Mommy's New Trade

Having 4 boys means haircuts, at anywhere from $13 to $20 EACH every month, to 2 months. That ADDS UP FAST! For some time my SIL, Natalie, has been telling me to take the plunge and cut the boys hair myself, like she does with hers. Hmm...could I really subject my little men to what is most likely going to be a bad haircut, since I have no skills in that area, and possibly cause them emotional scars that will last a lifetime? OK, OK, that is a bit dramatic...it is just that I know that hair is our crowning glory and I didn't want to be the one responsible for putting them through that. I have been a mom to boys for over 16 years and have not given any of my children haircuts. I mean, I do the buzz cut for the boys, but that doesn't count. Our dog could do that for them...it is error proof, pretty much. So, this past week, as I looked at their overgrown manes, I knew it was now or never. I have started a new trade.

My 3 little guys were so open to my practicing my new trade on them...






Can you tell how excited Zack is?!?!? These are his before pics. I hope that goes without saying.

Here is Christian's before picture (I totally forgot to take a shot of Walker before..bummer):













Now, dum-da-da-dum....the after shots:

ZACK



CHRISTIAN



WALKER



Now, the pics don't do justice to the crooked sideburns, the chunk I took out of Christian's side of his hair when the size 4 safety fell off the clipper, and the jagged edges throughout all their hair. But, you know what? I am sure that whenever anyone starts a new trade, it doesn't come out perfect, or even good for that matter... I learned that I could save my family money. And, seeing how proud all my kids were of me, was so sweet. Karizma praised me and told me how proud 'Dad' was going to be of me for saving him so much money. Miguel said they boys looked so good and he was proud of me. And when each of my little guys looked in the mirror, their smiles were of genuine joy and they seemed to have been blinded by love, because they didn't see all the mistakes I made. They thanked me and were so happy. They were even paying each other compliments.
I did think about taking at least Christian to the barber to try and fix my super huge blooper on the side of his head, but Miguel assures me it will grow back. And, since we stay on the mountain most of the week, I am hoping that no one at church notices..although it is pretty impossible to miss. I guess it is going to be what Auntie Nat called: 'A Signature Look'.

I did spare our 16 year old son, Miguel, from my new trade experiment, but if anyone else wants 'A Signature Look', let me know!!

Thankful Thursday: Seeing God In Everything

Seeing God in everything is truly easy if you have a thankful heart. My arrows remind me constantly and on a daily basis that God is in every detail. So, this Thursday I am thankful that God is in everything...even dirty underwear. Let me explain:

Zack is the potty king now. He has been trained for weeks now and no longer requires nakedness (I will miss those days!). He is now sporting his little undies around the house and when we go out. He hasn't had in accident in 3 weeks!! However, last night I noticed that as he got undressed to put his pajamas on he had done something that I must make sure to not allow to become a habit. (I want my future DIL to know I raised him right.) Zack had left his dirty underwear on the floor! My first thought was, "There are 2 hampers on either side of the armoire, but still he chose to leave his dirty underwear on the floor." Then I stopped and really looked at them. I saw victory in those little 3t undies. This beautiful arrow that God so graciously added to our quiver is now a big boy, using the potty on his own and what a blessing that is. I saw that God was even in this moment. Zack's act of carelessness, by leaving his dirty drawers on the floor, was bringing me to a moment of such thankfulness to my Father in Heaven for blessing me with this beautiful, smart, and funny little boy. That he is growing in the knowledge of Jesus and that I am the one so privileged to be his Mommy. So, of course I couldn't help but document and capture a close up of those little briefs to remind me how blessed I truly am.

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The other night I was not feeling so hot. I usually start to go downhill at 32 weeks, and this pregnancy is no different. I had been having Braxton-Hicks..or as Tim likes to call them, Toni-Taylor's, for over 3 hours. I would walk, stand, lay down, etc, but they kept coming...and strong! Walker was concerned and went to pick some flowers for me. I am thankful that God has given my son a heart that is so grateful and that he sees the beauty in all...even this tall weed he picked for me, that he called the "prettiest flower out there, Mom." I am so thankful that he was thinking of me. Wanting to 'cheer' me up. That he has a servant's heart. He even went and had someone grab a vase for the 'flower'. It is still sitting on my nightstand and makes my heart skip a beat each time I catch a glimpse of it.
God was in that moment as I thanked him for this considerate and loving son. It overwhelms me how God uses them, all of them, in my everyday life to bring me joy, comfort, remembrance, conviction, knowledge, and especially a heart of thankfulness.

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I am so thankful that God's protective hand is over my boys up on this mountain. Sunday, after church, we came back home and I took a nap. When I awoke I was told about how Zack was a hero and had saved his big brothers from a rattlesnake. WHAT?!? I was told how Zack had spotted a baby rattler, not even 20 feet from our front door and yellled out, "Snake!" and the boys took him inside to let Daddy know. Miguel, our other hero, grabbed the ax and killed it. I am so thankful that Zack was smart enough to know that snakes are "Danjowus!" When, I declared this 2 year old a hero, he said, "I'm not a hero...I'm a pirate!!"

Look at what we found in our local paper the very next morning:

Rattler's reputation takes a toxic turn for the worse
Experts suspect species is becoming deadlier
By Scott LaFee (Contact) Union-Tribune Staff Writer
With warming weather comes the return of rattlesnakes and renewed reports that one species of the slithering reptile may be biting more people and becoming more dangerous.

In recent years, some doctors and toxicologists in Southern California and across the Southwest have reported anecdotal evidence of an increase in snakebite cases, with more patients suffering extreme – sometimes fatal – consequences.

God was in those details, protecting Walker, Christian, and our little pirate. Praise you, Lord!

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OH, how I wished I had taken a picture of Miguel working SO HARD out in the yard yesterday. He really has a heart to protect us, his family, and I know someday I will have to give him up to the military, or school, or a job, or a wife...hope he will consider living near by! He wanted to make sure to weed whack everything in sight so that the snakes don't have a place to hide. The weed whacker has a mind of its own and it took him 25-30mins just to get it turned on, but he never gave up, or complained, or whined. I saw God in that. I saw patience and servitude. It was very moving as a mother to see my son, all grown up and doing the things that his Dad can't do due to his spinal cord injury. I love how God has filled in all the gaps and used my children in such amazing ways to do so.

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Finally, I am thankful for what must be the cutest little exterminator. He comes to your house dressed only in a baseball cap, tank top, and undies, but he gets the job done!!!Even if he has to climb on top of his sister to get that enormous mosquito away from his Mama that was now hiding under the covers."Have no fear...The exterminating pirate is HERE!"

MY Family: Easter 2009

Before Tim came into the picture, I never had Miguel and Karizma participate in Easter egg hunts, Easter bunnies, or baskets because I did not want to take the focus off of Jesus and confuse them. I truly wanted Easter to focus on the gift of Jesus. We never did the egg or bunny thing when I was a kid, either. Anyway, once Tim and I got married and I shared with him my reasons, he agreed and we continued celebrating Easter the same way. This sometimes clashed with the rest of our extended family, and we decided a couple of years back to avoid dealing with having to work around the hunts and such and doing our own family day. Plus, it was VERY important to us that we really spend the day reflecting on Christ's sacrifice for us. Now, please listen, Tim and I are in NO WAY saying that having Easter egg hunts, Easter bunnies, and baskets are wrong, they just did not fit into what we wanted to do with our kids. We have never asked anyone to change their plans or to not have their Easter fun because of what we choose to do with our children. We just asked that they respect our decisions...sometimes that is easier 'hoped' than achieved. So, we had to start our own family traditions. God truly blessed that decision and as I recall correctly, Walker said to me on Easter: "Mom, I love our Easter tradition of taking an Easter walk and talking about Jesus." Now, this was 'news' to me, because I did not realize that he saw that is a tradition, since we had only done it the year before. So, it was imperative that we continue this and God blessed our day richly with reminders of HIM.



It was truly a blessed Easter this year...or as our Pastor likes to call it 'Resurrection Sunday'. We spent the day enjoying our 3 little boys, Walker, Christian, and Zack...but, missing our 2 oldest, Miguel and Karizma (I am sure they didn't miss us as much as they spent a long weekend with Gramita and Grandpapa and went to Magic Mountain.)


Tim and I decided that we would spend the day making some of the boys 'wishes' come true. So, after a really wonderful sermon given by our beloved Pastor, we surprised the boys by heading to the trolley station. We took it all the way down to Old Town, San Diego, and they were over the moon excited. When we got to Old Town we found a place to eat and it was such a blessing finding ways to incorporate JESUS into everything in our day. We took them to the toy shop and for dessert at the local mexican bakery. Then we headed to the plaza that sells mexican type gifts. They were each allowed to pick one thing. Walker and Christian chose guitars (I was hoping one would pick the little toy accordian so they could form a little mexican band.) and Zack chose the maracas. What an adorable sight they were in their Easter clothes standing on the corner playing their instruments. I told Tim all we needed was a cup for people to put their spare change in and we would have earned our lunch money back.


I am blessed to say that much of the family that didn't get us in years past have now come to Christ. PRAISE GOD! And some have even adopted some of our views. Isn't it funny how things work? This is why God wants us to be mindful of our examples at ALL TIMES because they are supposed to be a reflection of JESUS.

Thank you, Lord for the greatest gift of all, the sacrifice your son, JESUS, made on the cross for each and everyone of us. I am truly blessed to know you, have you, and love you. Thank you also for the precious arrows you have brought into my life in forms of sons, daughters, nephews, and nieces. Lord, they are absolutely beautiful, inside and out!
(L-R: Tristan(5 and mama's right hand man) holding Gracen(10 months and standing/crawling), Sonoma(2 and potty trained!), Skyler(4 and I think he is a superhero in the making), Christian(4 and a CONSTANT joy in our lives), Zachary(2 and potty trained!), and Walker(5 and reading and a whiz with his math!)

Some Wisdom On This BEAUTIFUL Sunday

Why am I posting instead of heading down the mountain for our church's Sunday service? 2 little sick guys. Well, not so sick, but I refuse to be the Mom that gets all the other kids at church sick, so we will sit it out today. But, it does give me some time to post about a piece of wisdom that I have always felt was true, but didn't quite know how to articulate. The lovely Kelly over at 'The Beauty of Sufficient Grace' laid it all out so wisely on this post. I did get her permission to use excerpts from her post, so thank you SO much, Sister!

Very often I hear people, especially Christians saying, "God will only give me as much as I can handle." I have never felt that this could be scripturally correct. So, on Kelly's blog last week she was discussing a book she read by Lynette Kraft, 'In Faithfulness He Afflicted Me'. So, here is some of what Kelly wrote in her post (She captured what I have been thinking so well):


"For many years, I have claimed to dislike the saying, "God doesn't give us more than we can handle." I even have a plaque in my kitchen referring to this, a gift from Rose, a sweet church friend. I have written about it in articles, spoken about it at churches, women's groups, in presentations, and in conversations with friends. The reason I don't like that saying is because it isn't true. There are a lot of things I cannot handle. Who could handle the loss of a child? It's not about my ability to cope with the trial before me, but about the ability of my God to carry me through. My God is able. I have often said that I prefer His words: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength(Phil. 4:13)... and: My grace is sufficient for you; for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinth. 12:9). You can imagine my surprise and excitement when I read Lynette's words in her amazing book. She talks about the real verse people are referring to when they say that phrase (1 Cor. 10:13) and then writes:
God didn't promise that he would never give us a trial that we couldn't handle. In fact, if you look at 2 Cor. 1:8-10, you'll see quite the opposite. It says that they were..."pressed out of measure, beyond strength, despairing even of life." That doesn't sound like they were handling it. It goes on to say..."that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead, in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us." It's not a matter of handling it ourselves; it's only through Christ that we can handle anything! ( p. 104 In Faithfulness He Afflicted Me)

So true! After walking through the trials she has faced, Lynette "gets it" like few people do. She exemplifies one who has clung to God in the midst of trials. She did not grieve as those without hope. She placed her hope in God, who is able to make beauty from ashes...who provides the sufficient grace to walk through our trials...to turn our mourning into dancing. She doesn't just offer comfort in the sorrow, but hope that you can grow through the affliction. That God has good plans for you. The joy you can experience in the dancing that follows the mourning is sweeter than our human minds can imagine. He has more for us than to merely survive our struggles. He wants us to fully live and experience the joy and freedom He has for us. There are gifts, even in the storm. Life-changing beautiful gifts."



What wisdom in Kelly's post!!! So, thank you for putting into words what I so often thought, and for giving me the scripture to go along with it. It seems that Lynette's book is a must read.

Are you going through something that feels so overwhelming and brings on anxiety and fear? Know that Jesus is not the author of fear: "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7 I would love to pray for you, so please leave a comment with any request and remember, it is not that He gives us what we can handle, but is there to help us handle what we are given. God bless your Sunday.

Thankful Thursday

Here is another list. What can I tell you, when I nest, I list, so hope you aren't getting tired of them. This list consists of the things I am thankful have not happened this pregnancy. With less than 8 weeks to go, it is hitting me just how sweet the Lord has been to me during the last 32 weeks.

1. I am thankful that the 24/7 nausea ended around 20 weeks of pregnancy. I am very used to it lasting throughout the entire pregnancy with each and every one of my prior ones. So, this has been a much more enjoyable time. I do get extra tired and sleepy, but the nausea is a RARE thing.

2. I am thankful that I no longer let the fear of what people will think of me for wanting to obey the Lord by honoring Him in obedience with my womb and letting Him control our family planning. It used to be one of the things that would steal my joy and I do believe that being up on the mountain has helped me to 'be still and know that He is God'...and that to truly honor Him in this area would be to not fear what others are thinking or what they have to say. Instead, He has given me the words to speak to them and the sense of humor that I lacked previously.

3. I am thankful that I am not gaining weight at a lightning speed. I have had more control this time around and hope to keep my weight to about 20-23 pounds by the time Bella is born.

4. I am thankful for the chance to have a baby girl shower. I did not get a shower for Karizma. And when I attended my first baby girl shower several years ago and saw all the cute little outfits, I couldn't wait for that to be me someday. So, I am feeling overwhelmed and blessed that I have 3 impending showers in the works.

5. I am thankful that I can still wear my wedding bands. Now, that might change any day, but I was able to wear my wedding bands up until 37 weeks of pregnancy with my last one, so I hope this one will be the same or better.

6. I am thankful that I have had self control this pregnancy with the concerns of money. I bought only 1 pair of maternity jeans, 1 pair of shorts. Anything else I have bought was not maternity so I could wear it again after the baby arrives. Plus, I thought finding out it is a girl would make me want to go crazy...yes, I did by a few shoes and outfits, but each were on clearance on mad sales and I have stopped myself from buying anything more for Isabella the past month or more since I knew the showers were coming up soon.

7. I am SO thankful that my little guys are old enough to get the concept of a baby coming. Zack may not really get it, but to see the expectancy on Christian's constant questions of "Will you go get Isabella out today?", or Walker's talk about how he is going to help with the baby, is the sweetest thing to me. I am so looking forward to seeing each of my children with their little sister.

8. I am the most thankful for my walk with the Lord this time around. I have grown so much the last few years in the Lord and being able to truly experience the joy in fully understanding the gift that Isabella Grace is, is very indescribable. To see how God has answered prayer in ways that I most times didn't even expect, has been amazing. To realize that although I am so undeserving of this gift, but still He is entrusting me with her, is mind boggling. God had a purpose in His timing in giving us Bella. He had a purpose in giving us a little girl. I know that I speak for Tim and the kids when I say we are truly thankful.

Midnight Cravings

Guess who woke up early this morning with a midnight craving... for fruit cocktail... from the kitchen... which is all the way over on the other end of the house... and where the floor would be undoubtedly freezing... and she wouldn't be able to find her slippers... at 2:33 a.m. in the morning... who considered waking her sleeping husband... who is sleeping so soundly and has to get up very early... so, then felt guilty for even thinking it, because he has to leave in just a few hours to meet a client for an out of town trip... while she can stay in a warm bed, under the warm blankets, while he braves the 30 degree weather outside... but, the craving won over the thought of cold toes... and now sits here enjoying the spoonfuls as she types about it.. at 2:47 a.m.... and craves a second helping... so, please excuse her as she braves the cold floor again... oh, you would never guess who... at almost 32 weeks pregnant... you would never guess...

My To Do List: Before The Baby Comes

I was having a hard time falling asleep last night, thinking about what things I still need to get done before Isabella arrives. Here is my to do list and I have approximately 8 weeks to complete it:

1. Complete baby books for following children: Karizma, Walker, Christian, Zack

2. Complete baby photo albums for following children: Karizma. Walker, Christian, Zack (Hmm...seeing a pattern here?)

3. Complete the embroidered quilt I started for Walker, (back when I was pregnant with him, and meant to finish it for him, but then for Christian, but then for Zack) for Isabella

4. Take everything out of kitchen cabinets and pantry and reorganize it ALL

5. Go through the boys dressers and closets and put away winter clothing and then go through the summer boxes and put all their summer clothing away in dressers and closets

6. Transfer all home movies to DVD...dating all the way back to when Miguel was a baby (1993)

7. Paint the bathroom in the hallway, maybe even the bedrooms, hmm...the kitchen might need it, too

8. Sell the 2 boxes of things, I have been carting around for almost 2 years, on Ebay

9. This next one is a must!!! Get a facial and some spa time before the baby comes, because once Bella is here me time will no longer exsist

10. Figure out how to use my sewing machine, which has been in my closet for over 2 years, and make Isabella a welcome home outfit


Undoable in 8 weeks time? Wondering how I will finish some of the items on the list that have been on my to-do list for 16 years? So am I..... So, I guess I better get to it. But, first I am going to go do the MOST important thing I wanted to put on my list, but saved for last, spend time with my munchkins, doing nothing but cuddling and watching saturday morning cartoons. Now, THAT is time well spent!!

Thankful Thursday

What I am most thankful for, not just today, but all year round is that I know that Jesus died for my sins, so that I could have everlasting life through him. He took on my sins, so that I may be forgiven and live in heaven forever one day.

John 11:25-26
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (NIV)

To think about all he endured, during that time, for me... well, it is truly overwhelming. But, it wasn't just for me...it was for YOU, too. For each of us. What love and selflessness his act of sacrifice was...IS!
And all that is required of me is just to trust in Him by asking Him to become part of my life, Lord of my life. I just need to believe that He indeed did die on the cross and rise from the dead 3 days later. And in believing this, asking Him into my life, I will become new.

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... (NIV)

It is hard for me to remember life without Jesus, since I became a Christian at a young age. However, I do remember times when I tried to shut the door on Him. I thought the world had something funner to offer. Yet, He never left me. Each night that I would be soaking myself in things of this world, He would gently be whispering in my ear, reminding me, that He was still there. He loved me. He would never forsake me.

Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (NIV)

Although I had been saved many years before, I started to question how Jesus could really love someone like me. Someone that would deliberately turn her back on Him. Someone that was leading the life I was. Someone that seemed to have no regard for Her own life. How could He care so much, even though I did not? Because He never breaks His promises. He promised to always be with me. Sometimes on those lonely nights I would cry out to Him, but then recant, feeling the weight of sin on my shoulders. But, still He never left me. He had already paid the ultimate price for all those sins on the cross. I finally accepted that I just could no longer keep living like this. That I just was truly not happy, truly scared at all times. I was finally ready to come back to Jesus...but, was he still going to want me? Blemished? Stained? Sinful? The funny thing is that I thought myself so sinful then, but yet, I continue to be a sinner. I am still all those things, but Jesus' death on the cross washes those sins clean, so that I no longer carry that weight of sin from the past or present.

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (NIV)

I definitely don't have it all figured out. I still struggle on a consistent basis to be a better person, a person that learns from her mistakes. Following Jesus doesn't mean I will no longer deal with the woes of daily life, it just means that I no longer have to do it alone. That I have the MOST faithful friend to walk alongside me, sometimes ahead, most of the time carrying me. It means that I have the assurance that I will always be with Him. That I can look forward to spending eternity with my Father God. It means that I am forgiven and what a liberating feeling that is!!! Do you wish to know that feeling? Do you long to never be lonely again? Do you wish to have the assurance of eternity in Heaven? TRUST IN HIM! He so longs for you to just let Him into your life. He loves you so...His death is solid proof of that. His resurrection the guarantee that He is God. What do you have to lose? Everything. What do you have to gain? Everlasting life.

John 3:16-19
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (NIV)

So, for JESUS I am truly thankful this Thursday, every Thursday, every day period. Without Him I would not be whole. Thank you, Jesus, for loving me that much. I pray that anyone that reads this come to know you. That they take a moment to thank you for the sacrifice you paid on the cross for each of us. That they know you are pursuing them with a love like none other. How I long to see your face. How I long to sit at your feet. How I long to be in your presence. I love you, Jesus. In your precious name, Amen.

The Socks Project And 5 Things

My friend, Jennifer over at Very Full Quiver, whom is a humble servant to our Lord Jesus, is doing a socks project. Please, go check out her Socks Project blog here and join in helping her and her children reach their goal of collecting 300 socks to send to needy children in Mexico. The boys loved being a part of something bigger than just them and Walmart had a great sale going on, too.



Please, pass the word around on your blog, send some socks to the project (Jen set the goal at 300, but the kids hope to make it to 700 socks...I think they can do it!!!), and teach your children that especially during this time, that JESUS laid his life down for each of us, that the least we could do is help others in their time of need.

God bless the Kindle's for their ministry!!

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Another bloggy friend named Jennifer over at William's Bunch did this fun little FYI about herself, and I thought I would join in. Hope you do, too, as I LOVE getting to know each of you better!

5 things I was doing 5 years ago:
1. Nursing Walker
2. Wondering when I would be ready to leave the baby to have a night alone with Timmy
3. Wondering how long it would take my period to return and if I would get pregnant right away...btw, I got it this month 5 years ago and was pregnant immediately with Christian!!
4. Planning our move into a new house
5. Excited about Jackie's, my best friend/cousin, upcoming wedding

5 things on my to-do list today:
1. Do some laundry
2. Give Walker his antibiotics for the infection he developed on his leg...poor little guy.
3. Call my Mom
4. Grade some schoolwork
5. Do some reorganizing in my room...again...continually nesting, I suppose.

5 things I would do with a million dollars:
1. First, I would tithe
2. Pay off ALL debt for our family and other family members
3. Buy the house we fell in love with down the road from my parents house
4. Have a huge BBQ for family, friends, church...where someone else did the bbqing...not my Timmy.
5. Donate a good chunk to Hank Hanegraaff's ministry

5 places I have lived:
1. Yuma, Arizona
2. Denver, Colorado
3. San Diego, California
4. Santee, California
5. Still in California ;0)

5 jobs I have held:
1. Copy machine operator
2. Hostess at Sea World
3. Ride operator at Sea World
4. Dispatcher for emergency road services
5. Switchboard operator

5 things I would like to be doing in 5 years:
1. Being an excellent wife
2. Being an excellent mom
3. Mother to 7 or 8 by then
4. Living in a home which Tim and I can think about growing old in
5. DEBT FREE!!!!!!

A Question Of Gender?

Recently as I was dealing with a disciplinary issue with my daughter, and feeling overwhelmed and a bit frustrated, I came to a conclusion. That depending on what gender I am, I may be harder on my child of that same gender. And the same goes for my husband. Why is that? Is it that I know what things a girl is capable of? That I remember clearly what I put my parents through? That I don't want my daughter to make the same mistakes? Because, as I went to my husband to 'back me up' on an issue, I realized he didn't see the incident to be as serious as I did. But, when the issue is concerning one of our sons, and I approach my husband, it is a different matter. I tend to tell him he is being to hard on the boys, and he may tell me I am being too hard on my daughter. Either way, we try and trust one another's intuition about the child in question.

I hate to use a word like manipulation where my children are concerned, but lets be real, children learn to manipulate as early as infancy. We are sinners from the very start and as parents I am sure you have seen your sweet little one try and pull one over on you, too. So, my question is this: Parents of both girls and boys, do you see this pattern, too? That you might also be a little tougher on the child of the same gender as you because you've been there and done that? Do you sometimes feel that your spouse is being to easy on the child of their opposite gender, because maybe they don't have a clue as to how that gender really works? I am curious to hear what you have to say on this issue.


OH, by the way, even if you and your spouse don't see eye to eye on a disciplinary issue, you better make sure that your child sees you as a united front at ALL TIMES. This not only gives them a sense of you and your spouse being a team, and ensures security for them, it will also ensure that you and your spouse will be on the same page and it won't cause friction between the 2 of you when it comes to matters of disciplining your children.

Well, back to the trenches of raising Godly warriors for Christ!

My Must Haves: Pregnancy And Beyond

Right around the time I turn 30 weeks I really start to think about what we still need for the baby. What a learning experience it has been within the last 6 years...learning which products work for us and which don't. This is a list of my baby/mommy must haves, in no particular order... it is 4:45am after all.

1. NEWBORN DIAPERS: Been there, tried this brand and that brand, and we always agree that Pampers Swaddlers, for the first couple of months, are the must have. It seems that our babies bums either are too sensitive for the other brands or the other brands would leak on us. Newborn leaks are NO FUN. Now, for my newest dilemma... will they also be as good on a girl?



2. BREAST PADS: I did try a few others back when Walker was born, so maybe there are some new-more amazing ones out there now, but, I found one that totally works for me, and why mess with that, right? BUT, it has to be the old design, not the new one that has the 'contour' shape...for seem reason I just hated that. The old shape worked perfect and they are so absorbent. Pretty much everything that Lansinoh makes is awesome, which takes me to my next item.



3. BABY WIPES: Now, don't get me wrong, any wipe will do really, it is just that these particular wipes on a newborns bottom are so soft, easy to use, have a little bit of oil in them to get the sticky stuff off, and just seem more gentle than any other brand. Plus, you can use them on your breasts as well. We have been using these on our newborn bottoms...at least for the first month, with the last 2. They are a bit more expensive, but worth it, in my opinion. Although, recently I saw that they now carry a Target version. I will definitely give those a try and see how they compare.



4. GUMMY BEARS: Yeah, OK, so technically they aren't maternity/pregnancy/or postpartum related to most. But, they are to me! I love gummy bears, pregnant or not, but especially pregnant and I would never turn a gift down, but my Timmy knows that when he is blessing me with a pack of these, he must bring me the Haribo's or they just ain't a gummy.



5. NURSING PILLOW: I was told back when I was pregnant with Walker that a must have was a BOPPY nursing pillow for breast feeding moms. Wanting to do everything I could to help ensure success at nursing after 8 years of no babies, I had to try it. I LOVE THAT THING! I still have the same one from 6 years ago and it is still very firm. I did try the 'Breast Friend' pillow with Zack, but was not impressed. Having to velcro it on, then deal with the fact that I couldn't always get comfortable with the pad around my back...it just wasn't as convenient or easy to use as the Boppy pillow is. The only thing I wish they would do for this product is develop a waterproof cover for it. I don't use it much to sit baby in... that is what the next product is for.



6. BABY SITTER: Baby sitter?? Yeah, for lack of a better description. This thing is invaluable. I know they have another seat similar to it on the market, but this thing is indestructible!! It didn't come out until I was pregnant with Christian, but they were about $80 back then in speciality baby stores. Too rich for our blood. But, when Zack was born I set out to find one on Craigslist and found one for $15...look, like I said, these things are so well made, so easy to clean, that buying used is the best way to go...or registering for one. It is perfect for feeding baby, for having baby sit in while you fold laundry, for just helping them learn how to sit up. My cousin is borrowing ours now and can you believe they still can fit their chubby legged 14 month old in it? Plus, they have developed a great easy to clean tray for it, for placing snacks and such on. This is definitely a must have.



7. SLING: Again, Walker was our guinea pig for most baby products. I went for the Dr. Sears Nojo baby sling back in 2003...there weren't any cute and frilly slings back then it seemed, unless you were doing a wrap (too complicated for me). I really was not happy carrying him in the carrier and at 5 months of age I tried this sling. I loved that it had the cushions all the way around, the shoulder padding, and the adjustable strap. This sling has been a lifesaver, especially when I had to become a fulltime baby-wearer with Christian. I wore him everywhere! I even was given a 2nd sling to keep in my car because sometimes I would forget mine at home and Christian hated the stroller. He spent the good part of his first year in there...while I cooked, while I cleaned, while I folded laundry, shopped, walked, nursed and walked. It was a godsend. I did buy a cute sling when I had Zack, but I found it just didn't meet the standards that the Nojo sling did. I do like that 'other' more expensive, pretty fabric sling I own because I can fold it up super little and put in my purse, but I use it more for quick runs and when baby is older. You can't go wrong with the Nojo and it is so user friendly. Just ask Natalie, I turned her on to it, and my cousin Jackie as well, whom uses hers everyday.



8. STROLLER: An infant car seat carrier frame like Baby Trend's Snap N' Go is another absolute must have. If you have a carload of kids like mine, with minimal storage space, this is perfect for you. We tried the cadillac of strollers that barely fit in our trunk and took forever to unfold and weighed more than my 10 year old at the time, but got over that really quick. With Christian I went to a baby rummage sale and found one in excellent condition for $15..again, why wouldn't you go used?!?!? It was probably our favorite find for that baby. Plus, it was easy for my kids to push and I loved that it took no room in our minivan at all. I also loved that a sleeping baby could just go from car to carrier frame without waking them up. Yes, I know most strollers can do the same, but this frame weighed no more than a few pounds. Loved that. Now, I gave my Snap N' Go away to a needy family last year, so I checked Craigslist and found the newer version from Graco for $20. Pristine condition!! I love this version because, first I am a big fan of Graco products (I do favor Graco over most other brands) and with the Graco it actually is just snapping and going, where as our Baby Trend one you had to snap the carrier in, then fasten another snap around the seat. The Graco Snugrider definitely seems much easier to use. I already have it waiting for Bella in Grandma's basement.



9. SWADDLER: I haven't tried the Miracle Blanket on one of my babies yet, but I do know the importance of swaddling a baby, well into infancy. The Miracle Blanket is something I did not hear about until reading about it on MckMama's blog. I already bought 2 off ebay and can't wait to try them out. I did try the ones from First Year with the boys and they worked OK, except that the noisy velcro wasn't always the noise that a sleeping baby could sleep through when you wanted to readjust their swaddling. I know a large blanket or receiving blanket works great, too (Miguel and Karizma lived in theirs), but with the convenience of this product and how well it will help from baby being able to kick and squirm there way out, well it is ingenious! I look forward to seeing our little bean burrito in one soon.



10. A TIMMY: You can't have mine, but I know there are many Godly men out there that have the desire to be loving husbands and doting Daddies if given the chance. Make sure they are willing to give you foot massages nightly, rub your belly when it isn't feeling so good, read to your other babies when they are going to bed, change diapers in exchange for breastfeeding his baby (Tim's idea, not mine, but I LOVE this deal!), stop at the store for pregnancy cravings, make you laugh when you are down, remind you what a great mommy you are, and willing to bring you any little thing that your heart desires because he so appreciates the hard work you have done to bring this sweet little cupcake into his arms. Big plus: He needs to be really nice to look at, too.

Family Field Trips

Last week we took advantage of our Annual passes for The Wild Animal Park and The San Diego Zoo. They were going to expire on the 31st of the past month, so we didn't want to let at least one more family field trip pass us by.

We took Gramita, my Mom, to the Wild Animal Park with us last Thursday and it was so great to see the boys wanting to hold her hand and sit next to her. You could tell how much she enjoyed her time with the kids and I love seeing the pride on her face when it comes to her grandchildren.

Zack was making us laugh so much because when we entered the petting corral, he made sure to go and 'hug' every single animal inside. He would lean in, hug them, and say "Awww...". It was so precious. It goes without saying that he got quite the scrub down when we left that corral.

Getting to see the lions so close is just indescribable. You can't put into words how amazing it is to be so close to these gorgeous creatures and only have a glass between you two, and a huge male lion only 6 or so feet away from you. There were 2 female lions also in the area, sitting on top of the jeep. If you ever get the opportunity to visit The Wild Animal Park, do NOT miss seeing the Lion exhibit. We have NEVER been disappointed when we go, because their enclosure makes it almost impossible to not be able to be super close to them. It is breathtaking, really.

We also took the tram that takes you around the part of the park where all the animals are roaming free...I loved seeing the Rhinos up close. The tram ride is always a treat.

Then this past Sunday, after church, we took Daddy with us to the Zoo. We still had our free bus tour tickets left, so we all climbed on the bus and were able to enjoy seeing the animals without all the walking...which for me was great! The day was getting pretty chilly so we kept our visit pretty short....but, there was no way we could leave without Zack being able to go and hug every single animal in the petting zoo....again.

We even took Zackadee on the train ride outside the zoo, which is a family favorite (I got to ride it as a little girl, as did Tim as a little boy.) Zack LOVED it!!! Tim and I loved that it required no walking!! Woohoo!!



I can't believe that in less than 10 weeks, Zack won't be my baby anymore!!! I am enjoying this time while I can.

I'd Like To Thank The Academy...

OK, OK, it isn't that award, but it is an award none the less and it made me feel really special!! Thank you Cassie-Ann over at 'Cassie-Ann's Life', (a soon to be mother of 7), for bestowing this honor on little 'ol me.



What I especially love about this award is the meaning behind it: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated."

Here are the rules: "Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Whoo...that is a task, because I have had so many lovely bloggy friends be so kind to me!! But, I did narrow it down to these lovely ladies that have come to mean a lot to me since starting my blog experience.

1. Although Natalie, my SIL, also received this award from Cassie-Ann, I couldn't resist double awarding her. I adore her and her blog happens to have lots of my favorite little people in it!! Congratulate her at Raising Miracles. Her blog is a God fearing blog and she is a homeschooling mommy of 4.

2. I am so excited to be able to give my first real bloggy friend out there an award. It is so deserved by Jennifer over at a Very Full Quiver. She has been so welcoming to me and I just wish she lived closer so we could hang out in 'real life'. She also is dedicated to praising God on her blog and is a homeschooling mommy of 4.

3. My dear friend, Kristi over at The Wheelz Are Rolling, was my 2nd bloggy friend. Her and I have shared some precious emails to eachother and I am blessed by her and her mama's heart! She is always blogging about some fun activity she is doing with her 2 boys. I just love keeping up with those Wheelz!

4. One of the women that I have come to know and love out in blog world is Brooke, over at Livin' La Vida Garcia. Talk about a woman after God's own heart! I also have gotten to know her through email and to know her is to love her!! She is a mom of 2, soon to be 3 in June, and adores her husband. Why can't you live closer, Brooke??!!

5. This next blogger is always getting award after award...she probably has already gotten this one before, but I just could not go without mentioning Ohilda over at A Bouquet of Blessings. She loves Jesus wholeheartedly and I adore how she is always giving him the praise through ALL! You bless me, Sister!! Check out this mommy of 6 on her blog.

6. This next blog always manages to bring me to a place that I need to be...such as prayer, or a moment of clarity and conviction because she writes from the heart and you know that God is the author of her blog. Please be blessed by going over to Kelly's blog at The Beauty of Sufficient Grace.

7. Now, this might be out of order, but I am choosing to nominate these 2 amazing women together because they both just started their blogs, but from day one their blogs have been honoring the Lord! One is my SIL, Susan, over at God, My Savior Forever! and my future SIL, Kelley, over at Remember When We Danced. Both of these women are beautiful inside and out! Susan is a faithful and loving wife to my little brother and Kelley is serving in the ministry of worship at her church with my BIL.

8. Now, I could totally say I was saving the best for last, but each of the women mentioned above hold a special place in my heart, it is just that this Jennifer over at the Williams Bunch has been around from the beginning, it seems. Technically she would be the first bloggy friend. I started to 'stalk' her back when I saw that she was a mommy of 5, going on 6. I was inspired by what a loving mommy she is and that she is also a homeschooling Mommy. She is so respectful of her husband and loves the Lord and seems to always find humor in her daily life. I do thank you, Jennifer, for being around for me so long. BTW, Jennifer had her 6th child, Savannah, and she is the cutest little thing you ever did see.

There were so many wonderful women I could have nominated but I really wanted to point out the ones that are striving to be Proverbs 31 wives, mothers, and daugthers to our King!!

PROVERBS 31:26
She speaks (blogs) with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
(parenthesis added...in case you had to ask.)