TOPAZ HORIZON: February 2026

Monday, February 23, 2026

Good-bye, Blue

Blueberry "Blue-Blue" Sales

March 25, 2018 - February 16, 2026

Almost 8 years of pure fluffy gorgeousness and sass.

Loved by a little boy who misses her so much.

This week has been really tough for our family. We knew she didn't have long because Polish rabbits typically have a lifespan of just 5-6 years. So we were happily grateful for every day she was with us in the last couple of years.

But on Christmas Eve, we saw her weakened and old. She was just sitting and didn't want to leave her cage anymore. Sometimes, she didn't even get up for treats. That was when we knew she didn't have long. My youngest son, and the only one Blue loved, wrote a poem for her.

We told her, "Blue, don't leave us on Christmas!" Then it was, "Blue, don't leave us on New Year's Day!" And then, "Blue, don't leave us on Valentine's Day!" But the day before Chinese New Year, she quietly left us while we were at work and school. It hurts my heart so much that she died alone.

I have been crying on and off, but when her ashes finally came back home on Saturday, my heart felt at peace. She's with us again, and my heart is glad. I could tell my youngest boy is happy his fur friend is back home, too. He said he's stopped crying na.

First photo together

Last photo together

Appreciating this thoughtful presentation of Blue-Blue's ashes

Good-bye, Blue. Say hello to Galady, Matilda, Gandalfi, Alice, Sari, Waiter, and CC for us!

Thank you. We love you. We miss you forever.

Sunday, February 01, 2026

The kids are all right

Hi, dear Loyal Readers! I shared these photos over Christmas, and a lot of you were shocked. Yes, malalaki na sila. They're 15, 13, and 11. How fast time flies!

Many of you asked how the kids are. Lalo na kasi yung mga kasabayan kong mommy bloggers na actively sharing pa rin about their kids, nasusundan niyo talaga. Eh, yung mga anak ko very private kaya after 2016 or so, di na ako masyadong nagkwento about them. I archived their photos sa Instagram, too.

But since nagtanong kayo, eto ang pwede kong ma-share. They're very smart and talented. They go to an international school (kaya naging corporate slave ako haha). Malapit lang school nila sa bahay so the high schoolers commute a lot. I'm proud of the fact that they're independent, and I'm glad di sila kilala because I really don't want strangers to approach them and be all, "Hi! I follow your mom's blog/IG/FB!" This freaks them out actually, the rare times it happens.

They're doing very well in school except for Filipino. They play instruments. They sing. They enjoy their friends. Ano pa ba? Oh, they eat a lot. Grabe.

You'll be seeing more of my eldest child soon because meron siyang big fund-raising project. I am so excited to tell you! And I'm counting on all of you na suportahan siya! Kasama siya sa delegation to the International STEM Olympiad in Netherlands. And kasali rin siya sa Asia Math Engineering Challenge in Malaysia. I'm very proud!

My second son naman is really into music. Obsessed. He plays the guitar, piano, and bass. He even played in Sunday worship service once. So that's really cool. I'm very proud!

Yung bunso naman is like the ringleader of his friends. Ang kulit ng batang yan! He likes reading books and baking brownies. And he's insightful and wise. I'm very proud!

But what I'm most proud of is how sweet and good they are. They're really such good kids. Wala kaming problema sa kanila at all. Well, I wish they'd do the dishes and clean their room more, but in the great scheme of things, they're pretty awesome.

And I know you're curious about how they are, especially since many of you saw them born. You were there watching them grow and talk and eat and do all the cutesy things babies do. And suddenly, you stopped seeing them. For 10 years!

Thank you for understanding and respecting their privacy. I really appreciate that, despite the radio silence, you still love my children. I still feel it. Thank you. And you'll probably see more of them soon, with their consent, but just so you know, the kids are all right. Happy, healthy, thriving, and absolutely wonderful!