Sweet Memories

Some time back I mentioned more pictures from my mom and sister´s visit here this last summer. Time has FLOWN! Its hard to believe that our time together is already about 5 1/2 months behind us. A lot has happened since then, making those memories all the more precious, more about that later. But in the mean time would you like to come down memory lane with me?

Grilling mexican style. It was all delicious.

The crowning treat, zuccini blossom quesadillas with jalapeño spiked cheese. um, um, ummm!!!

Of course it wouldn't be family time without table games!
Concentration

Multitasking

We took a road trip to Hidalgo.

It was a bit longer than we expected, but very picturesque.

Field boundries were marked with piled rock walls,

the picture really can't do justice, it was amazing.

We stoped in a little village to eat our tortas for lunch.

Turns out they were having a festival, the whole town and especially the cathedral was decorated and there was live music in the town square while we ate.

And this was the destination of our road trip.

Natural mineral hot springs.In a beautiful setting, way out in the middle of nowhere.

A hidden paradise. ...with the exception of the high population of bees,

and very warm stuffy night, it was nearly perfect.

There were lots of little private pools and creative nooks up in the hill.

We purposly went during the week and really hardly even had to share the pools.

And of course what is time with Auntie and Grandma,

without a visit to the park before they leave!?

We took a picnic lunch, but were to busy eating and

attending to kiddos to get any pictures of that : )

The youngest...

...and eldest needed a little cat nap.

And lastly,

in the airport. Goodbye is never easy.

I'm so grateful for every moment we were able to share.

Happy Thanksgiving

From my little turkeys and I.

We have much to be thankful for always, in all things. Hope you were able to make time to count your blessings this week too. Its never to late to be thankful! : )

A fun craft

Another homeschool Mom passed me the idea for these easy peasy little flower fairies. The online tutorial is here http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/flower-friends-667264/ (sigh, now why can't I make that link hide under the word"here" so that you just click on the word like other times!? Me and technology...but I digress...)
One of the really neat things about this craft is that it is super adaptable, to anything you want to make and whatever materials you have avaliable. I had a link to a blog with a bunch of fotos of different versions which, of course, I lost. And have wasted the last half hour trying to find, to no avail...but anyho, she had winter angles with feather wings, babies, starwars characters, black spiderman, princesses, acorn boys,...all kinds of stuff just based on this general idea.
I had all the materials on hand for our little people except something for the head, none of the stores with in walking distance had any wooden beads, so I got a couple small styrafoam balls for about five cents a piece and pierced them with an awl. They worked great!

And best of all, my kids enjoyed helping make them and now are having a blast playing with them. Making something inexpensive, cute, usable and fun makes me all shades of happy! ;o)

Hurricane DJ

What? Haven't heard about that storm on the news? Well I have the exclusive.
She may not be walking yet, but that has far more to do with her liking the extra privilges that come with being carried than with lack of motor skills. She is almost a year now and what a kiddo! Her whole being vibrates with life, joy and vitality. Current favorite activites include, eating, CLIMBING (Yikers! Yes, that hippo rolls!), torturing sibblings, eating, snacking between meals on blue tissue paper, potted plant soil, crumbs under the table, small pebbles and anything else mom didn't get to on time, getting into cupboards, getting into the bathroom waste can, getting into the bathroom in general, trying for the toilet (but so far, mom is faster), eating, immitating words she hears, trying to copy everything she sees her sibblings do, tasting or tearing anything she can get her hands on, clapping, dancing and MOVING, screeching...and did I mention that this girl LOVES her food?!

DJ, you fill our life with a lot of fun and you always keep us on our toes. I can't imagine my life without you. I am so glad that you are a part of our family!!!

Some of This Evenings Tidbits

• Mic has been losing weight instead of gaining. Before that she was not gaining but holding steady. This has been happening in tiny increments over many months, but has finally escalated to a point where I can't ignore it or hope it will go away on its own anymore. So I am working on her diet and trying to sneak in more calories and yet keep it tolerable for her and also not let up on oral work. For some reason, all this has been affecting me emotionally this week a little more than usual.
• Last week we had the joy of recieving my aunt and cousin to spend a week with us! It went by so fast and we all enjoyed the visit immensly!
• This morning in the car we sang sunday school songs to pass the time on the way to Bible study. On the way home my son started singing some of those same songs on his own. I heard him sing "Jesus loves me" by himself for the first time and it melted my heart. Then he broke out in his own rendition of "Building up the temple". It went somethign like this... "Theres one in the temple, Theres one in the temple, Theres one in the temple of the Lord, Mamas in the temple, Papas in the temple, Brothers in the temple, one in the temple of the Lord!" He really made me grin : )
• And no, I havn´t forgotten about the rest of the pictures from our summer adventures with my mom and sister, I have some especially fun ones that I really want to post. I'm hoping I might get at it sometime this weekend.

Thinking Outloud

I usually process things best by saying them. If I talk long enough eventually I figure out what I really wanted to say. Difficult for the listener, but good for me!
So...there is something that has been spining around in my brain. Its about my eldest daughter and the miracles God has allowed us to see in her life. I love to share testimony of what has happened in her life and how the Lord has healed her in so many ways. But sometimes, I think that in the sharing I don't actually always say exactly what I mean. A classic example is when without missing a beat I end the story by saying, "God has been so good to us".
HE HAS! ...BUT...
What about the dear children who weren't "healed", as we understand healing to be? These precious angles in our world with labels like CP, Downs, Autisim or an endless line of other such diagnosis. And what about the dear little ones that instead of staying here on earth with us, ran into Jesus waiting arms?
I guess what I am saying is that, on that day so long ago, when the doctor said, "be ready for the worst, there's a good chance she won't survive birth". We cried, we hurt and we truly placed her in Jesus hands. And I am so, so, SO thankful that He allowed her to live, that he saw fit to loan her to us for a longer time. That He healed her brain and cromosomes.
But even if He hadn't. Even if He had given her life a different course. God IS GOOD. Not only for what He does and doesn't do, but first and foremost, for WHO HE IS. His goodness, mercy, grace and all other attributes do not hinge on the the blessings I do or do not recieve or percieve in my life. He is Creator, Sustainer, Saviour, All-Powerful Lord. He is GOOD.

The Good, The Bad

I am finally putting something on my poor abandoned blog! ~Thats Good!
My absence has been due to weeks and weeks of illness. ~Thats Bad!
So since resizing pictures has turned into one of the impossible tasks in my life, I will share one adventure at a time from my mom and sister's visit. Maybe I'll do better in bite sized chunks. : )
First stop: The pyramids!!!

We had gorgeous weather for our climb! Look at that sky!!!

Fueling up before we start...
Our newly purchased "shade". Worth every peso!!!
(I think Mom's is especially adorable on her)

From the top of one looking out toward the other, smaller pyramid.

The kids did pretty good going up, but my

little Mr. hitched a ride down with auntie.

We got a little lost on the way home and stuck in a real traffic jam.

See that black back end of a rig?

Thats us.

See that big red truck?

He came flying at us and stoped just inches away.

Yes, a shreik came from the front seat!

(to protect privacy I'll let you guess who was in the front) ; )

So there you have it. If your curious to see more of what we did, leave me a comment, maybe it will motivate me to get the next one up quicker! ; )

Tiny, Spunky...

...and not slowin' down for anyone!
My little 8 month mite pulled to stand today. Ever since then when I put her down on the floor to play she lands on her feet, not her bottom. An early walker would be a big switch for this mamma who is used to late bloomers!

Worth Gold

Enterance fee to visit the pyramids: $5
Flute suvenier: $1
My son and nephew blowing their matching flutes back and forth at each other over skype:
PRICELESS!!!

Just another sweet little memory to tuck away and savor! We had a lot of savorable moments over the last week during my mom and sister's visit. ...Stay tuned for pictures! : )

A little kindness goes a long way!

You may recall a couple posts I wrote last October about an expansor plaque related to Mic's orthadontic needs? Well I finally have an update! After breaking the first one twice, the doc decided we should give it a break for a few months and just go back to palate stimulation by hand in the meantime. The end of May we got back in to the office to map out the next plan of attack and take a mold. I was very impressed with the student doctor that worked with us that day...which, I might add, is a first in that department. I typically try to avoid the students at all cost based on past negative experiences that aren't worth going into. Anyway, this gal did an awesome job at all aspects of what she did and managed the most agile, pain free mouth mold of anyone yet. After that unpleasantness was out of the way she asked Mic what color she wanted her plaque to be. Mic asked for pink, of course! I added that glittery would be great as we call it her "princess plaque" (it helps with acceptance). This week we went in to fit the plaque and bring it home. Imagine our surprise when we were given this!
Yep! Thats a princess. In the plaque!!! OH my word! They made my daughter's day!!! You know, we go to a government hospital and sometimes you can really tell it...but then every once in a while someone comes along and completly randomly and unexpectadly goes far beyond the call of duty just to make things a little bit easier on my kiddo. ...and it makes me kinda tear up and feel a bunch of emotions that are hard to put in words. And its a good thing...real good.

Along with the princess I am greatful for a couple other things about this plaque. Firstly, they shaped it a bit differently and it stays in waaaaayyyyy better than the other one. So much so that we can actually use it without the denture paste during that day and that is a huge blessing. And secondly, it seems that those extra five or six months that passed since we tried to use that last one really made a difference in Mic. She has done really great at accepting this and keeping it in. I am so proud of her. She has thrown up twice becasue of the thing, but that hasn't traumatized her. Its a process and it is hard work, but she is really taking it on like a trooper.

Its late and thats my excuse for my type-os. But before I go, rather than pull out my dicctionary and proof read, let me paste a couple more pictures just for fun.

My little joy, loving her bannana in a bag : )

My kids with some of their friends at another fun playdate recently.

More Quotes:

My daughter has been pumping out the good stuff lately : ) Here's a couple more that made me chuckle.

(Carrying both sides of the conversation between her hand and her giraffe puppet)
"Oh, hi, giraffe"
"Hello"
"I love you"
"I love you too"
"I love you too too"

(And at supper this evening)
Mic: I'm really really sick (followed by a fit of pathetic fake coughing)
Me: Thats not true and you shouldn´t declare it. You ought to say, I am strong and healthy!
Mic: (obediantly) I am strong and healthy! (followed by another fit of fake and unhealthy sounding coughs)

Quote of the Day:

"Mommy, look, my bottom is sitting on my tippy-toes"

(Mic, telling me that she was kneeling)

Field Trip!

Last week we took the kiddos on a field trip to the firestation. Everytime we have a new outing with the homeschool group I think it grows a little more. Its always really encouraging and fun to get together with them! The children enjoyed the trucks, firepoles, and fireman's uniforms, but for the adults I think it was equally enjoyable! I had never visited a firestation before and learned alot. It was neat to see close up and personal what it would be like to be a fireman, and the gentleman that guided our visit was very personable.

The whole group

Trying on the hat!

Touching, touching EVRYTHING! : )

...and its been awhile since we've had a princess update! She has two teeth in and more on the way, she is army crawling and rolling all over the place and her favorite spot is on her tummy on the floor, she is also trying to sit up already, she can't do it alone yet, but that doesn't keep her from trying.

All about Eating

So, there have been a few moments the last couple weeks that need to be matted, framed and hung on this word wall of mine.
My eldest daughter, eating supper. She hasn´t been into noodles lately, but is SLOWLY and dutifully eating the maccaroni Papi is feeding her. Suddenly she stops and gags. Emotion masked I calmly ask her what is wrong. It turns out she got one of her hairs in her mouth! She shudders from the texture, spits out the bite, gets it taken care of (and here comes the amazing part), calmly picks up her fork and takes another bite! "CLICK!"
Mic and her brother want a snack. I make soft serve banana ice cream in the blender. Both siblings sit at the counter enjoying the cool treat. It quickly turns sloppy in the afternoon heat (just the texture she struggles with most) and dribbles down my daughters chin, she ignores the dribble and continues to slurp. When it is too liquid to use a spoon, she tips the bowl up to take some sips. "CLICK!"
Mic is eating cheese. She finishes the portion on her plate and asks for more. I tell her to eat a carrot stick and I will give her more cheese. She does. Switching textures without thinking twice nor missing a beat! "CLICK!"

I feel like Mic´s oral feeding process has been bogged down lately as far as volume goes. At meal time she can find 101 was to play and distract herself and she just doesn´t stay on task. I run out of motivators and ideas or am too busy attending the rest of the family and end up nagging and then hating myself for it. However, meditating a bit on where we have come from, where we are at, and where we want to be, all these little texture related examples began to collect in my mind. And I realized that somewhere along the way, so slowly and gradually that I almost didn´t catch it, things that used to be catastrofic are becoming none issues. And this, my friends, is another real life miracle in our journey. Thank you , Lord.

Each child is so unique. This is an obvious fact that never ceases to amaze me. My baby girl has begun to eat cereal and vegetable purees. Contrary to her big brother at her age, she is in LOVE with her food! Yes, she nurses and likes it, but when she wants to eat "food", she is a girl with a mission. Never have I seen a child open up so wide to recieve a spoonfull! I am really enjoying her adventure into this new world of purees, it is pure delight for the both of us! : )

Deeper...

Sometimes its so easy to not say what I'm really thinking. Good OR Bad,...its just eaiser to not be vulnerable.
Sometimes...eaiser isn´t necesarily best.
Sometimes, I get really good at acting. Acting like I am a "good Christian". Acting like I have a deep relationship with God. ...I might be able to fool you, but GOD knows how much time I've spent in communion with Him when no one is looking and I am all alone.
My relationship with my Lord is REAL. But just REAL isn't good enough. I need to be growing. And to grow I MUST spend consistent, personal time with Him.

Recently I've had to readjust my priorities, stop hiding behind the excuse of being an over busy, under paid, stay at home mom. And simply DO IT. Have a DAILY quiet time, even when there is no peace and quiet in my home and I feel like I don´t have time. And did I mention daily?
So basic. So necessary. ...And I already knew this!

And guess what! It is so rewarding that I wonder how in the world I ever stoped doing it to begin with!
...ever been there?

Well, that´s where I'm at.

I thought I'd go ahead and practice a little vulnerability by sharing my last prayer journal entry with you.

Col. 3:9-10 "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator" NIV

~In this text there are two "puttings off". First that life changing act done once and for all at the foot of the cross in the moment of Salvation. A moment so specific it is almost as real as if I took off a dirty, stinky, torn garment and exchanged it for a gloriously clean and comfortable gown. But the one that calls my attention today is this second putting off. The continual renewal of all that I am in Christ. That which must be maintained and ever growing in likeness of my Saviour as my knowledge of Him also grows. My "new self" will only be renewed in one place. NEAR my Lord and His Word.
"Oh, Lord, let not my heart wander far from thee,
but let me stay and near thee be.
Then come what may and in dark hours,
Still your light and truth my soul will shower."
Amen

Maybe I shouldn't even post this...

...it really is kinda gross...

Several days ago I breezed past the table on my way to the sink and half a second past I heard my brain say, "there is an unidentified object on the table in the shadow of the fishbowl and it looks like...a little turd!" I immediatly spun on my heel to verify that I was indeed crazy and there was no such thing on my table. Upon a closer, slower look I beheld...yup! A very small poo... ...sitting on my kitchen table!!!!!! Quickly I whisked it away with a piece of toilet paper and cleaned the spot well, as if someone may look over my shoulder and see it before I could get rid of it. And, honestly, on the inside I about died laughing. I decided that the only logical thing to do was to blame my 2 yr. old and have a sense of humor about it...and thank my lucky stars that there was no company over for lunch!!! : )

Beauty all around me...

Last week I stepped out of my bedroom one morning and looked up. This is what I saw! Where the day before there appeared to be only lifeless sticks suddenly beautiful pink peach blossoms and tender budding leaves had appeared. Beautiful. Miraculous. Spring. ...it happens every year, but it never ceases to take me by surprise and cause me to catch my breath in wonder and delight!

I just havn´t been able to bring myself to cut these curls recently! : )

My second child has now entered a new phase in life, he has joined his big sister in the wonderful world of books, where extravagant adventures await and far off lands can be visited! Its so fun to see them spend many minutes, sometimes hours taken with the pictures and stories.
(P.S. this picture was not posed!)

And of course no picture blog entry is complete without a little bit of princess! : ) ...she will reach the 5 month mark very soon...where is the time going!?

LOVE that double chin! : )

It Official...

...my baby girl is definatly teething! I can´t see or feel anything yet, but based on excessive drooling, general grumpiness and an overriding need to chew, chew, chew on ANYTHING, I have given my diagnosis. Definate teething going on in this house! Its hard to believe that its time for that already! : )

Yeaaaaaahhhh! I got a few pictures resized. Quick, quick, let me upload them before my computer goes haywire again!

Sisters!...these girls love each other so much,

it just melts my heart into a puddle!

Heres the three mo. pic that went with my last blog entry.

Just LOVE that grin...and she shares it with us often and easily!

My son has a new hobby, its call sleepeating...he can hardly stay on the chair,

but he refuses to stop eating and lay down.

Here´s a little story. Quite some time back a friend of mine mentioned on her blog that she is a tactile learner, in relation to this, she mentioned playing with her food and shredding napkins as a child (and driving her mom crazy). This stuck out to me because my daughter does both of those things obsessivly (driving me crazy on occasion). There is thereputic value for her in playing with food, which helps, but does not conquer the annoyance, but I may be the one in need of a therapist some day, in relation to the little napkin, kleenex and tp shreds I never finish ridding my house of. Anyhow, the other evening after a not-so-great oral meal I told her that if she ate one more green bean she could get down. I looked away for just a minute to put something away and when I turned back, there was one less green bean on the plate, she had vanished from sight and the below monument was left behind where moments before had been an innocent little pile of beans accross from a little blob of mashed potatoes on the plate. It made me chuckle...and snap a picture for the blog! : )
In closing, I thought I´d take a minute to brag on my husband. This picture is "before".

And this one is "after". Doesn´t he do a great job at his job!!! LOL

BACK!

Well after over a month without a computer again I´m finally back. I wanted to post a cute picture of my growing babe, but I can´t figure our new program out, so...stay tuned for pictures, hopefully soon!
But the little update that would have gone with the picture would have read something like this:
Baby D recently had her three month check up! She is doing great and growing like a weed. She weighed in at 5kg (11lb) and measured 53cm (21in) both measurments right on track for her growth curve. She is a terrible napper and a great night time sleeper! She gets up to eat once in the night and once in the very early morning--not bad at all. New favorite activites include sucking her fist, "talking" (she is VERY vocal), kicking and trying to move her body, riding in the car, tummy time (as long as its not too long), looking at and moving rattles and toys. She can bring both hands together on a toy now, she is very observant and she is very tight with her big sis.
Big brother went through a tough phase about a month after she was born, I think his age, the adjusment period and his personality all colided a bit, but I am so happy to be able to report that lots of prayer and some extra one on one time with him have helped tremendously in returning him into the sweet, huggable, independant and fun-loving little guy we were used to having around here.
Well, real life carries on as I write, Daddy and big sis will soon be home from swim lessons and wanting supper, so i'm off to stuff some chicken breasts to go with the mashed potatoes! ...More soon.