I'm Back!

It's been over three years since I last posted here.  Well, like you, LIFE got so busy. Nevertheless, I hope I continue to inspire you and give you more pieces of my heart. Are you ready?

My Word for 2017

       In 2011, I started having a My Word for the Year versus coming up with a long list of resolutions, for which I have failed almost instantaneously every year. It starts really good during the first few months, then I get lost and distracted in the process, ended up veering to my old ways, and before you know it, my resolutions are forgotten.

 I love the simplicity of having just one word ~ it’s beautiful, it encompasses a larger concept, it’s not boring, and it demands your attention better, clearer, and stronger.   Just to recap, here is my previous My Word for the Year, which you can find here in my blog:

2011 – Focus

2012 – Present

2013 – Intentionality

2014 – Nourish

2015 – Strength

2016 – Worthy

Choosing a different WORD every year has taken me into different kinds of changes, more so…a new level of transformations.  Instead of focusing on my physical appearance and having tangible resolutions (lose weight, get fit, have this, have that…yada, yada...yada…),  I focused on my inner self.  The WORD directs me and sets the tone for my everyday functioning.  It doesn’t set boundaries, rather it offers flexibility and grace into my daily intentions; consequently, allowing me to evaluate myself and my responses, and the leniency gives me the opportunity to alter or modify certain behaviors and responses.  More importantly, the WORD allows me to control my behaviors in every situation; therefore, reflecting and triggering a transformation that is favorable and honorable.

Honestly speaking, I normally come up with My Word for the Year around the end of January, but not this year.  It came to me suddenly on 2 January 2017.  My family and I went to Kahana Bay Beach, Hawaii for our much needed family day.  We enjoyed a whole day of playing in the water, eating, napping, and relaxing.  The word came to me while reading a book, while in between watching my husband play ball with my twins, as well as while savoring the cool breeze from the ocean, listening to the sound of the water and my family laughing, the gorgeous mountain view near the shore, and the soothing sands in between my toes. Everything about that moment and that day was beautiful and memorable! It truly touched the deepest part of my heart and it even made me cry.  It was that exact moment when the word came to me. 

 My Word for 2017 is LOVE….

LOVE….the greatest of them all!

 The Bible is full of great verses and passages about the topic of love.  God’s love for me and my love for HIM is a perfect example…a good starting point in fulfilling My Word for the Year.  Love encompasses an expansive concept in relation to my faith, marriage, my children, my job, my friends, my home, my neighbors, my planning world, my pets, and my overall environment. To better unite my reason for selecting this word, I referred to one my favorite Bible verses, Psalm 91:14-16,  which speaks about LOVE in the most profound and reciprocated way….

“Because she loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue her; I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name.  She will call on me, and I will answer her; I will be with her in trouble, I will deliver her and honor her.  With long life I will satisfy her and show her my Salvation.”

Look around us….somehow, in our world, in our country, in our families, and even in ourselves, love is transitory, if not absent.  Hate, indifferences, and anger have significantly mounted. Therefore, as a child of God, I want to be an example of HIS everlasting LOVE by meeting indifference with love, understanding anger and frustration with love, accepting and receiving fear with love, delivering and applying forgiveness with love, and sharing and showing love with more love.

So, this year, I wanted to fulfill my word LOVE in many different aspects. Yes!  It is easy to say “I love…..” but how can I truly quantify and explain its impact?  To do this, I will seek LOVE each day. I will document “I LOVE…” in order to deepen my understanding and appreciation for my LOVE in EVERYTHING around me.  To do this, I’ve selected and dedicated this new 2017 Planner to document these understandings and appreciations by writing daily about something that touched my heart.  I will capture each “I LOVE…”, then explain how it has impacted me and my day-to-day activities.

I know that 2017 will bring loads of challenging situations, but I will be, as always, a fierce protector of my heart.  I will be conscientious in my quest for LOVE each day in order to maintain a balanced lifestyle that encourages positivity, joy, loyalty, blessings, and gratitude.  God’s wonderful LOVE for me must transcend further than HIS expectations.  I must continue to honor HIM, respect HIS gracious guidance and mercy, and convey God’s wonderful LOVE for me to others every day. 

          

            I wish you all a Happy and BLESSED New Year and I hope 2017 bring you an abundance of LOVE.

These Two....

Awwww, found these two passed out in the family room... 

So precious....

Of course Diamond is snoring.....LOL

Good Read ~

Such a relaxing day....I read this and it's really good ✅

"You might never fail on the scale I did, 

but some failure in life is inevitable. 

It is impossible to live without failing at something, 

unless you live so cautiously that you might as well

 not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default." 

✿◕‿◕✿

Drunken Chicken

* Dinner is Served *

~ Drunk Chicken with Potatoes and Brown Rice ~ 

Yumminess

LV Planner Dressed Up

My Purple Epi LV Planner 

is now dressed up and fashionably adorned 

with matching paperclips, a pink tassel, 

and dashboard that I made.

~ Love Love Love ~

First Sunday ~

First Sunday Verse...

~ 2 0 1 6 ~

New Chapter

New Beginning

5....4...3...2...1  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Welcoming 2016 ~

We are ready to welcome the Year 2016.

* Food is ready ✅

* Hot chocolate bar is replenished for the last time ✅

* 12 kinds of fruits are present ✅

* Rice bin is filled ✅

* Salt dish container is filled✅

* House is cleaned✅

* Coins in everyone's pocket✅

* Wearing polka dot clothes ✅

* All lights are on ✅

* Ready to play board games until the midnight strike ✅

Relax

There is nothing as rewarding and healthy

 as doing what you love and loving what you do. 

And the whole month of December has been crazy busy for me, 

yet inspiring and satisfying. 

However, it is now time for me to wind down a bit.  

After all, relaxation is good and necessary. 

My First Gift from God ~

My Monica Isabella, my first born, my only princess turns 20 years old today. I look at her and I can’t believe how much she has changed.  The baby girl that took my breath away and stole my heart forever is independent, courageous, and determined in pursuing her dreams.  My love for her is immeasurable.  Every year I try to quantify it, in some way, but it always fall short because how can you express the true meaning of “to the moon and back” plus “infinity and beyond” with all that I am or will ever be? 

Last night, while she was at work, I sat in her room and looked through her baby pictures, christening and first communion gowns, art works, middle school plays memorabilias, talent show awards, cheerleading uniforms, soccer awards, football and basketball uniforms and gears, prom dresses, and high school adventures ~ hmmm….my heart ached.  Time truly went by so swiftly. Then repeatedly, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, I could still smell that perfect baby smell. And no matter how many times I looked around the room, her current photographs, her things ~ the remnants of her baby face was still the only thing I saw….. 

To my Kweng-Kweng, 

You came into my world and have been my happiness and strength ever since. On this 20th anniversary of your birth, I wish you a lifetime of love, the same wholehearted, all in love you give to others. To this day, your smiles still soothe me, your tears tear me down and your sadness destroys me.  Your laughter is contagious and infectious. I love the way you go after everything in life with such flare and optimism. I hope that you always allow your wonderful self to shine. Remember; do not let others tell you how or who to be. Do not let others let you waiver from your own path that God has carefully designed for you.  Above all, do not let anyone make you feel anything other than amazing. You are intelligent, sincere, caring, generous, funny, creative, and oh so kind.  Know that you have been blessed with everything you need in life to succeed and to find happiness. This world is an amazing, yet a challenging place. It is yours to savor, navigate, learn, and enjoy. Always live each day with a sense of gratitude and God will honor your heart.

I love that you stick up for what you believe in and for the underdog.  I love your stubbornness and your follow through.  I love that your heart compels you to get involved when you see a homeless person, sick person or a sad child.  I love you for being exactly who you are and I would never change a thing about you.  You are perfect in every way.

You have shadowed me. You have mimicked me. You have, and still do, sit on my lap and played with my hair. You have dressed me up. You have made me sit down and snuggle with you, watching and crying over love stories and drama movies. You have always wanted to know, in maddening detail, what I thought about everything. But, mostly, you have watched. And you have seen me as no one has seen me. You read my face and my body as if it were a map to your future. And you listen. You hear every self-directed negative muttering, every frustrated sigh. You’ve noticed my tired voice, happy voice, sad voice, and angry voice. Whenever you noticed I was crying, even though I made no noise, from the other room, simply by the sound of my breathing, you knew and you were there to comfort me with your warmest hugs and silence.  For all those times, thank you for simply being my strength and direction.  

Now, as you continue to venture into your new world with independence, always remember that I am here, for today and always, to hold your hand, to wipe away your tears and yes, to kick anyone’s behind if need be.  Even though you drive me crazy with your sense of independence, particularly when it’s in direct opposition to mine ~ inside, I am so proud of you for standing your ground.

May you continue to be completely and totally you. May you know how deeply and truly you are loved...by me, by your family, and most of all, by God.  May you dream big dreams, and have the courage to follow them.

So today, I celebrate you and all that you have become.  But most especially, I celebrate the day that I met one of the most amazing person I have ever known, YOU.  I wish you a lifetime of love and acceptance of yourself, I want you to see and love yourself the way I see you; perfect, just the way you are.

Happiest 20th Birthday my sweet Kweng-Kweng, my forever baby girl, my precious gift from God. 

I love you deeply ❤
Mom

Key Ingredients ~

Three of the key ingredients to our happiness are FAITH, FAMILY, and FOOD. Ergo, this Christmas Day, with everyone present, we are sitting down together, chatting endlessly about everything, and enjoying our Christmas dinner while thanking God for ALL the blessings He's provided for us, especially for our families, relatives, and friends across the globe and for our Brothers and Sisters In Arms who are faithfully and unceasingly serving our great nation and protecting our freedom. 

From all of us, MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas ~

During this time of faith and family, 

may the true meaning of Christmas

 fill you with joy, love, hope, 

and forgiveness. 

From our family to yours, 

we wish you a Merry Christmas.

Cookies Extravaganza 2015

One of my favorite Christmas family traditions is our yearly Christmas  Cookies Extravaganza, where the kids and I make batches and batches of delicious cookies.  This year, we added two goodies (triple chocolate covered strawberries and Christmas triple chocolate covered pretzels) to the bunch.  Why so much?  Well, there are lots of parties to go to; neighbors who became friends; and teachers who needed that extra yumminess to enjoy their holiday break.  And these homemade cookies and goodies are just the perfect gifts for special people that took care of my family and I this year.  We spent 3 days of baking, starting on December 15 every year,  then we packaged it beautifully, and ready to be delivered on the 18th, which is our twin boys' birthday. So today, we delivered to our family doctors, dentists, hairdresser and barber, our sweet mailman, my mani-pedi ladies, Soup Kitchen Co-Volunteers, Catholic Women’s Group ladies, town Firemen, post office workers, and of course, our Soldiers guarding the gates of Fort Stewart Military Base.  For some, these might just be a bunch of cookies and goodies, but NOT THESE…..these are long family traditions made by KitchenElla’s and her kids...these are homemade Christmas cookies and goodies ~ made with LOVE and GRATITUDE!

My Second Gift from God Times Two

Josue and Javier,

I woke up very early today and I instantaneously went to your room.  As I sat in the chair (watching you sleeping), I couldn’t help but ponder for a bit.  I was amazed (as always) and then I realized, it’s just not possible that you’re turning 13 today.  Wow, my twin boys are now teenagers!  It was only yesterday that I held both of you as a baby.  And now, you are both on your way to a new life path that God has prepared for you.

Teenage life is a life-changing passageway.  It will be full of adventures and happiness, but it will also bring forth a lot of challenging situations, such as peer pressures, impulses, and even pimples (LOL).  That being said, I want to take this moment to give you the same advice I gave your sister when she turned 13, almost seven years ago.  

(1) ALWAYS stay close to God and your family in all things.  

(2) We live in phases; therefore, be ready to change because it will keep you busy.

(3) Continue to do well in school and enjoy the perks that come with it.

(4) On making decisions ~ always think of the 3 P’s = PAUSE, PRAY, and PONDER before you act.  Remember, every action has a consequence (Positive or Negative). 

(5) Look before you leap, but follow your gut if you have to. Be courageous.

(6) Stay on your life path, but when opportunities for successes are presented to you, seek advise from us ~ then together, we will pursue it.

(7) Always appreciate what you have, no matter how small.  

(8) Be an example of good leadership to your families and friends.  

(9) Be kind, be helpful, and be respectful to everyone, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, and status.

(10) Keep your eyes open because magic will always surround you. 

(11) Be honest to yourself and learn to love yourself more.

(12) Don’t be afraid to stand for what is right, even if you have to stand alone.  

(13) Talk to us, no matter how difficult or embarrassing.   After all, we have known you the longest!

Josue and Javier, your life has so much goodness ahead.  So much.  Your unconditional love for God and your family is immeasurable.  While I can’t possibly give you all the wisdom that you need to make it in this world, I hope that I have given you the solid foundation to build on.  As you enter this new passageway, continue to strengthen your prayers for us, our families, relatives, friends, as well as our country and the world.  Pray that life will give you enough slack in the rope to find your own way ~ to direct your path with hope, courage, and determination ~ to learn and grow from your own mistakes ~ and to spell out and achieve your own successes.  And when things get too tough and confusing, I am here! Always! NO ONE else will ever know the strength of my love for you.  After all, you both know what my heart sounds like from the inside.  

Happy 13th Birthday my Twin Tornadoes, my Twin Panganay and Buncho…May you always dream big and fulfill them one by one.  

I love you deeply

~ Mommy

Life is.....

(Late Post)

Early morning planning

for my yearly Cookie Extravaganza, 

Twins' 13th Birthday Sleepover/Party, Xmas Dinner, and Kweng-Kweng's 20th Birthday

Lots to do...and LIFE is definitely BEAUTIFUL

Happy 5th Birthday Diamond ~

Dear Diamond, ❤️

Did you know we had wanted a dog for years and had gone without due to our military duties, travels, schools, work, and all the commitments that come with it?  Well, God must have known our desires because one night, we met you. When we first saw you, your beautiful face was like a bright diamond, sparkling and beaming in the midst of all that darkness. And your sweet nature immediately drew us to you. Ergo, that night, we brought you home as a 12 week old puppy and we were in love.

You were our baby, and still are today. As you’ve grown up, you have continued to delight us with your sweetest cuddles and kisses. You have continued to amaze us with your intelligence and hilarious temperament, especially your awesome combat rolls and loud snorts as a way to communicate with us. 

Every morning when you wake up, you take the time to find each of us and kiss us before you go outside. Your biggest excitement is when Daddy and the boys get home because it's time to play catch. And when your Big Sister Nica is home, you hang out with her like there's no tomorrow. But when it's raining and thundering outside, you find comfort sitting next to Mommy. 

Diamond, you have brought us so much happiness and we just want you to know how much better life is with you around, and how much more living we will do together as a family.

Happy 5th Birthday Sweetheart! 

We Love You ❤️
Daddy, Mommy, Ate Nica, Kuya Josue a

nd Javier, and Baby Sister Chanel

Be Kind

How would your life be different if…You stopped making negative judgmental assumptions about people you encounter? 

Let today be the day. Look for the good in everyone you meet and respect their journey.  

BE KIND

Lift Others

Offer that possibility to another human being -- that they are beings of such great worth -- and you will not only have helped them, you will have offered them the possibility of a life as good as possible on this Earth. And as you rise up and bring out the best in yourself, consider lifting someone else because loving human relationship is the heart of everything good and everything that heals in our lives.

~ Blessed Monday to you ~

Love the One You're With

"Love, not as a surge of passion, but as a choice to commit to something, someone, no matter what obstacles or temptations stand in the way.  And maybe, making that choice, again and again, day in and day out, year after year, says more about love than never having a choice to make at all."

She Knew

I love getting up an hour earlier than I have to and just spend time with myself 

before the day gets the best of me.  

I make my usual cup of coffee, read my bible, and from there, 

my heart starts feeling a lot of love for this life God has given me.   

This morning, I came across this quote 

and I just wanted to share with all the ladies out there, 

especially those who are feeling shaken and unbalanced, 

frightened and hopeless, 

confused and weakened, 

trapped or lost....

God created us for a reason,

something bigger than we can imagine.  

HE loves us during our high moments, 

as well as during our low moments.  

HE lights up everything in front of us, 

we just need to be able to look in the right direction

in order to take that first step to go beyond what life has to offer. 

Remember, you are worth more than you think, see, or feel. 

HE created us to be the symbol of love, hope, strength, courage, and determination.  

So let's all get up and be renewed, refreshed, and ready....

for the life in front of us 

is just waiting for us to take the lead.  

Word of the day

Since moving here in Richmond Hill, GA (about a month ago 

actually), the rain has been continuous. 

Lately, thunderstorms and lightning are a classic feature 

making it an unsetting time of the year for sufferers of 

astraphobia like me.  With the house sitting in the middle 

of a 6 acre land, I see lightnings striking at different points 

 which makes it all scary at times ~ not to mention, the

sound of thunder making Chanel and Diamond 

hide under the bed.  I guess, they too, have are 

suffering from astraphobia.  

Oh well....