misty mama

Kings and Gifts

I'm a bit late in posting, sorry.  Still, I would like to share a glimpse of our nature table.  Christmas is officially ended at the arrival of the three kings in the manger.  I change the cloth to a more svelte red and also change the Holy Family's shelter.  Happy Epiphany! A new beginning, indeed.

"O---Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,  Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

Glorious now, behold him arise,  King and God and sacrifice!  Heaven sings, alleluia, alleluia.  The earth replies."  --We Three Kings

Nature Table now...

I am hoping to keep my nature table really updated this year. We did have a nice Easter one, but time passed and i didn't post so although this may be a little late...here it is. Our summer solstice table...the longest day in the year.  This is also the feast day of St. John the Baptist.  Here in the Philippines, it is celebrated by throwing buckets of water on a passerby; kind of randomly, it seems.  Because it's fun?  Am not sure.  I think it was also only done in the town of San Juan.  Here is an excerpt from a Festivals book i like to use for some insight on the meaning behind this feast day:

"It is unusual for the birthday of a saint to be celebrated, but this had to do with the remarkable circumstances of John's conception and the connection with Jesus that was already established before either of them was born (Luke 1)....His cry was "Prepare ye the way of the Lord," (Luke 3), and it is clear that he was not speaking of a physical road but of the 'inner path' of the soul...we are challenged by St. John to pause, reassess our intentions and the direction of our life.  He asks us to straighten and balance the landscape of our soul."

I personally understand this but, i know it's not easy to do. It's difficult to make life decisions and truly ask oneself the reasons why we do the things we do.  Mostly, I think we follow our subjective likes and dislikes. The TRUTH seems elusive at times,  yet it is exactly TRUTH we hope to live by. However, uncomfortable that may feel. 

Wishing you courage through the rest of this year!

 

Adriana's 6th birthday with friends and their siblings

From Soule Mama {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

My moment....

  

Turning Twelve

This is the last number before the "Teen" years begin. (though sometimes it feels that we're already there) Twelve years ago, on the 15th of September 1998, my life changed forever.  If someone had said I'd survive all these years past, I never would've believed them, so am glad no one did. Here I am! 

There have been many life changing moments since I began my journey as a Mother but this day marked my official entry into the world of Mothering.   How I lacked in so many ways as a human being, yet this beautiful soul chose me anyway, to be his mother.  I can never forget Tomas' eyes when he stared at me just moments after his birth!  I thought babies opened their eyes much later. He looked at me with such knowing eyes;  serious, clear, yet gentle as a feather.

 

Here he is, in school, as they gather in a circle to acknowledge his birthday. I love this yearly tradition.  Each child has a turn to personally say their birthday wish for the celebrant and at the end, Teacher T. gifts him with a verse she has made,(she gives them one every year) on a beautifully painted background.                               For Tomas at 12                                                          

A Silent ship

Slowly sailing by

In waters deep

Beneath a vast blue sky

To distant shores

Travels my soul serene

To wander free

In hills and pastures green.

And in my search

For Truth that dwells in Love

a sign of Peace

I behold

A snow white dove.

 

Thank you Teacher T.  A Happy Birthday to a special boy indeed.

  

Araw ng Wika

In Acacia School, we recently had a day of celebrating all things Filipino.  There were presentations given by each grade; songs and dances as well as poetry from our Filipino hero, Jose Rizal. There was also a number offered by the teachers of the school singing a beautiful song by Joey Ayala called "Haring Ibon". It was refreshing to hear this. Most of Joey Ayala's songs are about nature and how beautiful this country truly is. After the numbers, each class offered a variety of filipino cuisine from the three different regions, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

This is a masked 3rd grader, getting ready for their piece.

 

Class 2 Props

My warrior boy, getting ready for battle

mmmmm..... smelly durian from Davao, a province in Mindanao actually bigger than Manila.

a fruit called marang; also from Davao.  The fruits were courtesy of Class 5/6/7.

  Our flag....waving proudly in the wind.

A Peek into my Day

Breakfast in Bed....compliments from the chef of the house.  Thank you sweetie. Perfect... Croissants with Jam and Butter. Quezo de bola and Prosciutto.  Yogurt ( I only had one, my daughter had the other) Yummy Barako coffee, Flowers in a vase.  Couldn't ask for more....

Adriana, Make up by Elias.  Pretty without it too but cute nonetheless.

  
Sorry it's not very clear and so yellow, i think you get the moment though.  My sister, Bambi standing.  It's been years since we got together again and she made this birthday pretty special.  Thanks Bi. And my lovely kids.... they're sooo great.

 

Colored Beeswax...just tripping on it.

The day after....

My Little Bro's College Graduation

 I think this is the first ever College graduation I attended in the Philippines since I had my own in Middle School and Elementary.  I didn't realize it came with a Mass too. Interesting.

In this picture, the graduates were entering the hall dressed in gowns walking to that tune graduation tune. taaaan, ra- ra -ra-ra-run....taaan ra- ra- ru -run. It was pretty touching. Makes a mother proud, i think.  Both parents, very proud.  My father certainly was.

The Sea of Graduates...

There he is. Patiently waiting to be called.

Natapos rin. 

It's a bit blurred.  Still not so good with the Aperture setting of my camera. hehe.  But his name is in there.  And finally....

Lunch after.  Tsukiji in Sheraton Park, Harrisson Plaza.  Yum.

Food was good.  Dad said, his mother would've been really proud. . . . I think so too. 
 

Gift Giving

Every year i get a little nervous about gift giving.  Nervous maybe isn't the right word, anxious, overwhelmed, stressed out, like a lot of people am sure. I always like to give the best gift i can think of, but it just gets really so stressful and expensive. So, most of the time,  I can't help but throw the hat and say, to --ll with it! I end up spending too much money...roaming in the mall.. resentful, saying, "do I really have to do all this?" Then, I remind myself that CHRISTMAS IS NOT ABOUT THE GIFTS!!!!!! 

I found an entry called Authentic Christmas on a new e-magazine called, rhythms of a home.  They feature different women and their blogs about their home lives and their crafts, seasonal celebrations etc.  They mostly adhere to the waldorf and montessori philosphies.  Check it out.  I found the one on an Authentic Christmas, a great reminder that gift giving need not be over the top. Have a Happy Sunday!

Thanksgiving

 Happy Thanksgiving.  Our family celebrates thanksgiving even if we are from the Philippines. D made a yummy dinner for all of us last night.  So many little things to be thankful for. Loving my husband, and my four sweet sweet kids. Hope you have a good weekend. 

 And then, here is dessert.  Apple pie a la mode. Yum.