5 Years!

Five years ago, I started an incredible, indescribable journey. One that launched me into my vocation filled with joys and sorrows but one that would draw me closer to Christ like no other. One that would be bountiful with blessings, both earthly and spiritual. One that would change me, challenge me and transform me on a daily basis. One overflowing with  L O V E. Thank you to my amazing husband for your patience, your forgiveness, your charity stemmed in your desire for my salvation and holiness, your hope, your faith, your incredible love. 

Here is a brief recap...

A girl waiting to meet the man of her dreams...
  + 

 tall, dark and handsome man 
 +

the divine intervention & providence of the Holy Trinity
 =

the sacrament of holy matrimony
 +
lots of 

=

1 beautiful gift created with God's help
 + 
too much time apart 
and...

= 

a 2nd heavenly blessing 

+ 

a 1st combined slumber party at Mimi & Bapa's leaving mommy and daddy to their own devices all night and morning 

= 

???

;-)

True Love

Well, Spicy is having her (nearly) weekly slumber party at Mimi & Bapa's house (I'm so spoiled!) It's so clear that she has such a very very special bond with her grandparents. I think the fact that Mimi took care of her 3 days a week for nearly 2 years has something to do with it. And the fact that we practically lived with Mimi & Bapa for a year during Daddy's deployment. She was so excited to hop into Mimi's "limo", request her special DVD (& juice cocktail) and wave "goodbye mommy. I see you tomorrow!" When Dean called her today on his lunch break, he said she sounded SO happy! I wonder why. 

So... He must've known about our 'free night' because a good friend invited us over to His house tonight. I told Dean despite the many other things we could've done (take a walk together, enjoy a long quiet dinner, watch a movie, etc etc) which were very tempting , we could not decline. His name is Jesus. God. I'm sure you've heard of Him? ;) We went to visit Him in Eucharistic Adoration. On the way there, Dean and I had a wonderful conversation surrounding this highly debated, highly misunderstood, mysterious reality. It started with my questions (of course) which led to discussions on metaphysics and philosophical terms such as substance and accidents which led to a brief dialogue on the Hidden God leading to 1 of CS Lewis's masterpiece, "Till We Have Faces" which concluded on an exchange on what is True Love? Although my experience was nothing more than "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10), (afterall, I did have a wiggly baby in my lap) the reverence, the holiness, the grace and the peace was, of course, (& always is) overflowing. Our special date night very much reminded me of our courting days when we would do the same as we discerned God's plan for our relationship.

 “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (Jn. 20:29)

And here is adoration two thousand and ten years ago...

This is an ah-mazing post on the topic of 'adoration' from an great writer. I came across it a few days ago which actually sparked my desire for such holy time. It's a must read if you have ever wondered what? how? why? 

I just couldn't have said it better myself.

A challenging week (recap)

A quick recap since the last post:

Thursday am: Mommy is finally full of energy and healed of her breast infection. Feeling brave and very much in need of some fresh air, we venture out for a good part of the day leisurely enjoying errands, stopping for feedings, potty breaks, snacks and the like. Return home just in time to get pooped on by child #2 followed by vomited on by child #1. After the purging & napping, Daddy & I surmise that Spicy must have eaten something bad based on her intense, normal levels of energy leading up to bedtime. 

Thursday pm: up ever 3 hours due to a fever spiking to 103 degrees. Despite the aches and chills, Spicy decides she is finished, done, over the diapers and wants to go "pee pee in the little toilet" in the  middle.  of.  the.  night.  Between potty runs, fever reducing remedies and nursing, mommy doesn't sleep more than an hour.

Friday am: Mommy is on the phone most of the morning with Aunt Rosie (thank GOD for a nurse in the family) followed by the pediatrician's triage nurse getting questions answered and home care advice as this is the 1st time in 3 yrs we've had a sickness of this degree. We trek to Ralphs by foot (& double stroller) for some fresh air and to buy everything needed to combat the stomach flu bug that has seemed to infiltrate our home.  Day is spent watching many a cartoon, eating lots of jell-o and recovering from an emotionally draining prior night.

Friday pm: Everyone sleeps much better.

Saturday am: Daddy offers to stay home with Spicy so I can get out. Sweets and I meet Auntie Nee-nee for some home decor shopping. Report back is a very fun day on the home front. Spicy is on the mend.

Sunday am: Daddy & I discern Spicy is well enough for church and could use the fresh air and exercise.  Much retraining to be done as Spicy acts as though she has never set foot in a church before and that mommy has not taught her 100 10,000 times to use quiet voices. Daddy and I are exhausted after one hour of disciplinary boot camp, oh I mean, worship. Spicy A is baaaaack. 110%

Sunday pm: Just when I think normalcy has returned, Sweet G begins to cough. And continues to cough.  All.   night.   long.  (although she never cried, Mommy spent most of the night staring into the bright monitor wondering what to do)

Which brings us to today...  Mimi came to pick up Spicy for a special overnight slumber party. Mommy and daddy are excited.  Relieved. Sweet G spends most of the day sleeping while mommy catches her breath and plans for dinner.... 

lack of ideas = a night out enjoying a fine Chinese cuisine!

(There was a cute white-haired couple sitting next to us conversing in a different language: I thought Italian, Dean thought Greek. Anyway, when they walked past us on their way out, the woman put her hand on Dean's shoulder and said "To see a young couple with a baby, and praying is beautiful! You just made my day. That's wonderful!" The man grinned from ear to ear nodding his head in agreement passing by with a "God bless" which in turn made our day!)

   Things I have learned in the past few days:

- I took for granted the blessing of my children's health
- Children are resilient above & beyond my expectations

- Spicy A has a mind of her own. A beautiful mind. One I often take for granted. One I now admire. One in which God used to show me (yet again) that being a mommy is never about convenience nor control (I'm referring mainly to the will of this child to transition to the potty, literally overnight, in the midst of being sick with no accidents to date)

- Sweet is even sweeter when she is sick. 

- My parents are an incredible help and support to us. Oh wait, I already knew that! 
- I can still grow (a lot) in the area of patience

 Here's to a good night's rest. Sweet dreams everyone!

Date Night

A few nights ago, I asked Dean if he/we had anything to do or anywhere to go for the coming Friday night. He said "are you asking me out on a date?" Indeed I was. Long gone are the days where I expect him to do all the planning when it comes to spending time together. And I had realized that all of our 'date nights' in the past 4 months included Genevieve or were 'en casa' so we hadn't had a few hours with truly no distractions or responsibilities in 4 months! Granted, G is a super baby and behaves like an angel, there are certain restrictions on a romantic night out when you're lugging a baby carrier or stroller. So, the scheming in my mind began. I was planning on calling my mom the next day to see if she and my dad would be able to watch the girls for a couple hours. Just before I placed the call, I got an email from Super Sissy asking if Alizea could spend Friday night at her place for a slumber party! Sa-weeeet! Even better that what I had in mind. And my mom and dad hadn't spent any alone time with G since she was born! So, we dropped them off and ran off like 2 giddy little kids. Last night we had discussed some possible options for our date night. We opted for take-out on the beach watching the sunset like the good ole days of our courtship. A great decision don't ya think???

Even a little cold, it was finger lickin' good (oh wait, that's KFC!) 

Goofin' around:

Then God painted us a picture :) 

and reminded us of His faithfulness:

"Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; Yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they are?" 

Matt 6:26

And we were actually successful at conversing about many a topic, not just the kids! A splendid night rekindling our love and admiring God's beautiful creation in nature! 

Thank you mom, dad & Auntie Neenee for a priceless gift!