Important in the Life of A Child

Last March 26, 2011, my little man "graduated" from his Nursery class. I made sure I had no appointments that day, made sure that no phone calls to come in for work will happen. All my attention was on my little man, my son, Zion. And it was a good thing, I made time for it. My little guy was awarded the "Mr. Pure Energy" special award for his energetic and active participation in class activities. I surely blushed when I heard cheered and applauded when his award was announced. After I pinned the ribbon/award on his shirt, I hugged him tight, and joyfully whispered "I'm so proud of you, my baby". I guess I will never exchange moments like those for any amount of treasure or wealth. Even if my son only graduated from Nursery, as his mom, I felt it was also my achievement. And though I know there will be rough moments ahead as Zion enters a big school next year, I know that WE CAN make it through. :-)

Journalling: A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child. - Forest E. Witcraft

Credits for this layout: Dream Big by Scrap Indonesia / Aprilisa Designs; Wordart from Bethany's Elegant WordArt;

April 2K11 Calendar Layout

There is an old Filipino adage that says "Huli man daw at magaling, maihahabol pa rin". Very roughly translating it, would come as "Better late than never" (my apologies to my readers who are experts in both the English and Filipino language), and this is what exactly this post says. I know it's almost the end of April. And it is only now I have created and posted my April 2011 calendar layout. The end of March until now has been a very busy (and physically, emotionally draining) time for me, especially at work. But I couldn't just let April pass without rendering my calendar layout for this month. Most especially because April is my son's, Zion, birthmonth. And since I've featured almost all my family members, and girl buddies in digiscrap layouts, I would not let April pass without featuring my son in his own layout.

The picture was taken during Zion's moving up activity last March. He "graduated" from Nursery, and the family celebrated the occassion by eating out and going to nearby Subic.

Journalling : You make me smile.

Credits for this layout: Escape Kit by Jayedid Designs; Miss Mint 2011 Calendar Stamps available at Peppermint Creative; Music To Scrap WordArt from Melanie's Digital Creations.

You Are My Dream

I was taking care of Zion today, as he is not feeling well. We went to his pedia earlier and found out he has sore throat. No wonder he was complaining about his painful throat the entire day. As I was giving him his medicines, I tried to look closely at Zion. At almost 5 years, Zion has grown a lot. He has developed physically, emotionally, and even mentally. As I listen to him speak, I realize that I am truly blessed having Zion in my life. As I am a dreamer, my son Zion is my greatest dream.

Journalling: How fast time flies, my son... To me it was only yesterday, when you were still a baby, cuddled in my arms, finding peace and happiness in my simple and hushed lullabye. In a span of four years, you have grown so much. Now, I look at you with wonder and amazement. In a span of four years, I see the grace of God unfold. In you, I realize why life is beautiful and why it is worth living. I thank God for you. I am a dreamer and your are my greatest Dream...

Credits for this layout: Imagine Kit and Simplicity Kit both from Little Angels Designs .

2010 Meets 2011

We celebrated New Year 2011 differently. Instead of staying at home, we opted to go to nearby Eastwood City in Libis to join the open party countdown for 2011. My family and I checked-in in a nearby hotel (Crowne Plaza Galleria) since my mom had discount vouchers in the said hotel. The open party countdown in Eastwood City was a big success as several musical artists graced the event, as everybody waited for the clock to strike 12. I'll try to create some digiscrap layouts using the pictures I got during the open party countdown.

For my layout today, the picture used was taken on the morning of January 1, 2011, at our room in the Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel. I asked everyone in our family to strike a pose so that we can have souvenir pictures from the hotel. My Dad and my son Zion made this funny pose - my Dad in his unbuttoned shirt, and Zion in his diapers. My Mom saw the shot and she commented that it is like 2010 (the old year) meets 2011 (the new year).

Journalling: When 2010 meets 2011

Credits for this layout: New Year's Eve Kit by Miss Mint Creations available at Peppermint Creative; Photomask from KapiColors.

Under the Christmas Tree

I had the rare chance to stay at home today, rest, and do some digiscrapping. It was a miracle to think that Zion's nanny was on her day-off today, and we had to go out earlier just to attend the 4th day of the anticipated Simbang Gabi mass (i.e. Midnight Mass). And since Zion's nanny was on a day-off, I had the chance to spend some quality time and bond with my Zion. How fast time flies. Just some 3 or 4 Christmases ago, Zion was still a baby whom I had to carry just for us to have a picture under or near the Christmas tree (see this layout when Zion was still about 6 months old). After 3-4 years, I don't need to force him to pose near or under the Christmas tree. Since then, there is no need to beg or prod Zion. He voluntarily poses in front of the camera. In fact, he is the one asking me to take his picture. There are even those moments (like the picture I used in this layout) wherein he asks me to join him in the picture.

This picture was taken during our visit to Vista Marina in Subic, Zambales last November. There was a giant Christmas tree in the hotel's reception area, wherein everybody had their pictures taken. As expected, Zion was a very willing model/subject in my attempt to play with my camera. And since Christmas is a time for love and family, I didn't hesistate to have my picture taken with my little man.

Credits for this layout: Christmas Cheer Kit by Connie Prince available at Gottapixel.

Everything About You

As I've mentioned in my one of my most recent posts, the main reason why I bought a DSLR camera was my son, Zion. For this reason, when I got my DSLR camera, he was also one of my first subjects in trying out the various features of the cam, especially the continuous shooting mode. I really find the continuous shooting mode a very great help especially if I have to take pictures of Zion while he is performing in school.

The pictures I used in this layout were from the "test shots" I took while exploring the features of my DSLR camera, most especially the various scenes (including the very challenging Manual mode) and the continuous shooting mode. The set of pictures on the upper right corner were the shots I took using the continuous shooting mode. I was quite delighted with the way the camera clicked continuously and the way it was able to take successive pictures of Zion, that if I scroll through those pics, it would appear as if Zion was actually moving (like the way they create cartoons!). I'll try to experiment and explore the other features of the DSLR camera. Hopefully, I'll get to post more layouts in the future using the pics taken from the cam. :-)

Credits for this layout: Little Star Freebie Kit by Andrea of Here A Scrap There A Scrap; WordArt from Random Thoughts by Linda.

Let's Play

About 2 weeks ago, my good friends and kumares came over to my place for some catching up and some bonding moments among girlfriends. One of my kumares, Bhang, came with her son, Enzo, who is my godchild. Incidentally, Zion was also at home that time, so both our boys were able to spend some together in their own chitchatting world and of course, in play. Their common interest? Plants vs. Zombies! The game had helped us, their moms, to calm them down, and prevent them from interfering with our own girl talk. Both boys enjoyed the game, and both willingly paused everytime we asked them to pose in front of the camera. :-)

Credits for this layout: Boy's Kit by Claudia Sachs.

In Your Eyes

It has been some time since I created a layout which featured my son Zion. I was busy creating layouts which featured my friends from my former workplace, the places I visited last summer, and some family layouts, but not Zion solo. So for my layout today, I am featuring my son Zion. The close-up shot used in this picture was taken during Zion's 4th birthday party last summer. It was taken by my officemate-friend Shy, who served as the party's photographer.

They say that all kids are beautiful, especially in the eyes of their own mothers. I know this may sound conceited, but I really do think that there is something in my son's stare that can make me really feel fulfilled as a mother, and as a person in general. Perhaps it is my mommy-side that is speaking, but everytime I look at those pair of small brown eyes, a certain feeling of peace, happiness, and fulfillment settles in me.

Journalling:
In Your Eyes
... i can see my dream's reflections
... found the answers to my questions
... i can see the reasons why our love's alive... You and I
... we're drifting safely back to shore, and I think I finally learned to love you more....

Credits for this layout: Mango Tango Kit by Delicious Scraps; Larger Mine, Segoe Script, and Howser fonts available Dafont.com; In Your Eyes song by George Benson; Shy Arizala for the picture.

Put Your Head on my Shoulder

I am on the 3rd day of my vacation which started last Monday. As I've mentioned in my previous post, I took some time off from work, to relax and unwind, to take care of some things here at home, and of course to spend some quality time with my son, Zion. I remember the last time we had a real mother-and-son bonding time was during his Moving Up activity from Toddler Playschool. He was awarded the Little Mr. Newscaster award because of his fondness for talking and telling interesting and funny stories to his teachers and classmates. After the school activity, we had a small celebration. It was also my brother's graduation from high school, so my Mom and I decided to have a sort-of double celebration - for my brother's graduation from high school, and Zion's moving up from Toddler Playschool to the much formal level of Nursery (this coming June). Since it was loooong and hectic day, Zion was really exhausted at the end of the small party. As expected, after all the hustle and bustle and his being hyperactive, he would end up carrying him, as he slowly dozes off to sleep while resting on my shoulder.

Journalling: Always remember this moment.

Credits for this layout: Sahabat Lama Kit by Jak-ART-a Scrappers; Moments WordArt by Agnieszkag;

Little Angel of Love

Zion is excited nowadays. Aside from it's summer, and he is on vacation, his birthday is just a few days from now. He will be turning four years old. Usually, the family takes him to church to attend a thanksgving Mass, then we treat him to a small "gimmick" or dinner wherein noodles or what we commonly call "pancit" is always part of our order. We do this, as a superstition or a family tradition, so that the birthday celebrant will have long life and a lot more birthdays to come.

The picture used in this layout was taken during Zion's birthday celebration last year. It was sort of a candid shot, taken without him knowing it. He's not really in deep thought in this picture, he was just starting to get tired and sleepy. :-)

Journalling: Little angel of Love...

Credits for this layout: Sweet Childhood Collab kit by Jak-ART-a Scrappers; Between Heaven & Earth Wordart by Feli Designs.

It's A Boy Thing

One of the recent places we've been to last Holy Week was the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan. If you're that kind of person which loves old Philippine architecture, then this is the place for you. It features famous old houses, mostly from the Luzon area, which were reconstructed in the said resort. The owner, as he was described by our tour guide, was sort of "house collector" - wherein he buys old houses, bring down the house piece by piece, and reconstruct it in the said resort. Talk about an expensive hobby! Tee hee!! :-)

Well, it appears that my son Zion, my brother, and my cousin had a great time, as seen in the photos used in this layout. They may be boys, and may be quite indifferent while I was marveling at the old houses, but they sure know how to appreciate good places (and good photo venues) when they see one.

Journalling: It's a Boy thing...

Credits for this layout: Boys2Men Kit by Snowsmoon Designs; BoysBoys WordArt by Kellie's Kreations;

April 2K10 Calendar Layout

For my April Calendar layout, I chose my son Zion (nicknamed Zeegyboi) to be featured in the calendar layout. Aside from April being his birth month, Zion always watches whenever I create my digiscrap layouts. When I feature other people in my layouts, he would tug at me, and say "Mommy, lagay Zion picture!" (Mommy, put Zion's picture). So this time, I called him while I was creating my April calendar layout, and asked him whose picture is on the layout? He gleefully answered, "ZION!!". So to my dear son, it's your time to shine in this month's calendar layout. Advance happy birthday!! :-)

Journalling: it's your time to shine... Zeegyboi

Credits for this layout: New Beginnings Collab Kit by Jak-Art-A Scrappers

One Lucky Baby

When Zion was around 1 year old, he has this naughty habit of biting/eating small foods from someone else's hands. I'm not sure if he does it on purpose, or he simply can't reach the table and he can't talk straight yet during that time, making communication with us grown-ups quite difficult for him.Zion's usual victim had been my Dad (his grandpa) who is usually caught off guard because he is watching tv or reading the newspaper while eating. The pictures I used in this layout were taken while Zion attempts (and successfully) grabs a piece of bread from my Dad's hand. Notice how he first eyes his "prey", afterwhich, he opens his mouth wide enough (as he attempts to scare his potential victim), and finally goes for the kill. He has done this "stint" several times, and I can say that he has always been lucky to bite off the food from my Dad's hand. :-)

Credits for this layout: Bright Springtime Kit by Alba Eire Creations available at KreativeKreationsKorner; Luck WordArt by Dora's Lemonlove Creations available at Scrapstreet.com.

Thank You For Having You

My apologies for not being able to post some layouts last week. Aside from being busy with my regular job, I was busy with my son Zion's 4th birthday party celebration. Well.. the party is still a month from now, but knowing how venue reservations are here in Manila, I had to scout for the possible venues for his 4th birthday party. I tried to beg off from having his birthday party, but my little man's pleas were too much for me to take, so poor me had to give in to another birthday party this year. Aside from Zion's pleadings, my mom and dad were giving me their usual "pangungunsensya" (guilt sermons), telling me that when I was a kid, I always had a birthday party each year, until I reached the age of seven (7). So it was a 3-against-1 thing, and I lost. :-)

Come to think of it, I am happy that Zion came into my life. I admit that our condition is not that easy. Raising a child is not an easy task, but being both a mother and a father makes the task more difficult and complicated. There are those moments wherein I seriously think how will I be able to make ends meet if my parents are no longer around. There are those moments wherein I'm soooo pissed with my work that I just want to walk out of the office, but then I think about how will I send my son to school, and I just endure everything at work. Nonetheless, at the end of the day, after a tiring (and sometimes frustrating) day at work, I go home to Zion's laughter and hugs. His laughter and giggles is like a breath of fresh air after a suffocating day at work. His hugs and kisses are like doses of power vitamins after a draining day.

Journalling: Thank you for being in my life.

Credits for this layout: Love Cutie Tagger Size Kit by Wicked Princess available at KreativeKreationsKorner; Love WordArt by Thaty Borges Designs;

By Your Side

As I've mentioned in a previous layout, I really treasure those moments wherein Zion and I have a picture together. The picture I used for this layout is one of those pictures that I like. It was taken during our weekend getaway in Clarkfield in Pampanga last September 2009. Zion and I was having a fun time rolling and jumping on the hotel bed, when I decided to take a picture of us together. One of my friends who saw this picture commented that Zion and I look like "pinagbiyak na bunga", that if I didn't have pimples on my face, Zion would be my male-mini-me version. Of course, as Zion's mom, I'm happy with comments like these. :-)

Journalling: LOVE... is having you by my side always.

Credits for this layout: Cherished Kit by Kat's Creations available at Kreative Kreations Korner.

This Moment Together

I am really happy whenever there is a chance for me and my son to have our picture taken together. This seldom happens even during family outings because I'm the family's official photographer. I take pictures of everybody, and I'm quite meticulous about the poses and the angles from where the shot is taken. Unfortunately, there is a downside to this duty. Whenever I want myself to be photographed - either solo or with my son or with the rest of the family - I have hard time giving instructions to whomever will be taking the shot. In addition, another downside would be I have less pictures than everybody else. And the "saddest" downside would be, I only have a few pictures with my own son. Zion would have more pictures taken together with his grandpa, grandma, my brother (his Ninong - godfather), and even his nanny! This is the reason why I really make it a point to ask, or should I say require, the last person with whom Zion is photographed, to take a picture of me and my son together. I make it a point to make a deal with that last person, that I would only take their picture together, if he/she, in return, would take a picture of Zion and his mom together.

Journalling: This moment together... this moment together...

Credits for this layout: Sweet Harmony Kit by Letiscrap available at Digiscrapmania Shop; Just a Moment WordArts by Choukette (http://http//ledigidechoukette.blogspot.com) available at The French Frog (http://digital-crea.fr/shop/).

Reason for Believing

I was going through Zion's baby/infant pics, when I chanced upon those pictures that were taken immediately after he was taken out of my tummy (I gave birth via C-section). Funny as those pics may appear, it made me realize how fast time flies. The little infant before is now an active, funny, sometimes-naughty, 3 year old boy. Three years ago, I may have doubts on myself on how I would raise him, given the circumstances surrounding my pregnancy and his birth. I know it wouldn't be an easy task. But when I saw his angelic face when I first visited him in the hospital's nursery, I knew and believed God wouldn't send an angel like Zion, if He had no plans and means to help me sustain my son. As my former boss told me, "There is a reason and purpose why God sent Zion into your life. You just have to believe and have faith in whatever that reason and purpose would be.".

Journalling: Zion Enrique Gabriel * April 23, 2006 .... You're my angel... the reason I believe.

Credits for this layout: Calming Down Collab Kit available at Aprilisa Designs; Fairy Essences Challenge... Angel WordArt by Designs by Helly; Love Letter font from Dafont.com;

Simply Adorable

Last week, my family had a weekend getaway at Vista Marina in Subic, Zambales (Philippines). We spent the weekend there. It was great respite from the busy and hectic work week. I was able to spend quality time with my family, and most especially with Zion. I guess even Zion had a great time last week, as seen from the photos I used in this layout. These photos were taken at the hotel lobby of Vista Marina. Zion enjoyed the shoot and he almost dipped his hands into the mini-fountain behind him. His nanny had to rush during the picture-taking because Zion suddenly dipped his hands into the fountain.

Journalling: You simply Adorable.

Credits for this layout: Pistachio Page Kit by Tamsin McAtee Studios at Kreative Kreations Korner. Evening Sphere WordArt by Lien Clickphoto Designs.

Fun, Sun, Beach

I cannot forget Zion's first time at the beach. He was barely a year old when my family and I brought him to Camayan Beach in Subic (Philippines). My dad was quite hesitant in bringing his beloved "apo" (grandson) to the beach, because his "apong tisoy" (fair-skinned grandson) might get sunburned and or rashes from playing on the sand. So when we set Zion's beach chair, and when we got him all-dressed up with his beach getup, his Lolo (grandfather) was closely watching him. But as Zion's mother, I made sure my son had a feel of what the beach was like. I allowed him to play, walk, touch, and almost rolled on the sand. I allowed him to waddle a little in the sea water. And to my father's shock (tho' he can't do anything about it because I'm still Zion's mom), I allowed Zion to experience and have fun under the sun. Well.. I just made sure to apply baby lotion and sunblock so he won't get sunburn. A little of everything is not that bad, most especially if it pertains to the sun and the beach. :-)

Journalling: Fun & Sun @ the Beach, Subic, Phils. 02.03.07

Credits for this layout: Viva Carnaval Bundle Kit by Caroline B. available at Kreative Kreations Korner; font: Segoe Script available at Dafont.com.

Carnival Time

I guess if one would ask my son, Zion, to name those memories which would really stick on his mind, he would definitely include the day we went to the Big Red Barn in Tiendesitas, in Pasig City (Philippines). It was a fun theme park, with lots of rides for the young ones (as well as the young once). Zion definitely enjoyed the merry-go-round, the mini-ferris-wheel (wherein I rode with him - thank God it was able to handle my weight!), and the chooo-chooo-train. His godmother/my cousin Jo rode with him in the merry-go-round and the choo-choo-train.

Credits for this layout: Viva Carnaval Bundle Kit from Caroline B. avalailable at Kreative Kreations Korner.