I started running in the mornings. I'm getting up at 6 AM five days a week and running. If I would have known how much I would love it, I would have started a long time ago. Yes, the alone time is relaxing. The exercise is refreshing and energizing. The weather is perfect. The morning sun, the blooming flowers, it's all so peaceful. Yet that isn't just what I started loving so much about it. My first day of running I turn the corner out of our track and I start music on my iPod. And no joke, this is the first song that comes on.... (press play)
Yes, cheeseball, I know. But that's what happened. And it just set the mood for my whole run. Into marvelous light I AM running. Out of darkness, out of shame. By the cross You ARE the truth, You ARE the life, You ARE the way. I spent my whole jog worshipping Him. And thanking Him for the place He has brought me to in my life... to where I am desiring to glorify Him, to be the wife and mother He has called me to be. For blessing me with a husband who is the spiritual leader in our family. A husband that holds his wife's and daughter's hands and prays. Who encourages, serves, loves and appreciates me. Who makes it a joy to serve him. And for 2 beautiful and healthy daughters. And all of this only makes me want to know Him more. And read His word more. Which results in more glorification of Christ and more blessings. It's a beautiful cycle to be caught up in.
"I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 8:12
So I love how simple it is- running. Into marvelous light.
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Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Words of Wisdom (by Victoria)
February 8, 2010
"I want to go to outer space."
February 18, 2010
All of us are at a restaurant for lunch. V pulls a fork out of the napkin wrap and starts brushing her hair then excalims "I brush my hair like Ariel!"
March 5, 2010
After I kiss her goodnight... "Mommy, you have a cute tongue!"
April 13, 2010
We are planting flowers in our front yard. V puts on her princess gardening gloves to help. After a few minutes of helping us pack dirt around the freshly planted flowers, I find her in the house washing her princess gardening gloves in the bathroom sink "cause they got dirty."
May 10, 2010
V is jumping on the couch cushions, falls and does a backwards somersault. Hops back up and shrugs her shoulders saying, "It's all part of the plan, more or less."
May 28, 2010
After Sophie keeps pushing buttons on the tv and messing up the movie that was on... "I got an idea Mommy. We should put sissy in her highchair. She won't push the buttons anymore."
June 2, 2010
"You're so weird Mommy."
"I want to go to outer space."
February 18, 2010
All of us are at a restaurant for lunch. V pulls a fork out of the napkin wrap and starts brushing her hair then excalims "I brush my hair like Ariel!"
March 5, 2010
After I kiss her goodnight... "Mommy, you have a cute tongue!"
April 13, 2010
We are planting flowers in our front yard. V puts on her princess gardening gloves to help. After a few minutes of helping us pack dirt around the freshly planted flowers, I find her in the house washing her princess gardening gloves in the bathroom sink "cause they got dirty."
May 10, 2010
V is jumping on the couch cushions, falls and does a backwards somersault. Hops back up and shrugs her shoulders saying, "It's all part of the plan, more or less."
May 28, 2010
After Sophie keeps pushing buttons on the tv and messing up the movie that was on... "I got an idea Mommy. We should put sissy in her highchair. She won't push the buttons anymore."
June 2, 2010
"You're so weird Mommy."
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
A "Wicked" Good Time
As Frankie's Christmas gift for me, he forfeited his gift and spent it all on two airline tickets for Boston. We were going to visit the Marinellis. In November 2006 my Aunt Kendall, Uncle Bob, and their (at the time) 3 children moved from Corona, CA to Massachusetts. Them and their now 4 children are greatly missed by us here in California. V is the same age as their youngest, Vincent. And they had never even met Sophie. Frankie could not have given a better Christmas gift to me... and our family. So on April 21st we took off from LAX at 7:15 AM. The girls did wonderful for the flight.
Sophie snoozed twice in my arms. They snacked, watched Mickey Mouse and Finding Nemo on a portable dvd player. --------->
It was actually not as bad as I dreaded. Just over 5 hours later we were landing in Boston, MA.
Of course, there was a home-cooked meal and 4 excited children there to greet us. The whole next day was spent hanging out outside, in beautiful weather. V jumped her little heart out on the huge trampoline, while Sophie was content being chauffeured by Gemma in the barbie jeep.
The next day we all ventured out to the Yankee Candle Factory - holy cow - the coolest place on earth!! If you've never been I can't explain it, it's just awesome. The kids had a blast, especially at the fudge shop where they made every kind of fudge you could possibly fathom.
The next day was a bbq, and lots of relaxing outside - again, beautiful weather! The kids made a huge mud pit with a trinkling hose and had a blast.
Then came Sunday... Frankie and I were leaving the girls in Hubbardston with my mom and aunt and the kids, so we could go into the city of Boston and stay for 2 days. Other than leaving Sophie for the first time ever, I was ecstatic. I bent down to hug and kiss Sophie goodbye, and as odd as it sounds, it was like she knew. She just stared into my eyes so seriously, yet sweetly, and then snuggled with me for a minute (as I began to bawl of course). I kissed and hugged V bye, who I don't think could have cared less where I was going, as long as she was still hanging out with her cousins.
Our time in Boston was indescribable. We both completely fell in love with the city. From a game at Fenway park, to the INCREDIBLE Italian food, to the subways, walks through Boston Common, to the amazing history there... from beginning to end AWESOMENESS.
After getting back from the city, it was wonderful seeing everyone again. We spent our last night at Pizza Palace. That was fun. Even though Pizza Palace is the only pizza place in Hubbardston, it IS Hubbardston. :) I think we saw one other family there. And since there were so many of us we went into the back party room and the kids had so much fun. Especially when spending probably a total of $10 in quarters on the claw machine to finally grab an elephant which V brought home and named Tiny.
Goodbyes were heart-wrenching. But we cherished our time there and made unforgettable memories. And we so much look forward to the next time.
The flight home.... well, don't really want to talk about that. 6 hours + kids on Boston time + evening flight + very cranky baby who could not go to sleep = bringing mommy and baby to tears in the cramped airplane bathroom. NOT good times. We made it through crazy LAX at 9:00 at night with 2 exhausted kids- one a cranky baby and the other a constipated 3 yr old. Aye aye aye. But we survived and as always it was good to be home. Bed at 11:00 that night NEVER felt so good.
Thank you Frankie for the incredible gift. Thank you Marinellis for opening your home to add more craziness, yet more fun. ;)
V thanks God for you every night in her prayers. We miss you all and love you very much, can't wait to see you again.
Sophie snoozed twice in my arms. They snacked, watched Mickey Mouse and Finding Nemo on a portable dvd player. --------->It was actually not as bad as I dreaded. Just over 5 hours later we were landing in Boston, MA.
Of course, there was a home-cooked meal and 4 excited children there to greet us. The whole next day was spent hanging out outside, in beautiful weather. V jumped her little heart out on the huge trampoline, while Sophie was content being chauffeured by Gemma in the barbie jeep.
The next day we all ventured out to the Yankee Candle Factory - holy cow - the coolest place on earth!! If you've never been I can't explain it, it's just awesome. The kids had a blast, especially at the fudge shop where they made every kind of fudge you could possibly fathom.
The next day was a bbq, and lots of relaxing outside - again, beautiful weather! The kids made a huge mud pit with a trinkling hose and had a blast.
Then came Sunday... Frankie and I were leaving the girls in Hubbardston with my mom and aunt and the kids, so we could go into the city of Boston and stay for 2 days. Other than leaving Sophie for the first time ever, I was ecstatic. I bent down to hug and kiss Sophie goodbye, and as odd as it sounds, it was like she knew. She just stared into my eyes so seriously, yet sweetly, and then snuggled with me for a minute (as I began to bawl of course). I kissed and hugged V bye, who I don't think could have cared less where I was going, as long as she was still hanging out with her cousins.
Our time in Boston was indescribable. We both completely fell in love with the city. From a game at Fenway park, to the INCREDIBLE Italian food, to the subways, walks through Boston Common, to the amazing history there... from beginning to end AWESOMENESS.
After getting back from the city, it was wonderful seeing everyone again. We spent our last night at Pizza Palace. That was fun. Even though Pizza Palace is the only pizza place in Hubbardston, it IS Hubbardston. :) I think we saw one other family there. And since there were so many of us we went into the back party room and the kids had so much fun. Especially when spending probably a total of $10 in quarters on the claw machine to finally grab an elephant which V brought home and named Tiny.
Goodbyes were heart-wrenching. But we cherished our time there and made unforgettable memories. And we so much look forward to the next time.
The flight home.... well, don't really want to talk about that. 6 hours + kids on Boston time + evening flight + very cranky baby who could not go to sleep = bringing mommy and baby to tears in the cramped airplane bathroom. NOT good times. We made it through crazy LAX at 9:00 at night with 2 exhausted kids- one a cranky baby and the other a constipated 3 yr old. Aye aye aye. But we survived and as always it was good to be home. Bed at 11:00 that night NEVER felt so good.
Thank you Frankie for the incredible gift. Thank you Marinellis for opening your home to add more craziness, yet more fun. ;)
V thanks God for you every night in her prayers. We miss you all and love you very much, can't wait to see you again.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Easter 2010
I celebrated Easter this year for what it truly is... the resurrection of Jesus Christ. My mom came to visit, and we took the girls to church and enjoyed a wonderful service, then had an egg hunt in the front yard. Frankie was working so we then had dinner at the fire station.
The girls had fun finding each egg... well, V found 14 and Sophie found 2, along with some dog poop at which she had scooped into her bucket. :) Gotta love this one. Into everything she can physically get her hands on.
Later that night, after the girls were in bed, I watched the Passion of the Christ. And could not stop crying. So overwhelmed by what He went through. And how many people continue to reject Him. He deserves every bit of praise, honor and glory that we can possibly give, and then some.
If you can, take a couple minutes out of your day to watch this...
(you probably need to press pause on the music to the right in order to hear this.)
The girls had fun finding each egg... well, V found 14 and Sophie found 2, along with some dog poop at which she had scooped into her bucket. :) Gotta love this one. Into everything she can physically get her hands on.
Later that night, after the girls were in bed, I watched the Passion of the Christ. And could not stop crying. So overwhelmed by what He went through. And how many people continue to reject Him. He deserves every bit of praise, honor and glory that we can possibly give, and then some.
If you can, take a couple minutes out of your day to watch this...
(you probably need to press pause on the music to the right in order to hear this.)
Friday, April 9, 2010
Die Daily
Luke 9:23-24 says, "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'" (ESV)
Luke 17:33 "Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it." (ESV)
John 12:25 "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."
And 1 Corinthians 15:31 says, "I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!" (ESV)
I could go on for much longer. The concept of dying to self has hit my heart. Denying myself, my selfish desires, dying to what the flesh wants, and living for Christ instead. It's a daily battle, a daily fight. To die daily.
I am in John 18-19 right now, studying Jesus' arrest and trials. So on Easter Sunday I watched The Passion of the Christ. I love getting a visual to what I have been reading and studying. Getting a clearer picture of exactly what Christ endured for us. If you have never seen the movie, you simply have to. Believer or not. Whether you believe Jesus was the Son of God or not, and was all He claimed to be- He was a real man, and He WAS tortured and crucified. But the beauty of it all, to those who know Him, is it was all voluntary. He was not a victim of circumstances. He knew all that was to happen to Him (John 18:4). And yet He still CHOSE to serve the Father and fulfill His purpose. When the soldiers came to the Mount of Olives to arrest Him, and over-zealous Peter draws his sword on a soldier cutting off his ear, Jesus stops him, saying "Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?" (John 18:11) Even though He was in agonizing prayer (Matthew 26:36-42) over what was to happen to Him, how He was to be humiliated, mocked, beaten, tortured, and crucified, He never once wavers. "Unflinching obedience." Yes, I know He was fully God, but He was also fully human. And endured temptation.
"He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, 'My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.'" (Matthew 26:39) Your will, not mine. THAT is my desire. THAT is what I pray for. That is what I had to ASK to desire, because it's not natural, and doesn't come easy. However, the more time I spend with Him, for Him, the more I read in His word, the more I worship, the deeper I fall in love with Him. "Fall in love with Him." I used to hear that a lot and think, fall in love with Him? I know that I love Him, so much. I know exactly what He did on that cross, but how do you fall IN LOVE with Him? I get it now. And that is why I am denying myself, taking up my cross daily, and following Him. That is why I am losing my life, in order to keep it. That is why I am choosing to die daily.
Luke 17:33 "Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it." (ESV)
John 12:25 "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."
And 1 Corinthians 15:31 says, "I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!" (ESV)
I could go on for much longer. The concept of dying to self has hit my heart. Denying myself, my selfish desires, dying to what the flesh wants, and living for Christ instead. It's a daily battle, a daily fight. To die daily.
I am in John 18-19 right now, studying Jesus' arrest and trials. So on Easter Sunday I watched The Passion of the Christ. I love getting a visual to what I have been reading and studying. Getting a clearer picture of exactly what Christ endured for us. If you have never seen the movie, you simply have to. Believer or not. Whether you believe Jesus was the Son of God or not, and was all He claimed to be- He was a real man, and He WAS tortured and crucified. But the beauty of it all, to those who know Him, is it was all voluntary. He was not a victim of circumstances. He knew all that was to happen to Him (John 18:4). And yet He still CHOSE to serve the Father and fulfill His purpose. When the soldiers came to the Mount of Olives to arrest Him, and over-zealous Peter draws his sword on a soldier cutting off his ear, Jesus stops him, saying "Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?" (John 18:11) Even though He was in agonizing prayer (Matthew 26:36-42) over what was to happen to Him, how He was to be humiliated, mocked, beaten, tortured, and crucified, He never once wavers. "Unflinching obedience." Yes, I know He was fully God, but He was also fully human. And endured temptation.
"He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, 'My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.'" (Matthew 26:39) Your will, not mine. THAT is my desire. THAT is what I pray for. That is what I had to ASK to desire, because it's not natural, and doesn't come easy. However, the more time I spend with Him, for Him, the more I read in His word, the more I worship, the deeper I fall in love with Him. "Fall in love with Him." I used to hear that a lot and think, fall in love with Him? I know that I love Him, so much. I know exactly what He did on that cross, but how do you fall IN LOVE with Him? I get it now. And that is why I am denying myself, taking up my cross daily, and following Him. That is why I am losing my life, in order to keep it. That is why I am choosing to die daily.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
S.T.I.L.
Some Things I'm Learning...
About prayer....
- Prayer is not to be our laundry list for God. It is to be simple communication with Him. Meaning- talking to Him AND listening. It should include our adoration for Him, our thankfulness, our confession and lastly, supplication. And why do we adore and thank Him in our prayers? Because He is worthy. Why confess? We know we did wrong, we know we're forgiven. But we're also just like children. If I come to Him and confess and ask for forgiveness for my sin, and I do that each time, then I might begin to think twice before doing that same thing again.
- He ALWAYS answers our prayers... it's either yes, no, or wait. Just because I don't like the answer doesn't mean He hasn't responded.
- Our entire lives should be lived in absolute dependence on God through prayer. If JESUS prayed (John 17) then I certainly need to.
- Prayer prepares us for what's to come. We have no idea what's in store for us. We have to remain in Him (John 15). And that is done through prayer, reading His word... and OBEYING it.
About prayer....
- Prayer is not to be our laundry list for God. It is to be simple communication with Him. Meaning- talking to Him AND listening. It should include our adoration for Him, our thankfulness, our confession and lastly, supplication. And why do we adore and thank Him in our prayers? Because He is worthy. Why confess? We know we did wrong, we know we're forgiven. But we're also just like children. If I come to Him and confess and ask for forgiveness for my sin, and I do that each time, then I might begin to think twice before doing that same thing again.
- He ALWAYS answers our prayers... it's either yes, no, or wait. Just because I don't like the answer doesn't mean He hasn't responded.
- Our entire lives should be lived in absolute dependence on God through prayer. If JESUS prayed (John 17) then I certainly need to.
- Prayer prepares us for what's to come. We have no idea what's in store for us. We have to remain in Him (John 15). And that is done through prayer, reading His word... and OBEYING it.
Monday, March 8, 2010
An Unexpected Reaction
A late post, but nevertheless, I'm still blogging about this. On Thursday, March 4th, I put Sophie down for her nap without nursing her. She is almost 14 months old... time to wean. I got everything ready... turned on her little toasty heater, she has a fresh diaper, and a full belly. I held her tight and just swayed back and forth, singing "It Is Well With My Soul." Within a couple minutes she relaxed, snuggled her head in my neck, and fell asleep. Once I felt her body relax and I could hear her almost snoring, I just started to cry. Like, fully cry, hoping I wouldn't wake her. I couldn't believe she didn't put up more of a fight. Granted, I have been praying about this for months. I have been stressing about it off and on, worrying that this was going to be a gut-wrenching traumatic time for the both of us. And now, here she was, falling sleep on me as I sang to her. I laid her in her crib, walked out, and quietly closed the door. Then totally CRIED. I guess some of those tears were tears of relief that it wasn't that hard on her. But mostly they were selfish tears. For over a year I have not left this baby girl for longer than a few hours. I spent every single night with her, anywhere from 1-6 times a night, rocking, nursing, cuddling, singing... and now it's over. That special time, that only her and I share together, is over. I couldn't help thinking of those times nursing her and she pulls away just to gaze up at me and smile so sweetly, then goes back to business. Then the way she would stick her leg up in the air and hold her foot while drinking her fill. I'll never get that time back. And as much as I was ready to be done because it's so demanding sometimes, it's still heart-breaking. Because she isn't a BABY anymore. That paired with the fact that she is walking now... she's a toddler. Thank you for those memories Sophie. As much of a stinker you have been this first year, I can say with all sincerity, I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.
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