getting lost

The date is set. We will be homeless or perhaps getting lost! Gotta pray that tenant moved out as stipulated and hacking can proceed smoothly.

So many variable factors...don't know when can we shift in to Tampines but for sure we have to get lost from punggol by 29 Jan!

Checked out the cost of engaging a mover...about $600-$680. Problem is shift to where? Tampines unit may not be ready, we wouldn't want to rush the renovation work so now we are pining our hope that buyer will be willing to let us stay a while.

Back here in simei...MIL asking if my brother in law would like to include Jere for 2008 japan trip! i can't believe it!

Does it pay to be nice?

Yesterday, I was feeling lousy. I did not think much about what to do for the day and ended up screaming at my children! To worsen, I was yelled over the phone after I told a mainland chinese telemarketer that I do not have interest for the demonstration. She had called the day before to ask if she could ask me some questions. Out of kindness, I relented as I am not very proficient to her mandarin. So after her 5 minutes of talk, I had a call from my mp so I had to stop her as I was still figuring out what she was trying to sell to me! Anyway, it really didn't feel good when she told me to go and die!

Taken aback, had I allowed such vocab out of my mouth in my fit of anguish too? Maybe "shut up", "get lost", "go away" are some vocab that I should not allow them to slip out again to my children-my rewards from my womb! It is interesting to see how our past has effect on us to such a late stage. I mean, I didn't know that I am so impatient and lacking in love till I stayed at home to mother my 2 children. What I had thought about myself fell into rumbles each time I lost my cool!

I do need time to wake up early to seek the Lord for guidance and strength. But, my children wake up at 7plus so I have to wake up at 6am! Life as a SAHM is alot of discipline. Again, I used to think that I am well- discipline. Just wait till you be a mum and stay at home, all your ugly sides will emerge and glare at you 24/7! Sorry I am not yelling or chiding anyone, I am just trying to say that you should put your character to the test by taking the less travelled route- SAHM.

Merry Christmas

This year, I had the joy of celebrating Christmas and hosting a party at my brother's house! If I had insisted going to Taiwan with Jeff, we would have missed this wonderful experience of sharing the birth of Jesus with our 28 guests!

I also had the joy of sharing the Christmas story with Jere! I was lost of words due to the crowd of children in the room. I told them that Christmas is about the birthday of Jesus and not about Santa Claus! Jere added that it is also not about presents and Christmas tree! That night, in the car, I praised him for supporting me and taking his role seriously. I commended him for being responsible and guess what? It lasted till today when he came and added that Christmas is not about sweets!

All glory to Him. I had received my gift this 2007- the joy of sharing with my son!

Merry Christmas

Wonder why we celebrate Christmas? It's about the birth of Jesus!

Last saturday was eventful as it was the first time that my brother allowed us to enter his house to host a Christmas party! Even my mum was pretty shocked to hear that! It is truly amazing grace! Besides the 28 guests who turned up, I also had the joy to witness with my son to the rest og the children present! He was quick witted to add that Christmas isn't about presents, Santa Claus, Christmas tree. The rest of the children listened to him! While I had to manage the 10 children in the room, trying to read the Christmas story, there was Jeremiah! Once he spoke, the rest of the them stopped their bickering and listened! I am amazed how God use the little ones among us to reach out to their age group! One day, you will know what I mean to experience such joy of sharing with your children. So it is not good to leave your children at home while you serve, take them with you and you will not know when God will give them words of wisdom!

This is my christmas gift! I am happy enuf! What about you? Silver bells, pretty dress??

Yesterday, message was on Grace. Let's demonstrate grace this Christmas and in the year 2008.

kid and lamb

The young of a goat is called a kid while the young of a sheep is called a lamb. WOnder why we are calling our young " kids" rather than "children"?

While a goat is self centered and cowardly, a sheep in contrast is protective and brave esp in the face of danger. So I am going to switch the use of "kids" to "children" as I would like my children to be brave and not self centred.
Citing from Nancy Campbell book.

Another interesting English point to share. I do get confused when should I be using "I" and " me". Here's the example. Jodia and I saw Adelyn. Adelyn saw Jodia and me.

Just started reading this book title "A mother's heart", still reading "English as it is broken" and working on " Fulfilled family", "The power of motherhood" and "Husband and wife" from navigators. Abit ambitious hor! Also trying to compressed the book "Secret of an irresistable woman" to share with cluster!( I am not trying to show off...it is for my own records)

Well, I find comfort in Isaiah 40:11 " He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gahter the lambs with HIs arm, and carry them in HIs bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."

Maybe some of you may like to know why I am reading this "irresistable woman" book. I tot that this book will remind my how to keep my marriage in shape. It didn't turn out as it is a book more suited for ladies looking for the right mate. So please wait for me to chew it and share when I am done with it.(I am those with young)

Btw, I found the answer to what age should a baby be weaned. Nancy campbel page 168. at least 3 years old in bible days.

willing work

FYI, I had started volunteering work. I am so stressed out when I hear those parents who have kids who are already reading independently. Then I hear about this and that school being good and the list of reasons that explains why this school is a good school.

My reason for this school is that it is the only Christian school in Tampines. I know it is academically driven too. Poi Chin is another good school for kids with strong chinese support.

Last week, I heard about the grace of God upon this family who got into this school as a volunteer. What she did was to write in and appeal and go home to pray. God is in show biz. He wants people to know how popular HE is and shows HIs mighty work among us. Am I an outstanding advertisment...? Wana see more? Log on to the bible for more. (jere can imitate the mocca adver quite well. He really knocked me off when one day when I was putting on his trunks for him and he suddenly jumped on the bed and "perform" the adver!) I wanted to video it but my boss said that I have better work to do! So I submit lah!

little miss potti

Hee! Hee! I am going to announce that my princess is potty- trained! I am so impressed with her. She will tell me that she wants to pee and took off her underwear and pee. You will find it tickling when she sits on her little tub instead of her potty, very cute! She is very happy with herself when she pees and pass motion on it. She will beam in pride and tell daddy about it! I told her I will give her a star each time she pees and she is happy. So am I!

See how easy to please young kids! On the contrary, Jere is responding well with withdrawal of rewards. I told him that when he is super angelic, he gets to watch 3 vcd, 2 for good behaviour, 1 for average and 0 for unacceptable day. It works well for a week now! Try it.

Well, I think God works like that too. The younger we are spiritually the easier to discipline and train. and vice versa, agree? So let's try to be a retard and give God a break of our nonsense! Can I? Talking rubbish again....bye!

Submission

I think it is amazing! After today's sermon, we returned home talking about wives submit to husbands. So I assume that wives in general have a problem with agreeing with our husbands most of the time. So it is in the bible so it must be a "household" issue!

Jeff shut me up when he said, "wives submit to husbands!" Oh! I dun feel oppressed instead I tot about how God must know that women have alot of disagreement with men! And the point is to submit! Focus discuss is "I must submit when I disagree." Then that is submission! I think it is awesome! Din realised that I have been in disagreement mode almost all the time as I often think that I am quite submissive! So why aren't we in agreement?

I dun know! I constantly ask myself what is my responsibility and God's responsibility is GRACE. My responsibility is to align my life with HIS words! How? Still finding out. Wun be perfect as long as I live!

I do still have issues stuck in my head...waiting for God to act before I open my mouth. Things like:
fyi attitude from my girls
invitation for Christmas party
invitation for baptism
house- signing of papers
renovation discussion
catering to my unmarried girls and married ones
plan for 2008
review of 2007
Nov and dec plans with kids
volunteering work
still have some more..brain swelling now. So wun think more. quite sleepy now. bye

Number of the day!

Princess is watching ELmo. Just talked to my property agent and found out that she had sent her 3 kids to NAFA for piano training. It is timely as Jere is going to complete his lesson and ready to embark on the official grade 1!

What is more shocking is my agent had told his husband that she will only SAH if she has a maid else she will be busy doing housework!(many years ago) So what is her job scope? She said is to teach! Ironically, I continued to probe...So I asked her what did she teach when her children were young? Guess what was her reply? Oh! I don't teach, I just make sure that they do their schoolwork! I wonder if she heard herself as the questions were asked sequentially! I am not trying to be funny..I had asked in the light of gaining some wisdom from these "old-timer". Her kids top the school in Raffles...so of course I must know her secret by asking...isn't it? Then surprise...surprise! I think she is just being humble by saying that she din teach! She keep telling me that all her kids are different. So let's all be reminded that we should train our child the way each of them should go!

Oh yes! Training them so that when they are old they will not depart from it! What is the "it"? The relationship with God!!!not acadamic performance! I had told Jeff to remind me when Jere steps into St Hilda's..I am more fearful then him. I want and am telling myself that it is not results that make a person.But what is the composition of a person. What am building in them today?

Oh! I am also glad to share that even praying for my tuition kids prove worthwhile! One scored 90plus for English and Science while my ACS boy scored 80plus for science and MeeToh girl scored 80plus for Maths and 90plus for Eng! I am so proud of them! Thank God for their good grades! My next-contact list folks...so I must pray for them.

strange life/ amazing grace

I think it is kinda of amazing how we are wired. Is it just background or right from creation in our mother's womb? I wonder why...
After having children, then I know what life is all about.
After being a sahm, then I know what is love
After having no tuition, then I know what is freedom
After having more free time, then I know what is thinking!

Now that my tuition is almost ending, I am free once again. Strange to get this feeling of freedom and freshness inside me. This morning, I just thought that I can have my exercise since Wang shang can take princess with her while sending my FIL to work. Then I get to exercise

Do work! Do work!

Oh dear...princess is behaving the same way I deliver myself before them. I guess I won't need a mirror soon! Kinda bad....she goes "do work! Do work!" each time we are seated on the dinning area. She will "boss" around me and even "ssshhh!" me when I talk while she is doodling.

Anyway...I can't wait for the house to be ready. Still haven't go for first appointment....may delay as a result of my mistake! Argrrr...very fed up with HDB...no sense system!

gotta go...and supervise Jeremiah now else once edict is passed..it is irrevocable!

Faith Faith Jie Jie

It has been quite a while that Khloe has been chanting faith faith jie jie each time she sees anything in pink! I must give all glory to God that she is picking up at a rate that only God knows is best for her. Perhaps this is one time that it is good not to have any expectation on her and be super amazed that God is faithful no matter how unfaithful I am.(instead of training her with ABC, I am blogging!) WangShang will soon pass an edict for me if I do not "wise" up!

Oh a super nice news...yesterday I had the kids to pray for Jeff's trip to East Timor..I shared about the country and the kids had to pray for protection for dad and "he will not being drown..." prayed Jere. I had told them that dad needs to river cross so it might be dangerous...anyway...his trip is cancelled. I was kinda looking forward for him to be away for so many days and lead a life with 2 kids...trying to be funny again! So not time for me to be so adventurous. So that means that he gets to spend the public holidays with the kids and of course khloe's birthday! I was still figuring out how to explain to the kids about celebrating without Jeff. So be happy for me as we will get more time to be together.

In fact, I never think much about little time spent with kids until I noticed that those Saturday when Jeff has no meeting with Pastor in the morning. The whole Saturday is quite alot of time. So if any of you readers...who think that your hubby is always not around...think about the noble things that your hubby is doing..it will put a smile on your face. This is true when the bible mentions that your husband sits at the city gate in Proverbs. SO since such a wise man says so..shouldn't we heed his advice ladies?

Shaggy dog

No more dancing princess...it is "shaggy dog" and "below eight". She has been watching and chanting endlessly in the dawning hours. :(

I am happy that my blog has been quite a hit to friends close and far. So it is a pretty good way to be updated.

Yesterday, laoye and I attended his primary school friend's wedding. I was seated between 2 pregs, guess who eat more? ME! I think I kinda shock the guests as they watched me peeling one prawns after another! I keep telling myself to be on diet and yet my sinful nature always take over. "I always do the things that I do not want to do!" Do you?

"Oh...diet next Monday onwards..."
"relax lah...got 2 kids liao!"
"slim down then must buy more clothes..."
"mum likes me this way"
"got strength to carry princess"
These are my nonsense excuses. Please don't follow me. "A little sleep..a little...be a sluggard..."

My beloved brother used to tell me," Listen to what I say but don't follow what I do!"

Funny

I am reading a book and find this one funny.
"Why didn't you call me" An adult asked an caucasian little girl.
Guess what was her reply?

Consider this statement made by a book I am also reading now,
"The psychological consequences of sinful behaviour should be experienced by the guilty." I totally agree that one should take responsibility over the choices made today or ever made and will make. Prayer changes things, sometimes it may help to turn things around, and sometimes it gets to the worst! So what? Does it change who the one we turn to for help? Since the answer is not what we want to hear or not willing to accept, does it change the fact about the person we had asked for help? The fact that we seek God should convince ourselves that HE has all the answer and HE is the best candidate to hear us out.

My point is. WHatever choices we make coupled with prayer will not make us escape the fact that we need to take personal responsibility. Hence be it a sinful choices....we have to be tough to stick with all the "shit" and go through whatever guilty or shattered dreams and still love the one who answers our prayer. There should NEVER be "Oh!! I had prayed and God told me to..." Instead I think a more responsible person should say, "I had prayed and am glad that God hears my prayers."

I am totally put off when we can't cope with bad choices made. fyi, I had bought a n old flat, need to start to refinance the 5 room, I am not working, have 2 kids, need to renovate....so how? Will it be a bad choice? My answer is NO! I will live by it and pray for all the good things to happen as a result of this decision I had made! Of course, I always tell my Lord, " never mind lah...don't be stress...if we can still be happy...we are already good advertisement for God!" Don't you agree?

Tuesday morning

This morning, I left my comfort zone....behaved like an auntie. Let me tell you why...I left eastpoint at 8am, met the office crowd in the bus...squeezed in and of course...nice folks gave their seat for me as I was with my princess. Glad in t-shirt and shorts and a bun-up hair and slippers, I can't resist thinking how far I am to work on being a fashionable SAHM. Far from princess Khloe, who will insist on dressing up even at home. She refused plain stuff instead she would racksack the closet and picked those "outside" clothes. I felt ashamed with my lack of taste for myself whenever Khloe kicks a fuss for not being able to dress up!

At the market, I went to buy foodless food "roasted pork" as my life will be easier feeding my prince later in the afternoon. By the time I reached punggol, prince will be famished and hence will be cranky. So to give him what he wants for lunch will help me settle him while I will speed off into the kitchen dishing out some food for princess. Auntie life!

Anyway...such life of travelling will be ceasing soon. I am praying the seller will let us have the house ealier to renovate so that I can celebrate CNY like a "tai tai". So I want to thank my heavenly father for making all these possible. Without his divine order...I will be quite miserable. So my new life will begin a new chapter when I shift to Tampines! Yeah! Oh! I also want to thank all those who had prayed for us and my kids who had been diligently praying with me. Goodbye Auntie!

Duno why

I duno why I have been feeling blue. Been thinking about how to lead a happy life and a responsible life! Have you ever wonder why we are on earth for? For work and work and give birth and give birth? Maybe I shouldn't even start my sentences with "i". Rather who wants me to lead such a life? Isn't it "I"..so why am I still feeling so irresponsible about it? Perhaps I have not been conducting my life the right way..maybe the way "everyone else should" way...again will I be happy will I be free...

Tonight, I will be meeting my beautiful and fantastic 3 mothers! So awesome...so cool to meet and share our views about "Motherhood" in the Christian perspective. Then again...any other perspective will do for me? I am sure I sounded confused...actually it is troubled. SAHM does have space in mind and heart to ponder how to get our life straighten up.

Not that I am unhappy leading this life...I just believe that there is something more!

Got to think of Christmas party...where to invite people?....I told Jeff that maybe being a volunteer will be an open door for me to meet new people. In the first place...we have such things as new people and old people??? See how I have led my life so carelessly..people are always NEW! Isn't it? I wouldn't want to be labeled as old people! Will God see me as old people? Is my husband thinking that I am a old wife??

Talking rubbish???

Finally I'm back

It has been wonderful staying at home with my kids. Indeed home sweet home. How I wish to settle down and put a stop this lifestyle asap.

Holidays are coming so I will get to stay at home more often. I see that Nov will be another exciting month...SAHM must be a planner else time will pass me by....then as I look back...I will be sorry for myself.

God will deliver me...soon I hope! Aiyo..gota go, Khloe is dismantling the printer now.

Thank God is Friday

Today, I will be visiting my mum. I love Friday as I can spend the afternoon with her and her grandchildren. Of course with the absence of my beloved dad. Every Friday, I will be reminded of days with him and Jere. Jere best "listenmate". Jere would rattle non stop and he would listen and joke with him....guess this will be jere's memory of him. What about Jere's memory of his mother - ME? Must build treasures box of love, joy, laughter and encouragement...so that when he is old, he can share these GOOD traits of me to his children! Tat's what I call nationbuilders, generation builders - SAHM! What a awesome task to complete...till death do us part with this responsibilities! sounds like wedding vows...rite?

dancing princesses

It has been 2 days in a row, Khloe has been watching "the 12 dancing princesses". I was trying to get her to be graceful and been tiptoeing around. Quite fun, as I have to recall my basic dancing poise.

I wanted to learn ballet when I was young instead my mum had signed me up for chinese folk dancing. My hubby often teased me to be a true blue "Chinatown" girl. Well...I grew up in China street, watched how pigs were slaughted amd skinned. Smelt the stench that arose from the burning every night if I sleep at 11plus. It was memorable. My best friend, Susan will come over to play barbie doll with me till 3plus..then we sleep. Or we will walk to boat Quay and chat, watched couples hug and hold hands together. We wondered we ever reached that day....sigh...would I be able to have the grace, patience and trust to allow my princess and prince to wonder till so late?? How will I be able to do it. Then Jeff's word will linger into my tot system"...Katie..it is by grace that we can raise a godly generation." So back to basic, trust God and keep His commands for this is my duty to Him.

Talking about true blue chinatown girl...I have a chi-na look, likes to wear Chi-na clothes and still likes to go chinatown! Can I give my kids a wonderful and at least fond memorable childhood? Do I have the courage to trust or chicken out by possessing them 24/7?

Yesterday, I also received a call from a ex-colleague and old good friend. We had gone partying togther while she was a graduate, I was on contract..... P had asked if I would like to return to work as a part-timer. So nice to be remembered. gota go..khloe is snatching the keyboard from me again

weddings and decision

Wedding vow is the most binding agreement any man and woman can enter into. Can one make mistake? Yes! but not this marriage vow....till death do us part. If buying or selling a house is a big decision, a vow made before God and Men is far more binding. It remains sacred whether we like it or not, whether people chicken out in their decision.

All of us have to be responsible for every decision that we make. So if I had made a bad one, I just have to carry on paying the price like a loan. If I am indebted to HDB, then whether I like this house or not now, I still have to pay via giro. Therefore, why is it that we can't just carry on and live with the bad decision???Why am I so upset watching the lives around me spining this way. Why? uhh..

Today, I am very deeply troubled.

Sunday

Yesterday, I spent an afternoon with Jere alone. We went to city hall and Mirina square. I resisted the idea of "me" shopping. I went to all the shops that he wanted to go. We were happy. Especially for me...the lost feeling of just me and him. I din realise that it had been so long since I last spent time with him alone.

It is thursday

I am so excited to meet my girls tonite! I had gained so much doing and teaching the book " Power of Motherhood" by Nancy Campbell.

I had shared with Pastor that learning the principles and doing them are different. Acting in love and knowing that we ought to love our kids are almost world apart. She commented that many of us need to learn to love our kids when we start staying at home. How true. I had tot that I was loving my kids when I was working. Naturally with little contact points, kids are loveable. The interesting point is like dating and marriage...

Yesterday I also received a sms from my previous boss. He wondered if I had turned yellow staying at home! He is rite, better start exercising to be in "top" form and stay healthy by forsaking junk food and embrace "brown" food! Certainly have to keep up with read your bible, pray everday, pray everday and you'll grow grow grow!

Oh! yesterday Urban section also addressed on dressing at home...yup! will work on looking good even at home. I am now considering keeping T-shirts and shorts as sleepwear. So going to NTUC will require some tidying up.

Wonders

I guess I must set my record rite! Just listing them down is the first step that I am taking for the month of October.

1. cooking class demonstration for ladies...to prepare my singles how to win their boyfriends



2. Garb swop or facial retreat.



3. share on "finding the rite mate" or "Being the rite mate"...still thinking on the topic. I guess I have to address this issue to my ladies.

other matters to resolve asap

1. testimony for anniversay



2. baptism



3. dinner treats with couples

So I think this month will be as usual busy. When was staying at home boring?!

I also figure out that I need to order my life in such a way that I can spend personal time with each of my kid. Only have two yet already struggling with time management. Wonder how will life be if I am still working! So Thank God for being able to stay at home. Yesterday at PM, I learnt that anytime is rite for us, but God's time is not anytime. So it is our choice to follow our own time or to choose His timing.

I am happy to be the ring bearer. Look how cool I am! BTW...I have full marks for my spelling!

flower girl, ring bearer and me

I just said to my hubby," A we are now be like Susan and CS!" I was watching Shaggy Dog at 9pm, Jere was already asleep and Khloe said she wanted to sleep. I told her to "sleep lah". A while later, I realised that she was not in the hall with me (I can be a TV glue). Quickly, I went to ask Jeff who was doing work if he had seen Khloe(house like veri big). I went to their bedroom and found that my princess had gone to bed on her own! What an amazing scene!

By 10am, we cuddled at our sofa and munched mercilessly on potato chips/ foodless food! We beamed as we finally can sit and laze around like that!

So I am very delighted to announce that I am almost at par with my heroine Susan liao! Ha! Ha! Soon I can also watch video with my hubi too! just wait and see...

yeah! Its friday

After reading Mich's blog... I can understand the distress in most mother's heart. I was such a mum once, managing work and family. Now that I am a SAHM, I am learning deeper things about myself, about my past and about my childhood. Perhaps a better name should be Home affairs Minister, often my core biz is ministering the kids. Hack! most of the time I am consumed with cleaning the house still. The house can wait, my kids teachable moments can't! Again there is no quality time when in the first place there is no quantity time!

I also wonder the word "fulfilment". Am I fulfilled when I put on the dress that I have been eyeing on?Or when my bank account print my first million. Am I pursuing the 5 C, CHRIST, CELL and ...

So being at home, I act on deeper things...matters that last for eternity. I hope!

Btw...tis pix is mum and me. Being a mum, now I can understand why my mum was so tough on me, what matters to her then. Being a mum draws me closer to my mum, to respect her and love her more for all that she had given me...her life..her youth.

I am tickled by this

grandpa: I will write a letter to you when I reached home.


granddaughter : thanks! I would like a letter "A" please!

(fm reader's digest)

See...it is important to speak properly with kids!



okie...got to end. Hubby just commented that I have alot of time hor!
BTW, that is his way of saying that he loves me.(our language of love)
Of course I love my husband so I will be obedient. bye!

JOY

J esus

O thers

Y ourself

so want more joy...try practising this law. for a start...when I see Jere, I wil tell myself this. Perhaps I will help him to be a great man.

khloe at punggol

I must share this pix..she is so so cute!but duno how to toss it.

Rain Rain go away

Khloe fav song each time it rains. Then my fav story is Noah. I should focus on the character Noah. Noah had ignored the trends of the world for almost a hundred years, he just built and built according to what God said to him. So can I ignore the trends of the world and just fish and fish?

Return to parenting...I had shared with Jere that Noah was a great man. He listened attentively to God and obeyed. His obedience was seen in his creation of the ark which saved his family. So my boy must listen to me and maybe someday, he will save his family too! Oh! I want him to be a great man.

He is not in the pix as he was too busy playing with his uncle at the playground.

Xie Xie

Oh.. thank you kevin for helping me solve the mystery of loggin in. Now that I have the "key"..I should know how to fish on my own.

Jere scored full marks!

Yesterday, Jeremiah alighted from his school bus and told me that he had a sticker for his spelling. I was happy to hear it. I wondered its his success that he was happy or seeing the beam on my face....

That's why I keep telling myself that life starts when Jere was born. Children are the ones that keep us living the right way. Or should I say the way God wants me to be.

Did I ever say that I thought I was a fantastic teacher until I stayed at home? Nay....I am not saying that I can't teach my kids...cause if I can say that I can't teach my kids...then the question is who else? So I will still say that I can teach my kids...I will teach my kids and will be a fantastic teacher at least to them! Rite.....

Thank you for being interested in reading my blog...be patient with me...I will improve.