Christmas month - Day 28

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Last full day in Manila.  What memories we would have accumulated during our stay here.  From all the hotel reviews, I am certain that we chose well.  Shangri-La doesn't disappoint so I know we would have been well taken care of by the lovely and loving people of the Philippines.

And after the coffee, we have to carpe diem!

Christmas Month - Day 16

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If there is one thing that Stephen and I definitely love, without a doubt, it is Christmas.  It is endearing to see him enjoying everything that Christmas brings.  I love how he doesn't hold back when it comes to relishing every moment.

He wants to watch a Christmas movie every night.  He wants to listen to Christmas songs every day.  He wants to do his Christmas dancing every chance he gets.  He even wants to go out for Christmas shopping!  Ha ha ha!  

Christmas Month - Day 15

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I cannot say it enough.  There's magic whenever Christmas comes around.  I feel it in my bones.  It's amazing.

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And I hope my blog helps me to remember each day of December 2018.   

Christmas Month - Day 14

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I know that some people are going to be spending Christmas alone but if we know Jesus, then this will never be true.

And if you have children, this means a whole lot more. I hope that Jared and Gwen will embrace this Christmas for themselves because next year, it's going to be way more different.  Life will never be the same.  Your heart will live outside of your body.  It's both scary and beautiful. 

Christmas Month - Day 11

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We won't be doing much at home, in terms of decoration.  Well, we never overdo either.  Not like when we did the home in KL.  But that's another time and now belongs to history.

But when the grandbaby arrives, then we'll see where we will be and that's where we may go overboard.  Who knows?

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But whether there is decoration in the house or not, it is STILL the most wonderful time of the year.

Day 23 Christmas Baby

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Oh yes, indeed!  A baby changes everything.  Even when our children are all grown up, they're always our babies, no matter how old they get.

Just like Baby Jesus and how his birth changed everything, our babies change everything for us.  

Even when we don't think about it, our lives revolve around them.  We think about them.  We worry about them  We pray for them.  We talk about them.  We connect daily with them.  What would life be without them?

To have them here and to be able to shower them with our love, care and concern means so much to us.  I always like to think we're making memories: Christmas memories, to boot!

Day 21 Christmas Things

So I've started using some of my Christmas stuff.  I have a few things which I like to bring out during this season.  

These four earrings were bought last year but I didn't get a chance to use them so they are relatively new.  Altogether, I have about 7 pairs of Christmas earrings, one Christmas handbag, one Christmas hair clip, and one Christmas hair thingy.

This year, I decided to be daring and paint my nails in a more festive colour to match my bling bling Fitflop.  #YOLO

Day 15 Christmas Time

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It's really been a good two weeks of December for me.  I haven't felt rushed or stressed about getting organised for Christmas.  

Plus I can check off every thing on this list, despite binging on Christmas movies and my TV series, I should add.  

When I was working, I used to feel a bit of tension the moment we hit the first of December.  I wondered when I would start to "Christmastise" the home.  I wondered how I would do it all.  More often than not, I would work a full day and then after dinner I'd start on the decorations.  It wasn't easy but I did do my best and always felt satisfied with everything.

These last years, it's been easier.  I've either become better at it or I've become more easy-going.  It's not about overdoing but just about doing.  And I'm done!  

Yay!  Celebrate!  

Okay, maybe not yet.  I'm still tweaking some things every now and then!  

Day 9 Christmas Stuff

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I've been thinking of making a cheesecake since a month ago but, as always, I keep postponing.  So I will get to it and then just before Christmas I'll make another one.  Calories!!

And we've been watching Christmas movies every night.  Stephen loves them and, with Netflix, there are so many to choose from.  Plus we've been binging on snacks.  He'll take a packet and I'll say, "No".  Then he'll pass it to me and I'll start.  Or I bring out the potato chips and he'll join me.  Calories again!

But this is what Christmas time is all about.  Being happy and contented with the simple things in life is all that matters.

Day 3 Christmas Santa

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Stephen just told mom that he still believes in Santa Claus.  Mom smiled at this.  He said that when he was a small boy, he truly believed that Santa would come at night and he tried to look out for him.  Now that he's older and wiser, he still believes in Santa.  I think we all want to and in some way, it's a nice memory from our childhood that we can safely carry into our adulthood.  

These words in the image resonates with the spirt of Santa Claus.  So let's give freely without expectation and spread joy, love and light.

Christmas thoughts

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Christmas is so near and amid all the hustle and bustle there's always time to think of all the people who have touched my life. Some gone forever, some living far away, and some just out of touch for various reasons.

Even if they aren't physically in my life now, I still keep a small place in my heart for them because they made a difference and helped me to be who I am today.  It's always such a sweet thing to hold on to good memories and to cherish them for what they were worth.  

Along with remembering all the people who are in my thoughts, these BLESSINGS help me stay in the present moment.   

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Love is in the air

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I still remember the first Christmas I celebrated with Stephen. I also still remember the first married Christmas together. It's the day after we tied the knot.  I'm sentimental like that. 

This Christmas, the children will celebrate their first married Christmas together.  I hope they will rediscover the beauty and magic of love that they have found in each other.  I pray that the true spirit of Christmas touches them in a very special way.

We're so excited that they will be here.  We've so many plans to live, love and laugh.  That's my mantra these days.  Life is sweet!

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Christmas: Pretty as can be

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Scrolled through instagram and saw this.  It caught my eye because it has a lovely white picket fence and the trees frame the house so beautifully.

There's just enough to show it's Christmas and though this is a day shot, it's still ever so lovely.  

I imagine the owners to be utterly delightful people and the real beauty is in their hearts. 

How often have we seen houses with all the lights and exaggerated decorations that don't even depict the true spirit of Christmas.  Yet people have bought into the idea that this season is all about showing off.  

Simplicity and understated beauty speak loudest.  

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The reason for the season

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While I'm busy during this season with retail therapy and all things commercial, I'm always mindful that the true spirit is found in knowing that Jesus is the reason for this celebration.

I'm done with whatever I want to do at home unless I buy something that catches my eye but that is unlikely because that money can be put to better use.  

Today I will just consolidate all the recipes and choose the easiest cookies to make.  Some friends have shared their family secrets and other generous people have put it up on Pinterest so I am really quite spoilt for choice.  

I'm feeling mightily blessed for the life I lead.  Sometimes I forget to give glory to the One above.  But right now, some nice Christian songs are playing and I am slowly getting charged up to seize the moments of happiness.

Happy Sunday everyone!   S M I L E !   Jesus loves you, too.

The Christmas curtain story

The house never looks complete until I put up these curtains!  

They belonged to my MIL.  Our good friend, Diana S, gave her those curtains and I fell in love with the colours as soon as I laid eyes on them.  

Ever since I moved to Singapore, I have put up those curtains and they add a glow to the house. It takes so little to make me smile and these curtains always add to my happiness.

Each square represents something meaningful.  This is my fourth year in Singapore since moving here and I have a feeling it's going to be a fantastic one. The children will be joining us. They're newlyweds but choose to spend their first married Christmas with us.  We cannot but feel so blessed.

By the time this goes online, I hope I'm done with all the decorating and then I'm going to start baking.  *cross fingers*

And the countdown begins . . .

Countdown: 6 days to Christmas

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It really is a time to be together.  Nothing in the world is more important than for me to be with Stephen at this time.  Since we've met, we've never been apart at Christmas.  

In life, we don't need too many people.  The only ones we really need are the ones who love us and, for me, the ones who matter are Stephen, Jared and Gwen. The rest are just icing on the cake and I can do with or without them.