Better late than never!

So I am finally updating my blog after many moons of silence (you're welcome, Mom!) Life has just gotten so busy and we have gotten caught up with it. We have celebrated 2 birthdays, survived back to school shopping and Lily starting Kindergarten, and soccer season starting, just to name a few. Here are some pictures of a what has been keeping us busy! (in random order, because it would take me hours to organize them!!

Our yearly 4th of July beach trip to the lowcountry is one of our favorite summer tradtions!

Belton Elementary Skate Night was a huge success at the brand new skating rink in Belton!

First day of school-8th grade,5th grade and 5K!

Josh caught a shark on Coosaw Island!

Handsome Jon

Jon won awards for the highest ACT scores in Math and English in his whole grade....smarty pants!

Hotel pool fun-Josh is a super big brother, and Lily takes advantage of it all the time!

Hippie Day at BES,,,he wears my shirt better than I do!

Chilling at the pool

Jon at Hunting Island

Josh enjoying the ocean

Josh is officially the tallest in the house!

Great time at the beach!

Lily's school picture (proof)-Orders should be in soon!

My baby turns 6!

Lily and Athena...sweet friends!

Lily at her new school

Beach beauty

Loves her girly clothes

Jon being Jon....happy birthday Lily!

Way to go, Lily!

Stopping for a little Italian food...

Luis dancing on the beach-love this man and his ability to always make us laugh!

fish at the hotel

Back to school shopping fun

my heavenly view on a much needed summer vacation

A Mother's Breakfast Lesson

A Mother's Breakfast Lesson.

This Mother's Day, I told my children I would make them whatever they wanted for breakfast. They all excitedly shouted out different meals, which reminded me how unique and special they each are, and to remember this when I am tempted to treat them all the same way.

Lily sang out, "Egg with a yolk on toast!". Once the pan was hot, added a bit of oil and carefully broke the egg into the pan. She doesn't like her yolk to break, so I had to be extra careful when I flipped it. This reminded me how delicate and fragile my sweet girl is...to handle her with care and protect her from things that would try to break her spirit.

Jonathan piped up and asked for French toast. This reminded me how complex my middle son is. How he required more time and attention. How he is a mixture of sweetness and spice, and he is not afraid to be different.

Josh asked for cheese grits (even though I found out later that he had already eaten a bowl of cereal before I woke up). This reminded that first and foremost, he is growing and becoming a man. How even when I am not looking, he is maturing and changing. Also, that he might try to have a tough gritty exterior, but with a little warmth and time, he's really just a softy inside. He is a comfort to this mama's soul. I love him more with each year that passes.

Then, I made Luis' breakfast....he ate a little bit of everything which reminded me without this man, I would not have been blessed with my three treasures. Each one of them has a part of their father-his spicy side, his complex side, and his tender side. I can not love my children without loving their father, because they are all intertwined.

Who knew that making breakfast could teach me so much, and remind me of how blessed I am!!

Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a Mom. Help me to raise them to love deeply, care for others selflessly, but above all to follow You always!

Random photos from 2015

My sweet Jonathan loves his long hair...Mama does too!

Jon came in 3rd place for his entire school in this year's spelling be. His last work was savvy....tough one!

We've had some beautiful spring weather already and ventured out to the park

First day of soccer....it was freezing and tiring, but they are so glad to be playing again!

Josh is playing JV soccer as a 7th grader. He is a starter and plays right wing (offense and defense). We love to watch him play! 

Josh behind the goalie

Josh ready to play with Starr Recreation against CESA in Greenville

Josh made the sports page of our local paper while at his first ever JV game!

Taken last year, but I just love this picture of my princess

At the skating rink for her friend Trinity's birthday party

My fuzzy wuzzy, before he shaved it all off....so handsome with or without the beard! 

September through December

Wow, this year is almost gone! We have been so busy between work, outreach and soccer that there hasn't been much time for anything else. The boys have been doing very well in school as well. Josh has joined Fellowship of Christian Athletes. They both made A/B honor roll, and I am continuously receiving positive comments about them from their teachers. Liliana has come out of her shell a little more and is looking forward to Kindergarten next year. Hard to believe how quickly the time goes by. Here are the highlights from the end of the year-it's been a great year, and I am so thankful for my wonderful family (both near and far) to share it with!

Lily grew to love soccer (after the first game where she told us she hated it and wanted to quit), and she actually did pretty well for her first season ever! She's ready for next season already!

Opening presents-she's 5!

Lily turned 5 this year, and we celebrated with Chuck E. Cheese. (Who has an enormous head!). Lily loved Chuck E....from a distance. Close up, she didn't care for him too much. She must take after her Mom! :)

Her birthday consisted of all things "Frozen". She is crazy about that movie, and Elsa is her favorite character. She is still trying to convince me to let her dye her hair white like Elsa. Not happening!

Josh had a crazy soccer season this fall. He joined a team that played on Saturdays in Greenville against CESA (Carolina Elite Soccer Academy) and it was a U19 club team, which basically means that everyone playing was a lot older than Josh. It was a huge challenge for him, and at times he was very intimidated, but he learned so much this season. 

His lost most of his baby face....growing up so fast! He turns 13 next month!

This is a crazy picture because not once did Luis ever sit in this game during any soccer game. Mainly, he paces while the game is being play, praying for a victory for his kids. What a great soccer Dad! This must have been between games while he was taking a break! He loves to watch his kids play!

Intense during his game. Soccer runs deep in this family's blood!

Jonathan cheering on his big brother at the state tournament. Looking forward to playing on this team next year!

Josh getting ready to head the ball. 

I found a Mer-Man at the beach-and brought him home with me!

Stopped at Coligny Beach in Hilton Head after the tournament with some teammates. It was freezing!

 Aunt Mary Beth surprised him by coming.... 

...and so did the Montejos! It was a great weekend!

Outreach at Hinter's Park Apartments

At the end, he was asked by his coach to play on a U12 team (his age) in a tournament where they ended up being the runners up in the South Carolina State Recreation and Parks Association tournament in Hilton Head. They played 4 games on one Saturday, and he did fantastic! It was nice to see how far he has come in his skills.

One thing that I LOVE about where we live is that we get almost (almost) as pretty fall foliage as in New York. 

This game was played at 8AM and 30 degrees....yes, we are officially crazy soccer fanatics!

The Apple Festival in Hendersonville, NC. Kids had fun. Luis and I have now "been there, done that"...

Jonathan, Eli and Carson...Midnight Madness' Dream Team. They were so fun to watch because they pass extremely well and really use teamwork. They were the top scorers this season!

Josh and his buddy Josue. At the end of this season, Josue's family moved away. We were so sad to see him go, but amazed at the transformation we saw in him from the beginning of the season to the end. The love of Jesus touched these kids in our Outreach and Resources ministry at Redemption. 

Lily's first real hair cut. She looked so cute and grown up, but I missed her beautiful long hair. Good thing it will grow!

Luis and some of our Outreach kids. We had a blast sowing into these kids this season!

Our cat, Misty. Part cat, part spider, part monkey. She climbs the Christmas tree also, She's a mess, but we love her just the same!

Jonathan with Tina, our newest member of our Outreach team. She fell in love with this ministry the first time she came! We love her!

Lily with a couple of the kids that work in Outreach with us

Jonathan was recognized along with some other students at the District Office Monthly Meeting for achieving a perfect score on his Math portion of his PASS test (Standardized testing)

Does this surprise you that Jonathan picked ZANY for his word for Vocabulary Day? No, not us either. He came in first place in his grade! Such a comedian!