what makes a family

We love hanging out in our backyard and just enjoy the cool morning breeze. My 2.5yo can be busy collecting stones or munching his morning snack or running around playing chase while my little 3mo sunshine can observe his brother or sleep like an angel in our local hammock or outdoor duyan. If I'm lucky at some days I can catch him in my camera chasing dreams in his sweet sleepy smile. 

These are my babies - the sole key of our happiness in the family - whom I am beyond-lifetime proud. They are not pefect beings and they can crush my heart unintentionally but that's what I love about them. They come crashing into me like thunder and I can only give my sweet surrender. At times I hear myself cry in frustration and hopes of me doing more for them. But truth is, I can only give myself. And I am a bit scared that I might never be enough. I am just their mother.

I have decided to not have another baby, even if people are begging me to have "one more, a baby girl this time". Well if it were as easy as laying eggs, why bring it on! People often misjudge couples who settle for one, or a dozen, or decide not to have a baby at all. What makes a family anyway? Is it the number of children you have or how well you do as parents? Is it the place you come home to or is it how complete your family is?

Raising my boys alone - physically - is a hard game. Having my husband work abroad is the biggest sacrifice we've been in so far. Yet, everyday we become stronger and our bonding has been twice thicker than yesterday. Because we know that this is only temporary and hopefully next year, we will be together in Dubai again. I know we are still young in this children-parents relationship and there are tons of things yet to be experienced and learned. That's ok, each day is yet another adventure and we just can't wait. 

For HOLGA.

This is my gift for my bestfriend. 

She found a new love in lomography so I had to find something that relates to it. 

I didn't want to settle for a typical title that says "PHOTOS" in front of the album, 

so I had my scribbles handy again. 

Yes, she looooved them!

(Told you I couldn't wait till Christmas!)

if the price is right... they're yours!

You won't believe that despite my busy schedule (visiting my kids' Pedia, doing the grocery, meeting a client - all in one day) I did manage to shop at the Night Bazaar in Colon for my Christmas gift list. 

It was a good walk but of course there was my favorite part - the ukay-ukay overload! Toting and I had teary laughs here and there - knowing us, we always take advantage of the silly details that would only cause us to crack hysterically! But anyway, that's another story.

So we went shopping like normal people do (except that you have to insert the laughing hysterically part!)... and then we found these! Just look at how yummy they are for your ears. What's more to this treat is it's price. I bet you can't guess how much these darlings cost. Go ahead take a good guess. And if you can guess it right, I'd give you a pair (that is if you are here in Cebu hehe).

Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas gifts for my boys' Grannies

I didn't have a hard time thinking of that perfect christmas gift for my parents and in-laws. It's a little keychain of a book that keeps the memories of my boys. They're called Mini Leather Photobooks and they are genuinely handmade with love by my very talented friendTschai.

It was an easy job for me: pick out photos

of my boys, a lazy edit in Photoshop, and they're off in my sent items! After 2 days, they were ready for pickup. When I had them in my hands, I thought Christmas was yet too far to be keeping these treasure... So! I gave Momi and Dadi their gifts last night. No doubt, they were amazed by it's creativity and how beautiful their grandsons are. *wink!

Of course I have to get one for my own - but I don't own a key - so I made it into a cellphone chain and replaced the silver key with my key and lock from my scrapbooking collectibles. Weee! This is actually and endless creation - you can give this as giveaways for whatever occasion, or your own personal poem, or... you tell me!

Submit your photos and order here.

For more information please click here.

Hooray for mini things!