DS's 14th Year

Today marks my DS's 14th birthday.  He is now definitely a budding and intelligent teenager.  I praise you, dear Lord, for our son, who is a big blessing to us.   Continue to help us along the way, to raise him according to Your will, and to follow the blueprint that You have created long ago for him.  Please prepare me and DH, to help and guide M achieve his purpose in life, to glorify and honor you with the work of his hands...  always and forever.

 

  May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
Irish Blessing

Another Year

My nth birthday! 
Thank you, Lord, for another year with my family...  :)

 

 

One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life...
Psalm 27: 4
 

Lorax And Smurfette Are Here

And by that I mean our Hermit Crabs are! 

 

Dancing Queen and I purchased them last Saturday evening from the Mall of Asia's Lucky Hermits Kiosk.  We had the driver with us, because the boys (DH and DS) were in the Ateneo for the school's victory bonfire party (Blue Eagles Basketball team's 5peat champinoship win).

 

Well, DD and I had a fun time choosing the accessories we needed for the crabitat, and also choosing the best crabbies we saw.  We brought along our smaller pet critter keeper (sent not so many years ago by my sister in NJ) so the hermies won't be stressed on our drive way home.

 

Since most, if not all the crabs looked alike, we decided on picking one with a green shell, and another with yellow.  The kind store clerk was cooperative to help us sort out the green ones, and we chose an active boy hermie with the Lorax design on his shell.  Next up, a yellow active girl, with the Smurfs design on her shell.

 

We have read many times that painted shells are a no-no, because the paint chips off, and is, of course, bad for the critters.  Seems most hermie stores have their crabbies shells painted for added attraction for kids, so we didn't have any option.  But we did purchase two natural empty shells to later on encourage Lorax and Smurfette to change theirs.

 

DD named them, of course, and is too excited to take care of them.  She bathed them too, before putting them in their new, clean, crabitat!  Courtesy of sniffercatfreak in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHYzEALyZm0 

 

They had pellets for dinner during their first night with us.  And had pears, bananas, and rice in the next.  Will try to give them a variety of good, natural meals everday, so as not to bore them, and to make them healthier.

 

And so as not to lengthen the suspense, here are several photos our crabitat, with Lorax and Smurfette of course...  Hope you enjoy viewing them!  :)

 



  

Walk straight, my son -

as the old crab said to the young crab.

Irish Proverb

New Pets Coming

Dancing Queen and I are out to get two Hermit Crabs to take care of.  We are excited because it is a new thing for us.  We are currently reading a lot of stuff about how to take care of these critters, and so far, we've  been learning a lot from co-bloggers, and watching videos via YouTube.

 

We just purchased a 15-gallon glass tank, and filled it up with about four inches of beige sand this week.  We also added a few decorations to make it more interesting, and voila!  we have this new "Crabitat" to tend everyday.

 

 photo from http://hermitcrabpetcare.com/

 

Hoping this Sunday we could get two nice hermit crabs from the Mall of Asia, and let them thrive happily in the crabitat waiting for them at home.  DH is not really too keen on it, expressing that dogs are still better.  I agree of course, that nothing could steal away our hearts from loving our little Maltese, Milkshake.  She is still, after all, the "Queen of Shred" in the household.  But just saying, adding other creatures in our lives is  a welcome "distraction".  :)

So heads up we go, as we take on this new adventure of "Crabbing" our hearts away!

 

 Animals are such agreeable friends -

they ask no questions; 

they pass no criticisms.

George Eliot

 

DD's Royal Academy of Dance Certificate

Our DD received her RAD or Royal Academy of Dance Certifcate for this year and she received a Merit!  We are so proud of her.  Way to go, G!  :)

Plie is the first thing you learn and the last thing you master. Suzanna Farrell

DS's Chess Varsity Tournament

DS earned another feather in his cap when he made it to his school's Chess Varsity team. 

So proud of you, M, and your new varsity shirt! 

 It's ONE BIG FIGHT!  :)

 

 

Chess is everything - art, science, and sport. Karpov

 

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

Darling Daughter's 10th

 

Thank you, Lord for making this day happen. We just celebrated Dancing Queen's 10th birthday today.

My little DD... She is growing up too fast, and dreams of becoming a professional ballerina someday. I share this dream with her, and support her all the way.

Sometimes I wish I could hold time and stop the world from spinning fast. I wish I could bottle up all the innocence that makes her the sweet and gentle girl that she is.

But all that is just a dream... For now, I can only pray, that life will be good to her, and that the inevitable challenges it brings will make her strong and wise.

Our little girl is becoming a beautiful young lady before our very eyes. But no matter how many birthdays come and go, she will always be our little girl.

So mayst thou live, dear! many years,
In all the bliss that life endears...
Thomas Hood, "To My Daughter, On Her Birthday"

New Assignment

It's been a while since I've logged in... I have been through a carnival of rides the past three months; minding the children's schooling, tending varied household affairs, and for the most part, trying to find a new job.

I must admit that trying to squeeze myself in a new work environment is pretty much a huge time-eater. I have not engaged in any good or memorable activity with my kids lately, and looks like summer will be quite a bummer...

Modesty aside though, all schools that I have applied in took an interest in me, and I am currently facing several forked roads before me.

So now that everything is on the low down because of the Holy Week, I have finally decided what to accept. Thanks to the quiet and refreshing stillness of the week, I am able to listen perfectly to what God wants me to do, and where He wants me to go.

I wish my everyday was like this: Quiet streets around the neighborhood, roads devoid of noise from vehicles, hordes of busy people tucked in the comforts of their homes or perhaps out of town, clear skies spinning white, floating clouds, and cheerful winds blowing in and out of our bedroom windows... This is the life, I should say... Simple, and uncomplicated.

Snapping out of that reverie, I know I have much to say after not being able to write for a long time in this porch space...

Let's just say -- that DS will be in freshman high school starting June, and he will be in a big exclusive school for boys. DD, on the other hand, will start attending 4th grade in an all girls' school beside her big brother's.

As for me, I will be in a school not far from where both of my kids will go. I will be teaching preschoolers; kinder level kids to be exact, and I am pretty much looking forward to forming awesome relationships in my new work environment. I have prayed about getting a new job since September last year. I hope it is worth the wait...

Looking back to where all this started, I could summarize it in one sentence: I prayed for a new teaching job where I am appreciated.

Gratitude is the music of the heart,
when its chords are swept by the breeze of kindness.
Author Unknown

Our Crystal Year

Thank you, dear God, for our 15th Wedding Anniversary today... 

Like I said,  the road may not be always perfect and smooth, but it is a blessing to have a marriage more beautiful than my wedding...  :)

An anniversary
is a time to celebrate

the joys of today,

the memories of yesterday,

and the hopes of tomorrow. 

Author Unknown

 

Gina's New Orthodontic Retainers

We are very happy because starting today, our Dancing Queen will be wearing a special kind of Orthodontic Retainers. Seems like only yesterday when we felt anxious and worried because she had to wear a Facemask to correct her upper and lower jaw bones...

Her diligence and patience in wearing the Facemask for (an ordeal of) 16 hours++ a day, over one year, and even taking a brief leave from school truly paid off. Praise God for this great, new development. :)

Here is a photo of our Dancing Queen, with her new mouth appliance ---

Just like her previous Facemask, this special Orthodontic Retainers is removable, but she will have to wear it for 24 hours, most especially when sleeping at night.  She may only remove it during mealtimes ---

Treatment, as advised by our Orthodontist, will last for 6 months, afterwhich another kind of intervention will take place.  We praise our awesome God for all the help He has provided; physically and emotionally for our daughter, and financially for us.

If you are a new visitor to this blog, you may want to read about our journey with our daughter's Facemask starting HERE. I'd like to encourage you too, that even if the process is difficult and long, surely with God's power, grace, and help, the race and goal will both be conquered and achieved. :)

Ah, Sovereign LORD,

you have made the heavens and the earth

by your great power and outstretched arm.

Nothing is too hard for you.

Jeremiah 32:17

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

Dancing Queen's Container Garden

Dancing Queen and I finally set up her garden pots in the long garage.

She is ecstatic and very happy to grow her own vegetables and flowering plants.

Though we need to buy more pots to plant some more flower seeds that we have in excess.

All in all, we have 12 pots; nine of which are vegetable seeds which I helped DD plant this afternoon.

Once the veggies and flowers grow, Dancing Queen said she would harvest them and plant some more!

What a delight to see the work of her hands because when I was her age, I had little interest in planting.

I myself, am excited to see her vegetables and flowers grow! We plan to take more photos every week until the plants are all out to greet the sunshine! :)

The best place to seek God is in a garden.

You can dig for him there.

George Bernard Shaw 

Milkshake Turns Terrible 2!

Oh yes, our little furry baby of the house turns 2 today! Look at her now!

Still naughty and full of character...

But at the same time ever so sweet, charming, and nice! :)))

Happiness is a warm puppy.

Charles M. Schulz

We Now Have a Teenager in the House

Our little boy...



...is now a teenager.



Today is his big day, and we praise God for making us his earthly parents. Now that he is a teenager, we pray that he would continue to honor and glorify God with his strengths and talents.

Furthermore, we pray that like Jesus, he will grow in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man. Everyday is a blessing, and the best is yet to come! :)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5