Do Not Worry!

~ Posted on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 6:08 AM ~

I came across this bible verse and it reminded me back the time I was deciding whether I should quit my IT job of 9 years in order to be a stay-at-home mother for my child (then about 2 months old). We were having trouble looking for a babysitter for him (one that can take care of him while I work from 9am to 6pm) and were pondering what other options we could have in order for our baby to be cared for properly.

Can't rely much on my MIL as she has (and still does) sleeping problems... she goes to bed at 7-8am and woke up at 12-2pm. By which time I'm already out at work and definitely can't leave my boy at home for her to care for.

And so we prayed to God, and decided to let Him decide. His will, His bill. At that time, we are relying on my hubby's IT business and of course I'm comfortable earning my own salary. To cut things short, decision was made, I quit and became a SAHM since then.

We were lucky to be staying with MIL (her house but hubby paid all the bills and groceries) and we have a car, a second-hand 11 years old car which hubby bought for very cheap price and it's all paid up, so not much commitment on our sides other than we must be frugal and think lots of times before deciding to spend any of our money. No overseas holidays until kiddos are old enough to appreciate and remember, even for family outing, we do it like once or twice a year locally and get the affordable holiday package and simply just budget and save.

Matthew 6:25 (NIV) “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Matthew 6:27 (NIV) Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?

Matthew 6:32 (NIV) For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

To be honest, today, hubby's business is really picking up and we are looking for resource to help him in his company and kiddos wise, 2 now, with 3rd one on the way in September this year.

And a few weeks back, I checked back my personal bank accounts, the savings there is almost the same as what I had when I quit my job. Meaning, God provides enough for us to sustain through the years. God is good!

CCTV...

~ Posted on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 10:10 AM ~

My 4 years old boy is VERY into CCTV lately. It started out innocently during a recent visit to my SIL's condominium and on our way back, Benjamin noticed the CCTV camera right at the corner in the lift and started asking me what is that. And that started everything....

I explained to him it was a camera to monitor any naughty children who threw tantrums in the lift (to scare my boy who on and off likes to throw tantrums), or bad people who wanted to vandalise the lift or cause crimes in the lift like stealing people's wallet or kidnapping etc etc. He seems satisfied with my answers and remained quiet until that night... and asked me again the same question. And I repeated my answer.

The next few days, we went to Tesco for grocery shopping and he noticed another type of CCTV hanging from the top and asked me what is that. And again, I tell him the same thing. Few minutes later, he asked me why is the CCTV STILL there. Arghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! I remained cool and answered again it will remain there forever.

Another time when we were out eating at a food shop, he asked me why aren't there any cameras in the food shop? I looked at hubby and told him to answer giving him my take-over-this-I'm up-to-here-tired-with-the-same-questions-over-and-over-and-over-again look... Before hubby could reply, Ben pointed at a corner of the shop and said 'There! There's a camera there!'

Great!

And then he asked why is the camera there. I continued eating my food, letting hubby answered our boy and Ben continued asking why the CCTV never moved. Hubby told him it cannot move, else it will not be able to capture the criminal's face.

And then on Sunday during church service before hubby brought our kiddos to their Sunday classes (normally I will bring Alyson while hubby will drop Ben off at his class before heading back to main hall for sermon but that Sunday I was sick and told hubby to take over) and Ben asked me 'Why is there no camera in church?'

Oh boy....

I told him because there is no criminal in church and that everybody behaves properly in church?

And then he asked hubby the same question and hubby told him because God is watching.

Ooo... nice reply!

CCTV
Cctv Camera by colin russell

CCTV.... so many questions from a same device... and yet different varieties of reply which can come from it... hmmm...

Guest Post - Choosing A Family Car

~ Posted on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 8:43 AM ~

Looking for a new vehicle can be an intimidating purchase, and if you're looking for something family friendly it can be even tougher. Choosing a family car requires a lot of thought, as there are several things to take into consideration including safety, style, kid-friendly features, and more. However, picking out a family vehicle doesn't have to be difficult.

First, you need to determine the type of vehicle you need. Sedans may be a practical choice, but an SUV or a minivan will likely offer you the most room and comfort. In recent years, automobile makers have really stepped up their accommodation to better fit growing families. The Jeep Patriot, for example, offers plenty of passenger room in the back while still possessing a stylish design. After you determine the style of vehicle you want, you'll need to check out the safety features and interior options (more information available http://www.carsales.com.au/car/jeep/patriot/)

Safety features should be your main concern. Make sure there's a seat belt to accommodate everyone. If you'll be using booster seats or car seats, make sure there's a latch feature, which will make the children seats more secure. Most cars come standard with a latch feature. Also take in to consideration how many air bags the vehicle has, and where they are exactly. A lot of new cars now provide side impact air bags as well as the ones in the front of the vehicle.

If you're traveling with a family, chances are you have a lot of accessories and things with you. Make sure the car you eye has at least a decent amount of storage room. Storage room in your vehicle is very convenient, especially for road trips, as you'll want to bring a long plenty of things to occupy the kids. Cars with DVD players are pretty convenient as well.

Make sure you test drive any vehicle you consider purchasing, as there are several factors to take in to consideration. For example, you'll want to bring the kids a long for a test drive to not only make sure they're comfortable, but if car seats are easily accessible and easily inserted and removed from the seats.

As always, the 'little things' can make your purchase a lot easier. For example, remote keyless entry is a great feature for any parent who seems to always be carrying a child, a diaper bag, or anything else. Safety locks on the rear door and windows with child-lock are very necessary as well. Also, children can be pretty messy - You'll want to make sure the interior fabric is easy to clean and that there are cup holders easily accessible for the kids.

It can be pretty hard to find a car for your family. You need to make sure it has all the proper features and equipment, while still remaining inside your budget. However hard the search may seem, there will be a vehicle that has everything you want, from looks to safety to engine power. A vehicle is a pretty big purchase, so make you don't settle for anything less than what you want.