Home, Sweet Home

We came home to wonderful, Seattle summer weather. My mom actually thinks it's a bit on the warm side, because we've had AC blasting the whole time in China. We enjoyed a picnic dinner at Matthews Beach last night for Gary's birthday.

Usually my mom is pretty strict about what my dad is allowed to eat. But this time, my dad had a blast with all the snacks we brought - Dad: "We should have picnics more often."

Everyone says how handsome my dad is. Dad is surprised that he looks more handsome now that he's older. Doing some stretching after eating:

And, dad being yeh-yeh (grandfather):

Speaking of which, while we were in China, my parents were riding a packed bus, and some people stood up from their seats. My parents hurriedly sat down, thinking the people were getting off at the next stop. It turns out, the people were just giving up their seats specifically for my parents, because they looked like senior citizens! Doh.

Mother's Day!

My mom apologized once for being sick, and causing us to have to start worrying and taking care of them so early on (since both my parents got sick in their early 50’s). Of course I think she’s absolutely ridiculous to even think that, because we’re not “sacrificing” anything to take care of them, we haven’t even been taking care of them!

People don’t understand how strong my mom is – I wish people had the chance to see her like how we get to at home. She cooks eight-dish meals for our family twice a week. She drives all around on her own to run errands, and often buys groceries for us kids too. She doesn’t pity herself for the stroke she had, but does everything on her own. Even if it takes her a little more time, she won’t ask for help because she doesn’t like to trouble us. She can hike along with us, and doesn’t complain even if it hurts her leg. She strives to work on her arm movement even though it’s difficult, painful, and progress is slow.

She encourages us to love the Lord more, and leads by example at home. She does everything she can to take care of my dad, and her dad, and all of us too. We love you, mom!

Thirty Beautiful Years

Of all the couples I’ve ever met, my parents are the closest example I've found of having a marriage like how the Bible describes it. And I am not biased; I have had people tell me how it is almost sickening that my parents get along so well and love each other so much (I think they were all just jealous). My parents worked together for my entire childhood until I went to college, and then they worked together from home, and then they both got sick, and now spend every day together at home or traveling.

Today is their 30th wedding anniversary. I am thankful that I have my parents as such great role models. Happy Anniversary!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday, and all of us kids wrote poems for him.

Kyun:
Life of Devotion
To God, To Wife, To Children
Great Model for All

Connie:
My dad’s name is Mack,
His mind is sharp as a tack,
He fixes everything himself and is ever so handy,
He started wearing flannel long before it was trendy.

He loves to go fishing,
And also loves gardening,
He picked up woodworking,
And even acupuncturing.

I love, respect, and admire my dad,
I’m sorry I ever made him mad,
He loves the Lord dearly,
And he is my hero, clearly.

Gary:
My da is...
A farmer in the city,
A stargazer when its pretty,
A cyclist and a logger,
but flat-footed, definitely not a jogger.
He's the quiet disciplinarian
with a louder laugh in comparison,
to all the times I was beat.
My da loves me nonetheless, I know its not an easy feat.

My dieh is...
A fisherman and captain,
Even if we run aground in the Key or in the Sound,
a flashlight in the water, Oops there's the ground!
And when I was in a pinch,
by the claw of a crab, that grinch,
My dieh swooped to the rescue, for him, pft, such a cinch.
From that moment on I knew
my dieh would protect me, always,
It's true!

My father is...
A godly, well-respected man
He serves people by his hand
And through walk, not just talk,
A daily lesson is always taught
that more important than self or wealth
is reliance on God, for spiritual health.

So happy birthday to you, my da, dieh, and father.

Piper:
I was a little intimidated by him at first,
because he was so much quieter compared to mom,
and always so calm.

I was worried to offend him by saying anything wrong,
because he seemed so serious,
and I am often delirious.

But today, that is no longer the case.

I now know he likes sweet things like ice cream,
and building a log cabin is his dream

He prefers not having to dress up in formal wear,
comfort and baseball hats are his signature

He is smart and handy,
has drawers of oriental herbs and a garage full of nice tools

He's gone through books and books of sudoku,
is ever so patient as he claps his hands for his granddaughter, and feeds her when she's bawling out-of-control

He is my father-in-law,
a super cool grandfather
a man who is dedicated to the Lord.

We love you! K, C, G, & P