Guillain Barre Syndrome anniversary

It was around this time of the year 3 years ago when your dad had Guillain Barre Syndrome. I usually greet your dad on the anniversary of his diagnosis to commemorate his new life. But this year, we had a bit of a misunderstanding that morning so I just sent a short note to remind him.

So I have this app (TimeHop) that retrieves previous posts to remind you of what you sent out on your social media channels for the previous years. I was reminded of the times when I waited on your dad at the hospital, just wishing the day would pass by faster.

Coincedentally, I also spoke with one of my high school friends who is now a nurse. She told me she'd use our GBS story whenever she has lectures in their hospital to inspire other people. She tells them that faith and prayer are still the best weapons against sickness. When I told your dad about this, he balked and said it was his determination to overcome GBS. Naturally I was shocked and couldn't pin down what I was feeling at that point.

And today, this is my prayer for us...

"Lord, help us not to forget the prayers we once lifted and the miracles that we once begged of You. In this way, help us to be compassionate, humble and thankful for all the blessings that you have given us."

Kids, as time passes, it is easy to take miracles for granted. We tend to attribute healing to the high cost of medicine, or just to the determination to live. Yes, both are integral components. But it is only with God's grace that. Let us not be blinded by our vanity and pride that we lose sight of what God and other people have done for us when we were at our lowest.

After all, if we forget the essence of an occasion, why commemorate it at all?

Aylan Kurdi

Dear Aylan (and Galip), I would rather look at this picture and see your happy faces than your recent, more famous picture. I have no strong political stands, and am not up to date with local, much more foreign news. But I am a mother, and my heart weeps seeing your lifeless body being washed ashore.

My only comfort is that God now has two new angels in his care. May you rest in peace.

Past two weeks in pictures

We've done a looot of things in the past two weeks that I wasn't able to get a chance and write all about them. Here is a summary in no particular order because I am lazy that way.

1. Ate made a lot of paintings.

Started with just stamp pads and ink. 

Progressed to poster paint. Used q-tips and fingers here to spread the paint.

We also used old toothbrushes and drinking straws to create other effects.

Artist at work. Ate enjoys painting so much.

Miko tried his hand at painting too. Didn't like it yet. Had to force him a bit to make a hand print hehehe

2. We also made a lot of yummy food!

We made chocolate chip cookies and added food coloring. Called them dinosaur eggs :)

Made no-bake banana-toffee cake

We also made smores this week. Ooohhh too delish. 

3. Since there are talks of a major earthquake coming soon (fault line passes near our house), we also talked about earthquake safety and the concept of drop-cover-hold. Good job ate for taking it to heart. Praying that God shields us from harm, and if it it inevitable, that I am with you when something happens.

4. We made sensory bags and bottles this week. First were bottles with water and oil and some small items we put in that float. That didn't end well. We also made one of constarched cooked until it had the consistency of Vaseline. Added food coloring ang put into ziplock bags. Popped out of the bags after a day, so good thing it was not costly to do that.

In short, we are hit and miss on the sensory bags. But that won't stop me from trying!

This is oil and food coloring. I can spend hours playing with it. Miko and Ate liked it some.

5. We also visited our home in Calamba, which is due to be completed next month. The target completion date was set after much delay, so I'm just hoping we can spend Christmas there and have it rented out by January.

Kuya as the foreman

After the site inspection, a quick swim

6. Ninong Cons gave Iya a Tangled-inspired Play Doh set. We gave Rapunzel braided hair in different colors because why not? :)

7. Mommy and Miko attended Hakab Na 2015 at Alabang Town Center. We were the very first to register at the site! After quickly signing our name, we went to Starbucks for a quick breakfast. I ordered a caffeine-free chocolate chip frappe so Miko can share, but I think he wanted to drink it all for himself so I had to hide it and give him water instead.

He loved it! Almost emptied my cup.

His first Starbucks experience. Isn't he the cutest?

We also participated in a demo for Kindermuzik

Daddy and Iya, who made us hatid, also went on their own date.

There we are!

I had so much with you guys! Let's do more things together okay?