..passed today.
I remember him as a thoughtful father, always asking how are we doing, to always take care of the kids.
He was 80. He may lived a long life, but it was a life full of struggles and regrets. He always said he regrets a lot of things, so I do not want to live my life like him. Then again, life hasn’t been fair for everyone.
Still, he was a good man. And this epitaph is exactly how he was.
Goodbye Tatay. Until we meet someday.
OMG what bappened?🤣 2023 went by so fast its another year again🥳 As always, counting my blessings as they come my way! Thankful and blessed for the year that was🙏 2023 you have been so good to us! Here’s my fave 2 photos each month! (I cannot with just 1🤪)
And hello 1st day of 2024!!! I’ve been waiting for you!🥳
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
As I look into my child’s eyes Brimming with hope and delight A soul pure, innocent and shy A bright moonlight on a night sky How I yearn for him to speak His words and thoughts, I always seek Oftentimes I feel selfish Life before him, I long and reminisce Many times I question myself why I have such heavy burden in my life See this is not for the fainthearted Extra love and care he ever wanted He has a lifetime to learn I know Like the rest of us, although He’s making me wait a little longer to mend Please say it’ll be worth it in the end Yet in such a short period of time He made us all humble and wise He turned me into a better person Maybe he’s my life’s purpose all along As I look into my child’s eyes Brimming with hope and delight I can see clearly now why Heaven sent me an angel in disguise
I made this poem as advocacy material for my CSN short course.🙂
I have a draft for my 2022 rundown which I didn’t get to post. But to make it short, it was a year of hope and gratitude for me🙂 I can see my 1 year old Bella is a neurotypical child, and I am thankful Sophie has another sibling to help take care of their brother with special needs. Bella was baptized, Sophie had her first communion. Jolo started OT and ST therapies again after ending ABA therapy. We travelled to Boracay and El Nido. The kids celebrated their 1st, 4th and 9th birthdays in one day. And before I knew it, 2022 ended. It was that fast. 🥹
Aaand now, its May. 2023. Already 5 months into the new year! Whew. Few more months and we’re putting up the Christmas tree again.🙏
4 meaningful months has already passed. January, I had a minor surgery to help me with adeno pain. February, we travelled to Hongkong again after 4 years! March, we went to Singapore. How we missed travelling the most! By April, Sophia started tennis and dance lessons. She’s loving these classes btw. Bella is growing up fast, probably my smartest, and definitely my naughtiest kid! My boy Jolo, he has improvements and regresses, but we plan on enrolling him to preschool this year.
As for me I started with gym this year. I’m not expecting too much, I just want to live longer 😅 for my kids of course. I personally chose to stay beside my kids during their formative years. Life is fleeting. Work can wait. As for hubby, he’s been busy with the biz, working tirelessly. Which is good for us, I guess 😂
This month I am waiting for Seung Gi’s concert (again so soon? why, yes!) A theater play before the year ends, and a couple more travels🤞🏼
Believe me when I say I have my share of ups and downs that some people cannot see, fighting my battles every single day. But I am manifesting this year will be a great year of abundance, good health and sound mind, above all. Lets keep on rolling, 2023!
Here are some of my favorite shots from our ugly sweater photoshoot! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from us to you🎄We are truly thankful 🙏
Photos by Chubby Cheeks Photography & Makeup Studio
My baby Bella just turned 1 this month! How was it 1 year already?😩 The baby I wished for one last time, it felt just like yesterday when I said she is finally here. The sleepless nights, the exhaustion, the demands of having a newborn.. they really do passed by. The nights are long but the years are short, indeed.🥲
Nowadays I cannot seem to keep up with her! Walking, climbing, messing, tinkering with everything. She’s such a handful😫 But I’m at this stage again where I’m torn if I want her to stay as a baby (smiling, cooing, excited for her next milestones) or a bigger version (I cannot wait to see her as a schooler!) Oftentimes I feel melancholic that this babyhood is the last. Oh how I love and cherish this season of my life! Undoubtly having small kids is the hardest but I know I will yearn for it when the time comes.
My dear Bella, whatever you grow up to be, remember you are special, you are more than enough, and mostly, you are so loved! Happy birthday my darling Bella!😘 Mommy loves you like I love a dozen chocolate bars! (maybe even more😘)
Here’s Bella’s first 11 months 🫠
After more than 2 years, we were thrilled to be travelling again via air!🥳 Though its just domestic travel, its the start of going back to normal, soon hopefully travelling the world again.🤞🏼
Our destination for this trip is the beach! We missed this place so much we could’ve gone here sooner, if not for the restrictions especially travelling with small kids.
We initially planned for a budget travel, since travelling for 6 persons for 4 days is no joke. We used our miles for the flights and booked hotel and transfers through Klook. At first I wanted to book a cheap hotel, but no beachfront property comes cheap. Thinking more about the kids, we finally settled for a beachfront resort with nice pools. We also tried newer and more expensive restos, so scrap the idea of budget travelling.😂 We’re on a holiday, and we’re here to enjoy!
Oh Boracay, you’re as beautiful as when I first laid eyes on you 15 years ago. How I missed your powder white sands and crystal waters. The kids had a blast, swimming all day at the beach and the resort’s 2 pools. It was Bella’s first beach experience, and Sophie and Jolo loved spending hours on the waters. Sophie even has her favorites here on the island, McDo located at the highway, and Jollibee, just beside the resort.
We got more adventurous with food this time. We tried both local and international cuisines, Island Chicken Inasal (local roast chicken), Spicebird (peri-peri), Meze Wrap (kebab), Epic (Filipino food), Sea Breeze Cafe (buffet!), Aria (Italian), as well as desserts from Halomango (mango ice cream and shakes), Aria gelato, and Cafe del Sol cakes (Boracay cheesecake and tiramisu). Everything tasted amazing.
Maybe the only worry I had with this trip would be travelling with a special kid. I was dreading the 1-hour flight and the multiple transfers, since Jolo hates waiting and might tantrum. But believe it or not, he was behaved all throughout! Its true they are not called special for no reason. He did not seem to enjoy it, but he was at his best behavior. I’m so proud of him!
We did not do any activities, aside from Sophie having her cornrows. We just wanted to enjoy the beach, and we sure did! Thank you Boracay for another core memories for the kids. It was well worth the long wait. Surely coming back to you again soon.
I’m kinda embarrassed to say I had my first tattoo at 40 years old. It was in my bucketlist for years, but I was searching for the right design, and it did not materialize until now.
It was a simple one, but full of meaning for me. A happy and worry-free boy looking up at his red balloon, with no worries for the future. I know this boy. I have high hopes for him.
I would like my future self to look back at this season of my life where I struggled, searched answers to my questions, and how I overcame it. I would like to look at this grown boy in the future, with deep fondness, and together we say, we did it. We overcame your weaknesses. This tattoo symbolizes my unconditional love for this boy. I see past his imperfections and just love him the way he is.
I see you. And I love you. My first tattoo is you, my son.
Our little Isabella was baptized at 5 months old! It was a triple celebration since March 19 is also my husband’s birthday and the anniversary of his parents (my in-laws). A lot of friends and relatives also came, so its some sort of reunion after 2 years into the pandemic.
God bless you Isabella! May His love and grace be with you forever and always.🙏
Photos by Brewed Photo for Kids and Parties
leerenah 
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