Being Mommy: The End

The parents are back, since Saturday afternoon, and I can put my feet up at last! Some people stole our electrical cables Friday night so we were without electricity for a few days. Thank God for candles and generators, gas stoves and laptop bateries--what would we do without them?Well, things are pretty much back to normal. As they say, "all's well that ends well."

Picture of The Day

Being Mommy: Days 3,4

The days are starting to blur...Tiredness describes the way I feel for most of my waking hours. Last night's sleep could hardly be described as restful. For one, it was freezing cold. Then the kids: Kiara woke up crying twice, I can't count how many times Brendan woke up. But really, in the wee hours of the morning when he's wide awake, and he gives that irresistible smile and coo....you forget how tired you are, how your body aches, and that your eyes don't even stay open. It doesn't matter because you know you love him no matter what.
Today I took Kiara for a walk while Brendan was napping. I needed to clear my head a little, and I also wanted to do something fun with just Kiara. Steve kept an eye on Brendan for me so we could go out. We had so much fun together walking on the road, admiring the view and listening to the silence. It's so amazing how kids love so unconditionally and without restraint! Kiara was just purring with delight to have me all to herself. She asked to hold my hand and didn't stop telling me how much she loved me, how fun it was to be on a walk with me, how much she loved being with me. I of course felt all warm and fuzzy inside. I knew she meant every word. She wasn't trying to "butter-me-up" or gain "brownie points", which is what you would expect hearing things like that from any other mouth, she was just speaking from the heart. That's what made it so special. Needless to say I enjoyed our walk.

Now, Brendan absolutely adores Steve. Since Brendan was 5/6 months old they've had this little "buddy-buddy" relationship. It makes me a little jealous at times. I feel like, "Hey, I'm with you most of the day don't you love me too?" But in spite of that I do understand. It's also a nice reward/change for Steve because when we first got together Kiara was so jealous she really didn't like Steve. That was very hard for him as he was so nice to her, but she got it stuck in her mind that "he was talking me away from her" so she was quite mean to him.
When I'm not wallowing in self-pity I love watching the look on Brendan's face when he sees Steve. His whole face lights up and you can almost feel his little heart overflowing with joy. Steve loves being with Brendan and they're always going off to play guitar or have some buddy time. It's so cute! I've never seen a little baby love someone that much.

Being Mommy: Day 2

Highlights of Today

This morning I was showing Brendan flashcards and picture facts. When we were finished with that I started singing some songs. I like doing action songs for little kids, one of his favorites is "Open, Shut Them...". It's so adorable when he pauses what he's doing, whether it's playing or whining, and listens to the song. Anyway, this morning I started singing, "If You're Happy And You Know It". I sang "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands..." and when I clapped my hands he did too!--he clapped his hands with this happy/proud look on his face. I was so proud of his little accomplishment and lavished him with praise. Of course he loved that!

Later this afternoon Kiara was calling from the WC, so Brendan and I went to investigate. (of course his usual perch was on my right hip) So I helped Kiara sort out the problem......when one of the most amazing things happened! There's a little shelf in the corner and it had a piece of decor on it. One of these weird, natural seed pod things in the shape of a ball (about the size of my fist). It really looks like a ball with designs on. So Brendan was on my hip and his eyes were getting all big as he gave it a good stare down. He reached out for it making one of his little grunting noises. Then he said, "bau"! Or "ball" for those who don't speak baby. I felt like jumping up and down. He said ball!

Being Mommy: Day 1

Gabe and Nora went on a spiritual retreat and while they're gone Joy and I will be "parents" to Brendan and Kiara. I'll keep you updated as much as I can!

Help Needed

Daniel, Praise, and daughter Florencia. They are raising funds to visit family(Praise's family). Here is a summary of their request, if you can't help financially you can keep their needs in your prayers:

Praise: So I asked Him if there was anything I could do to raise the rest of the funds necessary (as my great dream is that Danny and little Floppy can come with me to meet my family), and He showed me to write this little update and ask if anybody would be interested in helping me with what I need to complete the tickets and Flopy's paperwork (we need to get her a passport before she can travel). We're missing around 300 Euros, total. Like I wrote in my first request letter, our Home is not able to help with the trip, due to our financial situation, but they've encouraged me to shoot for it, GBT! So if the Lord lays it on your heart to help, we would be very, very grateful. Thanks a million!!! Gifts can be sent through the TRF to AR001, to Praise M. (of Danny). Thanks so much for your consideration!! I love you.
Big, big kiss, and a lot of love express to you from Argentina!!!

Easter Fun

Kiara just loves to wear the bunny ears. I tried getting her to pose for the camera but the excitement of a chocolate hunt was too much.

Brendan with his favorite buddy--Steve.

Mmmm! She usually doesn't get to eat chocolate or sweets so she made sure to take advantage of this day.

Of Blogs & Art..

For all those of you who like art................I made a blog for my art! I just couldn't keep all the fun to myself. I like painting so much I have to share it with you too. Since I'm painting/drawing more nowadays and I don't want this blog to get drowned with all my artwork. So that's what made me think about making a separate blog. Today I had time so I took the plunge and did it. Here's the link http://myheartoncanvas.blogspot.com
A big "thank you" to all of you who continue to encourage me in my artistic endeavors, however crazy or pathetic they might seem. Please continue to comment and tell me what styles you like, what mediums, what I should do better in etc. I soon hope to start accepting orders, so you can be thinking of what you'd like!

Awww....

A little note from Kiara! Isn't she adorable?
(I was quite sick with the flu this week and was in bed for two days. A few substitute teachers took the kids for me. I missed them so much those two days...I just had to post this note.)

Panang Curry

The other day I had a chance to make some Thai food.--My favorite! We had some Panang Curry paste hanging around the fridge so that gave me my inspiration. A few ingredients were missing, but since when did that ever stop anybody? I made coconut milk by letting a few cups of desiccated coconut soak in hot water, then squeezing out the "milk". Thanks to Joy who came at the right time and helped me with that.
It all turned out wonderful. Eating that night brought back so many childhood memories of living in Thailand or eating my dad's wonderful cooking. Papa would be so proud of me! If only he would've been here to taste the food...

Miss your cooking Papa!

The Dancer

My latest work. The main reason why I haven't been on-line much.
I used acrylic, not necessarily the best choice as I'm not so familiar with it. This is only the second painting with acrylic, I probably won't be posting the first. But I love painting so hopefully the more I practice the better I'll get! You can find the original picture/painting at www.viningsgallery.com . Fabian Perez, the guy who painted the original, is now my new hero!

Tasha

I just finished wrapping Tasha's presents...so I can hopefull give it to her tonight. I love giving people presents, it's so fun! But shhh, you can't tell her because I want it to be a surprise. She probably thinks no one has any present for her. Her birthday was actually on the 2nd, same as my brother, and I got to call her and wish her a happy birthday.
Anyway, I love her lots and lots. She is such a good friend and a wonderful person. I hope you have a good year Tash!

Cherish The Children

I just read these cute stories about children and thought you'd enjoy reading them too! Especially those of you who have children, or teach and care for children like I do.


Author and lecturer, Leo Buscaglia, once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was: A four-year-old child, whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman, who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy just said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."
***************************************************
Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had a different hair color than the other members. One of her students suggested that he was adopted.
A little girl said, "I know all about adoption, I was adopted."
"What does it mean to be adopted?", asked another child.
"It means", said the girl, "that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy!" ****************************************************
On my way home one day, I stopped to watch a Little League base ball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first-base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was. "We're behind 14 to nothing," he answered with a smile."Really," I said. "I have to say you don't look very discouraged." "Discouraged?", the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face... "Why should we be discouraged? We haven't been up to bat yet."
**************************************************
Whenever I'm disappointed with my spot in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott.Jamie was trying out for a part in the school play. His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen. On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement. "Guess what, Mom," he shouted, and then said those words that will remain
a lesson to me....."I've been chosen to clap and cheer." **************************************************
An eye witness account from New York City , on a cold day in December, some years ago: A little boy, about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold. A lady approached the young boy and said, "My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!" "I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,"was the boy's reply. The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her. She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel. By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes. She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, "No doubt, you will be more comfortable now." As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked her . "Are you God's wife?"

Sam

Happy Birthday to my dearest little brother Sam! You're so smart, witty, creative, talented, and such a fun little brother. I hope you have lots of fun this coming year. I love you.