Sunday, May 12, 2013

[Zei the MOM] Mother's Day 2013 roundup

Today is a special day for Filipinos, more than any other race, I think. It's Mother's Day and being the highly matriarchal society we are, today is also known as the day malls are filled to the brim and restaurant waiting lines will test your patience. And because it's a happy occasion and it's also my day, here's just a round up of  my 2013 Mother's Day weekend.

Like I said, I knew the malls would be crazy on the real day, I decided to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom a day earlier. I surprised her with a breakfast at this quaint and lovely restaurant in Marikina called Rustic Mornings. I think my surprise went well cause it made my mom cry very happy and grateful tears. Here are a few photos from our advanced Mother's Day breakfast.


Bouquet of white spider flowers with baby's breath and giant card for motherdear

My mom <3 td="">

Zia appreciating the homey ambiance of Rustic Mornings

With my parents
 My Mother's Day surprise for my mom was a big check. :)

Though for some, Mother's Day may not be a legit occasion, my family thinks otherwise. :) Just check out what I got for Mother's Day. I guess they think I'm doing something right as a mom to our sweetheart Zia judging from what I got. :) I got a tablet and the biggest bouquet of sunflowers I've ever seen. :) Totally love it. :)
Pretty sunflowers from the husband and Samsung Tab from the parents

 And because I feel in my heart of hearts that I deserve to reward myself today too, I shopped. :) Not the usual spree in Forever 21 or hoarding in Payless, but the happier type of shopping in my alternate world, home stores like Dimensione and Mandaue Foam. :)

White Hi-gloss bedside table from Mandaue Foam

Accent pillows also from Mandaue Foam
Shopping and gifts aside though, today is a very special day because of the best gift I've ever received in my life - and that's our daughter Zia. My first Mother's Day with her was in 2011 when she was just in the utero - little did I know then how wonderful (really) and rewarding motherhood is. Now, on my 3rd Mother's Day, I know life will just keep getting happier because of our daughter. And if there's only one role in my life I'd ever want to really succeed in, that would be being Zia's mom. :) Funny how I never liked having a kid when I was younger (thought I'd grow up an old maid) and now that I'm a mom to this darling daughter, I actually can't imagine my life without her. :)


Today, before I sleep, I thank the Lord for making me Zia's mom and of course, I also want to thank my husband whom I love very much, who gave me the greatest blessing in our life - our daughter.

To all moms, you are all wonderful and I feel so lucky to be one of you. Happy happy Mother's Day! 

Saturday, May 4, 2013

[Zei the Charmed One] Do you know Mary of the Broom?

Happy  Saturday everyone! It's a been a while, hopefully I get more time to blog again, even if it's just for the weekend. 

Anyway, have you guys heard of Mary of the broom or Our Lady of the Broom? I first heard of her during one of my retreats with my organization back in college and I that's where I also got the nickname Little Broom from my Ictus friends.

Mary of the broom is of course, Mother Mary, but this image of her isn't about her being the queen of Heaven or her Immaculate conception - it's actually Mother Mary in her most human image possible - it's Mother Mary as the homemaker, the doting mother and the loving wife. Here's a novena to Our Lady of the broom I got from a mommy blog so you get to know her better.


Our Lady of the Broom
By J. G. Shaw

Photo from www.flickr.com
The large and lovely lessons
You taught with little breath
In the liturgy of the hour
In the house at Nazareth
Are such fantastic simple things
That mortals may presume
To call the Queen of Seraphim
Our Lady of the Broom.
For you who rule the angels
Built up our legacy
By living a life of little things
That we do every day.
You cooked, cleaned, washed and mended,
Scrubbed the kitchen floor,
Teaching a world the woman’s way
To worship and adore.
How beautifully you taught us
Where all perfection lies
By seeing all salvation in
The work before your eyes,
Immensity in little space
The world in the humble room
You swept and kept and cared for,
Our Lady of the Broom.

I think this image of Mother Mary fascinates me because I've always believed in the power of the little (good) things. It could be little good deeds everyday, little pretty details that turn things into beautiful ones. So what Mary of the broom wants to teach us is that there is GREAT value in the little things. Others might not see it, but I'm pretty sure the Lord sees it. 

So there, that's my Saturday post folks! Do a good deed or two today and make someone happy. :)