What can I say!

The paragraph below was a posting I began writing on July 25th. I hadn't realized it's been so long since I last sat in front of this screen! I hope it's ok, as I don't think I had time to proofread it!

"You don't want to be her pacifier" were her words as we talked about my little Adriana's frequent and sometimes (ok, often) prolonged nursing sessions. We were at Adriana's one year appointment at the doctor's office. The P.A. was responding to my report on how hard it is to say how many times she nurses a day because it varies according to the day's events. If she falls and gets upset, she'll nurse, even if only for 5 minutes. She nurses for comfort a lot. I wished I could have poured out my heart to this lady... I couldn't. I'm not sure whether I should have said anything, really. Sometimes I have a hard time determining when a response to such a comment would be "witnessing" or simply "casting my pearls out." All I said was "Well, I really don't mind." The truth is, why should I?

I truly think of it a blessing to be able to soothe my little girl. I try to use this times to tell her how the Lord can help us cope with our every day frustrations and how much He loves her and wants to soothe her. I tell her she can always count of me and I love her dearly but there is one love that is far better than mine and it is His perfect love.

This season, in hindsight will be so short in comparison to all the years she'll be away from me. So much to my doctor's disappointment I won't be looking to wean her sooner than she is ready to...

My baby is one!

Can you believe this? It feels as though just yesterday we brought her into our little home and then again, I can hardly remember life without her! She is so precious. I have told before of her strong determination. She is not the type of baby that can be distracted away from the object of her attention so easily. However, there is one thing that delights her little heart enough to hold her attention away from "trouble", at least momentarily, that is music. Whether it is a song on a worship CD or just a partial tune on a toy, she will stop on her tracks, look up at you, smile and start dancing!

Being an early walker, she is of course, an early climber. Still it is hard to keep up with her quick pace. It may take her a bit to learn a skill, but once learned it doesn't take her long to master it. For instance, Ben figured with her adventurous nature it would be wise to try to teach her how to climb up the stairs. We had caught her attempting to do it before, so he walked up the stairs showing her how to move her little arms and legs to climb up. He did it only once. The very next day, she sneaked out on us for a couple of minutes and climbed the whole flight of stairs on her own. All I know is that Ben said: "Honey, I hear her on the stairs," and much to my dismay I found her all the way up, holding on to the gate at the top! Our whole flight of stairs in just a minute or two I can't tell you how far down my stomach dropped.

One of her newest discoveries has been the computer keyboard. Her face lights up when I sit her on my lap. She immediately sticks out her little fingers and goes for the keys and if she sees my hands anywhere near hers, she'll quickly (and decidedly) push them away to keep it to herself.

And so, her determination and her ability to focus lead her to solve problems rather quickly. Her adventurous nature keep her discovering new things constantly. Her independent spirit takes her beyond her limits and yet she is still so much of a baby that can't be away from this proud and happy mom for long. For the first time ever she slept last night (or should I say this morning) until 4 a.m. (I am not holding my hopes high, this may be a one time thing more than a page turner in the life of). I cannot imagine where God will take my little girl, all I know is that my life is ever richer and happier by her presence! Happy first birthday, sweet girl!

To train or not to train

Potty train, that is. After my two bathroom adventures yesterday I am beginning to think that I do not want to take the girls into a public bathroom until they are old enough to be disgusted by public bathrooms themselves! I was happy to read that I'm not the only one facing such dilemma, though. I mean, really, how do you convince an almost-one-year-old that the fact that the toilet is at the height of her mouth doesn't mean she actually has to put her mouth on it?! And then, how much soap do you use to try to wash them clean? ...and then there's the crawling on the dirty floors, the pulling of the toilet paper a sheer fear of the hand dryer... it was crazy enough to leave this mama wanting to let them wear diapers until they're about 10!

My Dad´s Birthday!

Feliz cumpleaños, Papi... ¡Lo amamos!

Keepers at home

Yesterday, Ben and I were watching this show. I am always curious to see the stories behind families and pick up on some ideas for shopping, organizing, etc. I was amazed at how clean her house is and how organized her life seems while she has so many more little ones than I do. One thing led to the next and before you know it, my sweet man is holding my hand, trying to encourage me and stop my tears as I pour out my frustrations at being unable to keep up with the house lately.

If you have been to my house in the past couple months you know what I mean!

Probably one of the reasons why this woman's immaculate house brought me to the breaking down point is because I have been asking the Lord for supernatural strength, ability, ideas, or anything that will help me keep this house the way I envision it without lashing out at my husband and children when the chaos of everyday life simply cannot be contained. At least I can say for myself that I have been able to avoid the lashing out part.

My little mental notebook goes back to all the wise advice I've heard from amazing godly woman but nothing seemed to give me a satisfactory answer. If I am called to be a keeper of my home, doesn't that include making it a clean and orderly environment for my family? And while the answer to that question is a "yes", there is also the fact that the house in and of itself does not make the home. The house is a tool... a tool to keep my family happy, healthy and together.

I need to remember that the people in it are more important than the things in it. I am more responsible for the souls that it helps me nurture than anything else. And in the quiet place I hear a still voice that tells me that more than anything my home needs to be inviting. Inviting to the outsider who should feel welcome when they come in that door, but above all things, inviting to those entrusted to me. I am doing my job well if my husband and my children long for home, if I attach enough strings to their heart that home is a place they like to be at. And I look around and pray that I may not see a day when my children are desperate to leave my home...

Cailen Miner and Adriana

Little girls

Quickly

I quickly touch base to report that all is well with this little family. I am recovered from the cold, feeling much better and with a bit more energy to live life. I still can´t seem to manage through the day without falling asleep at some point, but have considerably recovered some energy. Life will soon get back to normal, hopefully. I´ll soon write a little more.

Love to all!