd546ad/large/YY-monkey-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="467" width="350" />
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Holding still for a family photo is not always possible for a 22-month old<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/81ba5e23649b61da81572813f066de50e4a26948/large/YY-family-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" />
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There are days when I forget if our family has lived in Shanghai for three months or three days. But, not having a keyboard to play in our apartment has made our stay here feel even longer than it is. Jim and I decided to visit a local musical instrument district on Saturday as I was scheduled to play/sing with AGIF on both Saturday and Sunday and I needed to practice. Once I had the keyboard in our apartment, it felt much more like home. We also went back on Sunday so that Jim could purchase a Gretch hollow body guitar and an amp. Now we have a small studio and can do what we love when we want! <br><br>
I enjoyed playing with the AGIF worship band last weekend. The group of musicians is very talented and they aim for excellence in their musicality and authenticity in their worship. I hope they ask me to play again as it brings so much joy to my life and I have been praying for a creative outlet to serve and use my gifts since we arrived here three months ago. <br><br>
Because Jameson and I still only have a 30-day exit/entry Visa, we must leave the country by next Thursday. The cheapest option that my Shanghai-Veteran friend Carol found was to fly to Shenzen (a border town). Next, we will take a bus to Hong Kong, wait in line, get our visas stamped. Then, we will turn around, get back on the bus and the plane, and fly home. I know this sounds crazy with a little guy, but I am flying with Melissa and her kids who need to do the same thing. We’ve decided that we will make this “air-trip” as fun as possible. Since Jim does not need to leave the country for another month (he has a 60-day exit/entry visa) we plan to visit Ouk in Korea next month. <br><br>
Although our lives in California are on pause, our lives in Shanghai continue to play on here. Just like Bill Murray set out to learn a great piece of music in Groundhog Day, I plan to make the most of our time by completing a musical project. Now that I have several instruments, that goal is within my grasp.</div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22292010-05-13T18:15:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:53-08:00On the TownIt’s amazing just how quickly friends become like family when one is living abroad. We are all in the same situation over here; none of us have family in China therefore we learn to lean on each other instead. So, when someone has a birthday, we must celebrate! Carol and Melissa took me out for my birthday when they had only met me once. I had no idea that they would become such dear friends. I truly do not know what I would do without them. Thanks Melissa and Carol!<br><br>
Carol turned 26 on Sunday; so on Saturday, her fiancé surprised her with a night on the town that included a jazz club, and ice bar and dinner with a view of the Bund. Jim and I had our first night out without Jameson since the weekend before we left the States.<br><br><div style="text-align: center">
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The birthday princess with Will, Melissa, Lenny and myself<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/7ed153b11bb843433f9a9c18624e85c22d11a782/large/icebar-jazz-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="338" width="600" /><br><br>
The Pearl Tower and Bund are so lovely at night... <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/6e34ade876c10a0994573d3809c958919e446205/large/icebar-pearl-tower-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="711" width="400" /><br>
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<div style="text-align: center">The BinJian One Icebar...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/06343b4a67678f3fa379c8404304503332f25673/large/Iceparty_JimLori2-small.jpg?1380125436" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="458" width="600" /><br><br>
Of course they had to do a China pose with the obligatory peace sign...<br>
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This week Jameson and I finally visited the Shanghai Aquarium and made another trip to Century Park. We are both fighting a virus that makes us nauseous, tired, sniffly and so on, so our week was a little quieter than usual. Please pray that this virus goes away before Saturday when I have a chance to play and sing for Touching Heaven at <a target="_new" href="http://www.agifpudong.org">AGIF Pudong</a>. <br><br>
Please also pray that I may find a keyboard soon so that I may practice at home. Although I sing every day, I miss being able to play the piano daily and my skills are suffering from the lack of practice.Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22282010-05-06T18:35:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:53-08:00PéngyǒuI am fully convinced that as long as I have good friends, I could enjoy living on the moon! The Chinese word for friend is “Péngyǒu” (pronounced [pung yo] with a rising inflection followed by a falling-rising inflection) and we are blessed to have many new friends here in Shanghai.<br><br>
We spend several days a week with my friends Melissa and Carol and Jameson’s friends Abigail and Alex. Last Friday we all went to Chang Xing Island where Jim’s office is and watched our husbands play basketball during their lunch break. The laborers live in these apartments; it almost looks and feels like prison. Our guys work 12 hours a day, 6-7 days a week. Their laborers work 15-hour shifts 13 days in a row, with one day off every two weeks. <br><br><div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/77ad03c18e559008d5268dfd8c08dee973ee875f/large/BB-J-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="263" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/e91f1fffd468986e206c7b86e5fd896d8467e015/large/BB-JJ-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="263" width="350" /><br>
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<div style="text-align: center">Look for the giant cranes in the middle of the photo below... <br>
this is the island where the Oakland Bay Bridge is being built. <br>
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Last weekend we went to a BBQ with some friends from Jim’s work in Century Park. A BBQ back home is no big deal when you just throw everything in the back of your car and go. It is not so easy when you do not yet own an ice chest or BBQ, have no idea where to buy ice and have to carry everything you need to take for one mile on a sultry-hot Shanghai day. Luckily we found an ice for our new ice chest and were able to load it and everything we needed onto our SUV (A.K.A. our jogging stroller). <br><br><div style="text-align: center">On Monday we went gift shopping at Yuan Gardens. <br>
The kids were very patient and because this is a tourist location, <br>
they were not overwhelmed with people trying to look at them. </div>
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Expo 2010 is here along with thousands of tourists...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/502be8b988cdb6caddcfbafbdde1aa9efba70e06/large/yuan-g-walk-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="800" width="600" /><br><br>
We also celebrated Cinco de Mayo at a Mexican restaurant in Puxi with both Tia Lina and Tia Melissa (as Jameson calls them.)<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/7f0e3b32f0a3beff17be48a761223257eb24393a/large/cinco-de-mayo-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" />
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Yesterday I went to my first rehearsal with the worship band at AGIF in Jin Qiao. It had been 2 months since I last played the piano or sang in public. Although this was just a rehearsal, I so enjoyed being a part of a team again and meeting believers who are also gifted musicians. I think this rehearsal came just in time as I was beginning to get depressed. I long to worship and I live to worship the One and only true God. If Chinese access to my blog is taken away for saying that, so be it…. AMEN! <br><br>
This week I thank God for new friends who are musicians and believers and also for my dear friends Melissa and Carol who have been here for me these past two months! <br><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22272010-04-28T19:10:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:53-08:00"Honk Honk"When we told Jameson of our plans to visit Hong Kong to reset our Visas he said “Honk, Honk!” Ironically, we heard much less “honk, honking” in Hong Kong than we hear in Shanghai. <br><br>
Because we needed to visit the Hong Kong Chinese Consulate during business hours we decided to make our trip a long weekend. Jim took Monday and Tuesday off so that we could pick up our visas on Tuesday after applying for and expediting them on Monday. We flew in on Friday, therefore we had the entire weekend to explore and enjoy the city.<br><br>
On Saturday we visited <a target="_new" href="http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/1_3.asp">Victoria’s Peak</a> where we took a "nature walk" around the peak while Jameson had a short nap. Then we let Jameson run around the viewing area before taking a cable car back down to Sea Level. We were lucky to have a clear day with great visibility.<br><br><div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/286603712deac6ebe9e5c9c375e52841e4dd7ad7/large/HK-victoria.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="469" width="700" /><br><br>
Looking down on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon across the water...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d36cc5a043556a3c31fcf5cf38eb6df804260fd8/large/HK-Nature-walk-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/dacd706a1a9409c955a1126a433a5d6cba58019a/large/HK-victoria-J-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><br><br>
Compared to Shanghai, the air was sweet and fresh with vast amounts of foliage at Victoria Peak.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f882a69c5b4644f3b235ded67189dcca0c85dd09/large/HK-view-with-daddy-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/e8578ca4f5d37f4061a5e2b0db825a7a23d5634d/large/HK-dont-look-down-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><br><br>
The cable car reminded us of home... But we missed the Rice a roni adds<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/8e53bef2943ae78b2d601c6a1c3730a6391618d9/large/HK-train-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="431" width="500" /><br><br>
It is a little peculiar that this was Jamesons first cable car ride!<br><br>
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/9d4f6ce38e68096a3c3be5b505dcf803b17753de/large/HK-Hmmm-train-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/4397b02a8eaf9022fac62eb51b938e3a9657286e/large/HK-mom-and-J-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><br><br>
Saturday evening we went to the Kowloon water front where we experienced the <a target="_new" href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/kln-symphony-lights.html">"Symphony of Lights"</a> which is also the world's largest permanent light and sound show. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/7926453345f1be64770f40bb770459ce47322010/large/HK-symphony-of-lights-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/90a2583745806044da9a03563b69578c353e54d6/large/HK-symphony-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" />
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We took the metro followed by a double-decker bus from our <a target="_new" href="http://hongkong.langhamplacehotels.com/en/">Hotel</a> in Mong Kok, Kowloon to <a target="_new" href="http://www.oceanpark.cn">Ocean Park</a> on Hong Kong Island, on Sunday. Carved into two peaks along the ocean shore, the park contained a zoo, aquarium and theme park. Jameson took his first Ferris wheel and tram ride. <br><br><div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/165c75e5bafb7c10118c2da69eaca5a0e6aa560e/large/HK-sealy-JI-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/53f9d7bbf934c08c3876566ace28d4f638aa46ac/large/HK-zoulo-seal-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><br><br>
Jameson wanted to go "kick-kicking" with the seals<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/666528151e2751076002a66304a40b5f16a9bff1/large/HK-nosepress-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/0704cb2ad5dc47aca96b6da1aa3f311fbfbed3f1/large/HK-sealgreeting-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/2b2722b34bcf7aef4f33c187af88d640dbda69b1/large/HK-sting-ray-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/db0deb1183fd5b57a563895315f4d6aad6cb6c0e/large/HK-good-fish-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" />
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Upon our return to Shanghai, we experienced reverse culture shock. We realized what a luxury it was to be in Hong Kong as English is widely spoken there. Until 1997, Hong Kong was a dependent territory of the United Kingdom and is now a “Special Administrative Region” of China. Although it has been 13 years since China took over, Hong Kong still feels very Western. To read more about the history of Hong Kong <a target="_new" href="http://www.historyofthings.com/history-of-hong-kong">click here</a>.<br><br>
Because <a target="_new" href="http://www.expo2010.cn/expo/expoenglish/">Expo 2010</a> is drawing such a large number of foreigners to China, Jameson and I were unable to acquire a 60-day visa. Instead we received another 30-day multiple entry visa. I am just happy that they let us back in the country. But, now we must exit, then enter the country every 30 days. So, it looks like another trip is in order. Perhaps Korea will be our next destination…<br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22262010-04-21T19:25:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:52-08:00A Legit ShadowRain, wind, hail, thunder, lightening, snow and fog have all been in our Shanghai weather forecast, but the sun has been more scarce than a an authentic leather bag at the Museum of Science and Technology. When we do have a nice day (nice meaning above 60 degrees and not raining) we seize every ray of sunshine we may find.<br><br>
Jameson and I spent the day with friends in Century Park on Friday and discovered just how fun it was to rent a “pedal car” (or “Wacker” as it is written on their sign.) We piled three kids and two adults plus our belongings onto this rickety little contraption and went for a ride. As we started down a hill, I finally thought to ask if we had any brakes, luckily we did and they actually worked. We then went on four different amusement park rides that were only 5 RMB each (less than $1). This was Jamesons first time on “kiddy rides” and he loved the roller coaster. I told him to put his arms up and say “Wooooo” as we went down the hill and he did. It was so cute.<br><br><div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/cc9b31e2fd275b0950d2b94ff1db997424959d4d/large/century-steer-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a05fd4aec355268c6b796068c19388d33b7ea3c8/large/Century-couple-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="235" width="350" /><br><br>
Jameson is testing the brakes to make sure they work... this is China<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b8ad8d70aaef7fe71bf69fa3e2d956b7ade55b71/large/century-dual-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="448" width="300" /><br>
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On Saturday, Jim was happy to report that there was a “legit shadow” being cast on the ground so we knew it was another outdoor day. Since Jameson and I had so much fun on Friday we decided to rent another pedal car at the park after the gentlemen both had their hair cut. Jameson sang the whole time he was on the pedal car, so we became quite the attraction in the park. Everyone wanted a picture of the white family in a “wacker.” After the park we then walked to the Museum of Science and Technology where we bartered for a pair of sunglasses for Jim. <br><br>
I forgot to take a photo of the S & T shopping area that is underground, but it is a maze of vendors who sell everything from software, toys, clothes, bags and sunglasses (none of them authentic). They start the price 85% higher than what the item is actually worth. It is fun to barter, but you have to be in the mood for the constant heckling i.e. “hello, hello, hello, ladies bag, hello pretty lady, you lika a watcha, hello, hello?”<br><br>
Sunday we tried <a target="_new" href="http://www.agifpudong.org">AGIF Church is in Jin Qiao, www.agifpudong.org</a>. We love our church in Hong Qiao, but the commute took anywhere from 1-1½ hours each way. The new church is only 2 KM away and we hope to make it our new home church. It is still quite amazing for us to see churches that are standing room only. I love hearing the congregation sing louder than an already loud worship band. This inspires me, as I do not need to worry about singing too loudly!<br><br>
This weekend we are off to Hong Kong to reset our visas. Jim has Monday and Tuesday off so our trip will be a much-needed mini-vacation for Jim. I should have lots of photos for you next week and hopefully we will see many legit shadows on our trip!<br><br>
P.S. Please pray that Jameson and I will be able to get a 60-day visa, as we currently only have 30 day visas which means we have to leave the country every 30 days to reset the visa. It is becoming more and more difficult to get receive 60-day-visas due to Expo 2010, which begins in May.<br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22252010-04-14T13:50:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:52-08:00Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!<span style="font-size: small">Last Saturday we joined a group of Jim’s colleagues who planned a to trip to the </span><a target="_new" href="http://www.shwzoo.com%20"><span style="font-size: small">Shanghai Wild Animal Park www.shwzoo.com</span></a><span style="font-size: small"> in Nanhui, Pudong. Our day included riding a camel, bird feeding, lemur feeding, giant and lesser panda viewing, bear viewing, sea lion kissing and Lion, tiger and cheetah feeding. <br><br>
Only in China can you climb into a bus (which is also a cage, thank goodness) and feed live chickens to “kitties” as Jameson named them. No, I did not let Jameson watch the chickens being devoured, as it is a little too gruesome for him and even for me. He did enjoy seeing the “kitties” who were only a few feet away from us. It was surreal to be that close to a preying animal without feeling like prey. Only in China!</span><br><br><div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/4d090bccaf964d1623e75473ed91990436797d53/large/WL-camel-fam-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/2b5ad8e73e4b7e313de4489bb069adc4d7cd1446/large/WL-camel-boy-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="427" width="600" /><br><span style="font-size: small"><br>
It cracks me up how kids find the funniest things to play with. <br>
There is an amazing camel just waiting for their attention, <br>
but the thing that peaks their interest is not the exotic animal, but the dirty drain!</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/be083cb7633d08fa2510fed813becd2ccebe6832/large/WL-regal-rest-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="448" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/28e660ed12665be776468e377a8f5ceacb43ca77/large/WL-Interests-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="448" width="300" /><br><br><span style="font-size: small">Toppins a bag...</span><span style="font-size: small"><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/9f82607beb9e849a8ad55d4cc576697e71f9f7bc/large/WL-feed-the-birds-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="448" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b90c58ed6e30d68d050cb8d6ce8381a369916178/large/WL-Toppins-a-bag-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="448" width="300" /></span><br><span style="font-size: small"><br>
Hopefully the lesser pandas will not develop a complex</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/e0dc3473db7fd81d2c347051f7d21382bce33acd/large/WL-complex-panda-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/43245a46a781cda9e2a7560976a2025ecf073080/large/WL-Great-knawing-panda-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br><span style="font-size: small"><br>
Daddy time!</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/91bc7dc91c7ac29fbaa6cf8fb641d82cf2614c2c/large/WL-Piggyback-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="448" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/7a6ab2f9b3bf03f924d81715895782b3ed1c8d53/large/WL-JJ-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="448" width="300" /><br><span style="font-size: small"><br>
Marine world?</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f4f2f814ae0c4d5477781fcea837b7ee16a97185/large/WL-marine-show-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/52bd24c1694950e16e94082c8b19813f477314b4/large/WL-seal-smooch-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br><br><span style="font-size: small">We were the caged animals... You can see the shoot where they put the live chickens. <br>
Yes, that is a lion mane. No I was not using a zoom lens; we were that close! <br>
Jameson saw the raw meat and said "Yummm" then he meowed at the lions as drew close to attack. <br></span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/3f854ee9fa7e10d749915d85e850385476bfbeb5/large/WL-cage-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/dc5d760954d994becfd45d2b775e6249846f99c4/large/WL-lunch-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/28424b9e42b94a24eff2e16bfabe7289901ff5e9/large/WL-maine-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/00c7aa66d2867d0864da23b1fd9eaeaa9c6ca7db/large/WL-paw-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/49d1104bc601f3ecfa807cf7c052c8432cf7b827/large/WL-three-lions-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/b82d686d4df3ec9d5839963823411b4b4fed4239/large/WL-lioness-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br><br><span style="font-size: small">Does anyone know what kind of bear this is? I could not find the English name anywhere.<br>
The lemur is telling us to go home because they were closed early due to a thunder storm.</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a724f891b12398a57a00d3b044a79b7596db8607/large/WL-funky-bear-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="448" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/c2ef35822812a458ab3f7a84ebdfe78be74cc681/large/WL-Lemur-scream-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="448" width="300" /><br><br>
"Xiao yu" rain, rain go away!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/2640c5b30daeb6b59a243d8e268ae17fd224cce1/large/WL-xiao-yu-small.jpg?1380125435" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br>
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<br><span style="font-size: small">I hope you have better weather then we are having. For once in my life, I envy Oregon weather! But, warm weather is on its way, and then I'm sure I will be praying for cool weather again.<br><br>
Love you all,<br>
Lori </span>
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<div style="text-align: center"> </div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22242010-04-07T17:40:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:52-08:00Phlog?<span style="font-size: small">I have lots of photos and not a lot of time this week, so this blog might be more appropriately named a photo-log, (phlog?). <br><br>
On Saturday we visited the Pearl Tower with Daddy then celebrated my birthday at a Thai restaurant right here in Thumb Plaza. <br><br><div style="text-align: center">
<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/11070ee7409fa7c903e7d8bf48fb0a45c8a4359e/large/j-and-j-pearl-tower-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="448" width="300" />
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On Easter Sunday Jameson discovered that “Yes Virginia, there is an Easter Bunny” and he visited Shanghai via the Grandma and Auntie Char Express.
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<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/e1a14618a094428457b367072b252a49d99aa7de/large/e-bunny-dining-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="448" width="300" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a373fd412c7d0ff680cec2815cfa5fc276985f54/large/Yes-Virginia-E-bunny-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br><br>
Jameson loved the bus, balloons, toys and the “Monneee” (A.K.A. “monkey”) which he received for Easter. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/01f6f3a00c26477734caf85358e365d8cee0ae22/large/Thanks-Easter-Bunny-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/91a0acad3d9401f32149f286a8d1ea3c6edf4299/large/easter-card-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/e1d945a10ea150f24d9a1066d1b7fe5bdc2f7c1d/large/Easter-Wind-up-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/33c71db4cf3e601d3889deea431f26f360e87281/large/Easter-Bus-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/c0f6682a16a13913826202e0917a0bfc81e2feae/large/bunny-and-monnnee-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br><br>
Thanks Easter Bunny!</div>
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We then had breakfast at our favorite Greek restaurant before going to church in Hong Qiao. I know Greek may not sound very “breakfasty”, but they have amazing pancakes served with Greek honey. Yummy!<br><br><div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/e9610c4ea90dccd8bdcd56dcb2021cd4a8dbb96c/large/Greek-oooozou-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/91dd95e14b2e3007025a120af35d178ed4956584/large/greek-mama-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" />
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After church we stopped by the Museum of Science and Technology which is also our closest Metro station. We did not have time to tour the museum as it was already passed naptime, but Jameson loved running around the fountains.<br><div style="text-align: center"> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/0e6c3694470adc6b7ae5212bd1bd7ee25f259788/large/science-smile-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1c57e8c70aebff9dec51c51e0f0fd512380e53cb/large/science-run-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/9bb6783cf6f7adff39f438fedcfd10ef545765e9/large/science-tongue-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/796276276005fea9c81cfa64a8e146d15f2a3db2/large/science-stare-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/cf00241a33c37f2a2614dcc5ed5fde97f688fea9/large/science-still-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/a4301c298254d6f3037378fa33ce1a2ef1967f9b/large/science-dee-doo-small.jpg?1380125434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br>
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I was sick with the flu on my birthday, which was Monday. Luckily I had our Ayi here to care for Jameson while I stayed and bed to get well, all of you parents know what a blessing that is.<br><br>
Yesterday Jameson and I went to the Shanghai World Financial Center Tower and had lunch there with our friends Carol and Melissa and Melissa’s two children. We had a fabulous time and I’ll post photos as soon as I can from that outing!<br><br>
All in all, we’ve had a lovely Easter and birthday week and I am not half as home sick as I thought I would be. Cherry Pie still sounds quite fabulous, but I am blessed to have family back in the States who kindly sent love and gifts and new friends in Shanghai to celebrate with me! <br><br>
Much love to you all!<br>
Lori<br><br><br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22232010-03-30T13:05:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:52-08:00Walk.... Don't Walk!<div style="text-align: center">
<span style="font-size: larger">When trying to safely cross the intersection in route to Thumb Plaza<br>
one must often "not walk" when it says "Walk" and "walk" when it says "Don't Walk"<br>
Notice how close the cars will get to pedestrians and children...</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/68eac83b1d8a507e8004c719ed70dcfc8f6f9489/large/walk-dont-walk-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br><span style="font-size: larger">Here is our view of this same intersection. </span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/d05fc214df82232b599e437c55f2d715a6b80c3a/large/thumb-plaza-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" /> <br>
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<div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: larger">The past two weeks have been difficult for Jim, as he was sick with a flu bug that affected almost everyone who rides his shuttle bus to the island where his office is. He came home shivering with a 102 fever on the worst day and spent most of the weekend resting. Therefore our lives have been pretty quiet lately as we settle into the routine of our Shanghai lives. This is why my photos this week are from our neighborhood. <br><br>
Because we did not get to do anything exciting (although crossing the street here is quite exhilarating as you can see) I got a little home sick over the weekend. My homesickness is due to the fact that my birthday is coming up next week and I always get a little sad if I do not get to see my family for that event. It is silly, but having a homemade cherry pie is a pretty fabulous birthday tradition that is next to impossible to duplicate in this country. So I suppose, it is time to start a new tradition!<br><br>
Since Jim is feeling better, I’m sure we will find some fun way to celebrate both Easter and my birthday this coming weekend.<br><br>
Settling into a routine in Shanghai means letting our Ayi spend more time with Jameson so that I may have the luxury of practicing on my own, learning the language or even just going for a walk. This week Ayi has begun taking Jameson to our outdoor play area in our apartment complex. Jameson sees lots of kids his own age at the playground and he loves to throw rocks, run around and all the while Ayi is counting with him and teaching him Mandarin basics. <br><br><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: larger"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/266db0297434169dc0c1ad45c6dcad56a6524015/large/ayi-and-J-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /></span></div>
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Looking down on Ayi and Jameson as they walk to the playground in our complex. <br></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/c6b473c67327418b2ecd512f51a4a848c1b99351/large/shadowy-ayi-and-J-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /></div>
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<br><span style="font-size: larger">We are on the 22nd floor and NO Jameson is not allowed on this patio by himself and it is impossible for him to open the doors by himself. Even if he could open the doors (which he cannot) Jameson is never left alone here. Our apartment is almost impossible to child proof. Thus the need for a nanny! Please do not worry about Jameson's safety all of you fabulous Mother and Grandmother types!<br><br></span>
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<span style="font-size: larger">Home sweet home!</span><br><br>
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<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: larger">Life is good here, it is not easy, but it is good!</span></div>
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</div>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22222010-03-23T18:30:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:51-08:00One month ago today...We left our home in Pleasant Hill with only five suitcases and a guitar in pursuit of a new life together as a family in Shanghai. I am surprised at how much we are enjoying our new home and all of the amenities this country has to offer. <br><div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/228b265f65bb34b13a4ede3dd5a24daf4b107379/large/century-flowers-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
Century Park Flower Festival<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/344241d8d5d3258ac81cc068de5da012d823d869/large/century-pond-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
The Lake in Century Park, two blocks from our apartment<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/e204646d80fbd60b7f6d05115a1f0d53733f5b76/large/century-daddy-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /><br><br>
J & Daddy playing a bit of Sunday Soccer<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f5b66ba821b0c0dbe8b35fc3513957b5642feb6c/large/century-J-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="402" width="600" /><br><br>
Snack time!<br>
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I never thought that there would be so many benefits to living here. For example, our apartment is larger than our house in California and it has two bathrooms, which is a huge luxury. We are grateful for our Ayi who is here to help with housework and childcare. Our location in Pudong is in close proximity to so many things. Here we are at Century Park (the equivalent of NYC’s Central Park) which is just two blocks from our apartment. We are also beginning to make new friends in Shanghai, and for me that makes all the difference in the world (especially when moving to the other side of the world!).<br><br>
On the weekend we finally got a new mattress thanks to a recommendation on www.shanghaimamas.com which is a yahoo group I joined when we moved here. I cannot explain just what a difference this is making for us. I was taking muscle relaxants just to sleep every night and after icing my back for so long I still have some redness on my back due to frostbite. Jim was not sleeping well either and that makes 14-hour days even more grueling. Needless to say, we are delighted that this mattress is even more comfortable than our temperpedic mattress.<br><br>
Thanks to all of you who continue to read my blog, e-mail us, call us, skype us and pray for us. Having a continued relationship with my friends at home has made our transition so much more comfortable.<br><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22212010-03-16T19:50:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:51-08:00Ayi<span style="font-size: larger">On Sunday we tried a new church near the French Concession in Puxi (which means “west of the River” we are in “Pudong” which means, east of the river). The service started at 2:00 PM so we knew it might not work so well for Jameson as that is right in the middle of his naptime. Since they did not have child-care we had to leave early, but ended up having a fabulous lunch at a Brazilian Churrascura just across the street. It was strange speaking Portuguese and Mandarin in the same sentence! “Obrigada Zai Jian”. The food was fabulous and compared to what we have been eating it seemed very Western!<br><br>
We then explored the French concession, took the metro (which is fabulously clean) to People’s square where we did a little window shopping and finally took the metro back to the Museum of Science and Technology which is the closest station to our apartment in Pudong. Here are the boys near our metro station.<br><br><div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/8c07735af5e6722a8d12cea3563635a33fb5ae43/large/CenturyPark-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></div>
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Last week I began searching for an Ayi (I.E. Auntie, typically the maternal younger sister, but is often used as the title given to household help/nanny and is pronounced “Aaaaayeee”). We found an Ayi who is kind, hardworking, patient and who loves Jameson. We are trying our Ayi out for a week and we already love her to pieces. Jameson called her “Aaaayee” today and it brought such joy to her eyes. <br><br>
Our Ayi does not speak any English and my Mandarin is limited so now I must learn Chinese as quickly as possible. Luckily, Ayi is patient with me and we have the help of an on-line translator when needed. I am finding Mandarin to be the toughest language I have ever studied. In my lifetime I studied German for four years, French for one year and I studied Portuguese enough to visit the Brazil. I have also sung in over 11 languages and can fake many accents. Most of the languages I have sung in were based on Roman, Greek or Latin roots, so they were relatively easy to grasp. Mandarin feels more like Martian to my tongue. Luckily it is a very musical language and that is my saving grace. There are five different inflections and they all have different meanings. For example, if I say Mama with the wrong inflection I may very well end up saying a swear word.<br><br>
But, I’ve learned that if I “sing” the exact notes that our Ayi uses, my language improves. For instance, Ayi sounds like a minor third “Aaaa” on Eb and “yee” on C. <br><br>
Anyway, that’s what I have learned so far. I’ve also learned that no matter who you are, what your I.Q. is and how much you think you know, if you do not speak the language in the country of your residence, you are in idiot. You are bound to do things incorrectly, insult people inadvertently, and you might even get yelled at. Luckily, the people are patient here and are happy to help especially if you smile and have your son wave at them. The locals enjoy seeing foreigners who are making an effort to fit into the culture. <br><br>
Ok, that’s all for today. Besides, what you really want to see are sweet photos of our boy Jameson!<br><br><div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/3c0877d57e8e3cc67cbe7d57b8384ace5cbabd27/large/window-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="335" width="500" /></div>
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Here he is looking out his nursery window!</div>
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</span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22202010-03-10T16:00:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:51-08:00"How you doin'?"<span style="font-size: larger">Jim’s first day at work was my first day on my own in Shanghai. Jameson had not slept for more than 6 hours at a time since we left the States and our Chinese mattress feels more like a box spring, so sleep was completely out of my grasp. Jameson woke up at 6:00 AM and did not take a nap all day. At the time, we did not have any telephone or Internet access. I felt completely isolated and exhausted all day. When Jim came home after his 14-hour workday, I was a mess. <br><br>
The next morning I began writing a gratitude list. I filled a page of my journal with things that I was grateful for and I have continued to do so every morning since last Monday. It has really helped me appreciate the huge blessings we have in our lives.<br><br>
My gratitude list often includes fresh croissants, heat (did I mentioned that it snowed here on Tuesday?) and an indoor play area where Jameson and I go almost every day. Jameson and I love visiting “E-Kids Island” because it is warm, clean, fun and….</span><br><br><div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/f49fa566f7079cf1b67e6d41cdba597fd0d92433/large/yu-kids-on-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="800" width="600" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: larger"><br></span><span style="font-size: larger">A great place to meet the Ladies!</span>
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<br><div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/94b50b9188d859f21d0dbc89e9bd69ab84e807b8/large/butterfly-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></div>
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<br><span style="font-size: larger">“How you doin'?”</span><br>
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<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/c63c450666b9f3579b16a893396f7b268c282c8f/large/how-you-doin-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center"> <br><br><span style="font-size: larger">Water Boy<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/01d36a351bd6afda0103d35ccf79f9468696700d/large/watery-tunnel-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></span>
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Watch your things, but only momentarily<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/bb3298fd0587782c78f0cf4f4056ceb4c3ab6cc1/large/parents-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="738" width="500" /><br><br>
Jeepers creepers, where’d you get them peepers?</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/72dd278a5d86a25a2e8a330bc4972bf3891787e8/large/peepers-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="667" width="500" />
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<br><br><span style="font-size: larger">So how are we doing in China? It has not been easy, but now that we are feeling settled and making friends, Shanghai feels more like home. Our home in Pleasant Hill, our friends and our family are missed daily, but we enjoy the new things that Shanghai has to offer. Jameson is feeling more at ease here as well. As you can see he is making friends quite easily! </span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22192010-03-07T17:35:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:51-08:00"Tsingtao"<br><div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/61e17de996ae7f24c694baa57e96147b3ff5bc81/large/Chair_TheCulprit-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></div>
<br><span style="font-size: larger">It has been 12 days since we first touched down in Pudong. This photo was taken the morning after we arrived on the 25th of March. We went to Jim’s office and Jim sat down on a chair that broke as soon as he leaned back. Jim’s boss said, “This is why we are here.” <br><br>
Our lives are falling into a good rhythm here in Shanghai. Last week I attended a playgroup that was introduced to me via a friend I met at the grocery store. It is amazing how friendly the expat community is here. When you meet another expat, it is assumed that you have very few friends here and no family in the area. They therefore do everything in their power to introduce you to people, networks and share information with you. I have yet to meet another expatriate who was not welcoming and informative. <br><br>
Friday evening we ate at a fabulous Greek restaurant in Thumb Plaza. There are so many international cuisines here that you could live in Shanghai for a year and never eat Chinese food. Although who would want to do that? At dinner Jim ordered a Tsingtao beer and Jameson piped in with his first Chinese word and tried to order a “ding dao” also. I had been working all week with him to say “nehow” as a greeting and the first word he picks up is Jim’s favorite beer. We laughed so hard that the waiter did not know if we wanted another beer or not.<br><br>
Yesterday, we attended </span><a target="_new" href="http://www.scfenglish.com"><span style="font-size: larger">Shanghai Community Fellowship</span></a><span style="font-size: larger"> in HongQiao with four colleagues from Jim’s work. The church was held at the HongQiao Marriott where 3000 expats gathered together to lift their hearts and voices in praise. After church we went to a Thai restaurant with Jim’s colleagues. It was fun to get to know them a little better. Jameson loved being the center of attention at lunch, but to my knowledge, he did not order another “ding dao!”<br><br><br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22182010-03-03T15:45:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:51-08:00Thumb Plaza<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: larger"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ca6529a37d1d1a40da016603be34bb3971ec7399/large/jameson-and-Lori-thumb-plaza-small.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="667" width="500" /><br></span></div>
<span style="font-size: larger">We just had our Internet installed in our apartment so I am finally able to resume blogging. I am sorry for the delay, but as we are learning in China, everything takes longer than anticipated. <br><br>
Our apartmnent is situated cattycorner to Thumb Plaza where this photo was taken. I’ll tell you more about our location at a later time. This first week has not been easy especially with a jet-lagged 18-month-old. But we are adapting to our new home and even enjoying living here.<br><br>
I am slowly familiarizing myself with our district of Pudong, Shanghai. Jameson is a celebrity everywhere we go. Everyone wants to touch him, talk to him and ask me his age. This gives me a chance to meet people and try out my small Mandarin vocabulary.<br><br>
T.S. Elliot once said “The First condition of understanding a foreign city is to smell it”. We are certainly acquainted with the smell of Shanghai. Our apartment smells of garlic and onions, but once I started cooking and lit a candle every morning, it is no longer apparent. But, I can hardly say that I quite understand this city, not yet.<br><br><br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22172010-02-25T19:15:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:51-08:00Sleeping Beauties<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/827d506421f4b540920929d30d156567623a176f/original/sleepy-boys.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /></div>
<br><span style="font-size: larger">After 2 flights totaling 14 1/2 hours in the air, going through customs twice and spending a total of 24 hours in transit... We are tired, but we are here. Yay!<br><br>
Here are the sleeping beauties that fell asleep in our hotel room before I even brushed my teeth. We saw our new apartment today and I love the space and the neighborhood is convenient and safe! So no worries in that department. I'm off to take a nap since Jameson is finally out after waking us up at 3:30 AM...<br></span><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22162010-02-23T12:05:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:51-08:00Miss Lady<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: larger"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/03712ac9a58905c0e375d13902572e3e9b3f5fb8/large/freezing-concert-cropped.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="392" width="500" /><br></span></div>
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Our shuttle leaves at 4:30 AM tomorrow so we are counting the hours that are left to finish packing. Please pray for our health, patience, and sanity as we begin this journey. We shall miss Lady (or "La La" as Jameson says) but we know that she is in good hands. It is not easy to say goodbye to friends and family, but we look forward to the adventures ahead of us in Shanghai.<br><br>
Here is the scripture that was read on Sunday by a friend and elder at Creekside. I hold onto these promises!<br><br>
“Where can I go from your Spirit? <br>
Where can I flee from your presence? <br>
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; <br>
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. <br>
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, <br>
If I settle on the far side of the sea, <br>
Even there your hand will guide me, <br>
Your right hand will hold me fast.”<br>
Psalm 139:7-10<br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22152010-02-17T09:45:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:51-08:00Orange you glad?<div style="text-align: center">
<span style="font-size: larger"></span><span style="font-size: larger"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/3d3fd384bdff7e2e14558b8aac3150841b471805/medium/orange-smile.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="335" width="500" /><br></span>
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<div style="text-align: center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/ce4d105897de88a9340da27b1834168076d57600/large/picking-oranges.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="335" width="500" /></div>
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I was so blessed to open an e-mail this afternoon containing ticket confirmation to Shanghai for February 24th. Can it be true? It is a little strange that they are choosing to fly us north to Vancouver BC (during the Olympics no less) then fly us to Shanghai. But, at this point, I am just happy to have a concrete date, or so I think.<br><br>
Another little blessing is that our orange tree is finally giving us some fabulously sweet oranges. Ok, so that sounds inconsequential. But, one of the things we love most about living in our house is enjoying two months of fresh and free oranges. So, yes, I am happy about both of these blessings. Jameson is also happy, as he loves oranges almost as much as he loves his daddy. In fact that is the first thing he asks for when his daddy comes home! "Daddy! orange?"<br><br>
It has been a challenging few months and I will admit that this journey has already challenged our sanity and even our marriage. But, ultimately, our faith is in a heavenly father who cares for us. So, the answer to my question of “orange you glad” is “I am glad indeed!"<br><br><br></span>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22142010-02-10T07:25:00-08:002017-01-11T05:54:51-08:00Migrating move-date<div style="text-align: center">
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/2507ff5ae4c72ad0e6841717b3806f4ce06c8d96/medium/shanghai-apartment.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="500" /><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/fdd341d58df50aedfb901db40a0032ae37562b8e/large/shanghai-view.jpg?1380125433" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="376" width="500" />
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<br><span style="font-size: larger">Our move date was moved again, (as it seems to be migratory) to February 24th. The good news about this migratory date is that I now have the chance to sing a new Bellini aria at my voice teachers’ recital on the 20th. I’ll post more information on my calendar if you are interested in attending. <br><br>
When facing a big life change, it is easy to focus on what will be missed. For instance, when we leave for China I know I will miss my family, my dear friends, my dog, western toilets, salad and speaking English among other things. I am, however, looking forward to living in the equivalent of Chinese Manhattan, not cleaning up dog fur, not doing yard work, learning a new language, discovering a new city with Jim and Jameson and exploring new musical genres and instruments. I am also looking forward to meeting new people while filling the blaring white walls of our apartment with colorful paintings, music and laughter. <br><br>
So, here is a picture of the offending white walls. If you like modern, this apartment is for you. If you like cleaning up sticky finger-prints from glass furniture, this apartment is also quite perfect. But, I am happy to see 3 bedrooms, a washer and dryer, air-conditioning, a nice view and close proximity to Century Park (The Shanghai equivalent of Central Park.) <br><br>
Upon leaving the States I will not have access to facebook. But, I will use my web-site as a blog and give weekly updates. We have many blessings behind us, and so much adventure ahead. It is indeed difficult to live in the present.<br><br>
My verse for the day is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”<br><br>
zai jian,<br>
Lori<br><br></span><br><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22122009-06-04T09:00:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:51-08:00"To Do"<span style="font-size: larger">Where do I begin? I have been too busy, overwhelmed, or maybe to lazy to share my day to day life with you. It is time to change that! So I am taking baby steps to blog more often, finalize the album artwork, send the album out to get pressed, and plan for a concert to promote the album. Then, I need to revamp the entire web-site and begin working on a new solo project. <br><br>
Perhaps I have forgotten how to blog because this entry sounds more like a “to do” list than a glimpse into my life. It seems “to do” lists are a huge part of my life if I want to get anything done besides my daily tasks as a mother, worship leader, friend, wife, neighbor, sister, musician, artist. Again, I need to stop with the lists!<br><br>
Jameson has informed me that my time is up, he is done and I should be too!<br><br>
Much love to you all! </span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/3aae8e51da18254712ea86c5f46c23778e284973/original/croppedbackyardplaycroppedmore.jpg?1380125432" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="227" width="250" /><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22112008-09-22T09:25:00-07:002017-02-01T11:01:28-08:00July 28th, 6lbs 5 ounces!Yes, it has already been nearly two months since Mr. Jameson broke into this crazy world of ours. He is our delight and our joy. The sleepless nights and soporific days are completely worth it in every way. Jameson was alert and very vocal from day one. The nurses called him "bright eyes" and a "little peanut" (they also said he was so loud in the delivery room that he must be a singer.) But our singing little peanut is not so little any more. On Thursday I will find out exactly what he weighs, but it feels like he is now a 12 pound baby! Woohoo!<br><br>
Jameson loves to coo, listen to music, drink milk, fill his shorts, sleep in the sweetest positions, look adorable and pet his puppy Lady! We love to be a part of his life! He already loves to listen to me practice so I am relieved to know that music will continue to be a part of our lives!<br><br>
He also is a famous little guy. His 3-d ultra sound photos were apparently some of the best around. You can see him at <a href="http://www.3dbabyvu.com">www.3dbabyvu.com</a>. You can also see many photos of our favorite pumpkin at <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lorireneedevey">www.flickr.com/photos/lorireneedevey</a> <br><br>
Here are two of my favorites!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/6221e03314a696e8163a493ac312c0fbd99480b1/large/Insomniacslumber.jpg?1380125432" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="134" width="200" /><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/92f5f561e95995df6a130a5b4d4be62bf13b39ec/large/Jamesonglowing.jpg?1380125432" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="144" width="200" /><br><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22102008-07-11T05:55:00-07:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:003-d babyI have severely ignored my blog and my web-site over the past six months, but for good reason! Jameson (yes, it's a boy) is now officially full term and I have 19 days until my scheduled c-section. It seems like I have been pregnant forever at this point so 19 days still seems too far away, and yet too close at the very same time. <br><br>
A few weeks ago one of my students kindly offered to allow me to use her 3-d Ultra sound facility to view Jameson. The results are incredible, so I should show you the photos from the visit. If you are interested in viewing 3-d ultra sounds of your little one please do visit one of the <a target="_new" href="http://www.3dbabyvu.com">www.3dbabyvu.com</a> locations around the Bay Area. It was such an incredible experience to see Jameson in real time, moving, gesticulating, and clowning around.<br><br>
Here are my favorite photos:<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/226e211111244e81eece132a7f4e6274fb340322/original/licker_problem.jpg?1380125431" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="150" width="200" /><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/bac6f1db40cf6f1c9c06a9691bc4a060aceba1fa/original/sleepy_guy.jpg?1380125432" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="150" width="200" /><br><br>
Everyone says that Jameson looks like Jim. Ok, women say that he looks like Jim. In fact, It think there is a specific gene that only women have that enables them to interpret ultra-sounds because most men don't see anything resembling a human being. <br><br>
The past six months have been a whirlwind and a miracle. I have focused on keeping healthy (since I have had migraines like I have never had before) and on serving as a worship leader at my church during an interim period <a target="_new" href="http://www.creeksidechurch.com">www.creeksidechurch.com.</a> It has been a journey of faith since the doctors who performed my spinal fusion predicted that I would spend the last three months of my pregnancy (May, June & July) in bed. Luckily, God has sustained me and made is possible for me to lead worship every weekend since February at either Creekside or <a target="_new" href="http://www.crosswalkchurch.com">www.crosswalkchurch.com</a> in Sunnyvale. <br><br>
It has been amazing to find that God has truly equipped me to lead a team of musicians and a congregation into worship. I have found it to be very humbling because I know it is not I singing, playing and leading. I know that I have finally found surrender. Although I find I need to continue that surrender every day in order to find true worship, God has showed me His will for me. <br><br>
Music will always be a source of worship for me, but now I begin a new chapter where I will continue to worship in a new way. In 19 days not only will Jameson be born, but a mother will also be born. In motherhood, I am sure I will find all new ways to surrender, be broken, creative and find worship through it all. How can I keep from singing?<br><br>
Love,<br>
Lori<br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22092008-01-22T04:55:50-08:002008-01-22T04:55:50-08:00Eating for one and a peanut!<p>I've been ignoring you! Whoever actually reads my blogs, I have not spoken to you in well over a month. Hopefully you are not mad at me, but life has been full of a few surprises that I am finally ready to share. <br><br>
Two days before our big to do in Union Square I was feeling a bit nauseous and had lost five pounds for no apparent reason. I was soon to find out the apparent reason was a five week old baby in my tummy! Since this is my first pregnancy I was apprehensive to share the news with anyone because of miscarriage risks. Now I'm almost out of that risky period and into the second trimester. <br><br>
Baby Devey is due August 1st, 2008! Woohoo!<br><br><img src="./images/content/baby_Devey_s_first_photos_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="188" width="250" /><br>
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So you can bet we're doing two things this year: finishing our ever-so-close-to-being-done-album and getting Air Conditioning! <br><br>
Please pray for a healthy and happy baby to arrive just in time for whatever God has for his or her life!</p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22082007-11-09T06:56:46-08:002007-11-09T06:56:46-08:00Hot Cocoa<p>My blog has been neglected for more than a month now. Sorry blog, it's nothing personal, life is just crazy busy. <br><br>
Open Door has now practiced several times for our Union Square shin-dig in December. I'm very excited about how our Christmas pieces are coming together. If you have a chance, please come check us out on <a href="http://lorirenee.com/calendar.cfm">December 9th in Union Square at 7:00 PM</a>. <br><br>
I know that it might be cold, but Starbuck's is near by, and I plan to bring an entire caraffe of hot cocoa, so I'll share!<br><br>
Love,<br>
L</p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21752007-09-30T18:55:06-07:002007-09-30T18:55:06-07:00Closer<p>32 days until we aim to complete the next album and we have three out of ten songs complete. Sure, I'd like to be closer to the finish line, but at least we're just closer : )<br><br>
Stay tune for more next weekend ... dum duh dum dum!</p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21872007-09-03T19:31:24-07:002007-09-03T19:31:24-07:00New Song = SolaceAt last, we started and finished an entire song in one weekend! Granted, it is very simple, I played the classical guitar, did the vocals and Jim added a few harmonics with the steel string then mixed it down. I like the simplicity of this song, it speaks to my childhood rooted in guitar, folk, simple melodies and peaceful words. <br><br>
Here are the lyrics. Any thoughts? <br><br>
“Solace by the Sea” <br>
Lori Renée Devey 6/27/07 <br><br>
"I’m astounded, and astonished <br>
To be surrounded by the Solace of the Sea <br><br>
With the infinite horizon, so redolent of brine. <br>
And the emerald illusions, in phosphorescent time. <br><br>
The hush is roaring, crashing into peace. <br>
The scent alluring, remaining out of reach. <br><br>
I will go, then I will stay <br>
The current summons me away. <br>
Cacophony will fade indeed, <br>
When there’s Solace by the Sea"<br><br><br>
We're still working hard on the "Open Door" album <br>
with David and Kristopher. Our goal is to complete <br>
the project by the end of October. That gives us two <br>
months of complete dedictation to have a product <br>
by Christmas. That's the goal, thanks for your prayers. <br><br>
LLori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22072007-07-25T13:12:34-07:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:00Finally!After five months of searching, we are so happy to welcome Kristopher Duarte to ~~Open Door~~. It's taken me a while to finally update our web-site with his info, but you can check out his web-site at <a href="http://www.kristopherduarte.com">www.kristopherduarte.com</a> or view the band bios by <a href="http://lorirenee.com/bandbios.cfm">clicking here.</a><br><br>
We're finally making headway on our recording project with the help of David and his fabulous percussive skills and now Kristopher with his flawless taste and mad skills on both bass and guitar.<br><br>
Here's a photo of our band at the Independence Day Celebration in Castro Valley.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/54474/1a4005d16eaf3db2d3fa1e023f96c5b21a704827/original/OD_indy_day_b_w_splattered_copy.jpg?1380125432" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /><br><br>
"Beautiful" just needs to be mixed down and the final vocals for "Closer" need to be added before we can post these two new singles. Check back next week...<br><br>
LLori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22062007-07-23T18:53:36-07:002007-07-23T18:53:36-07:00MoooDoes anyone ever wonder what dimensions will exist if there is no darkness? Just think about it, the contrast in light vs. dark, course vs. smooth is valued highly in creating earthly beauty. So what will heaven be like without the shadows of texture? Will there be another dimension in which we no longer see angles and perspective of objects, but are capable of seeing the object as a whole all at once more like our savior is capable of doing in his omnipresence? Is this too deep? <br><br>
Please shed some light on my shadowy questions and read the lyrics to the song "Leaves" to hear more of my impression on the subject. <br><br>
Life is good, and pondering life is often sweet. God has blessed me with peace, all at once. I know someone must be praying for me because peace is not my strength. I'm good at energy, drive and fear, but peace eludes me so much of the time that I'm forced to paint to keep anxiety to a minimum. I say "forced" to paint because I'm certainly not Matisse (after recently viewing his exhibition at the S.F. MOMA I am quite convinced.) But, I do find peace in creation. <br><br>
Where do you find peace? <br><br>
I don't know if anyone really reads my blogs, but if you do, please respond. Grunt, laugh, moo, I don't really care, I just want to know what other people think about this concept of complete light and of peace. <br><br>
Peace, <br>
L <br><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21742007-05-03T14:43:49-07:002007-05-03T14:43:49-07:00Photo FindYeeeey! I finally found my camera, so I can share my photos with you at last.<br><br>
So, here is Miss Lady.... getting her beloved ferret toy.<br><br><img src="./images/content/Lady_kills_ferret.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="190" style="width: 210px; height: 190px" width="177" /><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
She is also a Lady of Leisure ...<br><br><img src="./images/content/Lady_of_Leisure.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="214" style="width: 239px; height: 214px" width="200" /><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
Also, here are a few cute pictures from my b-day trip at the beginning of April.<br><br><img src="./images/content/Ladies_of_Sonoma.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="214" style="width: 250px; height: 214px" width="200" /><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
My Mom, sister and my dear friend Jilann and I enjoyed fabulous wine, lulling laughter and a mud bath, of course...<br><br><img src="./images/content/mud_fight.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="214" style="width: 240px; height: 214px" width="200" /><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
Jilann is basking on the left and I'm on the right.<br><br><img src="./images/content/bridges_party.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="214" style="width: 233px; height: 214px" width="200" /><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
The weekend concluded with a fantastic dinner at Bridges in Danville where my Sonoma spa party was united with my father, my friends Jim and Cris and my husband, Jim, of course.<br><br>
All in all, the weekend was quite capital and the company was even more pleasurable. Although I dare not ask to turn thirty twice, I do say that it might not be such a poor thing to be carried out in such a way as it was for me!<br><br>
God bless,<br>
LLori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21762007-04-22T16:36:29-07:002007-04-22T16:36:29-07:00Closer<p>We are very close to having our first new track ready to put on the site. It has been such a joy to get creative in the studio again. Just today, we put some finishing touches on the percussion as David rocked out on our new Djembe; we also added a singing wineglass to the mix. Nothing is out of the creative realm. <br><br>
Also, we are so pleased to invite Jay to be our new bass player. He showed up last Saturday for an audition/rehearsal with his six-string fretless bass, and gave us a good sampling of his talent. We were so happy to have him join us last Sunday as we lead worship at Hillside Alliance Church in Hayward, and we were even more elated to find out that he wants to join our little band. <br><br>
By next week, we hope to have Jay lay down a fabulous bass line so that Jim can get to work mixing down the track. We are just one track closer to having an album. Ironically, the first song is called "Closer". <br><br>
God bless, <br>
L</p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22052007-03-21T14:39:29-07:002007-03-21T14:39:29-07:00New Edition<p>It's been nearly two months since my last entry, so perhaps it's obvious that life has been busy. So I shall try to keep things short and sweet. Here are a few exciting things that have happened in the past few months.<br><br>
First, in February I made my guitar debut at an Open Door concert in Castro Valley. I've been working toward this goal for a while as a song-writer and have been writing songs on guitar for almost a year. After taking a few guitar lessons, I decided it was time to try out my skills while singing an original. Although I have so much to improve upon, my debut was well received and without error (since I kept my playing quite simple). I loved not having a giant keyboard or piano between me and the audience while singing--I felt much more connected to people and even to the band.<br><br>
Second, we got a dog! Now you know why life is so busy. Since I lost my camera, I haven't been able to take photos of Lady. But, here's an update on our new edition to the family:<br><br><font size="4">Lady is:</font><br>
part <font size="4">Sheltie</font><br>
part <font size="4">Australian</font> Sheepdog<br><font size="4">Black</font> and brown<br><font size="4">3</font> years old<br>
Completely <font size="4">adorable<br></font><br><font size="4">Lady loves:<br>
us</font>, almost as much as we love her<br>
Tummy <font size="4">Scratches<br>
Chasing </font>Frisbees<br>
Going for <font size="4">walks</font> in the city <br>
Taking <font size="4">hikes</font> in the park<br><font size="4">Barking</font> at the Mail-man<br><font size="4">Sitting</font> on the "Love Chair" to get attention<br><font size="4">Drinking</font> out the toilet<br><font size="4">Stalking</font> Squirrels<br><br>
now you can see why life is so busy :)<br><br>
Lastly, after spending several months of doing concerts and leading worship every week we are finally getting back in he studio to record 15 new original songs!<br><br>
Ok, that's all for now! Life is good and God's provision is perfect. I'll explain later :)<br><br>
God bless,<br>
L<br><br><br><br><br></p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22042007-01-31T17:43:53-08:002022-03-15T18:37:34-07:00Get another cart!Has any one else had this experience? Ok, you're in a hurry to get in and out of the grocery store, so you can get on with your life and you happen to choose a less-than-compliant cart. <br><br>
You figure it's not a problem, though it can only turn to the right or to the left with great effort, but cannot, however, go straight. So, you keep going, thinking you can master this crazy cart just well enough to get the few things on your list. But, as you plow through the aisles you realize that people are dodging you and your fishtailing cart.... <br><br>
By the end of your short shopping experience you have a sore back and successfully have forgotten three things on your list, causing you to go back to the grocery store again? Maybe I'm the only one... it's slightly comical, but kinda pathetic:) <br><br>
Ok, so this weekend ~~Open Door~~ had two concerts Friday and Saturday and led worship on Sunday. Each time we practice, we get tighter, but it is in performance and in worship that we really come together. Yep, there were some rocky spots when the sound systems gave us reasons to get on our knees and pray, but over all we felt successful in a thriving ministry. <br><br>
We’ve had the pleasure of meeting some very talented and humble Christian Musicians, and now God is continuing to Open Doors for us to walk through and play. Next we gotta get back into the studio in March to lay down at least 10 originals that we already have performed all over the Bay. <br><br>
Let's see.... photos... <br>
here we are at The Well in Brentwood. <br>
Thanks to <font color="#800000">Steve Thuman</font>, we have a great shot of us playing on Saturday Night! <br><br><a href="http://lorirenee.com/opendoor.cfm"><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/well_brentwood_davids_eyes_open_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="134" width="200" /></a><br><br>
Life lesson learned this week, next time, get another cart! <br><br>
God bless, <br>
L <br><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22032007-01-18T17:09:11-08:002007-01-18T17:09:11-08:00Fingerpicking<font color="#000000">Phew! I just did some major updating that reeeeeally needed to be done on the site. Now I finally have a store where I can sell ~~Open Door~~s demo along with Loti: Shattered Boxes.</font> Click<font color="#800000"> </font><a href="http://lorirenee.com/store.cfm"><font color="#800000">here</font></a> to check out the store.<br><br><font color="#000000">I even have plans for selling ~~Open Door~~ T-shirts that I've made. So far I've only made five, but I'm getting faster and they are actually pretty cute. It's all about the right fitting t-shirt!<br></font><br>
What's new... well, I'm finally over the cold/flu whatever I had for a week or so and now poor Jim is getting sick. Still, God has blessed me so that I haven't had to miss any gigs.<font color="#800000"> Yey God!</font><br><br>
Gosh, this weekend I plan to organize the studio, take band photos and finally have some new photos for you to see!<br><br>
David and Andrew are working their tails off getting us booked, and I can hardly believe how busy we are. Now, it's my turn to high tail it as I duplcate demos, print t-shirts, write press releases, and update the site... Oh and I have a new worship song. Fingerpicking is my only hint.<br><br>
Yep, my playing is getting much better.<br><br>
God bless and good night <img src="/common/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/kiss.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><br><br><font color="#800000">L</font>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22022007-01-05T13:25:24-08:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:00Silly Musings<p>Gaaaaleee!<br>
It's already 2007 and I'm not depressed. You gotta love this warm Bay Area weather. Usually after the amazing rush of Christmas gigs, parties and time with family that by January, I'm a weeetle sad. But, there is no time to be sad, and many gigs to prepare for :)<br><br>
So, let's see, it's been over a month since my last blog. Baaaad artist! Anyway, I don't yet have any new photos to put up. Oh, wait, I have one on my phone. It's a picture of Jim and I in front of a gingerbread "Smith Tower" in Seattle. <br>
It's a long story, but a family joke. I toooootally look like a chipmonk!<br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/smith_tower.JPG" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="113" width="150" /><br><br>
Oh, and I have a photo of two of our Nieces, Kristin and Lauren. They've grown up sooooooo much. I'll upload those in a bit! <br><br>
Anyway... Open Door has much to look forward to and so do I with my new piano and my studio all set up for teaching (so much better than our tiny space in the W.C.)<br><br>
Ok, that's all for now. I promise to write more often.... sorry to whomever actually reads these silly musings :)<br><br>
L</p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22012006-12-04T10:30:00-08:002006-12-04T10:30:00-08:00Joy is NearIt's Christmas time! My very favorite gigs of the year always happen around this time of year. It's a time when it is easily accepted at a "secular gig" to tell the story of Christ's birth. It's the time of year when the air is crisp, the days are short and the leaves are sparse, but the beauty and joy of the season are readily abundant.<br><br>
This weekend "Open Door" had the opportunity to bless and be blessed by the Hyatt Residence Home in Palo Alto where our Bass Player (Andrew B.'s) father is currently living. The smiles on the faces of the elderly suddenly resembled the smiles of young children, but the tears brought back the reality of life on earth. It was such a joy to sing and play for them on Friday. After rockin' out for an hour and a half, Andrew said it was the best Christmas present he will get all year. What he didn't know is that it is also the best Christmas for me as well.<br><br>
I could write for hours about this weekend because we were so blessed not only at our rehearsal Friday, our gig Saturday but also by leading worship at a start up church in Newark. Wow, it is so cool to be a part of something that real in the Kingdom of God. This church is reaching out to those in the highways and byways. This is the kind of church that "Open Door" is called to reach. We were so blessed by this growing church that I believe we were all deeply touched and burdened to pray for many of the people we met.<br><br>
This is a lenghty blog, it has been so long since my last entry.... we are finally moved in. Perhaps when I get a few more pictures I can post a few before and after photos. God has been incredible in providing this beautiful house. The inspiration to write, sing, teach and reach is here.<br><br>
let your heart be light for joy is near!<br><br>
L<br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21992006-11-10T04:43:41-08:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:00Closure!Yey!!!!!! We closed on our new house in Pleasant Hill on Tuesday and now we get to plan for our move this weekend!<br><br>
I am having so much fun choosing wall colors, furniture placement and inexpensive window treaments (ever though of using a table runner as a window treatment panel, it totally works and is way cheaper).<br><br>
Also, I cannnot say enough about our fantastic real estate broker, Rosie Meddaugh. We have known Rosie since 2000 when Jim and I bought our little condo in the W.C. It was on a Sunday that we called her back then, we made an offer on a house the next day and moved in three weeks later. Rosie is amazing. <br><br>
For the past few months, Rosie has worked tirelessly to find just the right house for us. She relentlessly searched with us to find a place that suited our lifestyle, needs and budget! Please, please, please..... if you need an agent you need Rosie the Realtor! Please visit <a href="http://www.rosiemeddaugh.com">www.rosiemeddaugh.com</a> for more info....<br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/rosie_the_realtor.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="145" width="100" /><br><br>
Rosie the Realtor with Coldwell Banker = )<br><br>
I'll be back next week when we're all set up in our new little Gregory Gardens Home. Stay tuned and God bless....<br><br>
L<br><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/22002006-10-31T12:12:35-08:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:00Escrow!Yey! We finally found a house that is in our budget, in a great location and suits our needs. Yey God! A week from today, we will be the proud new owners of a cute little 3 & 1 in Pleasant Hill. Here's a photo....<br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/99_cynthia_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="125" width="200" /><br><br>
I've been busy leading worship with "Open Door" at various churches and singing with Claudio at Faz in Pleasanton. Also, I have a new song that is below on the right. The past month has been challenging as we searched for a house, but the pay off is amazing. Maybe someday we will be able to have a baby grand in our house again!<br><br>
Also, Open Door's demo is finally done, so Andrew and David or doing a great job marketing the band and getting our name out there. We're already having to turn down concert opportunities.<br><br>
Check out the new song on the site wide player. "Beautiful" was written the minute after I got off the phone with David, our drummer after our first conversation. God gave this song to me, I did not write it.<br><br>
God bless,<br>
Lori D.Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21722006-10-04T14:41:56-07:002006-10-04T14:41:56-07:00House HuntingWell, it's official. We are in the market looking for a house or condo. This past week has been a blur of open houses, MLS listings and fixer-uppers : ) I know there is a perfect house out there for us somewhere. We need to decide exactly where we want to live, although having a house in Walnut Creek is pretty much out of the realm of possibility. I actually kept the copy of the MLS listing for the only house in Walnut Creek that is in our price range. I laughed so hard when I saw it because they didn't even bother to move the three trash cans in front of this tear-down project. I just feel blessed that we are in a market that is so perfect for the buyer.<br><br>On Sunday Open Door had the opportunity to lead worship at Crosswalk Church in Sunnyvale, CA. I absolutely loved this church. Everywhere we went, we were surrounded with loving Christians. In fact after doing our soundcheck an unknown little girl ran up to me and gave me a huge hug. How cute was that. I totally live for hugs like that.<br><br>Ok, I'm ramling. But, the church invited us back on a regular basis and for that I am truly grateful. If you ever need a church in the San Jose area, check out <a href="http://www.crosswalkchurch.com">www.crosswalkchurch.com</a>. <br><br>God bless,<br>LLori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21922006-09-26T09:09:03-07:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:00Skywalker Ranch!<p>Last week I had the opportunity to record scratch vocals for a project at one of the best studios on the West Coast! I got to spend three days recording on a project called Jazzy Baby at George Lucas' studio called Skysound <a href="http://www.skysound.com">www.skysound.com</a>. <br><br><a href="http://www.skysound.com"><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/skysound_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="128" width="200" /></a><br><br>Check out the site and the system they use. It's pretty sweet! Although they are using a Grammy winning vocalist for the final project, I was able to help out with Scratch and hang out with some very talented musicians! <br><br>While I was there I took a few pictures that I will share with you in a few days, but I've been so busy, I thought I should just get my thoughts out! <br><br>Right now, Open Door is searching for a backup vocalist since we are starting to schedule more events. I'm very excited to see where God will lead us and how He will use us. <br><br>This past week was a bit of a roller coaster because the previous week I had two gigs with a fabulous new pianist, but I was also working on the Skysound project. I'm pretty tired this week, but it was worth it! <br><br>Have a blessed week! <br><br>L <br><br><br><br><br><br></p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21982006-09-10T09:39:07-07:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:00Très belles<br>Yikes! It's been over a week since I returned home and I'm just now sorting through my photos. <br><br>How cute are my niece and Nephew? I know they are the cutest on Earth, and to them I am their favorite Aunt Lori : ) McKinnon is Four and can already read like a Kindergartener. Monet is two and this adorable little twirling Princess is just as fun as she looks. She also knows her ABC's and can count to 20.... yes that's right. I'm impressed and quite enamored with these two.<br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/border_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="267" width="200" /><br><br>No rest for Luna! She will always look after her herd.... <br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/twirling_dress_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="285" width="200" /><br><br>There is no camera fast enough for this Twirler!<br><br>Ok, ok, I know they aren't my kids, but since I don't yet have children it feels they are.<br><br>While camping at House Rock, Oregon; Grandpa Kelley, McKinnon and I took a fun rafting trip. Well maybe it was a streaming trip. Here we are hailing the boat!<br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/hail_a_boat_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="267" width="200" /><br><br>Another highlight of the trip was reconnecting with My Friend. My Friend was not just a friend but, <font size="3">"My Friend".</font> We were inseperable in college. We shared a house, an office, most of our classes and even auditioned in New York and Boston together for Grad School. My Friend, Michelle is my soul mate and I finally got to see her beautiful face and hear her angelic voice again. <br><br>Schweet!<br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/My_long_lost_friend_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="175" width="200" /><br><br>Yey! Les Mademoiselles sont très belles!<br><br>LLori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21972006-09-01T10:38:40-07:002006-09-01T10:38:40-07:00Oregon Vacation!<br>I don't yet have my photos from my trip because Jim needed to take the camera up to Redding for a job, but soon I will torture you with many family pictures.... mostly of my niece and nephew. <br><br>My trip to Oregon was fabulous, although incredibly rapid. While I was there I managed to go camping with my family, sing for three church services, reconnect with two of my old room-mates and My dearest soul-mate, watch my room-mates in "City of Angels", play with my niece and Nephew, go out for a drink with my best friend from Bend who I haven't seen in 18 months and meet my friend's new Baby, Leif! <br><br>Perhaps by tomorrow I will have some photos to share with you. Other than great memories, I also have a few poems I wrote while I was traveling... oh and a new song listed under Poise... gosh, I really like the ..... things dont' I? ... ...<br><br>I'm glad to be home, but sad to leave my family. <br><br>Luckily, I have band practice tonight in San Bruno! Oooo la la! I think I might try out my new song.... I still don't think I'm totally settled witht he title. Any thoughts? For now I'm calling it "Be With You" but it sounds cliche.... Any ideas? Anyone? ...<br><br>God bless,<br>L ...Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21962006-08-15T13:12:24-07:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:00Tourists!<p>My friends Melissa and Lynn visited this weekend and gave us the perfect opportunity to act like tourists. It's always fun to visit the city and pretend that you are on vacation.... <br><br>We saw the Monet in Normandy exhibit at the <a href="http://www.thinker.org">Palace of the Legion of Honor</a> and the <a href="http://www.thinker.org">Quilt exhibit at the De Young</a>. These two exhibits were both extraordinary, but mostly I was surprised by how amazing the quilt exhibition was. If you get a chance check these two museums out!<br><br>Here is Lynn rockin' out at the Palace of the Legion of honor.<br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/lynn_and_guitar_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="267" width="200" /><br><br><br>I'm not totally crazy, I was mimicking the statue on the mantel at the Palace of the Legion of Honor. That's quite a mouthful!<br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/posing_mantel_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="150" width="200" /><br><br><br>We also took twohour cruise of the Bay... Very touristy and very fun <br><br>Notice the smiles <br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/jimandi_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="150" width="200" /><br><br><br>Last week I lead my first original song with the band on guitar! Yes, I still have a long way to go, but I love playing this instrument... I feel so much closer to the audience and the band.<br><br>Busy is as busy does...<br><br>I have two rehearsals, a competition and a gig this week and I'm leaving for Oregon on Sunday, Yey! <br><br>McKinnon (my 4-year-old nephew) called to invite me over for pancakes next week, so I'm very excited. He said that I can have a rocket ship pancake if I want. I agreed with him that rocketship pancakes are probably the best choice!<br><br>The busy life is fun, but family lifeis irresistable. I'll share pictures when I return.<br><br>ciao,<br>L<br><br><br></p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21952006-08-06T20:11:06-07:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:0012 tracks, 1 weekend!What an incredible weekend this has been. We've had two days of successful recording for two different projects. <br><br>One project is an audition recording that Jim and I did with Jim's cousin Bob for a project that we may have the opportunity to do. Can I be any more ambiguous? Anyway, I don't know for sure if I will get this job, so I don't want to give details. Regardless of the outcome, I had so much fun recording the vocals in Dublin yesterday.<br><br>Today was another awesome day of recording with "Light"... we completed six tracks that now only need to be tweeked, mixed down and mastered! On top of that we found a name that four of us really like.... "Light" is a great name, but none of us were really sold on it. Stay tuned for more info on that subject. The name that we all seem to like is "Open Door" and whether or not we go with this name, I was inspired by the idea for a song (which is listed under poise.).... It is my folkiest piece ever and I love that I can actually play and sing this piece on the guitar pretty succesfully. <br><br>I feel so blessed.<br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/open_door_logo_dif_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="267" width="200" /><br><br>Sometimes God doesn't need to leave the window open, if the door is already ajar....<br><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21942006-07-31T12:43:13-07:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:00Augusto?August? I am so excited that we are nearly into August because I am visiting my family for a week at the end of the month. My mom keeps reminding me of how many days I have left. I'm so excited to see my family, hook up with some long-lost friends, and see how much McKinnon and Monet (my niece and nephew) have changed since I last saw them in April.<br><br>This weekend was a fabulous with the visit of our friends Jesse and Melissa who were traveling home from a wedding in so. cal to their home in Humboldt. It has almost been a year since we left Humboldt, but it hardly seemed like any time passed.<br><br>Here we are on our day drip to the City....<br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/my_friend_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="267" width="200" /><br><br>Don't we look like we're posing for a Sear's catalogue?<br><br><br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/the_kiss_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="267" width="200" /><br><br>I couldn't resist this fine young sailor man at the Golden Gate View point.<br><br>We had such a good time in spite of having to leave our guests home on a Saturday night to do a gig, but the show must go on.<br><br>Light is continuing to grow as a band. We're hopefully going to complete our demo this month so that we can reach a larger audience for Christ. Keep checking the calendar in the next couple of months for our latest events!<br><br>As I'm gazing out my window to rest my eyes from my flatscreen computer, I'm struck by the unpredictable wind that is caressing the branches of the trees around me. In spite of the strength of these trees, they are no match for the unseen power of the winds... The winds of change, reformation and purification.<br><br>I think I will open my window and let them in.<br><br>God bless,<br>LLori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21932006-07-20T19:55:27-07:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:00A wittle tiwdI'm just a wee bit tired, but for a good reason. This week has been busy with two rehearsals in the evenings and a gig last night as well as a gig tomorrow. <br><br>Yey! Last night was an incredible experience, in spite of the stress of setting up sound in the nick of time our little band pulled everything off and was even able to really worship! The audience at Three Cities Assemblies of God in Burlingame was fantastic. It is so obvious to me that their congregation knows how to worship. God is so good!<br><br>Here's a little shopped out photo of last night's concert. <br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/band_photo_july_19_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="150" width="200" /><br><br>Hopefully I will have more photos from the Stanford gig tomorrow and soon we will have a demo for "Light". I cannot believe how quickly everything is moving along.<br><br>I'm vewy sweepy!<br><br>Bonne Reve!<br><br>L<br><br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21912006-07-05T18:03:28-07:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:00Studio Time!<p>The past month went by so quickly, that I still write checks for the month of May! Yikes. So much has happened in the past few weeks with the release of the new album, Light's first concert, booking gigs and now recording our first demo.<br><br>On Monday Light got together to record around 11:00 am at David's house in San Mateo. We had so many distractions, complications and crazy happenings that by 8:00 pm we almost gave up and went home. Then, something amazing happend, God worked a miracle by fixing the computer and giving us enough amazing takes to complete three songs. <br><br>Jim and David went to great pains to get a goood recording of the drums. Indeed they were successful, because the drums sound so clean you can almost feel the air move. The new audix D-6 kick mic helps a lot!<br><br> <a href="http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/buy_audix_d6_sub_impulse_kick_microphone?full_sku=101956571"><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/kick_mic_pic.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="176" width="75" /></a><br><br>Here's the mic we used. It captures a sweet sound that packs quite a punch! It's been fun to learn more about sound engineering. There is so much to learn, but I think I have the basics.<br><br> We recorded some older originals... "Sweet Invitation" and "Unknown" as well as a new piece called "Beautiful to Me." We are so excited to hear how this all turns out. I'll keep you posted as far as when the audio is available.<br><br>There is a short video clip now available on the <a href="./light.cfm">Light page so check it out!</a><br><br>Ciao for now,<br>L</p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21902006-06-26T16:32:48-07:002017-01-11T05:54:50-08:00Light Performs!This weekend was crazy busy, but last night's performance made everything worth it. I feel like I am finally doing what I was born to do. For the first time, I don't regret not going back to finish my masters in Opera at the Conservatory. I was built to glorify God through the music that he gives me, not through the music that he gave someone else hundreds of years ago.<br><br>The performance was a smash. We were in a small church that maxed out at 80 so having 60 people was perfect. It was so fun to work with the band in this setting. It feels as though we are a real band now. <br><br>There is a connection that performers get on stage together that never exists anywhere else in relationships. It is special and I'm so glad to have it with this group of people!<br><br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/band_photo_shopped_out_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="101" width="200" /><br><br>Here is a tiny peek at our little band!<br><br>God is good and his timing is perfect.<br><br>LLori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21892006-06-20T13:11:54-07:002017-01-11T05:54:49-08:00Busy week<p>A lot is happening right now and it is all very exciting. Finally, I received the corrected version of the "Shattered Boxes" Album and I am working on sending out all my pre-orders while preparing to update my site for marketing. <br><br>Also, I have two gigs this weekend. Of course I have a BSO gig on Saturday and then a gig with Light on Sunday. I've been busy working on the program, practicing and praying over the music we are doing. I feel so blessed to be working with such talent. Here's the program for Sunday night!<br><a href="./light.cfm"><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/program_only.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="324" width="200" /></a><br><br>Thanks for all your prayers and support!<br><br>God bless,<br>Lori D.</p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21882006-06-03T06:03:01-07:002017-01-11T05:54:49-08:00Baby MichaelMy dear friend Cris just had her baby two weeks ago! We have all be impatiently waiting for his arrival. Now he is finally here in all of his new-baby splendor. <br><br>Yesterday, I had the pleasure of "helping" Cris out with the baby while she took a nap. Of course Mike is a perfect angel and smells of Jasmine on a summer morning. <br><br>I was so inspired just by feeding him a little lunch and watching him gurgle and growl himself to sleep (he is definitely a boy), that I wrote a little poem about the sleepless smile that both he and his mother greeted me with. Look down to your right for the poem called "Sleepless Smile." <br><br>I can only hope to have the opportunity to "help" Cris again in the future! <br><br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/cris_and_michael.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="197" width="200" /><br><br>Aren't they gorgeous? I don't think it should be legal to look this beautiful after 15 hours of labor! <br><br>God is so gracious. <br><br>L <br>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21862006-05-22T10:17:56-07:002017-01-11T05:54:49-08:00LightIt's official. After three practices, our band has finally booked a gig and is now rehearsing for it. I'm so excited to be writing music for a live band and I love the opportunity to work with these three talented men of God.<br><br>Please pray for us as we begin our journey. Pray that God will be glorified, we will be used as needed and that drama will stay at a minimum. <br><br>The new page for the band is coming along, and I had a great time designing the logo. I used a photo that Jim took at the Corcovado of the Christus statue in Rio di Janero in Brazil.<br><br>For the Lord God will give them Light.<br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/light_with_border_copy.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="150" width="200" /><br><br>Ciao for now!<br><br>LLori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21732006-05-11T18:30:44-07:002017-01-11T05:54:49-08:00Rocky Road?<p>I've hit a few bumps in the road this week... litterally (ok, now I know some of you are laughing but all is well.) "This too shall pass" has definately been my theme for the week.<br><br>After receiving the "Shattered Boxes" product from Diskfaktory with a huge error on them, I got on my knees and asked for one good thing from God. He gave me several.<br><br>I wrote another song (the lyrics are under poetry), I heard from an old friend who could sympathize with the Asthma issues, I had an awesome rehearsal with my new band, my parents are coming for a week <font size="4">and</font> I'm going to see <a href="http://overtherhine.com">Over the Rhine</a> tomorrow. They are my husband's and my favorite band! <br><br><a href="http://overtherhine.com"><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/over_the_rhine.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="120" width="159" /></a><br><br>Woohoo! God is soo good. This week was rocky, but it is smoothing out! <br><br>My parents are wanting to go see the <a href="http://www.uss-hornet.org/">USS Hornet</a> when they visit this week. You should check it out if you haven't been there yet. It is a great place to tour or even attend a Big Band Concert where you can swing the night away.<br><br>Ciao,<br>L<br><br></p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21782006-05-02T17:38:05-07:002017-01-11T05:54:49-08:00New Vision<p align="left">I just had an amazing rehearsal with a new band in San Bruno... ooo la la.. I can't think of San Bruno without saying "ooooo, la la" thanks to my French teacher at the SF Conservatory of Music. <br><br>Anyway, the Drummer is flawless in technique, sensitivity and form and the bassist is passionate and rockin'. Who knows where God will take this... but I've been so inspired to write lately and they loved playing the music that God gives me. I didn't even need to direct them. <br><br>Yea God for talented musicians who are passionate about you. Yey God for the sunshine. Finally, yey God for new vision not only because of my new specs but because of your direction in my life... I can see = ) <br><br><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/new_specs.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="39" width="100" /><br><br>Gosh, I'm a dork. I thought these new specs looked more intellectual than the others... now I think they are just dorkier. Any thoughts? Buehler? Anyone?<br><br>L <br></p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21852006-04-30T17:05:51-07:002006-04-30T17:05:51-07:00Again, with the rambling...Yey! I wrote my first Bossa Nova piece. It's light-hearted and fun... think Karryn Allison meets Bebel Gilberto in a coffee shop in San Francisco.<br><br>The lyrics for "Return to Life" are on your right under "Poise"... Maybe I should translate the word life. I wonder what it is in Portuguese. Did I mention that I love <a href="http://www.dictionary.com">www.dictionary.com</a> ? They send me a new vocab word every day and there is this sweet page that will translate almost any language you desire... to and from English.<br><br>I'm rambling. I have so much work to do on this Bossa Nova rhythm if I am to sing and play it well. Jim showed me a few tips and they might actually work on these whimpy little guitar-fingers of mine.<br><br>Ok, rambling here...<br><br>"retorne à vida" means return to life. I think I might change my song a bit... Yey! I need my friend Cristina to help me with pronunciation.<br><br>I'd better ask her soon before Jr. comes. She is getting soooo cute with her little baby tummy!<br><br>again, with the rambling.<br><br>Life is good and so is God.<br><br>LLori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21842006-04-28T17:31:51-07:002017-01-11T05:54:49-08:00Mere Christianity<p>I can't tell you how C.S. Lewis' book "Mere Christianity" has changed my life. For some odd reason, I had never read it until my seeester bought a copy for me and said I had to read it. What a gentle and yet firm example Lewis sets as a writer and as a Christian. <br><br>If you are a believer, know God or even have any questions about His existence at all--I encourage you to read this book.<br><br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060652926/sr=8-1/qid=1146288404/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-3479872-5733410?%5Fencoding=UTF8"><img src="//users.bandzoogle.com/glori/images/content/mere_christianity.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="133" width="100" /></a><br><br>He uses analogies for issues that I was amazed by.. things I had never thought of or simply dismissed. Thank you father for giving such wisdom to this man that he may spread your truth and light to the world by opening the window of our lives to feel the truth.<br><br>I'm still strumming away on the guitar and working on getting those middle voices to sing for me... I love this instrument even if it kills these prissy little fingers.<br><br>L</p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21832006-04-25T08:05:29-07:002006-04-25T08:05:29-07:00Callused Dishwashing Hands<p>He's so faithful! Playing the guitar is something every songwriter should have within his or her grasp, so this has been my focus for a while now. I finally have a piece that is written for the guitar and easy enough for me to play and sing in performance (or so it is in theory.) <br><br>My hope is to change between piano and guitar when doing gigs. My song is called "Faithful" and it is a bit melancholy, but sounds kinda folky and country. Can you believe that? I'm hardly a Dixie chic! I guess the redneck Oregon girl is goin' back to her roots! <br><br>Gosh, I gotta really work on these calluses. Now I know why Joe Satriani wears gloves to wash the dishes... water is bad Mmkay! <br><br>I'm sure Mr. Garrison would agree! <br></p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21822006-04-23T10:02:03-07:002006-04-23T10:02:03-07:00les oiseaux<p>Not, the Alfred Hitchcock birds, the spring-time-calling-praise-inspiring-birds-of-yore. <br><br>Yesterday was an awesome day with friends and family. A six-mile hike in Briones Park was just what I needed to open up my lungs, expand my vision and extend my energy. <br><br>I would love to find out what kind of birds hold Sanctuary on the top of the hill. The call of one bird in particular was so inspiring to me. Somehow, it was able to project its voice for acres of dense-green pasture. It's call encompassed melody, rhythm and passion--a sound I strive to replicate in my voice. I believe my next piece will be inspired by this birdsong of yesterday! <br><br>les oiseaux chantent une nouvelle chanson. <br><br>Dieu D'Éloge <br></p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21812006-04-20T12:27:50-07:002006-04-20T12:27:50-07:00Gorgeous Day!I am so grateful for the sun when it finally returns after a long winter's hibernation!<br><br>Thank God for vitamin D.<br><br>I enjoyed rehearsing with a new jazz trio in the City this week and we will get together again soon. I love choosing my own pieces like "At Last" and "Whatever Lola Wants". I would love to pick up some conga drums and play them as I sing that piece--it would be so dynomite!<br><br>Guitar practice is coming along. I am no Santana or even Joni Mitchell, but I'm having fun and it is great to write with a different instrument.<br><br>Well, it's time to return to site-work!<br><br>Life is good!Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21802006-04-19T16:31:25-07:002006-04-19T16:31:25-07:00O Pato<p><br>The site is coming along and I'm having fun re-visioneering my personal and professional information. <br><br>Did I mention that I love that I'm teaching again? I love learning from my students and being challenged to meet their needs. Also, God has provided me with such an awesome teaching space! I am so blessed. <br><br>The Loti project is still dragging its heals along with issue after issue. Tomorrow, I am sending a new master CD to diskfaktory to get pressed. God is really working on my patience here, but I know it will be worth it. <br><br>My seester and her family visited me for my birthday and we had a divine time. You can see a picture of my Niece, Monet under Lecons. Monet's favorite song is "Old McDonald" which she can sing continually without tiring. She is definitely ready for the practice room. My nephew, McKinnon's favorite song (at least the song he asks me to sing on the phone every time we talk) is "O Pato". He is a very distinguished young man for having such taste in Brazilian music! I didn't tell him that we ate duck at Dim Sum in the city. <br><br>Well that's all for now mes amis. Thanks for listening. <br><br>L <br></p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composertag:lorirenee.com,2005:Post/21792006-04-17T16:31:22-07:002006-04-17T16:31:22-07:00Nouveau<p>Bonjour Fans, friends and family!<br>Updating my site has been on my to-do list for quite some time. So, I'm happy to finally begin this project. <br>What's new with me? I'm auditioning tomorrow with a new Jazz trio that plays small gigs around the Bay Area. This should be a great way to meet some great musicians, sing music that I love and make a decent living as well.<br><br>Also, my first original album is due for release (as soon as diskfaktory.com finallys gets it to my doorstep.) Check out <a href="http://www.lotiji.com">www.lotiji.com</a> to listen to a few clips of the music I created with Tim Preut and my husband Jim!<br><br>Thanks for your love and support!<br><br>au revoir!<br><br>gLori</p>Lori Renée Devey, Vocalist and Composer