Don't try this at home...

..it might give you a ring around your head! (Disclaimer: no surgical gloves were harmed in the making of this blog. Oh sorry, one did get ripped.)

Lovin' Strawberry Shortcake

Our Family Home Evening this week was inspired by Aubrey telling me earlier in the day that Steve and I have round tummies and that we should have 'flat' tummies. (We think so too, its just not that easy to wish them flat at this age.) After a moment of guilt, anger, and embarassment I thought to myself, "Maybe she doesn't realize that being fat has a negative connotation but she is just stating a fact". The Chinese people used to say "You are fat" all the time but to the Chinese it is just like saying, "You have blonde hair", it is just a statement of fact. So I asked Aubrey if being skinny/fat was bad or good. Unfortunately, I quickly discovered that my five year old is well versed in the doctrine of today's tabeloids. She is not even the little bit of Chinese that I would have wished. So after spewing off something about eating so that we are healthy and making sure that we are active, and well-after dropping her off, I was still stewing about it. A little later I came to the conclusion that this might be the opportunity to teach the children that it's not what is outside but what is inside that counts. And that goes for all types of appearances. I found the "Loving your Neighbor" lesson in the Family Home Evening manual and then was reminded of a song from a Strawberry Shortcake episode that we have recorded. The girls in the episode are playing dress-ups and put on the play "Strawberella". I will share the words of the final song. Perhaps you would like to use them. I think they are inspiring. It turned out to be a great lesson for our family.

You are not your clothes,
You are not your hair,
You are not the dress
that your mother made you wear.

Rich or even poor
I couldn't really care
You're simply beautiful you.

You could be a prince
with the finest clothes,
But it wouldn't make you any nicer...I suppose.

If you looked down on us
While turning up your nose
You would not be beautiful you.

It's not how much you sparkle,
That makes you like a star.
It's what's inside your heart,
That tell you who you are.

Clothes don't make the kid,
It's the other way around
This is what I've finally found
That it's not about the way you look
It's about the things you do,
That makes you beautiful you

I am not my clothes,
and I am not my crown.
And I am not my rags,
'Cause in my heart I wear a gown.

So let's go out and play
like we've never had a care,
About the things we think
we're supposed to wear

'Cause it's not the way you look,
It's the things you say and do
That make you beautiful,
That make you beautiful,
That make you beautiful..you!

Random Favorite Photos

Okay, I obviously update this blog in fits and starts. The past couple of days I have been updating but I have some pictures that don't really require their own blog...just more grandma bait..

Trumpet lessons

Steve dusted off his old trumpets and gave Alex and Hayden a lesson. Who knew that making a decent sound on a trumpet could be so difficult? Hayden was a natural. He instinctively knew how to hold it and made a good sound the first time he blew into it. More importantly, he loved it and kept asking to play it everyday until we finally just put them back into storage. I don't know if I'm ready for trumpet lessons yet.

Aubrey is 5!

I'm just going to come out and say it...I have "housewife hangover". Its that when-the-party-is-over-there-is-too-much-to-clean-up-and-no-one-left-to-party-with feeling that I have been having all day. We had a great long weekend with Steve home and lots of fun with Aubrey - spoiling her like crazy. She got a new bike on Monday so we had to have a family bike ride. Tuesday we took the family to the pool for a family swim/birthday party. Then we had crazy pink bunny cake for dessert. (Not one of my greater acheivements in cake making but it wasn't around long anyway) Happy birthday to our blessed little girl!

Back to School

It's that time of year again -- BACK TO SCHOOL. (Though I could swear that August was still summer when I was growing up.) I'm realizing it's a whole new schedule now for all of us. So time to restructure our lives yet again. Alex is in 3rd grade this year and Hayden in 2nd. Aubrey misses the Kindergarten cut-off by 2 days!! I have her signed up for a Preschool at a local church. She'll be excited to have a place to go just like the boys. She is SO ready for something. She told me the other day "Mom, I know you will be angry at this, but I just have to say I am a fan of Hannah Montana." Okay, we've never even SEEN the show. What is it about girls needing to be older than they are and guys never really growing up?! She is 4 going on 16. YIKES. Am I glad that I have 4 boys? YES, one girl is going to kill me!!!

Stories About Rachel...Our First Date

We have shared this story with many people and it makes me laugh so much that I wanted to add it for Rachel. (This is Steve typing.) I remember seeing this beautiful, spiritually mature woman entering a committee meeting where I was serving with other men. This woman sits down and begins to question everything we were doing...gosh, I was in love. So I cozied up to her, got to know her then popped the question..."Rachel, I really like you and I'd like to get to know you better. Would you like to go on a date with me some time?" Of course, I was looking for a yes or a no, instead she said, "Thank you!" What was I supposed to do with thank you? Is that a yes? Is it a no? I had no idea! So I clarified if that meant yes, and she confirmed it did.

Being a graduate of the California Public Schools (interesting it has the same initials as the California Penal System...coincidence?) I was well edumicated on geography and I knew Rach had go to the Orient on her mission. Wanting to make a lasting impression I endeavored to take her to Benihana's on our first date. There we were, enjoying the fun environment, flipping shrimp tails, etc, and I glance down at the menu. I ask, "Rachel, can you read these characters on the menu?" She says she might be able to figure them out. I smile, smugly, and then ask, "Isn't this nice?" She says it is fine. "You know, a Japanese Steakhouse?" Her smile fades ever so slightly...I am losing her, so I point out the obvious, "You know, because of your mission to Hong Kong?" Her face goes blank, then it sets in..."Steve, Hong Kong is in China, not Japan."

We didn't go out again for over a month!

I am glad she gave me another chance, I am the luckiest guy on earth. I remember my dad telling me, "Son, it looks like you are marrying up!" I smiled. Then I shared that story with Rachel's parents just before we were married, and her mother said, "You dad was right, you are marrying up!" Well, they were both right. And I have been blessed every day since.

I love you, Rach.