Out of Sight...Out of Mind...

...is sometimes true but not always.

I've been away for a while, ok, let's rephrase that...I've been away from blogging for more than a year. But that does not mean God's goodness never happened or reflected in my life for the past year. And that He is always in my mind everyday.

From GoEnglish, Out of sight, out of mind means "There are some things which we think about only as long as we can see them in front of us". Anyway, with regards to our great God...We live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

It's really hard to find a reason why I have not shared anything for the past year...let's try it this way...Absence makes the heart grow fonder. (GoEnglish)Did that work?

Anyhow, at this time of the year, I do celebrate something...we'll call it my second life birthday...yes...that's how fast time was running. It's been 3 years since I had my Bone Marrow Transplant. I had my annual check-up at Princess Margaret Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital last October 21st. Everything went well...God is good...All the time.

I hope this is a restart of my blogging days...

Six Months to Blog

It's been a while and just realizing it's been 6 months since my last blog. I've been a very, very busy wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, great aunt ("oh yeah"), friend and worker (another "oh yeah" to that). I don't want this post to be very, very long so I will briefly give you the highlights of my past six months.

April

• Early April, my father and parent's in-law went back to Philippines for vacation for 2 months. Imagine me being a full-time mom doing the chores. Of course, I have the full support from my beloved husband.


• 5- Jensine started to attend Tae-kwon-do classes once a week.
• 17- I had my monthly check-up at Princess Margaret Hospital- blood test, eye exam and doctor's appointment -all is well.

May

• Still bringing Jensine for hid Tae-kwon-do classes every week.


• 15- I had my monthly check-up at Princess Margaret Hospital- blood test, eye exam and doctor's appointment -all is well. My doctor told me to stop my anti-rejection pills.


• 20- I still did not have enough, I helped a friend for her son's birthday preparations with invitations and give-aways. Another passion of mine not many people knows.

June

• 8- Jensine passed his Tae-kwon-do Yellow Stripe Belt Exam.
• 12- had my monthly check-up at Princess Margaret Hospital- blood test, eye exam bone mineral density test, dental appointment and doctor's appointment -all is very well. I will be back to see them in 3 months.
• First day of work, my manager, was able to arrange with the company for me to work 2 days from home and the other 3 days, I will be in the office.

22- Jensine's Senior Kindergarten Graduation Day / Jerson's birthday

Since, it's Jerson's Birthday, too, the 3 of us went out for lunch to celebrate.

Our Barkada also gave us a Surprised Party, for Jensine's Graduation, Jerson's Birthday and my new job.

July

• 1 to 7- Vacation Bible School at Mt. Zion Church
• 6- Friends from Chicago visited us.
• 22- Explore the beauty of nature in Niagara Falls.
• the rest were just work and home. Adjusting to my new load of commitment.

August

• 5- Brought Jensine to Circus
• 7- Follow up with the denists at Princess Margaret
• 10- Auntie Juliet visited us from California
• 25- Share God's Good News at Kalamazoo, Michigan and had the chance to visit Battlecreek, Michigan.
• 27 - Jensine watched Toopie & Binoe Live Show at Vaughan Mills

September

• 1 to 3- Road trip to Pennsylvania. Visited Lost River Cavern, Crayola Factory, Hershey Factory and King of Prussia Mall

After all these big changes from being very ill, home/hospital stay gal, I probably stretched my energy so much that I got sick middle of September. No worries and no regrets, for today, I am celebrating my 2-Year Anniversary of my Bone Marrow Transplant. On Monday, October 1st, I will have my Anniversary check-up from blood test, Pulmonary Function Test, Mammogram and doctor's appointment.

For all these, all I can say is "God is Good, all the Time". All praises are to Him, our God and Saviour, from whom all blessings flow.

Happy Birthday to Me...

Another year of blessing. Just few of the greetings and wishes I received for my birthday.

Happy birthday Kaye! More birthdays to come! God bless always!- Rhea

Happy Birthday sis! Just always hang on and you'll be fine. Always remember we'll always be here for you. - Ate nancy

Happy Birthday Ate Kaye...best wishes and may God continue to bless you with the fullness and richness of His Blessings=) ur life is a living testimony of what GOd has done for u..and i know that even through your trials and troubles..ur faith in has not been hindered and you can truely witness God miracles that He has done in your life, just think..maybe if it wasn't for Him..maybe you wouldn't have this birthday...sooo I ask God to continue to strengthen you and may u be able to spread His love through ur life and through your testimony=) May He truely continue to dwell within you heart=) Love Christine Alberastine

I just wanted to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and a smile :) on this wonderous occasion and hopes of success in all your endeavours to come with you and your family. "Behold , I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places wither thou goest; I will not leave thee" Genesis 28:15. Pray about everything, worry about nothing. Take care and have a Blessed Sabbath to come. - A.j. Basit

Hi Kaye - Have fun on your birthday! May you have many many more birthdays to come!!!!Regards to your family, - Deg

Happy Birthday!!! God is really good and i know he has a purpose for you out here... I always pray for you... i know you will reach more than what you expected... all we need is to keep holdin on... love you... - Ate Annie

kmusta na ?Beleted happy birthday sa yo.and god bless ur family. - B-chelle

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPYB-DAY!!! MAY ALL YOUR WISH COME TRUE!!!HAVE A NICE DAY!Gracielle

Happy Birthday 2 uTake care always and God Bless - Arel

Wishing you all the happiness in the world on your Birthday. Have a blessed Birthday Mare! You're always in my prayers!Love & Hugs,"Ate" Jo-Anne ^_^

b-lated happy b-day po.wishing u a healthy and happy life.god bless - Donna

There are more greetings and wishes from friends, family and love ones. Thank you for all those who remember my birthday. Same as last year, I was crying again on my birthday not because of my past but because of my son, Jensine...yes, I said I was crying again for I remember I was crying last year. This time it was different...we were having chat last Friday, March 9 (my birthday), before we went to bed...I don't remember why all of a sudden our conversation turned to this...

Jensine: Mom, I want to be a doctor, so if they cannot heal you I'll be there . I'll save the day.

I can't help myself but cry in front of him...his young age and mind...does not fully understand my situation. But I hope and pray that God will give him wisdom and knowledge to understand and accept what the future holds us...this is my prayer.

Many Things To Celebrate, Part 2

Yes, this month of June, we have so many things to celebrate and thanks to our awesome God. Let's start with things to be thankful for in the beginning of this month...

I am out of a wheelchair!

Yes, for the past month, I've been using wheel chair since I came out of the hospital. Now, I am using a walker or more exactly a rollator. I am feeling a lot more better nowadays.

Father's Day, indeed!

Third Sunday of June, falls on June 18th this year. Since Jerson has been a father for 4 years now, our fathers on both side and all our godfather's except from Ninong Sangko (Isagani Odulio) who passed away couple of years ago, are still pretty much healthy, we have something to celebrate. Since, I am still a bit weak, we did not have a big celebration, rather, we just called them up and greet them "Happy Father's Day". Nevertheless, we always have a Father above, who we can always give praises and thanks not just on Father's Day but everyday.

Jerson is 30!

"Better believe it, my beloved husband! Ha-ha-ha! You're not young anymore." He turned 30 on the 22nd and we had a small but yet a happy celebration on this day with families and friends, who we considered part of our family. It was a successful one, although not everyone we expect to be there were able to come.

8th Years of Marriage!

Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday...

On June 30th of 1998, we said, "I do". This may not happened in the church but truly, he is Heaven Sent. "Mahal, thanks for the wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, 8 years plus that we've been together. If there hadn't been you in my life, where would I be, now. Happy Anniversary, Mahal." We have our ups and downs but looking back all those years, I still believe that everything happens for a reason.

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

Mahal, this is for you...for "Everyday, I Love You!"

Many Things To Celebrate, Part 1

May 18th, double celebration we had!

We had a double celebration, since it was Ate Nenette's Birthday and Ina & Ama's Wedding Anniversary. We had a simple get together with families only.

May 29th, my Tatay's Birthday!

He celebrated his birthday at my sister Amor's house on Saturday, May 27th. Just as we want it to be, only families are there. Well, having said that, we have a pretty big family here now in Canada, plus our extended families.

How We Celebrate This with Thankfulness?!

May 19th, we took them out, Ina & Ama and Tatay, to have dinner out at Pickle Barrel. We had fun strolling in the mall before we headed to the restaurant. The food was good but nothing special for me, I think I can cook those meals the same if not better (Yay! as if I can cook now!) Anyway, we're not talking about just the food, this is more of just being together, one big family! Thanks again to my Tatay, and Ina & Ama, for being our parents and being always there for us. We love you!

Happy Birthday To ME!!! { Day +163 }

Last night, I asked Jensine to sleep with me and Daddy. They are the people I want to see first thing in the morning on my birthday. Jerson was already asleep, while me and Jensine could not sleep...

Mommy: One more sleep and it's mommy's birthday...so close your eyes now.
Jensine: I don't want to sleep because it's your birthday.
Mommy: Do you have a gift for mommy?
Jensine: I don't know!
Mommy: You don't know?!
Jensine: Ahm...Oh, I do mommy...HEART (while pointing to his chest) ...LOVE...

I under estimate my own son, I never thought these words would come from a 4-year old boy. I always thought kids love to open presents and that is what "gift" means from them...but not from my son. I could not help it but cry...

I had 3 birthdays as my son remembers it...because we had a family celebration on March 9 at home, then Saturday at lunch time, after church service, I was surprised by my sister-in-law, Ate Nenette and my beloved husband, Jerson, with a huge cake at Mt. Zion. Then Sunday, we had a get-together with the people who mostly stayed with me in the hospital last year when I was first diagnosed. They were in my bedside 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Thanks again to all of you for being there.

Thank you very much!!! Thank God for giving me another year!