So Proud

Ever do things as a ritual and don't stop to realize the bigger picture?  I was visiting my sweetie at work and realized how crazy it was that he is now able to park in the "Reserved for Principal" parking spot.  I stopped and had to take a picture.  I know that my sweetie never thought in a million years he would be parking his car in such a spot.  Not long ago he called himself a "knucklehead" who didn't know if he was even going to make it to eighteen years old. Even at 21, he was still lost.  He told me that he had a life with nothing but prison or early death in his future. Now, he is parking his car in his reserved spot.

It's amazing how God works, isn't it?  I am so proud of my sweetie.  He has worked very hard to get there.  And while I know that these things are a wonderful testimony,  I'm thoughtful about our own reserved spot in heaven.  One reserved spot just for us that we don't even have to work hard for! Saved especially just for you! A reserved spot that is eternal.


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you
 1 Peter 1:3-4

Have you made your reservation yet?




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Foto Friday

I got an exciting birthday present this past summer and I am still trying to get used to it.  There is a steep learning curve with with this Canon Rebel T3i when all I’ve ever had to do with a camera before is point and shoot.

I’m determined to take my new DSLR off the automatic mode this fall and I feel like I am studying for a final exam.  I’m more of a person who likes someone to show me and teach me with this than trying to understand all the lingo on my own.  Until then, I’m thankful for the automatic feature .

The Little Red Book of Wisdom

This is a book I decided to try out from BookSneeze awhile ago and my review is long overdue. First of all, the title sounded interesting because wisdom is something I am almost always searching after.  In fact, I think it is the one thing I always ask God to give me in my personal prayer life.

The book promises small wisdom insights from famous people like Billy Graham and Nelson Mandela and not so famous people as well.  The book is split in two with wisdom for professional life and the second half of the book is wisdom for personal life.

Some of the wisdom incorporated in the book seemed like common knowledge but the author spins it in a way that can really keep you engaged and pondering.  I love stories.  In fact, that is how I teach our boys… with stories. So this is great.  One chapter in particular that stands out to me is “Technology isn’t everything … learning to use it wisely.”  I’m not sure how much I agreed with “Technology isn’t everything” as it seems that this is an era where we can’t live without a smart phone glued to our hand. However, I agree that we have to learn to use it wisely.  In a household where each of us carry our own electronic device, I know I need to remind my boys these tidbits of wisdom to create a happy technological balanced life.

The book seemed a little  more geared toward men so I handed the book to my husband who really enjoys reading leadership books.  He enjoyed the short chapters.  It probably isn’t a true page turner, but can we can see picking it up to read a chapter a day or maybe a week.  Even further,  I can see passing down some these stories to our boys throughout life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Hiatus

I know, I know I've taken a hiatus from blogging for awhile.  I had a huge work project in the last year and now well, I'm on a hiatus from work :)

I'm taking the time reconnecting with my roots of being what I love most and that's being mom, wife, homemaker, and planning for our new homeschooling year.

I'm not necessarily sure when work will pick up again, but in the meantime I'm loving this break.  It's taking every ounce of me to not try to fill up my plate again with other things during this work break and focusing on the beautiful things in life.

This year, we had an AMAZING summer.  And that is a lot to say.  I will admit that for the past 7 years or so, the thought of summer always made me want to throw up in my mouth. Being a wife of a school teacher and surviving on one income meant we stretched every dime, nickel, penny to make it through the summer.  My sweetie always opted for the lump some paycheck at the end of the school year and we would be super diligent in making it last.  This is where I learned to be the most super frugal woman shopper and budget stretcher crazy madwoman.

One summer, my sweetie was working on his residency status on his doctorates degree and I ended up working the summer at Starbucks.  I looked at it as a temporary research assignment as I had developed a passion for coffee that year.  Amazingly, it almost turned out to be a career when his position as a teacher and his new position as a school administrator was in limbo.  Ugh!  Just remembering that makes me want to hurl again.

About 4 summers ago is when I miscarried. The summer before that, my grandfather passed away.  Oh and the summer before that, my father passed away.  So you get the idea.  I never liked our summers.

But, this past summer was awesome.  We had a Washington DC vacation and ended up staying also in Utah and Nevada.

Lil Dude in front of White House

Lil G in front of Washington Monument

That's what I LOVE about homeschooling ya know?  We studied American History all year and got to actually see it in action.   Hearing my boys making connections with what we learned and talked about to what they were seeing in person was such a blessing!

I'm hoping to keep up with the blogging again.  For now, reflecting on the past summer has got me all smiles today and I just wanted to share.
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Lil G's Baptism

Less than a month ago, Lil G asked if he could be baptized. My heart melted. I pray daily that I don't screw up royally with God entrusting me in raising these little men. I know that I am raising future men and it is so important to me that they know Jesus. I strive daily to go beyond comfort and personal boundaries when it comes to being their mommy. It's moments like this when my heart is filled and I feel like all the daily sacrifices are so worth it.  Thank you Lord for blessing me with these beautiful babies. Thank you for guiding me and teaching me how to be a compassionate, loving mama full of grace. Thank you for my lil' delights!

My brother's Wedding

Last week we were busy with my brother's wedding.  It was awesome to catch up with family and be part of my brother's special day.  On this lazy Saturday, I thought I'd post some pictures... Enjoy!

dolled up for the occasion

Beautiful cake!

The boys with their great-grandma

Welcoming our new sister to our crazy family!

My handsome little brother (the groom) waiting for his bride :o)

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New Milestones!

I fondly remember when the boys were little, we would celebrate every little milestone.  When they were babies, things like "first smile, first time sitting up, first time crawling, walking..." were such a big deal! As the boys grew, it seems like there weren't so many milestones anymore.  Of course there are some (we celebrated going to first grade recently with Lil Dude, and Nani decided to get baptized), it just seems to not happen so often as when it's the baby's first years.  You know?

So, when we went to our well check yesterday, I was excited that the doctor mentioned that Nani will need to see an eye doctor. Since my sweetie and I wore glasses, we knew that it was inevitable that the boys would probably have to too.  It was just a matter of when.  I totally know my little guy will be rocking those glasses!

Then, lil Dude declared he wanted to learn to ride without training wheels.  With the gorgeous weather we have been having in Arizona, today was a perfect day to do just that.  I am so grateful that my amazing friend Julie decided to join us.  It was a great excuse to be able to see her and the girls too :o)

I managed to take video of Lil Dude's first ride all on his own.  He learned on the FIRST DAY!  Talk about determination!  So proud!

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