You Complete Me

If there's one thing I realized when Zion arrived is the sense of fulfillment he has brought into my life. Prior to having Zion, I must admit that I'm a happy-go-lucky type of person. Yes, I work hard and earn a decent living, but the reason and the purpose why I work hard is not that clear to me yet. During that time, I work to spend, and sometimes I spend on things that I don't necessarily need. During that time, I really had no definite goal in my life. Zion's arrival had caused a 180 degree turn in my life. For one, I learned the value of responsibility. I live no longer for myself. There was another being who's dependent on me. Today, I know I need to strive for a better future not only for myself, but for Zion as well. Today, my goals are no longer centered on myself, but it already involves a tiny being with a big importance in my life - Zion. Somehow, despite the consequences that surround his arrival into this world, Zion completed me.

For this layout, I chose a picture of me and Zion which was shot in a studio. Zion was only about 3 or 4 months old when this picture was taken.

Credits for this layout: Serendipity Kit from Mandy Mystiques at elementalscraps.com.

Stand By Me

If there's one woman whom I have a high respect for, it would definitely be my Mother. Not only because I owe her my life, but because I have seen in her the right combination of heart and mind during the most critical moments in our family life. She's able to balance (or should I say juggle) the tasks of being an articulate office worker, a supportive wife, and the most challenging task - an understanding and loving mother to two unique and "pasaway" kids. My Mom is not perfect. In the past there were times wherein we usually fight over small things like her being overprotective and her long sermons. Now that Iam a Mother also, I can now see and understand where my Mom is coming from. It is only now that I realize that for a woman to fully understand her own Mother, she should experience motherhood herself. I am thankful that I have realized this while my Mother is still around. I know I have a lot of catching up to do to show her how much I love and appreciate all her efforts. For this reason, I always pray to God that He blesses my Mom with more years, not only because we still need her, but for me to show her how much I love and appreciate her.

Top picture was taken at the airport on our way to Bohol. The second picture (i.e. the one with 2 pairs of slippers) was taken on the beach of Bohol Beach Club. The gold-and-white slippers belong to my Mom, while the blue-and-white belongs to me.

Credits for this layout : Kit Precious One from Malily at malilydisgiscrap.canalblog.com.

Little Geek

After much waiting, I am now enjoying my one-week break from work. I am currently enjoying my vacation leave from last Wednesday till next Wednesday (I'm still thinking if I would extend it until December 2... =D). I have already listed the things I need and intend to do during this rest week. I have a lot of things to do, and part of this is to look for a preschool for Zion. His pediatrician advised me to enroll him to a playschool class to allow him to learn socialization skills. This should also help him control his temperamental streak. As planned, today my Mom and I visited about 4 preschools, offering different approaches to teaching, and each of them offering different starting-levels for my little Zion. Honestly, it's not easy to choose a preschool for a very "makulit" yet a very eager learner named Zion. Tomorrow, my Mom and I will continue "The Search". We have 3 more preschools to visit on our list. =D

For my layout today, I chose a picture of Zion wearing my Dad's eyeglasses. Picture was taken only this year during one of those regular playtime moments between my Dad and Zion. I have to admit that due to the oversized eyeglasses, Zion looks like a geek or a nerd in this pose. =D

Credits for this layout: Simple Indulgence Kit from Designs by LorieM at Scrappin Digi Kreations; and Kit Blue Dream by Digiscrapcoco at digiscrapbycoco.over-blog.com.

Wild Child

Today wasn't really a nice day. I had to render overtime work from morning till about 1:30PM to work on some problem tickets, since I will be on-leave next week. Oh well! I had to remind myself that my sacrifice today will prove to be useful in the next 2 weeks. ;-) I just look forward to next week - I'll FINALLY have that much-awaited and much-needed vacation and time-off from the work stress. Whooohoo!! :-D

As soon as I got home, I kept on thinking what could be a good way to unwind from work today? Hmm... Of course! How could I forget digiscrapping! So I started to check out the digiscrap kits on my PC as well as the pics as that I have in my pile of backup CDs. I can't decide on the pics. And the task of choosing becomes more complicated if you have a 2-yr old Zion trying to push you and takeover the PC. So since Zion was bugging me all the time with his crazy antics while I was busy viewing the kits and pics, I decided to choose some of his wackiest and wildest shots, some of which were taken when he was barely a year old! So I hope you enjoy this layout, as well as Zion's pics. I tell you, if you find him "makulit" in his pics, be prepared to meet him personally. It's twice the fun and twice the laughter! :-D

Credits for this layout: Wild Child Paisley Kit at simplycleandigiscraps.com.

We Are A Team

I am enjoying the weekend. After going out with my family and meeting up with some new friends, I usually spend the late evenings surfing the net (downloading digiscrapping kits), visiting GT forums, and my favorite hobby digiscrapping.

I just can't get enough of the Crop Designs Kit. Perhaps it's because of the elements that are in it that are very unique (not your usual ribbons and buttons elements) and very Pinoy in nature, plus the fact the knowing that the proceeds for the kit would really benefit some needy Filipino kids. Add to this is another fact that the collab kit was created by an all-Filipina team. Talk about team spirit and girl power! =) Speaking of team spirit, this is the picture that I chose for my layout. This picture was taken in front of one of the Nipa Huts in Clark Expo Zone in Pampanga. People in the pic is my Mom and her officemates. Actually my family were only "hitchhikers" during that trip. It was really supposed to be a sort of "teambuilding" activity for my Mom and her officemates. I must say that these bunch of people are really exemplifying the meaning of team spirit. I've seen them work and play just like a family, not really nice and perfect (no one's perfect anyway!), but cohesive enough to understand each other strengths and weaknesses . My Mom is surely lucky to be part of this team. =)

Credits for this layout: Crop Dreams Kit at mabuhaydesigns.com.

In Your Eyes

This week was a stressful one for me at work. Lots of problem tickets to balance, so little time! I was really relieved when the office clock finally hit 5pm last Friday - time to go home and enjoy the weekend! Digiscrapping time! =)

For my 1st layout this week, I chose Zion's picture which was taken during his first birthday. I can say that among the pictures that were taken during that occassion, this shot was really the best. I think his eyes and expression show the simplicity of life and innocence as exemplified by the look in a child's eyes. I must also say that Zion's eyes are very expressive. His eyes reflect his feelings and emotions. And everytime I look into those pair of eyes, I always remember these lines from a song by George Benson...

"...In your eyes, I can see my dream's reflections

In your eyes, found the answers to my questions

In your eyes, I can see the reasons why our love's alive

In your eyes, we're drifting safely back to shore

And I think I've finally learned to love you more... "

Credits for this layout: Cherry Moka Kit from digiscrapbooking.ch.

Girlfriends

I really think I'm feeling better now than I was early today. My tummy had "stabilized" and my headache is not that nasty anymore, though I must admit, I still get a few headache throbs sometimes. I'm partly happy for this because I know the discomforts associated with the upset stomach and nasty headache are no longer bugging me that much. Nonetheless, I am not 100% happy because I know that I should already report for work tomorrow. Hehehe.. =)

My second layout for today features my Girl Friends. To be honest, I really don't have a lot of people whom I can call true friends. Perhaps because I'm not really the sociable type. Opening conversations is not really my cup of tea. I can carry a conversation, but I'm not good at starting one. But, if you get me to talk, that's where the fun begins! This is the reason I cherish my Girl Friends. They are the few people who were able to crack and bring me out of my shell. And to these ladies, I would like to share this short quote which I found on the net (sadly, no author was given...):

Girlfriends bring casseroles and scrub your bathroom when you are sick. Girlfriends keep your children and keep your secrets. Girlfriends give advice when you ask for it. Sometimes you take it, sometimes you don't. Girlfriends don't always tell you that you're right, but they're usually honest. Girlfriends still love you, even when they don't agree with your choices. Girlfriends might send you a birthday card, but they might not. It does not matter in the least. Girlfriends laugh with you, and you don't need canned jokes to start the laughter. Girlfriends pull you out of jams. Girlfriends don't keep a calendar that lets them know who hosted the other last. Girlfriends are there for you, in an instant and truly, when the hard times come. Girlfriends listen when you lose a job or a husband. Girlfriends listen when your children break your heart. Girlfriends listen when your parents' minds and bodies fail.

Journalling: Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything at all. - Muhammad Ali.

Credits for this layout: Playful and Pretty Kit at simplycleandigiscraps.com; Summer Time Bugs Kit at simplycleandigiscraps.com; Spring Breeze Collection kit from shabbyprincess.com; Paisley Power Kit at karesnscrappile.blogspot.com;

P.S. My apologies to my other girl friends whom I haven't featured in this blog entry/layout. It doesn't mean that I don't love or cherish you that much. I just can't find the pictures wherein we are together.

I Love Gifts

No layouts were created during this past weekend. I had to help my Mom in the preparations for All Souls' Day. Unfortunately, the weekend was so tiring I had to take a leave from work today to rest. I was having an upset stomach and a nasty headache since yesterday. To keep me busy today, I went through some of the photos I have here in the computer to see if I can create any layouts.

Here's the product of my sick leave today. The picture in this layout was taken the morning after Zion's 2nd birthday party. We were not able to open all his gifts on the night of his birthday because we were all dead tired (even Zion was "plakda" - super dead tired in Filipino - that he didn't even care to touch his presents on the night of his birthday party). So instead of forcing him to open his presents while being grouchy, we just opted to do it in the morning - at least he looks fresh and relaxed (and we won't be victimized by his "sumpong" - grouchiness). It's a good thing we did the opening of gifts in the morning, he had all day to play with his presents, tearing the boxes and giftwrappers.

Credits for this layout: Bedtime Doodlebugs Kit from simplycleandigiscraps.com.