Google Me

I've been writing out our Christmas cards to get them all ready to send out on Monday. Every year I try to track down one of my old roommates, Diane Draper. If anyone knows her contact info, please let me know. Anyway, I was wondering if any of my long lost friends have ever tried to track me down. If they are, they can find me here. My name is Jennifer Reil, and my former name is Jennifer Pittl. I know this post may seem ironic, since a couple of weeks ago I was thinking about going private. What can I say, I'm a girl, it's my prerogative to change my mind!

Bouncy Town

The National Taiwan Science Education Center has an entire floor dedicated to huge inflatable play structures called Bouncy Town. Lauren and I took the kids there for a day full of fun!

The 3 big kids had fun bouncing, climbing, sliding, and running in a hamster ball. Gavin couldn't quite keep up with them, but he still had fun. Unfortunately, right before we left Kaleb started carrying Gavin. He tripped and the poor little guy went down hard and smashed his lip. Of course, he started screaming, and his poor lip swelled up like a sausage. About 10 employees came rushing over with their first aid kits to stop the bleeding and reduce the swelling. Wow! I was pleased with their care, but Gavin just wanted them to go away so he could snuggle mommy. Luckily, his owie went away really fast!

Gobble 'til you Wobble

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!


The feast for the five of us. (We'll be having leftovers for a while- yum!)


The baby has squished my tummy, I'm not sure all of this food will fit.


I love pie!!! Pumpkin, Pecan, Apple, Peach, Blueberry, Cherry, Lemon Meringue, Key Lime, Coconut Cream, Banana, Chocolate French Silk, Peanut Butter Custard, pie is just SO good!


Before the feast, my honey sang to us "Now Thank We All Our God." I love to hear him sing, and it was very touching. He then blessed the food, and we took turns going around the table saying what we were thankful for. Leonard got teary-eyed when it was his turn, and it was really sweet seeing Kaleb and Noe's response to that. I'm so thankful for my little family!

I grew up spending Thanksgiving not just with my parents and siblings, but with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I really wish I could give that to my kids. We always miss our extended families, but it's especially tough during the holidays. I had always intended on inviting friends over, but I just never got around to it. I've really been a slacker since I've been pregnant. Only 5 1/2 more months and I can't use that excuse anymore! After the meal we watched "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" and the bonus episode on the DVD "The Mayflower Voyagers." Unfortunately, I go to bed way too early these days, so we'll have to watch "Miracle on 34th Street" tonight.

*Please tell me what your favorite Thanksgiving tradition is, and what's your favorite dish to eat!

Day 7- The Menu

I'm so grateful that we get to eat all of our favorite Thanksgiving foods tomorrow! I'm especially grateful for Costco and Wellman's for carrying all of these import ingredients.


On Thanksgiving, it's all about the Turkey. While I have cooked a big ol' bird before in my married life, this year I will be picking it up from the school's catering service already golden brown and ready to eat. I will be making all of our yummy side-dishes though:
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Sweet Potato Casserole
Green Bean Casserole
Corn
Cranberry Sauce
Dinner Rolls
and we'll be drinking Martinelli's Sparkling Cider


Of course, no Thanksgiving meal is complete without the Pumpkin Pie (with lots of whip cream!) I must confess, that I ordered this too from the school. Forget visions of sugarplums, visions of this feast are dancing in my head now.

*My kids' school had their Hunger Day yesterday, where the kids were asked to fast for the day (their school has Lower, Middle, and Upper divisions, so I think this was mainly for the teenagers) and donate money for the hungry. You can help by visiting: http://www.hungersite.com/ It's free, and each day you click on it, you give 1.1 cups of food to those starving.

Day 6- Traditions

I'm grateful for traditions that make life fun, and draw families together. I wanted to share some of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions today.


I love watching the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" from beginning to end when Santa arrives in his sleigh. I have really missed watching it the past few years. Len & I hope we get a posting to New York City someday, then we could go and watch it with our own eyes! How fun would it be to also go ice-skating at Rockefeller Center at Christmas, to party in Times Square for New Year's, and to watch fireworks at the Statue of Liberty on the 4th of July!


I love the Peanuts! Every year we watch "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" with the kids. It stirs up sentimental nostalgia for me, plus they're great teaching tools to help my kids learn more about their own culture living in a foreign land.


After the Thanksgiving feast, we're not much into watching football (dad, are you cringing?). However, we do love watching "Miracle on 34th Street." It is a classic movie that we just love.


I love Thanksgiving in and of itself, but we all know the day after is the official kick-off to the Christmas season (my favorite time of year!) I even miss shopping on Black Friday!

*On a more serious note, after the blessing on our meal we all take turns going around the table saying what we are most thankful for. When I see all of the suffering in this world, I am truly humbled and grateful for the charmed life I live. However, I want to do all I can to reach out to those less fortunate. When we lived in North America we always made sure we donated to the local food banks during the holidays. Now that we are in Asia, we are finding other ways to give and serve. The local orphanages have really tugged on our heartstrings and we always donate to them each year.

Day 5- My Hubby's Job

I'm so grateful for my husband's dream job with the Department of Foreign Affairs. He enjoys his work, it provides for our family, and it allows me to do my dream job of being a stay-at-home mom. His job mainly consists of attending many meetings and writing lots of reports. He has met a wide variety of visiting Canadians such as artists, professors, and even Members of Parliament. He's also got to work with a variety of Taiwanese such as students of all ages, more professors, and many dignitaries (he's even shaken hands with President Ma Ying-Jeou and former President Chen Shui-Bian). He's got to travel to Singapore, Thailand, and South Korea. He also gets to go on many (what I call) "field trips" in Taiwan. Here are some pictures from his most recent adventure in Hualien.


You know you're working hard when you have to use a bow and arrow. Actually, Len got the biggest bruise I have ever seen on the inside of his elbow from this- poor guy.


Len with one of the few remaining Tribal Elders (with facial tattoos) of the Taroko People. Len thought she was adorable and just fell in love with her.


The delegation from Indian and Northern Affairs. Len's boss is in the middle and is the equivalent of an Ambassador, but because Canada doesn't recognize two China's he is called the Executive Director.

Len's yummy aboriginal dinner. He said most of it was very good, but some was a little hard to eat ( for example, who wants to eat a whole fish filled with tons of tiny bones?)

Day 4- 15 weeks

I am so grateful to be 15 1/2 weeks pregnant and finally in my second trimester! My first trimester was rough with morning sickness 24/7. I'd like to say the nausea is completely gone, but I can't. I'm trying to see the glass half-full though, and it has decreased. Hopefully it will go away all together before the indigestion and heartburn set in.



Isn't this a cute picture of a little 15 week fetus? I wonder what my new little one will look like?

*I am in desperate need of winter maternity clothes. However, I am 5'11" and just do not fit into Taiwanese sizes. Unfortunately, many US companies (Old Navy.com) won't ship to Taiwan, and even if they did they won't take my Canadian credit card. Other Canadian companies (Old Navy.ca) only give you store locations, you can't buy from their sites. Come on internet companies, if you're going to sell on the web it's time to enter the globalization age and accept money from anywhere and ship to everywhere! (I have done this with Amazon, Toys 'R Us, Kodak, Blurb, but I've also had problems with other clothing companies- darn you Children's Place.) If there are any Canadians in Taiwan who have faced a similar problem, please help a sister out and let me know what solutions you found!

Day 3- Our Home

Even though we are looking forward to buying our first house in Canada next summer, we are loving our apartment life in Taiwan. Our home is the 8th floor of the gray building and we have been so happy here the past 3 years. All of our rooms are very spacious and we have huge windows in each room. To the north we have gorgeous views of the lush Qilian Mountain, and to the south we can see Taipei City (it's great to stand on our balcony on New Year's Eve and watch the amazing fireworks display at the 101 building). Some other amenities include a huge backyard (very rare in Taiwan), a swimming pool, gym, and a huge parking garage with lots of storage space (another rarity). I'm so grateful for our little haven from the world where our family can gather and be safe.


It has been a wonderful opportunity for our family to live in Asia. The Taiwanese people have been very friendly and accepting of us, and they just love our children (which makes my heart happy). Of course we get homesick and there are things that drive us crazy here too, but for the most part we have felt very lucky for this experience.

Day 2- The Gospel

I'm so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I don't want this post to come off as preachy in anyway, but the gospel has been such a blessing in my life that I can't exclude it. When you know where you've come from and where you're going it gives this life incredible meaning. That's not to say life has always been blissful. I've had my share of struggles, tragedy, and depression. However, the gospel has given me the proper perspective to make it through these challenges. I know I am not alone. I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I know my Savior, Jesus Christ atoned for my sins and that I can be made whole. I know the Holy Ghost can give me comfort when the world offers distress. My faith has made me who I am and I know my life has purpose.


I'm grateful to have a prophet on the earth to lead and guide us. President Thomas S. Monson is a man of God and gives wise counsel that will bless us if we follow it.


I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon. Like the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible, it is another Testament of Jesus Christ. When I read this book I learn more about Him and how I can live my life to bring me happiness.

I'm grateful for the beautiful Temples all over the earth. It is beautiful and sacred to worship inside them. I'm so grateful that through the ordinances performed there that families can be together forever. Isn't that what Heaven should be? To someday return to my Father in Heaven surrounded by my family is my heart's greatest desire.

Day 1- Family

I am so thankful for my little family. My husband truly is my best friend, and he treats me like a Queen. All 3 of my children mean the world to me, and I feel so humbled and blessed to be their mother. I'm reminded of the quote, "I look into your eyes, and I know my God loves me." I know Heavenly Father loves me, because he has filled my life with such wonderful people.

I'm so grateful for my "Lee" family. My mom & step-dad; my brother Brent, his wife Whitney, & my adorable nephew Isaac; my sister Amanda & her fiance Coleman; my sister Erika & her husband Tom; and my baby brother Kristopher. I love you guys!

I'm so grateful for my "Pittl" family. My dad & step-mom; my sister Lana, her husband Joey, and their 2 sweet boys Tyler & Jacob; my brother Clint, his fiance Lacey, & their cute little Conner; my brother Adam & his wife LaChele; and my brother Wyatt, his wife Karlee, & their darling Keegan. I love you guys!

I'm so grateful for my "Reil" family. Arlie & Marlene did a great job raising their boys and I know they are watching over us from heaven. My 3 brothers-in-law, Ken, Kevin, and Steve are all amazing men, husbands, and fathers. My 3 sisters-in-law, Janalyn, Delyna, and Suzi are all wonderful women, inspirations to me, and I'm glad I can call them my friends. All of my adorable nieces and nephews: Brooke, Brett, Jake, Madison, Payton, Alex, Ashton, Sydney, Max, and Isabelle are fantastic kids and great cousins to my kids. I love you guys!

*I'm also so grateful for all of my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. As you can see I have A LOT of family, and I am so glad I do! I'm also so grateful for all of my friends near and far. My life has been touched and blessed by all of the loving relationships I have.

'Twas the Week before Thanksgiving

My friend Chris is doing an "Attitude of Gratitude" on her blog and has been writing each day this month about the things she is thankful for. I think this is a great idea, but I missed the month, so I'm going to do each day this week. *Warning: I'm an emotional person to begin with, and now I have extra pregnancy hormones added to the mix, so my posts each day may be mushy!

Impromptu Slumber Party

Every Christmas Eve (and most of Christmas Break) Kaleb & Noe have slumber parties on the hide-a-bed. Last night they got it out and were playing on it, and then of course asked if they could sleep on it. My initial response was, "no, not on a school night." However, I quickly changed my mind as Leonard was at the Temple, and I realized this could make bed time easier. While I was tucking them in, Gavin climbed in and got in the middle of it. It was a sweet little moment.


Of course, Gavin lasted all of 30 seconds after I left the room. Noe woke up at 10:30, 1:30, and again at 4:30. I was so aggrivated and wanted her to sleep in her own bed after each time, but she insisted going back to the hide-a-bed, ugh! Kaleb slept through the night though. We'll continue the tradition on Christmas Eve, but never again on a school night!

What's in a Girl's Purse?

Since I did a post to my favorite shoes earlier this year, I wanted to do one to my favorite purses. This summer when we were in California, my sisters-in-law and I went shopping at the LA Fashion District. If you've never been to Santee Alley, you must go. It's like shopping in Tijuana, Mexico or Asian Night Markets, but you're in the States!


Fushia Power! I also got matching pink leather flip flops to match. Actually, I bought a lot of fuschia this summer, a t-shirt, toe nail polish, and a cowgirl hat for Noe.


I love colored leather, so I got a rainbow bag to appreciate lots of color (plus it goes with almost anything.)


Suzi had a giraffe-print diaper bag, so I had to copy with this purse. Some think it's cow-print, but I just think it's cute.


I got this little tote when we were in Thailand. It's small, so it's only used when I'm out without my kiddos.

I got this one here in Taiwan. It's basic brown, but you have to have at least one conservative bag.

Last week I prepared the Relief Society lesson on "The Second Coming and the Millennium." The Joseph Smith book talked about the "Armor of Righteousness." This is a masculine idea, and I wanted to use a more feminine approach. I put together a "Purse of Spiritual Preparedness." I put the following things inside:

Wallet of Faith

Cell phone of Love

Band-aid of Hope

Tissues of Comfort

Perfume of Patience

Keys of Knowledge

Brush of Obedience

Lipgloss of Rejoicing

This thought was added to the end of the object lesson. "Each of our purses should contain the things we will use in times of need. They'll be different for each of us, but they will bring us security in the time of crisis."

Unfortunately, right before we left for church I got extremely sick and afterwards I couldn't even stand up. Fortunately for me, my friend Julie subbed for me. Thank you Julie! And apparently the "purse of preparedness" was a hit!

I am a Child of God

Today Kaleb and Noe had their annual Primary Program during Sacrament Meeting. They each had 2 speaking parts, and they were just so cute. They worked hard to memorize their lines, but they did get a touch of stage fright. They really did great though. My favorite was when the kids sang, "Wo Shi Shen Di Hai Zi" ("I am a Child of God" in Mandarin). It reminded me that we are ALL Heavenly Father's children and He loves us all. It also testified to me that the gospel of Jesus Christ truly is for every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.


Gavin is finally liking Nursery. He loves playing with the kids at playgroup each week, but he would always cry when he had to go to Nursery. I realized the main difference with playgroup and Nursery is that mommy is with him at playgroup, but he's on his own for Nursery. Separation anxiety is tough. He still cries when he's first dropped off, but for less than a minute and then his teachers say he really enjoys it. That makes me happy, because no one likes to see their baby sad.

To find out more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, visit http://www.mormon.org/

An Ariel and Cinderella Day

This morning I took Noe to her friend Makenna's birthday party. The party was themed around the Little Mermaid and it was so cute. First, with the invitations they were delivered in little ziploc baggies filled with sand and seashells too. When we first arrived at the party, each little girl was given a mermaid tail skirt, and a tropical flower for her hair, they were just darling! They played some Under the Sea games, and then they watched the new movie "Ariel's Beginning." We had lunch afterwards followed by a beautiful mermaid cake. Makenna opened her gifts, and then she passed out cute seahorse goodie bags that Amanda (her mom) had sewn too. Kaleb and Noe have always had their birthday parties together, so we've done general birthday themes. However, when they turn 8, I think we'll have seperate boy & girl parties, because I'm just itching to throw a girlie-girl party for Noe, and it would be fun to throw a boys only party for Kaleb too.


In the afternoon I took Kaleb and Noe to see the Upper School's dance production of "Cinderella ...with a twist." I originally thought it would be a good mommy/daughter date, but Kaleb told me he didn't want to miss any of the school plays. Even though this was dance, he still didn't want to miss it. It was a modern dance interpretation of the classic tale set in modern times. The kids enjoyed it, but I think they had more fun sitting with their best friend, Minji. I really enjoyed it, I just love dance! There were over 50 performers, and 1/4 of them were boys. When I was in high school, so much of my identity was wrapped up in dance- Cheerleading, Spectrum, Dance Festival- I really miss it. Right now, Noe loves to dance, and I love to watch her. I have to admit that part of me hopes she will want to stick with it through out her life, because it is fun living vicariously through her- ha ha. Maybe someday, she and I can take a dance class together.

2 Tigers & A Princess

Gavin's vocabulary is increasing each day. Some of his favorite words are: Mommy, Daddy, Noe (which he also calls Kaleb and himself), baby, puppy, choo choo (for train), beep beep (for car), go, bye-bye, no no no no no, more (meaning feed me), and all done (I am not eating that). Everyday when we walk to the corner to get Kaleb & Noe from the school bus, the receptionist next door runs out to give Gavin some crackers or some sort of treat. I always tell him to say thank you, to which he just smiles at her. This week I told him to say thank you again, and he said, "Xie, Xie!" That's how you say thank you in Mandarin. I couldn't believe that he made that connection all by himself. What a little charmer!


Noe loves to draw, color, and write imaginative stories. Her fine motor skills are still a little behind from her encephalitis, so her writing is very difficult to read. Her teacher sent me an e-mail this week saying that during Writer's Workshop she reminded Noe to take her time with her letters and to remember to put spaces between her words. She said when Noe finished her story was completely legible. She was so proud of her, and so were Leonard & I. When Noe came home from school I told her I got a great note from her teacher and told her how proud I was of her. She beamed from ear to ear!


In Kaleb's class they've been studying "What's in our Neighborhood?" for their Social Studies Unit. They've been learning about different Community Helpers, and have gone on a couple different field trips to a market, and a fire station. Anyway, they were talking about careers and what they wanted to be when they grew up. Kaleb said he wanted to be RETIRED. His teacher sent me an e-mail to let me know this, and I seriously was laughing out loud. Like father, like son- ha ha!


I love these 3 so much! I wonder if my new little one will be a Tiger or a Princess.

Stayin' Public

The optimist in me wants to trust the good in people, so I'm going to keep my blog public. If I went private, I wouldn't be able to make new friends or reconnect with old friends. However, I may address this topic again when we move. Thanks for all of the comments and e-mails of support!

Peeping Tom

Today while Gavin was napping I was bored, but I didn't physically feel up to doing much. I got on my blog and decided to have a little looksee at the links that were on my blog's links (did you get that?). It was fun looking at strangers living, laughing, and loving life, plus I did find a couple of old friends too. Anyway, their pictures were just fun inspiration for my life. However, I was too shy to say "hi" as I've asked readers of my blog to do (double standard, I know).

It got me thinking though about who reads my blog? I know some of my friends and family do, but my stat-counter keeps going up each day, and I wonder if all of my visitors are people I know or strangers? And of course that thought leads to another... are they good strangers, or bad strangers?

I love that I've found old friends through my friends' blogs. I also love that I've made new friends through blogging. It makes me think of the Irish expression, "There are no strangers in Ireland, just friends you haven't met yet."

However, part of me gets a little panicky thinking what if a crazy stalker is looking at pictures of my kids? I do feel pretty "safe" here in Taiwan, but we'll be moving back to North America next year. I'm wondering if the blog should go private then.

Let me know your thoughts on public vs. private blogs. Also, please let me know if I do go private if you'd like an invitation to keep reading.

Sweet-Tooth Fairy Sadness

Last November, I posted that I am a major Cookie Monster! Some of my favorite store-bought cookies ever are the Mother's Circus Animals. About 15 years ago, my mom even tole-painted me a cookie jar lid with them on it, so cute. Anyway, I just learned today that after 92 years in business the cookie company went bankrupt last month (I know I'm a little behind, but it wasn't exactly breaking news in Taiwan). These were always on my list of "Summer Binge" purchases when we went home each year. It's so sad that I won't be able to get them next summer!



I did find a recipe for Homemade Circus Animals on Vanilla Joy.com, so I'll share:


* bake a batch of your favorite tried and true sugar cookies
* cut out with a mini cookie cutter, about 1.5-2 inches in diameter
* dip baked cookies into melted almond bark
* cover with sprinkles

If this is Earth, what is Heaven?

Since I've received this e-mail 3 times this week, I thought I'd share it on my blog.

Waterfall


Tundra


Tibet


Switzerland


Purple Romance

Neuschwannstein

Moon & Star

Mirror Lake

Lavender & Tree

Lavender Rainbow


Lavender & Mountain

Japan

Holland

Golden Maples

Glacier

Germany


Eiffel Tower

Earthbound Rainbow

Disney Castle

Comet

China

Blue Sea

Autumn


Austria


Antarctica