THINKING OF BOYS

Boys are bent on making messes, teasing siblings, racing through the house, challenging every decision & order that comes their way. Moms need to keep boys' minds & hands busy. "If not...you deserve what he's going to do to you." ~Dr. James Dobson, Bringing Up Boys
Having a son makes me appreciate and understand boys. I have two older wonderful girls, and I would've been content having all girls.  But God knew I needed a boy to teach and humble me, and mostly keep me on my knees and cling to His precious promises.  I'm telling you, every single day is an adventure. No dull moment in my life. I'm so glad I have a boy. Sometimes, I wish I have another one but like what my son said, "Mom, you're too old to have any more babies."  That, I am.  


But I'm never too old to enjoy and hold them even for an hour or so.  That's when I volunteer in our church's nursery---to get my baby fix.  Catch a glimpse of those little hands and little toes, drooling mouths and chubby cheeks! And they happen to be all boys that day!

For You created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother's womb. ~Psalm 139:13

When I grow up I want to be a little boy. ~Joseph Heller

 Don't wait to make your son a great man.  Make him a great boy. ~Author Unknown

One of the best things in the world to be is a boy; it requires no experience, but needs some practice to be a good one.~Charles Dudley Warner

You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes. ~Author Unknown

Here's one of my favorite images with my children when they were very young, and I was VERY TIRED--still am (bandana & sunglasses are, have been, my instant photoshop tools =.)  Then, 5yo, 3yo, 7mos.  

Now, 13, 11, and 8.  Time flies.  Enjoy them.  Photo taken January 2010

And here's me and my favorite son having some boba.

ROMELLE

When I run, I feel His pleasure.~Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire)

I'm reposting ROMELLE.  Her photographs were taken and posted last August. During our "photo session," we brought our sons along who, thankfully, not only kept each other company but truly enjoyed some bonding time.  They've since had playdates and hope to get them together more when school is out.

At any rate, I finally checked out her blogs, and definitely worth checking out.  I hope you visit and leave her comments.  She's so inspiring. I'm a fan of Romelle's discipline & pursuit of being fit. Not only physically, but mentally and spiritually. GO! ROME, GO!
Check out her blogs:
http://romellebroas.blogspot.com/
http://www.runninggirlsblog.blogspot.com/

age: 41

Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii; Pacifica, California

What I do: wife to a great guy, mother of 2 boys, dental hygienist, writer for children's magazines, marathon runner

"Mommy, you look beautiful." ~Mateo, 6

I realized I had turned into my mother when I heard my mother in my own voice.
What are you expert at: carrying 10 grocery bags to the house in one trip
The last time my children made me laugh: Today. And if you ask me tomorrow, the answer will still be the same, "today."
What advise would you give to young moms: Try not to go by the book and don't fret if things don't go your way.
When I have 30 minutes to myself: I try to fit 8 hours of housecleaning into 30 minutes, OR sit quietly and enjoy a hot mug of chai tea latte.
The last book I read to my children: The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg
My favorite outdoor activity to do with my children: Biking along the Marina overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge
The most noticeable way parenting has changed me: I no longer wear dry-cleaned clothes and rarely wear white.
What surprises me the most about being a parent: I really never knew what love was until I had children.
(Previously posted 8/8/09)

RED 3: 老虎的新年好‘年

The Chinese New Year tradition is a great way to reconcile; forgetting all grudges, and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.

Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is commonly called "Lunar New Year," because it is based on the lunisolar Chinese calendar. 

I used to be able to fit in one of these beautiful dresses. After bearing three children, there goes the shape. LOL!

The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first month (Chinese: 正月; pinyin: zhēng yuè) in the Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th; this day is called Lantern Festival. Chinese New Year's Eve is known as chú xī. It literally means "Year-Pass Eve".

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese Lunar Calendar.

The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Ancient Chinese New Year is a reflection on how the people behaved and what they believed in the most.

This fortune cookie lady requires payment to photograph her.  I supposed that's her main stipend.

Red couplets and red lanterns are displayed on the door frames and light up the atmosphere. The air is filled with strong Chinese emotions.

In stores in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and other cities, products of traditional Chinese style have started to lead fashion trend[s]. Buy yourself a Chinese-style coat, get your kids tiger-head hats and shoes, and decorate your home with some beautiful red Chinese knots, then you will have an authentic Chinese-style Spring Festival. ~Information taken from Wikipedia

Gung Hay Fat Choy from some cute (half) Chinese kids. #flashbackfridays 

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ~Ephesians 4:31

Photos taken in Old Chinatown.

RED 2: L'AMOUR

"We LOVE because 

HE first loved us." ~I John 4:19

“The heart is the only broken instrument that works.” 

~T.E. Kalem (Kiwi @ 5)

“For every love there is a heart somewhere  to receive it.”

(San Benito Inn, Half Moon Bay • 2009)

Home is where the heart is...

(Harmony, California • Population: 18 • 1992)

“Love is not written on paper, for paper can be erased. Nor is it etched on stone, for stone can be broken. But it is inscribed on a heart and there it shall remain forever.”

(Sutro Bath Ruins • 1988 • Photo by Hinh Luong)

“A woman's flattery may inflate a man's head a little; but her criticism goes straight to his heart, and contracts it so that it can never again hold quite as much love for her.” ~Helen Rowland 

(Best seat in town • Marina Theatre showing INVICTUS • Date Night 01.10)

“Educating the mind without educating 

the heart is no education at all.” ~Aristotle 

(My old Odyssey dashboard • Star Wars Vday '09)

“I would rather have eyes that cannot see; ears that cannot hear; lips that cannot speak, than a heart that cannot love” 

~Robert Tizon 

(Mom's heart surgery, Santa Clara Kaiser • 2008)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

from the 5 of us!
Read the story of St. Valentine.

RED 1: OUCH!

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful YOU are.

Trip to the ER for a hairline fracture on his shoulder @ 2

Fingers ran over by ice skates! @ 8

Zapped! @ 7

Fell into a ditch full of spikes @ 3! (Don't ask me how.  I wasn't there!)

Slipped on steps going up a slide at a pool in Boracay! @ 5

There are more casualties having a boy around.  But life wouldn't be as exciting without one.  Wish I had 2 =.)