Where'd the time go?!

WHOA! September, October, where did you go?!

That was an extraordinarily swift start to fall. Let me catch you up....

Some major life events took place this September. After 10 years of marriage, my beloved and I can now see clearly...clearly enough to know we need God at the forefront to keep this bond strong and unbreakable. So, we did it. After much contemplation, soul searching, and a change in faith-direction we got married in the Catholic Church. It was amazing. I clung to each word spoken, each vow we made was more clear to me than ever before and I meant them with all my heart. It was as if I had been on this God ordained lesson plan...my husband as my class partner and the subject, love. We kept repeating the class because it wasn't making sense; we didn't understand how to work together; we couldn't comprehend the subject and components. We were too busy...too focused on the world around us instead of tuning in to the Great Teacher's voice.. You see, the first trip down the aisle, the Hub and I were babies in the flesh and babies in the faith. This time, we know exactly what love is all about and who we want to be as husband and wife, children of God, and followers of Christ. So as we embark on this faith journey, we do so with wisdom, discernment, and thankful hearts that God's plan for our lives prevailed.

In addition to the new covenant we made with one another before the Lord, we vowed to raise our children in the faith and had them baptized as well. Here are some pictures of the beauteous ceremony:

September also marked the start of training for the triple crown series of half-marathons for the upcoming year. I had a goal in mind of finishing a sub 2:00 run for the first run (Carlsbad, this January). With that in mind, I casually asked the sis-in-law (Dawn Juan) if she'd like to start running together...I had no idea that would throw me full-force into a training regimen that would drop my pace from a 9:50 to an average 8:00. AND drop my weight from a fluffy 145 to a fit 130. This lady is intense!!! She runs through trails like a white panther and her idea of taking it easy is a 8min/mile pace from Torrey Pines to Solana...I can't complain. I'm doing things I never thought I could. It feels good. 

 October was filled with Girl Time in Fancy restaurants, Football fun, trips to haunted graveyards, apple-bobbing, crafting, and beautiful Sundays with the ones the matter most. The cooler weather brought us close together as we cheered daddy on from the stadium and stuffed our faces with treats and bbq in the days the followed. It was a blast dressing in our finest Spook-faced attire, dining on authentic mexican cuisine and wandering the spooky graveyard. The cousins tested their skills each Sunday dinner as we crafted up delicious apples and cute creations. All in all, it's been an awesome fall. I have much to be Thankful for as I count the days to stuff my face with turkey this November. Til we meet again, I leave you with this...



And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.~Colossians 3:15-17

Goodbye July

So we say Goodbye to yet another busy month, and usher-in an even busier August. Here's a look back at our July adventures.

The month started off grande with my Beloved and I soaking in each others presence. We ventured off into the woods for some couples shots courtesy of my Moose Friend Chae. She caught some moments that capture the playfulness that envelopes our love for each other. Here are a few from the 100 she took....

Its been really nice having the summer off to enjoy a slower pace and downtime with my Turtle. We've had the opportunity to go on some hot dates, take an enriching faith & marriage class, and cut up the dance floor at the many weddings July had to offer. We've even caught a little baby fever...Who knows what the next year may bring. Maybe a new beauty or beast to add to the 4ACE crew.  

 Love was in the air all month as we went to wedding after wedding. Here is a shot of the kids at their auntie Racquel's wedding. It was a fun-filled night and a wedding that was fit for the magazines in grandeur. Atticus made a point to romance the older chicks by serving them Shirly Temples with a smile and catering to their needs. He is quite the catch ladies...his charm and massages are the result of a well trained boy.

In other news,the crew and I made sure to get plenty of Vitamin D on a daily basis, whether we were basking in the sun at the park, swimming with Papa Shawn at the pool, or enjoying the beautiful beaches...                                                                                                     

Char-pagne-in-the-brain turned 16 this month and invited the whole bunch to La Jolla Shores for an all day beach party and bonfire as the sun set. These kids are growing up wayyyyy too fast! I remember her in pigtails with all kinds of candy and treats in her little purse...now she wears her hair down, looks like a gorgeous young woman, still with all kinds of candy in her purse. 

 About mid-month, the cousin decided to bless me with his presence while on a school break. Now I have a roomate that understands my humor and will run with me whenever I ask. It's pretty awesome. We've been training at the stadium once a week. This rascal really kicks my butt, but the pay-off is awesome! Last week we ran a 7:46 mile. I haven't ran like that since I was forced to run the mile in 7th grade P.E....even then, I could only run a 7:49. Thanks cuz.

 July has also allowed plenty of opportunity to brush up on my photography. I'm still learning the mechanics of it all, but here are some pics from my summer sessions (4acephotography.blogspot.com)

That's all for now. Hoping for a great August in preparation of lots of big events!  Hasta Luego.

Coco, learning how to love.

I'm in love. With that said, I'm still learning how to love: big difference ya'll. To celebrate my 10 year union and love for my beloved Turtle, this September, we will enter into a convalidation (from the Latin word meaning “to firm up” or “to strengthen.”) within the Church; not merely a renewal of vows made previously but a new act of consent, essential to marriage in our Catholic faith.

In the 10 years that we have been given together, we have kept our faith through the storms and grown up together instead of falling apart. In life, we cannot predict the obstacles we will face, but we can choose to love one another through these obstacles, following the example that Christ gave us when he said, 'above all things, love one another'... But how do we love one another? Where do we learn? It is written in the scriptures:

* Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated,
it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Prayer is the glue that holds a marriage and a family together. We welcome you to pray with us and for us as we prepare to unite in marriage.

A successful marriage isn’t the union of two perfect people. It’s that of two imperfect people who have learned the value of forgiveness & grace. ~Darlene Schacht

And so it begins...

Today was the official end of school and start of freedom for my childrenz...or so they think (momma has summer school lessons already lined up for these rascals). I'm looking forward to a progressive, fun-filled, and relaxing summer. The Monsters blew me away with their report cards and MAP scores so I hooked them up with ice cream and swim time with the cousins to end their last day of school. 

I'm not looking forward to the Beasts overtaking my bed space  so I will definitely have to layout some boundaries; these fools are getting too big and putting their toes in awkward places...

 However, I don't mind engaging in some much needed cat-naps with sis and Gypsy. Summertime is a good time to catch up on quality time with my princess...

A good time for enjoying all San Diego has to offer with My Beloved and the Beasts...

 Getting these buns in shape with Sister Ugly as we bike all over town in hopes that we will melt our "double butts" while simultaneously working on our tans...

 Letting loose with my crew and indulging in an occasional dranky drank as I kick my feet up, get a massage from my well-trained boys, and enjoy the company of this awesome family I've been given. I'm looking forward to these next few months...Summa Tiiiiiiiime, let's hope the livins easy.

I'm not so bad...

Last night, my husband and children left me alone for 2+ hours. This can be an awesome experience...initially, but did I ever tell you I have an over-active imagination? My mind gets entertained by watching my self get into freak-out mode....So there I was, sipping my chamomile tea, enjoying the silent bliss, Reading...thinking....thinking....freaking out! 
After much too much thought, a little bit of a breakdown started in. I started reflecting on how many hours I had dedicated to other people's children at work, building their minds and character, yet my own little guys were neglected and at risk for becoming rebellious heathen! I hadn't volunteered in any of their classrooms, they were probably going to have horrible grades because I was too exhausted to help them with their work when I got home, my house was always filled with family members and chaos, even my children couldn't find peace...my babies! my precious babies! 

Panic set in as I realized it had been months since I had even sat down with them for a bible study...My little lambs needed

shepherding but their stand-in Shepherd had been too busy to tend to the lambs :( (thank God the OG Sherpherd (Jesus) is still around when I'm too busy!)

I got down on my knees and started praying over my household, over my thoughts, and over our future. As I said Amen, my husband and kids were just walking up from Son #1's Allstar practice. Husband enters the room and sees frazzled wife at bedside, "We are failing as parents!" I belt out. It is apparent to him that he was gone too long....

This was a mini- parental breakdown. These come on every now and then. I feel they are quite necessary to help me reassess my priorities and get my life back in check when it all becomes a little whack. Anyway, I shoved those kids into the shower (lovingly, of course) and plopped them into bed with me that night as we talked about life, read from Hebrews, and assessed the way things have been going lately and our plans for the summer.

The next morning, I'm pinning through Pinterest and I come across this awesome and reassuring Pin that made the slightest bubble of pride erupt within me because I actually do this stuff and apparently kids really like it!...(CAUTION: be very careful of those pride bubbles, when they start getting big, your children will pop them in public and embarass the Sh!t out of you with rebellious behavior as a humbling technique from above I suppose...So you don't start thinking that your parenting success is solely of your own efforts...betta check yo-self fools, it's by the grace of God that my kids are good, that my house is in order, and that I don't beat my children on a daily basis...) anyway, back to the post:

From the following blog: Hands Free Momma
The Top Ten Things Kids Really Want Their Parents to Do with Them
1. Come into my bedroom at night, tuck me in and sing me a song. Also, tell me stories about when you were little.

I totally do this for my kids. I even double up on the back rubs and head massages because my athletic rascals need these like their mother does; however, the stories part about when I was younger are a little gangster in style. They tend to be too frightening to speak of just before bedtime...


2. Give me hugs and kisses and sit and talk with me privately.

without question, we are hug and kisses fools around here. No problem here.


3. Spend quality time just with me, not with my brothers and sisters around

The husband is really good at this. This is something I need to work on. I generally just herd them around without one-on-one time. 


4. Give me nutritious food so I can grow up healthy.

Hey! I'm pretty damn good at this one, I thought they weren't fans of the Tupperware and not proud to dote the fruit bowls and grain bars. Score Here! 


5. At dinner, talk about what we could do together on the weekend.

Now, this is something that used to happen a lot more often. Our house has been so filled with various humans lately, we've been skimping on the family dinner talks. But we still do fun stuff together on the weekends i.e. hiking, beach time, bike rides. 


6. At night talk to me about anythings: love, school, family, etc. 

Now here's the part that makes me sad. This used to be a regular thing after bible study time. But Momma Bear being in the workplace has an effect on her exhaustion levels and thus cuts in on nightly talks. Now that schools out, I'm all ears kids!


7. Let me play outside a lot.

I'm allllll about kicking the kids out of the house to get some fresh air and help deplete their energy levels so that they are calm indoors. This one is a no-brainer.


8. Cuddle under a blanket and watch our favorite TV show together.

The husband is a master at implementing this one. Good job husband :)


9. Discipline me. It makes me feel like you care.

I love this one! Now keep in mind, the word disciple and discipline are close in meaning. To discipline is not all about spanking and head knocking, or taping mouthes shut (see photo: *CPS disclosure, the children depicted were not emotionally or physically harmed during the taking of this shot). It means to teach....Now, if your children are kinesthetic learners and learn best with a hands-on approach, maybe they need a good whoop to the pants to learn what you are trying top teach them...just a theory. 

dis·ci·pline  

/ˈdisəplin/

Noun The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.

Verb Train (someone) to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.

Synonyms noun.   order - punishment verb.   punish - school - castigate - train - correct - chastise

10. Leave special messages in my desk or lunch bag.

T

his one is a rarity but not obsolete. I do this once in a blue moon and it is appreciated. I suppose I could do this more often.  

So there you have it. What kids need for their hearts to thrive. Husband, if you are reading this, I take back my previous statement and declare, We are not failing our children after-all  We do all this jazz and more with our beasts and apparently, they appreciate getting slapped upside their heads when they back-talk (see #9). Lesson learned: when the freak-out sessions start to happen in my mind, I will put my love for my children into action and of course pray, pray, pray, so I can see straight: I'm not so bad.