We set our Saturday the "Cleaning Day" and it was a success! The weather was fine and we were able to open the windows while we clean. I cleaned the sitting room, dining and kitchen (which is actually only counted as 1... LOL) and hubby cleaned the toilet and bathroom (which is also counted as 1...LOL) Quits? Yeah! =) But I wasn't able to take pictures as we clean so it I guess it won't count as the highlight of our weekend.. Nonetheless, there's a more exciting happening which I just took pictures of.

We'll be having visitors next week-end (hence the "Cleaning Day") and because our airbed got broken last December, we've been thinking the whole week on what to buy as a replacement. We know that airbeds are really prone to damage so we just thought of buying a sofa-bed... until just this afternoon when hubby decided to bring it back to the store and try asking for an exchange, repair or refund since the product was bought less than a year. And without any question, the product was replaced! Hooray!!! =)

We tried pumping the air bed and as a result...

Daddy and Alyssa used it to have a nicer and more comfortable movie time.

And another highlight (according to Daddy) was - he was able to finish the game he was dying to finish last week. And guess what?

He can't get enough of it, so now he's doing another game... Oh, FYI, he's playing Modern Warfare 2!

Productive because we were able to clean the house, airbed was replaced, and hubby was able to finish a game, but not so because we just stayed in bed the whole day of Sunday. =)

That's basically how our weekend went, so to share the highlights of your weekends, come and join us on SassyMom's:

Breakfast in bed is not something special in our family. When we were still sharing a house with our 2 dear friends and that house was really cold (because it's not carpeted and it's in the ground floor), we often have our meals inside the bedroom. Not only breakfast, but even lunch and dinner. =) And during weekends, hubby doesn't like to eat on his own =) and just wanted to be fed. Yeah right! I've got 2 babies!!! LOL... Hubby was used to being literally 'spoon-fed' ever since we lived together and until now, he likes it.

I've told the story behind this photo already in my other CC entry, Plans for Valentines day. And basically, that's the most unexpected and sweetest breakfast in bed we had - ever! Oh, not really breakfast in bed though... I forgot that we weren't able to eat the pancake because it turned out to be a "Black Pig". LOL!

I believe this is the shortest CC entry I ever did. I'm looking forward to next week's theme: "Honesty is the Best Policy"... hhhmmm... I think i'll be sauteed in that topic because most of the time, I'm the one who's  dishonest - BAD ;)

You might have some nice breakfast in bed stories to share. Join us at Mommy Liz's Couples Corner.

I can feel it!!! I'm close to becoming a certified blogger! Yoohoo!!! This is my 2nd award and I would like to thank Mommy Rose of Etcetera Etcetera, Mommy Khimmy of Kimmy Schemy, Sis Kharen of Kharen's Corner and Mommy Czaroma of A Woman Remembers. You just don't know how happy I am that you thought of me on this award.

There are some rules that's needed to be followed when receiving this award, and they are:

• Thank & link to the person that gave you the award.

• Pass this award onto 10 bloggers you’ve recently discovered and think are fantastic.

• Contact said Blogs and let them know they’ve won.

• State 7 things about yourself.

I'm done with the first rule, now for the second rule, I'm passing this award to Mommy Liz, Mommy Me-An, Mommy Mel, Ate Beth, Sis Cacai, Sis Bambie, Mommy Iris, Mommy Kero, MomGen and Mommy Dinah.

And for the 7 things about me:

• I am not a decision maker, until now. I simply don't believe in myself. I always ask others' opinions and even let them decide for me.
• I enjoy cooking most especially baking, but still striving to be good at both.
• I am enjoying my life as a work at home mom (WAHM) since January this year.
• I don't have a "green thumb". I can't grow any plant, and even my daughter's hair got messed up because I was the one trimming it. =)
• I am easily attracted to different things, tried them out and gets bored after. 
• I can stay inside the house forever... As long as there's internet connection.
• I am my family's favorite. They just love me to bits.

I don't know what's wrong with me, but no matter how I want it, I just don't have the charisma of building a good relationship with so many people. I am friendly, yes, but I am not as entertaining as the others and i know I am boring to be with so a little hi and hello is enough and that's it. I have many friends, online and offline, but no one I know will have the patience to listen and talk to me the whole day, about anything under the sun and without running out of words and stories. No one... UNTIL... I met my Mareng Irish.

I can still remember how I learned about her. I saw her in Friendster with lots of pictures of her models. She's a talent scout and she can make kids model in different magazines in the Philippines and one of them is Smart Parenting. I am one stage mom and I really want my daughter to become a model, back then. So I added her as a friend and left her a message about my daughter, but  we were already about to fly to London that time so I know it won't be anymore possible. She asked my YM ID and when we had the chance to chat, I was surprised that she was so friendly and it seems like we've already known each other for so long. 

She is one famous kumare of all and everyone calls her "Kumare ng Bayan". She can get along very well with all the moms of any age, even though she isn't a mom yet - biologically, but a mom to so many kids. She is  one lovely kid lover. =)

She's the only person I can talk to just about anything. We can stay on YM, voice call the whole day and still maintain the energy. I know if we're only close physically, she's the person I can tag along anywhere and anytime.

We've been friends online since around mid 2008 and finally met offline June 2009. I didn't feel any awkwardness when I first see her. We hugged tight and chatted away just like what we do online.

This Valentines, she sent me these lovely gifts and a very sweet card. I am not as thoughtful as her, so she didn't receive anything from me... LOL.. (bawi ako next time mare ah.. sa December, humanda ka! bwahaha!!!)

I am just so proud and happy to find someone like my dear Mareng Irish. I thank God that He has given me someone I can call my best friend/real friend. I don't ask that she call me the same, but I just want her to know that for me, she's the "BEST" GIRL FRIEND... 

Mare,

You just don't know how blessed I am to have found you. I don't have to be someone else pag ikaw ang kausap ko. I hope someday, somehow I am able to double all your efforts. Thanks for always being there and for being so thoughtful. I have so much to thank you, but I know you know how much I feel for you. (Naks, parang lovers...)

I Love You soooo much Mare ko!!! Mwuah... Mwuah... Mwuah!!!

Lovingly yours, (Mala Helen Bela yan ha)

Mareng AC

This is my very first award and I'm really happy to receive it. My ever lovely Ate Liz of This Is My Life has given me this award on the very first day of this love month, but it's only now that I got the chance to blog about it. I know Ate Liz will understand as she was with me when I was fixing all my blogs and she knows that I just got so occupied by the Valentines stories that I was really eager to share to all, right Ate Liz? =) Oh, the truth is, I'm really sorry that I am writing about this just now - so sorry Ate Liz... and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for thinking of me and of course, for all the help. YOU ROCK!!! =)

 

10 Things that make me HAPPY:

1. GOD'S LOVE - yes of course, it's the first and constant thing that makes me happy because I believe everything that is happening in my life is all because of His love for me and my family.
2. MY HUBBY AND DAUGHTER - they are my life, my strength and my life became so much more meaningful when I learned that they'll be given by God as gifts whom I can call "My Own".
3. MY FAMILY (Mine and Hubby's side) - yes they are my family. I cannot be any more happier when I'm with them. They all know that I'm most happy to celebrate every special occasion with them all.
4. SPECIAL OCCASIONS - It's when ordinary days become extraordinary and most of all, the surprises that comes with it.
5. INTERNET - I don't think I can keep my sanity without it. LOL... My social life is here and now, my work as well.
6. BEING A WORK AT HOME MOM - I don't earn so much, but the fact that I'm now earning something while being able to become a full time mom and wife is something I will never trade, unless needed and having a husband who is a great provider makes this possible.
7. FRIENDS - true or not, they all make me happy. True friends who give so much meaning to my life and not so true friends who serve as the spices that my life needs.
8. COOKING & BAKING- I'm not an expert and very far from being one, but I can cook and my family enjoys everything I make. For me that's what's more important because it's really them whom I'm cooking for and I'm happy that I'm being able to share them with others through my Come Dine In food blog.
9. EMAILS ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES AND COMMENTS - it's the very first thing that comes to my mind every morning. When I wake up, I always reach for my phone and check my emails if there are opportunities for me to work on or if there are any comments my blogger friends left on any of my blogs.
10. WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS - these are the moments when we are all together. Most of the time we just stay home, bond and cuddle the whole time and other times we go out for a change.

Now it's time to extend this award to:

•  Ate Beth of All About Elizabeth
• Mommy MelCole of MelCole's Wall of Experiences, Skills and Talents
• Mommy Khim of Anything At All  
• Mommy Iris of Entrepremom 
• Mommy Gracey of Prettymom 

AND...

to YOU!!! Yes, YOU!!! Please do grab this award because you deserve this award of happiness.

After our sooo cheesy Valentines celebration, I believe our answers to that question are both "YES!". We've been together for almost 7 years now and married for almost 5 years, but I can say that our love for each other has just gone deeper throughout those years.

I am proud to introduce to you the women in my life. 

My Tita My on the left, Tita Arlene on the right and my Nanay Ba (Lola-Nanay Ba short for Nanay Taba) in the middle. They are all sexy (not just slim) years years back... =) And my Mommy (my Tita whom I call Mommy - they are sisters) is the only one who isn't gaining weight. But no matter how fat or thin they are, I love them just the same.

And on brotherhood...

Only my Ninong Obet is slim.

Can you guess why I am showing them to you? LOL... They will kill me when they see this. =) Well, because this is of the things my hubby and I joke about. I always ask him, "Dad, will you still love me even though I get as fat as Nanay Ba? And he'll answer, "No!" *laughing* I am just lucky to get my desired weight back after giving birth and breastfeeding is my saviour. =) I also don't do any kinds of diet, so I hope and pray that I will be like this forever. LOL

Another funny question I ask my hubby is, "Dad, will you still love me kahit na uugod-ugod na tayo?" and his answer is, "Tingin mo aabot pa tayo dun? Sa dami ng hindi healthy foods na kinakain natin eh di na tayo aabot dun." wahahaha!!! He's right! We both don't think that we'll still reach the 70s age. We're very lucky if we do and if that happens, we know for sure that we'll carry on the love and sweetness we managed to built throughout our younger years.

Ate Liz is right, we girls are all concern about our looks. Well, maybe because that's the usual reason why husbands look on other girls. That's why no matter how old we may be, we all have to take good care of ourselves and it will not only magnetize our hubsters, but it will also make us feel good about ourselves. *Oh, look who's talking... I don't even comb my hair after waking up* =)

Come and join the fun on our Couple's Corner community by hitting the badge.

We've been celebrating Valentines ever since we met. Our First Valentines was really memorable, but Dad never changed, until now. 

A week before Valentines day, hubby's been planning so much on what to do and where to go. I don't really have a clue if anything will push through. Then, come Saturday, we were still undecided wether to go out or not, until we both get up and convinced each other not to go back to bed. =)

We had a Valentines lunch in a Chinese restaurant to join with this year's theme "Valentines in a Chinese New Year".

Then we headed off to the movie house to watch Avatar and have our first 3D experience. 

And since we still have time, we went straight to Canary Warf to stroll around.

Inside Zara to goof around.

We waited for the next train... and home we went.

Our super fun Valentines celebration for this year has ended... or so I thought - Until...

The next day, I woke up to the many sweet hugs and kisses from my dear hubster with a lovely morning greeting of "Happy Valentines, Mum!" It was a nice Sunday morning and I asked Alyssa to get our no-longer-surprise card for Dad. Wait for my Mommy Moments entry for the story behind that surprise card, I'm sure you'll laugh your hearts out - because we did! =)

I asked hubby what time we're going to church and instead of the usual answer, "Of course, 11:30", I got the answer "Let's think about it later". So since it's still too early, we went back to bed and watched the whole week's episode of "Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo". We jumped out of bed when we heard a loud bang from a broken glass - it was Alyssa on top of the kitchen counter reaching for some chocolates  from the kitchen cupboard. Good thing she wasn't hurt. While we were cleaning the kitchen, the buzzer rang. I have no plans of opening it because I am not waiting for anything, I always assume they are just some promo persons giving away leaflets. Hubby forced me to check on it, though I am hesitant, I did. When I opened the door, it was a delivery man handling a box of Marks & Spencer. I read the label and was surprised to see my name printed on it. I asked the delivery man, "What's this?" he answered, "Flowers dear, it's Valentines day". Oh my! I knew it! And I said, "Hhhhmmm... That's why my hubby doesn't like to open the door... this is some kind of a suprise!" And we both laughed, but as I climb up the stairs I can't hold my tears back. It just keeps on falling. When I saw hubby, I hugged him tight and kissed him. I really wasn't expecting anything at all, because I told him not to buy me flowers anymore, all I want is a card and every time I say that, he doesn't answer back. That's the reason why he can't answer what time we're going to church, he doesn't know when the flowers will be delivered.

And I though that was it. Then he said, "Mum, can you open the oven please?" Of course I asked why, he said "Just open it, I'm going to clean it." When I opened, a giant card was sitting on the oven. And again, my tears continued flowing and much more when I read his message.

A dozen of red roses for me, a giant card and a box of Belgian chocolates for our dear Alyssa.

I always say this line, "My hubby doesn't fail to surprise me, in any occasion", but it's true. We've been celebrating Valentines the 6th time today, but nothing's changed. It was just as sweet as the first.

Happy Valentines Everyone!!!

This is my first share for Sassy Mom's Pixel Bug Weekend. Share your exciting weekends too by hitting the badge.

It is the hardest thing for every parent to accept that his or her child has a condition that's needed to be treated. Just like the phases of grief, parents go from denial to acceptance. When a child shows warning signs of delay in speech and language development, it is very important that parents make a move and consult specialists. 

My daughter's cousin who is just three months younger had a delay in speech. No one in the family, not even I had the strength to tell the child's parents about consulting a specialist. I just don't know how to say it in a way that I will not sound as a 'competitive parent' just because my daughter is developing far above their child, but because I care and I know the child needs a chance, I am torn between advising  or not that they visit this speech and language development site which gives assessment to children aged 3 months to 5 years. I know they are in a budget, but I don't think £19.95 a year per child isn't too much. What is that small amount if it's for the development of your child, right? It also gives a 20% discount when the voucher code BVT1015 is entered upon registration until 31 March 2010. After the registration and assessment, parents will be given fun activities to enable them to provide targeted therapy at home. The site guides parents of children with difficulties and indicators that mean referral to specialists and also videos are  provided to guide parents on using the site.  

The speech and language development delay may simply mean that he just needs more weeks or months to catch up or he may need physiotherapy to strengthen his muscles. But there are times when it also highlights adverse indicators of hearing impairment and autism. Whatever a child's condition is, it is important that parents give them proper treatment. The early the intervention, the better it is for the child and the parents. 

Oh! Let me introduce to you once again My One True Love who also happens to be My Valentine's Date for this year and for the last 5 years.

TADAH!!!

Of course, he's non-other than... DADDY MARK!!!

We don't really go out on a date on Valentine's day. We believe it's corny! LOL.. and it's too crowded. Lovers here and there are scattered on the day itself. We prefer to just stay home and give each other little somethings like flowers, cards, chocolates and some nice feast. I planned to prepare a candlelit dinner on Sunday and prepare a nice family movie to watch. Since there's no one who will take charge of our little girl, let me introduce my other Valentine's date...

Another TADAH!!!

 Our Little Princess, Alyssa...

Let's head to Mommy Niko's Girl's Talk by hitting the badge.

Yesterday was a super fun day for me. I really waited for this day as it is the day where I will be transferring my first oDesk earnings to my Paypal account and told hubby that once the earnings are credited, I will be buying my own domain for my Happy Home Working blog. 

Good thing Ate Liz was in front of her laptop when I messaged her. I don't think I can link my blog to my domain name without Ate Liz's help. So once again, my sincerest thanks to you, Ate Liz, for being there for me in this blogging world. You really ROCK!!!

I bought www.acmomcee.com in a lower price as I was able to get a promo code. I was really eager to make all my blogs in their own domains, so since I was able to save on my main blog, I bought 3 more domains in dotinfo. It's on sale so I decided to take the opportunity of making my other blogs in domain for its first year. 

Now my three other blogs' domains are:

• www.comedinein.info
• www.joinmystroll.info
• www.cheekymunchkins.info

All bought in a budget! Hooray!!!

Now, my problem is when renewal date comes. They will be renewed all AT THE SAME TIME! *crazy* Oh well, I'll just make sure to earn much on this first year and save up for the renewal. =)

It's Valentine's Day once again in a few days time. This is one of the many days we don't fail to celebrate. It started on the year 2004 when we first celebrated it as a couple. You may read the full story here, where I told the story in detail. It was one of the sweetest days of my life.

My super sweet hubby always comes up with a surprise on this special day. No matter how simple or grand the surprise is, still he doesn't forget. I wonder what's in store for me this Sunday. *wink wink* Since the first week of Feb., I am telling him not to give me flowers anymore because what I want is a card just like the one I received 6 years ago, on our 1st Valentine's together. Oh I doubt he'll do it, but let's see...

On my part, I still don't know!!! =( It's a Sunday and preparing for a surprise is very hard. Just like last year when V-Day falls on a Saturday, all I was able to do was prepared a breakfast in bed for my two sweet Valentines - Dad & Alyssa. Oh crap! I still don't know how to make a pancake then without my one and only Maya pancake from the Philippines, so I bought an instant mix from the local grocery and... Tadah!!! It was NO good! haha!!! My pancake turned into a black pig. We weren't able to eat it. And the ready-made red icing I used for decoration also went straight to the bin. =( What a shame!!!

And since hubby said, no more gifts... I wrapped my special card. =)

And since V-day was a Saturday, when Daddy got home from the office Friday night, as usual... I have very pretty dozen of roses - only the color changes every year. =) And in exchange of the traditional cake is a chocolate - a super yummy M&S Chocolate with the words "MUM". 

Our original plan for this year's V-day is to go to our dear friend's place and watch Avatar together. I hope it pushes through, but I know I still have to think of something special for my Mr. Surprise Guy.

Have a Happy and Sweet Valentine's Day Couple's Corner Lovers!!!

Weew!!! Love is overflowing... It's love month indeed! After writing down a few reasons why I love my husband, here I am again describing to the world my one true love. It's my first time to join Girls Talk! meme and since topics about exes are done, I can now freely join. =)

Let me first introduce to you my ONE AND ONLY TRUE LOVE...

Daddy MARK!!!

My one true love...

...enjoys politics, for real or on screen. He particularly likes The West Wing Series wherein the setting is The White House. So when we visited the United States and stayed in New York, he made it a point that Washington D.C. is in the itinerary. (See his smile? Oh, I tell yah.. he loves his picture taken many times on that view.)

My one true love...

...is fun. He joins fun games and is not a kill joy.

My one true love...

...is not a good drinker and I always push him to drink every time there's a special occasion. I just love it when he's drunk, maybe because it happens very rarely. 

My one true love...

...helps in household chores. With visitors or none, he helps. He cooks, cleans the house, sets the table, constantly empties the bin and washes the dishes.

These are only a few descriptions about my one true love which I don't think I already mentioned in my Couple's Corner entries, aside from his being so kind to help in household chores. =)

Come and join us too in Mommy Niko's Girls Talk! Hit the badge!

Dear Dad,

Loving you is one of the greatest feelings I have ever felt in my life and God has been so good that He not only let me love you, but He gave you to me and allowed us to share the rest of our lives together. When people ask me why I love you, my answer is no longer "I don't know, I just do", because in each and everyday that I am with you, you have given me all the reasons to say:

I love you because you do the grocery when I don't feel like going out and is not shy about it.

I love you because you are one great family man who value family bonding very much.

I love you because you manage to become a very sweet husband and father and is not afraid to show how much you love us.

I love you because you don't have any vices.

I love you because you are proud of me.

I love you because you are my number one supporter, though sometimes you don't believe in me 100%.

I love you because it's all right with you that I stay home whole day.

I love you because you are honest about my cooking, you say if it tastes good or not.

I love you because you never get mad when I don't reach your expectations.

I love you because you make me feel so secure about your love for me as your wife.

I love you because you love me despite all the things I did to hurt you.

I love you because you accepted me during the times when I am not worthy of anyone's acceptance.

I love you because you never let me go when I wanted to go away.

I love you because you always understand me even though my reasons are not understandable.

I love you more when you hug, kiss and tickle me when I do the dishes.

I love how you laugh on the corniest movies we watch together.

I love it when you wear your very old clothes and just laugh about it.

I love how you never fail to surprise me in every occasion.

I love it when you help me in the kitchen.

I love it that you are the kind of husband who shares in house chores.

Dad, I may not be able to enumerate all the reasons why I love you, but believe me when I say I LOVE YOU because You are You.

Love,

Mummy

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Taken last year in Pinas, a day before our flight back to London.

 

This one is in New York (Aug. 2008) during our 10 day holiday.

I know my husband doesn't read my blog posts, so if at some point he stumbles upon my site I hope he gets to read all my CC entries. =)

It's love month, come and share with us your 101 reasons why you love your partners.

A few weeks ago, I was just ranting about the negativity I am feeling for the year 2010. I thought of writing “Will 2010 Be My Year?” for me to somehow release the heavy loads I am feeling at the moment. And it really did. With the help of my dear blogger friends, Ate Liz and Ate Eds, I was able to feel the positivity that this year brings.

I focused myself on blogging. I thought of updating my two blogs, Happy Home-Making (which I will soon transform to Happy Home-Working) and Happy Home-Cooking because I want to monetize it soon. Then I thought of updating my profile in oDesk too. I signed up at oDesk September last year  with the help of Mommy Iris and haven’t got serious about it until last week.

I took up some more tests to boost my profile. I applied to different jobs I know I can handle. After only a day, I already received an invitation for an interview for a job I didn't even applied for. It appears that the buyer was the one who initiated the job and after a couple of days, he hired me. I was hired as an administrative officer. But before he finally hires me, I was first hired by another employer as data entry personnel. At that same day, I earned $6.50 and I was really very happy. I know it was not a huge salary to rejoice with, but hey! It's my first ever paid job. Then I started as an administrative officer on Monday and on Wednesday my employer asked me if I wanted to keep the job for long-term and soon for full-time when the business starts to pick-up. From administrative officer, I am now a Team Leader. What a blessing indeed! I was just praying for this job not to end and now I already have that assurance. Since there's no much work yet, I earned $15 for working for 4 hours the whole week. It is a per hour basis meaning - no work, no pay. So I thought of applying to other jobs again to occupy my vacant time.

Then now I am working on 20 articles about scrapbooking for only $30 fixed and to be submitted within 2 weeks. I applied for the job post because I want to build my profile and since I have a passion in scrapbooking, particularly digital and I also know a little bit about traditional scrapbooking, I thought it will not be difficult. Time is not a pressure since I know i can finish them all in less than a week. But when I learned that I am also the one who will think of the topics to be written, oh my! I was puzzled! =) So far, I have finished 10, so 10 more to go. Wish me luck!

I am now focusing on oDesk, but I will soon research on how to monetize my blogs for additional profits.

I always believe that working from home is not for me. But not anymore. I am happy to announce to the world that... I am now a certified Work At Home Mom! To God be the glory, indeed! Thank you LORD!!! I am earning while working from home and I can always be available for my family anytime.

If you are inspired by my story, then go on and click the oDesk badge on this post or on the upper left side of my blog, register and I'll walk you through. I am willing to help you get started. Remember, this marketplace is open wherever you are in the world.