LIFE'S HANDBOOK for 2011

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2010 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes’ walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Sweetness

Don't you just love this? Pooh is such a sweetie! hehe And he's a fave toy of my 2 yrs old toddler! :)



Enjoy the weekend!

3 Important aspect that Marriage works

Saw this from Litzie that she got from here as well. Read on..

There are actually 3 important aspects in making it work.

* Communication
I always think that every issue and every aspect at home should be talked about by the couple. Whether it’s about the discipline of the kids or the financial aspect of the family or even the simplest thing like what to eat for dinner. Nothing could be fixed if the couple will just keep quiet and keep there thoughts inside.

* Commitment and Common Values
Being committed to making your marriage work is one of the keys too. If you have the commitment then you will care. You would want to patch things up when something is wrong while common values let you share the same priorities with your partner. You will have to teach similar teachings to your children so there will be less arguments.

* Spirituality/Faith
I always believe that if you out God in the center of any relationship then you will be blessed. Being married means you should also be praying with him.

Have a blessed week!

Be a C.O.O.L. Parent!

1. Control that you share ~ Give your child two to three choices that you can live with. Example: “Do you want to wear your blue shirt or your red shirt?” You don’t really care what color shirt your child wears and this gives them a sense of having some control.

2. Ownership of the problem ~ Determine who owns the problem. Ask these questions: Am I upset because my child’s upset? (then it’s the child’s problem) What will happen to me personally if the problem isn‘t solved? (if your answer is nothing, then it’s your child’s problem) How might I twist this problem to make it mine? (parents often twist the problem to make it their own).

3. Opportunity for thinking/decision making ~ Set limits and turn fighting words into thinking words. This will take 4 things being mastered:

a. Time ~ when training your child to think for themselves make sure you have time to follow it through.

b. Energy ~ you must have the energy to control your reactions and responses.

c. Support ~ find someone who can listen when you struggle with these steps and can encourage you.

d. Rehearsal ~ practice what you will say and how your child might react. Be prepared for them to fight you at first. This is new to them and they will test their boundaries.

4. Let empathy and consequences do the teaching ~ Find an empathy response that is yours. Give your child logical consequences to their mistakes. It doesn’t make sense to lose T.V. for staying out late. But taking phone privileges away if they are caught on the phone after 9:00 PM (or whatever your limit is) makes sense.

EXAMPLES:

Examples of training them to think: “You may eat what is served or you may wait and see if the next meal appeals to you more.” “Feel free to go out and play as soon as your room is cleaned.”

Examples of Child’s problem ~ Child’s room is a disaster area (it is only your problem when it overflows into the rest of the house).

Lead Test Kit

The husband and I has been talking about buying a Lead Test a few weeks ago. We just gotten tons of new toys this weekend and it never hurt to check and be safe with those toys! Specially that I have a 10 months old baby, it's better to be safe than sorry. You see, this 10 months old son eats everything he can grasp at his hand. I mean anything! With 8 teeth at 10 months, I'm sure you can understand that I worry a lot. I've heard horror stories about babies eating the lead paint of those toys. So, when I saw this $1 Lead Paint Kit online, I know I have to get one myself! It's good for some household items that you think has a lead paint on it too. I am liking this site because it has list of toys that has tested lead on it. Those company should be held liable for what they are doing. Did you know lead can cause a lot of problems with babies and kids? I just hope you know and are educated with this things! With this Lead Test, there are news you might want to read. The kit is pretty easy to use, it's Non-Toxic, it instantly turn pink when lead is present and can be able to work on any surface.

I was reading the recommendation of this site and so far I am really liking what I read. To all my online friends and Mommy visitors here this is a great site that you might be interested. It is good for our family specially our little ones! You just never know. I have to post this here as well. An excerpt from the site.

A quick rundown of the dangers of lead.

- Lead provides no known biological benefit to humans.
- Lead can produce adverse effects on virtually every system in the body; it can damage the kidneys, the nervous system, the reproductive system, and cause high blood pressure. It is especially harmful to the developing brains of fetuses and young children.
- There may be no lower threshold for some of the adverse effects of lead in children. In addition, the harm that lead causes to children increases as their blood lead levels increase.

Check out that kit and that site it's very helpful for us parents!!!

Locate someone You know

There are people around who doesn't know where is their biological mother and father! Some even didn't even have the chance to see them. I came across this People Search online and this might be a very helpful tool in locating someone you know that has been far away too long! Great and instant result at the tip of your fingertip now! How cool is that? You'll get access to information such as address, phone number, public records, and more information you have in mind! Check it out!

Good News and a little downside..

The other night, the husband told me there is an opening position in his department. He was telling me because he knows that I can be a good candidate for the job! I asked him twice last year if I can go back to a part time job. We didn't talked about that again since last year. Now, he's telling me it's possible that I apply for the position. Of course, he's the boss! haha But I am not sure if I can juggle being a Mom and then have a part time job! But I also want to go back to work. It has been years. the last time I had a part time job was at a hotel where I was a front desk for 5 hrs a day! I didn't liked the job because I hated standing! So now, since the little boy will go back to school next week. I am really thinking what if! He said we can always hire a babysitters for the 5 hrs that I am not here in the house. The pay is really good and to think that I can be a regular employee after 6 months! Hubby is connected to this company for 12 years already. So, I was thinking that we will just find a babysitters for my 8 months old! But thinking of his age and leaving him alone for 5 hrs everyday makes me sick to my stomach! I've never tried leaving my boys to someone we don't know! When I worked in the hotel, My Dad and Mom was here that time! Now, I'm torn between the nice paying job and the little boy! But of course the husband told me I don't need to work. It's just this work will hone my skills and my knowledge more. And being able to work in one of the top companies around the world is just something! sigh...I don't know..I still want to take care with my little boy. I think I'm built to be a mom at home raising with them..But if ever I can decide to go back to work, this babysitting jobs is in the top of my list! I've read that they have been in the business for many years and they will help us find the best Nanny for my little boy. And after being a member in this site they will send over the possible sitters that I am looking for! This sounds great already!

But there's always a but..I am still not sure if I want the work..I want to go back to work. I'll be assigned to field. The pay is really good with allowance. But, part of me is saying that my little boy is too small for 8 months to be left alone...I'll let you know in a week or two..Wish me luck!

Disney World

I am looking for best deals, nice fun things to do in summer. I'm sure, I'm not the only Mom who's excited about the much awaited warm weather! And then, I saw this Discount Walt Disney World Tickets and thought it’s really a nice deal! Plans, plans, and more plans! Can be draining! lol But if you are looking for Disney tickets for your summer vacation plans, you check that one! We are considering that good deal too! So much to offer and surely the kids and you will have a blast! They have the lowest discount prices for all Orlando dinner shows including Arabian Nights discount tickets, Medieval Times discount tickets, Pirates Dinner Adventure discount tickets, as well as all of the other major theme parks including Sea World tickets, Kennedy Space Center tickets, Universal Studios tickets, and more. Check it out! Awesome finds, I tell ya!

Nursing Home

Mom's Aunt who's my Grandma want to be home from the states because she’s old and needs someone to take care to. Half of her life she live there and all her kids are there so, I’m pretty sure she just want to be there for the rest of her time. But of course, it's totally different from where you were born and grew up. Mom told me though that her kids-my Aunt and 2 Uncles don't want her home instead they will just send her in a nursing home. I guess it's also a good thing because back home, no one will take care of her unless my Aunt will go home too. And the good thing is that I came across this Bettercaring site with dedicated service to anyone who are looking to be cared of when no one of your family members are there for you. It’s not that they don’t have time though but they are busy too with their own family and life. But good thing about that one is that there are options that you can choose either you want to be cared for in your own home or in their facility. I think I will tell them about this one. Not sure if they want it but at least I have something in mind too:)

To Seaworld

I was jut thinking that going somewhere like a theme park for the holiday would be fun! So, hubby and I are thinking that we will treat my Mom and little boy to Seaworld! Or maybe somewhere little boy would really enjoy! But either it would be a lot fun and photo opps is always a great thing:) Yup, little boy loves it there and I’m sure Mom would love to be a kid again! Besides it’s a Theme Park and there are a lot of fun things to do! so, I check the Seaworld Tickets and found really awesome discounts. not sure if it’s still up next year but it does looks very inviting even to this time of the year! holiday is around the corner and if only we can go there maybe after Christmas then it would be fabulous but having a new baby isn’t a good idea too besides its totally cold outside! Maybe earlier next year! We will see! Check it out too if you want to treat your family to Theme Parks!

Little Peanut is Growing!

Yup,sure does! :)

{29 Weeks and Counting!}

How I am? Yup, today I am 29 weeks and 1 day. Sure fast that I could imagine that sooner I’ll be holding this little peanut in my arms. I’m doing great. I believe peanut is doing great as well. Kicking as much as possible:) I’ll be having my OB appointment this Saturday and can’t wait for the new results of my check-up.

How your baby’s growing: Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you’ll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby’s hardening skeleton each day.

Xo~