We Can Learn A Lot From A Child

The other night Tim had accused Christian of doing something he hadn't.

As Christian walked away, with tears in his eyes, I told Tim that Christian had not done what he suspected.

Tim called Christian back in the room.

Tim: "Christian, I am sorry. Do you forgive me?"

Christian wraps his arms around Tim's neck, starts to cry, and says right into Tim's ear,

"I will always forgive you, Dad."

He left with a smile on his face, and Tim and I were left with a lesson.

Always.

He said, he would always forgive.

Sometimes it isn't easy to forgive, but the Lord calls us to forgive.

"Try to understand other people. Forgive each other. If you have something against someone, forgive him. That is the way the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13

Isabella Grace: 1st Birthday!

I'll never forget the day your were born, Pretty! (You can read about it here: part one and here: part two)! My, you were SO squishy!



(She's ONE! I can't believe my little girl has not only reached this milestone, but has now been basking in it for a couple of weeks. Where did the time go?)

To, Isabella Grace, pretty face...Mommy's Easy-Breezy-Beautiful-cover-girl- (said in a sing-song kind of voice) I love you, Sugar Girl! What an answer to prayer you have been for our family.

It has been so much fun watching you become your own little person. How you have embraced your place in our family and own it like no other.

Daddy adores you and can't get over how beautiful you are. He loves to stare at you while you sleep. I see such wonderment in his eyes.

Miguel is the one that is wrapped around your finger. TIGHT! You can do no wrong in his eyes and you are his Belle. You are so blessed to have a big brother that loves you so much.

Karizma has turned you into her little living doll. I love how she tends to you and dresses you up, sometimes multiple times in one day. I sure hope you will learn to appreciate her, and not take her for granted, as you grow up. She's the one that prayed for you the most, Bella.

Walker will do anything to keep you happy. Make funny faces, jump up and down. Sing Happy Birthday. He hates to see you unhappy. He loves you so!

Christian takes every opportunity possible to carry you around. You trust him the most out of the 3 little guys. You allow yourself to go wherever he takes you. Probably because you know that all roads usually lead to Mommy, when you are involved.

Zachary. Oh, Zachary. You and Zack are funny to watch. He is the joker of the family, but you don't seem to think he is funny AT ALL. Most times you will scream if he gets within a few inches of you. He seems to have found your button, and will 'push' it, just to hear that squeal of discontent. I am thinking that this phase will end, and you both will be the best of friends before long, especially since he is the one that is willing to play tea party with you and help you put your babies in their stroller for you.

Mommy can't stop thanking the Lord for you, Breezy. You bring me constant joy and watching Daddy and your siblings love on you, is an added bonus. Having the gift of getting to nurse you has been the best and I love how it has bonded us. Like glue. You to me. I know you love me and trust me and need me. It is such a gift to see you light up when I walk into a room. What an angel you are in my life. I never expected a blue eyed, white skinned angel, but an angel, none the less.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ISABELLA. God bless you all the days of your life.


------------------

Her first birthday party was so much fun! We had all the special people in her life there and we thank them all for being a part of her day. It wouldn't have been the same without each of them.

Her Pink Poodle Party had 'leg of poodle' for the main course (hot dogs) and 'poodle tails' (marshmellows dipped in white chocolate and pink sprinkles for dessert. All served in dog bowls. Thanks to everyone that helped make it possible, like Daddy and all his hard work to provide for it. Brenda for baking all the goodies (cupcakes, 1st bday cake, and cookie favors in the shape of pink poodles). And of course, the girls that captured her day on film: Tia Elisa, Corinna, and Julia. What special-special people blessed us that day!!



Isabella exactly 1 year old, wearing the dress I wore for my first birthday. It fit her perfectly.





This was one of her pinatas. She was terrified of it.





Pinata #2. She tried to take a bite out of it.





Her 1st birthday cake, made with love by Brenda. This cake was 3 tiers, made in different flavors, although, I believe Isabella was non-discriminatory towards flavor.





Happy Birthday to you!





Brenda made these, as well. They were the reason we went with the pink poodle theme. Aren't they THE cutest?!?!





We sure do love you, Sugar.





You love your Belle doll that Daddy picked out.





Look at that! Your 'bestie', Kadie, got a poodle for you. Way to go, Loren's!




You were SHOWERED with gifts! You are so blessed!




I think after present #4, you were just about DONE.




"Thanks, everyone for all my pretty dresses, and outfits, and shoes, and toys, and...just being here!"





You had Grandpapa and Gramita there, while Tia Elisa took pictures.




Grandmom and Grandad were also there! And, so were Uncle Chris and Aunt Kelley!





And, so many of your little friends! About 40 of them! Here you are giving Kadie bug, your best girlfriend, a big hug.





Just a few of the women that have been praying right along side with us for you...before you were conceived, while in the womb, once you were born, and to this day. We are blessed with amazing friends in our lives, Isabella Gracie.




Here are some of your biggest fans: Big Brother-Miguel, Auntie Tam, Big Sister-Karizma




Isabella Grace, may the Lord guide your steps all the days of your life. May your every step be honoring to Him and and you walk uprightly, bringing glory to God in all you do.




This about says it all...





Pooped out after her big day.





Breezy, we have watched you grow into a sweet little girl that loves her mommy more than anything (sorry, Daddy) and it has been our joy. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for you this coming year...possibly something like this???? Not yet, but maybe some day. ;0)


Love you, Baby Girl. Thank you, Lord, for Isabella Grace.

Mop 'Til You Drop

Friday is our chore day. We have to do lots of cleaning during the week, but Fridays we clean no matter if the place is clean or not...and I can assure you I don't remember a Friday when the place was clean.

Karizma is in charge of mopping the floors and I noticed she hadn't done a very good job today. I asked Walker if he wouldn't mind touching up the spots she had missed. He got so excited. Once he was done and had me inspect his work, I was very pleasantly surprised.


Me: Walker you did a great job! Maybe you should take over mopping on Friday's.

Walker: I can?!?! THANKS, MOM!!



I love how eager they are to take on chores when they are little. I love how serious they take the job that is before them.

At about that time our landlord stopped by...


Walker: Mr. Bennett, guess what? I get to mop on Fridays now!

Mr. Bennett: And, I take it, that's a good thing?

Walker: It's a very good thing. I have been waiting to get my hands on that swiffer sweeper for years!



That made me laugh.

He got to mopping the rest of the kitchen and asked Christian to bring a chair over. He went and grabbed some tape and put this on the chair as a 'do not enter or this can happen to you' warning.


He takes everything he does so seriously. I love how each of my children have very distinct personalities. Walker is our thinker. He reminds me of his older brother, Miguel, and his Dad.

I let you know in a few months if he is still mopping 'til he drops...

Nooks and Crannies

Yesterday, sitting at church, listening to my Pastor give another amazing sermon, the song from 'Tenth Ave North' popped into my head. Times. Have you heard it? Check it out. Well worth it. Anyway, in the song it talks about how God's love is over, underneath, inside, and in between. Everytime I hear that part in the song I just envision Him taking His fingers and seeping through every nook and cranny. Then picturing myself just standing there, allowing Him to remove all the yuck. It is so vivid in my mind. I wish I could write as well as I imagine, ha ha. So, as I am thinking all this, I also have an 'Aha' moment of, "Well, Lord, your love seeps through all my nooks and crannies, but, I want to also seep myself in all of yours! I want to dig deeper, find all those nooks that I haven't been able to discover yet, and jump into all those crannies I haven't gotten to soak in before!" Pastor said yesterday that we need to be living a 'bible driven life'. YES! I want to live that life! I want to shine it, too.

So, when I opened my devotion for the day from 'Gospel Meditations For Women' by Chris Anderson and Joe Tyrpak today, I was again reminded of how God is into details. He knits together my days and lays them before me so clearly, I just have to open my eyes. The devotion was about 'The God Breathed, Life Changing Word'. I thought the author put it so well in this excerpt from the book on day 7:

"Only the Bible can do these amazing things. Thus, the way Christians respond to ever-increasing wickedness is to increase our commitment to the Scriptures-not just in theory, but in everyday life. Like Timothy, we need to make the Bible central in our lives: reading it every day; memorizing it; meditating on it; singing it; joining a church that preaches it (2 Timothy 4:2); speaking of it; making it very much "at home' in us (Colossians 3;16). Get into the Word, not out of guilt, but because it's the source of your spiritual life and nourishment!"

Can't get any clearer than that, can it? And, the part that says 'not out of guilt'...oh, yeah. That is so me, sometimes. I want to jump into my Heavenly Daddy's arms with sheer joy, expectancy, desire...not guilt. On the mornings where I am feeling rushed, and don't spend my first hour with Jesus, I end up feeling like I have to fit in my bible time. More out of guilt, than out of that joy, expectancy, and desire I was talking about. I wouldn't want my children to feel that way about spending time with me! I want them to look forward to the next time we are going to spend time together. I want them to yearn for that time we are one on one. Don't we see that is exactly what Our Heavenly Father wants from us, too?

Do you ever suffer from that guilt? Do you notice how your day seems to fall apart when you haven't spent time in the Word? Isn't it great to know He forgives us? That He forgives and remembers no more? And yet, we do it again, and again, and again?

Thank you, Lord, for your saving, and so undeserved, Grace.

I love you.



(I just went and read my sweet friend, Jennifer's blog, The Kindle's, and she posted the most amazing Resistance piece...that always makes me laugh, hee hee. GO READ IT AND BE BLESSED! Thanks for sharing yourself so openly, all the time, Jen. Love you, Girl. xoxo)

Guest Post On One Of My Fave Blogs!

I was so thrilled when my buddy, Amber over at Striving For 31, asked me to do a guest post on her blog. I had a blast, Amber. Thanks!




Check it out and check out her blog! She is hilarious, real, raw, and loves Jesus. What more could you ask for? Oh, an author?? Well, yep, she is that, too! You can go on her blog and order her new book!



So, head over, be blessed!

Love to all! XOXO!

Walker's week!

It has been quite a week for our 6 year old, Walker. He had a rough start on Monday, but after several failed attempts at keeping himself focused on his studies, he humbly came and asked me to pray with him. We did, and it blessed me to see the rawness of his repented heart. And, he is only 6. Thank you, Lord, for giving me the opportunity...the privilege to stay at home with him and homeschool him.

Later that evening Walker came up to me and reminded me I needed to pull my sewing machine out so I could make his cape. I have been putting that off for so long! I thanked him for his patience and his response to me was: "Patience is the magic trick of life." I love how he thinks.

Today he had such a great homeschooling day. He finished all his work for the year, except for math and a few spelling tests. He was on cloud nine. I am so proud of how hard he has worked and we are both excited he gets an early start on summer. It also sets a good example to his little brother, Christian, whom is just a few tests away from finishing kindergarten himself. They were both just super happy today. And it showed in their actions towards me...

You seee, I was trimming their nails and Christian says to me, "Since you are such a nice mom, you are getting a treat." SWEET!

So, Christian and Walker did the following for me:
-Christian made a menu showing pictures of drinks and a sandwich and crackers.
-I requested crackers.
-Christian said I needed to ask for the sandwich...cute, ok.
-Sandwich it is.
-But, which sandwich, he says.
-Well, whatcha got??
-How about the Hakuna Matata sandwich.
-Wow...what's that?
-Walker explained it is the sandwich that is about no worries.
-No worries??? Sounds awfully good to me! That's what i'll have then!
-I must admit that all my boys are little chef's...so this means tasting some interesting creations sometimes. But, I know that trying even the most interesting 'treats' will pay off one day, because now my eldest son is quite the chef and I get to enjoy his cooking ALL THE TIME!
-Walker brought me his creation...and stands next to me to watch that first bite.
-I am wondering what is in it...but, was told that all the ingredients are secret. Lord, help me to say YUM after that bite.
-YUUUUUUUUUUUUM!
-No, really, YUM!
-I continue to gulp this no worries sandwich down, as blueberry yogurt spills out on my plate. I am thinking that this sandwich is appropriately named.
-Walker, why did you name the sandwich 'Hakuna Matata'?
-Because when I am making it, I have no worries.
-SWEET, again.

Man, I love these kids.

BTW, the ingredients are a secret, so mums the word...
HAKUNA MATATA SANWICH
2 slices of bread
blueberry yogurt
banana slices
green grapes

Spread yogurt on both slices of bread and put banana slices and grapes on one slice. Sandwich it all together and enjoy...worry-free!!!

Cell Kiosks...usually you run the other way!

You know when you go to the mall and every other 10 feet you are encountered with a cell phone kiosk and someone asking if you have a cell phone? Or they have the kiosks where they offer to curl your hair with a curling iron that has the newest technology and will leave you looking like a model? What about the kiosks that will offer you a hand massage with the special lotion that will do it all? Well, I usually try to look busy with one of the kids, or try to dig through my purse, or talk on my cell phone in hopes that they will see that I am not interested, but it is hard to keep up this facade from one end of the mall to the other. But, I did find a kiosk that has me coming back for more and more. I have bought cell phone covers. Cell phone cases. Cell phone sleeves. Cell phone screen savers. Ipod covers. They have it all in this little 4 by 10 or so spot. I know that if I need something in the cell phone or ipod arena, they will have what I need. But, what I love the best is the customer service. We are BIG on customer service. So, we have kept coming back again and again.

The other day Karizma wanted to buy a cover for her ipod, so I suggested we go to the kiosk that we love. When we get there the owner greets us and welcomes us back. He helps Karizma find exactly what she needed and then tells her to go ahead and name her price since her "mother is a good customer." She made an offer, he took it, and we ended up getting so much more!!! See, I do believe that nothing happens by chance. Everything is ordained by the Lord. And what Karizma and I expected to be a quick stop at a cell accessory kiosk, became a very blessed moment for me.

As Karizma paid for her cover the owner asked how many children I had. I told him 6. He then started what became about 15 minutes of him praising me for the work I am doing as a mother. He had me in tears at one point as he pointed out how God had my life and the lives of my children mapped out long before we even were born. Here are a few things he shared with me and Karizma:

-"You are worried what is going to be in your belly? If your children will go hungry? Why? Would he give you children and not provide for them? Do not worry! He is faithful to provide for each child he blesses you with."

-"Children are a gift from God. Don't be like other women whom talk about their children with disgust and sorrow. So many women would love to have children and cannot. Thank God for each one. They are a gift."

-"God thought of everything! He even gave you an abundance of milk to feed your baby through your breast. He is a giving God!"

-"I was 1 of 10 children. Our father was poor, poor, poor. But, we never went hungry. When my mama would say, 'Papa, what shall I feed these children?' Papa would say, 'Do not worry about what they will eat. God will provide.' Then we would see a neighbor stop by with food. Or someone would stop by and say they wanted to bless us with money. We never went without."

-"Just trust in Jesus Christ."

-"See it goes like this. He wants you and your husband to trust him with your womb. His sperm and your egg meet, a life begins at that moment. We cannot dismiss life once it has begun. Be thankful for each child he brings to you. He will use them later to bless you. We take care of our mama now."

So, I am sure I will never go to a kiosk again and here words like, breast, sperm, or Jesus Christ...but, the most unlikely of people, in the most unlikely of places, was used in the most needed of ways. Don't put God in a box. He is so much bigger than you can wrap your brain around. And, next time I need a little pick me up on what a good job I am doing as a mother, I might just find myself needing a new cell phone cover.