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. =)

$6 Short

-The other day our babysitter took the kids to the movies Family Film Fest. These are family movies that run all summer long. And the best part is that they are free! Well, not this time. It cost 6$.

Caleb was insistent to take is extra chore and tooth money with him. He stuck it down in his pocket. But when they were coming home, it was gone. We called back and asked if it was turned in, but it wasn't. Our wonderfully-awesome-such-a-blessing babysitter told Caleb a story that one time when she was little, her mom didn't have enough money for grocries and found a 20 dollar bill. She knew it was from God and thanked him for sending money for food for the week. She also told him that one time she lost $100. It hurts so much at the moment, but she prayed that someone who really needs it will find it just like how her mom found money when she really needed it.

So that night Caleb prayed for his lost money. He prayed that someone would find it only if they really needed $6.

How great that he knows God is in control even of our money.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19

New Toy

Fun memories on a special day--it was one of those big life milestones that comes our way when we aren't looking!

 Look at those beautiful children! I love my family. They woke me up again with a yummy special breakfast. My husband is the best! He loves me so much.

I also got pampered and got my hair cut and highlighted. So per Angel's request, I'm letting it grow long.

So then we had a family grill-out. It was a beautiful evening my cousin Geniene helped plan. It was so special to have her and her boys there!

Then I got a new toy. A total surprise to me! iPod touch. I've never wanted one or asked for one or even know how to use one! Angel just thought I'd like it. And it sure has been so much fun learning!

(I'm taking tips on must-have apps)

13 Steps!

Aaron is up to 13 steps on his own! He loves practicing and just gets right back up when he falls. He even hit 22 steps yesterday, but averages around 10-15.

Time for a Fiesta!

 

We had a blast celebrating Aaron's 1st birthday on Saturday. Everything came together better than planned. Since his birthday is so close to the 4th, it is only fitting to celebrate in Red, White, and Blue and with fireworks! What a great way to celebrate! I'm sure Aaron thinks it's all in honor of him!

There were lots of friends and family. We love this kind of party and mixing family and Spanish-speaking friends.  

Besos from Tía Stephanie

We also love when our yard is full of kids playing everywhere!

Aaron had his first "mordita."

This is a tradition in Mexico after the candle is blown out to take a bite of your birthday cake and usually someone tries to push your face in the cake. Alisia and Caleb are very familiar with this, but it can sometimes end up in tears. Aaron was soo excited to have icing all over his mouth and wasn't bothered at all!

I grabbed a camera and this is what it looked like from his view with everyone watching.

Opening gifts was funny because he had no idea what to do! He was so cute though. When he finally saw it was more than a bag and paper, he wanted to open the gift and play with it. But then we would take it away and give him another one to open. He got frustrated and mad and started crying! It was soo cute though.

Then we "carefully" and "safely" set off some fireworks and sparklers in the street.  

 

We had to balance out the Red, White, and Blue:

We went up on the hill from our house to watch the fireworks. It was a good view of the city. At 10:23 we were remembering all the work that it took for him to come into the world. I guess fireworks is how he's gonna remember all of his birthdays!

A big THANKS to everyone who helped us celebrate!

The Pledge of Allegiance

Interpreted by Red Skelton

"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester

and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"

I me, an individual, a committee of one.

Pledge dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.

Allegiance my love and my devotion.

To the flag  our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!

United that means that we have all come together.

States individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.

And to the republic a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands, one nation one nation, meaning "so blessed by God"

Indivisible incapable of being divided.

With liberty which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.

For all which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance... 'UNDER GOD' Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools too?

God Bless America!
--------------------------------

Happy Independence Day, Everyone!

1 Year

Aaron Samuel Garcia,
My precious boy, you have brought so much joy and laughter to us as since you have become part of our family. Oh, how you are loved all the way around the world! We loved you from the moment we knew about you. You are loved by your parents, brother and sister, grandparents, great-grandparents, uncles and aunts, and cousins. You got to meet your great-aunts and great-uncles and extended family and cousins. You still have to meet your family that loves you oh-so-much in Mexico! But that's not all! You are also loved ever so immensely by God that even I can't comprehend. God knew what a prefect fit you would be to our family. We are praying for the day that you come to know Jesus as your Savior and serve him with your life.

You are learning and growing so fast! You love to go on walks, take baths, read books, play outside, go swimming, pull DVDs off the shelf, and feel the bass-beat from the stereo-speaker. So we've had to move a lot of things off your level so you can't reach them. Sometimes that makes you un-happy.  I love the way you crinkle up your nose and squint your eyes when you smile!

I love to watch you grow! And see your curiosity for the world around you. You love being with your brother and sister. You watch and learn everything Caleb does. And you even already have started to tease him back. Alisia has special time with you every day and is like your 2nd mommy. I love when you just wake up, because that is when you love to be snuggled. You are always excited to see Papi when he gets home from work and you greet him with a big hug!

It took us a long time to decide on your name. We named you Aaron Samuel Garcia.

Aaron means "lofty; exalted; high mountain; one of light." In the bible, Aaron was Moses' brother and spoke for Moses to help lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Aaron was a great leader who loved and followed God. Our prayer for you in choosing your name is that you too will be a great godly leader of your generation and bring others to follow Christ.

The meaning of Samuel is "Name of God; asked of God; God has heard; God has listened." In the bible Samuel's mother asked God for a child, then dedicated him to God. Samuel was the prophet who anointed Saul and David as kings of Israel in the Old Testament. Our prayer for your in choosing this name is that you will "Only fear the Lord, and serve him faithfully with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you." (1 Samuel 12:24)

 Therefore may you praise Him, the LORD, among the nations; sing praises to his name.
(2 Samuel 22:50)