These kids I love

As my time here in China approaches its end, I have so many thoughts and feelings to express! I know we still have a couple weeks, but hey, I only get access to a computer every so often. Better take advantage of it. Thanks Kam Bam! :)
First of all, I can't believe I've been waiting over a year and a half for this experience and not only is it here, but it's almost gone! We're all starting to realize how close we are to the finish and how fast our time has flown.We're all excited to be going home and seeing our families and experiencing the wonderful Christmas season, but there's also a little bit of heart braking. Let me fill you in on a precious experience I had today. We celebrated Megan's birthday, even though it's tomorrow. She loves the kids, and what she really wanted is to spend time just playing with them. So we surprised her by inviting the younger kids to a little party after school. She came down the stairs and the room was decorated, and all the kids were standing at the back yelling, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEACHER MEGAN!" and running to hug her. She was handed and enormous bouquet from one of the kids moms, and a few other gifts. It was the most tender thing I've ever seen, and for no good reason except that I'm such a baby, I just teared up. Maddie laughed and comforted me. I was just so happy for her and it was so sweet! I just adore the life out of that girl. Plus I realized, once again, how much I'm going to miss those precious little ones.

The things I'm going to miss most:
-How Gordan always screams, "I'm being quiet!" the loudest.
-Little Jessica and her precious grandma face. What a hip little girl.
-Little Oscar's puppy dog smile.
-Kaycee acting like teachers pet and totally getting away with it because she's so darn cute.
-Norah's beautiful big smile and her tender ways. Definitely the best in her class. She's also usually the first one to say "Good morning Teacher Andrea!" when I walk in.
-Aubrey's beautiful porcelain face and how we totally bonded at the park outing. She's now in the top 5 favs most definitely.
-Handsome little Eric and how he won't participate when he doesn't want to, and that's final.
-How I can't ever tell if John is a demon, or if he's just a big sweetie. I think he tries to be good but just has anger management issues. what a cute kid. "Lule lumbu one, Lo chinese!"
-Vivian, her irresistible hugs, her little racing mind, and Kambrie's undying love for her.
-Sammy being the most adorable child I've ever seen in my life and how It takes all my effort not to squeeze her because she's just not a cuddler.
-Leo and his chivalry and smurf like features. What an adorable child.
-Rabbit and how her name says it all.
-Riley's deceptive smile. He looks like an angel but watch out, he'll hauk a loogie on your head and any moment.
-Tate and his plot to join /riley in abolishing all things good. But his little face is irresistible.
-Angel's concern for all the other kids. "Teacher. Justin! Justin! Teacher Justin! (motions that he hit her or ran away or something similar) Also willingness to sit and fold her arms and try so hard to focus on the teacher while all the other demons in green class run around bumping into her and being destructive.
-Neville's english and how he doesn't speak any... He did eventually ask to go to the bathroom after he'd been sitting there quietly holding it all day for the first few weeks.
-Dori being brinlie's evil twin.
-Justin and my impatience with him in the beginning. I'm sorry Justin but please listen for just one second! And keep your hands to yourself! (something only us teachers will understand.)
-Henry's adorable smile that I can't get enough of and his little eyes that disappear into little slits when he smiles (which is always.)
-Michelle and her at first sassy, but then really sweet ways. What a little performer.
-Tony and his adorable spacey innocence.
-Bruce's 'I'm too cool for school attitude'.
-Quinn's gangster/girlyness and beautiful features.
-Jerry and how even though he was rough in the beginning, my heart had a little something for him and now we're best friends. Also our tender book reading moment and megan's party.
-Habibi's kung foo obsession and gangnem style dancing.
- Athena being so smart that she's bored and looks at you like you're a failure. Ok Athen just give me a chance! She's a sweetheart and I love her parents!
-Brinlie sitting in,class playing with my hair. Also how I thought waving her hand in front of her face meant that she had to go out and stinker, but actually it meant she was hot and wanted to put her jacket away.
-Tony and how he cracks himself up at everything.
-Lorin being such a smart little cookie and so darn cute
-Coco and how she and henry will get married one day. She's also grown a place in my heart as time has gone.
-Abby being PERFECT in class every day. She's so beautiful and so sweet and I just love her.
-Jackie being such a gentleman and offering me his chair in gym class. I'll never forget that. He's the best kid ever and will be such a great big brother to his baby sister!
-Owen's trying to be big and bad but really he's just not so we all laugh. Also family visit nights at his house and crying because we love him so much.
-Ivy's incessant copying of our every move. She's so funny and loving and always grabs my hand on my way out. Also how she cried when we left and just stood there hugging me. I'll never forget how much that broke my heart.
-Mikey's love for Megan and his way too cool style!
-Lucy's independent attitude and need for perfection.
-Peter calling himself peanut butter and his sweet hugs that come rarely but are a great surprise.
-Annie's love for everything and everyone. She's the best cuddler I know and can always be counted on for a great hug. Her big kisses and little laugh after saying, "Teacher I LOVE you. See you tomorrow!" as she skips away.
-Johnny's enthusiasm and adorable crackling voice.
-How seans punching and climbing habits are highly annoying, but knowing that's how he shows his love makes it ok.
-Megan's princess esque ways and her patience in waiting for the other kids to be done bombarding me when it's time for store.
-Brendan being such a sweet, handsome little guy, but also kind of oblivious and distracted.
-Ava's perfect english and how she grabs what she wants and doesn't give it back until I threaten with a strike. That girl... so stubborn but so sweet.
-Matthew's studly style and enthusiasm in "being good".
-Boyee being my best friend and giving such great hugs. You can literally have full on conversations with her she's so smart.
-Joanne always saying hi to me even though I don't really know her.
-Wingel's crackly voice and adorable face. "Teacher alice has 500 tokens!" Oh wingel. I want to take you home.
-Jackson being the nicest, coolest, funniest kid around and just making me laugh m head off. I wish I had their class so bad!
-Alice being the one everyone wants to know and all the guys have a crush on.
-David's style and singing.
-Emmett being just like his brother and me always having to think really hard about which one he is. I think I have it down now.

As you can see, these kids are so great and you're missing out on not knowing them. I love them so much and I'm so grateful for their little spirits! I can't wait for the day when they are introduced to the gospel and can the have eternal happiness the deserve! Although it might be a long shot, I hope with all my heart that I can see them again. Wo ai ni beautiful kiddos!