When I was 19

(birthday poem for secondborn, Jed)

When I was 19, I didn't have a dream
Was passing through time and oblivious, it seemed.
Now that you're 19, dreams are big for you,
You pray and work at it, I see that's what you do.

When I was 19, I made so many mistakes
And I never, ever knew what was at stake.
Now that you're 19, you've had mistakes and all
But that's okay, it will equip you for the haul.

When I was 19, I kept friends to just a few
The old are my bestfriends, and some, I made anew
Now that you're 19, you're everyone's bestfriend!
From them I only hear good stuff and all the high commend.

When I was 19, I was always on a panic
I ran like a fool, or so I was a manic.
Now that you're 19, you keep composed, always cool
You take your time that oftentimes you're late for school.

When I was 19, I was unmindful, forever a kid
My steps were unsure, never knowing what I did.
Now that you're 19, I expect you'll say, "I'm just a kid",
But you're mature, you use your head to think!

When I was 19, I sew, I drifted, and I wrote poetry
I loved the arts, I painted, I danced and such, you see?
Now that you're 19, your hands get dirty and busy
Skillful in metalworks, at home you're such a handy!

When I was 19, I had no work nor a good job
Sure, some business on the side, but end up a flop.
Now that you're 19, at work you excell, you make us proud!
You bloom where you are planted, you stand out in the crowd!

When I was 19, I rode on my parents' cars
They won't let me drive, they said, "just because".
Now that you're 19, you bought your first sexy "whip"
Oh so sleek and shiny, it made my eyes flick!

The only good thing about my being 19 then
was when I met your Pop
Now that you're 19, you linger, you don't rush
You know she'll come around, this you must trust!

I'm more than double the age of 19, but I'm proud of you
Will be here, will pray, will guide you, will always do.
Now that you're 19, my son, keep your faith strong
laugh, love and enjoy life's blessings that come along!

--------------------------

Belated Happy birthday, kiddo! (July 18)
I love you, Jeddi! Congrats on your first car! Can you take your not-so-young mum for a spin?

 — 

Name a Blessing

This was my daughter’s idea which she calls, “Name a Blessing”. She cut small pieces of cards of the same sizes (about 1 inch by 2 inches) from bondpapers and wrote down all the things she believed to be a “blessing” in her life. She keeps these cards inside a cute yellow wallet she calls, “Blessing Purse”.

Well, at her tender age, I expected she would write on the cards her barbie dolls, her favorite books, her art pens, her clothes, her make-up, and her favorite “things”. To my surprise, all the “things” written on them were “names” of people!

Wow! It just dawned on me. My daughter values relationships with people more than her toys and girly things!!! To add to that, she lays in place these cards on a table each night and adds more cards to the stack. Then, she takes out the prayer stones she prayed for that day and places them on top of the cards with the same names written on them. She then prays a thanksgiving prayer for each names of the stones she picked up from the prayer tray and recites the many blessings she received that day or that week.

I’m just in awe! My daughter recognizes true blessings in people and the importance of praying for them!

This is a tremendous blessing to me! Big time! My daughter just thought of something really brilliant and I am very proud of her.

.......hhhmmm, I might cut some pieces of paper and make my own Name a Blessing cards…. maybe I could borrow some of her pigma and glitter pens… and…. maybe use….. the pinking scissors to cut……

Prayerful Eyes

Those chocolate brown eyes
Oh how bright as the skies!
Encapsulated in innocence
bristled with sweetness -
like honey in the wild
so pure, untainted.

They shine like pearls -
like stars, they magically twinkle.
unlike the other girls-
my heart, they tickle.
the very depths of my being,
once touched, gleefully, I sing.

Those eyes, subtle as they seem,
many beautiful days they have seen.
Moments of sorrow, they hide in a shadow.
Though they love laughing freely, like a dove.
Yet like glass, so fragile, so sweet -
a chiseled crystal that crumbles under anyone’s feet.

There was once, those eyes, I glanced,
and was healed from life’s hurts and pains.
A balm like green grass in the fields
of dandelions and fresh rain
or a stream of silver leaves afloat,
Oh heavens! They’re truly I devote!

Those gorgeous eyes belong to-
A child’s prayerful heart.
Those eyes reflect the windows to
whom I dearly love.
Each day, many names she lifts up to
the Heavenly One above.

Protect those eyes, Oh God.
I pray they’re never sad.
For all the blessed years to come
Life’s troubles, I wish she'll never have.
Oh God, grant my cry, a mother’s desire
Unto her heart and spirit, ignite afire.

But only then can I be at rest

When I release her to you, Father.

She'll journey on her own life's quest

the only way to stay stronger

and fulfill her dreams to her best

I can only hold her for so much longer.

May she grow fearing You,
who will stand but never afraid.
May she trust and obey You
unwavering, that she’ll never trade.
And forevermore love You -
a devotion that will never fade.

The Makings of a Chef

My daughter made a splendid presentation with her own creation which she named: “nutsy chococake”. She sliced a piece of Yo’s cake, topped with broken pieces of peanut brittle and finished it with sweetened chocolate powder. Lookin’ good, Daisy! I need to get a piece of that!

The power of a prayerful wife and mother

I want to be the best wife and mother I can be to my husband and children. But surely, I can never master the role. Most often than not, I make mistakes and get busy just like everyone else. Being a wife and mom can be overwhelming. It is stressful. It is like I am pressed on all sides and the demands are endless. It is during these times that I am blessed to have a prayer support system.

God laid a burden on my friend’s heart to start a women’s group in 2003. Women in our church come from all walks of life with unique backgrounds, concerns and struggles. And so we have formed different women’s groups that cater to individual needs and unique giftings: Moms n’ Wives, Silver Belles, Golden Girls, Single Again, Young Ladies, Single Moms, S.S.S., W.O.W, and One Heart.

Link: http://www.bccbikthus.org/wop.htm

There’s about 5 of us in my group who meet every week. We are the Moms n’ Wives group. Our goal? We pray for one another, our husbands and children. We usually read a chapter at home from a book that we choose. When we get together, our focus is centered on the chapter we read or sometimes it might be sharing about our struggles or praying for our husband and children.

I can’t tell you what a blessing this group and time on our knees before God has been in my life. You see, my family benefits from my (our) prayers. But I benefit too. I benefit from hearing other wives shoulder my concerns and lift them up on my behalf. I benefit from giving those same concerns to the Lord instead of trying to handle them on my own. And in the process, I in turn, have been growing and digging into my own heart the desire to be more of a helpmate and blessing to my husband, a resting place to my children and a genuine friend to the people around me as well.

The tears and praises I share with these other women stretches my heart and inspire me with my relationships with my family, friends and loved ones as I get godly advice and counsel from my groupmates.

Links:

Praying for your husband:

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/pdf/prayingforyourhusband.pdf

Praying for your children:

http://www.puritansermons.com/pdf/pray_a4.pdf

Recommended books:

jed solved the rubik's cube

He did it in 1 minute, 30 seconds!

Children see

A powerful ad. A must-see for both parents and children.

My boy is dating!

(For my CJ)

Oh how the years go by,
how fast time can fly.
For once your little fingers cling,
Unto crib railings and fluffy paddings.
At six months were your first steps,
Then you jiggle at kitchen counters
With loud laughters at nine months.
Your favorite were chocolate crunch!

And when you turned one
You were either flying or biking.
with a superman cape,
You wished you could roller skate!
How I prayed you’d never grow
Ah, those eyes that always glow
I have held you, nurtured you, fed you,
all the joy you give me, you do not know.

And now you’re fourteen
A handsome man, I have never seen,
My sweet little boy has all grown so tall
Every day I pray you’ll never fall!
And now that you’re all grown up
A time to discover, a time for adventure
Each step, be careful when you take
Especially when you go out on a date.

Oh no, my boy is dating!
My jealous heart , how nerve-wrecking!
Yet, I can’t stop you becoming a man
What we taught you, I hope you will always stand.
When tough times come
The difficulties and some
“Pray, you need to pray”
That is what we always say.

You shall spread your wings,

Your destiny for you to find.

We know your life's forever bound

To these roots you grew up behind.
Go! Fly, my son and dream big dreams,
You say impossible, so it seems
Honey, as long as you’re on His path
I trust, you’ll never go off track.

And when the day comes when you are on your own,

Oh please, never feel that you are alone.

No matter how near or far apart

I am always right there in your heart.

Always remember whatever you go through

that no matter what, I will always love you.
My little baby, now all grown, my precious son,
Go, take heed and shine like a man!

Things I learn from my children (and other parents' kids too!)

I learned that:


.....A 3-year old's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.

.....The glass in windows doesn't stop a soccer ball hit by little hands.

.....Certain decorative stone will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year old.

.....Super glue is forever.

.....Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

.....To always look in the oven before you turn it on. Plastic toys do not like ovens.

.....My expensive make-up will only last seconds once they're in the hands of a little princess.

..... My heart literally melts when my child comes to me, teary-eyed saying, "I'm sorry, please forgive me, Momi"

…. There's pleasure in brushing my daughter's long hair.

…. I get jealous when a girl calls my teen-age son.

The cousins

Daisy's Daily Assignments

My husband and I require our children to do chores around the house. With my kids, getting children to do chores regularly and completely can be a problem.

It is a good idea for us parents to teach our children at an early age that all family members must work together to make the household run, and that each person must do his or her share of the work load.
Chores are beneficial for children - even very young ones. Being responsible for doing chores teaches children many important skills such as cooperation and responsibility. Chores also teach children about fairness and commitment. The skills and values learned by doing chores will benefit children throughout their lives.

Jed on Scooter

Meet Jed, my son who just learned to ride Pop's scooter. With him is Daisy with her bike.

My daughter's encouragement

My daughter's short love note... after I was discouraged about my exams.

The place in Caingin

(most pictures were taken by Jed)

God was so gracious to my family because we were able to go to this summer place for free! a close church friend of ours who owns the place lent us his beautiful place in Caingin. For three fun days, we had the beach all to ourselves! Thank you, Lord!

Dried fish being sold by the national road at Pulupandan.

An assembly of jelly fish on the sand during the low tide.
Jed doing the cartwheel... the house behind him is the place where we stayed. Jed tried to save this little fellow... but he was too late.

Daisy and Caila learned to swim!

I was in Iloilo to review for the local boards when Bim taught the girls some basic swimming lessons. Daisy learned the freestyle stroke in one day!

Hello Caila!