Mickey the Mouse!

Last night was day 9 of advent and Juliana got really lucky, because some boxes came in the mail today! Christmas gifts are arriving, but this box had something that was unwrapped from Nana and Nanny, so it was her "treat" for the advent calendar. Boy, did she love this adorable Mickey...
She was rolling around on the floor with him and wearing a light up necklace, also included by Nana and Nanny...

This was adorable. She took Mickey over to the couch to "meet Pooh" and then she said, "They are friends" and had them shaking hands, hugging and kissing! Then she just snuggled up with the two of them while waiting for mommy to put on the Monkeydoos...

Below is the part of the DVD where we're supposed to pretend we're in a canoe, paddling the ores. She lined up her "passengers" on the makeshift canoe and off they went. Jacob pointed out that it looks like she's praying!

When I asked her if she was a good captain for the boat, she beamed with pride! Pooh and Mickey had a good ride across the ocean...

Thanks Nana and Nanny for the new addition to the family. Mickey got lots of loving tonight, from both Juliana and Pooh!

I feel so special

Look what came this afternoon...

During a week that I really needed a small pick-me-up, this was delivered! It was written to "A dear friend" with a lovely note. I can't wait to enjoy the lavender products, but I wanted to keep it intact and pretty for a day or two first!

On another note, please keep my sister-in-law and brother in your prayers...baby on the way, earlier than expected due to some health concerns. May God be with them and mommy and baby be healthy!

Gymbo, where are you?

We're using up the last of our Gymboree classes and today was playgym. I know I don't have a lot of pictures of it, but Juliana has been rather difficult lately! She's a typical 2-year old: demanding endless attention, crying when she doesn't get her way, pushing our buttons and wanting complete independence. Oh, it's fun, as all you moms know. But when she's in a good mood, it makes the rest disappear so quickly!

At Gymboree...

OK, random nap time in the middle of play time??

Oh Gymbo, there you are!

It may be tough, but this age is so much fun too. She's exploring a lot more, retaining things, speaking sentences and building her vocabulary. Plus, she gives mommy and daddy lots of hugs and kisses. We've been enjoying our evenings with the advent calendar, discussing how the "Elf on the Shelf" is watching over her to report back to Santa, singing carols and watching Christmas movies! I just wish there would be a tiny bit of real snow to see. Oh well, can't have it all and knowing me, if there was snow, I'd just complain when I had to clean the car off and shovel!

We're dancing elves!

Thanks to the wonders of facebook and the fact that Alex did this with her, Greg and Kali, I decided to make our own. I think I've watched it a dozen times already. So festive!!

That's about all the dancing I can get out of Jacob as it is!

Lots of fun at Forum

This morning was Juliana's first Little Gym class in several months, so we were excited!! I even pulled out her leotard that we got at Phantom Gymnastics, back in NH during our visit home. So, this picture is especially for Tatiana (that's where she goes for gymnastics)!
I knew she would head right for the bars as soon as we walked in. It's always been her favorite...
Her grip has gotten so much better too and she can hold on and swing back and forth on her own, for minutes now, not just seconds! She kept showing off for mommy...

We did some forward rolls, stretches and warm ups after all the kids showed up. Then it was off to play and explore. She actually walked about five steps down the beam with no assistance before asking for my help to finish up. The balance beam was always my strongest event when I was a gymnast, so I was very proud of my little girl...

After she was all wound up from class, we had lunch and then walked around for a bit. I asked Juliana if she wanted to ride on this, but then once she got on, I realized that it wasn't working. Oh well, she didn't even seem to care, as long as she could sit on the horse and then kiss it afterwards...

After the let down of the carousel not working, I let her take a ride on the koala car and the rocket...

Next, we stopped in the Early Learning Center store for a bit too. It's nice, because you can look around, play and still leave empty handed! She enjoyed trying on the hats and here, she's saying "Yee haw" as a cowgirl...

Good day with my girl, but I'm exhausted. I need to get in better shape to keep up with her!

Oh, and did I miss...

No New Moon for me tonight. The girls were going, my ticket was paid for and due to health issues, I couldn't go. INSERT BIG SAD FACE HERE. Now I have to try to drag Jacob to see it at some point. Yeah, we'll see how that goes!Darn stomach...just get better already. I had been waiting for this for so long! Oh well, it's just a movie, right??

The Nativity and what it led to

At bible study this morning, we were all talking about our gorgeous Christmas decorations, especially our nativity sets that are all in storage :-( But I noticed this on Jennifer's facebook page (from a friend I assume) and wanted to share. Isn't it gorgeous?
I love these faceless angels and have plenty in my own storage! This morning's meeting made me realize a lot of things...some that I am truly grateful for here in Singapore and some that I just miss so much about home. So here you go:

Loving Singapore:

1. There is so much to do on such a small island! Malls, parks, a science center, Sentosa, the zoo, a bird park, marina barrage, city lights, water parks and so much more.
2. MOPS - I was introduced to this here (thanks Jenn) and it's been an important part of my life ever since. It's also allowed me to volunteer in ministries I may not have been able to back in the U.S.
3. I have made some wonderful friends that I can talk to, lean on and just have a good time with.
4. Supper Club is always something to look forward to!
5. The opportunity to travel, see new things and try new enrichment programs with Juliana
6. Jean. Enough said.
7. We have access to a pool 24/7 and we have a fish for a daughter so it's great!
8. A five minute walks gets me to the MRT, the mall, a pharmacy and the grocery store.
9. Playmates for Juliana...lots and lots of them!
10. Trying new foods, a big challenge for me, but a good one.
11. Fantastic landlords! I mean, how many people can honestly say that their landlords are also their friends?
12. I have had a chance to gain 4 more international teaching certificates and begin some work to put on my resume.
13. The bible study I joined thanks to Jennifer, who is running it, has opened my eyes to parts of myself I have buried down way too deep. More sessions to come, so there will be more to benefit from it.

What I miss:

1. Being close to my family and friends, especially during the holidays.
2. Sharing Juliana with all of those wonderful people.
3. Being able to give them their Christmas gifts in person, rather than in a box or through the mail.
4. Having access to a car, even though it can be a pain at time, it's nice to have the convenience of it.
5. Medical care - I find it to be so much better at home, maybe because I was blessed (and spoiled, thanks Claudia) with an amazing doctor.
6. The change of seasons...I may not miss snow, but I do miss the changes in temperature and scenery, especially during spring and fall.
7. Food. Restaurants. Food.
8. More trees, land, grass and fields.
9. Real Christmas trees that don't cost a bundle, which is why we went fake!
10. All of our "stuff." I know life isn't about material things, but I fully admit that I miss my own kitchen goods, our own decorations, all of our beautiful paintings and pictures, Jacob's chess board collection, my books, etc.
11. The security of knowing that my mom and Nana, two major sources of support for me, could only be a phone call or short car ride away.
12. The malls are a lot less crowded and aren't mazes where you get lost and forget where you've been!
13. Jacob and I have 1 niece, 1 on the way, another niece or nephew and a good friend is having a baby and if we lived in the U.S., we would be there to see them grow.

I'm sure I could go on and on, but I think I'm just in a slump because Christmas is right around the corner and I'm homesick. I wish I could fly everyone out here or fly all of us to Florida for the arrival of my second niece. But, this is where God has placed us and I continue to pray that we will be open to whatever he has in store for us. On a side note, I hope some of those plans include better health for me!!

Prayer, patience and trust

Thanks to a dear friend, this was in my mailbox this morning and it started the day off just right. I hope and pray it stays that way.

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
Dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Worry looks around,
Sorry looks back, Faith looks up. -Unknown

In my own personal growth, letting go of worry is a major roadblock, as is the ability to constantly trust God and learning to wait for his guidance. I am learning patience more and more, but it still wavers and I know that it always will. I must always remind myself that God works in his time, not mine...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. -Philippians 4:6

Today, begin by opening up your arms up to God's loving embrace...

Bob the Builder and more fun at JP

This was NOT an easy morning in the Stephen household. A certain someone is not feeling quite like herself. She started showing signs of it yesterday with a fever, runny nose and a lot of crankiness. Today, she was quite a handful and I think we went through an entire box of tissues. So, we tried our best to make the most of it and daddy spent lots of quality time with his little girl.

Here she is, looking adorable in her hat... This is Juliana's impression of swimming, inside, haha! As soon as you mention the word "pool," you might as well just get the swim suits out ASAP!

This afternoon, after a bit of chaos and a nap, Jacob and Juliana headed to Jurong Point for a show while I took care of something. Here's Juliana on daddy's shoulders, getting ready to watch the "Bob the Builder" show...

A small collage of the show, stage and characters. I showed up in time for most of it and it was very musical with lots of dancing!

Enjoying the show with daddy...

When I did show up, Juliana was all excited to show me what was going on! I was holding her in the following picture and she was showing me the stage and telling me all about the characters...

She was far too interested in the show to pay attention to the camera, but that's okay. We got mommy and daddy looking...

After the show, we went outside the mall to see the big Christmas tree. Juliana especially enjoyed looking at the jewellery that was in the cases all around it! There was a gorgeous amethyst necklace and I told Juliana to ask daddy for it...okay, it was really for me, but only in my fantasy world where money grows on trees!

She had a lot of energy, so she ran around in circles and then kept going back to these angels...

After dealing with the lovely crowd at Jurong Point, we got some Japanese food for dinner. Here I am feeding Juliana a goldfish with chopsticks...

We ordered her some dumplings and this is her getting ready for them (daddy was cutting them up)...she ate about half of them, which was huge for her!

I just hope and pray for a better week and no colds! It was a rough weekend, so we'll see. Maybe it's those annoying molars? Maybe it's more...no answers yet, just medicine when needed. Keep your fingers crossed that she is OKAY!

Oh, how I love her

My little angel is just so amazing! Yes, she can be a lot of work, exhausting, testing me a lot more lately, pushing all my buttons, but despite all of that, she is simply remarkable! She's been learning so much lately and retaining things...for example, when we talk to daddy on the phone, she'll tell him all about her morning without any prompts from mommy! She's also asking for people a lot more: wakes up asking for Nana and Nanny (we skype very often), calls out to friends at random, apparently hoping they'll just appear and asks for daddy all the time. She knows where he really is though and will finish the search with, "Daddy's at work." I just adore her and she is making the holiday season so much more enjoyable!

Additional Thomas pictures

Here are some additional pictures from Camille's camera! The kids were way too excited to focus on the camera and smile, but that's okay. Guess it was that much fun!

'Twas a blast!

Fun day with daddy

Juliana woke up much earlier than normal this morning, very upset. We're just hoping she's not getting sick again and that maybe it's her molars coming in (those final two are taking their sweet time). Fingers crossed!

Juliana got to enjoy some time with daddy this morning, which can be rare on Saturday mornings (ahem, work). They headed over to Raffles Mall and enjoyed the waterfall...

Looking up at the water...
Oh so precious!
Jacob took this adorable video of Juliana watching the waterfall and getting VERY excited!

After leaving Raffles, they made a stop at Tanjong Pagar. Just outside the MRT was a new place for Juliana to explore and play...
Very artsy Jacob! I love Juliana's reflection...

Coming...

And going...

I'm so glad they had a lot of fun together while I was in class, however Juliana is still not feeling quite right. Hoping she feels better after her nap, we shall see!

Thomas and Friends

Tonight was the night to see Thomas & Friends in concert! Juliana got to go with two friends and enjoy the magic of Thomas on stage. Opening scene (and no, my picture quality isn't the best, but it will have to do!)...
Juliana getting ready to start the show her chair...

Pierce was VERY excited to see Thomas and I think Juliana was simply in awe of Pierce's emotions...

Small collage of the events. Again, not so good, bit it was clearly said and stated, "No pictures," so I tried to keep the flash in mild.

Juliana got to see all the different characters from the Thomas show and in the end, the circus officially happened and it was a grand party!

I must admit, I was amazed at how well Juliana did for an hour and a half. She sat on my lap for the entire show, but also interacted with the clapping, "choo choo" sounds and made sure to say hello and goodbye each time Thomas came on or when off off stage!

On the way out, we attempted to get a picture of the kids by the sign, bit it didn't work out in the end. Here's Violet and Juliana checking out the poster while Pierce took some pictures of his own with mommy's camera...

Then, he decided to take pictures of Juliana! A budding photographer on hand? Who knows, but it was adorable!

Great show and experience...Juliana astonished me with her awe for the show and patience, to sit still and be patient! I'll share a couple more pictures once I get them from Camille's camera :-)

Art class with mommy!

Things have been so busy, that I've missed way too many of Juliana's classes. I've been trying harder to arrange our schedules so that I can make the majority of her classes when I'm not otherwise engaged with MOPS, bible study, work, etc. So, yesterday morning, we went to Gymboree Arts together and I think I was more excited than she was!

She painted some clouds with aluminum foil cutouts of raindrops as well as a blob (which to her was a bird!) and then a cloud full of rain with sparkles and cotton balls to round it off! It was a lot of fun to see her at work. Plus, she must have missed her daddy a whole lot, because she kept walking over to the window to look for daddy. "Is that daddy?....no" and so on and so forth! But we did have a blast, singing songs, clapping, playing the drums and painting. She is just so amazing! I think art will be on the horizon, because she seems to genuinely enjoy it, at home and in classes. We shall see!

Little Miss Fix-It

Wearing her Handy Manny gear. She was "building" something with all the tools. Daddy's little girl for sure!

We also started the advent calendar this year now that she's a bit older and she loves it! We explained to her that she gets a card, or mini "book" as she calls it each day with a message on it. Dec. 1 was a treat (gummy bears), Dec. 2 was carols with mommy and daddy (fun and tiring, because we danced too!) and today was a new book. She knows that Santa says, "Ho ho ho" and what presents look like :-) Can't wait until Santa Claus comes!!!

Just wanted to share

Maura posted this on her facebook page (thank you!) from their wedding and I just loved it! We get so little pictures of us and it came out so good!

Yup, it's December

No, this is not what my tree looks like, but I wish it did! With the fireplace and everything, reminding me of home where it's cold this time of year and snow is always about to fall. On another note, it's probably good that this is not what my tree looks like, because yesterday, Juliana knocked over the very small, fake one that we have and got all upset, "Oh no! The tree, the tree!" I guess it's good I went with a fake one, no breakable ornaments...simple, to break her into the whole concept for the future holidays!

Yesterday for our craft at MOPS, we did a calendar and I guess that's what it really hit me that it was December 1. I'm ready for the holidays in the sense that we have (some) plans, most gifts are bought (some still coming from the U.S.) and the little bit of decorations that we have are up. I don't think I'm ready emotionally though, which is sad to admit. I'm grieving in new ways I didn't think were possible, for loved ones, especially my dad. I can't believe next March will be ten years....

On a happier note, the bible study Jennifer has been running has been a blessing. This week's video touched on specific subjects I've been struggling with and as it was running, I had tears in my eyes. Did God just give me answers to those prayers I said over the weekend? Wow. The MOPS meeting yesterday was good too and I had my "Share time," (just a ten minute time I share something with the group). I've gotten so much better at speaking, but for some reason, I was very nervous yesterday morning! It was all fine in the end though :-)

So, now that December and the Christmas month is officially here, I'm praying that all of you have a safe and enjoyable season. I wish I could be with loved ones, but I can only be with them in spirit this year. We know how much it costs and how much time on a plane it means to take a trip out here to see us...just wish it wasn't so. Love to you all and I'm sure I will have lots of cute pictures to share this month of the cutie pie!