Ortho...

Additional Photos

Just wanted to add couple more pictures... one of Jeffrey with his retainer on (he has a fixed retainer behind his bottom teeth) and the other of his retainer itself. He chose to get a "watermelon" retainer. I thought it was cute.

End of an Era...

Orthodontically speaking

Unfortunately all of our children have inherited our small mouth and Eddie's underbite... thus they ALL needed some sort of orthodontic treatment at one time or another. One of our child in particular has been afflicted with so many dental/medical problems from early on... you know who I'm talking about. Poor thing... Jeffrey has endured many things in his short life, one of which has been going through orthodontic treatment. But before you say "what's the big deal?" I'd like to highlight the fact that our orthodontist's office has NEVER had a patient that has their braces on as long as he has. How long you ask? Well, he had it for 5 years and 2 months. Yes! You read it correctly! All of you dentist out there... this is NOT a typo.

He started phase 1 in January of 2003... in 3rd grade. He started palate expansion in Ohio. He was suppose to go through 1-1/2 year of phase 1, take a short break, then start phase 2. However, at the end of his phase 1 they decided to go straight into phase 2 because enough of his permanent molars have come in to start the process. With just about 1 more year to go we moved here to Sacramento. We found another wonderful orthodontist here in Sacramento where we "continued" phase 2. So what took so long? Well, his 2nd permanent molars decided to take its sweet old time coming out. It finally came out just last year, and after maneuvering a bit with all the wires we have FINALLY come to an end of his treatment. He's finally done! He was so excited today! He got a bag of goodies (chewy, of course) and thoroughly enjoyed snacking on them this afternoon. I had to hold back my urge to stop him from eating all that junk food! After all, I think he earned this one... at least once.

For all of you dentists out there...
here's Jeffrey's pre-phase 1 pictures
Jan. 2003

After Starting Phase 1

End of Phase 1
Feb. 2006

During Phase 2

Finally braces-free!
April 2008

Internet Addiction?

Today I came across an article (via internet, of course) on this new phenomenon. We all know that we spend a little more time than we'd like on the internet, but when is it addiction? Well, here are some questions you need to ask yourselves. They are the danger signs of internet addiction.

• Have your family or friends complained about the amount of time you spend online?
• Are you less involved with your spouse or friends because of your involvement with the Internet?
• Have you lied to your spouse or family members about your Internet usage?
• Do you feel estrangement in your relationship with God because of your involvement with the Internet (pornography, gambling, etc.)?
• Do you avoid social engagements or try to leave such engagements early in order to spend more time on the Internet?
• Do you hide your Internet involvement from your spouse or family members?
• Do you, your spouse, or family members stay up late, after everyone has gone to bed, so you can log onto the Internet privately?
• Have you, your spouse or a family member experienced an increase in moodiness, anger and harsh blaming?
• Have you, your spouse or family member tried to stop your involvement with the Internet, but have been unable to do so?

Wow! Answers to the above questions surprised me. I know we all have this problem to certain extent. All the blogging, e-mails, facebook pokers, etc. I have been quite aware that I spend more time on the internet than I intend to, but answering the above questions honestly, and reading the article Texting while driving? Time to unplug (Reuters) hit home. In addition, I did the following test: Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Verdict? Yes, I have a problem. I need to take some drastic measures to change my lifestyle. There's even a place called The Center for Internet Behavior.

So where do I go from here? Well, I guess I need to do some more research (hehe)! No, in all seriousness the article talks about how people are taking a Secular Sabbath, or Unplugged Day ... one day a week where they will unplug EVERYTHING! Cellphones, computer, T.V., e-mail... everything electronic. I suppose we could all do this on our REAL SABBATH! I know it will not come easy at first... I know I'll need to SCHEDULE it in. Maybe I need to start using the "kitchen timer" that I make my children use when they play video games or play on the computer. Whatever it is, I know I need to make some changes. Wish me luck!

SKSDA EMF Retreat

Leoni Meadows
April 11-13

We had a wonderful weekend up in Leoni Meadows with Dr. Ruth Chung over the weekend. We had a wonderful group of people for the weekend, including two young families from the East SF Bay. On top of that, we had a group of youth from our church who provided babysitting while us parents were in seminar with Dr. Chung. It was so wonderful! We were surrounded by wonderful people, in a beautiful place, no chores to do, and a perfect weather! It was great!

Dr. Chung and her captive audience

Lunch, lovingly prepared by someone else!

Kids enjoying lunch

Here's Hari & Nicole... two of our babysitter volunteers
Early afternoon we all went for a train ride.
They had a 1/3 scale steam engine train with over
1 mile of tracks around the property.
It was a perfect weather for a ride.

The Row family
Paul & Linda with their boys
James & Linda Lee are behind them

Our conductor
Little Ava looking back at all the other riders.

Our family minus Chris.
He missed the train.

What could Josh be talking to Dr. Chung about?

Free time... playing with little Ava

Ava loves Buddy!

One of our caretaker this weekend... Amy!

It was such a wonderful afternoon...
Pastor Joel brought out the mattress from the
cabin and decided to take a nap!

Josh even brought out the rug to put under his mattress... too funny!

Little kids, little problems...
Big kids, big problems...

I've heard the above phrase many times not fully understanding the real meaning behind it. I know when you have little ones you envy other mothers (fathers too) who have older kids. What can be so hard when your kids can dress themselves, wash up, and feed themselves, right? I know that with each phase of your (and your children's) life you get different sets of challenges. And older (and bigger) the child gets bigger the problems/issues seem to be. And I'm sure in couple of years I'll look back and chuckle as I read this entry, yearning for the simpler days.

I'm sure by now you're wondering what had happened for me to write this particular entry. Let's just say that the last couple of weeks has been very difficult time for our family... and not particularly because anyone did anything wrong. With younger children you have the luxury of being able to control their environment... not so much with older kids. For your own child to learn the cruel realities of this unfair world... parents being unable to prevent or comfort your child... well, that's unbearable. I've been unable to let it go and put it behind me. I need to make some sense of it. I haven't been able to and it's been eating me up... unable to sleep, eat, or smile. It's been hard to put on a fake smile in front of my children... not to get them down as well. I'm trying my best to do all I can as a mother, while trying hard to let go of those you cannot control... easier said then done.

Yes, I do yearn for those earlier days... changing diapers, singing nursery rhymes, going to the park, taking them to tap/ballet classes, going to the library, bath time followed by a bedtime stories... Yes, it was physically draining... but at the end of the day I went to bed with a smile on my face.

Monterey, Ca
Spring Break 2008

This year our family took an overnight trip to Monterey. Although both Eddie & I have been to Monterey in our younger days our children had never been there. Since both kids and Eddie had a week off we decided to go away for an overnight trip. It was also Eddie's Birthday on March 17th (St. Patty's Day) so we decided to celebrate his birthday in Monterey as well.

Here are couple of slide shows I've put together from our trip to Monterey Bay.

Monterey Bay Aquarium ...
complete with music that my son, Jeffrey, enjoys.

Pebble Beach - 17 Miles Drive

Misc. Pictures... Hotel, Beach, playing in the sand...

New Hobby

I have picked up a new hobby/responsibility. Somehow I managed to volunteer myself to upkeep our church's website. It's at www.sksda.blogspot.com. I've just taken over the site this past week, and I've got lot more to do before I get it working smoothly but nevertheless we have a site for everyone to go for updates. Please come and visit the site and leave comments. Recommendations are requested. It is my plan to make it as user-friendly as possible with calendars, photos & links that may provide our members with much needed information. Enjoy!

President's Day Recess

Our children's school district not only have Monday off for President's Day, but the whole week. Eddie also took a week off to spend it with our family. So what did we do? Well, when you live on the base of the Sierra Nevada there is only one thing you can do... SKI & SNOWBOARD! During the week my family (minus me) went up to Lake Tahoe three times. On Sunday they went to Sierra-at-Tahoe with SKSDA Youth, then to Sugar Bowl on Tuesday, and to Squaw Valley on Thursday. Fortunately for us uncle Curtis was able to join us for our first two ski trips... thus the following footage. Uncle Curtis has put together a slide show (warning: it's a long slide show ... 39 min 28 sec ... mostly of my kids).

Jan 20 - Sunday - Northstar with SKSDA (Section 1 of video)
Feb 17 - Sunday - Sierra at Tahoe with SKSDA (Section 2 of video)
Feb 19 - Tuesday - Sugar Bowl with Choi Family (Section 3 of video)
Feb 21 - Thursday - Squaw Valley (no footage on the video, but pictures below)

Sit back and Enjoy!

Chris & Jeff

Our kids at Squaw Valley

With storm moving in girls needed a neck gaitor to keep warm

Rachel, Lizzy & Chris in front of Squaw Valley sign.
Notice the blizzard-like condition. Where's Jeff?

So what did I get for Valentine's Day this year?

Eddie took me out shopping on Monday prior to Valentine's Day. Apparently he's been thinking about what to get me... I, on the other hand, haven't a clue as to what to get a man. He knows I'm always on my phone or my palm... so he was going to get me a new smartphone, i.e. blackberry. I LOVE it, but my plan is not up for renewal until July and we felt maybe it's better to wait. However, on the way out I found this sunglasses. I have been in dire need of new sunglasses... I've been "borrowing" my dear friends sunglasses she's left behind some time ago (sorry... you know who you are). It's Coach's retro-style sunglasses. It's very comfortable and functional, just the way I like it. I am happy (I'm so easy). So what did I get him? I'm so bad... I couldn't come up with something, or I'm too cheap. Anyhow, I got him some tulips & heart shaped fruit tart! That's right! Happy Valentine's Day!

P.S. Update on my "cold" from mid-December...

Remember my old post "When Will It Go Away?", I still have my sultry bedroom voice. Apparently I have moved from a "cold" to "bronchitis". I still cough with mucus production :( and fatigue easily. I'm trying to rest & keep hydrated, but ... Oh well... I'll just be patient...

Rock Climbing at Granite Arch
SKSDA
Feb. 2, 2008

We had a EM night at the Granite Arch this past Saturday. The girls stayed home with mom, and boys went with dad to see how well they can climb. Unfortunately we didn't have Pastor Joel with us this weekend (he was away at CKSDA for weekend meeting) but they made the best of it and had a blast.

Christopher showing off his climbing skills

Jeff looking somewhat uneasy...

Apparently SKSDA girls were scaling these walls like a spider woman!
Here's picture of Rachel & Shanna Cho.



Here's a video clip of Chris & Jeff racing to the top...
apparently playing dirty to keep the other down.
(sorry about the quality of the video... there wasn't enough lighting)

When Will It Go Away?

Ever since mid-December I felt this "cold" coming on. I fought it back with all my might... even through the winter break with kids I was able to keep it at a distance... and I thought I was safe once kids started back to school. I was wrong. I caught the bug that's been going around. It all started with a sore throat, then I lost my voice on the 19th of January. I totally lost my voice! I nursed myself best I could and in a week I got back some voice, not my own but a husky, sultry voice. I'm still battling with coughs and occasionally get short of breath. But this is getting old. I want my voice back. When will this cough go away and bring back my voice? I want my voice back!

Another Day in the Snow
Northstar at Tahoe

One of the benefits of living so close to the Sierras is being so close to all the ski resorts in Lake Tahoe area. On Sunday we had another SKSDA Youth Ski Day at the Northstar-at-Tahoe. Uncle Curtis from Loma Linda was able to come up and join us. Actually Eddie & the girls joined him while I stayed home with the boys. Boys had a soccer game to play Sunday afternoon. I was rather pleased with their sense of responsibility. I know they wanted to go snowboarding... but stayed behind for their soccer team.

Eddie with Rachel & Lizzy before heading up the lift

Lizzy LOVES to ski!

Lizzy & Rachel waiting in line...
Rachel LOVES snowboarding

Lizzy taking a brief break

Uncle Curtis & Lizzy

Rachel enjoying her pizza & warm fire

Rachel & Lizzy with SKSDA girls
(Rachel, Nicole & Shawna)

After a long day of skiing/snowboarding they were met with huge traffic back home. Thank goodness Buddha & Pastor Joel brought camping stove & pot and a box of bowl noodles! Lizzy & Rachel said it was the BEST bowl noodle they have ever had!

Group photo of the SKSDA youth... tired but happy!

Oh, What a Night!

A fellow blogger recently commented to me that "half of January has passed us by", that it was time for me to update by blog. Well, sometimes there REALLY isn't anything to update. Kids are back to school and I'm STILL trying to recover from the kids being home for TWO WEEKS!!! And when your kids are NOT going through different milestones on a daily basis, well, there really isn't anything to write about. And trust me, you don't want me to go on and on about having teenagers at home.

Fortunately there is more to my life than just my children. Our church (SKSDA) has gym night once a month... and this month we had a "Throwback Night". Basically, everyone had to dress "retro". We got some looks from other people at the gym. We even had some girls come over with their phones and take some pictures of our group. Eddie even brought along our boom box with several cassette tapes of music from the 70-80's. It was hilarious!

Group photo in retro black & white

Group photo in silly poses

Both Pastor Joel & Eddie showed up in a matching outfit, "Michael Jordan"
Only difference was the number on the jersey...
Eddie's was MJ from the 80's (#23)
Pastor Joel's was MJ from the 90's (#45)

First Sabbath at Church
Me & my girls with Lisa

My girls Lizzy & Rachel with Joanne & Lt. Park (AKA AirForce Josh)
For any single girls out there... Josh is single and available!