Jacob Nathan's 2nd birthday

We always do simple birthdays. We usually spend it together as a family. For Jacob's birthday we did the Loboc river cruise for lunch, visited the tarsiers and viewed the chocolate hills.

In the evening, I prepared the cake, the gift and the balloons. I think those are just the things necessary for a kid to be happy. And a happy kid he was. The icing on the cake was made through what Manay Cindy from Qatar sent last Christmas, the cookie press and the icing decorator. Thanks Manay.

Couples night

Tagbilaran 1st Branch held a wonderful couples night yesterday. It was attended by 17 couples and some singles. We had simple dinner,live band, games and dance. If you knew me, you would guess that I danced the night away. I did. I danced like crazy just like in my Young Women and Single Adult days(which made me miss ate rizza and all the other fellow dance crazies in malaybalay).Even after all the decorations and tables were put down. Up until the last music equipment was packed. I had a blast!

And I'm glad Jerome was just happy with me being giddy happy. What can I do, that baby face is just sooo in love with me.hah...

Our valentines

We usually don't go with the love tide. In short we spend valentines day just like any ordinary day. No flowers, special dinner for two or cards. Jerome was different this year though. After a long tiring travel in Cebu, Jerome was home with flowers on his hand and a card and later manage to treat us with a delicious chocolate cake. Sorry, no picture for the latter, kids devoured it in one sitting.

Bukidnon my home

I grew up in a pretty modest home but it did not stop me from having all the joys a child should have. We have to improvise on most stuff though.:) I had my share of climbing trees, playing house (balay balay), cooking(luto luto), hide and seek, "reskate", chinese garter, jackstone, looking for spiders and bugs(dulog), tumba lata. Growing up with a gardener for a a grandmother also meant planting sweet potatoes, pechay, cassava, chayote and others. It meant too that during hard times we have to sell sayote at the gulayan for 25 centavos each. During summer months cousins from Managok stay with us. It meant twice the chance of having sayote and sardines(tinapa) for our lunch or dinner, crowded sleeping areas but it also meant twice the fun.

I thought then that all places looked like Malaybalay but when I have to go to Cagayan de Oro for College I realized the difference. Going home every weekend was the chance for me to soak in all up again the beauties of the place which I proudly call home.

After College life allowed little chances for me to visit home often. Nowadays I get lucky to visit Bukidnon once a year and we try to get everything we can from the experience. Hubby loves the place so much for the fruits and the wonderful tennis weather during summer months. Children love the plays on the Capitol grounds and the wonderful scenery. I love the opportunity to be reunited with friends and family but most especially to be on the ground I grew up and love most.

Pineapple plantations and juicy sweet pineapples. Rodeo. Woodstock. Capitol grounds. Kaamulan and the festival.Cold weather. Dewy grasses on early mornings. Crisp sunny afternoons. Colorful sunsets. Wide open spaces. Beautiful green mountains. These pretty much describes what Bukidnon and growing in such a wonderful place is all about.

We may travel on or live in other beautiful places but truly "there's no place like home".

Our wedding

Back when I was single, I would often picture out my wedding to be very simple. I had always planned long ago to have it in the Temple. Temple because as Latter day saints, we believe marriages done there will be for all time and all eternity, not just 'till death. I imagined it to be with closed friends and family as well. I never thought so hard about the dress since I know there are going to be beautiful dresses in the temple available for rent at a ridiculously low cost. When asked about the reception, I would often say seriously that skyflakes and sprite will do. I know it sounds like a joke but I was then dead serious.

I was lucky to have found a partner who believed in simplicity as well. What mattered to both of us was the nature of the ceremony, we both believed strongly in temple marriage. The wedding dress was provided by the temple for only ten pesos. That's right, ten pesos! Bouquet of white roses from Sharon and Jonah, veil from Bingles wedding, hair and make up courtesy of Polly, Sharon and Jonah. We had a better reception than planned. A good family friend, Joel Espaniola prepared for us yummy baked macaroni, fried lumpia and sprite in cans. Sharon and Jonah made a beautiful wedding cake out of two layers goldilocks cake. When we went home to Iloilo Jeromes family prepared a simple reception at their home for friends and family. Mama and Papa was there and Bingle too. It was simple and memorable, just the way we imagined and planned.

Years after our wedding my husband would often ask me if I'll have my wedding differently if money was not an object. Still I would say the same thing, "I'd be fine with sprite and skyflakes".

Dating and courtship

Beverly and I were officially introduced to each other at the Cebu Institute of Religion facilities around August of 1998. Prior to that I am pretty sure I already saw her at the review center. Back then we were both reviewing for the November 2008 Electronics and Communications Engineering licensure examination. We both have friendly natures, so needless to say we became fast friends. It was not until after our missions though that we began dating.

After two years on our missions, we had the chance to see each other again at the Philippines Manila temple and from there worked things out on becoming a couple. We initially planned on being married on June of 2001 but things did not worked out as planned that time. We feel we need to know each other better. Our geographical locations did not help either. Her being from Bukidnon and I from Guimaras made it challenging for us to date or work on our goal. Working and staying in Cebu for a little less than a year was also our way otf trying to make things work. Eventually, it did work, but not without testings. I feel that as we worked hand in hand against the challenges we were then facing and as we constantly sought help from the Lord, our relationship has been blessed to work. Bev and I were married for all time and all eternity at the Philippines Manila Temple, July 27, 2002.

Our family

Jerome- the head of the family. Born April 21, 1976 as the eighth child of eight children to Mr. and Mrs. Cirilo Galotera. A native of Rizal Guimaras. Finished elementary education at JordanCentral School and secondary education at Iloilo National High School. Graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering March 2008 at Central Philippine University and obtained a license on the same year. He has worked with Lamco International as product specialist, WVCST as engineering instructor and currently as Coordinator for the Seminaries and Institutes.

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (mormon) September of 1995 and has been an active and faithful member since. Served as a full time missionary at Philippines Angeles Mission at Gerona, Gapan, Baler and San Jose areas years 1999-2000. Married Beverly Samson for all time and eternity July 27, 2002 at the Philippines Manila Temple. Currently presides the 1st Branch of Tagbilaran District.

His interests are history, computers, outdoor adventure, reading and ultimately tennis, not to mention "the great Roger Federer".

He is a student of the scriptures, a very responsible father who loves his children dearly and a loving husband to his wife. A disciple of the Savior Jesus Christ.

Beverly-the light of the family. A native of the lovely Malaybalay, Bukidnon. Born of the goodly Mr. and Mrs. Valeriano Samson Jr., December 29, 1976. Second among three children. She went to BCT Elementary School for elementary education (1983-1989 and San Isidro College for high school (1989-1993). Finished college with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering March 1998 and Liceo de Cagayan University and passed the licensure examination on the same year. Worked with Jollibee (working student), Columbia technologies as sales Engineer and Smart Communications as CCR/CCO. Currently working on motherhood and managing the temporal and spiritual affairs of her household.:)

Enjoyed her Young Women days since becoming a member of The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (mormon) in July of 1989. Joined the Relief Society organization when aged 18 and is still an active member. Graduated from seminary (1993) and Institute(1998). Served full time mission at Philippines Tacloban Mission on Albuera, Catbalogan, Carigara, Palompon, Ormoc and Tacloban areas (1999-2000). Married at the house of the Lord, Philippines Manila temple, July 27, 2002 to Jerome Galotera.

Loved the works of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, lucy Maud montgomery, Louissa May Alcott and Walt Whitman. The scriptures and books of prophets and apostles are her favorite daily reading materials. Enjoys the music of Lea Salonga, Julia Fordham, Indigo girls, Ebtg, Patti Austin, Carly Simon, Simon and Garfunkel, Seal, Sting, James Ingram, Sergio Mendes and others of the same genre. Church music and songs are favorites as well. Gardening using natural farming method is a hobby she got from her late grandmother Leonora Samson. Yoga, sometimes pilates and most days running or walking are her favorite fitness activities. Other interests are cooking, baking, scrapbooking, cross stitching and organizing.

She is dedicated at becoming the best mom to her children and the loving and caring wife to her husband. Loves to learn and do what is right.

Caleb Emron-The firstborn. Born August 11, 2003 at Iloilo Mission Hospital, weighing 3.2kg. He is now 5 years old. A kindergarten at Victoriano de Tirol Advanced Learning Center and a primary student at church.

Tall for his age and lanky like his dad Caleb is good in swimming hence the love for the beach and the pool. He is good at carrying a tune even at a very early age so he loves to sing. He also shows to have a talent in drawing and seems to be very interested in his science class particularly biology subjects.

He loves our family home evenings and often he is the one who reminds us to hold family prayers. He loves to pray as he is afraid of having bad dreams:)

Matthew Garrett-Our second child is named after Matthew, one of the original apostles of Jesus Christ. Born October at Cebu Chong Hua Hospital weighing 3.3kg. He turned four years old October 12 of 2008. A Nursery at Victoriano de Tirol Advanced Learning Center and also a primary at church.

A little short and chubby, Matty is blessed with a good skin and with very charismatic features. He loves his matchbox toy cars, percy the train and bumblebee the autbot. Also loves Chicken little the movie and little einsteins. His memory is really good, he remembers almost everything. Likes to choose his clothes. Loves his late night milk. He loves his evening shower, he can’t sleep without first having it. And he loves daddy…

Jacob Nathan-the youngest was born March 13, 2007 at Ramiro Community Hospital in Bohol weighing 3.2kg. He is now a toddler and a nursery student at the primary.

He loves his nanny "mama nene" and any ball games. Tall for his age and has a sturdy build. Enjoys his disney pixar videos especially when "kuyas" are out to school. Smart and easy to deal with.:)