Goals for 2012

Is this blog lost or a late post? Neither. I am really writing this post today, the 29th, a day after Alvin and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary.

Alvin and I actually started with this tradition 6 years ago, when we first celebrated our wedding anniversay.

During our anniversary date, we would sit down, reflect and talk about how our year has been. Giving feedback and setting some goals. I actually love doing this with hubby and I am thankful that hubby was and is ok with this activity :)

Anyway, we had our anniversary dinner last night with Liam and Sam and so it was quite impossible for us to have our usual discussion. On the way to another commitment, the kids fell asleep in the car and so we had the chance to have our heart-to heart talk.

What are our goals for 2012?

Me:
Will do my very best to make myself more pleasant when hubby gets home. You know, no more sungit (even if I am dead tired because of the day's activities).

Will lessen my being utosera. hehehe We actually had a good laugh as we recalled the classic story of "remote control utos" a few months back.

Alvin:
Will do things without me having to say it.
Will lessen his "walk-out episodes" (we were actually able to clarify this issue, of him snapping too quickly when he gets irritated. for him, it was his way of avoiding a bigger fight, but for me, it feels like he was walking out on me. so there, clarified and settled)

As a couple:

Sorry, x-rated ;p

As parents:
Alvin: will spend more time with Liam, so Liam can change the way he treats him hehe
Me: will start teaching Sam how to pack away her toys (poor Kuya Liam is always the one doing the packing away), read more books to her and Liam (sayang since she really shows interest with books) and will lessen my whining and have a more positive attitude towards house work (like what I read in an article, kids absorb our attitudes and I can say that Liam is starting to sound like me, a whiner, everytime I ask him to do little errands. i know, sorry, but it's not yet too late).

Because we assessed our actions, we had the chance to say "sorry" to one another. I was able to ask him questions like, "does he look forward to going home after work, because of the kids only or because of me and the kids"? And of course, after our talk, we were able to affirm our love with one another.

Sorry, mushy, but we both felt good afterwards.

Our projects for the coming year:
to continue bonding as a family and travelling as a family
to continue saving for our first home
to do well in our service, especially that we already accepted the roles of being Household leaders in our community

After six years, Alvin and I can only be thankful and grateful for:
the two wonderful and beautiful children whom God has entrusted to us
immediate (relatives included) and second families (CFC and BESA) who continue to help us and guide us in our growth
real and genuine friendships which surpassed the test of time and distance, 
new real friendships
which sincerely share in our joys and triumphs and
the comfortable and good life that we have
for opportunities to make our imperfections, perfect
weaknesses to strength
for challenges and struggles for us to keep the faith

we really can't complain, God has blessed us with our hearts' desires and more!

Alvin and his date :)

Happy anniversary to us Papa A!
I love you very much!

me and my anniv date :)

We just had a simple family dinner to celebrate our sixth! :) What made it more special was that we were prayed over by our CFC brothers and sisters a few minutes after 12midnight of 28 April 2012.

Inner Battle

"Bato-bato sa langit ang tamaan huwag magalit"

I have recently, well I am still, experiencing some struggles the past few weeks. Well, to be honest, I feel it has started when I decided to be involved in our CFC service. Like what I mentioned, I am struggling to win this battle.

The last thing that I would want is to sound and be a self-righteous person. Pardon me and sorry in advance if I may sound and look like one, with what I am about to write. This is not for the faint-hearted. I just can't understand when:

people can leave their kids with friends or relatives on any time of the day so they can go to shops, watch movies, or go on long drives and yet give an excuse of "sorry we can't go because we can't leave the kids" when it's time to serve or go to prayer meetings

people says "yes" to a commitment, but come "battle" time, they are no-where to be found, again giving excuses

people who I expect to be (and who should be) in gatherings are not there people who don't show up in service or gatherings, giving a "valid" excuse, only and sadly, I found out thru their status updates on social networking sites that they were some place else, which actually refutes their supposedly "valid" excuse

Am I already sounding like a self-righteous individual?

Sorry. I had to let it out. The steam inside is making me nuts.

Why is it an inner battle? Because I know that the "other side" is again at work. Working on my most vulnerable side.

It is an inner battle because I do get to reflect and ask myself why am I starting to sound and act like I'm sour-graping? Is it really because I am concerned about "their service" or is it because I am jealous because they can do it and I can't.

Truthfully, I think it is the latter.

I grew up and my parents brought me up believing that every good thing comes from HIM. That we should always pray so that we can continue to receive blessings. And because that was instilled in me, I grew up believing that if I stop praying, I miss going to church every week, I don't serve Him properly, and I stop serving Him, all good things and all blessings will stop coming.

Is this a reflection of how shallow my faith is?

But it makes me ask: how come these people are still blessed with so much even if they amiss their Christian duties? Well, I shouldn't be surprised I tell myself because if they have lived their life being okay with not going to church weekly for months (or probably even years) what is giving up weekly prayer meetings and not showing up on gatherings, right?

Again, sorry if I am sounding like a self-righteous individual. Now I am asking myself: If I do the things that they do, "rebel" in some way, will God really stop giving me and my family blessings?

Uh-oh. Now I sound like I am challenging God.

Sorry Lord.

So where am I up to? Where am I headed?

Actually, on my reflections in trying to overcome and win this "inner battle" I have come to some realizations, only I need time to absorb them. What are these realizations? Here:

I should address the real reason why I go nuts and ballistic when I don't see the faces of people I expect to be in gatherings or see how people "serve" and respond to their "commitment." I am jealous because I feel I can't do it without me fearing the consequences I might get if I do

their service and my service are truly personal. I shouldn't question their actions because at the end of the day, they are not accountable to me, it will be between Him and them and in the same way that it is between Him and me

I should put into action what keeping the faith is all about. Right now, with what I have just wrote, it reflects how shallow my faith is. I should work on myself to having more faith. Work on it without comparing it with how others are doing it. Not to be a self-reighteous person, which what I sound and act like now.

Keep in mind this thought that has kept me sane for years now, hearing it the first time when I was still in Youth for Christ: "I don't care if you're holier than me, as long as I should be holy as I should be."

Again, SORRY if I sounded like an A**H*** while I wrote everything that has been bugging me the past few weeks. I needed to write it. Writing makes it different, I actually feel better now, and it makes my resolutions more concrete.

Now, I ask for grace so I can fully live it. I humbly pray for grace so I can overcome and win this inner battle. I humbly ask for you to help me pray for myself so I can win this inner battle.

(And as if by some stroke of fate, two days after I wrote this, I got to read a blog by Bo Sanchez. The title alone uplifted my spirit and empowered me. I know I will win this battle.)

My Dear Sammie

My Dear Sammie,

As promised, I will be writing something to you as well. Sorry it took me a longer time to write to you as compared to your Kuya Liam. Not to worry, Mama is not playing favorites :)

By now, you already know that like your Kuya, you are an answered prayer. God giving us a daughter, like what we have prayed for was bonus! And we will be forever thankful for that.

You are now 16 months old and in those 16 months I have cherised every moment spent with you. And how your name has evolved! :)

I can say that you are lucky because you got Mama personally taking care of you during the first 14 months of your life :) No yayas :) Your Kuya was not as lucky, hehehe You are a living proof that I can do things, multi-task to the highest level, and I only have to will it :)Because of your birth, Mama's ka-praningan and fears as a first-time mum vanished into thin air! I'm a more confident mum now :)

I consider myself luckier because not all parents can see and witness their kids' milestones, like me. On your every "first" I was there to witness it. I was there to see you try and succeed.

At 16 months, you already have your own personality. You and your Kuya may have physical similarities, but your personalities are uniquely your own :) You know what you like and don't like. You don't have a hard time telling us your preference because as young as you are, you can already verbalize the things that you like (and don't like).

You like to sing, you like the Wiggles (like your Kuya Liam) and their songs, you are a silent observer but you learn that way. You started counting one to five at this age. You like Gymbaroo (especially the song "I Hear Thunder')and you have fallen in love with swimming :) You like to draw and read. You like to dance and is into music as well. You are starting with your toliet training, but it is still eratic :) On the times that you verbalized what you wanted, it was always a success :)

You already know a lot of words! :)You even make simple sentences now :) We think that you will be one chatterbox like your Kuya. You are one bubbly and smart girl. It seems though that you are tougher than your Kuya. I am not worried. I know in the future, that trait will benefit you more. You are one spunky girl! :) You have been attending childcare now for almost 3 months and by this time, you have adjusted well. No more tears :) You have your way of making lambing to your Papa, Mama and Kuya Liam and it is very effective!

Your favorite cousin is bebe! You like calling her name all the time! :)

You don't like frills and ribbons. Sorry if Mama still insists of putting something on your hair hehehe Hey, you are a girl, ok? :)

When Mama is down and a bit sad, all I have to do is remember the funny faces and the happy moments that you made and it helps lift Mama's spirits.

We often argue, especially if you insist on the things you like. But Mama has to be tough. I think this a sign of things to come. But remember that I have to be tough for you and your Kuya to learn. It's a crazy world out there!

I know in due time, you'll look up to me as your model. You'll probably get some of my traits and attitude. God help me! I hope I am worthy enough to be one. With all the flaws that I have! Ha! But more than that, I look forward to the time when you will be old enough and we can have our mother-daughter bonding :) AS it is, we already have two, your Gymbaroo and swimming classes, and sometimes shopping. But it's different when you are much older hehehe :)

I love you very much. I thank God that He has entrusted you to us. Papa and Mama will continue to work together so we can raise you up to be the person God wants you to be. I am not thinking anymore of what the future will bring, all I know now is I am thankful for having this opportunity to personally take care of you, raise you, teach you and guide you. It is hard and sometimes drives me crazy, but I know in the end, all will be worth it. I will not focus on the hardships (because it might drive me nuts), but focus on the beauty of having to take care of you. This is a rare opportunity and not everyone has it, so I'll make the most out of it.

You and your Kuya will forever be the source of our joy and our inspiration.

I love you very much!

Till my next letter!

Love,
Mama

Will be Back!

I will now be ending my series of blogs about our GC holidays with this post.

Hmmm, I already mentioned that our last and final day was spent in Warner Bros Movieworld.

This time, we came in early :)

At first, we thought that spending the day from 10 am to 5 pm was just too long. Hubby and I were planning to go back to Surfers Paradise to do some shopping. But what do you know, we were at Movieworld from opening till closing!

I really enjoyed that day :)

I guess Liam, Sam and even hubby enjoyed it too!

Aside from the usual queueing and waiting, we had the chance, well, a lot of chances to have our photos taken with different Warner Bros characters.

The one that made my little boy's day was when he met and had his picture taken with Batman! Of course, we the adults knew, it was just like a mascot, but with our little boy, meeting him, shaking his hand, and standing beside him, was totally cool and awesome! Imagine meeting a superhero in person!

We made sure we purchased a souvenir photo and a Batman shirt for him :) He was happy and was very appreciative :)

Here are some of our photos. Again, sorry if I will not be posting a lot, since I'm too lazy to do it :)












Overall, we had fun in the Gold Coast. We got to bond as a family again (with friends as well!) and we were happy when we got home. We achieved our goals of spending time with our children, without thinking about the chores that await us back in Sydney. We spent (ouch!), we got tired, but, the smile, the laughter, the closer bond, that resulted from this trip makes it all worth it. I was especially happy that hubby was able to spend quantity and quality time again with Liam and Sam. When we got back in Sydney, they were closer to their Papa and Liam was even telling him Monday night that he will miss him when he goes back to work.

Needless to say, our Gold Coast trip was BITIN! We had to fly back to Sydney early the next morning. (Well, it was a conscious decision on our part to really go back to Sydney early because we didn't want a repeat of the exhaustion we experienced when we got back from our holidays in Manila, so no regrets :D)

And since it was BITIN, gives us another reason to go back and explore the place again and what it has to offer :) Till we meet again Gold Coast! :)

That's all Folks!

Happy Easter! - Part 2

Back to my story.

Days 2 and 3 were spent on two different theme parks. The theme parks were beside each other and were 30 minutes away from our accommodations.

Saturday morning, we got up early (because we were all knocked-out by 10pm for our first night...so were our companions) and we had the chance to check out and stroll along Mermaid Beach, which was only 5 minutes away from our place (by walking). The place was beautiful! Clean, white sands, fresh air!

Some pictures I took while we were there.















When we got back to Montego, the mums had to go out to buy stuff for our barbie night. The kids had a dip in the pool while they waited for us.

Here is Liam taking a morning dip and Sam just watching her Kuya (although she also wanted to take a dip in the pool!) :)












Shops were only open Saturday so we had to buy food for our Saturday and Sunday night dinners. But, I think we got too carried away from the shops. We were already running late! It was quarter to 10 and we haven't left for the theme park yet! We had to rush because our companions still needed to get their passes and might ened up spending the entire morning queueing.

Good thing, we didn't have to queue anymore at Wet'n'Wild since we already have our passes (which had our photos).

The water was cold! Liam didn't get to enjoy the wave pool because he was afraid of the waves! I think the temp of the water triggered Sam's colds the following day.

We just tried out the kids' pool and the Calypso beach (where you ride big tubes as you go around the area).

Here are some of the pictures taken at Wet'n'Wild theme park (Sorry, I'm too lazy to uplaod a lot of pictures).









We ended the day by having our 2nd night of fellowship with our other CFC bros and sis. It was our barbie night! After all, what is an Aussie holiday, without a barbie, right?

It was a good day :)

Happy Easter! - Part 1

Happy Easter everyone!

I know I can still greet you since it's still Easter, technically speaking it ends when Jesus Christ ascends to heaven :)

How was your Easter? I hope that you had a blast, just like we did. :)

As you very well know, my family flew to the Gold Coast over the Easter long weekend.

It was a first for me and my family since we usually spend our Holy Week doing and attending church services. Sadly, I wasn't able to do my online retreat as when we got to the GC we were on our way to our first stop, Seaworld. Well, being away from home didn't hinder us from attending to our Christian duties. In fact, it was an extra effort on our part to really sacrifice theme park time for church services.

On Good Friday, we had to cut short our trip to the Seaworld resort. After lunch,we just watched the Dora show (which Sam really enjoyed), checked out some kiddie rides for Liam, rode the monorail, and watched the Spongebob Parade. After that, we had to leave, even if we haven't explored the entire park. We promised that we will still go to church on that day and a promise is a promise. I bet most people will not do what we did, thinking it is absurd. With the very limited time that we have there, we might have opted to grab the opportunity and could have decided to stay. But we know our priorities :) After all, we have Easter because of what Jesus did for us.

Here are some photos:





















After the Good Friday service, we had the chance to explore Mermaid Beach and Surfers Paradise.

It was a lovely evening to take a stroll along the beach. The weather was great and the moon was full :) Too bad I wasn't able to capture the beauty of that night :) Not to mention that we were able to see and check out some of the outlet shops in Surfers Paradise :)

After our FASTing turned into FEASTing (thanks to the dinner we had with our other CFC bros and sis), we called it a day.

Another beautiful day was in store for us :)

Speechless Moments with Liam

Dear Son,

As promised I will be writing to you again soon, as my way of preserving the beautiful memories your Papa and I have with you.

You are growing up fast! Last time I remember you were Fireman Sam's number 1 fan! But now, things are slowly changing! You are now entertained by Ben10, Superheroes, Power Rangers! Yes, no more Thomas the Train, Wiggles, even Barney. Hay.

Uh-oh.

But as you grow older, you are becoming more thoughtful and sweeter.

The past few weeks you have bombarded us with statements that left us, speechless. Just speechless. But our hearts melting and our eyes, well, a bit teary-eyed.

Here are some of them:

You:"Guess what Mama?"
me: "What?"
You: "I love you very much!"

You whispering something to me:
"I'm going to tell you something Mama. I love you very much!"

You caught me there young boy!

Just last Monday, after our Easter holidays at the Gold Coast, on our way to the airport, while I was putting on your seatbelt:
"Salamat Gold Coast. Thank you Mama for buying our things and for Papa for giving the money to buy my Batman mask. Don't worry Mama, when I grow up, you know, like Papa and have work, I will give you and Papa money money."

And last night up until today, you started asking me:
"Guess how much I love you Mama? All the way to the moon and back!"

And realizing that other planets are farther than the moon, you take turns in using each of the planets to signify how much you love me.

You are one very thoughtful kid. You are an amazing kid!

How on earth does a 4 year-old think and say these kind of things? I don't remember saying such things even when I was already earning my own money!

How do you do that? I can't explain the feeling that your Papa and I feel everytime you tell us things like that!

We thank the Lord for allowing you to verbalize your appreciation of the things we do and give you. Motivates us to do better, BIG TIME!

We are lucky and blessed to have you as our son. We continue to pray for you and Sammie. She is one lucky girl too to have you as her Kuya.


See how lucky Sam is for having you as her Kuya? This was taken on our last night at Gold Coast over the Easter holidays. Papa and Mama will never get tired of seeing the two of you like this.

Like what I wrote last time, we know that you are not perfect and we don't ask you to be (although sometimes you might feel that we are actually asking you to be one, sorry). Just to let you know that we are proud of you and are very happy to see you grow up like this.

Always remember that we love you very much ( all the way to 1,000, 000 moons and back!)

Love,

Mama

We will be forever grateful to our Lord for entrusting you to us. We hope that in the coming years, we will continue to be better parents for you and your sister.

Holy Week Online Retreat

"Kapag nandiyan, hindi pinapansin. Kapag nawala na, at tsaka hinahanap."

True enough, I have been longing and missing how we Filipinos celebrate and practice our Holy Week back in Manila. It is the 4th time we're spending Holy Week here in Sydney and like Christmas, you still can't feel it's already Holy Week.

Back in Manila, I had retreats and prayer sessions (c/o Ateneo Grade School). It was not so hard to confess because there were many opportunities to confess. You feel good doing the practices because everyone in the community is doing it.

Good thing I chanced upon the website of the Philippine Jesuits and for the third year, hubby and I will be doing their on-line retreat. Looking forward to doing it starting tomorrow.

Our family has also been spending family prayer time every 8pm since Monday. No TVs, no tablets, no laptops. Everyone is gathered in front of the altar and we say our prayers. Liam starts our family prayers. Feels good. :)

I know that my family will be away for the holidays but we will make sure to still attend the church services while on holidays. I hope that my children will grow up realizing the value of celebrating Easter. More than Christmas, I think it is the highlight of being Christians because without Easter we would not have been delivered and saved from the sins we have committed. We would not be enjoying what we have now.

Makes me and hubby realize that aside from Christmas, maybe we should also let our children experience Holy Week in the Philippines. Hopefully, it will also help them deepen their understanding about their faith.

Happy Easter everyone!