when life gives you lemons...

something new.

my kids have taken to calling me MOMEEYA...
it's cute, funny and annoying all the time. *lol*
momeeya. momeeya. momeeya.
that's what i hear all day long.

these two melt my heart.

despite the fighting and the messes. these two really are best friends. and it's absolutely precious!

my little mommy.

she loves her babies :)

stick 'em up.

she likes the clackity clack sound that her boots make on the tile :)

and yes, she dressed herself! *lol*

notice her shoes are on the wrong feet! ;)

i'll get off my soapbox now.

i firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. be it good, bad or indifferent. i know that i've said this before.
i've had some amazing people come into my life, and i've also had some horrible (horrible, by my judgemental definition of course) people come into my life. and well, truthfully, it's easy to thank God for all the wonderful people... not so easy to be grateful for the ones who hurt our feelings or say mean things.
not too long ago, i had a situation where i was really angry. angry to the point where lots of mind cursing didn't seem to help. and while i was there in the midst of it (curse words and all, buried deep in my own self pity...) something made me stop. and suddenly, i was flooded with all the times that i had said mean things. all the times that i had been horribly judgemental and cruel. the times when i put my own needs first, hoping that my decision would hurt whoever the intended target was...
swallowing your pride, and admiting your own guilt in the situation is never easy. in fact, sometimes it's down right impossible. but God has really convicted me in this way... it's easy to be ugly and hurtful at someone else's expense. but God has called us to love. and no matter what your views are on religion or God, or Jesus, how can this be wrong? how can anybody lose if we simply love each other?
i am not an expert. i am probably the worst example of a christian, because i do have a big mouth, i do have lots of flaws, and honestly, i am probably the most unworthy of unconditional love... however, in this same sense, i am probably the best example because if the depth of God's GRACE doesn't shine through this mess, then what else will?? Nothing I do could ever be good enough, and that's all the more reason to be thankful for His gift.

"and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
romans 8:28

i wish i could quit you...

if you notice me missing from your blog readers, please know that i didn't delete you, i just put you on my blog list so that i's easier for me to follow you! :) yes, that's right, i love my bloggy friends *lol*

happy mother's day!

so i woke up with the dreaded though of having to clean my kitchen (we had a barbeque last night, and went to bed way too late to clean up after) however, much to my surprise and absolute delight! i woke up to a SPOTLESS kitchen courtesy of michael and chris! what a beautiful and thoughtful surprise!! :)

so these are the monkies that i got to spend mother's day with.

michael, chris (who was on loan), brandon, olivia and sammy:

after a few group shots, we decided to venture to adana to enjoy brunch at the hilton. and here's our day in pictures!

so i hope you enjoyed your mother's day as much as i did. or at least felt just as loved! ((Hugs)) and happy mother's day to all my friend's (especially my own mom!) remember to hug your kids extra tight today, they are a precious gift from God :)

home sweet home.

i'm right where i want to be. home and loved. *sigh* (but in a good way) :) more on this later.

there's no place like home; there's no place like home...

i should be sleeping...
or at least reading and letting my mind wind down...
the night before a big trip i'm always a hot mess. i actually have everything packed; my clothes set out for tomorrow and the alarm clock set so that i have enough time to shower, brush my hair (though i wonder what the point will be after a super long flight!) and get to the airport in plenty of time.
still, i'm up and blogging. it's almost silly. but i'm worse than a kid on the night before christmas. going home sounds so appealing. i miss hugging my kids. i miss being near my husband. i miss everything about home. and i'm not one to rush time on, because i know it goes quickly enough on its own... but i just can't wait. and i'm so excited and full of big plans. there's nothing like being away to renew your resolve. there's something about being seperated from the ones you love most that makes you want to be a better person. it's a reminder that the grass is just the right shade of green. and just when you thought you couldn't love someone any more; your heart grows about three more sizes...
i keep learning that the biggest blessings come in the strangest forms.

it's easier to judge than it is to look in the mirror.

i do not consider myself gracious.
nor graceful.
but rather a mean, spiteful, and grudgebearing girl...
all the more reason to be greatful for grace.
i want to be a better person.
but i'm so thankful that God meets us where we are;
all the while encouraging us to get to where we should be.
normally we judge others
for all the things
that we hate in ourselves.

mario.

some pictures of mario. this little boy is just too precious for words. he's a reminder that miracles do happen, and you should count your blessings every single day.

i love these kids.

leaving here will be bittersweet. i'm ready to go home to my honey and my monkies.. but my gosh, i'm going to miss these sweet little monkies here!