Mommy ni Five n' Six

Most kids has the title "Daddy's Girl" or "Mama's Boy". Me, I am my "Lola's Girl".. and I'm proud of it. I'll always be. My Lola raised me. She took care of me since I was a toddler until I was in college. For my mom, has been an OFW for so many years. My Lola is my best buddy. We have each other side by side. She always take me where ever she goes. We traveled together. She wipes my tears and comforts me. She scratch my back gently while singing some old Bisaya songs until I fell asleep. She loves to listen to my stories, but I am more enjoy, amazed, and entertained by her never ending stories about her life, the war, her encounters with mysterious creature, the place where she was raised, how she met Lolo, how is she being a mother to her 8 children, what happened when my mom's twin sister went to heaven too soon, and more stories that I never get tired of listening. Stories that I will treasure and forever will be part ...

I feel bad every time my kids get sick. I feel like, I am useless and all the things I do every single day in taking care of them is useless. I am a very protective mom. An OA mom. Meticulous mom. And many more names others call me because my priority is to keep my kids clean, healthy, and safe. I always wash their hands and got alcohol and sanitizers in my bag wherever we go. I always make sure they don't touch germ prone area like escalator and door handle when we go to the mall or to the grocery. I keep reminding them to cover their nose when we pass by a barbeque selling area or a smoking person. I clean the house everyday and do general cleaning weekly. That includes wiping from the ceiling, walls, to floors. I change towels, curtains, and bed sheets every week. It started when my eldest, Five, got sick when he was 4 yrs old. And when Six got hospitalized, I protected my kids more. Five had dry cough for almost two months when he was four. We've been to four differen...

When I decided to become a stay-at-home-mom, one of the things I needed to let go is the beauty product brand I used to loved and switched to a much affordable one. To my surprise, their products are amazing and I have been using them for years. Most of the time, I want to look natural. Especially when I go out with my kids. I just want to look good without overdoing it. Moms will be moms may it be inside or outside the house. I have a combination skin type and I tend to look greasy after playing with my kids or carrying my toddler. Maybelline products does magic with my confidence. From looking good to feeling comfortable all the time. That is why I am a fan of their Lip Balm, Creamy Mattes, Hyper Curl Mascara and the Clearsmooth all-in-one powder foundation. These products are perfect for the simple moms like me. The Clearsmooth all-in-one powder foundation is my favorite. Perfect coverage, no need to be a make-up expert. The ultra-lightweight feeling and the 12hr Oil...

On May 13th, we celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary. Years ago, we planned something special for this occasion. Sad to say, we were not able to make it happen, but it's fine. We're okay. What matters to us is, we remained in-love with each other. Ten years. This is an achievement for me to be proud of. Thank God. We made it. We are truly blessed. When we're just starting, people says, young couples like us will end in a failure marriage. Well, to be honest, I never expected that we will reach this stage. For we both have flaws. And starting a family at our very young age was a struggle. We had misunderstandings. Which is normal I think. We both experience bad moods because of stress from work, life, and our kids. We have been through some arguments too, many times. But we never let it end into any physical fight. We always make sure we will talk about it and fix it as soon as we can. As years passed, we both turned into a matured spouse and parents. Our childre...

It's summer. We all know, that bungang-araw/prickly heat is one of the challenges most of us faces during this season. My kids are one of those who suffers from that itchy skin problem. Here's a list of effective home remedies we have tried: Aloe Vera Gel - this one is very effective. We store it in the refrigerator. The cooling effect is very refreshing and it moisturizes the skin. Calamine Cream - it is to relieve itchiness as per our doctor. MoringaO2 Therapy Oil - our little girl's moisturizer since she was diagnosed with skin asthma. Very helpful, safe, and effective for the whole family too. Cetirizine - the doctor advised me to give cetirizine to my kids when they have skin problems to relieve the itchiness and prevent the kids from scratching. We use Allerkid for I think almost 10 years now. Avoid scratching. It will make the skin problem worst and open wounds will possibly cause infection. Kids cannot resist the call of scratching ...

My family is my life. Especially my kids. Like most moms say, I will do everything for my children. At the age of twenty, I gave birth to my eldest, Five. I have no any idea about being a mother at that time, aside from I need to feed and take good care of my son. Thanks goodness to my mom, for  the one on one hands-on training she gave me. I am so lucky I have her at my side and guided me on my first ever mom life experience. Just like other new moms, I have struggled doing what's right and be aware of the no no's. Everything is new. So much failures and self doubt. I failed to breastfeed my son. I don't have enough knowledge about breastfeeding that time as well as a support team. But still, it doesn't mean I was a bad mom, right? I did everything I can to become the best mom for my son. Each day is all about learning and practicing all about motherhood. I am so proud, I was present during those first crawl, first word, first steps, and with his every miles...

This year's Holy Week here in Metro Manila is the one that made me feel like I am reborn. For after so many years I successfully took the courage to talk to a priest and made a confession heart to heart. I talk to God every night before I sleep, silently. I thank Him for all the blessings we have and for my family's good health and safety, but most importantly, for forgiveness. But I know, a confession with a priest is better. My eldest joined his school's event for their level's first confession and communion. We attend Sunday mass, and he's keep asking me why I am not having a communion. I explained to him that I do not deserve to receive the body of Christ. I told him many times that I must make a confession first. That is why I decided to do it before the Holy Week. I was also able to attend the Last Seven Words during the Good Friday and heard life sharings from different people. Their story moved me. It was my first time and it did a great impact to...

My son and his classmates in our church's art workshop is part of the presentation during The Seven Last Words. It is his first time to join the workshop and so his first time to participate in this event. It is also my first time to attend this here in Metro Manila. I remember, in our province, during Good Friday, a mass is being celebrated and then followed by a long procession with Saints' statues. Today, I have witnessed some life sharings following each of the Seven Last Words. Each have moved me. Each has impact. Each has lessons and realization. Each one of us had been through and some still faces challenges in life. Some of us might be in the thought of giving up. Or worst feel neglected by God and feel mad at Him. Maybe some of us did questioned Him for all those hard things you have in life. But even Jesus asked Him that. It is part of the Seven Last Words of Jesus. After the life sharings, I got one realization. I am not being neglected by God. That he s...

As a part of Holy Week tradition, Catholics are encouraged to practice "no meat" meals every Friday after the Ash Wednesday. That means no chicken, pork, and beef. So here's my Adobong Bangus recipe. Hope you'll like it. Ingredients: 1 whole bangus (clean and cut) 2 tbsp cooking oil 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 cups water 1/8 cup vinegar 5 tsp sugar 3-4 pcs Bay leaves 1 tsp whole pepper corn 1 tsp black pepper 1 pc medium onion (Chopped) 1/2 - 1 whole garlic. (Chopped) (Every Adobo's secret = lots of garlic. Procedure: 1. Marinate the fish (bangus/milkfish) in soy sauce, garlic (half of what you have prepared), black pepper for 10-15 minutes. 2. Saute the remaining garlic and the onion. 3. Pour in the marinade. Then put the fish. 4. Add water and bring it to boil for 20 minutes. 5. Add the whole pepper corn, bay leaves, and the vinegar. 6. Lastly, add the sugar. *Note: You may double the ingredients if you want your adobo be more saucy. You m...

Five, my eldest started schooling when he was 3 years old. He already know the basic colors, shapes, and the alphabet before he entered school. The teacher was really amazed of him. From Day Care up to Grade 3, he is always at the class' Top 2 or 3. He is such a competitive pupil. He loves to join to every event they have in school. Especially in Science and Arts. He really is fond of everything about Arts. I love how dedicated he is in his studies. I am so proud of him. I see myself in him. I was also an achiever during my elementary days. Without the help of anyone. I received awards yearly. That is why, as a mom. I did everything to help him and guide him. I thought that making him focus with his studies and spending both our time reading his textbooks is the best thing I could do to help him. But I have noticed, it caused us both so much stress. We review his lessons every day. I make him a test weekly. Things became harder when I gave birth to her little sister. ...

When I was a kid. I am always longing for my mom. For her hugs, kisses, presence.. She has been an OFW for so many years. I can even count the moments we have. But.. My mom tried to buy me each princes doll I love. She tried to grant every wishes I had. But since she was all alone providing for our needs, she failed. I feel so disappointed with her. I grew up without her and accepted our situation. I even never expected the time she decided to stay and take care of me. We both struggled for the adjustment we need to do. I felt like I am with a stranger. I made myself busy with my work. Years passed and I had a family of my own. I became a mom. Everything changed. I clearly can understand everything my mom went through just to make me happy and her effort to give me a comfortable life. I am now in my Mom's Shoes. Sleepless nights. Mom 24/7. Never ending chores. Responsibilities. Thinking about my kids all the time. Selfless. This is what every girl needs to be ready...

Since my little girl started to watch Disney Princesses movies, everything in her imagination is about her being a princess. Of course, Mom's the Queen, Paps is the King, and Kuya is the Prince. She sleeps in pajamas but still has a crown on her head 😉 Are we annoyed? Nope. We enjoy it too. We love how she sings like Mulan. How she turns gracefully like Belle. Her favorite? Either Princess Ana or Rapunzel. Hmm.. Not quite sure about that. But she loves every princess she knows. Even the little Vanellope in Wreck It Ralph 👍 We sing every soundtrack. We watch the movies all over again and again. We portray each character whenever the little girl wishes us to. Story telling when it's bedtime. And more. When I was a kid, I was into princesses too. Who's not, right? Every little girl wishes to be like Cinderella, or Snow White, or Jasmin and ride the magic carpet. I dreamed wearing those beautiful gowns and shoes too. I dreamed living in a castle. I dreamed I w...