Happy New Year!

I meant to post this before the New Year...but Jon wanted me to go to bed with him. Have your heard of Bill Vaughn's quote "Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to." Which age group do you belong to?

Anyways, the last few days of 2009 whizzed by so quickly. As I marked the end of 2009 and look back on the year, I am thankful for God's abundant grace:

* Jonathan & Jillian - I never thought I would have two kids. My journey, though shorter than others, seemed so surreal. And I never thought I would have a girl. My own darling who can inherit my jewellery and handbags (sorry, nothing branded, just baubles and bags to commemorate events for me)

* bumper crop of blessings to people whom I hold dear. Evan to Tsui and Eng Lee, Kai Jae to Sock and Ee Guan, Samantha Ying Ying to Jack and Li Yen, Oscar to Darien and Ee Chiew, Yee Qi to Stanley and Grace. God's blessings are indeed abundant. The journey to parenthood is filled with sweat, heartaches, blood, tears and prayers (lots).

* Close friends who keep in touch. Everyone's leading such a frantic pace of life or they're busy minding babies, kids, working, keeping house, etc. So I am grateful for friends who call, drop a note, email, or sms. And also for friends who meet up with me when I am back in Singapore (even if it means meeting at the airport on departure day!). Would love to have more time to meet more, but I guess the scarcity of time makes me appreciate friends more.

* New friends, in Miri and online. I've got some good friends here in Miri and also made some from scrapbooking forums. Thanks for sharing your experiences with me, listening to me, and for just being there. Your friendship and support means a lot to me.

I don't usually make new year resolutions, coz unless they are printed in bold and in size 100 font, mounted on the wall, I tend to forget them. But this year, I do resolve to be as good a mother as I can to my two Js. And that means lots of love, patience and prayers...and hugs and kisses too! While being a mom has its trying moments, the good ones outweigh the bad ones. And I wouldn't want to change anything.

God has taken so much generous care of me. With that, I have much faith to face 2010.

A post wouldn't be complete without photos, right? Here we have Jonathan with his fave toys of cars and trucks.

Arranging them and adamant on not wanting my help

Using his pretend camera to take some test shots

OK, now we can have a snapshot!

And Jillian who's beginning to flip and loving it!

Wishing you all A blessed New Year!