Best Preparation for a Test

Two weeks ago, Janine received her usual weekly kindergarten newsletter, in which there was a paragraph informing us about their half-yearly grade assessment (ie. test). I was expecting them to inform us on how to prepare our child for the test, for example, by going through the syllabus and doing more revision, etc. However, I was taken by pleasant surprise at the type of preparation recommended for this assessment! In fact, I was so thrilled I decided to take a picture of that paragraph for keepsake - to remind ourselves of why we are here in Australia!

I am so glad that all I had to do to prepare Janine for the test was to make sure she had ample sleep! Well, that was easy enough! After all, Janine is only five years old. I do not expect her to have to start studying for exams this early in life! 

It makes me thankful that my children are spared from the stresses of education, and that they are able to enjoy the process of learning. It definitely makes school more fun and enjoyable! 

Joys of Motherhood

As we celebrate Mothers' Day today, we not only remember the sacrifices of being a mother or a parent, but rather, we also celebrate the joys of motherhood.

Indeed, motherhood has been such a joyful and enjoyable journey! I feel privileged to be on this journey of motherhood and do not want to take it for granted, because I know of many others who would love to be a mother but are unable to for different reasons.

Here are some of the little things that happened over the past few days that brought much joy to my heart:

1) Steps of Faith

One night during my usual devotion time with the girls before their bedtime, Janelle told me out of the blue, "Mummy, I want to give God my heart and my life." Wow. My 7-year-old, of her own accord, wanted to dedicate her life to God! After explaining what it meant to give God her heart and life, I then encouraged her to pray and tell God about it. She prayed the most innocent, sincere, and beautiful prayer about giving God her heart and life, and about wanting to obey Him and love Him, etc. Janine, not to be outdone, also insisted she wanted to give God her whole heart too and prayed along with her sister. Praise the Lord!

Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

2) Expressions of Love

Now that the girls are older and able to express their emotions in a greater variety of ways, Mothers' Day truly becomes a really exciting time for them! They get to design and create their Mothers' Day cards, and carefully pick out presents -  both at school at the Mothers' Day stall and with Daddy at KMart.

Janelle's love language is gifts and words of affirmation, as can be seen by the number of cards she made for me! Well, or at least, she made 80% of the cards here, with the other 20% made by Janine :)

I love the sweet and thoughtful and cute words that she writes in her cards!

3) Unplanned Presents

The best Mothers' Day present from my girls was the unexpected - both girls got a merit certificate each at school assembly on Friday! Just a pity that I was not at the assembly, but still, such a lovely surprise!

4) Daily Fun

Josiah being the cheerful and cheeky one in the family brings much laughter (and agony at times) to us all. Just check out his cheeky expression as he poses for a picture with his sisters.

He loves doing painting and play-doh, which I get to enjoy with him now that he is home with me all days of the week (ever since I pulled him out of daycare 2 weeks' back).

And I love peaceful weekday afternoons, when the children get a chance to unwind after school, hang around in our beautiful sunroom, and do their favourite activities like moulding clay.

Indeed, joy is often found in being contented in the simplest and littlest things in our childrens' lives!