Family Life Conference

Well today I signed me and Larry up for our once a year ritual: Family Life's 'I Still Do' Marriage Conference. We have attended this marriage conference every year for the last 5 years. Both Larry and I are excited to go. It's a yearly shot in the arm against the ever fighting marriage viruses like "you live your life, I'll live mine", "don't tell me what to do or how to do it", "you're not the boss of me" and "you better check yo'self" kind of attitudes. We knew we REALLY needed to keep going to conferences like this one after we got kids. We are strong believers in that parents MUST be unified - a team - otherwise the kids will raise up like wild vines that can choke the life out of any mighty oak tree. Not intentionally, of course, - but love and respect can diminish or fade away while we try to keep up with hectic work/church/school/sport schedules, not to mention everyday living in the home. If you've never been to a Family Life conference, you oughta check one out. It's not only a marriage saver, but makes marriage a whole lot sweeter.

Our New Motto

After seeing "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" our family adopted a new motto from the movie: We are mexi-CANS, not mexi-CAN'TS! The kids were chanting it through Costco this afternoon. We got smiles from fellow mexicans and the "what in the world are you talking about" kind of looks from the non-mexicans LOL Don't know if it's a good motto or a bad motto quite yet, but it sure worked during this morning's soccer games!

It's Friday Night

It's Friday Night and the kids are so excited the weekend is here. We all are. It's been a LONG two weeks around our house so we decided we needed to get out and do something fun together as a family. We thought about driving to Fresno to visit family, but after checking the weather we didn't think that'd be a good idea for Larry (who doesn't do well in the heat). Then we talked about heading out to Swank Farms in Hollister. There's a pumpkin patch, two haunted houses, two cornstalk mazes, pumpkin sling shots and more. So I went online to check out the prices. It'd cost our family $100 - $150 to do all of the activities and we said uh......no. Now we have decided to go try a new restaurant that opened in Monterey called ISLANDS FINE BURGERS & DRINKS (gourmet burgers and yummy shakes) and we're heading to the movies to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua! I think this will be just what the doctor ordered. :oD

L-I-F-E

Tonight we played another game of Life. This time I joined in the fun. Larry was an entertainer who made $50K a year. Alliah was a mechanic. Angel, a hairdresser. Both made $30K a year. And me? An athlete and don't ask how much I made. We all bought starter homes and none of us went to college. Angel had twin boys, Alliah had one girl and I had one girl. Larry had no kids but sure did have lots of money. That's probably why he had lots of money (joke). Poor Alliah was sued twice by her brother and Angel switched professions and became a police officer. An hour and 15 minutes into the game we decided to call it and count the cash to see who won. Larry was first, Angel was second, Alliah third, then me. It was a fun evening and a memory created that we won't soon forget. Through all the hustle and bustle of LIFE, we have to remind ourselves that playing with our kids is important. Whether it's playing a board game, throwing a ball, taking a walk, or reading a book with our kids, they need us! They want nothing more than mom and dad's attention - undivided attention. It's not only good for them, but for us too. Thank you, again, Lord for my babies. Help us to be what they need us to be!

A Thankful Mommy

Today is a day that I stopped moving for a minute to exclusively thank God for my family. Between work, school, soccer, church, meetings, and more, I chose to stop and be a thankful Mommy. I am blessed with the most wonderful family; I couldn't ask for more. My husband, my son, my daughter - the three lights of my life. They're like the candles on my birthday cake. Sometimes they let me know how old I'm getting, but for the most part they are the lights that light up my darkest day. Just one hug from Alliah or a joke from Angel, a smile from Larry...oh how it drives away my blues. My family is irreplaceable. I could never imagine my life without them. When I read the morning paper or sit and watch the evening news all there is is bad news and horror stories about the economy, murders, accidents.... But even if all our money is gone, houses, land, cars, whatever...as long as I have my family and I know God, I know we'll be just fine. I love my family and I thank God for keeping us in the palm of His hand. I don't think there is a greater blessing than being in a family.

Adoption...

Well, we've all heard the saying, no news is good news right? Well, I don't agree with that statement!!! Last week, Monday, we got a call about a 6 month old baby girl, Mia. Her birthmother was nowhere to be found and her birthfather was a drugee, unable to take care of her. She needed to be placed in a home and she needed to be placed that same day. After reading the email from our social worker, Larry and I talked about it, and though she wasn't the baby boy we were hoping for, we agreed nevertheless and said we would accept this baby girl into our home. It was for about a 1/2 an hour that we thought little Mia would be coming home to us. We imagined for just a 1/2 an hour what it would be like having a baby in the house that same evening. Unfortunately, we got another call from our Adoption Agency telling us that baby Mia had been placed in another home earlier that morning. Before this second call, my heart leaped within me, only to fall flat upon the ground. Heartache. But, after regrouping ourselves and dusting off all the disappointment, Larry and I banded together and we continue to wait for our baby boy to find his way to our home (he already has our hearts). While the waiting is unbearable sometimes, we praise God for the two wonderful kids we already have. Angel and Alliah are truly our blessings from God! It's almost like they have some way of knowing when mom and dad need some extra lovin' because when they got home from school they hugged us, kissed us and wanted to be with us all afternoon. Well, more than usual. :D So, keep us in your prayers as we continue on and forge through this adoption process. God's in control and we know He is holding our baby boy in His hands until we meet him. He makes all things beautiful in HIS time.

Memories....

All I can say is...WOW! Many, many moons ago we pledged our love and our lives.

Soccer Pics

Soccer season is in full swing! Angel and Alliah got their soccer pictures last week and they came out so adorable. We practiced these smiles - no cheesey smiles...pictures are too expensive. :D Both kids played today. Angel's game was at 9am. Score was 3-0 with his team (Blue Lightnings) with three points! Alliah's game was at noon and it was a tie game 0-0. Her team is the Black Panthers. Both kids are hardcore when they play. Larry practices with them out in the driveway and it shows. We're so proud of them. Whatever they do, they pretty much always do their best. We hope you like the pictures!

Joy Comes In the Morning

Well I just got back to the office from a funeral. My brother-in-law's son died at the age of 22 years old. As I sat in the church listening to all of the wonderful things family and friends had to say about this young man my heart just wanted to scream out to all of the young people there, "Do you know Jesus?! Are you ready for your eternity if you died today?!" Like the minister said, we are not promised tomorrow. If you gain a tomorrow, it is truly a blessing from God. Tears did flow, but laughter also filled the sanctuary as a young life was celebrated. God did get all the glory for the short-lived life this young man did live. My sister was there for her husband, and her kids and us, her siblings, were there for her. Todays a sad day, but though weeping may endure for a night, joy will come in the morning. God's Word doesn't say we can't weep. We can weep for a night. But we have to trust the Lord in whatever He allows and grab a hold of and hang onto the joy and comfort only He can give. Love you all.

Later this afternoon.... I went to the gravesite burial. It was beautiful. The family felt loved, we sang "Blessed Assurance" and 10 white pigeons were released into the air. A very nice ending to a tragic day.

None of that 'Sissy Stuff

Here's a little sumthin' sumthin' for you to laugh about. A friend sent it to me and I emailed it out to all my TRUE friends. Here's to a good laugh...

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of True Friendship. You WON'T see cutesy little smiley faces here. Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.

1. When you are sad, I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!

2. When you are blue, I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile, I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

4. When you're scared, we will high tail it outta here.

5. When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused, I will use little words.

7. When you are sick, stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall, I'll pick you up and dust you off -- after I laugh my butt off!!

9. This is my oath... I pledge it to the end.

"Why?' you may ask; -- because you are my FRIEND!

Oh and last but not least: Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only YOU can feel the true warmth.