Emmalee's Tangled Birthday

What a joy to celebrate Emmalee's third birthday. I can't believe we are celebrating her third year. She is getting big too fast. Emmalee is so smart and says the cutest things. I can't wait for what she'll come up with in this new year. I love her gratitude and how she plays with her sister (when they are not fighting). We chose three things to pray for her for this year: obedience, kindness, and health. 

I can't express how much I loved this theme. We chose it because Emmalee loves the movie. 

When I saw all the gorgeous crafts from the theme in pinterest I just couldn't have enough of it. 

I am going to call this #PinterestWorthy! 

Now, I am not writing this to brag, but to show how surprised I was by how it turned out. 

I mean, the backdrop was painted by a two year and a one year old (except for the trees and lanterns). 

We painted that backdrop in August. It had been stepped on, wrinkled, and smooshed; but it still looked great. It helps it is in the back XD. 

Those blue jello boats were hard to make. I thought I could find Jello that was already blue. We went to different supermarkets that bring the brand with no luck. I was about to give up on the idea when I realized I could get a clear juice, color it blue with food coloring, and use unflavored gelatin. The problem was that I couldn't think of a clear juice I could color or a flavor I could give the blue water. The hubs was the one that suggested Jolly Rancher blueberry juice. I hate it, but it was the solution. I did dilute the juice with water to make it taste less sweet. Everyone loved it. I would not touch it. In the back you can see caramel apple bites. I really liked how the favor bags turned out because I was going for simple and cheap. All the decoration on the favor bags were done with recycled scraps from previous birthdays. 

I cannot express how grateful I am that cake turned out fine. I worked on the tower for days, doing a little bit each day. I loved seeing Emmalee's reaction when she realized Mommy was making Rapunzel's tower. She wanted to play with it, but she was more interested in grabbing pieces of fondant to eat. That girl loves sweets. The cake is a lemon cake with a lemon curd filling and cream cheese frosting. I was so happy I finally figure out how to make cream cheese frosting that is not runny and holds the shape. It was delicious and it even made a small crust. I did save the cupcake tower for her to play. The cupcakes were red velvet with the same cream cheese frosting. I was glad I made the flowers days in advance. 

The centerpieces were a combination of crafts on the Disney Family page. I did a little more details to the tower, but used the website's template. Loved the 3D Rapunzel and Pascal. (you can see Pascal peeking from behind the tower.)

I made that tangled sun banner in July. It's funny that people think I am able to do all that I do for my daughter's birthday that week. I need that week just for cooking! 

I love making felt plushies for the girl's birthdays. I wasn't too fond of the ones I did of Tinkerbell. I was glad Rapunzel turned out better. Emmalee wanted to play with it, so I had to hide it since August. Since she finally got to have her doll, she has slept with both Rapunzel and Pascal these past two days. It was fun watching Kaylee spin Rapunzel from her hair. A shout out for my friend Lyndsay who provided for the better quality felt that was put to good use. 

I really loved being able to make use of my paints and brushes. I really loved that castle with lanterns painting I found online. I even saved it for the girls room. I also made the Pascal blowers on the Disney Family website.

It is a shame I couldn't picture the braided pizzas I did for the food. At least I got a pic of the snacks in skillets. 

My brother made these signs of the girls in wanted posters. 

I was so happy Emmalee wanted to use her Rapunzel hair and dress. She looked so pretty. Her Nana (greatgrandmother) made the dresses and got me the yarn for the hair. 

Miss Kaylee was the version of Rapunzel post-hair cut. She, on the other hand, only wore the dress for about 15 minutes when she started complaining and asking to be changed.

This girl right here, the very loved Tia Sara, deserves a special mention. This wonderful Aunt came to help mommy and daddy on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We would have not had such smooth sailing without her. 

Blessed with friends and family. Special thanks to my husband, my Honey, for helping out with the heavy lifting, guarding the jumping castle, and taking care of the girls while mommy cooked or baked.

If you used my props and photoshoot castle, I love you deeply. 

In the last picture you can see Tito and Tia Sara with one of the lanterns. Special thanks to Tio Tito for letting us use his house for the party for the second time this year. He also helped me put up all the decorations just the two of us. I could have not made it without him.

We threw three floating lanterns to lift our thanks to the Lord in the skies for Emmalee's three years. Each lantern represented one of the three things we are praying for her this year: obedience, kindness, and health.

Special thanks to:

Grandma Martha and Grandpa Rodolfo for the linens, the pizza sauce, and with Tio Kris and Tio Javier helping us dismount and pack everything. 

Tio George and Tia Marilyn for the chairs and tables. We missed you terribly. 

Grandma Linda for Emmalee's prosthetic tooth that looks wonderful. Oh, how we hoped you could have come. 

Grandpa Edgardo for the beverages. 

Everyone who is part of our lives and celebrates along with us the joy and beauty of Emmalee's life. Thanks for the wonderful gifts.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your wonderful mercies and blessings with us. We love you!

 

Funny moments part 1

One of the things I worry about while parenting is forgetting important things, you know, like what are Emmalee's funny words. My daughters do the craziest things and it seems to me their craziness will only continue to grow through the years. It will be too much for me to remember all.
Well, I want to document as much of it as I can.
Here are some of my daughters' funniest moments:

Emmalee and Kaylee playing lift off. So patient for such young girls. Even though Kaylee skips number nine and Emmalee corrects her, there is still a lift off.

Emmalee and Kaylee are climbing a chair.
Dad: Emmalee and Kaylee, you are always looking for danger.
Emmalee stares across the room and asks: Where is danger, daddy?

Emmalee's funny words:
tutota: pelota
saquetin: calcetin
ofipiscina: oficina

Emmalee feeding Kaylee.
Listen to the adorable "nom, nom, nom, nom" from Emmalee!

Rodolfo, Sara, and I talking in the car.
Sara: I bet when Emmalee and Kaylee are older Emmalee will rat Kaylee out and tell you Kaylee has a boyfriend. And then Kaylee will say her favorite word: No!
Kaylee in the back seat: NO!!!!!!

Emmalee eating pancakes:
Emmalee: That pancake is dirty.
Mommy: It's ok. It's toasted.
Emmalee: No, mommy, clean it.

Emmalee and Kaylee laughing from tickles from dad.

Daddy farted in bed.
Emmalee: Dad, did you poop?


Daddy speaking to mommy: We have never taught our girls our real names. They just know us as mommy and daddy.
(Turns towards Emmalee)
Daddy: Emmalee, daddy's name is Rodolfo.
Emmalee hides her face on my chest and gives an embarrassed laugh.
Mommy: BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!

Quitel, quitel... I mean twinkle, twinkle Emmalee style.
She is closer to saying twinkle in this version, but the star looks like an ipad in the sky! XD

Emmalee and Kaylee are playing. Kaylee took Emmalee's toy away and Emmalee is about to hit her sister. Grandma Martha stops her in time.
Grandma Martha: Emmalee, why are you going to hit your sister? Are you her mommy?
Emmalee: No.
Minutes later....
Kaylee is crying because she was told repeatedly she can't go up the stairs.
Grandma Martha: Kaylee, you are misbehaving and I will have to give you discipline.
Emmalee comes out of nowhere.
Emmalee: Grandma, are you her mommy?

Yes, those are not their toothbrushes. They are mom and dad's. And yes, they were caught infraganti. 

You can't quite tell, but she is wearing a cape, thus the "Super Emmalee" (as she calls it) pose.

What do you think? Did she liked or disliked her ball pool? Maybe she is saying: It needs more balls, mommy!

It is just a short time

It is only for a short time,

It will pass in a blink of an eye.

It will be gone before I even realize it is gone.

And so, for now, I want to cherish each moment. 

I want to record it while it is fresh to remember what it felt like, remember what is was like to be someone's world.

For this very short time, I am my daughters' person.

You've probably had a friend who was your person. 

It never compares to your mother.

When she is upset, only mommy's embrace can make it better. 

Mommy's kiss can mend any bubu.

She might love her grandfather a lot, but if she is scared, hurt, or sad, she wants mommy. 

She wants to spend her days in mommy's arms. 

She wants to sleep in mommy's chest.

She eats better if mommy feeds her.

She listens to mommy the most.

She will even share the foods she likes with mommy, even if she is stuffing it in mommy's face.

This time is tough. It is not easy to be someone's person, which is why you probably only had one person in your life besides your mom, if you were lucky enough to have your mom as your person. 

It demands time, energy, effort; but it is only for a short time.

There will come a time when my daughter doesn't want to cuddle all day with me, so I will cuddle as much as I can and hold her as near as I can. 

There will come a time when she will bathe on her own, so I will make bath time fun time with games and songs and learning body parts. 

There will come a time when she will dress on her own, so everytime I change her I will tickle her belly and play "This little piggy" and kiss her feet while she cries from laughing so hard.

There will come a time when she won't need me to take her to the potty, so I will praise her for her small victories in responsibility and self control and high five her every time because it makes her glad and acknowledged.

There will come a time when she won't listen to mommy the most, so I have this time to push hard to teach her obedience, compassion, and humility. This is my time to teach her to pray and teach her about her Lord. It is the only time I have to ask her to give me her heart so I can take it to Him. 

So much time will pass and change, but I have today to make the best of it. 

As my heart has been aching for the Syrian mothers and the hardships their children are suffering or the children they have buried, I realize how frail life is and how I only have today to make this day excellent. 

Now, I bury my nose more in my daughters' hair to breathe in their unique fragrance I can't describe or put to words.

I have kissed those little feet so many times the smell of feet is a fond memory now.

I am that mother that instead of sitting on the sideline to watch them play I am twirling them and making them louder. 

I am that mother showing my girls what a grassy hillside is for: to roll down from. 

I am that mother that has gotten inside the Burger King playset to get her toddler down while taking the toddler that can't go own her up and come down with both down the slide.

I want to be that mom that takes them camping for the first time and lay in the ground and count stars. I want to be that mom that makes all sorts of crazy science projects with them.

I want to teach them to cook and bake and try new things with them. I want to build sand castles in the beach and bury their dad in the sand. 

I want to be a parent that is present and active. 

I had been concentrating a lot on my difficulty losing wieght and getting time to workout.

30 minutes of hide and seek with the girls left my heart racing and pumping hard. 

When mothers are worrying about living in tents as refugees when winter is upon them and some will most likely lose their children to the weather and some disease, I feel humiliated my struggle is losing weight. 

We have a very uncertain year coming up. I don't know if my husband will have a job next year. I don't know if I will have a job next year. If I do have a job, the job I currently have has times without funds to pay salaries and they leave us without pay for months. It is very uncertain and unsettling, but it is God Who we trust. We are grateful for each day, we understand today is the only day we get, and today we live to the fullest and joyful. Today I treasure this short time I am living with my girls and my husband, grateful this is the day the Lord has made and I can rejoice and be glad in it. 

Mommy is their favorite couch.

Reading the Bible!

They love when mommy blows bubbles. 

I don't have more pics because we are putting down the electronic devices to be there and take in this short time. 

What can you do?

I am grief stricken.
I can barely concentrate in my job.
I put a movie on the ipad to distract my mind with no success.
My heart and mind are in Syria and the Syrian refugees.
"There is nothing we can do, so I prefer not to read the stories or watch the videos," my brother said.
"There is nothing I can do?" I ask myself.
And so I google "How to help Syria."
Many webpages of relief efforts requesting financial aid pop up.
I can donate money.
$35 can feed a child for two weeks, the page says. I can do something. I don't have much, but I can find from where to give.
Pray for Syria, the World Vision webpage article reads.
The article is very specific on what to pray for, and I feel now I can pray more powerfully for them.
You can even start praying and seeking to destine your donations to help them overcome the coming winter and the necessities they face in the large refugee camps.
I google jobs in the Syrian crisis response.
No jobs available at the moment.
What if I could get a job as a teacher or somehow serving?
Would I move there alone? Would I take my family?
What would my husband say?
I remember when I wanted to march for the injustice our Social Security Hospital had suffered causing the deaths of many of my compatriots, especially children.
My husband said I couldn't go because it was too dangerous.
"But why is my safety more important than my compatriots dying in the hospital without medicine or medical supplies?" I asked him.
And my countryman marched for several weeks without any results.
Injustice won and prevailed.
And I am grief stricken.
And now the Paris attacks are causing countries to close the borders.
And I find these pictures of expectant refugee children surviving next to the closed boundaries in Hungary.
You can do something for Syria.
You can start a fundraiser at your local church.
You can stop sharing images and videos on your Facebook that are outdated, fake, or unrelated to the event your are trying to bring awareness to by being more savvy in what you post and what you believe in the internet.
You can also share stories of love and hope like this one.
You can do something for the children in your own country suffering by volunteering your time here.

You can grow as true Christ followers and pray for the ones responsible for the war.

Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

You must believe His Word.
“And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet The Еnd. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6).

Psalm 90:12, 14-17 Teach us to number our days,that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants,your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands. 

Psalm 39:4-8 “Show me, Lord, my life’s endand the number of my days;let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth;the span of my years is as nothing before you.Everyone is but a breath,even those who seem secure. “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;in vain they rush about, heaping up wealthwithout knowing whose it will finally be. “But now, Lord, what do I look for?My hope is in you. Save me from all my transgressions;do not make me the scorn of fools. 

Psalm 37:1-2, 7-9, 12-13, 20 Do not fret because of those who are evilor be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither,like green plants they will soon die away. Be still before the Lordand wait patiently for him;do not fret when people succeed in their ways,when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed,but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. The wicked plot against the righteousand gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked,for he knows their day is coming. But the wicked will perish:Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke. 

I have been coming home all this week to stare into my daughters eyes. To put the electronic devices down and roll with them in the floor. I have taken walks with them and cry of gratefulness while watching them sleep safe and sound. I have hugged and kissed them more, and have hugged and kissed my husband more. We don't know when our end will come. Will you have used your time well? Would you have lived in gratefulness for what you have or lived regretting what you don't missing out on what you do? 

Lord, I am grateful for the third world country I live in. 

It is poor, violent, and corrupt. 

Dangers lurk in every corner, but until this day we have lived in peace.

Bring peace to the Syrians. May they ever be in my prayers. 

May we do more where we can. 

May we be Your hands and feet. 

May we open our hearts and homes to the needy. 

May Your glory be shown.

Amen.

How can I not be eternally grateful for a day with these girls:

Mommy, the word

"Mommy" She says as I pretend to be asleep and pray she will turn around and go back to her bed.

"Mommy." She starts off as a soft whisper for a few tries.

"Mommy..." Still softly but not buying that one didn't wake me up.

"Mommy!" And if I let her go any higher she will wake up her sister. 

And so, mommy reluctantly lets her crawl into my bed where I will hold her and fall asleep with her waking up with a bad backache. 

This happens now and then; but yesterday, for the first time, I pondered on what it meant that she called me that. 

First, I reveled on the true wonder it is to hear that word and have it refer to me. I am her mommy! 

Second, it made me realize the responsibility behind the word. 

Think about what your mommy means to you.
Mom is the one who is always there for you.
Mom is the one that keeps you healthy.
Mom is the one that keeps you safe.
Mom is the one that listens and understands.

What does this all mean that I am now Mommy?
Being there for her means that I come second. What I want to do, what I want to watch, where I want to go, what I want to listen, how I want to spend my time... All comes second. But it is so much more than that. Sometimes that involves that I feel lonely or left out. Conversations with adults are always cut short. Date nights are rare. Sitting in church to listen to the sermon in peace has not yet happened. It is a little annoying when people vex you about not seeing you that often, not attending all meetings, not having time to go out. You wish they'd understood you would really like to go, but you are needed and you must be there. It is even harder for working mothers. I watch my coworker suffer because her work doesn't allow her to be there for her daughter's science fair presentation. Every morning when my daughter questions me repeatedly as to where am I going. It is hard for her to understand what must take me away from her. My heart breaks every morning.

Keeping her healthy means that every decision Mom takes is carefully thought. Mom makes sure she has a good and balanced diet. She makes sure she eats home cooked meals and is eating enough. Mom stays up all night to take care of her when she is sick. Mom takes her to the doctor and cries with her when she is feeling discomfort and gives her courage when she is feeling scared (if Mommy is not also crying). Sometimes it means Mommy also gets sick either from exhaustion, stress, or contagion. It means that Mommy and Daddy put off going themselves to the doctor because they can no longer afford it.

Keeping her safe means that Mommy makes an environment in which she can grow well. It means Mommy keeps the places where she plays clean and tidy. It means the things at her reach are not harmful or dirty. It means she watches over her while she plays and ,for me, even while she sleeps. It means she has a good place to sleep, even if that is my arms. It means that discussions with Daddy are either civil (which they always should but not always accomplished) or postpone. It means Mommy and Daddy protect their marriage and keep it strong, because that is the best thing they can do for her safety. It means Mommy prays for her life everyday and teaches her about the wonderful Saviour. It means the house is free of yelling, fighting, and bad attitudes from the grown ups (to the best of what their Lord has taught and equipped them). It means she watches firsthand Mom and Dad seek the Lord daily. It means that what she hears and watches on any entertainment device is carefully scrutinized. It means that Mom is vigilant and constant in discipline and teaching her obedience and manners.

To listen and understand means Mom keeps her cool even when she is talking through screams and tantrums. It means she feels she can come to me with any situation. It means a hug from Mom or a kiss in her bubu from Mommy can calm anything. It means that I try to put myself in her shoes and try to understand why what she is making such a big fuzz about is actually a big deal for her. It means Mommy is her example on how to handle situations and hopefully that example is a good one she can follow because she will even if it is not a good one.

This is what my Mom is for me. I hope I can be for her what my Mom is for me. This breaks my heart because I realize not everyone has a Mom like mine and not everyone desires to be that type of Mom. It breaks my heart because Mothers decide to terminate their children's life in their wombs. I don't even know if they can be called Mothers, but to that murder child they were.  It breaks my heart because Mothers resent what their children take from them and decide to leave, neglect, not be there, and hurt them. It breaks my heart because there are little children growing up without knowing love, safety, or understanding. It breaks my heart that there are Mothers who can't help their kids be healthy because they can't afford it and some must watch them die helplessly. It breaks my heart because there are Mothers being taken away from their very loved children through violence, war, and domestic violence. It breaks my heart that many kids today saw their mothers murdered in the war zones of the Middle East. It breaks my heart that here at home there are Mothers seeing their children be consumed by drugs, gangs, and poverty. It breaks my heart that not all kids feel they can call out Mommy in the middle of the night because they had a nightmare. It breaks my heart that Mothers are losing their children while running aways as refugees. Mothers and children are drowning, being sold for slavery, and are being separated.

Mothers suffering, there is hope:
Act 3
¹⁸ But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. ¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. ²¹ Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.


If your heart is discouraged, remember how lucky you are to be Mommy and be that kind of Mommy. Remember the Mommies in real hardship and pray for them.
Dear Lord, come quickly!

Dear Kaylee 19 months/ Dear Emmalee

Dear Kaylee,

I was feeling pretty tired yesterday. I am not going to sugar coat it; you kept me up. It was not your fault. You had been sick from your tummy. It must have been something you put in your mouth. Too bad you won't learn a lesson from it. You were actually scolded for drinking from the shower water last night. Anyway, mommy was feeling very tired yesterday and not in the mood to do much. Luckily for me, you pulled the box under the media center filled with toys and was thoroughly entertained with them by yourself. I was watching you and you totally melted my heart. You grabbed a toy butterfly and gave it such a tender hug, You then stared into its eyes, smiled, kissed its cheek, and resumed hugging it. The scene was the most tender thing I had ever seen. You then turned to look at me staring at you, and I hugged you hugging the butterfly. You then gave me the butterfly so that I would kiss it; and as I did, you kissed me. You see baby girl, mommy isn't very mushy mushy. Your big sister is a little more similar to me in that sense. But the warmth in my heart watching you filled me with love, strength, and happiness that this sleep deprived mommy needed. It was one of those moments you keep in your heart forever. You are my little Linus. Blankets don´t last folded when you are around. You have to grab them and drag them on the floor wherever you go. You are so maternal at such a young age. Your sister has started to play with baby dolls because you do. You cuddle your baby and say "shhhh" to mommy when you are sleeping your doll. I have so much to learn from your tenderness and mushy mushiness. Mommy wants to be like you. You are a cuddler. I love that you are cuddler. We are so lucky and blessed to have such a tender and loving baby girl. You have such a clear vocabulary for your age. Your favorite word is still no, even when you mean yes. You say please and thank you very clearly for your age. I am sorry you had a rough weekend. Even sick you were a great joy to be around, always playful. You are a little pampered, though.  You sometimes demand from us to carry you too much. It´s ok. You will hug us while we carry you and that makes it a little easier. Just don't cry as shrilly when we don't, please.

Dear Emmalee,
My sweet Emmalee. You are almost done with your terrible twos. I don't know how terrible they can get because you weren't so terrible. You did have your bottom spanked quite a lot. Mommy and daddy spank you because they love you. You see, baby girl, learning obedience is key in your good walk in life and your walk with the Lord. You did have your terrible twos days, but you were still a great joy to be around. I call you sweet because that is what mostly characterizes you. You could say you had a sweet terrible twos. I love your sweetness in the little things. Yesterday I was clipping your toe nails, and you hate getting your nails clipped. When I was done, though, you hugged me and said in my ear: "Thank you for clipping my nails, mommy." It was something you don't like to have done, and you still had the maturity to be grateful for it. You do this often. My sweet girl, I learn so much from you. Mommy was trying to do some fondant flowers for your upcoming birthday, but you kept eating them. So you also have a sweet tooth. Mommy loves to carry some fruit gummies in her purse at all times to satisfy that sweet tooth of yours. Mommy has learned to be honest with you. You see, mommy sometimes lies to you. She thought it was ok because they were white lies, but you have taught me to be upfront in everything. When mommy gives you a gummy, she says: "You are only getting two pieces." But when the two pieces were eaten you would ask for more. Mommy would then lie saying "There aren't anymore left." To which, the second time I did it, you demanded to see the empty bag. So now I am teaching you that two means two, and you taught me not to tell white lies. I am sorry I was short on patience last weekend. I was sleep deprived, but that is no excuse. You also had a tummy ache, but you were such a trooper. Thank you for being so amazing. You are on your way to being potty trained, but it is still an ongoing process. I have no rush. I love to watch you learn at your own pace. You have smarts beyond your age. You don´t like staying in the nursery at church. Last Sunday you did because they were coloring. You made your first craft. You could tell you were so proud of your work. You should, it was so well done.

I love you my girls. I love every moment we spend together. When I am away at work, my heart is longing to be with you. I love how you both love to pray with me. Thank you for keeping mommy company when she prays for everyone in the family. Thank you for your willingness to skype with grandma Linda and Aunt Lilly.Thank you for learning to share and play together. Thank you for taking care of each other. I give thanks to our Lord everyday for your lives and our lives together.
Sincerely yours forever,
Mom.

Christian Ethics Part 1

Here is the second Bibe study I am taking.

Christian Ethics Part 1

Bob Smith

Matthew 6:24-34 “No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. “Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They toil not, neither do they spin, and yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Therefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘Wherewith shall we be clothed?’ For after all these things do the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. “Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, even as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to be His own adopted children by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in His Beloved: 

Once a young man came to me and asked me:

What is wrong with the friendly glass of beer? 

I told him I used to teach chemistry and explained the effects of alcohol on the body. 

He wanted to know from a stand point of Biblical truth why was it wrong to drink alcoholic beverages in limitation. 

He was concerned about the law obligation. 

Ethics is a branch of axiology, which comes from a Greek word that means values; therefore, axiology is the study of values, There are personal values, social values, health values, material values, intrinsic and estrinsic, temporal and eternal, relative and absolute, moral, economical values. 

When speaking of right or wrong, you speak of moral values, and you can look at them from the stand point of philosophy or from the stand point of religion. 

We are going to look at it from the stand point of Christianity. 

The clear difference between Christian ethics and contemporary philosophy ethics is that Christian ethics demands that you say yes or no. There is an obligation to accept it or reject it. 

Christian ethics, if it is true, it's God's demand for moral righteousness in the life of His creatures.

Christianity has two fields of approachs of stand point of ethics: conservative ethics and liberal ethics. 

We will discuss the conservative ethics and put it in context. 

Conservatives are called fundamentalist. Fundamentalist, as defined by philosophy, is anybody who professes to believe in whole to the basic fundamentals of the faith as revealed in the New Testament. 

Fundamentalism begins with God and His revelation to men through scripture. The purpose of the Bible is to reveal the nature of God as a Spirit with personality, self-existent, immutable, changeless in character and purpose, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternital, transcendent,  holy, righteous, truth, and love. 

Fundamentalism begins by analysing scripture. The very nature of God is applied to ethical situations. 

if God is Holy and changeless, than I must be like Him. If God is truth and cannot lie, than I should be like Him. Now I can lie, but I cannot justify it or support it through scripture. God is immutable, so when He said adultery is wrong and fornication is wrong, unchastity and adultery is a sin today as it was when God gave His commandments. Conservative ethics always go back to God and His revelation. 

Liberalism begins with man. They define God through experience and how He is experienced.

Christian ethics is concerned with moral obligation, of "oughtness."

There are three kinds of oughts: the lgoical, the prudential, and the moral. 

The logical ought is the oughtness of mathematics and logic, realms, delineation, facts. If you put $100 dollars in the bank and wrote a check for $75, you ought to have $25 in your bank account. If all dogs are warm-blooded, and Rover is a dog, than Rover ought to be warm-blooded. 

Prudential ought is which is good to do. If you want to be healthy, it is prudent to go to bed early. If you say: "Honesty is the best policy," you understand that it is prudent not to be know  as a cheat. If you want a good grade, it is prudent to study.

This is what you ought to do to get this outcome; that is prudential ought. 

The moral ought is the obligation to do the right and avoid the wrong, not because it prudent or because it is logical, but because it is morally right. It is sometimes prudent not to tell the truth. It may be prudent to lie.

In court, the result is not what matters to determine the amount of guilt, it is the will. A man had a blow to the head and had been left blind for many years. One night, a burglar hit him on the head and stole his wallet. He woke up and he could see. The court would still find the man guilty because of his will in doing the act, not the favorable result to the victim. 

A good deed comes out of a good will. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, but have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 

The moral obligation in Christianity has presuppositions.  The first presupposition is that man is a moral being and that his moral nature is from God. Man can know the difference between wrong and right. If he can't, he is classified as not normal. Christianity teaches we are all created in the likeness of God. We are not rational beings because we evolved. We are because we were created that way after an intellectual, moral, emotional, and self-conscious God.

Immanuel Kant, a philosopher, said man is a moral being that knows right and wrong and has an internal obligation to do right and avoid the wrong, and this is how a good will is defined. You are morally obligated to do what is right, even though you don't fully understand what right is, but you feel it and know it. 

A third presupposition is the sacredness of a person. You believe you have rights and understand other people have rights as well. You have freedom to choose to do the right or wrong your morality reveals to you. You have some freedoms within the moral realm. 

Romans 2:12-15 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, they, not having the law, are a law unto themselves, which shows the work of the law written in their hearts,their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts between accusing and excusing one another. 

Every man has light.

John 1:4, 9 In Him was life, and that life was the Light of men. That was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 

Christian ethics always presupposes that men sin and do wrong. Sin is basically indemic in the heart of man and sooner or later we come to it. 

I used to think children were bad because they had the wrong upbringing. If sin is indemic in the heart of men, than I am a sinner. You don't have to look at the contemporary world to realize there is something wrong with men. It is easier to lie than to be honest. It is easier to be hateful than loving, unkind than kind, impatient than patient. It is our nature. 

And you know that yourself. That is why you have self-condemnation. You tell yourself: "Why did you do that?"

Christianity presupposes that to overcome your sin you must be converted. 

Even Immanuel Kant understood that for men to act on a good will there must be a transformation of his nature. When asked how would this be achieved, Immanuel Kant could only become silent. 

Christianity teaches that you will never do it unless you become a new creature. Jesuschrist came for sinners. How lucky for us. And He puts in us a new nature, a new mind, a new motivation, a new desire, and a new understanding and power through Him. 

Bad behaviour is not the result of bad feelings. Bad feelings are the result of bad behaviour. Bad behaviour is the result of sin. 

The goal of Christian ethics is to become like God and follow His perfect life He exemplified for us. 

Jehovah Rapha

Jeohvah Rapha

By John Mitchell

I hope you have been blessed with the revelation of God in the New Testament and the Old Testament through the names of God. 

Today we go to Exodus 15 for the name Jehovah Rapha, the Lord healeth.

Exodus 15:22-26 So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the Wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah that is, Bitterness. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He put them to the proof, and said, “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” 

Israel has been delivered from Egypt. They had just come from the Passover. They came to the Red Sea, and God made a way through the Red Sea. In chp 12 they had victory over death. In chp 14 they had victory over the Egyptians. In chp 15 you have their first song, a song of triumph and filled with praises to the Lord. And after three days in the wilderness, they had changed from singing into murmuring. Twelve times did they murmured. Murmuring is always against God from being unsatisfied with what He provides. Isn't that common in men? They praise the Lord for His faithfulness and three minutes later are back in the dumps murmuring. 

Every test and trial we go is an open door for God to display His power. How else can the Apostle Paul say:

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said unto me, “My grace is sufficent for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I glory rather in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

It is in the tests and trials of life we get to know Christ. To praise Him in tests and trials is victory. 

As you read the history of Israel, you have to come to the conclusion that they preferred to be in slavery with the flesh parts of Egypt than in the wilderness with God. It is obvious today with many Christians that we prefer the flesh parts of the world to being alone in separation with God. They even wanted to go back to Egypt with their tummies full than with God's provision in the wilderness. 

They had been separated from Egypt (the world) for three days and wer tested. The moment you start walking with the Lord, you start to walk in separation. Sometimes when we walk in separation, it leads us to suffering. This is very hard to the flesh, and God's people become bitter. 

When you become bitter, you are the one who suffers. You become bitter and hateful.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 

The death and resurrection of fdChrist is between the world and the believer. God is still displaying His love and mercy because he is pleading with men, longing for him to come to Him. But there is a day coming when that is going to end. 

Walking in separation from the world is going to cost us something. 

God said in Exodus, if you obey and do what is pleasing to me, I will not put the diseases that I put on the Egyptians. 

Exodus 23:25-26 And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. None shall cast their young nor be barren in thy land; the number of thy days I will fulfill. 

But this is dependant on obedience.

Deuteronomy 7:9, 12, 15 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations, “Therefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments and keep and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which He swore unto thy fathers. And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee, but will lay them upon all those who hate thee. 

Deuteronomy 28:22, 27-28 The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blight, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. The Lord will smite thee with the boils of Egypt, and with the hemorrhoids, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed. The Lord shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart; 

It was dependant on obedience. He would have healed them for the 40 years in the wilderness and even past that. 

Luke 4:25-27 But I tell you in truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land. But unto none of them was Elijah sent, save unto Zarephath, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed, except Naaman the Syrian.” 

He didn't heal any Israelite. None wanted anything to do with Him as they didn't in Jesus' times. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken hold of you but such as is common to man. But God is faithful; He will not suffer you to be tempted beyond that which ye are able to bear, but with the temptation will also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

Romans 5:3-6 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 

When your eyes are in God, we know that God has brought me to that tribulation to experience His power, not to make me sour. 

1 Peter 1:7-8 that the trial of your faith being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tested with fire might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, ye love. In Him, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, 

Gold is put in the fire not to destroy it, but to purify it. 

Your faith is indestructible, but it must be tested and tried. There are things in our lives we must be rid off, so He passes us through the fire. 

Israel could have been freed from illness through obedience, but they allowed their unbelief to rob them.

Do not let your unbelief in the person and power of God to rob you of a walk wih God, of an obedience to His Word, of being filled with a peace that passes understanding, of joy He wants to fill you with bound in hope. 

Jesus is Jehovah Rapha

Psalm 103:2-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits— who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction, who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

Mark 2:3-12 And they came unto Him, bringing one sick with the palsy, who was borne by four. And when they could not come nigh unto Him because of the throng, they uncovered the roof where He was. And when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the one sick with the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, He said unto the one sick with the palsy, “Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.” But there were certain of the scribes sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?” And immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, He said unto them, “Why reason ye these things in your hearts: whether it is easier to say to the sick with the palsy, ‘Thy sins are forgiven thee,’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up thy bed and walk’? But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins—” He said to the one sick with the palsy, “I say unto thee, arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.” And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all, insomuch that they all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw it in this fashion!” 

John 5:2-9 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of invalid folk — blind, halt, withered — waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool and troubled the water. Whosoever then first stepped in, after the troubling of the water, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there who had an infirmity for thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been in that state a long time, He said unto him, “Wilt thou be made whole?” The infirm man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool; but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.” Jesus said unto him, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. 

In Exodus, the first revelation of Jehovah Rapha was in a pool. In John chp 5 the last revelation of God as healer in Israel was at a pool. 

Here was a man waiting 38 years, hopeless, helpless, forgotten. He had given up. He didn't asked Jesus to heal him; he just testified his hopelessnes: "I have no man to throw me in." 

If you have the power to heal and are down at that pool filled with infirm, how many would you have healed? Probably all of them. 

Do we have more compassion or tenderness than Jesus? 

Why did Jesus just healed one? 

He was the only one who had given up hope of getting into the pool. 

Why isn't everybody saved? Can't God save everybody? 

Because they trust something else, instead of Jesus. 

Do you know who Jesus saves? Sinners. 

Some people think their good works will get them to Heaven. 

They say: "If God puts my good works and bad works on a scale, the good works are more and He will let me in."

Where do they get that reasoning from? 

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 

It is when you come to the end of your self, as a hopeless, helpless sinner. That is the man God saves. 

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth in Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness, 

Titus 3:5 He saved us not by works of righteousness which we had done, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration, and by the renewing of the Holy Ghost, 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God— not by works, lest any man should boast. 

Our Lord Jesuschrist is Jehovah Rapha, the One Who heals. 

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 

Luke 4:19 to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” 

Our Lord is here to heal sin-sicked souls. The moral is far more important than the physical. He told the man He healed from palsy to go and sin no more. That is moral responsibility. 

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” 

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me, and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. 

John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

Petty and insignificant

I wrote a post about how becoming a mommy didn't make you a different person, but it has made me a more sensitive person.

Motherhood has had a huge impact in my faith in God. 

Others´parenting journeys have also had a huge impact in my faith in God. 

And I love that this journey is only beginning. 

Yesterday a Facebook friend shared the story of a friend of hers who lost her boy to SUDC, Sudden unexplained death in childhood. At first I thought it was a new name for SIDS, Sudden infant death syndrome. To my surprise, SUDC is even more rare than SIDS. This is a mother who, like me, thought she was out of the woods of losing a child to crib death. I found her blog and was very touched by her story. I spent the night crying for her loss and praying for her heart. In one post, she speaks of how her struggles for the day were getting on time, keeping her clothes clean, things like that that seem impossible with a toddler. Now her struggles include fighting back constant tears, missing her boy on her arms, and finding how to be a mom to two older boys. I thought how hard it would be to keep my faith in God intact. She, on the other hand, tells how she is a new Christian, but she believes in God even more after losing her baby boy. She has to, she says, because otherwise who is keeping her boy company now? Who else will give her hope of seeing him again?

If you can't read stories like hers without a change of heart, there is something seriously wrong with your heart. It makes me analyze my life and see my struggles as petty and insignificant.
What are my struggles? Let's take a look at that:

1) I wanted to keep my old job. I struggled with this one for many weeks. From my wounded pride for how the administration treated me to my broken heart of losing my students, I felt sour about the whole thing for weeks, even after getting a new job. My new job includes a higher salary, more stability, a managering position that spruces up my curriculum, and, to top it of, a Christian environment. I work for the government. Never in my life did I think I would work in the government. For one, I don't have the contacts to get in (You need to know the right people to enter). Second, I didn't vote for the current administration, which in Honduras means you can't get a job in government (Talk about true democracy!). My boss is a Colonel who loves the Lord with all his heart and understand that only through the gospel can we transform Honduras. All the programs we work in his direction are to help the Honduran population: peace programs, anti-drugs programs, health programs, and so much more. We work in contexts of high violence and extreme poverty. Hundreds of lives are saved daily through the efforts of this direction. I feel so blessed to be part of this and witness what God is doing. Who would have thought I would get to see a God-fearing man in a place of influence doing God´s work in one of the most corrupt administrations this country has seen?!

2) I live with my in-laws. I struggled with this one for many months. I desired to move out and rent whichever place I could afford. Unfortunately, I could only afford a really small place, in a dangerous zone, with very little security and commodities, if I could afford it at all. I decided to live grateful where I was with all the advantages I had: a safe zone, closed neighborhood where my daughters could ride their tricycle in the streets, a nice room were we all fit, and helping hands from the in-laws. It took a while, but I was finally at peace with where we were at this time. And now it seems we will be able to move to an apartment at my Aunt´s house which has two rooms. It is small, but I am confident I can make it pretty and cozy. It is very budget friendly and it will give us a room of our own. Hooray!

3) My husband couldn't find a job in his area. We have been looking for an engineering job for my husband since December of last year. In the meantime, he worked at a school as a math teacher to make an income. He hated his job. He had the most annoying department coordinator in history. We knocked on every door we could. Everywhere we went we sought networking opportunities for a job possibility. Anytime we saw someone who could know of a job opportunity, I would pester him to do networking. He hated it and so did I. It hurt to see him so discouraged, feeling he was not good enough. I would tell him everyday that I had faith in God, and that he was going to get a job in His time. I tried to encourage him that this time of waiting had a purpose and God was working on his heart. We agreed to meet every night to pray together. We would pray for his job and then spend an hour or two praying and thanking God for many things and many people. Never have we prayed together so much. It became the bed time routine for my daughters, and they fell asleep hearing mommy and daddy praying, instead of us watching television while they fussed in their cribs. Our finances were finally enough for us to get out of debt and have some money left to go out and enjoy a little and also start saving. We were even able to take a mini trip to la Ceiba for my birthday weekend. We had a place to live, jobs that met our basic needs and gave us plenty of family time. There was much to be grateful for. My faith in God to provide the right job for him was unwavering. "Who do you believe in?" I asked him once, "because my God is El Elyon, the possesor of everything, and El Shaddai, the sufficient one to meet our needs." Last Thursday, after more than nine months searching, my husband got an engineering job. He quit his job last Friday at the school and started this Monday. I can't put into words the joy in my husbands face with his office, his bosses, the projects he will be working with. My God is faithful!

Petty and insignificant. What at one time felt like a struggle, today seems petty and insignificant.
One time I was talking to my husband of moving out and living more frugally. We already live very frugally, so this idea did not appeal to him. "I hate living in the worst-case-scenario situation," he replied. "Worst-case-scenario?" I admonished, "Honey, you come home to a room that has air conditioning, wifi, netflix, a flat screen, a nice bed, nice beds for your girls, your playstation (even if you can only play late at night when we are all asleep). Worst-case-scenario because we can't afford to eat out or go to the movies or buy new clothes? You should see what I see at work and witness a real worst-case-scenario."

Dear Father,
That mother is living my worst-case-scenario. My heart goes out to her. Your Word says that blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. Thank You for being her comforter. Thank You because You are Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is our peace. Fill her with that peace. Thank You for that beautiful life that was hers to cherish for over a year. Thank You for Your faithfulness towards my family. A week ago I wasn't daydreaming of moving out and finding pins in Pinterest to decorate small places, or watching my husband so happily go to the job he had long waited for. Yesterday the direction were I worked turned one year and we celebrated with a wonderful, long prayer giving You all the glory for all the great things You are doing here and the greater things You will do still. Thank You because Your plans are greater than our own. Thank You because You are working in my family and bringing us closer to You. Thank You for what this time has taught us in depending on You and knowing Who You are. Thank You for Lilly's birthday today. Thank You for this day. Lord, I understand that each day we get is a gift. We worry so much about the future and don't even know if we will be here. Let me treasure each day and live it to the fullest. Thank You for yesterday, a day so well lived. May today be the same. I love You. 

  

Kaylee's Tinkerbell First Birthday

As I started planning and making the decorations for Emmalee's upcoming third birthday, I realized I never shared Kaylee's first birthday, so here it is:

The girls were playing and eating cupcakes before the party. 

My really awesome, more-than-a-brother friend Tito opened the doors of his house with their gorgeous garden for the birthday party. It was perfect for a fairy enchanted theme. 

I made the backdrop using recycled old cardboard from an old bulletin board from school. And painting it with chalk was so fast and easy. It looked great. 

These have been my favorite cupcakes for a birthday to date. They were lemon cupcakes filled with lemon pie filling topped with italian meringue and some fondant roses. Great for a summer birthday. 

I am glad you can't tell by this picture, but because I do my daughters birthdays with months in advance, the girls broke this fairy tree several times. That is why there are so many flowers on the base to hide all the duck tape. 

I wanted the tinkerbell theme to be subtle, so I don't like having it be repetitive. That is why I did these simple butterflies for the girls' favors. 

The boys got pirate favor bags. I can't stress how much in love I am with my fruit pirate ship. I wish I could have embellished it more, but you can't premake it in advance. 

I kept the cake pops simple with a paper flower underneath. Loved using straws instead of cake pop sticks.

I saved that bee from the spelling bee bees from school. It eas just so cute. 

I liked the simple yet delicate birthday banner.

A fairy enchanted theme has to have plenty of flowers. To be budget friendly, I made them all out of paper, most of them from recycled paper from previous celebrations. I really enjoyed the different kinds of flowers you can make with paper. 

I made some simple felt tinks. I didn't like how these turned out, but my girls loved them and played with them until the felt came apart. lol

It was my first time doing this fondant technique and an ombre effect. I liked that the cake looked very enchanting. I tried to look for a toy tink to put as topper sith no luck. The printed cardboard one turned out alright. The Disney site even had one to print with the back side. 

the birthday girl used a felt flower crown, fairy wings, and a handmade tink dress made from a huge green shirt I found at walmart.

Those were Emmalee's green shoes from her first birthday. They were a little worn so I put a piece of felt on the front with the tink cotton balls. Those didn't last long as she pulled them out as soon as I put her down after this picture. Mommy went back and sew them on instead of gluing them. 

Daddy was on baby duty while mommy was setting up. 

Luckily I didn't have to make the piñata for this birthday.

Babies were not interested in a photo, only on the piñata.

Crown and wings lasted on just a little bit. :(

Happy baby!

Lovely friends and family!

happy birthday gorgeous!

Dear Kaylee, 

You are now 1 year and four months now. 

You still call me "papi" which really doesn't bother me. I hope you learn to call me mommy soon. 

Emmalee helps me out by repeating mommy when I ask you to say mommy. 

You are my little Tarzan. If it can be climbed, you will climb it: book shelves, tables, beds, stairs, toys, bicycles, anything!

I really have to keep a watchful eye with you. Your sister was not so devil-may-care. 

Your Aunt Lilly would be extatic with you as you are definitely a little dancer. Your Aunt would be teaching you ballet already if she lived in Honduras. 

You are very mysterious. I think it has to do with you not wanting your big sister to take whatever it is you are playing with. 

Augh, I can't emphasize enough how in love I am with you. From your funny dances, your outstretched arms when you see me, your kisses, your hipnotizing eyes, your funny hair, you laughter and your smile, everything about you leaves me breathless. 

You love to take baths, to go into the bathroom and grab all the things your parents have repeatedly told you not to grab, and to cuddle with mommy in the mornings. 

You are such a good eater. You are such a break in that area. You are sleeping through the night and have no health issues, which makes me infinitely grateful with our good Lord. 

Your saying right now is "a ver" when you want to see something on the ipad or my cell. 

I won't lie to you, you and your sister fight a lot still. 

But you also play so much. Emmalee loves hugging you and kissing you. She sometimes holds you too tight and you don't like it, but you are such a trooper for never crying when your sister's hugs are around your neck choking you.

Last night we were at the table having dinner and you embarassed your mom. Mommy started feeding you, and you turned away and instead said "amen." You reminded mommy of praying before eating. 

I pray you may always have a heart that puts the Lord first. 

Mommy, daddy, and Emmalee love you dearly.