Astra's Birth Story

Finally sharing Astra's birth story with you guys! If you read my previous post about my pregnancy, it was fairly easy for me up until my last trimester. Especially the final month, when I started having difficulty walking due to manas/swollen feet and feeling a lot of pressure and pain in my pelvic area. I experienced having trouble sleeping, and just turning from one side to another was so hard! And ugh, the constant need to pee!

My 4th Pregnancy!

Hello again blog! Wow, my last post was in April pa pala! If you're following me Instagram (@mrsmommyholic), I'm sure you know by now that I've given birth to my 4th child! So many people were surprised, shocked, and in disbelief (some actually thought prank lang daw haha) because hubby and I never posted about my pregnancy on social media.

Getting my PSA (NSO) Certificates in just an hour!

HELLO AGAIN!!! Gosh, I haven't posted anything here in my blog for the longest time! It's just that I've been so busy with life lately like with the kids (final exams and other school stuff), my brother-in-law getting married (lots of family activities), travel plans for this summer (getting visas and planning itineraries), and lots of other personal things to say the least. Sad to say, blogging has really been the last thing on my mind. But it sucks because I have so much I want to share, but I've kinda decided for the meantime to really focus on other things. Hopefully, I can find the time to still blog regularly someday...

Anyway, I wanted to share with you how I was able to get rush PSA (NSO) documents which I needed to apply for a Japanese visa. If you're not aware, you need to submit PSA docs (like birth/marriage certificates) issued within a year.

Our U.S. Tourist Visa Application & Interview Experience (2019)

I don't know why, but applying for a U.S. Visa has always been met with apprehension and dread for most people. I guess it's because there's an actual interview, which of course can be quite nerve-wracking. Plus all the horror stories you hear of people getting denied with no explanation.

I got my first visa before but I was still a kid then, and the last time I went to the States was when I was a teen. I never bothered applying on my own after that. But of course, now that I have my own family, having a U.S. vacation is something we want to do. Plus, my in-laws migrated to the States two years ago so they've been pressuring us to bring the kids there lol. So anyway, sharing with you how we applied for our Tourist or B1/B2 Visitor Visa.

London Travel Tips for First-Timers

If you're reading this, then you're probably doing a lot of research on your upcoming London trip. I myself spent hours going on different sites and reading various blogs to help me and hubby plan for our vacation last November 2018. So here's a list of some of my tips to make your planning a bit easier based on my personal experience.

Passport Renewal for me and my kids (DFA Alabang, January 2019)

If you aren't aware, there's a new system now in setting an appointment for your passport application/renewal. Now you have to pay first before your appointment can be confirmed. This new system was put in place to prevent scammers and fixers from getting all the available slots and then selling them for a much higher price which was the case last year.

KICCA Kids Cafe & Interactive Playground at Festival Mall

Christmas vacation is officially over when school starts tomorrow! But I'm happy we were able to do lots of activities over the holidays including going to KICCA, a Kids Cafe and Interactive Playground in Alabang.

Happy New Year!

I'm BAAAAACK! Just in time to bid 2018 goodbye! After me and hubby got back from our vacation last November, I was so busy with the kids and prepping for Christmas that I just had to take a break from blogging. But I promise to be back soon to tell you all about London and Scotland! :)

Anyway, here are some of the things I've been busy with the past few weeks.

KEEP MY PASSPORT Service When Applying for a UK Tourist Visa

My husband availed the Keep My Passport service when we applied for a UK Tourist Visa. The thing is, it's so hard for him to apply for any visa since he's always traveling for work. So when we saw that they had this option, we definitely took advantage of it.

Applying for a UK Tourist Visa in the Philippines

By the time this post comes out, hubby and I will be in London for a glorious vacation away from the kids! lol ;p Actually, we're celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary although a bit earlier. Our anniv is in February but I don't think I can handle freezing London in winter.

Anyway, the first step is of course getting a tourist visa and I handled everything for me and my husband. Siyempre, he'll be paying for the trip so it's the least I can do right? ;p

Tokyo Travel Diaries: Harry Hedgehog Cafe in Harajuku

Animal cafes are all the rage in Japan, but I've honestly never been interested in visiting one (I'm scared haha). But my friend, who I was with during my last visit to Tokyo, is super into it and made it a point to include this in our itinerary. She dragged me to a regular cat cafe, a Bengal Cat and Owl cafe, and finally to a hedgehog cafe!

Tokyo Travel Diaries: Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Autumn is definitely my favorite season. I just love how the weather is cold, but not too cold. How the leaves are all red and yellow. How I can finally wear all my coats and sweaters lol! I'm sure Japan is one of the top destinations during fall/winter, and one of the places I visited during my last trip to Tokyo was the Koishikawa Korakuen Garden.

DIY School Supplies Family Costume

It's Halloween time again! I admit I was a bit lazy at first with the kids' costumes this year. Usually I have a theme all planned out months in advance, but before I knew it, I realized it was October already and we had nothing! I just wanted to buy something but when I told my daughter to choose from an online store, she looked at me incredulously and said "You're NOT making our costumes?! You HAVE to!!!" Ooops, that's what I get from them being used to all my DIY projects haha!

Color Coordinated Bookshelves

I've always dreamed of having bookshelves in my living room to display all my stuff. And now finally, it's here!

Decluttering and Organizing our home (part 1)

I'm sure I'm not the only one with dreams of having a perfectly clutter-free home. Especially for those with kids, it's such a struggle to keep everything neat and orderly with their endless toys, books, clothes, and shoes everywhere! I mean you've just put back all their toys in the bin and arranged their books on the shelf, and barely 10 minutes have passed and they dump everything on the floor again! Honestly, why do we even bother?!

Anyway, I've been seeing a lot of those professional organizers online these days, hired by celebrities to tidy up their closets. I wish I had the budget for one, but I know I can do it as long as I put my mind to it! Challenge accepted! ;p

DIY Lampshade Makeover

Lamps are a great way to accessorize any room. And customizing the shade with fabric is a great way to add color or pattern to the space.

A day at the Australia Zoo

I grew up watching Steve Irwin and all his Crocodile Hunter adventures on TV. I remember when he died in that tragic accident, I couldn't believe it and was so heartbroken. Anyway, it's always been a dream of mine to visit the Australia Zoo which is owned by the Irwin family. We weren't able to visit the first time we went to Brisbane, but luckily we were able to come back a year later and this time I made sure not to miss it!

A kid's guide to the Manila International Book Fair on Sept. 12-16, 2018

Wonderful novels and storybooks, what more can excite a book-loving kid than thousands and thousands of these? The 39th Manila International Book Fair is certainly a child’s paradise that can be overwhelming to kids. But be not afraid! Here’s a guide especially made for kids at this year’s MIBF, slated on Sept. 12-16, 2018 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City!

DIY: Painting our front door RED

I've been wanting to give our front door a fresh coat of paint for the longest time, and it's finally done!

Divisoria shopping loot 2018

I probably go to Divisoria once a year and it's usually when we have balikbayan relatives who want to go shopping there. Anyway, my brother-in-law and his fiancée are getting married next year and they wanted to check out Divi for stuff they can use for their wedding. So of course, I had to tag along!