My World, Today

The pictures will fade, the colors will be gone, the jokes will be repetitive and their antics childish--- one thing for sure:

They will remain to be my world! The only world I am certain. The only world I want to go back to, endlessly. AND everyday I thank God for my gifts, my world!

Happy Sunday, from the Llaga family!

My Boys

Although I am really grateful to have a beautiful daughter, my bond with my boys is totally different. I feel so special and I get that sense of security. Today I was looking at some old photos and I  literally ached! My heart ached, my mind hurt. Seriously, I feel my boys are growing too fast and that special mother and son bond will wither. 

Here are my cute boys. Shhhh, don't tell them I told you they are cute. 

Just for kicks, here's Josh with his rat tail! Ahahahahah!

Goodnight!

Just Like Gibbs

Its no secret how much we love NCIS or any cop drama shows but NCIS hold a special spot up there.

Anyway, early Sunday, we were watching a documentary that featured Cher and it said how Cher's mom was married 8 times and out of nowhere, Josh goes, " hahahahaha, Ate, Mom! Just like Gibbs!" 

Oh, I love my kids! Sorry, I influenced them too much. Blame my Nancy Drew and Hardy Brother's years! Hahahahaha.

KC's 13th Birthday

Oh yes! You read that right. My only daughter turned 13 September 16, Monday. I asked her what she wanted and she said I already got her  cellphone and that was enough! I was happy hearing that from her. 

Friday before, we spent bonding time at the spa! Priceless! I know she will remember these moments with me or any other time spent with her Dad who she loves very dearly.

So, since I did not really plan any party for her, I decided having a special lunch would do. We went to grab some lobsters on Saturday for a late lunch.

Tell you what, I always try to make my " car rides" with each kid as a bonding moment. On our back home after picking up lunch, I asked her to pose for me to take a picture and as she always does, scolds me and tells me to focus driving instead as she starts  lip synching a One Direction song--- if you don't already know by now, KC is obsessed with these Irish and British boys!

My good friend and a regular here on the blog, Marisol brought a very special cake from Konditormeister. Oh yummy! Thanks Tita Sol!

Of course her Tita Glo was also there! We wish Jem and Precious were there though.

Sunday was, as always family day. We went to hear mass and it was just by chance we dressed alike. I swear we did not plan it! 

We all went to the mall after. With her gift-monies, she bought herself a cupcake--- all because we saw the company the night before on the TV show Shark Tank. 

We then left the boys at the cafe, KC and I went clothes shopping. She thought she was going to pay for it but I paid and curious she asked why. I told her dad instructed me to pay for whatever she wanted that day. She was so happy. After clothes, I brought her to Macy's to buy her first lipgloss/lipstick whatever she prefers. I wanted to do that because I want her to experiment WITH me. I know her friends are all experimenting and I have caught her sneaking on checking my make-up stash so I might as well let her enjoy this wonderful stage of her life. Besides, I figured, once her curiosity is piqued, that's it!  Rather than letting her learn from other kids and even to my horror, other people. 

For lunch/ dinner combo, we decided to go to Shake Shack. They have not been there cause we are always at Five Guys which we still love!

My family!

The birthday girl!

After Shake Shack, we were supposed to watch a movie but I realized the movie place there was the Luxe one which was $18.00 each. Pass! While we were waiting, we spent time at Pottery Barn which I could never afford so I can dream. It's calming with all the beautiful things! Oh, someday!

It's been a long day and we all decided to go home. But there's more to do! Of course she got BOOKs!

Once home, I observed the pictures hanging in the house were old pictures of the kids. I decided to let them pose like those pictures. 

See?

I so love my family! The kids are my strength!

My birthday girl! My princess, my redemption!

I stayed up late to actually wait for 1200! Here we are!

Me and the Princess!

With Dad.

Thank you Lord Almighty for giving a beautiful daughter who loves without expecting. Thank you KC for being such a wonderful daughter, for being a good example and for being a responsible girl. Not once have I been called to your school for any misbehavior. All I hear is how you are such a well-mannered girl who can balance school and friends. I pray for your continued good heath but most of all, I pray you stay true to one and one thing only --- that God is all powerful! If you let God be your master, nothing will go wrong.

I love you, Dad loves you and Josh looks up to you. Kuya may not be as expressive but I know he adores you and he is trying to protect you, believe me baby, your brothers will always be with you😝! 

Go and be strong! Soar high and I know you can achieve anything because you are a good girl. Let's keep praying baby! Together we can! 

Be Grateful

I saw this campaign over at BIDMC, a local Boston hospital. I love it! 

I hope all ads and campaigns are as positive as this!

Have a grateful day everyone! 

Senti

I am just being sentimental. Ill tell you why. 

Today, Josh asked me to sign his homework-- just sign and not look over. Pherry asked me to finish the note his Biology teacher asked parents to write about their kids. Over dinner, KC told us how her former principal who lived to her new school introduced her to the school guidance counsellor. " This is Karmina, she will be a phenomenal addition to our school." She said she was so embarrassed. I told her she was all that and more!

I don't know what to do now. The kids are growing so fast and its pretty sad. I feel they are overly independent now. I feel i am being set aside. Really?

I know this is bound to happen.

I know kids think this feeling is absurd.

I know every parents feel this way.

I know it's too early to feel the "empty nest" syndrome.

I know there are more important things than my silly feelings.

I know i'll always have them only not as my little angels.

I know they would still call me Mama no matter what age.

I know soon they will have their own lives. 

I know, i know. I know many things but when it comes to the kids, i know nothing. The more i know, the more i realize i know nothing.

Just when i thought i figured out adolescence angst, theres more coming.

Just when i thought i perfected scheduling there's more to add.

Just when i thought i gave all life's lectures, there's more to talk about.

Just when i thought i bought  everything needed and wanted , its out of fashion.

Just when i thought i am the coolest mom, they don't want to be friends with me.

Just when i thought i'm saying the correct teen lingo, there's something new.

Just when i thought i have taught them personal hygiene, it's forgotten.

Just when i thought my hugs and kisses cures them all, they push away.

Just when i thought I'm done cooking for them, they grow too fast the fridge is always empty.

Just when i thought i have indulged in their interests, they move on  to new ones.

Just when i thought i boosted their confidence someone puts them down.

Jut when i thought i make them real Catholics, i read notes about exploring atheism.

Jut when i thought they are independent, they recede back to mommy-do-this-and-that.

Just when i thought i got a balance between life and mommy duties, disaster strikes.

Just when i thought we have come to an agreement they make up a truce.

Yes, there's more. There's more i don't know. I know that. 

I guess that's why my home is full of out family pictures. That's intentional. I don't care about proper home decoration rules. All i know is i want my home to be a reflection of my family. I want to be reminded of what i have. My family! I Don't have much but i know i have  my family. That's all that matters! 

These are my fave spots in the house. You can tell these are corners with my kids' pictures. My fear is that these will be the only ones i have when they all have their own lives! Oh sigh!

 

My kiddos, when you read this in the future, just know i love you and i want you to be around me forever but i also know you will be great kids even without me! I trust you!

Mwaaah!

A New Cousin

Well, well! We got a new family member! Please welcome the " finally, a boy for us Mama" member of our family and friends circle. Oh yeah, after Jem, we got Bella, Erikka and Mica---all girls! So yeah, finally a boy and boy is he handsome! 

He is so cute! Tiny face and Fridah noticed how he seems to be "thinking." He's got that old person demeanor with wise eyes. 

Need I say more how the kids shower him with love? But there's one who's not very happy--- Baby sister Bella! I asked her what's her brother's name and she said " it's windy," ignoring the question. She refuses to acknowledge her brother, in fact she rubs her mom's tummy and asks where the "other tummy" is! I'm sure she'll warm up very soon!

Ate Precious lovingly telling me how she can't take care of baby Allen because she already takes care of Baby Erikka! But look, she's so eager to hold the Allen Peter!

Big sis Bella with Kuya Josh.

Notice how Bella is not in the picture below! She refuses! Oh boy! But pictures with cousins are to be treasured that's why even if the kids refuse I always insist.

I have to say this: I always tear up during weddings! But I love taking pictures of babies, kids with siblings and fathers and their kids! So, I grabbed my phone immediately when Bella insisted to be carried by her dad because she was " jealous" dad is carrying baby Allen!

But nothing beats a mother's joy! Here's Mr. Hubbs' niece-- Aena with baby Allen. 

Without further adieu, please welcome our newest addition to our family-Allen Peter Llaga Turingan! 

Congrats Aena and Jerome! Welcome to this beautiful world Allen. Another bundle of joy, another blessing from above! Happy Sunday everyone!

Cousins Part 3

You know how you feel safe and free at the same time? I get that feeling whenever I am with good friends, safe coz I know they would never put me in a bad light or would do anything that could potentially hurt me or my family. Free coz I can be me--- loud, happy, giggly and dressed down? No problem! 

If you have cousins who are your best friends too? Priceless! 

 

First Day of School 2013

Is it already? Really? Wow!

The kids always have fun going back to school! I know I was! New books, new school supplies, backpack and seeing your friends all make a very exciting moment. 

Today was KC and Josh' first day but not for Pherry. The freshmen go first to avoid chaos. 

All these years I make sure I drop off the kids on their first day. That was the plan today but there requested they walk since they go to a school close by us now. I was a little apprehensive so I made a deal that their Kuya drop them off. Of course they said yes! Better than mommy hanging around them! 

Here they are! Oh my God! They are going to 5th and 7th grades. 

 Yeah, they are getting bigger indeed--- Chuck Taylors!

Our traditional shoe shots!

Not babies anymore! Sigh!

KC is experimenting on her style. Oh, the kids are not into " first day outfit." In fact, I asked them why they are not prepping and they said, for what? I guess I'm the one hyped up by advertisements! Hahahah.

Here's big bro dropping them off!

But, but... Can they do it? Oh!

Maybe I should just drop them off! What if.... Maybe I'd go. Uhmmm.

.... And I went after them! They obviously can do it themselves but I can't seem to let go and I can't shake off the fact they don't need me anymore! Big sigh!😭