The Rodriguez Family Blog: July 2010

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Sea World

I was given the amazing gift of swimming with the dolphins for my birthday this past week! It's been on my list of "wouldn't that be completely awesome" things to do! And it was....so incredible!

Shipwreck Rapids wasn't lying when the said you'd get wet!

Man, this was a cool experience. I would highly recommend it! It's incredible to be that close to them. They are fabulous creatures! God's creation never ceases to amaze me!

Cirque De La Mer was a really good show!

Isn't this the craziest sea creature you've ever seen? He looks like a rock with a face!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Pool Party

We recently had a pool party at Grandma and Grandpa Cash's house to celebrate me and Matt's birthdays! The day was full of fun and great memories.

The summer is quickly coming to a close as the kids head back to school in just two weeks! So we are enjoying every last minute of these summer activities.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

I went with two very good friends to see some comedy at Pechanga on Saturday night to celebrate my birthday coming up! It was a blast! I'd never been there before but it was a great venue...wouldn't mind going back to see concerts there. Thanks for celebrating early with me guys!

Friday in Laguna

We took the kids to see the tidepools in Laguna on Friday but unfortunately they were closed due to the high tide! We made the best of it and had an awesome afternoon together checking out the area. The views were beautiful that day...

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

What Do You Think?

So, I know I've mentioned before that I love to read other people's blogs. However, I took a break from it awhile back because some of the content that you can unknowingly stumble upon was disturbing. But today I was back at it and found a very heartwarming blog all about adoption! The author and adoptive mother had some really encouraging things to say for us adoptive families...it was nice to see. But she also blogged about the new movie "Despicable Me". It, according to this blog, has a strong adoption theme through out. While some reviews said it was great for adoptive families others said not at all! We haven't seen it and honestly it didn't really look all that great to me. But the idea that it may be good for adoptive families peaks my interest. So I want to know what all of you think. Have you seen it? From a christian perspective is it worth seeing? From an adoptive perspective? Let me know...

Monday, July 12, 2010

Big Bear

We spent the afternoon in Big Bear on Sunday! The picture above is the view from the ski lift on our way up the hill to try out the alpine slide.

The little spec is Mariah waving as she goes down the alpine track.

We played mini golf too!

No...the boys are not taller than me! I was just leaning over in this picture! Really...

We had an awesome day!

Friday, July 9, 2010

The Annual 3rd of July Party

Mariah, Samantha and Cameron

Luke trying the yummy food.

Best Buddies: Chase and Luke

Grandpa and Grandma Cash...our awesome hosts!

(love this picture)

Casey and Reese

Jake, Ethan, Chase and Michael

Grandpa and the Boys

Rib Contest Winners: Mario (1st for beef ribs) and Grandpa (2nd for pork ribs)

Watermelon Contest...yum

...yum

...yum!

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!