Boys and Life

For whatever reason, I am loving this picture of myself. #1 is because my 3 year took it. #2 it was at a park where my kids were playing a goofy game of father may I (our friend's dad was in charge) and it was hilarious. #3 I look relaxed.
Life has been a little crazy and not in a bad way always, but none the less crazy. I have actually gone days without even getting near my computer except for work. So I am going to give you a snippet of what we have been up to.

My oldest boys are being home schooled this year (yes I am still working....a little crazy) So we went with some of our dear friends and ventured into Oak Glen. I praise the Lord I already had a "whatever" type of attitude because it was an adventure. I loved it. It was a little hotter than I like, but it was a welcome to fall. Here are the boys taking the obligatory picture for their mother. #4 is now 2 #2 is 6 #3 is 3 1/2 and #1 is 9 1/2. Cheesy smiles...
A couple of week my father in law came and worked around our house. He graciously made the boards to go around my garden so I can have a raised bed garden this next year. I also had to promise to deliver the tomatoes. Well, as you can see my boys see this as a giant mud pit. They dug a hole and filled it with water. It was a moment I could have freaked out and made them take baths immediately, but I chose to allow the moment to happen. (my husband was out that evening and it was just me) See how they are working together. I love it. I pray that they will learn how to be good friends and work together more often. There is something special about having a brother by your side especially when you are in the mud.

Here is a picture of all clean boys veggin' on the couch. (yes new couch...the other was nasty and it needed to go) This is how my boys spend a lot of time, in their underwear....which is less laundry for me :)

Our time as family is growing and I love watching them grow up yet I tend to mourn that sweet preschool time. #1 is an upper grader now...wow! #2 is reading so well...amazing! #3 can dress himself and match most of the time...awesome! #4 is starting to talk more and says things like "hi, mommy when I get him in the morning...precious!

My goal of late is to be a better mom...be in the moment...be present...lay down my agenda...surrender to God moving in my life....relax....love life....

What about you? What are you up to lately?

The Art of Fort Making

My husband and I were out one Friday evening for a date. While were gone our boys decided to make a fort. I must say that I was impressed with the durability of this one. It was so comfy that the older boys slept in it. We decided to not move them. They should get to enjoy the fruit of their hard work. Pay no attention to the condition of the couch. I can happily say that it is gone now and served us well (7 years for a very cheap couch). What cute brothers!

The back of the fort. See, pretty creative don't you think?

Boys and forts....so much fun...most of the time :)

First Day of School 2011-2012

This year we are trying something new with school. These boys have attended my school, but after some deliberation and hard decision making we are homeschooling them. Yes, I am still working and yes it is hard and we are still figuring it out, but let me say I already love it. (it is by no means the ideal, but we are learning to work with what we have) They go to a learning center two days a week. They have classes like life science, karate, computers, step up to writing, lego league, art (meet the masters), and some other fun things. They are learning lots. It will be an interesting year, but I think we might survive. (might....) I will keep you posted on how it goes.

Checking their schedules and seeing which line to line up in.

Laundry Races

Where have we been? Well, we have been doing laundry basket races of course. There is nothing more fun than using these baskets for everything but laundry. So #1 and #3 raced #2 and #4. On your mark, get set,GOOOOO!!!!!!!The drivers were having a good time as long as the race was clean and safe (no baskets toppling over)

Keeping it Real Again

This month has been a really tough one in many aspects. I have not faced harder life issues ever. Through it all my hope is to be real with my family and my friends. So when I am a mess, I admit it. When I'm not able to be perfect (who is?), I admit it. I fail frequently and ask for forgiveness when I do. My problem comes when I look at others and think how do they do it. I stole this from this blog.

I love it. We all are screwed up and messed up in some way. No one has it all together. Life is not about having it all together, but depending on the Giver of Life when humans mess up and hurt us or cause us harm. I'm so thankful that I don't have to have it all together....because I don't.

Keeping it Real

Just in case you had any questions about the fact that I am raising boys, here is photographic eveidence of their boyish ways. :)

A dip in the Ocean/ #1 gets baptized

So last weekend my oldest son was baptized. Let me explain what that means. The act itself does not guarantee that he is on his way to Heaven. It is a symbolic act showing what has been done with the heart. It is also why we don't baptize our children as infants. According to our tradition it is done after you have made the decision to follow Christ. Last summer, he made a decision to let God be in control of his life. It means that he recognized that there was nothing good in him unless it came from God. It was a special time to see him start to gain understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Adam and I believe that each of our children must make that decision on their own. We do not prompt them, but are open to answer questions and respond to what their hearts are feeling. This year our church, Sandals church, had their annual beach baptism. It was so amazing. Over 200 people did the symbolic act of baptism saying that want to follow God with all their hearts. Does this mean they are perfect and won't mess up? NO!!! For some reason people tend to think that Christians are perfect and that couldn't be further from the truth. The fact is we are doing the best we can relying on God to help us make the right decisions. We also know that God has sent his perfect son to die and cover all of our imperfections. It seems completely unfair and not right, but God loved/s us too much to allow us to die in our sins with no hope and purpose. I pray that my boys will learn to lean and develop the relationship with God. In all honesty it is the one thing that gives me hope when life seems to be in a downward spiral. My own efforts never amount to much, but when I work with God I find that I have the strength and clarity to make it through. Anyway, here are the pics.

Dad got to baptize him in the Pacific Ocean at Corona Del Mar.
It was cold, but good. (sorry about the guy in the pic, but you take what you get)


We spent the rest of the day enjoying the beach with friends and family. It was a great day.
Here is a funny video of #4 enjoying the waves.