I love

Just a reminder for myself to focus on what it's really about during those days when tiredness and grumpiness set in.

I love...


I love that Baby P's way of asking for a tissue is to sniff in and out through his little nose.

I love how C is so animated when he tells me something, using such great facial expressions and hand gestures.

I love how L has so much he wants to say that sometimes he doesn't know where to start and stutters a bit.

I love how C is so helpful and sometimes I don't even have to ask.

I love when C and L help each other and even exchange a thank you and please.

I love how my husband loves me even when I'm not so lovable.

I love how my husband plays with and interacts with our boys, ways that I can't do or just don't think of.

I love how Baby P understands so, so much and is trying to talk.

I love spending good times with good friends and that our boys have sweet friends to play with.

I love that my family is so loving with our boys and is willing to be so helpful.

I love that I'm having a niece I can love on and buy girlie things for.

I love that we don't want for anything and have way more than we could ask for or deserve.

I love how much C smiles.

I love how L loves his baby brother, insistent on touching his head and kissing him.

I love a nice hot cup of coffee.

I love Baby P's laugh, a squealy wonderful laugh.

And I love looking at this photo.






Oh, and Happy 18 months Baby P!!!

Psalm 91

I heard this Psalm read on the radio today in honor of September 11, 2001.

It is an assurance of God's protection. Which is kind of interesting. What about the thousands that weren't protected and died 8 years ago? I don't know how to answer that. Why them, why so many, why so much suffering in the world? I think that I'll never understand why? Also, God could look at me and ask the same of me, "Why do you allow humans around you to suffer...from hunger, illness, sadness?" But what I do know is that it wasn't God who caused those horrific events 8 years ago. It was man. It was man's free will and choice. So, why didn't God just stop it? Why, if He is omniscient and omnipotent, did He let it happen? It's just not that easy. The world would be totally different if it were that simple. It would be something like the Garden of Eden, I suppose. I don't think it's possible to understand God. He is too colossal for our mere human understanding.

If it's proof you're after...sorry don't have that. I can only tell you that I just know for myself that I wouldn't have what I have, be who I am, be where I am and go where I'm going if it wasn't for Him. I've don't deserve His love and salvation. It's just there for me to accept.


Psalm 91:1-16 (NLT)

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 This I declare about the LORD;

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

he is my God, and I trust him.

3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.

4 He will cover you with his feathers.

He will shelter you with his wings.

His faithful promises are you armor and

protection.

5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

nor the arrow that flies in the day.

6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

7 Though a thousand fall at your side,

thought ten thousand are dying around you,

these evils will not touch you.

8 Just open your eyes,

and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the LORD your refuge,

if you make the Most High you shelter,

10 no evil will conquer you;

no plague will come near you home.

11 For he will order his angels

to protect you wherever you go.

12 They will hold you up with their hands

so you won't even hurt your foot on

a stone.

13 You will trample upon lions and cobras

you will crush fierce lions and serpents

under you feet.

14 The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me.

I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer;

I will be with them in trouble.

I will rescue and honor them.

16 I will reward them with a long life

and give them my salvation."

What a wonderful Psalm to use as a prayer of protection. God doesn't promise that we will not have any troubles; He promises to "answer" and "be with [us]" (v. 15). There is a light in this sometimes seemingly dark world.

One more verse I wanted to include:

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Continuing to grow in Him,

a tribute

Recently, I read something regarding luck. Someone indicated my brother had been "lucky" to find a job so quickly after graduating. He pointed out that luck did not have much to do with him finding a job, and that he had worked his butt off to get to where he is now. In fact, the position that he was hired for was not even open when he initially inquired!

I have to agree with my brother. Okay, yes, I suppose I'm a little bias. But, I don't believe in luck. I know my brother worked hard to get to where he is today. From the time he was a child, to the present.

So probability, being in the right place at the right time, working hard to help make things happen, and most importantly God's plan for us...yes. But luck...not so much.

Congratulations Ricardo on your terrific accomplishments thus far!

Thankful

This past weekend was quite eventful. For starters our initial Easter weekend plans were cancelled. Husband is quite busy at work (can't complain about that) and had to get some work done over the weekend. So, we were unable to go out of town to visit his Dad and Stepmom like we had planned. Sorry PawPaw and MawMaw! :( To add to our weekend, we did get to visit with the other sets of grandparents and had our first emergency with one of the boys.

Nana and Papa decided to come to San Antonio for the day on Saturday. We had planned on stopping at their house for a quick visit on our way to PawPaw and MawMaw's.


























We enjoyed our visit with Nana and Papa. Saturday was a fun day...then we had our first emergency. The evening was winding down. I was sitting at the dinner table helping L finish up his dinner, and Husband was upstairs starting Baby P's bath. C was finished with his dinner and headed upstairs. He started to run up the stairs and fell. I didn't see it, but I believe his poor little mouth broke the fall. He came over crying in pain. Initially, I wasn't sure what happened. There was bleeding, so I looked to see where the blood was coming from. Then, I saw it. His top 2 front teeth and 1 to the side had moved...up and back! AAAGH! I am well aware that teeth can fall out or chip, but move?!?!?! Nope, I did not realize! We immediately put ice on it and called the Call a Nurse service. After describing the injury, the nurse told me we should take C to the dentist within 24 hours. I called our dentist's office and left a message with the number they provided for emergencies. In the mean time, we felt a little better because we could see that C's teeth were already beginning to move back into place. The dentist's office manager called me back, and the dentist was able to meet us at his office at 9:30 p.m. Thank you Dr. Klenke!!! After examining C, Dr. Klenke said that he should be just fine. His teeth should move back into position on their own. There shouldn't be any damage to the adult teeth. Worst case scenario would be that C would lose one of his baby teeth a little earlier than normal.



Here he is the next day, feeling better and distracted by the Easter festivities.

















I am thankful. Thankful that C was such a trooper throughout the incident. He really was very brave! Thankful that I have a wonderful husband to help keep me calm and help me to know what we should do next. Thankful that we did not have to go the the ER on a Saturday night. Thankful that our dentist was able and willing to meet us at his office that same night. Thankful that my parents were able to come over and stay with our other 2 boys so C could have both his Daddy and Mommy take him to the dentist. And thankful that C's mouth should be just fine.




With C feeling better, we enjoyed our Easter Sunday.




























































I was reminded of the true meaning of Easter as I read from C's Jesus Storybook Bible (which, by the way, I've come to love and learn a lot from, as my knowledge of the Bible is weak). The funny thing is I read the chapter on the crucifixion to C, and as I was reading, I was truly taken back by the words. They kept coming back to me during the Easter weekend. Then I read this blog, and she wrote about the very words that had been on my mind! So, I just had to mention it. The following is and excerpt from this children's Bible.


They nailed Jesus to the cross.


"Father, forgive them, " Jesus gasped. "They don't understand what they are doing."


"You say you have come to rescue us!" people shouted. "But you can't even rescue yourself!"


But they were wrong. Jesus could have rescued himself. A legion of angels would have flown to his side-if he'd called.


"If you were really the Son of God, you could just climb down off that cross!" they said.


And of course they were right. Jesus could have just climbed down. Actually, he could have just said a word and made it all stop. Like when he healed the little girl. And stilled the storm. And fed 5000 people.


But Jesus stayed.


You see, they didn't understand. It wasn't the nails that kept Jesus there.


It was love.



And for God's love I am thankful.


I hope you had a wonderful Easter!

"The Invisible Woman"

Do you ever feel invisible?
Check out the video below for a little inspiration. A friend of mine sent it to me in an email the day before Baby P was born. Perfect timing!

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C Speak:
"You get what you get and you don't throw a fit."
Something one of his teachers at school says. I love it!




To mommy,"Oh, I want to watch you feed Baby P! I'm not scared of it anymore. I'm not!"
Keep in mind his reaction to it from this post. And, yes, he still is "scared" of it. It's getting better, though.

Searching, Rejoicing...& More Searching

Monday was a good day. For starters, L turned 2! Yes, I know, I know...it's so cliche, but I'll say it anyways. Where does the time go?! L's 'babyhood' went by so fast! But as much as I lament time's swift passing, I rejoice and celebrate in the fact that our boys are growing and thriving!

We went to the zoo yesterday to help celebrate L's birthday. My mom joined us, and we met my good friend J there. Let me just say it's so great having my mom with us. We enjoy her company and she's such a big help! It was a beautiful day to spend at the zoo! And for lunch my mom treated us to Panera...yum! (Thanks mom!)

Needless to say, the boys loved looking at the animals, but there favorite part...construction trucks! They are renovating a part of the zoo, and the trucks were hard at work while we were there. C and L insisted they see them. Of course they have the construction blocked off for safety, so...

Pictured above is J lifting up her daughter, O to see the trucks working behind the fence. Trust me - my mom and I did this with older boys also. I just didn't get a picture of it.

Oh - isn't this sweet. C & his friend O enjoying the zoo together.

C & L

And of course Baby P, hanging in the stroller.

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Monday was also a good day because I realized something big...huge. I realized that 3 recent prayers of mine had been answered!!! One in the past 2 months and two in the past 3 days! I am a believer, but yes there are times when I know I don't live as a believer. So this verse: And you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 has been on my heart a lot lately. Well, if answered prayers aren't finding Him then I don't know what is! So, I rejoice and praise Him and take comfort in the fact that faith is sometimes fleeting (at least for me, for now), but searching can and will be unceasing...

Welcome

I created this blog for 3 main reasons.

1) To journal happenings of and with our boys

2)To keep family & friends (who are interested) posted on our happenings.

But wait...I did say 3 reasons, didn't I? Well, the I'm going to keep the third reason to myself...at least for now. Muahaha...No really, it's a good reason.

What a better way to start off the blog then with some photos of our boys?!

The Many Faces of C, L & P

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Thought For the Day

Do you ever feel like you are comparing yourself to others or saying "If only___, then ____"? I know I do. It's easy to fall into that trap. And I think as women it's even harder. We compare looks, our kids, things, homes, activities, etc., etc., etc. I know one thing I've found myself thinking lately is "A bigger home would be great...especially now that there are 5 of us!" But, with God and my husband's help, I've realized that it's just really not that important. Instead of the house, I now try my best to focus on the my husband and our 3 boys...on making a home for the 5 of us! I've had three wonderful pregnancies and three healthy (and o.k., o.k. beautiful) baby boys. What a blessing!

I cannot take credit for the following thought. A friend of mine from my Mentoring Moms group (at Oak Hills church) shared it as we were talking about this very topic.

"There is nothing wrong with wanting nice things. But just remember ...we were not meant to build kingdoms here on Earth."

Wow! That takes some weight off my shoulders. How about you?

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Enjoy and leave comments if you'd like. I'd love the read them!