Quality Time...




With Joel home for 4 days in a row, it was beyond amazing to see the change in our son. He was content, less whiny, more polite and increasingly adorable. I sat and pondered his sudden disposition and realized for 4 days, his needs for relationship with mommy AND daddy all day long were met 100%!



Our family (Kevin and Nate) left yesterday after a wonderful couple of days together. Once we had some alone time, we found ourselves doing something we hadn't done in a long time....sit, relax and do nothing! At first it was hard, full of guilt...but now that it's Sunday night at 10pm, I realize how important it was for us to slow things down, watch the beautiful lights on our christmas tree, and enjoy a bowl of popcorn while watching Lord of the Rings. Downtime, precious downtime!

Count Your Blessings.....

1. Loving, Affectionate and Faithful husband
2. Precious son with darling personality and another I will meet one day
3. Parents who give godly advice
4. Friends and family who care enough to ask tough questions
5. A beautiful home with character and charm
6. 2 paid off cars....that are identical!
7. Amazing and flexible babysitters
8. Luxury of staying home with my son
9. My husband's amazing worship-leading skillz
10. Health...financial provision...job security

I could go on and on....and God tells us to....

He tells us not to worry about anything but with prayer and supplication, WITH THANKSGIVING, make our requests known to Him. He tells us this because He cares and loves us THAT much to know each of our requests! Wow...

Make your own list...everyday not just on Thanksgiving!

Much love and happy digesting! :)

~JM

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


It's nearly Thanksgiving....our plans include a morning of preparation of a turkey, sweet potato souffle, and green beans....and then on to my Grandma's house while our food cooks....My Grandmother is hosting Thanksgiving at her place...and I'm very excited about it. Not because of the food or because of any reason but that I truly thank God for her. She watched me as I grew up and taught me so many things about life and about love. She is such a delight to be around and while her first language was spanish, the language barrier never was one.

I always felt her love and even stronger do I feel it now. I look forward to squeezing her tight tomorrow....telling her I love her and gobbling food down with her. I'm grateful to have such a wonderful great-grandma to my son too. He is her little prince and there are certain "snuggles" only reserved for her. I love you Abuela...you are the BEST!

Happy Thanksgiving to all....

In Memory of Sam...

November 13, 2007 we said goodbye to our 2nd child....Sam. I was 4 months pregnant...weeks away from determining the sex (although my gut tells me I had another boy in there....) and our lives got turned upside down. My husband tells me I'm just now becoming myself again...that brings me joy to hear him say that.

One thing I never knew about women who lost their unborn was that the intimacy they shared with that child...was only theirs to know of. This little one and I shared oxygen, blood, and a body. This little one depended on Mommy (without yet knowing it) for every single need. I'm done with asking "why" and I'm just excited for "when" I get to meet our 2nd-born. They must've been pretty special if God wanted him so soon...

We've named the baby Sam....and are so grateful to our parents, sisters and brothers for keeping a special place in all their hearts for this precious child-who is alive and well in Heaven right now.

"i can imagine heaven's lullabies....and what they must sound like....but I will rest in knowing that Heaven is your home and it's all you'll ever know...."

Our Family...

Joel and I found out we were pregant with our son, Jude on September 10, 2004. We were....FREAKED OUT by the thought....but knew eventually that God had a plan in store for us...

Well...4.5 years later....we have a little man about 3 feet tall....38 lbs....and one of the best conversationalists I know. Jude means "Praise" and London means "Fierce Warrior/Ruler" Our precious Jude London is a blessing...a chatterbox...a wrestler...a gourmet "pretend" cook...and has the most tender heart I've ever seen in another human being.

He gets that from my gracious and loving husband. Joel is my rock...my best friend...my buddy...my tickle partner...and a fellow-lover of IKEA. We just work better together than we on our own.

God-thank you for these men...sometimes I feel left out in this testosterone-filled house...but I wouldn't have it any other way!