Advent 2016! Week 2

Day 8 - Week 2 began with the activity of making a nativity scene out of Legoes. To make it more interesting, we used the basic Lego pieces in our mixed bin and would often not have the color or piece we exactly wanted. But Henry was very creative and made do to create a beautiful masterpiece. Day 8's adverb is "Humbly" as Mary was example of serving God humbly when she accepted her role in being the mother of our savior Jesus Christ. Likewise, we too should humble ourselves in obedience to that which God calls us.

Day 9 - This Friday was chock full of activities, from Henry's last rescheduled track & field class to his SCCS Christmas musical to a drive to Monterey in preparation for the Jingle Bell 5k run the next morning. It was exhausting but also so much fun. It was great to see Henry do all the track & field events even though he was conserving energy on the runs for the musical later on. His favorite and most successful event was the shot put.

The SCCS Christmas musical shined and seeing Henry in both shows with him and Aidan alternating roles as a shepherd was a joy to see.

When we finally got to our hotel after some after musical ice cream at McDonald's, Mama pulled out a yummy Christmas treat that Henry took a nibble of before passing out to sleep. The adverb for the day was "Faithfully" as Joseph faithfully followed God's command to take Mary as his wife. We didn't get to this adverb until Monday night but it reminded us to remain faithful to God' calling.

Day 10 - The morning started out fast with our Jingle Bell 5k run with Addison and her family. We avoided most of the rain during the run and even saw an incredible rainbow during it. The afternoon was filled with Cannery Row walking, Ghirardelli ice cream and sloshing back to our hotel through the eventual rain to enjoy our late checkout and shower before heading to Fremont to see Layla's ballet, The Nutcracker.

The show was amazing to see with the wide array of ballet talent and costumes. Good thing we heard the story the year before at the SF Zoo event so we could follow along with the action. The day's adverb is "Lovingly" as the marriage of Mary and Joseph showed their love and Jesus' birth shows us God's love for us, so much so he sent his son to and for us.

















Day 11 - Sunday was Sunday School and then lunch at Sweet Tomatoes to raise money for Sinnott school by purchasing a meal there. Afterwards, we began working on teacher Christmas gifts as Henry and Mama designed and started writing special note cards for the special gift treats. The adverb for the day was "Soon!" as Mary and Joseph headed back to Bethlehem knowing soon, the son of God would be born. Welcoming God into our hearts must likewise happen soon to start our new life in Christ asap.

Day 12 - This day was a busy one with Dada's TKD class and especially Mama's late night prep for her own school sing-a-long music program. The day's activity included a pair of new Christmas books that Mama had bought for Henry to read. The books were "A Boy Called Christmas" and "The Light of Christmas". The adverb for the day was "Dutifully" as we get a picture of the shepherds who heard the good news were dutifully keeping watch over their flock of sheep, much like God keeps watch over us.

Day 13 - April Service Project brainstorm with Dada. The adverb for the day is "Obediently" as we read Psalm 23 and see God as our shepherd and we, his sheep, should act obediently.

Day 14 - Red/ Green Christmas themed Dotahoey. So much festivity and we had a full house with both Youngs, Leungs, the Throm, and even Annie and Will and the Alcalas dropped by. Everyone was decked out in red/green garb and so were the dishes, from green rice and lemonade to Christmas tree cheesy bread, a broccoli wreath and even a mini cotton candy machine! The kids watched two different Christmas movies and had fun playing hide and seek and whatever it is kids play upstairs. The adverb of the day is "Where?" which Henry was concerned with it not being an adverb. Where has us ask where is God and reflect on the message to the shepherds about God being born in the tiny town of Bethlehem.

Advent 2016! Week 1

Day 1- Henry was super excited and in a really good mood when he found out it was time to set up our tree! As one of Henry's favorite activities, Henry wanted to help in every aspect of putting up the tree, from unboxing, to assembling, to putting the star on first! Going through old ornaments was lots of fun, especially the shrinky-dink ones we made last year, one for all the people we love. Henry pointed out all the people we needed to add to update our ornaments. Something to do in future advents.

This year, our advent book is "The Adverbs of Advent" which goes through the advent season with verses and adverbs to capture different themes. The excerpts are short but full of great insight. The first day's adverb is "Once" as a start of the story of man and God.

Day 2 -  Reindeer droppings. Henry wasn't sure what it was but after reading the poem/story, having a good laugh, and taking a cautious bite, he couldn't stop eating the reindeer droppings (chocolate coated doughnut holes). Day 2's adverb is "Sadly" as Adam and Eve decided to turn away from God and sin.

Day 3 - Service Project January brainstorm with Mama, Potluck dinner at Nick's. Henry danced! This advent, we're looking to do service projects throughout the year and spending an advent day to brainstorm some ideas and pick one to do for each month. Day 3's adverb is "Patiently" as people had waited patiently for God's promise to be fulfilled.

In the evening, we headed to Nick's Dance Studio for the final potluck celebration. The studio is closing after so many years. It was a bittersweet moment catching up with old friends and doing a few line dances and choreographed couple dances. Henry even jumped on the dance floor and gave it his best shot at line dancing! Afterward, we went stopped by Wendy's for a late night snack (frosty dairy dessert) because that's what Jack and I used to do after spending a night at Nick's! Henry gladly took part in that tradition one last time!

Day 4 - Service Project Feb brainstorm with Dada. Day 4's adverb is "Unexpectedly" as Zechariah had unexpectedly been told by Gabriel about the miraculous birth of a child for him. God also works unexpectedly in our lives in ways we can't imagine.

Day 5 - Service Project March brainstorm with Mama. Day 5's adverb is "Quietly" as Zechariah had to wait quietly as a result of his unbelief while we ourselves can meditate quietly and free from distraction on God's greatness.

Day 6 - Hot chocolate day with candy cane Henry earned from class and mini marshmallow and shaved chocolate. Sitting around the kitchen table nursing our hot chocolate mugs was sublime. Day 6's adverb is "Happily" as the birth of Zechariah's son John brought so much happiness. In the same way, we should share the joy and happiness we feel with others around us.

Day 7 - Breakfast for dinner (tater tots casserole, ham and cheese sliders, cinnamon buns and Aunty Marilyn's birthday) and Movie (Christmas is Here Again), more hot chocolate! Dinner was flipped upside down and breakfast was delicious. We all got to share Auntie Marilyn's birthday edible arrangement. Yum! Day 7's adverb is "Truly" and John the Baptist pointed to the true messiah, Jesus Christ.

Advent 2015! The Day before...

Looking back over the past few years of advent activities, it just amazes us how Henry has grown and what a wonderful and special time the Christmas season is. This year, we wanted to once again focus in on the reason for the season. Advent means arrival and as we anticipate the coming of Jesus, we remember how thankful we are for all our family and friends who have touched our lives in immeasurable ways. This year, we decided to spend each day of advent focusing on a one of our amazing family members and friends and their families. Our goal is to spend some time as a family to reflect on the wonderfulness of each of these relationships and brainstorm ideas of something special we can do, say and/or pray for them as a gift to show our love to each of these special people. Henry was put in charge of coming up with the list and he jumped right in coming up with names of our family and friends whom we charted out throughout the month.

In addition, we gave ourselves 7 (seems like a good number... plus guess who just turned 7!!!) slots for special Christmas activities to do throughout the month: some oldies but goodies and some brand spanking new. We brainstormed together for a list of ideas. Then each of us got to pick two. The final choice was determined by a family vote. :)

To help us reflect each day on the wonderfulness of God, Patricia found two books to inspire us: "Sing a Song of Christmas" and "Wake up to Joy." "Sing a Song of Christmas" gives a daily devotion and verse along with a Christmas song to sing. Sunday's song was "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" and tonight's song was "Joy to the World." We were all excited to sing Christmas songs together and tying it to a devotion was icing on the cake. The "Wake to Joy" book walks us through a longer devotion along with opening and closing prayers that ties into that devotion. Sunday's devotion was focused on "Paying Attention" while tonight's devotion was on "Choosing the Path of Light." We are very excited to be able to continue our Advent tradition!

Advent 2014! Day 23, 24 & 25

Day 23 was another day full of unexpected fun. Chau, Zachary and Max came by to drop off some gifts and hang out and Sebbie came by as well to play and the four boys had so much fun playing together. They made enough noise for an entire rainy day recess bunch and played k'nex, legoes, tag, hide and seek and put all of Henry's play toys to good use. Henry's bed looked like a tornado tore through it afterwards and the kids were sweaty but they had a blast. Henry even said, "It was fun when Sebbie and I were building Legos." Henry went to swim class that evening and gave teacher Roman the reindeer treat and custom made Christmas card.

The evening's devotion was in Isaiah 52:7 & 53:5, which Henry summed up as "Good things always cost something just like Jesus died on the cross."

Day 24 was Christmas eve and the fun wasn't about to let up. Henry worked on some ornaments/ gifts for his grandparents in the morning. Then we went to Auntie Mary's house for Christmas lunch and a white elephant gift exchange. The kids tried their hardest to not run around but couldn't help themselves and the feast that was prepared was delicious! We even had some sticky rice and crab! The white elephant gift exchange is always full of fun, silliness and a bit of strategy. This year's hotly contested item was a bear shooter than everyone wanted. In the end, Juan's strategy netted him the goal so to soothe unhappy children, future play dates at Aidan's house was planned.

Afterwards, we went to Christmas eve service with Gung Gung and Pau Pau, sang more amazing songs and listened to the story, "Drummer Boy" by Loren Long. Following that, we drove an hour up to Pleasanton to see the lights at Widmer World and they did not disappoint. The family transformed their backyard (and front yard) into a walk through Christmas lights and models extravanganza! There were all sorts of characters, moving vehicles and wheels, and lights, lights and more lights! We bought hot chocolate gifted to us by Auntie Georgette and Henry was amazed that the hot chocolate was still hot since we made it earlier in the day! Thinking back on the day, Henry remembered the delicious desserts and said, "I really liked the cake at the party!"

Luke 2:14 was the focus of the Christmas eve devotion and Henry noticed that "When the angels heard that Jesus was going to be born, they were so so full of joy!'

Day 25 is Christmas Day!!! The day we've been waiting for. Henry woke up very excited with Merry Christmases for everybody. We gathered at Gung Gung and Pau Pau's house for Christmas presents, hand-cut noodle lunch and an okonomiyaki dinner. The cousins enjoyed opening gifts, playing with their new toys and reminiscing on their musical performance numbers.

More pictures can be found at:

http://albums.phanfare.com/isolated/8Am4yrth/1/6770991