Friends,

I hope and pray for a great and prosperous 2010! Let 2010 be a celebration of life and love for each and everyone of us and our loved ones!

From Life’s a Charm! Family

Daddy and Matthew on Daddy's Golf Cart, Photo taken on July 14, 2009

It’s hubby’s 2nd year as a tactical officer at a military school in Alabama. He considers this school year relatively easier than last year. He thinks that the cadets are better behaved and they are more active with school activities. But this means that—although cadets get into less trouble, they are busier! And busy cadets mean busier tactical officers! He is surely happy that he got himself a new golf cart last summer. With busier cadets and with a golf cart, it became easier for him to go around the campus.

As for me, I planned to take a vacation this year to the Philippines but that didn’t happened. I got myself a learner’s permit to drive, but hubby is so hesitant. (This is a long story to go into details!) Anyway, he said, I will have to find someone else to drive with me because my driving scared him.

My blog however has expanded to include 2 subsites – the ‘All Things Bloggy’ site for contest and giveaways and the ‘Charm! Designs’ for my custom web design business. ‘All Things Bloggy’ site has now has more the 170 subscribers. It caters giveaway enthusiasts like myself and giveaway host for listing the contest in their sites. As for ‘Charm! Designs’, although I have not officially launched yet, I have already created a few templates for wordpress and blogger, and there are a couple of blog sites that I have designed.

What I am so happy about this year is Matthew’s progress. He turned 3 years old on August 14. We had a modest celebration, just the three of us and he is more than happy with the Transformer toys he got. I have always thought that it has been the peak of his toddlerhood as his vocabulary and skills increased. Matthew has learned to operate and ride this John Deere tractor toy. He has learned to sing and most importantly he is now potty trained! But it is not to say that it has not been hard—taking care of a toddler, because it is hard! But every little rhyme he sings, every successful trip to the potty, every new word he learns, every little conversation he makes himself, every little kiss and show of affection—all makes Michael and me proud parents and makes up for the hardships and the tantrums and the pouting he throw.

Matthew at Gatorland, Orlando FL, Photo taken 2009 June 2

As for the family, early this year hubby’s Grandma Maxine passed away. We braved the winter cold to go to her funeral in Michigan. On a happier note, holidays and school breaks seems to be associated to Florida. At summer break, we went fishing on Grandpa’s new boat and visited Gatorland in Orlando. On thanksgiving, we spent it with them as well as Christmas. As for the New Year’s Eve, we will be spending it home in Sweet Home Alabama for a well deserved rest.

As for my family in the Philippines, my mother and brother in my hometown Zamboanga City are doing great! My mother is still looking for a boyfriend (as far as I know). My brother has a few challenges with his college education but he got them sorted out now. My sister, who’s working in Makati experienced the big flood last November, that she was stranded in her office for a few days. Her apartment was flooded and damaged a few of her belongings. But other than that, she’s been well and back on her track again. I miss them terribly!

The biggest and the most exciting news about this year is that—just a few days before Matthew’s birthday, we found out that we are expecting our second baby. He is due on April! It has been confirmed over and over that, it’s another trooper—it is going to be another boy! There had been a few concerns during the 20th Week Fetal Anatomy Checkup but during the follow up targeted ultrasound, we are relieved to find out from the doctor that the concerns are gone.