Thursday Three

A Poem

This is the trainer that happened to meet me

This is the weight that tries to defeat me

These are the birds that wait to

eat me

Wordless Wednesday

I Shouldna Dunnit

During a conversation I had with another mother she decided to get to the bottom of what must have been gnawing at her for some time. She asked, "how many children of your own do you have?" She wanted to know how many Chinn's were adopted. But the way she worded it got on my nerves.

"your own."

I wasn't mad at her, but I wasn't helping her either. I answered, "I have three children." This wasn't the answer she was expecting, so there was some uncomfortable silence as her brain tried to work it out.

Deserved. [shrug]

"Buuut, your little one is from Russia right?"

"Yup, she's 4, Baden's 8, and May's 11"

- - Pause - -

"Is May your oldest?" - - Goodness gracious lady, let it go!

"Yep."

Confusion. Silence.

Me: "Well it was great running into you! I'm sure I'll see you around soon..."

This isn't the first time something like this has happened, but it is the first time (in four years I might add) that I ever let myself get bothered.

No worries. Her suffering was minimal. As well as my guilt.

I Think She Likes The Pretty

Ever wonder what your 4 year old is thinking? Here's what Kitty told her teacher...

1. I think my dad is 42 years old
2. I think my mom is 6 years old (love is blind)
3. I think my mom's favorite food is noodles (she's SO right!)
4. My mom looks like my hair
5. My dad looks like a handsome boy
6. I look just like Cinderella
7. My mom is pretty because she gets dressed in a dress
8. My dad is handsome because he goes to church (she must mean his suit. i agree!)
9. I like when my family and I play sorry
10. I wish my mom and dad could paint my nails
11. I love my family very much because they look pretty

Resurrection Sunday

Thursday Three

The Friend Edition

#1) Meet Marina. We have been besties since we were 21 and have gone through many-a-life changing events together. She's seen me do all those dumb things that I'd like to pretend didn't happen. She knew me "when" and still likes me! Love you, Leena!

#2) This is BFF Sharlene! She inspires the lazy part of me to Get Movin'! She was my first friend when I moved to Texas and my life vest when I needed her in Spokane. She steps in and does for me what I can't do for myself. Love you, Shar!
#3) Let me introduce you to Melanie. Every Thursday night, for the last 9 years, we've got together to watch Survivor. Yes, that show is still on and yes people still watch it. Melanie holds my hand through life and would step into the dark to save me. Luv you, Lanie!

Wordless Wednesday

A Day in the Life of ME

Randomly chosen day: Tuesday, March 30, 2010

We had our normal morning routine until 7:30 when I sent Baden off to school on his bike. This is a first for him. He rode around the corner picked up a friend, and they biked to school together. He loved it! Me, not so much. I'm a bundle of nerves. It'd be great if the school would send up a smoke signal when he gets there. Is that asking too much??

7:50 - May caught the bus. Mr. Chinn dropped Kitty off at school and headed to work.

9:00 - At Jens to Visit Teach. Unfortunately, I brought the April Ensign. Ugh. I stayed for an hour, which is perfectly acceptable because she's a bestie and it was just the two of us anyway. Then the RS Presidency showed up for their monthly meeting, and I stayed a few minutes to chat with them.

[Forgot to take picture with Jen & Co. Grrr.]

10:30 - Went grocery shopping and happened to run into a couple friends. I snapped this picture of Jennifer who looks good with no make up, work out clothes, and a pony tail. (She was Miss Utah; she can't help it)

12:00 - Lunch Time. Thai chicken with noodles and bell peppers.
12:30 - Unpacked my shipment from mini Boden. Super cute clothes, it was a thrill!! Tried to track down Baden's pinewood derby car, and finally got the badges onto his blasted scout shirt.
2:00 - Picked up Kat from school.

3:00 - Walked down our street, around the corner, and down that street till I ran into Baden on his bike. Ahhhh, big sigh of relief. Saw my friend, Kristy, who was doing the same thing because she knew I was terrified. We chatted and our boys decided to play over at our house.
4:00 - May May brought a friend home as well.
So poor Kitty was the only one to actually do chores. She had to put all the TP away in the bathrooms.5:00 - Off to scouts. Baden is here showing off his fine badges.
5:30 - Kitty asked if she could have a snack. I found her aproned and making her own sandwich (double fiber bread, mustard, ranch dressing, turkey, cheese).

6:00 - Back at scouts...

6:30 - Dinner. No pictures cuz it's leftovers (!).

7:30 - Finally some homework...
8:00 - Nite Nite, Kitty.

9:00 - Baden's Bedtime story. Chapter 18.

9:45 - May's reading. I'm blogging. Mr. Chinn is still working...

There's a Method to my Madness

The Chinn's had a sloooow start this morning. Which led to Baden missing the bus. Which led to me helping him get comfy on the couch and go back to sleep for a few minutes. And then a few more minutes.

Until he was late for school.

He was exceptionally tired this morning, and I just couldn't help letting him rest. And he's awfully cute when he's sleeping.

You should have seen Mr. Chinn though. His face read, "my wife is nuts." In his world, one is not late to school. School is sacred.

Mr. Chinn has an interesting motto: "If your head hurts at school, it's gonna hurt at home too, so you might as well be at school."

In my world, a morning power nap for my child [with untreated sleep apnea] makes perfect sense. Growing up, my mom-the-hippie (we had beads hanging in the doorway, no lie) would have let me sleep for hours and skip school. One time when I was in 4th grade my brother was staying home from school, for a very good reason I'm sure, so my mom let me stay home as well. This might, however, explain why grown-up Amy can't help May May with her 5th grade math. But I digress.

I'm pretty hung up on a lot of things, so I'm grateful for the part of me that is a free spirit. I don't care that Kat still sucks her thumb. If she wanted a pacifier I'd give it to her! I'm not concerned with my kids giving up their sippy cup or their special blanket. It doesn't bother me if your 3 year old wears a diaper and drinks from a bottle. I just can't get worked up over those kind of things.

I need and appreciate the balance Mr. Chinn brings to my life. I hope I help him fly. And I thank him for his tether.

xoxo

Gaining Insight

A few weeks ago I was out to lunch with a couple friends, Rebecca and Jen. Rebecca told us that she had asked her children an important question. I couldn't wait to ask my littles the same and hear what they would say. I want to keep their answers to myself, but I'll share the question:

"What is one thing I do, that tells you or makes you feel like I love you?"

Their responses were unique to each child and hearing what they had to say was special. I absolutely recommend asking your littles the same question. You'll loooove hearing their answers and feel empowered knowing how (at any given moment) to inject a little love into each of their hearts.

On the flip side of love here's a different question: May May and I were driving in the Nav when she said, "I'm so grateful that you're my mom. Ya wanna know why? Cuz [so-and-so's] mom FREAKED OUT when she got an 80 on her math test! I mean you would never get mad at me over an 80."

"Huh. So what kind of things do I get mad at??"

(Bracing myself for the answer...)

"Talking to you when you're 'done,' and not cleaning up right." ["Done" means that I've signed off for the night and it's way after the kids bedtime. I want to defend myself here, but I'll let it go.]

Later I asked Baden the same question. His answer: "When we talk back to you and when we're not looking at you and you think we're not listening, but we are."

And here's Kitty's answer: "When I tell a lie. And when I kiss Powers."

Time for reflection: Sounds like I'm staying on message with Baden and Kitty (The Kissing Bandit), but ouch, no likey May May's answers. I've got some work to do....

Thursday Three

#1) A few weeks ago Mr. Chinn and May May were invited by wonderful friends to accompany them front and center at the Mavs game. Mrs. Wonderful Friend and I were soo very envious!

#2) Baden had his school open house this week. He was suppose to show us how he could work out this math tile problem. But Mr. Chinn and I totally took over and worked it out ourselves absolutely ignoring the man cub. As soon as we finished I realized what we had done and I stood there in the middle of his second grade classroom laughing out loud at Baden's parents!
#3) Here's what BFF Melanie is up to when Heidi the Trainer isn't looking....

Wordless Wednesday

I Thought Way Too Highly of Myself

Recognize this Shirt?

The Chinn's have a cub scout! Hooray! We've had Scout Committee Meeting at our house for three years now and Young Baden has been chompin' at the bit to be involved. Every month he helps Mr. Chinn set up chairs and put out refreshments. Now that he's turned 8 the big night has arrived. We've been thrilled for Baden to start scouts! And since buying the Wolf Book, he's hardly put it down!

So I got up this morning with domestic ambitions of sewing the starter badges on Baden's new shirt. I was feeling great! After all, I have my own sewing machine - bought it 6 years ago and even made a quilt with it. A few of you have seen said quilt, so you know it's true.

I had everything ready: shirt, badges, new matching thread, machine in pretty spot by the window, 4 year old daughter waiting to see Mommy Magic -

Wah. Wah. It took me 45 minutes to dust off my old new machine, thread the machine, remember the difference between a lower foot and pressure foot, change out my needle, figure out how to lower the pressure foot, practice on paper towels, fix my thread, fix my thread again, only to wind up with thread jammed so tight it won't budge! I believe I've got to take it apart like a copy machine to search out all the strays.

Kat had long since figured out there would be no magic performed by mommy and ran off to the play room. I wish I had followed. But alas, I texted a couple girls and within 5 minutes my trusty friend and Visiting Teacher, Amy Hick, was in my house checking over the damage. Her conclusion...iron on the badges and call it a day.

After my headache subsides I'll start my new endeavor.

It can't be that hard!

xoxo

Wordless Wednesday

Thursday Three

1. In Sharing Time (think Sunday School) on Sunday I taught the kids about resurrection. At home the rest of the afternoon Kat kept throwing herself down and then springing back up saying, "I'm dead - I'm ALIIIIVVE!! I'm dead - I'm ALIIIVVE!! I'm dead - I'm ALIIIVVE!!!"

2. In February Kat went on a date with Daddy to the Father/Daughter dance.
3. I found these towels on my bathroom floor all folded and stacked up. I asked Kat why they were there. She said because she couldn't reach to put them back (in the cabinet). So I followed up with, "why were they OUT of the cabinet?? (young lady!)"

"Cuz I wuz playin' hopscotch."

Heart Melting...

On This Day...

in 1931, the United States officially adopted The Star-Spangled Banner as its national anthem.

"Where Have You Been??!!"

A few years ago my friend Mike Lohner helped form a new jewelry company called Stella & Dot. When he invited me over to see the jewelry I fell in love, scooped up some bling, and started my bid for Best Customer Ever. Fast forward to June 2008 and I'm at the Lohner's house with Marcee (Mike's wife and my friend). She spent a couple hours with me showing me her personal jewelry stash. We picked out tons of julz for me to take on a two week cruise with Mr. Chinn.

On our 13 hour flight, Mr. Chinn and I discussed the Lohner's and how happy we were to have them as friends. I appreciated Marcee for her time and friendship. I was grateful to Mike for years earlier being the first on our doorstep welcoming us to the neighborhood. He was always happy to see us and took the time to chat. Who wouldn't love them?? So by August 2008 I came to the conclusion that I should show a bit of support for their business (besides being their self proclaimed best customer in the entire United States). I hosted a trunk show. I was so nervous about asking my friends to come, that I attached the show to our monthly book club meeting. The jewelry was such a hit, the girls were thanking me for inviting them! Two friends booked shows, so I attended those and had so much fun that I wanted in! Quite a turnaround!

In November I started my own Stella & Dot business! It was a blast playing with all the jewelry and meeting a ton of new people! However, it was a lot of work. I soon realized that I would need a better reason for doing said work than buying a new hand bag and the like. So I created a stuffed animal program with Mary Graham Children's Home called Fury Friends. Each year they house about 1400 of the worst cases of child abuse, neglect, and molestation in the county. The children arrive with nothing. It completely breaks my heart to picture it.

In December we were all set to welcome two little boys into our family. Baden had purchased Christmas presents for them and we totally thought it was a done deal. Then at the last minute their foster family decided to adopt them. We were devastated. I kinda went into hiding.

A few months later I picked up my business again. It was a great distraction. I can't say I was very good at it. My dedication was half hearted. I really wanted to support my stuffed animal program though, and after awhile it helped me find my desire to do well. There were plenty of long talks with Mr. Chinn and tons of guidance from Stella. Finally in August things really started to take off. I was booking 6 - 8 shows a month, building a team, earning a glam getaway, and hobnobin' with Stella's finest! I was having a blast and still able to be around every day when my kids got home from school. I loved my increased responsibility - I was even asked to speak at meetings! Before you're too impressed, you should know that it was always about how I totally blew in the beginning and then turned things around to really rock it. EVERYONE else spoke about how they were the best at (fill in the blank) from the start and "you can be too." Me: Pitfalls to Avoid. :-/

By January 2010 I have earned $$$. With the profits from my business, I am able to provide a stuffed animal for each child as they enter the facility for the next 2 years! I hope it brings them a bit of comfort as they snuggle their little friend at night and find it waiting for them after school. I'm sure it's a sad and lonely time for those children.

Mr. Chinn and I both feel strongly for children in these circumstances and have decided to pursue our adoption again. We will be adopting a little boy, aged 4 -5 through Child Protective Services (CPS). Our family is really excited, and honestly I'm a bit nervous. This may come as a shock, but I'm not Superwoman! So I've also decided to close my Stella & Dot business. This little boy will need a whole mommy, and frankly the first three will too!

So that's my scoop. I hope you made it to the end without falling asleep!

xoxo

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?!!"