Celebrations

Bill Chinn Graduates - Again!May 16th was a great day for the Chinn's. Granny and Grandpa were visiting - always a treat!
Bill graduated from SMU with an Executive MBA

He also won the EMBA Program's Leadership Award!

AND, his Business Plan won first place in the program's Entrepreneurial Project. There were 60 Business Plans proposed. #1, that's my husband!

He set a great example to our children about the importance of education. Thank you, Sweetie.

It was ALSO Kitty's Birthday! She turned 4 and was thrilled to sit in the number 4 seat at the graduation ceremony.

Hello Kitty Jammies, Lippies, and Presents...

Big Brother Buggin'

But he's SO cute!

Chinn Family Funnies

Me: "Why did you throw your chocolate milk on the floor?"
Kitty: "Cuz I wuz done with it."

Me: "I'm sorry sweetie, but John and Kate [Plus 8] are getting a divorce."
May: "They are?!! Who will get the dogs?!!"

Off on our Euro Cruise...

Be back soon!!

True Story

Have you ever been at deaths door?? Or at least sounded like it? I apparently have...

Last Thursday I was working out in the backyard with Heidi the Trainer and Bill Chinn. We were doing an ab exercise where I was laid out on the ground moaning and groaning because it was so painful to complete....I'll wait while you get a tissue.....Okay, back to the pain - it was burning and aching and I was whining and complaining. Then I looked up from my death mat to see two buzzards, high in the sky, circling above me. Round and round they went waiting for me to finally croak.

It's true! I have three witnesses: Heidi the Trainer, Bill Chinn the Husband, an Me the Storyteller.

When the ab agony was over and I stood up, the vultures flew away.

Seriously.

They were waiting for me to die.

So they could eat me.

True Story. You heard it here first.

"Prepare to die...."

see more Celeb Look-A-Likes

Stand By Me

As usual I can't figure out my computer, so I couldn't insert this Must See video right here in my blog. Trust me to entertain you and click on the link, crank up the jams, and enjoy.....

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

Birthday Lunch!

My friend, Paula, and I spent an afternoon in Dallas to celebrate my birthday - a bit on the belated side! I love Paula. She is fun and exciting and it's always a great time! She treated me to a yummy lunch and we did some shopping.

It's never too late to celebrate, so if you missed me last November don't fret, I'm available all year!

Thank you, Paula - You're the best!

Last month my friend, Angela, and I took a Chocolate Tasting class at SMU in Dallas. Best class I've ever taken! We are now experts. If you have any chocolate issues, please feel free to burden me.

Cobalt

Nightmares

A couple weeks ago my sister took May and Baden to see Coraline. A couple days later I was waking the kids up for school and May tells me that she had a bad dream. She said that in the dream she had two mommies, and she didn't know which one was her real mommy. So I asked if one of the mommies had BUTTON EYES (!).

Her expression said: "Be serious, Mother."

Baden, taking heed of her Serious Mood says: "I know, May!!! Did one of them have a pimple??! Cuz your real mommy has a pimple!"

Ouch.

Double Digits

May May Turns 10!!

I think this might have been May's favorite birthday ever! She & Baden didn't have school that day, so we celebrated May May Style ALL day....

It was our wards (think church congregation) usual day to serve lunch at Union Gospel Mission and May really wanted to do that, so we took Kitty to school and the rest of us headed out to Ft. Worth. Another family brought two of their children, so the four kids brought the trays of food out to each person as if they were mini-waiters. The kids did such a great job - they kept the trays coming at a steady stream and there were no spills!

After that we drove straight to May's skating party where we met up with friends. Baden was cool in his rollerblades, but May and I went retro. I even pulled out some old moves...I'm sure the kids were impressed...

THEN we went straight to dinner at an Hibachi restaurant where Gabby joined us. Half way through dinner Baden set his head on Bill's leg and was out in two seconds! After dinner we went home for cake (homemade by ME) and presents.

May May was thrilled and happy all day. Love that girl!

Cooper Wellness Program

"Don't die of something stupid. You are beautifully and wonderfully made."

-Dr. Kenneth Cooper

For my Christmas present this year Bill gave me a week at Cooper Aerobics Center. I've been wanting to go again and was so excited for this opportunity! I loved the lectures and the exercise classes, especially Pilates and Spin, but I concentrated most on nutrition. I learned a ton of new things and am totally motivated to eat more healthy. It doesn't seem that difficult, not counting dessert mind you! I've used a few of the recipes this week and feel like such a good mom when I serve these healthy and yummy foods. I'd feel even better if all of my kids would eat them (!), but they don't eat the less healthy stuff either...What's a mom to do??

I met some really super people while I was there. Here I am in the Cookery (my favorite spot) with new friends Nicole and Brooke. Give us a break, we'd been working out all day (some more than others - not me!) and hadn't got to shower yet. Below is John, my new favorite 19 year old (Emma and Jenni, you guys are 20 now right??) with Chef Matt.
Here's a fab recipe for you from Kathy Duran who is the genius behind our 1400 calorie days:

Creamy Salsa Dressing

1/3 cup light sour cream

1/3 cup fat-free mayo

1/3 cup salsa

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

2 TBs fresh lime juice

I promise it's wonderful, AND only 25 calories for 2 TBs!

Your welcome.

Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.
Edward Stanley, Earl of Derby (1826-93), British Statesman.

I should etch that quote in my bathroom mirror.

Histories Heroes

Alberta Williams King

Alberta King was the mother of Martin Luther King, Jr. She was born in 1903 and her father was the pastor of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church. After her father's death in 1931, Michael King, Alberta's husband, succeeded his father-in-law as Ebenezer's pastor and changed his name to Martin Luther King. Alberta Williams King followed in her mother’s footsteps as a powerful presence in Ebenezer's affairs. She founded and trained the Ebenezer choir and served as organizer and president of the Ebenezer Women's Council from 1950 to 1962. She was also the church's organist from 1932 until 1972.

As a mother, Alberta worked diligently to instill a sense of self-respect within her three children. Martin Luther King, Jr. acknowledged his mother's positive influence on his life and moral development, deeming her "the best mother in the world." In a piece he wrote as a student he described his mother as being "behind the scene setting forth those motherly cares, the lack of which leaves a missing link in life." He remembered his childhood as one of harmony spent "in a very congenial home situation," with parents who "always lived together very intimately." "It is quite easy for me," he wrote, "to think of a God of love mainly because I grew up in a family where love was central and lovely relationships were ever present." Alberta remained close to him throughout his life. Although her soft-spoken nature compelled her to avoid the publicity that accompanied her son's international renown, she remained a constant source of strength to the King family, especially after her dear son was assassinated.

In 1974, as she played the organ during Sunday services at Ebenezer, Alberta Williams King was shot by Marcus Chenault, a twenty-one-year-old man from Ohio who claimed that "all Christians are my enemies." Alberta Williams King died later that day at the age of seventy-one.

Changing of the Guard

For the last decade and a half I've paid our bills. Some time ago, Bill graciously offered to take that task over. Of course I agreed. It's been wonderful to have that off my plate. I love not having to worry about window mail! However, there is no free lunch and my reputation has suffered. I received this email a couple weeks ago from Kat's dance instructor (keep in mind, I didn't write the check!)...

"Amy,

I received your tuition check for December. You made it payable to "dancing." I will try to put my name on it and cash it, but am not sure if the bank will allow it. Please make the check payable to [name omitted] in the future.

Also, the monthly tuition rate is $50.00. Please add this to your next payment, or if I can't cash your check you can re-submit it with the correct amount."

Ha Ha Ha! She must think I'm crazy! But really it's my husband, who was just trying to get the lessons paid for on time. He means no harm. Bill and I have had a good laugh over this one.

Luvs!

Overheard

"I like their lippies." -Kat watching the Golden Globes

"I heard that movie was inappropriate." -May
"Yeah, I want to see it!" -Baden

Oldie But Goodie

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer)

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.'

There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it...... live it and never give it back.

Okay, So The Pictures Are Old

But at least it's a new post!

Lunch time with Baden

And an extra picture for the road...

Foreshadowing Our Future

Feel free to giggle...

A Latin New Year's Eve

The Ross Family invited us over for a Latin New Year's Eve Party. We had so much fun! They had traditional Latin food and tons of Karaoke. They asked each couple to sing a song together and we drew numbers to see what order we would [be forced to] sing. Bill and I sang Bon Jovi, "I'll Be There For You." We were expecting to score the lowest, but shockingly we got 3rd place! It had to be because we know the words to the song, cuz we can't carry a tune in a bucket.
Originally I only sang because I was trying to be a good party guest, but within an hour everyone was picking songs and grabbing the microphone - including me and Bill! Who knew??! By 4:00 (AM!) I was like, "Bill, I've got to get home!" We were amongst the first to leave.

At midnight they lit some fireworks into the air. Then we each got a bag of 12 grapes, representing the 12 months of the year. Someone tapped a glass each second and we were suppose to eat a grape keeping up with each tap. If you eat all 12, you'll have good luck throughout the year. I didn't know what the grapes were for and ate mine before the tapping started. I wonder what kind of luck that brings??

After the grapes there was something about women running about the house with a suitcase and that meant she would travel that year, but I missed most of that. Anyway, it was a fabulous time had by all and there might be a Karaoke Machine in our future...

Kat took this picture of us before we went out. Not bad.

Our wonderful hosts.