December 24th gift from God

On Dec 24, we arrived at the hospital. Tomo was having regular contractions and it began to hurt. Around 2 am she requested the elixir of the gods the almighty "epidural". The anesthesiologist asked me to leave while the procedure was being done. But my wife said he was a kind of a started to different guy "not so sociable". When he couldn't get the shot into my wife's spine he started to say "your bones were tight" and then got really frustrated when he saw a pink tennis ball on the bed which we were using to massage her back. Anyways in about 1 hour I was able to come back and Tomo was feeling a whole lot better (I was at the waiting room watching "American Dad" on the Cartoon Network). We ended up sleeping til about 6 am. When we woke up, Tomo was having the shakes and couldn't stop. Also during that time she started to have a bit of a fever around 102. They needed to start to push. So around 10:44 am they started to push. Also praise God, our doctor who we though was not going to deliver was able to deliver us though we appreciate all the on call doctors that came to see us. After quite a bit of pushing, Tomo on 12:41 pm, little Nathan came out. On the last pushes, there was a mirror that she could see and started pushing and saw Nathan came out! That was motivation for her to push hard. I cut the umbilical cord and the nurses got Nathan to cry and we were able to lay Nathan on Tomo's tummy. Then we were able to hold our little baby! We were able to skype the image to Tomo's dad in Taiwan and of course my parents were extremely proud of having their first grandson and I was extremely proud to have my first son! Praise God!!!

Last Meals for our little boy before world debut

Dec 23. On that day, Tomo had some contractions and I decided to take the day off. The contractions were pretty regular during the morning but by noon they had disappeared. So we went to La Vista nearby our condos and enjoyed a Chicken Sandwich and Rainbow Trout. Then for dinner we went to Ruggles Green and had some their very good Pepperoni Pizza and their very good White Chocolate Pudding. After that we took a walk and then being at Williams Sonoma, Tomo started having some regular contractions. Getting close to 12 am the contractions started to be 1 contraction every 7 minutes. We arrived at the hospital around 1 am. And little Nathan began his journey.

3 years since we got married!

It has been almost 3 years since we got married. There has been a lot of adjustments that Tomo and I have been through. A lot of fun and a lot of fights! I have told many people that fighting is a good thing as it means you are communicating and trying to communicate! :) Anyways, by the end of the year, there will be another big change in our lives. It will be the welcoming of our little boy in to this world! Little Nate. We are praying that God will help in grow in his grace and be a good example to those around him! But before he comes into this world, we have to do some cleaning in our house. Looks like I will have to give up on some things I am not willing to give in, but we must push forward.

An appreciation for Tomo

A lot of things have happened in the past few months. One big thing is the wedding. But this post is not about the wedding, that will be in another post soon. Right now it is 5:30 am and I am getting ready to go to Dallas for a business trip. I just wanted to let everyone know how much I appreciate my Tomo. I woke up and saw her sleeping face and knew how blessed I was to have her in my life. She was sleeping so peacefully and I said I thank God for her and humbly ask God to give me the power to continue to take care of her. Yesterday, as I was tired, Tomo took the time to give me a massage even though she was tired herself. I just wanted to let her know how much I appreciate her and how much I love her! POWER UP!

Tomo BOOOOSU---TO

Recently, my Tomo has been stressed out at work and the wedding planning that is ahead. In addition her mother is in Japan so she feels a bit alone on the process. If I were a girl, I would definitely help Tomo. Then again if I were a girl, I wouldn't be able to marry such a wonderful and loving girl. I know that at times my Tomo doesn't feel loved because I don't do enough. Whether it is just calling my Tomo and saying how much I love her, or just updating this blog on a more frequent basis. I have been stressed out about finding a job and Tomo is anxious for me to find a job as well. In addition, our church is going through some transitions and Tomo has been led to step and fill some of the roles. This includes the being the leader at the welcoming committee. I believe Tomo is stepping out in faith to do this job as this is not an easy thing doing this in a different language. (Tomo always tells me if I did this in Japanese or Chinese). I know that God will allow her to grow and do amazing things. But for now, I believe God has lead me to help Tomo now while she is starting in this big role. This includes talking in front people when she doesn't feel comfortable. I want to let Tomo know I am here for her. We will work as a team and she needs to know that I will be there for her to pick her up. We are gonna be a great team. And by God' s grace we will get through all of this.

Here are some of the fifteen things that bring a smile to me when I am with Tomo.
1. Piano playing and her teaching
2. Her kindness to people around her
3. Her support for me.
4. Our controllable laughter when someone onara suru
5. Her attempt to seduce me
6. Always looking out for me (in what I eat)
7. San Jyu Yon Sai no ....
8. Tian Tian Henshin
9. Showing me her dance
10. Her trick to use Cartoon Channel to get me to stay longer.
11. Massage
12. Cleaning my ear
13. Seeing who will forget to say "Gochi Sou Sama Deshita"
14. "Aishiteiru Bu..."
15. Tomo Daisuki!
(These are in no partiuclar order)

Aishteriu Honey!
Jimmy

An Ending and a New Beginning

As I write this particular blog, I know that my sweetie (sweee tee) pie or Ms. Tian Tian is on her way to California to finish the journey that we began 2 years ago. These past few days has been quite interesting as I look back on these two years at MIIS (Monterey Institute of International Studies). I have made quite a few friends over the two years and know that their friendship will be of great value over time. But there has always been a constant in my life besides the relationship with God that I have and that is my sweetie pie or Ms. Tian Tian. I know that when I began this program to study trade policy that there would be sacrifices as we were dating for about a year before coming to MIIS. Tomo sacrificed and endured loneliness while I was here in Monterey. I appreciate her courage and willingness to continue throughout the days without Jimmy by her side and when problems arose. I couldn't be there physically for her. Though God has given us courage and strength to go through many of these issues, it is sometimes challenging when there is no one there physically there where you can see them and be comforted. I know there has been many days where this has happened. I have picked the phone to hear my Tomo's heart sad as she is homesick and wants to go home. It is those days, that I feel that I need to be right there to give her a hug and to tell her it is ok I am here. I know if I was in Houston, I would vrrrmmmmm vrrmmmmmmm to her house. This is my Tomo and I love her very much. As everyone has noticed, my sweetie pie is so special. I hear many stories of how much they appreciate my Tomo and friends that cry as they part from each other. My Tomo has a unique ability to touch peoples lives. And the one life she has touched the most has been mine. This becomes clearer to me as I was here at MIIS. When I was stressed out, I knew I could count on Tomo's words "Ganbare Jimmy" or "Jimmy Ouen Suru yo!" These simple words helped me through the tough times and challenges I faced. Lord I can only say that it is by your grace I received such a person to be my wife. So as we start this new beginning out of Monterey and the trip back to Houston, I not only look with a bit of apprehension but with great expections of the future! May God lead the way to the new promised land. (with the help of my "Joseph")

Surprise! Big News!

Almost 4 months since I wrote in this blog, but it is not without thinking one day without Tomo my now fiancee. So as you can see, there has been a lot that has happened since my last write. Of course, Tomo has checked this blog many days in row only to be disappointed. Well today is the day she will be surprised. Surprise! Honey! Of course, if I end this blog just like this, there will be many questions on what has happened and that special day in March. March has been a very special month for all of us and a special date that has brought us to a new stage in our lives. No, I am not talking about my birthday though that day is special for us, it is the day that I asked my very patient girl to marry me.
That day happened on a rainy Tuesday on March 13. The week before was a very stressful week. I had just spoken to my them girlfirend parents about marrying her. I has to hurry to ask them as they were leaving for Taiwan that week and if I didn't get in contact, I would have had to wait till May. When I finally got in contact with the father, I decided to use Chinese. At the time, I didn't feel right using Japanese as he always spoke Chinese to me. I could have asked in English but then it would be a problem of misunderstanding. So I decided to use Chinese after all I had been taking many... (will continue)

Qualities not always the "Cool" appearence

Well it has been a crazy time since I wrote in my Blog back in November. So being the last day of the year, I would like to bring some reflections on why I am so lucky to receive the love of my girlfriend.

When I ask why she chose me I invariably get the answer, that what Tomo chose was the heart not the appearence. I was pretty shocked by that answer because I thought I was a pretty cool guy. How come I can't be one of those cool guys? But when I was reminded of where she came from, I begin to realize that I am an area of peace for her. Some 2 1/2 years ago, I really was wondering if I would ever find someone I could share my life with. But fortunately, God was faithful and brought Tomo into my life. Sometimes I wonder what I have given to her, because I have recieved so much from her. She has helped me become organized concious, fashion concious, and confident when I am downtrodden. When I see her in the environmnet in which she works, I begin to see how lucky I am. I have always said that Tomo is the type of girl you don't have to worry about introducing to parents. I have read many thank you letters that show how much appreciation they have towards Tomo. Her dedication to teaching others has touched others. I was touched to hear that Kelsey one of Tomo's student who is planning to move to London wanted to find a "Japanese" piano teacher. But what I thought was interesting was that Kelsey really didn't want a Japanese piano teacher, she wanted Tomo the piano teacher. Kelsey is just trying to find qualities of a great teacher in the Tomo's ethnicity (and she really isn't Japanese but of Taiwanese ancestry), but in reality she was looking for Tomo. In fact if or when she finds a Japanese piano teacher, Kelsey will realize that it is not what she is looking for and will now compare all piano teacher to the Tomo standard. Why does she do this? It is because Tomo is one of a kind. God made Tomo this way so that many would be touched by her talent and her life. I am humbled by God to allow me to find such a person.

Tomo always asks me if I chose her because she was "Japanese". After getting to know her and understanding more about her, I am confident to say that I chose Tomo because of "Tomo" not because she is "Japanese". Although I have to be honest that it was one of qualities of many that make me love her more. Others include, "perfect pitch" (she reminds me of this), "Taiwanese", "English", playing by ear, an amazing organizer, a faithful companion, always thinking of Jimmy first.... God has given me a wonderful example of a great person.

When I look at Jimmy 2 and 1/2 years ago and the Jimmy today, I see a bit of a change. It is my hope, desire and duty to take care of Tomo in the way that makes her feel that she is a princess. How can you not treat her that way? You look at her and you realize that she is a princess!

As we leave 2006, we can look forward to what 2007 brings which I know will be life chaning events for both of us! But with each other, it is an exciting journey with challenges and triumphs. as Tomo give me the cheer, "Ganbare Ganbare Jimmy" it is my turn to say "Ganbare Ganbare Tomo" yeh!

She chose quality over "cool" but this quality needs to be taken care of and not be taken for granted. Just as a new car that comes off a lot, it runs great for a while but if you don't maintain it, you can have problems in the future that could break it.