* Making Memories *

I've talked before on my love of EVERYTHING tea.  Today I had an opportunity to host yet another tea party for the ladies in my family.  I'd like to call it our "Lot's of Love tea".  Samara and I decorated and set up a sweet table display and of course since it is Valentine's month it was all hearts and flowers. 

Here are some photos of our tables. 

We had some sweet strawberry heart fabric left over from Samara's birthday party and it made for a perfect little table cloth.  

We ate the traditional cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches & heart shaped scones of course.  We also had a fresh salad and some yummy strawberries.  (It is almost season). 

This was the first time that I had the opportunity to have my grandmother over for a tea party and I hope she cherishes it as much as I did. 

 

I am hoping that this little gesture of love will always be a sweet memory for Samara and I hope to one day be the one attending one of he tea parties at her house. In the meantime I am enjoying the women in my family.  Praying daily for them and knowing God is bringing us all closer together. 

Until next time.  Cheers!!

* 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.  

* Published *

I haven't obviously blogged for a few months now.  (December was my last entry).  I have missed the quickness of sharing with my family and friends through this blog and well here I am.  

Recently (as in last month) I got my first Children's book published.  WHAT?? I know right.

This was truly a long process but totally worth the wait and hard work.  Most of you know that this has been a dream of mine for quite some time.  God gave me the idea for this amazing story and then provided me an illustrator.  Finding a publisher was no easy task.

This has been such an amazing experience and I am hoping to be able to work on something else soon.  Right now I need to focus on what God's direction is with this first book.  I want to encourage kids and I also want to develop myself as a writer/author.  It feels weird typing that!

My friend helped me create this fun blog that helps me share a bit more about what my goals are with this Children's book.  Here is the link;  SATURN BOOKS  here you can find out about events that I get to be a part of. It's such an honor and joy for me to join in on these fun and amazing Children's Book events.  I am more excited about being a part of the Children's Book Festival this year especially since a few years ago I only dreamed of being a part of it.  I get to be a part of it this year!  All Glory to God for that.

That's about it for now.  I have a few pictures to share here on a fun little book signing I did with my family and friends at Ryan Bros. Coffee house in Temecula.  

A special thanks to my family and my friends (who are basically my family too).  

God really know's how to make this girl (me) Happy!!  
    

* Tis the Season *

Our family began a new tradition this year.  We began doing an Advent Bible study that is four weeks long and keeps the meaning of Christmas in true perspective.

We have a word of the week such as; Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.  All which are gifts given to us by Jesus.  Each day we do a different Bible verse and a fun family activity for the week.  It has been a true pleasure sharing this with the kids and making sure that they know Christmas isn't just lights, presents, treats and candy canes.  

In the true spirit of Christmas however, we have had so much fun these past weeks doing things like; making peppermint bark, baking shape cookies and decorating them, having a Christmas party at the park with our friends while we also decorated cookies and made Christmas crafts, visits to the Santa who stops at our "Star" on our street bringing canned goods to needy families, checking out the light show down the street for the 100th time, drinking hot chocolate at home while watching Polar Express, watching Christmas movies almost daily, going to DISNEYLAND while it's all decked out for Christmas and making a ton of crafts here at home.  It is so much fun to share these moments with my kids and hopefully creating in them cherished memories they may pass down to their Children.  Below are a few pictures of what the last two weeks have looked like.

Merry Christmas 2012 from our family to yours and may God's Hope, Love, Joy and Peace reign supreme in your lives!!

XOXOXO

The Ortiz Family