Wirter's Block

I don't know what has gotten into me, but I just cannot get back into the swing of things. I have been so bad about keeping up with this blog lately. It is very important to me because life changes so quickly and one day my kiddos will be grown, and I will be able to read about the days of our lives and re-live the many wonderful memories we created just by reading a few lines on paper (I print out my blog in book form monthly). I used to blog everyday. I was excited to do it! But life has been a little bit crazy these last few months. We've moved into a new house, our household arrangements have changed, then the holidays, work has been absolutely crazy, and then there's just normal life that keeps going on and on in what sometimes seems like an endless ocean. I think I'm feeling a little sea sick. Anyways, I feel like I've skipped so many things that have happened. Grace started talking in mini-sentences. She gives hugs and refers to herself as "baby." We hear, "Baby eat, baby ba-ba, baby mee-mee..." Love it! Alliah is growing and becoming such a wonderful person. She's beautiful, caring, sincere and so helpful. And she's super smart. Her teacher wants her to do 'extra' homework because she's breezing by and she LOVES to read. My Angel is getting lazy. He's becoming a pre-teen (he's 10-1/2). He's still his loving little self. He takes good care of his baby sister, he amuses - uh, ehmmm...I mean he plays with Alliah, but lately he doesn't think I know very much...or I should say, he thinks he knows more than me. I'm in the process of straightening THAT out! LOL All three kids are amazing each day. I'm going to try to do better at keeping up with my blog. These memories are too important to forget. SO, see you tomorrow....

Proverbs 31: Fact or Fiction

Yesterday was SuperBowl Sunday. My dad invited all of the men over his house to watch the game. No wives, no children were allowed. Larry was going over to my dad's house, so I invited all the wives and kids over to my house. We made GIANT baked potatoes, frito boats, had chocolate cake. We were all talking and laughing, watching the kids play. In the midst of our conversation I stated that I was so glad to hear that the Proverbs 31 woman didn't exist. My mother hit the ceiling! She couldn't believe I had said that. I explained to her that my pastor had shared that Proverbs 31 was a model taught to King Lemuel by HIS mother so he would know what kind of woman to look for in a wife. My mom disagreed arguably! I explained that I believed the Proverbs 31 woman to be a model to "attain to" but that I often felt intimidated by her. I further explained that it was like looking at a touched up picture of a perfectly shaped woman posted on a gym wall or a magazine cover. The perfect body does not exists, but we should take care of our bodies and try to look our best. We will never look like the photoshopped woman on the magazine cover, but we can be healthy and be physically active. No, the perfect body does not exist. And in my opinion, neither did the "Proverbs 31 Woman." Yes, I do agree that we need to try our best to be like her, but she is the model. In the bible, this woman has aged to perfection. She is healthy, wealthy, wise in managing finances, her husband is in politics and is respected by all, he leaves her to manage the home (and doesn't interfere which that alone is miraculous), she is well educated, has servants to help her, is a successful entrepeneur,makes her children's clothes (which I think she had help from the servants) and does everything else the perfect wife and mother would ever do. Not only that, but she does everything so well that her husband and children rise up and call her blessed. That last part I do agree can happen. I notice that the verse says her children "rise up" and call her blessed. I believe that to mean that as they have grown older. I believe my children will realize the sacrifices and appreciate all the love I have shown them MORE when they are older. When they "rise up" in age. Yes, my mother and I's conversation shook up the party, but I believe what I believe. After hearing that the Proverbs 31 woman was an 'Ideal' to attain, that there is not actually a person who did it, I didn't feel like such a failure. Hearing that made me WANT to try to be that person. I always felt like I was coming up short when trying to measure up. My mom still doesn't agree with me, but that's okay! I love her and she loves me. We can't agree on everything. So, in closing, I will strive harder to be all those things that the Proverbs 31 woman depicts. But if I don't make it, if I fall short on a few of those traits, that's okay, too. Thank God for His grace and mercy...and the opportunity to always try again.

Gracie

I had all of these pictures that I had taken with my phone and it's time to clear them out. So here are some more random Glimpses of Grace - Part 2... And yes there probably will be more! :D

A is For Adoption

We finally got the date! February 11th is the day Miss Grace will officially and legally become Miss Grace Renee Gonzales. In nine days our adoption will be finalized. We were hoping that this would happen back in December, but we've had a few setbacks with paperwork. Now all the paperwork is done with every dotted line signed, every 't' crossed and 'i' dotted. Now the big dilemma...what to wear! I'm thinking we may take our family picture that day. Angel and Alliah are so excited. When we told Alliah that we got the court date she looked at Grace and shouted, "Grace, you finally get to become a Gonzales!" as if it was a privilege. I guess it is. February 11, 2010, will be the day our family becomes complete. The little promises I've spent countless nights praying for will all officially be ours. I thank God so much for these three precious lives that He created for ME. The bible says that in their mother's womb, He knew them. He knew what the days of their lives would hold and that He had created me to be their Mommy. In the times we question God and cry out to Him in desperation for what we think is best, I believe He is holding the gifts we're crying for behind His back, smiling at us, just wanting to give the gift to us, but in His time. I think back to Christmas. I knew what was inside each wrapped gift. The kids knew what they were wishing for and were pretty certain we got them the gifts they had asked for. The smiles on their faces when they got their gifts was priceless. I think we got more joy out of giving than they had receiving. The bible says to present your requests to God and we did. Just as we, as earthly parents, love to give good gifts to our children, so does God. Angel, Alliah and Grace are our gifts from God. They weren't creating from a union between Larry and me, but we have the pleasure of unwrapping them and holding them, thanking God for them in anticipation of what great things they will accomplish and seeing who they will become. Think of us on February 11th. And think of the good gifts God has given you and thank Him for them.

I'm The Mommy

I was sitting on the couch watching TV. I was watching none other than a program on the Food Channel when 10 minutes into the show, Grace decided she needed some attention. While I consider myself a very attentive Mommy 100%, this was one moment where I really wanted to sit down, relax and watch this program! I heard Grace call me. "Mom." And again, "Mom." She was sitting down on the carpet, surrounded by toys and juice cups and even a snack. I tried to prepare in advance so she would be entertained for a while ~ but no. Again she said, "Mom." I looked at her and smiled and said, "Good girl, Gracie, play with your toys..." She stared right back at me and said, "Mom." My eyes returned to the TV screen and her eyes never shifted, but she started getting a little more irritated. "Mom! Mom!!, Mom!!!" Finally she belted out, "Maw-meeeee!!!" I gasped! She had never called me 'Mommy' before. I have always been just 'Mom.' I dropped to my knees in front of her, picked her up and gave her the biggest hug, along with a kiss on the cheek. When I wrapped my hands around her little head to look at her face to face she had a HUGE grin - ear to ear! She had found a new Mommy button, and she knew it! My heart strings were fluttering and I felt on top of the world. There's no other feeling on Earth that can take the place of special moments like this one. I felt so loved and wanted and needed. Grace has called me Mommy once or twice since then, but I will never forget that day. What a gift. Thank you, Gracie.

Grace Goes To The E.R.

Below is picture my sister Liz took of baby Grace while lying in the hospital emergency room on her very first birthday. We had a great day of celebrating Grace's first year at a party with family and friends. The love for Grace was oozing out every window and door. After the party we went back home and spent some time with Larry's family, who were spending the weekend with us. About seven o'clock Grace felt kinda warm. Since we hadn't unpacked all of our boxes yet I didn't know where the thermometer was, but I knew she felt warm so I gave her some motrin. About a half hour later, she was back to her playful little self, happy and content. After such a long day, we all decided to call it a night about eleven thirty or so. Alliah and cousin Alexis were sleeping in Grace's room so we put her to bed with us. As soon as we laid down Grace started shaking. She was breathing really heavy and was grabbing onto me for dear life. I was scared! Her hands and feet were like ice, but her body was burning up! I quickly called our pediatrician and told them her symptoms. We were told to take her to the hospital. Larry and I were already out of bed and awake as could be. We got dressed and headed for the car. I tried to strap her in her carseat but she REALLY started shaking! I immediately took her back in the house and we called 911. The ambulance arrived within three minutes. Me and Grace were taken in the ambulance and Larry followed behind us with his mom and sister, Diane. On the way to the hospital Grace had a seizure. At that minute I was so glad to be in the ambulance. I would have freaked out had we been alone in the car with her. The medic stabilized her, but she was so weak and could barely lift her little hands up to grab ahold of mine. Her fever was 106.7 and rising. When we arrived at the hospital they strippped her down, rectally injected Tylenol and put cool towels all over her. My mom, dad and sister, Liz, arrived as she was starting to cool down. Liz took this picture of baby Grace as she lied in the hospital bed. She'd already downed a grape popscile, thus the purple lips.


It took five hours for the doctors and nurses to get Grace's temperature down. After Grace was poked, proded, x-rayed, checked, re-checked, and checked again, we finally left the hospital at 5:30am Sunday morning. You can see in the picture below that Grace was feeling much better. The hospital offered to let us stay for observation but Grace was 95% better than when we arrived. We went home. Unfortunately, we had to go back to the ER on Sunday night because her fever was back: 104.5 and rising. (The hospital gave me 2 thermometers) What?! Our poor baby. After reviewing her xrays from the night before, the doctor's concluded Grace had the beginning stages of pnemonia. The fever was the bodies response, trying to fight off the pnemonia. We were absolutely shocked! She didn't have a cold, cough, runny nose or anything! Pnemonia? The ER doctor put her on an antibiotic and four days later, Grace was back to her beautiful, playful little self. Thank God He helped us though that one. This whole experience made us appreciate so much more all the gifts God has given us: our children, our family, our life. We have so much NOT to take for granted.

Finally Signing In

Wow! I can't believe it has been over a month since I've blogged about the goings on in our lives. So much as happened that I don't know where to start. Ummm....I think the last post I wrote was about us moving. Yes, we're all settled in now. Just yesterday we finished up painting our home office and I stand by my word when I say it looks really, really nice. We converted half of the garage into our office. Larry built a custom desk, painted the walls in my favorite wall colors (light blue and tan) and he laid some plushy carpet so Grace can be in the office with me while I'm working. I sure am glad to have my wireless internet back up and running. I felt so lost in life without it. Sure, I can use the internet at work but work has been biiii-zeeee. Busy! Now I'm back in the loop of things.
During my haitus from blogging we celebrated Gracie's first birthday! We reserved the community room in the community we live in. It's not a huge room, but it fit her 35-40 guests perfectly. The girl was blessed! She got clothes, shoes, toys, books, you name it. The menu was two delicious pots of homemade spaghetti, salads, and garlic bread. Our friends, Jose and Yesenia, bought Grace the most beautiful princess birthday cake. Grace loved it and it was to-die-for in taste.
Unfortunately, we ended the evening of that beautiful day in the ER. I'll write about that next post.

Too Busy :9(

Man, oh man, have I been one busy woman! Sorry I haven't been keeping with the blog. It has been put on the back burner for too long. I have so much to write about I don't know where to start. December 9th was my last entry? Oh Lordy! Unfortunately I can't write right now because I have to start making dinner in about five minutes. But we had Christmas, Grace's first birthday, Grace's first trip to the ER *twice*, and much, much more! I'll have to take one story at a time starting.....uh, not now. Check back in a few days!

Made Me Laugh

All over the internet mother's are sharing how they are trying to teach their baby sign language. Because baby's have undeveloped verbal skills, moms and dads around the world are trying to teach their sons and daughters to be great communicators, even at an early age. At first I thought it was a great idea. Until I tried it. It's almost impossible to stop and calmly and delightfully say, "Hungry, hungry?" while holding my fingers up to my lips only to watch Grace look at me like I'm some kind of fool who eats her fingers. There's not enough time in the day! I've got dinners to cook, dishes to do, a house to clean, kids with homework, I work! So I saw this little blurb in one of the many baby/child e-newsletters I get and I've pasted it below. It matches my sentiments exactly.

Title: Your baby can learn sign language!

Here's how to say:
• "Please change my diaper": Turn beet red and make straining expression, then smile.
• "I'd like something to eat, please": Cram fist in mouth and suck wildly.
• "I'm tired": Make a series of weeping gestures before closing eyes and lolling head backward.
• "Please pass me that thing up there that I can't reach": Point and grunt, then continue pointing and open mouth into screaming position.
• "No thank you. I think I've had enough": Throw food or object to floor with exaggerated grin.

Oh, so true!

Classroom Christmas Gifts

2009 TEACHERS' GIFT
It's that time of year again: to give a special Christmas gift to the kid's teachers. School teachers usually get dollar tree coffee cups filled with candy, pencil holders or rulers that say, "World's Greatest Teacher," or a picture of the child they see {everday} with a "thanks for being my teacher" note attached ~ and that's if they get a gift at all. Teachers are shaping the minds of our next generation. They should be thanked! So, I began my internet search and found this little idea at FamilyFun.go.com. *I love this website* It's always filled with great crafts, recipes and party ideas. This year's gift is cute, creative and, best of all, inexpensive! I already have some of the matierals needed and I think Angel and Alliah's teachers will be thrilled. Not only can they proudly walk out of the classroom with a beautiful gift, but they can display this bouquet at home showing their friends and family what a great teacher they are, AND they can eat the candy when Christmas is over! What a concept.

CANDY STICK VASE

Materials: Aluminum can, Candy, Double-sided foam mounting tape, Ribbon, Plastic cup

Instructions:
• To make one, first snugly wrap 3 or 4 rings of double-sided foam mounting tape around a clean, dry, and labelless aluminum can (ours was 15 ounces).
• Peel off the tape's protective covering to expose its second sticky side.
• One at a time, attach colorful individually wrapped candy sticks (available at candy shops; we used 26) to the tape, setting them as close together as possible and pressing them firmly in place.
• For a festive finish, tie a ribbon around the container. To use the vase for fresh flowers or plants, set a plastic cup inside the can as a liner before adding water.


2009 CLASSMATES GIFT
As for the kid's classmates, I found this idea of a Christmas mouse waiting to be eaten! All it is is felt, googly eyes, and a candy cane. I'm gonna skip the pom-pom nose. Why spend more money than I need to? I'll just make the nose out of the green felt, too. This is so easy, even the kids can help! What a great way to encourage my kids to show the Christmas Spirit by giving to those they spend most of their days with. I think these will be a classroom hit!

MERRY MICE

Materials: Red and green felt, Scissors, Glue, Pom-poms, Candy canes, Googly eyes, Tape

Instructions
• Cut a 6-inch-long teardrop-shaped body from red felt. Near the center, cut 2 parallel slits that are 1 inch long and 1/2 inch apart.
• For a pair of ears, cut a 5-inch-long rounded bow-tie shape from green felt. This will be used to make the ears.
• To put the mouse together, fit the ears through the slits in the body. Glue on googly eyes and a pom-pom nose.
• Finally, add a curly tail by slipping a candy cane beneath the mouse and tucking the straight end between the body and the ears to hold it in place.

...Only 22 more days!