Many Things to Celebrate!!!

In my life now, there are many reasons to celebrate and be thankful for. Last August 8, we hosted a 5 in one simple party in our Bedford home. This i dubbed as the First Party as i am very sure there will be lots of parties i will be hosting on this lovely home.




We had been thinking to baptize Baby Ali in the Philippines but the schedule was so tight by then with all the paperworks and other stuffs and we figured it out why not?Since Coco was baptized in Scotland and Cam in the Philippines why not Baby Ali be baptized in Canada? So, we did it, baptizing Baby Ali in the Bedford's St. Ignatius Catholic Church.



The Christening was officiated by Father Pat Cosgrove and attended by Godparents and our supportive family and friends. The community welcomed Baby Ali and together with his Baptism, we also renewed ours. His godparents are: Mr. and Mrs. Al Brown, Mr. and Mrs.Nathan Scott, Amanda Hillier, Naty Agdeppa, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Craig, Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Donasco and Mr. Salvador Senarillos. May Baby Ali grow up to be a good boy, full of love and full of wisdom.




Now, another reason for celebrating is the blessing of our new home. In Canada, they call this a Housewarming. In my country, when we transfer to a new home, we invited a Priest and let him bless a new place and offer a prayer. We call this House Blessing. I did both --- we had housewarming and house blessing! I would like to thank Father Pat for coming to our place after the baptism and blessed the Father (and mother) of the house, blessed our home and our new van. I feel so blessed after that!



Now, another reason to celebrate is the birthday of my husband, Scotty and our middle child, Cam. Cam's birthday was actually July 28 but since we don't know anyone as playmates for Cam for now (we are only here for over 2 months), it is not practical to have a kids' party for him. So, we decided just celebrate his birthday on the same date as Baby Ali's christening. He did enjoy that day --- opening lots of presents and eating his birthday cake before the dessert time!!! For Scotty's birthday, it was August 10, but since it was very close to August 8 and since he don't want to do anything on his day, we celebrated his day on the 8th.




The last but not the least reason to celebrate is that: August 8 is always a special date for us. It is a date we had been engaged last 2002 in General Santos City, Philippines and wow it was 8 years ago!!! Two years ago, we had a second wedding in Canada dubbed as the 8-8-8 wedding. So, August 8 is a very special date and it is just worth celebrating!!!!

Before i end this post, i just would like to say thank you to all the people who made the party a success --- our chef extraordinaire, Winston; my sister Phoebe; my friends Coney, Ate Lourdes and Kuya Chris. Thanks to the Godparents, the Officiating priest, Father Pat Cosgrove and to my ever-supportive family and friends. Most importantly, thank you, Lord for letting me experienced a wonderful family life. There are just so many things to celebrate and You let me experienced it all!!!

Seeing Pat and John

It was 2002 when i first met Pat and John, a lovely couple who are like family to us. Pat is the cousin of Scotty's dad, Terry. Because of that connection, i always call them Uncle John and Aunt Pat.



Scotty had known Pat and John for ages. Scotty told me that they always come to the lake cottage and spend time with them on the summer. Now, as things changed, circumstances changed, not only Scott will see them whenever they are here in Nova Scotia, but also us...

2002, i first met them at Windsor, Ontario where they live. I was then pregnant with Prisco. We went back again to Windsor, Ontario (2004) when Coco was over a year old and saw them. And then two years ago(2008), with new baby in tow(Cameron), they were on the lake property in Annapolis valley and we visited them again.





Just recently, specifically, yesterday, before they will go to Prince Edward Island with Sharon,Meghan and Katelyn, we spent time with them and they were delighted to see the newest addition to the family, Baby Ali. It was good to see Peggy as well, Aunt Pat's sister.






This is the Aylesford lake in Annapolis Valley that we went yesterday where Pat and John and family were relaxing or reflecting or entertaining family and friends. I fully agree that this place is heavenly. Some lucky people could buy property near this lake, developed this property by making lake chalets or lake cottages. In this spot, there are woodlands that make you feel you are in the other part of the world as it is very quiet and very private. Aunt Pat's dad, the late Dr. Albert MacPhee, bought a property here, developed it and his offsprings had enjoyed it in many years. We enjoyed our stay here as well, no matter how short it maybe! It is always nice to meet genuine people...

I want to thank Pat and John for always a very welcoming couple in this world. They are people whom i feel the positivity in life despite the sorrowful things that are uncontrollable. They are people whom i admired and respected. They are people whom you always want to see even if you're tired, or busy, or hungry! God bless you, Uncle John and Aunt Pat. God bless your family!

Discovering Discovery Center

On Cameron's 3rd birthday,we did not do any fancy party. He still did not have many friends that we can invite, so we'll have to wait until next year for that children's party. Also, i don't feel having a party and Scotty is not here. But Scotty is coming and he and Cam can have their birthdays together!





Here is Cam turning three last July 28. On that day we did the following unforgettable things: kids rode on the bus for the first time, we ate at the Filipino restaurant, we walked in some parts of downtown Halifax, and the most special thing of all --- we learnt many things in the Science Discovery Center at Barrington Street. Yup, we explored science and technology through exciting and interactive experience.




I first heard about this Science Discovery Center from my son who loves science, Coco. Their Grade 1 class had an educational tour here before the school ends and many times he'd been urging me to go back there. I keep on telling him that yes, we'll go back. And so, we did and yes, on Cam's birthday!

The Discovery Center is a non-profit organization fostering interest in science and technology. Me, Phoebe, Coco, Cam and Baby Ali had a virtual science tour. This place houses three floors of hands-on exhibits where the emphasis is on informal learning through play and fun.

They have an exhibit about Diamonds on the first floor, specifically the Canadian diamonds which are highly valued in the world. Now, me and my sister really wish we'll gonna win that grand prize --- a Canadian loose diamond from Charm Diamond Centres valued at 19,000 dollars!!! I can only wish...

The second floor consists of many things but the best one is the Bubble Room where you can blow huge bubbles and watch them levitate around you. It was cool! The kids really liked it! They also went on the Suspension Bridge many times and Coco looks like a scientist at work while using the microscope!





This Galaxy 2 Oil Platform is located on the 3rd floor. Also on that floor, there is this Arch bridge, a maze, and a hall of fame section. Phoebe and me had a hard time cycling while powering a lightbulb! It looks easy but not really. So, it was nice, we had a work-out.







The best experience on that day is the Fire and Ice Showdown on the Theatre Room. It is an experiment where fire made interesting colors and ice(liquified nitrogen) can affect the size of the balloons or do lots of bubbles with the combination of a dishwashing liquid.

All in all, we had an enjoyable time. The kids can run around without getting much attention from other people because kids have freedom to move around as they wish on this place! Thank God! Plus, they really don't know that they are learning lots of stuff! So, yes, it is fun, educational and interactive.

I cannot think of any other activity that can top that on that day.

Cam becomes 3!!!!

When your life is endanger because you are hemmorhaging in your labor,when that baby on that labor died and brought you so much grief,would you remain the same person? Would you try for another baby?

I was fearful, i was indifferent,i was bitter, for a little while only, until,my husband said,"you are not living at all if you live a fearful life!" I was,until, i gave another try and until, we have CAMERON JOHN MACPHEE in our lives.


My husband wrote this on his facebook status : July 28th, 2007 Baby Cam entered this world and changed our life forever. His dimpled smile, laugh, enthusiastic waves, and magnetic personality have gained him so much adoration everywhere he has travelled so far (and he loves the attention). Happy 3rd Birthday Cameron!!! Wishing I could be with you today but won't be long now until I see you again. Love you Wee Man!




Born July 28,2007,Davao City,Philippines,Cam weighed 7.5 lbs and measured 52 cms. When i first set his eyes on him and heared his first very loud cry, i am complete. The pain is worth it.

Today, he is 3 years old, very well-loved, very well-taken cared of. I love you so much,my everdearest boy! Please grow up to be a God-fearing, kind, sweet, smart fella as you are.

Lastly, i wanna share here what i had put in my Facebook: Time flies and time heals. After losing a baby girl, i had this fear not to be pregnant again. But as my husband said, no point in living if you are fearful,so,we tried again & the next baby is healthy & handsome & smart & charming. Lord,thank you,Cam is now 3 years old!Happy,happy birthday to you,my darling Cameron!!!

Back for Good in Canada

After almost eight years of living overseas,after having four pregnancies, after delivering the newest baby boy,ALISTAIR SCOTT MACPHEE, after realizing how tough it is for Coco to keep on transferring schools,after getting tired of packing and unpacking those big boxes of stuffs,after thinking that CANADA is the best place in the world for us, for the kids especially, here we are moving back to my husband's country and finally getting settled.



We are here in this new home for two months now. We love it and we love the community. It is a very peaceful neighborhood. We are very close to almost everything--- the schools,the shops, the public library, the church, etc...My husband picked the best choice for us. I am not yet driving, so this place is perfect for me! The house is wonderful. It is not very close to the main street, so we are far from the cacophony of the city. In our backyard is like a mini-forest with lovely,big trees and colorful flowers that abound the area. Just a lovely,perfect family home.

Finally, we have a place we call ours --- to raise our kids, to run around, to make a mess, to cultivate, to clean and fix, to make anything a normal,stable family do. Finally, we have a place to call a HOME SWEET HOME.