The Rodriguez Family Blog

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Let's Try Something New

I saw an advertisement a few days ago for the Adventures in Odyssey series on CD. It's an audio story series about children that find themselves on exciting adventures around their town. Each episode teaches a character trait with a moral. These stories have been around for awhile because I remember listening to them on the radio with Dylan when he was small. That got me thinking...Luke loves to listen to music at bedtime and what a great series this would be for him while hopefully building in some good life lessons too! I've heard that the most recent stories are very captivating, even for adults. And heaven knows we've heard enough Phineas and Ferb every night since Christmas to last us awhile. It might even help us pass the drive time on our upcoming road trip next week! Stay tuned, I'll be sure to fill you in on what we thought about them.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

It's That Time Again...

Mariah is in the fourth grade and you know what that means...another mission project! Today we visited the San Gabriel Mission. It was beautiful. Mariah and Luke were able to ring the mission bell and we even grabbed a few snacks along the way. We all enjoyed learning more about it's history and spending the day together!

Soccer Season is Here!

This soccer season we are trying out AYSO! In years past Mariah has played soccer with our church sports league, but this time around we are trying something new. So far, so good! Her first game this past Saturday was so exciting and to top it off she's got a friend who's on her team too! I think it's going to be a great season.

Little League Opening Ceremonies

On Saturday morning we attended Jacob's baseball opening ceremonies. The rain held out for us and it looks like its going to be another exciting season! This year he is playing on the Red Sox. In years past he has been a catcher, but this time around he's trying a position in the outfield and a little pitching too! We loving watching the kids play sports! It definitely makes our weekends super busy, but we wouldn't have it any other way!

Hard Work Pays Off

On Friday Mariah received an award for making the Principal's Honor Roll at her school's academic rally. Good job girl, we are very proud of you!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

U C L A....Fight, Fight, Fight!

Mario took the boys to Dodger Stadium this past weekend to see UCLA play! Now if your a Rodriguez, it doesn't get any better this...Dodgers, UCLA and Baseball all in one day! That spells fun!

San Diego Wild Animal Park

We had a girls day out on Sunday afternoon at the Wild Animal Park!

The Safari Ride was definitely the highlight! But we loved the Meerkats, Gorillas, Rhinos and Giraffes too! Oh, and the Super Sundae...

It was a beautiful day!

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!