June Hols to Sentosa 2009

Dan and I took a short break with the kids to Sentosa last week. Was a blast as it was a much needed break for us to unwind and enjoy ourselves as a family and especially with the two kids before baby pops next month. Stayed there for three days and two nights. Being more immobile we stayed mainly around the hotel grounds going to the beach and swimming. also took lots of tram rides as the kids were just fascinated by them.

Going to the beach and playing with the sand was also a first for our kids! hee we have always wanted to bring them but somehow never got round to doing it. The kids were at first rather terrified of the sand in their shoes and even when it touched their bare feet. Rather sua ku! Also the heat from the sand didn't help at first. But after much coaxing from Daddy and feeling the cool waves lapping their bare feet, they began to enjoy digging trenches, pouring seawater and making sand pies. I nearly died in the heat though! Think baby inside me was also being baked! The best part of the hot beachy experience was to shower off all the sand and jump into the cool waters of the swimming pool!! SHIOK!!!! the kids had great fun in the pool in their floats and learning to jump into our arms in the pool!

The stay included a yummy breakfast and dinner buffet and the spread was very good! But think our kids are used to eating really simple food at home like soup, rice and other simple fare so they didn't appreciate the food and were not even interested in the desert spread!!! how can anyone not be tempted by desserts??! But, Dan indulged them with the gummy sweet buffet and I think they ate their fill of sweets to last a year! Literally! He filled their bowls and even an ice-cream cone with sweets for them!

We all had a great time and it was a good unwinding for us all to just relax and enjoy as a family.Thanks Dear for making the time to spend with us despite your busy work this month. Great that we are all nicely sun tanned too!!

Counting Down....

Time really really flies.

The last time I felt like this was when I was expecting Krisalyn. Now she is already 2 1/2 and Jedi is a little big boy of 4 years!

Our third bundle of joy will be arriving in mid-July if she doesn't decide to pop earlier.Her kicking really reminds me of Jedi when he was in my tummy. Kung-fu patterns and my tummy literally moving violently left to right. Think she is probably asking her 2 older siblings to pipe down or perhaps she is dying to join in the ruckus!

So after much prayer, we have decided to call her.... Kezia

It is from the Hebrew name Keziah which means - Cassia; sweet-scented spice. Keziah was one of Jobs three fair daughters in the bible. Job 42:14

'Lord we pray that baby Kezia will grow to be a sweet girl in her spirit and may her beauty be one which radiates Your love and grace. May her sweetness be truly a sweet-scent to the people around her."

See you soon little one in 5 weeks!

Things That Drive Me Nutty!

I wonder is it the weather or is it my preganancy hormones that ismaking me really a nutty mummy at times. Nutty in terms of being pretty short-tempered and really thin on patience...!

Krisa's current fav phrase is " I very HOT HOT!". Drives me nuts! Coz she will stand at the hottest part of the house like where I am cooking or where water is boiling so of course its hot! Then she gets herself all worked up in a frenzy so she feels even more hot! Then when I accompany her to the fan which is on full blast, she will continue her tirade of being hot and start her stripshow!!! hahahaahah!! it just drives me nuts coz my body temp is really high with the little one inside me and that makes me feel even more like exploding!

Then, my two kids love imaginative play and will get into an argument that once again drives me nutty. A recent episode was when Krisa carefully placed two little play tea cups on a little tray and proudly told me that she had made tea! So Jedi responded by pretending to drink by making a slurping noise. This was not welcomed at all by Krisa so she indignantly made a "psssssss" to pretend to make the sound of pouring the tea back. This went on back and forth till both started getting on each other's nerves! Looking back don't know whether to laugh or scream in exasperation!!

But amongst all these crazy and other maddening episodes, they have their ways of melting my heart. Krisa has now begun to say: "Sohi Sohi!" when she accidentally bumps into my growing bump and will tell me at night "i wuv you vehi mutch'

Jedi not to be outbeaten has begun to tell me and Dan " You are my sweetheart!"

So nutty is good but I fear becoming a nutcase at times with all their antics!

Mother's Day 2009

Once again another blessed Mother's Day. My kiddies are beginning to grasp the concept of making a surprise of gifts on special occasions so was pleasantly surprised to see Jedi hard at work in the morning to draw an assortment of drawings for me. Krisa's version was given in advance a few days earlier and it was in the form of a 'pretend' meal for me. One of my best surprises was getting a beautiful bouquet from Dan on Fri evening at about 11.30pm!

Thanks Dear for giving me the chance to stay home and look after the kids and for supporting me in this ministry of raising them. Thanks for reminding me that work can always be done later and that more importantly is the time we have as a family and with them in their early years to mould them and teach them in the ways of the Lord. Thanks for seeing me past my imperfections and for reminding me to be patient during those times I wanna explode!! haha.Love you.

Thanks too Mummy for being my Mummy and teaching me the value of staying home to look after my kids through your example. Thanks too for the sacrifices you have made in terms of career to show me that time to raise the children can never be replaced and its a special ministry. Thanks for raising me to be the person I am today. Not perfect but learning each day to be a better mom, wife, daughter and sister. Thanks Mummy.

Happy Mothers' Day to all Mothers!

Reflections

The whole AWARE saga has made me think really hard about my Christian walk and role as a Christian parent. Would I be a Christian who does not dare to voice out my objections on what is wrong and immoral in order to be politically correct and blend with the majority so as not to be offensive or seen as being an activist?

Would I compromise to the world's standards of human rights which accepts and see homosexuality as neutral and in so doing so passively imply to my children that I condone and find such behaviour acceptable? What kind of parent would I be??

I feel it is saddening that we as Christians do not have the guts to speak out and stand up for what we believe in. Instead we condone what is unacceptable in the guise of "loving the sinner". Yes love the unreached but that does not mean we ACCEPT it or see it as something NEUTRAL.
As a parent, I realize that I would have succeeded NOT if my children go to an elite school or become lawyers etc or have excellent grades. Instead, it is if my children have the courage to stand up in a society for what they believe in despite adversities or persecutions that they face. If my children have the courage to stand up for the Lord even if they are the minority and be proud of themselves for standing by what is right even if others may laugh at them. If my children have the fear of the Lord.... I know we have done our roles as Christian parents.

I was sitting in the bus with Dan the other day and we overheard a father talking to his son,
" Do you want to be a blue collar worker or white collar worker?"

This led the son to actively tell his dad that he should do this and that so that he would not be a "blue collar" worker.

I was honestly appalled. I am not being self-righteous but it made me think really hard that I have to teach my children that its not about what you do in society or how much money you earn that makes you a good person. What's the point of earning so much money but your life is in a mess? What's the point of working to gain the approval of man but we lose that of the Lord in our values and in our actions towards others? I would honestly prefer my child to be a humble soul with the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of all wisdom. That is the greatest wealth that Dan and I can impart to our children and we pray for the Lord's strength in helping us to do so.

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Matthew 16:26

My Pizza Boy

Jedi's school organized a school trip to Pasta Mania today. Was an interesting one where they apparently met the chef, learnt more about pasta, how to cook it and the highlight....how to make PIZZA!

Jedi being a more 'cheena' boy never really liked the taste of pizza till today. Thought it was a wonderful experience for him as he came home telling us excitedly that he rolled the pizza (which explains the shape!) and spread the sauce and fillings over it all by himself. Funny thing was that the box had a sticker that said "NOT FOR CONSUMPTION" so I called the school to check it it could be eaten once its baked. Funny reply I received was:

"Eat at your own risk as its entirely made by Jedi!"

Jedi said he had washed his hands making it so I decided to go by faith and just bake the pizza. He was so delighted to see the pizza being baked and the smell wafting through the house. We shared pieces of it and Krisa, Jedi and I had a great time trying Jedi's Pizza. jedi wanted to save a large chunk of it for Daddy so Dan made a point to eat it in front of him when he got home. His little face beamed with pride that we all enjoyed his pizza.

Realise it brings a child such delight to recognise their efforts and to show how much we appreciate and enjoy the effort that they have put in into whatever they do, no matter how simple it may be. Another learning point in our parenting journey.

So far no tummy ache so think his Pizza can get the 'A' grade?

My Two Little Blessings and My Big Blessing....:)

Taking a moment to reflect, I realise I have a lot to be thankful for. There are times when I feel like griping about things that irritate me or people who annoy me with their attitude and comments. But these are all frivolous. Things that I waste my time and energy getting angry or upset about. Instead, I need to focus my energy and time on the little things that I have been blessed with...

I am thankful Lord, for Daniel my husband who has been there for me in the ups and downs that we have gone through and for defending me from little things that make me sad or upset. I am thankful for him for making the time to spend time with the the kids and the family and for making it a point to come home each day to help me with them by playing and telling stories before sleeping. I am thankful for him to be godly and put the Lord first in all he does. I am thankful for the outings we have together on some Sat to just spend time catching up and feeling like a couple again. Thank you Lord for blessing me with this relationship.

I am thankful too for my kids who despite the times they make my blood boil and my voice shriek a few octaves higher, never fail to make me see the fruits of staying home to look after them. There are material sacrifices in terms of less money to spend on my vain needs (sobz) but I guess the time I have with them each day teaching them and watching their growing moments is worth the while. One of the most heartwarming things is to hear Jedi say "God Bless you mummy and Daddy" each night on his own accord and for Krisa to do her chatter of "where are you? where are you" when the lights are off before sleeping so that she can get a cuddle from us. I am thankful too for my work that enables me to have a good balance and flexibility with the kids.

I am thankful for my parents who have been there praying for me each day and calling me to keep in constant touch with us and the kids. I am thankful that they are an encouragement to me as a parent and for loving the kiddies so much even though they can't come back as often. I am thankful too for my aunt who has always availed herself to help us with the kids on some Saturdays so that we can have some time together to unwind. I am thankful too for friends who care and make the point to keep in touch though I admit I am really bad at that at times.
With much to be thankful for, I realise things that make me angry or annoyed at times are really small. Teach me Lord to have a thankful heart and not spend my time getting annoyed over little things that don't matter.

Like what the ad on TV said, "Its the little imperfections in life that make them perfect just for you."