Sports Day

Kieran also recently participated in a Sports Day that was held at his school. I was unable to be there, but luckily someone snapped some great photos for me.He has always been naturally athletic and has excelled in all his sports.

This year he competed in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and a boys relay race. He came in first in all his races! Well done, my son!

Junior Athletic 2012

Recently Evan was chosen to compete in the Track and Field competition at JIS. JIS stands for Jerodong International School, and it is the school Kieran attends.

Evan was in 4 events, 60m, 100m, chest push throw, and 600m relay race.

He did quite well. He came home with a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbon. He had a great time hanging out with his friends. Kieran was able to come and watch his brother in his races as well. It was a long and hot day, but one enjoyed by all!

Chinese New Year

Anyone who know me well, knows that my pajamas are calling to me shortly after my kids go to bed. I'd like to be a night owl... but I'm just not. Oh... I can only imagine all I could accomplish with a little less shut eye?

So needless to say, New Years was never really celebrated in our home.

But...

This year thanks to my friend Laura, I stayed up to ring in Chinese New Years. During the week before the official day, fireworks lull you to sleep almost like the croaking frogs. Just kidding... But really they are almost always in the background.

So for about almost an hour after the clock struck 12, the amazing display of fireworks lit the sky. Here are just a few of the festivities that I captured.

It was a fun night.

But the best part was when once again I was snuggled up with my jammies on.

Home Away From Home

A little over a couple of weeks ago we moved Kieran into his new home away from home. If you asked me a year ago if I would consider sending my son to boarding school, I would have been shocked at the thought. But I guess until you face all your options things change.

So the day was upon us to settle him into his new room. He shares a room with 3 other boys. He was lucky enough to have a good friend of his in his room. He takes the bus up to the school on a Sunday evening and arrives back home on Fridays around 2pm. I wouldn't say the situation is ideal, but so far he is enjoying it. In fact, I'd say a little too much somedays. It is all good though and he is keeping up with his studies in spite of the busy social life.

The above photos are of his boarding house. The school itself is like a huge university campus. Within each house is about 16 boys. There is a common room in each house with a TV, ping pong table and kitchen. They eat in a cafeteria adjacent to all the boarding houses. Now that he is boarding he is able to take advantage of a few more of the afterschool activities. He is currently in an outdoor education hiking club, squash, tennis, and soccer. His days are packed with activities and he only finds a small window of time to call home.

Of course, like any Mom who has the first of their children leaving the nest, it feels very surreal. I miss him, as does he. But, I do find that our chats have more depth. We genuinely miss each other. And, believe it or not... So does his brother. So as the bus pulls in each Friday... I am excited to throw my arms around him!

New Friends

Recently our church held a conference for pastors from the Phillipines. After offering my home to be used for accomodation, I was blessed to be able to get to know these three lovely ladies over the next few days. It was really fun touring them around Brunei. What I loved the most was our time in the evening where we would just sit and talk, comparing notes of what each of our lives looked like. These 3 ladies have planted an amazing number of churches. They make a difference in this world where ever their feet walk. I witnessed the way they make strangers feel so loved. They left me wanting to be more like them.

So let me formally introduce them to you. In the group photo, from the left is Haidee, then Margie, then Evan, Kieran, and I. On the right is Malou.

On one of our evenings together we had an amazing time singing together. Evan was on the drums and Kieran played the guitar. Not only did these ladies leave a mark in my heart, but my boys as well. Needless to say, when it was time to say goodbye, the tears came. It is funny how complete strangers can come into your home and within a few days can leave memories that will never be forgotten. I do hope to be able to visit them again. This time in their country. I know that even though their are many miles that separate us... our paths will once again cross.

:: Double Digits ::

The start of a new year always begins with a celebration. My sweet boy Evan was born one week into January. While I must admit, that after the chaos of Christmas, planning a birthday party is not an easy transition for me. I still love to see his smiling face on his special day.

This year Evan turned 10! I know every parent has used the expression...

Where has the time gone?

But it is true! I have been parenting this sweet boy for a decade. When we celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversay (now we are in our 15th year) I found myself feeling like... Wow, we made it this far!!

So again I find myself in awe. Not just how far into the parenting marathon we are, but also that in spite of my inadequency and inexperience our boy is turning out well.

No one can imagine how a child will turn out when you bring this bundle home from the hospital. Of course, we had hopes and thoughts in our minds as to the values we'd like to instill. But it isn't something you can attain in one big step. Day by day, and trial after trial, our boy has been shaped from a baby, to a toddler, and to now the 10 year old we are seeing today.

I can't claim that I am the author of who he is today. I stumbled daily with mistakes and thoughts of what kind of a parent am I??

But with God's grace, all my mistakes and bludders have not left my boy chipped and scarred. He is who he was meant to be... and that is still what I am watching unfold daily.

I know there is a plan for his life. A plan that in spite of his well intentioned, but flawed parents, he will attain.

They say that between the ages of 7 - 12 are the golden years! Yes, this stage of parenting is exceptionally easier than the previous years. I think these are the years when parents get a little ease until the teenage years hit. So I sat thoroughly enjoying the delight on my boys face as his friends surrounded him at his party. He is a boy who loves life! He is kind, confident and loves to make people laugh.

What more can I ask for??