Sights...

A few days ago the boys and I heard a LOUD noise outside... 

All of a sudden we saw from behind the Reflections a huge helicopter carrying the Singapore flag. I was told by a friend that they are practicing for National Day which is coming up August 8-9 (Jackson's birthday weekend!). I am so excited to see all the events and festivities they will have around here! 

Another discovery we made this day was homemade granola bars! 

SOOO easy and delicious!  

No-Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Healthier and cheaper than the store bought kind!

yield: 10 BARS

 

prep time: 2 HOURS INCLUDING COOLING TIME

 

cook time: 5 MINUTES

 

total time: 2 HOURS 5 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup honey

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 cups quick cooking oats {not rolled oats!}

1 cup crispy rice cereal

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, stir oats and rice cereal together. Set aside. In a small pot, melt butter, honey and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble. Reduce the heat and cook 2 minutes. Pour in vanilla and stir. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour into lightly greased small jelly roll pan {about 12x8x1} and press out to be about 3/4 inch in thickness. {If your pan isn't small enough, pack the mixture into one side. You really want to press them down so they stick together.} Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and press down lightly. Cool on a countertop to room temperature for two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

Recipe Notes: If your granola bars don't seem to be staying together when you cut them, you may have not boiled the mixture long enough...you want it to make it just past the softball stage. OR you made them too thin or you didn't pack them in tight enough. Stick them in the fridge for 20 minutes and that should help keep them together. {Be sure not to keep them in there too long or else they'll become super hard!} The next time you make them, try boiling for an extra 15 seconds or so.

Adapted from a recipe from Rachael Ray.

In case anyone was wanting to try these... make sure to make them thick enough.. my only complaint. 

J-man LOVED them too! 

Mark Thomas Build a Bear....

 "Love one another."

John 13:34

Although oceans keep us from physically hugging and loving on our cousins/nephews in some of the most precious and important occasions of their lives, we tried to think of a way we could send a piece of us.  Before we left for Singapore "the boys," my sister in law and I's kids had started spending quite a bit of time together and then we left. Birthdays have always been big deals especially for our little guys. This year we missed out on our nephew's 3rd & 1st birthdays, SO thankful for facetime and WONDERFUL, thoughtful family who took the time to include us in the parties. It was hard not to long to be there. 

  A few years ago when one of our dear friends left to teach in Thailand she made Logan a Build a Bear that had her voice recorded on it (that we still have to this day) for him to hear her. Logan has seen this build a bear shop almost every time we go to Vivo City.

We loved that bear so much that we thought maybe our cousins would have a piece of us while were away. 

Logan went through all the steps in making it so special for his cousin. 

Jackson was a little shy to participate in all of it... 

Logan warming up the bear's heart... We named the bear Singapore (how original, I know)

Logan sending love via bears heart to Mark.

Bub helping Jackson send some lovin's on the heart too... 

Logan finished him by bathing him and dressing him in a scuba outfit... 

Our only wish was that they would have had a train conductor outfit.. but we know they love scuba diving as well! Plus, ocean is part of Singapore! 

We completed the bear with a voice message of Logan saying (more like yelling-- still cute). "Happy Birthday Mark, I love you!" 

We certainly enjoyed sending some love our cousins way! 

Happy Birthday Mark Thomas & Owen James! 

We sure LOVE you boys!! 

Thank you Lord for sweet relationships! We pray you would grow these boys together in friendship and that their hearts would be in tune to your command to "Love each other."  Even if it's oceans apart! May the time we get to spend together even face time be precious moments! 

Sweet Daddy Day

"He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy."

Job 8:21

On the weekends we have made it a priority to explore one new place as a family. 

We have always looked forward to the weekends (Daddy's home! :) but having Daddy home + exploring new parts of Singapore makes our weekends even more wonderful! 

This weekend we did some things that the boys and I had already done, but JD had not. 

Logan loved being able to tell Daddy each site we were getting ready to see and what to look forward to. 

We started out at Labrador Park and walked through the Historic landmarks of WWII. There were lookouts, gun posts, cannons, tunnels for hideouts and bronze soldiers. 

It's hard to tell here, but as we were walking up this gigantic hill these ants were marching down. Not just little ants... these guys were HUGE! 

Boys at the lookout. 

They used to have stairs that led down to the Labrador park, but they were closed off. 

You can also see Indonesia in the background with all the tankers in the South China Sea.

Handsome guys!

Below them at the top of the hill is a cafe. 

We will have to try that out another time. 

Favorite!

The boys enjoying the cool, breezy, morning air!

Next stop was Chinatown! 

The boys and I had previously gone with Emme & Papa when they were here, but JD had not explored it yet! It really is a neat place! 

We did not try this place, but it was named the best dessert place in Chinatown. 

What would Chinatown be without a little line dancing! ;) 

These dancers were serious about some line dancing... we would have gotten out there, but we didn't know half the songs they danced too! Plus we didn't bring out dancing sneakers and belt buckles! 

We did stop an eat at Chinatown Seafood Restaurant. 

We had sweet and sour pork with steamed rice... very good! 

The boys also go to see some HUGE crabs, fish, and lobsters while we ate. 

Daddy's favorite part they had soccer/futbol matches playing on the multiple tvs! ;) 

Thank you Lord for precious, priceless family time. May we never take it for granted and may we always be willing and ready to "GO" where you want us to be! 

Vacation Bible School 2013

When we first moved to Singapore we immediately started attending International Baptist Church. 

JD had come a few times before the boys and I got here and really made a connection and when we came we also made a connection. 

One of the first things I noticed when we attended the church was the sign for VBS next to the nursery. 

I was immediately drawn to it and inquired a little more about it seeing what age they let kids come and to see if they maybe needed help. 

When I inquired about it I met the Director of the VBS and she let me know they needed some Bible Teachers and a Storyteller. She asked if I would be interested in any of those and I said, "I am willing to serve anywhere." Little did I know how much those words were going to impact my life this week. 

The Director explained that they really needed another storyteller, I thought about it and I mean I tell stories to the boys all the time we LOVE books! 

So I signed up. 

Note to self: Ask more questions. 

Director about 2 weeks later asked if I was ready and I said sure and we started talking more in detail about what my exact role would be. I truly thought that I would be going to the classrooms or the kids would be coming to me in small groups where I would get to share God's Word with them and I was so excited. Then the facts came... this is what I heard #1 250-300 kids (at one time)... #2 Auditorium... #3 Microphone 

W.O.W.

In the past couple years the Lord has really stretched me in the leadership area and being able to speak to groups. 

I was terrified. 

As I began going to the VBS preparation days and getting the material I started understanding why God had me in this place. First being the VBS material was on 2 Timothy 1:7 (All my MOPS ladies, I had no idea this verse would impact my life as much as it has) "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (fearfulness), but one of power, love, and sound judgment."

It's all about FEAR and conquering that FEAR. 

As much as I pray I have been a blessing to these kids, these kids have already blessed me far and beyond!  These kids have BLOWN ME AWAY. This opportunity has blown me away. 

The first day was hard, didn't think I could do it still and then the Lord continued to bring people to encourage, kids faces to encourage, scripture to encourage, and faith to come back the next day. 

JD asked me when I got home how it went and I told him I am not meant for improv and I don't think the kids speak English because the looks on their faces were expressionless. I was defeated, I thought for sure the Lord brought me here and this is how it turns out.... Well...

Tomorrow is our last day of VBS here, since that first day I have gotten to talk with 8 children between the ages of 7-10 about the Lord. 5 out of those 8 accepted Christ. The other 3 either were so eager and had SO many questions but weren't sure or they were already saved and had questions and wanted to pray over them.  Listening to those kids give their hearts to Jesus, listening to their faith stories and getting to pray over them and the JOY written all across their faces. PRICELESS. We even were able to give some Bibles to take home that didn't have one and walk them through it. 

On Wednesday we presented the Gospel during story time and 18 children came to accept the Lord as their Savior. 87 children were interested in Baptism and we saw 24+ more children today. 

I do not have the #'s from today, but let me tell you the Lord is moving in this place. 

From that first day when fear and doubt filled me to today where I get up there look at those kids and the Lord leads it. I am changed because of it. 

Now... this does not mean I am becoming a public speaker or have any desire to do any public speaking. 

I have learned I do not have the gift of public speaking.  However, if the Lord shoves me into this position again I will stand strong and trust Him, but maybe he will stretch me in some other ways... :) Dare I say that... 

So I had to share a picture and video. The video is short, but shows how AWESOME this group is! 

Please pray for tomorrow. 

Please pray for the teachers, counselors, and children.

A number of these children have never been to church before, or do not go to church, or they came with a friend, or their parents work and it is an easy, safe, inexpensive way to have care for their child. I know the Lord specifically picked out each child here. 

Sidenote: The boys come with me to VBS everyday but they are in the nursery because of their age, but let me tell you they have LOVED it. Both the boys and I have developed some awesome relationships that I am so excited about it from this as well! The boys are so happy and excited and don't want to leave when I pick them up and that puts JOY in this Momma's heart! :) 

Much love!

Happy Mother's Day

My Mother's Day started out with a bus ride to church. 

Our boys are growing up so fast. 

They both know how to use a card to get on the bus, where to sit, and how to look for where to get off. 

Goodness. 

I will say for a 2 year old.. too much freedom on a bus. We have no volume control, no extremity control, no personal space. People love our entertainment. ;) 

This boy LOVES the bus though. Talk about a kid excited about a mode of transportation. 

My boys after church took me to CHILIS-- I ate 10x more than I should of, forgot to leave room for dessert-- BLAST! and enjoyed the company more than I could express. 

We watched baseball and enjoyed a wonderful family meal together! 

Topped off by the hubs letting me go lay by the pool in peace and quiet while the boys rested. 

Oh yes, I am one lucky lady! 

Made cookies with my big boy-- yes, I used a pot as a mixing bowl. I cheap people. I know my sea shipment is coming and I will not spend $10 on a little mixing bowl. 

This boy is such a helper! Thankful for his servant heart! 

My Mother's Day artwork from Logan in Sunday School! 

Beyond Blessed. 

Thank you Lord for giving me such a loving family. 

Haircuts, Ice Cream, & Shopping

Well, it was TIME. 

Jackson desperately needed a haircut so we went to the only place I found. 

Toys R Us. 

Yes, they do haircuts here..

He watched some Barney, had 2 suckers and we finally got a completed haircut! 

Of course $1 ice cream for the well behaved boy! 

and his brother! 

This is how we roll going grocery shopping. 

BTW this little step for the back--- BEST PURCHASE made in Singapore. By far. 

It detaches, can be hooked up where it's not on the ground if no one is riding it, and is plain awesome. Next best purchase the Mom Hook. 

Should have taken a picture of the side of my stroller. I had ALOT of groceries. All of them hooked on to the stroller by that. AWESOME. 

I have a greater appreciation for cars and Wal-Mart today. 

The new exercise... 

Wobble Wobble. 

Should have videoed this one.... 

Logan trying to figure out how it works, J is laughing and Daddy this it's to perfect his dance moves ;) 

My cup over floweth.