Could it be...

Could it be that: growing up you never really understand the sacrifices made by your mom and dad for you? Your parents are under appreciated? Someday you'll be in the same position to sacrifice for you own children? There is a reward from their selfless acts? That there is a chance you may never understand the depth of their sacrifices?
All of these thoughts filled my mind early this morning as I lay in bed. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with my mother buying food in preparation for a luncheon this afternoon. As we purchased food, exchanged thoughts on our plans I secretly observed my mom. Her face has wrinkles now. They appeared out of nowhere, it seems. Her eyes and mouth now have smile lines. The telltale signs of life and the survival of the many tests in her lifetime. There are many things I know that took place while I was still too young to understand. My mom did her best to protect me and my sisters. I may never understand all of her reasons, but I would like to thank her for doing what she thought best. Today, I am happily married to a wonderful man and have two beautiful, and I mean beautiful, children. I wonder if my happy marriage is a result of her sacrifice. I wonder if I can ever repay her for the opportunities created for me through her giving. Now, you may be wondering why I have only mentioned my mom and not my dad. My father is definitely no less important and I have a whole post to write on him as well, but this post is dedicated to my mother. The one who carried me in her womb for nine months, nurtured me through my toddlers years, taught me through my high school years, offered advice into my married years and is still giving...and giving.
Thank you. And no, it will never be fathomable all of the things you gave up for me, but don't doubt that it will come back to you one hundred fold.

Emotions

Ok, so I'm back home, for the time being. Have you ever noticed that when you're absent from a place for very long coming back almost knocks you off kilter? I feel a little wobbly in my emotions and it's disconcerting. My relief at being back home is almost palpable and I cringe at the thought of going back to where we're staying for the next couple of years, but I also know that if we were to move back 'home' that I wouldn't feel complete!! Do I sound like a woman or what? So, I feel like there are two rivers raging side by side in my bosom and it's giving me 'e-motion' sickness. Everyone needs a break now and then from their ruts and we sure are getting a good one. This break is going to be about ten days long. I am determined to make the most of it. There are a billion photos to be snapped, a million memories to be made and SHOPPING to do. All of which I will take back with me to make my time sail by until our next visit. On our way into Sacramento, I stared out the plane window and got tears in my eyes knowing that I was going to be home. There is something comforting about being with your mom, sisters and little brother -- being crammed into a small, two bedroom condo with my family never felt so good. My little boy is having so much fun with his Uncle Sky and D is making Sky's WEEK by veggin' out in front of the playstation, controller in hand playing Call of Duty 5. I love watching how their eyes turn glassy and they make silly, snorting noise while trying to get away from the Germans or the Russians or which ever country is the enemy at the moment. Weirdos.
Now, it seems odd driving with more than two cars around. Seriously. It's like I live in the middle of NO-where out there. I'm not used to hearing car traffic outside my window at night anymore. Having more than three restaurants to choose from for dinner is like heaven. And having dinner with old friends seems like a distant memory. Never let it be said that Cali isn't my home -- I love it here!

Is there is cool way...to snap your fingers??

Of course there is! Take a look. This is is quite hysterical. And if you get a chance browse through some of his videos to watch him play the piano. Absolutely amazing...not only does he play well but he plays through a mind that isn't all the way there...very touching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUZh84D39B8&feature=related

Rythms & Patterns

At only seven weeks, I'm astounded by the differences between Romalise and her big brother when he was this little. Where Cylas was a malcontent, she is a sweet little smiler and while Cylas had the tendency to thrive off of scheduled eating patterns, Roma is all over the board. She'll sleep through her "scheduled" feeding only to wake up an hour later screaming. Right now she is sleeping through the night only waking around 5 in the morning for a quick breakfast. She likes to sleep until 9 or 10 and then wakes up all smiles and keeps me busy for about an hour or two before decides she's tired. Her naps last three to four hours and she takes two. The second of which Cy's nap coincides with. That means that I have about 2 hours to myself during the day! It's really nice. I would say that my favorite times of the day are: the early morning when my husband kisses me before he leaves for work, shortly thereafter my little boy comes in and wants me to play trains with him (and I'm always Gordon while he is Thomas) and lastly, I wait anxiously for the evening time when Roma is finished with her second nap and my husband is home for dinner. We all sit down and everyone eats...I mean everyone including her.Cylas is at the stage where he is honing in on different toys that interest him. When he was younger, everything was interesting and he was easily distracted. Right now, he loves planes, helicopters and trains. His books are never far from his finger tips and are still a major part of his life but his train track is definitely in second place. More times than I can remember, he has fallen asleep at the train table with toys or books in his hand. I'll try to take a picture of it next time.
My little girl has the rythm of a small row boat slipping through placid waters, while Cylas is the wind that picks up the small pile of leaves twirling them into a miniature tornado. And, amazingly enough, between the two of them there is a balance so perfect that it makes each of my days so wonderful and very much anticipated.

So many little things that make your life special to you

I was thinking about all of the many thing that take place in my life that are unique to me and my family. It really made me smile! There are no other children in the world like my mine. They have a certain smell, sound, look and a way about them that makes it possible for me to identify them in a crowd of a million others. Now that Cylas is a little older, he has developed a few distinct qualities that are so special to me. He likes to walk around on his tiptoes sometimes hence a very affectionate nickname bestowed on him by my mother "TwinkleToes". When he talks, he tends to salivate and therefore slurps his saliva as he is telling you something. He reads his books on the floor, legs crossed and with a ramrod-straight back staring down intently at the pictures. He sings songs like: The wheels on the bus go round and round, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Jingle Bells and Old McDonald had a farm. He is extremely mischievous and is constantly hatching plans to escape out the front door. A good arm and back rub are always in the top five super important things that mommy MUST do for him...next to having a cold tippy full of milk this is paramount! He MUST have his hat, jacket and gloves on before going outside...choke the pants.
He loves his little sister and is very concerned for her welfare. For instance, we were trying to leave the other morning and I had to go out to warm up the car. I took him with me so I could strap him in. As I pulled the van around to the front of the house, he asks in a worried little voice "Wheh Womah? Beebee?" Translated : Where is Roma? Baby?
I smiled and told him that we were going to get her and not to worry. And every evening he has to make sure he kisses her goodnight. If she isn't in her bassinet, he looks for her to make sure she's close by. Just this morning I told him to go potty and he took a detour into our bedroom to check on his little sis before his final destination. Roma, on the other hand, has just started cooing and gurgling. She is a very happy baby and loves to talk. Next to sleeping, it's her favorite thing to do! You can tell that she loves her papa a lot because she responds so well to him by burbling and making gaga sounds. She burps for him too! She enjoys being held high up on your shoulder so she can see the world. And if you look at her and say "Ah-gooo" she will respond likewise. I love the way she stares at me so intently. She doesn't have words yet but I can feel her telling me that she loves me.
My life is uniquely mine and I love it!

!Just enjoying family!

Here are some recent photos of my sister with me and my babies on her visit here. Oh, and let's not forget David too!!




We've had a wonderful time and I really don't want my sister to leave. It's very comforting to have someone here with me that I love! We've done a lot together over the past week or two. She's been a great help with the babies and also helping around the house. My house is reeeally clean JUST the way I like it!!

Your Test

Take a minute to stop and think about what challenges you face on a daily basis. Or, maybe it's not a daily basis but it happens often enough to drive you crazy. How do you make it through each situation? What goes through your mind? Are you gracious, kind and polite? Or, do you let the situation control you and you do things that you regret afterward. My goodness, I don't think there is a person alive who is exempt from character trying circumstances. These situations either strip off the facade you have created or they reveal the fruits of the Spirit you put into practice. Isn't it amazing how God knows just what to lay in our path to make sure we are tested to the perfect degree. Ahh yes, thanks God, setting that plate of of bitter items before me to see if I will eat them with grace, knowing they are good for me but taste awful going down. And who knows when we have passed the test. Maybe we know we have overcome when those trying situations aren't so trying any more. But, once those have passed there is always something else, always something to make sure we are exercising our scrumptious fruits of the Spirit. Mmmm, everything is so much sweeter when we use those tasty little fruits to help us get through those pesky little tests.