The morning of December 24 always stresses me.  You’ll always find me with a thousand things in mind.

Kitchen work is a very challenging thing for me.  I have to plan everything carefully if I want to serve an impressive Christmas dinner to my family.  I prepare my menu for the holiday three weeks before.  The dry ingredients must be bought two weeks before and the wet ingredients must be bought three days before.   This is because I want to avoid the holiday rush.  That way, I can focus on the preparation more.

Another concern during Christmas season is the give-aways that we distribute to our friends, relatives and neighbors.  It has been a tradition in my family to share our blessings to other people during Christmas.  One time, I decided to bake home-made cookies.  Since I’m not an expert in the kitchen, the first batch that I baked became carbon cookies and the other batch became jaw breakers.  I was in a total panic mode that day that I ended up rushing to the nearest bake shop just to pick up last minute baked goods.

There are also instances where relatives would spend the holidays in our home.  I have to make an extra effort to accommodate them and make them feel comfortable.  It’s really stressful for me because I’m doing everything in double.

Before Christmas, I also have to meet all the deadlines.  I don’t want to worry about work during the holidays.  It’s not really required but I’d prefer to finish everything that is pending in my office so no process will be delayed later on.

Even though the holiday stresses me a lot, I still find relief after accomplishing everything.

Family vacation is another story.  Like my cooking for my family, we all have certain preferences. I would like to go to a relaxing vacation in Hawaii.  Damien and the kids can enjoy the waves while I can stay in the hotel and indulge myself in relaxing spa treatments.  I’ll probably get a full body massage and aromatherapy after.  A foot and hand spa will also be a nice treat.  After the spa treatments, I’d like to go back to the hotel and have a nice afternoon nap, wake up and get room service.  That’ll be a wonderful, quiet vacation.

Damien and Jack are more interested in the outdoors.  They enjoy everything that Mother Nature had given.  They prefer hiking, camping, fishing and everything that goes with it.  It’s probably inherent in them to test their survival skills in the woods.  I just can’t get myself to enjoy camping.

Alison likes anything glamorous.  You can take her anywhere as long as there’s a nearby mall that she can shop in.  She’s a normal teenager who loves to shop for clothes, accessories and all other things that can improve her appearance.  She is always inclined with impeccable and tasteful pieces.

One time, she got so pissed when we went hiking with Damien and Jack.  I know how bored she was because instead of attending a hot party, she was forced to go into the woods.  I didn’t want to compel her but we can’t leave her alone in the house.  She had no choice but to like it or to like it. Regardless of where we go on vacations, it’s still the fact that we do it together as a family that matters.  We take turns on who will choose our vacation destination and find ways to make the most of it.

I thank all the brilliant minds who developed this great thing called technology.  Without technology, my life is beyond miserable because I am left with no choice but to do everything manually.

Since I started my work in the Congress, I never left home without my two most important gadgets.  They are my cell phone and my laptop.

My cell phone is my connection to the world.  I have two cell phones with me all the time.  The first one is for my family and the second one is for work.  Only Damien, Alison, Jack and our “in case of emergency” people know my number.  I had this phone right after Alison got into a cheerleading accident three years ago.  She fractured her leg from a stunt and was sent to the hospital.  The principal tried to reach us but we were nowhere to be located.  I only found out when I got home though the messages left in our answering machine.  After that incident, I swore to always make myself available to my family.  It was total negligence on my part.  I told myself that it will never happen again.  I bought what we now fondly call “mommy hotline”.

The second one is for my staff that needs my assistance during work hours.  If I’m in a family emergency, I give instructions to my staff through that line.

My laptop, of course, is my mobile office.  I can continue working anywhere as long as I have my laptop with me.  During breaks, I can proofread Alison’s book review and read Jack’s homework.  I can also update my constituents through my laptop.  It’s just so useful that I can’t imagine working without it.

Technology is definitely one of God’s greatest gifts to man.

The end of the holidays always leaves me tired but thankful.  It also makes me inspired.

I thank God that he gave my family a chance to make more happy memories together.  Even though all of us were busy with work and school, we still manage to spend our holidays as a family.  We’re happy and we’re in harmony.

I am more thankful for the blessings that my family received.  We had problems at work, at school and at home. Every problem that we encounter is a great opportunity for us to show what we can do.  It made us improve and trust ourselves more.  Good health was also another thing that I am always thankful for.  I find importance in my family’s good health as this is an essential requisite for a successful and productive lifestyle.

Every time the year ends, I always do an evaluation report to myself to see if whether or not I was dynamic.  I thank God for another fruitful and productive year.

Of course, I can’t deny that I am also tired.  All the planning and preparation exhausts me a lot.  It’s alright with me.  Just the sight of my family happy is enough reward for the stress that I experienced during the holidays.

The end of the holidays also gives me a chance for a fresh start in all aspects of my life.  I can begin the New Year as a better person, more equipped and more prepared for everything that is bound to happen.

Christmas is one of our family’s favorite holidays.  This is also the time where I can make it up to them.  Although I try my best to spend my time with them, my busy schedule is sometimes inevitable.

One of the many reasons why my family is crazy about Christmas is because it is a perfect time for gift-giving.  Every year, my family gathers around the Christmas tree before the clock hits midnight.  After saying our warm greetings to each other, we exchange gifts and open them.  I’d always give my husband something that he can use. Last year, I got him a new laptop which he can use for work.  I got him the brand that he always wanted but won’t dare get.  “It’s too much for a laptop”, he said.  He deserves all the great things so why don’t I get him one?

Damien would always make the effort to buy me a piece of jewelry.  If it’s not a gold bracelet, it’s a necklace.  He surely knows how to tickle my fancy.

For the kids, I always slyly take a peek in their wish list.  Although we all know that we look into each other’s wish list, I’m still amazed on how they manage to look surprised after opening their gifts.  It’s probably part of my kids’ acting skills.

Alison and Jack would share for the gift they’d get for Damien and me.    When they were younger, they’d both make us a Christmas card complete with their “I love you Mommy” or “I love you Daddy” at the bottom.  When they got older, they’d get us simple things such as pillows, towels or mugs.  Even though it’s simple, I still appreciate the fact that they took the time to shop for it together.

You’re probably wondering why I’m saying these things when all was asked was what I wanted for Christmas.  I’m not asking for anything tangible.  All I want for Christmas is to have my family with me and make more happy memories together.

Birthday preparations are not much of a problem in our family.  I always make time to prepare for their parties.  My busy schedule is not an excuse.

Most of the birthday preparations that my husband and I do are very minimal.  The preparation I do is a simple reservation in a fine dining restaurant.  We’ll have a very intimate dinner and they’ll sing me a happy birthday song after.  We’ll have a few drinks and some light conversation.  My guests include my family and my closest friends.  Same goes for Damien.  We don’t prepare for big gatherings because it’ll only take much of our time.

However, we do prepare for our kids’ birthdays.  We’re always excited for every fruitful year that our kids accomplish.

Alison is undoubtedly our family’s princess.  When she was turning seven, she got obsessed with the Swan Lake.  Her party was attended by the cutest girls in our neighborhood.  Everything was in pink.  The party room was painted pink.  Her cake and ice cream were also pink.  We had swan figures installed to make it more in character.  Alison wore a sparkly pink gown and a tiara.  She was so happy that day.

Jack always had an interest with the wild.  It started when Damien brought him a coloring book which had safari animals in it.  It’s probably the same reason why he always found amusement in the woods.  Most of his parties were safari inspired and he never got tired of it.  Everyone was in khaki clothing complete with head gears and backpacks.  There were fake rocks and grasses all over the place.  We also hired someone to bring animals such as snakes, birds and spiders.  Jack was so thrilled!  It was the kind of happiness that you’d want to see from your kid over and over.

My family is the most important people in my life.  I’ll do anything for them

I am busy mother.  Most of my time is consumed by the work I do in Congress.  However, I still try my best to be a good mother by doing what most “normal” moms do.  One of those normal things is by staying in the kitchen and whipping a healthy and balanced meal.

My law school years took its toll on me in the kitchen department.  Just when every girl was learning to slice, dice, mince and grind, I am inside the library reading statutes and jurisprudence.  Most of the mothers my age know how to cook and bake complicated dishes.  I only know the basics.

My trouble can be summed on two things and that is on what to cook and who will want to eat it.

I have troubles on what to cook because I have to consider many things all at the same time.  First, I have to see that the dish I’m about to prepare is healthy for my family.  I must be able to supply them the energy they need for everyday activities.  Second, I have to also consider the time it’ll take.  Like I said earlier, I am a busy mother.  I don’t have all the time and I have to do everything in the quickest, most efficient way possible.

My second trouble is on who will want to eat it.  My husband is a vegan so I must prepare something that he’ll actually eat.  Alison, like all other teenagers, is always concerned of her diet so she always goes for anything low carb.  Jack, on the other hand, wants anything colorful and pleasing to the eyes.  Imagine my trouble in satisfying three picky eaters in the family.

Right now, I can still manage to supply them with their needs.  I just can’t wait for the day that they can cook on their own so I can focus on my legislation.