Welcome to the Family, Bradley!

Bradley David Gonzalez
Monday, September 21, 2009
8:21 a.m.
8 lbs. 1 oz.
20 inches long

Some Funnies

Here are some funny photos from the last two weeks to keep things "up" around here; it's gonna be a tough week, so we need all the help we can get! :)



This is what happens when Drew and Daddy wash the cars, get all wet, and then use the tube on the vacuum as a hair dryer!


This is what happens when Drew wants to be the Home Depot man, but insists he doesn't need to wear pants!

The Old Man...

I can feel it as he moves... a slow, persistent saunter, without trepidation... it is the 'old man' trying to creep back up within me. He cloaks his intentions with rationality and relativism. He whispers mottos of self-preservation and expects me to join the cause.

As I prepare to embark on the journey of life with two children, more specifically, having another newborn in the house, I am, ashamedly, traversing ever so closely to that fruitless road of selfishness.

A little history
I was the poster child for selfish the first few months of Andrew's life in our home. I acted, and re-acted with the attitude that I was the one who had done so much, given so much, lost so much (sleep, of myself, normalcy, etc.). I was not as giving to my husband as I had previously thought I would have been during such times. I did not attempt to do anything special for him; I expected everything to be done on my terms. The Lord used that time in my life to illustrate in the most tangible way for me at the time my true nature and my need for His power to work through me.

Back to the present
As you think of me or my family in the weeks leading up to, including, and following baby boy's birth, would you please pray for my heart and my attitude? Along with all the normal prayers (which are all very welcome and very important) for the preparation, birth, recovery, etc., would you please pray that I not be tempted by that crooked 'old man' who wants to get his way again? The Lord has used my initial journey into motherhood to show me what selfish is. I want to 'pass the test' this time, and I want to model love, patience, understanding and peace to my family during this beautiful time of transition in our lives.

Mommy, I Built A Disney World!

Andrew has talked about Disney World ever since we took him there in June for Dave's birthday. It comes up in many a conversation, and he refers to many fun times and memories he had while there.

Last week, while playing with blocks in his room, he and Nana came running out to tell me that he had "built a Disney World" and that he wanted to show me.

This picture is not the greatest view of it, but the back left corner consisted of trees of all sizes, the front left of the circle begins the various rides, and by golly, he got the concept of a large area, with smaller clusters of concentrated activity, separated by theme. He explained it all to me. We were quite impressed!

Happy Birthday, Cherie!

My sister-in-love, Cherie, is celebrating her birthday today! Cherie is married to Dave's oldest brother, Rick. They have three beautiful boys and, even though Dave and Rick are the youngest and oldest siblings, respectively, Cherie and I are the closest in age amongst the women in the family.

Particularly when Dave and I were dating and engaged, Cherie invested a lot of time in me and allowed me to be part of her family. She gave me a lot of ideas when trying to plan our wedding, and even helped us find our reception site - the same place she and Rick had theirs two years prior. In the time I was pregnant with Andrew, she provided me lots of information and books on childbirth, babies and the like. She loves Andrew to pieces and when he was a baby, she loved to hold him and try to keep herself from smothering him with kisses.

She somehow manages to balance the insane amounts of activity that accompany three growing boys, keep them fed, shuttle them back and forth, and homeschool them, all while tending to her various other responsibilities, including a part-time job outside the home. She most definitely loves her family.

Cherie, as you celebrate this birthday, remember that though we do not know what the future holds, we know who holds the future, specifically your future. My prayer is that you are blessed beyond measure by the One who created you and that His perfect plan be revealed to you one day at a time. Keep on keepin' on!

My Sister is Expecting!

For those of you who have not heard, my little sister, Jaime, is pregnant! She is due in mid-February, and we are so happy for her and Gary. I would appreciate (as would they) your prayers for her and little baby during this time. In a few weeks, they should find out if they are having a boy or a girl.

Happy Birthday, Tammy!

Happy Birthday to my sister-in-love, Tammy, who is ___ years old today!

Tammy and her family moved out of state 2 1/2 years ago, so while we don't get to see each other as often as we would like, she is still a very special part of our family.

Tammy gave me such a warm welcome into her family when David and I started dating. Since I am the oldest child in my family, it has always been special to have Tammy as an, ahem, older sister from whom to seek counsel. She has always pointed me in the direction of what is God-honoring and has, over the years, encouraged my spiritual walk.

She is a loving pastor's wife and mother to five children (four girls and one boy). Dave and I lived in Tammy and Roland's house five years ago for about five weeks while we were waiting for our house to be finished. During that time, we made many special memories with all of them, and she was a godly example of wife and mother to me. She and I also enjoyed quite a few early morning talks over coffee (just hers - y'all know I don't drink that stuff!) in her living room.

Tammy, I pray that this year finds you basking in the blessings of the Lord, and that He will use your family to remind you on a daily basis how important what you do, every day, is for His kingdom. You are making a difference! Happy Birthday!