posted by Jennie on Apr 20
It has been weeks since the weather has been especially cruel. It went to a point that doing a minor chore became exhausting. To give you a better picture, the moment I step out of the bath, without the chance of wiping myself dry, is the time that sweat breaks off my pores. I swear, I could have thought I was having hot flashes!
It was especially hard for me, because juggling multiple tasks alone is not easy in itself. The past weeks, weather was incredibly humid. There was even a heat stroke incident my little guy had to go through. I still count my blessings amidst the crisis, but weather was really that crazy.
Thank God for the rains! It was what we needed. We actually did not have to turn on the air conditioning unit last night, when we almost had it on, 24/7 in the past days. We are really grateful. It would certainly make watching from amongst the extensive Dish network deals more fun. I was just chatting with a friend who works for Dish network and she raves about all this Dish network offers. Too bad we don’t have any similar local cable company like it. This is why we terminated the service of our former provider.
Meanwhile, we rely on the internet for our weekly dose of episodes of our favorite series, 24, Heroes and Prisonbreak. The weather is really conducive that I had to ask permission from the hubs if I could watch them without him. We always watch the episodes together. I am so going to tease him with spoilers. Teehee! Just kidding. This is when I sign off and sit back to watch. Till later!
posted by Jennie on Apr 19
Less than two months. That’s practically all I have left to decide how we are going to go about our homeschooling set up here at home. The major things that takes up my schedule is the number of hours I work in the laptop, time with the little guy and the chores. Homeschooling should not take so much time everyday, especially so that we are just doing the preschool curriculum. But then again, it will still be an extra task in my already overloaded daily routine.
It really should not be so hard to figure out what should come down and what to do about it. But I still have these nanny issues and some concerns on getting a helper. Before I decided to work from home in 2007, I was a regular employee in one of those International companies in Ortigas.
Hiring the second nanny (the first one ran away with her boyfriend) was a mistake. My very own eyes witnessed how the one who was suppose to be the caregiver of my son hit my then one year old Jed with a balloon stick. Even with the mark on the child’s arm, she vehemently denied it! Que Horror! This is a nightmare to any parent. I swore that if I would ever have to leave my son to a nanny again, I am going to have one of those security cameras from GE home security. 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 18
It has been a while since I last planned a wedding. It is one of the favorite things that I love doing. Turning down a couple of projects these previous months was not really the easiest thing for me. Priorities have got to take their places and doing weddings can really take a lot of time, which I honestly do not have much of.
Maybe when the time is right I could get back to doing weddings again and maybe choose with the bride to be her wedding invites and even cook up a bridal shower with her maid of honor. I could even make use of BridalShowerInvitations.bz to help me with that. Â They really have pretty and fun designs, detailed and sweet.Â
Meanwhile, all I can give friends are wedding tips. I even share with them files that could help them decide on the details of their big day.
posted by Jennie on Apr 16
The hubby has been working like a horse this past few weeks, taking care of some camp logistics for next week’s Summer Youth Camp: Call of Duty. He has been going from school to school to follow up on the delegates for this year’s camp event.
We’re more than thrilled that a handful of those who committed their lives to Christ some years back are now stepping up and leading another generation of young souls. A few more days and they are all set to leave for the campsite.
Meanwhile, I hope that Jeff gets a good deal for surplus shocks replacement and automotive lifts. He’s on his way to Banawe as I type this entry. The vehicle that he used to bring to the site the previous years will not be available, so he needs to bring the seasoned car and take it on a long drive. That is why he is making sure it is ready for the travel.
posted by Jennie on Apr 13
If there is anything true about marriage, it is the fact that when you enter such ceremony, you should not expect to see any exit sign anywhere within its bounds. This is true especially in the Philippines, where there is no divorce. This is the reason why a couple should not just consider marriage just because. On the contrary, it should be thought through a hundred times, or even more.
Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Jennie on Apr 12
After having transferred my beauty blog, KikayCorner.net to wordpress last week, I knew I had to get down to business and have the online store running after the long wait. It is inevitable. Countless of inquiries of beauty products that I endorse, I just knew I had to put something up for my readers to have access to a few of the rather scarce and not always commercially available natural beauty products.
It is not easy to be a webmaster of a handful of niched blogs and put rich content on them on a regular basis. A challenge, to say the least. But I’m definitely loving it! Especially after having seen that my experimentation with yet another new blog (another niched one) is topping the search engine. I get really giddy, when some of the newly acquired SEO skills of the hubs is passed down to yours truly and actually see my posts rank. We really hope that we grow forward to becoming better webmasters.
Meanwhile, as I go about my business in keeping this online shop, I have yet to create a merchant account and maybe later add in some other girl stuff like Marni necklace and who knows I just might get back to making my very own Swarovski crystal blings and sell them online.
I used to design and create my very own swarovski crystal jewelries six years ago and they sold like hot pancakes. Literally! I even customized for some clients and even had the items shipped abroad. I doubt I could still take in the same bulk of work, unless of course, I outsource. It is neat that shipping is made easy by a local courier who picks my merchandise for free and have them shipped anywhere in the world. Sweet!
posted by Jennie on Apr 12
As tiring as Sundays are always for us, especially for Jeff (he preaches all day long during Sundays, three times to be exact), today is really a fruitful and blessed day for us. Our hearts are filled with joy as we see the core of our church family getting serious in nurturing their relationship with Christ.
It has been close to a month now that the core group has been meeting every single day for daily devotions. My heart is more than pleased that a door has been opened for yet another cell group in the community. We aren’t multiplying exponentially just yet (church attendance wise), the Lord is clearly more interested in working on the foundation, our core group. The contagious fire is ongoing and this alone is a testament of the Lord’s hand upon Sumulong Baptist Church-Makati.
Jeff will be extremely busy the next couple of weeks working on some logistics for the upcoming Call of Duty. Meanwhile, we plan to enjoy our family day tomorrow. We have lined up some family activities and watch a movie and maybe a couple tv series.
We look forward to watching the installments of Heroes and 24 – our weekly fix. I have read that Satellite TV San Francisco delivers and I’m sure if we had the same kind of service, we can actually watch the episodes spontaneously as it is shown on FOX. But for now since we do not have the same service available like that of San Francisco Satellite Television, we plan to watch Freedom Writers on Monday and wait until Tuesday night to be able to watch 24 and Heroes. You might want to check San Francisco satellite tv for info on their packages, for as low as $9.99/mo. Meanwhile, the hubs and I are looking forward to watch what will come out President Taylor’s negotiation with the terrorist on 24.
posted by Jennie on Apr 10
Today is my father’s 60th birthday! Happy Birthday, Papa! You are the most thoughtful and generous father ever. Even during my family of origin’s not so good years, he made sure I did not lack. Provided me with everything a student might need and even more, whenever he was able. I consider myself blessed for the earthly father, my heavenly father has provided me. It was not all bright and shiny, but he could easily grab the bag of being the best father ever.
I won’t forget how he consistently gave me a glass of milk at bedtime when I was little and my heart is just glad how he has shown the same love and thoughtfulness to our son, whenever he is able. Even after I got married, the support has never ceased to present itself. I know I may not be as appreciative as I should be. I hope I could afford a couple of Vegas vacations to give. But even then, I know it won’t still be enough. I often find myself distracted because of the hundred different tasks waiting for me. But please know that I thank God for you, Papa. I pray that He will give you many more years, so we could enjoy your presence filled with contagious laughters and joyful spirit.
This is a special birthday greeting
that comes with love, to you
It brings warm and heartfelt thank yous
For all the thoughtful things you do–
It also comes to let you know
you mean more to me, Jeff and Jed each day..
To everyone your life has touched
in such a loving way.
Happy Birthday Papa!
We love you,
Jen, Jeff and Jed
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 Jennie on Mar 30
One of the more prevailing things that I discuss with my youth counselees is of the nature of dating. Most of them are over their dating issues but it does not mean the struggle is non-existent. There are even issues that can be persistent, but we are happy that they find the support system from our church family to be able to wind up as victors through it all.
With a sexually charged society that we have, the young people are actually fooled into the fantasy of the dating game– a game that gets a whole handful of hearts broken, at the end of the day. It is important to be aware how to conduct oneself while dating. It is actually a good indicator of the kind of commitment that you want to have in your future relationships. The race towards engagement rings is really overrated. What are you going to do with a wedding, when you end up getting divorced sooner than you got engaged?
So far, I am happy with the progress my girls are showing since I started seeing them. If you knew the community in Makati that we are serving, you will be surprised that a big percentage practices common-law marriage. This erodes morality a great deal and if nothing is done, they will inevitably follow that path.
It blesses my heart to see they want better lives, after suffering the cruelties of dysfunctional families. As true as the world is but imperfect, the fact remains that God’s grace is sufficient and this is the core of whatever it is we share with them, whatever circumstance they are in. There’s nothing like dating God’s way.
posted by Jennie on Mar 29
Parents have such great influence on our child. Aside from the obvious that we pass on the character that we have to them from early childhood to the developments along the way as he grows up. It all boils down to the concern of bringing up a healthy, God fearing individual who one day will be able to answer more than just the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
A child’s social competence, school readiness, curiosity usually predetermines his success in school and career choices. One thing that parents should avoid is the premeditation of what career a child should take. This usually becomes an issue during a child’s adolescence. Self estimation should always be considered, and we should allow them to that. It might be true that you more than any other person should see the giftings of your child, encourage him every step of the way, but the decision has got to come from him. Chances are he might not have the same career in mind at adolescence than the one he will decide on when he’s ready for college.
If he would rather be enrolled in an electrical school when he grows up, so be it. Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Jennie on Mar 26
Having an inquisitive three year old kid can sometimes be stressful for a work from home mom like me. But I knew that I have got to get around this issue somehow, taking care not to put a halt to a child’s hardworking mind. This is why parenting tips like those of Biblical Parenting, really come in handy.
I pick up some tips and customize it to fit how my son’s personality and figure out from the output if he is responding positively or otherwise. I love this ride to motherhood. It must be one of the most rewarding roles ever.
One of their more interesting topics is working on definitions with my son. The best time for learning is when the child’s mind is open, just like when he is in his ever inquisitive mood or even during times when he is trying to figure things out, playing with words.
Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Jennie on Mar 25
True, one of my recent posts got us all set for a no summer getaway. But can you really blame us if we take advantage of an airline promo? As a result, we are officially booked for Bora this coming June. Yes, June. Just in time before we blast off to the real deal –homeschooling.
Now that the airfare is taken care of, the next deal is to look for a good place to stay in, although a free hotel stay wouldn’t hurt. I wish! We will be there for four days. We are thrilled to go back to where we spent our honeymoon more than seven years ago, this time with our li’l tot in tow.
Here’s when I ask for suggestions. We really could use a cheap but decent accommodation. We stayed in Pearl of the Pacific during our honeymoon in 2001 and we learned that we don’t really need a fancy hotel room because we only spent time inside the room for a few hours, just to sleep. We were almost always on the beach, gallivanting through and through.
We would really appreciate any input and suggestions. It has been almost eight years since we last visited Bora. “Talipapa†was still standing during that time. We will sure be surprised with all the progress. I even heard there already is a mall! I cannot imagine!
Our supposed “No summer getaway” might just about turn out to be the most exciting summer ever!
posted by Jennie on Mar 25
It has been a good five years since I started web blogging and with four domain babies that I currently have, I can say that I am more than just enjoying it. My first blog entry was posted in one of the free Baby Journal sites, then I shifted to a social network site. It was in that social network site that I have done blogging –full blast.
Marriage and Beyond was the first domain that I claimed. After four hours of looking into parenting/marriage related domains, I almost gave up until I found peace in the domain Marriage and Beyond. I claimed it at around 4 A.M. and the other domains came all in from like the same sudden surge of inspiration and vision.
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