Happy 42nd Birthday, Mama Espinal!

Grabiela, Mama Espinal, Daniela, and Jessica crying in the front.  The girls just laugh and laugh at this photo. They treasure it.

Today we celebrated mama's birthday.  I realized yesterday that they only use mami (mommy) when refering to their mom, but never use that word when talking about me.  It is nice to have a way to refer to her instead of calling her "your other mom" or Amantina.

Last night we made cards from my card making stamps and stuff.  Jessica asked Daniela, hey, what color was mommy's favorite?  Blue. Then she asked me what stamp you use for people that have died.  I told her to use the ones for birthday, but she was determined to do one for her being dead.  She found one that had black on it and she said, "I found the one for dead people."  I explained it was just black, but she acted serious and did the cut throat and tongue out sign for death.  Under her breath she said something and I asked her what she said.  She said she didn't want to say it.  She had a scowl look and a roll of her eyes.  Finally, I asked, "Did you say it's because of your daddy?"  She shook her head with a trembling lip, yes.  I really didn't say much.  I just let them talk about it how they want.   I try not to deny them any emotions they have for him or her. I just teach them about forgiveness and how death is very special because we get to be with Jesus and that is the best place to be in the world.

Card making last night

We headed out to the cemetery after lunch today with Luke and Naomi.  We picked up some flowers on the way to a baby shower this AM.  Daniela asked last night if we could go take flowers.  She always wants to go for events, but she never wants to pray or stay long.  Daniela cried twice yesterday over being bothered.  Daniela never cries.  Even when she does, she tries her hardest to hold it in.  Big ball of supression.  Finally, I asked late last night as she had tears about Jessica bothering her.  Are you sad today?  YES!  

We called their sister, Grab, last night and sadly, she didn't know when mommy's birthday was (so I guess they do not celebrate or talk about it).  She left their house when she was 4.  She wouldn't have remembered unless someone helped her with dates.

Luke, Jessica, Daniela, and Ethan walking

Mommy's Plot

Flowers and Cards

We ended the afternoon singing with cupcakes for her.

 The following are some old pics of the girls before they moved in.  They look so different to me and wanted to share.  Happy New Year, Family and Friends XoXo

Daniela at FIGHT's sports camp with Christina.

Daniela with some friends at FIGHT's sports camp.  So tiny.

We had a mission team here the week I took this picture of Jessica last summer.  Jessica would stand there at her gram's house for most of the morning just staring at us. 

The girls home across the street from gram's where they lived with mom and dad. Very small.

One last photo :)
Naomi and I threw a baby shower for Jamie this AM, so Luke babysat the bunch.  They just got a new puppy and Jessica is in love with Ria. 

Jessica

2015 Goals

We finished up the holidays with many old traditions and a few new traditions.

Decorating Sugar Cookies

Lasagna for Christmas Eve

Gingerbread Houses

Jessi is learning to ride without training wheels!

First Time for Everyone at the Caves

Cable Car Ride with Bethany

Tres Ojos with Tia Naomi y Tio Luke and Ethan

Tarantula Hunting with Tina!  An absolute blast, I must say!

We couldn't go to the States for Christmas, but we were totally blessed in staying here.

I completely missed 3 Kings' Day yesterday after I was reminded several times.  Maybe next year. 

I am so ready for the kids to get back to school (Daniela returns tomorrow and Jessica on Monday).  Soooooo vacation means I clean the floors daily, mop several times a week, laundry never ends, and my kids' stomachs are always saying they are hungry!??  Seriously, how much can these kids eat??  They go all school day with a snack and lunch, but at home they need to eat every hour, or at least cry that they are starving??

We have enjoyed break so much, though.  We got to do a bit of traveling and experience a bunch of "firsts" for the girls.  My heart melts as we pray for dinner at night and they thank God for the things we did during the day or the places we went, etc.  They truly are the most beautiful little girls, ever.

As we start the new year, we decided to set a family goal.  For 2015, we are striving to "Trust Each Other."  My main goal for this is to stop the lying.  Daniela has come so far and I am so proud.  This morning she said, "Heyyy!  I went all vacation and didn't tell a lie!!  I didn't have any punishments!" I smiled big!  Jessica seems to feed off Daniela and has started to lie more and more.  It looks like it might be settling.

Thank goodness. 

This year I have made a few personal goals/things I want to do/learn, too.

Some things that have always been on some back of my head list, but I don't do for really no reason at all.  So, this year, I figured I would accomplish or at least strive to accomplish.

1.  Learn to do a handstand like a gymnast.
This is ridiculously hard!  Who freaking knew!???  The girls and I were practicing this morning and oh my.  Forget trying to get into a handstand from your feet on the floor circling up to a handstand, maybe that can be next year's goal.  Ha!  I was just practicing SLOWLY bring my legs down in a circle/split like way...nope.  But it was encouraging after a million tries, I was FINALLY able to control myself starting slowly down, buttt then my legs seem to just drop to the ground once they get midway.  I am wicked hopeful with this! 

2. Do a pull-up
I have always wanted to do one and this year I am going to work towards doing it. 

3. Calligraphy
I found a website to do this with regular pens.  Sorta cheating but it is a start.  I love crafting/card making.  I need to get back into doing it.  I left a lot of stuff behind when I moved, but Heather shipped me some.  I just haven't bothered with that hobby I used to love so much. (Mainly because everything I had was English, but I can still make things for my English speaking friends).

4. Crochet/Sew
These two things have FOREVER been on my life list.  My mom taught me basic things, but it has been so long, and I am finally doing it again.  This time to really learn how to do both with mastery and make things for the girls!

5. Zumba
I really loved taking this in the States and want to work it back into my life.  I am definitely an early, early morning riser, but I don't like to actually leave the house early!  The night classes are not an option because of the girls, but I can get up early and do this a few times at the local gym. 

As for the girls, they want to learn some gymnastics.  They don't have the opportunity to take anything like that here, or even a dance class.  :(  So, we are going to do some basic things from watching videos online, and I can teach them.  A friend's daughter is teaching herself and she is amazing without a class!!  The girls are super excited.  I am, too.  :) 

Did you make any resolutions or goals this year?