The good (out of the bad and ugly) in Mexico

So, about 10 days ago I think I broke my foot.

But *WHO* wants to go to the doctor and pay for the visit and x-rays and more if all they are going to do is tell you to take ibuprofen and stay off it.

That I can tell myself.

Like I just did.

Anyway.  My mom is now with me, and my foot is still hurting, and she is -lovingly-persistantly- telling me I need to get it looked at.

I'm gonna let her sway me, and I'll tell you why - Mexico.

Mexico doesn't have the doctor, pharmacy, radiology, labs and so on all rolled up into one package - you visit a doctor then you go and visit a lab clinic and then you go to some pharmacy nearby . . .all separate from the other.  And on a bad day, I hate this.

But today it sounds just peachy because it means that I can just hobble myself down to the radiology clinic and get x-rays for myself (for about 35 dollars) and if my foot is badly broken *THEN* I'll take the x-rays to the doctor and see what he has to say about it.

Otherwise, I'm just taking myself home and downing some ibuprofen.  Thankyouverymuch.

UPDATE: went and got the x-rays, and yes, it's official, it's broken.  And I'm back to *less than in love* with Mexico because the doctor put a cast on my foot but I'd have to go somewhere else to find a boot for it.

Being lavoed

I woke up to this on my fridge.

My daughter did it - she has a heart about that big ~

I love her for it.

Still, it is bittersweet for me - because it shows dyslexia -

I believe dyslexia is in my family, and that I have it, even if we've never been tested for it.

It comes from my mothers side.  For one thing - we ALL can't spell.  I'm not the only one that struggles with left and right, and I know there are some that will get lost in a Wal-Mart.

This link has great information about the symptoms of dyslexia if you're interested.

My daughter has some very marked symptoms.

True to my nature, I'm reading several books about and from dyslexic authors and one in particular calls himself, not dyslexic but a "creative learner" . . .

'tant that the truth!  So, where it pulls at my heat strings to see "love" and "you" spelled incorrectly - I LOVE LOVE LOVE that she uses the  letters as adornment. . .

as it so happens I was watching some past scenes of America's Next Top Model and find a scene where one of the girls struggles with her dyslexia  . . . which I posted below.

no privacy

 Being a mother of small kids I've lost the sense to close bathroom doors way before now . . . but this particular door just gives me more cause . . . We have a cool bathroom in our master bedroom - it's door is a sliding mirror door.  So when closed it looks like a closet - but the door sticks and is heavy to move.

I'm just making excuses for myself, I admit.

End result; I don't think there ever was a time our now 3year old wasn't able to come check on us at any time and just chat while we're doing our business . . . and we just don't care, as long as they don't.

I mean . . sometimes, I just would care for the sake of that poor nose . . .

Anyway - not remembering the particulars, I'm doing my business . . reading a magazine when said 3 yr old comes in wanting my attention for some particular thing . . .

"I'm busy now, I'll go when I'm done." I explain

This little negotiator gets reeeeeal close and looks me almost nose to nose - with his other hand on the flusher he flushes it without ever taking his eyes of mine and says

"You're all done now."

And then they bless your heart . . .

Trying to put my priorities into practice I started - at the beginning of the school year - to gather the kids up at 6:30 in the morning, sometimes piling them all on the couch or into our bed, to read the Bible.  They'd be barley awake if awake at all . . . with the two year old running around . . .

"OK!  Where are we?"  pause  "you awake, Andrew? . . . Can you hear me, Sarah? . . . Alex . . shhhh!  Be quiet . . we are going to read the Bible now."

The past couple of days the 2 year old grabs a small new testament and announces "I read Bible!  SHHHHH  BE QUIET eb'y body, I read Bible"  over and over . . . what funny little mirrors they are of us!  Ha ha.

Sometimes . . ok, OFTEN, I would just go on thinking that even if they WERE sleeping, their spirit is awake and can take it in.

Then yesterday I drove their father to the ER state side.  He's had a bad cough for two weeks that just kept getting worse and we were concerned it was pneumonia.  He checked in at the ER at about 3pm and was moved to a room about 10:30pm.  Finally about 11 I left and drove home.

It was a late when I arrived home.  I looked forward to sleeping in.

I blame the stressful day for my laps in thinking

. . . I mean really - WHAT WAS I THINKING?  I'm a MOTHER of SMALL CHILDREN and every mother knows that even when you're pulling teeth to get them up on the weekdays, come Saturday and everyone is UP AN AT 'EM at the crack of dawn.

First the 2 year old came buzzing around, I don't know what time it was, I didn't look.  Didn't have to . . I knew it was still Too Early, my headache told me so.  That and the grey skies.  But said two year old was in distress because he Couldn't Find his Bible (the little new testament) . . .

Soon the 5 year old comes crawling to my bed shortly followed by the 6 year old.

And then my 5 year old says "Why are you not reading the Bible to us?" . . .

and that blessed me to my core -

Because he WANTED to hear it - so I can assume he wasn't COMPLETELY asleep all those other mornings?

He LIKES to hear it?

Alright - so maybe I'll get up now, after all.

Because "No Bake" is my middle name . . .

Planning my boy's 5th birthday was a no brainer.

I *REALLY* like no-brainners.

He's all into soldiers, half his wardrobe is camouflage , and most of his toys follow suit.   Army theme then . . . 

So I googled images of army cakes to get an idea - and was thinking I would have to order something 

that whole "no bake" thing . . . you know

And I asked my boy to come over and choose which one'd he'd like.  I'm thinking a Jeep, or a Tank or something . . . but pictured was one simple chocolate cake with a bunch of toys on top . . .

And that was what he wanted.  The toys win the vote.

So I went to Costco - got one of their chocolate cakes with some pretty chocolate roses in the middle.

We got that home and I whacked those roses off - softened them in the microwave and made a road with them  . . . then sprinkled the rest of the cake with green sprinkles and had the kids line the cake with m&m . . .

and the boy and I topped it off with toys . . .

VOILA!

It turned out so well and was easy-peasy like I like it . .. .

We are happy people.

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.

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!

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 . . . . :-)

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Guitar Prodigy

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com