baaaloow me down...

Blowing air into a balloon is no simple task yet this was the first thing I did as soon as I arrived home from an 11-hour shift. My two sons prepared a "birthday poster" while their Ate Ally was in school. So, at the last minute I thought the poster would look more festive if i threw in a few balloons, as I wanted the said poster to be the first thing my daughter sees as soon as she wakes up. The "air pump", however, that i bought last Christmas was no longer working so I had to go manual. By the time I finished the fifth balloon, I was so breathless and felt as if I've lost 20 pounds lol.

Happy Birthday Sheila!

Sheila has been with our family since January 2006. My youngest son was then only 7 months old. She arrived a month after I drove my former maid out of my house for the following reasons:

1) She gets herself drunk while taking care of my baby,

2) She leaves my kids in the house while she meets up with her lover

3) She got  pregnant

There are a lot more reason why I decided to let her go but such would fill out needless space. Sheila came at a time I needed help with my growing family. During the time without "nanny-help"  I would bring my two sons to my mom's house while my daughter is at school. When I arrive home in the morning I would pick up my older son and have him sleep beside me till I wake up at noon while my daughter and youngest son would stay at my parents' until further notice. Sheila was recommended by Abi, a very good friend of mine, who was based in Iloilo and I immediately asked her to fly over to Manila. Sheila has been a constant blessing eversince and I never once doubted about her capacity to take care of my 3 children while I am at work. She is such a good person, second mother to my children, my extra pair of hands.

When I am at work she would make sure that my 2 kids have done their homeworks... she reviews them to prepare for their exams. I would at times arrive home from work at 4:00 in the morning and find her preparing my daughter's reviewer. She prays the rosary with my children when I am at work. And when I pay her monthly wage she would send 90% to her family and the 10% left with her she buys stuff for my kids. 

Sheila, thank you so much for the time and effort that you spend for my children. You are no longer a stranger to us, you're already part of our family. Thank you for being so selfless...for being patient with my kids, for loving them as if they are your own. Thank you!

Happy Happy Birthday! May God bless you and may you have many more birthdays to come!

Happy Birthday mi amore

It is my husband's birthday today and this is the very first time that we will be celebrating it apart. It's a good thing that we have all the means to communicate these days. Because in the past we would only have the snail mail, to name one, to rely on which either comes late or does not arrive at all.

So to you my wonderful husband, your children and I greet you with much warmth from the Philippines, enjoy this day although apart.

You brighten up my life With memories and dreams As the years pass They get better it seems You're someone I can count on When I need a helping hand You're compassionate and loving You always understand Oh yes you have your Off days too However those days Are but numbered few I'm so thankful to have A husband like you There is no other Who could fill your shoes

Thank you for being such a wonderful husband, responsible and loving father to our children, and a respectful son-in-law. I must have done something good in the past to have found someone like you. Thank you for being very demonstrative to our children, for always saying "I love you" to them, for hugging them and always making them feel how much they are loved. For making me feel how much our family means to you. The Lord is blessing you because of this and I know He will continue to bless you as I can see how much you love your own mother and your siblings. Happy Birthday my husband! We love you so much!

***I would like to acknowledge that the poem is not written by myself but a poem I saw on the internet, I will be looking for the website to include the name of the person who wrote this wonderful poem.***

Reflections on my birthday

In two days I will be celebrating my birthday, another milestone, another year added to my existence... and I am so grateful! Many years back during my troubled solitude, I have often pondered about a lot of things...will I marry or stay single? Will I or will I not have children? Will my mother and I ever see the best from each other or never? Will my father start regarding me as someone with whom he can share his views or not? Will my sisters ever see me as an “ate” they could depend on? Will I ever be taken seriously? Will I ever get a stable job? So many questions….always left unanswered… Never knowing what my purpose in life is. And then you discover that your purpose is not given to you on a silver platter but takes some time of soul searching and life experiences before you touch base. Now I could say that I have travelled at least half the way of my full circle and as such, contented where I am. My loving husband and three wonderful children are constant reminders of the blessings that I have. If I used to shirk on my birthdays now I embrace this with pleasure because every year that I happen is always another year with the people I love. And each time I thank our Lord God that He has given me the wisdom to make His plans for me my own and to completely entrust my life unto Him.

On my birthday, I would like to spend this time not only with my family but with friends who have remained steadfast all throughout the years! You know who you are so see you soon! :)

Back from a long "vacation"

It is so good to be back! I miss blogging! But before anything else I would like to greet my youngest sister the best birthday ever. This birthday greeting is long overdue as I have had no time to update my blogs ... but am back! And everything is alright. We spent her birthday (November 16th) in the hospital while our mom was in the ICU, my "bunsoy" (what I call my youngest sister), was even sick on her birthday. My mom, always the "generous one gave my papa money to buy some food to share on my sister's birthday. It was a happy day for us as my mom was much better but not so as my sister, on the other hand, had such a bad flu.

Well sister, this message is for you...

I know how lonely sometimes life can be, I have been in that situation. Remember that time...several Valentine's ago when you and Minpi were out on a date while I had to go home because I had no one? I remember coming from work, with a rose given by my staff, dragging my feet and opening the gate to our house. I was greeted by Mama who said that she and Papa just came back from a dinner date. I felt utterly miserable because I had no one... then I saw our dog with another dog who was trying to court him at our backyard... I did not know whether I wanted to laugh or to cry...so I told Mama - "Look Mama, even Chapay has a date... while I have only myself..." I can't recall what Mama's reaction was that time but I felt how sad it is to be alone when you know how much love you have inside that you want to share with a special someone, only if there was one. That is probably the reason why I do not hear the melody in your voice when you laugh, you used to have a very infectious laugh. These days, you always look so tired... I miss the way your eyes light up when you smile. I miss listening to you sing early in the morning and before you go to sleep. You no longer find mirth when everything used to touch you silly.

Bunsoy, look back if you must and if only to find lessons you had to learn but look forward to the future with much optimism. Lift everything up to our Lord who understand the pain you have inside your heart, He will heal you as He has healed me; He will lead you as He has led me; and He will find that special someone who will not only love you but love that little Hope in your life as well. Have faith and rediscover happiness. 

Happy Happy Birthday! My wish for you is to find peace and be healed.