The Rodriguez Family Blog

Sunday, March 8, 2009

When Life Gets Crazy

Our life feels a little bit uncertain right now. If you know me, you know I don't function well this way. I like having well thought out plans. However, I'm learning this week that we can't grow or learn to trust God unless we have these experiences. I know that we aren't the only ones who are going through some crazy times right now. I found a verse that brought me peace this afternoon and thought I would share it in hopes that it might bring someone else comfort too.

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out-plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." Jeremiah 29:11

It's so encouraging to know that God knows what lies ahead, even when we don't.

Monday, March 2, 2009

The Reign Game

We went to an ice hockey game at the new arena in Ontario on Saturday! A bunch of friends from church were all there and we sat in a section all together. It was very fun and the kids loved it! Mariah and Dylan even made it on the jumbo-tron while dancing around with their friends and being silly! It's a rare sighting....but, I actually caught Dylan on camera. You've all heard that we had an older son, but haven't seen him on our blog. He conveniently happens to go missing when the camera is out. And I hear him saying (while running away), "Is this going on the blog?" But, this time I caught him while he wasn't looking....

The Reign Game, Part 2

Luke's little friend Macy was there too. She was telling her mom, "I see Luke!" and waving to him. He was very excited to see her! The Reign won after a sudden death overtime and a shoot out! All that excitement can take a lot out of you! Luke tried to stay awake...but just couldn't quite do it! Thank you Rowan family for such a fun evening!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

"Big But's"

Luke has been learning to read some sight words. He has been practicing the "A" words and recently we added some "B" words. The words are by, be, but and big. Well, while practicing the other morning, I pointed to big then but (not thinking...at all). Instantly Luke began cracking up...falling on the ground, rolling around hysterically laughing. He got up and said I love the "B" words! Unfortunately, he can't remember any of the other words yet. So much for learning how to read...it's probably just going to get him in trouble at school! You've gotta love little boys...

Etcha Sketch Art

Jacob totally impressed me the other day with the stuff he could make on our Etcha Sketch! He gets this talent from his dad, Mario can draw such cool things on there! Here are some of the people that Jake made while we were driving around town...we seem to be spending a lot of time in the car these days (baseball season has begun). And, because I was showing so much excitement about Jacob's art, Luke wanted to make sure that I shared some of his art too!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

The Reagan Museum

On Saturday my dad and I took Jacob and Mariah to the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum. It was an awesome experience! The museum is set in the hills of Simi Valley in a beautiful location. Jacob is studying the 40th president for a school report so this was the perfect opportunity to visit. We saw some incredible memorabilia from President Reagan's life. Some of the highlights for us included the replicated Oval Office during his two terms and the actual Air Force One in service during his presidency. We were able to board the plane and see the inside of the plane as it was in the 80's. Then we stopped at the gift shop to pick up some Jelly Belly's of our own, since they were the president's favorite! We enjoyed spending the day with my dad. Jacob really loved the conversations and insight he learned from him! If you ever have the chance to visit we would highly recommend it!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day

Homemade Valentines

All of us playing a family game of Taboo...the boys won!

Mariah with her cousins, Cameron & Samantha

Luke with his cousins, Casey & Reese

We began our Valentine's day weekend with a date on Friday evening! It was very fun and quite a treat! Then on Saturday we went to Grandpa and Grandma Cash's house for a Valentine's day party! We made Valentine's for each other, made dinner together, the girls made cupcakes for dessert and then we played Taboo! It was a very nice day. We hope you all had a wonderful weekend full of love too!

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!