Seven years and three kids later, I’m more thankful than ever that I said, “I do” at the altar. For all my imagining and dreaming, I couldn’t have come up with the life I have now—it’s so much better.
Hear Our Prayer, O Lord
Dear God,
Thank you for being a good God, for even when you allow strife in our lives, you use it for your good and perfect will for us. God, be our strength, for I am so weak. Guide us in your wisdom. Please have mercy on us and give us your healing power. We need your love to glue our family together when the stress of our circumstances can easily create a gaping hole. Give us your grace to be gracious with our children and each other when we are exhausted and depleted. Fill us with your life and let us serve you faithfully everyday.
Lord, let me be ever so thankful in my heart. Thank you for the gifts you’ve given me in my husband and children. Thank you for the precious time with them that you give to me. Help me not to take them for granted; especially my David. What an exceptional man you’ve given me! Wanting to marry me even though we didn’t know the future, or how much of a wife I could be to him as I was bedridden much of the time. How far we’ve come, and how much we’ve gone through in the past seven years… in the past several months! You’ve got our attention, Lord. We wait with expectant hearts as to what you will do, and what we will hopefully mature in.
Thank you, God, for giving much joy and happiness in our marriage these past seven years, and I pray for us to keep walking closer to you and to each other in whatever time you give us together on this earth.
In the name of Christ Jesus, I pray these things,
Amen, let it be done.
Date Night: Operation Hawkeye
For the record, I have awesome in-laws. They have been an amazing example of Christ-like love and service ever since I met them and I can’t thank them enough for all the things they do.
Their latest blessing? Giving us an impromptu date without kids last night.
Home Construction
Last week, we had our windows repaired as part of neighborhood repair project. Everyone except me went to Battle Ground for two nights to escape the smell, noise, and cold temperature.
Happy 100-Day Birthday Bruce!

Today, Bruce turned 100 days old, a special custom to Chinese. I can’t take credit for knowing any of that; when Kadie was born, my cousin Kevin asked if we were going to throw her a 100-day party. I asked my mom if she had ever heard about it, and before we knew it, we threw a party to thank all the people who gave us gifts.
And just like Kadie, we celebrated Bruce’s party at Super King buffet in East Portland. It worked out well as people came as they pleased and we filled their banquet room.
Music To My Ears
This is a follow-up to my search for budget gaming/movie/music headphones earlier this month. I ended up buying both the Koss KSC75 and Creative Aurvana Live!, and I’ve been pretty happy with them.
Third Time’s The Charm
It has taken me a bit longer to get to blog about Bruce’s birth. I hardly get to the computer these days. But here it is: the birth story of our third child.
As I did with Violet’s story, the short version is that the labor was about 12 hours. The pushing stage was 5 minutes. I had a natural birth at Alma Midwifery Birth Center. It was another water birth, and it went very well. My midwife said the birth was “amazing.” Bruce was born on his actual due date, December 11th, 2011 at 3:23am, weighed 8lbs 6oz, 20 inches long, with a head circumference of 14 1/2 inches. He looked a lot like Kadie did as a newborn. We were very pleased to have a son!
Hunting for Headphones
I’ve spent almost a month (wow, really?) researching headphones. I can’t remember how I got addicted into this research, but I’ve already returned one set of cans and hoping the next will fare better. I can’t believe how complicated the audiophile world is.
Birthday and Wishes Fulfilled

I had a terrific birthday with a snow storm, juicy sous-vide steaks, airsoft assault rifles, great rubber of bridge, and quality time with friends. I’m so thankful that people were able to make it out to my in-laws for a fun day.
Our Gifts from Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We really appreciated receiving Christmas cards and letters from friends close and far. We will need to send out Christmas cards of our own next year to stay in touch with friends.