Zoolight Safari!

Feliz Navidad!

And nope.. i didn't get one picture of the boys opening up their big present: A train table. But they loved it! We had a busy Christmas with all of the family, at different times..and are ready to ring in the new year!

If I made a Turkey this would happen...

My Birthday!

Im 30!!! Im okay with it.. Im still alive so all is good. I had an absolutely wonderful day. I spent time with my boys, all three of them. We went to Wings for lunch. I love wings. Oh and they have the best cheese fries in the world. We came home took naps and then did a little shopping. By the way.. my birthday shirt was made by Shelley and it said on the front "Smile its my birthday" and on the back it said "Garcia 30" like a jersey. It was very cute. Thank you Shelley. I got much attention for it.. which you know I hate.

For dinner we headed to Ross Bridge Resort to eat at Brock's. This was a present from "Mom and Dad" (Jim and Darcy). They told me that I could invite our great friends the Wendorf's squared (as I call them). Paul and David are brothers. It was the first night that Christina's baby boy, Jack, had been without her for longer than two hours. She held up great. And so did Jack..of course. And Fritz (David and Jen's boy) stayed with friends of theirs. My boys stayed with Darcy.

Dinner was incredible. I can not even put into words how incredible it was. I was the goof in the restaurant taking pictures of everyones plate. But I had a blast. We all laughed so hard I snorted, on several occasions. I could not have asked for a better evening.. and then.... after dinner, while I wasn't looking Jorge slipped a surprise (courtesy of mom and dad) on the table in front of me. When I turned around I saw an envelope with room keys for a room at the Renaissance Hotel at Ross Bridge. (check it out here). Okay guys.. if you can get an idea of how incredible the restaurant is that will give you an idea of how nice the hotel is. Of course I invited our friends upstairs to check it out.. but then we kicked them out so that we could.. um.. get some sleep. yeah..sleep. ;-)

Mom (darcy) stayed the night with the boys and they survived and so did she. I am so thankful for my incredible birthday. By far one of the best! I think this year is going to be one of the best as well!

Whats a night out with friends in an elegant, fine dining restaurant without a little accidental "lack of culture" on my part. Funny moment of the night to spotlight my lack of fine dining knowledge:

The waitress is allowing Jorge to taste the wine he's ordered. He does the usual swirl, smell and slurp.. uh..I mean sip. Then she comes to me..and since my taste buds are not designed for wine.. I pass. david is sitting beside me and the waitress walks past him right to his wife, Jen. I lean over and say, "guess she doesn't like you very much." Which he then replies.. "Umm.. you serve the ladies present, first." Ha! Look what I know..obviously nothing. lol.

Is there a Doctor in the house??

Soooo.. Im still 29!  at least for the day.  

I am heading to Auburn University today to watch my bff, Shelley Walls, graduate.  Well.. I guess I will have to start calling her "DR." Walls.  She has worked her b-u-t-t off the past four years (and with two kids, 3 and 1, 14 months apart) and is now FINISHED!  Her P.h.D is in special education and her dissertation was on Inclusion.  And props to her hubby, Jim, who has been an incredible support system for her and not to mention her biggest fan.  Also props to Jim and Linda (parents of Jim, Shelley's husband).. they have had a HUGE hand in caring for those little bundles, Ella Grace and Thatcher, on those many days of having to go to campus for school and research.  Big Jim and Linda.. you guys are da bomb!  Don't you want to move to the Ham???

Anyhoo.. Congrats Shelley.. I mean Dr. Walls, I am so proud of you.

2 Days left...

I am still in my twenties..  well for two more days.  things I have done in my twenties include:

-enjoyed undistracted devotion to the Lord as a single

-full time job in ministry (outside of home)

- met and married my husband

-had two precious kids

-got adopted

-bought a house

-changed at least 4,500 diapers

-started a blog

-changed churches (SMI to Briarwood)

-started and finished my first book

there really is a lot more.. i guess i need to make a list of all the things I will do in my 30's. I just feel like Im still 26!   Ready or not.. 30.. here I come.  

Calgon take me away!

5:10 p.m-  Miguel is screaming at the baby gate while I prepare his plate for dinner

5:13-  He is at the table.  crying through the prayer before eating. 

5:14-  We have said amen.  He is not happy with mommy's choice for dinner.  Ham.  I have to give him the ham before he can have the grapes or you know what he will eat first. 

5:14:15s- He has picked up his plate and thrown it on the floor.. still crying..well screaming too.

5:15- mommy reminds him that its not good to go to bed without eating.  

5:15:05s- Miguel picks up his sippy cup and throws it on the floor too.  This is a big shock.  He loves his milk. 

5:17- after 2 minutes he is still screaming. and refusing to eat what little ham is left on the table

5:24-I decide to just give him a bath instead.  He likes baths.

5:28- I put both boys in the bathtub.  I start to wash their hair and clean their faces..etc

5:29- Jorge laughs while peeing in the tub. 

5:30- I have to keep Miguel, who is crying, from trying to climb out of the tub.

5:30:10- I catch Jorge just has he has leaned down to take a big gulp of the bath water..with pee

5:31- I start to drain the bathtub, with pee water, and start to use fresh water to rinse soap out of their hair.

5:31:15s-  Miguel and Jorge commence in splashing, the pee water, and it is getting all over me. 

5:31:18s- I begin to pray.... outloud!

5:32- Jorge is out.  Miguel is on his way. Drying them off.  Lets see that was.. a 4 minute bath and I still managed to get soaked.  With pee water. 

5:37- The boys are fighting over the lotion.  

5:37:10s- I say forget the lotion.

5:37:12s- the boys start crying.. like they have lost a limb..or they are dying.

5:40- p.j's are on.  mom needs a stiff drink.  

Why do I love my life??

5.   "mommy, dank ewe for chick-a-lay." -Jorge

4.  "ooh, ooh." -Miguel, big smile on his face as I ask him if he wants more chocolate

3.  Me:  "Jorge, can I have a kiss?"

     Jorge: "Nooope." wait for it.... "Okay mommy.  I wub ewe mommy."

2.  (me sitting on the floor with Miguel)

     me: (singing) "We're going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship..."

     Miguel:  "aaaahhh" as he gets up and runs toward the t.v (that is off, btw)

1.  (saying our prayers before bed)

      Me: Thank you Jesus.... 

      Jorge:  for Nemo.

Cute pics...

  

Help Please

can any of you ladies please give me a link to get a new look for my blog.. i want something pretty and not already on blogger.  I need help.  

gracias

19 Years today!

Penelope Cook. This is my mom. She died 19 years ago, today at the young age of 36. The top picture is when she was in her late twenties and the bottom one is of her about three years before she died. And before she was on Predisone (steroid) and gained a lot of weight. She died from complications with Lupus (which there have been major medical advancements with living with Lupus in the last 19 years).

She died 11 days before my 11th birthday (I turn 30 on the 18th) so what I remember of her is very sensationalized. My sisters remember more of her, including things that I think are just impossible (she had a temper! No wonder where I get it!). I was the baby so i only remember being spoiled. Ha! This lady was a true spark. My dad had a saying, "When I come home from work I turn on the t.v or the pick up the newspaper just to see what Penelope did today." She was THAT mom that was the advocate for every other mom on the planet. Very outspoken, opinionated and most of all ready to help anyone that needed it. Even when it was inappropriate. My sister told me recently of the time my mom tried to break up a fight.. between a man and his wife, out in their front yard. The man kicked my mom after the cops arrived. But she was trying to fight the man.. just to help the lady. Thats just... well.. my mom. She was fiesty. Your best friend..that you didn't want to cross.

Had she been a Christian, I am not sure of her heart only the Lord knows.. I know she would have been a "prophet" or whatever you want to call the gift of wisdom and seeing things black and white (the same spiritual gift that I have). We probably would have butted heads in my high school years and been best friends now. She was beautiful and the apple of my daddy's eye. It wasn't until I got married that I grasped how difficult it was for my dad to loose her. He truly treasured that woman. My favorite memory was growing up sitting on the floor listening to all her records and mom and dad dancing in the hall, even after the music ended.

Mommy I miss you very much! My boys would have loved you tremendously and my husband would have picked on you as much as he does me. And you would set him straight! I love you!

Not getting rid of the internet!!

Jorge on the carousel at the Galleria


Miguel at the McWane Center. He loves playing in the water!


Me and the husband with family at a banquet dinner with Jeb Bush as guest speaker.

*** while I began typing this post.. my oldest son, who has been in the habit of taking off his diaper when I put him down for naps or nighttime, came out of his room with his diaper off and poop all over him. In the past, he has pooped and come to me saying yucky! But this time he ventured out and decided to "play in it!" It was all over him, clumps on his legs, arms, fingers, ears (yes, ears!) Calgon take me away! Can anyone make me feel better and that this is normal because I am about to loose my mind. He knows better, right??

FYI.. we are keeping the internet! So I am here to stay!

See ya when I see ya!

Well everyone... we are cancelling the internet. i have no idea when we will get it back. This means that I will not be able to blog as often, nor check my email as often. Unless I can carry my laptop up to the library and sit in my car and use their wireless! I've done that before. Because there is no way I am going to be able to check anything with my two youngin's in the library with me.

I hope to talk to you guys soon!

Why I love Tuesdays!

This picture is from when we were flying to Colorado back in August, but it sums up why I love Tuesdays: Sleep! On tuesday we wake up, have breakfast, get ready and head to church for my weekly Bible Study. It starts at 9:30 and ends at 11:30. We come home, eat lunch and then both the boys take a long nap. At the same time! For two hours! And what do I do? I sleep too! I do not feel guilty about this. Actually in the past few weeks I would work on my book. And now that its done I decided to take the opportunity to take a nap too! I love it. I even had time to fold and put away three loads of laundry once they woke up. Tuesdays are awesome!

Jorgito is talking so much more lately. Alot is Spanglish but we'll work that out later. So I thought I would share some of his cute insights:

Jorge: Mommy, mira las vacas (look at the cows). dey eating gwass!

Me: Jorge, obey mommy.
Jorge: "yes ma'am....no."

Me: do you have a stinky (diaper-and he did)?
Jorge: Nooo. Awex stinky (his brother)

It is FINISHED!!

Well everyone. I beat my own deadline. I have finally finished the book-

Deliberate Love: Practical Insights For the Nearly and Newly Married Woman.

Next step: hand it over to my pastor so that he can proof for content and hand over a copy to a lady to proof for grammar. I'm more worried about the grammar than content. Although it is a little frightening to have Dr. Harry Reeder of Briarwood Presbyterian read my work. He said he was happy to do it and I just wonder if he will be so happy by the end. Ha! Although when I take it to him I am going to put a different cover sheet on the front (since he doesn't know what I wrote the book about). The fake title page will read, "Dispensational Theology or death." LOL! If you have any other good suggestions please feel free to let me know.

After they read it, I hope to turn it in to Winepress by the first week of January. Then it will be time to design the cover and then off to printing it goes. I am so thrilled. Anyway, thanks everyone for all the encouragement. I'll keep you posted.

Okay.. i get the hint.

Well.. a second publishing company has called me. The lady was very sweet and even prayed with me (Christian publisher obviously). Although I wasn't as impressed in her presentation or their website (ulitmately what they have to offer in way of marketing) but it was nice to get other questions answered. What these calls have shown me is twofold:

1. I need to hurry up and finish. I hope to be done by the end of the year with my book and I am trying very hard to block off the time.. but my husband is having to work extra days and that is making it more difficult. I know God will provide the time.

2. He is going to have to provide some serious money. its nice to be called by pub. companies.. but they are still "author owned." I have to pay to get my book printed. For a book my length its going to cost anywhere from $1500-$3000 for the whole thing. We don't have that money for ourselves much less for this book. but I am seriously CONFIDENT that the Lord is going to provide that money. But here is a practical question..and forgive me if I seem a bit ignorant.. i hope not to offend.. but since I consider this book a ministry is it tacky to ask, those that I know might be interested in helping, to partner with us financially? I mean.. kind of like a support letter? I mean, I feel that God will use this book in some way and therefore minister to young women, but is it something that we should only do if we (me and my husband) save up to pay for, or do we enlist the help of brothers and sisters in Christ who may be willing to help?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

UPDATE:
I talked to the publisher at WinePress again and she told me that it is very common to send a "support letter" for first time publications. Then I talked to mom and dad and they said that they would not be offended if they were to recieve on in the mail. I told them, "Good then.. watch for one in your mailbox!" lol.

Wow! A date night

So I have a head cold and didn't even go to church today.. slept 3 solid hours straight! The medicine knocked me out and my dh took the the boys to chuch. But yet, I still felt we should still go out to dinner tonight for some "us" time. It was very nice. Too long in fact since our last outing. We re-uped on some things we knew we could do to do better on maintaining our friendship in the midst of his hectic job, two little ones and a very tight budget. Most of all it was just good to talk. And also good to have time to ackowledge things going on in our relationship, good and bad. Of course I was the first one to ask the dreaded question: what can I do to be a better wife? His response: "nothing." Cute.. but total hogwash. ..wait.. or that could have meant, "c'mon lady there is nothing you could try that would make this any better!" lol. I know thats not what he meant.. but it sure is funny looking back at it.

Anyway, we had a great time and we were finally able to use a gift card (P.F Changs) that we got last Christmas (thank you Rachel, Ruth, Paul and Esther). Well.. i just hope its not as long between our next date night. It really is a lot of fun. I even shared with Jorge about Kim's post about her date night with Q. About how suprising it is to realize that you really are great friends. I identify with that so much.. and i've noticed it more this year..well the part about forgetting. The second baby comes along and you do get busier. I can only imagine how much more difficult it is to maintain that friendship with more children. Anyhoo..all this to say.. we laughed, I cried (yes, at our dinner table.. i was sharing about still hurting about the miscarriage) and we even had some time to throw in some "intense fellowship" once we started talking money. But we quickly worked through that and moved right along. All and all it was a wonderful night. I love that man with every fiber of my being. Well thats it.. im going to bed. Buenos Noches.

No Soup For YOU!

Okay so this boy is the pickiest eater ever. I mean he went to bed without dinner the other night because he was throwing the cheese quisedilla out of his mouth and onto the floor. Then the poor kid refused to drink the milk because I switched to whole milk (yes my kids had 2%). So how could you send this precious angel to bed without dinner? Because I can name on one hand the foods that he will ACTUALLY EAT! And I am not a pushover. I have the "kitchen is closed" policy. If you don't like it you don't have to eat it, but Im not making something else. But I will (for the baby) hold off on serving for a while and see if he likes it later. But seriously.. this kid is BAD! he turns his nose up at everything. It could be a brownie you are trying to give him and he will have to look at it to check it out first. That is what he is doing in this picture. You can tell by the food on his face that he liked the pasta, but when I put before him a piece of garlic bread.. he stopped the press and had to check it out. Which he spit out of his mouth by the way. So if you see my kid and he looks thin.. know that I do try to feed the boy..

On a funny note. After two years I changed my voicemail message. I had the idea to wait until both the boys were crying their heads off and in the middle of that record, "Obviously I can't talk right now. So please leave your message and I'll try to call you back when babies stop crying. Thanks." Well today was the day when both of my boys were crying as we were trying to head out the door. So the voicemail opportunity had arrived. It was perfect. Jorge even kept crying after as i was trying to press the stop record button. It was priceless. Sooo.. as we are all down for naps my husband calls and gets sent to voicemail. He was taking a small break from a surgery and was still in the OR room trying to be quiet.. as he hears me on the phone he thinks its really me on the phone and the kids crying.. so in his mind I answer the phone saying (with two kids crying) "obviously I can't talk right now...." he starts saying, "okay, okay babe I'll call you later" and then it keeps going. ..and then he says (more sternly) "Okay rachel, i'll call back." then he hears me say leave a message and he starts dying laughing. so his voicemail message to me was very funny because he had just figured it out and was laughing that it was not out of the realm of possibilities for me to answer the phone with the kids crying. anyway.. i thought it was funny.. but hard to type. fun times.

late night delirium

So i haven't written in a couple of days and I felt I should. My boys are doing well. Miguel is a very picky eater which is making me nuts and Jorge is taking his diaper off every time he has a "stinky." Even when I am not in the room. I have cleaned the bed twice and had to clean a chair cushion..all in a days work. I am going to suck it up and attempt potty training.. next week. No I am not procrastinating, I just need to mentally prepare myself for the messes and to stay at home..indefinately. ha!

I just hate this whole concept of potty training. I never had a puppy to train with this.. and I certainly don't remember my own training with this. I mean really.. humans are very bizarre in this area. We have to be taught to poop. Well in certain places. I mean shouldn't he figure it out, eventually? he won't be five and wearing diapers, will he? I know, I know.. i just need to be disciplined enough for the both of us and that is very hard for me to do right now. Well, honestly, im not very disciplined to begin with so its not just "right now." Which is exaclty why I never had a dog.. or that those chinese plants above my kitchen window are dying, i forget to water them. And they ARE IN MY KITCHEN WINDOW!!! I stand in front of that sink thrity times a day. I see them and then I say, "oh, you guys need water." Then I walk into the other room and don't water them. Uggh.

Its late and I need to go to bed or this post will get to introspective and everyone will think Im a looser. A looser who wants for my son to poop in the potty on his own without needing to be reminded that he has to actually stop and poop.

okay off to bed. I've said poop in my post.

Fun Random Photos!

These pictures are coving a big time gap. Lots of different events. I've waited too long in between posts for pictures. Enjoy!

I should be napping..

its 4 o'clock on Sunday and we just got home.. the kids are in bed and the hubby is mowing the grass.. I should be napping. In fact, I am sure I will. But seeing that I just got my computer back yesterday I was anxious to get back on the blog map. I am officially back. A lot happened in that short absense from the world of no computer (i.e-no internet)..

1. The Terrys- my adopted family.. offically adopted me on Wednesday October 17th. I didn't change my name but I am officially part of the family.. well I should say, legally.
2. Jim Terry's (dad) mom was hospitalized on Sunday night (last) and passed away on Tuesday evening. We had the funeral on Friday. Margaret Terry was 82 and had been married for 61 years!! Wow!
3. I realized how "addictive" the internet is.
4. I realized how much I enjoy the world of gab...blogging.

Well.. I promise to answer the question about the topic of my book.. but I really need to rest. I will write a new post for that description. I always get nervous when I get to explain my book. Are you suprised?

okay well I am hoping to nap now.. but I'm sure I'll be blog hopping to see whats been going on with everyone! Kinda sounded like bar hopping... huh.

No computer

FYI.. my computer is being worked on at the apple store and shouldn't be back until saturday. this is killing me! ha!

Has this happened to you??

Have you ever been at Chickfila when you hear your 2 year old giggle as he comes down the playset stairs only too see that he is BUCK NAKED??

Just wondering??

I should also add that the only reason that my two year old did this was because his cousin, Levi, did it first. We are convinced of this. Because they both came down at the same time, naked (well their shirts were still on) and Levi has been naked at home as part of a potty training effort by my sister. So we are sure that he decided to bear it all and then my son, the follower, followed suit. Or no suit.. ha ha..im so witty. At least in my head. Just thought you should know that my little man isn't coming up with this stuff on his own..at least not yet.

Seriously??!! I dare you to tell me God isn't in charge!

Okay.. So as i mentioned briefly in my last blog I am wrting a book. Well I started and finished it four years ago. And by finish, I mean that I knew I had to edit it and then I would have a final draft. Then our old computer crashed two years ago and I lost everything, except pictures, including my book. However, I did have one hard copy that was in a filing cabinet. Flash forward two years to this week. I pulled it out, after the prompting from the Lord, to retype it into our current computer and then work on making revisions..since its been four years since I wrote it and a lot has happened in that time that lends experience to the book.

So last night I went on a date with my hubby and gushed at how neat it was to see that, although I liked the content of my book as is, I was excited to see how the Lord put it on hold so that I could pick it up again when I had gone through more life experiences and then be able to have an added perspective to revise it with. (wow that was a long sentence)

So Im sitting in my room thirty minutes ago and my phone rings. Who is it, you ask? None other than Wine Press Publishing calling to check on the status of my book. Now I had talked to them four years ago after I posted a synopsis of my book on a centralized website that authors use so that all publishers can peruse the books by subject, etc. They contacted me from that site, although my book was not finished. Here they call four years later the week that I pick it back up.. now, tell me thats not a God ordained call.

Now Wine Press is still a publishing company that I would have to pay to have it published, but they are responsible to market it, stock it in stores and sell it online. And I get all funds made from the book, not just royalties. Most unpublished, first time authors, have to go this route. Although, I am still praying that my book would be picked up by a "major" publisher. only so I don't have to fork out the money upfront. Since Im not writing to get money, it would still me nice not to have to pay that initial cost. Anyway.. i was just so floored by the "random" call that I had to share with you my excitement. Please pray for the Lord's will.. which I hope is for this book to get published, either through this company or another one.

Adios!

Just Dreaming.....

Okay.. I already have my #1 dream job: wife and mother. But when asked the question: "if you could do any "job" and you had the time and the money to do it, what would it be?" without hesitation they are as follows, but not in any order of importance.

1. CIA agent/ Intel- okay that sounds cooky but its true. I would love, love, love to get a criminal justice degree and then join the CIA. Thus, why I love all movies CIA related (Bourne movies..all time fav's).

2. Counseling/Public speaker- I hope to one day do this when I can actually commit to the year long, once a week, committment at Briarwood for their lay counseling training. As far as speaking.. i know that one is going to take a while. I am in the process, five years so far, of writing my first book. Its "finished" but is needing revision as we speak. Not ready to send it off to get bauched, i mean edited.

2. Finally, I want to be a doula. Okay. .Since the first day that I helped my sister, five years ago with her first child, I have wanted to be a doula. I was with her through all three of her births. Mainly because her husband has a very hard time seeing her in pain and can't handle it. So from the first "real" contraction I am right there coaching her, until in her case.. the epidural kicks in. then she is in sleepy town. But I love it! I don't want to be a midwife.. streching the perinium, checking vitals, fetal heart rate.. I don't want to have that responsibility.. I want to be the coach. And I am fully aware that my season in life doesn't allow for me to spend 16-18 hours with a first time mom during her labor process... however, I can start sitting in on labors, as my schedule permits, with a doula that is the one "responsible" for the full schedule. I can also research getting certified. I am so excited about it. I have wanted to do this for some time. I get so excited thinking that I could actually do it. I called a woman tonight who is certified in the B'ham area and she was going to call me back. In fact, i think she did, but I was spending time with my hubby so I will have to call her back tomorrow. Anyway, I can't wait to ask her questions about this process.

Well I thought I would share with you my excitement. Im researching it and I am pumped. That's it. Im going to bed.

Help with Video please

I have seen some people talk about a video reel on the new post menu bar. But I don't have one.. am i looking in the wrong place? Does anyone else have this problem? Feedback would be great!

Adios.

Theraputic writing

I actually think that writing is theraputic for me. Whether or not anyone reads it is unimportant..although it is a nice gesture. I realize that i have been a bit of a recluse this past week, but with me being a social addict its been very unusual for me. I thrive on using 3000 minutes a month on my cell phone (we don't have a home phone) *me trying to justify how I can talk on average of 100 minutes a day! Anyhoo.. I have gotten so many well wishes via email, facebook, myspace and the blog (notice all my social outlets) but I have not had the desire to respond, until now. Every time I have read one it has truly encouraged me. Some of you just "dropping by" to tell me you are praying for me or thinking about our family, its such a treasure.. I just haven't had the umph to reply back.

I was telling Jorge (big Jorge) today that it took me by suprise when I started to cry in the church lobby (waiting for him to come out of the mens room) and like six pregnant women walked through the lobby. I was completely taken off guard. I have seen many a pregnant woman since last monday but for some reason it hit me different today. I truly thought that I had mourned and was past it, emotionally speaking. Guess not. But what has supprised me most is that I have not had much of a desire to be social. Even my sister and my mom, who I normally call once a day at least, i have only talked to about twice this week. That is just crazy to me.

Well I guess that about sums up what I have been thinking. it helps to write it out. I want to blog..but blogging about the mundane stuff just wasn't appealing to me.. so i was left with talking about my big elephant in the room. I am praying that the mundane will be back soon. Thank you to everyone who reads this and comments and those of you faithful readers who don't leave comments (you know who you are).

here are some pictures for your enjoyment!

my thoughts on this whole thing

So here are the reasons that I AM "thankful" that makes this easier to process:
1. I was five weeks and we had not gone to see the heartbeat yet. I know friends, women who have lost their babies past 12 weeks. I can NOT imagine that loss. My little bundle was very, very young. Loss is loss in that sense, but the attachment had not grown to the same level as getting that far along in your pregnancy. I've always said, that although i have lost both my parents before the age of 20. Both were taken suddenly. Therefore, I can not fathom the level of pain associated with seeing your loved one suffer through an illness or other circumstance. Apples to oranges. Both fruit..yet very different.
2. I have two other little bundles that keep me very busy, which helps minimize depression or unnessecary dwelling. They bring me so much joy that its hard not to smile constantly at the blessing that they are to me.
3. Jack. My very good friend, Christina and her husband Paul just delivered their first baby last night. There is nothing that spells rejoicing like seeing new parents with their little baby. I know this seems odd that seeing this baby would make me thankful..but it is such a joyous time I can't imagine not being excited for them. Sure the thought came to mind that I have just lost a little one that would have matured into that newborn, but immediately I am reminded that I have two of those blessing already. I hurt for the many women who can not maintain a pregnancy and are still barren. If I never had another baby, which would be a loss in itself, yet I would exult in the Lord because of my overflowing cup with the family He has given me.
Yeah for baby Jack. He is absolutely precious. And looks just like his German roots dad and nothing like his Mexican-American momma. Its hilarious. The german roots beat out the mexican ones. Interesting!
4. My husband. This is a biggy. He has been so supportive. We have prayed together, cried together and reassured each other of our unending trust in the Lord. That is all I need, honestly. We always said we wanted four kids (I've always said at least four! ha!) So he is confident that the Lord has more in store for his quiver.. we will just trust His timing. There is hope in that.

So that brings me to the things that brings on the waves of emotion:
1. The thought that I lost "my girl." Isn't that funny that I was five weeks, but convinced that I was going to have a girl? And for some reason had the fleeting thought that I had lost my only chance for a girl. Then I laughed and said, "okay Rachel, like God really works like that." I want what the Lord gives me. If I get four boys.. I will be blessed indeed. Just as much as if I only had my two boys. But for some reason I had to get past that... and when I pass those girl clothes in the store.. I don't need to mourn. I trust the Lord to give me what He sees that I need.
2. just the excitement of having life inside of you. Its hard to remind myself that I am no longer pregnant. There is so much pride for me in given the honor to grow, bear and nurture another child. But God's plan is perfect. I many not understand it, but thats not my goal. I did have a hard time while in the doctors office looking at all the pregnant women.
3. having to tell people the very thing I don't like to talk about...at least not yet.

I am not a woman unaquainted with grief..although it always makes me chuckle that i generally handle it the same way each time I am in its path. I immediately convince myself that I don't need to talk to in depth about my feelings on it since God obviously knows how I feel about His decision. As I have told many people, "I don't have a problem with God..its just sad." However, the first rule of grief is to vent. Not disraction..as I like to think. Although I must define venting. For me it means that I imagine myself crawling up in the lap of my heavenly father and communicating what I feel. Letting him wrap his arms around me and listen. Then in the precense of that loving soverignty I am brought to true worship. Because my venting eventually ends with the words of Habbakuk 3: 17-19 :
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
YET I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;

Even when surrounded by affliction and grief.. I will rejoice in the Lord. Although I do not dare to compare my grief with the grief that comes from the context of these verses (these prophesies of affliction were because of the chastisement of the Lord on the Israelites.) I do agree with the heart of reliance on the Lord.

God not only wants me to vent.. its His method of healing. So when I truly recognize that I am avoiding doing it..I realize its not because I don't want to talk about it.. it comes down to the fact that I don't want to worship.. thats not where my heart is. Its hurting.. But its the expression of my heart communicating to God that brings true worship because I am faced with His soverign plan and that is what I need to focus on to heal. Well that about sums up my thoughts. if you have read this.. you are a patient friend indeed.

Confirmed: sad news.

Well we got confirmation today after the second set of HCG levels: I miscarried. I can't really talk about it. Its hard to face the reality and adjust my brain, and heart, to realize that our little bundle is no more. I am confident in the Lord. We praise Him for His soverignty. We praise Him for many things..especially that He comforts us. I do thank everyone for all your encouraging words and mostly for your prayers. It truly made the difference in my world the last three days. I look forward to seeing God's plan revealed..even if I have to wait unti eternity for it to make sense to me.

Adios todos.

We need your prayers!

Hey everyone.. please pray. I started bleeding this morning and am about to leave for the doctors office. My dr says not to loose hope since 40% of women experience bleeding in the first trimester. Some as much as a normal period. Mine has actually slowed down a bit, a good sign, and i don't have any cramping, although the bleeding was moderate in the beginning. I also won't have an answer until wednesday mid-morning because they will take my hcg levels today and then the second round on Wednesday am. We pray they are quadrupled (sp?).

Thank you so much for praying. We are trusting God..in His perfect will..whatever it may be.

Surely I can do this!

Im not talking about the pregnancy or even the survival of three children under 3 years old. What I am talking about is, shamefully, actually finishing a bottle of prenatal vitamins before the end of my pregnancy. The bottle that I just bought has 200 pills (i started taking them last night) and based on the little ticker (that is not my friend unless it says i only have 2 days left) I have 250 days left until i deliver. So my goal is to actually have to buy another bottle before I deliver. I am terrible at taking pills. Especially if I am supposed to do it every day. Insulin shots in the belly three times a day, I got that. But not pills.

On another note, I am NOT BRAVE! I repeat, I am not BRAVE. that has been a common theme in emails i have been getting as to my current circumstance of pregnancy. I do NOT have much of choice. That is not bravery. Now what I am is terrible at a very trusty and reliable program in Natural Family Planning. i feel that I have given it a bad name. But I still stand by it. Just be more militant that I have been. Ha! Ya think!

On that note, I am excited to have another little one in our family. It seems to be the consesus that this little one is going to be a girl! I will be thrilled if that is so. .and thrilled if i get to be a mother of another boy. I know that sounds cliche'. But I will. Unfortunatley, if you dont already know.. we don't find out until D-day. (delivery). Which is why I was in such shock when Miguel came. I was convinced he was a girl. ha! But anyway, its going to be a long 8 months. Well I guess I will part ways with this computer. Thank you to all you gals who have given us well wishes. you make my day! Adios!

Party of FIVE! We're PREGNANT!

Well if I could, just to let you know, NFP DOES WORK I just suck at it! I was a little unsure if it was "safe" and apparently I ovulated three days later....so those little guys were a waitin'. Im in complete shock. When this precious lamb is born I will have a two year old and a one year old (three months later I would have a three year old, a two year old and a three month old baby). AAHHHHH! I may not be blogging this time next year! lol! I may not be going much of anywhere. So..once again we are going to pray that I don't get insulin dependent gestational diabetes.. but I've been 2 for 2 so my chances are high to have it this time as well. But either way, we do whatever it takes to get a healthy baby! I think my due date will be June 2, but I always deliver 2 weeks early so it looks like middle May. I guess that whole pregnant in a bridesmaid dress thing is pretty much solved...although I will be nursing my baby at the wedding. OH MY! I cant believe it. well I hope you guys enjoy that blog water because it is definately potent!

Name game

Okay..thanks Karen for the tag... here is my name

D-don't like to iron.. i absoltely hate ironing. In fact my husband jokes that if he sees something in the closet that looks like it was ironed he thinks, with a chuckle, "I guess that's what I'll wear today!" this is a sad testimony

I- into blogging.. I am addicted. another sad thing. I love facebook as well. sad. sad.

A- a very opinionated person. After almost 30 years of living.. i am getting better about sharing those opinions. i know, i know.. unasked for advice is the same as criticism. It more or less.. please don't ask me what I think about something unless you truly want to know..

N- never try to scare me.. i don't know why.. but I can't handle it. I wig out. Not a pretty sight. I will try to post a video as evidence later. My husband seems to not realize this fact even after 5 years married.. yet knowing me for at least 8 years together.

E- entertain. I love to entertain.. well more like I like to have have people over and just hang out. love it.

i tag.. melissa, jaci, dafne, jenny b and sarah L.

We miss you Colorado!

We are back! What a trip. We flew out to Colorado Springs to visit my little brother, Paul, at the Air Force Academy. It was his first free weekend, Parents weekend, since heading out there in June. The flights went well. Jorge loved the "pwanes." Miguel, however was a different story. He just did not like sitting still that long. We got to visit Focus on the Family, The Navigators Castle, Garden of the gods and had lots of good time with the family (Terry). Miguel started clapping while on this trip and Jorge broke his first two year molar. Steaks, here we come! Enjoy some of the fun photos. See if you can tell how tired we are in these pictures.

Ahh..sweet sleep!

wea·ry
1 : exhausted in strength, endurance, vigor, or freshness
2 : expressing or characteristic of weariness
3 : having one's patience, tolerance, or pleasure exhausted -- used with of


Well it had been one of those days. Sadly it was beyond a day of instruction, it was a day of discipline. My two year old has moved from the cute, "no..i go bye bye" when I tell him to do or not do something. He has stepped right into the defiant, "NO!" I noticed that the day before I was not as quick to discipline as I should, so I was resolute on this day. I went before the Lord about it during my focused, alone time of prayer (aka, in the shower) and was determined to meet my son with grace, yet consistancy. At the end of the day I was weary. Every use of the word, above, described me. I was desperate for a Word from the Lord. So after the little ones were in bed I opened my Bible and asked God to speak. I did the ol' fashioned concordance look up for the word describing how I felt.: weary. After a few verses that just made me laugh, "The weary find rest in the grave," Job 3:17, I found some very comforting verses. Most I have read before, but i had new eyes to see and was thinking of my current situation with dealing with my disobedient son, yet knowing that this is what the Lord has for me.

"He gives strength to the WEARY and to him who lacks might He increases power." Isaiah 40:29

"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get TIRED, they will walk and not become WEARY." Isaiah 40:31

"For I (God) satisfy the WEARY ones and REFRESH everyone who languishes. At this I (Jeremiah) awoke and looked and my sleep was pleasant to me." Jeremiah 31:25-26

"But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good." 2 Thessalonians 3:13

God is good. I love those words: Strength, might, mount up, run, walk, satisfied, refresh and pleasant sleep! That is what I need during this time. However, I must: wait for the Lord! I will trust His timing through this season of "rebellion" with my son. I know that God has this child in the palm of his hand. Not only will I pray for me, but I will resolve to pray for this little fella as well. Ahh.. sweet dreams.

Good for her!

Im glad that she went on tv too and was able to not take herself so seriously. I probably have a zillion clips that my husband has captured, where i sound like a dork. Especially with my southern accent!

Son, beauty is fleeting....

Im outta here.. pray for my husband!

Im leaving this afternoon for Briarwoods womens retreat. Susan Hunt is the guest speaker and I am so excited. I will be back tomorrow afternoon, but Big Jorge has the boys all to himself. Please pray! He does a great job. I just hope they all survive! Ha! I can't wait to fill you in on all the details of what I have learned and all the wonderful relationships I've made.

Hasta Pronto!

The Laundry Elf!

Granted this amount of laundry was special.. since I could not do laundry while we had no AC and were not able to be in the house for two days. And this was only three loads piled on my bed. The fourth load was in the dryer. My husband took the picture and then helped me put it away.. how else was he going to get in the bed?? So now I challenge all you other women to take pictures of your massive load and put it on your blog! Ha! Who says that stay at home moms don't do anything all day??





It all looks so small after its folded.. thats why the before picture is there.. ;-)

Self Confidence vs. chiffon. Chiffon Wins!

There is nothing in the world to crush any self confidence you may have mustered up after giving birth to two children in two years, than trying on bridesmaid dresses. Esther is engaged. For that I could not be more thrilled. I am honored that she would ask me to be a part of her special day, I just wish it could be as special with me in overalls. Or even just a nice pair of slacks and a pretty shirt.

I love that I have enough around the middle to fill up the dress, but not enough for up top.

I love that the people who are also going to be in the wedding have never had a human grow right in their belly. In fact, none are even remotely close to that event.

I love that no matter the fact that it could be an Empire waist, I got to much muffin top.

I know what you ladies are saying right now.. C'mon Rachel.. you are skinny. You look fine. Okay ladies. I see your lips moving but I ain't hearing ya! I am not saying that Im not "happy" with my looks. My belly and stretch marks are a "crown of glory" for my two beautiful treasures. However, what I AM trying to say is that Im a big orange compared to all these apples. Different comparisons. As I told Esther today, "Please do not pick your bm dresses (funny bm also stands for bowel movement) around what looks flattering on me. An almost thrity year old mother of two is not the target group for designers of bridesmaid dresses."

Anyhoo.. I thought I would share my interesting experience. What is also going to throw a kink into it is that I hope to be pregnant by her wedding next June.. just not sure how far along. Soooo.. at any rate..this could get very interesting.

FYI... bm dresses are like the plague.. avoid them.

Here we go again...

Okay friends you said to keep at it so... at Kim's suggestion, lets discuss homeschooling vs. public/private schools. Or lets discuss which style of Worship is better. Ha! Just kidding everyone.

We are finally back in our house and it was only a $23 part that needed to be replaced. It ended up costing $139 after the diagnostic fee and all, but you never heard a complaint out of me. thanks to mom and dad for putting up with us. Sorry about the sugar container mom. I'll replace that. And Paul, I'll buy you a new book cover for your beautiful John Piper book. Toddlers: they take their destructive tendencies everywhere they go.

I am enjoying my cooled off house and can't wait to catch up on everyone elses blogs very soon. I hope you guys have a great day.

Feeling HOT HOT HOT!

We have been kicked out of our home. Our AC unit is not functioning, and after one night of suffering last night we decided to head to mom and dad's house (terry) for tonight or until it gets fixed. It was 84 degrees last night, in our house, and that was WITH windows open and fans on full blast. The kiddos slept in their diapers and I had fans blowing directly on them the whole night. HOT! The sad part is that not one contractor has called us back and the one we have talked to (Big Jorge flagged him down while he was making a house call a few houses down from us) said that most people would not fix it until Monday. Sad. The awesome thing is that we have family here that we are able to stay with, and who needs an excuse to spend some extra time with family?? Fun times. Please pray that this can be resolved soon.

I am praising God for AC right now. I will never take it for granted again. Ha!

UPDATE: i went to the house to get clothes and other things.. the house thermostat read 95 degrees! I was sweating while packing our bag. lol!

Little things I noticed today

1. Jorge knocking on his own door at 6:30 a.m while trying to come out of his room.
2. Miguel trying to pick up something off of the floor. Full of intent and committment. Oh wait, thats a dead fly.
3. Jorge aiming the big bouncy ball, quite well I might add, right for the top of Miguel's head.
4. Miguel a little bewildered as to why his brother is laughing hysterically at the ball that just hit his head.
5. Jorge was the "grose boy" that the little girls at the Chickfila playplace were trying to run from. Of course he was clueless. Their response when they see him, "ewww..there HE is. Run. Don't let him touch you." Priceless.
6. Miguel only wants the toys that his older brother is playing with.
7. Don't walk out of the room to change your youngest sons' diaper. Older son will pour contents of bottle onto the end table and floor. Then hide in the corner behind the couch upon your return.
8. If I give Jorge a cup while playing in the bath he WILL, I repeat, will pour water onto his younger brothers head.
9. If Jorge is jumping on his toddler bed and Miguel is trying to climb on it too, chances are that Jorge will do an accidental booty drop onto Miguels head. Its a given.
10. When its time for bed, baths have been given, bellies are full, and its moments before we have to put them down for the night, they will play quietly and calmly as if they are someone elses children.

Dancing

the reason why we start laughing at the end of this is because my son is so narcissitic that when he sees that I am recording him, he stops dancing and runs to see himself on the camera. Please tell me he will outgrow the narcissism. ha!

First Words

Coming up for air....

I got back from Tampa at 7am on Monday morning. I was up with the boys and playing at 10am when I got a frantic phone call from my sister in Montgomery. She said she was at the ER with my 5 year old niece, Livia, who had fallen from their second story balcony in their house. She landed on her face and stomach. All they knew was that she had a broken right arm and was in stable condition. Big Jorge and I, with our kids, hopped in the car to see what we could do, namely get Mishka's other two kids, Levi (2 1/2) and Asher (7 months) who were with a neighbor. Enroute we recieved word that by the time we got there, they would be transferring Livia to Childrens here in Birmingham. After two nights stay at Childrens she was released to go home with just a broken arm, a bone fracture under her right arm and a bruised liver. I say "just" because we believe had it not been for her arm "breaking" the fall, we would have had a fatal outcome. Or brain damage at the very least. While my sister and brother and law spent thier time at the hospital with Livia, we had the opportunity to have four kids 2 1/2 and under, under the same roof. I want to thank Brittany who came to help the first day and my sweet husband (who was off of work) who helped the second day. What a week. All that, and the culmination was Bryce asked Esther to marry him on Wednesday night! God is so good. He protected my sweet Livia and has added to our family all in the same week.

Such a wonderful life

FYI, Bryce is Esthers boyfriend, surely soon to be fiance. We are just all waitin' around scratching our heads as to when she's gonna get that rock. Ha! No pressure Bryce, really. We aren't in that big of a hurry for you to take her to Minnesota.

Im leaving..

Well for a total of 37 hours. Im going to a funeral in Tampa, Fl. Darcy's (my second mom) dad died and we are having a memorial service for him. Big Jorge and the kids are staying here in Birmingham and Martha (my mother-in-law) is coming to help him. Well, probably be more like help the kids. Ha! Really, Jorge does do a great job, but I know that it would be easier on him if he had some help. I leave Saturday night and get back early, very early Monday morning. I think my flight gets in at 6:00 (thats A.M).

Update on the adoption. Jim (second dad) found an attornery that knew how to do it, so I will officially be adopted on August 2nd. Very exciting. We are going to celebrate on August 4th. Should be lots of fun. God is so good. For those of you who have no clue what Im talking about, go back and read the post "Huge Deal" that I did back in May.

I'll fill everyone in on how my husband did with the kids, when I get get back.

Buenos Noches.

My kids are....

out to get me! Ha! Here is the proof:

1. Miguel is 9 months old and is only taking one nap a day. This would be okay except for the fact that he is a pill without the second nap. Granted, he has only done this the past two days so we will nip this in the bud very soon.

2. Jorge is seriously trying to make me fear for his life at every turn. He is determined to have me take him to the ER at least once before his third birthday next june. He is climbing on anything, even if its not nailed down. In fact, if it moves that just adds to the element of danger. So if i walk out of the room, he is high tailing it to the nearest drop off.

3. Miguel has refused to take a bottle. I have had to ween him from breastfeeding. he did well the first two weeks but now he refuses to take a bottle. This would otherwise not be a problem except for the fact that he only has one tooth. This makes eating anything besides yogurt and baby food very difficult. UPDATE: i did find a sippy cup at walmart that he has deemed worthy and is now drinking milk from it.

4. Jorge is convinced that his little brother enjoys when he sits on him, on his head, legs, back or any other part of him. It doesn't help that miguel laughs initially, just out of sheer joy that his older brother would pay any attention to him, but if I don't get there fast enough he begins to squeal like the Nasgoul (Lord of the Rings).

These things make me seriously rethink my child spacing theories.

Fun at Chuck E. Cheese

In the same cart at Sams




Smiling for mommy, after he made a mess of the toys. He has the most adorable smile.

So young..so messy

Can you believe that a two year old and a 9 month old can do this much damage in 25 minutes?

Fun pics

my sister came to visit with her three kiddos. It was too hot to play outside so we improvised with a mop stick. Then there are pictures from yesterdays rain storm. Jorge had fun playing outside afterwards.

Our first STANDOFF..I WON!!!!

we had our first food standoff today. It was quite humorous. I wanted him to eat one more bite of chicken before he could get down and he said, "no." That was it.. game on. He lasted 20 minutes before he finally caved. The sad thing is that he put that piece of chicken in his mouth three different times and then he would spit it out onto the table. So when he finally ate it... it was quite disgusting. What finally broke him, you ask? He wanted to see himself in the camera, which I told him he could if he would just eat his chicken. Fun times.

the beginning of the standoff


still waiting...

he is standing his ground

FINALLY.. he did it..all done!

Cute pics!

Here are some pictures from the past couple of days. Enjoy!