Is there a word for that in English?

Chiple (noun, adjective)
This Spanish word means:
To be pampered, spoiled or much loved.
Ancient mexican slang word meaning:
(noun) the possession of others tenderness or attention as from a parent, sibling or friend.
(Adjective) Needing the love, attention or tenderness of others.


My boys right now are Chiple. All three of them, Aaron, Caleb, and Angel. For clarification, when we use the word, we mostly refer to it as an adjective, as in this case, needing the love, attention, and tenderness of others. I love this word because in Spanish, it can be referred to as similar to spoiled, it is more of a positive spin and there is a different word for spoiled (consentido), which can be referred negatively or positively depending on the context.

Pre-pregnancy Aaron was usually busy playing with the kids and wasn't phased a bit when I got home from work. He'd come give me a hug, then back to playing. Since I've been pregnant, from the second I get home from work, he wants to be by my side. Helping me cook, wash dishes, or just hug him and hold him. The slightest thing makes him cry. And a kiss makes it all better.

"Just us" shopping

Caleb is chiple too, but shows it in a different way. He would rather have me make him a sandwich, tie his shoes--things which he is very capable of doing on his own, or play legos or a video game with him. He likes to go to the store with me so it can be "just us."

Angel often refers to himself as chiple. He says HE needs attention. When he's uptight and about to loose it, he says "Me siento chiple" (I feel chiple). 

They whine, fight, cry, and drive me crazy. Then, with a little bit of attention, they're better.

The end of the day, the boys usually climb up in bed with me and want "their time." Before bedtime prayers, we talk, tell jokes, read books, or whatever usually until Angel kicks them out when he's needing some attention, too.

Angel is convinced this is because I'm having a girl, (we have not found out yet!) and the boys are competing for the attention. Apparently this is an old wives tale in Mexico and basically a sure proof way to know what you are having--I guess only if you have other kids. I say it's just because I'm pregnant and can barely keep up with a family of 5 and have less energy to devide between everyone. And it keeps me praying about being a family of 6!


Regardless of the reasons, 'chiple' definitely describes the boys in our house!  Is there a word for that in English?

Easter Festives

Easter Sunrise Service
We took a pic outside to prove that we did actually get up at sunrise. It was such a blessing that everyone woke up in a good mood to be at church by 6am and we weren't even running late!

After the service, we enjoy a traditionl "Mexican style" breakfast with the congregation.

Angel really looks forward to this because he gets to enjoy all of his favorites at once that I haven't learned to make yet!

After we napped some on Easter afternoon, we enjoyed a traditional "American-style" dinner with my family. We have enjoyed finding a balance to our family celebration to bring in both cultures.

Once again, at this special time of year, I am thankful that I am able to celebrate Christ's Resurrection with my family! I'm so thankful for the heritage passed on to be from my parents and grandparents, that I can now pass down to my own children.

One thing we didn't do this Easter was go to an egg-hunt or paint Easter eggs. I didn't really miss it and I don't think the kids really noticed either. It was nice to be able to celebrate Jesus and reflect on His Amazing Love for us, his children.

"...Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
John 1:29

Crossing Cultures

Fiesta Navideña
Celebrating the Holidays is always a big deal, and for our family, we have the blessing of celebrating with a taste of Latino culture. We've struggled with balancing both cultures and have ended up making our own traditions that don't quite fully represent one culture or the other. The mix is great and helps Angel feel at home. This year, we helped our church plan a special outreach service for the Latino community. It was our first time doing something like this, and was a great success.
Interrested in how Latinos celebrate? Well, a few things are essential for a real Latino flavored Fiesta!
1. Patience. Usually there is a beginning time, but typically the fiesta never begins at that time. And there's never really an ending time. People come when they want and leave when they want.
2. Food. Tamales, Mole, Tinga, Flan, Galletas, Pan Dulce. Yum, yum, yum! This is typically done potluck style and there is usually enough to feed an army! When word gets out about a fiesta, people bring their family, and their in-laws, extended families, abuelos, primos, neighbors, and the list goes on. So a lot of food is a good thing.


3. Piñata. Not just the piñata, but people for crowd control, someone to control the piñata, someone to do the blindfold and spinning. Someone to call 911? You know, just to be prepared. Here's Alisia and Caleb taking their turn at a swing. Angel was the pupet master controlling the piñata. That's usually his job. And notice he's wearing a Santa hat? Not very Latino-ish. That's part of the crossing-cultures thing.

Family Christmas Pic

"He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth." Luke 1:14

Merry Christmas! From our (growing) family to yours!

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

Mi Casa Es Tu Casa

This is our friend Julianne. Her family lives in Queens, New York while she is going to school down here and goes to our church. We have seen her grow a lot spiritually this year as she seeks to follow God with her life. We enjoyed spending this past weekend with her. It's almost scarey how well she fit into our family. We are excited that she will be down here another year!

Having Juli hang out with our family this weekend reminded Angel of his family in Mexico. In Mexico, it is very common for family to spend weekends, holidays, and summer months together. This comes with the idea of "Mi Casa Es Tu Casa" (My House is Your House). He deeply misses this part of living close to his family. We are praying that one day we will live closer to Angel's family to be able to spend weekends together. We want the kids to know their Mexican primos, tios, y abuelos (cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents). We are praying that the Lord gives us wisdom in this and gives us a clear dirrection. Please pray and share this journey with us as we seek to follow Him.

"A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. "

Proverbs 16:9

At the Dinner Table

MENU: Fajitas, Frijoles, Aroz, Guacamole, Tortillas
This might explain why they have Siestas in Mexico after they eat.


I guess this is what Mexican food does to you.

Mexican Spice

BFFs with some Mexican Spice

Easter Happenings

This Easter we enjoyed spending time with our family as well as our church body. Here's some pictures of our Easter Celebration.

We made it the sunrise service on time at 6am and my parents joined us! It was a treat having them there to worship with us so early on Easter morning. Then we headed to the Hernandez' for breakfast with the congregation.
Breakfast: Tamales, Ensalada de Fruita and Pan (Friut Salad, Bread). Yummy!

Alisia looking beautiful with a touch of Mexican spice.

Angel teaching Caleb and Alisia to appreciate their Mexican roots. Eeeyyeee!

Caleb and Junior. Caleb enjoys hanging with la raza (the gang).

Here's Danny (Angel's cousin) with some church friends. He's very involved with church and has been here for two years now. Also photoed: Paige, Danny, Sandita, Andrea, Joanna, Erica, (me)

On Saturday, we enjoyed the evening with family- my parents, Mommom and Poppop, Jarrod and Stephanie, Joe, Teresa and Eston, Jim and Brenda, Dan and Rae.

Easter Egg Hunts:

Ping Pong:

Decorating Easter Eggs:














humm...I wonder what that egg says!

 

Be careful Caleb, The eggs aren't superheros.

Too late! Sorry Darth Vader.

(some of) The final product: Some very cool Star Wars eggs!

The Lord reminded me that despite our sinful nature, he is faithful to draw us back to himself. I have a tendency to overly focus on what's going on and our activities instead of focusing on the reason we are celebrating. I have to realize that it is OK if things don't go exactly as planned and let things play out. I usually consider myself a very flexible person, but lately God has been teaching me to be flexible in His timing, not my own. I am thankful to have a husband who continues to love me and gently point me back to God.

Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.