10,000 Reasons

Tax Filing Made Easy

During this time most people in the U.S. are usually working or finished their yearly tax filing. I wrote the list below a little while ago so I thought it's good time to post it now in case any of you need a little direction or encouragement on working on your tax.  How to get your tax done faster: 1. Set a dateline then tell someone about it and have him/ her keep you accountable. My patient husband usually give his wife until the end of March before he start asking hourly, "Have you start working on our tax yet?"

2. Over the years, label and keep financial docs in appropriate folders. Above is the picture of  how I organize ours. Keep tax documents (W-2, 1098, 1099, and so on) on separate folder. In case you are interested on the past I wrote how we eliminate paper clutters.

Better than the Blue Box Macaroni and Cheese

I am in the process of moving all my food related posts to our food site: Asian Family Recipes.
The Macaroni & Cheese Recipe can be found here.

The Strength of my life

Chris and I had been looking to put on something on the wall as daily encouragement and reminder. Then I saw the vinyl wall art on Ann Voskamp's homeschool room and knew that it's just want we need. We got it from dayspring when they were having an after Christmas sale.


Psalm 27
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?
   The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Making Long Trip with Little Ones Enjoyable

We just came back from a trip to visit the grandparents in Indonesia. The trip takes about 25 hours, including transit, one way. This is our third time taking this long trip after we have kids but my first trip without having to nurse a baby. We learned what help making long trip with kids more enjoyable {or at least more bearable}:

1. Mind your expectation in other words set a low expectation and be prepare. We expect that they will be restless, excited, curious, and have trouble sleeping. Wesley is a very light sleeper so before the trip I asked his pediatrician advise if there is anything I can do or give him to help him sleep better during the trip. We also chose the airplane with the least number of transit.

2. Be flexible
The kids are adjusting to the new surrounding too. We don't force the normal bed time or rules during the trip. For instance, we let the kids have longer screen or play time and give them more snacks than they usually get when they are at home.

Good Read: What Alice Forgot

I was surprised to find this book on the list of Joy@Gracefullmama's favorite books of 2012.

It's been a loooooong time since I read a nonfiction {other than Max's books} so I bought it to read on our last trip to visit the grandparents. Joy was right. It's a good story that makes me think, pause, and reflect.  Alice, the main character hits her head and wakes up thinking she is at the beginning of her marriage and parenting, only to realize she is almost 40 with three kids. Be forewarned, there is some language and inappropriate talk.

Sewing: Chevron Pillows

When my mom came to visit us last year she commented that the the sofa quilt does work but I need to make some more pillows that way our back would feel comfortable too. I think she was right so I was delighted when I found comfortable pillow inserts at IKEA. I use the envelope-backed pillow cover tutorial on Martha Stewart's site to make these pillows.

Mothering Lessons from Ruth Graham

The first Christian book I read was written by Ruth Graham. Her writing made me laugh, cry, and wanting to grow closer in my relationship with God and dig deeper in His Words. A little while ago I found this interview and was very blessed by it.

"A true mother is not merely a provider, housekeeper, comforter, or companion, a true mother is primarily and essentially a trainer." Ruth Bell Graham

Roasted Japanese Sweet Potatoes

We loves these Japanese Sweet Potatoes from the Farmer Market. I used to steam them until my neighbor, Tina shared with me some that she roasted. I cook them that way since then.

Preheat your oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit. Put the sweet potatoes on a baking pan:

3 Other Uses of Nursing Cream

Nursing cream is great stuff for nursing mommy. However, I learned recently that the 100 percent lanolin cream is also great for:

1. Chapped lips
I first learned about using it for lip balm from Simple Mom. I gave it a tried but I found it to be too sticky for my taste but it works great for dry or chronic chapped lips.