Sandra's blog~

A New Experience

2011-08-15T00:47:00.000-05:00

So, Hi! It's been a few months and I was going to write this down on a piece of paper but decided I'd blog about it here instead. You all know how great God is in my life...I can't stress that point enough. Well, last Sunday He showed Himself to me in the most amazing way.
Sunday August 7th, 2011, I was awaken 30 mun b/4 my alarm rang to get ready for church, so I felt like it was God tugging at me to get up and pray, (previously I've asked God to wake me up so I can give Him more time in prayer, I have a hard time getting up in the mornings). So I say "yes Lord, I'm up" and I begin to pray and just praise him, after about 25 min, I just began to Worship Him and I felt His presence so strong in my body, I began to feel as though I was not in my body anymore, I got numb from head to toe, couldn't move anything but my eyes, it was as if I was in another dimension...just an all around amazing experience, I was aware of what was around me, I just felt like I was not there, I thought for a moment that maybe I was dying because I began to feel something cold from the top of my head running down, I felt it come down to my lips and they just started shaking, I started breathing very heavily, I can't explain how I was feeling, comforted, hugged, loved, at the same time, yet scared for my kids...if this was the end for me, how where they going to react to seeing mommy laying there, lifeless? I said, God, but my kids...but if it's Your Will, it's my will...I closed my eyes and I remember seeing darkness but a large ring of light and I wanted to see it closer and the next image I seen was very fuzzy but looked like millions of bodies around and in the light...I tried to see closer but the next think I know it was gone...I was back and it was over. My body was covered in a cold sweat and weak for a couple minutes. I just began to weep and thank God for this amazing experience and want to seek Him more...

Sad Day

2011-03-21T23:15:00.000-06:00

Today I am sad. Can't put it all out there today, but just know that life's changes are tough sometimes...hard to take in.
Here is just a verse that I had been thinking about in Spanish James 5:12 if you want to look it up in English:
Pero sobre todo, hermanos míos, no juréis, ni por el cielo, ni por la tierra, ni por ningún otro juramento; sino que vuestro sí sea sí, y vuestro no sea no, para que no caigáis en condenación.
In other words...do what you say you are going to do, do not do otherwise. And if you claim to be a Christian, practice what you preach. Don't lie, cheat, or wish wrong for others. Finally, don't be someone whom you are NOT!! It's worse to do wrong knowingly!! People can see right through you, even though you think they only see your outer shell...I still love you but wish you would stop. For the sake of us ALL!!! PLEASE and Thank you! Ok, I feel better now...bye.

OMG'sh

2011-02-24T00:44:00.000-06:00

Soo, today was a crazy day!
I went to bed about 11:30pm, 20 min later Brianna came to my bed with a cold, so I have her some meds and tried going back to bed. Well, when I was falling asleep I heard ppl (girls)screaming outside frantically!! Then there were 3 gun shots! A car drove off while there were still ppl screaming. My heart wanted to stop and I didn't know what to do, so I got up and checked to make sure my door was locked and kids were asleep. I looked out Vianney's window and seen a girl sitting on the curb, crying, uncontrollably and a guy was by her. He called the police and I heard him say they killed his friend!! I later seen the emt and police cars arrive. This happened at the house to my immediate right, the one I shared (b/c we finally got the fence put in to separate last yr) the back yard with. Anyways, just wanted to let you know what happened last night I would have never thought would happen so close to home. So because of this my whole day was off...then we had elections at church tonight and I was chosen to be one of the deaconesses from our extension! What a privilege to serve the Lord in this way! I am also the new ext. Missionette coordinator...so it will be an interesting busy year :)

New Opportunities

2011-02-17T23:37:00.000-06:00

Well it's Feb, 17th today...Valentines just passed, had a good time at the banquet, gave up out crowns this year, was nice to spend the evening with my hubby. Here is a pic of our fab evening :)

December elections I didn't get anything this year. I decided to let go of choir...it was time to move on. We had extension elections yesterday for Misioneras and Pescadores and Missionettes. I was 2 ppl away from becoming the Pres of Damas and tied for vice. Then I ended up with Coordinator for the extension of Missionettes. I'm excited for the new opportunities and ready to give it my all! I'm still helping with the grupo de alabanza that is always awesome to Worship God in that way...which is my passion!! I really love my church family and am excited for the things God is doing in our church!
Many prayers have been answered, God is soo good. I love my hubby, I love my kids, I love my family! I'm happy!

Inspired

2011-01-09T22:15:00.000-06:00

Last week my kids and I went on a load with my husband Hector to Washington State where I got to see some of my family who mean a lot to me. While I was there I received a message quite clear to me. We drove by a huge lottery sign in Oregon which read 330 million!! I immediately thought about what "I" would do with that much money. The first thought was CHURCH!! Being that we just had some pretty, um, tense elections, regarding finances. I thought the first thing I would do with the money would be pay off all the churches and buy all the necessary things we need and then some, maybe buses, gyms, redo the whole church in San Benito and redo the auditoro!! But then I thought...wow, THAT WOULD BE WAY TOO EASY! Then the message came...
Can't you see what I am doing?! This is just a trial you MUST overcome to get from point "A" to point "B". You need to go through this to learn. And yet you have not. You have decided to try to move forward on your own two feet, rather than let Me be the one to guide you along the way. And then you "think" you are in My Will.
Can't we see that this is what life is all about. Trials come to our life and we need to get through them "with the help of God". They come to help us learn how we can rely on God and how with Him we can get through. He wants to see what we do with what comes our way, do we stray or do we stop and let Him take the wheel. Why do we feel that we can do this on our own? Yes, we say from the mouth out, sure I asked God to help me, but do we? Do we really get on our knees and plead for our church, family, health or whatever we need. Sometimes that's all He really wants, for us to truly seek Him. I think everything would just fall in place, the money would just come, problems within the family would just fade and make us stonger, we would heal in an instant...but NO we just dig, and dig and dig and the hole gets soo big, we don't know how it happened or if we can get out of it...till we sit down on our behinds and just think, WOW, Lord you are the ONLY way out! You are the only one who understands me, the only one who can resolve this! And when we do...His arms just open up and He'll say, "here I am my child, I've been waiting for you to come to me, I love you and will never leave you."

I just feel sad that many people don't see it that way, they choose to take things in their own hands and don't care who they hurt a long the way, they have things interfering with their Spirit and choose to ignore it and try to fix it by moving away. Um, sorry, but you need to fix it, not run away from it! God has been so good to me, he has brought be through some really tough things and I guess sometimes you have to go through things to learn and to GROW! His Spirit is the best thing that has happened to me...and saddening Him is the worse thing ever. I don't want to do anything to sadden His Spirit in me. I wish we all thought that way. But I guess that's life...you live and then you learn. Hopefully we all learn before it's too late.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
John 4:23,24

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:19-21

Update!

2010-09-19T21:05:00.002-05:00

Well it sure has been a while since I've poured out my heart on this blog!! I guess the truth is, with Facebook, it's so much easier to say what you are doing and move on. You don't have to sit here...thinking what to write! But these past few months I have been through some tough times in my life and I have chosen not to "expose" my self on fb, twitter, or myspace anymore. I've been hurt by many things ppl have said to turn things I have written into something I did not mean to say. It's amazing to see how some ppl feed off of these posts and make them into something they are NOT!! And at the end of the day, I really don't care what anyone has to say about things I choose to post or not, but I would rather close doors that can cause ppl to rumor! It's all good, I chose to learn from this and move on, I was affected but I'm not going to dwell on it! I know, ppl will be ppl and some just truly can't help it. Gotta just love them anyway, but close some doors along the way. Our pastor here at church said the other day, we should try not to talk to ppl who never have anything positive to say. And when you think about who you are talking to in your daily life and realize that some ppl are just criticizing and pointing fingers ALL the time, you just got to cut the cord. Its so tough sometimes but, hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.
I have entered a new level of closeness with Christ and I just want to elevate to be closer and closer to Him...I don't want any distractions and I think I'm getting rid of some of them :) God has been soo amazing to me, He has opened my eyes to so much more than I could have ever imagined and like never before want more and more of Him. I don't claim to be the perfect person but I am trying to be a better person each and every day.
Today we had an amazing presentation of our "Noche Mexicana" with choir. I think it sounded amazing! I received many compliments on how we sounded and am very pleased with how well everyone did. I am thankful to God for His presence in my life tonight...He is so sweet and amazing and I love feeling Him with me!
I miss my hubby soo much!!!! He is in WA for harvest, left around the 6th of September, so he has been gone 2 weeks tomorrow. I hope the next few weeks passes super fast so he can be home soon!! I am so thankful that my kids are doing well and have been very healthy and have been doing well in school.

This is a family picture we took at Aaron's 3rd Birthday party.

2010-07-26T02:19:00.000-05:00

Dear Blogspot...I wanna go home!

Love,

Sandra

Summer time in Washington 2010

2010-07-24T02:15:00.002-05:00

Soooo I've so been slacking on my blogging...I really need to try to stay on track!! Well, I'm here in WA enjoying my summer with my mom and dad and Eric. This year has been more eventful than last summer here. I really have been having a great time, we've gone to silverwood, then to tri-cities several times, aquatic center twice and to Orman's pool once. Today dad got a 4 ft pool from craigslist!! It's soo cool and I'm soo looking forward to swimming in it! We set it up today and had a bbq, it was nice.
As for my kids, they are just having a ball!!! They love it here! Vianney told me she wanted to stay here for school!! I'm ready to head home, I just have lots of things on my mind, like lil' Hector's therapy's and school registrations for the kids...getting ready for school to start and Aaron's party. I wanted to start choir soon...we'll see how it goes.

My birthday!!

2010-02-06T00:24:00.005-06:00

So the 3rd was my 33rd Birthday!! Yay me!! Lol, just a little minor excitement there! I really don't feel that old but I'm totally excited to be this old and have received as many blessings in my life as I have. God has been so good to me and I am grateful for His abundant love for me. My day was good, I went to the gym in the morning and went out for a lunch date with my honey at Chili's where they brought me an amazing desert that I'm still drooling over! Check it out!! Mmmmmmmmmmmm...

So this is my hubby and I on our lunch date!

Then I finished off the day by going to church and giving a class to my "Girls Only" class in church...it was a good day :) Thanks to everyone who called, text or sent me messages on Myspace and FB...made me feel super special =)

Been a while! But I'm back =)

2010-02-01T10:05:00.006-06:00

Can't believe it's been so long since I've made time to sit and blog!! I guess sometimes you get so caught up in the everyday of life to sit and type. I have had an amazing past few months! So much has happened to me that I can not begin to write it down or explain! God has blessed me with soooo much and I am everyday more and more grateful to Him! My kids have been through many ups and downs with sicknesses since last year but nothing major, they have all been doing great in school and that is much to be grateful for. My hubby had his birthday in November 09 and we spent it in Mexico which was a lot of fun, took him for his birthday to "Las Enramadas" it seems to be becoming a tradition because we have done it for his birthday for years now...here is a couple pictures from that day...

Then December was fantastic because I got to have my parents here and that's always a big part of my year, I don't get to have them all year so I really enjoyed the time we got to spend together. Christmas was busy with choir and all but I didn't have to do much because it was only extension choir who sang in Mex and we were all practiced already. January 5th was my bro-in-law Josias' wedding and that came out good then after that Hector started work again. Can't complain God has been so good to us and He has also given me a need to seek Him more this year. I've been trying to give God the best of me and instead of quantity, quality. I have decided to let go of some jobs I've had in church, I've let my Sunday school class go and my G.O. class go because I have felt I need to give 100% to choir this year. I love to work for the Lord in all I can but I don't want to give less because I have more, does that make sense? Well it seems to be the right thing to do at this moment and unless God tells me otherwise that's the way it will be. I have some great plans for choir for Easter and am planning a nice drama musical this year that I want to make super impacting!! I'm very excited for this new year and what it has in store for me. :)
I've also been working out at the gym for a few months now, I started in October, having done some "Slim in 6" for over 7 weeks and got no results I decided to go to the gym instead. That started out great, I lost 5 lbs the first month, 5 lbs November and then I was off for over 3 weeks in December and gained 3 lbs!!!!! So I started again the middle of January and am hoping for results. I must admit I have lost some will power and feel like giving up but I think it's due to the fact that I haven't been sleeping well lately, I need to be more careful of the time I am going to bed because I feel the lack of energy when I am not well rested. I definitely need to work on that!! I promise to do my best and see if I have results.
Anywho, I just wanted to mention that I have been blessed with the best kids ever and the most wonderful, amazing, loving, incredible, handsome, funny, caring, husband ever!! I Love You and thank God for your existence!! Thank you for being you and all you do for me and our family, don't ever change!!!! Muah!!

True Love Always =)

Es una aventura Dios mio....

2009-09-28T10:47:00.001-05:00

Y es una aventura conocerte,
caminar y obedecerte, y vivir por ti.
Es una aventura estar contigo,
caminar y ser tu amigo, y vivir por ti.
Y es una aventura cada dia si te tengo a ti,
si te tengo a ti.

Es una aventura, el mar puedo cruzar,
camino sobre el agua, si tu conmigo vas,
es una aventura cruzar por el umbral,
que lleva a lo imposible si tu conmigo vas,
Si tu conmigo vas.

Es una aventura que no acaba,
al confiar en tu palabra y seguirte a ti,
es una aventura cuando creo sin importar
lo que yo veo por que estas ahi,
es una aventura cada dia si te tengo a ti,
si te tengo a ti.

Es una aventura, el mar puedo cruzar,
camino sobre el agua, si tu conmigo vas,
es una aventura cruzar por el umbral,
que lleva a lo imposible si tu conmigo vas,
Si tu conmigo vas.

Te amo Señor.

Back to school...

2009-09-20T14:20:00.002-05:00

Wow, it's been 3 weeks since the kids started school and I still have not had the time to sit down and update my blog!! I really need to start disciplining myself to do this more often. Well, my internet was down for over 2 weeks and I'm barely getting my routine down again. Kids have been doing great, I'm especially proud of lil' Hector because he received his first progress report and he is doing great he's averaging a b+!! I was also busy with our 16 de Sept cantata with choir, we got ready in 2 weeks but it came out great!!! I am so greatful to God for that! It's been so good to be back home, we've had some ups and downs but God is good! Kids have been doing good, haven't had any emergency meetings for kids being bad at school, so that's a good thing ;) Weather has been totally weird, wants to rain but it doesn't. Haven't had too much rain this yr, we should be getting some this week. Nothing like the past 4 yrs. Missing my hubby like crazy, he's in WA awaiting the potatoes to start and will probably be there for the next month... :( Well, that's it for now...

Very Busy Summer!!!

2009-08-20T23:09:00.013-05:00

Wow, I feel like It's been forever!!! Well, I guess it HAS been over a month since I've posted anything!!! I have had a very busy summer as I know most of us have. We have recently been struggling with keeping our business up this past month and finally decided we needed to take action and do something about it, it just couldn't go on as it was and we chose to stop our business that we have had over 5 yrs now. I know things always happen for a reason and God has something better for us. Hector started driving for JLG Trucking and I know God will continue to provide for our family and things will go up from there. At times I feel like such a failure with all this but I know that it will just get better from here. You live and you learn.
So our first load with JLG Trucking took us through CA and to WA for my cousin Alex and Blanca's wedding. We barely made it there on Friday night and the wedding was on Saturday. It was tough on my hubby but somehow we made it. We had lots of fun at the wedding one of the highlights of the wedding was taking pic's with all my cousins don't know why but I just really love being with my family, it always brings a smile to my face and enjoy everyone's company, here are a couple pic's

I <3 U Mari!!!

Then another highlight was Valerie's bridal shower the very next day, which I also enjoyed because I got to spend time with family and take some fun pic's:

Anyhow, then I spent the next week in Othello, sent Hector back to TX with the boys and I went to Women's Camp with the Misionera's from Church. A special thanks to Crystal for taking care of Brianna and Jennifer for taking care of Vianney, love you girls!! It was a lot of fun and I got to spend time with my lifelong friends, that I hadn't spent time with in forever. God was really good to me at camp and blessed me very much.

Then the following weekend it was off to NE for Valerie's wedding, which was another fun time...

We also got to spend some really fun times with Efrain and Betty at their house chit-chatting and just having a good time and got to spend the night in their very beautiful home in Alliance, thanks again guys, you really know how to host your guessed. We really felt at home and comfy with you. Then it was off back to WA, we drove straight there and made it by the next morning and slept I think maybe 2 hours, and off we came to TX. Our trip was so overwhelming but nice at the same time...it seemed short yet it was almost a month! It's so good to be home none-the-less and get my life back to norm.

August 3rd Aaron had his 2nd birthday for which I am very greatful to God because he has kept him healthy and safe (besides his broken leg, lol, which is healed already) I <3 U Aaron!
Kids start school on monday and they are super stoked!! We went to meet the teacher night tonight and they didn't want to come home! Lil' Hector kept begging me to leave him there, lol. Wow, hope they always enjoy school that much!

VBS

2009-07-15T12:08:00.005-05:00

Last week was Vacation Bible School!! What a fun/hectic week! The theme was "La Busca del Tesoro en todo Tiempo" which is in search of the treasure at all times. So it was all decorated like if we were in the jungle, all very nice. It was an awesome experience. I was the choir teacher and it's all set up like school, each child's class has to go to different periods...like, first they will go to P.E. then next to art class, then choir, then story time, then memorization of verse period. So I was teaching the songs all day with different classes. I felt that 45 minutes was way too much time to teach 1 song each day, so I found myself explaining what the song meant with each class to pass the time and ended up preaching for a good 20 minutes with each class. I seen how the Holy Spirit worked through me...it was a wonderful spiritual experience, and fun all at the same time! Now that it is all over I am excite for my cousin Alex's wedding next weekend...as soon as Hector gets home from NJ we will look for a load to WA...here are some pix of VBS...

2009-06-27T13:44:00.004-05:00

It was a fun week, I went with Hector to Denver (for father's day) and have to admit it was an ok roadtrip!! I always try to make it fun and enjoy myself but the last few years with the kids it just get so hectic! But this last trip wasn't too bad! I guess the kids are getting older and I don't have to worry about bottles anymore and only one is on diapers so it's not too bad! I really enjoyed having family time and just getting away from home. We didn't make it to WA yet and I guess it's ok b/c I have to prepare for a long trip in July, going for Alex and Blanca's wedding and to women's camp. It'll be fun! So here are a couple pix of our fantastic family trip...

Summer break!!!

2009-06-16T23:49:00.002-05:00

Summer break!!! Ok, so the kids are out of school and tomorrow we are leaving with Hector on the truck to Denver, it's going to be Father's day on Sunday and we want to keep him company on his special day, we were not able to be with him last year so we decided to go with him in case he doesn't make it home for Sunday. The kids are super excited to go and to tell you the truth I am too, I normally don't like to travel but I am looking forward to the change in scenery!! I'll try to take pix and post them when we return...

Graduation time!! Oh and my Anniversary too!!

2009-06-02T18:50:00.013-05:00

Last Friday Lil' hector had his kinder graduation and it was fun to see all the little kiddos walking in with their cap and gowns...Hector felt very proud of himself...He has struggled in school for a while now and so this is another accomplishment for him. Here is a pic of him

Then this morning Vianney had her pre-kinder graduation and she was just so excited to go up and get her certificate...that she RAN to the front, lol! It was so funny, but she was happy that her mommy and daddy were there to see her and she felt like a little princess in her new dress. Congrats kiddo's, mommy and daddy love you very much!

Wow, with all the graduation commotion I almost forgot about the major milestone in my life last week!!! My hubby and I had our 10th yr wedding anniversary and we are very grateful for getting here...that probably sounds funny but I guess you just never know...I thank God for the man he gave me for my husband, he was who I was praying for before I could even remember. We left the kids with Nansi, my wonderful comadre who is always there to lend a hand...we went to San Antonio and had a great time at six flags...yeah you might say, Six flags??? For your anniversary!!! But yeah, I had been wanting to go, without kids and have fun with my man and boy did we enjoy every ride!! Then at night, we went to a romantic dinner on the riverwalk, walked the riverwalk for a while then went back to our hotel.

Then the next day we went to some Chinese tea gardens, and it was so beautiful! To this day when I think about it, it just takes my breath away...being there was like something you only see on tv...it was beautiful, the pictures do not capture the beauty, it was so romantic!! Thanks again honey, for making me the happiest wife ever! I love you! Here are a bunch of pix, enjoy!

Just blogging....

2009-05-21T23:09:00.005-05:00

Well I wasn't sure of blogging today, but here it goes. Dad has been here for a week now, it's been a fun week having him here, we've gone out, a little here and there, not as much as in the past b/c of $$...a little low these days, but it's been fun spending time with him. Been getting a lot of odds and ends taken care of these days and oh tomorrow is Lil' Hector's kinder graduation, I'll post pix later. Dad will not be able to make it cuz he has a load in the morning, he's leaving back to WA.

We are thinking of going to the ranch this weekend, we'll see what happens.
I'm getting so excited for next week, it's Hector and my 10 year wedding anniversary! Can't believe it's been this long...we want to do something special, we'll see...
I went to go see my welito Chon today and he has been feeling sick, hope he gets better soon. He looked so down and in so much pain, he was in the hospital a few days ago also...He has always been so strong...it's hard to see him like this. He is having a birthday on monday the 25th, He'll be 87 yrs, wow!

Sick days...

2009-05-07T23:32:00.008-05:00

Well, geez, I guess I better blog about how difficult my life has been these past few days...starting the 26th of April, Vianney woke up with a horrible headache that had me worried and she wouldn't eat anything that morning because of her headache and fever. Aaron had been with diarrhea for the past 2 weeks on and off...so that day (Sunday, the 26th) we didn't go to church...well the morning past and the fever was the same through out the day, what concerned me most was the was she would cry of the headache pain. I called her dr and she told me just to try to control the fever and to take her in in the morning or take her to the E.R. So I decided to wait till the morning and I sent all the other kids to school and took her in. Well, the Dr sent her right away to the hospital. She was thinking it could be meningitis and needed to be treated. So on my way to the hospital, the school calls me and tells me I need to pick up Hector b/c he has a fever...so I turned around and picked him up and went to go pick him up...gave him tylenol and took him to Esmer's so she can babysit while I go to the hospital with Vianney. I get to the hospital and get Vianney admitted and think...well, it's all downhill from here, I get her better then go home with the rest of my kids, uh no. Next day comes and Lil'Hector is running a fever, Aaron still has bad diarrhea, and Brianna started with a fever!!! All at the same time! So Nansi, (My bestfriend, sister, cousin, whom I don't know what I would do without comadre) takes them to the Dr. and the Dr. sends them all to the hospital!!! Yes that's 4 kids, in 1 hospital, with only 1 parent at the time, the other parent was out bringing home the bacon! Craziest thing ever, I know! But you know in who we trust...and that's why we don't get tooooo freaked out, just a little, and that's cuz we are human, lol!
So, the final verdict was, Vianney had viral meningitis and Hector we really didn't know but he was treated for his headache and vomiting and severe dehydration and Aaron and Brianna had picked up a bacteria called shigella somewhere, we don't know where, maybe daycare. Hector and Aaron were home on Wednesday and the girls got to go home on Thursday. Here are some pix of them in the hospital...

So everything went well at the hospital, I had Nansi and Esmer help the first night with all the kids, they were so helpful to leave their families to come help me with mine...you just don't know what that means...even now to think about it I cry. I get so emotional with just the thought of all the calls I received and the messages, the prayers over the phone. People that you couldn't even imagine called to ask if I needed anything. I can't explain how nice that felt in my heart, how it helped console our hearts, my husband received many calls as well...poor guy couldn't get a load to come home all week and was stranded in Denver, he was going to just come empty, but Lord knows that would have just made the stress levels in our home a lot worse.
To have my mom come was the cherry on the top...made me feel like I had a big load off my shoulders. Thanks for coming mom, it's been a blessing for me and my family having you here with us. I know it was difficult for her to leave her home, job, and my dad for me, so thanks dad for letting her come. And for Ben and Martha who I think were the ones who paid for her ticket...means a whole lot guys!
After we were home on Thursday, things were back to normal, my hubby got home in time for church Sunday night and left again Monday afternoon so that he could go and come for Mother's day. Kids were feeling so good...check out these pix! Girls wanted to play dress-up with their new Hannah Montana outfit! Hahaha!

Then Monday night I started feeling bad. I got a horrible headache that lasted all night, took more advil in the morning and ate breakfast, and didn't go away, that whole day is a big blurr, my head was just throbbing and I was nauseated all day. Couldn't keep nothing down, kids came home from school and I couldn't even get up from bed...slept all day and through the night...I couldn't even open my eyes because the vains in the back of my eyes felt like they would burst...yes it was that bad!
I can't remember ever feeling this horrible pain. So Wednesday mom and I went to take me to the Dr. The Dr gave me a shot of Antibiotics and one for the pain and basically told me to go to the Dr who attended Vianney so he can attend me too because he thought I had what she had...meningitis! Well, after and hour of leaving the Dr's office I finally began to feel relief from the pain and it just went down from there. I believe I'm healed by the Grace of God and declare that in His name! I pray that this sickness leave me and my family forever and that it die forever!!
Today I feel a lot better, I thank God I am not feeling that pain I had, I feel very little compared to what I had 2 days ago...so I declare it gone!
Tomorrow night we want to leave to San Antonio to go leave mom....we'll see what happens...

I Love My Life!!

2009-04-25T19:21:00.003-05:00

Ok, so all the character building really got me sick...I have been ill for the past 3 days! Well today I felt better, not yet fully recovered but better than yesterday! I had to pick up Aaron today from school b/c he was vomiting and he has still been sick but no vomiting thank goodness. None the less, I can't wait till all this stuff going around my home is gone! Today has been spring cleaning and finishing odds and ends that I had put off, like Vianney and Brianna's room has needed their curtains up and I just kept putting it off till today!! YAY!! And the cleaning, it's still going! I'm taking a little dinner break and then I'm off to finish. It's been a very productive day even though I have all my kids home. It's really nice to be at the stage where you can ask them to help a little here and a little there.
I'm very satisfied with how things have been going family wise these days. Lil' Hector has been doing good in school this year, Vianney is very bright, the smartest in her class, her teacher told me that again last thursday :), Brianna is getting along well with her classmates and assures me everyday when she gets home that she was a "good girl" and that she listened to her teacher today, lol. And Aaron, what can I say, his teachers are just in love with him, they say he is a perfect little boy who plays well with other kids. So I'm very happy about all that. I've missed them a lot these days, especially b/c I haven't started working, but God had other plans for me, I have been at church ALL week during the day. Monday we were sewing the table covers for the tables in the dining room and tuesday we finished sewing the vests and sashes for missionettes, wednesday we were at a prayer meeting from 10 to 2, thursday and friday we got together at church to decorate for the couples banquet conference that they had on friday! So it's really nice to be able to do all that. When I have the kids here I usually don't go because it gets very difficult to help when you are running after the kids most of the time. So I am taking my time and using it for good!
Well, I better get back to my spring cleaning and laudry and bathtime...almost all done! I do wish my hubby was here with me, but he'll be home next week to enjoy!!

Mixed Emotions Day!!

2009-04-22T15:18:00.002-05:00

Well, today was a mixed emotions day...first of all I'm very happy b/c I went to oracion and it was just a big blessing!! We met at a ladies house who has gone to church and asked for us to go pray at her home. Well, after a study and talk about salvation, she gave her heart to God!! It was a big blessing and it just brighten up my day. The angels are rejoicing in heaven and as are we here on earth!
Anyways after such a blessing I got like so sentimental with something someone said at the meeting, I know people don't always mean what they say, but this person just always seems to hit the spot. I try to brush it off and try not to give credit to what she says but man, "character building is hard at times!!" Because I believe that's what it is, all these years of complaining and getting hurt...all it does is build your character. So I guess, suck it up...and take it as that! :) Then I get home and I had to go get Vianney at school cuz she's sick, so I'm home taking care of my sick child, it's nice to be the one to make her feel better, I love my kids!!

Stressful Times...

2009-04-08T09:09:00.004-05:00

So there is only 4 more days till Easter and this time of the year is pretty stressful in my years as choir director. I had been off for 2 yrs...but here we go again. This year had been off to a very great beginning to tell you the truth and one of my best years as choir director. But the devil doesn't like that at all so he brought one of the most difficult and stressful times ever. I had a confrontation with one of my members and was caught up in a 1 on 1. I thank the Lord for my strength and for His Grace to stay calm...at one point I wanted to throw in the towel, but I realized I'm not here for "man". What I do I do it for God and no one else...no matter who stands in my way. As a leader you have to make some choices, and I've learned that, almost always, you will make decisions that some will not like...and you know what, that's just too bad for them, because that's the way the cookie crumbles!
In every group or class, there are rules, and if you don't want to abide by them...I'm sorry, you don't have to be there, if you don't want to be. As adults we are entitles to make our own choices...lets try to make the right ones! And just remember that after the storm comes the blessings.
We have been practicing for over 2 months now for Easter and we still have one more practice on Saturday...I ask your prayers for a good practice and for an excellent Cantata Easter Sunday. And everything we do, we do for Him.

Time for Joy!!

2009-04-04T10:15:00.007-06:00

Well, I just had to blog about how horrible I feel to be apart from my family at this time of joy. My lil' brother Abner and his wife Maggie just had their first little baby girl yesterday and here I am...over 2000 miles away, just wishing I could be there with them. But, well, I'll have to settle for seeing pix and the updates on the net for now...
My heart has just been jumping for joy for you two since you guys got married, I don't know why, but I guess Abner holds a special place in my heart, even though I was after him so much at home, I guess I felt like his mom most of the time. And well, it's been very fulfilling seeing him become a husband now a father. I love you little bro and even though I'm not there with you both you are in my prayers and it looks like God sure has things under control with Kaylee's health. It's a big blessing for her to be as healthy as she is. Never forget how big God is and all of this is thanks to Him! I pray God give you the patients and guidance you both need as parents in this new time in your life. Love you guys!

Anyways with all this excitement I almost forgot to blog about my baby girls 3rd b-day! April 2nd was Brianna's birthday and she was just so happy to be becoming a "big girl". I thank God for Brianna, she is so special to me in her own little way. She is the one who cuddles with me the most and her favorite thing to say is "I love you mommy" when she feels happy, she doesn't know what to do with so much excitement she'll come running and say, "I love you mommy!" It just fills my heart with joy and happiness. Moments like that are the best parts of parenting! Happy birthday baby girl!

I love you Brianna!!!

With her b-day cakes...

Aaron hated the hat...lol!

Enjoying her new present from mommy...

My Faith is in Him...

2009-04-01T10:22:00.007-06:00

It's been a couple weeks since I last blogged so hmmm, let me think...well, on Fridays last month I was going to church to clean for a couple of hours and I really enjoyed it. Nansi, Yvette, Mary and I make a great team!! I really get a feel of satisfaction when I go clean at church, don't know why, but I guess with the little bit I could do for the Lord the better we feel.
I found an old friend on Facebook whom I hadn't seen since High School and we have been messaging back and forth about each others lives and she became a missionary, wow! I met her in our morning prayer groups we would have in school and developed a friendship. I was very intrigued with her story, she met a guy from New Zealand and is living there. And well that just makes me think of how great it is to serve the Lord in what you can...of course being a missionary must be soooo much more rewarding, but I think it is serving the Lord just as in cleaning the church. Any ways, we are still practicing like crazy for Easter in choir and that takes up lots of my mind, during the day, that and my Solo Chicas club class aka Y's. I love them also. The class is so fulfilling and fun and I feel like I am learning as we go with the girls...and as for the girls, well, they are all great, couldn't ask for a better group :)

This is me and my assistant Esmer

One other thing that has been keeping me from blogging is a little situation we have going with our Trucking company...besides being stressed with the end of yr paperwork and irs Taxes coming up in um..let me see, yes 14 days!! We have another little issue that has me on my knees. You see Hector was at an intersection about to turn right, in the right lane...in the semi. He turns right when the light turns green...then comes to a screeching stop because he sees in his rear view mirror a car on the right side, under his trailer!!! Well, nothing happened to the trailer or the lady driving the car, thank God. But we didn't even call our insurance because nothing happened to the trailer and well it was obvious that it was her fault because she was turning from the shoulder, which was not even a lane, right?! Well, we got a call from our insurance last week saying that her "lawyer" came in contact with our truck insurance and wants them to pay her for her damages to her car!!! The nerve! So I go look at the police report and yep, the cop says that Hector made the wrong turn!! So unfair, I calmly talked to the officer and his supervisor and asked them how Hector was at fault, and they said by law he has to get as far right as possible, wow, I said, he was as far right as possible for a commercial vehicle to turn! But he just said, the law is the law and wouldn't change the report. So now we have to get our insurance involved and it just all stinks, hate all this stuff...please pray for us, we are going through a rough time with this and also because I've been asking God to help us get a new truck soon. Don't know how that's going to happen, but my faith is in the Lord and I know He will provide for his children.

Spring Break!!

2009-03-19T09:05:00.006-06:00

Well just thought I would take a little time to blog about how my week was going. We started off the week by going to Mexico, it was ok, the weather didn't help much because it was raining and everything was wet and muddy. So we went to church Sunday night and had dinner with my inlaws...then the next morning we had breakfast with my inlaws and came back to TX. It was a long day b/c we spent most of the day on the road, the line at the bridge was 2 hours long and so it was about a 5 hour drive! Hard on me and the kids! So anyways, I've had a good week with the kids, didn't take them anywhere extravagant but I have dedicated most of my day to them and took them to the park and out to eat several times, mostly so they can play in the indoor playgrounds. It's been fun to sit back and just watch them play and see how God has been blessing my life with them, sometimes you just get caught up with life and all the problems it has for us that you don't have time for that. Don't get me wrong, I don't think I ever take them for granted, I don't. If anything I thank God for them because I know that at any moment they can be taken from me. I realize that they are a gift from God, believe me I've had one taken from me at 36 weeks pregnant, my first born little girl, I could never take them for granted, but I thank God for little reminders, daily of His amazing mercy for my husband and I. And for giving me the ability to stay home and enjoy the time I have with them. Here a couple pix of my kids while eating at burger king this week.

Anyways I'll post more pix from spring break later...I was also having some huge laughs this morning with these Jay Leno Photo Booth Pranks...you have to watch! Enjoy....

Vianney's Birthday!

2009-03-12T07:19:00.008-06:00

Yep, my big girl is 5 years old...I can't believe she is so grown up already. I thank God so much for her, she is becoming my best friend these days, she is everything a mother wants from her daughter...I hope it stays this way, lol! From her attitude to her wining it's just cute! She is my little helper and my smartest child at the moment. Her teacher said she is one of the smartest in her class, so that makes me proud...she loves her sister and brothers and protects them in any way she can, she also likes to act like their mommy. So for her birthday (Sunday the 8th of March) Her daddy and I sent her balloons to school on friday, that was a big hit! And I made some cone cupcakes to take to Sunday school for her and told her we would make a party towards the end of march. She was ok with that, but I think she really enjoyed her "little party" in church, so I'm thinking of bailing out on that other party...lol. Here are a couple pix...
Getting home from school with her balloons.

With her class in Sunday school.

At home just before blowing out the candles.

All-in-all, I just want to say "Vianney, I love you mija" I thank God for you everyday. You have brought many blessings to our lives, may God continue to bless you and guide you in his path...and may you have many more birthdays yet to come...

March maddness!!

2009-03-07T00:25:00.004-06:00

Sooo, I feel like the days are flying!!! But I thought I would take a little time to sit and type...I just had to mention my adventures with my kids at the dentist! I admit...it had been over a year since I had taken them and I need to take them every six months...and I had made them appointments but for one reason or another we couldn't go so here we go finally going to the dentist. Well first I decided to take my babies...and they were completely traumatized with the dentist! Yelling and screaming like there was no tomorrow! I was so embarrassed but what could you do, then my baby girl Brianna had a cavity...I still think it was candy in the grooves of her teeth...but anyhow they decided to fix it on the spot and let me tell you, it took 3 assistants and the dr to hold her down! I was very glad he didn't send her to a specialist to be knocked out for something so minor...any ways here is a picture...

She was a bit calm after wards with all the stickers and toothbrushes and lollipops they gave her! I hope she does better in 6 months! Then a couple days later I took the big kids and well, I think lil' Hector was more scared than Brianna! He eventually let them take x-rays but we had a tough time with him and the cleaning. Vianney on the other hand was a champ! She did well, until lil' Hector scared her, but after a bit she was fine...here is a pic of her...

Other than that choir has been going great, haven't had a chance to take pix, but I will soon, and at missionettes too.
Hector was home for almost 3 weeks then he went to Denver and back and he is leaving again tomorrow, thank God when there is work! But I still get super lonely when he's not around...but what can you do. God is with us and will never leave!

So much going on!!!

2009-02-20T18:26:00.004-06:00

Ok, I know, it's been a while, the truth is that I've been pretty busy with my new jobs at church and with the hubby home for over a week it's been hectic. Yep with choir started, things have got pretty busy, I just recently got a new iPod for our choir that I am pretty excited about and we are starting our Easter cantata...that I am getting so nervous about already...
We started training for the new missionette program and it's starting this coming week, I'm so excited I have the new group of G.O. club (Girls Only)...or in spanish it is "Solo Chicas" which we are changing into the new Y's in our church. I'm excited, they have some good lessons and activities!
At home things have been great, kids are doing good in school and OH YEAH, did I forget to mention my babies are going to go to headstart! I'm so nervous and excited at the same time...I'm nervous because they have never been left to someone that is not a family member and I hate to leave my kids...but I'm excited to get to work and help my hubby out a little bit for a while...I'm going to go take a course for being a substitute teacher in elementary schools, then I'm going to sign up in near by schools...so I'm excited, I'll keep you all informed!!!

Happy Birthday to me!

2009-02-03T18:02:00.004-06:00

Yep, another year! How great is that, another year to be thankful to God for all He has done in my life! So many blessings that one can not count! I am feeling great, not down one bit...some people ask me if I feel bad cuz I'm getting another year OLDER. I really don't feel old, I feel great, I have everything a girl could ask for, my husband and kids, a home, a car, a business! Faith, Hope, Family, Friendships and Love, what else do you need. God has been good to me and I thank Him for another year of life!

And this year is off to a busy start!!

2009-01-31T19:16:00.010-06:00

Can't believe how fast January past!!! Tomarrow is the first day of February and well before we know it, it'll be summer!

I'm happy to tell you all that my father-in-law is doing much better, he had prostate surgery. Then he went to a follow up appointment where they told him he was much better and that the tumor he had is benign, nothing to worry about, they are going to keep checking it every 6 months...Thank you Lord!! God is good!!!
Well, these past couple weeks have been pretty busy here at home. Cleaning and trying to catch up on paperwork. Hector was home for 5 days then left on a load to Portland. My two younger kids have been sick with ear infections and strep throat, so they haven't let me sleep well. Here is my Brianna with her little sad eyes, trying to pretend she feels fine.

Last week we also had elections at church, I was voted for choir director again here in the extention! I am so excited to start, I chose not to get it 2 yrs ago because I was pregnant with Aaron and I didn't think I could handle choir and a baby. I am glad I did, I needed then time off, but I am so ready to get started again!! May God bless our choir this year.
We also went to Bosque Magico again last weekend. We went to Mexico and our compadres were going to go to Monterrey so we decided to take the kids again. We had a fun time, again.

My favorite part was the race cars...which Nansi and I ended up getting kicked off for crashing into each other too much! I didn't know we couldn't!!! LOL! It was exciting anyway, lol!

I had a fun time with one of my bestest friends ever Nansi, thanks for always being their for me and for letting me vent all the time and for all that we have shared together and well for everything, love you!!

This last monday we also had the barbie contest for missionettes. I was there as a teacher and as a mother. Vianney had her doll, it's the violet colored one. But there was just so many beautiful dolls, that vianney didn't win...the point was to make the barbies dress without using a sewing machine...here are a few pix...

Vianney, getting ready to walk the runway!

Here is Vianney with some of her friends...

And they all got prizes for participating so they had fun!

And here I am with my class...

Two or three gathered in my name...

2009-01-17T00:18:00.002-06:00

Ok, so I told you about my strong feeling to talk to my father in law about God a couple days ago...well, he just found out he has a tumor in his kidney, coincidence? I think not.
He is so bummed out and terrified at the same time...since he found out. He doesn't even want to leave his room. He had to come to Texas today for some errands and I had a little talk to him about how he was feeling. I told him to put his trust in God and not in man. Our God has so much more power than we can even imagine. I told him that God was really speaking to him and He wanted more from him. I don't know where the words come when I speak to him but I truly feel a greater power overcomes me when I talk to him about God. I asked him to go seek the pastor for prayer, but I also asked everyone that was with us to unite in prayer...it felt very fulfilling to pray with him and I felt God working his way into his heart. It really feels good to know that "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20.
My father-in-law has more studies on Monday. Please help me pray for him. Thx!

Just a little testimony...

2009-01-11T22:08:00.004-06:00

Well I just wanted to share a little about my night. It's sunday night, I got our of church with my kids and was heading home, when my hubby called to tell me that my in-laws were here and they were at my sister in law Erika's house. So I made a turn and headed to her house to go see them since they are leaving in the morning back to mexico. Well, what I wanted to share with you all is about the conversation I had with my father in law...he is not a believer, but know's all there is to know about God and right and wrong. He brought his kids up telling them what was right, but never applied the rules to himself. Anyways, I have always tried talking to him about making a final decision, but tonight I just felt a strong urge to do it again, and during my conversation with him I just plain flat out asked him "what are you waiting for? Why not give your heart to God? You see all he has done for you and still you don't open your heart to him. He loves you and has his arms opened up, just waiting for you to accept Him into your heart." And I finally got an honest answer from him, he said he can't understand why God would forgive him for all the bad things he has done. He feels unworthy. I just talked to him about Gods mercy and how we are all sinners, not because we have gone to church all of our lives makes us perfect. We are sinners too and we have to daily ask God to forgive us. Anyways, I don't know if I got across to him since, like I said before, it's not the first time I've talked to him about God. But I can't help but feel like did a good deed today. Just thought I would write it down so that I would remember...

Here is a pic of my in laws...if you can help me pray for them it would be much appreciated.

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-09T20:54:00.017-06:00

And we are finally back after such a long vacation!!!

My beautiful family on christmas eve.

My kids.......

Wow, has it really been over a month since I have last blogged?? Well, let me tell you it's past super fast, the month of December seems like a big blur. Starting from my brother in law's wedding, which was pretty stressful. Why, well the florist that was supposed to be at the church at 8:00 am did not arrive till 5 minutes after the time the wedding was supposed to start...imagine that!!! Then to top it all off, she brought the wrong pillars!!! It was just awful, so just imagine them setting everything up with all the guests watching!! Yeah, well I was so upset that I cried!!! Anyways, I'm glad it's all over, it all came out ok I think no other major set backs...the food was great and everything else rolled smoothly, here are some pix...

This was on the way out of the church...

After the wedding we relaxed a bit, went out and had a great time with the family...this was on our way to the Villa de Santiago, we stopped to "enjoy the view" at "la cueva"

And the whole family...except dad who was taking the picture.

We also had a day out with Roy and Mity our compadres, we went to Bosque Magico, which I had never been to and I highly recommend it for families with small kids, it was great. Had a lot of rides for the little ones! It was pretty cheap too!

They all got to ride together! They had a blast!

And we got soaked!!!

We also had a couple days out with Hector's side of the family that were fun at the carrizo, the weather was nice and so we went out on the 4 wheeler and everyone else went out on their 4 X 4 pick-ups.
Here are all the "Chevy's" together for a picture, ours is the white one.

And here is a pic of us, with our feet in the water...

And this is my hubby's side of the family...we had lot's of fun!
All in all, our holiday's were fun and fulfilling. But, the truth is that there is no place like home, you tend to get homesick when you are away for too long, but...I still can't wait till this december to do it all over again!

Thankful...

2008-11-30T21:51:00.003-06:00

Well just wanted to write a quick update...haven't had much time for blogging lately with my cuñado's wedding coming up on the 5th. I feel like it's my wedding at times, lol, but hey I love to help in what I can. We finished the ramitos, delantares, and everyone's clothes is ready. All I need to do is the programs and the table cards and we will be set. Other than that I wanted to mention it was my husband Hector's bday on the 27th. Yes, on Thanksgiving...it was nice because we were in mexico for my cuñado's visita that day and it felt like we were just having a bday party for Hector!! We didn't even have to buy the food!! Woohoo!! Lol, I got him a cake and we celebrated there, it was nice. The cake was sooooo good, one of the best I've ever bought. Here is a pic of us.

2008-11-17T23:15:00.002-06:00

Just feeling kinda sad for the Garza family...Tia Delia past today and I have had the family in my prayers. Although we all knew she was going to pass for a couple weeks now it's weird how it's still pretty hard to pass. But thank God she is not having anymore pain physically. May God bless the entire family and give them the strength and understanding they need. We will never understand why God does what he does, but I know everything He does is for a purpose and we just need to place our trust in Him...

Just venting...

2008-11-16T14:23:00.005-06:00

Isn't it funny how we tend to take things for granted? Like what you might ask? Well, like our time for instance...like friendships...like family? I believe we meet people for a reason...make friends for a reason...run into people for a reason...listen to curtain things, etc...
Don't you think God works in mysterious ways? Isn't it weird how you feel one way one minute and another the next...(well for us girls anyways, lol!)
What am I getting at? Well, I guess what I'm getting at is how merciful God can be even when we don't deserve it many times. We were preached this morning of how, as Christians we sin, ask for forgiveness, expect to be forgiven...even though...we have not confessed of our sin or asked for forgiveness to the person we have offended. Then we go about our way...as "Christians" like if all is well and nothing happened. ?Does that make sense? Well, it sure did when they preached it this morning. They told us that we need to be freed from all that sin "before" moving on, otherwise...it's like we are living a lie, the lies are blocking our prayers into heaven. Like falling asleep mad, we know we shouldn't, but at times it "accidentally" happens. We really need to fix it asap.

I met someone weeks ago who was a "non-believer". This person told me that they were "all good" with God. They said they didn't feel they had to be "Christians" or have to go to church to be "OK" with God. But I could tell that they wanted to know more.
They had a question, they asked me "How can God be so forgiving, how can He forgive even the big sins? Why would he?" So that was my opportunity to say how great God is and merciful He can be. That we are all sinners and we were born sinners, not just because we are "Christians" we are perfect, we are definitly human and fail. It's questions like this that get me thinking...as a christian that I am and have been all my life, why do we take these things for granted, like Gods forgiveness? We just assume that He will forgive us if we are truly repented of our sins, we are thankful and move on. But yet, for the non-believer it's just so great and wonderful how God can be so forgiving. It's just an eye opener I guess...I thank God for these acquaintances. Although they are non-believers they help us in our daily walk with God.

I'm sorry if none of this makes sense. It's just thoughts that are in my mind and I really need to let them out, LOL!

My prayer is for God to help us daily with our trials and tribulations and a HUGE thank you to Him for his never ending mercy and forgiveness for sinners like me!!! I also thank Him for letting me be a light that is shining for Him and that with this experience I had the chance to spread His word. I love you Lord!

Finally!!

2008-11-10T21:01:00.007-06:00

I know!! It's been forever since I have blogged, well I have been out of my house for the past two months, we went to Washington to work and look for greener pastures...but I guess it wasn't as green as we thought, so we are back home now. Well above are some green pastures we encountered when we arrived! All in all, this experience was one I would probably not want to repeat...working potato harvest was different for me. I went through a lot of trials that have never come to my life and I guess I am thankful to be back home. It's way too much to explain and believe me I would have to start a book if I would write it all down, but, through it all God has overcome. Thank you Lord for all you do. It was great to meet new people and made many new friends, whom I don't know if I will ever see again, but I thank God for the opportunity He gave me to minister to others of His gratefulness and invited many to come to the house of the Lord. I hope to have planted the seed in many and to have been an example in one way or another to some.

Anywho, it's good to be home, above are some pix of our way home. I love being with my family back in Othello, but with 4 kids, you need your own space.

It was so exciting to see this sign of welcome to TX, we just had to stop and take pix! Well when I arrived home I realized how much I really missed my bed!!!!! It was nice to be home. And well we had lots and lots of yard work to do. But it's all done now and we are all settled in.

So we arrived on tuesday and went to mex on wednesday and thursday and the weather was just wonderfully warm and beautiful! Here is a pic of my parents green yard and the sun that was shining down on us that day. It was nice.

Now we are getting things ready for my bro-in-law Javier's wedding. It's 3 weeks away and we have to help him in all we can...

Ups and downs

2008-09-16T23:37:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to update my blog a little bit now, I hadn't had the chance to sit down and type or think, for all that matters, these days. Things have been a little crazy these days with changing my kids schools and all. I applied for a job at the place I used to work 6 yrs ago and have been waiting for a call of some sort and have not received one. So if I don't receive a call from there I will work in the potato harvest for a few weeks then leave back home to TX. So I've been home, not doing much except entertaining my kids and feeding whoever's home. It's in Gods hands as I have written in the past. See what happens.
Lil' Hector is enrolled in Hiawatha Elementary, he was very hesitant to go to class at first, but then he blended right in with all the other kids, and Vianney had her first day at pre-school yesterday, she just loves it! I had the chance to stay with her the first 2 hours and help out the teacher because she was short staffed on her first day. So that was nice for me to see how things ran in her class. Her teacher is Mrs Enriquez, she was one of the teachers from connell when I went to school there, many, many yrs ago and she still remembered me, so it's nice for her to be teaching my little girl now. I'll post pix soon.
There are ups and downs of being here, I miss my home very much, I just as God for patience and guidence in these down times.

Walking toward opened doors...

2008-08-31T22:26:00.002-05:00

Don't really have much to blog about this week, it's been kinda hectic with getting up early for school and trying to get the kids showered by 8 pm and off to bed.
But I guess I have been pretty bummed with the fact that my husband is in Washington state right now and I'm here. Miss him like crazy!! Things just have been crazy lately, financially and emotionally. Our business has not been going well and we have been striving for a change and so my husband is trying something "new and different" that we think will be better, because he won't be out of the house as much and he can be with his family more. We are walking toward opened doors God has provided us and I guess we can say it is by faith because we do not know what the future holds. I am going to Washington in a week or so with the rest of the family and am in Gods hands. I am thinking of looking for a job and that will help us out. Like I say our lives are in Gods hands and we both feel this change is necessary.
I feel excited in a way but I am also very scared. Like I tell my husband, it's not as easy to "up and leave" like when it was just the two of us, we are 6 now and with schools and therapy's for Lil' Hector it's hard. But, here goes nothing.....

2008-08-25T18:37:00.002-05:00

Yes, these are my two oldest precious children, of whom I am soooooo grateful to the Man upstairs for. They seem to just full my eyes with tears when I think of how fast they have grown, it seems like time is just passing me by!! But it's great and I am living life to the fullest and definitly enjoying every minute I have with them. My oldest of my girls, Vianney had her first day of pre-K today. I was a little sad after leaving the kids at school this morning because while all the other kids were crying for their moms, Vianney was looking at me and saying, Bye mom!! Then to top it all off, I leave Hector off in his classroom and wait to talk to the teacher and Hector looks at me and says "What are you still doing here, mom??" It's amazing!! So off I go back home. I ended up having a lot of quality time with Brianna and Aaron, so it all turned out well. Vianney was just super excited when she got home, talking about how fun it was at school, what she ate and that she had lots of friends...but she didn't know their names quite yet, lol. All-in-all, I thank God for watching after them!

The J-Factor...

2008-08-20T09:39:00.006-05:00

What are my clothes saying about me? (Author: Shelly Ballester) This was the lesson I gave last night in Y's class (our youth girls class in church from ages 15 and up)...it's a topic that is given in Y's just about every year, one of my favorites! I think the girls really like it too. It's an interesting subject because it seems like now days everything we wear and do is considered ok and for us representing Christ, it is not. What is the J-Factor, the Jesus Factor. I retrieved a lot of my information from the A of G website on the net, just google it, thats my new moto, the internet, it's great!
There is a magazine article that had this info that was just great. The author Shelly Ballester talks about how important it is to look at ourselves and what we are portraying to the world around us especially to people who are in the "spot light" a lot, maybe part of a worship team or leader of some sort. She stated "We really need to be aware that the little things can be a stumbling block to someone else and totally get in the way of the ministry you are trying to accomplish." And this brought a lot of attention from the girls around me. It seems like a lot of times we feel that we can wear what ever we want, God is only looking at our hearts after all. But doesn't what we wear on the outside reflect what we have on the inside?? And if it was not that way why does 1 Corinthians 6:19 say "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? In First Timothy, women are told to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, and not with expensive clothes (1 Tim. 2:9). There is obviously a connection between how one’s body is displayed and sexual attraction. This is true for men as well as women. Immodest dress that overly reveals one’s body often encourages sexual lust which is sin. The Bible says in Matthew, "anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matt. 5:28). This applies to us women as well as men. For this reason all Christians should dress appropriately and maintain wardrobes that honor Christ and do not lead others away from His Kingdom. Aaahh, the J-Factor.
I know all this is pretty strong to be publishing on my blog, but, this info was a blessing for me who is always looking for ways I can honor Him. And maybe it can be a blessing for you as well. And that is what this is, just a little something to help you in your walk with God. Never to criticize anyone but to teach them what He is teaching us in His word.
No, I am definitly not perfect, nor do I claim to be, but isn't that what life is all about, trying to better ourselves and them around us as much as we can and honor and glorify His Holy name through it all!
Remember, the J-factor is something that should be visible wherever we are. We represent Christ and should always be striving to glorify Him. At the end of the day the best outfit you can wear is confidence.
Now, this doesn't mean we have to be boring in our dressing we still be fashionable without looking like you’re trying to show off the goods. Being modest (modest means observing the properties of dress and behavior) doesn’t mean you can’t be creative.
Just something to take into consideration in your walk with God. Lets think a little bit before we dress tomarrow...lets apply the J-Factor to our daily routine! God Bless!
Here are some of my girls from Y's...love you girls!

Just Relax...

2008-08-12T10:46:00.005-05:00

So we are still thinking of going to washington for harvest, but things just got complicated with our business. The truck was getting fixed and took 9 days to get fixed, then we couldn't find a load for another 5 days...2 weeks with the truck stopped is hard. Unfortunately the bills don't stop when the truck does :( maybe next time...lol. But, we are still going to try to go since the potatoes don't start till the 20th or so of Sept, we still have a little time. See what happens. Seems like every time you think you are getting ahead of the game..."things" happen. Stinks, right?! Oh well, I just trust in God, He has NEVER let us down. I already learned that in the toughest situations, He always helps us through. I used to get really freaked out when we were struggling, but now things can get so difficult and I just know we will overcome. Last night I laid in bed thinking of this, (as of last night my husband still had no load or even hopes of getting one. Things here in the valley are soooooo slow right now, no one has nothing) just knowing that God would do something and this morning there was a load! It's going to Florida but right now we will take anything. God is so good, he really shows us this every day. Thank you Lord!

This takes me to Job in the Bible, don't know if you are familiar with his story, but he went through a lot! Our troubles are probably nothing compared to what he suffered, on many occasions he wanted to die to stop the suffering. Yet, God had his purpose, I think we all are learning from him because in the end Job learned something new when he suffered his great troubles. He learned that it is more important to be a servant of God than anything else. And that is the moral of the story :). Lets think on that.

I thought this pic of Brianna was appropriate for
"leaving everything in God's hands, just relax, and serve Him!"

Have a blessed day!

Days come, days go...

2008-08-08T14:53:00.009-05:00

So, it's been a little crazy on my end...I feel like you just can't catch up with time!! A few days ago I had my godson Valente II (Welly) here with his brother Sakiel, they are down here for the summer from Washington and spent the afternoon with me and my kids, we had a good time, I took them to the park to see the ducks, feed turtles and play at the playground and I think they had a good time...besides the heat of course...

Hector my son had such a great time with his cousins, and that's Marcus in the middle, he was visiting as well.
Then on Sunday the 3rd of August was my baby boy Aaron's first birthday. We have not yet had his "official" birthday party but had to celebrate such a memorable day...here are a few pix...

His godparents (Freddy and Mary) were unable to be here on his birthday but came over last night and brought his birthday gift, he just loves it, although he does not know how to work it yet!

I thank God for my husband and my family and for the life he has given me to this day, without Him I am nothing...

Baby Aaron...walking!

2008-07-28T23:34:00.003-05:00

Can't believe it's been a year already since I was in Washington for my brother Abner's wedding. I was 36 weeks pregnant when I flew up to WA to prepare for the wedding and lo and behold I began getting contractions early on and decided to see my previous Dr who delivered my first two children. While at the clinic Dr. Schroff told me I was beginning to dilate and I should not get on the airplane or I would go into labor for sure. So that meant I had to stay and deliver in WA. So August 3rd, 2007 I delivered my 5th child, Aaron Micheal Garza at Lady of Lourdes hospital, Pasco, WA. Aaron really never stops amazing me, as my last child I wanted him to be a baby forever...but that didn't happen, he started rolling over, then crawling, and at 10 months he was walking, now just a few days before his 1st birthday he's almost running me over, lol! He is just too cute, (I know you are probably thinking...well what else can she say it's her child,) but no really just look at this short video. Mijo is just a doll makes you want to eat him all up!

Anyways I was just remembering these days last year, I spent them at my brother Ben and Martha's house, to be closer to the hospital for when the time would come and they treated me like royalty! Thanks again guys, you guys are great, Hector my husband had to work away from home the last days and Ben and Martha were there with me every step of the way, couldn't have done it with out you! Abner and Maggie also offered for me to stay with them in their apartment, (but they were newlyweds, uh I don't think so, lol, thank you also, Mom and Mary were in the delivery room with me and it was just nice to have my family's support! I feel in debt with you all. I thank God for all of you...may God bless you always!

My Grandpa

2008-07-25T17:53:00.004-05:00

Aawww, yes family...what a pleasure it is to have them. This is my grandpa Chon, full name is Concepcion Valdez. I am very fortunate to have him, he is my only grandparent left and I have him living only minutes from where I live. I wish life was not as "busy" now days as it was before. Seems like life was so much sweeter back then. Like with family and life. Back when they used to sit on the porch every afternoon and just talk about life. We have so many things made easy for us now days, everything seems to be rushed. Hurry to the bank before 4:oo or the money won't go in tonight, go return the movie before 8:00, or you'll get a late fee, you better go get that car today because tomarrow the sale is over. Not to mention all the options for faster food...I mean down to the cheese, you can buy the block, slice, shredded, or even string! I even seen a can of chocolate that you push a button on the bottom and it heats up instantly!!! Wow, things are getting so crazy! Well, that's how my life feels at times with 4 kids. Time to feed them, clean them, play with them, teach them, and have time to clean the house, cut the grass and go to church! Well, my point is that I don't find as much time to go visit this special man as much as I wish I could.
All my life I have looked up to my grandparents for the example they have left behind. We can definitly only wish to live as long as they did and love as much as they have. My grandpa Chon aka: welito Chon is a great guy. He is currently assisting a Adult care center where he says he feels like he's at home. He has many friends there and he really enjoys going half of the day during the week. He showed me a pic of a recent King and Queen contest they had there, he was crowned King, soo cute!! I wish he knew how to send me the pic so that I could post it. Next time I go visit I will try to email it and post it here. He had the whole cape and tall crown, they went all out and well the queen I guess was his "friend" but he said she wasn't talking to him anymore...lol. Anyways, I love you welito and I thank the Lord for you. May God bless him with good health and more years to come.

My first blog!!

2008-07-24T17:40:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

Ok, so I didn't have a blog before and I tried blogging on my myspace and well that just wasn't working for me and my brother Ben (my oldest brother I may add) has been insisting and insisting on my getting one going...so here I go! I love to make you proud big bro, so this is for you Ben :)

Yesterday as you may all know was a major day in history here in the Rio Grande Valley. Hurricaine Dolly decided to come visit and make landfall about 75 miles east of my home here in TX. Going only 8 miles per hour at about 1:30 p.m. My sis-in-law Erika came over since the night before and brought her two kids so that we could ride out the storm together and we did. It was so nerve racking to think of what could happen in just one moment. Listening to the rain crash up on the windows like rocks was soo scary. But thank the Lord all is well and no major damage was done. While waiting and watching the news on TV, my little Brianna and her cousin Ethan played "ring around the rosie". They were just clueless as to what was going on in the world outside.

While we were inside chatting away and taking care of the kids, here are a few pix of what was happening outside.

This palm tree is over 4 yrs old and very heavy, I'm glad it didn't fall on my dad's van! I couldn't pick it up on my own my neighbor had to come help pick it up and straighten it. Anyways here are a couple more...

My next door neighbor's fence and basketball hoop pulled out from the ground...

And this is my little tree in the back yard, didn't stand a chance.

Anyways, we are thankful to God that this was all the damage and that nothing worse came. Thank you all for your concern and calls during the storm, really shows you all care!

Today has been pretty rainy and we are hoping to not have this happen again anytime soon!