GRATITUDE JOURNAL

2020-04-25 This was our view last Feb while the family was having drinks at one of Cebu’s rooftop bars. I wonder what the view is now with less cars on the road, with no lighted offices, with empty hotel rooms. The bustling city, just like any other place in the world, has been disrupted. Stilled. But life, as we know it, will go on in some way. https://instagr.am/p/B_Z0WomgaQb/ via Tumblr https://ift.tt/2KE2UIl

2020-04-24 The quarantine period just got extended to May 15 and people are ambivalent about it. More than boredom at home or the inane remarks of those in power, it’s the uncertainty of it all that’s eating away at us. Praying for an end to the challenges we are all in. Meanwhile, cheers to the additional weeks to spend with our dear ones. In photo: our sons Jake, Matt and Kyle https://instagr.am/p/B_XOLEtACX-/ via Tumblr https://ift.tt/3aG7YH6

Wayback Wednesday:  Here's an excerpt from a blog I wrote in early 2012 when the sons were aged 18, 15 and 7. While it's true that experience is the best teacher, we soon discovered that our earlier gameplan with the older boys wasn't effective with our youngest when it came to school deportment.  I dreaded moments when I would be met by his adviser who would tell me that our 7-year old boy was sent to the corner for not behaving well. Weeks back, I received a Grade 1 activity paper.  Written in red were the words "Please learn to BEHAVE WELL in class". It was next to his score of 41/41!  He got both praises for his perfect score and a good reprimand for the red note.  The older brothers poked fun of the situation and said "You never had that problem with us, Ma". True, but I pretended not to hear. I sure thought we had it all figured out, but no.  The "Tiger Mom" approach which once proved to be effective with the "kuyas", di...

2020-04-14 I have never seen any Kdrama or movie before last year’s visit to Korea. In fact, I was never a fan of anything Korean at all. Today, exactly 1 year later, thanks to #CLOY I’m totally swooning over #HyunBin. So any links to his series and movies, please send them my way. 😂🙈🤗 https://instagr.am/p/B-9gQm5ABUM/ via Tumblr https://ift.tt/3cfIFg4

2020-04-12 Marking Easter 2020 with a throwback family pic from two years ago at one of the holiest places for Catholics. #eastersnapic #forumsession #forumtraveller #fotografiaunited #easter_12 https://instagr.am/p/B-4UsP_ApIx/ via Tumblr https://ift.tt/2Xt08xm

2020-04-10 Our sons, Siblings’ Day https://instagr.am/p/B-zVe4QARxf/ via Tumblr https://ift.tt/34yhU3W

2020-04-09 Last Feb, we took this photo around the time we had our personal appearance for our visa application. Our visas have been approved since, but due to Covid19, we have nowhere to go. We momentarily bemoaned the canceled trip and the amount already spent, but we believe there is a lesson to be learned from all these. God’s will for us always has reason and purpose. Now we are all together in one place riding out the effects of this pandemic. With joyful hearts we are enjoying increased family prayer time; homecooked meals; movie nights; and simply leading a slower and peaceful pace of life. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5-18 https://instagr.am/p/B-wmOO6gmar/ via Tumblr https://ift.tt/2UVT62E

2020-04-07 The photo I posted on FB in reply after being tagged to choose a pic that made/makes me proud to be a mother… https://instagr.am/p/B-rcuwNA_sF/ via Tumblr https://ift.tt/2UNXJLS