Start Experiment

I sit here this evening.  My home has been 'complete' since Thursday evening since my husband walked onto the football field.  There is something beautiful about the man of your dreams surprising you during an evening of football practice.  Having our Big Papi at home brings peace - instantly.  The togetherness is just there.  I love it...and in a few days, I will really miss that feeling, but know that it will come again in just a few weeks. 

Tonight is the eve of the first day of school - Yadi will begin first grade, and Ro will begin fifth grade.  Dear husband will begin his second full week in a brand new career.  Mom - its a new day of support for my family as they each take their next steps in their journey.  What is next for me?  I am feeling such unsettledness at work --- a 6 month battle of knowing who I am and the sinking feeling that it is not necessarily recognized.  I don't need them to acknowledge my completed tasks, I need the affirmation that I am talented enough to handle their tasks they have for me.  But what else...my family sits at a crossroads and a wonder of what comes next in this journey.  Will my address be changing, will it stay the same, will we struggle endlessly or is that wealth of blessings around the corner.  I would love to say financial blessings around the corner, but blessings come in all shapes and sizes.  I know we are all doing to support the family, but what about personally for me?  I love Jesus with my entire heart.  I love my family.  I love my friends.  I love my community.  I love knowing the faithfulness of the things God shows up for day-after-day, after-day, after-day.  So what is next?  What is there in life that I want to START -- but the fears are to overwhelming?  I have a list of things I would like to start...and they all seem so random to me...RANDOM Starts - complete resume, complete organization of house, set a budget that I can follow consistently, begin daily process of blog postings, determine what my voice of truth is - what all does it apply to?  So, these are things I want to get started on, but I fear failure... so I do nothing.  August 14 is my day one of START - what comes next?  I am excited to see. 

Speak my Peace

I'm back...after a reallllyyyy long break.  Yet my heart has desired to write continually.  My blog experience has a restart this evening...as do so many things in my life -- thanks to the Grace of God.  Seriously - only Jesus has enough grace for our lifetimes.  I begin writing and don't know where this shall lead.  I write why?  God has placed this talent within me and I must use it for His glory.  I know I have some close friends that are English majors and may critique...yet I shall do my best to convey a message that God puts within me without too many errors.  Forgive me now for the days that they crop up.  I speak as a woman of God - humbly called to serve an amazing and everlasting Jesus.  I speak as a mother to two precious boys and pray that my mothering for others continues to expand.  I speak as a wife - an army wife and now a law enforcement officer's wife.  I speak as a 'cool white girl' married to an awesome Puerto Rican (that's what I have been called in the past).  I speak as a Conservative living in the greatest nation on earth that I see bowing daily to a small percentage of  voices in many topics, but shout so loud that others can't hear themselves breathe.  I speak as a friend that has been called on many times to lead others through their thoughts and emotions.  I speak as a person that has seen an adversity in my life story that allows me to say -- you can do this -- you must keep going.  I speak because I feel that God has placed this voice inside of me -- a balanced voice of reason -- that never wants to offend, but strives to speak Truth.  so...I speak my peace tonight and look forward to more blogs/discussion in the future. 

Red 22 Red 22 - Set - Hit!

I have the privelage of becoming a newly inducted tackle football mom. Since August 3, Rolando has practiced 4 days per week for 2 hours plus...in the heat and a little less heat. This has been building since last year when Rolando and Big Ro and Papa and Elijah informed me that yes, Little Ro needed to play tackle football this year. I truly was not prepared for this, but as I heard of the sign ups coming around...I once again inquired with the men in my life...and then all informed Mama that this is the year that Rolando should begin his career.

Yes, this is mommy talking, but God has gifted Rolando with incredible athletic ability. I told the coach from day one that he has never played tackle, but he is very talented, very teachable, very fast and will do well. And thus far, Rolando has not let anyone on his team down.

I might insert here that as much as Rolando has become a tackle football player over the last few weeks, Mom and Yadi have become very big fans of the game...with so many hours spent at the field, we have no choice. Yadi has been an ongoing champ each day as we head to the field. He makes me very proud as well.

While we are enjoying these moments at home, we try to keep daddy posted on the progression in daily practices from learning to hit...learning the wishbone and the holes...getting used to the equipment...etc. Daddy is soooo very excited to see his boy in action. What a wonderful time that will be in just a few weeks.

Rolando had his first scrimmage this evening against the Troy Titans. I am working on learning position names, but will do my best...Rolando started the game at kick off, plays a 3 back on offense and has filled in as safety and gunner (another name really exists, but I don't know it) on defense. Rolando carried the ball and had two key tackles during tonights game. I completely look forward to this season...yes, I am officially becoming that football mom who loves watching her son accel to the best of the abilities that God has given him.

Here's just a few pics from tonight's game....

God Gave Me You

Today we celebrate 7 years of marriage. It has been a journey with many ups and downs. Many days apart due to deployment, many moments on the phone yearning to see someone you love so much. The precious time apart - only God could use to develop our relationship. To heal wounds of the past, to provide unbelievable strength to know that we are capable of doing all things through Christ who strengthens each of us. We have built a family with Godly principles and sometimes many seeds of prayers. Yet, we are still teaching our children that we are to never give up, but to only push forward. Christ in us...has allowed us to have the beautiful relationship that we have today. I love you sweetheart - God gave me You and I am so thankful!

lsdkf

Defining Moments in Life

The All-Star game was on this evening and so Little Ro was spending time with Papa, Yadi and I. At 7 years old, I was amazed about the knowledge he had of each player as they were announced. He was so excited to here the line up for the Yankees and the Cardinals, fully realizing that it would be the National League against the American League. As players were announced from either Boston or the Yankees cheers turned to BOOS across the stadium, and yes my son took notice. He could not believe that such people would do that to well respected ball players. He told me that he doesnt like Boston, but that is just wrong. Defining moments in his character to understand sportsmanship, or rather a lack of sportsmanship. Realizing it was the fans, it was still something that he took notice of.

In addition, my born and raised St. Louis native - told me "I really do want the American League to win mommy!" Well Daddy may not be sitting in the living room with us, but he has alredy left his mark as a life-long Yankees fan on our son.

My poor babies...NATIONAL LEAGUE ROCKS...Finally!! My precious son will probably not be happy with the results of the game when he wakes up.

I wish I wish

Sometimes I just wish i could go to sleep and wake up in the morning to find
a perfectly manicured lawn, with all the tools I need to keep it beautiful
a new deck in place of the wooden crap that sits out my back door with a firepit and bench centered just perfectly
a fence and rotted tree removed and replaced with a landscaped area around my shed and a big trampoline for my boys to have fun with for hours and hours
all of my closets organized, garage organized and daily vacuumed carpet
my stuff that needs to go bye bye...that it would just be gone..
all of my rooms complete with their own personality

oh how i so wish for this tonight