My Life

After a safe delivery, the next best news is being told mother and baby can go home. We all look forward to taking the newborn home and settling in in our comfort zones. There is no privacy in the hospital, a nurse walks in to give you medication, the doctor comes to check whether mum is healing ok, another comes to check the baby and whether mum has enough milk. Have you ever wondered why you wear those gowns that allow the hospital easy accessibility? Think the depressing part is normally the settling of the bills with the hospital.All bills from various departments  and doctors are sent to the finance person.Your NHIF card can also help in paying for the ward bed depending on your contribution.Its  always advisable to start clearing early and please order for lunch just incase the clearing process takes longer than you thought, remember mum and baby need to feed. In the couples group we belong to, we always request a couple to assist the dad in running up and down to sett...

It is possible to be pregnant and to love it. After all pregnancy is not a disease,its a privilege.It calls for conscious choices to enjoy the journey and to make those around you comfortable too. When we discovered we were pregnant, we were so excited and I could not wait for the stomach to start showing. Infact there are times when I tried to  push my tummy infront so that people can see our source of joy. I read that in a short while that tummy,would grow and expand until you wonder whether you can expand anymore. I remember one morning Alex saying to me “ your stomach is big and I warned him that it  would get bigger with time”. However, despite the surprise shockers of a trouser and top fitting today and then not fitting the next week,I enjoyed the journey of pregnancy. I felt honoured and privileged to be pregnant. How many families want a child but have not got one ? It was an exciting journey, feeling the kicks, Alex singing to the ...

This morning I listened to the 'voice of truth' song by Casting Crowns and it echoed what we heard in church on Sunday. Where do we get our definition from? Who and what defines you? Is it God, is it your job, your family or  the world? We should be defined by God because He is our author and our creator.  Our dressing, our lifestyles, our spending habits are being influenced by our peers or what we think is the  current trend. That is so false, we need to ask God to define for us who we are in Him and live by His standards.  Let's choose to listen to the voice of truth which says we are his precious jewels, fearfully and wonderfully made. The voice of truth says, we can do it if we trust him, we are winners and not failures. The voice of truth looks out for our good even when we do not understand. May we strive to seek and listen to God. Voice Of Truth lyrics Songwriters: Hall, Mark; Casting Crowns; Oh what I would do to h...

Have you ever looked like a con man? Well I did look like one to some nice clients on Friday. My client had visited SAS sometime back and loved a play pen. The week before last week she gave me a deposit and said she would pick it up last week. We were rearranging SAS last week and  on Thursday, I folded the play pen with a few struggles, packed it well in its bag ready to load it into the client's car, I then called the client to remind her and she said she would come for it.  On Friday, she faithfully came with her husband, and I excitedly told her that the play pen was ready and they requested that I open it to show them how to set it up. Knowing that I wasnt so good at folding it, I said that there was a manual and its quite straight forward to set up. However they insisted that we open it and you know in business client is king. So I opened it up and guess what? The play pen could not stand on its fours. Oh boy, yaani the wife was understanding and patiently believed tha...

I am a strong believer in treating our domestic workers well, because they are as human as we are, they have feelings and deserve to be cared for and loved. They are someone's daughter, mother, sister, aunt just like us.  I admire the fact that my mum has had the same house girl for the past 12years, she has raisd my small sister since she was 1year . She is part of the family.  We also strive to treat our girl well, I thought her pay was reasonable, we cater for her hospital bills,I take care of my family when I get home  in the evening and during  weekends. I give her off days on Sundays and during all  public holidays and of course her annual leave in December. I thought I was a good employer until I heard on news yesterday that the deal gets better for domestic workers as of end of this month. I was so keen to listen and I can summarise it as below: You are supposed to enter into a job contract with your house help under the new convention sponsored by t...

How much TV does a  toddler Samara's age watch? I have been a bit concerned of late because whenever we are in the living room Samara always rushes for the remote control and presses buttons taht we didn't even know existed. In her wisdom,she has learned how to switch it on. Many evenings, I have told her we are not watching TV but instead will listen to music and play,which she doesn't mind, just to show her that there is more to life than TV. We have invested in christian DVDs which have silly songs, bible songs, action songs etc which are good for her and we have encouraged her to watch and learn. Amazingly she is singing and dancing along to the songs but my concern is how to set the limits. Baby center advised that at 17months , she ought to be engaged in drawing, outdoor games just to enhance her creativity. For you, play is a way of relaxing — whether that means playing tennis or playing chess. But for children, play is learning. Through play children learn abou...

Let me share today's Alive to God devotion. Verse:             Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. - Each of us can do something for someone else. - Each of us can withhold good or give. - If you have the power to do good, then do it! - God remembers what we have done for others. PRAYER: Lord, help me to be a source of blessing to others today. Show me where I can make a difference and give me the boldness to do it! Amen.

We finally got a chance to take Samara to the animal orphanage on Lang'ata Road. Samara kept saying mooo at almost all the animals(cheetah,lion, leopard)..guess she didn't know how to make the sounds of most of them and neither did I. The monkey was her favourite animal and after the tour she slept so fast, I wondered whether it was mentally tiring or it was that boring.   I had never heard a lion roar before and one of them did while we were a bit far but I sure was glad we weren't near them because I understood why its called the King of the Jungle.  Now what do you call this animal? Is it a donkey or a zebra? I heard some kids say its a cross breed.  This is called a peacock, Alex explains to Samara. God is awesome, you see his creation and you get amazed. 

Yesterday, we moved most of the furniture that we had stored in SAS to a different storage so as to have enough space to display our elegant kids furniture from 10a.m. to 4p.m.. So today, I had syked myself to  clean up SAS and the cleaning has been continuous the whole day. In the midst of cleaning clients would walk in and I would have to recall where I had stored certain items that they wanted. There is a place that required painting for a while , and I had been pushing the caretaker  to get it painted. So today finally after my clean up in the morning and when I thought I would relax, the painter walked in, scrapped off old paint from the roof , spilled it all over the floor and restarted to paint. To make matters worse there is a section which had cartons and instead of him moving the cartons, he just touched part of it with his brush and made the whole place worse than it was initially. While he was doing all this ,I was with a client and he wound up quite fast and lef...

This morning, I found Alex and Samara lying in bed and sharing father-daughter moment. Samara was there telling a story in her 17month old language and Alex despite not understanding, encouraged her to continue talking. On 19th June, we celebrate Father's day. I am so glad to have a husband like Alex and happy that he is the father to my daughter. As we grew up, I used to hear friends say how scared they were of their fathers. Whenever they would hear his footsteps, they would scatter for safety. The other day, I was feeding Samara and when we heard the door bell we all rushed towards the door. Samara is very fond of Alex and gives him a hug and kiss then off loads his off whatever he is carrying. If we walk in through the door the both of us, she first runs to him, hugs him then remembers I also needed a kiss.  Truth be told, I don't mind that she hugs him first, I don't mind that she composed a song for him first, I don't mind the moments they share tog...

I am so glad that we settled for our best couple to be the Makuthis. Initially, when we mentioned to some people  that we wanted them to be our best couple, people were  truly concerned because Emma is Alex's older sister. Most argued due to that blood relationship,it would be difficult to resolve issues because they would have a  natural bias towards Alex.   We settled for them because we share the same values, are in same age group and our relationship is founded on  Christ and the friendship we had even before we started dating.  Infact we are in a larger couples group together. We have sat a zillion times with them and draw so much lessons from their true experiences. Over the years, I have never regretted them being in our lives both as friends, best couple and relatives. Emma is first my  true friend then my sister. We have had our share of ups and downs in marriage like all people do and we have sort their help and wisdom, they have also...

Samara is very musical and enjoys watching videos with kids singing and we have encouraged her to even compose her own songs like "daddi daddie". I wasn't as lucky to be composed for one but there is still time for that. This is a rare moment to find her sitted as she prefers to watch while standing so that she can dance to the songs. What are you up to mummy? Let me pose for you.

Doesn’t she look so cute and peaceful? I think she does and most times she is peaceful and happy. I took the afternoon off yesterday and went home to spend time with Samara and it was quite rewarding until she took her evening bath. Am not sure what happened after the bath  because Samara became fussy& cried alot. Infact she didn’t want to be put down and wanted to be carried. Whenever I see her acting up I always ask her  “ Where is my Samara, the peaceful happy girl?”. I thought she was hungry, though she had snacked while I was cooking and put for her food. My little angel would not open her mouth, i tell you teh spoon wouldn't enter. I gave her some time out and hunger got the best of her and she started feeding herself when she was ready. At about  2a.m. we woke up to her yell, we tried to ignore but the yell was quite loud and I went to check on her. She asked for “nyonyo”(milk) and I breast fed her. After a reasonable tim...

In today's Girlfriends In God devotional,Sharon Jaynes shares on remembering to forget. I have summarised some sections that stood out for me. As humans, we tend to remember what we need to forget and forget what we need to remember. God, on the other hand, forgets what He promises to forget and remembers what He promises to remember. God said, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17 ).  Paul tells us one of the secrets to his success as a Christian and in life. “But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13,14).  While we cannot physically forget the details of the wounds of our past, we can choose not to act on them. We can choose to forgive the person who has hurt us and not allow the memory of the offense to control our lives . In that sense, we can forgive and forget. When ...

Everyday I thank God for Alex. He really complements me in many ways and I always acknowledge that God is a perfect match maker. We had been scheduled for a doctor's review for Samara and I must admit that visits to doctors and hospitals make me very nervous. I fear jabs, medicine, bad news and I just don't like anything to do with hospitals. Since we got pregnant and were blessed with Samara, Alex has never failed to take me to the clinic. His presence just brings this comfort and assurance that I am here with and for you. I try and negotiate with doctor's against jabs like the tetanus jab during pregnancy I got one instead of 2, didn't take calcium tablets and promised to take milk instead . Whenever we take Samara for the vaccinations, Alex holds Samara because, I don't have that strength to watch her being injected. When Alex is busy, we would rather reschedule that appointment. Last evening, Samara had a fever as we got home with her. Unlike other times, I ga...

“If God had a wallet, your picture would be in it.” Each and every one of us has great significance to the Father who cares for us as if we were His only child. If you have ever felt insignificant in your little part of the world, know that nothing could be further from the truth. God treasures you, my friend.  You are important to Him. " Girlfriends in God

Over the weekend I read this poem from Blessings for Mothers by Janice Powell. For Now I awoke this morning At three o'clock To crying in my ears. I calmed my child Tucked her in Then thought of all the years Of diaper changes Newborn cries Feedings in the night And told myself Someday I'll sleep But for now I'II hold her tight.

Am not sure how to title this post because it has just happened and am wondering how to explain it. I was sited at SAS and this young man walks in. He has some speech impairment but is determined to express himself. He introduces himself as Antony and requests for a seat. I ask my sister to give him a sit and he starts explaining about himself. He is stammering a lot at the beginning but I ask him to relax and slowly he is able to express himself. He says he is a freelance journalist and I am immediately impressed. He says he is advocating for children with disabilities to go to school and not be discriminated like he was. Am so impressed because he is very serious and passionate about what he is doing and am touched because he would justifiably sit at home and complain about his problems. But instead he has come from Thika as he told me and is eager to get sponsors for a documentary they want to do for children with disabilities. As he is talking he hears the rain and gets worried...

This morning as I came to work, there was a learner ahead of me. Oh it brought back many memories of my times at driving school. Looking back, I think its God who just protected me on the road. After secondary school, my mum was determined that her daughter would not stay home idle and so I enrolled for college and part time for driving classes. I was not even interested in driving but my mum said its important to learn how to drive just incase of an emergency. So I started my classes which I don't vividly remember but I recall that my instructor threatened that I buy him"lunch". Oh the naive Sylvia thought it was actual lunch and I argued with him because being a student at the time, I ate very cheap lunch, huko Luthuli because our college was close by. Imagine he told me not to come to class unless I bring the lunch. So the nice me who was not about to bribe went home and prepared a hot dog in the microwave and placed it inside a roll, topped up with ketchup sealed ...

Looking back at where I am today and where the 8-4-4 system had placed me, I thank God that He has a purpose and plan for all of us. At times I wonder whether I will be able to tell my kids that I was never in the top 10 position in class. Most of our parents have told us how they were position 1 in their class and I always wonder who was last? Think about it. I envy today’s young generation. Having being raised in Kericho and Nakuru in my younger days, I didn’t know English too well and at 6 years I was speaking broken English. My first birthday was so memorable and exciting in that I could not say birthday and would welcome my friends and visitors by saying ‘welcome to my passday’. Oh well ,thank God that we catch up quick and I went to Milimani Primary and later Nairobi Primary and my report forms would read “ Sylvia is very playful and can do better if she settled down" or "slight imporvement but can do better". Class 8 came and I scored 432/700, and that was ok...

The landlord wants his house vacated by end month and has accepted to open the house. My tenants were so mad and refused to come get the key. Clearly I could understand their anger at how they were treated. Remember I had an agent who was our middle man, even he all over sudden became scarce. So I had the key to the premise, I called all the  fundis who had done various amendments to the house to meet at the house and undo what they had done i.e the painter had to return the house from purple to white, the plumber had to removed the sink and toilet we had put and the electrician had to also so some work. Our tenant accepted to come to the premise, he understood my story and I thought that was favour because if it were any other, I would have been sued clearly. However he mentioned that they wanted their deposit and wanted to pro rota the rent for the current month. I was like what, yes we will return your deposit but your rent for the current month no. Infact in their anger, they...

About 2 weeks ago I shared that I had experienced God's mercy,forgiveness and love. At the time my heart was wounded and I was carrying around lots of guilt. Today, I am ready to share the mistakes I made and lessons learned and hopefully you shall not judge me but learn from me. When you enter into a business deal you are looking for a win- win situation and of course a profit. I have shared before how we ventured into the hair dressing industry and it didn't work out and so I got a wise idea to sublet the premise without the landlord's permission to try and recoup some of the costs we had inquired. I got a house agent explained that the house wasn't mine but I was keen to sublet it for a few months then give it back to the owner. I asked him to get us a resident to stay in the premise so that we do not have issues. Well after about 1 month, the agent called me and said he had found a tenant who loved the house and had a family. Oh I was excited and we signed the con...

I received this forward from a friend and thought its nice to share it. A couple that has been married for 20 years were both recently diagnosed with diabetes. Findings later showed that they both contracted the disease as a result of the names they called each other like; Honey pie, Sweetie, Sugar, Sweet heart, Sugar Banana, Sweet potato, Hot chocolate, Candy bar, Black forest, etc. Please prevent diabetes by starting early, by calling your spouse/partner names like; Ginger, Chloroquine, Piriton, Pepper fruit, embe dodo, kitunguu saumu, managu, kunde, kuku wa kienyeji, dogo dogo,waru waru.mukimo etc. Have a healthy & sugar-free romantic life….

Samara was determined to eat this orange no matter its size. She placed it in all angles to fit into her mouth She managed to squeezed the juice with the help of her dad. I think we should be the same with God and those around us, so many times we think we can use our own strength to face a challenge and we don’t ask for help, yet if we only asked we would accomplish so much. Have a great day