The Rodriguez Family Blog

Monday, December 8, 2008

Never Silence Life

Those of you who know me well, know that unplanned pregnancy and abortion are close to my heart! My life experience has forced me to have to make those kinds of decisions and to experience the joy of a child when a women doesn't choose abortion. But every 22 second in our country a child dies because of abortion...that is 3700 babies A DAY! It breaks my heart to hear about the mistreatment or injustice to even one child, but these numbers are staggering. I've become aware of a new movement called Never Silence Life. On January 22nd, 2009 they are planning a gathering across our nation at abortions clinics. This is a non violent gathering to PRAY for our country, our leaders, unborn lives, but mostly the decisions of each women who feels that is their only option. I've spent so much time talking with women at Alternate Avenues who regret their abortion decision and wish they could go back in time and take it back. Please visit neversilencelife.com and consider joining me on the 22nd of January to pray!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Holiday Fun

We made a Gingerbread House this weekend!

It was really fun to all work together on it!

First we put the walls up...

Then the roof...

Next, the kids decorated the house with candy...

Here's how it came out!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Yummy...Cookies!

If you know me, you know I don't like to cook...at all! But baking, I enjoy that a little bit more! Mariah has really gotten into baking too. So last night Mariah, Luke and I decided to make Peanut Butter cookies! They came out really yummy! Side Note: (Check out Luke's outfit(lol)...needless to say, he put that fabulous ensemble together himself!)

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Thanksgiving Day

Grandpa and Jake face off to see who will get the wishbone!

Mariah and Tia Steph

Uncle Mario takes all the "little" cousins on a Ranger ride around the ranch!

This is one of their most favorite things to do at the ranch and Uncle Mario is the most fun because he goes REALLY fast...a little too fast for the moms!

Kid's Table

Jake won!

We had such a wonderful day. It was nice to spend time with everyone. Good memories...

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Trail Ride

Jacob went on a trail ride this weekend with his Grandma (and lots of other horse riders). He loves horseback riding and got to ride his horse, Estrella! On the way to pick Jake up, Luke decided that because he was four now, he should try to ride a horse too! Grandma Carrie let him take a little ride around the ranch and he loved it. He just may be our next cowboy! Thanks for having Jake out this weekend to ride Grandma, he had a blast!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Laker Game

Mario got to go to the Laker's game last night. Steph (his sister) won tickets at work and offered them to her older brothers! Awe...

And they were very appreciative! It sounds like they had a great time. Thanks Steph...

Something to Consider

Adopting a child doesn't change the whole world. But for that child the whole world changes.

Unknown

It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so you may live as you wish.

Mother Teresa

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Truem

Whether you believe you can do something or not, you are right.

Henry Ford

What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.

Eleanor Powell

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition!

The small things we do in life for others don't mean much...they mean EVERYTHING!

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one come to you without leaving happier.

Mother Teresa

A friend is someone who knows you well and still likes you.

Unknown

Kids Say The Darndest Things

Luke often says such funny things, so I thought I would start to share them with all of you from time to time! So here are some of the most recent ones that have kept us laughing...

Apparently Luke has recently become fluent in French. When I inquired about where he had learned French he replied, "From the FBI!"

Recently our dog Maddie was barking to get outside. I sternly said, "Be quiet! Go lay down!" Then I heard Luke say, " Mom, I could be wrong, but I don't think that is the way to earn Maddie's affections!"

Luke has narrowed down his career options recently. He told me he just can't decide whether he should work at Walmart or be a Doctor!

Luke asked me the other day if we could stop at Starbucks for a "Frap-a-chonie".

After our walk through a living nativity this Christmas, Luke said "Wow...I didn't know Jesus was "king of the jewels" thats cool!"

Luke has been asking about heaven lately. When we will go there, who will go there and now...what will go there. He told me that he'd like "jacket" (his blankie) to be there so please put it in a box, write "JESUS" in big letters and He can pick it up at the post office when he has time!

When I asked Luke how his day at school went earlier this week, he said "Great! I met Avery and she's willing to marry me!"

Today Luke announced that he is getting a tatoo. It apparently is going on his stomach and will read: God is awesome...and so is my mom! It does have a ring to it! I like it!

Luke was watching the kids walking by as we waited for Dylan after school today. When suddenly he blurted out, " Oh dang! I just saw a Jonas brother! I didn't know they went to this school." I said, "You did?" And he said, "Yeah, the one with the hair!"

Luke hurt himself on Friday and we had to visit the emergency room. When the Dr. came in she asked me if he had lost conciousness at anytime. And although he was very much out of it, Luke opened his eyes just a little bit and said, "No, I lost my balance!" Then closed his eyes again.

Luke was asking about the logistics of how God could make everything in the world in just a few days. So, I began to review with him what happened each day. When we got to the 6th day I told him that God made the first people. I said, "Do you remember who the first man was that God made? Do you remember his name?" "Grandpa?" was his reply!

On Halloween Luke asked his dad, "What is Jesus being for Halloween?" When Mario said he didn't know...Luke said, "I think he's gonna be a hamster!"

Luke received a call from Geoffery the Giraffe at Toys 'r' Us for his birthday today! He listened quietly, then said, "What the heck? I didn't know giraffes could talk!"

We were at the doctor's office recently and the nurse told Luke that she loved his curly hair. This was his reply, "Seriously, it's not MY fault! It's my mom's..."

Recently one of Luke's siblings was sent to their room for disobeying. As he assessed the situation and they went upstairs, he turned to me and asked, "Are they gonna get their rear-end paddled?" To which I replied, "No! Where did you hear that?" He said, "You know...that's spanish for a spankin'!"

Most nights I tuck Luke into bed and they all go pretty much the same...tuck him in, pray, give him a kiss and turn on his music. But tonight was different! When we were done praying he said to me,"What did you say?" I said,"Amen!" "M-O-M!" he told me,"It's Hey, Man! When we're done praying we say Hey, Man!"

Man, you've got to love kids!