Monday, November 30, 2009

Memories in the making......











Today my lovely mom came over and we made her famous little mexican cookies Biscochos... they are sooo delicious and fun to make! :) She imparted her wisdom to the girls... giving them jobs rolling the balls (which have to be rolled "just so") and showed the boys how to roll dough. It was such fun watching them learn the things I learned as a little girl and how they were so eager to help and to do more.... I am so blessed to have such a wonderful woman as a mom- and so thankful for her and her love-- even as an adult :) Someday my kids will look back on today and remember Grandma's wisdom and instruction... and how special she is to all of us.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Giving Thanks...

Just reflecting on Thanksgiving-- and all that we are so thankful for. It is too easy to forget what great blessings we have been given and how often those things go unrecognized. I, for one, am so thankful to have 4 beautiful, healthy, loving children- who help me to appreciate all the little things in life. I am so thankful for a husband who loves the Lord and is committed to being an awesome leader, friend, lover, and father. I am thankful to be surrounded with friends and family who love and accept us as we are... and forgive all the shortcomings we have. Thankful for a warm home, laughter, and sunshine. Mostly, though, thankful for where God has brought me from... for His love for me... for forgiveness. I pray such things will never grow old to me- that every day I will be awestruck and filled with wonder for my Savior. Today I commit to be thankful every day. No matter the situation, no matter the cost- to just be thankful.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

And the time just keeps flying by.....

You know, as I was observing my children today I realized there are so many moments every day that I cherish and how horrible I am at documenting these things. So, instead of feeling like I have to be all eloquent about how I present such things, I decided it is better to just record them than to miss out on sharing these special times with those who are so special to us. :) And so today, I decided to give another try to blogging... only this time, with the intent of just documenting- even if I am the only one who ever reads it or enjoys it... it is one way for me to preserve the memories of these precious times I share with my beautiful children!

That being said... there are soooo many times I wish I could have a camera running 24/7 at my house. There are so many hilarious things that are said and done around here... witty and inspiring thoughts our kids lend to us and sometimes the sweetest bits of wisdom. :) Sunday we started a Rice and Beans challenge (a challenge to eat Rice and Beans for 2 meals a day for 1-4 days) as a part of the P.O.W. (Poor, Orphans, and Widows) series our pastor is bringing us through. We met a couple who run an orphanage in Haiti on Sunday... they shared amazing testimonies of little children they have been able to rehabilitate and save. The sweetest thing about the whole experience has been our girls' commitment to the challenge. They boldly chose to do the entire 4 day challenge (that's 8 meals of rice and beans)- and even chose to take rice and beans in their lunches for school. They have faithfully prayed for an orphan each day- every time their tummies rumbled and every time they sat to eat rice and beans. My sweet Isabel- with her missionary heart- tells me every day how much she wishes we could go to Haiti and adopt some of the children..... "Mama, my heart is so sad for them.... I wish we could just love them all...." She melts me. What an awesome example of Christ's love- she wants to share all we have been given- and is so open to serve. I pray God continues to cultivate this sweet and tender heart within her... and that she will continue to stay "soft" to the plight of others.