Wednesday, May 14, 2008
It's Time to Vote
Okay friends...just for fun, I've added a poll just to the right of this post! Be sure to vote! I'm pretty sure you all come to my blog for my expert parenting advice (especially on the topic of potty training), but I wanted to see the numbers to be sure!!! :) Have a blessed day!!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Compassion International
It recently occurred to me that I have not ever mentioned something very dear to my heart on this blog! We have two other children that I've never introduced you to! So, I am very pleased to introduce you to...
Wendy Nohemy Mendoza Morales
Wendy will be 9 or 10 this June. Parents don't keep up with birth dates like we do. So, getting an exact date and age is difficult! She lives in Guatemala with both of her parents and 2 sisters. In Wendy's village there are so many children needing assistance that Compassion cannot care for each child. So, they have chosen one child from each family - usually the one requiring the most help. Sad, isn't it? Wendy has been part of our family for 2 years, and we had the HUGE privilege of getting to meet her 2 summers ago! We took her, her mother, grandmother, and teacher to the zoo in Guatemala City! It was so much fun, and because I had been learning Spanish, I was able to communicate with them some without the interpreter!
and
Makenson St. Juste
Makenson was 13 years old when he joined our family, but he has grown so much! He just turned 19 a few months ago. He lives in Haiti with both of his parents and 3 siblings.
Makenson does okay in school but not great! I have been trying to encourage him to do his best. That is the only way he has a hope for the future! Through Compassion, he has the opportunity to continue school if he desires. He has always had a passion for soccer.
We sponsor these kids for $32 a month each. That pays for their Christian education, hygiene products, healthy meals, and much more. We have the option of sending extra money for the family once a year that Compassion helps them spend wisely. We also send money to Compassion each year for their birthdays and Christmas. Compassion buys gifts for the younger children but allows the older ones to make decisions on how to spend theirs. They always thank us for the gifts and tell us what they received or bought.
This past Christmas, Wendy got a new skirt and shirt that she wore to her Christmas Service. She was so proud. Makenson has bought goats for his family, a bicycle, a soccer ball, and more I can't remember. I love hearing what they received and how much they enjoyed it!
I LOVE this ministry dearly and strongly recommend it to anyone who has ever wanted to support a child like this. We receive letters from the kids about 3 times a year and can write as often as we like. If you are interested in checking it out, go to www.compassion.com. You can look at pictures of the children waiting for sponsorship and read about them. It is a great opportunity for older children to have a pen pal. I suggest choosing one in a country you are likely to visit anyway so that you can arrange a meeting sometime, if possible!
I don't know if anyone is interested, but I had to share it. I couldn't do anything better than this with $32 a month! I'll leave you with the verse I shared with Makenson and Wendy in my latest letter to them, "I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11-12
In Christ,
Jacqueline
Wendy Nohemy Mendoza Morales
Wendy will be 9 or 10 this June. Parents don't keep up with birth dates like we do. So, getting an exact date and age is difficult! She lives in Guatemala with both of her parents and 2 sisters. In Wendy's village there are so many children needing assistance that Compassion cannot care for each child. So, they have chosen one child from each family - usually the one requiring the most help. Sad, isn't it? Wendy has been part of our family for 2 years, and we had the HUGE privilege of getting to meet her 2 summers ago! We took her, her mother, grandmother, and teacher to the zoo in Guatemala City! It was so much fun, and because I had been learning Spanish, I was able to communicate with them some without the interpreter!
and
Makenson St. Juste
Makenson was 13 years old when he joined our family, but he has grown so much! He just turned 19 a few months ago. He lives in Haiti with both of his parents and 3 siblings.
Makenson does okay in school but not great! I have been trying to encourage him to do his best. That is the only way he has a hope for the future! Through Compassion, he has the opportunity to continue school if he desires. He has always had a passion for soccer.We sponsor these kids for $32 a month each. That pays for their Christian education, hygiene products, healthy meals, and much more. We have the option of sending extra money for the family once a year that Compassion helps them spend wisely. We also send money to Compassion each year for their birthdays and Christmas. Compassion buys gifts for the younger children but allows the older ones to make decisions on how to spend theirs. They always thank us for the gifts and tell us what they received or bought.
This past Christmas, Wendy got a new skirt and shirt that she wore to her Christmas Service. She was so proud. Makenson has bought goats for his family, a bicycle, a soccer ball, and more I can't remember. I love hearing what they received and how much they enjoyed it!
I LOVE this ministry dearly and strongly recommend it to anyone who has ever wanted to support a child like this. We receive letters from the kids about 3 times a year and can write as often as we like. If you are interested in checking it out, go to www.compassion.com. You can look at pictures of the children waiting for sponsorship and read about them. It is a great opportunity for older children to have a pen pal. I suggest choosing one in a country you are likely to visit anyway so that you can arrange a meeting sometime, if possible!
I don't know if anyone is interested, but I had to share it. I couldn't do anything better than this with $32 a month! I'll leave you with the verse I shared with Makenson and Wendy in my latest letter to them, "I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11-12
In Christ,
Jacqueline
Monday, May 12, 2008
Happy Day-After Mother's Day
I'm glad I got a nice long day of enjoying the recognition for putting up with all the crap I do because when I woke up the crap almost hit the fan! Well, if there had been a fan near the stairs it would have hit it!
Yes, I'm serious! We were doing good, going to be on time, and ready to walk out the door in a matter of 5 minutes until I heard, "Mommy, Chase got poopy all over me!" Your eyes really don't know what to expect to see when you hear such a thing. So, with much anticipation, I turned the corner to see Mary Frances all dolled up in her pretty little purple dress and costume jewelry complete with a Princess crown AND poop smeared on her cheek, arm, dress, legs, socks, shoe, and even in her hair!
When I asked what happened, she replied, "Chase took off his underwear and threw them at me." Fortunately (and stupidly) for me, Chase does not usually wear underwear, but he has been pee-peeing in the potty a lot. So, I let him wear the underwear this morning, and I was about to put his diaper on for school!
When I walked up stairs to get a diaper, I noticed it all over the stairs, too! Imagine my joy!! So, we basically started all over. Mary Frances had a bath and got another outfit on. I cleaned the carpet the best I could. I dressed the boys, and we were only about 15 minutes late!
I felt like I smelled like crap all day, but hey, that's the life of a mom, right!?!
Yes, I'm serious! We were doing good, going to be on time, and ready to walk out the door in a matter of 5 minutes until I heard, "Mommy, Chase got poopy all over me!" Your eyes really don't know what to expect to see when you hear such a thing. So, with much anticipation, I turned the corner to see Mary Frances all dolled up in her pretty little purple dress and costume jewelry complete with a Princess crown AND poop smeared on her cheek, arm, dress, legs, socks, shoe, and even in her hair!
When I asked what happened, she replied, "Chase took off his underwear and threw them at me." Fortunately (and stupidly) for me, Chase does not usually wear underwear, but he has been pee-peeing in the potty a lot. So, I let him wear the underwear this morning, and I was about to put his diaper on for school!
When I walked up stairs to get a diaper, I noticed it all over the stairs, too! Imagine my joy!! So, we basically started all over. Mary Frances had a bath and got another outfit on. I cleaned the carpet the best I could. I dressed the boys, and we were only about 15 minutes late!
I felt like I smelled like crap all day, but hey, that's the life of a mom, right!?!
Happy Mother's Day
Ray C. left just as I was getting up Sunday morning, and Chase woke up soon after. He was laying on the floor in my closet while I was getting ready when he looked up at me (at 6:00 in the morning) and said, "Mommy, you pretty." It was a great Mother's Day!
My family took me out to TGI Friday's which was actually fun! We visited the pool for 2 hours and with 2 life saving devices for each child! Then, Ray C. picked up around the house and we had a nice quiet evening!
I went to school Mother's Day parties on Friday and received gifts from the kids. I love getting the little gifts they make. I really appreciate the teachers taking so much time to make us something special!
My family took me out to TGI Friday's which was actually fun! We visited the pool for 2 hours and with 2 life saving devices for each child! Then, Ray C. picked up around the house and we had a nice quiet evening!
I went to school Mother's Day parties on Friday and received gifts from the kids. I love getting the little gifts they make. I really appreciate the teachers taking so much time to make us something special!
Mommy to the Rescue
We are so excited that our pool is open on weekends for the month of May. So, we have been visiting as much as possible! However, our trip on Saturday was very frightening!
Ray C. and I were both watching the kids and chatting with some friends. Thomas was playing in the 3 ft. 3 inch water and the other 2 pretty much stay in the 1 ft water. So, we kept checking on them. At one point I looked over and couldn't see Chase. So, I stood up and looked around and noticed him flailing in the 3 ft pool. I ran through water as fast as I could to get to him, passing 2 life guards on the way! I don't know how long he was there before I got to him, but he was terrified. We didn't stay much longer, but he wouldn't go back in the water the rest of the time.
It didn't really hit me until he went to sleep that night, and then I lost it! It is so scary to realize that we can only do so much. I can't protect them from everything. And then, my husband preached the next day on "Mothering is not for Cowards" and the fact that our relationships were designed for separation. It's so hard to hear that and yet important to understand!
Ray C. and I were both watching the kids and chatting with some friends. Thomas was playing in the 3 ft. 3 inch water and the other 2 pretty much stay in the 1 ft water. So, we kept checking on them. At one point I looked over and couldn't see Chase. So, I stood up and looked around and noticed him flailing in the 3 ft pool. I ran through water as fast as I could to get to him, passing 2 life guards on the way! I don't know how long he was there before I got to him, but he was terrified. We didn't stay much longer, but he wouldn't go back in the water the rest of the time.
It didn't really hit me until he went to sleep that night, and then I lost it! It is so scary to realize that we can only do so much. I can't protect them from everything. And then, my husband preached the next day on "Mothering is not for Cowards" and the fact that our relationships were designed for separation. It's so hard to hear that and yet important to understand!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Old Videos
I got out the video camera yesterday. So, the kids and I decided to watch some video from when they were babies. I completely fell apart when Mary Frances came on the screen. She was not even two years old. Every time she came on and started talking, tears streamed down my face - just like they are now. It was a combination of 2 things:
1. She was so adorable. I could just eat her up.
2. I don't remember anything about her then! This absolutely breaks my heart! :( I remembered things about the boys. Nothing really surprised me when I was watching them, but I felt like I was watching someone else's adorable child, not my own.
I seriously don't remember anything about this stage in her life. I had a potty training three year old and a brand new baby. So much for protecting the middle child, huh!?!
I am really upset about it and determined to spend as much time with them as I can. I am so blessed to have these children in my life. I cannot let this time slip away from me. I do not want to watch another video and feel the way I did yesterday. What a horrible feeling!
The main reason I am keeping this blog is to record all of these things. I am so thankful to be able to look back and read and remember all the cute and insane things they have done in the past year and a half!
Here's to many more memories...
1. She was so adorable. I could just eat her up.
2. I don't remember anything about her then! This absolutely breaks my heart! :( I remembered things about the boys. Nothing really surprised me when I was watching them, but I felt like I was watching someone else's adorable child, not my own.
I seriously don't remember anything about this stage in her life. I had a potty training three year old and a brand new baby. So much for protecting the middle child, huh!?!
I am really upset about it and determined to spend as much time with them as I can. I am so blessed to have these children in my life. I cannot let this time slip away from me. I do not want to watch another video and feel the way I did yesterday. What a horrible feeling!
The main reason I am keeping this blog is to record all of these things. I am so thankful to be able to look back and read and remember all the cute and insane things they have done in the past year and a half!
Here's to many more memories...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
