Fong Shui.

The other day I started reading a book titled, "The Accidental Millionaire" and was very curious after reading the back cover, "Want to succeed in life? Stop trying." It's a memoir by a famous wedding photographer, Gary Fong, who actually grew up in LA very close to Compton. He was a first generation Asian-American and an only child. His family struggled financially throughout his childhood and he had an unrelenting fear of becoming homeless. His mother was set on him going to medical school and becoming a doctor. He had other plans, but at the same time was scared to disappoint his mother...and father because he knew how much they had sacrificed for his education. When he finally shared with his mom his plans of becoming a wedding photographer she practically disowned him, but he pressed on and followed his passion. He dealt with depression and the stifling pressure his mother put on him to be something she wanted him to be. It wasn't until he spotted a bumper sticker that read, "Since I gave up hope, I feel much better," that Gary "stopped trying" and began "succeeding in life".

I finished it in 2 days. He talks a lot throughout his book about focusing on the process rather than rigidly sticking to and focusing solely on one goal. Fong talks about always being prepared and always being open to new opportunities and possibilities that just may surprisingly present themselves when you least expect it. This makes so much sense to me. This way of thinking allows for so much more freedom and gives way to so many more opportunities to learn, to grow, and make changes where needed. "When you're passionately preparing for one thing, the universe [aka God] may be preparing you for something else. As long as you're actively and creatively preparing for something , you're usually on the right track (Fong, 260)." He also mentions that "the process of getting ready for what's around the corner is what makes life so much fun" and I'd have to agree. It's about training ourselves "to daydream with discipline."

Fearless Grace.

Well, I just have to say how incredibly proud of Rylee I am. Let me explain something about her. She is the spunkiest, sweetest, happiest little girl I know and quite a little dare-devil at that. That is, all except for when it comes to the water and putting her face in! Rylee does not have very many fears. She loves bugs, frogs, lizzards, all kinds of animals, fish, rollercoasters [excluding Space Mountain], rock climbing, jumping off of super high things [that scares me...thank God for gymnastics and soft mats :)] and isn't even scared of the dark...BUT she will scream bloody murder if even the smallest dropplet of water gets near her eyes! It makes baths somewhat difficult to say the least. So anyway, I recognized this fear of hers very early on and I have put her in swim lessons every summer since she was about 2 years old. She HATES swim lessons, but I think it's super important for her to get over her fear and learn how to swim, especially for safety reasons.

This summer I decided to enroll her twice a week and to keep it on going intsead of just a 2 week session like I have done in the past. She has screamed and thrown a fit before almost every one of her classes and it has been so frustrating just trying to get her in the car. Every week it's the same thing, "But Mommy, I don't wanna go!! I don't wanna put my face in the water!" [whaaaa waaaaa and on and on] My reply, "Well, I'm sorry, BUT you're going." The other day she literally was still throwing a fit by the time we got to her lesson that I said, "That's it!" and I took her in the bathroom as she was screaming, "But I don't wanna put my face in the water!!!!" Yes, everyone in the pool area could hear her. Oh, joyful day. I basically just blurted out with hardly anymore patience left in my body, "Well, I don't know what to tell you, Rylee! You get your face wet at swim class!" I don't have a clue what happened, but all of a sudden I could see that something just miraculously clicked inside her 5 year old mind and she said sniffling, "Okay, Mommy... I'm going to put my face in." She stopped crying, went out, got in the water [and even had a smile on her face] and did everything her instructor asked her to do. Every time she would put her face in she would emerge with the world's biggest and proudest smile I had ever seen! After class when we got in the car she started telling me, "Mommy, I like how I feel after I go to swimming...and gymnastics. I feel proud of myself." I seriously could not believe my ears!!! Was that my 5 year old??!

Later that night at bed time I was telling her how proud I was of her and that even though going under water is a scary thing for her, she didn't let it stop her. She then said to me so grown-up-like, "Well, Mommy, I believe in myself...and if something scares you, you just gotta do it!" Well said from my 5 year old. By that time I was so incredibly proud I was about to pop!! I couldn't believe she was "getting it"! Stuff I have been telling her since she was probably way too little to understand, but she was actually getting it and believing it and living it!!!! Yay! Go Rylee! :)

And just a little info I think is kinda cool...We picked Rylee's name because it means 'fearless' and 'courageous'. :) Her middle name is Grace. Fearless Grace.

The BIG Day...

I am still in disbelief that Rylee is already past her first day of kindergarten! Wow. It is SO incredibly bittersweet. It is exciting and sad all at the same time! As much as I wish I could keep her my little precious princess forever [I know I can't] and at the same time I am just as excited about all the new and exciting experiences she will have this year! AND I already signed up to be one of the room moms! Yay! She had a great first day and I couldn't be more proud and excited for her!

Here are some pictures of her very first day of kindergarten!

Enjoy!

[Click here to see the rest of the photo album of the big day!]