TOPAZ HORIZON

Sunday, July 12, 2026

The kids are doing great

I'm publishing this blog that's been in my drafts file for 3 years. So the kids don't look like that anymore. They're all so tall and broad and moody now. I miss those huge smiles haha Now, at 15-almost-16, 14, and 12, they're all broody and frowny and cranky and sarcastic. But if I'm lucky (and I'm lucky most times), I do get glimpses of the little boys I used to have, the ones who smile like they walk in sunshine all day and who tell me they love me like I'm the sun. They still do, they still do. And I will enjoy those times always.

So you may be wondering why I didn't publish this post then. Well, because the title is the kids are doing great... but I wasn't. This was way back in 2023, when I got a job. And the job was good, the pay was good, but I wasn't. And so every time I tried to write this blog, I ended up crying.

For why I was unhappy, read these:
I have lived in the goodness of God
When we were all together

But I'm in a better place now, so I can write about this time! These photos were actually from early 2023. I suddenly had a job. Vito was in his first year back in a brick-and-mortar school to test it out while his brothers finished their last few months in homeschool.

I wasn't supposed to get a job yet because we were homeschooling. I was their teacher because my husband had a job. The plan was that I'd get a job when all the kids were back in trad school, which would be around June. But I was sending out CVs and doing practice interviews back in December, just to get a feel for the job market. Just practicing, you know? I really wasn't planning on getting a job yet.

Thing is, I got hired and the salary was almost double what I was asking so I couldn't say no. But I wasn't ready. My heart wasn't ready. The kids were in the middle of their homeschooling year, so teacher me wasn't ready. No one was ready. So instead of excitement that I was starting a job, I was full of anxiety.

Looking back, I wish I could tell myself everything was going to be fine.

Well, actually, they won't be for a year. Vince would lose his job in April. The younger kids would go to school in August and adjust slowly, with one of them even being teased cruelly for a while. A few coworkers would also bully me. My cholesterol would shoot up and I would gain 15 lbs fast. And I would descend into depression.

So yeah, I wish I could tell myself things were going to be fine, but nope, 2023 was going to be a hard year for us all.

Observe miserable me at the office. To be honest, I have never been so sad in my life. Not when my beloved magazine was killed off. Not even when my parents died. This time still traumatizes me.

So these photos are from a time when things were actually still all right. Vince took over homeschooling while he juggled work and home care. Did you see that world map they made? Vince did a great job being a work-from-home dad, househusband, and homeschooling teacher!

When Vince lost his job (to AI, yes, he was one of the first casualties) unexpectedly, we didn't really worry because, good thing I unexpectedly got a job! So we were still able to eat out and have fun, which we really enjoyed because now I only had weekends to spend with them, unlike the 24/7 I had with them for 10 years.

I'm so grateful for Vince being such a good Papa. He was parenting alone for the first time ever. I've always been around since all their births, and while we've always co-parented, we co-parented while physically together. So with me suddenly gone, I was afraid there would be a hard adjustment. But Vince and the kids were troopers. I think they actually had more fun without me around! I can be un-fun, I confess.

I mean, look at them unpacking the groceries! It looks like they're stowing away treasure! Well, they actually always enjoy packing away the groceries. But this was the first time I saw them happily doing it because... I've always been the one who did it! But with me gone, the boys have had to take over the many things I did for them.

So yeah, I guess it was good that I was no longer around, right?

Things eventually became better, as they are wont to do. The kids ended their homeschooling year with good grades. Then we enrolled them and they slowly adjusted to their new life. They also adjusted to me away. The bullies at work resigned. Vince got a job as managing editor. And by Christmas, things were much better.

So yes, they really were doing great when I was drafting this blog post back in 2023! A few dips in the life chart now and then, but they did really well, as kids do. They're quite resilient. And to be very honest, our life may have changed drastically, but it was still okay. No illness, no accidents, no deaths. So, looking back, I am grateful. I'll always be grateful. Life works itself out if you let it. And if you can see it from grateful eyes, life is good. Always!

Buy my book, Not Invisible

Like my Facebook page, Frances Amper Sales Writer

Follow me on Instagram, @francesampersales

Follow me on X, @francesasales
Follow me on Threads, @francesampersales

Saturday, May 09, 2026

A Mother's Secret to Exceeding and Abundant love

It's not yet 7 on a Saturday morning. Everyone is asleep, and I am enjoying the quiet. Recently, I was asked how I could love being a mommy so much when I was the person who never wanted children. I make it look so easy. My husband even said, "Your powers are infinite."

It isn't. I know every mom in the world knows it's hard. I had postpartum despair after each birth, and my body had a hard, hard time catching up with my expanding heart. What helped was having a really involved husband as my co-parent, of course, but ultimately it is a renewing of my mind.

In the dark of night when I'm all alone, from the times I was rocking babies and watching over sick kids to the times I bring God our bills, I realize again and again that love is service. And service is worship. Loving and serving my family is my ministry.

So for all those times I was impatient, unkind, exhausted, and overwhelmed, I had forgotten to tap into the source of all love and strength. So I just plug back in to renew my love for my boys.

And if you're a mommy finding herself spread too thin, like a bit of butter over too much bread, I'm praying for you! I highly recommend prayer because God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. I believe this, and I guess that's how I make it look so easy, how my powers are infinite, because it's not me really who does it all. It's my God. And how blessed I am that the worship He requires of me is to just love the most wonderful people in the world! That's not hard at all.

Happy Mother's Day, mamas! Praying for you to receive love, strength, provision, and the peace that passes all understanding today and every day.

* * * * * * *

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,"

Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Buy my book, Not Invisible

Like my Facebook page, Frances Amper Sales Writer

Follow me on Instagram, @francesampersales

Follow me on X, @francesasales
Follow me on Threads, @francesampersales

Friday, April 24, 2026

When dreams turn to shame

My Papa died this month 7 years ago. So I've been thinking of Papa. I had a little talk with my sons some time ago, about how it's important that we respect people's dreams and the work that they do. Whether they dream of curing cancer or writing a heartbreaking poem, both have value. And I gave Papa as a sad example of what happens when people turn dreams to shame.

I saw this quote today. It was from Jim Carrey, surprisingly not being funny, but being painfully honest. He said:

“My father could have been a great comedian but he didn't believe that that was possible for him, and so he made a conservative choice. Instead, he got a safe job as an accountant, and when I was 12 years old, he was let go from that safe job, and our family had to do whatever we could to survive. I learned many great lessons from my father. Not the least of which was that: You can fail at what you don't want. So you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”

And I immediately thought of Papa.

Papa young, always with a guitar

Papa old, always with a guitar

Papa could’ve been many things. Papa was one of the most blessed people that ever lived. He had a wonderful voice and could sing like no one's business. He could play any instrument. He floated on the dance floor. He could draw. He was funny. Funny in that magnetic, room-lighting-up way. Smart. Sooo intelligent. And he was charming. And handsome. (I have to say he's handsome because I look exactly like him!)

He had a beautiful wife. He had beautiful, smart, talented, healthy children. Eventually, beautiful, perfect grandchildren. If you just looked at him on paper, you’d think, “This man must have conquered the world.”

But he didn’t. Everyone thought he was a loser.

I said this in this blog before—I don’t hate my father. I’m not even angry at him anymore.

For context:

When peace is a complicated thing

I like to imagine

I used to be Papa's girl, until I grew up and started seeing Papa through the eyes of everyone else. So we had a rough relationship when I was a grown woman. When we talked at the hospital, while he hovered between this life and the next, I finally realized he just didn’t know what to do with me. Or with us. Or with himself.

He felt inadequate. As a man. As a husband. As a father. He was so amazing, but at the hospital, he told me Lolo, his father, said he can't be what he wanted to be - an artist. Mama couldn't allow him to be an artist either. She and her siblings and cousins were horrified when Papa tried to be a dance instructor, wanted to play at hotel lobbies as a pianist, a newspaper man, an actor... Everything he was good at was only good for parties, but they weren't good enough to be a respectable man's living. They made fun of his dreams, belittled what he was good at, dismissed what he was undeniably amazing at, what he was proud of.

And so he was ashamed. And he was afraid. Afraid to fail. Afraid to be seen failing. So he tried to be a salesman, an insurance agent, a farmer, anything really, even a jeepney driver. But eventually, he did nothing because he couldn't be good at anything that he wasn't good at. And because of that, he failed anyway.

Mama, who couldn't support her husband, was resentful at his failures. My siblings and I, we each tried to outrun the gravity of growing up with a man who wouldn’t step up. My older brother ended up just like Papa. The rest of us, we overcompensated, I think. We just keep on working, you know? I don't think we ever rest.

I bring this to God every day: "Lord, let me have peace. Let me rest in Your promise that You are my provider. Because I grew up with a father who didn't provide, I am having a hard time believing in Your promise."

Yeah, it sucks. I have such huge issues!

I’ve spent years trying to understand how someone so full of potential could choose silence over song. Absence over effort. Resignation over hope. I don't want to be like Papa so I am always thinking, "Am I a waste of my potential?"

I think, now that I'm old, I'm finally feeling compassion. As a daughter who grew up and is tired of working my ass off every day and barely making ends meet, I get it now. Writing is hard. No parent wants their kid to feel they're only as good as their last creation. But as a mother and as a writer who insisted on this unreliable career despite Papa and Mama discouraging us (repeating patterns, you see) and still being damn proud of what I do, I can't understand it. How can you turn your back on who you are? How can you give up trying when your children are counting on you?

I'm so sad for Papa. I just feel sorrow for the man he could’ve been. He was so afraid of disappointing everyone... and in the end, he did. What a waste!

The grief I feel for him is for the life he didn’t live. For the joy he could have had. For the courage to be a man who made a living out of what he loved. For the pride he could've felt using his amazing gifts to make a difference in this sad, sad world.

All week last week, my bunso boy was singing "Take On Me" by A-ha and, like Jim Carrey's quote, this lyric made me really think: "Say after me - It's no better to be safe than sorry."

We think playing it safe means protecting ourselves or our families. But as I've seen in my father, sometimes the safest choice is the most dangerous one of all.

Because you can fail at what you don’t want. And that's a horrible fate. Just do what you want and if you fail at it, at least you lived with exhilaration!

So take the chance. On love. On yourself. On your dream. On the people who believe in you. Take the chance on the you you were meant to be!

Because the world already has enough sadness and wasted lives. It needs more people who choose to live bravely.

Let's all be brave, beginning today.

* * * * * * *

"Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to just begin." - from the back cover of Pluto's Not a Planet, a children's book my husband and eldest son made.

Buy my book, Not Invisible

Like my Facebook page, Frances Amper Sales Writer

Follow me on Instagram, @francesampersales

Follow me on X, @francesasales
Follow me on Threads, @francesampersales

Monday, March 23, 2026

7 Reasons Why You Should Get Pluto's Not a Planet - a book about a little robot that just won't quit!

Hi everybody! I’m so happy (and honestly a little emotional) to share that we have officially launched a children’s book that has been part of our family story for a long time. Everyone, meet Pluto's Not a Planet!

Pluto’s Not a Planet by Vincent C. Sales and Vito Sales. It makes my heart so happy to see those names on the cover of a real book! Because this was a story that was created years and years ago, when our son Vito was just a preschooler.

As you know, in our house, we are big on storytelling, and my husband and I loved not just reading bedtime stories to our boys, we also made up stories practically every day! Vince, the novelist in this family, especially enjoyed building stories with our boys using toys, imagination, and a lot of heart. And that is how this story about a little robot with a very big dream and a whole lotta love and determination was made!

But... it was a story that only our kids enjoyed. So when Vito needed a way to reach his own dream 10 years later, I figured, "Why not make Pluto a real book and share it with everyone to help make my boy's dream come true?"

And so here it is! And we’re excited to finally share it with you!

Please get this book by Vince and Vito! Here are seven good reasons to get Pluto's Not a Planet:

1. It was made with love (and a lot of imagination)!

This book didn’t start in a boardroom or a publishing meeting. It started on the floor, with toys, paints, laughter, lots of chatting... and a father and son building worlds together. Every page carries that sense of play and wonder.

So... Check out the pages! Vince and Vito built characters and rocketships out of LEGOs, planets out of molding clay, and all the background scenery with paint. I have happy memories of this time! Why? Because...

2. It celebrates curiosity and big dreams.

Trivia: Did you know that Pluto the planetoid has a heart? And that's one of the inspirations of this book! Check out the red dot on Little Robot - he has a huge heart, just like Pluto! Because he's going to need a lot of love and courage to chase his dream.

The heart of Pluto’s Not a Planet is about curiosity and grit. It's about asking questions, thinking differently, and dreaming boldly—even when others say something isn’t possible. It’s a gentle reminder that curiosity is always worth it!

And that's why...

3. It’s perfect for STEM-loving kids (and kids who don’t know they love STEM yet).

Pluto's Not a Planet naturally appeals to young mathematicians, scientists, engineers, and builders. But I truly believe it’s just as lovely for children who simply enjoy space, robots, and imaginative stories. And stories about adventure! And never giving up! Which is why...

4. It makes a meaningful gift!

If you’re looking for a gift that’s thoughtful, a little different, and rooted in values like curiosity, perseverance, and creativity, this book is it!

Plus, you and your family will see how...

5. It shows kids that creating something matters!

As my husband loves to say, "In the age of AI, Pluto's Not a Planet is definitely not AI!"

Yep, because this book was created in 2015-2016!

But seriously, this is a story made by a Papa who wanted to show his son that no dream is too big and by a child who had fun making it... and then grew up. And that detail matters. This book quietly tells young kids: what you make today can mean something tomorrow. Their ideas are worth taking seriously.

And that idea can be turned into a money-making venture because...

6. Every book sold helps a child chase a real-life dream.

This is the reason that pushed Pluto’s Not a Planet from a family project to a real book we want to share with everyone! Vito's really good in his academics, especially math and science. He was part of the Philippine delegation at the International STEM Olympiad at The Hague in 2024, where he brought home medals!

And now he's been invited to the Asia Math Engineering Challenge in Malaysia this July. And we need your help to send him there. All the sales of Pluto’s Not a Planet help fund Vito’s participation in AMEC. Buying the book means supporting not just a story, but also a young person stepping into the world with courage and confidence... just like Little Robot! And every copy you buy is you helping Vito take one step closer to his dream. So please buy Pluto's Not a Planet!

And the last reason is...

7. Because you love me—and you want to support a mama who loves her son very much!

Let’s be honest. If none of the reasons above convince you, dear Loyal Reader, this one might! This book exists because of love: a father’s, a child’s, and yes—a mother’s. My love. My belief. My unending support for the dreams of my family.

If you’ve ever rooted for someone else’s child, believed in a young dreamer, or simply wanted to say “I see you” to a fellow Mama doing her best, buying this book is a beautiful way to do that.

Thank you for reading, for cheering us on, and for being part of this journey. We’re so excited to share Pluto’s Not a Planet with you. Please get a copy and help send Vito to Pluto, er, Malaysia!

Visit our website for more details!
https://plutosnotaplanet-book.my.canva.site/

Buy Pluto's Not a Planet today!

Buy my book, Not Invisible

Like my Facebook page, Frances Amper Sales Writer

Follow me on Instagram, @francesampersales

Follow me on X, @francesasales
Follow me on Threads, @francesampersales

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.