Friday Five

Summer is in full swing over here.  I don't know what I was thinking, scheduling so many swim lessons, eye doctor, ortho, dentist, and hair appointments within the first two weeks!  To say our schedule has been a little hectic is an understatement but those summer nights make up for it!

1.  We took the train to Olvera Street.  It was quite the adventure with a variety of personalities on the metro.  It was a people watchers delight but then I wondered why we just didn't drive. . .I had to keep telling myself the experience for the kids was worth it.  And I must admit, the ride back when Ernie was playing the guitar and singing to keep people away from us was hysterical.  We were all nearly in tears!

The food was not nearly as good as I had remembered, but again. . .it was all part of the experience.

2.  Swim lessons are in full swing.  This little lady has the same private instructor that her sister and brother had.  I can tell that this is the summer.  Her confidence and coordination are going to make her a swimmer. I'm sure of it.

3.  I started a new bible study this week.  I am going through the book of Proverbs.  Getting up and digging in to the word by myself has been good for me.  I think as much as I miss my on line study and the girls at church, sometimes you just need the silence of your heart and His words speaking their peace over you.

4.  We've been spending a lot of time over at my parents.  Sometimes it is just a quick visit to give papa something to look forward to.  The kids are learning how just the gift of their time can mean so much to the elderly.  I am reminded that my kids will always have the memory of their great grandpa because we make time.

5.  We had some pretty crazy weather but I think it was just an opportunity for God to remind us of his promise.

The Days are Long

This week was a long one.  In between a flurry of at home projects and Open Houses I've been battling a cold or allergies.  Something has me not at a hundred percent, but life goes on and there has been so much living of it to do!

She planned a birthday party for Jacob and Bella.  Such a good mama.

Breakfast at the airport:  Just the two of us

Lene was our tour guide at the Living Museum.  Wow, some parents outdid themselves! 

Being silly with my baby.

A labor of love right here.  Research report writing with Bubba was a testing of patience for sure.

His Gold Rush Project

Aqueduct.  I should have taken it from the front so you could tell.

 Monday we celebrated Aunt Lupe's life.  Janessa and Lene went with me.  I thought it was sweet that Anjalene wanted to be there for her cousin Sandra, who in reality, she hasn't spent much time with.  Janessa, my sidekick goes where I go. . .until Kindergarten starts next year!  She and Cadence during church kept me busy.

Watching Aunt Lupe's life in pictures and video.

Cousins

Cousins

Aunt Lupe would have enjoyed these two hams dancing to the mariachis after the funeral; in fact, I daresay she would have been dancing with them!

The next two weeks will be busy.  I'm ready for them, sort of.  My writing class is finished and I have some organizing to do before Summer is upon us.  First things first, I need to get well.  Resting up while E and three of the kids are out at the desert for the day. I miss them already and am looking forward to a night snuggling with my Lene Bean watching a movie on the DVR that we have put off all week.  The simple things make me happy, always.  For now, Bubba gets to watch Anne of Green Gables with me.  Lucky boy.  Lucky me!

Valentine"s Perfection

Valentine's weekend wasn't all it was cracked up to be initially.  We had a family emergency we needed to get out to Las Vegas for, which meant a long car ride.  Fortunately, thanks to grandma and grandpa we were able to go solo which made for great talk time and no pit stops to pee.  We had our fancy meal on the road, surrounded by desert for as far as the eye could see.

Late that evening we headed home.  We wanted the comfort of our own bed and had really been looking forward to a fellowship event that our new marriage ministry was hosting.  I'm so glad we did because it was all kinds of perfect.  The weather was perfect, the kids were entertained and well behaved the entire time, the food and fellowship were perfect, and the blessing by our pastor was just perfect.  The resolutions we read aloud, face to face were just beautiful reminders of what we should be working towards on a daily basis in our loving each other whole heartedly.  It was one of the most perfect Valentine's ever. . .even a day late!  (My diamond cross, Ernie bought me was pretty perfect too!)

"It's not the length of years. . .it's the depth of love."--Fr. Rich

THE

RESOLUTION

(men)

I DO solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children.

I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.

I WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.

I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength.

I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibility.

I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion.

I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged. 

I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.

I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will.

I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.

___________________________________                        ____________________________________

SIGNATURE                                                DATE                              WITNESS                                                   DATE

THE

RESOLUTION

(women)

I DO SOLEMNLY RESOLVE to embrace my current season of life and will maximize my time in it. I will resist the urge to hurry through or circumvent any portion of my journey but will live with a spirit of contentment.

I WILL ACCEPT and celebrate my uniqueness, and will esteem and encourage the distinctions I admire in others.

I WILL LIVE as a woman answerable to God and faithfully committed to His Word.

I WILL SEEK to devote the best of myself, my time, and my talents to the primary roles the Lord has entrusted to me in this phase of my life.

I WILL BE a woman who is quick to listen and slow to speak. I will care about the concerns of others and esteem them more highly than myself.

I WILL FORGIVE those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged. 

I WILL NOT TOLERATE evil influences even in the most justifiable form, in myself or my home, but will embrace and encourage a life of purity.

I WILL PURSUE justice, love mercy, and extend compassion toward others.

I WILL BE FAITHFULL to my husband and honor him in my conduct and conversation in order to bring glory to the name of the Lord. I will aspire to be a suitable partner for him to help him reach his God-given potential

I WILL DEMONSTRATE to my children how to love God with all their hearts, minds, and strength, and will train them to respect authority and live responsibly.

I WILL CULTIVATE a peaceful home where everyone can sense God’s presence not only through acts of love and service but also through the pleasant and grateful attitude with which I perform them.

___________________________________                        ____________________________________

SIGNATURE                                                DATE                              WITNESS                                                   DATE

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

JOSHUA 24:15

The Magic Castle

 It finally happened, Jonathan's wish came true!  We were guests at The Magic Castle in Hollywood and what an extraordinary time the kids had. . .especially Bubba.  It was funny being there as an adult because I remember everything on such a grander level.  As an adult, I felt the rush of dining to get good seats at the show.  And the show was only half hour.  Half hour!!!  All the hype and then a let down really because it was done before it even seemed to have gotten started!  But the ambiance of the environment was thrilling to the kids and the best treat for me was having all four of the kiddos together.   That doesn't happen all too often any more, so I was grateful.

The Magic Castle: Experienced together.  Not soon forgotten.  

Weekend Goodness

Sometimes I crash from counting my joys and I wallow in self pity or frustration for our current situation with extending ourselves and opening our home.  I get mad at circumstances, not the people involved. Truth be told, people sometimes get the gist of my fury though.  The planner in me keeps butting heads with an adult who doesn't really know how to think things through and time is never of the essence. . .so we plug along, day by day and I breathe deep gulps of gratitude, lest my everyday joys cancel out my daily frustrations in a situation where I have very little control.  I keep praying about the parts of myself that need refining; the parts that keep being revealed...and I am reminded that ALL things will work together for good.  I don't know where we're going with all of this, but I know a 13-year-old has guidance, family, and the chance to be a kid who is taken care of instead of doing the care taking.  And that is good.

So was the weekend.  It was just the five of us, but it was jam packed with goodness and joy.

Besties for life.

Sarah's 5th birthday party.

Getting her art on at a cute party on Sunday.

Love. Roar.

My tiger love.

Painting with dad.

And that is enough.

Weekend Wrap Up

What's better than ending the first week of school with a sleepover?  Lene and Layla, friends since kindergarten, got to hang out and spend their first Friday with a three hour park play date, swim time,  followed by pizza and droopy eyelids at 9:30 pm.  That kid is welcomed to sleep over any time!  Ha!

After they cooled off in the pool, this was my view from my upstairs window.  They were listening to music and talking.  It kind of hit me pretty hard that my little lady is growing up!  She will be choosing her people over her family sometimes and that's even more of a reason to keep her close and keep inviting her friends into our little world. 

This weekend we tried to unwind after our first week of school.  It was the perfect excuse to stay close to home and hang out with the cousins. 

I can't believe that I took no pictures of Nessa and Cadence.  Saturday morning when I asked Nessa if she wanted to see her cousins, she asked,"Is Cadence going to be there?"  This prompted me to text my cousin Jen and then led to an impromptu barbecue.  The girls hadn't seen each other since the fourth of July!  And we live in the same city.  Eek!!! The ease of the barbecue coming together felt a little bit like summer. . .the kids had a ball! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!  Even Papa stayed out on the patio with us for a long while.

Grandma's tetherball court saw a lot of action and kept the big and little kids totally entertained! I love when the weekend is a great mix of relaxing and productive.  I love encouraging family time and that feeling I get when I see my kids and their cousins close and able to count on each other.

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.

Christmas Happenings

There has been all kinds of Christmas prep around here.

The fun kind.  The kind that doesn't feel like work.

The kind you can kick your feet up at the end of the day and exhale peace.

The girls and I celebrated Christmas with the cousins ugly sweater style.

This was after I had already had the joy and privilege of escorting my handsome husband to an ugly sweater party of his own.

He kept walking around saying, "Bringing the power to the party." He'd flip the switch and make the lights come on.  It was funny since he does work for an electric company.  Thanks grandma for the fabulously decorated sweaters.  I thought they were ugly enough--but you had a vision and brought it to life!

We almost didn't make the Living Nativity this year--but the kids couldn't remember never not going.  So we went.  And stood in line for over an hour.  But Little and Kendra joined us so it really felt like "the gangs all here." And I might have gotten teary-eyed.

The next day I worked then raced home to go caroling at a local retirement center with our church.  Our home church. The one I may have strayed away from for lack of community--only to find--I am just as responsible for making that community come to life.  

So I go to the monthly mom's group and I refused to be intimidated by the fact that my kids seem to be the only ones not going to Catholic school--and participated in the caroling opportunity anyways.  We all have a heart for service we just choose to educate in a different setting.  

They don't mind.  So why should I?

The kids passed out cards they had made at home.  I liked watching them.  I liked watching the older people's faces.  I might have gotten teary-eyed here too.

Tis the season!

The choir Christmas Concert was held within walking distance of our home at a church and was beautiful!  The kids sounded so amazing.  I can't believe they were able to accomplish that with only an hour of practice a week since October.  Bravo!

Jonathan's third grade classes visited that same church the next day to make candy canes.

This is a tradition they have been doing for years and I just think it was the coolest to watch.  I couldn't stay the whole time because back at our house the girls were arriving for our last book club meeting of the year.  

We had a potluck and did a gift exchange that was really amazing.  The girls brought a gift that represented a lesson God was working on their hearts or a lesson He had taught them this year--it was fun to hear the significance behind the gifts.  It was even better to hear their hearts.  We even had three of the husband's pop in and one spoke from his heart about what good we were doing meeting the way we are.  There was not a dry eye in the house.  God was so present--it truly was the best gift.

This little one has made such progress in her performance skills.  For the second year in a row she wore a dress her big sister wore when she was her age.  I didn't save much but what I did?  I love to reminisce.  This year Nessa Bessa remained standing through the performance.  I was a proud mama.  Who wouldn't be?

 That night we got together with friends and had pizza and gingerbread house decorating.  I would share the finished result except this was the first year that it didn't remain standing!  I think the parents leaving it in the hands of the kids wasn't the best of ideas but they had fun and, "Presence over presents" is my motto this year.  Whatever works: )

 The very next day we ended up in Urgent Care.  This poor girl just goes from 0 to 60 in seconds.  With pneumonia and bronchitis in her not so far past, I just wanted to make sure we could get her to some semblance of normal by Christmas Eve.  She is still miserable. "I don't like being sick.  Sick is boring," she exclaims in the most pathetic little voice she can muster.  Poor baby.

Which is why today will look like this. E is working, today but soon he will join me for a few days off to relax and bask in the glow of family, friends, and the real reason for the season.

  All presents are wrapped and ready.  All that remains is some baking to do for fun.  

No pressure.  

No problem. 

There has been all kinds of Christmas prep around here.

The fun kind.  The kind that doesn't feel like work.

The kind you can kick your feet up at the end of the day and exhale peace.

Bronchitis Bound

Somewhere between E being gone for five days and me having to work two days while he was away, this one came down with something.  Friday night was rough weather as a cacophony of coughs echoed throughout her room. All. Night. Long.  Of course it had to be at the start of a weekend.   Doctors office closed.  One parent to take care of it all.  Super typical.

And it turned out being super sacred.  No grandparents or godparents or aunts and uncles checking in on our week alone.  Just us.  The three littles and myself to take care of.  Saturday's fever filled hours awakened in me the realization that at the end of the day all that really matters is in this house that we've created to call home.  These kids being trained up to rely on each other and to be each other's best friends and champions is something sacred.  Knowing that at the end of the day family is all you have is sacred.  The belief that we were created with a story to tell, a life to shine and a love to pass on all starts in our home. This tight knit community we're creating means something to their future.

So bronchitis knocked us down for a bit.  So what? The kids came to their little sister's rescue--reading with her, watching shows with her, holding her hand, bringing her soup. There is something sacred in the sick: the silence, the stillness, the snuggles, the droopy eyes, the neediness, the clinginess, the comfort offered, the comfort received.

 It was a super long weekend and a super sacred one as this little sicky taught me something yet again. 

"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul." ---3John: 1-2

Weekend of Refreshment

After a nineteen day work streak, E packed us up and whisked us away to a campground with friends.  Our time with these friends was long overdue!  As we pulled away from our house Friday night, after Bubba's football practice, I felt a calm from my head to my toes. Literally.  I inhaled peace and quality time and I exhaled stress and schedules.  Even the traffic on a Friday afternoon didn't get me down. I was so happy to spend time together. 

Being home with the kids is a blessing.  I know this.  But not having my help mate by my side for practices, games, homework, dinner, bedtimes and whatever else comes my way. . .is draining.  It's my dream to be with my babies but I didn't realize that meant less time with my love.  Biting my tongue and not complaining takes its toll on me too.  So this weekend away was the pick me up I needed and the time with daddy that the kids were craving.

Dinner with friends, fishing, swimming, ice cream, smores, bobcat sighting, hiking, and visitors filled our hearts.  Time away from the hum of home out in the great outdoors was refreshment for our thirst.  Happy kids, happy friends, happy husband, happy wife.  Happiest Life.  Thankful.