Ordinary Life is a Great Life

There are days when I feel I live a very boring, normal, ordinary life. Gone are the days of my jetsetting and travelling to the four corners of the earth, and living like a naive princess with no cares in the world.

Now, I have trash to take out. Bills to pay. Mortgages to meet. Meals to cook. Laundry. Constant tidying and cleaning. Diapers to change. Blankies and dolls to find. Looks of (pretend) excitement when my children say, "Look, momma". Make no mistake. Extraordinary things happen around me continually. I just don't always recognize them. The thought occurs to me that great lives don't always seem great while we are living them. They seem embarassingly regular.

Every one of us who embraces the glory of God as our purpose will end up doing great things precisely because we do God-things. His holy hand resting on the smallest of acts renders the ordinary extraordinary. Spooning soup into the mouth of the weak or helping in the nursery so a tired mom can go to church are acts of worship when offered in the name of Christ.

To live for the greatness of God is to live the great life. Does that statement truly click with me? It's a daily working out. But I need to believe that I live a great life even if it is ordinary.

My Little Ariel

After searching high and low for lost blankies and dollys, Madison has been persistent in finding her Little Ariel. Every day, maybe every other hour, for the past two weeks, she has been asking me, "Where is my Little Ariel?" I cleaned out the toy boxes, searched through the little purses & buckets & pails, looked under beds and in cupboards...NO LITTLE ARIEL.
I finally found it tonight, stuck between the wall and her crib. What a joy on Madison's face when I showed her. It was like we found the prodigal son. We had to celebrate Ariel's homecoming. Then Madison was finally able to go to sleep quietly...so I thought.
A few minutes later, she came out of her room yelling, "My Little Ariel". I thought she was just excited to have her Little Ariel back. Well, quite the contrary...Madison beheaded the poor little figurine. And that's the final end of Ariel.

Not Just Ordinary

The past couple of days in Vancouver, I have been a bit emotional over my dad. My dad's health has not been the greatest since his bout with cancer then chemo 2 1/2 years ago. While he came out of the chemo quite well and is in remission, his memory and cognitive functioning has been affected. Doctors say it's unrelated, that it's two separate health issues. But I think the chemo accelerated whatever was going on with him. A couple of months ago, a specialist said that my dad suffered a minor stroke and didn't know it, and that would explain his mental challenges.

Anyways, all this being said, my dad is not the same. And I miss my old dad. My dad that participated in life, always had a good joke ready at hand, and gave generously to all he came in contact with. Nowadays, he's extremely quiet, and lacks motivation or interest in anything (but napping). It's hard to see a parent age. But it's a fact of life.

I sobbed to my dad, gave him a big hug. He comforted me and told me that he was okay. I told him that I thought he was the nicest man in the world (which he truly is) and the best dad anyone could ever ask for. His response, "Well, I try my best but I am just an ordinary man." My dad ordinary??? NOT!!! He is anything but ordinary. In fact, he is an extraordinary, rare person. There is no one with a kinder heart than him. He has no hidden agenda and when he gives to people, he doesn't expect anything in return. He just gives for the sake of giving.

My kids are great with my dad. He may not get as much attention from them as other members of my family but sometimes they choose him over the others. As the girls and I were driving out of my parent's driveway and waving goodbye to my dad, Jaclyn said, "Gung Gung sure is a nice man!" I choked up because I wondered how she would know that my dad is a nice guy. Since he's been ill, he doesn't talk much to them nor does he lavish them with gifts (as he used to). Will they ever see the man that I saw growing up? Maybe not. I am thankful, though, that somehow my girls sense his goodness and gentleness, and yes, that he is a nice man.

My dad is not an ordinary man. He represents all there is good in the world.

I don't need a token!

Lately, we have been able to get our children to do anything we would like them to do. Say their please & thank you's. Put on their shoes & coats quickly. Be quiet in the car. Go to bed cooperatively. It's been great. What's their incentive? Chuck E. Cheese tokens! My kids love Chuck E. Cheese.

Madison, for as long as I can remember, has never liked vegetables. All vegetables, not just the green ones. Even if I were to blend it, mash it, hide it, she is able to detect it. There is no deceiving her. Tonight, my brother tried to get her to eat her carrot. "You'll get a token if you eat your carrot." So, she reluctantly played with her carrot in her mouth and then told him, "I don't need a token!"

You Don't Let Me Do Anything...

So here's a new line from my 2 1/2 year old after telling her to stop jumping on the ledge of the couch and sticking her hand in the Vaseline jar, she said, "Why, Momma? You don't let me do anything!"

My Kid Turned 5

Where did the 5 years go? How can Jaclyn Hope Woo be five years old now? Am I ancient or what? Next thing you know she will be in kindergarten, then she will be an obnoxious teen, then off to college, then making me a grandmother. WHAT? No!

If I could freeze any moment, it would be this time. I love the way Jaclyn and Madison interact now...although this week was a rough week for me...but that's another story. They are just so cute.

Just Tired

I was and still am tired...have been all week...besides finding out that I am anemic, I had been busy preparing for Jaclyn's 5th birthday party, baking cupcakes, getting together party favours, organizing the party, etc etc. There are so many birthdays in March. My mother-in-law's is a couple of days before Jaclyn's. And then my nephew's b.day is on the same day as Jaclyn. He turned one so right after Jaclyn's celebration, we headed to his. I was so tired my eyes were aching.

Anyways, I have been cranky.

My 2 1/2 year old said to me today, "Mommy, you not mad. You just tired." You bet I am, kiddo. Mommy needs a vacation! I can't even get this picture upright.

Night night!

Making Someone's Day the Happiest Day of Their Life!

The girls and I had a busy but fun past two days. Our friends from Vancouver, the Kiss Clan, came down to visit and celebrate Jaclyn's birthday. Last night we had fantastic pizza & salad at Pagliacci's. The kids were laughing away and singing ring-around-a rosy.

This morning we hung out all day at Bellevue Square. The kids played in the germ pit playground on the 3rd floor, worked up enough of a hunger to go to Cheesecake Factory. Madison got a bit cranky and cried for most of the lunch so Uncle Graeme had to take her for a stroller ride.

After shopping a bit, we headed back to the Kiss' hotel, the Westin, to rest and watch "Marley & Me" (I give it a so-so review).

Dinner was at 5:30pm at Maggiano's. I love that restaurant. The food is so awesome. (This is such a busy weekend for us as far as going out to eat. It's crazy.) Jaclyn loved her gifts from the Kiss' - a Webkinz (her first), some Gymboree clothes, a Disney Princess cosmetic bag & book, and a Fancy Nancy card (which is a gift in itself with all the stickers). She was a happy soul.

But she was even happier to know that mommy was going to take her and her friend, Lauren, to Build-A-Bear. Just the two of them. They picked out their bears: Jaclyn, a Hello Kitty, and Lauren, a Hannah Montana. Lauren had never been in the store and was just fascinated. After making wishes on their hearts, it was time to put their hearts in their bears. Jaclyn put her heart in Lauren's bear. And Lauren put her heart in Jaclyn. A sign that they are best friends. Then they got to give their bears a scrub and air bath.

After all was said and done, Lauren said that "this is the best day of my life". And Jaclyn was grinning from ear to ear as well. She was near-speechless on the walk back to the car. All she could do was hold my arm tight and look up to me with what looked like tears in her eyes. Often I say "NO" to my kids when we go out shopping. A parent can only buy so much for a child who seems to want everything. But I have to say, just to see her overwhelmed joy in her face...well, it certainly made my day...that I almost welled up in tears. I hope to always remember the look in Jaclyn's eyes. Maybe it was the best day of my life, too! Maybe I should say "YES" more often.

I won't touch!

I get a bit paranoid going to public washrooms with my kids. I get all nervous about germs, etc. Jaclyn has already learned to turn on the tap with a paper towel, open the door with the paper towel she used to dry her hands, or open the door with her shirt sleeve over her hands.

Anyways, this morning, Madison and I were in a public washroom. And as I was sitting on the throne, she kept on yelling "I WON'T touch. I WON'T touch". Taken out of context, that comment could refer to many things. But little Madison is referring to not touching anywhere dirty in the bathroom. The ladies in the other stalls were laughing hard with one of the ladies saying "That's so cute."

Madison is not known to always obey or listen. She likes to walk to the beat of her drum. But at least she knows that in public washrooms to not touch!!! Here is a picture of her sneaking potato chips after I told her not to touch. I could never hold her back from food.

My Memory is Shot

Why do my kids have a better memory than me? It's embarassing when I have to ask my children where things are. Today I was convinced that Jaclyn had something (a Toys R Us gift card), and she told me that she gave it to me yesterday. For the life of I couldn't remember, and I was sure that she had it. Well, she proved me wrong again. After rummaging through my wallet and giving up, I found it on the fridge. And then I remembered I put it there.

Saint Pat and The Shamrock

I learnt something new. I never really knew the meaning of St. Patrick's Day except that it was a Irish holiday. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He lived more than 1500 years ago, and was born in Great Britain. When he was sixteen, outlaws kidnapped him and sold him as a slave in Ireland. There he tended sheep for his master. While a slave, Patrick's faith grew stronger. One day, he escaped. Then he became a Christian missionary, traveled through much of Ireland and spread his faith wherever he went.
Many Irish people believed in several gods then. But Patrick taught about the one God.

A legend tells about the shamrock, the three-leaf clover. Saint Patrick used it to explain the Trinity -- the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All three, he said, are God. Yet there is only one God. The shamrock is the national plant of Ireland and is still an important symbol.

Saint Patrick's Day is today, March 17th. That's believed to be the date of Patrick's death.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY, EVERYONE!

The Kindhearted Brainiac

I was talking in the car to Jaclyn about her upcoming birthday when Madison piped out, "My birday July 1st". I was totally amazed that she comprehended our conversation and that she knew when her own birthday was. My children never cease to amaze me with what they know. They catch on so quickly.

On another sweet note, at Madison's Toddler Group, the kids had to get a musical shaker for music time. Madison got a big pile of them and passed them out to the adults who didn't have them. What a sweet, kind, thoughtful child she is.

Icing or No Icing

It always amazes me that you can parent your children somewhat similar and yet they can be so starkly different. An example, Jaclyn often refuses sweets and always asks me to remove her icing or whipped cream off her cakes/cupcakes. Madison, on the otherhand, will only eat the icing and leave the cupcake behind.
I wish I took a picture today of my kids. (Here's a picture taken on another occasion.) Jaclyn savoured her cupcake (with icing scraped off) and had some crumbs around her mouth. Madison devoured her icing and had purple whipped cream ALL over her mouth, and hands, and clothes, and...

Shudder & Fly

I was getting all stressed out about getting a photobook done on Shutterfly by tonight, March 10th...how would I do that without internet connection at home? What would I do with the kids? I was glad that I was able to hang out at a friend's place today. She let me use her computer and have our kids play together for the afternoon. Thanks for good friends.

When I got to the checkout in Shutterfly, it wouldn't let me enter a special offer code for a free photobook. WHAT? All that work trying to meet the deadline and my account didn't entitle me to a freebie. In the end, I shared my photobook with my SIL who ordered the freebie book from her account.

And now onto more important things:
I have been in a Beth Moore study at Overlake Christian Church. We are studying the book of Esther. A book that does not mention God once...a total absence of any reference to God...and yet He is all over it. Week after week, I have thoroughly enjoyed this study and see the book of Esther through new eyes. In tonight's study, we find Esther coming to her defining moment. There was no neutral position. It was die or DIE. She had a choice; she faced the fear; she took the courage she was offered.

Same with us. We get to choose HOW we are going to do WHAT we're going to do. LIVE victoriously. LIVE until we die. LIVE like we're not going to die.

(Here is an old picture of my kids living loud and with no fear...in a shopping cart!)

High-Tech Lenten Fast

This fast is not so willingly or voluntary...I am somewhat forced to take a High-Tech Lenten Fast. Our internet connection at home is - well, not cooperating. I am at the library catching up on emails and entering my latest post. But I see this inconvenience as a blessing (I think) as I was spending too much time away from family, cooking (which I don't particularly like anyways) and other responsibilities. Facebook, emails, wikipedia, googling...all can be so addicting. It's time to focus on more important things...like God or exercise or taking my kids outside or ...

Anyways, if you don't hear from me...it's because I am "fasting".