We're beyond excited!!!!

Tote has been gone since last Tuesday on a missions trip to Mexico.

It.has.been a.long.week!!!!!

Plus, this trip was following a week long trip to Florida.

So, I think I'm ready for a day off!! =)

Anyway, he was scheduled to arrive at 11pm but was able to catch an earlier flight!!!!!

I just checked and his early flight is scheduled to arrive early!

How awesome is that?!?!

With his original flight I was, obviously, going to put the boys to bed before he got home so they'd have to wait to see him till morning.

But, now he's supposed to land at 8 (the boys bedtime) so I'm going to keep them up so they can see him tonight.

I realize that this could be disastrous since we're all tired and a bit cranky from a long week, but if he comes in the door and they hear him that would be worse!

We're so excited!!!

Please pray for Santiago!

This is my handsome nephew, Jackson

Jackson is my brother, Scott's son. 

Scott and his wife Laura along with their 3 kids Jackson(7), Makayla(6), Avianna(2) are missionaries in Colombia.

Their best friends in Colombia Alfredo and Juana's son Santiago was just diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. 

Santiago is 4 years old. 

Their family was planning on relocating to another city along with Scott and his family to begin a church plant there. 

I don't know what plans will need to change because of all of this.

Please, please pray for Santiago and for his family. 

He also has a sister, but I don't remember her name.

Pray also for Scott, Laura and their kids since they are so very close to this family and being home on furlough it's hard for them to know that their dear friends are going through this and they're so far away.

Please pray Jackson. 

Santiago is Jackson's best friend and Jackson is such a sensitive caring boy. 

I hate to think how hard this must be for him!

I have never met this family, but my heart is aching for them and also for my family whom I love so much and hate that they are going through such a hard time!

"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."

"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them, he delivers them from all their troubles.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

Psalm 34:1-4, 8-10, 15, 17-19

Who doesn't love a deal?!

We went to a children's consignment sale in Philly today. 

They had so much stuff! 

Some things like clothes were overpriced in my opinion, but I got a deal STEAL!!!

I got this twin size bedding set for Caleb. 

I've been thinking I'd like to have something like this for him, but we just couldn't possibly afford it. 

I realize that he's still in a crib, but I've just been thinking ahead and r

eally wanted something like this for him. 

(Sammy already has a bedding set of our Mexican Soccer Team, CHIVAS!!! 

Aguante las Chivas!! =) )

So, a few days ago I was looking at some sets online and thinking about what 1 or 2 pieces 

(quilt and sham or quilt and curtain or something) 

we could get and then I would do the rest in some generic bedding stuff like solids or stripes. 

The set includes the quilt, sham (shown at the top), 3 pillowcases, top and bottom sheets and the bed skirt!!!

Here's a (not so good) picture of it:

This is a close-up of the pillow case which is the same as the sheets (top & bottom) and the bed skirt:

So, I know you're dying to know how much I paid for it. 

Well, the price sticker was very messy, but I thought (and was hoping) it said $30. 

I decided  if it was more than $30 I'd pass it up. 

The lady (bless her heart!!) said it was $20 for the WHOLE SET!!!! 

YAHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

I was so very excited!! (And I still am!!)

-------------------------------------------------------------

The other good deal that I got was the Bolt movie. 

The Wise King (hubs) was going out of town yesterday and asked me to pick up a copy of this movie since it was released yesterday and was on sale. 

(He took Sammy as part of his Christmas gift to see it in the theatre and they really liked it. I hadn't seen it yet)

So, first thing in the morning, like the good blogger that I am =)

I opened my blogs and one of them gave a coupon to save $5 off the movie plus a $4 mail-in rebate! 

YAY!!! You must know that my husband is the deal finder in our family, as much as it kills me to admit it!

He just seems to find a deal no matter what he's looking for!

So, I can't wait to tell him how much I saved on the movie!

This is my new door decor for spring. Please, try not to be jealous of the mini blinds!!

I got the tin hanger for 95 cents at a thrift store!! The ribbon was $1 for the entire roll and the flowers were 50% off ($1 each). Making a grand total of $3.95 with ribbon to spare!!

So, do we like it better with or without the willow(?) shoots??

And should I use the extra ribbon to make a hanger for it?

HAPPY SPRING!!!!!!!

 (Now if the weather would cooperate it'd actually feel like spring!!) =)

Thankful Thursday

I have about 10 minutes before it's Friday so I'd better make this a quick one!

I'm thankful for...

...my hard-working husband who's away in Florida this week.

...the boys being very good so far since Daddy's been gone (we're only on day 2 though so let's not hold our breath! Just kidding!!)

...my brother, sis-in-law, nephew and 2 nieces that are coming tomorrow!!!!!!!! Yipee!!!! We haven't seen them in almost 3 years! Their youngest was just a few weeks old and they've never met Caleb so we're all very excited!!!

That's all for today. Please try and survive until next week's edition. I know it'll be a great one since we'll have had an entire week with the fam and Daddy will be home by then!!! =)

Let's pray for Little Miss Hannah

What a beautiful little baby! Let's pray that they find a cure soon and that Hannah can beat this disease!!

I wish I knew how to embed the youtube video, but it's not working so here's the link.

Caleb Says

Welcome to the 1st edition of Caleb says! =)

I never want Caleb to stop saying "feiku (thank you), mommy!"

It's the cutest thing ever!!!

He's been singing a lot lately. I'm going to try and video tape it.

One of my favorites is "wa wa wa elmo's on" 

I guess he thinks that's what the song says since as soon as we hear it we say "elmo's on!"

Sammy **Sings**

Like the true Eagles fan that he is, Sammy started singing the Eagles fight song....

but he either didn't remember the words or just wanted to give it his

own creative touch.

"Fly, Eagles, Fly

to North Carolina"

Thankful Thursday

"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." - Woody Allen

I've had kind of a frustrating day.

Maybe not quite frustrating, just crazy busy.

Ok, a little frustrating too! =)

I've decided, though, to focus on the good things and not worry about the not so good things.

So, I was thinking about all of the things that I'm thankful. 

Obviously the list of the things I'm thankful for would be way too long to put on here, but I thought I'd share some of them with you.

I'm thankful for....

*sunny days

*little boys kisses

*whispered i love yous at bedtime

*singing in the car

*telling seriously lame jokes to Sammy who happens to think they're hilarious!

*winter time when I don't have to shave my legs 

(tmi, sorry!!) =)

*biting into a pepperoncini and the spicy juice squirting up my nose 

(ok, maybe not so much, but it made me laugh!)

*putting clean, folded laundry away that was just worn the day before 

(that's an awesome feeling!!)

*looking around my house and wishing it were cleaner/neater/more organized, 

but knowing that my kids are loved and they know it!!

*skipping with Sammy 

(and then being told by his father that I'm not allowed to teach 

him that because he's a boy!) =)

*looking at our needs and wondering how they'll be met and knowing that God ALWAYS provides!

*dreaming of spring!

*being a mommy!

*God's grace and peace when things are a little crazy in our lives!

my amazing/wise/hard-working/loving/God fearing husband!!!!!!!!

There are so many, many more!!

Maybe I'll try and make it a weekly thing to post a few things that I'm thankful for. 

I need it to keep me grounded! =)

True Indeed!

While we were eating lunch today Caleb asked me for Daddy. 

He does this QUITE OFTEN! 

Caleb: "Daddy?"

Me: "He's working, buddy"

Caleb: "Pop-pop?"

Me: "He's working, too"

Sammy: "Mommy, why do the grown-up boys go to work?"

Me: "because when they work they get money and we use that money 

to have a house and cars, food, clothes and toys and everything we have. 

Your daddy works very hard so we can have those things"

He thought for a minute and then said, 

"....and doors, mommy! Daddy works very hard so we can have doors too!"

I'm so excited!!

Meet Jacques le Croc

Is this little guy cute, or what?!?!?!

VBS this summer is going to be so fun!

I'm in charge of the crafts this year and I can't wait!!

If the croc weren't cute enough, here are his friends:

Tucker

Blossom

Belle

Flash

Don't miss VBS this year!!!!

GRRRRRRR!!!!!

I must say that I have LOVED the National Do Not Call Registry. We have received significantly less calls since registering our number several years ago.

Recently, however, one company continues to call and it's really getting on my nerves! 

I assume that it's the same company although I can't be sure. 

When I ask what company they're calling from they tell me either Card Services or Account Services and the calls are always to consolidate debt or something about our car's warranty.

 Every time I ask them to remove me from their call list because my number is registered on the national list....

THEY HANG UP ON ME!! 

I HATE THAT!!!! 

I know, hate is a strong word, but seriously, I HATE that!!!

**End venting session**

Hopefully she'll still remember me when she's famous!!

One of my good friends, Meredith has just officially started her photography business. 

It's so exciting!! She takes amazing pictures! 

I'm so happy for her taking this exciting step! Go, Mer!! =)

Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of giving you such awesome news 

without also giving you a way to get in touch with her 

so you can have her take pictures of your beautiful families! ;)

Check out her brand spankin' new website (and book a session!!)

Livie Loo Photography

Say what?!

Sammy: Mommy, why do people love their family?"

Me: "Well, because God gave us our families and we're thankful for them" 

(totally not sure how to answer that one!)

S: but I don't love my heart" (what does THAT mean?!?!)

M: "why not, buddy?"

S: "my heart goes doing when i eat"

M: "what?"

S: "it goes doing doing when i eat."

M: "how does it go?"

{proceeds to mouth the words 'doing doing'.}

S: "it goes like that."

Daddy: "where does the doing come from?"

S: "my heart. right there" (points to stomach)

D: "then that's your stomach, not your heart."

S: "but my stomach is in my feet. and the 'doing' sound comes from there." 

(pointing to stomach again)

{End conversation that is going nowhere fast!!} 

Silly Sammy Strikes [Again!]

Sammy says:

"One day we have to get magic beans and then say '

bidly, bidly, bidly boo!' and then a beanstalk will grow. 

And then we have to see where that beanstalk goes."

Me: "Where do you think that beanstalk will go?"

Sammy: "Up to a giant's house in the clouds. 

He's gonna try to get us and we have to 

climb back down the magic beanstalk. 

And then we have to give him something."

Me: "What do we have to give him?"

S: "Like one of my toys or something."

M: Why do we have to give him a toy?"

S: "Because he wants one toy...he might want one toy. 

Maybe he might have toys for us to play. 

Maybe a Mickey-in-the-Box. 

Where we turn the crank....He might have a toy like that for me to play. 

Because that toy is my favorite."

Looks like someone's been watching a little too much of this...

Tonight at dinner Sammy and I had a strange conversation. It went something like this.

Sammy: "Maybe someday I can get a faster toy"

Me: "What faster toy?"

S: "It's a fast toy. When I'm buckled up and I push the green button it flies me up in the air real fast. It flies me out of the house and into the sky and takes me to the park and the lake and restaurants to eat. Then it brings me home and I come inside."

Me: "Where did you see this toy? Did we see it in a store?"

S: "No, Mommy. We have to see if Jesus will give it to me for Christmas. He will give it to me if He wants to."

*Duly noted.*

He also said at one point 

"One day I'm gonna figure out how to get out of this house all by myself"

Yeah, you and me both, dude! 

Good luck with that, because I've been trying to figure 

out how to do that for...let's see...how old are you now?

{No, I didn't actually say that to him! I was laughing too hard!}

A girl can dream

My sister and I went to a fabric store the other day.

In one word.....

LOVE!!!!!!

We saw so many great things!

I didn't buy anything because well, it's kinda hard to convince 

people to give you things for free since you have no money! 

They aren't real keen on that! ;)

I saw this fabric and fell in love! 

It's suede with embroidered swirly things.

I've been thinking about 

using this color in our bedroom someday. 

Hopefully it'll be on the new 2nd floor, but if that isn't going to happen 

maybe we'll use it in our current room. Who knows!

I'm thinking this would make a really cool headboard.

I'm not normally into upholstered headboards, but I think a classy fabric like this

could be done well and look really great!

Maybe a few pillows on the bed too!

I'm getting way ahead of myself! 

We can't afford to buy anything right now, 

let alone something that's not necessary like this!

Do you LOVE it?!?!

All about the man I love!

I don't often blog about my husband.

Shame on me!

I think I just take him for granted and I'm working on that.

The truth is that he's the most amazing man I have ever met!

We met at school in Argentina where we lived for 3.5 years (he's originally from Mexico). We got along great right from the beginning. His sense of humor had a lot to do with it!

I honestly married my best friend. (side note: I really hate that phrase for a wedding "today I marry my best friend" it just seems a little weird!)

This man came to another country, learned another culture and another language all because he loves me! I just think that is so awesome!

Trust me. Living in the US isn't easy for someone who didn't grow up here! It's a big adjustment! And English is seriously hard to learn!

He works so hard to provide for our family. He has several jobs and is always doing everything he can just to make ends meet. 

Being on an extremely small budget is stressful to a marriage and family, but he manages to provide for our needs and even a few fun things sometimes! 

He is my rock. He's the kind of guy that is always supportive and understanding.

He's an amazing father who loves to spend time with our boys and they adore him!

I get so excited thinking about the years to come growing old with my love!

I love you, honey!!!!

Not Me! Monday

I've never joined the "Not Me! Monday" party before so these are probably lame, but I'm a rookie!

Here goes:

I did NOT write the month and day on the sliding glass door with a white board marker because I was sick and tired of hearing the almost 4 year old ask what day it was. Of course, I would ONLY do that if it was in an effort to be educational in my parenting and not lazy! =)

I do NOT have a son that's as accident prone as his mother! And there's no way that he fell off a chair at church, a rolling ottoman at home (both times landing on his head!) and he most certainly did not have 2 tables fall on his head at church right before MOPS!

Don't be fooled, I would never have taken my son to church without brushing his hair and then take him into the bathroom and try and wet the stink out of it to get it to lay down (after which it just popped right back up and looked even more snarly!)

Since I'm a copycat..

My sister just posted about this giveaway 

and I'm a sucker for a giveaway copycat I had to enter. 

Here's the linky. Check it out!