CC: As a Daughter

Just before hubby left for work this afternoon, I asked him how he sees me as a daughter. Honestly, I was kind of shy to ask this question, but I have to do it. I took a deep breath first then pop up the question, lol! His first word: was your are an "awesome" daughter! I like his answer, but not really happy about it. Why? Because I wanted a more detailed answer :-). When he saw that I wasn't that satisfied, he replied in detailed.

He said that he was touched by how forgiving I am. He think that he can't imagine any person can forgive parents who gave him/her away after birth to grandparents. I didn't know my story as baby till I turned 8 year old. But even then, I didn't feel any anger or hatred against my parents. What happened a long time ago is gone and I understood that maybe my mother experienced a baby blue or postpartum depression.

Anyway, hubby said that I love my parents so much despite of that phase in my life. I still want to help them, support them, think of them and be with them. I don't know why, but that is what I feel. Whatever happened, I have already forgiven then...they are my family and I wouldn't be where I am today if it is not for them.

CC: As His Wife

Though I already know what my husband thinks of me as wife, I still had to ask him on this one :-). The first thing he said was: I am a brave person. Brave to leave my immediate family and live in a foreign land. Brave to have gone through many surgeries peacefully and calmly...and without fear. Then, second: A passionate and caring wife. I like to cuddle and kiss him on his cheeks....and he loves it though he is the opposite of me most of the time :-). He calls me 'the best cook'; he eats whatever I serve him. A considerate person who thinks of other people's feelings. Even though he made the same mistake twice or thrice, I still forgave him....and he loves me for being a forgiving and trusting wife. Doting mother to our son. And most of all, his very "best friend." He can tell me everything without being judgmental...and vice versa. What about you? Tell us what your spouse think of you.

CC: As Mother and Aunt

I don't know about you guys, but every once in awhile, I have this moment where I blame myself when Jacob misbehaves. For instance, there were times when I feel like he is not listening to me or he is ignoring me. I said this because I would repeat the same thing everyday to him otherwise he wouldn't do what I asked him to do like putting away his toys, brushing his teeth, tidying up his room, and so forth and so on. I don't want to yell on him, and so I would just leave the room and cries. Hubby keeps on cheering me up and tries to assures me that "I am a good Mom to Jake and he is couldn't find a better mother for his son than me." It was like a music to my ear every time he says those words...and I feel better again. He also said that Jacob's success at school was because of me. That is how my husband sees me as the mother of his only son...and I love him for that!

As an Aunt, Matt knows that I love my immediate family and they meant the world to me, too! The way I depend, support and take care of them show how much I love them. And so, he never complain when I send "care packages" to them every now and then. Hubby loves me for my selfless love to our son, to him, his family and my immediate family. He knows my generosity and our strong family ties. I always get compliments from him for my selfless love, generosity and thoughtfulness to my nieces.

CC: He is Not a Picky Eater!

One of the things I like about Caucasian is that they are very vocal with what they feel and think. It makes our life easier because they don't hide what they feel...well at least with my hubby. He tells me how much he hates it when I pluck my eyebrows or when I fry dried fish. Talking about cooking, if I can cook, he can cook, too! I might not be a very good cook, but to him..I am except when it comes to certain Filipino foods such as "Dinuguan, Kare kare, Pinapaitan, Bopis, and Adobong Atay. Well, at least he tried them first before he said "i don't like it." He loves adobo, nilaga, caldereta minus liver, apritada, menudo, tinola, sinigang and etc...He used to eat pansit, but is burned out of it. He wouldn't even touch it at all now. Noticed now, yeah, he loves to eat and he is not a picky eater either. His photo says it all, lol! On the other hand, I do the same when it comes to the food he cooks. I will try to eat once or twice of his foods, but that's about it. I love his chicken curry the best!

CC: He Doesn't Like to be Tickled!

There is only one thing that annoys hubby so much. When I tickle him under his armpits, both sides of his waist. The one that he really, really hates is that when I tickle him between his bottoms, lol! The look on his face when I do that is making me laugh! Imagine when you see your hubby's facial expression when he want to smile and frown at the same time!

CC: Two Birds in One Stone

First of all, I'd like to share a little bit of last week's theme that I've missed due to my busy schedule. It was all about getting ready to go out. Before, Matt used to get ready longer than I am. And it kind of annoyed me. It was supposed to be me who spend more time in front of the mirror and not him! But then 'no.' Now, he gets dress pretty quickly and for me, I need 1 solid hour to get ready and that includes taking a shower, brushing my teeth, fixing my hair, putting on light make up and trying at least three dresses before I can finally get dress.

Okay, here is my share for this week them. Every once in a while, hubby and I get lost especially in an unfamiliar place or places we have never been before. But most of the time we find the right place or address when we have a direction from map quest. During those time when we couldn't find the place, I wished hubby would stop and ask someone for direction! It is annoying when he doesn't want to do anything....even listen to me when I asked him to stop and ask someone for direction!


What is it in a man asking for direction? A question I always ask myself when he chose to refused my entreaties to stop and ask someone for direction. Is it because ultimate display of male arrogance and stubbornness? If it isn't? Then what!? I did some research and this is what I've found/learned.

According to Alison Armstrong, the author of "Keys to the Kingdom." It is important to understand that men are NEVER "lost." To him, that implies a helplessness that he will never willingly experience. He simply hasn't gotten there yet and he has complete faith in his ability to do so.

Also, a man's unwillingness to stop and ask for directions is consistent with his survival instincts and actually not stubborn at all. First, the act of stopping the car, and rolling down the window, makes him (and you) more vulnerable than he is willing to be just to get some place faster.

Second, from a man's point-of-view, the moment he asks a gas station attendant, or someone on the street, for directions, he has put his life and yours in the hands of a stranger! Men, wisely, only put their lives in the hands of people who have proven themselves trustworthy. The way he sees it, you are both better off searching for your location yourselves than being at the mercy of the judgment of someone he doesn't know and trust.

Why has he never told you this? According to our research, this is because, to him, it is obvious. Every man already knows this and something that everyone already knows requires no explanation. It is a mystery to him why you seem to have forgotten this basic rule of survival.

CC: We Celebrate US in Small and Simple Ways

Okay, 'how do we celebrate being together?' Matt and I celebrate it during his day off. Since he works night shift, his three days off every week are spent....running errands together, we sometimes eat out if we feel like it or simply cuddle while watching our favorite tv shows or movie in demands. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive.....just simply being together makes us happy and contented. For instance, today he said he wanted to take me out for lunch at my favorite restaurant (TGI Friday), but I said ''no.'' I just want to stay home and be with him. So we just took a nap! Sometimes, we just go to the temple, watch movie, or have dinner with friends. I just love being with him....sometimes we wished that he doesn't have to go to work so we could be together all the time, lol! But that is not going to happen....he needs to work otherwise we would starve to death....for love isn't enough to survive our life together! Anyway, someday we'd like to go for a cruise to celebrate being together as well as our wedding anniversary. Kailan kaya yun? Hopefully in the near future...maybe next year!

What about you? Share with us...how you celebrate being together with your better half! My share for this week on....

CC: Back In Each Other's Arms!

When I was single, I promised myself that I will never get myself involved with a foreigner for the reason that I don't want to get married and then get divorce later on. As we all know, divorce is very common in the U.S. compared to the Philippines or any other countries like those in Asia. But here I am, married to a white/Caucasian guy, lol! I realized now that I was wrong. It doesn't matter who you are married with...you will end up apart or separated, divorced or however you call it if you didn't do your best to work things out...if you or both of you are selfish enough to only think of yourself...forgetting that you have kids who will be badly affected by it.

Anyway, here we see many people get married and after few years...they decided that they don't need each other anymore. What a shame! Hubby and I believe that things can be patched up if both are willing to try to save their marriage. I am glad that I am married to a guy who doesn't believe in divorce, separation etc...

Anyway, don't really have something to share on "being together again."

CC: I Cried a River

Being an emotional and sensitive person, I cry when hubby and I have misunderstandings. I cry when I feel like I am failing as a mother to my son. I cry when I miss my parents and siblings. I cried an ocean when we lost our first child to stillborn and still cry every time I think of her, and every time I see an eight year old girl playing with her young brother.

Anyway, since this topic is for couple only. I'll say that I cried a river during the first few weeks of our marriage. We were still in the period of adjustment then. You can imagine how hard it was for us...for we didn't spend a lot of times getting to know each other in person. Online courting is a lot different than in person. We met through internet...and it was really different when we finally live together under one roof. Things like differences in opinions, the way we were raised, and etc...needs a lot of understanding, patience and compromising, and most of all love. But those days are all over now (thanks goodness!)....and all part of the history. This is my share on....

CC: Is It Over?

Aside from monthly period, the medications I am taking everyday makes me act different. What I meant is that I am not myself (as hubby tells me every time). I get annoyed and irritated so easily. Small things can turn into a big problem. As one of my nurse said "hubby calls me a bitch." When I have that moment... I can be a bitch at times, too, lol! When I became bad....I am really, really bad! With a hubby like I have who is very patient, understanding and forgiving...you can imagine how bad can I be that he almost gave up on me one time; he even told me that "he can't take it anymore! He didn't think it will happen to us.....but it seems like it was happening. Oh no!...it can't be happening! I thought it was over. I was so scared! I didn't say I thing for a moment...but later on apologized. I was crying...he was crying, too when we were talking. That was the longest serious talked we have even had. Since then, I try very hard to control my temper...it is hard but I have to for the sake of our marriage....and our son!

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CC: Petty Quarrels

I don't remember a time that Matt and I quarrel a lot! All I can remember is that we have few misunderstandings when we were still newly wed due to our differences in culture, values and opinions. Those times, we made sure that we talked things over; and tried not to sleep on it! Sleeping without solving the problems will only make it worst; and that is what happened when we did. We both didn't feel good. So the next day, we both apologized and gave each other hugs.

Matt is a very understanding and patient person. When I am upset, he would just shut his mouth till he feels like I am ready to talk and is already calm. He always know the right words to say to make me feel better. We learned then that good communication is the key. Both of us has a say in the problems...and are both amicable in the solution to the problems. We do compromise and communicate a lot, thus making our marriage stronger.

The last time we had misunderstanding was a couple of months ago when he compared how I treat his parents to mine. I got so upset that I even burst into tears! Because we both know how much I love his parents; and that I treat them like my own. I didn't want to say anything that would hurt his feeling, and so I left the room. I went to the bathroom and he followed me there....still mad. To make the story short....because I wasn't saying anything, he stopped talking and left. Then later on, he realized he was wrong and apologized. I told him that I hate it when he compared his parents to mine. He then promised me he'd never do it again ever!

CC: So In Love!

I fell in love with Matt even more as soon as I heard his soft, gentle and kind voice for the first time over the phone. I felt that I have found my soul-mate so to speak my eternal love. I see hearts everywhere I go and wherever I look. I couldn't stop smiling, excitedly waiting for his emails everyday and phone calls once a week. It's been 9 years, but the feeling is still the same. I know the feeling is mutual because when I sing a love song in front of him, he smiles and his face turns into pink! I never had the chance of hugging and kissing him a lot on his cheeks when we were dating online, but now I have all the time to do that and he loves it! I am so in love with him that even though he is home all day, I still miss him; he thinks I am crazy for missing him that much, lol. Yup, I am crazy in love with him!

CC: Our First Kiss

The very first time Matt kissed me (on my forehead) was at the airport when we (my cousin and I) picked him up after his flight from US to meet me in person for the first time after exchanging emails for six months. He stayed at my Aunt's house for a week before we finally have our first kiss...then left the next day. We both didn't know how to kiss yet, lol and so we didn't know what to do :-). Matt courted some girls before but none of them became his gf, and so, I was his first and last GF...and that explained why he didn't know how to kiss a woman that time. After being married for almost 10 years...we know now how to, lol!

CC: I Love You

Matt and I didn't say "I Love You" to each other till we meet in person, but despite of that...we knew and felt our love toward each other even before we met. Our emails and phone calls can testify/attest to that. Yup, we still have copies of those emails we sent to each other and every time we read them together we still giggle and fall in love all over again. It's been 9 years now...yet we still say "i love you's" every single day...and never get tired of saying and hearing it :-)!

How about you? You still remember the first time he/she said 'i love you' to you? Share it with us by clicking the button on the right side of this blog. See you there!

CC: Why Bad Habits Are Hard to Break?

I wished I could help you how to break your bad habit, but sorry...I, myself is having difficulty breaking mine. The bad habit I have is being a procrastinator. For whatever reason I manage to neglect, put aside or so to speak procrastinate everything from household chores to taking care of my health (by not exercising or walking on the treadmill). Hubby shares the same habit on keeping ourselves active. Exercising less and eating more, wahhhh!

I believe that being human is not an excuse to break bad habits. It's all about determination, dedication and being consistent. I know that we can break our bad habits if we have these three things. It wouldn't be easy, but it would be worth trying. Just think about the biggest losers; they loss weight and keep it off! Wouldn't it be great if we can do that! Easier than done...and they did it! I bet we could do it, too! My share on this week theme on.....

CC: Old Bad Habits

Just like everybody else, I too has few bad habits that need to be stopped. I am not perfect but that doesn't mean I can't be perfect in something else. Right now, I am working on the following:

~~ Reading scriptures daily. I feel bad and couldn't sleep if I miss a day without reading.
~~ Not yelling at my son or hubby when I am irritated or when the red flag in on.
~~ Spending less in front of computer and more time exercising.
~~ Managing my weight by dieting.

Here's hubby's share of bad habits:

~~ Impulsive buying.
~~ Not saving enough for the future/emergency.
~~ Leaving dirty socks on the floor.
~~ Eating more than he should and exercising less.

We are both working hard on it by supporting and helping each other. We both know that we would succeed if we work together.

CC: Our Christmas Wishes

Last week, my friends and I went shopping for Christmas gifts. We went from Tanger Outlet Mall, Town East Mall and at Allen Outlet Mall. With all these shopping, thank goodness, I was able to finish shopping for all except for my sister in-law who wants kitchen utensils. Anyway, I have been wishing for a coach purse for a long time, and never thought that my wished would materialize, but it actually did!

This coach purse is normally worth $338, it was on sale for $229.99. Paid for it for only $99.64; saving 70% the sale price...sweet! Hubby told me that it would be my gift and that I need to wrap it :-).

Hubby told me not to buy him anything, but I bought him one anyway, for this seiko watch was his dream watch and mind you.... I only paid $55... thus saving 30% off.

This is my share for this week's....

CC: What Are We Thankful For?

My husband and I have a lot of things to be thankful for:

~~ having God, Jesus and gospel in our lives
~~ family and each other
~~ foods, shelter and clothing
~~ good job
~~ good health insurance provider
~~ great doctors and nurses
~~ our son's schools and teachers (then and now)
~~ good/true friends
~~ supportive friends and leaders at church


What about you? What are the things you are thankful for? Share them with us here at .....

CC: Our Wishes

When Matt and I first got married, we were living in a one bedroom apartment close to his work. Neither of us wanted to live there long, and so after six months, we decided to fulfill one of our wishes which is to own a simple house bigger than the apartment where we used to live. We got what we want and we were happy for that. Five years later, we sold the first house and moved to the East due to his work. We lived there for a little over a year and then headed back to Texas for the same reason. Having used to live in a house, once again bought a second house after a year. We still are living the life we've wished for. We have a house, stable job, me staying home full time with the child we have been blessed with. We are happy!

There are only a couple of wishes we haven't gotten yet and they are good health, and enough savings for our son's education, mission and for our retirement. These are a long term goal since we are still helping my family financially back home. Maybe winning a lotto would grant the rest of our wishes, but how is this going to happen when we don't buy lotto tickets, lol? Oh well, with patience and great faith in God all these wishes will be able to come...in His time and term. My share for this week's.....

CC: What Have We Accomplished?

Oops, I think I have already mentioned the outcome of it on my last entry. Sorry, Liz :-). Anyway, as I mentioned on my last CC entry which was last week, hubby and I managed to live the life we wanted before we got married. We want it simple, but happy and comfortable. We didn't have many kids, but we got one (Ruth) and Jake...and we couldn't be happier. I used to work before Jake came, and now a stay at home Mom which is what we planned. Our life together is not perfect; we have had ups and downs along the way, but with God's help we survived them. We still have problems (health) to deal with and financial issue as a result of that, but we know that with God we can overcome it and we would still be happy despite of the circumstances.

My share on