One of my favorite things.... sunshine.

The peach, pink, and baby blue light filtering through the early hours of the morning, waking me out of my comfy bed. The golden sunrise, grand and majestic as it rises in the early sky. The day is fresh, the air is sweet. I had to wake up 1 hour earlier today, and drive to work at 6:30am. Got to see the beautiful day waking up. I love the early hours, it makes waking up so early worth it. The sunshine warms my face and heals all the coldness surrounding my heart.

‘Jesus replied: 'If anyone loves me he will cherish my word; my Father will love him and we will come to him and make him our abode.
John 14:23’
Such promise to hold on to. He will love us, He will come to us, and make a home with us. If only we cherish his word. If only we love him. Love is such an amazing feeling, we all thrive when we are loved. Like a flower that turns its petals to the sun, that’s how we need the love of God. He is our sun and shield. It means we will not get sunburned if we sit in his presence and soak up the warm sunshine. God is light, and whoever walks to him will see all the darkness of their souls revealed in his light.

This morning I listened to the radio, and Avalon came up. It went something like this: If you were not here tomorrow, I can not go on. If you were not here today, I can not survive.

So true. God is my sunshine, my light.

The why, the when, the who...

On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.
Jules Renard


Why is that when I watch the ocean on TV, it doesn't affect me or touch me as it would if I was walking down the sandy beach, with salty spray in my face?

Why is it that that when I drive down a lovely street I don't feel it as if I was walking down it enjoying the wind, the trees, the sunshine?

Why is that when I see someones child, I miss my own? When I work full time it still breaks my heart to see little kids enjoy time with their moms, when I have to work, and not see them until evenings?

Why is that when I hear the Gods book being read in church, it doesn't fill me as much as if I was reading it myself?

Why is that I need the love, the hugs, the kisses from my loved ones, to survive the struggles I am going through?

Why is that a child's little hands can erase the stress from a whole day?

So many why's... to know the truth, I open my eyes and see You.... my answer to all my questions.

5 precious years

My oldest child is a 5 year old little girl now!

You feel so grown up, my little helper, my little angel from above.

Sometimes you drive me crazy with your questions, your energy, your complaining, and whining. Sometimes you surprise me with your generous spirit, your helpful nature, and a willingness to learn. The things you say sometimes make me laugh, make me lift up my eyebrows, and make me think that this is the best age.

I wish you would always say you love me, would always want my double kisses and double or triple hugs like you do now. I am glad you asked Jesus into your heart, I am thankful for your sensitive soul, your loving heart.

God bless you and keep you safe forever and ever. My firstborn, my first precious baby.

It is so much more.

It is more than comfort,
It is more than touch,
It is more than bonding
It is oh, so much.

It is more than hugging
It is more than kissing
It is more than missing
When it is not there

It is more than food
It is more than water
It is life, their world
It is love fulfilled
Its a blessed contact
Its a pure instinct
Its what God intended,
To breastfeed my child

11.For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance."
12.For this is what the LORD says: "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees.
13.As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem... Isaiah 66:11-13

My 1st garden ever.

Today a lot of families grow their own veggies, fruits, and herbs. Some do it for fun, others for the taste, while others to save money. This is the first year we had a yard to be able to plant our garden.
Look at these tiny little leaves, tiny fruit, this is how my tomato plant looked like a few months prior.

This is what my cucumbers looked a few months before.

These are my tomatoes now! Getting more red everyday. I don't know if I will be able to eat the store bought ones, after trying some of homegrown ones. If you ever tried any you would agree.

Here are my cucumbers, now. Green, long and prickly. They smell delicious when cut in half...good on a sandwich, or in a salad.

With this being my first garden, and with my mother-in-law's help, everything turned out better then I could have imagined. Next year I will plant more of a variety, of different veggies. Maybe a few fruit trees too? Just imagine opening your eyes to a window where you can see apple blossoms in the spring, and red-delicious apples in the fall... :)

Today is the day!

Today is the day to be thankful for my husband, who can fix anything, who loves me even when I grumble and complain, who plays with the baby and always puts gas in my car.

Today is the day to be thankful for my 3 little girls, to admit that when we plan things like kids, our plans don't line up with Gods plans, since the baby wasn't planned, but is more of a blessing and joy all the way around.

Today is the day to be thankful for the childish, loud, protesting voices, for the little, sticky, chocolate covered hands and the constant toys all over the house.

Today is the day to be thankful for the eyesight I have, to be able to see the beauty around me, to be able to dig in the dirt and plant flowers, and smelling and eating my garden fresh tomatoes.

Today is the day to be thankful, for tomorrow may not even come.

Not 'my child' monday!

Welcome to Not 'My Child' Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyones child has not been doing this week.



In teaching my little two year old potty training, she did not pee into her sister's shoe, and did not poop into my shoe, which did not make me yell to my husband to trow the shoe into the garbage, because I would not wear it again.

My children did not yell and bang doors, and jump on their bed, when I told them to get ready for bed. They did not start playing hide-and-seek, when I am trying to make them put on their PJ's..they do not scream and sing in their high pitched voices after I put them to bed... Not my children, my girls are very well behaved.

Thats all for today, its fun to read what everyones little one 'did not do' Monday!

Summer fun, sun, and no rain.

The heat of summer is here... the sweltering sun, the dry, still air, the light blue sky without a hint of rain. Living here in California, its very rare that a raindrop will fall in the summertime months. My mother lives in Missouri, and always tells me how they have rain on and off. Which is so nice, I am jealous. I love rain, always loved it, especially now when its such a rare treat.

Today we drove to the cherry orchards, thinking it would be cooler there. It was nice to be in the shade, hiding from the heat. We had lunch at taco bell, I know not very healthy, and then we had vanilla, chocolate ice cream, with fudge, caramel and toasted nuts! I nursed the baby to sleep and we drove home..

Next weekend my oldest child will be 5 years old!!! She will go to kindergarten at the end of august. Where did the time go? I just gave birth to her... breast-fed her, and now she is ready for school? It sure is scary, more for me than for her, I am sure. But still, what if she has mean students, or a bad teacher, or what if she doesn't like it? Can I take her out? My second one is ready for school too, and she is only 2...! Whew! At least with her I don't have to think about it for another 3 years...

Life sure goes fast, looking back, I see myself as a bride, getting married... it will be 10 years since I got married, next year in May... so fast. Now I have a family, a husband, and three little girls that call me Mommy! Wow. In ten years I will look at my already 15 year old... and say where did the time go? I wonder what the next ten years will bring to us. I am sure the troubles and struggles will never cease, but I do hope we have a lot of happiness, laughter and wonderful memories.

We all want to see our childrens-grandchildren.

Friday is here... made a dinner of baked chicken with potatoes, a salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, sprinkled with olive oil, salt, pepper, and some balsamic vinegar. Simple and easy, that's the way I like it.

The weather is hot, and dry. The air is still. The girls helped me water the flowers, which wilted from the heat. Now, its time to relax, to drink ice-tea, and eat all kinds of goodies. I look at my girls and wonder how they will grow up, get married, and have their own children... I am not rushing them, I let them be small children for as long as possible... but I still wonder how the times will be in our children's age, when they are all grown up, and have their own children...?

Thank God that we live in a peaceful country, with no bombs blowing us to our deaths, like this morning in Indonesia. Its a scary time, we live in now. The other day on the news there was a plane that went down, killing a lot of people. My mother in law said that it is scary to fly now... but in truth, the danger lies everywhere we turn. In riding the train- it can overturn, get off the tracks... In driving a car- you can get in a car accident... In driving a bike- and get ran over by a car... Even in walking- you could be ran over as well. So, everywhere I turn there is danger. Even sleeping, who says that I will wake up tomorrow, and be OK? My uncle at age 40 had a heart attack, he survived, but not everyone does.

Life is unpredictable. Life is scary, but we don't have to be scared. Enjoy life, live it to the fullest, do good deeds, smile often, spread love to all, and have children if you can. Then a little part of you will continue living in your child even if you are not there to see them for yourself. But I do hope all of us grow old and gray and be able to enjoy the grandchildren of our children..:)

Prayer and dirt...

Some pictures of my onions and potatoes! Its wonderful to grow my own things, soon I can pull out my potatoes, I wonder how they will look. This is my first crop ever, I will have some pictures of my tomatoes, and cucumbers later.



I decided to do something new. I usually remember to pray to God when I am getting ready for my bed at night. The kids are asleep, the baby is making sweet sleeping sounds, I am all alone, and I realize that I haven't prayed today, haven't talked to my Lord today... I feel guilty, I feel sad, I feel like I missed him, so I quickly say a prayer, before my heavy lids close shut, and I fall into the land of dreams. And every night before I fall asleep I promise myself that I will do better tomorrow. So, today after I got ready for work, I started keeping track of what time I remembered to pray, and instead of waiting to do so at a later time I did it right then. Yep, even if I was on the phone, in an office, in front of my coworkers, I would close my eyes for a few seconds and pray for my family, for my self, for the people surrounding me. I felt so much better at the end of today, looking at all the times I actually remembered to pray.

When I got home, my husband was watering the backyard, the sprinklers were on. The girls were running around in their underwear, splashing in the puddles. '
'Come and join us, mommy', as I did walking through the wet grass, soft brown dirt squishing through my toes. The earth was soft and warm, the water cold, it was delightful. I don't remember when it was the last time I ran through the wet, warm, soft dirt....We as adults tend to think we are far above that. Don't we?

The more we pray the more softer our heart gets, like warm- soft dirt, so God can plant something in our heart, and it will bring forth fruit.

The gray shadow of my soul...

I have been feeling a bit glum the past week, like a gray cloud hovering over my soul.. I don't know why... why this sadness, this restlessness, the tiredness, the seeking of something to quiet my soul...

I read on one of my blogger friends, that gratitude helps with sadness. Thankfulness takes away the unhappiness.

I want to try it...

I am thankful for the deepness of the blue sky... for the hot summer sun...
for the flowers... and the leaves... the wind lifting my curtains in a gentle breeze... for a child's laugh, the smile, the sweet brown eyes... the kisses, the hugs, the love... for my husband's strong embrace, for when I feel weak he is still strong...
I am thankful for the job I have, for so many are struggling financially... I am thankful for being able to see the beauty of everyday, the twilight... the yellow moon... I am thankful for my peppermint tea, and for the root beer that is so good, you can buy it at Trader Joe's. :)
I am thankful for the things I take for granted like a good night sleep, my babies health, my car, and for being able to pray and serve our God when ever we want.

The other day my oldest said to me: 'Mommy, you cook breakfast, Daddy will make tea, and we will just watch...', the faith of a child, if only we could be like that. God you take care of my life, Jesus help me everyday and I will just sit back and watch. If only our faith was like that.

Count your blessings.

I watched the little faces that sat around me as I told them a story, and stopping for a second I realized how blessed I am with these 3 tiny lives, to teach them, to guide them, to tell them what is good and what is bad.

Today is the time for me to stop and realize that this is my chance to mold these children of mine, that one day it may be too late. Today they listen to what I have to say, today they ask me 'why this is like that', and 'why that is like this', tomorrow they may get friends who will turn them away from my teachings, tomorrow they may get a teacher who will teach them something different. Something, I may not agree with. But today is the day for me to lay down the ground work, to lay down the foundation on what their house will be build on. In the bible it says that some build with straw, some with wood, and some with rock. I worry that when my girls grow up and became teenagers, they would be tempted by this world and all its charms. My friends tell me stories about teenagers and what they are up to these days. It scares me.

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Tonight we prayed as a family, my girls thanking Jesus for the sun, and the good weather, for mommy and daddy, and the little sister... its amazes me how much information they just soak up from us adults and do the same things. The things we say, the things we do, they copy and want to be like me. Scary, huh? They are my little blessings, and I am thankful to God for them.

To revere in His name...

I have loved you," says the LORD.
"But you ask, 'How have you loved us?
I started to read the book of Malachi, its interesting. Only 4 chapters in it... I like that. :) But it is full of wisdom, and Gods voice.
A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty
"You place defiled food on my altar.
"But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?'
"By saying that the Lord's table is contemptible. When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.
Now days we do not need to bring offering to our God, but He does like for us to offer praise, glory and be full of good works. Do we serve Him with all our hearts, or do we do it half heartily, loving the sin, and the things of this world?
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. We need to revere in his name... revere, or reverence means--to regard with fear, respect, and affection. Have you ever had this feeling? I think we can only feel like that toward God. Only He is worthy of our affection, our respect, our fear. Are your kids afraid of you? Probably not, but they know that if they misbehave there will be consequences, that's how we are to our God as well, we are not afraid, but we know that there are consequences if we sin, if we chose the worldly pleasures over the godly way of life. So, if I do revere in His name, I get healing in return. Healing of my soul, my body, my heart...

Picture time... lets pose!

My darling girls... my little miracles of God. So precious and sweet. Just look at how they pose for the camera... isn't that just adorable, and a bit funny? It always takes about five minutes for me to explain to them how to stand normally, to smile, to put their hands down, their face up... but finally I give up and see what I get?

Is your glass half empty?

The glass is empty, the glass is full. The soul is empty, the soul is full. What is your soul filled with?

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

My life seems so busy lately, working, with so much to do, with chores to finish, dinner to cook, the never ending laundry... the list goes on and on. I get so tired emotionally and physically that by the time I get to bed I am so drained and ready for sleep. But my soul is empty, its feels lonesome, it feels like I am missing a piece of something. Its hard to fall asleep. It makes me remember that I forgot to pray, to praise, to emotionally connect with my God, that's why I feel like that. I feel empty. Nothing really filled my heart. I may try to fill my life with work, with people, with friends, with music, with new books, with my precious little children, even with church and other things... But if it is not with God, my soul feels like its missing a piece. Is that funny or what? Do you ever feel like that, like something is missing, a little piece of your heart? Have you ever personally felt being filled to overflowing with the greatness of God? Our God is amazing, He doesn't fill us with small bits, but fills our hearts with praise, with joy, with glory, with love, with amazing peace. Then you want to jump with the happiness, and it overflows to others... even if you are going through hard times, He still fills you with His understanding, and peace.

Dear Jesus, Clean my soul from the dirt of jealousy, bitterness, sadness, and despair. I wish to be filled with You my Saviour, to overflow with love, peace, joy and understanding. Help me come to you for a constant refill, for I am thirsty...and needy.

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 4:13

Not me Monday...

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
I did not ignore my kids so I could do some blogging, not me...
I did not leave my living room all messy, from building a fortress for my kids with pillows, blankets, and toys. I would not mess my living room like that, no way. I did not make my girls water the garden and telling them to pretend that they are Rebecca's from the bible, and I didn't not forget the bible story, and mix up my characters.. no that's not me. I would not drive my baby home, just to realize that I forgot to buckle her up, no that's not me, that would be so irresponsible.

I didn't get mad at my hubby when he wanted to only watch his TV all day long on a Sunday, nope, not me.. I am much more patient, and would not threaten to just leave without him, and leave him with all the kids.

That is all the not Me's I can think off right now. My first Monday confession.

My sweet little bundle of joy is 6 months old!

My darling baby Leona is 6 months today!!!
Wow, time sure flies. Leona lifts her head and shoulders when she lays on her back or her tummy. She likes to sit in the corner of her crib, the couch, or anywhere her back gets some support. She loves to suck on her thumb. She smiles, she laughs, she baby talks, she is my precious little gem. My dear inheritance from God. My sweet, content, very patient, and a happiest baby there can be. I love her so much, and she brings me such joy.

The wonder of sun, moon, fireworks and lightning..

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Revelation 21:23

I would love to see this kind of city, wont you? Where light is God himself?? Amazing. But I do love the sun and the moon we have on this earth… God made everything so beautiful. In the bible it says that everything one day be destroyed by fire, how sad. But, God does know how everything should be. We see all around us how evil people are becoming, how selfish, how mean.

The blessed weekend is here. I am happy to be home with my little girls, eating pancakes for breakfast, going shopping, taking walks, drinking root beer floats on a hot Sunday afternoon, working in the garden. The sun is bright, the sky is blue. It seems that there are no worries at all, everything is perfect as can be. When in fact there are a lot of people who are going through problems or pain. Worries about the economy, the house not selling, and not being able to pay for it. The car payments could be overwhelming, the debt is piling up. Some states are going through flooding, while others are desperate for rain.

It is easy to be blinded by ourselves. To only think of myself, and my family. To only see the problems I have, and the struggles I am going through. Sometimes I am so insensitive that I don’t even notice what my dear husband is struggling through. We talk and it opens my eyes. I pray, and God opens my eyes on other people and the problems they may have, the worries they feel, the troubles they are facing. I pray, sometimes that’s all I can do. God loves our heartfelt cries for help, especially if it is for someone we don’t even know, or someone I see in church and see her tears. She must be going through something. A coworker going through marriage problems. God help them. Our God is so amazing he knows what everyone is going through, he knows their heart. I as a bystander may not know the full story, but by praying for that person makes me more aware of others, makes me more compassionate.

We took the girls to see the fireworks last night. It was the first year that we could actually enjoy the whole display, and not go home early with someone crying that it was too scary, or they were tired, or needed to go to the bathroom. It was an awesome sight. So beautiful, and colorful. All the girls were so good, Ariana laughed with delight, as Odelia clapped her hands sitting high in my hubby's arms. I held the baby and she was so good, even though it was way past her bedtime.

Do you know how it will be when Jesus comes to earth?

For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:27,30-31

Blog Hop!

I am joining in the fun of a Blog Hop... how interesting! Today is a beautiful day here in California, the sun is shining, the heat is rising. After putting my toddler and my infant to sleep for their afternoon naps, I am free to blog. Its a wonderful way in meeting new faraway friends, to read other peoples thoughts, and their insight. Some have funny stories, some more sad. I enjoy reading all of them. Some days I find a certain one that I like more which makes me want to be a follower.

A little about myself, I have 3 little girls, Ariana is almost 5, Odelia is 2, and Leona is almost 6 months. My dear hubby doesn't really appreciate the time I spend on my computer, but everything we do in life has to be balanced. I live here in California, where summers are hot, winters are cold, but we never get snow.

I like to write about things of everyday life, my family, my girls, my work, my struggles and my joy in walking with Jesus Christ as my saviour.

Happy 4Th of July for you all tomorrow, the day of Independence. I hope you are all having lots of fun.

******

You are what you eat.

We all heard the saying "You are what you eat." It is true in a lot of ways. If I eat healthy, and make wise choices, I am more healthier, skinnier, and feel better about myself. If I eat fast food, junk food, a lot of sweets, and drink soft drinks, then I feel tired, with no energy, depressed, and I hate to look at myself in the mirror.

In the spiritual world its the same way, we are what we feed our souls. If we read the bible, pray, sing hymns, go to church, we feel like we are Gods children. If we read fashion magazines, romance novels, listen to rock, sing to unchristian music, sleep-in instead of going to church, watch 'Next top Model' instead of pray... we are a sorry excuse for a christian. We don't feel close to God, we feel like He cant hear us, and our souls are starving for 'nutritious' food, to live. Its like when we eat junk food, we get sick, tired, and depressed, its the same way spiritually.

It is so hard, isn't it? My hand easily wants to grab a donut for breakfast, than make myself a whole wheat toast with peanut butter and honey.

It is easy to read some kind of fun interesting book, then to read the bible. It is easier to dream some more sweet dreams, than get up, get dressed and go to church. Why is it that the good, healthy things are harder for us to do, than the bad, sinful things?

The good thing is that we all have a choice. A choice to live or a choice to die. A choice to sin, or live for God. To walk the wide- easy road, or choose to walk the narrow path, to follow Jesus. I am so happy we do have that choice. I am so happy that I am still alive to make a choice.

'Enter through the narrow gate, For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.' Matthew 7:13