Love

Holy Week and Us

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read446 views

My daughter turned two months old. She now gives out genuine smiles and makes our hearts flutter whenever she smiles back at us in response to our silliness. She loves looking around; mostly at the chandeliers, ceiling fans and lights. She’s getting heavier (ferocious eater with good appetite) and we are just happy she’s a healthy baby. We had visitors last weekend, who prepared delicious meals for us and bought gifts for the baby. My older son is wonderful and a very protective brother; he’s just full of surprises and love.

Physically and mentally I’m doing alright. I’m going through a ‘Soul Searching’ phase. Though I’ve pretty much lost my post-pregnancy weight; I’ve gained muscles from my daily exercises and I’ve reached an ideal body shape. I’m happy where I am now. My husband too, has been losing  weight, thanks to his routine exercise and he has never been happier. We owe it in part to our ongoing commitment to a balanced and healthy diet.

Holy Week.
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” John 1:9 (NIV).

Holy Week this year is very meaningful to us. We never truly realized how lucky we are until lately. We’ve seen so much pain and destruction around the World. Just last weekend, for instance, we visited a family friend in Los Angeles, CA whose son got shot a few times (and survived, thankfully). A week earlier we visited a friend in Upland, CA who lost her sister-in-law and while at the residence, we found out about the dead of someone else. Life is just too short and too fragile to waste lingering on meaningless things.

While using our time wisely, helping others and keeping ourselves happy; we are clinging to hope, thriving to do the right thing and praying for the forgiveness of our sins. As we look back at the past, we hope for a better tomorrow.

Mother’s Day at A Botanic Garden

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read567 views

Mothers are irreplaceable and life would never be the same without them. I know for sure that mine wouldn’t. I love being a Mom and more importantly, I’m blessed to have a wonderful Mom.

We spent part of our afternoon at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont, CA. This event was sponsored by Rain Bird Corporation and we received four free tickets provided by the company as well. The purpose of this event was to raise awareness of America’s Public Gardens and their important role in promoting environmental stewardship, Education, plant conservation and water conservation in Communities nationwide.

It’s impossible for one to see all the beauties this botanic garden has to offer as it is spread across 86 acres. We walked for almost two hours, admiring the native Californian plants, learning a little bit about each one and of course, taking pictures and videos. We will have to come back to see more areas of this amazing garden.

Ticket Booth.
Ticket Booth.
 Flags.

Garden Flags/Signs.
Re-creation of a Tongva family complex and dance arena.
Re-creation of a Tongva family complex and dance arena.
Gazebo.
Gazebo.
Giant Sculpture.
Giant Sculpture.
Mother's Day 2009 (Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden).
Mother’s Day 2009 (Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden).

Our day wouldn’t have been complete without stopping by Mix Bowl Café, our favorite Thai Restaurant in Pomona, CA.  I highly recommend this Thai Restaurant for its high quality authentic Thai food, the great customer service it provides as well as the warm and welcoming environment.

To all of you, beautiful and strong Women, I wish you a blessed day filled with love and appreciation.

Family Reunion, 7 Years Later

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read515 views

“Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present and future. We make discoveries about ourselves.” — Gail Lumet Buckley

After 7 long years, my senior brother surprised me at work today. My husband along with my supervisor arranged a surprise meetup location and I was thrilled beyond words when I heard a familiar voice behind me. In a state of confusion and excitement I was speechless and didn’t know what to say or do, except embrace him. It was so good seeing him. It’s always so good to see the people we love and care about. He bought us a bunch of souvenirs from France (Wine, replica of the Eiffel Tower, pencil holder and so much more).

My Brother and Me.
My Brother and Me (Chino Hills, CA, 2006).

He spent three days with us and we flew together to Maryland (just for a day) to see our parents and other siblings.

We had a good time!