Celebrating My Kids' Individuality

Do you have kids?

As of today, I have two growing kids, one is 3 the other is almost six.

Seeing them slowly grow up and having the privilege of taking care of them myself, I can't help but observe some similarities but a lot of differences.

This morning I was faced with fear and worry as we celebrated Kuya's school achievement. I got a bit scared and worried a bit for my little Sam.

While we were all in high heavens celebrating Kuya's achievements I was trying my best not to let Sam feel jealous or left out. I wanted her to see that she is part of her Kuya's success. I wanted her to celebrate with us. This early on, I wouldn't want them to feel that there is a competition between the two of them for our love and attention. That each of them is receiving our full 100+% of love, time and support. I would not like for Sam to experience the "emotional battles" I had when I was growing up, just as so I can prove myself to my peers and my  parents.

Thankfully, at this stage, I can't sense any competition between the two of them. For me kasi,  I'd rather prevent than cure so I'm making myself informed.

My goodness! To think I only have two kids! How much more those parents who successfully managed to raise more kids!

I guess I'm at the receiving end this time. I suddenly missed my small chats with my veteran mommy friends back home. I miss hearing their stories and learning from them.

I'm now challenged to make sure that both my kids will feel and realise that we are equally happy and proud with their respective achievements regardless on what field they choose.

I will be  working on that and I know it will not be easy!

How about you, how do you cele
brate your children's individuality and cultivate their uniqueness? Tips, please :-)

Best Rewards

Hi Kuya!

I can't wait for you to turn six as I have found myself really inspired to write your second letter for the year, today.

This week has been a great week for you. Wait, let me change that. This year has been a great year for you, don't you think?

This year, you started with Kindy and you have proven how clever you are! You have excelled academically. You brought home a lot of certificates and awards this year as a reward for all your hardwork. This has made me and Papa really proud and thankful. The school year is almost over yet you still surprise us with something almost every week! My heart leaped for joy when you handed our invites yesterday and yes, I am looking forward to attending our very first Presentation Assembly next week.

You have also excelled in sports. Your tennis skills have improved a lot. You can now rally with your coach and your tennis grade continues to improve each term. You have won first place in your Athletic's carnival for the 100m event. You have succeeded in passing your practicals for your swimming lessons and you are due to move up the next level next term.

This year, you have started attending a Music tuition. This morning, after watching you and the rest of the students perform for your year-end Christmas concert cum recital, I was again very happy and proud when they chose you among the seven recipients of the Outstanding Effort award from all the students from K-2. You have proven that you can also excel on that area.

Well rounded? Very much!

This week alone, I have been overwhelmed with that happy feeling because of all these achievements. I feel elated! But like what Papa and Mama always tell you, these awards are just bonuses. It's more important that you have done your best, tried again when you failed, learned from your mistakes and enjoyed yourself.

But you know what son, what makes us prouder are stories about you that proves what kind of a person you are.

Story 1. We attended Mindy and Molly's birthday party and you met a new Tito (sorry Mama forgot his name!). Tito was in-charge of balloon twisting and because you were amazed as to how he can make a lot just by twisting balloons, you decided to stay with him, observe him and share stories with him. When we were about to go home, Tito told Mama that you are such a beautiful kid. "Liam is very polite and well-mannered." Hearing that from a new acquaintance was music to our ears. I was very proud of you son!

Story 2. Mama promised to make it up to you as soon as I'm done with all my teaching blocks. The first day I brought you back to school, a fellow parent comes up to me and introduces herself. She tells me she's the Mum of one of your best mates. She tells me about how her son adores you and how her son has never forgotten your act of kindness. Your mate didn't have a hat so he was not allowed to play in the field during lunch (No Hat, No Play policy of the school!). He just stayed in the silver seats with no one to play with. Then here comes you. You left all your other friends in the field and stayed with your mate so he will have someone to play with! No one asked you to do that, not even your mate!  When I told you the story when we got home, you said, you can't remember it. Well, it proves that you really have a good heart! It may mean nothing for you, but for your friend, it did and he will forever remember it, anak!

These stories are the real rewards, anak. These are the best rewards for me and Papa!


God has given you everything that we have prayed for. It is only our prayer that you continue to grow up with a good heart and use everything that He has given you for His greater glory!

We are proud of you anak!

Keep up the good work!

Papa and Mama (and yes, Sammie too!) are here for you, all the time!

We love you to bits, Bits!

What makes me happier now is that you can now read all the letters I have been writing for you every year :-)

Love,

Mama

A Blessed 2013

Note: I posted this entry on a different title but I realised I forgot to add some so this is the edited version :-)

The year is still not over but I can't help but reflect on how it has been a GREAT year for us!

This year, thankfully, has been a better year (note that last year was a good one too!), and at this point, I really can't complain anymore!

I had to go and check my January 2013 blog to see if all the projects and goals I have set for the year has been met. I can only whisper a prayer of thanks seeing that all of them, and more has been achieved.

Career

This year was a year of good breaks for both me and Alvin. Getting teaching blocks was the farthest thing from my mind, but God has proven that He has great plans for me! Through these teaching blocks, I was able to meet the 180 day requirement needed for my accreditation at NSW IT (and I'm almost done with it! I'm claiming that I'll get to finish it before the year ends!), I was able to establish myself with two of the schools I usually work for and is now part of their "trusted casuals" and more importantly, we were able to bring my in-laws here in Sydney. Not to mention that I was able to contribute to our savings for our first home.

As for Alvin, he was given the right opportunity at the right time. He is still with BAT but was given a permanent post, in a different department. We are more secure knowing that even if (touchwood) the Manufacturing industry based here in Sydney is phased out, Alvin will still find work.

Family

Last year, I wrote that our marriage was better than ever so I really don't know how to describe it now. It's better-er? hehehe Alvin and I have grown individually and as a couple. It wasn't easy but I think we should both give ourselves a little pat on the back for a job well done. Our communication has greatly improved. We have learned to choose our battles. We became more appreciative of each other, more vocal in giving compliments to one another and in settling our differences. We became more in love with one another. We achieved this by praying for one another, supporting one another and more importantly, by His grace. 

It was a good year for me for I have finally come to terms with my differences with my in-laws. A new phase in my life. Although the road to acceptance, forgiveness and healing were not that easy, it was all worth it in the end. 

The kids are doing well too. Kuya started attending the big school and boy did he excel! Sam has grown as well over the year and we can only shake our heads in disbelief that she's already 3 this week! We are thankful that both our kids didn't encounter any problems in reaching their developmental milestones. There was no delay in all areas that could have made me and their Papa worry. More than the milestones, we are happier that they are growing up close with one another, happy and responsible. We are also happy that young as they are, they are slowly picking up the practices of our faith.

Health

Generally, it wasn't a good year for me when it came to my well being. I got sick and the kids got sick too. Nothing major, but it still was a hassle. It was a blessing in disguise as it was an eye opener for us to better take care of ourselves and to invest in our health! Earlier this month, we started to do some healthier practices at home. Hopefully, we will stick with it and it will pay off in the future.

Service
As for our service, there was a time I thought we were not doing enough, but through our weekly HHPMs and their sharing I was again proven wrong. God indeed works in ways we cannot see. I humbly reminded that He is in charge and that we are merely His servants. But we are are not getting complacent. We still want to do more, go farther especially when it comes to service. In His time, I know both me and hubby will be readier and bolder :-) This will probably something we can work on in 2014.

Finances
God has again proven how generous He can be! This year, I felt it's like Christmas everyday! Napagod at nagsawa na ako magshopping! Joke! Because of hubby's new position and my teaching blocks, it was a good year for us financially. We were able to upgrade one of our cars into a bigger car, we were able to have funds for the trip of my in-laws and was able to sustain all the expenses while they were here, that is in addition to our usual expenses and savings. We got more materially. We got a lot of extras. But more than that I am happier to share that through these financial blessings we were able to help more. We realised the value of sharing what you have in a way teaching the value as well to the kids. The thing there is, the more we helped and shared, the more financial blessings that came in. Parang hindi rin kami tumulong, di ba? I guess that is God's way of telling us that we should continue helping. We are mere instruments. We can only be thankful.

Travel

One of the plans that I wrote was the family will hopefully have one major travel locally or internationally for 2013. We didn't fly to another country because the budget was put to a better use, we had to finance the holiday of my in-laws here.  We also didn't fly locally, but we went on a lot of long drives, not to mention our first experience of real snow! Yes, I forgot all about our Snowy adevnture this year!!! Going to the snowy is usually part of the to-do list of Sydney siders :-) In addition, when my in-laws were here, we were out almost every weekend, doing long-drives --Canberra, Central Coast, South Coast. Sa isang lakwatsera na tulad ko, matagal bago ako maumay sa kalalabas, but this year I reached that state. I looked forward to just staying home during weekends! Napagod din ang lola mo. That might not equate to my definition of travel (flying) but if I'm not to be too strict about it, we did travel, a lot! We were able to explore more places around Sydney so I guess, we were able to reach this goal. Hoping 2014 will be a different story hehe plans for our first quarter trip is shaping up weeeee! 

On a serious note, the tragedies that have happened this year all over the world, more so in the Philippines made me look closer on the blessings that He has given us. It pushed me to look into things that I should be thankful for everyday, to look for everyday miracles. To look beyond material things.

I cannot complain anymore because indeed it was a great year. We had what we needed and what we wanted. 

Thank you Lord for 2013.

I can only pray that it will also end great to everyone.