Much has been said of my love story with my husband.  Since Day 1 of this blog, our life has been an open book.  I had shared my our love story HERE  to serve as an inspiration to others.

For 21 years now, everyday is still a learning process, it is a journey that I am very happy and willing to take together with my husband and my dear kids.  I will be turning 41 yrs old this July, half of my life has been spent in this marriage.  Our union is not your typical perfect blend of a sweet nothings every couple would love to be.  We fight a lot, we shout at each other, we bully each other, we say hurting words.  But as years passed by I am certain that our relationship is being nourished by God, Again I would say, after 21 years, we still have our share of our fights, not as big as before, but then enough to better understand our differences and fully know each other.  Happy to say maturity comes with age.

In this marriage, I believe in the mantra that ““Many happy marriages are made, they do not just happen“”

I wont mind spending another 80 years of my life, with the man I married 21 years ago.

Happy 21st Wedding Anniversary Mahal, Love you eternally

This is the story of our love…it will continue to blossom until our last breathe and until the last days of our lives.

• Our Corny Courtship Days
• Our Struggles in our Teenage Marriage and Our Love Story
• Even our secret on how to maintain long and lasting love despite of being a Pamilyang OFW.
• Our 21st wedding Anniversary

“Many happy marriages are made, they do not just happen“

Allow me to brag in this blog post.  Let me be a happy, proud Mom, allow me to cry happy tears.

Finally, in this very day, my eldest daughter Patrixia Amor fondly called “Ishi” graduated from college  with a degree of BS in Nursing.  I am very proud and extremely happy in this momentous events in her life.

When my husband and I graduated from college we are already starting a young family then, I had many times told and retold in this blog our story about our teenage marriage HERE).  We are both not able to experience wearing toga and marching down the graduation isle back then.  We had different priorities before, instead of paying for the graduation ceremony fee and buying our graduation dress we opted to spent it with Ishi’s milk and needs that time.  So to make the long story short we skipped our graduation day…It was really a hand to mouth existence those times.  Those were one of the toughest days of our lives.

From that day on, my husband and I promised that we may not be able to give our kids enough material riches in life but we will give them the gift of education which can help them jumpstart in this journey called life.

I am very happy, actually extremely is an understatement since if there are more superlative words to describe how my husband and I feel, so let it be. I was all in tears of joy as my daughter marched her way into the stage.  Ang sarap pala ng feeling.  I am just saddened na dahil maaga kami nag asawa, my husband and I were not able to give this opportunity of joy to our parents. One thing I realized, graduation is an important and happy day for students, but it’s also a day for mom and dad to feel proud and retain their bragging rights.

My thoughts and emotions were all captured by the message of my OFW husband to our daughter.  If there is one person who truly deserves to be recognized, it is my husband’s sacrifice as an OFW. It saddens me that Allan was not able to see her daughter graduate in all her graduations (except her Kinder Moving Up day)  Let me share to you my husband’s FB message to our little princess.

Happy Graduation sa iyo anak , i am proud of you!! I may not be there physically, but I am always here to support you all the way..Mahal na mahal kita anak..Salamat sa pag aaral ng maigi at pagiging inspiration kay Icko.Sulit ang sacripisyo at pagod ko sa pagtatapos mong ito anak.Grumaduate ka Patrixia Amor ng elementary,high school at college wala ako , pero di bale ang mahalaga nakapagtapos ka sapat na sa akin yu  #tearyeyedproudpapa #pamilyangofw, #proudpapa,#katasngsaudi

To my Ishi, remember that this is just a start of another milestone in your life, the board exam is on your way.  But always remember that whatever journey you would take, Mama and Papa will always be here to love you, to support you and boost your morale each and very day of your life….

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Ang ineeeetttttt!!!!!

Grabe ang hotness sa paligid hindi po ba?  Pero hindi ito dapat maging dahilan para hindi maging active ang kids sa summer months sa Pinas.

Ayan na ang aming mga bagets ready to beat the heat this summer.

Here are some  cool activities to help you beat the summer heat! kahit nasa house ka lang, no need to splurge on money.  Why not hindi ba, pwede naman maging creative ka lang, mommy!!!

1. Family patintero -aba super fun ito, imbis na magInternet ng magInternet ang mga bagets ay iparanas sa kanila ang mga Palarong Pilipino na talaga namang classic.

2. Indoor Art Attack – pag super hotness na sa labas at love pa din ng mga bagets na mag activity pwedeng pwede ang loom bands at art attack.

3. Swimming –  classic pa din ang magswimming no need to go to the beach, you can hit it right away sa inyong mga garahe… Although most of the time, maganda din na may mga travel experience ang mga bagets, mas iba pa din at mahalaga yung memories ng bonding moment ng pamilya.  Mareretain ito sa kanila hanggang maging adult na ang mga bagets…..

But of course, your teens can always have their outdoor summer activities. While it is scorching hot outside do not forget to tell your kiddos to bring their Pure ‘N Fresh Cologne, for that feel of freshness even in the midst of the init.

Pure ‘N Fresh Tropical Splash smells so sweet, sarap ng fruity scent, lakas makafreshness ng smell.  

BTW. Pure ‘n Fresh is a quality product of Unilab. Get connected throughFacebook.

God has really been so good to me and my family. Last June 27, 2014 my daughter Ishi passed the Nursing Board exam. Finally, Registered Nurse na ang aking bunining. I am so proud of my daughter at talaga naman outpouring ang emotion naming mag asawa. Walang paglagyan ng tuwa ang isang magulang pag may milestone na nararating ang kanyang anak at ganyang ganyan po ang aming nadarama.

If I may share the FB post of my husband ng malaman nya na pumasa na ang kanyang dalaga.

“Buhay pamilyang OFW — Grumaduate ang panganay ko na si Patrixia Amor, nung elementary graduation nya wala ako , nung high school graduation nya wala din ako , nung college graduation nya wala pa rin ako . Pero wala man ako sa mga okasyon na iyun ay sapat na sa akin dahil tinumbasan naman ito ng anak ko ng pag aaral at pagtatapos at ngayn sya ay Registered Nurse na sya. Yan ang pinaka PRICELESS na regalo ng isang anak sa magulang na OFW”

Naiyak kami sa tuwa ng aking OFW husband kasi sulit ang Katas ng Saudi at lahat ng sakripisyo naming bilang isang pamilyang OFW. Iba pala pag anak mo na nung pumasa ako sa Real Estate Broker’s Board Exam last summer hindi ako umiyak pero nung anak ko na ang pumasa grabe ang luha ko talaga.

My daughter may not be a A+ student, she is just an average one pero talagang iba ang nagagawa ng sipag, tyaga at determination sa larangan ito ng buhay. When she took the board exam, she was all stressed up. But the re-assuring words naming sa kanya ng Papa nya, pag pumasa ka syempre everybody happy, but if you fail the first time, there is always the second time, at susuportahan naming sya anuman ang mangyari. Hindi madali ang pag aaral sa aking anak dahil sa proximity ng aming tahanan sa kanyang school at review center. Malayo at hindi biro ang pakikipagbalyahan sa tuwing uuwi at luluwas. Madalas while all the rest of her classmates are already home studying or resting, ang Ishi ko nasa byahe pa. Kaya talagang lubos lubos ang aming pasasalamat din kay God sa pagbibigay ng lakas at wisdom sa aking anak.

To My Ishi, uulit ulitin ko, Papa, Mama and Icko are so proud of you. Now that you are already a Registered Nurse, nawa ay gampanan mo ang iyong tungkulin responsibly and with passion. This is just the start of your journey in life. Always remember that life is a continuous journey anak, always have that passion to learn. Above all as a Nurse may you be an instrument of healing, make a difference in someone else’s life. Being a Nurse is not just a profession it is also a vocation.

Dear Patrick;

Happy Birthday sa pinaka malambing na tao na nakilala ko sa whole wide universe. Yes anak ikaw yun. Salamat sa pagbibigay mo sa akin ng power hug at kiss na malupit.

I just noticed anak, as I was looking for a picture of yours sa aking tab nadiscover ko na puro pala wacky at happy shots ka at bihira ang serious mode ka.

OK lang yun it only shows na you are indeed a happy child. Always keep that humor and happy attitude anak, Always be a good boy anak.

Grow Up , but dont grow too fast, always maintain that childness in you. Always be the sunshine to others. Kahit pa bata ka pa I can see your creativeness at ambition, hold on to your amibition anak, andito lang kami ni Papa Allan, Mama at Ate Patrixia Amor para tuparin ang dream mo na maging pinakamagaling na Civil Engineer sa whole wide universe.

Sa ngayon hone mo muna yan sa mine craft, darating ang time maachieve mo lahat ng gusto mo sa life, Study hard anak ko.

Mwahhh, Mwahh tsup tsup with yapos na mahigpit

Love lots,
Mama

 Allow me to have a little mommy bragging rights.  I am so proud of my son Patrick since he was among the 20 chosen few to be part of the Little Swiss Guards to welcome and guard Pope Francis at Manila Cathedral-Basilica.  Imagine that there are many aspiring little boys who would like to be privileged to be Pope Francis’ little Swiss Guard and yet my son was one of the blessed and lucky little one.

It seems that I am more exited than he is.  He is excited I know, but I am elated to the maximum level.  I remember when I was still a child when my parents together with my siblings patiently waited just to get a glimpse of Pope John Paul in his Pope mobile in Luneta during his first visit in the Philippines.  When Pope John Paul passed in front of us, smiled and waived his hand, we were filled with joy and happiness that time.

Imagine that kaway at ngitin pa lang, how much more ang aking anak na makikita nya ng malapitan ang ating Santo Papa.  Too bad that parents of the little swiss guards will not be able to join them in their activity, pero OK lang alam naman namin na aalagaan sila ng mga sisters at fathers whom we have entrusted to take care of our kids sa event.

They had their first familiarization visit and practice at the Manila Cathedral on Tuesday, January 6, 2015. The little Swiss guards are all from a La Salette School in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Let me share to you Manila Cathedral’s article about the Little Swiss Guards – Little Swiss Guards to welcome and guard Pope Francis at Manila Cathedral-Basilica

I will update my blog the soonest to share to you naman my son’s experience and encounter with Our Pope Francis.

 Let me share to you some of the pictires photo credits to the Manila Cathedral website:

“This opportunity comes once in a lifetime”

Pope’s Francis visit really made a significant impact in my life and also to my family.  Hanggang ngayon almost a week after damang dama ko pa din ang epekto nito sa buhay ko. To be honest, we are already on the verge of changing religion. We are looking for a more intimate relationship with the Lord kasi, yan ang rason naming sa paglipat sana namin sa ibang  religion.  Pero let me make some kwento sa isang wake up call sa aming pamilya.

My bunso was chosen as one of Pope Francis’ Little Swiss Guard (naikwento ko po iyan here). Dahil sa preparation ni bunso with the coming of the Pope, since vacation ni OFW husband syempre kasa kasama kami sa church para sa mga practicesm at sa mass sa parish na incharge sa mga Little Swiss Guards.

Nakakahiya man sabihin, mas spiritual pa angaming bunso, Patrick urged us na magpray as a family, mg simba together kasi sa totoo lang minsan nagiging excuse sa amin na busy, may appointment na nauna, at hindi na nakakasimba.  Lumaki din kasi kaming mag asawa na hindi regular na nagsisimba.  Little did we realize na ang aming bunso pala ang magiging isntrumento para ipakita sa amin na its not about changing religion, kami pala ang dapat na lumapit sa Kanya.  Gusto naming ng mas intimate relationship with the Lord, yun pala kami ng aking pamilya ang hindi lumalapit sa Kanya.

Lalo pang nagwake up call sa aming pamilya ang pagdating ni Pope Feancis dahil muli narekindle at nabuhay an g aming personal na relationship kay God.  Madami syang mga pangaral na tumimo sa akin at nawa ay maisabuhay naming ito bilang isang pamilya na tumatalima ayon sa kagustuhan ng ating Panginoon.

Sadya nga

As I was organizing my digital pics here in my computer, I came across the picture fo my parents. As I was looking at them, I cannot help but to feel really sad. They are now old and gray, I just hope that I can hold back the hands of time. But my siblings and I are still lucky since God has given us ample time to show our love and gratitude to our dear parents.

We Love You Mama and Dad

We will always show you that we love you and we are thankful for everything.

{Photos taken at LaMesa Dam Eco Park last Feb 27, 2011}

Posted for :

{It is the first time of Brown Pinay to join this Meme}

When I saw natalie portman’s engagement ring on the Net, I cannot helped but to be sad and rekindle about our sad past. I remember the story of my own wedding ring, my husband and I pawned it and unfortunately we are not able to get it from the pawnshop thus it was repossessed (remata). I had previously blogged here that our marriage is a product of teenage pregnancy and young marriage; we are not ready that time emotionally, mentally and financially. But our young age does not stop us from being a good parent to our daughter, when she was 1 year old, she got sick and we had no money on hand that time, we had no one to turn to. So off to the pawnshop, we pawned our pair of wedding ring, that was the last we saw it too. The money that we got from it was used in our doctor’s bills and medicine of our little angel. When the oldies found out about it, they told that that what we had done may bring us bad luck in the future, but we care less, what is important is our daughter.

For my hubby and I, the wedding ring is just a symbol, the marriage and our family is what we had to work on. Eighteen years after with no wedding ring in our hands and we are still together, still happily married. Together with our kids, we are building a happy family.

My family is a Pamilyang OFW, it is really a sacrifice being away from one other. I may sound to melo-dramatic now…but I am really moved with this video.

Modesty aside, I have a good knack of sense of humor. I can easily put wit and humor on just about anything without being offensive. I can say that I am a situational comedianne. Perhaps this is the very reason why time immemorial, I would often be task to host company Christmas parties, family occasions, school programs, birthdays, even wedding and the likes. Hahahaha, I would be the cheapest replacement to Pokwang for all your party needs coz I don’t charge and I can do it all for love.

There was even an instance when someone asked me, if I am the same jolly person that I am when I am in front of my dear husband and kids. Why not choconut? I am the same person when I am with my family perhaps even more jolly since I am comfortable being with them.

I will be turning 40 next year but I can easily jive even with the teens and just about any age that I interact.

Do you want to know my secret of being happy and gay…..If you think I’m awesome, crazy, and fun, you should meet the people that made me that way: MY FAMILY!

Yes – Behind a Happy Me – is My Family

Is you have time you may visit my personal humor blog Status Ko :Eksena, Hirit, Patawa ATBP… Tagalog Naman Dahil Hindi Lahat ng Oras English hehehehe

I think of you in every single day of my life.
I miss you so much my Mommy.
I am what I am because you raise me up this way.
It is just sad that now that I have more in life
You are now gone
and cannot share my blessings in life with you.

You have been with me during my lowest.
How I wish that you are here with me at my best.

In God’s hands you are with
But I know that you are my angel looking after me and my family always.

You are the best Lola in the world
that someone can ever have.

How I miss you and the knowledge that you are just at my side
I love you and I miss you Mommy Ko.

When time comes, I will see you again.

Happy Birthday My Dear Mommy – the Best Lola

=====

No words are enough to tell you how thankful I am to you for bringing me and my siblings the way we are today. I know that you had made lots of sacrifices for us just to give us the best gift that you can offer us – gift of education.

You are a disciplinarian before – which I resented in my younger days, but now that I am also a Mom too, I realize that you are just over protective of us.

You easily get angry when we are rowdy; perhaps you just got irritated because you were so dead tired from work before.

You would easily raise your voice, but now I realize that you are sick with hypertension and diabetes.

I would often see you restless because you had been deeply bothered by the tuition fee payment of all 4 of us. But then just like any wonder Mama, you made it with 4 college graduates and now professionals under your cap.

You would scare us to death with the hit of your belt every time that we have low grades and we fall beyond your expectations. But because of this my siblings and I pushed ourselves to be the best in our studies and in our every battle.

I almost hate you for being an iron lady, but now I realize that if not for your strong conviction and determination, we would not be the way we are now. Now that I am a Mom like you, I realize that you may show tough love but that does not mean that you love us less. You are tough because you need to be and for you feel that it is the best to do that time. I would never question your parenting style, though I just wish that you are more approachable as a Mom. We may have different parenting style, but we have the same goal for our kids to give them a good life and tons of love.

Mama, now that I am also a Mom like you, I realize that being a Mom is a tough job. Now that I am a Mom I appreciate you even more. I dearly love you and sincerely thank you for everything.

Happy Mother’s Day Mama KO.

At this early I am already planning for the vacation activities for my family in time for my husband’s vacation. My husband who happens to work overseas has a yearly 40 days vacation. I want it to be really fun filled and memorable bonding time for us especially to our kids.

I have some destination and activities in mind. We really have to make the most out of the 40 days vacation that is allotted to dear hubby. Actually he can already take his vacation this coming September but I told him that it the kids will be more happy if he will be with us during the Christmas Season.

Since it is Christmas season, most of our time will be spent with family reunions and gatherings. Apart from the usual holiday fun fares – I am also thinking of other destination for our family. Though it is already cold season that time, going to the beach is not a bad idea. Since we are on a tight budget because of the anticipated house renovation, we are eyeing beach resorts in Batangas which is just several hours drive from Manila. But my husband told me that he will really save for a vacation in Subic, Hongkong Disneyland or a Summer Fun at Provo Beach Resort.

I appreciate my husband for this;  I know that he always wants the best for me and my kids. But for me, no matter how we spend it, regardless if we are only at home, family bonding time will always be cherished. For the time being that my husband still has to work far from us, we have to adjust to our situation. Nevertheless being apart for the longest time, I am really determined to make this short vacation as memorable and as happy as it can be.

Not Mine - Photo Credits : Here

Having a place to go – is a home. Having someone to love – is a family. Having both – is a blessing. ~Donna Hedges

Just been to SM and I bought several handy dandy tools and my Mommy tool bags. My son asked me why do I bought those screws, pliers and electrical tapes and some gardening tools, he even told me that I should have waited for his Papa. I explained to him that Papa is working abroad as an OFW and for now Mama is in-charge of all those handy dandy roles while papa is away.

He smiled and kissed me and told me “Galing naman ni Mama, Astig”.

Walking down the aisle and standing before the same altar where Daddy and Mama were married 50 years ago. It may not be the most ideal marriage, they have tons of differences, but perhaps this differences makes them love each other despite their imperfections. After 50 years – 5 loving kids (one is already one with the Lord – Our Kuya Jong)+ inlaws and 10 lovely grand children…..Sabi nga ni Daddy “Tapat na pagmamahal” ang lagi nyang alay kay Mama. Madalas silang in denial na love na love nila ang isa’t isa at nacocornyhan na magprofess ng love for each other yet naka 50 years hahahha paano pa kaya kung super madly crazy in love ang peg nila…Love U Mama and Dad. Happy 50 years anniversary. Thanks for the wonderful life you have given us. Thanks to the wonderful family I have because of the 2 of you. My treasure – My family.

St. Vincent de Paul Parish Church
San Marcelino, Manila

“We fell in love, despite our differences, and once we did, something rare and beautiful was created. For me, love like that has only happened once, and that’s why every minute we spent together has been seared in my memory. I’ll never forget a single moment of it.”

― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook