The Story of the Linne-Laughlin Family!: December 2008

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas!! (Sheng Dan Kuai Le!!)

Sorry I've been such a bad blogger lately! Between Ericka's two orchestra concerts (one at school and one at Barnes & Noble Booksellers); Shang Dan Kuai Le celebration at Chinese Class; tons of shopping and wrapping; sick family members and work...I'm worn out! Here are some pictures from our latest escapades. After nearly 12 years of admiring people's Sparkleball Christmas decorations, thanks to Dan, I finally have one of my very own!! The first had a little mishap due to one of the kids, but Dan pulled it off an made a new one for me the next day. Yippee!! :) We also learned that our Shih Tzu, Fred Fred, LOVES the snow!! He bounces and prances through it just like a reindeer. But, the funniest thing of all is watching his pink tongue swipe out and link the snow just like a snow cone. Cute little dude! Our love you to you and we wish you a Merry Christmas (Sheng Dan Kuai Le!)

Monday, December 8, 2008

On Saturday, Lucy had her birthday party at Bounce "U" and there were over twenty kids and lots of moms there to participate in the fun! Lucy had so much fun bouncing with her friends! It was especially wonderful, because Marry, Kaia and Beckett were able to come and good luck brought Melanie, Meili and Lili to Utah at just the right time! There were six kids adopted from China, one adopted from the U.S., a friend who just moved here from Israel and speaks Hebrew, Lucy's friend from school who had cleft surgery the same day as Abbie...and many, many other special friends she had made at Kindercare. It was a day the little "princess" is sure to never forget! Marry and Melanie - I love you both! Thank you for making the day special for me too! (Michelle, your fabulous panda cake was a HUGE hit with the kids! :)

A Profound Quote From my Friend Marry

QUOTE OF THE DAY: I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make a life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a person humanized or de-humanized.If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and together with Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival forms one of the three major Chinese holidays. Since the summer is a time when diseases most easily spread, Dragon Boat Festival began as an occasion for driving off evil spirits and pestilence and for finding peace in one's life. The festival was later enriched by the legend of the patriot Chu Yuan. Dragon Boat Festival is highlighted by the dragon boat races, in which competing teams drive their boats forward rowing to the rhythm of pounding drums. This lively and colorful tradition has continued unbroken for centuries to the present day. The festival's significance as a time for warding off evil and disease is symbolized by a number of customary practices such as hanging calamus and moxa on the front door, and pasting up pictures of Chung Kuei (a nemesis of evil spirits). Adults drink hsiung huang wine and children are given fragrant sachets, both of which are said to possess qualities for preventing evil and bringing peace.