Setting Goals and Making Dreams Come True

...and so I am thinking of doing something for each month of this year. 

For January, it was learning to drive. What can I do this February? 

My heart tells me I'm going to bake a CAKE :) 

The Road Called Life

January has been amazing. A great way to begin this year. I did something I thought I could never learn--drive! I had always been content being a passenger all my life and just left the driving to Dad, Mom, Kuks, and now Rey--who gave me driving lessons as a Christmas present. He enrolled me in a short 5-hour course. Looking back, I realized how "fear" had kept me from doing more. I was always afraid of this, afraid of that... Too many what if's. It's true regret comes in the end, when too much time had already been wasted. When mistakes and wrong turns can no longer be undone. But then, life is not a straight road. It does not run in straight lines. It is a combination of rough and smooth ways. One only needs to follow the path that is right, no matter how bumpy the road gets. Driving is not about knowing where to go all the time. We get lost. We get scared. Driving is about trust. It's about Faith. Though I know how to drive now, I know I'm not not behind the wheel. He is. And that's how I know I'll get to where I need to go. I am in the best hands, and all will be well. 

Christmas Magic

As a child, Christmas was never my favorite season. Something about it filled me with melancholy. Some deep sadness I could never explain. I remember how I would always look forward to December 31st, where welcoming the new year was filled with more excitement and cheer. For many years, it was like that.

Then came December of 2000. I met Rey, and suddenly, Christmas was filled with magic and joy. It was then that December became a truly merry month for me, such that the start of the "-ber months" had me getting all giddy and excited for the season. He brought magic into my days, and true love filled my heart. Ours is a love story like no other. The years may have changed us both in many ways, but our story will always bring us back to where we started, and to where God wants us to be. It will always be "Our Story"~ He will eternally be God's best gift. 

Just like the kings who followed the star to find the Messiah, we too, shall forever have our star to light the darkest of nights... to make brighter the happiest of days yet to come. December is here, and as I wait joyfully for Christmas day, my heart remembers the happiest of memories brought by our Christmases past. 

        

Got Tied to Colored Dye

This obsession started with the LSGH Kinder Musicale (which is happening tomorrow!) and the costume of the boys is a tie dyed shirt. Rey and I made a few for Mito until we got it right. Since last weekend, I had been dyeing my old white sneakers and Rey's old white undershirt which I now use to sleep in :) Today, when I should be making lesson plans, I decided to have more fun with colored dye instead! Hmmmm.... I wonder what's next....

Lovely Weekend

The kids are happily playing...giggles and happy noise surround me. Rey is in his "garden" taking care of our plants. There is peace this Sunday evening... and my heart is smiling and thanking God for the lovely weekend we had.

I love full weekends. Busy as it was, there is love and happiness everywhere to keep me smiling until the next. 

Indeed, it was a . . . 

UP Fun Day!

Uan's Family Day 

My Kidzania Day With Mito

I was dead tired at day's end, but I will forever be thankful for precious time spent with my Budi. I was filled with pride watching him do things on his own-- from queuing to completing the different tasks. It was a joy to see him getting all giddy, giggling and jumping all over the place. It was great to be excited together! :) The big smile on his face was a reminder of two of the most important things children need: time and play. They cannot do without these two, and the love only parents can give. 

Highlights of Mito's Kidzania Adventure: In one day, Mito was a Pilot, a Veterinarian, a Construction Worker, a member of the emergency team, a gasoline boy and he even did and delivered laundry!

Field Trip

On our way to Bulacan for our class trip. Looking around, seeing each of my students seated beside their mommy or daddy, fills my heart with a kind of warmth that comes only from the love parents have for their children. Little Kendra Paulie on mommy’s lap, hugging her as she sleeps. Gavin leaning on mommy’s shoulder while watching Alvin and the Chipmunks. Twins Abby and Mica happily exchanging stories and laughter, as their mom watches them with a smile. Dad of Brice taking selfies of him and his son in their seat :) This morning I look at my class not just as students but truly as the little children that they are. Little happy souls, each one special with different needs. 

Today I forget their mischief and academic concerns…. Today I look at them as children who must grow in love. I see them as little flowers that need to be nurtured, not with lessons in Math, English, AP and Filipino…. but with love~ which is what they need most. All these and much more are my heart’s breakfast for today. My heart is definitely full! 

Here are some snapshots of our fun-filled day. You will see wonder in the little children's faces, making me dream of teaching in a place where nature surrounds us... How wonderful it would be for children to learn while enjoying the beauty of God's creation around them!

in the eyes of children, there is always awe and wonder~

making art is more fun when surrounded by the hues from God's palette 

bright smiles to match the different colors

clear, blue skies and greens everywhere~