It's All Worth It

The most beautiful moment happened for this Mama here. Yes, childbirth, breastfeeding, cuddling, singing, watching my child wolf down a dish I made . . . all of these moments are precious to behold, but there is one that I think might have surpassed them all.

It all started with bickering . . .

What?

Beautiful? I don't think so.

But, wait. There's more.

Martini was bitter and bothered that Ethan had a particular Lego minifig that was his and while Martini was eating, Ethan was playing with it. Well, he just couldn't handle it because Ethan got it first but he wanted it (even though he can't have toys at the table nor could he be excused just yet.)

Upon further examination I found that he had remembered (incorrectly it seems) that Daddy had at one time made Martini give up three minifigs to Ethan who already had 13 because Ethan claimed they were his. This would then result in Martini only having two and Ethan having 16.

Example of Lego minifigs (minifigures).


Whoa!! Whoa!!! First of all, we have a rule in this house. A gift received is that person's to play with the whole day without the requirement to share that day and maybe the next day. But, after that, all toys become the whole family's. We are a team. A cohesive unit that works together and shares all things (in theory and desire!).

Soooo, I had Martini talk to Daddy on the phone in tears, and they resolved that either Martini remembered incorrectly (most probable) or Daddy made a mistake. Martini still struggled and said some choice thing to Ethan and punched the air. He then took a set Ethan built and threw it into the bin. Ethan began crying.

Example of a Lego set they painstakingly build by themselves with their never-ending imaginations.


I then send Martini to the room for discipline. I put Giselle down with Ethan and Carmelita and let out a great, big sighing moan with a, "I hate disciplining you guys! Do you know that?!?!" Then, I go to the room with a deflated heart knowing what I have to do and praying for wisdom.

I walk in and Martini is livid. He is red and had tears coming down his cheeks. He felt like he had been so unjustly treated.

Me: Martini, why did you throw Ethan's set in the bin?
M: I threw mine in too!
Me: I don't care about your set. Why did you ruin Ethan's?
M: It wasn't just Ethan's. I put mine in too.
Me: Martini. Stop deflecting. Why did you do that? Did you ask Ethan?
M: No.
Me: No, what?
M: No, ma'am.
Me: OK. Well, you know that I am going to have to give you a spankin'. Martini, you should not have done that. You should have just been loving to Ethan and been the example. He probably would have shared with you if you had just asked.
M: No he wouldn't (now crying). He is so mean! He was laughing and looking at me like, Haha!
Me: Well, he should not have done that. I will talk to him. But still, you should have been loving to him. Who knows, he might have seen you being loving to him and then want to be loving back!
M: It's not fair! Daddy made me give him THREE of my men to him and he already had a huge army with 13 men. That makes 16 for him and I had only two left!.
Me: Martini, we already talked with Daddy. You know that he is always so fair. Being fair is so important to Daddy. You know that! Daddy already said it was either a mistake or maybe you are remembering differently. Anyway, that is not the issue here. We know that Daddy is so loving. Right?
M: Yes, ma'am

Then I had to leave for a moment to help with Giselle or something. Then I returned.

M: I prayed. (he says with his voice breaking)
Me: What?
M: I prayed.
Me: What did you pray for?
M: I prayed that God would help me be nice to Ethan and that he would give me my man back. (he says now crying)

Oh, to hear your child has prayed on his own without prompting is amazing! His spirit was broken and he was going to his Comforter. I could tell he was broken. He wasn't just saying this to get out of a spankin' or to appease me. I KNOW WHEN THAT HAPPENS!

I took my big boy in my arms and just hugged him.

Me: Martini. You did the best thing. I am so proud of you. Son, if all our time arguing and homeschooling and staying at home was to have you pray on your own for these critical learning times, then it is worth it all. This is what counts. I am so proud of you. Now, I need to give you a spankin' but because I see your heart is right, I want to extend grace and not give you one . . . unless you still want one. (I say kiddingly)
M: No, I want one.
Me: What?!?
M: I still want you to give me one.
Me: Why?
M: Because I did something terrible?
Me: What? (I ask wondering what he is talking about. Did he do something else that I don't know about!)
M: I destroyed his set (he is crying again)
Me: Oh, Sweetheart. That was not a nice thing, but I am telling you that I am encouraged by your heart and your desire to do what is right. I'll tell you what. If a spankin' is needed. I will take the spankin.' (I say with tears in my eyes)
M: Nooooo!
Me: Son, I will take it for you, because I love you and I want to extend grace.
M: Noooo, Mommy. I don't want you to.
Me: OK. Well, you are free and I want you to go and play with your brother.

We hugged and I just have been praising the Lord so much for such a moment.


Thank you Lord!!! So many things reminded me of your goodness with this short interaction:
1.) The need for justice by EVERYONE. It is indelibly printed on the hearts of all men and children get that concept at a very young age . . . even 3-year-olds. God is a just God who requires payment for our sins.
2.) How loving MyLove is to his children. He can't stand the thought of favoritism or injustice. There is just no way he would be knowingly unfair. God is the same with all. He died for the whole world . . . not an elect few! John 3:16
3.) My heart hurt to think that Martini still wanted the spankin' for what he had done. I love him so much that I would take it for him (I would die for my children, but you know what I mean). Jesus Christ love each one of us . . . each human being so much that he took the due punishment for each of us and died with our sins and the guilt of our sins on Himself. It is too much to fathom, really.

All glory and praise to Him!!!

A Tough Start to 2011

As always, where does one begin?

Well, how about here: MyLove got sick on Christmas Eve with something of a stomach bug.

Soon thereafter, Ethan got 5th disease, a.k.a slap cheek. and croup. His asthma came on pretty strong. He had one of the worst coughing fits we have ever seen. It was unstoppable and we didn't know what to do. Finally, MyLove came up with the idea of steam treatment. We had a vaporizer but it wasn't doing anything. We boiled a pot of water and had him sit above it and how beautifully it worked. The Lord gave us a remedy that worked wonders and didn't cost us a thing!

We had dear friends over on New Year's day with Martini so sick with asthma that he didn't want to open the gifts they had brought for the kids. The following night we almost took him to the E.R. but talked with our pediatrician who helped us and the next morning were worked in at a dr.'s office. Martini tested positive for strep but is actually an a-symptomatic carrier. He was struggling with asthma as a result of a virus, maybe croup. Our blessed pediatrician saw us a few days later and said he shouldn't have taken the antibiotics because the strep wasn't what caused the inflammation of the asthma but probably the virus instead. We always learn a lot from him. He is the beeeeest and we praise the Lord for him. Our doctor is NEVER quick to prescribe medicines and has helped us not have to go to the E.R. various times.

Carmelita then got sick with croup and her asthma started up. She hasn't had asthma in such a long time. Her coughing was so bad that she would cry because her stomach hurt from coughing. We did the steam treatments for her as well (along with the inhaler and steroid) and she improved very well. She was so funny because she would climb on the chair and say, "Mommy, I'm ready for my steam!" as if it was some kind of beauty treatment!

Each of them were probably sick for about two solid weeks with a fever for about five days straight.

The kids were finally healed or on the mend when I got sick with the flu. I tried so hard not to breathe on Giselle, but being a nursing co sleeper makes that a very difficult task. I had to resist kissing her and sharing any drink or food. We prayed and prayed all throughout the sicknesses that she would not get sick, but she did and it was the flu.

Giselle with the flu. Oh, how that just breaks my heart. She did very well. We treated her fever and snot-snatched her nose often. This is when breastfeeding is king! It comforted her, put her to sleep, and gave her the necessary calories she so needed. She was in the wrap a lot when I could get up. The Lord would give me these bursts of energy and wellness so I could get some much needed things done and I would wrap her and she so needed it. It kept her upright with all that drainage and comforted her to be on me.

But, how beautifully the Lord works. MyLove took the whole week off to help me and the kids. Really I just needed him to take care of the kids, I was just desperate to lay down and sleep/rest with all the aching. Well, literally the the final morning I was sick, I really improved by the afternoon and by the evening MyLove came down with a terrible fever and he got the flu as well. We just praise the Lord that I was able to take over fully well and that we weren't sick at the same time! What a blessing!

Martini at the Dr.'s office doing a nebulizer treatment.

We are all better now, but I had sent out an email to all our family telling them of our situation and that we were so desperate with the kids' asthma. We are taking measures to help improve their asthma as best we can. Anyway, here is the email (as a time reference for myself):

Dearest family,

Wow, we are already almost finished with week #2 in 2011! Can you believe it? I pray that this year is just full of new revelations of God's love for you!

Well, we have been through one of the toughest bouts of asthma for both Martini, Ethan and Carmelita in a long time. This past week we were getting ready to take Martini to the ER Monday) but thankfully, we were worked in at a doctor's office here in Pearland who gave him a nebulizer treatment and prescribed him a steroid and antibiotic. Ethan went to our pediatrician the following evening. And last night I was up with Carmelita treating her asthma off and on. Her coughing has been so tough on her little body. Croup is the main culprit, but Martini has had sinus stuff and is a carrier of strep.

When our family gets sick, its pretty intensive. A simple cold turns into quite the ordeal when their asthma flares up. My mom and sister (and ourselves) have wondered if it is something in the house, but thankfully we haven't had any mold problems or anything like that.

Last week, MyLove spoke with a friend whose son had severe asthma and he firmly told MyLove that we should get rid of all our carpet. He said that he first started with his son's room and immediately saw improvement. They ended up putting wood/laminate throughout his entire house and his son doesn't struggle anymore! I am so excited about this. MyLove and I have talked about getting wood floors since we moved in, but haven't prioritized saving up or shopping around or making time for it. I would just love to see the kids not deal with asthma!!!

Along that vein, I will be getting rid of certain items that might be harboring dust/mites/allergens including stuffed animals and removing the curtains from their room. I am going to let the kids each choose about five stuffed animals to keep and store them. They will be able to play with one at a time or so. The others I am going to donate/give away. Many have been given to us by you (our family) and I just wanted to thank you for your love in giving them. We wanted to even see if you would like them for kids you know. Just let me know and I can give some to you! We just want to make this a healthy environment for our kids and not exasperate their asthma.

Thank you so much for understanding. We are looking forward to this new direction and prayerfully seek wisdom to make the best decisions for our kids' health.

With love,
Cristina and Martin

Conversations with Carmelita

Today:
Carmelita and I are playing this little mini game of bowling. The pins are the size of a, I don't know, about an inch to inch and a half tall. The "bowling ball" is a sweet, green marble. We play a couple of rounds and then Ethan comes to join in . . .

E: I want to play. Carmelita, can I play too?
C: Yes! O.K. Ethan, these are the bullets . . . (pointing to the pins). You have to roll the ball and knock down all the bullets.

Obviously I need to explain that they are bowling pins but MyLove and I were having too much fun listening.

Last Week:
C: Mommy, what are you making?
Me: Some toast.
C: Wow, that is big toast!
Me: Yes, you are right.
C: Mommy, wouldn't it be funny if the toast was so big it was as big as a rocket launcher!?
Me: Oh, my. That would be huge! (I respond tickled at the odd placement of such a comment!)
C: (laughing now), Yeah, it would be like the size of a house!

A Few Weeks Ago:
Me: Carmelita, who are you talking to?
C: Hello Kitty
Me: Oh, what are you doing?
C: Fighting bad guys
Me: Oh, OK.

My poor little daughter. MyLove said tonight that if anyone heard her comments they would immediately know that she must have older brothers! She is truly such a girly girl, but sometimes she says these things because that is what she is surrounded by. Soon enough, Giselle and she will be reveling in their girl time and having a ball!

Celebrating Lael

On December 11th, 2010, we celebrated Lael and gave all glory to the Lord for allowing her to be a part of our lives in the small way she was. It was two years ago. Even though we didn't get to meet her, she sure had a big impact on all of us.

That morning, we went to the cemetery to see her gravemarker and pray together. We talked about where she is right now and how she has a perfect body. She longs for nothing and is completely enveloped in God's love. Wow! What an amazing thought! The kids love to talk about her and get excited for the day we can meet her.

We swept her grave marker and the kids found wild flowers to put on it. Ethan found the red petals blowing by and picked them up to place on it as well (we made sure he wasn't taking them from another grave! We had to talk to them about that. They asked why they couldn't just take the other nice flowers and put them on Lael's grave!)

Here is Giselle sweeping away!





We made our traditional gingerbread house in her honor. Martini's school had a gingerbread contest and the boys got so excited about adding little Lego minifigs to the design. They got quite creative!




These times are so special. The Lord uses them to turn our focus on what really matters. Longing for heaven and longing to be with our Saviour come to the forefront of our minds and our joy is renewed at what is to come. Sometimes it seems far off, and yet, we remember how fragile life is and how close we really are. Our days are numbered. May they be used for His glory.

Daddy with Giselle

I was going through some photos and found this stunner. Babe, you're so sexy!


MyLove had Giselle wrapped on his back in our new Didymos Jack. She looks so cute with her hands folded.


And here is another precious pic with MyLove holding Giselle after he had rocked her to sleep.

Park Time

Wow. What beautiful weather we have been having. We have enjoyed some time outside, but not as much as we'd like because of sickness and trying to get caught up in school.

Recently, we met up with Mike and cousins at the park and the kids had a great time.

Martini's Thoughts

We are doing Social Studies review and talking about what kind of pollution a leaking oil freight would produce . . .

Martini: Water pollution?

Me: Yes! Good job. Hey, remember the oil that was spilling into the gulf because of BP . . .

Martini: Oh, Tony Hayward? (he says before I could finish my sentence.)

Me: Yes. Ok, well next question.

***

After a somewhat tough morning and afternoon of me getting after him during school . . .

Me: Martini, I am sorry for being so tough on you today. Son, you are a smart boy and you have a great brain, so when I see you just staring off into space and not doing your work, it frustrates me because it takes us so long to move on.

Martini: I can't help it. Sometimes I am just daydreaming about gold . . . or Jesus . . . and sometimes about Genevieve and who I'm going to marry.

Me: Son, why are you worried about who you're going to marry? That is a long way away?

Martini: Well, what if I'm daydreaming about Jesus. Isn't it better to dream about Jesus than just do school work?

Me: It's always good to think about Jesus, but He also wants us to be responsible with the things we are supposed to do.

I then wanted to go on about my responsiblities as his mommy and how I can't just sit there all day and think and read my Bible, despite my desire to curl up with a cup of coffee and the Bible . . . but, we were interrupted and we moved on with the lesson.

***

After visiting with Genevieve and her precious family we came home and Martini went quickly to work with a pencil and paper. Later he showed us what he was so intently working on. He made a graph-sort of thing that showed how many years he has to get to 25 and then at 18 he starts dating and then at around 21 gets engaged and then around 23 thinks about what woman he would like to marry in case there are others and then at 25 marriage.

We asked him why 25, and he said that is how many lines he could put on the paper. Since then, he has repeatedly talked about how he will get married at 25. We told him that he will not need a long engagement if he knows who he is going to marry and that he will not get engaged unless he is sure she is the one. He sorted these bits of info in his filefolder of a brain and carried on!

Oh, that boy! He is such a romantic, imaginative, analytical little being. I love him so.