My child laughs out aloud…

It has been my baby’s habit ( or may be just coincidence :> ) to wake up 3 or 4 in the morning to have his baby talk, fun-filled and playful moments, which will always last for hours.

We just love staring at him and laugh as he laughs, chuckles, smiles and giggles – a great family bonding time. In these times, we can confidently say that this is one of the million ways to feel the fun and the joy of being a parent – a very rewarding yet a challenging experience.

My hubby awfully enjoys capturing these moments and often takes a video, which will be treasured and cherished forever.

Around six to seven, he starts to get sleepy and finds his most comfortable position to pose himself to sleep. When this happens, my hubby will begin singing his lullaby. ( He is indeed a singer and a musician, after all :> )

Please see his wonderful video and witness how overwhelmed, happy and proud we are as his parents.

Enjoy, giggle and laugh with him!




Myraine

What my aunt has to say…

I remember how my aunt emphasized her tips to a better marriage during our big day, our wedding day. When it was her time to talk and share advices based from her own experiences, she told us that it is through an open and honest communication we can achieve a successful, fun-filled, satisfying and harmonious marital relationship. Here are some her points on a happy marriage:

• Communicate. Talk and listen. (Sometimes, listening is far more effective than talking.)
• Never make money an issue. Whatever he owns is mine and whatever I own is his. Everything becomes a conjugal property or belongings. (However, it is never bad to save on your own or have money with you.)
• Be intimate and affectionate. This should never be taken for granted as this gives spice and keeps bonds or ties stronger and tighter.
• Let go of petty quarrels. Arguing is not bad at all; however, having much may hurt the other or both of you and may even put the marriage at risk.
• Enjoy doing things together. Whatever the activity is, what matters is you both have good quality time together. Date and enjoy your time together.

Getting married for a year, ten months, a week and two days, I must say that these tips really helped us out. However, no matter how hard we try, still, there are some inevitable circumstances, which go between us. Though, I believe that these also make our love stronger.

I have learned a lot from our marriage. Each experience and moment I had with my hubby has always been special. Whether is has been good or not-so, I am happy that we were able to take something from it.

To all hubbies and wives out there, keep the love burning.






Myraine

Silence, indeed

Through the years that we are together, I have always been the communicator, someone who is fond of telling stories, so open, transparent, expressive, and somehow talkative. I have been so used to this because I am who I am. I discuss what I think should be discussed about; I tell stories which I think worth the time; I consistently express whatever I feel to let you know what is inside me. I sincerely do these things only for one intention: to be open, to be me.

However, lately I have just realized that things are not doing so well between the two of us. With this, I must say that it now hurts and this really affects me. I haven’t thought of what the exact or right thing to do. All I know is I need a break, a retreat. Please don’t get me wrong. I just want to discern and weigh things out. For who knows, this may even benefit you.

I always wanted you to be happy but it always turns out the other way. I apologize if you think I am possessive. Don’t worry. Now, I will really try not to be one. Forgive me if I need to keep myself somehow away from you. I just want us to realize each other’s worth.

I am not sure what may happen next. But, this is what I want right now for I have just decided not to talk, interact and communicate with you.

Hasta La Proxima Vez…

(This has been an adaptation from the life story of someone who needs to regain something, which she thought she lost for such a long period of time.)






Myraine

Training up my sweet bundle of joy…

My life has been changed since I gave birth to our little bundle of joy. I have adjusted my routines, activities, habits and of course, priorities. This has been, I believe, the most challenging yet the most wonderful and rewarding responsibility one may take upon… parenthood.

Being a parent does not require formal schooling and professional training or experience. They even say that it is easy to become a parent but very hard to parent. The responsibilities do not end in giving birth. In fact, it is just a start of a very long journey of experiment, experience and reality.

I can still remember the feelings my husband and I had the moment we saw our bundle of joy: mixed emotions, unexplainable, overwhelmed, and grateful. We can never forget such emotions. However, as we felt the joy and excitement of being a parent, the intensity of being scared and challenged also increases. Fear… that we may not be able to raise him the way he should be.

But, one thing is for sure, we will always try our best to do and apply what we believe is right and necessary.

I have been reading articles, good books and other related references on parenting and I must say that I have really acquired a lot of things. With these, let me share some of the many learnings I had.

• We, parents, should realize that training a child begins at birth and never stops. It is indeed a continuous, ongoing process, which involves the emotional, physical, mental, and most of all, spiritual aspects of our offspring.
  
  
• Remember that as we become their first educator, we are the most important teacher our child will ever have. The teaching of home embraces and includes all the extent and walks of life.
  
  
• Always balance discipline with love. Bear in mind that love without discipline is not love, and discipline apart from love is merely punishment. Discipline is done with loving yet firm correction, reinforcing the total impact of the teaching process. Generally, this results to a child being obedient, respectful, tact, responsible and naturally good.
  

With these, let us all celebrate the blessings of parenthood.

Happy parenting, dear parents!







Myraine

Slowdown a Bit

The world of today offers a variety of great things and possibilities. Recent inventions and innovations make our lives faster and more convenient - our tasks easier to accomplish. Yet, despite of it all, I wonder why many people still are uneasy and seem to be weary of everything that is happening.

Reflect on these scenarios:

Are you a person who barely meets your deadlines and always receives memos from your boss?

Are you always annoyed when other motorists block your path?

Can’t you stay in the same lane during long hours of driving?

When is the last time you read a good book?

Do you seldom spend quality time with your spouse and kids?

In the middle of a heartfelt conversation with someone you care about, does your mind drift to deadlines, appointments, and stuffs that need to get done?

Do you seem to be so impatient and short-tempered lately?

If your answers are all yes, I think you should start to pause for a while for discernment – to weigh things out. Admit it. You are moving too fast and you don’t even know what you are missing. Well, better take time to read this write-up as it aims to help those busy people who certainly need a break.

Maybe then, you should try to loosen up from your daily dealings and slow down a bit. Have some time to relax and free yourself from your worries, pressures and distractions brought about by your work, business and other unnecessary socializing.

Practically speaking, things in life have been changing so fast and people have become so busy with so many things – personal life, family, career, business, work, and others.

Sometimes, they tend to commit more mistakes and have many failures as they try to accomplish all responsibilities and meet them all. With their very busy schedule, they need more time to meet all these things and forget that they have their priorities.

Being preoccupied has never been healthy; instead, it only makes things worse, more complicated, and creates many lapses. Therefore, busy people must take a good break, a time for leisure, relaxation, fun and enjoyment. These can be in a form of having some quality time with their family, loved ones and friends; hanging out in a mall or park; visit a charitable institution; read a good book; or, attend a retreat or recollection.

I remember the story of a logger who outsmarted his two other fellows after a long day of work. These two other loggers persistently kept on cutting their subject without even having their break. Despite their effort and hard work, they still failed to meet their quota for the day.

Wisely, the thinking logger performs the task slowly, having ample time for resting. Yet, he accomplished the job earlier than what was really expected.

At the end of the day, the two loggers asked him why though he took time to rest and relax, he still managed to finish the task and meet his quota earlier.

The wise logger confidently said to his fellows, “It is because when I freed my mind and cleared my head from work anxieties and pressures during the whole time I was resting, I was also able to think of a better plan and strategy. And this really helps me achieve my objectives for the day. So, I think that was what you two missed out.”

Personally, this story has inspired me to find time to unwind and loosen up. I have valued the importance of taking a break and freeing my mind from work-related stresses. In this light, I do hope that the same things will happen to you, too.






Myraine