Victims or Victorious

I am thinking of starting a new blog. One for my daughters, specifically. I want my daughters to know the stories, articles, scriptures, poems, and things that have helped to make me whole. I want them to know that LIFE is all about CHOICE. It is why we are here. We have purpose--we can be famous or "infamous," we can create or destroy, condemn or uplift. One of my daughters has been going through a lot at school and in her own life. We talked today about whether we are "victims"--controlled and at the mercy of cruel circumstance and fate, or whether we choose to be "victorious"! I read tonight about a young man who has had many trials up to this point. When asked why he was so happy and not depressed, he answered "I'm too blessed to not have success." What would Heavenly Father send to us--if He used the U.S. Postal service, I wonder? What would it be like to get a daily postcard from God? Thinking. Comments?

Hurt, Offended, Healing

Earlier this week, someone that I have served with and whom I thought upon as a friend wrote some very hurtful things to me. I was deeply shaken and dumbfounded. How could they? Why would anyone write words like that? Especially when I do not think they meant to offend me...or at least that is what they wrote after unleashing horrible things. How is it that we can open our mouths (or write), "I do not meant to offend or hurt you but_________"? We can almost guarantee that what ever is in the blank WILL BE HURTFUL and OFFENSIVE? Is that the hidden meaning behind those simple words? Then I realized that written words are easily misunderstood. Not everyone has the blessing to be raised by true disciples of Christ who taught me, "No one will care how much you know until they know how much you care." Or "you would think less of what other people think of you if you knew how little they did (think of you)." This meaning that we are inherently selfish creatures who are too wrapped up in ourselves and our own problems to be too worried about trivial things in another. I have given my money, time, and sacrificed to this cause and person (who represents this cause) for many years now--at times feeling guilty for the personal sacrifices it has cost me (like missing family time, personal time, recreation/hobby/talent TIME). Can you sense a theme? Time is so short and valuable to me right now. I have so little of it to do so much in it seems lately. I came across this thought tonight and it gives me hope that to someone, somewhere, all that I have given up to support others these last many years will have benefited and made the sacrifices worth it. Honestly, I was thinking of Mother Teresa...a true saint among many who profess to be when I stumbled upon it... When you give of yourself something new comes in to being... the world expands, a bit of goodness is brought forth and a small miracle occurs. You must never underestimate this miracle. Too many good people think they have to become Mother Teresa or Albert Schweitzer, or even Santa Claus, and perform great acts if they are to be givers. They don't see the simple openings of the heart that can be practiced anywhere with almost anyone.

Kent Nerburn

American Author and Sculptor

I am trying NOT to close my heart...but to open it and forgive myself and my friend. Heal. Lord, heal my heart and help it to be whole and trusting again. If we were humble, nothing would change us-neither praise nor discouragement.

If someone were to criticize us, we would not feel discouraged.

If someone would praise us, we also would not feel proud.

Mother Teresa

My Valentines Sweetheart

Twas the night before Valentines and all through the house, not a creature was sleeping--not even the mouse! We had fun making this: Cinnamon Cookie Crunch Popcorn from "Our Best Bites" online. (I made two huge batches but wished I had time to make more to give to all our Valentines...) I put together this basket for my Valentine and left it by the back door for him to take to work. This year I was grateful to sleep in a little after getting the older children off to school. It was the best gift I could receive after running on so little sleep this past week. I woke up and came downstairs--only to find that I was several hours late! My Valentine had left notes and surprises that started at 8:00 a.m.! Good thing I had a lot of help catching up from Princess and Baby. (Note the roses are very interesting--an "animal print" on them.) Princess was very excvited to take my picture... Princess prefers chocolate covered...Baby and I like the berries!

Juju Hearts!

When I asked about the books--he stumbled upon a "Sweetheart" sale at the library by work. What do you think? Are you ready for some British Bad Boys!? Hm... This chocolate is interesting. The longer you suck on a piece the more flavors you taste. Definitely dark (not the eat it and taste sweet kind).

Thank you, Valentine! I (we?) loved the notes and treasure hunt for gifts. You spoil me. Hope you had a Happy Valentines too!

Valentines and the Valentine Bird

Game Boy had a substitute teacher who dropped by with this clever Valentine.

It was the first he showed me and the first he "drank."

We have a tradition that we "borrowed" from a neighbor family of mine growing up--the Valentine Bird. The Valentine Bird drops off small presents to the children on the eve of Valentines.

Baby got a Baby Cinderella and a "Bee My Baby" bug and Teddy Grahams.

Princess received a Cinderella and Prince Charming dolls, a soft pink dog and Chips Ahoy. (Lately, I have a pet peeve about the dolls that have no male characters to interact with).

Teen Drama Queen got her very own Frog to kiss, a blow dryer and ear buds for her MP3.

Animal Girl got a Wolf color by number (she's crazy about them lately), Hedgehog to love (and Baby did--what a sweet sister!), Family movies, and rabbit and cat treats--hey, we love those pets, too! My Game Boy received a CD player and Monkey because he is as flexible as a monkey and has been borrowing my player to listen to classical music before bed lately...Sweet dreams my boy! Sweet Jovis made it home first and set up dinner and a movie upstairs for us! (Kids ate mac n'cheese and hot dogs downstairs and had their own movie). Dinner was BBQ Chicken Pizza, frogeye salad, Sparkling Apple juice, Pepperridge Farm Cookies, and apple cobbler (left over from a lunch meeting).

Hope you had a very Happy Valentines, too!

Doomed!

Yes, it's true--any children of ours are pretty much doomed to wear GLASSES!

Groundhog Day Date

Over the years, Joe and I have had a standing Groundhog Day Date. We lock our bedroom doors, eat dinner, and watch Groundhog Day with Andie MacDowell and Bill Murray. This year, Joe picked up Cafe Rio Salads, Propel waters, and Haagen Dazs Mango Sorbet for us. The children had there own dinner (macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, and canned peaches--by request!) and movie night downstairs. This has been such a mild Winter that I really don't mind that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. Perhaps, like in the film, this date will feel like Phil Conners who is trapped in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Groundhog Day until he figures out the perfect day--but I don't think it will.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Happy Chinese New Year

In memory of our sweet, strong, faithful (adopted) Grandmother Susan T'chien--we celebrated Chinese New Year, 2012, the Year of the Dragon! (Click on the above picture to see it enlarged) The Chinese follow the Lunar calendar and Zodiak--which means that in the year you are born you are assigned one of twelve animals. The animal of your year is supposed to represent parts of your personality and predict things about your future ( for instance--who you would get along with or who NOT to marry...) Dinner was "thrown together" with things we all ready had and supplemented from Chao's Asian Market. Pictured above are: vegetable egg rolls (baked), sweet and sour sauce, shrimp, cocktail sauce, peas, and Swiss Chard. We added Lychee fruit gels, White Rabbit (creamy candy wrapped in rice paper) and American fortune cookies. Baby and Princess have been very sick with the Human Meta Pneumo Virus (two weeks of very high temperatures, 105 degrees, and horrible coughs--to the point of vomiting most nights--All night long). I caught this picture of Eva smiling (you can see her red cheeks and sore nose). Also, you can see tissues, toys, and clothes around her...we were (are?) in survival mode around here. Susie is wearing a size 8 silk Chinese dress. (It was bought large for Rebekah when she was Susie's age to perform a dance in). We celebrated at our preschool here with a lot of other books and activities. Happy Chinese New Year!
(The 15 days of celebrations last from January 21 to February 10)