Happy Birthday Jesus!!!!!!

This year Christmas was truly magical! In keeping with our recent years traditions (and because we just got back from Disney world) the kids got 3 presents each. We figure if it was good enough for Jesus it would be good enough for them. The catch is they are to go through some of their toys and give 3 away to strangers or neighbors.

The Christmas holiday was kicked off on Friday when I declared it "pay it forward Friday". Each year my niece Faith and I do something special for her spiritual birthday (celebration for the day she asked Jesus into her life). This year we wanted to give back and during my quiet time with God, He gave me the idea to go to the grocery store and pay for people's groceries. I also made some cross ornaments with Luke 2 (Jesus birth) and the candy canes with the story behind the candy cane for my kids to give out to other children at the store.

We started at Aldi's and blessed a woman with her daughter by paying for her groceries. She was so touched and it was a great witnessing opportunity for Faith and Skylar. We were able to tell her that we wanted to spread the real meaning for Christmas to others and give in Jesus' name.

We next went to Starbucks and got the girls a hot chocolate and paid for a ladies coffee. The lady was so moved by the message that she started tearing up. She said she was going to pay it forward to us and to our surprise she went to her car and brought us back each 2 bottles of high end perfume and cologne. She was a perfume rep and wanted to bless us with what she had!

HOW AWESOME IS GOD!

Here we are going out to give to others and we get bless in the meantime. It was such a teaching moment for the girls because I have seen it time and again that if we honor God by being obedient to His call and if we give joyfully of our time, money, talents etc. He will bless us. It reminds me of God's word in Malachi 3:10 God says to bring our whole tithe and see if He will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it. He says to test Him in this!

I am a witness to the truth of this promise. I have seen that when Matt and I have honored God with being faithful to tithe our money, time and talent; He has blessed us even more than we could ever imagine! Thank you God!!

Riley was so excited to get Minnie Mouse!

Jayse got a Mickey!

Merry Christmas Cindy. Thanks for our awesome popcorn maker!! Movie time!!!

Everyone looked pretty for church. The service was very spirit filled!
They showed this YouTube video at church and it made me laugh: http://youtu.be/sghwe4TYY18

Happy Birthday Eddie!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS GRANNY!!!!!

We wanted to send a very special message to Granny to say MERRY CHRISTMAS!! We love you and miss you!!!

Beautiful letter from Skylar

I love this letter from Skylar that she gave me the day before Matt and I left for St.John's. She knows how much Mommy was going to miss them and that I HATE to fly. She wrote me this encouraging note that among other things told me that she loves me and Matt, that God is in control, that God knows everything, loves me and has a plan for me. What a great encouragement this sweet note was. It gave me so much comfort and I am so thankful that she has things in the right perspective. To have faith like a child!
"the kingdom of heaven belongs to those (with faith like a child). I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:16-17

Jayse's Christmas party

Jayse and his good buddy KJ have a snack at the Christmas party

Time for a craft! Jayse makes a beautiful angel and a snowman snow globe.

Skylar's Christmas Choir Performance

We were so proud of Skylar. She had a solo and really nailed it! Good job baby!!!

Christmas plays

Riley as the "sign holder"

Seeing that smile and hearing those voices raised up praising God is all I want for Christmas!!

Riley and Preston smile after the play was over. Ready for Christmas break.......

Christmas with the Bueno's

Riley loves her art set and can't wait to start the projects

Jayse loves his little Mario.

Welcome Lola Anne Marie to the family!! She is a beautiful little girl!

Riley and Mia are happy to open presents and eat dessert!

Uncle Bobby is always up to something......

The kids get silly!!

Time to get serious! The cousins had such a great time hanging out over the weekend! We had GREAT food (thanks to Abuela) and fun hanging out!

You can guess who we are pulling for: LSU!!!!

What a time we had playing Wii Just Dance! It was a work out for us old folks!

Let's hope the kids get their rhythm from mommy.....lol....

St. John's Virgin Island

While the weather was on and off sun we were blessed to see the most beautiful rainbows. It was such a comfort to me. This particular morning I was missing the kids and sat outside to do my bible study and just spend time worshiping the Lord in this beautiful place. I closed my eyes in prayer and then looked up and saw the most magnificent rainbow. It was such a beautiful site and such an encouragement that God was with me. Thank you Jesus!!!

Matt surprised me with a relaxing couples massage outside on the back porch of the villa. It was the most relaxing time I have had in a long time. One hour of pampering in this awesome setting listening to soothing praise music. It was truly an amazing experience. Thanks Matt!!

This picture is taken over looking picturesque Trunk Bay. The most beautiful water colors and secluded beaches. It was like heaven on earth!

Looks like a Corona commercial! Matt's favorite thing: being alone on the beach with beer in hand enjoying the sun and surf!

Disney Trip 2011!!!!!!

DISNEY TRIP!!! SURPRISE!!!!!
We had to keep it a secret for months but we pulled it off and finally told the kids the morning of the day we were to leave. They were so surprised that they were actually speechless. (that doesn't happen often) We used our dinning room table that for about a year now we have been letting the kids write special memories and thoughts. I wrote "Surprise we are going to Disney World today!!". See the video below for the actual footage. We had such a great trip!!
Here are the kids at the Magic Kingdom posing in front of shrubs craved as Mickey and Minnie!
The kids get excited to ride "Dinosaur" in the Animal Kingdom

Every one's favorite "Rockin Roller coaster"

Disney at night during Christmas is truly magical. The castle was decorated in special lights that would change colors every few minutes. It was truly magical!!

The kids pose in front of "The Tree of Life" that is a huge centerpiece in the Animal Kingdom. It is really an awesome feature that if you look close in the blurry picture you can see hundreds of animals carved into the tree.

Surprise!!

Trip to Disney: Expensive. Walking around Disney: Tiring. Seeing the smiles on their faces: Priceless.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

38 years old!!! Daddy had a special birthday dinner and then had Chris make his favorite Dirt Cake for dessert! Happy birthday Daddy!!!

Fall Pictures

We took advantage of the beautiful fall colors at Tia Chris's house and took some great pictures.

Halloween 2012

Halloween 2012 was rainy in Raleigh so we went trick or treating at the mall. It was packed with kids in costumes. Riley here is a cowgirl. Soooo beautiful!!!Megan and Skylar are twin princesses and Jayse is a fireman.

The kids got lot's of yummy candy. Glad we go to the dentist next week!!!

Fall Harvest party

Jayse doing a craft at the fall harvest party.

Time to eat!! The kids share in a "sharing snack" and combine lots of goodies like m&m's, pretzels, goldfish, etc.. Yummy!!!

Jayse hanging out with his buddies K.J. and Mason.

Soccer Pictures

Ocean Isle Seafood Festival

Skylar flipping on the trampoline at the Ocean Isle seafood festival. The kids had a blast on all the bouncy toys. What a beautiful day! We were able to take the boat from Holden to Ocean Isle and spent the day shopping at booths (window shopping b/c we didn't buy anything other than food!), eating, and of course we had some ice cream from the creamery. Yummy!!! Jayse's turn.

Skylar and Jayse ride a camel. Hold on tight!!