My Choco Message

It's Butch's 27th Birthday and our 6th monthsary. The past week I was thinking what to do for a little surprise - something unique. I came up with the idea to find chocolates with names that I can use in a sentence. My original sentence was In the Milky Way galaxy and in the planet close to Mars.... blah blah blah. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find any Milky Way in the store. Haha! See photo for my super duper choco message. :)

From the Isles of the Sea

In our church, we have a November Affair each year for married couples. Those who are not married 30 years old and above can also attend.  This year's theme is Welcome to the Isles of the Sea. We dressed in our Hawaiian costume.

Butch and I are still in our 20's and the majority in attendance are the 30 up. Even those in their senior years are still attending. And we danced the music of 80's or 90's. It was never boring being with the old ones after all. haha. They literally flooded the dance floor. They even prepared dance numbers. 

The Corners of Our Home

One of my favorite songs  from the children songbook is entitled "We'll Bring the World his Truth".  And thus, the corners in our home has something to do with that song. Text in italics are taken from that song.

1. Marriage Corner

We have been born, as Nephi of old,

To goodly parents who love the Lord.
We have been taught, and we understand,

That we must do as the Lord commands

In our little office in our apartment, we have a picture taken during our wedding. I believe our example can do more to teach our children about the essentials of being married in the temple more than what we might say.

2. Institute Corner

We know his plan, and we will prepare,
Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.
Daily we'll learn until we are called
To take the gospel to all the world.

Even if we are already married, we still attend Institute Class. Improvement and progression don't have an end considering that we are imperfect beings. We want to establish the principle of gospel learning with our children as well. This will prepare them to be better missionaries and parents.

3. Missionary Corner

We have been saved for these latter days
To build the kingdom in righteous ways.
We hear the words our prophet declares:
"Let each who's worthy go forth and share."

We have this missionary picture and nametags on the table in our room. We want to instill in the minds of our children as young as they are about valuing service for the Lord. Most children have super heroes. It would be great if they have super mom and dad as their everyday heroes.

Alarm Kiss :D

During our 4th monthsary, the Gison sisters gave us some kiddie stuffs - diaper, hair clip, water gun and some toys. My favorite is the water gun. haha! I'll probably use this to wake Butch up. He is such a sleepy head. He sleeps in fetal position at times. Each morning when I am trying to wake him up with a kiss or kisses (haha) , he will just blink his eyes and hug his tanday tight as if he doesn't hear me. Is he pretending to be asleep or he just loves the alarm kiss?

Crush ko!

We spent our Sunday afternoon with mama, papa and hinablos. I spotted some of Butch's pictures from an album. Haha. He really has this non smiling face  since then. That's probably the reason why people would think he is so serious and supladito.

Since we are together every single day, I am used that he talks and talks and makes me laugh. And I find it uneasy if he is serious.

My Super Butch!

Last week while preparing for work, I saw Butch's notebook on the chair beside me. Knowing it's his lesson plan for missionary prep class, I just take a look and admired how neat and organized it is! When we were still dating he taught me how he organized his lesson plan. He really takes time to study each week before the class. He seems not getting  tired of reading and reading. This is one thing common about us. We love to read.

Also, he was assigned to give a talk during our stake conference about Preparing for Eternal Marriage. He actually formulated his talk the very day he was given an assignment. See? As if there's no tomorrow. Haha! That's another thing I love about him. He is always prepared. Even when he gives a talk in our ward each month, each topic is well thought of. Who will not fall even more in love with a man like him? 

Scanning from the Top

There are times that I'm just crazy and would read our chat history in FB from the top! It's like scanning 5000+ messages and laughing while reading. Sometimes we marry the person we least expect to fall in love with. BUT it happens. Butch is stern-looking so I had this impression that he is supladito to the max. It turned out that he is the sweetest guy I've ever met. Great, handsome guy! Haha.

He used to share some PDFs with me or anything he is reading. Chemistry works because we both love to read. And now he is buying me books and we share the same family name too! Haha.

When he said he missed me, I will just answer it with an icon or change the topic. Pakipot days! And I laughed when I read his reply "reply gusto ko".

 

We all go through the corny lines right? Ewwww. So corny me.

True, when his eyes meet mine I can visualize eternity.

I was sick then and he gave me fruits, sandwich. etc. We're only "friends that time". Now that we're married and when I got sick, I feel like I am a baby.

We had this chat before, he said if he has a wife already he will pamper her. Who would have thought the wife will be me? So I'm the lucky wife. He brushes my hair and buys me moisturizer,. He also choose the shampoo to make my hair a little bit thick. He supports my addiction to books by buying me more.

Books for me!

Butch really knows that I love to read. So he bought me books. So happy me! One is entitled the no cry sleep solution. It contains tips that mothers should do so their babies will not have crying episodes through the night. It also talks what moms should do so their baby can differentiate between day and night sleeps.

At the beginning it takes a little time since you really have to monitor the babies sleeping logs.  But as the author says, this is a brief period of a mother's life. You'll wake up one day with you children grown up.

4th monthsary

Today is our 4th monthsary as hubby and wifey. We went to Kenny Rogers for our lunch date. Their Blueberry Pasta Salad  tastes so good. I will probably try to make that one.  Roasted chicken, muffins, vegies and yoghurt --- so namnam!

In the afternoon Butch made mac cheese. He taught me how. And here's how to make it. :D

250grams elbow macaroni

100grams butter

185grams quick melt cheese (2 packs)

basil to sprinkle

5 pieces sweet ham

3 tbsp flour

1. cook the macaroni and set aside.

2. Slice the cheese into cubes as well as the ham.

3. Melt the butter in a pan. Stir well while adding the flour.

4. Add the cheese and ham. Mix well until thoroughly melted and cooked.
5. Add the cooked macaroni. Mix well and sprinkle with basil.

6. serve and enjoy!

Our friends came over for our family home afternoon. Meryl and Chinee gave us a surprise. A little note and some baby stuffs - diaper, clip, toys, water gun (my favorite! i'll use this to wake Butch up.)

We had our walkathon from home to Esplanade and from Esplanade to home in the evening. :)

Movie Time!

I came across a great website. And I think I'll gonna follow those ideas. :)

In homes like ours

We have 3 rooms in our apartment. One room for my office/library. The other is our bedroom. And the other is our stuffs room. Even if I'm still at work or doing something else and Butch is taking a nap or even sleeping, it doesn't even take a minute to make some kawat kiss,oh I mean some kawat look if what is his sleeping position. Nalingaw lng gd ko ya panu xa magtulog. haha! Love grows best in homes just like this!

Building Memories

When I go to National Bookstore, I always drop by the scrapbooking section. I love making scrapbooks.  The designs always remind me how colorful life can be.

Before we got married, I already made a scrapbook. It contains how we met, what I liked about him, our dates, wedding and many more. I guess this is such an exciting way to share to our children how our love blossomed.

This is a sample page from my sacrapbook. It contains the pictures last 09/29/2012. We ate at Pizza hut and here comes the proposal to be his girlfriend. Haha. I even attached the receipt for the fisrt movie we watched (Resident Evil).

When I got bored (like now), I take a peak at the pages. Our love story is my favorite!

Reviewing MCN

Yesterday’s earthquake caused power to shut down. So I began reading my MCN book. Earlier, my husband called me to show a video with good animation. Only to find that was actually what I’ve been reading yesterday. I picture out what takes place inside the body with what I am reading and he is viewing it in youtube.  Well he’s getting fond watching medical documentations.

P.S. We’re not yet pregnant. But it’s good to learn together what’s going on from the start of fertilization, development of organs, fetal growth and development, psychological and physiologic changes during pregnancy etc. I will read the book and he will watch it in youtube.

Munchkins with love

Today my husband is busy training the youth for the theater for our upcoming ward activity. I am home alone again so I have another sweet surprise in mind.

I made homemade munchkins out of Ace Biscuit.

 

Ingredients:

1 pack Ace Biscuit

300 mL condensed Milk

MarshmallowDessicated coconut/confectioner’s sugar (optional)

How to:

1. Pound the biscuit until fine.

2. In a  bowl combine the crushed biscuit and condensed milk. Mix well.

3. Shape into balls with marshmallow inside. If the marshmallow is big enough you can divide into two.

4. Sprinkle with dessicated coconut.

5. Chill and serve

I did not use dessicated coconut this time. I just topped the munchkins with chocolate, gelatin and yogurt.

Dinner with Missionaries

Sept 28 marked the 3rd month since I stole his last name. Yesterday, the 29th marked the 1st year since I said yes to the question “will you be my girlfriend or is this too cheesy.” And today the 30th, wala lang end of the month! Haha. But we have Ssam Bap and Cherry Topped Dessert for dinner with the Elders. Late celeb!

We made Institute a priority

What a blessing to have made Institute a priority. I graduated last 2009 (the same time I graduated from College). Butch graduated March of this year both in College and in the Institute. I also received my Advanced Achievement this year!

Plus, we both met at the Institute a long time ago. But the love sparked in the later years. Haha! Here are some words from our dear prophet how the Institute can nourish our lives.

President Thomas S. Monson

“If you are a single college student, I ask you to make participation in institute a priority. Married students and other young adults are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Think of it. Friends will be made, the Spirit will be felt, and faith will be strengthened. I promise you that as you participate in institute and study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it. That is a promise which I leave with you. ”President Thomas S. Monson (April 21, 2009)

 

President Gordon B. Hinckley

“We urge all for whom [institute] is available to take advantage of it. We do not hesitate to promise that your knowledge of the gospel will be increased, your faith will be strengthened, and you will develop wonderful associations and friendships.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley (in Conference Report, April 1984, 69; or Ensign, May 1984, 47)

Fruit Cream Pie

My husband is simply amazing! So creative of him to make this. But the real story behind this is for us to keep!  Haha! Basta namit ah! 

the Black out!

After the family week gathering, I feel so exhausted not having the sufficient sleep. So Butch and I slept the whole afternoon. We woke up with no power. So mainit! So we decided to go to the mall instead. We roamed around and have our McDo night. This is our first McDo night as a married couple. We have chicken and rice. Plus Coke float for me (Butch refrains from sodas. How I wish I can do it too). We also have fries with sour cream and onion seasoning. yum!

When we got home, we thought the power is on because some of our neighbors have lights on. Well, we found out that they have generator and it’s still so powerless and dark inside our house. We end up telling stories and riddles. and laugh out loud too!

Namnam Tilapia!

Because we are trying something new, Butch steamed this tilapia. I don’t know how he did it because I was upstairs preoccupied with work. But this is extremely delicious. I can see mayo on it with super fried garlic and brocolli.

Tonight’s Menu

In our kitchen, my husband created a sign for our cooking area. It reads “Tonight’s Menu”. It’s actually the back portion of an illustration board so it will be easier for us to erase every time we change the name of the food.

In the picture we had adobo, chicken curry, sinigang, tinola, estofado and others!
Butch is really a great cook. So I think I need to practice more! haha!

yummy Spaghetti!

Butch gave me spaghetti last year. He said in a conversation of ours that any guy can give you chocolates and stuffed toys, but not everyone can cook spaghetti like this! haha!

So it’s like he captured my heart with his spaghetti and he is doing it all over again and again.

Let’s go Mexican!

Nacho’s plus meaty sauce = perfect match. I don’t know how he did this. But it taste so good!  See, I am the lucky wife.

Just another invention

I usually make some creative desserts out of the left overs we have. Butch made strawberry float. There’s extra cream and strawberries so this is it!

I call this cookie banana float with strawberry toppings. haha! It’s the usual float but I just added cookies and banana.

Strawberry Float

My husband is so sweet and he made this.  It’s the usual float but this time we have strawberry filling.

Strawberry Cheesecake Madness

I made strawberry cheesecake today! Since we don’t have an oven yet, let’s try nonbaked.

Here are the ingredients we need.
1 can condensed milk  (300mL)
1 bar softened cream cheese (225 grams)
1 cup whipping cream
Butter (225 grams)
strawberries in can
200 grams crushed graham
2 lemons

1. DO CRUST. In a pan, melt the butter and add the crushed graham. Mix thoroughly.  Press into a 9- or 10-inch baking pan. Allow to cool and refrigerate.
2. DO FILLING:  In a bowl, mix 1can condensed, 1bar softened cream cheese, and 1 cup whipping cream. I used electric mixer so the mixture will be smooth and fluffy. Then I added the juice of 2 lemons. The addition of lemon will stiffen the mixture, which is important to a non-baked cheese cake. 1 lemon will do if you prefer just a little sour taste.
3. Pour the mixture over the prepared crust.  Refrigerate overnight,
4. Top with strawberries in the morning. Refrigerate for a while. and enjoy!

No Place Like Home

We’re so blessed enough to have an affordable apartment. We live by ourselves but days are always filled with laughter.

Let’s take a tour to our simple abode. Upon entering our front door, you will immediately see the words welcome under the love notes I gave Butch during his birthday. Haha! So every visitor gets to read those cheesyness of mine.

In the sink there’s a  sign  keep this area clean. My husband was the one who did all the signs.
There’s a “Watch your step” sign too when you come upstairs. Beside the signs are our Institute Diploma! We want our children to see that we made Institute a priority.
We also have this missionary area in the table in our bedroom. You can see our nametags and and the framed mission pictures. This is one thing we want our children to see as well. The best wayt to teach every child is through our examples.

We have three rooms. One is our bedroom. The other is our little office. This is my work place and our mini library. And the last is our storage room.

We Love Books!

When we were still dating, Butch would sometimes share about the books he read. Now that we are married, I often see him reading and reading.

We did receive cash gifts during our wedding, so we bought two book shelves. And I think we still need more in time. I still have lots of books in boxes! I am really the one with lots of stuffs. I love books since I was young. I had the chance to be a top reader of the month during my Elementary years in Assumption. I would borrow like 3 books a day from the library and read it after I’m done with homework.

If I have a lot of money I will buy books and books and books.

Just married

My bestfriend Celene went on a vaca to Thailand and brought this home as a wedding gift. Butch here is really like Butch in real life. Haha. Just married! thumbs up to a blissful marriage.

Our love Story

When I was young, I love to study history but not to memorize dates! But these 3 significant dates that mark a history in our lives are well kept. And I guess stealing his last name is the only reasonable form f stealing. haha! Oh, stealing my heart as well is just fine. In fact, very very fine!

Mint to Be

We have this in all the tables during the reception. It’s a native fruit tray but we place pinks flowers and mentos instead. My creative husband designed the MINT TO BE and include it here. Isn’t he amazing?

Weddings are not that expensive if we let our minds work.  Good for me to say but he is the planner really.  Our food was catered by Francisco’s. Their food is good. Along with the package are the tables and chairs. They did some skirting on the table cloth as well. Butch’s friend John assist us with the set up. He is creative as well. The music was prepared by Shaun.

The bouquet

Wedding preparations can be exciting!  My mom made this bouquet. She is an expert with this. Since we are travelling to Cebu from Iloilo, I opted to have artificial flowers on my bouquet with some ribbons. Until now, I still have it. It serves as a decoration in our home.

Wedding Cake :)

This cake is so manamit and affordable. Only a little slice was eaten during the reception during the slicing of the cake. However, we don’t look so good in the picture with a mouth full of cake. We took all the cake home and eat with our family!

Grab a Prop!

My husband has this creative side. He is the mind for our wedding plans. I am his avid fan and supporter! Haha.

We had this Grab a prop in the corner of the venue.After the wedding anyone can enjoy taking their pictures. Some of the props were taken home by friends after the reception. Some are still with us! And every time we have visitors at home, they still take pictures with our props.  haha! thinking to add more.

First Kiss

Sleeping Beauty was kissed by her prince charming to break the spell and she came to life. It happened to snow white as well.

Our first kiss has nothing to do with casting away spells but it was truely magical. It was inside the temple but since we can’t have pictures taken inside, we had lots of kissing pictures outside. haha!

What do kisses mean to you?  President Spencer W. Kimball, former president of the Church taught: “Kissing has … degenerated to develop and express lust instead of affection, honor, and admiration. To kiss in casual dating is asking for trouble. What do kisses mean when given out like pretzels and robbed of sacredness?

Glad to have saved our first kiss this very day! If our children by any chance would ask us the question when was your first kiss?, we would be proud to say ‘on our wedding day’.

The Big Day!

Ever grateful for the blessings of the temple. This day has finally come. I was reminded of a counsel President Monson gave –”Maintain an eternal perspective. Let there be a temple marriage in your future. There is no scene so sweet, so time so sacred as that very special day of your marriage. Then and there you glimpse celestial joy. Be alert, do not permit temptation to rob you of this blessing.”

Butch and I have the same goals so it has never been a question where to get married. We flew from Iloilo to Cebu the day before our wedding with our parents. Excitement can be seen in our eyes.

At the day of our wedding, it’s  gloomy outside as I peeked through the window hoping it won’t rain. Haha! I prepared right away then we ate breakfast. Back to our room and beautify myself with my Nanay’s help. It was fast paced, and we are already in the sealing room. My Batch in my mission Sister Landingin came over to witness. The officiator made some counsels then we are made to face the mirror in front of us where we can see our endless reflection in the mirror at the back. Can’t believe that I am already facing the mirrors of eternity with Butch by my side.

The wearing of the wedding ring followed and lastly the kiss! Our very first kiss! Oh celestial joy, I so feel you! haha!

Picture taking follows. Butch,s older Brother Alex came from Manila to attend to and he is our photographer. It didn’t rain, yehay! We have tons of photos.

And popped the question

In my youth, there’s this song that I love which made me anticipate for true love even more. The title is “Somewhere There’s Somebody Waiting”

Somewhere there’s somebody waiting for someone exactly like me.
They are hoping and praying, anticipating a love that lasts eternally.
And somewhere there’s someone who’s trying to do what the Savior would do.
They are searching and reading and humbly they’re pleading that I will remain pure and true.
And somewhere there’s someone who’s dreaming of how wonderful that day will be
When two become one in the Lord’s holy temple to be sealed for eternity.
So today let us start preparing ourselves to be married in the house of the Lord.

And that somebody has asked me to steal his last name! I mean, asked me to marry him. We were viewing the pictures we took then there’s this photo of “Will you marry me” which he wrote on a piece of paper. woohooo!

Grow Old with You

Today is one of the most anticipated day! We’re having our prenuptial shoot. Manong B is the photographer. He’s really amazing!

Our theme is grow old with you. I’ve been thinking of shots that would match the theme weeks ago. What I want to picture out is the reality of life after marriage.

We dressed up in white top and jeans. Our first stop is at the Esplanade. The shots there are the blowing bubbles, laughing under the sun with those shades on, laughing over pictures in the camera, bubble gum popping. Sounds unique right?

Then, our next stop is Nanay Trining’s for the home setting. Since he is a great cook and I know he will be the one cooking good meals (lol), we had a shot with him on his apron while I am hugging him from the back. We also had scripture study scenes, taking blood pressure (super crazy), budgeting, playing debt free.

Third is SM City. Haha! I always dreamed of a house full of books and we both love books so we had a shot in National bookstore. Luckily, we weren’t reprimanded or anything. Another shot is at the grocery store. We’re actually buying props for another outdoor scene.

Our last stop is the Big Field of CPU. This is the university where I spent my High School days. We had picnic scenes advertising KFC, Oreo, Fresh Milk, strawberry jam and peanut butter. We also have scenes lying on the grass. And some are laughing random scenes.

What a day! So much of the mental picture of LIFE with Butch in the future.  Just so grateful that it will finally be a dream come true! If you want to have  memorable prenup shots, let go of the traditional shots and just have some fun. No need to be so flamboyant. Keep it simple and unique. Seize the day!