Celebrate the Reason beyond the season

Feeling loved and proud

Dear Mommy.

I love you very. very. much. You are the best mommy in the wrold! I love when you cook spagdy.

What was your favrit subject in fourth grade

Can you give me 20 kisses and hugs pleas.

Why do you like Sabby Chic?

Love,

Mika

With that I gave her 20 kisses and 20 hugs and answered her questions…

I think I loved reading and writing even in fourth grade

I like Shabby Chic because it’s my style. What’s your style? Bright and bold?

Recession affecting the kids

Today was a joyful occasion. As I’ve posted practically everywhere, my kids made the honor roll again! Being that it’s a school night and we were not attending bible study, hubby and I decided to let them stay up a bit later and take them to the mall. They were allowed to go to one store each just to look. That was a part of their treat. It may sound boring but since the age of two, they have been taught that we don’t buy anything just because we’re in a store. To this day, they have never thrown a tantrum over not getting what they want. Of course there are times when we go for the sole purpose of actually shopping, but the rule for that is they need to get rid of one toy to buy another, same with books. It seemed impractical to go toy shopping when I know for a fact they will receive plenty for Christmas!

My son chose the Lego store…of course and my daughter chose Libby Lu…of course!

That’s when the recession “hit”. I read on the the counter that Libby Lu will be closing as of January 2009. I asked the sales attendant if it will only be the Glendale store. Sadly, all 98 stores including the one in Downtown Disney are affected because of the Economy. I looked at my daughter and saw her eyes glistening with tears. My heart sank. She attempted to enjoy herself but I knew she was bothered. As we left the store I asked, “Mika, are you okay?” and she responded with “Mommy, that’s my favorite store” and “Why do they have to close?” With that came the lesson about Recession on our way home.

It went something like this…

People don’t have money to buy.

When people don’t buy from stores, stores don’t have money.

When stores don’t have money, they close.

We could have stopped there but we decided that there’s a greater lesson in this

When stores close

People lose their jobs

When people lose their jobs, they don’t have money to buy and when people don’t buy, stores don’t make money so they close.

With that final sentence my son responded with “It’s like a life cycle!” My sweet smart boy!

And so, the lesson concluded with

You may feel sad that you’re favorite store is closing but imagine how those people who will lose their jobs feel? Imagine how their family’s feel? Do you remember when Daddy didn’t have a job?

A mere lesson about Recession concluded with it’s not always about us, it’s not always about you and always be grateful!

It was a great evening after all!

Parenting and the Cruzes

Many parents brag about how smart, talented, cute and sweet their children are. You’re a parent so by all means, you must be entitled. These parents even have their children perform “tricks.” I’m sure you’ve seen them, “anak sing your ABC’s,” or “what color is this?” and even “what’s the opposite of?” I’m so not impressed! Tough critic I know. Most children can be taught such things otherwise we would have really stupid adults!

Chris and I make a conscious effort not to be like those parents. I blog a lot about my kids but I don’t brag. In blogs it’s up to you to read about it whereas if you’re talking to someone about your child or having your child “perform” right there and then, you don’t give people much of an option. Their only choice is to be polite. Our reason for wanting to be different? Well, such criterias are subjective. We would rather not impose our views about our kids on other people because we would much rather have them experience and see for themselves. For such reasons, other parents are very curious as to how we raise our kids. We answer questions accordingly and people are often surprised by what we share and what they see.

With that said, the one thing I would consider bragging about after 7 years of parenting is that my children make good choices, they have a conscience and they never lie. Such observations have been confirmed through other people thus making it a valid boast according to my standards :p

Building their character above anything else has been my goal. The attainment of that goal was evident when they turned three and in more recent times have been exercised further in their school environment. I am beyond proud. I can only hope and pray that such qualities will continue as they enter their teens and even through adulthood. I never request perfection. I only ask for honesty, good choices, reasons as to why such choices were made (good or bad) and that each of them learn from their mistakes and move forward.

Tonight at the Cruz residence, I saw Mr. Kai’s character being developed. Through simple observations, I saw what a wonderful job his Mama and Papa are doing. I have to give credit where credit is due. You guys are doing the best you can and it is evident.

I’m reminded that when I was a “paranoid newbie mom,” it was Chelly who shared with me the importance of building my children’s character. I’ve taken it to heart. No surprise that they are doing the same thing with Mr. Kai.

Politics in relation to kids

My kid’s were super excited about voting.

They will be voting in school today.

All week my Mika kept saying “I’m voting for Obama!” and “Who’s the other guy mommy?”

JC however was still undecided and kept asking me who I will be voting for.

I told them that I never share who I’m voting for. It’s a personal choice people have and when people ask their intent is to argue and they act dumb if they disagree with you.

So my kids decided Obama it is.

Never did I impose my view with regards to the candidates. I never encouraged them to vote Christian, Republican or Democrat. I simply allowed their teachers to introduce each candidates and hope that they will choose wisely in accordance to the knowledge they attained

This morning, I hear, “Daddy, I changed my mind, I’m voting for McCain.” That was from JC.

On the way to school I asked both of them why they changed their mind. Simply stated, “because he’s Christian and Obama is not.”

Mika: Mommy, who are you voting for?

Me: Mika, mommy doesn’t share that

Mika: I promise i won’t act the D word.

Mommy: What’s the D word?

Mika: D U M. You said people act that way if you share who you vote for and they don’t agree.

JC: I’m voting for McCain because Shant (his classmate) said it’s the wise choice

Some Christian bombarded my children with their set of truths which I find offensive in so many levels not because it opposes my political views but rather because free will and their right to exercise to vote was taken from them for the sake of “Christianity.” They were made to conform.

I’m bothered because it’s my children but I’m more disturbed because this is how society operates and adults conform in the same manner. This is how the church operates and Christians apply similar tactics yet this is not how Christ operates.

What’s wrong with this picture?

A new yet very familiar adventure

Our story begins with a very small possibility. A “maybe you are ” and a “let’s check anyway.”

With my first two pregnancies I knew the answer before the test was taken. The setting on the evening of July 1st was unfamiliar in that the likelihood of a negative was much greater than that of a positive. Sure enough, my suspicion was accurate. I tested negative.

To my surprise I was saddened as opposed to relived by the expected revelation but more so in disbelief by hubby’s reaction. The term disappointed is far from precise. The hope of a joyful “maybe” was succeeded by sadness. That’s when I knew that after three years of planning Chris and I are now willing and prepared to undergo parenthood a third time.

In order to occupy ourselves to get past the expected yet sad occurrence, Chris decided to steam our carpet while I desired comfort food. Hubby obliged and he ordered the manager’s special at Pizza Hut (2 pizzas, wings and potato balls). We then took a box of Pizza to the kid’s room and surprised them with a mini party. They jumped out of bed both confused because it was 11 p.m., way past their 8:00 bedtime and happy being that it was past their bedtime and we were having a Pizza Party.

To our children it was a simple pleasure to be off schedule. To Chris and I, it was a celebration of what we already have…one another, challenges that allows us to call upon the Lord and blessings that reveal God’s grace, mercy and worth.

Along with the present we celebrated our future and what we hope to add to our family of four. As my title states it is a new yet very familiar adventure. Stay tuned!