Two weeks down!

These two weeks were hectic and crazy. It’s the pre-school application, therapy assessment appointments (for speech—yehey!), academic week, and school production week all within the two weeks. If anyone asks me what my name was I probably won’t even remember with everything else that had to be done.

At the end of it, as expected of production week, I had my usual respiratory track infection. As expected like ice cream then tonsillitis. But I was doing what I did best. And although I felt like my lungs were closing in on me yesterday, with the nebulizer, I could still recall the greatness of the people (students and teachers) who worked with me during these two weeks and worried if any one of them were feeling the same way – hopefully not. It was truly a great honor working with them around. It was the best work we've done so far. The students have really come a long way!

One of the greatest insights I think (or hope) I brought to my class this school year was my realization of the will of God. To invest my time and energy finding out what I’m good at. In doing so, I seek the will of God for me. When I find it, I realize my design and the wonderful role I play in His kingdom. How can I stop painting? 

How can I not make my life so complicated and stick to just one thing? How can I not be a good parent and loving wife?  That’s what I’m designed to do. I am one of the few who could still afford to do everything I loved doing as kid. I am lucky.

Ozzy got into a pre school already... and without the need of a shadow teacher! Ordinary days are up ahead and I truly look forward to them. To look back smiling makes it all worth while. All for Jesus!

One week down. One week to go!

God gave me a gift today, because my day had started with so much dread.

My son and I woke in time for me to get ready for work. He cries and insists that he was still sleepy and that we should both go back to sleep. I persuaded him enough to be able to carry him out of the room, set up his living room mattress and have him lie down for the whole duration I was getting ready for work. He was still really “sweepy”.

Fear once again came over me when I realized the neighbor’s dogs, two big Dobermans were once again set freely on the street terrorizing whatever bird or chicken or cat that dared to get out of anyone’s gates. It meant I would have to wake people up. Ozzy and I are the earliest risers, by obligation, and (for Ozzy) by choice.  I sneaked out of the gate with great speed and agility that rendered me unnoticed.  Earlier, I was thinking that I should get bitten so that I can sue the neighbors who are so irresponsible with their dogs.

And to stay true to the mood of the morning, I was physically tired to face the work ahead. Mentally, I grumbled about people who are no good at work, never waiting in line for anything, unproductive, and people who claim they were waiting the whole day without informing anyone that they were---I mean, waiting for someone has to make sense to the one waiting too, right?  I grumbled all the way to school. By the time I got to school, I was exhausted mentally.

Then work, work, work, just getting things done.

By lunch time, I just sat down for some peace. And there it was, like a gift from God. Two messages on my phone. My son’s therapy center sent me a message. Finally, there is a slot for speech therapy. We were number 24 when I called last December. My friend had asked me about it this morning and I had to inform her there wasn’t a slot yet.

The second one came from a friend. That she might be able to see me today.

It’s been so busy and it will continue to be for another week. I’m really looking forward to the week end in between. I didn’t even notice it was Friday today. When this is all over, I’ll give myself a treat.

School Applications

School applications are due. I'm pursuing an undeniable  leap of faith.

I hate filling up forms, so the first time I've had to fill one up for Ozzy felt more like an entrance test in itself.

"What are your child's strengths?" All I could think of at the time was he is KIND, SWEET, and AFFECTIONATE. All three were true. I really didn't know what else to write. Should I have written something extremely impressive?---Like leap from one building to another? Haha! Talk about a mom who didn't do her homework.

Anyway, I hope we get into a good school. And a school that we could actually afford. It's been tough trying to find our pace and place. I hope God has good plans --- doesn't have to be great, so long as it is the best plan for us.

My 2011 Report Card

What did we accomplish this year 2011?

Ozzy and I had a whirlwind year last year. I’ve had to go back to teaching. Ozzy’s had to start therapy. Ama has had to wear two hats at work. It’s been very busy busy busy!

Ozzy has learned to do so many things in 2011 and here’s my account for it:

1.       POTTY TRAINING … with mild to moderate resistance. He got scared of the potty at some point. He learned to say “diaper” because he wanted one on. Reverted back to diapers for a week. And now completely diaper free… unless we are in someone else’s house. For some reason, he doesn’t like going to other people’s toilets.

2.       EATING INDEPENDENTLY… with much resistance. He didn’t like making a mess so he resisted for a very long time. It’s a good thing he likes to eat and so we taught him to eat by giving him some of his favorites which he can’t resist. Healthy? I confess not always.

3.       BOTTLE WEENING… mild resistance. We did it gradually. Sippy cup, training cups, cups with spouts, and small plastic glasses. I didn’t teach him the straw. I’m afraid of bacteria-filled non-disposable straws. I couldn’t trust myself to clean it well.

4.       POLITE EXPRESSIONS… Ozzy learned his polite expressions last year. By December he can say Please, Thank you, Welcome, Sorry, Good night, Good morning, Good bye.

5.       PACK AWAY … 2011 was a year of order so for both of us, I feel as though we were preparing foundations for the future including packing away. I no longer have tons of toys lying around. Everything is organized and shelved. Ozzy himself can return toys that have been left behind in the right box and has consistently packed away before starting with another set of toys.

6.       READING BOOKS… As soon as he learned to stay put, I dove into reading books. It’s calming for him to read books before going to sleep. It’s our transition time. Sometimes I’d feel too tired to read. But he would insist. And I would always feel obliged.
7. ALPHABETS, NUMBERS, COLORS, and SHAPES... Ozzy seems to take on learning like a sponge. He can count before he can string together words. His therapy teacher was surprised with what he knows when they took it up in class... so they went straight to drawing lines.
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It’s been a very fruitful 2011 I think and I’m fairly excited about 2012.  Another year of making memories. Another year for loving and learning how to love. When asked about what my plans are, I always hear my grandmother’s song in my head “Que Sera Sera! Whatever will be, will be! The future’s not ours to see! Que Sera Sera!”

Family Pictures

Christmas 2011. Thank you Tito Lito and Tita Jojo for the Train!

My family! Buti na lang matangkad yung tree!

Ozzy's Second Christmas (2010). Ama, made him a steering wheel. He would make engine sounds endlessly. I don't have a family picture for this Christmas however. If anyone has a picture of us, do send! 

Christmas 2009. Just before Ozzy turned one!

Look what I found in Fully Booked!

Thank you Santos family for Ozzy's Fully Booked GC!

Ozzy and I tried it the first time and immediately, we clicked! Ozzy and I could talk about the pictures. The guide helps me ask the questions for him to answer. It's so much fun! And, immediately, I'm impressed by how Ozzy could answer my questions! ( Notice the number of exclamation points I've made so far.)

I went with Ozzy to one of his occupational therapy sessions and overheard another teacher and a student having their session. Teacher was asking questions using pictures and student was prompted to answer. I said to myself, although without confirmation from the people I was eavesdropping from, "this must be speech therapy..." So when I saw this box in Fully Booked, I got immensely excited! Ozzy has already learned two words from the activity!

Ozzy's 3rd Christmas...

 Because of Ozzy's love for trains, there was an actual train installed under the tree at my grandparents' house for Christmas Eve. I was brought back to my childhood when my grandparents' house would literally look like its "glowing" at Christmas time. At my age, things have stopped glowing years ago, but I'm glad Ozzy gets that  chance to have his "glowy" Christmas. Thank you everybody for making this season special for him. My husband took his vacation leave (because he never takes any), my siblings took us shopping, and friends and family just gave appropriate gifts. I think my Christmas has just started getting "glowy" too.

Or maybe I've grown more appreciative this year. I am thankful for all the clarity I have received from our Lord, and the gift of strength that I personally didn't think I had. I am grateful for our good health. And the promise that God is faithful to us always.

I am praying for much about the same things this year. Nothing new. I pray for wisdom, that as I raise my son,  I'll always have the presence of mind to make the right decisions. I pray for my husband's good health and good performance at work. I pray for our financial needs. I also pray for my friends' and families' guidance and help from our Lord always.