thestoryofus

[thestoryofus]

[thestoryofus]

It has been almost 8 weeks since Summer was gifted to us and she finally completed her round of vaccines. So today, we finally brought her out for her morning walk. In the last two months, she really brought sunshine in our lives: - The way she picked her spots in the house as her own: under Paula's bed, in front of our bedroom door and on the kitchen floor. Basically, she stays in places where we tend to congregate. - How she quickly adapted to the rhythm and pace of our lives: she used to wake up really early but she has quietly adjusted to being up before Paula goes to school, taking several naps throughout the day, and though she has an excess of energy in the evening, we're hoping evening walks would help her expend that. - her quite playfulness and the infectious joy she exudes. She rarely demands much from us, but is everywhere, all at once when it's play time. It took us years to finally get a dog. And now, Summer - with all it's vibrancy and life, is finally here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CqIkZ0YPlDk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thestoryofus]

[thestoryofus]

Very happy with our collaboration with @thefarmatsanbenito. When the pandemic hit, we didn’t know when the world would open up again. But if there was one thing that the pandemic brought us was the opportunity to grow our viewership. From 3 million views in 2019, we crossed the 20 million mark in 2022. We created more content and reached a wider audience. We hope to be able to work with more brands like The Farm. Properties that promote transformative healing holidays, and not just the usual resort staycation. Travel that empowers you to go beyond superficial luxury. The 4-day experience was overwhelming, to say the least, the itinerary was well thought out and provided us with a full-body experience of relaxation and rejuvenation. Through a combination of activities such as yoga, meditation, body treatments, healthy meals, and workshops —it was a very refreshing relief from the usual vacation, and we left not just relaxed but energized physically and mentally. We would be interested in helping create meaningful travel experiences to unique destinations like the Farm for families and travelers. Now that the world has opened up again, we can’t wait for the stories and adventures that we will share. (at The Farm at San Benito) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cppq3lovepA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thestoryofus]

One of the many things you can enjoy at @thefarmatsanbenito, family picnic with Mount Malarayat at your backdrop. Paula couldn’t believe that everything was vegan. Nuggets, nachos with the cheese-like dip, burger, skewers. Everything was scrumptious. ❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CpM1Dq5O3PF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thestoryofus]

Morning yoga at @thefarmatsanbenito. (at The Farm at San Benito) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpMULFUvYbF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thestoryofus]

Meet Summer Pastrana. One week with us now so we finally got to bring her to the vet. https://www.instagram.com/p/CoOjmG1Pu4alfZ2IekAhoqCrtkreWkFWggL1yk0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thestoryofus]

Today, Paula turns 12. Yesterday, she lost her front tooth. It’s a school day and we just got back from a big trip so today was low-key. Dinner with Lolo & Dey last night and today after school, we rested & took a nap. Tito Jojie also came over to cook her favorite igado, and then for dinner we just ordered from Ooma and opened a few presents. She said she loves it today and it’s just as special. This morning though, she asked, “will I have a cake?” Hahahahaha Happy, happy birthday my love! Thank you for the happiness you bring into our lives. https://www.instagram.com/p/CnO5wW5PfzR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thestoryofus]

A perfect day at the perfect beach. (at ANGKLA Beach Club & Boutique Resort) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm87Uwqvjmj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thestoryofus]

[thestoryofus]

I planned this NYE trip with friends for months. It was our first time to celebrate NYE away from home and our family. But fate had other plans for us. Or maybe our good luck ran out. At 4pm, yesterday, Dec 31, Paula started feeling sick. Slight fever. So Mak made her lie down on our beach mat, massaging her head. She rested the whole time as everyone was just hanging out by the beach, randomly getting drinks and food at the nearby restaurants. She didn’t want to go inside our room and rest but at 7:30pm, she finally agreed to go in. By 8:30pm she had diarrhea. Fever was high and she was really feeling unwell. It wasn’t just a slight fever anymore. We knew then we would miss the NYE countdown and party outside. It was depressing. The selfish part of me was so disappointed and mad. We had a day trip planned to Nacpan beach today, January 1. We also knew we won’t make it anymore. Paula still has fever and refusing to eat. We’re really trying to get her hydrated with hydrite and Gatorade. Our flight back isn’t until Jan 4. I tried to rebook our flight today and even tomorrow but all flights are sold out. We brought her to the clinic here and we were given meds. I confirmed the places where we can get labs done. If confinement is necessary, the clinic nurse said she can also help us care for her inside the resort so she can get IV and antibiotics at the comfort of our own room. It was a relief that we can have that option. At 3pm, January 1- Paula and Mak fell asleep. I felt so sad and cried so much that this is how we are spending our first day of 2023. I wish this was just a bad dream. We just want Paula to feel better. By 4:30pm, Paula had some energy to go out for some sun. Mak carried her as we walked to the beach and sat down at Manille Beach Bar where staff are all nice and accommodating. Mak and I also needed our first decent meal for the day. To be continued on the comment section… (at Lio Beach, El Nido) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm3r2eJPIBT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thestoryofus]

They say that there are only three important decisions in life: 1. What you do 2. Who you live with 3. Where you live Mak and I have always tried to be deliberate about the choices we've made in our lives, specially when it comes to these three things. We also know that life is what happens while we're making plans and chance plays a big part in how everything turns out. So when it comes to decisions, we try to hold judgement in other people's life choices and respect their individual paths. Each journey is different. We know that others aren't so accepting. Like when some talk about us making the choice to have an only child - a few of them, even the well-meaning ones make it sound like it’s a bad thing. Even so far as insinuating that Paula would have been happier if she has siblings or our life would have been definitely better if we had 2 or 3 kids. I know they mean well. But how would it feel if you are told that you made a poor decision by having more than 1 child when you can hardly leave the house because you are struggling to provide for your kids’ needs? Or yes, you have 3 or 4 children but you can’t even spend time with your husband because you are so busy taking care of your children? We make our choices based on what works not just for us but the people in our inner circle. We seem to have a good life because of our lifestyle choices but we also have the oldest car among our peers. 😆 One of my friends pays a high monthly amortization on a fancy car but can't afford to do other things and that's perfectly fine - it's her choice and she is happy with hers. As for us, we will hold on to our dear old car and that's ok. 😍 During the height of the pandemic, our old car Chilly Willy brought us to nice beaches in Batangas, a couple of staycations in Tagaytay, and twice in La Union. It was a toss between those places or a new car. Obviously, you all know what we picked. 🤣 In 2021, I was supposed to have our couches reupholstered but we wanted to add a couple of places to our travel list- so I let that go. Ayun, awa ng Diyos- hindi parin na reupholster. Baka sa 2023 na. 😁 —— Continued in the comment section. 😍 (at Bali, Indonesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjPZ02Su2Jk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thestoryofus]

They say that there are only three important decisions in life: 1. What you do 2. Who you live with 3. Where you live Mak and I have always tried to be deliberate about the choices we've made in our lives, specially when it comes to these three things. We also know that life is what happens while we're making plans and chance plays a big part in how everything turns out. So when it comes to decisions, we try to hold judgement in other people's life choices and respect their individual paths. Each journey is different. We know that others aren't so accepting. Like when some talk about us making the choice to have an only child - a few of them, even the well-meaning ones make it sound like it’s a bad thing. Even so far as insinuating that Paula would have been happier if she has siblings or our life would have been definitely better if we had 2 or 3 kids. I know they mean well. But how would it feel if you are told that you made a poor decision by having more than 1 child when you can hardly leave the house because you are struggling to provide for your kids’ needs? Or yes, you have 3 or 4 children but you can’t even spend time with your husband because you are so busy taking care of your children? We make our choices based on what works not just for us but the people in our inner circle. We seem to have a good life because of our lifestyle choices but we also have the oldest car among our peers. 😆 One of my friends pays a high monthly amortization on a fancy car but can't afford to do other things and that's perfectly fine - it's her choice and she is happy with hers. As for us, we will hold on to our dear old car and that's ok. 😍 During the height of the pandemic, our old car Chilly Willy brought us to nice beaches in Batangas, a couple of staycations in Tagaytay, and twice in La Union. It was a toss between those places or a new car. Obviously, you all know what we picked. 🤣 In 2021, I was supposed to have our couches reupholstered but we wanted to add a couple of places to our travel list- so I let that go. Ayun, awa ng Diyos- hindi parin na reupholster. Baka sa 2023 na. 😁 ____ Continued in the comment section. 😀 (at Bali, Indonesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjPZDrhp4U0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thestoryofus]

Mak and I never really thought about how many kids we wanted to have. We did not want that pressure for ourselves. We said a baby would be a blessing but the two of us were already a family- with or without a baby. So when we got pregnant, we also did not wish for a girl or a boy, we were just happy that when we decided we want one, we conceived so easily so we just prayed for a healthy baby. It has been eleven years and Paula has been more than just a healthy baby. She is smart, kind, sweet, funny, passionate about her interests, vocal (sometimes too vocal for my temper 😆), not afraid to try new things. She loves reading, swimming, drawing, hiking, surfing, biking. She’s always excited about our travels and has learned to adapt to inconveniences and to always say yes to new experiences. She is more than we could have prayed and hoped for. (at Bali, Indonesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjLIXcYp3Ec/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thestoryofus]

[thestoryofus]

I started working with Matt and Joce when I helped them plan their wedding. That was in May 2015. We hit it off and they even invited me, Mak Pastrana, and Paula Pastrana to their wedding in Singapore in 2016. After their wedding, I transitioned to working with them for The Wedding Vow. From sending every single email to drafting agreements, invoicing, and even WordPress edits. Just Matt, Joce, and I. In 2017, Judy was hired directly from the agency, then Lhea, Vienna, and some others who stayed for a while and a lot of writers on the side. Angeli eventually joined us full-time and then Lara.  From weddings to travel and honeymoon, we then ventured into the home category, mum & babies, and then lifestyle. From 2k or 20k views to now 20 MILLION VIEWS. From 1 vendor who believed in us to now X list of top tier vendors. From a three-man team to now a team of 8 and 12 freelance writers. ____ To continued in the comment section. 😆 (at Villa Air Bali) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci9Mlo3J64n/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thestoryofus]

I asked @andreterryputra to look for Mak and Paula by the beach as I had to rush back to our villa to change. He saw Paula reading when he found them and it was nice of him to take pictures of her in her element. I’m glad Paula had a decent- looking book with her- not the one with ripped covers and all. 😄 @momobabyphotography (at Petitenget Seminyak) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci42twvpviBKtocca0iWvDwZ1VOnkqM1D8RGnM0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=