as promised...

Can you see HIM???

Samuel's sweet profile shot

Sam's little foot...toes on the left side, heel on right

Closer profile pic

oops...guess I put two up here!

Sorry it took over a week! I could not get out annoying new printer to scan the ultrasound pics to the computer...also, I cannot figure out how to upload Sam's video..lame computer!! Every time I put the disc in, it just starts playing it and I cannot find an "upload" button to push on any program.. So the most simple thing for me to do without getting upset was take a picture of the picture..nice. and then upload.

So I'll try to work on the video. It is actually really helpful with kids if your homeschooling... or public school too:) In Bible, Science anything...teaching your children about faith..in God...We can't see Him but we know He is there and someday (if you love the Lord and you walk with Him) we'll see Him.. Also, kids get to see how God is creating a life and in less than four months we'll see the end/beginning of one of His masterpieces...lots of lessons..Anyhoo..you decide..we don't mind you sharing it with your family:) ....that is IF I ever get it up!

and last but not least....I was wondering who is coming Friday night...a girlfriend of mine just reminded me I was having a "gals movie night" at my home at 7 pm...actually I'll just transfer it on here...hold on...

You’re Invited
Join me for a Gals Movie Night!
Friday, the 17th of October
7:00 in the Evening until……
Cordero’s*ask for my address:)
Please bring a snack to share
(Popcorn & hot drinks provided)
We will be watching: The Inheritance
RSVP to our home or my cell phone or e-mail...

kendallcordero@sbcglobal.net

So ladies let me know if you can come...the more the merrier! Hope to see some of you here...and if I didn't hand one of the invites to you...it's because I'm forgetful and I handed them out several weeks ago...How's that for a party hostess:) I love the forgetfulness that is coming with this pregnancy...awkward!

so the name is....

Samuel Madrid! He's a BOY!!!...and we could not be happier..seriously! The ultrasound went wonderfully. The Doctor spent a good 30/40 minutes looking over every cm of Sam's body...and it was beautiful and healthy! We're about 22 weeks along, still due around Valentines Day..Sam is about 11in tall:) and 10 1/2 oz..It's crazy how technology works sometimes..I still don't get how you can see the baby sooo vividly and clear through ALL this girls layers of skin..and other layers:)

Today and yesterday we all woke up just sooo excited! It was cute, in the office, after it was obvious Sam's gender and I said "Whoa...is he a BOY???" The Doctor laughed and said "if he isn't, I want you to come see me after she's born.." Then Brady added "No mommy, it's a Samantha!" I love him. He melts my heart like no other boy...well maybe a couple other guys:) So anyway, we're both healthy, and steadily growing...if only eating healthy and not gaining weight was as easy as it is when I'm pregnant, I'd be a little skinny mini:) I got the go ahead to eat more healthy calories (to gain wait...that has never happened!!)

Well, I'll try to load his first photo shoot and the ultrasound video..don't feel obligated to watch..I'm sure it's something only his mother could stand to watch several times a day!! When we watch it (which has been quite a few since Tues morn) I just marvel that in twenty short weeks God has created, formed, molded and designed every cell, crevice, hair, blood vessel, etc. on this precious child and he's a beautiful amazing little man in progress. We cannot wait to see him, hold him and kiss him till he falls asleep!!! So if you do watch it, it's about 13 minutes, but enjoy watching this sweet babe and seeing Gods work in progress and praise Him with us!! We don't deserve Sam but we are eternally grateful he is entrusting him to us!!

Alot can happen in 4 months!

So it's been several months and I've been contemplating whether or not to start blogging again.. still not completely decided, but I thought I'd blog quickly today! I'm pretty sure most people know by now, but if not......we're pregnant! We are sooo excited! Our little baby love is due around Valentines, which is just what we would love! We have no birthdays in the family from Jan- July and I don't like being pregnant or recovering in summer-lame:) So there are our big happenings!

We were hoping for a slow and relaxing summer, and of course got quite the opposite! But we learn to roll with the punches...kind of:) We just had our last busy weekend hopefully until Christmas! yeah! So I was planning on starting school with Jaden today, but found was wasn't quite as prepared as I thought. So I think we'll start on Monday now! Home school is amazing!

So I blogged a while ago about cloth diapers....I cannot wait to use them now! I have done my research and feel I can handle it! I really am excited about this! So anyway, it's just about lunch time, and I need my daily applesauce...So we'll see, maybe I'll start posting again!

***Oh yeah...we are totally not secret keepers, so our babes name is Sam. Either Samuel Madrid or Samantha Marie! Also, I'm 15 weeks and we find out in 3 or 4 weeks what will be Sam' full name (we will find out the gender!!)

amazing.....

So a couple of days ago (Wednesday to be exact!!), we were down to like 6 diapers...by choice! We had tried to potty train Brady a couple of months ago with no success..at not because we didn't try...but because, man my blood runs thick through his veins and he inherited my stubborn heart:( So anyway, I was going to have a girlfriend over on Wednesday and we both ended up not feeling well, so we canceled...no biggy..I could get my "to do" list done...on the top; school and yardwork, then dishes, vacuum and mop, and clean both bathrooms...nowhere on that list was potty training! I went to change Bradys diaper and saw we were finally drawing near the end and decided to put him in his super cool super hero undies...they are soooo cute! (and ask Alicia, I don't like...excuse me, prefer Spider Man!!)

So he went through 4 pairs of Spiderman underwear and I was feeling defeated...after all, he is a very bright child and understands quite a bit...and he could articulate what I was requesting of him, but just didn't want to do it (he didn't feel like it!) We tried bribing w/chocolate, then bribing by rewarding Jaden each time he went potty...nothing:( So then we prayed about Brady, because clearly it was a character and control issue....and that is something we need to nip in the bum...goodness he's almost 3!

So anyway, all the extra details asside.. Since Wednesday he's had TWO accidents (one last night, and yesterday in the morning on Rexs' shift:) Benji was over and Rex was doing his devotional and told Brady to "wait a minute.." something we know you can't tell a fresh potty trainee!!) So as silly as this post is...I'm stoked!! Now I get a couple months of only ONE child in diapers (3 days a week-Benji) until Charlie or Evalina is here!! I can't wait!!!

Oh, also (not that this is really important or urgent..or that you're interested....but again, my blog!!) So we were inspired and have been for the past year or more...by a girlfriend who uses cloth diapers...Katy you're amazing..and we decided for our next couple of babies (no announcement on being pregnant:( just informing you about when we have our next bundles!!) Anway, we will be doing cloth diapers...so, thoughtful me, I practically planned our next babyshower for our next son (who I am not pregnant with yet, nor have we decided on adoption yet...wow, I sounds wild!) moving on...I think a "Diaper and Dinner" Baby shower is just my cup of tea...If like half the ladies could get me cloth diapers and the other half make a dinner to be frozen for after the birth...how great does that idea sound??...well, I should stop with that...there are a ton of baby showers coming up and I can't wait to get all of these ideas out!

Yeah for potty training!!

meme??

...yeah.....Thanks Alicia! I kid, I kid...all the boys are resting, so nows my time to catch up...I owe you that much right? I'm not quite sure what a meme is, but I'm just gonna "copy/paste" and change some answers! Just a forwarning, I have led a pretty uneventful career life...well career in the sense that you get green paper for a job well done:)

Four Jobs i have had:

*I was a nanny for a sweet girl. She was adopted the day she was born and I got to watch her from about 3mths old until maybe 7 or 8?

*Then I babysat these three kids every summer (girl 6, boy 4, girl 1). My dad would drop me off on his way to work at 5-5:30 am and their dad would drop me off at home around 5-6 pm...and my salary for 12hr/5days a week.....$3 an hour...that lasted 3 summers until my dad did the math!! (I love daddies!)

*My third job I worked at Target my Sr. year of HS when I was pregnant with Jaden...I guess this would be my technical "first" job and the only job I had to give my SSN for!

*My current job....ladies, I don't think I really need to list my activities....but I'm a homeschool-housemanaging-mommy!..Hands down, best job (and most rewarding) job yet!!

Four movies I've watched more than once:

Hmmm...theres actually alot. We didn't watch TV shows growing up, only Christian films..So I'll say as an adult. Return to Me, While you were sleeping, Facing the Giants, Pride and Prejudice and my naughty(guilty pleasure) one How to lose a guys in 10 days!

Four places I've lived:

..seriously??oooh....Um...I was born in Denver, CO.

on the dairy just north of our town...we added Andy to the fam there!..

then my house growing up

and my home I live in now:) great detail...I know!!

Four TV shows I watch:

(We don't actually own a TV...)

Everybody Loves Raymond...my new fav from the library!!

We used to watch the Office

Four places I have been:

Most of our United States

Canada

Mexico

and right after new years we're going to the Philipines for the first time with the in-laws! (myself and the boys are the first times...not Rex...I think he's been 4-5 times??!!)

Four places I want to go some day:

All over Europe....

Italy,London, Paris, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands,Greece, Sweden, Portugal, Spain..all over Madrid

Australia

Ireland...that was way more than 4...but I do I do want to go here! We agreed after we know we're done having children and we have no more toddlers, our in-laws said they'd take us for a couple of weeks to see Europe!

Four places I'd rather be right now:

For the sake of our anniversary today and Rex working(12pm-11pm!)

Yosemite

hiking Bishops

the beach

snuggling up together watching a flick or just talking!

Four favorite foods:

-Italian

-Mexican...like the authentic tacos you buy at the little stands in Mexico...mmmm! or Sochis!

-I love Chicken and salmon...so my fav dishes...Chinese chix salad (McGees), grilled Salmon soaked in a lemon butter caper sauce (Village Cafe) and Chicken fettucini alfredo (Lombardis) and grilled chix breast sandwhich w/ pineapple and sweet honey bbq sauce (Cool Cats...is that what it's called?..next to the PR movie theatre??)

-my moms...or anyone who wants to cook for me and clean the dishes:) any offers?? jk

Four people who always e-mail me:

lame ads that I erase....I don't really get a ton from people

Four people who will respond to this meme?:

no clue...seriously:)

Four TV shows I'd watch over and over:

If I owned them, I love Lucy, ELR, The Jetsons, and the Flinstones (childhood fave at Grampa + Grammies!!!) Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (again, childhood fave!) , Remmington and Mrs. Steele....and maybe Walker, Texas Ranger..that was a bonding time for Andy and I:)

So I hope this is enough to hold me through until May 1st!! I promise I'll write if I can think of anything worth my time or yours!! Have a great weekend...It's supposed to be in the 80's!! Bbbeeeaautiful!!

even though, we ain't got money.....

....I'm soooo in love with ya honey!! (...it's a song....oh, never mind!) Well, today is our 4th wedding anniversary! We were planning on going to SLO to hike Bishops, but it was too foggy and cold for the boys...and then Benji arrived (unexpected...but a joy!!) So God orchestrated our morning to work out for every ones benefit! Instead we had a delicious breakfast (when all else fails, make really yummy and pretty food right??) So since a lot of our church is relatively new and doesn't really know Rex or yours truly, I thought I'd share our wedding album with you!(you'll think it's a lot of photos....really, it's not...we have a box full!!) So I hope ya'all enjoy these!

Rex and I have actually been "together" since October 2001, so our wedding day was really just icing on the cake, so to speak...On May 1st you can expect to read about our dating days and how we came to be... it'll probably be broken into chapters...because, well, it's a lot! God is soo good. I have to tell you truthfully; we agreed that the first two years were extremely hard for us..there are several reasons why (I believe..ultimately it was hard so that we could grow to depend on God and not build all these "false expectations" and simply love God and find sole contentment in Him first!) Maybe all the baggage we both brought (holding on to bitter feelings about our premarital sexual relationship) and the emotions that come from a relationship like ours before we married. Maybe because we started our marriage with a toddler, maybe our "young" age, maybe pride, immaturity, selfishness, etc....there is probably a multitude of "reasons" why our marriage was pretty tough to start, but I would not (and I mean it!!) trade one single trial we have had...well, maybe one..jk! Because I know "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" -Romans 8:28. I am (now/post) actually extremely grateful for each struggle, each petty argument, each humbling experience we shared...1. it glorified God, 2. we fell in love with God together and with each other, 3. Rex is a believer and not only involved in Jadens' life (and mine!!) but we're married and have Brady....believe me, that shocked everyone!. The past 4 yrs (actually 7 1/2) have been a wild roller coaster and amazing!

I love you Rex, Tingles and Everything!!
XoXo Baby Cakes oXoX

hahaha..I'm soo a mom!

I was just rereading my blog last night and yes ladies, I do know the difference between satin and Satan! Wow! Not quite the same are they? I sometimes get passionate about what I'm writing (or saying) and become so focused on saying it right and trying to translate what's in my mind to paper (or screen). I hope I'm not the only one...I some times struggle in writing eloquently and in wisdom. Things that inspire me or consume me I have a hard time articulating so that you can understand it since you can't hear my voice and tones...does that make sense? It sounds all wonderful then I read what I've written, and I may come across as condemning or judgemental, harsh and not sympathetic. This isn't really worth writing about, I just thought I would let you all know I had a simple typo and I DO know the difference!! I'm so silly!

Well ladies, I cannot wait to see you all at the tea in the morning!!.....and Christina, I cannot wait to hear your testimony! If you are anything like me then it will be a little emotional and it will come out slightly different then what you have written! It will be exactly what God wants us to learn from your oozzing wisdom:)

oh..and p.s. just in case any of you were concerned for us(me) in that last blog, please don't be alarmed that I wrote about Andrea Yates. It was simply her tragic story that helped me to realize how blessed I am and how grateful I should be(in this season of infertility and miscarriages)! We are coming upon a new season of spring; and a new season of growth, joy, trials, triumphs, and rejuvenation, where God has renewed my spirit and my joy in Him!! This is the day that the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it! Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!!

Forgive me...I'm lame!

Second today...sooo sorry guys! I'm sure you'll all be cross eyed...or cross at me:(However, I just received this thoughtful award and it would be rude of me to wait another week or two to blog on it! so #2 here we go!!

How sweet is this gal! Alicia...you are too kind, really! My good friend Alicia wrote some really thoughtful things about a lady who sounds nice and she happened to drop my name in...you may be mistaken my friend! But thank you....sincerely, thank you! I was hesitant to start a blog, but as I told Christina this is my secret obsession; reading fellow mommies blogs about daily struggles and triumphs, recipes and thoughts! What a blessing you terrific ladies are and what sweet fellowship we share...so thank you!

I think in keeping with the tradition of this award, I'm supposed to give to other lovely ladies..one problem!! All my girlfriends have been awarded this previously! So, I will write about them, and if you all chose to re-post it kudos! Also, though I don't have many blogger friends yet, I would still choose these ladies...reasons...They love the Lord and desire to honor Him in all their actions and relationships...They are all married and they teach me more and more how to be a loving wife to Rex. They are all mothers...and they are amazing mothers! The ones with older (and multiple) children home school and have taught me sooo much by there example and by there time in teaching me..They are also really great friends. You know when you come to the table, lay it all out there, they will be loving, they will be compassionate, and they will be true...to God's Word. I have confidence that each lady would redirect me to the Bible in an instant if I was struggling...so I praise God for each lady listed!

1. Alicia ...This wonderful woman has brought so much perspective to our ladies Bible study group. Every week I find myself waiting to hear what she has to say and then go home and replay the wisdom she spoke, in my mind. It's amazing to me, that through trials, God reveals so much to us about himself and during certain trials this woman grew spiritually right before our eyes and it was such a testimony to me and my family. I love you Alicia and my family thanks God often for your family!

2. Kristen ....is a relatively newer friend and instantly I knew there would a blossoming friendship. This girl is amazing. Really! Shes got two young boys and another on the way and has had a few tragic circumstances this year...all pretty big ones....and she has responded so well to them all.. she is so filled with the Fruit of the Spirit! You can't help but want to know God more intimately. She is also super creative and really easy to talk to. The type you can pour your heart out too and feel loved! We have also had so many similar situations it's always great to hear another moms perspective on the same circumstance you have gone through.. I'm excited to continue to grow this friendship with you!

3. Christina is one of those ladies that just seem to have it all together (I'm sure she'll disagree, but this is my blog...) Our friendship is still fresh as well, but it feels like I've always known her! She has a very peaceful and warm feel about her. I always look forward to seeing her at church. She is so encouraging and always seems to be joyful..I don't think I've ever seen a frown on her face..yet:) She also is very clever and crafty. I love love love your floral wreathes and floral arrangements in vases! Beautiful!!

4. Katy is a really neat gal too. She used to attend our church, but then left us (I kid, she moved!) so we have kind of lost touch until Blog world! So I am really excited about rekindling our friendship! She also has a little boy and baby girl on the way!! Many, many congratulations to your family!!! Katy has a great fashion sense and has decorated her home so lovely..she really "green" or Eco-friendly (which I totally applaud and am a huge fan of...she's hard core!! She has also started her own business and is great on the sewing machine...she's pretty much the "whole package" so to speak:) She really has a heart that loves God and she tends to her family sooo well! She and her hubby are also super cute together...and really competitive in sports (I strongly suggest you don't play badminton couple vs. couple!!)



and if this lady had one I'd for sure pick her...and even though she doesn't...she's getting one..because I know she reads blogs!! and I simply adore her!!....drum roll please.......
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5. Tricia W....the more I get to know this fine woman, the more I learn about Gods attributes and His blessings to His children...and I certainly want to be a woman that makes others learn those things! This lady is so generous with her time, though she has a busy schedule. Thoughtful with her words, she is loving to her husband and children, very responsible with their finances and so eager to help others. I just love this gal and...I'm hoping soon, Tricia, you will be joining the blog world..if I can do it.. you for sure can!

There are also a few other ladies I would love to list..but they don't blog and I don't think they read them either...so I'll mail them a letter and let them know how grateful I am for them! Whew...long day in the blog world... signing off!

growing family

So, if you are reading this blog, then we are more than likely great friends and you know the story! Brace yourself....it's a long one today!

Since about the time Brady was about 8 mths old, we have been trying to add to our family! A month before his 1st birthday we lost our second baby in a miscarriage, and then in November again, we lost another precious baby. It was a pretty lonely and sad time for our little family. I struggled, not because I didn't trust Gods perfect plan, but because we so desired another child. My first nephew Benjamin Drew was born 12 days after our last miscarriage and he couldn't have arrived at a better time! God is so good to distract us from our self pity some times and this boy did just that! He helped my healing process move along...how anyone could hold him and still be distraught is beyond me.. but then after a few more months of trying, that sadness re-birthed itself. I hadn't had any problem conceiving...well, ever!! So this was new to me.

2007 was a year of no pregnancies...the first time since my first pregnancy with Jaden in 2002 and since getting married in 2004. This bewildered Rex and I...we were prepared for miscarriages(as awful as that sounds, it was true)..but we were not prepared to be barren for over a year...That was totally weird and to be completely honest devastating! You really learn how little control you have over you own life after 3 miscarriages and 1 1/2 years of infertility..and that is a comfort to me! To know that the timing of our children is one less thing I can control (I say that as if I really have much to do with Gods sovereignty...make sense??) and again, if you know me you'll know I love to be in control! That is now a big comfort to me though, to know that the number of children and the way they are delivered to our family is determined by God! So, if we are in the same circle of friends/family you will know that a lot of ladies are pregnant...my sweet nephew Benji will be a big brother in late August/early Sept. and our cousin Trixie is expecting her first baby in early August!! Not to mention the bajillion (slight exaggeration!!) ladies/girlfriends who are also pregnant!!! I am at a place...TODAY were I am so excited for all of these wonderful ladies...so excited and I rejoice with them!

We do not own a TV(by choice..we've had a couple of friends offer us a TV lately!!) so we read the news on the Internet, and the other day I thought I'd catch up on the election and politics..well, there was a horrific article about a mother who drowned her three children (ages 18mths,4 and 6) AND she had been visited several times by the Department of Social Services (this is my recollection.. so maybe check it out to make sure!) Anyway, the article referred to Andrea Yates drowning her 5 children in 2001. Now, when this happened I was in high school, so while this story was clearly devastating, it hadn't penetrated and hit home..

I clicked on the link, because I knew the name but couldn't recall what she had done. I started to read this article and it had her "testimony" during her debriefing after being taken into custody. It gave her entire account of her morning from eating cereal with her children, sending her husband off to work to the very methods and specific details to murdering her children. It literally made me sick. I was sobbing and it just made me sick to my stomach. Andy came in to check on me and I told him what I had just read. I couldn't wait for the computer to follow instructions, so I quickly pushed the blue button and it turned off. I was some how repulsed by the computer too?! I immediately felt compelled to go pray over my precious sons and thank God for entrusting them to us. I also asked God for forgiveness for all the different emotions (spured from past depression) I have displayed in front of my children (whether it was being short/impatient or grumpy with the boys, staying in jammies all day, eating frosting for the can as a meal, or watching movie after movies after movie...this was more before Brady was born after our first loss). As terribly awful and horrific as the events of that day was, it opened my eyes to Gods grace(yet again!) I realized as I read about Andrea (who was a professed believer, who home schooled her children, was active in her church and she also suffered from postpartum depression after giving birth to their 6mth old Mary) that maybe she did love her children immensely at one point and she was overcome by this PPD and Satin just just slowly turned her heart and she became that woman because she had turned her hope into hopelessness..does that make sense?!(this is simply my perspective and opinion...not trying to speak for anyone at all!!)

That hit home and penetrated my heart. Here was a gal who tried to manage her home, her family, her homeschooling and her PPD....and I could semi relate (SEMI to the sadness overwhelming you and changing you/personality). After each miscarriage, my heart ached, because that is one child we will never get to hold or play with, one child who won't get to rough house with our other children, one child that we will never(on earth) get to see their personality and character and one that you we had in your life for 13 weeks in my womb. With our miscarriages, I would cry, gather myself then take my baby and myself to the ER for ultrasounds and my RhoGAM (I'm O-neg blood type). It is a very impersonal and unemotional event...and painful. Then you come home still in pain and sad. I tend to be one to let that sadness take over me.

This is tricky to write out..I feel for me personally, my depression after losing each baby was a choice. I mourned and cried , and Rex and I struggled, but then (I feel) I also let Satin use that and it would start to linger. I thought about how much Andrea could have at one point loved her children. I thought about how I don't want to give Satin a foot hold in my life (depression) and that is an easy one for him to use. He can use our sorrow and turn it into depression and start to twist our minds and play games..he can make us doubt ourselves as women, mothers, wives, teachers, friends, etc...and in doubting ourselves and becoming depressed, (speaking for myself here!) I am not trusting God, that His plan for my life is perfect and that He will/can carry me through this pain. That he has entrusted these precious TWO children to us, that he WILL equip me daily with the knowledge to home school and with the patience to be loving with my responses to my sweet little boys. I really feel like by me being upset or jealous over these fellow sisters having babies, I am robbing myself of the joy I can be sharing in their pregnancies. I can/have been praying about this and God is comforting me and teaching me to choose joy and not self pity. I can choose to be joyful and not depressed. This doesn't mean I won't still mourn that right now I can't have a baby, I'm still sad. But I won't let it consume me. I will choose to be grateful, content and joyful for the two boys and amazing and supportive husband I have!

So while I know this was somewhat a morbid topic, I hope you find joy and comfort in it knowing that God is perfect and His plan is perfect for each person and each family....and while it isn't the one that you or I had in mind, it is wonderful knowing that anything you or I can do, He can do better:) ...trying to be cute there, but really, find comfort in knowing that we are not in control...another positive thinking moment (from Rex!) now if we do get pregnant, it will be a true surprise!

Whew that was draining! Ladies, pllease know, that I am not speaking for anyone except myself and Rex when I said I feel I can chose to be joyful or allow Satin to use sadness and turn it into a lingering depression. I don't mean to offend people, but we really trust that God can take that sorrow and turn it into joy. I hope you are all well and over the sickness that has clouded the central coast! Get out and enjoy the beautiful warm weather!!

Valentines Day....oops...a bit late!

So, I'm new to the whole blog thing...and I just cannot figure out how you all find the time to stay on top of these things and blog so often! Wow! We've been terribly sick for the last week so I haven't had time to even think about sharing our day with anyone..sorry!
Our day started so sweet. Rex woke up early with me to make breakfast for our little lovies! I'm not super huge into giving gifts on the national day of love...but I won't turn any away either:) So I did stop by that great $1 section of Target that always has little toys the boys want to get and I picked a couple up...and the were a big hit! I also stopped by Vons and picked up Rexs' favorite flowers..tulips...I also found the cutest chocolates for Rex at Target for $2-$3..they were shaped like cigars and the box said "SMOKIN HOT" which of course I just loved! And my sweet gift...that I had asked him for was to NOT spend money, but to help me tend to our outdoor entry/walk way! (it looks beautiful too!!) The topper was I didn't have to do dishes and Rex and the boys made our bed!! I love that they're getting older and are so eager to try to help..and they think it's "fun" not a chore or task!

So I hope everyone else felt all the love that day! Not just from our children and hubbies...but from God who designed and created all of these amazing people to be in our lives! Isn't God so thoughtful. If your family is even half as wonderful and loving as mine is (and I have no doubts they are!!) then I know you felt the love of the Lord as I did and the peace and joy in honoring Him on Valentines Day! We also spent half the morning dancing to the Veggie Tales worship CD, doing a couples Bible Study together and taking a break to sit outside on a chair together and daydream! I'm pretty sure that brings God joy!

waiting and fading...

So it's roughly 1:30 am and I'm just waiting for my sweet hubby to get home from work..I really believe I am married to the most thoughtful and selfless man. Truely! He has ridden his bike to and from work, quite often, for maybe two years now...if you've been to our home, then you know what a feat that is! Not only does it keep him in shape, but it helps our tight budget as well. He has two jobs right now so he works normally noon until 11pm. Which really means he has to leave at 11:30 and he doesn't get home until midnight.. So along with his sacrifice, we do see him less. We (myself and the boys) are so grateful and really blessed by his selfless example and I just wanted to write about how sweet he is and appreciated! Also, this is my first blog... so hello blog world...and goodnight..I'm beat and saw his little bike light coming up our hill! Be blessed as you sleep.