Yours truly is a year old today. Yup! I'm celebrating my BIG 43 this very day. I feel great and proud and though I spent the entire day taking care of my patients instead of spending it at home with my family, I do comprehend that at times something has to give. My day started off at 6:30 this morning and while I'm doing my clinicals and tending to the needy, my dear dearest was tied up with the kitchen at home fixing all sorts of delectable vittles. Came home around 5:30 this afternoon only to be surprised with the great meals he prepared while I was gone. The sweetest thing of all was the "cake" he made for me hahaha. I thought that's the nicest gesture a husband can do for his wife. I know a wife who baked a birthday cake for her husband BUT not the other way round. It sounds unreal but that's my dear Dale. The kids put candles on it.......four in the first row and then 3 the next row (which makes 43) hahaha. They got me a funny bday card too that made me guffaw. I'll pause here for now and will resume shortly. Sorry for the inconvenience but I have a big test tomorrow. Gotta go to do some review. Kay & Lan, I will visit you later when my schedules thins out a little. Thanks for coming and have one fantastic 1st of July to all !!!

Update: Oh well, I'm back to continue hahaha. In addition to the gifts visible to the naked eyes that I received from my "three babies", daddy dearest had another "B-I-G Surprise". An itinerary was shown to me. We are going to have a four days escapade right after my finals which is on the 29th of this month. Oh boy I can't wait hahaha (sounds like I've never been out of my cocoon lately). I know we just had our North Carolina & Tennessee trip in April but it's July and a lot of our special dates falls in this month. So there you go. I may be taking summer courses which makes my routines twice as hectic, but who says you can't have fun while you're building a career? I told Dale I am "spoiled". He said........"it's way beyond that" hahaha. Go figure!

Birthday fotos were taken as usual but I am running out of time to place them all in the album. For right now you can view samples HERE:

Daddy dearest is scheduled to work for the weekend and so we decided to give him a treat in advance and had our family fun time this past Thursday. Eating out has been a part of our day to day life, so the experience isn't that new to the four of us hahaha. Honestly speaking, we really can't find any eateries within 90mi radius that we've never been before (we're running out of places to dine in) hahaha. The kids and I know from the core of our hearts that daddy dearest deserved the best for he's always been there to do his greatest for the family. Thus, he's never been cheap (he didn't even try for once) but observed magnanimity at all times. He really loves "grilled vittles" so we picked this nice "stainless steel grill" for him this year. I got him a new pair of "New Balance" shoes as well. He haven't open his "cards" from the three of us yet but I am almost certain he's going to like them (we will see if my card will make him guffaw hahaha). I may get him new scent of cologne this week (after my exam) since he's into it big time. I'm not going to stretch this post to the max for I have to do a lot of readings. Thanks a lot for coming and have one sweet Sunday to all !!!

I have a truckload to share and doesn't know where to begin but I'll try my best to cover some of the important highlights of my two weeks of absence. Friday, a week ago, I had a minor surgery and thank Heaven my benign "abdominal nevi" was finally shaved off me. I had it for quite sometime but since it's not something to be alarmed, I didn't push for its removal. I am positive the procedure will cost us some big bucks but thankfully my dear dearest has a great health insurance and that trip to the surgeon didn't cost us a thing. It was done early in the morning and my Dermatologist was quick and precise it didn't take him long to remove it. Anyway, Montgomery wasn't part of the plan but we had an "impromtu decision" to make after the clinic. The four of us never had any breakfast (just picture how hungry we were) and so we planned to visit Ihop when everything was taken care of. The facility's location was out of town and they're an hour behind us, so we kinda stuck there to think where to go after the surgery. In a snap, my dear dearest thought of Montgomery and everybody agreed. By the time we got there, it's almost lunchtime which answered our growling stomach hahaha. Ihop's plan was aborted.

Weekend came and went and I was stuck studying for my two BIG Exams. I'm glad it was over and really made good grades on both of them. The middle of the week, daddy dearest took the kids to fish after Josef had his "Orthodontist" visit (he may need a brace after 6mos). "Creekstand Fish Farm" wasn't operating till Thursday to Saturday and so Jann, our baby girl, got cranky and disappointed when the three of them found out they have to make another trip. I was at school (thank Heaven, I don't have to deal with it hahaha!) but daddy dearest handled it so well. Thursday was Josef's appointment to his eye doctor. Another eyes exam and a new pair of specs which simply means pouring out some cash.......AGAIN! In the afternoon, Jann had her "salon appointment" at JC Penney. Glad I came home on time to tag along and be my dear dearest's sidekick hahaha. Just trying to make things a 'lil easier for him. After Jann's hairdo, we headed straight to have lunch at "Zaxby's" and then geared toward the fish farm.

Oh my, the main topic I am trying to cover is push to the side hahaha! I told you I have a truckload. Well, let me just embed here the fotos of Josef's epistles of recognition. I've been wanting to discuss about it since last month and here I am just now featuring about it. Thanks for reading and have a fun filled Friday to all !!!

Above foto (on the left) was Josef's "Finals Exemption Letter" from Middle School. Foto above, on the right, was sent to him from "Congressional Youth Leadership Council" and was nominated by his Language teacher.

The 60 cents Josef paid for stamp came back with a great view in it. A week before school is over he asked for 60 cents to pay for the stamp. I don't know but the whole thing is new to us, (with regards to Middle School) for "report cards" were never sent thru the kids at the last day of school. The system sent them out thru the mail in which kids paid for the cost. It's not much but it seems so weird hahaha. Getting back to the subject, it came to our address this past Thursday. As expected, Josef made all A's again (for the record......7 years in a row). Jann, on the other hand made all A's too but unlike her big bro, hers was posted in the paper (aside from having the real record of her grades). Isn't that cool? Her school wants to make sure everybody knows who is who hahaha. I still have Josef's letter from "Congressional Youth Leadership Council" and his "Semester Exemption Letter" but I will just have to save those for my next post. How's that sounds to you? To me? Great news about my witty kids always been bringing "music to my ears". I have a "truckload" to share but then there's not enough time. My right hand has a "brace" due to inflamed tendon (tendonitis) and let me tell you that it's not fun. Friday, I was at school and when I came home around 1:30pm my three babies were gone fishing (daddy dearest left a note). I have to call him thru his cellfone to let him know I need to make a trip to the "Urgent Care" in Auburn. The kids made me feel so guilty when they got home and told me I ruined their fishing trip to Chambers Lake hahaha. I was sorry but it was their Dad who made that "call". Daddy dearest is still in bed when I took off for school yesterday but not our baby girl Jann. I instructed her to pass on "my verbal notes" to her dad but it slipped her mind hahaha. I won't do that no more. I should know better leaving a verbal notes instead of written ones. It won't happen again, I am so certain of that.

Josef supposed to have a baseball practice this morning at around 10. We got there at the ballpark half an hour early but found nobody from his team. We waited some more minutes and then gave up and decided to leave the parking lot of the Sportsplex. I tried to call his "coach" but can't recall his number. I have at least six different numbers with the same three digits exchange but was confused which one belongs to "the man". In the end, we decided to come home and called him from our landline. His fone wants me to leave a message which is very impossible for Jeth to do (I don't like leaving my voice on someone's fone). He called back and we talked. He apologized for not sending me a note about the cancellation. But the great part is this.......Josef's team on the standing is #1, baseball fanatic called it "unbeatable". Tuesday evening is the "Championship" and if they beat the opponent.......his team will get the crown. Opps, we can call it a "trophy" also (whichever sounds good to you, it didn't really matter). Monday is a game and Tuesday morning is one last practice. In the evening is the "real deal" hahaha. Many thanks for reading and what happened to my hand that's been hurting? Geez! I typed down a lot. Have a super freak Saturday everyone!!!

I realized the "keenness" of Josef's report card isn't that clear. So, for some clarifications here "below" are the exact view:

• TAV (Total Average) YAV (Yearly Average)
• Math 99Math 99
• Lang 95 Lang 97
• US Studies 98 US Studies 96
• Earth & Space 98 Earth & Space 99
• Reading 99 Reading 98
• PE 100 PE 100

We really have had an "exciting plans" for this year's Memorial Day and my family and I are looking forward to it. Frankly speaking, I made known to my "instructor", Thursday of last week before I left the classroom, that I won't be sitting in her class coming Tuesday and that I will be seeing her Wednesday morning. She agreed and I was so elated! Getting back to our "exciting plans"........my dear Dale's bestfriend who lives on the other end of the State has invited us to celebrate Memorial Day on the lake in his brand new boat. The plan was made some few months back (me being secretive about our future plans keeps me from declaring it right away hahaha) and finalized two weeks ago. Technically, as obvious reason, my dear dearest kept on monitoring the "extended forecast" for the county where we gonna have the gatherings. Stormy weather is predicted and so my dear Dale drew a "plan B" just to be on the safe side. His buddy called Monday and told us about our get-together and what sort of dishes he'll prepare. Gosh, if wouldn't have been for the fickle weather we would have so much fun. Friday came and the forecast remained the same. We can't do anything but to abort the plan. In the end, our "plan B" came in place. We went to Cumberland Mall in Atlanta and had our lunch at "P. F. Chang's China Bistro". We would have, as our original agenda hahaha, to try "Macaroni Grill" in The Summit (Birmingham) but since the wind blew on a different direction, our choice of eatery has changed too. We're over 3hrs drive from Birmingham but close by to Montgomery. The issue we have about geographic location was that our state's capitol doesn't have much to offer. Driving all the way to Atlanta is a 'lil farther but shops and restaurants selections are overwhelming which is mainly the reason why we often preferred gearing towards North rather than going South. I paid "Bebe" a visit to see if I can find anything worth buying but came out of the store empty handed hahaha. Maybe next time, I can fish out "something special" (if I get lucky)! The first store might be a 'lil dismay but "DSW" didn't disappoint me. I came out with my new "Bandolino" sandals in hand. Jann wanted a pair for herself but they don't carry kids stuff. We have to get hers from somewhere else. Here below is my new pair. Thanks for reading and I wish you all have one magical Memorial Day !!!

Jann's Yamaha Key Board finally arrived thru the mail early this week but my congested schedules prevents me from making a note about it. My Summer classes started this week (life gets busier again) and it needs to be taken care of before anything less important. Anyway, we were appalled how huge it was! This item really worth every penny we invested to it. As expected, it made our baby girl "super excited". Her day to day routine became "engaged" since her music instrument got here hahaha. There's so many features this key board has to offer from simple tune to more complex audio. It belongs to her but as part of our family values and beliefs, she have to share it with her big bro shall "he" wants to play with it at times. I laid the rules here and the kids are still living under "the parent's roof", so simple stuff like this doesn't have to create headaches. She finally brought her "report card" home Thursday (last day of school) with "All A's" of course. Josef had been out of school since Wednesday which is two days earlier than usual schedule b/c "he" was exempted from taking "finals". I will talk more about it later. I guess, this will do for this post. I have to save the rest for my next entry. Happy reading and have a fun Friday to all !!!

At last, our baby girl finally had her first taste of "bread and wine", yesterday! Her 1st Communion celebration went smoothly according to the plan. Daddy dearest worked Saturday but he turned in a "vacation" for Sunday that way he'll be able to attend and witness Jann walking on the aisle to receive her first Communion. Oh, she looked so lovely on her dainty delicate white as snow first communion dress. She wanted her hair to have some curls and so I fixed it the way she wished for. Her headband veil really goes well with her round face and the pearl earrings I got for her just for this occasion suit her cute physique. I decided to drop off my plan for her to tote her small satin purse and gloves that came with her "veil" after I had my 15min talk with our priest. Jann and I went to church Saturday afternoon for her "First Reconciliation" and I told our priest about her "outfit" for the following day. After hearing all that, "he" thinks that putting all the accessories is a 'lil bit too much. Jann was listening and so her mind changed about putting all that stuff after what Father Frank said hahaha. No gloves nor satin purse, it is! After the gathering, we went home only to get changed. Then, headed back to pull from our driveway. Destination.......Atlanta! First stop was at "Five Guys" to have our lunch. "The Old Spaghetti Factory" won't be open till 4pm GA time (it's just their business hour on Sunday), so after the delectable food at Five Guys we head out straight to "Dekalb International Farmers Market" (for my spices) and then we're caught up in a traffic jam along our way to "Buford Farmers Market", in Doraville. It was a long drive but since we don't grocery shop there often, we can't really complain hahaha. I typed these down in a haste, so I may come back to do some editing later. Thanks for reading and have one superb Sunday to all !!!

Quick Notes: To those of you who follow my writings, the foto album from our "Sunday Family Affair" is in! My Summer classes just started this week and you know as much as I do that during this time my schedules are unbelievably tight. I have to maintain it well balanced while at the same time focus and oriented hahaha.

My collegemate and friend who's also Jann's Godmother went to the Philippines for a three months vacation last week of January. Before her flight, she gave me a ring and asked me what she could bring back for me from our "Native Hometown"? I only have one thing in mind. "Dried fish", "dried fish", and more "dried fish". So, I said it lively and enthusiastically hahaha and didn't bite my tongue or hide my thoughts. Well, she's back from the Archipelago with tons of dried stuff. I was appalled that she bought me way too much dried fish and added a lot of "dried squids" too. The package got here a week ago but Jann's buddy spent the night over and so I decided to put it up and wait till there's no "outsider" around before I stick my nose to it hahaha. Jann also made a request that I need to cook it outside and use the grill's side burner that way the stench wouldn't be trapped in the house hahaha. Our grill had a bad day and we can't seemed to figure out what's wrong with it. At first, I thought it was the tank being out of gas. My dear dearest took it out to fill it up at the store but as he lifted it, he realized the tank isn't empty. The connection was weak and gas, for some reason, doesn't flow completely to reach the burner. To solve this problem, I told him to go ahead and buy a new tank. Come to find out, with brand new tank, the same problem existed. It was the "valve" after all. So, with new valve and new tank, I finally cooked my "staple food" today. The taste is worth all the hassle we encountered for hours. I know Dale took the "girl" out of her country, but he definitely couldn't take the country out of the "girl" hahaha. Happy reading and have a fabulous Friday to all !!!

My husband sounds so funny when, while at work, he called the house (this past Sunday) to greet me and let me know he brought the "mom's day cards" with him to work early that morning for he thought I might get tempted and open them up without his presence hahaha. Yeah, you read it right! I referred to "them" b/c two mom's day cards to which one came from the kids and the other from him. Speaking of cards, Josef has been asking me for days now if I took a foto of "them" and posted it here. That sounds funny too b/c he seemed to keep up with mom's business hahaha. He was surprised though (made him super excited) when he saw his fotos where he's batting during one of the games. He was unaware I took few shots of him while he's busy chatting with his friends and while eyeing the approaching ball towards him (he got eyes of an eagle, by the way). I gave "my runner" the credit though for being brave on the field considering he don't have any experience like the rest of his team (where majority, or I should say.... all of them) were exposed to bats and balls since they're 4yo. That's my son and he's "MOM'S ROOKIE". I told him I do appreciate his gesture for making me the "Most Haughty Mother" on earth. Thanks for reading and have one wimple Wednesday to all !!!

"Spaghetti Factory" has been on the list of my dear Dale's vocabulary since last week. He planned to take us all to Atlanta last Thursday to try the fantastic vittle that the said eatery has to offer but our son's baseball game came in the midst. Jann doesn't like the fact that our plan was cancelled but after some explanations, she realized that at times things don't always go our way. She still thinking about her "Yamaha Key Board" that's about to show up any minute thru the mail and that thought is good enough for her not to get upset hahaha. My dear dearest worked today and so we didn't get the chance to observe any "formal mommy's day celebration". It's not a BIGGIE to me for we always have a "special family affair" any given time of the week. Our baby girl's 1st Communion is next Sunday and so we can make it "grand, big, bold, and festive" hahaha. Interestingly, we could also make it up for today. Sounds like "winter", doesn't it? Kids has been sweet and well-behaved as usual and Jann posed for mom in front of my "New Metal Storage Shed" yesterday. This haven is one of my Dale's mother's day gifts for me this year. He thought I have an overwhelmingly congested wardrobe and really in need of extra space for it. So, a couple of weeks ago he got me this storage shed and then furnished it with lattice panel to look more nicer. He'll install a carpet in it later. Thanks Hon, for the great job well done!

While my dear Dale is putting this up together, I jokingly told him........"this building will come handy when I get mad and want to be away from the house" hahaha. I'll just grab a pillow and a cover, take Jann with me, and spend our starry night in it hahaha. He laughed nonstop. He added that I've done sooo much for the kids and that I deserved all the things that were given to me, including love hahaha. And I mean tons of it! I am just redoing what my own mom did for us, only in my pace.........I'm doing it many times over. Here below is another shot of what I got from my dear husband for this year's token of his love. Thanks a lot for looking and have a sweet Sunday to all !!!

"Mom's Day Album Here"

Quick Notes: Thankfully, I finally uploaded all the remaining fotos, our day 3 and day 4 photographs, from our Noth Carolina and Tennessee quest. Whew! I couldn't believe it took me almost a month to finish that simple task. I guess, I am not really a computer craze like some people who can't live without spending hours in front of their PC. You can view part two of our Smokies getaway HERE: