Year of the Rat

Well yesterday was Keanul's birthday!! Happy 14th!! Keanul and I hung out together most of the day. Which was nice. I enjoyed it greatly. We all went for breakfast, and then Keanul and I went to the mall. Keanul chose a place for the 4 of us to have supper. I hope he enjoyed his day.

It was also Chinese New Years. It is the year of the rat. Those born in the rat years tend to be leaders, passionate, charismatic, practical, and hardworking.

At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire. Which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower ther festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crakling flames would frighten evil spirits.

Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest.

New Years Eve and New Years Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.

This is alittle of my family history. My mother is from Taiwan which celebrates this holiday.

Are You Ready for Some Basketball

Tonight Roz's team took on the 2nd grade boys' basketball team. It was fun. At the begining of the game everyone was charged up and ready to go. Along with some giggling of course. Both teams had loads of energy. As the game went on they all started to fizzle. Roz has learned some new moves. The fake pass, but it only worked a couple of times. Then the boys started to catch on. Roz had 8 rebounds and 3 baskets. She held her own. The girls lost by 2 baskets. But they did pretty darn good againt those boys. The main thing she had loads of fun! So lets just say; as soon as her head hit the pillow. She was out cold!

SuperBowl Sunday!

Happy Sunday everyone! This week we have lots of Birthdays. Yesterday was my sister in law Kyla's birthday, so Happy Birthday Kyla. I hope that you had a wonderful day. Today is my sept-father John's birthday. Happy Birthday Dad!! Roz and I will be going to my mother in laws for Kyla's b-day party and then have a nice quite evening at home. While Keanul and my hubby go shoot and then go to a Super Bowl party at the club. A little father and son bonding.

This morning I need to a union meeting. Yeah! Just how I wanted to spend my day off. With a bunch of people complaining about everything and anything. Our contract is up this year and the talks have been going on for a few weeks. So the meeting today is about what the company wants to offer. Which I'm sure is not much. So wish us lots of luck; because I know we are going to need it.

I'm glad it is Superbowl Sunday, because I'm sick of watching all the pre-game, pre-game, pre-game, slash pre-game game stuff. Even though I do not care about who wins or loses I'll still watch. I watching to see if they hit my numbers on the football pool I got into. So go go numbers...lol.

Go Keanul Go!!

Sorry I haven't been blogging! I have been too busy running around lately! With Roz's basketball and dance. Keanul has now joined wrestling this year. First year. It's been exciting so far. He's in a hard weight division, and most of these kids have been doing this for quite some time. So they have the advantge. But he's a fighter. It's amazing to me that all of a sudden he comes and says I signed up for wrestling. I find it great that he is not shy about trying new things. I admire him for this. He has great drive and determination when he wants to express it.

Keanul's birthday is next week. He's turning 14!! I know 14!! It seemed just like yesterday I was bring him home from the hospital. Feeling like most first time moms scared to bring your baby home, because you might kill him, because you don't know what the heck your doing! I remember going to the doctor almost every month with him thinking something was wrong. I'm glad I had a very understanding doctor, and good insurance. That he knew I was young and a first time mom. He was so tiny 6 lbs. 2oz. I'll never forget the first time holding him in my arms. Realizing that I was holding a little miracle from God in my arms. That he sent me the greatest gift ever. Plus one of the greatest life lessons as well. Being a mom.

Dance Class

Well as most of you know Roz is in dance class. This year tap and jazz. She enjoys it a lot. About twice a year; we as parents are able to go into the dance studio to watch there growth. We also get to see some of there dance that they will be performing at their recital. The dance school that we send Roz to believe that the kids will do better if the parents are not watching all the time. It's a turn from any other kind of sport. Where the parents can sit on the sidelines at practices. Yelling at the kids that they are not paying attention or trying hard enough. I do find it more relaxing and I'm sure Rozalynn does too. These are some pictures that I took tonight. Roz is the girl in the pink. Not the greatest pics, but I took them from my phone.

Kids

How come when you have small kids the house never seems to stay clean? What's up with that. I feel sometimes that all we do is clean the house. Then when you done cleaning; all of a sudden out the corner of your eye you see a hand from under the couch. Darn dolls, or a sock here and a sock there. It can drive you mad. No wonder when I do laundry I can't match up all the socks. They have legs, and they walk off, and go hide. Because no one knows how they got under the sit cushions do they!
Okay I'm done venting!

Well I haven't been up too much. Just working. yeh! Trianing a new guy at work. Keanul has joined wrestling. He seems to enjoy it. It's his first year; he thought he'd give it a go. He has been coming home from practice pretty pooped. I just hope he keeps his grades up.

I hope everyone had a great holiday season! Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. Been busy working. Need to make up for the Christmas season. It's funny you work hard for the Christmas season and than work even harder after.

Well, one of my Christmas present that I got was Deanna Favre's book. It's a great read. There is a poem that I would like to share. It was written by Carol Wimmer.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I got lost!
That's why I chose this way."

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I don't speak with human pride,
I'm confessing that I stumble--
needing God to be my guide.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not trying to be strong,
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not bragging of success,
I'm admitting that I've failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I don't think I know it all,
I submit to my confusion,
asking humbly to be taught.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible,
but God believes I'm worth it.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartache,
which is why I seek His name.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority --
I only know I'm loved.