Search Is Over....Again!

Another blessing. Another big plunge!

Took us 2-3 weeks to find her.

We prayed for her a bit longer.

We first considered 11 to 12-year olds...but when we chanced upon her, we decided to give it a go. She is only almost 3 years old.

Not taking any chances, we made sure we are doing the right thing. We studied everything about her.

I hope that just like her sister Maggie, she will be one dependable and strong sweetheart. Ever reliable.

I am excited to meet her, use her and bring her with me as I serve my family (through errands and through my work). She is my first (here in Australia). She will be my 4th baby (hubby, Liam and Sam are my original babies). I promise to take care of her.

Today, we welcomed "Mickie" to our home.

Wishing to Travel (more!)

Hubby and I were not born rich so we were not given the privelge of travelling overseas while we were growing up. Back then, it was very costly to travel (well, it still is, right?)

Anyway, when we got together as bf-gf, our careers just started as well. Well, I don't know with this guy but after only 2 months into the relationship, he already suggested that we open a joint account. I also wanted one but I didn't push the idea since I already learned my lesson from my previous relationship. But at the end of the day, I agreed.

Family responsibilities (we helped out in the expenses at our respective families/homes) and our joint account prevented us from travelling (outside the country)together. It prevented me from travelling outside the Philippines even if I wanted to. Well, this was aside from the fact that my father really didn't allow me to go out with him on out-of-town trips without Alvin asking permission on my behalf and telling my Papa all the details of that trip. We had out-of town trips together during our bf-gf stage, one was in Fort Ilocandia with his family. The second one was in Puerto Galera with his BE brods. Third one was with my sister going to Baguio. The last one that I can think of was in Zambales with my family. Hubby was usually with us when my family spends the weekend at Westin (now Sofitel).

We were not really in a hurry to travel because we know we have a lifetime to do that. But of course, we still had this longing of travelling to other countries. Sadly, it is the first one to go when a new need arises (Remember the movie UP? That was why I was crying the whole time I was watching it!)

Blogging about our ref magnets collection a couple of days ago made me yearn to travel outside Australia. No hurry for us.

Hubby and I decided that when we go outside Australia we would prefer that we do it as a family. Not alone --> not just the two of us. (Of course, that would be a bonus, but if we are to fund teh trip ourselves, we will do it as a FAMILY). We both want that our children's first memory of a particular country includes their Papa and Mama. I was actually inspired by my friend Mitch, who also took her whole family in a European vacation. It's expensive and hard to travel with kids, but I think it will pay-off in the future.

I think it's different when you travel as a family. It is more expensive, tiring and harder BUT it's happier and more fulfilling as a parent. Minsan lang sila bata. If they grow up and decide to travel again, they can still do so, but that would be a different case, since they already have to pay for it (or we can if I win the lotto, why not?).

Anyway, as I've said, we already have a short list of countries we wish to visit as a family but we will have to wait a while when:
a. the kids are a bit older, both of them can already remember the trip/s
b. when we have enough funds for these travels
c. when all of our passports are already BLUE, making it easier for us to go to countries which normally require a visa if we still use our Phil passports

We would like to grab the opportunity of travelling with them while we are still physically capable. I hope we will be given the chance to make this simple dream a reality, SOON. :)

Waiting for A Miracle

It has been 25 days now since a good friend of mine got into a Coma state, 6 hours after giving birth to her second child (thru normal delivery). Everything went well after her delivery and then it happened. She had a post-delivery complication -- a stroke.

I really can't describe what our barkada feels right now. We have been together since 1995. A few of us are already based abroad so most of the updates are just thru FB/e-mail. All of us have been praying for her, expecting and waiting for a miracle.

Everytime I check my e-mail, I am hoping to receive good news. Yes there are days when I get them, but the past few days, I have been receieving not-so-good news, especially the one I got last night.

Hubby can sense my sadness everytime I open my mail and get updates. He sees me crying it out silently, wishing and praying that my friend will get better already.

I may look and sound ok, but everytime my friend crosses my mind, I can't help but be sad. So I try to busy myself so I won't think about her all the time. I try to repress it.

True to what others say, the concept of death or losing someone you love becomes so real if it happens to someone very dear to you. My friend is still fighting for her life and with this battle comes a blessing for me.

If there is one good thing that resulted from this, it is the fact that I and hubby are spending more time with my family. I hold my hubby's hand more. I hug all of them more. I say "I Love You" to them more. I try to overlook their shortcomings more and focus on the fact that they are still with me. I know hubby can sense it and I can sense that hubby is doing the same. Just the thought of losing someone so quickly became so real and it both scared us.

Life is short. Anything can happen. We don't know if we are still here the next second, the next minute, the next hour, the next day, or the next year. We are making the most of our time, we are seizing the day, grabbing every opportunity to be together and show our love for one another while we still can.

I am still praying and hoping for a miracle.

If you can just now say a silent prayer for my friend too, I would gladly appreciate it.

Ref Magnets as Souvenirs

Call us late bloomers, but we actually are!

It was only recently when hubby and I decided to change our ways of collecting souvenir shirts from places we have been to (or visited) as a couple or as a family, to guess what? Yes, you guessed it right! To ref magnets!

It was impractical to keep on buying shirts as keepsakes from our travels as it tends to shrink! (talagang shrink no, not us getting bigger? hehehe ok, ok, I admit, we have outgrown the shirts we have purchased before and these shirts (mostly our travels to the Philippine provinces) have been taking so much space in our cabinets we decided to donate or give them away -- which we later regretted).

I tried snow globes. Good luck! It ended up as dust accumulators!

And so, when we got our own home here, we decided to start collecting ref magnets! They may accumulate dust, yes, but at least they are usueful and it does not take too much space in our cabinets! It's still there even if we gain weight or lose weight. They are not very expensive. With the ref magnets though, I prefer the rubberized one as it does not break even if it accidentally falls off the ref.

Here is a photo of our very small collection.

We have 4 ref magnets from our out-of-town trips here in Australia -- Canberra (for the Floriade), Port Macquarie, Kiama, and Port Stephens (Nelson Bay). Too bad the other towns we have been to do not have their localized ref magnets. Most of them just offer the generic Australia magnets. This collection could have been a lot more.





We also have 4 ref magnets from the tourist destinations Sydney has to offer: Featherdale Wildlife, Taronga Zoo, Museum of Fire (Penrith) and Luna Park. Again, there are a couple of places that did not offer ref magnets :(



And of course, we have ref magnets to other countries we have been to (as a couple). Guess how many? Hehehe. Two. Makes me think that we should add more soon! :) We have Singapore and of course, the Philippines! (+Cebu on the side ;))



So there. Hopefully, with our travel plans for this year and the years to follow, we would be able to collect more and relive the thrill and excitement of every travel experience we have had as a family :)

OZ Day 2012 at Lake Macquarie

Spent the day celebrating with family.

Two-hour drive up north, we again marvelled at God's beautiful creation!

These are some photos that I took at Caves Beach in Lake Macquarie.


















This tree is at the center of the HUGE playground they have for kids at the Speers Point Park, also at Lake Macquarie.




She is like a queen you can't miss her!

It was a beautiful day! After days of rainfall, the sun finally came out today and we were able to spend another beautiful day with one another!




Looking forward to our next family adventure!

Catching Up On My Movies

The past few weekends, I have been sleeping late, not because of anything else, but because I have been watching movies that I have missed or I am re-watching some of the movies I have already seen.

Some of the movies that kept me busy and up late:

Bridesmaids
Harry Potter 7 Parts 1 and 2
One Day
A Walk to Remember
Robots
Superman (Returns)
You've Got Mail
Love and Other Drugs
Despicable Me
Megamind
The Black Swan
The Blind Side


Next on the list:
No Strings Attached
Dear John

If I missed any, it's because my short-term memory is not functioning well again. hehe. It seems that I have watched more than I can remember.

Oh well, anyway, just wanted to share that I actually enjoyed watching and re-watching these films again. It was in a way a me-time for me, or sometimes a movie-time with the kids. ;)

Changes!

We will not be driving anymore.

Because we are flying!

Yes, changes in our Gold Coast holidays.

My family will not be able to join the long drive anymore (plus the overnight at Coffs Harbour) since we will be flying to Gold Coast.


I have already booked our flights this morning and will just wait for the Easter holidays. It was not as cheap as I thought it would be! The usual $60-70 per way fare increased to $149 per way! Well, thanks to the fact that we are going there on a peak season. @-@

Of course, it is more expensive on our part, since we also have to rent a car when we get to GC.Car rental rages from $200-300 for the duration/dates we need them.
Still looking around for Rent-a-Car companies based in GC.

Well, funds quickly going down the drain hehehe. But like hubby and I think, we'll just focus on the PROs of flying than focus on what we will be missing.

Yes, it is more expensive, BUT:
-- at least hubby will not be very tired when we get to Gold Coast and when we get home to Sydney.
-- we get to go home to Sydney early Monday (around 10am) and we can still relax before going back to our usual routines the following day
-- at least I will not be as stressed if Sam acts up in the van (I feels stressed when other people are with us in the car and Sam starts being uneasy and turns cranky on the travel. Other people includes friends AND family other than hubby, liam and myself).
-- the money we might have spent in Coffs Harbour was probably just used to cover for our flights
-- at least we have the option to do what we want to do and go where we would want to go if ever majority of the group are not up for it
-- at least I don't have to look and book again for our Coffs Harbour accommodations and what we will be doing when we get there
-- at least there is another reason for our family to go to Coffs Harbour next time (funds permitting)
-- at least we can still check out other places in Gold Coast while waiting for our check-in time at 2pm (we arrive around 8am in Gold Coast).

There.

Right now, I am happy to know that the place we booked is very near the shops, the church (yes, one of my priorities!), the beaches and the theme parks. And the more important thing is we're not paying too much for a place we will just be using to sleep and freshen up.

We plan to eat most of the time outside or in the shops. But we were lucky enough to have been given tips by my Kuya Jay and his wife, as they have been there late 2010. Food in Gold Coast IS EXPENSIVE, especially at the theme parks!

Speaking of theme parks, I have yet to buy our tickets. Will be waiting probably until mid-March before I buy them. I think every now and then they offer sales for buyers. Right now they sell the Super Pass at $129 per person (x3 for us) and the Escape Pass (2 out of the 3 theme parks) for $99 per person. When they have a sale, they usually give the Super Pass at $99 per person. No harm in waiting right? We still have to vote if it's between Sea World and Movie World (majority agree that we go to Wet n' Wild) if ever we get the Escape Pass.

When I texted hubby this am about me booking our flights, I got this as a reply: "Walang topak ha. I am really looking forward to this."

Well, hon, guess what? Me too!

Note: I was actually telling hubby last night before we went to bed that I was actually surpised we are really doing this. I mean, it's one of those things that I can let go (as of the moment) since both kids are still small. Not to mention that we are reserving funds for our 2nd car. Anyway, why spoil the fun? I know hubby is doing this for me and the kids. I won't think of the expenses anymore and will just make the most out of it. And I'm pretty sure by that time I can already contribute to the funds. All it takes is just 3 casual calls and our flights are covered!

Inspiring Video on Special Kids

Special kids will always have a soft spot in my heart. I may not practice my Sepcial Education degree but everything that I have learned through my interactions and experiences with them will never be forgotten.

Here is one video which is very inspiring. It is worth watching and sharing.

It gives hope. It shows unconditional love. Simply amazing. Be inspired!

Just click "video" and it will direct you to Youtube.

Peace Offering

Something arrived today...

but I was out. Good thing the post office was still open when we got there.

What's inside?

This.

Thank you hubby for spoiling me.

Note: I can actually buy this bag myself (through my book royalty), but it's one of those things which are better given than bought. And since hubby has been a bit silly the past few weeks, I let him buy me one, as his peace offering. Mwehehehe

Funny, but after receiving this, I felt guilty. Why? Because I admit this is splurging on my part. It's over my usual limit :( And it didn't help when Liam told me this: "Bag again?! You still have plenty of bags mama!" Uh-oh.

Surprise! Surprise!

We had our usual HH last Friday. Before we started, we had our usual fellowship. You know, sharing stories, kamustahan, update-an. Ivy suddenly shared their plans of going to the Gold Coast over the Easter Holidays. Her in-laws will be coming over again to have a short vacation.

Of course, I was excited. But, I told her it will all depend on my financier -- hubby. (Even if I know that I might contribute something since that will still be in April and I am back to work by Feb. But I didn't entertain ideas).

I was not really expecting that they were really dead serious with this trip. But the whole weekend, I was bombarded with a lot of calls and e-mails from Ivy, who was actually starting to research on the van to be rented and the accommodations. The thing was, after we left after our HH, they shared their plan to the rest, and my Uncle and Auntie told them that yes, they too are coming! Whoa! Ivy wanted to know if we are coming or not so she'll know what type of car she will be renting.

Two dilemmas: It is the Holy Week and even if my mom is not here, I can already hear her telling me not to go since she objects to any member of the family going out for holidays and having fun during the Holy Week, especially on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. She always told us na lapitin sa disgrasya kapag semana santa at nagbubulakbol ka. I also felt that it was wrong. Something felt wrong. Hey, I'm not KJ or anything, but Holy week is HOLY WEEK and it only happens once a year, right? That is dilemma 1.

Dilemma 2. Hubby. I don't know and I was kind of sure that Alvin would not be interested. We just got back from the Philippines, right? But what do you know, he is the one who does the follow-up on me everytime he has the chance! Even with his texts over lunch! Now that is one surprise! lol :)

Now what to do? I have until Tuesday night if we are joining or not.

Anyway, I also want to go. We actually have two options to resolve dilemma 1. One is, we just follow them on early Saturday, after attending church activities here. But we will be bringing our own car. It would be very tiring for Alvin and impractical since when we get there Saturday is almost over. And at the back of my mind, I feel that it would be better if we join them during the travel because Alvin and Mark (Ivy's hubby) can take turns in the 12 hour drive. Well, actually in the first 10 hour drive as we plan to stay for a night in Coffs Harbour (NSW) and continue with the remaining 4 hour drive to Gold Coast the following day.

So how? Well, thanks to the internet, I was able to research on the Catholic Churches within the area. There are plenty. Thank God! I have already e-mailed 2 Parishes, one in Coffs Harbour for the Holy Thursday services and one in Gold Coast for the Good Friday - Easter Sunday services. There! So no more excuses for us not to attend church services during the Holy Week feels good. Anyway, we plan to visit the theme parks on Saturday and Sunday (which is already ok with my Mom ;)), which means we can attend Good Friday services before checking out the beaches in Gold Coast Central.

What about dilemma 2? It was resolved on its own! Hehe Seriously now, Alvin just needs to check if their last day of production will be on a Wednesday. If that is the case, most probably than not, they will only report half-day on Thursday, and he can just file a leave for that day. If he files a leave for Thursday, they we can join the group in the entire trip!

Like what I have mentioned, the plan is to spend the weekend in the theme parks. We still have still to decide which ones we're going to. We're thnking of going to Sea World and Wet n Wild. We'll choose which is child-friendlier since we have Marcus (1 year old) and Sam with us (1 year and 5 months old). What do you think?

Good thing they alreay dropped the plan of spending another night in Port Macquarie on our way home. It will already be very tiring. I would want to reach Sydney before 9pm so we still have the energy to go back to work (and school) the following day (Tuesday).

I am excited because I know it will be fun. I know it would be fun! But of course, after going on holidays with a 2 kids in tow, in Manila and in Cebu, I know it will be one very tiring trip too! But I'm excited for my kids, especially Liam. I know he will enjoy it. (But he was wishing his cousins will join us for the trip!)

Anyways, now, I actually helping Ivy look for a not-so-expensive accommodation. Nothing fancy. Looking for something like the one we stayed at Port Macquarie last year. We expect to just go there to sleep since we expect that most of the time we will be out to visit and explore Gold Coast.

What about the expenses? Hay, Alvin and I were estimating, we will have to shell out minimum $1000 for this trip (share in the car rental, share in the fuel, accomodations, food and the theme park tickets).

Long drive + challenge of packing light (how do you do that when you have 2 small kids?!) + heat + expenses + tiring day at the theme parks = ? Uh-oh. Are we ready for this? lol

This was just a spur on the moment. Biglaan. Tunay nga, ang mga biglaang lakad ang mas madalas na natutuloy! We plan to go to the Gold Coast when the kids are much older and both of them can remember the trip and appreciate it. Not in my wildest dreams did I expect that we will get to go there sooner than we have expected! We will update you!

Pruning Time for Us

Can't help but get teary-eyed when I read yesterday two of Bo Sanchez' most recent blogs :) It reminded me of what hubby and I recently had to go through, as a couple.

Here are some of the parts that struck me:

"Marriages Can’t Be Strong Without Gratitude

Do you know why married people have affairs? It’s not because of sex. It’s because they grumble instead of being grateful.Your spouse has 90% of what you need.But because you’re not grateful for that 90%, you search for that missing 10% in a mistress. Someone fresh. Someone prettier. Someone more affectionate. Someone who smells nice. But when you go home, your wife smells of paksiw. She isn’t affectionate because she’s tired, taking care of the kids the entire day."

"I realized something very important. I realized that I grew the most not during the times when everything was smooth. Or the times when everything was going my way. I realized that I grew the most during the times when there was intense trouble. Intense pain. I grew the most when I was attacked from all directions and I couldn’t breathe anymore.

That’s when God stretched me. I have one word for you about trouble: Get used to it.
Because trouble is the birthplace for your greatest growth. Be grateful for the blessings behind your trials."

I think mentioned in my previous blog that the "ending of 2011 was one crazy one" but I also mentioned that "all is well now."

You see, during the Christmas holidays (yes, of all times!), Alvin and I, just kept on fighting! We were fighting every other day! Will fight today, kiss and make up the next day, then fight the next day again! As in! It was sooo tiring and emotionally draining!

Maybe, he reached his saturation point, and I reached mine as well! In other words, we were both topak. I was so close to quitting! That was how serious it was!

I will not wash our dirty linens here because I believe it is up for us to settle them and get rid of them, and of course, as a sign of respect for hubby. So sorry, hehehe. But it was like we were back to square one! You know, our fights when we were still bf-gf! In our heart-to-heart talk, we did acknowledge that the "monsters" are back! Monsters that we thought have left when Liam came to our lives! The last fight that we had for 2011 was the worst of all fights!!! Even Liam sensed something was wrong with us. :(

The thing is, when we have these fights, we are not the type who settles them before we sleep on the day we fought. We let each other breathe and think. We give each other time to be mad and to be sober. We don't rush things, thinking we might end up hurting each other more. We give each space. So after all the space and the time, we sat down and talked, tried to iron out the kinks and smoothen the road ahead of us. It was the best way to start 2012 :)

Well, after reading Bo's blogs, I felt that yes, we passed through a prunning stage. I admit, one of my faults is always looking at the 10% that hubby misses as a husband and as a father, and not zero in on the 90% that he does for us.

But all is well now. I think, yes, it's hard and it's very painful to pass through that prunning stage again but it was refreshing and joyful when we surpassed that stage, together.

We both think those fights brought out the worst in us. BUT it also brought out the best in us, especially after all those reflections, realizations and heart to heart talks!

And with all those fights, wish ko lang, di masundan si Sam! ;p

All Systems Go!

Fixed and did some errands yesterday for my big comeback to the work force. Not a glitch.

Yes, it's a "yes" for me... for us.

All systems go for me.

Still need to do some errands but will have to postpone it till next week :-) Anyway I still have 2-3 more weeks to do all of them.

No rush. Term 1 anyway is not that busy for casuals like me.

Still "listening" to what He is trying to tell us so we can be guided :-)

Building up the excitement :-) Go, go, go!

Counting the Days

....when Liam goes back to school, for his last pre school year
....when Liam starts with his soccer lessons again
...when Liam and Sam resumes their swimming lessons
...when Liam feels better, with no more fever, after getting 2 needles today:(

... when Sam starts her Gymbaroo classes with me
...when I find Sam's GAP jumper which has been missing for two weeks now :(

... when it's Australia Day and it's hopefully another long weekend for us :-)
... when we go to Lake Macquarie for our Australia Day celebration :-)

...when I get all the letters I am waiting for in the mail
...when I get my first call again
...when I resume work again

... when I get my new bag ;)
... when I find and get my new car :-)

Lead the way, Lord!

Discerning and Getting Answers

We started praying for it October of 2011. But, I guess we were not really paying attention. Oooops :-)

After we came back from our Manila holidays, we still prayed for it. But still, we weren't paying attention.

Christmas came and 2012 started. Now, we really have to pay attention! We prayed and we prayed some more and we prayed harder, and this time we LISTENED.

After making sure that we are in tune, ready and waiting for HIS answers, we slowly got answers :-)

We prayed to arrive at the best decision. We prayed that He sends us His message through friends, family or to us directly. To send His Spirit so we'll know or we'll have the idea that what we just heard/read/saw thru friends, family or even strangers are the answers we have been waiting for :-) We were ready for a "no" or even a "wait" but it seems that the answer to our prayers is a "yes."

True to what they say, if you really put your attention and really listen, you will get the answers you are looking for.

We haven't made the big decision yet, but we're nearly there :-) We will know, just like the past few days we have been receiving affirmations, that all will be in place, that all will be fixed when it's time.

Thank you for the blogs that I have read recently, the friendly chats with friends and relatives, the mommy stories that I read and heard. Our decision is slowly taking form now...when I start doing some actions in response to some of the "clues" we have been receiving and we don't encounter any glitches or problems, then we are truly on the right path
:-)

Bike!

I think my Kuya Liam needs a new bike!

We went biking yesterday afternoon around our compound and the moment he rode on his bike, uh-oh. He has grown.


S

I think it's time to hand-over this bike to his little sister and buy him a bigger bike :)

finally giving his sister a turn

Taking It Slow

I didn't make any new year's resolutions. It's not my habit or practice to do so. So my decision to take it slow was not really deliberate. I just felt that my 2012 started beautifully because I am finding myself more relaxed.

There are still chores to be done everyday but I unusually don't stress myself anymore :-) And I unusually don't prepare things now super way ahead of time! Lol :-) Am I cramming? Is two days or a day before considered cramming? :-)

What do I do with my extra time? I do the things that I love. I read, I write, I fix stuff at home which is unusually therapeutic for me, I do FB, I watch movies, I watch with my kids TV, I read to my kids, we go to the library, we go to the nearby park, we go around the compound, I take afternoon naps with them, we wake up late in the morning, all 3 of us take a shower together, I play with my kids! I don't even stress myself with the cooking anymore unlike before that I have to cook everything before mid day :-) Maybe because Sam also does understand things now and it's easier to talk and request things from her, or Liam is more responsible now, or I am taking it slow :) well, I guess it's all three!

There are pending projects -- Sam's first birthday photobook (which I will be ordering from Manila since I prefer the hard/board pages like what we had for Liam's, than the ones we have here in Syndey); my papers for NSW IT and CEO Parramatta (re-instatement and application letters); fixing our finances (scheduling payments), visit to the GP (routine check-up for the kids), centrelink and Yogies. I have started a few of these but haven't really finished all of them. For some weird reason, I don't feel that thing anymore -- "the feeling as if I'm going to the die if I don't finish it on the day!" lol :) not to mention rur family's major projects this year... :)

Things are getting better :)

Expanding Vocab

Each day is a new day and each new day is a better one :-) happy to share my daughter's expanding vocab :-)

It's easier now to take care of her because she can already verbalize most of what she wants and needs.Not much guessing game for us :-)

We don't baby talk her. These are her newest words in addition to what I have already shared a couple of months back ;)

Bo -- ball, if she bounces her head while saying "Bo" she's telling us that she wants to be bounced on our gym ball :-)
Mi-mi -excuse me
Me me - sleep
Up - carry
Pi -pi - piggy back ride with papa or mama
Dora - Dora
Elmo - Elmo
Dede - she wants to be latched
Borrow - borrow
Yo-yo - thank you
Tita- tita
Tito-tito


Of course there are a lot of instances that she still can't verbalize it but I get what she wants or what she is trying to say.


There were two instances that I got really surprised because I was just testing waters to see if she can understand things already. One, when I asked her to sleep already or else I will put her in their room. She immediately put her head on my shoulder and tried to put herself to sleep while hugging me. She did it twice, consistently the day I told her that. So now when we are so sleepy and she's still not up for it, we say that and it works :-)

Second one, was just last Monday. We were at my Aunt's house. She was a bit clingy after eating. I told her for the first time: "What do you want? Do you want water? Go down and get your water bottle in the baby bag." I was testing waters again to see if she can comprehend things already. Guess what she did after I put her on the floor, yes, she slowly walked to where the baby bag was and attempted to get the water bottle from the side pocket! I was just amazed! So were my two cousins who witnessed everything from the start! So she does understand things! Yehey! :-) I had to help her though in pulling the water bottle out but after she drank, she put the lid back in and attempted to pack away the bottle :-)

I am just one proud mama, happy to witness all these developmental milestones and amazed that she is so quick in learning new things considering she is only 13 months old! :-)

Thank you Lord, these things affirm my sacrifices are all worth it :-)

Welcome 2012!

Yay! My first blog entry for 2012!

Full of hope and in anticipation for whatever our big BRO has prepared and planned for me and my family this year :-)

I know it will be one happy and joyful year! :-)

The last week of 2011 was one crazy ride but all is well...it ended well...and 2012 started beautifully :-)

2012, here we come! :-)