Dancing with Cinderella

Most weekdays after dinner, I try to spend some time with the kids playing... either creating a safe environment for Ethan to do some 'fighting' with me, allowing him to exert all his energy gathered from watching Cartoon Network current favourites like Ben 10, Batman etc or we put on some funky dance music and we will dance ourself crazy (not a pretty sight though!). Obviously, in all these activities, Caitlyn will also be there.

One evening, Ethan decided to ask for some time playing a computer game about words as he recognizes his school has the same game. So, after setting up the game for him, I put on some Bee Gees for Caitlyn and I to dance ourself crazy again. After 'Saturday Night', 'Night fever' and 'Tragedy', the slower tracks came along. She was swaying to 'First of May' (while me sitting on couch catching breath) when she suddenly came to me and asked to be carried. I picked her up and started swaying to the song and than she just hugged me tightly and put her head on my shoulder. When the song finished, she asked for it again and she just would not let go.

I was thinking to myself that this is a precious moment that I will not want to forget. I briefly put her down and told Kellie to stop doing the dishes and joined us for the beautiful moment. Caitlyn was hugging both of us tightly and we were all swaying to the song for the 3rd time. What was going on in her head, I do not know... and what was going on in my heart at that time, is indescribable.

Than I remember this song by Steven Curtis Chapman. Enjoy...

Mama's Baptism

Another highlight of our trip in Malaysia 2 months ago. Mama as affectionately being called by all her children and me as the son-in-law, went through her baptism. Needless to say, we were overjoyed witnessing her commitment to Jesus and hearing her public speak. We have been telling her about the good news of Jesus since Papa (Kellie's father) salvation just before he passed away 5 years ago. Mama felt obligated to take care of the idols at home but I guess Jesus won her heart over. She decided late last year that she does not need to perform religious duty to the idols any more but to have a meaningful relationship with Jesus. What a glorious decision that has an eternal impact!

Growing Kids God's Way

When Kellie and I were praying for a ministry where we both can be involve, God pointed us to the path of facilitating Growing Kid's Gods Way. This used to be very popular with the church few years back but no one is facilitating it anymore. So I did some research on the program and was very disturbed on the negativity about the course posted on the internet. After speaking to Ps. Ken, we understood that it's just a current generation trend to attack anything that is good coming out from the bible.

With the resources available from church office, Kellie and I sat through it ourselves and immediately felt the impact it has on both our kids. We can see how their character has grown and us, as husband and wife to have the same mindset in bring up the kids. We wouldn't say that we are expert parents now, but it has definitely given us much tools and wisdom in dealing with the daily challenges that only a parent will know.

Yes, it's a long 17 weeks commitment, but how many of us have attended parenting seminar … while it provides great guidelines and information, we sometimes find ourself going back to our ways of doing stuff because we are comfortable with it. This is not a band-aid solution where we provide a quick answer to a certain problem but it makes us accountable to one another to see changes in the way we handle parenting. The program is also not time based or cultural based but bible-based. It is designed to take parents through the process of building a loving family unit by raising morally responsible children.

Last week, we'd just finished facilitating our first group of 5 couples and it gave us tremendous joy to hear the testimony from these parents on how it has positively impacted their families. The comments they are getting from their extended families on how they see those children change for the better made all those week nights investment so worth it.

We are looking forward to start another group next week, and we pray that the same blessing can be imparted.

Click here for the celebration dinner

On a lighter note, found a funny description for anyone who's up to be a daddy or mommy.
------------------------------------------------------

PARENT- Job Description

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way,
I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!!

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :

Long term, team players needed, for challenging,
permanent work in an
often chaotic environment.
Candidates must possess excellent communication
and organizational skills and be willing to work
variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends
and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
Some overnight travel required, including trips to
primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!
Travel expenses not reimbursed.
Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBI! LITIES :

The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily,
until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a
pack mule
and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat
in case, this time, the screams from
the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges,
such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets
and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and
coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings
for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute,
an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a
half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always ho! pe for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume! final, complete accountability for
the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and
janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :

None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,
so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :

None required unfortunately.
On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :

Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because
of the assumption that college will help them
become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left.
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that
you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do m! ore..

BENEFITS :

While no health or dental insurance, no pension,
no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and
no stock options are offered;
this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love,
and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis,
letting them know they are appreciated
for the fabulous job they do...
or forward with love
to anyone thinking of applying for the job.
** AND A FOOTNOTE 'THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!

Chilli Padi Caitlyn

Cute as she may be, my daughter is a real Chilli-Padi. Now at the age of 2 and just above 9kgs, she's consider real petite. But my oh my, she's a real fighter. We can already see that in her temperament at home but one incident really cements it.

We were swimming in the 'adult' pool at mum's condominium one evening when Ethan decided to go back to the kiddy pool to have a play. After a while, Ethan was surrounded by some older boys and splashing rather rigorously at him. I decided not to intervene for a moment to see how Ethan would react to this bullies but Caitlyn would have none of it.

She was screaming 'NOOO...' at the bullies and started climbing out of the adult pool. I had one eye on Ethan in case things get out of hand and the other on her. After getting out of the pool, she went towards the kiddy pool, picked up some floating toys and started throwing it at the bullies, while continuing her scream at them.

Just before I decide to intervene, one of the bully's mom came over and stop the whole incident, sending the bullies out of the pool. As horrible a father as I am, I thought the whole scene was quite amusing.

We've also heard report from Sunday School teachers that Caitlyn will actually defend her brother when his toys were snatched from him.

For any Caitlyn future interest reading this post, remember, you've been warned!

Bangkok Trip 2009

Thanks to mum agreeing to take the kids for a couple of days, Kellie and I managed to have a little rendezvous in Bangkok and Chiang Mai for 5 days.

Had numerous Thai Massage and even did a 1/2 day spa in Chiangmai but the highlight must be the trip to Elephant Nature Park.

The Elephant Nature park is not the normal tourist place that feature elephants ride, painting etc. It's more a save haven for elephants that have been saved from their previous abusive lifestyle and nurture back to health.

Bathing the gentle giants the river is a really awesome experience. Yes, I had my 2nd thought when I was about to enter the river and saw the elephants pee-ing and dumping their waste but once you are in there, it was simply amazing being beside the elephants.

Check out more photos here

Malaysia Home Trip 2009

Had a wonderful 3 weeks home trip back to KL. After being away so long, I wasn't expecting us to enjoy ourself so much but it was really a good time. Food was great, families and friends were even better. I find myself sleeping after 1am most of the night because I wanted to maximise my time there but needeless to say, my body didn't take it too well. Had some horrible sore throat after a couple of days but Manukau Honey (UMF20) save the day.

Celebrated Caitlyn's 2nd birthday and it was quite wonderful especially for Kellie's mum and siblings seeing her for the first time. Though it's good to have the party outdoor to give the kids space to roam around, but I have to remember that KL humidity does not always make that a very nice experience.

Another memorable event was when I had the 2 kids in the car on the way to pick up Kellie, the car decided to just turn-off by itself in the middle of a very busy highway, in a very intense hot afternoon. Caitlyn was crying in the car that was quickly turning into a sauna room but Ethan was still asleep with a sweaty head. A police traffic and another good samaritans helped me pushed the car to the side before Ken coming to switch car with me. I brought the family home while he waited for the tow-truck to whisk the car to a workshop

Malaysia will always be our home. Yes, there are many challenges bringing up a family and work ethics are different and much tougher, but if God were to bring us back, I don't think we will be too hesitant.

More photos for the home trip here

Me & My daddy Camp 2009

An awesome camp design for father and child. Was back in Malaysia just in time to find out that http://www.communityatheart.info//index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 is running this camp again. This has been running for the past 7 years and this time, Ethan is old enough (just barely and after much persuasion to allow us to join). The purpose of the camp is to

INSTILL the importance of quality and quantity time between father and child.
IMPART practical steps for bonding and creating memories together.
INSPIRE fathers to actively build a strong relationship with their child.

Check out more camp photos here