Happy New Year! HAPPY NEW DECADE!

One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this:  To rise above the little things.

~John Burroughs

And we're off to another adventurous year. Wishing you well throughout the year as you make lasting memories and imprinting values to those around you.

There is always HOPE...and David

Some see a hopeless end, while others see an endless hope. ~Author Unknown

"Did someone bring the favors to the reception? Why aren't the flowers here yet? Are the inserts here for the program? Where's my purse? Where's my engagement ring? Where's my phone? Can you take a picture of me with the veil over my face? I still need to pack! What about the runner, who's doing it?" 

The bride, who was supposed to remain unseen until she walked down the aisle, was roaming around the wedding premises checking on everyone/everything. She was forced back to the bridal room several times. It's the coordinator/organizer blood flowing in her. She just can't help it.

"Krissie, I'm getting married!" ~Hope exclaimed excitedly the night before, and all the nights before.

"Remember, you're the bride. You're not a bridesmaid," David had to keep reminding her. 

"My family is more surprised," after being asked if his family is excited. "They never thought I'd ever get married." ~David, a high school teacher. And here's just a few of the things they both enjoy: jazz, the outdoors, photography, and they're both detail-oriented.

"I've never seen a bride SO happy," a guest commented with delight. She was beaming indeed.

"When I get married, I will take care of my man. He will be loved!" Those were words of Hope (notice it's "when," not "if".) She just knew she'll be married. It's just a matter of "when." The time has come.

"Do you believe in miracles?" were Hope's opening line for her Thank You speech. Everyone agreed with an uproar of applaud that filled the room. After their first dance and the money dance, she led/taught the guests how to do the Hustle. "Do the Hustle..."  What a fun wedding.  Two years later, they're still in honeymoon stage.  It's truly "Worth the Wait."

Happy 2nd Anniversary, David & Hope!

REST and be refreshed...

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." ~Jesus (Matthew 11:28)

Snow White took a bite.

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. ~Psalm 4:8

Seoul Airport, Korea - waiting for the tour bus

People who snore always fall asleep first.  ~Author Unknown

Don't wake up Daddy!

People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one.  ~Leo J. Burke 

A big nice friend to lean on, Sharka

The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night's sleep.  ~E. Joseph Cossman

After a long day of partying!

Fatigue is the best pillow.  ~Benjamin Franklin

Flight home from Asia to America

But the important thing is to lie down and fall asleep. That little nap means you wake up fresh again and can continue. ~James Levine

Fell asleep in the laundry basket

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. ~Psalm 62:5

The pool's loud splashes as the swimmers practice can't even wake him up.

No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap.  ~Carrie Snow

After long conversations, they finally fell asleep. #sisters

Rest: the sweet sauce of labor. ~Plutarch

Just one of many car rides home

...to whom He said, "This is the resting place, let the weary rest"; and, "This is the place of repose"... ~Isaiah 28:12

Chillaxing

Consciousness:  that annoying time between naps.  ~Author Unknown

BAD IDEA!

The amount of sleep required by the average person is five minutes more.  ~Wilson Mizener

My sweet angel

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ~Psalm 91:1

Fell asleep after reading and arranging his books

True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment. ~William Penn 

"Bionicles and me"

Sometimes the most urgent and vital thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest. ~Ashleigh Brilliant 

The house is so nice and quiet when the boys are sound asleep.

The time to relax is when you don't have time for it. ~Sidney J. Harris

Sleep: If I can go without it, I would.  But I need it so I try not to fight it.  I would lose anyway.  Both body & mind require it to function adequately.  I know--I always pay for it the next day if I don't.  So rest and be refreshed. 

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.

FELIZ NAVIDAD...

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas from our Family to Yours! May the TRUE meaning of Christmas dwell in your hearts not only during this time but throughout the year and beyond. 

These images of the season (some recently taken, some in the past years), I share with you with the intention of sending hope in spite of whatever we are all going through.  Be blessed.

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.  ~Jude 1:12

Illustration by my 13 year-old - not a photograph but you can see me in the reflection with my camera taking a shot.

She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ~Luke 2:7

The Manger Ship: my 8 year-old son's version of the manger scene with Clones as guardian angels.

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel which means, 'God with us'. ~Matthew 1:23

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ~Luke 2:16

There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries.  ~W.J. Cameron

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Decorating a gingerbread house is magical... the smell... the taste... the creativity and freedom you feel while building your own, colorful dream home! There's nothing like it for getting "visions of sugar-plums" dancing around in your head! Building and decorating a gingerbread house is a wonderful tradition for kids to grow up with. Best of all, it let us adults rekindle that magic for a little while!

Homeschool Co-Op Christmas Party

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself...
~Norman Wesley Brooks, 
"Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976

Christmas is for children.  But it is for grown-ups too.  Even if it is a headache, a chore, and nightmare, it is a period of necessary defrosting of chill and hide-bound hearts.  ~Lenora Mattingly Weber

  
Tree-trimming at the Murphys

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away.
~Eva Logue

Candlelight Service @ Cornerstone