Senior Night Letter

Here is the letter my DH and I wrote to our daughter for her senior night.  You can read about my experience here. 

 

Photo credit: Brenda L.

Dear Daughter, Our feisty firecracker daughter, this is it!  Your first senior night came so quickly.  We thought we were ready but we were wrong.  This year is passing too fast but we plan to hang on and enjoy the ride! 

Photo credit: Brenda L.

 

You are so good at encouraging others.  Doing the right thing when it is hard – standing up to your friends when you see an injustice – we are proud of you!  Your persistent and determined energy is powerful – trust it.  You do great things; thank you for letting us share them with you.  You are so determined and strong and we are extremely grateful Jesus is Lord of your life. 

Photo credit: Brenda L.

 

For all the times we “hushed you,” told you to sit still, quit fidgeting, relax, talk quieter, we did not know that you are naturally loud, outgoing, quick, and strong-willed.  We love this about you!  Okay, we usually love this about you.  That strong-willed side has caused all of us to butt-heads more than once.  It is these things that contribute to the uniqueness of your confidence and personality, and we understand that we do not have to understand all of you, in order to love all of you. 

Photo credit: Brenda L.

Daughter, you deserve to succeed.  You have not had the easiest life so far; yet your relationship with Jesus has made you a strong woman of valor; a warrior for Jesus.  While we have had our ups and downs, we support you and are so proud of who you are.  It is okay to make mistakes and we are happy with your choices… usually.  More importantly, we are happy with you.  You never have to do anything more or being anything else but you to be loved.  Please remember that.  You are so loved.   

 

So here we are, our fourth senior yet this is our first senior night with all this jazz.  How fun and exciting!  Finally, we get to experience a first with you.  We know this pleases you and we are right here with you.  It’s a night marking a milestone for you – you did it!  You hung in there when the going was hard and unpleasant and look at you now - one of the captains of your team!  You rock!  Thanks for letting us be a part of the crazy, fast, adventurous ride that is your life.  We are so proud of you. 

 

Photo credit: Brenda L.

 

All our love, besos y abrazos,

 

Papi and Moma Joy

#seniornight #gfa

Feeling Honored

There is always this uncomfortableness that happens when families collide at events for the child who had no choice in the decisions of their parents; yet they suffer the most.  Last night was "Senior Night" for our daughter.  It is a wonderful thing the team, in this case, volleyball, does to honor the seniors and their parents.  We are not the only blended family at our delightfully small private Christian school, but there aren't many (which is WONDERFUL!!!). 

All that to say, in the past, I have only participated in the senior night at our big public school with our older sons.  It was nice but certainly not the fan fare that it is at our current school.  At the public school, our son had to chose who was going to walk out with him (his mother or me); not both.  Here, we all were included and immediate family was welcome to join us on the court. 

 

I am always prepared to allow whatever parent recognition there is to go to the biological mom.  I plan for it and am ready for the situation as a step-mom.  The most amazing thing happened last night.  BOTH of us were honored!  We were both given a rose from the team and it was SO special.  It was one of the best times I have experienced with her mom present. 

Today, I just want to shout out that our little school brought this moma joy.  Our daughter did not have to chose between the two of us and we could all be out there supporting the person who keeps our paths crossing. 

#stepmom #honored #seniornight #gfa

A Few of My Favorite Javi Posts

Because I can, today's post is in honor of my baby's 8th birthday.  Scrolling through past posts, I did the leg work for you and if you want to take a trip down memory lane, just start clicking on the links!

Two Babies - a look into the life of Javi and Zorro

Paco and Javi - days gone by.

Javi's birth announcement!  I read it to him each March 12th, including this morning.

Turning one!

Two years old!

Playing in the tree box!

Compassion Brother and new Bible.

I now know I lost the battle to his fingers.

I could do this all day but homework is calling me and today is a busy day, with it being a special someone's birthday! 

Enjoy this sweet video of Java singing a song he wrote:

I will close with saying this young man loves Jesus and while we are reading through the Gospels for Lent, his heart has hurt so many times over the way Jesus was treated.  He hates to cry in front of others but his heart is tender and he is full of compassion.  He is one of the blessings I count every day.

Double Digits

I must be old enough, although it doesn't seem possible, to have a ten-year old biological son.  He woke me up this morning by climbing in bed with me and whispering, "I'm 10!"  After several minutes of visiting, I allowed the boys to watch a movie in bed while I got some coffee in me. 

 

Here are some pictures showing our boy growing up and showing off his super cute personality!

 

brand new baby boy

 

18 months old and wanting the camera.

 

These are the eyes that melt my heart.  And those cheeks! 
2 years old

Motorcycle trip with Granddad!
3 years old



Anyone can do hand prints in cement.... it's fun to be different!

2008 - playing in the rain in Mexico
4 years old

2008 - entertaining in the theater pit on the Malecon

It's so much more fun to drink root beer from a bottle with a straw!
Midwest Trip 2009 - 5 years old

Turning six in style... with as many parties as he can.

Favorite birthday cake - EVER!  Turning 6 was awesome.

2011 irrigation water fun - showing off for his Moma.

"Look, Mom, I am pretend floating!"

2012 - ZIP LINE fun at 8 years old.

 

9 years old and seeming very grown up!

 

My fun-loving son!

Ten years ago, my first born decided he had had enough fun in the womb and couldn't wait a minute longer to get the party started out here!  At 37 weeks, he was born emergency c-section, weighing a whopping 8lbs 8 oz!   He's been a snuggler and people person his entire life; never wanting a moment alone.  That has not changed.  He doesn't like watching TV alone; reading alone or pretty much anything else by himself.  He is a compassionate happy boy.  He sees when someone is hurting and brightens their day by being himself.  He loves people and he loves Jesus.  What more could I desire in his life; than for him to be true to himself and Jesus.   He is smart and learns things very quickly!  He has great ideas and lots of them.  It's so important to him that we are all happy that I see him sacrificing himself in order to make sure others are happy.  When I see this happening, I try and stop it while reminding him that it is not his job to make others happy.   He adapts to his environment and does so with ease.  He has many friends and enjoys them all.   My darling sweetheart has a fun type 1 nature and he knows it!  Happy Birthday, son!  I know you've loved all the surprises so far and there are a few more in store for you today!  Besos! #DYT #Type1


Another One Bites the Dust

Okay, hit play for a minute or so and get the tune back in your head, as if it could ever leave.  Smile at the totally awesome video and moves.  The way Queen shows off their riffs and struts the stage should bring a smile to your 1980 memory. 

Now, picture my husband singing the chorus as I'm on a mommy rampage. 

I've seen it happen.  I start in on one kid and the rest don't stand a chance. 

Now, read these lyrics,

There are many ways you can hurt a man and bring him to the ground,
You can beat him, you can cheat him, you can treat him bad,
And leave him when he's down...

Ouch.  I have seen the body count pile up as I wounded my children with my words. 

You see, I don't have this whole motherhood thing figured out.  I've really only been at it for 12 years now and honestly, that's just not long enough! 

But, I have learned some things:

1) I was wrong.  I am wrong.
2) Asking my children to forgive me for my hurtful words is very important but it doesn't un-say what was said.  It can't erase the memory or the wound.
3) That being said, wounds heal. 
4) Some wounds completely heal and some leave scars.
5) When I see a scar from a wound I made, I don't need to re-open it.  Just learn from it and move on.
6) Seek forgiveness as quickly as possible. 

I am learning to let some things go.  I screw up.  I admit it.  They love hearing me say, "I was wrong." and come to them as a human who messes up. 

I have the opportunity to change the lyrics from "Another One Bites the Dust" to "Another mom bites her tongue!" 

It's not as catchy but if it lowers the body count then I'm all for learning a new ditty! 

Cry-Bye My Dear

Just when I'm feeling real sorry for myself, God reminds me that there is a family just 10 miles from me who lost two daughters in a car accident last week.  Their third daughter was in the car, too, but thankfully survived.  Just like that, 2/3 of their children GONE.  Tears spring fresh to my eyes.

It makes saying, "See you in May," that much easier.

I'll let the pictures do the talking.

See you in May, Mel.

My Gift

In the midst of the hustle and bustle that I mentioned, I am really trying to give my family the gift of me.  That may sound a little weird but I feel that I get caught up doing and going so much for others that my own family gets pushed to the back burner and I think they'll always be here. 

 

Here are some moments captured this month so far and it's only the 8th!  I feel I am well on my way to giving them a great gift if I keep it up. 

 

This is a rare site.  They love each other to be sure and I know they "have each others back" but they are not loving towards each other often.  This was a special site for me as we watched the Night Light Parade.  

 





 

My Dad has ALWAYS been a part of our lives and I wouldn't change that for the world.  I am so blessed; as is my family.  Here he is helping Jav read the advent verses. 

 Instead of sitting in front of the idiot box t.v. the other night, we read some Christmas stories! 

 

It seems one of the few times they all get along is when they are in The Word. 

 

These two fight like cats & dogs but come advent reading time, they are on the same page.  Thank You, Jesus!

What are you doing for gifts that is different this year?
#itsaboutgiving

"Oh Christmas"

May this always be his prayer and feeling:





 

With humble tears in my eyes this morning, I share this with you.  I couldn't say it any better myself so I won't even try.

My Little Book Monster

There is new book worm in our house. I call him "My Little Book Monster." My Dad is a book worm, I am a book worm, 17 year old daughter is a book worm and now my 7 year old son is a book worm. I LOVE IT!

Last week I went to the library while my little monster was at school and picked out the following books for him to read. Actually, there is a book missing. He just had to take it to school in case there was "free time" and he could read more. It's a Dinosaur Cove book.

He read Squanto two or three times and asked that I re-check it out (7 day rental only due to holiday theme) so that his Granddad could read it because he thinks Granddad will like it alot.

He then read Spider Kane. Right now, he says Mary Pope Osborne is his favorite author because he absolutley loves the Magic Tree House series. He and I snuggle up together either on the couch or in my bed and read silently side-by-side. It's one of my most favorite times with him right now.

Yesterday (Sunday) he finished Spider Kane and couldn't wait to see the next book I had checked out for him. I try to keep them a surprise so he doesn't know what's coming. He sat down and started reading Horrible Harry at Halloween. We took a break and joined the rest of the family and did the whole social thing until bedtime. After we turn out the lights, we let him read with his flashlight for "a bit" before we tell him lights out. He often turns the light off himself after a while. Last night he came in at 8:47 (I forgot he had been reading since 8:00) and was could hardly contain his excitement... he had finished the book! Granted it wasn't long but still, 8 chapters later and the book he had started was finished in the same day.

We all fell in love with this "Spanglish" book that I happened upon. To hear DH read it outloud with his thick Spanish accent was the best and funniest thing ever! Paco read it outloud yesterday and really tried to copy his daddy. It was darling.

The illustrations are too cute and we just love the way the story ends - a new spin that is worth finding this book!

It has an extensive glossary in the back to help out the folks who aren't sure what the words mean as well as how to say them in Spanish.

It's so fun to see reading turn from hard work to pleasure in a year. I love his school teacher and know his ability has been fine tuned under her care. We are so blessed!!!