Why I have the Best Family in the World

One of my favorite family photos, which was taken during our sports-themed Christmas Party in 2008.

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Exactly one day after Aly and I arrived in Bangkok, Richard had to leave for another business trip to Manila.  It sucks because we missed Richard so much during our vacay, but these business trips have become a part of the hubby's worklife already so Aly and I are kinda getting the hang of it.  

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Anyway, while he was there, my family took him out to dinner.  The entire brood was there: dad, mom, my brothers Mick and Jof, my sister Angel and her boyfriend Marc and my favorite tita in the entire universe, tita Papot.  You cannot imagine how super duper inggit Aly and I were because we weren't there.  When I told Aly that her dad was going to have dinner with everyone back home, she said it wasn't fair because she misses her lolo and lola very  much.  But the jealousy wore off eventually and it turned to happiness and kilig because I realized just how much my family loves Richard.  I'm not surprised that they took Richard out to dinner because they always do that when he comes home.  But for this particular trip, I already told mom that he will be running on a tight schedule so he might not be able to meet them for dinner.  And yet, my dad persisted.  Thankfully, Richard's schedule cleared up and that's how they ended up having dinner together.

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When Richard came home, I told him that my family really loves him because they really wanted to see him.  They didn't let him leave Manila without seeing him.  It's a one-hour  drive (at the very least, with no traffic jam in SLEX) from Tagaytay to Alabang and I've seen how bad SLEX traffic can be. I also know how my parents hate being stuck traffic so I know that it's really quite something.  And that's why I think I have the best family in the world.

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I am truly blessed to have a wonderful family.  I have the greatest parents ever -- the best grandparents that any kid would ask for.  I am also proud of my siblings and what they have come to be -- mom didn't raise any brats so we all grew up with so much love and respect for each other, and we always support each other no matter what.  No sibling rivalry and jealousy in our family!  I also love how they love Richard and Aly because they know how these two make me happy.  I have the best family in the world!  I really do :)

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To dad, mom, my siblings, tita Papot and Marc: thanks for keeping Richard company while he was there.  It may have been just a short dinner, but it meant a lot to us.  We love you!

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Four-day Getaway

Aly and I just got back from our four-day getaway last night.  It was indeed a getaway in every sense of the word because as you may all know, last week was just ker-razy here in Bangkok.  

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I have so many things to be gratefulful for:  Thank you, Lord for keeping me and my family safe.  I never realized how close we were to danger until my Thai friend called to tell me that the bank right at the farther end of our street was hit by a bomb.  Richard knew that I wasn't too keen on leaving him behind, but when I saw the shattered glass on the pavement the next morning, I knew that my husband made the right call.

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I am also happy that we made it in time for my dad's birthday.  He didn't know that Aly and I were coming home so it was a great surprise.  When I greeted him in the morning, his reply was "hope you, Richard and Aly were here".  Little did he know, Aly and I were already at the airport en route to Manila.  Talk about having his birthday wish granted pronto.  Heehee!

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Our four-day trip was super bitin but I was very happy to be able to spend time with my family, my in-laws and my friends.  I wish we stayed longer, though but no worries because Aly and I will be back soon.

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Last of all, I am thankful to be back in my husband's arms.  How I missed him while we were away.  Sure we'd chat, call and send text messages to each other but nothing beats actually being together.  Truth be told, I was kinda sad that we had to leave Manila so soon, but my excitement to be with Richard outweighed my sadness. I am glad to be back home.

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Speaking of being back, I've got a ton of things to do today: laundry, household chores and it's Aly's sports day today so I need to be there to cheer for her.  Sigh...I am soo back! 

Spaghetti

Aly cooking spaghetti.  Taken in November 2009. 

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Notice how she needs to stand on a step ladder?  She's much taller now.

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The best spaghetti ever!

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Aly loves spaghetti.  No doubt about that.  And because of that, we have spaghetti or baked macaroni once a week.

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This morning, while Aly was having breakfast, I told her that I'm going to cook spaghetti for lunch.  Upon hearing the word "spaghetti", Aly dropped her buttered toast and ran to me by the kitchen door and gave me a big hug.  Awww...

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Those are the moments that I live for.  I love being a mom :)

Lazy Sunday

 Aly on her new spot in the living room enjoying popcorn on a lazy Sunday.

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I'm sure you've heard about it on the news: Central Bangkok has now become a warzone.  But my family's ok.  I am thankful that our apartment is away from harm.  Things may not be the same here in Bangkok, but what's important is all three of us are safe and away from danger.

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By the way, thank you to all our friends who sent messages asking if we're ok.  Pat, please tell Aris to stop making you kulit because we're A-OK!  Heehee!  Mom, you can stop worrying now.  We'll be on the first flight home in case things make a turn for the worst.  Thanks for the concern.  We really appreciate it.

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During the weekend, we just stayed at home because there's nowhere to go anyway.  Instead of our usual Sunday lunch outside, we just ate at the restaurant on the 4th floor.  Oh how I love lazy Sundays!  No chores to do, no worries...Too bad we couldn't  make it to Church yesterday because all the roads leading to Ruamrudee have been blocked by the army.  I really hope that peace will reign soon so things can return back to normal -- kids can go back to school, malls will open, people can have their jobs back, we can go to church...

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In spite of the numerous close encounters we've had with the red shirts in the past weeks, I am thankful that we are safe and away from harm.  I am also grateful for having awesome friends and family who made us know that they are thinking about us.  For that, we will continue to keep safe because we do not want you to worry more than you have to.  *Big hug*

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XOXO 

A Goddess Moment: Mother's Day Breakfast

I woke up yesterday morning to find Richard busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen.  It was the best breakfast ever!  I hate to admit this, but his pancakes are way better than mine.  We use the same pancake mix, but it was the best I've ever had!  I wonder how he did it.

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Oh, how I love being exempted from doing any household chores.   I savored every single minute of it! No other day really makes me feel like a goddess than Mother's day -- except for my birthday, ofcourse.  Heehee!

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Three days ago, we found a tiny lump in Richard's lower body.  While the hubby assured me that it's probably nothing serious, I was worried like crazy.  My paranoid mind went into overdrive: I suddenly remembered my lola Aning and her cancer; how it all started from a small lump, etc.  To say that I was distraught is an understatement -- I was terrified.  Ofcourse, I kept this all to myself because I didn't want Richard to worry about me.  I should be worried about him, not the other way around.  

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I made Richard promise that we should go and see a doctor asap and he agreed.  So yesterday, we went.  I was a bundle of nerves, I tell you.  I kept praying and praying...I prepared myself for the worst.  It might seem overacting to some, but we're talking about the love of my life here.  I have every right to be so.

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So we went to see a surgeon who said that the tiny lump is nothing but a harmless cyst.  The moment he mentioned the word "harmless", I was soo relieved!  You can not imagine how happy I was at that moment.  I guess that's how one would feel if they won the Lotto.

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The surgeon went on the explain, but my mind kinda stopped listening the moment I heard him say it's harmless because that's all I really needed to know.  I do remember him saying that we can have it removed if we want to, but it's not that urgent.

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From this experience, I have a lot to be thankful for.  First, my husband's health.  I'm also thankful that my husband kept his promise to see a doctor asap.  I asked him if he was scared, he said no so probably the only reason why he went was to keep me from worrying.  For that, I believe I am truly blessed with a wonderful husband.  Thank you, Jesus for making everything ok.  I pray that You will continue to bless him with good health in the years to come.

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