Happy 41st Birthday Daddy!

15 years…

That’s how long we’ve been together.

5,479 days
131,496 hours
7,889,760 minutes
473,385,600 seconds

We had 15 birthdays celebrated together and we had our precious treasures…

Gabby and Nicco

Now you’re 41!

I’m not good in Math, I know. Ginoogle ko lang yung calculations. Haha!

Our love story is another one for the books. We really had nothing when we began and decided to build a family together…

Looking back, I know that our faith in God next to our faith in ourselves have saved us during our trying times.

Prayers has been my weapon every time during our lowest point in life. Hindi naging madaling mahalin ka, pero ikaw yung pinagdasal ko. Alam kong hindi rin naman ako yung gugustuhin mo nung una, pero alam kong ako din yung ipinagdasal mo. So quits lang tayo. Haha!

Everything happens for a reason, we learned a lot and saw how we both matured as we grow into a family.

I’ve been always your critique and sounding board for all your musings. Remember how I listen to your stories abut your friends?! I know them since day one even if I haven’t met them yet.

I’ve been a witness to all of your struggles and proud that you’ve overcome everything.

Thank you for fighting and always not giving up on us.

I know how happy you are for having Gabby and Nicco. They are your answered prayers… How you long to have a family of your own… I am happy as well that your dreams have turned into a reality. Your kids are now growing up too fast.

I love you for being a selfless father to your kids. I can always see and feel your happiness whenever you talk about them, how you’d do anything for them… For us, for the family!

I love you because you never hold grudges to anyone no matter how they’ve done you wrong.

They can say anything against you, but I saw the goodness of your heart (Though is getting weak lately)

Your childlike attitude towards life… So simple yet so real…

I love how you value friendship and be of help whenever you can, with or without favors in return…

You are our best cook! I see your joy in cooking for others and how you love to see us full and enjoyed the foods you prepared for us…

Thank you and we look forward to celebrating more birthdays in the coming years together…

Happy Birthday and WE LOVE YOU!

Winter Blues? Plan a Trip to California That Will Entertain the Whole Family

12 / 13 / 17

Long months of snow and cold can really take a toll on one’s wellbeing. Many families are looking for a way to escape it, even if it’s just for a little while. California is one of the first destinations that comes to mind, as it allows for warm temperatures even in the winter months. And what’s not to like about its cinematic sunsets and relaxed atmosphere it became known for?

Atmospheric diversity at its best

While most of California’s regions are warm, there are some spots where you can find snow during the colder months. This allows you to mix it up to your heart’s content, and choose the appropriate setting for whatever your current mood may be. In any case, your kids will love some ice-skating activities, and whenever they feel tired, you can always pack up and drive away to a warmer place. How cool is that?

Whales

During the winter months, something marvelous happens along the California’s coastlines: they become a freeway for migrating gray whales. Since they travel relatively close to the land (a couple of miles, give or take), it’s easy to spot them from the shore, and seeing such marvelous creatures with your own eyes will make a trip your entirely family will treasure until the end of time.

Skiing and surfing in the same day

As crazy as it sound, in California, you can ski and surf in the same day. This will require you to put in some miles by either traveling by car or some other means, but it’s indeed doable, and it will certainly make for an unforgettable trip. Of course, you can also combine it all together and enjoy Christmas under a palm tree, which is as original as it gets.

Bike rentals and sightseeing

It’s important to allow yourself to experience everything California has to offer at your own pace. Virtually every corner in San Francisco has a place that allows you to rent a bike, and your whole family should take advantage of this to explore this beautiful city in peace. That way, you can cruise around Fisherman’s Wharf and other places of interest. When you’re done for the day, San Francisco Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf, one of the most popular local hotels that’s located nearby, is always there for you to rest your feet.

California’s cuisine

Name a kid who doesn’t like a good hamburger. It just doesn’t happen. Luckily, California is full of fast food places that will make your mouth salivate at the thought of biting into that fresh piece of meat. In January, there’s also a cheeseburger week, a festival that’s dedicated to the burgers we all know and love. If you come by at just the right time, you will be able to stuff your mouth full of these almost for free.

Conclusion

California can either be an escape from the winter’s grasp, or an enhancement of what winter can offer. In any case, gathering your whole family will make for a once-in-a-lifetime experience full of adventure that is soothing and relaxing at the same time. Have you mapped out your trip to California yet?

Great Family Friendly Outdoor Exercise Ideas

8 / 14 / 15

Nothing beats spending some time outdoors when the weather is gorgeous, but if you have kids it can be difficult to find an activity that suits everyone. Younger children will not be able to do as much as older kids and teenagers, plus you need to take differing levels of fitness into account. But don’t worry because there are lots of fun outdoor pursuits the whole family can try – whatever the weather!

Family Cycling
Cycling is great for kids of all ages. Toddlers and babies can sit in a child seat on the back of mum or dad’s bike while older children can speed along under their own steam. If you like the sound of a day out on the bikes, make sure you pack plenty of snacks and plan a suitable cycle route. It is also important to dress appropriately – and that includes cycle helmets for everyone!

Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is just as much fun for novices as it is for more experienced riders. There are riding stables in many rural areas, most of whom will be happy to organize family friendly rides along local trails. Riding is good exercise and even younger children will be able to head out on a ride. You may even find that your children are bitten by the horse bug and start clamoring for their own pony. If so, you can invest in horse tack from the onestopequineshop.com.

Hiking
Hiking is a good way to spend quality time in the Great Outdoors. If you live close to some areas of natural beauty, pack a rucksack with snacks and drinks, and take the kids for a hike. You can enjoy a bit of fresh air and exercise, plus some great views if you hike up a hill or two. Younger children won’t be able to manage long hikes, but older children and teenagers should have no problem covering several miles on foot.

Soccer in the Park
When you don’t have the time to travel far, a quick game of soccer in the local park is great exercise and an important family bonding session. Everyone can take part – even mum! So take your children for a kick-about at the weekend and burn off all those extra calories you piled on during the week.

Nature Walks
Nature walks around a local park or nature reserve are perfect for families with younger children. Smaller kids can be wheeled around in a buggy or pram if they aren’t able to walk. You can stop to examine flowers, plants and insects, or just take the opportunity to have a chat about things. And if the weather is nice, take a picnic.

Surfing and Body Boarding
If you are lucky enough to live near the beach, you may be able to go surfing or body boarding if there is enough swell. As long as it’s hot, or the kids have wet suits to keep them warm, fun will be had by all.

Exercise is important and we all need to do more of it, so instead of letting your kids sit in front of a screen every weekend, encourage them to spend a bit more time outdoors with the rest of the family!

Divorce Rates in the US

8 / 30 / 13

Falling in love and building up a family is a part of our life. One of the saddest part and challenge that every couple face in their relationship is going through a break-up and ends in a painful divorce. As we progress came the increasing rate of it in the US.

familygamenight.net

As you can see in the infographic above, the divorce rate in the US goes up. 73% of third marriage ends in divorce. Oklahoma has the highest rate at 13.45 and 32% of their adults who have ever been married have been divorced.

In every separation slash breakup slash divorce, kids are most often affected in such cases. There are many factors to consider why a couple opt for it, but we all do hope that whatever it is, the kids welfare and both parties should deal with it in a mature manner.

Family

8 / 28 / 13

… like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one

Family Tree

8 / 7 / 13

"I promise that if you will keep your journals and records, they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to your families, to your children, your grandchildren, and others, on through the generations. Each of us is important to those who are near and dear to us and as our posterity reads of our life’s experiences, they, too, will come to know and love us. And in that glorious day when our families are together in the eternities, we will already be acquainted." –Spencer W. Kimball

Grateful First Friday of August!

8 / 2 / 13

We’re now on the eight month of 2013, time flies! Soon enough, it’ll be Christmas. Yay! 🙂 The first few months of this year was quite hard for us financially- debts, bills to pay, household expenses, kids tuition fee and many more! The thing is, our source of income is not enough to fund all of these things, what added to our problem is that our source of funds- my online job that is! wasn’t quite doing well at the same time.:(

We were really scared and really had to struggle to make ends meet. It was really hard to keep one’s spirit high in times of troubles right?! I’ve had bouts of depression then, good thing people around me are kind enough to understand what I am going through. Our family- DH and the kids ,whom we’ve had drawn strength from each other. We managed to get through hard moments. Laugh and cry around together and other things that made us stronger as a family 🙂

Good health is one thing that we are most thankful for. I really think it’s a balance, God won’t really keep us from burdens that we can’t bear. I just couldn’t think on how to survive *knock on wood , if anybody gets sick and we really don’t have money to pay for medical expenses.

SMALL LITTLE THINGS ARE BIG. simple things makes me feel grateful despite the problems and I think that is what matters most. To keep the faith and just move on, surrendering everything to God and bit by bit, things will settle and you’ll get by. Just what’s happening right now, things are getting well. It may not be that big, but enough to keep us in our comfort and peace of mind!

A Little Update

4 / 19 / 13

It has been ten days since my father passed away and I still couldn’t take a grasp that he’s finally gone… And that what’s only left is his memory. I find comfort in doing flashbacks of happy memories of him with us during my childhood years.

Those good old days that we used to share when life is less complicated for us his children. Loving memory that is!

The realization that someone so dear to you is no longer physically around is quite hard to bear. I can only find comfort in knowing that he is now at peace with our creator.

Moving on, though I still feel quite low with the overwhelming things going around me, added the terrible hot weather, yes, I just really have to put that! :D… Still struggling to find ways on how to cope up, work wise and finance wise! Kids enrollment is just around the corner, not to mention both of my kids’ birthday this summer. So I am really crossing my fingers that work gigs will pick up this time around!

Goodbye Tatay…

4 / 14 / 13

To live in the hearts of those we love is never to die- Thomas Campbell

Last April 9 at around 9 p.m. I received a text from my niece, “Ate Dez, di na gumagalaw si Tatay and ‘di na humihinga” I am not yet done on my reply when this time, I saw her name on my phone calling. She confirmed that my father is already dead. Ian and I went to my parent’s place and we were there in less than an hour. We saw him lying in the couch and he just seems like sleeping. Only, no pulse and no longer breathing.

The funeral service arrived later, he was transferred from the couch into the stretcher and covered him in a life size zip bag. It was only then that it finally dawned on me that he is already lifeless, dead…

We were blessed to have him around with us until his eighties. He should’ve been 81 by next month. The outpour of sympathy, condolences and support from family, relatives, friends, neighbors, acquaintances overwhelms us all and helps us a lot to cope up with the loss of our father. He is indeed loved by many.

During his wake, people would recall the moments how my Tatay touched their lives in different ways, from simple gestures to small talks, etc. The two nights of his wake was filled with uplifting prayers and songs from two singing groups of our younger brother’s circle of friends. Those angelic voices surely gave out Tatay a smile from afar.

On his third day and last day, there was a funeral mass held for him at Holy Trintity church before he was cremated at a chapel in North cemetery.

As the priest say in his homily, “ Sa pagpanaw, una-una lang. Pwede ring huli-huli ka, or by batch ang paglisan.”

Nauna na si Tatay, nagbibiruan pa kami, “magkikita rin naman ulet sa kabilang buhay, pero wag muna agad-agad!” 😀

Goodbye Tatay, ‘Till we all meet again, we’ll surely miss you!

Care For Our Elderly

1 / 27 / 13

It was heartbreaking to see our loved ones, especially our dear parents suffering and getting sick as they grow old. We couldn’t help but become emotional as we recall how they’d been through a lot as they take care of us when we were still little kids depending on their strength and help.

It was early last year when I got a call from my sister informing me that my father was rushed to the hospital due to high blood pressure, etc. since then, he started to get sick every now and then and suffered from a skin disease too.

Day by day, he started to mellow down and lost his strength. One of our biggest scare is that he’s been showing signs and symptoms of an Alzheimer’s disease, so we are really taking extra precaution to support him in everything that he do.

He really loves walking around every morning, so we thought of buying him walkers with seats for elderly so he could comfortably do his early routine. It was my niece who takes care of him and make sure to attend to all his needs.

Everybody around him (our family and even neighbors) was informed of his condition to make sure that he gets proper care and attention. Since there are times that he goes out and forgot how to go back into our house ( which happened a few times), we did find more ways and more tips here on how to support his condition. Giving our love and support is the best thing that we could do to let them feel that they (elders) are not alone in their battle as they grow old.