On October 17, 2006, Eileen and I embarked on a six month coaching program. Our first assignment was to write a letter and post-date it April 17, 2007. In this letter, we were to assume that we had just finished the six month program and summarize all the blessings we participated in. I’ll post the letter in five segments starting here.
April 17, 2007
Dear Matt, Thach and Jonathan-
What an incredibly amazing 6 months it’s been! Looking back at the beginning of our journey, we had no idea how this was going to happen. We just decided to take a leap of faith! We suspended our rational limitations and didn’t care “How” any of it was going to happen. If we had allowed ourselves to dwell in the “How” we would never have experienced the “What”. What seemed outrageous six months ago is now simply ordinary – or should I say ExtraOrdinary.
Declarations for our Family Life
We went on 5 vacations: Lake Tahoe, Reno, Disneyland, Sedona, and New York. Andy took the last two weeks of the year in 2006 off. We felt carefree as we traveled – it was no hassle, not even airport security! Everyday was a discovery opportunity. The kids were a delight to be around because they had such a great attitude about everything.
We embraced our girls’ transition from babyhood to childhood. It’s a little sad to realize that our girls are no longer babies. They are little people that becoming more and more capable and cognitive everyday. We’re finally at the point where we can go out and do really fun stuff with them – and they’re old enough to enjoy the activities as much as much as we do! We don’t have to worry about naps and diapers anymore. We were delighted to throw away the last pull-up diaper. After six years of diapers between 2 kids, we are finally done with them forever! That feels really good!
We’re still celebrating firsts with the kids. Kendra performed her first piano recital. Becca and Andy created lifelong memories at their first Father-Daughter Dance. The girls became water safe. This was significant to us because both Andy and Eileen were afraid of drowning until were were 35 years old! Andy taught the girls how to ride their bikes without training wheels. They learned to play basketball with their Dad. We exercised together as a family (e.g. hikes, bike riding, sports, etc). Emotionally, our kids are confident and resilient. They learned embrace abundance at an early age, too.
During the holiday season, we slowed down and surrounded ourselves with people who love us. We excused ourselves of the holiday frenzy. It warmed our hearts to see Becca and Kendra celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
We celebrated Becca’s 7th birthday at Build-A-Bear with 7 of her friends and she got the Shamrock Bear that she waited a year for. We celebrated Kendra’s 5th birthday at the Hobby Shop racing slot cars and 5 of her friends.
Eileen and Andy celebrated Valentines Day in San Francisco at Michael Mena’s restaurant. And we reminded each other of all the things we appreciate about each other. We had date night every week – filled with meaningful conversation, supportive encouragement, and fun banter. Andy and Eileen communicate really well every day.
We live in a clean and organized home in Los Altos. Our home is like Zen retreat (inside and outside) for us and our guests. It’s a sanctuary from the stress of Silicon Valley. We finished our landscaping projects to include an abundance fountain, meandering dry river bed, outdoor kitchen, outdoor living room, outdoor dining room, outdoor theater, and a basketball court. Our interior design projects are complete, too.
Eileen and her mother get along really well. Eileen established healthy boundaries and her mother learned to respect them. Eileen and the girls get along really well. They are laying the foundation for a lifetime of friendship – the kind that only sisters and mothers can appreciate.
We spent 12 weekends with Andy’s parents. We live our lives as though they’re alive! [Thanks for that Thach] Every day we have with Dad is precious because he is on borrowed time.
