Recap 2008 1/2

As a recap of the year of 2008 I am going to list 10 things. Some great, others sad and some scary; but through all of them I grew as a person and learned a lot. In addition to that, I would like to say, change is hard regardless. The loss of a family member is a change I did not expect this year, or was prepared for. Physical death is a part of life, but I found it is a hard transition for the ones still living. The only comfort and joy in that transition is the knowledge that my Dad is living in God's presence where there is no pain.

Onto my list....

1. Trip to Disneyland. This was our first big vacation with the kids!

2. Dad's re-dedication When Dad had received news that he had 2-4 months left to live, I went on a mission! I spoke to some of the Pastor's at the church and two in particular took me under their wing and helped guide me through this process. No time could be wasted! Dad had been baptized Presbyterian years prior and when I was younger we all attended church - however, Dad needed hope, he needed to know God loved him and that he had a future. I prayed everyday and night like I had never done before. I prayed for healing, and for Dad's heart to be open to what God had to say. I gave prayers for my mom to pray with my Dad, and I had prayers I prayed with him as well. I asked some of our Church elders to meet with my Dad and Mom, and through it all - 1 week before my Dad passed from this life he asked God into his heart! This was a win/win! Knowing this has helped me deal with losing him - even for a short time (in the grand scheme of things).

3. Dad's passing This hit me hard - even though I knew he was okay. Why was it hard when I have faith? Well, I firmly believed in his healing. I was probably the last to admit that his body was dieing. I felt his testimony would help bring many to Christ. My heart was broken August 8, 2008 when I found out my Dad had past a little after 3am, but at the same time there was peace. It is a very hard thing to explain. He died in his sleep after seeing all of us right before. He had been transported to the hospital and we had all been there that prior day/night. He was responsive and able to communicate a little by using facial expressions. This was a blessing and will always be grateful that I had so much time with him in the short time we had. Dad past knowing he was loved and cared for and honestly I think this helped him. I still miss him a whole lot and honestly that will never change, but I am okay. God designed life to go on, and that our loved ones move from here into our future. I will see him again! As for healing, Dad was healed! Maybe not in a physical sense, but his heart was healed, and his Salvation secure and that is what matters most. Our kids were close to grandpa/papa and this has been a challenging transition for them as well. Each of our kids deals with this transition differently. There are a couple of good books out there on how to handle this sensitive subject with young children and if anyone would like to know what I have read, please email me and I will give you the titles and authors. Kids understand at their own level. Andrew being 9 gets it and wishes he had more time with my Dad, but knows he is in a better place. Austin at 6 speaks of him sometimes as if he is still here, but knows he isn't where we can see him and that he is in heaven, and Katie wants to visit him. That is the hardest! Katie is 4 and knows he is with Jesus. Time and space are a concept that aren't as defined. I think God protects the heart and minds of little children and I am grateful for that!

4. John Brevere John Brevere is a great speaker - as is his wife. I've been able to attend two conferences where John Brevere spoke and the revelation that happens when hearing what God has imparted to him is life changing. I have also heard CD's of his wife and her story is inspiring! When John came to speak at our Church in September I witnessed God's will and it was awesome!

5. Santa Train This was a fun time for my husband, kids, mom, brother, sister-in-law, and neice to get together and do something as a family. The kids are still young and these are the moments that we want to capture as many memories as possible.

6. Sabrina's (my niece) 1st birthday! I can't believe it! Sabrina is 1 and what a doll she is! Happy Birthday little niece!:)

7. Christmas pictures We had Christmas pictures of the girls taken and then some of all the grandkids taken. It was a special gift for my mom this Christmas.

8. Andrew's sledding accident This was a heart stopping moment, when one minute I was having fun with my family and the next My child is laying on the ground motionless. I watched our oldest sled down a hill and crash into a cement barrier that I didn't see until he was laying on the ground. It had been covered with snow. It happened so fast! There is no doubt in my mind God was watching over him that day! Andrew came out of this with minor injuries, although in the process of finding this out he was airlifted to Harborview and spent a night in the hospital. Ruben and I at his bedside. I am happy to say that he is doing well. We learned a valuable lesson in never underestimating the danger in contact sports. We will be wearing helmets from now on when going sledding and will be more aware of our surroundings. This was a popular sledding hill and one where there were many kids and adults that were sledding the exact run Andrew went down. I am grateful that this lesson has a happy ending!

9. Christmas Christmas was great! We incorporated a birthday celebration for Jesus and our kids loved it! It was good being home!

10. Trip to Victoria A small getaway for Ruben and I for 1 night. This was my mom's gift to me for completing my Montessori Training.

I will update this as I get time and add pictures/side notes. I just wanted to get the list out there before 2009 is officially here. Happy New Year and be Blessed!

Recap 2008 1/1

My Pastor posted a list on his blog as a tool to use in times when we may want a little reflection. I feel this is a good tool and one I would like to pass on...

1. I'm afraid that.... I'm afraid that what I can do/provide is not enough. This is an insecurity I fight with and am working on leaning on God during times of doubt.

2. It makes me angry that.... It makes me angry that when I have a good idea I have trouble communicating it. Many ideas I have would be great in effecting change to help others.

3. I'm ashamed that.... I don't know if I am ashamed, but I am sad that I haven't finished as much schooling as I would like to have finished.

4. I feel guilty that.... I feel guilty that I can look back to certain choices I've made that were not good choices. I guess everyone has gone through this at one point or another. I am not one that makes choices lightly. When I make them, it is something I have thought about; however with that said I haven't always made the best choice, but hindsight is 20/20.

5. It makes me happy that... I joined The Rock Church in Monroe, WA. Over the last 6 years we have gone through lots of life! Life challenges, highs and lows, and through it all my life has had a stability to it that can only be found in Christ.

6. I'm grateful that... I have relationships. With God, my family and friends, because without them life would get lonely.

7. I'm secure in... My salvation. Nothing in life is permanent, but a relationship with Christ is something you can "take to the bank".

8. I'm proud of... My Kids! They are growing fast! Being able to see them grow is the best and I learn something new from them everyday.

Have you ever....

Been in a position that someone assumes something about you and it's way off base? Gosh, I've been there! What a horrible feeling that can be! It may not even be a big deal when you look at the whole picture, but the fact is it's out there and the first reaction is naturally to defend ourselves. Children are the same way. I am a teacher of 13 little tykes during the day and we have classroom lessons designed to teach them conflict resolution. In our class we have a flower that we hold called the "peace flower" and the person that has gotten offended by another picks up the peace flower and explains their complaint/frustration to the other child. What a necessary skill they are learning! Each person gets a turn to hold the "peace flower" and no one interrupts the person holding it. Once each child has had a turn, then they can put the flower back and go about their day. The most precious thing is when the children get the flower out during a conflict, but then forget what they got it out for. They end up just asking the other child to join them in another activity and work together as if nothing happened. True, They may not have all the words to communicate their feelings at times, but watching their gestures one can see that there are times when a child is completely free and forgiving. Teaching us that we also need to be forgiving and not accept the bondage that frustration, anger, and resentment (even when they are logical) can bring. How humbling this is!

Weekend notes

This past weekend our family visited the Yakima fair. I haven't been there since I was a kid and it was a lot of fun. If you've never been, check out their website... http://www.fairfun.com/fair/about_us/fair_history.asp . Living so close to Monroe and actually living in Monroe for over 6 years we naturally took the kids to the Evergreen State fair, but this year we opted to go here. It is a lot like Evergreen State Fair, but much more spread out. We parked at the Target shopping center and rode the city bus FREE to the fairgrounds - it was great!

Being in Yakima was nice. It's home. Although, Seattle area is home too - I was able to go to the cemetery and see my Dad's burial site. They haven't gotten his marker up just yet, but I know it will be nice when they do. I dropped off some Orange Lilly's for him and Yellow one's for my Grandma.

On a up beat, I think I am going to use this blog or maybe start another blog to post my Montessori idea's, materials, and links. I see there are a lot of parents out there that want to give their kids a head start in their pre-school years before they reach school age; yet cannot afford to do so. I feel education should be free to anyone whom wants to presue, it and therefore want to use any resources I have to help that become more of a reality.

A Pledge

Earlier tonight my mom handed me a sectional from the newspaper. It had a photo of someone that I knew. One of 5 in his family that has risen to fame. I played basketball and graduated with his older sister, my brother played ball and graduated with him. It was neat to see, and I am very happy for the success that family has found!

I realized something after reading this article. Hours later, but still I feel God is speaking. Excellence is not something that fits into your day planner nice and neat. It is something intentional. It is something you work for. I admit I have become comfortable being mediocre/ or average. Blending in! That was my main goal in High School. I just wanted to blend in. If I did, no one would expect something I didn't feel I could deliver. Unfortunately, it became a life habit. I fight this everyday. But, God didn't place me in a life surrounded with successful people, and expect me to learn to be average. He placed me in this life to learn, and be excellent myself. To help others find their excellence. I think we all have examples of people we know, or relate to that are really good at something. You know what I have learned. Find something you enjoy - and work at it! Sounds so cliche. But it is so true! If you work at something you already enjoy, it will become something you excel in and will give you the tools you need to be successful in life. So, I pledge this. From now on, I pledge to make time for excellence in my life. To give God the glory for my success because it is all for his purpose anyway. Will you join me in making a pledge?

Letterboxing

While in Yakima this last weekend I was introduced to letter boxing. My cousin Bryce and his family have been doing this form of "Scavenger hunting" for a couple of years now and he introduced us to it. It looks like a fun thing to do with kids or on your own. It is fairly cheap cost wise and could keep us entertained for hours*. I found one site that is pretty good if anyone is curious to look at it. It's www.letterboxing.org and there are links to other blogs as well. So, today I set out to get our notebook, Family Stamp and ink at the local art supply store and I think we are ready for Letterbox # 1. Once we find it, we will be able to stamp in and find another. These boxes are hidden from sight and some even require a compass to find! Luckily, there are tons that are easy to find, but once a seasoned letterboxer, one can start looking for more challenging ones. I checked it out. There is one at Lord's Hill in Monroe that has never been found! If you have ever been to Lord's Hill you will know how possible that is!

* depending on the day, time, and temperaments. Pack snacks! :)

Heaven Bound

Although past biopsies showed no cancer, Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer on July 9, 2008 with 2-6 months to live. We (my mom,brother,and I) did everything we could to find a therapy, cure, or sustain my Dad's life longer than the prognosis. Dad was heaven bound August 8, 2008 a little after 3am. We don't always understand God's plan and that is okay. I do not blame God, but am looking for how God is working in our lives and I do see God's mercy at work. Dad's health took a turn for the worst a couple of days prior to his departure, But I find joy in the fact my Dad found true faith 7 days prior to death. He did not go into a coma like many do, and departed from this life while sleeping peacefully. He got to see all of us prior to going to sleep that night and we were able to tell him how much he was loved. I know that the number 8 represents "New Beginnings" and Dad has a new beginning as a child of God, in Heaven. He blessed us with countless memories and stories to share with our kids and the pictures to go along with them.

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A Day to Celebrate!!!!

Today was a day I saw prayer come to pass in a BIG way! My Dad who has been in and out of the hospital the last 6-8 weeks with pancretitis, went in for a biopsy to check for cancer on Tuesday. The doctor has been preparing us for the worst, and he got his results today. Keep in mind, I have my local church, and another sister church praying for my dad along side my husband and I standing in agreement for his recovery, and despite the circumstances, God came through in a big way! My dad has NO cancer! None! He is still fighting pain associated with the pancretitis, so if anyone reading this wants to join us in prayer on his full recovery - that would be awesome! Prayer works!
Aside from that it was my mother-in-law's birthday today (which is actually yesterday because I am posting this after midnight). Happy Birthday Vi! and My father-in-law's birthday tomorrow (which is technically today June 7th). Happy Birthday Alex! I never really consider it the next day until I wake up and the sun is out! But, that's besides the point. Getting back to wishing Vi and Alex a Happy Birthday. My parent's in-law are are still young! I created an e-card for both on smilebox which is a cool program with a free download! If you'd like to check out smilebox, they are located on the internet at www.smilebox.com
Other than that, tonight was movie night for the kids. We watched Sharktale, ate Little Ceaser's peperoni pizza and had a blast! They played in the backyard before dinner and ran and ran and ran! Missy our dog loves it when the kids come outside to play!
Well, that's about all for now. Good night all!

Martinez Family

A Pet for the Family

A few days ago we were able to adopt a 2 year old female German Shepard named Missy. She is a sweet dog! The kids adore her!