A bouquet of roses..

When we invited Mia for the BBQ last Sunday, she asked us if she could take her sister-in-law and her two kids with her. Since we only invited two people we told her that it's okay for her to bring them over. As a way of appreciation, her sister in law gave me a bouquet or roses when they arrived. Kamsa Hamnida Ms. Sun He, I loved it!

Happy Birthday to my dearest Dad in law!

We just got done talking to Dad on the phone and he was very very happy that we called especially when both EJ and Rylie greeted him. He turned 87 years old today and I am very happy to tell the world that through my father-in-law, the longing I had for my deceased father was filled through Dad's presence. Thanks Dad for always being there for us. When my husband took the advancement exam for this year, we prayed to God that no matter what the result will be, we will be so much happy to accept it. John did not make it but we are still happy because it only means one thing, we will be able to spend more time with Dad. We miss and love you so much! Happy birthday!

Please check out the tribute that my husband posted for my father in law.

Taking up the Cross

"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me". Today's Bible readings deal with the theme of Taking up our Cross and following in our Lord's footsep. Our affluent society does all it can do away with the reality of suffering. In the eyes of those who are blind to the transcendent, suffering and pain are incompatible with happiness. Funeral homes makes it their profession to blur suffering. Medical science alleviates pain, the drug commercials on television advertise their pain killers and sleeping pills, and dope peddlers make it possible to escape a harsh reality. Not all of this is bad. It is service to alleviate pain, to arrange a worthy funeral, and to pray to God for help when we suffer.

However, we should regard as un-Christian an attitude that desires at any cost or dubius means (dope abuse) to do away with both mental and physical suffering that is unavoidable. Since our lives are patterned after the life, death, ressurection of the Lord, we should in faith be willing to die with him (die to our egoistic selves, which is painful process, and accept unavoidable suffering) in order to live with Him forever.

A photo taken after attending the Sunday Mass. Have a great week ahead folks!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!

The wind was cool today when we went out to go to the mall indicating that summer time is almost over and Fall is coming. I also found this newly bloomed addition to our garden. I am not really sure of what kind of flower is this but it belong to the tulip family. It grows from bulb.

The color also symbolizes that Christmas spirit is in the air. Make me miss my family back home because Christmas in the Philippines is very different than here.

Short Videos

Here are some short clips of the video's we took during our stay in the Philippines. My niece Yami and Rye with the hermit crab..

Here's EJ busy blowing the birthday whistle during Rylie's bday.

Taken during the over crowded celebration of Rylie's birthday over in the Philippines. The two videos are dark because of brownout in our place..