Mabel's Bridal Shower

Mabel's women's group in the Kahayag Community gave her a bridal shower yesterday at Jane Belen's house. It was a night of fun and laughter with lots of sharing from the married women, not to mention the yummy food. :D

Before we ended, we all gathered around and prayed over her and the new journey she'll be undertaking as a married woman. We wish you all the best, Mabel!

My Little Pumpkin

Yesterday was the culminating activity of Nutrition Month in Raya's school. The preschoolers were asked to wear costumes and say to the class what they are, in what food group they belong to and what they are rich in.

Raya decided right away that she wanted to be a pumpkin. I didn't want to spend a lot for costume so after much thinking, Yaya Annie and I remembered that we had an orange cloth used in one of Mier's costume parties before. We then proceeded to sew the hem and put wire underneath to make it a little circular. Fo her headress, we had this garter that was supposed to be for a fairy costume that I put on her head. The orange pants underneath (courtesy of the Lanug sisters) were perfect for the costume. Raya looked so cute! Her classmates loved her costume and were all saying how beautiful she looked. :D :D :D

My Angels

Potty Trained!

I usually start potty training at one and a half years old. I start by observing the child and anticipating when they need to go to the potty then encourage them to sit down. I thought I'd be a little delayed with Alyssa because this time, I have two other school age kids to attend to and a budding business too. But I'm happy to say that working hand in hand with my yaya, Alyssa is almost toilet trained and she isn't even two yet!

This day, I was working in the computer when she said, "Mommy, potty!" I removed her underwear and made her sit down. In a few minutes, the plop plop sound was heard. "Are you done?" I asked her. "No," she replied. After awhile, she shouted, "Done!" and jumped up. Hehehe!

The Mayonnaise Jar & 2 Beers

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students aga in if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar  represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' 

The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.'

Give me a Kiss

I love it that she holds my face with her hands as if to steady me while she gives me a kiss. She is a precious little one!