REST AND RESOLUTIONS

I've been thinking a lot about the upcoming year.  I know some people make resolutions and some don't.  I'm into them.  Sometimes I've got so much on my mind that I can't seem to start one thing without thinking about the next.  Lists can be helpful, I make them all the time, grocery list, fix it list and now my list of resolutions for 2012. I am looking forward to crossing these things off. 

How are you winding down your 2011? We are winding down the year in the comfort of home.

We are rebelling against Grandma and wearing jeans. 

We are making each other laugh. 

However you are winding down your year, I hope you do it with joy and with those you love!

Today's Reflection:

Lord, I have faith that you've got it all under control.

Thank you for another wonderful year. Thank you for having control, I could not handle things without you!

IF YOU FALL DOWN

I'm back! I know, I know, I was just getting started with this blog when I decided to leave and take a Christmas break. Sometimes you just need to unplug, enjoy the time you have with family, take a nap, sit in your pajamas all day and just rest. I've heard there are moms out there that can bounce right back after a holiday, I am not one of those moms, I need a few days.  We are back into the swing of things now, already busy again. Today, we took Henry out for a little bit to break in his new beloved scooter.  Here is Henry and him taking on the scooter (he had already practiced inside)

  

 He fell once, sat for a moment, thought about what to do next and got right back up. I'm such a proud mommy! 

Today's reflection:

How many times have I failed or "fallen" and been too afraid to get back up? What's wrong with a little fall?  What's wrong with a little failure here and there? 

Lord, please give me the strength to get back up when I fall, to learn the lessons needed when I fail, Thank you for continually being there to help me when I fall!

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."

-Psalm 37: 23-24

A DOLL FOR MY DOLL

Tomorrow my baby girl Lucia will celebrate her first Christmas.  Waiting for her, in her stocking is a handmade doll.  She's not a perfect doll, but she's made with love, she's a simple gift for my baby girl from her mommy.

Complete with bows from head to toe!

She's ready for my little Lucia to love!

We tried to keep the gift count to a simple few, we also bought her some "girly" books since the only current kid books we have in the house all feature trains, cars or little boys.

 

Henry also got into the spirit of handmade Christmas gifts and worked on a gift for daddy!

Lucia didn't really make anything, other than me smile!

I'm finding that some of the best gifts are not found in a store.   

What I am reflecting on:

 

Lord, you have given me so much more than I could ever need but your handmade gifts are my favorite! Thank you for being a loving God.

SITTING STILL IN CHURCH

On Tuesday we were invited to visit another Church's Christmas Service.  My sister and Brother-in-law were part of the team that designed the Holiday Decor, so we were excited to see what all of their hard work had created.  We brought the kids with us, which is always an adventure, we got all dolled up and hoped for the best!

Now most of us remember what sitting in church was like as a child.  Stay quiet and stay still.  Steve and I are the type of parents who like to see what happens.  This is what happened.

 

Now technically he stayed in his seat, and although he got a little antsy, overall he was a good boy.  The service was really nice, and once it started the kids were all pretty captivated by what was happening on stage.

In the end it was a successful night and we all had a lot of fun.

Today's reflection:

I know how hard it can be to keep the attention of a child especially when they don't always fully understand what's going on.  Even as an adult, some days I have a hard time sitting still.  Lord, thank you for continually captivating me, for giving me a reason to be still and listen.

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

-Psalm 46: 10

THE HOME STRETCH

Well, we are in the home stretch!  Christmas is almost here.  Today we will be relaxing at home wrapping gifts so we aren't up late Christmas eve (like usual) and trying to finish up all those home made gifts that I told myself I would do this year.  We are trying to enjoy every minute of the Christmas season and although it's been extremely busy, especially with two kids now, we have had such a happy holiday. 

 

It's fun having kids of our own and getting to start new traditions.  We have been doing the countdown to Christmas and it's scary to only see 3 little bags left to be opened.  The bags are a part of my attempt at a new tradition.  I made one for each day of December and filled them with little inexpensive treats and notes for my little guy. He is enjoying them!

He told me this morning he doesn't like Santa Clause, maybe it's because all he gives him is socks. Who knows?

Hope your holidays aren't too stressful and you are getting a moment to just sit back and enjoy them!

What I'm Reflecting on:


Something will always need to be done.
Lord, help me not get caught up with the insignificant little tasks so that I can enjoy the moments that matter most.

OVERFLOWING JOY

My baby Lucia turned 3 months last week.  I can not believe it!  The time has flown by and it's crazy to see how much she has grown already.  She's already in 6 month clothes!  This past Sunday she was dedicated at our church and I am such a proud Mommy!  I told my husband last week how overwhelming my love for her can be.  I think alot about what it means to have a daughter. She already loves chatting with her mommy so I think about the day those "goos" and "gaas" are replaced with real words.  I tell her every  morning that God has a plan for her and I am excited to see what it is.

Here we are praying over our little Lucia.

and no special day is complete with out ice cream!! 

Today's Reflection:

My heart is overflowing with joy, I have so much hope and love for my children.  It is hard not to think, if this love for my children is so unconditional so overwhelming, then how much more is that of the love my heavenly father has for me?

Lord, thank you for the love you give me and have placed in my heart.  

LOVING WHERE YOU'RE AT MONDAY

You do not need to go to a "big" city to find great talent. We've got some amazingly talented people right here in Sacramento.  I had the honor of attending the inFORM grand opening last week. Not only are these guys great at what they do, they do it right here in Sacramento and see the potential of this city.  You can see their work around this beautiful city and they've also appeared on HGTV and the DIY Network. That is why they are today's post! They are unique and one thing I love is that they take the old and make it new...that's right, buildings, wood, other peoples trash they can handle it and in the end they produce some beautiful work. 

Right in the heart of Sacramento, they were gracious enough to open their doors up to us and let us have a peek inside!

Here's the stunning Bridgette Maldonado & My favorite guy, discussing the awesome surrounding art I'm sure.

inspired design

They share the space with a number of local artist making it a great testimony of just how much talent we have here!

  

Did I mention one of the partners just happens to be my Brother-in-Law Marvin Maldonado?  So proud of what he's doing! Check them out on facebook to learn more and see why it can be so easy to love where you're at!

Today's reflections:

Sometime I can get so caught up with looking at what others have and do that I forget to look at what's right in front of me.

Lord, thank you for where you have placed me, and all the blessings you have given me.  I will follow you with a grateful and joyful heart for you have a plan for me and I know that it is a good one!

"For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them"

-Ephesians 2:10

WEEK ONE DOWN!

It's been a busy week which will be followed by a busy weekend.  Not that I'm complaining!  Every year I think I tell myself the same thing, "This year I will get everything done early so I can just enjoy the holiday season."  This year, it didn't happen but next year I will make it out triumphantly!  I can just feel it!  At least it's not a bad busy, it's a good busy, our days have been filled with fun activities.  We were even able to step out without the kids (thanks to grandma & grandpa for babysitting and big sister & bro-in-law for giving us a reason!)  It was only for about an hour and a half, but it was good enough! Steve had a beer, I had an adult conversation...successful mommy-daddy night!

So my first week of blogging is in the books.  How did I do?

Today's reflection:

Lord, I am tired but thank you for giving me a reason to get out of bed each morning!