is it already the last weekend of September... where does the time go?
there's already a chill in the air...leaves are falling...warmer jackets are being put on...
what a weekend...fall clean-up, packing summer stuff up and getting into the fall groove...
looking forward to creating something special for someone who deserves a lil' surprise~i haven't forgotten...just wishing time was on my side...this surprise will hopefully make it in time for one of our favourite holidays...Halloween!
In the meantime, the munchkins, dear hubby + i had a sweet family dessert date...what a nice way to mark the end of summer... Do you have any traditions to mark the end of Summer and welcome Fall? Here's to a delicious end to summer... au revoir hot sun, bonjour crisp, fall air!
16 years ago...you and i exchanged vows in my childhood church...
you're my best friend. you're my one and only.
look what we've built together...we've gone through so much together. we have so much history together...i look forward to sharing many more years with you and our lil' munchkins...i love you for eternity... mahal kita...Happy 16th anniversary mahal! je t'aime xoxo
{image found on internet, I inserted words + heart banner}
{created by me: labour of love}
{created by me: labour of love}
10 years...
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was early morning, I was downtown at work in Chicago, when a colleague had his tv on in his office and said something weird was happening...World Trade Center was on fire...then we all saw the second plane hit the second tower...burst of flames, black smoke, we were dumbfounded, and utterly scared for those trapped in the buildings and the horrible thought that something terrible has gone on...then my hubby called me and said something I will never forget... "Terrorists hit NYC and America is in danger"...I thought I was in the twilight zone... he then told me to get out of work and meet him on the train to go home...
That day changed the world forever.
I will never ever forget the many hearts that were taken. Life cut short for so many innocent people. Lives lost in a second. Families torn. The world in chaos. The kind hearts that helped. The very meaning of unconditional love pouring out to so many...
Today, I will always remember all those special hearts...our Heros...
September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten.
My three little miracles were created 2 months after this tragedy...and I am truly grateful to God. He brought us hope among the darkest day...and I will continue to keep those special hearts in my prayers... as the loves of my life keep burning bright lights for the future...
Today is Tuesday. Today is stormy. Today is all about "Anyway..."
I stumbled on to one of my friends' facebook status and this is what it said:
Words to live by: If u r honest, people may cheat u. Be honest anyway. If u find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good u do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, it is between u and God. It was never between u and them anyway. (attributed to Mother Teresa, based on Dr. Kent M. Keith...borrowed from my friend, Kristie...)
1. This version was found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
-this version is credited to Mother Teresa (*) The verses above was reportedly written on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India, and are widely attributed to her. And some sources say that the words were written on the wall in Mother Teresa's own room. However, these words are based on a composition originally by Kent Keith, but much of the second half has been re-written in a more spiritual way.
2. Here is the Original Version:
The Paradoxical Commandments by Dr. Kent M. Keith:
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.Give the world the best you have anyway.
When someone says, "Oh, you don't have to get me anything. Especially flowers. They're too expensive and they'll just die in a day anyway!" Don't believe them. Flowers will always put a smile on someone's face. Especially if they came from someone you care about. Flowers are God's natural wonders of beauty. From a small seed, beauty erupts at the right time and will display such amazing + vibrant colours and shapes.
For longer lasting flowers, just take care of your flowers when you receive them. Cut bottom stems at an angle. Remove some of the leaves from the flower bunch. Put them in water, add flower medicine (or crushed tylenol). Remember to keep your flowers away from air conditioners or heat registers. Change the water everyday and cut the ends off on an angle.
Now, go ahead and surround yourself with these natural beauties and enjoy every moment!
VIRGIN MARY and baby Jesus at the Courtyard of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, L'Erable, Illinois
photo by labour of love
For many Christians, especially the Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholic Churches, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and parts of the Anglican Communion and Continuing Anglicanism, today is The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary~August 15 . (information from Loyola Press here and Wikipedia over here .)
Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was born without sin, was taken, body and soul, into the glory of heaven on this day. Because of Mary's role in God's plan of salvation, she does not suffer from the effects of sin, which are death and decay. Mary is the first to receive the fullness of the redemption that her son has won for all of humanity. The Church, therefore, recognizes Mary as the sign of the salvation promised to all.
Mary's faith enabled her to recognize the work of God in her people's history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to all. Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God's plan of salvation.
A Catholic Theologian, Ludwig Ott, viewed Mary as having completed her life as a shining example to the human race, with the perspective that the gift of assumption is offered to the whole human race. (information from Wikipedia here )
Merci Beaucoup, Sweet, Blessed Virgin Mary for having faith in God and happily accepting God's plan. I pray that I can continue to have Faith and continue to do God's will, just as you had.
