Agua de Sandia

Here's to the little things in life you can do to show your spouse you love them.

Angel loved this. He said it was like being in love with me again for the first time. 

Thanks to this recipe, it was super easy. And delicious! 

Thanks Leslie! ;)

To Save a Buck

Shopping for school supplies can add up quickly, especially when you have more than one child. When Alisia was the only one in school, I didn't mind spending a bit more $$ for her to have the cute supplies. This year however, we went to several different stores to get the sale items then finished up at Wal-Mart, just to save some $$.

Well, the first day, Alisia made the remark "everyone has such cute designs on their notebooks." She wasn't complaining, it was just a comment, but I could tell she just wished hers had a bit more to it.

 I told her that her notebook is actually much cooler than the other ones with designs because she gets to make her own design.

So last night we went to it. I need to do a better job at printing pictures. I didn't have many recent pictures. But, she is very excited about her new notebook cover and can't wait to start using it.
She said "now I definately feel like mine is the best!" I think I might have got some "cool mom" points too!

I love how much she loves her family. I realize though, in a few years, it'll probably be full of friends instead of family pictures. That's OK too.

Is it Friday Yet?

It has been a long week!

Oh those two sure look good!


This picture is funny where Caleb's friend just walked up and smiled in our family picture on the first day of school.



This has been the loooongest week! We've been adjusting to new back-to-school schedules and getting up earlier. The kids usually are so worn out and eager for bed-time. (so am I!) I don't remember it always being this hard to adjust? I'm so ready for the weekend. I need to wash clothes, put dishes away, and catch up on everything! Now I'm looking forward to some special time with this one. I'm gonna take some vacation days just to spend time with him....

So Is This Normal?

Ready for School

::Whew:: That was a lot of work! And school hasn't even started, yet. 

That's just for two kids. I can't imagine doing this for 3, 4, 5, 6.....kids. (share a link with me if you have one) Is it just me or is that a lot of glue for just 2 kids? 

This one will all-too-soon be headed off that way with the big two! Until then, I'll be enjoying every minute I can with him--just the two of us! Looks like there are some advantages to this age difference thing! 

The Trump Shall Resound

Sometimes we need the reminder. Sometimes we need for our world not to make sense and our longing for heaven to be so great that it out weighs our sense of reality here on earth. Sometimes through our earthly loss and pain we have a renewed passion and purpose. We were made to worship. We were made for eternity.

Let Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in Heaven.

I wonder what he is seeing right now.....

Revelation 5:11-13

"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!"

The Other Man in my Life

Caleb Boarman Garcia,

I can hardly believe that you are turning 7 today! You are thoughtful and such a blessing to our family. Just as God uses us as your parents to teach you, he also continues to use you to teach us! I love to hear your heart long to praise Him. My heart overflows with joy knowing that you have known Jesus as your Savior from such a young age and seek to follow him with your life.

I am amazed at how much scripture you know and your ability to apply it to your life. You have so many intriguing questions about God's word. Even ones that I cannot answer. The bible tells us that God will reveal himself to you as you continue to seek Him.
(Jer 29:13)

You have a special birthday beause you were born on you great-grandmother's birthday. That is why you have her maiden name Boarman as your middle name. It was an honor that you were able to meet her before she lost her fight with cancer.

We decided to name you Caleb for many reasons. It was a long decision for us but it fits you perfectly. And it is easy to pronounce in both Spanish and English without changing the spelling.

Caleb is a Hebrew word meaning "whole-hearted," "faithful" or "bold, brave." In the Bible, Caleb was one of the twelve spies who Moses sent out into Caanan. Caleb wasn't simply faithful, but he also served God with his whole heart. He was bold in the first to speak up and say "let's go and conquer this land." (Numbers 13:30) He was brave to encourage the Israelites to follow God with opposition from the other 10 spies. (Numbers 14:6-9) The Lord blessed Caleb and his descendants because of his wholehearted-faithfullness to follow Him.

Caleb, our prayer for you in choosing your name is that you will serve the Lord faithfully with your whole heart (1 Sam 12:24). As you grow, may God bless you as you are bold in your faith to share God's love with others.

"But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."

Numbers 14:24

Wasn't this just yesterday?

Oh how the years go by

I love picking up the camera and finding this: (I didn't take the picture) 

Look how handsome!

 Handsome like your Papi!

Not only are you handsome, but you make me laugh! (I cropped him out of this series of family pictures we took at church) 

Did I mention your sense of humor? (Alisia took these)

And so creative!

Such a servants heart

A great big brother!

I took this through my kitchen window

Then I went out to get closer

I love you son! Looking forward to an awesome birthday party!

*click on the links in this post to read more great Caleb stories

The Pickle Jar

I recently heard some newly-wed advise my grandmother gave my mom. It's quite profound yet so simple. She learned this and has been married 60+ years so I thought I'd pass it on.

"I always ask him to open the pickle jar."

And she does. Every time I'm there she always asks my grandfather to do this for her, even if I'm standing right there in the room with her. Her reasoning? Every man needs to be needed. Be at a vulnerable place and ask him to fill in the gaps. Let him complete you.

Sometimes I need this reminder. It can be too easy for me to try to do things on my own without asking for my husbands help and I get in more trouble than when I started. This can be without me realizing asking him would have been easier and faster than all the energy I spent trying to do it on my own. Or sometimes I know I can do it on my own, and I purposefully choose to do it anyway just so show him I'm perfectly capable...or to show him my way is better. I just say I'm a "go-getter" in a prideful way that "if there is something that needs done, I do it."

While I know that there is certainly a place for that. But wasn't this woman's original sin in the garden? Eve thought that her own agenda was pleasing to the eye. And yes, man did sin here too, but would the story have been different if Eve followed Adam or consulted with him before eating the fruit.

I've started taking this approach as far as letting Angel know that I need him. I can take all 3 kids swimming on my own no problem. But they have so much fun when he comes with us. And I can relax more when he is with me. And this is true with so many other things. I just want him to know that I love and need him. So I ask him to open the pickle jar. =)