• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Momma 'N Manila

Growing through parenting

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Nourish
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Cheers
    • Guest Recipes
  • Advocate
    • Autism
    • Best Buddies
    • Down Syndrome
    • Special Needs
  • Gather
    • Crafternoons
    • Entertaining at Home
    • Events
    • Mothers Who Brunch
    • DIY
  • Review
    • 4 KIDS
    • Dining
    • Travel
    • Home & Hearth
    • Health & Beauty
    • Giveaways
    • Fashion
  • Nurture
    • Education
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Yoga
  • MWB

Advocate Autism Best Buddies Down Syndrome Special Needs

Inspiration when I need it MOST

Everything in our lives ebbs and flows. Unfortunately, there are some times when I need to look for inspiration. I look for this inspiration things get hairy scary, and when feeling like I’m failing…

Photo Credit

I’m not going to say I have been going through the past couple of weeks without any inspiration AT ALL.

But, I have been dragging.
I have been tired.
Sometimes, discouraged.

And maybe even pausing every now and then to wonder what all the madness and BUSY-ness is for…

Photo Credit

It is during these times, that I know I need to turn to God for more guidance.

I do this by making sure I attend worship services with the kids. It’s been such a blessing to be able to concentrate on spending time with my kids (and Nino, of course) on the weekends because somehow my schedule has permitted me to rest and relax and recharge during the weekends.

This is exactly what I need to be able to keep up the part of the BUSY-ness that goes on during the week.

Photo Credit

On top of all of this stuff, I have a friend whose momma just had a massive stroke.

I didn’t ask permission to share her story, so I will just say that she had to drop her life back home and make sure everyone was going to be ok while she came back to Manila to take care of her mom. She is still in the hospital, and I hope you won’t mind including my friend, her momma, and their whole family in your prayers. 

When someone gets sick. Or when someone passes, (Is there a reason this usually happens in threes?) it’s like a BIG flashing reminder for us to be grateful for each and every blessing He bestows upon us.

BIG.
and
SMALL.
These gifts can also inspire us to live a more gratitude filled life.

Which leads me to what I wanted to share with all of you today.

On Saturday, I was able to attend our Best Buddies DLSZ Halloween Party. And if I was kinda tired when I arrived, I was energized and full of inspiration and LOVE when I left.

Best Buddies DLSZ has been consistently impressing me with their level of dedication and their commitment to furthering inclusion through friendship. I have seen their core (many of whom have been with the club since it started in their school) grow in their desire to make each monthly event that they host better than the one before.

The students’ dedication is largely due to the inspiration and guidance that comes from their faculty advisors. Ms. Lyka, Ms. Anna, Ms. Marianne, and Ms. Mau.

In each of the schools where we have Best Buddies chapters, we ask the teachers to show the kids how to mount events, but we eventually, want the kids to run the clubs by themselves. We want them to take charge, to find ways to mount the events without having to ask our Buddies to pay for very much, AND we want each event to be meaningful and FUN for everyone in involved. 

This event was well planned from beginning to end. The students even planned for a snack making activity where they used chocolate chips and bananas sponsored by Dole Fresh for a cute Halloween Ghost Making activity.

When the chapters have gone on to plant these seeds within the students’ hearts, the outcome looks something like this:

Even the Buddies who were BEST in costume went home with fun prizes!

You will have well thought out and planned events where the kids enjoy each other’s company.

You will see the kids’ friendships deepening, and their connections and ways that they relate to one another will be even more enriched.

You will see the students tap into different circles and look for sponsorship within the community. By tapping bigger companies, the students are all letting these companies know that all kids should be counted, and they are letting these companies know about what we do outside of the friendship program to further inclusion.

The team for this event even thought about sending everyone home with loot bags.

You will see the thoughtfulness that goes into putting together an event like this, and if you are a softie like me, you will go home with your heart really full.

These SMILES. I just can’t.

Great job guys. I am so happy to see your growth as a chapter. I am happy to see you tapping different members of the community to bring awareness to our mission and to make sure each of your events are fun and everyone has a snack.

My heart is full.
Now I get to spend some time with my family and fill my cup in another way.

Happy Weekend Y’all!!

Would you guys like to come to our Halloween Party at the end of the month?

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Calling all Dance Enthusiasts!!!! We are back with a #Halloween Themed Dance Party again! Who wants to join us with @bestbuddiesdlsz and our Citizens South chapter? Everyone is welcome to come and cut a rug with us! All you have to do is pay P100 at the door and bring a snack to share with 5 people! DM ya if you have any questions or concerns! • • • • #dancenight #fun #friendship #bestbuddiesdlsz #bestbuddies #bestbuddiesph #citizens #inclusion #halloween

A post shared by BestBuddiesPhilippines (@bestbuddiesphilippines) on Sep 15, 2018 at 7:22am PDT

Check out our FB page for more information and please DM me if you would like to help out, volunteer, or even donate.

https://www.facebook.com/BestBuddiesPhilippinesManila/ 
https://www.instagram.com/bestbuddiesphilippines/
https://www.instagram.com/bestbuddiesdlsz/

THANK YOU DOLE FRESH FOR SUPPORTING THE STUDENTS IN THEIR EFFORTS!

http://www.dolephilippines.com/

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related


« Serene Home
World Food Day at Makati Shangri-La »

Hello and Welcome!


Hi! Here is where I share my thoughts on yoga, cooking, crafting, raising a special child, exploring, eating, playing, and living in Manila.
READ MORE

You can also say hi or email me at mish@mommanmanila.com

Twitter

Tweets by @mishaventajado

Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • Three Online Courses for Quarantine Learning
  • California Cheese and Beer Pairing
  • Safe Hands at SM Supermalls
  • Menu Planning with Lady’s Choice
  • Father’s Day with Sinfully at Home

Archives

Categories

Recent Comments

  • Peter A. Ressa on Inay Ko Po
  • michelle on 4 Ways to Cope with Enhanced Community Quarantine
  • Marycor Valencia on 4 Ways to Cope with Enhanced Community Quarantine
  • michelle on Dear 20 Year Old You
  • Liz on Dear 20 Year Old You

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @mommanmanila

mommanmanila

This is our first church. The most important small This is our first church. The most important small group. In this group, we model the behavior that we want to see. We are mindful to show our best selves to our children. That does not mean that we are the best parents, nor perfect people. It just means that even when we aren’t at our best, we can work through the hurt and explain and process with our kids. Talking along the way, saying sorry when we are wrong, and taking the time to encourage our kids to be humble in all we do. It’s not easy. It’s a work in progress, but these guys are a great team to be learning side by side with. 
•
•
•
•
Today continues our True Love series of learning, but if I was to share some really important lessons in the past few weeks, it would be The Love Series for relationships, and the MOTIVATE series in parenting. Blessed Sunday IG Peeps!
Four. • • • I don’t know if I could love Four. 
•
•
•
I don’t know if I could love them more. 
•
•
•
•
While Nino and and I were watching them, we also saw an older family. A Lolo and a Lola with their three sons and their wives and children. It was endearing to see how they were all having a good time and Lolo was so hands on. I pray that we have that too. It was such a joy to watch my kids play together and then side by side, remember when they were smaller and then imagine what it would be like when they have families of their own. 
•
•
•
#family #four #fourkids #family #familyfirst #teamgellibean #love #thankyouLord #myheart #heart #love #beach #teamgellibean #GodsGreatGoodness
Mornings like this. Got a little writing done. Had Mornings like this. Got a little writing done. Had coffee and said a little prayer of gratitude. Somehow the salt water always makes me feel better. How about you? What’s your favorite place to recharge and enjoy #GodsGreatGoodness?
****LONG POST**** For each child I birthed, I grew ****LONG POST****
For each child I birthed, I grew. Motherhood continuously pushed me beyond my understanding of love. I figured out what real fear was, with each problem or worry for a child that would eventually leave my arms and I would not be able to protect from the woes and worries of this world. @gelliaventajado ‘s birth turned everything upside down and showed us how things changed if we started to zoom out and look at the big picture. 
•
•
•
Because of Gelli’s extra chromosome, I stepped outside my comfort zone. I realized how little I knew. I saw the not so pretty jagged parts of myself that I didn’t even know existed. I saw how much I could give of myself, and I was amazed at both the kindness and the cruelty of our flawed human condition. I connected with other mothers in different parts of the world, while understanding that at any given moment, so many of us share the same trials and triumphs as the thread of exceptionality stretched beyond what we thought we could be...
•
•
•
But with stretching & growth comes the parts of ourselves where the honesty of those difficult moments calls for a coming together. Because coming together makes us stronger and provides comfort in the idea that sharing the raw real extremely vulnerable  moments of motherhood somehow builds our resilience and STRENGTH. Because mommas are in fact, #StrongerTogether. 
•
•
•
Privileged to be part of this group of mommas who will have some real conversations in April with  @justwhenyouthinkshesdown and @sineadquinnofficial for the #StrongerTogetherEvent. This digital gathering will bring women from all of the world to a safe space where we can share stories, and learn from one another, while interacting with participants, speakers, and panel discussions in a community that is inclusive.
•
•
Click the link in my profile to learn more and be sure to use my code, MISH when you register to get a $5 discount! Tara na!
Practice run for S’mores Dip for this weekend’ Practice run for S’mores Dip for this weekend’s #BBPSaturdaySeries of Learning. Each week, @bestbuddies_ph mounts a virtual activity. Sometimes, the events are sponsored and we get to send out kits for the Buddies and their families. Sometimes, we ask our Buddies to prepare materials at home and we have a volunteer teach something new or fun. Big thanks to @gavinosph bake shop for always helping us put together the most fun and exciting kits that involve sweets for our friends!!! Do you guys wanna learn how to make s’mores dip too? Follow @bestbuddies_ph to see how to register for this weekend’s Saturday activity, or like the #BestBuddiesPhilippines Facebook page for more information on how to further inclusion through friendship.
At Ninang’s place for a quick visit to say hello At Ninang’s place for a quick visit to say hello and give hugs and kisses...and the lighting was just so...
•
•
•
•
National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month has come to a close and March has already begun. March is #BestBuddiesMonth, and this means we will busier than ever with virtual events on mental health, awareness for #WDSD2021, socials so our buddies don’t feel isolated, and educational awareness seminars for parents who are gearing up for another summer in quarantine. The first three months of the year are always a whirlwind for advocacy for our family. I really love planning and mounting these different events and collaborating with other orgs for the benefit of this little.
•
•
•
•
•
My gosh. She will be 10 soon. And that was the quickest 10 years that went by. Still in awe of this girl’s spunk, her wit, beauty, and intuitive pulse on what’s going on in our family.  Thank You Lord for sending her to us. And Thank You Lord for sending us all the people who we have connected with because of our love for her. 
•
•
•
•
#sofast #fathertime #ThankYouLord #March #Gellibean #upsyndrome #theluckyfew #aintnothingdownaboutit #love #thankyou #gratitude #sweet #advocatelikeamother #inclusion #inclusionrevolution #bestbuddies #bestbuddiesph #downsyndromelove #latepost
When I was a young mom, I had all these lofty idea When I was a young mom, I had all these lofty ideas about what kinda mom I would be. And I thought I had it all under control. Then I had a son who I would furiously look for when he was quiet, and another son who was accident prone. And I realized I was outnumbered. And then Gelli joined our family and made us a team. Through all the mishaps and dirty naps, with the help of friends, family and the Grace of God, I’m still standing! Thank you @janicecvillanueva for asking me to guest on your #youthemompodcast for the first myth busting episode!!! Mothers!!! Click the link in my profile to listen to our quick (it felt quick 🤔) chat about motherhood, marriage and of course kids of all abilities. We will smash stereotypes, dispel those myths, and do nothing else but #keepitreal!
Heart shaped cookies for dessert. Sunday dinner lo Heart shaped cookies for dessert. Sunday dinner love. ❤️🍓
•
•
•
•
#cookies #yummy #freshlybaked #baked #sweet #dessert #yummyph #letseatpare #letseat #food52 #twentyfourbakeshop
Visited @theblocbyjuniesierraandco on Thursday an Visited @theblocbyjuniesierraandco on Thursday  and experienced @argilaamazoniaphilippines for the first time. You guys know I’m so super low maintenance with my hair care that I really need it to be wash and go. Top three things I loved about my experience were: 
💙 I felt safe in the salon with excellent protocols.
💙 The products were all so delicious. The scents and steps were like a cross between candy and fruit, and were very relaxing.
💙 Because the ingredients are all natural, I learned that #ArgilaAmazoniaPH is safe to use while pregnant and breastfeeding!
•
•
•
•
#salon #bgc #thebloc #hair #beautifulhair #rebonding #allnatural #healthyhair
Sunset. Today was a productive day. Thank You Lord Sunset. Today was a productive day. Thank You Lord. 🙌🏻
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Blog Design by Fancy Girl Design Studio

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in