Mother

No words could describe how amazing our parents are. But for someone like me, words could be too late to express it to my late Father. So I write this to my Mother, even if it means I may possibly run out of words.

I came from a poor family, whose parents never had the chance to finish elementary. My Mother married my Father young, at age of 16. Despite the lack of comfort, our parents raised us, 8 kids, with steel determination to send us to school and finish with a certificate, a degree or a license. And they did, all 8 of us finished school. Through hard labour, encompassing all health scares, and skirting that thin line of financial constraints, they supported us and guided us in the best way any parents could support their kids.

For years, while studying, I watched my parents push themselves through hard work to make sure we do not take our studies for granted. They took their responsibility, to guide us to a better future, VERY seriously. So, even if we are a family of small-village fisher-folks and wet-market vendor, all the sweat of our parent's hard work was attested by the inked-seals of our college or university diplomas. And we are as lucky and as proud of them every time momentous event like graduation happens.

Then in a swift of fate, a change happened. I watched my Mother worked doubly-hard to make sure I finish up university, for 3 more years, after Father died. I saw her took that burden of making sure I got that degree, just us my last sibling before me did.. I witnessed her struggle, I saw her tears. And I knew then.. in whichever path I will take, I will never ever be someone else but my Mother's daughter.

So, I took the hard road, the easy road, the bumpy road to life's adventure thinking that I figured out how the world works already. Smug of independence as that may sound, at the back of my mind, I always know any route I take, my heart will lead me back to my Mother's arms one day. And that deep link to my Mother never failed me. Even until I became a mother myself.

I am my Mother's daughter after all. And I am so proud to watch my daughter adore my Mother as much as I do. And today, in a spur of a moment, out of nowhere, my four year old daughter, proudly proclaimed that she will take care of me, her dad and my Mother... when we are old.

To hear that from my daughter, even if she is too young to be believable, I know in my heart that I raised her as how my Mother raised me. As I see my daughter's eyes twinkle with glee as she bond with my Mother, I know that she will grow up to be my daughter and my Mother's granddaughter.

To wish for more in this sacred life is beyond my worth. All I wish is for this Legacy of Mother's Bond be forever get instilled into every daughter's heart, unto whatever generation it could be passed.

A Mother's Love is Forever. A Mother is Eternal Love.

I love you, Mother!!!

A Memorable Father's Day

I've been looking forward to the day when we can get-away from the chaos of work & daily routine.

A cabin was booked, and with hubby arriving from California safely, everything fell into plan. We got ready and packed for the week-end retreat.

As I wrote on my older post about our Father's Day Plan, the day arrived and (as always) starts with the last minute packing and errands. My other sister, Cherry, picked us up at 12pm. Almost right on the dot with check-in time. So much for the idea of perusing the facility earlier. Rose and her family check-in on their own cabin way ahead of us. Of course, they were able to enjoy the facility already. The set-up was crazy, but really fun. To detail it...

I got these deals from Groupon. $20 for a $100 worth of cabin.
I was allowed to purchase one for myself and get 2 extra as a gift.
As soon as I purchased mine, I posted on Facebook about it and my sister, Clarisa, asked me to get her one. Then her friend, Rose, asked me to get her one, as well. So there goes my allowed purchase for this Bissell deal.
With hubby coming for a visit, I called Bissell and booked us for Father's Day. My sister opted to come with us the same date, and so did Rose.

I know you'll be asking what the $20 Cabin look like....

 

It's the basic Rustic Cabin, worth $100 for weekdays and $125 for week-ends!
Comes with a double bed and a bunk bed, a 2 adult & 2 kids pass for the facility.

This is what I said about going Camping without roughing it. If you wanna be comfortable and avoid the inconvenience of rain or back pains from sleeping with your sleeping bag, this is a very good option.

I opted to upgrade my deal to a bigger cabin, the Deluxe Cabin. And it was like this...

with this interior...

It has a room with queen size bed, a bunk bed, a living room with pull out sofa, and a kitchenette with a dining table. Accommodates 6 adults or a family of four. The deck comes with our own grill, and we have a huge patio that comes with a pit and patio chairs. (Firewood has to be purchased from within the facility, no outside firewood allowed). And the reason why I upgraded to this because of my great consideration for Mother, whom I know would need the washroom all the time. Of course, the cabin is equipped with our own shower, bathtub and toilet. The bonus round, it's fully airconditioned, with a satellite and dvd for TV viewing.

Every dollar was worth spending. 

Everybody enjoyed that little camping we did. All the cooking and the eating was prepared and shared with in our cabin. The kids, when not perusing the facility would stay inside and watch tv. Most of the time, the grown ups were on our deck either cooking, eating or chatting. There were too much food, and too much talk. My sister, Cherry, brought their dog, Iris, with us. Khloe had so much fun dog-sitting Iris, as Rose' kids did their best to stay out of Iris' reach.

Before the darkness fall, we stayed at the patio for some games. 

(Blindfold)

(Tumbang-Preso)

(Bubbles)

Of course.. we did not forget to start a fire.....

...and roast hotdogs

....and marshmallows and smores

Then.. everybody got so tired and sleepy...

and nobody remembered about star-gazing... and bear-hunting???

The next day...

We prepared breakfast for the Dads....

                                    And watch them enjoy their Father's Day breakfast...

Then... we heed out to end our adventure...

with these little ones enjoying their last dip for this trip...

This photo alone is all worth anything.

Priceless Toddler Joy!!!

Family Bonding Moment

One of those reason why I moved back here Canada is to be together with my family.

 Hubby's family is so close knit, I'm always so jealous of how well everybody gather together in any event, big or small. May that be a wedding, baptism, Christmas, birthday, or even just a backyard bar-b-q. Everytime I come to one, I would think of my family both here in Canada and the Philippines.


Bringing Khloe with me back here in Canada is such a joy for my family, especially the kids. Khloe is the youngest they have, and the three of them just love and adore her. Khloe could ask me of either Chelsea, Ethan or Cassey every morning she wakes up.

 In a beautiful, sunny, HOT Sunday like today... soaking up at my sister's pool is the first thing that is up on the agenda. Khloe has been asking me to go to Cassey's house non-stop since Friday. As much as she always end-up running away chased by Iris, Cassey's dog, she still would ask every single day about going to 'Cass house'. Their bonding time is always precious.. indoor or outdoor. The way they play with her, or even just take care of her in their own teen-way is so beautiful to watch.

Family bonding is very precious to me. Despite being far away from hubby, I always make sure our little get together moments are full of memories. Khloe is never unfamiliar with her dad no matter how long they don't see each other. Our Texas and Disney get-away are memories we can keep together in our hearts until the three of us could be together again.

Today, I saw how happy Khloe is. She doesn't lack any love. She knows we all love her. I love the fact that her family from both sides of parents are close-knits. I know, she will grow up appreciating how important family is.

Hence, bonding time is very important.

Time flies so fast..... that every second counts.