Another one of these came into the house today. Of course, I had a freak-out, but managed to sweep him out with the help of yet another neighbor who happened to be walking by. When will we get a new screen door that actually keeps the critters out? Not sure, but hopefully before another wild animal comes over.
I called Mike at work to tell him about it. He asked, "Did you take a picture?" Uh, taking a picture is not exactly what's on my to-do list when I'm screaming, looking for a broom, and yelling, "Audrey, get in the living room!". Maybe next time?
Friday, September 14, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
A Full and Blessed Past Month
What a full and blessed past month! My little sister got married, we got to spend time with my parents and cousin Annabel from NY, went to (in my opinion) the best Lou Priolo retreat we've had at our church, and I'm continuing to learn what it means to honor the Lord as a mom by trusting in Him and pursuing Him.
We're still waiting on the Lord for a few health/developmental issues for Marcus. Nothing life-threatening or physically painful, but humbling for us as parents nonetheless. But God sure did know how to minister to me by allowing me to hear almost all the messages at retreat. I think the biggest thing I learned from the retreat was that I need to constantly preach to myself with God's word.
Just thought I'd share some verses that have been a huge encouragement:
And now for pictures:
Marcus & Halmunee
Annabel flew all the way to Cali for Jane's wedding. She was such a servant to us. Pretty much my live-in nanny and housekeeper for a week. Hopefully next time she comes, it will be a real vacation for her.
Does this pose look familiar? Same face from last year, just a bit more hair.
With Gomo
This clip cracks me up in SO many ways!
We're still waiting on the Lord for a few health/developmental issues for Marcus. Nothing life-threatening or physically painful, but humbling for us as parents nonetheless. But God sure did know how to minister to me by allowing me to hear almost all the messages at retreat. I think the biggest thing I learned from the retreat was that I need to constantly preach to myself with God's word.
Just thought I'd share some verses that have been a huge encouragement:
Psalm 42:11
Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 135:5-6
For I know that the Lord is great; and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.
Psalm 28:6-7
Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplication. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him.
And now for pictures:
Marcus & Halmunee
Annabel flew all the way to Cali for Jane's wedding. She was such a servant to us. Pretty much my live-in nanny and housekeeper for a week. Hopefully next time she comes, it will be a real vacation for her.
Does this pose look familiar? Same face from last year, just a bit more hair.
With Gomo
This clip cracks me up in SO many ways!
Monday, August 6, 2007
Trusting the Lord As A Mom
Marcus is almost 2 months old now, and we're all adjusting to the wonderful new addition. Having the 2nd baby is a lot easier in a way b/c we're not as freaked out by little things and we kind of know what to do with a baby now. However, I'm still the same mom with the same sins that I've had for a while. I'm still the anxious worry-wart who doesn't control her thoughts like she needs to.
Audrey has had an unexplainable skin issue for a week and a throw-up issue this weekend and my thoughts ran wild. "What if she got bit by a rodent and now she's throwing up because she's infected with some life-threatening bacteria? What if she never stops throwing up and we have to go to the hospital?"
Marcus hasn't reached one if his milestones: focusing on faces and tracking moving objects with his eyes. So I was thinking, "What if he's blind? How will he make a living and provide for his family if he's blind? What kind of jobs can blind people have? Will Mike be okay if he can't play sports with him? Well, at least he can be musical b/c there are a lot of blind people who are musically talented."
So on and on I go with silly thoughts that stem from an ugly heart. Even IF Audrey is infected by a rodent or Marcus is blind (gosh, that sounds so funny!), I need to trust in the Lord who is in control of all things. The kids and I stayed home from church yesterday to let Audrey recover, but it was good to go to the Word to preach to my heart.
Psalm 31:14 But as for me, I trust in you, O LORD, I say, "You are my God."
Psalm 135:6 Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. (Thanks to a dear friend who shared this verse with me.)
Whatever the situation, big or small, I need to trust in God because He is in control and does what He pleases. He is in control of all the things I want to have control over because He alone is God. I am not God and my job is to put my trust in Him, to find refuge in Him with a peaceful and thankful heart. Even writing this, I'm so rebuked because so many people have those big issues to trust Him in. I'm not sitting next to my child in a cancer ward or caring for a disabled husband or battling physical ailments of my own. My life is so full of blessing and shelter, yet I STILL have a hard time trusting. That's how weak my heart is. But thanks to a merciful God who lovingly places tiny opportunities like these into my life to remind me that He is God.
Wow, thanks for reading. I'm sure there are others out there who can relate, right?
Well, here are some recent pics of the kids. I'm so thankful for them and for all the ways God uses them to keep my eyes on Him.
Want some applesauce?
So far, Audrey hasn't asked us to send Marcus back. In fact, it's been just the opposite. She really dotes on him, kissing him a lot. For some reason she keeps saying "Morning, Marcus" throughout the day. Maybe because he's always waking up from a nap.
Here's our precious little fella. There's been a sweetness to having a son that I never expected. I guess it's kind of like the sweetness between a father and his daughter.
Audrey has had an unexplainable skin issue for a week and a throw-up issue this weekend and my thoughts ran wild. "What if she got bit by a rodent and now she's throwing up because she's infected with some life-threatening bacteria? What if she never stops throwing up and we have to go to the hospital?"
Marcus hasn't reached one if his milestones: focusing on faces and tracking moving objects with his eyes. So I was thinking, "What if he's blind? How will he make a living and provide for his family if he's blind? What kind of jobs can blind people have? Will Mike be okay if he can't play sports with him? Well, at least he can be musical b/c there are a lot of blind people who are musically talented."
So on and on I go with silly thoughts that stem from an ugly heart. Even IF Audrey is infected by a rodent or Marcus is blind (gosh, that sounds so funny!), I need to trust in the Lord who is in control of all things. The kids and I stayed home from church yesterday to let Audrey recover, but it was good to go to the Word to preach to my heart.
Psalm 31:14 But as for me, I trust in you, O LORD, I say, "You are my God."
Psalm 135:6 Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. (Thanks to a dear friend who shared this verse with me.)
Whatever the situation, big or small, I need to trust in God because He is in control and does what He pleases. He is in control of all the things I want to have control over because He alone is God. I am not God and my job is to put my trust in Him, to find refuge in Him with a peaceful and thankful heart. Even writing this, I'm so rebuked because so many people have those big issues to trust Him in. I'm not sitting next to my child in a cancer ward or caring for a disabled husband or battling physical ailments of my own. My life is so full of blessing and shelter, yet I STILL have a hard time trusting. That's how weak my heart is. But thanks to a merciful God who lovingly places tiny opportunities like these into my life to remind me that He is God.
Wow, thanks for reading. I'm sure there are others out there who can relate, right?
Well, here are some recent pics of the kids. I'm so thankful for them and for all the ways God uses them to keep my eyes on Him.
Want some applesauce?
So far, Audrey hasn't asked us to send Marcus back. In fact, it's been just the opposite. She really dotes on him, kissing him a lot. For some reason she keeps saying "Morning, Marcus" throughout the day. Maybe because he's always waking up from a nap.
Here's our precious little fella. There's been a sweetness to having a son that I never expected. I guess it's kind of like the sweetness between a father and his daughter.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Family of Four
Marcus Nathaniel Lee was born on Sunday June 10th, 2007 at 12:22 PM at Hoag Hospital. He weighed 7 lb 10 oz and measured 19.5 inches. He is healthy and we're so happy to have him in our family. He is 2 weeks old today. Here are a few pictures:
He looks a lot like my dad, just like Audrey looks a lot like Mike's dad. My parents are flying in tomorrow morning and I can't wait for them to see their two grandkids.
Can't believe this girl is a big sister now. She got to spend lots of time with Daddy the past few weeks. I think it was really special for the two of them. She's definitely Daddy's little girl.
Thanks everyone, for your prayers, emails, calls, visitations, gifts, and especially...meals! We've been so ministered to by all our friends and family and we're really thankful. Thank you!
Amber & Sherie...I know you two are just about ready with your little ones. Can't wait to meet them!
He looks a lot like my dad, just like Audrey looks a lot like Mike's dad. My parents are flying in tomorrow morning and I can't wait for them to see their two grandkids.
Can't believe this girl is a big sister now. She got to spend lots of time with Daddy the past few weeks. I think it was really special for the two of them. She's definitely Daddy's little girl.
Thanks everyone, for your prayers, emails, calls, visitations, gifts, and especially...meals! We've been so ministered to by all our friends and family and we're really thankful. Thank you!
Amber & Sherie...I know you two are just about ready with your little ones. Can't wait to meet them!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
This Is How We PHO It
Favorite Place: Pho 99 on Walnut & Jeffrey in Irvine, 5 minutes from home
Mike
Large #8 with tripe, tendon, rare beef, other beef Additives: basil leaves, but no sauce to soup (to keep the flavor pure) Dips beef and tripe, etc. into dish with mixture of sriracha & hoisin For sides: raw jalepenos and onion mixture (refer to recipe below) Technique: eats all noodles first, then orders extra side of noodles to add to bowl while soup is still hot.Sue
Large #2 with rare beef Additives: extra cilantro & sprouts, one basil torn up into pieces, no sauce Dips beef into dish with 1/2 sriracha 1/2 hoisin, but not mixed together Sides: sprouts & onion mixture Technique: eats noodles & beef together while adding sprouts continuously to add crunchinessAudrey
Small bowl of Mommy's #2 Additives: sprouts Sides: none Technique: tries to eat noodles with fork but then gives up and uses her hands, places end of noodles into mouth and then slurps the rest, lifts bowl to mouth to drink the soup occasionally and then asks for more.Onion Mixture
Ask for extra side of sliced white onions Add juice of 1 or 2 sliced limes Add few spoonfuls of pho broth Squirt lots of sriracha on top and mix well with chopsticks
Our family pho history/background:
When Mike was a bachelor, he fell in love with pho. The broth & noodle combination really satiated his appetite for a "home-cooked" meal. It being inexpensive also encouraged him to buy pho several times a week, and sometimes twice a day. He's been hooked ever since. Now, as a family, pho is one of our favorite things to eat together.
During this pregnancy, pho has not tasted as good, so we haven't had it as often as before. In fact, Mike had gone a whole 2 months without pho for my sake. (What a husband!) However, last weekend, while I was away for most of the day, he had bonding time with Audrey at the beach and then they had a pho date for lunch.
Audrey is truly a girl after her daddy's heart.
Like Father
Like Daughter
For those of you who don't really like pho, I recommend persevering. Keep at it, try new (clean) places, and I guarantee you'll fall in love. Even Pastor James likes it now! Come on, Sanchez_Familia, you can pho it too!
Mike
Large #8 with tripe, tendon, rare beef, other beef Additives: basil leaves, but no sauce to soup (to keep the flavor pure) Dips beef and tripe, etc. into dish with mixture of sriracha & hoisin For sides: raw jalepenos and onion mixture (refer to recipe below) Technique: eats all noodles first, then orders extra side of noodles to add to bowl while soup is still hot.Sue
Large #2 with rare beef Additives: extra cilantro & sprouts, one basil torn up into pieces, no sauce Dips beef into dish with 1/2 sriracha 1/2 hoisin, but not mixed together Sides: sprouts & onion mixture Technique: eats noodles & beef together while adding sprouts continuously to add crunchinessAudrey
Small bowl of Mommy's #2 Additives: sprouts Sides: none Technique: tries to eat noodles with fork but then gives up and uses her hands, places end of noodles into mouth and then slurps the rest, lifts bowl to mouth to drink the soup occasionally and then asks for more.Onion Mixture
Ask for extra side of sliced white onions Add juice of 1 or 2 sliced limes Add few spoonfuls of pho broth Squirt lots of sriracha on top and mix well with chopsticks
Our family pho history/background:
When Mike was a bachelor, he fell in love with pho. The broth & noodle combination really satiated his appetite for a "home-cooked" meal. It being inexpensive also encouraged him to buy pho several times a week, and sometimes twice a day. He's been hooked ever since. Now, as a family, pho is one of our favorite things to eat together.
During this pregnancy, pho has not tasted as good, so we haven't had it as often as before. In fact, Mike had gone a whole 2 months without pho for my sake. (What a husband!) However, last weekend, while I was away for most of the day, he had bonding time with Audrey at the beach and then they had a pho date for lunch.
Audrey is truly a girl after her daddy's heart.
Like Father
Like Daughter
For those of you who don't really like pho, I recommend persevering. Keep at it, try new (clean) places, and I guarantee you'll fall in love. Even Pastor James likes it now! Come on, Sanchez_Familia, you can pho it too!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Attack of the Lizard Part 3 & Other Family Updates
It's confirmed. Lizard Jr. has a death wish on our household and wants to avenge his father's death.
He was lurking behind the bushes by our front door when Audrey and I got back from the grocery store today. As I let Audrey into the house, I saw him jet inside. This lizard gained some weight since we last saw him. Not only was he bigger, but wilder, faster, and more feisty. Glory and praise to our sovereign God who providentially had a neighbor walk by just as I screamed. He asked if he could come inside to help, to which I responded with a desperate "yes!" and then I got him a broom. As I watched him battle the lizard, I don't know what I looked or sounded like, but Audrey could sense my fear and asked me to hold her. So the two of us hid out in the kitchen while my neighbor tried to sweep the creature out the front door. It was quite a fight, though, because this guy did NOT want to leave. After a few minutes, my neighbor (who worked up a sweat) got the lizard out and I thankfully shook his hand and expressed my deepest gratitude.
Whew! What would I have done if my neighbor had not walked by? I am SO thankful to the Lord for two things today: helpful neighbors & brooms.
I wonder when Lizard Jr. will make his next siege on our house. What if next time he has kids and brings them too? I must not be anxious. The Lord has delivered me 3 times already. I must trust in Him.
__________________________________________________
My doctor told me today that Baby's head is down now (which explains some of my achiness) and that he's a pretty good-sized one. He's due to arrive next month, so I guess God is putting his finishing touches on him before he joins the family. We're really excited to meet him! I'm a little anxious about sharing a room with him in the beginning, especially since Mike has to go to work. But hopefully, Mike's selective hearing (which all father's have) will kick in and he'll get enough rest for his work day.
Mike's mom came to visit from Maryland and spent the past 2 weeks with us. She left this morning and thankfully I was wearing my sunglasses when I dropped her off, because I got teary when we said our good-byes. Before marriage, I never thought that I would cry when saying bye to my mother-in-law, but God has blessed me with such a godly, loving, selfless, considerate mother-in-law, that it's always hard to part with each other especially after a long time together. Thinking about Mother's Day coming up, I'm so thankful for my own mom and for Mike's mom, who are both such blessings to our family.
Here are some pictures of our time together:
Grandma Lee's favorite activity - feeding Audrey.
Newport Beach
Sporting the new shades that Gomo got her.
Sunday at church with beef jerky
Redondo Beach Crabhouse a.k.a. Korea
Next month, we get to see my mom who will come from Hawaii to spend time with TWO grandkids. Yay!
He was lurking behind the bushes by our front door when Audrey and I got back from the grocery store today. As I let Audrey into the house, I saw him jet inside. This lizard gained some weight since we last saw him. Not only was he bigger, but wilder, faster, and more feisty. Glory and praise to our sovereign God who providentially had a neighbor walk by just as I screamed. He asked if he could come inside to help, to which I responded with a desperate "yes!" and then I got him a broom. As I watched him battle the lizard, I don't know what I looked or sounded like, but Audrey could sense my fear and asked me to hold her. So the two of us hid out in the kitchen while my neighbor tried to sweep the creature out the front door. It was quite a fight, though, because this guy did NOT want to leave. After a few minutes, my neighbor (who worked up a sweat) got the lizard out and I thankfully shook his hand and expressed my deepest gratitude.
Whew! What would I have done if my neighbor had not walked by? I am SO thankful to the Lord for two things today: helpful neighbors & brooms.
I wonder when Lizard Jr. will make his next siege on our house. What if next time he has kids and brings them too? I must not be anxious. The Lord has delivered me 3 times already. I must trust in Him.
__________________________________________________
My doctor told me today that Baby's head is down now (which explains some of my achiness) and that he's a pretty good-sized one. He's due to arrive next month, so I guess God is putting his finishing touches on him before he joins the family. We're really excited to meet him! I'm a little anxious about sharing a room with him in the beginning, especially since Mike has to go to work. But hopefully, Mike's selective hearing (which all father's have) will kick in and he'll get enough rest for his work day.
Mike's mom came to visit from Maryland and spent the past 2 weeks with us. She left this morning and thankfully I was wearing my sunglasses when I dropped her off, because I got teary when we said our good-byes. Before marriage, I never thought that I would cry when saying bye to my mother-in-law, but God has blessed me with such a godly, loving, selfless, considerate mother-in-law, that it's always hard to part with each other especially after a long time together. Thinking about Mother's Day coming up, I'm so thankful for my own mom and for Mike's mom, who are both such blessings to our family.
Here are some pictures of our time together:
Grandma Lee's favorite activity - feeding Audrey.
Newport Beach
Sporting the new shades that Gomo got her.
Sunday at church with beef jerky
Redondo Beach Crabhouse a.k.a. Korea
Next month, we get to see my mom who will come from Hawaii to spend time with TWO grandkids. Yay!
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