35!

What was that? I am 35? Come on, I still feel 20 haha. Seriously though I think my body is 35 already what with the aching knees every so often, bulging belly who hasnt been a prob when I was younger. BUT hey my spirit is still young, wanting to explore, to know new things, to travel, to eat and eat a lot, to watch movies and have some popcorn. I guess my wants hasnt matured enough eh? Well at least I know the difference of wants and needs and know how to prioritize. Because there are a lot more better things to do than watch a movie, travel and eat. Like equipping oneself to be a better person :) A better Christian, wife, momma, daughter, sister and neighbor.

My special day started August 30 when hubby treated me for a whole day out, only us! We went to the leaders training first at CCF and got acquainted with other DGroup leaders. See we are starting a group with the Regalado kids and though we still find ourselves not mature enough to disciple others God has given us a responsibility, maybe this will lead us to the maturity that we wanted. Besides growing doesnt stop, right?

So after the training we were off to BGC for some time alone. Hubby asked if I want to go to Dad's buffet, he said that's 1500 each he wasnt sure. The  accountant in me started computing and I said I want Ramen. Well I did want Ramen haha, the well reviewed Ramen of our awesome planet and some other food bloggers but hey I will have graciously go to Dad's if not for the presumed price. We went past Dads when I googled it - only to find out that birthday celebrators are free of charge when you dine there with at least one companion. Arggh. And the cost per plate isnt 1500 it's only 700+-. If I only submitted and let him lead me I would have had a sumptuous.meal and a free lunch. The Ramen btw from Ikkuoryo eklavu (I forgot na) was not at all to rave for. Anyways at least we were able to eat something new.

We just went window shopping lang at SM aura the boutiques there were really uhmmm pricey except for Uniqlo.and forever 21 where I was able to buy a pair of pants for 400 bucks! Then we went to Makati for a play, The Last Five Years starred by Nikki Gil. Alas, the available seats were apart, I wouldn't like that so we beg off and went to Greenbelt instead - a place I have missed. Then we got lost haha. The place was new and we haven't been to Makati for a looong time. Though we got lost we still had a fun time looking around, the  boutiques are even pricier so we just looked around hahaha.

Meryenda at MaryGrace saved my tired feet. Then there was still enough time to go to Pasig for our friend's son 7th bday party. So we were out again to buy a present, then off to Pasig we went.  Traffic was sooo bad I was losing my spirit. But good things come to those who obey their husbands hehe, there were good food, great party and most of all we were able to attend the bday and see our friends.

On my day, we went to the first service. Then Mariano peeps went to our house for lunch. Regalado kids at 1:30. Our Dgroup at 3pm, well at least I invited them at 3 but yeah we started 4pm na. We invited Nanay and Tatay Fred over and the Regalado couples too. It was intentional yes. And we were happy because Nanay and Tatay A opened their hearts to Jesus that day. A day to remember eh?

Days past after my birthday I still remember how loved I am. By God who presents me with a very unique celebration, by hubby who gives me the time and attention I need, my kids who loves me dearly, family who supports me, spiritual family that keeps me attuned to God.

Thank you dear Lord for the 35 years of pure greatness. I see your love for me in everything and when sometimes my eyes get clouded you put me right back on track. You are faithful. You are Sovereign. You know my past and my future. Help
 me to always trust in your unfailing love.

Oh Ghost na!

It's August 1!

SEGUE: Happy birthday Inets :) She's one of my favorite cousins. Being the closest one as in kapitbahay -that close- cousin who I grew up with. May God's grace be upon you today and always.

For stocks, August is spelled as AuGHOST because the stocks usually dive down, lesson learned the hard way. I havent been very keen into stock trading until lately because I needed to raise some funds. So I read and subscribed to some groups about trading and I can say I am learning. Investing is still the way to go but trading has a different game, not for the faint hearted ha. One should be ready to lose. I am sooo not encouraging anyone to trade, I want you to invest and I am still doing that. I just took a little of my portfolio to trade so I can gauge if I have a gift for it.

Apparently, trading needs training and I dont have that. I didnt know that August is no trading month for Chinese peeps. And they dominate the the A class of this country and if they are not willing to spend money on this month there would be no trading thus no gain. Good thing I was able to read about it by July and was able to liquidate some of the green (gaining) asset. Now that the costs of stocks are dipping low, in investing that;s the time to buy, I am happy that I have some pennies to buy some stocks. Those that werent liquidated are left on the red side and iiiyak ko na lang hahaha.

Lesson: Learning new tricks is a process. You cannot be good at it overnight.

In other news: It's AUGUST and it is my month!!! I wonder what's in store for me? I bet it is awesome :) I can feel it.

Have a wonderful month peeps.

Respond don't React

I did this to our wall the other day.

We'll have a new TV and me wants it to be mounted on the wall. So I did this genius idea, NOT!

I was pretty  impressed with it, I even sent a photo to my husband. I felt I  was helping scale the wall  so it would be easier for the hubby to mount the telly. I did look at the tape first, it isnt as sticky as the other tape with decor i plan to put first . The scotch  tape wont be do any good because  it cant be seen - was I so wrong.

This morning I tried taking it off, hubby was there just looking in at first. I had a notion that the electric  tape might have damaged the wall, alas, it did. It scraped  the paint and stress is creeping  in and I almost want to cry. Hubby was just quiet and smiling.

Actually, the moment he saw the picture on his viber message, he knew  what will happen to the wall but it was done and reacting wont help a bit so he didnt react :) 

When he saw my rising agony he stood up and helped me took the tape off with minimal damage to the wall. But I was more thankful that he didnt blame me one bit. I, in my low point, even said it wouldn't  have been like that if he has mounted the TV right away. And that if he told me right away we would have lessened the damage. My reaction  was immature, something  I  haven't  thought of carefully.  I hurt my husband but he kept on helping me take the tape off with patience. He was pretty  much responding  the right way and I was doing the opposite.  Blaming and not  accepting  responsibility  is very very low and downright foolish.

Proverbs 29:11

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

My journey toward building my Automatic Habitual Christlike Response is still long but with the help of my dear husband and the grace of God, I will one day know how not to react and how respond correctly. So we are all work in progress aren't we? Hmmm so many things to learn yet thankful that there are people whose patience is worth acknowledging, like this man waiting for me at the nearby coffeehouse.

The dear husband on our date last Tuesday.

 The title of this post came from one of the messages we have listened from church. Do click the link below and let's all learn how to Respond properly. God bless us!

Respond, Don't React

Baby Love

The first pic was taken a year ago. Our first pictorial with a pro, ImagineNation. At 8 months, with barely 4 teeth, he was very cooperative with the photographers - smiling ang making pacute haha.

But the little boy grew and grew, he grew and grew until he was 1 year old. Here he is in his cub scout uniform, printed by momma for a photshoot we scheduled for his birthday. On his birthday he hasnt mastered walking alone yet, few steps yes but he'd rather be carried. Until one day when he found freedom with walking and then running and jumping.

Then the little cutie boy grew and grew , he grew and grew until he was 1 year and 8 months old. This kid is driving me crazy, madly in love with him everyday. He has his own way of making you love him, superpower that melts the heart.

He calls me "Mama" that alone, yes just calling me "Mama" melts my heart. You probably know how long it took til Thea calls me Mom right? So this is no drama, it is super special to hear that magic word.

He knows shapes now, we don't force him, no pictures on the wall to remind him often just books that he loves to read. He calls triangle "Atang" i dont know how it happens but he does, we correct him and say triangle then he'll say triangle, but whe we point it again he'll say "Atang".

We have more than allowed time TV viewing. Ate Thea knows how to open the tube and we struggle to find ways to keep them busy we need something more fun than Disney Junior to make her turn off the TV without much struggle (stress at the much).  But know that we make it a point to teach them and have study/play sessions. Here he is matching pictures, yes he knows Mickey mouse and the rest of the gang :) Cars he hasnt watched but he loves it when I show him pictures of Mcqueen. I guess we now know what to give him next time.

And the little boy grew and grew. he grew and grew. He now knows how to refuse. AYAW is his favorite word. I showed him Mcqueen his answer "aaaay car!", I showed him puzzle - Buzz lightyear, "Ayaw Buzz he said , showed him slippers with another character I forgot what then he said "Ayaw shoes". Take him to the table for dinner and you'll probably hear Ayaw for at least 10 times :) He'll say "Ayaw" when he doesnt like the clothes you want him to wear. Oh little buddy, so I taught him to answer "Ako" he'll say Atu when I ask sino makulit? Para-paraan lang anak.

There was also a time when he likes saying BoomPanes something he learned from his cousins. He repeats until you notice. When he laughs he bends backward, ala Pilita Corales bending, sometimes I had to push him back so he could stand straight ;)

When it's time to read to Ate Thea he'll find ways to join. It wasnt easy as Ate is jealous when Leb is around. But I know this will pass, and I just have to savor the moment when both kids are competing for my attention.

He loves pleasing mommy, like it is the ultimate thing to do. Oh joy to see you baby doing extra things for mommy. Like this pose for instance hahaha.

 

I'll end with the song from I Love You Forever. 

I love you forever.

I like you as always.

As long as Im living.

My baby you'll be.

And baby even when I grow and grow, grow and grow until I am soo old and might not be able to sing that song to you anymore, know that Mama loves you forever and ever.