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Some highlights of Kassandra's first holy communion ceremony at church.. so proud of how this little shy girl bloomed into who she is now 😁🥰..singing with the choir and reading responsorial psalms and prayer for the faithful ☺️..and the celebration was made more special because our family came all the way from the Philippines to celebrate with us! 😍 Such a memorable event for my girl! #KassandraFaith #FirstHolyCommunion #April282024

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A token of appreciation from our director for being more than 10 years in service... Wow, didn't feel like I work here for that long already! I love my job 🥰 😊

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"..I’ve learned that no matter how difficult things seem, there is always hope. And I’ve learned that no matter how powerless we feel or how horrible things seem, we can’t give up. We have to keep going. Even when it’s scary, even when all of our strength seems gone, we have to keep picking ourselves back up and moving forward, because whatever we’re battling in the moment, it will pass, and we will make it through. We’ve made it this far. We can make it through whatever comes next." -Daniell Koepke

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January is almost over but our celebration is not over yet 🤪😁..nah this is actually a super late post when we celebrated new year's with family and a 3-day birthday party for Kassandra.. we've been very busy after the holidays as we get back to "regular programming 😁" that this video edit has been pushed aside for far too long..so here it is - I'm posting this to document my not-so-little girl's 7th birthday 🎂 attended by closed friends and family.. wow, 7 years already that I become a mom.. 7 years of growing and still discovering new things with this little wonder.. watching her grow is a joy beyond words.. and seeing her blossom every day is a blessing beyond compare!

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Basking in the warm glow of the sun as it bids goodbye..A magical world comes to life in the golden hour of the sky..

#Winter #Sunset

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January 2, 2024 Kassandra's 7th birthday 🎂🥳

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2023 had been a blast! Looking back at the year that was, has elicited so many emotions - good and bad, highs and lows..but so much learnings too.. so many realizations and resolutions..and for that I am grateful 😊.. 2024 - we welcome you with open arms! 😁

Happy new year to all 😘

#2024 #NewYear

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2023 recap

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Saying goodbye to someone you love is hard..specially when there’s finality with that goodbye..the realization that you’ll never see them, hear them, touch them again is painful..this last week has been hard for all of us, specially for Patrick..losing a mother is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can know 🥲..but it gave us comfort knowing that she left us with so many beautiful memories that we will cherish forever..Her kindness and her caring nature will live on like a legacy of love that will always be with us..rest in heavenly peace mama Nicole.. “Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed, and held so dear.”

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This is way overdue but we're still in January so technically it's not yet late since it's still her birthday month 😂.. she's already 6 years old and I'm still in disbelief how time just goes by so fast! If only we can slow down the time..

Kassandra, you're most definitely not a baby anymore and that fact sometimes brings tears to my eyes..the way you want to do things on your own..the way you take care of your fur brother Chelsea..the way you think and reason out..it's astonishing how you are blossoming into a kind, thoughtful, loving and responsible girl right in front of our eyes..You may be a big girl now, but you will always be our baby girl. 😍 We love you anak! #KassandraFaith #6thBirthday

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10 years ago I wrote this message for my dad on his birthday...I miss u papa! #BirthdayInHeaven https://www.instagram.com/p/CnhyhUwOQ4RDGmIbp6fN5WFcU-CqluycfcsfH80/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Some highlights of our 2022 - birthday celebrations, furbaby Chelsea, our wedding anniversary and family outings, my masteral defense, graduation ceremony, our long awaited trip to the Philippines after 2 years of not being able to because of the pandemic, the groundbreaking of the new house, back to school for Kassandra and back to work for me, memories to remember, and moments to cherish..some highs and lows..some challenges but mostly blessings..thank you Lord for this wonderful year! and we are beyond excited for all the blessings to come! #2023

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At exactly 9:18 a.m. 6 years ago, we received our greatest blessing of all, our answered prayer - Kassandra Faith - and life was never the same again 🥰.. To our little miss who is not so little anymore, may you continue to illuminate the lives of everyone you encounter... may your warm spirit and kind heart continue to shine and touch others... and know that you are loved with every fiber of our being... wishing you the best of everything this life has to offer! Happiest birthday my sweet Kassie! 😘 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm59rhGMULlZkHCFNL0TBK_vfRu4ZkiD2rMgA00/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Musing and reflection..

These past few days, i find myself pondering a lot on things that was, things of the present, and things that i still want to become/have/achieve..

I reflect a lot..especially now when i have this alone time, i stare at this gloomy grey sky and wonder, have i achieved what i wanted to achieve this year?..have i lived a life with a purpose?..what drives me?..what keeps me going?..

I am always an optimist..even when the sky is grey and the day is gloomy..I don’t dwell much on the negative vibe..i see the glass half full instead of half empty..

The year 2022, i can say is the year of ‘emergence’ - the gradual beginning or coming forth..year 2022 when some restrictions were lifted little by little and we started to emerge from that place of uncertainty and fear to a place where we can at least find a sense normalcy again..we can travel again..we can go out and see family and close friends again..and we appreciated the little things like a hug or a pat on the shoulder more than ever..the pandemic has taught us a lot of things - of what really matters and what is most important..

On a personal note, year 2022 is the year when i emerged as a new me and coming out victorious on my quest to reach the most coveted master’s degree..it has been a long-standing plan of mine to do my master’s..it has been sitting on my “to achieve��� list for more than 10 years now and it has been pressed, shoved and pushed on the side because of other priorities, but when the opportunity presented itself, despite the pandemic, i just dove and took the risk..and sometimes the world rewards the brave..

Also this year when we plunged and gave a green light to big project we have been planning since 2020 - the house in the Philippines..and hopefully next year we will be able to see the fruit of our labor..

2022 was not always marshmallows, unicorns and rainbows..the road was not always smooth..we were also tested, challenged, and confronted with bumps and bruises along the way, but we stayed the course and came out stronger than ever..this year when a sister of mine was diagnosed with cancer that shocked us all..our boat was tipped and shook us all but we remained steadfast and united as a family making her feel that we are behind her (and her family) all the way..the road to recovery for her is still long but we are faithful that she will emerge victorious in this battle!

With this year coming to a close, i just want to spread my positive energy to you all..because no matter what circumstances you are into, everything will be okay…like my favourite phrase in Desiderata “and whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be..and whatever your labours and aspirations in this noisy confusion of life, keep PEACE in your soul..”

Wishing you all a wonderful 2023!

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Christmas reminds me to pause and reflect on the important things around me - like family and friends. I am and will always be grateful that I get to spend time with the people most important to me.. Merry Christmas! (at Menen, Belgium) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmmdEcWIHzJKPwHUMj6HM3gQNYd5eJTaI9gvNc0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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From our family to yours, we wish everyone a blessed Christmas! -The Demonie-Pardo 🥰 https://www.instagram.com/p/CmhtH3uIGBQa1onJfjGMHvQqMcX4Bytg8nAIEA0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Thank you Lord for the gift of family 😘 #PostBirthdayCelebration https://www.instagram.com/p/CmDm9e-okL-y2b1gCIIeG5qHS6_4ShobM8Qw980/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=