Lake Natoma

We even got a little time at the lake this summer.

Emery loves time with her grandma.

But so do the boys, with both grandparents.

They love time with their mom too.

In between nap times.

We also got to break in a tandem kayak for the first time. Thank you cousin Alex!

It was smooth riding.

It was so smooth, guess who jumped in?

And guess who stopped by the beach party? Dorothy can't miss a cousin party.

She loved the water. But mostly, the rocks in the water.

There was even a seahawk sighting! What a rare and endangered species!

We managed to get all 3 boats in the water - the seahawk, the tandem kayak and the inflatable kayak too. It was a floating armada! It was a great summer day at the lake for sure!

San Francisco...Myung family style

We got a visit from Uncle Danny this past summer. They got to see all the sights.

One day was at Tilden Park in Berkeley.

Berkeley's not exactly the place I expected to be so farmy!

This is more like it. Actually, not really. It's hard to capture all of the smells and dirt of Berkeley!

The boys and girl usually love the library. At least Andrew usually does. Even the library can't get
them to like Berkeley!

The next day we took the ferry into SF. It was a beautiful ride.

We visited the Exploratorium. Don't let them fool you. They loved it. This picture was before we went in.

It looks like they had a good time too.

Lunch was wild and crazy at the Ferry Building. We just happened to run into a lot of Myungs!

The cousins always have a good time together.

Who says kids have boundless energy? I still have more energy than them! Sometimes. The day was long. Ghiradelli Square didn't seem that exciting.

Until we got ice cream. Then it was awesome! It turned out to be a fun day in the city with the family.

Camping

I just realized that I haven't posted about our camping trip from last JUNE! Sad. I am so behind.

We went camping again with our good friends the Choi's. It's always so good to see them and fellowship in Christ with them.

Emery and Cassidy got to spend some girl time, FINALLY!

We went back to Samuel Taylor campground where the weather is perfect and the scenery is beautiful. And the kids got to play in the stream.

While Andrew got to act like a k-pop star.

It was another great camping trip under the Redwoods.

Quilter

As usual, I am way behind on my posting. I'm still catching up on the summer events.

Emery sewed this quilt! Can you believe it? She's so crafty. Thanks to Mrs. Ellis for teaching her how to sew!

Hebrews 4:15

Praise God for our sympathetic yet holy and perfect, high priest!

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Genesis 50:20

This has become one of my favorite verses. Well, I shouldn't say favorite per say. But it is a verse I have leaned on heavily during difficult trials. At times, I have seen God's good purposes after the evil. But other times, it is a mystery to me, what good God brought forth from the darkness. But I know He did. I walk in faith.

Genesis 50:20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive."

James 1:17

Isn't it amazing that God never changes? Never. He's never not kind, not perfectly wise, not good, not loving. Never. Not even for a moment. And He never stops giving good gifts. Never. They keep coming. Especially, when we don't deserve them.

And now forget all that serious stuff and have a good laugh.

And another good laugh.

I don't know why he decided to put on the jersey. That didn't help. Our family does have a lot of fun and does laugh a lot. I truly do praise God for that.

James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

Trick or Treat

Andrew has stopped going out for Halloween for years. I was wondering if this might be Matt's last year. I don't think so. I guess it's too much fun.

Emery dressed up as an In-N-Out worker, of course! Her future career maybe? Maybe not. But she hand sewed her apron. How about that! Matt is Woody. And the orange pumpkin is Emery's. Notice the fancy cursive "L" in the middle of the spider webs. Matt did the white one. He had fun with it.

They got quite a bit of loot this year.  This is the first time I am pretty much letting them keep all their candy. I've started to relax now that they are more responsible. AND I am making them pay for any cavities they get now! I already saved money on 2 cavities thanks to the new policy!

1 Corinthians 10:31

After all these years of teaching in children's ministry, the boys and girl are starting to pick up on not only the content of God's Word but some of our methodology too! Give it up for Emery's object lesson!

Don't you love it when they crack themselves up?

1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Compartment Syndrome

Compartment syndrome is one of those things that you never really hear about. I learned about it through my job as a claims specialist. But you never think it'll happen to you, especially after a friendly game of pick up soccer. But it did.

2 surgeries and 4 days in the hospital later, God has humbled me again. It's so easy to take life for granted. To take walking for granted. To take work and going to church and everything for granted. To take sitting in a chair and driving a car for granted. But God reminded me again that everything is a gift from him. The Lord gives and takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.

I'm almost 4 weeks out from my injury. I've just started to get back to my regular routine. It still's hard to walk, to drive, to sit for periods of time. But I'm so thankful that I can do those things. I went to church for the first time last Sunday in 3 weeks. What a blessing it is to sing praise with His church. To hear His Word preached. To serve and be with the saints.

I'm also thankful for my hard working wife. She did a lot while I was down. The boys and girl stepped up too. They showed a lot of maturity and were servants. God is good, always.

Happy Birthday Emery!

Last month, Emery turned 11. It was a perfect time to enjoy free slurpees from 7-11.

Then it was off to Jump Highway where there are trampolines everywhere. Kids were running everywhere. And she was re-living her gymnastics glory days!

Thankfully, Sandy and I weren't permanently injured but we barely survived! This place is not for the middle aged! Happy birthday Emery!

John 1:1-2

John 1:1-2
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God.

July 4

July 4 in Benicia is so easy. We leave about an hour before sunset. Park a few blocks from our spot and get set up with our chairs, cocoa, games and snacks.

This year Andrew and mom decided to stay home. But Emery, Matt and I had some good bonding time while we waited for the fireworks over the water. I'm still the master of Connect 4, for now. Thankfully, the weather wasn't as freezing cold as in past years. We felt fine with four layers on top, two layers on bottom and our blanket!

It IS better in Benicia!

Ephesians 1:3-4

It's easy to forget that we have every spiritual blessing possible in Christ. Every single one. We can' t be any more blessed, being in Christ. If only I could remember that every day and every moment. What joy and contentment would be mine.

Ephesians 1:3-4
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

Proverbs 15:3

Even though I haven't posted a single verse for this year, we have been memorizing and reviewing verses. Really. We have. Here's proof:

Proverbs 15:3 "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good." If only we could live, remembering that reality. What comfort that would bring. What peace. And what accountability and incentive to avoid sin. I remind the boys and girl constantly that the Lord is with them no matter where they go and what they do. May they never forget it, for their good.

Track

I don't know why it's so hard for me to keep up with the blogging these days. But the last few years, I'm always months behind! Well, even though we're in the middle of summer, I have to make note of Andrew's first year of track.

He ran on the frosh / soph team and had a blast. He ran the 100, 200, 4x100 and sometimes even the 4x400. I think he really did start getting fast this year. He had a PR for the 200 at 25.63 which is still his best and fastest race. I think he finished 3rd at league championships. Last year, he was in the 27-28 range. But more important than the times, he had a ton of fun and worked hard. Great job Andrew!

Freedom!

Matt started out with a black cast and then he went to a dark blue cast.

Then he went to a light blue cast.

After 7 long weeks, or at least they felt super long at the time, Matt's arm is finally free! He slowly building up his strength and flexibility. But I think he's going to be back to his old self in no time.

Orchestra

Emery had her spring orchestra concert. She continues to improve in her violin playing.

Look at that form!

Here are a few of the pieces:

Family 5k

Last month, almost the entire family ran a 5k. Matt was going to run it even with his cast on, but he fell sick that morning. So the 4 of us ran it.

We didn't really do any training. But Andrew did pretty well - 28:04 for a 9:01 pace. He was 18th for his age group (14-18 yr olds).

Emery ran the farthest she ever ran and the fastest she ever ran. Her time was 32:06 for a 10:12 pace which was 5th for her age group (10-11 yr olds). I won't tell you what Sandy and I ran. Great job Andrew and Emz! Hopefully, next year the whole family will run it together.

The Food Forest

We're getting close to 2 years into our food forest, and things are flourishing. With all the rain, it has been a great summer of blooms and growth.

Our trees are still trying to mature, and we're still trying to figure out what to put where. But things are progressing nicely.

This year we've had such wonderful multi-colored blooms. The poppies in the background have exploded beautifully.

Last year, it seemed like everything was purple. We still have a lot of Laker colors which is good.

I wish I had more time to sit outside and enjoy God's creation. He is truly a master artisan.

The Beach

We love to go to the beach. We only get to go about once or twice a year, but everyone loves it.

We build some type of sand castle every time. The things you can do with a kimchee jar!

Matt did his best to keep his cast dry.

And Andrew likes to show off his muscles now. He seems to have a few!

CA Adventure

We went to Disney CA Adventure for a day as well.

We enjoyed some new rides.

And even had time for some photo fun. Cars Land is dope. We loved the Radiator Springs ride.

A few of us got really wet while a couple of us stayed dry and took pictures.

It was another great day for the Lee family.

Oh and I forgot to memorialize my winning score from Buzz Lightyear's ride!

Still the champ!