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

Canadian Friend in Taiwan

Our good friend Dave, from our previous ward in Canada came to Taiwan for work for 4 weeks. We were able to have him over a few times for dinner and to visit. Kaleb & Noe would ask each night if he was coming over. Gavin was his little buddy too, so I'm sad that he's sad in this picture. Dave's wife Tanya, was Kaleb & Noe's Kindermusik teacher before, and I'm hoping maybe she'll be their piano teacher when we move back. It's so nice to have friends wherever we live.

Have a Blessed, Ordinary Day!

And while it takes courage to achieve greatness, it takes more courage to find fulfillment in being ordinary. For the joys that last have little relationship to achievement, to standing one step higher on the victory platform. What is the adventure in being ordinary? It is daring to love just for the pleasure of giving it away. It is venturing to give new life and to nurture it to maturity. It is working hard for the pure joy of being tired at the end of the day. It is caring and sharing and giving and loving…Marilyn Thomsen

#44

Dear Barack Hussein Obama President-Elect,

Please treat my country that I love so much with great care and concern. Please don't change her so much that I no longer recognize her. May God bless you and my fellow countrymen as we all strive to make our nation better.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Reil

I was glued to CNN all morning, except when I'd do quick channel-surfing during the commercials. Then I would check Bloomberg, BBC, Channel News Asia, Australia Network, TV5 Monde (France), and Deutsche Welle (Germany) to see what they were all showing of the election results. My Canadian husband in his Taiwanese office was also watching the results with some of his colleagues. Even though America gets a lot of criticism these days, the world is still watching us, because we are still a wonderful nation and the American Dream still lives!

I grew up during the golden days of the Reagan era. Clinton came in to office when I was a senior in high school. I remember I was actually terrified when he won. My step-dad told me to stop freaking out, that life as I knew it would continue and everything would be ok. I feel mixed emotions today. I cried during McCain's concession speech, and I cried during Obama's victory speech (remember I am pregnant). Obama's mantra during his campaign has been CHANGE, and I agree that many things need to change for the better in the States. However, some people are wanting to change other things that I think are basic and necessary and should never be changed.

I am a Republican most specifically for one reason, and that is because I believe the family to be the fundamental unit of society and I believe it is under attack. I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman, I'm pro-life, and I'm against stem-cell research. I believe in the sanctity of life and the Republican party's views most closely match my own. I have known many gay people in my life and they have all been lovely people. I am not a gay basher, although I do not believe in same-sex marriage. I believe marriage is a religious sacrament and when the government steps in I believe that is a violation of the separation of church and state. I have heard in Massachusetts (where same-sex marriage is legal) that they are teaching in the 1st grade public school system about homosexuality. I don't believe homosexuality needs to be taught to 6 year olds. I don't believe sexuality period needs to be taught in school at all. Parents are the ones who should teach their children the values they believe in. I have also known people who have had abortions. In each case, the abortion did not make the "problem" go away, it just created more problems and heartache. Sometimes I do wish grown-ups would listen to the song sung on the playground at recess:

(Boy) and (Girl) sitting in a tree

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

First comes love

Second comes marriage

Third comes baby in the baby carriage

I think if people followed that nursery rhyme there would be a lot less problems in society.

I am a Republican for another main reason, and that is because how I answer the following question: "Am I my brother's keeper?" My answer to that is Yes, I am! Not my government. I believe I am responsible to reach out to those in my community and to uplift them with whatever time, talents, and means I can to make their lives better. For those outside of my community I can give charitable donations too, and do all I can to make the world a better place by sharing. I don't believe government welfare systems do the best job for helping others less fortunate. They seem to create dependency in those using the systems, and to create resentment to those having to support those systems. I received an interesting e-mail this week with quotes supposedly from Alexander Fraser Tytler. He was a Scottish lawyer who lived from 1747-1813. Tell me what you think:

*About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tytler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh , had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier:
'A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government.'
'A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.'
'From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.'
'The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years'
'During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:
1. From bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From courage to liberty;
4. From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to complacency;
6. From complacency to apathy;
7. From apathy to dependence;
8. From dependence back into bondage'

Here are some interesting facts/statistics concerning the
2000 Presidential election:
Number of States won by: Democrats: 19 Republicans: 29
Square miles of land won by: Democrats: 580,000 Republicans: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by: Democrats: 127 million Republicans: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Democrats: 6.5 Republicans: 4.1

'In aggregate, the map of the territory Republican won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country. Democrat territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare... One could deduce from these statistics alone,that the United States is now somewhere between the 'complacency and apathy' Phase of Tytler's definition of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the 'governmental dependency' phase.

What can we do to break this cycle? We need to educate people on the importance of ethics, of contributing rather than just taking, on insisting that people work for and exchange for what they receive. Only in that way can we reverse this slide. And I believe we can.*

I believe there are bad people in the world, but I also believe there are many good people in the world. I believe we can no longer be fence sitters though, we must choose which side we are on. I hope we can all choose to be on the side of the good and work hard to bless the lives of others, and in so doing our own lives will be blessed too. I believe in God, and I believe as we serve Him and others we will have peace in this turbulent world. But again, I can't believe we are past hope. Let's change this turbulent world into a peaceful one!

Have you seen IT yet?

The phenomenon arrived in Taiwan on October 24th. We were planning on taking the kids that night, but unfortunately Len had to work late. After a busy week, we took the kids to a matinee today (and we saw our friends, the Beers and the Cavuotis there too). If you like all things related to music/dance/theater like me, it is a cute show. However, my favorite was watching my Baby Love completely rock out during every song. For only a 22 month old, he's got some moves. I love that he has the music in him like his big brother and sister. If only my life were a musical- ha ha!