Fitness Goals

(Posted in Facebook, 2018)

I have a physiological disability. Thanks to a nothing-short-of-a-miracle time in my life, having surgery and physical therapy, the only sign of it left is that I’m a little short. Ok fine, a LOT short 😂 Heck, I love being called Thumbelina or Polly Pocket. 😁

But the pain was still there, it would sneak up unexpectedly, cracks and pops that have become part of my everyday existence, crippled me to nearly immobility during pregnancy and post partum, and as I healed, eventually became invisible to everyone except those closest to me who’ve seen me at my weakest point. I am extremely grateful to my family who were the source of my strength, and now my Muffin Man, whose unlimited patience and love sees me through my worst moments, 24/7. ❤️

But now... God knew I needed to be strong, and He is healing me inside out. I can honestly say I am stronger now than I’ve ever been in all my years even before my boys, and they are now what fuels my desire to keep going strong. Sure, my disability will always be there, and I am keen to be two steps ahead of it. There are days my back aches and my ankles still hurt, but I’m now thankful to think this is actually the norm! You spend a few hours cooking 3 different meals and deal with 3 rambunctious boys and tell me how you feel afterwards 😂 #strongmommagoals #metabolichealth

Manic Monday

Electric fan mishap

Nosebleed...

Taking a break

All in a morning's work.  😜

To my dear husband, on our 3rd year anniversary,

Three years ago today I walked down that beautiful garden aisle, and not as a lone bride to meet her groom at the very end of it -- as most weddings traditionally go -- but with you by my side, holding my hand.

Just like other brides on their wedding day, I felt that day to be as perfect as perfect can be... never mind that I was a little late in arriving, or that we were both a little (okay, a lot) stressed.  Never mind that we couldn't find the song for our "first kiss" moment, or the chaos and confusion of the pictorials with friends and family, that we didn't have a mic stand for your dad, or even that we didn't get to enjoy the wonderful buffet as much as we liked because of the busyness and the blur of it all... everything still turned out perfectly because God had His hand in every single detail of our wedding -- from the day we first met to the moment we said "I do".

I thought that I already knew what to expect on my big day.  I knew that I was going to cry, and that you were going to cry more.  I knew there were probably a lot of things I might forget, and anticipated the moments I knew I would remember forever.

But what happened at the altar was something that I never would predicted, a surprise I would never forget.

That moment you gave your vows, kneeling down on one knee.

Like a knight in humble reverence, pledging his service, his loyalty... his very life...to me!  You made me feel like a queen, with words that still ring clear and true to this day...

"I, Gabriel Gabriel, pledge to you, Diane Sipin, before God and in the sight of man...to be the best husband that I can be...

... to love you as Christ loved the Church...

...to protect you from harm while there is still breath within me...

...to take care of my health, and to be with you as long as humanly possible ensuring to the best of my ability, that the grief of losing a spouse will be mine to bear...

...I vow to lead our family under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, seeking the Lord at all times in every decision...

....to raise our children in the ways of the Lord and to love them and cherish them as I love and cherish you...

...I vow to remain faithful to you...fleeing from any circumstance that may compromise our unity...

...I bind myself to you from this day forth, to be yours and yours alone as long as we both live."

I thank God for you everyday, my Muffin Man.  3 years down... forever more to go.  Happy anniversary, my love.  I love you. :)

Merry Christmas from The Muffin Family!

Guest posting!

Not here, I meant me!  Who wuddathunk?  :P  Check out my Father's Day post over at Oh No Daddy of Paolo Punzalan, one of the coolest dads I know :)