6 years & counting....

Today is our SIX YEAR ANNIVERSARY... Six wonderful years. Feels just like it was yesterday when we made our vows to each other in the presence of so many loved ones and God. It was in a single moment that we became husband and wife, united as one, something we both have waited for all our lives. That day we began a new journey, a new chapter in life. It was a dream come true....

Flash forward, we have arrived to a place that is beyond what we thought or imagined. A life that is abundant and rich, even when we really don't have much. We're parents to two precious boys and enjoying the many adventures that parenthood brings. Life never has a dull moment as we face challenges in all areas of life. Decisions are a never ending chore. It's a daily routine for us to make choices that we hope will benefit our family and our future. Sometimes we face tests and trials that stretch our faith for God to make miracles happen. And almost always, God is never too early or too late, but He is always on time...

Our marriage couldn't be what it is, without the love God has poured into it. If it weren't for His grace, many times I would think our marriage would have failed. But, it hasn't and it won't. And I truly believe, that it never will... We are meant to be together and it's our destiny to travel through life as a team, partnered with the Lord. He makes our paths straight when often times, we find ourselves on crooked paths or places of distress from the affects of a cold, cruel, world. His gentle hand has lead us through many valleys and storms so that we may find an insurmountable peace that cannot be explained. These desperate times that many of us are facing today, has drawn us closer to each other and to the Lord rather than pull us apart like it has been doing for many couples and families. We have a solid rock to stand upon, a mountain that never crumbles. And it all comes down to this... FAITH... it's our weapon, our shield, but most of all, it's our anchor that keeps us from wandering or sinking into a sea of worry, fear, or doubt. Faith is what has kept us going, protected us and spared us from losing heart and hope to believe in God's promises. It's what pushes us to new heights and levels where we otherwise would not have discovered if we didn't hold on to faith. Life is a mountain and the only way to climb is to keep having FAITH.

I love my husband so very much. I know that may sound like a cliche that wives say about their husbands. But, I truly, deeply, immensely, love him with all of my heart and soul. Having lost both parents so early and not having that tangible feeling of acceptance and love, it was my husband who entered my world like a knight in shining armor and rescued me. Even better, he led me closer to God who is my ultimate hero of all times. We may not have a perfect life or a perfect marriage, but I know that God's plan and purpose is perfect and for whatever reason, He chose this man for me, I know that regardless of what we go through, we were destined to be lifelong partners... till' death do us part. :)

circa 2003

::Making a Difference::

Just last weekend the Southeast Pacific faced some extremely devastating natural disasters that literally killed, displaced, and injured thousands of victims and their families. From typhoons, to earthquakes, to tsunamis all within a short period of time from each other has left many of us across the world deeply affected with deep concern and sadness for the many innocent lives that have perished and their families who are suffering from their losses.

One of the countries that I personally feel affected by is the Philippines. Thank goodness that my relatives are alive and well, but are still in deep traumatic shock of the reality of what just happened. It may be thousands and oceans away from us, but if we took time to think of what it would be like if we were to face such tragedy, our lives would have been undeniably marred by the terror of death and fear, especially as children. Can you imagine? For me, it's too painful.

I am not a native of the Philippines, but it is where my parents and grandparents and their families are from. I had a chance to visit their homeland back in 1997 which has been one of the most life-changing experiences I ever had. The warmth and genuine hospitality of my relatives there left a lasting impression upon my heart and life. Though they lacked the luxuries that many of us are fortunate to have, they never lacked the joy of living a simple life. I'm sure they dreamed of a better life for themselves and their children and there are many who actually achieve it, but many are also content with the simplicity of rural living, using whatever they could to survive and enjoy life. I learned from my grandmother that she grew up appreciating the little things in life because of the disadvantages that they had, but even more so when she came to the U.S. because it helped her not take things for granted. I believed that it kept her heart far from greed and selfish ambition and it helped build her character as one who willingly gives and shares what she can, when she can . So, twelve years later after my trip to the Philippines, I am constantly reminded of her and how a part of me holds that memory of her life and the special person that she was and will always be to me. But most of all, she has influenced my life to become one who extends love and compassion to others when they are in need.

So, in honor of my loved ones of the Philippines and those who courageously came to America to prepare a better life for me, my family, and relatives who are now here, I knew that I needed to give back to my family and their country and provide help in some way. Being a graphic designer and digital scrapbook artist, I was able to collaborate with other talented artists to create a digital scrapbook kit for charity towards (PNRC) Philippine National Red Cross. It feels good to be able to reach out to my community for their help in a creative way. While the other participating designers are working on their contribution, I'm close to finishing my portion of the kit which I hope to share a sneak peek of it as soon as possible! :)

I haven't announced the shop where I will be selling my designs yet, but it will be very soon! Once the news is out, I promise you will enjoy what I have in store (I hope). :) But, please be sure to check back and find out more about how you can purchase this charity collaboration because it will definitely be a blessing to recieve your support for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana)!

Thank you for reading and allowing me to share this with you! Have a great day!

Letter & Digital Layout | Happy Birthday, Mom!

Dear Mom,

Today is your birthday and you would have turned 61 years old! I can only imagine what life would be like if you were living, but thinking about it only makes me feel empty and depressed. So, I've learned to not dwell on the thoughts of what could've been and just accept that God has my life planned for greater reasons and purposes despite all that has happened. I've come to appreciate my life and the journey I've traveled to become the woman that I am now and sooner or later, when the time comes for me to join you in heaven, maybe...just maybe...I'll understand. For now, all I can do is keep your memory in my heart and learn from the person you were and are to me and continue to pass on all the wonderful lessons + inspirations, onto my children and to the people that I encounter.

If you did live to this day, I'm sure that my life, the lives of my sisters, and everyone who knew you, would have definitely been enriched with your grace, humility, and love. You, if I can remember, always had the best interest for others and made sure that the people you loved were taken care of, even if it meant to go beyond what you were able to give or do. From what relatives have told me, you were also very forgiving and always tried to do your best to make peace with others and not let the petty or mundane things come between your relationships, especially those that were precious to you. It's awesome to know that you did an amazing job planting all those important things into me and my sisters' hearts and that is probably why I feel that your presence is always with us regardless how distant you may seem. I see YOU in me and my sisters and that is such great blessing....

The past few years, I've held so many birthday gatherings in my home--for my hubby and the kids, my sisters, and occasionally for myself if I'm not somewhere away on a birthday trip with the family. I wouldn't hesitate to do the same for you if you were here. Of course, I'd probably be a better cook, learning from the best. :) But, since I can't throw you a party, I decided to do what I always do and made a digital layout about your special day and hopefully, I'll get to print this one out and frame it. Anyways, I feel silly writing to you as if you can still hear me, but deep down, I feel that you do. I love you Mom and even though you're celebrating eternity, I still wanted to celebrate your life, not just on your birthday, but every day as I do my best to follow in your footsteps.... Here's to you, Mom. <3

click on image for larger view

::SIXTY ONE::

Credits: Everything from blog freebie-'Black & White' by Nancy Kubo @ Little Dreamer Designs

Moving forward...

Fall is here =) And as you can tell, I had a pretty busy summer which explains my long absence from writing in my blog. August is always the craziest month filled with birthdays, BBQ's and end-of-summer activities, but for some reason this year, it was also the most emotional and challenging one so far.

I was faced with situations that put me in a place of worry and fear. My heart ached and struggled with concerns for family and loved ones. My faith was tested and tried. I was completely at this vulnerable state where all I could do was humble myself before God and let Him be in control. So many times, I have felt hopeless in the sense that I couldn't find the answer or reason why bad things happen to good people, but this time I finally understood why. We often think that God is the one to blame and that He doesn't care about what happens. But, looking back at the pattern of His character and love, God always has a BIGGER, GREATER, AND BETTER PLAN. We see in the present, but He sees eternity. He knows where this is all leading to and like His word says, "... you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

I wish I could give you more detailed examples of what it took for me to finally get this. And maybe I will, but it would take me to write a novel to do that. The only thing I can say is, I no longer blame God for the tragedies, the misfortunes, the sicknesses, the loss of loved ones, the pain and suffering that either I or someone else may have experienced. I have PEACE. I know that in the end, we will understand and that every season is a season of growth and maturity in our faith. With every single trial, my heart grows stronger and wiser and my faith perseveres to the next level. We may be human and we may grow weary from time to time and that is okay, but I believe that there comes a point when God puts that spark of hope in us to keep making it to the next day, the next week, the next year...until our work is done on earth. DON'T GIVE UP!

So, if you can remember this and keep it hidden in your heart, hopefully you'll be able to keep your faith and do the best you can to enjoy life and the people that surround you. Most of all, may you always keep in mind that every season, good or bad, gives you the chance to become a better person and the opportunity to change. Life is good. God is good. And even when bad things happen, something good ALWAYS comes out of it.

God bless!

Everything by Lifehouse | My Life Speaks

It's been a week since we returned from our ROADTRIP to SEATTLE and I have so much to share, but still in vacation mode so it's taking me a while to settle in and gather my thoughts, not to mention that I finally unpacked and put everything away just today. LOL. The drive was not as bad as I thought it would be. It would have taken us about 12-14 hours, but because we had our two small boys, we stopped almost every 2 to 3 hours to rest and use the bathroom which took us about 20+ hours to get there. My husband and I managed to keep awake, thanks to coffee, Redbull, sunflower seeds, and more coffee! My boys were nothing, but extremely well-behaved, not a whimper or complaint, which left me surprised and thinking we should do this more often.:) We all had an incredible time together and experienced unforgettable memories that we will cherish for a lifetime, especially the last few days that was spent with relatives in Tacoma, WA. It was such a blessing for all of us! I will try and post photos soon! But, here is one photo of my family that I love....

Anyways, last Sunday was ::MY LIFE SPEAKS: CARDBOARD TESTIMONIES:: service @ my church, but I wasn't able to participate like I had originally planned since we didn't return from our vacation until 3am that morning. But, just knowing that so many people of all ages, from all walks of life, were going to share what and how Jesus changed, delivered, or healed them is something I know is powerful and life-changing to those who witnessed it. Wishing I was there, I thought of this video which I had watched a while back that always moves me to tears and maybe some of you already have seen it. It definitely SPEAKS OF MY LIFE which is why I want to share it on my blog as my personal testimony. I did write a lot about my life experiences on another blog which you could read here, but for now this video is the exact narration of how my life was before and because I found JESUS, my life was never the same again...

Another day, another year...

It's another day, but it's also another year of life for me. Today is my 34th birthday!

I swear I just celebrated my birthday just yesterday and can't believe it's that time again. Another reminder to stop and just live life to the fullest and be grateful for the years that I've already lived and for the many individuals that have touched my life in one way or another. Though my life has not been the easiest or perfect in any way for that matter, it has definitely been a life that was tested and tried to become a beautiful story or masterpiece. Just like a painting, there are many colors that form a wonderful image of something creative and unique. So when I reflect on my past, I know that there were moments too dark to mention, heartache and pain too unbearable to recall, misery that was hard to break free from, and so forth. But, I also find that within those particular moments, I believe that the rough edges of my life were being chipped away and I was being refined to become like pure gold and silver, like a diamond in a rock. Most of all, I was being purposely led to seek more than ever if I had any reason to live, what my purpose was in life, and if God really did love and care about me. So, yes... Even though I may still have some rough edges here and there, my life has been transformed by these experiences that now has caused my life to shine through and hopefully to be a blessing to others. I found that God, through His infinite love and mercy, was always drawing me closer to Him and I've finally come to realize that it is in our heavenly Father through His son Jesus, that I find true purpose and meaning in my life.

I want to thank everyone in advance who reads this, my husband, my sisters, my brothers, friends and loved ones, distant and near, on the web and all over the world, for your love and friendship, your prayers, support, and encouragement, your inspiration and faith, thank you from the bottom of my heart! Love you all!

Tonight, my family and I are leaving on our very first road trip to SEATTLE. I love, love, love, Seattle. My husband and I have this dream of living there one day, God willing. It's just a beautiful city, just one of those places that has captured our heart. I love San Francisco, don't get me wrong, this will always be my home. Yet, Seattle has a certain charm that we feel drawn to. Anyways, we are taking our little boys--age 2 and 4--along for the journey. It should be quite an adventure for all of us, but one thing that I hope can be achieved is to build precious memories together as a family. I will be sure to take A LOT of photos and will keep everyone updated on Facebook or Twitter. Yay!!!

Before I go, I wanted to participate in this little questionnaire that I've been seeing on other favorite blogs that I read and thought it looked like fun.:)

TODAY
July 19, 2009

Outside my window... It's about 2:30 AM and it's dark out and all I see is the silhouette of mountains decked with lights from other houses.

I am thinking... In just several hours, we will be on our way up north to Seattle!!

I am thankful for... Being so blessed with my precious husband and boys and for many more years to enjoy my life with them.

From the kitchen... I baked my most favorite BIG, FAT, CHEWY, CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE recipe that I found on this blog.

I am wearing... A tank top and my fuzzy pink pajama pants with black and white kitties:)

I am creating... a checklist of everything I need to pack!

I am going... to the "Emerald City", the city of innovative inventors and entrepreneurs, where buildings are like works of art, where everything is lush and green, and yes where it rains most of the year, but that is why people love to get cozy by the fire and drink nice cups of hot cocoa or COFFEE...Oh and it is the home of the original Starbucks! Yeah!

I am reading... "Nurture" by Lisa Bevere borrowed from my a wonderful friend, Jan Faye. So far, so good! Very empowering. Every woman should read this!

I am hoping... The boys will survive the 12-14 hour trip :-/ We leave tonight, so hopefully they'll sleep most of the way...

I am hearing... Silence. Peace. Quiet. Shhhhhhhhh....

Around the house... It's pretty tidy, not perfectly clean, but I keep it in order.

One of my favorite things... Hugs and smooches from my kiddies every day and night! Can't get enough. Oh, also can't forget my love bug hubby.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Road trip to Seattle - stop in Portland, Or - sightseeing - Seattle Center - Olympic Park - Alki Beach - the waterfront - Kerry Park - Tacoma to visit relatives - drive to the countryside and visit some of hubby's carnivorous plant buddies - just have a blast!!


Be blessed and take care!!

Happy Father's Day!

Yesterday was Father's Day!! And I hope all the father's out there, and single mother's who play both roles, had a wonderful day!

Letter to my husband, my best friend, and soulmate:

I can't even begin to express how amazing you are to our children. I know that we have had our shares of ups and downs (who doesn't?) and have faced many challenges as parents, but for the most part, you always stood by my side and never sacrificed your priority as a husband and a father. You always seek to support, encourage, and instill the love of God into our children, not just by your words, but through your example as well. Some fathers show their love by working hard, protecting, and providing for the family and some fathers do so by buying and giving gifts or money, some are stern and strict and some are gentle and kind. But, I honestly see that you strive to find that balance among all those things to become the best father that you can be, but most of all, you desire to spend TIME with them as someone that is part of their everyday life that they may also rise up to become wonderful and honorable fathers one day. Throughout the years, God has definitely shaped and molded you to be more and more the father that God has destined you to be, and simply because you have kept your heart open to Him and surrendered your will into His hands in each and every circumstance. I'm so proud of you and want you to know that I have faith in you to become an outstanding father of patience, integrity, and of selfless, unconditional love.... You are a LEGACY in the making for our family and for generations to come...

I read our journal the other night, the one where we would write letters to one another, and how excited you were when we found out I was pregnant with our first child, Josiah. I recall that day clearly, where we both cried with joy in each others arms because we were so thrilled that God had blessed us with a child. Then, came baby #2, another special moment in our lives. We didn't expect to have children so soon after we got married, but now we see how much their lives have made our marriage stronger and richer. It's so amazing to know that our blood runs through their veins and that they hold a part of the both of us within them. Such a beautiful thing. Although, there were some overwhelming moments that had us wondering, "What did we get ourselves into?", like the sleepless nights during the first few months of giving birth, the temper tantrums that tested our patience, the endless lists of needs that they have especially because it took some time away from US, and the exhaustion that it brings us when they're sick, but those challenges can never replace the countless blessings and immeasurable joy that our children have brought into our lives. When we look into their eyes, we see our purpose. Remember: Our purpose is to love each other so other purposes will be fulfilled. That is what God had put in our hearts the moment we knew we were meant for each other. Every single day is priceless because of them and every single thing that we do has challenged us to do our best in leading a life that is worthy of God's honor and respect. We have learned to lean on the Lord in every situation and circumstance and because our children are so precious to us, we have no choice but to always seek the Lord for His guidance and direction AND to always strive to teach them about God' s love, plan, and purpose for their lives.

So, I know I tell you all the time how much I need you in my life and how you have been the greatest partner that God has blessed me with, I hope you know that as we grow old together that I would never take you for granted and that your love is like the air that I breathe. My love and appreciation will just keep growing stronger and deeper for you as we travel this journey together that God has set before us. Though life may change and seasons come and go, I know that our love for each other will never change, but will always carry us through until the end of our days.... I LOVE YOU so much!

Yours truly,
Dahlia

Closing Sale....

Hey there... If anyone is interested in purchasing some of my digital designs that are over in my shop @ Faith Sisters, now is the time because everything is only $1. I've finally decided to move on and focus on my business and pursue my goals as a professional graphic designer. So, if you're interested, just head on over to the shop before they're all gone! Thanks!!

Today I am...

THANKFUL for:

• another morning, a new day to have life in my body and be able to just breathe...
• having a cup of coffee with my husband before he leaves for work and being able to be fully awake to embrace him and tell him that I love him. Most mornings I'm usually half asleep when he comes to kiss me goodbye and tell me he loves me.
• the inspiration and encouragement I receive from the daily devotional emails from Proverbs 31 Ministries. God always has this perfect timing on speaking to me about the situations that I am facing or have faced through these devotions.
• the laughter I hear and the smiles on my kids faces when they see each other the moment they wake up. They could hardly get along the day before, but it's like each morning, they start over as best friends.
• my grandparent-in-laws who are still full of life and energy at the age of 80 and 87. Seeing them each day cooking, cleaning, laughing, playing with the kids, and healthy as can be just reminds me every day how awesome and faithful God has been to them all these years.
• friends, more like brothers and sisters, that encourage, comfort, support, and pray for us whenever we go through difficulties or struggles in life. They are the iron that sharpens our souls and without them, life would not be the same.
• the rain... As much as I wish I could feel the warmth of the sun right now, I also love rain, knowing that it brings nourishment and life to our earth, but also as a reminder to me that we all need some of that spiritual rain in our lives from time to time... We all need to be refreshed and cleansed by the Holy Spirit especially when life becomes overwhelming with all kinds of troubles, burdens, and fears. God pour your rain on me...
• phone calls that I get almost every day from my sisters just to talk about random things from wedding planning to what we ate for dinner to things that make us tick. I don't want to take these little, but important conversations that I have with my sisters for granted. They hold such a significant place in my heart and my life and losing either one of them would be devastating...
• the opportunity to be an advocate for my teenage sister-in-law and be someone whom she can turn to and know that I'm here for her through everything.
• the yummy brownies that I have not gotten tired of making, week after week after week... So far, I've made Brownies w/nuts, Coconut Brownies, and Cheesecake Brownies...I never get tired of these pieces of ooey gooey chocolatey goodness.
• the Urban Rebounding exercise equipment that was finally delivered to my house today. The boys and I tested it out and had so much fun just bouncing up and down on it for hours. Felt good to get some cardio going and feeling my legs burn!
• the the blog post that a friend of mine sent to me on Facebook. It was a really sad and heartfelt letter written by this newlywed woman who just recently lost her husband to a heart attack. It's one of those things that make you realize how much you don't ever want to regret not telling the people you love how much you love them. Every morning and night (even several times throughout the day) , my husband and I always tell each other 'I love you' and after reading this story, I don't ever want that to end. Ever.
• having a house to call home, food to satisfy my growing family, and the peace that stills my soul even when there are mountains of circumstances before me. I know that my Lord and Savior is with me at all times, holding my hand, and carrying my burdens. It's the greatest feeling to know the God that I serve is always faithful and never abandons me during times of need. He is my provider, my comforter, my deliverer... I love you JESUS!

It's time to get....

my act together and get myself in shape....

So many times I've tried to push myself to get in some sort of regimen, but it's not very long until I start to lose track and begin to feel discouraged because of time restraints and endless responsibilities. It has been so easy falling into the trap of thinking, "I can do it later" or "I'll make it next year's resolution" or "Maybe after the kids start school". Then inevitably, later never comes because life gets in the way with other excuses and it just keeps being pushed aside. And to tell you the truth, I'm so fed up with making excuses.

Life is moving fast and it doesn't slow down for anyone. We only have so much time to accomplish the things we need to do. As a stay-at-home mother, I rarely have time for myself having to raise two small children, a marriage to protect and nurture, and a household to maintain. My days are filled with never ending laundry, messy rooms, sticky faces, bills, feeding hungry tummies, taming sibling rivalries, and the list goes on. In between, I also find it important to me that I take time to cherish priceless moments with my family and most of all, with God, each and every day. But, there are some things that are probably unnecessary, meaningless time-waster things, like being on FACEBOOK? :-/ Not to say that I don't appreciate the connections, old and new, through online social media, but I know that I probably could be getting some exercise rather than checking on everyone's status or being caught up in taking these senseless quizzes. I could be doing some activities with the kids instead of watching television. So you see, it's not that we don't have time, but it's whether or not we can cut some unnecessary habits out of our lives, and make time.

I came across an article yesterday about a woman who lost her mother at a young age. Her mother had a stroke during her sleep and never woke up the next morning. I just about choked when I read that. Heart disease runs in my family and although I know that the Lord promises us long life and such, I also know that He requires us to take care of our bodies as well. We have a part to play in it, too, and if we think that we don't have to do much but pray that we keep healthy, then I really think that's being careless in my opinion. And I'm speaking for myself because I feel in a sense, that I've been careless about my diet & exercise when God has been speaking to me so many times over the last few years about my health. I've been in the hospital for different medical reasons, but thank God that I haven't had anything extremely tragic happen to me that would have almost cost my life and drastically change my lifestyle. So if I act upon it now, then I may prevent myself from suffering health consequences later on or even better, to remain healthy for as long as I live.

I have to realize that now is the time to start taking better of myself. I have to remember that each day is not promised tomorrow. There's a verse that comes to mind that speaks of this, "Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life." Psalm 39:4. If we knew how much time we had left, I'm sure our time would not be wasted and each breath would be spent doing what matters the most and what truly benefits us not only physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Now or never.

It's not just about me and making me feel good about myself, but it's being accountable to the gift of life that God has given me. Not just the gift of my life, but for the sake of my husband and childrens' lives as well. If I want to see my sons graduate from college, see them get married, enjoy the lives of their children, and grow old with my spouse, then that should be more than I need to be motivated and give myself something to look forward to.

So, what am I going to do??

Stay tuned because I have something planned and won't be able to share it with you until next week!!

Weekly Recap | 05.26.09

Heyyyyyyy!!! Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! I know I did. I also took the time to have a moment of silence in honoring our troops who have given their lives to protect our country and have made it possible for, you and I, and for our families to enjoy the freedom we have today. I thank God that there are such brave men and women who have made that sacrifice to fight for our freedom. It saddens me, however, that so many families, wives, husbands, and children have had to suffer the loss of a loved one. But, I also know that they also have the privilege of knowing that their loved one, was a brave and honorable HERO.

And now, the highlights of my week from 5/18 - 5/25:

• My hubby finally arrived home safely from a road trip that he and his friends embarked on from Houston, TX to San Francisco.

Left to Right: Rob, Ronnie, and Mark

• May 21st was my mom's 23rd anniversary since she passed away. I miss her :(

• Lucas is finally sleeping in his own little toddler bed which is right next to me. He still hasn't made complete progress and climbs back into bed with me sometime during the middle of the night.

• Josiah is sleeping in his own room for the fact that he is hoping to get "Big Boy" toys as a reward. Gosh, my boys are growing up way too fast!

• The boys love their new powered toothbrushes--they always feel the need to brush their teeth more than necessary. And whenever we have guests, Josiah has to show it off!
  

The boys brushing their teeth with their new powered toothbrushes! Josiah is "Wall-e" themed & Lucas has "Go Diego Go".

• I found a great go to recipe for Teriyaki Chicken. Soooo Good!! I'm working on a Recipe page for all my family favorite recipes, so stay tuned for that, but in the meantime here's a super simple recipe that I used:

Chicken Teriyaki

Chicken Thighs & Legs
McCormick Grill Mates - Chicken Seasoning
Teriyaki Marinade ( I use Soyaki from Trader Joes)
Kikkoman Teriyaki Baste & Glaze (Original or Honey & Pineapple)

Season chicken with seasoning and then coat it evenly with marinade in a bowl or ziploc bag for about 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken in baking dish and cover with foil. Bake in the oven for about 35-40 minutes. Remove foil and drain some of the drippings if you prefer. Then, baste with teriyaki glaze to your desired preference. Bake it uncovered for another 30-35 minutes or until juices run clear. You can even broil it the last 5 minutes to get a nice golden brown color, but please keep your eye on it since the glaze can burn easily. Serve with rice and veggies.

• In fact, I made Teriyaki Chicken two nights in a row and made it for my sister & her fiance and her kids, my cousin and everrrrybody in my household. ( Keep in mind there are people living downstairs of my home.)

• Chocolate Chewies from Safeway are the BOMB. My husband and I always end up fighting over the last one. LOL. They are sooooooooo addicting! So beware!
  

• Sunday service at my church was about "Family" in the church and the love of our Father in heaven and how our Pastors are like our own spiritual parents. I LOVE MY CHURCH! Also, heard a great testimony of an ice cream lady who made an impact in her city and was able to lead so many to the Lord. Awesome!

• We also had a great Sunday afternoon with Jan Faye. After enjoying her company for a few hours and seeing that our boys loved her (she's also their Sunday school teacher), the idea came to me that maybe she'd be interested in renting out our spare room. It's something we've been praying about for a long time, but wanted it to be someone we can trust and that we feel comfortable with. So, after she mentioned that she was looking to find a new place to live, the opportunity came to my mind and took the chance to offer it to her and she accepted!
  
  
  Jan & I, after a wonderful Sunday afternoon together.

  
  
  
  Jan & Josiah spent time together building a bike with Tinkertoys.

For Memorial's Day, we weren't sure if we were going anywhere in particular, but the weather where we lived was too cold and gloomy. So, after searching the web for places to go and things to do, most places were closed. Luckily, I found that the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose was open for the holiday and that was the perfect pick for our family AND knew it would be SUNNY and WARM. I didn't know what to expect, but knew it was going to be fun for the kids. Surprisingly, it was A LOT of FUN for me and my husband as well. Very interactive, educational, creative, and overall, FUN!! I'd love to even purchase a family membership just so we can go there as often as we'd like.


Okay! That's a wrap! I hope I covered everything. This week I have some work to do, designing my sister's engagement party invitation and getting them mailed out by next week. I have to get going on this since the party is only a month away. I have to get myself together and make sure I get all the help that I can get! Wish me luck!

Goodnight and may the good LORD bless you always!

Surprise For Daddy

So, I promised I'd post photos of the the "surprise" that my boys gave their Dad to welcome him home from his little vacation away from us. And here they are! The messages were written by me, but they were THEIR exact words. And it's so cute that they picked these cards out themselves and noticed that it sort of reflected their own unique personalities.

Josiah has been wanting a puppy for a while now. But, I also think he picked this out because he really does have a big heart for a little guy. He loves to show his compassion for others which is why my heart melted with love when I saw that he picked this one out.

Lucas on the other hand, is cheerful all the time (well most of the time) and loves to be loud, silly, and never goes a day without making me laugh. He doesn't really know how to trace his letters yet, like his brother, but he does love to scribble!

I have been loving my blog as you can tell! I love the photo in the header taken by my husband. Also, grown with love by him as well. More of those photos to come!

Hope you all have a blessed, Memorial Day weekend!

Weekly Recap | 05.18.09

At Frontier Land Park, Pacifica - The boys love it here. The weather was perfect that day. The top middle photo is the view from our deck---PEACEFUL & BREATHTAKING...

I had a great time soaking some sun and enjoying my time watching them be free to run and play and discover the world outdoors... Made me miss being a child again. I especially love the photo of them both under that huge tree, don't know why, just gives me that nostalgic feeling that one day they can look back at this photo and say, "Wow, look how small we were..."

We also spent a lot of time with my sisters and all the little kiddies. My niece, Asia, is such a darling. Sort of makes me want another baby.... :-/ I also had fun making cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries, and buttermilk pancakes (not pictured). My sister, Desma, made breakfast for all of us one morning with Spam and eggs in a lightly buttered, toasted roll (pan de sal), very yummy... Then one evening, I spent it with Karina, who I made steak, mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus for. She and I, surprisingly have so many things in common, to the point that I felt like I've known her forever. It's amazing when God places people in our lives to remind us of how much His love brought us through all the challenges that life has brought our way. And sitting there with her as we shared our stories, was definitely uplifting and comforting. It felt good to have this new friendship and hopefully will be one that will last for a very long time...

I still have many more photos to sort through that were taken of the boys and their little surprise for their Dad before he came home. By the way, the house is back to normal since my hubby came home and seeing him was like falling in love all over again. We talked for hours the night he returned and shared how much our lives felt so incomplete in a sense, but know that the Lord is what keeps us close no matter the distance....

Love Sick

It's hot. It's beautiful. It's summer... Well, not officially, but it sure feels good to have some sun along the coast here in Northern California. Just something you don't get too often where I live with the norm being overcast skies or fog that can linger for days or even weeks at a time. Yuk. It gets depressing if you ask me. But when the sun comes out, it really picks up my mood and makes my heart sing. Literally.

Well, tomorrow my husband should be back home from his trip to Texas. He and his friends have been on the road for 3 days now which makes me exhausted just by thinking about it. And I have to admit, I am missing my hubby, my best friend, my soul mate. As I mentioned before, this was the first time we had been apart for more than 2 days since we got married 5 yrs ago, so it is something that I didn't realize would get me feeling this way--sad and lonely. I didn't expect myself to really get emotional about it, after all it's only 6 days. It's not that I'm sulking around, but there's just moments where I would shed a little tear because I wished he was around to share my thoughts with me at that given moment, to hear and see the cute little things that my kids would say or do, to feel his arms around me, or to even have someone there to make me laugh. I even surprised myself thinking about how I even miss his obsession with plants (which wasn't something I took very much interest in before). It's true what people say--distance only makes the heart grow fonder. Not that I don't already do this, but I've learned to appreciate him so much more, to not take anything he says or does for me and the family for granted, and to even lean on God more as I prayed for his protection while we're apart. I can't even imagine what other women go through being military wives or compare to what that must be like for them. So, I honestly can't complain, but be thankful that this is only a week. :)

It's funny because my husband actually surprised me with a card before he left which I thought was sweet, but not necessary. But, little did I know that it would actually help to relieve me whenever I wanted to feel close to him. So thankfully, whenever I read it, it made me feel better. The boys would love hearing me read it to them since they're feeling a little anxious to see their Dad. Their little hearts are also filled with this longing to have their father back in their lives. I can tell that these past few days for them without their Dad has left them feeling a little restless & confused, but all I could tell them is that he will be home soon.

So, today as I took the boys out and about to enjoy this beautiful sunny day, we also stopped by and picked up a little something to give him when he returns. I can't post photos of it right now, since we want it to be a surprise, but will do that later!

Protect Your Facebook

I found this really great article for all you Facebookers out there who might find this extremely helpful if you'd like to keep your profile strictly business or if you just want to maintain your privacy for whatever reasons. There are more ways than one to customize your settings and this article breaks it all down. Go to the website here.

A Good Friend

It's 1:11 AM and in a few hours my husband will be leaving on a plane to Texas. It will be the first time that he will be without me for a week since we married. And, I'm not sure if I'm sad or happy for his decision. Actually, I'm grateful. Seems a little strange for me to say that, doesn't it? Well, let me fill you in and you'll understand why.

This trip is more like a special gift, a gift that can't be bought and is of so much value that nothing can compare to its worth--TIME. His good friend, Ronnie, asked him to go on this little vacation to meet up with their mutual friend in Texas, then they'll drive back home together, making stops to do some sightseeing along the way. Despite the little adventure that this trip entails, most importantly, it will be time spent with someone near and dear to our family, someone battling with CANCER, someone so young and is so deserving to live a long life, someone who is passionate and kind, someone who has come so far in life to become the man of God that he is today. And as unfair as it may seem, we all have faith that God is in control of Ronnie's life and know that whatever the outcome may be, it will be all for God's glory.

For several years, we've built such a strong relationship with Ronnie and have seen him overcome countless trials beyond what we can fathom. And just recently to our dismay, Ronnie discovered that he was diagnosed with Stage IV Lymphoma cancer a few months ago. Shocking and devastating as it was, he still manages to possess this strong, yet humble attitude about it, leaving us feeling so vulnerable and causes us to question if our own faith is as strong as we thought it was or ought to be. I, for one, can't even take hold of the thought of this possibly happening to me, my husband, or my kids. But here is an example of one who has continued to live daily in God's strength, who still pursues to live a normal life, who opens his heart to those around him, and strives to keep his faith unshaken. Even though there were many times that his flesh would agonize the pain, nausea, and fatigue after all the harsh treatments that chemo and radiation has brought upon him, he still praises Him and clings to the promises of God. And that right there, simply amazes me every time I think about it. It is definitely a significant reflection of God's undeniable grace and power working in Ronnie's life....

So, being the good friend that my husband is, he accepted the offer in a heartbeat. He made sure he packed his SLR so that he can capture the moment that will one day be priceless photos to hold on to. Moments that can never be replaced or exchanged, except to be treasured for a lifetime. I'm sure that upon his return, I will be able to see a difference in my husband's life, a change in his heart, an appreciation for the gift of friendship, and that TIME is not to be taken for granted. Ever.

We live our lives unprepared for the sudden instances of chaos that approach us uninvited, then we wonder if God is really there. Yes, in every way, HE is always there. But, perhaps it is through these precarious events that take place in our lives that is God's only way of exposing our need to rely and depend fully upon Him. That we are left vulnerable and relenting to His will and not our own. That the only way to grow closer to Him is to abandon ourselves and yield our lives to His plan above our own. To me, this has been my understanding about my own life and it is such a deep revelation to me, time after time. Therefore, I've learned to surrender everything to Him each and every day, every challenge that I face...

As of right now, I am certainly missing my husband and feel the deep longing of his presence, but I also am feeling a sense of peace, knowing that this is going to be something that he will never regret doing, that it is a time in his life that will be imprinted into his heart for as long as he lives, and I guess you can say, a male bonding moment that I think every man needs from time to time. He definitely needs it and hopes he enjoys every second it....

So, I will definitely be back with more details and maybe photos to share! :)

In the meantime, please keep Ronnie in your prayers. He is going to need more aggressive treatments when he returns after receiving news from his Oncologist that the cancer has spread a little, even after going through 2 rounds of chemo and 1 round of radiation. Good news is, it hasn't infiltrated any of his major organs, so that is something to be hopeful for. Thank you so much!! And God bless you all....

RIP {JD} - 03.29.08

Please keep the family of Jason Del a Cruz in your prayers. It's such a devastating thing for someone to have lost his life in such a way that has left so many of us numb and confused. He was fatally shot early Saturday morning at the age of 31, leaving his wife and 3 precious children behind. He was a very close friend to my sister and her husband and I always felt like he was just like one of the family. I pray that as their hearts are vulnerable, that the Lord will use this to draw them closer to Him. That they will experience His love and mercy on a deeper level. Also, may this also remind them to appreciate their lives and their loved ones even more, to take better care of themselves, to become a better person and to not waste their time on temporary things but, live each and every day as if it were their last. Nobody is promised tomorrow. I ache for those who are grieving and carry this burden to keep his family and friends in my prayers. Will you do the same?

Those little moments....

Everyday is a new beginning and each moment that occurs becomes another memory that can never be brought back unless we take time to document them. That's why I love to take photos and record them in scrapbooks but, even when I don't have a photo to capture the moment, the next thing I'd do is to write about it. That's if I make sure I don't forget to. With such a crazy life as a SAHM with 2 toddler boys who can never have enough questions to ask, or things to make a mess of, or needs that are uncontrollable... I'm lucky enough to remember all the things I wanted to remember by the end of the day. Like now, my lists of "what to write about" has probably slimmed down to less than what I started with, because I never took time to jot notes down and thought perhaps my memory wouldn't fail me. But, I was wrong. So, I guess that leaves me with just a few things to share...

The little moments that I want to remember today are:

Lucas (my 19 month old) woke me up with a kiss and said "good mowneen".

Josiah (my 3 yr old) said to me, "Don't be sad mommy, be happy."

Josiah wrapping his toys with paper and giving them to Lucas as a present.

Lucas dancing to some praise and worship songs that I was singing.

Hearing Josiah sing the alphabet song for the first time.


I love the little things that my kids do to make my life so blessed and being able to stay home to experience it. I can't imagine my life any other way. I thank the Lord for giving me this opportunity to spend these first few years of their lives before they go off to school and become their own individuals. Daily, I pray for their futures and even for their salvation. I can teach them everything I know about what the word of God says, I can be an example of what a Christian should be, I can bring them to church every Sunday, but, one day they will have to choose how to live their life on their own. So, I hope that through me and my husband's examples of love and dedication to the Lord, may it also lead them to do the same.

The sweetest words...

Before time steals my memory of this special moment, I wanted to write about these sweet words that my 3 year old, Josiah, said to me on Valentine's Day... He said, "Mommy, I love you with all my heart." So precious. I held him and could not let go. With every moment that I have with my children, I always try to be that example of love to them in every way hoping they will carry it with them for the rest of their lives... The only reason I'm able to love with my whole heart is because of the Lord's love for me. His example on the cross was all I needed to know the power that love holds. The power for love to forgive, to heal, and to restore what may have been broken or lost.. Such an amazing love that I can honestly say to the Lord the same words that my son said to me, "Lord, I love you with all my heart."