My So-CaLLeD LiFe

what ondoy did to us

I'm back at work after a horrifying experience.you know we were badly hit as well, our car & the cars of my in-laws were all submerged in water. we were at my in-laws house then to celebrate the bday of my father- in- law when the flood came by so fast. the water went up to the ceiling of the 1st floor. we stayed in their 2nd/f until monday morning together with a lot of neighbors who knocked at our door because the flood in their houses almost reached their roof/s. good thing we have enoough food to feed them and we also tried to get relief goods to the helicopters who came. mishka only had 1 milk a day. i never thought that these things happen in real life. i'm still deciphering God's plan in letting this thing to happen...

Star Rice

We were having difficulty letting Mishka eat rice lately. All she wants to eat were the viands and skips eating rice. Yesterday, while having lunch at SM Hypermarket, I let her eat Java Rice and surprisingly, she ate it. I realized that Mishka wants some spice and color in her rice so I bought Star Margarine. Yes, I made Star Rice (the same rice that my father used to feed us with when we were kids so we would have more appetite in eating food) and it worked! Mishka finished her food and asked me to add some more rice on her plate:) I am just so elated:)

On Track

Koy and I did something different last Valentine's Day, we attended a conference for members of young CFC. The conference was entitled, "On Track", it was such an enlightening and fun-filled experience. This is the first conference we attended in CFC as a married couple (the last conference we attended together was when we were still in SFC, Reloaded Conference). We saw several faces from SFC who are also now part of the young CFC population. The conference had 3 sessions: 1.) Let's Not Bring The Past Back 2.) Never Gonna Give You Up 3.) More Today Than Yesterday. There were also workshops which caters to the needs of young couples. In general, the conference tackled the concerns of young couples and how we are being prepared as the future of the CFC community. We were also given a time to show our appreciation to our spouses by thanking them, giving them a big hug and yes, kissing them:) We all renewed our Marriage Vows after the praisefest. There was a "Prom Night" which we failed to attend (because our group was so hungry, we decided to eat first but when we returned...the event already ended). Anyway, we had a great time during our dinner. We ate at San Villa Bar & Resto (also in Intramuros) and we were the only customers (there were 8 of us, 4 couples). While waiting for our food, Koy played the piano and Syke and I sang:)We had a blast singing the night away and the waiters enjoyed our mini-gig, hehe (dapat binayaran kme dun eh).

It was a day not just of love but a day of spirituality and friendship as well.

"How wonderful life is...now you're in the world:)"

See more pictures here

Hope for the New Year

Last year was a very trying year for my hubby & I (as you've seen in my previous entries). Good thing was, with God's grace we were able to overcome the little bump on the road He gave us. It helped us appreciate all the blessings that come our way and it helped us grow us a couple.

We were very optimistic in welcoming lucky '09. New Year came, we were so happy in welcoming it. Not knowing that in few hours time we would receive a sad news, I was woken up by my sister's call that Lolo Emong (my paternal grandfather) already passed away a few hours after New Year's eve. I really felt sad when I heard the news but I was also relieved knowing the fact that he won't be suffering anymore from the pain of cancer he was enduring for almost two years. He served the people of Bautista,Pangasinan when he was elected as a public official a few years back but I know he served them more by bringing them closer to God. Yes, he served God during most of his adult life and even he was amidst cancer's pain, he was still glorifying God. During his last days, he was able to scribble a poem to inspire people to serve God (I will post it here once my uncle forwards it me, ang tagal tito ha).

Lolo's last message before he died affirmed my conviction to revive my service to God this year. Yes, we must admit that because of so many factors, my husband & I were not able to serve God that way we used to when we were still single. Our hope of having a Christ-centered family life will be realized by us serving Him more...and I must say that we are having a good start...Mishka is starting to clap and raise her hand during worship when we attended the young CFC gathering last week:)

happy birthday to all:)

there are so many people from my family who are celebrating their birthdays today (nov. 5)

1. my ninang...lola willie

2. my cousin paula

3. my brother jm...thanks for the gifts:) may God continue to shower you with His blessings:)

4. and last but not the least my Papa Romy...we always pray that you have already found your peace with our Creator. I really miss you papa, you are the funniest, coolest, most understanding, supportive, and loving father. I know that even if you're not physically present in my life now, you are always there...seeing me through in every obstacle & triumph that I face in my life. We love you!

"me" time

When I attended an FGD a few months ago, we were asked to enumerate our activities from morning to sun-down. I realized then that since I became a mom I never really had time for myself. Most of my activities include attending to my baby's needs, work, household chores, etc. I never had the time to do the things I love to do like post an entry to this blog, read a book while sipping a cup of coffee, shopping for myself (I always shop for my baby), etc.

Last Saturday in our CFC household, this topic was once again discussed. Now that I'm a mother, I feel guilty when I leave my baby to watch a movie with my hubby (and have some quality time together), I shop expensive things and clothes for her (Mishka) but I feel guilty if I buy even a cheap blouse for myself and when I get home it's okay not to rest at once even if I'm dead tired from work just so I could cook, play with her, read her a book and finally sing a song for her before she goes to sleep. I'm not complaining because I love doing things for my family. However, that topic made me realize that hey, I also need some soul nourishment, I also need to pamper myself once in awhile, I should also reward myself every now & then and I need some "me" time to get in touch with who I am every so often.

In reality, once we have a family of our own, our top priority is our family and work. I even feel guilty because our service to God through CFC lessened when we started a family (but I'm sure He understands because we also serve Him through our family and work). However, we also need to prioritize ourselves because we cannot fully give our love and service to others if we do not love ourselves first. Remember, we cannot give what we do not have. We must also not feel guilty when we say that "learning to love ourselves is the greatest love of all" because if we do so, we are loving God (since we are made in His own image and likeness) and we could give more love to others.

So, learn to love yourself, give in to some of your guilty pleasures... have some "me" time to recharge your restless soul. I'm trying...

Mishka's 1st Birthday:)

I can't believe it but Mishka already turned 1 last August 2, 2008! Kokoy did not report to work last August 1 and so we were able to have some quality time together before our little girl turns 1. We were remiscing the events that took place same day of last year when I was so nervous and having pre-eclampsia before delivery and the events that followed after that. My hubby mentioned that the fear and anciety we experienced last year was changed by joy & excitement this year for our baby's 1st birthday. Come August 2, we woke Mishka up by singing happy birthday to her, she smiled at us:) We then headed to hear mass and had breakfast. All morning I was so busy preparing everything that we will bring for her party, prizes for games, loot bags,balloons, her things, etc.

It was a very simple but a happy celebration which was held at Dads Megamall and attended by family and close friends. We had a "pirates and fairies" theme. All our guests were treated for a merienda buffet (which Dads offers everyday) and I'm sure their hungry stomachs were all satisfied:)