Dinner Parties & Play Days

Leonard and I really enjoy doing social things, but we rarely entertain. We are both shy by nature, so we just tend to be cocooners. However, this month our social calendar was full. We had 4 dinner parties!!! Well, not really parties, but had friends over for dinner 4 different times. One weekend we had the Hamilton's over one night and the Lanshe's & Steve over the next. Another weekend we had Alisha, Camille, & Robin over. For Thanksgiving we had the Palmer's over. This past weekend we had also scheduled 2 more dinners. We had planned to take Mila out to dinner, but she got sick and had to cancel. We had also planned on having the Park's over, but then we all got sick and had to cancel. Hopefully, we'll get to re-schedule both for another time. I also need to mention we went to a fabulous Pie Party at the Robinson's this month, and I hosted our first Ladies night (spin off of play group).

Our kids have also been busy with play days this month. Kaleb usually goes to his friend, Darren's house while Noe's at ballet each week. This month we had Darren over to our house too. The kids also went to Minji's house one week, and then she came over to our house the next. Their friend, Julia also came over one day.

We have truly enjoyed having all of these fun times with friends, but I think I need to pace ourselves better in the future because I am exhausted!

On a side note, tomorrow is December 1st, the beginning of my favorite month of the year. However, we already have so many things planned I feel like it's already over. Ugh! Maybe someday I'll learn to have better balance- tee hee.

Driving in Taiwan

Today while I was driving the kids home from their activities it hit me again, at how absolutely INSANE it is to drive here. I had to post about it, so I started brainstorming ideas for the title. I couldn't just use "Driving in Taiwan," so I put on my creative thinking cap and came up with the following:

Chinese fire-drill, it's not just a game

Bumper Cars

Swarms of Scooters

Driving Rules? No, they're just Suggestions

This is not Pac Man, you're not supposed to "eat" the white dots on the road

I KNOW where the Sidewalk ends

You need to make a right turn? OK, get in the far left lane to do that

You need to make a left turn? OK, get in the far right lane to do that

Do you really want to play Chicken with a big ol' bus?

Why are there no left-turn lights here? I would give anything for one (sob, sob, sniffle)

Sure you can double park here, just put on your hazards and no one will know it's a lane

No, DON'T follow that cab!

Yes, it's safe to ride bicycles in Taiwan..CRUNCH!

Are we supposed to drive on the right or on the left side of the street?

3-point turn? Sorry, it will take a 30-point turn to park here

The parking lot is full? That's OK we'll just join the mile of cars that's blocking traffic waiting for the next available spot

Have you ever parked your car in an elevator? I have!

There's a Rescue Vehicle coming? That's their problem

Thank goodness for the real-life traffic controllers, they work much better than installing proper traffic lights at intersections

Are we there yet?

You get the idea (or maybe not if you've never driven here, but you should try it sometime). It is simply nuts! Some days I feel like I've run the gauntlet just to get home. Our first year here I didn't drive much. I mainly rode the MRT (metro), and Len was still in Chinese school then, so he was home early and did most of the driving. Last year I got a bit braver and drove to the kids' school and back (no small feat for me as I was pregnant and felt like all the "me-first" drivers were out to get me). This year I have become even more brave. I drive to church, Len's work (which is downtown), play group, Costco (if Len is navigating). I know it's not everywhere, but I'm proud of myself since I can't speak or read Chinese or maps either really, plus this year I'm driving the Toyota Sienna instead of the tiny little Nissan March. I guess I'm doing alright since many of the local Taiwanese won't drive in the city. It is chaos, but a sort-of organized chaos, it does have an ebb & flow to it. I'm just hoping my future memories of driving here will be endearing, whereas now it just drives me crazy!

**I will take a picture of any given sidewalk here that has hundreds of the MILLION scooters parked on it, and add it to this post.

I'm adding this picture, because it is of something that is lovely about driving in Taiwan. On any given day at any major intersection you will find people selling these simple flowers. I remember when we first moved here I thought they were selling garlic cloves. I was with my friend Carrie and she bought one to show me, and ever since then I buy them every time I can. They only cost 20NTD (about $.60 US) and they just have a gorgeous, strong flower scent. You hang them on your rear-view mirror and your whole car will take on the delicious aroma!

2/3's done, well at least 1/2 way

When I got married I was 10 pounds underweight for my height. Unfortunately, over the years I became 30 pounds overweight. I'd like to blame it on my 3 years of fertility treatments, but I know my exercising too little and eating too much contributed a lot too. I was thrilled when I finally became pregnant with Kaleb & Noe. During my pregnancy though I gained 70 pounds, and I remember thinking "oh dear, I'll have to lose 100 pounds to get to my target weight!" You can imagine how scary that thought was. Well I lost 60 of those pounds rather quickly, but I carried around the last 10 pounds for another 2 1/2 years. So I finally got down to my pre-pregnancy weight, but was still no where near my target weight. I continued at that weight until I became pregnant with Gavin. With that pregnancy I was so happy that I only gained 30 pounds, but remember I still had my own 30 to lose, so yep, my total was still 60 pounds. After he was born I lost the first 20 rather quickly. Well now today I weighed myself and I have lost another 22!!! I can't even remember when I last weighed this amount. I still have another 18 to lose to get to my target weight, (hopefully before I get pregnant again) but I've finally got into a good regimen where I think that's possible. I've been doing Harley Pasternak's 5 Factor Fitness. I love it! I'm addicted! If any of you out there hate exercising (like I did) you might want to pick up his book and give it a try. Here's hoping it will continue to help me lose the rest of my weight and reach my goal!

Nativity Pageant

I'm singing in the Nativity Pageant choir this year. This is our ward's 7th annual event, our family's 3rd year participating. Our first year, Len & I just helped out behind the scenes. Last year, Kaleb & Noe sang in the children's choir. This year they will be singing again, as will I in the grown-up choir. It's been so fun learning the songs and practicing each week. It's really got me into the Christmas spirit. We just received these posters and I wanted to post one here for anyone in Taiwan to come and watch our performance.

December 8th & 9th, 2007 - Saturday & Sunday

5 pm & 7 pm each night

TienMu Sports Park Ampitheater

(next to the baseball stadium)

ZhongCheng Road, Section 2

Shihlin District, Taipei

presented by

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Hope to see you there!

It's Pancake Day

No, it's not Shrove Tuesday, it's any given Saturday at our house. Leonard is quite the pancake aficionado. Almost every Saturday morning he's in the kitchen fixing yummy pancakes for all of us. Today he made us apple, his other flavors include: strawberry, blueberry, banana, chocolate chip, and butterscotch chip. He's also quite the artist when it comes to pancake shape. He's moved beyond snowmen and Mickey Mouse to create airplanes for Kaleb and dinosaurs for Noe. Almost any shape they've asked for he's been able to create with the batter. He must have maple syrup in his blood, nevertheless we love his pancakes!

Baby Dreams

I've been having lots of baby dreams lately, where I had lots of babies. Yes, it's been on my mind. Right now, this is what I day dream about: I really hope we have a baby girl next, and I would love her to arrive in early 2009. However, I really want 6 kids (always loved the Brady Bunch). I think it would be great to have another set of boy & girl twins when our 4th child is 5 years old. Some people may think that's crazy, but I really would love it. I've always wanted a dog and a cat too, so let's throw them in the mix and we'd have 10 living beings in our household. I can't wait!

Let's Feast!

We're happy we could give thanks, remember our heritage...


...and feast! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our friends, the Palmer's. Courtney made a delicious cheese ball, a green salad (with candied almonds-yum!), a fruit salad, and a scrumptious chocolate cream cheese cake. I made stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and corn. I cheated and ordered the turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, cranberries, rolls, and pumpkin pie from the catering service at the kids' school. It was all fabulous.


We're so glad the gorgeous Palmer family (Addyson, Hugh, Eli, Courtney, and Zach) could come over to celebrate with us. We really miss our extended families during the holidays, so it's wonderful to have good friends to spend them with.


Another pic of my fam, just because I could eat them up!

So Thankful For...

My boys...



My girl...


My husband...


My children...


My family!!! I know this blog is a mushy, lovey-dovey compilation, but I just love these people so much and am so thankful for them!

He knows where the toys are

When Gavin first started crawling, he would only leave the room we were in if I left and he wanted to follow after me. Now he goes exploring on his own all the time. He's found some great discoveries.


Look mom, here's some toy bins chock-full of fun things.


Here's the train table, that's great for building all sorts of cool train tracks and mega-blok castles on.


Here's my big brother's bed that I wish I could climb up on and jump on; and here's this bookcase with more fun toys. This is the life!

Harvest Hats

The kids came home from school today with these cute little hats. Life was easier last year when they were in the same class, but it's been fun this year too for them to have similar, yet different experiences.



Kaleb's class made these cute turkey feather hats.



All the kids in Noe's class got to make two hats. I already posted their Pilgrim hats in International Potluck, so here is her Indian hat (or Native-American, as she calls it).

The Girl in a Whirl

After my last post I thought of this poem and wanted to share it. It's by Vickie Gunther, but it's written in a Dr. Seuss style.

"Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.

I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.

I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child get a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! never late!)

I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all.
I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!

Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It's easy to do all the things that I do!

I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also do it for someone who missed hers.
It's the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all.

I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write "thank you's" to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean!

I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires! I fix the sink's leak!

I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years' supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

These things are not hard; 'tis good if you do them;
You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

It's easy!" she said
and then she dropped dead.

**My problem is I want to be this girl, but I don't want it to kill me!

Count My Blessings

So, as long as I can remember I have these battles with the blues from time to time. Today was one of those days when I was in a funk. I get so frustrated with myself because I know the person I want to be and the person I am, and I have so far to go to become her. I want to be an awesome mom, a wonderful wife, a giving daughter of God, a creative homemaker, but here's what I am an undomestic goddess. I want to cook beautiful, nutritious meals for my family, but I hate cooking. In fact, Len cooks the majority of meals in our home. I want a beautiful, sparkling clean, organized home. However, I'm such a neat freak I spend most of my time picking up after the 5 of us that my home is not as deep-down clean as I would like. Instead of scrubbing it all each week, it only gets deep-down scrubbed about once a month. And then, Len is helping me again. He does the kitchen while I scrub all 3 of our bathrooms. He mops the floors while I dust everything. I do manage to get all of the laundry done each week, and Len also takes the trash (& 6 different recycling containers) out for me. I just wish all 12 rooms in our apartment where always perfect. I want to have more dates with Len, more one-on-one dates with the kids, but we have a pretty full schedule and tend to stick to routine, so there's not much room for spontaneity. I want to magnify all my callings, but it seems I'm happy when I get just the bare minimum done. Ugh! I know I compare my weaknesses with others strengths, but it seems like my friends are perfect, and I am just so far from it! And now I'm feeling guilty for indulging in my depression, because I really do live a charmed life compared to so many who are truly suffering in this world.

I guess instead of feeling bad about my home not being as spotless as I'd like, I'm grateful that I have a home for our family to find refuge in. Instead of missing Leonard when he's gone a lot for work, I'm grateful that he has a job that he enjoys and provides for our family. Instead of seeing all my faults as a mother, I'm grateful that my children love me anyway and I can try to be better each day. Instead of thinking I'm not doing enough to serve my community, I'm grateful for all that I am able to contribute. Instead of missing all of our Lee, Pittl, Reil, Barlow, Combs, & MacKeage families and all of our friends-who-are-like-family, I'm grateful that I have so many wonderful people who I love and that love me too- even on days when I'm in a funk!

International Potluck

Ms. Yamazaki's fun class made traditional Pilgrim hats to wear, but then had a wonderful non-traditional feast. We had a potluck with International flair! There was a 40 cloves of garlic chicken, and other delicious Asian dishes. I brought a pasta bake to share. Dessert was the best with traditional pumpkin pie and other yummy treats. Gavin even ate some of my pumpkin cheesecake (so much for waiting for his first birthday cake to have some sugar!)



Noe with Ms. Yamazaki and Mrs. Liu.



I'm so glad Gavin and I got to spend some special time with Noe today!



This girl's cute even with a paper hat on her head!

American Pic Nic

It's Thanksgiving week, so that means class parties! Mrs. Winter had her class over to her home for an indoor American style pic nic. The kids watched "Mary Poppins" while the food cooked and then they feasted on hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, and chocolate chip cookies. She's a sweet teacher and treats her class like her grandchildren.



Kaleb with Mrs. Winter and Ms. Allison.



I'm so glad that Gavin and I got to go to Kaleb's party and spend some special time with him.



I love how Kaleb is looking at Gavin in this picture. He is such a good big brother!

Primary Presentation

Today was the Primary Presentation at Church. Kaleb and Noe did an amazing job! They both had 3 speaking parts and they memorized them. They spoke them so clearly and confidently! I was blown away because I remember being asked to give the scripture in Primary when I was 4. I couldn't read yet, so my parents helped me memorize it all week long. The big day came and I froze with stage fright. I got to the pulpit and just bawled. My mom had come in to watch me, so she came up to the podium to help me. I just continued to cry, so she ended up saying it for me. Kaleb & Noe also sang all of the songs so beautifully! My favorite one was, "Love Is Spoken Here." I remember learning that song for my own Primary Presentation back in 1983! I thought it was such a pretty song then, and now here my own children are singing it. They're just growing up too fast, but I do look forward to hearing my grandchildren sing that sweet song too someday!




Flashback to last year's Primary Presentation when they were just tiny little Sunbeams!

11 months

My little baby is 11 months now! It has been so fun to watch him grow, but I'm sad too that he'll be a year in only 1 more month now. He'll always be my baby (as will Kaleb & Noe), but he will move out of the infant stage and into the toddler stage. His babyhood has just gone so fast! He is such a sweet boy though and here's some new things this month:

• He pulls himself to standing while holding on to anything (even other toddlers). However, he usually stands on his tip-toes.


• He now waves his arm and his fingers to say hi.


• Today he actually said "hi" so we're now up to 3 words with mama and dada. Although, since he was about 5 months he says non-sense words to the same influction as my "I love you." I totally think he's saying it back!


• Whenever I go to pick him up I stretch my arms out to him and wiggle my fingers. Now when he wants me to pick him up he stretches his arms up to me and wiggles his fingers.


• His 5th tooth just poked through.


• He makes a kiss sound with his little puckered lips that I just can't refuse to kiss, then he laughs.
• Whenever I am holding him and he wants to nurse he head-dives 90* so his head lands in my elbow. He's not subtle- mom, I want to eat!


• My poor baby is orange! I finally figured out he is allergic to grains (hope he outgrows it) so I haven't been feeding him any baby cereal, just Gerber and Hipp baby food. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of variety here- they're mostly orange foods: carrots (obviously), pumpkin, apricots, mixed veggies & chicken- argh! There are also some neutral foods: apples, pears, bananas. But the only other colored foods are blueberries and spinach (which I think is gross, but he will eat it). I feed him a variety of everything they have here, but the majority of them are orange. Where are the green beans, the peas, the plums, the strawberries? They are just not here and I just can't bring myself to making my own baby food, so my poor baby is orange!

Retro-Active

OK, so I just started my blog 2 weeks ago, and I am addicted! This is definitely my new form of "scrapbooking!" I was originally planning on making another Kodak picture book for 2007, and then making a blog book (through blurb.com) for 2008. New plan- I'm going to create retro-active blog posts starting with New Year's 2007 and working my way through the year to get "caught up." After the year is through, I'll make a blog book for 2007. I'm so excited because I can put as many pictures as I want and journal as long as I want, have it made into a cool book and never have to break out the scissors or glue!

I'm a Cookie Monster!

After I received the awesome cookie e-mail I received a follow up e-mail with more yummy recipes for fudge & candy, cakes, pies, breads, and other fun holiday recipes. They're all from Mrs. Claus' cookbook, so check it out at www.northpole.com/kitchen/cookbook Enjoy!