Parenting skills, what is best?

There are so many parenting books available in book shops, which is the one then?
There are so many advises and opinions from kind souls around us, who should we listen to?

I don't know and don't have any answers to the above questions.We bought a book called The Parenting Book by Nicky and Silas Lee, preparing ourselves when Missy hits the Terrible Two's stage. It's helpful and informative I would say. But then, parenting is still very new to me and it will be as my child grows. Mama-hood is not something we all prepared to. There is no one book for a child. Every child is different and we can only gather as much information as we could to prepare ourselves. Only His Word, and through His grace we could bring up our children well. Truly need His wisdom!

My prayer is "May we train her in the way she should go, and when she is old she will not turn from it" (Proverbs 22:6)
Ok, actually, this is also another long overdue post, here's some of the pictures we took for Christmas 2011.

Our Christmas 'tree'

Love the way she mirrors us worshipping :)
p/s: That's not my hubby btw, A friend was carrying her
so that mommy can take a break

Thank God for His provision

Am thankful to know that I have a God who provides and cares to every of our needs. For one, we are thankful to the people He sent into our lives especially for my MiL's case. No doubt that it has been one which is full of ups and downs, but am thankful to know that He is in control. To date, my MiL has undergone 4ops in a span of 1 mth!! Long overdue post. She's in the ICU for 2 months now. We are praying for no further complications so that she can moved out finally from ICU to normal ward, and then discharge home. Yes, am never in good terms but to go through that many ops at such an old age.. No one, no one should have to go through what she went through. We are praying that she will get to enjoy her final golden years in better health, no longer bound by sickness (I mean those that can really rob off your joy and freedom). Imagine yourself being old and not able to play with your grandchildren, or unable to even attend daughter's wedding, or maybe could not even enjoy her favorite dishes once in a blue moon.. This really reminds me to really buck up with some exercises and healthy diet. Darn, why is it such a hardwork to remain healthy? Ooh, before I run out too far off the topic..I want to thank Him for the doctors, specialists, consultants, pharmacists and nurses who were with us throughout the whole journey giving the best advises they could. She is not in any private hospital and to be in touch with some of the best people are truly God's hands at work!

Missy's centre is confirmed closing down. (Closed down by now). The partnership didn't go well, in fact has turned ugly in certain ways. So, we have until end of this month to search for another centre for her. Worst scenario, will be nanny or babysitter. Am not so keen since I know the best nanny, just that she's in Ipoh :( I've experienced endless provision from Him and am sure that we will find one.. But, of course, being me, I am anxious too. And another change for Missy... Sigh, all I can be sure of is she'll survive. Though I am not cut to be a SAHM, but at times like this, I hope that this is an option. But with so many commitments, this is a wishful thinking. How nice it could be if I can work from home at times or take a break just to care for her? *lallallala* Oh yes, before I get too overwhelmed by the things that's happening around me, I want to announce His wonderful provision! Yes, Missy is going to be 'che-che' in Oct!! *smiling widely* Is Missy happy? Does she know what is really in mommy's tummy? I can't really answer those questions.. For sure, she has been super clingy and more, more manja before we even confirmed that I've conceived. Children truly have the purest thoughts and so sensitive.. No wonder they have special place in His heart. And if there is one word to describe my cheeky Missy, it will be koala bear...

When you read this post, Will you please keep us in prayer? For MiL's health to be better in no time, missy grows up well and hubby not to tired with the travelling visiting MiL in the hospital.

Hope there'll be another post soon. Adios!

Am truly grateful for His provision

In my earlier post, I mentiond how we finally settled Missy in a daycare after some search. And a month later, we got a notice that the principal is closing it down! GASP! Horror of all horrors. This can't be happening, but then, it's the best she could do at that moment. She tried to look for others to take over or supervise when she is not around, but since she doesn't want to let go to those who are profit-centred (though the fees are considerably high where we can engage a babysitter to take care more personally than 16 kids at a time, but we calculated that the profit margin is not that high either). She really does it for passion and love for the children and I am truly grateful that I found such a gem. Of course, to hear such a news from her - CLOSING DOWN! I almost cried. I think I did tear in a way. It has been such a long time since I cried, crying for His intervention. Sigh, we really need to have such dramatic change in our lives to bring us to our knees eh? Oh well, I prayed unceasingly, claiming His promises. He won't play a joke on something so close to my heart, Missy. He is in control right? No doubt it is a wake up call not just to me, but I believe to the principal too (another story), but am thankful that the conclusion after 2-3 weeks wait.. a partner came into the picture and the daycare will not be closed after all!! Though there is a change of management, but at least the system is still in place. I like how the children are being taught, food being prepared, hygiene, safety etc... Will see how it goes in the next few months. My next prayer is that the principal will recuperate well after her surgery so that she can be back full fledge in the centre.

Some of the developments Missy shown after attending the centre are:
1. Sit still during meal times (It was tough and a struggle to feed her before this. We almost got to chase her!)
2. Increased vocabulary ie house, box, face features such as eyebrow
3. Cheekier of course

1 Timothy 6:17 "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment"

It's the day of the year!

Happy Anniversary Mr Hubby

                                  and

                                                       Blessed Birthday Lil' Missy!



Thank You, Heavenly Father for blessing me with two great gifts. And vice-versa (I believe Mr Hubby feels the same way too.. Hehe)

Thank You that Mr Hubby trusts in You, fears You and most importantly, loves You more daily. I pray Lord that as we celebrate our Anniversary together and many more to come, we are always reminded of Your Faithfulness in our lives. You being our Matchmaker, Provider and the Head of this house. May we, Father continue to be grounded in Your Word, a good steward to all the blessings You have showered us thus far and will continue to pour from the heaven unto this family.

And for you, lil' missy, our prayer for you from Ephesians 3:16-19:
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

A day when I hope I am single again

No. My hubby has been real good and so is my lil' missy. They are my gems. Really! Whatever decisions I made now, they are no longer about me, myself and I. I need to include them as well, the love of my life. I wouldn't want any of my foolish decisions to hurt them in any ways.

9th July, a day to remember for my nation. History in the making and I would have been there to be with my fellow Malaysians at the rally if I am single. It was a sad day for our nation, but at the same time, a day that we, as Malaysians should be proud of. It is not so much of fighting against the government, but the spirit of all races to come together to hold and believe what is right and just. And I am thankful for the Malaysians who went for the rally to stand firm despite the many obstacles and risks they had to face. It may not be for themselves or me but for our next generations...

I grieve for my country and truly pray that His hands will be upon this land. Heal our land, oh God!

"I am not too happy"

Those were the words said by the paed when we see him this morning. We are asked to see him again when darling hits 9mo when others only need to see him for jab when they are 1 year old. For a note, darling was underweight, 200gm less than the acceptable weight of 2.5kg. Nonetheless, paed wants to see us to check on her growth. We brought forth the appointment when darling has fever. Is 38.4 consider high? She sure stressed both of us out since she has not really been so sick since birth. Thinking it was the weather, but it's rare for her to fall asleep without much fuss in the car... something is not right. We have never feel her so warm before. We rushed to the clinic of course. To cut the story short, we took EL (it's definitely not how a long weekend should be) and see the paed the next day.

But when he saw the measurement, he said those words! Darn.. when you hope to hear some comforting words for the 38.4 high temperature, you get another bad news. Well, looks like we got to boost her diet with butter, cheese, yoghurt and anything with high protein.

Note: Her temperature has gone down after we managed to feed the medicine to her, by mixing with milk. We have tried other means we can think of and she even cries without opening her mouth! Well, at last we found a way. It's painful to see her having fever but more painful when she threw up all (ALL!), whatever that is left in her small tummy when we fed her medicine.Can't wait for her to be fully well so that I can try new recipes for her. Gambate Darling!

Beyond Bunny, Eggs and Chocolates

Before I delivered, I was reminded that I am first and foremost the child of God. Only then am I a steward of His gift, my child. I am only a mother to my child, to care, to love and to nurture... I've learnt to "seek first His kingdom of righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well". All these things include her development, her skills set, her growth, her intellect, her gifts. ALL of the things that I worry that she will lack of to survive in this world. And these few days, I am reminded again of the Creator, who loves our darling more than we do. More than I could ever imagine. He is after all, the giver of life.

It is our darling's first Easter and also our first's with her. Our heavenly Father's sacrificed His one and only Son, is an act that shows the extent of His love for us. Endless. Indescribable. Holding our darling in our arms, reflecting His goodness.. just magnifies further His faithfulness in my life.It is my heartfelt prayer that our darling will encounter Him at a tender young age and will live purposefully and powerfully. As always, will pray over her that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen her with power through his Spirit in her inner being, so that Christ may dwell in her hearts through faith. And I pray that she, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that she may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.(Ephesians 3:16-19)... I am a kiasu mom after all *wink*

I am a mother!

Baby is now 7mo. And it is still as hard to believe that I am now a mother. Thankful indeed of His faithfulness to give us such a healthy and beautiful daughter. I just can't imagine.. it seems so unbelievable but here I am, holding her in my arms. Embracing every moments I spent with her. Being a working mom, I wish I could be there with her when she says her first syllabus, takes her first step, all of her very firsts. Then again, I know that deep down I need to learn to let go of her, knowing that I am merely His steward for such a beautiful gift. I am taking one step at a time, one baby step of faith each day, surrendering her well being to Him. I pray that I will continue to be mindful to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" ~ Matt 6:33. It is my desire that she will grow up to be a woman after His heart, a woman who lives purposefully.. for I know, all will be well when we are close to Our Creator.