4k

My family went up to Baguio for three-days, two-night vacation. First, to celebrate our tenth year wedding anniversary, second, for Abet’s birthday (last 25 May), and lastly, to let the kids enjoy what is left in their school break this summer.
We were booked at Camp John Hay Manor Hotel and boy it was perfect! The Manor Hotel has a cozy, relaxed, and luxurious ambiance—you could even open (literally!) the windows for a breath of cool fresh air! We stayed in a two-bedroom suite with an impressive design and a breathtaking view of pine trees and mountains. Though it was rainy in the afternoons, you will be contented just snuggling on the bed and enjoy the cool weather.

I guess nowadays, Baguio will not be complete without a trip to Shoemart (really?)—where else in Baguio can you find all your kids’ favorite restaurants? ...you can easily buy something you forgot to bring for the trip! In addition, how could you miss SM in Baguio…it is practically situated at the heart of the city.

Though we were not able to go to the usual attraction spots in Baguio, we still had fun touring the insides of Camp John Hay. My kids were even amazed at how high I can make my swing go when we went to the playground (see photo). Moreover, we had a blast when we rode the Bump Car! What was nice is that we were the only ones during the ride and we got to bump each other’s cars and scream our hearts out!








Every trip to Baguio brings many memories…sweet fun memories we will all treasure. Even the long, tiring car trip can bring unforgettable experiences, which we can all learn from. The long hours spent on the road may get you tired, impatient, irritable (with 4 kids at the backseat what can you expect!)—but every second, minute, or hour spent with my Honey, Mini-me, Kikay Girl, Lightning McQueen, and The Nosy Little One makes it all worth it… An Ultimate Bonding Experience!

Posted by 4K at 31.5.07 | Permalink | Comments

It is embarrassing to admit that I can only count the times I actually said I Love You to my Mama (face to face that is), but this does not mean I love her any less. During Birthdays, Mother’s Day, Christmas, Wedding Anniversary, and Valentine’s Day I have given dozens of gifts with cards and wrote those three important words. I know for sure she knows how much I love her but I know deep inside she should hear it often straight from my mouth, said and meant sincerely—most women do—to hear those three words coming from a special person is something precious.

At age 74 with 7 children, 6 children-in-law, and 17 (living) grandchildren (soon to be 18 courtesy of my sister Betsy), Mama still has her youthful energy to take care of us (though some of my siblings, nephews and nieces are abroad). She still cooks our everyday meals and can even turn a simple family get-together to a feast…of course with her specialties (everybody loves her Russian potato salad). Among other things she does everyday, she also supervises my yayas mostly throughout the day when we are at work. She is a referee to my kids and nieces and they run to her side on the slightest commotion at home.

She is one in a million for me. I thank God for my parents, for a wonderful set of parents that He has chosen for me. Mama is a very special person, though there are occasions when I have not fully shown how grateful I am, I want to let her (and the persons reading my blog) know how much I appreciate everything she has done and still doing for me (for us). She (and Papa) has given themselves fully, who wanted all the good things for us their children, for that I am deeply thankful.

I write this…

…not just because of Mother’s Day, but because I wanted to share what and how I feel. I may not be the best daughter a mother can have, and I may not be the best mother I can be to my children… but I’m getting there! Ha ha...

…to express my gratitude and appreciation. I am what I am today because of her.

…to tell her not to worry, I (we) will always be here for her.

...most of all, just to say, I LOVE YOU MA!

Posted by 4K at 10.5.07 | Permalink | Comments

"I did not ask God to let me find a perfect man, I asked God for me to be perfect to whomever I find."

Abet and I will celebrate our 10th year wedding anniversary on 12 May 2007. How time flies...especially when you’re having the time of your life, and how this precious time brings memories that are even more precious.

Perfect! We do not have a perfect marriage. We both have our shortcomings. It has its usual petty turmoil, occasional disagreements, even unsolved and resolved differences. We both try (effortlessly) to understand each other. We do not strive to be perfect, for it is in those little disagreements that spice up our married life.

Soul Mate. We started out as friends, comfortable with each other and could tell everything and anything to each other. For us, we are soul mates. We finish each other’s sentences, somehow knowing what’s on each other’s minds, and often gives answers to questions still unasked. We are lucky to have found our soul mate in each other (or at least that’s what we think!) and maybe even luckier to be married to our soul mate.

I love you more than you'll ever know
I love you more than you'll ever see
More than my heart could ever show
I love you more than you'll ever know...

I know our ten years as husband and wife is still way too short compare to other married couples. We have gone through different journeys of life and I know there is more in store for both of us, together with our children. We still have day-to-day problems to face, responsibilities to fulfill, bills to pay, and many more but through it all, it is a blessing to know I will be facing all of these with my husband.

More so, we still have many dreams to build and see their realization, more out-of-town and out-of-country trips to make, special occasions to celebrate, more Friday-gimmick nights (with just the two of us), more weekend-gimmicks (with our 4K), and most of all more blessings to share and be thankful for. I pray and wish for a stronger relationship and for us to remain faithful to the vows we sealed ten years ago…Happy Anniversary, Honey! I Love you very much!

Something's telling me it might be you
Yeah, it's telling me it must be you
And I'm feeling it'll just be you
All of my life...

Posted by 4K at 7.5.07 | Permalink | Comments

Diana Marie is the eldest amongst my 4K. A true-blue “Ate”—smart, caring, and a certified leader among the rugrats. With one look at her, all my relatives have one comment in common… “Ay!...Si Ena(ng) maliit” (small version of Ena). There’s no doubt that I look like her when I was her age. I can see great resemblance. I can see moles on her located at the very same spot as mine (freaky!). I can see some same mannerisms…but besides all these, besides the physical appearance…Is she really my Mini-Me?

Diane is an achiever. During her pre-school years, she has shown excellence in academics. Now in her elementary level (incoming Grade 3), I already lost count of her merit certificates. Need I say more?...

Diane loves arts. She loves to draw. She makes colorful art works, which gives you a glimpse of how deep she thinks about the people and things around her.

Diane loves animals. I have heard a thousand pleas from her to have a puppy or a kitten. Her Dad and I have not yet given in but who knows…

Nowadays, Diane is into computers. She could spend hours playing “The Sims”. We try to limit her time with the computer though and we recently allowed her to have her own email address and friendster account. Turning 9 years old in July, she still enjoys playing outdoors with her siblings and first cousins. And she does her Kumon math worksheets diligently everyday (though of course at times you can hear some whining from her!)…but look what she got…Best in Math Award!

We both love wearing jeans and shirts with flip-flops, we love headbands (but during my grade school days only), chocolates, banana split, arts and crafts, Bart Simpson, stationeries, staring into space (duh!), and most of all we love writing small notes to each other.

We may have more superficial physical similarities for now and I know in time (as she grows up) we’ll both discover our deeper and inner similarities. I just hope the eldest of my 4k will be happy (if ever) she turns out to be my... Mini-Me.

Posted by 4K at 3.5.07 | Permalink | Comments