Marriage and Beyond

posted by Jennie on Aug 6

The hubby and I were invited last Friday to the Downy Anti Bac event for bloggers. We were in Palawan when I received the invitation from Yehey! and I couldn’t be more interested. It was introduced as a new way to repel pesky mosquitoes and still smell good at the same time. Boy, have I become some sort of an O.C. when it came to that. It all started soon after I gave birth, some four years ago. Truth is, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Imagine my delight when I found out that the product is that of Down Anti Bac, no less. My first thought was, okay, that’s not a new product at all. But still I was keen to listen and learn. I found myself open to the idea that this could help our household ward off mosquitoes. The idea of getting rid of those pesky pests that are notorious is bringing about a whole barrage of sicknesses, sounded good to me. If you would remember the Dengue Scare in our village, then you will understand.

I should say that the people behind the event really knew what they were doing. It couldn’t have been more perfect than for them to hook us up and get tips and pieces of advice from the the Editor-in-Chief of Good Housekeeping herself, Jing Lejano. For one, warding off pests should really start off with cleanliness. Jing Lejano toured us around this huge and classic house and gave us some household tips and hints on how to maintain the overall cleanliness of our home. Being the author of Handy Tips and Hints, this is such a welcome topic for me. I always could make use of a thing or two to share with my readers.

Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on May 17

It is exactly two years and one month since our brand new house was turned over to the hubby and me by our awesome contractor, Tita Eliza Bautista. It was more like a labor of love for her, more than business. She was hands on from start to finish. This collage was made shortly after the turn over. We were more than happy with the finished product, to say the least. I did not get the marble kitchen counter that I want, all right, but it was still more than what we have bargained for.

We never thought it was ever possible for us to be homeowners, if it was not for the kind of home loan deal we got. Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on May 6

One of the many things we are often are often tackled during marriage counseling is how to affair proof a marriage. Another is how to cope with infidelity. The answer is not easy. In fact, there is really no single defining answer to such question. The hope of a realistic chance that things will ever be back to normal is even thinner. That is if we look at it in the perspective that is humanly possible. But even as the Lord said that His grace will be sufficient, it is in fact possible.

This monster that is called infidelity in a marriage never comes in uninvited. But the invitation is sometimes very subtle that it cannot be detected until it smacks you in the face. It usually begins when the spouse involved in an affair allowed his or her guards down. It starts like any usual innocent relationship, very often with someone who is very familiar to you.  It almost always starts with an attachment that progresses into an emotional affair. If there is something like that of a GE alarm that should serve as a warning, it should be convenient. Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Apr 29

This week’s Mommy Moments is particularly hard for me. You see I take around 500 shots a month since the little guy is born, so choosing from amongst the thousands can be pretty challenging for anyone. 

Any wife and mother will always find joy when she sees her beloved partner in life sinking beautifully into fatherhood with so much grace like my dear husband does.  For someone who has an absentee father for more than half of his life, he is thoroughly excelling in this area.  Proof that it is ultimately a man’s choice what he decides to be and not be dictated by his past circumstance.  For this matter, whatever kind of family of origin he came from.  I love Jeff more each day for being the kind of man he is and the father that he is to our child. Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Apr 19

After having realized that I average eight blog entries a day, it is actually amazing how I am still able to plurk and connect with fellow bloggers across the world. I should say it could be my way of relaxing, alongside looking into these gorgeous vessel sinks online to replace the one in our lavatory.

Today we rejoice even as the little guys is doing pretty well. I know it does not help that it is extra humid today, but we’re happy enough that his temperature is no longer hitting the fever mark. With that said, I am set to enjoy a good night’s sleep tonight, to catch up on the previous nights lack of.

posted by Jennie on Apr 14

PARENT TALK 101 with Rev. Clem Guillermo as speaker, will be on June 6, Saturday, 2-5pm. It will be held at the NIA auditorium, National Printing Office Road corner EDSA, Quezon City (across GMA7). P150 per person (this includes the hand-outs for the seminar)

posted by Jennie on Apr 6

We are blessed to have been able to get hold of books like The Strong Willed Child by James Dobson, On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo, Standing Tall by Steve Farrar, et.al., at the times that we needed them.  The hubby and I read Standing Tall and On Becoming Babywise just before I gave birth to our son and The Strong Willed Child, during the threat of the terrible twos.  We officially call it a “threat,” because it really only lasted a couple of months, tops.  The Lord clearly led us to this book to have us figure out how to handle that critical period of raising a child.

Sure it was a battle of the wills, the most frustrating time ever. But the Lord led us to the Biblical way of handling that phase and now we enjoy the benefits of having a loving and secure child who not only respects authority, but is also a joy to live with. Oh no, he is not all bright and shiny, he has his days as well. But nothing that a sincere talk cannot handle.  He knows who is in charge and he knows that he is loved.

The war between attachment parenting and the other extreme was at its peek when I gave birth to our son.  But I knew that as a family, we did not have to conform to either of the two.  We listened to both sides and figured out from there which is extreme, which is not and decided to be led by no less than God himself through his Word.

Here is another parenting insight from Biblical Parenting.  Be blessed and may we impact the lives of our children the way the Lord has intended us to.

Many parents use a simple behavior modification approach to raise their children. If you get your homework done, then you can go out and play. If you clean your room, then you can watch a video.  Unfortunately children trained this way often develop a “What’s in it for me?” mentality. “If I don’t get something out of it, why should I obey?”

God is concerned with more than behavior. He’s interested in the heart. The heart contains motivations, emotions, convictions, and values. A heart-based approach to parenting looks deeper. Parents still require children to finish their homework and clean up their rooms but it’s the inner motivation and character that they’re addressing.

A heart-based approach shares values and reasons behind rules. It requires more dialogue, helping children understand how their hearts are resistant and need to develop cooperation. A heart-based approach is firm but also relational. It’s a mindset on the part of parents that looks for heart moments that then bring about significant change.

As you consider your children, remember the words that God said to Samuel, “Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks on the heart.”

This concept is explained more fully of the book, Parenting is Heart Work, by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.

posted by Jennie on Apr 5

While the hubby is so ready to go off to Tagaytay this coming Thursday, I cannot help but feel the need of just staying in the Metro and enjoy the easy traffic and non crowded malls. But then again, the humidity and rising temperature scream out for us to go enjoy the cool weather of Tagaytay. Baguio would have been a neat choice, except that it is a little too far. It is just nice that there is this closer alternative to Baguio. It is easier to be spontaneous and go there when time permits.

Whatever it is we decide to do on Thursday, we had to make sure all bank transactions are done. Wednesday is going to be the last banking day for this week.  Social security payments are done, the same with utility bills. Congestion is going to be inevitable, as expected.

As much as I do not want to burst the hubby’s bubble of having a quick getaway to Tagaytay, I hope to gently remind him of the pending things we need to do in the house. We still have not decided on which corner to use for our homeschooling base and how to go about its present state. I hope to be able to get all this settled before having our Bora getaway this coming June. I know it is still two months away, but I have always been prudent especially with things like these. It is hard for me to just sit down and do nothing. Cramming is not really my kind of thing. 

We’ll see, we’ll see. I will lovingly say my thoughts out loud tonight and if the hubby still wants to pursue Tagaytay, then it will be it.  Truth to tell, I so understand his need to relax and enjoy the holidays.  He has been so busy and really tired these past weeks because of the youth camp preparations.  And I also can make use of a better weather in Tagaytay.

posted by Jennie on Apr 3

One year ago today, I was in one of those hospital beds in Medical City – a confinement that lasted almost a week. It was longer than my hospital stay when I gave birth to my son. I was then enrolled in my review classes and everything had to be on a halt. Not to mention the board exam that I was to take in the next couple of weeks. It was actually the onset of a year full of bed rests, doctor’s visits, endless medications and all those tens of thousands of pesos that went along with it. Being sick is not easy, to say the least.

“This year will be different,” this is what I claimed in faith. The first quarter of 2009 is almost over and we are all doing okay. I believe one of the major things that contributed to our being healthier is having the Vaxigrip Flu vaccine during the first month of this year. The event invite where we got the shots came in just in time because we were really scheduled to get our shots the first week of February.

A collage that I made from the Bakuna event that we attended. We got our little guy ready the night before by letting him know that he’s getting the shot together with mama. We were all surprised that he volunteered to get the first shot. Even though he stepped back when he saw the syringe, I still think it was best that I had him ready for it. So there will be no room for trauma for anyone – worked for us from day one.

If there was anything, I am more than thankful that our family attended the Bakunado Campaign through the efforts of Sanofi Pasteur last January. It was because of that event that I was made set to be more vigilant than I ever was. It was a real eye opener. If there was anything that I learned as I browsed through http://www.bakuna.ph, flu is nothing like a simple case. I learned a whole lot about the strains of influenza, its causes and how it spreads. The truth of the matter is, a whole bunch of complications can stem from what I used to call a simple case of influenza (Trangkaso in our vernacular).

After the roller coaster ride our family had with influenza last year, I can never emphasize enough the importance of getting the Flu vaccine yearly. It is our best shot in getting a better quality of life .

posted by Jennie on Mar 31

Our family is looking forward to our vacation to Boracay this coming June. The little guy has started packing up his little beach shovel and other tools to make his sand castles. It is a blessing that we were able to avail of a hard to resist airfare. Hubs and I had a grand time during our honeymoon and by June, our little cutie pie Jed will be four years old, ready to relish the beauty of the beach of the island of Boracay.

We are currently choosing from two of the most recommended accommodation in Boracay. One is in Station 1 and the other in Station 2. I like the one is Station 2 better, because of its accessibility to just about everywhere. But the one in Station1 is the one that is wifi zone (3rd and 4th floors). I am actually leaving it up to the hubby.

The little guy’s tuition for the coming school year is already settled. When the majority of the expenses of the year is done, we will start saving up for a decent car. A second hand car, if things will not get better. Recession really took its toll on our online income. If we were still making as much as we did last year, we could already afford to buy a brand new one, without doubt. But I figured used cars aren’t all that bad, we really just have to hook ourselves up with a reputable seller like the people in England can via CarShop.co.uk. This is the site to look into if for quality used cars.

Meanwhile, I am now shifting in between unearthing white elephants to give away and to gather for the garage sale. I need all the space that we can get for our homeschooling corner/base here at home.

posted by Jeff on Feb 20

Are you an exhorter at home? A lot of times, we tend to act our best when we are with other people outside our own homes and tend to act unkind towards our spouse or children. Because of this we need to cultivate a relational skill called exhortation to be effective parents to our children or partners to our spouse.

Exhorters are people who spur others on to higher levels of achievement. When we become these, we help turn the members of our families into better people.

The apostle Paul demonstrated this skill in his exhortation for Timothy. To be effective influencers in our homes, we need to learn a variety of communication techniques to exhort those around us to strive for higher levels of personal achievement.

Is there someone in your family who might be spurred on to great things as a result of your exhortation?

posted by Jennie on Jan 19

To jump start our plans to shift themes for our living area from pink/floral to earth colors, I have began crocheting dresses for our dining chairs. I’m using the same patterns (too lazy to experiment on a new one).  You will see some of the old dresses that I made for my dining chairs from my Craft Box.

I am thinking of crocheting one for my stereo cabinet as well.  I love that I am able to get back to doing these creations. The last time I did some serious crocheting was four or so years ago, just around the same time I stashed my badminton racket away to some storage place.

Here are shots of  my unfinished first piece.

I know it may take a while before I finish the whole set. I am almost tempted to just buy one of those pretty ones from the home section of Tiendesitas. There are tons of them in real affordable prices! But then again, there’s something about your very own personal touch adorning your home.  :-)

posted by Jeff on Nov 12

My wife has been very sick today and I have been doing much of the things she’s been doing -but still not all of them. I prepared breakfast, brought home lunch and dinner and let her take her meds. She preferred staying in bed and how nice would it have been for her to embrace some faux fur throws. The lemon grass juice that I let her drink could very well match the soft pillows if it were in a hot water bottle from west-way.com. Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Oct 4

Being a mother and the point person in replenishing every single consumable stuff in our roster of household necessities, I have to be wise. I probably took it after my mother- my being practical, but I have gone beyond that and actually do thorough investigation of products’ contents.

Our family is not big on brands, we always go for those that deliver best. But if truth be told, I can be very experimental. The hubby could stick to one brand for the rest of his life, ever! I am the exact opposite. I can get easily swayed to try out an attractive new brand. I would have to say that we could not have come up with such great products that we currently use if it were not for my being adventurous.

Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Jennie on Sep 19

As I went about applying what I shared in my Handy Tips and Hints web page about cleaning in layers, I still cannot help but be overwhelmed when the time for changing linens, curtains, drapes and valances is due. This petite girl gets things done with the help of a steel ladder, which I am not exactly very fond of. It gets even crazier when in my quest to pulling off the dirty drapes, my silly little rascal would come tail and climb up the ladder with me which gives me the creeps. So you can just imagine me getting down and talk it out with the little guy first, distract him of sorts before I do my business with the windows. Read the rest of this entry »