Weekend Update

Just thought I would post a few pictures from the fun weekend at our house. You will see "The Four Amiga's". Who by the way, were absolutely amazing! I was so proud of them. And on top of it all ....aren't they beautiful!

Then there are a couple of football evaluation pictures. Jaden was put on a team with a few kids that are actually second graders and have played before. How about that! Anyway, that's about all for us right now. (i added a valentine pic of mom and dad too!)

Shoe String Joy

I realize that most kids learn to tie their shoes before they go into kindergarten. However, my son refused to take time to learn how to tie his shoes. For almost seven long years we have heard, "Mom, can you tie my shoe?", or "Dad my shoe won't keep tied..". But today everything has changed! Jaden can now officially tie his own shoes. Yes, one small leap for mankind, one giant leap for Ayala manhood. He is very impatient with himself and does not like for it to take more than once for a concept to sink in. But today, the wires connected and now Edgar and I have been informed that we are no longer needed when it comes to the shoe string. Not sure how I actually feel about one more step toward total independance, but awesome to see him so proud of himself.

On another note, Jaden will start flag football this weekend. This is the beginning to (hopefully) a long and illustrious football career. Gabby will start volleyball sometime next week. She is very excited and is going to be pretty good. (we think) So for now, that's all folks....

American Idol Here We Come...

On Friday evening February 20th your calendar may be empty. Not the Ayala family calendar. We will be attending the Humble Christian School Talent Show, where Gabby and a couple of friends will be preforming. They tried out for the talent show yesterday and made it. They will be doing some kind of black light dance/human video thing. I'm sure there is a proper name for this new form of "expression", I'm just not sure what it is. So, she came home very, very excited to be a part of the "4 Amiga's" and we are very proud of her accomplishments.

Now, her brother seems to always have the ability to pop her bubble and, quite frankly, lives to do it. So after the exciting news of the talent show spot had been shared, Jaden informed her that she was lucky he didn't try out. He told her if he had tried out she never would have made the show because he knows he sings like Zach Efron and the girls think he is hot. So, if he would have sung "Bet on It" (from HSM 2) he would have gotten her spot in the show. Gabby quickly informed him that he couldn't sing that song by himself because it was sung by a group in the movie. To which he replied, "I don't need a group, I stand alone."

So, having said all of that, I hope Simon, Paula, Kara, and Randy are ready because in a couple of years "J Dog" gonna be in the house!!!! There is never a dull moment....

We Don't Have A Clue

Sunday night I started reading a book that several people have deemed a "must read". So, in the quiet of the evening I opened the book and was amazed at what I found. What I found was another reminder that we (humans) have no clue as to what the true nature and character of the Creator of the Universe truly entails. We have our preconceived notions and ideas that we've learned from Sunday School, and those are good. But, my heart was stirred as to the fact He is so much MORE than we can even grasp. His love and beauty are deep and vibrant. And even in the moments it seems we are all alone He is our next breath. I love the fact that we will never fully understand the mystery that surrounds Him this side of eternity. I find it hard to grasp that He loved (loves) me when I am completely unlovable. My brain can hardly wrap around the concept that before I ever responded to His love He was preparing a way to spend forever with me. I finished the book just before bed last night. As I was about to drift off to sleep, I had to ask myself one question...Why do I allow myself to limit a limitless God? Call it whatever you want to, but this simple minded little girl needed a gentle reminder that the One I serve is more than capable to handle my failure, fear, doubt, selfishness, anger, sorrow, and any other emotion in between. Have you ever had a moment when a concept just becomes a little more concrete for you? I love this song:

The more I seek you, the more I find you.
The more I find you, the more I love you.
I want to sit at Your feet, drink from the cup in Your hand.
Lay back against You and breathe, feel Your heartbeat.
This love is so deep it's more than I can stand.
I melt in Your peace. It's overwhelming.

As you seek Him today, may you find Him in a deeper way. And when you find Him, may you fall in love with Him all over again. May you be overwhelmed today. I know I am.

What a Difference a Week Makes!

WOW! One week. One VERY LONG, and exhausting week. Our house is finally finished! All Ayala's are back in the proper rooms and all rooms have ceilings and flooring (other than concrete). It took a little while but all the wood flooring is in and all rugs have been rolled back out. We have just a little bit of painters tape still down, but it is coming off tonight. This entire process has taken exactly 148 from the invasive arrival of Hurricane Ike to the last piece of china put back into the china hutch. So what have I learned in the last 148 days?

1. God really cares about my wants as well as my needs.

2. God works in His timing - not mine.

3. It's sad to say but few people in the world understand nice.

4. I need to pray for more patience. (that particular fruit seems to grow sporadically for me)

5. Kids are very resilient.

6. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.

7. Never underestimate the value of your family.

8. If you want to know if someone is your friend, knock on their door in the middle of a torrent rain storm crying and screaming "My house is falling apart". If they open the door they are your friends.

9. Always wear modest pj's to bed during hurricane season.

10. And last but not least, if a hurricane is headed your way...get the heck outta Dodge!!

This past week Edgar has been sick with the flu and an ear infection. This morning on the way out the door to church Jaden says "Mom, I think I'm gonna throw up". To which I reply, "not on the new floors son!" SO now Jaden and I are home because he is running a fever and has been throwing up all day. I'm not sure what else I can find to do now that every closet has been cleaned out and reorganized, the floors have been swept and mopped 2x's today alone, both bathrooms cleaned, and all the laundry is caught up. Could it be that I may actually be able to sit down and watch a movie or read a book? I better not say that to loud or something will pop up. Hope you enjoy the pic's of our new house!!

Finally....

Last night Gabby was able to sleep in her own room!! For the first time since September 15th, she crawled in her bed rather than laying down on the floor of Jaden's room. She was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling. Long after they had gone to sleep we went in to check on them and she was actually smiling in her sleep. Jaden on the other hand was heart broken. He loved having sissy sleep in his room. When we were getting her situated, he ran to his room and threw himself across the bed and sobbed. Enjoy the pictures!