By: Mae Ann A. Hilario
Date: July 9, 2011
Today marks my 100th day as a full time Family CEO, from the day I finally bid goodbye to the so called corporate world.
It started at the onset of summer... Oh I could vividly remember how I enjoyed embracing my new role! From organizing special family times at home or out of town, taking each of my kids out for exclusive dates (Yes, I go out on a date with them, not just with their dad!), preparing fancy-crazy meals at home, and more. It's all exhausting as I found my schedules busier than ever, but very fulfilling in the truest sense of the word.
My full presence and attention to our household has allowed me to catch each and every learning opportunity of our two preschoolers, CJ and Jem. I remembered during Lent, they watched the original movie version of “The 10 Commandments” for the first time. That gave a lasting imprint and significant leap to our kids' faith. How do I know? Our 4-year old Jem would always remember the parting of the Red Sea and other equally moving scenes, then would say “Wow, what an awesome God we have!” Our 6-year old CJ, on the other hand, had 'theologically inferred' that there are 11 commandments, the eleventh being Jesus' new commandment – love one another as I have loved you.
The learning opportunities of our kids continue on, even through trivial experiences. Last summer, CJ and Jem joined the McDonald's Kiddie Crew Program. They learned not only what work or service is all about, but more importantly, they learned of the joy in working to serve others.
My learning continued to new heights too! Through my day-in-day-out experiences with our kids, I get to understand that --
It is always good to share, without expecting any in return.
It is good to have fleeting memory, like kids. It leaves you with no grudges.
We have a lot of energy, more than we could imagine. Just use it and you'll know!
There is value in patience.
It is very important to have fun :)
To really love is to love unconditionally.
During my 'first 100 days' my husband and I celebrated some milestones – our 9th wedding anniversary, our 38th birthdays, etc. As we see more gray hairs on our head, we continue to dream the dreams that God has planted in our hearts. We take joy when we hear our son telling us that he'd like to be a priest someday -- even when he changes his mind on other days and say “Oh, I want to be an altar brother”, or pretend to be a prayer leader. We continue to be amazed with how our little princess could be so persistent and determined to get what she wants, to please and charm those around her. We delight when our kids would ask and wonder “What does Jesus want me to be?”
And so, my story continues.... confident that at this time of my life, God has called me to 'being' a full-time parent and wife, to fulfill the vocation He has gifted me with nine years ago. The decision to drop a promising career didn't leave us empty-handed, both literally and figuratively. God is so good that two months after my resignation from work, my husband got promoted, with a compensation that covers more than the salary I used to bring in. Indeed, God blesses and takes care of His flock!
Just recently, I received a text message from my husband that says “Mahal, thanks for making the radical decision to become a full time mom. Even if you freak out :)...” Oh yes, I freak out at times! At least, I know that I'm human, that I'm still a work-in-progress. It's comforting enough to know that my husband and my kids love me unconditionally! More comforting to realize that God loves me! Through my imperfections, God's love is magnified all the more.
Tomorrow, my 101th day, and the days after, will continue to be a testament of God's love and faithfulness. There would be rains, strong rains at times.... Yet, with God, there's no reason to worry. There would only be more reasons for us, as a family, to see God's glory... and for us to glorify Him even more!
About the Author: Mae Ann joined the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Community right after she got married to Cris in April 2002. She became a covenanted member in 2005. She was looking forward to a promising career with a multinational business information company when the Lord called her to become a full-time housewife and mom. On her 10th year with the company, she finally said "yes" to the Lord. She is now the CEO of the Hilario household and a hands-on mom to two (2) very active Community kids - CJ and Jem.
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| The Family CEO, Mae Ann Hilario, with her loving husband, Cris, and two kids - CJ and Jem. |
Date: July 9, 2011
Today marks my 100th day as a full time Family CEO, from the day I finally bid goodbye to the so called corporate world.
It started at the onset of summer... Oh I could vividly remember how I enjoyed embracing my new role! From organizing special family times at home or out of town, taking each of my kids out for exclusive dates (Yes, I go out on a date with them, not just with their dad!), preparing fancy-crazy meals at home, and more. It's all exhausting as I found my schedules busier than ever, but very fulfilling in the truest sense of the word.
My full presence and attention to our household has allowed me to catch each and every learning opportunity of our two preschoolers, CJ and Jem. I remembered during Lent, they watched the original movie version of “The 10 Commandments” for the first time. That gave a lasting imprint and significant leap to our kids' faith. How do I know? Our 4-year old Jem would always remember the parting of the Red Sea and other equally moving scenes, then would say “Wow, what an awesome God we have!” Our 6-year old CJ, on the other hand, had 'theologically inferred' that there are 11 commandments, the eleventh being Jesus' new commandment – love one another as I have loved you.
The learning opportunities of our kids continue on, even through trivial experiences. Last summer, CJ and Jem joined the McDonald's Kiddie Crew Program. They learned not only what work or service is all about, but more importantly, they learned of the joy in working to serve others.
My learning continued to new heights too! Through my day-in-day-out experiences with our kids, I get to understand that --
It is always good to share, without expecting any in return.
It is good to have fleeting memory, like kids. It leaves you with no grudges.
We have a lot of energy, more than we could imagine. Just use it and you'll know!
There is value in patience.
It is very important to have fun :)
To really love is to love unconditionally.
During my 'first 100 days' my husband and I celebrated some milestones – our 9th wedding anniversary, our 38th birthdays, etc. As we see more gray hairs on our head, we continue to dream the dreams that God has planted in our hearts. We take joy when we hear our son telling us that he'd like to be a priest someday -- even when he changes his mind on other days and say “Oh, I want to be an altar brother”, or pretend to be a prayer leader. We continue to be amazed with how our little princess could be so persistent and determined to get what she wants, to please and charm those around her. We delight when our kids would ask and wonder “What does Jesus want me to be?”
And so, my story continues.... confident that at this time of my life, God has called me to 'being' a full-time parent and wife, to fulfill the vocation He has gifted me with nine years ago. The decision to drop a promising career didn't leave us empty-handed, both literally and figuratively. God is so good that two months after my resignation from work, my husband got promoted, with a compensation that covers more than the salary I used to bring in. Indeed, God blesses and takes care of His flock!
Just recently, I received a text message from my husband that says “Mahal, thanks for making the radical decision to become a full time mom. Even if you freak out :)...” Oh yes, I freak out at times! At least, I know that I'm human, that I'm still a work-in-progress. It's comforting enough to know that my husband and my kids love me unconditionally! More comforting to realize that God loves me! Through my imperfections, God's love is magnified all the more.
Tomorrow, my 101th day, and the days after, will continue to be a testament of God's love and faithfulness. There would be rains, strong rains at times.... Yet, with God, there's no reason to worry. There would only be more reasons for us, as a family, to see God's glory... and for us to glorify Him even more!
About the Author: Mae Ann joined the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Community right after she got married to Cris in April 2002. She became a covenanted member in 2005. She was looking forward to a promising career with a multinational business information company when the Lord called her to become a full-time housewife and mom. On her 10th year with the company, she finally said "yes" to the Lord. She is now the CEO of the Hilario household and a hands-on mom to two (2) very active Community kids - CJ and Jem.
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