Ups and downs.

With Typhoon Ruby safely behind us, we reminded of God's graciousness and mercy once more. 

We all have storms in life, its how you prepare and deal with hem head on that makes all the difference. 

We didn't have to deal with just a literal storm, we have our other storms such as health issues (Dani just came from an asthma attack and Caleb now has a fever and cold), overwhelming pressure from work, temptations and fears. But God has been good. Every morning we have new reason to praise and glorify Him.

I miss my dad terribly, our first year apart. But I'm happy I never have to face the loneliness alone.  

To see Dani and Caleb's bright smile and in the calm certainty of my husband, God has a plan. He always had and still does. 

God be glorified! 

. 

Packed day

Things accomplished today:

• groceries

• brought Bryan to the airport

• brought Dani to the pedia

• had Dani do an x-ray. Took us 2 hours. She was so scared. 

• signed a lot of diplomas. 

• bought medicine

• had national earthquake drill at the college. 

• rice feeding program at the highschool

• trash bins ordered for college arrived. 

• PMAP introduction in Manila for Agnes. 

• Bacolod seminar for Sheila, Williamson and Netz

• cement unloaded mostly. 

• Dani's fever under control. 

Its been a tough day. But whatever happens, Dani and Caleb are first. Everything else is just a blurr. 

God always has perfect timing. With Dani sick like this, I am grateful to be here for her and take care of her. To hold her hand and to go through her fear of the x-ray machine. Although my blood pressure doesnt agree, I dont want it to be any other way. 

We have a good God. I will always cling to Him, especially in times like these. Who else is there that can do what only my God can do? 

Make it count

Somebody says: "Death is the last chapter of time but the first chapter of eternity."

We cannot decide when or where we will die, but we certainly can decide how we will live. 

Make every moment matter!

Make it clear

Nothing should get in the way of God and family. No matter what happens or how full your life gets, learn to let go and let God take full control. 

Such a sad life to live with only worldly things keeping you involved. Simple pleasures such as family time, no matter how mundane, makes life fulfilling. It gives us meaning. 

Life is short. Here today, gone tomorrow. I would much rather spend the rest of my days with no regrets left with family and the people I love. 

Family time in Iloilo

No matter how strained, always make the effort to make family work. It is not an easy road and it is what will hurt us the most. But family always comes first. 

Mommy in the kitchen

Today was our first Parent's Observation Day at Iloilo Montessori International School. 

What a treat to see Dani interact with her teachers and classmates. The little girl sitting next to her in the picture was her classmate in summer school and has nlw become her best friend. Her name is Iya and she is such a mild mannered and proper little lady. 

Today they learned new songs to dance to. New stories and named the differeny rooms in the house. 

What really tugged my heartstrings was when Miss Michelle asked the class what room mommy cooks. Dani was answering on several occassions that mommy is found in the kitchen.

It really got to me that the times wheein Dani would see me cook would actually have a profound impact on her. Without a second thought, she knows mommy cooks in the kitchen. 

So it may be little cookies, banana cakes, entrees or whatever suits my fancy, she loves watching me work. Even if its just juicing her face lights up with wonder. She ends up carrying that memory and wonder with her.

Its these moments that mold a child. Even in the times where we easily take for granted. I never saw my mom in the kitchen. I've always dreamed of preparing the kids' snacks/meals for school. So it impacts her as much as it impacts me. In this moment, my world is wonderful. 

Who knew that saying, "Mommy cooks in the kitchen" would mean so much to me. I almost teared up! 

Family Sunday

A bit rainy but nothing Annamae (the Palmares' pet pig), some mango and santol picking couldnt fix. 

Thank you, Lord! We needed this! 

The little foodies

Caleb joined us at the table today! A thrill for me to feed him his carrots with him seated in his new chair. He was such a good little boy!

I really relish these moments. I've been dreaming of them for as long as I can remember. 

For dinner, I ordered Max's delivery and Bryan's favorite, crispy pata. 

Dani took interest seeing me eating the bits on the bone and asked me if she could try. 

Lo and behold! I guess it runs through her veins! GG would be so proud! 

Really hoping my kids become adventurous eaters. Life's too short. 

Jeremiah 17:7-8

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

    whose confidence is in him.

They will be like a tree planted by the water

    that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

    its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Thank you, Yayay Jen

Jennelyn Uy came to our family the day before I gave birth to Dani. When Caleb was born she took over taking care of him. Her years of great service ended today, July 17,2014.

She has been such a blessing since day one. A prayer answered, she was the right one at the right time. 

She has been through more of the motherly duties than I have. Thats why I will always be grateful.

Wishing her more blessings. Children of her own soon. A very happy, peaceful life. 

People like her are 1 in a thousand. Thank you, Lord, for her. 

Will miss you again...

I recently read that the more responsibility or the higher you go in life, the more sacrifices you have to make.

People think that along with the promotion all the perks come your way. Becoming a leader means you get to sacrifice the most.

Its a reality that hurts and wish I could have the best of everything. But life us not like that.

As much as it hurts each day, I have to remind myself that all this has a purpose. Its not just for our family. But its for the future of the people who have chosen to trust us.

God brings us to points in our life like these so that we know where we stand. I know I stand here in this moment because God has a plan for us. A plan that has been with us through the generations. Its a legacy.

So as I pack my bags for another trip, I am reminded of our purpose.

My prayer for you, Dani, is the Lord make you stronger and brave. It pains me to leave you each time. To hear you plead for me to come home. That you want to sleep next to me. Thats one of my pains to hear you whimper.

The Lord be enough for you.

Caleb, you are still too young to know what is going on. I pray you never stop smiling and bringing joy and humor to everything and everyone. You have the smile that is so contagious. It is a gift. A gift I know Lolo Pepot had.

  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
- Jeremiah 29 :11

A first for Caleb

Caleb makes it to his first party with Achi Dani! 

Happy 1st birthday, Milli Tan!

Office Day!

Going to the office for the first time today! Dani excited to bring Syoti. Little do they know their going to the pediatrician after. 

Caleb's Dedication Day

March 15, 2014

Mango Tree, Mandurriao

11am

Officiated by :

Ptr. Fernando "Dandy" Oton

Sponsors:

Anna Alcantara

Ana Marie Chua

Ana Joy Bellosillo

Debbie Uy

David Jamora

John Paul Benedicto

Jon2 Yu

Jose Marie Sy

We serve a God who is mightier than the struggles we inherit and who is full of the desire to forgive, love, and heal the brokenness that rises up between us and Him. God is present in the places where our fears live.

Love swims against the current of life’s false fears.

- ODB

Moving up

It feels like only yesterday when we bought Dani's crib at SM City. The days just watching her sleep soundly. As months pass her head would stick out from under the bumper guards. Then she sat, holding on to the sides. Now she climbs up the crib herself, my heart still pounding when she does this. 

With Caleb here, the crib is passed on and Dani gets her own bed. Who knew a bed would make me so emotional? 

Stepping up into another season. My baby is not a baby anymore. 

Hot and cold

With Caleb only two weeks old, it has amazed me at how similar and opposite my two children are. 

Caleb easily gets chilly. Dani on the other hand can sleep through a typhoon and still get sweaty! 

Caleb is calm and pensive (so far), Dani is a firecracker, she can go on and on and on and on. 

But the similarities are just as baffling.  Caleb has also developed the same skin allergy to his soap the way Dani did during this time. To top it all off, Caleb has become a cholic child. There goes the peace and quiet in the evening! God help us get through this phase once more. The hours seem to drag on as my son cries with pain. And all he has to do is pass wind! 

My health has suffered more this time around. Was rushed to the hospital because my blood pressure reached 180/120 and apparently my cholesterol level has tripled the normal rate. 

So I haven't been as hands on as ai would have wanted to be because I need to keep myself relaxed and rested.  I am blessed with good nannies. They are my rocks right now. Not to mention my husband who is everything and doing it all right now. 

But seeing my two kids together is such a joy. Dani has become a big sister just like that. She wants to hold, hug and kiss her brother every chance she gets. A bit clingy and she gets a bit over excited (gigil) for everyone's comfort. She springs up every morning to see him and wants to sleep with him at night. Whenever Caleb cries she gets so protective and empathizes by shedding her own tears. 

Caleb has surprisingly been pretty calm despite his sister's piercing yelps. He sleeps right through it all. 

God definitely balanced them both out for us. Its going to be fascinating seeing them both grow up. In all this, you see how God always has a plan in motion. You can't plan this with all the great minds in the world. His ways are more than we can ever fathom. 

Hello, Syoti!

On January 3, 2014, God blessed our family with our 2nd child, a healthy baby boy! 

Thank you, Father God! And so

many people kept commenting he looks like my dad. 

Excited to see how Dani reacts when she sees him for the first time.