Moments

as a mother I have those days, those moments in a day when you just want to bottle up the moment forever.  Not just as a memory but as something tangible – the  feeling.  Especially the feeling of ‘wow’, that feeling of pride.

Well today was one of those days for me. 

My 6 year old finally had the confidence to ride her bike to school.  Actually she’s been wanting to do it for a while but I just haven’t felt comfortable.  But today she did it.  She let go of her fear…….and so did I.

The other moment came when my son asked me – what’s you’re name.  You see we’ve been trying to learn this one for a while.    Joshua gets asked this a lot so I’ve been trying to teach him to answer JJ when someone asks him “what’s your name?’

And today out of now where he asked me and of course after answering ‘mummy’ I asked him the same question, and he answered with a big smile on his face, JJ!

It’s these small moments that make parenting such a joyful thing.

Hope you’re having a great start to the new week.

Moments

as a mother I have those days, those moments in a day when you just want to bottle up the moment forever.  Not just as a memory but as something tangible – the  feeling.  Especially the feeling of ‘wow’, that feeling of pride.

Well today was one of those days for me. 

My 6 year old finally had the confidence to ride her bike to school.  Actually she’s been wanting to do it for a while but I just haven’t felt comfortable.  But today she did it.  She let go of her fear…….and so did I.

The other moment came when my son asked me – what’s you’re name.  You see we’ve been trying to learn this one for a while.    Joshua gets asked this a lot so I’ve been trying to teach him to answer JJ when someone asks him “what’s your name?’

And today out of now where he asked me and of course after answering ‘mummy’ I asked him the same question, and he answered with a big smile on his face, JJ!

It’s these small moments that make parenting such a joyful thing.

Hope you’re having a great start to the new week.

Friday’s Fave # 57

Hooray for Friday’s – I live for them!!!  It’s been a busy week and I’m so ready for the weekend.

So if you are new to my blog Fave Five’s is hosted by Susanne and if you’d like more details head on over to her blog – Living to tell the Story.

So here’s my five for this week:

1.  That feeling of accomplishing something.  I’ve been meaning to join the group of bikers here in this community but every time the fear of  failure has gotten the better of me and I make up some excuse not to join them.  But this Monday I put my mind too it and just did it.  I’m so glad I did, and I’m so proud of  myself  because I made it.  We’re going again coming Monday.

2.  Beginning our Encouraging Women’s Fall fellowship session.  After a long summer break ( and break in every sense of the word – like a break in my prayer time, reading the bible etc) it was so wonderful to kick start things again – an opportunity to start again. I’m looking forward to the study I’ve chosen and am anticipating wonderful things to happen.

3.   Meeting new people.  So as I mentioned we kicked off our fellowship session and it was lovely to meet some new people.  I love to hear where people are from, where they’re coming from,  what’s brought them here and how are they settling and enjoying it(or not).  It just excites me.  There is a wealth of  information  to be gained and new relationships to build when there is diversity and I find that stimulating. 

4.  So during fellowship I met a new friend who is here visiting her daughter.  She asked me where I was from and so I told her, {a[ua New Guinea. Not many people know where Papua New Guinea (PNG) is so I went on to point it out geographically but she told she knew exactly where it is, and she did because she once hosted about 10 young girls from PNG.  they  had travelled to California with a mission group.  I cannot tell you how excited I was that she knew where my home country is and that she met other young woman who have a heart for Jesus.

5.  Fresh flowers.  oh how they brighten up any room and any mood for that matter. The lady I bought these cuts from sells orchids on Fridays. (Friday is her orchid days) but I couldn’t make it out the back gate today. I wish I had, I love orchids. anyway maybe next week.

I hope you all had a great week and are ready for the weekend, wherever you are.

For more Fave Five’s click here.

Friday’s Fave # 57

Hooray for Friday’s – I live for them!!!  It’s been a busy week and I’m so ready for the weekend.

So if you are new to my blog Fave Five’s is hosted by Susanne and if you’d like more details head on over to her blog – Living to tell the Story.

So here’s my five for this week:

1.  That feeling of accomplishing something.  I’ve been meaning to join the group of bikers here in this community but every time the fear of  failure has gotten the better of me and I make up some excuse not to join them.  But this Monday I put my mind too it and just did it.  I’m so glad I did, and I’m so proud of  myself  because I made it.  We’re going again coming Monday.

2.  Beginning our Encouraging Women’s Fall fellowship session.  After a long summer break ( and break in every sense of the word – like a break in my prayer time, reading the bible etc) it was so wonderful to kick start things again – an opportunity to start again. I’m looking forward to the study I’ve chosen and am anticipating wonderful things to happen.

3.   Meeting new people.  So as I mentioned we kicked off our fellowship session and it was lovely to meet some new people.  I love to hear where people are from, where they’re coming from,  what’s brought them here and how are they settling and enjoying it(or not).  It just excites me.  There is a wealth of  information  to be gained and new relationships to build when there is diversity and I find that stimulating. 

4.  So during fellowship I met a new friend who is here visiting her daughter.  She asked me where I was from and so I told her, {a[ua New Guinea. Not many people know where Papua New Guinea (PNG) is so I went on to point it out geographically but she told she knew exactly where it is, and she did because she once hosted about 10 young girls from PNG.  they  had travelled to California with a mission group.  I cannot tell you how excited I was that she knew where my home country is and that she met other young woman who have a heart for Jesus.

5.  Fresh flowers.  oh how they brighten up any room and any mood for that matter. The lady I bought these cuts from sells orchids on Fridays. (Friday is her orchid days) but I couldn’t make it out the back gate today. I wish I had, I love orchids. anyway maybe next week.

I hope you all had a great week and are ready for the weekend, wherever you are.

For more Fave Five’s click here.

Back To School Night

Tonight we  were at school for Back to School night.  and this is Tanysha’s letter to my hubby and I.  It’s on this night where we meet her teachers formally and  see how our children will be learning, what they will be learning and how we can get involved.

From reading her letter it looks like she’s loving it at school.

I remember 1st grade and how much I loved it.  I still remember my teacher to this day and I think she’s the reason why I have such fond memories of 1st grade.  She was just the coolest!

How about you, do you remember your days at elementary school?

Back To School Night

Tonight we  were at school for Back to School night.  and this is Tanysha’s letter to my hubby and I.  It’s on this night where we meet her teachers formally and  see how our children will be learning, what they will be learning and how we can get involved.

From reading her letter it looks like she’s loving it at school.

I remember 1st grade and how much I loved it.  I still remember my teacher to this day and I think she’s the reason why I have such fond memories of 1st grade.  She was just the coolest!

How about you, do you remember your days at elementary school?

Pink was very Pretty

'momoiro'(Japanese),  pink seckahl (Korean),  si chom-poo(Thailand), rose(French), rosa(Spanish).

You’re probably wondering what the words above mean. well that’s how you say the color pink in different languages.  This is what I learnt today among many other interesting things.  Like  who knew that “Alecia Moore” is actually the pop artist Pink, and that bubble gum was patented by a dentist and that the London Financial Times is printed on pink paper!!

I also realized again how lucky I am to be among woman from all walks of life and from all over the world.  totally awesome.

I met some ladies who’ve been here for only a couple of months and others who have been here for 9 years.  It’s such a diverse and colorful group of woman who have travelled many different paths and for today we all gathered for a reason - for fellowship and friendships – old and new.

I picked my study and it isn’t any of the ones I indicated yesterday.  I think after hearing from the facilitators how much homework was involved with each of the studies it  made me change my mind!!

So instead I choose Becoming A Woman of Prayer.  I’m hoping this will help me quiet my spirit.

I’m looking forward to the study.  And I’m also looking forward to making some new friends.

Don’t you just love it, even our food was pink!!

Pink was very Pretty

'momoiro'(Japanese),  pink seckahl (Korean),  si chom-poo(Thailand), rose(French), rosa(Spanish).

You’re probably wondering what the words above mean. well that’s how you say the color pink in different languages.  This is what I learnt today among many other interesting things.  Like  who knew that “Alecia Moore” is actually the pop artist Pink, and that bubble gum was patented by a dentist and that the London Financial Times is printed on pink paper!!

I also realized again how lucky I am to be among woman from all walks of life and from all over the world.  totally awesome.

I met some ladies who’ve been here for only a couple of months and others who have been here for 9 years.  It’s such a diverse and colorful group of woman who have travelled many different paths and for today we all gathered for a reason - for fellowship and friendships – old and new.

I picked my study and it isn’t any of the ones I indicated yesterday.  I think after hearing from the facilitators how much homework was involved with each of the studies it  made me change my mind!!

So instead I choose Becoming A Woman of Prayer.  I’m hoping this will help me quiet my spirit.

I’m looking forward to the study.  And I’m also looking forward to making some new friends.

Don’t you just love it, even our food was pink!!

Undecided

So  I’m not in bed yet, and it’s so lovely and quiet cause everyone’s  asleep.  The girls are getting back into their routine and I think the busy days at school has them exhausted.

Anyway I’m up and  I'm thinking about tomorrow and what bible study to pick for this Fall’ Encouraging Woman’s Fellowship. (okay we don’t have Fall in Thailand, but for some reason we follow the American calendar). There’s 5 studies to choose from and only 15 women allowed in each group.

these are the bible studies:

1.Answers to Our Deepest Questions
2) The Patriarchs:  Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
3) Calm My Anxious Heart
4) Lord, I Want to Know You
5) Becoming a Woman of Prayer

they all look like such great studies but since my Sunday post I’m leaning towards either the 1st or 4th one.

We’ll see.

I’m also debating what to wear tomorrow.  Our theme is pretty in pink so I’m thinking maybe I should wear something pink…gosh I don’t know.

I should really get to bed.

How was your day?

Undecided

So  I’m not in bed yet, and it’s so lovely and quiet cause everyone’s  asleep.  The girls are getting back into their routine and I think the busy days at school has them exhausted.

Anyway I’m up and  I'm thinking about tomorrow and what bible study to pick for this Fall’ Encouraging Woman’s Fellowship. (okay we don’t have Fall in Thailand, but for some reason we follow the American calendar). There’s 5 studies to choose from and only 15 women allowed in each group.

these are the bible studies:

1.Answers to Our Deepest Questions
2) The Patriarchs:  Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
3) Calm My Anxious Heart
4) Lord, I Want to Know You
5) Becoming a Woman of Prayer

they all look like such great studies but since my Sunday post I’m leaning towards either the 1st or 4th one.

We’ll see.

I’m also debating what to wear tomorrow.  Our theme is pretty in pink so I’m thinking maybe I should wear something pink…gosh I don’t know.

I should really get to bed.

How was your day?

45

I made it.  All 45 k’s.  I kept pace and finished the ride.  I thought I’d have to catch a taxi back or even call the driver to come and fetch me – but nope I made it till the end.  It felt good!

Me and my new friend(Sherry) standing near the Buddha.  He was big and he’s looking over the river.

It was scary negotiating the early morning traffic because we left around 7.30 this morning but once we got out to the open road it was all good. We also took the ferry across to the other side of the small island and walked through some markets. It was pretty neat.

I plan on making this a regular Monday morning thing.  The workout is great but what I loved about today was really getting to see, smell and hear Thailand.  to move through the everyday lives of the regular Thais.  that’s what was most enjoyable.

Unfortunately I didn’t take my camera with me but I managed to get a few pics with the iphone.

this was inside a small wat (temple).  We weren’t too sure what it was but we think it’s Buddha's foot.

We bought coconuts from this guy for refreshments.   

But now I’m sore and tired and am getting an early nights sleep.

I hoping you had a great start for the week.

45

I made it.  All 45 k’s.  I kept pace and finished the ride.  I thought I’d have to catch a taxi back or even call the driver to come and fetch me – but nope I made it till the end.  It felt good!

Me and my new friend(Sherry) standing near the Buddha.  He was big and he’s looking over the river.

It was scary negotiating the early morning traffic because we left around 7.30 this morning but once we got out to the open road it was all good. We also took the ferry across to the other side of the small island and walked through some markets. It was pretty neat.

I plan on making this a regular Monday morning thing.  The workout is great but what I loved about today was really getting to see, smell and hear Thailand.  to move through the everyday lives of the regular Thais.  that’s what was most enjoyable.

Unfortunately I didn’t take my camera with me but I managed to get a few pics with the iphone.

this was inside a small wat (temple).  We weren’t too sure what it was but we think it’s Buddha's foot.

We bought coconuts from this guy for refreshments.   

But now I’m sore and tired and am getting an early nights sleep.

I hoping you had a great start for the week.

Ready or Not…..

I’m finally joining the bike riders today. I don’t know if I’m ready but I’ guess I’ll never know unless i get out there.

I’m determined to keep pace with them and finish the ride.  I’ll let you know how it went.

Ready or Not…..

I’m finally joining the bike riders today. I don’t know if I’m ready but I’ guess I’ll never know unless i get out there.

I’m determined to keep pace with them and finish the ride.  I’ll let you know how it went.

Sunday

Everyone’s asleep and I’m thinking I should hit the bed soon too.  But not before stealing a few quiet moments to myself.

I need too.

We were at church today and the message was really what I needed to hear. It’s time to move away from just knowing God in my head and starting to surrender again and letting it be a heart thing.

Life goes on, the earth will continue to spin and right now I feel I really need to get back to the basic foundation of my belief.  It’s time to get back and nurture a heart to heart relationship with God.

As I look at the clay pots in my house , I think to myself of how pretty they look on the outside even though there is nothing inside it.

It’s time for me to fill up on the inside!

hope you had a lovely Sunday filled with goodness.

Sunday

Everyone’s asleep and I’m thinking I should hit the bed soon too.  But not before stealing a few quiet moments to myself.

I need too.

We were at church today and the message was really what I needed to hear. It’s time to move away from just knowing God in my head and starting to surrender again and letting it be a heart thing.

Life goes on, the earth will continue to spin and right now I feel I really need to get back to the basic foundation of my belief.  It’s time to get back and nurture a heart to heart relationship with God.

As I look at the clay pots in my house , I think to myself of how pretty they look on the outside even though there is nothing inside it.

It’s time for me to fill up on the inside!

hope you had a lovely Sunday filled with goodness.

Photo Hunt – Numerical.

This weeks theme:  Numerical

I was shown this video today and because I couldn’t  find a photo for the theme I thought I’d share this instead.

there’s a lot of number in here, it’s astounding!!

(sorry I’m cheating a little this time round – okay I’m cheating a lot!! hope you enjoy the clip)

Actually as a parent of a 6th grader here we where shown this video at the parent orientation for the introduction of personal laptops for the students as just another tool for them to use in class.

I’m excited for them but I do have my reservations.  After seeing the video above there’s no denying that times have and are continuing to change, but I still think there are still many benefits of teaching and learning the old fashioned way.

I mean everything we read on google – someone must have done the research to post that stuff up there don’t you think?  I still want my kid to learn how to do research and not just type in a couple of words in google search and voila!!

How did we spend our time before facebook and twitter and even blogging?

Anyone remember??!!

For more numericals visit TNChick.

Photo Hunt – Numerical.

This weeks theme:  Numerical

I was shown this video today and because I couldn’t  find a photo for the theme I thought I’d share this instead.

there’s a lot of number in here, it’s astounding!!

(sorry I’m cheating a little this time round – okay I’m cheating a lot!! hope you enjoy the clip)

Actually as a parent of a 6th grader here we where shown this video at the parent orientation for the introduction of personal laptops for the students as just another tool for them to use in class.

I’m excited for them but I do have my reservations.  After seeing the video above there’s no denying that times have and are continuing to change, but I still think there are still many benefits of teaching and learning the old fashioned way.

I mean everything we read on google – someone must have done the research to post that stuff up there don’t you think?  I still want my kid to learn how to do research and not just type in a couple of words in google search and voila!!

How did we spend our time before facebook and twitter and even blogging?

Anyone remember??!!

For more numericals visit TNChick.

Friday’s Fave Five # 56

Friday’s make me happy.  Happy that we got through another week and that the weekend is here to relax.

Well welcome to Friday’s Fave Five where a community of bloggers share those little and big things that made our week just a little brighter. 

Thanks Susanne, you are an awesome host and I’m sure your excited to shoot for another 100 posts!! Check out her website for more Fave Five’s.

So here’s my five.

1.  Phone call to a dear friend.  Today I had a very long phone conversation with a dear old friend back in the states.  It’s been such a long time and it was so good to catch up on each other’s lives. I miss her and her lovely family.

2.  clearing paper.  Emile Barnes “don’t pile it, file it” has hit home again. (i have like a couple of these moments throughout the year!).  It’s such a good feeling after going through the piles of papers that have been growing all over the house. I’ve filed and thrown away much this week.

3.  Sleep.  After starting the week with very little sleep I finally slept like a log last night.  It’s been a while since I’ve slept through the night and I felt so good this morning.  I thank Joshua too for sleeping through. 

4. Clean Sheets.  just something about it that makes me want to get into bed.  maybe it’s the smell of fresh and clean or the crisp feeling. I don’t know but I love it.

(did i tell you that I love the color blue!!!) 

5. Volunteers.  this week I’ve been busy trying to sort through all the programs/activities that are available and then choosing the ones in which to volunteer in.  I don’t want to over commit but then I don’t want to not give enough of my time.  Although I must say that it’s been so wonderful to see such great enthusiasm among the parents volunteering here and there.  I really do love the community I live in.

What’s made your week?  Do share!

Happy weekend.

Friday’s Fave Five # 56

Friday’s make me happy.  Happy that we got through another week and that the weekend is here to relax.

Well welcome to Friday’s Fave Five where a community of bloggers share those little and big things that made our week just a little brighter. 

Thanks Susanne, you are an awesome host and I’m sure your excited to shoot for another 100 posts!! Check out her website for more Fave Five’s.

So here’s my five.

1.  Phone call to a dear friend.  Today I had a very long phone conversation with a dear old friend back in the states.  It’s been such a long time and it was so good to catch up on each other’s lives. I miss her and her lovely family.

2.  clearing paper.  Emile Barnes “don’t pile it, file it” has hit home again. (i have like a couple of these moments throughout the year!).  It’s such a good feeling after going through the piles of papers that have been growing all over the house. I’ve filed and thrown away much this week.

3.  Sleep.  After starting the week with very little sleep I finally slept like a log last night.  It’s been a while since I’ve slept through the night and I felt so good this morning.  I thank Joshua too for sleeping through. 

4. Clean Sheets.  just something about it that makes me want to get into bed.  maybe it’s the smell of fresh and clean or the crisp feeling. I don’t know but I love it.

(did i tell you that I love the color blue!!!) 

5. Volunteers.  this week I’ve been busy trying to sort through all the programs/activities that are available and then choosing the ones in which to volunteer in.  I don’t want to over commit but then I don’t want to not give enough of my time.  Although I must say that it’s been so wonderful to see such great enthusiasm among the parents volunteering here and there.  I really do love the community I live in.

What’s made your week?  Do share!

Happy weekend.

Good for You

Outside the back gate there is an abundance of fruits and veges on sale.   And everyday Joshua and I drive out there in our golf cart to buy our  fresh goodies for dinner.

As we made our usual trip today I thought about when  I was growing up and how I used to be such a fussy eater.  I hated eating vegetables.  I know it drove my mother crazy, and oh how she would bribe us. 

Today my children do the same.  And I’m doing what my mother did – bribing them.  Some days are easier than others but I just make sure that they at least try everything on their plate.

There are days when I stress that my kids are not eating a very well balanced diet, but I hold out hope that as they grow older they’ll realize the benefits of such foods for their well being – like I eventually did.

don’t you just love the chili?  after 3 years here I find myself having to have a little bit of spice in everything.

Good for You

Outside the back gate there is an abundance of fruits and veges on sale.   And everyday Joshua and I drive out there in our golf cart to buy our  fresh goodies for dinner.

As we made our usual trip today I thought about when  I was growing up and how I used to be such a fussy eater.  I hated eating vegetables.  I know it drove my mother crazy, and oh how she would bribe us. 

Today my children do the same.  And I’m doing what my mother did – bribing them.  Some days are easier than others but I just make sure that they at least try everything on their plate.

There are days when I stress that my kids are not eating a very well balanced diet, but I hold out hope that as they grow older they’ll realize the benefits of such foods for their well being – like I eventually did.

don’t you just love the chili?  after 3 years here I find myself having to have a little bit of spice in everything.

Good on the Inside

Sleep may be hard to come by at the moment but everything else is good.  I mean life is good right now.

My dear husband asked me a couple of times last night if there was anything bothering me or if I was anxious about something.  And my answer…… nothing. there really is nothing wrong.  I just think I’ve been worked up for the kids return to school and my mind maybe tripping over itself trying to figure out what to do with this time that will now be available to me.

So there’s nothing bothering me.  I just can’t sleep.   I’m

• content
• feeling inspired
• volunteering to serve in different ministries at church
• imagining the possibilities.
• loving the community I live in.
• I have my husbands love and support
• the kids are back at school and are happy ……
• and so am I.

the photo has nothing to do with my state right now but this fruit kind of reminded me of how things might not look good on the outside but it’s so sweet on the inside.

I may wake up in the mornings looking like a zombie, with puffed up eyes but everything is good.  Just great on the inside.

Good on the Inside

Sleep may be hard to come by at the moment but everything else is good.  I mean life is good right now.

My dear husband asked me a couple of times last night if there was anything bothering me or if I was anxious about something.  And my answer…… nothing. there really is nothing wrong.  I just think I’ve been worked up for the kids return to school and my mind maybe tripping over itself trying to figure out what to do with this time that will now be available to me.

So there’s nothing bothering me.  I just can’t sleep.   I’m

• content
• feeling inspired
• volunteering to serve in different ministries at church
• imagining the possibilities.
• loving the community I live in.
• I have my husbands love and support
• the kids are back at school and are happy ……
• and so am I.

the photo has nothing to do with my state right now but this fruit kind of reminded me of how things might not look good on the outside but it’s so sweet on the inside.

I may wake up in the mornings looking like a zombie, with puffed up eyes but everything is good.  Just great on the inside.

Suffering

from insomnia.   My physical body is spent, but my mind just won’t rest.  it just happened over the weekend. Staying awake till the wee hours of the morning and then waking up around 6/7  because JJ’s up bright an early.

I don’t know why… I wish I did so I could fix it and get the rest I desperately need.

it’s made today very difficult.  Bad headache and not enough patience. Not a good combination when you have young kids.

thankfully it’s the end of the day now and I’m hoping for a better tomorrow.

Suffering

from insomnia.   My physical body is spent, but my mind just won’t rest.  it just happened over the weekend. Staying awake till the wee hours of the morning and then waking up around 6/7  because JJ’s up bright an early.

I don’t know why… I wish I did so I could fix it and get the rest I desperately need.

it’s made today very difficult.  Bad headache and not enough patience. Not a good combination when you have young kids.

thankfully it’s the end of the day now and I’m hoping for a better tomorrow.