Christmas 2011

We had a relaxing Christmas at home this year. We still had our two special little ones with us, so it was extra special with extra presents and assembly required. As the kids grow older and have now discovered the true meaning of Santa and Christmas, we enjoy this day together even more.

Big Kids and Little Kids

Well we have not fallen off the face of the earth. We have welcomed two little ones into our home and that keeps us busy. Since the last post, the big kids, Kailee and Benjamin have had birthdays. We had a blast hosting a Jedi Party for Benjamin's 7th birthday and a make your own stuffed animal party for Kailee's 9th! Here are some pics from both.

We didn't get pictures of all the things we did for Benjamin's party - it was a lot of work, but the boys had fun. Kailee's party was much easier and a good way to end that very busy weekend in November. I can't believe that another year of their lives has passed. What a joy and a blessing they are!

Lesson #2

So on to what happened this weekend. And if you guessed that it involved soccer than you know our family well because we are in that season of the year.
Sweet P Kailee taught me another lesson this past weekend. In my play by play typing voice....Kailee was fighting for control of the ball when she was kneed in the thigh. She could hardly put weight on her right leg, her kicking leg, for several seconds (mom voice- it felt like so much longer). She slowly started to try and walk it off as the game went on around her (mom voice again- I know she is tough, but I could see the pain on her face as the seconds, seemed like minutes, go by). Other parents have noticed that she is in pain and cannot run; we need her to run. It's a tough game and she is counted on to be a good offense player, but she is still not able to keep up. Then I hear some parents yelling for her to be taken out of the game. The yelling becomes louder as I am thinking to myself (okay yelling back in my own mind) that she's almost there, she's trying her hardest to shake it off and keep going. Finally the coaches hear some people are frantically yelling at them, and they ask Kailee if she is OK and get ready to sub her out. But my tough little Sweet P says she is fine; she wants to keep on playing. I am thinking to myself,
Oh no, she better really be OK or some of these parents are going to lose it if we lose because she can't keep up. Then within a minute, Kailee gets a great pass from her teammate and kicks it with her hurting leg and, in my best soccer announcer voice now, GOOOOOOOAL!!!!
My mommy voice wanted to roar out that's my girl; I knew she was tough, but God thankfully kept me firmly seated in my chair. Really I was holding the tears in I was so proud of her for pushing through the pain and seeing it pay off (also thinking boy I'm glad I have sunglasses because I would embarrass her if she saw me crying).
God used this to remind me of the times in life when we fall down or mess up and get hurt. It feels as if people are screaming for us to get off the field and give up. But God is there with His promise that we can do all things through Him who gives us strength. Am I listening more to people's opinions, which can seem so much louder, or am I listening to Him who truly knows what I am capable of? He knows the best because He made me and He strengthens me in my weakness to do His will.
In this game, there was the pressure of losing. In life, as believers, we already know that we have the victory in Christ. So I shouldn't waste my time trying to keep everyone else happy or comfortable, but only press on to please my Lord.



"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

Lessons from my Sweet "P"

I often call Kailee my Sweet P because she is just that, a sweet little girl with a very sweet tooth. Today I was reminded of how proud I am of her and what God has taught me through her.


Lesson 1:
Earlier this summer Kailee was part of a creative arts camp at our church. She auditioned for a special singing part in the musical which was Beauty and the Beast. Our church is big, well very big compared with most other churches in the world, so she is one of many kids trying to get a special part, so she was one of about 50 kids who were given the role of "Villager." This means that the week before the camp she has to go to special practices for a couple hours a day some days the week prior to camp. I remember at one of these rehearsals the director said she was trying to block, or set, the kids up on stage so they all could be seen because she understood how each parent wanted to be able to see their kid on stage. Admittedly, this is no easy feat with that many kids and only a certain amount of stage to work with.
The day of the performance was a tough one. She could not find a piece of her costume that she had been given (supposed to be bobby pinned in her hair, but she was not given bobby pins) and was upset about not being able to find it after the dress rehearsal. And I was upset because after sitting through the dress rehearsal, I realized there was no way I was going to be able to see her on stage. She is not a push yourself up to the front kind of person, nor is she a state my case to the costume manager type of person either (although she states more than a few cases to her Mommy). But when I was able to see her singing with the choir, she was singing her little heart out.
We made it to show time and she more than willingly gave up her front row choir spot and moved to the back, and I literally did not see her but maybe but for a fleeting moment on stage. As I sat there in my seat pouting about how much time she had invested "for nothing," God reminded me that we are to do our best for Him not for others. Kailee was singing her heart out, doing her best as I had seen earlier, not so she could be the star of the show, but because she enjoys it and wants to give her best. God used her to show me the lesson of doing my best for Him and His glory, not for praise or attention from anyone else. It's about His glory, not mine, and dare I say it not even my child's.


"And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ." Colossians 3:22-24 (The Message)

Angels and Dirtbags

As summer is nearing an end (although it doesn't feel like it :-( ), I am just now getting around to posting about our spring ball players. Benjamin joined back up with his team the Dirtbags and Kailee played softball for the first time ever with the Angels.


Benjamin played pitcher for his team and was awarded the "King of the Hill" award for his outstanding defense. The Dirtbags took 2nd in their division even though most of their players were playing up an age division. We get a lot of remarks about their name which was inspired by his coach's opposing team from Long Beach St. I thought it was funny when I overheard one mom telling her son to "go be a Dirtbag," as she was encouraging him to sit with the team.
Benjamin was one of three boys selected from his team to be on the all-star team. He enjoyed the all-star game since they allowed him to try out different positions. We got a kick out of seeing him waddle up behind home plate with all the catcher gear on.





Kailee was new to the whole bat and glove concept, but she enjoyed being with her teammates most of whom are on her much loved soccer team. This was the first time Ozzie was able to assist in coaching one of her teams. She loved that, Mommy had to adjust to not being able to count on his help during games (especially when we had foster kids). Kailee played in the outfield most of the time and her batting continued to improve throughout the season. The Angels took 3rd place in the tougher division in her age group which we all thought was great considering only a couple of the girls had ever played softball before. By the time her season ended in mid-June, we were ready for a break from team sports. On to the pool!

The Next Lesson

Last week we said goodbye to our latest placement. She was a little baby who was fun to hold and a blessing to care for. We had more of a heads up as to her leaving, so that made it a little easier. God, however, was good to me again in giving me His word to sustain me in times of questioning the decision of the powers that be in the CPS system. When I would question her safety in giving her back, God comforted me with the thought of Moses' mother who had to trust her child to Pharoah. Pharoah was an Egyptian; they were considered the enemy. I'm sure she had seen the abuse her people suffered at the hand of the Egyptians, yet she obeyed God and trusted Him with her son. How could I then not trust God with this tiny baby that I had known only for a short while. I am grateful for God's comfort and assurance speaking right to my exact need.

First Quarter

Well, the first quarter of 2011 is gone before I blinked. Where did the time go for us? Most days were filled with slow mornings in our pj's, loving sweet foster kids that we were blessed to love on. We would squeeze in a couple hours of homeschool learning about the establishment of our country and the move westward. Kailee is now learning multiplication and Benjamin is a strong little reader. We joined a science center that we like to visit and even learn while we are having fun. Kailee is taking art classes and Benjamin is persevering with piano lessons. We normally take one day off each week for Mommy's sanity and the maintaining of some sort of cleanliness of our home. Throughout the week, we have some type of sports practice in the afternoon/evening that gets us rushing out the door scampering for water bottles and the right sports gear. It was an extra challenge to pack a diaper bag as well.
Saturdays were spent watching Kailee and Benjamin use the athletic ability God has given them on either a basketball court or soccer field. They each did really well and enjoyed their sports and I managed to muffle my cheering if foster-baby was in my arms. Saturday evenings you would find us at church. We love our church and our church friends. I have no idea what we would do without the support of the body of Christ. Benjamin has now joined us in the service and it is neat to worship as a family. Sundays were varied and different from slow days at home to busy on the run from this to that days.
Here are some pictures from the last 3 months.


This was the first time the kids played on basketball teams. They had fun and we have discovered a new sport to have fun with. The newly added basketball goal has been a great addition to our backyard. You will often hear Benjamin shooting hoops here and there throughout the day.







There were quite a few snow days this winter. A kind neighbor took a picture of the whole family; this is a rare shot of all 4 of us plus the dog!! Below is one of many action shots of a snowball fight that I happily offered to keep record of rather than participate in.



Dallas hosted the Superbowl and the kids and I took advantage of the opportunity to visit the NFL Experience.


We also were an official Verizon Superbowl Watching Party and enjoyed watching the Packers win. At halftime all the kids danced away and I'm sure the whole neighborhood could hear how much fun they were having.




Once the snow cleared, we thought it was warm enough for a family fishing outing. Funny thing was a cold front came in at almost the exact time we were getting out of the van to fish. We made the most of it and found a different slightly warmer spot. Memories made and no fish harmed = success??




Yet another soccer season was upon us. Benjamin decided to try his foot at it once again and on a different, much more successful team, so this has been an enjoyable season for both of them; goals made and winning games has been icing on the cake of soccer fun!


Soon baseball/softball season begins. Hopefully I'll post those pics before Labor Day!

Keeper of Comings and Goings

I know it has been a while hasn't it. Well, since I last blogged, we have had another foster placement. We were blessed with a sweet little boy who was a lot of fun and we became attached to pretty quickly. We were told that this would be a longer term placement, so we moved forward with that mindset. However, our plans and even CPS' original plans are not in control. After one month, we were surprised to find out we had one more month with him, but then the next day, he was gone.
We were sad and surprised, but trust in God's plan not only for us, but also for this little one. The day we learned that we were not chosen as his permanent home, I made myself sit down and do my Bible study. That day the passage was Psalm 121. It was verse 8 that God used to encourage me, "The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." God is the Keeper of not only my coming and going, but each child that is placed with us; we just need to trust His keeping!

Late update of the latest

Well, we finally got the call we had been waiting for on Dec. 29th. It wasn't the best day to get a foster placement (chest x-ray for Benjamin for possible pneumonia), but it was a "long shot" for us to be picked so I said OK to throw our name in the mix. Well, God doesn't know the term "long shot" and we had about 3 hours to get ready to welcome two brothers into our home. The next month would be a long one filled with sleepless nights and argumentative days. Benjamin and the big brother were too close in age and just didn't mix well. This added stress made me question our decision to foster. The comfortable days with just our two kids were looking so good.

We did survive the tough times and were blessed with times of multiplied fun and laughter. We were blessed by the help of friends (we have the best friends and family ever!!) and strangers and now that they are gone, I can look back and see what God wanted to teach us in this refining fire experience.

I think we all learned a different lesson, but I am sure that one reason God placed these boys in our home was for the following....
We made it a point to read a Bible story every night before bed. The older brother was old enough to let us know he had not been to church nor had he heard any part of the Bible. While we were reading one night, he asked me "Who is God?" and that is when I realized that this placement was not about me. It was about God and being able to share who He is with some children who had never heard of Him.

We were blessed to be able to show them God's love for one month. Our prayer is that the seeds planted in their hearts will take root.

"So shall My word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." Is. 55:11

Waiting...

About 4 weeks ago we became officially licensed foster parents. We were just sure it wouldn't be long until we had a new child or children in our home to pour God's love on. Well we are still waiting.

Ps. 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not....

Last night we were blessed again by the Christmas performance at our church. Kailee has been having so much fun and along with many, many others sacrificed a lot of time over the past few weeks to present "The Gift of Christmas" to thousands of people. At one point in the show, they is a video explaining how long the people were waiting on God to send His son. They waited for about 400 years. As I lay in bed this morning thinking, I thought about how our waiting process is just a small glimpse of waiting on God to send His child.
I can't make it happen; I must wait on God to move. The people of Israel probably thought they could make it happen, make a king for themselves, but only God would provide the true King of Kings.

Matthew 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

The agency workers keep telling us (we get calls for possible placements and our home-study is submitted, but our family has not been chosen yet) that we just need to be ready. They could call us at anytime, so I always have my phone with me checking to make sure it's on and loud enough. That made me think of if I'm putting that much thought, time, and energy on being ready for God's Son who is coming again. I don't know when I'll hear God's call with the voice of the archangel, but I know it will sound much better than my chosen song/ringtone. It will be louder (although my own ring startles me often) and so much sweeter, beyond comparison.

Colossians 4:2, 5 "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time."

With each phone call I receive about a child needing a home, I am given background information on the situation, sometimes the name of the child. I am blessed that at least I can pray for these kids and their hurting (oh so much hurt) situations and families. I am thankful that I can lift them up to the Father of the Fatherless. Then I am thankful that there are moments like last night's show or the kids birthday parties when I didn't have to worry about new little ones to care for.
I also have to have the house ready. At any time, we could be chosen and then the flow of case workers, lawyers, and other representatives of multiple agencies will be coming through our door. Our house can no longer look like a typical Sunday night when everything is out of place and piled up. I have to be ready making the best use of my time. 5 minutes here sweeping is better than just putting my feet up to play Scrabble on my phone. 10 minutes putting the laundry away is better than checking Facebook for the upteenth time that day. I am enjoying a neat, tidy house. But am I applying the same fervor and energy to being ready for God's call. Am I doing all I can to be prepared for His return? I know I have failed on this part. I have not given the 10 minutes to invest in a relationship that would allow me to point my neighbors or family members to the Word who became flesh and is coming again.

Isaiah 40:28, 31 "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable...but they who WAIT FOR THE LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

A Time for Everything - November

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die...." Ecclesiates 3:1-2

The month of November is always a special one for us because both kids celebrate their birthdays in November. This year their birthdays fell on extra special days, for Benjamin that was election day which was the also the special Tuesday he was born. Kailee's birthday was on Thanksgiving for the first time in her eight years of life. It was also the first time we had separate parties for them. Due to soccer and business of life, the parties were on back to back weekends. We had a lot of fun with our all -boy GI Joe party at the park and the all-girl spa sleepover. Here are some pictures of our fun.





The day after Benjamin's birthday, my dad called to say that my grandfather had passed away. He had been ill and through our sadness, we can rejoice that he is in heaven where there is no pain or sorrow. So the day after Benjamin's party the kids and I drove to Arizona for the funeral. Our trip was short as we had to a few days later so we could be home in time for Kailee's sleepover. The business of birthdays surrounding the funeral made me think of the verse above how God has made a time for everything. A time to celebrate the years we've been blessed with the precious lives of our kids and a time to mourn the passing of a dear grandfather. As we also reflect on all we are thankful for, I am most thankful for the blessing of knowing that in all seasons of life my God is in control and His love endures forever!!

September/October goings-on

Since I'm up (see previous post for explanation), I might as well update the blog. It's been over 2 months since I've posted anything. We've been busy with soccer and a new sport, flag football. We've continued on our journey of being licensed for foster care and most likely we will be official by my next post. We've been on some fun field trips with our "Polanco Homeschool." Here are some pictures we've taken this fall.



One field trip was to the Astronaut Training Center. The kids got to dress up in the heavy astronaut suits and pretend to walk on the moon. They had fun and I thought they made cute astronauts because it's all about how you look in the suit right?


Kailee was able to hold a large python at the Fort Worth Zoo much to her father's horror (he hates snakes!). Benjamin also enjoyed the climbing wall and made it to the top, but I only have a video and cannot for the life of me get those to post on here.


We were able to tour the state capitol and see Austin. It was neat for Ozzie to show us where he went to college and lived for several years. The kids were most amazed at the cool "desks" in the lecture halls and the lack of kids on campus. They kept asking if they were the only kids there. It proved to me that a college campus is kind of in a world all it's own. We also happened to wander into the English Dept. building (my major) which was very old and honestly ugly and unappealing, a regular boring college building. We later went to the Business Dept. building. There were leather couches, flat screens, cool electronics, lots of computers, etc. That is a microcosm of life. Business is where the money is. English not so much. I have to say though that English teachers helped those businesspeople get where they are today.





Kailee continued to improve on her soccer skills. She's fast and a great passer.


She also competed in her first triathlon. She did great and asks about when she can do this again. We were so proud of her especially for how well she did in the swimming which is not her area of strength.

Benjamin began his turn in the world that is known as Texas football (although his team was the Gators). He is super fast and scored a touchdown in each game. He says he enjoyed playing defense the most. It's funny to me how opposite they are with sports. She is very offensive-minded and he loves playing defense and each just comes naturally to them.


I even had time to squeeze in some time for my own athletic event. I finished my first half-marathon. We'll see how long it will be before I have time to run another.

4:45 AM

"The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy." John 10:10
This verse popped into my mind about two hours ago as I lie awake in bed. I think Satan is stealing my sleep. I only needed to make a middle of the night potty run. But as I walking half-asleep back to bed, I stepped wrong and my toe let me know it. This is the toe that has been hurting more on than off the last 6 weeks. The same toe that I broke 5 years ago. So then my brain has turned on as it evaluates the time passed, the pain, and whether or not I should see the doctor on top of my long to do list I have waiting for me today. Two hours later and I am still awake and now convinced that I have for the second night in a row been robbed of sleep.
Last night I was awake due to a throbbing cheekbone (Benjamin's head vs. my cheek during a race to give mommy a hug moment) and a loudly snoring husband. 9 hours of sleep isn't bad, but when those 9 hours are stretched over two nights, that's when I start to miss my lost time behind closed eyelids. I wish I could fall asleep quickly and be able to stay asleep, but that's not me.
One of Kailee's AWANA verses for this week was 2 Corinthians 12:9. God assures Paul (and me and you) that His grace is sufficient in our weakness. Being a light sleeper is my weakness and although I feel a lack of sleep headache coming on, His grace will be sufficient for me today.