A Time For Everything

1 There is a time for everything,
   and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
   a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
   a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
   a time to mourn and a time to dance
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
   a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
   a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
   a time for war and a time for peace.
.....
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time....
12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
From Ecclesiastes 3

Things To Remember When Going On An Educational Trip

image source

I'm glad that the school decided to have an educational trip. It's surprising coz it was discussed during the first PTA meeting that they don't conduct field trips. I and Zach are both looking forward to this Monday, since the day we knew of it.
Here are some essentials to remember:

Food and water. You need to bring enough for the trip. Food and water outside could cost more than when you pack from home. I bet I need to bring even our breakfast coz assembly time in school is 5:30 AM. I'm now thinking of pre-cooked pasta in the evening that will be heated on the day of the trip.

Pack your things the day before. Wish I can really follow this. A list may be necessary and helpful so as not to forget important items.

I.D. I'm glad this was noted in the diary as I tend to forget this very important thing. A small problem though coz Zach has lost his school ID. I should put my ID first in the bag.

Pen and paper. For taking down notes.

Toys or books. To beat boredom during the travel.

Camera. Moments can't be taken back so they need to be captured.

Don't bring anything that won't be necessary for the trip as it might just get lost.

Silence. In appropriate places like museums, as others might also be visiting and observing.

Mommy Moments: Latest Family Photo

Funny, this is our newest latest family photo. Hehe :D We've taken out that Christmas tree already. Haven't got a chance to have our family photo yet this year.
Enjoy your day everyone!

Distance Learning Is Not As Easy As You Think

The internet technology has really given people the convenience, accessibility and ability in life. Not only do we get connected with our loved ones from abroad through the internet but we can order food, shop, research, bank, pay or even pursue a business degree online.

Pursuing your studies has been easier because of the web-based learning programs. Unavoidable changes in life like having a baby, moving to a new location, or financial crisis can hamper you from finishing your course. But when you decide to continue your chosen field of study, technology has made studying accessible whenever and wherever you are. They also give financial aids to those people who are willing to continue their studies but are financially incapable. An assessment is done prior to your enrollment.

However, when you choose to pursue your studies through “distance learning” as it is called, it is not easier as you think than the classroom course. It requires discipline and motivation. Unlike studying in a classroom proper where the professor prompts you to recite in class, do your homework, or study your lessons, distance-learning is “learner centered.” It requires a lot of initiation from the student. It’s always helpful to stick to your daily study and work schedules. 

Curious Already?

I believe some people are already curious about unique gift ideas for their loved ones on Valentine’s Day. Or some are just curious if there's still unique accessories for your home. If you’re one of them, I suggest you take a look at the Krafty Cats Curiosity Shop. You might discover the perfect gift for your special friend or the perfect addition to your home. You might be unable to take your eyes off the adorable bears collection like me. The Laurel Burch tote is a wonderful gift for your special someone who adores cats.

There’s a vast array of collection from jewelries, purses & bags, nightlights & ornaments, picture holder, ceramic mugs, butter dish, cats & dogs kitchenware, angels & fairies, Hello Kitty, picnic & party wares and even conversation jelly beans. This isn't just for cat lovers. Who would think of a dog footrest or dog puppet? So cute and cuddly lying around in your home and you won’t worry if it gets paranoid and bite you. You'll find lots of items for your artistic friend collector from here too.

Hardytogs Kids' Shoes

I spent part of my blogging money to pay for the renewal of my other blog's domain name. Then I bought a new pair of contact lenses for me and then a part for Zach's new rubber shoes. The rubber shoes he's been using was since when he was 3 years old. But I'm amazed at this Chicco pair coz the soles are still good. The top are just the ones that's really worn-out.
First choices were Chicco, Elle and Fischer Price. Well I don't really feel content unless I've seen all the brands. So I still went looking even if hubby has settled already and waiting for Zach's size order of the Elle shoes. Then I've seen this Hardytogs shoes and the designs are nice, light-weight and durable. I'm glad Zach liked them when I showed him so we settled for this Hardytogs shoes for P899.
So, Zach's now quite ready for the educational trip on Jan. 31. The box by the way says, "Hardytogs - Playground tested shoes for active kids." Suits Zach's feet really well.

WBFC #4

 

I'll surely follow you back so follow me now D
Happy weekend!

Mommy Moments: New Achievements

I'm so proud of my Zach. Even before seeing his report card I know that he's learning a lot in school. He shares to us what he's been learning. Sometimes he'll just bat in simple addition and subtraction equations and he'll solve them mentally by himself. When I asked his teacher, he ranks 7th in class which is average. But more than anything, I'm happy that he's improved his behavior not only at home but also in school. His grade in GMRC is higher than two points on the 3rd grading period than the first. It's easier for him to obey now.

With Gabe, crying is still his way of telling us that he wants something. Especially when he's too hungry or upset, he can't communicate it so he cries. But compared to before, he's more articulate now. He can count up to 10, assisted. He can sing the alphabet song and knows some of the colors and shapes. The video, "Your Baby Can Read," encouraged him to talk. He's multi-lingual by the way. He speaks Filipino and English and sometimes German and Chinese. Haha! He can also sing some of the parts of the songs "Baby" and "Just The Way You Are."

Boudreaux's Butt Paste For Your Baby

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.

Tooth gel is for your baby's early teeth as Boudreaux's Butt Paste is for your baby's sensitive butt.
When my kids were still babies, I used petroleum jelly for their diaper rash or any skin irritation. It helps soothe the skin because it lessens the friction of the skin against clothes or diapers. But you see babies' skin are different and they could have different reactions to various products. My youngest boy's skin got more irritated with petroleum jelly. I figured that he has a more sensitive skin than my eldest son. The rashes became redder and looked worse. I stopped using petroleum jelly and the rashes healed in the long run. But it left white spots on my baby's skin like they were burned. Well, maybe it got really burned.

I've heard about Boudreaux's Butt Paste and how nice is it for your baby's skin. If I've known about this then I should've used this product with my babies before. You can trust this product because it's specifically formulated by a pharmacist with direction from a pediatrician to effectively treat diaper rash. That's why it's also recommended by pediatricians. I can recommend it to my sis in law who has just given birth!

Boudreaux's Butt Paste is available in convenient travel sizes that look like toothpaste tubes and also comes in 16 oz. jar for your home use. BTW, you can score free samples from Boudreaux's Butt Paste website!

Mickey Mouse Donuts

I was just talking about breaking from one of our bad habits which is eating too much sweets. Then the daddy came home last night with two boxes of Go Nuts Donuts. Haiz! Here's Mickey Mouse donut which each of the boys got.

Sorry for thee photo quality. I'm using my phone's camera.
Good morning!

Peaceful Night

It's so peaceful to see my cools (short for kulets) signing off at last after a hard day of fun playing and brawling.
Have a great night everyone!

Tabasco Original Red On My Cheese Pizza

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm not a hot sauce lover. Hot sauces just sadly takes out all the flavor of my food and all I taste is the heat. But TABASCO® Original Red on my cheese pizza is just perfect! Unlike other hot sauces or pepper sauces, it doesn't erase the taste but even enhances the flavor of your food.

Tabasco Original Red is so much more than HOT. It has a unique ability to bring the most out of your food because the simple combination of salt, red pepper and vinegar are perfected in a 3-yr aging process.

 It's still the most popular sauce as when the McIlhenny family introduced it way back in 1868. No wonder it's loved by families who gather together especially now during the football season and the Super Bowl is just around the corner. Make football watching more fun and adventurous. Check out the Game-Day Party Menu and learn how to make flavorful homemade dips, crowd-pleasing chili sauce or finger-foods for small bites with BIG flavor. 

For pizza/pasta person like me, you got to see Pizza Perfected. Now that I've tried Tabasco Original Red on my cheese pizza, I'm interested to add it to my every pasta menu and pizza flavor, may it be delivered, frozen or home-made. Tabasco Original and pizza or pasta, my recent favorite perfect combination.

Weekend Blog Follower Caravan #3

It's like only yesterday when I was writing my post about WBFC. A week had passed already! I'm joining once again for this week :D I'll follow you back!

WBFC is hosted by Mommy Rubz.

Mommy Moments: New Stuff

I didn't get to have close photos for each of my kids' new stuff. They received additional cars in their collection. But here's a photo of them crazy playing with their new toys las Christmas. Their fave are the crawling soldier and the Figure 8 Tracks and car. By the way, those shirts are also new from my MIL.


In Jan. 1, Gabe's godmother tita and godfather gave him a Cybertronian Optimus Prime that looks like this when it's in armored van mode. (Sorry wasn't able to take a photo of it yet.) It's a late birthday gift. Though very much loved. They also gave Zach and Gabe die-cast Optimus Prime and Bumblebee as Christmas gifts.

They also got story books and Zach had a new sketch pad from one of his teachers in our church children's ministry.

Link Worth is Worth The Link

Ron (we're close) of Link Worth sent me money! WOOOHHHOOOO!!!

Was surprised coz I wasn't expecting it by the end of this month. Link Worth holds payment up to $25. I got several tasks from them at the last quarter last year. Though tasks aren't regular, each one is usually at $10. But it's 70/30 so you get $7 for each task.

Yey! I have funds to pay my other blog's domain name renewal.

New Philippine Bank Notes Criticized

image from BSP

From the time I heard about the release of the new Philippine bank notes late last year, I am already excited to have my own. I have seen one in person, a friend's Php20 bill. The old peso bills are still the ones in circulation.I like it that they changed the sad faces to happier ones. Ignoring the side comments about geographical errors and wrong colors of animals, I see the design better than the old notes. And it's not a welcome magazine from Philippine Airlines or a brochure guide to the Philippines. It's paper bills and also not companychecks.
There were also commentaries with regards to the unattributed Bible text which they say has a religious color coming from a Christian text which says,

"PINAGPALA ANG BAYAN NA ANG DIYOS AY ANG PANGINOON."

(Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.)

Rizalists and Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ say it is a conflict to Section 5 of the Bill of Rights which states:

Section 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.

...both direct and direct aid to religion are prohibited especially if the support involves preference of one religion over another or preference of religion over irreligion;

My thoughts: I don't think it's a direct or even indirect aid to (Christian) religion. Their statements are the ones of discrimination. I hope people would stop being critical and see the text as plain as it is, no hidden meanings. It's Christian, Catholic, Islam, Iglesia altogether coz it speaks of our God, the God of all. It's a mark and a reminder for all Filipinos about our country's reverence to God.
What can you say?

Why Not Having A Household Help Helps

image source

When our helper left for a reason that I later on found out to be a lie, I thought how on earth am I going to survive? But now after more than one year of not hiring one, I find that life is still convenient without a household help.

• Avoid additional expenses. Aside from the monthly salary that you give to your helper, you shoulder all her expenses for food, toiletries, electricity, water, dine-outs, etc. And they're not even conscious about the bills coz they're not the ones paying. I remembered that I always need to remind our helper before not to open the faucet too much. Our detergent soap hits the bottom too fast.
•  Privacy and security. You don't need to worry about where you put your valuables like cellphones, jewelries or money. Hubby liked the idea of privacy that's why he favors not having a household help. Haha!
• You can practice time-management and teamwork. When there's no one to do the household chores,  you'll be more responsible of using your time wisely. I've seen more help coming from hubby with taking care of the kids and tidying the house when our helper left. We actually got more bonding time. You can also start teaching your kids about being responsible about their own mess and clean-up times.
• Less stress. Sometimes training your helper and delegating work can even be more stressful especially when your helper is a robot or she has no initiative. And when she does the job, you'll just get a headache coz if it's not a mistake, you are dissatisfied with the quality of work delivered. Oftentimes, you'll see a lack of concern from your helper. It shows when the laundry smells like bleaching aids all the time and you don't know how she broke your rice cooker. 
• Breach of emotional investment, promise and trust. Although your helper didn't literally swear to you, she is accountable to your given trust the moment you let her sleep in your house. Honestly, I have cried in anguish and annoyance with the two house hold helps that passed my family life. I normally treat house helpers as part of my family. Unfortunately, they have given me heartaches in the end.  
• Avoid bad influence. Have you heard your child say something not nice but you didn't teach them? Ex. wrong pronunciation or bad words. I've heard something like a helper teaches the child to ask money from his parents so the kid can buy things. Sometimes helpers, unintentionally though, puts bad ideas to young minds. 

Doing house work can be tiring when it's not the only thing you need to do. But opting not to have a household help is sometimes more convenient for some reasons like the ones mentioned above. Though it's not applicable to all the household especially when both parents are working. Or when the kids are born with less age gaps one after another and you might want to give the mom her sanity.   

Facebook Shutting Down On March 15, 2011: Big Hoax

Yesterday I was stoned when I've read something from a blog that Facebook is closing down on March 15 of this year. And it's so believable when you read the source of the news from a website that I don't want to link here. He even quotes the CEO of facebook, Mark Zuckerberg. The article even says something like you have to save all your photos in a safe place because you can't get all of them when facebook shuts down on March 15. It's so alarming.
Thanks to Mashable who cleared all this issue in CNN today.

Facebook shutting down on March 15 is a hoax.

Facebook Director of Corporate Communications Larry Yu confirmed that this is all silliness. He said this is so impossible after days of announcing a round of funding including a $50M funding from a telecommunications firm in Russia and another $450M from Goldman Sachs, rounding up to $50 billion dollars. He says, they didn't get any memos about shutting down and there's so much to do.I think that the hosting of the site who started this madness have not even been reviewed by hostmonster reviews. So if you happen to read this, please spread the word that facebook shutting down is purely rumor and silliness.

Heartifying Blog Has Moved

 

My other blog Heartifying, made the move to a different web hosting. It's up now with a new face, though there's still some customizing to be done. And the template might be temporary. I chose it bcoz of the coffee on the header, hehe. Made me feel cozy. And when I previewed the template it's easier to customize and the widgets and photos were ready. Unlike the other template that I liked. But I'll be using the latter if I lerned how to do the tweaking.
For now, I'm happy with the coffee template :D

I Love You, Goodbye

Am I still not used to my bro leaving? I was. But now it's sadder. Maybe coz he'll be taking his whole family with him. And we didn't get to spend much time together. But on the other light, it's good that they will all be together as a family in Australia. These are our last moments with them. (his three kids were not in the pic)

Mama, kuya Joel, Charisse Nehemiah and me

hubby, me, ate Liz and kuya

Zach and cousin Nehem

Have a safe trip today and see you in three years!

New Year Family

First family pic for the year. And the last with my bro's family since they'll be migrating to Australia in the next few days. This is minus my father who's in the province, three of my bro's kids left at home and the kids who are busy playing online.

Even if we're facing a major major crisis in our family, I believe we can overcome with God's guidance and help. Though now, it may seem that the solutions are so gray, your smiles don't show a sign of hopelessness. And that makes me feel strong. I love you all!

Are You Joining The Weekend Blog Follower Caravan?

I am! I want to meet more bloggers and hoping to have more followers as well.
What are you still up to? Join now!

Happy New Year!