patched-up: The Mother of All Updates

Ok, so by far, since the very first post I made in 2006, this has been the longest stretch I have gone with no posts.. looking back it's been a good year since I last posted anything. 1 year and then some..

Honestly I have no idea how to update anything at all. There's just been too many things happening this past year, where do I start? Haha..

Ok, so let's try.

In the biggest news by far, I now officially have a new squeaky toy.. =)

Meet Brandon.. my new squeaky toy.

Brandon; meaning Prince or Brave.

It has been a long, long journey and as of 01 March 2014, Brandon took his first breath and is now officially a new member of our family. =) From the very first time we saw him at the gynae's, all the way up till the time we found out it'd be a boy, right through to the moment we heard his first cry, the journey is simply nothing short of fantastic.

Yes, I can already hear everyone telling me that the worst is only yet to come with the sleepless nights to follow and the feisty teenage boy to handle and all that.. heck, I was one myself.. but for now, I'll just bask in this joy and the fact that I'm now officially a dad. =)

Above: The little pea shape size with, surprisingly, a heartbeat that tells us that we're gonna be parents..

Centre: The little pea growing not-so-little anymore..

Below: The little pea slowly forming his little features..

Above: 19 September 2013, the day we found out our little pea was gonna be our little prince..

Below: Yes, I know, I'm still trying to find the resemblance with the squeaky toy above.

The most beautiful woman in the world just became a mum..

The little fella's having a borderline jaundice case, so he's currently catching a tan in his very own tanning studio now.. I guess that's good, cos it gives both mummy and daddy (woot!) some time to rest and settle down before bringing him home..

Dear Brandon, daddy prays that you will grow up to be strong, healthy and wise. May you walk closely with God and lean on Him at all times to provide you for everything that you will need. This world is a nasty place, but we're in it to make a difference and however small it may feel to you, you will make that difference too.. remember that in your darkest times, you are never alone in this world and you can always call on God to be there for you. Also, in your happiest moments, never neglect those around you, cherish your friends and in everything, give thanks. I pray that the Lord watch over you every step of the way as you grow up and that you'll be the man that God wants you to be. Be safe and healthy.. daddy looks forward to bringing u fishing and hiking and hearing of all your wonderful little stories =)

In a quick newsflash, it has been a busy 2 weeks leading up to the arrival of brandon.. I am thankful that the countless, nightly chants to him to come out only on 1st march paid off (yes, it actually worked.. u'd be surprised, ha).. major exercise over and shooting competition over.

It's actually the first time that I have participated in a major shooting competition, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity to have done so.. furthermore, it only gets sweeter when u don't come home empty handed.. we swept every possible award for the pistol event and won the overalls for the other disciplines.. leading up to the overall champion of the shooting meet =)

double-happiness..Match 1 and Top 5.

Ok, THAT took a while..

In other news, it has been 3 months since I left the company.. or rather, since the company left me. I still recall it rather vividly as I embarked on this new journey in late 2012.. I can't say that it was a smooth sailing journey, I definitely will not say that if I had the choice I'd do it all over again.. I'd just say that looking back at what I posted, God has His own timing and His own will. At that time, everything seemed ridiculous and out-of-control (as with most things when they follow His will rather than your will), but at the end of the day, I'm thankful for the journey and it has taught me much. Over and above personal/professional grooming, I have also made friends there that I believe will last me a lifetime..

I have also checked so many items off my bucket list with this tour. I recognize that had I not embark on this journey, these things would never have been possible.. from milestone overseas exercises, involvement in our nation's birthday and even performing well for the courses I attended.. these were really gifts that I did not deserve but that were graciously bestowed upon..

Moments just before the big day, and the big day itself..

Cherished friends made overseas and memories that will last a lifetime.. I am thankful for the experience that I have had and the many lessons I have learnt from it.

Thank You for seeing me through one of the most testing periods of my career thus far.. indeed, You are good and You have been there every step of the way as I made that struggle to be who You wanted me to be.. even at times when I felt alone, You were always there.

Thank You for sending me angels to remind me that things weren't that crazy when I felt I was spiraling out of control and for sending me companions that understood me through and through.. I acknowledge that it was purely by Your strength, wisdom and grace that I was able to accomplish what I did, without which, I would be nothing. I guess I probably wasn't the best person for the job, but I thank You for giving me this opportunity to be used by You in such an extent and I am truly grateful for the chance to have served You in this manner.. I pray that You will continue to use me as a willing vessel to achieve the many great things that You have planned, and I only ask that You watch over my family, just as You have watched over me.

and finally, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to mention about the trip back to perth.. it seems like a routine.. an annual rite that we have to do, else we'd feel misplaced.. this time, we went with 3 others.. the bestest crew in the world.. a fuzzy and his fuzzette, a smurf and his smurfette and a worm take a trip to find father penguin, mama penguin and little penguin.. =) I'm a little lazy to put this up as a post all by itself like the whole series on "The Twip" (read about it here: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI and Part VII).. I really think that was just youthful energy and a whole load of time to spare.. but for now, I'm just gonna rest with these.. enjoy =)