More Than I Asked For

When I was still single and praying for my future spouse, I asked God to help me find someone who even after I get married to him will still let me do many or all of the things I do for God like going to daily Masses, attending prayer meetings, going to Bible studies, serving God using my time, talent and treasure and many more.

God assured me that He will help me find that someone. 

I believed in God's promise and took His word.

I'm so glad I did because God's word did not return to Him empty! God fulfilled His promise to me and even exceeded my expectations.

Now, I'm already married and I'm still able to do almost all of the things that I used to do for God when I was still single. There were things that I'm not able to do as often or spend as much time doing as I used to do, but it's not my husband's fault.

It's simply one of the realities and challenges that I needed to face as a mother of young children. I simply do not have a lot of time for personal prayer like I used to have when I was still single.

I'm so glad and thankful to God that while I had plenty of time in my hands and while I was not so busy fulfilling many responsibilities like what I have now, I got to spend a lot of time with God when I was still single.

I'm so blessed because God gave me a husband who does not only allow me to practice my faith in the same ways that I used to do when I was still single, but he also helps me in my ministries. He helps me and enables me to say yes to God's calls to me and His assignments.

This February, my husband did not only approve of me doing a podcast for God. He even studied podcasting with me and for me. He is also helping me with the technical aspects of it. He has been learning this new thing with me since Christmas. He has spent many hours and many nights losing sleep learning about podcasts and working on the post-production of my podcast episodes.

We launched my podcast (Follow God with Teresa Podcast) last Valentine's Day with the first two episodes. That was my husband's Valentine's Day gift to me. 

Then, the third episode went live on the first Sunday of Lent and the fourth episode, today, the second Sunday of Lent.

I would not be able to accomplish these things and make my podcast available on my website and on platforms like Spotify, Google and Apple Podcasts if my husband did not help me. In fact, he has been doing more work on this project than me because, I realized, that there are a lot of technical things to do to produce an episode. 

When God promised to give me a helpmate, He was indeed serious. Now, I am experiencing the truth of His promise. Now, I'm seeing it and experiencing His word in the flesh through my husband who has been helping me in so many things.

Prior to this podcast, he has been helping by building my websites and blogs and by providing for our family so I do not need to be a breadwinner or so that I do not need to work full-time.

His support is one of the big reasons why I am able to do all that I'm able to do now.

So, on this last day of the Love Month, I'm writing this blog post to honor my husband and to thank him for being the wind beneath my wings, the man behind the scenes, who like Saint Joseph, was a man of few words but has contributed a lot through his actions.

Celebrating our achievement of launching my podcast on Valentine's Day! =)

Thank you so much, Sweetheart, for your great love and many sacrifices! I love you!

If you want to grow closer to God and improve your relationship with Him while waiting for your future bridegroom or even as you live out your life as a married woman, I invite you to follow my podcast Follow God with Teresa. You can listen to it on my website, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Take your pick! 

I hope to inspire and help more people through this podcast to love God more and to follow Him. 

Wedding Anniversary Reflection: How God Took Away My Shame

“How good the Lord is to me,” she would say, “now that he has taken away the shame that I have suffered.” (Luke 1:25, Phillips Bible)

This was the Bible verse that struck me when I read the Gospel during our 13th wedding anniversary this year.

I have read this Bible passage countless times but this is the first time that this verse struck me and I would like to share my insights and reflections with you through this blog entry.

When I was still single, many of my relatives, neighbors, officemates, and those who knew me were concerned that I have not yet found a boyfriend or husband yet. I was advancing in years and they were afraid for me that I might marry too late and will not have the chance to still bear children.

Although they meant well, their constant questions made me feel stressed.

Their words made me feel insecure and made me question myself sometimes. Is there something wrong with me? Are my standards too high or unrealistic? Do I need to be friendlier? Am I not pretty enough?

There were times when I felt ashamed that I did not have a boyfriend yet.

I thank God for the grace He has given me to endure those times. I considered those times when I felt lonely and insecure my times of desolation. For many years, it was as if I was in the desert and I was experiencing barrenness. Like Elizabeth, I bore that shame for many years. It was only by the mercy and love of God that I did not give up hope and I continued to find joy in my many years of waiting.

Those years of desolation enabled me to grow in character. There are traits that are only developed during times of difficulty. I'm glad and grateful that God helped me grow in character and beauty during those times when I felt broken. Those years of desolation prepared me for this time and season that I am in right now.

I had been married for 13 years now. My husband and I have been blessed with three beautiful and smart children.

“This is what the Lord has done for me. He has looked on me and has taken away my shame from among men.” (Luke 1:25, NLV Bible)

Those long, painful years of waiting, doing my best to endure the shame, made me value and appreciate better the gifts that I have received from the Lord when He, finally, sent my bridegroom to me to be my husband and He gave us our children.

Because I waited long to be married, I was ready to say yes to God when He asked me to leave my full-time job and be a full-time wife and mother 2 months after I got married.

Because I was diagnosed with a reproductive problem while still single, I was so thankful to God for each of my children. I only prayed that God would at least give me one child. But God, in His generosity and exceeding goodness, gave me and my husband 3 children!

That season of desolation and uncertainty during my season of singleness prepared me to give my best to my children when I had them. I probably would not be as hands-on and intentional as I am now if I did not have that diagnosis when I was still single. Because of my sickness, I grew to value the lives that were entrusted to me to carry. I valued the lives I was given to mold and raise this much.

Are you in your season of waiting and desolation? Are you still single and suffering the shame of being single and unattached or being unmarried?

I suggest that you view this season as a time of preparation and growth. Let God make you more beautiful and stronger while He breaks you. It is not easy to wait. It is painful to wait, especially when the wait is long. I know. I had been there.

But, God does not break us or allow us to suffer unnecessarily. He always has a purpose for letting things happen the way they do.

I do not claim to have a perfect family, a perfect husband, or perfect children. But they are definitely worth the long wait! 

Look at Elizabeth. She waited for many decades to have a child. And look at who she was made to bear! The Bible says in Matthew 11:11 that among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. 

God made her wait and endure so much pain and shame for many decades because someone great was set apart to be her child.

So, dear sister in the faith, trust that God has someone great set apart for you in your future. 

Do not resist the pain and the shame. Let these difficulties bring out the beauty that God wants to bring out in you. Let these experiences make you strong enough to be ready for what God has planned for your life.

Do not give up hope. 

Just keep turning to God in your brokenness and shame. The day will come when God will take away your shame just as He did it for me. He will replace it with something much, much greater than the pain and the shame you endured.

Believe me, because I had been there and I am writing this post now to encourage and give hope to all those who have yet to receive God's deliverance.

Why You Need to Attend This Parenting Event Even Before You Have Kids

Stephen Covey once said that everything is created twice. First in our minds or imagination; and second, when we actually work to make our imaginations our reality.

You might have a vision for yourself as a bride on your wedding day. That's is great! But do you already have a vision for yourself as a parent? Becoming a parent after you get married is usually the natural progression. You will most likely get pregnant sooner or later. Or, if you choose to adopt a child, you will also become a parent to your adopted child.

Thus, it is good to ask yourself, what kind of parent do you envision yourself to be? Do you want to be a hands-on parent? 

Do you see yourself working outside the home or from home? Or do you see yourself as a full time stay-at-home wife? Do you see yourself as a business owner or freelancer? 

What is your dream for your relationship with your future children?

One of the advantages of having a clear vision of what kind of parent you want to be, even though you're not yet a parent now, is that you can start working on making that dream a reality as early as now. You buy yourself a lot of time!

Why do I say that? What do I mean by that?

I'm speaking from experience here.

If I had known what I know now or what I learned a few years ago, I would have started working on achieving my business and finance dreams much, much earlier... when I have more time in my hands. These days, even with all the knowledge that I have, I am limited by my responsibilities as a mother of young children. I cannot and choose not to work in the same ways as before because my priorities have changed.

When you are still single, you have more control of your time. But when you are dealing with babies or small kids, it's is often hard to predict when things will happen or will get done. This is true whatever kind of parenting style you choose -- gentle or positive parenting or authoritative parenting. Believe me for I have tried both!

Take this blog post for example. I was in the middle of writing this post when my baby cried. So, I hurriedly left this post unfinished to run to my baby when I heard him cry.

When I was still single, I would not stop writing until I am done with an article or story I wanted to write, especially when my creative juices are flowing. But now that I have a baby and small kids, I can't and I choose not to do that anymore... even if I am in the zone or even when I have looming deadlines. I just don't have the heart to let my baby cry continuously while I try to finish my work. I have a baby whose life literally depends on me because I breastfeed him. I provide food for him. I have a toddler who wants me to read books to him, who needs me to give him a bath and who wants me to play with him. I have a 6-year-old who needs me to listen to his stories or his music. He needs me to look at his latest creation, be it a drawing or something that he built. I need to cook and feed these children and make sure they're are safe to say the least.

Working to reach your financial goals and establishing a business or systems that will enable you to earn passive income takes a LOT of time.

So, whether you are already engaged, your wedding day is already close or you just tied the knot recently, I invite you to join us at the Hands-On Parents while Earning or H.O.P.E. Summit on August 8 from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM at the AVR of the PLDT TelTech Building, Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City. 

There will be a number of talks you can learn from on how to be a hands-on parent while earning. You will have an opportunity to meet and listen to parents whose reality is what many dream about. You will have a chance to pause and dig deep into your heart so you can discover your main reasons for wanting to be the kind of parent you want to be. You will also have a chance to come up with a clear and compelling vision for yourself as a parent and as an earning individual. And, you can make initial plans on how you can walk towards fulfilling your goal of becoming a hands-on parent while earning.

I encourage you to invest your time on this life-changing event and to secure your slot now while you can still avail of the early bird rate of P1,500. We only have limited seats. Click here to sign up now.

See you at the H.O.P.E. Summit!

An Invitation to Future Moms to Prepare for Motherhood

Hi, brides-to-be! I know that most readers of this blog are future brides preparing for their weddings and some are still single and waiting for their prince charming. But there might also be readers here who are planning to have a baby right away after their wedding so I'm extending the invitation to you to one of my future events for my latest book Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking.

As I've shared many times with future brides, your wedding is only the beginning of one great adventure. It would be helpful to prepare for this adventure early on. I learned from another breastfeeding mom who shared her story in my book that she first attended a talk about breastfeeding when she was still in college. She was inspired by the talk and thought that she'd make use of her new learning in the future. Guess what? She got married a couple of years after graduation and had her first baby. And she also breastfed her child.

Thus, I'd like to invite you to the breastfeeding talk titled How to Win Over Breastfeeding Challenges. This will be held on March 29, 2014 from 1 to 5 PM at the Medela House. This is also a book signing event. All attendees will get a signed copy of my latest book. 

Let me give you a peek into motherhood with this post I wrote for my other blog at Mommy Bares All.

*****

"Is he getting any milk?"

 

"Are you sure you have milk?"

 

"Maybe your milk is not enough."

 

"Your child is already a toddler. It's time to give him formula."

 

These are some of the questions and statements that many breastfeeding moms get from people around them. And these questions can a lot of times discourage a breastfeeding mom.

 

Have you experienced being asked any or all of these questions?

 

Did you also doubt your capacity to nourish your child through your breasts when you were asked these questions?

 

You are not alone.

 

You are not the first to experience that.

 

I have also heard these questions and statements from many different people.

 

Like most first-time moms, I was easily affected by those remarks. I chose not to give up easily though.

 

By the grace of God and with a lot of hard work and sacrifices, I was able to achieve my breastfeeding goals for both of my sons. I was able to overcome the breastfeeding challenges that came my way.

 

I consider it a win every time I experience something that was initially doubted by other people.

 

For example, one of the common questions people would ask is if the baby is getting any milk from us, breastfeeding mothers.

 

Thus, I consider it a win every time I hear my child swallow milk while breastfeeding from me. I also consider it a win whenever I hear my child burp after each feeding session. Sometimes, while my youngest child breastfeeds from me, the milk from my other breast where he is not latched would squirt when he pinches my other breast.

 

All these disprove what others were saying or thinking about me and my capacity to nourish my children.

 

To date, my almost 28 month old son is still breastfeeding from me and I don't supplement him with formula. He already eats solid food but that's all. So far, he's healthy, very active and smart. 

 

Aside from those wins I mentioned above, I'm most grateful for the win of having a strong bond between me and my children.

 

Yesterday, my youngest son said, "Thank you, Mommy."

 

"For what?" I asked.

 

"For dede (he was referring to my breasts)," he said.

 

Then, he hugged me as usual. And I kissed his forehead and his chubby cheeks.

 

My husband and I watched a movie before where the husband and wife would ask each other their high points and low points each day. We adapted it and made it our nightly habit before sleeping. Our kids eventually joined us. When our youngest son finally learned how to speak, he gamely joined in our conversations as well. Guess what his usual answer is when asked what his high point for the day was? "Dede!"

 

That has always been his answer until very recently when he would also add "playing with toy bulldozer and car" or "going to Mass."

 

Do you want to experience these winning moments also?

 

If you are a first-time parent, an expectant parent or a mom who wants to try breastfeeding for the first time or again, I invite you to join How to Win Over Breastfeeding Challenges, my upcoming talk and bok signing event on March 29, 2014 from 1 to 5 PM at the Medela House (#29 1st Street, New Manila, Q.C.). I'm excited to share with you more about how I won over my breastfeeding challenges in the past years that I had been breastfeeding my two sons. 

 

 

 

There will be another speaker as well -- Ms. Joyce Martinez. She's a registered nurse, a certified lactation consultant, and the in-house lactation counselor of Medela Moms. She was also a Lactation Manager at St. Luke's Medical Center. She conducts talks on the ABC's of Lactation Management for nurses and breastfeeding classes for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Here's what will happen when you register and join this event?
* You'd be able to distinguish between breastfeeding myths and facts.
* You'll learn breastfeeding basics (breastfeeding positions, common challenges and how to handle them).
* You'll learn tips on how to win over breastfeeding challenges from the author and other moms who have triumphed over their breastfeeding challenges.

* You'll meet other moms/expectant parents who can support you in your decision to breastfeed your baby.
* You'll get a signed copy of the book Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking as your hand out.

* You'll get free snacks courtesy of Mama Chows and Moringana.Pregnant and breastfeeding moms who will attend will get free lactation cookies from Mama Chows. All guests will get giveaways from Moringana and anti-skid baby socks from St. Patrick.

You'll also get a chance to win raffle prizes.

The learning fee is only P600 for individuals. Couples only need to pay P1,000. I highly recommend that moms come with their husbands because much of your success would be dependent on his support and belief in your capacity to nourish your child through your breasts. This learning fee is a small investment compared to the savings that your family will get from months or even years of breastfeeding your child. A family sometimes spends around a thousand pesos in a week for formula and that can go higher or lower depending on the brand they choose or that their pediatrician would recommend. (Thus, I also recommend that you choose a pediatrician who's a breastfeeding advocate.)

 

You may pay through bank deposit (BPI or BDO) or through Paypal.

 

You may register for the event by clicking here. 

In case you are not free on that day, please feel free to share about this event to your friends or relatives who might benefit from these talks and book.

You can also order a copy of my latest book by sending me an email at teresa@fulllifecube.com or by sending a PM at my book's Facebook Page. It's only P499 per copy plus shipping fee of P100 for Metro Manila/Luzon area and P150 for other provinces. Click like and follow so you'd get updates on future events or offers.

Let me share excerpts of what other moms who read my book say about it.

"I am thankful that Teresa thought of writing this book. It is just pure inspiration for moms who really plan to breastfeed for the first year/s of their child’s life. I recall turning to Google for answers that I needed when it came to breastfeeding, but with this book, you get so much more. You get to read not only the technicalities and the straight-forward facts, but you also get a glimpse into the life of REAL women; women who have experienced the same situations and problems. They share, not only facts, but even what they felt during these experiences." - Mommy Ginger, Mompreneur and Blogger (Click her name to read her complete book review.)

"This can actually be every nursing mom’s BFF – breastfeeding friend. It will constantly remind her that feeding her child, (who developed in her womb and came out from her body) through her breasts is indeed, one of the purest and ultimate forms of LOVE." - Mommy Amihan, Writer for Philippine Online Chronicles (Click on her name to read the full book review where she enumerated 5 reasons why my book is different from other breastfeeding books.)

 

"Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking by  Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag is formatted to make reading easier for busy moms. This book is very useful for firs time breastfeeding moms and for those who are encountering some challenges. With the author’s and the shared stores, this book will inspire and empower moms to breastfeed, no matter how challenging and that breastfeeding is definitely a journey worth taking." - Mommy Que, Blogger (Click on her name to read the full book review.)

Here's an email from one of the moms who read it.

"I'm currently breastfeeding my 3week old child, and I never expected that breastfeeding will be this challenging. Thanks to your book, it has inspired and encouraged me to pursue breastfeeding." - Mommy Alica

Recognize Love in the Little Every Day Things

I have not written much on this blog in the past months because of my CRAZY schedule. I once thought (that was when I was still single and unattached) that I lived a very hectic life... flying from one destination to another, sometimes three different cities in a week to conduct trainings and workshops. That was during the day. At night, I would meet up with friends from those cities that I visited and join in their activities. There was even a time when I was taking up Masters in Industrial Relations at UP Solaire while working as a Training Manager for a multinational company.

 

Then, I got married and had kids.

 

I discovered that life can get even BUSIER! hahaha So busy that it sometimes (make that A LOT OF TIMES on maidless days) drives me crazy! If you're now a mom with small kids and you don't have a maid or a nanny, you know what I mean!

 

If you're still a bride-to-be planning for your wedding, I'm writing this post not to scare you. I write this post to help prepare you for your marriage. :)

 

I'm honestly a romantic through and through. I love all those mushy stuff and I like the drama that most romantics want to experience. Big surprises and romantic dates are my thing. I love planning for these romantic things. Executing them energizes me.

 

My husband though is not the romantic type. He's not the type who plans ahead for important events like birthdays and anniversaries or other special occasions. Unlike me, he doesn't get excited a lot even when special occasions are already near.

 

These differences put a strain in our marriage when we were just starting. I discovered these the hard way. It's really true that once you're already married, you'll notice more things about your guy.

 

I was disappointed and I made sure that he knew how disappointed I was.

 

I also shared my disappointments with God during my times of prayer. And what God told me during those times, slowly opened my eyes.

 

I was looking for big, fancy expressions of love on certain seasons or special days. I was naturally drawn to those things being the romantic that I am. God however reminded me that those are not the only ways to show love. He reminded me of the many times that my husband showed his love to me in the every day little things that I sometimes didn't notice because I was so focused on watching for his big expressions of love.

This was before we got married.

 

I didn't appreciate these expressions of love in the every day little things right away. I felt humbled. But I did try to be more open to them. And I thank God that He helped me see and appreciate these things over time.

 

It would be our 9th year to celebrate Valentine's Day together this year. I would be a hypocrite if I tell you that I no longer pine for those romantic dates and for Valentine's Day gifts. But the difference now is that although I still like to experience those things, I have grown to appreciate my husband's every day little acts of love more.

 

We have not been lucky to get reliable maids since we got married. So, there are many months when we do not have helpers to assist us with our household chores and to enable us to have plenty of time to go out on dates as a couple. Our bonding times and dates are different now. We bond over doing chores together at home. We bond by exchanging stories with our kids. We bond over movies shown at our living room. We bond by going to Mass daily as a family. We bond over cuddles in bed or in the couch. We sneak some intimate moments when the kids are finally asleep.

 

The two of us don't get to do a lot of fancy, romantic stuff. These occasions are few and far between. But you know, I'm much happier now. Not only because he has learned to express love in the way I want to be loved (flowers and notes). But more importantly because I have learned to recognize love in the little every day things that my husband does for me and our kids.

 

Thus, I thank God for helping me see this wonderful side of my husband. I thank God that he blessed me with a husband who does not think that it's beneath him to help his wife with the household chores and who choose to be involved in raising our kids. I thank God for a husband who is not threatened by my successes but who delights and celebrates with me in my victories.

 

Let me end this Valentine post with a message to my Valentine:

 

Thank you, Sweetheart, for making time to wash the dishes and the pots and pans after dinner.

 

Thank you for sweeping and mopping the floor.

 

Thank you for throwing the trash.

 

Thank you for reading books and telling stories to the kids at night. 

 

Thank you for acknowledging that caring for the kids and watching over them throughout the day is already a full time job.

 

Thank you for appreciating the meals that I cook especially on really busy days.

 

Thank you for watching over the kids and playing with them while I do some work.

 

Thank you for accepting that I need time to write and for giving me some time to do this.

 

Thank you for all the many little things you do to fill up my love tank.

 

Thank for stepping into my life one Valentine's Day and changing my life forever.

 

I love you and the many every day little things that you do!

 

 

Are you also a romantic like me? What expressions of love fills your love tank? I hope that with this post you'd also learn to recognize and appreciate love in the little every day things.  
 

Love is in the Air at Love Expressions Wedding Fair

Happy New Year, dear readers! This is my first post for the year in this blog because I had been busy doing the other things that I love. I just launched my latest book Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking last January 25 at Mothercare, Bonifacio High Street. You can read about it here, here and here. Now, I'm getting ready for a number of upcoming workshops (You can find out more about the workshops I run here and here.) that I will conduct this month and in the coming months. And I'm also working on my next book.

 

But let me take a breather from writing books and organizing workshops by sharing with you an event that I think would be of help to you as you prepare for your dream wedding.

 

Why do I think it's worth your time?

 

First, it's your chance to shop around for potential wedding suppliers. Yes, you inquire through phone or email but it makes a big difference to get to talk to potential suppliers in person. You can even get a discount if you are lucky enough to talk to the business owners themselves! My husband and I got to experience this in a couple of wedding fairs that we attended when we were still engaged.

 

Second, there would be talks about love languages, dating and relationships, budgeting for your wedding and how to plan for your wedding. I've been sharing about the love languages in a number of my workshops and trainings. It has been helpful in my relationships and I believe that sharing this with more people would help them, too.

 

Third, you can win something that you need at these wedding fairs! I won a free trial make-up in one of the wedding fairs we attended while preparing for our wedding. I used the free trial make-up for our pre-nuptial pictorial. It surely saved us some money and gave us more reason to smile that day. :)

 

Enjoying our pre-nuptial pictorial.

 

Last but not least, it can also be your opportunity to bond with your soon-to-be spouse as you listen and watch performances by bands and musicians on this Valentine weekend.

 

I enjoyed attending wedding fairs when I was still planning and preparing for my wedding. In truth, I even liked going to wedding fairs even before I had a boyfriend! It was my way of keeping the fire of my dream alive even when my circumstances were not that encouraging. ;)

 

Anyway, here are the details of the upcoming event I was telling you about. It will be on February 13-15, 2014, (10AM to 9PM), at the Ground Level Activity Center, SM Southmall Las Pinas.

 

There's even a fashion show on February 14 from up and coming designers, Marco and Oyama and White Label Bridal!

 

Best of all, if you book any of the suppliers during the wedding fair, you'll receive a FREE GIFT from the organizer PLUS a chance to win your wedding supplier! So, register here now to blocked off your Valentine weekend for this upcoming wedding event. http://www.weddingfairphilippines.com/weddingfairregistration/

 

 

 

Love Expressions Wedding Fair is presented by SM Southmall, together with Jack & Jenn Catering, Rotary Club of Las Pinas East and Myther Events and Expo Inc. This event is sponsored by Booms Audio Sounds and Lights, Dermaesthetic, Gems by Me with Online Media Sponsors Bridal Book.ph, Weddingsupplires.ph, HalloHalloTown.com, and organized by Island Exhibit Events Management Inc.  

When My Bridegroom Comes Blog Giveaway Continues this December 2013

Have you signed up for the free e-book that I'm giving away here in my blog? If you haven't signed up yet, you better hurry up because I'm giving it away for free for a limited time only.

 

But since my bridegroom and I are celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary this month, on the 19th to be exact, it will still be available this month.

 

This year, our wedding anniversary is made extra special because it's like I'm waiting for my bridegroom to come all over again.

 

My husband has been out of the country in the past three months for a special project. It's the first time that he has been away from me this long since we got engaged. It was difficult to say the least. It was difficult for me as a wife. It was difficult for me as the mother of our two little boys. There were nights when the boys and I would simply cry. It usually starts with our eldest crying to me and telling me that he misses his Dad very much. He would ask me why he can't hug or embrace his Dad. When he says those words, I just couldn't help but cry as well. I would tell him that he can hug me and his younger brother instead while thinking of his Dad. Then, when my youngest son hears or sees me and his older brother in tears, he would cry too.

 

Sometimes, my eyes would be filled with tears during our Skype calls when I see my kids trying to kiss and embrace their Dad through my laptop.

 

I figured, so this must be how kids with parents who work far from their homes feel. My husband goes out-of-town or out-of-the country every now and then as part of his job; but most are short-term trips. We miss him just the same. But this last trip, this is the hardest because it's the longest and farthest so far! Thus, we missed him big time!

 

So, as we count the days and the nights before he comes again (two nights to go!), I feel like I'm a bride again waiting for her bridegroom's coming.

 

Are you also waiting for someone? Is he your bridegroom too? Are you waiting for your dream wedding?

 

Why don't you sign up for my free e-book and enjoy it while you wait? Remember, it will be FREE only for a LIMITED TIME. So, go to my blog's sidebar, sign up and download your copy NOW!

 

 

Your Tagaytay Dream Wedding Unveiled

Hi future brides and grooms! Do you already have plans for the weekend? If you are still free on Saturday, I suggest that you head to Tagaytay to attend Ville Sommet's Bridal Fair.

 

 

If you've started planning for your dream wedding, chances are that you already know that it would be difficult to make it happen without the help of a dream team. This bridal fair is your chance to look for the right people in your team. You can also enjoy the scenery and the nice weather while doing that.

 

Admission is free and there are special promotions and discounts offered to couples who will book on the day of the event. I highly recommend that you bring your check books with you in case you find a wedding supplier that matches your requirements. Availing of promotions and discounts at wedding fairs is one way to save on your wedding expenses while having fun. My husband and I had fun going around bridal/wedding fairs when we were still an engaged couple. It was also through these fairs that we found some of our wedding suppliers.

 

You may get more details about the event in their Facebook Page.

Celebrating more than 100,000 pageviews

Yesterday, I celebrated Mommy Bares All's (my other blog) 100,000 pageviews. Today, God gave me another reason to celebrate. This blog has reached more than 100,000 pageviews as well after a little more than a year! Amazing! What a pleasant surprise from God!

 

I never thought that this blog could reach this mark this soon. I simply thought of sharing my experiences as I prepared for my wedding and my bridegroom through this blog. I'm so happy to discover that this little blog of mine has reached this number of people.

 

 

Let me thank you, dear readers, for taking time to read my posts. Thank you for choosing to sign up for my e-book, How to Have the Wedding of Your Dreams. Thank you for being part of my blog and being instrumental in helping it reach this mark.

 

I hope to write more relevant posts that can be of help to more brides and grooms and to singles who are still waiting for their one true love to come into their lives.

 

God bless you all!

 

May our hearts be filled always with love and may we continue to spread love to those around us!

 

 

Blog Anniversary Give-away: How to Have the Wedding of Your Dreams e-book

It has been 1 year and 10 days since I first started this blog. I'd like to thank all of you, my dear visitors, readers and subscribers, for being part of this blog. Without all of you, our more than 68,000 pageviews (so far as of today) would not be possible.

 

I thank all of you for the inspiration to write my first e-book: How to Have the Wedding of Your Dreams. It was because of your pageviews of my wedding preparation-related posts that I was moved to write my newest book.

 

 

 

Thus, this month of June, to celebrate the wedding month and this blog's 1st year anniversary, I'm giving away my first e-book for FREE! Don't miss this gift from me this month. Sign up now on the box to your right to avail of our blog give-away!

 

Enjoy reading and be blessed!

 

Here's a toast to more dream weddings coming true!

 

 

FREE e-book to When My Bridegroom Comes Blog Subscribers: How to Have the Wedding of Your Dreams

The inspiration to write this e-book first came to me when I attended a conference last March. I was very excited to write the book but other priorities got in the way. I made sure though that I wrote my basic ideas down so I can easily remember them the next time I have more time in my hands.

 

A few weeks ago, I finally had the time to act on the inspiration. With a lot of help and support from my bridegroom, I'm happy to share with you that the first installment is now available for download when you subscribe to this blog.

 
 

I designed in such a way that you will not only receive inspiration through the e-book but you will also receive worksheets that you can print and use to plan for your dream wedding. I'm sharing FOUR STEPS that you can take to step into the wedding of your dreams. I'm sharing with you some of the tools as well which I used to plan my own wedding and some tips that helped me step into the wedding that I had dreamed of for many years.

 
 

Do you want to get your copy of this e-book now?

 
 

Head over to this blog's sidebar, type your name and email and sign up for this e-book that I'm giving away for FREE! I promise not to give away your contact information to anyone. :)

 

 

 

I'm so excited to give this away to future brides! My heart was brimming with joy, inspiration and hope when I wrote this book.
 

 

So, are you a future bride? Then, this e-book is for you! I'm excited to provide inspiration and practical help to you through it.
 

 

Are you excited to read it, now? Don't delay! Subscribe now!

 
 

May your dream wedding come true!

 

 

Dreaming with you,

 

Teresa

 

 

 

Celebrating a Small Victory: Over 50,000 Pageviews in Less Than a Year

This is totally unexpected! I never thought that this new blog which I started less than a year ago (almost 10 months as of today) would have this much traffic and pageviews! It began as a sudden burst of inspiration after writing an article for another website where I'm a regular contributor. Then, more ideas and inspirations flowed.

 

Before long, I was busy working on many other things. Honestly, BUSY is an understatement if you know ALL the things that I'm currently doing. But the blog continued to pick up speed as if it had a life of its own. I kept receiving wonderful surprises each morning as I check the pageviews.

 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL OF YOU! YES, YOU, MY DEAR READERS! :)

 

This is simply wonderful! I want to pause and savor the moment. :)

 

Over 50,000 pageviews in almost 10 months! Wow!

 

 

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU WHO MADE THIS HAPPEN!

 

This could be small or nothing to experienced bloggers but to someone like me who is a newbie with so much to learn and understand about blogging, this is already a reason to do a dance of joy. Writing is simply one of my favorite hobbies. I used to write on journals only. It was my husband who encouraged me to start a blog actually! And now this happened! Thank you so much, Lord! For the inspiration and for this encouragement.

 

My prayer is that through this blog, I'd be able to inspire and help more future brides.

 

Here are the TOP 10 POSTS OF ALL TIME (As of this moment):

 

1. 12 Garden-inspired Venues in Quezon City
 
2. Wedding Venues for a Destination Wedding in Tagaytay
 
3. 5 Garden Venues for a Destination Wedding in Antipolo
 
4. Garden Venues in Manila
 
5. The Search for My Dream Wedding Reception Venue
 
6. Garden Venues in Marikina
 
7. Tips on Planning Your Wedding Souvenirs
 
8. My Recommended Disney Love Songs for Weddings
 
9. List of Catholic Churches in Quezon City
 
10. List of Catholic Churches for Destination Weddings in Tagaytay, Cavite and Batangas

 

Cheers to all bloggers! Cheers to all future brides!

P.S.
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