Persistence Pays Off

This evening we had Jonathon's 10th birthday party at a local pool. As soon as we arrived, I was met by a young man that none of us knew but he had no problem with that! He quickly asked me if we were cooking hot dogs and after I said we sure were, he asked for one. I told him that if he was still there after the party was over and if we had any left, I'd be happy to give him a hot dog. Well....over the course of the next 2 hourse, this young man asked for a hot dog at least, what seemed like FIFTY TIMES! It got so bad that other people at our party was frustrated. Finally, as Jonathon was fixing his plate, the kid yells at us from the water, wanting a hot dog. Jonathon looked at me and said, PLEASE.....give that kid a hot dog!!! We were ALL ready for him to hush! He proceeded to help himself to the chips, a drink, and some cake.

His persistence paid off. He got what he wanted....he just drove everyone else crazy but in the end...he was happy. Hmmm....I might try this technique sometime in the near future. We'll see! But in the meantime, can I have a hot dog?

Oh those lazy days of summer.......where are they?

Lazy days? I don't think so, at least not yet. The kids started Kaleidoscope this week and have to be there at 8:15. So much for sleeping in! I have to say though, I've gotten more errands accomplished the past two days that I have recently in a month! Sal even appointed me to have the oil changed this morning ( a whole other blog topic! ). Yesterday after Kaleidoscope, we went swimming for FOUR hours. My kids were in heaven!!! It was nice to relax by the pool and watch them just be kids. No worries in the world! Today isn't a swimming day for us and after we finally got home this afternoon, my kids and I laid down and read books. AWwwwww, now that was nice and it did give me a little glimpse into those lazy days of summer.

Before I leave this little topic, I have to share something about someone who has just blessed me so much recently. I got to spend some time last night with a young man who just recently turned FIVE! I was at McDonald's watching him carefully eat his Happy Meal (sitting criss cross applesauce in the seat) and he so innocently looked over at me and said, Thank you for bringing me here. A while later, after we had left McDonald's, he was getting out of my car and said "Gayla, I love you. You're beautiful." You know, I couldn't stop thinking about his words on the way home. God tells us to have the faith of a child but I believe He also wants us to learn from them. You see, this baby was so very thankful, sincerely thankful for a trip to McDonalds. It isn't like he isn't well taken care of because he comes from an excellent family. He just is honestly thankful for people being in his life. I believe he also sees the heart of a person. I hope he always sees me as beautiful. Not on the outside (we've got a long ways to go there) but as a person with a beautiful heart. And even though I am very aware of my faults and don't always have the "beauty on the inside" - he saw something I don't even see. I want to be more like that. I really want to see people's hearts (good and bad). So.....if you need some insight and a blessing......hang out with a 5 year old!

Trend Setting Day 2

Something tells me that she really has no problem with self esteem right now! What do you think?

OH Girl!!!!

The other day I watched a segment of Oprah's where she was talking about girls and their self-esteem and how we as women should be building up our daughters daily. I haven't always had the best self-esteem and certainly do not want my daughter to experience those nasty, horrible days.

Today, I believe, I have built up my daughter, maybe just a little bit. I was going to the store and she so badly wanted to go. She dressed herself in what she thought looked great. She came out of the room and I immediately said "NO!". Her Dad of course told her that she was beautiful. I thought I could sneak out but there's no fooling her! She was on my heals. So, I said: "Mija, do you like the way you look today?" and she very sure of herself said, "Yes, I do!". So, I thought...you know, if you feel good, I feel good. So....off to the store we went. She pranced around like she was a million bucks! You know what baby....you're more than a million bucks! You are my psychedelic princess and you are my world! I hope you always feel good about you and who you are because I'd have you no other way!

Answered Prayers, Friends, and Laughter

The wait is over for almost everything I was "waiting" for a few days ago. Sal made it safely home from Austin, the Lord said that the job He has for me is right where I am so live with it and get happy. I'm living with it and will find happiness before school starts in the Fall. Praise God my Dad's test results have revealed that he is fine and well. AND....summer will officially begin at my house in FIVE DAYS.

We already have so many things planned. Our first task (interject Sal - "We're calling this task PREPERATION H - We're preparing the house for summer) is to have a very late Spring Cleaning event the week after next. Memorial Day could be just that - some things will only be a memory!

We had our last soccer game today and ended with a perfect season. Well...a perfect losing season but Clarissa doesn't care. However, if she would have played as hard the rest of the season as she did today it might not have been a perfect losing season! She has also had her gymnastics exhibition today and was absolutelyn adorable! We have Jonathon's in just a little while.

I had a thought today as I was leaving a message for my dear friend. Life is funny. There is a couple that Sal and I have been friends with for many years. Our children are like brothers/sister. In fact, she was Jonathon's first caregiver. We had attended the same church and usually sat by each other in church up until January of this year when the Lord called us away from Alliance. How funny it is that we have seen this family more since we've been gone than when we saw them weekly at church. Life is funny but I sure have enjoyed the laughs and good times we have together.

So...my thought for today is this.....Keep praying, laughing, and spending time with friends. It makes life and those nasty "waiting" games so much more bearable!

It's coming!!!!!

We have just experienced a wonderful relaxing weekend. We spent Saturday evening/early night with some of our dearest friends hanging out at the park having a picnic (yes, there were some chickens sacrificed for the picnic but they were good!) Our children are like brothers and sister and thoroughly enjoyed themselvces. We did have to scrub alot of sand out of their hair but hey, they had fun getting it there! Today, after church, we took Jonathon and Clarissa to their favorite pool for some presummer swimming. It made for a perfect Mother's Day....there's nothing better than the laughter of your children. We've already made plans for next weekend! It seems to make the thought of these next two weeks bearable! I can't wait! SUMMER IS COMING!!!

Waiting

I don't think I'm very good at this! This you ask? This waiting stuff! I'm waiting for a "phone call" that could certainly put a lift in my career, I'm waiting for insurance to come through for me - somehow, someway. I'm waiting on my husband to return from Austin. I'm waiting for my Dad to find out some pretty important health results. I'm waiting for school to hurry up and dismiss for the summer! I'm very impatient and I certainly don't like this part of world right now. I wonder......did I pray for patience somewhere along the way?