Precious Audio Clip

My friend, Nettie, emailed this clip that was shown at CalvaryCCV last week. Take 2 minutes and listen to it...you'll be glad you did.

LISTEN TO CLIP

Useful Information

I just thought I'd share the official list our pediatrician gave me for controlling vomiting. We've done the BRATS diet before, but here is the doctor's list:

DON'T GIVE:
1. Dairy products (milk, butter, eggs, cheese)
2. Citrus fruits
3. Aspirin by mouth

DO GIVE:
A. In the first 12 hours nothing but clear liquids.
Frequent small amounts are best
water
jello
tea
popsicles
bouillon broth

B. Next 12 hours give frequent small amounts. Add:
soup (not creamed)
soda crackers
apple sauce
rice
bananas
pretzels
toast and jelly
dry cereals (no milk)
tylenol by mouth

C. After 24 hours: (for older children)
skim (non-fat milk)
apples (no skins)
broiled chicken
cottage cheese
lean beef
tapioca

D. Gradually add more foods next two or three days. Do not rush back
to full, regular diet.

What A Week

This last week has been a little crazy. And its not anything we were surprised at since Jose was given the opportunity to teach at church yesterday. We knew the enemy would be working overtime and our patience would be tested.

Monday the girls and I attended a birthday party for Cristian. His parents put so much work and creativity into this celebration. It would have been such a fun time if I hadn't dumped the cupcakes I brought and my 4 year old hadn't decided to be the "party-pooper" of the evening. There is nothing more humbling than being a mom. Its that whole lack of control thing. Even with consequences and rewards, I don't think its possible to change an attitude of the heart in a moment's notice. On Wednesday we had a nice day, getting ready for church in the evening. I made some pilgrim hat marshmallow treats for our Thanksgiving celebration at church and headed out the door. Bek started complaining that she felt pukey so I kept her out of class. Sure enough as Jose was holding her in the chapel she finally confirmed that she really felt pukey. Aside from the costly possibility of losing Jose's leather jacket to the vomit, we were so extremely humbled as another couple from church cleaned up the mess as Jose and I dealt with Bek. So that began the last 6 days of Bekah being sick. On Thursday, Jose was wonderful enough to send Annie and I to our Thanksgiving celebration while he stayed home to take care of Bekah. I had a nice time at Nancy's house visiting with my family, eating,playing fun games, and watching a slide show of my dad's trip to Africa. I have to say that Steve and Sue were the romantic couple of the evening...they still make a great pair after all these years of marriage. And I truly enjoyed talking to Peter about his religious studies major in college and his senior thesis he is beginning to write on the treatment of women in Puritanism. Good stuff. My respect for my cousin Marina grew as she had her head shaved in support of a friend who is battling cancer. Nancy was as hospitable as ever and it was nice hanging out with my dad, Jeff, Amie, Ben, Jessica, Grace, Nannette, Corin, and Uncle Claude. I missed Jose and Rebekah terribly and wished they were there. Friday I was able to get out my Christmas decorations and my favorite Christmas China (courtesy of Nancy and my wonderful late Aunt Terry). Saturday I was supposed to go visit my Grandma and have a little Thanksgiving with her, my mom, Uncle Mike, Aunt Tammy, Michele, Jeff & Amie, but Bekah started complaining again. So I gave up that get together. Later that evening the four of us bundled up and took a walk on the new walking/running/biking trail near our home to walk one mile (with the kids in the stroller) to return a movie and then walk home...I am SO out of shape!! Sunday morning we woke up excited for Jose to take the pulpit...then the puking started again. So Jose went to church solo...I was sooo bummed! I wanted to be there to support him so badly, but sometimes God has other plans. Some of Jose's family went as well as my dad. I've only heard good things about his teaching (I wouldn't expect anything else :) ). So Jose got to go to lunch with his family (now I don't feel so bad for having Thanksgiving with my side on Thursday :) ) and my dad came to visit the home-bound Ramirez's (thanks, Dad!). Last night I was up a couple times with Bek for some more vomiting episodes. To the doctor we went and he thinks its just the stomach flu and I should wait it out. OK! So I hope this week is less eventful. An awesome praise report I do have is that my good friend, Carin, had her baby girl on Saturday morning...Sophia Elizabeth. Mother and baby are doing well. Congratulations David and Carin (Josiah too!)!

Idle! Idle!

For a long time and especially lately I've been struggling with the whole Mary/Martha syndrome (see Luke 10:38-42). In the morning once my feet hit the floor I'm running. There are always a million and two things to do and in my head I know that I need to spend time with the Lord, consulting Him about my day, my attitude, my conduct, etc. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I need to be filled by His Spirit not to do, do, do, but to be who He wants me to be each day. But somehow my flesh creeps up and reminds me of the dishes, the vacuuming, getting the kids fed and dressed, the leaves that need to be swept, the homework Annie needs to complete, the bills that need to be paid, the garage that needs to be cleaned out, the emails to return, the dust to be dusted, the tub to be scrubbed, appointments to be made...and oh yeah! children to be tended to (they do like a little attention from mommy). So as I sit down to read and pray I feel less than productive. Does that mean I have little or no faith that what I'm doing is actually beneficial? Its like I'm scared that someone will come to accuse me of being idle...not being on my feet and running around accomplishing all my tasks. Sometimes I think that its because I don't have an offical job that I work 40 hours a week, contributing to society and putting in my fair share. So who am I to be able to sit and relax and receive? Now if another stay-at-home mom told me she felt this way I would be so quick to tell her of her worth in Lord and she does have a job - raising a family and caring for her home and contributing God-fearing, decent people to our society. I know in my head that it is a ridiculous idea to think someone will observe and accuse me because the only 3 people who see me in my home have never put a requirement of this nature on me. If anything I'm being told to just relax! But I came across a verse in my Exodus study that kind of hit home in this area for me. Pharaoh told the Israelites (when they were not meeting his expectations for his work quota due to harsh requirements) "You are idle! Idle! Therefore you say, "Let us go and sacrafice to the Lord.'" (Ex. 5:17) I guess Pharaoh is just a picture of my own flesh here.

Last Sunday, Pastor Peter gave a message not on how much we should love God, but on how we ought to realize how much God loves us and to really meditate on that. Its okay to ask God to bless me and to sit and just receive from Him. We are called to serve and be industrious, but all of that is a response to the amazing love the Lord has shown us through Jesus Christ. So Lord, help me to dwell on Your love for me, and not be afraid to ask for Your blessings. Help me choose that good part (spending time at Your feet) that will not be taken away from me, just like Mary did.

This Picture in My Head

In the mornings I'm reading through the book of Exodus. Something caught my attention the other day that I keep meditating on. Its a picture of how God responds when we cry out to Him:

Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.
-Exodus 2:23b-25

I just love imagining God through this whole process. He really does hear His children's prayers.

Operation Christmas Child

Today at MOPS we filled plastic boxes with a bunch of necessities and goodies for boys and girls all over the world. It was so much fun and it is overwhelming to think that there are kids who will be thrilled to receive toothbrushes and hair combs and a bar of soap. We are so very very blessed in this country. What a privilege it was to participate in this extension of God's love. My hopes as a mom is that I will be able to impart to my daughters the reality of poverty and those who are far less fortunate than us. Not only that, but since we are so abundantly blessed in this country, we are able to help!! Even if it is one shoebox at a time. If you want to know more about this project, visit www.samaritanspurse.org.

Picky Piggies

I'm getting frustrated. In the last two months I have purchased 3 pairs of tennis shoes for Annie. Within a week, she complained about each pair being too tight on her little piggies. So, cringing, I headed to Stide Rite today because I know they really are well- made (and priced to show it!) and I figured the employees could measure Annie's feet and let me know what would be the best fit for her. The poor store associate must have tried 7 or 8 different pairs of shoes...with no satisfaction on Annie's part. The associate assured me they were not too tight as she moved her fingers around all parts of the shoes(sigh). The only pair of shoes she wears without complaining are some black Mary Jane's from Target. But even the tennis shoes from there are cause for complaint for my picky girl. I guess she'll be in those black Mary Jane's for a long time.

Grace!! Grace!!

This is what I was asking the Lord for this morning. The last week I've just been so irritable and short with my family. I can't stand being this way because I know how much it affects them. I don't want to be a scary mom. This morning as I finally stepped back into my morning devotion routine (which obviously the lack thereof was the main contribution to the ill treatment of my family) I confessed to the Lord my rude behavior and less than peaceable thoughts and asked for those amazing mercies that are renewed every morning. He's so faithful. I know He heard me and I know He's forgiven me and helping me speak and even think in a kinder way. In my "mommy" devotional this morning, it was talking about exactly what I was praying about. Here are a few excerpts:

"My words and actions are dark, sad, and probably, at times, scary to my children ( and hubby!). Basement days are those days that I can't recall saying "yes" to anything my children asked--days that I say "don't" fifty bazillion times, and I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and wonder how the wicked witch could have snuck into our house without my knowing it! As moms, it's easy for us to be basement people. Part of the reason is that there is so much correction, protection, and civility to pass on to our children. We can get in a rut of negative correction rather than training them in a loving way."

"We've all been around people that are basement influences in our lives. They drag us down and make us feel perfectly awful! On the other hand, a balcony person can encourage us like no other. They believe in us and don't mind saying so. We leave a conversation with them feeling like we could run a marathon! The good news is: We can be that balcony person for our children. They need us to come up from the basement, shine light, and breathe fresh air into their insecure, changing lives."

"Sometimes we nail our shoes to the floor of the basement because we aren't willing to budge on anything. Every chance you have, laugh with your kids. Stop and play. Just do it! Let them flick water in your face and squeal. Get on the floor and flip them or wrestle. Let them help with lunch, and count on having mustard stains on their clothes or pickles fall on the floor.

"Your child is more valuable to you than any "thing" could ever be. When you slip back into the basement ruts, remind yourself that you don't have to stay there. It's just a few short steps to the balcony!"


I am so thankful for my gracious God and my gracious family.

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. - Psalm 145:9

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. - Philippians 3:12

Family Fun Time

On Saturday, my husband, my dad, me, and my girls got to go to Knott's Berry Farm, courtesy of my dad. During the first few weeks of November, veterans and those currently serving in the military are granted free admission with one other free guest and the rest of your guests (up to 6) pay only $12.95 each. It really is a nice way to say "thank you" for serving our country. We had a delicious breakfast together and a really fun day. There was only a little crankiness on the part of my 3 year old. Other than that, it was great! Thank you, Dad!!!

P.S. If you notice something is different on me...its the glasses. :)

"You Are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine, You Make Me Ha-ppy! When Skies Are Gray..."

I just want to dote on my Annie for a minute. I almost broke out in the song above to her last night and I'll tell you why. With Bekah having been sleep-deprived and feeling sick, the last few days she's acted a bit, hmmm, is monsterish too mean of a word to describe her? Anyway, yesterday she was acting up all day long, unable to be appeased, whining, and being downright mean. I was having a really hard time keeping my cool. Annie totally sensed I was having a rough time and all day would go out of her way to be a good and loving kid. She would just smile and tell me "I love you, Mommy" and "you're so beautiful, Mommy", etc. She really did brighten my day with her attitude and extra love. Without that, I may have seriously lost it with Bek. Thankfully Bek had a little better attitude today, which I hope progressively improves over the next few days.

Speaking of "brightening up", did you notice the picture of Annie above? Yes, my little girl started using a sleep mask because her bedroom is super bright during the day and also Bekah has this thing now where she has to fall asleep with the light on at night. Annie wants it dark. So this sleep mask is our compromise. Is she a little princess or what?? Whenever I think of sleeping masks I think of Whitley on A Different World. You know, that late 80's sitcom? I know I'm wierd. :)

Too Beat To Blog

If anyone has noticed I've not been blogging lately, then they should know I'm either too drained from my busyness or I'm actually taking care of my responsibilities instead of being on the computer. :) Blogging is a fun thing for me to do, however, I try to put work before play. This last week has been so tiring and I suppose it is these crazy days and nights that I should actually make the effort to document since these are the memories I (think) I want to remember as I grow older.

My girls have been battling coughs and colds. My poor 3 year old just doesn't know what to do with that gross stuff she's coughing on. At first I thought she had a stomach virus because of all the dry-heaving and gagging. Come to find out its just a cold. Without going into much detail, I'll just say she sure is Auntie Lulu's niece. :) So between that and the bladder infection, we've made a few trips to the doctor's office, lab, and pharmacy. I think we're on the mend...I hope...I pray. I really need to sleep sometime this week.

I apologize to my brother, Jeff, as yesterday was his 32nd birthday and I did not even post a birthday greeting on my blog. But I did call...I hope that counts. Yesterday we drove to the doctor, waited, were seen, went to the lab, drove home for Bek to pee in a cup, drove back to the lab, then so that I would not make empty promises, drove to the pumpkin patch where they charge far too much for little kids to have fun, then drove to Ralphs to buy a cheaper pumpkin, then finally home for naps...which Bekah didn't do much of. Then I fought with the kids about their costumes. Bekah was just plain old cranky from her ailments and sleep-deprivation while Annie had a fit when I told her she must wear long sleeves under her costume if she wanted to be out at night while recovering from a cough. I finally won! We picked up Angie and headed to Hallelujah Night in Chino. We did have a fun hour...yes I only stayed an hour because I don't handle crowds well, especially while being responsible for two small children. Then to Grandma's we went to show her costumes and eat ONE piece of candy. Finally we got home. Ahhhhhhh.

Needless to say that between yesterday and getting out the door this morning my house was a disaster. Thankfully the talk this morning at MOPS was on organizning your life and how to keep a maintanence routine for cleaning your house. So as I walked in to my tornado-stricken home, I was mentally ready to conquer the mess. Praise God Bekah actually slept for 3 hours and Annie kept busy...my home looks pretty great now! Jose even surprised us by taking us to dinner...no dishes to clean!! The speaker at MOPS had some good things to share and what blessed me the most was hearing somebody else say that we're not perfect, we can't do it all all of the time, and dishes and laundry will never be completely done...its a cycle. I am one of those people who if I'm going to clean in any room, I have to clean every inch of the entire room. The Lord is working with me on that and since I don't always have two hours to spend organizing a closet or deep cleaning my bedroom baseboards, etc. I need to learn to do a little at a time and stick to my routine.

Okay I'm really sleepy and I have some bills to take care of. I'll try to stay more on top of this blog in the near future. Thanks for listening to my ramblings!