Dear (Named) Middle School Girl,

I know that middle school is a new time in your life where you are finding a new sense of self identity. I don't know if I tell you this enough, but I want you to always know that I am so proud of you as you are about to finnish this first very challenging year of middle school.

You stand up for what you know is right. Even if it's not-so-popular. Like when a (not-so-popular) girl in your class was planning a special birthday party and invited all the girls in the class. But none of the girls would actually say if they were going. You were the first one to say you were going and encouraged everyone else to go. And even though you didn't check with me first, I know you did the right thing.

And when a friend of yours has a birthday, you always want her to feel special and you bring her a gift to school. Even if you're not invited to her birthday party.

You have such a gentle way of sharing God's love with others. Like when you told me about some of your friends who are no longer friends, and put you in the middle. But you stood up for your friend by continuing to be her friend even when no one else would. You are an example of how to be Jesus' hands and feet.

You're growing in your personal relationship with Jesus. You faithfully set your alarm every Tuesday for 5:45 and get ready for Bible Study with your youth group girls. Your Bible study leader told me even when the other girls don't show up, they know they can count on you to be there. Even though you might dread getting up that early, God sees your faithfulness.

Sometimes I wish I could protect you from every problem, every tear, and every heartbreak. And middle school can be full of tears. Sometimes my heart breaks and I want to cry for you. But you are quick to forgive. You always keep your head up and you remain joyful. And through these situtations you face, I can see God molding you into a beautiful,--inside and out--godly young lady. Oh, how His heart must smile when he looks at you, just like mine does! I can't wait to see what God has in store for your future! As you continue to follow him with you heart, he will be faithful to bring you through.

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.

Date Night

These two just had date night!

And were off to see High School Musical 3!

I don't know who enjoyed it more, Alisia or Angel...haha!

When Words Aren't Enough

Grandparents day is coming up at school where the grandparents are invited to spend the day with the kids. They are making invitations to send to their grandparents. Well, Abuelito, Angel's dad, lives in Mexico and Alisia has never even met him. She's talked to him on the phone a few times and we send pictures back and forth but that's it. At first Alisia wasn't sure how she felt about making him an invitation. She knew he won't come. I told her it would be a good idea to still send him an invitation and tell him a little bit about herself. And it would be a good way to share Jesus with him.

Alisia made him the sweetest card and has been praying everyday for him that he will know how much God loves him. She also told me it was much more important to pray for him than to send him a card, or even talk to him on the phone since she doesn't speak very good Spanish. She said God could help him understand what she's trying to say. Then she very wisely said, "Sometimes, when I don't know what to say, I just pray and God helps me."


"For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."
Psalms 100:5

Take Three

This was actually more like "Take 12" or "Take 13." But she finally got it! Alisia loves making up songs and preforming them. After she composed this one she wanted to preform for me. Oh, how it warms my heart!!
Take One:

Take Two:

Take Three:

Finnished Project

Do you remember THIS post from 7/16. Well, we finally finnished this past weekend! Here's some before/after pictures.

BEFORE: We didn't really take before pictures, so here are some that I found.
As you can tell, the walls aren't even really white, they look more like yellowish.



It's obviously been forever since these walls were painted.


AFTER:
Check out how great it turned out! I love how the white accents the pink and purple.





My Mom really went with the theme for Alisia's birthday and got her a big purple shag rug that matches perfectly! She also got her a cool lamp and the new beautiful bed set that is on her bed. THANKYOU GRAMMY!

Alisia loves her new room!


So does Caleb!


This is his best "Pretend like your asleep" face.


Now that her room is finnished, it really makes the rest of the house look dated! Now we all want a cool room like hers! =)

Finally

A Birthday Party for Alisia!
Yes, reality of being home quickly set in. The stress didn't actually hit me until Saturday as we were getting ready for Alisia's party. I started feeling like I had a week worth of work to do all in a few hours. My family rocks though, and put up with a gripey momma. We all pitched in to get it done. I'm so glad it was worth it! We all had such a fun evening!




Alisia's cake was sooooo good! My mom got it from Stone Cold Creamery. It's called the Cheesecake Name Desire.

No hard feelings!


This party was mainly for family and she invited 3 friends. The Meza's are long time friends of ours and count as family.


Boys will be boys! (Playing PlayStation)

After the party was over, we took some family pictures outside:

All the girls in our family!



Crazy friends


Or as they'd rather be called, "The Fabulous Friends."


After the party was over, 9 of us walked down to the church and played four square and then played hide-n-seek in the dark. I think that was the best part of the day for me! I haven't done that in such a long time! When was your last time?

A Message from Miss America

"Happy July 4th"

Seeing the World Upside-Down

Alisia had to memorize this passage this year for school. Think about this for a moment and let it turn your world upside-down, as knowing Christ and understanding the gospel often does.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you
and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Matthew 5:3-11

Mexican Spice

BFFs with some Mexican Spice

Sowing Seeds

Alisia has been learning about seeds in Science class and she made a beautiful seed collection display. However, it is obvious that we don't live on a farm, and we don't garden.

We were eating popcorn after school for snack and I noticed Alisia picking out all the seeds.

Me: "What are you doing?"

Alisia (with a big smile): "I'm going to plant a popcorn tree."

Me: "Alisia, think about the word popcorn, where do you think the seeds come from?"

Alisia: "POPCORN...oh! Corn! Then I'll plant a corn tree!"

Hummm..I'll definately be planting something this year! It'll be our project. Now we just have to think of what we want to grow! Maybe a corntree? Any ideas on something the kids can help with?

Luke 8:15

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Faith of a Child

Tuesday I found out that my license plates were stolen off my car. Both the front and back. I don't know where it happened, but I called the police and made a report. He wasn't alarmed and informed me that this was rather normal. I dreaded going to DMV, they are always so busy!

On my way home from work, I noticed that someone spray painted "REPENT" on the side of a church on our street right down from our house.

When I picked up Caleb from Daycare his eyes were watery and he looked sick, but said he felt fine and was in good spirits. Right when we sat down for dinner, he grabed his mouth and threw-up. Anyone wanna know what he had for lunch? I cleaned him up and laid him on the couch, noticing he was very warm. I went get the Tylenol and thermometer, but he was already asleep when I came back to give it to him. I wondered how long this bug was going to last!

That night I was exhausted and knew that tomorrow was going to be a long day! As Angel took Caleb up to bed, I went to pray with Alisia. Tired, and ready to go to bed, I prayed first. Then I listened to Alisia as she prayed for each of these things that happened during the day.

-She prayed that God would help me tomorrow get new license plates.

-She prayed that the church would be easy to paint over.

-She prayed for whoever stole my license plate and whoever painted the church that they would repent.

-She prayed for Caleb that he would sleep good through the night and feel better.

-She prayed that no one else in our family would get sick.

-She prayed that we would all be able to sleep well and have a good day.

"Thankyou, Alisia," I said giving her a kiss on the head and covering her up tightly.

"Mommy don't worry," she said "God will take care of our family."

The next day (yesterday), Caleb woke up around 7. He had 13 hours of sleep. I asked him how he was feeling and he said "I'm not sick any more. I'm hungary." I made him some breakfast, we got ready, and he seemed his normal self. After I dropped him off at daycare, I went straight to DMV. They weren't busy and it only took me about 10 minutes to get new plates for my car. Work went well, and on my way home, I noticed someone cleaning the spray paint off the church.

At dinner time, I told Angel, Alisia, and Caleb the good news from the day and how different everything turned out than I had imagined. Alisia said "I prayed for you today at school and so did my class." She didn't seem surprised at all. She knew that God had heard her prayers and he would answer them. That night she remembered to thank God for answering her prayers and taking care of our family.

Matthew 18:3

And Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."