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My Little Blessings

"The rhythm of motherhood will always be set to a slightly chaotic beat. I can be rattled to the core by the unpredictability of it all. Or I can choose to laugh, dance, and remember I'm managing blessings."
-Lysa TerKeurst

Unglued

I recently started attending a Growth Group at our church with some ladies on Monday nights.  We are going through a book called "Unglued; Making wise choices in the midst of raw emotions" by Lysa Turkeurst.  It could not come at a more appropriate time in my life.  Lately, it feels like all i do is yell at the kids or get frustrated.  "Clean your room!  Stop hitting your brother!  What did i just tell you?!?"  It seems I lose my patience more easily than i used to and everything my kids do drives me insane.  It was time for an intervention of my heart, and i knew it.  I am only a few weeks into the book, but it has had a profound impact already.  I knew that if I was going to change, or as the book says make "imperfect progress" (I don't need to be perfect.. i just need to make progress!)  I needed to get a hold of my emotions.  After all, emotions should not be dictators of our actions, but indicators of our emotions.  If I am being really honest, and i can be.. this is my blog.. i would say i struggle the most with my reactions and emotions when it comes to Rylie.  She somehow knows how to push every button I have.  Last night, at group, we were talking about letting God chisel away the areas in our life that are rough.  When we are being chiseled, and it hurts and is hard.. God never leaves our side.  Ever.  God cares enough about me to want to change me.  But, I have to let him do the work.  That part is hard for me.  I have to give up control and give it to Him.  After all, that is what i want anyway, right?  So often i think i am in control of my life.  I think i have it handled and then when i really mess up or life is really hard.. only then do i ask God for help.  When i am on my face on the floor begging for help.  Why do i wait for it to get to this point?  Especially when God wants to help me before i get there.  But, i have to ask.. I have to ask.  He loves me, He sees me as his child, a beautiful creation.  He offers and extends grace to me daily.  Yet, when it comes to my daughter.  My beautiful, strong, daughter.. why is it so hard for me to extend that same grace that I receive to her?  I had a heart to heart with God after our meeting and asked Him to give me His heart for Rylie.  To see her through His eyes, and to give her the attention she desires. When i start feeling frustrated, instead of yelling or losing my cool, right then and there ask God to chisel me.  The good news is.. i will have plenty of opportunities to practice this in my house.  Never a dull moment!  I don't want to look back on these years and think there was something i could do better.  I certainly do not want my kids to grow up and look back and label me out of control, or for them to fear my next explosion.  I realized yesterday that God does not label me "out of control" "a mess" "unglued" or anything like that.  I label myself those things, and because i say that to myself i start to believe the lie that that is my identity.  That I am a mess, that I lack control, that i am unglued.  When in reality, God has labeled me one thing.  His redeemed.  He chose me, and has never labeled me anything but good.  It is time to stop believing the lies that we are anything but beautiful to Him.  I know this is long, thanks for reading if you are still here.  I encourage you to pick up the book.  We can make imperfect progress together..

Blessed

Jay and I are home bodies.  I am the first to admit that I would rather stay home than do much anything else.  I don't think I was always that way.  But, after having 4 kids so close in age I think it is easier to be home.  In our routine.  In our environment.  In our comfort.  We have all been sick for the past few weeks and yesterday was our second Sunday missing church.  We have been home.  A lot.  Too sick to go anywhere.  So, my usually love.being.home self was getting antsy to get out.  So, Jay and I loaded the kids up in the car.  Picked up breakfast, and had a morning eating and playing at the park.  It was lovely (except for the part where Jay took Kinsley down the super steep slide and burned his arm!  Ouch!  Use your imagination here, we were too scared we would drop our new iPhone 5's so we left the phones in the car).  I am thinking maybe I need to change my homebody ways and get out more.  Step out of my comfort zone and enjoy life.  I mean, more than walking to the school 3 times a day.  :)

After the park we spent the afternoon coloring pages and playing tic tac toe. 

When i look at my family, all gathered around that table it brings me such joy.  Even in the chaos that comes with having kids so close in age.  The crayons and markers strewn on the floor all day.  It is our chaos, and I am learning to enjoy it so much.

Terrible blogger

I have been a terrible blogger!  It seems easier to keep up with social media via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  But, i do see the value in documenting special moments with my kids.  So, i am going to try harder to keep up with this blog!!  Promise.

New Family Pictures!

Slacker!

I cannot believe it has been 4 months since my last post. What a slacker! In my defense, the last 4 months have been filled with lots of exciting things. Jay got a promotion with Dish and we moved our family to the Central Valley of California to a small town called Manteca. We have been here a month now and really love it. Our new house is just a few houses away from a HUGE park (one mile around with a large play structure and huge fields) and an elementary school a block away. We have been settling in nicely. The kids love it and we love seeing Daddy home more often as he works only 4 miles away! So great!! The kids are all doing very well. Tristan loves being in Kindergarten. He even loves homework! Let's hope that excitement doesn't go away! Rylie has found a new love for learning as well, seeing her big brother go to school. I am so glad for that, it was just the push she needed to be interested. The twins are now 16 months old and are still so fun to be around! They are saying more and more words and are still sleeping their 13 hours straight every night. Life is good. Really good. :)

Inspired By Finn: Baltic Amber Necklace Review

A few months ago I was at the end of my "teething" rope. Corban was cutting 2 teeth at once and everything i tried wasn't helping. Not the homeopathic stuff, teething tablets, tylenol.. nothing. He was super fussy. Wouldn't sleep, eat.. it was miserable. I asked around and a few of my friends told me about these teething necklaces. I was skeptical that a piece of jewelry (not to be chewed) could actually help! But, i was willing to try anything. So, after some research i bought two of the Butter Round necklaces in sizes 11.5-12.5 at Inspired By Finn for Corban and Kinsley. I was anxious to get them and they arrived within a few days! It has been about 2 months now and i can tell you that Corban has cut 5 additional teeth without any issues. I mean, not even a fuss. Kinsley has since cut 2 teeth as well and the only reason we knew was because we saw them one day. No fuss from her either. Even my husband was amazed that they worked so well. I am no longer a skeptic, and have been telling all my friends about these wonderful necklaces. You can get one too by shopping at Inspired by Finn. Browse around their website, i am sure you will be as intrigued as i was!

I have included a few pictures of Corban and Kinsley in their necklaces to show you what they look like. They are 12 months old!

I also received a necklace at a discount for the purpose of this review. i bought the lemonade color in an adult size. Though i did not see such a drastic result as the twins i will say it helps my headaches when i am wearing it!

Here is some additional information from their website:
"Among other things, amber is a natural analgesic (pain reliever) and anti-inflammatory. When amber is worn on the skin, the warmth of the skin releases trace amounts of healing oils on the skin. Commonly known as "teething jewelry," baltic amber has been a natural and traditional European remedy for teething discomfort for hundreds of years. To read more about the many benefits of baltic amber, click here.

Our necklaces and bracelets are handcrafted and are made of authentic Baltic amber, the most esteemed type of amber in the world. The translucency of amber depends on the amount of air bubbles contained within a piece of amber and their distribution. Some believe the color is related to the type of tree source.

Succinic acid is the most beneficial component of the amber. It is scientifically accepted that the darkest colored amber generally contains less succinic acid than lighter colors. The more cloudy or opaque amber is, the more succinic acid it contains (and usually the more cloudy amber is the nearer to the color white it becomes).

The necklace fastens with a screw clasp, and the necklace cord is knotted in between each bead. Please be sure and measure for the length you need. For guidance on measuring, please click here.

WARNING - Necklace contains small parts; Children should be supervised when wearing jewelry, and it should be removed when the child sleeps."

My Little Loves!

Our twins are 1!!!

I cannot even believe i am posting this. Corban and Kinsley are officially 1 year olds. Seriously. Where did the time go? It has been a crazy year, but i would not change it for anything. These two little ones have been such an incredible blessing to us, and i cannot imagine life without them. I feel like Jay and I should really celebrate too for surviving a year with twins plus a 3 (almost4!) year old, and 5 year old. Ha! We decided to have a small party at our house for their birthday. I decided to do all the decorations myself, and i think they turned out pretty cute! Homemade pom poms and a birthday banner. We kept it small, only family.. but i think it was perfect. Corban and Kinsley loved their cake. Although, Corban is a much neater eater than kinsley is.. these pictures are proof of that! We had a great time and although it was a lot of work cleaning, cooking, cleaning, baking, cleaning, and crafting.. it was all worth it! We are blessed. Happy Birthday Corban and Kinsley!!

Milestones:
Kinsley is walking 99% of the time now
Corban can stand unassisted for up to 15 seconds
Kinsley has (finally) cut 2 teeth on the bottom
Corban has 6 teeth, two on bottom and 4 on top
They are both eating all solid food, no baby food
Sleeping from 7pm-8am every night, straight
Corban can wave
Kinsley will give you a smooch (she even leans in!) on demand.

Videos

Lots has been happening in the Cruz home! I know i have neglected this blog, i am so sorry! I just posted a few videos that show how much our little ones are growing. Tristan and Rylie are memorizing scripture and it brings such joy to our hearts! Tristan is 5 and will start Kindergarten in the fall! Hard to believe! Rylie will be 4 in June and wears the same size clothes as her brother. We get asked all the time if they are twins.. they are the same weight and height and really look more alike than Corban and Kinsley! Corban and Kinsley are doing great. Just under a month away from their 1 year birthday! It has been a great year. We feel so blessed to have added them to our family. They are sleeping 13-15 hours STRAIGHT through the night, which is amazing. Kinsley is walking and Corban just started standing on his own. They are eating all table foods now, no more baby food around here! Kinsley will give you a kiss (or smooch) on demand and they are just so fun to be around. Life is good. Enjoy the videos.. i will promise to at least try to most more!!!

Kinsley walking

Ry verses A to E

Tristan A to E verses

So Proud!

Corban laughs

Kinsley walking and talking

Carrie Underwood w/ Vince Gill How Great thou Art - Standing Ovation!

Amazing. Not sure how you don't shed a tear at this. Carrie's voice is amazing and the song is just so powerful!

Resurrection Cookies

I always love to do fun things with my kids to show something important. The Easter Story is one where i really want them to understand what is going on. I found this cookie recipe and cannot wait to do it with the kids on Saturday night. What a great way to help them understand what Easter is really about.

Resurrection Cookies

To be made the evening before Easter with your kids

1 c. pecans

1 ts. vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch salt

1 c. sugar

ziplock bag

wooden spoon or rolling pin

tape

Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important-don't wait until you're half done with the recipe)

Place pecans in ziplock bag and let your children beat them with a wooden spoon or rolling pin to break the pecans into small pieces
~Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 ts. into a mixing bowl.
~Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. The eggs represent life.~Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest of it into the bowl.
~Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar.
~Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know that we belong to Him.

Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
~Explain the white color represents-in God's eyes-the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isaiah 1:18.

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet.
~Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door.
~Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66.

Go to bed!
~Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20, 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven door and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matt. 28:1-9

Enjoy!

Happy Easter!

Finally!

16 years ago my Dad started dating Muriel Smith. No one ever thought they would get married after such a long time. But, to my surprise (and great joy) i watched my Dad get on one knee and propose to Muriel while we were visiting Long Beach for Christmas. It was safe to say there was not a dry eye in the room that night! They announced they would be getting married on January 15th, just 3 weeks from that proposal night! Talk about planning a wedding quick! Jay and i talked about it and he offered for me to go to So Cal for the weekend of the wedding by myself while he stayed home to watch the kids. What a man! The wedding was incredible. No one would have guessed they put it together in just 3 weeks. It was intimate, and special. The first time my dad and all of his siblings and mother and all of his kids were together in probably 20 years or more. In the process i also gained another brother, Brian. Muriel looked stunning in a beautiful wedding dress and my dad was so handsome waiting for his bride. They did it. After 16 years they are married. I have another Mom and my kids have an "official" Grandma. So happy, really! Ed and Muriel Wilcox.. i love it! Here are a few pictures my brother took of the wedding. My friend Joey Colombo was the official photographer but we are waiting to see those pictures in a few days or so!