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What’s Important?

2013 was a tough year for my family; a really, tough year. I spent a lot of time soul searching, crying, pleading, fighting and more. I spent even more time asking the big question, “Why, Lord?”

And we made it thru.

So what did I take away from 2013 that I can use towards 2014? What was I supposed to learn and what is important? What can I change and what can I do to work with the things I can’t change?

First, there’s the job. Not that my job comes first…it’s just that I spend the majority of my time there. Working 7 to 5, Monday-Friday tends to wear a person down. I can’t really change my job and I wouldn’t want to. I love my job and love the people I work with even more! And…I love the fact that I can see five of my children every day while I am at work. I’m figuring out that on the days I can leave, I need to get outta there! I’m also breaking up the day by taking a power walk with some awesome co-workers and NOT talking about work! And…I’m going to bed earlier. 🙂

God. Time with Him. Laugh all you want, but I love my Bible app, YouVersion. It lets me read whenever I can get a few moments in; some in the morning, some at night…and sometimes in a quiet corner just to get me thru the day! And now that my son can drive me to work, sometimes I read in the car, too! I know that we’re taught to read in the morning and then again at night and it should be for a certain length of time…but I get up at 5 am and am exhausted by 8 pm…and I am sure that God doesn’t care that I’m not following someone else’s rules for spending time with Him. The point is that I do find a way. 🙂

My family. We have seven children. Yes, seven…and a beautiful bride for our oldest as well. Between work, grocery shopping, Walmart shopping, homework, projects, and everything else….it’s hard. But, they are our most valuable treasures. So how do we fit it in? Some days it’s taking one shopping with me so we can have a quick meal or stop for a treat in between. It’s amazing the conversation you can have when it’s one on one. We alternate…we take turns taking our kids out on dates. Sometimes it’s planned…most times it’s seizing the opportunity! And my children are great! They don’t complain that we’re playing favorites because they can appreciate the quality time themselves. And nothing warms my heart more than watching them make the effort to spend quality time themselves with another sibling.

So what’s important?

All of the above. What’s important is learning balance; facing life head on and realizing that some things are necessary and others are out of your control. What’s important is realizing what you can control and making sure to live each day, each moment, to the fullest. It’s making sure that those who are special to you know it. That they are not just hearing it, but that you are showing them as well.

I’m not sure what 2014 holds for me; for us. But I do know this; my plans are to make sure that I seize the opportunities that come my way; to seize the moments that will make us laugh, cry, dance…love.

Taking the time to…

I can’t remember the last time I really took some time off of work. Coming from someone who spent 15 years as a stay-at-home-mom and then went into working a 50+hour week, life has certainly been an adjustment the past few years! Throw in adding two more children to our already large family…and well…we’re kinda busy.

Apparently God had other plans for me this holiday season It started with Thanksgiving and kidney stones that kept us from taking a trip to Colorado. Instead, my parents traveled to us with their 5th Wheel and stayed an entire month. We got to enjoy spending much needed time with them. 🙂 One of the highlights of the month was my dad spending the day with me on his birthday, which was the day after my surgery. We sat on the couch nearly the entire day and just talked and laughed. Another was shopping with my mom, just talking about random stuff, enjoying each other’s company… and not losing her in the mall!

As I recover from surgery, my body has kept me down for a lot of movies and Dragon City time! ha ha But, we also had cookie baking time, and pie baking time, and special one on one time with my kids. There’s been Sunday morning breakfasts with my oldest son.

Then there was the impromptu Christmas “party” last night. I had so much fun staying up until midnight visiting with friends that I don’t get to see enough. We played silly games, ate, and talked and laughed.

By this afternoon, I was done resting. As I sat on the couch watching the little ones spend yet another day on their tummies eating junk food and ready to watch another movie, I informed them they had five minutes to put their swimsuits on. We spent the next two hours swimming at the neighborhood pool. I actually managed to swim 500 yards and do another 150 yards of lunges and stretching in the therapy pool! I’m sure I’ll regret it tomorrow, but it felt so good to get out and do something. The Roni and I spent some time working on his swimming skills and what to do if he gets into trouble in the water. I taught him how to turn over on his back and float and use his arms to get to the side of the pool. Who knew that just a while later he’d belly flop off of the high dive and get the wind knocked out of him! I got a good scare as I watched him bobble up and down in the water, but breathed a sigh of relief as he managed to roll over on his back, float for a minute and then swim on his back over to the side of the pool.

Proud mama moment when he pulled himself up out of the water, smiled at me triumphantly without a tear and then climbed the ladder to do it again!

I’ll admit that I’m back to my pj’s on the couch and watching the Princess Diaries 2, but feeling good to just be. AND….I’ve got one more week of this!

So, what are you taking the time to do during this season?

The Golden Years!

Today, my parents celebrate their 50th anniversary! We don’t see much of that anymore. What I’ve learned from their marriage:

  • Unconditional love.
  • Grace
  • Commitment
  • Humor (Lots of it!)
  • Sometimes it’s better to back off then continue on; otherwise no one wins and everyone loses.
  • We’re in this together!

THRU THE YEARS

RUBEN & FRANCINE LUNA

MARRIED OCTOBER 13, 1963

HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! WE LOVE YOU!

 

Large Families

Reasons to have a large family:

1) There is always someone around to talk to.

2) There are a lot of people willing to stand up for you. (Granted there are also more people to pick on you!)

3) There are a lot of people to choose from to get a slurpee…or Starbucks …or ice cream with….

4) There is twice as much laughter (as well as other feelings)

5) There is usually someone around to kill a spider for you…or a cockroach…or a giant flesh eating moth!

6) There is always someone to fix the tv for you.

7) There is someone to go shopping with.

8) There is someone to snapchat with at all times.

9) Sharing a story with a group of crazies like you is always possible with a large family.

And the newest reason?

10) When the youngest vomits the nastiest stuff you’ve ever seen… There are plenty of members to put on the gloves and masks and help you to get it all up.

…and laugh at how great it is to have a large family to die with together as you try and live thru the clean up process!

I love my large family!!!!

Pam Hooper – An Angel from Heaven

It’s not often in our lives we meet someone who makes such a difference that it changes the way we view ourselves. A little over 22 years ago, I walked into Green Valley Baptist Church a mess. I was a young, single mother, who was at the point of not really caring what others thought of me. My plan was to be a strong, independent woman, who would raise my son all on my own without any help from anyone or any God…because if what I had been told about  God were really true, I wanted no part of Him.

My 15 year old neighbor girl at the time had invited me. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings or turn her down, so I went. I somehow ended up in a Bible study that morning. I remember listening and thinking…yeah right.

I couldn’t get all of the ugliness out of my head. All of the bad things that had happened and led me to that point in my life. All of the anger and hurt.

And then, I met Pam Hooper.

Pam saved my life that day. She spent hours with me, showing me scripture and explaining to me who God really was; that He wasn’t who I had been led to believe He was. That He was a God of Love and Compassion. And that He had a plan for my life.

Thru the years, Pam never forgot my birthday. She was always available for a phone call, a hug, a kind word, an ear, and an open heart. She has truly been my spiritual mom. Whenever anyone has asked, “Who has made an impact on your life?” I always answer, Pam Hooper.

Pam has shown me what it is to truly love someone. She has inspired me to be a better person; to love, to listen, to encourage, to be there for others, no matter who or what they are or have been through. She has taught me not to judge, but to understand.

She was there for me when I met my husband a few months later. She was at my wedding, rejoiced at the births of our many children and more.

My children all know who Pam Hooper is. Even the younger ones. The other day I was surprised to find out that my younger daughter remembered her since she has moved away. She replied, “Pam Hooper? Of course I know her mommy, you always talk about her.”

I know without a doubt that God sent Pam to me that day. I can only one day hope to be a smidgen of an influence to someone the way she has been to me. She is a beautiful angel from God.

Over the years, I have thought of writing about Pam. Something has always held me back. Until now. Pam is sick and my heart breaks at the thought of losing such an beautiful person; but God is calling her home. It has taken me some time to get up the courage to write about her. But I wanted her to know how much she means to me. Love like this doesn’t come all that often.

I love you so much, Pam. It has been such an honor to have you in my life. I can only pray that I can be there for someone else, the way you have been there for me. You are truly an angel sent from Heaven.

Love Always,

Hope