Gung Hay Fat Choy!!

Happy Chinese New Year!!

Year of the Ox

Made in China

Loved in Texas

Lip Gloss!!

I bought Olivia some lip gloss for Christmas but I forgot it until yesterday. Olivia loves lipstick and lip gloss. My mom told me she is going to be a little tart. Anyway, we were looking underneath Olivia's bed yesterday and found some lip gloss my mom had given her. When I saw it I remembered I had lip gloss for Olivia. So I found it at the top of the my closet (I am beginning to be like my mom because she would always find gifts after Christmas). I gave it to her and it has barely left her hands. She is constantly putting it on and wanting to put some on me. I think I have created a little lip gloss monster.

A Beautiful Day in Houston!

Today was a perfect day in Houston. The sun was shining, there was a slight breeze, it was around 68 degrees and the best part there was hardly any humidity at all. I wish everyday could be like today.

Olivia and I got up today and went to the zoo with half of Houston. There weren't alot of people when we got there but when we left it was packed. I got out of the zoo parking lot and ran into a ton of traffic. I had to turn around because I think the MLK parade was not too far from the zoo. Anyway we had a good time. Olivia got to see alot of animals and ride the carousel twice. We got home and I thought she would take a nap because we walked for nearly 2 hours but she just played in her bedroom for an 1 1/2. We played a game of Chutes and Ladder and waited for Daddy to come home so we could walk down to the park. It was such a great day I didn't want to waste too much of it. Daddy got home so we walked down to the park and stayed for about an hour and on the walk home Olivia decided to cry the entire time. She was tired and she didn't want to walk...she wanted to be carried. Our neighborhood is very active with walkers and there were several out on our way home. Everyone was asking what we did to Olivia. It was all in fun but she was howling pretty loud. Of course the minute we walk in the house she stops crying. Well all I know is that it will be an early evening for Olivia.

Having fun on the carousel.

Petting the goat at the zoo.

Pretty girl!

Riding the horse at the park.

Leaving the park happy.

Flowers for Mommy!

I got home from Disciple tonight and the first thing I heard when I walked in the door was, "Mommy don't move... don't go in the den." Olivia and Peter were upstairs finishing up getting ready for bed. They come down stairs and tell me to close my eyes and to follow them into the den. Well I get into the den and open my eyes and see beautiful flowers on the table. They ran errands while I was gone and bought me flowers... so sweet. Actually this is the second time they have done that for me. I just love them both so much!!

I am tired of Mommy taking my picture!!!

Live the Life Jesus Gave You!!

I have been a little down lately and really throwing myself a pity party. The reasons aren't really important but how I handle them are important. I was reading a blog today and it is about a 7 year old little girl who is very sick and basically has been in the hospital since after Thanksgiving. Her mother is faithful and praises God everyday because things could be a lot worse. I admire her strength and her positive outlook on life. She bought her daughter a shirt that says, "Love the Life you Live" and when she held it up so her daughter could read it... her daughter said, "How about if it said 'Love the Life Jesus Gave You'." In that instant I knew I wasn't given glory to God in the wonderful life that He has given me. I have been so blessed with a wonderful family, husband, daughter, friends and the list goes on. Here is this little girl who has been poked and prodded for nearly 2 months and is very sick has a better outlook on life than I do. No more pity party. I am going to love the life Jesus gave me.

Wordless Wednesday!

New Camera!!

Pictures with my new camera!

Olivia having fun on the slide today!

Olivia and Alexa with their matching pajamas!

I bought myself a new little camera. It is a Canon Power Shot SD1100 IS. I have gotten tired of lugging around our bigger camera. This one will fit in my purse or even in the pocket of my jeans (only if I don't wear my tight ones). I have somewhat figured it out and I do know that I will have to get a bigger memory card. I took 20 pictures and that was it so I am going to get a 4GB memory card.

Olivia and Alexa!

About to embark on a stroll in the neighborhood with baby Alexa!

Princess Party!

Olivia and the birthday girl, Madeline.

Decorating crowns and magic wands.

This morning we went to Olivia's friend, Madeline's, 5th birthday party that happened to be a princess and tea party. Olivia had fun jumping on the trampoline and decorating a magic wand and a princess crown. After all the crafts the girls sat at the table with REAL CHINA and proceeded to have tea, a snack and best part of course... cake and ice cream. The funny thing was the girls had the good china and silverware and the moms got paper plates and plastic forks.

Mr. Penguin

This past Sunday after church and Sunday School, Olivia and went to the grocery store. We were going down the 1/2 price Christmas aisle and she spotted a penguin stuffed animal. She asked if she could have it and of course, I said yes after I saw the $ .89 price tag. She has barely left this penguin out of her sight. I think today is the first day that she didn't take it with her when she got out of bed. This evening when we were walking down the hall to go take a bath she asked about her penquin. She plays with him more than she has played with her Christmas presents. If I would have known that, I would have just gotten the penguin for her and nothing else. She wouldn't have missed a thing and I would have a few more dollars in my pocket.

Facebook!!

I am officially on Facebook. I wasn't going to do it but for some reason recently I have been hearing alot about it. I have seen blogs that talk about it; I have been in line at the store and have heard people talking about their facebook and my husband has told me several of his friends from high school have found him (I didn't know he had a facebook). So I thought I would sign up (like I don't sit at the computer enough during the day). So far I have found several friends and I can't wait to find more.

Wordless Wednesday!

Movie Monday!

Today Olivia and I met Sherri, Zoe and Ruth at the movies to watch "The Tale of Despereaux". It was very sweet little movie but there were a few parts that Olivia didn't like so much. It was part when the rats were being shown in the dungeon and Olivia looks over at me and says, "Mommy I don't like this movie." I put her in my lap and about 15 minutes later she is sitting by herself again.

Today has been a very dreary day. It is about 50 degrees and the sun has not come out at all. After the movie we got home and Olivia and I both took a little nap. She starts back to school tomorrow and I am so excited about getting back on a routine. It feels like it has been forever since I have dropped her off at school and I have worked more than a day or two a week. I love the holidays but it is nice for everything to get back to normal.

New Year's Eve Photos

We spent New Year's Eve at the Sakson household. They had invited over some neighbors that we knew and Ruth's friend Jim (another Hong Kong exchange student). It was a great time and the food was wonderful!!!

Olivia and Zoe working on their watercolors.

Sweet girls!!!

Olivia loves sitting in the papasan chair and playing the piano so much that she didn't want to share with Zoe.

We had a champagne toast about 2 hours before midnight because we knew we would be there when the new year rang in. So we toasted early and the girls got to drink water out of plastic wine glasses. They must have filled their glasses 7 or 8 times. Then over the course of the next hour they both went to "tee tee" about 3 times each.

Zoe and Olivia have matching shirts that say "Made in China" on the front and "Loved in Texas" on the back. Olivia wore hers but Zoe didn't. They never seem to wear them at the same time. I think it has something to do with their mommies.

Ruth and Jim playing Guitar H*ro. Jim had never played it before and he "Rocked". Kids and teenagers seem to be able to pick things up so much faster than slightly :-) older people.

Olivia and Zoe with their guitars.

The ball dropping in Times Square!

Happy 2009!!!

Happy New Year's!!!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone's 2009 will be Blessed and Prosperous!!!