Daddy Time

So Ranita didn't get to come home for the weekend a couple of weeks ago, so we decided to pack up and go see him.  I explained to the babies that we were going to see daddy, and that they needed to be really good on the drive down.  So how were two 6 month old babies on a 4 1/2 hour drive you ask....... perfect.  I didn't hear a sound out of them.  Every once in a while I would hear their toys make a sound, but nothing from the babies.  We got to where Ranita is staying and when he came out the babies were so excited.  They started trying to jump out of their car seats.  We decided to reward them with lots of hugs and kisses from daddy and then some food.  My husband was supposed to have to work on Saturday, but found out about 30 minutes before I got there that due to Mardi Gras, they would not be able to work on Saturday.  So, we decided we would drive down to the beach.  I informed my husband that it was supposed to be bad weather on Saturday, so the beach wasn't the best place to be.  We decided to drive down that night anyway.  So we packed the babies back up in their car seats and headed to Gulf Shores.  I was shocked that they were willing to go for another ride.  We went to eat at the beach, and decided maybe we should find a place to stay.  We pulled up the weather and decided we needed a place with an indoor pool, microwave and fridge in the room so that we wouldn't have to leave the hotel on Saturday.  So we found a hotel in Foley.  It was great.  The staff was so nice.  We loaded up with snacks and microwave meals from Wal-mart and headed to the room.  The next morning, the rain was a little slower coming than they had thought, so we decided to head across the street to the Carter's outlet.  There was a huge sale, but we were only going for some sunglasses for their Easter Baskets.  We were in the perfect place for the Mardi Gras parade at our hotel, but the rain came and the parade was cancelled.  So back to the hotel we went.  We dressed the babies and off to the pool we headed.  The water was very relaxing for the babies and after the first swim, before I even got Victoria's towel wrapped around her, she was asleep.  So our pattern for the day was swim then sleep and repeat.  Here are some pictures from our trip.

Eating at Crab Trap

Hanging with Daddy

I want to go there daddy

Ready to swim

Time to nap

Ready to swim again

"My sister taste good!"

Swimming wears us out

The next weekend, Ranita didn't get to come home.  So we made some signs for daddy and some Thank You cards for some other people. 

On break....

Finished products

Card making wore me out

me, too.




Saturday night I found out that Ranita's boss was going to stop by my house Sunday afternoon to pick up a few things that Ranita wanted from home.  So, I got up early Sunday morning and made a Pineapple Cake and Povolones Mexican cookies.  David and Victoria were good sports to sit and watch me bake.  I had to work childcare at Church and I was so proud.  I did my baking, bathed and dressed D and V and myself and got us all to Church..not just on time...but early.  It was a miracle!

We try to send pictures or talk to Ranita on the phone daily.  They get so happy when they hear his voice.  One of the pictures Ranita got this week was a photo of the new outfit I found for David that I knew Ranita (and Granddaddy) would like.

Roll Tide

Listening to daddy on the phone

Be My Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!  This is my 2nd Valentine's day as a married woman.  I was very sad because my husband is working out of town, and we didn't get to spend the day together.  But he did find a way to surprise me at work. 

He even got the right kind of Chocolate. :)



My husband had a little help from our friend Laura.  We were all together on Sunday, and I had no idea they were making plans every time I walked out of the room.  They are very sneaky, but I am glad.  For the evening, Stacey came over and D, V, and I went with her to eat at Olive Garden.  It was very tasty, and I couldn't have had babies that acted any better.  V slept most of the time, and D played with his toys the entire time.  They were so cute that they caught the attention of neighboring tables, who also commented on how good they were during dinner.  I would like to take the credit that they have their mom's personality, but I had to admit, I think they take more after their daddy.  And the smiles.....Victoria couldn't have had bigger smiles for the people that came to talk to her.  David had fun smiling, too.  This is like their father as well.  D and V got to talk to their dad on the phone, and get some extra lovin from their "adopted" aunt before they went to sleep. 

We celebrated Valentines with the grandparents last Friday when Ranita got in from out of town.  They did get a Valentine from their mommy and daddy, but it hasn't arrived yet.  Each Valentine they will get a photo book documenting the year before.  Mommy was a little slow getting them created this year. But they have now been ordered.

"Are we done with pictures yet mom?"



"Look mommy, the card is almost my size."



We are adjusting to daddy being out of town during the week.  We are excited about going to see him this weekend.  They get to talk to him everynight, and we have planned to do Facetime, but we need to work on that this weekend.  But daddy gets lots of pictures sent to him every morning and night. 

We have spent extra time at Grandmommy and Granddaddy's house, too.  We are so glad that they live close, and we can hang with them. 

Trying to be like my cousin Cason.

Now just a few random thoughts.  Sunday morning I received a phone call at 5:30 A.M.  I answered and heard this is your wake up call.  My question was...why do I need a wake up call.  Mom and dad needed help.  They were having a party that night and were doing all the cooking and their fridge had gone out.  They needed to borrow my fridge.  So off to their house to pick up food.  Good thing we hadn't bought anything other than baby food in a while.  We had just enough room in our fridge.

Finished product for the tables

And this is a picture that recently found.  I love this picture.  Anna loves her little cousin "Toria". 

On January 29,  we had our Spanish Parent-Baby Dedication.  It was a really sweet service.  As the Pastor had me pray for my daughter and went over the list of my responsibilities as a parent, I really started thinking of what I really want my kids to learn.  What is really important?  Ranita and I take this verse to heart…..

 1 Samuel 1:27-28

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.

Here is a list of what I hope to teach them. 

1.        Have an attitude of Thankfulness to God.  When they wake up, I often sing songs  like, “Rise and Shine and give God the glory, glory.” Then we start singing, “This is the day”.  The song that makes them the most happy is “My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do….”  They can be frowning and I can start singing this song and they will get the biggest smiles ever.  I want to teach them that Praising God and an attitude of Thankfulness is a 24/7 attitude.  I want them to understand that no matter the circumstances, good or bad, our God is worthy to be praised.

2.       Pray without ceasing.  I want them to understand that nothing is too small to pray about.  When I was on missions in Alaska, the Pastor lived a perfect example of this.  I was telling him that the big summer event, (bonfire on the beach) was that night and it was looking like it was going to rain.  Now my dilemma was in this area it didn’t rain very much and the water that they lived by was rain water, so they were in desperate need for rain.  He stopped right then and there and prayed for the rain to come, but to hold off until the bonfire was over.  I often try to remember that we can pray at any time about anything.  God is our Father and he loves to be an active part of our lives

3.       Never Stop Dreaming.   God’s vision for our lives is much bigger than we can ever imagine.  Find what you are passionate about and reach for that goal.  You have everything that you need to succeed in your passion for life.  God has given you every gift you need for what He has in store for you.

4.       It’s ok to say “no”. It is ok to say “no” to anything that you don’t feel is right.  Sometimes to say no, means taking the road less traveled or less popular.  Be humble, but stand for what you believe in.  But always have respect for others and treat them with dignity.

5.       You are beautiful just the way you are.  God knew you before He formed you in the womb.  He loves you very much and you are his creation.  Be happy and confident in who you are.  Don’t ever feel ashamed of where you came from.  You don’t have to be perfect, just be you.  We are proud of you!    Don’t ever doubt that.

6.       Family is forever.  Always remember that you were wanted and you are loved.  No matter what mistakes we make, we will always be family.  You father and I will always be on your side. There are times that we will make mistakes in the way that we talk to you or understand a situation, but what we do, we do out of love.  There are going to be times that we have to discipline you, but it is because we love you.  Much like our Heavenly Father.  There are times that we may not understand or agree with His plan, but he knows what is best for us.  We just need to follow His way.  It is much better than our ideas. 

7.       Don’t hold grudges.  The only person this hurts is you.

8.       Be happy and content with what you have.  You have been blessed.  There are so many people that love you and want the best for you.  You may not have every material item that you want, but you have plenty.  Take what you have and use it to bless others. 

9.       Always remember to put God first.  He will show you the way.  He will never fail you.

So the baby dedication was really nice.  Several of our friends came.  Our friends Shannon and Andres from Sweet Spot Confections made the cake for us and it was very tasty!  My sister-in-law Nancy made some really cute cookies for us to give out as the “recuerdos”.  We also had some crosses to give out as well.  After the service, there was a luncheon with some really good food. 

Pastor Harper

Elida, Karen and David

Thanks Nancy for making the cookies for me

Kara and Brandon

Harry and Regina

Stanley and Tana Lee

They were so good during the service.  We made it the whole way without too much noise.  My bag was armed with toys.

Later that day, we went to my husband’s soccer game.  It got a little cool, but not to worry, we had our warm outfits. 

After the game, we went back to mom and dad’s house to celebrate the addition of Anna and Charity to our family.  They have been with us since they were 6 weeks old and now it official..they are a Reeves.  I am so excited for my brother and his family.  We all love these girls so much.



Our babies are now 6 months old.  I can’t believe it.  They each got 6 shots and a finger prick.  It was a long evening, but they handled it well. 

David, "who me?"

David, "I am hungry mom."