“He’s a natural leader” she said...

Hey there,

Long time no talk. Life has sure changed since the last time I posted something. The last time I posted was about Jason's first birthday.  I posted that way back in February, soooooo I am thinking we need to have a little update post(s).

Let's start with Benjamin,

My boy is five now. He is almost done his first year of school EVER! Can you believe?  Just yesterday I was dropping him off for his first day of school, and walking away with such a heavy heart. Let me tell ya, it never goes away.  You get used to dropping them off, but when I see him walk into the school my heart is once again heavy.  I assume it will always be this way, and I will just have to endure it. Just like every other parent has had to.   All you can do is pray!

I have attended my first parent-teacher conference. You know how they say the way to make a person feel good, is to compliment their child?  Well I have never left a place feeling so proud. The teacher raved about how MY SON, was such a compassionate person, and how he was aware of other people’s feelings. She told me about the time where Benjamin had a “grand idea”, and it was to build a pretend living room station, where all the kids could go “watch TV” and eat their snacks, AND how he formulated a plan and got all the children involved to accomplish his vision. You  “He’s a natural leader” she said, as I fanned my peacock tail. It was only for a mere moment though, because I quickly was remind that child in not my own, but belongs to God. So as I returned to my vehicle my eyes filled with tears as I thanked God for my amazing child.


Benji is a great big brother.  This title includes; looking out for his little brother, holding hands with him to ensure there are no runaways, watching your iPad together, sharing your snack and fighting over anything.  Yes they fight, they cry and mom has to be the mediator.  Just the other day I made them hug it out and they both cried. It was quite comical, but I maintained my I-mean-business face. I mean, they shouldn’t fight, but that’s what a healthy sibling relationship requires. If you have never fought with your siblings… well you might have unresolved issues. Lol. OH in case you are wondering, YES the one year old is quite the defender.

How much my boy has grown! Facebook reminds me of that almost every day.  I always go on there just to see what memories will pop up and almost every day, it is baby Benji 5 YEARS AGO! Incredible. Tear. BUT what really did it, was when my brother in law sent me a video he found of Baby Benjamin who didn’t even know how to talk yet. I cried.  Apparently the more your kids grow, the more you cry.  Truth. I cry all the time, and there are no holding back these floodgates. ha!

I will never forget when Benji approached me and said “Mom, we are family and we are in love!”, and what an accurate description that was!

Jason's First Birthday

I just wanted to do a little throwback (even though it's not Thurs) to November and share Jason's 1st birthday. I apologize for the delay.

I am more of small-intimate-personal celebration but since Benjamin had a 1st birthday party, I thought it was only fair. Plus first birthdays are a pretty big deal in this family! So...for Jason's party we went with a lumberjack because he is a tough little man.  

I created the invitation first (of course) and we centered all the decorations around that. My friend Yenni, from The Pink Door Decor, help set up my vision AND she made the amazing cake with a little surprise on the inside.  It was delicious!  So onward with the millions of photos...

Surprise! 

Yenni also made these cupcakes and the toppers! 

The surprise inside

Little favors

My dad :)

Ruben didn't get the memo in time! LOL

 We had a great time and Jason had a great time.
He didn't cry and was happy through out the whole party.
I can't believe how fast his first year went by! 

A little about this, now, one year old

The day my baby Jay was born was exactly, one year ago. It's been ONE WHOLE YEAR.  I can’t even comprehend, Is this for real!? 

I don’t know if I am biased but Jason is just the cutest baby I have ever seen. Irresistibly cute. When I am my most tired, and trying to catch up on some z’s, I hear him get up.  With all my might, I desire for him to go back to sleep, but he doesn’t. He gets up, stands in his crib, and calls me and/or Ruben.  We avoid looking over because when we do, he sprouts the most precious smile you have ever seen, and we can’t help but walk over there and squish hug him!!  What can I say? He is very persuasive.

Well here is a little about this, now, one year old.

1.   He has a little 'tude.  It’s true! When this child gets angry, he gets angry.  He raises his little voice, and frowns his little face. It’s a very cute display of anger, I must admit.

2.   He loves to eat. He eats everything and anything.  It’s a piece of paper? Who cares! He will try and eat it. His pastime is crawling around looking for things to eat, so his mom (me), has to make sure that nothing, absolutely nothing, is on the ground.  Yay for me.

3.   He loves his mom more.  Exceptions: When dad is home.

4.   You have never seen dance moves like his. He practices any time he gets a chance.  Anytime!  Even in public, and he doesn't care who is looking. 

5.   When the bathwater starts running, you better move out of his way. In a split second there is serious determination is this youngling, and he will take out whatever tries to stop him from bath time.

6.    Jason has serious persuasion powers.  Be careful.  I’m telling you that smile will get you doing anything his little heart desires. 

Well that's enough for now.

Happy Birthday to Jason! 

Milestones

Jason turned 9 months on Monday.  9 MONTHS!!  I cannot believe how fast time has gone by.  (Did I really give birth 9 months ago?)

I am not quite sure how I feel about this post.  Bittersweet, I guess.  That seems to be the anthem of my life. One day you are a mother of one handsome little boy, and the next day you are welcoming another handsome little boy.  It seems like just a little while ago, I was only indulging in my own little selfish pleasures, and now I am all about selfless giving, and to 3 men, intentionally!!  Ahhh life.

In less than a month, Ruben and I will be celebrating our 6 year anniversary. Wow.  Shortly after that, Benji will start school. Double wow!... AND shortly after that, Jason will turn ONE!!  I am baffled by all these milestones and changes.  Life truly is a rollercoaster.

All I have to say is.. Thank you Jesus, Keep them coming!

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To Four!

My kids are both 4 and It’s probably the only time that will ever happen.  One is 4 years and the other is 4 months.  Jason turned 4 months and I am loving this stage of his life.  He is the cutest baby boy I have ever seen, and yes I am biased.  I can be. He is mine.

He’s so happy and smiley.  

It's SOOOO Adorbs. 

I love it when Jason wakes in the morning or after nap.  I hear him calling out to be rescued from the crib.  When I go over to him; his little eyes are closed and are struggling to open. After he finally gets his eyes open he sees me, and just gives me the most wonderful and gentle smile.  It’s my favorite part of the day.  (I posted a clip of it on Instagram)

At 4 months he:
-Does not need a haircut. (unlike Benji)
-Holds his head up,
-Reaches for things,
-Sits unassisted for like a minute
-Holds his bottle for like 2 seconds
-Rolls over with some arm assistance
-LOLs
-Screams in the middle of service, making everyone turn to look at me.
-Pulls the baby hairs on the back of neck.
-Tries to eat my face
-Smiles, laughs and plays with everyone.
-Is the cutest wittle babay! 

 Experts say (The expert being my dad. A title well deserved after having 4 beautiful girls *ahem) that at 4 months they begin to say mama or dada. ‘Til this day I haven’t heard a “mama” or “dada”.  So the big question is… What will he say first? The suspense.  I am constantly trying to get him to say at least “ma” but nothing.  Benji said Mama first, and only one time.  After that one and only time it was “dada.. dada.. dada.." blah blah yeah yeah.  I wholeheartedly refuse to believe this will be the case again.   It simply cannot be!  

What do you think he will say first?  

#TeamMama !!

Things Benji Says

My Ben turned 4 about a month ago. FOUR!  When his birthday rolled around I was cheerful and motivated.  Then arrived the day I had to register him for school and basically it all went downhill from there. Now, I find myself just staring at him, and remembering when he was tiny and I had to do everything for him.  How I had to feed him, change him, bathe him, and soothe him, and how I would hold him until he withered off to sleep. He pretty much doesn’t need my help for that anymore.  Oh how they grow!  *tears*

In those moments of thought, I find myself wondering how an older Benjamin will be, because as a child he is full of life. The most entertaining person I know.  He’s a child comedian, a loving person, and a complete mama’s boy. (yay to me. He will love me forever)  I'm pretty sure you are wondering what makes me think all these things about him.. and well let's just take a little peek into this mind of his...

THINGS BENJI SAYS:

“Eww mom, something smells terrible, it’s disgusting” as we enter the elevator and someone is in there. Nice Benji.

“Mom, she is so rude.” About an ungrateful lady Benjamin held the door for. Don’t ever forget your manners around this child. He also likes to tell me that Eunice, his Sunday school teacher, says not to be rude. 

“Hello, what would you like to order?” In a perfect British accent! *High-five*

“Mom, if I don’t have a cookie, I’m going to DIE!”  Cookie Monster.

“Please, Call me your highness”  Relaaaaaaxx!  

 “We are a family of Superheroes.  I am The Flash, Dad is Superman, Jason is Green Lantern, and you are wonder woman” Extensive knowledge of superheroes. I don't want to be wonder woman, geez!

 “MOM! You look like a princess” as he looks at my wedding picture “You are a princess and dad is your knight.”

“Mom today I want to pray for the Rescue Bots… They need help to save Griffin Rock” Just a cartoon Benji.

“Jesus, Give my dad lots of money so he can buy me so many toys” I wish that was my only worry too.

“Mom, the Bible says don’t make your son angry” this is true.

“Mom, the Bible says be nice to your husband” This is also true

“Mom, the bible says give your son a snacks” I have yet to read this.

“We are in love. You and dad and me and Jason. We are a family, and we are in love. Jesus loves families in love” My heart is warm.

 AND There’s more where that came from.

I love Benjamin.  He makes me laugh, cry, angry, and sad. Basically emotional. Oh and let’s face it, only someone who you truly love can make you feel all these emotions. I look forward to seeing what else his little mind comes up with. So onwards to 4!!! 

My Boys

 This little guy will be four weeks soon, and life has been quite interesting with two boys.  

I would like to say I have the energy, enthusiasm and time to tell you all about it... BUT I don't. 

 Another day it will be.  

For now, enjoy some photos, yay!  

 Didn't know that you could fall in love so many times!  

I love my boys! 

Fort Building

Since Benjamin and I have been spending so much time together, we have found some creative ways to keep entertained. Since I am in the lookout for a tee-pee or tent for the kid's room, and felt inspired, I decided to make a fort with Benji.

This is our very first fort. 

When Benji woke up that morning, we moved the dining tables chairs and built a simple little fort. It was very plain and basic, but Benjamin had so much fun with that simple fort, that the next day he requested another fort.  This time, however, we were a bit more creative.  I say we are getting good at this fort building business.

Things that happen in the fort: 

There is, of course, your basic fort usages. For example: Movie watching, lounging, nap times, snack times and story times.  These moments are wonderful & tender for every mama. (and dadas too) 

Then, at moments, it becomes a home owned by Mrs. Mama. She is pregnant and makes a living selling Pupusas and Tamales.  Her number one customer is a gentleman by the name of Benjamin, who always stops by after work. She only speaks Spanish, but he understand every word she says. He seems to always responds in English, though, and As you may have imagined, there is a slight communication error in this scenario, and orders often incorrect. Oops. 

When Miss Mama is not living there, the home belongs to Mr. Benj.  I'm not sure what this young man does in his home... I only know he is ALWAYS in need of repairs.  He pretty much spends all his time calling the plumber for overflowing toilets, or the roofer because his roof has flown off or electrician because his house was hit by lightning and is now out of power.  Mr. Benj is also quite popular. Many door-to-door sales people come knocking to offer supplies and fixed hydro rates, and he also gets many visits from faithful evangelists delivering the good news of salvation. Halleluyer! 

It is also place to hold wrestling matches. Personally, I think these matches are rigged because one of the contestants is a giant compared to the other, and the little one always wins. Hmm..

Oh and lastly, I must not forget, it is also a war shelter...where one can hide and spy on enemies with awesome green binoculars. We must not forget we are living at war here, people!!!

These photographs were taken with the smart phone LG G3.