Happy 11th Birthday Isabella

Our family's darling angel princess is now 11 years old.

I feel so blessed having a daughter who is my angel on earth. Isabella is wise beyond her 11 years. I learn so much from her everyday. She's the one who gave me the quote "too blessed to be stressed" during one of our library days when we were in Pismo Beach back in 2007 and it has become my mantra since. She also has a lot of sense of humor (something she got from her dad:) Our conversations are filled with fun bits of wisdom. We look forward to our daily drive to and from San Francisco Ballet as it is always filled with blessed and fun chats.

One of her recent out-of-the-blue remark during our commute: "Mom, I'm so glad God gave me to you and made the doctor not tie your tubes before you had me". You see, in one of our commute conversations I mentioned that after I had her brother Ian, I asked the doctor to tie my tubes so I won't have another baby since I already have 3. The doctor said he does not advise it since I was still young then. I told her I'm so thankful that the doctor didn't grant my request. According to Isabella it was part of God's plan:) Praise the Lord God indeed for the gift of an angel daughter.

True to the saying like mother, like daughter, Isabella and I share a lot of the same interests. We enjoy many activities together. We love going to the library, reading books over tea, writing, dancing, watching movies, shopping for matching outfits and shoes:) and even exercising and cleaning together. She is truly my angel on earth.

As a student, Isabella is an ardent learner. Her passion for learning gives her the discipline and motivation in everything she chooses to do. Her 6th grade Science teacher recently wrote: "I'm enjoying Isabella very much. I totally agree that she is very self-motivated. You are lucky parents indeed. In many ways, she seems years older than her peers, but she never shows frustration with their silliness."

(see previous comments here from her other teachers)

As most of you know, she has a demanding schedule with her daily ballet training at SFB. As soon as we arrive home from ballet, she goes straight to her study room to do her homework. And what's so admirable and awesome about it is that she goes to that room full of anticipation and enthusiasm in completing her work. Then she tries to finish as efficiently as she can so that she'll have time to show me the dance combination she just learned. And when I say efficient, I mean going above and beyond what is required. Like for example, in a recent assignment, the teacher asked for sentences using at least 8 of their spelling words. Isabella had fun writing a whole story using 13 of their vocab. words. Then I remember her brother Immanuel upon checking her math work that night, served her with his own concoction of freshly blended apple/jackfruit/pineapple smoothie. You see, being the only girl, Isabella is lavished with love:) She is also an angel sister to her brothers. And I am a mom in heaven:)

Overflowing with joy and gratitude

It is inspiring and heavenly to a mother's heart to witness her child's dedicated, conscientious, and passionate efforts. Isabella had more homework than normal last night (including a project for her core classes). As soon as we arrived from ballet (about 8:30pm) she's off to her study area (as always) (oh!... but not before the usual "show" of what she learned in ballet...it had to be a short one this time). She finished all her homework and projects (past 11pm) and showed me her grades online....she's striving to maintain her straight A's....a passion for learning...for dance...for life....what more can a mother ask for? I am overflowing with gratitude..."Every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17)

P.S.
Another delight to a mother's heart....when all her children continuously manifest sincere love and support toward one another. Isabella is blessed with wonderful, supportive, and able brothers. She has three excellent resources for homework checking when dad is unavailable (unfortunately this is not mom's department:)). Her first line of recourse is Immanuel (since he's the one here with us...brings to mind the meaning of Immanuel's name: "God with us"). If Immanuel is unavailable (i.e. "in music"), thanks to video conferencing she can take advantage of another great resource...Phil all the way in Pismo Beach. She has not gotten to her third option, Ian, as yet (though Ian was her first possible reference before he went off to Cal Poly). They all enjoy providing love and support to their little sister and to one another....truly a great joy and pure heavenly delight to a mother's heart and soul. Praise God!