* On Broadway *

The kids got to experience their first live musical today.  ANNIE!  Samara (lover of all things musical) really enjoyed herself.  Samuel and I loved it too. 

Community theater productions are such a great way to introduce the kids to the world of Broadway. 

I have always loved musicals and I've had the chance to see three of them:  Phantom of the opera, Chicago and Wicked.  All of the fabulous.  I hope to one day be able to see one in New York city on Broadway.  (Sigh) One day.

In the meantime, I am happy to introduce the kids to a few classics and get them exposed to a little bit of art, music and culture.

Here they are excited before the production began. 

 

 

We went with our friend Denise and all of us had a blast.  Their first live musical was a great experience.  I think next up on our list will be Peter Pan. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Daily Lovin *

Why is Valentine's Day such a big deal? I know the retailers see it as another way to make a profit for sure.  Wasn't there Valentine's day stuff at Target in December?  Seems like we never get through just one holiday at a time, but is Valentine's day a holiday? 

It is for me.  I actually love Valentine's day and here is why: 

Now don't get me wrong, I think we obviously need to show our loved ones and people we do life with Love on the daily...BUT on Valentine's day we get to go all out. 

We get to do a little extra for our husbands and our little one's.  I delight in decorating the house, making crafts, talking about the love of Jesus for us and sneaking in some sweet treats in lunchboxes.  I love making Valentine cards for my children and making sure they know what treasures they are to my heart.  I love going on a special date with my husband and receiving a heart felt card from him.  I also love to LOVE on my extended family and friends. 

There is something special that happens when you let someone know that you truly LOVE them.  I think our hearts grow bigger and I think Jesus smiles down because just as we parents like to see our kids being kind to one another and walking in LOVE.  I think God delights in us too when we do the same. 

I choose LOVE in the midst of frustration
I choose LOVE in the midst of chaos
I choose LOVE in those situations where it is hard to
I choose LOVE because I am worthy of receiving it
I choose LOVE daily. 

"But now faith, hope, love, abide these three;  but the greatest of these is LOVE"  1Corinthians 13:13

* Madre *

I call my grandmother "Madre" it means "mother" in Spanish.  I assume that It's because that's what my mom calls her and so yeah it just made sense.

I spent a lot of summers at my grandmother's house in Guatemala and besides almost dying every single time due to her three cats and two dogs, I loved every minute.

I started drinking coffee probably at the age of 7 so it's no wonder that coffee, french bread, cheese and black beans were my staple while at my grandmother's house.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner.  No joke!  I lived on that stuff and I probably still could.  It's heaven in my mouth.

Anyway, I remember plenty about my grandmother but more importantly there are a few key things that will always stay with me.  I realize that my grandma is still around and that I can continue to cherish my time spent with her but in all reality it isn't the same anymore.

My grandmother still has the biggest heart, she still loves Jesus with every part of her being but she is slowly drifting. 

"Gracias Jesus" those words have been uttered out of my grandmother's mouth more times that I can count.  I remember thinking it was so weird to hear her constantly thanking Jesus.  I was a child and I would look around trying to see what it was she was saying thank you for.  I never physically saw anything and I don't think she was even thinking of anything in specific, she was just always thanking Jesus with a sincere heart.  I get it now.  I understand that finding true joy stems from thanksgiving.  I realize that she was just praising God and showing gratitude for everything in her life. 

My grandmother always spent hours reading her Bible.  I have one of her favorite Bibles all torn and falling apart.  I don't know how I scored that gem but the Bible is in Spanish so I haven't explored it too much.  When I was a kid she would just walk up to me and start reading, anything at all just random things out of the Bible.  (At least I thought they were random).  I realize now that she was reading scripture to me to encourage me, lift me up and to sew the seeds of God's word in my heart.

She always sang.  There was always an old hymn being sung by her while she cooked, while she cleaned, as she washed clothes as she walked around the house arms in the air I remember telling her she sounded like Snow White.  Sometimes she would sing to me and smile and I would roll my eyes thinking how silly she was.  In reality I think I inherited the singing from her.  I tend to do that with my kids now and they smile at me and think I'm silly.  

I used to color with her all the time and when I got in to Barbie she made the Barbies clothes.  She made one of my Barbies an amazing wedding dress. I still have it too!

I am thankful for her relentless love of Jesus and for her sharing that passion with me and being that example.

I am blessed by these women in my life.  I pray that I can pass on the love and passion for Jesus to my girl like my mom and grandmother have done for me. 
  

* New all over *

I normally write on my journal the very first day of the new year. It usually feels so quiet, fresh and new.  This year was the first time that it didn't feel like that for me.  I still don't know exactly why that is but I know it's unusual.  I can feel It in the air usually (the newness) but this year did not feel that way.

It feels new in other ways though.  It feels new in the way that I am searching for more of God in my life.  It feels new in the way that I am drawing closer to my husband and working on our relationship becoming stronger and better.  It feels new that I am making progress with my relationship with my mom.  It feels new in the sense that I have so much more knowledge in how I should be raising my kids.  (I thank Jesus for that). 

There are memories to be made, songs to be sung and places to be seen.  I look forward to this year because I know that God is moving in my life.  Perhaps that's why I did not sense the change of that first day. Perhaps it's because the change has slowly already been happening in my life for quite some time. 

All I know is that I am thankful, with open arms ready to receive and hear what God may have for me. 

In the quiet of his presence in the newness of his word and in the freshness of his Holy Spirit I look forward, I anticipate and I embrace this new year.