Christ is Born for us

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:25)

The Prince of Peace is born for us!
BTW, Can you find our angel ?



Three Princesses and One Prince

A Cozy Christmas Day

With Our Dear Family on Long Island

Germ filled world

I was catching minor colds, one strep throat and one laryngitis lately. Kids took advantage of those days when I couldn't talk, certainly couldn't be able to yell at them. I was frustrated at the reasons of my weak immune system. WH blamed me for taking showers in the gym. I said we needed an air purifier in our room (since John-John moved out from our room, purifier left with him). We don't know which is the real answer. All of them could probably be part of the problem. So, cocktail therapy is my solution:
no.1. come home to shower after workout;
no.2 purchase another air purifier (has to be good). They all claim themselves to be effective, can't decide yet.
no.3 sleep well
no.4 eat my daily vitamin
no.5 pray.
I think I am just growing old...

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is a holiday to give thanks to God and the people around us. This is the second year we invited families to share a thanksgiving dinner with us. Last year before Thanksgiving, I was upset that nobody had invited us to dinner. WH said:" Why don't you invite people instead?" Great suggestion! So, I did. I didn't prepare to roast a turkey because I had never cooked one in the past. The night before the holiday, I realized I missed an ingredient for my dessert. I called WH to grab it for me from the supermarket after work. When he walked in the door, he screamed out loud "I got a big turkey for free!" I clapped "Yeah! Perfect! I just invited a 2nd family. We'll have a real turkey for tomorrow!" God had prepared that turkey for us to host! That's how we started sharing thanksgiving meals with others. Take a peek at what we did for Thanksgiving this year:
Christmas Tree Decoration

The Main Chef

Baking Cheese Pumpkin Pie

World's Most Delicious Turkey!

Cheers!

Salmon

I am getting better at baking salmon:
-preheat oven at 375F
-about 1LB of salmon filet,
-season with salt, Mr. Dash grilling blend and vinegar
-bake skin side down 25 min. on middle rack
-turn around and broil for 2 min.
If it comes out too dry, I like to add tiny bit of soy source or teriyaki source.

Halloween

I told them we will not do this again. After running from house to house with a bunch of 20 something kids, everybody was exhausted! Do and her best friend were separated by blocks anyway. When we were walking back to our car, Do said:" How come the car is soooo far away!"
This year our church has 'Truck or Treat", which is much safer and relax than running on the streets. Kids can get treats and play games in a closed-up parking lot. Wonderful! It was a great out reach program too!

Decade Marriage, Love of Life 十載婚姻一生的愛

October 18, 2007

While we were newly wed, first anniversary seemed a long way to go. But today we are celebrating our first decade of marriage. Ten years has swiftly passed in an eye blink.

I am not sure how other couples nourish happy marriages, but I certainly know you are an artist of our life. You can always find a way to praise me. You never forget to give me credits for what I've done well; you give me encouragement when I show improvement; you never complained when food doesn't come out the way it supposed to be, instead your words of 'As long as I can smell food when I step into the house, that's good enough.' gives me relieve. You even found a way to comfort my occasional laziness --- 'Food to eat without the mess of cooking, that's smart!'
You adore my beauty when I wear makeups; the charm of youth in your eyes when I am plain. I know I am far from a perfect wife, only through you I am complete. You have given me room to grow and space to fly!☺♡

You are also very intelligent. Man of wisdom does not keep his mind on 'little stuffs'. I understand what you mean by "Big decisions are up to me. She takes care of 'smaller' things. But no major issues come up lately." --- you have skillfully avoided numerous domestic conflicts. Masculinity is not only physical, you have a man's gentle spirit. Your dedication of authority has brought you a peace of mind. Just wonder where those growing grey hairs coming from?

With you by my side, I am safe and secure. Mom's best friend 呂阿姨 asked me long time ago "Do you have a sense of security when you are with him?" I knew she wasn't referring to financial security. I ensured her with a definite 'yes'. Do you know I love to travel with you (besides the preparation, aftermath unpacking and washing all done by me :) because you are my navigator who always know the best place to be? You are also my encyclopedia --- an answer to every question in the world. You sense of humor is seldom known to others. You have brought me laugh and joy.

After all, the most important thing is that I know because you love me!

Oops! Almost forget to say "Happy Anniversary! I love you!"
SJJ.PC

*The letter receiver's reaction: I never knew I am so good! Am I so perfect? Who's going to believe you?
None of us is perfect. And we don't know how to love. But our heavenly father has shown us how to love through His only son's sacrifice on the cross. "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."

1st Dental Visit

By knowing his personality, I've been talking about today's dental visit numerous times with him. Francine also ensured him it is fun and no hurting, and reminded him of the toothbrush and the goodies he could choose there. Everything was fine until we walked into the exam room. Maybe the chair was too weird? --- I forgot to tell him it would be a special 'flying banana' chair, just like last time I forgot to tell him we would be taking a bus to the airport and he refused to get on to the 'school bus'. Finally, he reluctantly agreed to sit on my lap in the 'banana'. Whoosh! It took two assistants and me to strap him down for a 3 minutes exam and cleaning. 'Oh boy, he is strong!' one of the assistants exclaimed. Well, nothing is new to me.
Praise the Lord that his teeth are all healthy and clean. And he agreed to be strong and courageous at next visit. Hallelujah!

Singleton

To my surprise, Carol and Jeff brought Enoch to John-John's birthday. I didn't invite her because it is quiet a distance for them coming from Stanten Island for someone who doesn't really enjoy driving. But I am so glad that they came since it was the first time for my kids to have a cousin on their birthday party. Thank you for traveling the 500 miles!
Carol also brought her sister-in-law's two kids. After my last set of friends left, Carol said "of course they fleet after seeing the full house of children!" Then I realized she might be mistaken as a mother of three! Carol insisted they can only handle one. As an only child myself, I can't see anything wrong to be a singleton. On the other hand, only child enjoys many privileges and attentions that others can never have. Put it this way, you can be either the only child or one of several, except for the firstborns but usually it is a few years of blurry memories during early childhood. Hence, you never be sure the life of 'what if I were the only child'.

Go Kutsher's

Haven't been traveled for the whole summer until it draws to an end. Kutsher's Country Club, an all inclusive resort in the Catskill mountain area. We were lucky to have two huge connected rooms on the pent house, which oversees the Kutsher's lake and the golf course. For kids, any action activity would entertain them, swimming, skating, shuffle board... The trip was also to celebrate daddy's 79th birthday. God bless him to be so healthy and energetic at the age. His favorite parts of the trip were the driving range and the pool table. When a dancer hits a golf ball, he would not forget to do a little tango move along (check it out from the photos below)
Kutsher's is mainly for the Jewish community. Kosher food actually is very healthy, much less meat than fast food, low sodium and low sugar. There was always one or two choices of fish at each meal. After the four day vacation, I even considered 'go kosher'...

Photo Gallery (Password: summer)

Mommy and Us

For the past two weeks, I didn't sign them up for any activities because I would like some 'mommy and us' time in the summer. To be honestly, sometimes I am really overwhelmed. Especially I had this mysterious dizziness last week. I was feeling sick and weak. We just stayed home for two days --- from dawn to dusk. It's so hard to entertain them in the house.
Anyway, it's over. Days like today and tomorrow, we will fully enjoy the sun, the heat and the fresh air before it slips away soon...Do-Do will have her two baby teeth pull out tomorrow. Tooth fairy will come visit.

Let the children come to me

First time teaching in Vacation Bible Camp, actually the very first teaching experience too. Prayed every night before the camp for my love and wisdom with the kids. WH asked me "Are you sure you can handle?" I honestly didn't have a 'yes' or 'no', but prayed, prayed and prayed.
Teaching certainly requires lots of energy. But the young hearts are treasuable too. They are so innocent and receptive. There was this little boy who left me the greatest impression. I would say he is handsome and bright. He missed the first two days of camp, but he blended in the group quickly and picked up all the songs almost instantaneously. Yet who could imagine such a lovely boy is in foster care because his father is a drug addict. One of the craft projects we did was making a mouse pad. To personalize the crafts, kids glued their photos from the first day of camp onto the mouse pads. The boy was the only child who didn't have a photo. I was afraid that he would be very upset. So I delighted him by saying "Look, you have more room to decorate it!" That sweet, innocent smile never left his face. He chose two large rackets to put in the center of the pad, seemed very satisfied with what he had! Oh! It's that sweet, innocent smile breaks my heart! As if he knows what this world has given him, and he would not ask for more! I think as grown-ups, many of us have so many complaints of our lives.
But our heavenly Father has prepared him this warm-hearted family in Christ to take care of him. He introduced me to the boy in his foster family 'my friend'. "Let the little children come to me,...for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (John 18:16). Who else would be more qualify to inherit the kingdom of God if not these innocent hearts!

I have nose

John-John caught a cold last week. He told Do-Do "don't use my tooth paste, mom said I have nose (中文直譯：有鼻鼻）。“

I can do it

I can dress myself after bath!

Summer Time

I am not a heat lover, but regardless of the toasting sunshine, I still embrace the summer over the freezing winter (to me, any temperature under 65F is no fun). Travel light is the best part of summer. Secondly, there is so much more to do in summer.
We had partied the whole weekend: one in Jersey to celebrate my high school friend's daughters' birthdays. To see some of the faces from 10 years ago since my wedding day is exciting! It was a sweet memory when we brought up the funny things in high school. Love you, summer!

Gymnastic Expo

The 'Rising Star' meets the 'Veteran' gymnastGrandpa stayed with us for an extra prolonged week to see Do-Do's dance and gymnastic recitals. He was very proud of and satisfied with Do's progress especially he was a gymnast when he was young. He said:" Do-Do got the gene from grandpa!"


We are so proud of you, babe!

Thank you for coming

Yi-Yi, Uncle Marshall and Hong-Hong shared the holiday spirit with us for three days! Really enjoy their company and the laughs that they brought to our home. Hong-Hong is growing into a mature and open-minded 'kids lover'. I've witnessed his growth since his toddler years, from a cute little 'toy' (we used to treat him that way) into a masculine young man! He has his own point of views and prospectives. I am so happy for Yi-Yi and Uncle Marshall. He and his dad has a lot of father-and-son talks and arguments (of course), which I think is very good. Yi-Yi, don't be so worried about him. He is doing just fine. He wouldn't let you down, but is always your pride.

It was a raining July 4th evening. The Kao family's original plan to bring their friends to see firework on East Beach had to be canceled. Instead, I suggested them to view from our deck. I never had so many people (about 25 to 30) to share this moment with me. It was much more joyful. Decades old men and women screamed and giggled like little children when colorful fire work blossomed and lit up the sky! When they thanked us for opening up our deck, I sincerely thanked them for bring us unexpected happiness.

McMug

Auntie Katie sent her two McMug comic books from Hong Kong. She and I both enjoy the funny stories about this cuttie piglet. McMug's mom is a human. How can a human have a 'pig' son? "Maybe his father is a pig since we never saw a picture of his dad." WH said. Do-Do's explanation: McMug is a pet. His mom married a farmer, and they adopted McMug. She even added:"Have you ever seen a human married a pig!?" A very logical reasoning. I like that. Smart girl!
I searched the internet for 'McMug', and unexpectly found a biography of McMug in Engelish. Do-Do's explanation of McMug's identity matched with his 'true background'. I am going to show her tomorrow. I bet she will be very proud of herself!
If you are interested to learn about this super funny pig, visit
All About McMug

Our Snow White

Our True Snow White! Such an elegant post! I can't image how beautiful she will be in her wedding gown.


This is her 3rd year of ballet. Her goal is to dance in her dancing school's annual performance 'The Nutcracker' for once, then she will 'retire' from dance.

Junk Removal Service

Me and my 'Mr. Queen' (Lightning McQueen)

A truck in front of me had these words "The world's largest junk removal service 1800-got-junk".
Recently I was doing something exciting: to get JohnJohn's room ready. There is nothing special about his room, but my 'pro' level junk removal skill was once more in the battlefield! Oh, yeh, throwing out stuffs feels sooooo cooooool! My parents and hubby always know who to ask when something is missing: the quickest 'junk remover' in the household ---- ME! Most women are 'junk collectors' except me. Anything that is not eatable or usable and appears in front of my eyes for over 365 days are considered rubbish. If you have any trouble tidying your place, please give me a call.

Parent Teacher Conference

Selected quotes from his 'student evaluation report':

*** Clement enjoys showing his treasures (little toys which I label 'garbages' for most) from home to his teachers and friends... Clement uses his imagination to make his dinosaurs and tigers roar (anything that's BIG in size excites him).

*** He is a fast runner and enjoys running outside (a great gene from mom). Clement is a great jumper (second super gene from mom), who loves to jump so much that sometimes he forgets that we don't jump up or down the stairs. (very amusing)

*** Clement enjoys his time at the art table very much. He puts on his smock without hesitation and can't wait to be given a paintbrush!

*** He participates in all songs. We have heard Clement singing LOUDLY to '5 Little Monkeys' while watching the puppets (He wouldn't stop once he opens his 'song faucet' until he loses his voice at some point.)

xoxoxo Happy Birthday, Princess xoxoxo

Can't believe she turned 6! The day she was born was like yesterday.


Per our princess's request, mom made brownies and blue-berry rice crispy sweet treats for her birthday celebration in school.


Family dinner celebration in Lambardie's on the Sound Restaurant in Port Jefferson Country Club. Isn't her beautiful?!
Side point: Toured through all the party rooms of the Country Club after dinner, our prideful princess's comment "Not impressed enough to host her wedding here. Have to look for somewhere more beautiful!" Daddy, please prepare your bank account!!!


Trip to our town beach before dinner to take advantage of today's summer-like weather.


She was also made 'Super Star of the Week'. We celebrated both events in her class.

謝謝禮物

收到大家姐寄來的生日礼物大家都非常高兴．你们真有心！小朋友大热晴天着雨褸在屋企行来行去，兴奋不已！只有一位撅长咗嘴，＂点解没我份？我都乖！放工返来有帮手洗碗揍仔．下次返香港带个大喼，自己买玩具！＂后来发现Thomas's Friend Henry Choo-Choo Train,　＇可能这是买给我的！＇　但我认为二年级字贴更适合他．＇二家姐从小督你写字．乖乖练好这本，我买一个大lego比你！＇又撅长嘴．．．

Singulair is back

Do-Do was on Singulair for her allergy in the whole winter. We took her off that last month when winter was officially over. Several days ago, she started coughing. Could it be a cold? Took her to the doctor. Guess what? She is back on Singulair again at least for the remaining of the pollen season. Poor thing!

Let the #s speak

Americans contribute about 1/4 of the world's greenhouse-gas emissions, the equivalent of 54,000 LBS of CO2 per person per year!!!!!!!!!
*** 17,000 LBS of CO2 equivalent/year by using 1,100 KWH of electricity/month
*** 8,800 LBS of CO2 equivalent/year by using 6,300 cubic feet of natural gas/month
*** 1,100 LBS of CO2 equivalent/year by creating 4.5 LBS of trash/day
*** 8,900 LBS OF CO2 equivalent by driving 160 miles /week
*** 1,000 LBS of equivalent by flying 1,900 miles/year

----NATURE CONSERVANCY Summer 2007

Walk across...

John-John's new adventure: climbs onto Do-Do's bed, then up to the window stand, and walk across to sister's bookshelf to reach the stuff animals on top of the shelf (about 7 feet high)!!! He almost gave me a heart attack! When caught in action, he proclaimed "John-John 沒有摔哭 (didn't fall and cry)." Do-Do has 'walk across America' in school. I guess walking across America has to start from walking across window stand. 橫渡長江也需從橫渡窗臺開始吧！

老豆揍仔（爸爸帶孩子），鍛練身體

老豆給兒子穿衣，小型馬拉松都跑完了 （因要滿屋追兒子之故），兒子不是褲子歪了，就是‘鴛鴦腳’ ﹣﹣﹣一只有襪子，另一只赤腳。
有一回先生大喊 “兒子的褲子短的像馬車夫的褲子！“我心想，又要去買了！經查看，原來褲頭被卷了兩卷！再長的也要變capri。不過兒子倒頗能體諒老子的苦楚：一次我外出了，老豆送兒子上床。兒子一聽搖籃曲換了版本(走音版），立刻建議 “不唱lullaby，唱ABC。“ 小小年紀就明白退而求次，寥勝於無的人生哲理。

Mistake of the Toothfairy

My bluetooth was mystically lost last Sunday. Francine had raised a very good question when I bought the piece "Why would you called it a 'blue tooth'? Does it have anything to do with teeth?" Wai-Hong didn't want me to feel bad about my absentmindedness. He guessed the tooth-fairy came, but didn't find Francine's tooth. Mistakenly, she must thought a 'blue' tooth was also a tooth! He is funny and creative! Two days later, church office called to tell me that someone had turned in a bluetooth. Ha, ha, tooth-fairy finally realized that a bluetooth is not the kind she was looking for. Wai-Hong said "Tooth-fairy attends Sunday service too? Good for her!"

To Be Independent

Sometimes I try to get something done such as making an important phone call, it is very difficult to get the the kids to do their choir like getting ready for bed at the same time. I often frustrate about this. Any tricks from super moms and dads? And I found that one child is much easier to control than two together. It may be because I was an only child. People grew up with siblings, help!

The Giving Kind

Was reading The DailyBread for devotion. Often receive letters of charity donation in the mail. Recently, I was little annoyed by the stories in some of the letters asking for donation. Why couldn't these people have a little bit of self-controlled? Single parenting, teenage pregnancy, having multiple offsprings while financially incapable... The thing bothers me the most is that the children grew up in these families often follow their parents' footprints. It will only snowball!

Yet the Lord spoke to me that night during bible reading. Boaz, a very rich man, purposely left grain in the field for the poor and disadvantaged. He didn't judge who qualifies to receive his help. In fact, the bible teaches us ever to judge others.
Our heavenly Father only commands us "...do not reap the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien." (Lev. 23:22)
He guides us "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable --- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --- think about such things." (Phil 4:9).
He blesses those "...who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead." (Ruth 2:20).

In the movie Half Nelson (BTW, an excellent movie highly recommended. Can someone just explain the meaning of the ending to me?), Ryan Gosling plays an inner city teacher. He once told his friend "If I can make a difference in just one of them..." That's right, even only one of them comes to Christ, to change his/her life, it's worthwhile to do it. Praise the Lord for changing my heart to give willingly again!

Detective Chui

Read 'The Hunter', a well-written suspense fiction about a female detective and her partner solved a serial killer case. I like it because it is not only a thriller story, but a book about human relationship and work-life balance (especially for women). Suspense fictions are always my favorite! Now, I am onto '1st To Die' by James Patterson. I just searched for 'suspense' in the library, it was the first one jumped into my eye sight. "New York Times Bestseller" --- can't be bad, I thought. Coincidentally, the main characters in this book are four women, formed a 'women murder club', pulling their talent and courage together, to work on a hard case. One very discouraging part in both books --- the female detectives are divorced.

Few of you can image my answer to 'What you like to be when you grow up?'. Can you guess it now? ------- A detective! I just thought and still think it is a very challenging, cool and interesting career! I didn't have TV during childhood. I only remember I had seen several movies. The one vividly stays in my mind was called 'The tragic murder in Nile' (尼羅河慘案). I was around 4 years old, but I was not afraid of any of the scenes at all. Why didn't I pursue my dream? I don't know. I don't think I ever told my parents about it. My mom knew I was never terrified by bloody scenes, which scared and puzzled her. Every now and then, I asked my hubby "Do you think I can go for a degree in criminal justice?" His answer is smart "The best thing about America is that you can always pursue you dream in any age. Go for it!" Probably he bets that even with a degree, I am not going to run in the streets to chase criminals. --- just have some fun! I sometimes daydream that I will become a detective and a prison evangelist, to visit the criminals and preach the gospel to them. Anyone interested? Let's form a team too!

Can you say 'what'?

Francine read this week's Time magazine cover title out loud "Who can say what?" A grin showed on her face. "Who can say 'what'? I can say 'WHAT'! Everybody can say 'WHAT'!" She turned around to dad "Daddy, can you say 'what'?" She concluded that it's rather a very funny yet nonsense question appears on this grown-ups' magazine. Ha, ha, ha!
Francine is already a little reader. She is reading chapter books with very little help. We just have to remind and to encourage her to speak more Chinese at home. Maybe this is a gift from God to Francine. She seems very interested in languages. Every Saturday morning, we have a half hour to forty minutes of Chinese lesson, in which she practices character writing, recognition and pronunciation. She continues to read her bilingual bible in Chinese. The simple and repetitive words in the bible helps her to recognize many of them after a while. Occasionally, she teaches me couple Spanish words from school.
She also enjoys music. Coming home with all these fancy composers' names. Both Wai and I don't have music background. We just learn along with her.

Clement's word wisdom

--- Francine's teacher posts a weekly summary on the web called 'The Marvel News'. Every Friday afternoon, Francine and I like to read it together. Clement gets all excited " Yes,marble juice, marble juice!"
--- I am not sure where he picked up the word 已經 （meaning already in Chinese). And he uses it frequently. When I ask him to brush his teeth. He would answer "已經爹爹幫刷牙，刷牙爹爹已經幫，爹爹已經幫刷牙。“
--- 豆腐奶奶，即豆漿

commitment phobia!?

In this week's Time magazine supplement 'Style and Design', there is an article named 'The Leasing LIfe'. Owning luxury items was once status representation, but it is no longer the story. A new trend in luxury lifestyle is renting the good life, from vacation homes to cars to apparels. Quoted a consumer-trend tracker's words "People are more interested in experiences than owning things." For the fact that style and taste evolve quickly, leasing offers the benefits of a good life without all the headaches and commitment. Well, it would be very nice to have such an option when it comes to belongings. What about human relationship? It makes me think of today's perceptions about marriage. Living together to try out a relationship because no commitment in living-ins. Even if had walked down the aisle 'by mistake', there is always an exit door --- divorce for the couples who 'can't commit any more'! An era of commitment phobia!!!! I've heard people said that they felt pity for our older generations who had to 'stuck' in unhappy marriages. But I wonder if our generation with options and choices are any happier. What about our next generation? Children grow up with single parents, no parent, two moms or two dads. All these twisted relationships have brought twisted personalities. We should understand that why many drug addicts, psychos, killers come from broken families. Innocent children have to suffer because the grown-ups choose to resolve problems through the convenient paths. The human laws are amendable. 'No fault divorce' has allowed wedded couples to walk out of the relationship easily. Our heavenly Father's commandment is unchanged. If we think 'God have joined together, let man not separate' is a cruel and outdated command, have the husbands give a thought to 'love your wife as your own body', and have the wives 'submitted to your husbands, respected your husbands'? Maybe commitment is not such a horrify word after all. Perhaps we can begin to discover true happiness and freedom in our lives.

the trend

Francine overheard the word 'Webkinz' in our conversation, she yelled out "I want one too. Many of my friends have that." "Do you know what it is?" She shook her head. I said:" How can you ask for something that you don't even know what it is?" Her next day assignment was to find out from her friends what Webkinz is about before deciding if she should have one. When she come home from school the following day, I asked her if she had completed he 'assignment'. "I asked Luke. But I don't really remember what he told me. He was not so sure either." So we went on to the web to look for the answer. We ran through the 'take a tour' on Webkinz site several times, she finally got the idea after I added my explanation. Obviously, it's not something for her age although the marketers target kids from five to pre-teens. And I really don't like the fact that it requires so much internet time to 'raise' this pet. We had a good conversation about following the trend verses what is good and appropriate for us. Finally, we agreed that she can 'earn' one next week. But I warned her it wouldn't be such a big deal once she owns it. I just want her to learn that very often we just have the lust for things we don't really need. Sometimes it's dangerous to follow the worldly trend.

I am very pleased Wai have gotten the kids into Lego. Francine has assembled a mini-digger all by herself yesterday. It was her gift for Clement.



She has achieved her 'goal' in February and 'earned' an lego airplane. Daddy and daughter spent an afternoon together building the air craft. It was her largest and most complicated lego piece.



Lego is a great toy for creativity and craft skill enhancement. It sometimes takes a great deal of patience and determination to complete the work. Playing high tech toys is popular, but it can limit children's creativity and inter-personal communication skills. Prayerfully consider what is best for our kids' growth.