A holiday from all the craziness of school...

The Christmas holiday season is upon us. The kids broke up from school 2 days ago, and Other Half and myself will be responsible for them 24 hours a day, for the next couple of weeks.

Some parents have started to break out in hives, stressing over childcare arrangements and how on earth they are going to stay sane with kids in the house 24/7. A few moms that I know just started bombarding everyone they know with emails arranging play dates and activities for the Christmas holidays in a desperate attempt to fill each day. Some of the emails arrived as soon as the summer vacation were over. The littlest thought of starting organizing Christmas that early makes go into panic mode, so I delete them.

These moms are by no means alone. Wallets will be emptied  by watching all the holiday movies at the cinema in an attempt to have fun and keep those crazy kids busy until the blessed relief of school looms into view in mid-January.
Moi, on the other hand, do not feel this way at all. The thing is, no matter how crazy irritating it may be to have kids under my feet all day, there is one thing I loathe and despise the school run. It is number one on my list of things that will be put up against a wall and shot come the revolution. I hate waking up and  having to leave the comfort of my bed. I hate that I have to practically push the kids out of bed to get  them on time for school. I hate nagging about homework, brushing teeth/brushing hair. As the time we MUST leave the house or we will be LATE AGAIN looms closer, the kids whine in a higher and higher pitch and I resort to yelling myself, which of course never ends well.

You see I have many facets, but my most outstanding quality is my supreme and utter laziness. I can think of nothing, nothing more fantastic than still being in my PJs at 11am with a cup of coffee, while the kids watch something inappropriate and hilarious on TV.

For those precious time when I'm incharge of Arthru and Morgane. We are allowed to remain, giggling and cozying in bed or the sofa, for as long as we like. For the whole day, if we like. And though no doubt the ankle-biters will drive me completely insane at some point, nothing they do will be worse than the cold, grey school run in the freezing rain, grumpy and bleary eyed, and dreaming of my warm bed.

Happy Holidays! For now, I'm going to serve myself another glass of gluhwein!!!!

This pic was taken a while ago, but it pretty much looks the same each and everytime we "chill out" at home.

A "CALM" Sunday morning in our home: Our dog pulling Arthur, who is pulling Other Half, who is holding Morgane!

 

Christmas....

To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to Christmas this year… I've had several bad/though news that arrived in one go and unfortunately I jumped on the self-pitty train for a while.

　

But with all the bad things happening around the world, I am reminded how blessed I am and how much I can be grateful for my life. Too often during the course of the year, we forget what the real priorities are and focus on the superficial.

　

Life is precious, I have a beautiful family and I've reconnected with old friends and made new ones. I am very lucky to spend this holiday season with my Mom and Dad by my side and remembering last year, I am grateful that I'll have another year to tell my Dear Brother how much I love him and how important his presence is in my life is. I've found a new job that fulfils me and colleagues that makes me happy to wake up and go to work, so I have no rights to complain.

So much has changed since last year and truly God has helped me get through a lot, so I can't wait to see what awaits me in the coming months. Wither it's good or bad, I say: "Bring it on!"

　

I was inspired by this words from Charles De Foucauld

"The moment I realized God existed, I knew that I could not do otherwise than to live for Him Alone...Faith strips the mask from the world and renders meaningless such words as anxiety, danger and fear, so the believer goes through life calmly and peacefully, with profound joy---like a child, hand and hand with his mother."

I could not have said it better… Faith has changed the way I see the world, the people, and my life.

　

And like my pastor says: there would not be Christmas if Jesus wasn't born!

　

I also want to share this video that was shown at my church and made me smile.

Please follow the link: http://steelehousemedia.com/products/a_very_special_christmas_countdown it is really worth watching!

To all my readers: I wish you a Merry Christmas! May God bless you abundantly and may you all feel His love and Graciousness..

 

 

 

Oh and Santa, if you are reading please read the card below:

 

 

 





On The Day That You Were Born…

God and His Angels got together and gave me really good drugs so I could enjoy your birth and not feel a second of pain.

Where did time go? It seems like yesterday that I was laying in my hospital bed, your father next to me admiring your beautiful face…

So far, the ride has been sweet and God kept His promise to me, that if I would accept His beautiful gift, the reward would be beyond my expectations.

You are so smart, you are beautiful, you are kind, you are loving, you are always smiling and ready for new adventures… You will always be our baby and we love you so much.

Happy 5th Birthday Morgane.

 

 

And yet again...

… I have the best husband in the world!

I found this pic on Internet and it made me smile as My Other Half could have wrote this note no doubt!

Morgane was ill all night but my Other Half (whom I will call "Superman" just for the day) took care of the vomit, the cleaning and the cries while I was sound asleep…

I really do have a great life!

My Son is 7 today and pretty funny!

Why did God make mommy?

1.-She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2.-So I can have dinner every day because I’m still to young to cook

3.-Mostly to clean the house.

How did God make mothers?

The same way he did for fathers except prettier.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

Describe the world's greatest mom?

That’s easy! My Mom!

What kind of little girl was your mom?

1.- She looked like me only with longer hair.

2.- Oh and I guess she would be pretty bossy. 

Is anything about your mom perfect?

I think she’s already perfect, but she keeps on asking for boobs, I don’t understand why, they are useless! 

Aren't these answers funny?! I had this conversation with Arthur a while ago and I was thinking, I Have the greatest kid ever! 

"For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me petition which I asked of Him."

 1 Samuel 27

 Today he is 7. You've changed a lot this last year, but the more a watch you grow the prouder I get. My heart melts with your lovely smile and the sweet words you always have for me. You love me unconditionnally and to your eyes and heart I am the best mom ever.

You pray God every night to help me out in my daily life and I pray Him to make me more like you: kind, loving, forgiving, generous, funny, honest and sweet.

I love you Arthur!

Thank you for making me a better person.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE!

Mom...

MOM

I love you for all the times you picked me when I was down.

For all the times you traded your warm smile for my frown.

For all the times you brushed my hair and tucked me into bed… Or needed something for yourself and put me first instead.

For all the dreams that we have shared, the tears and laughter too.

I love you Mom with all my heart…

There’s no one quite like you!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU!

YOU ARE MY INSPIRATION AND I HOPE MY KIDS WILL BE AS PROUD OF ME WHEN THEY GROW UP AS I AM OF YOU!

I WILL LOVE YOU ALWAYS!

Happy 68th Birthday Mom! ♥

God good not be everywhere so He made Moms.

They say in the Bible that "He will give angels charge concerning me. To guard me in all my ways" (Psalm 91:11).

I believe my Mom is MY ANGEL. I took me to be a Mom to realize how wonderful you are, and I will never apologies enough for all the suffering I made you go through because of my bad behaviour while I was a kid and in my teens. You were the one one I was blaming all the time for all the bad things happening in my life, and I realize now that you were not to blame but instead I should have told you more often how thankful I am that you always stood by my side. You are the best mom, lola and wife, anyone could ask for. If I can be half the person you are, I would be already very proud. You are an example of love, patience, kindness, compassion, and care. I will love you always and sherrish all the days we have together and I pray for many many more....

I realize now that it is the little things the count, and you have done so many little things in my life that makes Olivier's, my children, and my life beautiful.

I thank Lord for blessing me with such a beautiful inside and out Mom. May he touch your heart more every day, and may you know his unconditionnal and everlasting love. God Bless you Mom, I love you more than words can say ♥

No Santa Claus in this home, sorry...

Last night, as I was tucking Arthur into bed, he asked me to pray with him…

It was really sweet because at the end he said:

Before I say Amen Lord, I want to sing you a song…

He sang his song saying he was sad that he could not see the Lord but that He’ll continue praying hoping that one day he’ll sit next to him.

I was profoundly touched of how genuine Arthur’s feelings were. And before I kissed him good night I told him that I was really proud of the young man he is becoming.

Then he asked me this question, you think he’ll like my song enough that Santa will come in our home this year?

Last year, I told the kids that Santa would not be coming over and I told them that it would be the same case this year.

In a bit more than a month it will be Christmas… And as a Christian, I am trying to find ways to explain to the kids what the true meaning of Christmas is…

We have never celebrated Santa Claus at home, simply because I don’t want Christmas to be about him (Oh dear!!!! I can know hear the judgmental opinion of everyone – but I’m ok with it).

My Other Half and I agreed not to tell them the truth about Santa just yet, and just to stay vague on it. We’ll simply tell the kids that Santa doesn’t come to our home as he goes to the families that need him more…

But I can’t prevent the other kids to be talking about Santa at school and I had to give a careful thought to how I would answer the dreaded question: who puts the gift under the Christmas tree then?

So this is how I have decided to explain it to the kids:

Dear Arthur and Morgane,

I know you are wondering who put the gifts under the Christmas tree every year and there is one simple answer to this: it’s me.

I am the person who chooses, wrapes, and places the presents under the tree, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. (And yes, Dad helps, too.)

I imagine that someday you'll do this for your children, and I'm you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You'll love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.

I could tell you Santa did this but I would be lying and I promised myself I would try never to do that.

Instead I’ll tell you that God has been good to our family and has helped Mommy and Daddy to find ways to put a few gifts for you guys under our tree.

You see, Jesus is bigger than any person or Saints like the one we call Santa Claus, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch.

It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, your friends, your talents and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you cannot measure or even hold in your hand. By this, I mean "love", this great power that will light your life from inside out, even during its darkest, hardest moments.

Jesus is a teacher, and I have been his student. The best lesson I’ve learned is that the most important thing during this time of the year is to love one another. Gifts or no gift, what we need to do is believe in Him and be grateful for all we have. In our home, there is no Santa going down the chimney, but a Mom and Dad who love you more than anything and with the Grace of God are able to provide for you a home, food, toys and a loving a family…

With full hearts, people like Dad and me take our turns to help Jesus do a job that would otherwise be impossible – by reminding everyone the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of our Savior and the reminder that up there someone loves us more than anyone else..

I love you and I always will.

Mommy

And this Mom will teach her children about God...



Health tips...

This made me laugh and therefore I am passing it on...

Q:  Should I have a baby after 35?

A:  No, 35 children is enough.

Q  : I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?

A:  With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q  : What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?

A:  Childbirth.

Q:  My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.

A:  So what's your question?

Q?:  My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but  pressure. Is she right?

A:  Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air  current.

Q:  When is the best time to get an epidural?

A:  Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q?:  Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in  labor?

A:  Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q:  Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?

A:  Yes, pregnancy.

Q:  Do I have to have a baby shower?

A:  Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q:  Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?

A:  When the kids are in college.

Today you are 4!

Dear Morgane

I will always remember the day the doctor told me that I was expecting a little girl. It was a mix of joy but also fear. I felt joy because I was looking forward to dressing you up but I also felt scared because how on earth was I going to raise a little girl when I had been a pain in the butt for my parents?!

But it all turned up just fine and I am so proud of the big girl you have become.

You still ask me this song from time to time and maybe one day, you’ll sing it to your baby too…

You love to sing and dance,

You can be girly but you can also be a real tomboy (in fact there hasn’t been a whole month when I haven’t seen you with a bump on your forehead)

You adore you big brother even though you take much fun in torturing his mind at times,

You are Hello Kitty’s number 1 fan,

You give your Lola and Lolo so much love and happiness

And to your Daddy and me you are the sunshine of our life!

You loving, sweet and fun spirit makes it impossible for me to stay mad at you for more than 10 seconds!

You will always be my baby even if I can’t stop you from growing up. You make me so proud and you give me the motivation to be a better mom each day.

6 days old

8 months old

11 months old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

HAPPY 4^TH BIRTHDAY!!!!

WE LOVE YOU MORGANE MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY!!!!

My kids and their weird conclusions…

It all started a while ago when my kids ask their Dad why he was bald. Other Half jokingly answered that he lost the first part when Arthur was born and Morgane just helped for the last part by driving him insane.

Then in the car this morning, I started listening to their conversation, and this is how it went:

Morgane: You know, Tito Em (being my Dear Brother) is bald like Dad

ARTHUR: yeah, it’s normal, he had mom as his sister…

Morgane: What do you mean by that?

Arthur: well, if Dad says we drive him mad, and he also says that we get our crazy character from Mommy, then Mommy drove Tito Em mad long enough so he lost all his hair too!

Morgane: yes but Lolo (that’s how we call the grandfather in the Philippines) is losing his hair too!

Arthur:  well mommy started the work, and will finish it when he moves in with us!

Morgane: How about Tito Rik (my Dear Brother precious Better Half)

Arthur: well, because mommy taught Tito Em how to drive people crazy, he has done the same with Tito Rik and now he is all bald too…

Oh dear, this kids have a huge imagination!!!!! Wonder where they get THAT from!

I've got AWESOME kids!

Didn't hear my alarm this morning and had to kick the kids out of bed with tons of apologies as it wasn't their fault... They both embraced me, got dressed as fast as they could while Other Half and I were preparing their backpacks and breakfast to eat in the car and before they headed to the car, they told me: "Mom, it's OK, it happens, it's not your fault... We love you ♥"

Arthur and Morgane - you two make Mommy rpoud every day! - I LOVE YOU!

Why would I need to eat salad?!

So a while ago, because I had noticed that Other Half gained a bit of weight,  I told the kids that when they got out with their Daddy at McDonalds, they should push their Dad to eat a salad instead of having a hamburger, which they now do all the time…

But then yesterday morning, while I was about to get dressed to take them to school, Morgane followed me in the dressing room. I saw her staring at my derriere and I could see that she wanted to say something. So I asked:

ME: Morgane, honey what’s wrong?

Morgane: well mom, remember when you told us we should push Daddy to eat a salad instead of junk food?

ME: yes of course I do honey, and I’m glad he is listening to you

Morgane: well, mom, I think you should eat salad too…

ME: really?! Why? I don’t feel like I’ve gained any weight lately…

Then she points at my backside and says:

But mom, look! Your butt has gotten so big that you knickers don’t even cover your whole butt anymore!!!

I laughed so hard, she didn’t understand how in heaven I wasn’t panicking… And that is how my daughther learned the difference between a panty and a thong….

I'm sorry, I'm not ready for this yet:

Do I want more kids?…

Most of the time the answer is no, but when I start hesitating I just look at this chart (except that for me, it would be a third child):

BUT, if you are like me, still hesitating, I suggest you watch this funny video, and you will probably have your answer… I just couldn't stop laughing...

This video is sooooo true… I mean, I love having my nephew and nieces at home but it’s also nice to be able to let them go back home after a day or two. One of my nieces is 2 years and a half, she’s adorable, but now that I’m out off potty training, early morning milk calling, I can’t imagine doing it all over again… And above all, my kids are finally starting to behave (notice I wrote that in a very tiny font? It's because I don't want to jinx it!) so why on earth would I put myself into hell again :o)

I am doing my official "Coming Out"…

... So I might be losing a few friends (and readers) or maybe they weren’t friends to begin with…

I turned 30 last January and since then, I have been taking time to focus on what is most important in my life at this stage and to sort through/ eliminate what is not. Over the last year, I’ve experienced some soul-shaking, deep change. Change is always an ongoing process, but as I look back I can see the ones that are now definite. My values have changed. My habits are changing. What I need is still relatively the same but I can just see those needs clearer. My wants (the true and deep ones) are coming into focus, too.

I’m a Christian. So there you have it…  Most of the people who know me knew about this part of me but for the others that didn’t it is sometimes hard for them to understand and my behaviour in my past didn't help...

So this is my official coming out…                                  

I want this blog to represent me, and to do so I need to be honest and take responsibility for ALL that I am…

So today, this post is as a challenge to myself.

A challenge - to show the real me.

A challenge - to change and become as day passes a better person, a better mom, a better wife, a better friend.

A challenge - to be truly honest with myself.

A challenge -  to stop hiding a part of me another minute longer.

Why didn’t I do this before? Simply, because I didn’t know better. I didn’t know that there was already someone loving me unconditionally, that this person was the Lord. I’ve suffered enough. All the loneliness, the pain, the eating disorder, and the anger… I tried compensating by doing drugs and having a promiscuous life. I ‘m not proud of it, I wish I could erase it all but I can’t. But I know one thing; turning to God has changes my life and most probably has saved it too.

I forgave myself for the mistakes I had done and learned to be happy and not be driven to go to dark places. Other Half and my kids are also a big part of this shift in my life. It’s been a long journey but I’m finally starting to feel at peace and simply content and happy…

By reading these few paragraphs, many will be thinking: “Wow, Church has found a good candidate here to brainwash!”

A lot of non-believers think that Christians only believe in God because they are scared to spend eternity in hell. They’ll think that Church uses the weaknesses in people and hell as real scare tactics to gain more followers.

While I am sure that there are some churches and individuals who use these methods as a scare tactic, I very much disagree with this way of thinking. 

Do I believe in hell? Oh yes. But I have no idea what it’ll be like aside from the fact that it is a place void of God, and where spirit are eternally tormented AND THAT  IS THE #1 reason I do not want to be in hell.

I believe in God because, with Him, there is a hope, there is a true promise of happiness. And so because I believe in hell, I also believe in heaven – and there is where I want to be when my life on earth is over…

I want to go there because I love God and I want to be close to Him, and never feel pain ever again… Of course there are other reason, I want to be amongst other Christians, people I read of, people who managed to changed so many lives and inspire people to be happy and enjoy life at the fullest. I want to experience being with people fully at peace and be one of them.

There have been a few instances in my life where I really believe that I have been in the presence of God, and there is nothing like it. Never have I felt so humbled, so inadequate, yet so LOVED. All my sins washed away and forgiven. Filled with such emotions that my body automatically gives out from under me; where I kneel and bow. These very moments were the moments where  I felt safe and comforted.  

Do I know that I will go to heaven? Yes. I am confident that I will go to heaven. And I am not being arrogant or presumptuous here — I know that God loves me, sent His only Son to die on the cross for me, that by His grace I am saved, and that I will enter heaven when my life on earth is over.

I am not afraid to die.

The only fear I have about the afterlife is that my loved ones will not be in heaven with me. And this is the reason I’m putting my faith out there and try to share my secret to happiness and peace, especially to those who are important in my life. Because I cannot imagine spending the next life without my children, my Other Half, my family and my dearest friends.

I know that many will read this and think that I am completely delusional. It’s OK. All I know is that I am confident in my faith, and that I want to share my faith with others because I want them to experience this same joy.  

And yes, I am trying to raise my children in the same faith and although my Other Half doesn’t share my Faith, I am thankful to him for keeping an open mind.

I pray that by raising my kids with my faith, that they will grow to love Christ just as I do

My pastor once said that as a Christian parent it is my 1st jobs to make sure that his children will never know a day when they did not feel loved by God. And that is precisely what I hope to do.

I want my children to know that no matter what they do, no watter who they become, they are already loved and hopefully, they won’t experience the same pain I went through before finding peace in the Lord…

Thank you for reading…

PS: I took off the option to post a comment on this post because as much as I receive kind notes I also unfortunately receive some that are nasty when it comes to my faith. I accept the people who don’t believe in God as it is not my place to judge, but I ask that you don’t judge me either and if my blog post are so difficult for you to read, you have the choice not to visit anymore… But anyway, I hope you find happiness wherever it is for you…

My Mom Kicks Butt !

I speak to her almost every day. She is a part of my heart and soul, and I need to hear her voice almost as much as I need to breathe. (yeah I know I would have never said that when I was a teen)

But mostly? She kicks my butt. (Sure, it might not be that big a target anymore, but she finds the bullseye every time.)

Mom called the other day when I was wallowing in my sorrows. (Note to everyone- don't cry to someone who has walked a MUCH HARDER ROAD than you. They really have no pity.) I just maybe started to cry a little as I outlined what I felt was an insurmountable hurdle.

"Are you crying?!" she asked. "Stop your crying RIGHT NOW!! You have come too far to let this little thing stand in your way. Are you kidding me? This is nothing," she said.

She's right.

I'm a whining wimp.

I sat in the silence of my living room after our discussion, and I realized something:

I am incredibly lucky.

I have an amazing home. Sure, the basement fills with water; the walls need some serious painting, My 3 year-old swears it's haunted, but I am in love with it. It has wrapped me in its arms and made me feel safer than I have felt in a long, long time.

I have 2 loving kids kids. They sometimes fight; they leave evidence of their existence all over the house; they ignore my numerous to-do lists; they eat food (for God's sake); they talk back and they make me feel human again. They are the fix that I can't ever get enough of- as painful as they are sometimes, they are also the best things that ever happened to me.

I am on a journey that has no clear course- but I'm ready.

And to my mom? I thank you.

I thank you for supporting me, for loving me, for laughing with me, for reminding me of what is right, and for kicking my ass.

Even if it IS a size 0. (*insert cough here*)

But Motherhood Can also Give You The Most Beautiful Feeling...

I saw this video this video this morning and decided I would post it. I felt inspired by it as they are so many truths, so many wise words, so much love in this video.

Becoming a mom is like taking a leap into the unknown. Like flying among stars.  And often, it also feels like banging your head against a wall. Like falling in love, and having your heart skip a beat every time you see your child smile back at you. Like seeing the world again for the first time. L Like being as close to God as possible when still on earth. Like trying and failing and learning over and over again. Like finally getting to know and understand your own mum. Like answering the big questions and finding you have a million new ones. It’s an exciting adventure, a long and sometimes terrifying journey and a new road to take every day.

So have a look, and hang in there because at the end, you know you wouldn’t change anything in your life, especially if after a hard day, the most honest sentence you hear from you child is simply: I love you Mommy…

Now Is There A Customer Service?

Motherhood Sometimes Sucks!

So to all the mommies out there who are doing the best they can, I dedicate this song to you….

For Arthur and Morgane...

"No one else will ever know the strength of my love for you. After all; you are the only one who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside."

Such a beautiful quote, it brought tears to my eyes…