Overjoyed...

The 25th of May 2016.
We got the letter from Our Lady of Mercy- Parramatta that Cheyenne is granted 100% scholarship.
We were ecstatic! I am personally floored of what my daughter could actually achieve. I recalled the moments of my life where I too got milestone news such as this-- like the day I learned I am an FCB scholar to support my college.

This time, I have the perspective of a parent . Of a parent, that will have to be freed from the monthly allocation ensuring there is enough for everyone. Oh, how grateful we are Oh, God for choosing our family to experience this beautiful gift of surprise.  And for the gift of being ENOUGH or should I say that feeling of ABUNDANCE and that there is MORE than ENOUGH.  Alleluiah!

And my Cheyenne, she is impressive!

The Journey.
So, the journey to get this scholarship is not something we have purposely prepared for. We are actually preparing her for the Selective school examination. Selective school is a govt school but only the brightest can enroll to this highly qualified school! Therefore, a tough examination and everyone prepares for it. Heaps of competition.

OLMC- Parramatta
It is a Catholic exclusive for girls school located in Western Sydney which is not far from where we live in Seven Hills.   We told her though that once she get the scholarship, she will definitely go to that school and changed my stand when we got the interview invitation . I told her that regardless of the amount of scholarship we are getting ( 30%, 50%, 100%), for her to get shortlisted is a sign that OLMC is the school for her.

Family Interview.
It was far more than what we expected. We thought we were going to be faced with difficult questions but surprisingly the atmosphere of the interview was very settling, calm and friendly. Cheyenne straight through was so at ease. Her natural self came out, happy, informal and joyful!It was ended a very encouraging interview and we left it with much enthusiasm that definitely she will have a chance.

I have high hopes for her. She will soar high, What an incredible opportunity we were given. To be a mother of Cheyenne. I know that it is a very important role, Lord help me not to fail.

It is important ...

to me that you grow up with the right foundation molding you to be the person that I pray you would be. A person with positive values, with a heart committed to LOVE Life and live it the fullest!

I don't want you to be perfect love. In our family, we continue to make mistakes, but we forgive and LOVE. If mama is harsh sometimes, remember that --- we don't tolerate bad behaviour. In our family, we have to keep each other reminded of that and if a painful truth is required, we insist on that.

You will become a fine lady as you are now. There will be more mistakes along the way. So, don't be afraid to take risks, of commotions, of leaps and turns. I want you to be BRAVE and BOLD, for i never tried enough to achieve that. I wasn't brave enough to try but that doesn't mean I was a failure. There are many opportunities I thought I missed out and didn't give a chance.

Love, we are always here. Always, no matter what.

Hold on for this is going to be an exciting climb!

on the 9th of May

It is the year 1999. I was a struggling,  budding professional residing in Manila with a lost Heart.  I could barely remember the details of how it all started. All I can remember is we made a pact to make it happen , try harder to make it work.

Fast forward 2016. We are having the best time of our life! I can't describe how colorful it is. How LOVE decided to stay and bloomed.  My heart is in the best state and in the best place right now.

The roads were bumpy but the roller coaster ride was all worth it!

Love , I couldn't ask for more. Thank you for making it happen. For the family that we have now and these children----God , you are amazing!

Busy days ahead

and would be life changing.

In particular order;

28 April - Cheyenne's  invitation for scholarship interview. This is the next step after getting high marks in her exam.  We are amazed!

Lord, I am praying for a daughter who is not only academically equipped but someone with a heart so strong to withstand temptation, meek to show compassion, and generous to show kindness and love.

Please guide us in our interview, oh yes- it is a family interview.



24 April - the last huge chunk of my CPA exams.

5th May- citizenship exam

and weeks after this would be waiting. waiting. long waits. exciting waits.

For Cheyenne's scholarship results- we are applying for 2 by the way.
For my exam
For our citizenship oath taking

All these Lord are happening this year and only in your Grace that we are able to take all of these! These opportunities never ceases to amaze us.

Last December

so, finally- the autumn breeze came. But hey, it isn't too late to recall what happened last summer.

Carefree. Sunshine. Swimsuits.Water. Beach. Blue Skies.

my favorite Things.
Long Drives. LoLs. Sitting in the Passenger Seat.That's it!

A Summer to Remember.
Short and Sweet.

Now, Autumn and the most awaited Winter. Brace yourself!

I am not a perfect mom

When I saw this note in my child's bedroom , reality strikes me.  It was for me. Oh yeah, I have a feeling it was addressed to me.

So, I take the note as a reminder to be gentle with my Cheyenne. Forgive me darling if I am too pushy.  If you have looked at me with the impression of a perfectionist mom, I apologize. I actually wouldn't want you to be perfect.  I want you to make mistakes and keep learning. And NO--don't try to be perfect for you will never be.  Only through your mistakes that you learn and become a better person.

So ,relax----I want you to enjoy life to the fullest. If making mistakes is what it takes, then let it be.

I love you even your stupid mistakes will not change that.

REMINDER - I am not a perfect mom so maybe you need to remind me that sometimes :-)

4 years ago, we stood still

We did stood still,  made a very important decision and never looked back.

We are moving to Australia. The year was 2012. Although we got our Permanent Residency confirmed in 2009, we delayed the decision to move because life in SG was super convenient. Who wants to move from a tax haven, affordable lifestyle, traveling back to Philippines is cheap and you can get a maid!

How ironic it would be when you are willing to drop everything because you feel that it is the best thing to do for you and your family. I couldn't find a concrete reason just that gut feeling of an unexplored future. We were at that sliding door in our life - where we either succeed from it or fail.

Fast Forward>>>> 2016, and getting used to the lifestyle here! The past 4 years had passed like a bolt of lightning. We had Kylene , our second bub who brings so much joy just like her Ate. We couldn't ask for more.  Lord, we are blessed with the best in the world. Friends.  Family. Health and Australia.

There will be more important decisions to be made as we live our life here. And as a family, we stand together in traversing this LIFE joyfully , prayerfully knowing that everyday is a blessing and an opportunity to be Thankful, no matter what!

This year, we will be entitled to get the citizenship , hoping and praying will go in smoothly. There are heaps to be excited about this year. Goals would be;

- completing the CPA
- passing the driving exams
- Cheyenne's high school plans ( whether she goes to Selective or Private Catholic school)

Sussex Inlet, Feb 2016