Blogging has been an outlet for me to release all my pent up thoughts and energy. It’s not easy taking care of kids 24/7. Somehow, with blogging I found a balance between that, house chores, and time for myself. Blogging is time for myself. It’s where I can just write whatever I want, but still mostly about me and my life as a mom.

It’s an added bonus that sometimes I earn a little from doing something I now love, blogging. I didn’t really believe it at first but when I started to get paid to blog, that’s when I realized that I could make it work for me. I don’t need to sacrifice one for the other, as long as I know my priorities and boundaries.

I’m thankful that my husband and sisters support me with my blogging. Because of what I do know, I love being a mom even more because I get to work my way around different things and be happy with all of it.

I honestly didn’t think that I would enjoy blogging. I thought I would run out of ideas to write right away since I’m not accustomed to writing in a “diary”  but boy was I wrong. I love it even more and if you’re reading this, thank you for making me happy. Just by reading, I fulfill my goal to share even if it’s just my thoughts. Thank you too for my family and new found friends who encouraged me to blog, and help me find ways to earn more. Blogging is fun, and I get paid to do it (sometimes).

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

I couldn’t help wonder about a lot of “ifs” today.  If only he agreed to have that heart surgery in the late 80s or early 90s, would he still be alive today?  If only the technology today was available for him then, would he have made a different decision?

He was told at first that he had 3 blocks in his heart.  A cardiac bypass was a big thing back then, and the doctors gave him a not-so-good chance of success (anything less than 95%-5% ratio of success-failure for us was not-so-good).  If he were alive today, would he have been a great candidate for a minimally invasive heart surgery?  By 7 years before he passed. doctors said he had 5 blocks in his heart and they couldn’t do any surgery anymore, also due to his diabetes.  So, if only he agreed the first time, would it have made a difference?

I always think about my father’s experience whenever I talk about surgery, or anything about the heart for that matter.  When I was pregnant, they also heard some regurgitation and I was advised to see a cardiologist before giving birth.  He said it wasn’t too alarming but he wanted to be present during my delivery to make sure there wouldn’t be any complications.

But unlike those times when my father had to make a decision, I’m grateful now that it’s possible to have a more types of  procedures that are minimally invasive.  If I should need to, I know the success rate is definitely higher and the post-procedure pain will be much tolerable.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Sometimes being taken aside can be quite nerve-racking and this was that time for me, I mean, was there something wrong with my tests that they don’t deem to see me fit?  Fortunately, it wasn’t as scary as I thought.  The doctors just noticed that I had irregular heartbeats so they strapped me to an ekg.  After all those suction cups did their work, they told me I was okay and that I didn’t need to worry about anything.  They just had to make sure, they said.

I’m happy that happened one way or the other.  The year after I got pregnant and my OB-Gyne also detected the same thing.  I was asked to see a Cardiologist but after all the test, he declared me ok, but told me that he just wanted to be present when I gave birth.  He did say something about my valves and back flow but it wasn’t alarming.  Thankfully, I didn’t have any complications while giving birth.

It’s been years since my last APE, and honestly though I dread being told I’m sick of something, I kind of want to have it again, just because I want to be in perfect health for my little girl.  Maybe soon I can have one scheduled, but since I’m no longer employed, this will be out my own pocket.  Gotta save up for it starting now then, those things definitely don’t come cheap.

And then just tonight hubby said he wants grilled shrimps.  I jokingly said we needed another buffet that had grilling and he said he’d schedule it this weekend if I want it.  I’m so touched.  He works so hard for us, sleeping just 6 hours (if he’s lucky) to make sure he has a lot of time for work and yet, he still manages to be unselfish and totally caring toward me and our little girl.

I feel so lucky, and I can’t help singing this line from the Sound of Music, “So somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good.” because I feel so loved.

At first I think I saw it on TV as I was watching The Amazing Race Asia 4, where The Riches won.  One of their tasks was to get some flags stuck on the sand and they had to ride an ATV for their adventure.  Since then, I knew I wanted to try it out.  I have always been boyish since I was a child and although I can’t drive my own car (unless it’s an automatic) due to knee problems, I know I can handle an ATV.

Then a couple of months back I saw that blog post from a mommy friend also mentioning their experience with the vehicle and finding the right ATV accessories.  That same night, I told my husband I wanted a similar experience.  I wanted to drive that vehicle and feel the wind on my face.  To ride on a trail with trees and enjoy the simplicity and tranquil of nature.

I know I will have that experience, and I know I will cherish it because my daughter will also get to experience it too.  I just need to come up with an itinerary for us and find that perfect place where it will be safe for our family.  I mean, I wouldn’t like it to be too adventurous, we’ll have a toddler with us.  I want it to be just fun and exciting.

How about you? Have you experienced riding an ATV on one of your vacays?