Our #Son, EJ's Graduation from St. Joseph

It was May 26th when St. Joseph the Worker School had the graduation.  I am glad that they get to do the ceremony and that the Covid restriction was almost over.  His class definitely missed a lot of good  opportunities because of the pandemic but I'm thankful that the school had a good system that got through the whole situation.  It was tough having to do cyber classes but glad that the teachers at St. Joseph stepped it up in making sure that the kids didn't miss out on learning.

EJ's class didn't get to go on Washington DC trip nor had the opportunity in competing for the History Bowl but it's okay, the most important thing was they were healthy and wasn't affected by the flu.  I am also glad that before the pandemic fully erupted, my kids and I were able to participate on the March for Life in DC so that made up his missed opportunity in going to DC although we didn't get to do much but it was a great experience for my kids and I.

We bought him a new pair of suit at JoS. A. Bank at Ross Park Mall.  He doesn't like wearing  suit but I think he look great on it.   He like  the color purple so we got him a purple tie.  We found him a new pair of shoes at DSW.  I can't believe how much this dress shoes cost!  However, it's worth every penny because he said it was very comfortable on his feet.

It was raining hard when the Baccalaureate mass was held.  My husband drove him at church first so they could have their picture taken.  They didn't get the chance to have their class picture taken but glad they were able to have their  graduation picture taken.

He is growing up like a weed.  I am the shortest now in our family and I think EJ will be taller than his Dad here pretty soon.

I am one happy Momma.  Hubby and I thank God for guiding us in sending our children to a good  catholic school.  We had successfully have them finish catholic education in the primary and now in secondary education too.

He was trying to make me do what he's doing in this pic but I couldn't get myself to do it lol.

I wish my husband would have stayed inside the church after the  mass so we could have taken  at least one family picture together.

Okay, here's a pic of these two doing what teenagers do lol.  I am not even sure what you call it but I am sure they will get a good kick out of this when they look back to it when they are older.

Most of the times, my kids were mistaken by people who don't know them as twins.  That's probably because they are close in age.  I am also glad that they are very close with each other.

I finally got to have a good and normal picture of them in this photo below.

My ultra sociable son flexing his  certificate.  

I would like to thank the whole St. Joseph staff for a job well done in teaching the kids not only academically but most importantly is their guidance in each kids morally and spiritually.

It is true that sending your kids to private schools is costly but we don't regret that decision because the kids don't have to worry about bullying issues. These kids grow closer to each other which is a living proof that they are guided well in the school.

Fr. Dennis is a really good leader and a great example for the kids.  I am thankful that he is leading Madonna and St. Joseph.

I am glad these boys transferred from St. Paul's to St. Joe's, my son would have been the lone boy at his class if they didn't.  My son was the only remaining male in his class  of the original St. Joseph kids who enrolled  since kindergarten.

He got himself some great friends.

Finally got a chance to snap a photo of these two.

Some of these kids will go to other schools but I think they will always remember the great memories that they have at St. Joseph.

I have two high schoolers this year.  The tuition is expensive but we don't mind paying for it.  Both of them got  a small scholarship and that helps a little too.

14.. and a half.. and some #KatorseAnyos

 I get to finally catch up with some  posting (for birthdays, at least).  I still have so many events that I need to work on especially that I don't print pictures anymore.  I would like to have it at least here on my blogs so that when the kids wants to look back, they will have something to reference to.

For the past couple of years, we were not able to do anything for the kids birthdays but I am glad they don't make fuzz about it.  They are very understanding of the situation we were in.

Our son turned 14 this year and he is definitely growing.  He is taller than the ladies of this family and I think that he will be taller than my husband in just  a matter of time.  He is also in that phase where he doesn't like his picture taken and every time I do take pictures, he always ask me not to post it on social media.  This blog is an exception though since not many people  knows about my personal blogs.  He just doesn't want his friends to see what he is up to.

We got him an ice cream cake.  I made him a set of birthday pancakes for breakfast.  Unfortunately, the photos i took of him were in my phone and my cellphone have reached its maximum data and no longer allow me to do anything with the photos.

Dearest EJ,

My wish is for you to grow up well.

I pray that God will guide you along in achieving your dreams.

You will always be my chubby baby boy no matter how grown you get.

Mom will always be here for you.  Thank you for making Mom and Dad's life complete.

Happy birthday my love.

Nagmamahal,

Mom

Our Daughter's 15th Birthday: A Year Later

 As the saying goes, "Better late than never" , I am just now posting my daughter's 15th birthday.  I didn't have a functioning  gadget last year so I couldn't download the pictures in my camera and I wasn't able to post anything (valid excuse lol).  

Anyway, I am not the most creative Mom so my kids birthday celebration is always plain.  I tried though, I made her some mini pancakes to make the number 15.

She was appreciative of it so that's what mattered.  In the previous years, we would always go on a vacation right around her birthday but since there was the pandemic last year, we couldn't go anywhere.  Our plan was to go to the Philippines but was put on hold.

I am glad that my kids are very understanding of the situation and they don't complain for not having a party or something like that.

After her birthday, she took her written exam for her driving permit.  She passed and  my husband started  teaching her how to drive.  She is a  quick learner.

This post is a year later so at this time, she already have her license.  I can't believe how much our insurance have gone up since we added her to our car insurance, wow. 

I am so happy for a young woman she is becoming.  She's one smart cookie and very  goal-oriented.  She work hard for whatever she wants to achieve until she gets the  result.

She has been the class president since her  freshman year.  She wants to  build up her portfolio with extra curricular activities.

Our daughter enjoys simple things so whenever it is her birthday.  She gives us a list of  things that she likes and we we get it for her.

Dried mangoes is one of the  goodies she  always enjoys.

She definitely has half Asian in her with the choices of fruits that she likes.

Since she is  a little lady already, I got her a beauty set.

To my 15-year old Rylie Bean;

I am sorry for slacking off, for not  being up-to-date.  

Just know that Mom records every  milestone in her heart. 

Having you as a daughter is such a blessing.

Continue to strive hard and aim high.

We are here to support you.

We love you dearly.

Love always,

Mom

Sweet 16

 It's amazing watching your children grow and they grow very FAST!  This is the main reason why I don't regret giving up my career because I get to be there to witness every milestone of my children.  I am beyond blessed to have a  husband that fully support that decision.  I fully believe that the presence of the parents in the growing up stage of the children is very crucial.  

Having said that, I am grateful for a wonderful young lady our daughter has becoming.  She is one smart cookie.  She is not as outgoing as her brother but she spends  most of her energy in achieving her goals.  I am certain that she can achieve whatever she puts her mind to.

I remember when I was just teaching her at home how to read.  We did not  send her to preschool, I had  a hard time thinking of sending  her to school that early so we have decided that I would just teach her the basic things that she need to learn before she goes to kindergarten.  I think that was the best decision because she  can read, write, and do simple math  problems when she entered kindergarten.  She was a quick learner.

She is very driven.  When she wants to work on something, she put her 100% on it.  This year, they were given an opportunity to take the ACT and she was nervous about it but for a first timer with no preparation whatsoever, she did really well.  She scored a composite of 30 which is excellent.  You can tell, Madonna High School has a really good English teacher as our daughter ACED it, she didn't miss any.  She scored 36 out of 36 in English, I am so proud, I could cry ha ha.

We lost one of our dogs this year, which used to be  her best pal in pictures.  I am glad that our Jack Russell Terrier, Champ, played along and I got to take some photos of them in our backytard.

She will be taking her Driver's license test in two days and she is nervous about it.  I think she will do just fine.  She has been driving us all over the place, even out of state.  She's definitely not like me in that department.  I have been a licensed driver for 14 years and I have driven only twice lol.

I pray that God will continue to watch over her and guide her  for everything that she does.  

She is such a really good example to her brother and that's why her brother love his Ate very much.  EJ is very proud of what she have accomplaished so far.

Today, she  chose to do volunteer work at the vacation bible school.  She's been doing this since she was 12.  I think that is admirable, spending your birthday doing charity work.  I am one proud momma.

I am glad that she is level-headed and remain strong.  She can be a little opinionated sometimes but that's a good thing.  I  love that my kids speaks their mind in a respectful way.

In two years time, she will be heading out to college.  I don't even want to think about her leaving home wahhh.  Right now, she is leaning towards medical profession.  We will see if she doesn't change her mind.

To my daughter on her 16th birthday.

I hope and pray that you continue to grow beautifully inside and out.  Dad and I are  so blessed to be your parents.  We will always be here for you, to support whatever path you want to take.  Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter.  For making our lives colorful and meaningful.  Tank you for guiding your brother.  May God Almighty continue to bless you and watch over you as you continue to move closer to your future.  

We love you very much!

Mom

My kids are Scholarship Recipients

 Below is the essay my daughter wrote for the Joe Krivak Tuition Scholarship Fund entry.  She won $500 tuition fund that she can use for the next school year.

Being a Follower of Christ and a Leader in the World

On many occasions throughout my time in high school thus far, I have been prompted to

nish the phrase “Here at Madonna, we are...”, to which I routinely give the response, “Followers of Christ, Leaders in the World.” I hear this line time and time again: in school over the loudspeaker when the morning announcements are read, at church as the weekly Mass is concluded, and even at home, when it is repeated in a phone call from the school oce. Though the phrase may simply sound like a catchy motto, its signicance to me is very profound; it represents the way that, through being a member of the Madonna family, I have developed and strengthened both my role in the church as a follower of Christ and my position as a leader not only in the school, but also in my community and in the world.

Because of my experiences at Weirton Madonna, I am able to acknowledge that being a Follower of Christ involves more than just attending Sunday mass, reading the Bible, or praying beforebedeachnight. Tome,beingaFollowerofChristasapartoftheMadonnafamilymeans that instead of simply living my life with God in it, I strive to live my life for God. At Madonna, every school day, sports practice, extracurricular activity, or community service project that I attend is an opportunity for me to continue living for God and furthering my relationship with Him. Madonna High School has allowed me to enrich my faith life in many ways; from volunteering at local soup kitchens to donating to clothing and food drives to altar serving or proclaiming the readings at Mass, being a part of the Madonna family has helped me live my life while fully glorifying and following Christ.

 Also due to my experiences at Weirton Madonna, I have come to understand what being a leader in the world means. Though being a class president, a team captain, or a club ocer are great ways to lead, I have learned through Madonna that anyone can be a leader. To me, being a leader in school, in our community, and in our world means taking charge to make a dierence or make a positive change in someone or something. The change we bring about is made even more impactful when we lead others to follow suit. Being a leader through Weirton Madonna means standing for your beliefs and building up those in the world around you to do the same.

As I continue to be a part of the Madonna family today, tomorrow, and the days after that, I will continue to hear the same one phrase. It is when I listen to “Here at Madonna, we are...” that I am reminded that everyday is an opportunity for me to live my life for God and lead others to make a dierence in the world, a day to be a Follower of Christ and a Leader in the World.

My  son was also awarded a $250 scholarship for being a master of ceremony as a server at church masses.  Sending both of them to Madonna High School which is a catholic school is  expensive and this would help a little bit.  At least it could pay for their uniform and supplies.  I am very proud of my children for trying their hardest to maintain their good grades in school.

EJ's 13th Birthday

I am not up-to-date when it comes to my children's milestones for the past couple of years.  I am not as active in writing  important events anymore.  My  computer have crashed so I didn't have the means to download pictures.  My phone no longer have  storage so even if I have online access, I wasn't able to write  as much as I would have liked.  Anyway, my son turned 13  and then 14 and  I still haven't written about it.  Glad my husband got me a laptop for Mother's Day, now I can slowly start writing again.

EJ is very emotional so every time we  write him a letter, he  can't help but tear up when he reads it.

He wanted a pair of purple vans shoes so that's what we got him for his  birthday.  We also got him few items that he likes.

I always write an emotional letter to my kids on their birthday and it always make EJ cry.  I think it ios sweet when they can connect to you emotionally.

I hate to think that I have been neglecting  to write about my children's important milestone.  Time will come that I will no longer remember things as I get older.  I hope these little things that I posted will remind me of the great memories that we have had.

Dearest EJ,

I am sorry that your Mom isn't up-to-date with things anymore, please forgive me.  Always remember that you will always be my sweet baby boy.  I love you to the moon and back .

Mom