Tea: The Women's Sport

Back in August 2005, we had our first Irvine Flock Women's Tea.  This past weekend, we had the 2nd one at our house.  Seven of us got together and it was a blast! We all brought yummy sandwiches, desserts, and pastries, enjoyed tea together and talked.  I remember one of the sister's husbands quoted as saying, "So....you just sit around a table and drink tea for hours and just...TALK?"  Well, of course!

Having tea (or gathering around any type of food) is much like sports for men.  It's a means for women to gather together for fellowship and bonding.  It's been said that a sports injury is equivalent to a woman not being able to talk, because that's how women bond.  All men need is a ball...any kind of ball.  All women need is food...any kind of food.  But of course it's more fun when it's a bunch of yummy treats on a pretty table.  The upside for women is that we can't get injured and potentially need surgery and then be out of fellowship for a while.  However, we do run the risk of getting fat, but I think that's a risk we're all willing to take.  Anyhow, I'm glad that we women of Irvine Flock love to gather together to talk and eat because I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of them better.

We met for about 2 hours and our conversation was facilitate by each of us answering questions such as:

Who or what makes you laugh the most?  How has growing up in your family influenced who you are today?  What is one goal you have for 2007?  If you could choose one yummy treat to eat everyday and it would have zero calories, what would it be?  What is your biggest social defect (such as not being a good listener, talking too much, etc.)?

Everyone was so transparent and I think we all left with a better understanding and greater fondness for each other.  Here are some pictures of the tea times we've had.



By the way, Christine brought her huge and yummy trifle, for which I was very thankful.  It also caused a bit of conflict in our family because I forgot to save some for my husband.  Uh oh!

Trip to San Diego

Since we went away on a little vacation this past weekend, we missed church and didn't get to hear Pastor Marcus's sermon on Titus 2 (older women).  We heard great things about the sermon, so I was listening to it online today while I was drinking my daily after-lunch coffee with chocolate.  (After hearing the part on gluttony,  I decided to leave 2 chocolates in the box.)

While uploading photos from our trip as I was listening to the sermon, it occured to me that about half of the pictures were of food, or of us eating our food.

For example, here's what we had for breakfast.



We went to the SD zoo, but Audrey was more interested in her raisins than in the animals.



Another meal.



One night, I thought I'd have a salad as a light dinner.  If I had only known that I would get 1 prawn, a sliver of avocado, 4 leaves, and 1 thinly sliced raisin, for only $1 less than Mike's huge carne asada nachos.  It was really weird & disappointing.



Finally, some non-food pics...



I know we Lees love food, but Pastor Marcus' message was so good.  There is a difference between enjoying our food (and everything else He's given us) to the glory of God, and being ruled by it or indulging in it in excess.  Wow...and that was just one point in the sermon.  So much more to reflect on and examine.

A New Year Already!

It feels like just a few months ago that 2006 started, but now we're already in the 4th day of 2007.  I feel like time goes faster as I get older.  I was staring at Mike one morning as I woke up and I couldn't believe that I met him when we were just silly, very immature teenagers, and now we're married, having kids together, and living out our thirties (well, not me yet)!  By God's grace, we're 2 very different people now than we were when we met, and hopefully growing more mature every year.  I'm very thankful.

In C.J Mahaney's book Humility: True Greatness, he quotes another man who said, "Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does not easily grow."  That's so true.  When I'm ungrateful, moaning, griping, complaining, discontent, I know I'm a very ugly person and hardened by pride.  That's so scary.  I want to cultivate greater thankfulness this year so that I can be more humble.  I'm sure the Lord will provide many opportunities to practice it during difficult situations.  Lord, give me grace!

A couple things I'm currently thankful for  (besides God, the Bible, etc.):

1. Health:  our family battled colds, the flu + a stomach virus this past month (just like the rest of our church!).  It's good to have all 3 of us relatively healthy again.  Praise God!  I'm actually also grateful for the chance to depend on God during those times.

2. Cornerstone:  Every week, being with my brothers and sisters at church is SO sweet.  Hearing our elders speak to our church during 2nd hour recently has also been a huge blessing.  So thankful for them and all our other leaders who labor for us and love us so much.

3. Family:  A source of much grace...can't even put it in words.  Too long for xanga.  Random side-note:  I started feeling the baby move on Sunday and he/she's been non-stop ever since.

4. Breyer's strawberry ice cream:  a perfect after-dinner snack.

5. Funny things on our xanga blogring...although it's been a little slow lately.  Can you all do something about that?

I leave you with an example of how we spend our time at home.  No, we don't eat pho and have worship practice all day.  We just do this:


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Psalm 199, Slushies, & Hanging with the Boys

After our Pillars Family Retreat, I landed on Psalm 119 in my Bible reading.  I was so glad about that because I saw that I really needed to love God's Word if I want to be a godly wife & mom who displays Christ in all I say and do.  I'm still trying to meditate on it and teach it to Audrey during the day at home.

Psalm 119: 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalm 119:127 Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!

Since she doesn't know what honey and gold are, I've tried to bring it to her level.  "Audrey, you know how much you love goldfish, cheerios, bananas, and all kinds of food?  Well, we need to love God's Word WAY more than these things.  His Word is much more delicious and precious!"

Well, now I think I can also add slushies to the list.



Mommy tries to feed her whole grains, fruits & veggies, and limits juice/cookies, etc.  Daddy enjoys feeding her smoothies and cake and slushies...with 2 straws!  He gets amazed at how long she slurps and still doesn't get brain freeze.

This past month, Audrey was able to hang out with some boys & their toys.  Andrew LOVES trains!  I don't know if Audrey knows what they are yet.



Nolan jumps and climbs on everything!



She had loads of fun and I'm seeing how different boys and girls are.  I wonder if one day, Audrey will enjoy tea & crafts & cooking.  We'll see!

What Do I Do?

I just got home from my weekly Trader Joe's outing and guess who I find waiting for me right in front of our screen door?  Mr. Lizard Jr.  I had Audrey in my arms and contemplated whether to go in the house, or wait and pray in the car.  Well, I managed to get in quickly and shut the door behind me as soon as I could.  I put Audrey in her crib for her nap and now I don't know what to do.  The groceries are still in the car, but I'm afraid if I open the door, he'll be staring right at me, ready to jet inside our house right between my legs.  If it wasn't for the milk and eggs, I wouldn't mind leaving the food in there for a little while.

Just tried to get in touch with Mike to ask him what to do, but he'd probably encourage me to let him in so that Audrey can have a playmate for the day. Hmm...  I'm gonna go for it.  I need to be strong because I'm a mom now.

Simple Pleasures of Mike

Good idea, serinshin!

10 simple pleasures of Mike, my hubby, written by me.

1. Large pho with tendon, tripe, beef, with extra noodles and onions sprayed with sriracha as side dish.

2. Spring rolls made at home.

3. Playing soccer with anybody, even strangers at the park.

4. Watching soccer on any channel, especially spanish channels since we don't have cable.

5. Talking in different accents, especially vietnamese and indian.

6. Eating any meal with a huge pile of chilis and jalapenos.

7. Having jam sessions with other musical people.

8. Changing into soccer shorts and an old soft t-shirt right when he gets home from work.

9. Catching up with other men while he gives them haircuts.

10. Did I mention pho and soccer?

Life's Simple Pleasures

Tagged by xmlx.

Name 10 of life's simple pleasures that you like the most, then pick 10 people to do the same. try to be original and creative; try not to use things that someone else has already used.

1. Buying things on sale with double coupons.

2. Getting a kiss out of nowhere from my daughter.

3. Chocolate soufflet.

4. Topping off a great meal with a cold boba.

5. Hearing that our parents are doing well and that they're healthy.

6. Learning a good new song that our church will sing again and again and again.

7. Sunday mornings with the beloved...that lead to afternoons...and evenings.

8. Funny stories from the Pyos.

9. Being greeted with "just because" flowers by my husband when he comes home after a long day at the office.

10. Having a "heart to heart" with another sister.

I tag:  panijhungova, jjlees, baahlkie, jeanxbeanx, mominireland, serinshin, La Maman, durnt, sooziekim, eugene87