Then and Now

My friend Tara posted something about how much she's changed since a certain picture was taken of her. It got me thinking the same about myself.

Raquel sent me these pics.

Beka was just about as old as Nathan is right now...which wasn't that long ago since they are only a year and a half apart.






There's something about the first baby and being uptight; at least for me there was. I didn't want to interrupt anyone with the crying of the baby and I compared everything that firstborn did with the other kids his age; like it reflected my parenting or something. It's totally silly now that I think about it.

Then the 2nd baby comes, which in my case was Beka, and the comparisons wane, but I still was on edge when she cried in a close setting of people.

Now with the 3rd baby, I could care less if he rolls over, crawls, walks, talks, reads, does algebra...faster than any one else. He'll get to it eventually. And if he cries...psha, who cares if it bothers other people. But it's not like I sit there and make him cry just to annoy others, but come on - babies cry. It's not the end of the world if someone hears him cry as I attempt to calm him down (not that he ever cries outside of the home...have I mentioned how good of a baby he is??? love it! I really hope I didn't just jinx myself.).

My dad had 3 children and growing up I definitely saw a difference in how mom and dad raised us kids. I, being the first born, was made to do my homework and even had to redo it if the penmanship wasn't great. I don't remember seeing this with my brother and never with my little sister. Funny (not funny, as in 'ha ha') that I'm the only one with a college degree (obviously not in English or Grammar). Hmmm, a correlation?

I see a different parenting style with each of my own kids in me and my hubby, which I think is perfectly normal, acceptable, and I think it shows a growth in parenting. I want to make sure that we keep our children's bent in mind as we raise them. They are all so different. But I also want to keep the same standards for each child, regardless of my parenting styles. Just because Nate's the baby shouldn't mean he can get away with more or less than his older brother and sister.

Gosh, parenting is a tricky thing. Good thing I know an awesome God to guide me through this thing! THANK YOU, JESUS!!!

Still waiting....

Charlie Garcia used to say that God answers us in one of three ways; He says 'yes', 'no', or 'wait'; and 'wait' is the hardest answer for us.

Well we're still waiting on the bank to tell us whether or not we get the house.






Tic toc, tic toc...

God is soooo not concerned with being on my time table - even though the $8,000 tax credit ends in a couple of weeks. Eeeek!

So...we...wait......

It feels good to be "overweight"

According to my BMI, I'm now officially no longer "OBESE".

It's going to feel even better to be "normal".

My trip to Albertsons

Here's what I bought today:

2 big packs of Pampers for $18.99 each (used 2- $2 off coupons plus the Albertsons double coupons, got a catalina coupon for $10)

1 jumbo pack of Pampers (this was on the clearance rack for $5, plus I used a $1.50 off coupon)

1 lb strawberries for 99c

9 lemons at 50c each

4 boxes of pebbles cereal for $1.49 each (I used 2 $1/2 coupons plus one albertsons double coupons, I got a catalina coupon for $3)

soft taco tortillas for $1.19

about 5 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (at the meat counter) for $10.53.

1 reeses candy bar (for the kids to share on the way home) for 50c

I also used a $4 off when you spend $40.

It took 2 transactions and I spent a total of $42.12.

I saved a total of $59.01

And on my way out, someone put a $3 catalina coupon next to the in-store ad display. Score! I'll use that next time. I'm going again soon because I still have 2 more albertsons double coupons.

A potential Munoz abode

We looked at a house today that we really liked. So we prayed and if it's God's will for us to have it then it won't sell to anyone but us. If you feel led, please join us in that prayer.

We literally had to run through since the lady living there was on her way to work. Needless to say, a few of my pics are blurry since I didn't have time to wait for the camera to find the correct focus.

Forgive me: my pics are all out of order and make no sense so it may help to re-read when you've seen all the photos. Sorry. Also, I totally forgot to take a pic of the living room. Oops. Did I mention I was rushed??? So here we go on the ghetto-virtual tour:


a view from the street. The lady of the house was leaving to go to work.
there are a few decorative rocks in the front yard lining the walkway to the front door.
the walk-in master closet
master bath
master bedroom (did you know that this paint almost matches my bathroom paint job that I just did. what the heck was I thinking???? I'm going to need some help because I obviously have crappy ideas!!!

2nd bedroom (between the master bedroom and 1st bedroom)
1st bedroom (at the end of the main hallway)
the cabinets above the washer and dryer. the light was out and it was really dark in there. I just wanted to get an idea...
laundry room that leads out to the garage
the linen closet from the main hallway
main bathroom, the shower is left of the frame
the hallway, I was standing between the living room and the dining room/kitchen area. the first door on the left is the bathroom, the door on the right is the linen closet. 2nd door on the left is the laundry room, the room at the end of the hallway is the first bedroom. then hallway turns right to another hallway that leads to the 2nd bedroom and master bedroom
the kitchen
then I did an about face and here's the dining room
this is the south side of the house- a view from the backyard
the back patio
master bedroom window from the backyard
north side of the house from the backyard
backyard pics

front right of the house
front left of the house

Psalm 105:1-5

Psalm 105

1 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.

2 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.

3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

4 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.

5 Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,


I italicized the awesome words that popped off the page for me.

Remembering the hard times...

My amiga, Danielle, suggested I keep the following email excerpt around to remind me of the hard child-raising experiences...you know, for when I forget how hard it is (which will happen should the Lord tarry long enough). I wrote this last night around 8:30pm:

Nate's been FUUUUUUSSSSSYYYYYY all afternoon. I think he's teething - got the slobber and gnawing on his fists like crazy. I gave him Tylenol about 90 minutes ago so he's trying to sleep now. But the little dude literally keeps throwing himself over so he can sleep on his side. It's kinda funny.
the other kids went to bed but they're still awake. About 45 minutes ago they both got up and pooped - jeremiah in the toilet and beka in her potty - at the same time in the same bathroom. They're tight like that. lol

I'm so tired I'm starting to not see straight. I think it's time to hit the hay.