Santa's little helpers!

Christmas through the eyes of a 3yr old!

Christmas with Ethan has been absolutely, positively soooooo much fun! I wish I had a camera to capture the awe in his little eyes, the thrill in his voice when he sees "Christmas", or a video camera to capture the the mischevious little things he does around the Christmas tree.

Here are some:
-The day we were bringing down our Christmas stuff from the attic Ethan was beside himself he couldn't contain his excitement he danced, jumped and sang his own version of jingle bells.
-"Mommy, mommy it's Jesus" Ethan yells this with excitement when we past Santa at the mall. LOL(the only bearded fellow he knows is Jesus).
-As I was finishing putting up our Christmas stockings we had company arrive and as soon as they walked in Ethan yells" Look, mommy made Christmas" (how precious)
-We were the first house to put lights up on our street and one day when we walked out front 3 more houses had done it. Ethans reaction: He stood in the driveway with his hands on his hips and he says "OOOOH my goooooooooodness mommy it's more Christmas". (his face was priceless)
-We walk the neighborhood in the day time and as we pass each house Ethan says "Christmas is here, Christmas is not here, Christmas is here, not here" (If you don't have lights or decorations Christmas is not at your house). Were working on the real meaning of Christmas.
-There's so many more but this will be the last one it's hilarious- one morning I was in the room getting ready and the boys were in the living room playing and watching cartoons. Everything sounded okay. No screaming or crying so I continue to get dressed. Well I come out and to my surprise Aiden is laying on his back tucked all the way in under the Christmas tree and Ethan is sitting there looking at me with his hands out "ta-da". He pulled his little brother across the living room and rolled him under the tree. It was hilarious and I wanted to get the camera but I had to get serious so he wouldn't do it again.
Ethan gets to open up gift (one library book) each night until Christmas. He loves bedtime now!
Ethan is cheezin as we decorate cookies or should I say I decorated, he ate!

Searching for the perfect tree...

I have been waiting for this day for a month now. I was ready to put up a Christmas tree since the beginning of November. To my husbands relief no one would sell me a Christmas Tree before the day after Thanksgiving(believe me I tried to get one). Well the day had come it was Friday the day after Thanksgiving. I had come up with a perfect Christmas tree checklist that it had to meet before it entered our home and that was: big, beautiful, full, green, perfectly shaped, no more than $50, no less than 6ft etc... So we did our homework on Christmas farms the day before and found the perfect farm that may have our perfect tree.
I awake with much anticipation ready to begin our traditional holiday festivities: The Cutting of the Perfect Tree. So off our whole family(grandparents, brother, sister, in law, kids etc..) goes in search of the perfect Christmas tree. We get there and are swept away by the happy, cheery farmers and the expensive quote for our perfect Christmas tree. As we ride down to the field I look up to the heavens and wait to see if there is a light shining from above illuminating The Tree. But there was nothing but clouds to be seen. So I knew then this was going to take a bit longer than I imagined. We stood in the middle of at least 100 trees that didn't quite look like they would meet our standards for the perfect tree. I began to get discouraged. Thinking to myself we brought my whole family down to get this tree and now they are way over priced and they are slim pickings in this field. I thought there is no way we can leave this farm without a tree what a huge let down it would be for the whole family and these people are so nice I would hate to say "thanks but no thanks." So we spread through out the field and I was soon being beckoned by every family member including my 3yr old to come see the perfect tree that they found. Well, finally Ben says "Mari I think the light is shining on this one." I look at it but see no light. It was okay but I still wasn't sold on it. So the farmer took us to one more place to look at trees. A few minutes later I was back and now I saw the light shining on that tree so we gathered around it and sang Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh, Christmas Tree how faithful are your branches just kidding, we didn't do that. Do you see the angels gathered around it?(grin)
Ben had the honor of cutting the Tutens 2007 Perfect Christmas tree. We went to get it measured and it was "8 ft. They sell these very expensive tree by the foot. So we were looking at quite a bit of money for this tree. Well, to help us forget how much we were paying and get us into the Christmas spirit the farm has a quaint little store with ornaments and hot apple cider to die for. Soon our bodies were warm and we were back in the spirit and forgot that we spent that much money. So off we went with our not so perfect Christmas tree, our much excited 3yr old, our homemade apple cider, our empty pockets and the spirit of Holiday cheer! That's the price you pay for tradition.
Here's our Christmas tree nicely lit in our living room. Just kidding.
Actually our Christmas tree is above it's meticulously and wonderfully decorated in blue/silver with red accents. I like themed tree's but Ben is much more into smorgasbord tree's but that's another blog

From poverty to Super Model!

Thirty two years ago I was born in a little town outside of Mexico City in a humble little village. For those of you who didn't know I was a twin. The way my mother used to explain it to me was "You are a very special girl. God set you apart in my womb and kept you healthy and safe. He has great plans for you." And 32 years later I figured out what my calling is in life to be Americas Top Model. Jen and I were discovered while we were walking through Macy's one day. Next thing I know we have our own make up artist making us look pretty(my eyes never felt so heavy with makeup). We also had at our finger tips over 100 dresses to choose from. Jen and I are doing our photo shoot with our very own professional photographer. Take a look at our shots.

Then I'm swept away to PF Changs for a great meal! Wow what a birthday who would of ever known that at 32 I would be discovered to be Americas Top Model.
Really, what happen was me and some friends went and got a make over and then we were trying on hideous clothes we would never really wear and then we ended our fun evening in downtown FW at PF Changs. So I embellished the story a little.The twin thing was true. I had an awesome birthday week!

Mexicans don't get old!

Yes, I am now 32 years young! My wonderful husband threw me a Swing dance party for my birthday and it was a blast! If you ever want to see a huge smile on my face catch me dancing with my husband! He said last night "I love twirling you." And I absolutely love being twirled by him.
Here's Carrie slapping me with the cake knife.(just kidding)

Thanks friends for joining me (even if you didn't like dancing) and your kind gifts always touch my heart.

Who hit the fast forward button? It's only 43 days left til...

Really it feels like someone push the fast forward button around Sept. and now were only 43 days away from Christmas! The first few pictures is a play date at the Botanical Gardens. We were supposed to make a banner from nature that says "Give Thanks". It ended up that all the moms were making the banner not the kids. Oh well we tried.

Santa is in town! We went to a welcome party for Santa and here we are with grumpy Santa who told me right before I took the picture "you need to make it fast because there's a lot of people.". Well that's the Christmas Spirit Santa!
The last couple of pictures are Aiden in his reindeer robe and slippers! He is such a beautiful baby I must say!

Mommy and Me Update!

Our First Mission - Books and Boogie!
Ps. 4:6 "Let the smile of your face shine on us Lord."

How sweet it is to minister and serve with our children! Actually to be honest, my children were in rare form this morning and they weren't so sweet. I think the Lord was giving me a glimpse of what it's like for a lot of mommies who have to deal with tantrums, disobedience, and crying regularly when they go out in public. I was thinking and talking to the Lord a couple of weeks ago about how I don't know what it's like to have to go on an outing with children who are constantly trying to test your patience. And maybe if I knew I would be able to make this more inviting for moms in that situation (by the way I am not bragging at all I don't take any credit for my children having an easy going temperament) Well, the Lord decided to show me this morning of all mornings what that's like. And yes, moms I do sympathize with you and I will take this into consideration so I will know how to better encourage you in the future. But enough about me, our time was truly precious. This is what memories are made of, this is what values are shaped from, this is how Jesus becomes real. To see our children be so giving of their possessions and so open and accepting as they played, danced and ate together with complete strangers of another race and culture.
Many thanks to all of you on the Mommy and Me Missions organizing crew.
Stay tune for the next one! Check out our website for details at www.mommyandmemissions.com

A Woman's Purse

Before kids- Cute little patent leather purse
AFter kids- Big red leather duffel bag(it's not really a duffel bag)

If you were to spot me out in a crowd I would look like your average woman. You may even think I don't look like I have kids- if they weren't hanging off me. My clothes is put together okay (or at least I think so) and my purse and clothes usually coordinate not necessarily match but coordinate. Well today as I looked through my purse in the middle of a bible study class I had to chuckle because of the contents I had to rummage through to find my phone.

My purses have definitely taken a new look now that I'm a mommy. Before they were cute and small, always small. Now they are big and lumpy. According to my son "I need it" everywhere I go. He won't let me walk out the door with out it. You will see why as you read. If you were to randomly open my purse you would find: cell phone, keys, coins, gum, at this point your thinking okay that sounds normal. Well it get's worse: candy wrappers, baby star finger foods that have fallen out of it's container, some kind of fruit in a baggie(today it was a whole grapefruit, Bob the builder undies (got to be prepared for those potty accidents), hot wheel cars, kid tattoos, coupons for Sonic, Chic-fil-a, McDonald's (all those wonderful healthy places to take your children to eat), baby wipes and depending on the time of the month you will find other necessities. I used to carry a first aid kit and mosquito wipes.
Wow! I guess you could get stranded on an island for a day or two with my purse. Can't wait til he's into bugs and rocks. For some reason I think I will be sure to find them in my purse.
What treasures does your purse hold?

Day Light Savings- Camping, shopping, cleaning etc...

Camping with a Tuten is always nice. I don't have to do much when I go camping with Ben or his family. They have all the gear you can think of and they have a certain way to do camping(so he prefers to do it himself, which is why i don't do much). Though it was cold last night we were nice and cozy in our down sleeping bags, down comforter and portable camping heater! I got hooked up marrying a Tuten!

Lake Mineral Wells camping was about the same to Cedar Hill camping. Only difference is we didn't have racoon visitors at Cedar Hill stealing our marshmallows, cereal bars, bananas and so on. We had fun with our friends (and the racoons)!



This day keeps going and going and going.... We went camping, fishing, cleaned our whole house, went shopping, went to the library, did laundry, finished lesson plans and now this and it's only 8:42p.m. I didn't mention my husband was very involved in all of the above which is another reason why I got so much done. 2 is better than 1.

A Mothers Battle. Frustration, Confusion and alas, Freedom in His Grace!

For years I'd been waking up in the middle of the night wondering why the Lord had given me so much vision, so much conviction for the lost but so little time, resources and energy. I'd wake up restless because my mind would not let the ideas go. This all left me feeling frustrated, confused wondering why the Lord would do this. Why would he give me this when he knew I couldn't do anything with it?

I felt like our world revolved around us, our family, our friends and our church. These are all great things but there was something missing. At that time I was pregnant so I knew very well and He knew even better that there was no way I would have the time or energy to add anything else to my day. When I would share these frustrations with girlfriends they came to my rescue and explained that this was my ministry-my family and this is just how it is. I didn't agree with "this is just how it is" but I agreed wholeheartedly with my family being my ministry and I wouldn't exchange it for anything in the world. But still the Lord continued to prod, gently prodding. As he so often does.

Well this past summer He spoke and answered my questions. The Lord opened the eyes of my heart to see all these frustrations, convictions, passion and ministry in a new way through this statement I read in my devotions "God's glory discovers us where we are." God can use me right where I am at He doesn't need to change my circumstances. So I began to meditate on this statement on how God used Moses right where he was at in the field as a shepherd. He showed me that I needed to yield, to surrender my ideas, my passion and my conviction unto Him. And only until then would I be able to cherish each moment with my children, my family and also seize the day for His glory! He said "Mari, yes I have given you a heart to serve, a heart for the lost, a mind full of ideas but you were looking at all of this through your lenses not mine, that's why you end up frustrated and confused."

"I gave you Ben and made you a wife. I gave you Ethan and Aiden and made you a mother. I gave you Jesus and made you my child. I gave you a heart for the poor, the lost. I give you the vision. Rejoice my child in all of this and use it to glorify me each day! You don't need to start a homeless shelter to help the poor all you need is to open your eyes and your heart when your out shopping. You don't need to go to Mexico to reach the lost just open your eyes when your out at the zoo or the park with your children. You don't need to be involved in everything at church so your children can see Jesus. Just treat the homeless man on the street like a person and offer him a meal. Mari, I want you to cherish each moment in your childrens lives but I also want you to know that you can seize the day to be Jesus, to help them see Jesus, and to allow Jesus to work through them."

It's so easy to become complacent, to get used to our routine, our litte life in our little world and that is exactly what we had done.
Wow! Tears rolled, snot flowed and my hearts burden was free when I heard these words. I realized that my children are my disciples. True discipleship is only effective if I am in the Word, fellowshipping with believers, serving others, reaching out to the lost but they go hand in hand. If I isolate one of them than my children only see a part of Jesus, the don't see all of Jesus. The hard fact is that this doesn't just happen in ones family, it doesn't just fall into place, you have to be intentional about it.
From these frustrations, confusion and God's grace was born: Mommy and Me Missions. www.mommyandmemissions.com

From Autumn to Winter to Life

I am caught in the midst of seasons
Autumn is here and gone
Winter has come again
I stand here naked and cold
My limbs crackle as
The wind blows those persistent leaves
That continue to hang on
Not wanting to let go,
Strongly resisting the beckoning call of change.
Ignoring the law of Nature
Afraid of what lies ahead,
They hold on to their security.
But the Breeze continues to gently persist
blowing softly as a reminder
That it's time- it's time, to let go.
The weight, the burden of the leaves intensifies
On these bare crackling limbs and
I relinquish
I let them go.

I wrote this in grad school as I sat on what was called "The Point." I called it my "sweet haven" where I would go meet with my Savior. God taught me a lot out there as I sat in silence listening to the wind, the rain, the thunder, myself, my friends, His Word, His Spirit....

Fall Fun!

Ethans hate and fear for bounce houses was conquered today! I don't know what got into him but he said "mommy I want to go up that slide" I looked over and it was the gigantic ones I thought surely you want to try a little one first but no he had his mind set and he went up and then we couldn't get him out.

Ethan went to the Trunk or Treat festival and is dressed as Curious George.
Ethan has been going to his best buds soccer games lately and loves being his cheering team. At first I was afraid this would make him want to play (we aren't ready to go down that road of games and practice etc..). Thankfully he was content just to cheer and get the snacks the team brought for the players.


Ethan got arrested! Just kidding. I invited some cops to my class at school and Ethan got to explore the car! He calls them "the man".

More Time to People Watch at the State Fair of Texas

People of different cultures, languages, clothing styles, hair and some you would think from a different planet collide at the State Fair of Texas. Most families spend little time sitting down b/c they want to get the most of their $10 parking fee, $14 entrance fee, $60 meal (how in the heck did you spend so much on dinner) and $40 coupons for rides.
Well with Aiden in the picture now we spend a lot more time sitting and stopping so I had time to watch people. Wow! It amazes me how different we are from each other. Oh, so very different! As I sat there I wondered what made you wake up and wear that? or hmmmm is that a man or woman? or how cute the young couple holding hands as she holds her prized stuffed animal, or hmmmm things sure are bigger in Texas,or I wondered what attracted that couple to each or I can't believe your mom let you walk out of the house wearing that and so many more thoughts as such ran through my mind as I observed.
We had a fun time but when we left I told Ben I could wait another 5yrs to do this and he agreed!
This picture is out of focus but I kept it because it depicts the fair experience so well. Busy, bright, fun and loud that at the end of the day it was all a blur.
Everything in TX is bigger! This cow weighs over 2,000lbs.


It took 36 tickets for our whole family to ride this ferris wheel

Aiden's 1st Camping Trip!

This past weekend Aiden became one with nature. He was able to explore his primitive babyhood and discover dirt, leaves, smoke and fire. Unfortunately, he was too small to enjoy the best part of camping and that would be- smores!
This is what memories are made of- delighting in God's beauty, enjoying our friendships, our family, laughing over a fire, refereeing our childrens arguments, sliding down your bed b/c your on an incline, waking up to the smell of smoke in your hair, clothes and breath, eating smores, carving a pumpkin, peeing in the woods. Ahhhh there's nothing better than camping with family and friends! You should try it, I highly recommend it.In real life we don't look this bad!

Margaritas and Senoritas!

Actually, we didn't have margaritas but we did have lot's of fun!
We looked at our wedding albums. Because of our age differences some of the ladies were married back 20, 30, 50yrs ago so it was great fun to see their wedding dresses and hear their love stories.

Just to shake it up a bit I got the Senoritas dancing the night away with some beginners salsa lesson!

Since we weren't ready to end our fun the boys got home and joined us. We ended with me and Ben swing dancing for the Senoritas!