Happy Mothers Day!

It takes someone really brave to be a mother, someone strong to raise a child, and someone to love someone more than herself.  And that someone is a mother.  On this special day, I get to contemplate on how lucky and proud I am of myself for having done extraordinary things for my family.  I guess I deserve a pat in the back for a job well done.  Happy Mothers Day to my co-mommies out there! 

Praising On Sundays: The Question About Fasting

Gospel, Matthew 9:14-15

14 Then the followers of John the Baptist came to Jesus, asking,
Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast at all?

15 Jesus answered, Do you expect the guests at a wedding party to be sad as long as the bridegroom is with them? Of course not! But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

REFLECTION:
In the olden days, many preachers gave more sermons about hell than about heaven. It was probably because it was easy to manipulate people through fear; and the mythology of hell left nothing to the imagination. Misery has some way of appearing more real than joy, and there are many, even today, who prefer to emphasize it; it makes their message sound more real, more urgent, more “hands-on.” There can even be a kind of ghoulish interest in it. But Christians have to proclaim not only the death but the resurrection of Jesus.

Love Is Patient. Love Is Kind

Personally, this is my favorite bible verse about love.  It is just but apt to share this on this special day of the hearts.  Let’s spread the love everyone.  Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Kung Hei Fat Choi

I’m not Chinese but I’d like to take part in the festivity of the Chinese New Year by sharing my horoscope for 2013 that I found from a page of a Chowking planner. 

Year of the Snake – 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013

·            Chinese Snake people will be found to be very compatible with Chinese roosters and Ox people in 2013

·         According to Chinese Snake Forecasts 2013, these people will think to change their home or profession

·         These people will be appreciated for their hidden skills in Chinese Snake Year 2013

·         Chinese Snake Horoscopes 2013 predicts social recognition for these people in 2013

·         As per Chinese Snake astrology 2013, these people will take their family for a vacation in the last months of 2013

Yes, I was born in the Year of the Snake which makes it more exciting to have these predictions brought for me in this New Year.  I know that only God can predict what tomorrow will bring for us but I also believe that if we work hard for each day, then prosperity is a sure promise.

How about you? Under what animal sign were you born? J

House Rules and Home Chores - Part II

TIME TABLE and HOUSEHOLD CHORES for TROY & TRACY

MONDAY-FRIDAY:       7am - 5pm è SCHOOL

6pm - 8pm è DANCE STUDIO

9pm- 10pm è dinner and assignments

SATURDAY:                 1pm – 4pm  è DANCE STUDIO

SUNDAY:                     FAMILY TIME

            

TRACY

·         wash the dishes  on Saturdays

·         Clean and wipe the windows

·         Sweep the floors 

·    

     TROY

·         Wash the dishes on Sundays

·         Mop the floor

·         Clean the toilet

For those who have just come across my blog, I have two children who are athletes and their sport is competitive ballroom or dancesport.   They dance as partners and it so happened that they are growing teenagers also.  Oh how they love to explore and try new things.  But it is when their mood swings kicks in that I hate dealing with. 

They have been dancing for almost seven years now.  So, their life mostly revolves around school, dance trainings, shows and competitions.  I can call myself a stage parent since I get to be a manager and a time keeper with their schedules among other things. 

At a young age, they have fully developed their confidence and intrapersonal skills.  As a parent, I don’t want them to limit their skills just outside the house.  Rather, it is my goal to make them well rounded individuals and what better way to practice this by starting at home and the first step is to learn how to do the household chores.

It’s nice when you see your children growing but it’s when they start to demand for independence - that makes it more challenging as a parent.  My teenage kids aren’t really asking to be kicked out of the house.  Not yet anyway and while that time hasn’t come yet, I’d like to maintain that relationship we have of being open with each other.  For now, I still relish the moments of them relaying to me the exciting details of their day at school or how excruciating it was at dance practice today.  At that moment I became their friend who listens and slowly I change as their mother who asks them to throw the garbage outside or run an errand to the store.  I don’t want to be labeled as a strict disciplinarian or a nagging mom.  That’s why there are rules at home that are to be followed.  Over time, they will understand its importance and that it will make them better individuals. J

Praising on Sundays: Fishers of Men

Gospel: Lk 5:1–11

One day, as Jesus stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, with a crowd gathered around him listening to the word of God, he caught sight of two boats left at the water’s edge by the fishermen now washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to pull out a little from the shore. There he sat and continued to teach the crowd.

When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon replied, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I will lower the nets.” This they did and caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. They signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats almost to the point of sinking.

Upon seeing this, Simon Peter fell at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and his companions were amazed at the catch they had made and so were Simon’s partners, James and John, Zebedee’s sons.

Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. You will catch people from now on.” So they brought their boats to land and followed him, leaving everything.

Reflection:

The miraculous catch of fish in Sunday’s gospel moves Peter to a confusing response, “Leave me Lord.  I am a sinful man.”  Why should someone tell a teacher to leave when he or she has only begun learning what a teacher has to teach?  Jesus seems to understand the fear of the community of faith, represented in Peter, a fear of learning too much and being asked too much.

Jesus commission Peter in this humbled state, “From now on, you will be catching people.”  Peter knows future catches will come as the miraculous catch of fish has come, namely, in response to the word of God.

House Rules at Our Home

As parents, we raise our kids from infants and over the years teach them right from wrong.  As they grow older and becomes more involved with activities and peers outside the home, that’s when it’s best to set family rules and explain each of its importance to them.

 

HOUSE RULES

1.       Fix your bed when waking up.

2.       Do your homework or assignment before going to sleep

3.       No access to the laptop during school days unless if it’s for important reasons like projects, research or assignments. 

4.       Inform us ahead of time (and not on the spot or the same day you that you need it) for important things you need like:

ð  School fees or payments

ð  Projects/research

ð  Materials for dancesport

5.       Bring your bags directly to your room when you arrive.  Don’t just leave it on the doorway.

6.       Put your dirty/used clothes in the laundry basket and not scattered anywhere in the house.  If it’s still wet hang it outside to dry before putting in the laundry basket.

7.       Be mindful of your things so that you’ll know where to look for it.

8.       Use your personal towel, and hang it on the veranda after use.  If it’s raining, hang it in the room using a hanger.

9.       Put back your shoes in the shoe rack after use.  Not unless if it’s very dirty or smells.

10.    Turn off the lights if not in use.

11.    Switch off/plug off electronic supply and wires such as TV, cable, DVD, A/C, stand fan, iron, laptop and charger if not in use.

12.    Return things in their proper places after using.

13.    Call when you can’t come home on time or for any unforeseen events. We need to know where you are to keep us from worrying.

14.    Respect each and every member of the house.  Even the youngest one deserves it.

15.    Always remember to pray before and after going to bed.

Hubs and I called our children first for a meeting and consulted with them the contents of the house rules before we finalized everything.  We wanted them to know that we also respect their thoughts and ideas.  In that way, it could even more strengthen our line of communication with them.

Family rules make it easier for the children to align their behavior with parents’ expectations.  There are long term benefits too.  The relational skills that the kids learn at home – respecting each other’s feelings and their property – will make it easier for them to form healthy relationships with friends, schoolmates, coworkers, their spouses, and associates in the future.