top 5 Things I loved in Summer 2010:

1. Being a stay-at-home mom
It's not gonna be easy returning to school and work, actually I already started training for my new job so I guess my summer has been officially over since last wednesday..nevertheless, I definitely enjoyed my summer with the hubby and son...apart from our Dominican Republic and New York trip for 2 weeks in June, weekends we spent visiting friends in Philadelphia, Lancaster, PA and Washington DC, we went to the zoo, hosted friends from California and showed them beautiful West Virginia points of interest, our family had plenty of late nites together and on some days, even slept in til noon!! (yes, skipped breakfast and woke up in time for lunch..ikes!), we also got to go on evening walks, played at the park, watched tons of videos, movies, ate homemade meals each day (except for a few dates we had since not having employment, funds were also very low), but we had good times and an enjoyable summer indeed.

2. Trip to Dominican Republic
We took off on June 2nd and returned June 16th from Pittsburgh to Santiago, DR via a 2-day stop in New York City. There is soo much to write about this trip that i'll have to make another post about it. In short, to celebrate our 2-year wedding anniversary, Josiah's 1st birthday, enjoy a getaway and most importantly, give David's mother a vacation and trip to her homeland and reunite with David's part of the family - we spent a good portion of this years Child Tax Credit Return and had a vacation. We mostly spent time with family but did get to enjoy a few nights at an All-Inclusive Resort in Puerto Plata, the northernmost beach on the island. The trip was unforgettable and such a blessing to experience, reminding me of all the things we have to be thankful for in America and bringing David and I closer as I got to learn more about his heritage and where he comes from.

3. Hulu.com
So many videos, so many shows that I had only heard about..i finally got to watch some great shows and movies..and the best part....all for FREE!! My husband kept poking fun of all the shows and swore that I was wasting my time...I probably was, some of the time, but some of my most memorable shows I got to watch and wish I could have made time to watch earlier seasons sooner: Ugly Betty, Glee, America's got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, and America's Next Top Model. Other shows that I normally watch on hulu (before getting cable) that I had to catch up on due to end of school finals, events and trips were: Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Army Wives (still on), Life Unexpected, and Desparate Housewives. I did not however have to catch up on LOST :)


4. YouTube
Since I had a whole lot more time at home this summer and most of my friends were either gone (graduated and into the next chapters of their life) or just busy (busier than me anyway), I got to explore YouTube videos on a whole new level, browsing and browsing and getting lost in a world of home videos and movies that are broken up into like 20-different video segments :) it was very fun, I learned a lot and only felt lame just a few times. Here are some of my favorite videos, and others that were just plain useful.

Olive's homebirth: makes me wanna have a homebirth for our next one, so amazingly beautiful, you can see the love between the young/hip husband and wife, such a beautiful family and as a mom myself, I could relate so much to the bittersweet photos during labor and delivery. Truly a miracle!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niJ6F2p9Ql8

Make your own Pore Strips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bjOB4zS0uE&feature=fvhl
This video is awesome, looks like it really works and I'm looking forward to saving some $$$. Gotta love these do-it-yourself, make-it-yourself tips :)

5. Starbucks coffee
mmmm..since I've been weaning Josiah quite a bit since his first birthday (he's actually weaning himself to be correct), I have enjoyed being able to drink starbucks coffee..it is soo good, how I've missed it. I nearly stopped all coffee drinking after discovering I was pregnant back in September 2008!!..delivered Josiah in May 2009..then was nursing him and did not want the caffeine to get into my milk. I started drinking regular coffee (although not starbucks because it is way to strong) but now....mmmmm..I brew it most mornings with my various creamers and milk and have enjoyed the aromas and taste of coffee in general. I love it!

little feet will follow

I just put Josiah down for a nap and couldn't help but stare at him. He is 14 1/2 months old now and becoming my little boy rather than my lil baby :( Recently, I have found myself in awe of all the things he is learning. He mimics so many things David and I do, and so many things he sees others doing around him. The latest things he repeats are "Sit" as he points to the floor, just like he sees his daddy do, and "Tapatio" - that was the cutest, as I was looking in the fridge for my fav. hot sauce asking David if he had seen it..lol. Needless to say we were rather impressed. But not just words, he repeats our actions too and with that, I realize even more, the importance of setting a good example for him. Because little feet will follow big feet and little mouths will repeat what they hear big mouths say and the tone in which they say it in. Like a certain song goes:

I saw two little feet
Walking in my footsteps
And I heard a little voice
Askin' things I didn't know
I touched some tiny fingers
That reached out for direction
If he's gonna follow me
I need to know just where I'll go

If he's following me
Then Lord I need to follow you
If I'm a living example
I need a whole lot of your life
And if the steps I take
Will influence him forever
I can't afford to lose
Lord help me... make it right

-(Crabb Family "Two Little Feet")

(pictured at 11 months)

My prayer today: Thank you Jesus for our son. Thank you for keeping him healthy, safe, happy and joyful. I pray for David and I as we learn to raise Josiah in your will and in one accord. Help us to come into agreement on every aspect of our parenting and I ask that you would give us continued wisdom, courage, energy to remain consistent in our training and disciplines, strength and patience as we raise Josiah in love to be a new light in our world. Amen

Family Portraits - 1 year after becoming a family of 3

These were last minute photos taken by friends of ours, Mike and Emily Cuccarese. They are amazing photographers and you can check them out on their site at: www.cuccaresephotography.com

A lot has happened in a year, we extended our family with the birth of our son Josiah, David started back at school, I graduated this past May and in that same month we moved into a much bigger house, a miracle from God considering our financial state and prayers. Josiah finally has his own room, although I admit that I will miss waking up to his babbling and peeking over my covers to see him standing in his crib next to me with a huge grin on his face. His transition in his own room couldn't have gone more smoothly - the first night, he slept 11 hours!! (this is compared to the 9 he usually sleeps- probably because David and I keep him up..lol). Anyways, getting back to the photo shoot since that is why I decided to blog, these were taken the night before we were heading off to the Dominican Republic. We has arranged to visit David's family and celebrate our 2 year anniversary there for months and since we were gonna be gone for over 2 weeks and Josiah had just celebrated his 1st birthday, we wanted to squeeze in some family portraits before we departed. Needless to say, that was a busy day of packing, rushing to stores to get last minute items, etc. and my family was not dressed how I envisioned us to look but here we are...and I love them :) I am a blessed mommy-wife indeed.

Lovely advice...

Some lovely advice I wanted to pass along from: obliteratedheart

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

4. Live with the 3 E's - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5. Play more games.

6. Read more books than you did in 2009.

7. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes a day.

8. Sleep for 7 hours.

9. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

10. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

11. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in positive present moment.

12. Don't over do. Keep your limits.

13. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

15. Dream more while you are awake.

16. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

17. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

18. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

19. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

20. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

21. Realise that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

22. Smile and laugh more.

23. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

24. Call your family often.

25. Each day give something good to others.

26. Forgive as you have been forgiven.

27. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6 - You'll learn a thing or two..

28. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

31. Do the right thing!

32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. The best is yet to come.

36. Your inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Josiah's photos

Just a few photos of my lil man...more to come

Growing weary

Have you ever wanted to just do something rebellious, despite your convictions because you were tired of always doing good? Maybe it's not the "doing good" part, but more like the "I'm working harder, waiting in lines longer, putting up with more attitude from people at the store, having to listen to a telemarketers full schpeel til I can politely let them know "I ain't interested ..but thank you". Indeed, it's hard trying to do right and so tempting to do otherwise. I was feeling like this recently and talked to my husband about it.

So While going through life, it's so easy to take short-cuts, to cheat a lil here and there, tell that friend or just acquaintance of yours what they want to hear so to avoid a long disagreement or discussion. It's so much easier to do what's best for You right now, rather than for the person you were called to be.

It just doesn't seem right sometimes...it's feels as though doing good by people is almost a punishment, or at least can sure feel like one. In this fleshly, tired body of mine, life would be a whole lot more convenient if I got a full nights rest unbroken by the restlessness of Josiah whose schedule is all messed up right now due to teething (and the Starbucks I've been drinking lately). Even when he finally does nap, there's a list of other things going on like tending to the hubby, dishes, school work and other things that although benefit me in the long run are primarily tended to for reasons beyond myself.

All I know is that I shouldn't grow weary for doing right. I shouldn't complain because man...my life is good - and it really is compared to the large majority of the rest of the world. And to be completely honest, even when I feel weary, when I just wanna go to sleep rather than cook dinner for my family or listen to a stressed out friend about issues going on in her life, or whatever frustrations I have when I see others getting away with not doing the "right" thing, I realize that I am still content, I am happy, and I am blessed to be given such a strong conviction and I thank God for His grace as I remember the words of Jesus "Do not grow weary for doing what is good, for in due season, we will reap a harvest of blessing". Galations 6:9

Indeed, my husbands encouragement made me feel less weary at that moment. Although I already knew these things, it felt good to be listened to, and encouraged from somebody whom I respect, deeply admire, and love and from somebody who in my opinion, does more right than anyone else I know. Now he is a stickler for doing right and does not hesitate to put me in check when I speed even just 3 miles over the speed limit!! haha,,,speeding is speeding he says .....

Loving like God loves

The other day, as I was prepping myself and Josiah for his afternoon nap, something I had not yet realized occurred to me. Having read several books on children, babies and all there is to know about raising, caring, feeding, and training them, I realized that loving them was the result of our training, or lack thereof.

Before giving birth, David and I agreed on the ways in which we would train, set up schedules, and enforce discipline if necessary whether on Josiah or any future kids God gives us. Of course, our plans will probably change as we learn new things and get to know each one of our kids as individuals but for now, we try to remain consistent in what we agreed would be best for Josiah. Needless to say, we have him on a schedule that although is fairly strict, seems to flex nearly every few weeks depending on his growth, teething and other developments that are beyond our control.

So while getting him ready for his nap, he was especially hyper and active that day for the time that it was. I proceeded to lay him on my lap and began to rock him, holding him in a position that he could not wiggle out of. Now, he is a strong boy and even at just 10 months, he can and has on several occasions managed to overcome my attempts to hold him in position or keep him from certain items. He's quick, he's persistent, he's strong-willed and very charming with great potential to charm his way out of submission. His smile definitely make it harder to remain consistent in our training endeavors with him. He's learning what "No" means and likes to give us cute smiles after we tell him "No" about doing something or exhibiting a certain behavior. Anyways, (I digress so easily), that day, through his persistent efforts to get free from my arms and back onto the floor where his knick-knacks were, I realized that my loving him sometimes means, keeping him in a position he doesn't like, knowing it will be in his best interest. That day, he fought, whined, tried endlessly to squirm his way out of my arms, and literally had a fit for about 20 minutes until he finally gave up, grew weary, closed his eyes and fell into a 2-hour sleep.

I made a comment to my husband later, sharing how Josiah teaches us many things - specifically showing me more and more about God's love for his children. God loves us and desires the best for His children. God knows what we need, when we need it, and He knows what things will make us sick and what will put us in harm. Even more, God knows more about His children, then I can ever know about mine. That day, as Josiah wrestled in attempt to get free from my arms and pursue his own endeavors, I held him....I held him and didn't let him go. He was upset with me I'm sure, he was uncomfortable and desired to do his own thing - but I knew that if I didn't put him to nap soon, then the rest of his day would be altered in ways neither of us wanted. I love my son and so I hold him, while he whines, while he cries, while he fights to do something other than, while he is being trained to stay away from certain household hazards and while he learns to self-feed, communicate through signing, and give kisses, I love him.

It's definitely hard being a mom, I have a new appreciation for parents, especially single mothers and single fathers. I will never love the way that God loves his children, but I will do my very best to try, to not be afraid to say "No", to enforce and remain consistent in household duties and rules when Josiah becomes a teenager, to make myself available anytime Josiah wants to talk, to put all my personal tasks aside whenever he calls so that I can answer him, to teach him how to love his friends and to love people like God loves, to train him how to be a gentleman like his earthly and heavenly fathers, in short, I hope to train him up in the way he should go so that when he is older, he will not depart - even when the training is uncomfortable for us both.