The Rodriguez Family Blog: June 2009

Monday, June 29, 2009

Our Lake Tahoe Vacation

We recently vacationed in Lake Tahoe with friends. The week was full of adventure and we all had a great time. Hope you enjoy the pictures below...be sure to choose the "older posts" option when you have scrolled to the very bottom of the page (there are more pictures)!

Lake Tahoe-Hiking

Lake Tahoe-More Hiking

Lake Tahoe-Even More Hiking

Lake Tahoe-Baby Racoon

Lake Tahoe-Fishing

Lake Tahoe-Swimming

Lake Tahoe-On the Boat

Lake Tahoe-On the Beach

Friday, June 19, 2009

Summer Blast Days 4 & 5

Morning worship with Jana Alayra!

Yummy crafts!

Swimming in vanilla pudding!

Wow, what a week! Although we are all very tired...it was definitely a BLAST! Everyone agreed we can't wait until next year!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Summer Blast Day 3

Dylan helping the preschoolers make their morning snack!

Jacob and Michael hanging out after a super fun day of water activities!

Mariah wearing her green team spirit bandanna!

Luke and his friend Ryan doing a craft!

I am enjoying this week so much. I don't know what I love more...is it the morning worship with a couple hundred kids singing(which by the way gives me goose bumps EVERY TIME!)? Or is it that all of us (me and the kids)are participating(including Dylan, he is helping with everything from serving lunch to doing crafts with preschoolers)? Or is it that I get to serve beside some of the best friends I know teaching the preschoolers to trust and love God? I guess I don't have to choose, just feel really blessed to be a part of it! I can't wait to share more of days 4 and 5 tomorrow...be sure to check back to see how the week finishes off!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Summer Blast Days 1 & 2

We are spending our week at Summer Blast! This our church's version of Vacation Bible School! It has turned out to be super fun so far. The younger kids have Jana Alayra leading music all week which is very exciting. Today she chose Mariah's team and our preschool group to help her out on stage. They did a great job. And the kids all had an awesome time! Later in the morning Mariah's group had some VERY fun outdoor activities that included running through tomato sauce, then collecting noodles and meatballs and finished off by rolling in Parmesan cheese! Eeewww! I also heard that swimming in vanilla pudding was on the agenda sometime this week too! Be sure to check back in to find out what adventures we encounter over the next three days!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Just 4 More Years

Dylan graduated from 8th grade on Wednesday! It was an emotional morning for Mario and I as we reflected on the blessing that Dylan is and the years we have had with him! We can't believe that we now have a high schooler, but we are ready for the opportunities that are sure to come his way in the next 4 years! We love you Dylan...Dad and I are very proud of who you are becoming.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

5th Grade Promotion

Today Jacob graduated from elementary school! He has worked so hard and we are so proud of all of his accomplishments. We can't wait to see what middle school brings for him. Good job Jake, dad and I are so blessed to be your parents! Thanks for making us laugh and bringing us so much joy!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Preschool Graduation

Well, the day finally came. Luke has graduated from preschool! He is very excited to be headed to Kindergarten next year. Almost everyday he asks me, " How many more days before Kindergarten starts?" The kids sang three songs before receiving their certificates. It was all so sweet. Mommy and daddy are so proud of you Luke! We are very blessed to have such a wonderful little boy! Way to go buddy!

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!