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Parenting

Winning

I have a confession. I want to share a few things that I am grateful for, but in order to do that I must also confess a few things that I have been doing a little bit more of lately.

Moments like these…with friends, ladies, and Gia… #tenthousandthspoon

I’m not sure if you noticed but I’ve been blogging a little bit more regularly, and sharing things that I’ve been learning, without sharing so many vulnerabilities.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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It’s still my birthday in New York and that’s where I was born, so it’s ok if I post my birthday #ootd, right? So simple. So comfortable. And perfect for doing a little bit of work, and having a lot of fun with the people I love most. I’m still getting used to the feeling of 45 and I’m sure it will take a little while longer till it feels good on me. One thing is for sure, I am praising God for all the blessings, all the LOVE, and all the people He has sent here, so I can grow closer to Him. I can’t begin to tell you just how grateful I am for the past week…shucks, the past month, year, and even more than that. 📷: @manila.gent • • • • Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. • • • • #birthday #birthdaylove #love #GodisLOVE #grateful #gratitude #willowclothing #williowclothingph

A post shared by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Oct 16, 2018 at 7:50am PDT

It’s easy for me, actually, when I get in the groove of writing.

With the events that I attend, and the things I learn, it’s very easy to fill the pages with information that is both useful to parents with children, and maybe even women who are looking for life hacks and ways to make it easier.

When I started blogging, I would pour my heart out on the keyboard. I shared parts of myself that were raw, unfiltered, and tender in my new motherhood.

What I didn’t know then, was that sharing those parts of myself would become cathartic.

It would become empowering.

It was also a way for me to express my love.

I wanted to profess my love for my daughter, the rest of my children, and my husband.

I love sharing about the parts of our relationship where we have grown the most. As of late, that has been our growing faith…

My goal in sharing those very vulnerable parts to myself was to show the new momma who may have just been handed a diagnosis of Down Syndrome, that her motherhood would still be beautiful.

In fact, what I wanted to share, was that my motherhood became even more beautiful because the perspective of an extra chromosome. Gelli’s extra chromosome gave me the courage to not only become an advocate for her, but an advocate for others.

Explaining what Down Syndrome is to others is part of the job of being Gelli’s momma. I have made it my mission to educate others who might not understand or know what Down Syndrome is. Photo Credit here.

Back then, I told myself that if one mom contacted me, and shared with me that my writing, or the sharing of my feelings, or the photos of my daughter, or my posts on her triumphs, somehow helped her find hope through a diagnosis that she wasn’t planning for, then my job would be done.

You see it’s Down Syndrome Awareness month in the United States, and all the mamas that I follow on Instagram and in cyberspace are writing about #theluckyfew and their journey.

They are sharing the good, the bad, the challenging, and the not so pretty parts of their motherhood.

They know that when they share, they’re empowering some other mom who was handed a diagnosis with an extra chromosome too.

Photo Credit

We share because it’s also another way that we can all come together and support one another in a motherhood.
In our parenthood.
And our womanhood.

I think there’s a lot of self empowerment in that too.

It’s the kind of thing I look for when I blog or when I vlog.

Not because I need a pat on the back, or because I need some type of affirmation to keep moving forward. Instead, when I share, the power comes from knowing and understanding FULLY that I am not alone?

Truth is: We all know it’s not easy being vulnerable. 

So, my confession today is: I have been sharing a little less about the kids, about my relationship with Nino, and maybe even about myself.

In essence, I’ve been censoring. 

And the desire to confess comes from the assumption that I’m sure because you read blogs like mine, that you also know many people who share their lives through this medium, do NOT share their WHOLE life. (That goes for social media too.)

Photo Credit  Sometimes, when I am uncertain of myself, or overwhelmed, I have to realize that there are other things at work trying to derail me from my purpose.

In fact, I share lots of little bits of our lives on social media and here on the website to exemplify the challenges that arise in taking care of my children, because the feedback that I receive is worth its weight in GOLD. 

But, I don’t always share when I feel like I’m failing.

Because, let’s face it: There are a lot of times when I feel like I’m failing.

But not last Friday.

Last Friday, I felt like I was winning.

I was able to see Gia off to school.
I was able to take Gelli to school.
I kissed my loving husband good bye before I Ieft the house.
I picked up Gelli’s snack from my friend Rashmi for her U.N. Day celebration.

Check out Rashmi on IG @saffronplates.

I watched Gelli interact with her classmates and shake her booty till she made me teary eyed.
I noticed Gelli fall in line. 
I saw her willingly follow directions. 
I saw her listen to her teacher attentively.
I relished in her excitement when she saw me in the audience.

I observed her in class while she and her classmates enjoyed the snacks that everyone brought in to share..
I noticed a couple of things that made me sad.
I noticed quite a few more things that made me happy.

Of course…of all the snacks and all of the different international dishes that Gelli could enjoy with her classmates, she opted for Fried Chicken…

I said a little prayer of thanks for the kind people He has sent into my daughter’s life through school; her teachers, and her classmates.

I also said another little prayer to please continue to send Gelli people who will be kind to her.
I thanked her classmate (who was being a little mean) for being KIND to her, too.

Photo Credit

AND then, I said a little prayer of thanks that He allowed all of these beautiful moments to fill my heart with gratitude.

And for that particular day, I felt like I was winning.

I’ll try to hold onto that feeling for a little while. Sometimes, it’s fleeting. Sometimes, I get a string of days like that. Those are good days. Really good days.

I like feeling like I am winning.

What is one thing today that made YOU feel like you were winning?

 

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« Mesa ni Misis
The Blend is the Magic »

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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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Creating food together is one of our love language Creating food together is one of our love languages. We flow in the kitchen. I get excited and move too fast, and she grounds me, and slows things down. We can move around one another while still staying in sync. In our own kitchen, there is music that guides us and sets the tone for the meal. Gelli would be in the mix, the boys will set the table, someone makes dessert, and maybe @manila.gent  makes a drink. 

When we prepare our table together there is so much that goes into the process and the ingredients. This mindful movement brings me so much joy when we are all together.

Even more so when we attend classes together to learn new dishes too.  @themayakitchen1 has regular classes offering cooks of all abilities to learn something new when preparing meals for for our families.

Check out my new article on @rappler for @kitchen143 where Gia and I learned from Chef @cocoyventura a few new Pinoy dishes that will definitely be on rotation for #TeamGellibean.

Link in my profile: 

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/kitchen-143-learning-lovelokal-the-maya-kitchens-cooking-classes/
Crispy Pata. Is there anything better than perfec Crispy Pata.

Is there anything better than perfectly brined crispy fried pork? 

@manila.gent and I visited @viicsrestaurantph for simple Pinoy fare that hit the spot. Admittedly, after moving here so many years ago, I took a while to warm up to this dish that is one of Nino’s (and my mom’s) favorites. But every once in a while-I won’t feel guilty about indulging in this deep fried treat.

Happy to learn that we can also order for when Mom arrives through @foodpanda_ph too!
The @admiralhotelmanila M-Gallery has opened their The @admiralhotelmanila M-Gallery has opened their doors! @manila.gent and I were privileged to visit the hotel on Friday night with some new friends and we were both so excited to explore some new digs in Manila.

Looking forward to bringing the family back soon!
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
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