We had a lovely birthday party at our house for Violet. Many of our friends came to celebrate, and thankfully, some brought their kids so Violet was surrounded by playmates. We enjoyed presents, games, gifts, and a feast. And, of course, no birthday would be complete without a special video from their mom.
Being a mother to my three children has been challenging, but in the end, always a joy. I usually tell people that being a parent is both the most difficult and most wonderful thing at the same time. If only they could stay little! Enjoy each and everyday! Cherish every kiss and every laugh. Be glad to be the one to give them nutritious meals they may not be excited about, and to be the one they want comfort from when they get hurt or are sad. These are the things running through my head when I’m tempted to be grumpy when tired. I don’t want to miss out on enjoying my kids for the gifts that they are to me.
Here’s my snapshot of my kids this Mother’s day:
Though I wasn’t quite as surprised as my dad was that Jenni and I were celebrating our eighth wedding anniversary, I felt the growth of eight years of learning how to live out our love since the magical day. There were two things that Jennilyn did this year that stood out for me.
Whenever I look at what people search for to arrive at our blog, it is usually an image search. I never imagined that some of our personal photography would rank quite so high. One of our married life photo series is an example.
I don’t know whether to be flattered or concerned. At least it’s an image where I’m being a gentleman.
A rite of passage for every child and every parent, we embarked on our first journey to the happiest place on Earth with our kids and Tracy. I have not returned to Disneyland in over twenty-five years, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. In retrospect, the experience was best captured on a plaque near the entrance:
“Here you leave today and enter the world of
yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy”
A perfect birthday. That’s the only way I can describe it.
Recently, I posted the following on facebook: Air hugs are just as irksomely incomplete as playing only 7 notes of a major scale. Stay well everyone! Get rest, go exercise, stress less, pray more, laugh more, and of course…eat your veggies!
While this comment is referring to getting a cold this week, my family’s overall progress in health has been something I am so thankful for this year.
Here is a synopsis of what has been going on this past year:
During the Christmas holiday, I reminisced about the highlights and milestones for the year. I thought of what I was thankful for: a beautiful wife who loves me more every year, three wonderful children who I’m privileged as their father, generous friends and family who give us their time to walk beside us in good times and bad, an enriching career that can fully support our family financially, and a hope and faith to guard and lead us through the darkness in the world.
In addition to all those blessings, a few new ones emerged in 2012.