Hamster, Happiness and Everything in Between

Last week was one of a kind, really.  We had to lay Lene's hamster, Skittles, also known by Nessa as Scoots, to rest.  The kids just happened to have minimum day for most of the week so she had a few girls over to celebrate his life.  It was a beautiful service with bible verses read, two eulogies and a most quaint rendition of "Star Spangled Banner."  His final resting place is in grandma and grandpa's backyard alongside some of our other furry friends who have gone before.

The celebration was a simple gathering of friends, lifting each other up on an otherwise dark day.  I love the simplicity of being a kid and the things that make you feel better and more able to move on.  Note to self:  follow their leads.

The weekend was one of rest and family time.  Saturday ended up at the park with one of Jonathan's close friends from school.  It just happened we both arrived at the same time and got to let our kids enjoy each other's company while we visited and shared how faithful God has been in our lives.  I love when that happens:  what a gift!

Some lovely lemons were given to us from a friend's tree so what a perfect opportunity to make fresh squeezed lemonade together!  The top left picture was taken Saturday morning.  I happened to catch Jonathan with one of the neighbor boys, eating sunflower seeds atop our light posts in the front yard.  They were so cute to listen to and watch from afar.  I didn't want to ruin their third and fourth grade cuteness by opening the door to ask for a picture (even though it would have turned out much cuter ).  I was able to kick my feed up and listen to my girl as she belted out practice solo parts for choir.  Her voice, music to my ears regardless of if she gets a part.  Mother/Son night out with my Bubba-love-a  was a gift.  hearing his heart and all the happenings at school, sitting side by side and totally engaged in conversation for a whole meal with NO interruptions. . .priceless!!!

Sunday dinner at my uncle's with some home made Peruvian food was different from our average day but a gift nonetheless.  Being with my siblings and cousins is my idea of fun.  So much so, that we went out with another set of cousins for wine tasting the night before.  That was fun too!  What a great weekend we had!

Lent started and we gave up dessert as a family.  This sacrifice is a lot easier than television as we have done in the past.  I gave up my favorite social media outlet: Instagram.  It was too easy to browse aimlessly throughout my day.  It has only been a week and I feel like this fast will be a good one for me.  I feel it and it makes me realize how I waste time that could be spent truly connecting with my kids, husband, or friends.  I am still slowly sipping on Hands Free Mama.  I'm going through the house and donating forty bags in forty days and am being cautiously optimistic that my distracted, busy life is able to be reigned in.  I will use this Lenten season to focus on the ones who are here in my everyday world that need all of me--my eyes meeting theirs, my ears hearing their hearts, my hands holding theirs, my feet walking beside them to play or do, and all the while relishing this gift that is their childhood and the role I have to play in it.

In the meantime, I'm still stepping out on faith and seeing where God lands me.  Keeping my eyes on Him.  All the time.

Back Track to Baptism

Last Sunday we had the honor of baptizing our nephew Joseph John.  When they asked us, I thought of Romeo and Juliet when Juliet says, "It is an honor that I think not of,"  because I was so surprised and happy to be able to say yes.  Since we've baptized our own kids, I look at the act of Godparents differently.  They are people who are willing to invest in the spiritual life of your kids and that is not a job to take lightly.  It is a responsibility that began soon after they asked us as I poured over my daily bible reading looking for the perfect life verse to pray for JJ daily.  Finally we decided on, The blessing of the Lord be upon you."--Psalm 129:8  This will be our signature on cards and our daily prayer for him as he grows.

He was a perfect angel during his baptism.  He stayed awake the entire time while his brother and cousin, Joshua and Nessa slept soundly.  He smiled and played with my leather band bracelet, and didn't make a sound as the holy water was poured over his head signifying his entry into the church.  He is such a good-natured little boy!  After, we headed back to John and Suzann's.  They have been working so hard to get their yard together since they moved and it looked AMAZING!

It is perfect for entertaining with a grass area, large patio and extended concrete slab.  It was decorated so nicely and just really a wonderful memory for our little JJ to see his whole family there to support him in his upbringing of a faith-filled life.  We were gifted with a beautiful picture of him that says, "I love my nino and nina."  It is special and we're still looking for the perfect place for it. 

Watching someone be baptized gives me so much hope for their future--no matter what their age, I know their eternal future with God is so much more grand than this earthly life will ever be!  Praying we can help plant faith seeds in JJ's heart as he grows!