What happened in 1935?

• Fibber McGee and Molly debuted

• Babe Ruth hit his 714th home run -- a record that stood for 39 years

• Social Security was created

• Parker Brothers released the game Monopoly

• J.W.T. was born -- Happy 73rd Birthday Dad!

Friends

This weekend has been filled with friends. One event in particular was the wedding of my friend Kim's son. It's interesting how this week has been filled with thoughts of her. Earlier in the week I was sitting in the dentist's chair and a song came on the radio that took me back to a time when she and I were as close as two friends can ever be. Kim and I have been friends since the 4th grade. We lived down the street from each other then and we were inseparable. Since then we've lived far away sometimes and close together at other times. But we've always had the kind of friendship that no matter how long it has been since we've seen each other, it always feels like it was just yesterday. There were times in my life when I didn't deserve her friendship but it was always there. It has been a constant in my life for many years. One of my hopes and prayers for my girls is that they would have a "Kim" in their life. Someone who is their friend always -- no matter what. If they do, they will be truly blessed.

Dragon Boats and Birthday Parties

We've had a full weekend (and it's not finished yet) of birthday parties, dragon boat rides, more birthday parties, weddings and still more birthday parties. The dragon boats were an activity with our local FCC (Families with Children from China) group. It was fun to meet some new people, see some old friends and step out of our comfort zone a little. Our group needs a LOT of practice in the art of rowing but it was great fun maneuvering those big boats down the river. It was really hot and hard work but I think the girls got a kick out of it.

Trip to KC

A couple of weeks ago the girls and I spent the weekend in KC with Emily and Sergio. It was a wonderful weekend of relaxing, watching the Olympics, eating great food, riding the bus, site seeing and just all around fun. We miss them being close and it was nice to have some time all to ourselves. When I look at these pictures I smile remembering the laughter. And I cry remembering how comfortable the girls were with them. Watching Ling reach out and take Sergio's hand did this mother's heart good. It couldn't have been more perfect! Thanks E&S.

Minli-isms

Minli has had quite the way with words lately. The other day we were in the car and Ling and I were talking about the fact that my sister was quite the gymnast when she was a young girl. Ling asked me if there was anything I did when I was young that my sister didn't do. I told her that I had taken piano lessons and that Amber hadn't. Then she said "that is so cool because I take piano AND gymnastics so I can be good at both things." With a moments hesitation Minli says "what am I, chopped wiver (liver)?"

The next day on the way to school I asked Minli if it would be okay if I just drove up and dropped her off to walk up to the door. Her response was "I'm really not comfortable with that." Remember she's 4!!

Tonight she brought me a book of "God's Promises" and said "here mom this is a book about toast (lactose) intolerance."

She's a trip, that girl is!