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Blog Nurture

Gratitude Challenge 4

This post is inspired by the many Gratitude Challenges that have been popping up in my Facebook friends feeds. My sister Mary Jane took the Gratitude Challenge a while back, she asked me to take it as well. As I’m typing now, I am remembering that another sister asked me to do the same thing when she did on Facebook as well. Keri Wicklund posted a Gratitude Challenge before MJ and she tagged me, so this is for both of my sisters…one who shares the same blood, and one who became my sister in college more than 20 years ago. (OMG. 20 YEARS!)

I have had a restful weekend.

And I am thankful for that. 

I have been feeling a bit like a chicken without a head. There are some big changes coming down the pipeline for my family, and while I know we can handle the changes, at times the thought of what lies ahead can still be overwhelming. 

 

 

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Milk Chocolate Kit Kat and Tres Leches cupcakes from @larcyscupcakery His and Hers. Secret: I can eat two Tres Leches cupcakes in one sitting. @gia_jado Can you please learn how to make this cake already?

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I spent much of Saturday running errands with Nino and fixing things that needed to be addressed. It was like I was able to check off quite a few items from my “To Do” list and that feels just plain awesome. Aside from accomplishing lots of little things that needed to be done, I was able to get to bed early. I had a massage. I ate cupcakes. The kids (er, my elves…) made felt ornaments while I caught up on some more writing in my office. 

 

 

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So, I had three big kids (er three little elves) in my office yesterday, asking why we are sewing Christmas trees together when we didn’t even celebrate Halloween yet…

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It’s funny, but when Mercury Retrograde comes around (it comes around 4x a year) I find myself naturally drawn to staying home and doing lots of “home-y” things. I organize, I clean, I collate, I file, I purge. It’s a good time to cocoon. It’s a good time to be still.

Which leads me to the next thing I am thankful for. I am thankful for all the holidays and activities that lead up to Christmas! This is my most favorite time of year. Here in the Philippines they mark September as the beginning of Christmas. The Christmas decorations come out early, the carols are played in the malls, and the lists are made as early as September to start your Christmas shopping. I LOVE to be prepared! I love to make lists and prepare gifts for people who are special to me that I know they will enjoy. I try to think of gifts with meaning, gifts that are useful, and gifts that my friends and family know I picked out just for them. 

BUT as I said in an earlier post about the upcoming activities for The Mind Museum I also like the holidays that lead up to December. I love Halloween. I look forward to Thanksgiving. This whole time of year really kicks off a season of GRATITUDE. 

I am grateful for everything this time of year encompasses:

  • a time to slow down
  • a time to be grateful
  • HALLOWEEN and candy and dressing up
  • Thanksgiving and pumpkin pies and BIG gatherings for family and friends
  • the time to prepare for Baby Jesus’ birth…Christmas is just around the corner

If you would like to read my other posts about things that I’m grateful for check out my first, second, and third posts from last week.

Here is a photo stream put together from different Halloween Celebrations from the past few years. What is something you are grateful for at this time of year?

 

Gelli's First Halloween. As early as two months old she was already showing us just how fiercely strong she was. She truly played the part of the lion from The Wizard of Oz in our awesome foursome.

Gelli’s First Halloween. As early as two months old she was already showing us just how fiercely strong she was. She truly played the part of the lion from The Wizard of Oz in our awesome foursome.

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Gia started making Sugar cookies this year for our friends’ kids. 2012.

In 2011, my friends and I put together a pot luck Halloween celebration that brought us all together for fun and games for the kids. I made these Hershey bats to share.

In 2011, my friends and I put together a pot luck Halloween celebration that brought us all together for fun and games for the kids. I made these Hershey bats to share.

I really couldn't resist putting these fun things together for the Alabang Breakfast Club Kids. It was so nice because each of us put together a little something for each of the kids. There wasn't a need to go Trick or Treating anymore!

I really couldn’t resist putting these fun things together for the Alabang Breakfast Club Kids. It was so nice because each of us put together a little something for each of the kids. There wasn’t a need to go Trick or Treating anymore!

How cute are these hand sanitzers?

How cute are these hand sanitzers?

Even earlier than that...in 2008, Diego hosted some friends from school, at our house for a Halloween gathering. How fun are these cream cheese ghosts with raisins?

Even earlier than that…in 2008, Diego hosted some friends from school, at our house for a Halloween gathering. How fun are these cream cheese ghosts with raisins?

Or these Apple Bites?

Or these Apple Bites?

Or Goblin's fingers?

Or Goblin’s fingers?

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We were a little early for therapy this morning, s We were a little early for therapy this morning, so @gelliaventajado got to spend a little time with @grace_loedin!

@thevanguardacademyph is still open for enrollment in their summer program, and has a full staff for all therapies and interventions. We really love her school and all of the faculty and staff. It makes a huge difference when you have confidence in the people you leave your child with for learning!
Whipped Feta #Recipe up on @kitchen143 over @rappl Whipped Feta #Recipe up on @kitchen143 over @rappler now!

Link in my profile!

https://www.rappler.com/nation/kitchen-143-dreaming-greece-try-making-easy-whipped-feta-dip/
Thinking about the day I got off the plane in LaGu Thinking about the day I got off the plane in LaGuardia, was picked up by one of my dearest friends and spent the entire day at the beach just catching up on LIFE.

It was a breezy day. Overcast. A little chilly to be in a suit, but it was perfect to catch up with my girl Candy. Sometimes, if you have chosen your friends well, you can pick up where you left off, as if no time has passed at all. 

Just like I did, sitting in that beach chair, feeling the mist of the Atlantic Ocean, and watching the seagulls pick and the seaweed.

Thank you Candy! For the friendship, for dropping everything to come and pick me up. Drive me around and have dinner with me and Fayth. 

Wishing I was sitting on this beach with you right now!!!
Eggs Benny with BBQ Pulled Pork was just one of ma Eggs Benny with BBQ Pulled Pork was just one of many dishes that we enjoyed during #SundayBrunch at Waterside in @solaireresort .

From cornbread, to mom’s potato salad, melt in your mouth whisky cured short ribs, homemade sausages and more. This #BrunchBuffet had @manila.gent and I rolling each other out the door!

Hard to choose which was our favorite from the feast that was set before us!

Brunch is inclusive of some delicious drinks, some Southern smoked and BBQ Fare, and a most colorful sweet dessert buffet by way of Milkshake Bar!
Movie Night at home with the big screen made easy Movie Night at home with the big screen made easy by @lumosprojector_ph!

Summer Lovin’ ain’t over for #TeamGellibean. Hop on over to www.mommanmanila.com to read my full review on how easy this #homeprojector is to use when you want to watch your favorite family film!!

Gelli and I have watched Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Grease, and BTS Videos. Up next? The Sound of Music! 

Want to have your own #LUMOSRAYProjectoe delivered to your home? Stay tuned for an upcoming giveaway, too!

Link in my profile!

https://www.mommanmanila.com/lumos-ray-projector-review/
Missing my @migaventajado The short time I had w Missing my @migaventajado 

The short time I had with this guy in Florida was definitely something I will look back on. Wish we had more time to explore and do some fun things on our own.

Gah. How is this kid 20 years old already?
I remember when he was little and he loved peanut butter, chicken nuggets, Kylie Minogue, and sitting on my lap. He was squishy, in tune with my feelings, and I was always worried that he might have an asthma attack in his sleep so I would nebulize him every few hours. He always looked at new experiences with gratitude and wonder, much how he did while we were in FL together.😍

Praying he continues to strengthen his faith as he grows. 🙏🏻👨🏻🙌🏻

Miss you Miggy!
I’ll be sharing a little bit about my faith toda I’ll be sharing a little bit about my faith today with some university students. 

I have shared my testimony with other mommas, women in our community, and parents through this platform and others. It’s always come naturally and has often ended in tears of gratitude and joy for His faithfulness and unending LOVE. 

Of course, sharing parts of myself with others who may find it helpful is a privilege. But for some reason, I am always just a little bit anxious and apprehensive right before I am about to present parts of my story.

Perhaps today, I’m anxious because the format for how I will share is a bit different, I won’t have the comforts I have gotten used to since working from home. Instead I’ll print some cue cards for myself so I can stay on task and within my given time period. 

I love the opportunity this endeavor has given me, to reflect on His presence in my life. He’s been there all along, even if I didn’t know it. I love the understanding that I can have these intimate conversations with my Creator knowing that He has plans for me. He loves me. He knows all the hairs on my head. And that He knows what I need to fulfill my purpose.

This doesn’t mean I won’t have challenges, or times when I feel broken in my life and faith. In fact, there have been many times where my faith has faltered. All of it just means that He is fortifying me through each and every lesson. He is allowing me to create a greater understanding of who I am, where I am supposed to be, and how He will get me there.

Do you share parts of your faith here?
What does that look like?

#ThoughtfulThursday #faith #thoughtful 
#sharingiscaring
Brunch feels with beautiful ingredients. Tous Les Brunch feels with beautiful ingredients.

Tous Les Jours Toasted Ciabatta with toppings for everyone.

Exhibit A: Miso Peanut Butter Chickpea Salad with grated hard boiled eggs and fried onion strips
Exhibit B: Herbed Cream Cheese with Avocados and Everything But The Bagel seasoning
Exhibit C: Whipped Peanut Butter with Raspberry Merlot Peppercorn Jam and fresh berries

Thankfully, I was able to have a bite of each one. I cannot choose. Which one would you call dibs on?

A  B  or C?
If you love #Brunch and seafood the way I do, then If you love #Brunch and seafood the way I do, then this Seafood Tower @jonesalldayph will tempt your tummy and make your tastebuds sing. 🎶

You’re welcome! 🤗
Such a fun evening with @elle.frazzetta and @arlug Such a fun evening with @elle.frazzetta and @arlugomez. 

Catch up convo while introducing two dear friends was so@etching to break up my time in the city. It was made even more fun because I got to catch a bit of the Summer Concert Series at #HudsonYards.

Definitely not enough time with these two!!!
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