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Blog

Summer Catch Up

Man. 

The summer has totally flown by.

I swear it was just yesterday when we were doing the happy dance because all the final exams were completed.

The kids did awesome last year with school and their activities.

Funny thing is, this was a momentous year for our family for so many different reasons. We have made some incredible changes in our lives and we have all grown tremendously. 

Each. And. Every. Single. One. Of. US.

We are so thankful for the year that was, with The Little Apprentice.

Gelli has moved on from her years at The Little Apprentice.

She has become more verbal.

She has definitely learned to express herself in more ways than one.

Even though the behavioral challenges that we have come across in the past few months of keeping our hands to ourselves have given us a run for our money, we are still excited for the coming year and the changes that it will bring.

I just know Gelli will continue to surprise us all.

Diego graduated 6th grade! Oh my! My boy is in junior high school now!

Diego graduated grade school.

He has left elementary school behind and moved onto Junior High.

He has hit some other milestones in his life, that I’m sure he would not want me to share so willingly. BUT, I will tell you this though…my little boy is growing up too fast for my liking.

And here, I was hoping he would stay a boy just a little while longer…

Hopefully, he will always remember that his momma loved him first 😉 hehehehehe…

Milestones like these are best celebrated with family. I’m so lucky that my parents enjoy spending time with my kids.

Diego also found a new sport. He has fallen in love with basketball. Believe it or not, basketball is one of the most popular sports here in the Philippines despite the physical challenges of not being one of the taller races of people. We Pinoys, LOVE our basketball. 

And believe you me, Diego is my Pinoy Boy through and through…

Miguel hit some milestones of his own this year. Before the school year was even over, he celebrated his 15th birthday. He grew almost a whole head this year, and his shoe size went up 3 whole sizes. He can’t even wear Nino’s shoes anymore because he has surpassed Nino’s size. He’s taller than both of us, and has definitely hit his growth spurt. 

 

And this boy is off to see his Ninang. #miggymange

A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Apr 5, 2017 at 4:21am PDT

Aside from truly being my BIG boy now, he has come into his own by traveling for the very first time by himself this year. Last year around this time, my sister Nicole had come for a two week visit. It was during that trip that the three of us hatched a plan that would have Miguel spend Spring Break with Nicole and her family in Los Angeles in April 2017. 

Miguel and his Boo. This kid reminds me so much of my sister. In so many ways. I’m so glad that he got to spend time with her this summer.

So it was with this trip, that Miguel got to fly by himself, budget his own pocket money, and realize what it means to be a pleasant house guest without being under the watchful eyes of his mom or his dad.

Have you seen this new feature of Facebook Messenger? You can video chat with four people one screen!

That little trip away was actually an exercise in appreciation for all of the kids.

They realized what it was like to have one sibling far away and not readily accessible.

This also meant that things were just a little bit sweeter when Kuya actually came home to everyone. (at least for a little while.)

Here in the Philippines, after the K-12 Reform, Senior High School is now Grades 11 & 12. Onward and Upward my boy!

Because of the K-12 implementation, the way upper grade school is divided has changed. This means that Miguel graduated Junior High School and Moved Up to Senior High School.

Senior High School is Grades 11 & 12 and after that, he of course will go onto college.

My oh my. This is the wake up call as a parent. I mean I may have cried when I sent Gia off to preschool and she didn’t look back because she was completely independent, self assured, and well adjusted…but this? 

THIS?

This is Prom.

 

How do I have a daughter who graduated high school and is now attending her Grad Ball? #timeflies #shesstillmybaby #giamynina #firstborn #lady #mybaby #iloveher

A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Apr 3, 2017 at 5:50am PDT

This is Graduation Ball.

And THIS?

This is what it looks like to have a daughter graduate high school. Oh my. Tears.

I feel like this might need a whole other post at some later date, but for now I will tell you that I BLINKED.

I blinked and have a young lady who is ready to go off to college. 
I blinked and have a young lady who has a boyfriend who loves her.
I blinked and have a young lady who could go out & live on her own if she wanted to do that.

Yes. It was that fast.

I BLINKED.

And now I have this daughter who cuts her hair and donates it to Kythe Foundation.

Hashtag BLESSED.

Because I knew we would have a really busy summer, I didn’t enroll the kids in any activities this year. Instead, I told myself that we would take a few road trips (that unfortunately, did not happen) and that we would spend time together cleaning up the house, decluttering, fixing things, and getting ready for the next school year. (not much of that happened either)

BUT I had an amazing opportunity this April.

My friend Rhodora Palomar Fresnedi, the Executive Director for Unilab Foundation, invited me to go on an amazing Leadership Journey.

Touchdown Siargao!

I was able to take an entire week off to go immerse myself in nature, renew my sense of purpose, and find even more meaning in the work that I do.

I was able to quiet my mind.

 

So today, I was able to fit some yoga into my schedule. ????: @teamrodeldiaz @studioelcid

A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Apr 27, 2017 at 9:37am PDT

Try new things…

 

This week was a week of many firsts…here is another. #surfsup #siargao rigao #itsmorefuninthephilippines #philippines #juanatravels #beachlife #travel #traveler #travelgram #travelpinas Thanks for the photo @teamrodeldiaz @studioelcid

A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Apr 28, 2017 at 9:06am PDT

And make new friends.

I learned more about the people of the Philippines and what it’s like to live in the province where there are so many challenges.

Getting to know my host family in Barangay Caub, Siargao, is most definitely the highlight of my entire week away from my own family.

With all of these developments that took place this summer, I was also able to find time to rekindle the relationship that means the most to me in the whole world.

Together, Nino and I may not have done anything earth shattering or mind blowing in terms of experiences or traveling or even revelation…

Nino and I enjoy evenings out every now and then to enrich our relationship. DATE NIGHTS are so important! Photo Credit: Prive Luxury Club

Instead, we did lots of little things to nurture our relationship and find one another again…

All in the name of GROWING, LEARNING, AND LOVING…

How’s that for a summer full of milestones?

 

 

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Comments

  1. Peter A. Ressa says

    June 15, 2017 at 7:29 am

    Wonderful writing and experiences Michelle! May God Bless Michelle Ressa Aventajado and Hubby Nino and all our grandchildren!

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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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