My sister just gave birth last month. It was quite an experience for her cause she had to undergo emergency surgery. Even if it was a happy one for all of us because we welcomed a new family member, she had to undergo close monitoring by her doctor. She needed full rest to recover from her child birth.
She named her baby Raphael which means "healer". We all liked doting over this tiny creation whom we consider as God's gift. He is such a charmer.
I was once in the same stage of child-bearing and nurturing infants. Having had babies in succession, I had to juggle work and life balance very carefully. It was a tough time but well worth the invested effort and time.
Being a working parent, I was not able to breastfeed that long. With hovering guilt and absence from home, I had to buy the best infant formula - if not the most expensive one.
Recently, I discovered that indeed there was no substitute for breast milk. For even the most expensive formula is not that nutritious as mother's milk.
Had I known there was not much difference in nutritional value between store brand formula to that of the expensive ones, I could have chosen the cheaper ones then.

Nail-polishing. That's the recent trend for the 3 girls. Signs they're into fashion?



Baking. Never goes out of trend in our house. Yours too?






Sugar overload here. Ahh. One way to reward ourselves. Feels good though if not too often!



Can you believe I started gardening? Whaatt? There goes the "brown thumb" again. Well, there's no harm in trying, right?

So what's up with yours?

Do I miss it?
Do I miss the hustle and bustle of work?
Do I miss the daily grind that I had for 12 years?
Let me think...



But it's difficult to answer "yes" when I see contented smiles like this one. Nothing beats the feeling of goodness when I hear pitter-patter of footsteps coming down the stairs with small voices ready to greet "good morning!"



Sometimes, I replay "what if's" inside my head over and over, while swirling my spoon in freshly-made drinks I can prepare anytime, instead of delegated break time.

There are still many "I wonders" replaying inside my head, however I keep myself busy with domesticity these days.



Whichever I choose, history will tell. Time spent with my family is priceless despite the anxiety that financial rewards I used to have, is put on hold. Well, who knows? I might have the lucky chance of winning the lottery. I have not really tried online casino, either.

This is the message for me today. Actually, a command is more like it.

This is her message for him- the Dad.

Need she say more?

It was a wonderful experience for my kids to meet their fellow homeschoolers. Most traveled quite a bit just to meet for our regular field trip. It was tiring for the kids but a good chance for the parents to catch up on issues regarding homeschooling. First timers are quite a handful so, sharing concerns and issues was helpful.

A world map made of rice grains

We went to International Rice Research Institute's Rice World Museum. It is such an educational place to learn anything and everything about rice and the culture behind rice production. Since it is the seat of the world's rice research, we really had a wonderful time learning.
More to follow later. I still need to research about used cars.

One sunny morning...we walked in the woods.









We had fun communing with nature.
And cherished the moments with God's creations.












So much fun...so much fun, loving Him!

So I'm turning a year older in less than 24 hours.
Blessed.
Grateful.
Excited.
Are the words that can aptly describe the feelings of turning 36.
I got inspired here and hope to live it. Soon.
Happy Birthday to me.

The hands that painted these were little ones way back.

In fact they used to wiggle inside me.

Now they have grown and would soon be same sizes as mine.

How time flies...

And yes, one canvass is a reused material. That's a bonus, right?

It is not easy - to love others as myself. This means not less than and not more than, but as.

If I cannot even fully love myself, how can that love trickle to others?

Grace.

That is the saving grace.

Hope to be back.

I have not blogged for ten million years.
Busy is the four-letter word that can always be reasoned, so let it be.

So here are some pics from my little Picassos first attempt on canvas! Team effort from my three girls.
If this sells millions years from now... that would be the day!