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!

Changes this holiday season

This year we’ve opted for simple changes in which values are instilled rather than society’s view of consumerism and that of self. Our children are getting older and it is our hope to be an example to them even in the manner of finances, gift giving and the true spirit of the season.

The day after Thanksgiving, Chris the kids and I had a family breakfast (from Mc Donalds) at home. We each took turns to give thanks and both my children were grateful for “a family who loves them.” At the end of the meal we made sure that the children were aware that giving thanks is not just a one day celebration but rather giving thanks is a lifetime commitment.

I for one believe that it is important to be grateful for not only the present and the future, it is of greater value when we can look back and remember those that have made a difference in our lives whether they still take part in our lives as well as the circumstances and experiences that have allowed us to mature. This from a person who also believes in severing all ties. I certainly have grown.

In regards to gift giving. All year Chris and I have planned to purchase the Wii as a “family gift” so that we can use it for “family time”. We have decided along with the kids that it is not practical. Spending $400 for “family time” is such a ridiculous thought after all. Though the practicality of it all played a part in our decision, what gave us a change of heart was my husband. A cause close to his heart after five years of wanting to make a difference yet not knowing how found its way to us. God answered our simple whisper. It is amazing! Most of our shopping money will go there a long with time that will be invested. The children are thrilled but I on the other hand find myself misty eyed because they are learning that life is best lived when we give up of ourselves. They’re taking after their father…that is true joy for this mother’s heart.

The spirit of the holiday season is not just for a season. Lesson learned.

Another milestone

As of yesterday, Santa has become a tale in our household. The kid’s themselves suggested that the idea of Santa has got to be false, stating that the weather in the North Pole would make it impossible to maintain a toy factory. Based on realism, as my genius of a son discussed, all evidence leads to the fact that Santa is not real. They also concluded that Daddy and Mommy run to the store at night to buy presents and place them on their beds ready for Christmas morning. So accurate! That is exactly what Chris and I do on Christmas Eve. We rush to the stores in search of the perfect last minute “Santa Gift”. A tradition we have come to enjoy but will become a mere memory this year.

Of course we agreed. I’ve been prepared for this moment for some time now. I shared that just as they fantasized and believed that once JC was truly Buzz Lightyear and Mika was “Nowhite,” it is the same with Santa. They believed because they were at the age of make believe. They got the point!

It may seem like any other revelation to many but in Child Development this is a milestone worth celebrating. Their cognitive ability has reached a level of maturity. The age of fantasy is almost at its end. A reality all normal children will face and a bittersweet realization for the mommy who is truly aware of what is happening developmentally.

They made the connection!

The beginning of craziness ends here

It has been a long summer and an even longer week. The kids and I started school. As with any transition, it has been challenging, more so for myself than my little ones.

Just today hubby and I evaluated my obstacles. We came to the conclusion that it’s not school at all that is difficult but rather it’s what occurs before and after school that brings about fatigue.

I attempt to begin my day at six a.m. when my evening ends at one in the morning. My intent is simply to cook a well balanced breakfast that we can sit down to as a family. It’s the only meal we can share being that hubby works during dinner and the kid’s are not home for lunch. Though it’s easy to pour milk and cereal, I opt for something healthier rich in fiber, protein and different everyday. After breakfast I also prepare a brown bag lunch for the kids. Not just sandwich but again a meal which includes the food groups. That alone is my first 2 hours followed by my mornings in school and afternoons with the hubby.

The real job begins when my little ones are home. Constant training, reminding, quality time, snacks, homework, dinner, baths, answering unending questions those are my greatest tasks everyday. It seems simple enough but the reality of it is that things have to give but never will it be my husband and my children. Being a wife and mother continues to take precedence.

At this time it means school is not a priority, though it is a step in providing something Chris and I desire for our children. Not a house, not a College Education but rather a Christian Education within the next few years. That’s the driving force behind my studies. I desire to study hard but never at their expense.

When Chris and I chose this life we stood by our decision. Sometimes the choices were not wise but we have always put family first. The sacrifice continues. Isn’t that what marriage, parenthood and unconditional love is all about?

I often ask myself, when everything is said and done, what will they give worth? The answer cannot be more clear. That is my motivation.

Summers end

This summer was fun filled and family oriented; just as I had hoped. Last week was certainly the highlight of the season merely because Chris was off from work for seven days. We didn’t do anything too fancy yet I’m aware of how much my children valued their time with Daddy and that time together is incomparable.

The day Chris returned to work was heartbreaking. Tears were shed by my children and loneliness lingered.

All good things must come to an end. It’s bittersweet yet we all await a new experience. First and Second grade for the kids, college yet again for myself and for the hubby, relaxing mornings lie ahead.

Eight more days to go. It’s time to clean house literally!

Routines and Meals

Being that I was a mom of two by the time I was 22, I have a bit more experience in raising kids than the average 30 year old. By default I’m the “go to” mom amongst my friends. Lately my friends with babies, toddlers and those entering Kindergarten have been soliciting advice regarding schedules and meals.

With regards to schedules, I go by a schedule but not a minute to minute sort of thing. My family functions on routine and we certainly malfunction when we fail to meet our daily standard. More often than not our regimen works.

Here is our summer schedule. Items in italic change to School Hours in the Fall and our day then begins at 6:45 and ends at 7:30p.m.

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• 8a.m. Rise and Shine
• Breakfast
• Bath
• Free Play
• Snack
• 12:30 p.m. Lunch
• Exercise your Brain (Reading, Arts and Crafts)
• Snack
• Outdoor Play
• Television
• 6 p.m. Dinner
• One hour at Grandma’s
• 7:15 p.m. Bath
• Grace and Manners Story Time
• Prayer
• 8: 00 p.m. Bed Time

This routine began when JC was two. It is not set in stone nor is it guaranteed that it will work for all families. I tell my friends to consider that I’m a homemaker and my husband is with me in the morning. Team work is a contributing factor to its success.

As far as meals. It has been a learning process. Living with my mom the first four years was difficult because we had to eat whatever was set before us. My kid’s love authentic Filipino dishes. I make a healthy alternative for them. For chicken dishes I prefer chicken breast. For dishes that include vegetables, I add plenty of veggies. I’m in the process of weaning them from white rice. We have gone organic but not fully. The meats are certainly costly but we have ways in which we prioritize what needs to be organic and stick to our $300 grocery budget.

• Milk – MUST be organic
• Vegetables and Fruits – those we don’t peel MUST be organic.
• Chicken and Turkey – not necessarily organic but cage free and from California farms.
• Beef – not organic but lean
• Condiments – all organic
• Wheat – all organic

My recipes are from

• South Beach Diet
• Deceptively Delicious
• Wholefoods.com

We shop at

• Trader Joe’s
• Henry’s Market – Corona but they will soon open in Monrovia
• Costco

Snacks consist of fruits 3 times a day, veggies and whole grain.

Our youth

We’ve experienced weight gain and weight loss. We’ve noticed little wrinkles, hair loss and gray hair. Although we’ve aged and it is very noticeable, Chris and I happen to be quite proud of how we look today. Making a conscious effort to eat well and to maintain our appearance really does help.

Our youth is a mere memory but no regrets. Moving forward with the intent of a healthy life style and organic living.

We are enjoying our 30’s and looking forward to many more years.

What a ride!

2008

2004

2000

The Bible

This year my children received the Children’s ESV Bible for their Birthdays. Our purpose obviously is to incorporate the Word of God into everyday life as well as to introduce them to the Children Desiring God Curriculum (our alternative to being unable to provide private “Christian” education).

Everyday my children have an hour of reading time. Today they chose to read the Bible on their own. They just finished sharing with me about the New Earth in the book of Revelation. JC related the story to that of Adam and Eve in Genesis. He said something like -

when Jesus returns there will be no more sin and everything will be the way it should have been from the beginning, before sin entered into the world. Like in the story of Adam and Eve. Everything was perfect.

Children understand more than we think. Don’t underestimate their ability by dumbing down the word of God.

An excerpt from my old Xanga. August 18, 2005. I still agree and I have evidence that it works.

study THE BIBLE as one would for bible study

deliver the message in their “language” without watering down the word of God.

use the curriculum as A TOOL…not as the bible.

encourage the use of the children’s senses with hands on activities connected to biblical principles not merely through “singing”, “crafts” , or “biblical concepts” labeled with “Christianity”. CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH PLAY, but that doesn’t mean QUALITY PLAY CAN’T BE INTRODUCED.

lastly, many teacher’s are content in a box. 1 thing i learned in my child development classes is that it’s easy to buy a curriculum and follow it, but it takes special teachers to captivate the minds of young children by offering something so much more. it’s imperative for teacher’s to try something “fresh and new”, otherwise you become just that, A TEACHER by title and status. the whole purpose of making a difference is offset by just getting the job done.

Double Shift

My hubby’s usually off from work at 11:30 p.m. He decided to do a double shift tonight. He’ll be home tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m.

The kids and I miss him terribly. We decided to camp out in our living room just to make the evening a bit bearable.

Chris and I have been on gmail for a good 2 and 1/2 hours. Absence really does make the heart go fonder. I wanted to preserve this part of our conversation

ME: kids are still up asking for a snack. i refused. they’re so off (their 8 p.m. bedtime schedule). am i being cruel? the reason their hungry is because they’ve been in their room for 2 hours just talking.

HUBBY: well it’s ok for them to be off because they really don’t have anything better to do aside from swim plus they’ll keep u company for a few hours

ME: so you think i should feed them?

HUBBY: have a snack with them feed them veggies and watch them run to their room especially mik

ME: done. i decided to sleep in the living room w/ the kids. i don’t like being alone.

HUBBY: i bet they love that

ME: oh yeah. i told them “daddy said it’s okay to let you have a snack” they jumped. they told me to e-mail you “thank you daddy”

HUBBY: hahahah tell them i said welcome good nite and i love u

ME: jc says “we love you too” mika’s practically sleeping already. that was just 5 minutes

HUBBY: see i told u lol

ME: i know. you know them so well. i’m very impressed.

Through this brief e-mail conversation I came to the realization that Chris and I truly balance one another, we work well as a team, he knows the children just as well as I do, even in e-mail we are a loving family and lastly Mika knocks out within 5 minutes so long as she’s really sleepy.

Even in small moments I feel very blessed.

My boy

From Xanga to WordPress and even Flickr, I post plenty about my daughter. The reason is simple, she is indeed a character. The best of her Daddy mixed with Mommy’s attitude. She’s a very funny girl.

My son from the very beginning was serious and mature for his age. He didn’t speak a word until he was two. Once he began to speak, everything was in complete sentences. He’s always been a thinker, a builder and a planner. A puzzle genius at two and a Lego fanatic up to this moment.

JC is a perfectionist by nature. I have to constantly remind him that it’s okay to fail, so long as you try your best. That’s still a process because he excels in plenty. It is understandable how parents desire for their children to shine but I for one believe that there is the same importance in failure and we have teach this to our children so that they will know how to handle life’s circumstances.

If I had to give labels I would say that my son is the “sensitive” one. He writes me letters (phonetically) like

Dear Momy,

I’m very sorry for

wakeing you up in the middle of the night.

Love, JC <3

He is quick to apologize, kind and responsible. Only a year older than his sister, he knows his roles as Kuya. A true gentleman like his Daddy. He opens the car door for me and his sister. He believes in “ladies first”… well sometimes. My baby boy, so very sweet, yet he throws a football like a natural, has karate kicks that can injure and swims with no fear.

Character and qualities a mother can be proud of yet truly bittersweet. You see, I have a son and a daughter. A mother – daughter bond is for always. My son, well he’s the one I am nurturing knowing that he is also the one that will leave me. My responsibility as a mother is to teach him how to stand on his own so that when he takes a bride he can stand with his wife and children. The training begins now. All this time, effort and love to be invested with the intent of parting ways.

I love my children equally and differently. JC is my boy, my first born and the first one who will leave me. Bittersweet indeed.

We are not to raise our children for our own pleasure for this moment in time. There’s a bigger plan in a grander scale yet it all begins with what we do in our home.