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?!!"

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!