First Christmas

This year is Chloe's first real Christmas. I remember how I talked to her to be patient and stay with me last year because we were still hesitant to tell my family that I am pregnant. She was turning three months then. It was amazing how she came into our lives. I remember how hubby and I planned for our 2012 with travelling and spending quality time with each other and hitting our goals one at a time. Surprisingly, Chloe came. Though it wasn't on our New Year wishlists, I must say that she is the most wonderful gift God has given to me. Sounds cliche but really, I am in awe. 

It wasn't a hard pregnancy. I never had the morning sickness, dizziness and stuff. It was just a normal stage for me. I know I was lucky to be that way and knowing that I knew about my baby a little late at three months, it was somehow a miracle. Yes, a miracle because for that past months I have been working so late and surrounded with people smoking like chimneys. It was on my 8th month when I noticed sever allergies all over my body and oh, the obligatory stretchmarks. 

All in all, I was still amazed on how she grew inside me. Moving each time I eat something sweet, kicking me while on my sleep, hearing her heartbeat during ultrasound and of course how can I forget how she hides her gender five times crossing her feet. It was a memory I would cherish for a lifetime.

Her ultrasound result: A GIRL!!

 Hubby talks to her all the time while she was in my tummy.

My little bug at 2 weeks new,

She's turning seven months on the 11th. She seems to be a smart baby growing up. She knows a lot of things already, notices people and movements, dances while she wants to and laugh so hard all the time. I can never more proud each time people compliments on how cute she is. I mean this happens all the time. And I think they were never just being nice. She really is not just cute, she is beautiful.

On this first Christmas together, having her changed my life. Amazingly, she is the most important possession in my world now. She changed how I view life. Gave me a reason to continuously be better in everything I do and work harder to achieve greater things. And to give her all the best this life can give. 

More than anything else, I wish  for her good health. I wish for fast and continuous great development physically, emotionally and mentally.  I wish she stays sweet, obedient, beautiful and happy. More importantly, I wish that she grow as a daughter of God, fearing Him and praising Him with all her heart. I wish she could have all the best in life and be content on whatever blessing she have. 

Being first time parents, it was all experimental and google searched for us. And I wish nothing for Honey and I but to be a God-fearing parents to walk her on righteousness and love. To be goal-oriented, to save more for her future and to be the best parents we could ever be. We will never be perfect. But with God's guidance, we know we would be walking our path with His will. 

I am so thrilled on this first Christmas as a wife and as a mom. And right now, I know Santa thought I was nice because after many years of waiting, he gave me one of the things written on my wishlist: To be a fulfilled parent and to have a loving man beside me. 

Merry Christmas mommies! 

Love, Chloe and Me

Mr. Millionaire

Finally! After three years of hard work, passion to help others, dedication, focus and action, it has paid off.

My husband and I has been in the Network Marketing industry for the last couple of years. It  has been the source of our income and knowledge. Allen introduced me this business when I was 19, we were work mates. He showed me the marketing plan and right there, I knew I would take this seriously in the long run. 

After three years, we have grown together as an entrepreneur, a leader and most importantly as a better person. With the help of the management, the uplines and the people who have believed and entered our organization, we have grown as solid individuals leading people on reaching their dreams, changing lives one at a time. 

In our company, recognition rally is done yearly. This event is the biggest and grandest for this is the awarding ceremony for the newest set of Millionaire's Club (1,000,000PHP total Accumulated Income) and Multi-Millionares Club Members (5,000,000PHP total Accumulated Income). And this year, my husband is one of the awardees. 

It was held in Le Pavillon in Pasay City. With 1,200 venue capacity, it was a jam-packed night. It was filled with balloons, tarpaulins, VIP Cocktails, distributors and guests. People are all excited for the awarding and the prices for the raffle. And this year, the company made this event special by giving the proceeds to Big Heart Foundation and TAN Foundation where mostly children will be sent out to school. Now that's a gift of a lifetime! 

Being a wife of a Millionaire's Club Awardee, I have to dress properly to match Allen's suit. He can be so attractive wearing it. So I decided to go simple with a black long dress and matched it with a statement necklace and flats. 

Walking through the place, I felt relieved and proud. Tonight, my husband will be awarded as the 26th Millionaire of the company. And that is something. It has been always the dream. It was a goal that all distributors have been aiming. Though it would've been last year, I still believe that my husband has been so inspiring not only to me, but for the rest of the people watching and cheering for him.  

The program was bland. Maybe because of the event organizers who never knew how prestigious the award is. It was a total chaos. It wasn't special as I want it to be. It was his night. The award is a price of hard work for years. And to give them a walk and speech for less than a minute with a host who rushes him to speak, it was terrible. I was really disappointed but had to stay composed. It is my husband's night anyway. Atleast they played my surprise video. 

Having awarded as one of the Millionaires is just beginning. I know bigger future is ahead of us. We promised each other that we will do whatever it takes to give the best life to our daughter. And being in Network Marketing industry, with hard work, perseverance, love and God'd guidance, its just a piece of cake!

Congratulations honey! I am so proud of you. I can never be more happy that you are my husband and father of my baby. I love you. And I will support you all throughout. 

An Answered Prayer

For the past 3 years Allen and I have been together, we often spend Sundays at home. Being in the industry that we are working all day all night almost all days of the week, we tend to be couch potatoes for at least one day. Apparently, that’s during Sunday.

I am raised in a family of Catholic religion but my Lola (Grandmother) was a Christian believer. She is so close to me that I have adapted her views. She taught me all about Christ, My Savior and Redeemer. I was only in Pre-school when I first understand the love the Lord has for me. I knew since then that He loves me so much; He gave his only begotten Son and died in the Cross. It was the first verse I ever memorized for a school presentation. And up until now, I still believe that I am loved and I should worship God with all that I am and all that I can.

This was a struggle I came across when I entered the relationship with Allen. He was not the religious type. Though he studied in a Catholic School all his school life, he firmly believed that he doesn’t have to go to church each Sundays to pray as long as he prays if he needs to. It was always an argument whether humans came from apes and that we came from Adam and Eve. He thinks Science says everything. He was smarter on books than I think I am. He knows a lot of things when it comes to technical and logic. But for me, only one thing’s for sure. My Lord God created me from Him.

Sunday Mass or Worship wasn’t on our priority for the past years. It was a struggle I continued to pray for years and years.. Until Chloe came to our lives. I know in my heart that she is a gift, an unexpected one. But I know God has been planning magnificent things as He have promised. She came in a time where we were so drowned by fame and money and our lives were on twist and turns.

Since our religions contradict, it was only on her 5^th Month that we seriously talked about it. We said it is better to have the Dedication at this time when she is not too young. Thus, she will somehow enjoy the party.

We went to Victory Greenhills for an appointment with Pastor Tito. He was the one referred to us after I called to set the meeting. All the while, I was so glad I am doing this inside the Church with Allen. But as the conversation goes, Pastor Tito wouldn’t want us to have our daughter’s dedication if we are not members of Victory. As he mentioned it would be a future concern. He offers his prayers to Chloe to end the discussion. That moment, I was sad. But then he said, we have to talk about it as husband and wife to arrange the situation. And he was right. Both parents should have the same religion because it will be complicated for the family’s growth.

As we were in the car, I asked him; “Ano sa Catholic na lang ba natin gawin?” Immediately, he answered back ; “Hindi. Eh di magpamember na lang tayo sa church.”

I was in awe. Jesus Christ has finally answered my prayers! He listened to my crying heart. He touched my husband’s heart to come to Him. To know him. To praise Him. Finally, a chance to be closer to our Father God.  I am thrilled on what’s going to happen. Because of my daughter coming in our lives unexpectedly, I know God has a purpose and I know this is it. For us, as a family, be with Him.

The next weeks was remarkably changed, we attend 6pm Services in Victory Greenhills. With him beside me while listening to God talking to us, it was romantic. It is an amazing moments with my husband.

It was our 4^th week on attending the service. Now we had to do it in Victory Robinsons Galleria because we had lunch at City Buffet along with my in-laws so decided to just stay and wait for the 4pm Service. The ambiance was so Christmasy and the church was jam-packed. Though, I have never heard him sing a word on worship time, I know that he understands God’s preach. I know in time, as my prayers would be also answered, Honey would be singing along with me with proud voice and loud praises.

We still have a long way to go, Oh God. Walk through us in this struggle. Take our hands on this journey. With you on the center, we will never be alone. 

Late Post: 121212 Surprise

And it was the historical 121212! Of course everybody would do something. Whatever it may be, people would do something to have memories of this special date.

Today was supposed to be our Renewal of Vows in a Church Wedding. Though it wasn't executed, I am still very thankful that God has always been so faithful to us. My husband and I are glad that we can have more time (and money!)  to prepare for the special day. We are really hoping we could make it next year but I am silently praying for a house and lot 2nd quarter of 2013. Preparing the wedding was apparently not easy. And for a couple like us who wasn't too ready to start up the family, spending too much on a wedding is not on the top list. Especially we have a 6-month old daughter.

We were married under Civil Rights April 12, 2012.Wasn't the dream wedding but I know I was married to the right man. A man I dreamed of. Someone I know I couldn't live without. I am still amazed on how our love story turned out. Well, I would tell you guys more about it on another post.

Honey was never the sweet type. He was always the firm, macho man. Maybe because we are in an industry where authority is a must. But surely when he does the moves, it would always be the sweetest. 

That day, he left to meet a friend the whole day. And went home with this pasalubong: 

Oh yes. He would pamper me the whole day just because he thinks we should've got a more festive and romantic  moment today, but oh well. I wouldn'd mind just eating pizza and this lasagna over sweet chats. And so we did. Afterwards, he asked me to change because we are leaving in a while. I asked him, "San?" and of course he said, "Basta!" I know it would be a surprise date for me but sure I never knew where. A typical network marketer answer would always curious anyone. And he did!

Surprisingly, he brought me to Newport Mall in Resorts World Manila. This is the only place where we could watch movie late at night and where he can have his "Cheat Time" inside the Casino. We usually come here after all the work loads we do which are usually super late. 

We were supposed to watch a movie, Cloud Atlas.  But Edsa was so traffic we were jammed. So it was just me and my tea and my honey that night. It wasn't what he planned but again, I wouldn't mind just killing time with him, having senseless conversation at the green couch of Serenitea.

The day ended after he won 2,000php from playing Blackjack. Haha! Cheap Thrills from his cheat time. Don’t get me wrong, we are NOT gamblers. We just play for fun. Oh well, he just play. I just watch! We went home after eating at Banchetto Robinsons Pioneer with some friends.

How about you? How did you spend your 2012? I would appreciate you sharing it with us!