Another Valentine's surprise?!!!

I was having my usual busy day when the doorbell rang! When I checked, it's the UPS guy delivering another box of flowers from Pro-Flowers (the online store where Ryan ordered my roses  for Valentine's Day).

I called Ryan to ask why he's giving me another one. He said he wasn't satisfied with the flowers delivered to me last Valentine's Day. It was supposed to be a combination of pink, red and white roses but they sent pink, red and yellow instead...so he sent a complaint email to Pro-Flowers on the night of Feb. 14. So here, I have another bunch of roses  and another box of chocolates from my loving husband!

I just love getting flowers! For me there is nothing better than having the doorbell ring and have someone outside with a bouquet of flowers! Love it --- It can truly brighten my day!!!

Our Wonderful Valentine's Day Celebration

Valentine's Day 2011 was so awesome! We had a very simple but really wonderful celebration. 

Last Sunday, we had a really scrumptious pre-Valentine's Day dinner at Osaka, our second fave Japanese Restaurant here.

 We made Valentines for Clarise's teacher and 20 classmates.

 I surprised Ryan and the girls with this heart pancakes and toast with egg for breakfast.

Ryan surprised the girls and I with this lovely gifts! Simple but it was really so thoughtful and sweet of him!

I surprised Ryan with this...just to remind him of our very first Valentine's Day (this is our 17th Valentine's Day) together when I gave him a big heart pillow and a big musical card like this one...

 Cherlin and I joined Clarise for lunch in school. 

Clarise had an awesome Valentine's Day Party in school!

  

And we had an awesome four-course dinner prepared by yours truly! ;)

You really don't have to spend a fortune to have a Valentine's Day worth remembering! No matter how simple you celebrate, Valentine's Day will always be special when you celebrate it with the people you love most!

I hope your Valentine's Day was as special as mine! :-*

It's Valentine's Day!

Spread the L♥VE!!! It is the most wonderful of all things in this world...
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!! Have fun!

 Here are my Precious Valentines...I just love them so much! 

Pre-Valentine's Treat for the Girls

As our Valentine's treat for our daughters, we went to their all-time favorite hangout today --- Chuck E. Cheese's! Just as always, they had a great time! 

  

Though they didn't get lots of tickets (they only got 440 and I got 30 tickets for each of them from CEC online promo for a total of 500 tickets), it seems like they won a lottery with those little prizes they got! 

I'm always pleased beyond measure to see my girls having fun...and I just love the way Chuck E. Cheese's makes my daughters happy!

Snow Storm in TX

Very early today, rain, snow and powerful wind began hitting  a wide swath of the country from Texas to New England. 

It's now 17F here in Little Elm, TX...and this is what's outside our front door when I opened it...

Frisco ISD and other school districts are closed due to bad weather! Enjoy the snow, kiddos...but stay safe!!!

My Very Own Recipe Blog

I love to cook...and for years, I've been dreaming of putting up my own recipe blog where I can share my recipes. Now, it has finally come true. Visit Pinay in Texas Cooking Corner and cook with me!

Snow Day 2011

First snow of 2011 in Texas is here! Wishing y'all a wonderful time playing in the snow!!! Be safe!

A Happy & Blessed New Year To All!!!

Don't weep for yesterday for it is over! Smile from your heart for God has given us a brand new year! Make the most of it! Make 2011 a song of thanksgiving, an offering of praise and a celebration of God’s love. A Joyous and God-filled New Year to us all!!!

 

 

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

No matter what situation you’re in and what’s going on in your life, may the spirit of Christmas which is PEACE, the gladness of Christmas which is HOPE, and the heart of Christmas which is LOVE be with you now and throughout the coming year. From our family to yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

It's Christmas Time Again...

Time flies so fast indeed...and Christmas is here once again! Everywhere, people are busy preparing for this most celebrated day of the year! People's thoughts are consumed by decorating their house, sending out cards so everyone can see how wonderful their family is, buying holiday outfits, spending too much on the best gifts, and making sure their children have a magical holiday. But is this what Christmas should be all about???

It's true that Christmas should be a time of joy and celebration. It is the day that reminds us of the coming of Jesus Christ into the world to save us from our sins. But for most people, it isn't like this anymore, and that is tragic! Christmas becomes a time of frantic schedules and overspending and other pressures, and Jesus gets lost in the process. 

Let us all try to consider the true reason behind Christmas. Regardless of what activities we choose to do, the most important focus should be on celebrating who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Everything else is extra. Just as the word Christmas starts with Christ, so does our celebration of it… that’s what it’s all about after all.

Be Thankful

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection… a day to remind us to always be grateful for everything!  A friend sent me this poem and I felt the need to share it with you:

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,

for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,

because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,

because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,

and they can become your blessings.

No matter what situation we face in life, there is always something to be thankful for.  Even if we don't have that much as far as material things, there are still so much things to appreciate. It can be non- material things…things that are not seen…things that to some, seem insignificant – loving family, true friends, love, good health, emotional stability, peace of mind, spiritual fulfillment, etc.  These are all priceless blessings from God that we often take for granted. It can also be things that we didn’t get or that didn’t happen - illnesses and financial problem that didn’t come our way, those losses we didn’t experience, accidents that didn’t occur to any of our family members. For me, these are things that we should be more thankful for. And though, it’s so difficult, we should also be thankful for all the tough times in our life. Tough times could bring us so much pain but they make us grow and show us the love and power of God. Everything happens for a reason and God wants us to realize this, and be thankful for everything whether good or bad. He wants us to learn to be content in whatever circumstance we are in. He wants us to look to our current and past challenges and failures and find something positive in there, and give thanks for it. This is what full gratitude means, and this is what Thanksgiving Day is all about.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! May today bring peace and contentment within you…May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be… May you turn your whole life over to Him and never cease to give Him thanks…May you keep gratitude alive in your heart and make every day Thanksgiving Day!!!

Until We Meet Again...

Many people walk in and out of our lives, but only true friends are the ones who never leave our hearts. Even if they leave for a while… even after years apart, we pick up with them right where we left off. And even if they die they're never dead in our hearts for they leave footprints that will forever remain…

Sept. 29 was a sad day for me and those who have known Engr. Victor B. Sulit. Vic was truly a very good friend! He was one of those people from my UST-EE group of friends who I felt so comfortable with. He was such an excellent confidant, good adviser & expert listener.  He was a very serious yet funny guy. Most of the time he would remain quiet, just listening to conversations then all of a sudden, he would say his punch line which can make us all laugh.  Vic’s house has been our favorite hangout.  Whether from section A or section B, everybody felt welcomed at Vic’s house! It has been our venue for group reviews, post prelims & final exam celebrations, project making, birthday celebrations, plain kitakits and even my despedida party before going to TX. He had more friends than I can count, because he made each one of us feel like his friend. And even after college, even though we had our own families and careers, he managed to get the group together in their house at least once a year.

Vic’s death was so sudden.  I remember when I got the message from Ian. I simply could not believe it. He was too young. I was hoping it was just a joke. But who would use a friend’s death as a joke?  I kept on asking why a good person like him died at a young age. But as it slowly occurred to me, I have realized that Vic indeed lived his life wonderfully. He was a good person. He was well-loved and he had done so many good things. So maybe, he already fulfilled God’s purpose for him….that’s why it’s time for him to go. Or maybe God wanted to spare him the pain of having to go through a severe ailment, that’s why God brought him home at such a young age. But who really knows? We have so many unanswered questions, but God alone has all the answers. For God to explain to us why Vic died at this particular time, would be like an electrical engineer trying to explain the theories of electricity to a 2 yr-old. In a situation like this, when the life of a family member or friend is interrupted so abruptly,  the hardest thing to do is simply to trust God.  And yet, that's exactly what He wants us to do.  He wants us to believe that He has plans for us and He knows what’s best for us. He wants us to accept that even though the death of  someone close to us is a very painful experience, it will give us a new beginning. At this point,  I am comforted with the belief  that God has good reasons for taking him. I know that Vic is now in the most perfect place imaginable…and someday,  we’ll see him  again.

For now,  let us just be grateful for having known Victor Sulit – a truly  compassionate, generous and kind friend.  Each of us knows how blessed we were to share 20 years of friendship  with him.

Thank you so much for the friendship, Vic!  All the good times we have shared with you will forever be cherished and remembered.  You will forever live in our hearts. For all of us, things will never be the same without you… We will miss you more than you’ll ever know…

Rest in peace, my friend!  Your family is in good hands. God will constantly comfort and protect them. He has you in his keeping now…and we have you in our hearts. 

Clarise's Winning 3rd Grade Student Council Class Representative Speech

Just want to share with you Clarise's campaign speech for the Student Council Class Representative election.

So proud of my daughter! She's new in school but she made it to the student council! She said this wonderful speech mesmerized her classmates and made almost all of them vote for her...

My parents always tell me that it's good to be of service to others, and that is what I want to do. This is why I want to be Student Council Class Representative. I am a very responsible and motivated young girl & I know that I can make a difference in our class & our school. If I will be given the chance to be student council class representative, I will do my best to be of service in my own little way. In the classroom, I will help Mrs. Labry with simple tasks like passing out papers, maintaining silence & order in the classroom when she is out, helping classmates who are struggling in different subjects and taking out the recycle bin. I would try to stop fights and help classmates get along and make friends. When a new kid comes to our class or to our school, I would be friends with him or her, and encourage others to do the same thing. When someone gets ill, I would help them with their work when they get back to class and show them some love by sending get well cards that we can make in art class so we do not have to buy them.

As Student council class representative, I will also help in school activities and participate in projects that will benefit our school and our community. I will make sure that all our class ideas, concerns and suggestions will be reported to the Student Council and I will inform you of all the council projects and activities so that we can all participate and have fun!

So vote for me!

I am Clarise De Guzman, and I really want to be Student Council Class Reperesentative!

Thank you!

Our House Blessing

House blessing has been a long time Catholic tradition in the Philippines. Because we want to mark the joyful event of having our own home and thank God for that, and at the same time, to invite Jesus to come and dwell with us in our home and in our hearts, we had our house blessed yesterday. Fr. Vincent, Parochial Vicar of St. Francis of Asisi Parish officiated it.

It was truly a day of celebration as our good friends & relatives gather in our new house and make us feel how blessed we are to have people who truly love us...

Finally, A Place We Can Call Home

After 5 years of apartment living here in DFW Metroplex, we finally decided to get our own house...and we are truly loving it!!! (^.^)

Proud Mom Again!!!

The 2nd grade Year-End Awards Ceremony at Clarise’s school was held this morning. Ryan & I are so proud of her for once again getting the highest award in class which is the Principal’s Award, and of course, the Academic Excellence & Star Student Awards. Since her first day in Kindergarten, we have watched Clarise grow into an amazing girl. She has been recipient of these awards for 3 consecutive years and she has been in C-FB ISD’s GT program since first grade. She has been chosen to tutor a 1st grade Japanese girl in reading and writing, and I really think she has done a great job. She’s our shining star..and we’re so proud of her and all her accomplishments.

I would like to share with you all the awards she got from Kindergarten to Second grade at Sheffield Primary:

2nd Grade Awards:
Principal’s Award
Academic Excellence Award
Star Student Award

1st Grade Awards:
Principal’s Award
“A” Honor Roll Award
Star Student Award
Art Award

Kindergarten Awards
Principal’s Award
Academic Excellence Award
Star Student Award

*Principal’s Award – award given to the #1 student of the class
Academic Excellence / “A” Honor Roll Award – award given to students who have
straight A’s for the whole 36 weeks of school
Star Student Award – award given to students who foster academic excellence and
good character

As she bids farewell to Sheffield Primary, and gets herself ready for a new environment in Robertson Elementary of Frisco ISD, we are so anxious to guide and watch her prepare for a future of opportunities and infinite possibilities…

A Day To Celebrate...

February 12...What a wonderful day, and what a wonderful occasion to celebrate --- the 65th birthday of my father, ERNESTO AGUILA FLORES!


I’ve always felt so blessed to have a father as good as mine. A real father is very rare….that’s why I’m so grateful to have one who is a real father to me and my brother…a father who’s responsible, strong, smart and filled with love…a father who fulfills all his duties - to teach, to guide, to protect. I am the woman I am today because of the strong foundation he built. I’ve grown up with his values, and I'm very glad I did. To others, he's just a simple man and fame was never his, but he's the greatest man I know, and I’ll always be his #1 fan!


To my father, my mentor, my friend --- Happy, happy birthday!!! I love you and I wish you many more happy & healthy years. Thanks for giving me the finest things in this world…your time, your care, your love!!!


This song is for you…


I'll Always Be Your Baby
by Natalie Grant

You were my first love, always there for me
You taught me how to walk and how to dream
God gave me your eyes
But it was you who taught me how to see
Now I can stand on my own
But I know that you'll never let go

I'll always be your baby
No matter how the years fly by
The way you love me made me
Who I am in this world
I'm a woman now, not a little girl
Wherever this life takes me
I'll always be your baby

You are my hero and that will never change
You still can dry my tears with just a smile
The one I've leaned on
From my first steps to walking down the aisle
Now there's another man in my life
But I know by the look in your eyes

I'll always be your baby
No matter how the years fly by
The way you love me made me
Who I am in this world
I'm a woman now, Not a little girl
Wherever this life takes me
I'll always be your baby

Your faith, your love
And all that you believe
Have come to be the strongest part of me
And I will always be your baby

Always So Thankful...

Thanksgiving Day is here again and as I reflect on all my many blessings, I want to share with you some things I am most thankful for:


1. I am thankful to God for His care, goodness, love, mercy…and His grace which is more than enough for each new day. I am thankful for my faith which enables me to have extreme confidence in all areas of my life, knowing there is a divine plan for everything.


2. I am thankful for the kindness, compassion, patience and unconditional love that I got from two of the most important people in my life - my wonderful parents who taught me everything there is to learn by mere example of their lives.


3. I am thankful for the wonderful family that I have been blessed with...my parents, my brother, my grandparents, my aunts, uncles and cousins from the Flores, Lopez & Aguila sides. We have always been extremely close and I have always felt blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life.


4. I am thankful for the family I found when I married Ryan. The De Guzman’s and Mendoza’s have always been supportive & so loving, and are truly a good substitute for my own.


5. I am thankful for getting up each morning to the warm kisses of my husband. He’s such a wonderful man who inspires me daily, works so hard, and loves and understands me no matter what, like no one ever has!


6. I am thankful for my daughters who give me endless happiness and sometimes, headaches. They give me the reason to get up and keep going everyday. I’m thankful for being able to watch them grow and learn, and for all the games, stories, hugs, kisses, laughter and love we share.


7. I am thankful for all the love from family, relatives and friends I experience in my life every single day which makes me see the beauty of life.


8. I am thankful for friends near and far…in real life & online…for the joy and laughter they bring…for all the memories they help create.


9. I am thankful for my creativity, my artistic mind and hands…that bring smiles to my loved ones’ face & heart and even to mine.


10. I am thankful for having my heart broken, so that I can better understand what I have now, what a blessing and a gift love truly is!


11. I am thankful for nature which my family loves...its wonderful color that pleases my eyes... the lake and the sea where Ryan and Clarise could fish...the beautiful flowers, butterflies and birds that give Cherlin delight.


12. I am thankful for the hard times. Hard times keep me on track. They give me great empathy and some wisdom. I learn from them, and they make me proud to see myself growing, adapting, rather than shrinking away afraid.


13. I am so thankful for modern science…for phones…for the internet…for yahoo…for facebook. Keeping in touch with my family & friends from anywhere in the world is a lot easier!!!


14. At this very moment, I am so thankful to my very good friend Carmi for inviting us to spend thanksgiving with her family! If not for her, I'll be so busy today and won't get the chance to write this. (",)


Life is tough, and it is so easy to give in to the stress of daily life and complain about all the things we think are wrong with our lives. We always see what we don't have instead of what we have….bad things instead of good ones. But life is good and God has given us a great deal to be thankful for! We should just open our eyes and learn to count our blessings more than our sorrows, never overlooking the small ones. Remember small ones add up to a bigger one…


I do thank each of you for the part you play in my life. Without you, it would be a little or maybe a lot different.


I love just the way my life is…


Happy Thanksgiving!!! Make EVERYDAY Thanksgiving Day!!!

Clarise is star student again!!!

It's recognition day at Sheffield Primary today...and Clarise is star student again!!!

Sheffield’s Star Student Award is given to deserving students for their Academic Achievement and Good Character. Every nine weeks, two students are chosen to receive this award from each class. A student can only receive this award once a year. I’m so proud that Clarise has always been chosen as one of the 1st nine weeks’ Star Students from Kindergaten up to now. For the past two years, it has been a great motivation for her to give her best until the end of the school year…and I believe that it will be the same this year.

Let me share with you her teachers’ write-up from Kindergarten to present on why they chose Clarise as a star student.

Kindergarten:
By Mrs. Pamela Perkins
Clarise came to Sheffield from the Philippines. She speaks two languages fluently and is a wonderful reader and writer. She is a leader in our classroom and often helps other students who are struggling with completing a task. She loves to learn and is very curious, often asking questions to find out information, Her love of learning, her classmates and her school make her a Star in Kindergarten.

First Grade:
By Mrs. Crystal Owens
Clarise is a very responsible student. She always knows what to do and follows directions. She makes her day every day. Her work is excellent. She is patient and helpful to others. She is a very active listener and participates in class discussions frequently. She asks lots of questions to help her understand the concepts we are learning about. She is also a good friend to all in our class.

Second Grade:
By Mrs. Dorothy Carroll
Clarise is a dedicated worker and is eager to learn new things. She has a great attitude and takes direction well. Clarise volunteers frequently and makes wonderful contributions to the class. She enjoys books and reads extensively. Clarise has many friends and is well liked by her peers. She possesses good self-discipline and is respectful to others. Clarise is capable of achieving anything she puts her mind to! She is truly a shining star!

Clarise has always shown great academic performance since she started school, and as her mother, I’m so proud of her and all her accomplishments. I thank God for the gift of wisdom that He gave Clarise...and I pray that He will guide and lead her all the time. She still has a long way to go...but with God's loving guidance, I'm sure she'll always be in the right path. (",)

Happy birthday, Cherlin!!!

It's Cherlin's 4th birthday!!!

wooohooo!!!

Happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday, dear Cherlin...
Happy birthday to you...

Wishing you a birthday as special as you are, baby! We love you! Praying that the Lord will bless & keep you all the days of your life...