LOVING WHERE YOU'RE AT MONDAY

Today is a simple 'Loving where you're at'

My 2 year old Henry has become very fond of praying.  At night before bed we pray with him, He chooses the people he prays for, which is very special and sometimes surprising.  His little bed, with it's blue and white stars and rocket ships is his place for prayer. His little bed, where his teddy bear sleeps, is his place to meet with God. Now, when he gets in it, even if it's not bedtime, he begins to shout out names to me and I realize, he is ready to pray.  What a beautiful, universal, biblical concept, that anywhere you are, you can meet with God.  Even a little rocket ship bed.

Today's Reflection:

What a wonderful God you are that you will meet with anyone, anywhere. Thank you, for your omnipresence.

'Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not  be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.'

-Psalm 139: 7-12

VACATION THE CONCLUSION & FOOD POISONING

We should have known something was coming.  My Mom woke up that last morning in Disneyland with an upset stomach and decided to stay at the hotel while we went on.  We all thought she'd meet up with us later after it settled, no big deal.  Here we are ready to start day 2 in Disneyland, the "Happiest place on Earth."





We even met some of our most beloved characters!

Everything was going great, and then it started.  Steve had to sit and put his head down, said he was feeling sick.  Next thing I know we're quickly rushing back to the Hotel because he thinks he's going to throw-up.  We get back to find my Dad getting ready to take my Mom to the Hospital, she's gotten worst.  Steve runs to the bathroom to throw-up. Mom asks how Henry is feeling I say "He's been fine," at that exact moment I turn to look at him and he throws up all over himself (poor baby!). I clean up my now crying boy and suddenly I feel queasy.  I lay him down on the bed then run to the bathroom to throw-up.  I go back to my son to lay down with him and he throws-up all over the bed.  My Brother-in-law walks into the room, My sister now isn't feeling too good.  I say to him "You may not want to be in here." They leave, and in the elevator to their room my nephew tells them he doesn't feel good and then throws-up.  Yada, yada, yada, everyone but Lucia is up all night throwing-up, thus ending our "magical" Disneyland vacation.

This was the last picture I snapped on the trip, it feels somewhat telling, like he knows what's about to happen.

Today's Reflection:
That was one horrible night, but we were all in it together, attempting to take care of one another. I guess the beauty of the ugly situation is that I'm a part of a pretty good team.
 
Lord, I know we can learn from even the uncomfortable situations. Thank you. Lesson learned. Please, let's not do that again.

Thank you for my health, for my team and for another chance to learn. amen.

VACATION DAY 2 - DISNEYLAND!

Now, I've been to Disneyland many times but this was my first time as a mom.  It's a whole new world when you've got kids, the rides are different, the pace is different, even your bathroom trips are different.  I don't think I will ever see it in the same light. 

Here is what I learned:

Every kid needs mouse ears, rides are just more fun with them.



 

I thought I saw about everything, 'til I saw a Henry fly!

 Even the babies can get in on the magic!

Adventure is around every corner, across every swinging bridge and over every waterfall!

Parades are more magical at night and even better on Daddy's shoulders 

Meeting Mickey is timeless! 

We did get a chance to go on one ride by ourselves thanks to my parents. It felt like a mini date, after all, we did spend over an hour in line! I've got to be honest with you, we don't get much time alone, so I felt like a teenage girl out with her hunny. We rode Star Tours, it was awesome and 'Yes' I am the rebel spy!

Today's Reflection:

I've been to this place many times before, but with my children it is new.  I've walked through life many years, but with my God, all things are new, relationships, finances, troubles. 

Lord, you bring new light to things.  Thank you for your grace and for the way you change how I see things.

VACATION DAY 1 - LIFE'S A BEACH!

For months now we have been planning a vacation to sunny So. Cal to take the kids to Disneyland. Last week all the planning finally paid off.  It was a group effort, all together there were 4 kids and 6 adults, my family, my sister and her family and my mom and dad.  This was our first real family vacation together in a long time and it was not without it's own set of difficulties, food poisoning being the worst!  However, I will not talk about that, at least not today!  Today I will remember that first day, the day we went on an airplane, got our feet dirty in the sand and enjoyed a delicious juicy hamburger!

We flew down with my sister and her family, the kids all did really well on the flight. They were just excited to be on an airplane.  Once we landed and checked into the Hotel, first thing on the agenda...FOOD & BEACH!  

Now apparently no one told the lower half of California that its January because the weather there was unbelievable!  I think it was 89° that first day.

First vacation as a family of 4 is officially in the books!

Today's Reflection:

I like looking back at photos, you rarely take photos of those uncomfortable moments that you'd like to forget, only the happy moments, the beautiful moments, the moments you always want to remember. Like I said, the trip did not come without it's setbacks, but when I look at the photos, I'm reminded of the good and not the bad.

Lord, can we just toss out all of those ugly moments in my life?  Can we get past the uncomfortable moments I've been involved in? Thank you for not reminding me of those bad moments and help me focus on the good that you've laid before me. 

Thank you for the forgiveness you've given me for any of those ugly moments. amen.

LOVING WHERE YOU'RE AT MONDAY

One thing I love about Sacramento is that we have a nice diverse culture.  I am proud that my children have a mixed heritage and proud that they are surrounded by a number of different cultures. Recently my baby brother got engaged to his long time girlfriend.  Last night we attended their Chinese Banquet.  We didn't understand all of the traditions, but regardless there are some things that can break down barriers, such as...

yummy food...

Dancing...

 and family!

Today's Reflection:

Loving where you're at does not always have to be about loving the physical place, but sometimes the season you are in.  Embracing those around you and the big life events you are experiencing. Last night was bittersweet for me because I feel like I am losing my baby brother, the experience was made a little easier because I was surrounded by loved ones who knew exactly how I felt.

Lord, protect my brother and his new family.  Let him be a blessing to them as he has been to me.  Keep him strong and give him the courage to be the man you have created him to be.



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