Saturday, February 28, 2009

What the?

So it went from temps in the 70's this week (see our dinosaur dig below and running around in shorts) to this today:The temperature was 17 with a windchill of 8. How did this happen? It only snowed about 2 inches so we were shoveling the snow from the lawn to make our snow fort / mound. When will spring come?!

Friday, February 27, 2009

Dinosaur dig

This past week, we had a nice spell of good weather. And since our backyard is still pretty new to us, the boys and girl decided to explore the site with a dinosaur dig.First, we needed to dig carefully with our precision dinosaur excavation golf club, tennis racket and light saber.
Then, the archaeologists needed to confer as to what particular dinosaur and dinosaur bone they had uncovered.Today was a good day.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Kung Fu Panda

The boys and girl got Kung Fu Panda this Christmas (thanks Auntie Ines). So as our family always does, we re-create the movie, especially the fight scenes. Just another night at the Lee household...

Andrew is Monkey. Matt is Crane. Emery is Tigress...when she's not hanging on for dear life. And guess who I am? That's right, I'm the big, fat panda.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Bowling Again

Last week, we went bowling. I'm not sure if this is going to be our #1 family activity, especially in the winter. But for $1 games and $1 shoe Sundays, it might be a regular activity.For Emery, the novelty hasn't worn off...yet.Matt pretty much likes anything. He's mostly just happy to get out and do something.And Andrew is doing his best to get a strike!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Bye Cancun

We said goodbye to Uncle Sam this week (otherwise known as Cancun to our family). The boys and girl truly enjoyed their time with their Cancun. The week in review:
We had fun eating your nachos.And beating you at bowling.And playing basketball too. Here's a goodbye / welcome back to Seattle message:

Oops. Matt forgot something...

And totally unrelated, Andrew finished his next verse.

Could he enunciate any more?

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Antibiotics

Is it possible to take antibiotics too much? We're going to find out. After seeing the doctor again on Monday, I'm on round 2 of amoxicillin (round 1 was in Dec). Sandy started up a Z-pack (another type of antibiotics). And Matt's been on antibiotics due to an ear infection. But he started up a whole body rash today so he's no longer on antibiotics. Can we just take antibiotics all winter?

I realized that so far this winter - starting in mid-Oct - that I have been sick more than I have been healthy (about 2/3 sick and 1/3 healthy). I think I am officially tired of winter. But it has helped me appreciate 2 Cor 12:9 and 10, "My grace is sufficient for you for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore, I would rather boast about my weaknesses that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties for Christ's sake for when I am weak, then I am strong." Consider this my boasting about one of my many weaknesses.

But through the health issues, the boys and girl keep plugging away with their verses.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Guess who came to town?

That's right. Uncle Sam! It's been a lot of fun for everyone!He plays really good defense against us.But he still lets us win.And the fun never stops until the moment we fall asleep.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor

I finished Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor this week. It was a very fascinating read for me. In terms of resume, Tom Carson was an ordinary pastor. But in terms of character, it is obvious that he was extraordinary. His son, also not an ordinary man, writes in the forward, "Most pastors will not regularly preach to thousands, let alone tens of thousands. They will not write influential books, they will not supervise large staffs, and they will never see more than modest growth...most of us - let us be frank - are ordinary pastors."

Years ago, I wouldn't say I was ambitious, but I had thoughts or delusions of grandeur. Now it is more than apparent to me that I am not an ordinary pastor. I am far less than an ordinary pastor. I can only dream that God would grant me to be an ordinary pastor.

As John Owen writes in Communion with God, "When a man who lives upon convictions has got some enlargement in duties, some conquest over sin or temptation, he hugs himself...But he who has communion with Christ, when he is highest in duties of sanctification and holiness, is clearest in the apprehension of his own unprofitableness, and rejects every thought that might arise in his heart of setting his peace in them or upon them. He says to his soul, 'Do these things seem something to you? Alas! You have to do with an infinitely righteous God who looks through and through all that vanity, which you are but little acquainted with; and should he deal with you according to your best works, you must perish.'"

Too often in my heart, I am hugging myself. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered." Prov 28:26

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The high value of obedience

This is not your typical parenting verse - Exodus 21:15. And it seems like an odd verse for toddlers to memorize at first glance. But I wanted our kids to understand that obedience by children is very important to God.

Matt is really doing a nice job memorizing lately. It's not something that comes naturally for him.

Memorizing and cuteness come very natural to Emery.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Mama's little helpers

Sometimes, and I do emphasize the sometimes, the boys and girl can be helpful. It sure is nice when they are.

And just think, in a few more years, we'll be laying around relaxing while the boys and girl do EVERYTHING around the house...a man can dream, can't he?

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Safety first

It has been fabulously warm the last few days with highs in the 60's and 70's. We took advantage of the chance to play outside.Image is nothing, safety is everything! Emery wanted to wear the helmet for some reason. Of course, she's also riding the scooter in flip-flops, very good for safety.And Matt, well, he's just being Matt.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Houston we have a problem

Well, not really. But we have 3 astronauts ready to blast off. Maybe then things might get a little bit quiet around here, maybe.And here's Emery all cleaned up and ready for a night out on the town. Assuming, of course, that they let her in wearing her pink, fuzzy piggy slippers.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Fermented cabbage anyone?

To us Koreans, we call it Kimchee. And I have a taste for it though typically, a lot of Korean Americans (like myself) do not particularly care for it. Because the nearest Korean market is close to 2 hours away, Sandy has bravely taken on the challenge of trying to make it for me. What a girl!She starts with this...(doesn't look so different so far)Then chops it up...(seems like a reasonable food to eat still)
And adds some of these scary things...(whoa, most people lose it right here)And voila! Slap it in a jar and let it ferment for a while and I'm a happy camper!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Back to school

Andrew's been back to school for a while, but the 2 little ones just went back to home pre-school. Oh the benefits of home school! And despite the long Christmas break, the kids still remembered quite a bit.

Emery is our resident Trinitarian theologian.

And it's good to know they don't forget about Andrew...

Monday, February 2, 2009

Grade III MCL tear

When following your favorite sports team, that is not a happy phrase. We went from championship title aspirations and this:
to waiting for MRI results after this:Ironic, that a major injury happened to the same guy (Andrew Bynum) in the same month (Jan) against the same team (Memphis) to the same place (knee) though not the same knee. But we still have Kobe and Pau. Thankfully, my heart is not as attached to the Lakers (and all sports) as it once was...I think.