Mommy Moments # - Doctor Am I Sick?

I'm excited to be here again. Mommy Moments post is something that I long every Friday. Though my kids are quite big now but I missed the time when they were cutie babies.

When we were in the Phil. last year - we went to the clinic for vaccines. Our family doctor told us to have it in preparation for our trip back to Thailand. Everytime AJ saw the syringe he will immediately cry and make a lot of noise. He had a phobia on syringe because he had experienced heplock when he was a day old.

When I gave birth to AJ, I was chilling with high fever - I was in the delivery room for 36 hours and I was induced twice. That's why AJ came out feverish and yellowish. So when he was only few days old, everytime he saw a lady coming wearing white attire (who is the nurse) to inject him, he would immediately cry. But he was able to survive

Anyway, it's a part of his memory and our history as a family. God has been good and faithful and AJ grew stronger and bigger each day. He loves to eat! hehehe!

I don't have any picture to share when he was in the clinic or hospital but I will just share this one.

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English Camp in Nakhon

We started our English Camp last Monday and we had students in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening.

In the morning, the students were in primary and elementary levels while in the afternoon were all high school students. And in the evening, higher level. At first, it's quite hard for us to teach because the students are not used to speak and understand the language but we had fun teaching them. They are really eager to learn and speak.

We taught them some crafts, action songs, acting, and some games. It's only a 5-day camp and we have a little time to prepare for our graduation. But we were able to practice them and tomorrow will be our last and final day. We invited the parents and we want them to know the love of Jesus in a special way.

I will share it with you the day after tomorrow of what will happen on our graduation day.

This is one of their crafts. They made a butterfly out of a paper with different designs and colors.

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Nakhon Province

Last Sunday, we were on our way to Nakhon Si Thammarat Province to do another English Camp. It's a long, long way for me because it took more than 3 hours of travel by car and more than 4 hours by train. We went by car, so I was able to take some pictures on the way. It was located in the moutainside where malls could not be found. However, I was amused by the place because I saw a lot of markets and stores. People are fond of making money even in the mountain regions. Small stores are everywhere and people are busy buying some small things. It's quite a small place and living a simple life. I was also amazed because stores are closed at 5pm. And everybody is preparing to go home around 4:30pm. A very quite place. I think policemen had no work, they just look at the people and smile!

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The Music in Me

Last week we met some friends and we were together for a couple of days. They stayed with us and our kids really had some good times with their kids. Then we decided to go to another place because it's summer time and Hatyai is very hot during those days. We went to a cooler place known as Suansat. It's a garden park with lots of trees and a small lake. Our friend had a baby and everytime he saw me he wanted to come especially when he's about to sleep. I usually sing lullaby to the baby and everytime he's with me, I will sing and slowly he will go to sleep. But before he sleeps, he would look at me as if he wants to say something, then he will sleep. That's what I do to my kids when they were small to make them feel asleep. Sometimes, I will compose a song especially for them. And everytime they hear the song, they will gradually fall asleep. I love to sing especially during weddings, birthdays or any occasions that I can be of help in the singing. Sometimes I will volunteer or sometimes though my friends would ask me to sing for them. What a privilege for me to share in my own special way, the love of God through singing. I love it and enjoy doing it!

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Thankful Thursday # 9

Thankful Thursday again and I was pondering on what to share and to Thank God for this week because I have a lot to share. When I opened Laurie's site, I'm glad I've found the answer. Today's theme is about courage.

I remember Joshua when he told the Isrealites in Joshua 1:9 ...."Be Strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go". We always claim this promise since we came here in Thailand to be a blessing to the lost.

I'm not that brave to share about Jesus before but when we came here everything was just smooth and keeps on coming out of my mouth of who our God is.

For a couple of months, we had been doing English Camps from one place to another and I am thankful for:

1. The courage and the strength that HE gave us. We were able to share on our own way how great the love of God to mankind. Telling our students about HIS love to them and to all of us.

2. My sweetie was able to share Jesus' love to his teenage students and they were intently listening and agreeing to what he was sharing.

3. Sharing His love needs courage but when you overcome it, the enemy will loose and Jesus will be glorified.

Please visit Laurie for more Thankful Thursday posts. You will be blessed by just reading. Blessings to all!

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Moringa - the Miracle Plant # 5

This is the continuation of my internet surfing on the Miracle Plant- Malunggay ( Moringa). The Culinary uses below:

Culinary Uses

The fruit of the tree is quite popular as a vegetable in Asia and Africa. The fruit is a long, thin pod, resembling a drum stick. The fruit itself is called drumstick in India and elsewhere. Moringa leaves are also eaten as a leaf vegetable, particularly in the Philippines and Africa.

India The moringa pod is known as drumstick or saragwa or saragwe in India. In South India, it is used to prepare a variety of sambar and is also fried. It is also preserved by canning and exported worldwide. In other parts of India, especially West Bengal and also in a neighboring country like Bangladesh it is enjoyed very much. It can be made into varieties of curry by mixing with coconut, poppy seeds and mustard. It can just be boiled, until the drumsticks are semi-soft and consumed directly without any extra processing or cooking. It is used in curries, sambars, kormas, and dals, although it is also used to add flavor to cutlets, etc.

Tender drumstick leaves, finely chopped, make an excellent garnish for any vegetable dishes, dals, sambars, salads, etc. One can use the same in place of or with coriander, as these leaves have high medicinal value. If the pulp has to be scraped out after cooking the sticks, then keep the pieces as long as 4-5 inches long. Also do not scrape the skin before boiling. This will help to hold and scrape them more easily and with less mess. For drumstick sambar follow recipe for traditional sambar, adding boiled drumstick fingers, along with onions in the oil, while stir frying. Scraped drumstick pulp can be made into drumstick bhurtha, more or less like the baingan bhurtha after the pulp has been obtained. It is a wonderfully unusual and tasty dish. The recipe is identical to that of baingan bhurtha.

Drumstick dal, is also a very tasty version of the traditional 'toor dal'. Add some of the pulp to the boiled dal, and hand beat it along with the dal before seasoning. This will give an unusual, novel flavor to this dal. In another variation you may add pieces of boiled drumstick including the water in which it was boiled, to the traditional toor dal while it is simmering. The pieces are delightful to chew on with the dal & rice. In addition to being known as Drumstick Dal, the South Indian version which is a spiced lentil soup is more popular by the name - sambar or sambhar. Sambar is usually cooked with toor dal, drumsticks and other locally grown vegetables. The spices used typically in this stew are turmeric, chili powder and cumin among others. It is eaten with rice just like the Drumstick dal.

I think it's quite interesting and it's easy to plant and cultivate. Posts are still coming...

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The Love of Art Inside Him

This is AJ, my 6-year old son leaning on the table while painting his model. He loves to paint, write or draw something. One time, during the children's day celebration, he went with his Papa in the University and had joined the painting activity. He had received school supplies and other toys. When they went home, he immediately told me about the activity he had joined. He really enjoyed being a part of any activity in our place. He's matured at his age and many people would think that he's already 8 or 10yrs old. He also loves to eat and enjoys being with others and play with them.

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Moringa - the Miracle Plant # 4

I did another internet surfing about cultivation and on how to plant the seeds of this Miracle Plant that I was talking about. I really love searching because I really missed this kind of green leafy vegetable since we came here in Thailand. Here's what I've found: THE CULTIVATION In the Philippines, the plant is propagated by planting limb cuttings 1–2 m long, from June to August, preferably. The plant starts bearing pods 6–8 months after planting but regular bearing commences after the second year. The tree bears for several years. It does not tolerate freezes or frost. It can also be propagated by seed. As with all plants, optimum cultivation depends on producing the right environment for the plant to thrive. Moringa is a sun and heat loving plant. As a seedling, however, you must monitor the environment in the beginning until the tree is established. Seeds can be germinated year round. Soil Moringa needs well draining soil. Increase the drainage of your soil by adding perlite or other porous substance. Planting seeds Plant an inch from the surface of the soil, cover and tamp gently. India is the largest producer of moringa with an annual production of 1.1 to 1.3 million tonnes of tender fruits from an area of 380 km². Among the states, Andhra Pradesh leads in both area and production (156.65 km²) followed by Karnataka (102.8 km²) and Tamil Nadu (74.08 km²). In other states, it occupies an area of 46.13 km². Tamil Nadu is the pioneering state insomuch as it has varied genotypes from diversified geographical areas, as well as introductions from Sri Lanka. – [3] Moringa is common in India, where its triangular, ribbed pods with winged seeds are used as a vegetable crop. It is particularly suitable for dry regions. The drumstick can be grown using rainwater without expensive irrigation techniques. The yield is good even if the water supply is not. The tree can be even grown on land covered with 10-90 cm of mud. Moringa is grown in home gardens and as living fences in Thailand, where it is commonly sold in local markets. [4] In the Philippines, moringa is commonly grown for its leaves, which are used in soup. [5] The leaves (called dahon ng malunggay in Tagalog or dahon sa kamunggay in Cebuano) are commonly sold in local markets. Moringa is also actively cultivated by the AVRDC in Taiwan. The AVRDC is "the principal international center for vegetable research and development in the world. Its mission is to reduce poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through improved production and consumption of vegetables." Interesting? More posts coming...

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Watery Wednesday # 2

This is the second post for my Watery Wednesday. Joining some memes are fun especially this post. This photo was taken in Suan Siam Park in Bangkok. Hope you will have fun too.

More Watery Wednesday fascinating photos - you can visit here.

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Malunggay (Moringa) the Miracle Plant # 3 -Aid for Malnutrition

This is my 3rd post in my search for Malunggay(Phil.) or Moringa (English), a miracle plant. This post talks about "Malnutrition." You can check here for more info...

Here's another info I've got:

MALNUTRITION

Moringa trees have been used to combat malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers. Three non-governmental organizations in particular—Trees for Life, Church World Service and Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization—have advocated Moringa as “natural nutrition for the tropics.” Leaves can be eaten fresh, cooked, or stored as dried powder for many months without refrigeration, and reportedly without loss of nutritional value. Moringa is especially promising as a food source in the tropics because the tree is in full leaf at the end of the dry season when other foods are typically scarce. (Jed W. Fahey, 2005)

A large number of reports on the nutritional qualities of Moringa now exist in both the scientific and the popular literature. Moringa leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas,” and that the protein quality of Moringa leaves rivals that of milk and eggs. The oral histories recorded by Lowell Fuglie in Senegal and throughout West Africa, who reports countless instances of lifesaving nutritional rescue that are attributed to Moringa (Fuglie, L.J., 1999, 2000). In fact, the nutritional properties of Moringa are now so well known that there seems to be little doubt of the substantial health benefit to be realized by consumption of Moringa leaf powder in situations where starvation is imminent.

Nonetheless, the outcomes of well controlled and well documented clinical studies are still clearly of great value. (Jed W. Fahey, 2005) In many cultures throughout the tropics, differentiation between food and medicinal uses of plants (e.g. bark, fruit, leaves, nuts, seeds, tubers, roots, flowers), is very difficult since plant uses span both categories and this is deeply ingrained in the traditions and the fabric of the community (Lockett et al., 2000). ”

I agree with this statements above that it can combat malnutrition because I had been a nursing mom before and I love to eat this miracle plant while feeding my babies and it has been proven to have healthy babies and moms as well.

Another post coming...

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Scenic Sunday # 2

I'm blessed with friends and one of them gave me this picture from the border of Thailand and Mayanmar. Thanks for friends everywhere.

Please visit this site for more Scenic Sunday photos.

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The Malunggay Adventure

Can you imagine this friend of mine doing all possible things just to get this miracle plant?

Last week when we were in Bangkok we saw some trees of malunggay - (this miracle plant I was sharing in my latest posts) near the church. We had asked permission to some of our friends there if we could get some leaves because we badly missed it, and they agreed.

So in the evening, after the service, my friend and I decided to come down and get some leaves for us to cook the next day. She was really decided to do all the possibilities just to get some.

Look, she was able to get some leaves and took some drumstick for us to plant. We really missed eating this kind of miracle plant. I remember, when we were still in the Phil., everytime we were sick or not feeling well, I will just buy or get some leaves of malunggay from our backyard and cook with fish and a soup. Then I will be okay the next few hours.

Similarly, in the mountains, my friends would tell me about it. That when they felt tired or not feeling well, they will just cook some malunggay leaves with other vegetables or with fish (if available) and ate it. Then a little while they will be okay. That's the miracle plant - malunggay - the green leafy vegetable. Rich in protein, potassium, vitamin C, iron and a significant source of beta - carotene.

When this old lady saw us getting some leaves, she talked to us in Thai language and told us that she heard this kind of plant in the radio that could heal many diseases and she asked if we could share some leaves to cook and drumstick to plant. And we agreed, we shared to her some leaves and small sticks to plant. She was so happy that she has something to eat and to plant. And we're all happy going home with something that we missed a lot!

By the way I was the one taking pictures so you could not see me here, hehe!

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Moringa Oleifera - Scientific name of Malunggay # 2

I did a google search a while ago and I found the scintific name of malunggay- the miracle plant. It's scientific name is known as Moringa Oleifera - here's the result of my google search.

Moringa oleifera, commonly referred to simply as Moringa (Tamil murungai ), (Kannada Nuggekai) (Mulakkaya in Telugu), (Marathi Shevaga), (Malunggay in Tagalog) is the most widely cultivated variety of the genus Moringa. It is of the family Moringaceae. It is an exceptionally nutritious vegetable tree with a variety of potential uses. The tree itself is rather slender with drooping branches that grows to approximately 10 m in height; however, it normally is cut back annually to one meter or less, and allowed to regrow, so that pods and leaves remain within arm's reach.

The Moringa tree grows mainly in semi-arid tropical and subtropical areas, corresponding in the United States to USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10. While it grows best in dry sandy soil, it tolerates poor soil, including coastal areas. It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree that is native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas, and possibly Africa and the Middle East[1]. Today it is widely cultivated in Africa, Central and South America, Sri Lanka, India, Mexico, Malaysia and the Philippines. Considered one of the world’s most useful trees, as almost every part of the Moringa tree can be used for food, or has some other beneficial property. In the tropics it is used as forage for livestock. And in many countries, Moringa is used as a micronutrient powder to treat indigenous diseases.

A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known vegetable has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.[2] The immature green pods, called “drumsticks” are probably the most valued and widely used part of the tree. They are commonly consumed in India, and are generally prepared in a similar fashion to green beans and have a slight asparagus taste. The seeds are sometimes removed from more mature pods and eaten like peas or roasted like nuts. The flowers are edible when cooked, and are said to taste like mushrooms. The roots are shredded and used as a condiment in the same way as horseradish, however it contains the alkaloid spirochin, a potentially fatal nerve paralyzing agent, so such practices should be strongly discouraged.[citation needed] Leaf in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The leaves are highly nutritious, being a significant source of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, protein, iron and potassium. The leaves are cooked and used like spinach. In addition to being used fresh as a substitute for spinach, its leaves are commonly dried and crushed into a powder, and used in soups and sauces. Murungakai as it is locally known in Tamil Nadu and Kerala is used in Siddha medicine. Its leaves are full of medicinal properties. The tree is a good source for calcium and phosphorus. In Siddha medicine, the drumstick seeds are used as a sexual virility drug for treating erectile dysfunction in men and also in women for prolonging sexual activity. Trunk in Kolkata, West Bengal, India The Moringa seeds yield 38–40% edible oil (called ben oil, from the high concentration of behenic acid contained in the oil). The refined oil is clear, odorless, and resists rancidity at least as well as any other botanical oil. The seed cake remaining after oil extraction may be used as a fertilizer or as a flocculent to purify water. The bark, sap, roots, leaves, seeds, oil and flowers are used in traditional medicine in several countries. In Jamaica, the sap is used for a blue dye. The flowers are also cooked and relished as a delicacy in West Bengal and Bangladesh, especially during early spring. There it is called sojne ful and is usually cooked with green peas and potato.

More posts coming about this miracle plant.

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Malunggay- the Miracle Plant - # 1

Malunggay is a leafy green vegetable that we love to eat in the Phil. It tastes good for me, but tastes bitter to others. It's a kind of vegetable that has a lot of nutrients and recently it was discovered that it can heal a lot of diseases.

When we first came to Thailand, we missed that kind of vegetable because it's not common to them nor can be found anywhere.

Few years ago, my friend came to Thailand and attended a seminar, and she told me that they specifically had a seminar on a Miracle Plant - she didn't know the plant at first because it was known for its scientific name. And when she saw the picture, she was shocked when it was our malunggay in the Phil. Just imagine coming to another country just to attend a seminar on the leafy vegetable that we commonly ate in the Phil. She laughed when she shared it to me.

Similarly, we could hardly find this kind of plant in Thailand unless Filipinos brought it here for their family consumption. People living in the mountains loved this kind of green leafy vegetable (malunggay) in our place and no question about it because they are healthy and strong. I presume people in the Phil. had one or more malunggay trees planted around their house. Every one has one for family consumption and others sold it if there were a lot of malunggay planted with many leaves.

I will make a post again after I do the google search.

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Friends Visit

Yesterday, our friends came and visited us and stayed in our house last night. It's a gathering of couples. We were sharing some experiences we have had with joys and laughters. Our kids loved and they're happy to have friends around. So my 6-year old had a lot of fun with their children. It's his happy time. Today, the families decided to go out for a picnic because it's too hot in our place these days. So in a few minutes we will be going out with them. So I will off for now and prepare. I'll be back in the evening.

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Mommy Moments # 5 - Daddy's Time

Mommy Moments is something that I treasured because it's family time. We, parents would like to give special things to our kids like: precious moments, our attention, our love and care. Our children need all of these. Today's Mommy Moments is for Daddy or Papa for our kids. Thank you Chris for hosting this Mommy Moments meme.

This is AJ when he was 3 years old with his Papa.

My eldest son Em-em when he was 11.

For more Mommy Moments photos please visit here .

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Thankful Thursday # 8

Our Father has been faithful and true to all His promises. This week I am thankful of so many things. We just arrived from Bangkok and we travelled for 16 hrs by train. I still felt dizzy but I don't want to miss this opportunity to thank God for His blessings. I'm thankful for:

1. HIS PROVISION - we stayed in Bangkok, Thailand for more than a week (it's 9hrs by bus and

16hrs by train from our place.)

- He provided a place for us to stay

- I'm thankful that though we just met that friend in Bangkok recently but she allowed us to

stay in her house ( blessings be upon her)

- for God's provision ( we never lack anything)

2. HIS PROTECTION - we were just new to Bangkok, it's our 2nd time to go there

- I'm thankful for His protection as we go back and forth to the place

- we were lost for a while in going to the Phil. Embassy in Bangkok but we're able to manage

and the Lord protected us and led us the way

3. HIS BLESSINGS & GUIDANCE - we attended a retreat and we're refreshed

- I'm also thankful that we were able to renew our passport (as a family) in Bangkok

- for the blessings of friends that we met there

4. HIS LOVE to all mankind - His love endures forever!

I'm always thankful for this THANKFUL THURSDAY meme.

More thankful Thursday posts with Laurie

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Watery Wednesday 1

My Watery Wednesday photo. I just joined today and glad to be a part of this.

I took this picture at Songkhla Beach, Thailand. My sons with their friend.

More Watery Wednesday here

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My New Look

This new look was taken when all the private schools and centers here in Songkhla Province had Open House Promotion. All private schools and universities came to join this activity.

I came on the second day because I was free and I saw ladies doing beauty thing for all the ladies who were coming and visiting the area. They were doing some kind of promotions for their schools. After few hours viewing at them, one lady asked me if I wanted to beautify myself. I was encouraged and I told her I wanted a new look on my hair.

I asked her, Tawray? Which means "how much," then she said, "mai pheng" which means "not expensive". I was shocked when she said, it's only 20 baht (it's more or less .57$ US). It was so cheap and it's worth it! Then I immediately came to the lady. After 15 minutes, this was the result.

But it only lasted for 1 day. Anyway, I had the clue of what do I look sometime later when I wanted to change my image.

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My Favorite Scenes

I took this scene when we were inside the Bangkok Sky Train in Bangkok, Thailand.

My friend smiling and taking a pose near Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok, Thailand.

Taking a pose near the house we are staying in Bangkok, Thailand.

Near Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok, Thailand.

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A Day of Rest

Sunday is a special day for us. We usually visit and attend a worship gathering. But yesterday, we decided to stay and had our rest from roaming around Bangkok. It was a day of rest for us. After breakfast, we desired to hold a worshipful activity in the center where we were staying. We had our own worship experience with the Lord. We sang some songs, prayed, and listened to the Word shared by my hubby. In the afternoon, my friend and I decided to go out for a walk outside the house and took some pictures, bought something to eat and stayed until 7 pm.

My sweetie took this picture while riding the sky train in Bangkok. Wanna come?

I was just contemplating ....

My friend desperately waiting for her destiny..... lol!

When we went back home, my hubby told us that the owner of the house told him that we will go out and eat outside. I refuse because I ate some vegetables already but we went anyway. She brought us to the "Eat all you can" restaurant near the house. My diet was disturbed again, lol! Anyway, we ate until 9:30 pm.

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Scenic Sunday 1

This is my first time to join this Scenic Sunday using this blog. Thank you Scenic Sunday for this opportunity to be a part.

More Scenic Sunday here.

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Yummy Sunday # 7

This is an ice cream from Suan Siam City in Bangkok. We ordered from one of the stores inside the park. It's so yummy. After eating, my friend said, her cough was healed after eating this ice cream. Wanna bet? Agree or disagree? Anyway, we had tried it and it's very delicious and yummy! More yummy photos with Janet.

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A Friend is a Treasure

We are blessed with friends anywhere. We were quite busy these few days attending in a retreat and having some fun in a huge park in Bangkok. We also went to different places just this week. And we are thankful that we saw different places with enjoyment. Today, we decided to stay at the house of our friend here in Bangkok because we're quite tired of going out and explore. We're about to take a nap when another friend called on a phone and invited us to meet her in another mall. So we decided to go and meet her. We travelled by van and reached there after 30 minutes. The Mall is very large. It is known as Bangkape Mall where you could see a lot of promotions around. Then we met our friend - she brought us to the 4th floor. She showed us the Fantasy Lagoon - there is swimming pool in this area. After few minutes my hubby was encouraged to swim with our son and another friend joined them, but sad to say, after 15 minutes, a heavy rain came unexpectedly. So everyone was forced to come out of the water. We had a talk then we decided to eat dinner. I'm really thankful for giving us friends anywhere, we were exposed to different places and exciting malls because of them. Thanks to all of you!

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My Great Family in a Stick Figure

This tag is something amusing. My friend Genebei shared this fun and I enjoyed it. While I was doing some editing, my teenager saw it and he did the rest for me. Here's my great family. You can make youe Stick Figure Family at FreeFlashToys.com

I want to share this fun and amusement to my friends like Litlit, Love, Janet, and Grace. This is cool. Try it!

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Mommy Moments #4 -- Sentimental

Today's Mommy Moments is sentimental. For me, the topic is quite interesting and amusing. I'm glad I took some pictures just recently about 2 days ago. We went to Suan Siam City in Bangkok - just like you are in a Fantasy World. My son AJ with his uncle (my brother) looking at the Lotus flower garden. Being sentimental while faving at the Lotus flowers starting to bud.

AJ, my 6-year old is walking down the other place for another fantasy world. The place has a lot of amused fantasies to enjoy especially the kids. AJ loves it.

My hubby and AJ taking a pose in another view and my son is quite sentimental not looking at the camera. He might have thinking or looking at something.

More Mommy Moments photos with Cris. Just found out!

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