1317 hrs

Image from Facebook via Twitter

Today, Jared is 31 and I still remember having him in my tummy!  I'm in awe of how Jared has come so far in his journey.  When I was his age, I hadn't done a lot of the things that he has done.  I hadn't travelled as much either.  He has an adventurous soul.

From pre-school to his "O" levels and then to music, he carved his own path and I dare say that he had the conviction to follow his own dream.  Few people do so, and that is something to be admired.

He has finally settled down with his beautiful Gwen, a wonderful soulmate, from the land below the wind.  Truly it's a joy for me to know he's in her capable hands and that they share a lovely and loving life. 

I've seen him go from an inquisitive and precocious child to becoming the mature and responsible man he is now.  Whenever I have needed a second opinion, I could always go to him as he truly knows my heart best.  

It's impossible to count the many times I have felt so much love that I thought I would burst.  I am so very blessed.  Stephen and I are so very blessed.

And he already knows, apparently when you're 31 years old, you'll live your billionth second.  So at 1317 hours today, I hope you stop for a second and celebrate your billionth moment in time.  I've put an alarm on my watch for it!  

Happy birthday, son.  We love you so much

and pray for you to be happy, healthy and whole. 

May you always hold God close to you and

recognise all the blessings you receive.

It's over but the journey has begun

We're blessed to have been able to witness and be part of something so special in our lives.  A new door opens and, with awe, we watch all the magic and mystery of life and love.

Round 1 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on 26 November 2016
Round 2 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 10 December 2016
Round 3 in Singapore on 17 December 2016

It's all over now but their journey truly has begun.

We are so proud of this union and we give all our blessings over your lives together.

Dear Jared and Gwen,

Be happy. Stay close to God. Look after each other always.

Never forget that both of you are loved very much by your loving parents.

May blessings flow through your lives abundantly.

Much love today, tomorrow and forever

D and Nai!

Photo credit to SteffiePaulus

30 years ago

Image picked from Pinterest.

30 years ago, at 1317 hrs, a little bundle was put into my arms and the weight of that tiny being swept me into a turmoil as I pondered over whether I would be able to do a good job. All I knew in that moment was that I would love him, guard and guide him to the best of my ability.

Fast forward to today and he's now 30 years old.  

I almost cannot believe this.  It almost seems unreal that he's grown so quickly and also as his own person.  He knows what he wants in life and he goes out to get it.  More importantly, he has a heart that doesn't cause unnecessary hurt to anyone.  He doesn't carry tales. He is respectful of those around him. I could go on and on. 

I am truly very proud of him.  I love him.  

AND whatever I feel for him, Stephen feels double.  LOL  His love for Jared knows no bounds.  

Being a Mom

Image from Instagram

It's true!! And I'm sure most moms will agree with me.

While I have had personal satisfaction from all the paying jobs I ever had, the best sense of gratification has been from being a mom.

Maybe I feel this now because my child is all grown up and when he was younger I didn't have the luxury of thinking about this at all. Everyday was a rush and now when I look back, they were fleeting moments.  It didn't seem that way when I was living it but now upon reflection, those days are so distant and seem to be in fast forward mode. 

Today he's 29 years old.  At 1.17 pm that day, a child was born and changed me forever.

What comes to mind always when I think of him is this bible verse ~

Image from Pinterest

My beloved child

D and I love you so very much.

May you never forget that you are abundantly blessed and our beloved child in whom we are well pleased.

Last day of 2013

And so it happened that I woke up before 7 am on the last day of 2013. I've been sleeping late almost every night and waking up late as well. 

This morning I think I was awake at about 5 am but didn't get out of bed immediately. I just laid there with my eyes closed and thinking of how wonderful it is to have my husband and son under the same roof this time.

We aren't always together. We won't always be together so I cherish the moments like this. All is well in my world today. 

2014 looks very promising. There is so much to look forward to. I cannot be more contented than now. Anyway, for those who take the time to visit my blog, here's my wish for you!

May you always find peace, joy and love everyday.

Pic from Pinterest

Falling for fall!

It's just amazing how the days just zip past and we are already in October. I was so looking forward to it and now thirteen days have gone by already.

It's fall in some parts of the world and I saw this gorgeous picture online and had to share!

Halloween stuff are on sale here in almost all major department stores.  Great bargains can be found in Daiso, only S$2 a piece!

October started brilliantly with the kids visiting again and being here from the first to the sixth. I was already on tenterhooks even before they arrived. When they visit, there's never a dull moment.

We covered new territory this time.  Before spending hours in Spotlight, we discovered takoyaki balls! I found them very interesting and tasty. There are so many varieties to choose from: octopus, scallop, beef/cheese, ham/cheese, prawn, chili/tuna and others that I cannot remember.

We also introduced our children to Quentin's Eurasian Restaurant.  There was a birthday celebration and we had a feast!  Everything was just superb.  Good food, great company, fun and laughter are the basic ingredients for such an enjoyable night.  Look at the delicious spread.

Curry Captain, Babi Assam, Chicken Keluak Curry (top left to right)
Spicy Sweet/Sour Brinjal, Prawn Bostador and Sugee Cake (bottom left to right)

And it didn't end there, after dinner we took a drive around Singapore and passed the Serangoon area to see the Deepavali lights.

So far, I'm loving the first half of October.

Once Deepavali (3rd November) is over, the Christmas decoration will be out in full swing!!!

Until you've...

Pic lifted off FB

It's a little more than all of these things.  These are just the starters. Starters in what is much like a having a meal.

The main course is 

 Until you've ..........
counted to ten before you burst a blood vessel 

when you see toys all over the floor

wished for more energy when the boys won't go to bed 

and you're already about to collapse!

done their homework for them because,

well, there wasn't enough time to make them do it.

escaped from them by taking a shower and

you stand under the water and savour the

peace and quiet for those precious moments

peeped at them sleeping and your heart feels like

it may just explode with all that you are feeling

.... you haven't known love.

I have known this love.   Twice!

Let me give...

Pic from FB

Last year, before I moved to Singapore, I had a lunch date with Jared.  We talked about life as we usually do.  We talked about all that we'd been through together.  We talked about the future and how our lives would once again evolve to start a new chapter. 

Even when I thought I knew everything about my son, he surprised me when he revealed that he had registered to be an organ donor.  I didn't know when or why or how.  I think I was speechless.  He found it fun to watch me squirm when he said, "I am an organ donor for everything, even my skin".  

It wasn't something I had expected to hear and as the shock wore off, it began to sink in that I had not expected this.  We always think we know our children but we never really know them.  

Here was a young man, in his mid-twenties, thinking of helping others, beyond his life.  I have to admit that I felt a strong sense of pride.

No one needs to tell me.  Where Jared is concerned, I know I have done well.

Jared

Pic from FB

He was born at 1.17 pm.  Twenty-seven years ago, my little miracle was created.  

They say that miracles happen when we least expect it.  Untrue, of course, because I was expecting my miracle for nine months.

When I look back at all the years, I can only remember the funny and loving moments.  Those are vivid memories.  

People always have good things to say about him and, in general, he wasn't a difficult child.  I would have to strain my thoughts to recall something untoward.  I suppose it's love that makes the difference.

Having a child is much like being married because the same words apply, "from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part".

Happy Birthday, Jared!

You are the greatest miracle in our lives.

We love you.