Day by Day with Divine

My 100th Post

2011-11-11T22:13:00.010+08:00

ITS MY 100TH POST!

I'm so proud of myself to have reached 100th posts. And what more coincidence is that it falls today, Nov.11, 2011.

Today, I plan to organize my blog, as follows:

1. Day by Day with Divine, will be about my thoughts, ideas and opinion. About me as a woman, as wife and as a person and a citizen.

2. In My Solitude, will be about me as a trying poet and writer.

3. Mama's World,(will be published soon) will be about me as a mom, proud of her kids.

I'm excited of all these new changes!

Thank God It's Friday!!!

The Business-side of Me

2011-11-11T21:44:00.004+08:00

I sometimes missed working as an employee after resigning for almost 11 years now. But what I actually missed is getting compensated after a day's work! Though, life is different now because I get compensation even if I'm not an employee (thanks to my dear husband).

My husband is the business-minded one. He can do side-lines even before when we were both working. It's the Chinese-side of him, I guess. He taught me the art of buy-and-sell!

Now, we're into buying-and-selling garments, particularly, undergarments. Its more like of a garage sale since we invite my friends and his' to our house to look at the itme we have.

Little by little, I became less shy and I came to love this business. Tomorrow, friends will be coming over for a sale! Good luck to us!

Girl Talk: Old School - 70's

2011-11-11T21:41:00.017+08:00

I love walking down the memory lane and I'm so excited to share this photo with you,

Take a look at the fashion of the 70's. I'm the smallest one of all in the picture and my sister (on the other end) is wearing the same dress as mine. That's how my mom used to dress us back then. I think this was taken when I was in grade 4 (in the mid-70s). I remember I don't like to wear this dress because it looks like my "ate"(my elder sister). But now that I've seen it again, I noticed it looks nice on me. It made me look more demure.

Linking up with Girl Talk hosted by Kaye of Beauty Queen Gene

Friday's Fave Five # 5

2011-11-11T19:49:00.013+08:00

It's time for Friday's Fave Five once again. And it falls on 11-11-2011!

1. Did my second day walk-exercise today. It's my little way of living a healthy life. Thanks for my ever-supportive husband who keep on pushing me to do some exercise to loose weight!

2. I met with old high school friends today to plan for our upcoming Christmas Party. We had so much fun remembering the good old days and we look forward for more new happy days together again.

3. Me and my sons got caught up in the traffic today while going home. There was a vehicular accident. It did us some good because we have some good talk inside the car. Made some jokes, did some contest until we got home! A cool quality time with the boys.

4. A friend celebrated her birthday and I'm glad I did an early Christmas shopping. Choosing a gift for her come in handy.

5. Tasted some milk tea from SERENITEA. Cosy place and refreshing drinks. I enjoyed their tea so much! Hmmmm!

Read more of Friday's Fave Five hosted by Susanne of Living to Tell the Story.

Pink Fridays: Pink Bag

2011-11-11T19:15:00.012+08:00

I'm glad to finally join this meme this week. This pink bag my sister gave me last Christmas is what I'll share for this week.

I still haven't got the chance to use it because, being a mom, I'm used to carrying a lot of things with me while we travel. Alcohol, insect-bite cream, headache ball, mosquito repellant lotion, first-aid kit, face towels, extra handkerchiefs, etc., etc, are some of the things you can find in my bag. Not to mention my own vanity kit! And even if I'm alone, I still carry most of those things. I need large bags that's why I didn't have to chance to use this small bag still...

Visit more of Pink Fridays hosted by Pink Mama.

Nostalgia: Get-Together

2011-11-11T09:00:00.000+08:00

On my nephew's 6th birthday, we got the chance to see old relatives. It was a happy get-together since its been awhile since we last see each other. They were my uncle's family, the eldest brother of my father, where we are most closest.

We had fun and we run out of time so we're planning for another get-together this holiday season!

Morning Walk

2011-11-10T22:08:00.004+08:00

I noticed that past months that I'm gaining weights! Not only that, since I experience the vertigo attack, I do not do any exercise anymore for fear I might get dizzy again.

But when I started to feel my body is aching everywhere and getting comments that I'm getting bigger, I decided to at least have a morning walk 20-30 minutes everyday!
Glad that my husband also accompanies me to this walk (for our own bonding time).

I also do a little stretching, sit-ups and aerobics.

All of these I hope I can do until I see results because I decided to leave and stay healthy for my family.

Goodluck to me...

Wednesday Whites - Flowers for my Papa

2011-11-09T18:03:00.008+08:00

We offered flowers for my departed father last All Souls Day. We didn't mind what kind of flowers the florist would use as long as they're white.

Notice long epitaph in his tombstone? It's the poem I've written in my father's honor entitled "And His Name Was Peter"

My share of

Orange Tuesdays: Flowers

2011-11-08T10:41:00.008+08:00

This flower arrangement was given as a gift for me from my youngest son's pre-school. It's been with me for more than a year now.

It was a reminder that, once, I acted as the PTC-Chairman in my son's school...

It fit so well with my house' motiff!
Thanks Tr. Erlie, Tr. Doris, and Tr. Janet!
I missed you all!

Mommy and Me Monday # 11

2011-11-08T10:15:00.004+08:00

We visited the memorial park where my father was laid in commemoration of the All Soul's Day. We offered some flowers and stayed awhile to pray. My eldest son, JM, and I had our picture taken while waiting for the other members of our family to arrived.

It was a sunny day but we didn't put our own tent until my eldest sister arrived.

Hosted by Krystyn

Mommy Moments - Moms Bonding Moments

2011-11-04T09:50:00.012+08:00

I met a lot of full-time moms from my kids' school that eventually became my friends.

We talk about anything under the sun. (literary, under the sun, hehehe) Or even in the school parking lot.

From our kids assignments to the oil prizes to who's on the entertainment new today. Its a short but meaningful time, if I may say, we spent together.

The most important thing is we share our experiences with our kids. You learn how to deal with situations you have never dealt before because some moms already have through with it.

The best part is we know we all love and support our kids!

Mommy Moments - Mommy's Favorite Photos

2011-10-28T15:05:00.030+08:00

Its hard to decide which photo is my favorite because each has a story to tell. Here's some of it...

never thought our family picture from a photobooth would be one of my favorite

"a wacky wedding picture?" (who would thought of that)

a wacky photo of my boys...
my favorite because I can't make them pose like this again.

the soooo-tired men in my life

this is one of my favorite because this is when I realized how good a son I have (click here to find out how)

These are just some of my favorite photos. I hope you enjoyed watching it and looking forward to see yours...

Happy mommy moments!

Wednesday Whites - Cloudy Sky

2011-10-26T09:30:00.005+08:00

Viewing the sky out my window, one day...

It might rain as the clouds start to turn gray.

My share of Wednesday Whites.

Orange Tuesdays: Monkey Bar

2011-10-25T11:57:00.010+08:00

Kevin is trying out the monkey bar at Valenza.

Not to be left behind is...
OH MY!!!... ITS HUBBY!!!

don't push it, Papa

you're taller than....

you really tried it, ha!
miss being a kid???

It's one of our weekend stroll along the area where we had fun! My husband spend so much quality time with the boys. And it makes me sooo happy!

Mommy and Me Monday # 10

2011-10-25T11:16:00.011+08:00

Last sunday was my nephew's 6th birthday.
My kids doesn't want to have their face painted.

So I had my arms painted instead

And catched him for one more picture.

Happy Mommy and Me Monday!

Hosted by Krystyn

Blue Monday: The Birthday Celebrant

2011-10-25T09:24:00.011+08:00

He's 13years old and officially a teen-ager!

...his shy pose

...his "pa-cute" pose

...and his "i-did-it" pose

He wears his newly-bought t-shirt with "The Sound of the Soul" print on it.

He's into playing guitar, lately, that's why he choose to wear this shirt. I just hope one day I will hear him to sing...also!

Joining Sally's Blue Monday at Smiling Sally.

Mommy Moments - Mommy's Unforgetable Stories

2011-10-21T18:21:00.010+08:00

The 13 years of married life brought me loads of stories to tell. Ordinary stories that brings great impact in my life.

I got married late. I had a long engagement, almost 8 years. Finally, we decided to get married because we believe we are prepared for it already: emotionally, financially, and spiritually.

God has been so good to me because he blessed me with a good husband and wonderful kids. There sure are rough times but we manage to survived it because of the love we had for each other and our love for God.

I cannot forget my stories of giving birth to my kids. Each has a different story to tell. But I want to share the story of my eldest's. Since it was my first pregnancy, I dont know what to do. I didnt know that my baby was already stressed out in my tummy. He was already infected with the meconium stain when I gave birth to him. Because of the infection, we decided that he stayed in the hospital for 7 more days until the infections were treated.

It's so sad to go home after giving birth and you didn't bring your baby home with you! I was having dreams about my delivery. I was in the hospital everyday to breastfeed my son but they won't let me stay long in the nursery. Only during feeding time. It was a little sacrifice I had to face for my son. And it didn't go to waste. He grew up to be a healthy, fine young man of 13! (He was born 9 months after we were married)

My family is my world now. I stopped working 11 years ago and decided to be a full-time mom. Another decision I had to choose but it's paying off well... Happy mommy moments!

The Angry Birds Fever

2011-10-17T10:42:00.001+08:00

My youngest son got a whole lot of toys. Being the recipient of toys from his 2 older brothers who are now in their "tweens". I thought I wouldn't have to worry about buying him new toys anymore. Until he got hooked by Angry Birds!

At first, he's just likes to play online. But it has become the new craze in school. We began buying toys, fans, erasers, pens, "pogs", collection cards, and anything that has an "angry birds print" on it. I also can see their pad papers with "Angry Birds" sketches on it!

Although they were not that expensive, I tried to see what do they get out of playing Angry Birds.

By the name itself, it has a negative impression on me. So I got to dig dipper and found out why these birds got Angry. It seems that the green pigs stole the eggs from the birds' nest. That's how the birds got Angry. Now, the birds will try to retrieve their eggs from the green pigs by destroying the structures made by the pigs using a slingshot.

I try to find the benefits my kids will get out of playing computer games esp Angry Birds. It can help in their decision making, improve their physics and math skills, enhance their creativity, improve their problem solving and cognitive skills are some of the benefits kids can get from playing this game.

As a mother, my role is to make sure to balance my kids' time. Time for play, time for studies, time to rest, time for prayer, and time for family. I'll make sure that they will enjoy whatever it is they do and that it is with according to the values we try to instill in them.

Games come and go. Right now, its Angry Birds time!

Friday's Fave Five # 4

2011-10-17T10:19:00.000+08:00

It's been awhile since I counted my blessings. I'm sure is excited to share my blessings for this week...

1. Mornings. It's another day, something to look forward to. I thank God for waking me up this morning! For giving me yet another day to live my life and prepare myself for His coming! And it feels so great to greet you all a pleasant GOOD MORNING!

2. My son's birthday! Oct. 11 was my eldest son's birthday. He's now officially a teen-ager. I thank God because he's starting to grow up to be a fine young man. I wrote him another poem for his birthday.

3. Birthday. Its my birthday, too(Oct. 14)! I started the day by going to mass. Had lunch with friends at the newly open LZM restaurant in Solenad 2. We had super delicious boneless bangus and kare-kare!. Finally, the whole family had dinner at Shakeys (where I had a free large pepperoni pizza for my birthday). I felt so much blessed with all the love I got today!

4. Hunter X Hunter. It's an old cartoon series that we've watched before but was on-air once again in one of our local TV Station. The kids (including me) was hooked in it! Watching it has become our bonding time. After they're done with their assignments, we sat together and watch it on-line. We even discuss some part of it (especially those that I missed) as I drive them home from school. It's a fun way to bond with my kids!

5. Tonkatsu. The new fave of my boys. Its actually breaded pork chops. Specifically requested me to cook on my sons birthday. Cooked it with love.

What beautiful blessings I was showered this week. Thanks be to God!

Orange Tuesdays: A Tiger Mask

2011-10-13T10:03:00.011+08:00

This Orange Tuesday, I want to share my son's Tiger Mask!

As part of their Performance Base Test in school, they have to describe their favorite animal while wearing a costume.

"Tigrera", his favorite toy animal and his sleeping buddy!"

Unfortunately, I lent his tiger costume some time ago but forgot who I lent it to. I'm just glad he agreed on using a mask instead of a costume.

Wednesday Whites - The White Magnolia Tree Poem by Helen Deutsch

2011-10-05T00:01:00.001+08:00

This Wednesday I want to share with you this poem by Helen Deutsch. It is "The White Magnolia Tree". I felt the sincerity, tranquility and contentment in her poem. I hope you like it, too!

The year when I was twenty-one,
(John that year was twenty-three)
That was the year, that was the spring,
We planted the white magnolia tree.

"This tree," said John, "shall grow with us,
And every year it will bloom anew.
This is our life. This is our love."
And the white magnolia tree grew and grew...

Oh, youth' a thing of fire and ice,
And currents that run hot and white,
And its world is as bright as the sun...

I was twenty-one...
And I wore a plume in my hat.
And we went to the movies and wept over" Stella Dallas",
And John sang "Moonlight and Roses"
(a little off-key, but very nicely really),

And we hurried through our crowded days
With beautiful plans, boundless ambitions, and golden decisions.
There is so much the young heart clamours for,
That it must have, and that it cannot live without,
And it must be all or nothing,
For aren't we the masters of creation?

Oh, valiant and untamed were we,
When we planted the white magnolia tree!
And the white magnolia grew and grew,
Holding our love within its core,
And every year it bloomed anew,
And we were twenty-one no more.

No more untamed, no more so free,
Nor so young, nor so wild and aflame were we.
Dearer to us grew other things:
Easy sleep, books, a day's quiet holiday,
Good talk beside a fire, the beauty of old faces...

We have known many things since then:
The death of a child and the bitter lesson
That a heart which breaks can mend itself again
(That it can and must be done),
And what loyalty can mean,
And how real a word like courage can become,
And that solitude can be rich and gratifying
And quite different from loneliness...

There is so little the serious heart requires:
Friends, faith, a window open to the world,
Pride in work well done,
And strength to live in a world at war
And still maintain the heart's own private peace...

Dear Heaven, I give thanks to thee
For things I did not know before,
For the wisdom of maturity,
For bread, and a roof, and for one thing more...

Thanks because I still can see
The bloom on the white magnolia tree!

Helen Deutsch

source: The White Magnolia Tree Poem

Orange Tuesdays # 4

2011-10-03T17:58:00.011+08:00

Its Tuesday and its orange time!

Part of the house that I spent most of my time is our kitchen. When I saw this kitchen design from the model house we visited in Laguna, I can't help but wish I had one like it!

...or at least one that looks like it. (Hehehe!)

Happy Tuesdays, everyone!

A (model) House Tour

2011-10-03T10:31:00.013+08:00

We had a visit at some model houses in our area one weekend.

My son and I posed at the cozy dining area.

My entry for Mommy and Me Monday,
hosted by Krystyn of Really, Are you Serious?

My sons liked the blue bedrooms.

Joining Blue Monday for the first time,
hosted by Sally of Smiling Sally.

We enjoyed visiting these model houses which gives us inspirations for our own home.

October is here!

2011-09-30T11:26:00.009+08:00

October is the most awaited month in our family, aside from December.

Three of us (me, my eldest and my second sons) will be celebrating our birthdays this October. My eldest son will be turning 13, meaning he's now officially a "teen-ager" and I still have no idea on how to celebrate his birthday. My second son will be turning 12 and he's got lots of achievements lately and rewards are already due.

On the other hand, October is when the second quarter exam is given in my kids' school. Meaning, there will be reviews, reviews, and more reviews.

Lots of work this October, for me. I can't even recall how I did it for the past years. But one thing is for sure, I'll do it out of my LOVE for them and it will all turn out well.

Welcome, October!

Nostalgia - My Husband's Birthdays

2011-09-30T09:17:00.019+08:00

I failed to write a post about my husband's birthdays, so it's going to be my entry here in Nostalgia...

Last year, my bestfriend who's working in Middle East visited us on my husband's birthday. We went to Pink Sisters in Tagaytay.

In front of the church

In front of the grotto

Going down the hill

Besides the church

The whole family had a great time with the company of my dear friend, Willie, who I haven't seen for more than 10years.

THIS YEAR, we had a celebration at home with the whole family.

My kids blew some balloons and paint the face of angry birds on it. I prepared their favorites: Pancit Canton, Fried Chicken, Kare-Kare and Menudo.

We also bought a 3-flavored cake (which everybody enjoyed).

I know my husband enjoyed this day so much. He is even so cooperative in posing in front of the camera.

This will be one of the most memorable birthdays I've prepared for him (so far)... love you, Papa!

Linking up with Rose at Nostalgic Marveling for Nostalgia. Click and join us every Thursday.