Thursday, May 17, 2012

Virtuous Woman...Who can find?

I've got my flaws. I strive, I get prideful, I cut with words. I gossip and curse in the flesh...I could go on, but I'll spare you. More often than not, I get a spiritual b-slap in the face by the Holy One and put in my place with a teachable heart. Humbled, I realize, Geez, I've got a lot of junk to clear out of this heart of mine. In my daily routine of going 90 miles a minute one would look into my day and wonder if I ever relax. Or, if I could recount the small details that gave me joy or made me laugh in my 36 hours each day. Those who know me personally question if I have Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder, or if I might be a space-cadet.Truth be told, I pay very close attention to things one might never think to observe. I hear the notes that are sung in between the verses. Yes, it's true, I often filter out 90% of the words I hear coming from my sister/husband/closest friends mouths (mostly just my sister's mouth though) but I consider it a Spam Filtering Mechanism if you know what I mean ;). It would be a fallacy to say I don't pay attention; absolutely false to say I didn't hear what your heart was saying when you last spoke to me.

Let me break it down: I often do catch on to the things most important in life. I do listen to the small truths about life that come from the youthful exuberance of my children and students; I do hear the anxiety/happiness/heartache from a Mommy who wonders if her child is on the right track; I delight in the curiosity lighting up a child's heart when I teach them something new as they question the world, and I pay close attention to the changes God has made in my life and in those around me giving Him the glory as I sit back and do something one would consider unusual for me: watch, listen, Rest in His Peace, contemplate my days...So I heard about this virtuous woman, and to be honest, she irritated me for a good 7 years.

For many years I would read Proverbs 31.10, and contemplate this Barbie of the Bible (my perspective back then) always getting worked up when I read the details of her character, wondering if she was a fictional creation that some machismo man made up: Of course this (explicit word) is amazing! I would think, She has maid-servants for God's sake! I was embittered by the idea of such a perfect woman as I would wear myself out trying to be this woman who was beyond my years in wisdom and experience...Finally accepting that sanctification is in-deed a life-long process, I gave myself a break and started enjoying motherhood instead of trying to be a perfect mother.

This past Mother's Day I spent time with a woman whom I rebelled against initially because her personality was a little too blunt, a little too harsh, she was a little too....JUST LIKE ME. That's right, my husband married a carbon-copy of his mother. I couldn't appreciate it when I was just starting out in this Wifey/ Motherhood adventure, but I've come to realize that she is the best Mother-in-law one could ask for and I can appreciate her snarky comments from time to time: she is fun to dine out with, has a good sense of humor, and is a hard-workin' woman. Not to mention, she loves my babies strikingly close to the degree that I love the little beasts...she has taught me a lot with that strong personality of hers; I have quite the strong one myself, construed as difficult to teach for the faint of heart...The husband and 2 of his 3 favorite women sat on a balcony this Mother's Day over-looking La Jolla Shores, drinking Mimosas, eating crepes, and laughing over how much my daughter is going to be a spit-fire wild thing like her momma and Gamma. I felt the peace in the air as the breeze blew through reminding me that we are God's beloved daughters and we are in this together, this quest to earn the Proverbs 31 woman notoriety, learning much from generation to generation.
Here's To Good Women,
May We Know Them; May We Be Them; May We Raise Them


In honor of the special day, I invited the precious Mothers' of my students to celebrate their warrior in the world/motherhood status with a Mother's Day Tea in the classroom. The little boys and girls, dressed in bow ties, invited their mom's in with a kiss on the hand and seated them while they served the mommy's tea and desert. With one prayer in mind, we blessed the day:
Lord, teach me to live joyfully and playfully myself, so they will see your love in me, and find their way to you...
 Back at the home-front that week, I discovered that a glass of wine works wonders for your creativity in the kitchen as I drank some chardonnay and whipped up a cheap gourmet meal for me and the crew. My fire-cracker niece sat calmly watching me prepare things and asking sweet questions as I just smiled and listened enjoying this change of attitude in her.  As dinner was cooking, and I was feeling mighty Proverbs 31ish, I trimmed the roses in the yard, cut watermelon for the wild neighborhoodlums, and took some pictures-soaking up the sun watching kids being kids. * Yes, we are not to be drunk with wine, but being buzzed with a glass or two sure did mellow me out!  



 It isn't often that I can be caught in such a relaxed mood, It is fleeting in my household, so I seized it with contentment. I watched and enjoyed them enjoying each other...how often do we do that?

 
The next day, I gave myself a much needed nap and concluded that naps, occasional glasses of wine, quiet time, laughing time, encouraging other woman to hang- in-there time, and sitting my butt down for a good hour just watching my world instead of working my world time, is an absolute necessity for becoming that Virtuous Woman whose worth is far more than rubies. That Proverbs 31 one gal is attainable; it just takes a lifetime to get there and lots, and lots of grace, listening, learning, loving...you get the idea?

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

The Eventful Month

April is quite a month for our household and always full of fun. This year it was jam-packed with some entertainment for all ages and levels of maturity...or immaturity for that matter...

Enriquez2 & 4AceCrew started our adventure off with a trip to my home town. It had been a while since I had graced the streets of B-Town with my presence, and for good reason. Let me inform you that these trips back home usually end in tears and regret as I drive back home wishing I had never gone and praying for the sanity of my family and self (see the story of my youth for more info)...with that said, I began the week with lots of prayer and requests for God to make this trip a good one, and by good one I mean a day of  no fights, harsh words, or getting caught-up in illegal activities (that will not be mentioned for the protection and safety of the thugs in mi familia) wrong place wrong time kinda stuff... We headed into town holding our breath (for two reasons: #1. the fear of the unknown, and #2. the dense smog settled around the valley that greets us each time we visit) and whatdoyaknow, He delivered: prayers answered, It was the best trip I have had yet. My entire family (including myself) was on good behavior. We had a blast at the park playing in the river, rolling down hills, chasing each other for a beating, and seeking the beauty in this small town:




All the cousins had a chance to hang out and enjoy each other. Princess Mouse-Face got to be a wild woman and get as messy as she wanted just like I did when I was a kid.










The boys got a 
 taste of the cowboy life hanging out with Pop, making their own guns, and wading in the river in search for gold. We explored the countryside and enjoyed the sights of small town  living. It was a nice change of pace...
We visited all the great landmarks and stopped by the Kern Museum to see some history...Momma was the best hostess and fed us well. She really knows how to have a good time and get the crew laughing. One of the most memorable weekends I've had in a long while...

We said our goodbyes and headed home, promising to come back for the 4th of July. The ride back home was good reflecting time. God brought to my heart all the times I had prayed for my family and wished peace among everyone; for years I had prayed then I gave up hope, coming back to Him once again, He delivered...For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord...-Jeremiah 30.17 I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten -Joel 2.25






 Back at the home-front, it was business as usual. Sister Ugly, The E-Boys, and all the cousins came over and we had our usual fun; enjoying good company, laughs, and genuine love. I worked on some new hobbies and planted an herb garden in the front yard while I watched the neighborhood kids be kids: The neighboring clan of Somalian Refugees and my Filipino-Cowboys continued their game of war in the streets, always making peace in the end when they wanted to come inside and eat ice-cream (the usual peace-offering).




Other eventful moments in April included lots of hot-dates with the ever-so-hot turtle in my life who has become more of a stallion these days (or somewhat of a Clydesdale or hard-working miniature pony if you consider his height). I have a big crush on him lately...not to brag or anything, but he's quite the catch and often doubles as a handy-man, masseuse, personal trainer, and best friend. There were also lots of sports highlights as my beasts showed their stuff on the lacrosse and baseball fields...I busted my back car window out for the second time this month, but on the bright side, I do have better visibility without a back window...
To end: Lo and I got our feet back out on the trails to train for our next half-marathon. It feels great to get back out and running. We are all on a health mission in our house: healthier Spirits, minds, and bodies to be exact. The more the merrier if you care to join the Turkey Toes Trail-Runners ;). I end this month with a renewed spirit and refocused mind. The school year is nearly over, but the fun has just begun. I'm looking forward to more eventful moments with this bunch of crazies I've been blessed with.