Week at a Glance

Last week was short and long all at the same time.  It felt like part of my heart was living outside of my body and I had no idea how it really was doing.  Lene was at Science Camp and as happy as I was that she made it there, a part of me missed her terribly while she was away.  Wednesday night got a little worse as Nessa's nina told us of her plans to leave the country for work. . .again.  I might have cried for that and for missing my girl.  Bottom line:  I cried that night.  Just before bedtime I checked my email and was blessed by these words written by a friend:

Hi Janene,

Didn't want to text you since it's late. My friend is a teacher at _____ unified and she posted something on Facebook about being in big bear for a science camp.  I messaged her that your daughter is there and she knows her. She said they are all having so much fun and your daughter is a sweetheart:) I wanted to let you know I put another set of eyes on your baby girl:)

Jen

I tear up just reading that again because it was such the biggest blessing on that particular night.  God is SO good, I can't get over His timing and peace! It felt so good to have her home safe and sound and hear her recount stories from her time on the mountain. 

While she was away, Bubba and I may have spent some special time together playing checkers and sharing a shaved ice.  It was pretty cool to have a date with my son.  The stories he tells and the kindness from this kid just pours out of him. 

I really need to learn how to take better pictures on my iphone, especially since that's the only camera I seem to carry anymore!  Maybe it's time to pull out the big one--with the holidays rapidly approaching I may just want to capture quality photos and enjoy the moments a little more!

Sunday, ended this guy's Fall football season and the tournament did not disappoint.  It totally felt like a repeat of last year, sitting on the edge of our seats, a tied game in overtime and the first team to score wins!  This year the team pulled it off and walked away as CHAMPIONS!  The stress of it was too much for my pounding head, but it's funny--I think Bubba would have been fine either way.  He's kind of like his dad that way.  He gets over the losses pretty quickly. . .but still what a great way to end a great season.  They went into the tournament in first place too.

 And this little girl's nina is off to traipse the world again.  Opportunity knocked and she has a dream to pursue so she is on the road again. 

She wanted to say good-bye and celebrate an early birthday with her god-daughter so we all ate cake.  Then we said our good-byes and wished her well on her journey.  She has come and gone so much in the past four years that we are all a little used to it.  Her career is a demanding one. An adventurous one.  A lonely one.  But God has placed a dream on her heart that she has to pursue and I'm confident when the show is over, He will show her.  It's just not now. 

A long week.  An emotionally challenging week.  A week in which I relied on prayer and gratitude immensely.  That is the life I want to live--gulping gratitude and praying my way through.

October 1, 2012

This was the weekend for relaxation and togetherness! The house was clean, and some projects we've been wanting to do we just let sit. We just enjoyed being home together.  We watched a couple movies that were phenomenal: October Baby  and The Fifth Quarter.  Both had us in tears. . .puddles.  Both with such beautiful stories of redemption, forgiveness, and motivation driven from tragedy--both families faithful in their walks with the Lord.  We loved watching every minute and felt a real connection with The Fifth Quarter, having lost my cousin Scott to a traumatic brain injury.  The Donate Life group that was mentioned in the film was the same organization that was used to harvest many of his organs to bless others in need.  If you like football and a beautiful family story of overcoming. . .you should see this!  we only left the house long enough to attend church. . .it was that kind of beautiful day!

This guy had a double header on Sunday. Two hours of back to back football games and it was HOT!  This little Cougar scored a touchdown out of nowhere.  The boy is fast!  Their team won both games which makes them 4-0 this season!

We've been back to our business of attending our Catholic church for mass and going to a Presbyterian church for their awesome Homebuilders class they have.  After we checked the kids out of their classes this morning, the nine year old said, "Mom, Holy Name has to have more classes to let us learn about the bible.  That's what is missing there."  Sigh. . .  We really are doing our best, and just when I feel comfortable and committed to the journey we are on, the wisdom of a little girl makes me question, are we messing them up? Should we just choose one?

The good news is, Ernie and I are both on the same page so I'm not going to question it too much. . .for now.  We feel like we are in a good place of teaching the kids about the faith they were baptized in and we are being nurtured in the community in which we seek to not be alone in our imperfect parenting journey.  There is something so uplifting to hear that even families who have raised their kids completely in the church and poured over them with prayer, still have real, every day problems to contend with.  That feels real.  That openness makes me feel not alone.  That is real community.  I am feeling very blessed and rejuvenated as we roll into a new week. . .

September 4, 2012

“…Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” --Matthew 11:28-29 

I had grand plans this weekend: days and nights together as a family with no outside obligations, painting the bed in our room, picking out the flooring for the kitchen, and a trip to the grocery store, maybe. None of that happened as I was laid up in bed with some allergy/sinus/achiness thing going on.  So I had to rest.

Rest I did.  But here's the thing: rest is not easy to come by these days.  In a world that is rushing, bobbing, and weaving with activities, anxiety, and altercation--rest does not come easily for most.  Even as I felt my body giving in to the sickness earlier in the week, it was hard for me to stop and just be.  I did so on one afternoon, lying in my bed. I watched the tree waving in the wind, but my mind wandered to my to do list and I could not rest easily.

As much as I love the Fall season, it always comes with a to-do list that seems to be a mile long.  For some reason, my smart self felt compelled to take on a little more since I'm only working one day a week.  I may only be working outside of the home one day a week now, but the job is new and my dedication the same.  I have new material to learn, lessons to create, and a routine that I have to get under my belt so my job partnership works.  Then there's the class I volunteered to teach at the church one day a week because I can't complain about a lack of community when I'm not reaching and stretching to find my place in this place: my home church for most of my life. And then there's some PTA stuff at the kid's school I  signed up for, mommy and me starts next Wednesday, imoms on Friday. . .and football season--Bubba's schedule is still an unknown.  There are allergists, orthodontists and orthopedists appointments, and the list goes on and on and on.

As much as we have simplified so that each child is only in one activity one day a week, we do have three children living at home. Sigh. Just writing it all out here, I can see why God slowed me down this weekend.  I can rest in the knowledge that He, in His infinite wisdom knows just what I need--even when I am to busy to notice.  So, this weekend didn't turn out to be what I thought it would. But it refueled me for the weeks ahead, it slowed me down enough to remember who I serve, it reminded that the Sabbath day is supposed to be a day of rest.  Maybe this little family needs to re-examine how we do that.  Do it a little bit better.  Perhaps.

Until then, grateful for a husband that was able to pick up all the slack this weekend!  Grateful for a God who paints masterpieces like this for us to enjoy!

Oct. 28, 2011

Our Week at a Glance. . .Retro Way!

My favorite running back...who is faster than fast.

Physical therapy. . .again. Yes, Mom, I paid for my pants to look this way. I know it makes no sense to you. Love.

Bouncer time at a birthday party

Starting the morning with some pumpkin products

The day my daughter told me I looked like a hippie all because I tried to get some bigger hair with some help from Genn.
Truth be told, I got compliments--
Thanks Genn, for the tutorial.  I'm not as high to heaven as you are, but I'll get there with practice: )

Our Giving Thanks board I am eager to start

Strawberry ice cream on a sugar cone for dessert

 Might I take a minute here to let you know that my baby girl's hips continue to make progress and we can now visit our Orthopedic Specialist at UCLA yearly?!
To God be the glory!!
Are there even any other words that could suffice?
Hmm...nope. I couldn't think of any either: )  

 My man gets today off for some much needed rest.
Did I mention the kids don't have school?
Unfortunately, the first part of the am. will be spent getting flu shots. . .the rest of the day is free sailing!
Happy Family Friday from our home to yours!

I think this follow fest is the neatest biggest thing: )

I'm still finding my place in the blogosphere--carving out some space for me to be me and get to know more of you!!

September 18, 2011

It's feeling like football. . .

Today was Bubba's first game with the Jags.

This is his third year playing flag football, but really the first year that football feels like it was his idea.

He has asked about football all year long and his time is now!

I'm looking forward to family time watching him out on the field.

I love seeing he and his dad together on the sidelines.

His dad was #17.

He loved football.

He coached the JV team at his high school for a few years until his schedule didn't permit it.

His son on a team is the next best thing.

Happy Sunday to you!!

September 9, 2011

Documentation: What the wall used to look like.