Ate Mitch's Birthday Gift

My sister Michelle will be turning "30" this coming October 31st (Halloween). She is living by herself in Pinas. I am sure, she's enjoying her independence but at the same time "sometimes" misses us. We misses her a lot specially on special occasion like this. I still remember back then, we usually celebrate her birthday at the commentary. Because it's a tradition in the Philippines that people spends Oct. 31st to Nov. 1st with their beloved one that has passed away at the commentary where they are buried. It was a nice family gathering before Christmas, it's like a Thanksgiving celebration here in the U.S. .. Anyways, back to my sister Michelle. We love her so much, and we wish her all the best on her birthday. She's my mom's pet, whether my mom admit it or not, I know she is. hahahahaha... My sister always wanted to have a laptop, but we all know that Laptop doesn't come cheap. But hey! It's her birthday!.. Guess what my mom got her?....

That's right!!!!! a "PINK Sony Vaio Intel Centrino" ...with built in web cam and mic....everything you need... Gosh!!!! Happy Birthday ate Mitch!!!! Isn't she the luckiest ever! inggit ako!.. I told my mom I want this for Christmas! hahahaha.. My loving mom bought her this. Ofcoucrse I helped my mom pick which one to buy. I love my mom so much, she does this kinda thing and surprises you. But, this is the biggest so far! And ate Mitch got it!!! wwwuuuaaahhh!!!!!! well...I guess not, she helped out on the construction on my backyard.. so I guess it's okay.. I shouldn't be that jealous.. I already have a laptop anyways.. but I want a pink one!!!!.. hahahaha.. I already told my husband, this is what I want for Christmas.. will see if Santa will be good to me... :)

This pink one is a limited edition, it's for the breast cancer assoc. It was really nice of Sony to do that. I think half of the money for each purchase (cost $1400) of this laptop will benefit the association. So, it's a really good and stylish laptop, and for a good cost.

Happy Birthday Ate Mitch!!!

PUMPKIN PATCH

Hay Ride

Allana and Sebastien

Allana, Alison and Tristan

Me, Sebastien, Tristan, Alison and Allana

Last Saturday, October 13, 2007. I had my sister's girls with me, Allana and Alison. My boys were so happy about having the girls over the weekend. Ofcourse, these mean that I have to plan an exciting weekend for the kids. I love having all of them together, Tristan is 8, Alison is 7, Allana is 4 and Sebastien is 3. Which make it so nice because they all have partners. So anyways, Nelson and I took them to one of the biggest Pumpkin Patch in the valley. They have a lot of things for kids to do. They have Hay Mazes, a HUGE Corn Maze (which we didn't even try to go in because the kids will not be able to walk that far), Horse back riding, Pony rides, "Pumpkin Blaster" (my favorite), Tractor rides, and a little petting zoo.

The funniest part was the one with the animals. We get to feed them and pet them up close and personal. Really, really up close!! The kids had fun but a little scared at first, specially Sebastien and Allana. I cannot blame them, the goats head are right into their faces when they get close. And I tell you, these animals are not afraid of human, they are so smart that they know you have food for them, so they will actually come really close to you. One time, this goat was chewing on my shirt and my purse!!! hahahaha... They have pigs, goats ( a lot of them!), ducks, chickens, bunny, donkey, pony, zebra, and this big CAMEL!! I tried to feed the Camel, but every time I put my hands out, I get scared!!... you can feel it licking your palm.. eeeuuuwww!!!!.. but it was really fun.. the kids had a great time. Then after that, we headed for the pumpkin blaster. This is where, you buy a bucket of baby pumpkins, probably a dozen inside the bucket, then you go to this really huge BLASTER. You shoot the pumkins out. This blaster is so powerful, you can feel the preasure when you click on the trigger. They have a lot of targets, and you get points on each one. Tristan and I are the one who blast the pumpkins, but ofcourse, mommy got more points than him... to Tristan: some day my son, you will be able to bit mommy!... :)

Love of my life

The love of my life, Mr. Nelson Chicas.

He's an angel sent from heaven.

He completes me. He came to my life unexpected.

He taught me the real definition of love:

• It's accepting things for the good of that person even if it hurts you.... Even if you fight it every once and a while...
• Knowing that no matter what happens between the two of you he will always be that special someone you hold in your heart for the rest of your life....
• When it's so hard to explain everything your feeling cuz the words are all jumbled up inside and the only way to say it is with your eyes....
• It is unconditional

"Concentrate more on the longer rhythms in your life. Dwell less on the ups and downs of the moment; more on permanent realities.”

Feeling sick

Pictures above are all taken at a "Pumpkin Patch" a week ago. It's a nice place to take the kids and let them run around. Amazing how much pumpkins they grow every year. I personally, doesn't like to eat them. But I heard pumpkin pies are good. :)

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Today and specially yesterday, I am just feeling really, really sick. I feel like I've been run by a truck. Muscle ache, head ache, you name it, I think I got a flu. But.. guess where I'm at?. At "work". I cannot afford to loose more work time, it's hard, but got bills to pay and kids to feed. Sometimes I wish, I can go back to my highschool days, even just for a day!.. I miss having a day without worrying, without anybody to take care of, just myself. But then again, when I really think about it. I don't think I can go on a day without my boys. They are life. Isn't it crazy? I guess that's how it is if you are a mom. They are part of you. I remember being a teenager, I never really understand why parent worry too much. Now that I am a mother, I totally get it. It's not more on them trusting you, it's more on the other people or situation that might hurt you. And as a parent, you always want to be there to protect you child. But then again, they have to learn thing by themselves.

When I had my first son, Tristan. It was such a memorable experience. The whole nine months, and specially the labor. After that experience, I always give my mom a bouquet of flowers on my Birthday. I realize what parents, specially mother go though to bring us to this world. They actually put their lives at risk for us. I know, it may sound so cliche, but it's the reality . On my birthday, I don't really celebrate it, like I used to. Now, I look at it as a day to appreciate and thank my parents, specially my mom. A day to be thankful that I am a mother myself, and that I was able to bring 2 beautiful life in this world. Hopefully, my sons will think the same way when they grow up.

Anyways.. I guess this is how it is.. when your sick... hahaha.. very emotional.. hopefully I will feel better tomorrow.

Sunday Morning

Mommy and Sebastien

Sebastien and Kuya Tristan

Sebastien in style....

my big boy Tristan...looking cool!!

All these pictures was taken last Sunday, October 7, 2007. We were at my husband's work place, celebrating their 40th anniversary. We were assigned to sell some t-shirts, hats, etc. It was really fun because the kids get to experience being out there in a fair, and not spend money! hahahaha.. but this time collecting money. It was a really great experience specially for Tristan. He enjoyed being out there, interacting with different people, selling, collecting money. Most specially he liked it because a lot of people noticed how CUTE he looked with his sunglasses...(like the attention just like mom.. hahaha) and ofcourse, my little Sebastien was out there too. All in all, it was such a nice family day for us, we get to spend it together and help out other people as well.

I am so proud of my boys. They are turning to be a very independent and loving person. Sometimes I still cannot believe that I am a mom of two beautiful boys. They are my life.

I embrace joy and happiness

I admit it. I am one of “those people” who grew up in a “dysfunctional” family. I don’t like that word, but in my case, it is appropriate. Come to find out, a lot of people think the same way I do and grew up in similar circumstances. Learning from the past has its place but, as of right now, I have learned all I want to know from my past misery. At this point I turn to the creativity of laughter and to a deep knowing that life is joyful. With this in mind, laugh with ease and smile spontaneously. Your past is always a part of who you are, but forgiveness is imperative or you might carry that baggage around the rest of your life. Remember, it takes fewer wrinkles to smile than to frown, so laugh as if nobody's watching and enjoy the day. Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.

Today, I keep things simple.

“Genius is the ability to reduce the complicated to the simple.”

When I notice that my life has become a bit complicated, I realize I have the option to simplify. If I look real hard, I usually find that I am the one that made matters worse in the first place. When I take the time to breathe and to stay focused on the present, the occurrences in my day seem to proceed a lot easier. I stay in the present by treasuring every moment that I have. Time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present.

“No person made a greater mistake than the one who did nothing because he or she could only do a little.”