NYE

I’m almost caught up. 2026 is gonna be a good year. Hopefully for you too. Mommy had to la and whoop you today. No more whining, throwing or hitting. We can’t give you warnings. 

You’re so blessed. You got more presents. Be nice. People are nice to you. Don’t need to be nice to people who are mean to you, but you should still be polite. The keys to heaven are dependent on that 🙏.

Jury Duty ⚖️

I have to keep checking, but luckily I didn’t have it today so I could drive you to school. If you get a chance, you should serve on a jury. It’s your civic duty and you’ll hopefully be a good judge of character.

Unfortunately, it seems like the people who should be on juries are getting out of it. The people who serve on juries are faulty. How sad. Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do, but should do. That’s life. I had tacos while I waited for you to wake up from your nap at So. Good stuff. Hope you like them some day…

Another Monday

These never feel good, unless I’m not working, which even then usually means I’m daycare. Lately, you’re saying you don’t want to go to So. What’s the deal?

Although today you said you love Daddy and you want to stay with me. Anyhow, I hope no one is hurting you at daycare. I saw a boy who might be Ivan hand your shoes to you. Mommy is still on the fence about how long you’re gonna stay at So, but at least until July, so buck up.

Bye Bye 👋

Your uncles and aunty have gone home. Do you miss them? Maybe you’ll get to see some other one in February. Finley too maybe. I hope you’re nice to each other when you do. 

Maybe you have a reason to not like people, but I don’t think you should at your age. But even if you do, a good life skill is to not let them know that. It only works to your advantage to manage your emotions. #lifeskills

My Gym

You got to finally go back today. I know you didn’t want to go and it’s new since you’re with the teachers and not mommy and daddy, but it’s good to get outside of your comfort zone to grow.

That also means outgrowing this whining and complaining you’re doing a lot of lately. I realize that life is difficult and new for you, but I don’t want you to feel powerless in your life. I need you to be a problem solver and not a complainer. I hope we’re raising you right 🙏.

Fri-www

I still don’t know why they gave me Wednesday off and made me work Friday for Christmas and New Years…but at least I get 2 days off. Unfortunately, you’ll be home Friday and not at daycare. Luckily you got great babysitters.

You also get to meet your cousin. Please make sure you’re nice to your visiting guests. Ansar lives far away and he doesn’t get to see you often so be nice.

Happy Birthday Jesus 🎄

He’s 2025 years old now. Crazy isn’t it. For Jesus’s birthday he wants you to be a good boy and one of his beacons of light for the world. To do that you have to start being a good listener and stop being bad. Can you do that?

Funny thing is that Santa Claus wants you to be a good boy. So do your mom and dad. That being said, maybe you should really consider it. Lots of people will be happy if you do. Your life will be a lot smoother too…

Jesus Birthday Eve

Your Aunty and Uncles have come to visit you too. You’re so lucky. Everyone really cares about you. That’s why it’s really important that you treat people better and stop saying you don’t like someone…

At some point you’ll be justified in not liking people, but right not it seems like it’s your own feelings at the time that dictate that. Like if you’re not happy, you don’t like anyone…come on bro, if you keep acting this way it won’t matter how cute you are or how nice I am. People won’t be nice to you or like you…

Stylin’

Someone looks pretty cool in their new threads, ready for the Christmas jam tonight. I know you’ll make us proud even though you didn’t have any practice…

Glad to see that you’re waking up a little later too. You’ll be back to sleeping schedule in no time it looks like it. Hooray. By the way, you were very entertaining at the show, but definitely not in sync 😂.

Back to Grind

Sorry you’re jet lagged…Sorry I’m so behind on posting. Mommy doesn’t realize the reality of you going to bed early means you’ll wake up early and someone will have to be up with you.

It’ll be strange taking you to So so early. Hopefully you’ll be back on track soon. Daddy has been off too, but I think it’s mostly because of you…

God 🙏

Everyone has their own relationship and reasons with God. My or your mom’s relationship shouldn’t impact your own with God. I hope you have a great relationship with God for you. I hope that it helps to guide you on the “right” path in life. 🙏 

That being said, I know you don’t like church, but you need to go until you’re an adult and can make your own decisions. Maybe you’ll be like me and actually go on your own when you get to decide…sorry your gift is late. 

Willow Pond Circle

We’re headed home. Well, we made it home.

Good luck adjusting back to regular life. That’s always the issue. Ironic that you want to be home, but then you expect it to be a staycation. Please adjust quickly. It’ll likely be me and you a lot since mommy will be dealing with her own stuff. Pray for all of us 🙏.

Learning Vietnamese

Maybe we should have you watch YouTube in Vietnamese? It could have the same impact that watching Numberblocks did?

I hope you enjoyed your time with your family in Viet Nam. I’m not sure mommy wants to go back anytime soon. That’s why it’s really important that you learn to enjoy the present. No one knows what the future holds and hanging onto the past keeps you in the past…

Catching Up

Less than a week behind unless we’re counting Viet Nam time… I forget why you’re so mad, but you shouldn’t be. We need to try to find a way to help you better process your feelings. Emotional intelligence is going to be essential to your success as a human…

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed seeing poop. I’m sorry it was so hot and we didn’t have much time to spend at the Zoo. I think Aunty Anna wanted to take you at home, but it’s raining…

Good Morning and Goodbye

To Salinda and Phu Quoc…Hello again to Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh City.

It’s gonna be busy again. I know you want to to go home (home) and you’ll be there in just a few days. Though it’ll be a little longer cause we’re going back in time 🤯.

Final Night in Phu Quoc

Mommy’s pretty sad. There’s so much we didn’t get to do, but it’s okay because we did our best to try to do what you wanted to do, which was nothing 😂.

It looks like you finally had some fun at the beach. Hope you enjoyed it because I don’t know when we’ll be at the beach again and it won’t be warm in America until probably your 4th birthday…

Case of the Mondays

Phu Quoc edition. Boy did you not like fireworks. I’m glad it was over earlier than anticipated. What a great family photo we got beforehand though. 

Anyhow, I know you want to go home. At least that’s what you’re saying. This is our last Monday here. Enjoy! Also this is Phu Quoc, not Rome 😂.

We Failed

But now we can hopefully learn and if we fail again, fail better. 🙏 Bet you didn’t know this lady and her grandson are super rich. Supposedly they’re the owners or founders or something for this resort. 

Anyhow, I hope you don’t have scars from the fall. And I hope that it’ll be a learning experience for all of us. Lastly, I hope it doesn’t happen again (surprise, you fell on your butt later). We all need to do better…

Vinh-tivities 🤩

Look like you’re finding your stride in Viet Nam in terms of enjoying yourself. I’m glad. I just wish you were able to find and explore more enjoyment in the things mommy and daddy think would be good and fun for you. Like the great food. There’s more to live than noo noo and spam…

Make sure to soak it up. We still have a little family visiting next week before we go home. You told me today that you can “chao a lot” because you’re big and strong. I hope you know what you’re saying… 

Fri-yah

We made it to Phu Quoc!!! It’s hotter and more humid here and more expensive, but…I think you’ll have more fun here. Unfortunately, it has not been so fun for mommy. She’s not feeling well and I don’t think ginger can fix it…

It’s very sweet of you to try to make her feel better. But you know what would really help? If you listened the first time and ate and slept better…

Equivalent Exchange ⚖️

Physics says that for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction. I don’t think the same laws apply to social interactions. It’s okay if sometimes you’re putting in more effort than you get back. It should balance out in the long run. 

Unfortunately, there will be cases where you’ll need to cut your losses and stop making efforts. Some investments of time have negative returns. Time is a priceless asset. Make sure to invest it well. And I don’t mean watching Paw Patrol or monster trucks all day. (We ate this guy’s friend…)

Hump Day 🐪

Vung Tao edition. Did you have fun here? I got a really good picture I think. I hope you never feel the pressure that mommy and daddy felt this trip in the future, but it’s important to remember that life and relationships require effort if you want good results. 

Planning is only half the battle. Execution and adjustment is the other half. Mommy did great today. So I have high hopes for you someday too. 🙏 

Smack and Yell

I wish you’d learn better with the “carrot”, but it seems like you only respond to the “stick”. Mommy hasn’t quite mastered it yet. But it looks like we’re gonna be on the same page. You’re gonna get some bruised hands…

We really try to talk to you, but maybe we’re not doing that right because you don’t listen or at least retain what we say. Mommy and you also are suffering from the same deficiencies. You just pulled her hair and she got you wet. By accident…

Jet Lag?

I hate to admit it if it is, but it’s probably a combination of things as I was tired before going on a secret late night mission for mommy. There’s also the coffee that was without sugar. And the obvious time difference. So here I am, at 5:18A local time. Which is 2P origin time. 

The most important part is that mommy and you are sleeping. Mommy said she couldn’t sleep, but she fell asleep pretty fast. You weren’t the best yesterday, but maybe you’ll be better today with your good night rest. I hope I can nap with you 🙏.

God Gives

Supposedly not what you ask for, but what you need to get what you asked for. Sometimes I think that maybe God has too much faith in my abilities or capacity. I love you and mom both, but I am realizing how similar you guys are in looks and demeanor.

I’m praying that I’ll find an easier way to get to what God is preparing for me, but regardless I’m gonna keep trying and die trying if I have to. Someone once said that you’ll never know how far you can go unless you’re willing to go too far. There’s an endless abyss ahead of me. It’s dark 🙏.

Lost Time

These posts are probably gonna be off timing. I will fix that when I get back to the states. We basically lost a day flying to Viet Nam, but we’ll get it back when we fly home.

Living your best life I think, but I probably don’t know it. And on cue, you wanted to go home…Sorry, but the vacation has just begun. The food and entertainment was good on the flight and you were for the most part. Good job. 👏 

The Eve

Of our trip to Viet Nam. We really need to be better about packing and preparing ahead of time. This last minute stuff really sucks. Anyhow, I hope we have a safe journey and trip of course, but we’re not there yet.

Look how much stuff we’re bringing on our trip. We’re gonna visit lots of people and places. I hope you are nice to people. We may never see these people again so it would be good if you left a positive impression…

Tea Time 🫖

Not sure where your ideas come from, but it’s pretty interesting what you come up with. You handed me a pack of red envelopes with a Lego on top and told me I was “drinking” it wrong and proceeded to correct me. 😂.

Anyhow, I didn’t appreciate getting bit yesterday. I wish you could better communicate why you things so we could maybe try to figure out how to get the results we want. Anyhow. 2 more days until ✈️. Sorry you don’t want to go anywhere. Can’t tell if it’s because home is so great or because of something else…

Listen and Participate

It gets old having to repeat myself over and over again. It’s bad enough I have to do that with mommy, but you too? Sigh. Anyhow, you’re very fortunate to be able to have and do the things you do. I know you’re just 3 years old, but you gotta learn to do better. 

Actions have consequences and soon you won’t be able to escape them or they won’t be minor. I can’t protect you always. You’ll need to learn to make better decisions and protect yourself. Fog is cool huh?

Final Countdown

It’s December. The holidays and the new year are fast approaching. We’re also going to Viet Nam (not that you care either way). Are you ready? Someday you’ll see the significance of this time of year. In the meantime, I hope you’re able to enjoy the love and warmth.

I hope you never want presents, but if you do, there won’t be a short supply of people who want to give them to you 🙏. At least right now there isn’t. But it’s the season of giving, not receiving. You’re so lucky you’re so cute that people think that’s their gift. You need to be kind too (I learned that kind is better than nice)…