LEGO Desk Wall

My Oldest daughter is obsessed with Legos lately. I want to encourage this but I am tired of stepping on LEGOs all the time. I'm sure if you are a parent you can relate to this. So I decided to have some fun and make a cute fun corner where these  sharp edged sinisters would remain.... at least I hope.

Help Responsibly

A year ago, I made a commitment to be in shape. The goal was to lose weight. The first few months were the hardest. I didn't see any drastic weight loss. It was a struggle to be spontaneous to adapt to a new lifestyle until I found a deeper reason as to why I needed to keep going.

Exercise is undeniably beneficial. To me, I feel more equip in fulfilling my everyday task more effectively. Tasks that benefit my family's well being. I want to stay strong and healthy for my kids, and that servanthood extends in serving others in the community.

The bible encourages believers to look after those in need. Yes, I am scared, but we still have social responsibilities that is more needed in dire times. Our family is doing our best to follow government protocols in observing proper social distancing. We decided on a small deed to do grocery for an elderly. I went with my husband who volunteered to run an errand for an elderly so she doesn't have to leave her apartment. She was dealing with health issues and can easily get infected,

I get that we are all scared of this global pandemic. It takes more than toilet papers and hand sanitizers to get through this tough time as a society. We can help the best we can, but help responsibly. We will pull through

#teamhumanity

DIY Mudroom Space

It's amazing how a few pieces of woods can make a huge difference to make a functional space. Our mudroom was a clean slate. I executed a vision I had for this space in a little budget and what materials I had available on hand. With a few wood trims and built in shelf, to an old bench that I re-purposed to make it look like a built-in, to keep tiny shoes kept and tidy.

The heavy work of building and designing took some learning process, but it is something enjoyed it thoroughly.

Weight Loss Journey

I cannot believe my pants size shrunk 3 sizes down and I am wearing small again! 

The biggest lie I believed when I became a mom was I can never get enough sleep. There is some truth to it as I desire for that extra needed rest. I took that advice to heart that I am entitled to that pleasure, but it wasn't all beneficial. For five years, I have made use of my extra time (when kids were napping) to slouch on the couch and eat everything I want while I watch junk TV shows. It has been my routine and wished to stay that way, but for some reason, I felt more and more depressed. My body missed being active.
I looked at myself and had a Mulan moment. Who is that girl I see? I did not recognized myself anymore. All I saw was a girl stuck in loop of the same viscous routine. I have not smart in using time I was given. 

Don't mistaken me for being an unhappy stay-home-mom. My heart is planted at home. I couldn't wish anywhere else to be. I made it my mission to bring up my kids to be the best adults. I want to be there when my children are in their most vulnerable stage. I believe this is a crucial stage when trust is built. But in order to fulfill my duties, I have keep my sanity and I remember who I am aside from being the mom.

I could not count how many time I broke my promise. Until one day, I am fed up with my hypocrisy and decided to get more active using what is available of me timewise. I looked at that treadmill that I was blessed to get for free and decided to start using it. I did 15 minute of fast walk and 50 burpees everyday that took my a good hour a day. I made time for and made its as one of my everyday routine. 

I thought I always never had enough energy for exercise, when in fact, it gave me more energy get through all my tasks at home (house chores and taking care of my twins and homeschooling). Losing weight can never be enough motivation to get fit. My main gold is to get stronger to keep up with things I love to do. 

I tried to be smarter with my food choices too. Exercise goes hand in hand with eating smart. There's no way around it. The first few months were discouraging because it felt like nothing was happening. I just had to keep pressing on and be smart with what I eat.

I won't deny guilt is involved. I should have been using that extra hour to give to my kids instead of exercising. I find it to be a lie. I want my kids to see me as not just a mommy. Mommy needs to take care of mommy too. It teaches them the importance of taking care of their bodies. I was so proud when Mirabella said, "Look mommy, I am exercising so I can have more energy too!". 

Sometimes I forget my children learns from things I do as an adult. I don't want to be that parent who hovers over them every single second of the day and be their slaves on demand. To me, that's not parenting. 

 I am thankful and blessed that I am in the season of life where I can teach my kids to be independent, but be available when they need me.

One hour for myself is what I needed and that is not selfishness. 

DIY Coffee Bar

House projects can be so overwhelming especially when I have so many commitments on my plate. One important lesson I learned was, stop overthinking it and just DO IT!

Over the course of the years practicing DIYs, I learned a thing or two. These things are easy but it takes long. Longer if you don't have the right tools at hand.

I am obsessed lately with floating shelves. It makes it look like it was originally built with the house. 

For this project, I used 2x2s for the bone structure and made a box with 1/2 inch thick plywood..

The table was actually an entertainment center that we got in clearance from Home Goods. I have adored it for months. It was still there when we came back. We got it immediately thinking it was really meant to be. 

Goodbye House

The moment I walked into this house, I knew from the very start this is not my house. 

Years passed, I remember saying "I hate this house", mainly because most my memories of this house is 3 years of constant re-doing. I would say it was depressing part of my life when instead of enjoying the magical years of my twin babies, I was scraping ceiling, painting and installing floors.

But now that we have reached the end of living in this house, I couldn't help but be sad we are leaving.

I took my words back. No. I don't hate this house. I looked at the work and the design that I have done in here, and I knew it is done with love. I've had meltdowns, frustrations and hardships during the process, but there are no regrets. I found out that being a stay home/homeschool mom of three under the age of three, re-doing a house was possible, doing it in between naptime and playtime.

Surely, I feel sad for leaving because I feel like I am leaving a part of me with this house. Difficult it may be, I just have to keep it in perspective that I prepared this house for a family who would fall in love with this house looking for a fresh start.

As for us.... we can't wait to enjoy our new home we have built from scratch that would house a bigger family.

$200 (something) Master Bath Redo

I had to do some small changes in our master bathroom. I had to work around a small budget. I wanted to keep it simple and clean. I love things simple and neutral. I chose a light colored paint  for the walls (Sherwin Williams: Rare and Radiant). For me, it's easier to change the color/theme decorations than to change the color of walls. The popcorn ceiling was scraped and the vanity and mirror were painted white.

I apologize. I am not good at getting the "before" photos. This was taken when I started prepping to paint the cabinets

I updated the hardware and I used what I had left from redoing our kitchen cabinets. I wanted it simple and affordable.

Updating a decor doesn't have to be pricey. Just get creative with what's on hand. In this case, I bought 3 big hooks and screwed it on a painted old piece of wood.

I spent barely nothing on this project and that included the decorations and small things (most decorations were my old stuff that I DIY'd). 

It's amazing how a new fresh coat of paint and a little bit of elbow grease can make a big difference to the old dingy outdated bathrooms.