Home Cooked Meal

For the last 3 weeks we have been eating out. I've loved not having to plan out meals, go to the grocery store or cook, but it has gotten way too pricey. My new kitchen is put together and I finally made it to the grocery store today.

It was fairly stress free considering it was the first trip to the grocery in about 3 weeks. I love the Market District Giant Eagle. The have great produce, a really nice cafe and free childcare for Caleb. Not having to battle the "I wants" is so refreshing.

I cooked a yummy healthy dinner and we sat down and ate our first home cooked meal at the new house. It was pretty exciting to me.

I love my new home and my sweet family.

Survivor

I decide to take an opportunity to teach Caleb a little about our Freedoms by planting a tree grown from a seed handpicked from the Survivor Tree. The Survivor Tree, more than 90 years old, is an American Elm Tree in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. It survived the bomb's blast and witnessed one of the worst terrorist attacks on American soil.

I had great intentions, but then decided I needed to capture the moment on film, so I ran back in the house for just a moment. Upon my return, I found no leaves left on our tree. I was so upset. Recognizably far to upset and totally missed the teaching moment. I fell victim to frustration and communicated with extreme passion that I was tired of Caleb destroying everything. Let me just quickly interject, he doesn't destroy everything, so my absolute was definitely poison to my little buddy's soul. After, some discipline for Caleb and me humbly apologizing for my lack of self-control we did get the leafless tree in the ground.

If you look very closely you can see the stick coming out of the ground.

The Survivor Tree is a symbol of human resilience. Today, as a tribute to renewal and rebirth, the inscription around the tree at the OKC memorial reads, "The spirit of this city and this nation will not be defeated; our deeply rooted faith sustains us." I can't help but be encouraged by this as I fight daily to be the women and mommy God desires me to be. There are days I feel like I'm barely surviving.

Of course we had to throw rocks in the water after our task was complete.

I couldn't resist taking pictures of my baby girl perched on this rock.

Caleb couldn't resist missing out on some attention, so he joined into the fun.

Such an amazing big brother when he feels like it.

Must Love Dogs

Ever since we sent Zoie to live with Soho the kids have really expressed a passion for dogs. So it has been fun hanging out with Addy and Izzy.

We meet our friends at the dog park. I was a little freaked out to bring my babies to a place with a number of dogs that we knew nothing about, especially in light of resent events. We proceeded with extreme caution and unless it was Izzy or Addy we picked the kids up. It really was a fun time for the kids to get their dog fix. Perfect for Cory as well. All the benefit without any of the responsibility.

After, the excitement with the dogs we headed to the playground area. This sweet little girl asked Makaylee, "will you be my best friend." To which Makaylee enthusiastically replied, "yeah!"

One of the neat things for our family about moving has been to be forced out of our comfort zone. I am naturally very shy and Caleb leans somewhat that way. Lately however, everywhere we go he finds someone he wants to be friends with and makes it happen. Usually they are bit older than him, but he always has blast. As a mom it has been thrilling to watch my child develop into a little person. He always proudly shares with me, "he's my new friend."

A Pleasant Surprise

Every so often my kiddos do something that really surprises me. Today, I slipped out of the living area while Caleb and Makaylee watched his favorite show Dinosaur Train. About 15 minutes passed when I hear Caleb breakout in the clean-up song. I decided to go take a look, because I also heard Makaylee shriek. Today I got a sweet surprise. She was upset because Caleb was putting everything up. My sweet little guy was cleaning the house with no prompting. Preparing it for when Daddy comes home.

I'm always try to create a relaxing environment for Daddy to come home to, and today we had a huge break through. Caleb has decided to join me in this endeavor. {grin}

Gettin jiggy with It

Too cute for words.

Too tired to blog.

Can't Steal Our Joy

Yesterday, we woke up at the butt crack and throw our stuff together in 2 suitcases and a tote and headed for Beaumont Texas for Cory's youngest brother's wedding. We were in normal Ruiz fashion running a few minutes late. Thankfully, everything went smoothly and we easily made our flight on time, but in the rush I forgot to get my wedding ring out of the bag. I mindlessly packed the beautifully inscribed (Mark 10:8) diamond ring the night before in the bag I planned to check. The thought definitely crossed my mind what if my bag gets lost? Obviously the thought crossed my mind, but like a flash it was gone. My ring, the one Cory spent many months and much effort designing and having specially made for me road below in the cargo area.

Let me pause for a moment and say our 4 hour flight couldn't have gone any smoother. Makaylee slept and Caleb watched movies on our relatively new Macbook. We arrived in Houston on time, met Grandmaw in Papa's Big TruCK and loaded up.

Again, I thought about my ring now riding in the suitcase in the back of Papa's Big TruCK, but again like a flash that thought was gone. We headed to get some much longed for Texmex. Before going into the restaurant, being extra cautious people we moved the bags from the back of the truck to the cab. Everything was safely locked up. I grabbed Makaylee's diaper bag, my wallet and of course my Iphone and headed inside. We enjoyed our food and then went back out to the TRuCK, so we could get to Lumberton and see Papa. Makaylee needed her diaper changed. I put her down in the front set of the truck and we noticed everything was shuffled around. Hmmm, what happened here? Did the kids get into things? It took a moment for my mother -in-law to noticed our bags were gone. One the contrary, I probably would have loaded up got all the way to Lumberton and then notice we had no luggage.

I have to say my initial reaction was a sick pit in my stomach. Did this really happen?We recalled right away many of the items the thieves made off with. We had the computer, all the wedding clothes (Caleb is the ring bearer and Makaylee the flower girl) and my ring. The thought of the location of my ring sank in deeper and deeper, burned in my brain.

I really felt violated. Did someone really think they could in broad daylight, in the middle of lunch rush, break into a huge truck and make off with all our stuff unbeknowst to anyone. Oh yes, they thought they could and they did!

We had to wait for a good while for the police to come write on some paper, tell us this happens all the time and then leave. I wanted to make a quick note here for anyone visiting the Houston area. Never stop east of 610 west of Beltway 8 on Interstate 10 even though there are some chain restaurants you are familiar with. We were not the first victims to experience this fate.

In the meantime we were melting in the Houston heat and all the other things they ripped off were going through my mind. Like all the diapers that I desperately needed to remove the horrible stench coming from Makaylee's behind. Praise God, I took another look in the diaper bag and found 2 diapers buried in the bottom and was able to fix one problem.

Now we had to figure out how to fix the problem of replacing all the clothes for the wedding on Saturday. We got the amazing privilege of taking two extremely tired toddlers to the Galleria Mall to comb 4 department stores and 3 children stores for the same items that I order through the mail after spending months looking. The kids were pretty much done by this point and so were mommy and daddy. The thought of replacing everything we needed was overwhelming in my exhaustion. I thought about our 2 cameras with all the pictures lost and I really think my knees buckled, but there is good news. My mind had basically turned to mush at this point and I had forgotten I backed everything up earlier this week. I have almost everything from both cameras and the computer backed up on our hard drive at home or at least that is what I am choosing to believe today.

We shopped like mad people and found some exact and some have to settle with replacements (still have hopes for the flower girl dress). Then we made our last stop at Victoria Secret to get a few much needed undergarments. I rounded up my items and with 2 screaming kids checked out. The nice man, Sammy totaled up my load and I gave him my credit card. He swiped and guess what happened next? Oh ya, my card was declined. Of course there was a huge line behind me, but I was determined to make my purchase. I called the credit card company to ask them to fix the problem. Sammy asked if I could step to the side so he could take care of his other customers. I spoke with my Visa representative and he assured me I was back in business. Got off the phone and can you believe it my card was declined, again. Oh yes, a second time. At this point the kids were running around screaming, Cory was DONE, but I wanted my girly things. Being his amazing self, my sweet hubby called Visa and whipped them into shape. I was finally able to make a successful transaction after 3 more card swipes and a manual entry.

Cory and Renee decided to head out of the store to relocate the loud obnoxious children disturbing the peace. I took my pink bag to catch up with the crew and wouldn't you know it, I set off the alarm. I was thrilled. Not only did I look like a person who over spends, but I could now add kleptomaniac to my resume. Sammy had forgotten to remove a censor. Shocker. {ba ha ha ha, u know}.

We were all drained both physically and emotionally. 15 hours from when my alarm had gone off, 1500 miles traveled and what felt like at least that walking around a mall we waved our white flags and went to the TRuCK.

I had a moment to access the situation and I thought of Matthew 6:19

Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth where moths and rust destroy and THIEVES BREAK in and STEAL for where your treasure is there your heart will also be.

I realized God had given me a much better understanding for this verse then I've had in the past. I am thankful for the realization that more stuff equals more headache. But it is deeper than that I am committed to great change as a result of this eye opening experience.

Cory and I are always saying we want to laugh more and I can say we got a lot of laughs out of this frustrating situation.

First, Caleb brought a smile to my face. When grandma picked us up from the airport we talked about how we would be dressing up in our new clothes and doing some dancing at the wedding. So when we informed Caleb our clothes had been stolen he quickly and with the sweetest look of despair said, "oh no, they stole our dancing clothes, now we can't dance no more." I quickly responded, " oh baby we will dance, even if we aren't wearing any underwear."

Insurance asked us to take an inventory of all the items, so we have been racking our brains to remember everything. I thought my thieves might enjoy a message through facebook.

Thieves I hope you logged onto my facebook and are reading this with my glasses on and know that Jesus loves you and wants you to open up the Book in the black tote bag.

Yeah, they stole our bibles.

Thirdly, we have a running joke now whenever we think about something we would normally say like, "what suitcase do you want to make for dirty clothes, oh wait we don't have any." "Where'd you put the toothbrushes? Oh yeah, they are gone. It got pretty wild thinking through the items in the bag, but I will keep this PG. {ba, ha, ha, u know}

Finally, one of our cousins called and said she wanted to help in any way she could, she had plenty of undergarments granny panties, bikinis and thongs. I was welcome to any underwear. Thank you sweet, Joni.

I am grateful that those rotten thieves can't steal our joy, but I will say it is a little discouraging to be reminded of the condition of our world. Just in case you boys do get on my computer and happen to find this blog. I remember you. I can't seem to recall the details of your face, but I remember you watching me put the bag in the car and your long gaze. You made off great this time, but one time you might not get so lucky. YOU MAY WANT TO RETHINK YOUR LIFE!

Flight 93

Friday night we got our first paid babysitter since we moved to the Burgh and headed to a charity event to raise money for Flight 93's National Memorial. There were many things about the event that I wanted to share.

The Company

All dressed up, hanging with the military

The Food

It really was amazing.

The Speakers

Franko Harris, Rocky Bleier, Jerome Bettis

All of them were very encouraging and thought provoking, but specifically

General Tommy Franks

He talked about something his father, a World War II vet shared with him as he headed off to the Vietnam War. I might not be headed off to war, but I thought this acronym was very applicable to general life.

FEISTY

F-focus

E-energy for the focus

I-integrity, once you lose it you can't get it back.

S- ( I can't remember this one, but it was good.)

T-take the blame when nobody else will.

Y-yes, I will wash windows. (Be willing to do whatever needs done and don't think you are above it.)

Governor Thomas Ridge

Spoke about the character of the USA. We were founded by people that were not afraid to fight for their freedom. The terrorist on 9-11-01 wanted to show how weak we have become as a nation and the passengers and crew of flight 93 were the first to prove we are not weak. We will not give up our freedom without a fight even if it means our lives. I was moved and encouraged and I think it is always important to teach our children that their freedoms, our freedoms did not come free. Many people have sacrificed much so I can have an amazing life. It really forced me to look at myself and ask what am I about. Sadly, I think too often I am seeking my extreme comfort instead of pressing forth to insure we remain a great nation. I think one small way we can do that, is to make sure that our children know what this great country was founded on and remember that we might sit in our living rooms safe and secure, but we should never take that for granted. There are forces out there who's greatest desire is to take our freedom away. Please take a minute and watch this video.

The Campaign Flight 93 National Memorial

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Makaylee and Caleb did great for their sitter, Natalie and she said she would come back. Yeah, we can now go on date nights.

Our World in the Mist of Moving

will result when you move 3 times in less than 12 months.

Especially when you have a condition known as

disposophobia (compulsive hoarding ).

The acquisition of, and failure to use or discard, such a large number of seemingly useless possessions that it causes significant clutter and impairment to basic living activities.

And you have 2 little souls

who have made it their life mission

to impede any progress.

More Day of Pictures Wyoming (Day 7)

Click on the picture to make it big so you can read the poem. It's super sweet. Made me cry.