wedding at its best

Lawrence says: A wedding reception is a party held after the completion of a marriage ceremony. It is held as hospitality for those who have attended the wedding, hence the name reception: the couple receives society, in the form of family and friends, for the first time as a married couple.

Hosts provide their choice of food and drink, although a wedding cake is popular. Entertaining guests after a wedding ceremony is traditional in most societies, and can last anywhere from half an hour to many hours or even days.

Before receptions—a social event that is structured around a receiving line, and usually held in the afternoon—became popular, weddings were more typically celebrated with wedding breakfasts (for those whose religious traditions encouraged morning weddings) and balls (for those who were married in the evening).

The popularity of receptions, rather than breakfasts, dinners, and balls, during the 20th century led to the name reception being applied to any social event after a wedding, whether it is brunch, tea, dinner, or a dance.

embryo donation

Ellen Says: Embryo donation is a form of third party reproduction. In vitro fertilisation, or IVF, often results in a number of frozen, unused embryos after the woman for whom they were originally created has successfully carried one or more pregnancies to term.

In embryo donation, these extra embryos are given to other couples or women for transfer with the goal of producing a successful pregnancy. The resulting child is considered the child of the woman who carries it and gives birth, and not the child of the donor, the same as occurs with egg donation or sperm donation.

Typically, genetic parents donate the eggs to a fertility clinic or "embryo bank" where they are cryogenically preserved until a carrier is found for them. Typically the process of matching the embryo(s) with the prospective parents is conducted by the agency itself, at which time the clinic transfers ownership of the embryos to the prospective parents.

In the United States, women seeking to be an embryo recipient undergo infectious disease screening required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and reproductive tests to determine the best placement location and cycle timing before the actual Embryo Transfer occurs.

The amount of screening the embryo has already undergone is largely dependent on the genetic parents' own IVF clinic and process. The embryo recipient may elect to have her own embryologist conduct further testing.

Alternatives to donating unused embryos are discarding them (or having them implanted at a time where pregnancy is very unlikely, keeping them frozen indefinitely, donating them for use in embryonic stem cell research.

A US study concluded that embryo donation is approximately twice as cost-effective as oocyte donation in terms of cost per live birth, with a cost of $22,000 per live delivery compared to $41,000 for oocyte donation.

babysitting a mother

Lawrence says: Today, being a lazy Sunday, a day after the country celebrated its JUne 12th Independence Day, I was left behind to babysit my mother suffering from dementia because her maid took a day-off today.

Since my elder sister May has her born-again ministry meeting with her co-members and James took out his girlfriend Jamie out for a Sunday date, I was left alone to take care of my mother. I realized it was a great day with my mother. I spent a fulfilling day and a great time with her.

I had to literally lie down and sleep with my mother to be able to pacify her and give her ease and comfort and to put her to sleep. Putting someone to sleep whose mind is that of a 5 -year old girl is a very challenging act that challenges one's wits and patience. I even had to resort to scare her off just to be able to put her to sleep, just like a daddy scaring off his daughter with stories of folkloric beings like "tikbalangs" and "aswangs" whenever he puts her to sleep.
This moment with my mother is one of the greatest moments I experienced in my whole life. IT is a weird feeling to be babysitting your own mother but it brings so much fulfillment and happiness.

caregiving

Lawrence says: As my mom ages, caregiving and dementia has become more common aspects of life to my understanding. I know very well that in most mild to medium cases of dementia, the primary caregiver is a family member, usually a spouse or adult child. In the case of my 96-year old mother, I have to do the caregiving.

According to the latest study and evaluation, the role of family caregivers has also become more prominent, as care in the familiar surroundings of home may delay onset of some symptoms and postpone or eliminate the need for more professional and costly levels of care. I, myself has spent over two hundred thousand pesos (almost five thousand dollars in equivalent) for my mom's hospitalization and surgery and sending her to a home care is just impossible. Although our home-based care for her may entail tremendous economic, emotional, and even psychological costs, we are positive and we are all one in saying that it is the right decision as well.

I must tell you, too, that family caregivers often give up time from work and forego pay in order to spend an average of 47 hours per week with an affected loved one, who frequently cannot be left alone. We have to take turns at night staying awake as my mom has tremendous sleep disturbance.

Over the course of time more and more professional care in the form of nursing and other supportive care may be required for those suffering from dementia, whether at home or in a long term care facility but in my mom's case, we don't need to send her to such team of medical professionals because I myself and my elder sister May with the help of her 26-year old youngest son, James, all are in control with our mom.
Life has to move on, onward to taking care of our mother, and onward with my life outside the portals of my contemplative monastery. Onward with my life as caregiver to my mother! And this, I tell you, is the most gratifying and fulfilling moments in my life as monastic! So, no regrets at all. God is seeing me as I see Him in my mother's eyes!

family

Lawrence says: In human context, a family (from Latin: familiare) is an exclusive group of people who share a close relationship —a unit typically (or "traditionally") composed of a mated couple and their dependent children (procreation) in co-residence. Families create generations —each of which gain in maturity and self sufficiency such as to create and provide for subsequent generations.

Extended from the human "family unit" by affinity, economy, culture, tradition, honor, and friendship are concepts of family that are metaphorical, or that grow increasingly inclusive extending to nationhood and humanism. There are also concepts of family that break with tradition within particular societies, or those that are transplanted via migration to flourish or else cease within their new societies.

As a unit of socialisation and a basic institution key to the structure of society, the family is the object of analysis for sociologists of the family. Genealogy is a field which aims to trace family lineages through history. In science, the term "family" has come to be used as a means to classify groups of objects as being closely and exclusively related.

parenting a mother

Lawrence says: Yesterday was a great day for me. Besides being the last day of the month, it was also my day to bring my sick and recuperating mother outside for a stroll, for a walk or simply a time for bonding.

I thought of bringing her to Manila bay's baywalk at sunset, but she got scared of it after asking her if she wanted to stroll at the baywalk.

My mother is 96 years old and is suffering from senile condition, in short- she is having dementia.

Based from my listening to her reply that she was scared of whales and sharks, I already sensed that she was in a state of imagining things like we are kinda going down the sea or dive in the seawater. So, I just told her that we were not gonna go to Manila bay nor swim in the waters but will just go to the Mall of Asia.

She nodded her head as a sign that she approved of my suggestion.
So, I asked the taxi cab driver to bring us to MOA.


There, I pushed her on her wheel chair around the mall, to the dress stores and to the food court. We had our dinner at the food court with tropical hut's spaghetti and chicken macaroni soup for her. She did not like both, so her caretaker, Malou ate the former and I took the latter.

Parenting a mother is indeed a satisfying- fulfilling task, but it is absolutely a serious and an arduous task.

monogamy

Ellen Says: Monogamy is the state of having only one sexual partner at any one time. The word monogamy comes from the Greek word monos "μονός", which means one or alone, and the Greek word gamos "γάμος", which means marriage or union. In many cases, the word "monogamy" is used to specifically refer to marital monogamy.

Social monogamy refers to two persons/creatures who live together, have sex with each other, and cooperate in acquiring basic resources such as food, clothes, and money.

Sexual monogamy refers to two persons/creatures who remain sexually exclusive with each other and have no outside sex partners.

Genetic monogamy refers to two partners that only have offspring with each other.

Marital monogamy refers to marriages of only two people.

Spiritual monogamy refers to the worship of only one God, or monotheism.

A majority of married people remain sexually monogamous during their marriages.

The number of married partners who engage in extramarital sex never exceeds 50 percent in studies using large or nationally representative samples.

Yet, the incidence of sexual monogamy varies across cultures.

People in some cultures are more sexually monogamous than people in other cultures.

Women also appear to be more sexually monogamous than men.

marriage vows equals love and sex

Lawrence says:Marriage is a social union or legal contract between individuals that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found.

Such a union may also be called matrimony, while the ceremony that marks its beginning is usually called a wedding.

People marry for many reasons, most often including one or more of the following: legal, social, emotional, economical, spiritual, and religious.

These might include arranged marriages, family obligations, the legal establishment of a nuclear family unit, the legal protection of children and public declaration of love.

Marriage practices are very diverse across cultures, may take many forms, and are often formalized by a wedding.

The act of marriage usually creates normative or legal obligations between the individuals involved.

In some societies these obligations also extend to certain family members of the married persons. Almost all cultures that recognize marriage also recognize adultery as a violation of the terms of marriage.

External recognition can manifest in a variety of ways. Some examples include the state, a religious authority, or both. Marriage is often viewed as a contract.

Civil marriage is the legal concept of marriage as a governmental institution irrespective of religious affiliation, in accordance with marriage laws of the jurisdiction.

If recognized by the state, by the religion(s) to which the parties belong or by society in general, the act of marriage changes the personal and social status of the individuals who enter into it.

photo of a lifetime

Ellen Says:At this juncture, let me reminisce to you these photos that keep on giving me hope that in life, there is always someone who will stand with you in the course of time for better or for worst!....

The key to a Healthy Family

Ellen Says:Family First - Your family should be your Top priority so treat them that way.

Family Night - Set aside a fun night for the family. Let the kids choose (they still remember how to have fun). If you are married you need to set aside another night for date night
(No Kids).

Family Goals - Set family goals to keep things on track.

Family Meetings - Hold family meetings often to discuss things. Communicate!

Hugs & Kisses - Hug and kiss your kids and spouse DAILY! NEVER let one day go by without getting a hug from everyone in your family. Tomorrow is not promised so get busy.

Secrets to a Spectacular Relationship

Gbex says: 1. Understand Each Other's Needs

The main reason marriages break up is not conflict, communication problems, or physical incompatibility. It's frustration -- the day-to-day disappointment of the gap between what you expect and how your partner acts -- that is most damaging. To diffuse that frustration, share your expectations with each other. Maybe you desire more affection and he craves more relaxed couple time. And be sure to check in with your partner once a year, as added pressures or life changes can create new expectations.

2. Show Him Some Love
Men whose partners give them affirmation -- those words and gestures that show they are appreciated, respected, and loved -- are twice as likely to describe themselves as happy in their relationship. And men may need affirmation more than women. Women are constantly receiving flattery from friends and even strangers who say, 'Love your outfit!. But men don't get that recognition. Can you imagine a passerby stopping your guy to compliment him on how well his tie matches his shirt? Not gonna happen -- which is why men rely on that attention from their mates. Luckily, there's another payoff to your flattery: He's more likely to return those loving deeds back to you.

3. Take 10
A weekly date night is always recommended as a way to reconnect, but sometimes all you need is a few minutes. I call this the 10-Minute Rule: Take 10 minutes a day to talk about anything, except for responsibilities or chores. Throw out Mom's old advice about how an air of mystery keeps the flame alive: 98 percent of happy couples say they intimately understand their partners.
And knowing your partner intimately isn't always about engaging in heavy conversations: Anything that helps you learn something new will bring you closer, Orbuch says. You can bond over why you think your dog is the smartest one on the block or which superpower you'd want most. You'll get to know each other's inner world and strengthen your bond of happiness.

4. Focus on the Good
The best way to make your relationship better is to work at fixing what's wrong, right? Nope. The most effective way to boost fun and passion is to add positive elements to your marriage. That positive energy makes us feel good and motivates us to keep going in that direction.
This doesn't mean that you can't feel -- or talk about -- anything negative, but pretend you are weighing your interactions on a scale. If you want a happier relationship, the positive side needs to far outweigh the bad. The more you honor the love and joy in your bond, the sooner you'll transform your partnership into one that is truly great.

Recognize a Pleasant stress

Ellen says: Right now , off the top of your head, would you rather spend today dashing around town to six different places or having the entire day to yourself to rest or read or do something peaceful? Almost everyone would choose the day of rest, because we know that running around town will be tiring and possibly aggravating.

But running around town to things for or with your family, is also an expression of your love and devotion to them. And while you will eventually need some time to yourself, you should recognize and value the tasks that are central to your family, and see them as more than the burdens and stresses of everyday life.

Stress is bad when its overwhelm you, or when it comes from activities you do not value. A little stress from your efforts dedicated to your family, however, can be a good thing.

Not every piece will fit

Ellen says: A wonderful relationship with most of our family members does not mean we' ll have a good relationship with all our family members. Nor does a strained relationship with some family members mean you we'll have a difficult relationship with all our family members.

Although a family is a unit, the success of our ability to function in that unit is based on our ability to understand people as individuals, and treat them as individuals regardless of their good and bad aspect.

Take Strength from your Focus

Ellen says: Ambivalence can be debillitating. Many people cannot move their lives forward because they are simply unsure of which direction to take. One of the great strengths and joys of a committed family life is there is no room for ambivalence. Your purpose and direction is providing for your family. While that may sometimes seem like a limitation or a burden , recognize its power as a motivator and a map to your future.

Pet are family too

Ellen says: A pet can be a model for a functioning family member. Pets offer not only love, trust, and acceptance, but also demand a consistent responsibility to be provided food and shelter . When a family experiencing difficulty, a pet is often a have for those who fell unable to reach each other.

Regardless of the situation, the pet remains committed to the family and expects to be cared for. Pet are powerful reminder of how we should approach family life.

Make What Real Into What's Ideal

Ellen says: Objectively, there is a life we have, filled with certain relationships and certain events. Regardless of how we feel about it, it is the life we have, the life that exists. But humans are not objective beings. The way we understand our lives not through an objective measurement, but through perpective we've built that pays attention to some things, exaggerates some things and ignore other things.

Whatever your life is like, it will not feel good or fulfilling if you spend your time comparing it to what you imagine to be perfect life. Do not set your family life up for failure by setting impossible standards.

Wonderfully Made

Ellen says: The next time you pick up your little baby, or grandbaby, look into the face of that marvelously made child and say, "You are fearfully and wonderfully made." And wouldn't hard to repeat that statement throughout her childhood. Children need to know how valuable they are in God's sight- and ours. Nothing gives greater security than a strong sense of self esteem.

Hear this well, busy parents-especially who tends toward impatience, who are always on the run.... Your children have been put together in an altogether unique fashion, like no one else on earth.... They need you to help convince them they are unique persons, each one different, each one his or her own person. Childrens longing in our arms longing to be known, longing to accept themselves as they are, to be who they are. So when they wade into the swift current of their times, they will be able to stand firm, and won't depend on peer pressure to give them their standard.

Rigidly isolates

Ellen says: No matter what your family situation becomes, there must always be room for you- for the person you are as an individual, with your own beliefs, personality and interests. However, while you take time to be yourself, you must avoid imposing your outlook on those around you. Doing so would be an attack on their individuality, and would encourage them to shield their true reactios from you. Maintain your perspective, but do not rigidly insist on everyone following it.

There are times that Rj, my eldest son assert his independence. He always been strong willed. But I already had to learn to deal with that. And yet I know there is more to come. I always been firm but open with my son. There are limits on my rules to follow.

But at this age, there are so many other influences in a young person's life. A parents has to be careful not to waste their chances to communicate by trying to stuff in every last word. But really if you want to tell them something important , you need to hear them first. I found out that little moments add up to a lot.

Too Much Protection Is a Threat

Ellen says: The world should be a place that always welcomes your family members, and especially your children. It should be, but it is'nt. While shielding your family from all unpleasantness seems a laudable goal, it leaves them ill-prepared for reality. Negative Behaviors overwhelmed highly protected children, and leave them unable to function or recognize the positive things around then. Instead when a negative reality intrudes on your family, don't hide from it,explain it. Help your children understand that negative outcomes are a part of what exist in the world, but that they will find so much more if they look for it .

I rememembered the film "Finding Nemo". In the film the main character, Marlin, is a clown fish who loses his wife and four hundred about to hatch eggs to a barracuda. Left only with the egg that will become Nemo, Marlin overwhelmed with fear and becomes ultra protective. But when Nemo was captured, and Marlin must save him, he overcomes his fears to help his son. The film shows that the bad things happen, but living in a constant fear is not the best way to cope.

Low Expectations are not a Family Solution

Ellen says: In most things in life , you can get what you want either by meeting your expectations or by lowering them. That is, if you want to be rich, you can achieve that either through getting a lot of money or by lowering the amount you think it takes to be rich.


The same is not true for family life. You cannot take a dissapointing family situation and make it seem acceptable by lowering your expectations. That does not mean that your expectations must remain high enough to believe your family is loving and accepting of you, and deserve the same in return.


My husband who used to work abroad communicate to us so often and gave his quality time when he was here for a vacation. Indeed, my three sons doesn't mind if their dad were not here most of the time. He's gone a lot but they've got a great relationship with him. According to Rj, my eldest son. "He's so passionate about his work that I want to support his efforts, even if that means I have to share him. I want to study marine transportation and follow his footstep."