The Rodriguez Family Blog: October 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

Pumpkin Carving

Everything is more fun with a friend!

(Keep in mind that it was crazy hair day at school...Mariah's hair typically isn't that wild!)

The kids carved their pumpkins tonight. They all did such a great job, they turned out awesome.

Luke had his first official sleep over tonight with his buddy Chase. He has been asking to have a friend over for a few weeks now. So, tonight Chase came over and they did all the fun things you think of at a sleep over...movies, popcorn and lots of laughing!

Whoa!

It was crazy hair day at school today and boy, were there some crazy do's! I have no idea how we are going to get the hairspray and knots out of Mariah's hair...I don't think it will ever be the same! Look, even Maddie is worried!

Costume Party

Wilma, Pebbles, Bride of Frankenstein, Cleopatra, Ruby, Queen of Hearts, Wonder Woman and Bat Girl

My friend, Karen, hosted an awesome costume party last week for our Bunco group! It was super fun full of great eats too. There were so many creative treats including punch with hands floating in it, edible fingers and toes and spider deviled eggs...just to name a few!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Harvest Festival

Notice the "shiner"? When people asked about it Luke said, "I was in a boxing match. You should see the other guy!"

Mariah and Luke had their school's harvest festival this evening. It was lots of fun full of games, music, kettle corn and candy! The kids got to dress up in their costumes too. This year we have a ladybug and boxer. I love all of the festivities of this season, such great memories!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

An Afternoon in Oak Glen

Grandkids: Mariah, Reese, Cameron, Jacob, Casey, Dylan and Luke

Luke, Papa & Casey

Jake and Grandma

Everyone chowing down on carmel apples!

(Matt, Dylan, Jen, Jake and Mario)

Yum...a Dutch Apple Pie to go!

We went to Oak Glen this afternoon with my family! Although we weren't able to score tickets for the hayride, we still filled up the day. We ate carmel apples, did a little shopping and got a pie. Next time we'll try the corn maze and a hayride! What a great way to spend a Sunday...

Dylan's First Homecoming Dance

Dylan went to his first homecoming dance on Saturday night! He went with his friends pictured below. Everyone said they had a really fun time. They all looked so nice! What a great group of kids these are!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Luke's 1st Field Trip

Luke's class preparing to act out the story.

Luke eating his cookie with his mouse ears on!

Luke and mommy about to go in to see the play!

I had the opportunity to join Luke's kindergarten class on their very first field trip. We went to our local playhouse to see, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. Before we left for the theatre the kids got to act out the storybook. They ate cookies, had milk and even swept the floor...just like the story. It was very cute! Then we all loaded onto the bus and headed to the play. They all loved the bus ride and the play was really cute and pretty funny too! Luke loved it and I had a great time too. I love having those one-on-one times with each of them!

Birthday Extras

Luke's birthday festivities were full of fun. Below are pictures from some of the other fun things he got to do in addition to his party at Chuck E. Cheese!

A new big boy bike!

A night at the movies (which we seldom do, so VERY exciting) to see Toy Story 1 & 2 in 3-D!

A little birthday shopping at Toys 'R' Us and a ride in the mechanical car!

We celebrated as a family at Chevy's earlier in the week! Luke was dying to go there for the sombrero! Look at the happiness on that kid's face! I love it!

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Luke's 5th Birthday

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Student of the Month

Mariah received the Student of the Month award in her class this past week. She earned it for working with a positive attitude and helping out other students when needed. We are so proud of her!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Almost 5 years ago...

Today I'm reminiscing about the day our little Luke was born. As his birthday approaches tomorrow, I can't help but think about what a blessing he is. How incredibly gracious our God is to allow us the opportunity to parent him. Although I didn't know he was going to be ours on that day, almost 5 years ago...GOD DID! He had this fabulous plan and we just didn't know it yet! As a mom you always think back to the day your baby came into this world and what it was like. Our situation is a bit different. We don't have that memory because we weren't there. But what we do have I value just as much. I remember it clearly. I remember meeting Luke for the very first time and falling in love. Everything about him was...perfect! Screaming, but perfect! :o) God's plans are always the best, wisest and sweetest of all!

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!