Thursday, February 18, 2010

Beautiful Crazy March....

Our busiest season is soon upon us....March!

March is the month of my church's annual women's retreat...which is AWESOME! This will be my third year attending and I look back at the few years where I didn't go for whatever reasons and it makes me sad! Which is funny because at the time I didn't know what I was missing, but now it is mandatory for me. A weekend with some of my closest friends, mentors, beautiful, amazing women who I aspire to...knowing that my kids are with my husband and having a great time eating who knows what and doing who knows what! So fun.

Then of course comes my Son's birthday. We celebrate birthday weeks and so it will be a fun filled week of celebration. It's nostalgic and sad for me too. He will be turning 4 this year and it makes me sad. He is so big and articulate. The expressions he has and all he is learning....is it possible that only 4 years ago I could hold that precious boy in one arm and now I have to use all my strength to carry him!

We have lots of plans including fun at pump it up, birthday snack at school and of course his party at Chuck E Cheese.

And then my husband has a birthday a week later...His 30th! I am planning a big party to celebrate with all our family and friends. It's a cuban festival...with a roasted pig, black beans and rice, and all the works! I just have to figure out a gift.

Anyways, busyness surrounds March but hopefully april won't be so crazy! It sure is a beautiful life though!

Monday, February 8, 2010

There's nothing my God can not do...

On Friday I was reminded of a song from my old sunday school days..."My God is so Big, so Strong and so Mighty, there's nothing my God can not do!"

Friday was the end all, hightened day of emotions. On that day, February 5, 2010 our lives changed by the mighty hand of God.


The God who put the stars in the sky, who knows every hair on our head, who speaks and it is...Well God spoke. He moved.


He had this planned all along and we were just waiting for his perfect timing and plan.


For about a year we have been waiting for something more. For the desires of our hearts.


My husband is a good man. He loves the Lord. He is a man of integrity and a hard worker. He has walked in favor in his career from the begining. God has always taken care of us through his career.


When he moved into a manager position, we sat on a friends couch and prayed that God would open doors for a job in our community.


And God moved. He moved the current manager to a better job and moved my husband to a promotion and job only 5 minutes from home. With a new baby at home, it was a precious few years.


And He has continued to promote him...but the last year we were stuck. Promotion meant moving.


Moving from a home we loved. Moving from the love of family. Moving from the support and dear friendships of an amazing church family.


We didn't want that. We didn't want to more our family and a new baby. We didn't want to move away from our family and our church.


But, "Lord if you want us to go because you have something better, we'll go."

2 Positions were offered. God said don't go, so we waited.


I was relieved. But it left my husband tired, discouraged, discontent and frustrated.


By the end of the year his position changed. Because of mergers and economic pressures, he was given a "promotion" with more work, more traveling and no incentives.


It was bleak. He was struggling.


But God moved.


He came through with an opportunity that we had been praying and hoping for.


An opportunity that was on a completely different road. Unlike anything he has ever done.


But it's good.


It's full of promise and potential.


It keeps us home. Our desire is to not move around chasing more or what seems better. We want a stable home where our kids can grow up and have the same friends, family close by to help and love them and a church family to do the same.

God always comes through. And I am always blown away and in awe. But I will never forget. He does hear our cries. He does listend and he holds us when everything looks bleak. And he says, "Wait for it Beloved, I have so much in store for you."

He knows every detail. He knows our fears and desires. And all we have to do is wait. It't hard and it hurts sometimes. I like a plan. I like knowing. But when all I know is that he began a good work and is FAITHFUL to complete it...that's enough of a plan for me.

What are you waiting for? Don't worry. He is working on it...and it is going to be so much better that what you could have ever planned!

"Father, thank you so much for this past year. It was difficult and tiring and hard. To see my man struggle and worry was heartbreaking. But you, dear Lord, you were working just you promised. What you had was better than we ever thought possible. The world may think it's crazy, but it is so good. It's perfect. Thank you for always taking care of us and forgive us when we forget who you are and what you are capable of. In your precious name, Amen."

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

My Girl


So, I decided that I am gonna take some time and brag a bit on my baby girl because I can. I try not to talk about my kids too much to other people. First, because I think they are the greatest kids in the world, not to mention cutest kids, so I don't want others to feel bad. And I don't want to be one of those people who are always talking about what thier kid did that was so adorable. I mean, I love kids, I always have, and I think most of them are really cute and I generally love hearing about thier antics, but sometimes it's like, "Ok, your kids a genius, let's move on!"

That sounds kinda mean, but you know what I mean.

Don't get me wrong, I talk about my kids and brag on them when I think I should. But my general audience includes their dad and grandparents.

Back to Baby girl. I talk about my boy a lot because, well he is all over the place and non stop talking. A production on legs! Baby girl, however, is more quiet, dainty and only has a few words in her vocabulary.

She's not yet walking though she is taking more independent steps each day.

She responds to praise and generally claps or says yay each time she does something well, like puts the shape in the correct hole. She also looks for me to respond when she does this.

She is more cautious and careful. She carefully sits...carefully places her hands to lift herself and she doesn't like to be left alone in a room. When others talk to her she gives a half smile and hides her head against me or moves toward me. It takes her a moment to warm up to others.

She give's "besitos" or kisses by pursing her lips together, leaning in and saying, "muah!" It's awesome!

She loves her dolls. She holds them and rocks them and sings to them.

She loves to sing. She hums herself to sleep. "Mmmm,mmmm,mmmm."

She loves looking at books. Her first word, other than mamma and dada, was look, or that is "uk." She points to things and says, "uk,uk!"
She likes to color (though she must be watched because the crayons will go into her mouth!) She likes to dance. When music comes on she sits and swings her arms from side to side.

She's super ticklish. She puts mommy's bracelets on her arm and shows them to me in such a sassy way. She loves her daddy. Whenever daddy sits on the floor to play she immediately comes over and sits in his lap. And if she's tired, she goes to his lap, puts her thumb in her mouth and lays across his lap. It is the most precious thing ever!

She says mama like 100 times a day. She sort of sings it and when I respond or look at her she just smiles and keeps saying it!

She loves Dinosaur train on PBS! It's hilarious. She stops whatever she is doing and goes to the TV when it comes on. She loves the song and during the end of the theme song when the dinosaur roars, she is roaring along on perfect cue!

For a while her brother would go around sining, "La la loo" just like Don on the show and now she is constantly singing, "La la hoo!" The funny thing is, on the hoo, she sucks in her breath!

She loves her brother. When he is crying she goes to him and pats him. He will now go and lay on her lap and she pats his back. They love to play on mom and dad's bed. And each constantly vie for our attention, but they don't mind each other at all. The only rule, if brother has a snack, she needs one too.

She is my sweetheart and I love every moment I have with my girl.

"Father, thank you for my precious girl. How she has grown. But I love this time of exploration and newness. Every day is a new adventure and a new lesson learned. She is like me in so many ways. Just like You said she would be. But God, I want her to be more. I want her to be more like You, not me. I want her to be brave and strong, but sweet and pure. To be loyal and good, but steadfast and true to who she is. I know you are doing a good work in her already. Thank you for my children. My joys every morning. Keep them in your hand and protect them. In your precious name. Amen."

Monday, February 1, 2010

What's in a Scripture?


It's been a long time...but I have missed blogging. Life jut got busy.

Crazy busy.

With two kids, holidays and mostly with my new business venture www.bellaboodesigns.shutterfly.com.

Nonetheless this being the first of February I have a new month resolution! Not really, I just am committing to blog again because I love it, I miss it and I need it! I have decided to committ to posting at least twice a week and enjoy it, rather than make it a chore. So, there you are!

And so, for my first post of the year....

I have been convicted of late to add some different, more meaningful decor to my home. Decor that doesn't just say:

"Welcome, we are people who love earth tones, bright colors and crosses."

That's what we have in our home right now. Our walls are bright earth tone colors...red, yellow with lots of green and brown accents. And we have crosses. Various sizes, about 5 in the main areas of the house.

But that's it. And I as I said, I have been convicted.

Crosses are great. But I think I need more than a cross to say who we are. I need more than a cross to remind me of who I am. I need more than a cross to teach my children who we are.

So...I am on the look out for scriptures to cover our walls.

Scriptures that will remind us of how great our God is, what He does for us and who we are in Him. My hope is that my children will be reminded of these verses when they need to be because they saw them every day. That they will be stirred by the one in their room when they wake each morning. That they will know who God is and who they are in Him when they read them. That they will be reminded of home when they come across them in thier daily lives.

This is what I have so far.

Living room, above our TV - "Be still and know I am God." Ps. 46:10 - This is where we do most of our living and what better place to be reminded of who He is than the place where life happens most.

Master Bedroom - "Come, let us take our fill of Love until the Morning." Prov. 7:17-18. ...I don't think I have to explain that one...

Kitchen - "Whoever is of merry heart has a continual feast." Prov. 15:15...Where we eat and unload our day to each other. Perfect, I think!

Crazy Boy's room: "And the boy continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men." 1 Samuel 2:26 - This is the scripture I have prayed over him since we chose his name. What greater blessing to have than favor!

And finally, Baby girl...Now this is where I am stumped! I have prayed so many prayers over her but I can't seem to find "the one." The one that fits her spirit, who I want her to be or that will direct her.

So, my goal for the week is to find that special verse for my sweet girl.

And to find a way to make these/purchase these on a budget!

So, does your home reflect the truths you believe? I challenge you to think of ways to really bless your home and all who enter it!

I'll let you know what else I come up with and what I make later!


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