Thankful… for my family

One of the things on my bucket list was to take my mum on a pilgrimage before she got too old to make such a long trip. This is the first time in all 15 years where I have been away from the kids for so long. At the back of my mind was how the kids were going to manage with me gone for more than 2 weeks; who was going to take care of Kate, the kids’ daily routines, ferrying them to their gym, band, and tuition classes, and being in the midst of their SA1 exams. I was heartened to know that everything was under control as they kept me updated via WhatsApp and FaceTime and I was able to immerse myself in the beauty of my surroundings and to be fully present to where I was and what I was doing.
Santa Barbara Mission

As I was not around to take Kate for her morning playground time, the hubs took her cycling most mornings and did the marketing too.

Bonding time with daddy

On the weekends, he took the 6 of them out for meals and to buy the necessary things they needed.

Can’t reach? Kate to the rescue.

He also took them on their weekly supermarket run and the kids had fun choosing their own menu for the 2 weeks.

“Do I look like an Elf?”

One of the things I wondered about was who was going to put Kate to bed at night. Turns out, all of them could do that, even #5. He had always been the baby of the family but I guess even he has grown up. The hubs gave him Kate’s bottle of milk and brought them both into the room. His instructions to #5? Don’t let her turn on the lights and don’t let her come out of the room to look for daddy. After 20 minutes, he went to check on them and they were both fast asleep! Easy peasy. (Hmm, maybe the hubs should take over their routine) It was little things like that which allowed me the peace of mind to enjoy my trip.

Nevermind that they dressed her funny…

While I was miles away from home, I was so touched to open my luggage and find that #3 had packed a little box of my favourite biscuits for me.

The little things that matter

When I arrived home and hugged and kissed them like we had been separated for ages, I realise that the break away from them made me look at them anew for who they were. Each and every one of them, being special in their own way. Absence does make the heart grow fonder, even being away for just 2 weeks!

Time for presents

And of course, kids being kids, the presents which mummy brought back somewhat makes up for having mummy gone for so long. Good thing the prices at the U.S. outlets were unimaginably cheap and I managed to pick up lots of clothes and toys for them. And I didn’t disappoint the hubs who changed a whole load of cash and told me before I left to “Spend all the money ok”.

I am indeed blessed many times over. With a wonderful husband and wonderfully independent kids. That I am able to take a lovely break with my mum with peace of mind. I am all rejuvenated and inspired by the beauty of life to be a more wonderful mummy and wife to my family.

Thankful Tuesdays:

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has” – Epictetus


Thankful… for the hub’s cooking
Thankful… for #5’s cooking and caring of Kate
Thankful… for #3 in so many ways
Thankful… for sister-in-law #1

Thankful… for our helper
Thankful… for my family
Thankful… for my mum-in-law
~ www.mummyweeblog.com – a blog on parenting 6 kids in Singapore ~

2 Replies to “Thankful… for my family”

  1. Thank God for a wonderful husband and 6 beautiful kids who have been brought up well. Lovely to hear that you had a refreshing time overseas as well. 🙂

  2. Yes, I'm all the more thankful as it hasn't always been like this. Sometimes you just press on and you only see the fruits much later 🙂

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