Ever since I became a full-time stay-at-home-mom, I realized three things about TIME.  First, I realized how much valuable TIME really is for the family. Second, I also realized how time management plays an important role in making sure that as a mom I am able to give more of myself to my children – the very reason why I left my corporate job last year.  Third, I realized time flies by so faster at home compared to sitting on a desk in an office ticking one corporate task after the other.
TIME also spells love in the family.  I became busier at home than I’ve ever been the office.  I thought I was already tired and stressed in the corporate setting managing and executing one nationwide project after the other, but it’s different at home.  It’s like I have so much to do and yet I have very limited time.  I do almost all the house chores from the time I wake up, until they fall asleep.  One of the chores I do more than three times a day at times is washing dishes, kasi naman hello sebo!  I don’t want to use a greasy plate or a half-cleaned pot or pan for cooking.  Believe me it takes a lot of TIME away from my husband and my kids.  Although, yes the home is organized and clean, but my husband and my kids feel less loved – because all I do is clean.  Nagtatampo na sila to be honest, and I feel guilty about it.
This 2019, I need to come up with a sure solution, especially the dishwashing part which takes too much time away from them. I need to make up for loss time of bonding with my husband and play with my kids and have Zero-Worries when it comes to managing our home and my precious time with my family.

Let me share with you some hacks that I do in dishwashing that will not only save time but money too (a practical mom knows well that she should get the best value-for-money on products she uses at home, isa na ditto ang JOY!):

1. One (1) drop of JOY goes a long way.  Make sure you also use quality sponge to partner with Joy.  Agitate or piga-pigain ang basang sponge para bumula.  Then you could start washing many dishes with just a small amount of JOY.
2. Separate pots and pans from dishes.  Pots and pans are greasier, so wash them after the dishes.  Don’t mix them with plates in the sink as well.  Put a drop of JOY and hot water for a few minutes before washing them.  Makikita mong nahihiwalay nang mas mabilis ang sebo.
3. Delegate or ask help.  Do you have a teenager like me?  Or a young child who’s old enough to handle dishes?  Teach them how to wash dishes properly using a dependable product such as JOY to save time, energy, and make you less physically exhausted or drained.  You hit three birds with one stone.  One, they learn life skills.  Two, you’re less tired.  Three, you save time and spend it with what matters more.

Recently, I celebrated my first year anniversary as a Stay-At-Home-Mom!  WOW!  I know, it's been a year since I turned my back on corporate world!  Sometimes I ask myself, has it really been a year?  Seems like yesterday and memories of my last day in the office are still fresh!  Well, yes, it's been a year and time flew by so quickly that I didn't notice a year indeed had passed.
I know you may ask, do I miss working?  Do I miss the adrenaline rush when I manage and launch nationwide projects?  Do I miss dressing up and fixing myself up to go to the business district of the metro?  Do I miss my co-workers?  Do I miss being busy and having a routine?  To be honest, NO I don't miss any of those (except for very few friends I made during my working years).  If there's one I truly miss, it's having a regular salary with attractive benefits which I receive twice a month.

Do I regret my decision and miss having a regular and stable job?  No.  I never regret leaving corporate at all.  Some of the people I know who tried to be a SAHM and weren't successful or dreaded staying at home told me, "Louise, in a few months, maybe weeks pa lang, you're going to miss working, your corporate life.  Baka malosyang ka sige!"

I could choose to be offended with that statement or just let it pass and prove that being a SAHM do not mean I will let go of myself and get lost in the pile of dirty dishes or mountains of clothes to wash.  I fully understand where they are coming from.  Why they thought I would feel the way they felt and had to urgently come back to the workforce.  That is their story to tell, not mine.  I could easily tell you too that a SAHM life is not for everyone.  But that would be too selfish because I would make it appear that being SAHM is exclusive.

Instead, I want to share how I prepared to become a SAHM.  This chosen path is my obedience to God's design for the family - become a submissive wife to my husband, take care of my children and manage the household.  You can't just wake up one day and decide I just want to stay at home instead, just because your work sucks or your boss is a slave driver or your colleagues are too gossipy or judgy.  If you plan to leave your jobs to be a SAHM someday, you really have to prepare yourselves spiritually, mentally-psychologically-emotionally, physically, and even financially.

SPIRITUAL
Every family life's major decision should not only be discussed with your husband but also be prayed about intently, whole-heartedly, and with obedience.  Praying about this decision helped me and my husband decide that it was finally time for me to leave behind my life as a corporate life. We prayed for it for a year.  There were many triggers and situations that led to my resignation.  We've lost a number of yayas, I was exclusively breastfeeding, my second son's behavior wasn't doing great.  God made all these things happen to help us decide about my resignation.  When God's message became very clear to us, obedience was in order.  That's why when I passed my resignation letter, I knew I was ready and my decision was rock-solid.

MENTAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL-EMOTIONAL
Being a stay-at-home-mom is not as easy as others see it.  I never knew how MORE exhausting and draining it is to be a SAHM.  Now, I breathe it, attest to it, and tell everyone that work at home is non-stop.  At the same time, home environment with loads of work ahead, and without a helper, is totally different from the office.  From a clean office desk I come to daily to a house which is  most of the time a mess when husband and kids leave me and my toddler for work or school.  I made adjustments and adapted to the new normal.  I mentally condition myself that there will be no more regular meetings to attend to nor team huddles to discuss my ideas or report my accomplishments to, no colleagues I could ask to come with me for coffee.  It's hard.  I am all by myself, no adult around to converse with but my husband when he comes home from work.  All the work and exhaustion absorb all the energy and positive vibes in me.  I go crazy at times and I have no one to express the bottled up frustrations, weariness, worries, loneliness, and even occasional self-pity.

When I reach this point, I seek help from my husband by taking a day-off, it's usually Saturdays.  I get support from other SAHM friends, I ask prayers from my friends from church community.  And because I am a blogger and a digital persona, I also connect with my mom blogger friends online.  Self-care is definitely a MUST - it's one way of coping with all these negative feelings towards yourself.  I cry it all out privately and lastly, I pray.  Prayers really work all the time.

Staying at home could affect a mom's mental health, there's even a condition now called Stay-At-Home-Mom Depression - it's real.  What are causes of this depression?  Lack of recognition and appreciation, over fatigue, and having no income could trigger this.  Want to stay at home?  You have to prepare for this big leap of faith.  But know that there's a greater God who will send you His angels to keep you sane, keep you safe, keep you motivated, keep you hopeful, and keep you energized so you could give your best to the best persons in your life.

PHYSICAL
There are so much to do in the house when I became a stay at home mom.  When the last yaya left, we intentionally didn't get a replacement anymore.  I did everything from laundry to dishes to mopping, carrying the garbage, cooking, and taking care of the kids and my husband.  Being a SAHM is a tough job which most people take for granted, ignore or even belittle.  With everything that's happening at home, a SAHM needs to make sure she's in tip-top health to endure the daily draining tasks.  I also have to possess high levels of immunity because if I get sick, nobody else will care for my kids.  My physical exhaustion resulted to three things, one, I lost weight; two, I felt stronger each day; lastly, I learned to delegate tasks to my husband and kids.  The new normal sat pretty well with me and my boys because even if we didn't have a helper, they are happy to see me at home and personally do things for them which usually other people do.

Speaking of physical aspect, prettifying myself wasn't a priority anymore.  I rarely go to the salon to have my nails done nor the spa for a regular massage.  Sa bahay pa lang kulang talaga ang oras and when you have a clingy and still exclusively breastfeeding toddler, you can't be separated that long.  When I have time on Saturdays, my day off, I do self-care.  Now I understand where the notion that SAHMs become losyang.  I make sure though even if I don't get to date myself that often, I don't let myself go.  I bathe everyday and smell good, I make an effort to dress up when going out and apply make-up (#kilayislife) too.  Staying at home taught me to be more selfless and part of this is letting go some of my personal agendas in the beauty department, because I'd rather spend time (and money) with my husband and kids.  I've also become less of the physical world, because my new world now revolves around my family.  Staying at home taught me simplicity and contentment.

FINANCIAL
This may be a sensitive topic for some but I want to point out that this is one of the major consideration should you plan to stay-at-home.  From two income generators, my husband is now the sole provider, the breadwinner.  I couldn't thank him enough for all his hard work, for providing for us, for stepping up in his role as a husband and father.  It wasn't easy at first.  Imagine, our family was living comfortably.  All our family's needs and wants were given - when I was still working.  But you see, it isn't always about money.  The kids need me more than what we could materially give them. They are the reasons why I resigned, our growing boys.

All kids naman should they have a choice, they'd really want their moms to be at home instead of working.  Let's focus on a a regular family unit, one that has a father a mother and child or children.  It's a different ball game for single moms or when incomes of both parents still can't seem to make ends meet.

To prepare, make sure you have savings and had set up an emergency fund. This emergency fund should be 6 months worth of your salary or household expenses.  You could build this while you're still working.  Set aside 10 to 20% of your salary monthly to go to this fund which you could use for rainy days or when you decide to quit your job to give way to staying at home.

My husband and I listed down all our monthly household expenses, that includes bills, food and groceries, transportation and communication, and even leisure expenses.  You should be doing this religiously so you know if you're still within your means or going over your budget.  When we assessed that we can do a one-income generating route, given his monthly take home pay, our emergency fund and savings, my part-time jobs - we decided I stay at home.

I realized that I had been spending too much on unnecessary expenses while I was still working like daily coffee and doughnuts, lunch outs, and impulse shopping.  While staying at home, I only spent for basics like regular groceries and food.  I saved more staying at home because I didn't have to spend for daily parking fees, set weekly gas budget, salary of a yaya, lunch outs, and expensive coffee.

I guess what's important is we never let financial challenges create misunderstandings or rift between me and my husband.  It was a mutual decision and a choice we prayed for, if anything goes wrong, we shouldn't play the blaming game.  We're both accountable and we are partners in making this route work.  We also know in our hearts and have a strong conviction that God is our great provider and we wouldn't have survived a year with just one regular income.  God's grace and provision paved way for extra income for me through blogging, some opportunities (which surprisingly just sent my way) so I may save on some expenses, and of some business transactions that will enable us to help others and glorify Him more.  Trust in God's plan - that's what we do.

Staying at home, may or may not be for you.  It's a big decision to make. Being a stay-at-home mom shouldn't be frowned on.  One should never say when asked what her work is with "Sa bahay LANG ako" or with "Stay-at-home-mom LANG ako."  Be proud of being one.  It's harder than a regular office job.  I know so because I've been a working mom all my life until this major life decision.  Staying at home one is an obedience to God's design for every family, and with that alone, He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Because of this decision, I became more focused on my priorities, my husband stepped up in his role as our family's provider, and he's become more loving and sensitive to our needs.  I became more selfless, simpler, though yes more exhausted than ever, but more fulfilled than ever.  Lastly, I became more prayerful and thankful for the gift of my life and my family.

~ Are you a stay-at-home-mom?  How's being a stay-at-home-mom?  How did it change you?  How did you prepare for it?  Why did you decide to become one?  What are your challenges?~

Last January 20, our family was invited to Zed's first birthday party and dedication at Kidzoona Robinsons Galleria.  Only I with Wes and Damien were able to go because Dandre had a basketball game (yes, on a Sunday!) and my husband had to repair his e-scooter.  Daming paliwanag, but the most important thing is, I didn't miss it.  I cannot!  I was made Zed's godmother or ninang by my good friend Omni of #TheClingyFam.

With Omni and my inaanak Baby Zed

Wow, to be invited to be a ninang by someone means a lot to me.  Being a godparent goes beyond material gifts or aginaldo every Christmas season.  I take the role seriously and the gesture of inviting me to be a ninang meant I was given an important role to help them guide Zed to grow up God-fearing, kind, compassionate, good, and a happy child.  Thanks Omni for making me Zed's ninang.

Mars Jaya, Janice, Vanessa, and Gracie

Spotted a very pretty and kind-hearted mom, Nish!

So bakit ba ako kinuhang Ninang?  Not everyone knows about my offline friendship with Omni. After all, not everything is shared online naman.  We used to be colleagues (PLDT - Smart) and were both part of The Asian Parenting PH Tapfluencer.  We first met last year in an event.  We chatted a little bit about what we do online, I blog, they vlog - and shared tips with each other.  The next thing we knew, we met for coffee one afternoon and we cried buckets when we talked about life and how God's grace and love brought us together.  Didn't know that this online/event meeting would blossom into a beautiful friendship that made me worthy to be their son's godparent.  It was an honor to be Zed's ninang.  Thank you Omni and Bryce.  So tama na iyakan, happy part na!

My kumpares and kumares!

It was indeed a #GrandFamilyPlayDate for all invitees who came and celebrated with their family.  Kidzoona was closed for their event. And when you say Kidzoona, no parent of toddlers couldn't keep their attention to the program in front, yeah, referring to myself all right!).  All I remember was it was an awesome Thomas And Friends themed party.

Wes at 8 years old is still very playful and loves indoor playgrounds such as Kidzoona.  Damien is my Mr. Explorer.

Wes who found a buddy during #TheGrandPlayDate

An active toddler made more active during the party!

Happy 1st Birthday and Dedication Day dear Zed!  We love you!

#TheGrandPlayDate

Such an adorable Thomas And Friends birthday cake

While I was still with the children's characters licensing agency, I handled the Thomas And Friends brand.  My eldest was still 2 years old then.  I already grew in love with the brand and for a time collected their toys.  So to see Thomas And Friends themed party from McDonald's was like a trip to memory lane.

The #GrandFamilyPlayDate of Zed's 1st year party and dedication became the launchpad of McDonald's newest party theme, Thomas And Friends.  The other character themed party are Barbie and Hotwheels.  All these brands are handled by Richwell.
Here's what a Thomas And Friends party theme in McDonald's would look and feel like:
For food, you could choose from their party food packages which go as low as Php125/pax and for add ons as low as Php29.

For more information and booking your Thomas And Friends party, visit McCelebrations website: https://www.mccelebrations.com.ph/.

Thank you so much Omni & Bryce of #TheClingyFamily for inviting our family and making me Zed's ninang.  This definitely would make our bond as sisters in Christ stronger.  I pray that I'll be worthy to be Zed's guide as he learns the ways of this temporary world.

Mommies, subscribe to Omni & Bryce's YouTube channel HERE where they share their journey as a family showing you their positive, practical, and inspirational lives as a family.  Watch them fulfill their dreams one at a time, fun unboxing and review of toys, events, brands, and many more.

Watch Zed's 1st Brithday Party video here:

I've already shared on my Instagram and Facebook Page my new look for 2019.  I have been contemplating the new hair cut for a month or two already.  I was supposed to have it done last December, but bilang the Christmas and the New Year seasons are the busiest, I wasn't able to find time to do it.  Finally, last January 6, Sunday, I chopped my hair.

Having a short hair again is liberating!  I love my new hair!

For some, having a new hair especially coming from long locks to super or extreme short meant may pinagdadaanan ang nagpagupit, like a heartbreak, loss of a loved one, or gusto magrebelde.  Some have their haircut to come out as a new person (psychologically speaking - the crowning glory really affects how we see and feel about ourselves most of the time right?).  But personally, no wala akong problemang mabigat, hindi ako heartbroken, and it's not really meant to welcome the new year with a new me kumbaga.  It's really to put an end to my longtime hair problem, damaged, curly, frizzy, and unmanageable long locks.  It had been years that I refused to have it rebonded again because I believe the damage and the reason why it became curly was because of years of it had been rebonded repeatedly.  I resorted to hair treatments, all the Brazilian spas, other restorative hair treatments, and daily conditioner, but waley, nega, deads pa rin, #salotkulot, and buhaghag forevs pa rin ang hair drama.

I just wanted to snip all these damaged part of my hair and start new, sumakto lang talaga sa new year. 

Let me share that this isn't so new to me because I sported a short hair since Grade 6, all throughout high school - college, and up until I gave birth to my fist baby.  I decided to grow it long after child birth up until last January 6! :)  So when people commented that I looked 10 to 20 years younger, I guess they were just reminded of how I looked when I was younger with this short hair.  Here are some photos of my younger self in high school and college:

High School grad pictures

College Grad pictures

Let me share with you my hair inspirations, it's like my hair-mood board:

Maricar Reyes-Poon and Riki Flo, my hair inspirations

Okay, so here's my haircut story.  I was referred to by many friends to Bench Fix Salon in Eastwood Mall.  It was where my kumare had her pixies and I really loved her cut!  I told her last year, someday mamang, I'll have that hair too!  So she supported me and went to see me pa after the hair cut!

My sister from another mother, Joy!  Uso na ang pogi-mommies!

Happy new year to everyone reading this!  Thank you to all my blog readers and long-time supporters for still being there and visiting my blog for new content.  As you've read in my last blog post for last year, 2018 had been a pretty good year for me even if I've written lesser compared to the previous years.  But writing is LOVE so I never really stopped. 

Becoming a yayaless stay-at-home mom as a new full-time career made me realize so many things and taught me many lessons.  It also made me appreciate more my mom's sacrifices for us, like when she decided to turn her back on her career to focus on us her kids, make a home-based living, put up a small business when we were all teenagers to send us to school, and eventually took care of my kids as a loving and hands-on lola.  But too late, I couldn't thank her anymore, rebuild a more matured relationship with her, and let her know that I fully understood everything she was doing for us.  Truly, you'll only know the one's worth and true value when someone's gone.  So don't be like me, huhu!  If your mothers are still alive, MAKE TIME and EFFORT to talk to them, appreciate them, and love them. 

Anyway, having said that new career of mine, it made me focus more on what is truly important in my life - my family.  It made me spend on what is essential, the needs, and learned the art of delayed gratification.  I also accounted for the money I used to splurged on coffee breaks (oh my!) on daily parking fees, on lunch outs, and on gas expense.  Ang laki pala ng expenses ko which I could have just saved.  Because I don't go out everyday to get to an office, I spend very little on these things nowadays that even if I don't have a regular pay now, I am still alive, surviving, and still living comfortably.  I thought those expenses were just normal - haha!  Hindi pala!  So now, I know better and I am more awaken by the reality, the truth about finances and even people, I want to share with you a 2019 Mom Starter Kit to kicking off 2019 positively.

1. List down your goals for the year!  You could even come up with a Word For The Year from which you will anchor all your choices for the year.  Personally, my husband and I talked about our goals for our marriage.  It's a healthy and even kilig exercise between husbands and wives.  We promised to be more intentional to each other, that he will love me more, that I will submit to him, that we will be more intentional as parents to our kids and spend more time talking and playing with them.  We also listed our family dreams and goals like the dream house we've been praying for, our business transactions, that they may all be closed deals if God wills them to happen.  We also want to go back to being fit and eat more healthily because we want to do this for our children. Lastly, we want to be able to serve God more through our music ministry and be able to share God's love and how He comforted us as individuals and as couples to other people around us. 

2. Bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit as you fulfill different roles in your lives.  Top role for me is being a mom.  Mahirap maging isang nanay lalo if you have a baby/toddler/kids who are demanding of your time, energy, and all of you.  Our kids could sometimes get the best of us especially if makulit sila, so it's really important to PAUSE, PRAY, and BREATHE before uttering any word to them which could break or hurt them when hastily said in anger or frustration.  In everything you do, at home, at work, in business, practice the virtues of Love, Joy, Patience, Self-Control, Gentleness, Peace, Kindness, and Forgiveness at all times.

3. Simplify your life.  We tend to complicate things around us, by simplifying everything, we lessen our stresses in life.  Things tend to be more practical and convenient for you and for everything and everyone around you when things are simplified.  This applies to your household chores system, to daily work to-dos, and just about in everything you do.  There's beauty in simplicity.

4. Financial literacy.   When we talk about financial literacy, sometimes the terminologies used could be overwhelming and threatening.  Heard of Philippine Index Fund or Equity/Balance Funds or VULs or UTIFs or COL/stocks?  Seeing or hearing these jargons could be intimidating that you just shy away from them right?  But the main objective of these all is for us to SAVE/INVEST or multiply our hard-earned money over the years.  Growing our money over the years, that's what all these meant, iba-iba lang ng profiles or risks for investing.  The important thing is to educate yourself to know what fits you, your risk appetite, and even the amount you can sustain to set aside for saving.  But before anything else, pay off debts muna. 

5. SALE ba kamo?  I usually gush over SALES because I wait for the items I've been eyeing for or needing to purchase to go on sale or be on discounted price.  I don't splurge on impulse just because it's on SALE.  I always have a mindset that if it's on SALE and if I don't really need it, then it's still an EXPENSE and another accumulated item that would be eventually a clutter in the house.

6. Declutter - Have you read any Mari Kondo books or quotes or watched her on Netflix?  She's a guru when it comes to decluttering.  I always live by the "declutter or let go of things if it doesn't spark joy" anymore.  This inspired me to start with my closet a few years ago when I started capsule wardrobe-ing.  I kept what fits me, let go of what doesn't or just sits there (in my mind masusuot din kita kapag size 24 na ulit ako!) taking up closet space, gave away clothes which don't make me happy anymore.  With kids' toys, I did the same, I included them in the process of decluttering, I made them decide if they still want/need the toy before letting them go or giving them away.  I don't want to hurt their feelings.  When I clean the house, everything that I pass by which I feel is not pretty or has no us anymore, I let go.  It has become a hobby for me to throw away things.  I am no longer a prisoner of material stuff.  Decluttering applies to people.  It doesn't necessarily mean burning bridges, but keeping relationship on the down-low especially if these people don't influence you to do good but rather the opposite or if they bring you down when you're enjoying your little success or don't bring the value in your relationship.  But here's what you can do, PRAY for them, FORGIVE if they've hurt you, and in the future, help them know God or become more positive as well.

7. Self-Care - We tend to do so much as moms for our kids and as wives for our husbands that we forget to look after ourselves.  Because chores and responsibilities pile one after the other, we put aside love and time for ourselves.  WRONG.  Self-care is not being SELFISH.  It's rewarding yourself after giving ourselves selflessly (sometimes too much) to our loved ones. Self-care is not at all expensive.  It could be as simple as bathing without any disturbance (the works, shampoo-conditioner-hair-spa/ body wash, body scrub, facial, with scented candle and your fave mood music) to going to the salon for a quick mani-pedi (if there's still time add foot scrub) or a haircut or hair treatment to the spa for an hour of massage.  Self-care also pertains to daily devotional time or reading your favorite book. Don't feel guilty, moms deserve self-care.  When we feel good about ourselves, we can give more to others joyfully.

8.  Pray. - Start your year right by praying for everyone and everything to God.  You may follow ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication).  Remember to just TRUST HIM in everything.  Sometimes His plans are better than our plans that's why He answers our prayers with a YES, NO, or NOT YET.  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 (NIV).

Hope these Mommy Starter Kit for 2019 helps and inspires you to have a great year, to be the best person you could ever be for God, yourself and your loved ones and to fulfill all your dreams as well!

For everything else you can plan and there's nothing wrong with it, starting the year with a new planner is a great start to jot down your schedules, your dreams, Bible verses that touched your hearts, birth dates of people you love, expenses, and anything under the sun.  Best if you jot all these on a FREE PLANNER right?

That's why, I am sharing with my loyal readers and social media followers 2019 planners to equip you all in starting the year right! 

Mommy Mundo's Mom 24/7 2019 Planner

2019 Planners from National Book Store

2019 PLANNER GIVEAWAY MECHANICS:

1. Follow/Subscribe to Mommy Practicality on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and YOUTUBE.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mommypracticality
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mommypracticality
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mompracticality
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ldfandino

2. Earn as many entries by the following methods:

• Comment on this blog post your 2019 Goals or Resolutions or Dreams and how will a planner help you achieve them.
• Repost the Instagram Photo and on your caption, tell me what your 2019 Goals or Resolutions or Dreams and how will a planner help you achieve them.  Tag three friends to join and include the hashtag #MPPlannerGiveaway2019.  Make sure your post is public.
• On Facebook, comment on the blog post link your 2019 Goals or Resolutions or Dreams and how will a planner help you achieve them. Share the post on your timeline publicly, tag three friends to join and include the hashtag.

Before the year ends, let me greet you all a Blessed and Prosperous New Year!  Wow!  2018 is over and it had been a good great year for me due to certain pivotal events in my life which changed my direction, my outlooks, my purposes, my plans (if I still have any because I now entirely entrust my life on God's plans for me!), and even my identity.  I have so much to say and I wish I had shared more about it on my blog every time a milestone happened in the past year - almost all of which were life-changing or game changers.  But I guess, I was busy embracing them all.

My life this 2018 had been totally different from the life I had been living for years. I am more in tune to myself.  I now know better what my life's real purpose is.  I've fully embraced my role as a submissive wife and a focused mother - a homemaker.

Just like everyone, there were times I doubted myself, my place in this blogging world, my capabilities, my relevance, and even importance to my loved ones.  But whenever I come to this point, God sends people and messages to me to remind me not to worry, not to be a servant of this world, and not to keep on pursuing the wrong things like my selfish plans due to selfish motivations.  Then I would just come to my senses and realize how foolish I had been worrying too much.  God from the very beginning had planned out everything for me, all I had to do was obey.  He made things, many great things, happen to me this year.  I thought I didn't do well, but with Him now I know, that I am  loved and that I am enough.

Allow me to share with you some of the blessings or milestones that made my 2018 an awesome year!

In February, I turned my back from my 10 year corporate life from a prestigious telecommunications company which very well-compensated me and brought me to many places around the country.  I could say that I lived a fulfilled life of a campaigns strategist/specialist.  It was a happy ending so to speak because I truly prepared for leaving my working-mother-life whole-heartedly.  To this day, I never regret my decision nor even missed it.

I wrote about this major life decision here: Why I Left My Corporate Job.  My story reached many moms who were contemplating whether to leave work or continue to balance their lives as a working mom.  Now that I'm on the other side of the corporate world, I can say that one has to be truly prepared and ready for a busier life.  This decision should also be prayed hard for.

Throughout the year, as a blogger, I did several campaigns with different brands I truly use and believe in.  I am beyond grateful that these brands trusted me and my blog to be somewhat their extension, their voice.  I also know that being part of these campaigns was no accident.  All were planned by Him alone.  I also had some recognition from Feedspot Blog Reader and a surprise nomination for Top Parenting/Family Blog in Nuffnang Philippine's Nuffie Awards.



For these, I give glory to God.

Sharing with you these campaigns:



GRATEFUL FOR THE YEAR THAT WAS
Thank you God for a life-changing 2018! Thank you to everyone I connected with this year, hope I made an impact in your lives no matter how small, like how you made in mine. If ever I've hurt or annoyed or irritated or offended you, please accept my sincere apology. Let's start 2019 right.

2018 was a year I totally surrendered to Jesus my life and let Him control the wheel. I got tired contolling my life and other peolple, planning my future, worrying about almost everything. I've learned that God has GREATER plans for us. We don't know what it really is but His plans are to prosper us and never forsake us. For all the trust I laid on Him, He's never failed me. His daily provision took care of me and my family. I'm never empty-handed in fact projects come non-stop as His way to provide for me. I never regret leaving my corporate job, a regular paying stint with complete benefits, because God was faithful to His promise that He will take care of me. And He will definitely take care of you too!

VALUABLE LIFE LESSONS:
Here's to a great 2019 for all of us! Sharing just some of the lessons I learned to all of you:

1. Trust God with everything, stop worrying. He got you. Nakakatanda ang magworry.

2. His timing for your life is ALWAYS PERFECT. Never late and never too early.

3. You have no control over 90% happening in your life, you can only do so with 10% which is yourself, your heart, your reactions, your thoughts, and your actions. Yung asawa mo, you can't control him, but prayers do work wonders. Tignan niyo asawa ko bumait LALO. Haha.

4. Married women should submit to their husbands and make their children her ministry.

5. Learn to live each day with love, peace, joy, self-control, patience, gentleness, and forgiveness.

6. It's better to lose your pride (and the argument) than to lose your loved one because of pride.

7. Be more tolerant and empathic towards others, for we are all broken or once broken. Bring comfort to others just as how we were comforted when we were down.

8. Be the salt and light. No matter how cruel this world could be. Ika nga ni Catriona, look for the silver lining, be that light in the dark.

9. Use your talents, your skills, education, even your fame or fortune for the good and multiply them. God rewards those who are good stewards of His riches.

10. Our life here is temporary. Aim for eternal rewards. May everything you do glorify Him alone. Never be a servant of this world.

Greeting everyone a Blessed and a Happy New Year! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

We're on the final stretch of 2018 and 2 weeks before Christmas and yes, we all survived this year which wow came by so fast right?

For everything that I have been blessed with, more than material things, a renewed and restored marriage, good health for the family, daily provisions, new friends both online and offline, loyal readers and supporters, and new blog and social media followers too (which I pray will still grow in 2019), I am very grateful.  I feel humbled and unworthy but all these provisions were poured to me and my family this year.

As my way of thanks to all of you, I am running a simple Christmas Giveaway which will be implemented on Instagram.  The giveaway mechanics is super simple and it goes a little something like this:
CLAIMING OF PRIZES:
Winners should be willing to claim their prize from me in the following meet up places depending on agreed schedule:
- Jollibee Pureza, Manila
- CCF Gateway Cubao

A representative may claim on their behalf, please notify me who shall claim for you.  Should you opt for prize to be sent out, shipping fee will be on winners' personal account.

So there you have it loves!  Do join and invite your friends to follow Mommy Practicality on IG and join the Christmas Giveaway.  Again, thank you for all your support throughout my blogging years, this 2018, and in the years to come!

Advance Merry Christmas to ALL! :)