Season's Greetings

A few days ago I was reading a post in our egroup

that Maria Grace Abuzman a famous scrapbooker

"celebrity" will be coming.I'm like wow saya siguro nun.

Then I saw this. on creatingkeepsakes.com

Beginning in 2007, CKU will be a hybrid of everything

you have loved over the years. We have listened to your

feedback and have incorporated your favorite aspects

into our new format. You love the techniques learned at

a classic CKU – We listened. You love the camaraderie

and accomplishment of finishing a whole album at CKU-A

– You got it. The new CKU will have it all!

Every CKU is a three-day, education-focused

event where the scrapbooking industry's most

talented experts gather to teach you the newest

techniques of the trade. On Thursday you will

be able to use products from your favorite manufacturers

in the Demo Hall, as you work on projects for a 6x6 album.

Complete a little or a lot, its up to you. The fun continues

on Friday as you have the option to attend a full day

of classes or spend the day completing a 12x12 Album.

This schedule will repeat on Saturday, giving you

the chance to participate in both the classes and

album workshops. At each event you will have the

opportunity to learn new techniques from your

favorite scrapbooking celebrities while

completing top of the line projects one day

and an entire album on the other day.

In addition to a high-quality education, CKU offers plenty

of extracurricular activities where you can socialize at

evening activities and crop parties, compete in contests,

participate in hands-on projects and demonstrations

from leading manufacturers in the industry

, and interact with fellow students

who are just as passionate about scrapbooking as you are.

It's a truly unique experience of pure scrapbooking fun!

Join us at these CKU events:
CKU-Detroit: April 19-21, 2007
CKU-Anaheim: June 14-16, 2007 (Malapit lang sa amin)
CKU-Nashville: August 23-25, 2007
CKU-Orlando: October 11-13, 2007

CKU is different from any other scrapbooking conventions.

CKU offers a unique educational experience for a few

hundred students. The quality of the education students

receive at CKU is unmatched by other consumer trade

shows and local classes. CKU is a more structured event

with a timeline of activities, rather than the open forum

of shopping and classes from vendors that is found at a consumer show.

At CKU, the social atmosphere is unique in that students

are surrounded by the same scrapbooking enthusiasts for

the entire length of the event. Students can build long-lasting

friendships and enjoy a close camaraderie with others

who share their passion.

At least may time pa ako mag ipon for this

WOHOOOO!!! CKU here I come wow this

will be my chance to meet Ali Edwards,

Liza Bearnson & Cathy Zielske just to name a few..

Na excite ako.. I cant wait!!!

Joshwa's school Projects

JOSHWA with SANTA




This was done by Joshwa's teacher..


The following are Joshwa's arts and crafts that he did
in school

I know mababaw etong post ko pero naiinis ako
na replay ang Grey's Anatomy. I mean seriously!
Pero syempre ako naman nuod pa rin maski replay.
I guess kasi may Christmas break din sila. Wala lang
excited na ako malaman yung susunod na mangyayari.
According to TV.com January 4 pa ang next new episode.
Until then I will be watching those reruns.

Sorry medyo senti lang ako ha pero binata na si
Brox 12 na sya.. Where did the time go?
I was asking him the last time I saw him
Can you promise me that you wont have a girlfriend
til your 15 di daw nya kaya mag promise and I'm
like NO!!!! matanda na ata talaga ako.

Dati lang baby sya at binubuhat ko but now di ko
na kayang buhatin at di pa naman dumadating sa time
na puede nya akong buhatin baka mapilayan yung bata
kawawa naman.

Here's a photo of Brox and Joshwa

About Joshwa

I received a letter from Joshwa's teacher and I'm so proud
of Joshwa. Here is a copy of the note.

I joined the scrappinmoms challenge yesterday.
It was weird nga eh kasi lahat ng entries may photos
sa akin lang wala. I just need to do something and push
myself to start my own healing. Wala nga lang kaming
printer so I had to use my own handwriting yun ata nakasira.
But Philbert said na that's what makes it personal.

Here is the layout:

Materials Used:

Provo Craft Paper, Colorbook Punch Out Stack,

DCWV Matt Stack & Paper,Basic Grey Paper and Sticker

Journalling is as follows:

Goodbye

To you our baby Gabe,

We wanted you..

We were looking forward to meeting you.

We will be your family forever and always.

We love you Gabe..

You will always be our middle child.

We may have another one but you can never be replaced.

We will love you forever..

I tried to be the better person by saying I can manage
this pain without the pain medications..
I can't I'm in so much pain.

Without the medications the pain was even more painful
compared to my labor with Joshwa and to think I labored for 18 hours.
You know that kind of pain that finally find you the comfortable
position then you have to get up and endure the pain
to go to the restroom and you can't seem to find that
great comfortable position when you go back and lie down.


That pain that you have to whine and say ouch
it hurts so bad but you can't because you don't
want to risk annoying the people around you.

That kind of pain that you can't sleep
because it hurts to move in bed.
I'm not really a crier because if I was
I'd be crying and crying.


Yes thats the kind of pain that I'm feeling without the drugs.
Thank goodness for pain medications.
Im still feeling some pain but not as much.
I don't think I'll be stupid enough to go off the
pain medications again.

My Latest Scrapbook Items

My beautiful, sexy, gorgeous, adorable sister
gave me some money to help me start
with my scrapbooking once again and my hubby
who said that he will buy me some scrapbook
stuff (he had no idea how much that would
eventually cost him)I am one happy
girl. On top of the scrapbook stuff Philbert
will also be paying for my magazine subscriptions
from Creating Keepsakes and Memory Makers
that will hopefully jumpstart me into scrapbooking.
Hubby is now starting to send subtle hints about
wanting a return on his investments he now wants to
see a layout from me.

Here are the scrapbooking stuff that
we bought at Joanns and Michaels.


Stickers


Templates, Glues & Embellishments



Papers



And a Lot of Papers..

I went to the hospital yesterday.
The doctor did another ultrasound
and still the same Gabe is really gone.
I'm not having the D & C, I was just given
something for the physical pain. For the
real pain that I'm feeling only time can heal
that.

Im doing so much better thank God that
I have a great husband to support me through this difficult time.
He is my rock and is making things so much easy for me
and i love him so much for that.
He cooks,cleans,takes care of things in the morning
like preparing Joshwa for school and bringing him
to the bus. He took me shopping last week for
scrapbooking stuff and wasn't upset that I
OVERSHOT the budget that he gave me.

Yesterday because I was craving for Krispy Kreme
we went there before I went to the doctor.
He also bought me a Season 2 DVD of Greys Anatomy
and watches it with me. I love him even more now..

I'm going to the Doctor tomorrow..
I know i'm going to hear those words again.
I know i'm going to feel the same way again.
It's now starting to sink in.

I really hope that she'll say something different.
But my body and bloody discharge is telling me
something that I dont want to hear, see and
understand, Gabe is gone..

Our First Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING 2006 MENU

Appetizers

Coconut Shrimp
Shrimp Wraps

Main Course
Roasted Turkeywith Corn Bread Stuffing
Adobo

Side Dishes

Macaroni Salad
Mixed Vegetables
Mashed Potato
Cranberry Sauce
Gravy

Dessert

Pumpkin Pie
Boston Creme Pie
Cupcakes
Ice Cream

Thankfully okay naman ang kinalabasan ng aming first
thanksgiving.Nakakapagod pala magluto buti na lang once
a year lang ang thanksgiving. But Im glad our guests liked
the food if they didnt like it at least they were polite
enough not to say anything.

Thanksgiving

Today is thanksgiving and despite the things that
have happened.I still feel thankful and blessed because
my family is intact and we are together.I couldn't
be more thankful.

I have decided not to have the D & C right away.
I want to wait til the baby comes out on its own.
Pag lumabas na yung blood and then I wait for all
of it come out. Pag may naiwan sa loob then thats
the time na papayag ako magpa D&C.

Call me crazy, stupid or still in denial whatever it is..
I still believe in Miracles.

Ive been spotting for 6 days so I went to the
hospital and had some tests done and heard
something that I didn't want to. Your baby
is in the right place but the baby has no heartbeat.

Im in a dark place right now. I know God has a reason
for everything and its probably not the time but
still I feel the void, I feel the pain and the disappointment.

I feel the rug was pullled under my feet. I feel like I want
to cry but the tears wouldn't come.

To you my baby Gabe,

We wanted you..
We were looking forward to meeting you.
We will always be your parents even if
you are in heaven watching over us.

We love you Gabe..
You will always be our middle child.
We may have another one but you cannot be replaced.

We love you even before we have met you
We love you even if you are no longer with us.
We will love you forever..

Joshwa rode the school bus today.
The first school bus ride..parang
maiiyak ako kasi this is a milestone
for him.Kasi first time nya to go anywhere
without anyone familiar.He took it quite well.

My little boy is growing up

1st Baby Stuff

I know excited na kung excited call
it kuripot that's what I am. Especially
when I saw this item for sale.

Here is the description on the web.

• Convenient open-top design enables Mom to take baby in and out of swing with ease.
• Convenient side handles let you carry the swing from room to room with or without baby
• Five soothing speeds
• Compact fold
• Removable, machine-washable insert

The price on the web is $40

How much we bought it $9.99.

Philbert thought it was too early but I told him sayang pag nabili pa ng iba.

Joshwa started school last Monday and he loves it.
How do I know that he likes it? He's not crying
when i leave him in school and when I pick him up
he's smiling.

The teacher is all praises for Joshwa.
She says that he is doing a great job
and I'm so proud of him.

Tomorrow, Joshwa will be riding the bus
he will be picked up tomorrow at 7am
ang aga and he will be brought home at
around 2:20PM.

I took photos of his first day of school,

Joshwa is starting his 1st day of Special Ed school
tomorrow.Im feeling nervous about his
first day. I feel like i'm having the separation
anxiety.

He started school in October but it didn't
really work out because he had a tough time
and I stayed with him for 3 weeks.

I'm so thankful that the teachers were
so nice to me and they did their best
to rush all the meetings and assesments
so that Joshwa can finally move to the Special Ed school.

I'm thankful for the 3 weeks that I had with Joshwa.
I got to know him a lot more and I understood
how he feels and frustrating it is for him to not
be able to be understood.I felt his pain and
secretly cried with him when he feels frustrated.
There are days when he doesnt want to go to school
and i force him to because I know that he does
need to go to school.When he cries in school because
he's having a tough day.I just want to take him home.

I always tell Joshwa just a few more days
and we will be moving to school where you
do belong.Just a few more days my son
and through his tear stained eyes he looks
at me..and stops crying

I always tell myself soon Joshwa will find his voice
he will tell me what we wants,hates,feels
and loves and I will wait for that moment.
because i know that moment will soon come.

Joshwa's Halloween Costume

I really,really love this avatar. Thanks Diane!

The Stork

The stork will soon be coming.
It will pay a visit most likely
in the summer of June 2007.
As the arrival of the stork
gets closer and closer.

Updates in this blog will soon be coming..

I Passed..

After months of waiting and not expecting to pass..
Imagine my shock and surprise when my friend
emailed to congratulate me to tell me that I passed.
One thing I could say is Praise the Lord! I never
expected to pass all I did during the exam was
ask the help of St Therese. As in i kept telling her
bahala ka na sa akin. And indeed sya nga bahala sa akin
di talaga ako pinabayaan.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/dailydose200610100201.htm#top

Dear God,

I thank you that you have promised
that you will renew our strength.
There are many days, Lord, when we grow
weary in all the demands of caring for a child with autism,
and are often grieved by the devastating affects
of this disorder in Joshwa’s life. We need your
strength. We need your hope. Help us to be able to soar
on wings like eagles and to run and not grow weary in
the daily load we carry. Lord, your Word also says that
we will find strength in your joy (Nehemiah 8:10).
Therefore, we boldly ask that you will shower us with
great and unexpected joy, not only so that we can bear
the heavy load, but so that we can help Joshwa a
to walk in all the destiny you have for him.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

I am so sleepy...How I wish I could just crawl to bed
and sleep for a bit. But I can't because if i do I know
that Joshwa will keep himself busy with what I don't
even want to know or test that theory. Im so tempted
to put him down for a nap so that I can take a nap but
I can't its 5PM and if he sleeps now there's no way
I would know what time he'll wake up and that will
give me one hyperactive child in the middle of the
night who only wants to play and run around the
living room.

On Scrapping

I miss paper scrapbooking di ko lang alam kung kailan ako
puede mag scrapbook. Of course the logical choice is
digital scrapbooking pero ayoko nun mas type ko pa
rin yung feel nung paper and embellishments.

I will be able to start when Joshwa goes to school
in October hayyy lapit na the chasing and the NO!
JOSHWA stop that will soon be over. I can't wait
ay di pala kasama nga pala ako sa school. I will
be his shadow teacher. Sana kayanin ng talent ko.

I'm slowly settling into a new routine
Philbert is still OC as ever as far
as housekeeping is concerned but I love
our new life. It's not easy for me to
adjust but I guess nothing is ever easy anyway.
Am I complaining no I'm not. I would not
have it any other way.

Scrap for a Cause

Im posting this here.. This is for a good
cause..

A Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Thank you that you have purposes for our lives that prevail
and that we can count on you in every circumstance.
Even though your purposes prevail, we can often miss your
timing and cause the blessings you intend for us to be delayed.

Therefore, Lord, we pray that you would give us great wisdom
on how to stay in your timing and in your will
for our lives espeically for Joshwa’s life. We thank you that
the challenges that he faces are no real obstacle for you
and that you can cause great fruitfulness to come.
Lord, we pray that you would help us find a teacher
and therapist with great wisdom that would help us to work
with him, and that you would give them creative ideas for
bringing him to his fullest potential. We thank you for your
constant provision and for the comfort of your presence.
In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

I know some of the readers are curious about
Joshwa and how he is thriving. Thankfully Joshwa
is doing so well I was so afraid that hewould have
a hard time but Joshwa is such a trooper.

He eats a lot better now rather than when
were in the Philippines andI swear that he actually
gained weight.He has tantrums yes but it has decreased
and still hyper but he is doing really well.

As for me I'm doing okay this is something that I prayed
for and I'm enjoying it. Of course the house is a mess
while Joshwa is awake and Philbert is terribly
OC about housekeeping I think he thinks he is married
to a Bree Van De Kamp while I think I can relate to
Lynette even I have 1 child and she 4( oh heck
having Joshwa hyper and all is equivalent to 2 1/2 kids)
trying to balance everything.

Hayyy I'm done with the unpacking and settling into our new life.
Hirap pala maging SAHM now I know why Oprah says that being
a SAHM is like having 2 Jobs. Pero I love it.. I now understand
my other SAHM friends and can actually feel the joys of being
one.

Thankfully Joshwa is doing so well I was so afraid that he
would have a hard time but Joshwa is such a trooper. He eats
a lot better now rather than when were in the Philippines and
I swear that he actually gained weight.

I need to start working though but I would prefer it if it's
working from the home. Joshwa needs to go back to Kumon
and taking Kumon here is a bit pricey its $80 a month
and since he needs to take the Math and Reading
it's $160++ a month.

My Family

No one is ever born into Life alone.
Everyone has shared the bond of family,
at least at birth, and for many people it is a
bond that will follow them throughout life.
For many people it is the most important bond
of all a family that is..

My family went to visit me particularly
my parents who were going home this
weekend. I'll miss them so much. Good
thing my sisters live just 45 miles away.
I know its quite far at least its still in the
same state.

Here are our vacation photos.. Just take a look
at it na lang and my sister did not get maried
it was my cousin Ate Ging-ging.

http://community.webshots.com/user/joshwa_dominik

Look Under The Following Folders

AIRPLANES/ AIRPORTS
NEW JERSEY
WILLIAMSTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON
FLORIDA

I'm finally here.. Parang naiiyak ako nung dumating ako dito sa US
kasi akala ko di na ako makakabalik. God has been so good to me
and my family ayan pinagbigyan kami ni Lord ng chance na
magkasama sama..Di pa ako makapag blog ng maayos
will post other photos soon .

Here is our first ever family photo in 6 years.



Here is our first complete family photo..
Complete kami dito kasama yung mga respective
families namin.

MIL Comes To Visit

AUGUST 29,2006

I invited MIL to have lunch with us
para makita nya rin yung Indulgence.
Syempre I took a photo..Para makita
nyo naman si Famous most often
than not Infamous na MIL ko. (hahahaha)

AUG 28,2006



I met up with Jem.We had lunch at Indulgence
tapos nag malling sandali.


Then at 6PM went back to Indulgence again to
have dinner with my Tita Milette, Mama,
Tita Ochie & Ate Nane.



Ate Nane & Tita Milette

Here are some photos taken last week

AUG 25 BEEHONG's PARTY


THE FOOD

THE HOST OF THE PARTY BEEHONG



THE GUESTS & THE HOST

I have 2 days to go and my days are crazy.
I'm here in Indulgence taking a breather
MIL just left and well im glad its over and done with.
Its a good thing i'm not working anymore but
my days and at times nights are crazy
just the same. Will be posting photos really soon.

My mom has agreed to take my scrapbooks
with us. I'm happy about that. As for most
of my stuff well its going to be put into good
use.

Sept 1 is an apt time for us to go and leave.
It is truly the start of the 1st Day of
our new life our new adventure.

Im here in my cousin Beehong's house in
Parañaque. Waiting for the guests and
the actual celebrant. Imagine that
being late at your own party. I was here
at 2PM and I have to go by 7 because
I'm having my own party at LSS at
around 8PM. Initially they wanted it
to be a surprise pero since I told them
I won't be home til 6PM they had no
choice but to tell me.

I was so suprised about that because I didn't
expect it. Up to now I am still in the dark about
what I should expect at that party.

Tomorrow is the LET and I'm not ready to
take the test. As my cousin and I would say
Bahala na si Batman at isama mo na rin ang
super friends sa hall of justice

Another Night Out

I can't believe its only til I week til we
leave. My cousin Bogick came back to the
Philippines after living the US for 15 years. We had
dinner with him at Indulgence ( Where else?)
My evening schedule has slowly started to
get crazy. Here are the photos of our night out:



Mai and Muppy!




Beehong



BOGICK


GROUP SHOT A ( Mai-Mai took the Shot)




GROUP SHOT B ( Yours truly took the Shot)

A Parents Prayer

Dear Lord,

In those times when I feel
overwhelmed and weary, I ask that
you would grant me enabling grace to
believe that you will do what you have
promised. Help me to trust you even
when I am not feeling like it. Help me to
know your word is true even when I may
not see it in my circumstances. You are my
strength when I am weak.
You are my guiding light when I am lost.
I pray that you would encourage me today
and help me to see the wonderful things
you have already done for me. Forgive
me for not recognizing when your hand
has been at work in my life. Help me to come to a
deeper understanding and a stronger resolution
that you are always true to your word!

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Found It

My IPOD has been missing for weeks.
Initially I thought I must have misplaced it
somewhere but the more that I tried to find
it the more that I couldn't find it. So instead
of stressing myself about it I just prayed about
it. I prayed that it would be returned to me
If it wasn't I prayed that the one who found
it would enjoy the music that was in it. Then
last night I was looking through my stuff
I found it ! I found it!

One thing I could say over and over and over
again thank you so much Lord! Praise God!

Busy Long Weekend

I've been extremely busy as in super mega
ever last weekend.. Here's a rundown of what I did


FRIDAY



Met up with my friends Mish and Ellen.
We had dinner and we were talking and
laughing out loud.

SATURDAY

It's scrapbook day.. I met up with some of
my friends for a day of scrapbook and fun.





DINNER AT ATE NANE'S
After the scrapbook day I still had time to rush
and go to Ate Nane's birthday party.



SUNDAY

We went to Pepper's 1st Birthday Party
Here's a photo of my Little Prince



SUNDAY DINNER
Had dinner with Liz and Marisa at Shangri-La Hotel




MONDAY

Joshwa and I had lunch with his
Ninang O, Tito Tim and Mamita.
I took this photo while waiting for our ride
to the restaurant.