Our 3rd House

Praise the Lord that He has graciously given us this house. It is newer and bigger. I hope we will never out grow this one because I just don't like moving. We are in the process of remodeling the kitchen and I can't wait to see what it looks like. I had to pick out all the materials for the kitchen; From the cabinets, to the tiles, to appliances, to trims. There are so many choices and so much research. Being a financially conscious person, I want to choose products that's cheap and long lasting. Finding good products and good deals take work. And of course everything should match. Choosing all the materials was a long and gruesome process. Prior to this experience, I always thought that building a house from scratch would be fun because that way you can design everything according to your style. After just picking out the kitchen, I don't think I want a custom house. Too many choices, too much money, and too time consuming. Demo is completely and I hope everything will go smoothly.

I noticed one similarity between all our houses; they are all within one block to a public elementary school.  At 1600 142nd, we were directly in the back.  At 19146 Christensen, we were also in the back.  And now we are directly in front of Jensen Ranch.  I wonder what that means.   Hmmm........

The power of quiet time with God

Lately, after reading the book "I Do Again," I was encouraged to get up early to spend some time with God. Usually, I am not a morning person. I find that waking up at 6 am to go to work is impossible. But getting up at 6 am to do devotion is not as hard as I thought. Maybe it's because getting up early will ensure that I get Caleb to school on time. But no matter the reason, I was able to spend some time with God weekday morning. Perhaps, God used the book and Caleb's strict teacher, who expects you to come to class early, to draw my attention to Himself. And what perfect timing it is.

On a school day, I have to wake Caleb up in the morning. Today, a Sunday, Caleb woke up earlier than on weekday, even though we slept late the night before. Saturday and Sunday are my sleep-in days, so I was hoping to wake up at 8 am. Therefore, I was mad inside. I was also mad that Hebron lets Caleb play and watch TV downstairs. Now he will definitely wake up early every weekend. Since I was mad and can't sleep. I woke up and decided to do my Sunday School homework. After reading Daniel chapter 1 and meditating on it, I was no longer mad. Suddenly, the anger just vanish (with in 15 mins). Now if you know me, you know that when I am mad, I cannot get over it in 15 mins. It takes at least a few hours. Such is the power of God's word and quiet time.

Caleb's First Day at Kindergarten

Look at my BIG boy. Today is first day of Kindergarten at Chinese Christian School. I was a little disappointed because Caleb did not get into the class that I requested and he is not in the same class as his pre-school friends. I wanted the transition to school would be easy, fun, and exciting for him. But maybe God has a better plan. As you can see, he is happy and excited. I am sure God has many good plans in store for Caleb this year and I can't wait to see it. He is so cute. It was hard to let go because I fear that he will be over-looked and not get any attention because he is so quiet and shy. Only the loud and naughty kids get all the teacher's attention. And I feel like no teacher is going to treasure and value him the way he deserves. But I am reminded that God loves him so much more that I can and He will look after Caleb.



Caleb is so ready for Kindergarten and got to work right away.

Good-bye Summer 2009

As always, our summer was filled with fun packed activities. We wanted to squeeze in the last bit of fun before Caleb starts Kindergarten and the whole family will be bound to the school schedule. Our exciting summer includes:

- Oregon trip to visit Hebron's grandma and my extended family.

- Gilroy Garden trip twice. Once with the Trans and once with Whitney, Vicky, and Nina.

- CIBC VBS.

- Joshie's birthday at Pump-It-Up.

- Two Six Flag Discovery Kingdom trips. Once just by ourselves and once with my extend family from Oregon.

- Alameda county fair with the Chews and first time fireworks show for the boys.

- Multiple birthday parties.

- Disneyland for 3 days with the Trans.

- Many visits to the Zoo.

- YFC pool party.

- Carnival at the SL library.

Disneyland with Friends

We all had a blast at Disneyland. This was the boys' second time at Disneyland. Last time Joshie was too young to really enjoy it and Caleb was afraid of rides that are dark. This time Caleb and Joshie went on every ride and even on a few scary one, like the small roller coaster and the Mickey's ferris wheel. Caleb is not afraid of dark rides anymore. He especially loves the Buzz Light year ride because he likes shooting the bad guys. Toy Story Mania is another favorite. The 3D ride takes you from screen to screen so you can shoot at the various targets. The boys also love the parade because they saw Disney characters come to life. Everything was so much fun. It's especially fun because we went with friends.

Joshie did not like the Mickey's ferris wheel ride. It was swinging like the swinging boat ride. He looked scared, but then everyone started laughing really loud. He later started to laugh too. The ride was over in just 3 swings. Caleb, on the other hand, loves it. He doesn't like roller coaster because it makes his stomach feel funny. So I was really surprised he likes this ride.

The small small world ride was my favorite because it's air-conditioned.










The boys enjoyed vacationing with friends. We got adjacent hotel rooms as the Trans and there is a door joining the two rooms. The kids love going back and forth. They even had fun doing nothing in the hotel, though we didn't do that alot.

In Memory of My Beloved Grandfather

My grandfather passed away on April 13, 2009 at the age of 80. He was a believer and was baptized. I planned his funeral and used it as a way to help my family find closure and also tell them about the love of Christ. Despite my sadness, I can see God's love all around. This is the eulogy I prepared.

I don’t remember too many things about my childhood in Vietnam, but I do have a few fond memories of my first eight years of life there. I mostly remember going places with and being spoil by my grandmother, grandfather, and great grandfather. At the time, I was the only granddaughter so I was the sole recipient of all their love and attention. My family lived together with my grandparents until I was maybe 10, so I was blessed to spend a lot of time with them. One time my grandfather took me with him on his company’s outing to the beach. Since we lived far away from the beach, going there was a real treat. The night before the trip, I was so excited that I can’t sleep. I knew we had to wake up early to catch the bus and I didn’t want to over sleep, so I stayed up the whole night. I will never forget about the excitement, the anticipation, and the joy of spending time with my grandfather. He also spoiled me by buying me candy and doing whatever I wanted him to do. When I was little, I didn’t like eating and it usually took me more than an hour to finish a meal. Many times my mom would make me finish my bowl of rice before I can go play, but because I could not do it I would throw my food away in the trash and cover it up with newspaper. One time my grandfather caught me, but he did not yell at me. Instead, he told me to give him the food. Since then, he would secretly finish my dinner for me. Whenever he could, he would take me places and get me whatever I wanted because he would never say no. When I first got to the United States, he took me to Bay Fair mall and got me my first Barbie doll.

If I were to use one word to describe my grandfather, I would use the word “committed.” He was dedicated, responsible, punctual, and always put 110% in whatever he did. Once he started something, he will carry it through and continue even though it may be difficult or cumbersome. No matter where he works, he constantly received rave reviews regarding his performance. He arrived early to everything and was never late. Being punctual is something I should learn from him. During the time he was working at the YMCA, he consistently arrived at 5 am to start his 7 am shift. When I invited him to attend my church’s 11 am Cantonese service, he arrived at 10 am to wait for the service to start. Since he always arrived at church so early, I also invited him to go to the Cantonese Sunday School at 9:30 am. Well, you guessed it; he arrived at 8:30 am to wait for Sunday school to start. So eventually, he went to the 8 am service and then 9:30am Sunday school. He is even punctual in giving me allowance. At the beginning of the month, I can always count on getting some money.

I have always meant to spend more time with my grandfather, in addition to the weekly visit, so he would have more opportunities to interact with my boys. However, between raising the boys, working, and going to school, I did not have much time, so I kept putting it off. Thinking that he would always be available, but now he is gone. I have learned not to use busyness as a reason to put off spending time with people. I know there are many things I have to change about myself in order to be a better wife, mother, and daughter, but I have also been putting that off. My grandfather’s death is a good reminder that life is fleeting, so therefore we should act with urgency. The Bible said in James 4:14, “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”

So now is the time to change ourselves and be a better student, employee, or friend
Now is the time to work on the marriage or the relationships in our lives.
Now is the time to forgive those who have wronged us.
Now is the time to start over.
Now is the time to choose Christ.

If we work hard to acquire all the wealth in the world but do not choose Christ, we would find life to be lacking and empty. That is because only God alone can satisfy that emptiness. He created us to have a desire for an intimate relationship with Him. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to earth to experience life as human and to die for our sins. Therefore, by believing in Christ, our sins are forgiven and thus allow us to have personal relationship with our Creator. Christ is the only God who conquered death, rose again on the third day, and now is in heaven. He has the power to perform miracles, fill the emptiness in our hearts, and give our lives meaning and purpose.
My grandfather went with me to church for a couple years and Tom Ho is one of the people who has spent some time talking to him about receiving Christ as his personal Savior. Therefore, I fully believe that grandfather is in heaven right now, a place where there is no more sorrow or pain, standing in the presence of God.

Have you been putting off opportunities to know Christ? Or have you been neglecting relationships in your life? What have you been putting off? Don’t delay, the time is now.

Potty Training (Feb 09)

Joshie was relatively easy to train. I was going to train him in the summer when I have more time, but he seemed ready. I started training #2 first because he usually go 3 - 4 times a day and it's pretty predictable. I would put him on the potty right after a meal. After catching him in action and rushing him to the potty a couple of time, he got the idea. He was super motivated because each success earned him his favorite gummy bears. A few weeks later, out of the blue he started to tell me that he wanted to go pee-pee. So I took him to the toilet and he actually went and he stayed dry that whole first day. After that day, he was basically trained. Since then, he only had two accidents. Wow, I am soo releaved that potty training Joshie was so easy. I didn't expect it because Caleb took awhile.

Snow trip #2

Since the boys enjoyed our first snow trip so much, we decided to go again. This time we went to Tahoe with the Lais. Caleb is still scare to sled on a steep hill, but he will do small tiny hills by himself. Joshie didn't like walking in the snow at this place because it was so soft that he sank down. Nonetheless, we had a good time. Doesn't Caleb look like a baby in this picture?

Caleb's 5th Birthday

Caleb requested to have his birthday at a children's museum because we have been visiting the various children museums in our area. We celebrated Caleb's 5th birthday at Habitot in Berkeley. Caleb had a great time at all the different stations. He usually likes to stay by my side or wants Hebron to follow him at a party, but this time he just went everywhere by himself and played with friends. Joshie also roamed by himself and made new friends with other kids.
In the previous years, it seemed like Caleb have more fun at other people's party than at his own.
It took alot of effort to plan the party because I am in the midst of busy season at work and school, but it's all worth it to see the boys having fun and enjoying themselves.

Super Why!

Lately, the boys love to watch a PBS show called "Super Why!" It's a fun show that uses story books to help kids solve problem and learn to read. When someone in the story have a problem, then all the "Super Reader" go to their rescue.

To turn into super heros, the characters put all their hands together and say...

"Super reader...










to the rescue!"

Caleb can READ!

Bansoon at Hebron's church in Oxnard gave us a set of Bob books. It's easy books for beginning reader. Last night Caleb can read three of the books in the first set. He didn't read it by memorizing it. He read it by sounding out the sound of each letters in words that he didn't know. I am so proud of him. Since we are sending him to private school, I was afraid that he would struggle academically. But it seems like he is on track.

This is what he read:
Dot has a hat.
Dot has a cat.
The cat has a hat.
Dot has a dog.
Dog has a hat.
Dog has a rag hat.
Sad dog. Sad Dot. Sad cat.
Dog has on a rag hat.

Let's Party

Hebron and I feel like such wild people because we have been partying two days in a row. On January 2nd, Stanley and Chrissy, our church friends, invited us over to their house for dessert and MJ (Ma Jong). We went over with the boys at 7:30 pm and played MJ untill 10:30pm. We got home at 11 pm. We have never done that before with our boys. In fact, Hebron and I do not go out past 9 pm anymore, except to companies' holiday party. We felt so wild and fun to stay out late. On Jan 3rd, we invited the worship team over for dinner and board games. After dinner a group played Monopoly and another group played MJ. We hung out with people untill 12 am and didn't head to bed untill 1 am. Wow, two wild nights in a row. It was kinda fun to hang out with people and play games. We miss doing wild things like that and hanging out with friends. I guess kids, work, serving, and school kept us busy and prevented us from partying. It was nice to have some wild partying fun.

Tears in my eyes

My friend, Melissa, gave Caleb and Joshie a few gifts yesterday. One of the gift was a set of four books about Christmas. They were all similar and we already had one of it. So I asked Caleb and Joshie to each choose one and save the other one to give away to other children through Operation Christmas Child. My goal was not to take away their things, but to help them realized that they are blessed with many things and they should share it with others. Well, of course no kid wants to give away their things. And since Caleb loves books, he doesn't want to part with any. He cried and said that he likes all of them. So I explained to him that he has a lot of toys and books while other children do not. I told him he can read them all and choose which one to keep, but he still didn't want to give one away. Well, I thought maybe we can try this lesson another year. Maybe when he is older he will understand that not everyone is as blessed as he is. So I went about my morning routine and brushed my teeth. Caleb came into the bathroom with one of the four new books he got and said, "Mommy, I want to send this one away." When I heard that, literally, my eyes where filled with tears. I am so proud of him. I want my children to grow up to be a giving person and to give generously what Christ have so richly blessed us with.