Caleb's Big Music-Making Day! Good luck, kid!

In 60 minutes, Caleb will be playing his 2 songs at Mission Viejo library for piano recital. I look back on the past grueling weeks and truly believe that it's easier for me to dissect a goat's eye than getting him to practice his 10 minutes a day.

Many moms tell me that nothing else destroys a mother-kid relationship quicker than supervising the little one's piano (or guitar, or homework) time. I've got a long way to go and much to learn, and in the meantime, I remind myself (and the kids) that in life, sometimes we may not feel like doing something, but if it's worth doing, keep going and don't give up!

After weeks of practice, he's supposedly got the songs down. But the goal is not to play these songs perfectly, but to truly enjoy making music from one's own hands and heart, and serve the Lord with the talents He gave us.

Post Scriptus ~ The recital went well, but we forgot to bring the camera and video camera! (^_*) Arughhhhh!

p.s. BTW, It's interesting that he came home from school two weeks ago and declared he wants to learn guitar. So we went to Guitar City on El Toro and bought him a new nylon stringed, Classical guitar. Normally I won't agree to it so quickly, but good thing guitars are not as expensive as other instruments, and if he enjoys it, he can play for Praise and Worship at church!

After school at Chaparral Elementary, they offer 1- hour guitar classes, so I can watch soaps while he learns something meaningful, what a great deal!



One downside to his learning guitar is that now I have to pick up my brand new (though 3-year-old), dust-collecting Yamaha Acoustic guitar in order to, once-again, supervise and help the kid with his difficult and tricky finger positions....so that's what I'm working on lately, besides watching chinese soaps, shopping, snacking and vegging out on the sofa.



A guy friend from college replied to me on Facebook and says that I should let the kid learn guitar (I was hesitating at first)! He said he found out that girls dig guys who play guitar! If he'd known he'd learn sooner too! So gals, don't be fooled!

_______________________________________________

Post scriptus: Now it's 4 weeks after he started guitar class (10/14/09), and he's practicing what he's learned so far. Guess what? It's STILL the SAME song! (^_^) lol!

Abbie's Big "4" and Daddy's Big "40"!

Abbie's Big 4! Click here for Slideshow!

Two days ago we had a gigantic Birthday Bash!! Starting from August, every day Abbie wakes up, jumps to my room and asks, "Is it my Birthday yet? I gonna be 4!"

And finally....at 7am on September 19, she jumps on my bed and asks, "Mommy, is it my birthday today? I gonna be 4?" And I can say, "YESSSSSSSSSSS! And by the way, daddy's almost 40, too! We're celebrating his big 40 with homer simpson candle and a big 4-0 candle! Hahaha.....enjoy your last few days of your 30's, baba!

We set up the party place with the help of our early arrived guests (THANK YOU ALL!), then played water balloons, egg hunt, and Pinata! The cow refused to let its goodies out and the kids had to break all of its legs to get the rice crackers (which cracked into pieces big time....not very edible......)

We finally got our lunch 45 minutes after the food was expected to arrive...because the restaurant driver's GPS took him to the other side of Ladera...and he went in the loops 15 times!

We are so blessed to have so many good friends and family! We sang the happy birthday song and friends helped us set up the cake, clean up, take pictures!




Everyone headed off to the swimming pools and water park! Abbie and I stayed and enjoyed our cake when everyone's not looking. She went back and forth between 2 plates of yummy cake slices! Thank you all for your love!

Whether we are 4, 40, or 104, today.....let us live each day to the fullest, because the 'present' is a gift from God!



This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:24)

Welcome Back, Everyone!

Whoa, where did the summer go? In June, all the mommies were anxiously counting down to the day school would be out, and chaos will follow as little ones run amuck at home and on the streets. But this week....the kids are BACK to school! All the mommies began cheering and breathing a sigh of relief. Hats off to my dear friend Erinn, who braved the cultural tides and began homeschooling her 7 year old this week! Amazing girl! This summer we enjoyed lots of homemade strawberry banana smoothies (and popsicles) and partying all summer, and suddenly....life is back on school track again!

Caleb was wide-eyed and excited to go back to school! This is the morning of First day of School! Watching PBS kids before school....hehe....

In my backyard I have 6 bell pepper plants that has NOT grown a single veggie in the 5 months I had them! Many times, I was tempted to cut them all down, but was distracted or too lazy to do so. Amazingly....this week I found not one, but TWO bell peppers growing! After the hot 100+ degree summer heat, you'd think all signs of life in our backyard would be gone!

And not only that, but next to it, the withering 'bitter melon' plant that dad-in-law gave us....ALSO showed some unexpected rewards! There it was, hanging happily on the wall without support (due to my brown-thumber's inexperience), are two big bitter melons! I guess it doesn't matter if it tastes bitter.....'cuz they are bitter melons!

These veggies taught me a big lesson this summer! So many times when I feel like giving up (on anything or anyone or me!), I have to remember that it is not I who cause anything or anyone to grow, but God does all the work. I'm a small participant to the One who creates and sustains life! Happy Almost Autumn, Everyone!

Post scriptus:It is 2 days after my blog post, and I noticed the unfathomable.....My bitter melon withered! Not only that, it yellowed! I bet it tastes really bad too....but since it's 'bitter melon', I guess it won't matter if it tastes bitter, right? Oh well, I guess I over-watered it! Maybe too much of a good thing is not good after all! (*_*)

Breaking News on our New Home (^_^)

This past week had been a Roller Coaster week! 8 days ago we bought a brand new, 3600 sq. feet Cul-de-sac, Standard Pacific Home (with view) in San Clemente, which is set to be built in November 2009! Well, the Late-Breaking news is that we will be BREAKING the contract and RETURNING the house (above) ~ ~ (^_^) ~ ~

We listed our home for the past 7 days, and enjoyed helping with our church's 5-days of Vacation Bible School. Last nite, as we were driving home, hubby and I both felt touched by the Lord to return our dream home! Yes, it's good to have a dream home, but we realized it's even more fulfilling to sow seeds and lead others to a more important Home ~ our eternal dwelling!
Our home here is a temporary place, where moths (and ants, and burglars) can destroy ~ but our Heavenly Home is somewhere we will spend our lifetime with our Father and loved ones in the Lord ~ and no one can take it away from us.

So that's where we're headed..... a new Adventure! FAITH ~ is a Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him! Thanks everyone for your prayers! So we'll just enjoy views of San Clemente from afar!
So today, we will go to the Stella Mare sales office, and apologize profusely to the sweet agent who labored over our purchase, then gingerly (and quickly) take our deposit check from their hands and run.... (^_^)


Thank you for your prayers, love, care, and encouragement! Serving the Lord brought us joy and contentment that is beyond words! We are blessed with His Grace and precious friends like you!

VBS ~ Our Most Memorable Adventure this summer!

This is the first time that I've ever attended VBS event (in my whole life)! Hubby was busy this past two months preparing, planning, and coordinating this year's week-long Summer Vacation Bible School program for our church. This Year's Theme is ~ Rome ~ Paul and the Underground Church.


It was incredible to see how God helped gather the whole church, everyone serving according to their unique talents! We had the Praise &Worship team, who led the 50 kids in singing and dancing each day!





There is also "Family Circle Time" every day, and the group gathers as leaders share about God's love for Paul and every person He loves and came to this earth to die for. This is a special time of sharing, learning about the Word, and prayer!

The drama team had Paul in prison, chained to the prison guard Brutus! It was touching to see them each day, getting to know the Lord through their daily encounter with Paul in prison, and finally witnessing Brutus accepting Jesus as his Savior too! The kids bowed and prayed along with Paul and gave their life to the Lord as well.






In the Underground Church where Christians hid and shared the gospel, the children learned about how dangerous it was for the Christians in Paul's times to believe and follow Jesus.



The kids enjoyed playing several games at VBS each day!






The Marketplace was a fun place where kids learned to make beautiful crafts. They also bought delicious food (provided by our beloved and talented mommies) from "food shops" with Roman coins and ate heartily!



Finally, on the last day of VBS, children invited parents to see presentations they've rehearsed during their adventure here!





The big finale was a festival including lots of delicious chinese food and carnival games! Thank you all for attending, helping, participating and praying!


Hubby and I learned so much in this VBS. Our kids and their friends loved this experience! Please keep praying for the kids who have come to know the Lord. (^_^) We hope to see you next year!!!!

Denver Zoo & Coors Field Rocks!

Today we decided to divide and conquer Denver, by splitting into two teams. Hubby and son went to Coors Stadium to watch the Colorado Rockies battle it out with Arizona Diamondbacks. Daughter and mommie went to the Denver Zoo, one of the 5 biggest zoos in the U.S.! The admission here is much better, just $11 for me and $6 for Abbie!

The Denver Zoo is big and beautiful, less uphill walking compared to San Diego zoo! Abbie and I watched many shows and fell in love with the zoo! We definately have to come back! During the first show, Abbie touched a skink. {Not skunk}

The peacocks boldly roamed the zoo, making "meowing" sounds.

It was really hot at first ~ so Abbie requested a big cone!

Here are some bisons....snoozing.....

Yeay! Abbie found her favorite ride ~ Merry-go-Around! Coincidentally, she adopted a baby elephant she named 'Ellie' at the end of the day!


At first she was very scared, then she had a blast feeding the Lorikeets some nectar!

Strangely, at 4pm it started to rain hard! So we ran for cover!