God is Good!

Hubby always gets nice gifts not only from his family and friends but also from God. I remembered when he applied for the annulment of his marriage last June of 2008. He was told the it was going to be a long agonizing process and normally takes 6 months to a year to get it done. So after the interviews and all the paper works, he expected it to be final early this year. But he got the result just few days away from Christmas. It was then the most valuable Christmas gift he got and he never thought that it would be that soon. God is Good!

Another instance, he called the church where he had his baptism and confirmation in Azores. He did not expect to talk to the Bishop but he did. He told the bishop that he wanted to get a confirmation certificate and was told that his request would be processed and would be sent to him here in California as soon as it is done. Hubby waited and waited. Two weeks after, he called again to see what happen and the priest told him that is was already in transit. He waited another two weeks and scheduled a Friday to call again. But on his birthday, the paper arrived. Again, it was the most valuable gift he got on his birthday. God is Good! All the time!

God is Good!

Today is Hubby's Birthday!

It has been a family practice that if a birthday of a member falls on a weekday, we need to agree to move it on a weekend where everybody is not working. I'm the only one that has problem with this because I normally work on weekends when everybody is home.

Anyway, today is my dearest hubby's birthday. So after he left to work this morning, I decided to make spaghetti for dinner just for the two of us. Then I was thinking that may be I could grab a small fruit tart from the store after work just so I could put his candles to blow. But surprisingly, hubby showed up at the store before I could get a chance to get the small cake for him. As usual, he did not want it. He said to just wait until all of us get together in March 28th. So we went home. But I really want him to blow candles today, so what I did... LOOK!

I put the candles on top of the spaghetti. It was funny, never heard this type before but we were just laughing at this creativity. He made his wish. He loves the way I make my spaghetti and so, not having enough time, it is a quick thing to prepare. Besides, it is something that superstition suggests on birthdays. If not pancit, spaghetti for long life.

Then after dinner, I asked him to open his presents. I just could not wait to see his face knowing what he got today.

He got a card and a swim wear since we are planning to go to the Philippines this May. I thought that he might need an extra pair.

Then I got him a digital alarm clock because he has been telling me that he needed to get a new one.

He was so excited to get Cristiano Ronaldo's shirts in the National Team for Portugal. Since he is an avid fan of him, these gifts gave him a nice feeling. Then I let him open the last one.

This long sleeves turned out to be his most favorite. He said that he was going to wear this shirt to work on Friday to brag to his Mexican friend who is also a soccer fanatic like him.

This is how it looks on him. He decided to wear it when we went out for a 40-minute walk in our neighborhood this evening after dinner.

Today is Hubby's Birthday!

HaPPy BiRThDaY, Nay!

Today, Nanay turns 70! I just want to wish her all the happiness in life. May she be free from serious complications of her diabetes. She has been on medications for years and seems like her case is getting worse. I just hope that she will endure more as she is being treated.

To You Nay:
We love you and I want you to know that!
May God give you more strength and the strong will to overcome the trials.

HaPPy BiRThDaY, Nay!

Valuing Children's Work

Having been in the company of children for a number of years, I know for certain that praises and appreciation lift up the spirit of everyone. Children in school need to be recognized in every little effort they make in order to learn. It does not matter if they produce smart or mediocre output, they all deserve recognition. It's all up to the ingenuity of the teacher to challenge the children to achieve their maximum potential without being coerced into doing something which is not motivating to them.

One way to encourage pupils to obtain higher level of excellence is posting all their works in the classroom. Their is nothing more effective than letting them know their work is valued. Doing this, give them the opportunity to evaluate their own output without being mean to the under achievers. They come to realize how is their work compared to the others without the teacher saying a word. It's the children self-awareness of where they are at in comparison to the rest of the class that will give them the inner drive to do better next time.

The following pictures were taken during Grandparents' Day in St. Raymond's in Dublin. Brianna was very proud to show us all her works and it was really neat seeing all the things that the kids do during class hours.

These things were made possible through the initiative of her teacher in putting all these together. All the walls were covered with colorful displays of the result of the pupils' day to day encounter with their ever-creative teacher.

I believe that upon looking at this kind of display parents feel very proud. This is also a motivating factor for them to get involve in all the school programs and activities.

Valuing Children's Work