When I Became A Mom

I strongly believe that one of my life's greatest assignments here on earth is to be a mother. I never understood my mom well enough until I became one. My mom had to give up her teaching career the day she learned she's pregnant after more than a year of being married to my father. I am their first offspring and I've witnessed how my mom dotingly took care of me and my younger siblings. She's a hands-on-mom (up to now). She has symptoms of an OCD. Hehe. Got 50% of that 'disorder'. Haha. 

Now that I am raising my own kids, I preferred to stay at home most of the time except during the days my dear husband requests my presence to be with him when he's having out of town trips exceeding more than two days. (He can't sleep well the whole night without sniffing and touching his wife according to him.) I have a househelp at home who does the laundry, cooking and cleaning and I am the one who takes care of the necessary needs of my household. I always check their food, clothes, school calendar and so on. Reese, our 5-year old darling sometimes would tell me that she loves me more than his Dad because Dad doesn't like to buy her toys and Mommy buys her Play Doh sets every month to which I would always reply, "It's Daddy's money Mommy's using to buy you Play Doh." (wink)

It's been 8 years now since I became a mom and the task, the obligation, the responsibility and all that motherhood entails will never become too easy. When I was on my initial period, I almost gave up but by the help of God and through His grace I was able to survive those tiring and very doubting years. It was a havoc and a chaotic life for me since I was one of those teenage moms almost a decade ago. It was a battle because I was having a hard time balancing my own emotions, desires and self-ego adding to my little life these babies (they're twins) for me to feed and grow. It was a "whattalife" for me back then. But, really, God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind. Those trying times, I learned how to trust His plans and His heart for me. I never went on empty. 

It was when I became a mother that I appreciated life better. It was when I became a mother that I learned how to value life and all existence. It was when I became a mother - I have felt the kind of love which is almost unconditional and so heart-melting. The kind of love which would withstood even the greatest failures one can do, always forgiving and always gentle. Let me show how I feel through a song I dedicate to my children. I have three as of now, and we are expecting two more (if they will be twins) this year or maybe next year if God permits.

"Every Day I Love You"

Boyzone

I don't know, but I believe
That some things are meant to be
And that you'll make a better me
Everyday I love you
I never thought that dreams came true
But you showed me that they do
You know that I learn something new
Everyday I love you

'Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don't you know that I do)
And you'll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul.

It's a touch when I feel bad
It's a smile when I get mad
All the little things I am
Everyday I love you 

Everyday I love you more
Everyday I love you

'Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don't you know that I do)
And you'll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul

If I asked would you say yes?
Together we're the very best
I know that I am truly blessed
Everyday I love you
And I'll give you my best
Everyday I love you.

Mashfa's Top 10 Favorite Christian Songs

I was raised inside the portals of a church. I and my younger brothers were taught how to listen and to sing Christian songs. I on the vocals and acoustic guitar while my brothers can play the guitars, drums and piano, they could sing too. From English praise and worship songs to the Ilocano ones to Visayan - we've learned them all. When I was eight or nine years old I started to love Don Moen's songs up to this day. In fact, when he had a performance last November 2013 in General Santos City, I was able to sit, watch and even sang songs with him at the VIP rows. I also love the music of Darlene Zscech, Michael W. Smith, Steve Curtis Chapman, Kari Jobe, Mandissa, Ron Kenoly and a few more.

Here are my personal choices:

1. Say Goodbye, Mandissa

2. Steady My Heart, kari Jobe

3. When God Ran

4. God Will Make A Way, Don Moen

5. God is Able, Ron Kenoly

6. Kiss of Heaven, Darlene Zscech

7. I Will Be Here For You, Michael W. Smith

8. Search and Know, Garry Valenciano

9. Duyana Ako, Jerome Suson

10. Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow (my father's life song)

Facebook Stores I Love

After writing my reasons why I prefer buying online, I would also make a post of my trusted stores and sellers on Facebook. I personally give my rate of 9.5 out 10 for these stores because of their quality customer service and of course their products as well. I'd be listing them in random. No favorites because I equally love the people behind them. Heeheeee.

1. Thrifty Picks. She sells so pretty, vibrant, colorful, chiffon, printed, cotton, plain, quality and adorable vintage dresses. Her page uploads tons of them at least twice a week and it's always a race for her fans. I already met the seller of this precious Facebook store several times already and she's one of the prettiest ladies I know. She's soft-spoken and we shared some personal things in life through our meet-ups and online conversations. She even invited me on her wedding day (made me so flattered), sadly I wasn't able to see her in her wedding dress. She's blessed, indeed. She because Thrifty Picks of Davao City is no other than Ms. Anne.

2. Blusa Ni Juana. Plaids and plains? It's like opening your grandma's wooden chest and discovering that we too in this generation can still pull-off their sense of fashion decades ago. Long skirts and as the store's name bears it - blusa or blouse; blouses and tops that are hard to find nowadays not just because of the style but moreover because of its quality. No other than, Ms. Maricarr of Marikina. A seller I've known to be so bubbly during our conversations through chat. Haha. A seller who know's how to fight back - hehe. Straightforward but considerate.

3. Thrifty Pinay. Pre-loved branded clothing up for grabs from this shop. Selling dresses and bottoms, tops and cardigans. Based in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Ms. Anna caters fashion wants with brands at affordable prices fit for working ladies even moms. She was pregnant the first time I bought dresses from her. Now we're even because she's already a mom like me! Hehe. One of my constant 'likers' of my Facebook updates/posts. Hehe. A seller who listens to her customers and makes reminders gently. Hehe.

4. Cute Chesca's Closet. Named after her daughter, Ms. Lou of Cainta Rizal is selling delicious items like Taste N See's toasted pastillas, cookies n cream pastillas and caramel pastillas, red velvet crinkles with cream cheese filling, choco crinkles with choco ganache filling, silvanas, blondies and revel bars, Iloco's longganisa, sansrival and wait there's more - character Uratex beds and mom & daughter dresses/tops/bottoms. She has so many to offer and I love buying her sweets most especially the red velvet crinkles and toasted pastillas. One of the best sellers I know because she communicates well with her clients. A devoted mother to her cute Chesca.

5. Charle's Goodies. Ms. Lori of Ontario, Canada is selling lots of stuff from the place where she is now. She's a Filipino and has a boutique in Bangkal, Davao City managed by her smiling Mom. Her shop offers all kinds of children's wear - tops to bottoms to undies to footwear. She has some for adults too. She carries branded ones namely Osh Kosh, Place, Gap, Aeropostale and many more. I got from her my boxes of Corelle - at very low prices! Much lower than the sale prices we have in malls nationwide! Believe me you! Hehe. So so affordable. Plus, this seller is so considerate. Hehe. Her boutique in Davao City where I visited once serves as one of my inspirations in putting up my own, one day.

Online Buying/Shopping

I started selling online a few months after giving birth to my third child year 2009. I used Facebook and Sulit. By the following year I initiated buying simple stuff like clothing and shoes for myself. Months went by and I was already hooked! Selling, buying, selling, buying, buying, buying.. Hahaha! I usually buy my personal paraphernalia online, at least 60-70% of my clothes, shoes and bags. I even purchase some of our small kitchen appliances from an online shopping mall. Let me write in here three reasons why I kinda go for this shopping method instead of going to a physical store:

1. Convenience. I don't have to go outside the house, less the hours spent in taking a bath, dressing up and all which I sometimes dislike. There'd be days I'd jump into the car  hair uncombed. And there'd also be unlucky days when I can't locate my one and only pink Springmaid comb making our driver run to a nearest store to buy an alternative brush for my pitiful hair. So much for that hair, because I stay most of the time at home, in my husband's office and on the road, I do not have the luxury of staying inside a shopping center particularly if it'll be my personal things I'll be selecting. When online, when I see an item, I'll check, I'll ask for details from the seller or read the given info, if I like, then confirm. That's it. 

Okay. Wait. As many as the sellers and buyers flocking the world wide web today, I am fully aware that there are fakes, bogus and scams. I only transact with sellers whom I know and trust. I am a 'repeating' customer. I do not hop from one seller/shop to another. This also applies when I shop in a physical store. I am one of those who always carry a shoppers' loyalty card or whatever they call it. Hehe. 

2. Spending Less. When I shop online I do not have to bring a wallet or cash. And when I say I only have 1,000 php for today for buying a pair of sandals, a pair of trousers and a shirt, then I have to stick with it. It's because, I am the kind of woman who brings all of my belongings when I go out. Meaning, I have with me our ATM cards and my one-month's allowance plus the amount intended for food and house necessities. Honestly, I can't resist buying when I'm surrounded with so good things. I only think about an item twice. Ending, I'd be paying for unnecessary finds. I guess I should be thinking more than thrice - to a hundred. I do not have that kind of extended patience when shopping because the day would soon be over so what I see, I get. Unlike when I face my computer, browsing a thing to a thing, stuff to a different stuff to more, I'd have the time to compare and think, now this, more than twenty times. 

3. I Make Friends. True. Because I am a 'repeating' customer, the sellers become my virtual friends. I get to know them. Not only them but even their families, their spouses, kids, love life. Because when I transact with people, one of my interests is to make a connection, not just in terms of money or business but to make a bridge more on personal. Mostly, that makes me come back to that shop, to the seller,  because of the person.

Well, my online shopping mantra only applies when I buy things for myself as what I've written above. When it comes to my husband and our kiddos, I don't have a choice but to spend a day inside my favorite shopping mall, will make another post for it though.