Photos: Gotcha Day and One Year Later

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Lydia (who is dressed in a yellow Chinese snowsuit)

This picture was taken shortly after the orphanage worker gave Lydia to us.

January 4, 2007

Civil Affairs Bureau

Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China

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Lydia (who is attired in American clothing for toddlers)

This image of Lydia was taken two hours after we had received Lydia.

January 4, 2007

Our hotel room at the Lakeview Hotel

Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China

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Lydia (almost one year later)

December 29, 2007

Living room at the Pagtalunan home
Chesapeake, Virginia

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Lydia

November 12, 2007 (10 months after Gotcha Day)

These three pictures of Lydia were taken in the upper landing of our home.

Gotcha Day: A Year Ago

Gotcha Day: A Year Ago

(Important note: SiowFong wrote this update to Lydia’s blog.)

“Feng Zhen Er!” Even before Zhen Er was officially introduced and handed to us on Gotcha Day, January 4th 2007, I knew immediately that it was her among the 3 babies from the Fengcheng Social Welfare Institute, based on the referral photos taken 6 months earlier. We arrived at the Nanchang Civil Affairs Bureau (CAB) office before the babies’ arrival. Within 15 minutes, we saw 3 babies beautifully attired in golden yellow Chinese outfits being brought in by 3 social workers. My eyes quickly scanned over the 3 babies and I excitedly whispered to my mother, “That’s her, and oh, how beautiful she is!” Her rosy cheeks, almond-shaped eyes and rosebud mouth struck me. When I approached Zhen Er, she was afraid and tried to hide behind the social worker and peeped at me. When she was officially handed to me later, I couldn’t help gazing at her, noting again how beautiful she was, and how blessed Thomas and I were to be entrusted with this precious bundle of life. I handed her a toy and noticed that she was clutching on to a packet of half eaten Chinese rice ball cookie, most probably given to her by her foster mother. This poor terrified baby was holding on tightly to the cookie during the entire 2-hours journey from Fengcheng to the Nanchang CAB office.

Seeing Zhen Er for the first time was one of the most unforgettable moments of our lives with her. That was a year ago and how quickly the year has gone by. Thomas and I will forever cherish the incredible and amazing 8 days we had spent with her in her birth country China, in the cities of Nanchang and Guangzhou before we returned with her to the USA.

To the birth parents: Thank you for bringing Zhen Er into this world. We will forever love her as if she is our very own biological child, the only love we know how to love her.

To all of you who are following Lydia’s journey: Thank you for letting us share her life with you.

To God: You are the Creator and we know You have a beautiful plan for Lydia.

To God be the Glory (words by Fanny J. Crosby)

To God be the glory, great things He hath done!
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the Life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
Oh come to the Father thru’ Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done!

Photos: Christmas, Papa's Crib

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Initially Lydia was happily sitting in papa's old crib, which is longer than her crib at home.

During our stay at Pa and Ma Chin's home, Lydia slept well in this crib, which was in our bedroom.

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Since Lydia associates the crib with sleeping, she is puzzled as to why she is in the crib at 9:40 AM today. (The reason was that we were trying to take some pictures of Lydia in the crib before we left for the airport.)

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Lydia is tired of being in the crib.

Note: All these pictures were taken on December 31, 2007 in the largest of the three bedrooms at Pa and Ma Chin's home.

A Fascination with Buses

December 31, 2007 (4:02 PM, Eastern Daylight Savings Time)


A Fascination with Buses

We had a wonderful ten days in the Tidewater area of Virginia with family and friends, and we are returning home today. Here at Dulles International Airport (IAD), Lydia is taking her customary early to mid-afternoon nap. SiowFong is doing some emailing while I am writing this piece for Lydia’s blog.

For Lydia, the most noteworthy – and certainly the most enjoyable – part of this journey has been the six rides that she has taken on the airport’s shuttles that ferry people among the main terminal and the various concourses.

For as long as SiowFong and I can recall, Lydia has enjoyed seeing buses as she makes noises and occasionally points when she sees one from the vantage point of her car seat. Within the last few weeks, she has begun to utter the word “bus” when she observes one.
Even before our flight from Norfolk, Virginia landed in Washington DC this morning, Lydia was excited about the prospect of riding a bus.

With a five and a half hour layover in Washington DC, we had plenty of time do a number of things, including eating lunch at Wendy’s, buying magazines and newspapers, purchasing dinner from Subway for the plane trip home, and riding the buses. The last of those four activities was definitely Lydia’s favorite. With a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes, Lydia curiously and delightfully peered out the windows of the airport shuttles as she was seated in her pink stroller.

Photos: Christmas, Hsu

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Aunty Ginny is reading the story of Frosty the Snowman to Lydia, which caused Lydia to smile and laugh.

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Lydia and Fei Hung, her 2 and a half year old cousin, are "all smiles" as they sit on the lap of aunty Ginny (Fei Hung's mom).

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The end of the reading is near for the Frosty the Snowman book.

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Lydia is raising Tigger the Tiger so that Uncle Johnny can smell Tigger.

Note: All these pictures were taken on December 23, 2007 in the living room of Pa and Ma Chin's home.

A China Update

December 31, 2007


A China Update

China is certainly in the news these days. The current issue of Newsweek, the year end one, has a picture of basketball star Yao Ming on its cover to signify that China is the topic of its cover story and supporting articles.

About a month or two ago, SiowFong and I received the Fall 2007 issue of “East Asia Insight”, the quarterly newsletter of OMF International. I had not read it, so I brought it along on this trip. The lead article is entitled “China: One World, One Dream”. Below are some excerpts from that column:

“It is a cool September morning in Beijing. Though the Chinese capital is known for its perpetual smog and haze, today is a sunny day with blue skies – the kind of day Chinese Olympic officials are hoping for next summer. . .

The Olympic motto ‘One World, One Dream’ is plastered over highway overpasses. Olympic countdown clocks are spotted throughout the city. And the Olympic mascots – Jingjing, Beibei, Huanhuan, Nini, and Yingying – show their faces on all forms of media (TV, newspapers, billboards, etc.). . .

In less than 300 days the world will focus its attention on the world’s most populous – and in some ways most mysterious – nation. It has been widely recognized that the Olympics will signify China’s official ‘coming out party’ on the world stage, a time for China to put its best foot forward and showcase all it has to offer. . .

In the short-term, the coming of the Olympics has meant a building boom in this city of 15 million. New skyscrapers seem to go up overnight. Additions to the airport and subway systems are scheduled for completion in the coming months. Visitors traveling on the city’s Fourth Ring Road can easily spot the new Olympic stadium – dubbed the ‘Bird’s Nest’ for its outside façade of tangled metal. . .

The country has also attempted to clean up its act, sometimes literally, in preparation for the Games. More than 2 million trees have been planted to beautify the city. Campaigns to curb public spitting, loud talking and breaking in line are underway. . .90,000 Beijing taxi drivers are learning rudimentary English. . .

There is no doubt the country, and specifically Beijing, have transformed in recent years. Long seen as the political heart of China, Beijing is also now being appreciated as a cultural and economic hub of the Middle Kingdom.

But will it be a place of spiritual transformation as well? Frankly, we don’t know. Perhaps as the Olympics further exposes Chinese citizens to the international scene, they will become more open to spiritual matters. . .And perhaps the Olympics will be a window of opportunity for China’s house churches to glimpse an outside world it may have seen on only a limited basis.”

Photos: Christmas, Grandpa

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Pa Chin ("Yeh Yeh", the Chinese word for paternal grandfather) is reading to Lydia.

Lydia likes to turn the pages of a book when someone is reading that book to her.

December 26, 2007

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Pa Chin is reading Curious George Goes to the Toy Store to Lydia.

December 26, 2007




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Pa Chin is tickling Lydia's chin.

December 27, 2007

Note: All of these pictures were taken in the living room of Pa and Ma Chin's home in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Hospitality Personified

December 30, 2007


The Yips

Whenever we return to the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, we always spend time with Long and Linda Yip, very good friends whom I have known for about ten years. I first met them in 1997 when I began attending the First Chinese Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Tonight dad, mom, SiowFong, Lydia, and I enjoyed a sumptuous home-cooked Chinese dinner at their home. The entrée portion of the meal included of stir-fried Chinese roast pork with tofu and mixed vegetables, stewed chicken with dried Chinese vegetables and Shitake mushrooms, stir-fried Chinese broccoli in garlic sauce, and stir-fried shrimp with snow peas and carrots, and steamed rice. Dessert consisted of a special Filipino almond sheet cake that is only made during the Christmas season and ice cream. After dinner, we enjoyed seeing some of their pictures of family and church events that occurred in 2007.

Lydia also enjoyed her time with the Yips. After dinner, Eric, their son who is a sophomore at the University of Virginia and who is home for his three-week Christmas break, played with Lydia while the rest of us were still eating and talking. Erik’s activities delighted Lydia. She enjoyed chasing him around the rooms, pushing on the piano keys in the living room, and playing with the three teddy bears there that matched Lydia’s height.


Hospitality Personified

The word hospitality aptly describes Long and Linda. Ever since I have known them, Long and Linda frequently have friends and acquaintances over for a meal. Years ago, they explained that they see their home as something that God gave to them. Referring to their single-story house as “God’s home” again tonight, they stated that they have consistently made it a priority to welcome family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers.

For example, the weekly prayer meeting for the English-speaking congregation of their local Chinese church has been held at their home for years. Following each prayer meeting is conversation time and snacks. In another example, when Pastor Brian McDonald, the former senior pastor of the First Chinese Baptist Church, first moved to the area with his Kathy (his wife) and their three teenage children, the McDonald family stayed at Long’s and Linda’s home for free (when Long’s and Linda’s three children were still living there) for three months until the McDonald family purchased a home in the area. With a smile on her face, Linda fondly recalled the many breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that she cooked for the McDonald family during those three months.

Over the years, visiting church groups, missionaries, out-of-town friends, and other individuals have experienced Long’s and Linda’s hospitality. When I asked them about the largest group that had ever visited their home this evening, they replied that years ago, they fed and lodged over 80 members that comprised a visiting choir from a large, out-of-town church that was doing a special concert that weekend at the First Chinese Baptist Church in Virginia Beach.

As Christians, the Yips are a great example and a great encouragement for SiowFong and me because of their love for Jesus and their love for people. We thoroughly enjoyed our four and a half hours at the Yips, and we look forward to the next time when we can be together again.

Photos: Christmas, First Egg Roll

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Lydia is examining the tasty homemade Filipino-style pork and vegetable egg roll created by mom # 2.

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Yummy !



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Lydia is finishing the egg roll, and she is ready for another one.

Note: All these pictures were taken on December 25, 2007 in the dining area at the Pagtalunan home in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Friends and Food

December 30, 2007


Friends and Food

“I like Christmas because it’s the one time of the year when people celebrate the birth of Jesus and submit to a spirit of thanksgiving, kindness, giving, and love. Many relationships are restored during that time of the year, and people don’t even realize that it is the Spirit of Christ Jesus at work in their hearts.”
- Neil Hutton
(Source: 3001 Things We Love About Christmas. Zondervan: 2000. page 7.)

The Christmas holidays are not only a time when family members reunite but also a time when friends meet. We had two memorable gatherings in restaurants recently. For me, the gatherings were occasions to converse at length with longtime friends. For Lydia, these events meant opportunities to try new food.

The first occurred two nights ago at the Umi Sushi Express, a kiosk in the food court at Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, Virginia, when dad, mom, SiowFong, Lydia, and I visited Richard and Wendy Wong, who started this business in May 2007. Richard and Wendy treated us to a sushi dinner. Dad, mom, Lydia, and I ate the cooked sushi, but SiowFong dined on the raw sushi. Lydia consumed a little bit of the cooked sushi, but she enjoyed the Chinese noodle dish more that I purchased from the Chinese fast food restaurant in the food court.

The second occurred today at the Fire Mountain buffet restaurant in Suffolk, Virginia when dad, mom, SiowFong, Lydia, and I met the McKenney family for lunch. Dew McKenney, a former coworker and good friend of mine since 1992, was present along with Marie (his wife) and Julia (one of his two daughters). Joining them were Latrelle (Dew’s mom), Diane (his sister), and Joannie (Diane’s younger daughter). Lydia’s exposure to American food in day care and her occasional trips to our local Old Country Buffet with our friends, Al and Florence Crane, are helping her to an acquire a taste for American fare since she consumed a lot of food at Fire Mountain today, including generous helpings of lima beans, brussel sprouts, and fried chicken.

Photos: Christmas, Pagtalunan

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Lydia and Ray are sharing a laugh as they play with Legos.

Living room of Pa and Ma Chin's home

December 26, 2007

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Will has two children that he is supervising, Gabriel (his nephew who is playing a LeapFrog handheld electronic game) and Lydia (who is observing Gabriel).

Living room at the Pagtalunan home in Chesapeake, Virginia

December 27, 2007



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Roberto with Lydia in his lap

Living room at the Pagtalunan home

December 29, 2007



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Maria (whom I have always called "Betsy" because her middle name is Elizabeth) is holding Lydia

Living room at the Pagtalunan home

December 29, 2007

Family # 2

December 29, 2007


Family # 2


I first encountered Roberto Pagtalunan when he and I were schoolmates in Miss Alexander’s fifth grade class. Within the next year, I met the rest of his family of Filipino descent, including his parents (Reynaldo and Maria), his two brothers (Will and Ray), and his sister (Maria). During my middle school and high school years, I spent many days and evenings at their home, particularly during the summer breaks. During the summers following my college years and the many years thereafter, I visited them often. Because all of our relatives lived outside the state of Virginia and because of the amount of time I spent with them, the Pagtalunans became family # 2 to me.

During this Christmas holiday, we visited the Pagtalunans four times (December 21, December 25, December 27, and December 29).

On these occasions, Lydia’s favorite experiences were eating and playing. On December 21, she encountered Gabriel (Ray’s and Anna’s 4-year old son), and Kristian (Ray’s and Anna’s 15-month old son). Lydia was even more interested in their toys, and during the two and a half hours that we were there that evening, Lydia kept playing with them. Since their paternal grandmother (mom # 2) cares for them from Mondays through Fridays because both Ray and Anna work full-time, the Pagtalunan home is full of toys. A few years ago, when Gabriel was several months old, one of mom # 2’s friends who visited the Pagtalunan home asked if they were running a day care because of the number of toys there.

On Christmas, Johnny, Virginia, and Fei Hung came with us to visit the Pagtalunans, and Fei Hung enjoyed the diversity of toys just as much as Lydia. Lydia also relished eating pancit (Filipino stir-fried noodles with meat and vegetables) and eggrolls for the first time in her life.

We returned two days later on December 27 so that Lydia could play with Gabriel (Kristian was away for his 15-month well child check). During our last visit, mom # 2 prepared one of her signature, tasty Filipino dinners for us, which we enjoyed very much. The conversations with recollections of old times and updates of our lives today as well as our observations of Lydia made for a memorable evening.

Photos: Christmas, Tigger

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Lydia with her three Tiggers

On her right side are two Tiggers. The larger one, the Tigger with the stocking which Lydia refers to as the "papa dofu", is a Christmas gift from Uncle Clay and Aunt Linda. The smaller one is the one that I bought for her.

One the left side is the original, midsize Tigger, a present from Mary Dietsch and her favorite of the three.

December 22, 2007

Foyer

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Isn't this the picture of bliss as Lydia is surrounded by her beloved Tiggers ?

December 22, 2007

Foyer

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Mom and Lydia (with her most beloved, midsized Tigger)

December 24, 2007

Living room

Note: All these pictures were taken at Pa and Ma Chin's home.

Faithful Friends

December 28, 2007


Faithful Friends

Sydney Smith once wrote, “Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love, and to be loved, is the greatest happiness of existence.” (Alan McGinnis. The Friendship Factor. Augsburg Publishing House: 1979. page 8.) One of my favorite verses in the Old Testament section of the Bible portrays friendship this way: “a friend loves at all times.” (Proverbs 17:17)

Luis, Patsy, and Carissa Seuc certainly fit such a description. Since I left the area years ago after we were married, the Seuc family has been the most faithful of our out-of-state friends. Over the years, we have greatly appreciated their intermittent phone calls, emails, letters, cards, gifts, visit to our home earlier this year, and other “little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love” (William Wordsworth’s words). All of those acts have helped to bridge the distance and time gaps between our families; as a result, the intimacy and meaningfulness of our friendship has grown over these years.

SiowFong has known Patsy for sixteen years, and I met Luis and Patsy about ten years ago when I was attending the First Chinese Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 2000 was a landmark year in their lives when they adopted Carissa, their daughter from China who was three and a half years old then, through Bethany Christian Services. Luis and Patsy were also instrumental in our lives because of them and the Darwin and Ruth Shu, SiowFong and I eventually met each other.

Tonight was our second wonderful evening with them during this Christmas holiday season. The highlight of our time together was the car tour through the “Garden of Lights” display at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, something that Lydia experienced for the first time in her life. We shall miss the Seucs when we return home, but despite the physical distance between our homes, our regular contact with them will keep our friendship alive and well with them in years to come.

Photos: Christmas, Grandma

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Ma Chin ("Ah Ma", which means paternal grandmother in Chinese) is reading to Lydia from a picture book entitled My Big Book of Words (the Spanish version). Ma Chin is naming the objects to Lydia in Cantonese.

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Ma China and Lydia are looking at a picture in the book.

Lydia loves to read, and she regularly communicates that desire to us by bringing books to us so that we can read to her.

Note: Both of these pictures were taken on December 26, 2007 in the living room of Pa and Ma Chin's home.

DIY

December 26, 2007


DIY

Home Depot, the chain of popular big box hardware stores in America, perhaps best exemplifies the acronym “DIY”, which stands for “do it yourself”. Using the slogan “You can do it. We can help”, Home Depot’s growth surged in the 1990s because of its success in encouraging homeowners to do a variety of home improvement projects, including building decks, tackling landscaping jobs, and even completing home renovations.

In the last few weeks, Lydia has consistently evidenced this same “DIY” attitude. For example, at meal times, Lydia increasingly refuses to allow either SiowFong or I to feed her. Instead of permitting us to feed her directly, she directs us to place the piece of food onto the spoon or fork that she is holding in her hand, and then she transfers the food into her mouth. In another example, when I am clipping her fingernails, she wants to try it also. When SiowFong is giving Lydia a bath, Lydia wants to do it herself as well.

In the last day or two, Lydia has begun to vocalize this attitude by prefacing her actions with a firm “I do it.” If she successfully completes the task, she then says, “I did it!”

Months ago SiowFong lamented, “Lydia is not a baby any more. . .,” and her prediction is coming true before our eyes as we witness Lydia’s growth, development, and independence.

Photos: Christmas Blocks

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Lydia is turning her attention towards her mom (who is not in the picture).

These Legos belong to Fei Hung, and aunty Ginny and uncle Johnny, Fei Hung's parents, brought them to Pa and Ma Chin's home during their visit.

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Lydia is playing with the Legos while her friend, Tigger the Tiger, watches.

Since Lydia usually awoke about an hour earlier than Fei Hung each morning, she had ample opportunity to play with the Legos after drinking her milk.

Note: Both of these pictures were taken on December 24, 2007 in the living room of Pa and Ma Chin's home in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Family Time

December 26, 2007


Family Time

In America, Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two main times of the year when families gather together. Because we scheduled ten days home this Christmas season, we had plenty of time to be with dad, mom, Virginia (the older of my two sisters), Johnny (her husband), Fei Hung (their two and a half year old son), Linda (the younger of my two sisters), and Clay (her husband). As the years go by, SiowFong and I find that we treasure these special times with our families even more.

Dad and mom invested many hours in the kitchen to prepare lots of delicious entrees for our lunches and dinners. One of their signature entrees is the roast duck for Christmas dinner. (Many years ago, dad and mom served roast turkey for Christmas dinner, but in recent years, they have selected duck instead for its better flavor and its smaller size, which means fewer days of eating leftovers.)


Lydia’s Experience

Because Lydia had met all of these individuals earlier this year, she was familiar – and comfortable – with them and vice versa.

Dad (Pa Chin) played with Lydia, made Lydia laugh, and read books to her, especially during the last few days of our time in Tidewater, Virginia after my sisters and their families had returned home. Lydia enjoyed her time with her “Yeh Yeh” (paternal grandfather in Chinese) as she regularly said “Yeh Yeh” during our visit.

Mom (Ma Chin) also enjoyed spending regular time with Lydia in the morning and the evening. Their morning routine consisted of the following: mom feeding Lydia her bottle of milk; mom feeding Lydia her small bottle of water; mom changing Lydia’s diaper; mom wiping Lydia’s face and hands; and mom changing Lydia into her day attire. Their evening routine, which followed Lydia’s bath, was mom feeding Lydia her 6 ounces of Yoplait yogurt.

Johnny, Virginia, Clay, and Linda enjoyed their time with Lydia and vice versa. Johnny enjoyed carrying Lydia around the home. Virginia kept using the word “honey” when she addressed or referred to Lydia. Clay gave Lydia many rocket rides. During each rocket trip, Clay hoisted Lydia straight up in the air and then carried her in his arms as he walked around the living room, which delighted Lydia. Because Lydia loves looking at picture books and playing the memory game where she matches cards, she thoroughly relished her time with Linda and Clay as they spent time with her each day engaged in these activities.

Fei Hung and Lydia played much more amicably during this visit than during Thanksgiving. SiowFong thinks that this resulted from the fact that at least one, if not two adults, were actively supervising their interactions during these last few days. Another factor may have been the fact that both were less territorial since they were in neutral territory at Pa and Ma Chin’s home. Finally dad and mom think that another reason may be familiarity. For example, on the evening of Monday, December 26, when Fei Hung awoke from his afternoon nap in the late afternoon, Lydia, SiowFong, and I had already left to go to dinner at the Seucs. According to dad, mom, Johnny, and Ginny the next day, Fei Hung was upset that evening as he kept looking for Lydia, uttering her name, and ate very little of his dinner that night.

We had a great visit with everybody, and we will be excited to see them again in 2008!

Photos: Chrismtas, Cousin 1

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Fei Hung (the 2 and 1/2 year old son of aunty Ginny and uncle Johnny) is holding Lydia's head while staring at her as both of them are standing on a pillow.

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Fei Hung is touching Lydia's feet while laying on a pillow.

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After Lydia saw that Fei Hung laid on a pillow, she did the same thing.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on December 25, 2007 at Pa and Ma Chin's home in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Photo note: One advantage of taking a series of photos is that they can tell a story.

Opening Presents

December 25, 2007


Opening Presents

What is it about opening gifts that instinctively excites children? Is it the attractiveness of the wrapping paper with its repeating patterns and bold colors? Is it the unique appearance or texture of the bow or the ribbons? Is it the anticipation of seeing what lies inside the gift bag or beneath the wrapping paper? Is it some other factor?

We do not have an answer, but we know that Lydia greatly enjoys this experience. When SiowFong brings Lydia a present to unwrap, Lydia’s eyes dance with joy, and a wide smile appears on her face. Occasionally Lydia is so excited that she quickly stomps her feet on the ground when her mother informs her about this upcoming task.

Once Lydia has the gift in her hands, she deliberately tears and peels off the paper, handing each piece to her mother or me for disposal. After she removes the last bit of wrapping paper, she immediately wants to play with the gift. The most common obstacle that she encounters at this point is the package in which the gift is enclosed. She first tries to remove the package, and after a few minutes, if she is unsuccessful, she turns to her mother or me and says, “Open”. SiowFong and I cannot help laughing sometimes because we are entertained just watching her open each of her presents.

Photos: Christmas Tree 3 and Close Ups

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Lydia is kissing and hugging both of her Tigger the Tigers.

The original one, which she calls "mama dofu", is in her right hand, and the new one, which she calls "baby dofu" is in her left hand.

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Lydia is taking a break from hugging and kissing her Tiggers.

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Doesn't the smile on Lydia's face resemble the many smiles on children's faces on Christmas day?

Note: All these pictures were taken on December 15, 2007 in the living room of our home.

"Memories of a Great Childhood"

December 25, 2007


“Memories of a Great Childhood”

Today is Lydia’s first Christmas with us!

I still remember SiowFong’s disappointment last year when we learned that we would meet Lydia in early January instead of late December. After receiving Lydia’s referral in early November 2006, SiowFong hoped that we would see Lydia face-to-face before Christmas 2006, but that did not happen. SiowFong talked again about those feelings yesterday when she spoke with anticipation and excitement about today being Lydia’s first Christmas with our family.

As the years go by, we hope that days like today comprise some of Lydia’s fondest memories of her childhood.

Thinking about this topic reminds me of Danae Dobson’s autobiographical article that I read today in a book entitled What My Parents Did Right. Years ago, when I was still single, I bought a copy of this book that resides on a bookshelf in my parents’ home. I enjoyed the book so much that after SiowFong and I were married, I purchased another copy that sits on a bookshelf in our home. Here’s a brief excerpt from Danae Dobson’s personal account of her childhood as the daughter of Dr. James Dobson (the well-known expert on the family) and Shirley Dobson:

“Although I [as a 3-year old] remember the pain of that [bicycle] accident today, another memory is more prominent in my mind. I can still recall my 6’ 2” father picking himself up off the street and running back to my side. He gathered me in his arms and ran to the house. The bicycle was left upside-down in the road where it had crashed. My father cried as he ran, and I heard him say, ‘I’m so sorry, babe. I’m so sorry I hurt you!’ Over and over he said it. I really think he was in greater pain than I was.

Somehow, the tenderness of my father on that distressing afternoon has come to symbolize his love for me through the years. Those arms that cradled me after the accident have always been there to offer a hug in times of challenge and frustration. Certainly, most fathers love and care for their children, especially when they are hurting. But the relationship with my dad was different. I knew I was special to him – that we was pulling for me and praying for me during each of the small crises that came my way. It’s what every little girl needs from a father.

My dad was very busy when I was a child, but I could always manage to get his attention. I can still see him sitting at his desk during my preschool years. He was in the final year of his doctoral studies at the University of Southern California, and the pressures were intense. Nevertheless, my brother and I took priority. I could climb on the chair behind him and spend an hour or two on his lap or even on his shoulders. He never seemed to mind. Every now and then he would stop to toss me in the air or play a game. These moments, even more than gifts and surprises, were the way he expressed genuine love to this wide-eyed child.

My mother was also dedicated to her family. She was a full-time homemaker who poured all her energy into the lives of the people she loved. A former second-grade teacher, she made an enjoyable lesson out of each event and every encounter. . .

The world is filled with heartache. . .Even children who escape life’s more difficult traumas still have to deal with pain and suffering in some form. There are moments when everyone feels lonely and rejected. There are times when we all fall victim to the ridicule and scorn of others. It is these situations that the security of a good family is critical. . .

My mother and father are not perfect parents. They would be the first to admit their shortcomings. But they have never wavered in two all-consuming commitments: their devotion to Jesus Christ and their love for my brother Ryan and me. That kind of devotion covers a multitude of imperfections in the relationship between parent and child.

Someday soon, perhaps, it will be my task to pass along that love and faith to my own children. There is no higher calling in life.”

(Danae Dobson. “Memories of a Great Childhood,” What My Parents Did Right (edited by Gloria Gaither). Star Song Publishing Group: 1991. pages 73-77.)

Photos: Christmas, Uncle Clay

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Lydia is peacefully sitting on Uncle Clay's lap

Nordstrom's Cafe (where we met Clay's dad, mom, and older sister Joyce for lunch)

MacArthur Mall in Norfolk, VA

December 24, 2007

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Uncle Clay is lifting Lydia straight up into the air to simulate a rocket launch.

This "rocket game" that Uncle Clay played with Lydia always delighted Lydia since she grinned and laughed every time that she played it.

Living room of Pa and Ma Chin's home

December 22, 2007

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Uncle Clay is carrying Lydia around the living room after hoisting Lydia into the air.

Living room of Pa and Ma Chin's home

December 22, 2007

Insufficient Slumber

December 24, 2007


Insufficient Slumber

A sine qua non for a happy infant or toddler is adequate sleep, a fact of life about which we were reminded today. Since arriving here at Pa and Ma Chin’s home, Lydia has rested her usual nine to ten hours per night on a regular schedule, so she awakens each morning in a refreshed, contented state.

Her afternoon naps, however, have not nearly as predictable, but Lydia has managed to sleep for two hours on each afternoon. Today, however, the phrase “no rest for the weary” described Lydia as she did not get receive any afternoon rest because of two contiguous social events, a lovely lunch at the local Nordstrom’s Café with Clay’s family (his parents and Joyce, his elder sister) and a delightful dinner at the Seuc home.

When we arrived at Luis’, Patsy’s, and Carissa’s home at 4:30 PM, Lydia was wide-eyed and cheerful. By 6:00 PM, however, Lydia’s rosy disposition was gone because of excessive fatigue, and it was replaced by a grumpy demeanor that culminated into a half hour of wailing, during which time she was inconsolable as she periodically repeated “Mama Hay!” in between her cries.

After being completely exhausted, she finally fell asleep for an hour. After she awoke from her nap, some of her cheerfulness returned as well as some of her energy. For the rest of the evening at the Seuc home, Lydia enjoyed sitting with Carissa on the piano bench and playing with Carissa’s piano.

Photos: Christmas, Aunty Linda

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Aunty Lydia is reading to Lydia.

Living room

December 22, 2007

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Hugs for Lydia and Tigger

Living room

December 25, 2007



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Aunty Linda is observing Lydia as Lydia is playing with Legos.

Living room

December 26, 2007



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Aunty Lydia is about to feed some dinner to Lydia.

Dining room

December 23, 2007


Note: All these pictures were taken at Pa and Ma Chin's home in Chesapeake, VA.

Some Thoughts About Christmas

December 23, 2007


Some Thoughts about Christmas

For SiowFong and me, this Christmas is even more exciting because of Lydia. Here are some quotes about Christmas that seem particularly relevant this year because we are experiencing Christmas as parents.

Charles Dickens, the famed author of “A Christmas Carol” and my favorite British author, once wrote, “It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.”

Linda Elliott states it this way: “What I like most about Christmas these days is reliving the enchanting season through my children’s eyes. As we get older, we get so busy and so numb to the blessedness of Christmas. It’s so nice to hear, ‘Wow! Baby Jesus was really born in a barn?’”

Bill Colburn notes, “As a child, Christmas was magical – the ornately decorated tree surrounded by an abundance of gifts, a dining table covered with my favorite foods, with the light of a few flickering candles. Outside. . .I could see the multicolored lights of a neighbor’s house. As an adult, Christmas remains magical, but for different reasons. People seem to change. There are more smiles, more happy human sounds, and a general feeling of joy. As a Christian, Christmas reminds me that One [Jesus Christ] was born and lived and died and now lives again so that I might live forever with him in eternal joy and peace.”

(Source: 3001 Things We Love About Christmas. Zondervan: 2000. pages 141, 76, and 65)

Photos: Spanish Playgroup 2

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Lydia is engaged in one of her favorite activities, namely playing with Duplos and Legos.

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Of the four scooters, this is Lydia's favorite.


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Lydia is playing with the stationary school bus on the left while some of the other children are playing with other parts of the bus.


Note: All these pictures were taken on October 24, 2007 at auditorium-sized room at the Northshore Family Center in Bothell, WA where the Spanish playgroup for toddlers meets on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Lydia the Explorer

December 21, 2007


Lydia the Explorer


Because our overnight flight lasted four and a half hours, Lydia only slept about four hours instead of her usual ten hours while the plane was airborne. Although she remained awake and alert during breakfast at Dulles Airport in Washington DC, she rested during the half hour flight to Norfolk, Virginia. As Pa Chin was driving us to his home, Lydia fell asleep in her car seat during the uneventful trip.

After we arrived, however, Lydia awoke. After we brought her into Pa and Ma Chin’s home, her fatigue suddenly disappeared as she enthusiastically cried out, “Yeah!” and had a bright smile on her face. As soon as SiowFong removed her shoes, Lydia scurried around the house, exploring each room. When Lydia entered a room and glanced into it, she would utter “Wow!” (SiowFong has been teaching Lydia how to say “wow” recently).

Only after lunch did the fatigue that resulted from sleep deprivation return. Lydia napped for three hours this afternoon, awakening in a refreshed state for the rest of the day’s activities.

Photos: Lydia in Fairfax, Virginia

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Lydia and Fei Hung, her cousin, are looking at each other while both are standing at the interior door of the reception area at Lydia's uncle Johnny's and aunt Ginny's workplace in Fairfax, VA.

November 22, 2007

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Lydia is riding Fei Hung's scooter.

Lydia enjoys riding scooters and cars of all sizes, and she quickly began riding this one, which she had not previously experienced, when she saw it at her uncle Johnny's and aunt Virginia's home in Fairfax, VA.

November 21, 2007

Children's Museum

December 19, 2007


Children’s Museum

For Lydia, going on an outing with adults is fun, but experiencing one with other children is even better. About a week ago, Jenny Chen and I coordinated our schedules so that Lydia and I could meet Jenny, her husband James, and their two children (Evelyn and Samuel) today for such an excursion.

We met at 10:30 at the Children’s Museum in Seattle. During the next two hours, Lydia, Evelyn (5 and a half years of age), and Samuel (3 years of age) had a lot of fun as they went from one exhibit to another. Lydia particularly enjoyed her experiences of descending down the slides, crawling through the body of an orca sculpture, sitting on a seat in a scaled-down version of a King County Metro bus, gathering vegetables and fruits in a makeshift grocery store, examining the large plastic replicas of coins in the special exhibit dealing with money, operating a makeshift crane, observing a number of educational displays with various lights and noises.

Evelyn and Samuel were very good with Lydia. Evelyn was particularly caring and sensitive to Lydia’s needs. For example, she held Lydia’s hands occasionally as they walked through the museum, and she helped Lydia to participate in some of the activities. “A fun time was had by all” would appropriately describe today’s two hours at the museum.

When Lydia and I entered the Children’s Museum this morning around 10:00 AM, we saw these words on the wall: “The Children’s Museum, Seattle brings to life the joy of discovery for children and their families through fun, creative, hands-on explorations of the world around them.” Judging from how much fun Lydia had with the exhibits, I can attest to the fact that the museum lives up to its mission statement.

Photos: Christmas Tree 2

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Lydia, who is attired in one of her Christmas dresses, is sitting in front of the Christmas tree. The huge bear to her right is a recent gift from Sonia Cano and Erika Tejada.

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Lydia is holding a wireless camera remote. Seated on the ground to her right are two Tiggers the Tiger. The smaller one, which she refers to as the "bebe dofu", is one that I recently bought for her from a local Disney store. The larger one, which she calls "mama", is the original Tigger the Tiger that she loves, a gift from Mary Dietsch.

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Lydia, who is sitting on a child's size beanbag that we recently bought for her, is closely holding both of her beloved Tiggers.


Note: All these pictures were taken on December 15, 2007 in the living room of our home.

Dinner with the Colins

December 12, 2007


Dinner with the Colins

Years ago, a number of adults told me that as I became older, time would pass faster. It is hard to believe that nearly a year has gone by since SiowFong, Lydia, and I last saw Ralph and Julie Colin. I met Julie, a former colleague, a few years ago, and SiowFong and I met Ralph two years ago when the Colins invited us to dinner at their home. Lydia encountered them this January during her birthday celebration at a local Chinese restaurant.

Having not seen Lydia in eleven months, they made a number of remarks about how much she had grown and changed. Because of their playful interactions with her and because Lydia has grown accustomed to seeing new and old guests at our home for lunch and dinner, Lydia did fine and was comfortable with Ralph and Julie. In sum, we had a delightful evening with Ralph and Julie tonight.

Photos: Lydia's Favorite Chair

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November 25, 2007

Lydia eagerly and frequently sat in this children's-sized lawn chair every day during the Thanksgiving weekend when we were visiting Johnny, Ginny, Fei Hung, Pa Chin, and Ma Chin. Lydia has always liked sitting in these children's-sized lawn chairs. Lydia's first experience with these chairs occurred several months ago when she relished sitting in the one owned by Kyvin Kaing-Li.

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Lydia is cuddling with Tigger the Tiger while resting in this two-seater lawn chair, which surprisingly supported the weight of an adult as Pa Chin and Virginia occasionally sat with Lydia in the chair.

November 24, 2007

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Lydia is preparing to get out of the chair.

November 23, 2007

Note: All these pictures were taken in the living room at Lydia's uncle Johnny's and aunt Ginny's home in Fairfax, VA.