First Day of School

Today marks the second day of school.  That means two days in a row I have been so rushed to get kids out the door that I failed to get pictures.  Is it still as meaningful if you take pictures of the third day of school?

In my defense, I have three kids this week.  Our neighbors and good friends are away on a marriage retreat (for routine maintenance not damage-repair). We agreed to watch their sweet little boy, Lucas.  Chloe and Ava have thoroughly enjoyed him being here and they have all played their hearts out.

It's been a great week and with the exception of just a few tears on the first day, school is going great for everyone. 

Maybe if I can get my head straight, we'll see a picture of the kids on their third day of school.  Maybe I will start a new tradition or even a movement.  No longer will parents take pictures on the first day of school. I officially declare the THIRD day of school as the official take a picture day. 

What I've Been Reading

Knock ‘Em Dead by Martin Yate


Job searching is hard work no matter what state the economy is in. “Knock ‘em Dead” is a practical solutions manual that offers step-by-step instruction to getting a job and keeping a job. This book begins with a little soul-searching for your marketable skills, teaches you how to put those on paper to be noticed and then helps you clinch the job interview to land a career instead of a job.

I originally read this book with the intention of passing on a few job-hunting skills to a close family member who is soon to graduate college. This book was so intensive and in-depth that I am just going to pass the entire book to her! For anyone who is looking for a new career, has been out of a job for awhile or is just entering the workforce, this book has solutions for almost any need.

http://www.adamsmediastore.com/product/knock-em-dead-2011/careers

http://www.amazon.com/Knock-Dead-2011-Ultimate-Search/dp/1440505861/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301669689&sr=1-1

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

What I've Been Reading

Max On Life by Max Lucado

Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone was issued an owner’s manual upon entry into the world? Every question you have, every malfunction in your internal software could be fixed just by reaching for a simple and practical solutions manual. While not exactly an instruction booklet, “Max on Life” does attempt to answer some of life’s toughest questions. Lucado answers questions about our purpose in life, our conflicts in life, and what happens when our life on earth is done.

“Max on Life” was an insightful and well-organized book that gave real answers to real problems. This book is written in Max Lucado’s warm and easy to understand style. You don’t have to worry about any large theological terms that confuse the main issue. Max’s book is helpful for today’s world and today’s people.

http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=9780849948121

http://www.amazon.com/Max-Life-Answers-Inspiration-Questions/dp/0849948126/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292263706&sr=8-1

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

it's coming to get me

Do you see that little island located just above the letter "n" in the word "Hong Kong".  Yeah, that's Taiwan.  You see that circular red object bigger than the entire island on which I live? That's Typhoon Muifa.  hmmmm.  Should be an interesting weekend.

Jeff's plane from Malaysia is suppose to land on Saturday right along with my new friend Muifa.  I'm suppose to go to the airport (which is located about an hour outside the city) to pick Jeff up in our car.  Here's a picture of our car: (It's about 10lbs bigger than a golf cart).

Golf Cart versus Typhoon- which do you think would win?

It'll grow back right?

This is Ava a month ago.

Here is Ava Today.

 

This haircut has been brought to you by big sister Chloe. (She wanted Ava's hair to look like daddy's)

Am I a Tiger Mom?




Guess which one is Chloe.  I'll give you a hint- she does not have black hair.

 

A friend of mine recently directed me to the article below talking about parents who immerse their kids in another culture so that they can gain a competitive edge later in life.  I found it very interesting given our current life. 

Chloe recently completely her first kindergarten year in a completely Mandarin-speaking environment.  The first few weeks were difficult for her but she quickly adjusted and she liked school from the beginning.  She will return again this fall for her 2nd year of kindergarten.  (They do school a little different here where kids attend Kindergarten two or even three years.)

Why do we send her?

We had several reasons for sending her to all Chinese Kindergarten.  The least important reason was her future competitive edge in the marketplace.  Sure, it's great if she speaks the language that many assume to be the next superpower but I don't think kids who don't learn Chinese are at any great disadvantage. Does language alone create a successful functioning human being? It depends on your definition of success I suppose. I would contend that the character traits of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control are far better gauges to a healthy human than the number of languages spoken or what initials appear after a name.

I am reminded so many times that how we want our children to turn out, we must first model it ourselves.  Do you want loving and joyful adult children?  We must be loving and joyful parents.  How about honest and faithful children? Gotta start with us.

Of course, there is a place for education and a need to learn reading, writing and 'rithmetic.  It's also a good idea to be exposed to other cultures. The problem is our tendency to sacrifice our children on the altar of education and then we are surprised when money becomes their God.

How much more freeing would it be to lay our children at the feet of Jesus, model good character in our own lives and then let a God that knows and cares for every hair on each child's head take care of their future.

http://www.newsweek.com/2011/07/17/american-kids-immersed-in-chinese-asian-education.html

Fresh Eyes and Life's Seasons

In the world of blogging, you can usually sense people's moods by the tone, content and frequency of postings.  An avid blogger whose page suddenly goes blank is a good indication that some problem has come up. A semi-avid blogger with regular posts that become sporadic probably just indicates boredom with the sport.  A bloggers tone often reflects the writer's inner working- glass half-full, half-empty, condescending, uplifting.  Much like where you spend your money is a reflection on where your heart is- I would say that where a blogger spends most of their time is a good indication of where their heart is.

So, what does that say about our blog. It's been a month since I last posted so that probably means life has become routine bordering on the mundane. There is nothing wrong with life seeming boring for a period of time, it gives you just enough time to catch your breath for the next wave.  That wave can be good, as in a new baby,  or it can be bad, as in news of an illness. Either way, waves are usually exhausting.  If you look at the subjects of most of my posts, they either feature my kids, are related to my kids or someway to take care of my kids (meals, etc.)

In the advertising world, there is a term to refer to the number of times one person hears the same message regardless of the median used to express that message.  It's called "impressions" and it takes approximately 10 impressions before a message has been solidified in someone's mind.  This may come from a sales person, a TV commercial, a billboard or word-of-mouth. Sometimes, I wonder if God knows about "impressions" and uses the 'rule of 10' on us.

Lately, I've been hearing about seasons in life.  You have a singles season, a married without kids season, a young child season and so on.  I am assured that the small-child season really does end someday and a few have even warned that it will be over too quickly. 

I think about my season in life.  Sometimes it feels like a dry season and I am reminded of the scorching hot months without rain in Thailand.  During this time, farmers burn their fields and smoke fills the air to the point that the sun is lost in the clouds. Those dry days all my patience and good intentions are lost in a murky haze of discontent and bad attitudes.

Some days, like today, my season is caretaker.  This season is like the life-giving rains that proceeds on the heels of the smoke relieving the heat and releasing the sun.  Today, I took Ava to the emergency room to get one stitch in the back of her head from a poolside accident this morning. I don't like it when my kids are sick or broken but the end result of whatever calamity has fallen upon them is a chance to love.  When they are sick they want closeness.  When they are well they run around arguing causing chaos.  When they are broken they want healing and their spirit softens. The sibling shows concern and care for the injured party. They take care of each other.  When they are fully-mended they spend the better part of the day trying to break each other again.

I was thinking about this in relation to suffering in life. Some people's season in life is full of sorrow and grief. God does not wish calamity upon anyway and I know that he grieves with those who mourn.  But those times of sorrow and brokenness are such beautiful opportunities for our spirits to soften and desire closeness. We can build bonds between people and God where otherwise we are too busy causing chaos and trying to wound each other.

So, what's your season?