Gifts

It has been seven months since I last posted.  Time for an update.

The last time i posted, I was very pregnant.  Last March, I gave birth to a healthy baby boy we named Ramon Felix.  We call him Rocky -- yes, after the Sylvester Stallone character.  Fortunately, everything went on as planned and the birth did not have any hitches.  Thanks to my UNEP Family's prayers.  It truly helped a lot.  Plus, I had an altar of St. Therese and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in my hospital room.  My faith made me confident in what I was going to go through.

Now, Rocky is on his fourth month and doing very well.

I still breastfeed him and I still expect to do so until he's 6 months old.  My adventure into breastfeeding will be the subject of another post.

Since my baby's birth I have taken my scrapbooking more seriously.  I have started investing in classes, tools, papers and embellishments.  I enjoy the creative process.  I love the feeling of a finished layout.  See some of my works  here,

Going back to work after two months of leave when I was going to give birth was a blessing.  I was just veging out and needed the structure of work.  Now, I'm back to my hectic schedule.

Of course I am thankful for the simple celebration of my 35th birthday last June which coincided with our first day of Retreat at Caritas Mariae Retreat House, Naga City.  We had a mass and the celebration was very simple.

I am truly thankful for another year over and another year added to my age.  Fortunately -- my UNEP Family failed to put my age on the cake.  I would not have minded if it was there.  Age is just a number.

Connected to this birthday -- although a month has passed -- is a nice surprise. I have been wanting to buy a Kindle for months now, but have been postponing it as Amazon does not ship to the Philippines.  Last June, my cousin Nicole arrived from the States with a Kindle.  I saw how convenient it was and being a voracious bookworm, it was a very convenient gadget and provided access to books that were otherwise difficult to find here in the province.  So, when another cousin went to the States, I gave her my debit card with the intention of asking her to buy me a Kindle.

But my Aunt is more generous than my debit card -- she bought the Kindle and gave it to me as a gift for my birthday -- a month after.  That was a wonderful surprise.  She also bought me the Targus Leather Case that I can set it up with the Kindle standing up (see picture below).  I loooooove my Kindle.

Yup, I still have the protective film on the front -- so Pinoy!!!  It will stay until it falls off or until I get to buy a more appropriate protective film for the screen -- although honestly -- it doesn't need one, I just want to take care of my things.

So many gifts to thank for, Baby Rocky, a budding hero -- eldest son Nico (this needs a separate post), a supportive husband, a talent rediscovered, a meaningful birthday, a generous Aunt, all these and more -- and truly I am grateful.  Admittedly, life has not been very good lately, but I am glad for little things that make God's presence felt in my life. 

Thankful always,

Peachy :-)

Welcome 2011!

Ramon with Nico at Pines View Hotel

 

Another year over and another year has just begun, so the song says.

And... as much as things change the more they stay the same.  As we look forward and deal with a lot of things that has not changed through the years, we continue to hope that maybe this year is a better year than last year.

Personally, I have so many things to be thankful for and look forward to this year.  I am pregnant again.  And again, its a boy.  We have been hoping for a girl but I think a boy is a blessing just the same.  The practical in me is thankful that at least I don't have to buy a new set of everything for the newcomer if it would be a girl.  Since he's a boy, he can use Nico's things, hand me downs. I am very excited to see him, Mon even has a name for him already.  This time baby boy will share his first name.  He's arriving in April.

I am also looking forward to a better year in my career.  Why not?  I have already set my priorities and
UNEP has been reaping many awards left and right with the grace of God.  I also have a new job as Dean of the UNEP College of Law.  We will work on our blessings and ensure that we add to our blessings.

The greatest blessing though is that after last year, our family has gotten closer.  The adversities we experience together made us all better persons.  And, I am not talking only of my immediate family, but also the entire clan.  Somehow,we learned how to deal with each other and find our place in the sun but still with the same love and affection for each other and even better understanding of each other.

2011 is going to be a great year, I just know it in my heart.  Here's to a great new year to everyone!