Daniel,7 asked his brother, 14 " Are you a boy? Or are you a man?"
The world of confusion does not lie just in the mind of my teenager. Even my seven year old is puzzled and cannot quite figure how to place his brother in his mind!
It is important as parents of teens to realise though the physical body seems to develop overnight,
other aspects are still maturing! Sometimes it seemed difficult to extend grace because I think 'you are so big already, you should know better...' Next time I am caught in this type of situation again, I will recall Daniel's funny question.

My son (7), was touched by the story his Sunday school teacher shared about Good Friday.
" Mummy, do you know it was really painful when Jesus was nailed on the cross?" he exclaimed.
"Yes."
" Why did He want to do that when it was so painful?" he continued.
It was a teachable moment to emphasize that's just how much He loves us. And Daniel was quick to add that He died on the cross to pay for our sins.
I am happy that he had reached yet another level of appreciation of what God had done for us. Somehow knowing that he died for our sins did not impact him as much as realising that He suffered much in that process... Our conversation had brought me to a refreshing appreciation of His suffering love for me!

I was working on a comment card for an event and discussing the phrasing with my husband.
"I would like to know how to grow in my faith".
Daniel butted in and say,"Aiyah, just read your bible lor..."
I am glad he knows that!

After bathing, Daniel was getting dressed in the bedroom while I was brushing my teeth in the bathroom. He wanted his glasses which was left on the sink. I wanted him to wait outside the bathroom and I can pass the glasses to him. But he stepped right in. I explained that I did not want him to dirty the doormat and he should have just waited for me to pass it to him. He looked at me and say,' but mummy, isn't this mat suppose to take the dirt from my feet?'
I lost again!

I was chatting with Daniel about what he would be getting for his brother on his birthday. He said he had no money to buy anything.I reminded him that he had been saving 20 cents everyday since Term 1 and should have close to $10. He turned around and tell me," Mummy, that is for saving, not for spending!" .
I am astounded! He is better at money management than me!

My youngest is twelve years apart from my eldest, but they have a special bond between them!
Daniel went up to Jayne and wish her all the best for April.Jayne was puzzled and asked why. Somehow Daniel remembered that she will be teaching the K2 Sunday School class in April. We are amazed at his thoughtfulness and excellent memory. Jayne is so touched by his kindness!
Right now we are still praying about her application to NUS. There are so many options, it is difficult to choose. Pray that we will be sensitive to God's leading in her life!

JoyAnn loves anything purple! She is our family's best trained musician; oboe n piano. She did well for her 'O' level and is in a JC of her choice. We are very proud of her. She is very diligent in her work and very compassionate about the needs of people around her. Since young, her primary school teachers had been telling us that she is very special. All the kids would rush up the bus when they were going for some excursion, but she would let others go up first. Her kind character was acknowledged when she was awarded the Singa Award both in Primary and Secondary School .

She was upset with me for getting some pokemon balls for Daniel. She felt that I had double standard. When they were young, I did not allow them to watch pokemon. I search myself to see if I had 'backslided'! My conclusion is that when I stopped my kids from watching, it was out of love for them. When I bought the toy for Daniel, it is also out of love for him. Maintaining uniformity in my expressions of love just cannot be the measure. Honestly, this is from my heart!

My soon-to-be 14 son! Very interested in aeroplanes. He can even update daddy about the different planes used by different countries and all sorts of technical terms associated with planes that I had never heard of!?! Nice to see him develop a passion for something. Hopefully this will help him focus on what he needs to work on in his studies so that he can pursue his passion and dream!