The Little Engine that Could

I was driving home yesterday in H's old Honda and it stopped three times as I climbed up the steap hill to our house.  It stopped the first time at the first possible left on the long hill.  I thought, "Oh no, is this car breaking down?  We can't get another car."  I then looked at the gas tank and it was empty.  So I turned off the engine and turned it back on hoping that it will go just a little further up.  And it did.  I shifted to second gear hoping it would have enough power to take me up the hill to the traffic light.  It huffed and it puffed and it went up a little more and stopped.  I restarted the engine a few more time and it finally made it up the hill.  It felt like I was in the story the Little Engine that Could.  I was able to turn left at the traffic light and made it to Carson lane.  Then the car completely stopped and can't move even an inch.  It stopped right at the entrance to the short cut that leads to our house.  What a blessing it was that the car made it and I didn't have to walk up the hill.  I only have God to thank for that.

So why did I let the gas tank go to empty?  First, the annoying empty indicator light is broken and it didn't come on.  There are many other reasons, but most of all it's been a busy week.  We are hosting a couple of students from China.  So ever since last Friday I have been running around buying food and other things in preparation for their arrival.  I made sure the fridge is stocked and have enough food to make them different varieties of breakfast and dinner everyday.  H and I have to coordinate who is picking up our kids and the students.  On top of that, H and I switched cars and I usually gas up my car on Wednesday.  Gas station was not on my schedule for Monday and Tuesday.  PTL that the car is not broken.

Already 7 Months?

K has been with us for 7 months already.  It's a short time, even though it felt like she's been with us since birth.  In 7 short months, she adjusted so well that people and doctor can't tell that she spent 10 months in another country, speaking another language.  Like all babies at this age, she has to learn how to communicate with her parents.  On top of that, she has to adopt a new language while she learning to decode what adults are saying.  I have to say she is doing extremely well.  The Pediatrician only expects an 18 month old baby to say three words in the language she was born into.  K is not even 18 months and she is able to say 9 words in two languages, both of which are not what she was born hearing.  So she is developing really well.  PTL for that!  In English, she can say: hi, bye, more, Mommy, and Daddy.  In Cantonese, she can say: hye (shoes), bie (to put), Mama, nie nie (milk), and bay (nose). 

K is a smart girl.  She can understands a lot of things and can figure things out from context.  One time she got into the cabinet and took out the cover to my thermos and played with it.  She hid it amongst the kitchen toys.  I had no idea what she did to it.  I saw that the cover is missing and while holding the thermos, I asked her in Cantonese where is the cover?  She immediately turned around, headed straight to her kitchen toys, found the cover, and brought it back to me.  I don't think she understood every word I said, but she was able to do what I asked her to.  Amazing!  I think most babies wouldn't remember where they put an item, let alone understand what I asked.   She also picks up things we say rather quickly.  Whenever I head to the laundry room or pick up my purse, she will quickly follow me and make sure that I get her shoes for her.  She loves going out so much that whenever I say any of these phases to the boys, she will be the first to head over to the laundry room to put on her shoes: It's time to go, let's go, or put on your shoes.  She is also doing well with the nanny.  She no longer cries hysterically when I leave for work.

No Training Wheels!

Today, I went to Val Vista park in Pleasanton to teach C how to ride a bike with no training wheels. We got these $10 pads for him that protected his hands, elbows, and knees, and I assured him that with these awesome pads, it will not hurt when he falls. And off we went! Here is a video of him after about an hour of learning. Not bad at all! He still has some trouble starting up, and rounding corners can be a bit tricky at times, but overall, he's doing great! We're so proud of him that we gave him 10 Pokemon cards as a reward. His bike actually looks small for him. He needs an 18" bike. If you have one that we can have or buy from, let us know. I will work on teaching the the second born another day. Teaching two in one day is too much.

Where is the bow?

I am soooooo excited to be able to officially drive my new Sienna van.  We got it a couple weeks back and have been waiting for the license plate to arrive.  Both our cars are made in the same year and are really old.  We are afraid that they may break down in the future and we won't have enough money to get another car. After the adoption, we don't have any more cash to get a used car.  So we have been waiting for the opportunity to get another car with 0% financing.  The opportunity arrives to get this car when Toyota offers 0 down and 0% financing.  Toyota often have this deal for their sudans, but not often for vans.  At the same time, H (Hbrn) got a promotion at work.  God's timing is perfect and He provided us with my very FIRST new car.  H did his homework and got a great deal.  So good that only a few dealers are willing to give us that price.  Since I haven't had a new car before, I am kinda afraid to drive it.  I am being very careful with it and not take it to the bad side of town or drive it too much.  The boys love it, especially all the push botton features.  H loves it for the blue tooth feature that can play the music from your iPhone and allows you to answer the phone using buttons on the wheel.  I love it for the space and automatic sliding doors.

I've always imagined that when H gets me a new car, it'll come with a giant bow on top like in the commercials.  H even asked the dealer where to get one.  Unfortunately, you can't get one.  Well, we have a tiny bow instead.  We are truly blessed and thankful for God's provision. 

Remember the commercial?  "I love what you do for me, TOYOTA!"