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Amazing Grace Giveaway: Love God’s Creation and Make the Switch – Win Cloth Diapers from Caleb’s Closet and Next 9! (In honor of Real Diaper Week 2012!)

April 16, 2012 by Tina 7 Comments

OK, I know the title of this post is REALLY long but there’s a good reason behind it. 🙂 BUT before we go on to the giveaway for this week, let me share a little (thanks in advance for bearing with me, LOL!) about my own cloth-diapering ~~mis~~adventures. (After all, this giveaway is in honor of Real Diaper Week, which runs from today, April 16 to April 21. Read more about it here. And don’t forget to read the blog entries in honor of Real Diaper Week over at Chronicles of a Nursing Mom here and here).

Anyway, back to my sharing. I’d like to believe that part of being thankful for God’s amazing grace this Easter season is also being aware of the fact that we must be responsible for God’s amazing creation — starting with how we do things at home. Now, I am not going to be a hypocrite here, so I’ll be completely honest here and say that we have not been doing a great job of this, though we do try our best. We try to teach the kids about conserving water and electricity and about recycling things and reducing our waste on a regular basis. We talk regularly about how our resources are God-given and how what we do affects other people.

When the kids were still teensy-weensy babies (waay back when we were still on mission in Timor Leste), we used cloth diapers on them because it was more economical and more gentle on their tender baby skin. Loving and conserving the environment, to be totally truthful, were not our top reasons for doing so. (Which is probably why we only stuck to cloth diapering for the first year {for Tim} and the first four or five months {for Rysse} — please forgive me! Even then, we didn’t do it 24/7 and usually used disposables when we went out!) At that time, we used the traditional lampin diapers (you know, the ones that you have to fold to look like diapers) and Chino Pino cloth diapers.

However, ever since I’ve been more exposed to and in touch with fabulous eco-loving, cloth-diapering (breastfeeding and babywearing, too, among other things!) mommas like , Jen, Jenny, Martine and, most recently, Lei, (to mention a few, though there are so many more! You know who you are ladies!), I have come to the conclusion that for our next baby (oh yes, we’re praying about Baby no. 3!), we’ll do our bestest to go cloth diapers all the way (pray for us, hehe!).

Anyway, for those of you out there who are expecting or still have little ones in diapers (or have friends or family members who do!), then this week’s Amazing Grace giveaway is PERFECT for you! 🙂

Lei, who also happens to be the fab mompreneur behind Caleb’s Closet Ecostore. Here’s a little info about it in Lei’s own words:

Putting up this store is a worthwhile endeavor for me. My gameplan really is to influence my doctor mom friends into trying cloths and babywearing (and other nice things) so that in turn, they can influence their own patients into doing so.

I envision the store to be a haven for Filipino moms who look for natural options. And I want you to have a dependable source of quality products under one roof. It’s not just a set of products sitting on the online shelves, but a set of ideals that I try to advocate – attachment parenting, ecologically sound options, and local enterprise support.

(You can check out the fab finds available at Caleb’s Closet Ecostore here and Lei’s adventures as a mom on her blog here.)

I am so blessed and honored to have met Lei (and all the other cloth-diapering, natural parenting, eco-loving moms out there!) because now I know who I can turn to for sound advice when it comes to being an eco-chic parent! 🙂 (I have a lot to learn, I must admit!)

So, OK, that’s the end of my sharing for today. LOL! 🙂

And now, on to the giveaway:

LOVE GOD’S CREATION,

MAKE THE SWITCH

(from disposables to cloth)

AND GET A HEADSTART

BY WINNING A SET OF NEXT 9 CLOTH DIAPERS

FROM ! 🙂

Eligibility and Contest Period

Eligibility: This contest is open to Philippine residents only.

Contest period: Contest will run from April 16 to April 30, 2012. The winner will be announced by May 2, 2012.

Mechanics

Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below. 🙂 Good luck and God bless, y’all! 🙂

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the Real Diaper Week 2012 Blog Carnival, starting with Jenny’s blog! 🙂 I’m sure you’ll be inspired by it, as I am! 🙂

P.S. 2. Watch out for MORE FABULOUS AMAZING GRACE GIVEAWAYS with prizes from , and and other wonderful blog partners (still finalizing details)! 🙂

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Amazing Grace Giveaway: Win Fab Fancy Ava Headbands for Your Little Princess! (And Be Inspired by Mommy Abi!)

April 11, 2012 by Tina 5 Comments

A while back, I received a message from of about featuring her products on this blog. I was immediately touched by how she introduced herself in her message, and I’d like to share what she said here, since we are talking about God’s amazing grace this month after all. 🙂

I am a young mother to a beautiful angel named Ava. I got pregnant at the age of 19 and gave birth to my firstborn at the age of 20. I had to stop college the moment I found out I was pregnant. Being a stay-at-home mom and, at the same time, an “out of school youth,” it was a bit hard to earn the respect of my boyfriend’s family since I am staying with them. I decided not to be a bum and searched for productive activities I could do.

It was then that I found the articles about mompreneurs on Smart Parenting and I got really inspired. And so, Fancy Ava was born, after my daughter named Ava (pronounced “ey-va”).

I just turned 21 last December and I am now earning P15,000-P20,000 a month. Sometimes even more during other months, from single-handedly running my business.

Custom-made Bridal Hair Accessories by Fancy Ava

“Victoria” Summer 2012 Couture Headbands by Fancy Ava

Bows and Blossom Summer 2012 Couture Headbands by Fancy Ava

I want to be featured {on your blog} because I want to inspire teen moms who got pregnant at a young age and had to stay out of school. I want to tell them that getting pregnant at that age is not the end of everything; it might actually be the start of something more fruitful and better than what you may have expected.

Now, don’t get me wrong here, dear friends. I just want to clarify that I am not advocating that young people get pregnant at an early age and then start their own businesses. In fact, I’m all for chastity and purity, which is the “new sexual revolution,” according to Jason and Crystalina Evert.

However, I am also one to support people who make the best out of whatever situations they may find themselves in, and find the hope and passion they need to pursue their dreams, despite whatever obstacles and challenges seem to be blocking their way. I believe that our God is a God of second chances. 🙂 And I believe God has given Abi a second chance to be successful through ! 🙂 (Kudos to you, Mommy Abi!)

Having said that, let’s get on with our first Amazing Grace Giveaway for this Easter season — you can win not just one, but THREE fabulous Fancy Ava custom-made headbands for your little princess — the perfect accessory for your daughter, sister, niece, friend’s daughter, etc. (you get the picture, right?!) this summer and beyond! 🙂

But first, I just HAD to post these photos of our own little princess using the Fancy Ava piece she selected herself (she actually wanted all four of the headbands Abi sent me! Ha, ha!):

Rysse: I want the pink one, Mama! 🙂

Take my picture, please! 🙂

I LOVE IT! 🙂

I wore it to church the very next day! 🙂

And here are the pieces up for grabs: (Please do pardon the quality of the photos, we only have a point-and-shoot cam, and I am known for my lack of photography skills! Sorry for not doing justice to Abi’s fantastic work! Take my word for it though, you will LOVE these pieces! I was tempted to give away just one piece and keep the rest for Rysse! LOL!)

So, what are you waiting for? Join the giveaway now! 🙂 Here are the details:

Eligibility and Contest Period

Eligibility: This contest is open to Philippine residents only.

Contest period: Contest will run from April 11 to April 25, 2012. The winner will be announced by April 29, 2012.

Mechanics

Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below – it’s that easy to win! 🙂 Have fun and good luck, everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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{Sort-of} Freebie Friday: Join Fabulous Mom-Blog Giveaways from Dainty Mom, The Painter’s Wife, Chronicles of A Nursing Mom and Topaz Mommy!

March 8, 2012 by Tina Leave a Comment

As a relatively newbie mom blogger, I’ve always been uber grateful for other mom bloggers who are more experienced than I am, especially those whom I have personally come to know online. I’m also amazed by how their blogs have grown and touched the lives of other people, perhaps even without the mom bloggers realizing it! 🙂

So, in relation to my recent decision to always be grateful, I’d like to say “THANK YOU” to these fabulous mom bloggers for their help, support, inspiration and friendship-brought-about-by-a-common-love-for-breastfeeding-blogging-babywearing-and-other-things-mommy-related by promoting their current blog giveaways here! 😉

Here we go:

Martine of Dainty Mom has become one of my good online {and offline!} mom-friends. We used to chat a lot online and she is always someone I can go to for anything – whether mommy-related or blog-related! 🙂 We have a lot of things in common, one of which is our love for the Lord and our families. I’m especially grateful to her for her helpful comments and suggestions on how to improve this little blog of mine! 🙂

Anyway, Martine is celebrating her blog’s 2nd anniversary this month through a series of giveaways (every week of March), with prizes from fab brands, establishments and mom-owned businesses such as Sunshine Babies Boutique, Fancy Girl Designs and The Mom Writes, Dwell Studio, Bliss Nail Spa, Manila Baby Shop, and (incidentally, did you know that Jen, one of the mompreneurs behind Sesou, is a homeschool mom? She’s part of ROCKERs, our homeschool support group! 🙂 Just sharing! LOL!).

Here are links to the giveaways that have already gone live (as of this writing):
Dainty Mom at 2: What Makes You Pretty? {Celestina & Co. Contest}
Dainty Mom at 2: Win a Custom Blog Header and Badge Design from Fancy Girl Designs

I plan to join the Fancy Girl Designs contest (as soon as I’m done with my backlog of articles! LOL! OK, I know I shouldn’t be blogging now, but I can’t help it! Ha, ha!)

I can’t recall how I came to know Eliza of , but I am grateful that I did. She helped introduce me to SEO-writing and freelancing (which I don’t do much of nowadays because I’m already swamped as it is, LOL!) and we also used to chat a lot about motherhood, breastfeeding and the like. 🙂 I got to meet Eli in person during my first (and last! har har!) stint at the Expo Mom Bazaar in 2010 (I’ll always be grateful to her for being one of our customers at the bazaar, hehe!).

Anyhoo, Eli is currently hosting a post-delivery birth photography package giveaway worth P5,000, sponsored by . To join, check out the details and mechanics .

I stumbled upon Jenny’s Chronicles of A Nursing Mom blog when we were still on mission in Timor Leste. I was researching about breastfeeding, particularly nursing wear, at that time and found this post written by her. I’ve been a fan ever since and love how helpful and informative her blog is, especially for breastfeeding moms like me. I also credit Jenny and Mec of Mec as Mom, who are behind the Milk Mama Diaries Carnival, for indirectly helping build up this blog. 🙂 Most of all though, I thank Jenny for always being so nice and accommodating, especially when it’s breastfeeding, babywearing and everything-else-attachment parenting-related! 🙂

Jenny and Mi’ann of Babymama are currently having a giveaway for the FREE use of an Ameda Elite pump for one year, especially for working and pumping moms to use in their office. I totally commend them both for encouraging working moms to continue breastfeeding this way! 🙂 Check out the details and mechanics here.

Photo taken from Frances’ blogger profile here. Sorry, her blog doesn’t have a badge! 🙂

Frances of Topaz Mommy is another mom blogger to whom I am grateful. We’re not that close, but we do actually have quite a few things in common – we both love God, our husbands and babies, breastfeeding and Jay, my youngest brother, who also happens to work with Frances for OK! magazine. 🙂 I’m not as fashionable as she is but I love, love, love browsing through her blog! 🙂 I also love how honest and open and frank she is (OK, are those redundant terms?! Sorry! LOL!), especially with her posts on motherhood, being a wife and being a Christian. 🙂

This month, Frances and Rone of Mothering Earthlings (who I was privileged to feature here) are hosting a fab baby footwear promo – i.e. a pair of Tip Tap Soft Soles baby shoes plus a set of Funky Feet Not Quite Shoes socks! 🙂 Read more about it here.
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So that’s it! 🙂 Join these great giveaways now and show a few of my fave mom bloggers some love while you’re at it! Have a fabulous weekend ahead – and don’t forget to drop by Expo Kid 4 on Saturday! 🙂 We’ll be there with some of our friends from ROCKERs and HAPI! 🙂

Truly Rich Tips: Write Your (Mommy) Mission Statement

November 13, 2011 by Tina 2 Comments

“This is an official entry to Dainty Mom’s “Write your Mommy Mission Statement” contest.”

This is another post inspired by my friend Martine of Dainty Mom, the previous one being part of a meme. Though I have been thinking about writing this for a while now, even before Martine announced her pre-birthday blog contest. So, taking advantage of this relatively work-free weekend and the caffeine pumping through my veins from hubby’s sweet pasalubong of hot mocha from 7-11, I’m going to attempt to write my own mommy mission statement.

But first, why should one do so? Why should one have a “vision and mission” even when it comes to something like parenthood/motherhood?

To put it simply:

Proverbs 29: 18. (Photo from wbyg.com)

I believe the same applies to one’s life, and one’s family, and one’s children.

If you don’t know where you’re headed or where you want to go, then you will “perish.” And so will the people who you are responsible for. If you’re a parent, then you’re responsible for your kids.

So I’ll start of with this statement: I believe I am called to be a “parent for eternal life.”

As a former single missionary to the youth, I used to cite Acts 20: 24 as my personal “mission statement”:

“Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace.” (New American Bible)

Now that I am a mom though, I have shifted to my current (and our family’s) life verses (which are also the verses behind this blog):

“So do not worry and say, `What are we to eat?’ or `What are we to drink?’ or `What are we to wear?’

All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6: 31-33)

These verses have helped me put my life in perspective, and also provide the backbone for my mommy mission statement below:

1. I am a child first. As you may have read from my “About Me” page, I say I am “truly rich” because my Father is King. I will strive not to forget to be God’s child first so that I can be the best wife for my husband and best mother for my kids.

2. I am a wife before I am a mother. I forget this a lot of times and so by writing this mission statement I also renew my commitment to be more loving, kind, patient and supportive of my husband. I will do my best to balance my time so that we will grow old together with wonderful memories and lots of perfect moments.

3. I am a mother to two amazing kids – God’s gifts of life to us. I have failed my kids many, many times but I hope that more than those bad moments, they will remember how much I and their Papa love, accept, appreciate and cherish them. I will strive to raise them as God-loving, responsible, faithful persons, by God’s grace and mercy. I will be more intentional with what I think, say and do, especially for their sake – including planning our meals, handling our finances, and choosing our entertainment. For now, I believe that homeschooling them is also part of this mission.

4. I am called to be a communicator of God’s love. I borrow this term from Bo Sanchez. It has taken me more than thirty years to discover this (31 to be exact, yes, that’s how old I am now!). I am actually a licensed (but non-practicing) Physical Therapist from one of the country’s top universities (ok, I’m biased!). But my “first love” has always been writing.

And now, a little over 10 years since I graduated from college, I am making a living (and hopefully, inspiring people along the way!) through writing and editing (and blogging – though not so much! Haha!). More than earning for my family, I will write / use my communication skills to glorify God. Of course, if I’ll be able to score big financially while I’m at it, this would be a wonderful bonus-blessing! 😉

This mission statement is subject to review and updating of course. I know that God will continue to reveal more of His plan for my life and my family as time passes. One thing’s for sure though, as a Catholic wife, mom and writer, I will do my darndest to live out the mission that God has given me, by His grace.

*I’ve exceeded the 600-word limit Martine set in her blog contest criteria, so I don’t know if I still qualify for the contest. Hehe! Nonetheless, I’m grateful to Dainty Mom for inspiring me to write this. So what are YOU waiting for? Go write your own mission statement now! 😉 Feel free to share a link to it in the comments section below or post a link on my blog’s Facebook page . I’d love to read it!