Slice of Life

Amali-Tales Part 3

2010-08-19T10:50:00.000-04:00

1) Back Seat Driver!!
Me: (I decided to take a different way back from soccer one day and I was thinking out loud to myself) Hmm, I don't know if this is the right road. I can't remember the name. Well, I'll just try this one.
Amalia: (pipes up from the back seat and says very confidently) Nope, this is the wrong way Mama.
Me: (still unsure of myself and almost willing to believe a 3 year old) Really Mali? You don't think this is the right way?
Amalia: (extremely confident) Nope, you're going the wrong way!
Me: (now sure I was going the right way afterall) You know, I really think we're going the right way. I remember that building!
Amalia: No Mama, you're going the wrong way.
Me: How do you know?
Amalia: Because there's a sign back there that said, "Nope, You're Going the Wrong Way!"
Me: hahahahahahaha

2) Amalia is really starting to wrap her head around the concept of family and marriage and has been talking about it more lately. The other day we were sitting at the kitchen table when she pointed to a flyer for a jewelry store and said, "When I get married, I want that necklace." So I asked her who she was going to marry and she said Papi. "But," I said, "He's already married." So she said Tito (her grandfather) . . . I decided to let it go.

3) New Word - Frusturated
I was playing blocks with Amalia and when I turned around, I accidentally knocked her tower over. Amalia furrowed her eyebrows and said, "Mama, I'm sooo frusturated with you because you knocked my blocks over!" So I said, "I'm sorry Mali. I didn't mean to." So she said, "That's ok Mama, I forgive you, but go play over there with those blocks and don't get too close to mine."

4) Sometimes Amalia is like an old lady. We were in the car and I asked her if she wanted a lollipop. Amalia says, "No thank you. I've already had a lot and I'll get sick if I eat too much candy." and in the same breath she said, "It looks like its going to rain today."

5) When asked when she was going to turn 5 years old, Amalia matter-of-factly replied, "After I turn 4."

6) We were eating supreme pizza with green peppers on it and Amalia started to say she didn't like the the peppers, but I told her that it is better to say, "I will try it" instead of "I don't like it." so a few minutes later, I noticed her picking the peppers off her pizza saying, "I like these, I'm just saving them for later."

7) She woke up with an upset stomach and said, "Mama, my belly's angry today."

8) Apple Juice Addiction
Let me just begin by telling you that I think my daughter has a serious addiction to apple juice. If she could have it her way, that is all she would ever consume. And to think that I don't even give it to her straight. I only give her 1/2 juice to 1/2 water. Nevertheless, she LOVES apple juice with all of her heart. So, we're in the parking lot of the store the other day and she tells me out of the blue . . .
Amalia: Mommy, I love apple juice.
Me: I'm thinking, "Ok, thank you for stating the obvious" and wondering what it world made her think of that. I said, "Ok Amalia, thanks for telling me that."
About 10 minutes later, we're in the car on the way home . . .
Amalia: "Did you hear that Mommy? Did you hear that?"
Me: "What?"
Amalia: "My apple juice is calling."
Me: "Really? Are you sure? I didn't hear anything."
Amalia: She says in a high pitched, far-off away sounding voice, "Amaaaliaaaa . . . "
"Did you hear that Mommy? Did you hear that?"
I think she was trying in a oh-so-suttle way to tell me she wanted some apple juice when we got home . . .

Never Say Never

2010-06-23T11:09:00.001-04:00

Its happening . . . I'm officially turning into a boring adult. I went on a date day with my hubby to Universal Studios theme park on Saturday and was perfectly content to mosey along, taking in all the sites, watching shows, sitting at the tables with umbrellas with all the old people eating ice cream, and then to top it all off, we left the park early and went out to eat!! Don't get me wrong, we did go on some roller coasters, but we were in no hurry and were perfectly content only going on once. There was no rushing from ride to ride, no bragging at the end of the day how many times we went on all the rides, we even skipped Doctor Doom's Fear Fall all together!! For shame! Oh and get this . . . I became annoyed at all the teenagers whizzing by everyone, almost knocking people over. I used to say I would never become like this . . .

2010-06-23T11:01:00.001-04:00

Yes, this is the book I stole my profile blurb from. Isn't it such a good title? It just sums up life all in one phrase . . . marvelous! I just finished the book actually and I really enjoyed it! So much so, that I started a book club with it.

Amali-Tales Part 2

2010-04-02T10:31:00.002-04:00

1) One morning Amalia told me she is getting big and will soon be big like me. I said, "That's right Amalia. You are getting big. But Amalia, don't get big too fast. Mommy will miss her little Amali-Bear very much." Amalia comes over, puts her arms around me and says, "Its ok Mommy. Don't cry."

2) We use the spanish word for kisses sometimes which is "besos." But the other day Amalia said she wanted some "kissos" before bed.

3) Random Conversation with a 3 Year Old - This Scares Me!!!
Amalia: (proclaiming out of the blue) I love Noah.
Me: (after getting over the initial shock) Really. What Noah are you talking about?
Amalia: from soccer
Me: Oh. Why do you love him?
Amalia: Because he loves me and he's a nice guy.
Me: (trying not to laugh) How do you know he loves you?
Amalia: Because he thinks about me everyday.
Me: (trying REALLY hard not to laugh out loud) How do you know?
This is where she conveniently changed the subject on me. Where does she get these things?!?!?!?! I honestly don't think she has ever even had a conversation with this little guy! Crack me up!!!!

4) Amalia's Prayer Last Night:
"Dear Jesus, thank you for my family and friends and for a fun time at soccer. But God, we didn't go to the park today and Riley couldn't come over, but that's ok because it was too late anyway and she can come over tomorrow. Amen."

The Header

2010-03-16T12:25:00.003-04:00

This morning I woke up with a million things on my mind and to tell you the truth, the thought of it all stressed me out, and right away I was already looking ahead at my day with a sort of dread. There were things waiting to get checked off the "to do" list, so I started in on them full steam ahead, and the tyranny of the urgent consumed me. You know when you're reading along in a book and you see a small number beside a word, you go down to the bottom of the page, find that number and voila, there's a little footnote to explain that word or sentence. A reference. It's always helpful, but very minute and not actually part of the main document. That's God in my day sometimes. An, "oh yeah, and this is where I squeeze God into my life" kind of note. Right in the middle of all of that, God told me to stop and spend some time with him, and I have to admit, this is the last thing I wanted to do. I was telling God, "Oh God, do I hafta? I've got a million things to do today and this is really going to slow me down." But I sat down to spend time with my God. And as I was praying, the world I was just consumed in started to fade. The urgent didn't seem so urgent anymore and God's agenda which was farthest from my mind a minute ago came to the forefront.

The God of the Bible is certainly not a footnote. He is the header in our life's story. He is the main idea, the bottom line, the meat and potatoes, the essence, the conclusion and the crux. He is the nitty-gritty. He is the nuts and bolts. Deuteronomy 4:24 says He is a consuming fire. In John 15:5, Jesus says, I am the vine; you are the branches . . . apart from me you can do nothing." He is the bread of life (John 6:35). He is the light of the world (John 8:12). He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He is our life source. HE IS! Romans 11:36 says, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen."

That said, the whole of what it means to follow Jesus can be summed up in just one verse, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself . . . do this and you will live (Luke 10:27-28). We are to be consumed in God and his purpose to show his love to others. Try writing that in your daily planner each day. It changes your schedule just a bit, doesn't it? I know, there are still those day to day chores and troubles we all have to deal with, but it would keep us from getting buried in those things. Instead, be buried in Jesus Christ. "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:2-3). It is like entering another reality. You're in the world, but not consumed by it.

When I plug into my life source (Jesus Christ), I am filled with peace and joy, and my day doesn't seem so daunting after all. In fact, I look forward to the adventure. It makes me think of that old hymn,

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace."

This is what God has been teaching me. What has he been teaching you?

Amali-Tales

2009-09-22T12:19:00.002-04:00

1). When Adrian calls, I answer my phone, "Hey babe . . . " so after I got off the phone with him the other day, Amalia asks, "Was that babe?"

2). She LOVES the song "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt." She likes to sing it with me every night before bed.

3). I was teaching Amalia a 3 part song in which one of the parts goes, "one bottle of pop, two bottles of pop, three bottles of pop . . . " I sang it and then asked Amalia is sing it back to me. She piped in, "one lollipop, two lollipops, three lollipops . . . "

4). She loves to "help" bake cookies and do laundry

5). Amalia is a bit of a drama queen when it comes to bumps and bruises so when she hurts herself, I pick her up, dust her off, give her a hug and tell her, "You'll be ok. See, there's no blood." So the other day we were swimming and I was trying to show her how to do a back flip under the water and I smacked my face on the bottom of the pool. Amalia comes over and puts her arm around me and says, "You'll be ok. There's no blood."

6). The last two consecutive mornings the very first words out of her mouth were, "Mommy, I want to play Candyland." She LOVES this game right now. There is a character called "Gramma Nutt" but she calls her "Peanut Gramnut."

7). Amalia just told me this morning that she likes freckles and wants to someday have freckles like me.

8). While driving around doing errands yesterday, Amalia proclaims (out of the blue) from the back seat, "Mommy, the park makes me happy." I was wondering if this was a hint . . .

9). She loves broccoli right now. Everytime we're in the store, she wants to pick out her own broccoli. She also likes to help me wash it when I'm making it for dinner and later I notice little nibbles out of the top.

10). Yesterday, Luci and I were going over our grocery list of what we need at Costco. Amalia pipes in from the backseat, "And toys! They have a lot of toys."

Rain

2009-09-16T10:01:00.004-04:00

I love this little video by Rob Bell. Rain always comes . . . in our lives. It just does. Its a fact. But atleast we know the Lord is near and that He can see the end and knows the way out.

This Is All That I Have

2009-07-27T09:43:00.000-04:00

I was having coffee with a friend just recently. She was looking for some answers to relationship issues she is having. So I was thinking of what I could say to encourage her. I am not in the least bit an expert on this. Maybe I could suggest one of those self help books. I have read my fair share of them, mostly christian ones. You know, the ones that have a seven step process to wedded bliss and the ones that tell you ___ + ___ = the perfect life (you can fill in the blanks). The formula ones. Or the ones that give you a list of rules to follow and then everything will turn out alright. To be honest, I have met people who are quite good at following rules, lists and formulas and some of them are jerks. And those books usually just frustrate me more than anything. I finish the book determined to "get it right this time" and then mess up big time soon after and I am back to square one. And on top of that, I eventually forget what I have read and must continually relearn things. Maybe a marriage seminar or retreat? I come away from them so encouraged, but to tell you the truth, as soon as I get home and into the schedule, I slip right back into former ways. Plus, they are really expensive! Maybe I could tell her that she needs to go to church more, listen to hymn cds in the car and find more Christian friends who also listen to hymn cds in the car . . . no, not that either because I don't even listen to hymn cds in the car. So where can she find answers? Are there any answers or are we all just swirling around in confusion only achieving success by pure luck?

The only thing I could come up with worth telling her about is the only thing that has ever brought any transformation in my life . . . that being my relationship with the living God and Creator of all things including me (a.k.a Jesus Christ). The one who came to heal the broken hearted and set the captives free (Isa. 61:1). I'm not talking about going to church and reading the Bible. That would be like saying I'm best buds with Abe Lincoln because I visited his house and read his biography. No, I'm talking about an actual day-to-day relationship with Jesus Christ. He talks to me, I talk to him. Sounds crazy, I know. But when he speaks truth into my life, all of the sudden a light goes on and I am forever set free from that struggle.

I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life. ~Jesus (John 8:12 NLT)

I don't know of anyone else who can do that, so just maybe the answers aren't in a formula or in a set of rules or "religion" and God actually created us to be relational to have our needs met by closeness with him. Just maybe this Jesus is a whole lot bigger than we think and just maybe we can depend him to get us through life.

Pink Umbrella - Part 2

2009-07-13T09:07:00.009-04:00

I went to pick up Amalia at Nana's yesterday and guess what she came home with from Wal-Mart . . . yes, you guessed it, a new umbrella complete with princesses and ruffles (Grandparents are such softies!) Later that night when I was putting Amalia to bed and she wanted to pray, I said, "Why don't you thank Jesus for your new umbrella." So she starts praying, "Dear God, thank you for . . . thank you for . . . " and then turns to me and whispers, "I forgot." I whispered back, "umbrella" and then she continued praying, "Thank you God for french fries and my umbrella."

Happy Birthday Mi Amor

2009-06-30T10:31:00.000-04:00

This is to you, mi amor. I love you. Thanks for making my life so great! Thanks for providing for Amalia and me and thanks for being the best ever papi to Amalia and husband to me!!!! You are my best friend, a true man of God and the one whom I respect and look up to more than anybody else on this earth! I always think of you first when I need advice, encouragement or a shoulder to cry on. On top of all that, you have an amazing vision and dream that you are couragious enough to follow. I am so blessed.

Faith and Green Onions

2009-06-12T11:22:00.000-04:00

Laura is one of my best friends in the world and also my hero at present. She and her husband have left their comfortable, secure lives in New Mexico and have moved to a whole new part of the country to Washington State to plant a church. It is so awesome to see their faith and hear how God is providing. I was cracking up when she wrote me this story. With her permission, I wanted to share it with you:

. . . I am searching for recipes on the internet. We are trying everything we can to save money. I am so not susie homemaker, but you would laugh at the lengths to which we are going. We are planting a garden, baking our own bread, making home made cleaning products. Oh, and the best story is when a few weeks ago I went to make some potato soup. The recipe calls for green onions. I went outside and saw where a previous tenant had planted a million green onions. I was ecstatic. I said "Craig, look, we will save so much money with all these green onions!" I cut them up and put them in our soup. It tasted a little different that night. We described it as "earthy" and "organic" but we were so proud that I had found them outside and not spent money on them. Our neighbor came over the next day and I offered her some since we have so many. Her name is Anna too. She says, "Green onion? Are you sure? You better show me what you ate." She pulled some up and we all died laughing when she let me know that I had picked and cut up garlic bulbs that hadn't matured, and wouldn't mature until July. Um, yeah. I won't be throwing random vegetables from our yard into our food without confirmation of what they are anymore. Hope that makes you smile. . .

Thanks Coach!!

2009-05-29T11:45:00.004-04:00

I was recently reminded in 1 Thess. that I should remember to thank those in my life past or present who have encouraged and influenced me for Christ. Then I was given the opportunity when I heard my college soccer coach was being inducted into the National Christian College Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Here is what I wrote to be included in a book given to him at the ceremony:

When I heard you were being inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame, I could not think of a more deserving person. Having you as a coach during my 4 years of college soccer as well as working at summer soccer camps at BBC were some of the best times and my most cherished memories. I do not even know how to begin to thank you. Above all, thank you for being faithful to Jesus Christ in everything because through you, I learned more about Him. You always kept our team focused on glorifying God with our lives and through soccer, taught us the essential life lessons of perseverance, endurance, joy, the value of teamwork, etc. I have fond memories of summer soccer camp, pre-season team-building trips (remember the white water rapids trip that turned out to be more like the brown water floating trip in 1998?), bus rides (at times, keeping you awake and praying the bus would make it and driving past the thriving metropolis of Turbotville), championship games and indoor soccer in the winter. I have fond memories of all the wonderfully grueling morning runs (rain or shine . . . or snow!) always in your excessively chipper morning fashion. I came to love those morning runs, and I still jog in the mornings, but it is not nearly as fun without you and the rest of the team. You were somehow always able to work us extremely hard and yet we would have a blast doing it. Actually, I had so much fun that I kept on playing and coaching and I now direct a girls’ soccer program at a soccer club in my area.
Also, I could not thank you without also thanking Mrs. Davis for all the sacrifice, love and support she gave which enabled you to be so great. As time passes, I realize more and more what an amazing blessing and honor it was to be part of your team. I also realize that I am just one of many who could say the same. You have made a huge impact and have left quite a legacy. Thanks Coach and congratulations!!!

Pink Umbrella

2009-05-18T09:24:00.011-04:00

This is my conversation with my 2 year old, Amalia this morning while I was getting her dressed.

Amalia: Mommy, its raining outside.
Me: Yes, you're right.
Amalia: We'll need an umbrella.
Me: OK, we'll use an umbrella today.
Amalia: Yes, we need to use an umbrella today.
Me: OK
Amalia: Mommy, I need my own umbrella. I would like a pink one.
Me: But we already have umbrellas.
Amalia: No, I want my own umbrella. I want a pink one.
Me: OK well, we'll see.
Amalia: But mommy, I need an umbrella . . . can I have some apple juice?

Learning Patience

2009-03-24T09:47:00.005-04:00

Today Amalia was with Nana and she came into the kitchen and asked Nana if she could have some chocolate covered cherries (an indulgence only nana's can get away with). Nana was busy cooking and said, "Nana is busy cooking at the moment, but I'll get you some in a few minutes. Just be patient and wait." Amalia seemed to be ok with this and went back in the living room. Well, Nana accidentally forgot all about the chocolate covered cherries and about 15 minutes later, Amalia comes back into the kitchen doorway with arms crossed and foot stamping and says, "I'm waiting, I'm patient." Of course, Nana just starts cracking up and Amalia got her cherries!

Searching for Significance

2009-02-16T17:43:00.006-05:00

I've been having significance issues lately and I've been doing all kinds of things to try to fix the problem. I've been praying for direction and clarity, I've been trying to get more involved at church, I've been thinking through career paths, I've been looking at grad schools and then prayed some more and all I got was a bunch of road blocks and one answer from God, "Spend more time with me." This was NOT the answer I had in mind. So I completely ignored God and kept striving on my own (*side note: As I look back over all the wonderful things in my life, I have never had to strive for any of them, so what made me think I would need to start now?). And again, all I got was more road blocks and one answer from God, "Spend more time with me." This whole "ignoring God" thing went on for a while and the frustration mounted. I have even lost sleep over this. I kind of thought God's answer was beside the point, but in my heart I knew that it WAS the point. So recently I have given in to God and started spending more time with him and all the sudden I have more direction and peace than I've had for months! Then I came across John 12:43,

For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

And it hit me that my striving was due to my perceived need for praise from people. Erwin McManus in "Wide Awake" says it like this:

God glorifies himself and finds the greatest honor from our lives when we are willing to fail in the eyes of others simply by doing what is right even if it means losing our perceived value in the world. Faith is not measured by success . . . would you choose success in the eyes of others or failure that brings your life its greatest meaning? Sometimes we hesitate to choose the more difficult path even when we know it leads us to the life we were born to live.

I was searching for significance in all the wrong places. In short, significance and success defined by our culture is vain and empty. It will neither satisfy nor give us the peace that we are all looking for. But Christ will. It is such a huge relief to not be under the pressure of the world. This song by Tenth Avenue North says it well and brings me to tears when I hear it.

On Discipline

2009-02-15T08:45:00.004-05:00

Ok, now I really am on my little soapbox, but I have been thinking on this lately. I believe children are a wonderful gift from God, but also a great responsibility entrusted to us who require A LOT of time and energy. That said, the longer I have been a parent, the more I realize that you cannot be lazy and be a good parent. I see so many children who are terrors and it weighs heavy on me. I am sad for the children much more than I am sad for their parents. They are not going to be able to live life to its fullest if they are focused only on themselves. Discipline is not a way of controlling a child so parents can have an easier life, it is setting our precious gifts from God up for success in life. All of life is about serving others and when children are taught that they are the center of the universe and parents and others are there to serve them, they will be rudely awakened when they get older and enter the workforce, and it will be painful for them. I discipline because I love my daughter intensely. I want to set her up with truth and character. Cute little sins now turn into big ugly ones later and it is much easier for her to learn the lessons now. But my aim is not to change outward actions (that is just legalism). My aim is her heart. Sorry to get all preachy on you. This is what I woke up thinking about this morning.

Pony Riding and Cookie Eating

2009-02-03T16:06:00.003-05:00

Mornings with Amalia

2009-02-03T09:11:00.023-05:00

I have quickly figured out that I am the only morning person in our family. My wonderful daughter takes after her Papa in many ways and not being a morning person is one of them. Saturday mornings consist of me sitting on the couch all by myself sipping my coffee and either watching the morning news or reading. This goes on for at least an hour until about 9:00 until Adrian gets up. Then he and I have about another half hour until we start hearing squeaks from Amalia. I know, this would be a dream come true for many moms of bounce-off-the-walls, get-up-at-the-crack-of-dawn kids, but I actually used to want everyone to get up when I did. After a few grumpy mornings and me finally figuring out that not everyone has to be a morning person, I settled for letting everyone sleep. And it is not as if Amalia doesn't get enough sleep. Along with an afternoon nap, she goes to bed at about 8:30 p.m.!
Weekday mornings are always interesting because I have to wake Amalia up at 8:00. "That's not early" you may say, and I well agree, but it is for non-morning people apparently because I give myself an entire half hour to get her up and ready and I am almost always late. I have learned to compromise, and I have learned to be very calm, tranquil and serene. So on to the point . . . I went in to wake Amalia up this morning and in my rehearsed semi-calm, serene way, I said, "Good morning." This is definitely a learned art because after a jog, a warm shower and a cup of caffeine-laced coffee, I am rearing to go and think everyone else should be too. The slits that contain eyes slowly opened and then closed right back up again. She then rolled over and clutched her blanket (luckily, I had spotted her pacie before she saw and hid it under the pillow because if she has that it is ten times harder to get her up). I began gently rubbing her back and said, "Amalia, do you want to brush your teeth?" (this tactic worked for a little while because she LOVES to brush her teeth, but I think she has become wise to it). she winced and rolled her shoulder as if to try to detach my hand off her back and then turned back over toward me and and tried to push me off the bed with her feet. Sensing the grumpiness coming on, I got up and starting getting out her clothes to give her a little more time. You have no idea how much self control this takes on my part. When I was little, my dad used to come in, jump on me and start tickling me ferociously and that is exactly what I want to do, but Amalia will start crying! After I did everything I could possibly think of to give her more time to wake up, I went over and sat on her bed again but didn't say anything. This time she opened her eyes and finally conceded, "Ok mommy, ok . . . be patient." This of course just cracked me up, but I was careful to chuckle quietly under my breath instead of a loud boisterous laugh and said, "Amalia, I love you." She retorted with, "No, I love YOU!" A sigh of relief! I knew then I was homefree and could proceed with the rest of the morning without WWII erupting.
She is only 2-1/2 now . . . I can only imagine the adventures I am going to have when she is a teenager.

Bread for Thought

2009-01-12T10:03:00.027-05:00

I love bread. My mom used to laugh at me when I was little because almost every night I would ask if I could please just have one piece of bread and some water before bed. She said I sounded like a refugee. You have no idea how disappointed I was when I found out bread isn't all that good for you, at least eating it at the rate I was. Well my refugee days are over, but I've moved on to bigger and better things . . . namely Panera Bread. It is one of my favorite spots. Ask my husband who has had to endure eating with me at this "chic restaurant" (as he calls it) for the past 6 years. He would much rather eat some steak, but is instead reduced to froo-froo soups, salads, and sammies which of course come with a steaming hot mouthwatering loaf of fresh baked bread. Speaking of bread, I've been ruminating on John 6:34,

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty . . ."

This naturally caught my attention and made made me think. Bread in those times was the sustenance of life. It was essential for survival, not a carb no-no like our current culture. There was no appetizer, main course and desert, it was just bread and maybe some wine to drink. That's it kids! That's what's for dinner! Bread gives satisfaction, life and energy (oh baby does it ever. Just try not eating for a couple days). Of course bread is a metaphor. Jesus is the bread of life because He brings us life through faith in Him! A life that is radically changed into something better than you could ever ask for or imagine. He is salvation to those who want it. What is your salvation? We all have one. Is it success? Is it money? Notoriety? Education? Family or friends? Is it that house with a white picket fence? Anything other than the true life-giving bread from heaven is like eating dirt. It doesn't taste good (unless you don't know any better, but that is a whole other topic), diminishes the quality of your life and will not satisfy. Do you want a life lived fully with freedom and peace, adventure and purpose? Feast on the delectable, super tasty bread from heaven, Jesus Christ, and you will never hunger again.

. . . I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Munch on that for a bit and in the meantime, I'm headed to Panera Bread!

Fun in the Snow

2009-01-08T14:58:00.012-05:00

All I wanted for Christmas this year during our visit to Pennsylvania was snow for Malia to play in since we live in Florida and she hasn't seen any since she was 6 months old. Well, I got my wish . . . complete with sledding and snowman making! Here's the evidence. My mom (a.k.a. Mimi) was all ready for us with a snowsuit, boots, hat and gloves so Malia wouldn't freeze her little toes off (Thank you Mimi!). I was curious to know what she would think about the snow and whether or not she would like it. I got my answer the day after our first time out. As soon as she woke up and EVERY morning following that, she would go right over to the window and ask, "We gonna play in da snow Mommy? We gonna play in da snow?" And then in about 10 minute intervals all morning long through breakfast until we were ready to go out, she would ask me again, "We gonna play in da snow Mommy? We gonna play in da snow?"

Guilty Addiction

2008-12-11T10:34:00.008-05:00

Here is a little known fact about me that I'm finally admitting publicly . . . I am addicted to lists . . . there, I said it. I LOVE making lists (to-do lists, grocery lists, wish lists, gift lists, packing lists, event planning lists, you name it!) and then crossing things off them. I will even write things down on my list that I have either completed already or am almost done with just so I can put that nice big slash through it! I also put silly things on my to-do lists like, "brush teeth" just so I can mark it off. Like, DUH!!! Everyone brushes their teeth without needing reminded. I have rewritten lists that have become crumpled and dog-eared so I can have a nice fresh new list. I even look at my husband's list and slash things on his that are already done. And yes, I am also the author of his to-do list or "honey-do" list as they say. Isn't that terrible? He hasn't really given me much grief about his to-do list; he is such a nice husband. He just does the stuff on the list. I also love list stationary. They have them in the dollar section at Target and I am ALWAYS tempted to buy more; the kind that have a little magnet on the back so you can stick it to your fridge. But then I remember that I have 3 of them in my nightstand drawer at home (plus, "list stationary" was not on my list), so pull myself away or I buy them for gifts. I used to like post-it notes, but they have become too small for my lists. I also have list codes. For example, "A" means urgent, "B" means get done tomorrow, not urgent, and "C" on my grocery list means I have a coupon for it.
1. I know, I know, this is a serious problem.
2. Is there any help for list addicts?
3. If so, please let me know ASAP! (A)
4. Brush teeth (A)

Things I Am Thankful For:

2008-11-26T10:02:00.010-05:00

1. My God
2. Adrian and Mali-Bear
3. Family and Friends
4. Cate (My Wonderful Niece and Answer to Prayer)
5. Crest Whitestrips
6. Living in FL This Time of Year
7. Garlic Press
8. Flip Flops
9. Soccer
10. Gas Prices Going Down
11. Mom's Baked Corn Casserole
12. Jumping Off Cliffs at Rock Run
13. Snow Days
14. The View from Rattlesnake Mountain
15. Christmas Claymation
16. The Wood Stove at Mom and Dad's House
17. Mali's Toys Laying All Around the House (Evidence of Her Presence)
18. Coffee
19. Having an Extra Refrigerator for Thanksgiving
20. Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish
How about you?

Christmas Jesus Freak

2008-11-20T11:11:00.025-05:00

Maybe its the fact that I am a mom now and we are thinking through what we want to communicate to Mali and forming family traditions, or maybe its the fact I am just becoming more aware of a world in need, but I have all of the sudden become a sort of Christmas Jesus Freak. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not out on the streets of Tampa clad in John 3:16 with a megaphone shouting to passer-byers to "repent." I'm just passionate about making Christmas about why it originally began in the first place: the birth of Jesus Christ "who came to save his people from their sins." (Matt. 1:21)

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. I John 4:9 NIV

That said, I found this wonderful little DVD that tells the true Christmas story, so I plan on buying it for all the little ones in my life. Christmas is not about materialism, but about blessing someone's socks off! Last year, our pastor told us that the average family spends $1,000 on Christmas gifts each year (yikes, that's a lot for an average), so he challenged us to spend half of what we normally spend, save a fourth and give away the remaining fourth. So that is what our church did and we sent thousands of dollars to build wells in Africa so the people there could have clean water to drink. That is what Christmas is all about.

Hello My Little Smart Girl!

2008-11-13T11:06:00.007-05:00

This is Mali's latest read and boy does she LOVE this book. We have read it over and over and over and over and over . . . I also love it too, so I don't mind a bit. Yesterday I overheard her talking to herself, so looked over to see her sitting with this book opened on her lap. She was "reading" it by herself from memory!!! I thought to myself, "Oh well, she knows a page or two . . ." but she knew the whole thing!! I've got to get this on video.

Pumpkin Festival

2008-10-29T11:59:00.004-04:00

For those of you who think this blog is worthless without pictures of Mali, here are some to make you happy.

Latest Reads

2008-10-15T12:04:00.006-04:00

So I was happily reading Wide Awake, by Erwin McManus when the library called to let me know that the book I requested, How Should We Then Live, by Francis Schaeffer had come in. Well, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to just peek into the first couple pages of Schaeffer, but now I'm hooked. I can't very well read both at once and since I have to return Schaeffer in 3 weeks and I own McManus, Schaeffer won out for my current read. Sorry McManus. I love you and will return to you soon.

St. Maurice

2008-10-15T09:01:00.003-04:00

Have you ever heard about a Roman military commander named Maurice? Yeah, neither had I until just yesterday when I happened to read about him. You know Christ's prayer that we as Christians "be in the world, but not of it?" Maurice took this to a whole new level. Back when the Roman Empire ruled the world and Christians were persecuted, Maurice was given orders to direct a persecution of Christians. Instead, Maurice handed his insignia to his assistant so he could join the Christians and be killed as a fellow believer. This took place in the Rhone valley in Switzerland under the mountains of the Dents du Midi. It is for him that the town of St. Maurice is now named. Wow, what strong faith he had! I want to be like that.

Nothing Better in the World

2008-10-10T12:13:00.006-04:00

I was just thinking about the feeling I get when Mali runs up to me with arms wide open and gives me the biggest hug she possibly can or when I give Mali a snack or hand something to her and she says, "Choo choo Mommy" which translates to "Thank you Mommy" or at night when I'm tucking her in and she says, "luh you Mommy"or when she first wakes up in the morning and is still a little sleepy and will sit and cuddle with me for a while and let me kiss her hair, or when she sees a booboo on my leg and kisses it and tells me I need a Dora (her word for bandaid), or when she leaves a really loud toot and looks at me and starts laughing and then we both start laughing really hard, or at my soccer games when she shouts, "Go yeyo!!" (I'm on the yellow team) or when she gives me eskimo kisses . . . ahhhhh, that just fills my heart up to overflowing. There is no better feeling in the world.

And Keys!

2008-09-30T10:43:00.004-04:00

When Mali's grandfather, Tito, goes off to work each day, Nana always asks him right before he leaves if he has his phone, keys and glasses. She always asks him about these 3 important things because it is a big inconvenience to not have them. Yesterday, as Tito was walking to the door to go to work, Nana noticed he already had the keys in his hand, so asked, "Do you have your phone and glasses?" Mali was there and was sitting watching TV seemingly not even paying attention when suddenly she peeks her head out from the big chair she is sitting on and exclaims, "And keys!!" What a crack up! So young, so smart.

A Nice Little Life

2008-09-26T11:14:00.012-04:00

John Eldredge, in his book, Walking With God, says this . . .

I want two things that are mutually opposed--I want to live a nice little life, and I want to play an important role in God’s kingdom. And it’s in those times that I am trying to live a nice little life that I make decisions and choices that cause me in small and subtle ways to live outside of Jesus. The shepherd is headed one direction, and I am headed another. Not some flagrant sin—that’s too easy to recognize. Instead, I’m simply wandering off looking for the pasture I deem best. I don’t even think to ask God about it. A very dangerous way of thinking. As Christians we don’t get to live a 'normal' life, and accepting that fact in all the details of our lives is what allows us to remain in Jesus.

When I read this, it really irked me. . . because it is true and truth sheds light on the dark places in our lives. This is my struggle. Sometimes I want this nice little life. You know, the kind that doesn't involve too much pain or sacrifice. The kind that is comfortable and secure. The kind that comes with things, like a nice house, nice vacations, nice "issue-free" people in my life so I don't have to carry other's burdens, nice things like that (not that these things are necessarily harmful, but they can be if they are the focus). But then I also want to live passionately for Christ. I know that my life is not my own, but Christ's.

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Col. 3:2-3
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me . . . Gal. 2:20

And in the end, I really don't want a nice little life, because there is no such thing. It is a lie from the evil one. There is only the adventurous life found in Jesus or a meaningless, selfish life. Sounds harsh, I know, but it is true.

Choosing Tragedy Over Safety

2008-09-24T10:44:00.004-04:00

This is a great quote I just recently came across . . .

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries, avoid all entanglements, lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket -safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy is damnation. The only place you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell. ~C.S. Lewis

Don't Judge Too Quickly

2008-09-19T09:25:00.007-04:00

We were on a mission; a mission that took us deep into the indigent neighborhoods of Atlantic City. If you've never been to Atlantic City, you know that although the touristy section is extremely posh, there are also some areas that you should avoid. Those are the areas that we were headed directly to the day my sister and I were on a mission to find recao (the secret ingredient in any good Puerto Rican dish). Recao is awfully hard to find in the north. After stopping at about 4 stores, we FINALLY found it . . . the beloved recao leaves. As we were walking to the car, my sister was explaining to me how we wouldn't want to hang around there at night when a guy (stereotypical for that neighborhood) yells, "Hey, you guys dropped something!" He was holding up a piece of paper that looked about the size of an envelope. Right away, all my red flags went up. I couldn't remember bringing anything with me like that. I quickly looked to see if we had everything we came with. It appeared we did, so I gave the guy a dirty look and yelled, "Whatever!" We got into the car and sped off.
Fast forward about 2 hours. We were in a grocery store in Ocean City when my sister says, "Do you have the grocery list? I can't find it." It then dawned on me that the envelope-sized paper was exactly the same color and size of our grocery list and the poor saint in Atlantic City was just trying to help.

Financial Guru

2008-09-18T10:39:00.007-04:00

I never thought of financial magazines as a good read for toddler age children, but apparently I was wrong. When Mali's Aunt Sarah and Uncle Todd came for a visit, Mali sat on the couch with Uncle Todd for over a hour reading with him. She really gets into it too. She even ripped out a couple articles she didn't agree with.

Our Big Helper

2008-09-18T10:26:00.006-04:00

Lately, Mali has been our big helper! Here's a couple pix of her helping Papi mow the lawn. She also likes to "help" unload the dishwasher and fold laundry.

Plastic Ice

2008-09-16T10:08:00.004-04:00

Today I am very thankful for my icemaker. I know, this seems like such an insignificant thing, but to me, it is WONDERFUL! I happen to love fresh brewed ice tea, but haven't been able to make it very often due to not having ice readily available all the time, and I hate dealing with ice cube trays. That problem is now solved with our new refrigerator which has an ICEMAKER! You have no idea how psyched I am. Now to figure out how to work it . . . last time I had tea, I found little bits of plastic wrap floating around in it. Apparently, I had something wrapped in plastic in the freezer which was pulled into the icemaker and VOILA, plastic ice!

M&M Tax

2008-09-12T09:06:00.003-04:00

We have been attempting to potty train Mali. So as a sort of incentive, we give her two M&M's each time she goes. This has been working pretty well. Whenever she goes, I get all excited, shout, "YAY!!!" jump up and down, clap and tell her she gets two M&Ms. So the other day, her grandfather (Adrian's dad), whom she calls "Tito," went to the bathroom. She goes right up to the door to listen (poor Tito, no privacy). As soon as she hears he went, she shouts, "YAY Tito!!! Two M&Ms!" and claps for him. As he is washing his hands, she goes over to Nana to get two M&Ms for him. Unfortunately, both the M&Ms did not make it to Tito. I guess she figured there needed to be a delivery tax, so she ate one on the way and gave one to Tito.

I've Changed

2008-09-10T13:05:00.004-04:00

I've changed and I didn't really even realize it. Yesterday, I turned on a Christian radio station I used to like to listen to and agreed with mostly, but I haven't listened to it in a couple years. I was listening for awhile and suddenly realized I didn't agree with this station anymore. The couple programs I listened to painted the picture of Christianity far too negative. It made me not want to be a follower of Jesus. It seemed complicated and burdensome to be a Christain. The whole of Christianity was painted as constantly being worried about sin, falling into it, or trying to stay out of it. Wow, that is not it at all! In fact, that is just the opposite. Christ has made me free from all that and sees me as His precious child without sin (through His grace and Spirit). Being a follower of Christ means being free, declared righteous, not bound by a legalistic system of checks and balances. Check out Galatians 3! Condemnation causes fear and comes from the evil one, but Jesus sets us free and makes our lives bright! The funny thing is I kept listening awhile. I think because I was glad to learn that I've changed.

Jesus at Adventure Island

2008-08-14T12:00:00.007-04:00

I've been reading a book entitled Walking with God, by John Eldredge. In it, he encourages us to include God in our day-to-day mundane lives, in every little detail and to really listen to Him (our schedules, small daily decisions, etc.). I thought about this and why not? I mean God wants to truly lead us, and our lives would be a whole lot easier if we let Him. So Adrian and I have been trying this lately. Just a couple weeks ago, we asked Him if we should go to the beach with friends that we've been trying to get together with for ages or stay home to mow a neighbor's lawn who just had a baby. God told us to stay and cut the grass. Although I was glad to help our neighbors, I fretted about the decision for the next week because I felt we had let our friends down and knowing how busy everyone's schedule is, thought the opportunity had completely passed until next summer. It turns out our friends had gone to the beach anyway, had a blast and asked if we wanted to go with them the next weekend. We were so excited, God worked everything out.
Last week, we decided to take Mali to Adventure Island Water Park (yep, we asked God first and he said we should go) and on the way there I was fretting about the fact that we would have to pay for parking and we were only going to be there a few hours. I don't know why I was fretting, but I was. I hate paying $10 to park for 3 hours. So, I prayed that we wouldn't have to pay for parking (it seemed like a silly prayer, but I did it anyways. It felt good to cast my worry on Him). So we pull into the park and the parking booth attendant leans over and says, "Go on ahead, you guys are good to go." I couldn't believe it! Free parking, just like I asked. I was thinking maybe I should ask about our mortgage next . . . haha, no, God is not a genie, but the point of all this is, life is so much easier and more worry-free when we live in God's schedule rather than drag Him along with our schedule. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me." John 10:27 (NLT)

She's All About Kikis

2008-08-13T09:10:00.001-04:00

So my daughter, Mali, Adrian and I were sitting at the table the other night waiting for dinner to finish cooking. Because I had already eaten earlier, I was munching on a cookie (in front of my 2 year old daughter . . . what was I thinking?!) Of course, Mali says in exclamation, "KIKI!!" (her word for cookie) This means that 1) she has noticed it so there is no use trying to hide it or pretend otherwise and 2) she would like one. Immediately I realized the error of my ways in eating a cookie in front of her right before dinner and said, "Ok Mali, you can have one right after dinner." I then proceeded to take the cookies back in the kitchen and put them away so they would be of no further temptation. She seemed to be ok with this and dropped the subject (amazingly). The great thing about having little ones is that they have short memories (or so I thought). So fastforward about 20 minutes . . . we had just finished dinner and were sitting at the table chilling. Adrian and I were in a conversation, and Mali was quietly sitting eating her last few bites. Then Adrian says to me, "Oh Babe, do you think I should get her a . . . " and before Adrian could even finish his sentence, Mali turns to him and says, "Kiki" in the kind of voice that says, "Yes, I am paying attention and don't even think for a minute that I've forgotten about those cookies." Adrian and I burst out laughing and Mali got her precious "kiki." The end.