My 1st born "baby" is 10! Double digits, the big 1-0 today! It really feels like just yesterday that I had him(all the mommies out there know just what I'm talking about.) I am already in tears writing this post because my boy is so special that it overwhelms me put into words how I feel about him.

So in brief his birth story:

I had a complicated pregnancy starting in my 6th month. It was discovered by my 7th month appointment that I had preclampsia. By month 8 I was on bed rest, (which I had no idea how to do), needless to say I didn't follow the doc's orders. So at 32weeks I was being seen twice a week for non-stress test. On Nov. 5th I went in for a routine non-stress test, only for the nurse to find NO amniotic fluid. They immediately sent me to Labor & Delivery, where they tried to induce, but my son was under too much stress, thus I gave birth to my boy November 6th, 2002 @ 10:06am.

My boy has been a joy to care for. His happy-go-lucky, charming, out-going personality has always been his character traits. Since he was a baby he would babble to people, and now he can hold intelligent conversations with people.He uses his out- going personality to glorify God. He loves to outreach and tell people about Jesus. He is confident about who he is. He is considerate, and always thinks of others before himself. He always gives his first sip or last bite to me,(one of the perks of being his mom).He is tough ,yet gentle.He is absolutely hilarious, sometimes the things his says and does sends me laughing for days.Gives me complements at the most unexpected but appreciated times. He is a good brother, he actually prayed for a sister.

Physically he is strong and stocky. He has huge feet and hands as big as mine. He loves to exercise, and is doing great in football, but his 1st love is baseball. He is extremely handsome(my opinion) with a baby face to melt his mothers heart whenever in trouble( which truthfully is not often). And a smile to light up a room.


So yes! I am bragging all over my baby because HE is that awesome to me! From my pregnancy to now I have always known God had a plan for my son. Since the day I found out I was pregnant I prayed for specific characteristics, and they  ALL can be found in him. God was good to me when he gave me Kaleo. So today I celebrate all 10years of my precious boy's life , who loves me more than I deserve. Happy Birthday Kaleo !!!!

Recovery

     So as some of you may know I had surgery on my left foot Aug. 2nd. It was the most painful thing  EVER! And what is more excruciating is being on complete bedrest (other than bathroom privileges) for 2 weeks! There is something just horrible about watching your family scramble around trying to do everything as you just sit back and lay helpless in bed. Really.... it's hard. Some people said "just enjoy it while you can." So in the beginning I was hopeful like " yeah this is gonna be great! I'll sit back, read books, journal write, find new recipies, listen to old sermons, blah, blah." Well just say the 1st week was so painful I was constantly taking my meds which made me extremely drowsy. So all I did was sleep. Kaleo stayed home to be my nurse/butler/maid/water boy/company =) And Milt took Camea to my mother-in-law's before work, because obviously I could not take care of her.

     I am now in week 2. The pain in slowly subsiding, and I am hobbling around on my heel with 1 crutch instead of two. I've had great help this week! Olivia came to help this week, which has been actually fun having her around. Kaleo and Livie have been bike riding, taking Camea out to play, having DS competitions, and of course cleaning, cooking, and helping me with whatever I need. Janey(The pastor's wife from Seal Beach) brought us dinner 2 nights which was a huge blessing, and very yummy =)
     While being stuck in the house I have pondered many things like.....

1) I miss my freedom, I actually love being able to do things for my family. Yes, even laundry and cleaning.

2.) I feel a greater burden to outreach. I'm anxious to interact with sinners, to see what God will possible do in their lives.

3.)Soaking up minutes, hours,days with my kids during these summer months. Just sitting back listening to their silly antics and innocent joy!


So being out of my normal life routine has showed me that all the times I might have complained of the day to day expectation of being a wife, mom, pastor's wife, I really do love my life. I have a God-fearing husband, 2 great kids, a handful-sized congregation that is growing in their faith, and my salvation still... to pray for those who still aren't saved.

Already a Year

July marks our 1st anniversary here in Lakewood,CA. July 4th will always be memorable because that is when we landed here. God has done so much this year! Although, the year flew by I know that we have made impact. We have a core family that is a great blessing to us, who were able to go to conference with us this past May.They caught the vision and love what we are a part of. My sister-in-law is sticking in strong. We have had friends and families visit and one couple who visited when we first got here have been coming out weekly. One lady and her family have been coming since an outreach our mother church did for us. So when we look at numbers they are not record numbers. But I rejoice because these are souls that last July did not know Jesus like they know him now! Glory to God! If they were to die they would make heaven their home!
It was a joy to be sent here. Even though their have been costs involved both monetarily and personally, it is all worth it! Recently there have been attacks on our congregation. Which I believe is due to the fact that we are moving into a new dimension with the signing of a lease on a church building/Store front. Pray for us here in Lakewood as we strive to build a church.

Lakewood Block Party
Independence Day
Celebration

Not a baby anymore

So.... Miss. Camea has an opinion. She likes this skirt. Even if it doesn't match, or even if she has already worn it 2 days in a row, she still wants to wear it. This cute top had little bloomers that still made her look like a baby, and was absolutely adorable. But she demanded to wear the skirt instead of the little pink shorts that "matched" it.

So... remember I said it made her look like a "baby". Well.... she has also informed us that SHE is not a baby and "THIS"(speaking of her doll) is a baby. And she is much bigger than the baby! Even though it is very cute to hear her say it, it is not as cute to realize it. I was listening to The FISH(our supposedly christian radio station, which I beg to differ, but that is a whole nother blog)and they were having parents call in to tell how special their kids were. But what really made me stop and listen is a lot of these parents were speaking of late teenagers or young adults. One mom said I cannot remember the day my son stopped calling me mommy..... but somewhere he did.... I immediately teared up, because I too cannot remember the day Kaleo stopped calling me mommy and I wish to remember when Camea does. When will I hear the last "mommy" come from her lips? Any comments? I would love to hear, if you have any stories of when your kids stopped calling you mommy.

And here's my big boy who doesn't call me MOMMY  anymore. But still gives me plenty of hugs, kisses and cuddles. I'll take all I can get because I'm sure that too will end eventually. :(

                             

Still in Love

Today marks 12 years of marriage with the only man I have ever loved. I can truly say each year I love my husband more. Even though we each find out more flaws about each other, I can say it is God who has kept this union intact. We celebrated our anniversary on Saturday in Laguna Beach. We had a great time hanging out at the beach and swimming at the pool. And even though it was less than 24 hours of just "us" time, I really cherished it.

 So just to keep it real.... No my husband isn't a hopeless romantic.... but I know he loves me. Ask me how I know? Because over the 12 years of being married he has tried to become a better husband. For example this year he said " on the way there lets just talk.... don't turn on the radio." I thought to myself, how sweet, then I panicked.... talk!? About what???! But I let him start the conversation and of course there was no problem after that. I can say over the years instead of falling into the trap of  letting little irritations ruin a good day, I have tried to look at the investment that could be made, instead of letting the devil take a withdraw.

So before this mini and I mean mini vacation, I decided to pray. Not that I don't usually pray for my marriage. But in my heart I knew that I had been very critical of my husband. Even though I think he is an awesome man of God and a great dad, funny, personable, generous, and just a fun person in general. I started to focus on the imperfections more than the good things. So I prayed, because I love my husband, and I received wise counsel years ago, which was this... you will never change your husband, but God can. And the truth is I love him just the way he is, because with my love and support  I know there is nothing he wouldn't do for me =)

Me and my Hubby

People Magnets

Look at my two cute-as-a-button kids. I love them to death! They already got tans from going to the beach once on Kaleo's 1st day of Spring Break. This was a picture taken of them on outreach at Cypress College. It's amazing how you can use your kids as magnets to get people to talk to you! LOL
 But besides using my kids as people magnets, I actually can say I need them more than I need to use them for anything. While on outreach I spoke to a lady who said she did not believe in Jesus. As a matter of fact her daughter (who was only 5), but in while I was asking her why she did not believe in Jesus. Her daughter said "Jesus was just a man, who did magic." I thought to myself wow!! So sad... this little girl who is so young already has such a ugly view of who Jesus is.To make a long story short she listened to me for about 15 minutes, very respectfully. I said the words God gave me, but she did not pray. But she was very open. I gave her my testimony and told her what a miracle human life was, and that God knows everything about us, more than our own parents. Of Course I said more, but at the end of our conversation I was left thinking what is more sad is that her children are set up to feel hopeless, and lost. 
I remember times feeling frustrated in my walk with God. But in my heart I knew I never wanted my kids to feel like their life did not hold purpose, or even to think that there was NO God. So long ago I made up my mind. 


#1 I will serve God no matter what life brings.


#2 That I would let my life be a testimony to people including my kids.


#3 That I would tell people about Jesus, so they could experience salvation and the goodness that comes along with it.


I thank God for the children he has entrusted to me. My prayer is that I will raise righteous children who will serve God all the days of their life. 






 

Happy Easter! Jesus is Alive!

Happy Easter everyone!

Well this year is the first time that I have had a holiday dinner at my house. And I have to say it went well. We had a normal morning service, followed with communion. Milton did a great job =) I had just a few things to reheat, since some of the dishes people brought needed to be warmed up. So we ate at a reasonable time which was my goal since I despise waiting forever to eat a meal that you get to smell for hours before you can actually eat it. We had plenty of food and lots of desserts. We had German chocolate cake, cupcakes, strawberry shortcake, peach cobbler, banana pudding,and tons of candy my sister-in-law brought. And guess who is left with all of it? Yup ME. So I am going to try to avoid the cakes like the plague. And I may even have an extra fellowship just so other people will come and eat this stuff. I hate to waste it when people took the time to make it, or even spent their money on it.

Usually for Easter and Christmas I like for my family to color coordinate. But this year I didn't exactly get to shop around for all of us. But it still worked out. Camea had a cute floral dress that all of us just kinda found something that wouldn't clash if in a picture with her.So I wore white and beige and after looking at the pictures I thought.... WOW do I need a tan or what?? But the sad thing is I was so busy running around (as most women know how that goes) that I didn't get in any pictures with my kids or husband. So how can I achieve both tasks next year? I will be pondering this till Christmas I'm sure.

Even after not seeing all the pictures I would have liked to have seen. I have great memories of today. This our 1st Easter in the pioneering field, and it went great. I thank God for his faithfulness.On Easter we are celebrating that the God we serve is alive! Everyday I know it is true because I speak with Him daily, and He has answered prayers, continues to move, and most of all I can feel His love for me and all of humanity.

Long Time Coming

Well I think I got this blogging thing down...kinda...sorta...a little. However, I am doing this so some of our friends and family can stay in the loop with what is going on with us, the church and anything I feel like writing about. I really wish I could have the time to call all my friends and tell them personally what's going on but since I can't,  this is a great idea(in my opinion). Please comment often so I know I am not just writing myself.=0

Here are some common questions people have asked us since we've been here:

How do we like it here?

Good,  the people are really open. Most people will listen to you and respect the gospel message. I bet you thought people we meaner and ruder in LA. Lol so did I. The traffic is really annoying though. So if you need a lesson in patience come and do an impact for us! Seriously there is nothing like San Diego. I really love it there, but I like it here too minus the traffic.

How are the kids adjusting?

Great! Most of you who know Kaleo, know that he is a social butterfly. He has made friends at school and has even invited a neighbor friend to church. Camea is bigger, smarter and... sassier than before we left Spring Valley. She is also 100% potty trained Yay now we are saving money from diapers. However she still has an expensive milk addiction.

How's Church going?

Really good! We have had people in service since our 2nd service which has been a real blessing. We are running between 15-20 people. We went on an impact team in February to Covina and brought 4 people with us. They were really excited to be apart of it. It was a great time! We also have been having visitors every Sunday since our mother church came to do an impact team for us in early February.


So.... this is the beginning of  our blog. Please leave comments. We love and miss all of our friends back at Spring Valley, we spent 13 great years there. We really do feel honored and privileged to be doing a work for God. So until next time....