* White Jeeps *

When I first started driving at age 16, I often found myself driving behind a white Jeep.  It was a very noticeable thing for me.  I would be driving to school or work and either on the road or on the freeway, there I was behind a white Jeep.  At first I thought it was such a peculiar coincidence.  I often joked with my passengers about how funny it was that I always ended up behind a white Jeep in traffic and on the road.  My friends would even point out the white Jeep as it was such a common occurrence.  (never the same person so it wasn't like I drove behind someone that lived in my neighborhood who owned a white Jeep ).  
How common are white Jeeps anyway? I actually looked it up, only 4% of Jeeps are white, 21 % are green/teal and 16% are red.  Not as common as I thought.  

I started to really pay close attention to the times I was often found driving behind a random white Jeep and it occurred to me that some of those times I was alone and asking God to guide me and direct me with something specific in my life.  I started praying and asking God if this whole white Jeep thing was something I should think more on.  Was I crazy for thinking that this white Jeep was somehow a message God was using to communicate to me? I felt silly just even thinking about it but it kept happening for years.  In fact, it still does.  
Yesterday while driving in the rain and taking my kids to school there it was.  The Jeep was directly in front of me in slow moving traffic making a right turn just as I needed to make.  I remembered something.  A few years back, after questioning my sanity, ha!  God placed on my heart the need to look into this further.  I did the typical (look for the definition of Jeep and the word white) and found this;  JEEP= A small, durable, general purpose vehicle with 4-wheel drive.  WHITE=reflecting all the rays of sunlight or a pure light, used to describe snow.  Mind blowing? Not really.  So why was Jesus prompting me to look further into this silly little Jeep thing?  

One day as I was driving in Florida on my way to Church an actual alligator was crossing the Expressway.  (no joke!).  I had to slow down and wait for this massive thing to continue on it's path.  It was early in the morning and I was the only car on the road and I had this highway all to myself.  When the alligator finished crossing, a car drove past me and got into my lane, right in front of me.  Can you guess what type of car it was? It was at that moment that this silly little Jeep coincidence made sense to me.  

The words durable and light stood out to me like never before.  Durable is also another word for lasting and enduring.  God almighty is ever lasting and he's the light of my life!  Without a doubt (you may think I am silly) I knew that this Jeep was God's way of telling me that I was on the right path.  I knew instantly that he was physically showing me that the actual path I was on was the right one at that moment in my life for me.  

When I have questioned big moves like moving to Florida, when I have doubted my school or degree choice, when I wasn't sure about the job I was doing, when I was driving to serve at Church, when I drove my children to school and hoped and prayed I made the right school choice for them.  ALL of those times God was reminding me that I was on the right path.  That he's proud of me and that he is lasting and he is my light.  Even if I stray from his path for my life, he gives me the opportunity to get back on the right road and follow him. I still find myself driving behind white Jeeps often and I always smile and give God thanks for his visual reminder that he approves.    

* Here we go again *

Here we are again!  The start of a brand new year.  January 1st always feels so quiet and peaceful to me.  (Maybe it's because everyone is tired from staying up late on New Years Eve).  It's also the calm after the "Storm" and by storm I mean;  Thanksgiving, Christmas, cookie making, merry making, presents, shopping, cleaning, hosting, gathering and advent activities.  All the stuff that can make us feel so busy crazy yet so joyful at the same time. This is a big year for us.  This is an even year for my babes.  This year Sam will be turning 10 and Samara will be turning 8! I remember thinking when they were 1 and 3 (I can't wait until they are 8 and 10 because things will be so much easier).  In a way, a lot of things are easier.  Sam can pretty much feed himself and his sister, nobody is in diapers, everyone sleeps through the night unless we watch E.T (that's not a fun night).  As I think about how much "easier" it is these days I actually feel it's a lot harder.  Sam is asking tough questions that I don't always have answers to, Samara is stretching and turning into a tiny lady and they see and don't fully understand the world we live in.  Sam is looking more and more like a young man these days.  I know it's inevitable but now more than ever I have to be alert and prayed up.  I feel it, I sense it.  I know that the tough choices I will have to make as a mom will continue to get harder each year, each phase but I want to do it all with wisdom and with God's guidance.  Sometimes I say no to friendships, sometimes I say no to t.v shows or movies but everyday there's a new challenge of letting them grow yet keeping them innocent.  In so many ways they are still little, their hearts are full of love for Jesus, they love their family and they obey their parents.  They trust us, they don't always understand but they trust us.  I can still take them to the park, play board games, do puzzles and watch cartoons with them.  They still enjoy toys and whimsical fun family traditions.  I'm holding on for as long as I can to those things, knowing that before long it will be a new stage.  My sweet gifts, my precious treasures.  I pray the Lord help me to guide them and help them along this path of life and that their hearts remain pure and full of God's goodness.  I want to soak up their joyful smiles and laughter when they play, as I watch them interact and be little for as long as possible.  

* 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!