Grateful

The recent heartbreaking development in a friend's life and the tragedy in Haiti, has made me stop a moment to count my blessings.

And so I thank God for:

- a roof above our heads despite the staggering monthly costs

- food on the table and a husband who loves to cook

- a choice of clean and hot/cold water right in the comfort of our kitchen/bathroom sinks, grateful that we never have to walk far and lug heavy bottles of water.

-the seemingly endless pile of laundry that needs to be folded and ironed for it means I have clothes to cover unsightly fats and scars. Pano nalang if I live in a place and time where everybody needs to wear g-strings? Everyday would have been torture! :P

-family and friends scattered all over the world, specially my papa, mama and sisters
-the love of a husband who has kept his commitment to our marriage despite and inspite of all the hardships…hmn..actually he doesn't have much of a choice :-)

-the adoration of two little boys who think I am the best mum in the world. One even thinks I am the best chef and has given my cooking a perfect 10 rating! :-)

-for a thankless job that continues to pay the bills

-for priceless hugs, kisses and i-love-you's from my 3 boys, concrete reminders that the best things in life are free…uhmn, if you don't count the cost of diapers and milk :)

I don't rejoice in the misfortune of others but somehow, it never fails to remind me that although I have difficult days, I actually have everything that matters.

On to 2010

Now that I have officially closed 2009, time to list some goals for 2010.

So here goes…

1. Start Rafa's letters

I wrote letters for Vince from when he was 2 yrs old to about 5. I plan to put them in a scrapbook soon and give it to him as a present now that he knows how to read. It is a labor of love, one which he will thank me for when he is old enough to understand. I should really be starting one for Rafa soon.

2. Tone the tummy

A rather huge task after giving life to two boys but one which I am determined to do not only for my self-esteem but also to save on buying new clothes :P

3. Pay off debts

Yeah, like it's on my goals every year! There must be a way to stay out of debt...Or at least not to take anymore while I pay off the old ones. Crossing fingers!


4. Learn how to bake

And I mean, Martha Stewart-baking, and not from pre-mixes. Vince is getting smarter so I don't think I can get away with baking from the box this year. Aaarghhh, wish me luck, lots of it!

5. Explore Aus


We hope to continue our little explorations around Sydney and New South Wales. There are still so many places to visit, plenty of interesting things to do and it does help that we don't have to spend much to enjoy all these. Last year, the Aus government launched the Family Fun Pass which allows families to travel anywhere in NSW for only $2.50. How cool is that?

These are just a few of my goals, though, because the other half are too personal to share here. I keep them safely tucked in a document somewhere which I read everyday without fail. More on that in a separate entry.

Here's to a more fruitful 2010!

2009

I know, I know...

I have not been updating my blog and what few readers I have must have given up visiting this site for updates. It would be a shame to blame it on motherhood duties so I choose to blame it on Facebook, instead. Admittedly, like many of my blogger friends, I have been too hooked on this networking site and it is such a waste of my time! So for 2010, I resolve to spend less hours on Facebook. Itaga na yan sa bato!

Before I move on to 2010, however, please indulge me as I take stock of the past year. Here are my 2009 highlights.

• In Mid-February, my youngest sister joined us to help with the new baby. It was great having someone to do the housechores and take charge of Vince while I carry around a bulging tummy. We had a lot of fun showing her around and introducing her to the Aussie way of life. She also saved me a lot of money because she can bake cakes and trim my hair. We miss you Tita Chiq! I hope you can visit again.

• In March, we welcomed a new addition to our family, a healthy, happy and handsome (I love my own) little boy we named Rafael Benedict. It's been 6 years since I had my first baby so I was a bit scared how things will go this time. Thankfully, we have managed well.
  
  Everyday continues to be a challenge but I have always wanted A and I to experience being hands-on parents. With Vince, we had two nannies and we were both working long hours so we really didn't get to do the dirty job like diaper changes, feedings, baths, etc. It's a bit more than I had hoped for (hehe sabi na nga ba, be careful what you pray for) but experiencing all these has made us better parents. I would consider Rafa's birth 2009's biggest blessing.
• Also in March, my sister passed the Philippine Bar Exams which was a very happy time for our family and close friends. We threw a thanksgiving party for her here before she flew back to the Phils to attend her oathtaking ceremony. It's been the fulfillment of our parent's dream and we are just so happy for them.




• In October, we went home to the Phils. This trip is special for so many reasons. One, we were mainly there for my sister's wedding, a very welcome event in the family with my sister finally getting married after hitting the big 3-0 and to a real nice guy at that..(ehem, Bry, akong pasalubong hehe). Two, it is our first trip home since moving to Australia. Three, the family saw Rafa for the first time. Although he was uncomfortable from the heat, the little one was a darling, always having a ready smile for family and friends who are eager to hold him. He was an angel on the plane, too, entertaining the passengers with his giggles and shrieks. One elder Aussie who was headed to Bohol for a church congress said to me that it was a pleasure to watch our young family. Oooh, God bless her kind soul!
  
  Four, it was good for Vince. Before the trip, I was beginning to worry that our eldest wasn't speaking Bisaya anymore but it was such a relief that when we went back, he remembered all his Bisaya words and have kept them until now.
  
  I would say that among the four of us, it was Vince who did a lot of memorable activities, being the coin bearer in his Tita's wedding, spending a lot of playtime with his cousins, sitting on his lolo's lap while driving the pick up (only in the Phils, we'd be in big trouble if we do that here!), going boating and fishing inside the family's fish pond and bathing from the nearby well to name a few. He must have enjoyed the trip too much because to this day, he still keeps asking me when our next holiday in Pinas will be.
  
  Five, for hubby and me, we had a very welcome break from the kids and housechores. There was always someone to do the cooking, the laundry, feedings and diaper changes. On the few ocassions that we had to meet our friends until the wee hours of the morning, we never worried about the boys, assured that they were in good hands.
  
  A and I agreed to visit as often as our finances will allow because we find it imperative for the kids to know more about their roots.
  
  In between the above significant events, our family spent weekends exploring Sydney and having little picnics on the many choices of parks and beaches. Towards the end of the year, A and I were also able to go out on dates, big thanks to our friend who agreed to babysit the boys. 2009 also saw us meeting new friends while keeping the old. We now have really good friends here, it just feels like being in Pinas once again.
  
  Most importantly, 2009 has blessed us with so much love, peace of mind and good health in the family. I can only say, "Big thanks to Him!"