Merry Christmas!

We pray that you have a blessed Christmas!

"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men."

Luke 2:9-14

Holiday Festival of Trains

Last Friday I took the children to the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda. I had seen on the news that they are having a special exhibit called A Holiday Festival of Trains and since both my little ones love trains I decided it would be a fun excursion.

Here are Joshua and Mercy right outside the exhibit room. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to use the flash on the camera so I didn't get any good pictures of the trains (they were all blurry). But it was a large setup with at least 8 trains running through various villages and Christmas scenes.

After looking at the train exhibit, we toured the entire library. The children enjoyed looking at the decorated Christmas trees throughout the library. Each tree was themed. They had trees decorated for different countries, trees dedicated to the presidents, and even one with the first ladies. Next to the trees for the countries, there was a short description of how that country celebrates.

Overall, it was an enjoyable day. A perfect way to spend a rainy day. I didn't think the children would be that interested in the history side of the library, but I found that certain exhibits did pique their interests (such as a piece of the Berlin wall, the life-size statues of 10 world leaders, & the White House East Room reproduction), which led to some interesting questions and discussions.

Joshua is 7!

On November 12, our little guy Joshua turned 7!
WoW! Where does the time go? To celebrate, we went to John's Incredible Pizza in Montclair. It was a surprise for the boy, when he arrived and saw his grandparents and aunts and uncle waiting for him he was so happy!

After we chowed on the all-you-can-eat buffet, we had chocolate-chocolate cake which is both Joshua and Mercy's favorite.

Joshua went home with a trunk-load of gifts. His Uncle Isaac gave him this nice Stratego game which Joshua loves to play. He can already beat his dad.
After pizza, cake, & gifts, we all went over to play games.


I don't know who had more fun playing - the children or the adults. This is my sis-in-law Cathy, and Jason getting carried away at the shooting gallery.

Remembering Our Glory Babies

Today was one of those days when my heart felt like it was breaking all over again over the loss of our babies. Sorrow and grief are strange emotions, in that they can come and go with such an intensity - for what may seem like no reason.

One of the things that is hard in losing an unborn baby, is that you don't really have anything to remember them by. This may sound odd...I guess what I mean is that when I am feeling sad and missing my uncle who has passed, I can remember what he looked like, the way he would rub my ears, or his pet name for me. But with someone you have never met, there is a certain lonely longing or emptiness because of the lack of memories.

There are a couple of ways that I try to remember my lost babies by: With the baby that I lost in March, I have an ultrasound picture...My sister gave me a lovely figurine of a mother holding a tiny baby, the statue is all white with no facial features, it sits on my vanity...There is a song called "Glory Baby" by a Christian group named Watermark, that is about losing an unborn baby, which I like to listen to.

On days like these, I find myself looking to God for comfort and healing that I know only He can provide. Drawing near to the Lord through prayer and scripture, I find myself thanking Him for what He has blessed me with and becoming hopeful again.

Glory Baby

by Watermark

Glory baby you slipped away as fast as we could say baby…baby..

You were growing, what happened dear?

You disappeared on us baby…baby..

Heaven will hold you before we do

Heaven will keep you safe until we’re home with you…

Until we’re home with you…

Miss you everyday

Miss you in every way

But we know there’s a

day when we will hold you

We will hold you

You’ll kiss our tears away

When we’re home to stay

Can’t wait for the day when we will see you

We will see you

But baby let sweet Jesus hold you

‘till mom and dad can hold you…

You’ll just have heaven before we do

You’ll just have heaven before we do

Sweet little babies, it’s hard to

understand it ‘cause we’re hurting

We are hurting

But there is healing

And we know we’re stronger people through the growing

And in knowing-

That all things work together for our good

And God works His purposes just like He said He would…

Just like He said He would…

I can’t imagine heaven’s lullabies

and what they must sound like

But I will rest in knowing,

heaven is your home

And it’s all you’ll ever know…all you’ll ever know…

October Beach Day

I have been negligent in my posting. Here is the first of a few belated blog posts.

One Saturday in late October, Jason and I decided to take the family to the beach. We had spent the prior week cooped up in the house due to the smoke and ash of the local wildfires, & we felt a day out was sorely needed. Even though the day was gray, smokey, & drizzly at home, it was crisp & fresh at the coast and the sun shone through the clouds.

The water was COOLLD!! But that didn't stop the children from getting drenched while playing in the waves.

We all played frisbee.

Mercy made sand angels.

It seemed we were the only ones who thought it was a good day to go to the beach, the beach was empty most of the time we were there. It was a peaceful & enjoyable day. I was especially thankful for the chance to slow down to appreciate & enjoy the gifts that God has given me.

Apple Picking!

A couple of weekends ago Jason and I took the kids to Oak Glen for apple picking! We were all very excited because we had never picked apples before. First, we stopped at the Snow-Line Orchard for apple cider donuts. Yummy! They were fresh, and steaming hot. We were also able to see apples being pressed at their cider mill.

Next, we went to the Willowbrook Apple Farm. This is a very small family affair. It was their first weekend that they were open for the season. We had a wonderful time! They had apples and other apple products available for tasting, which were all delicious. The children enjoyed seeing the horse, the chicken (there was only one, as the others were eaten by a bear!), and the little dog named SugarBear.
This was our bag of Stayman Winesap apples. The children picked a few apples and then just wanted to run around and explore.

A rare family snapshot.

It took much coaxing to get Mercy to sit for this shot.

Joshua, is always willing to pose for a picture.

We were very blessed to have had this time together as a family. We look forward to making this a family tradition.

Rememberence Day

Trusting God With All My Heart

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. -Proverbs 3:5-6

This past week has found me constantly going to this verse for comfort and peace. It is hard to see why God would try us in this way again. But knowing that I don't have to understand it, just trust in Him and His purpose, gets me through each day.

We covet the prayers of all our friends and family. It gives us comfort to know that so many are loving, caring, and lifting us up.

A Mother's Song

Bravo! I thought this was so funny. I know I have said some of these things.

Sing Praises!

We are taking our morning break from school. Joshua is rebuilding his train track. Mercy is playing quietly.

Earlier, during our math lesson, Mercy decided it was a good time to sing. "ALLELUIA! ALLELUIAAAAA! LET ME HIDE MYSELF IN THEEEEE! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! YOU ARE MY GOD! YOU ARE MY GOD!!" I thought it was a lovely song, but I told her that now was not the time for loud singing. She said, "But Mom God always wants us to sing praises to Him!"

How can I argue with that?

A Chamber Music Performance

This past Saturday we took the children to their first classical music concert, which was hosted by the Western Society of Chamber Music. Jason and I have been wanting to do this, but we were unsure of how a fidgety six year old and chatty 3 year old would do for an entire performance. So we looked at the Society's webpage, it said that each event is "fit for the seasoned concert-goer, the new listener, and the entire family." Also, the event was FREE! We decided we had nothing to lose; if the children were misbehaved we could leave early without feeling like we wasted money.

There was a pre-concert performance by a fourth grade girl playing the violin. Joshua enjoyed that since he is taking violin lessons. The concert itself started at 7:30 with a presentation of the life of Johannes Brahms. The speaker was a little hard to follow, and I have to admit that I was a little bored. But then the music started it was wonderful. It was the Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Op. 8 by Brahms. This first half of the concert lasted about an hour. Then an intermission.

The children were a little fidgety. I brought some fruit snacks for them to share, & Mercy played with a couple of stuffed animals. At the intermission we decided to leave. The children enjoyed the music, but we felt that they may not make it through the second half. Joshua said that he wanted to stay, but we promised him we would come to another performance.

I would recommend the Western Society of Chamber Music to other families. The performance was very family friendly, the theatre was spacious, and the music was great. Also, the concerts are offered free of charge (they do have a case in the lobby for donations). We will definitely plan to make it to future performances!

Angels Baseball Clinic

On Saturday, August 11, we took Joshua to an Anaheim Angel's Youth Baseball Clinic @ Chino Hills Community Park. The children were given free t-shirts & hats before they were herded around a ball field & made to listen to two-bit players & coaches spew baseball knowledge. All while sitting in the blistering sun!

No, really now. There were a couple of starting players. Outfielder Reggie Willits led the Outfield Station. Infielder Maicer Izturis (who the night before hit his 1st career Grand Slam against the Twins!) was at the Infield Station. And Ron Roenicke, Angel's bench coach, was in charge of the Batting Station.


Joshua was ready to meet some Angel's players. He was hoping for Cabrera, his favorite player. Jason was more lucky, he was hoping for Willits to be there.


Willits playing catch with the children.

Roenicke demonstrated proper batting stance to a bunch of 4-7 year olds whose eyes were glazed over.

From my standpoint, it seemed that the dads in the crowd were the most excited about the entire event. Unfortunately for them, they were made to stay off the field during the stations. Until it was time for autographs. By that time we were ready to go home & cool off. And since my guys don't care much about autographs, that's what we did.

Won't you have another glass of Mexican wine?

Boy, is it hot! Even though it doesn't feel like it, the summer is coming to an end. And the new school term is approaching fast. I am ready! Or I think I am....Kinda...Maybe not so much. Oh well. We plan to start on August 27. I have mapped out our lessons, & set some goals as to where I would like for us to be by Thanksgiving. How that all meshes out is another story. I'm relying on God & prayer to make this schooling year fun & fruitful.

We are currently enjoying the air conditioning & the cool nights. Jason likes watching his Angels & lounging in the hammock. Joshua enjoys tending our garden & playing ball. Mercy is getting pretty good on her scooter. And I love eating dinner out back; afterwards, we sit outside, sip a summer drink & enjoy all the blessings God has surrounded us with.

The Tomatoes Are Ripe!

Fresh tomatoes picked this morning from our garden.

Painting Fun @ The Sawdust Factory

Today we went to The Sawdust Factory in Upland. It is a great place to go & pick a wood project to paint & put together. They have many projects to choose from such as wall hangings, yard stakes, picture frames, cars, and trinket boxes. Between the six of us we made four yard stakes.

Aunt Brianna helped Mercy with her strawberry yard stake.

Mama Te, Marina, & Joshua painting. Don't those aprons look stylish?

Joshua & I painting the flower yard stake to put in our garden.

Group picture. Cheese!

The Big 3-0!

Happy Birthday Jason!

(Advice: Don't put 30 magical candles that won't blow out on an ice cream cake!)

More Pictures from the park

Some badminton action!

Mercy reading to me.


Ahh! A father & son moment.
(Sorry no pics of me. I was behind the camera all day.)

Another Day @ Carbon Canyon Park

Today we spent the day at Carbon Canyon Park. We packed a picnic, sporting equipment, bikes, & scooters and loaded them into the truck for a fun filled day in the California sun!

Mercy rode her tricycle & her scooter.

Jason helped Joshua to ride his bike (w/o training wheels)


We all played frisbee, badminton, & soccer.


And of course baseball!

Easter Egg Hunt in the Park

Our Homeowners Association Egg Hunt

Mercy was very excited about waking up early.
Joshua moved up an age category this year.
We came home with lots of loot!I won!
Mercy won the coloring contest in the 1-2 age category.

Our Loss

It has been three months since my last post. Our family was very busy. I kept saying “I’ll post to the blog tomorrow.” I guess today is tomorrow.

As many of you may know, in early January we found out that we were expecting our third child. Jason and I were very excited. Of course, Joshua wanted a brother and Mercy wanted a sister.

We have spent the beginning of 2007 keeping busy with home-school, field trips, little league, soccer, and enjoying friends and family. All the while praying for, dreaming of, and planning for our new addition set to arrive September 5.

This past Monday, I went in for a regular prenatal check-up. The doctor could not find a heartbeat. And an ultrasound was done. The doctor then told me that our Little One had died. I was just past my 16th week of pregnancy.

Yesterday, I went into Pomona Valley to have outpatient surgery to remove the baby. I am now home recovering physically, grieving emotionally, and being comforted spiritually.

Jason and I want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. We are seeking comfort from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We know that, even though it may be hard see right now or perhaps ever in this life, “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).”