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...