The husband had his birthday party at home from friends from his former company. We were all taking about how to lose weight including those quicktrim reviews and how to keep ourselves healthy. The discussions were brought about after learning that one of our friends had to undergo bypass surgery at a very young age of 38 years old. It made all of us scared!  But that night was not totally spared because we had a great meal which I ordered from a good caterer. Everyone raved about the food!

Grilled Chicken and  Roast Pork with Caramelized Apple

Red Snapper with Mango Salsa and Lengua Estofado

The husband will be celebrating his birthday this weekend. Pathetic as I still do not have any gift for him. Worst, I also do not have any idea what to give him. A friend recommended to me Chopard watches. Wish I could afford one for him. But nah! I am really clueless on what to get for him. Any recommendations please? I would probably hit the mall today so I can check what’s available and more importantly, what’s good for my wallet, lol!

To me and all the great moms I know!

To my mother, I am so blessed to have you!

To my mother-in-law, you are the best that I could have!

To all my “mommy” friends, cheers for our wonderful role on this world!

seem long enough if you weren’t living it happily, but it was a bliss of dreams that were all achieved with the love of your life. And it becomes more exciting if you two are on the same page on your journey through life. Thanks Babes  for all the love and respect. I have indeed married a great man. We have built happy memories together for us and our kids to remember and together, I am still looking forward to be beside you on what tomorrow has in store for us!

8 years and counting!  It is our Happy Wedding Anniversary!

Yes, our Wedding Anniversary is coming up soon. We would be celebrating our 8th year this coming May 4.  No definite plans yet as to where we are spending it since the husband still needs to go to work that day.  It’s a Tuesday actually.  I’m on reviews of fine dining restaurants that we haven’t tried.  Since we are on a diet, a buffet in a hotel would definitely be out.  Yes, we usually go to Peninsula Manila (where we had our wedding reception) for a dinner buffet, but this time we would like to try something different.  Any suggestions?  If all my research fail and if should i not find confidence on the recommended restaurants, I am sure Le Souffle Rockwell would always be a good choice.  It’s been a while since we last ate there too anyway.

Wishing everyone an advance Happy Easter tomorrow!  What are your plans?  Still looking for a place to bring the kids for their annual easter-egg hunting.  Apparently, we received a number of invitations to celebrate Easter Sunday tomorrow that is why we haven’t made any specific plans yet.  Might just hear mass in the morning and then off for a lunch in a Chinese Restaurant in the mall with relatives.  Hope we can catch up something from there or we might just bring the kids in our village clubhouse for some activities in the afternoon.  They are also attending a swimming party afterwards.  It’s going to be a busy day!

is the best time to reflect on God’s goodness and being with our loving families is one of those great blessings. How are you spending your holy week? For us, we prayed as a whole family. Repented for our sins. Claimed that Jesus Christ is our One and Only Saviour. And thanked Him for all the gift of life. Here are some beautiful advices I received in my email today which I would like to share as reflections for Easter Resolutions:

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19 Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don’t wait until it’s time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good ‘Thank you Jesus .’
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before.

GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’
(Romans 8:31)

Have a blessed Holy Week everyone. Hope this week brings new meaning for your lives!

It is indeed a very good Sunday as we celebrate “Lunar New Year” and Valentine’s Day at the same time for this year 2010. Going out for lunch with the family as we celebrate these two occasions and would also head out to buy those chinese amulets to guard us for the whole year through. We are a believer of feng shui but we only choose those appropriate. Aside from that, we also plan to get those hgh supplements as well as freshly brewed tea from our favorite chinese store. Enjoy the rest of the day everyone!

when we first became a couple. My life has been beautiful since then!

It’s a decision I would never regret…

Babes, Thank you for making each day a happy one for me…

It’s indeed a great 2009…

We moved to the new house, a realization of a dream!
The husband did very well with his job. Kudos to him!  He ended the year with flying colors! 
I had a good number and quality accounts for my business.
The kids were safe and healthy despite having flu once in a while.
We had a number of celebrations with friends.
We had two out-of-the-country trips (HK and Guam).

And most of all, our family is complete and united. There are so many things to remember for 2009 and I just can’t count them in my fingers.  Life is happiness!!! 

Now, I claim that 2010 would even be better!!!

Have a fantastic new year everyone!!!

in the house happened last December 8. It was a party with wedding supplier friends. Thank goodness it was a good weather then so we were able to enjoy the cool breeze in the lawn. Our christmas lights were all set outside and the husband made sure to use safety products for all our lanterns, lights and decorations. It was indeed a fun night that continued until wee hours of the morning. I think the party finished almost 3am with just non-stop talking! Thanks to Tita Jet of Josiah’s for providing our food. The guests went home with take-out bags as well!

happening in the house tomorrow and on Saturday, I have asked the househelps to do general cleaning of the house. I even asked them to scrub all metal tiles in the dirty kitchen as well as clean all glass windows. I have asked them to polish the wood on all furnitures and vaccuum the fabrics as well. They would also scrub the garage tomorrow as that would be our back-up venue in case it rains in the evening. But I really hope it would be a good weather. Glad, the household helps are not complaining. They shouldn’t right?

of the six parties we would have in the house for this month of December. It would be a party for some wedding suppliers friends. I was asking the husband to actually come home early so he would get to meet as well my friends from the industry. Apparently, tomorrow would be a busy day for him as they are rushing to prepare for a new product to be launched early next year. He wants that their new product of remote backup service would be up and running as early as 1st week of January so they could start promoting it to their clients. But he promised to still come home early. On the other hand, I am really hoping that weather would be good so we could just enjoy the cool breeze by the garden.

We are starting to feel the cool breeze of the season. It’s getting colder every morning now. Christmas is almost here! We have started shopping last weekend for christmas decors. The kids are getting excited everyday. They keep on asking as to when would Santa Claus start giving out gifts. They are excited to put on their big socks on the christmas tree.

Last saturday, they even made some decorations out of paper (with help of yayas) and placed it on their wall. As one of the christmas gifts for them, we are thinking to buy a new flat screen TV and get a sturdy mounts for it instead to maximize space in their playroom.

Before I make a reseach about Samsung TV (husband wants to buy a new TV for the kids’ room), let me share the Village Trick or Treat we went to last friday afternoon. Since we recently moved, it was our first time to join the Village Trick or Treat.  I was suprised that there are a number of kids joining the activity.  In fact, I learned that some are not even from the village but really taking time to participate every year because most of the houses in our village are known to be giving out loots/candies for the kids during the halloween.  

Yes indeed.  After the program in the village, we were able to move around (using our car) to different streets. Some houses are really giving out candies to the kids. Our neighbor said it was lesser though this year than last year.  Most of the houses in the main street are giving out.  But likely some deferred giving out this year since our village were also one of those hit by typhoon Ondoy.  Nevertheless, the kids had fund with the village trick or treat and we look forward for next year!

Oh and Margaux was one of the winners as well in the best in costume for the fantasy category.  I wasn’t really expecting it!  Cool!  She was first place and got a cash price!  I’m one proud mommy!

was a good one.  Thanks to his friends who are mostly former officemates who joined us for his birthday celebration.  Thanks also to the good weather.  It was worth it to do the party outdoor.  I had to make sure that we sprayed on some citronella oils within the perimeters since mosquitoes and all other insects are not at all invited.  We had it catered again by Josiah’s (our fave) and as per his request, he wants mongolian grill to be part of the menu.  Guests mostly came between 7pm-8pm.  We had a good number of guests, almost everyone he was expecting arrived.  I can tell that the husband is a well-loved individual even if he has not been with the company for almost a year now.  

After a sumptuous dinner, we trooped inside the house because it was air-conditioned.  They played poker until like 230am!  Everyone had fun!  And so as the husband since he also got nice presents from friends, including the new poker set, which they used right away!  It’s a better set than what we have currently.  I’m sure the husband would get more hooked on this game.

More than anything, it was with the company of good friends which made it really special for his  birthday celebration.

after and this is the best wedding anniversary we could get…

Its really the fruits of our labor and hardwork.  The husband deserves a great recognition for providing very well for the family.  We are thankful for all the blessings from the One Up Above.  

To my babes,  

7 years of loving family and I still look forward to everyday happiness with you…

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!

Last night, went home late coming from an event in Trinoma. I was guilty that I didn’t pay attention to husband when he called me on my cellphone as to what time I will be home. I actually went home almost midnight already and he was sleeping then. But I was suprised to see something beautiful for me…

Sweetness…he actually never fails in giving me flowers every Valentine’s Day. It says in his card: “Babes, dati dinadaan ko sa dami, ngayon…simple na lang para naman maiba pero puno pa rin ng pagmamahal!” Aw! Really appreciate it!

So how did you spend your valentine’s day? Well for us, nothing fancy. We went out to buy a new barong for him as we are attending a wedding in Tagaytay tomorrow. Then we went to Wilcon Depot in Libis as we are buying a shower set for our master’s bedroom. That was my Valentine’s Gift for him, for us actually. We saw some pet supplies as well. We are thinking if we would get a dog for a new house. But we are shelving the idea first.  Instead, I am glad we finally got the nice shower set which I have been meaning to get. I realized we didn’t even get to eat out. We just had lunch in SM.

I’m doing some backtracking so please pardon me.  Would just like to share my cousin, Jenny’s wedding last January 9, 2009.  You see, I was like the bride for this wedding, making all the preparations from the start.  But my cousin and her husband Howell was so easy to please.  The only thing that matters to them was that we would be allowed to bring in to the venue a number of drinks (hard, wine, beer) for the guests to enjoy the party.  Of course, I gave them the best-valued suppliers who are not skimping on their quality of service.  They had a great time and so as their kids.  And for us the guests, we enjoyed every moment of it.  

It has been a while since I have been part of a wedding entourage so I was pretty excited to dress up.  I’m the candle secondary sponsor and Margaux was one of the flowergirls.  

Preparations were made in Astoria Plaza.  I love the 2-bedroom suite which we got.  It was so spacious.  Look, we even had our manicures in the huge living room of the suite.  And we were there when Jenny got her suprise wedding gift from Howell.  The husband gave her a “tag heuer” watch. 

All entourage (all my cousins) dressed up in the hotel so we had a grand time in our picture-taking with the bride. We also love the color of our gowns…it was so radiant and cheerful…pomelo orange!

And my little girl, Margaux was so pretty then…

We started on time with the ceremony in Christ The King Church.  And reception followed in The Mango Farm in Antipolo.  Guests were treated first for cocktails and souvenir photos from Bai Capture.  Then we all proceeded to the main hall for a night of partying!  Literally, we had a great, great time dancing with Sound Salad band and even after the last set of the band.  Drinks were overflowing so you can imagine how drunk the guests were.  Here are some more photos:

And from a wedding planner’s view…it was a beautiful union not only of the newlyweds but of two families.  It was indeed a great wedding!

Yeah, I know it’s Valentine’s already on Saturday, but I’m backtracking and just like to share our pics during the new year’s eve dinner at mother-in-law’s place…

We bought a number of fireworks from Dragon Fireworks for the new year’s eve.  Dicky said we would buy more next year as we celebrate the new year in the new house!  

was the color assigned to our family last christmas for our relatives reunion.  This is a delayed posting of a picture last christmas.  Apparently, this picture just came from my point and shoot camera.  Imagine, we haven’t dowloaded yet all the pics from the new dslr.  And it’s so pathetic that I don’t even have our complete family picture in my camera.  It’s still in the dslr memory card.  It was so hard to get a decent family picture then.  The kids were just all over the place.  This is the only one worth posting which I am not too happy as well.  I was like a wet-chick who just got off from the shower!  I barely even combed my hair!  Grrr!  But just look at my two beautiful and precious little girls in their “terno” outfit!  And where is the husband?  so busy flashing his dslr all over.  I just hope he would have a time to download already all pictures so I can also share those here.

2008 is a great year for us.  We are praying for another good year for the whole family.  

Good health, prosperity, happiness are things we look forward for 2009. 

From our family to yours, we wish you a New Year filled with so much blessings from Above.  And if life gets difficult, may we all find ways to strengthen our faith and just lift up everything so that we can truly enjoy what matters most.