The perfect size backpack

Sofia is the happiest whenever we go to the park.  We will just stroll for a bit then it’s playground time.  😄 

For quick outings and short errands like this, I find this backpack very convenient to use even with a 10-month old.  I was looking for a versatile, stylish and functional backpack (being handsfree is important) so I don’t have to bring diaper bag all the time.This backpack has it all,  it is roomy, has 4 pockets and some partitions inside which I find very useful.  I love everything about it,  the color, the minimalist style, the size,  everything!   It can also be worn as shoulder bag!!! 😮 

Check this 'minimalist charmer' bag  at www.grabbackpack.com  use my code GRAB25R to get 25% discount. There are 6 colors to choose from, shipping is very minimal.  

Another reason to order:  In every purchase placed they will donate a percentage to charitable causes!  You can choose among four charities at checkout.  

This is how much stuff this bag was able to hold. Impressive!

 Some snacks, water bottle, baby bottle, baby essentials and mom's essentials.   The pink pouch has 4 diapers, wipes and a thin changing pad.

Note: Bag color in the website is more accurate

#ad #gifted #backpack #grabbackpack

Diaper Bag review

I am not a diaper bag fan, with Sofia I used tote bag and pouches to organize my baby things.  I want to be the stylish mom :D .  With our upcoming month-long trip and having two kids, I think I can no longer get away with just a tote bag.  So, I started looking for the perfect diaper bag.  I am so happy I found this fully functional yet stylish bag from Hafmall.

If you are looking for a stylish, functional, well made and affordable backpack diaper bag, this one is for you.  The bag opens wide enough and has back opening for easy access for whatever's in the bottom, no more digging!  I super love that feature.  I also love the wipes dispenser in one of the side pockets.  You will really love all the pockets and compartments of this bag.  It also comes with two stroller straps.  Very practical.

As you can see I stuffed this bag to its full capacity to test it, the bag did hold up pretty well.  What is more awesome, it didn't dwarf me at all, I am barely 5 feet tall so I am very careful in choosing backpacks :D

Five stars for being petite friendly backpack.

You can have one of these backpacks or any style of your choice from Amazon.

For US customers use this link https://www.amazon.com/hafmall
Use discount code 20USRenda for 20% off

For Canada customers use www.amazon.ca  search HAFMALL
Use discount code 20CARenda for 20% off

Use code until August 15th.

Good for Dad's too!

#ad #gifted #sponsored

Mother’s day 2019

Can’t believe they are mine.  Love you babies ❤️

Four years ago,  on a Mother’s Day, while waiting if I did make it to the CPA list,  I was crying,  was overwhelmed with a lot of things.  I was thinking about the exams and was heartbroken that’s it’s Mother’s day again and we are still waiting for a baby.  I was wondering if it will ever happen. It’s been four years waiting. 

Two months later,  I got the biggest surprise of my life,  I am pregnant!  and just couple weeks ago that time,  I received the news that I got the CGA/CPA designation. 😊

It may be hard to understand during the four-year wait why it was not happening but it’s so clear to me now.  Getting that designation was not easy.  Would be so challenging with kids.

God really knows when is the best time.

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If you are still waiting for your greatest blessing,  a baby,  husband, a dream job, healing, any breakthrough... just wait,  if it’s God’s will, it will happen,  it will come,  at the most perfect time!!! God is faithful!

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Two years later,  another  beautiful baby came. ❤️

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Today at church,  Dennis asked me if I remember that Mother’s day that I cried so hard.  Yes and these babies are my constant reminder that God is really good!

Our Princess is One

I can't believe it's been over a year since I updated this blog.  Being a mom is not easy, my hands are always full but it's all worth it.

Our princess turned one last month.  Which means I am also back to work.  It's another adjustment.

We had a huge party as a thanksgiving for our baby's first year of life and  a celebration for surviving our first year of being parents.

I love her party, everything is DIY, I had fun preparing every detail of it.  It was a pink and gold party.

We thank everyone who came and celebrated with us :)

 Favors

Goodie bags

Centerpieces

Auntie Jane made the cake and all these goodies.  Pretty!

God is good!

Pregnancy - First Trimester

Last week marked the end of my first trimester.  Some books said that first trimester is up to 14 weeks but my doctor said it's 12 weeks, so I will go with 12 weeks.

I can't say that I had an easy first trimester but hearing from other's I think, I am still among the blessed ones. I only got sick (threw up) thrice so far.  I feel great every time I wake up, but as the day progresses I am starting to feel nauseous and it gets pretty bad in the evening.  I have heightened sense of smell that leads to nausea.  I often joked that my sense of smell can probably solve a crime these days.  Also, I have to deal with frequent urination, bloating, constipation and vivid dreams.

I don't have extreme mood swings.  I maybe irritable at times (lalo na pag may makulit) but most days I am in good mood, I am happy that I am pregnant and maybe I just don't want to get mad or upset because I am thinking there will be an adverse effect to the baby.  I just hope this will last throughout my pregnancy, rational mind over hormonal changes haha.  Just one thing I noticed, I am more blunt these days, I can say things without sugar coating kahit di galit.   Also, I am more clingy to Dennis, pinaglilihian ko yata.  I have no cravings and there' a lot that I don't like to eat and smell and that includes RICE! yes rice, which is super weird.

Even now that I am over 13 weeks I am still feeling most of these.  Hope I will feel a lot better in the coming days.

No weight gain yet because I can barely eat.  My doctor said I'm still okay but should try to eat more.  I didn't know that it is imperative for pregnant women to gain a certain weight in every trimester. But I am happy that "eating for two" is a myth, just my normal diet plus more fruits and vitamins.

On my 12th week.

I know it will come but I can't wait to have a proper bump.  Right now it's just weird, I'm  barely showing in the morning but my tummy is literally 3-4 inches bigger in the evening, it's super tight and uncomfortable then it will deflate in the morning. I was concerned so I asked my doctor about this and she said bloating is very common specially in early pregnancy.  So I guess I just have to deal with it. :) 

   

In God's perfect time

Cautiously sharing this great news.

With CGA (was trying to finish before deadline) and other things in the way, we just prayed for God's will and right time to have a baby.  June, I wrote my last exams.  Two weeks after CGA confirmed that I passed, we found out that we're expecting.  Yay!

We also tested with pink dye. Haha

September 8th we saw our baby's heartbeat.  Ang saya!

God's timing is always perfect, never early never late.  We just need to wait because He has greater plans for us.  

Dennis and I will appreciate your prayers for healthy pregnancy, baby and delivery. 

Thank you Jesus for this wonderful gift. =)

It's official

Yes, it's a big deal.  I am super happy that it's all done.  It was not an easy journey but all the hard work and sacrifices have finally paid off. Thank you Jesus!

Visiting Ontario

The travel bug won't go away, specially now that it's summer.  I wish we have unlimited time and budget for travel.  :) :)

I am getting questions about our Ontario trip.  How we managed to visit Toronto, Niagara, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Ottawa by air and not renting a car when we were there.. Is it expensive to fly?  Was it convenient?  and so on... 

Driving is not an option for us.  We just took one week off from work and Winnipeg to Toronto is 21 hour-drive , one way.  Also, if we will consider the long drive costs ---food, hotel, gas, value of our leave credits (work leave extension to cover travel time)--- we will not save a cent and it’s super tiring.  Another thing,  Mom and Dad were with us on this trip and they don't enjoy long drives. 

This post is just a guide, I won't be very detailed because planning your own trip, doing your own itinerary, googling where to go, what to see, where to eat, what bus to catch are far more enjoyable than just going with the flow.


Airfare
Canadian flights tend to be expensive but I believe I got my money's worth on the airfare I found with Air Canada, it was multi-city for $511 (includes taxes) per person.


Toronto
While in Toronto, we used the city tour bus, hop-on hop-off,  that would allow us to explore the city at our own pace. The tour guides were really friendly and they gave us inputs on how to manage time and what are the best places to see.   I believe it's the best way to explore the city if it is your first time.  With the tour bus you won't waste your time figuring out where to go, what to see and how to get there. http://citysightseeingtoronto.com/
We picked these stops: Eaton Center, Casa Loma, CN Tower, and Harbourfront for the Island Cruise.
One day is not enough to visit all the attractions but that's all the time we got.   Tip! Don't miss the Island Cruise, it will give you a great view of Toronto's skyline.

 View from the Island Cruise Boat

Toronto Skyline

View from the Island Cruise Boat

Casa Loma

Niagara Falls
Going to Niagara we took the megabus, that was only $18 per person. Our friend in Toronto dropped us off to the terminal. It was an easy and very convenient trip.  Megabus customer service is great, you can ask questions through email if you have questions like luggage allowances and stops. 
In Niagara falls, most attractions are "walkable"  but if you like to navigate the neighboring parks and wants to go to Niagara-on-the-Lake they have a tourist bus system called WEGO.  At $7 you can hop-on-hop-off the bus for 24 hours.  There's so much to do in Niagara falls my highlight was the Hornblower cruise ($26 per person) to the falls (Maid of the Mist for those in the U.S side).  It was one breathtaking experience.  

Canadian Side of the Falls

America Side of the Falls

This picture is showing the Hornblower (Red raincoats)

and Maid of the Mist (Blue Raincoats)

Niagara-on-the-Lake
This is one charming town, the shops are so cute,  we really enjoyed our short stroll here.    Going to Niagara-on-the-Lake there is an additional fare on top of wego's $7 a day pass, you can take a look on their website for the rates.

Going back to Toronto to catch our flight to Ottawa we took a cab worth around $200, not the most economical route but we were thinking about convenience.   We decided not to take the bus because it will be another taxi ride from megabus' terminal to the airport.  We will only save around $50, plus the inconvenience with all our luggages.


Ottawa
I really love Ottawa, I can see myself living in this city.  It's kinda laid back but not too quiet.   Our Hotel is in Gatineau, Quebec.  Gatineau is only a bridge away from downtown Ottawa but hotels are a lot cheaper on that side.

Airport-Hotel is around $30 taxi ride.

Again, we use hop-on hop-off bus to see the city.  We were able to see the Governor's house, Parliament, Byward market, pass by the PM house, and visit some Museums.

Ottawa - Gatineau

Parliament

 Rideau hall

We did all these for seven days, that include travel times.  It was so much fun!


Linked above:

Toronto Hop-on Hop-off Bus
WEGO
Megabus 
Ottawa Hop-on Hop-off Bus

**This post is not sponsored

Closet remix

We had great church today, I am so blessed on how the little kids were worshipping during altar.  It was so pure, priceless!
Matthew 18:3 "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

We didn't sing this at church this morning but this song's been in my head all day.  I am just so thankful for God's mercy.  This is an old song called Mercy Saw Me  you can go directly to 1:25 to listen.  I really love this, I hope it will touch your heart like it did mine.

To the outfit, these are old pieces again.  I don't promote regular expensive shopping.  Stretch your closet, remix!

Not trying to go all model status, just having fun blogging :)

It was pretty nice today, very sunny and not humid at all. I wish it will be like this every single day.  Haha. 

I got the top from suzyshier they have some modest clothes, just look.  The skirt was from Winners, 

owned this for over two years.

Do you like stretching your closet or you love shopping all the time? :)

By the way, If you want to monetize you blog, use this link to apply to revenue hits.

http://www.revenuehits.com/lps/v41/?ref=@RH@pKXSPeretHfKxz_IXKwJOA

Pentecost Sunday

Today we are celebrating Pentecost Sunday.  Pentecost is real!

Acts 2:1-4 (KJV)

1  When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

I want to share this song for this week: Like a Fire

Be blessed!

What I wore today, mint and floral :)

Blazer (repeat) from Forever21, Blouse from Urban Planet, Skirt from Sears, Purse (linked similar) Michael Kors, Shoes (linked similar) Le Chateau

Simple Pleasures

There are so many things around us that we fail to notice because of our busy lifestyle.  We are too focused on our daily tasks and errands that we missed to appreciate those what we think are trivial.  I have learned though that it is the simple pleasures that are more enjoyable.  When I discovered that mixed jackfruit and coconut bubble tea was so good, I was ecstatic and hubby thought I was silly.   It is very important to pause and appreciate God's goodness on little things.  That's why, most weekends me and Dennis love to drive around, have some frap or bubble tea,  sometimes we park somewhere, talk, laugh and just appreciate things.  I find this more enjoyable than shopping and it's way cheaper, right?  Bonus part,  now it's not hard to find where to take outdoor outfit photos because we've already known some unique places from these weekend drives.  Though I appreciate the "likes" and sweet messages I get from social media,  I find that the backstory of our photos are more enjoyable.

Last Sunday, I was telling Dennis I want to go to a pond to take photos, while driving he saw this artwork.  It's on a far end of a school, for sure people just ignore this piece of art.  Well,  we love art.  We don't know the basics of painting, we just love to hang around on art galleries (specially during festivals when fees are waived) appreciate those great works and make our own weird interpretations on abstract arts.

So, back to the artwork,  when he said he wants to take pictures there I was hesitant because my outfit blended well on the painting colors, I might be lost somewhere in the picture.  But anyway, I guess it turned out well, you just need to find me because it seems I became part of the painting.  :)

These are old pieces,  I just shopped in my closet then mix and match!

We still went to a pond nearby and again my turquoise blazer matches the water and the sky. 

Finally, from the message last Sunday, I have this song in my head  :  Glorious Day (linked).  

When my heart is overwhelmed  I just think that one day at the sound of the trumpet  we will see Jesus!  What a Glorious day that will be!