Cool guy

Last Sunday (the 14th of April 2013), we were on our way to Cathedral de Chartres, when we decided to have a little stop over at the Quick (fast food). It was already 3 in the afternoon and we still didn't have our lunch except for chips and drinks that we bought on our way.

Inside Quick, there is a place where kids can play. And as usual kids will be kids. As soon as they saw the play ground (I don't know what it is called), my son and my youngest daughter went in. Unluckily, there is a boy same age or a year older than my son who was also playing at that time. I think he thought that the place was only for him. As soon as my kids reached the second floor/level, that boy kicked my son on his tummy.

Though the kicked didn't threw my son on the floor, his instinct told him that he needs to protect his sister. (It's just what I thought because of his following actions). While I was screaming for them to just go down, my son placed his sister behind him and extended his palm towards the boy. Then he introduced himself to him, saying "Hi! I am Vance." (Of course, in French, he can't speak English and we're in  France so it's just normal).

The boy was taken aback, I think I saw him (the boy) thought about what to do for few seconds and then took my son's hand and shake it. Introducing himself as well. After that incident, the three of them played.

Sometimes as a mother, I am really amazed of discovering how my kids handle situations such as these. For if it happened to me, I would have done the reflex that I have when someone kick me. I will kick him back, big time!

I don't know what is on my son's head at that time. Why didn't he just kicked that boy and be done with it. As I know he can defend himself well. Why he choose a "diplomatic strategy," that do what other boy does. Plus he forgive and forget that he hurt him in the first place. Amazing! I'm not bragging, but simply amazed to discover a part of my kids every time I'm with them.

And I also saw how cool he was in handling the situation, when I was already in a little bit of panic because my thoughts are with my 2 years old daughter tagging along with his 6 years old brother. (And I also felt angry 'cause I saw that someone hurt my kid, which is totally normal for a mom like me)

Now, I really can see him growing old as a responsible person. And I know I will not be worried in protecting my daughters alone, for I know that I could count on him.

He's a cool guy!
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And here's the coolest part.

As we resume our way to the Cathedrale, I asked him why he didn't hurt the kid who kicked him. This is his explanation.

"Imagine, Mama, if I kicked him back, we'll get into a fight and Vanille (the name of his little sister) will be caught in the fight and might get hurt. So I didn't."

He is really a cool guy. And of course, his Papa is happy in saying, "like father like son." Oh! Pleasssseeee!!! Hahaha!

Time for my son

When opportunity presents itself, I always make it to a point that I'll grab it. It is not as often as I want but I guess it's better than nothing.

My son loves it when I go with him or with his class whenever they have their "petit sorti." An outing to the library, park or to the farm. But because I need to take care of his little sister, it is not possible all the time. Though he understands it, I know deep inside him,  he's wishing that I'll be there for him also.

So when opportunity came, I took it. I left my youngest daughter with his uncle and went with my son's class to a farm nearby. And it was one of the happiest day of my life, to see the joy on my son's face.

Birthday boy

Birthdays of my kids were normally spend with us. (Except my first daughter who had a luxury of celebrating her first birthday in a restaurant together with friends and families and some of her following birthdays are also spent with her friends at home or at  the park.) And that is a little bit unfair to our 6 years old son, for he never experienced things as such. So for his 6th birthday, we decided that we will do it. A simple birthday at home but with his friends. He was ecstatic. So here's preview of how we celebrated it.

 

(His birthday cake made by yours truly... ehemm... ehemm)

 

  (Friends and classmates)

 (Birthday song)

 (His gang)

 

(His best-friend)

The show must go on

As you see, my youngest daughter just got out of the hospital. I know that she's the priority after all that she have gone through. But then reality strikes, I still have the other two kids who may not be sick (thank God) yet also needs attention.

As you see, my eldest daughter plays classical guitar. And she'll be playing at the "Concert des guitars." She was also chosen to have a solo performance interpreting one of the music of a famous classical composer, Erik Michelie, "En chantant dans des vieux airs."

So as much as I want to stay with my youngest, I don't want to make my oldest feel that she's not as important as the other. I know my daughter well. She will understand if I asked not to go with her. But the point is that as a Mother, sometimes we need to make difficult decisions as if we need to cut our heart into two or more. But within these decisions, we grow and learn how to be a better person and a better mother as well. So I left my youngest with my husband and went to see my daughter. The show must go on.

(Note that this is just an excerpt for I only have 20 minutes of my battery time. Sorry, fault of just going out of the hospital.)

Miracle happens

This is to show our gratitude to all our families, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, friends of friends and people whom we've never met before. For all those people who took time to pray for our little daughter. In this modern time when not everyone believes in the power of prayer and the meaning of faith in the hearts of this generation is almost lost. We thank you.

(The written caption in this photo)

Last Saturday, the 23rd of March 2013, we thought that we're going to lose a child. It is not only our youngest who suffered, it is the whole family as well. We believe that doctors can help her, but we believed more in the one best thing that can cure her. It is God's healing hand. So we asked for prayers and many responded. Our Catholic family and friends offered one. Christian friends did too. Our Muslim friends prayed to Allah. Buddhist to Buddha. But the most heart warming prayers come from those who do not really believe, yet choose to offer one because our daughter is just as important to them. Friends of different religion and belief becomes one in purpose. My daughter is really fortunate because of this experience. The love flowed from you, enveloped us and help us go through it with faith in our hearts. We are indebted to all of you. Words are not enough to show you how grateful we are, yet we say it a million times anyway, "Thank You."

Praying for miracles

On the 23rd of March 2013, my daughter had a series of convulsions. Doctors says that it is due to fever. But the problem is that when she had her convulsions, she didn't have fever. Until now, I'm still trying to understand what happened to her. And wanted to look for answers, for reassurance that she'll be ok until she grows up. Right now, she's well. She's playing and doing things that she's been doing. But at the back of my head the question still remains, "Will it happen again?"

During those moments, I wrote things in my journal to ease all my emotions. Just to burst out what I was feeling inside on that particular moment when I thought that I was going to lose my daughter.
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MARCH 24, 2013 at  00h38. For my daughter Vanille

Normally, I can take anything without complaining. All the pain, I can deal with that. All problems, I can find solutions for those. All my anger, I can repress that. All my pride, I can swallow that. All of these I can take without saying a word nor tears in my eyes. 

The heart problems I had while you were growing in my womb. The labor pains that I had while having you. Even giving birth without any help from anesthesia nor any form of pain killers. I handled them with flying colors. I did all that.

BUT NOT THIS!

Not seeing you sick and lying in a hospital bed. Not while holding you while you're having a seizure. Not seeing you unconscious after each seizures. Not seeing you doing all those medical procedures with your frail body. Not all of these.

I CANNOT TAKE THIS!

My heart is breaking into shreds every time I see you go through all of these. I cannot take this!

You might see me as a hard shell, but with you suffering and sick, I crumble to pieces. Please, Vanille, not this.
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I prayed. We prayed as a family. I asked my friends and your papa's friends to pray for you. And through this I wanted to remember what I asked God for you.
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Lord, help me. Extend thy loving and healing hands to my daughter. Take any pains that she's feeling, any infections or any cause of her sickness. Lord, once, you've said, "Knock and the door will open unto you. Ask and you shall receive." Kneeling in front of you, Lord, I am knocking and I am asking take the sickness of my child. Heal her. Send thy angels to keep her safe and keep her from harm. For I know that You are not yet finish with her. She has yet to serve her purpose here on earth. Her mission, one day, is to serve you my Lord for your greater glory. I asked this in Jesus name. Amen

First haircut

As a Mom I wanted to always fill my memories with all the "firsts" in my kids life. First smile, first giggle, first step, first tooth, first word and extra long lists of "firsts."

So to remember the exact date of my youngest daughter's first haircut (which by the way was done by me), I want to post it here. It was on the 21st of February 2013, a Thursday.

NB: This is a delayed post. As you all know, all Moms, need to find time to do these things (such as blog writing).