Chinese Class

Gracie and Lucy are having so much fun at Lao shi Kang's (Mindy's) Chinese class. They go every Saturday morning for two hours and are learning how to write their Chinese characters (especially funny, since they don't even know how to write the English Alphabet yet!); the story behind Chinese traditions and festivals; dance and song; language, and they even get to taste special home made Chinese food! Here are some cute pictures of the girls practicing their characters, dancing and just enjoying their class. We made the decision to wait until next session to start Abbie, but she is definitely benefiting from the learnings as well!

ZOIKS!

My boss, Ron, and his family recently went on a vacation to Thailand. Their son, Adam, took these fabulous pictures of elephants on the grounds of the hotel. They are GREAT!

Eating Empanadas in Ensenada!

Hi All! Had a great time on the Monarch of the Seas cruise and on the day excursion in Ensenada. Did some shopping in the open market and went to La Bufadora, a sea "blow hole." It was an absolutely beautiful day!! Carolyn, Michelle and I enjoyed 70's music trivia, a bean bag competition, towel folding demonstration, Bingo, and eating, eating, eating. Oh, and we can't forget the Men's Belly Flop Competition into the pool. Gross! Our room was so tiny we could barely turn around, but that's what made it fun! Cruise ships are wild and if you have never been on one, the people-watching factor makes it worth it! Fun time had by all!

MOM!

Hi All: I talked to my mom this morning and she sounds great! She has 20 staples in her back, and her friend who is a nurse, took off the bandages and said the 4" incision site looks good. It was great to talk to mom and hear the "chipperness" in her voice! Dad has been amazing and is taking good care of mom. What a great Pop I have! Love you both! xoxoxoxoxo

Michelle's Trip To Thailand

My friend Michelle (who I am going on the cruise with this weekend), recently went to Thailand and took the most amazing pictures! The wood carving is beautiful and I love the little girl on the boat with sunblock smeared all over her smiling face. The flower soap carvings are just too beautiful to actually use!

Food For Thought...

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend. He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.' This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.

Surgery Update

Hi Everyone:

Abbie had her bilateral Inguinal Hernia surgery last Thursday, and as predicted, she was up and running by the next day. She can only have sponge baths until tomorrow and she has been so cute about just tipping her head over the bathtub!

Mom had her surgery this morning and it took about three hours. Dad sent me a text and said all went well. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers and I will post more when I get an update.

Monarch of the Seas! 9/19 - 9/23

My friends Michelle, Carolyn and I (work friends) are going on a Royal Caribbean 3-night Mexican Riviera cruise from Long Beach to Ensenada! We depart 9/19 and return 9/23. Arriba! We set said on the newly renovated Monarch of the Seas. Here is a brief write-up about it:

"Experience a land of siestas and fiestas. Not to mention Mariachi bands, helicopter rides over sandy beaches, and amazing sunsets. Ole! It's a fiesta in Manzanillo where mariachis play their lively music and colorfully dressed performers present traditional dances. Also tour the cobblestone streets of downtown Puerto Vallarta and the La Cetto Winery in Ensenada."

"Be one of the first to experience the recent stem-to-stern renovation of Monarch of the Seas. Departing from L.A. year-round, this remarkable 2,744-guest cruise ship sets sail for the ultimate Baja cruise vacation. In addition to the spectacular on-shore excitement, you'll enjoy Monarch's state-of-the-art features, like the new, oversized spa and fitness center, specialty Asian-fusion cuisine at Jade, a make-your-own pizzeria, and, of course, Royal Caribbean's signature rock-climbing wall."

"Ensenada, known as Baja's "Love Boat" port, is no longer a sleepy resort town. Each year, some 4.5 million visitors descend on this seaside city 68 miles from the border, joining 325,000 residents. Fishing, processing and shipping have made Ensenada Mexico's second busiest port.It's quite a change from 1542 when Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into the sheltered bay in his quest for the mythical Northwest Passage, or sixty years later, when Sebastian Vizcaino named the area Ensenada de Todos los Santos after All Saints' Day. Over the centuries, many have left their mark here, from Spanish missionaries and Russian settlers to gold miners and gamblers. The result is eclectic mix -- from Mexico's oldest winery and Baja's first cantina to a plaza featuring statues of national heroes. In addition to expected attractions like the large tourist shopping area and fish market, Ensenada also offers the unexpected - an elegant Prohibition-era casino and a blowhole that spews water sixty feet into the air." - Casino, chocolate bars, buffets, entertainment, pedicures and more. Woo hoo!

Poor us! :)

Prayers for Successful and Healthy Surgeries

The next few months will be riddled with many beloved family members having surgery. It all begins with Abbie on 9/11. She will have outpatient bi-lateral inguinal hernia surgery up at Primary Children's Medical Center. Knowing Abbie, she will be her usual wild, crazy and extremely active self within hours of her surgery!

On September 15th my beautiful mom Judy, will have spinal fusion surgery on her L4 and L5 vertebrae. She has been in a lot of pain this past year and I hope her three hour surgery at the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, Oregon, will bring her much needed relief and renewed hope. I know mom can't wait to be up and hiking and birding again - pain free! If anyone knows of any good books, let me know. I am sure mom will be doing a lot of reading during these next several months as she recovers from her major surgery. God bless you mom and we love you!

On November 13th, Abbie will be back up at Primary Children's Medical Center for her second (of many) cleft palate surgeries. Dr. Morales said the roof of her mouth is looking good and the prothsesis seems to be doing it's job. It is now time to begin surgically repairing muscles and building her an actual palate. I am sure she will be in a lot of pain, but again, this is Abbie! She will, with no doubt, recover very fast! All in all, Abbie will probably have somewhere between 15 and 20 surgeries when all is done. We love you little Abbie!

Please keep the Linne-Laughlin and Coryell families in your prayers!