'Tis indeed.

I am all geared up to write if only to greet you all a blessed Christmas.  I don't suppose anyone will have the time to sit down in front of the computer on Christmas day, though, what with all the hype and rush, but I am taking my chances.

I think of all the Christmases past, and how they compare with this year's.  I think of the Philippines heated up not only by the Mayon volcano acting up in Albay, but also by the horrendous political goings-on there.  I think of the thousands of Filipinos who are brilliant, capable of making names around the world, whose talents remian untapped because of lack of opportunity.  I think of those to whom opportunity is given, but who happen to be wasteful, arrogant, deceitful, and greedy.  I think of all the blessings laid out before me, and how I have used and (squandered) many.  I think of the friends I made and kept, and those who have betrayed me for personal gain.   I thnk of hearts I have broken, and those who have broken mine.  But I push them all away, clear my mind of cobwebs, and look forward.

This is the Season of Nativity, when the Lord has shown us great mercy through the birth of His Son.  I think and I think deep, of the times I had thought I was not worth redeeming, of my unworthiness in His eyes.  But this Season, I think even more.  Of hope and renewal, of acceptance and forgiveness.  I think of all the hurts I caused because I judged people to be less than I.  I think of my own weaknesses and how I can transcend them and perhaps improve myself.  I think of ways to make this Christmas different from the others - beyond all the cooking and gift-giving, and trimmings and nice clothes.  The smiles will hold.  The hugs will not be mere politeness.  Perhaps that way, I will continue to touch more lives.


This article is for all the family and friends I cherish and keep.  I know we've all been busy one way or another.  But I thank you for always remembering.  Here's to you - for your loyalty, respect, and love.  May your life continue to be full, may the Lord watch and keep you, may you be blessed this Holy Season and always.

'Tis indeed the time to embrace each other and give thanks.

Happy Christmas, one and all!

Macro Monday Entry

We were at Farmer's Market a week ago, and had fun snapping pictures! The owners of these pumpkins had them in all sizes! Happy Fall!

Skywatch

The clouds looked like sharks fighting, at the break of dawn.

I think this is a better shot, taken just a split second later.
Closer now.
A few turns and moments later

Finally, at the beach.

******

We went to Wrightsville, NC, and enjoyed the beach two days ago, with friends. We've been to three different beaches this summer, and had a great time!! Thank God for good weather!!

LOL

My friends, I have a thousand and one things on my plate right now, so I can't blog long. Instead, I'll leave you with another one of our family anecdotes:

We all brought Matthew to school today. And it just hit me! One surefire way to keep Aristotle awake in the car is:

NOT coffee
NOT Red Bull
NOT rolling the window down an inch when the aircon is on
NOR music, NOR plenty of talk:


JUST let Cherie drive. Wee-heeeee!!!

^-^

Hope everybody has a fabulous day ahead, and gets to finish his/her tasks!

"United Nations"

Aris and I brought AJ to the mall so he could enjoy some time at the play area. It was most interesting to look at the people - so many different features that in my mind I had fun 'tagging' them as I watched my child. Among others, there was a middle-aged man, probably a grandpa who was wearing dark glasses, and looked Italian. There were three chinky-eyed moms who were probably Chinese, Korean or both. There was a Caucasian young man who, by his army shorts and haircut, looked very domesticated indeed with a diaper bag slung on his shoulder as he followed his toddling daughter around. There were two grim faced gentlemen who looked like Greeks. There was a funny black teenage girl who made us laugh by making his little brother dance. And then there were us. Oh, the children all looked beautiful in that little paradise.

We all looked different. We spoke different languages. But we all watched our young. And along with kissing boo-boos away, we shared smiles and laughter and small talk. That little play area yesterday held one of God's most fascinating artwork.

The Dino Experience

Hello, everyone! This was taken on Aug. 6th, after the trail opened and Matthew wanted to go back to the Museum. So, let's go and take a peek at the earth's inhabitants pre-humans about 65 million years ago!

All done! Whew! It was muggy that day, so we stopped by the ice cream bar. Then we headed to the Library (one-stop shop, can't be going out everyday for every single thing in this heat, ugh!). And on that note, summer's officially gone. I'll miss it, and all the timeless no-rush family fun. See you all! Keep safe!

Summer Fun Together

Some good things never last. Two days ago, our friends and we went out of town to Virginia Beach. It took more than three hours' drive. We started at 5:30 in the morning.

There were four families, and we led the convoy. The last family (seen here before the sunrise picture) didn't make it till about 11 at night because Michelle came off work at 3 (and you know how it goes - a nurse never gets to go out the door till AT LEAST an hour afterwards). Anyway, we were all nurse women, and our families have met here and become friends over the years. Some of our children were born here, and we have come to learn and accept the realities of life in America, our home away from home. We've all seen each other through joys and tragedies, and have that bond that can last a lifetime.

We had good fun, just goofing around and being silly, for two days and a night. Joseph and Michelle's family almost didn't make it because the tunnel was closed due to some flooding - my, my, the rains in Virginia! Aris had to navigate them by map from our hotel room.

It was a wonder we had some sun at all - well, that's not very kind. The first three families all headed to the beach right away - around noon - and it was HOT! I neglected to put sunscreen on my back because I'd been kept busy chasing the boys who were literally riding the waves, which, by the way, happened to be VERY STRONG. Matthew admitted to having 'drowned' - he might have gotten swept, and fought it back, so he stayed awhile on the shore making sand castles. I didn't like that part of the beach, the strong waves. Plus, it was much too crowded for my taste. No shells. And the sand was brown, though fine. (No, I am NOT complaining.)

Well, I think I may have lost a good two pounds from the heat alone. We were there for a solid 5 hours. Our tans are amazing, but my shoulders hurt. I'm sure the skin will peel off in a few days. That's not good, and not right to ignore the sunscreen. Don't do that. Skin cancer is a nasty business. It crusts, it hurts, it weeps. Of course, it harbors nasty microorganisms, including MRSA. And when you have it, you have it for life. Don't be like me, I make a very bad patient sometimes.

Where was I? Oh. The heat. Well, it started drizzling around 5 and the lifeguards started shooing all swimmers and beachcombers away. It was funny listening to their frantic whistles. We went back to our hotel rooms and watched the dolphins bobbing up and down from afar, and also the lifeguards combing the shore in their truck, back and forth, to make sure that the beach stayed empty.

There were plans to jog and boogey board and swim some more and take shots of the sunrise and with the sunrise, but I was too bushed. Only Aris represented our family. And I wasn't going to wake a 3-year-old to watch the sunrise anyhow when all Mommy wanted was more and more sleep. So Aris enjoyed the daybreak with our friends. I like that shot of the sun with a seagull in the distance.

After checking out, we all headed to Williamsburg Outlet to check out some clothes and stuff. But it was raining so hard so we were running in the rain, and getting all soaked, going from one shop to another. It was hilarious. Some shoppers crossed the road with shopping bags over their heads. The babies with us? No problem. I had Tylenol in the car, and I am sure my friends did, too.

We got home around 8 last night.

Summer's slipping by. As I type this, I'm trying to think of the open house on the 20th where we will meet Matthew's second grade teacher for the first time. Where has all the summer gone? I was so worried we wouldn't be able to keep the boys busy enough, but in truth, I have not even written enough of what we had done. I had even cancelled some of my son's activities because of time constraints. Summer's been fun but too short.

Oh well. Time for everything. Let's see what the next season brings. Hope you enjoyed the pictures! I have so much more, saved for next time, okay? Hope you all have a good weekend! I'm going to nurse my sunburn!

Our Trip to New Hampshire

Hello, friends! Sorry, I was out for a while - we went on a trip to New Hampshire! See, I followed your advice and had a marvelous RandR! A very long ride indeed, but it was a most wonderful vacation! I missed blogging while we were there, and there are still a thousand and one things to attend to before I go to work tonight, but I thought I'd say a quick hello to you all because I've missed you, guys! Thank you for all the wonderful comments and visits to my blogsite. I shall visit your blogsites soon! Please enjoy the pictures! Recharged a bit in Virginia with the kids' Grandpapa and Grandmere (my father's sister), and cousins in the next house.

At a rest area in Massachusetts

AJ and I chased some robins here (Mass.)

We drove all the way from NC to NH for M's 7th birthday!

Three doctors, a college professor, an engineer, and three as of yet unchartered courses, hahaha! (The kiddos make me feel like I've already outlived my prime, sigh.)

Fun time at Weirs Beach, NH - there were plenty of lifeguards here so they didn't allow floaters for kids. Plenty of seagulls. A train (not noisy at all) passing across the street, and a drive-thru threater (at that time playing Harry Potter), and beautiful views of wharfs and boats and houses and pine trees along the way to here. Only about 30 minutes from my brother's house. The breeze was terrific for Baby Nathan!

With Grandma, Tito Bong, and Baby Nathan

We saw a sort of raging river and I asked Aris to find a parking area so M and I could take shots!

Something to remember from New Hampshire!

We threw pine cones to make up for sailboats, we dipped our feet, and hunted for mushrooms! This area was a lot of fun! AJ missed it because he was asleep in the car!

Enjoying the complimentary breakfast at the Hampton Inn and Suites - that's hot cocoa he's drinking, haha!

Wee Willie Winkie said it was time for bed

Jacuzzi time!

Heavy, heavy downpour followed us from New Hampshire to Connecticut! That's from the window on my side of the car.

Passed so many toll booths, ugh!

Stopped by Hartford, CT, to see Mark Twain's house

Touched it! And see that famous fence?

Very strange-looking indeed, AJ said it was a ghost house!
It was drizzling when we got there, but nevertheless, my Huck and Tom had a ball!
Uh, that's Sid, Tom's little brother, Tom, and Injun Joe - all right, Jim, hahaha!

A view from the side

Oh my God, over 2 hours at the New York Turnpike!
(A view of some NY buildings- we wanted to go inside the city so bad but the traffic was dreadful, Aris said next time, we fly, couldn't blame him, hahaha)

Screaming their heads off while we were passing through the Maryland tunnel

It had been a wonderful experience for the boys, we wanted them to see as much of the East Coast as possible. We passed about 6 or 7 states to and from NC, and it was a toss between the Empire State Building and the Mark Twain House and Museum, the latter winning thumbs down as M is an avid fan of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. All the states we passed and stayed in were awesome! We had a most fun adventure! Thank you for taking the time to read and see the pictures. Next post, our little birdies by the ledge! Have a blessed Sunday from our family to yours!