Hope for the Future

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Happy New Year to all !!!

Second attempt....

We have been planning to go snow tubing at The Summit at Snoqualmie twice in a row now. Last Saturday was the second one, despite the fact that there is a rain or snow forecast, it does not dampen down our spirit to pursuit this long time trip. Everybody was so excited, especially Gabz, who always wanted to play and make snow man every time she could find a snow along the road. Unluckily, obstruction along the way; heavy rain, traffic, and slippery road makes us change our mind to go on. We are already more than half way, yet we have to alter our course of destination. While stuck in a traffic, and despite the wickedness of the current weather, I was able to marvel how beautiful the mountains, the trees even though it is covered with snow.


Fog covering the mountain conceal it's real beauty !

See these branches ? despite the fact that no single leaves left it still holds its magnificent beauty in winter time.

I just don't understand it, while the second picture captures the beauty of the branches covered with snow, this picture display how unhappy and miserable they are.

Oh well, we could try to go snow tubing again next time. Our day did not go to waste....we ended up watching " The tale of Despereaux" ! The kids enjoyed it though !

Happy Holidays !

I would like to greet everyone Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year ! May this season bring happiness, love and peace to each and everyone of you.

Let's be thankful for all the wondrous blessings we received this year and for the years to come.

Happy Holidays !!!


Love,
Melanie

Websites for parents & toddlers

Can you believed that my almost three years old daughter know how to navigate the computer and study ABC and stuff for toddlers on her own ? Her Dad taught her once on how to navigate or used the mouse cursor in the computer. From then on, she would ask me everyday if she could study ABC, puzzles, and stuff in the computer. All I need to do is bring her to the homepage of the website...and there off she go.

We have two websites where she loves to delve into, where she learns her ABC's, counting, phonics (still working on it), color, shapes and more. What I love in this website is that, it has a voice command, it helps me and my daughter with correct pronunciation (esp. with us who speaks English as second language). The activities is awesome as well, you will be surprised what Gabz learns at her age. She is phenomenal when it comes to matching things, finding the difference, and designing stuff.

1. Starfall.com - This is a very good website. I started using this when Gabz was more than a year old up to now. She basically learned her ABC's here. This website starts from the basic of ABC's with voice commands, graphics and activities to go with every letters. They have categories :

1.1 Let's get ready to read - this is the basic of ABC's

1.2 Learn to read - teaches phonics and words construction through play, books that used basic words, movies and videos too. Very entertaining that would fascinate your toddler.

1.3 It's fun to read

1.4 I'm reading

I highly recommend this website. This helps parents prepare their kids to school or home schooled. Very powerful !

2. Prekinders.com - Just discovered this website a couple of months ago. Gabz loves the puzzles, arts, sorting, matching activities. It has a lot of activities to every age level. This would help you come up with ideas to entertain your toddlers during those not so busy or grumpy days.

Happy Birthday Daddy !!!

Myspace Happy Birthday Comments & Graphics


To my wonderfull, loving, caring, patient, sweet, understanding husband, Happy Happy Birthday !!! Wishing you all the best today and for the days to come ! Enjoy the day despite being stuck inside the house because of this snow storm !!!

We love You Very Much !

Mommy & Gabz

Thanks for the Tag !

Thanks for the tag nowawife !!! Now i want to pass this tag to : in my journey , mouse on house, atenean 101.

Indoor playarea for Kids

Winter keeps all kids indoor making them restless and fretful, all those unspent energy coiled inside. Not so much activities for the day, but to watch TV, and play inside the house. No more running in the park, play in the slide or the swing.

During these winter days, I bring Gabz to these two indoor places, so she could play and have fun !

1. Kids Quest Museum at Factoria Mall - A fun place where kids could explore in science, art, technology or just have fun. Gabz favorite is to go up the Big Truck, sit in the drivers chair and pretend to drive, or go to the music room and bang those drums ! Playing in the train tracks is one of her favorites too... Entrance fee is USD7.00, but every Friday starting at 5pm to 8pm are free.

2. Kids Cove @ Bellevue Square - Since they renovated Bellevue Square, the two old play area (one beside Victoria Secret and the other one along the hallway to Norsdtrom) has been moved to the 3rd level beside the elevator and Gymboree (opening this Jan 2009). This new kids area is much much better, bigger and has lot of padded toys to climb and slide. Gabz loves this place, every time we went there she played for two hours and still protested every time you tell her when it's time to go home. The best thing here, it is FREE !!!

I hope there are a lot more options like these for our kids, especially this winter season.

my little artist

Gabz is fond of painting ever since she learned to hold a brush in her hands. Everyday, she would asked me if she could paint, (rather mess up with her hand paint) either by her brush or using her hands. At her early age, I just let her play with it until such time that she would know it by herself. Then one day, she came up with me and said: "Mommy, I made a spider for you !" and here it is..her spider painting ! I was so amazed, that she really made something that looks like a spider.....with a tail. I feel so proud !!!

Below is her smiley faces of Daddy, Mommy and Gabz.

This one has a little story in it. Every time her dad teased her if she wanted to have a baby sister or brother, she would always said NO, with emphasis. Then one day, she was doing her usual painting thing, and suddenly, she gave me this piece of paper. She said, "Mommy I made something for you". I said, "What is it baby ?" She gave me this drawing and told me that this is Mommy with a baby in her tummy. "This is my baby sister" ! Imagine how a child mind works. Now my little princess becomes an artist in her own way.

Just beautiful !!!!

The Not so good day

I feel so terrible :-( The other day, when we have our first snow, my body reacted automatically to cold. I have now a terrible....terrible colds, I hardly slept last night. I have to elevate my pillows so I could breath...but that just helps very little. I have been drinking water like crazy...eating fruits and, drinking things that would help me feel better. But then, I still feel the same..

Today, there will be more snow....so I think it's not time to get better yet...I think he will go away eventually..on his own timetable. I hope it will be soon :-(

First snow for the winter

We have our first snow for the winter today ! I have to take this picture outside our window, since it so cold to go outside. Gabz wanted to play in the snow, unfortunately she has cough and colds, so I told her maybe next time. But then, when her Dad comes home, she was begging him to let her play in the snow, as always Dad could not resist her daughter charm. I bundle her up so she could have a few minutes outside.

"Mommy, I have a present for you", she screamed while running in the door.
" Oh really ?" I said.

Then she gave me a handful of snow on both hands ! She is a sweet girl ! After a while she asked her Dad again if she could go out and play in the snow. They both love the snow ! unfortunately not for me. Just love it on the first few days but not on the longer span of time. But I could live with it, as long as Gabz enjoy it ! We are looking forward to our snow tubing next week.

Babies - how amazing they are !

Yesterday, our friend Kani gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I got to hold a cute and adorable baby the joy and pride of Agustin family.

Always makes me wonder despite the fact that women go through this life threatening situation, yet women still wanted to get pregnant ? I for once promised myself Gabz is already enough, no more pregnancies, no more babies. After two years, here I am trying for another baby. I guess no matter how difficult and horrible the experienced is, all those things are just memories the moment you hold your baby in your hands. The joy, happiness and being whole as a woman overrule everything. It is so amazing how this little angels changed your life.

Congratulations Jhun and Kani !!!

Our Weekend of fun

My husband planned a weekend escape for us at Great Wolf Lodge at Ground Mound, Wa located between Seattle and Portland. It is a 1 1/2 drive from our place and it has one of the largest indoor water park in the US.
They have a three story tree house that sprinkles water everywhere with two slides that goes all the way to the ground. You have to watched out to the big bucket tipper that sits on top of the tree house. Every few minutes this bucket tip its contents all over the tree house. Gabz was so excited about it, but when the bucket tip and splash through us, she run in panicked, and yet keep on coming back ! We were not able to try the giant slide though, i'm afraid Gabz will get traumatized.

Above picture was taken when we were about to go home, Gabz get so bored treasure hunting and decided having ice cream is more fun.


Riding the waves is our favorite ! You ride the balloon and enjoy being swept by big waves over and over. We have fun splashing, being turned upside down by the big waves, and climbed back up to do it again !!

Gabz having a ball spraying water with her Dad. (but looks like Dad was the one enjoying it !)

Gabz having a blast climbing these giant toy animals.

Retiring to our room after a three hour fun in the water !

This place is great for a weekend family fun. They even have a story house where kids gathered and listen to the stories of Yellow feather, Mr Owl, Mr Moose, the talking tree and other animals.

Kids was challenged to solve mysteries and quest to become a MAGI. You purchased a wand and a book of clues and tips, then your on your way to uncover treasures, clues and adventure. Not only kids love this, even parents do...we did !

And most of all service in this place is remarkable. This is one weekend we could treasure!

Four years....still counting to FOREVER

Four years today is the day we say "I DO" to live for better and for worst till death do us part. When we were talking about it the other day, it was like 10 years now and not only four years that we have been married. Four years and yet we have accomplished so much in this relationship. We have know each others traits, individuality, behaviour, flaws annoying habits, and yet we learn to accept and love each other more everyday. I may not know him so deeply and completely, (nobody does right ?)but one thing for sure, whatever it is I will love him more. The moment I have know in my heart that he is the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life is, I promised myself that I would love this man forever.

Happy Anniversary Hon !!!!

As his anniversary gift, I got what I wanted. A small digital camera, that would fit in my wallet. (this is because I always refused to bring his big, techie, Nikon D40 camera) From this day on, I could take whatever picture I want with a camera I could call my own. Thanks a lot Dad !!

This camera has been in good used on our trip to Great Wolf Lodge for a weekend escapade. I could just put it in my pocket and click and click...even Gabz love to used it !

Things I missed in Philippines during Christmas

Here are the things I missed in Philippines during Christmas season.

1. Family and friends

2. Kris Kringle left and right

3. Parol and Christmas lights

4. Simbang Gabi and Puto Bumbong on the way home (I never ever completed the whole simbang gabi)

5. Carnival Rides

6. Shopping at Divisoria for Christmas gifts no matter how crowded it is

7. Fire crackers in every corner / fire works

8. Karaoke during family gathering

9. The smile on the face of my nieces and nephews when they opened Christmas gifts after Noche Buena

10. Of course...lots and lots of food

I always look forward going home. Christmas of 2007, we were in Philippines for a month, but it feels like two weeks. Time fly so fast that you could not organized your schedule because there is always more friends and family that you need to meet.

Nevertheless, you could always treasure those times, no matter how tired and broke you are !!!

Advance Merry Christmas to all !!

Christmas Songs

We usually hear people say ; Christmas is just around the corner ! The moment the month of September starts, everybody wants to be the first to greet you Merry Christmas. Christmas songs starts playing on the radio, Christmas lights hanging around the trees, people starts making their Christmas lists. In Philippines, this is a four month long celebration ! How I miss having Christmas in Philippines, there is no other place in the world I would want to be during Christmas. The spirit of Christmas always hanging in every corner, Christmas songs filled the air, people crowding the malls for Christmas shopping.

Speaking of Christmas song, I seldom hear Christmas songs being played here in the US. I always love to hear Christmas songs, it lifts your spirit and makes you feel delightful !

My husband and I came up with a list of our favorite Christmas songs:

These are the top ten on our list:
1. Christmas in our Hearts - Jose Marie Chan (this is my favorite)

2. When a Child is born - Jose Marie Chan
3. Perfect Christmas - Jose Marie Chan
4. Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
5. Jingle Bells - Jackson 5
6. Himig Pasko - APO
7. I'll be Home for Christmas - Karen Carpenters (love this song even though it makes my husband sad)
8. Pasko na Sinta Ko - Garry Valenciano
9. Pasko na Namang Muli - (not sure the singer)
10. Happy Christmas - John Lennon

Next, I will tell you things that we miss in Philippines during Christmas.

My Very First Award !!!

How sweet of Kaye to give me this award, my very first award in this blogging world. I will try to do my best to give justice to this award. This is quite long overdue now..so here it is.

Here are the rules of this award:
1. Each blogger must post these rules.
2. Each blogger starts with ten random facts/habits about themselves.
3. Blogger that are tagged, need to write ten facts about themselves. You need to choose ten people to tag and list their names.

This post makes me think harder compared from the rest of my post.

1. First and foremost, I'm scared of frogs, just the thought of it run down shiver through my spine.
2. I hate waking up early in the morning. I am a night person.
3. I could read books the whole day. If there is a degree in reading books, I might have took it.
4. I'm a nature lover, love taking a walk in the farm, climb the mountain or just a walk in the beach.
5. First thing I do when I wake up is to make coffee, cannot do anything without my coffee first.
6. Hate eating vegetables.
7. I love sunshine rather than snow. Just imagine the challenge for me living in this cold state of WA.
8. I admire outspoken and patient people. I need more practice in this area.
9. Love to watch TV and movies.
10. Not so much into household chores, not my area of expertise.

Wow, finally got ten ! And now I am passing this award to mia, addie, iris, janice, Marj, janis, thess, mouseonhouse, khyle, atenean 101.

Now it's your turn guys. Goodluck !

"The Matter of Grace"

I just finished reading this book " The Matter of Grace " by Jessica Barksdale Inclan which I randomly pick up from Half price Book, without so much thought on the book itself. It turned out that this book has given me a lot of things to thought about. This is a story of four women who has been girlfriends for eight years. It talked about their separate lives, their friendship and how they stand for each other all through those years. It makes me thought about my life, my choices and what I wanted to be.

These women meet almost everyday, they share their secrets, worry for each other and help taking good care for each other. When they found out that Grace cancer has come back, they organized themselves on how they could help her. Grace never wanted any help, believing that she has survived the first one and she can survived again this time. When her condition gotten worst every passing day, with Grace refusing to be admitted in the hospital, they become confuse and suspected if she ever has cancer. It might be that Grace is Bulimic ? They tried intervention, but the mother did not let them. They later found out that Grace went to a shabby house every night (instead of going to the treatment as she claimed), but has no idea for the purpose. Grace died later without a single clue of any diagnosis because her mother refused to have her body autopsied. They never learned that Grace has been abused by her brother and her father when she was a child. She sought anybody attention and love, and would always wanted acceptance and belongingnesss.

Felice wonder if this is what she really wanted in life ? To be a wife, a professor and a mother to her two sons ? Is this the life she imagined twenty years ago when she met her husband, her best friend ? And why they are seeking a divorce now ?

Helen thought that having an affair with a young man half her age, will make her whole again and in control of her own life having made a decision for herself. But, is she ready to shatter the life of her family with her infidelity ? Would she gave up her daughter and her husband because she wanted to feel free ? Is the young man worth those sacrifices ?

Stella who has an ideal family, wanted to risk her life to have another child. Later found out that her husband has been in mourning, wishing to have another child.

Despite all these adversities in their life, these women never gave up their friendship, but instead it became stronger. They have shared each others pain, burden, see each others flaws and yet they accepted. It makes them realized who they are, what they want, and what they love most.

No matter how long you knew a person, there is no such thing as knowing the person fully. And yet whatever flaws of that person, you still accepted them for what they are, love them for who they are.