Adaptable

After writing my last blog, I have gone back to read over it, again and again. I read the highlights of the months we have experienced in the last year and after staring at them I was totally overwhelmed by just how much change we have experienced. For some time now I have had a strong awareness of just how much I have hated change. The very thought of it makes me anxious and somewhat fearful, two feelings I rarely experience.

As we prepared for the move to Orlando, I was in constant prayer that God would open my mind, eyes and heart to no longer see change for change but to see change as growth. In the last year I have realized that change is a major part of growth and until one is adaptable to change, one won't grow. I have seen an immense amount of growth in my life, in areas that have been a constant struggle or negative place for me. It's not because of me at all but because I have allowed God to change certain conditions of my life and in return He has allowed me to grow. I thank Him for that, everyday. I am so thankful that although I can't say I embrace change with an open arms that my prayers of "help me to be adaptable" have been answered by an increased amount of strength and peace when I am uncertain.

One part of my husband's character that I honor and love is that he is always teachable, another prayer that I have prayed for many years now. God is a great teacher! If you ask Him to teach you, He will reconstruct you to be teachable and I am thankful for that as well because as I have grown to be teachable I have found that the more one learns, the more one changes and many, many times change is a significant factor that growth is increasingly present.

This blog has nothing to do with me, it is simply a part of my testimony of the work that God is continuously doing my life. When I speak of growth in my life it has only happened because God has willed it. In what areas would you like to experience growth?

2010

Another year came and has almost gone! I will ask the famous question, "where has this year gone?" I really mean it! Where, in the world, has this year gone? Here is my 2010 in a nutshell...

*JAN-Lost funding for my position at my job. The job search began!
*FEB-Gave birth to my baby girl.
*MARCH-Visited Orlando for a possibly job opportunity for Mario.
*APRIL-Visit Orlando to find a house and accept new job.
*MAY-Move to Orlando.
*JUNE-Transition to a new town, church, job, and home.
*JULY-Turn 26.
*AUGUST-Realize being a stay at home is REALLY hard.
*SEPTEMBER-Dalen turns 3.
*OCTOBER-Mario turns 26 and continues to do great at his new job.
*NOVEMBER-Spend Thanksgiving in Orlando.
*DECEMBER-Enjoy a wonderful Christmas here in Orlando. Cola begins to walk.

All of that in ONE year. Something I have been doing often is going back one year to the day in my blogs. If there isn't a blog for that day I read the closest post to the day a year prior. Wow, how much God has done! Where will I be in 2011?? Where do YOU want to be a year from now??

Newness

Here's a post of all things new...

Obviously, I changed my blog background. I love the bright colors of this but can anyone help me figure out why everytime I change my background the center stays tan, outlined in brown?? Ugh, I have tried everything.

Here is a picture I took from my NEW camera! Isn't the quality great?? Thanks, mom!



There are LOTS of NEW toys in our house. Here is Dalen holding his NEW Buzz Lightyear toy from mom mom and papa.



I also can't help but to mention a NEW series my pastor has been talking about. He has talked about being favored by God. Very eye opening and inspirational! We had a guest speaker last night in our youth group and he also spoke a thoughts on favor. This concept is hard for a human to grasp but it's true. I was writing a few thoughts down as I thought about unity and about how we can do more, than we can apart and this came to me, "Togetherness is a beautiful thing. What two can do, one cannot. What three can do, one wouldn't believe."

Mental Shortcuts

Great news! My parents came to visit, we had Christmas with them, and I got a new camera! YAY! Bad news is I have to get a memory card for it and until them you will have to endure a few more posts of grainy cell phone pics. We had a lot of fun with my parents. Cola has been a little under the weather with a cold, cough and ear infection but she was still as sweet as she could be. On to the post...


Do you ever take mental shortcuts (you know there's a problem but you don't feel like going through the entire thought process to figure out what is causing it or how to solve it so you blame the most convenient thing or person, which happens to NEVER be yourself?)?? Yeah, I do that a lot! Like when I try to peel my skinny jeans off it's the fault of the jeans because they are just too darn skinny. It couldn't possibly be all I ate over the holidays! Or what about the book you started to read but quit in the middle because "the author was too boring!". It couldn't dare be that you just assume quit instead of enduring a few pages of foundation building (boredom) that is building up to an exciting climax!

So I do realize I should not be so hard on myself, give myself a little Kit Kat break every now and then but do you ever wonder how long that break should be? I so wasn't hard on myself over the holidays about my weight. I have done nothing but eat, eat, and eat some more! But soon enough Christmas is over and then it will be New Year's (another eating splurge holiday) and then Valentine's Day...get my drift?

Does it really matter if you finish that book you started and aren't so much enjoying? I think it sometimes does. At all times we should strengthen our character by taking responsibilty for our actions and what we act out should be done with balance and self-control.

Enjoy pics of my sweet kids. There is only one of Dalen b-c he is just so darn active! Everytime I try to get a pic of him it ends to be a blur!

Mindful of the Manger

What a Christmas! This was the first year Mario and I have decided to have Christmas on our own. Although, we miss our families we have had a wonderful year! Here's how we decided to spend our year.

Last night we drove an hour north to my grandparents house. Every year all my dad's side of the family goes my dad's parents on Christmas Ever and we do a big dinner and gifts. The house was SO loud with kids! It was great! Dalen had so much fun playing with his cousins and Cola spent her time poking around in everyone's packages.





I'm not sure how it happened but at one point all of the kids smothered Mario in the rocker and were calling him "Ho, Ho, Santa". This was my favorite part of the night. They kept jumping on him, telling him what they wanted to find under the tree and he played right along. After a while he said he needed a break and went to the kitchen to get a drink. He told me he made it up to get away from them and no sooner than he entered the kitchen they followed him! It was so funny. They all gathered around him saying, "Come back Ho, Ho!" I watched Dalen laughing the loudest and saw how proud he was that "Ho, Ho" was his dad. All of the kids couldn't fit in the frame. But here are a few.



My grandmother got Cola a doll and before we were ever out of the driveway she was fast asleep holding on to her tightly. I love this picture!



This year Dalen's big gift was a guitar. He has already been singing and playing his own made up songs, including one called No More Christ. I am sure he got his thoughts mixed up??



Dalen and Cola got matching jogging suits. So cute seeing them with their jackets on sitting next to each other!








I have to include this pic. My awesome friend, Abby, sent our family a package with little things for each of us. Can I just confess how addicted I used to be to these kind of magazines. Once I realized how much I spent on them I quit and I OCCAISONALLY splurge and buy some, and hide it from my husband. So my friend sent me two gossip magazines! YAY! We cracked up at these! Thanks Abby!



I think it's so funny how we all wait to have our own Christmas, so we can do our own thing. I used to get so annoyed at how my parents rushed to pick up the paper afterwards and made us clean up our toys so quickly. How funny is it that as soon as the unwrapping was over Mario and me were both picking up trash and I have to confess the toys all over the place are driving me nuts but my husband has reminded me its fine its one day. We are typically the other way around.

Merry Christmas! Remember to be mindful of the manger!

My Little Hoodlums

Christmas party date!



Are your trees up? Gifts wrapped? Plans in order? I can honestly say I am really enjoying this year's holiday season. It has been eventful but not too eventful. Here is Dalen in front of the tree at our mall. He originally didn't like the idea of it being there considering the tree covers the fountain but he is getting used to it now.



The other day, Dalen and I made a few sugar cookies and he topped (smothered) them with red sprinkles.



He also spilled crumbs and flour EVERYwhere.



and I can't forget that he made a Santa beard with flour. He is too funny.



Cola is walking! She took her first steps a few nights ago and it was a work in progress to get to try again but she is braving it over and over. She is very cautious and thinks deeply before trying to take steps. Oh how I LOVE having a child that actually thinks before acting.

Mario and I have enjoyed several Christmas parties this month. God totally answered my prayer and revealed to me a perfect babysitter that has actually been in front of my face since we moved. She is wonderfully active, creative, patient and ALWAYS happy. She even sings and acts with the kids...hmmm, modern day Mary Poppins?

It has been nice to be back out just with my husband. I miss the days where we could go and come as we pleased. We had a wonderful time at our Christmas staff party the other night. We dressed up and spent most of the night laughing, gathered around a grand piano listening to various members of our staff sing. Oh, how I love music!

Gifts Galore

Well, here I am at that time of year. The time of year where everyone is talking about their wish lists, especially my three year old son. I am more of necessity type wish list person. I like things I am going to need rather than want because I know later down the road if someone gives me something I need it will free money up in our budget for me to buy things I want.

This year I actually do have some things on my wish list. Here they are.




Brown Boots...its been in the 20s lately! WOW!



Black boots



Since my camera is toast I'd like another digital camera. Not this particular one but a good quality one. With two little ones I am pretty determined not to miss a thing!



The Bakerella book! There are so many of these I want to try!

What's on your list?

Gal Pals

Any moms reading this that have girls will totally understand this post. Although I love my children equally I enjoy different things about them and appreciate different qualities. Today I got to spend the entire day with just Little Lady. Mario volunteered to take Dalen to work with him all on his own. I, of course, did not decline.

Other than showering, watching a little TV and relaxing in a t-shirt and pajama pants I've not done much. I love that about being with Cola. I will admit there is certain feeling of freedom I feel with Cola that I don't always feel with Dalen. Even though she is so little I feel no pressure to get dressed up, put on make-up or do my hair. I think it's important to show our little females to take good care of ourselves and represent ourselves well but at the same time I feel that Cola and I will always share equal appreciation for each other-barefaced and all!

Lately Dalen has been admiring my clothes and make up so much. If I get dressed, he suggests earrings and reminds me to not forget to wear my new necklace that has him and Cola on it. He loves when I wear dresses and asks me if I will spin around and cheers if my dress flows out like a princess.

I laid on the couch for a long time today with Cola sitting on my chest she rubbed her little fingers all over my bare face while cooing and played with a stray her until she actually pulled it out. It was a great reminder that there is beauty underneath. A few days ago my hair was a mess. It was so stringy, unwashed and not even brushed after a while Dalen finally came me to and said, "Would you like a ho-band?" He was holding a "hairbow" of his sisters.

Isn't it nice to be in the company of just gals sometimes? You UNshamefully admit how long you have gone without shaving, how many calories you have consumed without guilt and things of like manner are part of conversation. I love my gal pals especially my ultimate gal, Cola.

What differences do you see between your boys and girls? What do you enjoy most about being with your girlfriends?

No day like today

Don't know that I've had a day quite like today in a really long time. It's one of those days where everything keeps going wrong. To sum it all up-I woke up to an overflowing toilet that would NOT stop overflowing! We had to wait on maintenance to come fix the problem which made my husband super late for work. I go to mop up the floor (yes, Mel I actually mopped) and realize that the new mop bucket I bought is too narrow to fit the new mop. PERFECTO! I dropped an entire dozen of eggs-broke all of them-AFTER I had paid for them UGH! My kids were super late for lunch and naps which makes my life NOT SO FUN!

But I must say I deserve an A+ on my attitude or at least a super bright yellow smiley face sticker. I haven't complained (too much anyway) and done well not losing my temper. It's days like today I realize God doesn't supernaturally make us patient but he gives us opportunity to practice it. And we all know what they say-practice makes perfect. THANK GOD He doesn't expect us to be perfect. I don't think I could handle too much practice with days like today.

Enjoy plenty of pics of Little Miss. She is too cute! I just can't help but crack up at her little rabbit teeth and tight ringlets. All she needs is a carrot and whiskers and she could so pass for the cutest bunny ever.

The best things in life

The other day I went through the drive thru of Chick-Fil-A and found a little flyer in the bottom of our bag announcing they would be doing free Santa pictures this morning. I figured if nothing else Dalen would be in company with other kids and be able to play on their playground for a bit.

We got dressed and headed over only to find that Chick-Fil-A was slammed! They had both C.F.A. cows dressed up in Christmas hats and a Santa waiting to take picture with the kids. Dalen was really excited to sit in Santa's lap, Cola not so much. She is just not into noise, crowds or really anything that is super fun to her brother. She didn't care for the cows either.

After taking pics with the cows and Santa Dalen played on the playedground and I noticed little white flurries coming from the sky. I thought it was waaaaay too warm (even though it was chilly today) to snow and then I realized they had a snow machine on the roof! Dalen had an absolute blast and so did all of the other kids. It crossed my mind some of them had probably never seen real snow before and to them it was just that-REAL.

Mario had Cola tightly against him, Dalen was running and screaming and it was then that I looked at Mario and said, "Wow, sometimes the best things in life really are free!" He replied, "That'd be a great blog post." Obviously, I agreed!

Cast Off

Yesterday was Dalen's four week check up with the Orthopedic doctor. Mario and I were desperately praying his cast would be able to come off because frankly we are tired of the co-pays and the smell of the cast was beginning to be more than any of us could tolerate! To my surprise Dalen came home cast free! I was thrilled! The funniest part was he was more excited that it was removed by "this loud saw machine thing" and that he "wasn't scared none".

Mario decided we would do tacos for dinner and even went to the store to get everything. I am thankful for not ALWAYS having to do that. Mario allowed Dalen to help brown the meat and Cola screamed everytime she was removed from the kitchen so she got to watch too. I just love the only way Dalen could reach the stove was by standing on his drum stool. I must say the tacos were super good and Dalen wasn't afraid to remind us every few minutes he is a "good cooker". I must agree.

Letters

Every year we take a family picture, put it in a Christmas card, write an update letter and mail several of them to family and friends all over. It's a tradition I decided to carry on after getting married. This year things are different-we haven't all been together as a family since we moved (at least one of us has been missing typically my husband)-therefore this will be the first year my mom won't have a Christmas picture of all us.

I really like the tradition and writing our Hood update letter but this year I am totally stuck! It's always hard to write about yourself when other people are going to read it especially when they know you wrote it! So much to tell about our year! I typically write three or four sentences to sum up our year and then write a paragraph about each person in the family. It's such great fun to be able to brag on the kids and Mario but this year I have no idea what to say about myself. Mario has landed this amazing job, Dalen is growing like a weed and so super smart, Cola just got four teeth and she is smiling and talking and I am just sitting around taking it all in!

So what should my paragraph say? I honestly have no idea except I feel so extremely blessed to be along for the ride with two awesome kids and a super hard working husband. I guess I could mention just how quick I can change a diaper and mix a bottle?? ha!

The Next Best Thing

Don't you ever feel like we are always on to the next best thing without ever even embracing what's right here in front of us? I have to admit there is something admirable about the one who is always striving for something bigger, better and to succeed more but I want to be the one who at the same time embraces the current greatness in my life.

I will openly confess I am guilty of wanting so many things in life to change or to be better and sometimes we focus so much on tomorrow that we forget what's here today. As I am mindful of that, I thought I would do a post of all of the things I am perfectly content with right now. Yes, in the future some things may change, expand, or no longer be a part of my life but for now I am not done embracing the greatness they bring to my life at this very moment. Here are a few of them...



1. I am perfectly fine with my family of four. Maybe in the future we will expand but I do not have to make that decision today or even tomorrow so for now I am embracing just the four of us.

2. I am through pressuring myself to go back to work. Our finances could be better and I am keeping my eyes and ears open but I refuse to pressure myself so bad about getting a job that I can't even enjoy staying home with my kids.

3. I really hope for us to be in a house soon. But I really have to aknowledge the wonderful location of our apartment, how quiet it is and that the maitnenace men do EVERYTHING. Remember they even removed a snake from our wall??

4. I can't lie and say I am content with our car and having only one car but I would be so wrong for not mentioning that only having one car has helped us be more punctual and better at time management. And considering it has no working radio our family gets a lot of talk time. It's almost as good as a family having dinner together at the dinner table-just on wheels. HA! I think we will remember these great things forever.

So there are a few things I am embracing right now. What are you struggling to be content with?

Just remember sometimes the next best thing is NOW.

Thanksgiving 2010

My awesome, $400 camera (5+ years old) is done. The battery clasp broke so the battery cover is holding batteries on with the strongest tape you can find but considering my camera takes 4 AA batteries its still in many cases not strong enough. Also the USB port isn't working which is preventing me from uploading photos. But that's ok right? Because you guys read this blog because my words are so profound. Surely, none of you just peek in to see the little ones, ha!

Anyways, this Thanksgiving was really great. We decided to stay put this year because life is just so busy and sometimes the holidays can become more hassle than enjoyment when you try traveling ESPECIALLY with two little ones. Both kids were wonderful and we joined church family at our pastor's house. It was a peaceful day and I must brag on myself for making my grandmother's french silk pie in edible white chocolate cups. YUM! They were soooo good that my stomach was upset after eating them.

My son had a little playmate at their house and Cola was so peaceful. She fell fast asleep on our pastor's chest. It's always nice when my arms get a break! Dalen told my dad all they fed us was "Cheetos and butter" which was far from the truth! HA! He is too funny!

Maybe it's because I have two kids now but has anyone noticed just HOW MANY toy commercials are on TV? It really puts the pressure on us parents, huh? After every DVD commercial or toy commercial Dalen says can you buy for that me? My answer-probably not bud. lol

This year I am super thankful for a great opportunity to be in ministry with great people, at a wonderful church in sunny Orlando! I am also thankful for friends who have stuck by me even through the distance. I am thankful for family who loves my kids and who cheer us on. I am thankful for kids in good health who make me a better person. And of course for my great husband who is my biggest fan!

I'm Walking On Sunshine

To catch you up as quickly as I can, here goes nothing.

My sister visited last week, cons my son into begging to come back to Tennessee with her and of course after being a stay at home mom for 7 months it didn't take much begging. I flew in for a friends wedding on Friday, witnessed them say, "I do" on Saturday and have been enjoying the company of family and friends for a few days. C is with her Dada and doing great.

So, I haven't flown since the latest security checks began. I spent the whole 30 minute ride debating "aggressive" pat down or full body scan? Our airport "opted" out of the new security features which I didn't know was even possible. I felt as though I was walking on sunshine as I glided through the airport with my ONE carry on, purse and THAT'S it! No diaper bag, baby on hip or toddler at my heels! I must admit it was quite nice only removing one pair of shoes to get through security. I am sure you are all interested which I would choose full body scan or pat down...After two children the scan would be too cruel, especially if my stretch marks showed up. Everyone is so perturbed about the eye candy the security guys are getting...come on peeps! The poor guys are wanting to scream, "Don't flatter yourselves so much folks! We aren't too impressed with what we are seeing!"

Ok enough about that...Have I mentioned how much I love weddings!? I mean I just LOVE them. This wedding was one of my favorites. Small, intimate, beautiful and original details that I won't forget. This friend is one of my childhood friends that has been through so much. I kept telling myself I will not be a dork and cry. When I looked around to find a crying dork to laugh at I then realized everyone was crying and my tears were released in much company. Great is thy faithfulness serenaded the waterworks and my favorite lines of from the officiant, "May the devil stay out and the Holy Ghost stay in!" "Well, hallelujah for what I feel in my soul right now!" Gotta love Kevin Wallace...one of my favorite speakers! I also loved how the bride and groom allowed their son and daughter use the aisle runner as a running track/slip n' slide. We were totally entertained! May the Lord bless them and keep them always!

The Shadow

Ok, so I have been wanting to write this post for some time now BUT I was a little leery of doing it because I don't want people to think it's a "Pity Party for Me Post" because the root of it is quite comical. All of my friend readers will laugh throughout this post because they know just how true these funny yet slightly disturbing instances are. For all of you who don't know me I am happily married and love my kids and you will just have to trust my word on that.

Since being FULLY thrust into full time ministry alongside of my husband my heart has rapidly grown sensitive towards P.W.s (pastor's wife). We are SO overlooked! And to be honest I would much rather be serving than to be served so for the most part that's ok but I mean can people at least learn my name??

Any of you who know my husband know that he has this natural gift of getting people to love him. You know that line, "You had me at hello"?? Yeah I think that was birthed from my husband because he walks in a room, simply introduces himself and leaves with a multitude of friends who then ask him to speak at their churches, call him for advice, want to hang out and so on. Yeah, I don't have that gift. You all know it's true!

So the other day we are out at the movies and see a young adult who has visited our ministry a couple of times. My husband already had our seats and I was running to the bathroom when we lock eyes and I smile and say, "Hey C!" She looks at me smiling and says, "Pastor Mario's wife!" Uhh, yeah I am proud of that BUT I do have a name. So what she forgot...she was off to find my husband so that her husband could meet him before ever asking how I was or kindly apologizing for forgetting my name.

I have also learned that my identity is totally void when my kids aren't with me. I go into a card shop EVERY week, EVERY WEEK folks and just the time I go without Dalen the owner has no idea who I am! She knows both of my kids by name, even gives them free snacks and treats but when they aren't with me I must just become a "new" customer! I mean seriously I am the one dropping $10 weekly on cards to send to friends not my kids.

I don't know what it is about me that is just not memorable but it's not there. I just know my friends are laughing at this because it just so true! Don't worry I am laughing too because honestly I am done trying to figure it out. Oh, and of course I can't forget our usher at church WHO STILL doesn't know I am P. Mario's wife. Literally every Sunday she tries to escort me to a pue in the back when we sit in the same seat in the front every week! One Sunday our conversation went like this...

Usher: Hello, follow me!
Me: Walk behind her dreading the awkward realization that I am not a newcomer I am the youth pastor's wife. So I keep walking and let her know yet again I already have my seat on the front row by my husband's reserved paper.
Usher: She quints, tilts her head and says this (no lie!) Well, I guess it is you! You have just gotten pretty!
Me: Thinking-Hmm, JUST GOTTEN PRETTY? What was I our first Sunday....CHOPPED LIVER?? lol

So if any of you youth pastor's wives are reading...from one Y.P.W. to another you are loved and appreciated! God sees everything you do and knows everything about you including your name!

In what ways do you think PWs are overlooked and how can you make them feel appreciated??

A P.M. Post

I typically blog in the mornings because I find that around 5 p.m. my mind is crazily circulating random thoughts and I don't have enough sanity left to make sense of them. But I thought I would be brave and write a P.M. post.

My three year old is snuggled cozily RIGHT UP AGAINST me. The CMAs are blaring and though I don't much care for country I do appreciate it. Dalen keeps talking about how pretty Carrie Underwood is and I TOTALLY agree!

We are hosting a guest pastor and some of his young adults for our BIG service tomorrow night so Mario is at the church doing last minute things. Not long after he left this conversation took place...

D: Sorry Daddy left for work, Mom.
Me: Yeah it's fine.
D: Sorry that you miss him.
*silence
D: Mommy? Don't you miss him?
Me: of course!

So cute. Then he snuggles waaaay too close for comfort next to me and this takes place...

Me: Dalen do you have to sit soooo close??
D: Yes, Mom I just...just do.
Me: But why?
D: Because I do...
Me: But tell me what you feel when you sit so close?
D: Like, it just feels, a lot better close.
Me: What do you feel better about?
D: Mom, you so immature! Just better about everything!

Yes, he is 3. I will not let my mind wonder and guess what he will be saying at 15.

Anyways what was the point of this post?? Oh there isn't one. Enjoy a few pics of my hot hubby and kiddos.




So Dalen took this pic to send it to my Dad. I was instructed to send a text with it that said peace out homie. Oh my if you know my dad...lol

D pretending to break Mario's arm and Mario pretending to scream.

Cola's new scrunchy face. My fav!

The touch. The feel. Of cotton. The fabric of Dalen's arm.

Dalen finally has a permanent cast! I found the most convenient WALK IN orthopedic office ever! I have never even heard of a walk in orthopedic doctor but they exist. The doctor and cast technician were fast and incredibly nice and patient. Here are a few pics of Dalen getting his cast and the process.





Dalen began with a color wheel to choose his color of cast. He had already chosen orange before we even got there but it was a fun distraction while we waited.



And orange it is!


The begin with what they call a thumb sock. Which Dalen thought was super funny.



And the cotton begins! Tons of cotton!



After his arm was fully smothered in cotton Dalen looked down and said, "Hey this is gonna be nice...really nice!" lol



Then she wrapped the cast in fiber glass and then in the orange.



Yay, for Dalen who was such a trooper and actually seemed pretty interested in the process.



Daddy is the first one to sign the cast.



I am second.

The break is on the radius head and the doctor says it appears to be a break that will heal quickly without complication. I was soooo shocked at how much cotton it took to wrap his arm! Two huge rolls were used to wrap it. Let's pray we can keep water out of the cast and that it can be removed ASAP!