Tenkiller State Park

Over the last four days my family and I went on a wonderful adventure.  We decided that this year we would rent a cabin about two hours east of us.  The location, Tenkiller State Park.  This park was gorgeous!  We had fantastic lake views, with birds, fall leaves in the height of their splendor, and all the included woodland creatures.  It was wonderful!!

The whole family went fishing, despite our lack of fish, we had a great time!  Nicolas learned about the small "feet prints" in the mud, and was able to tell me which were deer, and which were birds.  He cast his own line from his very own spider man fishing pole.  Fa and I had our own grown up version, and I must say Fabricio is a natural. 

Samantha and her brother had loads of fun.  They played foot ball, tag, and another game in which they scared mami half to death, because they both nearly went down a very steep hill.  In fact, mami demonstrated her baseball skills and slide into home to rescue poor Samantha from a backwards roll down said hill.  Other than that small scare, my children and husband were perfect students as we explored Tenkiller State Park.  The nickname for the park is Heaven in the Hills, and I must say, this small part of the Ozark Mountains, was exactly that. 

These are just a few of the photos we took.  If you would like to see the whole album please visit:

https://cid-038658dee5746178.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Fall%20Vacation?link=1&groupUpsell=0

My Sweet Son

My Sweet Boy,
     Today you were so very sweet.  You came home, opened the fridge, and got juice out.  With a pat on my back you very loudly proclaimed that "Chunky" needed juice.  I don't know how she will feel about you and your Father calling her Chunky, but for now, she adores you.  You take care of her, and protect her from tripping over toys.  She see's you in the morning and runs to give you a hug.  The relationship the two of you have, fills my heart to overflowing.  I am so proud of the sweet, compassionate child that you are.  You just need to work on the but mommy syndrome, that is plaguing you from your Fathers side of the family.  Don't worry sweetie, Mami cured your Father of it, and I have eighteen years with you! Your prognosis is good!!

I love you, and will be your Mami no matter what...even if you don't like it :)

-Mami

Don't Hog Your Journey

The first time I heard the advice, "Don't hog your journey", I thought to myself, do I have a journey?  If I do, who am I hogging it from? Surly who and what I am today, aren't that important to anyone but me... right?

The more I thought about it, I became more convicted, so I prayed.  After about two or so months I realized that my "Journey" is very important.  It was laid out before me, even before I was born. (Psalm 139:16)  Those days were known, and valued when I was a small cluster of cells, growing in my mothers womb.  How can something not be valuable, when the God of all Creation maps it out before I even have a shape?  I was awe struck, and chastised all at once, which is something only God and my Pappy have been able to do to me.  How special am I, that God would chastise me? 

In response to my questions, who and what am I hogging from, I have this simple answer...everyone and everything.  I matter, because what I do today, will set in to motion tomorrow.  I am valuable, because what I do to the least of these, I do unto God.  I should share, because my children's days were laid out before God, when they were just a small cluster of cells in my womb.  God fearfully and wonderfully made them, as he did me, and I would never waist such a precious gift as the one he gave me in those children.  I will share my mistakes, my victories, my confusion and all of life's lessons with my kids.  I will tell them how special they are, and I will share their journey with them, because my journey is what will mold theirs. 

I have Victory in Christ, and if He is with me who can stand against me?  Thank you Father, because you love my children, and you love me, and you put wonderful people in my life to help shape my journey. 

 

Veterans Day

Today Fabricio and I were watching the Wreath Laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on the news.  Its a very solemn ceremony, and when TAPS is played it tugs at my heart strings.  Too many people to remember these days, too many families grieving for their loved ones.  It seemed that the ceremony caught Nicolas's attention as well.

Fabricio and I started to explain about veterans, and military members. My sons summary of it all was precious in itself..."Like Captain America! They are heroes like Captain America!  Daddy is a Hero!"  He tried to hide it, but his Father beamed and I did too.  Our children, with their simple interpretations of life's most complicated subjects, remind me that maybe life is complicated because I make that way. 

God gave us His Grace, and Love, and promised us he would never ever leave us alone.  He will never ever give us more than we can handle.  I value those promises, sealed in the blood of His only Son, even more now that I have children.  I value the simple gifts that are my three year old, and eighteen month old.  I would trade my life to protect them, to keep them happy and alive.  I feel the same way about this country, and on this veterans day, I learned a valuable lesson.  All those who came before me, you're a hero, like Captain America, a valued family member, and most of all, never ever alone, or forgotten.  Not by those you left behind, and never by your Heavenly Father.  

Thank you...