Happy Birthday, Ma!

we surprised her with a cake and flowers... happy to see her smile like this :-)

******

Happy 57th birthday, Wowa/Mama Lyn!

Exactly a year ago you were diagnosed with a dreadful disease (Chronic Guillain-Barre Syndrome). It was the scariest day of my life because I was afraid of the possible worst things that might happen knowing the state you were in.  It was so sudden but the only thing I remembered and kept in mind which was one of the things you've taught me about God... in Him all things are possible. We just have to trust His will and grace. 

What we've gone through was not easy but God made everything available and sent His angels to help us in any way they can. We can never thank God's angels enough for all the love, support, kindness and understanding they've showered upon us. In return, we pray that God may continually  bless each one of them and their respective families with love, happiness and peace. 

Thank you so much, Ma, for everything... even when you were bedridden and totally immobile, you maintained a very positive attitude and disposition. When we learned of negative comments about your situation, you never got angry and did not went on a name-calling tirade. Instead, you chose to forgive them and move on. Thank you for being such a strong woman of faith. 

I just want you to know, Ma, that I love you so much. And I am proud of having you as my mom. Everything that I am now, I owe it to you and papa. Your happiness is essential to my own. My family and I will always be here for you and papa no matter what. I am forever grateful to God for blessing me with such wonderful parents (you and papa). And guess what, Ma, I feel like it's my birthday too today (even if it's still next month) because this has been one of my wishes last year that we get to celebrate your birthday physically together. God is so good! He granted my wish. :-)

Happy birthday, Ma! I love you to bits!!!!! *hugs*

WOWO MAIE

Wowo Maie in Perth, WA (2011)

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Happy 60th birthday, Wowo Maie!

You may not be the best papa in the world but to me you're more than enough...

Now that I'm grown up, I appreciate you more as the years come and go...

Though we have had our moments of not meeting eye to eye 

but my love and respect for you still remain undeniably true...

I know you're not perfect (no one is) but you never made your mistakes/shortcomings

hindrance in correcting/reprimanding us when you see a need to do so. 

Thank you for all the support, guidance, care, service,

and love not only to us your children but also to your grandchildren.  

I wish you more happiness and healthy years ahead...

I love you heaps, Pa! *hugs* 

Poch's 5th Birthday

Poch doing her own painting activity =)

My daughter, Cybelle Louise (aka Poch), turned 5 last April 9. Months before her birthday I already informed her that we're not having a big party like what some of her classmates were having on their birthdays. I told her that we're just going to give out lollies to her classmates before the 1st school term ends. She agreed but not without letting me know what she wants. She said, "Ok mommy. But you have to give me a hundreds thousands of millions of gifts... and you and daddy should surprise me on my birthday!".

our surprise for Poch =)

So, we decided to give her 6 story books, 1 story puzzle book , 1 activity wipe-off book and a 2 in 1 magnetic chalkboard set (note: everything were at a discounted price since it's on sale). On the eve of her birthday, I wrapped each book separately to make it seem that we got 'hundreds thousands of millions of gifts' for Poch... hehehehe... Then, Thomas and I arranged the gifts at one corner of her playroom with some balloons for decoration (as seen on the pic above). We were both excited to see what her reaction will be.

her reaction upon seeing the surprise =)

When she woke up at past 8am on her birthday, I greeted her and gave her hugs and kisses. She was in a good mood and I could sense her excitement for her special day. Thomas reminded me the night before to refrain to have some disagreements with her since it's her day which I reluctantly complied heheheh... After I let her do her morning rituals in the bathroom, I showed her our simple surprise presents for her. I was delighted to see her big smile (as seen on the above pic) when she saw the surprise. She even told me after opening all the gifts, "It's the best birthday ever I have, mommy!". Then, she gave me a hug. (I guess it's her way of saying thank you hehehe)

at d' mall's free indoor play area

After having a late breakfast, we hurriedly bathed and prepared ourselves to do some malling together with one of our friend here. At the mall, we bought some more materials (poster paints, water colors, paint brushes, markers, chalks, apron, sketch paper) that Poch will be needing for the painting activity she has in mind (like on the top most pic). I made sure that we got a great deal when it comes to prices of the goods by choosing again the ones on sale hehehehe Then, we had a short lunch break and proceeded to do some grocery shopping for the things we needed for the small get together we planned to have on Easter Sunday. I let Poch played at the mall's free indoor play area and rode some kiddie rides scattered around the mall.

baking yummy choco crinkles =)

While I was preparing dinner that night, Malou (our friend) and Poch had a bonding activity. They baked yummy choco crinkles. Afterwhich, Poch started to do her painting activity in her playroom while the adults were having chit chats over dinner.

birthday cake candle blowing =)

And on Easter Sunday, we had a small get together dinner not only to celebrate Easter as well as Poch's birthday with a few chosen friends of ours. Our friends helped us in the preparation especially in cooking some of the dishes. We're so grateful for all their help and for all the gifts they gave to Poch. It really made her so happy. It was the first time that she interacted with our friends and played with their sons and daughters too. It was already past midnight when all our guests left our place but as what my college barkada J wrote on one of her blog, "...when at the end of the day your body is tired, but your heart is happy", it's exactly how I felt that night. I could say that all the tire was well worth it. Seeing the joy in Poch's eyes was enough to ease the tiredness away.

Happy 5th birthday, Anak! =) We're so proud of you! We love you so much!!!

*****

PS. When Malou asked Poch what her birthday wish was... she blurted out, "I want a baby brother and a baby sister!"... What?!!!!! hehehhe