Find Your Happiness

Eleanor Jade June 23, 2016 1:45pm 7 pounds, 5 ounces 19.5 inches long

Nathaniel had his end of the year kindergarten program yesterday. The entire kindergarten class sang a few songs and Nathaniel did not tell us ahead of time that he will be holding the submarine during  Yellow Submarine . He said he wanted to surprise us! Afterwards, Amelia couldn't wait to give her big brother a big hug. After the program, we went to Nathaniel's classroom for awards and cookies. He received the Most Trustworthy Award. According to his teacher Mrs. Adams, "we can always rely on Nathaniel to do the right thing." As an Asian parent, I was hoping he would receive an academic-related award such as best reader or great in Math. But after pondering about it, I realized this is possibly the best award. Ever. It takes consistent good character to earn and as a Christian parent, I could not be more proud. Looks like we are doing something right.

Yesterday, Nathaniel was awarded a Certificate of "PAW"some Behavior for the fourth quarter. He mentioned it to me a few weeks ago that his teacher submitted his name for the award for behaving and focusing on the tasks during music class when everyone else was being disruptive. I praised him for doing the right thing but I didn't expect that there would be an actual small ceremony for it. I am very glad that his hard work and good behavior are getting recognition other than from us.

Earlier this month, I volunteered to take Nathaniel's tee ball team and individual photos. I wasn't pleased with his soccer pictures last season and the same photographer offered to do them again this year. We let the family choose and they picked me!  And what was Amelia doing while I was taking pictures? Play with sand, of course. The team mom kept an eye on her to make sure she was staying safe. But seriously, place this girl on a pile of dirt/sand and she will stay put. And you bet we bathe them outside that evening after letting them play with water for a while. Sooooo much sand.

This past year, we faced what probably is the most difficult and complicated situation in our married life thus far. And while we came out of it slightly stronger and more flawed, we had let each other further into our hearts than we had let anyone before. I know things he wishes he could hide. And he sees the things that I am ashamed of. It was like getting to know this completely new person even though we had shared a life together for more than a decade. It was both terrifying and relieving at the same time. This was also the year I decided to face my own demons. Not because my husband wasn't enough. Trust me, with the help of God, he was more than enough. I would stare into this deep, dark, bottomless pit and knew it could swallow me whole. But I also knew deep inside that he could always pull me out. That I can rely on him to always be my anchor. However, it was time I remove the unwarranted burden I had placed upon him. If I wasn't careful, it could swallow us both....

This year is Nathaniel's second season of playing tee ball. And we are the Chicago White Sox! My husband is also the head coach and I don't think I am being biased when I say it's a better team this year. Hubs really focuses on teaching the fundamentals and making sure all the children follow them at all times. And when Nathaniel follows the basics, his hits go farther and throws are on point. Nathaniel still has his heart set on being a goal keeper in soccer but he begins to enjoy himself once on the baseball field.