The Greatest Miracle and God’s Most Precious Gift

We’ve been back almost a week, and we’re still in a daze… sort of.  Thankfully, we’re getting the hang of cooking, cleaning, and fending for ourselves again. But the hardest part, is getting used to being parents to two precocious little boys, (after two weeks of being “single”), lol.

Of course, we missed our boys like crazy while we were in Manila.  But we also made the most of our vacation (na parang magboyfriend-girlfriend pa lang kami).  The kwento and photos will have to wait awhile, because I have a lot of backlog to work on.

What I will write about though is the main event… the main reason we went home — Maira and Arman’s wedding.  They tied the knot on December 27, 2008 at the Sanctuario de Sto. Cristo.  The bride was as lovely as the sun.  Her emotional walk down the aisle brought tears to the eyes of the dashing groom and those around them.
 
  

  
The ceremony made me a little nostalgic.  For a moment, I was transported back to around the same time, 4 years prior, when Chris and I submitted ourselves to the sacrament and professed our own vows.  Parang kailan lang…

After the rites, we partied at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  The food was superb; the laughter overflowing.  The bride and groom were as giddy as children as they hopped from table to table.  For us, it was a reunion of sorts, because we were able to mingle with people we have not seen in 4 years.  We had a great time, and it looked like all of the guests did as well.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Congratulations Maira and Arman!  Here’s to many, many years of wedded bliss!

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To get the ball rolling on our backlog, I will post photos from mid November when we attended our parish fair.  Topher is as obsessed with carnivals as he is with trains so it goes without saying that he had an awesome time.  Joshua, though he was still too small for most of the rides, also had a blast as seen in the photos/ videos below.
  

  

  

  

  

Taas kamay pa yung ibang kids sa caterpillar ride… so cute.:)

And siempre enjoy na enjoy ang mag-ama sa giant slide!

We are so looking forward to the South Florida Fair (arriving in mid January).:)  More backlog posts coming soon!

In a few minutes, we will be leaving for the airport.  I did not sleep a wink because we only started packing last night.

I would’ve wanted to post our backlog November and December photos but I just did not have time.   The past few days were spent wrapping/ shipping our gifts, completing/ mailing out our christmas cards, making sure we have enough pasalubong for everyone.

The backlog will probably have to wait until next year… unless by some miracle, I find some free time to blog while in Manila.  In case I don’t get a chance to blog though, our family would like to wish one and all a very merry Christmas and a blessed and bountiful new year!

So what was this past Saturday like? An extension of Friday.

I was up at 5:30 to cook breakfast and decided to go shopping before the boys woke up.  I thought Macy’s opened at 6AM.  It turned out that they opened at 8!  Grrr… so I went back home, did some online shopping, fed the kids, and then went back to Macy’s at around 9.  I bought a few shirts to complete my Christmas shopping list and then went home.

We were back at the mall in the afternoon and ended up buying shoes for the boys at Stride Rite since they had a discount (buy 1, get 1 50% off).

I have two more gift cards to purchase and I am done with our list.  Some of the gifts I’ve ordered though are still on its way (like the Garmin I purchased for Chris via Costco and the books I ordered from Topher’s fundraising at school).   I’m starting to feel the pressure — because my deadline is not the 24th or the 25th… it’s the 12th — the day before we leave for Manila.  And I should have all our gifts and christmas cards wrapped/ shipped/ mailed/ endorsed to my sister by that time.  Whew!

Our clinic is open today and here I am settling down after 3 hours of nonstop shopping.:)

I woke up at quarter to 3 to cook breakfast, prepare stuff, etc and left the house at 4:30 to catch the opening of Toys R Us.

As expected, it was packed.  Some of the stuff I wanted was already gone by the time I walked in.  But I was able to complete my “mission”. 

For Joshua, we bought a Thomas Wheels & whistle lounger (from us) and a Fisher Price Happy Songs Coupe (from Santa).   I also plan to get him some books (with lots of flaps) as stocking stuffers.  Oh, and I’m stopping by Kmart at lunchtime to see if their advertised VW beetle is a better option than the coupe.

For Topher, we bought a crayola easel that came with a free easel starter kit (from us) and a Thomas Great Race take-along set (from Santa).  We also already got him a wooden stacking train from Borders two days ago.

It was chaotic to say the least.  But I stayed focused and kept right on target.:)  On my way out, I spoke to a lady who turned out to be the first one in line when the doors to Toys R Us opened — she was there at 1AM.  

I completed my purchases by 6 and was off to the towncenter mall where I looked for luggages (for our upcoming trip) first at Sears, then at Macy’s.  I brought the luggages to the car and then went back in to shop for clothes.  I was able to purchase two dresses, two blouses and jeans for around $50 and the boys’ christmas outfits for $36 at Macy’s.  My first patient was not until 9AM so I made it just in time.:)

Still no Garmin for Chris (Office Depot ran out), so I may have to purchase that online.  Looking forward to Cyber-Monday!:)

We couldn’t let this month pass without sharing our Halloween photos.  As always, trick or treat was at Ninong and Ninang’s neighborhood.  We had a double celebration, because it was also Tito Nico’s birthday.  Topher dressed up as his favorite engine, Joshua as an adorable pumpkin, and Tita KM as a scary witch. 

Joshua had fun going around the neighborhood, while Topher pretty much took charge of handing out the candy.

I love you, you love me…

A couple of weeks later, we had another double celebration - Lola and Ninong Ferdie’s birthday.  Since we did not have a candle for the cake, we had to make do with a votive candle.  Just as much fun!

Joshua has impeccable aim!

As usual, we spent time at the library this month. 

Joshua started attending story time when he was just 6 months old.  It is a joy to watch him actively participating now - listening attentively, dancing and clapping.



Coming out of the library one Saturday morning, we chanced upon the St. Michael’s church fair.  It was our first time to ”ride” a helicopter.

We also attended our parish church fair this month which deserves a separate post.  We took tons of photos and videos so abangan!

Then on to Papa’s annual company party at the Dubois Park in Jupiter.  Food, games, fun, fun, fun!

Tug-of-war (rope wanted)

Topher, the dancer

Our bonus videos for this month…

Joshua says “cheese!”

Topher jams with Papa

Playground madness


And lastly, photos of Topher’s thanksgiving week in school. 

  

  


This is definitely a time for sharing and spreading happiness, this year more than any other.  We all have a lot to be thankful for.  Happy thanksgiving to one and all!

The most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us.  But this year, Chris and I will be spending Christmas in Manila.   We are leaving on December 13 and we will back on US soil by the 29th to spend the New year here.  The main purpose of our trip is to attend my sister-in-law’s wedding on the 27th.

We decided not to bring the kids with us, primarily because of the gruesome nature of prolonged air travel.  Our boys will stay with lolo and lola– who, together with ninong, ninang, and the rest of the family– will help ensure that they have a memorable Christmas.

Yes, I have already started going through my separation anxiety issues now… so that I can enjoy my time alone with my husband.  One part of me is excited at the prospect of reconnecting with him.  We will spend our 4th wedding anniversary in Boracay.:) 

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I have spent a few nights organizing our gift list and going through the toys/ books/ gifts I’ve hoarded throughout the year.  Black Friday is a few days away so I need to know what else I need to buy for our friends/ family/ inaanaks, etc.  Surprisingly, I’ve bought so much stuff already these past few months, that my “list” is rather short.   I may actually have some time to shop for myself, lol. 

Of course, we haven’t purchased gifts for Topher and Joshua yet.  Initially, I really wanted to have a playground installed in our backyard.  But they have been enjoying the one inside our village so much, plus they love going to the Okeeheelee Park playground, that I feel that whatever we decide to have installed, might fall flat of the competition.:)

So on to the hunt for the perfect gift.  I’m leaning towards getting a smart cycle for Topher, and since Joshua loves to drive, I think he’ll enjoy this.

Oh, and my husband has been dropping hints that he wants a Garmin.

Looks like I have my hands full on Friday after all… my main goal — to find awesome gifts for my precious ones.

(This post actually includes photos and videos from the end of September to the 3rd week of October but it has understandably been on the back burner because of all the excitement surrounding Topher’s latest milestone.)

October was marked with one important discovery - Chuck E. Cheese!  They say pictures are worth a thousand words so here you go!:)

No, you’re not dreaming.  It really is our Papa, “dancing”!

Needless to say, we had a blast!

Our week is usually not complete without enriching our minds at the local library…

…and building our endurance at the playground, both indoors and out.

And here we are at the end of the day.:)

Some of you may be wondering who the “babe” is in our photos.  She is our Tita KM.  We call her “Tita” because she is the daughter of our Lola Sofie.  She is our partner in crime and we just adore her!

We still owe everyone our halloween photos, and hopefully that post will soon follow suit.  Have a great day y’all!

~The Lim boys

So to complete Topher’s milestone first week of school, below are a few more photos.

I am still amazed at how relatively easy it was.  Maybe Topher was ready, and maybe he realized that going to school sure beats staying home all day.  Whatever the reason, we are grateful and relieved.

And speaking of photos, I have yet to post our October escapades– which is 2 weeks delayed already.  Hopefully, by this weekend.

On the evening prior to Day 4,

Topher: “School na si Topher.”

Me: “Gabi pa, tulog ka muna.  Bukas punta na tayo sa school.”

He woke up at 6AM the next day and his first words were about school.  There were no protests, no requests to sleep in.  He barely ate breakfast, and as soon as his Papa was ready, they were off.  Excited!

Chris said that when they entered the classroom and he saw his teacher, Topher forgot about him.  And when Chris left, Topher barely noticed. 

Complete 360 no?

Lola picked him up after his nap– he was lying on his mat face down and sobbing quietly.  Kawawa naman… he’s still not used to waking up without a familiar face nearby.

Hopefully soon, masanay na din sya.

Day 2

Topher woke up really early and was in a good mood.  But when we started to put on his school clothes, he began to cry and stated that he wanted to sleep some more.:)  As soon as we got him into the car, he calmed down.  It was only Chris who dropped him off this time. 

We had our phones on speaker so I could listen in while driving to work.  Topher was quiet the entire time and I thought he would start bawling again when they reached school.  So I was quite surprised when Chris told me that they were already in the school parking lot — and not one peep from Topher.  By then, we said our goodbyes and Chris promised to call me with an update.

Fifteen minutes later, my phone rang.  Again, I was surprised.  Chris was on the road already — that quick?

Chris said that as soon as they entered the classroom, Topher started to cry (not hysterically as he did the first day though, which was a good sign).  But his teacher, Ms. Millette gave him a hug.  And when he stopped crying, she gave him a sticker.  After that, he sat on the table with the other kids to play with the blocks.  I was amazed!

When Chris had to leave, Topher started to cry again.  But his teacher hugged him, wiped his nose, and he was ok afterwards.

The lola went to school around 11:30 AM to observe and she saw Topher with the other kids watching a video.  Topher was very attentive.

The lolo also dropped by from work at around 12:30, and Topher was napping with the other kids.  I couldn’t believe it!  Topher taking nap when he’s told??!!  I was in shock, to say the least.

So my parents left to have lunch and when they returned an hour later, Topher was already awake.  He was sobbing and Ms. Milette was rubbing his back.  My guess is that when he woke up, he was a little disoriented and got scared.  But he stopped crying as soon as he saw his lolo and lola.

Ms. Milette said that he did well and that he seemed to be interested in the sciences.:)

Before going home, Topher gave his lolo and lola a tour of his school - showed them the toys, and the playground.  And when I got home, he told me that he had made friends with 2 boys - John and Maise (?sp).:)

Fingers crossed.

Day 3…

has just begun. 

Topher woke up early, but wanted to sleep in again when it was time to put on his school clothes.  Very little protest.

As soon as we got him dressed, he wanted to ride in the “expedition”.  Again, he was quiet during the drive (I was listening on speaker phone).  And when they reached the parking lot, I heard him say: “sa school na tayo”.  Chris said that it was Topher who wanted to get down the car and go to school.  Chris would’ve preferred to stay in the car for a few minutes because it was still early and Topher had not finished his breakfast. 

And when he left Topher with Ms. Milette, no crying!  Hallelujah!  I hope he has a good day today, and that the “no crying” trend continues.

I’ll post more pictures soon.