DS's 20th Birthday at Lili

My baby boy is now a 20-year old adult! 

Still my love for him grows bigger and stronger each day. 

God bless you always, anak, as you fulfill all of God's blueprint of

His amazing plans for you! <3 <3 <3

My Mother's Day 2018

Mother's Day 2018 with my favorite teenagers... <3

DD at The ElyXiOn in Manila

DD's third time -- but this experience is more special than the last two EXO concerts because she went on her own (without me), and was in VIP STANDING. Happiness for her thrice over. <3<3

(More pics to follow)

My Saint Anne Statue & Novena Blessing

My Saint Anne statue and Novena was blessed by 

Fr. Nono Levosada, SJ at the Church of the Gesu 

after Holy Trinity Sunday Mass... 

I received them from DH and the kids last May 14 

on Mother's Day... :)

Sad Day

The smiles to cover the tears...  :(

I JUST NEED TO POUR OUT THE FEELS FOR WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT, 12/13/16 --- wherein two of my credit cards were used up for a total of 14K in The Face Shop by the evil group of pickpockets who (for sure) rounded up on me, their innocent, oblivious victim, and stole my long, red wallet from my bag while I was doing my last minute Christmas shopping in crowded National Bookstore in Robinsons Place Mall in Manila.

I instantly learned it was missing and stolen upon check-out from the bookstore, and when instantly at that exact same moment, a text message came from my bank that "I" purchased 14k worth of items from The Face Shop, 2nd floor of Robinsons Place Mall... We were able to block my cards soon, but a large amount was already used up by the crooks to buy items.

We were not able to defend and fight for "justice" to prevail as Robinsons Place Mall itself, and both National Bookstore and The Face Shop didn't have enough CCTVs to monitor certain areas there. I guess there are more blind spots than monitored spots in this mall.

Another thing, apparently National Bookstore's CCTV operator went home already, and no one knew how to view the outlet's activity last night. The mall's security guards came late too to respond, especially when they had to usher/escort us to their office for a statement, and elevators were too darn slow too, and just about everything and everyone else "cooperated" for the criminals to escape smoothly and without notice.

The sales girls and cashier of The Face Shop, however, told us that they would be able to recognize the faces of the pickpockets if they saw them on CCTV. Sadly, no CCTV is available for checking last night. We were asked to return today so we can go to National again (And surely, to tell our story once more. Sa tutoo lang, nakakainis na paulit-uilt ka magkukuwento sa lahat ng personnel na makaharap mo).

Hassle talaga and very distressing. What is also wrong here, is that The Face Shop allowed someone to purchase 14k worth of items from them without checking whether my credit card's specimen signature at the back matched that of my pickpocket's. Only my name, "Anne", was signed, and not my signature. So now we are talking to our banks, requesting to void the sale, and not let us pay.

So what to do when all things don't work according to how they are supposed to be? 

We just prayed that God would "take care" of them. :(

I feel very sad mostly for the other cards inside my wallet: SSS. TIN, other government cards, school ID, a few family pictures, driver's license, library card, gasoline cards, discount cards, ATMs, etc... other cards of equal importance...

I'd be needing the help though, of my lawyer friends, to help us make a strong letter addressed to my banks, to reverse the sale because my signature was not properly verified by the merchant, and another letter to The Face Shop, for allowing the sale to go through without verifying my signature. 

Any help would be much appreciated.

DS's 18th Birthday

Dearest DS,

I can’t believe that you are now celebrating your 18th year! 

I know that you don’t really like posts like this, but I have a license today since it is your special day, and I am responsible for your existence, haha. 

It feels like just a moment ago when Dad and I held you in our arms -- a squirmy, fussy, 7.2-pound howler! 

Now you have grown to be a fine young man, and we are proud of you and the many blessings that you have also given us, your parents. 

All those years that led to this day are all worth the journey as we watch in amazement how the Lord’s purpose in your life is slowly and steadily coming into fruition. 

May your dream and desire of becoming a medical doctor - especially for the underserved - be fulfilled as you allow Him to use you for His glory. 

I proclaim that you will be a blessing to a lot of your future patients because I know your heart and where it is deeply anchored. 

May it always and forever be after His own heart. Keep the light of your lamp lit and make it shine even brighter -- so that others may see your good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. 

Happy 18th birthday, Migs; we <3 <3 <3 you so, Anak!

This verse from Job 22:26-28 is our 18th birthday blessing/prayer for you, Migs. Claim it too -- “Then you will enjoy God All-Powerful, and you will look up to him. When you pray, he will hear you. And you will be able to do all that you promised him. If you decide to do something, it will be successful. And your future will be very bright!”

DS's Surprise Gift for Me

**** MARY UNDOER OF KNOTS ****

So touched that my DS thought of buying this surprise gift for me 

on Mother Mary's birthday on Sept. 8, 2016.

He heard Mass at the UP PGH Chapel and bought it. 

The Sister (nun) who he bought it from 

asked why he was buying the image, and he said, 

"For my Mom -- because she always asks for prayers 

from the Blessed Virgin for me." <3

DS's AHS Graduation Invitation

Sent through our DS after their last 

graduation practice this morning... :)

This is truly a bittersweet victory for all the boys 

who became a part of the Ateneo family... ♥

Thank you, Lord, for this upcoming blessing. AM+DG!

My Angel in a Garden Terrarium

I had the morning off to meet up with fellow Blogger/Beader/Crafter, Trixie Zaide-Redondo,
and got my newest "pet", Angel in a Garden Open Terrarium.
She needs to rest her hands from beading,
and is now into making beautiful terrariums like this ---

 

I received mine with a chic bayong bag, printed care instructions,

and even a 6 cc/ml syringe for watering the self-sustaining ecosystem.

The pretty angel décor is from one of Trixie's

treasured collections over the years.

 If you want one for yourself, or as a gift,

there are many designs and decors to choose from.
Contact Trixie at 0917-5181115
or email her at bybeadedstory@gmail.com.

 

  Having a terrarium/ecosystem like mine

is enjoyable and relaxing to look at.
It's a great way to bring the outside, indoors,
and a practical way for brown thumbs/non-gardeners like me
to have my own dainty piece of a garden beside me. :)  ♥

 

 

Why try to explain miracles to your kids
when you can just have them plant a garden?
Robert Brault


 

 

 



Anton's Confirmation

 

My former student in high school, Anton's confirmation... :)

 

 

So touched that one of my long-time students 

considered me to be one of his godparents...  <3

 

   Touch my heart and you will fee, listen to my heart and you will hear, look into my heart and you will see, you will always be a special part of me. Author Unknown

Memorable Meeting

DH and I had a great, late afternoon meeting with our Spiritual Director (and we also consider him our friend), Fr. Jboy Gonzales, S.J., Associate Principal of the Ateneo de Manila High School.

 

As many of our friends do not know yet, we  have been led back to the Catholic faith (a long story; it deserves a solo entry in this blog) since 2011, and the process is slow, healing, and gently unfolding as our days roll by...

 

Fr. Jboy, Me, and DH

 

 

 

Anyway, our meeting with Fr. Jboy turned out to be another good and productive one.  This is our scond meeting with him, and we talked about our plans of having a very simple Catholic wedding on Dec. 27, 2013 --- incidentally, our 17th Wedding Anniversary!  So far, and as he also assured us, everything is on track.

 

He discussed what needs to be done, and so much more, because our two children will also be baptized, and confirmed.  I thank my Heavenly Mother, Mary, for helping me keep the faith, and for allowing us to take everything in stride, as we live our lives anew, as Catholics.

Many Born-Again Christian friends despise and convict us, but all the more are we led back because of this, as they top the list of several reasons why we decided to embrace the Catholic faith again.  I have yet to meet another one of our Christian friends who will not condemn us.  Sad, but true.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

St. Ignatus of Loyola

Valentine's Day 2013

I received a number of food gifts from my Grades 6, 4, and 3 students. 

After work, DH and I headed to DS's school, to have a chance meeting/counseling with the campus chaplain.  It was an "ambush" appointment, as we didn't expect to be accommodated right on the spot. 

 

He is a kind priest, and listened to us, as DH recounted our "story" to him, and what we wanted to happen by the end of this year.  He will re-wed us in Catholic rites on the 27th of December, and baptize DS and DD too.  I told him about my fervent prayer to Mother Mary (Nov. 6, 2011), and the bouquet of yellow roses in my dream just before waking up that particular morning of Nov. 8th -- only two days after my prayer.  And then, the truckload of live, long-stemmed, and potted roses that greeted me along our village's main street later that same day, which served as my answer and confirmation for the things I prayed about.

 

It was a nice, and great day for DH and I. 

 

As evening approached, I received a book of Stephenie Meyer's 'The Host' from DH.  The kids also got their favorite, Baby Ruth chocolate bars from him. 

What a memorable Valentine's Day this is for DH and I.  It wasn't lavishly celebrated, but great and promising things happened today.

 

Loving is not just looking at each other,

it's looking in the same direction.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand, and Stars, 1939

 

I Love These Kids

These children are God's wonderful blessings to me...

 

Grade 6 Daniel

 

 

 Grade 5 Solomon

 

Grade 3 Jeremiah

 

2 Teach is
2 Touch lives
4 Ever
Author Unknown

 

Back Again

 

After many months of not being able to write, here I am finding this oh-so-good, precious time of being able to update this blog. I missed writing, and this moment is one of those memorable ones that I am thankful for -- those things that happened in the past, which placed me here for a purpose -- in front of my laptop again.

I have quit my job a month ago, and I am just so grateful I did. It is the second worst job I've had in my entire life, that which prevented me from being myself, and which stopped me from writing and doing all the things I just loved doing.

But call it divine intervention --- the last week I spent in that terrible workplace,  or a Friday to be exact, I received a text message from a previous employer who I turned down working for last summer. They offered me the job I am handling right now.  I am currently on my 1st month today with them.  I am ever thankful, really.

The kids I am teaching may not be the best, but their hearts are pure, and what's not to love in them, if they are made this way...? I am praying I will last long in this school, as I find the people kind, simple, and just pure normal.

My last job was utmost horrible. My gay boss was pure evil. I cannot stop myself from using these words, so forgive me if I am raw, and use vile words for this entry. I have removed my DD from that school too, and I thank God for being able to do so.

Right now, we are homeschooling her, and it is just like coming home to a sweet, familiar, comforting place... Glad to know our DD likes to homeschool too...

Meantime, I perform my duties as faithfully as I can, and pray this is the job I have long been praying for. So please help me, God...

While there's life, There's hope. Marcus Jullius Cicero

Off With My Long Hair

I got a haircut a week ago, and let the stylist chop off almost an arm's length. I sort of feel sad because I miss my long tresses, and realized I should've left more than what was removed... :(

I like having long hair. Never mind that drying and fixing it takes several minutes (to an hour) everyday... For years, and ever since I could actually remember, I've always worn my hair long; so much so that it has become like my own, personal security blanket.

With my new short hair, everyday is a bad hair day. All because they flip like crazy every morning (sob!), and combing or brushing doesn't help. Suddenly my hair has developed a mind of its own, and decided not to obey me big time.

I can't wait to grow it again and promise myself I will never have it cut short like my photo here. I am all smiles there, but seriously, and deep inside, my heart is bleeding (oh yeah, that much sadness and disgust!)...

My dear long hair, oh how I miss and heart you so! (Lol!)

How can I control my life

when I can't control my hair?

Author Unknown

Another Year of Life, Love, and Laughter

Thank you for another birthday. Which also means that like this entry's title, I am blessed with another year of life, love and laughter.

After today, I pray for another year to grow richer in knowledge and insight of every kind... That I will learn by experience what really matters... That on the day that I appear before God, He will welcome me as a flawless gift, a rich harvest of praise...

May the Lord bless me and keep me... May He shed His light upon me... May He look upon me kindly and give me peace...

Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4

Stories From My Garden

I thank God for this special day. Once again I feel nostalgic and at the same time hopeful for more blessings to come after this year.

One year ago today I celebrated my birthday and opened Like Showers On New Grass. I had the wonderful opportunity to bond and fellowship with some of the most amazing Christian ladies around the world through cyberspace. Seems like only yesterday, but I actually completed 52 weeks of writing about my hopes, and dreams, and prayers to the Lord.

I am celebrating my birthday again today. And I am also opening this new blog; this time, to share a slice of my simple life with you. My name is Anne, and I am a Wife, a Mother, and a Teacher.

Like my site's title, I want to tell you about Stories From My Garden. And by that I mean from where I am planted by the Lord. Though I do not really have a real garden in my home, I am always praying to have one someday.

Hence, this garden is a virtual one. I always daydream about sipping a tall glass of iced tea and sitting on a white wicker chair in a wooden porch, overlooking a garden filled with fragrant flowers.

I am hopeful. I know that someday, God will grant me that elusive garden. For now, this virtual garden will suffice. May you be blessed, may you visit again, and may we be friends forever.

In my garden there is a large place for sentiment.
My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams.
The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers,
and the dreams are as beautiful.
Abram L. Urban