Gift of the Gab: 60 Months & Onward

James 1:17  "Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights,"

Double Happiness. You & grandma were born just 1 date apart.   24 May 15

My dearest Gabriel,

60 months have so quickly passed, & you are now 5! How I missed your sweet baby days, yet mummy wouldn't trade the present (that's you!) now in our lives. Yes, let's celebrate!

But first, some sweet memories to remember who you are. And while some days has its challenges, just remember what a joy you are to us, and a good son and loyal brother you are. We are so blessed to have you with us.

Precious moments time cannot erase...

1.  You came into this world fashionable, with a stylish crown of hair & handsome sideburns.

Gabriel, "God is my Strength"

2. You are talkative & responsive, & how from an early toddlerhood, you would rattle away in long sentences, complete with conjugations, when you want to describe a thing, a person, an event, or even expressing your feelings about something that has caught your fancy.

And how your grandma & mummy adore hearing you humming away...

With one of your favorite persons in the world  31 May 13

3. Boy, you are strong-willed & daring. When dare meets with fascination of a forbidden kind (e.g. of fire), you would put your butt on the line (quite literally) & secretly hoard the match box to light up. With your patron's (aka mom / grandma) permission. Or not. Oopsy...

What? Did someone just said this is off limits?  Chinese New Year  3 Feb 14 

Fascination by relation. Ok, I'm outnumbered here. Don't say your mom never taught you about fire safety.  19 May 15

4. You are creative. You & your brothers find creative ways to entertain yourself & others, & you would explore possibilities or ways in which to fulfill your agenda.

How does happy look like? Like this, you say.  13 Jan 15

I'm not sure what this is, so maybe you can tell mum?   1 Oct 14

5. You are an artist. You are also primarily responsible for the random colorings we find on the walls of our home. :P

5 Feb 14

A true artist doesn't confine art only on paper. So... how do I look?  6 Mac 14

One of your artwork with the toothbrush.   9 Oct 13

You & Jem bring ideas everywhere, even on the floor.  21 Apr 15

6. You are a caring & compassionate person.
   
    Yes, you are. You love us, & others as well. Remember the Cheshire Home's visit to our home during one of those CNY? You were that boy who stayed around with those strange folks in the sitting room & you spoonfed a man who wasn't able to feed himself because he had no arms.

And how selfless you often are. When sweet treats are available, you would remember to get your brothers' share first, & yourself last. In that particular order. You are also protective to your brothers & would come to their assistance when they needed support. Including giving a karate chop or a ninja kick to an adult "assailant".

Here you were trying to do your part in the annual parish Lenten gotong royong for the urban poor near UNACO.  30 Mac 14

Giving your brother a helping hand.  17 Sep 14

7. And you are such a sport. Gregarious, playful & fun-full!

So, how do ya like my birthday suit?  2 Oct 11

Costume party today. Theme: Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Glee. I "tang" that Japanese boy.  6 Jun 13

And a favorite with my little man: Tennessee Waltz   Jun 2014

Don't forget this.  10 Mac 13

Engaged in some secret mission with your brother.  28 Sep 14

Ps: Ok, so there were occasions, where executing point 7 contraindicated with point 6. Case defined: Your preliminary rendezvous with the furball scared the wits out of Sweet Ah Mi. For improvement, make peace with your sister cat, ya...


8. And talk about play, you are versatile with what you play with.

   Like your brothers, you LOVE water.

                                                 (To the tune of Jingle Bells)                       1 May 12
Dashing to this place,
To a one hose open pipe,
Oh, what fun it is to play,
this water from the pipe!

Open & close,
Open & close,
Open all the way,
Oh, what fun it is to play,
this one hose open pipe!

Repeat 100 times

Suit - check; hat - check; life jacket - check. All appropriate. Now... where's the sea?  15 Apr 12

And how you have this thing with tapes & strings. You like to wrap meters of 'em around & around things like armchairs, chair legs, fan stand, stairway, window grills, whatever. And secured those strings with intricate knots. Lots of knots. And I mean A LOT.

And oh, how like most boys, you also find manly gadgets interesting, such as those in the department of weaponry...

Guns. Hand gun, rifle, M-16, DST, or Lego, they are all part of your gadgets in defense when you played good guy-bad guy routine.

Look ma, no eyes!  2 Jan 15

A pocket full of ammo & an added roar for better effect  22 Mac 15

 
 And how you would make me respond with a sheepish yes whenever you start by saying, "A-pai wa tua han liaw, lu ka wa beh gun, ok mummy? Ok mummy!? OK??"

    Samurai swords.

I ain't here to eat. I'm here on a mission. 19 Oct 14

And some more swords.

Recruiting your brother in the fight for a worthy cause.  23 Sep 12

Iron fist. Or is it Iron Man?

Mum, maybe Tony Stark started like this? 26 Jan 15

So, son, happy 5th birthday!

It is such a joy to watch you grow. Your laughter, your joy, your optimism, are precious. Your papa & I give thanks to God everyday for you, Jeremy & Isaac.

Remember that life is a precious gift, & that every good thing comes from the loving hands of God. And just like everyone on earth, sometimes it's a challenge to deal with people (including yourself) & situations, but remember that your source of joy & strength is always the good Lord Himself. If you need to be reminded of this, look no further for answers. The truth is in your name.     

Gabriel, we love you.

Love you forever,
Like you for always,
Mummy & Papa

With papa.   27 Jun 12

4 years + 3 months old.  10 Aug 14

A Mother's Lesson On Never Giving Up

When there is much to do & patience wears thin, the camel's back can be weak & it doesn't take a straw to break it. Only hours awake, & already complete with kid (& adult) tantrums & ugly yells & a mother who keeps flailing & failing in hope & joy making, yet...

A boy who finds a way to make a mother feel better & accepted.

"Open it mummy, " he prompts as he watches on the exasperation on the face of a mother getting a son to do schoolwork. After his gentle second reminder, the mother opens the surprise to find a gift within a gift, "Happy Mother and Isaac love wu"

And continues to love her in other ways... rummaging in the fridge to make a fruity-vege salad with Thousand Island sauce all by himself for a special Mother's Day. And later offers to cook up cheese omelette. And more love notes.
Good thing i let the kids handle knives early on. Heh.. :P

 And then...

Another boy who quietly decides to help to mop the kitchen.

Our Precious Jem

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Jeremy, "God will uplift"   26 Apr 10

WOW.

Jem Boy,

You are now six!

Happy Birthday my dearest!

When I look at you today, I am filled with a mix of emotion - of how grateful I am to God for entrusting you to us and how blessed we are with your presence and your joy.

You are our middle boy, our icing in the Oreo cookie, the ham in our sandwich. And what is Oreo or sandwich without the middle part? That's how important you are to our family.

And so, on this blessed day, let's celebrate you! And here are just some things which mummy fondly thinks of about you from time to time.

1. You are a gentleman. 
Gentle son of God, you are courteous when you deal with people. Your sweet nature and gentle words reminds me of one who is strong and loving. Your "thank you's" and "I am sorry" are the magic words that can encourage, uplift and pacify anyone. How you would rarely demand for things, but just ask. Nicely. And especially how you would give way to others, just so that someone could have a better day. Just like a gentleman.

Sports Day at Chin Sin Kindy. Here you were guiding your friend to line up.  18 Jul 12

2. You are a peacemaker.
Along with the qualities of a gentleman, you (and also with your brothers) help make peace around the home, between the kids, and even between us adults. With the grace to be flexible, you are willing to endure the lesser of things and benefits, for the sake of others.
   
Sure, it's uncomfortable son, and it looks like others got a better deal than you. But really? Let me share with you a secret: When you sacrifice out of love for someone, you are a winner. A hero, son. Don't ever forget that. 

Really again? Yes. Because the Bible tells me so.

You holding my hand.  4 Mac 14

3. You are a loyal and loving brother. 

Ever willing, ever available, you love your brothers. Who could ask for more?  

With big brother occupied over schoolwork and other things, you would spend more time hanging out with your little brother.   26 Jun 12

Do you remember this? You wrote this and pasted the note on the wall.  28 Mac 15

He ain't heavy, he's my brother.   9 Mac 15

And you are a good grandson, helping to rock Joshua to sleep.  18 Aug 13

Playing and self medicating.  3 May 11

Doing things together with big bro.

And here, goofing with your brother.  5 Jul 15

4. You have great imagination. And you are creative. Underneath that quiet demeanor, you have a lot going on in your mind. And combined with your love for play, you would come up with all sorts of entertaining ways for a fun-filled world of your own. 

The wonder of your little mind.  29 Jul 12

In deep focus.  22 Apr 15

That's right, son. Keep building, keep going, no matter what.  19 Feb 12

You love role play and you would inspire your brothers along too. And that's you on the ET buggy.  19 Sep 12

12 Jan 14

5. You are brave to try new things. Yes you are!

How dare you? Here, you were daring the 20 feet high slide for roller skaters. And I have full confidence...you would arrive, nicely, in 1 piece at the bottom (gulp) :P   17 Apr 15

No fear of needles here. You did prick your finger, but that didn't stop you.  16 Jun 14

No matter hard skill, or soft skill, you will try. Letting you try making your own birthday cake - Strawberry Yogurt Cake          (Gâteau au yaourt).   6 Nov 12

And remember this?  You sang 小老鼠  for your school performance. Well done!  13 Sep 13

6. You love to explore. Your brothers too!

I spy with my little eye...  30 Mac 14

7. You are also an artist.

Some of your artwork:

Vege art chop: I love how you would think up some things differently from others. 15 Apr 15

Dot Art. 29 Apr 15

You are very careful in your work. Great job handling those big oil pastels!  29 Mac 15 

8. You are a sportsman. Nimble and always active, you are a pleasure to watch. 

You, with one of your best friends.  29 Sep 13

9. Your favorite song is "Let it go".

Frozen  2014

10. You also like pink. And you like ice-cream too (along with other food favorites). And if it's pink ice-cream, it's like double bonus for Jeremy! Yay!

Jeremy and the Butterfly Ice-Cream 8 May 15

My Son, 

As precious a gem is, so are you, indeed. And as a gem sparkles light into the eyes of the beholder, so, we pray that you too, our precious Jem, be a living light to those around you. 

Jeremy, as you grow, you will discover that you have more talents and abilities that you could ever know presently. And you will also know that finding those talents and mastering anything you do requires effort. Lots of effort. Let grit show you what you can achieve. It will be worth it. I promise.  

May God bless you with wisdom and grant you protection all the days of your life. And may you experience God leading you, to the plans which He promises, plans that prosper you, plans that give you hope and a bright future. 

As the saying goes, the best is yet to come. 

In Jesus' name we pray. 

Amen. 

Dearest son, we love you very much.

From: Mummy and Papa

Sweet Jem, the boy with the cow-lick hair, like Superman, I always say.  21 Nov 14

And this is one of my favorite pictures of you. I know, you smiled to me.   

And remember this picture. You see that hand holding you? That's your father's hand. In life, our Heavenly Father is like that too. Holding you, protecting you, loving you.  13 Feb 11

You, in mummy's arms.   28 Nov 11