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Surprise on the Six
We are on our 6th year.
It seems a bit surreal that we’ve been married that long already, with only 4 years to go until our 10th year anniversary. Compared to veterans of marriage, six doesn’t seem that long, but it does to a young couple. I married when I was 25, and it was the best choice I remember making.
Two days before the 19th, Perze came to the room, admitting how bad he was at surprises and how he couldn’t wait to give me his present. Already I was surprised because we had promised that we weren’t going to get anything for each other and spend on the girls for their One and Five 
. After promising to close my eyes, I had already had a strong premonition that I knew what he bought me. I don’t know why, and I hadn’t stressed it, or hinted to get it for me, but for some reason, when he put the box in my hands, I instantly knew.
I saw the MKors watch a month ago after a shopping trip with Michelle. I instantly fell in love with it, since I’ve been looking for a white watch, although not that expensive. That’s why after I saw it, I erased it from my wish list, because the price was definitely a deal breaker. It ended up being the most expensive watch in the MKors line. But Perze, with the help of Michelle, who helped him with some price tips, never looked back and picked the perfect watch for me, and having successfully persuaded me to keep the thoughtful gift.
Now, I’m glad I kept it. Every time I look at it, I smile, knowing that sometimes, I know we can’t afford everything we want, but somehow, sometimes, my husband finds a way to give me a gift I would never expect. He knows he can steal my heart over a book, a dress, flowers, or a well written love letter… but this time, I’m humbled with an unexpected splurge, one he took time to be sneaky with…and it was perfect.
I can’t find a picture of me wearing it, but after the girls’ party, I found one picture, although blurry, of me wearing my watch. (I know…I’m a nerd for taking a picture of it, but I really love this watch, and I haven’t had a decent watch since I graduated college. To tell time, I’m always looking at my phone.)
We spent our anniversary day with family and friends, at our One Plus Five Equals Six Party. So yes, we spent it celebrating our girls, having planned it perfectly that way, cost efficiently…hahahah
To my beloved husband:
Happy 6th year, mahal. When I met you, I never knew you’d make me laugh as much as we do now. I never knew I could never live without someone. I always thought I could emotionally stand independently. I never knew the benefits of having another family other my own. But in six years, I have built my humor around yours. I can never imagine living without you. I am relieved my emotions have a place in you to confide. And I’m blessed to be part of anther family to love me.
Most of all, in these six years, I can’t get over how handsome you still are. I am amazed with how much a man could love a woman, esp. a woman like me. I am thankful that you can lead our family, provide for our growing household, prioritize your work with family and ministry, and still laugh at the end of the day with me. I love you, going on seven.
marchesa vs. red velvet cupcakes
I’ve tasted some red velvet cupcakes before but when a friend gave me one special cupcake, there was something different about its taste that was set apart from the rest. It actually made me want to discover how to make red velvet cupcakes that taste similar to the one given to me. I took the cupcake and dipped my finger little by little, again and again, tasting it until I figured what was in the icing, until I finally knew.
So I looked around for the recipe, an un-generic red velvet cupcake recipe and decided to make a cupcake cake. Yes, a cake shaped like a cupcake! Fortunately, I found the one version popular in England, and even more, my tricky older sister found the recipe for me for free!
Since it was my first time ever making cupcakes, cakes, and esp. red velvet cupcakes, I was a bit hesitant and overwhelmed. I had no tools, whatsoever for baking, so I go-go-gadget my sister and borrowed her baking ware. With the help of some hands, even sometimes carrying a feverish baby, I was able to make a cupcake cake from scratch!!!
You can tell I’m pretty proud of it, since, again, I honestly thought I’d fail on the first try…making the cake spongy enough and the icing EXACTLY how I’d want it to taste.
So the taste verdict?
We cut the cake into 4 pieces. My loving supportive husband gave it a thumbs up. Sarah, a friend who helped me add the ingredients, really loved it and basically ate all of the big piece of cake. Emma said, “this tastes so good! I’ve never tasted a red velvet cupcake before!” And yes, even my darling one year old took two forks and fed herself her share of icing.
Hi-5 people, Marchesa can bake a red velvet cake! It’ll debut for the girls party on Saturday, with a pretty twist to them. Fingers crossed.
God names himself so we can know him better!
El or Elohim
- generic word for ‘God’
- over 2,500 times in the Old Testament (OT)
- means strength, power or greatness
- Elohim is plural and indicates intensity and hints at trinity
El Shaddai
- ‘El’ often combined with another word to describe God in more detail
- El Shadai means ‘all powerful, self-sufficent’ ruler
El Elyon
- means ‘the God most High’
El Olam
- speaks of God’s timeliness, often connected with hope and security.
Jahweh
- occurs in the OT 6,800 times
- proper name for OT Israel’s God. Not used for pagan gods
- verb “to be” (debated by scholars)
Jahweh Sabbaoth
- often translated “the Lord Almighty”
Theos
- greek word for ‘God’
- in New Testament about 1,000 times
Kurios
- Jahweh often translated meaning “Lord”
my girls at 1 year
I found this.
The left picture was the one I used for Emma’s invitations for her 1st birthday party,
and the right picture is the one I used for Zienne’s invitations.
a father-daughter conversation
setting:
on the drive home from sj.
Emma: a boy kissed me today, tatay.
Perze: don’t let boys kiss you emma. If a boy wants to kiss you, tell them that they have to kiss your dad, grandfathers, & uncles first.
may 9. goodbye to infancy
I’ve been postponing this blog for quite some time now, almost a month.
I do this every year…but this time, it’s like the seasonal chore of putting away the girls’ old clothes that don’t fit anymore. Zi’s birthday.
Her 1st birthday was bittersweet. I just have such a hard time letting go of their infancy, but even if I don’t archive it verbally, I know the evidence is still there. Like traces of the wind, Zi’s progressive growth is in the subtle vessels of looks when I say ‘no’ or ‘give’, ‘kiss’, ‘hug’, ‘say this or that’, ‘sit’, ‘sing’, ‘high5’, ‘align’…etc. Not only is she physically growing, but her comprehension of words and commands are increasing, and even her mastery of certain speaking vocabulary is evident. She can say mamam, tatay, ate, that, uh-oh, ba-bay, hi, watsthat? She even starts to cry when I give her a stern ‘no’ to some desired act or object.
Her birthday was spent rising early for church, something I was thankful for, since she tends to like music, and service is filled with songs. She tends to like praise and worship, singing along with full vocals, and then choir practice. That day was also a special service for all the moms/wives for Mother’s Day, so there were a lot of people at church. 
It was nice though, having her greeted by everyone, and even sharing an ice cream cake with everyone on a warm day. Thanks everyone for the birthday song for our darling. Although somewhat confused, I’m glad she enjoyed the day.
I’m also thankful for Dr. Suzuki, who told me not to bring her in to get her shots so she can enjoy the day. He’s the first doctor who was thoughtful enough to recommend this. He’s often this practical when it comes to our family, so thanks Doc! That helped a lot since we were in SJ.
After choir, we rested and then met up with my sister’s family at Zi’s favorite restaurant. Could you guess? YES! Red Lobster. She absolutely devours their cheddar bay biscuits and mac & cheese. She had one biscuit in each hand, munching, and garrulous from all the day’s excitement. The 5 kids made it a challenging but very fulfilled meal. It was awesome having shared her birthday with her cousins. We’re very thankful for their company. Then we made it home sweet home, after such a busy day. Zienne seemed exceptionally pleasant, not too fussy, despite the commotion and packed activities.
But there was one more thing to accomplish, giving her her 1st birthday gift. Perze & I always have a hard time picking out that one special first gift, but one day, by grace, I walked into a store unexpectedly browsing, and happenstanced to fall in love with a baby bangle. Adjustable, secure, and baby-proof, Zienne opened it and knew exactly where it was to be worn. So with some help, I slid on her first gold bangle. She displayed it proudly, even holding up her arm, as to handle it with care. I hope when she’s grown, she’ll be able to pass that small treasure down.
Hopefully this blog will find its way to her as well. So anak, if you’re reading this, I want you to know how much you are loved by tatay, ate, and mamam. You are an amazement, always surprising your tatay and mamam, especially with not just booming abilities, but your emerging heart and joy. I see it in the way you nurture Ate when she’s crying, or give full attention and affection to your young cousin Sienna. I see it in your love for music as you beam with pure joy in the simplicity of a song, as you dance and sing, or even conduct. I see it in your elation when you see your tatay walk in the door from work. You are a joy, Zienne, and your tatay and I are incredibly blessed and humbled to have such the responsibility to raise you to become a happy individual that will one day truly find herself in definition to God’s will. Happy 1st year Zi; we wish you Jesus.
zienne noelle
we L O V E you
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