Wednesday, August 19, 2009
On Our Way
Well, due to a heavy schedule of activity, I have failed to keep up with blogging about our crazy and fun filled summer. Perhaps the updates may begin filling the screen in September. Today, I am up packing and organizing suitcases for the beginnings of our journey back to Mexico. As I often do, I have mixed emotions...that sad feeling of leaving the comfort of family time and being with those here we love so much and yet the readiness to return to routine and no more suitcases. Our kids have been through their fair share of sleeping arrangements and travels...and have done quite well. We have good boys if I do say so myself :) We have had such a good time reconnecting with family, friends, and our partnering church in Louisville. "Good-byes" have had to become a regular part of our lives...and aren't always easy...but we are thankful for the time spent with everyone along the way. So the drive back through Texas, across the border, and south to Mexico City will be filled with lots of different feelings. I am thankful for my life and am interested to see how God will work in and around us this year. It is exciting to think about settling back into life, and routine, and school, and relationships, and ministry. The boys return to school this next week - Reece his first day of 1st grade on Monday. Chase his first day of Kindergarten on Tuesday. We will be moving to a new apartment by the end of the month so there will be a few busy days ahead before all this "settling" truly begins. We are looking forward to meeting our new baby - that time will be here sooner than we realize. And, so there surely is no shortage in the things that can occupy my mind and heart in these next days as we are "on the road again"! If this trip is going to happen I guess I had better get back to packing....
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Bear & Honey
We had a really fun time with Gary & Robin (Bear & Honey)! Here are a few pictures (I decided that a slideshow would be the most effective way for me to get caught up quickly to all the pics I have snapped!) to capture our new memories at their house, at the baseball game, and on our trip to New Mexico to ride the train (a huge highlight for all of us!) Thank you so much for your hospitality and to introducing us to the town of Chama, NM and its wonderful train ride. We had a super great time....
Monday, August 03, 2009
Loving the Feeling of Life
I have been to this stage of pregnancy three times before - and the memories simply cannot do justice to the reality of experiencing it live! I love, love, love feeling this little life moving around. I look forward to it all day - he is most active late at night and in the morning - his kicks and jabs getting stronger day by day. I love the gentle reminders that he sends me that he is doing well and growing.... Reece has had the patience to wait around long enough to feel him move and his eyes lit up. Chase can't hold out long enough and rather just says "cool" and runs off even though he has felt nothing. And Pierce...we haven't caught him long enough to give it a try. But this little baby brother has become one of the family - he is included in conversations and is already regularly chosen for which "team" he is going to be on (a true advantage to having 4)! I am so very thankful to have this day and this baby!
Father, I praise You and thank You today for the gift of this precious little boy. Thank You for blessing me with quiet and private moments with him to enjoy his development and cherish this miracle. Please continue to form and shape him and prepare us to welcome him into our family. Thank You Father for creating and for giving and providing. We are aware of Your goodness and proclaim it today - through the blessing of family. Amen.
Father, I praise You and thank You today for the gift of this precious little boy. Thank You for blessing me with quiet and private moments with him to enjoy his development and cherish this miracle. Please continue to form and shape him and prepare us to welcome him into our family. Thank You Father for creating and for giving and providing. We are aware of Your goodness and proclaim it today - through the blessing of family. Amen.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Connecting.....
These last weeks have been about connecting or re-connecting for me.
We are doing well - have enjoyed lots and lots of time with friends and family. In the last few weeks I have been blessed to see the majority of my girlfriends that have played a significant role in my life in various stops along our travels. It has been so good for me - lots of trips down memory lane, lots of laughing, lots of sharing, lots of dreaming and questioning and wondering. Good for me to remember and just be. Simply put: there is just nothing quite like friends with history. Thanks girls.
We have also treasured time with family. Nearly a week with Benjy's Dad, Gary and Robin. And nearly 2 weeks with all of my family in Canada. So good to be with both sides. The kids reconnected easily with grandparents and aunts/uncles and especially cousins. Lots of late nights and playtime and good food and just plain old connecting. Another simply put: there is just nothing quite like being with family (ha! interpret that as you may)
But I think one of the types of connecting I want to write about too is the reconnecting I have done with God through reading. No, not through a dynamic Bible reading plan... I hope I can reconnect to the Word of God again - I want to and need to. But what has really fed my spiritual life as of late are novels by Francine Rivers. It has been a long time since I have made time in my life to read - just to read for me - not parenting books, or devotional or self-helpey kind of things. And I am kind of not the most girley of girls so I had this idea in my head that a woman Christian author would be about really feminine things - like flowers and butterflies and rainbows. So I avoided them even though many recommended them. I stand corrected and proclaim it. In the past 2 months I have read 4 of her novels: the Mark of the Lion series (ya remember these books? Hadassah?) and then just yesterday finished Redeeming Love. So I have been changed and reminded of how good God is and how much He loves me and how I need to be more like Jesus in so many ways. The themes of love, forgiveness, grace, service, etc.. have made me think and desire change in my own life. So...thank you Francine!
If you have not taken the opportunity to read these books - please accept my recommendation to do just that - it will connect you again to our great and awesome God!
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Reece Graduates from Kindergarten!!!
We are so happy to see the ways Reece has grown and developed during these preschool years. It was so hard to let him go in the beginning and make the transition to having our boy go to school. But there is no doubt that this little guy has made many people smile and touched many lives through his friendship, and his loving, caring, responsible, funny self. We couldn't feel prouder for who he is first off - and then also for the many ways he has grown, learned, and developed.
Reece surrounded by many good friends!
School Stuff
We love our boys' school for lots of reasons...but one of them is that at this ripe old age of preschoolers they let them be kids and have fun and learn through play and discovery (unlike a traditional Mexican school). They are given several opportunities throughout the year to make a presentation in front of their class about fun/interesting topics - sometimes assigned and sometimes chosen by the child...sometimes in english, sometimes in spanish. At such an early age the fear of public speaking is being conquered and I think that is pretty cool.
This time around Reece chose to talk about bugs and for days beforehand was finding dead critters to save and show to his classmates with a magnifying glass. He made this poster and talked about why he loves collecting bugs!
And Chase chose Sea Animals. His teacher invited the parents to come and watch their child present and that was a really fun thing. He got out a pointer stick (in this case a sword) and did a really great job. I was able to snap a few more pics of him since it was live and in action! He was so proud of his ocean that he painted and all the sea animals he colored and glued in just the right spot!
We are proud of these guys - they enjoy school and have fun learning about lots of stuff!
This time around Reece chose to talk about bugs and for days beforehand was finding dead critters to save and show to his classmates with a magnifying glass. He made this poster and talked about why he loves collecting bugs!
And Chase chose Sea Animals. His teacher invited the parents to come and watch their child present and that was a really fun thing. He got out a pointer stick (in this case a sword) and did a really great job. I was able to snap a few more pics of him since it was live and in action! He was so proud of his ocean that he painted and all the sea animals he colored and glued in just the right spot!
We are proud of these guys - they enjoy school and have fun learning about lots of stuff!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Today Makes 6 Years!
Today, June 30th, marks our 6 year anniversary of our arrival to Mexico City. It has been an experience and a half! In that span of time we have had lots and lots of joys, lots and lots of learning, lots of moving to different houses, and even some hard times. There are obviously too many memories to record here, but here are some of the highlights!
One of the greatest of those joys has been without a doubt: Growing our family by welcoming and raising these handsome guys:
We also count it a valuable thing to have experienced:
Adjusting to a new culture/language/way of life and learning way more than we had anticipated with a great team of people - the Miller family, Molina family, McClue family, and Henderson family.
Creating a wider network of co-workers and friends in other parts of this City and other cities in Mexico - who know, understand and walk alongside us in the ups and downs of foreign missions and ministry.
Knowing and walking with Jesus alongside these brothers and sisters (among many others):
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Having so many opportunities to learn and grow as individuals.
Being witnesses to God at work in us and around us as He transforms lives.
We also have had difficult family experiences...such as the sudden death of my Dad, the adjustments and responsibilities of raising children, the loss of our two babies, and many more.
Overall, we look back on these six years with gratitude and praise to our Good Father who has not left us in any moment, who has been patient with our failings and shortcomings, who has strengthened us in our weakness and encouraged us in our discouragement. He has rejoiced with us in our victories and has always and continually desired to use us and grow us. Thank You God for all of Your good and perfect gifts - even those that we don't always recognize at first glance.
And, of course, a sincere thank you to our friends and family at the Westport Road Church of Christ in Louisville, Kentucky who have supported and partnered us in this mission since 2002! You have been a blessing from the Lord. We look forward to reconnecting with you in just a few short weeks!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Life Lessons
Life teaches, doesn't it? Sometimes its lessons are amazing, sometimes very difficult - but likely always with some sort of blessing - even if you have to look hard for it. I came across this list below of life lessons and as I read through it I smiled, I sighed, I nodded my head in agreement or understanding. Take a look at it and let her inspire you to live your life this week with a new or renewed perspective....
(Truth be told, I stole this off of someone else's blog - but so did she :) Credit is given to the author below. Even though I do not know who she is - I think she would be a neat 90 year old woman to meet and know - and learn from)
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer- Cleveland, OH
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled
over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
(Truth be told, I stole this off of someone else's blog - but so did she :) Credit is given to the author below. Even though I do not know who she is - I think she would be a neat 90 year old woman to meet and know - and learn from)
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer- Cleveland, OH
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled
over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Baby & Me
So I am in my 19th week of this pregnancy. The time is passing quickly and life with three busy boys has kept me from tracking each stage of tummy growth like I did with the previous ones - especially Reece. But thanks to some prodding from family and friends....Reece used his photography skills to snap a few pics....here is how I look!
I got my first comment from a stranger on the street the other day, so now I can truly know I look pregnant (ha - that was intended to be sarcastic) - I am learning that the more experiences you have with pregnancy, the less resistent ones body is to proclaim that new life is being formed within! But I am very thankful to be feeling well - have regained some of my energy back - and am beginning to recognize that old familiar feeling of feeling my baby move inside me. I think it is the most amazing and beautiful blessing of pregnancy! I am typically a little later on this than what "they" say you should expect - and although the movements are infrequent and subtle - I love it! I look forward to the upcoming weeks when they become a little more recognizable and strong enough for the boys to feel and see their little brother in action. The boys continue to be happy and excited about another baby...and I have no doubt that this little one will be a star to them!
Now, I would be lying if I refused to admit that I have experienced some feelings of overwhelm that before we know it we will have a new baby in our family.....with the sweet craziness of 4 boys at that! But I am so very thankful for God's graciousness to allow us to be at this point in our family. This little one is prayed for, thanked for, and celebrated.
We believe we have settled on a good, strong and meaningful name for our newest son...and we are not holding back from sharing it with people in conversation...in fact we call him it all the time now. I am just not sure if we have "officially" decided on it so will wait to make an announcement a little longer.
Anyway - there is the latest update on my pregnancy! We hope to have an ultrasound this week so we can get another sneak peek at his little face!!! Thanks for your love and prayers!
I got my first comment from a stranger on the street the other day, so now I can truly know I look pregnant (ha - that was intended to be sarcastic) - I am learning that the more experiences you have with pregnancy, the less resistent ones body is to proclaim that new life is being formed within! But I am very thankful to be feeling well - have regained some of my energy back - and am beginning to recognize that old familiar feeling of feeling my baby move inside me. I think it is the most amazing and beautiful blessing of pregnancy! I am typically a little later on this than what "they" say you should expect - and although the movements are infrequent and subtle - I love it! I look forward to the upcoming weeks when they become a little more recognizable and strong enough for the boys to feel and see their little brother in action. The boys continue to be happy and excited about another baby...and I have no doubt that this little one will be a star to them!
Now, I would be lying if I refused to admit that I have experienced some feelings of overwhelm that before we know it we will have a new baby in our family.....with the sweet craziness of 4 boys at that! But I am so very thankful for God's graciousness to allow us to be at this point in our family. This little one is prayed for, thanked for, and celebrated.
We believe we have settled on a good, strong and meaningful name for our newest son...and we are not holding back from sharing it with people in conversation...in fact we call him it all the time now. I am just not sure if we have "officially" decided on it so will wait to make an announcement a little longer.
Anyway - there is the latest update on my pregnancy! We hope to have an ultrasound this week so we can get another sneak peek at his little face!!! Thanks for your love and prayers!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Celebrating One Of Our Favorite Things: Daddy!
We enjoyed our Father's Day - giving thanks to the good man that God has placed in my life and in the lives of my boys.
For the longest time, Benjy has made a big deal to the boys about their pictures/paintings/drawings/crafts that they make...and he always asks them if he can put them in his office. The scene has become habitual in our house that the boys show off their work, Benjy claims it for his office, and I enter making a big commotion about how it isn't fair that he gets it - the kids laugh and feel great about their work. This year, more than ever, the boys went to work on preparing drawings (and I mean lot of them!) for their special Daddy....weeks before Father's Day...tacking it on the wall of his office. These are fun times because Reece's stuff usually now includes written messages in his preschool form of writing (very cute and at times very curious - you have to train your brain to read very phonetically and very confidently!) and Chase is growing more interested himself in drawing. Piersen draws the best little circles you have ever seen!
We decided to celebrate this Father's Day with the theme of" A Few of Our Favorite Things". The boys worked hard alongside me to each formulate a list of what are their 'favorites" these days...and then all worked together to form a list of their "favorite" things to do with Daddy. Very much on the sentimental side of capturing the life of a Daddy at this stage and where his boys are at. It turned out very cute...and was obviously made...just for his office :)
And: I am proud to say that Chase wrote the title and Reece the lists - in their own handwriting! (if you click on the pic it should enlarge enough for you to read the lists)
Then we gifted him with a few of his favorite things...and some of his favorite food...
And then - although several days late - I put together this very special collage of special pictures of Daddy and his boys. They make me smile and they remind me how blessed I am to have a man that sincerely wants to spend quality and quantity time with his boys. They say that a child's early years are so very formative - and I am proud to say that my husband has done marvellously at being very present to form them. And that is why my boys are so so so good. The slide show is kinda long, but there were lots of pictures representing lots of time well spent!
Happy Father's Day babe - thank you. These pictures are sure to say a thousand words of thanks from your sons :)
For the longest time, Benjy has made a big deal to the boys about their pictures/paintings/drawings/crafts that they make...and he always asks them if he can put them in his office. The scene has become habitual in our house that the boys show off their work, Benjy claims it for his office, and I enter making a big commotion about how it isn't fair that he gets it - the kids laugh and feel great about their work. This year, more than ever, the boys went to work on preparing drawings (and I mean lot of them!) for their special Daddy....weeks before Father's Day...tacking it on the wall of his office. These are fun times because Reece's stuff usually now includes written messages in his preschool form of writing (very cute and at times very curious - you have to train your brain to read very phonetically and very confidently!) and Chase is growing more interested himself in drawing. Piersen draws the best little circles you have ever seen!
We decided to celebrate this Father's Day with the theme of" A Few of Our Favorite Things". The boys worked hard alongside me to each formulate a list of what are their 'favorites" these days...and then all worked together to form a list of their "favorite" things to do with Daddy. Very much on the sentimental side of capturing the life of a Daddy at this stage and where his boys are at. It turned out very cute...and was obviously made...just for his office :)
And: I am proud to say that Chase wrote the title and Reece the lists - in their own handwriting! (if you click on the pic it should enlarge enough for you to read the lists)
Then we gifted him with a few of his favorite things...and some of his favorite food...
And then - although several days late - I put together this very special collage of special pictures of Daddy and his boys. They make me smile and they remind me how blessed I am to have a man that sincerely wants to spend quality and quantity time with his boys. They say that a child's early years are so very formative - and I am proud to say that my husband has done marvellously at being very present to form them. And that is why my boys are so so so good. The slide show is kinda long, but there were lots of pictures representing lots of time well spent!
Happy Father's Day babe - thank you. These pictures are sure to say a thousand words of thanks from your sons :)
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Cause for Concern?
At the boys' school, Fridays are always special days because they are allowed to bring one toy from home to play with during recess. Truth be told, really what this idea does is cause more chaos for me that morning because it apparently is a very difficult decision. :)
On Friday, Reece chose to take a magnifying glass. He loves bugs and things like that so I thought it was a good idea. However, we learned from Reece's honest lips that he got it taken away from him at recess....why? In his mind he was simply burning dry leaves with the hot sun. "Daddy, it works like really fast and before you know it, smoke is coming up. Paolo got scared and went and told the teacher so she took it away" :)
Scientist turned pyro-maniac?!?
On Friday, Reece chose to take a magnifying glass. He loves bugs and things like that so I thought it was a good idea. However, we learned from Reece's honest lips that he got it taken away from him at recess....why? In his mind he was simply burning dry leaves with the hot sun. "Daddy, it works like really fast and before you know it, smoke is coming up. Paolo got scared and went and told the teacher so she took it away" :)
Scientist turned pyro-maniac?!?
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Kate & Carson
This post is long overdue but I finally got my pictures downloaded so I am getting to it! Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with my niece and nephew - Betsy and Jared's little ones. Kate is 16 mo. old and Carson is 4 months....and they are adorable. I spent the afternoon with these sweet babies - without having my own kids around - which enabled me to have much more focused attention in the role of "auntie" - I loved it! We just hung out and played together - and then my stubborn own self subtly transitioned them into a "photo shoot" in hopes of capturing some good pics of these two together. I think I snapped some good ones - but I won't mention how crazy I had to act behind the camera to win their approval! Thanks for a great afternoon Kate & Carson - love you so much!
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