What This Granddad Did Has Touched Many Hearts ... He's so Sweet!

I have been very vocal and open how blessed I am in marriage. Hubby and I have been thanking the Lord for being happily married for almost 10 years. But I tell you, a decade in this marriage is no joke. We, just like any other couples out there, (of course) have ups and downs... but praise God for we always manage to keep it as we vowed to be one forever. 

It takes guts, tons of patience, lots of love and faith in Him and in the marriage itself to keep the 'love' burning. And stories and videos like this would surely help us all fall in love with the same person over and over. #MayroongForever 

Brace yourself. Tissues, please.

This video melts my heart and brings me to tears.

Erin Solari: My grandparents Laura and Howard have been married 73 years. In this video Howard is 92 and Laura is 93. Laura (Grandma) is at a hospice facility making peace with her final days. I was lucky enough to capture this precious, heart-melting moment between the two of them. Howard (Grandpa) is singing to her their love song, the song that comforted her when he went away to fight in World War II.

Share the good vibes on and make true love contagious! Cheers to a happy marriage!

xoxo,

Mommy Mai

My 30th Birthday at Its Best - A Loving Message from my Husband

My hubby and my kiddo made my big day - the happiest.  :)

What else can I ask for? All I can say now is - Thanks be to GOD.

December 13 - I've just turned 30. December 14 - Hubby and I will celebrate our 11 years of being together; 11 years ago when I said YES to our self-proclaimed 'May-December' love affair and began our happy journey to life.  December 16 - We will celebrate our seven (7) of being a husband and a wife - the day that started our journey to life as ONE, blessed by GOD and loved by His people. 

Our life together has always been the happiest, the most blessed one. Oh well, not because it really is it but simply because that is how we see it and we want it to be. Our marriage is 'extraordinarily unique' for not all husbands and wives would do the things we do, talk about the things we discuss during our pillow talks and meals together, hang out to places that we usually go to, and many others. Ours is simply the best and  yes, the happiest (at least for us and our families/friends). 

Yes, modesty aside, we are grateful to GOD and it feels really overwhelming to hear people appreciating our marriage and our 'relationship' ... 

Oh wait, we are not perfect and so as other marriages out there but we know it is in God's eyes, in the eyes of the people closest to our hearts, and most  of all, our own eyes as well as in the eyes of our unico hijo, Eieo. 

We would forever be thankful and grateful to God for blessing us with a happy marriage, loving families, good friends, and a wonderful life. Waking up each morning in between my two boys, my dashing 'debonairs' makes me appreciate and live life to the fullest. 

Here's my loving hubby's message to me on my 30th birthday (as posted on his FB account) : 

It's her day today... The woman who makes me realize my importance; my number one fan and my strength. She who never gives up on me and accepts me despite my weaknesses. The girl who always inspires me to do my best and asks me to pause for a while and to relax at times when I'm discouraged and depressed. Nevertheless, my lifetime partner and my wife who has been the very reason why I'm very much thankful to God.

This was the sweetest and most touching birthday message/greeting I've ever received this day. And a post that has gotten hundreds of 'likes' and 'comments'. Many shared their thoughts as to how sweet it is, how lucky I am and how blessed we are as a couple.

My reply: Such a lucky girl. I am so blessed. This is so sweet, Dad. Wasn't really expecting to read a very sweet message from you, was so surprised and deeply touched (in tears and kinikilig). Very overwhelming, Dad! Love you ALL more and always. Thanks be to GOD. Living and spending a lifetime with you, Eieo, Eiea (in HIS time) and all - PRICELESS. 

I also intended to thank all the people who, in one way or another, have touched and moved our lives...

To our big sons and daughters who are now yuppies : Thanks for the kind words, the love and all. Our family is yours too so always remember that our home is also yours. Worth it lahat ng love and TLC na naiparamdam namin sa inyo. 

As I always say, saying thank you is good, expressing your gratitude is better but passing the good deeds on is simply the best. We are so blessed to be an inspiration and a blessing to many lives. We miss you all so much! GOD speed. To GOD be the Glory!  :)

To all : Thank you very much and may the Good LORD bless us more and always.

WE ARE SO BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING AND AN INSPIRATION TO MANY LIVES.

Thanks be to GOD! Happy Holidays!

xoxo,

Mommy Mai

God Gave Me You... And Forever I'd be so Grateful to Him

It was on December 14, 2002 when we started our own love story, a romantic piece that should be treasured and cherished for a lifetime. We had our own ups and downs but we managed to keep a promise and stay together.

We've got the best love story to share ... a friendship turned into something special, a friendship bloomed into something sweeter, and a relationship that could spell out F-O-R-E-V-E-R.

True enough that there are no fairy tales but there can always be happy endings - because we tied a knot on December 16, 2006 (just right after our four-year engagement). It was a very wonderful experience, an awesome memento that I'd always look back.

Walking down the aisle, hearing you sing love songs intended for me, and seeing you standing there with our families, loved ones, relatives and friends, above all, so close to God, made me feel more tensed yet so overwhelmed and excited.

Then Eieo came in to make our love story better, happier and more exciting to share... such a blessing that we would forever be thankful for. Today I live a happy, simple life that I couldn't ask for more. I am fulfilled and blessed, enough to make me feel so inspired and overwhelmed.

Happy Anniversary, sweetie. Wishing us more years together as we keep our love burning. You are indeed a blessing.

I love you.

With all that, we will surely be each other's First and Last.

Cheers to a happier and a more blessed marriage.

♥♥♥ Mommy Mai ♥♥♥

God Gave Me You – Bryan White

For all the times I felt cheated, I complained

You know how I love to complain

For all the wrongs I repeated, though I was to blame

I still cursed that rain

I didn’t have a prayer, didn’t have a clue

Then out of the blue

God gave me you to show me what’s real

There’s more to life than just how I feel

And all that I’m worth is right before my eyes

And all that I live for though I didn’t know why

Now I do, ’cause God gave me you

For all the times I wore my self pity like a favorite shirt

All wrapped up in that hurt

For every glass I saw, I saw half empty

Now it overflows like a river through my soul

From every doubt I had, I’m finally free

I truly believe

God gave me you to show me what’s real

There’s more to life than just how I feel

And all that I’m worth is right before my eyes

And all that I live for though I didn’t know why

Now I do, ’cause God gave me you

In your arms I’m someone new

With ever tender kiss from you

Oh must confess

I’ve been blessed

God gave me you to show me what’s real

There’s more to life than just how I feel

And all that I’m worth is right before my eyes

And all that I live for though I didn’t know why (didn’t know why)

Now I do (I finally do), ’cause God gave me you (God gave me You)

God gave me you

Fireproof Your Marriage Forever

Fireproof Your Marriage, Watch Fireproof The MOVIE.

Hubby and I have a good marriage. I know that with GOD at the center of our relationship, I firmly believe that we can fireproof our marriage.

Yes, we love, trust and respect each other much but sometimes, those have not been enough and so we needed some time to patch things up and get back to our senses --- that we have our unico hijo, our bundle of joy, our lifetime commitment, our life together, and this 'great' marriage.

We enjoyed the movie very much. In my Facebook wall, I proudly posted this out:

I had a great late-at-night movie marathon with Hubby Rainier Policarpio - FireProof: Thumbs up! A must-see movie for couples. Very Inspiring, touching and so so True. :)

Spread the word. Encourage other couples to watch this heart-warming, touching and life-changing film. A must-see movie for couples, a perfect bonding time with your lifetime partner.

Fireproof Review ... Read what other couples have to say about this great film. See what they have in mind. Please Click HERE.

Common Marital Problems - Your Own Checklist

Do a Self-Check Today Before It's Too Late and Be Sorry.

You may seem unaware that you and your better half's marriage is somehow or maybe totally on the rocks. Whether you're so certain or not, you have to make efforts to save it and deal with it at the soonest time possible. Otherwise, it can lead into something that you both never expect or want to happen.

With that in mind, I researched on some issues or conflicts that may occur in marriages and may probably test the love, trust, respect and all between married couples. And I'd like to share them with you. Well, here's my checklist:

Save a Marriage Dot Com:

COMMUNICATION

The most commonly reported relationship problem by far is communication. This may be one of the broadest and most difficult terms to define with regard to relationships. It tends to have many different meanings to each of us. For the purposes of this explanation I define it as "Mis-Understanding".

Literally, this means not understanding the other person's point of view. This is often more a matter of refusing to allow the existence of the other's view as opposed to not understanding it! It is an unwillingness to take the time to genuinely listen and care to understand.

In many relationships the interest seems to lie primarily in getting one's own point of view heard and understood rather than having an interest in hearing and understanding the others’. There is an irony here worth looking at . . . If people cared to listen to the other person with as much interest as he or she wished the other would listen to them, both would end up receiving exactly what they are looking for!

To truly know another, we must be willing to see the world through their eyes, not simply our own. If we listened as well as we spoke, really connecting would take care of itself . . .

SEX AND INTIMACY

This topic is so huge and complex an area that I can only give the briefest of introductions in this format. Sex is one of the most common areas of conflict in many relationships, but make no mistake, it does not stand alone. Ruling out any physical or medical causes of difficulty, it is usually in some way a reflection of whatever state the relationship is in. For instance, if communications have become hostile and withholding (for punishment or defense purposes) that hostility manifests itself sexually as well. Often this is one of the natural outcomes of what I talked about in "Unfulfilled Expectations".

Chronic disappointment and dashed expectations can manifest in a serious loss of intimacy in a relationship. Not being able to identify what the expectations are, no less clear them up, makes matters even worse. If there is a lack of intimacy with regard to the basic friendship in the relationship, it is also expressed (or not!) in some manner in the bedroom.

To further complicate matters, as rule sexual interactions mean something different to men than they do to women. Women like to feel emotionally connected before they become physically connected. Men, on the other hand, often use sexual activity to get connected in the first place. (It's a cruel joke of the universe I think). Ever notice how much more he talks and listens after lovemaking? There's no coincidence there, ladies. And guys, ever notice how much more interested she is in sex after you've offered her some "real listening time" about something she really cares about? No coincidence there either.

The main issue here is that it is a mistake to hold your partner responsible for your needs. Rather, you would do better to look at how desirable you've made yourself to your partner with your own behavior and attitudes.

If your sex life is in need of a tune-up, chances are your relationship needs tuning first.

RESENTMENTS

Resentments are the number one killer of all relationships. They are a slow poison, undermining the love, trust and mutual respect you may have once had with each other. It is critical in the treatment of relationships to uncover these often unknown or unspoken resentments. Each person is then responsible for discovering the part they played in the creation of these resentments along with what they can do to improve themselves. The focus is not on how the other person needs to change, but rather on what you can do to change yourself to bring something better to the party. No blaming, just self-responsibility. It's always a dance of two, never just of one.

Resentments crop up quickly as communication dwindles, expectations are not met and old hurts (many of them from the early years) begin to get "triggered" by relationship issues in the present. This is an incredibly common, yet generally unknown source of pain in marriages. Triggers are current experiences that bear a resemblance to ways in which you've been hurt, abandoned or treated stemming from the past. They are often not consciously connected to what's happening in your present relationship, but when they are shown to you, they are clear to be seen.

An example would be when your partner takes a tone with you that is reminiscent of an important adult from your childhood, who was responsible for creating pain for you. Sometimes we have to think long and hard in order to make these connections. A red flag that this is what's occurring is that you are perceived to be overreacting to whatever is happening in the present . . . sound familiar?

Resentments often build as a direct result of a person's inability to communicate their needs and/or take responsibility for them in the first place. Resentments lead directly to loss of respect for the other person. Loss of respect leads to sexual problems, more bad feelings, blame and distancing. Isn't it fascinating how all these issues just blend together in one massive, connected swirl?

The truth is, we can never really respect ourselves unless we show the courage and the willingness to take full responsibility for what belongs to us, which the other person did not place there! Once the old hurts are neutralized (in addition to all the new ones we've tacked on over the years) and each person has shown the courage to own their part in the poisoned well, much healing is possible.

If you've ever been forgiven for your "falls from grace" in life, you know how powerful a healing experience it is. Much as resentments are poison to a relationship, ownership and mutual forgiveness are its salvation.

INFIDELITY

Talk about a killer of trust and commitment . . . here is the number one offender. My view on this deadly behavior is that this activity occurs as a result of the breakdown of the relationship, rather than being the cause of the breakdown. Do not mistake this as any kind of condoning of this behavior on my part. No way. I simply want to point out that people who are content and fulfilled within the marriage, virtually never look outside of it to fill themselves up. Affairs are often used as a way to lick one's wounds, to escape from the difficulties of the current relationship, to abandon the responsibility we have to work on the troubles in our relationships straight-up, rather than behind closed and secretive doors with someone else. Sorry folks, it doesn't work that way.

If your connection to your partner is missing big pieces, start by looking at what you are bringing to the party. If you're empty and unfulfilled in your relationship, perhaps it's because you are not offering all you could be to it! Looking for comfort elsewhere simply adds more pain and suffering to what was already present. If you are the one who strayed, you have the responsibility for failing to courageously face the part you played in the unsatisfying elements of your relationship. If your own relationship was where you put your energy (rather than with someone else) then your own relationship would have gotten the benefit of your growth, rather than the pain of your broken vows.

Relationships can heal from this most devastating of betrayals, but full responsibility, remorse and true commitment to self-development must be the foundation for the healing. You must be willing to do whatever it takes to rebuild the trust that's been lost. Nothing less will do. Many do not have the courage or character to take this on. If you do, you have the chance to create an even deeper, more meaningful relationship . . . "What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger”.

UNFULFILLED EXPECTATIONS

One of the saddest set-ups in relationships is entering into them with all kinds of expectations and then over the years, feeling disappointed again and again that they have not been met. Part of this issue relates to the childhood baggage I mentioned before. We often have preconceived expectations of what marriage and relationships are supposed to be like.

This can be derived from many different sources, not the least of which is the marriage and relationship of our parents. That's the one we lived and breathed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That kind of exposure gets absorbed, some on a conscious level, some on an unconscious one.

The biggest problem with expectations in general is that we may know what our expectations are, but it unlikely that our partner does! Even more insidious and frustrating is when we have these expectations and even we can't name them, yet we expect our partner to fulfill them. There is one additional problem . . . contrary to popular opinion, it is not the other person's responsibility to fulfill you expectations. It is your job to learn to fill yourself up and then offer all you can to the relationship.

The majority of couples I've worked with have entered into their relationships with their focus on what the other person had to offer . . . not on what they were bringing to the party. Again, we are often quite unaware that this is our mindset.

We must be willing to look closely and honestly at ourselves to see if these are truths about us. Not everyone is willing to do this. To truly understand what you are seeing in another, you must first hold up a mirror and understand what you are seeing there.

Just a piece of advice:

As Socrates once said, 'by all means marry. If you get a good wife you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher'. A bad marriage is not what one expects while planning a wedding. But there are ways of dealing with marital problems like emotional and physical abuse, lack of sex and disloyalty. Deal with issues upfront, instead of burying them in deepest trenches of your heart.

This post is for everyone; my ideas, thoughts and experiences that I do share on this blog aim to somehow lend a hand to make someone out there feel better and be able to reach out to those who are in dilemma or in confusion. If you need someone to talk to, do not hesitate to count me in. I may not help you exactly what you want to; but I can perfectly a good listener and stress reliever. I am just an e-mail away. =) See you!

♥♥♥ Myraine ♥♥♥

Pillows, Blankets & Bedsheets Must Be Shared by Two

Sleeping Together: Resolving Marital Problems, Relieving Stress and Anxiety

A sleep specialist from the University of Michigan, Dr. Beth Malow, has stated that married couples spend nearly one-third of their lives sleeping together.

She encourages married couples to cuddle. Many marriage experts believe that peaceful sleeping together can keep a marriage healthy.

Why Share a Bed?

Why do people share a bed with a spouse if they would sleep better if they didn't? Usually the answer is because even if you don't get the best night's sleep, you find comfort and emotional intimacy in sleeping together.

Sleep Position: Spooning
When you can sleep together, many sleep experts recommend "spooning." This is the sleeping position where people sleep nested together like spoons. This sleeping position is believed to increase intimacy and lower stress.

Sometimes people worry because their spouse is sleeping with their back to them or seems to be far away in the bed. Don't jump to conclusions.

Although sleep positions can be a red flag in a marriage, experts say there is no "good" or "bad" sleep positions in a marriage.

Best Solution: Compromise
So what do you do if you have different sleep preferences? Find ways to compromise. If that doesn't work, be realistic and consider separate bedrooms or twin beds.

Separate bedrooms or twin beds can save your marriage. When couples first start sleeping together, they are willing to sacrifice comfort to be close to their partner. After about five years or so, many people just want to have a good night's sleep again.

Millions of Couples Sleep Together

The truth is, millions of us do share our beds and we do sleep with others and whether we snore or not or whether we prefer the right side of the bed or the left side of the bed. Those things do affect our partners and us. Contrary to popular opinion, there is more to sharing a bed than sexual intimacy - it's a challenging and complicated part of our marriages and one we rarely address. In fact how you and your spouse handle the complicated matter of sharing a bed can actually have a profound effect on the rest of your marriage.

When you go to bed in the evening, many couples spend at least a few minutes reflecting on their day and chatting. That time spent talking in bed may be the only time they spend totally focused on each other in their entire day. Those few minutes of conversation are critical to the overall health of the relationship and since most married couples, myself included, put a high premium on sharing a bed with their spouse - it's important to understand that when you have difficulty sharing the same bed or you go to bed alone and wake up alone - you may be isolating yourself in your marriage.

Sharing Your Bed & Your Life

The benefits of sharing a bed together include:

• Increased intimacy
• Pleasurable activity
• Increased sense of comfort
• Security in planning and decision making
• Solving problems together
• Catching up with each other

Without this time together, it can affect every other part of the couple's relationship. So when one partner snores and it drives the other partner out of the room, it's about more than just the physical act of snoring. Some couples will even forgo regular sleep in favor of maintaining their closeness together. The thing is, when we have trouble sleeping, we get cranky. When we have trouble sleeping together, we get lonely.

Cranky and lonely are two separate feelings, but both of those emotions affect our marriages and us. There's lots of help out there for sleeping problems for individuals, but not a lot about helping the two of you get a good night's sleep together and overcoming the complication of being an early bird versus a night owl versus liking a lot of pillows versus no pillows versus a firm mattress or a soft mattress and the list goes on and on and on.

Learn How to Sleep Together

When you are first married, learning how to sleep together is actually a part of orientating yourself to marriage. It's more than just a life change, it's a change in thinking, feeling and doing. There's no handbook on how to sleep together, we all figure it out for ourselves. It's about our physical and emotional security.

How do you and your spouse handle sleeping together?