A Time Out that God knew I needed more than Myself

Since we came back from Cameron, I kinda switched onto 6th gear and tried to be a superwoman to get the house a little more ready for the CNY. It was a good time to do up the house and pick up from where we left off two years ago. From buying a carload of furniture from Ikea, to supervising the gardeners, to the electricians, the the contractor, to teaching the kids and getting my exercise routine on the roll. It finally took a toll last Saturday, rather unexpectedly. 

We were looking forward to our very first trek into the mangrove swamp. On Saturday morning, we heard rain fall outside our windows. At 7 am - quite an unusual phenomena. We were not exactly prepared for rain to dampen our trip. But we knew we couldn't fight the rain. The rain just poured and poured. Since 7 am, I was up. And I was not feeling too comfortable. I have been tossing around because I could feel my temperature rising but still lazing around the bed with Sarah, Sammy and Daddy. Then without much warning, I felt my teeth start to chatter and the body started to shake involuntarily. Tried as I might, I couldn't muster enough strength to stop the shaking. By this time, Daniel has sprung out of bed highly alert and I knew that his brain was working. Sarah upon seeing me in this state, burst out crying. This went on for about 10 mins or more but it felt like 30 mins. Everyone was deployed to see how to help me.

What hit me was an upper urinary tract infection.

That Saturday, we all headed back to my daddy and mommy's place where I was to begin a week of close monitoring and recuperation. I felt exhausted and thirsty and literally slept through my weekend and the rest of the week, my body recovered slowly but surely. 

It was a time out that I did not plan.
It was a time out that God was in control and He knew better. We shudder to think what would happen if I started to react involuntarily in the middle of a mangrove swamp with no medication or help in sight. The rain held back our plans.
It was a time out that I could repay my sleep debt.
It was a time out that I could spend time with my parents.
It was a time out that I could remember my family and friends who love me and would always cover me in prayers.
It was a time out which taught me (us) to slow down.
It was a time out that reminded me of the 206th (Sarah's fave number) time that I am not a superwoman. 

It was a time out to remind me what is truly important in my life.

It was a time out that was much needed. And only God knew that. 

Our 'Cool' Field Trip - Cameron Highlands

When everyone is busy settling into the new year, our strange family is going off on a holiday:) So to make it sound more official to our kids lest they think that life is so good (hah), mommy decided to call it a field trip. In reality, this trip is a breather for Dan before a hectic year begins again. 

This trip is cool is many sense of the word. Cool because it is off peak. Cool because Cameron Highlands is cool. Cool because there were so much things for us to observe and learn and discover. Cool because we could do all the above with family. We love it! Minus a couple of car breakdowns [haha] and some harrowing curves, everything went well. And we would do it again anytime.

Strawberry picking, chilling out at the beautiful Boh Tea plantation where we learnt how tea made it from the bush to our cup, bumping into strange looking butterflies and moths every other day, spotting cobra lilies and wild orchids and enjoying the cool weather - how can one not love Cameron Highlands. 

Cool!

We are three weeks into the new year....

Phew, already I am astonished at how fast the year has begun. We have started 3 official days of learning at home in the first week and a field trip in the second week. The past couple of weeks have been exhausting as my helper was away on home leave but it has been very fulfilling and circumspect, I must say:)

Mondays are reserved for special lessons as I head to Singapore to run my errands and catch up with my parents. 

Tuesdays are our days of reading, writing and simple dictation. We are picking up from where we left off last year. Sammy is naturally inclined in this area and Sarah is progressing very well. To see them read their own books before bedtime is a great delight. But of course, they still want to be read to every night. 

Wednesdays are our Math days. We also picked up where we left off last year in writing numerals, simple addition and number bonds. Our first Math lesson of the year went very well as we considered number bonds for numeral 10. Afternoons, they head off for swimming lessons.  

Our Thursday are probably their most fun days [in their opinion] as we look into the world of Science. This year we will be studying the human body for the first half of the year. Not to mention, they head to Legoland in the afternoons:)

Fridays are our special days of baking/cooking and developing their home skills and we are inspired by our field trip to have a regular Friday tea time session. I am really looking forward to kick starting this - just imagine, sipping a good cup of tea with homemade goodies and reading a good book and poetry. 

Saturday is reserved for time with Daddy as we head out to explore. And we are officially going on our first nature hike this Saturday. I think Daddy is the most excited. The rest of us - apprehensive. Hahaha.

That is our full week...

Bless all friends and family who gather ....

December was a month of friends and family and I enjoyed it thoroughly with my kids:)

My former students Huiling and Carmen who travelled to my place. 

They are looking prettier every time I see them *I can feel you cringing HL:)*

Shu Shu Darrell who pops by pretty often regardless of the season

My uncle and aunties and coz Carol and Kevin

Sophia and family

Belle and my Sis who stayed over

 Jie Jie Mabel

Our fuzzy wuzzy cutie pie godson Elliot and Daddy Melvin and Mommy Viola who stayed over 

Dan's colleagues 

Clarinda and family 

 Chris and the kids at Legoland

Jan's birthday celebration

Agong and Ama and the kids

Bless Us All in 2013

A Christmas tradition in our family that we have been keeping since 4 years ago - is to watch the Muppets Christmas Carol. This year, we watched the whole show while traveling back from church on Christmas Eve. And this song always always warms my heart and makes me tear - a prayer sung by Tiny Tim. The words in bold hold special to me as it reminds me of my dear and precious family and especially my playful Samuel. Here's to all of you  - a prayer for 2013.

Life is full of sweet surprises
Everyday's a gift
The sun comes up and I can feel it lift my spirit
Fills me up with laughter, fills me up with song
I look into the eyes of love and know that I belong

Bless us all, who gather here
The loving family I hold dear
No place on earth, compares with home
And every path will bring me back from where I roam

Bless us all, that as we live
We always comfort and forgive
We have so much, that we can share
With those in need we see around us everywhere

Let us always love each other
Lead us to the light
Let us hear the voice of reason, singing in the night
Let us run from anger and catch us when we fall
Teach us in our dreams and please, yes please
Bless us one and all

Bless us all with playful years
With noisy games and joyful tears
We reach for You and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams
We ask You bless us all

We reach for You and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams we ask you 

Bless us all

May we take nothing for granted and hold every moment special to our hearts. Always thankful, always grateful, always praising God.