Christmas Festivities

Christmas came and went this year, as it usually does.  As much as I felt it creep up on us, I feel like I savored so many quality moments.  Shopping was scaled back, less expectations of myself meant rejoicing when we accomplished a full day of baking and packaging for neighbors.  It's almost as if we accomplished more when I expected less.  We started gift giving a little early, when Janessa's Nina headed back to Spain for the holidays.

 It was nice to have her local, but we just want her to follow her dreams and be where it feels right for her.  So there were no tears this time when we said good-bye.  We know she will be back so we just keep her safety in our prayers.

And her relationships.  Prayer is all we have to offer when we're on opposite sides of the globe.  But all is well.  It shall remain so.
On another note, Dad took his daughters on an afternoon date to The Nutcracker even after working all through the night.  He is my hero...and such a good daddy!

Christmas Eve was just us this year.  Ernie's family traditions have changed, and now that both of his parents are in homes, it gets a little tricky.  We were able to pick up Pa, attend church together, eat a most delicious prime rib, followed up with R & B Christmas music and puzzle building.

The only evidence I have that we were all together, even if it was only for a little bit.

We read the Night Before Christmas as is our usual tradition and kids fell right to sleep before 10:30 pm.  It was so strangely quiet.  Ernie and I sat in the living room, illuminated by soft white twinkle lights and flickering candles soaking in the simplicity of the holiday.  It was so nice, we reflected on Little stopping by after pulling a 24 hour shift.  It was odd for him not to be here, but he is forging his own traditions with his fiance.  Praying they always keep family first. . .We also got a visit from my brother.  Seeing my niece and holding her in my arms, even for just a few minutes made the night complete.  Everything was oddly peaceful in the most beautiful way.

Christmas morning, kids slept in until about seven and then we were unwrapping their three gifts.  The older they get, the more I absolutely love this tradition of gift giving.  This year we picked "Advent Angels" and the kids had to hand make a thoughtful gift to the sibling/cub (cousin-uncle-brother) they chose.  Watching them watch each other's face as their gifts were unwrapped blessed my mama heart!

Eventually, the mess that remained was beautiful.

Grandparents stopped by for a bowl of menudo.  Uncle Scotty dropped by to drop off gifts too. And then we headed outside to wait for Santa and play with some of our gifts.  I never tire of this tradition.

 Eventually, my brother and his family showed up with exciting news.  And the festivities would continue at grandma and grandpa's house. . .

Track Meets

So we always remember this year:  Jonathan came in first place in the relay, 100 and 200 at our district track meet.

Bubba and Mikah with their wins.

Ethan, his friend on the relay and Bubba with their wins.

Taking it all in.   So serious.

Leading.

Finished with 3 golds.

So he moved on the the San Gabriel Valley All Districts meet.  Here he placed second in the relay, 100, and 200.

Round three was ALL Valleys.  He placed sixth in the 100 and last in the 200.  It was a long day with boys who towered over him but a good experience and if he wants it bad enough, he can try again next year.

Finished for the season and that's okay.

Spring Break 2015

How we've gotten to Summer without me posting about our Spring Break is beyond me!  Stranger things have happened, but geeze, where did the time go?  This Spring Break found us needing a get away.  There was a lot going on and we were just tired.  We needed to be refreshed and we needed time to just be. Anthony stayed with his dad for a couple days so we booked a hotel on the bay and headed out to the Newport beach. It was the kind of vacation that is imprinted on my heart forever.

 One of our nights there, the big kids: Little and Kendra came down to show us his new truck.  They stayed for dinner right on the water.  The food was just okay but the company was terrific!

We came home Easter Sunday, but not before attending mass at a neighboring church.  The service was great and the kids liked the donut option before mass started.

 Our view from the balcony

 We decided on A Thousand Steps beaches because I remembered it from my college days.  Let me tell you, it did not disappoint.  Look at that!  God's beauty at its finest right there!

 I love everything about our pictures at sunset.  When I was in college, I would drive to the beach just to watch the sun set so watching it set with my kids dancing and playing in the fore front?  A small preview of heaven.

 Walking the pier and someone got tired.

 I think I might get these blown up on a canvas.  I love them THAT much!  This particular picture reminds me to pause and take it all in: the beauty and the chaos and to count it all as joy!

 Big. Medium. Little.

 Good Friday quiet time in the hotel room.  Tradition.

 The ferry.

After our quiet time, on Good Friday, we began walking to Joe's Crab Shack for Dinner since it was Friday and all.  As we were walking, I believe Lene directed us all to look in the sky.  There was an inverted rainbow clear as day.  The kids were super excited that God chose that moment, hours after his death to remind us about His promise.  My mama heart was so full it could have burst!