The Chens: 11--November Posts

November 2008

I can't believe how behind I am with posts of our family! It's February 16, 2009 today, and I'm still posting about November. Well, here goes. . .and as I often say, "it's better than nothing."

11/9/2008
I received a new church calling (assignment). I am the Ward Organist. I was playing the organ before I delivered Leiohu, but other people were playing too. I was asked to play, but was not called. Well, on November 9th, it became official. I was called and set apart to play the organ in the Oviedo Ward. Now the challenge is being sure Leiohu is fed at the right times so I can fulfill my calling.

11/12/2008
We had a minor crisis at home with Hokulani (child #3). We had some rain that day. Some rain got into the house through the sliding screen door at the back of the house, because I hadn't closed it yet. For some reason Hokulani walked by that door and slipped on the wet floor.

The first thing I saw when I went over to Hokulani was blood. Aaagh! Well, that wasn't so bad as the fact that her small toe on her left foot was sticking out incorrectly. It seemed to have popped out of place. The blood was just from scraping the inside of her toe.

I didn't know what to do with the toe that was sticking out. Jason wasn't home because he was studying at school. I also didn't want to go to the Urgent Care center because it didn't seem bad enough to have to go there. So I carried Hokulani along with the umbrella--which was difficult to do--across the street to our neighbor's house. Thankfully, one of the brothers who lives across the street was able to pull Hokulani's toe back into place. Ugh!

11/15/2008
Jason and I attended a dinner for Primary leaders and teachers. It was a lot of fun and the food was great! Even though I was released at the beginning of the month, I was still invited, because the Primary Presidency wanted to thank the teachers for all they'd done during the year.

An activity we participated in was picking a question and answering it. Sounds simple and boring, right? Well, not so. We heard some hilarious answers and got to know the other guests a little better, whether by the answers they gave or just in the way that they answered.

Jason was crazy! His question was "What is your biggest pet peeve?" Jason gave two answers and though personal, everyone was cracking up! Want to know Jason's answers? Hair in the bathroom (all over the floor in our house), and doing #2 in a public bathroom. OH MY GOSH! Jason never fails to make me laugh. He was like this when we met and he's still like this, where he says something funny and doesn't even realize it.

My question was "What is your favorite restaurant, and why?" My answer. . .Olive Garden! I love the food at Olive Garden, and I especially love the Black Tie Mousse Cake dessert. Mmm!

11/26/2008
I celebrated my 36th birthday! I can't believe it, because sometimes I don't even feel like I'm in my 30s. The children were out of school for the long weekend so our family celebrated my birthday together. We got to go SHOPPING! Whoo-hoo! Jason discovered a store called Steve & Barry's. Each of us got to buy some item(s) of clothing. Anuhea also got a pair of shoes.

For lunch we ate at my favorite restaurant. Remember what it is? Yes, Olive Garden! The food was delicious, and I was even able to eat dessert. Jason arranged for the server to put a candle in my cake. So sweet! (Jason and the dessert)

11/27/2008
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Our family celebrated Thanksgiving day at home. We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on t.v. The children enjoyed seeing all the floats.

We had a lunch feast that was delicious. Jason and I baked a turkey in a bag, which made it moist. Mmm-mmm-mmm. With the turkey we had mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. WE also had pumpking pie for dessert.

In the evening we watched the movie, The Incredibles. It was fun to watch that movie again.

Ten (10) things I am thankful for are:

my husband, Jason
my children--Anuhea, Nalani, Hokulani, and Leiohu
Heavenly Father's love for me
the time we were able to spend shopping (on my birthday)
the beautiful city of Oviedo that we live in
the opportunity I have to play the organ again
my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
living in the United States of America
warm clothes to use in cold weather
the opportunity to teach piano lessons again

Alma 34:38 ". . .live in thanksgiving daily. . ."

11/29/2008

I was invited to a chocolate party. How could I resist attending? I'm a chocoholic; I admit it. A friend from church made a variety of chocolates, and they were all delicious. I ate A LOT of chocolate, and I'm afraid I may have eaten the most of all the people who attended. We also played games and had regular food to pick on. Cool party!

11/30/2008

Leiohu's 5 months! She likes toys now and she loves shiny objects. She is creeping along on the floor, and is preparing to crawl. We love this baby!