Noy

Noy at the Fisherman's Wharf

My baby.

His Dad's Junior.

He may look like a man with an air of mystery ... but I can read him like a book.

He can easily win the genius-of-the-family award.

He masters everything he sets his mind to do and excels at them - basketball, tennis, guitar.

He loves to dissect issues - like his Dad.

He won an award in Best in Forensics in high school.

Loves crisp M & Ms.

Hates nuts.

He has a will of steel.

He does not know how attractive he is. Or so he tells us.

Comforting Cynthia

Even before I called Cyn, I already thought that I will never be able to comfort her with anything. How can you comfort a mother whose only child is taken away from her? Just imagining what I would have felt if it happened to me ... I had a hard time breathing.

I called Cynthia to discuss the celebration of Mama and Papa's 50th wedding anniversary. The conversation lasted 45 minutes. And it was mostly an outpouring of her loneliness. I felt like my heart was pierced so many times over ... just hearing how she was trying so hard to control her sobs while she was whispering her story. I pray everyday that GOD will have mercy on her and bring her peace.

I believe that what we are now is a sum of all the decisions we made in our life. I thank you GOD for guiding me to make the right decisions! I can't say I didn't make a few wrong turns. But looking back, I am glad that I did not do permanent damage to anyone. And that God did have mercy on me.

Michael

Migo with the Castle as background in Disneyland.

Michael is Migo, everybody's friend.
The son whom I loved the longest.
He feels my emotions.
THE grandson.
He laughs at my forgetfulness.
My protector.
Blushes when I make him remember Honey23.
He is the most patient and caring man you will ever meet.
He scolds me when I prejudge anyone.
He chides me when I leave a button unbuttoned.
He can eat pizza everyday. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
He loves back rubs.
He is always the first to notice that I am in a bad mood - even when I try to hide it.
He finds it amusing that I cry in sympathy while watching a movie or a television show.
He tries the hardest and I see that.
Our hobby is worrying about each other.

Monica

Monica doing a Minnie Mouse pose.

She lists everything.

She is embarrased at how tiny her hands are.

She is good with children.
She loves pulvoron.

She works hard so she can play hard.
She plays hard and feels guilty ... so she works hard to compensate.
She can spend a weekend reading a book and watching movies at home.

She is at her happiest when you scratch her back while she lays beside you.

She is prone to bumping her arms and knees and collecting bruises.

She wishes she could be taller.

She is a slow starter but finishes in a flash.

She loves to break out some sweat by working out.

She has a huge collection of books, books, books.

She is a beach person.

She is a coffee addict.

She reminds me I am not 21 anymore when I act and think like one sometimes.

I wonder where she gets the strict discipline she imposes upon herself.

She believes in saving the best for last.

Dream House

I went with Baging, Susan and Gin to see houses available for sale. As if bibili naman kami! Nakiusyoso lang! We went to several and am glad that Susan decided to make an offer to one of the houses we saw. A nice 3 bedroom corner lot house. For fun, Baging showed us houses by the Rivercut golf course. I saw my dream house!!! The first thing you will see upon entering the front door is the magnificent view of the golf course. An uninterrupted view, because the glass panel almost covers the whole wall. I am not a fan of golf but I loooove green grass. The kitchen is another story. It was sooo huge, has a fireplace, also with a very good view of the greens. Then the basement. OMG! It has a fireplace, a fantastic bar and the floor area of almost the whole house! The price? $429,000. Sigh .... I can dream can I?

Then Baging graciously hosted lunch. Barbeque and lumpiang gulay. Sarap!!

In the afternoon, Nica and I went to the Grove Spa. I had a 30 - minute massage. This is Nica's birthday gift for mwah. Isn't she sweet? Was not happy with my massage. Especially after I saw Cathy at the cashier!! I should have asked for her. Anyway ... I had 30 minutes of relaxation and I am still complaining! What's wrong with me?

This is a fun day! And it is not over yet!

A Spring Break to Remember

A pose at the Universal Studios, CA

12 days of bonding. March 23 to April 3. Weather was perfect. And weeks before we went, California experienced torrential rain and cloudy skies!! What prayers can do! We went to the Universal Studios, Disneyland and walked along Rodeo Drive hoping to see Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt =) The classy stores all lined up in neat rows ... grand entrances with heavenly rich scents invite you in. Scary for us though. Got goosebumps just looking at their show windows. The only store we went inside to was Walgreens - and only because we had to use the bathroom!! We drove up to San Jose where we saw idyllic mountain views. SOOOOO peaceful. SOOOO green. Then to San Francisco and Sacramento. On the way back to Missouri, we drove by Las Vegas and saw the awesome lights. Ohh la la! You have to be there to really appreciate it! Our family promise ..."WE SHALL RETURN!!!"

Mother Knows Best

I remember thinking in my younger days (yes, decadesssss ago!) that it is a quote popularized by a tyrannical mother who wants to control the lives of her children.

Now I am a mother. And I am tempted to say - Hey! Mothers DO know best!

I know my children the longest. I have seen them when they were at that age when they did not know how to hide their emotions yet. Now, even when they have started masking their emotions, I know that Migo is angry when he puts on a deadpan expression. I know Nica is happy when she runs her fingers down my back. Noy is not in the mood if he answers me with one-word sentences. Funny how I can say I know what will work for them ... and what will bring them disaster.

A recent experience made me really think. How I wish I could show them the "right" way when they come at a crossroads. But do Mothers really know best? We want our children to have an easier and happier life than what we had. But can we define "easy" and "happy" for them?