Couple's Corner: We're the Best of Friends

Ever since I have known John, aside from my Grandparents, he's been my best friend ever. As a matter of fact, even before we got into a relationship, I've always had that feeling that I can confide in him and tell him just about anything without having any worries that he might think differently or misjudge me for whatever I've revealed. He's always been open-minded especially when it comes to me divulging my even "worst opinion". John is a great listener and he can give you just the right advice and comfort when you need one.

Us being the best of friends is just beyond words. The feeling of joy, love, respect for each other in spite of the fact that we are two very different individuals and we will always have different views and opinion on things, and the fact that we're given the chance to be able to do stuff together as a couple are what I am truly grateful for.

John is my strength when I am weak. He picks me up every time I fall down. He puts back the smile on my face whenever I am sad. He takes care of me when I am not feeling well and makes sure that everything is fine.

I love times when we just sit back, relax, and talk. Doesn't matter what topic, we never run out of things to talk about. It can be about a news we saw on TV, show we're watching, a movie we watched, about our day -- his at work and mine here at home with our son -- just anything. We both enjoy and love sharing ideas and exchanging opinion. And I believe that it's great for a couple to have this type of bond where you both aren't scared to tell each other everything you want to say. Communication is very, very important and I thank God we communicate well with each other. It's a big help in our marriage. Reaching out to one another has never been this wonderful and easy!

My husband and I share no secrets from each other. We've made a promise that never again will one hide something from the other. We've learned our lessons from the past and we realized that we got nobody else but each other, so we take very good care of everything that God has blessed us with - most especially, the gift of FRIENDSHIP!!

We value our being husband and wife and every single thing that came along with it when we got married. And if there's one thing we truly give our all to take care of and make sure it never will be broken is, the bond of Friendship.

It's such great of a feeling when you know you can call somebody "a friend". So, how much more when you actually have someone you can call your "Best friend"?!...

Come, Join The Fun!!

I got this invitation from a very nice person who left a comment on one of my posts. I clicked on the blog and started reading about the Blog Party and I found it appealing and fun. I decided to join because I want to know more about the other blog owners out there. I think it's an awesome idea to get to know a person more behind every post we love to read on a daily basis. Not only that it'll give us the chance to gain more friends here, we'll also get to learn new things, lessons, experiences, and a lot more from these people who are so dedicated to share their lives to everybody.

To me, blogging is a great pastime. But, there's more to it than just unmitigated writing and posting whatever you please to. To some people out there, your simple posts may have just enlightened them, inspired them, or changed their perspectives in life -- you just don't know. That's why I want to keep on sharing whatever I can, in any way I can, hoping that our story will inspire somebody. It may not be today, but I know, it soon will happen....

So, if you're interested to join, just click on the badge below and be redirected to the Blog Party!!

HAVE FUN EVERYONE!!

Campbell's Weekend #1

Well, we didn't really get to spend the weekend at the beach like I've been wanting us to. Saturday turned out to be overcast and it can be chilly especially once it starts getting late. But, we didn't let it stop us from going out and spending quality time as a family. Here are some of what we did this weekend:

1. Saturday.

• My husband ended up driving us to Camp Pendleton, along the beaches in San Onofre, San Clemente, and there's another one I forgot the name. [Oopss, getting old!!]..We wanted to get out of the car and take a short walk but, we couldn't find a spot to park the car. The places were so packed that we just decided to leave and plan on going back on a weekday.
  
• Of course, --I fell asleep in the car on our way back and was awaken by a gentle touch on my face -- it was my husband trying to surprise me with something. And it was indeed a sweet, sweet surprise because when I opened my eyes, there it was, right in front of me, "Baskin Robbins" baby..Yey!! He let me have one scoop of ice cream, of my choice [Gold Medal Ribbon]. Believe me, he always wants me to pick the "no-sugar added" ice cream and I don't like it!! hehe I want it to be sweet!! I am just happy that this time, he let me do the picking.
• Then, we went to Target to do a little grocery shopping. And before we knew it, it was time to go home...

1. Sunday.

• Today, we didn't really get to go out. I started not feeling good around afternoon time and we decided to just stay at home and relax. We kind of wanted to go out again but, my tummy was tightening up and there's no way I could last a drive without feeling uncomfortable and even end up having that back pain I really hate the most when I am pregnant. Hopefully, we could do more next weekend.

Friday Fill-Ins #1

Thank God it's Friday..again!! Looking forward to a wonderful and fun weekend with my boys!!

And for today's Friday Fill-Ins -- read on...

And...here we go!

1. I'd like us to go visit my family in the Philippines soon.
2. One of my most favorite romantic memories is seeing John for the very first time back in 2007.
3. Last night, I had rice, egg, and spam for dinner.
4. Sorry for the inconvenience?!.
5. Can we get Baskin Robbins now?
6. One of my worst temptations is eating food high in sugar; sweets are just so hard to resist!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to an early bedtime, tomorrow my plans include us going to the beach and Sunday, I want to go out for a drive with my boys!

"I Want...." Wednesday #77

My first entry... And this week's questions are:

What do you WANT for yourself today?

I want to fly back home -- if I could -- even just for a day to see my family again. I haven't seen them for almost a year now and this is the very first time that I've been away from them for so long.
I want to eat "Ensaymada" from Goldilocks. Been craving for this for months now ;( Too bad I couldn't drive to get it myself. Wish I am in the Philippines so I could just go to the nearest store and buy as many as I want. *sigh*
And oh, before I forget -- get to eat some Baskin Robbins!! sooo yummy, I miss it a lot! Being pregnant is not allowing me to have as much as I can eat. And when I say "as much as I can eat", I mean a looooooooooot of ice cream ;)

What else do you want this week? Share it all.

This one is not for myself, but for our son. I wish we could get him a convertible seat this week because his infant car seat is already small for him.
I want us to spend the weekend at the beach. No swimming, yet because I bet the water would be cold. I just want us to hang out together, spend quality time as a family, get some fresh air, and hopefully tan!! hahaha

How about you? What do you want for today and for this week?
Read more interesting answers on:

Couple's Corner: When We Watch Movie Together

Watching movies is one of the many things my husband and I love doing together. We can watch almost any type of movie. There's just one movie genre that sometimes, I can't stand watching without me making so much noises -- war movies -- especially those that are based in real life and involve military people. I don't know why, but since I met John and him being in the military, I cannot bear watching movies like that anymore. I guess it's because I am scared of the "fact" behind that. It's just me. I am a military wife and I know I am a tough one, but that doesn't mean I don't have fears.

Anyway, it's been almost a year now [May 2009] since we last went to a movie theater and the last movie we watched was A Haunting in Connecticut. It was also my first time to watch a movie here in the US. But, now that we already have a baby, we can no longer go out and watch movies like we used to. We just can't take our son with us, yet. He can be so loud! So, we always watch here at home. John rents movies from Redbox and we have Netflix so, we never worry about not being able to watch nice movies on the big screen. [Though it could be great to do so, especially if the movie's in 3D.]

Between the two of us, I'm the one who talks a lot while watching. I mean, not that I talk all throughout the movie, but every now and then, I voice out about my feelings or opinion on a certain scene. It kind of gives us chance to exchange different ideas about the movie we're watching, especially if it's something we both really, really like. When we're watching war movies (he makes me watch with him..hehe), I ask him questions. Not that I am totally unaware of everything, but I like it when he shares his knowledge and when he gives me answers more than I was expecting out of him. I love it when he "educates" me about life in general.

I really love moments like this when we just sit back and relax while enjoying a good movie at the same time. I love resting my head on his shoulder or just us holding hands. Nothing compares to the happiness that simple moments can bring. And though our little buddy here gets loud at times [and most of the time, he chooses to scream at the top of his lungs on the best parts of the movie], we still love having him around us while we're watching. It's our family time ;)

And last but not the least, here's one thing that my husband did for me that I will never forget. He watched High School Musical 3 with me!! He never likes movies like this, but because he knew I've been wanting to see it, he gave up the movie he wanted to watch so bad so we could go and watch the movie I want! To me, that was just way beyond sweet ;)

Read more stories here:

I finally joined the weekly tasks ;)

Yesterday, I posted my first ever weekly task under the Mellow Yellow Monday meme. I had such fun doing it that I decided to join almost all the weekly tasks that I found on my friends' blogs. So far, I joined 4 weekly tasks already but I haven't posted about the rest, yet because the topics follow a certain date as to when they should be written and published.

I find this fun and helpful in times you really don't know what to write. It's not just a simple task, it somehow serves as a guide for you to come up with something worth writing about. Not to mention that they have cool and fun-to-write-about topics. I'm just glad I finally made up my mind to join when I did. Now, I always have something to look forward to almost every day of the week.

Mellow Yellow Monday #1: Kai's First Toothbrush

This is my first time to join the Mellow Yellow Monday meme. I found out about this from my friend, Ate Anne. I decided to join because it looks fun!!

Enjoy my first entry...

Our son, Skyler started teething at 6 months but the first tooth didn't show up till he was almost 7 months old. And now that he's got almost 4 teeth, as parents, one of our many responsibilities is, to make sure they get cleaned at least twice a day - morning and before bedtime. We just started training him so we really don't do the twice-a-day-cleaning right now. His Dad got him a toothpaste as well, but I am not using it, yet. I'll start when he's comfortable using his toothbrush and he can at least take its taste. He can be picky sometimes. When he doesn't like something, he won't take it no matter what you try to do to make him. Period. It's even always a battle between me and him every day when it comes to his vitamins. He simply doesn't like the taste.

The first time I tried brushing his teeth, his upper gum bled a little bit. I felt so bad! But, I guess it was from him trying to block my hand and turning his head to get away from it. He doesn't want anybody touching his gum right now, probably because it's still sensitive due to his teething. I'm just glad that he's already starting to get comfortable with it. He still gets a little "hardheaded" when it's 'brush time', but I am more than determined to not let him get his way and instill this habit or else he'll grow up not giving any importance in oral care.

Keeping your baby's teeth clean is more important than you may realize. Baby teeth have thinner enamel than adult teeth and are more vulnerable to the bacteria that cause decay. Decay in a baby's tooth is swift and destructive; it quickly penetrates the enamel, then the dentin, and then infects the nerve.

Baby teeth eventually fall out, so why should it matter if they are lost early? Most dentists believe that baby teeth should remain in the mouth as long as possible, to serve as placeholders for the adult tooth that will follow. When baby teeth are lost early, the surrounding teeth often tilt and move toward the empty space. This can cause the permanent teeth to come in crooked.

We're Moving...Soon!!

Here soon, we'll be moving out of California. Sad, but true. Both I and my husband feel the same way about this matter, but there's nothing we could do. That's the life of a Military family! Where it sends us is where we'll go.

We'll be moving to the Midwest. That's where we'll be for the next three years. Good thing is that, Skyler and the next baby are still too young to remember this or else it would suck moving the kids from one place to another and having them start from scratch all over again. To me, that's the only thing I really don't like about this [except packing and unpacking, literally, a whole house!!], even for us. We feel sad because all of our good friends are here in California. My sister and some of our relatives are here as well. The new place we're moving to has totally nobody that we know, none at all!! John has to start from zero, too. He said he probably won't see anybody at his new workplace that he knew from his previous "jobs". I can somehow feel what he feels. It's not easy to establish trust and make people like you right away, especially when you're new to them. But, I have no doubt that he'll be just fine. One thing that I've always admired about John is, the way he associates with people around him. He can make them laugh, enjoy a great conversation with him, and he makes friends with people easily. And that means them actually liking him for just being him -- just the way he is. He doesn't even have to try. It comes out of him naturally - every time.

One thing, too that we look at this is, a plan that God already set for us. Maybe we need some changes; new place, new job, new everything! As a family, we probably need this. And we have this hope that this, too will help John's career in the Navy. Well, we all know that everything works for our good, according to His will. So, we're keeping our faith and hopes up and we're praying that no matter where He sends us, He'll always be there to help and guide us.

To the Greatest Grandfather in the World: HAPPY 81st BIRTHDAY!!

April 10, 2010. Today would have been our Grandfather's 81st birthday. Back at home, they celebrated his first death anniversary and birthday at the same time and held a family reunion and thanksgiving as well (for my cousins; Alisa [M.D.], Ice [RN], Steven [Culinary Arts], Jasmine [RN], and Dreidelle [RN]). They chose this date since it's vacation time there so everybody can attend. His first death anniversary was on March 9, but because almost everybody and half of the family live in the city, they had to reschedule it.

How I wish we could have been there to celebrate this day with our family. I know it won't be a very happy birthday celebration since the "celebrator" is no longer with us, but it's family time and being with them gives enough comfort to each and everyone of us. Right now, that's all that matters - being there for each other. I honestly am wondering how our Grandma's doing and dealing with this right now. I am sure, above anyone else, she's the one hurting the most and how I wish we could make it better for her. But, she's a very brave and strong woman. I know she'll be fine.

I want to write so much about how grateful I am to God, that for 23 long years, Grandpa was a big part of my life - and even if he's no longer with us, he will always be a part of our lives. All I could say right now is, he was the greatest man I have ever met in my entire being, the greatest Grandfather anyone could ever have, and the wisest man I have ever known.

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDFATHER EZEKIEL!! WE LOVE YOU AND WE MISS YOU VERY, VERY MUCH!!

Thursday Thoughts: Missing Home!!

Every time I miss home, the first thing I do is look at our photos. It hasn't even been a year, yet since I left Philippines, but to me, it already feels like forever. I miss my family so much! I miss just spending time with them. True, there's no place like home. But, where I am at now is my new home - with my two precious boys and another one on the way. I can never complain. There is absolutely no reason to. And I have enough blessings to be grateful to God for.

Though missing home makes me sad, the fact that I am never away by heart is enough reason for me to still smile and face each brand new day with hopes that we will be together soon. Oh, I can't wait for us to go home so they can finally meet our boys. Everybody back home has been wanting to see us all, especially the kids now. I can't wait to take Skyler to the beach and let him get a tan!! [hahaha] Both my boys need to tan!! And me, too...

There's just so much I miss about home. Friends, food, beautiful places and beaches, and a lot more.

So, Philippines/Samar, see you again .. very soon!!

Here are some photos I would like to share. They're taken 2 nights before we left Philippines. Just a small family get-together.

view/hide photos here

(click on photo to enlarge)

[guess they were trying to be funny ;)]

[with Papa, Mama, and my sister, Hazel]

[they're watching Pacman's fight from our neighbor's TV. LOL!!]

[I miss them so much!! ;( especially the kids..]

Getting Closer...

Seven days to go and it's our Grandpa's would-have-been-81st-birthday. It's going to be his second birthday not being with us anymore. I don't know, but every time I think about him, every time I look at his photos, I still make myself believe he's still alive, he's still with us - that he never really left. Maybe that's why I haven't moved on, yet and knowing the truth that no matter what, I won't get to see him ever again in this lifetime, just makes the matter worse.

I guess nobody has ever moved on in the family. When I talk to my cousin back home, she still ends up crying every time we bring him up. We both would sit there and cry. I have tried many times to not let the tears fall, but I have lost every single time that I did. I don't want to let go! I cannot let go! But I need to...So sad, but true!! In due time, I probably will. But right now, I will just let everything be as it is. I don't need to rush. The wound will heal in its own good time.