Play It Again: Christmas Thrifty Gifts

Play It Again: Christmas Thrifty Gifts: A Reedley woman has been shopping for Christmas for months. She and her family are going to thrift stores hunting for treasures to make Christmas more meaningful.

In Awe

Today I was at CVS doing my coupon shopping. If you know anything about couponing, you know it takes a lot of focus. So, there I am trying my hardest to stay focused w/ my 2 daughters( Kate - 4 and Autumn -2). I know, I know, I am not very bright taking 2 small children with me while I try to stay focused. Who was I kidding? Anywho, I am getting down to the last isle and it's the makeup isle (I barely ever go down that isle, but today I thought I would look, since I had a coupon). As we get to that Isle Autumn starts pulling Kate's hair. Kate is now almost in tears saying "stop it Autumn". I then turn to Autumn and sternly say "No, it isn't nice to pull Sissy's hair, we need to be gentle", which now means her tears start flowing.... and she is ticked at me. I take a deep breath and sigh (cause now I am overwhelmed), then I feel this soft touch on my shoulder and hear this little voice say, "It's ok my dear, just be thankful they are happy and healthy". I turned to look who said this. It was a little old lady, with the kindest smile. So I respond "your right...she's just so ornery". She says "she may be ornery, but you are so blessed to have a child healthy enough to be so spunky". Then she proceeds to tell me for a half hour (which I didn't mind at all) about her twins. Which by the way, Autumn sat through it all without a peep. One of the twins passed away at birth and the other has cerebral palsy. She told me of Gods faithfulness to her and her children. At first I thought I was there just to listen to a little old lady that needed to talk, but as I listened, her words brought so much comfort to my heart. She spoke of being a Christian and how God brought people to her right when she need them. She spoke of heaven, and how He has treasures awaiting for me there. I just stood there with tears in my eyes in disbelief that this was taking place in the make up isle at CVS. I told her that her words of encouragement came at the perfect time, and how grateful I was to have met her. She then hugged me so tight, as if I were a long lost family member. It was amazing. As we said goodbye I noticed that a lady I had talked to earlier about makeup, was on her knees beside us. She had listened to the whole thing. She acted as if she were looking at lotion, but the way she looked at me at that moment said differently. So then i began to think that this may have been for her too. That thought made me so excited. This woman may have just seen the Gospel in action for the 1st time. Who knows! My heart is still overwhelmed with gratitude to God for His perfect timing. To see for just a glimpse the crazy amount of love He has for me, and how He cared that I was feeling overwhelmed. That he met me where I was at, at that very moment. Oh how he loves me...a wretch like me. It's truly mind boggling! Wow! So in awe.
May you know His amazing love for you today. If you don't know of His love, Ask Him to show you. He will.

Mommy & Me Date

Yay!!!....It's Elmo!!!

Hi Elmo! A dear friend of ours blessed our socks off by giving us 2 free tickets to see Elmo Live. Kate loves Elmo, so I knew right away who my date would be. This was Kates first Mommy & Me date. It was so much fun! She is such a sweety.

From 5 to 7

One year ago I got a call saying Johns Niece Catlin was going to the hospital. The girls were then taken by CPS and were soon going to be placed into Foster Care. John and I both wanted the girls to come & stay with us. John and I were so thankful to God that we had just moved into a house big enough to squeeze them in. Things were tight (in all ways) but we saw God work in miraculous ways. As time went on John and I both knew this was bigger then we thought, this was more permanent than we thought. But that was ok, because we serve a BIG GOD! It was awesome to see God work in all of our hearts, the girls quickly became a part of our family. They already were by blood, but He made it deeper than that. Only God could do what he did with our family. He knitted our hearts together in a way only He could. I saw my 3 oldest kids become big brothers and big Sister to the girls. And John and I feel so blessed to be able to raise these two beautiful girls. Sure, there is trails and tears, but the joy and love I get from being their mommy make it all worth it. So now Our family is the # of completion ~ The Lanier family of 7!

All Glory goes to God, who has done far greater things than we could ever hoped for or imagined. He is so faithful! Thank you Jesus!

Thank you to everyone who has:

Supported us through this journey

Prayed with us & for us

Taken care of many of the needs we had for the girls

Taken care of the girls when we have court stuff or Dr. stuff

Providing Day Care 2x's a week - Letty you are amazing!

Babysat 5 kids for dirt cheap - Thanks Meagy!

and the list could go on. Each of you that have helped us in any way have been a major blessing to us. Than you for the bottom of our hearts.

Can't wait to see what God has instore for this next year.

Hillsong United - Here In My Life - With Subtitles/Lyrics

been to long Part 1 (Summer 2010)

So much has happened in the past 6 mo. So I'm going to keep it brief and just post some pictures w/ some captions.

4Th of July 2010 - look how tiny she was

4th of July at the Garcia Casa

Family time at the Luceros

Our trip to San Fran

Beach time! Madi & Kate enjoying the ocean

At Chuck E Cheese in San Fran

Silly Jiggy boy! San Fran 2010

In August we threw the girls a Princess party fit for our two little Princess'.

It was so much fun!

June 2010 - More Picasa Fun!

 

Not the Biggest Losser, but my life is changed for the better!

In Feb. I started the biggest Loser contest with LC's Fitcamp. You can read my post on my first experience with Fitcamp from back in Jan. - http://brandelss.blogspot.com/2010/01/fat-chance-and-fit-camp.html - .
Anywho, today was the last weigh in and I just found out that I didn't win. I was kinda bummed at first, but then I remembered that I have lost -28 lbs. since I started fitcamp, went down a pant size, feel much better, and have met several of the goals I set when I started. I have lost -22.4 lbs, -27.5 inches, -9.81% weight loss since I started Biggest loser... I'm okay with that. I also get one free month of training...whoopee! I still have a long way to go, but I know now that it can be done. It just takes time. I like things fast and now, but I'm trying to remember that lasting weight lost takes time. I want to do this right, and healthy, so I press on - I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength!

Results -
http://lcfitcamp.blogspot.com/2010/06/and-winner-is.html

Thank you Shea for inspiring me and telling me about Fitcamp, and thank you LC for helping me meet those goals and encouraging me along the way! You girls rock!
Congrats Stephanie!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength!

Last month John and I were blessed to have our two Nieces - Caitlin and Autumn - come live with us. We both knew that this was best for the girls at the time, and we didn't really think past that. Now that we are one month into this situation, we have decided to go forward with guardianship (It's really the only option at this time). We all have loved having the girls be apart of our every day lives. They have brought a lot of joy into our home. Sure, there are struggles and even some tears at times, but I rest in the fact that "HE" knows. He allowed the girls to come here and He will make all things work out for good (Romans 8:28). I also stand often on the scripture that says "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Phil. 4:13. I quote that a lot these days.
I don't know what we would do without our friends and family that have surrounded us with love and support and who are encouraging us w/ cards, baby furniture, letting us barrow their car for a month, painting (that blessed Johns socks off), baby clothes, diapers and best of all...Gods word. Thank you, you know who you are. I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future! That is what gives me peace during the tough times.
Please continue to pray for us and for the girls as we continue to adjust to this new life. Thank you!