Already Outdated Easter Pics ;)

Last pic as a family of 4 :)

2 (of my now 3) cuties on Easter

Adorable...but missing a lil' someone

39 weeks 4 days -- She was playing shy ;)

Me and my sweeties on Easter

See what I mean?! These pics are from just last week, but they are already outdated. They are missing my newest little peanut. At least from a more photogenic angle. ;) And the last month or so, I was all convinced that I would surely have my little Brenna girl before Easter and would be able to dress her up, etc.

But, I forgot one little detail. She is a female. As such, she has already begun the practice of arriving "fashionably late". Of course, her grand entrance was truly right on time, just the way that God had planned it. It couldn't have went better or more smoothly. I wouldn't change a thing. My labor progressed manage-ably and quickly and hubby was right there beside me every moment. My poor friend, Angela, got stuck holding the bags and never made it into the delivery. My doc. showed up about 2 min. too late. Brenna and I certainly didn't care. She came out to meet the world at 4:00 p.m. on the dot the day after Easter and mommy and daddy couldn't be happier. She's the picture of perfection with 10 tiny fingers and toes and a healthy set of lungs. She is finally nestled in my arms. All is right and good.

Here she is in her "almost Easter dress"

Sleepy smile! ♥

Getting up there...

I know I have been waaaay out of touch lately...between nasty sinus cold and equally nasty morning all day sickness...it has been a rough month or 2. Thankfully, at 14 weeks today, I think I/we are on the mend. It's so good to feel good! :)

Ok, now I am going to admit it...It's my birthday. And here you thought it was just Columbus Day. My mom says that Columbus discovered America and that when I was born I discovered a new world of my own, too. Corny, I know. That's how we roll in my family. :)

Anyway, don't worry if you didn't know/remember...I am not offended...honest. {lol}

Laying all seriousness aside, I am not digging for compliments or birthday wishes. I have actually been very pleasantly overwhelmed with them today and am feeling very content and blessed as I sit here enjoying these precious moments of quiet. {Happy sigh} Peace and reflection...it does one good, don't you agree?!

Anyways, I was thinking back over my {28...sssshhhhhh!} years of life. My, but the Lord has surely been good to me. Sounds cliche, but it's so true. The older I get the more I understand this and the more I have to be thankful for.

So, here's my birthday thankful list--in no particular order and by no means complete either.

• Parents that first, love the Lord and each other enough to stick together and provide me with a wonderful, stable Christian home to grow up in--40 years and counting!!
• A loving church family that cared about a little 5 year old girl and other kids like me enough to have VBS and lead me to my Saviour
• An amazing husband that takes care of me and our babies and treats me waaaaaaay better than I deserve {after all, just putting up with me is a chore!}
• All my family and friends across the globe that sent me birthday greetings and have made me feel so loved and special today
• The joys of being a mother and watching the world through my littles' eyes
• Hugs, squeezes, pats, "uga-mugas", kissies, and lots of "Happy Birtdays" from my darlings ♥
• A gorgeous bouquet of fall-colored flowers that presently graces my table                                          {I told ya he spoils me! ♥}
• Having my health and energy back {well, it's getting there, anyways}
• The beautiful unborn child that grows within me, whom I already love and can't wait to me ♥
• Rain drops on the roof, and not in my house ;)
• The privilege of being a missionary here in Argentina and witnessing his never-failing hand of grace and mercy in my life....there's just something about living thousands of miles away from your continent, country, family, language, etc., etc., that gives you a new outlook on life and dependence on the Lord in the so many things that you used to take for granted
• God's protection on me and my family, both here and afar
• Opportunities to grow and serve in my church here and a wonderful group of ladies who are such a blessing and help to me
• 28 years of LIFE, may I live everyday to the fullest for HIM!!

The list is endless, my heart is full...good night, dear friends!

We ♥ Our Papa!

 Oh yes, we sure do! I know, you are probably thinking, "Papa???!!?? Are you talking about their grandpa or what?" Let me explain. If you haven't figured it out yet, we are a little scatter-brained, mixed up and confused on languages around here. {Be very thankful that I proofread my posts before sending them out into bloggy land or they probably would not be decipher-able!} Well, it's not just me, it gets passed on to my kiddos and they don't know the difference. They think that the crazy use of 2 languages interchangeably mid-sentence is completely normal. Don't worry--Clara has no problem speaking either one fluently and Ethan is on the fast track, too. So the point is, in Spanish, the word for daddy is papá {accent on the 2nd syllable}. Therefore my kiddos, both of them, call their daddy "Papa" {accent on the first syllable, kind of a mixture of Sp/Eng.} at least 50% of the time. Honestly, I think it is about the sweetest thing ever and I love to hear them say it with so much love in their little ♥s for their papa!

Kiddos with their Papa on Father's Day!

Clara was very excited about all the special things we had planned for Father's Day and even kept our present a secret. Good thing we just bought it on Friday, nevertheless, pretty impressive that she held out that long! :)

Papa with his "Toolbox" card

Papa's "Tools"

Clara and I made this for papa while he was at the teen activity on Sat. Quick, easy and turned out cute!
One of the tools says, "We couldn't have 'built' a better dad!

Reading his "Dad Facts" Sheet ;)

 
We tucked the "Dad Facts" Sheet into daddy's toolbox, too. He got a kick out of reading some of Clara's answers. Such as:
Daddy weighs: 5 lbs.
He loves to:  Work on some things.
What I love most about my daddy is: I love him because I have a ♥.
It makes Dad happy when I: obey! {yep, she's got that one down!}

Papa with his present--a work/casual watch

Papa's new scarf

 This was our Sunday School project and present for Father's Day. {It's winter down here, remember?!} Fleece scarves with their kid {or kids, in my case ;) } hand prints on them, and it says "Papa, I ♥ U!" Isn't that the sweetest thing?! Then when they wear it, everyone can see how much their kiddos care about them! ♥

Here's all the fun crafts, including the nice "shirt and tie" cards that we also made in Sunday School class. The kids loved gluing little pieces of paper on the tie to decorate it for papa!

I would say we did alright in spoiling our Papa for Father's Day. And if anyone deserves it, he sure does! He is an amazing husband and father to our kiddos. He takes time for the kids, playing and tickling and wrestling and loving them, everyday. He takes care of our every need and puts us before himself.  He makes us feel special and wanted and loved. We want him to feel the same way, too! WE ♥ U, Papa!

Dad's Day Ideas

Father's Day is upon us...Let's let those amazing guys in our lives know how much we love and appreciate all they do. How they work hard to "bring home the bacon". How they protect us and guide us in every way.

Lookin' for some quick, easy, inexpensive gifts/crafts to do with your kids for Father's Day? I sure was. Dads always seem to be so difficult to buy/make for. They don't get into all that nice, frilly, impractical stuff like us girls do and, what do they really need/want? Even harder, what do they want that doesn't cost a fortune {or 2} and is possible for my kids to make.
Well, this is what I have found. I think they are some pretty good options that Daddy-O is sure to enjoy/get a kick out of!

Dress Shirt and Tie card

This one is great because it comes with template, instructions, and even a cute poem. Check it out HERE.

Toolbox Card

This Toolbox comes with easy instructions and template for your "tools", too! Go HERE to find out more!

Dad Facts Sheet

This is just a little "fill in the blank" page of stuff you can ask your kiddos about their daddy. Let's see what they really think of him; ages 2-5 will probably give you the most entertaining answers! You can get your own HERE!

Dad, we love you to PIECES!!

Isn't this sweet?! For my PB candy lovin' hubby, this will go over great! You can even download the cute little tag HERE.

Hope this helps! Or maybe you have an idea of your own to share? Please do, I will take all the creative inspiration I can get! ;)

7 Years = Perfection!

 This is me. 7 years ago {tomorrow}. Walking down the aisle to say "I DO"....

...To this wonderful man that I get to call my husband.

Sometimes, I don't say much about him, especially as there always seems to be some funny, cute little thing that the kiddos are doing to write about. But the truth is, somehow I just can't seem to find the words when it comes to this man. He completes me and meets my needs. He loves me and puts up with my moods and hair-brained ideas. When I get caught up in the middle of my latest project, he is there to step in and help keep things going. He is so special and gives of himself to me everyday.

 I was 20. He was 23. We were young and in love...

 And WE STILL ARE!!! 

...and they lived "Happily Ever After"!

Now I realize, that although "7"  is the number of perfection, that we have not quite attained yet. ha! But, that's why I am "in the making", remember?! We are working on it, little by little, day by day. Plus, I look at it this way~~although neither Matt nor I are perfect, although our marriage is not perfect, we are most definitely perfect for each other and there's no one I would rather strive for perfection with! ♥

And in the lives of missionaries there is no such thing as "a dull moment." We have lived through/enjoyed many things together already, such as:

1. I finished and graduated from Bible college
2. Deputation--traveling for mile after mile, with only each other as company, if you still like each other when the ride stops, you are doing good! lol!
3. Birth of Clara Grace in the midst of deputation
4. International move
5. Birth of Ethan Matthew in the first year of living on the field
6. Learning and adapting to another language and culture--still working on this!!
7. Teaching and preaching in Spanish
...just to name the "Big" things!

Praying for many more "perfect" years together with my "perfect for me" man! Such a joy, not only to go through life together, but to serve the Lord and raise children for Him, side by side, hand in hand!

♥ I love you, babe! Happy "Perfect" Anniversary!!!  ♥

Baby Brother Brag Post

My brother, Adam, at his Marine Corp. Boot Camp graduation, 2007

Meet my {little} brother, Adam. Well, he is younger than me and was little once upon a time. To me, he will always be my little brother. You know the kind that drive you crazy, chase you around the house and beat you up, embarrass the living daylights out of you (whatever "living daylights" are?! idk ha!) and generally think it is the #1 priority in their job description to annoy you. Yeah, one of those kind of little brothers. Anyone identify with that?! I am sure you get the idea. 

On the other hand, growing up he was always the first one to stick up for me or lend a helping hand when I needed one. He put up with my torturous, manipulating ways {like swapping dishes duty for me to play a game with him}. I have many good memories of setting up the tent in the backyard and "camping out" with him or of tossing the baseball or playing football catch for hours. (Tip--when you are on opposite sides of the yard from each other it is much harder to get into a fight! ;) The list goes on as my mind recalls all the crazy, silly, goofy brother-sister things, we used to do.

As for you, you may call him, Marine. Protector. Defender of Freedom and Old Glory. He stands for a cause, our cause. Where we enjoy the freedoms, he fights to keep them firmly in place. Where we live in comfort, he lives in the midst of conflict. Where we know peace, he sees pandemonium. {yes, that's my big word for the day}.

Because today he doesn't sit safely within our country's shores. But rather is found, in the scorching desert somewhere in the middle of nowhere, in Afghanistan. He is sweating it out and doing it happily, because there's a job to be done. He doesn't just recognize that fact, as so many do, but goes above and beyond. He fulfills the need. He stands in the gap. He does it for you. He does it for me. He is one of many. They call themselves soldiers, we call them heroes!

So, you can see why my ♥ swells with pride today. On this day when we remember the fallen and the faithful. Those who have paid the ultimate price and those that are serving us now and willing to pay it, too.

My mom with her "soldier boy"

 

My little bro., me, and Clara at 5 months

"I have never been able to think 

of the day as one of mourning; 

I have never quite been able to feel 

that half-masted flags

were appropriate on Decoration Day.  

I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, 

because those whose dying we commemorate

rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it.  

We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did."

  ~Benjamin Harrison

 

"They fell, but o'er their glorious grave
Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save."
~Francis Marion Crawford

   

I have to admit, he looks handsome in his uniform.

Lil Bro. and your fellow soldiers~ Thank you for all you do on my behalf. For walking the rough road so that I will never have to trod it. For bearing the burden so that my shoulders do not have to carry it. For standing in the gap and doing what I cannot do. For protecting me, my loved ones, and the freedoms we hold dear. For your service and sacrifice, I thank you. There truly are no words to express my gratitude. You are my heroes. With love and prayers~ Your sis and supporter God bless America and Happy Memorial Day!

Easter Egg Frenzy, Food and Friends!

 Monday morning, Clara woke and the first words out of her mouth were, "Mom, guess what day it is?!!! It's EASTER!!" Her excitement was just busting from every pore. Of course, we know that Easter was on Sunday, and believe me, I did try to explain that to her. However, in her little almost-4-yr.-old-brain, Easter = Easter Egg Hunt at our missionary friends' house. So we packed up the kids and the food {scalloped potatoes and ham and apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies--so good!} and the eggs, both plastic and the real-deal, and headed out for a great day of fellowship!

It has been such a blessing and encouragement to me and my family during this first few years of learning and adjusting to life in Argentina to have so many missionary friends close by. To be able to get together and share one another's burdens and remember that we are not the "only ones" fighting these battles, I do NOT take for granted. No one can understand you and what you are dealing with better than someone in your own profession/field. I am thankful that the Lord has given us such a great support system, not only in the States, but also here among fellow missionaries.

Here's a few pics of the "mighty hunters" ha!

Searching, ever searching...

Ethan truly was a hunter, he found this plastic sword and that interested him much more than eggs

"Sure, now that we want to take a pic you notice the eggs!"

That's a little better {GRIN}

My sweeties!

The whole {motley} crew of Easter Egg hunting MKs

What's this?!

American JELLY BEANS--YUM!!

 You know your kids are not from the States, when.......she looked up at me and said, "Look Mom! Gummies!" My child doesn't even know what jelly beans are, but she still knew what to do with them. haha!

Inspecting their "loot"

The "Spoils" :)

{And yes, I did go through the plastic eggs and make sure that I took home the same amount that I brought. Those are not just eggs, but precious little plastic treasures from the States that cannot be found here. I was so excited to have some of my own plastic eggs to bring this year!}

We also had an extra special blessing in meeting some new missionaries at the get-together. So neat to see more fellow-laborers entering the needy harvest fields of Argentina. They are a sweet family that truly have a heart to minister here. And as an added bonus, we are officially not the "newbies"  down here anymore. {Wink}

P.S. My sweet little Clara woke up with the stomach flu today and has not been able to keep anything down, please pray that she will rebound quickly and not get dehydrated. :S Thank you!!

Precious LIFE

LIFE--such a beautiful, fragile thing.

I am thankful for:

My crazy, helter-skelter life filled with diapers and spills and kiddos to snuggle and love.

Cleaning, and cooking and the {never-ending} mound of laundry.

That I have a sweet hubby and kiddos to share it with.

I am glad that the Lord and my parents chose life for me.

I am glad that the Lord and hubby and I chose life for our kids.

I am grateful that the Lord allowed us to have them as a precious gift and responsibility and that that time is not over yet. The Bible tells us in James 4, life is no guaranteed, sure thing. I have had 1,417 days days with Clara and 431 days with Ethan. I wouldn't trade 1 of those days for ANYTHING and I pray that I have many, MANY more. So I am thankful for all the days that I have had with my kiddos and for today, because I don't know about tomorrow.

And, of course, with Easter weekend just past, I am glad that Jesus Lives!! If He had no life, I would have no life. Simple as that. He did not only choose to die for my sins, but He rose in victory over sin and death! The fires of Hell will never touch me, and its all because He paid the ultimate price on Calvary. My Saviour died, rose again, and is ALIVE just waiting for the lost to trust in Him.

I am thankful that I have New Life in Christ. Without Him, where would I be? What a sobering, scary thought! I am very happy that I don't have to dwell on this, because I will never know. My new life started at the so-young-and-innocent age of 5 when I accepted Jesus as my Saviour. My life has never been the same.

From that day on He has walked beside me. Faithful. Constant. My Saviour, my Friend, my Guide and Protection, and the list is endless. Loving me with his never-ending, never-failing love. IN SPITE of me and all I am {and He is the only One who really knows}. He still loves me and chose to give His life for mine, so that my life could truly begin. Amazing!

My "Full of Life" kids on Easter! I am BLESSED!!