Bounty among Barren

Our fridge has been pretty empty lately. We're far from going hungry, but we are trying to stay within a tight budget and use up all our food. However, we also budget to eat out. So it is with these funds that we get gourmet food like these Olive Garden leftovers. But here is where it gets good.

Today was Rachel's birthday (which means her birthweek is just getting started) so we went to a restaurant of her choice. Additionally, just yesterday I won a $25 gift card from a random drawing among a group of classmates involved in land development at Virginia Tech. So naturally we decided to splurge a little.

Not only did we get the standard bread sticks and salad (fresh and filling) but we got an appetizer (stuffed mushrooms) as well. A wild berry smoothie and mediterranean chicken for Rachel. Chocolate milk and alfredo pasta (which I ate) for Hebey Squebey. Orange juice, grapes and alfredo pasta for Hannah. Bread sticks and mashed potatoes for Olive. And some chicken and shrimp dish for old papa bear. It was great.

The best part of it all was when we were all done and the waitress said"You guys are all covered." What does that mean? It meant that someone picked up our tab. It was a great birthday present for Rachel. We're still not sure who it was, but I suspect one person...

Under-Doggies and New Perspectives

This past Sunday the kids went to the park twice with their ole papa bear. I knew they liked under-doggies, but they took it to a whole new level with under-tigers, under-chickens, under-frogs, etc. The trick is you have to make an animal sound as you go under them. It was a great way to get them to think, because I wouldn't let them repeat the same animal.
On a similar note, I have been thinking about how I view my kids lately. As the oldest I find myself holding Heber and Hannah to such a high standard. Whereas Olive can do no wrong and is always cute and adorable. Lately, I've tried to see our little twins as if they were the last two of our family (of, say 6). They would be the two little twins that everyone adored, instead of the mischievous, schemers always getting into trouble. The change of perspective helps a lot.
It was after tweaking this perspective of mine that I was able to relax a little and really enjoy giving the kids under-zebras and what not.

You want little bit Chinese culture? Yeah yeah, sure.

I unintentionally have been exposing myself more to Chinese culture lately. Here are a few things that have helped give me a little insight into Chinese culture:

• Reading two historic fiction books set in China during 500AD and the 20th century, respectively. The second one seemed to shock me about how little freedom the Chinese had under communism.

• Listening to an audio book called The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom. The author's parents emigrated from China to the United States. She talks about the different parenting styles she has been exposed to.

• I also have a friend who is from China and I have got to learn about China from her. She has fed me and the kids lunch twice and we are so stuffed by the time we leave. They take feeding kids seriously. Her family is very giving. She gives me something every time we hang out. Some of the gifts I have received are a Chinese comb, Chinese pears, meals, animal crackers, Chinese candy, special duck eggs, a box of cereal, etc.

Within the Chinese culture there seems to be a deep desire to sacrifice for their children. All good parents sacrifice for their children and each culture approaches it in different ways. There is so much I can write about their culture but I think the similarities outweigh the differences.

P.S. The title was taken from a line in an SNL skit on the republican presidential candidates.

In the sun he melted, SMALL, Small, small

All good things must come to an end.

Once there was a snowman tall, Tall, TALL

It's gotten pretty cold here in Blacksburg over the last couple of days. Sunday the snow came down thick all day covering the streets. Monday was pretty clear but the snow remained. Needless to say, we took advantage of it and made ourselves some snowmen. 

This was on Sunday

Not sure Why I'm so angry.

Monday Morning

Monday while I was at school. 

Rachel locked up coolest mother of the year with this one.

Ode to Grandpa, the Missionary

Two weeks ago I wrote about missionary work and mentioned my own 2 year mission to Portugal. As I was thinking about what to write tonight, my thoughts turned to my maternal grandfather Robert Emerson Gibson. He too served a mission in Portugal. In fact, 23 years ago this day he left his kids and grandkids and went with my grandma there. His dedication has been a good example to me and all of his grandkids. Here is his journal entry (thankfully, he wrote practically every day) on February 19, 1989. Alternatively you can read it here or here.

Got up and went to Church at Chandler 7th Ward. A real nice homecoming! It was like a real farewell. We saw so many old friends there. I wished I had never gone. We left reluctant after Sacrament Meeting. Then a little later to Pioneer Park for lunch with the family. They were all there. Melvin sent his apologies that he couldn’t come because Marilyn has pneumonia. She’s had it for some time now, and that’s a concern!

The food was great, the company was great, and we had a joyous time (even on Sunday!). Then we all had our family picture taken. Dale Welker did it. That was a real max effort. We stood by the steps of the temple. It was like herding sheep alone, without a sheepdog, but we got it done!

Then a little family time at Mom’s, and on to the setting apart at the Chandler Stake Center. President Kempton was at his best! He had Mary Ellen speak, Kay and Mike pray, and he set us both apart.

Mary Ellen’s talk was extemporaneous, of course. I was so proud of her, and it took so much for her to do it. She bore a sweet testimony and told of her love for us. Frank and Bev and Kay and Joy were all there. It was a love feast. The entire day was a love feast! It was worth a thousand lifetimes of trial and endeavor to enjoy that one sweet day. I know a little better the joys of heaven—the joy of the Saints that has been spoken of by the prophets. It seemed that every shining, bright, smiling face was writing itself forever in my heart. I don’t need to take pictures to Portugal. I just need those treasured faces in my memory. I love every single one. I pray four times daily for every single one. I pray that there might be no empty chairs in time nor in eternity. No empty chairs. If faith and prayers and any example I might set, together with faith and works and best effort on the part of all my descendants and their spouses count for anything, I pray that this prayer might be answered.

After the royal send-off, Marian and I, alone and together, pointed our faces to Salt Lake City. We stopped at Mom’s, emptied garbage, vacuumed the floor, tidied up and locked up. Drove as far as Flagstaff. It snowed some on us—real cold. We stayed the night at the Pony Soldier Motel. We’re on our way to Portugal!!!!

Bandaged Olive

We recently found a sore behind Olive's ear. It seems that it has just become raw back there and even started bleeding. Tonight we washed it, sterilized it, and put triple antibiotic on it. Finally to keep her hair out of it we put this home-made headband on it (compliments of Rachel). She seems to be much happier now.