Khaki Kool

Second Freedom Fashion OOTD of the weekend!

Green sando top, Teeny Tiny khaki shorts, Sandugo flip-flops, Cotton On Kids Shades

My 2-year-old Bugoy!

Summer Is Here!

I so wanted to do this ever since I've become a mom and finally starting this new addition to my blog called "Freedom Fashion!"

These are simply OOTD shots of my 2-year-old son in simple and cool clothes that I put him on whenever we go out especially on weekends. I'll make sure I'm gonna have an OOTD post of him at least once a week!

This is his first ever OOTD shot!

Week 1: Summer Basics

Summer basics: Plain white shirt, SM denim shorts, Toes shoes, Cotton on Kids shades

You have to admit though, this kid got the attitude! LOL! Way to go, son.

Freedom is 2!

Dearest Son,

Happy Birthday, my little guy! You just turned 2 and nights from your birthday, I switched your lullaby song from "Torete" to "Happy Birthday" medley just because you requested for it. You are so funny that even when your eyes are closed, drifting away to sleep with Mommy's lullaby, you still manage to request what song Mommy would sing for you! Pretty hilarious!

It has been a great journey with you, Anak. The joy you constantly give me and your Tatay is just amazing! Today, we celebrated your birthday with a simple lunch in our small neighborhood. You woke up to Mommy and Tatay singing "Happy Birthday" to you. You can't barely open your eyes then but you were smiling and giggling! 

We started our day at 7am running errands, had some breakfast, took a shower, went to buy your cake, and decorated to make your day more special. Tatay cooked spaghetti for you. Tito RR, Nana and Tita Remy grilled liempo and tilapia, cooked shanghai rolls and pancit bihon which you loved! You jumped, hopped, played basketball and pretended to be Dagohoy in between! But the highlight of it all was you blowing your candles until they're at their shortest! Haha!

 

 These are all Mommy's DIY!

Celebrating your birthday robot style!

Rocking your shaved head on your big day!

Dagohoy on his favorite Minion shirt.

Your Tatay kept on convincing you to blow the candles for the LAST time but you still insisted "more" and since it's your birthday, he let you blow them  like a hundred times! Haha!

This day was so much fun and we are so glad you enjoyed it! 

My Freedom rocks!!!!!

Love,

Mommy

2013 to 2014

As we end this year today, I am very hopeful for the coming new year. And feeling this way is a great sign that life is just getting exciting, better and worth living. I claim that 2014 will be the best year ever. Crossroads will be overcome with God by our side, our hearts' desires will be God-given, our heartaches will all be God-healed.

We hit so many bumps along the way this year (God knows how many they were!), but we managed to overcome them in God's grace. We have learned so many lessons from them and we are more equipped than ever to face this new year's obstacles with God's love as our guide.

Yes, there were many challenges but the blessings were just overwhelmingly, surprisingly huge!

The greatest news? Freedom is at his healthiest this year! No more asthma attacks! Good Lord, thank you for healing my child. I would never trade this gift for anything else! The bestest of God's blessings!

2013 was a year of roller coaster trips to parks and playgrounds! It was a year of quality family time! I can't count how many those trips were as doing so gives me exhaustion from memories of either running and playing with Freedom, playing ball, sword fighting, trains and animal rides, fish and turtle feeding, duck watching, walking meters to miles, pushing strollers.

2013 was the year our home sweet home was turned over! Yeah! This was the greatest accomplishment for me and the Mister. Walking down this road was no joke I tell you, but God is just so good!

And to the love of my life, 2013 was the year I realized that without your gift of love, I cannot do all these wonderful things. You helped me strengthen my faith. You urged me to go back to God. You led by example by taking Freedom to church even without me. I'd be really lost without you. Thank you for everything that you've done for our family.

And to the my Mama and Papa whom I owe everything to, I am forever grateful of how you raised and brought me into this world. I hope that we could spend more time as a whole family in 2014 and the years to come. I am every day praying for your good health and peace of mind. I will forever love you to bits.

I can say that the best thing that happened to me in 2013 was that some time within this year, I renewed my relationship with God. It's the greatest feeling I wish could have happened earlier. But as God always welcomes His children with open arms, He took me back and comforted me in ways I could never fathom. I was blown away.

Thank you, Lord, for taking me back again as your child. My days for the new year will always start and end with you.

Why We Named Our Son Freedom

I take a lot of positive and surprise comments from people every time I share my son's name. There is a complex answer as to why we named our son Freedom.

I am as Free as I can be.

One of the more complex answers to this question is the real meaning of freedom itself. We wanted our son to be free from unnecessary burden of social norms when it comes to social status and beliefs.

We wanted him to love himself for who he really is and to go live feeling as free as possible without having to prove anything to others. We wanted to raise him feeling free mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Aside from the long explanation, I usually opt choosing the simplest one but even the simplest one comes out to be also complex! The simplest answer to this question -- it was from a song by Devendra Banhart titled "Freely". And then it is usually seconded by another question -- who is Devendra Banhart?

Devendra Banhart is a Venezuelan folk singer. I knew him way back when he was still dating Natalie Portman just because I so love everything about Natalie Portman! When I chanced upon his website where you can listen to his songs free, I was hooked! Hi song "Freely" is just so calming that I play it to de-stress day in and out. Listen and see it for yourself.

House Turnover. Finally!

When the developer informed us of the date of our house turnover, we felt a mix of emotions. We are happy, of course, that finally, all paper works are done and we can start moving in. On the other hand, we also feel a teeny weeny bit of loneliness leaving our old neighborhood with people all friendly and helpful. We hope we will have friendly neighbors here. We are also hoping there will be lots of kids in the neighborhood for Freedom to play with.

Freedom was more than happy to help mommy with signing!

The Mister with the house keys.

A giveaway from Amaia for good luck!

There are still a lot to do with the new house though. There is the home improvement, the works in the garden, the adjustment. But the Mister and I are so happy with what we've accomplished so far. We will plan them one day at a time. We will build our lives here one day at a time with our Freedom.

After the turnover, we had our lunch at The District Ayala Mall. This mall is the nearest to the subdivision and I can already gather this is where we will spend most of our free time as a family. There are a lot of nice places near our place to see and one of them is Tagaytay! 

Here comes makulit!

One happy kid ever! 

                                 It is more than apparent that he already feels at home!

Can't buy that smile!

Loving Tita Olive

I'd like to say a million thanks to my bestfriend of 14 years. Our beautiful, sexy official photographer from wedding day down to house turnover and on years to come. Thanks, Gang! We love you!

Say A Prayer and Do Your Share

After typhoon Haiyan's impact especially in the Visayas region of our country, hearts are heavy and tears are flowing. Please take a moment to say a prayer for the victims and do your share to help rebuild the affected communities. Be smart on where to send your donations.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." - John 1:1-51