Much needed grace

 Getting E to go back to school has not been easy. The first 2 mornings involved much tears and struggles. Just to get him out of bed and to school drains me of every ounce of energy. However, that's not the end. Getting home after school is when the real pain begins. Crying and wanting to be carried all the way up from the carpark to the home, and then to lunch. At 3.5 years old, i can't carry him like i used to. He would protest all the way - changing out to home clothes, taking a wee, washing his hands and sitting down to eat. It got particularly bad on tuesday- we had this crazy yelling match. It was the first day of my period, to top it all off. It went on for 20 mins and took 5 buttock smackers to conclude. Pure madness. When he finally recovered, I was angry, yet guilty and sorry at the same time. That clash of self-righteousness and unworthiness...

I started reading this book by Paul David Tripp on "Parenting: 14 gospel principles". I think it's an understatement to say that i need it. Anyhow, i found encouragement within the first few chapters to share. I do believe that God uses marriage and parenting to reveal our hearts to us. The challenges of the last 1 year have shown me that. The good news is that "If you read your Bible carefully, you will understand that God doesn't call able people to do important things. Abraham wasn't able. Moses wasn't able. Gideon wasn't able. David wasn't able." "It (the Bible) is the story of how God meets weak and failing people with His powerful grace." (Quotes taken from the book)

Thankful for His grace, for second chances, and that God would not have engaged in a yelling match like i did (even if i deserved worse than that)...

Goodbye summer...

M took last week off and we made a small trip to Zermatt (finally!!) and back to Lauterbrunnen. We had to make the best use of the last few weeks of summer!! We did short 1-2 hour hikes for 3 days consecutively. I can imagine why people never want to go home and how they just live for summers every year. Even though the sun is blazing hot, the mountain air and scenery is amazing. We were thankful too that E managed to walk most of the time. We just had to keep the chitchat going and pretend we were trains. 😆

We spent the last 2 nights in Lauterbrunnen, which we went already on the first trip. However, we rushed through then and missed the beauty of the waterfalls. This time, M booked a beautiful place with the balcony opening up to the view of the Stubbach falls. 😍 and i love the sounds of the funny cowbells tinkling as if we are in the Ricola commercial. 

The weather is turning cold and E just started school again yesterday. Time to work again!! Goodbye summer, we hope to see you again next year...

We're back!

 Time flies!! It's been a good home stay for us and celebrating my birthday. 😊 All the birthday treats i got from family and friends and being pampered. Really thank God for the opportunity to be home even for a short time. Managed to do most of the things i wanted to also despite having to take the Derm exam so late. We were due to return only on 9th August but we realised that the Swiss authorities decided to put SG up in their compulsory quarantine list from 8th August onwards. So when the announcement came out, we decided to cut short the stay and leave the next night. We got home on the 7th August. Phew!! 😌 The thought of another 10 days in the bedroom with E... NOOOO!!!

The last minute packing and rushing to get all the things i wanted to bring home was mad. However, seeing M nearly cry when he eat the ba-chang made it all worth it!