Thank you to everyone who took me on such beautiful trips. You can’t imagine how giddy I was reading through your comments. If only there were real magic balloons that could take me to those places!
My birthday was a very simple one; a quiet one to kick off my 29th year. While I would have loved to throw a huge celebration, I decided to share my birthday blessings with the babies at CRIBS. The Receiving Home cares for abandoned babies from infants to toddlers. The blessings came in the form of disposable diapers, feeding utensils and baby clothes. The hour I spent with them was a very rich experience.
I used to volunteer for CRIBS back in college, with a socially-oriented org called TUGON. It was pretty cool to see the volunteers last Saturday. We exchanged e-mails and promised to keep in touch. I’ve long been wanting to be active again with CRIBS and it was fate to bump into these TUGONers. 
If you’d like to share your blessings with CRIBS, take a look at their wishlist. I’ll keep on sharing the love with them as much as I can.
The rest of the weekend were a bunch of quiet get-togethers with some friends and H.
It was a weekend of simple celebrations with rich experiences; a lovely way to begin my 29th year. And the balloon trips I took with you made it even richer! The gift of imagination is a precious one and who knows, maybe some of them will happen for real.
Thanks for the warm birthday wishes everyone!
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
chinita_jill
August 4, 2006 at 4:36 pm (18 years ago)hi toni! belated happy birthday!
you were in tugon, too?? i was in it as well, along with my barkada. i remember the saturdays spent going to cribs. the kids were so lovely. ang lalabing! during the course of our “volunteering”, there were even a couple of kids who got adopted. it was weird to come back one saturday and realize, “hey, where’s so-and-so?” only to be told that they’ve been adopted. but mostly, it’s a happy feeling, knowing that an orphaned child has been given another chance to live a full life.
lani
August 4, 2006 at 6:18 pm (18 years ago)I really admire your generosity, Toni. I know God will always bless you with good and happy life. Keep up the good work. Maybe one day makasama ako sa iyo.
Junnie
August 4, 2006 at 9:01 pm (18 years ago)it maybe was YOUR day yet there’s nothing better to start one’s year than to start it with others in mind…, way to go…your first few wifely steps into your 29th year were just steps into the right direction!
Pia
August 5, 2006 at 1:04 am (18 years ago)You have such a kind and gentle soul, Ms. Toni! Yes, it was your day yet you chose to “give back” instead of getting something for your special day. Thank you for featuring CRIBS in your post – as a foster mom, programs like these are near and dear to my heart. It fills me with joy to know that these abandoned and abused kids back home can also have an opportunity to be given a chance at life.
mare
August 5, 2006 at 9:48 am (18 years ago)Toni, you are an example of grace and selflessness!
jojo
August 5, 2006 at 4:54 pm (18 years ago)hi toni!
i’m glad you had a blast to mark the start of your 29th year. cherish it. 30 ka na next year! hehehe.
Jerome Daclison
August 5, 2006 at 7:43 pm (18 years ago)that is the nicest thing , toni…that’s all i can say… (hugz)
Kay
August 6, 2006 at 6:08 am (18 years ago)I don’t have the heart to go to such places. I’ve been to one about 4x and it was too painful for me. I feel depressed for days afterwards but hats off to you!
Daphne
August 6, 2006 at 10:30 am (18 years ago)Wow what an excellent way to spend your birthday.
sachiko
August 6, 2006 at 11:07 am (18 years ago)The last year in your 20’s..and what a great way you celebrated it!
bh
August 6, 2006 at 12:05 pm (18 years ago)I’m proud of you.
G.
August 6, 2006 at 11:40 pm (18 years ago)sweet, sweet, toni. happy 29th! that’s an awesome way of celebrating, isn’t it? i once volunteered to help out at a soup kitchen. it was a humbling and emotional experience! anyhoo, i’m really hoping to meet you if/when i’m there in december!
Rachel
August 8, 2006 at 12:09 pm (18 years ago)hi ate toni. ur such an angel to the people in CRIBS. Your post inspire most of your readers like me. I hope there are million of “Toni” in this world. Gobless you. 😉
Test
March 24, 2007 at 2:46 pm (17 years ago)Hi
G’night