Where we left off - London in March

We have been up to our globe trotting ways again - the first was on the account of missing the family and the other on the account of Sakura.

Snapshot of the family who is missed and who misses us:)

I am thankful for a day spent at Lower Slaughter Manor, near Swindon with the family. As we travelled along the romantic road, out of the city, towards Cotswold, we were greeted with rolling hills and plains. Albeit dry and cold, it was a refreshing and much needed reprieve. The well executed lunch and tea was what brought us to Lower Slaughter Manor in the first place. But it was the other things that made the day. Conversations and time spent over our meal was much appreciated and treasured. Watching the kids play with gay abandon in the gardens was therapeutic in a chaotic way.  And ...of course, visiting the Swindon factory outlet nearby was the icing on the cake. 

We were glad we made the trip:)

Sarah, You are 6!

Dearest Sarah,

You are so so so very precious to us - Daddy, Mommy, Sammy and many family and friends. 

To Daddy, you are his very sweet and precious daughter. The daughter who is dependable and trustworthy, able to prioritize and do the right things at the right time; even if it means staying awake past midnight to catch up with Daddy after a hard day's work. You are the calming presence for him when things just don't seem to go the way as plan.

To Mommy, you are her right hand and her eyes. You think ahead for mommy and help her plan and remind her when her failing memory takes over. You always make mommy realize that it's nothing that mommy did to have a daughter like you but that God has so chosen to give you to her. 

To Sammy, you are his guardian angel and a greater friend than he would ever know. Wherever he goes out in public, your eyes would follow him and your heart would beat. While you get upset with his mischievous ways, you would always rescue him from getting into deeper trouble. 

I could go on....but for now we thank God continually for blessing us with you for 6 years and counting!

You are much loved
Daddy, Mommy, Sammy and your family and friends

Note - This is kinda telepathic. I have been meaning to post this picture of Sarah and Joash because it's a photo that so defines her - a little girl who remembers the little kids and takes care of them. And as I read Auntie Chiao Chyi's entry to Sarah, I realize it was perfect entry to this photo. So here is Chiao Chyi's entry 

http://chiaochyi.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/blessed-birthday-sarah/

Sarah turns 6 today, and it’s the only birthday we’ve missed so far, because she had her birthday party in the UK last year!! 

Sarah reminds me of the journey the family entered – the path of parenthood. The role of aunt and uncle, dad and mom. She’s the first baby we ever had around us in very close proximity. The first baby we looked at in bewilderment when she was screaming her lungs out the first few weeks after she was born, because we had no clue what to do with her!

Sarah is the sweetest little girl I know. She is also Hannah’s bestest friend. And she loves babies – well, Aunty CC had 2 more other than her best friend cousin Hannah  and she dotes on Josiah and Joash, hugs them and sings to them, like the big sister that she is. Her motherly instincts are very strong too. She’s the mother hen protecting her brother and all her cousins. Her heart is always bursting with love. To be honest, I find very little fault in Sarah, compared to all the children I’ve come to know.

Just recently, we ooohed and ahhhhed via watsapp over Sarah’s first tooth that she lost. That moment made me rather emotional. Sarah losing her first tooth! Sarah turning 6?! A big milestone, just like the time we watched her boldly take her first step, to get a sip of juice. Then watched her jump, and skip, and do hula hoops. I’m thankful and blessed to be a part of the past 6 years of her life.

Blessed Birthday, Sarah! You certainly are God’s gift to the family. Shu Shu David and I love you so very, very much!