Family – Page 7 – Chasing Dreams

The One Where the Twins Turned Two, Part2

October 30, 2014October 30, 2014 Rhiza7 Comments

We dreaded the second year because of the much anticipated “terrible twos”. We have been warned, and we’ve heard the worst. And while I’m beginning to wonder what’s so “terrible” about this stage, we thought we should drown our fears with excitement and bravely say “bring it!”

And so we planned a little party to welcome this “dreaded” year, and boyyy was it fun!

We decided to have an intimate gathering of family and just a handful of friends. The program was simple: Hang out, enjoy good food, and take lots of photographs to show the twins when they’re older. By keeping it small we get to save up their birthday money to buy them stuff that they really need. I couldn’t be any happier about our “less-is-more” choice.

The Theme: Twinkle twinkle little star

Having a small party didn’t stop me from indulging in a little DIY and designing some invites and souvenir tags. I can’t help myself. :) We picked a theme that the twins are very familiar with. If you follow us on Instagram, you’ll remember them singing and dancing to “Twinkle twinkle little star” a few months back. Dawn can sing it a lot clearer now!

So twinkle twinkle little star, it is. (They are our stars, after all.)

DIY alert: We found these wooden star clips at National Bookstore’s scrapbook section, and a friend, Sam, helped me make these paper stars. Thanks Sammy! :) Here’s how to make origami paper stars. If I had more time, I would have done these elaborate paper stars too!

The Venue: The Royal Piccadilly

I am so happy to have found this place. I first heard about their rainbow and ombre cakes. Scouring the web for an intimate party venue in the Quezon City area, I chanced upon some blog reviews and learned that they’re accommodating parties in their quaint “British-inspired restaurant” in Katipunan. My husband and I checked them out and booked right there and then.

We loved the place at first sight! And we loved it even more when we arrived on the day of party, seeing what they’ve setup for the twins.

Can’t take enough photos of that dessert table!

We only provided the souvenir tags, origami stars, and that window frame with little stars on it (which served as the dessert table’s backdrop). Everything else—the dainty props, Japanese lanterns, pretty and yummy treats, and the customized cake—are provided for by The Royal Piccadilly. You guys!! <3 Continue reading “The One Where the Twins Turned Two, Part2” →

The One Where the Twins Turned Two, Part1

October 29, 2014October 29, 2014 RhizaLeave a comment

I’m breaking down their 2nd birthday in 2 parts, because unlike their birthday last year, I wasn’t too “all over the place” to take photographs this time. Also unlike last year, the girls seemed to have an idea that something special was going on.

First order of business: surprise the twins with balloons hanging by the bedroom door when they wake up. See the look on Dawn’s face when we opened the door:

So okay, they weren’t exactly ecstatic when they first saw the balloons. The look on their faces was more of curiosity than excitement. It took a couple of minutes before they started smiling and pulling out their balloons, and before they realized that it was supposed to be a fun activity, LOL.

My husband and I woke up early to set up these balloons, and the effort was definitely worth it.

Happy birthday, darlings! Your special day has just begun. :)

Two Years

October 24, 2014October 24, 2014 Rhiza2 Comments

Photos from two years ago.

It’s that moment when the lights are out, and everyone is asleep, and I’m alone as the clock strikes 12 on a very special day. The twins’ 2nd birthday officially begins! And it’s as if they wanted me to have this moment to myself—to breathe, to let stuff sink in, to be quiet, to reminisce, to thank the Lord for every good and perfect gift.

I’ve been reading posts from two years ago over the past hour, and I.. am such a crybaby. Is this okay? Am I being too melodramatic? Is it normal for mommies to be a little sentimental about things like, you know, birthdays and stuff?

Around this time, 2 years ago, I was being wheeled into the recovery room after giving birth via c-section, and Dawn & Rain were breathing their first breaths. Fast forward to last night, before the girls fell asleep, Dawn was singing twinkle twinkle little star (without the actual words) at the top of her lungs, and Rain was busy putting coins in her new alkansya. Meanwhile, their Daddy and I watched them with amusement and so much love.

Do you remember?

When we took the girls home and it felt like Christmas morning?
And these photos from their first day home?
How about the day we dedicated them to the Lord?
Or when I started this 52 Week Project?
How about their first birthday?
Or when they turned 18 months and we got them a cake?

Wow. What difference two years can make!

I want to share King David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving, which has become the prayer of my heart today:

“Sovereign Lord, I am not worthy of what you have already done for me, nor is my family. Yet, now you are doing even more, Lord. You have made promises about my descendants in the years to come. And you let a man see this! What more can I say to you! You know me, your servant. It was your will and purpose to do this. You have done all these great things in order to instruct me. How great you are, Lord! There is none like you, we have always known that You alone are God.” ~2 Samuel 7:18-28

God is beyond amazing. And this mommy here is ready to celebrate. Today is going to be awesome. :)

Unusual Monday Morning

September 16, 2014July 26, 2019 Rhiza2 Comments

There was this moment, waking up in a room at Tune Hotel on Monday morning, that was strangely familiar. It happens every time we’re in an unfamiliar place, and I look around to see my little family, and I suddenly have this overwhelming rush of emotions, and I know right then that home is right there with me.

Power went out at past 7:00pm Sunday night, in the middle of a storm, and we found refuge in a nearby hotel where we evacuated for the night. Have you ever tried out Tune Hotel? Very affordable and impressive, I must say. Even though we only stayed half-a-day, the price was very reasonable and certainly worth it. The room was small but very clean. There weren’t a lot of amenities, but the pillows, sheets, and towels were top quality. For an emergency accommodation, we sure got our money’s worth.

We heard the electricity was restored in our area at around 2:00am, but D and the girls were already sleeping soundly by that time.

I woke up on Monday morning, sunshine coming through the glass windows of our small room, and I knew I just had to preserve that moment. I said a quick prayer to God, thanking Him for keeping us safe, and warm, and dry; and for being our shelter in the time of storm, both literally and figuratively.

I looked at my family, still sleeping, squeezed in a queen-sized bed which was our home for the night, and my heart swelled with so much love. Will I ever get used to this (not so) new life? The girls have grown so much, and D and I have been living together for over 3 years, and yet, it still sometimes feels like it hasn’t really sunk in yet. (Are they really my daughters? Is he really my husband? Is this really my life now?)

Anyone can relate to this feeling? Please tell me I’m not the only one who feels this way.

How to Celebrate Your 3rd Wedding Anniversary (Wife Edition)

August 29, 2014June 20, 2019 Rhiza3 Comments

Your third year as a married couple is such a great year. By this time you would have adjusted pretty well to living together, and have grown a deeper level of understanding and acceptance of each other. Which means, less fights, more happy conversations, and a messier house. Having children in your 3rd year comes with totally different dynamics too, but the addition of little humans in the house makes it all the more fun!

Here are 8 suggestions to celebrate your third wedding anniversary: Continue reading “How to Celebrate Your 3rd Wedding Anniversary (Wife Edition)” →

Three Years Ago

August 16, 2014June 27, 2019 RhizaLeave a comment

Three years ago today, we were about to come home from our honeymoon, excited to start our life together. Wow. So much has happened since!

Every once in a while (and by “a while” I mean “a year”), I like having an excuse to relive memories from our wedding day and go through old photographs. And what better time to do that than now, yes? Besides, my Timehop has been bursting with wedding posts this whole week!

So bear with me for this photo dump of sorts, I can’t help it! It’s that time of the year. :)

The truth is, even though our wedding day was one of the most special, much-awaited events of our lives, I don’t really remember a lot of details from that day. It was as if I was placed inside a bubble where it was just me and David, and everything else faded in the background and nothing else mattered.

In retrospect, it’s good we had someone else taking photographs that day, without which we probably wouldn’t have a recollection of what was happening outside our little bubble!

It was such a happy day, and at that point we didn’t think anything can top the happiness that we felt and the joy in our hearts. We were proven wrong, of course, because three years later, God is still giving us reasons to be even happier (and more in love) than we were a year ago. :)

Our wedding is Josiah’s Catering’s Wedding Throwback this week. Check it out!

Remember this 30 Day Blog Challenge? It feels good to look back.

Photos taken by our brothers, Ed Roderick Canuto and Nate Sanchez.