Just Happy In My Happy Place :)

Thanks to those who responded to the giveaway. It is still open, please visit here.  Okay. I am happy now :) Because at this point in my life. I am doing what I love.

• being with the kids at home
• and being with them in school anytime they need me there 
• doing my crafts
• teaching without having to leave the house
• planning menu
• cleaning and organizing
• taking photos
• keeping in touch with loved ones
• making gifts
• wrapping gifts
• selling
• blogging
• managing my online shoppe, ThoughtfulCrafts

Life is short. I must do my passion now. I must spend more time with the kids now. I must do the little things now. Even when it means, having to try to live really simply. Having to walk to the market everyday because it's cheaper than going to Cold Storage. Having to take the bus. Having to stay at home for the weekend. Having to love and appreciate what I already have. And forget about what I wish to have. 

But aren't these the things that really give us genuine joy? The little things? 

So I am happy. Thankful to dear hubby for being so supportive and responsible for providing us our needs and some wants at times :) Even more thankful to him for going with me to the Autism Partnership seminar last Saturday. I like going to talks with him. Maybe because it is in such event we met first. 2002 Singles for Christ International Leaders Conference. Haha! Sweet.

Most of all, I thank him for taking the boys out for swimming. So I could do my thing ... 

... happy ladies in my happy place! :)

... busy hands! 

... don't you just love the beautiful mess? :)

... finished layouts. Thank you ladies! :)

Yes. We scrapped! ThoughtfulCrafts' very first workshop was a blast! Thank you Mariae, Joan, Evie and Alice for being the first to respond to my invitation... can't wait for next time.

So I am happy. I am blessed. Not because I have a lot. I am happy because I have learned to appreciate the little, the simple and the now. I pray that I will stay this way :)

simple but not empty

That's how I describe by life these days. Simple. So near to Him.

• Home most of the time. Enjoying the house that is at times messy but on good days, so neat and clean. I just love a clean and a good smelling house filled with simple stuff, most of them white.
• Playing with the boys, mostly tickling and laughing out loud. 
• Able to play with my guitar more. I am currently learning "How Lovely are Your Dwelling Places" one of my favourite songs  in the community =)
• Watching movies with my love over a cheap red wine.
• Spending quiet time with myself and my crafts. Making thoughtful gifts and cards such as these... 

... a gift box for Kuya's Case Manager/Social Worker in school.

... a simple birthday card for an officemate's friend. 

Click here if you want to order customized cards, gift boxes and scrapbook projects. Have a great week! 

Love, 

Gen :) 

insta-moments

I thank the Lord for granting me another day, filled with beautiful things and happy moments, captured by instagram...

• beautiful lilies and gerberas I just arranged
• fun train and bus rides... the only thing that can make K and B wake up and take a shower way too early than usual
• those boxes I made using my latest toy :) so excited to be sharing additional goodies at ThoughtfulCrafts  tomorrow!
• chocolates. Just love to see the kids and the feeling-kids munch on them with delight! :) 
• Kuya feeling so comfortable and happy with the community. 
• Migs enjoying the company of Nene, Judith, Jolene, Joyce and the rest of the young members of our St. Anthony family. 

Life is not insta-picture perfect. It's just that I love to capture happy moments. Because in truth, happy moments are more and bigger than sad ones. All we have to do is be attentive and open enough to capture them! :)

Let's end the week with love... and prayers for all especially those affected by the recent typhoon in the Philippines... 

latest events

Was in hiatus for more than a week because of ...

a.  instagram
b.  twitter
c.  Facebook (not much. don't like it a lot these days. when i open it and see the very messy wall i get  so stressed!)
d.  i was lazy
e.  life's so overwhelming  and had so much to tell i didn't know what to do hahaha
f.  all of the above

(Can you guess the answer?)

But i figured just a moment ago (because I'm still not in the mood to blog, to be honest), I want this blog to be a record of my life. All the good and the bad, I try my best to post every happenings and thoughts.... so I'll try, even just through pictures.

Picture #1. Few months ago until last week. I was so scared of the possibility of having melanoma. Would catch myself imagining, getting so worried, crying, thinking what it would be to have it. Paranoia isn't good I tell you.  Saw 5 doctors. Specialists. Cancer ruled out. Thank you Lord for my "new life"! I wasn't scared to die. I was scared of the thought to leave these three guys.... no need to elaborate....

Picture #2.  Was in the company of fun friends. Vincent's birthday at Bonifacio. A Filipino restaurant. Fun night with band and soooo delicious food. Especially the Laing!

Picture #3. Couldn't take the yummy laing out of my mind. Cooked it the following day. Thanks to mother and Nancy and google for making it happen. Thank you Lord coz it was good! Not bad for a first try :) *drooling now*

Picture #3. Last minute farewell bonding before Vanessa left for Germany. So touched because she only had a few hours left before leaving but she gave us time. (Will miss you Vane. Wish we had more bondings while you were here but I understand there are lots of people, loved ones who also wanted to spend time with you).

Picture #4. Mommyla's birthday yesterday. But I'm not sure if she had a very happy one because her brother, Tito Carlit was rushed to the hospital. He passed away Today. (We will miss you Tito. Say hi to Jesus for us).  Made this for Creative Scrappers sketch #175, using Bo Bunny.

Picture #5. Jodi, my favorite pretty, courageous student. Would want to spend more scrapping time with her. She will be the subject of my next mini-album class... Watch out for it! 

Whew! I feel so good after sharing all these pictures and the little stories behind! I realize now how I miss blogging... and whoever you are, reading this now, here's my love and prayers. God's love is just so good to have... and to give away. Goodnight! :)

today's good things....

1. My smile. Now. Because God told me tonight, in our Eucharist, that His love for me is beyond measure. His generosity can never be calculated. Well, He already told me this many times before. But this time it gave me a different feeling :)
2. Hubby ate not less than 10 pcs. of the coconut macaroons I baked this afternoon.
3. Full body massage for me and hubby.
4. The 90's  music I'm listening to right now. I recall my disco and pa cute days haha.
5. Miguel's "Alpabetong Pilipino" song.
6. Kuya's very clear request for "honey stars" cereal :)
7. Fresh buko (coconut) juice.
8. Cute purse gift from Vivien.
9. Mass booklet gift from Teray.
10. Flowers I arranged at the church.
11. Sally. The flower shop owner who might buy my cards! :)
12. Skype with Papang, Mamang, Mommy and Juris.
13. This  pambahay-no-lipstick-tambok-again stolen look bwahaha ---> 

Bless be the Lord who gave me this beautiful day! =)

When I am happy...

I get to pray.
I get to create lots of nice stuff.
I get to sing a song.
I get to be sweet and thoughtful.
I get to appreciate and accept who I am.
I get to say no to temptations --- to buy things that I don't need.
I get to reach my goals.
I know how to listen (or I can try my best).
I love life.
When I am happy, my hubby and my sons are happy too.

I have to be HAPPY everyday.  Even though at times, there are a few reasons why I shouldn't be. I have learned to accept that life is not perfect. That my mother will get sick any time. That some people I love will not always have a good and happy and healthy life all the time. That the friends I really want to spend time with can never be around, not when you're many miles apart.

Thanks to God's word. It reminded me of these things. It helps me get my thoughts in order. I'm secure. I stand firm. I am still. He is God.

So because I am happy :) I created lots of stuff yesterday! 12 cards (but I intend to make 2 dozens more so I'm not showing it today haha) and this shadow box I made for newlyweds Charlie and Guada...

There's not much techniques here, just some distressing and layering... thanks to Crate Paper's very lovely Portrait collection. 

That flower is a die-cut using felt and this die. 

Happy to be seeing my layouts at the front page of CCG and Two Peas in a Bucket :) Here are some screen prints :) 

Most of all, I am happy to be spending lots of time with my two adorable yummies... 

"Mommy, look I made a boat!" 

... and this big guy here, taking charge of my mac while I was busy making cards.  He even managed to take a self portrait, including my big butt! lol! And when I checked on him... this was how my desktop looked like: 

Looks like he was busier that Mommy? hahaha! 

Have a nice day! It's my birthday tomorrow! Come back and greet me, ok? lol. 

I'm back!

... from a very lovely vacation!
This one really made me appreciate the beauty of my beloved country, particularly Bohol. I promise to be back with my family and visit more places soon. My heart is heavy with homesickness the minute we left. But I am excited and happy that I brought with me loads of sweet memories with old and new friends.
We took a million photos. So many it overwhelms me! Making me not touch it yet which explains why  this post relies on my iphone instagram shots. hahah!

... to these yumminess waiting for me! (thank you Crate Paper! and BB for my [and Kuya's] new toy!) :):):)

... with these two good boys who missed their toys so much they
 forgot to fight! lol! what a precious time! :)

Now if you'll excuse me please as I need to finish a layout that's due NOW (i forgot!!!). Kisses! :)

10 things i love

1. Miguel asking me: "Are you ok Mommy?" when he saw me lie down quietly, in a deep thought.
2. Seeing my sister so giddy with her new-found interest. Fashion accessories.
3. Tuesdays With Morrie. With so much to do and 2 active munchkins, I can only read a few pages a day. But I love it. In fact I wish I'd never end reading it. So inspiring. (Can you suggest an inspiring good book for me?)
4. Layouts and little projects I made.
5. Excitement. Is it really possible to make 20 layouts in 3 hours? Will see tonight after my class.
6. Cheese tofu.
7. Kuya can write a lot of letters already! My goal is for him to be able to write his own name and all the letters of the alphabet :) Makes me so happy every night after dinner, when he himself would wait in his study table for our tutorial :)
8. Photos of our handpainted fabrics I took yesterday. 
9. Anticipation of July.
10. Those 3 guys in the photo.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Lots of good news to share!

First, I am well now! Yipee! Bye cough! Thanks for not coming back again...

Second, I receive the goodies I won from Iris! So happy to get not just the mini album which my idol made herself but also a card with a thoughtful thought! Who wouldn't grin from ear to ear? =) =) =)

Thank you so much Iris, you are so kind and thoughtful, not to mention genuinely talented! You inspire me all the time. May God bless you more and more! :)

Okay, my third good news...

Went to an awesome baking shop at Marsiling with Joyce ... and look what I got!!!...and look what we baked!!!

... super moist choco cupcakes and... 

... my very first FONDANT icing!!! yehey!!! So happy to finally do it =)

... aside from these blessings, I am so happy to be able to keep in touch with my brother's family in Cavite through my sister Dit2, and an occasional skype chats with my sister Anne2. Nothing compares to the joy we feel when we are in communion with our family. 

What a beautiful life. Thank You God!

today

I won Iris Uy's birthday giveaway here :)
Spent the whole morning with my boys somewhere out there.
We had ice cream, pancakes, fries.... their favorite, and mine :)
Cleaned up my work area.
Received another confirmation for a private class.
Had coffee and leftover Garrett (we bought jumbo on our valentine date y'know haha).
I didn't work out :( (maybe later).
Thought of someone and something. Sad but God is bigger. Amen.
Then just a moment ago, I made this...

It's for my coming class... for kids! :)

sweets :)

PMS isn't that bad when you get these sweet treats unexpectedly :)



Thank you Made With Love! :)

today

Today is a lovely day.
Today is Kuya's first day in his new school. A very nice school and he loves it. A real blessing!
Today Migs made me laugh so many times =)
Today life is simple... peaceful... uncomplicated...
Today I made this...

A special gift for someone I love!

i heart {this} weekend

What could be better than a free and easy weekend? A blank planner? A home cooked Filipino dish called adobo? A good smelling munchkins because Daddy gave them bath? (They always smell better when they shower with Dad than with me? How come?)

I wish I'd always remember how it feels to just stay home, be a mom and wife ... to stop and smell these lovely blooms...

Happy weekend everyone! Hugs :)

wordless wednesday: beautiful things :)

good things ... goodies...

Hi! In the midst of my insanely busy life, without hubby, (I have a hubby, he just went to Japan! lol!) I just wanna brag about some stuff that bring big smiles :)

...Scrapbook Challenges featured my "36" layout :) Thank you Sookie!

... Marix is sooo generous! These are stamps and some more cute stuff I got for winning her RAK giveaway :) She even gave me a pretty card :) Thank you Marix! :)

... Maggie also gave me some bits of what she won from Harmonie//ScrappersatSG... thanks Mader! :)

... And these, came from far far away, sent by my friend Min. I absolutely love the Can Make concealer! :) Thank you my friend. I miss you dearly.... I envy Benjo for seeing you guys this weekend.... Enjoy! :)

Now I got to go... Miguel here, keeps on nagging me: "Wear shoes... ride taxi... go Ikea!" With a very impatient look on his face.... I told them we're going to Ikea early this MORNING, now it's  already AFTERNOON  :)  FYI, we already went to Ikea yesterday to buy a white study table. But this morning when I opened the box, I saw RED! My bad. I didn't read the label very well... or maybe I thought all tables were white... waaaaaaaaaaa....

I wanna blog some more when I come back. Hugs to all! :)

the week that was...

so many deadlines.
Miguel's music class
iphone-less (and feeling okay, surprisingly hehe)
visit to Kuya's school.
Miguel's "Hi Mommy you okay?" many times in a day, makes me speechless.
Kuya spells RUJIM :)
RAK (Thank you Marix!)
"flipflops" party planning...
Bing and Parz suitcase.
my BIG BITE!!! finally! thank you BB!
new (torture!) planner for 2011 (thank you Maggie! i so love it!)
Min's package... yummy yummy my friend... thank you!
Negros Walk.
Fun class.
few sweet friends. some new. some old... treasures...
thoughts of my family back home
Abe's birthday. and wishing we were there...
Eucharist --- the most important thing.
lechon (thank you Uy family!)
and STILL so many deadlines!

But I'm happy and I feel so blessed. Lord, how can I thank you?

How about you? How was your week? :)

wordless wedneday: love my (part-time) job!

notebook

Aside from prayers, my 3 kings, praise music, chocolate, glossy magazine, and KFC, there's one thing that lifts me up when I'm having a "low-volt" day...

A new notebook!

Yesterday was one of those days, after my sister went home to the Philippines after her soooo very brief SG weekend. It was physically tiring (going to so many places and doing as much bonding as we could in 2 days!), emotionally draining (being so happy seeing her with my boys, and seeing the latter getting too attached only to be left with sad goodbyes all of a sudden! so painful leh!). Woke up feeling extremely sleepy and down, Monday morning.

I was again tempted not to go for Word. But I whispered for "help". And before I knew it, I was in a Woodlands-bound bus. Then I was already in Popular. Then I saw this cute Japanese notebook at $7. Bought it. Transferred my important notes in it while waiting for the Word to start. Felt good. Sang and prayed with our community. Felt even better.

Today, I altered the notebook.

Used the extra Basic Grey's Olivia PPS and some ribbons from my MWL GDT kit for July, and my bind-it-all :)

How did it make me feel?  Best! :) Thank You Lord for the little things that bring great joy. I'm now ready to make my next project. Class assignment for August! Ciao!

just a few good things :)

yesterday...

my first try on Mommy's (mom-in-law) kare2 recipe gained 99 ganda points from hubby :):):)
maggie's siopao and paklay
videoke
arranging the EC table and flowers in the church

today...

M3 (hahaha!)
workout
blogging
Vivo City and Marina Barrage (later) with my boys

and these...

I got the stamp set for submitting a layout for Create but Edleen included more in the RAK from her very own stash! She even wrote a personalized note for me. How thoughtful! I super love the papers. Perfect for my two boys pages. Thank you so much Edleen :)

Also from the mail... an invite for a wedding... of guess who? My pretty friend back home in Cebu. Lalie!!! So happy for her. Notice the name of her hubby-to-be: Benjo! Exactly the same with my hubby's name hahaha! Now we have something in common? lol.... Love you Lalie Byuti! :)

My LO "Cheska"was featured in SC this week :) Thank you! :)

And... these are some of the dies that I'm gonna play with in the coming days! You can purchase these at Made With Love...

Thank you Lord for these sweet blessings that make life beautiful, despite some trials and challenges... I call these brush of an angels wings :)

Before I forget, I want to congratulate a scrapmate, a friend for being a DT search finalist at The Studio! Congrats Sookie! So proud of you :)

That's all for now! Time to prepare the boys for Vivo City! :) God loves all of us! Smile :):):)

thankful tuesday...

Guitar session with God.

Playtime, bath time, tickletime, silly time, with kids.

Us time with hubby.

Scrapping and blogging time: my ME time :)

Pancake time. They loved it! :)

Prayertime.

Reading time.

Timmy Time! (my kids' current favorite!) LOL.

Bad time. Yes bad time. For some brief moments did have bad times. But it wouldn't be life without bad times, right?

Salamat Lord for what might be insignificant according to the world. But for me, these are special moments. Not in the years to come, for we'll never know what the future holds, but NOW.  Now is the only time I have.

There's another thing I spent time with today... PHOTOS! I'd like to share some...

Kuya having some fried rice with Patrick Star :)

Scrappers @ SG scrapmeet.

Goodies! 1. ntbk I got for submitting a LO 2. puncher I won in one

of  our scrapmeet games 3. trading card from Marix (thnk u

 Maricar! hehehe) 4. my RAK for winning Iris Babao

Uy's hosted challenge 5. primas, our scrapmeet giveaway

6. stamped cages (thank u again Marix!)

7. Nikki Sivils goodies for winning Pamela Young's hosted challenge....

Thank you SASG for being a venue for my having these eyecandies! xoxo! :)

Mini album for a dear friend, Cathy whose favorite color is, obviously, yellow. hehehe.

Thanks  for looking!

I didn't have a perfect day... but I have a perfect God.

Nyt! :)