The hurricane is coming

-  Friday, 10:16 pm
I was giving the girls a practical drill about storm. I asked them what they know about hurricane and what they predict would happen. They were a bit clueless at the beginning, so I had to explain a little. They got excited and scared at the same time. And then they started thinking about the practical part. So we stocked up some food and water just in case electricity, gas and water would give trouble for few days. As we were trying to use different containers to store drinking water and washing water, Lily asked: "But Mommy! How am I going to take a shower?" Ha ha...Something only she can think of. I said, "That's easy. Just open the door and go out." ;-)


-  Saturday, 3:17 am

I have just realized that, I am looking forward to spend this disastrous time with my children. This is the time of excitement, learning, bonding, the time to comfort those little hearts when comfort is most needed. I even fear that I would be disappointed if the storm would not hit bad enough. I can see both of them turning back to their infantile state, with the needing eyes glued on my face, asking, begging. And only I can fulfill those needs. And in front of me, there are my two eternal love of my life. What Pleasure that is!!!

God! I can turn any bad event into something enjoyable. Thank You!

-  Saturday 4:05 am

If I let them go through this time feeling nothing but fear, then the storm would traumatize my children. But if I go through this time with them, holding them close to me, giving them courage, to fully experience the depth of the event, then the storm would become a wonderful training course of courage, exploration and victory. So, in the future, every time when they are challenged, they would feel excited, remembering the feeling of this time, when fear, comfort and excitement bland into an unforgettable sweetness.

- Saturday 2:27 pm

This is going to be one of the funnest day of their life, I mean for the girls. We are baking Broccoli Kugel and watching Amadeus, since they have been asking for it over and over again.

How about all this being positive-association-psyche?

Hope you are having a fine day, with Seltzer.

-  Saturday 4:54 pm

Lily had just baked her chocolate cake for the first time. So, there is a box of Broccoli Kugel and a box of chocolate cake coming your way. :-)
 
 
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Honor Code #1 -- Honesty

Today we are talking about Honor Code #1 -- Honesty. We are talking about why is that "The Cause can not justify the Means".

There are some adults who let themselves lie to children carelessly. Hopefully, there are not many such examples from the people around my children. I have always been trying hard to surround my kids with respectable people. Or at least, I have been telling them who is more trust worthy among the people we know.

Adult lie sometimes. If a lie lasts for more than 15 minutes after the event, it is an intentional lie. They are doing this for few reasons.

1. He is lazy to take time and effort to reason with people. So lying is the easy way out.
2. He does NOT have a good reason, and still want things to go his way.

As parents, we should NEVER give in to our laziness.  It seems harmless in many cases when an adult lie. In fact, it is very harmful to the children's mind and the building of their psychological profile. It subconsciously teaches the children that they should lie whenever they can to get what they want. It is going to cost the children a lot when they grow up. It is going to cost their friendship and trust, as well as many other matters that depend on trust and friendship. There is nothing in this world more important than help children building a respectable personality to ensure their future.

Honor is NOT just a ruler to measure and judge other people. It is, first and foremost, a measure and judgment of ourselves. When you can NOT discipline yourself to behave respectably, how can you expect people to respect you? Why should anyone Respect and Trust you?

Asking a child to forget about that you have lied? It is like asking God to forgive your sin today, and then you can do it again tomorrow. How many people have you lied to in your life? Didn't you always have a perfect reason to lie? It was always the other people's fault, wasn't it? How convenient!!!

Whenever we make a mistake, we should always be responsible enough willing to pay for it, willing to take the Fair punishment. Not every wrong doing is going to send you to Hell. Do NOT teach children to dodge their responsibility by asking for God's forgiveness. Confession encourages irresponsible behavior unless there is a more severe punishment built into the system for repeated offender.

The Cause can NOT justify the Means. Unfortunately in human history, it has happened too many times when a wrong doing was encouraged for some Holly or Noble reason, one way or another, Crusades and Spanish Inquisition for example. When children are young, they do minor deeds, good or bad. When they grow up, they do big deeds, right or wrong. It ALL started from how we as parents teach them, day in and day out. It is haaaard work.

No more teaching children about Confession and Communion until we teach them to be responsible of their own action. If a person dare to do it, then he should have the guts to bare the consequences. Or he is just a coward hiding behind God's cloak. How is Heaven going to be like when those people get there? A collection of Liars, Cheaters, Murderers and Petty Thefts that knew how to manipulate and use God as a shield to bail them out of punishments after they have repeatedly done wrong to other humans?  Think about that. Do those people really love and respect God and his Creation?

Today you lie to your children. Tomorrow they lie to you and everyone else. Congratulations to your parenthood! How should you be rewarded?  

Happy Birthday Lily

My Dear Lily,

Now that you are 10 years old, I want to tell you that it was my intention and design that I do NOT bury you with material things that could only occupy your attention and take you away from what is really important. Instead, I shower you with LOVE, from all these people who I love, and love me. They have been my comfort, support, and joy of life. I depend on them completely.

I want you to know that, I give you my friends. You should always remember that you can count on their Love, Guidance, Support and Comfort. You should also know that, I give you a little sister to love you and to keep you company even after I am gone.

I give you Knowledge on how to gain more knowledge. I give you the foundation about Healthy Food, and how to maintain a healthy body. I have cultivated your Independence and Thinking habit. I hope you make good use of them, and make good judgment throughout your life.

I don’t ever want you to feel that you have less property than other children. In fact, you have MORE, much More, ever lasting, and ever growing.

I want you to know that, I have always enjoyed having you as my baby since long before you were born.

Thank YOU, and Thank God.

Mom