Christmas Morning Madness!

 

I have to hand it to the kids. They managed to sit through Christmas service via Zoom AND a family photo before digging into their presents. 

Merry Christmas everyone!

This Christmas is so different from all the others but yet we choose to celebrate despite the imperfection!

The announcement was made that Phase 3 would only begin on the 28th of December, so we weren't able to have Jeekoh, Debbie, Denise, and Darren over as we usually would. We were fortunate that Mel's household of 5 was still able to come over to spend Christmas with us. 

Even though this year's gatherings and the feasting was scaled down, the meaning and message of Christmas were even more pronounced to me. This year seemed bent on robbing us of hope but the truth of the hope we all hold is really in us through Jesus. As we celebrate everything bright and beautiful in a world that'd gotten that much darker, I pray that we will each keep reaching toward better tomorrows for ourselves and for the ones around us too!

A blessed Christmas to all!

The boys have set Santa up for a healthier Christmas.

Back to School BBQ 2014

 I am so grateful that God has brought us through another year. Sure there were low points but there were a lot of high points too. Regardless, the one constant was that He walked with us and His presence has been felt in my heart all year long.

I have been so very blessed through the friends that God's brought into my life. They have come to be like family and I'm so thankful to have this "village" in whose midst I am privileged to bring up my kids alongside. With the new year just around the corner and with new challenges and changes coming our way, I pray that the year ahead will be full of God's good work in all our lives.

Here's to new beginnings!

Merry Christmas!

 Happy Holidays everyone! May your days be merry and bright because of what Jesus did for us and the hope He gives to all mankind.

Best Christmas Present

This has got to be one of the best Christmas gifts ever! Both Zac and Eli like playing with it especially Eli who has an affinity towards rackets, balls and hitting things, in no particular order.

I wonder if we should start looking for tennis lessons for him.

So This Is Christmas

Zac and Eli with their bounty

How many people can actually say they have SO MANY presents, they don't even know where to begin? My family and I have been so very blessed by the generosity of our friends and extended family.

It's the final hour before the end of Christmas day 2012 and I've finally eked out some quiet time to myself to sit and reflect about this season and what it means to me. When I was a child, it was all about the stuff I want to get/could possibly get/ hope to get next year. Now that I am older and have children of my own, I realise that it's that sense of anticipation and waiting that I enjoy the most. That longing to see what comes next but not wanting it to happen just yet since it will pass me by in a flash. It's funny how the year usually starts off feeling slow and the months seem to plod by, but by the time it hits October and November, time moves into hyper-drive and before you know it, Christmas is over too soon and we're faced with the dawning of a new year.

To me this season brings with it this sense of urgency to show and tell the people I care about how much I love them and appreciate their presence in my life. This naturally leads to being rather carried away with hunting for the perfect gift and getting stressed out with the festivities rampant at this time of year. Of course, I know at the back of my mind that it's really not that one-time gift that will fully convey my feelings but it doesn't usually stop me from getting all wound up shopping for presents. Now that I have a moment to stop and think, it occurs to me that I shouldn't have to wait until Christmas to demonstrate goodwill to all man. This feeling of "can't-do-enough" - that's what I need to hold on tight to throughout the year.

In fact, my attitude of service shouldn't be restricted to just the people I know but it should extend outwards to the people I don't even know (yet?). Instead of waiting for that one time of the year, when Christmas casts its magic and takes down those barriers of self-centredness and selfishness, I really ought to walk the talks I've been preaching to my children about showing love and kindness. I feel like I need to do more to share the gift that God gave us that first Christmas. The gift that our Father in heaven so freely gave to us - his Son, to become one of us to save this world from sin and death. I've been tardy about sharing God's love and grace. The time to start is now.

With the start of 2013 looming, I want to try to live more mindfully and to listen carefully to God's still small voice for opportunities to share a little of what I've been given. I'll need to pray for courage to do what I am asked and enough compassion to act immediately instead of listening to all the excuses I can think up! (If you read this, please pray I get reminders from time to time!)

Merry Christmas!

May Christmas bring you enough love, warmth and laughter to last the whole year through. Blessed Christmas to all and a brilliant 2013 ahead!

love, The Pattiselannos

Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas everyone!

Eli was still asleep when we got up this morning. Zac woke up telling me that he heard Santa's reindeer on the roof last night. It might have been the bang bang banging going on downstairs while he slept because Len and I were trying to put together Eli's fire truck! It was well worth the effort because E really really liked his new ride-on. It even sprays water from the hose on the back!

Very proud of his stash of gifts.

Wheeee!

Fixing his Lego Heroes robot all by himself!

One of the favourite gifts Zac got was this marble run toy set. He's always wanted one and this Christmas, Popo Jan Campbell and family gave him one! Eli loves it just as much though he tends to take apart the structure and we have to look at the instructions to put it up all over again. I can squabbles (and a headache) happening in the near future.

 

Zac and his marble run set.

Every Christmas from last year, I've made it a point to make one of the gifts I give my boys. This year, short on time and inspiration, I had an idea at the last minute and personalised these jackets I bought them. A far cry from the hand-made bathrobe from the last Christmas but I think it turned out rather well!

Christmas Potluck Party time!

  
What a joy to spend the evening with close friends during this festive season. Good food, wonderful company and lots of laughter. Our potluck party was the perfect way to showcase everyone's cooking talents and I can't say enough how amazing it is to have such wonderful cooks in our midst!

 

Pretty mummies-to-be-again

Watching the Suzuki Cup - Singapore won!

Test Test

First Party (at Home) of the Season

Berry Christmas! We have guests from my mum and dad's old small group and old friends from long ago. We welcome Sa-yi Debbie home from Melbourne too and we're so happy she's back for Christmas vacation to recharge!

Opa making his address

The soon-to-be hitched lovebirds