* Broken Christmas *

We are in week two of the Christmas Season.  I've had quite a time adjusting to our new place and settling in making it "feel" festive.  In all honesty I have felt a bit broken this Christmas season.  Christmas felt broken too.  I didn't understand why I felt so emotional and why my heart ached so badly.  I decorated the tree, made ginger bread houses, played the music, and decorated the house.  Something about it all seemed "off".  I didn't want to face the reality of what was making my heart break.  It all felt broken because this is the first Christmas that my grandmother isn't here on earth to celebrate with us.  
I was praying this morning and talking to God about how "broken" it all felt and how much I missed her.  I asked him to fill my heart with joy, to show my children that Jesus came long ago to bring us all; Hope, Love, Peace and Joy especially during this season.  I know that I am not alone in this, I know for many Christmas brings out many emotions (not always good) and sometimes they are too hard to bear them alone.  It's okay if you feel sad, it's okay if you feel alone and it's okay if you feel like Christmas is broken or not the same this year.  The truth is that you're not alone.  God cares about you and wants to fill your heart with his gifts of Hope, Love, Peace and Joy.  I'm grateful for a God who loves me even when my attitude or actions don't reflect his love in me.  I am grateful for the family who I have here with me and that I can love on them and make new memories with.  I am grateful that my sweet grandmother is at peace and basking gloriously in God's presence.  I am grateful for the moments and the treasures I have stored in my heart when I think of her.  No matter how broken my heart may feel, Christmas isn't broken.  

 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so 
that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit". 
Romans 15:13

This was last year.  The last Christmas I would ever spend with her. 

* Coffee, Chats and Commitments *

I am never one to turn down a coffee date.  I would say among all my favorite pass times chatting with a friend at a coffee house is one of my faves.  Today was no exception.  I thought this coffee meeting was just an innocent and casual meet up.  God had other plans. I was challenged and reminded by my friend that when God calls us to something we should always step out in faith (yes even when it's scary). Are you mind blown yet? Simple concept I know.  But I still hesitate.  I have been feeling the need to share this message, this stirring in me to share about God's goodness and I've kept it to myself.  Why is it so scary?  It shouldn't be difficult to share Jesus at all.  Right?  
I'm grateful for the moments God appoints and uses to remind us that we should trust him, follow him and know his plans are not ours.  I am taking the steps towards this today, this moment, right now!  So today, if you are hearing God but it's scary or you have no idea where to begin I encourage you to pray.  Pray for boldness, pray for direction and pray for friends that will keep you on the right track.  He is faithful and he will do everything to help you achieve his will in your life.  So go! Go do it! Step out in faith, he's got your back, he really does.  

* Ortiz Family Grinchmas *

Today was the day to get Grinchy!  Our family started this tradition last year when we realized how much we all loved The Grinch story. 

This year our Grinchmas party became an all day event complete with Grinchy slime, fun crafts, games and writing activities. Our day started off with a yummy breakfast with none other than some green Grinchy toppings and green milk.   Here are the kids ready to start their day. 

We dove right in to our morning work since this was a home study day for us.   We began first by discussing some Grinch characteristics and facts that we know about him.  Here are the children working on their ideas. 

Then we had a little bit of fun and practiced some spelling with how the Grinch stole words! 

We then moved on to one of my favorite activities of the day.  We talked about being a friend to the Grinch and how that would make him feel.  The kids each wrote about how they could be a friend to the Grinch and how being kind is important. 

They then got to decorate their written note about the Grinch to make it look like he was hugging their letter.   So sweet!

We love making flubber!  Today we used a little bit of green food coloring to make it a bit more Grinchy.  We practiced measuring and mixing and following a recipe.  Here's our bouncy, sticky, slimy and green Grinchy flubber. 

It's not a complete party for us if we don't throw in a craft or two.  Today we tried painting ornaments for the first time and they came out so adorable.   We made them green of course with a red sparkly heart to show our love for the Grinch and to remind us that his heart grew when he chose to be kind. 

 

 We decided that while our ornaments dried we would play a game of pin the heart on the Grinch.  Sam won and his prize was kisses (as in Hershey kisses and we all really ate some anyway).  

 

Later when dad got home we enjoyed our tradition of a Grinch themed dinner.  Here is a copy of the menu I made last year. 

Here are the kids ready to eat their Who Hash, Roast Beast and Who Pudding for dessert!   We ended our night by watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  

 

This is such a fun family tradition and we had a fun home study day as well.  Most of my activities I found on Pinterest.  I did make my own worksheets using Publisher and a free Grinched font.  I also made the large Grinch for the game and had it laminated so that we could use it again and again.  The cups I found at Ross and our Grinch shirts were from Christmas last year.  (Shop after Christmas for the best deals and buy a size or two larger for the kids)   From our family to yours.   MERRY GRINCHMAS!

 

* Sandy Toes *

It's mid year and it is completely unacceptable!  I am not ready to begin thinking about going back to school.  (We got our supply list request already)

Last weekend we spent Father's day at the beach.  We took a little train ride to San Clemente Pier with the kids and some of our friends and it was quite the adventure.  It was nice to not have to worry about traffic and just relax and talk the whole ride there and back.  Although the kids mostly ate as usual. 

It's funny because while at the beach they were too busy playing so the train ride home really consisted of them devouring whatever food we had left over.  They had a great time and I hope they always remember their first train ride adventure.

The beach was beautiful, it wasn't too hot nor was it too cold.  The kids had a blast except for the pesky little rocks.  (That beach has a ton!) 

The kids only got out of the water when we told them to come walk with us on the boardwalk.  Seriously these kids played the entire time in the ocean and they loved every second.  I got a few adorable pictures of them while going on our boardwalk adventure.  Aren't the adorable?

I know the daddies had a great time with their kiddies too.  It was a gorgeous and fun family day for all of us.   We are so blessed to have such wonderful husbands and dads for our children.   

 

I love summer time and hanging at the beach.  Father's day 2015 was surely a great one.

 

* Adventure is out there *

Rather than the normal walk around the neighborhood I usually try to take advantage of our location.  We don't live in a major city and we are blessed to be surrounded by mountains and nature galore.  We often go seek adventure near my mom's house at the Santa Rosa Plateau. 

Our recent visit there we brought my brother in law Nick and his fiancé Carrie along.  Needless to say the kids enjoyed the talks, laughs and jokes along the way. 

Aren't they adorable?

Samuel has become quite the trail leader and he never leaves home without his walking stick that he made in Rangers a few years back.  

Our most recent hike took us to Sandia Creek (we found no watermelons there).  This trail is very close to Camp Pendleton so Carlos met up with us after work as we all set off for a new adventure.  This time we had my other brother in law and sister in law join us.  

What a lovely crew this is right?

 

Carlos, the kids and I have gone on quite a few hikes this year but it's always so much fun to bring family along.  Some of our hikes have included;  Tenaja falls, Santa Rosa (twice now), the Meadow, Cabrillo trails and Sandia Creek.

 

I would really like to hike up to the Hollywood sign (that's totally on my bucket list) and I would also like to venture out to potato chip rock.  I think those hikes will be more like date hikes because they are probably not as easy for little feet and small legs. 

 

 

Alrighty....get up, get out! Adventure is out there!  

 



* Pause to Listen *

I knew the minute the doorknob wouldn’t turn that I was in big trouble. 

You see, my then 1 ½ year old son had locked me out of the house completely.  I was stranded in our garage with no cell phone or keys and apparently no common sense.  I was ready to kick down that door!  I was going to save my toddler! I heard him through the door and I kept calling out to him tapping the door fervently and saying “Sammy, can you turn the lock?  Sammy, its mommy please unlock the door”.  I heard mumbles and shuffling and the door wiggled but the door remained locked. 

I did what any normal mother would do and ran to my neighbor’s house screaming!  My sweet neighbor was able to move a screen, slide the window and slip into my house in less than 10 minutes.  Why didn’t I think of that?  I saw my sweet boys face as he held his sippy cup and innocently said “Hi mama”.  I knew then that everything was alright with the world. 

Why was I so panicked? Why is it that every single bad scenario played through my mind and I visualized my toddler going into the kitchen and just taking out all the sharp things.  Why was my mind going there so quickly?  What seemed like an entire hour of my sweet toddler being alone in the house simply lasted about 20 minutes maybe even less!  Why did I let fear block my thinking capabilities?  If I would have remained calm, I would have remembered that my guest bedroom window was probably opened and if it wasn’t we usually didn’t lock the windows anyway.  I could have slid the screen and climbed through the window but instead I pounded at the door in fear and in desperation and then in just pure unashamedly insanity.  Who does that? Apparently I do!

Are we facing our fears calmly knowing that our heavenly father is giving us a solution and a way out? Or are we frantically trying to go up against them with no real plan pounding on all the wrong closed doors? 

The Bible says in Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Does that mean that I didn’t pray on that day when Sam locked me out of the house? Of course not!  I sure did pray but it was more of the begging kind like “please, please God have him open this door”.  I did not stop long enough to listen to God’s answer, perhaps if I would have I would have stayed calm enough to find the solution.   I was thankful that nothing happened to my sweet boy and thankful that my neighbor was home and was able to help me come up with a solution for getting into my house.  I am so thankful that I am not left alone to my own devices and that in time of worry I can look to my creator who gives me the strength and wisdom to overcome difficulties. 

What do you need to overcome today?  Have you stopped worrying long enough to hear God give you the solution or answer? 

Lord I know there will be plenty more times when we will panic and react in a way that may not be pleasing to you.  Please help us to remember that you listen to our prayers and provide solutions so long as we take the time to trust in you.  Father give us the ears to hear from you and the wisdom to wait on you.  Amen

* It's Magical *

We often hear how "MAGICAL" Christmas time is right? I get it.  There IS something about this Season but rather than it being MAGICAL I think it's HOLY.  There is a Holiness that accompanies this time of year.

For one, we focus on the birth of Jesus.  It's also a time where people want to give, bless, volunteer, and take care of others.  It's a time that diminishes selfishness in this world for a brief moment.  Just a quick one.  These are all things that can contribute to this euphoric feeling of Christmas time.  Nostalgia some may even call it. 

Yes, we all have the cherished childhood memories and family traditions during Christmas but it isn't just those things that encompass how "MAGICAL" Christmas feels. 

Christmas is Holy.  Christmas is a time to celebrate JESUS and the Hope, Joy, Love and Peace he gives to us all.  Many of my favorite Christmas songs to sing are those that include something about the birth of our savior.  My favorite Christmas song in particular is "Oh Holy Night" the best part of that song is when it say's "FALL ON YOUR KNEES".  Why does it say that? because it's an act of worship.  Why? because GOD is HOLY!

"For un to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulder, and He will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace."  Isaiah 9:6

See what I mean? there was no MAGIC mentioned in that verse.  It's proclaiming the mightiness of God our everlasting father our prince of peace.  Oh how Holy is he, our wonderful counselor. 

I don't know about you but I'd like my kids to keep the focus on how HOLY and wonderful Christmas time is without any gimmicks and silly little elves making messes in my home.  Too many believe the Christmas "MAGIC" is in those things.  Well let me tell you, it's not in the Santa's, snowmen, gingerbread houses or elves.

Of course we decorate gingerbread houses and check out the Christmas lights but we have chosen to not make a big deal about Santa Clause in our house.  Why? I don't want my kids to put their hopes in something that isn't real.  I would much rather teach them to put all of their faith and trust in God who is real.  We are sensitive to our friends who do make a big deal about Santa in their home and tell our kids that it's all just fun and pretend.  It's just not what makes Christmas "Magical" for us.  We want Christmas to remain "HOLY" in our home to the best of our ability.  I'm not saying that believing in Santa makes it less Holy than not believing.  I'm just keeping the focus more on Jesus rather than other things that can sometimes distract from what Christmas is all about.  To each it's own. 

I really wanted to share my heart with you because I'm asked often "Your kids don't believe in Santa?" like we are crazy people or something or as if there is something missing for them at Christmas time. 

Our kids love Christmas, they love taking photos with Santa if we see one.  They have the best Christmas memories and they know JESUS is the true reason for ALL Seasons! 

So next time you hear someone say "Christmas is so magical"  ask them why?  tell them about Jesus if they don't know and remember to keep CHRIST in Christmas.