It's freezing!

I used to wonder why people would send blankets to Mexico.

I don't wonder no mo'

SEND BLANKETS!

I'm only partly jesting . . but just yesterday in the house after baking, my hubby told me that it was 45 degrees!

We can all see our cloudy breaths and we go to sleep and walk around the house with hats and multiple layers.

My hubby often choses to point out "see, aren't you glad your not in Minnesota right now?  We couldn't survive the cold!"

Yeah, but in Minnesota they use the radical technology called "INSULATION"!

Mommy has been very naughty!

I have a 2 year old that will not eat any veggie of any kind.

So I got me a "Sneaky Chef" cookbook . . .

and this morning he had sweet potatoes

in his pancakes

and he just ate cauliflower

in his grilled cheese sandwich!

*delightfully wringing hands*

Muahahahahahaha

D'oh

I am generally a photogenic person.  This picture was specifically picked out to show a more "accurate" me.

I am a low maintenance mama.  I tend to keep hygienic - mostly.  But - you know, I do TRY sometimes - like Christmas parties, family gatherings . . .I might shave.

That reminded me - I think the reason why European women got in the habit of not shaving is because all those parts remained COVERED most of the year.  Also in the same vein it explains the excessive de-hairing that is so rampant in Brazil.

Back to the point.  Today was a running day since 6:30am.  I had to get up,  all 3 kids dressed, and spaghetti prepared for a classroom of 25 by 8am.  I was teachers helper in today's Christmas party.

For the love of humanity, I took a shower -

Only later in the day - as the mothers were arriving, all prim and lovely like their decked out kids, did I notice that I did absolutely NOTHING with my hair.  It wasn't even pulled back in a pony tail!  NO head band- Nothing!

Thankfully I did brush it - but beyond that I pretty much looking like the drab mama of the photo shown above.

Yup.

Speakerbox Signmark

HDA LA NOTA EN LA VENTANA

A most AWESOME song by a gREAT band! ;-)

How to make my mother *GASP* from laughing . . .

Ode to Forgetfulness

Ode to Forgetfulness

Justin Nozuka - Save Him (ASL)

"Boundaries" study

Let me 'splain.
[pause]
No, there is too much. Let me sum up.

This study has been entirely too cheeky for comfort .  . . . As I said to our study's leader " These questions seem to ask you not IF you've violated a boundary but WHEN!"

So allow me to focus on a major theme; being that we each have our own responsibilities to shoulder, and we are to help others but are not responsible for others.  In the book they call this boulders (situations too big to handle alone) vs knapsacks (everyone's individual responsibilities). The bible calls us to help with one another boulders- and to ask for help when we are faced with a boulder- but each one is to carry his own knapsackand then defining the difference between the two.

Big idea here: Boundaries get infringed upon but we can only work on our own boundaries - not on others.  And we must aim to not infringe on other's boundaries.

People may get offended or withdraw from you if you have to say "no", but you need to be OK with that - why? How? Because our primary relationship is with God so we are not dependent on other's for their good opinion - we know God's opinion of us.  In the same matter - you need to be OK if someone says "no" to you - again, because we are rooted in God's hand.  So let us aim not to take it so personally - ladies - please.

The flip side of this is that for some of us we need to be able to say "yes" to help, and to be able to give help without attaching any sort of strings . . . but because we honestly want to help.

Face it, any situation where there is a potential of resentment is because something was given with an expectation.  Remove expectation and you have the removal of resentment.

Next week we will be looking at the myths of boundaries where there is a big one I look forward to tackling: "If I set boundaries I'm being selfish" . . . so stay tuned!

I *HEART* having a family in ministry.

I love my brothers and Thank GOD for them . ..  and I PRAISE GOD because they both have AWESOME ministries . . . My brother just posted this on facebook of one of the things his ministry does - feed the kids of Tijuana.
This is Reflect Ministry 

Untitled from John Alvarado on Vimeo.

I've heard him mention that he loves to give these kids the best stuff too - so it's not just powdered eggs and powdered milk and the day old bread . . . but the good stuff!  If you've been in children's ministries you know what I'm talking about.


My brothers don't read my blog - they have their hands full already!  But J&P - I love you guys so much!  I Praise God for you and am so humbled and proud to be your sister!

How to scare myself and Hubby silly

First - have two days in a row where you have bouts of nausea in the morning so strong that it send you to your knees in front of the toilet. FOR NO APPARENT REASON!

Then realize . . . JUST before going off to buy a pregnancy test- that you are also starting some new once a day multivitamins that you've been taking in the mornings before said bouts.

Yeah-

This is a drawing of my baby brother and a picture of my youngest.

Starting a new bible study.

Boundaries; Chapter 1 & 2

A significant discovery I made this week with this reading is the idea of "spiritual" boundaries. I hadn't thought of those before - and I'm still trying to define those - and I'm finding that the whole idea of boundaries, as a whole, is kinda abstract . . . I ask you - what would you call/consider spiritual boundaries?

I found myself getting angry with the character Sherrie in the book because she constantly kept self doubting herself when her first instincts where right - but she did it with the idea that "a good christian would" . . . and those lead me to the questions I look forward to getting an answer - As christians - especially but definitely not limited to those in ministry - how does set a boundary to a legitimate need in the church body?

What are legitimate boundaries, and how do boundaries relate to submission are some questions I will be watching with some keen interest . . .

The book states that boundaries define us. I think of the phrase "poured out" because, like water, when a person is without boundaries (pouring himself out) - he/she is undefined - but boundaries is like a cup to that water giving it shape and definition, and making it much more useful and safe . . . . "that can increase your love and save your life"p.31

The book spoke of God having boundaries and at first it rubbed me the wrong way since I couldn't see God behind a boundary wall - but in regard to God having boundaries meaning definition then it fits. The whole bible is about defining Who God Is and who He isn't.

I think I will have an easier time relating to the idea of boundaries, not as walls and hedges, but in the sense of definition . . . like skin-

I'm looking forward to chapter 3 -

I welcome your thoughts . . .

A funny for Sunday

Something about Parenting posted this

Gotta love kids!

That's good, right?

Every Friday I get together with our deaf Pastor and a co/worker to talk over ministry and discuss the worship songs we have and how to interpret them for our deaf congregation . . .

We meet at my friend/co-workers house and she lives in a gated community.

At the gate visitors are required to leave a form of I.D. in exchange for a visitor pass. It's a new policy - enforced by an older retiree-looking fellow . . .

Now here is where I let you in on a little known secret -

I have a pretty-good looking driver license picture. God was gracious that day . . . .

Anyway - so I pass this over and the man does a double take . . .

"This is you?!"

"Er-yes? He he . . ." *feeling rather like a cow now*

and after some more scrutiny "Oh, I see . . . you had red glasses there . . . " and he turns and passes me my visitor pass.

That was my first encounter, and I went home vowing to comb my hair-for-heaven-sake-at-least, among some other forgotten new years resolutions.

Following Fridays have been similar . . .

"Michelle, I remember you . . . "

and

"Michelle the lovely . . . are these your kids? They are as lovely as the mother"

with me responding similarly . . . "Oh thank you, hehehe . " and drive off.

I figure that while I'm doing my thing there for an hour or two he is looking at that rather flattering picture and associating it with some idealized persona of me . . .

Because that is NOT me on a daily basis . . . not even on Sunday. I'm wearing makeup for crying out loud! Anyone who knows me knows that makeup is one corner I cut EVERYDAY.

Driver's licence picture:

Me, right now:

And this is all rather very flattering . . .

or really really really REALLY sad . . . . :-)

This is most certainly true . . . .

Truth -

I had the question put to me "How do I know what's true?" - and I had to ask "In regard to what?" to which the reply was "Everything!"

Truth is a relative term once you step out of the trinity: God as LORD, Jesus as Christ and the Holy Spirit - three in one. The great I AM. (John 8:58, Exodus 3:14)

And I do believe there is a time in every one's life where they have to chose to stand on this rock or not.

As the old song say - 'everything else is sinking sand' and I do mean EVERYTHING ELSE.

I jokingly refer to myself as not non-denominational but multi-denominational. And while working at Rancho Sordo Mudo a wise man taught me that it boils down to the big "T" in truth, or a little "t"

It isn't a question about what is true or not- but what is better/right. As long as there is no person exactly like another the question will more specifically be what is better/right for that person.

It's complicated, but after months of mulling this thought over and over in my mind, the bottom line is that there is no "absolutely correct" outside of Jesus and so you get to pick or choose what path or what subject you want to dedicate yourself to finding what is the best for you. Keep in mind that what is best for you may not be the best for someone else - more specifically I mean - "the best for me" may actually, and most likely mean someone else is/can't/won't be getting "the best for them". That's where the whole idea of "no greater love" and "laying down one's life for a friend" comes into play.

I will promise you this: for each issue that there are acronyms and degrees to back up one side as being the best/accurate - there are equal amount of acronyms and degrees backing up it's opposite.

I believe that there is wonderful freedom in this understanding.

As I said, it's complicated. And I much prefer to have a diologe about something like this instead of just posting something here . . .

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It Feels So Good - ASL MUSIC VIDEO

!!!!

And here I let down my mask a bit . . .

It is the nature of being human that we go through highs and lows like clouds passing in a sky.

There were clouds in my sky this morning for no other reason that just being woman.

I was taking advantage of my mother being here to feed and dress the kids- and stayed in bed.

Then I heard a knock on the door, and in walked my daughter followed by my hubby with a cup of tea and some vanilla wafers!

Brightly - as is her personality - she announces that they are bringing me "coffee" in bed!

"OH! How did you know!?" My heart started to swell! Just what I needed! To know he noticed and he thought of me and he cared!!!

"It was her idea" he says without ceremony when he give me the tea.

I had to wipe that look off my face real quick - because there stood my beaming 5 year old waiting for her accolades . . .which I obliged her. Raving about the tea, the kindness . . the thoughtfulness . . .She bounded away happily.

And really - today I have a lot to be thankful for and happy about. It's beautiful outside - I've got wonderfully thoughtful kids. And my hubby was willing to help my daughter in her mission to bring me tea . . . . that's Great!

*sigh*

But today-today-I just really wanted the tea to have been HIS idea.

A blog-worthy post copied from Facebook:

This van is known by friends and family as "The Lord's Van". So dubbed by my aunties since it seems that it's only the Lord that is holding it together.

So I saw this posted to my cousin Sandie's facebook by Derek Johnson

Our Van,

which art in Minnesota,

Rusted be thy Name.

Thy mileage come.

Thy dent will be done,

In park as it is in drive....

Give us this day our daily oil change.

And forgive us our right lane passes,

As we forgive those who right lane pass against us.

And lead us not into a trade in,

But deliver us from car envy.

For thine is the Wagon,

and the powertrain,

and the glory,for ever and ever.

Amen.

Chuckle with me a moment

in the Tijuana boarder crossing line . . . this advertisement for a plastic surgeon. His name in translation? Dr. Carlos Goodface!

Rant on crime and going to Mexico.

Luke is director of the deaf school I used to work at. I love this video because it pretty much reflects how I feel. They are about 30 minutes from where we are. He is hard of hearing, hence the accent.

Mostly, the only time I hear about the violence in Mexico is when I am in the states.

Enjoy!

Hooter Hiders: aka Nursing Covers

The nursing cover, I love 'em.



This is not me - I never had time to put earrings in my ears or wore WHITE while nursing - but I did have this exact nursing cover.

Correction - I HAVE it still. I just no longer have a babe nursing.

Yet I've got to say - it's been one of those most versetile things I got. It could be a blanket, a cover, a make-shift changing table cover . . . you know -(fanfair please) DA TA DA DAAAAA!!!!!!!

A cape to drape the fearless handsome prince!

Alaska

It's been rumored, so let me set the record straight -

Yes - I went from Mexico to Alaska for a little over a week in March. Leaving my two of the three with their dad and taking the baby with me on my lap.

And, contrary to what we heard, the sun DID rise in the morning.



I went to visit my awesome-ness cousin (who wrote of it here) for a "rest".

It had been a long long time since I've had to take care of what shoes I was wearing 'cause I might slip.

It was baby's first experience of air that bit and snow that towered over his head. He is not a fan of getting wet in the first place . . . so you can imagine how he liked SNOW!

We saw 7 bald eagles, 3 moose, and 3 wild dall sheep, and the top of Mt. McKinley in Denali park (thanks Annie! for it's proper spelling) -the highest mountain in North America. Of which Zero of my pictures were good for.

For those family and friends who then clamored for PICTURES - here you go:

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Flight of the Conchords Ep 4 Sello Tape

Uh -

It was a week with me in Alaska and when I got home ALL the dishes were awaiting me.


To hubby's credit, the house was picked up, and vacuumed. Kids were all accounted for with all their limbs attached - if unwashed.

But ALL the dishes were there growing things! including the cup that I used to drink some coffee before I left more than a week ago!

All this fuzzy stuff pictured is GROWTH! GROWTH! UGH!

It was the nastiest job ever. But it's all done. Washed with water so hot it burned through my rubber gloves.

I think I may be a wee bit more specific about what tasks are to be done while I'm away.

Tercer Cielo - Yo Te Extrañaré (ASL)

Back in November:

Go ahead, press play, let the music sink in while you read on.

The winds were blowing in from the mountains. Here we know it's going to be warm when they do. Those are the santa anas blowing. So with some fresh sqeezed lime-aid myself and the kids pulled out some chairs to the balcony and sat down.

The thought popped into my head.

"I'm happy."





Dulce refugio
en la tormentaes
Jesucristo el Salvador
él me alienta
y alimenta
con su palabra y su amor (x2)


Vengo a reposar en él
él es mi amigo fiel
una poderosa y fresca unción
llenará mi corazón

Sweet shelter
in the storm
is Jesus Christ the Savior
he encourages and nurishes
with his word and his love (x2)

I come to rest in him
he is my loyal friend
a powerful and fresh anointing
fills my heart

It's all Facebook's fault!

Since when did I get such a strong feeling of obligation towards my blog?

Hmm?

Very similar like my blog is my neglected foster child -

And I had a pretty good google page ranking, and I've watched it slowly dwindle down to nothing. But I know - I KNOW - that my blogging is not significant, life changing or even always amusing . . . so why would I feel so BAD about not blogging? My blog is not vital , you know?!

Ever since I got into Facebook . . and OMWord, have I got "into" it. I can so easily spend all my free time there . . so easy . . .

And if Blogging has taught me anything, it's that I'm not a "writer". Why torture the world further? eh?

So that is my excuse - I've been abducted by Facebook and they're holding me for ransom. But I don't want to close my blog though - since a blog is the best place for a story, a memory, and something more than an "update"

If, for whatever reason, you miss me, you can find me there - at Facebook.

Meanwhile, while I'm here in Alaska *I KNOW! ALASKA!* I'll try to write some bloggable stuff and schedule them for posting . . . because this poor foster child is STARVING!

If Dogs could get sainthood . . . .

This dog - 'our' dog - came with the house we are renting.

No joke. His name is Oso, and he's an old mutt with grey whiskers.


Apparently, he was a much better guard dog before his 'mate' died. Now you can really say that his bark is as bad as his bite - they are both Nil!

But if ever a dog deserves sainthood I would christen him "Santo Oso de Perro" since his patience with our three young ones is divine!

long suffering, patient, loyal . . .this is the youngest of my three just using him like a bongo . . .

Santo Oso de Perro, folks . . .

The real reason he had kids . . .

You crack me up!

He's 3 years old, my boy.

Grandma was with him in the livingroom when I hear Grandma start laughing -

What was it?

My boy said "Grandma, you crack me up! You crack me up two times!"

About my husband's kidney transplant . . .

The good news is that God answers prayers!

Amen?

AMEN!

You all prayed and the surgery was a success!

8 days later Lonnie was able to attend my brothers long anticipated wedding with no problems.

He looks better, feels better and let me tell you - the kidney is doing a great job because he's having to take potty breaks more often than our own little ones!

Thank you all for praying.

The above pictures are from my daughter - who, while at the wedding, and getting restless, I attemted to distract by handing her the camera. She's getting the hang of it, but it kinda went like this:

"OK, now, look - your cutting off the head's . . . try again, and get the picture you want in the frame and try again."

"Um - that's better, but your still missing his head -see?"

!!!!!

FOUR DAYS AND COUNTING UNTIL MY HUSBAND GET A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT!!!

If I've been out of it, it's 'cause I trying to get everything ready . . . His family has arrived from Missouri. His brother is the one giving him the kidney.

Two days ago my husband said for the first time "I'm a little nervous."

FRIDAY!

Be praying.