Since summer officially started last Tuesday (June 21st), we decided to celebrate by going to the beach!  It was also Andi's first summer so we're excited about the idea that she'll be wearing her first swimsuit.

We figured we'll go to Huntington Beach which is about 40 minutes drive from home.  The weather was partly cloudy when we left (around 8 am) but the temperature was great and there's some sunshine.  When we got to the beach, it was sooo gloomy!! The wind was blowing, the temperature was in the mid-60's and we can barely see the water because of the fog!!  So much for our summer kick off!

It was a bit disappointing...there we were..me in my tank top, hubby in his surf shorts and our daughter in her summer dress.  I had to put on my jacket and make our daughter wear her hoodie & pants so we can at least take a quick stroll on the sand. 

Kinda amazing how many surfers there are.  The waves are great but I can't imagine how cold the water is!  Not letting the weather dampen our spirits, we rolled out our beach towel and sat for a while...letting our daughter explore the feeling of sand between her toes...After a couple of minutes, we decided to go someplace to eat and pray that the sun would show up eventually...

We went and ate breakfast and decided to go back to the beach after half an hour...we now went to the main area of the beach and noticed the parking area filling up..Since we have a baby with us, we need to park near the beach to have easy access to the car.  They charge too much for parking!!!  No wonder Huntington Beach is a nice place...they earn so much revenue from parking fees! $15 regardless of the time you'll stay?!  Anyway, we have no choice...unless we want to park on the side street and walk a looong way...

Finally, the sun was peeking through the clouds...our daughter is enjoying the cool breeze and immediately fell asleep.  It was so nice to relax and feel the peace and tranquility the beach offers...

When she woke  up, we decided to  take her to the shore.   She was holding on to me the whole time...We let her stand on the sand and then she cried when the water touched her feet.  Maybe she's a little scared of the waves, the sound, the vastness of the sea...but we were there to hold her, to comfort her...and we know, next time she'll be okay.

Guess, we experience the same thing sometimes...we're all scared of the unknown...of the future...But as long as we have our family beside us, as long as we have our God with us, then it's not as scary...they'll hold us, comfort us...and the next thing you know, we're alright..

The weather was not what we hoped for...and Andi was not able to wear her first swimsuit, but overall, I can say that our summer kick off was a success! 

Lots of summer fun to come!!

"O Romeo..Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?  Deny thy father, and refuse thy name.....
.....What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet?....."

How important is a name?  For Romeo and Juliet, it was a matter of life and death..but for the pregnant "me", it's one sweet word I'll call my daughter for the rest of my life...

A couple of months before I became pregnant, we saw this pretty lady named Shandi on tv.  The name was something that has a nice sound to it...I looked it up in the internet, it means "God is gracious"...hmmm...I like that...something to consider...

It's never an easy task to choose a name for your precious little one.  I have a couple of names which I have loved since I was a kid but somehow, they just doesn't seem to "fit"...My husband also have a couple of names in mind but somehow, we just don't feel connected to any of them. 

I always wanted a name with a "boyish" nickname like Alex or Sandy...We were also looking for something unique but not "out-of-this-world" unique like Zumba, Blubbyfoo or Astroboy!!  A name that's easy on the ears with a nice meaning and something that our daughter (hopefully) won't change when she's old enough to do so..Oh, and something that is not too hard to spell...Imagine how hard it would be for everyone if you named your baby Rumpelstiltskin???

I tried searching online for other baby names.  Halfway through the pregnancy, we still haven't decided on anything.  It's kinda scary to think that we'll decide in the hospital while I'm having my labor pains...I don't want to come up with a name like Epiduraline!!

A couple of months to go before my due date, I had my 3d/4d ultrasound...and we saw her...saw her chubby cheeks...saw her cute little face (she has her daddy's nose!)...saw her move around...the beauty, the miracle of it all!  And we have decided...Shandi would be her name.  She's God's gift..she's a miracle..

We're thankful...God is gracious...

And hey, we can also call her Andi!

    I've been a World Vision sponsor for around 5 years now and I don't regret a single moment of it.  The first time I walked to one of their booths inside a mall in the Philippines, I instantly knew I would be a sponsor for life...

    As of today, my family sponsors two kids in gradeschool...which, we're hoping will be 10 or 100..in time...

    Just in case you or someone you know would like to sponsor kids in the Philippines so they can go to school...please fill out this form and contact World Vision Philippines.  You can forward the form to them thru fax, email or mail.  Really, any way would be great! =)   

    The amount to sponsor is only Php 600 a month...I'm not sure how much if in US$ (if you're outside the Philippines & using a non-Peso credit or debit card)..if you're interested, you can contact them directly or you can let me know and I can ask them for you.   

    Hope you can join us in this truly rewarding experience.  You can write to your sponsored kid and you will also receive pictures & updates from them.  Everything goes through World Vision so you don't have to worry about family members taking advantage (asking for gifts, money, etc).  

    Imagine, for such a small amount, you can help a child fulfill his/her dreams of going to school..   

    Thanks and may God bless you & your family..

  

Okay...after years of trying to create a blog site...I finally made one..yay!!

It's ironic...just when I no longer have the time to even brush my hair, it's when I found the time to make a blog...funny how motherhood inspired me...

Let me start by introducing myself.  I'm Trish...I'm married and six months ago, God gave me the privilege to add "mommy" to the list of my achievements.  Giving birth was such an amazing experience for me, especially since it took me and my husband more than a year of trying before I got pregnant.

I can say that nothing can compare to the joys of motherhood...BUT, there was also nothing which prepared me for all the "motherly tasks" ahead...As with, probably, most new moms, I learn as I go...I try to learn as much as I can from my baby, mom, friends, books, anybody and anything...I used to joke with my husband about being the first child in the family, you're the practice baby..LOL. =) 

Here's hoping that my blogs will help future, new and seasoned moms one way or another...