Smart Little Cookie!

It has been a rough day, but I had to share what Yan amazed me with today.

I was finishing up a phone call with a friend while driving to a bank (trust me, it's a rare occasion that I talk while driving). I was whining a little bit about the weather and told my friend to feel free to call this weekend because thanks to the weather we wouldn't be going anywhere, even the P-A-R-K. (I spelled it because Yan loves the park and she would want to go regardless of the weather.) I hung up and Yan was staring at me, she smiled and said, "PARK"! :-) I screamed I was so happy! What a smart girl! I almost cried. I love it that she just soaks this in and amazes me!

I am blessed to have her as my daughter!
Jenn

Hi/Lo Post

This post is part of "Hi/Lo Thursday" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to read everyone else's "Hi/Lo" posts and for a chance to win $100.

I'm posting a post for Abby's blog...Abby is a strong, sweet girl who is battling for her life!

Our Hi...is that I know God is still in control and our provider.

Our Low is losing another job and fighting with the bank...but small beans in comparison to what others are going through.

Taking a little break...

I'm totally behind in everything right now. I know I haven't gotten a couple of blog awards posted, sorry Amy and Heather...I'm just a bit overwhelmed with things right now. I'm trying to start some new work, increase Yan's schooling and keep the house somewhat clean, lose weight, etc....and I just can't seem to do it all. So, I may not update for a while...but hopefully things will calm down soon!

Hugs, Jenn

R.I.P. Whu

Last week we were able to go to our local Chinese New Year celebration. Honestly it was a little overwhelming for Yan...they had loud Chinese drums and a lion, dragon and other dancers. Basically, she cried and screamed for the first hour but then calmed down. We sat at a table with a family that we had never met, the Rush family (It's always fun to make new friends :-). They were fun to talk to and have had many sets of students that they consider their "kids" from Hong Kong...in fact they had recently been to Hong Kong.

At the end of the evening we found out that our centerpieces (which were fish) were available for us to bring home. Yan loves fish (especially thanks to "Elmo's World") and was thrilled. The moment I told her we could take the fish home, she signed "Eat fish"...before I knew it she fed the fish a nice serving of noodles. Mr. Rush was kind enough to fish the noodles off but suffice to say, some random bets were jokingly made on how long the fish would last. It was 17 degrees out, the heat in our car wasn't working, the fish was in an open bowl, he already had a lot of oil in his water thanks to the noodle dish...let's face it the odds were stacked against him.

On the way home I asked Yan what she wanted to name him. Expecting to hear, Dorothy, Elmo or Barney I was surprised when Yan just blew (like she was blowing out a candle)...I told her that I couldn't really blog that name, but since we got him at Chinese New Year we could improvise and give him a Chinese name of Whu. Whu has been a great fish for the last 8 days, he was fun to watch, he swam gracefully, he ate well...and today I think, I killed him. Do not put a fish in tap water, even if you are just cleaning his big bowl (okay, it's a vase) out...dead an hour later.

Yan didn't take it too hard...she said, "Bye Whu" and I made her stay in the other room while I "flushed"...sooooo sad! So for your pleasure today, Chinese New Year and "Whu" pictures...RIP good buddy...enjoy the big fishbowl in the sky!