Happy Chinese New Year!

Dumplings

Sesame Chicken

Garrett and I love Chinese food, so we didn't want to pass up the opportunity to make a special meal for the holiday! Usually we make sushi and fried rice (Garrett makes the BEST fried rice!) but this year we tried something a little different - Pork & Ginger Pot Stickers (dumplings) and Sesame Chicken and rice. We also made some steamed Chinese vegetables, but they were steaming when Garrett took the pictures. The Pot Stickers were GREAT! I was a little bit nervous making them, because I had to fry them with oil a little bit at first (I now try to avoid hot oil as much as possible) but it ended up being just fine. The Sesame Chicken wasn't as good... Garrett didn't particularly like the spiciness, and I wasn't a fan of the 5-Spice Chinese Seasoning that was in it (I didn't realize it had anise in it until after I put it in... Anise is a licorice-tasting spice, and I don't like licorice). But other than that, everything was great and we had fun making dinner together - it brought me back to the dating days! Ooh, and I got fortune cookies at the store for dessert, but I forgot to serve them! Oh well, we'll still eat them another time. I also forgot to have Garrett speak Chinese for me! Anyway, I really enjoy having Garrett help me in the kitchen, especially with the cleanup!

So, Happy Chinese New Year! It's the year of the rat, which must be some sort of good luck for me, since I was born in the year of the rat.Half of this symbol means "happiness". This symbol is "double happiness", which frequently represents marriage. :)

Big Girl

We finally got a "high chair" for Abby so she can sit and eat on her own. I don't really like classic high chairs - they're big, take up lots of space, and are expensive! So I found this seat on Amazon and it's exactly what I wanted - she can sit at the table with us, it's very portable, it doesn't take up floor space, and it doesn't take up a chair like booster seats do. And, it was the fraction of the cost of a high chair! I love it and I think she does, too!

Play Time

Last Saturday afternoon we had our first Block Party at the park. It was the first time we got to meet a bunch of our neighbors, and it was really fun (most people around the neighborhood keep to themselves, but it turns out they are all very friendly!). We're planning to have a big neighborhood yard sale sometime in March. There is also a woman who is going to help me plan a garden! I'm so excited for fresh vegetables. I should probably start it soon, because the weather is starting to be perfect (it's going to be 75 degrees today).

Temper

I can't believe how fast Abby is growing up - it makes me sad! She's not a little baby anymore. Last night one of our friends commented that she is starting to look like a little girl instead of a baby. I am sad that she is growing up so fast, but I also feel blessed that I have been able to really enjoy every stage so far. So many times I hear people say that they "can't wait until the kids are crawling", then "can't wait until they are walking", then "talking", then "eating real food", and "in school". I am enjoying every stage of Abby, and I'm even a little sad when she graduates from her previous stage into a new accomplishment. Kinda makes me want another baby...

Anyway, Abby is also picking up on lots of things. The other day she crawled up to me in the kitchen and started to reach for the stove door, which was warm because I was baking something. I said "no" and gave the top of her hand a little slap. She looked at me, furrowed her brows, and slapped my hand right back. Quite the temper, it seems.

Continuing the Chain

I loved President Hinckley's funeral today. It was so touching, and I loved hearing the personal stories of the people he was close to. I was reminded again just how much I love President Hinckley and how much I will miss him.

One thing that really made me reflect was when his daughter Virginia shared some thoughts on her father. Quoting him, she said that he realized "the tremendous obligation that was mine to pass on all that I had received as an inheritance from my forbears to the generations who have now come after me." I think about this idea a lot, especially when I'm working on my family history. I have wonderful ancestors and I love learning all that I can about them. I feel honored to be a descendant of such great people, on both my parents' sides. But sometimes, it feels like a lot of pressure. I come from a long line of valiant people, but what am I? How tragic it would be if I decided to quit, and break the strong family chain that has been building and growing.

On the other hand, it reminds me of how lucky I am to be a part of this chain. I look forward to passing on my wisdom and faithfulness to my children, so that they can continue our family legacy. If I stay faithful to the Gospel and what I have been taught, I have such a wonderful opportunity to impact generations of people, just like President Hinckley and his wife have done in their own family. It's such a huge responsibility, which is scary sometimes, but I know that Garrett and I are up for the challenge, especially with such good examples within our families that we can follow.

Rabbits!

We have a tradition in my family that it's good luck to say "rabbits" on the first day of a new month before we said anything else that morning. I'm not sure if it's only good luck if you're the first person to say it, or if you should say it at midnight, or if you should just say it when you first wake up. I think we all have our own interpretations. I'll have to ask my Grandma S*, since I'm pretty sure she's the one who passed the tradition on to us. Anyway, Molly usually wins - she calls my mom at midnight and says it every month. Garrett's also pretty good at remembering - he said it last night as soon as the clock showed 12.

Did you remember to say "rabbits"?

Knock on Wood

I hope no one listened to my Google advice last week and went out and bought any shares. My apologies, if you did. Anyway, for what it's worth, now might be a good time to buy. (?) Clearly I know nothing about stocks and the market. But I'll always regret not buying in at $100.