Exciting News!

So I have some really exciting news! Over the course of this last week, it became very clear to me that God was opening doors for me to have the opportunity to be led on a short term mission trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I am thrilled to be planning this trip through my church North County Christ the King, and even more thrilled that my brother Chad and sis-in-law Trina are heading up the trip as leaders. I have known for, I'd say, almost a year that they wanted to do a mission trip to Honduras. They have been in the planning stages for some time. Honestly, I really never put much thought into being all that interested in going. My thoughts have always been that "really good mature" Christians do trips like that. I thought I never fit into that status quo. Trust me I have learned differently in the last week, and realized my way of thinking was twisted. In our small group we are following our current series at church, "Live like you were dying" with a companion booklet. The question was posed, "what is something you have always wanted to do but haven't taken the chance?" The first thing I wrote was to go on a mission trip. The thought still hadn't entered my mind about actually doing it because I still had the thought of not being "spiritually mature". Well it was Sunday, and my mom and dad were over and dad got a call from Chad reminding him that he was supposed to be at an info meeting pertaining to the trip(my dad is going as well). I felt myself eagerly wanting to jump in the car with him and go as well. I didn't know why.....but I think God had already started a process. So when he returned I asked him all about it. My mom had decided already that she was not going, but I could see her interest growing. So we wrapped up, and they left. A little while later my phone rings and it's my mom. She is calling to let me know that if I was feeling led to go to Honduras, she would not go to stay back and take care of our kids. I was shocked. I had no idea where this was coming from or why she would call and offer this as we had not even discussed the possibility of me going. I know now, she was responding to the Holy Spirit. I told her she needed to decide whether she wanted to go first. She responded, I do want to go, but I feel that if you want to than my calling is to stay here and take care of the kids so that you can go. She knew that would be an obstacle for me. I told her I didn't have the "means" to do something like that and she did. She reminded me that if it was meant to be that God would provide. So I really started thinking and having my usual conversations with God in my thoughts. I took a couple of days, and constantly I was preparing an email for Trina in my mind. So finally I sat down and wrote it, she responded...SHOCKED! She wasn't expecting anything of the sort since I had never shown any interest. She set me straight in my thought pattern. We tried to find a time to get together and talk and Wednesday night was their only available evening. I was to work. Well, after an hour at the restaurant Brian had to come in because we were short a cook. So there I was, available to get together with Chad and Trina. We went to have some dinner and I found out some details and continued to feel very peaceful with the direction I was headed in. Trina said she had a ticket reserved for me, but I needed to decide by Friday. It was nearly down to the last minute as my ticket was going to be $150 more than the others because it is so close to the date. I decided then....I was going to follow the lead of God my Father and go love the lost in Honduras! I can hardly believe it....I would have never ever thought this was even a possibility 7 days ago! It is amazing how God works...and it is an incredible feeling to be so peaceful with a decision that is so huge! So we will be leaving June 13th, arriving in Honduras on June 14th and returning on June 21st. What an amazing opportunity....with an amazing group of people.....showing God's amazing love! Please keep our team in your prayers as we prepare for this trip. I know the devil will play some head games with me....he already has, luckily I know that it is him, so it hasn't got the best of me.
Happy Easter weekend to you all!!!

Daisy turns three!!!

Right now I am sitting here really wanting to post a blog with pure joy in my heart in celebrating and recalling Daisy's 3rd birthday yesterday! However, not wanting to be "debbie downer" I find it hard to muster up "pure" joy while I am sitting here listening to Daisy scream at the top of her lungs in her room. There's a reason, oh yes, with the turning of three we lost the binky's for good up into the sky. At the time this was very exciting for Daisy. We had talked about it for a couple of weeks. So we had a birthday party for her with her friends from small group and uncle Chad and aunt Trina. We celebrated her special day with pizza and DQ ice cream cake. We then attached her binky's to balloons and went outside with everyone and released the binky's. We were warned about the next 48 hours. With a child that has a temperment like Daisy's, I am not sure anyone could prepare for this transition. I dislike how negative I may be coming across on this supposed to be celebratory blog, but I think it's been almost an hour of screaming and about 15 times of getting up and putting her back down. Now last night it lasted about an hour(not quite as loud) and she passed out. So I know she can do it.
Anyways, I love miss Daisy with all my heart! She definitely has brought be some different challenges, but she has brought this family an abundant amount of joy and laughter and has blessed our life so much! My prayer is that God gives me strength and patience with her to be the best mom I can be and help her to grow to be the special young lady He has planned her to be. (Gotta go put her back in bed, be right back). Not sure if this a win/lose sort of deal, but she is not napping, instead she is on the couch watching cartoons. I have to preserve a tad bit of my sanity and after an hour this is the result. I am hopeful she will fall asleep doing this, but being I just heard her yell for me, I'm not sure this will happen. YEAH for going to work tonight! Happy Happy Birthday Daisy, sorry we had to tag your 3rd birthday with such a big transition....I know your a big girl and you can do it! Enjoy some highlights of the day.....

Miss Kali came over to wish her a happy day!

Daisy's last time sleeping with a binky.

Looking at her new book, wearing her new outfit and undies, with her bro and sisses.

One last shot of with the binky before it flew away!

Her support system...

"Bye Bye Binky", we all yelled!



"Prizes" time!

Make a wish, and it can't be for your binky's to come back!



Daisy and Charlie.



UPDATE: Just finished the blog, and in the time it took to upload photos I put her back in her bed because she got up from the couch. She screamed for a bit, but I actually HEAR silence, and don't SEE her lurking around the corner! She just may be snoozing...let's hope!

A whole lot of P's!

I thought these sort of things happened in small doses! O.k...so Daisy decided this morning that she was done with her diaper and ready to use the big potty! Now don't get me wrong, I am absolutely thrilled with her decision. She is only 2 to days away from turning 3 and it really is time that she "grows up" in this area. HOWEVER, why now? Why when we just got an 8 week old puppy would she "decide" that she would potty train too? I have done nothing but run from one potty/poopy scene to the next....no joke! While I am cleaning up one piddle from the dog, Daisy is hollering at me that she has to "go"! So off I run to help her. Luckily she can help herself up onto the toilet, wipe, and flush, and be done(of course, I have to come see). Another time, I was outside with Rex having him "go" and she is standing by the door saying oh no mommy as pee starts dribbling down her leg so I holler stop and run in scoop her up and set her on the toilet to finish. ALL DAY long this is what it was....taking Rex outside often and helping Daisy with her new adventure! So, after going several times on the toilet throughout the day, I ran into town with her, diaperless of course because we decided that would be the best, and she had just gone. So I run into Country HF and within 5 minutes she has peed....GREAT! So out we went! Well its exhausting, oh I mean exciting. I just wonder what happens in a child to go from literally one day not wanting to have anything to do with the toilet to knowing when they have to go, and holding it until they get on the toilet and going!!? Is it the emphasis on the puppy and peeing? Is it the fact that she has an awful rash down below? Is it all the "talking" about it that finally paid off? I'll never know. This I do know, I can say that with all three of the girls I never set out to "train" them, they all 3 did it when they were ready, and repeatedly it was by the age 3 and was such a breeze! So seriously, if it's any help to anyone, it is well worth the wait.....I think my new motto in this part of child rearing will be Pee at Three! Alright, so I might be a bit delirious from a long day, so I'll leave you with that!

INTRODUCING.......REX!!

We did it! We did it! Proud new owners of this very cute lovable 8 week old yorkie-terrier puppy! We got him last night and so far he has been totally awesome....meaning first and for most he "goes" outside. Secondly, he lets Daisy pack him around the house like a stuffed animal, and thirdly, he eats, sleeps, and plays so well! (Does it sound like I just had a baby?) Anyways, the girls are thrilled, which brings me to the worst part so far of having a puppy....THEY FIGHT over the poor little guy. I definitely was not looking for another reason for them to bicker when granting them this very big wish! Ah well I'm sure it will work itself out! So, so far I am very pleased with taking this step, I know, it's only been a day, but it's been a good day! Enjoy some pictures of our newest family member...REX!!