Serenity

Six Years Later...

2011-04-04T22:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Daddy,

I'm resurrecting our matrimonial blog.

It feels so good to post here again after almost six years. The last time I did this, Lance was younger than Reanna is now! I see his old pictures and I just marvel at how much he's grown. This was how he looked this morning, all ready for five days of Outdoor Education at Camp Wawona. He looks way older than his eleven years here.

I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but the house is now way too quiet and peaceful without my Lancey! I know I should just enjoy the relative calm. After all, he'll be back from Yosemite in just four days. But I miss him. I scroll down to take a look at his other pictures on this page and I feel a sense of loss. Where has that little boy gone?

And then I remember one day last week, when he asked me to take a picture of his stuffies piled high upon his bed, and I find my little boy.

He's still there after all!

Home Improvements

2005-10-03T23:04:00.000-07:00

Hi Babe!

Even though our home's exterior isn't completely done yet, I still can't help but get a thrill whenever I see its lovely new color. I can't wait until the white trim is all done. Our house will look so awesome!

I'm so happy we're also working on our home's interior. This project just seems to be getting bigger and more exciting with each new idea we come up with.

Thanks for being so patient with the black bookcase, by the way. I know it was quite trying for you, (with all the unforeseen interruptions), but you soldiered on and the result was simply beautiful. Wait until I fill it up with more memorable pictures. Then you'll really think it was time well spent.

I'm so glad we share the same taste in furniture and fixtures. Makes it easier that way, don't you think?

(p.s. Check out this endearing family room scene. I was so happy that you let me return the couch to its original place, even though I knew you still had reservations about it.)

Love, Your Wife.

Sapphire and Steel

2005-09-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Daddy,

I was so happy that you knew what I was talking about when I told you I saw "Sapphire and Steel: The Complete Series" on Amazon.com.

I was even happier when you gave me the go-ahead to order it.

I was ecstatic when it came in the mail.

I was delirious with delight when I finally opened it.

But none of that compared to the unmitigated pleasure I felt upon watching it for the first time again, a quarter of a century later.

I still found it scary and unsettling, even after twenty-five years.

Honestly, I don't think I could've watched it alone in the middle of the night, if you weren't there watching it with me.

Thanks for sticking around. I love you too.

Your Wife, the scaredy-cat,
R.

Labor of Love

2005-09-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

Dearest Daddy,

As we celebrate Labor Day weekend, I just had to mention your latest labor of love.

Ladies and gents, feast your eyes on my family room's latest fixture, which my loving husband expertly assembled for me, strictly by hand.

No, he didn't set out to make life miserable for himself. His power tool simply wasn't in the mood to cooperate, the batteries failing to charge even when left on the charger overnight. But this didn't faze Dad the Builder, who proceeded to put my beloved shelves together armed with a single Allen wrench.

Special mention goes to Lance and Troy, who helped their Dad too.

And when they were up, all it took was a quick trip to our local Raley's, which was having a sale on maize and rattan organizers and voila...instant wall fixture!

Here's the glamorized version:

Thanks so much, Babe. I love it!

Love and Kisses,
Your Wife

Girls' Day Out

2005-08-19T23:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Babe!

Since you told me you'd be picking up the boys from school today (because your classes ended early), I decided to make my special time alone with Reanna a "Girls' Day Out". She seemed to have gotten my vibe. She was particularly ebullient, and her good mood followed us the whole trip.

Since there was an accident on Carpenter, we ended up going back to Kansas and driving the back roads until I found Beckwith. I suspect our daughter wisely used this downtime to take a well-timed nap. By the time we found ourselves on Standiford again, she was up and back to her perky self.

We did lunch at Aloha, the Hawaiian restaurant right by the mall. Since neither of us were too hungry, I just ordered a teriyaki pork chop mini-lunch plate, and it suited us just fine. Reanna helped me with the rice and macaroni salad, but I suspect her favorite course of the meal was the guava nectar we shared. She couldn't drink enough of the stuff

And then we did the usual round of paying bills, first at Circuit City, then at the mall, rewarding ourselves at Gloria Jean's after, where I got that Swiss Orange Mocha blend you got a taste of at the DMV. I think Reanna really liked the look of that drink because she kept trying to grab it from me, even getting as far as putting her mouth on the straw once! I made sure to keep it away from her after that. The last thing I needed was a baby with a caffeine high.

I'm glad we were able to hook up with you at the DMV. Oh, and speaking of the DMV, congratulations on acing your test. Even I didn't get 100% when I took my written test. I only got as far as 97%, and your exam was a lot more difficult.

Good job, Babe. You are definitely on your way...

Your Proud and Loving Wife, R.

School Buzz

2005-08-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

Dearest Babe,

Earlier this week, we took our boys back to school.

Earlier today, you were approved for funding to go back to school too!

What a wonderful anniversary present for us, and a pre-birthday blessing for you. God has been so good to us. Praise The Lord!

As we stand, poised on the brink of another adventure in our lives, I cannot help but remember all our other adventures, which led us to where we are now.

And through it all, we have remained steadfast in our love and support for each other. Indeed, your love has sustained me through our toughest times, and for this I will always be grateful.

Just look how far we've come, Babe, and this is just the beginning!

Congratulations, my love. It couldn't have happened to a nicer, more wonderful, more deserving person.

I love you and I am so proud of you,

Your Wife

Countdown to Classes

2005-07-29T04:01:00.000-07:00

Dearest Daddy,

I can't believe we're down to the last weekend of the kids' vacation. I'm glad we have something BIG planned for them before we send them back to school on Monday.

I can't help but feel sorry for our poor little princess though. She, out of all of us, will feel the absence of her kuyas much more intensely, particularly Troy's, since he used to spend the whole day with her while Lance was at school.

Has it really been a month already since Lance graduated from kindergarten? Where did all of July go?

Come Monday, Reanna will have to get used to the twice-daily car trips, to take take Troy to and pick him up from preschool. Good thing the heat is starting to lose its edge. Just the thought of schlepping her in and out of her car seat and stroller is enough to make me break out in sweat already.

So here's to enjoying the last days of summer as we know it!

Sweet days of summer
The jasmine's in bloom
July is dressed up
And playing her tune...

Maiden Voyage

2005-07-16T23:10:00.000-07:00

Dearest Daddy,

With all the preparations for Troy's coming birthday, I am sad to admit that I failed to record a momentous occasion in our family's history.

The maiden voyage of the HMS Hippo, with no less that HRH Princess Reanna aboard.

It was wonderful to see her take to the water with no fear, just like her Kuya Troy, who also found the courage to forego his floaties that day, in preparation for his upcoming fourth birthday party.

And speaking of "Profiles In Courage", how about Mommy's venture into the water, her first time in years?

You must really be gifted with the power of persuasion, to be able to convince me to jump in the spa, still in my house clothes, the stifling heat your greatest ally. But once I was inside, I didn't regret it.

And we swam on, as a family, late into the night.

I'm glad we were able to do it before the actual swimming party itself.
It was a special moment we all shared, just the five of us, on the eve of Troy's fourth birthday.

What could be more precious than that?

Love,
Your Wife

Movie Night

2005-07-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Daddy!

Don't you just love Movie Nights?

Especially now, since Reanna is big enough to join us. It was such a joy to see her on the sleeping bag last night, wrestling with her kuyas and squealing with delight, it's surprising any of us even got to watch the movie.

Good thing it was "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace", which we already watched in Manila when it first came out. As usual, I found myself falling asleep during the climax (must be the continuous dramatic music and lack of dialogue), but Reanna made sure I didn't miss too much of the movie by climbing all over my different body parts to wake me every so often.

Indeed, ALL of us must've nodded off at one time or another, EXCEPT our super-kulit, super-likot baby daughter. She may be the littlest one in the family, but she can certainly hold her own beside her boisterous brothers.

With her addition into the mix, Movie Nights will never be the same!

Plaque-pakan natin si Lance

2005-07-06T02:36:00.000-07:00

Hi Babe.

Sorry for the lame play on words, but I was so proud of our son, Lance, when we went to Knights Ferry, that I really felt he deserved a round of applause.

He was so excited to be able to read many of the words in the plaques he encountered there. He was actually disappointed when he couldn't find any more plaques to read!

Of course, it helped that Mommy was on hand to assist him with the longer, more complicated words, but he was able to handle most of the text on those memorial plaques all on his own. Even Chivas was impressed, especially after I pointed out that his cousin was only five.

I can already see our little boy going places someday.

And I will be every bit as proud of him twenty years hence as I am of him now.

Wonderful Weekend

2005-06-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Babe!

What a wonderful weekend this was.

Spending quality time with my beautiful and loving wife...
four very bright and exceptionaly good looking boys...
and a one-and-only sweetest,
"prettiest baby girl in the whole baby world"...
to me as a Husband and a Father is heaven on Earth.

During daytime, the running, jumping, crawling. climbing and of course the ever-present clowning around may appear like the circus is in town to the untrained eye. But I must admit watching this circus-of-a-family do its thing and having a blast at it just warms my heart to no end.

And at night, huddled up in the family room watching a movie or sharing stories is a common occurence that I always look forward to.

And when the little ones are fast asleep, the non-stop laughing, joking and talking with the big boys always follows until the wee hours of the morning. This is what usally ends my day.

But all of these would not have been as pleasurable without your delicious adobo for Friday, your sensational curried, boneless/skinless chicken breasts cooked in coconut milk for Saturday, and your mouthwatering, slow cooked, tender to the touch pot roast for Sunday.

I really treasured this time we all spent together.

What a fantastic way to kick off summer vacation for our brood!

Love, Dad

Graduation

2005-06-23T23:25:00.000-07:00

Dearest Daddy,

Earlier today, we watched our oldest boy, Lance, graduate from kindergarten. I know you shared the pride I felt in my heart when Principal Williams handed him his certificate.

I also felt so much pleasure at watching our son so gamely dancing the hula in their opening number, "Pearly Shells". To think I was around the same age when I also danced to "Pearly Shells" in kindergarten.

Once again, life comes around full circle.

Tomorrow he will be going to his last day of school, where they will be passing out report cards. I know we'll be happy with his since we got a preview of his reading level (4), which he shared with only four other classmates. I'm so thankful that you continue reading to our boys before bed, since most of the time I am breastfeeding Reanna and am unable to do so.

Tonight you read them "Oh, The Places You'll Go", the perfect book to read on the night of Lance's graduation. You also showed me the touching poem Mrs. Ortega sent out with their certificates. Well this time, it's my turn to show you something, not because of the poem written on it, but just so you can see the proud expression on your son's face.

He does look good in a shirt and tie, doesn't he?

So here's to raising our very own first-grader, coming soon!

Oh, and let's not forget the preschooler waiting in the wings as well. Can you believe we now have TWO children going to school this coming August?

So far, so good, don't you think?

Your proud and loving co-parent,
R.

This should be interesting...

2005-06-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

Hi Daddy!

I feel so bad for you. It's Father's Day weekend, and ALL of our babies are sick!

I guess with three small kids so close in age to each other, coughs, runny noses and ear infections are more likely to be shared. I was hoping our poor little princess wouldn't get it, but with her temperature going up to 104.6 this morning, I'm afraid she now has a full-blown case, even worse than her kuyas.

Oh well, at least we're still OK.

(Hope I didn't tempt the Fates by saying that.)

Let's just make the most of YOUR weekend, shall we? Sure, misery loves company, but I'd rather be miserable with THIS company than celebrate with any other group on earth.

Happy Father's Day!

Love,
Your Wife

How do you do it?

2005-06-14T04:02:00.000-07:00

How do you do it, my love?

How do you crack three eggs onto a frying pan, cook them on one side, and flip them over just right to make this picture-perfect trio of eggs the way I like them...over easy?

I know I've tried it lots of times, with disastrous results.

Like you said, I still have the battle scars from my last encounter with tortang corned beef, and that's just from flipping the darn thing!

I've tried, given up, and tried again. I've learned my lesson this time: Leave the flipping to the resident expert.

But don't worry, I'll still be boiling and poaching eggs for you. I'm just laying off the daredevil stuff.

At least for now.

You Have Changed

2005-06-11T05:51:00.000-07:00

You used to always bake for lunch and dinner, our oven was your best pal, twice or thrice a week. You would always run and keep your distance at the first sight of oil in a pan atop a burner. Doing laundry to some extent was alien to you; perhaps it is not even in your vocabulary. And when it came to dealing with kids, on occasions you reminded me of my music teacher in grade school, Ms. Saenz: very strict, no nonsense, a "stick it where the sun don't shine" sort of person.

Slowly but surely now at any given night (I used to do this) there is always something simmering on the stove and it is not reheated food. And lately you took breakfast (used to do this) from me. You can actually cook eggs, without burning them (you've learned well)! You even have the battle scars to show for it.

And when I awake from a nap, there would be a snack waiting for me, a pile of freshly washed (used to do it too!) laundry neatly folded with matching pairs (had a difficult time pairing them) of socks to boot.

You sure have changed my love.

(Excerpt from Don Lorenzo's latest update on "One Day Isang Araw". See the whole version by clicking HERE. Warning: this post was written post-"Star Wars 3".)

Sightings

2005-06-10T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Babe!

I'm so happy we made it to Lance's kindergarten field trip. But you know what? Someone else made it there with us.

I am talking about that mysterious orb which we captured on camera again. The one that showed up superimposed on Lance's head in this shot with the baby goats.

Well, that picture inspired me to start another blog, devoted to those mysterious orbs which show up in our pictures, mostly during special occasions.

I also found the perfect template for it. Check it out at "Sightings".

So far, I've only posted the picture above. But I've already started going through all our other pictures and have found some pretty interesting ones.

One of them even appeared to have joined you during your recent trip to New Hampshire!

Why do I say that? Because it showed up not only in the cockpit of the plane with you...

It also followed you to your hotel room in Chicago.

Do you remember any strange dreams you might've had that night?

Shades of Corregidor perhaps?

Hmmm...

(Signed,) Your Wife.

Hooked

2005-06-08T01:11:00.000-07:00

Hi Baby.

As you can see, I just finished watching "Deadliest Catch" again.

I've gotten hooked on the show and the many characters in all the fishing boats. Now I'm rooting for ALL of them: The Norwegian (bacause he's just so cool under pressure), the Born Again Captain (I find myself praying with him and thanking the Lord on his behalf, forgetting that this show was TAPED, not live!) , the Steven Segal lookalike (cause he's just not getting any. Fish I mean.), the husband-and-wife team (because that's just the sort of thing WE would do!), even the kulelat guy (because he has a Pinoy among his deck hands).

Next week is the last episode. I have to admit I'll be missing it. Tuesday nights won't be the same.

But, they're selling the 10-episode series for $49.95 on Discovery.com.

Worth considering, don't you think?

Just fishing...he he.

Love,
Your Wife

Baa Baa...

2005-06-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Daddy!

Boy, do I feel sheepish. I honestly thought yesterday was Father's Day! Maybe it was because I was so happy that Chris was with us this weekend. Anyway, as you already know by now, I did my blog rounds, greeting all the fathers I knew "Happy Father's Day". I even gave Kuya Simon a Father's Day present.

Boy, was I confused or what? Anyway, just so you know, the actual Father's Day this year is not until June 19.

I stayed up all night pa naman just to finish my Father's Day post.

Hey...No peeking!

Anyway, I had a lovely time talking on the way back from San Jose. It was nice to go back to our early days, reminding ourselves of the reasons why this relationship works.

Indeed, you had a busy weekend, counseling two other guys on their marital problems (three if you count that other guy who is still considering marriage).

I take it as a compliment that these people chose to go to you with their troubles. If they value your advice on life and love then it means you're doing something right.

Correction. Make that we are doing something right.

I love you always,

Your wife.

Una mas?

2005-06-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

Hi Babe!

I called Maya earlier to greet her on her birthday and you know what she told me? She's pregnant with TWINS!

I was soooo happy for my sister. About time too, after eleven years of marriage.

And, knowing me, I missed being pregnant again.

(Good thing my Mom doesn't read this blog. Otherwise, we wouldn't hear the end of it!)

But, enough daydreaming. Hey, we can all indulge in a little bit of wishful thinking every now and then.

Which doesn't mean we're going to ACT on it!

I love you.

(Signed,) Your Wife.

It's Your Weekend!

2005-06-03T02:02:00.000-07:00

Hi Daddy!

I'm so happy the boys will be joining us this weekend.

So what do you want to do for Father's Day? Maybe we should do a repeat of our Mother's Day dinner and take the boys to DeChina. I'm sure they'll like it there.

Hope we get good weather. I have a feeling the boys will jump into the pool as soon as we get here!

Looking forward to your special weekend,

Your wife

Drowsiest Watch

2005-06-01T01:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Babe!

I was really looking forward to watching the new "Deadliest Catch" episode tonight but baby Reanna had other plans. She wanted to play with the bedside phone and she just wouldn't settle down so I had to turn off the lights and she was sleeping in minutes. Unfortunately, Mr. Sandman was indiscriminate. In other words, even I ended up falling asleep!

So here I am, finally awake again and super-bitin because all I remember seeing were the beginning and end of the episode. I guess I'll just have to wait until the replay next week.

Unless you can find it at On Demand for me? Please?

Your sheepish "sheepy" wife,
R.

Memorial Day

2005-05-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

Hi Daddy!

Today is Memorial Day 2005.

Five years ago, we didn't do much because I had to produce and anchor "The Filipino Report" at KTSF-TV26 in San Francisco.

Four years ago, we were in Toronto with Baby Lance, celebrating the long weekend with Mom, Ira, and Haya.

Three years ago, Auntie Luth and Nicholas spent the long weekend with us, visiting all the way from Las Vegas.

Two years ago, we witnessed a drive-by shooting.

And one year ago, we played host to your brother and his girlfriend. Reanna was barely two weeks old and I was on a continuous hourly nursing schedule. (I am exhausted just thinking about it!)

This year, things have settled down somewhat. Reanna is upstairs sleeping as my adobo bubbles merrily on the stove, awaiting your return with the boys from your WalMart shopping expedition.

It was a lovely long weekend, spent simply yet sweetly, playing house with our beautiful brood.

Ah sweet domesticity!

I love you guys.

(Signed, ) Your wife.

p.s. Thanks for the wonderful words of love you posted in your sites. You are a talented writer, and my heart can't help but skip a beat whenever I read your written offerings.

One Day, Isang Araw Update

2005-05-30T07:10:00.000-07:00

The love I feel is quite amazing.

You've loved me unconditionally. I've never felt so loved the way you do. You completely understand me when I am impossible. You never miss to encourage me when doubt sets in.

After being blessed with three magnificent children together, we still laugh at the same old jokes and talk until the wee hours of the morning about anything and everything.

We were only strangers for a moment in time, followed by an absolute gut-wrenching, heart-warming pure intensity, coupled with an overwhelming out-of-this-world unadulterated emotional, psychological and physical oneness.

We were not looking for it...am just happy to know such a relationship does exist.

I am going to cherish every moment and live it to its fullest.

Taken one day at a time.

Camping in the Family Room

2005-05-30T03:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Daddy,

As I type this, our two lovely boys are sleeping on the sofa bed, which you finally set up for them upon their (super-kulit) requests. You even made sure they had marshmallows and cocoa to warm their tummies before they slept. Of course, the original intention was to watch the "Star Wars 3" DVD, but since they're busily snoring right now, I think that idea's effectively been shelved.

Well, until tomorrow anyway!

Here's to the BEST Daddy any boy (and girl) could ever have!

Love,
Your Wife

Swimming In Love

2005-05-28T22:35:00.000-07:00

Dearest Daddy,

I just wanted you to know how much fun it was to watch the three of you swimming through the kitchen window. It was such a treat to see Lance gaining his confidence in the water. I can't believe he's already swimming!

I know you've always pointed out that he started swimming last year, but I guess he learned it late in the season, and he couldn't sustain his new-found confidence through the months that passed.

Lately, I was happy to see him relinquishing his floaties to Troy, preferring to use a kick-board or a noodle. You can imagine my thrill yesterday when he eschewed the use of those too!

Keep it up, Daddy. Good job!

Love,
Mommy

Dad's Response

2005-05-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Babe!

I plan to be around for a very long time. So sleep well my love, Daddy's here to stay.

Love you more!!!
Dad.

Thank God You're Here

2005-05-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

Dearest Daddy,

Last night we stumbled upon a documentary about fallen servicemen from Iraq and their last letters to their family. I am still haunted by the images today.

I'm so glad you're not in the U.S. Army Reserve anymore. Thank you for heeding my pleas for you not to reenlist. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you.

I'm making pot roast, your favorite, even as I type this.

I love you.

Your wife, R.

Yummy Clams

2005-05-26T15:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Babe!

Thanks for cooking the clams in such a delicious way. I didn't realize they would be so good with cabbage. Good choice! It's so good the way it is, you don't even need rice!

I gave you some Dayquill earlier today. I hope you're feeling better.

I love you!

R.

Dearest Babe,

2005-05-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank you for showing me just how much you loved me last night.

I was so inspired that I decided to create a blog just for the two of us. A forum for our creativity, a medium of communication, and a manifestation of our continuing love for each other.

I hope you take the time to visit here every once in a while to tell me how you feel about the things which affect us as a couple.

I love you and I thank you for loving me in return.

Your wife, R.