End of the Year.

We finally did it. They say it's better late then never. I would have liked to do this little end of the school year celebration a month ago when school finished but we did it today, for one reason or another it just kept on getting postpone. It was nice. The whole home was together , which to be perfectly honest, is quite rare, I think the last time it happened was during Christmas.
Don't judge me wrong. It's only for a time.

Back to our graduation party, I got to lead the whole things, felt a little nervous at the beginning but actually the Lord did it, even though I don't particularly like standing in front of people with a microphone in hand it came out fine, I read a little prophecy for the kids and they all got bands and a diploma. It was very cute how they all threw their little wanna be hats up in the air when it was done. We had a special snack and dinner; home made pizza, apple crumble and ice-cream. They've definetely earned it.

Special thanks to the wonderful teacher of my kids, Angelina, they've done amazing progress this year, and I know it's because of her faith and consistency. Love you Ang.

On other news; daddy is visiting us for a week. I'm praying to be able to slot in some family vacations time. Families are important, it takes time to nurture them.

Andy and Nina

This lovely family just started a blog, so happy to be hearing and seeing more of you guys.
You can check it out on the link section on my blog.

Happy BD Kevin

The girls

Twelve years old.

A dragon for the birthday boy... quiet a pieceof art.

The three little princesses.

Mexico lindo y querido.

Just some art work from seven years ago,when I first came to this country. I found these while looking for something else, they brought back good memories.
Sorry about the poor quality of the photos.

Delusions of Grandeur.

I’ve been trying to teach my oldest four year old son responsibility; so the other morning I asked him to watch the baby while I left the room for a few minutes to get something from downstairs. I laid her on the bed and gave her a few hand toys and told my son that he was “in charge” of taking care of her until I got back.

I left the room, went downstairs, did what I had to do and as I came into my room I saw quite the sight; the baby was on the bed looking up to my son which was standing big and tall next to her on my bed, and he goes on to say with a very serious face:

- Ayleen, I don’t think you really realize how big I am.

I had a good laugh; I guess he was feeling pretty important and powerful right then.

Impressions.

"There have been meetings of only a moment which have left impressions for life, for eternity.
No one can understand that mysterious thing we call influence...yet every one of us continually exerts influence, either to heal, to bless, to leave marks of beauty; or to wound, hurt, to poison , to stain others lives" ( J. R. Miller)

Picnic

For family day , we all went to our land and had a picnic, a little felloship and just enjoyed God's beautiful creation. The kids all had lots of fun playing around and tirying themselves out.

Benji even was brave enough to get in this river with cold spring water.

Baby display... our three little girls.

Ayleen: You were saying what?

Poochies and I.

The next best thing

Well I wasn't able to go to the PEP meetings, which was sad but I got to hang out with my friend Exon and his kids which was fun.

When bad things happen to good people...

Can you take what may seem to be a truly tragic, hopeless, desperate situation and allow it to kindle your faith in My power so much that you burst into praise, and you swing the weapon of praise boldly, thrilling to the battle, knowing that I will overcome, that I am greater, that I am in control, and that one way or another, I will bring ultimate victory?—Not to mention countless other benefits along the way?

You might naturally think that praising Me in a difficult situation is the oppostie of having understanding and compassion. But think about Me and My love for you. Is there anything more perfect? Is there anyone who knows you better, understands you more deeply, or empathizes more completely?

Fighting for a victory by choosing to praise is actually doing something to help the bad situation. When you only sympathize and feel bad ans show concern, you're essencially a bystande in the spiritual warfare.

There's so much truth in that old litle quote .. Praise is the victory.

Happy Birthday!

I don’t really know where to start, mainly I want to tell you how very much I love you and whish you a very good year filled with happiness. There’s so many qualities I admire and love about you since they wouldn’t possibly fit here I’ll just share a few with you:

I like your calm reassurance that everything will work out alright.

I love how you spend time with the kids and don’t mind giving up your “space” to be with them. You're a wonderful daddy.

I like the way you react to seemingly bad things; always positive, steady; you hold your temper when I loose mine.

I like how you forget my mistakes and never bring them up again.

I like how you show me you love me in the most unexpected ways.

I was remembering today the first time we met on that short fundraising trip which just resulted in an e mail address exchange and a “ Keep in touch” line.

One after noon , a few weeks after that, I was in the yard of our home, trimming one of my friends hair.We casually started talking; catching up on the latest happenings of our lives.

So, it came up: This pretty nice guy I met on a short trip and now writes all the time, you know, nothing serious.

My friend asked me what sun sign he was to which I replied: He’s a cancer.

Her only response was two big wide open eyes and a huge grin,”You are gonna marry this guy, he’s not gonna let go of you”, of course I was in total disbelief at the time and marriage was the furthest, really the furthest thing from my mind, but I can’t say I wasn’t warned and just like she predicted I was charmed by his romantic ways.

Thanks for all the love you’ve brought to my life.

Thank you for the three wonderful kids you’ve given me.

Thank you for loving me.

For all this and more, I love you, Have a great Birthday!

Cuteness

Rooster.

Our home schedule revolves around the kids, and since school is out, we’ve been enjoying some sleep ins, I say we, but by that, I really mean they.

I’ve been trying, but alas, no luck so far. I’ve been working on convincing my little ones that sleep is good… real good, it will make you big like daddy because when you sleep you segregate growth hormones. I’ve tried to motivate them with shiner prices, bribe them with videos and toys in the morning just for a few more minutes of precious sleep. None of it works for too long, I shall keep trying . They are convinced sleep is a total waste of time, they haven’t realized what a priceless commodity it is… yet, I shall succeed in my mission or at least will keep trying.

Benji, my personal clock, woke up this morning, bright and early at seven asking me to get him dress. I tried all my arguments; the sun isn’t up yet, mommy’s very tired, he looked at a book for a little quietly and I managed to keep him in bed a while longer with an occasional ssshhhh and a stern “Benji, lay down”.

Half in dream land and half awake a hear this odd noise:
“Cock-a-Doodle- Doo, Cock-a-Doodle- Doo” I turn over to face Benji sitting up on the bed looking at me with a big smile, he says: - See?....time to wake up!.

Four months.

I can grab my feet, follow mom around the room, laugh when someone sings to me, scream in a real high note to get atention, pull myself up two inches from my bed, entertain myself with toys I can hold, giggle when I get tickled and pull Benji's hair ... I can't wait to sit up!!


I don't have any nice pictures to put up but I will once I take some...shortly , I haven't been as camera happy lately...I'll try. Poochies has been sick , got her first cold , watery eyes, runny nose and miserable little frown. We all know what fussy babies are like when they are sick. A little part of my heart feels unwell too just from seeing my little one go through it. Definetely not anything I'd like to repeat any time soon.

Happy 56!!

La famosa mordida.

Great evening, delicious food and good company, in honor of Brian's birthday, one of the coolest FGA's I 've had the privilege to live with. May you have a great year and see the fullfillment of many dreams. We love you!.

Of routines and the likes.

Schedules are great and definitely serve their purpose in helping to organize and manage my time with a high rank of achievement.

Routines are necessary even though they eventually become something I don’t like too much, almost like a cage or prison, there’s something about the monotonous of it all that I dislike, I like to spread my wings of freedom once in a while even if it’s for a short escapade.

We decided to have some little vacations for three days or so at the beach and for that purpose we started a two week fundraising push. The Lord has already supplied more then half of what we’ll need. And for me it’s been refreshing and liberating to go out witnessing even if for a few short hours. My initial thoughts on the matter were not too great, sort of the ones you have when you feel rusty at something and it’s hard to give the initial step. But it’s been fun, I feel the Lord lined up special people in my path. Nothing like the thrill of witnessing to get you out of yourself and thinking about others.

I wonder if I’ll still now what to do with my time once my days aren’t filled with bottles, laundry, quarrels, diapers and bed time stories.

Some cute ones...

I can grab my feet!!!

Bath time is a happy time!!

What's been up...

I know ..... finally I'm making an entry on my blog... about time you must think.

I had a couple creasy days.

Cried a couple times.

Terribly missed a couple of friends.

Got my drivers license.

Got more than couple of nice phone calls...the kind that make your day.

Rediscovered my love for tank tops and jeans.

Cooked more then a couple of meals.

Been using praise a lot more.

Laughed with my little angel when she discovered that she could grab her footsies.

Thinking of painting next rest day.

Been terribly nostalgic, missing the beach, must be my mediterranean side calling, due to the fact that it's summer and I'm no where near one.

I miss you.

Happy Fourth of July!