my Grandpa's journey nears an end

Life is a journey and to witness the end with my grandpa has been a blessing. I spent several hours just watching him today and it was amazing. I watch him drift in between, the veil is so thin right now and to be in his presence I feel the Lord and everyone so close. I watch him stuggle as if to climb out of his shell I know I'm getting all mushy and all but I just feel such a presence when I'm in the room with him. I feel like today we had our closure and I can let go. I love him enough to let go, I don't want to watch him suffer anymore. So keep us in your prayers as we watch and let go of the patriarch of our family.

Happy Thursday everyone

I'm so grateful I get to stay home almost all day and just play with Isaac, these day are kinda rare anymore.

We are having an amazing week around my house I can't believe it's already Thursday though, my my how time flies when your raising children. I'm trying to enjoy these last few days before the kiddos are finished with the school year. I'm excited to not have to run around as much but I know in just a few weeks I will hear the ever famous summer time "I'm bored" routine. After my bible study yesterday (Growing Kids God's way) I have a couple of ideas in mind to keep the summer time blues at bay, first off is to start a weekly family meeting just to make sure everyone is doing good what their highs and lows for the week are and to set up a chore list. I've come to the conclusion that my name is Shiri not servant and the kiddos (teenager included) are going to start having daily chores that they have to get done in order to earn allowance and/or privileges. I'm not going to nag or be the ever present drill Sargent anymore if they don't do it they don't get paid and their door will be closed until the next day. Although this really tests me because I really like a clean house at all times. Lord please help me with my control issues, let the dust settle it's really OK. That cleanliness is next to godliness is going totally out the window.
I hope everyone is having a wonderful week, enjoy each and every day it's a present.

Nicolas joins the adult table for the first time...

What a wonderful weekend, I couldn't have asked for more. Friday night started the tone of the days to come. My aunt Jolyln, Nicolas and I went to our church for rehearsal for the big day, it was absolutely wonderful. Saturday we woke up super early to go to the church for pictures and then it was time, time for Nicolas to receive communion and confirmation. He was so thrilled, he had to do a reading during the service so he was really nervous until that point then he smirked and said " it's all down hill from here mom, I'm ready to do this now". My eyes watered the whole time, I can't believe my baby is old enough to be doing this I kept thinking. I felt so proud of him, all these years of atrium all the sacrifices our family had made (skipping other extra curricular activities and such) all lead up to this moment for him. Like Father Daryl said Nicolas was now joining the feast, the adult table and welcome, welcome, welcome. Nicolas has such a love for the Lord that it is truly inspiring for me to watch him.
After church we had a wonderful party at my Mom's house for him, and it was wonderful filled with family, friends and teachers. The day flew by as we all enjoyed each other. I don't think the smile faded from my face for even a second the whole day, I'm such a proud mommy of my little man.
Sunday was mother's day and my day to work at the nursery, that went by quick didn't have very many kids (and Jolyn if you read this, thank you, thank you for helping me ). Then if was off to brunch at one of our favorite breakfast restaurants. Isaac believe it or not was wonderful the whole time, that's a definite first! Then it was off the to square for the arts & crafts show it was great the booths had such need and artistic things and the weather couldn't have been better. Overall this was a fantastic weekend I hope everyone had a happy and blessed mother's day, and I promise I will post pics of this wonderful event soon. Thanks Grandma:)

growing family

Ok I'm back I know it's been a really long time, but my life has just become a little busier so computer time has been put on the back burner for a while. Our family just became a family of six. My teenage step son came to live with us almost three weeks ago now, this has been a three year process getting him here so we are so happy to finally have him home.
The adjustment and transition has been good, although we all have our days. The only thing I have to say is that teenagers are very different from little ones. I struggle daily with balancing little ones and their needs and those of a young man. I feel caught in between two very different worlds. Luis (my stepson) is wonderful, he is respectful and well behaved ( at least thus far). The younger boys are thrilled to have an older brother, sometimes maybe a little overwhelmed though. It's been amazing to watch how everyone in the family has had to make changes, birth order and such has been thrown out the window. My typical first born is struggling with his new place in the family. Blending a family is a wonderful opportunity to grow and learn but also a huge transition. I pray that as the days go I will know what role I need to play and in what ways I can best help every child in our family. My role has changed too and I pray that God gives me grace, patience, understanding, maturity and a heart full of love so that I may raise all of these boys with love in their hearts and faith in their souls.