Blessed Sanctuary - where I chronicle my daily encounters, travels and on to motherhood

366 Blog Photo Challenge # 22 [@ the Park]

2012-01-28T10:54:00.002-08:00

One of the things I love here in Evergreen state is the park. There are lots of park and natural habitat that you can visit if you are an outdoorsy person. Some of my friends love to celebrate different occasions at the park too. Back in August, a friend of mine celebrated her birthday in Long Lake park, where the picture above was taken. It's a nice park with a beach frontage. If the water wasn't that cold we could have taken a dip. The young ones did not mind the water though, they enjoyed it a lot.

Business and Social Media

2012-01-26T10:18:00.006-08:00

I joined several social media networks for personal purposes. Over the years that I have joined, I noticed that more and more businesses are making social media as part of their marketing strategies. It doesn't matter if it is a small-scale or large-scale business, expect that their marketing horizons converged on these social media networks. Two of the well-known social media sites, where almost all brands and businesses have their fan page and followings, are Facebook and Twitter. Because these two are very popular with millions of users, social media campaign for brands is a very good move to reach out to consumers. I think in business, promotion, and advertising call this social media optimization.

Advertising agencies can use the social media as a vehicle to optimize and target specific consumers. This is good for the company too since they can be more involved to their followers and in return the followers can also direct whatever concerns they have to that certain company thru the fan page or twitting. This is why companies are incorporating social media to their business model because they know social media network is a big marketplace not only in a certain region but worldwide.

Via: Wpromote

The information graphic above just shows how social media play a role in the marketplace. You can infer that indeed social media is good for entrepreneurs and there is nothing bad about it.

366 Blog Photo Challenge #19 [Cool]

2012-01-24T12:30:00.004-08:00

This happened in the morning. After breakfast I sometimes let them play in the toy room before giving them a bath and while doing some chores. I was sitting in front of the computer and both of them came up to me saying "cool," with the hand and what's funny, the little one was wearing her big sister's sunglasses. I remember, that they heard it from their Daddy. When hubby put on his shades he will say, "now I'm cool, honey." I guess DD2 remembered and copied it. I let them do the pose again and took the pictures as my entry #19 for 366 Blog Photo Challenge.

366 Blog Photo Challenge # 13 [Playing in the Snow]

2012-01-15T12:54:00.004-08:00

Today's 366 Blog Photo Challenge entry #13 is our girls picture while playing in our backyard. This is the first snow of the season that hit our neck of the woods. It is snowing on and off since yesterday afternoon. DD1 was trying to convince us last night when we got home from grocery shopping to go out and play. It was already dark so I told her she can go out in the morning if we get more snow. As soon as she woke up this morning she was begging again. I let them play for a few minutes at our back.

Both of them was wearing a cloth gloves so I did not let them stay out long. I don't want them to have frostbite. DD2 was crying when I told them to go inside. Seem like they can't get enough of the snow. I am thinking of getting a snow suit for DD1 later today so she can play more in the snow. The forecast says this will last until Tuesday and the rest of the week will be wet and snowy.

Screaming Insane Deals at NoMoreRack

2012-01-12T10:07:00.003-08:00

I am a Mom and a bargain hunter. If I buy stuff for the whole family I don't buy it full price. I always wait until I can get it in low price on top of the coupons that the store gives out. In this time of shaking economy, I know we should also be mindful of our spending. Stores are trying to get our business and so they make it a point that they have enticing marketing plans. There is always a sale happening wherever you go.

But sometimes if you have kids to attend to and house to clean up, what better way of shopping is not to drive anymore. So shopping online is really a great option. One online shop that I love to check out everyday is nomorerack.com. This online shop has a nice platform of showcasing their top quality brand products at a very affordable price. You can score a great deal of stuff that you love of up to 95% discount. Where else can you find such a deal?

This site is very easy to use. You just have to enter your email address and create your account. Once you have an account with nomorerack you can view the daily deals that they will put out every day. Because of the crazy low price, once you see something you like you have to decide right away or else you won't be able to snag it. They also give benefit for those that rack up friends. The more friends you have, the more you can get awesome deals for free. You can't get any better than that. Just a reminder though that deals are only good for 24 hours.

The deals here at nomorerack is what I am looking for as a Mom on a budget. I can get a brand name products at a very reasonable cost. I don't have to break the bank to get the stuff that I really like. One thing to watch out for also are the insanity deals that nomorerack is giving out unpredictably. They will scream at you in purple color. So you have to watch out for it when you are on at nomorerack.com.

All in a Days Work

2012-01-07T21:10:00.007-08:00

As a wife, a Mom of two, a student, couponer, and a blogger makes it really hard to manage to juggle all the household chores. You have to wake up early to prepare breakfast for the student and little one and then drop student to school. Do the cleaning when I get back and bathe the little one, prepare lunch, check emails, log-in to school platform and check for instructors emails, do a little reading and assignments, check store deals and match-ups, clip coupons, facebook and before I know it, it's time to pick-up the student.

With all the things that we do to run the house as smooth as possible while our husbands/partners are making the dough, I am so thankful that cooking or baking can be less stressful. I am so glad that if the kids want some cupcakes or cookies we have those ready to bake goodies in a box that can be done in minutes. I know it is easier to just buy cupcakes in the store but making your own is less expensive and it really won't take a whole lot of time.

My downtime from all the housework will be after the kids have their lunch. I can sit a little longer in the computer and do more work. But from time to time kids are bothering me. They want something every single time. Concentration is divided until you have to get up and go to the kitchen to prepare dinner. The most that I can do with respect to my school work without interruption will be at night when everybody is asleep.

I guess, somehow Moms are so adaptable to whatever the situation is. For me, even though the amount of work is piling up but I still manage to keep the house clean, kids cleaned and fed on time, do errands, teach the kids, do school work even if at times it goes to the back burner, as well as do things I like to do blogging, facebooking, and meet my friends to do playdate with kids. The latter will be my outlet to refresh and relax and just enjoy without worrying all the work that I do in a day. It is tough but it is fulfilling in every way.

Cash at Home

2012-01-05T22:27:00.004-08:00

Post contributed by Hilton Miranda.

Saving money became a priority when I found out I was pregnant with baby number four – we were NOT trying to have another child. The first three were already stretching us to our financial limits but what do you do when you learn there’s another on the way other than pull up your bootstraps and work hard to make sure you can give that baby everything it deserves? I was really excited to find ways to save more money – we looked into Texas Electricity Providers that had better rates than our current plan and we gave up the lease on the Benz for something more practical. I’ve been clipping coupons and my husband’s been edging people’s yards in the neighborhood for extra cash here and there – it’s nice to know we’re going to always live within our means and that this baby will have a college fund by the time it hits adulthood. I love being a mom and I can’t wait for this next adventure, planned or not – it’s the greatest feeling!

Our Lovely Angels

2012-01-05T14:48:00.003-08:00

After the girls had their bath this morning I thought of taking pictures of them. Haven't taken new pictures of them since the 1st of this month. I thought it would be nice since they just changed and looked very neat. I let them pose for me and took several pictures. At first they were excited but when I let them pose more they complain. What can you do? They're so pretty for me :-) I so love my own!

Customer Service

2012-01-04T20:49:00.006-08:00

Excellent customer service is a must for every business. Customers will love to do business if they are well taken cared of. I experienced going to stores or even calling customer service over the phone that I wasn't happy with. It's either the person on the other line had a bad time and they can't help it but take it on to their callers. This will give businesses a bad rep. I am a patient and level-headed customer. I don't flare up right away if I am not satisfied, but this does not mean I will not voice out if I think I am right and do not receive the right treatment.

I worked in retail before and it is always emphasized during associate meetings that we have to take care of our customers. If a customer complain, it should be processed according to the company policy. All companies have its own standard operating procedures on how to deal complaints accordingly.

I was researching online and came across Marcus Evans Complaints. I learned through their site some insights on how to handle complaints in a manner that will effect a win-win situation. Having to resolve a complaint effectively and efficiently will give your business a boost and not lose your investments. This is why big companies have a division that will solely deal complaints and others hire third parties to do the settlements. They have to protect their investment.

Not able to properly handle complaints from the customers can greatly affect the business. If a complaint is properly handled, customers that are not happy about the services may have the possibility of becoming a loyal customer in the future. I hope those companies that have poor customer service should learn and do something and better their customer service.

Our 20-Month-Old DD2

2011-12-30T11:43:00.006-08:00

This month our DD2 turned 20 months.I can't ask for more on how she is growing up. I already gave it up to God all the worries that I have about her low-weight issue. The doctors who have been constantly seeing her attributed her smaller frame to genes, as she got it from me, after all the tests that were being done.

I cannot be more proud of what she can do at 20-months-old. I already posted here before when she was 18 months that she can already identify all the letters in the alphabet and numbers from 0 to 9. Now it added to her knowledge the colors: red, blue, yellow, green, purple, pink, orange, brown, white and black. She is also starting to identify the shapes to which she can't forget the circle, square, and triangle.

When we do grocery shopping, especially at the produce section, she will point and name the veggies like broccoli, carrots, peppers, celery, potato, green beans, spinach and fruits like banana, apple, orange, grapes, and strawberry, all of which she love to eat.

She now have a vast vocabulary and can have conversation with us. She loves to play and converse with her sister. I give credit for our DD1, her ate, for teaching her as well. It does help to have someone that she can talk to while they are playing together.

There are lots of funny moments now that she is able to talk clearly. One instance this morning while having breakfast:

Me: Heaven, you are eating cinnamon roll and eggs.
Her: I like it eggs, Mommy.
Me: Cinnamon roll.
Her: Egg roll.

I think pronouncing cinnamon is too hard for her little tongue, so she just made up her own "egg roll."

Backyard Plans for Summer

2011-12-29T11:30:00.005-08:00

Last night while me and husband were cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, we were talking about our plan to add patio cover in our backyard. It is always raining here in our place and we can't use the grill if we wanted to when it is raining. We already had a contractor that did the estimate as to the cost of putting up the cover, but we put it off this year.

With the need to make our backyard more functional all season, we decided to pursue it next year. So now I am in the process of looking up for good deals on patio furniture. While checking online, I saw the different collection of backyard or patio furniture at terra bounds solutions. I saw this set, pictured above, at their site. Those are Adirondack chairs that I thought would be best for our planned patio setting. White color goes through all season, you just have to get the cushions to whatever you prefer.

They do not only have chairs but also picnic tables that you can set at the back for little ones. I love their products as I was browsing through their site. They have various designs that you can choose from. If you are in the process of sprucing up your backyard for the family to have fun, check them out and they are the total solutions for your needs. I think they don't only cater for residential since they also have park benches and playground equipment.

I think I found a place to get inspiration for our future home project. They have 24/7 customer service if you have any inquiries. I will definitely give them a call once this backyard plan will be pushed through this summer.

Our Gift to Daddy

2011-12-29T10:25:00.002-08:00

I think most wives or girlfriends would agree that it is really hard to get a gift for men. Every time there is occasion my husband would tell me he don't need anything. But of course we have to get them something.

This past Christmas I was having a hard time looking for something to give him that he will really like. So I thought a coffee maker would be a nice one since he likes to drink coffee or tea. I bought him the Keurig coffee maker and I was very glad he loved it.

He is using it now like 3 times a day. He can brew his coffee or tea in a minute. My next to purchase when I can go to the store is the K-cups carousel. We still have the K-cups in the box. It would add spark in the kitchen to have that organized carousel next to the coffee maker.

It is very heartwarming to know that hubby loved our gift to him. I know after I wean our daughter, I will be able to use it too. I am not much of a coffee drinker, but occasionally I want to brew mine too.

CONTEST: 9th Wedding Anniversary Blog Contest of Nita's Random Thoughts

2011-12-28T21:12:00.002-08:00

Do you love to enter contests and win cash prices and other goodies? Then head on to Nita’s Random Thoughts blog now!

This contest is her way, along with her husband, to share the fun to her blog readers and friends. as they celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary on the 30th of November. The prices of the this fabulous contest includes not only cash but also EC credits, ads spaces, text links where you can advertise your sites, and other prizes that I am pretty sure everyone would love.

Check her blog now for more details on how to join. Make sure you have a paypal account to receive your winnings! Good luck!

Below are the generous sponsors of this fab contest!!! Check them out as well!!!

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Settlement Payment Options

2011-12-28T13:59:00.002-08:00

Do you or anyone you know have some structured settlements or annuity payments to collect? I did not know that you can opt to sell it and just find a great funders or brokers then you will be assured of the money you deserve. I am not sure though how it works, but there are websites where you can get settlements quotes for free.

So if you want to go for this route, check out online for free quote services. I asked my husband how this works and he told me there are people who wanted to get the lump sum of the settlement account instead of getting payments periodically. I think this will work both the recipient to get the money all at once and the funding company to get some percentage off of the money for doing business with them. Hmm...I am thinking, maybe I can use this route if I when the lottery, take the lump sum instead of periodic payments. I wish!

Christmas is Over

2011-12-27T07:40:00.002-08:00

Wow, the most awaited time of the year is over and we are only few days before the new year rings in. It is amazing how our family celebration only lasted for a few minutes minutes but it took many hours of preparation. Don't you agree?

This year we really did not cook a lot. I learned from the past that we just wasted food for cooking too much when there are only 5 of us to partake it. I was also able to convince hubby not to over spent this Christmas. He tends to cook up a storm during occasions like this. This time he cooked 2 main dishes, chicken marsala and stuffed cabbage. I did 2 side dishes, rice and roasted mixed veggies. The girls baked the fudge brownie and I baked apple pie for our dessert.

We had a great dinner and celebration, though I still wish we have more families over here to spend time with at this time of the year.

Content Insurance

2011-12-27T07:17:00.004-08:00

Back in 2004 I was able to travel to UK and stayed there for almost 7 months in my cousin's house. It was their first house in UK and they were very excited to become a homeowner there. Before I came there, she already told me about the big difference of the lifestyle as well as on how you take care of your stuff. I think wherever you live house insurance is a must if you own a property. But she told me that you can also purchase contents insurance to secure your belongings in case something happened.

I was really ignorant about it back then. When I first learned of it, of course I thought it was neat. Now that I am here in the US, insurance providers also carry those services. Most home insurance also cover contents of your home but there are some restrictions I believe. This is really a great deal since you will have peace of mind knowing that you can still recover something in case of any loses.

Aside from the insurance, we also purchase extended warranties for big appliances we have. Just recently, our microwave handle have some chipped on it. My husband called the company and since it is under warranty, they replaced the handle at no cost. I like how fast the services also. This is why we are happy with our decision about securing not only our house but the contents of it as well.

Our Tree this Christmas

2011-12-18T18:17:00.003-08:00

I thought we can get a real tree this Christmas, but we decided to make use of our artificial one instead. So after Thanksgiving we had the tree up and we're working on the decors. I have red and gold for color theme this year for our ornaments as well as other house decorations.

I was at the store to get some Christmas bows but I am aghast at how pricy it can be. One bow will cost you $5. So I went to youtube and watched some instructions on how to make one yourself. I found a good how-to video which is very easy and voila I did my own Christmas bows. I had fun doing it. I utilized my old wired ribbons for my trial ones. It came out good and from now on I will do my own Christmas bows.

This time around I did not buy too many gifts for everybody. I just picked out 2 each for our girls and also for hubby. Our DD1 also picked out something for her teachers at school that she gave to them on their last day before their Christmas break. In all, I think for next years to come I will do a 2-color theme for decorations. It looks neat. I can recycle one color a year and pair it with another one for next year. We'll see if I can keep it as our family tradition as well.

Last Week of Christmas Shopping

2011-12-18T17:55:00.003-08:00

One week more and it's already Christmas day. If you are not yet done with your Christmas shopping, then this is the last week to do so. For those who are buying electronics or any gadgets for make sure to check out coupon codes so you can save money. I know most stores are having their Christmas sale. With their sale going on and the coupon codes that you get through the site like geek alerts.com, I am pretty sure you can score a great deal.

A friend of mine was thinking of getting another laptop and I told her about MacBook Air sale that she can snag. If only I have enough savings for another laptop, I will get one for myself as well. I will just hope by the time I am ready to buy one, I can still get a coupon code for it at geek alerts.

Geek alerts also have another great savings for electronics at best buy. Get the best buy coupon code and see what great deal you can snag from them. Every little penny counts this time. Be a smart shopper.

Watching Television

2011-12-11T16:30:00.002-08:00

How many hours of television time you should let your toddlers watch in a day? I have read in some books that you should not let them watch telly over 2 hours in a day. I am so guilty of this because I let my kids watch their show on PBS or Nick channel more than 2 hours a day. I just don't have other means of bribing them to stay away from me to do my school work.

I let them watch television once they get bored playing or doing art work in their toy room. My consolation is that they are watching educational shows anyways. I know, it's my bad but I got to give them something to occupy them. Most of the time, even if they are watching telly, they are still bothering me. If this happens, I can no longer be in front of the computer, I need to be with them because the concentration blows out of the window already.

This is why you can wish you have someone to watch your kids even if you are at home. We don't have the luxury of that here, so I need to deal with it and improvise. I know in the end I can see the fruit of my sacrifices.

Travel Website

2011-12-09T18:47:00.003-08:00

Do you use the services of a personal travel agent to arrange your travel or you go online to check great Travel deals and compare prices and book? With us, we always do our research both online and with travel companies in our area. That way, we can compare and get the best deal. There are lots of well-known and reputable travel sites online but I also heard there are bad ones.

Travel deal is what we always want when we go for vacation. One travel company that I know that have re-launched their site is the travel co uk. They are now on the roll again and if you check out their site they have deals for all your traveling and vacation needs all over the world. If you decide to go on a cruise, a luxury beach vacation, see the mountains and do skiing or snowboarding, or even see the tallest building in the world, they can arrange it for you at a reasonable price.

One thing that I like most when I search or navigate a webpage is the how easy and clear all their options are as well as how they lay out their different type of services. This travel site I mentioned, in fairness, is so easy to navigate too. They have wide selection of holiday deals as well. So if you are planning of holiday, check them now and see if there is a much of what you need from their selections.

Weekly Recap

2011-12-09T18:11:00.003-08:00

First week of December is over. I like Friday because weekend will be spent with family with Daddy not working and DD1 not in school. This coming week will be the last week of our DD1 in school then off for their Christmas vacation.

My daily routine is really like most of the stay at home Moms; taking care of the kids, the house chores, cook, errands, etc. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings will be a lot more busy since I have to drop and pick our DD1 to and from school. In addition, I have my school stuff too that I needed to do.

This morning I was able to get the presents I was planning of getting for hubby. I already wrapped it and now under our Christmas tree. For the little ones, I will wrap it later when they are both asleep. Hubby came home before 5pm and we had dinner early. I am just glad that hubby always helped in taking care of the dishes and clean up the kitchen after dinner time. Now I am doing my weekly laundry to get it out of the way.

While waiting for the laundry, I will be doing some online tasks and bloghopping as well as work on my school stuff. I need to finish one more PD so I can submit my AMT Orthopedic Dictations and work on my 2nd test. Good luck to me!

Car Shipping

2011-12-08T16:51:00.004-08:00

I remember back in 2007 when we move here in Washington from Georgia, we had a hard time looking for a reasonable and reputable car shipping companies. We have two vehicles and the Army do not shoulder the cost of the vehicle shipment if within the US mainland only. You have to drive it and you are given per diem and allowances for it. So, we drove the truck and shipped my car. It took couple of weeks before the car gets here in Washington state.

My husband found the Car Shipping company online when we searched for it that time. We compared rates for shipping and check out the reputation of the company that we used to ship our vehicle. Good thing we found a really good one at a reasonable price as well.

As a word of advice to those who are planning or looking for Car Shipping company to ship your vehicle here in the US due to military move or address move, make sure to get a company that is licensed, bonded, has a good reputation, dependable, and safe to entrust our price possession. There are companies that are scams and only wanted the money and deliver a very lousy service. Verify the information of the company and make sure they are legitimate and trustworthy to do business with.

Christmas Plans

2011-12-08T16:29:00.005-08:00

Wow, the time roll by so quick. I have so many plans for the month, but I haven't been able to do one and we are already on the second week of the month. If we don't act fast and do what we needed to do, this month will already be over.

One of the things that I really need to do this month is to submit 2 tests for my online classes. I did 1 test already but not yet submitted. There are interruptions too. On Saturday there will be the Fil-Am Christmas party. On the 16th, Friday, will be our daughter's school Christmas party, and there will be cookie exchange. Now I need to find a good cookie recipe to bring to school. Then on the 16th some of my friends are planning another Christmas party, where we will have exchange of gifts. I hope with the intermissions along the way, I will still be motivated to do school work first.

I know this time of the year we have so many activities. This also make our day go by faster. It's like you wanted to do all the plans but your time is not enough. The most important thing though is we need how to prioritize. Do what is the most important thing first. Once the important tasks are out of the way, then the rest will be easy peasy to do.

Ecological Imbalance

2011-12-08T15:26:00.002-08:00

The news about our ecology is no longer balance is really alarming. There are too many pollutants that affects our land, water, air, reserve areas, endangered species, and even affecting us, humans. The problem of global warming as a result of these environmental and ecological problems made us experience different weather catastrophes. As responsible inhabitants of the earth, we should remember to do our part to take care of our environment.

All over the world, many private and government organizations are trying to come up with solutions and bring awareness to people about the impact of not taking care of the environment. In UK, one ecological consultancy company that specializes in giving ecological advice to those who need it is the Total Ecology consultancy. If you are in UK and in need of such services to assess any risk for your lands, habitat surveys, protected species surveys, environmental stewardship, and the like, they can do it for you.

This type of services can really help to assess what are the steps needed in order to safeguard the ecological balance and not compromising the environment. This company live up to their promise of an excellent ecological consultancy firm. I know clients who are in the business of planning and development should also seek a reputable consultancy firm to get advice especially in combining development and environment.

We cannot just think of development but compromising the environment. This is why a lot of products that people uses will go through scrutiny to make sure that it will not harm the environment. In as much as we want to have a green environment, it cannot be denied that environmental problem of the world is huge. I just hope that come the next generation, they will still have a great place to live in.

Color Purple

2011-12-08T15:08:00.003-08:00

Our DD1 loves the color purple. When we moved here in our house, she already told us she wanted to paint her room purple and pink. So, she is really the girly-girly type. Every time we visit home stores and check out the paint department, she will get color sample of the purple and pink combination. We decided that we will paint her bedroom purple and pink.

As their Mom, I also noticed through the years as being the Mom that, I too, love purple :-) I think she got it from me then. I don't know but I am attracted to it, especially if I am buying clothes for my little girls. The picture above is one of the evidences that we love the color dearly.

With my daughter's love for the color purple, even doing her art work at school she always use the purple crayon or paint. When they were asked to color the pumpkin, she color it purple instead of orange. I asked her why, she answered, "Because I like purple, Mommy"!

Visiting the Land Down Under

2011-12-08T14:47:00.003-08:00

My sister and her husband is now currently in Australia. They are going home though this month to the Philippines since my brother-in-law will be done with his schooling. I have cousins who are also living in Australia, and I wish that we can visit them there one of this days. My husband told me we will definitely visit there when we have the time as well as enough money for that trip.

My cousin told me that living in Australia is really great. They came from United Kingdom and just moved there couple of years ago. They like the place so much, the weather, and they can do a lot of things especially visiting beautiful places.

They recently purchased a house and their vehicles. Of course they also had the insurance for it. But I will still ask her if they were able to get a good premium for their insurance. If ever they wanted to get another insurance, she can get insurance quote and see which insurance companies can give them the best value for their money.

I have read that a large insurance company in Austarlia like the CGU Insurance can give the residents all the insurance they need. One can also get insurance quote from their site and see how much premium one will pay for a certain amount of insurance or for anything that one wanted to insure for. For our family here in the US, we have one insurance provider for all our insurance need. We wanted it that way so we can track our expenses in just one company, and it is very important that you trust your insurance company as well.

I learned more that CGU Insurance is trusted in Australia, having millions of policy holders in there care. They have all types of insurance from personal, business, and corporate. If you live in Australia and in need of trusted insurance provider, you can check out CGU Insurance company.

Anyways, I hope one day our plan of visiting the land down under will pushed through. I heard so many things about the place and I want to experience is grandeur as well.

Affordable Eyeglasses

2011-12-07T13:26:00.003-08:00

I was in my kid's school this morning earlier than my usual time to pick her up. I went to the pharmacy after I dropped her off and instead of going home I went to her school straight. There were other Moms already their waiting at the nursery along with siblings of my daughter's classmates. One of the Moms mentioned about her expensive bill from her eye doctor. She had her eyes checked recently and was prescribed for a new eyeglasses.

While on our discussion, I had mentioned to them if they checked online for affordable prescription eyeglasses. I know that there are lots to choose from if you are just diligent enough to research. One good example of this is Zenni Optical. With my research online since before, the brand ZENNI really stood out for their quality, high fashion, and affordable eyeglasses. It will not cost you an arm and a leg to get one. I mentioned this to her and she told me she will check it out.

I learned through my research for affordable eyeglasses also that the affordability of Zenni's eyeglasses is because they manufacture their own products. They do not compromise quality even if their prices are low compared to other providers. Aside from manufacturing their own products, they also have marketing strategy to bring out their product directly to the consumers. They also make sure that their products are of great quality and last long as it is a health necessity aside from just a fashion statement.

I know I will also be needing a reading or prescription glasses soon and I know where to get mine. I already checked their site and found lots to choose from. I am glad this provider of eyeglasses is just a click away, you can get one at the comfort of your house.

Our Growing Girls

2011-12-07T13:00:00.003-08:00

Our DD1 had a school photo session earlier last month. I was told that we can have our DD2 join the photo shoot also with her sister or by herself, so I let her wear her nice dress, courtesy of Tita Coleen, and brought her with me to her sister's school. They both look nice in their dresses. The photo shoot went well. It took a little longer because DD2 won't look at the photographer. She is distracted by people and things around her.

When we got home I tried to take pictures but I have to bribe her with a lollipop to pose for me. Looking at them together just melt my heart. They grow up fast and such sweet and adorable little girls. I can't thank God enough for the two of them in our lives. I can't imagine living without them. They are my priceless treasures!

Focusing on the desserts for this year's Thanksgiving

2011-12-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

Guest post written by Rebekah Winters

Even though I'm hosting this year's family Thanksgiving, I'm not entirely trusted with the food preparation. I guess that you burn a dish one year and you're never trusted again. But I don't mind. I'm already having to go to the trouble of doing all the cleaning anyway. The food that I'm left to handle is the desserts, which is actually my strong point when it comes to cooking and baking.

I've been researching some really good recipes online to fix for the dessert table and while I was online doing that not too long ago, I ran across some info on internet providers by zip code. I showed it to my husband and we agreed that we should switch over our home internet service to one of the providers for our area listed on there.

I know that I'm definitely going to fix some apple pie and chocolate cake. Now I just have to come up with some other dessert to fix that seems appropriate for the season and the holiday. It might just end up being pumpkin pie, after all.

Holiday Saving

2011-11-23T14:22:00.004-08:00

This time of the year is somewhat the most expensive. Starting with celebrating Thanksgiving and preparing for Christmas. If you are not careful and watch what you are spending, you will find yourself in the pit of financial burden. This is why I learned to shop wisely. After Thanksgiving all stores will participate in Black Friday where you can score good deals on almost everything you need. I surf the internet and check websites that offers coupon codes or deal alerts. I love the Cool Gadget News and Discount Coupons at geek alerts for cool gadgets. You can find lots of great deals and coupons through this site for any electronics you want.

Geek alerts also offers 1800Flowers promo codes if you want to send special flower arrangements and holiday baskets to your loved ones. If you like free flowers and free shipping you can also check out this great offer of FTD coupons, still at geek alerts.

Using coupons and coupon codes can really help to lower the cost of what you need for this holiday. I love coupons and bargain shopping. I am thankful that you can find websites like geek alerts that can help shopper like me to score great deals when shopping. They offer promotions and deals for almost all stores. This promotions and coupons are really big help for my family especially in this time of financial hardship. So check out the links above and score great deals too while you shop on Black Friday.

Thanksgiving Celebration

2011-11-23T14:07:00.004-08:00

Thanksgiving is here again. Of course it is time to celebrate and be thankful for all the blessings that we all received through the years. It is not only this particular day that we give thanks but every day in our lives.

I am so thankful for everything that I have right now; my family, friends, and relatives. I am thankful that God continues to bless us with good health and sound mind to do our daily tasks and decide rationally. I thank God for the ups and downs that He let us experience in order for us to be strong and courageous to tackle the odds of life.

This thanksgiving we will celebrate it here in our house. This will be the first time that we are going to celebrate in our home. This is one of the things that we are most grateful for this year. And I am hoping to celebrate more years of Thanksgiving here with my family.

2011 Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-21T10:20:00.003-07:00

Last October 17 our DD1's school had a field trip at a pumpkin patch. It was a nice day although chilly but sunny. Since she is in a morning class, we also have to go to the farm at that early. Most of the people at the patch were from her school. They surely had a great time and our DD2 enjoyed it as well, especially when we started checking out the animals. She loves touching animals and every time she touch one she will give out a hearty laugh that is very contagious.

Daddy was not with us this time because he is in training. Last year we went to the same farm and our DD2 was still tiny one at that time. Now she can already enjoy the farm and also went along with older kids playing around. I just wish though that husband was with us so we experience it with the whole family.

Kids Dental Appointment

2011-10-06T23:52:00.002-07:00

On October 4 I brought the kids to their dental appointment. DD1 first had her teeth cleaned and polished. She did really great. The hygienist did not have a hard time getting the x-ray and cleaning her teeth. Even the dentist who checked her teeth after did not take long to see her teeth because she was very cooperative.

For DD2, it was her first time. She is 17-month-old so I was expecting she will cry and won't open her mouth. One thing that will really make her cry though was when I will ask her to open her mouth especially if she is eating and have a big bite of food. So when the dentist ask her to open her mouth, at first she was hesitant. I was helping her and with a little prodding, she opened her mouth and the hygienist was able to polish and put fluoride on her teeth.

The dentist visit was great with no crying babies. They did great and they deserved the stuffed toys that they got from the dental office. I am so proud of them and I am hoping for next visits DD2 will be used to it already.

DD1's First Day at Pre-K

2011-09-13T11:09:00.003-07:00

Our DD1 started to go back to school on September 7. She was very excited to see some of her preschool classmates as well as meeting new friends. She goes to a morning class. We are training her for Kindergarten that is why we put her in am class. She need to learn to wake up early and be in the groove early to go to school. So far she is doing well and still as enthusiastic as when the school started.

I too is adjusting to the new schedule. I am bringing her to school and back so I need to make sure everything is ready early in the morning to avoid the rush. I hope come winter time it will just be alright. I know it will be very cold and possible snowing but we don't live far from her school so it is not a long drive.

I can't just imagine how time flies so fast. Next year she will be going to school 5 times a day and it will be a different story. Kindergarten here is half-day every day. I am hoping that she will be used to waking up early by then and already know how to read. It is my goal to teach her to read while in Pre-K. I pray and hope we can reach that goal.

Writing 101

2011-08-31T15:41:00.002-07:00

Our DD1 will start Pre-K next week. This will be her second year in school. Last year we enrolled her for a 2-day a week class and she loved it. Now that she is in Pre-K their class will be 3-day a week and she will go for the 9-11:30am class. I chose the morning session because I want her to be ready once she go to Kindergarten.

To prepare her for Pre-K I already start teaching her how to write. She can really write her name although it is not straight yet. She still need more practice. I am also teaching her how to read. She can very well recite her ABCs and she can even say the phonetics sound of it. I just wish that before she goes to Kindergarten she can already read simple words.

I am not pushing her too hard on the reading side. I don't want her to have any remorse on reading and studying. I am excited for her going back to school. She told me she is excited too and she can't wait to see her other classmates again.

Swim Time

2011-08-17T22:53:00.005-07:00

Our 4-year-old wanted to go for a swim. We don't have access to a pool since we don't live in the apartment anymore. Good thing we have a friend that has access to a pool and she invited us to go swimming this afternoon. My stepdaughter is here too so we all went to my friends place. I believed everyone did have a great time at the pool even though the water is a little bit cold but the hot spa sure did took care of it. Below is the picture I took with DD1. She was so happy she was she was able to dipped in the water with a float.

The Party House

2011-08-03T15:22:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the post, Vernon Lowe.

My kids think this place is like a hostel – they’ve got friends in and out of here at all hours of the night. Of course, I make sure the boys and girls stay separated but we once had one of my son’s buddies living in the basement for a week and a half before I even knew about it! I guess I don’t mind having the party house because that means they’re here with me instead of out creating mischief somewhere that I can’t keep an eye on them. My husband decided we needed http://homesecurity101.com to make sure the people coming and going were people we know and my sons are only allowed to give the code to people we approve of. I like that we’ve got such open communication and I hope that it keeps up in the future. They’re going off to college in just a few short years and before I know it they’re going to be grown men making their own decisions left and right!

Our 4 Year's Old

2011-06-22T22:09:00.003-07:00

Last May our DD1 turned 4 year's old. We can't believe how time flies and now we have a soon to be kindergartener. She is growing healthy and she is mama's little helper. She is a good older sister as well. We can't thank God enough for bringing her to our lives.

Her first year of preschool ended yesterday and this coming school year she will still go to the same preschool. We are still thinking of where she will enroll for kindergarten. The next school year she will go to school three times a week and only half a day. I registered her for a morning class to prepare her for kinder and grade school. She usually wakes up around 9AM and I need to train her to wake up before that to prepare her for school. This means early morning wake up time for me as well.

I think if you become a Mom there are many things that you thought you cannot do or will not be able to do that you will do no matter what. Even if it is a trial and error thing. I would say I am not a perfect mother but I am doing my best to become the best for them. It is always my prayer and hope that they will grow to be responsible citizen and become successful in life.

Our DD2 Turned 1 On April

2011-05-16T16:07:00.003-07:00

I wasn't able to post anything about our two lovely girls the past weeks. Last month our DD2 turned 1-year-old and we can't be happier of her milestones. She is growing fast and we are very happy with her development. Along the way there were some trials regarding her weigh issue but everything is settled now and other worries were being ruled out.

For her birthday celebration, we did not really had a grand one. We just invited few of our friends and the celebration went well. I think everybody enjoyed especially the kiddies. Our DD1 will not be able to remember her 1st birthday but she can have pictures to look in to when she is old enough.

Below is her picture when we were coaxing her to play or eat with the cake that was meant for her. But we were waiting so long that she did not touch it with her hands. When I tried to dip her fingers into the icing she was shaking her head. I gave her a spoon and she started scooping the cake but did not put it in her mouth.

Why I love McDonalds

2011-05-16T15:28:00.003-07:00

Guest post of the week by Brittany Booker.

When I think about going out to eat I cannot help but think about going to McDonalds. McDonalds has been my favorite restaurant since I was a kid and I love to go there every chance I get. I love to get the classic Big Mac and I love to get it with extra salty fries and a coke. When I think about McDonalds i think about all of the happy memories that I had there over the years and I think about going there with my friends. This restaurant has a very special place in my heart and I go there as much as I can.

I love McDonalds also because of the very casual atmosphere in the restaurant. All of the employees are very personable and the people who eat there are all very friendly. You don't have to get dressed up to go, simply set y! our home security alarm from www.HomeSecurity 101.com at the house, hop in the car, and you are off to enjoy an excellent meal. When you make the decision to go visit this restaurant you should be prepared for a comfortable eating experience with excellent food and friendly service. This is not the same truth for all types of fast food restaurants so you should always choose http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/csr/blog.html over any other type of fast food restaurant. You will never regret this decision.

Back in the Groove

2011-05-11T11:51:00.002-07:00

I have been busy with life and updating my two other blogs is what I can only do for the last few weeks. Now I am back groovin' here again and will do my best to post updates of my two girls as well as my mommy moments. For being busy house hunting and stressing on it made it more difficult for me to think of what to post.

We had lots of activities these past months and I haven't had the chance to download the pictures and other captures until last night. I will be uploading it on facebook also so my family back home can look at them. Some of the activities we have had was our daughter's 1st birthday, their time at the park when we got a nice spring weather even for just a day.

As to myself, I am way behind of my studies and now I have a new instructor and I am confident that with her I can be as open as I want to be and she is very helpful. I will be in good hands and will be successful in this program. Hubby is also busy with work and studies. He is now taking Calculus and I know he needs all the time he can to do this class. On top of it all is the waiting game for us to close on a property. I am so anxious to move to the new place so we can really start being in our own property. I know too many going-ons, but despite all of it I am thankful that God is always there for us and guide us through.

Green Technology Is An Industry That Continues To Grow

2011-03-13T21:43:00.001-07:00

The article written by Frances Blevins.

The state of California is a place where new forms of green technology are being created everyday. You may even be able to find laundry detergent that happens to be green, energy efficient and overall better for your clothes and skin The fact that this item can be manufactured in California is something that should make people in the state happy.

You can look for new green energy savings group when it comes to your city. Some people may be afraid of the costs associated with installing new forms of solar energy in their home. The solar panels can be very expensive in the short term, but you do have to understand the cost savings that you have on a long term basis. We may need to see the development of more smart grid technology for some of this solar energy and green technology to make a dent in the environmental issues that we face. You want to make sure that you can afford costs associated with the purchase of a hybrid car or solar panels. You should not try to put yourself in debt just to put solar panels inside your home.

A home is something that can take a lot of money to heat and cool. Green technology will be helping you save money and this means that things can become easier for you. You want to be able to retire on schedule.

DD2 @ 10 Months

2011-02-26T21:10:00.004-08:00

This picture was taken when DD2 was just 8-month-old. This was our morning routine then. She was just learning to crawl on her tummy. Her big sister love to play with her on the floor. She is the one who give the little one toys to play with.

It is so amazing how they changes from day to day. Right now she don't crawl on her tummy anymore but on her hands and knees. She is already 10-month-old, and she can pull herself up. She use edges of our couch, coffee table, bed, and even legs of anything to hold on to.

She is now learning to take some steps while holding on to furniture. She is aggressive but cautious little one. I know this is also the time of bumps and falls and I am glad that DD1 is very protective and watches her every time she is on the floor. DD1 call me up when her little sister is picking up small things or call my attention when she sees little sissy is somewhat in danger to her eyes.

It would be fun to watch later on when both sisters can play together and converse to each other while doing their activities. Hubby said to expect little fights from here and there, but I know it is typical to siblings. We'll see though how they're going to deal to each other once they're a little both older.

Buying Clothes for My Girls

2011-01-21T15:19:00.002-08:00

It is one of my weakness to shop clothes for my girls. I told myself not to buy every time we go to the mall since they grow fast and the clothes I'm buying will not be worn that much. Even until now I still love buying baby clothing for our 9-month-old little girl. Their clothes are just too cute and I can't get enough for my little one.

Aside from buying their apparel in our favorite stores, I also go online to shop. What I like in online shopping is the convenience. I tried different websites as well as the online sites for our fave stores. I even bookmarked sites that I really like. My husband told me not to bookmark it so I will not be tempted every time.

This year I am giving myself limit every month to only get stuff for the girls once a month unless it is really necessary. I have to do it in order for me not to go over budget and waste money to unnecessary stuff. So far they are good wit clothing and stuff. I may have to wait for spring to get them bigger clothes for that season.

DD2 @ 9 Months

2011-01-14T13:20:00.002-08:00

Our DD2 just turned 9-month-old today. Yay! She is not so baby, er infant anymore. Although her weight gain is not that much but she is developmentally right on track. I am so proud of all her developments. She is a petite baby but she surely is an aggressive little one. She is not afraid of trying things.

At 9 months she love to make noise a lot. She don't want to be in her car seat but wanted to stand up or on the floor playing. The first word she uttered when she was 7 months old was ma-ma but it's adding every day since. She is very sweet but so impatient. I believe most babies are. She cries right away when she can't get her way. She has eyes for me now that separation anxiety is up once she can't see me in the same room with her. The pedia said it is normal at her age.

I think our DD1 can't wait to play with her little sister. They both like playing on the floor together. I am glad that she is a loving sister. I know I still have to watch her when around her little sister because she still can't control herself being a toddler not to be rough during play time.

My two girls are growing fast and soon I will be sending both of them to school together. I will miss them being babies but I will be the happiest Mom if they will grow great kids and adult.

A Brand New Year!

2011-01-06T13:43:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the post from Heriberto Sanders.

Our house is hoping with News Years excitement! As you are probably aware, we are planning our usual trip down town to the Gallivan center. The ice skating, the music, the entertainment, the fireworks! What more could you ask for? I would have to say the kids are most looking forward to the ice skating. What's not to like about falling down on an icy cold hard as a rock surface? Joking aside, we love New Years Eve. Before we head out for the night we will of course set our home security alarm from http://www.AllHomeSecurity.com/. The Sheppard's and the Powell's will be joining us, as well as Grandma and Grandpa Rees. Everyone will be bundled up to prevent any frostbite.

Maybe this year we can get Phil out on the ice! I know how much he dreads it, but we would love to see him try!

After ice skating we will move on to the live music, and enjoy some hot chocolate while we listen. Each year the music gets better and better, and its nice to see the local talent. I imagine we will take in the entertainment for a while until the FIREWORKS! (My personal favorite) The fireworks as absolutely fantastic. What a wonderful night, with wonderful people, in a wonderful place. Happy New Year!

Happy New Year

2011-01-03T11:22:00.003-08:00

It's 2011 and I can't believe time flies so fast. I have a lot to thank for in our lives for the past year. I will mention some that I am so thankful to God; we have our daughter number 2, Daddy came back from Iraq safely, our DD1 started school, my Mom recovered from her stroke and now she's doing well, and also I was able to work even for just the holidays.

This year I wanted to list resolutions but I may not be able to do it. But one thing I am always striving for every year since I became a Mom is to become a great one to my children. They are my number one priority and I will always be there for them no matter what.

As a family, we have so many plans and we are hoping that we will be able to execute our plans this year. I am very excited and we are very positive that this year will be a great year for us, our family, relatives and friends. With this, I am greeting all of my friends a prosperous new year and pray that all your endeavors be fruitful.

Charlie Brown's Christmas a Hit on Satellite Television Schedule

2010-12-29T19:25:00.001-08:00

Thanks for the guest post by Jonathan Curtis.

Each year our family gathers in the den to watch the animated Christmas special of 'Charlie Brown's Christmas' on satellite television from www.cannonsatellite.com/. Of course when I first saw this wonderful holiday classic it was before cable and satellite television had even been introduced to the viewing world.

Now I am happy to continue this holiday tradition with my kids. Charlie Brown, Linus, Sally and Lucy are just some of the beloved cartoon characters who make us laugh and cry each year as they search for the true meaning of Christmas. Charles Schultz created the Peanut's comic strip many years ago but today these characters are still at the center of my favorite animated cartoon. The bedraggled little Christmas tree that the Peanut's gang transforms toward the end of the show is always my favorite scene.

With popcorn, freshly baked cookies and hot chocolate on the table, and a festive air in the house it is the perfect opportunity to watch 'Charlie Brown's Christmas' and remind ourselves of what is truly important in our lives. This animated cartoon special makes its annual appearance in December, usually within a week or two of Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas!!!!

2010-12-24T11:10:00.002-08:00

Wishing you all a happy, merry Christmas and a peaceful,
bountiful New Year!!!

Recall on Cribs

2010-12-20T23:47:00.003-08:00

I heard on the news the other day about recall on cribs with a drop down side design. The crib that we had with our first born has drop down but we already disposed of it. For our infant right now we don't have crib instead we used the play yard. I was thinking of getting a crib but we just don't have place for it unless we have to downsize our toddler's bed.

I am looking at Baby Gifts Outlet and saw different style of cribs. The one I am interested in is the crib that can be converted to a toddler bed. The site really have everything you need for your baby. It's like a one stop shop for your baby needs.

But back to the recall, if you have a crib that have drop down side make sure to contact the manufacturer and you can ask for a kit to fix it. It is important in order for your baby to be safe.

School Update

2010-12-20T23:38:00.003-08:00

Glad to have two weeks of school break. This means I will be relaxed every Tuesday and Thursday from dropping and picking up our preschooler. Hubby also is done with his fall quarter and thank God he passed all his classes. He got his grades early this morning. He was so excited he woke me up from my deep slumber. I am happy for him too because he work hard for it amidst his hectic schedule and watching our kiddos when I go to work. He is now going to take three classes for the winter quarter and God-willing, when everything work out good, he will be looking at graduating in fall next year.

As to my classes, I don't get a break. I have a continuous classes for a year that started in September. So I have until September to finish this certificate program. Right now I am kind of behind with my schedule. I need to double time and work hard in order for me to catch up and finish on time. Although online classes has it's own pace but if you are not aware of your time then you will be caught up. I have a hard time juggling with my lessons and kids when I'm at home. The little one is very demanding as of this time. She is so attached to me that when I am at home she won't leave my side. But I am very positive that I will be able to get through this program.

Organizing Kids Bedroom

2010-12-20T23:08:00.002-08:00

Having to live in an apartment has its pros and cons. It is great that you don't have to pay from your pocket any maintenance work or no yard to tend to, but among its cons is the lack of space. We only have two bedrooms since the complex we live at do not have three bedrooms layout. So this means lack of space or storage for all our things. We have two kids and as they grow we also accumulate stuffs. This is why I wish we have enough space to put additional kids lockers.

Our toddler have toys that my husband disassembled in order for it to fit in their bedroom's closet. It is a hassle for me because every time she wanted to play I have to put it together for her. If I have lockers for kids I can just put the toys inside it and when they need it I will just pull it out and give it to her.

Right now the closet is so full. Toys and clothes are in one closet. Although the clothes are neatly hanged but the shelves are just full of different knick-knacks. I was thinking of getting children's lockers that we can hang to organize their books and small toys or games. That way I can save floor space and their bedroom will be arranged or organized. I am just so done with the clutter. This will be one of my main task this coming new year.

Our Two Munchkins

2010-12-15T21:22:00.003-08:00

I needed to take picture of our two little munchkins near our Christmas tree. I tried taking pictures of them two weeks ago when we put up our tree but the little one was crying. I can't get a good shot of her. I don't have any problem with the eldest because she like to pose.

This picture was taken after church but as you can see tiny one is crying. She was so sleepy that is why. I really need to get good shots of them. I only need right timing to do the picture taking.

Steam Team Austin

2010-12-06T11:34:00.002-08:00

Having your own property comes with a lot of responsibility as well. But it will be very rewarding in the end once you have your own home or property. You can do everything you want with it, decorate it, paint it, and just about anything to add value to your property. We sure wanted to own our house one day and we can't wait for that time.

Our friend in Austin just moved to their new house and she said she can't explain how relieved she is now that they have their own place and settled. She told me that they have a hard time selling their old house too since they did a lot before having it sold. They did not hire professionals to clean up instead they all did it by themselves. It paid of in the end though.

But they could have hired the steam team Austin for all that they need though. This cleaning company deals with everything you need to professionally clean residential or commercial buildings. Accordingly they are known as one of the best upholstery cleaning companies austin that clean everything upholstered.

When it comes to fire and flood damage the steam team can also help. They have fire damage repairs austin services as well as hurricane water damage austin services. I told my friend about this company and she will surely check them out if they need their services. When we have our own place I will feel comfortable getting professional help when it comes to things like these rather than doing by it by ourselves and we'll end up messing up.

Playing Dress Up

2010-11-28T22:45:00.005-08:00

Our DD1 is in a stage where she likes to dress up a lot. Everything with flowing skirt or a tutu and character costumes she likes to wear. Right now her favorite is the minnie mouse and blue tinker bell costume. That is what she wants to wear every morning as soon as she wakes up. At night, when going to bed, she'll wear her nightgown with disney characters on it or her jammies with matching tutu.

The picture above was taken on her sister's 7 month birthday and also her being 42 months old. The picture below was taken on Thanksgiving day while me and Daddy were busy cooking for our dinner.

Thanksgiving and Family

2010-11-28T20:16:00.001-08:00

The article written by Debra Herman.

By far, my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. It seems to be the only holiday where the family is just together and enjoying each other's company without a strict agenda. For me, Thanksgiving is a whole day festivity with family. Often we arrive in the morning and enjoy a light breakfast such as coffee and donuts. The adults catch up with what is going on in everyone's busy lives and the children scurry around and play. Following a light breakfast, the women begin to cook in the kitchen and the men conjugate in the living room and begin to watch football on the directstartv.

In the late afternoon the Thanksgiving meal is ready and we enjoy the typical dishes such as turkey, mashed potatoes, macaroni, green beans and pumpkin pie. Most importantly is my grandmother's homemade cranberry sauce. It has the most delicious taste of both sweetness and tartness. It is my favorite and I only get it once a year.

The rest of the day is often for resting, napping, watching satellite television and enjoying family.

DD2 @ 7 Months

2010-11-20T20:40:00.004-08:00

Our DD2 turned 7 months last week. She is now beginning to sit by herself and learning to push herself to crawl when she's on her tummy. It's amazing how you see the changes they go through every single day. They grow fast like a weed that when you wake up each day you have to savor the moment for it will never come back again.

The picture here was taken when we went to Seattle Children's Museum. I know she did not understand what was going on around her but she was having a good time watching her sisters running around and by just following at Shi. How I wish though that she can also try doing the things by herself but have to wait til she is old enough.

My Best friend and I

2010-11-20T20:36:00.001-08:00

This guest post from Lenny Mcknight.

When times are tough, I need an ear to listen to my troubles, or if I want to go out and have a good time to celebrate an occasion, my best friend is the one I call. She has been in my life for almost 15 years and I cherish every moment since I met her.

No matter the need, she is always there for me; to give advice for my love life or tips for raising my child, to borrow money if funds are tight or something extra comes up, or to go out for drinks for our birthdays or a holiday.

I especially enjoy going out for drinks at our favorite karaoke bar. We always have such a great time when we hang out with each other and our other friends singing badly at the microphone in between having drinks together and taking shots. It's so nice to spend time together and catch up on what is going on is our personal lives.

I always set my home security alarm from www.inhomesecurity.net/adt-home-security-benefits.html before leaving the house, and then I head to the bar to meet up with my best friend. We usually meet up a little while before other friends will arrive so that we have some time, just the two of us, to talk. I love hearing about what's going on in her life and sharing stories about my life and how my daughter is growing.

Seattle Children's Museum

2010-11-20T20:24:00.003-08:00

We went to Seattle Children's Museum on Veterans Day. It was raining that day and our plan to walk along the Seattle's waterfront did not happen. So, we just spent our time at the museum and our girls did enjoyed it.

This picture was taken inside the museum wherein kids can dress up as a firefighter and pretend to drive the fire truck. It is only one of the activity kids can enjoy. Our DD1 was very ecstatic going from one activity to another. For her the time we spent there wasn't enough that when we told her we are going she don't want to go. She agreed to go home when hubby told her we will come back next time.

Steps to Winter Proof My Home

2010-11-19T16:57:00.004-08:00

Contribution by Paula Gonzales.

Though I don't live too far north, winters can sometimes be quite severe. It's not enough to wing it - properly preparing for the winter season is very important. Even if the season is a bust, it's better to be safe than sorry.

The first step is to make sure the house is all sealed up. Drafts make the house uncomfortable, and they can also cost me big money in heating bills as precious dollars float out the door. To this end, I put up storm windows and doors. If there are any problem windows, I'll put up plastic on the inside to cut the drafts. There are also products to help prevent drafts from traveling underneath doors.

I also make sure that my backup systems are all ready. I have a generator ready just in case of a winter blackout, as having an ice cold house would be both uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. I also make sure all my winter supplies are ready, including shovels, salt sand, and my snowblower, all in preparation for the first major snow storm.

At the end of my winter proofing regime, I make sure to take some time to relax with some hot cocoa. Sometimes I'll read, while other times I'll sit down and enjoy my satellite TV from www.expertsatellite.com. Whatever my choice, I relax in my toasty, winter proof house and enjoy a job well done.

Purple in Fall

2010-11-19T09:30:00.003-08:00

I love the fall colors, especially when the leaves changes colors. It just look so immaculate that you can't help but appreciate. Our DD1 maybe inherited her liking fall from me. Every time we go out and see the leaves she is so vocal in her appreciation.

One time when we got home from church she saw the short tree in front of our unit and she exclaimed to me, "Mommy picture, beautiful leaf", while picking the leaf on the ground. As always I am bringing my camera with me I was able to fulfill her wishes.

I just thought she look lovely in her purple tutu dress with a red colored tree in the background :-) Love my own! :-)

Famous Hockey Movies

2010-11-15T16:39:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Darwin Barton.

Hockey fans will have a consistent stream of games for a majority of the year, but what are they supposed to do during the summer? After watching reruns of their favorite games, many hockey fans begin to turn to the Hollywood version of hockey games. Although they have not been entirely popular, the few movies that have been made have achieved a cult like status amongst all sports fans.

One of the most famous hockey movies produced was the classic movie Slap Shot featuring Paul Newman. Playing for the failing Charleston Chiefs, Newman attempts to learn more about the selling of the Chiefs, as well as what his future holds. Little does he know that his life will be turned upside down once the Hanson Brothers join the team. The three brothers, with matching long hair and thick black glasses turn the team around with their "old school" style of hockey.

One of the other famous hockey series is the Mighty Ducks trilogy. The movie follows Gordon Bombay and Charlie Conway as they form their friendship on the dismal District 5 hockey team. The team turns around with a timely gift and begin competing as the Mighty Ducks. The second movie follows the Ducks as they compete against the world at the Junior Goodwill Games, and the third movie follows the same group of kids as they begin their high school hockey career.

Although I enjoy watching hockey on satellite deals and hd dvr, watching some older hockey movies is a great way to spend the off season.

Halloween Costume

2010-11-10T16:20:00.002-08:00

This post is overdue already. I know Halloween had passed and I totally forgot that I made a draft about what we did during Halloween. Our DD1 was bugging me that she wants to go trick or treating. I told her that if it ain't raining we are going. I also promised last time that this year I will get me a costume to wear for trick or treating.

When we went to the store to buy costumes, I really didn't find something that I like. When DD1 choose the princess dress I was looking at the adult costumes if there is one similar to what she like. Good thing I saw the empress costume that matches with hers so I ended up buying it.

We wore the costumes on October 30 during the trunk or treat activity of one of the church near us. Our friend invited us and I like the idea since we don't have to walk through many houses. It was just around the church's parking lot. We all had a great time except for the incident where my car was locked while it was still running. That wasn't cool at all. But I learned my lesson and our DD1 did enjoyed her 2010 Halloween.

Giants of San Fran

2010-10-29T21:57:00.003-07:00

Guest post written by our friend Trent Horton.

Man, I can't believe the Giants made it all the way to the National League Championship Series so far! I never would have thought it possible seeing the line up they started off with on opening day. But after calling up Buster Posey in June, their offense has really started to take off and help their awesome pitching staff. While I'm not a fan of Brian Sabean, I've got to admit he's made a lot of great moves this season to get the Giants to this point. From the picking up of Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell, the trades for Javy Lopez and Ramon Ramirez and the claiming of Cody Ross off of waivers, it seems like almost every move has worked out to get them into the postseason.

The only thing I have to complain about is manager Bruce Bochy. His over managing has probably cost them a number of games and made things a lot closer than they had to be. This whole season the slogan for the Giants has been "Giants baseball: It's torture." I think a lot of that falls on Bochy and his insistence to make as many changes as possible on each and every day. Thankfully they have the pitching staff to overcome all of Bochy's mistakes and once in awhile even Bochy's shenanigans pays off. So far I've seen every game this year thanks to satellite TV from www.TVByDirect.com and I hope to see them in the World Series!

Our Girls

2010-10-22T23:56:00.002-07:00

I took this picture one evening while we were waiting for our Daddy at the parking lot of Barnes & Noble. We did not went inside because DD2 was asleep when we arrived there. She woke up only when hubby was inside already.

Our older daughter loves to cuddle her little sister and always requests to let her sit on her lap. So while waiting for hubby, I let her hold the little one. She was so happy that she was able ti her sister and I thought of getting a picture of them both.

I just hope that she'll continue to be so doting to her little sister and always there to protect each other. I am so looking forward of the time that they can play together. They are my pride and joy.

Healthy Trips to the Gym

2010-10-12T21:58:00.002-07:00

This guest post from Josue Nichols.

Whenever I tell my girlfriend I am going to the gym, she is always so happy that I'm thinking about my health and my body, especially my body, because she insists its important to have a boyfriend she's not ashamed to show her friends. What she doesn't know is that I go to the gym not because I want to work out, but because I got fired from my job on Wall Street and now work as a new accounts man at the local fitness center.

I have to cringe when she tells everyone that I am an up and coming securities broker, and that I am basically going to be filthy rich before I turn thirty. What I am going to be is filthy, as all the stink and odor of evaporated sweat attaches to my skin. Rich? At seven dollars an hour, not likely. What' s worse is that in order to keep up the pretense I have to work out during my break and lunch time, and I also had to take a home equity loan on the house in order to pay for my girlfriend's fancy jewelry and nightly dinners at the most expensive restaurants in town. The interest on this loan continues to pile up, and I may have to file for bankruptcy soon. In the meantime, burglars are casing my house on a nightly basis. So before I go to work, I always set up my home security alarm that come with Home Security Systems monitoring. If only securing my life was so easy.

DD1's Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

2010-10-12T21:34:00.007-07:00

Today was a fun day for our preschooler. Their school had their first field trip for the school year. They went to the pumpkin patch near our area. It was her first time and she was very excited even before this day arrived. It got me excited too since I haven't been to a patch before. There is one down the road from us but we only pass by it for two years.

The trip was around 1pm this afternoon. We met the rest of her class at the farm. We rode a tractor going to the actual patch and the kids had a blast pointing just any where. It was a good thing there were not much people that their class was the only people at the patch with few others on different patches.

The above picture was our DD1 picking up her pumpkin. She can't decide what she'll get since there's a lot to choose from. It was fun looking at the little kids holding hands picking up pumpkins enjoying the experience.

Sitting on a big pumpkin

Playing Doctor for Halloween

2010-10-07T17:10:00.001-07:00

Guest post written by Tina Fowler.

My son is really excited about the idea of becoming a doctor when he grows up and he's really smart so I think that he can pull it off. Plus, it would be nice to have a doctor at all of our family functions. But for now he's just going to dress up like a little doctor for Halloween this year.

We didn't have hardly any of the things that we need for his costume, so I started looking onlien for it almost a month ago with my clear wireless internet. It's a good thing that lab coats aren't really that hard to come by and I was able to find one pretty easily. Then I even made a fake doctor badge for him and bought some little laminate paper and a clip to clip it onto his lab coat.

Finding a little fake stethoscope was a lot harder, but I tracked down one through a little kids play doctors kit that I just ended up ordering offline. HeÕs going to be such a cute little doctor!

DD1 is Back to School

2010-09-30T18:19:00.003-07:00

I am very glad that our DD1 is already well. She's back in school this afternoon and I can tell she was very excited. I told her early in the morning she'll go back to school and she can't wait. I really don't want her to be absent but we don't want her classmates to get cough and colds from her.

As we arrived at her school she immediately hung her backpack and jacket then she went inside her classroom after kissing me goodbye. She never cried at all. I think she already outgrown that separation anxiety. I hope it will not change.

When I picked her up they were ath their school playground. She did good with the swing and not as scared of it as before. She also became confident in climbing up at the wall. While inside the playground, I saw her picked wild flowers near the fence. When her teacher called her to go home she ran to me and handed me two small yellow flower. She said it's for me and her daddy. She is very sweet and thoughtful. I wish and pray she'll stay the same for always.

Decorating for Fall Season

2010-09-26T15:35:00.006-07:00

Since autumn is here, have you started decorating yet? I know here in the US you have to dress also according to the weather and also if you like it, decorate your house each time season changes. What I did in the past was keep my decor every time the season change. I have few home decors that I have to dig out now since fall is here already. Some of my fall harvest center pieces are already out although it's all on top of our cabinet in the kitchen.

I still have to buy some stuff for decor even though I have kept some from previous years. I am still needing a Thanksgiving tablecloth since I sent to Philippines the one we used in 2008. Last year we spent the Thanksgiving with friends so I did not bother getting a new one. I also need table pads and table cloth protector. When we got our new dining set I was thinking of getting new ones but until now we still have the old ones. I found nice autum home decors online at bed bath store.com. I like their stuff and affordable too.

But before the harvest decors that I am planning to get before November, my husband was asking me about Halloween home decor. He asked me if I am planning of decorating for the Halloween. I may have to since our daughter gets excited seeing halloween stuffs. We went to a spirit store last week and she can't contain her excitement. I was able to get her one big pumpkin bucket and a small one. I know trick or treating is still a month away but she is so excited already.

There is so much to do if you are planning of making decor changes every season. But if you have kids that will appreciate and happy of what you prepare, everything is worth the effort. Their happiness is your joy as well. Check out the online store I mentioned above. You can find tons of great things at an affordable price.

Our Girls Have Sniffles

2010-09-26T15:17:00.002-07:00

When it comes to the health of our kids I am one worry-wart momma. Our two girls have cough and colds right now and it really bothers me. I am like this every time they don't feel well. Our DD2 first had the colds this past days and then DD1 caught it and she has slight fever as well. Tomorrow will be the third day she has slight temperature and if it will not fade away I will call her Pedia and have her checked.

I monitor her temperature since yesterrday and it fluctuates from 99-101. I am giving her the Tylenol for kids and hopefully it will subside. I did not have enough sleep last night because I was watching her closely. She sleep in her own room now and I have to get up from time to time to check her out.

On Tuesday, if she is still having cough and colds she will have to be absent from school and her gymnastics class. I know she won't like it. Just this morning, when I told her she has to stay home and not go to church because she is not well, she cried. She still want to go to church so we did. I am praying that she will be well enough to go to school on Tuesday.

Boost Mobile

2010-09-21T04:25:00.005-07:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Boost Mobile. All opinions are 100% mine.

We recently purchased a new Blackberry for my husband two weeks ago. This is his new phone since he got back from deployment last month. I asked him if he wanted another phone type like a touch screen one but he said he like the features of this smartphone than any other else.

Anyways, we got the phone at Radio Shcock, one of the electronic store near us. While at the store, I noticed another mobile service, the Boost Mobile. I asked the associate about it and she told me that it is basically a Sprint's brand of a prepaid wireless phones and services with no long-term contracts or agreement.

When I got home I visited their website and found out alot more information about Boost Mobile and honestly it is very enticing. If you use Boost and you have blackberry smartphone you can have the unlimited monthly service of $60 which includes unlimited nationwide talk, text, email, Web, IM and 411. I love accessing my social networking affiliations through my blackberry and this Boost Mobile offers the same services too. You can have easy access on these sites pretty easily, like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

Re-Boost or payment is also very easy. You can pay it online, go to their location near you and pay it in person, or pay over the phone. You can use your debit or credit card to pay for it, or even sign-up for an automatic Re-Boost. This easy and noncomplicated mobile service is really consumer-friendly. If you are looking for a mobile service that gives you no head-ache then check out Boost Mobile now.

DD1's First Day of School

2010-09-20T11:40:00.002-07:00

I've been late posting our DD1's first day of school pictures. Anyways, we were all excited for it will be her first time to be in school. She didn't experience being in a day care so we're kind of excited and anxious how she's going to handle being away from us.

Her class started at 12:30 so her wake up schedule at 9am is still okay. When she woke up that morning I told her she is going to school. She was excited as well that she wanted to change so early.

We got to her school five minutes early. Daddy just followed us from his job. He got there on time that we both went inside to drop her off. She did not cry at all when we told her we're about to leave. She was quite but smiling seeing other kids her age.

Hubby told me that I will cry once we left the school. Although I did not cry but I felt so sad that I wanted to stay in the school and wait for her there. It's a different feeling. Waiting for another 2 1/2 hours was like a lifetime. When I picked her up they were at the school playground. I saw that she was too excited playing around. She don't even wanna go home but just play still.

She still cannot determine the routine of school for two days and her gymnastics class but she always remind me that she will go to school and gymnastics almost everyday.

Bedroom Ceiling Fan

2010-09-20T11:15:00.004-07:00

I am so glad that we do have a bedroom ceiling fan or else it is going to be very hot inside especially during the summer. Even now that it constantly rain outside we still feel muggy inside the house. We don't have air conditioning system or shall I say the apartment complex we live in don't have it. I don't know why they didn't install it when it could very well help tenants to be comfortable.

Speaking of ceiling fans, the picture here is very nice to have as fixture in a home. This casablanca atria ceiling fan is from Hansen Wholesale ceiling fans. They have the nicest ceiling fans I saw online. If you are looking for one, it is very timely to check out their huge sale. They have wide selection from casual, outdoor, indoor, and formal ceiling fans. If only I can replace the ceiling fan we have, I would definitely get one from them. Find out who makes the best ceiling fans here!

Weaning to Bottle

2010-09-17T15:25:00.003-07:00

I am an advocate for breastfeeding babies. With our DD1 I breastfed her for 22 months and I am planning to do the same with our DD2. But as early as now I am having with my milk production. The supply is somehow slowing down. Our DD2's pedia suggested to supplement my feedings with formula. Right now we started giving her an ounce of formula every three hours. I'll give it to her after I breastfeed her.

Now, our problem is she will fight when we give her the bottle. She'll cry hard and push the bottle away. It's been a week now that we fight every time we give her the bottle. She won't just take it without a fight. I may have to try another nipple for her bottle maybe she'll take it. I really felt guilty that I can't solely breastfeed her but I don't want her to be deprived of additional nutrition as well. I want to do what is best for our DD1.

Extreme Body Workout

2010-09-17T12:44:00.002-07:00

I have friends that are really into extreme body workout. As in an insanity workout to the highest level to maintain good physique, lean and firm body. I wish I can do the same but I am always a beginner. I am only good for a start and become lazy later. I have high regard for those that has the stamina and perseverance to continue. I wish I am like them when it comes to working out.

I found this website www.extremebodyworkout.com that offers lots of extreme body workout products. The have this so called Slim in 6 wherein using it will let you become slimmer in just six weeks. It must be very good for that quick result. If you happen to look for something that will work for you, check the site out. I showed it to my husband and he was thinking about the bowflex there that he also seen on tv. We'll see if he will be sold out to it. I don't want him to buy stuff that he will not use for long.

Grilled Shrimp with Garlic

2010-09-17T11:44:00.003-07:00

During hubby's birthday early this month I cooked some food for the first time. I made the grilled shrimp with garlic as pictured above to which I copied the recipe from Food Network's top chef Bobby Flay. It was easy to prepare and it tastes great too. I will definitely make this again.

Job Hunting Online

2010-09-16T19:02:00.004-07:00

This time of economic uncertainty, a lot of people are going back to school. The aim is to train for in demand career or doing continuing education in order to be competitive. By taking higher education, it can also boost one's resume. Most of the job I found online asks for credentials as well as skill-specific. I, myself, is now in training for a portable career. I wanted to have a specific skill to build my future career in health care. Once I finished my program it will be added to my online resume.

A good looking resume is a must once you apply for a job. It is where prospective employer look at if you are qualified to take the job before you will be called for interview and other tests. I am now researching for resume samples and I am so glad there are online resume you can always check out. With the internet access it is easy for you to submit your resume. Most employers now have their own website and even have their own way of hiring employees. Some advised their applicants to go to their website and do the application online. This is now the beauty of advanced technology. If you are looking for a job now be prepared to have an electronic resume. You just do not know when this can come in handy.

Gymnastics Class

2010-09-16T18:36:00.005-07:00

I said to myself, this is it, the busy schedule begins once your kids started going to school. Our DD1 is now in preschool and at the same time we enrolled her in gymnastics. When I was on my first trimester last year she was in a dance class. The problem with it was I have to dance with her as well. It was impossible for me to do it while I was very pregnant so she stopped.

Now she is in gymnastics class once a week. She can do what the coach ask them to do except somersault on a padded mat or on a bar. She is just a scared baby doing it. She also need to listen more to her coach. I think because her patience is not that long yet. She follow instruction but then do other things watching other kids and just run and jump around. Since she was there for only two sessions I am pretty sure she'll improve in the long run. It's her first time with gymnastics and 50 minutes per session is such a short time to see improvement right away.

Multiple Sclerosis

2010-09-14T21:03:00.002-07:00

I was watching a Filipino news and current affairs show and they featured a young lady who suffered Multiple Sclerosis. The young lady was a college student and is the hope of her family because she is intelligent and her future is very promising according to her parents. They did not know at first what happened to her when she came home from their school field trip and one side of her body became limp and she can hardly move. Because they are poor the family wasn't able to bring her to the hospital for thorough check up.

Good thing when this television network learned of her situation they helped her. She was brought to the hospital and the doctors found out that all she is suffering is an Ms symptoms. She was given proper medication as well as told to follow an Ms Diet in order for her to get better. Due to the family's financial situation they don't know if they can shoulder all the expenses.

I am very moved by how the young girl shows her spirit. Even if her condition is very poorly she still got high hopes. I learned a lesson from her that whatever low the situation we are in there is always hope as long as we believe. We just have to keep our faith. Now I am very curious about Multiple Sclerosis. I found a website that talks all about MS. It is very interesting illness and like any other illness that you don't really want to happen to you.

Our Girls

2010-09-14T20:41:00.004-07:00

Our Daddy is outnumbered here at home. Of course, since he's the only thorn among the roses here. He always say too many girls here. I can't imagine how it will be like when our two little girls grow up. I am picturing about us going to the salon having our girl's day out and just bonding together.

I know it's still a long way to go. But in a way I kind of scared because they are girls and we need to teach them properly on how to act outside our house. No parents wants their kids to be in harms way and it is always my prayer that they will be guided.

I am in a way conservative and so is my husband. When we are talking about our girls hubby would say jokingly that he need to buy a shotgun to protect our girls. It is his way of showing how protective he is. I believe that with proper guidance and constant communication with our kids they'll be good. We just have to continue giving them love and care. Show to them our understanding but being firm as well especially in disciplining them.

Medical Scrubs

2010-09-14T19:59:00.003-07:00

When I worked as a nursing assistant back in Georgia I had a hard time finding nursing scrubs that will fit me. I am very petite and most of the uniforms I can find are either bigger scrub pants or tops. I usually go to a specialty store that mainly sells medical uniforms. The price really varies a lot. I bought few pairs and to top it all I have to have it altered to fit me. It's way more expensive than those sold at any local department stores.

I did not bother looking online back then. I thought I won't get a fair deal but if only I look or browse more I would be able to check out blue sky scrubs that really sells cheap scrub. Now I learn my lesson. I can find good deals by searching more online. I already know where to look for scrubs once I go back to work at health care.

DD2 @ 5 Months

2010-09-14T19:44:00.002-07:00

Exactly today our DD2 turned five months old. I am so proud of her and her milestones. She is just growing fast but still remain a feisty little one from ever since she was born. She still cries a lot and now she always want to be with Mommy.

Her milestones includes laughing, giggling when she's tickled, she can roll over and tries to push with her legs, grabbing everything she can get hold of, not liking the bottle very much, she says bababa and mamama when she is crying and wakes up very early and babbles away in bed. As to her sleeping time, she can already sleep in longer stretches.

I think right now because of her teething she is often grumpy. She is really letting us know with her discomfort. Tomorrow she will have a pedia appointment for her follow up weight check. I hope she is now back on track. As parents we only wish that our little ones are healthy. I am just glad that despite with the concern on her weight gain she is very much active and healthy.

Preferred Tiles

2010-09-14T19:26:00.003-07:00

My friend who recently moved to their own house told me that she's very glad they were able to choose fixture for their house when it was built. I think this is very common if you choose a newly constructed house. You can select or opt to upgrade fixture and furniture as well as choose the products you want for your future abode.

I like the idea of having to choose because you are the one who will live in the house and most of us wanted to have the perfect one for our first place. When me and husband talk about our future place I would tell him my preferences even the tiles to be used as back splash for the kitchen and bathroom tiles. The color of the cabinets and counter tops, as well as the type of appliances.

Talking about tiles, I don't like big subway tiles. I prefer the smaller ones and for the back splash I like the shine of the glass tiles. There are just so many wants I like for our first place. But I know we have to be realistic. We can always make an upgrade in the future though if we can't have the perfect one.

Growth Spurt and Teething

2010-09-13T18:54:00.003-07:00

I believe our DD2 is experiencing growth spurt again. She likes to be fed always and is a sleepy head. According to the forums I frequented to read about baby's developments their babies her age also going through the same. One thing also that I noticed is her bowel became irregular. This is the first time that she goes for two days without bowel movement. I am concerned because this is the first time. If ever she will not go tomorrow then I will definitely consult the doctor on Wednesday during her check up.

On another note, she is now rooling alot. It is because she is teething. She love biting or putting everything she can get hold of to her mouth. I feel that she is not comfortable with the pain she is feeling with teething but I am hoping she'll be a trooper when it really comes out. I didn't start feeding her solids yet since I wanted to wait until next month. Accordingly, six months is ideal to preven food allergies. But I noticed she like to eat already since she look at us intently during meal times and she chews too as if she is eating something. Depending on her pedia's recommendation on Wednesday we may try giving her something. I am so excited for the coming milestones for her next month. Babies just grow up very fast and every day should be treasured because it will not happen again.

Kitchen Decorating

2010-09-13T16:40:00.003-07:00

I wish to have a nice size kitchen whenever we will have our own place. Yes, a decent size kitchen where I can cook and bake along with my two dughters especially when they are already old enough to help me in the kitchen. I love watching kitchen renovation shows and other programs from design channels because it gives me idea on how to decorate.

When it comes to decorating, I think all of us wants to coordinate the decor we use for any space in our place. I myself love to match everything. My husband is the same. I don't like clutter and if possible I want to use stuffs that are durable and will last. When it comes to kitchen organization, I like the jk adams products. The maple wood they use for their products is of high quality. The other day while I was cooking I told my husband that I will throw the spice rack that we have. The color is mismatched to other kitchen furniture and fixture that if ever I will get a new one, I would get the jk adams spice rack sold in their online store. The color would very well be matched with the rest of the organization and storage we have already. Surely it is fun to see a well decorated kitchen.

First Pony Ride

2010-09-02T20:37:00.002-07:00

On August 26 we went on post to watch the Sesame Street Live show. Our DD1 enjoyed it very much. The show wasn't that long. Afterward we went to its outdoor displays of different booths and play areas.

One of the rides she enjoyed so much was the pony ride. It was her first ride and we saw how excited she was. Now that she's growing up there are so many things we want her to experience. It's our great joy seeing her learning on these different experiences. We believe that introducing her to various activities can help in her development.

We are hoping that as the days goes on she will be more willing to try different things. She still has the apprehension or fear that she feels every time she try something new. But in fairness she is showing interest though. We are very proud of her even the smallest achievement she will have.

Free Weekend Stay at Hampton Hotel

2010-08-31T19:52:00.003-07:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.

Now that my husband is back from a whole year deployment we are making sure to have more time as a family to make up for the lost times. This is why during weekends and his days off he made sure that we spend it all together. In October their block leave will start. We already had a plan for a week. But the rest of the days and weekends we are still looking for things to do without breaking a bank like having a free weekend stay at a hotel.

Speaking of free hotel accommodation for weekend, Hampton hotel is having a Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes. This giveaway is a free weekend stay of any Hampton hotel in the country. The winner will get the free weekend stay along with three of their friends. How cool is that? If I will win I already have three friends I have in mind to go with me. We are thinking of going to California so it will be a great time reconnecting with them.

So if you want to be one of the 100 grand prize winner of a weekend free hotel stay then enter for this sweepstakes now. Take the chance of this sweepstakes and bond with your family and friends again.

Demanding Baby

2010-08-31T14:29:00.002-07:00

As our DD2 is growing older she became more demanding as well. She is now 20 weeks and seemed like she also developed separation anxiety from me. Right now she is still trying to adjust with Daddy being home. When hubby hold her she will look at me and then look at her Daddy and she'll cry. Even if my other friends held her she will cry also. I can't stay away longer without her crying out loud.

Her patience is definitely very short that staying five minutes in her gym mat, bouner, car seat, or just laying down with toys is like lifetime to her. She don't like being alone too. If I put her in her bouncer I have to carry her if I go to other room or else she will get upset and cry hard. She is learning to play by herself but you need to be by her side too so she will behave for even just a few minutes.

But I am enjoying now that she's growing coz she reply with gigles every time you play with her. DD1 is also enjoying the time that she gets to play with her sister. The ate is very gentle with her and she love it when her little sister laugh with her.

Rain Collection

2010-08-28T21:18:00.005-07:00

I love watching HGTV specially the house hunting and also decorating ideas. I've seen an episode wherein the house hunters wanted a green house or at least it has features where you can save energy. One house has rain barrels that the previous owners used for rain harvesting. I think it is a cool idea.

I know back in the Philippines we have rain water barrels at the back of our house. It is right down below the gutter where the rain will be caught. My parents have been using it ever since. We don't have a regular supply of water then. We used to go to rivers and streams and get water for drinking and other needs in the house. With the rain barrels we can store water and used for taking a bath, wash clothes and water our plants.

If you have your own house and want to go green, you can recycle rain water. There are rain barrels for sale online. Just check it out and start helping our environment by conserving water. It will be a great help to lessen utility bills. I definitely will get one once we have our own place.

Seafood City Experience

2010-08-28T19:47:00.002-07:00

Last July Seafood City opened up their branch here at the Northwest. They have the store at Southcenter mall in Tukwila near Seattle. This morning we went to Seattle to pick up the older daughter to stay with us for couple of days before school starts. On our way back we stopped by the mall to check out Seafood City.

Since it's Saturday expected to have a lot of people inside. We have a hard time parking our vehicle. The parking spaces outside the store were already full. Good thing there was one shopper who walked toward her car so we basically waited until they can get out and we took the spot.

Inside the store is another story. There were too many shoppers and of course majority are Filipinos :-) I believe some of them came from neighboring cities as well like us. As soon as you enter you can already smell the fresh sea foods, produce and the cooked Filipino dishes at the inside restaurant.

Right at the entrance of the store inside the mall you can see the Red Ribbon, Tokyo Tokyo, Chowking and Jollibee stalls. Jollibee is not yet opened but the rest are. I decided to go to Chowking for lunch and wanted hubby and the kids to try it. There was a long line but in fairness the service was fast. For our order I only paid $29.72 for 5 pc. chicken value meal with bihon guisado for side dish, 8pcs. lumpia shanghai, spaghetti, king size halo-halo, two kalamansi juices.

There was a live band earlier and they're singing OPM songs. Right at the corner of the store there was also a screen set up and anybody can sing videoke. It was funny because it is very Filipino. There was this one guy who sung You are My Destiny, a popular song being sung in Karaoke and everybody were clapping and cheering including those at the restaurants eating. It was so reminiscent of eating in a carenderia and someone is karaoke-ing :-) It was fun :-)

After we ate I bought few Filipino products at the store. I definitely will come back to get other stuff. We did not stay long because the kids were getting antsy. Me and my friends were already planning of going there one of these days without the kids.

Rehab Treatment Facility

2010-08-27T19:59:00.003-07:00

Nowadays you can hear a lot of news about people abusing prescription drugs and alcohol that are involved in car accidents. Almost everyday on the news about crashes and DUI is the reason. It is a shame that there are innocent people became victims of those driving under the influence. These people should keep away from any vehicles when intoxicated or better yet be admitted to an alcohol treatment center or undergo drug treatment.

Talking about drug rehab or alcohol rehab, a treatment facility in California offers drug rehab services. This rehab center is known to have one of the best alcohol treatment programs. The detoxification process of their patients is best suited for every one's needs. Their rehabilitation facility features alot of activities that can cater to their residents.

I really think that it is best for those people who are into any kind of addiction, drugs or alcohol, to get intervention while they can. It is for their own good, their loved ones as well as for those that they will encounter along the way. So if whoever have loved ones that needs help, check out axis house.net and inquire how they can help you and your loved ones who are suffering addiction to have their life back.

Excited for our Preschooler

2010-08-27T18:58:00.002-07:00

I am one excited Mom because our dear toddler is going to school starting this September. I've been searching for preschool since last year and the one we decided to enroll our DD1 is a preschool run by the Methodist church not far from where we live.

Last week, the day after hubby came home, I told him we have to visit the preschool. We arrived there around afternoon time and by the looks of it hubby kind of not liking it. I told him it's okay we'll just check another school if you don't like it. So we turned around and was about to go back home. When we were at the corner hubby said let's check anyway coz we're already here. And so we go back and parked again.

There's only the preschool director inside. We inquired about their school and then she showed us around. Still hubby was not decided. Yesterday we attended the school open house/orientation. It was a fun one hour. Our DD1 enjoyed her soon to be classroom and got to meet her future classmates as well. This morning hubby went back to the school and registered our DD1. There will be ten preschoolers in their class and two teachers. The ratio is 1:5 and that is good balance.

Hubby told me earlier that he bet I will cry once I left DD1 in her school. I think so I will. Even now I still can't imagine she will be away from me for 2 hours and 30 minutes two days a week. And how time flies, I now have a student. I told hubby if only I can stay in their school the whole time I really will.

Online Tutoring

2010-08-23T20:40:00.004-07:00

There will be three students in our house this coming September. My husband already enrolled two courses for the fall quarter. I myself will still have to register, hopefully tomorrow for an online classes on different program. Then our preschooler will start also in September. Last quarter hubby took Math and he made use of an online tutoring services for his Math Questions.

Having an online tutoring services can greatly help in any math problems. Like for example the tutornext.com, they help in a lot of Mathematical matters from K-12 and even college students. In my evaluation at a community college here, I was told I should provide my college Math syllabus in order for them to determine if I need to take Algebra without taking Pre-Algebra. I know I can count on online tutoring but I don't want to take and deal with Prime Numbers, Linear Equations or Algebra Equations again. It's just too much for me.

But for those who are taking this classes, check out Online Tutoring; for yourself or for your kids. They teach everything from how to divide, standard form and any college Math courses. It will be very helpful and you will experience the high quality tutoring. Hubby have another Math course this quarter and I know he will use online tutoring again.

Somehow I Got PR

2010-08-23T20:32:00.002-07:00

I am so surprised after many years of maintaining this blog now it got page rank of 3. I can only say, WOW and NICE, I hope it will last for quiet a while. Usually I only have PR and after few days it will vanished.

The other I asked a blogger friend about online tasks being given to us and I was asking why they're giving me tasks that is only good for blogs with PR. She told me maybe my blog has PR and when I checked it, it don't have. Earlier I was trying to check my blogs and lo I found that two of my blogs got PR's. Now I am rejoicing but still I can't promise to write everything like before. There's just too many going ons that I can't think much of what to write. Nevertheless, I am thankful for this blessing!

Our Moving Story

2010-08-23T17:27:00.003-07:00

As a military family I can see and experienced multiple moving from one duty station to another. I can say it is really daunting but you'll get used to it. My first time was in 2005 and I thought it was just easy. We don't have much stuff then and so we just did the move by ourselves. As the years passed, we acquired more stuffs and our family have grown. The do it yourself move is somehow laborious so we opted to hire professional movers.

Having a professional help does helped a lot and made our moving or what you call in the military permanent change of station or PCS. The military transportation will help arrange the soldiers moving. I could say it's very smooth and nothing untoward incident happened, like broken stuff or what not.

I would suggest if you are moving and you have lots of stuff, it is best to hire the professionals. It makes a big difference. A friend who lives in Tampa is moving to join her family here in the west coast and I told her to check out Tampa moving companies. It will make her move easier. I believe moving companies are all over the place. Just check online and you'll get tons of result researches from Alaska movers to Miami movers.

Right now, we are waiting where will be our next duty station. Hubby just got back from Iraq and we are on our third year in Washington. It is that time again that we will move. If hubby decided to stay then our last move will be from our apartment here to our own home once hubby retires from the military.

DD2 @ 4 Months

2010-08-21T18:25:00.003-07:00

Wow our DD2 is now four months old. It's amazing how times just rolled by. She is getting bigger too by the minute :-) On the 17th I brought her to the hospital for her 4th month well-baby-check. It went well. She had three vaccinations, two shots and one oral. She was tough in taking those only cried a few seconds. Her development is on track but one thing concerns me the most is her weight. She did not gain as much as she should have.

I am solely breastfeeding her and I know that my breast milk somehow became low when I started taking the pills. According to my OB it will not affect milk production but I think it does a little to me. So I told DD2 Pedia that I will supplement her with formula and wait til she's six months to officially start her solids. So next week I will bring DD2 to the clinic and have her weight check then we will see how much she gained in two weeks time.

I am giving her formula at least twice a day but she won't drink much at all. I think she will take more when hubby give it to her than me. I am trying different bottle nipples also. So far she likes the medela and avent. For the past days I noticed a difference from last week so I hope it will be consistent and at least she gains a pound or two when we go to her weighing in.

Wish We Have a Curbside Mailbox

2010-08-20T20:25:00.004-07:00

Living in an apartment has it's advantages and disadvantages. There are the financial aspects, maintenance as well as some perks and what not. Ever since I got here in the US I only live in an apartment. So I kind of get used to it already and somewhat knows what to expect especially if we are looking for one when it's time for us to move to anther duty station.

One thing that I do wish to have though even if we are living in an apartment complex is to have a curbside mail box. Right now the mailboxes in our complex is located in one area far from our building. It is situated in a gazebo-like building right inside the entrance gate. If I am not out and about for the day it entails a lot of effort to go out and check our mails. Whereas having the curbside mailboxes you just run out to the curb of your building and get your mails.

Often times also there are mails that belongs to other tenants that I get. I believe it is because of the unit numbers being mixed up. Just like the other week, I did not bother to check the mails I got and when I reached our unit it so happen that one mail is not ours. So I went back out to put the mail in an outgoing box. If only we have the curbside mail boxes then I won't walk far out with our girls in tow returning the mail. This happens all the time and I can't wait to have our own mail box when we have our very own house.

Looking for Preschool

2010-08-10T11:51:00.002-07:00

Our three year old is now ready for preschool. I have been looking for schools near our area even before I gave birth. I also went to some for open houses but until now we haven't decided which school we are going to enroll DD1.

My first choice before was the Catholic school not far from where we live but they easily get full. We're on waiting list on there though. Then there is one mini-skool so near our apartment complex but it is very expensive. Good thing with them though is we can also register our DD2 for day care. It will be very convenient for dropping and picking up the kids.

There is one school that a friend recommended but its far from where we live. This morning I called another preschool that my friends also referred. I inquired about their services and they are still enrolling. Their rate is by far the most inexpensive among the schools I inquired. My friends also told me that they have good programs and nice teachers. So when hubby gets here it will be one of our priorities, visiting the schools for classes is soon to start.

The Devil Wears Prada

2010-08-04T16:23:00.006-07:00

Thank you for this guest post by Oswaldo Blackburn.

My friend Becky and I have a mutual love for the film The Devil Wears Prada. She is an aspiring journalist so she really likes the fact that the main character Anne Hathaway is working for a magazine company. I just like it because there is so much fashion! All the clothes are beautiful and I especially love the transformation of the main character from a bland boring girl to a smart and stylish diva.

Becky and I come together for two reasons. The first reason is to enjoy junk food and gossip and the second is to turn on the satellite and search for our favorite chick flick and now I since I got a dvr I had to learn how to record satellite tv. The Devil Wares Prada does not come up nearly enough but when it does we are so excited.

There is a somewhat tragic love story between the female lead and her boyfriend. He cannot accept her new fast paced life where she loses sight of herself. He seems to be a little selfish but his heart is in the right place. Hathaway hates working for her controlling boss played by Meryl Streep. If she works for this magazine for one year however she has her pick of any job. Seems like a fair price to pay for a lifetime of good career choices. Or does it?