TEMPORARY OFFICE

So after SSC shut down its office end of October 2015, the remaining employees with term dates beyond Oct 31 are either holding office at Regus, BGC, or at Deca Tech in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.  I am one of those who are holding temporary office at Deca Tech.

This move is actually favorable to me.  I live close to Deca Tech (about 5 minutes drive) so that saves me gas and toll.  Also, hubby's office is within Deca Tech's vicinity so we usually use one car.  Other times, we have separate cars if I want to go home early.  Another great thing this move has given me is the chance to go home at lunch, eat at our own dining table, and the chance to check on my kulit Kinder.  Thus, I have the time to check on his homework and review him a little.  In terms of work, I have higher productivity here since it's closer to work, I am not tired from driving, and gives me longer working hours.  Plus the environment is different in a manufacturing plant.  Everybody seems to be on-the-go, so you somehow get the vibe (although I still do get my "sleepy hours").

Temporary but still a blessing.  I just hope my next employer will be closer to home.  Is it too bad to wish for a good paying job, respectable and higher position, and work location which is manageable?  I hope not.  I still hold to the words and claim that the Lord has great plans for me... I am so excited to know what they are, dear Lord.  Guide and help me to wait patiently and with joyful anticipation.  Amen..

GREAT OCTOBER START

Grateful for a good October 2015 start.  And I must say, I look forward to even wonderful months ahead.

Oct 3rd... Papa celebrated his 66th birthday.  We had a really yummy lunch at Clawdaddy, Nuvali, and we're complete :)

Oct 4th... Papa had endoscopic ultrasonography of the pancreas.  Thank you, dear Lord, that the cyst is just a mass and there was no tumor... We continue to pray, dear Lord, that it will not progress to anything malignant.  All is possible with your great mercy and compassion.  Cover Papa with your precious blood, o Lord.

Week of Oct 5th... Praying for this week.  If this is for me and for the good of my family...  Lifting it up to you, o Lord.  Guide me in my "analysis" and may I arrive at a decision that is according to Your will.  Thank you in advance o Lord for your providence...

All of these, I lift to you, O Lord for your greater glory.  Not by my power or might, but by your grace... Amen :)

SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 CHRISTMAS GREETING

"I AM JUST A KID..."

I never expected these words to come out of my five-year-old. 

It's exam week and naturally I want to prepare my kids for it.  

Naomi can now review on her own.  However for Nathan, more attention and guidance is needed.  He seems to have very little attention span at this stage (i.e., 5 years old and kinder).  I keep reminding him to focus.  That is what I was trying to manage.  But I guess I am very much challenged at this aspect and I easily lose my patience.

Gosh, super gigil si Mommy.  Sometimes I don't know how to get Nathan's attention that I end up shouting.  And really gigil!  At one point Nathan told me, "Mom, you look like an evil man."  Ngyark!  Witch na witch ang peg.  And then Nathan let out these words...

"Mom, you are getting mad.  I am just a kid." 

That really crushed my heart... He looked down and was about to sob...  At that instant, I hugged him and said sorry.  I will never forget the expression on his face...

Dear Nathan,

Mommy is really sorry for allowing "anger" to control the mind and emotions.  Thank you for calling my attention.  Yes, you are still a kid and you deserve to learn through love more than anger and shouting.  

I love you sooooo much!

Mommy

P.S.  Please listen to mommy :)  Mommy is such an angel, you know hahaha

DRAWING IS EVOLVING

Dear Naomi,


Your drawings are starting to be more precise.  They are actually cute.  I love your turtle and snail here.  Also, the way you draw girls, they seem to be manga-like.

Keep it up, Naomi my love so sweet.  Keep doodling until you perfect those strokes.  But most of all, have fun!

Loving your artwork forever,

Mommy 

NATHAN DOODLES TOO :)

Dear Nathan,

You drew this last July 27, 2015 and proudly showed Mommy and Daddy your artwork.  Hahaha of course, it's about Minecraft, Stampy, the creepers and all.  And there's a dragon too.  

Keep it up, cool kid.  The drawings are starting to make sense hahaha  Just the same, I love them!

Your fan forever, 

Mommy

Do you see the dragon up there? :)

Stampy with the Creepers :)

8TH WEDDING ANNIV LOVE DOODLE FROM NAOMI

Dear Naomi,

Thank you for this lovely surprise for Mommy and Daddy's 8th wedding anniversary!  You even stayed up late last night to wait for us and to give this.

I hope you stay this sweet and thoughtful until you grow up.  I will never get tired of your love notes.  And you will be Mommy and Daddy's precious gift forever.

Love much,

Mommy 

WE SURVIVED JUNE

Yes, we did it!

I have written in a previous post that June is a period of transition not only for myself but for the whole family.  So how did we survive?  By trusting our instincts, by trusting the capability of kids, by believing in ourselves again, and most importantly by letting go and trusting in God's great providence.

Here's what happened:

• Naomi and Nathan went through their first day high's by themselves.  Yep, no Mommy with them.  I must confess I was so uneasy waiting for them to come home.  I was imagining so many things and was so worried they wouldn't find their school service or might ride the wrong one.  But God's protection is with them and legions of angels did guard my chikiting patrol.  So there, they went home safely and with lots of stories.

• No stay-in helpers.  I have two stay-out helpers who do the laundry and ironing of clothes.  Both go to our house twice a week.  Despite this, we badly needed a stay-in helper to cook food, do the dishes, watch over kids, and clean the house.  Since we did not have any for about 2 weeks, we needed to do things by ourselves.  Good thing the big kids cooperated.  They looked after the little kids.  They helped clean the house and washed the dishes.  Everybody contributed and extended a helping hand to keep everything in order.  So how did I manage cooking for the platoon?  I did not! hahaha I cooked once then decided to utilize food delivery (with the strong support of hubby)!  Isn't that cool (and expensive)?  But hubby kept telling me the cost is nothing compared to the stress of cooking.  So there, we survived.  But shortly after this, we were lucky enough to have been helped by hubby's sister and soon found a stay-in househelp.  But that short stint allowed everybody to do household chores again.  A discipline that will help these kids when they're on their own.  Also, this  allowed me to revisit parts of the house that need attention.  Most importantly, this experience reminded me that I am strong and that yes, I still have that extra energy to do chores to make a lovely home.  Not bad at all.

Nathan's first entry to his assignment notebook :)

• Nathan wrote his assignment all by himself.  How awesome is that!  Writing is a big chore for Nathan.  So this is really a big milestone for him.  I guess this time he does not have a choice but to write.

• Naomi does her assignment and washes herself without yaya's help.  Yep, because in the first place we don't have a yaya.  This has now become a routine for her so Mommy just checks and reviews her when Mommy gets home. 

• Gab's timing of college is a blessing in disguise.  Good thing Gabs will start college not until August 2015.  So back in June when we did not have anyone in the house, there's Kuya Gabs watching over the kids when they get home from school.  And if you're reading this Gabs, I want to thank you so much for taking care of your little siblings and for reviewing them.  Not just a big help for me but most of all for Naomi and Nathan.  You get to review them while there is still energy left for the day.  When they are not cranky yet.

So there. That's it.  And right now, even with our stay-in helpers back, we still do some chores.  It's much more relaxed now.  And we are not afraid.  

I just love my family.  And I thank you so much dear Lord, for helping me and the whole family get through this.  More challenges to come.  But you have shown so many times that you are with us.

P.S.  I am so busy as of this writing because of tons of office deliverables.  But I just have to write this now because my heart is just full of gratitude :)

NAOMI'S IMESSAGES

This year Naomi learned how to use the iMessage functionality of her iPad.  Such a great thing because she keeps sending love messages... and sumbong messages... and demanding messages hahaha  She also sends messages to her Daddy, to Tata, Ate Kichie, Kuya Gabs, and Kuya Isaac.  Sayang walang iMessage si Wowo and Wowa.  

What's so nice about this is that she knows how to express herself at this young age (Naomi turned 7 last month).  While we don't want her to get so addicted with gadgets, we also welcome the thought that with this, she is able to communicate and is comfortable with it.  I think good and open family communication is a habit and a "culture" to be developed.

Here are some of Naomi's love messages.  Enjoy reading!

P.S.  She wants viber to be installed to her iPad.  She just loves the stickers!

FACE YOUR MONSTERS

I subscribe to Bo Sanchez's Soulfood Newsletter.  And the July 6 post struck me real hard.

As I wrote in my previous post, June is a period of transition for the whole family.  We survived June well.  Still the transition continues.  And lately I have been feeling another adjustment with regard to work schedule.  I was not very comfortable about it and I fear so many things.  I was not very graceful in coping with the changes that I end up hurting the love of my life, my hubby (to which I really am very, very, very sorry).  All these changes that is happening right now including the thought of having a new job is making me uneasy.  Fear is over-powering the blessings that are actually being given to us.  The good prospect for hubby and I are lost in my own negative imagination.  And yes, I'm not only hurting myself but my hubby too who only deserves support, love, and understanding at this time.

Oh Lord Jesus, open my eyes, my mind, and my heart to the great possibilities these "transitions" will give me and my family.  You have greater and bigger blessings outside of what we already have.  Help me to trust in your goodness.  Don't allow me to leave your side.  Set our thoughts to what is good and right.  And in all these, dear Lord, thank you very much.

Amen.

JUNE 2015

June, please be good to me.

I think June 2015, or the whole year 2015, is a period of transition for me.

... Re-org at work resulting to my office's shutdown with an option to transfer to the company's plant.  I am not finding the company's plant an option.

... Helpers on vacation leave.  Not sure who's coming back.  June 1 and I don't have a helper.  School starts in a week.  So good luck naman.  I really have to adjust my sleeping schedule so I can cook breakfast, baon, lunch and dinner.  Good thing though our college kids will start school in August.  So they are a big help especially in looking after the little kids.  May be hard at first but I can do this.

... Career opportunities.  Starting to explore.  Let's see what the future holds. 

These transitions make me uneasy.  It's really moving me out of my comfort zone.  But I hold firmly to this:  IF GOD PUTS YOU TO IT, HE WILL PULL YOU THROUGH IT.

So June, please be good to me.  Great even.  

Holy Spirit and Mama Mary, guide me as I go through these transitions.

Amen.

SORRY NOTE FROM NAOMI (2015-03-17)

Dear Naomi,

It's your finals week and last Tuesday, I guess both of us are so stressed from the review.  You were cranky and crying while we were reviewing, and Mommy lost her patience.

Then you wrote this note.

No need to say sorry, my dear.  Mommy should have known better that you are already tired.  I am sorry that sometimes I forget that you get overwhelmed too.  Please don't think that you don't make Mommy happy.  I love you and am so proud for what you are and what you are achieving at this young age.  Your happiness is more important to Mommy.

Let's spend more time in love.  

Hugs and kisses, Mommy :)

REVELATION DAY

And so corporate office has revealed their plans for SSC.  

On March 12, 2015.  

So I guess it's bye bye time.  

Just a bit sentimental because I would have wanted to still work for CY.  I even thought about it as my retirement company.  And I can say that I am one of the founders of  the Internal Audit Group.  But right now, my personal plans are different from what CY has for me.  

On to the next chapter of my career life.  I just hope that the next one will allow me to fully perform my mommy and wife duties.  Praying and claiming for the next best thing for me and my family :)

WELCOME HOME POSTER FOR MOMMY

Dear Naomi,

Going back home from business trips is sweeter because of your love notes... in this case love poster :)  I missed you so much!

Hugs and kisses,

Mommy

You gave this to me on March 8, 2015 when I arrived from my business trip in San Jose, California :)

NAOMI DOODLES (2015-02-09)

Hey Naomi!

When you gave this to me, you asked me if I liked my earrings :)

No, I don't like them, I love them!  And I have such fabulous bag here.

Hugs & kisses,

Mommy

Front

Drawing inside the card

Back

MAN WITH MUSTACHE

Hey there, Nates.

You drew this on Feb 23, 2015.  You are 4 years and 9 months :)

This is the first time that Mommy saw you REALLY draw something hahaha

You said it's a man with a mustache, and well, uhmmm, and everything else :)

Mommy is just amazed with this milestone.  And I hope to see you draw and write some more (instead of playing with gadgets or watching tv).

Anyway, I look forward to more art works from you.

Keep it up my "grown-up-baby"!

Hugs and kisses,

Mommy

PORMA MUCH AT 4YO

"Mommy/Daddy, I want my hair up."


"Mommy/Daddy, I want a rock star hair."

"Mommy/Daddy, I want to be like stegosaurus."

"Mommy/Daddy, I want a hair cut."

Yes, Nathan, at 4 years old, you are so vain when it comes to hair style hahaha Porma talaga eh.  And you want to put gel to your hair.  I don't agree very much with the gel thing pero sige minsan puede.

I am glad though that at this age, you are conscious about good grooming before going to school (not only because of Yanna hahaha). And great that you know what you need to do and what you want to look good.  

Dahil dyan, Daddy bought you your own gel.  And I am giving you your own brush.

Your own hair styling set

Happy good looking! :)

You said we did not put enough gel to hold your hair up :)

Love,

Mommy

MY ADORABLE FELINE

Lagot ka Nathan kay Ate Naomi!  You wore her head band hahaha 

But how can you resist such cuteness!

Feb 3, 2015, 4 years & 9 months

Feb 3, 2015, 4 years & 9 months

LOVE NOTE FROM NAOMI (2014-09-21)

Dear Naomi,

You gave this to me when I arrived home from the US on September 21, 2014.

You did not just pick me up from the airport but you again touched my heart with this love note.

Sweet kisses!

Mommy

HAPPY NEW YEAR, MY BLOG! (AND NAOMI'S SWEET NOTES/DOODLES)

Well, hello there my blog.  Yes, I have not forgotten you.  I missed so many entries last year but I hope to document more of the good stuff this year.  And what a good way to start by posting Naomi's sweet notes and doodles for Mommy, Daddy, and anything about her family.

Dear Naomi,

You are 6 years old today and you have given Mommy and Daddy lots of your sweet surprises.  Yes, you keep surprising us with your love notes and drawings about how much you love you family.  

I am not sure how I will keep them so I thought of posting all your notes/doodles/drawings here in my blog so we can both look back at it.

Keep them coming my sweet monster princess.

I love you so much!

Mommy

P.S.  So here's one of your creations (Jan 26, 2015)