I dragged myself out of bed after almost the entire night of lying awake. A promise is a promise. Our "school" in Youth Park this morning. A day out surrounded by nature is always welcoming. I love the simplicity of life - just observe nature, talk, play, learn, observe and think, explore and excite our senses. That's life. That's learning. That's loving - loving the people by connecting, loving nature, loving God by appreciating all these gifts.

Anytime, anywhere - just the park with lots of greens and running space and pool for water play...that's suffice to keep the children happy and contented.

While my mind was still full of thought-processing of being "strong and courageous" (from my previous post), the lure of nature and kids simply enjoying it was enough to call this day - blessed!

Leave a comment to let me know how has your day being blessed.

I am blessed with such a beautiful name which means HEAVENLY. Thank you Dad and Mum!!!!

Chrisa woke up this morning saying, "It feels like Chinese New Year just started!" but the 15 days' celebration ended last night. She went on, "I didn't feel it when it was the first day!" We rushed into the celebration - that's why she didn't feel the mood. We were not prepared in many sense. It has been a busy kick-start to 2011. Thus the whole January was on the go; one thing after another. So when the lunar new year arrived, we just jumped into the schedule of visitation. The whole chain exhausted us.

My tired body and mind kind of protested to the party initiated by my dear sister last night. The evening started slow with Ed getting the BBQ pit ready while it drizzled. "Oh no, not tonight," I whispered to heaven. I didn't know who to expect nor how many pax we were catering for as it was all Penny's effort. Friends gradually strolled in while the fire was still in the process. Soon everything just fell into place - good company and good food.

Laughter. The mark of a joyous mood.
Family and friends - and fabulous food. The reminder of God's gifts in my life.
Sparklers. A great way to rleax for our adult friends as they relived their childhood as they excitedly joined my children in lighting and playing these new year toy.

A round of group game wrapped up the night leaving young and old with joy and gladness.
Every occassion is only meaningful when we celebrate life with a tight community. The lunar new year closed well with God evidently in out midst. It is always good when God is in it:)

The techno bug just attacked the family. We are on a discovery mission of IT. I've always been the IT dummy. I love the conventional way of paper and pen. No matter how much I've seen what IT can do and the vastness of this field, I still love the paper and pen. Call me the "old fashion" girl if you want. The authenticity of penmanship is indescribable. Nevertheless, last night heaven granted us an opportune time. I thank God for IT.

One of my girls hit the bad mood scale and attempted to vent her frustration on the computer screen. It must be the Lord's prompting which led me to sit beside her and whispered a soothing word. The next thing - we were thrown into a sea of IT adventure. We spent the next 2 hours or so browsing the net and learning new things together. Another girl joined us almost immediately. Our girls' hang out was priceless - a time of giggles and laughter, the thrill of new discoveries. An unexpected turn from the ugliness of a bad mood to a cherished moment!

Announcing the new blogger in our family...Little Woman of Greater Faith

Chrisa has always wanted to be part of the blogging world. She has the most to say and many times wise words. Her faith is an inspiration to us. However, she will have to feel her way here as her typing can't match her vocal speed yet and also getting to know all the features available in the techno world. Be patient as you see her grow her blog. Another milestone in writing for the little woman who aspire to be an author one day :)

A glimpse of Ashton's first meaningful CNY...last year he was a baby being lugged around without knowing anything...and chewed on the red packets...

Kids don't need expensive toys...all they need is creativity...a piece of shawl, time and space for exploration. Here's their version of lion dance...echoing Ashton's music..."ah tong, ah tong..." A joyful noise and a merry sight.

GONG XI GONG XI!!

...and here's his representative...Ed Jr...with the uncles.

Nathalynn - the Beautiful Gift of God


Chrisa almost came premature too at 34 weeks... but she's always full of surprises. When all of us expected her arrival (even the doctor), she decided to wait a lil' longer...so she came right on time at exactly 36 weeks making her a term baby....though still 4 more weeks to the full gestation. Right from the beginning, she's always delighting us with her smiles and wittiness...life is never dull with Chrisa. She never fails to invite you into her creative world. Last year was all geared up being a soldier. This year, she's the ninja on a secret mission :) Oh, my baby is 6!

Chrisalynn - the Anointed Beauty

The Lord fills the home with rare and beautiful treasures.
(Proverbs 24:3)

(Dad enjoying fish spa - a delightful moment. Find out in GEMS)

In honour of the man who lovingly provided for the family and raised us - my Daddy, the ever loving, kind and generous man! I LOVE YOU.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

To my Father in Heaven, I also have my say...will keep for the next post :)

Birthday breakfast (choc chips with kiwi fruit pancake) from Chrisa & Nat & Mum

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our gorgeous gal!!!

Every birthday is a reminder of God's precious gift of life in the family.

(Read Marvellously Made in Gems)

Princess Nellie of Netherlands

Princess Aranea of Norway

Our royal food...
yummy Betty Crocker's mashed potato, Arthur's Organic Pasta & Cheese, Eggs with mixed veges...washed down with grape juice (or was it Ribena that we used? :)

Instead of Just Mom and Me Having Tea by Mary Murray (a book gift from Aunty Christina to Nat), we decided to adopt a similar idea but a grander feel...so we really dress up :)

Girls just wanna have fun - and we did! Wholesome fun in the Lord.

(Note of thanks to Christina for the book. Very simple but gives/sparks ideas and allow us to share our hearts. Also, for me to add in personal touch in writings for each of the girls. I know this is for Nat but she agreed to let us all discuss the book together. She's always so kind.)

In case you are looking for the Queen's pic...erm...she was also the camera woman :) but yes, she was grandiously dressed up too.

The growing eaglets in edlina's nest - learning, loving and living.

Every outing for us (especially if I go out alone with my children)never fails to attract attention. Some friendly smiles while others were strange stares...and still others led to interesting conversations and friendships.

Yesterday, I caught an elderly man smiled at me after I almost finished paying at the cashier of a bookshop. In a few moments, I saw the same man smiling at me again in the midst of the busy crowd of the mall. He pointed at my children and counted with his finger one by one, "1,2,3,4"...and then he gave a thumbs up! I smiled back. Ashlynn asked, "Do you know him, mum?" Obviously, I don't. He was one of those whom was delighted to see our little troop. It is not an uncommon gesture. I've got countless queries.

"Are these all yours?" (of, course, or else?)
"How many kids do you have?" (I am wondering if there's really that many to count)
"Huh? You got four!" (So?)
"Wah, so many kids!" (So many???)
"All girls? Oh, one boy."
"You are so little yourself...and you've got so many kids."

So many?! I thought I could still count them with one hand :)
Four - it's already SO MANY in our culture and generation. And to think God commanded us to "be fruitful and multiply". Thinking of the traditional (yet biblical) wishes to be productive when one get married and how genuine that wish is...hmm...I am pretty sure people don't think hard enough nor serious enough the extent of that wish. I've only a handful of well-wishers who really think this is a good and God-idea to be "fruitful and multiply". Should I highlight multiply? Ed says, in order to do that...the least is 4! When one couple has 2 (which is the urban norm), it is only replacement. Not reproduction.

So we are only hitting the minimum quotient.
I am subscribed to a Christian motherhood magazine which is a pro-natural parenting group. I admire their great faith of bringing up a big family of godly children. And I mean BIG. Not 4...but 8, 10, 20...and one particular case I read had 25!! Insane, right? How do you get such a massive number? Biological offsprings plus adoption. Four is certainly a small sum for these families :) Talking of touching lives...surely they have touched them under one roof.