Almost 3

She's almost 3! I hope you guys enjoy the proofs from her portrait session this afternoon. ♥  

~ Mrs. Arcfide

A Birthday-Mother's Day

It's a pretty sweet Mother's Day, when

your two year old wishes you, 

"Happy Birthday-Mother's Day!!"

Never mind that my birthday's actually in September. ;-)

To every thing there is a season

Next to getting married and having our baby, graduating again this year was one the of happiest and proudest moments of my life.

I am done with classes. I truly am.

I was fortunate enough to finish among the Top 3 of my graduating class.

In 2003, when I first graduated high school, going to college - let alone graduating from college - was an untenable idea. Nine years later, I have worked full-time, put myself through late-night classes, had an amazing man ask me to marry him, moved half-way around the world, had a beautiful baby, and completed over 100 credits and two Associates degrees in 2.5 years.

My life has been one big, happy roller-coaster ride that I would not exchange for the world. I am so thankful to God, for His blessings, and to my husband, our extended family, and all our friends, for their continuous words of encouragement and support.

They were the ones who poured fuel over my fire on days when I felt like I was burning out.
I could not have done it without them.

I am thankful, too, for this little munchkin, who patiently bore with her parents all 2.5 years of her little lifetime they were in school. She was a constant reminder of the more important things in life outside of books - stuff like food, baths, laughter, dirty diapers, and play-dates.

She looks so deceptively calm and composed in this picture. ;)

 

Me walking across the stage.

Oompa and Ooma - the BEST grandparents a girl could ask for.

With My Man ♥ I *love* him so much!!!

The daughter who did not want to take pictures.

My touch of pizazz to the Pomp and Circumstance.

I will always look back on this chapter of my life without regrets, knowing I did my best for myself, for my family. Knowing I pleased my husband, and made him proud. All that sleep-deprivation was so worth it, in the end!

"So, then, to every man his chance – to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity…" - Thomas Wolfe.

Thank you, Ivy Tech!

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Like it?

 Here's a recent picture that one of my photographer-friends 

took of me, while we were in Chicago!

Elizabeth is SO talented - she can make anyone,
and anything look good, trust me!

More about that trip, to come . . .

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Friends . . .

How adorable are Mikaela and her friends?! :)
More pictures from our church's 2nd anniversary celebration here.

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Of ethnicity and bloodlines . . .

Some time ago, Ooma and I were discussing ethnicity and bloodlines, and trying to figure out what the cute mostly-Chinese pumpkin you see in that picture was made of.

She wrote,

I AM 50% IRISH, 25% ENGLISH AND 25% GERMAN.
THE OTHER SIDE WAS 25% IRISH AND 75% ITALIAN.
THAT MAKES YOUR MOM 37.5% IRISH AS WELL AS 12.5% ENGLISH, 12.5% GERMAN AND ITALIAN.
AARON IS 18.75% IRISH, 18.75% ITALIAN, 6.25% GERMAN AND 6.25% ENGLISH AND 50% CHINESE.
THAT MAKES MIKAELA 9.375% IRISH. ALMOST 10%.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU CALCULATE YOUR SIDE OF THE FAMILY.

I'm 100% Chinese-Singaporean. To add to the Chinese-Singaporean nationality-complication, my grandparents were Malaysians, and my maternal grandfather was Thai. That makes Mikaela 75% Chinese, 9.375% Irish . . . and - anyone else willing to do the rest of the math? ;-)

~ Mrs. Arcfide

So "Mikaela"

Dear Mikaela,

Out of the hundreds of pictures I took over Spring break,
this one ranks as one of my Favorites.

I don't mind that it was taken inside a garage,
filled with drab colors and doggy hair.

My eyes keep getting drawn towards that hot little red face
in the picture, with That Expression. Your expression.

The same one that greets my sleepy eyes each morning,
as you ask for "Apple Juice!"

The same one that faces me when you talk animatedly
about Lightning, Mator, and Curious George . . .

It's the same one that tells me, "You're so you."

I didn't think I'll actually get a good picture of you that moment when I called your name.
You've been good at blinking just when I snap my camera, lately.

Or walking right up to me for a hug and a squeeze, so I can't get your picture anyway.

But this time, you looked directly at me, and simply said, "Yes?"

And this was one of the few times I was glad you didn't smile,
because in that moment,

I finally saw a picture of you.

~ Mama

Our Little Woman

I do believe I just heard her shout-out a war cry!

:cough:

~ Mrs. Arcfide

A Week in the Keystone State

Last week, the latest of Aaron's talks and conferences led us to spend a couple of days in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love.

Having loved history and historical fiction ever since I was a kid, I couldn't help but feel excited to see with my own eyes the meeting places and buildings that played an instrumental role in the founding of this country.

Mikaela and I explored as much as we could on foot, carriage, and taxi.

Independence Hall

The Liberty Bell ~ Picture proof that Mikaela was here,

albeit while she was sleeping. ;-)

Inside Independence Hall, where the Declaration was signed.

Our first horse-drawn carriage ride!

Be sure to check out my Youtube Channel for more videos of our trip, where Mikaela had her kind of fun at the Please Touch Museum in Philly. :)

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Merry Christmas to all!

xox,
Aaron, Johanna, and Mikaela Hsu
December 2011

Fall = Hayrides + Fun

It's my favorite time of the year again.

Crisp air, golden leaves, hayrides, bonfires, smores, and harvest parties.

One day after her 2nd birthday, Mikaela got to enjoy her
first horseback riding experience. She LOVED every moment of it.
"Mama, pease?" She says.
"Pease? Pease? Pease?"

In her mind, she's riding an animal that "moos".
Yes, in Mikaela's world, both cows and horses say, "MOO-ooo."

Aaron humoring the kids by doing some flips
on their trampoline. They never get tired of seeing his tricks every. single. year.
Neither do I. ;-)

Shelby and her friends.
"You need to send me this picture!" she says.

Hayride through the corn fields.

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Ear-cleaning, anyone?

~ Mrs. Arcfide

My 4th of July

This year, we celebrated my second 4th of July at my Great-grands' home.
They always give me a Grand time!
Ooma played Patty-cakes with me and made me laugh.

Oompa gave me a little flag, and led me in our mini-parade.

Daddy stuck the flag in my hair!

Me and Daddy, by the pool.

He took me swimming.

After dinner, we went to the park with our cousins
to listen to a band and watch some fireworks.

The music was LOUD . . .

. . . and so were the fireworks. But, I wasn't even a little bit afraid.
When daddy tried to cover my ears, I wriggled out of his arms.

I'd rather watch the fireworks on my back, like this.
Yes, glow sticks and all. :)

I hope you had a Happy 4th ~ be sure to let me know if you enjoyed my guest post!

Love,
Mikaela

From Father's Day . . .

Since I recently shared some pictures that we took Mother's Day,
I thought I'd be fair to Aaron, and post some pictures from Father's Day as well. Hee!

Kissing on command is sometimes a hit and miss with Mikaela.

She loves kissing on the lips, though, and thinks that's the ONLY place for kisses,
so watch-out if you're not part of the family. Lol!

Her newest camera pose.
I wonder where she got that from . . .

And again . . .

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Friday, May 13th in Pictures

The Program

The Graduate

The Graduate with Graduate-in-the-making.
;-)

The past 22 months "homeschooling" myself through college will always be remembered fondly as some of the most happy, challenging, and productive days of my life.

I'm thankful for my school, and for the generous scholarships they've awarded me.

I'm thankful for my husband, who has been my biggest fan and cheerleader the entire journey.

I'm thankful for my toddler, who reminded me often that Family is my priority when she comes near to gently close a textbook.

I'm also thankful for all my extended family, who believed in me, encouraged me, and inspired me to do well.

And my greatest thanks to God, for the greatest Gift - and every gift I have - from Him.

May the next year-and-a-half be as it has been, in the past.

Junior Year, here I come!!

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Mother's Day Family Pictures Fail

#1) It was a windy day. My hair lost its parting.

#2) So far, so good.
But Mikaela wasn't paying attention!

#3) She didn't want to stop playing with rocks.
A meltdown ensued.

I guess someone was just in need of a nap.

At least, we got some decent pictures of Mikaela enjoying the outdoors,
before the waterworks began. :)

We may not have been picture-perfect, but at least, we had Fun!!

~ Mrs. Arcfide