It's my dad's birthday tomorrow. Many of you know that both Mike's dad and my dad are pastors and that they are both extremely musical. My dad (and mom) majored in music and then he became a music teacher before he came to the States where he continued his musical talents and conducted many choirs at different churches. To this day, he still uses his musical training at church and also to reach out to the community through music classes.
I thought I'd try to give my dad an appropriately musical birthday greeting from the kids to show that his musical talents have been passed down to his grandkids. Little did I know that it would also be a chance to show him that his rascally qualities have also been bestowed on his grandson.
Happy birthday, Dad. We love you and miss you! Enjoy! (And please excuse my son.)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
My Little Bieber
For some reason, I really want to see the Justin Bieber movie. Not that I've ever really listened to his songs or stalked him like I did with NKOTB. So I'm not sure why I want to see it so bad.
Maybe it's because my son is starting to look like his Asian counterpart.
Maybe because all Marcus ever wants is more instruments to add to his collection.
But Bieber's got nothing on Marcus. I bet JB never did #1 and #2 while jamming on the keys.
Maybe it's because my son is starting to look like his Asian counterpart.
Maybe because all Marcus ever wants is more instruments to add to his collection.
But Bieber's got nothing on Marcus. I bet JB never did #1 and #2 while jamming on the keys.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
3 Weeks of Love
Most people get just one day to celebrate Valentine's. We scored and got 3 weeks of love with Mike's mom staying with us.
She left the 10-inch snow to take a breather in the mild California winter.
And she finally got to meet her newest grandson.
Before his passing, Mike's dad came up with Derek's Korean name: Tae Hee, which means "great and profound joy". It turns out he's living up to his name.
Grandma also got to see how much Audrey loves brother #2.
And how much Marcus loveshim too music. Here he is, jamming on the new saxophone he got from Grandma. We're seriously considering throwing him on a busy street corner to start him on a part-time job.
A visit from Grandma wouldn't be the same without a trip to Yogurtland...which is always a spiritual experience for my children.
And she knows it's never too young to start them early.
The older ones were so thrilled that they erupted in spontaneous kisses.
It was actually a full day of love for Marcus.
He and his gang at school exchanged Valentines.
And hugs.
And I got to crash the party.
Audrey was full of the Valentine's spirit as well.
Derek has got a thing for grandmas. Boy, was he spoiled with cuddles and giggles and kisses. After the sweet bond they've forged over the past few weeks, he is going to have some major G-ma withdrawal after she heads back to Maryland tomorrow.
When Derek was born, I thought he was God's gift to us. But now, I'm wondering if he was actually meant to be the balm to Grandma's soul. The timing of Grandpa's death and Derek's birth seem to be weaved together from above, and though the loss of her love can never be replaced, we're seeing that Derek is doing a pretty good job of making her fall in love with him.
She left the 10-inch snow to take a breather in the mild California winter.
And she finally got to meet her newest grandson.
Before his passing, Mike's dad came up with Derek's Korean name: Tae Hee, which means "great and profound joy". It turns out he's living up to his name.
Grandma also got to see how much Audrey loves brother #2.
And how much Marcus loves
A visit from Grandma wouldn't be the same without a trip to Yogurtland...which is always a spiritual experience for my children.
And she knows it's never too young to start them early.
The older ones were so thrilled that they erupted in spontaneous kisses.
It was actually a full day of love for Marcus.
He and his gang at school exchanged Valentines.
And hugs.
And I got to crash the party.
Audrey was full of the Valentine's spirit as well.
Derek has got a thing for grandmas. Boy, was he spoiled with cuddles and giggles and kisses. After the sweet bond they've forged over the past few weeks, he is going to have some major G-ma withdrawal after she heads back to Maryland tomorrow.
When Derek was born, I thought he was God's gift to us. But now, I'm wondering if he was actually meant to be the balm to Grandma's soul. The timing of Grandpa's death and Derek's birth seem to be weaved together from above, and though the loss of her love can never be replaced, we're seeing that Derek is doing a pretty good job of making her fall in love with him.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
What The Kids Have Been Up To Lately
Being cute
Going to ballet with kindergarten gal pals
Exotic piano playing
Going to ballet with kindergarten gal pals
Exotic piano playing
Monday, January 24, 2011
With Christ
My father-in-law passed away last Sunday, January 16, 2011 at 7:33pm. Mike, Miriam, and their mother were by his side as he slipped out of this world into the presence of His Lord.
He leaves behind a son who didn't get to have one last conversation with him before slipping into a coma, yet who is left with the firmest impression that his dad loved Jesus, served Him passionately, and is undoubtedly singing his heart out to Him now.
He leaves behind a daughter who didn't get to be walked down the aisle by her Daddy, but who left her life in CA to spend the last few months by his side, caring for him and seeing first-hand the grace of Christ in his heart and in his marriage in the midst of tremendous suffering.
He leaves behind his wife, the love of his heart, who for decades served Christ right by his side. He loved her fiercely and for years, secretly stashed money into a Bible to buy her the diamond that he never got to buy her as young loves. And through the months of painfully nursing his ailing body, she entrusted him to the Lord and even today, continues to do so. She is now without half of herself, but remains strong because after all, "I have Jesus," she says.
He also leaves behind a daughter-in-law and 3 grandchildren. His oldest grandchild (Audrey), when she found out that Grandpa was now in Heaven, gasped in shock and after a short pause, exclaimed, "Lucky him!" and in thinking about him for days, realized that Grandpa was in Heaven and was lucky because he gets to be with the "real Jesus."
We are so thankful for all our family and friends who have been praying. Mike and the family are so encouraged by everyone's love and look forward to coming back to CA for the memorial service here.
Many of you have already watched this through Mike's facebook, but here is the wonderful slideshow tribute that Miriam made for her dad.
He leaves behind a son who didn't get to have one last conversation with him before slipping into a coma, yet who is left with the firmest impression that his dad loved Jesus, served Him passionately, and is undoubtedly singing his heart out to Him now.
He leaves behind a daughter who didn't get to be walked down the aisle by her Daddy, but who left her life in CA to spend the last few months by his side, caring for him and seeing first-hand the grace of Christ in his heart and in his marriage in the midst of tremendous suffering.
He leaves behind his wife, the love of his heart, who for decades served Christ right by his side. He loved her fiercely and for years, secretly stashed money into a Bible to buy her the diamond that he never got to buy her as young loves. And through the months of painfully nursing his ailing body, she entrusted him to the Lord and even today, continues to do so. She is now without half of herself, but remains strong because after all, "I have Jesus," she says.
He also leaves behind a daughter-in-law and 3 grandchildren. His oldest grandchild (Audrey), when she found out that Grandpa was now in Heaven, gasped in shock and after a short pause, exclaimed, "Lucky him!" and in thinking about him for days, realized that Grandpa was in Heaven and was lucky because he gets to be with the "real Jesus."
We are so thankful for all our family and friends who have been praying. Mike and the family are so encouraged by everyone's love and look forward to coming back to CA for the memorial service here.
Many of you have already watched this through Mike's facebook, but here is the wonderful slideshow tribute that Miriam made for her dad.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Time Freeze
With the turn of the new year, one can't help but wonder what things will happen over the next 12 months. Last week, I had a very realistic dream that Marcus all of a sudden started walking. Like REALLY walking. It felt so real that as I was waking up, I was planning on calling his PT to tell him the good news. But it wasn't true...not yet, at least. I wonder if this will be the year. How I hope it will be!
I long for the day that Marcus and I can have a heart-to-heart and I'll hear him say, "Mom, I know you and Dad have cried a lot over me. And I know there are major challenges in my life that are really hard for me to go through. But my Father is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and my Good Shepherd laid down His life for me. So you don't have to worry about me, Ma. I'm set for life."
Oh, how I long for that day!
But as much as I want to see all the wonderful things that could come about in the future, I've been feeling more and more that I want time to slow down. There's really no hurry for the next great thing. The kids and I took a little outing last week and as I shot pictures of them on my camera, I took mental pictures of them as well to file away in my heart.
I deliberately wanted to remember them as they were that day, enjoying them before she stopped calling her training wheels "stabilizers".
Or before swinging all by herself wasn't something to show off anymore.
Or before he outgrew the kiddie swing.
Or before being silly wasn't her default state.
I wanted to remember that they LOVED being together and that any little thing she did made him laugh.
But on the ride back home,
Marcus decided that he'd pedal himself a bit for the first time. Another small milestone, which means that time is indeed moving along.
Someone was proud of himself and I told him he was a big boy.
But he corrected me. "Very, very big," he said.
I guess it's inevitable. They're growing up.
Boy, are they growing up.
I long for the day that Marcus and I can have a heart-to-heart and I'll hear him say, "Mom, I know you and Dad have cried a lot over me. And I know there are major challenges in my life that are really hard for me to go through. But my Father is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and my Good Shepherd laid down His life for me. So you don't have to worry about me, Ma. I'm set for life."
Oh, how I long for that day!
But as much as I want to see all the wonderful things that could come about in the future, I've been feeling more and more that I want time to slow down. There's really no hurry for the next great thing. The kids and I took a little outing last week and as I shot pictures of them on my camera, I took mental pictures of them as well to file away in my heart.
I deliberately wanted to remember them as they were that day, enjoying them before she stopped calling her training wheels "stabilizers".
Or before swinging all by herself wasn't something to show off anymore.
Or before he outgrew the kiddie swing.
Or before being silly wasn't her default state.
I wanted to remember that they LOVED being together and that any little thing she did made him laugh.
But on the ride back home,
Marcus decided that he'd pedal himself a bit for the first time. Another small milestone, which means that time is indeed moving along.
Someone was proud of himself and I told him he was a big boy.
But he corrected me. "Very, very big," he said.
I guess it's inevitable. They're growing up.
Boy, are they growing up.
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