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About

My First Birthday Post

My Greatest Teacher

Today, I’m 39 years young. I’ve always wanted to start blogging, to write, to put my thoughts out there, to share my recipes, to start my “mommy blog,” unfortunately, it wasn’t until recently, that I had the courage to do it. I’ve been saying to myself for years that I was going to do it…if for nothing else then to leave something out there for my kids to read and for our family abroad to keep up with us and the happenings of me and my kids…

Blogging is pretty different from the black and white composition notebooks I’ve been writing in for my kids. It puts “us” out there. It puts my whole family out there and with it, will come more learning experiences.

After all, our lives are all full of learning experiences. One after another, after another and yet another. These learning experiences are strung together with memories which stand out for all of us, are what shapes us and helps us become who we were meant to be.

I suppose my most profound learning experience was the recent birth of my fourth child. As a mom, I know I changed with each child I birthed. I grew after each child. My understanding broadened after each delivery. I expanded. I healed. I learned. This last birth, this last and very special gift from God was the one that helped push me to understand so many things about myself. Everything about her shook me to my core. I was brought to my knees in my faith, but it is also because of her that my faith is stronger than it ever was.

Baby Girl is now 14 months old. While she is growing leaps and bounds, so am I. In fact, I would be so bold as to say that she, along with my 3 other big kids are my greatest teachers. My children can hold a mirror to me like no one else can. My children can challenge me to grow in ways that no other adults can compare. My children can give me strength when I didn’t know I had it. They can push me to the edge of my comfort zone…and I will go there willingly, because that’s what moms do.

Through this blog I hope to document some of my adventures with my kiddos. Adventures of a Momma in parenting, teaching, crafting, balancing, eating, and living in Manila.

 

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Comments

  1. Anj says

    November 19, 2012 at 12:17 pm

    Hi Michelle. I discovered your blog through Manilamommy.com. As a mother of a “special child” myself (my son has Asperger’s Syndrome), I just wanted to send you hugs and my good wishes. We have been blessed with these very special kids and our life’s journey will be so much richer because of them. 🙂 As a new mommy blogger myself (I just started Sept of this year – http://www.fromatozo.com), I just wanted to encourage you to keep blogging! It has become a wonderful way for me to reflect on my life and our journey as a family. And, if you can reach out to even just one person, then it will be worth it. 🙂 Hugs to you, your family and your beautiful baby, Gelli.

    • michelle says

      November 20, 2012 at 7:05 pm

      Hi Anj!
      Thank you so much for the hugs and the good wishes! It really is true that our special children are blessings that will make our lives richer. That’s a wonderful way to put it. I will definitely visit your blog! I’m SO super new to blogging, but I have been thinking about it for a long time. I like the idea of putting things out there and couldn’t agree with you more…if I only reach one person then it WILL be worth it. Hopefully, I will get the hang of it soon 🙂 Sending love and light to you and Zo 🙂

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