Sivin Kit’s Garden

Ewan joined all of us at BLC in the morning and with the family in the evening to celebrate Mummy and his Grandmothers.  It’s his first Mother’s Day exposure (plus indoctrination! :-)) He looks intrigued by the whole celebrative mood around him!

All the children in the Kit family are so blessed with these women of faith and faithfulness who make us better people along this journey called life.

Yes, she still pretty much looks the same. My beloved wife who celebrates her thirty-something  birthday today.  The same day with her mom, which is a rare.

Her aunt and my mom go way back to the first generation youth fellowship in Christ Lutheran Church, Setapak. I’m not too sure whether May Chin and I met when we were small.  May Chin’s parents haven’t come to church yet.

I do distinctly remember meeting May Chin in Sunday School when I was 9 years old before my "prodigal" phase.

We had crazy times when we met again in our teens.  Pretty much grew up in church together. She has had an illustrious "career" in co-curricular school activities as well. Let’s not forget about her Christian Fellowship involvement too.

During her LLB days, we have adventurous times while I was in seminary. Watching her move into different phases of her career is also quite an educational experience for me.  She is definitely a leader in her own right.

And now, she is the mother of our three kids. Ewan’s look pretty much says it all, it’s one of those -"Hey, don’t you think my mom is cool?" - kind of look. Family is very important for her.  So, how she juggles all this … with a nut-case husband like me, and energetic three kids .. is absolutely amazing (please feel free to add your own superlatives in relating to that)

Well … Happy Labor Day (especially laboring for us four), The kids and I salute you .. We are grateful for everything.

Happy Birthday, dear.

May you continue to blossom in all the ways God intends you to be.

Ewan the cool kit … who’s quite a handful in his own right.  It’s such a blessing to see him with his smiles and inquisitive gaze at you.  Melts your heart.  While many told us having one boy and one girl is good enough and the Chinese character for "Good" is the combination of female and male (i.e. ?). The addition of Ewan has brought pleasant delights.  Of course, I don’t deny the demands on our energy is higher than ever.  And I’m amazed how we are still coping.  Especially, when all three want "Mummy" (most of the time!) and than "Papa" is roped in to the rescue.

But this little paragraph is about Ewan, and he likes to be carried (don’t all babies do?!) He’s got this fun giggle when I do shadow boxing with him, and sing a Papa New Guinea song I learnt. My favorite moments is when he smiles back if I initiate a friendly smile especially in the morning.

Ah .. Big Brother Gareth loves to read. And when he’s really into it … he’s really into it.  Asterix is a current favorite which reflects more on my taste than his! But he enjoys the comics.  We have occasional conversations over the adventures of the Gauls and their exploits with the Romans. We’re still working on his recognition of words and reading skills.  But at least he’s got a love for "reading" books - whether it’s comics like Asterix or the goodies he gets from the Kuala Lumpur Children’s library.

The Energizer bunny in the family Elysia with her favorite past time.  Jumping on the trampoline! Jump! Jump! And she jumps with so much passion and excitement. Looks like she might grow taller faster Sometimes, she asks me to hold her hand so she can jump higher …. Elysia has a way with words even though she’s three, and I’m always in awe of some of the sentences she utters.

Well, May Chin and I  thought two would be enough … and then a pleasant no. 3 came along. There are highs and lows no doubt. We are so aware of our inadequacies and our where we fumble and stumble. And in terms of the distribution of our energy, the demands on us emotionally, and the juggling of time it’s no joke … but, there are rewards … the rewards of seeing these "younglings" grow and mature often beyond what we could ever imagine. What an awesome responsibility this whole parenting business is, but such rewards that are indescribable. Okay, I tried to articulate some thoughts the best I can …

In our wishes, small urgings, dreams and fantasies, we are given intimations of the way we are to go. It is our way alone and cannot be learned by reading books or listening to scholars or following others. We can learn our way only by taking seriously the sign that we see and the small voice that we hear. These we must treasure up in our hearts and ponder over. The code we are to decipher is written into our genes and sent out to us, as it were, from the core of our beings.

- Elizabeth O’Connor, The Eighth Day of Creation

(via inward/outward)

May Chin and I were talking about who is more introvert or extrovert in the family, with special reference to the kids. Gareth will be happy reading books on his own, while Elysia will say bye to everyone when she leaves school - I mean she will go to other class rooms to say bye! And Ewan with his charming smile and inquisitive look - and a special alertness to the camera

Okay .. it’s premature to talk about specific careers or life partner choices … but there are interesting signs of the direction they are heading and the seeds of personality which will grow and blossom someday.  I am curious of what God is doing in them.  And as parents there are times when May Chin and I worry whether we are getting in the away, or concerned about how best we can best nurture them the best that we can.  Of course, as a former youth pastor and frequent listener to parents of teenagers, I wonder how we will fair when that eventful day of "terror" comes … but I think we are getting ahead of ourselves here.  One day at a time, step by step …  for our "younglings" as well as for ourselves too …

it’s serious business - the sign reading, and small voice listening process.  But we mustn’t stifle ourselves and especially our kids with overzealous parenting, or overanxious nurturing.  How do we find the balance towards holistic maturing for them as well as ourselves?  I don’t really have a formula or fool-proof equation.  There’s loads of experimentation but underneath all that is a simply an attentiveness birthed from a growing confidence in our faith in the Father who loves us, and the guidance from reflecting on scriptural wisdom, and trust in the word of the Spirit who works more than mysteriously … but meaningfully especially in hindsight. Whether it’s for the children God has entrusted us with (which is a big responsibility), or our own selves (where we can not evade responsibility)!

It’s quite a while since I posted up any movies Entertainment is not high on the agenda on this blog these days. But then, when it becomes a time when we can spend together as a family, then it’s okay.

Since the arrival of Ewan, we have been unable to pop in a movie theater.  That would be too much for us parents and the 3 kids nowadays.  But we can still manage to watch a movie on the notebook!

I’m glad Gareth survived the whole show compared to Happy Feet (which we left after some intense scenes of fierce seals!) But I noticed as a five year old turning six in October, he was able to grasp the key themes of the movie of friendship, bonding, love and loyalty. As usual, he’s easily troubled by the more intense scenes (especially when it involves even mild violence).  He got quite emotional at the end of the movie (actually I think I was getting a little choked up as well - but then I’m a softy when it comes to these kind of moments even if I know it’s fiction!).

Elysia is like her mom, asking questions along every scene transition I can imagine if we were in the theater, she would either be as much of the entertainment for the audience or a itching disturbance through out the movie.  Looks like we’ll keep the movie nights at home for a while.  Both of them loved the "water horse" when it was small and cute.  But were able to warm up to it even when it was gigantic and huge. I think the director must have done something right to help Gareth and the 3 year old Elysia to be able to make that transition effortless.

Ah … as for 5 month old Ewan,  he followed the movie for the first part while on mummy May Chin’s lap, and then on my lap, then taking some snacks in between … with mummy of course Since Elysia did all the questions, May Chin had no chance to ask hers because she was busy answering the daughter … phew!

There were nice little moments where we parents had our hugs with the kids, calming them down when things got a little scary, and giggling together at funny parts, … all in all family entertainment at it’s best.

Oh .. yes, entertainment is still not high on the agenda for this blog.  But if it connects to some relationship building, then it can get a mention as a supplement but not the main thing. 

One thing I like about my daughter, Elysia … she knows where she is going? And she remembers who combed her hair (appreciatively) … Two important qualities at a young age, First, Having some direction in life and Two, gratitude to anyone who has helped her - even if it’s combing her hair … Simple stuff but even that is rare these days.

Elysia and I watching Gareth having a little learning curve to overcome!

HOLY JESUS,

I hear God’s mighty “Yes!”
in your Resurrection.
You invite me to live also,
and I want to say “Yes!” to you.
Take me out of the tomb that imprisons me,
lead me into the morning of new life,
and walk with me wherever your love may lead.
Amen.

- Peter Storey
Listening at Golgotha: Jesus’ Words from the Cross

(via Upper Room Daily Reflections)

Life is getting back to normal a bit more now … back to the mundane … But it’s in the mundane that we find meaning.  So, breakfast with Elysia doesn’t have to be just about eating, she lands up singing at the end!

Thank you, fellow Malaysians –  for this surprise present for Elysia on her birthday on March the 8th yesterday. I was wondering what gift I could get her, yours was a delightful one indeed - more then the Election Results 2008 … it’s the new empowering environment that has emerged Sure, there’s more to be done.  Now we can celebrate a bit-Lah, then converge some ideas to see what’s best next.

By the way, I was driving last week  along Lorong Maarof 1, and Elysia pointed to a banner and suddenly said, "I like this Jie Jie (Elder  Sister)"

The young lady she mentioned was …

(Photo from Harapan Baru Untul Malaysia)

Nurul Izzah Anwar .. the New MP for Lembah Pantai!