I didn't realize how fast this year has gone. I can't believe that after the selling of our CA home, the buying of the PA home, the Actual Move here, the Unpacking, the Picking up of Puppy.....6 months has passed and I'm staring at my BIG 40 in the face! Thankfully, when I'm with my loved ones (friends, family, college buddies), I don't feel a day older than when I stepped onto the beautiful campus of UCSD as a sprouting, innocent, excited freshman in 1992!
Who can resist these pleading eyes? No pup, no cake for you!
My buddy Julie from college and my Cerritos high acquaintance George (both were married in 2010 to each other!) came with their sweet little girl to celebrate my big day early! We had lots of fun hanging out and enjoying the dinner and sleepover. Frosty loved having company over and we chatted and had delicious meals and yummy Strawberry cake from Coldstone Ice Cream place!
Cake was Melting! I forgot to make a wish and just BLEW it all out!
No matter how old I get, I'll relish and cherish the special friends I've made over the years, and keep thanking the Lord for their love and support of me and my loved ones all these years! Thank you sweeties!
YUMMY!! I love this!! I ate Snow White right away!
It has been a long time since I blogged, and I am so thankful to the Lord for carrying me in His arms daily and providing me with loving friends who are supporting me as I go through the relapse of postpartum depression (ever since Super Bowl Sunday). It could be the laparascopy surgery for the ovarian cyst from Christmas that sparked the relapse, or my reducing my previous antidepressant too quickly. We're not sure what caused this sudden relapse, but I am so thankful that our Lord never leaves or forsakes us, and He will help us through whatever trials we are facing. In the meantime, I am waiting upon the Lord and taking one step at a time, one day at a time.
Amazing Cartoon Characters, Uncle George!
Church sisters were very supportive and came to walk with me, pray for me, take me out to lunch, encourage me during fellowship and Sunday worship time, and emailed me encouragements. Family members supported me as well as neighbors who encouraged me. Even my beloved friends from New York sent care cookies and homemade chocolate blueberry muffins shaped like Thor, Captain America, Incredible Hulk, Shrek, and Cinnamon sticks bread shaped like Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs!
I can't wait to open the box!
What a blessing it is to be loved by all these friends, family, and loved ones. The Lord bless you and Thank you for being by my side during this challenging time. I am so blessed!
Happy New Year 2012, Sweeties! I cannot believe that 2012 is already upon us! The last few weeks was a blur because I was preparing for the Da Vinci to pluck out the tangerines on my ovaries!
Kids passed their Yellow Belt Test!
Thankfully, with everyone's prayers and love, everything went smoothly! Besides the anesthesia which was enough to knock out an elephant, the unpleasant side effects (throwing up on hubby), and purple fist-size bruise on the belly button area, all the scars are slowly recovering!
Caleb Joins Winter NJB (National Jr. Basketball)
3 Monkeys had a GREAT Staycation!
Hubby took really good care of us during our staycation! For the 1st time, I began my 'Eat~Read~Nap~Watch TV' pamperd lifestyle and loved it! The kids loved having daddy take them to karate, Souplantation, Hugo, and many days of hiking together!
The best reward of their exploration was the discovery of a creek in the trails just 1.5 miles from our house! So though this is a very different Christmas for our family, we were very blessed, in fact more than ever!
We had 11 straight days of delicious and healthy foods from neighbors, church pals, and even college buddies from New York!
One of the many delicious meals from Loved Ones!
(^_^) By day 4 post op, I was already sweeping (slowly but surely) our living room while my 3 monkeys sat and enjoyed Trader Joe's popcorn watching TV!
Mom sweeping as 3 Monkeys ate (Mom not shown)
Though our ceiling leaked water from the bath pipes upstairs, we were blessed that they were taken care of during our staycation too!
Kitchen Ceiling Raining Water
Caleb's Wall (by bathroom) openend to fix Bath Pipe
Life's biggest blessing is truly being with your loved ones, and knowing that they care and are here for us.
Welcoming Sweet Niece Eliana! Our December Baby!
May you have a blessed and adventurous 2012! ~(^_^)~ Thank you for your Prayers, Encouragements, and Fattening me up over the holidays!
This year, because we are lazy and Back to School is always super chaotic, we told our 5.5 year old Abbie that we will not be doing a birthday party for her. It takes time to sink in, so I made sure I started telling her this months in advance. She seemed happy to be hanging out w/us for her big 6 (provided we give her lots of yummy food and little gifts from mommy and daddy).
Of course, things never go as one planned. 2 weeks ago, hubby in his happy moment, decided, "Hey, why don't we have Abbie's friends and parents come over for a surprise party? We're already going to the Awana (kids' fellowhship) training for leaders (that morning & afternoon) with them anyways! So we sent out the Evite and were thrilled almost everyone could come!
So on Saturday afternoon (we celebrated 2 days early), we took her to Sam Woo and Diho bakery to pick up tons of food and cake. She was suspicious when I walked out with a big pink box that usually only contains cake (in Diho tradition). "Why do you have a cake in there, mommy?" asked Abbie. "Umm....." replied mommy. "Ok," I fessed up, "We're celebrating your birthday in 1 hour!"
That evening, she had a blast with her girlfriends and their siblings! They made up 'cheers' which were funny, and had a good time eating the cake! The moms and dads had a great time bonding too!
Thanks everyone for coming down after an exhausting/sleepy day of training! I've never done surprise parties before and it's almost impossible to hide things from your little ones (she already discovered 'Princess and the Frog' plates and cups in the trunk).....but it was fun to try anyways (and a good mental exercise in addition to my daily juggling act)!
That night after the guests left, our usually low key and mellow 9 yr old boy (big brother) had an unexpected meltdown because of the hoopla of sister's party....so hubby and I may secretly plan a small party for him too in November. He's had a few small celebrations in the past few years, but having a Thanksgiving birthdate is tricky because people are on vacation all week!
He never whined about having a party before (a pretty good kid!) but I think it won't be a bad idea this year, since a few close friends will help him socialize more and he can enjoy his buddies' company on his big 10! Besides, daddy and I like to eat and chat w/the parents of these precious kids too! So here we go as we continue our family circus/chaos. Next year, we will definately take a year off from parties (hosting them, that is)!
It was very exciting to have our church retreat at UCSD! I remember stepping into the same Muir parking lot as a clueless freshmen 19 years ago around this time! It's wonderful for the whole church (well, 250 of them!) sleeping in the same place and eating at the same cafeteria that hubby and I ate back in 1992!
Many things changed in UCSD. For one thing, the not-so-tasty "Top of the Quad" had changed its name (twice), now it's "The Pines" (or Stewart Commons). It's VERY delicious, like restaurant grade...not dorm food when we had to eat simply for survival.
There were many new buildings added to UCSD too, and pieces of art (that looks kind of funny), but helped bring in revenue for the school as they are the "Stuart Collection" (and you can become a member to support them)! We scavenger hunted with a few familes on Saturday afternoon to the 17 different points of interests, and it was fun to reflect on the good ol' days (scary days, academically...in hubby's words). (Secret: We dated 3.5 yrs, broke up for 2 weeks on my graduation week in June 1996, then got back together again!)
The kids enjoyed living in the apartment that likened my apt (I stayed at the dorm at Muir, and apt at Warren college). Abbie expressed interest in going to UCSD, 'while Caleb says he'll go to UCI (where did he get that idea?). The food is excellent, and if the kids come here, they won't come home to eat my cooking!
We had an inspiring time, and the message recharged and challenged me. God was telling me to not fear but just obey, and share what He has done in my life, esp. during my insomnia & postpartum depression days. I surrendered and told him I am willing, if He wants to use me. 2 hours later at the 'The Pines', Eugenia (the coordinator for Elderly Fellowship at our church) pops out of nowhere and asks if I can share about my encounter with the Lord during my postpartum days.
If you ask me, I'd say God works REALLY fast and in mysterious ways! For 1.5 years I've resisted sharing (public speaking, yikes!) to a crowd of people, because it's too disorienting (and no one talks back and forth with you). But I know that I love Jesus more than my 'face', so I'm preparing now and getting ready for next Thursday's sharing. Pray for me guys!
Soph and UCSD pals (Wendy, Julie, Mark) ate at our house a few days before the retreat! Ju's hubby George
was my Cerritos high school friend! What a small world! We had a precious get together!
This retreat is one of the most powerful retreats I've gone to in a long time. I'm thankful for this opportunity to know my Heavenly Father and brothers and sisters in a new yet familiar setting! May the Lord continue to guide you all!
Dear Brother Davy, Sister Joan, and Sweet Sabrina ~
Happy Birthday, Davy (In Taiwan, where you were born ~ right now it's your birth day ^_^) ! The Lord bless you and your family richly!! May your dreams and Birthday Wish come true!
As you continue to serve the Lord, remember that He loves you with all his heart and life, and has in store for you unimaginable plans and gifts!
We had a great time at your home! Thank you for the seafood fest, and for showing us your beautiful finches, Koi fishes, fig trees and magic tricks! We love chatting with brother Philip too!
God bless you! Have a Very Happy Birthday! God bless your family!
Last Autumn (2010), our buddy Peter told the AWANA kids (Friday night church camp) and parents that we have a special guest speaker, Uncle Davy Liu, who will share about his life! We were very excited and mesmorized by the amazing life story he shared with us. As a child, he didn't do well in his studies or music, and felt like an outcast among his peers, God had a plan for him that he did not know at the time. In Jr. high, Davy and his teachers noticed that he was surprisingly skilled in drawing.
Caleb at Uncle Davy's workshop ~ Go Uncle Davy!
After being chosen as 1 of the 8 (out of tens of thousands of candidates) to be a Disney Animator at only 19 years of age, he excelled at his animation drawings (such as Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Aladdin, Lion King, and Atlantis)! But after 10 years, sensing a bigger purpose, he gave up his lucrative income & career to start Kendufilms, a faith-based film industry making (magnificient & breathtaking ~ in my opinion) animated biblical movies, for God's glory.
Caleb poses for his caricature by Uncle Davy!
After sharing and book signing that night, I prayed for him and his family. He has a big vision, and it takes thousands to pray and support his ministry. I emailed him letting him know that I can help him edit, translate, whatever, if he ever needed the help. And he replied. So we began emailing articles back and forth, translation, editing, any work that needed polishing.
Caleb the Baseball player ~ and daddy Mark in the back!
On the Sunday before Valentine's, we were invited to his home for hot pot. We met his lovely wife Joan, 14 year old daughter Sabrina, big brother Phillip (from Taiwan), and Mary & Helen who help out Davy in his ministry!
Abbie the Mermaid & her friend Flounder!
The kids were super excited when Uncle Davy told them to visit his workshop, and began drawing caricatures of each of them!
The kids loved playing with Davy. He was not only a kind, patient, gentle artist, but he was also a funny and skilled magician too!
Davy's encouraging gift ~ His hand-drawn calendar! Let's keep serving Him, brother!
We will continue to pray for his family and ministry, and support him in any way we can. God is in control, and we just need to trust, love, and serve Him, one fine day at a time. Later that week, I was asked to join the team as public relations, translation, and editing gal.
When I graduated from college, I was doing 'drug work'....so, from Pharmaceutical, to Parenting (9.5 years ago at the moment of baby Caleb's arrival), and now to Publicity, my life has turned a new leaf. I needed a Giant Leaf of Faith, and I pray that God can help me take that big step of change and transition. Change is always difficult, but I am very excited to be in this ministry of sharing Christ with the world. A few days ago I had heart palpitations all day and night....Perhaps it is unconsious stress, but I realized that I needed to let Go and let God take the rein. This is His ministry, and He loves every person in this world more than I can ever love them, and I only need to do my part.
Though it is formidable, and the future is unknown, but I know that God is soverign, in control, and will take care of everything. By your prayers, we can move the hand of God, and trust that He will bring those who do not yet know Him ~ to Himself. Thank you for faithfully following and praying for me all these years. The Lord bless you as you live each day for His glory as well!
We're waiting for you, to join us ain Gladiator Run 2011!
Today is a super special day!Hubby and 8 friends (4 coworkers, 4 church buddies) have been training for this special "Wipe Out" event for several months! Even our dentist buddy Tommy had taken this day off, in order to slush around in the mud!
Uncle Edison is truly on "Survivor" mode!
It was super cold and overcast this morning, and even drizzled too! The "Incredible 9's" made their way through the 12 obstacle 5K course, in mud, waters, walls and fire, so that we can bring to you this daredevil adventure, LIVE, from Irvine, CA!
Hubby's hiking (or wine-meat) friends ~ Coworkers at Alcon!
Edison, tommy, hubby Mark, James and Victor! Smiling proudly before race...haha....wait boys, you will suffer!
It was worth the long weeks of waiting, the waking up on a freezing cold morning, the paparrazi-like pursuit to capture our hubbies in action ~ and finally being able to witness our hubbies transform into mud monsters before our eyes!
Mud Men Crew 2010! Victor is still struggling 'while the boys take their celebratory picture.
Mr. Victor makes it to the finish line!
Below are the events in chronological order...so without further ado, I shall let you witness the exciting events for yourselves! (^_^)
We had lots of fun watching the videos of our men falling and sliding, flying through fire, and swimming across muddy trenches ! Thanks Victor and Carol for your hospitality! (^_^) What a memorable day!
Our life on this earth likens this obstacle course.... Sometimes it is smooth and easy, but many times it is filled with unexpected obstacles, muddy situations, and fiery trials. It is a blessing to have friends who love us at all times, and wonderful brothers (by birth or through Christ) who walk/run/stand with us during challenging times! Proverbs 17:17 ~ soph's paraphrase (^_^).
The Lord bless you richly, my fellow siblings and teammates, as we run this life's unpredictable & exciting course together! One day we will be arrive at the finish line, and even if we become muddy and slimy, Jesus will be there with outstreched hands, ready to hug us and bring us to the Heavenly home He custom made for us!
We enjoyed our first (and only) vacation this summer!
Because hubby was busy with work and VBS this year (and I started fishkeeping hobby), we have postponed our family trip until late August!
Hiking somewhere in Yosemite trails...
It was a very memorable trip, as we camped with 4 other families from young parents' fellowship at our church. There are actually 10 families total, but they abandoned us to live in Curry Village, a place that is cozy and actually has bathrooms in the rooms! We first went to Fresno and visited the Underground Garden, in which a guy dug a huge garden resort for 40 years (boy, he is either too bored or very determined)!
Everyone tries to figure out if this tree is really that special....
He also grafted 5 fruits (or 7?) onto one tree, which was kind of cool. And made several rooms in the tunnel with no machinery!
The next day we went to Yosemite and saw the breathtaking Glacier point. This is a very high and beautiful spot in Yosemite, which overlooks (1 mile below) our campground!
We stayed at housekeeping camp which is like a little boot camp with 3 tent-like walls and 1 canvas-material floppy door.
Very dusty here, just like biblical days! We kept washing our feet!
Squirrels ran in and out of our tent and hid under our beds too! Our tents were located right beside the beautiful (and freezing cold) river!
Abbie standing in cold river with baby ducks
The kids had a wonderful camp experience and even saw a deer (well, not us but our neighbor's kids) and bear footprints the next day too!
We enjoyed the super gourmet korean rib, stirfried veggies, and soup prepared by chef Peter and friends (all dads)! Moms sat nearby chatting, helping out a bit (except me, oops!), and watching the kids.
We all prayed before enjoying our delicious dinner!
IT was a great camping experience but we had to change 2-3 outfits a day 'cuz of the excessive dust everywhere (and always on our feet)!
Abbie grew closer to daddy because he took her river-crossing!
The kids loved making S'mores using the campfire, and we ate yummy asian sweet pork jerky from Uncle Tommy (who bought it at Costco)! New item!
Rafting in the river by our campground
We also visited Bridal veil waterfall and everyone enjoyed climbing the rocks to reach the top of the waterfall!
We really enjoyed our first time camping with so many friends....I felt like this was college days again (the last time hubby and I camped)! Seeing nature helped remind me that God created the majestic nature, the trees, animals and waterfalls...and there is nothing He cannot do!
I also came to appreciate the things I take for granted....like going to the restroom in my bedroom, dust-free home (verses every 5 minute dust storm), being able to leave food out on the table instead of obsessive-compulsively putting everything in bear box every 7 minutes! One squirrel ran away with our fruit & nut bar after raiding our bear box! Another one tried to get into our trash bag!
The biggest challenge in this camp experience (according to hubby and me)....was definately the midnight (and 3am) walks to the restroom 5-20 minutes away! In the daytime, it is 5 minutes. At 1am (to 5am), it is 20 minutes! Because at night, the sky is pitch dark and you cannot see your own fingers!
So even with flashlights, we were like victims of the movie "Blair Witch Project" and hubby held my hands and we walked forever.... Our marriage was in jeopardy because of his navigation error, 2 nights in a row! But he said it was his most memorable moment of this trip, holding my hand and being lost in a forest ~(^_*)~ on my birthday too!
Thank you, everyone, for the teamwork and for the fantastic trip! Next year, let's go to Yellowstone!
