Stairway

I have the most wonderful hubby in the world. He recently renovated our stairs and built bookcases in our family room: :)

This is our stairs before. It is carpeted and wall is painted black. We are trying to get rid of all carpets in our home for health purposes, since our children are suffering from asthma. 

We tore off the carpet

and replace it with oak wood and painted the wall autumn haze  

 Empty space a library for kids, since they hang out here often.

White rails made a nice contrast with wood. Don't you think?

I really think this corner is cute :) I still don't know what to do on the stair wall. I am thinking of picture gallery or just leave it like nothing on it.

If you have any ideas to share, please do so. I would be very glad to any suggestions you can give me.

I found these in pinterest  and I'm having second thought of putting a gallery since I have so many frames in my house already, and it's not really what I want, but sure it's nice if I can at least put something in there :) 

or this... the simpler the better for me.

What do you think? 

And Oh, here's the bookcases hubby built beside fireplace for our family room.

Thank God for a wonderful husband . He did a great job!. Although he's wishing and praying that I will not make another request for him to do. I don't think so lol.

Have a great day everyone! 

Take Me Away!

 "…and ye shall find rest unto your souls."    Matthew 11:29

It's a little bit overwhelmed lately! like a shadow that quickly speed from point to point that left me drained physically and emotionally :) This is the time when I need to be "taken away" from the daily grind. Our bodies are made to have a time of rest. If we don't rest from time to time, we'll get worn down and perhaps damage our health. Resting rejuvenates us.


So today, I'm all for pampering myself. It's a home spa day! all in the comfort of my home. I have a DIY spa kit and use husband's foot spa gift to me on my 37th birthday :) while listening to a beautiful and soothing music. I feel so relax. Just what I needed in a moment.

Considering the medical experts, these are the benefits of spa

  

Increase the body’s energy flow

Improving flexibility of our body

Reducing high blood pressure and hypertension

Healing emotional distress

Reduce the effects of ageing

Soothing our  tired muscles

Toning and nourishing the skin

Detoxifying our body

Stimulating circulation

Reducing weight and weight-related problems

Reducing insomnia, stress and fatigue

I believed this is one way of taking care of our body, which is the temple of God. 

As our body needs rest, so as our souls. I want to be "taken away" in the presence of God. He has a way of relieving our tension and soothing all of those achy muscles that we get from straining against the world each day. We can let go of the day and let God take care of things. I can lean my head back and rest in Him. "Resting in the bosom of Jesus" as what the old songs says. The word "bosom" - The chest conceived of as the seat of the emotions and intimate feelings. The security and intimacy of or like that of being hugged to someones bosom. Isn't it wonderful that we can give everything over to Christ on such an intimate scale? He knows all about us, even our inmost thoughts. It brings such peace to know that we can just tell Him all of our intimate thoughts. We can lay all our emotional baggages to Him. Isn't that relaxing to think about :)

I've seen too many Christians burn out lately. We seem to want to go, go, go. There's nothing wrong with making progress but God made our physical bodies to go in cycles. We need rest in order to be productive. what better way to be productive Christians than relaxing in the presence of the Lord?

Don't forget to take time to slow down and reflect on Christ and walk and talk with Him. He'll rejuvenate and refresh you like nothing else will.

  

  So have your own spa day!

Purpose in the Storm

I was driving home alone from our  CPR training when heavy and strong rain sets in, along with it, the wind was also whipping against every vehicle and there was lightning. It was so intense that I could only see a few feet in front of us. Other drivers were slowing down and even some stopping on the side of the road. It was quick, but hard.


I am not new in thunderstorm. I've experienced most deadliest and damaging typhoons ever hit the Philippines that last for days every year that leave people homeless and hopeless. 
The night when I was driving alone, I become a little fearful, not with all of the commotion around me or neither the strong winds and heavy rains but going through this storm alone. 
I had my share of many storms in my life and you have been too. In those times, it's hard not to focus on ourselves or on the situation. It's easy to sometimes feel that God has forgotten us. But there is purpose in the storm. The storm of life help shape and mold us. It builds faith, character, and worketh patience. (James 1:1-7). Most of all we learned to trust God.


There are many people in the midst of the storms of life without any hope. They are alone, scared and crashed. Many who are right around us are struggling. I was just chatting to a good friend back home that go through a hard storm in her life right now. I wish I can touch her tangibly and hug her, but we're miles away. All I can do is hug her with my thoughts and prayers. For we know, that this too shall come to pass. Weeping may endure through the night but Joy cometh in the morning.
 .
As a believers, our hope is in Christ, the One who can speak to the winds and the waves, "Peace be still." (Mark 4:39). He gives us His peace in the midst of the storm and calms our fearful hearts. 


"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.


To you my friend who are struggling in the storms of your life today. "Be still, and know that He is God".  

Cherry Blossoms Theme

Cherry blossoms tree is well known for it's short yet brilliant blooming season which ends with an inevitable fall to the ground. It's the most popular landscape trees too because of their beautiful spring flowers, and many varieties produce tasty fruits.  I love, love cherry blossoms! They are beautiful trees!

My daughter's room, Jessica had a cherry blossoms branches hanging over her bed.  

and a cherry blossoms pillows.

...and yellow shades in my living room

And now, since our twins are in toddler beds and staying with us permanently. I am redecorating their rooms and add wall art on it. They do have a garden sticker theme in their wall before, but they love to peel them off and stick it somewhere. This time I will paint cherry blossoms tree in the wall. I already had a pattern to do it, got paint and brush and ready to go! 


The cherry blossom tree will be in the middle of toddler beds. Maybe added birds on it.

How about you? what's your favourite kids theme wall art ?

Smile Away!

Children's smiles are pure and could melt your heart. These are my foster children. This picture was taken last summer. They will be staying with us permanently :)

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22

 I was in a grocery store the other day and one thing that I've noticed, everyone that I passed by doesn't seemed to be in a good mood. Everybody is frowning. Well, I started to smile to everyone. I don't know what they think of me but I feel like smiling and guess what?... the wonders of smile shines through. They smile back at me, although there are some old folks just stare back :)

 When I was in the counter, two old ladies behind the line keep looking at my cart , well, that cart was full of groceries that is almost as tall as me. They are probably thinking of why I had so much in my cart.  I smiled and said " I got big family, I have 8 people to feed, and these won't last for a week, I tell ya" and they all laughed and started conversation with me including the cashier. One lady said, well I'm glad you can still smile. I told them, "Oh Yes, I have so many reasons to smile!"

A smile cost nothing, but gives much. It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor but that he can be made rich by it. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give a smile. They don't know what cost it could give to others. 

Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.

 Smile can change the life of someone who needs it.

I know how much a smile can mean because I've been on the receiving end of some wonderful ones that have made a real difference to me. A smile can silently change the mood in a room, can lift drooping spirits, and bring hope and joy and forgiveness. Simple as a smile is, it certainly is powerful.

I can only hope my smile made a difference to people I met each day! 

So, Smile Away!

with sweet Kayla.

with my super cute niece Chloe :)

I Love Mornings

Sunrise in Boracay!

We captured this photo when we were in Boracay Island, Philippines. I woke up early and had a stride along the beach. So peaceful and quite. Mornings are wonderful! It's a new day! A fresh new start. Full of hope and promises. Thank God for early morning sunrise that we can enjoy!

Why I love mornings?

I usually go to bed earlier than my husband. Since he love to do studying and reading at night, he go to bed late. I usually was never in bed until at least 10 or and sometimes till 1 am. I've enjoyed the whole house being quiet and finish my remaining chores like folding of clothes, preparing kids lunches and breakfast for tomorrow, cleaning my kitchen and bathrooms. So mostly chores done at night so I can enjoy my morning :)

My brain power is more active in the morning. I woke up before everybody else in the house. Have a cup of coffee and do my devotionals.  Then prepare breakfast for everybody. We do a lot of chatting during breakfast time and that is what I love the most since the rest of the day is come and go and at the end of the day everybody is tired.

For me, the earlier the better. It doesn't matter how late I slept the night before. I have no idea how that happens but it's easier for me to get up at 5:45  am. I couldn't get back to sleep anymore although I wanted to sleep in. The only thing I remember when I had a hard time getting up early is when aftershocks of travel time where there are jet lags or change of timeline or when I am really sick, other than that, my morning is always filled with happiness.

I love starting my day before everyone else. I feel like I have a head start to my day and get my day started with the right attitude. Morning to me speaks of freshness, fresh start to a new day!

I get more done in the morning too. I am more alert and so I feel like I'm actually productive. With less time, I get more done.

We're not rushed to get off to school, most of the time we were all literally sitting around the living room while waiting for their school bus to leave @ 8:15  am. Only during weekends when the rest of the people in our house i had a hard time waking up in the morning. Kids said it's the only time they can sleep in.

I like it when kids will remember me that I'm up , ready and alert. I normally did have to wake them up for school anyway after my morning devotionals, so I  have a better tone to my voice :) If they didn't wake up, I will not say anything, I'll just put an ice in their faces LOL...!  I did that once.. I don't want to yell, so I rub ice in their cheeks.

I am not worried all day about all the things I need to do. Yes, some things have to wait but I like that I can get things started and have some time alone for myself like exercising, some reading and computer in betweens lol, that includes chatting with friends online or once in a while a girl time with some of my friends going out or some important appointments. 

 So tell me, are you an early riser or  a night owl?

 Psalm 59:16 says, "But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou has been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble."

Back to my Homeland

I think I need vacation after our vacation lol.  

Our vacation was amazing! It's so good to be with all my side of the family. We are scattered around the globe and meet in one place. Just imagined the level of adrenaline we had, catching up the lost time together. It's a grand Grand reunion indeed. We rented the whole resort for ourselves, got our own tourist bus for city tour. Visited beautiful landmarks in my parents hometown in Panglao, Bohol like the Chocolate Hills, ate at floating restaurant in Loboc River, dessert at Bee Farm, eating strange but delicious ice cream haha. Playing hide and seek to the smallest monkey in the world, the Tarsiers, and enjoying the manmade forest and beautiful scenic views. Island hopping in Virgin Island, snorkeling at the deepest diving spot. Most divers from all over the world come to this place. I did the craziest thing ever happened in my life, zip lining! I thought I have acrophobia, but I guess not because aside from zipline, I did parasailing too and worse I enjoyed it. I rock! LOL.

It is such an amazing time together. I enjoyed the beautiful beach in Boracay the most! fun, fun fun. I am happy of getting a break for sure and of course that happiness was magnified times 100 when we were in vacation. Spending Christmas and New year with them. There were moments of frustrations, and annoyances and some dramas, but overall it was great! Just experiencing it all with the family was fantastic. I was so happy the whole time. It was an unforgettable time for my children too.

But I'm back to reality. I thought I will never finish unpacking and doing laundry, and of course I have to be mentally prepared, changed my gear taking care of my little ones and some other stuff. It's difficult at first to get back to the daily routine... and I am really tired and beat. I got sick the day we left Philippines, until now my body is not recuperating.

Wrapping up this vacation is exhausting haha. I guess it's time to plan another vacation hah!.

Inspite of all these things. I am glad I'm home. Nothing beats your own bed :) I missed our church and our church family.

That's me, Jessica and Len (my sister in law) up there parasailing till the sun goes down lol. We are pulled by speedboat.

All by myself zip lining. I am so proud of myself! lol

This is the Chocolate hills. It was foggy when we were there, but these hundreds of hills looked like droplets of truffle chocolates. The colour change to brown in a hot summer day!

One of the hill looks closer but we were actually on top of the mountain.

The smallest monkey in the world is found in the Philippines. The Tarsiers! this big eyed nocturnal animal is only 3.5 inches and weigh 2.5 lbs.

This is the Virgin Island. No one is living in this island. During high tide season, this island vanish.  Did you see us way up there enjoying walking in this white coral sand?. We were actually the only people here. It took us an hour in a speed boat to get here.

Me and hubby had a great time alone in Boracay Island.

So there, that's  just a tip of an iceberg :) More fun to come!