Looking back at the Year 2011, and Gearing Up for Our Next Family Adventure!
[The sun sets everyday, but a new day filled with new hopes begins the next day. Photo was taken at Siloso Beach, via iphone]
…
I have been wanting to write this post for the longest time.
But each time I wanted to sit and pen down my thoughts, there seemed to be 1001 other things that I felt I needed to do.
Perhaps it’s my mind’s way of avoiding something.
This is one tough post to write. And I really don’t know how to start.
Umm. Okay.
Let me try. .
(I think it’ll be a rather long post. Hope you’re willing to sit and read for a while)
…
Some of you may know that my hubby has been traveling overseas for business, since the beginning of last year. He flies back to Singapore every weekend to be with us, and flies overseas again on Monday or Tuesday morning. It’s been like this, every week.
Last year was a tough year for our family, because we had to be away from each other so much.
Hubby and I struggled day in and day out, in our own areas of responsibilities.
In two different countries.
Last year was especially challenging because it was the year when I was pregnant and had a newborn baby Brie too. It was also the year when Anya entered Primary One.
The coaching, sending and picking up from school, managing our home and housework, handling the day to day activities, dealing with tantrums and attitudes, while being heavily pregnant and then caring for a small baby.
Frankly, now, when I look back, I can’t quite imagine how I managed to get through the whole of last year.
All I know, we did sail through it all. And hey, we did have fun too along the way! =)
…
Many did ask, ‘How did you do it?’.
Well, frankly though, there’s no straight answer.
I only know of these TWO things:
1. I know I would NOT be able to cope one single day with three kids and no helper / family support and my hubby being here only over the weekend, IF I were to depend on my own strength and capability. It’s a tough reality and I’m definitely not a super woman!
2. I know I sailed through only because of God’s grace, mercy and strength. Everyday, I humbly asked God to give me the needed strength, patience and endurance that’s enough for me to go through the day, and HE did give what I needed.
[Spending my days and growing up with Daddy? Yes please! Here is 3-year-old Vai hand in hand with Daddy at VivoCity, back in 2009]
…
It took us one whole year of praying and really seeking after God’s will. Do the kids and I stay here while Daddy continues to travel in and out of Singapore? Or perhaps, we should move and stay together as a family?
I guess, like most people, I personally prefer to stay in my comfort zone. I prefer familiarity. I’m settled here in Singapore. I’ve built my home, my family, friends and community here. From zero. I like things the way it is.
The question is: Is it all about me and what ‘I’ want?
Could there be wonderful and bigger plans ahead of us that we’re not yet aware of, waiting to unfold, when we ourselves are willing to ‘enter the unknown’?
…
We have recently come to a decision.
And, we have chosen to stay together as a family.
Yes, I’d like to stay put, but given the option, I much prefer to stick together, and face challenges TOGETHER. To be with each other in whichever country God wants us to be.
Anyway, my hubby and I also believe that God’s plans are always good for those who place their trust in Him. We also believe that if we ourselves are willing, God can use our family as a blessing too in our new place, new community, new surroundings.
(It won’t be easy for sure. And we know we’ll need to go through a whole lot of learning journeys ahead!)
…
PHEW.
There. I’ve finally managed to pen down our family’s big adventure!
[We shared with the kids our plans from day 1. Together with them, we prayed and asked for God to clearly show us what HE wanted us to do. When we finally decided to move, Anya drew this, the surrounding of her home in Jakarta]
…
So where is this city we’ll be heading out to next?
It’s JAKARTA!
Yep, the city where I was born and raised for over a decade.
And, errr … it’s been TWENTY TWO years since I last lived there, so ummm, yep, it’ll be an adventure alright, adjusting to life WITH THREE KIDDOS there this time round! =)
…
When are we leaving?
Eeeks, … in three-and-a-half weeks!!
(I’m still trying to get the idea to sink in my head that our little family will start a whole new adventure in a different country in less than a month!)
…
Am I sad? Am I excited?
I DEFINITELY am missing Singapore already!
I can’t help but feel sad about leaving Singapore!
Career, marriage, friendships, children, and millions of other memories were built right here in Singapore!
Thinking about leaving my home, my friends, my neighbourhood, and everything already makes my heart ache and feeling all emotional! SO, I’ve been trying to not think about it much all this while, and just face the fact when the day comes! I’m sure I’ll look like a wreck at the airport! *Arrrrgghhh*
On the other hand though, I am also excited about the new adventure our family will be having together in Jakarta! I know, it’s a HUGE move for us! Lots of adjustments too! Imagine ME, driving the 3 kids around in the jam-packed streets of Jakarta! And btw, the last time I drove a car was back in Australia, THIRTEEN years ago!
(Oh btw, there are also other big plans that I’ll be doing in Jakarta this year! Am super excited about those as well!)
Ah. It’s a weird mixture of feelings, really!!
[Anya’s drawing of our new home in Jakarta]
…
Anyway, I’ll sure keep on blogging away! Hope you’ll continue to follow our family’s big adventure in the city of Jakarta! =)
(Most welcome to follow my daily updates and add me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter!
And Jakarta oh Jakarta, … hope you’ll welcome our little family there! =)
*Okay, I think I need to get back to spring cleaning and packing our stuff. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!*
65 Comments »
Leave a comment!
wow, it is always a mild smile on my face after reading these type of stuff , after all I am away from my hometown and I always miss my family
jennifer recently posted..Most Useful Essential Oils & Their Uses
Yes, … been away from the big family too for more than 2 decades before returning …
good luck in jakarta..
Thank you =)
Leonny
Wow….im happy for you. Yes, family should stick together!!
kudos to you for juggling 3 kids on weekdays alone.
Welcome back to Jakarta…..i loveeeeeeeee jakarta (minus the traffic jam) all the best and good luck…you’ll love it there for the family, friends, food, malls :P, and you can have helper there, having fun( can drive up to puncak, bogor, bandung, etc)
keep in touch!!
Hi yd =)
Yes to yummy food and desserts… and hope we’ll adapt fine with the traffic jams=)
Will be blogging about how our lives are like there in Jakarta … Do stay in touch ya! =D
hi le…
it is indeed a shocking news for me..
i feel sad with you already-many things to be done in a very limited time
and yes, there will be many adjustments and challenges in Jkt..
but, there will be enough daily grace from God, just hold on to it
Hello Flora,
Yep, lots of things to be done. Clearing our home to ‘zero’ is definitely very very tough. They say, ‘just throw what you won’t bring’, but it’s not that easy. I guess it’s because I’ve been with the kids all the time, living in this very home too, watching them grow, … and throwing simple things like ‘handmade cards’, ‘scribbles that say ‘Love you, mommy!’, and paintings the kids made is not all that simple.
We know we can’t keep and bring them with us (I took photos of them), and to not feel too emotional about it, I tell myself that we’ll be making many more memories together, and this is just part of life, ie. We can’t bring things with us as we’re moving ahead. What’s more important is that we HAVE made those memories, and that the kids KNOW how much time and love we’ve showered to them all these years.
As for living in Jakarta … I’m just going to plunge and see how things go =)
There are exciting new projects I’ll be doing starting this year, and I look fwd to those.
With God’s grace, yes… I know we’re never alone, and nothing is impossible.
Thanks Flora for leaving me a note on this …
Take care ya … Hope to catch up with you sometime in Indo…
All the best to Yr new place.. It’s nt easy for a woman to handle 3 kids with no support regardless of how convient or small country.. Kids need attention,, adults need rest.. Looking forward to Yr updates 🙂
Hi Angela,
Thank you….
(and yes, we all do need ‘that’ rest =)
There was a few years that I had to juggle work and two young kids alone while hubby spent 75% of his time in overseas job. I can understand how tough it has been for you and how mothers can never fill in the role of daddies no matter how superwoman we are. Family togetherness is indeed important for the well-being of a healthy family. Do take care wherever you are and continue blogging. I am sure you have taken the right step in exchange for closer family bonding:)
Hi Denesa,
Thanks for the encouraging note.
You’re so right. Mothers can never fill the role of fathers. And this is one big reason why we decided on staying together. It’s the better choice for us, though it means leaving our home we love a lot here.
Stay in touch!
ooooh… soooo exciting…
will definitely miss meeting up each July/Aug… it’s something i look forward to when i go back for a visit…
but u r right… God has plans for you & your family & He will be with you always…
My thoughts are with you as you pack up your things…
Keep blogging… will keep reading…
Hi Sandra,
Yes … no more meeting up at food courts for us! =(
Anyway, .. it’s been nice to have known you through the blogging world … Must always stay in touch yeah … (and I’ll keep on blogging too from wherever I am =)
Take care …
hi Leony.. it’s me, nelly. i’ve visited your blog a couple weeks ago.. or maybe last month..
it’s a really really big decision you’ve made #thumpsup…
but don’t worry, it’s easier here… one thing you should dealing of, is a traffic jam.. ^^ with the stories you’ve share in your blog, i believe you will adapt quickly…
you have to cheer up.. so you can give your kids a strength too.. all the best for you, your kiddos, and your family..
keep blogging! love to see you photos, your stories..
Hi Nelly,
Yes… it’s a big jump out of our comfort zone. And yes, I’m mentally preparing myself for the massive daily traffic jams =) Definitely do not wish to complain about it daily when we’re there. ie. It’s part of the city, and we better learn to get used to it.
Personally I’m looking fwd to the many different things and projects that we’ll be doing there.
(Can’t help but feel sad when it’s time to really leave what we’ve already had here in Singapore though)
Oh Leonny, this is a difficult post to read. It feels like I’m losing a friend though we hadn’t met in person. I’ve been loving your blog since I was first introduced to it. Believe me, you ARE a super mom & wife too! Definitely is important to stay as a family. I’ld have done the same. God has been faithful and He’ll continue to be so. As your surroundings change, the only constant -GOD – is right here with you. Wish you and your beautiful family all the best for the big adventure.
Thanks for the encouraging comment left.
And yes, it definitely comforting to know that amongst all the changes, God never changes. And His promises and providence will always be there for us who put our trust in Him.
Stay in touch ….
All the best ya Le… and I will always read your blog 🙂
Keep in touch and God bless you and your family in Jakarta
Thanks Yul! =)
Le, wish you all the best in Jakarta. Enjoy your new journey 😀
Thanks Frida … =)
have a nice weekend there!
Singapore will miss your family. Strangely from reading your blog, feels that already know you. Will pray for you from Singapore and wherever you may be, when God’s with you, you know it will be GOOD.
Thank you Shirley!
I too am missing Singapore! It’s where we built our home, and it IS our home all these years …
Yes, with God, there’s nothing we should be worried about. Still learning to walk the faith everyday …
Oh, I’m missing you already! I will definitely continue to read and support your blog. You are such a supermom in my eyes!
Hi hi … thank you for the sweet message left … =) Thanks for reading up my blog too all this while …
Do stay in touch … =)
Welcome to Jakarta and I hope that you always still be a blessing in whichever you are placed 🙂
Thank you Helen!
Yep, look forward to starting out a new and fresh family life there in Jakarta! Stay in touch ya …
Reading your blog often lifts me up and encourages me though this is the first time i’m leaving a footprint. Hope your family has a great wonderful and blessed adventure in jakarta 🙂 God bless
Thank you Lyn for dropping me a note for the first time … Hope to hear from you again in future posts yeah =)
Thank you for the wishes too … =)
So your going to settle down in your home town , that’s great! Staying together as a family is important.. At the end of they day that’s what matters. I am glad I got to meet you during the mister maker show . Thanks for all the giveaways u organized. I will continue to read your blog. All the best for your future endeavors.
Yep, it’s great that we at least have met up that day at the Mister Maker show yeah! =) Do take care and thank you for the wishes =)
Good luck with your shifting progress.. 🙂
Thank you!
(I need that =)
Oh my Leon, we need to meet before you left. O don’t mind to visit you at your place.
Your place here will sell?
I am so happy for your decision. Remember Lilo & Stitch, there’s a word “Oohayo” means Family staying together.
Hi Sam!
Ya, hope there’s still time to meet … we’ll see and arrange later ya …
Yes, ‘family staying together’ … I think that’s best for us too…
Sure! Let me know will make effort to meet you:)
Brarti ntar pas gw ke sgp, lu uda pindah kah? gw ke sgp 31 maret.
that is it! ato ada rencana bakal move back ke sgp in the distant future?
anyway, apapun itu, i wish you all the best!!! it must be hard, leaving all behind to start from fresh. i shall see you in jkt then
meanwhile, take care!!!
Wah Sis, iya udah di Jakarta by then! Smg bisa ketemu di Jakarta dehyah!!
Belum tau ttg future plans gimana. Utk sekarang, kita jalanin apa yang ada di depan dulu deh, … di Jakarta terus, till it’s ‘time’ to move to another place, if God leads …
Thanks for the wish!
Rumah masih jauh dari ‘kosong’ nih =) Susahnyaaa clearing everything, belon lagi byk barang2 sentimental yang maunya di bawa tapi ‘ga bisa’ di bawa ….
Oh man! I feel like we just met in person and now we probably won’t be able to meet up so often during blogger events anymore!
Anyway keep us updated and I’ll definitely be following your blog =)
Hi Madeline,
Phew at least we managed to meet once all this while a few days ago yeah! =)
Must must stay in touch yeah …! =) Take care!
Interesting post, I am so glad that I have visited your site. Such a wonderful time reading this.
Thank you … =)
It’s a big step, all the best in Jakarta! Will miss catching up at the blogger events but will keep in touch through the blog ok!
Take care!!
Yaaa … a big step! And we’ll miss catching up with you guys too at blogger events!
Will follow how things are going with you all through the blog =) Can’t wait to see the little baby in the family too!! =)
Dear Leonny,
It’s always good for the family to be together & for the daddy to be with the kids as much as possible during their growing up years.
It will be another set of challenges raising up kids in Jakarta. God who is faithful to provide for you all these years, will continue to shower His grace, strength & wisdom upon you.
Jia you in your new adventure & continue to be a blessing wherever you go =)
Thank you Crystal!
And yes, it’ll be another set of challenges when we’re at a new place, but it’ll sure be good that the family stays together, with God as our Guide.
Wow.
That is amazing. And God is amazing. And *you* are amazing.
Sure enjoyed meeting you and the kids in person at the photography session you did for us, and want to wish you all the very best and may God’s hand of protection and blessing be always upon your family as you make this move to a new home and new adventures. 🙂
Hi Gwen!
Sure was nice meeting up with you guys .. and that was like, 3 years ago wasn’t it? See how time flies!!
Thanks for the prayer too … we sure need God’s mercy and guidance daily …
I understand how you feel. It’s a tough decision.
Love your nice photos and enjoy reading your blog.
Also looking forward to reading your post of embarking new journey in JAKARTA.
All the best to you and family.
Thanks for reading up all this while too, Yenny! =)
Oh Leonny Oh Leonny.. .. ..
All the best Leonny~
I will continue read your blog and thank you for
all the reply & advices & sharing..
Cheers with lots of Hugs and kisses ^^
Thanks Ying! =D
Leonny….looking forward to see you in Jakarta soon….*excited*
Will SEE YOU soon!! =D =D
I completely agree with staying together as a family, and all the best. Will miss your Singapore post, but also looking forward to see whats in Jakarta, it’s been 14 years since I left the place.
Oh wow … 14 years is a LONG time too! As for Jakarta, hehe … I think it’ll be an interesting adventure there for our little family … If I can’t update often here on my blog, I will most likely still do my daily updates on my facebook and twitter! =)
wow, all the best with the upcoming move. what a wrench, but exciting too. I look forward to reading about your adventures in Jakarta:)
ps. its amazing that you managed so well last year! i didn’t realise you were on your own!
Ya, last year was a tough one … Lots of learning journey for me!
Yes, let’s stay in touch yeah … I look fwd to sharing how things will go in our final few weeks here in SG and when we’ve relocated too! =)
Oh my! My heart sink.. when I read this post.. I’m definitely going to miss you and the kiddos!!! Please continue to update your blog regularly if you can.. cos I’m really an ardent fan of yours! I have received your email and read it a couple of time!! Really appreciate each and every of your most valuable advices and sharing.. I am really thankful to have known you.. Your email has actually placed a great influence on me.
To me, you are such a great mom and definitely a superwoman! I guess you must have gone through a series of careful tots before making this really tough decision. I sincerely wish you all the best in your homeland and may the kids stay HAPPY and HEALTHY always! Keep in close touch, Leonny! I wil definitely visit you if I have a chance to go Jakarta!
With lotz of Hugs and kisses
Kareen
Hi Kareen,
Glad to hear that you’ve received the email. Hope the final few weeks of your pregnancy goes real smoothly!
And yes, I’ll sure continue to blog here … Just that the posts will cover our everyday things happening in a further away land =)
stay in touch!
n u still manage to blog thru last year with 3 kids and no helper..amazing…
all the best in Jakarta!! hope you stil have SG giveaways 🙂
n will stil continue reading your blogs….
n i am sure its a bigger house in Jakarta unlike our apartments in Sg!!
I too hope we can still have Singapore giveaways =) Loveee sharing those cute little things through the blog! =)
We’ll support your blog wherever it is!! Good luck in Jakarta with the family!! =`)
Thank you =) And yes do stay in touch yeah! =)