It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

It's almost Christmas and I've managed to send out a lot of Christmas cards, go shopping and take Iris to several holiday gatherings. First, the beautiful tree in the picture is not our tree. The photo was at the lovely home of the McCall family who hosts a great open house. Our tree is artificial, propped on a microwave stand and secured with a baby gate, so that Iris doesn't get to the ornaments. This year it is draped with strings of popcorn that my friend, Lorri, helped me make. That is something fun I'd like to do in the future with Iris.
Another gathering was with the Redwood Empire Chinese Association's annual holiday potluck. The food was great and Iris met Santa (a.k.a. Joe Wang) there. It was fun to hear the preschoolers sing in Mandarin. Our friends, Lynette, Gary and Bobbie Wong, were singing familiar songs ("Ni hao?") that Iris listens to on tape almost every weekday morning.


In the photos, Iris is wearing her special red shoes that read, "Baby's First Christmas". Although she was in China last Christmas, this is our first Christmas as a forever family. Plus, I imagine that there isn't the big colorful celebrations with family in China as it is in the U.S. Not to mention the toys and massive shopping that happens here. Iris is still learning to appreciate her many toys. It's amazing how she can have a plethora of colorful toys around her, and she wants to crawl quickly to the other room to open drawers and pull out DVDs from a box. She likes empty plastic bottles, pulling things down from the coat hanger in our kitchen, and the "little tikes" slide that she climbs and slides down on with a lot of help from mom or dad. Because of that, our gift to her are books and time with family and relatives. This year, it's Christmas Eve and Christmas morn with mom (Cindy's) side in the East Bay, then flying to AZ to dad's family with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, whom she has yet to meet in person. They will need ear plugs for her high-pitched loud screams (of delight) and fussy cries because we think she may be teething again. What a world traveler at one year old!

So what is Christmas all about this year? I pray that it will be a renewing of hope and trusting in the promise of Christ's coming as we are reminded of God's sending the incarnate Jesus to us. Iris is here and is a wonderful reminder of God's answering prayer. We need His light on us daily, but especially in these uncertain economic times. I want Iris to know the whole of His story and why Christmas is a time for singing with joy of God's wonder, beauty and love. Our lives are truly in His hands. Next post: Iris walking??

Celebrations 'R Us

November went by quickly, in part due to our internet being down all during the Thanksgiving week. It seemed strange not to log on to check the latest e-mails or to search an address. The long week or so was fine because we celebrated Iris's birthday, baptism and Thanksgiving with family. All the grandparents came. Iris was very happy, as usual, and truly enjoyed playing with the greeting cards given to her. She loved holding them in her hands and spin around on her bottom as she likes to do. We were all waiting for her to stand up on her own and possibly walk, but that didn't happen. We're still waiting, but she does hold her stance, legs spread out, for several seconds.

The day of her birthday was low-key, as we (one grandma, Brian, Iris and I) participated in the food packing of a local missions organization in the morning. We had the real birthday celebration on her baptism day. Iris didn't cry because she had "practiced" with our pastor. She didn't do her loud squeal of delight either. All of the 5 minutes was capture on three video cameras. Later when presented with a home-baked cupcake with frosting, Iris was cautious. She did something she never has done with other foods. She grabbed cake in her hand and put her hand on the side of her pants without eating it. We can only guess that she wanted to save it for later. By day 4 of knowing the grandparents (from AZ), Brian and I enjoyed a couple of evening hours out by ourselves. It was quiet on the streets and we almost didn't know what to do with ourselves. We didn't worry about Iris too much, but realized that we must look for babysitters for our well-being as a couple. That's something to pray about for all parents with children!

Thanksgiving was at our home with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, pumpkin and apple pies and family (grandparents and aunt Ruth) around to entertain and lavish Iris with attention. She continues to be a good eater; refusing few foods! I just pray that we can afford to buy the food at these high prices as the economy continues to tank. We are nevertheless thankful that we are a family with Iris, have a home and the love of family and good friends. Let us remember Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.