Friday, July 30, 2010

Subjected in Hope


The suffering of this world has been hitting me pretty hard, lately. Mostly, because it is so close to home. I'm perplex by it and in my limited knowledge it is hard not to ask WHY? Some of the why was answered in Piper's sermon to a congregation and family that is watching their 30 something pastor, husband and father battle a tumor in his brain. "Subjected in Hope"
He reminds me this world is not as it is meant to be. There is pain and suffering, but it is not in vain. God is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance, acknowledging Him as LORD of their life. I pray my life reflects this for those that He puts in my path, especially my children. And thus, the hurt we see and experience, He will use for good.
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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Half Full

We have all heard the saying about the glass and I've never thought of myself as a half empty girl, but I've realized lately that my eyes have been staring at the clear part of the glass. As I've been digging deeper I realize it goes right along with my problem solving personality, which is a strength. In order to make things better you have to see the problem, so you can solve it. However, if you get fixated on the problem you fail to see all the good that is going on in the mist of what needs sharpened. Even when things are way off and seem a mess there is always some good. Corrie Ten Boom, a survivor of the holocaust, reminds me that even in the darkest place we can always look up. "If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest." 


I've been doing an awesome bible study Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow and it really has helped me see my perspective is seeing the mud instead of the stars. Whether, it be with my role as mommy, my body or with the people both friends and family I have been focusing on the things that need fixing and not all the wonderful. I've been so encouraged by Philippians 4:8 
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I am not suggesting we ignore problems. Rather, see the problem, point it out if necessary, even come up with a solution if possible, but then focus on the good. The temptation is to hyper focus on the less than desirable. Seeing the tiny weed in the mist of a beautiful flower garden. I know there are seasons where it feels like the weeds just keep growing, choking out the beauty. Thus, making it all the more necessary to keep our eyes fixed on the flowers no matter how minimal they seem and then get to weeding. I've found this applies to all aspects of my life, but one area imparticular is focusing on that one part of a person's personality that seems like a tall thistle ready to burst seed and I miss all their beauty.


Even if their beauty doesn't stand out like the butterfly it is there and we must choose to let that be our focus. I was especially encouraged last night by the Proverbs 31 women who is the perfect example of seeing what's going on around her, giving wisdom, but not dwelling on things that lead to destruction.
She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]. She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.
And now to dwell on some of that lovely.


Our fishing project
They loved the craft of making them


 But the fishing was the best part
All smiles on her catch of the pink fish
Kisses from Daddy over the moon
If this looks fun check out how to get it done at Fun Mom Online.
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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Baffeled By Backgrounds

Ever since I started this blog I have been trying to make it cuter and cuter for free. Thanks to Cutest Blog on the Block and Shabby Blogs there a some fun free blog backgrounds. Yet, at times the backgrounds have not been quite right for what I needed on my blog. Plus, I love doing my digital scrapbook software, so I knew I could have a great time creating background images if I could just figure out the secret. I got the basic how to's from a very a helpful site, but it still wasn't working. I don't have Photoshop, so following the directions exactly wasn't an option and making do wasn't cutting it. Finally, after countless hours thanks to my determined personality, I figured out dpi and the type of image (jpg or png) makes a huge difference in the world of html code. I am inspired to change my background, because I just got great new pictures from the amazing Robin Sherman in Dallas. I am going to remind myself what I figured out, because updating my background doesn't happen but about every six months and I'm sure I will forget by then and it may help you, too. The main thing to keep in mind if you're not working with Photoshop when you are getting directions for Photoshop is to stick as close to possible with the dpi and dimension recommendations. In her example she used 100 dpi and made the image 14"x 7.5". In my software the closest options were 150 or 96 dpi, so I just adjusted my image to 15" and saved it at 96 dpi. I actually I had to make it a bit smaller in height. Don't ask my why. After several attempts of loading to my Photobucket account sized at 1 MEGA,  I got my image to fit in the background section. The other issue is the column width for the post information. The white background in my case. She recommended nine inches for a 3 column blogger blog.  For me 10 inches worked better, maybe because I expanded the image. Again, who knows? I am really loving my new background and header. Now, if I can just remember how I imported a font and changed the color I can make everything match. If history repeats it could be hours or days, but eventually I will have the blog looking up to snuff. It might make sense to hire someone, but I think solving the mystery is half the fun for this stay at home mom of two adorable munchkins.




Check them out in the new header and background.

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Thursday, July 22, 2010

9th Inning Win!!

Last night we got the opportunity to go to the Pirate's game first class. The tickets included an all you can eat nice dinner in the fancy Lexus club and plush seats right behind home plate. Not to mention the all you can eat snacks and nonalcoholic drinks. Some high end things seem over the top to me, but I have to say I am all about watching baseball in first class. The seats put you right in the action and they are super comfy to boot.

We were really enjoying the game, the Pirates were winning and the kids were all smiles. Then Caleb remembered that balls fly into the stands on occasion and he became obsessed with getting one. I didn't want a replay of the Penguin hockey puck meltdown. Especially, among all the Lexus season ticket holders. I could image their tolerance for a four year old tantrums would be low. I told Caleb we would leave if he got upset about not getting a ball. He recovered, but was still pretty miffed each time someone else caught a foul ball. Around this time the bat boy decided to start pitching the reject balls out into the crowd. Oh great, the ball obsession was turned up a notch and we still had several innings for Caleb to practice self control. I remember thinking, can't you just toss him a ball so the occasional mild pouting doesn't turn into major meltdown. Then I thought, no it would not be good for him. Maybe easier on me, but not good for him to be rewarded for a bad attitude. If we needed to leave that was a sacrifice I needed to make. He about lost it in the 8th and I reminded him that throwing a fit would not get him a ball and we would need to leave. He pulled it together. Daddy told him multiple times just keep trying. He would wave, but the bat boy's glance never made it far enough our way. Finally, in the 9th inning right before Alvarez's second home run

with a big grin and an emphatic wave he made eye contact with the bat boy who kindly tossed us a ball. You have never seen a little guy's face light up that big. He was so ecstatic.
His joy was noticed by all the people around us. It was such an amazing moment for me. There is nothing as enjoyable as seeing your children filled with delight. Especially when it was well deserved.
Here are some highlights from the night.


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Monday, July 19, 2010

Parties and People

One of the things we have loved and wanted to be very intentional about since we moved here was investing in our neighbors. We barely knew our neighbors in the house in Plano, mostly because they were all 70 plus and rarely came out of their homes. I still felt a lose that we lived in a house for five years and hadn't invested anytime in the people. We have really gotten to know a number of our neighbors here, which I love. One of the main benefits in having community in such close proximity is they can just pop over and have fun spontaneously. The not so spontaneous is a blast as well, like the lightning bug party my neighbor throw.

The Host
Caleb and Jack inspecting their find.

Cuties
Can you see them?

Daddy getting in on the action
Makaylee watching daddy catch the bugs
Caleb ticked because he didn't win the contest
The winner of the contest
and his sister
and his brother
Thankful for neighbor buddies
Another benefit of getting to know our neighbors is hearing stories that remind and encourage me, good or bad we are always impacting people. A final benefit is the awesome opportunity we have to help each other. This past winter we had the most snow fall on record and hence learned we had a neighbor who was dying of cancer. We were able to get to know this family and be a friend through this difficult time. We've also learned the direct impact this difficult economic time is having on people just down the street. While, I was handing out invitations to help with the bug party, I saw a termination notice on a neighbors window. It reminded me of a challenging financial time in my life. Thankfully, we never got behind on our bills, but it was a rough season.  I 'm just thankful that my sweet friend Kris and her family saw a need and helped me when I didn't have the financial means to fix the problem myself.  It was humbling to take a handout, but it was also a great motivator. It reminded me that when we see a need and have the means to meet it, we should. Maybe then our government wouldn't have to be giving money out to people who aren't using it appropriately.  What an opportunity we have to help and impact those around us when we pray for and are intentional with these opportunities.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

SISSY

2 years OLD 
{Little Sis}
Always smiLing
amaZing PerFormer
lover of doGGies 
caleb's BIGGEST fan
fearLess and deTeRmined
LoVeS To LauGH
LOYAL defender

pillAgER
cuDDle buG 
LoveR of WubbY
DAiRy intoLeRant
{beautiful} BOTH inside and out 
more fruit PLEASE 
caRe giVer To babies
LoVaBLe spitfire 
MAKER of messes
Joy and a Blessing...
my amazing GIFT from the {LORD}

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Monday, July 5, 2010

Bomb Bomb!!!

I love taking pictures of the kiddos, so I can record their life, but they hate it. I always post the few pictures we get of them smiling. This is not a true depiction of the Ruiz kids when they see a camera. It takes much bribing, reprimanding and begging on my part to get them to even look at the camera much less give me a smile. The 4th was right on par with a typical photo shoot. A BEATING!!

Here they are refusing to look at me, but Caleb giving me the fake cheese smile.
Still refusing to look at me and my attempt at bribing them with flags.
The bribing attempt failed as usually and Makaylee is now pitching a fit, because I took the flag away. When she wasn't whacking her brother with it, she was enjoying its nice pine taste.
Daddy came to save the day and got the kids laughing, but Caleb is still doing his best to withstand making this a successful event.
Finally he succumbed to Daddy's comedy act and gave us the huge grin I love.
Here is the one picture I usually get in the mist of a hundreds that keep me blogging. 

We spent the 4th at the Carnegie Science Center in the city, giving us front row tickets to the amazing fireworks.
The view was amazing from the roof, but it was extra loud. Sissy got a little scared and Caleb said the fireworks hurt his ears, but once we covered them they were all smiles.

We had to kill time after the show to not get stuck in the sea of red lights, so we had fun touring some of the exhibits.
Watching the robot was fascinating.
The train exhibit is amazing. Forbes Park replica. They used 23,000 Q-tips to represent the people watching the game.

We waited for an hour hoping traffic would lighten up and headed to the car around 11:15. A very long day after Idlewild and no naps.  Makaylee feel fast a sleep in her car seat and missed the 45 minutes sitting in the parking lot waiting to get to the road. Caleb however, overly tired and ready for his comfy bed lost it completely screaming and crying until he wore himself out. It was a fun day, but I am telling you this mommy thing is not for the faint at heart.  As we sat I thought about what this day is about and all the mommies who have sent their loved ones off to fight for this great country. It brings tears of thankfulness and reminds me to treasure every moment we get to experience this amazing freedom with our families even the times that seem difficult.
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