Monday News

Often I wonder how I missed so much when I was younger- How blinded I was to my surroundings. And how Innocent I was when it came to life in general. I definitely lived in a sheltered world. I say that with GREAT pride. My parents did not shelter me from reality as I got older but when I was young I was EXPECTED to act young and not to have to deal with the problems of the world. I really enjoyed my childhood. I DID get spankings- and trust me I deserved them, every single one! That did not keep me from enjoying my childhood, I actually believe that it made my childhood better.... I am a firm believer that limits and rules and enforcement of the rules by rewarding a child when they do not obey (aka spanking) makes for a happier child.

So, you may be wondering what made me blog about this today- Well, one of my clients daughters is 10 years old (just turned 10 in April) and she is pregnant! Yes, you heard me right, she is pregnant at 10!!!!! I was playing with Barbies at 10 !!!!! This got me thinking of how blessed I was to grow up in a home where God is the center of it! Where we were taught right from wrong and where I had a childhood.

Thank you GOD for a God fearing family! I am truly blessed.

Thank you DAD and MOM for allowing me to be a child and for raising me in a Godly home!

Argentina-Mexico

What a FANTASTIC game! Paul, Ana and I decided to watch the game at Rincon de Buenos Aires (an argentine restaurant) and enjoy the company of other argentine people. Poor Ana, being Mexican was like being in a den full of lions. Good thing she did not advertise that she is Mexican. Also, she does not look Mexican so she just sat and enjoyed the game. She did come with us knowing that Mexico would not win. We got there around 9:30 am and the game did not start until 11:30 PST which meant we had to wait 2 hours. But good thing we did arrive early because the place filled up REALLY fast. There were around 150 people in the restaurant that usually fits only about 50 people. There were people everywhere sitting/ standing. We enjoyed a coffee with facturas for breakfast and then for lunch we had an asado. YUM YUM.

Here I am with the Argentine flag wrapped around me.

Okay- this picture was not really fair for Ana- she was a good sport though.

Well, it has been a busy day already but now it is time for church. It is going to be interesting since we are going to Pastor Mario's church and the majority of the people are Mexican.

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!!!! (lets go Argentina)

A Bump in the road

This year has had quite a few bumps in the road and I thank God for sending them our way since they have been GREAT growth spurts for us.

For the past few months Paul has been working his best at a place where he has been beat down almost daily. He has come home sometimes with headaches, in tears and just plain exhausted.

I admire his dedication though because there have been many times where I have just told him to quit and look for another job.

A month ago he was asked if he would like to apply for the level 2 job. He immediately said "yes" since the next level is more what he is accustomed to.

He was told that there would be a competition between two of them. He spent a week in training with his competition. He then had a week where he did all the work of a level 2 person while he was evaluated. Then the following week the "competition" did the same work Paul did the week before while he was evaluated. This week management got together and made their decision.

"So Paul did they make their decision?" I asked today when Paul got home from work. With a WIDE smile he responds "yes I did but there is a small catch and management was worried that I would not agree, you see company policy is that one cannot be promoted until they are employed for 6 months and I have only been with them 2 1/2 months, this means that I will not get a pay raise until my 6 months are up, but I get to start level 2 on Monday"

Picking up on his enthusiasm I responded "that is great Paul. Congratulations- were you surprised?" Paul pauses and then carefully chooses his words " yes and no- you see I know that I am not as good as the other guy but I know that you have been praying for me so I am not surprised"

At that point I had tears in my eyes... you see I had been praying for 3 weeks that he would get the Level 2 position and God answered my prayer. And the best part is that Paul knew that God had interceded and led his managers to choose him. The management told Paul that it was a really hard decision. The one thing that they told him made them choose Paul is his WORK ETHIC and his PROFESSIONALISM. AKA- God's light shining through Paul- you see- Paul does not swear, when he is asked to do something he does not complain and in everything he gives 100%.

These characteristics stood out and is what caused management to choose him.

Thank you God for your faithfulness and for helping Paul through this bump in the road.

Monday Madness

Monday is such a hard day for me. I feel like the weekend was just not long enough to get things done and I have to be at work. I usually have a lot more phone calls to deal with on Monday. And it never fails Mondays I am ALWAYS tired when I should be rested from the weekend. I had so many plans this weekend to get things done around the house that have been neglected, but once again my plans got changed. I did manage to pull weeds, do laundry, go grocery shopping and clean the office. But that is about it. I need to budget my time more wisely, I am very good at making lists of what needs done but when it comes down to it- I usually rather spend time with my husband or friends than to actually complete the list and then I carry this guilt for not getting things done that get ignored week after week. So, now I have to make a real effort to get things done before my sister gets here. I really don't like her coming to a dirty house.

Project for the following days:

Tuesday- work in the spare room. Finish putting away ALL the clothes and get the give aways in bags ready to donate.
Wednesday- Clean thoroughly the master bathroom and master bedroom (this will probably take 2 days since I have LOTS to do and can only do them at night after I get home from work)
Thursday- Finish cleaning master bedroom.
Friday- Clean the refrigerator and kitchen
Saturday- regular Saturday chores along with cleaning the car and washing the car. Work in the garage to get it cleaned and organized.
Sunday- DAY OF REST. Definitely need this day to rest, read, relax.
Monday- Finish the living room. Go through all drawers of chest and make sure to de-clutter.
Tuesday- Clean the 3rd bathroom since Lizzie will be using it and get her place ready for visiting.
Wednesday- Lizzie arrives. Hopefully ALL things will be done the right way and not RUSHED through.

I will keep you all posted on how I stay on track... pictures of end results would be great!

Love

Is this not just the BEST picture!?

It shows SOOOO much love.

Argentina 4- Korea 1

This morning I set our alarm to wake us at 4:00 so that we would be up to watch Argentina and Korea Republic play. Argentina won 4-1!!!! It is really interesting how little things like my involvement makes Paul happy. I am learning how important it is to learn to love the things your spouse loves.

(this picture is from FIFA.com)

Silk or Linen-

Twelve years ago....

• There was a HUGE change in my life- one I will never regret!
• I shocked many people- but I think most are pleased with the end result.
• My formal name changed.
• I officially moved out for good from my parents home.
• I started a NEW role for my life.
• I took on more responsibility.
• I got an AWESOME roommate for life.

Any idea what I am remembering? I married my best friend.

While researching what gift to get Paul for our anniversary this is what I found:

Traditional gifts to give for a 12 year anniversary:
Silk and Linen

Modern gifts to give for a 12 year anniversary:
Silk and Linen

Alternate Modern gift to give for a 12 year anniversary:
Pearl

Ideas given for Silk or Linen:
Fresh linen sheets
Delicate scarves
Tablecloths and towels
Silk cushions
Clothing
Silk ties
Silk flowers
Silk lingerie and men's boxers
His and her bathrobes
Linen clothing
Visit the Silk Road

Ideas given for Pearls:
Pearl jewelry
Mother-of-pearl

FIFA Worldcup 2010

(Picture is from Fifa.com)

As most of you know Paul is a HUGE soccer fan. The world cup is an event that he truly looks forward to every 4 years. This time I decided that instead of being a World cup widow that I would join him in watching the games. I have taken the last few weeks to learn the rules of the game. There are more rules than I thought... and some are still quite a bit fuzzy to me.

Argentina won 1-0 against Nigeria!

3 weeks to go....

My sister is coming to visit in 21 days (not that I am counting!). Yes- I am lucky to see her again. Ana, Lizzie and I are doing a little girls trip for her birthday on July 4th weekend. We are taking a 3 day cruise to Ensenada. Can you tell that we love cruises? Let me tell you the reason we enjoy them and maybe you will consider a cruise one day for vacation-

1. It is affordable- our 7 day cruise cost $459.00 per person- this is $65.58 a day per person- (where can you go and get all your food and hotel for $65.58 a person?)
2. It is fun!!!- you don't have to worry about anything at all- EVERYTHING is done for you.
3. It is relaxing- The only decisions left for you to make are what you plan to eat for the day.

So- in effort to reward Ana for all her hard work while I was on vacation we are going to a 3 day cruise. This is her first cruise- I thought it would be really fun to bring Lizzie along with us as a birthday gift. Too bad my mom can't come- that would be the BEST! but unfortunately she will stay home and take care of Dad. (what a committed woman!)

I guess we are on the count down again for the ALL girls Cruise- If you are wondering about Paul- I did ask him if he wanted to join us but he has "more important" things going on- FIFA 2010 World Cup! While he is not working he will be glued to the games! I guess it all works out perfectly for us!

Cheer Up~

Today I got home and decided that I wanted to do something special for Paul to cheer him up!
Paul has been very stressed with work and I feel really bad for him since he has been working himself to the bone.... SO, I decided to make a special meal for him. I made him this following fruit plate.I also made him a yummy salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, goat cheese and oil and vinegar. VERY YUMMY.

Then I made him a stuffed chicken breast, baby Zucchini and angel hair pasta.

This did cheer him up- It was really nice to see him happy over dinner~

Then he took the time to call his mom and dad to see how they are doing....

URGENT PRAYER NEEDED!!!!

My dear Blogger friends and prayer warriors.
I covet your prayers in my life. I have been presented the opportunity of a new job! I have submitted my resume and application- I now sit and wait- Wait for GOD to lead the way. I want to do what GOD wants me to do. PRAY with me that HIS will be done. That I think clearly and listen to HIS leading. Sometimes we can be deceived to make the WRONG choice. So, I am REALLY trying to open my eyes, ears and heart for HIS leading.
Please Pray with me!