Please help support our efforts in raising money for the Epilepsy Foundation in Lauren's honor. We will be participating in an Epilepsy walk on March 24Th.
http://eftx.donordrive.com/participant/LaurensHope
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Aries Herrera
Just some fun pictures of our sweet four legged family member. She is such a gentle giant and our hearts are filled with joy now that she is apart of our family.
Headed to her new home in El Paso, Texas
Playing with her new toy
Loving on Ethan
She found daddy asleep on the couch and she thinks he needs to wake up
She thinks she is a little lap dog
Our beuatiful gentle giant Aries Herrera
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Putting what's important first
Since the last time I posted I have been battling myself and the enemy for many things, but mostly on my decision to continue homeschooling or not. Last year around this time I felt God calling me to homeschool my kids, but I had a ton of personal reservations and I fought him on the idea, but eventually I saw it his way and chose to homeschool the kids this year. The year was going great until about the beginning of December late November when things took a turn for the worse and we hit a brick wall. The first two weeks in December where so rough I decided we should take winter break early and revisit homeschooling after the holidays. Well during the break I decided it was our curriculum that was making us all crazy so I decided it was time to let go of it and try something new. We got back from break and I went out and bought several new work books and we went to work, but things did not go as I had imagined them to, and we found ourselves still in the same position but with the added stress of a new curriculum. Our happy fun days had turned into tearfilled screaming matches and lots of sit down and do this or else. Homeschool had become they very thing I never wanted it to be and I found myself so stressed out that I wasn't even sure how we would finish out the year. Then I decided, by emotions, that homeschooling just wasn't what God called me to and that I must have heard him wrong. I went and started looking at schools for next year. I could see the heart break in Ethan's eyes but I was so over how things had been I didn't care if going back to public school was what he wanted or not, I only knew I wasn't fit to do it another year, couldn't do it another year.
During this time our Sunday service message had been on the "First" since it was a new year. He talked about how busy we have all become and he demonstrated with the help of rocks in a jar that when we try to put God, family, and serving last there isn't enough room in the jar for everything else in our day, but when we put what's important in the jar first, God, family, and serving then we have plenty of space in the day for everything else. This message hit me hard and I had tears in my eyes through almost every part of this series. I began to feel God tug and pull at my heart about my choice to quit homeschooling but I sadly tried not listening to him because the enemy had already begun his work in showing me how "easy" life would be if I put the kids in public school next year. He suduced me with the one thing I don't hardly ever get (unless I stay up super late) time do the things I want to do. I went back and forth every day, and sometimes every miute of the day. I found myself trying to convince myself and friends who have been on this journey with me that I really didn't hear God and that it was my flesh that chose to homeschool. I told Eddie that I wasn't going to continue homeschooling and although I could see and sense his disappointment he didn't try to talk me into continuing but instead tried to talk me though what I was feeling and thinking. I knew he wasn't happy with my choice of not continuing but the gracious man he is never told me I had to continue even though he knew homeschooling is what is best for our family.
I continued to pray and seek God through bible study and soon came to a clear reality that I was called to homeschooling and that it wasn't working because I removed the very reason I began homeschooling in the first place. I got so cught up in trying to be like other homeschool families that I felt the pressure that my kids were behind, so I stopped doing morning prayer time for myself and with the kids, I stopped having the kids do Bible because all the other subjects such as math, science and english were so much more important to get completed. It hit me, when I removed God, the reason I homeschool, from our day everything else didn't fit. I was no longer putting what was important first! The very reason to homeschool my kids was to allow them to grow closer to God, yet I their role model only taught them how to get caught up in the things of the world.
I knew at that moment my chains were broken and I knew I was called to homeschool and if I would put God first and teach according to the way he has called me everything else in my jar would fit. I knew I had to change my daily schedule and remove some things we had been doing in order to put what was important first. This week we stuck to that schedule. I had my morning quiet time with God, the kids had their prayer and Bible study and you know what the rest of our day and week was joyful.
Father, how easily we can become distracted by the things of this world. Forgive me father for I have fallen short and fell to the temptation of the world. Thank you Lord for always gently correcting me and never leaving my side. May I always remember to put what is important first. In your name I pray Amen!
During this time our Sunday service message had been on the "First" since it was a new year. He talked about how busy we have all become and he demonstrated with the help of rocks in a jar that when we try to put God, family, and serving last there isn't enough room in the jar for everything else in our day, but when we put what's important in the jar first, God, family, and serving then we have plenty of space in the day for everything else. This message hit me hard and I had tears in my eyes through almost every part of this series. I began to feel God tug and pull at my heart about my choice to quit homeschooling but I sadly tried not listening to him because the enemy had already begun his work in showing me how "easy" life would be if I put the kids in public school next year. He suduced me with the one thing I don't hardly ever get (unless I stay up super late) time do the things I want to do. I went back and forth every day, and sometimes every miute of the day. I found myself trying to convince myself and friends who have been on this journey with me that I really didn't hear God and that it was my flesh that chose to homeschool. I told Eddie that I wasn't going to continue homeschooling and although I could see and sense his disappointment he didn't try to talk me into continuing but instead tried to talk me though what I was feeling and thinking. I knew he wasn't happy with my choice of not continuing but the gracious man he is never told me I had to continue even though he knew homeschooling is what is best for our family.
I continued to pray and seek God through bible study and soon came to a clear reality that I was called to homeschooling and that it wasn't working because I removed the very reason I began homeschooling in the first place. I got so cught up in trying to be like other homeschool families that I felt the pressure that my kids were behind, so I stopped doing morning prayer time for myself and with the kids, I stopped having the kids do Bible because all the other subjects such as math, science and english were so much more important to get completed. It hit me, when I removed God, the reason I homeschool, from our day everything else didn't fit. I was no longer putting what was important first! The very reason to homeschool my kids was to allow them to grow closer to God, yet I their role model only taught them how to get caught up in the things of the world.
I knew at that moment my chains were broken and I knew I was called to homeschool and if I would put God first and teach according to the way he has called me everything else in my jar would fit. I knew I had to change my daily schedule and remove some things we had been doing in order to put what was important first. This week we stuck to that schedule. I had my morning quiet time with God, the kids had their prayer and Bible study and you know what the rest of our day and week was joyful.
Father, how easily we can become distracted by the things of this world. Forgive me father for I have fallen short and fell to the temptation of the world. Thank you Lord for always gently correcting me and never leaving my side. May I always remember to put what is important first. In your name I pray Amen!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Starting Over
I've decided to cut out our homeschool blog and just keep up with our family blog since they really go hand in hand any ways. So I thought I start off with a quick update on all of us.
Eddie-
What can I say more than I am one blessed woman to be married to such an amazing man. A man who is so dedicated in all areas of his life. He is a man of God, a loving and respectful husband and father, and a man dedicated to his job and protecting our country. He really is an amazing man. He loves his job and we love having him home with us all the time. He is learning to become a handyman as he fixes stuff around our house.
Ethan-
Our little man turned 10 on December 24th and man is he growing into a wondeful young man. He has such a heart for people it's truely something amazing to see and it couldn't make us prouder to be his parents. This year we ventured into homeschooling and although it has brought our family closer I'm not so sure it's working out for us. We plan to finish out the year and then figure out this summer what is best for all of us. Ethan is very much into building things out of Legos and he is actually very good at it and has great imagination and creativity. He has recently learned to skate board and is having fun learning new tricks and stuff, even if me, his mom has no clue why the tricks are so cool. He is very much a 10 year old boy and is trying to find his place in this world, but really is a great kid who always makes us laugh.
Lauren-
Our little princess turned 5 this year and is growing into such a young lady, a sometimes sassy young lady but a beautiful sweet one at that. In August of 2011 she was diagnosed with Epilepsy, it has been a rough adjustment and a long road for her and us. She has had to learn that she has limitations to things she can and can not due in order to protect her from causing herself to have a seizure or to protect herself from injuries if she should have one. Following these limitations hasn't been easy but she is adjusting to them and becoming more aware of if she is going to have a seizure. She was put on a medicine and for about 2 months it seemed to have been working but then things changed and she stopped responding to the medicine. Recent test results show she is having frequent seizure spikes. This was hard news to swallow but we have changed her medicine and are praying this is the right one. Despite her condition she hasn't allowed it to define her or slow her down. She is still my adventurist and loves doing new things and learning new things. She loves to sing and dance and is such a social butterfly. She has also been doing homeschool but doesn't stop talking about going to a real school next year. She is such a joy in our life.
Me-
It's been a rough year for me with so much change. I have grown so much thanks to my Lord and Savior who refuses to leave me where I am. He has taught me so much through all we have dealt with, with Lauren. He continues to use everything, the good and the bad to grow me up and closer to him. I am so grateful to have a Heavenly Father who loves me so much. Homeschooling the kids this year has given me the chance to grow closer to the kids and to learn who they are in a way I've never known them, I am truely grateful for this time we have shared growing closer as a family. Although I have enjoyed this time with them I'm not sure if this is what is going to be best for us to continue next year, but I'm praying about it and seeking God's guidence and direction. For now I will enjoy finishing out the school year with my kids. Even though this has been a rough year I give God all the glory because he hasn't left my side during any of it and infact he has been there holding me up and moving me forward and for that I'm so grateful.
Aries-
She is the newest member of our family. She is a 9 month Bullmastiff and is huge, but such a snuggle bug. She really is a great dog and is adjusting well in our home. She loves us all so very much and always want to be around us. She is very smart and doing well with the training Ed is working with her on. We love having her and look forward to her growing with our family.
Well that is our update although it wasn't as quick as I thought it would be...LOL
Eddie-
What can I say more than I am one blessed woman to be married to such an amazing man. A man who is so dedicated in all areas of his life. He is a man of God, a loving and respectful husband and father, and a man dedicated to his job and protecting our country. He really is an amazing man. He loves his job and we love having him home with us all the time. He is learning to become a handyman as he fixes stuff around our house.
Ethan-
Our little man turned 10 on December 24th and man is he growing into a wondeful young man. He has such a heart for people it's truely something amazing to see and it couldn't make us prouder to be his parents. This year we ventured into homeschooling and although it has brought our family closer I'm not so sure it's working out for us. We plan to finish out the year and then figure out this summer what is best for all of us. Ethan is very much into building things out of Legos and he is actually very good at it and has great imagination and creativity. He has recently learned to skate board and is having fun learning new tricks and stuff, even if me, his mom has no clue why the tricks are so cool. He is very much a 10 year old boy and is trying to find his place in this world, but really is a great kid who always makes us laugh.
Lauren-
Our little princess turned 5 this year and is growing into such a young lady, a sometimes sassy young lady but a beautiful sweet one at that. In August of 2011 she was diagnosed with Epilepsy, it has been a rough adjustment and a long road for her and us. She has had to learn that she has limitations to things she can and can not due in order to protect her from causing herself to have a seizure or to protect herself from injuries if she should have one. Following these limitations hasn't been easy but she is adjusting to them and becoming more aware of if she is going to have a seizure. She was put on a medicine and for about 2 months it seemed to have been working but then things changed and she stopped responding to the medicine. Recent test results show she is having frequent seizure spikes. This was hard news to swallow but we have changed her medicine and are praying this is the right one. Despite her condition she hasn't allowed it to define her or slow her down. She is still my adventurist and loves doing new things and learning new things. She loves to sing and dance and is such a social butterfly. She has also been doing homeschool but doesn't stop talking about going to a real school next year. She is such a joy in our life.
Me-
It's been a rough year for me with so much change. I have grown so much thanks to my Lord and Savior who refuses to leave me where I am. He has taught me so much through all we have dealt with, with Lauren. He continues to use everything, the good and the bad to grow me up and closer to him. I am so grateful to have a Heavenly Father who loves me so much. Homeschooling the kids this year has given me the chance to grow closer to the kids and to learn who they are in a way I've never known them, I am truely grateful for this time we have shared growing closer as a family. Although I have enjoyed this time with them I'm not sure if this is what is going to be best for us to continue next year, but I'm praying about it and seeking God's guidence and direction. For now I will enjoy finishing out the school year with my kids. Even though this has been a rough year I give God all the glory because he hasn't left my side during any of it and infact he has been there holding me up and moving me forward and for that I'm so grateful.
Aries-
She is the newest member of our family. She is a 9 month Bullmastiff and is huge, but such a snuggle bug. She really is a great dog and is adjusting well in our home. She loves us all so very much and always want to be around us. She is very smart and doing well with the training Ed is working with her on. We love having her and look forward to her growing with our family.
Well that is our update although it wasn't as quick as I thought it would be...LOL
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Parenting
In the Bible there are verses that use the word "rod" in the context of discipline, and the Bible uses the "rod" as a picture to help show us how to discipline our children and to help us understand the importance of our job. So figuratively we are shepherds of our little ones, and we need to carry our shepherd's staff, our rod. It's a sign of authority, and God has given parents authority over their children. And just as it is crucial that a shepherd not lay aside his rod, it is crucial that parents not lay aside the rod of authority and discipline. This does not mean, though, that we are to hit our children -- on the contrary. A good shepherd does not hit his sheep with the rod, but rather reserves hitting for the predators who attack his sheep. In like manner, we as parents should not use the "rod" to hit our children, but rather we are to protect them, guide them, and defend them.
I have always been confused on if I should hit my children as a way to discipline them. I will admit for some time I thought spanking was the way I should discipline but only because that's what most of us are taught to do. In the many times I used spanking to discipline it always felt wrong. I didn't understand nor get how inflicting pain on my child would correct them, and as I began to observe my children I realized it didn't discipline them but instead it made them afraid of me and because they were afraid they would behave better for a time. I also learned that spanking wasn't teaching them anything but to hit when they got angry at what someone did to them, or if someone didn't listen to them. I found my self spanking my kids and saying hitting is wrong and it hurts. So I started questioning myself why it was OK for me to hit them when they did wrong but it wasn't OK for them to hit someone else when they thought that other kid was doing wrong. They were only doing what they were taught. I began to pray for direction and wisdom on how to go about discipline in a Godly way. After some prayer a good friend (I will leave her name out ) of mine began to talk to me in a gentle way on spanking. She referred me to a wonderful site called gentle christian mothers and I began to learn new things. I then read a book called Biblical Parenting and it changed my views on parenting and spanking. I haven't spanked my kids in over a year and instead I have been using the same discipline on them as God uses on me, grace and mercy. The change in discipline wasn't easy and I would slip up at times, but I learned to ask my children for forgiveness when I did spank and told them that hitting them was wrong and I am working on changing that. I realized very fast that in those moments I taught my children something important and that is that we all make mistakes and doing something new takes work and if we fail the right thing to do is admit we are wrong and ask for forgiveness. I've learned that I am not my children's boss, but that I am their teacher, their comforter and their protector. I am not here to rule them but instead guide them and teach them how to be good Christian's with a heart to love, forgive, give mercy and grace to others as our heavenly father gives to us.
Discipling without spanking has taken a lot of work on my part but it's been the best change I've made as a parent.
I have always been confused on if I should hit my children as a way to discipline them. I will admit for some time I thought spanking was the way I should discipline but only because that's what most of us are taught to do. In the many times I used spanking to discipline it always felt wrong. I didn't understand nor get how inflicting pain on my child would correct them, and as I began to observe my children I realized it didn't discipline them but instead it made them afraid of me and because they were afraid they would behave better for a time. I also learned that spanking wasn't teaching them anything but to hit when they got angry at what someone did to them, or if someone didn't listen to them. I found my self spanking my kids and saying hitting is wrong and it hurts. So I started questioning myself why it was OK for me to hit them when they did wrong but it wasn't OK for them to hit someone else when they thought that other kid was doing wrong. They were only doing what they were taught. I began to pray for direction and wisdom on how to go about discipline in a Godly way. After some prayer a good friend (I will leave her name out ) of mine began to talk to me in a gentle way on spanking. She referred me to a wonderful site called gentle christian mothers and I began to learn new things. I then read a book called Biblical Parenting and it changed my views on parenting and spanking. I haven't spanked my kids in over a year and instead I have been using the same discipline on them as God uses on me, grace and mercy. The change in discipline wasn't easy and I would slip up at times, but I learned to ask my children for forgiveness when I did spank and told them that hitting them was wrong and I am working on changing that. I realized very fast that in those moments I taught my children something important and that is that we all make mistakes and doing something new takes work and if we fail the right thing to do is admit we are wrong and ask for forgiveness. I've learned that I am not my children's boss, but that I am their teacher, their comforter and their protector. I am not here to rule them but instead guide them and teach them how to be good Christian's with a heart to love, forgive, give mercy and grace to others as our heavenly father gives to us.
Discipling without spanking has taken a lot of work on my part but it's been the best change I've made as a parent.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
In Awe!!!
For so long Edgar and I have struggled with our finances and have lived pay check to pay check always worried what we would do if an emergency happened. About 3 years ago we started the Dave Ramsey program and have slowly dug ourself out of debt and have learned how to live within our means. It was a very hard adjustment and is still sometimes challenging when I want to buy the stuff I just want but don't need. I'm so grateful to God and Dave Ramsey and for the friends and family who have prayed for us and encouraged us, for we are now living comfortable. That doesn't mean we have lots of money it just means we have become good stewards over our finances and now live in peace about our future. We were able to buy our first home and now we are able to buy stuff to fix up our home. God has blessed us beyond measure for learning and following this program. I was sitting back today thanking God for where we are today. I can say for the first time we are very happy with where are life is right now and I look forward to all the great things that are to come. God is so so faithful and has provided for us every step of the way. Edgar and I would not be the couple we are today without trusting and leaning on our Lord and savior!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Trying to keep up
Well it's almost been a year since I've updated our blog and I'm sorry for those who keep up with us through it. I will do my best to do a weekly update not that anything exciting happens to us that much..LOL
We have been living in El Paso, Texas since August. Although it has been an adjustment for all of us we are settling in and loving this new chapter in our life. We bought our first, home a beautiful spanish style home. It's a work in process but it's ours and it feels great to own it. We love our neighborhood and the area we live in and really feel at home here. God has been blessing us beyond our dreams, what an AMAZING God we serve. We have found a great church home and have jumped right in and feel like we are part of the family.
Eddie is loving his new job and is doing well. We love being able to see him every day. We are now finally the family we wanted to be. He is loving being apart of our life every day and being there for his children. He is working hard researching and teaching himself how to do all the remodling of our home and is doing a great job at it. Ethan, Lauren and I are so blessed!
Ethan is growing every day and is trying to find his place as a young man and not as a child. He has worked so hard in school to catch up to where the kids are here, sadly he was behind their standards, but he is now where he needs to be and at the top of his class. His teacher and classmates all love him and say he is the life of the class. He is also finding his place with Christ. I love watching our son make choices for God and as God would have him. He has such a heart to serve and is very compassionate for people. We look forward to all God has in store for him and watching him serve and love God.
Princess Lauren has gotten so big. She is loving being 4 but not liking some of the new changes we are working on with her like going to sleep without one of us siiting with her till she falls asleep, but she is getting better at it every night. She talks so much, makes us laugh and changes every day. She is so ready to start school and loves to learn. She is so girly but will play like one of the boys no problem. She is such a daddies girl and is so spoiled by Eddie. She wants so much to do all the things her big brother does. She loves her brother and loves to bother him also. She is growing closer to God and understanding more and more just how much he loves her. It feels so good to hear her singing songs to our Lord and praying to him for everyone she loves. Her and and I have learned how to be with each other every day and our bond has grown so much. She loves doing everything with me. The first thing she asks every morning is what store we going to today..LOL This girl LOVES to shop especially if its for her. Daddy is in trouble.
I'm doing very well and loving being a stay at home mom although I am rarely home. I stay busy with MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) and with my friends I've met through there as well as church. In October I finished my first half marathon over the Franklin Mountains, it was such an amazing experiance for me. This marathon pushed me past my self limints and taught me to lean on God to get through it and in return God showed me I can do anything through him. I will never forget the feeling when I crossed that finish line and the best part was my husband and kids where there cheering me on, man what a rush. My new adventure with Christ is leading a connect group at church and I'm praying and believing for big things for the people in my group and for myself. I have fallen more in love with God and I'm so excited to serve his people and see all he has for me and my family.
That's our update and like I said I'll try to post once a week and share what is going on.
We have been living in El Paso, Texas since August. Although it has been an adjustment for all of us we are settling in and loving this new chapter in our life. We bought our first, home a beautiful spanish style home. It's a work in process but it's ours and it feels great to own it. We love our neighborhood and the area we live in and really feel at home here. God has been blessing us beyond our dreams, what an AMAZING God we serve. We have found a great church home and have jumped right in and feel like we are part of the family.
Eddie is loving his new job and is doing well. We love being able to see him every day. We are now finally the family we wanted to be. He is loving being apart of our life every day and being there for his children. He is working hard researching and teaching himself how to do all the remodling of our home and is doing a great job at it. Ethan, Lauren and I are so blessed!
Ethan is growing every day and is trying to find his place as a young man and not as a child. He has worked so hard in school to catch up to where the kids are here, sadly he was behind their standards, but he is now where he needs to be and at the top of his class. His teacher and classmates all love him and say he is the life of the class. He is also finding his place with Christ. I love watching our son make choices for God and as God would have him. He has such a heart to serve and is very compassionate for people. We look forward to all God has in store for him and watching him serve and love God.
Princess Lauren has gotten so big. She is loving being 4 but not liking some of the new changes we are working on with her like going to sleep without one of us siiting with her till she falls asleep, but she is getting better at it every night. She talks so much, makes us laugh and changes every day. She is so ready to start school and loves to learn. She is so girly but will play like one of the boys no problem. She is such a daddies girl and is so spoiled by Eddie. She wants so much to do all the things her big brother does. She loves her brother and loves to bother him also. She is growing closer to God and understanding more and more just how much he loves her. It feels so good to hear her singing songs to our Lord and praying to him for everyone she loves. Her and and I have learned how to be with each other every day and our bond has grown so much. She loves doing everything with me. The first thing she asks every morning is what store we going to today..LOL This girl LOVES to shop especially if its for her. Daddy is in trouble.
I'm doing very well and loving being a stay at home mom although I am rarely home. I stay busy with MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) and with my friends I've met through there as well as church. In October I finished my first half marathon over the Franklin Mountains, it was such an amazing experiance for me. This marathon pushed me past my self limints and taught me to lean on God to get through it and in return God showed me I can do anything through him. I will never forget the feeling when I crossed that finish line and the best part was my husband and kids where there cheering me on, man what a rush. My new adventure with Christ is leading a connect group at church and I'm praying and believing for big things for the people in my group and for myself. I have fallen more in love with God and I'm so excited to serve his people and see all he has for me and my family.
That's our update and like I said I'll try to post once a week and share what is going on.
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