The Drobo

This is the Drobo! The World's first storage robot, it is quite expensive but well worth the money with what happened to us! We almost lost ALL of our photos and videos because 1 of our 1TB external hard drive failed due to partition tables being all messed up. We had to buy a program called Disk Warrior to be able to pull off all data so luckily I think we have most of our photos and video now but I do not want to run into this AGAIN! So this will be one of the items we purchase next to save all our data. Check it out at: www.drobo.com.

Light is sweet

Ecclesiastes 11
7 "Light is sweet,
       and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

 8 However many years a man may live,
       let him enjoy them all.
       But let him remember the days of darkness,
       for they will be many.
       Everything to come is meaningless.

 9 Be happy, young man, while you are young,
       and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
       Follow the ways of your heart
       and whatever your eyes see,
       but know that for all these things
       God will bring you to judgment. "

Think about such things, Light is sweet... I love that verse! There is nothing like watching the sun rising or setting. Enjoy our lives to the extent that God desires us to, meaning enjoy our youth but at the same time don't take it so far to the point that you are disobeying the laws God has set down for us as Christians. Love the LORD, Stop and smell the roses, wake up early and watch the sun rise over the waters, hold hands, kiss, take a picture, snuggle with my baby, forget work... these are all things that I enjoy. At my bridal shower, a friend gave Andrew and I a beautiful tea set that we still sit together an enjoy a cup of tea together. I will never forget this as long as I love what she wrote in the card: Hold hands, kiss, and enjoy a cup of tea. Some of the best advice I have ever gotten :) Never forget to hold hands, kiss, and enjoy each other's company even if that means not saying anything at all. Our time is short here on earth, and I think I am going to enjoy what youth I have left :)

Gladys Knight and the pips

Did anyone see the hilarious video from American Idol? It had Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. as "The Pips" singing "Midnight train to Georgia" Had to be one of my favorite videos now!

Renter's forever but God is making my life something Beautiful, Beautiful

LOL, I say Renter's forever because that's what it feels like right now... maybe in about 10 years when we make more money and are able to actually save then maybe once the market has gone up and then down again we'll be able to consider buying a house.

Listening to this song by Francesca Battistelli called "Beautiful, Beautiful." And I feel like this song was written just for me sometimes because I feel like my life is kind of a mess right now but God is making my life into something Beautiful. Just like a tapestry, when you flip to the back it looks like a mess but when it's finished it's a beautiful masterpiece. I know that all the things in my life are put into place for a reason, I just sit with Hope and Faith that God is turning this mess of a life into something so Beautiful, Beautiful. I am waiting in anticipation ALL the great and wonderful things He is working out for our future. 

Here are some lyrics I will listening to with the song:

"Don't know how it is you looked at me
And saw the person I could be
Awakening my heart breaking through dark
Suddenly your grace
Like sunlight burning at midnight
making my life something so beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All I need is you
So Beautiful, Beautiful

There's a joy inside I can't contain
But even perfect days can end in rain
I know it's more in doubt I can see you though the clouds
Shining on my face"

Le Bebe

Is now looking like he i finally feeling better from his fever. It looks like it wasn't teething, loks like he had some kind of bug but it looks like it has passed now. I am still keeping an eye on him to make sure all his bowel movements are normal, because I am still afraid he may have had some kind of bug and he may not have been completely over it yet. He is doing better and trying to pull himself up on everything he can!

At home with le sick bebe!

I got a call around Noon today that the sitter had taken Hezekiah's temp and it was at 102, so I rushed out of work to get him and taken him home to give him some tylenol and a cool bath and after his bath took his temp in his ear and it looks about 98/99 degrees now so it may be coming down. I put a call into the Dr on my way to the sitter's to see if there was anything else I could do at this point so I am waiting for a call back. Because he is getting so many teeth right now it does not surprise me, it scares me a little, but does not surprise me he has a temp. He has gotten 2 on the top, 3 on the bottom with 1 more coming in on the bottom and 1 more on the top. So he will have a total of 7 teeth coming in! Crazy little baby :)

Anyway, I am letting him take a nap right now and we will see what his temp is when he wakes up.

The French don't diet plan

I am kicking off my "The French don't diet plan" once again, before I found out I was pregnant I lost a total of 14 lbs following this diet regimen. Now, that I FINALLY got clearance from my Ob/Gyn 2 months ago I started with some low impact pilates exercises, so I figure now is the time to start thinking about the kind of foods I am eating and portions once again. I have stuck to the non-processed foods with the exception of the eating out every once in a while. I mainly shop at Trader Joe's for all my food, since a lot of the labeled "Organic" grocery stores seem to hike up their food prices to a level that is absolutely ridiculous for anyone but the extremely rich. I really enjoy Trader Joe's and even with them I still have to watch the ingredients levels to make sure there is no High Fructose Corn syrup. For the most part, I spend less there because I only buy the necessities instead of chips, etc.

Anyway, here I am once again reading my book to brush up on my knowledge and also remind myself of what I need to be eating and not eating. I think the hardest part after having a baby, especially a c-section, is getting past the fear of hurting yourself or that the scar tissue with rip or something scary. Now, that I have mainly gotten past that I want to make sure that I am putting the right things in my body like LOADS of antioxidants and FRESH foods. We also started taking this supplement called "MaxGXL" which is supposed to help increase your glutathione in your cells which (short version) in turn helps clear your body of toxins and cancerous cells. One thing to note about glutathione in relation to autism is that children diagnosed with Autism have a MUCH lower level of glutathione in their body. I haven't taken this supplement long enough and consistently enough to see whether or not it is making a difference so I am just continuing to take and see how it makes me feel.

So, here's to a successful weight loss and here's to a healthy lifestyle!

Baby on the move!

Gotta love having a 8 month old that loves moving, before I know it he WILL be walking. It's just crazy! Hezekiah was doing the army crawl but has now graduated when he wants to, to crawl on all 4's like a big boy. He has even started pulling himself up. When Andrew came in to pick him up from this nap this afternoon, he was sitting on his knees inside the crib. Looks like it might be time to move the crib bed down a bit now. I am so not ready for him to be walking, but by the looks of it might be sooner than we thought. He is such a happy boy, and I can't believe God has blessed us with such a cutie pie :) It is definitely harder to be a working mom, everyone at my works seems to think that it is easy as pie to get off work at 2pm but when I get home I am watching Hezekiah in addition to doing ALL the dishes, ALL the laundry, and ALL the cleaning. Once in a great while I take a break and watch a movie while he is napping. Either way, we are just extremely happy to be blessed by God's provisions and we cannot wait to see what God has in store for us. Here are some cute pictures of Hezekiah recently:

"The Day"

I absolutely love this taken from Adoniram Judson after burying his wife in the mission field:

"Great is our privilege, precious our opportunity, to co-operate with the Savior in the blessed work of enlarging and establishing His kingdom throughout the world...

Let us not then, regret the loss of those who have gone before us and are waiting to welcome us home, nor shrink from the summons that must call us thither. Let us only resolve to follow them who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. Let us so employ the remnant of life, and so pass away, that our successors will say of us, as we our predecessors, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. They rest from their labours, and their works do follow them."

"That Day" is drawing near! Today is our day to work. How I pray that our generation will not be caught unawares when "the Day" comes. I pray that our works will follow us. Let us fill our days with good deeds, for this is God's will will the Gospel."

Padwe Family Reunion 2008

This last weekend all my mom's side of the family got together for a Family Reunion in Colorado and we had a lot of catching up to do. The last time we all got together was about 10 years ago, it was a little bit stressful with the baby, there was just so much to remember that I needed for him. In addition, he didn't sleep well at all during the night so I got about a total of 8 hours of sleep for the whole weekend. Luckily, we had a photographer come in and take some pictures of us all. So here are some pictures of our family.

Today we celebrate!

Today is our 3rd Anniversary, boy does time fly by fast! It's funny how after only 3 years we already feel like we have been married for like 20 or so. Even though my husband is a goofball, there has never been a dull moment since the day we both said "I do". We've been through some REALLY good times and some rough times as well. God has been extremely good to us and we have NO complaints about our life. I still look back to our vows and can't help but laugh, mine were all serious and couldn't sputter out the word "submissive" and Andrew's promise to always be "goofy". I don't think I have ever heard so many people laugh during a ceremony before. Every marriage has their moments of frustration but it also has it's joy. God has truly set apart for me my match in life. He is an amazing Father and a caring Husband. Seeing him with our baby just confirms everything I knew about him when I started dating him. I knew he would be a great Father and Husband, it will so great to see him once Hezekiah gets to be a toddler because Andrew will be able to have so much more fun with him. Thank you Lord for blessing this family 1 more year and we pray that you would continue to bless our family as you are now. Being married has been an amazing gift, Andrew is my beloved and I have found the one whom my soul loves! Happy Anniversary- My Knight!

Ooops!

So Andrew's co-worker accidentally blurted out some information that she thought was public knowledge but wasn't yet. So it looks as though Andrew might be up for a nice big promotion and God's timing is always perfect. Annual raises should be coming up for me as well, so we will have to wait and see next month how much it will be... at this point any raise at all is a good raise because I have cut my hours since coming back to work after the baby.

My VP is amazing, she always makes me feel good about myself and my work, she told me the other day "You know you can never leave me, right?" and today she said "You know sometimes you keep me sane!" I told her "Yeah and you keep me sane, because sometimes I can never keep things straight" We both had a good laugh because of how crazy today was. I could never have asked for a better VP! Work has been really hard and stressful for me lately because of other co-workers, does anyone else have any co-workers you know who just DON'T pull their own weight? I feel like sometimes I end up asking myself "They are making how much money to do what? Nothing." Maybe my standards of people are just too high, maybe I expect too much out of people nowadays! When I am at work, I always give 150% because as a Christian I know we work for the LORD and not for men. Right now my job is my livelihood, I cannot afford in any sense to risk my job and not just that but my VP makes me want to work hard for her because she has such high integrity and in some way I want to impress her and make myself an asset to the company. Why even work if you aren't going to give it all you've got. I guess I just expect that same level of responsibility that is just completely absent in this person, especially when making that much money... anyway just venting about work a little.

My Dad and his wife have decided to sell the house which I spend the majority of my childhood growing up in. I have such a sadness about them selling because EVERY memory I have as a child (good and bad through the whole divorce of my parents), is in that house. It will be a really hard thing for me to see someone else living in that house. Every summer we spent swimming in the pool, birthday parties in the backyard, laying on the cement next to the pool on a hot summer, playing barbies in the gameroom, walking home from school to that house, watching the rose parade every morning in the living room- I feel like I could go on for hours about that house and how much I will miss it, so I will stop now before I start crying or something.

Ever heard that song by Kendall Payne "Scratch", I cry almost every time I hear that song, it just totally explains how I feel some days:

"it's a big girl world now
full of big girl things
and everyday i wish i was small

i've been counting on nothing
but he keeps giving me his word
and i'm tired of hearing myself speak
do you get weary? do you ever get weak?
how do you dream when you can't fall asleep?"

Some days I just wish I could be a kid again... does anyone else every feel that way?

$$

Went to the dentist for the first time in...uhh...well over 3 years now! I am embarassed already so no need for negative comments. They asked me how long it has been and I HATE when they ask that and it has been a long time. They took a look at my mouth and told me I have 2 cavities, no less on my wisdom tooth on my left side. Other than that my teeth look great. They told me I had the beginnings of gum disease and prescribed me a mouth wash which should take care of that. So I have 3 appointments coming up costing me a total over $300 to take care of the 2 cavities, rx mouthwash, deep cleaning, and a follow up eval after 6 weeks of the mouthwash. Ugh, I need to make sure I really keep up on my appts now!  Oh yeah that amount I am paying is AFTER insurance, yippee :) I wouldnt really have that bad of a problem if it had 't been for me forgetting to floss as often. Crazy huh?

Faithfulness

These last couple of months have proved to be a true test of our faithfulness between finances and Andrew's car, work situations... and the list could go on but I will stop at there. I think God has been molding us in many ways, showing us new things about our lives everyday. We are thankful for food on the table and clothes on our back and formula to feed the baby plus the many more things like a working car to get us to our jobs which bring us the bacon.

What the future holds for us we don't know, will we EVER buy a house.... ehhhh who knows I guess if we don't it doesn't matter because if we die we can't take it with us anyway. But all of these concerns seem so minute when comparing to my co-worker who will be quitting work in May to take care of her husband. She decided to sell all her assets in order to be able to afford to keep him at home. And in her words "If I have to start all over again, oh well, I will start all over again." And when it really comes down to it she's right nothing in this world, no new car, no big screen high def tv, no big house, will ever replace the precious time you spend with a loved one when you never know how long you have with them.

Not of this World

Maybe some of you have seen stickers like this one of the backs of cars


Or maybe even one like this:












Or maybe you have a similar sticker like this on the back of your own car. Do you have one of these stickers on your car and drive crazy?? Quite honestly it just makes me mad when I see cars that have a sticker like that and drive crazy- what kind of message do you think you are sending people, believers and non-believers, when you cut someone off on the road, or decide to bypass the whole line and jump in front (because you don't want to waste your precious time) or just drive like a raving maniac speeding down the road weaving in and out of traffic (no doubt in your white raised pick up truck). I know that is a horrible stereotype, but it is totally true. Don't you think that this leaves people with a lasting impression of "Christians are jerks!" I mean realistically Christians have a hard enough time trying to win people over but if for some crazy reason you think that cutting someone off on the street or speeding while weaving in and out of traffic and having that sticker on your car is going to win them over to Christianity... YOU'RE WRONG! If you're going to drive like a jerk- seriously- just take off the dang sticker because you aren't proving anything to anyone especially other Christians by driving like a jerk and having that sticker on. All it does is prove to non-believers why they shouldn't believe in Christ. Think twice about the way you drive when you have those kinds of things on your car.

Funniest thing!

Thought this was hilarious! Can be bought at Target for the low price of 39.99:
This is a training potty urinal for boys!!

Blogged with the Flock Browser

A Cherished moment

Tonight is one of the nights that I most cherish being a mom. Where do I begin? Hezekiah mainly sleeps through the night with a once in a blue moon waking up but tonight was one of the night when he last ate at around 6pm and was getting tired around 8:30pm so I laid him down for a nap and decided somewhere around 9:30 I would give him a small bottle and send him back to bed. When I went into his room to wake him up for his bottle, he grasped onto me and ust laid his head on my shoulder as I walked him out to the living room to give him his bottle. and as I was holding him he'd lift up his head to look around and then lay his head back down on my shoulder- just like a sack of potatoes he was pretty heavy. I fed him his bottle and towards the end he's falling asleep again, so I take his head under my arm and he snuggles his little head in the bend of my arm and quickly falls asleep again in my arms. I walk steadily towards his room and gently lay him in his crib where he adjusts his sleeping position and I know he is completely knocked out after just a few seconds. 

I really cherish moments like these because I know so quickly they will be gone and I will miss these little things about him being this age. He has such a sweet disposition and smiles at almost every funny face I make. He is getting 2 teeth in and even with that (I know this is not the worst of it) but he is STILL such a sweet baby! I am almost scared to have another baby because I just don't know how we could have another perfect baby?! I can't wait until he wakes up in the morning- my sweet little Hezekiah! 

Hezekiah Crawling

We caught Hezekiah crawling for the first time tonight with the video camera. Not a full on crawl but the kid is seriously moving now! AHHHH! Here's the video we took:

A new first!

Hezekiah has his first tooth coming in!!!! We actually just noticed today when he was babbling and we noticed a small little hold on this bottom gums. We ran our fingers on his gums and sure enough he has a tooth coming through!!! He is definitely drooling more and loves his teething toys now but he doesn't seem to be in any pain and isn't even fussy really but from what I hear it's the molar's that hurt the most. So far so good, as soon as it comes through I will make sure to snap a picture! Hezekiah is growing up :)

Funny face and Faux-hawk

A short little video of Hezekiah's new funny face and a cute little picture of Hezekiah and his Faxu-Hawk! Hezekiah has almost mastered sitting up and playing, he thinks it is funny now when he falls over, such a little cutie!

Heaven Sent!!!

This little baby is so Heaven Sent! He is changing by the day and I love this age, he laughs at a lot of different things like: Hiccups, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and me pretending to tickle him. His smiles just keep me smiling and I love to hear him use his voice! What a cutie :)

**Side Note: We are now going on Andrew's car being in the shop for now 5 months!!!

Holy week

This week signifies Holy week in the church, we use this week to remind us of the walk that Jesus took to Calvary, the sacrifice that continually wipes our slate clean. Let's use this week to be a servant to Christ. Just as Christ Jesus washed His disciples feet, so should we serve others. Let's take some time this week and decide what we can do for our surrounding community that might change the way people look at Christianity?

What kind of lives ought we live? The kind the focuses on money, maybe possessions, maybe even being fake? No, Christ calls us to live Holy and pleasing lives, ones that glorify His name and don't blemish His vision for His people. How do we live a Holy life when we are surrounded by people who cut us off in line at Target or almost side swipe us on the freeway, or just are plain mean? I think about this question everyday because in my own job I have sometimes situations that might come up that would normally upset some other people but I think I have learned to deal with them in a way that is calm and respectful. I think this sometimes sets a tone for how other people handle this situation as well. We are called to be the "bigger" person and turn the other cheek when others have wronged us.

This is not how society deals with someone who has hurt them. They go on myspace and post bulletins and bogs about how much they dislike someone. Or they completely ignore the issue hoping that someday it will go away. Just like with people who talk about wanting to lose weight and think that some pill or some surgery has fixed the problem. When really all they have done is masked the real issue. If you don't change you ways you will go back to the way things were before.

Unfortunately, I am generation Y (I think) and really we should be called generation "I think I am entitled to everything." For some reason my generation seems to think they are entitled to make a certain amount of money (because they've have earned it, only being in the working field like 3 years), they think they are entitled to respect even when they don't give it to anyone themselves, they think they are entitled to being first in line (only God knows why), they think they are entitled to having the "dream house" when they only make $20,000/year.... and I could just go on for hours because in my job I see it everyday with applicants who come in.

For instance, I had this young applicant get a hold of me to find out about his application and why he hadn't been called for an interview. I asked for his information and what position, and when I told him the position had been filled and we thank him for his interest in this position. I hang up the phone and about 2 minutes later my direct line rings again and it's the same applicant and he says to me in a nasty attitude "I just want to know what the other person had that I didn't have" If you could only see my face at this point, and I am think well with that kind of attitude no one will ever hire you, and you wonder why you're looking for a job. I simply responded, "It was filled by an internal candidate who has already been working that position for several months, Thank you and have a nice day!" What is up with the stinkin' attitude! If he thinks that I haven't flagged his application as "NO, don't ever hire!" by now, boy is he in for a rude awakening.

Anyway, what kind of lives ought we live? With the cross in sight and in view of God's sacrifice, ought we fight for what is right. Shouldn't we try to live blameless lives? I know I will make (and have made) mistakes and I have never once claimed that I am perfect... I just try to keep the cross in my sight so I can always look at it as a reminder when I am at my worst to remember that Christ was Holy and He was tempted in every way just as we were. So He DOES know what we go through and he understands our struggles. Just because we are saved doesn't mean we have to lose our fire, doesn't mean we give up on people who are lost, and it certainly doesn't mean that we can go up the alter call every Sunday as if it is Catholic confessionals. and wipe our slate clean. Living a Righteous Life I think means being consciously aware of the decisions we make and trying (even though we may fail) to do as Christ would do. Anyway, this is a pretty long blog for me... I have to call it a night for now.

Lessons on Love

Do you have someone in your life that is so annoying at times? I feel like at points of my life this person flares up like a pimple or something annoying like that. And just when you think you've gotten rid of it... it always comes back with friends. I don't know if that is an accurate description but I am trying to get my picture across... well anyway. I don't often question why God put this friend or family member in my life because God works in mysterious ways sometimes. Plus, having people in my life like this is a true test of my character. Meaning, it is a true test of my patience as well. God is teaching me a lot over these last few years and I am really trying to take advantage of what He is showing me so I can be a better (bigger) person about all my tough situations. Some of these may not directly relate to love, but indirectly they do.

Life lessons in love #1, When someone hurts you to the core, always forgive no matter how much it hurts but never forget the hurt because if you forget the hurt it's likely to happen again to you.

Life lessons in love #2, Pick your battles... carefully, sometimes the fight is not worth hurting and/or losing someone close to you

Life lessons in love #3, Always be aware of your surroundings, remember that we are always a witness even when we think no one is looking.

Life lessons in love #4, Don't knowingly hurt someone with the intent that someday "they'll get it"

Life lessons in love #5, Life is not a competition, we are all in different places and different paces.

Life lessons in love #6, It is better sometimes just to walk away than to say something hurtful and regret it.

Life lessons in love #7, You only get 1 family in this life.

Life lessons in love #8, Life is short, so my focus will be on my Adonai and his never ending love for me and desire for me to love back no matter how much I don't want to at times.

Take up your cross

"Jesus said 'HE who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me" (Matthew 10:38). Let those words linger in your mind for a time of meditation before the Lord.

He's telling us that for you and me to even think of following Him in a worthy manner, the cross must be central in our life- which means dealing with sin must be central in our life.

How could it be otherwise? How could be be indifferent to sin when we know how radically God had to deal with the sin issue- at an unimagiable cost to Himself and His Son- on the cross?

It's unthinkable to say "Father, thank you for laying the sin of the world on Your son... but please don't talk to me about sin in my life. I just want to have the joy of following You."

Jesus also said "Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple(Luke 14:27). Here's a statement that leaves no room or manuever.
There's nothing halfway about it; eother we take up our cross, or it's absolutely impossible to be His disciple. Would it not be important, then, that we understand completely and profoundly what it means to bear our cross?

Jesus never hides the terms of discipleship, and the terms He lays down are non-negotiable. They're absolutes- and it's time for us to let the living Christ once again define the terms of discipleship. "

-Experiencing the Cross by Henry T. Blackaby

Being wiseman

These last couple of months I think we have been taught a lot of about managing our money. My work is still double deducting health benefits so I can get caught up on what I missed when I was on maternity leave. We've learned a lot about what we need and what we want. What we need and what we want are 2 different things, some people is takes them a lifetime of making bad decisions to learn how to be good stewards of God's money. We have made our share of mistakes and we have learned from them. Money is definitely not evil but it is root of many problems in people's lives. What I seek and what I truly desire is to look to God for every money making decision even down to shopping for groceries. I know that God has blessed us way more than we have deserved and Andrew and I have learned a lot about spending our money wisely when we ate nothing but cheese sandwiches and peanut butter and jelly for like 2 weeks straight because that's what we had to do to make ends meet until my next paycheck. I look back even now and laugh because I think man... that was probably the hardest we've had it since we've been married! All is well and God still provided money for rent, daycare, car payment, and some food. I think it's great how God is soo good to us when we show Him that we are faithful to his promises to provide for us. Thank you LORD for the bad times because it makes the good times seem soooo much better :)

Discipline

"Because the theme of spiritual warfare has been such a strong fad in the Christian community for a number of years, too many of God's people see everything negative in that light. But if you can't tell the difference between spiritual warfare and God's discipline of His children, you're in serious trouble.
Why is that?

Because so often we forget the clear truth in Hebrews 12:5: 'For whom the LORD loves he chastens, and scourages every son whom he receives' The God of the universe chastens and scourages every one of his children- and He does it because of His love for them. And it isn't some light slap on the hand correction- but rather something that is indeed painful.

Would it then not be important for us to understand what this discipline is like, and why He does it- so we're able to recognize it when it happens to us? Otherwise, in the spiritual climate of today, when we encounter that painful discipline we'll simply think the devil is responsible for it, instead of realizing this is what God Himself is doing.

...So we need to be very consiously aware of the seriousness of attributing the activity of our Father God to Satan. If we keep on blaming everything negative or painful in our lives on the devil, then we may very well miss the good and loving work of discipline and training God seeks to accomplish in our lives"
-Experience the cross by Henry T. Blackby

I hate stupid drivers!

Okay so we started our day by going to church and that turned out fine but after we had to take my laptop to the apple store to check it out because I am having some performance issues. On our way out there on the 60fwy we almost got sideswiped by this Nissan Frontier White with 6 people in so I am sure he couldn't even see his mirrors so Andrew laid on the horn. We get to Victoria Gardens have a nice lunch and head to the Apple store for our appt... turns out they see no issues with my laptop (and of course this always happens when you need repairs- the problem never happens when the tech is looking at it!) So it seems a wasted trip! On our way out we are in the turn lane onto Day Creek and we start to move as the left turn lane turns green and out of nowhere this Black Ford Mustang swoops in almost sideswiping us AGAIN and then runs the red light to get through! Why is it that people have no regard for the laws and even further more have no regard for other people. They think they are so DARN important that no one else matters! Even in they almost cause an accident they JUST DON'T have the slightest care! Sometimes it's so frustrating because you think- What you think you're poop don't stink!? Please!? We all use a toilet and guess what treating people like that gets you nowhere. As I always say "You'll get more with honey than with vinegar!"

My final ruling is: People need to take an IQ test, anger management, and a personality test before even qualifying to apply for a Driver's License! Someone, please someone stop the insensitive and stupid driver's from being on the road with me :)

6 months old

Last week Hezekiah turned 6 months old and I still can't believe that he is half a year old already! Boy does time fly with a baby! He is so active, he loves his jumping toy where he builds his leg muscles and is babbling like crazy, he makes bubbles with his mouth and loves is when I try and imitate his sounds. He is trying to crawl so bad but cant do it yet, I am helping him along my supporting his torso a little while he moves his arms and legs- we'll see if that helps. He brings so much joy to our lives, everyday and every week brings something new that he has learned and I just love watching him grow up. I took his 6 month pictures courtesy of mi casa and camera (that is now fixed, yipee!) Also, we have started baby food with him and as much as I would like to think that I would make my baby food from home I just don't have the time and with as expensive as fruit and veggies are I just don't see it being anymore cost effective than $0.82 for a weeks worth of baby food at Hezekiah's age. Anyway we started with peas one week and his face was hilarious and this week it is squash and I think he really looks forward to eating his "big boy" food after he finishes his bottle. Here are some funny pictures of him eating his peas and squash and his 6 month old/Easter pictures!

He's finding his voice

Life's not fair

Life is at time not fair, but who am I to say that God's plans are not justified. I know that everything God does is justified and I am no one of importance nor do I think I am anyone of power to say to God "YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" I have no right after what Christ did for me to say anything like that to the Creator of the Universe...But sometimes I (metaphorically) lay on my belly like a little baby in a tantrum and pound my fist and kick my feet saying "Why!? It's not fair!" We are all selfish creatures at times it comes out in this monster and breaths its fire. I know that God had a greater purpose for that tragedy but today I was extremely selfish and pounded my fist hard and wished that this person was here. 

Expelled the movie

This is Ben Stein's movie coming out in Spring 2008 and I am so excited to be able to share this with everyone. Skeptics of the Christian beliefs will be astounded and of all people I would have never guessed Ben Stein to make this kind of movie. I hope all of you will be able to see this! Share this will everyone you know:

Click on the picture above to see the trailer in a big format or watch below from you tube-

A Romance Thesis

This is the name of a band that Andrew's co-worker's are in (their link is at the bottom of my blog) and they have been signed and released their first CD and so I was listening to this song "If I am a bird you're a bird" and I really liked this bit of the lyrics:

"one last chance to live...
cause a bird is not such a great
creature to be
one wrong move of the wind
and you get swept into the sea...

...I'll continue holding on
for as long as it takes
I'm not ready for goodbye
I'm not ready to part ways
I'm not ready to let go
or watch you fall to this fate...

....I'll breathe my life into you
If thats what it takes...
then thats what I must do
But I guess I'm too late
It's not my life to save
I've done all I can do
Now it's your step to take"

I guess I just thought about the people we know in our own lives that continue to make bad decisions and we watch from our ledge as they crash into the sea and break. And they HAVE to learn it on their own but you wish you could help. It's the whole reaching hand syndrome, where you can reach your hand out but if they don't want to grab it then that is their choice and you can't make them! I felt so burdened in a sense because I want so much for these people to really know Christ and follow in his paths but we powerless until they come to the realization on their own. I just keeping praying for them that their eyes would be opened.

Most recent Shoot

Here is a slideshow of some pictures from my most recent portrait session:

New High Chair

Our friends Katie & Kendal were so nice to give us a brand new high chair, which they got when they had their baby but never opened and never needed it. The coolest part of it is that it fits right on top of a regular chair so it's a space saver which I absolutely love! I think Hezekiah really likes sitting at the table with us both even if he isn't eating anything :) Here are some great pics!

I have proof now!

Hezekiah really does look like me more!

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Free genealogy

Latest & Greatest

Okay I'll start with some little things that I have found and really LOVE! Found a family owned Organic Grocery store close to us called Goodwin's Organics & also a Fresh & Easy market will b e opening February 27th right close to us as well. I am so excited for both of these stores, more and more we find out about the pesticides and hormones used in our produce, dairy, and meat the more we find out how horrible these things are for us. I absolutely love that there so many more options for us to be able to buy Organic. I even managed to pick up 2 jars of Babies First Foods by Earth's Best Organic baby food for a low price of $.079 each. Not bad if I do say so!










Also, Hezekiah is just developing so fast, I cannot believe it!!! He is slamming his arms down of objects to make noise and laughing at the wierdest noises as you will hear on the video. I found this noise that for some reason he thinks is hilarious. He still sleeps on his belly, and now instead of waking up crying he wakes up cooing and talking away and I absolutely love it! Makes life so much easier for me :) Here is the latest & greatest of Hezekiah's developments!

Fox should be ashamed of themselves

Most of you know who Montel Williams is, he has been a television host for over 17 years and is dealing with MS disease. After the below interview, he lost his job due to speaking the truth. He was sick and tired of hearing the news dwelling on Heath Ledger and not even mentioning not 1 troop who has lost his life in Iraq. I say, Go Montel for speaking the truth!!!!

Fullness of Life

"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." Galations 2:21. Paul refused to overlook or ignore all that God had done or him in the cross. He knew that REAL life meant Christ living out His life within him. Paul would never try to love on his own,, in his own strength, or by his own legalistic righteousness, because that would mean Christ died in vain.

That last phrase in this verse is a crucial one for all of us. If you don't want the cross to be emptied of its meaning and power in your life, if you want everything God intends you to be because of the cross, then let all that God accomplished in the cross have full effect in your life. Don't set aside what God has done and try to live apart from full dependence on the living Christ.

When Paul stated in 2 Corinthians that anyone in Christ is a "new creation", with all things becoming new in their lives, the newness he referred to was the living presence of Christ Himself. That's what's new (and stays new) in our lives when we live by the cross.

You now have Christ living out the newness of His life in you. He's not only cleansing you from sin, guarding you from sin, and giving you victory over sin, but He's also filling you with LIFE. Don't let anybody tell you that the life of holiness if drab, boring, and lifeless. It is not. How could it be? It's full of the complete, abundant, overflowing life of God. It is full of joy. It is full of victory. It is full of promise and hope. As you follow the way of the cross, you'll see things you've never seen and hear things you've never heard."

Taken from "Experiencing the Cross' by Henry T. Blackaby

So I tried

Today to vote, I went down to the registrar of voter's because I didn't know where I was supposed to vote, and I ended up walking like 1/4 of a mile because parking was so bad to vote there too. I got there and they told me I was still registered under my maiden name and I needed to change that as well as my address so I went ahead and made the changes and she said go ahead and stand in line and they will give you your ballot. So, I waited and waited and finally got up to the counter to get my ballot and they told me you can either vote democratic, independent, or only on the issues and not primaries. So I asked, how come I cannot vote Republican? The lady told me that because I marked "Choose not to disclose" on my party affiliation that the Republicans do not let me vote. I was like what the heck, I have never had this issue before? She said you can change it before the next election otherwise you will have the same problem again. I was so stinking mad, I WAS NOT about to vote for a democrat at this point and with the baby with me I ended up walking out because I still had to get diapers and pick Andrew up from work. So I feel like I have failed as Christian on this issue because I feel so obligated to vote and we have the privilege to I don't want to take that for granted. So guess what? Tomorrow, I am calling the Registrar of Voter's and changing my party affiliation so I can vote how I want to. Ugh! On the brighter side, I save some money buying diapers at Sam's club :) OKay and by tge way, I beg a question... Does Mitt Romney wear the "special underwear" since he claims to be mormon? Just food for thought!

It's been a while

Since I have posted anything, it's been crazy around here in between work and spending time together as a family. Here's what we've been up to lately...

So , Andrew's car is still in the shop and hopefully will be done by the end of this week but as always no guarantees. So, Andrew and I are still keeping up the crazy schedule of: Andrew driving me to work, goes back home with baby, drops baby off at daycare, drops the car off at my work, literally runs to work, I get the car and pick up the baby from daycare, go home, drive back down and pick Andrew up for work... and then on Mondays go to youth group! Phew....Definitely not saving anything on gas with all the running around. Makes me VERY thankful that we do not have to do this forever and thankful that God has blessed us with 2 cars.

January 27th, Hezekiah was baptized! Most of the family was able to attend, of course, my Dad was not there since he now lives in Oregon, but nonetheless it was very exciting. I had a lot of emotions about it all, and our Pastor was talking about bringing him up in the Lord and when he grows up and makes the decision to follow the Lord.... it was a realization that this baby I so deeply love will someday make a decision about the kind of life he will live. It almost made me cry in front of the whole church as I thought about the weight of our responsibility to bring him in the Lord and the kind of joy I think will be inexpressible if and when he decides to become a Christian. Anyway, it was so awesome to be able to do that in front of the church. Pictures will come later, as I have to get these from my mom.

Tomorrow, Hezekiah turns 5 months... man does time fly by fast with a baby! He rolls over both ways now and still loves to sleep on his belly. He is starting the babbling stuff now, he's kinda of doing the dadadadad and raspberries and funny little sighs a lot. I love being his Mommy, it's so much fun to watch him develop and see things click together now. I sometimes am taken back by how big he is and how fast he is growing and I really want to just cuddle him all the time because I know this phase will be over sometime and I will miss it! I really cherish every little thing and sometimes when he is playing on the floor, I just lay next to him and stare at him because and just stand back amazed at him and how God has chosen to bless us.

Being back to work is a nice change, I missed my co-workers and am starting a new area in my Human Resources field, I am doing a lot of recruitment work, reports, helping my bosses with projects so it's working out nicely and I really love my job so I am grateful for everything right now. My schedule is only 8am-2pm and I really think this is going to stay for a while, my boss made it clear that if I wanted to stay at this shift it was at my option when Hezekiah even gets into school so I can pick him up, I have really great bosses and I could not ask for better!

Photography for me now that the baby is quite a bit better and he's on formula now is working out really great with how much we are NOT home. He's adjusted well! So, I have a job coming up in March for a wedding, a portrait session next weekend, and another wedding schedule for July. A little extra income goes a long way in our house. Hopefully some more jobs will be coming!

Also, has anyone been watching the news on the Economic Stimulus they are trying to pass... We could really use that about now! Make sure you vote on Tuesday and some people hate tax season but we cannot wait, can you say refund with a new baby? Ha ha, sorry I know that probably sounds so greedy, I promise we're not but with all Andrew's car work we could really use it :) Anyway that's about it for now! Here are some pictures of Hezekiah:

First taste of Cereal

Yesterday, we attempted to give Hezekiah some rice cereal for the first time... most of it came out of his mouth and he gave us some pretty wierd faces as well I think all in all it went pretty well. He was more enamored with chewing on the spoon than actually swallowing the cereal. Here are some pictures of the fun event!

Kendra- The Supermom

This is what I have labeled myself after 8 days without Andrew. I started back to work on the 14th and then Andrew went on his annual missions trip to Mexico. Needless to say, I was BUSY! Woke up at 5:30am to take my shower and get ready before Hezekiah wakes up and it hungry and mad that he has been asleep for like 9 hours. I make my lunch (which by the way consists of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some type of crackers) gotta love a poor man's lunch! Then get my pump, and snacks, Hezekiah's stuff ready for daycare, and out the door at 7:00am to make it to the daycare and to work on time... phew... that was a crazy few days :) I managed to make it to bed by like 9:30pm every night, me and the baby were EXHAUSTED.

My job has changed quite a bit and I like to call myself the "jack of all trades" at work now, since I have my hands in every sort of pot while at work and just making myself available to anyone who needs help. Currently, I am helping with Leave of Absences, recruitment, and front desk duties.. I am sure there are more to come. Being at work from 8am-2pm everyday goes by extremely fast. I am excited about the changes to my job now that I have returned and really learning more about my area of work only makes me more of an asset to the company and I love that... job security :) I so look forward to the weekend and getting to spend all day Saturday and Sunday with the men in my life (Andrew and Hezekiah that is). Makes me that much more appreciative of my husband and baby when I get off work.

Yesterday, Hezekiah had his 4 month check up and immunizations. As of tonight, we was running a low grade fever from them and has wanted to eat 6 or more ounces of food every like 2 hours when we were home and didn't necessarily like being put down We gave him some Tylenol so hopefully that helped my little man. Tonight, he knocked out in like 2 seconds after I laid him down at 9:30am. My poor baby is just exhausted from the whole ordeal. This morning, while feeding I touched his little thigh where the shots were done and he cried in the middle of eating, I felt so bad for him. Gave him a bath tonight and hoped that eased his muscle pain and what a good baby he is! He now weighs in at 12.13 lbs (25% of his age) and 25in long (75% of his age). He is becoming a chunker now to me, he wants to eat about 7 ounces at each feeding, so I now he will be gaining quite a bit of weight now, I already noticed his thighs getting more chunk. The Dr told me that it's good I am giving some formula because somewhere around 6 months breast milk loses a lot of it's iron content so formula replaces that lost iron which is good. He is getting so big now, he is a tummy sleeper for certain now. He rolls over both ways now, and can really put a lot of weight on his legs, I have no doubt he will be crawling soon. He is getting ready to sit up on his own, he kind of does it on his own for like 3 seconds and then tumbles over. This weekend we are attempting the rice cereal, so we will see how that goes. Anyway that's the update for now. I have to say I am so happy to have my husband back in my bed with me and helping me with the baby. I don't know how single mother's do it... I really don't! Kudos to those single moms out there :)

2 things

 I think since we have been married (almost 3 years now) this about the toughest we've had it financially. We are just waiting for my paycheck to come in so we are dependent on Andrew's income alone while I work and wait for a check.... And even when I do get a check it will be pretty small right now because they are double deducting my benefits for the last month since I was on leave... so it will be tight for a little while here. But I still seem to praise God even when it's extremely hard right now. Andrew's gone, I went back to work, and dealing with finances. Even with that said, we still don't have it that bad... even what I think is our lowest still isn't that low because of Go's provisions in our life. I thank God for all the blessings and I remind myself that it's just a season and it will soon pass. 

These 2 songs really hit me hard this week: 

"Believe" by Mainstay
"When all around me starts to fall and when my faith it seems so small
Even in my darkest hour, I will believe
Even if the sun begins to fall, even when I feel nothing at all
Even if I'm all alone, I will believe"

And also this amazing song my David Crowder "Everything Glorious"
"You make everything glorious
And I am Yours
What does that make me"

Thank you God for making all things glorious!! I cannot wait to see your glories become even more evident in our lives. Only 2 more days until Andrew comes home Yipeee :)

Craziness...

I have to say this is how I describe this week. Monday was my first day back at work. So since we are down to 1 car this is how the last couple of days went:

Andrew drove me to work
Andrew went home with baby til 11am
Andrew dropped off baby at daycare and goes to work and drops car off at my work while he walks to work
I get off work drive to get baby from daycare & head home. Feed baby
Drive to pick up Andrew from work

Ahhh... exhausting.

As if going back to work wouldn't be stressful enough, Andrew left on Wed for his missions trip to Mexico which is hard for both of us I think since we are both away from the  baby so much right now. Work is going great, I have never felt so welcomed back, with everyone saying how much they missed me and can't wait to see pictures of the baby! I told myself I wouldn't bring pictures until next week because I didn't want to cry at work.

I have my own office, so I thought pumping at work would be easy but seen as how I only have 2 10 minute breaks yeah now quite working at all while I am at work. I have resulted to expecting next week the baby going from breast milk during the day to formula as soon as my stored milk runs out. I am still breastfeeding while at home,  but I can't pump in 10 minutes- No way! Ehhh my expectations of pumping have floated out the window at this point. Ahh well that's what I get for minimizing my schedule so I could spend more time at home with the baby :) 

I miss Andrew so much right now and cannot wait for him to get back and I know this missions trip is good for him, it is definitely hard to see him go. I cried all the way to daycare because I didn't want him to go :) I'll get used to it... someday!

Crucified with Christ

"Galations 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ." How have you understood that phrase?

I think the average Christian assumes Paul is saying something like "Christ died for me." I've heard theologians discuss whether this isn't merely a "positional" statement, whether it was only "as if" Paul had been crucified with the Lord Jesus. But as a pastor, having walked alongside so many broken people who have looked to the cross for redemption and restoration, I have to conclude that no, this statement from Paul is absolutely real."

"...At every turn in the process, Paul watched His dying Savior, he would cry out, "My Lord! This is where I should be!"
"Yes, I know," he Lord would say to him. "But, Paul you cannot pay this price; only I can. And i cannot avoid it, or else you will never live. You'll have no life, Paul, unless I shed My blood for you."

"I have been crucified with Christ, Paul said. How does that statement apply to you and me?

Again, the average Christian would think, 'Well, it doesn't really."
I disagree.
If you saw Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ, did oyu sense that you were being crucified with Christ, or that He was being crucified for you? I'm sure most of those who watched it had great sympathy with Jesus, but I doubt many of us sensed that we were up there on that cross, crucified, and bleeding with Him. Yet I believe you and I are called to begin understanding those depths just as Paul did, and to know the transformation that Paul knew as well."

"There must be a point in your life where you can say- not just doctrinally, but experientially-
"I have been crucified with Christ." Only the living Lord himself can bring you to that place.

The deepest meaning of the cross and it's transforming power can be understood experientially. Don't ever equate knowing a doctrine with having experienced the reality of the truth. The cross must be experienced to be understood."

Taken from Experiencing the Cross by Henry Blackby

Returning to work

I have so enjoyed my maternity leave and I am so sad to see it go. Would it be nice to be a stay at home mom- Heck yeah! For now, we need the extra money to, of course, save for the never ending goal of buying a house. I am excited to return to work, because I absolutely love my job and bosses so much and man, when you find a place good like that to work you better hang onto it as long as you can because it's rare.

It's bittersweet, I am giving Hezekiah a bath tonight just thinking about how stir crazy I will be at work and missing my little baby wondering if he is crying or wants his mama. Ahhhhh, I am going to miss him so much! The plus side to my work situation and Andrew's is that we only have to have someone watch him for like 3 hours a day so it'll be good for him to get some socialization with some other children too. We found a wonderful lady through our church who runs a daycare for just a few children so Hezekiah will get the attention he needs as well. It'll be quite a change for both of us I am sure :)

On top of going back to work Monday, Andrew will be leaving on Wed for his missions trip for a week! Could this come at a worse time, I think not. So imagine me, trying to adjust to going back to work, not having my husband in town to help me, and getting myself, the baby ready in the morning and somehow managing to get to work on time... ugh! How on earth did this ever get planned like this!? I am going to have my hands full that is for sure... I am a little stressed thinking about that week, but I am trying to just pray about it and hope that Hezekiah doesn't get cranky in the morning with the new scheduling and let me have it easy. Keep that in prayer for me :) That is all for now!

Tummy sleeping baby

So every night this last week,  I go in and check on the baby and he is sleeping soundly. I place him on his back to sleep (per the AAP) to prevent SIDS. I find him asleep on his tummy his little head cocked to the side. I flip him over before I finally go to bed again and I wake up in the morning and he has managed to flip himself back on his tummy again. I guess I can give up trying to get this stubborn little baby to keep sleeping on his back... So wierd. I thought they weren't supposed to do this until they got much older. 

2 families say Welcome to the world...

Congratulations to Ty & Lauren Briggs - Kendal & Katie Pool

Ty & Lauren said Welcome to the world to their new daughter Jovie Alora Briggs at 7:26am weighing in at 6lbs and 15oz. and 19 inches long. Lauren delivered that Jovie in an amazing 4 hours from start to finish! Whoa, great job Lauren !! Please keep little Jovie in your prayers as she was placed in NICU today because she had stopped breathing a few times today.

Also a Congratulations are in order for Kendal & Katie Pool , she delivered her 2nd baby a girl this time, Dana Grace Pool 6lbs 3oz and 17.5 inches long (who couldn't be any more opposite from her almost 10lb brother), she was born at around 11pm tonight. Katie was induced at 8am this morning, and delivered a healthy baby girl just before the next day. Yeahhh!!







































We say Congratulations to the new proud parents!! We are keeping a fast recovery for both mommies in our prayers :)

2 unique/ special gifts

For Christmas my mom gave me this special gift of a very unique baby book. This book, pictured below, was handmade by a mother of a company called Kisses 4 tristen, her daughter has cancer. She makes these books for people to help raise money to buy wigs for her daughter. She asks the customer all sorts of information about the baby and then designs the books based on what information you give her so amazing!! This gift brought so much joy to my heart! If you are interested in purchasing one of these amazing little books, here is the contact information: Kisses 4 Tristen, Monique Crouser (owner and designer), mccrystal@earthlink.net.

Also, Andrew bought this very special necklace at Knott's last night since I was at home with the baby for New Year's while he and a few friends went and rung in the new year enjoying Praise 2008. The necklace is cool, it comes with a mollusk and the necklace- you crack open the mollusk and get your pearl, clean it off and then open your necklace and place the pearl inside the chamber of the necklace. The necklace is called Pearl of Love, I love it and so sweet of him to think of me when I was at home. I love you Andrew!

"Formula Hope"

"Formula Hope" is an idea of an organization I would like to start someday. Formula Hope would be delivering sanitary and disposable bottles to AIDS infected areas. Unfortunately, even though a mother is infected, HIV-positive, many children are born negative but because they breastfeed their babies the child then becomes HIV- positive because they have no other source for food. A child that is born with hope, but is doomed because of lack of sources.

Taken from http://www.aids.harvard.edu/news_publications/har/spring_1999/spring99-2.html

"Breastfeeding
If breastfeeding is to be eliminated as an avenue for HIV infection, alternatives such as bottle feeding must be made safe and available. One cannot safely clean bottles and prepare formula in an area that is without adequate supplies of clean water. In some rural areas in Uganda for example, 85 percent of the infants who are fed formula die because it has been made using water contaminated with deadly bacteria. In the same areas, the death rate among infants who become infected with HIV through breastfeeding is 27 percent.

Even when clean water is available, the money to buy formula often is not. In Uganda, the cost of feeding one child adequately with formula is about one and a half times the annual earnings of an average village family.

Cultural issues also are factors in women’s decisions on whether to feed their infants by breast or by bottle. For many years the United Nations and public health organizations have been promoting breastfeeding as the healthiest way to feed and the best way to nurture a child. In many countries, the idea that the "breast is best" is still very strong, and the cultural view is that a good mother is one who breastfeeds."


This is an awesome idea that would be great for the organization I would like to start. Patent pending disposable bottles, which comes pre-filled with sanity water and formula you just would squeeze the bottle to mix the contents and feed your baby. Man, think of how much we could change the amount of infected children if we started using these:

















You can find information on this patent at: http://austin.craigslist.org/vol/503524310.html