Bathroom and more...

Ok, it's kind of strange, but bathroom is one of my favorite place in the house, don't you? it gives you comfort and joy, lol, specially if your bathroom looks like this :) this is not my bathroom. I wish this is my bathroom haha..

According to Jessica," it's my fad, when I'm sad or mad, my bathroom fad is my glad".

Today I thought, i get over with kids banging on the door when they were young, but tell you, they're not, at least today and even my twins are acting out today.  I know if you are a parent you are all too familiar with this scene. As soon as you need to go to the bathroom, it's like the world needs you right?  

and it should be the cleanest part of the house too.

Anyway, I talked to a young mother last night and she was telling me about how stress she is taking care of her small children. I shared to her my principles to lessen stress, aside from time management. I told her that it is so important to put some of her needs ahead of the children...don't get me wrong, here's why...
I get this idea whenever I'm in the airplane and you know the airlines demonstrated how to use a mask when needed? They said that you put your OWN mask first so that you are more equipped to handle helping others. That's all good and I believe it's a good analogy. I am a firm believer that we need a time alone with God, or to read good books, exercise, or be with a friend, or having a "me" time, and rest to sustain ourselves to be able to sustain others. Don't hesitate to use a respite or babysitter or a family member to take care of them so that you can have some peaceful and quite time alone for yourself once in a while. We need to be mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced. I think it make sense, you cannot help someone when you are overstress, angry, frustrated and tired. It will do no good to both of you.

Today is really busy but productive. I get all things done, groceries, run errands, clean the house, cook, packed half of our stuff for Australia,  a visit to a doctor . There's few more laundries that needs to be wash. I wish my mom is here. She loves washing. When she was here, I haven't done laundry for 6 months :) Mama come back here! I need you. I know she's reading my blog. 

And you know what's bad news? I ate like there's no tomorrow. How can I eat too much in times like this? I am saving my appetite for the next few days. My husbands  sisters are excellent cooks and I'm sure I cannot resist the temptations.


Have a great day!

My Special Day!

Days are running like rivers. It seems like yesterday when I was 21 :) I stop counting my years since then...haha just kidding! Actually I am very proud to be 41. They said, It's only age that gets older but the heart always feels young and I find it true, you know the saying? "In every man's heart there is a child hidden..."
My son teased me yesterday, he said..."Mom you are super old but you have no wrinkles and not a lot of gray hairs, that is actually creepy!" meanie..lol.....Well, that is a good thing then.

My birthday went really well. I feel like a queen, at least on that day. A breakfast in bed, a foot massage, beautiful cards and flowers from my loves and a romantic lunch date from hubby :) He knows that I love anything that smells good, so he bought me an "Acqua di Gioia" from Giorgo Armani. Isn't that sweet? 
It makes my day even more special because I celebrated it with our church family in our Christmas Banquet.


But it's not really the material things that i am most thankful for, although those are precious expressions of love. But I thank God to have family, church family and friends around me that loves me dearly. His abundant grace, love and mercy that He has shown me everyday. The air that I breath when I wake up in the morning, adding another day for me to enjoy His goodness and to fulfill His purpose in my life. A reminder of how He loves me and how He gave Himself for me. He is so good ! That indeed are gifts that cannot be measured by anything in this world.


This is my birthday verse, Psalm 84. It was God's encouraging word for the coming year.
"Blessed are the men whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.


Everyday is a journey. Life is not an easy road but, my strength is in God, not in myself. God will make the path a place of springs, the early rain also covers it with pools. It will be a blessing to others too. Every day I will experience God's strength upon strength. I am so excited for the coming year and years to come.


It's been a good year, full of blessings!


A lovely friend gave me a gift card and I bought it with these. Thank you, you know who you are. So warm and cuddly just like you :)

You're Not Alone

Just had a talked to someone that is close to my heart.

I Just want you to know that you are never alone even in this darkest night of your life. He sees you, He knows you, He have plans for you. He will be there right beside you. You can rely on His love. He is faithful and true forever. He'd never left you. He loves you!

and so am I. I will lift you up  in prayers.

You're Not Alone

I searched for love

When the night came and it closed in

I was alone

but you found me where I was hiding

and now I'll never ever be the same

It was the sweetest voice that called my name

saying

You're not alone

For I am here

let me wipe away your every fear

My love I've never left your side

I have seen you through the darkest night

and I'm the one who's loved you all your life

All of your life

You cry yourself to sleep

cause the hurt is real

and the pain cuts deep

All hope seems lost

With heartache your closest friend

and everyone else long gone

You've had to face the music on your own

but there is a sweeter song that calls you home

saying

You're not alone

For I am here

let me wipe away your every tear

oh,my love I've never left your side

I have seen you through the darkest night

And I'm the one who's loved you all your life

All your life

Faithful and true... Forever

For my love will carry you....

You're not alone

for I... I am here

let me wipe away your every fear... Oh yeah

My love I've never left your side

I have seen you through the darkest night

Your darkest night

And I'm the one who's loved you all your life

All of your life

Tis the Season...

The tree is up and decorated, wreaths hanged in our front door, garlands and stockings in our fireplace, centerpieces, are all in its place now, except the outdoor icicle lights. Well, although we are not here on Christmas day, kids had a chance to decorate our "own" tree, but no gifts underneath this time :) maybe few.

photos are a bit dark. I took it from my iphone.

fireplace  :)

We will have our family christmas dinner on the 18th so I started my Christmas baking. So far, I baked shortbread walnut fingers, chocolate revel bars and tons of sugar cookies for children to decorate. They decorated some already.

You all have a nice day!

Journey

In few weeks, our family will be going to Australia for a Fortaleza family reunion. This is not something that we plan to do right now, we thought of doing this in the future when we're able financially. But God made a way for us to go. He knew that it is beyond our financial budget, but He provided. How can you say "no" if God used someone to provide 3 airfare  and offered free lodgings and meals for the whole trip? It's a blessing!. Isn't God good? I really can't thank Him enough for all the blessings he gave us.


My hubby's three sisters and their families migrated to Australia 20 yrs. ago and since then, they barely see each other. I think the last time they've seen each other is that when their mother passed away 5 yrs. ago, they all went back to the Philippines.
They really wanted to see their younger brother and spent sometime with him and his family, of course :) and this is the right time. It is also an opportunity for our children to meet their cousins and vice versa.
I believed that we're not going there for vacation only but we also feel that God wants us to do something. Two of his sisters has been attending our church there regularly, but lately, things are going downhill in their spiritual lives and they are reaching out. 

 And here's some thoughts on security checks too when you travel. Since the 9/11 incident, security checks on airports are never been the same again specially international flights. Tighter screening and more and more powerful means of scanning and searching are required. We even need to remove our shoes and sweaters.


How different in approach this perspective of David, when he said "Search me O God and know my heart, try me and know my anxious thoughts and see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way".. Psalm 139:23-24. I believed it's because he had learned to welcome and trust in the Lords examination of his heart, knowing that the end result was for the greater benefit, not just for ourselves, but also for those with whom we associate.

Heart searching are humbling, inconvenient, awkward, time consuming, sometimes embarrassing, but in the end comes relief and security, along with the gratification of close, honest and trusting relationships. We all need this in our journey of life.


Pray for our trip! We try to bring a piece of Australia for you.

Sydney, Australia

Savour Life As You Would A Latte...

...one drop at a time :)

I am not a coffeeholic, but I love having decaf coffee with hazelnut cream, no sugar or soy chai latte in the morning and before going to bed, that's my favourites. Actually, I don't limit myself in just coffee, I try to explore various kinds of  hot drinks or coffee alternatives. I'm up to it if I find something new. Right now, I'm quite fond of honey ginger latte, it's a must to try :) A ginger tea brewed with skim milk and honey. It's so refreshing like latte with peppermint. I'm drinking one right now :)

My mom of course introduced me to coffee. She would make coffee with milk in the mornings before anyone else got up and I could smell the aroma from our kitchen. Until I got married to a wonderful man that loves coffee too :)  Latte... sweet and warm beyond compare specially on cold, snowy and rainy days.  Just like savouring  God's love, mercy and grace one drop at a time each day and you'll enjoy life more than anything.

Espresso - rich coffee made by forcing water through finely ground, dark roasted coffee beans.

Latte - espresse with steamed milk

Cafe au lait - equal parts espresso and steamed milk

Mocha - latte with a little bit of chocolate

Cafe breve- espresso with steamed half and half cream

Espresso com panna - a serving of espresso topped with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream

Iced espresso - a double espresso poured over crushed ice

Iced cappuccino - single or double serving of espresso poured over crushed ice and topped with an ounce or tow of cold milk

Soy Chai Latte -  a black tea that is brewed strong with a combination of spices and diluted with soy milk 

 Honey Ginger Latte - ginger tea brewed with skim milk and honey

New Look

Well, since I've posted my kitchen makeover here before, I don't want to leave you wondering what happened to it :) 
The two tier and back splash is finished. Next is the installation of granite counter top and island but I don't know when would that be,lol. We decided that we will have an island instead of another table. I'm looking forward to it.

this is our old backsplash...

and here it is now, mosaic style.

 

My new dishwasher :)

...and the two tier. We added three contemp stools so that kids can eat here. They love it.

We decided that we will put a big island here instead of this table.

So that's all for now. I think this will be the last time I will post my kitchen lol...

Jason's Special Day!

 Jason with his kuya Josel

Before you were conceived I wanted you...Before you were born I loved you...Before you were an hour old I would die for you...This is the miracle of a mother's love'...

When I had my first baby. I thought I could not have another one because of a hard deal I experienced. Josel was born with a whooping 8.10 lbs and 28 inches. He is too big for a 5 flat mom like me. I labored for 16 hours and had to undergo vacuum extraction. I told hubby, i think i don't want to have another one.
Two years later, a surprised came.  I struggled and cried the whole 26 hours in the delivery room again, but this time it's worst. When contractions were 20 mins. apart still I wasn't dilated and no progress seen. Epidurals had no effect. They erupted my bag fluid but still no progress. My blood pressure is high, I felt numbness in my whole body and the baby's heart is dropping.  All I could remember in my blurry sight, there were three doctors and two nurses pushing my stretcher and rushed me to an emergency room, put an oxygen in my nose...then I passed out. They've given me general anesthesia.
I felt someone touched my cheeks, it was the nurse trying to wake me up. They're pushing my stretcher to a recovery room. I was unconscious for four hours. They performed an emergency c-section to me.
When I opened my eyes, the nurse held a chubby and cute little baby boy. She laid him down in my chest. I couldn't explained the joy I felt that day. All the pain was gone. For the first time we looked at each other. I can't imagine a day old baby could open their eyes like my chubby did. Our fighter was finally born, an ounce bigger than his big brother. He is 8.11 lbs. I did not hear his little cry in the delivery room because I was unconscious but the minute I looked at his eyes I knew everything would be okay. The nurses told me that he got the loudest cry of all, they called him the fighter. ..lol. He is still a fighter until now. Not a physical fighter but he fights for what he think is right. He might be a little reserved and strong willed but he's very sweet :)


In  few days he will be turning 14. Oh how the years go by. Happy birthday Jason, may God give the desire of your heart. We love you more than you ever know.

I teased him yesterday that I will show up in his classroom with cupcakes and goodie bags, lol... and you know what teenager will gonna say, they think you will ruin their life if you do that. :) 

A Thankful Heart

In filipino culture, we do not have Thanksgiving day. But I remember that in our Patts family tradition we usually have Thanksgiving day where all the family gathered together, not in October or November but we do it on New Years Eve. We had dinner, sharing what they're thankful for, fun and praying together. Even when all of us have their own families now we still carry that tradition till this day and passed it on to our own family! and even more blessed because we do it twice a year :)

But we should have a thankful heart not only once or twice a year, but it should be a daily gratitude of what the Lord had done in our lives?

In Psalm 68:19 says "Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation". This passage was intended to be used in worship by Israel as a song of victory and deliverance. It recounts the many difficulties they endured and speaks of them being afflicted, sinful, experienced hurt and pain, yet this Psalm recalls that God provided his people in tough times and in the days of bountiful blessing in the promise land. In both the good times and the bad, God blessed them and cared for them. His people knows that and thank Him for it.

Often in the bad times we failed to recognize God's hand of blessings. At times we may not even see any positive in our situation but God always gives blessing even though they many not be seen.

May we find things to be thankful everyday of the year, not once or twice but a daily gratitude of what the Lord had done in our life. See God's hand at work in us and praise Him. He gives us multiple blessings. Yes, we face difficulties sometimes but focus on the load of blessings that surround you and thank God for them. In the bad or the good times, Thank and praise Him for He is good!

Happy thanksgiving everyone!

Flowers and Scrapbooking

Finally, I started another album. All of my scrapbooking are in an unfinished state. I do wish I have more time to devote to it.

I like the concept of scrapbooking. This is an opportunity to record  family events and spiritual milestones. Every pages can be an encouragement, a tangible reminder of the goodness of God.

I will try to do one album at a time If possible.

This morning, we did a lot of cleaning in the yard. We cut down our grapevine leaves, ready for next year.
I did not able to do my vegetable garden this year but I am glad that some of my perennials that I planted last year are all in full bloom.These photos were taken a month ago.

 

grapes. We cut all the branches this morning. Last year I made grape jelly but this year, birds are taken over :)

 

 Our backyard

 

Yes I Can...

Fall is very much here. I feel the crisp fall air, so good, so cool. It totally nudges away days of summer. Geese are flying back south to find their nest in a warmer place. It is a welcomed change. Just like a change that took place in a split second, a defining moment of clarity. I was like in a misty fog lately, but it was evaporated into a crystal clear sky.

That's right! I am an overcomer. We all should be.
This morning, and before my day has even began, I am already an overcomer in every circumstances that awaits me. I am completely victorious as I sit here thinking about the power He gave me. A power to subdue any negative thoughts. I am because He is. 

I already have victory over every obstacle, every problem, and in every situation. I have the redemptive truth of what Jesus did for us when He uttered the words, "It is finished". 

"Calling those things that are not, as though they were.
In other words...
God is my infinite supply. He is the life of my body. If I am attacked and even defeated, He is my victory. He is my all in all no matter what the outcome. I have already won by simply standing on His side.
Yes, I can do it. I AM AN OVERCOMER!

Jessica's Room

Here's some updates of Jessica's room makeover :). It's finally done except for the desk and stool for her study area and  a window curtain.

This is what she added on the wall beside her bed. It's made of glass :)

 

very cute !

She still loves to collect stuffed toys :) Most of them are collectibles from starbucks given by her dad :)

This is where her study area. She designed this wall herself :)

We will put her small study table and chair here.