17th Anniversary

Johnny stayed home yesterday to celebrate our 17th anniversay. We went out to lunch at a Japanese restaurant for some sashimi. It's make to order but all you can eat type of buffet. The sashimi were delicious, but I have a hard time with the cost. $27+ per person for a lunch (tax and tips not included), but Johnny insisted that we should have something good on our anniversary. He loves food more than I do obviously!

Anyway, when the kids come home, they were all excited and asked which restaurant we would be eating at. Jeannie was a little disappointed when she found out that we had our celebration already. She said, "I thought we were to celebrate together!" "Well, but it's our anniversary, between your mom and I". I heard Johnny responded. We always celebrate holidays and birthdays with the kids except our anniversary.

This is the reason why my husband thinks I spoil the kids... I fixed the kids some store bought dumplings and buns, and let them celebrate with us again. :)

It was scary to me that there is no vegetables at all in the meal.... So, I asked them to save room for a "yummy" papaya drink with aloe vera juice after dinner. My family hates my healthy drinks! Oh well, they deserve the BEST!!! Haha!!!

Crazy Week (Jun 1 - 5)

It was a crazy week last week, yet very fulfilling!

We've been babysitting, cooking and giving rides for three different ward families on top of our busy schedule: Evan had scout field trip, end of year school concert, spring fair, Jeannie's seminary graduation (not graduating yet, but being supportive to her senior class member), refinancing our mortage, visiting an inactive member, subbing at Evan's Sunday school class, and the invitation of some fairly new members to our home for dinner.

I don't know why we had everything happening in one week, but it wasn't that bad afterall. Thank goodness that Johnny was able to get home early, gave me help when needed, and kept things under control.

Who Are They?

There's a website that allow the uploading of self pictures to the making of a new person (pic). Johnny and I were curious to see if any of our children's face would pop up after the transformation provided with the two sets of pictures we gave them.

Surprise!!!!! I think the first kid really looks like my husband. But wonder where the second baby is from? He/she looks a little too cute to be our children. Don't get me wrong... our children are cute too! :)

Jady's Prayer

Jady was really hungry when we came back from church yesterday. So, I offered her a bowl of spaghetti and asked her to say her little prayer. This is the first time she did it without any help. Here is what she said:

Tin Fu, *meaning Heavenly Father*
Kam tsai (pause) nai, yau mein mein, *Thank thee for the noodles*
Mama bes (don't know whether she was asking to bless mom, or mom is the best) :D
fank you velwy much!
Amen.

It is so cute! I need to record it on tape next time.

Inspiration

My friend, Angela G.'s mom had a brain surgery last week for the removal of a brain tumor. Because for the many delicate parts of the brain, the surgery took about 16-20 hours, and that 6-8 specialists attended the surgery at different times as it proceeded.

It's been a painful experience for Angela because her mom was in a coma for four days after the surgery. Bless her heart, those four days must be a torture. Upon waking up from the surgery, the mom found out that part of her eye sight, the control of her body, and short-term memory were lost. The Dr. are monitoring closely to see if these are permanent damange. In the meanwhile, Anagle's mom will have to learn the necessary skills before heading home. Angela was grateful that her mom is still alive, and her plan is to bring her mom home once she got discharged from the rehabilitation center.

No one knows what life would bring us except the Lord. We come with nothing and leave with nothing. It's just the way it is. The only thing we can take with us is our memories and skills we learned from this life. Memories of how we treat one and other, and whether we've been able to build strong relationships with our family, friends and those whom we associated with.

As I thought of Angela's mom... I thought about what I can leave to my children as I pass on?

For some reason, Evan has been asking me for a family recipe book, so I am taking this as my summer project, and hopefully combining with all my parents recipes also. This will be a perfect gift for my children. Jeannie was asking if we can autograph hers when we are done with the book. What a silly girl! :)

My Amazing Girls!!!

Once again, I am so impressed with the girls that I worked with in the YW. They are the funniest, sweetiest and the most amazing group of young women I have ever associated with.

My week has been choatic to begin with and I almost felt like I was losing control of it. I was glad that I got the help from the girls last Wed night with Lizzy M (Laurel), and Erika M's (YW President) farewell party. The girls showed up one by one around 6:30pm, and they put themselves to work right away. I only gave them a little instruction, and they decorated the whole room all by themselves.

Jessie and Sarah (bought in a cake)went out to the other classroom and looked for chalks to decorate the blackboard since I don't have keys to the library.
Parsine helped pull out the plasticware from the closet, and set up the table with the girls.
Rachael helped taking the food from the kitchen to the YW's room, and she also kept us informed of when Lizzy and Erika showed up.
Jeannie (bought breadsticks) and Sienna (bought cookies) helped with the water, and taping the streamers onto the ceiling and each corner.
Ashley and Jenna brought in yummy cookies to share, and set up the table.
Alyssa helped set up the table too even though she lives far away in Doylestown.

I am so touched to see the girls working together, giggling and laughing as they planned for, and carried out this activity. (It was their original idea - to throw a party, bring in dishes and recipes to share, and they stick with it till the end.) I am just so proud of them. Of course, there were times that things didn't turn out as they wished but the girls would discuss with one and other to get the problem solved. Incident like when the streamers kept falling off the ceiling because I forgot to bring in tape, and Jeannie and Sienna were stuck with the scrapebook tape. Jessie, this silly girl apologized to me of bringing in only six donuts because no one reminded her of the party (her family was out of town last week), same with Alyssa - she was going to bring in yum yum pudding, but she overslept and didn't have enough time to make it. They both felt terrible, but I laughed and reasurred my girls that we've plenty of food that evening. They were just the cuttiest thing on earth!

I enjoyed watching these girls grow, and I can't wait to see them off the college, marry in the temple, and holding leadership position some day whether it's at school, at work or in the church. I wish them to know that they had much potential that Heavenly Father has for them, and they are loved by their parents, leaders and most importaly their Father in Heaven. They are the BEST, and I love them with all my heart!

******

On a different note, Lizzy (YW) and Erika will be so missed!!!! These two wonderful sisters had shown me in many ways how a loving, caring, inspired leaders should be like. I've learned so much from them, especially Erika! I just love the way how she handle the girls. She is just incredible!!! The same with Amy G, and Christine G.. They are just fabulous ladies to work with, and had volunteered many hours of services in many ways. I hope to stay with the group, but I know we might got a release soon.

Gladiolous Bulbs

I saw some new buds coming out from my 70 bulbs (gladiolus mix) I planted two weeks ago. Yeah!!! I can't wait to see them blooming this summer!!! Wonder what color will I get! :)