Crazy August 2010

I don't know how it happened, but my August schedule are filled with stuff.  We are out of town three out of four weekends.  On top of it all, I am taking two classes this semester instead of one.  To add to the stress, my group in the marketing class didn't do much work.  Therefore, I had to put together the marketing plan in the mist of issues at work and my crazy August schedule.  To show how crazy it is, I have to document all the things that was on my schedule.

July 30 - Final draft of Marketing plan due
Aug 5 - 8 - in SD for Caleb and Annie's wedding in which the boys were ring bearers
               - prepare power point & study while on vacation
Aug 9 - Marketing plan presentation
Aug 13 - 15 - First family camping trip to Point Reyes
Aug 15 - Marketing final exam
Aug 17 - The referral of mui-mui
Aug 19 - Finance final exam
Aug 20 - 26 - MEXICO VACATION

In between the trips, I had to unpack, pack, and study.  It's CRAZY!!!!!!!!  But I am almost done with it.  I really appreciate prayers from my prayer group and Hebron, who did most of the packing and unpacking.  I can really see God's guidance and protection this month.  I can't see how I can possibly survive August 2010, it's only by God's strength and grace that I made it this far.  Only one exam left to go and I can be swimming in Mexico.

"The Call"

Ever since we submitted our adoption application in March 2009, we have been waiting for "the call" from the adoption agency to refer to us our 3rd child.  From email updates we know not to expect that call any time soon.  But yesterday, we got "the call."  We indicated that we would consider a child with minor medical condition, so the refer was a 2 yr old with Syphillis, a sexually transmitted disease she was born with.  We were excited, but was not sure whether or not Syphillis is serious.  After conversing with a doctor friend, we made a very hard decision to decline.  Our friend said that if caught early, Syphillis can't do much damage.  But in her case, it was caught later.  He thinks that it may have caused developmental problems and since she still have traces of it that it may be contagious. 

I know we made the right decision for our family.  Knowing my limitations and my tendendy to worry, this is wise.  But emotionally, it was hard to turn away a child.  I pray that God will lead her to a loving home.   I can totally see myself loving her too.  I was so close to having a child, but yet it's so far away.  I wish to have our 3rd child soon, the wait is so hard.  Trusting in God's promises and following His lead is not easy, especially when there are other ways to get what I want.  Of course, I can easily have my own baby, but if I did that I would not be obedient to what He has called me and I would not be trusting in His provision.  It's so hard to continue down the path He is leading us when I don't know what the future holds and when I feel like we are alone (I mean beside God, no one is walking that path).  Like all the things He has called me to, I just have push on and hold tight to His calling.  I love chinese praise song.  A song from Stream of Praise says something like, "I lay down my life before you and follow your lead."  I feel like God wants me to do just that. 

Kindergarten Graduation

 can't believe the school year is over already.  Caleb went from just ready Bob Books to reading level 2 books.  He can even write a paragraph to summarize books that he read.  It's amazing how much he can learn.  I am not ready for him to finish Kindergarten.  We are just getting used to and enjoy school and homework.  I am thankful that Caleb was able to attend CCS in his first year of school.  He not only learned to read, but he learned Christ like character and God's word.  He recited one verse a week and can recite all of Psalm 23.  I am so proud of him.
 

Celebrations this week

This week Hebron and I celebrated our 9th anniversary and his xxth birthday.  He and I are the same age so I guess I don't want to admit how old I really am.  I still think I am 29.  I guess that was a good year.  Anyways, Hebron took me to dinner at Stone Korean at 4th Embarcadero center in SF and then we went to see the musical Wicked at the Orpheum theater with orchestra seats.  I have not seen a musical in soooo long, I think the last one was Mama Mia, which had to be before Joshie (he is already 4).  We don't usually go because it is expensive.  When we do go, we always get the cheap balcony seats where I can't see the facial expression of the actors.  This time we were really close.  I can see their faces.  Wow, what a treat!  Just don't think about the cost.

Yesterday, for Hebron's birthday, we went to Marina in SL for picnic and kite flying.  We brought a tent there and picnic inside the tent.  The boys loved it.  Now, they can't wait to go camping.  Maybe we should start by camping out in our backyard first. 

Caleb's T-ball game

Caleb started T-ball in April. At the beginning, he didn't like using the glove, now he actually likes it.

How Thoughtful!

It seems like I am always upset at the boys for not obeying instructions.  But from time to time, they can surprise me.  This past Mother's day, the boys (with the help of Daddy), brought me flowers from the garden, made me a card, and made me breakfast in bed.  Caleb knows I like savory breakfast, so he suggested that they make me ham and cheese.  Which I like more than pancakes or cereals.

Today Caleb showed me how thoughtful he is.  I forgot to sign a form that he needed to turn in.  After I dropped him off, I usually wait outside of class to see if he needs anything.  He looks fine, so I started to walk to my car.  He ran after me with the form and asked me to sign.  And he brought along a pencil too!
He knew I didn't have my purse and so I didn't have a pen or pencil.  He must have thought about it before running after me, in order to remember to bring a pencil too.  I have always hope that my boys will grow up to be kind, compassionate, sensitive, and thoughtful young men.  I know it's a small thing, but this tells me Caleb is on his way.

We are blessed!

A few days ago on the drive home from school, Caleb asked me why his friends don't have party at their house.  I explained to him that not everyone has a house big enough to have parties and not everyone has money for parties.  I told him that when I was growing up, I didn't have birthday party and I didn't live in a big house.  Since most people he knows live in big houses, he must think that it is the norm.  I also told him that some people live in small houses and  some people are homeless with no home.  Then Caleb said something that made me so proud.  He said, "We are blessed!"  Wow, did my Caleb just say that?  Can it be that he understands how much we are blessed by God?

Hebron and I want our boys to have a thankful heart and be grateful for all that we have because everything is a blessing from God.  I am not sure if he truly understands what being blessed means or knows how it feels to be blessed.  But at least he can say that he is blessed.  Saying it is the first step in feeling it.

The New Happy Hallow in San Jose

We didn't go anywhere for spring break because Joshie had a fever the whole week. When he got better, we went to the Exploratorium and Happy Hallow Park and Zoo with Auntie Melissa. Thanks Mel for getting us in for FREE!!!!!!!!!!

Joshie loves feeding animals. He can do that all day if we have enough money to pay for all the food.

C's first piano recital

Caleb has been taking piano lessons for 8 months now.  This is his very first recital.  Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Ngo, Auntie Nina, Uncle Andy, and Auntie Melissa for attending and for support.

My #1 Child Accepted Christ

Today is a special day for me because I had the priviledge of sharing the gospel with Caleb.  Caleb is 6 and is able to reason and think logically.  So I thought he would be ready to make the decision for Christ.  I booked a Saturday so Hebron can spend some time to Dai-dai and I can share with Caleb.  Since Caleb likes to read alot, I used the wordless book to spark his interest.  I told him what each color meant.  It turns out that Caleb is very familiar with the gospel.  He said teachers told him about what Jesus did on the cross in preschool in room C6 and also in Kindergarten.  I guess he heard it, but have yet to make a decision.  So I asked if he believed in Jesus and would he want Jesus in his life and he said, "yes!" 

I don't expect drastic change in his life from here on, because as a child, I am not sure if he completely understands what it means to accept Christ as his personal Savior.  But at least hearing the gospel will give him a good foundation and moves him toward a life long relationship with our Creator.  I pray that as he grows, he will make this faith his own.  In the meantime, Hebron and I will try to be a good role model for him.

After his decision, I told him that angels in heaven are rejoicing because he became a child of God and is born again.  So we went to Chuck-e-cheese to celebrate.