Kids

My pre adolescente.

Making her pretty face on a dress up night.

Making her mean face.

Playing with friend Ashley.


Bennie.

The farmer.

Conversation with Benji (4).

Mom: Benji, what do you want to be when you grow up?
Benji: I want to be a farmer.
Benji: does God supply what we want?
Mom: He always supplies what we need.
Benji: .... I need a farm.

Happy Valentines!

To my sweetheart Happy Valentines and I love you so so much.!! I'm so lucky!!

We celebrated this day with a Special Breakfast that I made. If I could pick between a special dinner and breakfast, I'd pick the second probably every time.
I made some Cinnamon rolls with the kids the previous day and baked them in the morning, the whole kitchen smelled oh so nice!, I also made some good ol pancakes for the kids and the kids at heart. The big guys decorated by writing love and friendship quotes on paper hearts that they cut out and pasted on the walls.

Every one got a chocolate gift from Cristal. Ayleen was so excited about her 5 chocolates she barely ate any breakfast.
Later on we took the kids to a park close by and Mari and Micks invited us to eat out, I was feeling rather sick so they took the kids anyways,( thank you guys!!) and I got to be the party pooper and go home. Hopefully some pictures of the park coming soon, since I forgot my camera I need to get them from Mari. I'm such a space case these days!!.

Oh and this is a good article I read which is a lot of how I feel about this day-just worded so much better then I could, heh. Enjoy!!

By The Rev. Patricia L. Hunter

Special to The Seattle Times

Today is Valentine's Day. Few women ever forget this holiday. We like romance, being held by that special someone and being told we are loved. Many partners have gotten in big trouble on this day because they forgot to give the gift that says, I love you.

If you are reading this on Valentine's morning and have forgotten to get that special something, or find this column taped to the bathroom mirror, you still have time to redeem the day.

They say Valentine's Day is the day for lovers. That is all well and good if you have a lover you like. Otherwise, the day can be a bust. Too often the expectations of flowers, chocolate and a romantic dinner go unfulfilled. A day that celebrates love should not be a disappointment for so many. Perhaps we need to reframe what Valentine's Day is all about.

I think Valentine's Day can be expanded to embrace all those who love life and hope that our tomorrows will be better than today. Why not tell that special girlfriend, brother or neighbor that you love them and give thanks for them being in your life? An unexpected gift on this day will express just how much you value friendships. It is no surprise that friendships often outlast our romantic relationships.

I remember in elementary school giving Valentine's Day cards to everyone in my class. In those days, we could not give cards just to those we liked. We had to give cards to everyone. I did not like half the boys in my classes, but I gave them cards, too. They did not get the prettiest cards, but they got cards nonetheless. I think there is a lesson in giving gifts to those we are not that fond of.

Jesus said the best way to get back at our enemies is to love them and give them what they need. Hearts of stone can turn to hearts of flesh with the smallest gesture of kindness. Our detractors do not expect us to be kind or really listen to them. Yet when we hear stories from those who bristle at us, we often hear words of pain, sorrow and fear that have nothing to do with us. Love can win over our staunchest enemy.

While loving others on this day, remember to love yourself. Loving oneself is a sign of wisdom. When we love ourselves into wholeness, there is more of ourselves to give away. If you would love to receive a bouquet of flowers today, buy one. Be kind to yourself by treating yourself to a good book, a bubble bath and a fabulous cup of tea.

While tangible signs of affection from others are hoped for today, let us remember that the greatest love we can experience is from God. These days, marriage vows have only a 50 percent success rate, even when they include "til death us do part." But the love that comes from our creator is with us before birth and even beyond death. What confidence to know that love will be with us in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, in times of wealth and in poverty.

In these stressful economic times, with the stock market still sinking and unemployment at a 30-year high, we must cling to those values that are rock solid. Love is simple — not jealous, envious or rude.

Real love has nothing to do with dress size, quantity of hair on one's head, or the value of one's 401(k). Love desires us to be our best selves and for us to be happy.

I am fortunate to know what real love looks like and feels like. I am also holding out for dark chocolate today. Happy Valentine's Day.

Happy Birthday Benji!!

My sweet Benji turned four. He got a special breakfast in bed, with his favorite; pancakes!
These pictures are taken on the morning of his birthday. Ayleen was very excited about it and thought we were singing Happy Birthday to her.!!
As a present he got a nice lunch bag and water bottle which he's very happy about and now he's running out of places to hide it from his little sister. She's such a little "Scott the Puppy".
My prayer for you, my boy.
That you will love the Lord more this year than the last.
That you'll keep growing, learning and discovering more about the beautiful world we live in.
That you never loose those dreamy eyes... I know they are going far.
I love you, little man.

Family Day

She insisted on taking a picture, it didn't quite come out.:D


Specially for you daddy.

Announcing number 4!!

It's official!!!Our growing family will soon be six. The kids are very excited and they are hopping for a brother and not a sister. We'll be happy with either. Prayers for the first months of pregnancy are very much welcome.XOXOXO!!

A beautiful story.

My sister sent me this story, since I really liked it , I'd thought I'd share it with you.

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly.
So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.
The first son went on the winter, the second on the spring, the third on the summer and the youngest son in the fall.
When they had all gone and returned, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent and twisted.
The second son said it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.
The last son disagreed with all of them , he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
The man then explained that you cannot judge a tree, or a person by only one season.
That the essence of who they are, and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life, can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer and the fulfillment of your fall.

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come in time.
Aspire to inspire ...before you expire.

Live simply. Love greatly. Care deeply speak kindly, and leave the rest to God.
Happiness keeps you sweet, trials keep you strong, sorrows keep you human, failures keep you humble , success keeps you growing... but only God keeps you going.