Caught Red-Handed ("What color are their hands now?")

Ever since she could walk, Elena displayed an incredible ability and desire to get into everything that she shouldn't.  As she's gotten older, the only thing that has changed is the height of the "Elena Safe Zone." We've moved things higher and higher in an attempt to keep them out of reach. I miss the good ol' days when all we had to worry about was whether or not the coffee table was cleared off!

So here you have a picture of what Ben walked in on. She was trying to get into the special (C-A-N-D-Y) bowl that I TRY to keep out of her reach.  Time for a new plan.  Oh and did I mention that she can open "child-proof" doorknobs?

So Guilty!

16 Weeks

I went to the doctor today for my 16 week check up. I got a good report, and will be going back in two weeks for THE ultrasound. Yep, we find out if we will be having a girl or boy in just TWO WEEKS! I really can't believe how fast that has come up.

Here's my baby bump so far...

Things of note for this pregnancy...

- I experienced the worst morning sickness in week 7, but all in all it hasn't been too bad. 

- I have been craving steak, any meat will work in a pinch, but steak is number one in my heart. 

- I think I felt the baby move this past week, but it's so hard to tell! I'm looking forward to those obvious, can't ignore them, kicks.

Back from Hidalgo County

I know I didn't give many details of the mission trip prior to leaving, so I'm going to do that now. Our church youth group has done short term mission trips to Mexico since I was in highschool. We team up with an organization called, Mission Discovery. The purpose of the trip is to build homes (very modest homes) for the people living in the colonias near the border of the U.S. The students also lead a VBS club during the week.

Sometime during the early portion of this year, Mission Discovery made the decision to move this year's trip to the U.S. side because of the drug trafficking violence in Mexico. Our church was scheduled to work in Hidalgo County repairing homes that were in rough condition and to also lead a VBS club in the neighborhood.

Ben and I really prayed about whether or not to go on the trip, specifically whether I should go. We were concerned about both of us leaving the kids for an entire week. We ended up really feeling a peace about Ben going for the whole week, and me going through Wednesday.

We are both SO glad we went. It was a great time to deepen the relationships we have with our 8th graders, and we also got to know the younger students a lot better. I love how I become more aware of God's character; His sovereignty, His protection, His provision when I'm away from the comforts of my day to day life.

We were divided into three teams reparing three different homes all within a very close distance to one another. It's really hard to find the words to describe the condition of the homes, but "unlivable" comes to mind. Throughout the week we put on new siding, removed and replaced damaged sheet rock, replaced broken windows, added sinks, and repaired roofs.

Ben's handyman skills were eagerly put to use. He was supervising one of the sites. After the first day he turned in a list of the supplies he needed for all of the projects, one of them being the installation of a new sink. The contractor that received the list was convinced that whoever wrote it had to be a plumber. They referred to him as, "the plumber" throughout the rest of the week. :)

On the last work day (I had already left) Ben told me that all the teams gathered together with the three families to pray for them. The wife from the home that was probably in the worst condition told our group that God had given her a vision years before that her home would be repaired. The students knew that their work was appreciated by the families, but it was so humbling to learn they were part of something bigger; they were used by God to show His faithfulness to this woman.

It was hot week, and unfortuantely a stomach bug was going around so the team came home a day early. But despite some of those rough spots, the students had a lot of fun, and we did too!

**A big thank you to my parents and sister who watched Elena and Evan while we were gone!**

5 Years

Today we celebrated our 5th anniversary!!! Originally we thought that Ben would be gone until tomorrow, but due to a stomach bug rapidly being passed around on the mission trip, they came home a day early. Our sweet friends, the Kadanes, stepped in at the last minute to watch the kids and we headed out for a night on the town.

Okay, our definition of a "night on the town", might be a little different than yours. We went to Texas Land and Cattle for dinner and watched the new Pixar movie, "UP!" I feel like I have to give a quick defense for these choices. First of all, I have been craving steak since, I don't know... the beginning of the pregnancy. So a romantic atmosphere was not on my priority list, but rather the size of the chunk of cow they offered on their menu. By the way, for the first time in our marriage I ordered and devoured a larger steak than Ben... yeah it made him feel slightly akward. :) And since we never see movies in the theater, we wanted to go with something that had really good ratings. We couldn't risk watching a bust on our only trip to the cinema in three years. We did really like the movie; very random and very deep at the same time. It actually is a great movie to watch with your spouse. 

Ben wrote me the sweetest note with his reflections on how our marriage is better than he expected and shared some of the unexpected reasons why... very romantic. He always puts my notes in the card to shame. :) Thank you Ben, that was the best gift! 

I feel so blessed to see God's hand of protection on our marriage.  I'm more and more aware that's it's not us "making things work", but inviting Him to work in us.  

I love you Ben. 

It'll Have to Wait

I wanted to post some vbs pics and video today, but today was eaten up with getting ready for our trip. Where are you going you ask? We are headed to Hidalgo county with the middle schoolers. I'll just have to catch up later...

We covet your prayers!

And I Thought My Kids Were Messy

I had no idea what a MESS an exploding Dr. Pepper can can make... until last night. I clumsily nudged one off the top shelf of the fridge. It hit the floor, popped a hole, and began spewing and spinning. I tried to grab it, but it was propelling itself around the kitchen so fast that I couldn't get ahold of it. When it was all over, our kitchen had a pretty even coverage of DP everywhere; floors, walls, counter, table... you name it. 

So that was my evening; observing the laws of physics, and then doing a top to bottom cleaning of my kitchen (which honestly, needed it anyways). I trust your was a little more interesting. :)

I promise I will try and post something more interesting later... probably pics and video of vbs.

VBS!

Today was the first day of the long awaited VBS! Elena came into my room at 6am this morning (that's at least an hour earlier than normal) and eagerly asked, "Mommy, is it time for VBS???"

 

Here's a picture I took right before we left the house. She's proudly wearing her shirt. She also has food packed in her cheeks :) 

She had a GREAT time today, and must have really paid attention, because she could answer any question I threw at her about the Bible lesson. 

But just in case the morning didn't provide enough fun, we went to my parent's house so that my sister could begin teaching Elena to swim.

All in all it was a long day and I think Elena was feeling it by the time we pulled into the driveway. 

Safety First

Yes, we have strict safety codes around here...

Helmet required when riding any vehicle

Also required if sitting in a chair more than two feet off the ground

Really, Evan just is very attached to this "hat", as he calls it. He wore it throughout the day yesterday.

"Mine!"

A Week of Posts

We've had a fun week and there have been multiple times that I wanted to sit down and write about what was going on, but I never seemed to have the time. So, I've decided to just knock it out here.

"Provoked " - That's the name given to this week's nightly activities planned for the middle schoolers at church. There have been multiple scavenger hunts around town, a pool party, and a paintball excursion (F-U-N!). Ben and I have taken turns going to the events this week, but we are both going tonight and bringing the kids along too. 

VBS Prep - I absolutely love VBS! It starts next Monday, but we've already spent a couple mornings at the church this week decorating and going through some training. This year I will be leading a "crew" of four year olds during this week. The thing that I am most excited for this year, is Elena being able to fully participate! She is thrilled. Last year she only participated in the preschool assembly, but still had so much fun. She has been talking about it and singing the songs she learned all year. 

Baseball Game - Last night while I was off with the middle-schoolers, Ben took the kids to a Missions game AND to get ice cream (a very important part of the evening to Elena). They had a great time with Dad. The very first thing Elena talked about this morning was the ball that went off one of the batters' helmets and into the stands (pretty good memory!). Evan might of missed that play. To quote Ben, "the only thing Evan will remember is the face of the guy sitting two rows behind them, whom he spent the entire game looking at."

Pulling the Plug - Because I felt like I have been letting the kids (specifically, Elena) watch too much tv, I decided to pull the plug on the tv - cold turkey. Except for one evening, we have not watched any tv this week! 

Oh and I almost forgot - I got a haircut! My last hair cut was in JANUARY, so I was long overdue. 

That's all folks!

"Mom" - Who's That?

I thought this came at the age of 6 or 7, but apparently it can hit earlier.  Elena has started calling me, "MOM!"  I'm so sad that my little baby is dropping the endearing, "-my" at the end of that word.  I think I'll just ignore her when she calls me Mom; that'll show her. :) 

They DO Love Each Other!

This is a clip from a pretty typical evening at home; toys covering our floor, the Astro's game on tv, and Elena and Evan playing happily together. They get really loud and giddy at this time of day, but I don't mind too much, because they play so unusually well together!

The "run for a hug" thing is a little game they've been playing for a couple months now. I love it! Oh, and Evan was fine :)

Fun with Friends

Elena had her sweet friend Gabriella over to play yesterday. I think it may have been the first time that she has had a friend over without their mom... sigh, she's getting so old. Gabriella was the source of entertainment for the day (which was really nice for me!). They colored, played dress up, and then ended up staying outside for the rest of the day. They got soaked from the water table and pretty filthy from the dust of the mulch, but oh they had fun!

I'm not exactly sure what the game was here. 

Sooo many giggles throughout the day - Elena just adores Gabriella.

Evan even got to join in on the fun!

We are so sad that Gabriella will be moving soon; she will be VERY missed.