Linda and Van (Ring Ceremony)
Sean Paul Van (Thanksgiving)
Thao-Vi, Sean, Paul, and Christian. 
Sean and Van
Joshua, Adrian, Tanner, Katelyn. 
Vuong w/ the kids... look at baby Leah
Funny Faces
All Smiles (Thanksgiving weekend)
Rewind 5 years back Christmas. LOL. I never had a copy of this picture until now. I LOVE you guys!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Pictures
Thursday, December 7, 2006
The Giving Trees
I was a single parent of four small children, working at a minimum-wage job. Money was always tight, but we had a roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our backs, and if not a lot, always enough. My kids told me that in those days they didn't know we were poor. They just thought Mom was cheap. I've always been glad about that.
It was Christmas time, and although there wasn't' money for a lot of gifts, we planned to celebrate with church and family, parties and friends, drives downtown to see the Christmas lights, special dinners, and by decorating our home.
But the big excitement for the kids was the fun of Christmas shopping at the mall. They talked and planned for weeks ahead of time, asking each other and their grandparents what they wanted for Christmas. I dreaded it. I had saved $120 for presents to be shared by all five of us.
The big day arrived and we started out early. I gave each of the four kids a twenty dollar bill and reminded them to look for gifts about four dollars each. Then everyone scattered. We had two hours to shop; then we would meet back at the "Santa's workshop" display.
Back in the car driving home, everyone was in high Christmas spirits, laughing and teasing each other with hints and clues about what they had bought. My younger daughter, Ginger, who was about eight years old, was unusually quiet. I noted she had only one small, flat bag with her after her shopping spree. I could see enough through the plastic bag to tell that she had bought candy bars - fifty-cent candy bars! I was so angry. What did you do with that twenty dollar bill I gave you? I wanted to yell at her, but I didn't say anything until we got home. I called her into my bedroom and closed the door, ready to be angry again when I asked her what she had done with the money. This is what she told me:
"I was looking around, thinking of what to buy, and I stopped to read the little cards on one of the Salvation Army's 'Giving Trees.' One of the cards was for a little girl, four years old, and all she wanted for Christmas was a doll with clothes and a hairbrush. So I took the card off the tree and bought the doll and hairbrush for her and took it to the Salvation Army booth.
"I only had enough money left to buy candy bars for us," Ginger continued. "But we have so much and she doesn't have anything."
I never felt so rich as I did that day.
By Kathleen Dixon,
A 5th Portion of Chicken Soup for the Soul
It was Christmas time, and although there wasn't' money for a lot of gifts, we planned to celebrate with church and family, parties and friends, drives downtown to see the Christmas lights, special dinners, and by decorating our home.
But the big excitement for the kids was the fun of Christmas shopping at the mall. They talked and planned for weeks ahead of time, asking each other and their grandparents what they wanted for Christmas. I dreaded it. I had saved $120 for presents to be shared by all five of us.
The big day arrived and we started out early. I gave each of the four kids a twenty dollar bill and reminded them to look for gifts about four dollars each. Then everyone scattered. We had two hours to shop; then we would meet back at the "Santa's workshop" display.
Back in the car driving home, everyone was in high Christmas spirits, laughing and teasing each other with hints and clues about what they had bought. My younger daughter, Ginger, who was about eight years old, was unusually quiet. I noted she had only one small, flat bag with her after her shopping spree. I could see enough through the plastic bag to tell that she had bought candy bars - fifty-cent candy bars! I was so angry. What did you do with that twenty dollar bill I gave you? I wanted to yell at her, but I didn't say anything until we got home. I called her into my bedroom and closed the door, ready to be angry again when I asked her what she had done with the money. This is what she told me:
"I was looking around, thinking of what to buy, and I stopped to read the little cards on one of the Salvation Army's 'Giving Trees.' One of the cards was for a little girl, four years old, and all she wanted for Christmas was a doll with clothes and a hairbrush. So I took the card off the tree and bought the doll and hairbrush for her and took it to the Salvation Army booth.
"I only had enough money left to buy candy bars for us," Ginger continued. "But we have so much and she doesn't have anything."
I never felt so rich as I did that day.
By Kathleen Dixon,
A 5th Portion of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Wow, I have a LiveJournal?
I remember when I first started this LJ. I have only one frined Mrurkel. After all these years, i racked three more. Wow! What do you gotta do to have a whole list of friends?! It's okay... I have a full list of four people. LOL! On Myspace, you can have 100 friends in an instant. but more than half of them are random people. I changed my layout. Just because I'm Bored. Finals are OVER! Good gracious, school is getting tough. . But I'll be fine. Seriously thinking about changing my major. I'm just not cut out to be a dentist. I'm changing it from Pre-Dental to Pre-Dental hygiene. It's not so different. At least I can work in a Dental office. Who knows what i will become later in life. I just want to be happy. Although failing at becoming a Dentist sure does sucks. But at least I know i tried. I'm just not good enough. Other than that. I'm Fine. I love my life anyway cause I'm still Happy. One negative thing won't bring my spirits down.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Final Fever
About three more weeks to go until the end of the semester. It's been a little stressful with all these science courses. Next semester is going to be another doozy. I have even more sciences. =( I'm scared! I'm going to take the DAT soon too, next Fall, so I'll be studying all Summer. =( This is alot of schooling man. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Just a random post to fill in the November 06'. I want to make one post each month. It's getting cold! Happy Thanksgiving! Christmas is coming. I somewhat have a list this year. But it's mostly whatever I see at the store and tell people to get it for me. They're not extremely expensive. Just knicknacks here and there for pure pleasure and liesure. I like christmas time. Giving feels good. Even if i'm broke. Not working sure does sucks, But i feel good in school. So, School is Cool! Here we go Final Exams. Wish me Luck.
