Nothing new under the sun

Well, here they are...the infamous "baby eating...whatever" pictures! As I was snapping these pictures of my sweet Lily, I started wondering, "Why do we do this?" I mean, why do we think it's necessary to take a picture of our little precious wonders, covered in food? Is this cultural? I wonder if the prim and proper English have this same need to preserve their carrot-coated beauties forever in film? Maybe it's that we just ADORE our kids, and every new stage is something to never forget. Even though all of our other kids have done the exact same thing. And so have everyone else's kids. Yet, we all smile, and chuckle when we look back at the photos, as if it was something fabulously unique to our little genius. As Solomon recorded in Ecclesiastes, there is "Nothing new under the sun". Although his perspective was a futile one, he has a great point! Nothing happens to us, that hasn't happened to someone else, somewhere, at some point in history. That's really amazing when you think about it. And, to me, it provides me with a sense of comfort that there are others out there that have experienced my same joys and heartaches, ups and downs...I am not alone! So, sit back, and smile at my little Lily, covered in carrots and bananas...and remember that nothing that happens to you or I today or tomorrow takes God by surprise, nothing blows His theology, nothing knocks Him off His throne. Nothing.

Tonight was Joshua's last game of the regular season, and they won 19-6. Their tournament starts next week...and is sudden death, so it should be exciting. The Braves are in a three-way tie for second right now out of 12 teams. Here's some clips of Josh playing.

Surprise visit!

What a treat!! Uncle David came for a visit with Aunt Mireya and baby Rubi!! We were so happy to see them all, and finally meet David's beautiful wife and baby!

This is one of our two gardenia plants....to be honest, we have been so busy that we haven't had time to investigate into the types of shrubs that the builder placed at our house. So, you can imagine my surprise when I went outside today and saw this shrub in full bloom, and the scent...HEAVENLY!

The end of the fast...

Our church went on a 10 day fast, leading up to the day of Pentecost...and we, as a family, decided to fast sweets, sodas, sweet tea, and caffeine. It has been an especially tough 10 days for the kids, who LOVE their sweeties! They took the fast very seriously, and stayed away from anything sweet. Last night, on the way home from church, I had to stop for gas. Josh asked if he could use his money to buy a drink. He and Luis got out of the car, and Josh found $8.00 just lying on the ground in front of the car. He was so excited that he shared $2.00 (which is a major deal to Josh) with his brother. Then the three of them went into the market. The boys knew the fast was still on, so Jonathan got a fruit juice (100% juice) and Josh got what he thought was a white milk, but when he got into the car and drove away, we realized it was a vanilla milk...aka...sugar! So, Josh, with a sad face and tears, asked if we could return it. It was already 10:00pm...and we were halfway home, so I told him we couldn't. He knew he shouldn't drink it, but I told him that it was his decision. I was so proud of him when he stuck it in my purse and said, I'll save it for the morning! And that's just what he did.

These past ten days have been really good! The Holy Spirit has been moving mightily in our church this past week, and in us as individuals. Luis has had a breakthrough in his prayer life, I have felt a sense of order come into the house, and the kids have been eating their meals better and playing together better. I'm sure it's partly because I have completely cut out the sugars (as much as I could) from their diet, but I know that there is a spiritual aspect that can't be ignored. As a result, we have also made some new rules around the house regarding sweeties and the amount we consume. As a special treat, I made cupcakes this morning, while the boys were still asleep...and I let them have a cupcake breakfast!




Now that breakfast is over, our new rules are in effect! What a great experience this has been!

Of all my children, Lily is the one who loves her pacifier the most. She has learned how to even cough, while maintaining a tight jawlock on it. She has had this pacifier since the beginning, and she can tell the difference between it, and others that I have tried. We lost it for about 2 days one time, but I thought, no problem, I have others. Wrong. That was a sleepless night, followed by a very long day with hardly much of a nap. But I have to laugh, because every time she is sitting in her highchair, sucking the life out of her paci, she reminds me of Sam the Snowman with Burl Ives' voice in the Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer Christmas special.

Live or Die??

We went to the boys' baseball games yesterday. Jonathan plays at the Anderson Parks and Recreation location, just behind their facility. As we were heading to the field, we crossed under a tree that was full of berries...the only reason we noticed was that the ground was COVERED with ripe, juicy, dark red berries...thousands of them. We didn't realize they were there until we were half way under the tree, so we kept going. It was the strangest tree...the berries looked just like blackberries, yet, this was an enormous tree. Luis, being the adventursome lad that he has always been (and I am sure will always be!) decided he was going to eat some berries. He asked a passerby if the berries were edible, and the man said, "Why sure they are, I been eating them there berries since I was knee high to a grasshopper". (Translation for my northern friends: "Yes") So, Luis began to eat a bunch of them. About a minute later, another man walked up to Luis and said, "Them things are poison!". *silence* Luis looked at me and I looked at him. He dropped the berries that were in his hand. All the color drained out of his face. "A kid ate a handful of those berries last year, tore up his stomach and he 'bout near died" the gentleman continued. Luis and I just stood there, motionless. So I began to rattle off a few options...induce vomiting...go to the ER...and as we were discussing how to handle the imminent knock at death's door, we turned around to see an older gentlemen with two of his grandkids. They were under the same tree, and the grandfather was picking berries and giving them to his grandkids...one for him, two for them...they were gobbling the berries like there was no tomorrow. This grandfather seemed like he had been around the block a time or two before. I went over, and sheepishly asked the man if he knew what kind of tree that was. "Why, this is a huckleberry tree", he exclaimed between bites, "and the berries are perfectly ripe". Suddenly, the color came back to Luis's olive cheeks, and a smile to his face.

After some online investigation, I discovered that the tree was actually not a huckleberry, but rather a Mulberry...regardless, Luis is still alive and well, 24 hours later.

We love our avocados!! Lily tried some yesterday, and she loves them, too! I can't get the boys to even try them...I made a delicious guacamole on Sunday (Using my fresh cilantro from my little herb garden in a pot, an onion, salt and juice from a key lime), and they both just turn up there noses (I think it's the green color). Luis and I ate the whole thing! I was the same was when I first met Luis...HATED guacamole/avocados. Then, eventually, I kept trying them, and voila! Love them. I wish they grew around here, but *sigh* I'd need a greenhouse (and a green thumb)! They grow great down in Ixtlan...hmmm...road trip!



By the way, how do you like my view from the kitchen window??

Bath Time!!

Park Pictures

After our work day at church, we took a drive to Williamston, the next town over. We found a fun park for the kids, and snapped some shots. Lily even got in the swing for the first time!

So, I finally found new dishes that I love...since "Parra" means grapevine/vineyard, I wanted to go with that theme for the kitchen. So, here's one of my new plates (with my yummy lunch)...sappy, I know...

Jonathan's big boy haircut!

Jonathan got his hair cut at church (of all places) yesterday before our service. One of the men cuts hair for $8.00...I have to say this was the best haircut he has ever had, hands down. He looks so much older now...






Here's a picture of Jonathan and his buddy Matthew from church. They were "cruising" at the park the other day.

first word!

Date: Mother's Day, May 9, 2010

Time: Approximately 4:50pm

Witnesses Present: Luis, Josh, Jonathan and Myself

Setting:

We had just finished our Sunday Morning service (which was completely fabulous!) and our Mother's Day luncheon (equally wonderful...men cooked, served, and cleaned up...Mothers sat back and enjoyed being waited on!) and we were heading to the park with some friends from church. The weather was a perfect, breezy, 85 degree, sunny day. It was almost as if Lily knew it was a special day, and she should do something monumental. As though intuitively she felt that it was her place to present a gift to me on Mother's Day. So, being the incredibly brilliant little girl that she is, she waited until everyone was silent, and then she proceeded to opened her little mouth, and blurt out her very first word..."DADA"...



Lily, at the park, moments later...




Moms Day...El Nuevo Mana, Anderson, SC

Special pictures...nothing warms my heart more than to see my children being held by their Nani and Papa! Can't wait to see them soon!



Papa holding Josh in Arizona



Nani and Josh



Papa and Jonathan



Nani and Jonathan



Papa and Jonathan



Nani with Papa holding Lily, Hilton Head Island, Thanksgiving, 2009

Updated pictures

Here's two of our finished rooms...I am not much of a decorator, and I am trying to keep things simple and minimalistic...not easy for a pack rat like me! I'll get to the bedrooms soon. I just switched the boys to Lily's room, and set up the loft, so I need to organized it again. We are enjoying our place so much!

Baseball fever

Yes, we all have it...even Luis, who didn't really appreciate the game much, since soocer was always his thing. Josh's last game was his best yet. With a diving catch, three more outs, two triples, a double and a 2-run single, he was definitely on his game this past Tuesday! The spectators were cheering for him, and he got that sweet grin...I love the proud feeling I get watching him play. I think this is how my parent's used to feel watching us girls play ball. We were all really good...and we loved the sport, just like Josh does. I can still hear my Mom and Dad cheering me on from the bleachers...a sound that I will always treasure, and duplicate for my children. Imagine how much more God cheers us on from the sidelines?? Makes me want to do my very best for Him!

When we first moved in to our house, we headed to Lowe's to purchase some appliances. As usual, we ventured into the garden section. I just love to look at all the plants and flowers, and imagine how pretty our yard would be...of course, I only imagine because as soon as I bring something home and try to plant it, it always dies on me. So, we only "window shopped" that day, as Luis doesn't have much time right now to think about the landscaping here. Thankfully, the builder did some already, and we have a couple trees and some shrubs. We did, however, leave with one plant...a special request of Josh's. No, it wasn't delicate flower, or fragrant vine...it was a carnivorous Venus fly trap...a definite BOY plant!




Josh takes great delight in feeding his plant, although the directions say it is not necessary. I even caught Luis out in the kitchen (where the meat-eating plant resides) slowly lowering a fly into the steel caged designed trap to it's doom...I never had such sympathy toward a fly before. I have to admit, it is an interesting species of plant life. Let's just hope that it doesn't end up like the one in Little Shop of Horrors.

Funny Video

The kids and I went to garage sales while Luis cut the lawn this morning...found a super saucer for Lily...best $10 I have ever spent...she realized that she was standing on her own feet, and began to jump...and jump...and jump...cracked us up. Then the kids all got so silly (must be the Kellish side coming out!)




On a baseball note, Josh's team has won 3 and lost only one so far this season. Josh has been hitting great, and playing short stop. His coach told him the other day that he'll probably be selected for all-stars. We are very proud at how well he has done!