A Day of Celebration

Yesterday was one of those days that I thought to myself, "I am so thankful to be a part of the work God is doing through South Bay Church." It was an amazing day with over 850 people in attendance and 33 baptisms! No matter what word pictures I tried to write in this post, nothing would be able to recreate the excitement, energy, and sense of God's presence that was there yesterday. 

Andy gave a challenge for anyone who had made a decision to follow Jesus but had not yet been baptized to take that step of obedience at the end of each service. Some people had come prepared to be baptized that day. Many decided on the spot. Some pumped their fists with excitement. Some climbed in that baptismal pool with a tear-streaked face. But no matter what, each person's baptism was celebrated with cheering, clapping, whistling, and such joyful laughter that it would cause unsuspecting tears to spring in your eyes.

In keeping with the theme of celebration, we had a trash-can drumline join the worship band on stage during one of the songs. They were incredible!

At the end of Andy's message, we watched the powerful video of Tien's story. Tien is a 17 year old who has been attending South Bay for 6 or 7 months now. I'll let her tell her own story...

I've watched that video at least 4 times now, and the line that always puts a lump in my throat is when she says that she's sad that her decision to follow Jesus has caused some division in her family but she says, "I know that I still love them, and I know that God is doing something new in me." Yes He is, Tien! The old has gone and the NEW has come. You are a beautiful new creation and I am so excited to see all that God continues to do in your life as you grow in Him!

Teamwork

This week Andy and I have been pulling off some major teamwork.

Poor Caedmon came down with the flu last Wednesday, has had fever as high as 104, and is still running a low-grade fever today making it a full 7 days. He has been quite a trooper. Sore throat, wretched cough, a little vomiting and the other stuff, plus a couple trips to the doctor... Nothing hurts a mama's (or daddy's) heart more than to see your little one hurt.

The boys and I have pretty much been quarantined at home for the past week as we are trying not to share our germs with the rest of the Silicon Valley. But quarantining a perfectly healthy 3-year old who already has boundless energy is a tall order. That's where the teamwork has come in.

I mentioned in my birthday letter to Sammy that we ended up having to call off Sammy's party and go to Plan B because of Caedmon's sickness. Both boys took it in stride without too much disappointment. Andy still took Sammy to Chuck-E-Cheese for the morning and Sammy thought it was extra special because he got to spend that time ALONE with Daddy.

Andy also took Sammy to church with him on Sunday while Caedmon and I cuddled on the couch. Another great outing for him.

But then there was Halloween. I thought for sure Caedmon would be better by Halloween. After all, that was Day 6! But no, his fever was still 101.

One of the Santos kiddos (Cailyn) was having a birthday party last night in conjunction with Halloween. The boys had been looking forward to it, but we didn't feel good about Caedmon exposing everyone else to his sickness. So once again, Super Andy flies to the rescue, and takes Caedmon out for some special boys time together. They got a milk shake, hit up a few houses for trick-or-treating, and came home early to watch a movie.  Sammy & I went to the birthday party and trick-or-treating with those friends. At the end of the night, both boys felt loved and had a great time.

 Buzz Lightyear & Optimus Prime

This is Caedmon's "I feel like crap but I don't want to miss out on trick-or-treating" face. 

This morning I thought Caedmon's fever was gone so I was going to try to run a couple errands with the boys because we are down to half a roll of toilet paper and one diaper. Everyone was dressed and ready but then Caedmon had a major meltdown. I think the thought of having to run errands was too much for him. Right at that moment Andy called. I said to him (in a shaky voice), "I don't know what to do. There are a few places that I really need to go." And so Andy (once again) put on his cape and helped me come up with a plan of how we could tag-team it and get it all done. I have one awesome husband!

Today I'm so thankful that:

1. Sammy, Andy, & I have somehow avoided this bug
2. I have an awesome husband who is willing to be a team player
3. the director maintenance for our apartments just came by to fix something and randomly asked, "When's the last time the leasing office had your carpets cleaned?" Uh, never! "Have you ever asked them?" Yup. And we get denied. "I'll send a team over on Monday to clean them for you!" Ahhhh, Peter! You just made my week!!! 

The timing could not have been more perfect because I was literally about to change into some cleaning clothes and start steam cleaning my carpets durning nap time today. YAY!

Beware of the Ghost!

My kids always do the funniest things right when they wake up. And it's even funnier when I think, "Why in the world was that the first thing that popped into your mind this morning?"

The other morning Sammy came stumbling out with his blanket draped over his head pretending to be a ghost. But instead of saying, "Boooo!" he kept saying, "Moooo!" Then he ripped the blanket off his head and said, "Scare you?" Oh, yes, Sammy. I was terrified!

So, we have a slightly confused cow on the loose who is hoping to get lots of candy tonight for Halloween. Hope you have a Spooky Day!

Happy Birthday, Sammy!

Dear Sammy,

We celebrated your 3rd birthday yesterday, not quite in the fashion that we had planned. Your brother ended up with a 103 fever so we had to call off the picnic to Alum Rock park that we had organized. But, true to form, you never complained. Your daddy sure did enjoy getting to spend the morning with you at Chuck-E-Cheese and Caedmon & I were happy to get to participate in the family birthday party we had around our kitchen table. You said in your precious little voice, "My bert-day. I like it." You are the happiest, most playful child I have ever known. 

As I think back over this past year, I am astounded by how much has changed since we celebrated your 2nd birthday. This time last year, you were so scared and unsure of your surroundings. You never wanted to be farther than a few feet from me or Daddy. Back then, you cried about as much as you laugh now, and you laughed about as much as you cry now. The tables have turned.

The timidity that held you captive has been replaced by confidence and boldness. No more peeling you off me like a monkey when it's time to go to BayKids on Sunday. Now you typically run ahead of me to get there and march in with a swagger like you own the place. Not a week goes by without one of the BayKids' volunteers telling me what a fun and adorable kid you are. It seems that you have captured more hearts than just mine.

Sammy, last year at this time I was in a world of mess with my emotions. I was sleep deprived, being followed everywhere by a screaming two year old, and pouring out my life for a child that I felt I didn't know but who, strangely, belonged to me. I was grieving my own set of losses as our family was catapulted from a relatively peaceful and well-adjusted family of 3 to a chaotic tailspinning family of 4. There were so many nights that I cried myself to sleep, wondering if I would ever feel like your mother...If I would ever love you the way you deserve to be loved. I knew in my mind that you were so precious to God and that you were handpicked for our family, but it felt like I was trying to love a stranger, a stranger that didn't like me very much most of the time.

I've now had over 14 months to get to know you and we are building a wealth of memories together. I now know that you have a big appetite at dinner but barely pick at your breakfast. I know having something to dip it in always makes food more enticing. I know that you have boundless energy, running and hopping your way through life. I know it makes you mad when I pick out your hair. And I know it takes much less discipline to break your tender heart than it does Caedmon's. It is hard to remember what life was like before you were in our family. Having you feels so natural now, and the thought of you not being in our family feels so horribly unnatural. You are my child. I feel it so deeply in my bones now.

It fills up my heart to overflowing when you lay on my chest with your arms and legs wrapped tightly around my body. Sometimes you'll lay like that 10 or 15 minutes and it causes your daddy and me think that you're making up for lost time.

It is a beautiful thing to watch love grow. What began as our dream to love you turned into our decision to love you, not just with words but with actions (even in the moments that feelings were hard to come by). And that decision, lived out day in and day out in faithfulness to God and to our commitment to you, has given room for the roots of love to go down deep, blossoming into a life-giving relationship. I hope that you never doubt how deeply you are loved. Loving you is not an obligation. It is not something I do because I signed some paperwork. I couldn't keep myself from loving you if I tried. You are a part of me.

Sammy, your courage and resiliance in overcoming hardship will take you places that few people are able to tarry. No one wants their life to be marked with pain and difficulties, and the fear that it will holds many back from living their most courageous life. I pray that one day you will look back at all the things you overcame the first 3 years of your life and it will inspire you to live boldly, knowing that God has given you strength and resilience to face the most challenging of circumstances. You are an overcomer.

Thank you for greeting me each morning with that mischievous grin and a few quick Tigger jumps. Thank you for confidently believing that everyone thinks you are as funny and as adorable as YOU believe yourself to be. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me me another chance to love you when I have not loved you as I should. Thank you for the laughter and playfulness that you bring to the mundane and monotony of life.

I am so, indescribably thankful for the gift of you. Happy 3rd Birthday, my precious Son. You are loved beyond words.

Chocolate Passion Bowl

Hello, Chocolate lovers everywhere! If you have never tried this dessert you are missing out. This is what I served to our Life Group last week.

Chocolate Passion Bowl (by KraftRecipes.com)

Ingredients:
2 pkg (3.9 oz each) JELL-O chocolate instant pudding
3 cups cold milk
1 tub (8 oz) cool whip, thawed and divided (I used 2 tubs)
1 baked batch of brownies (cooled & cut into bite size pieces)
2 cups fresh raspberries (substituting with strawberries is not NEARLY as good)

Instructions:

• Beat pudding mixes and milk with a whisk for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of Cool Whip. 
• Place half the brownies in 2 qt bowl. Cover with layers of half each: pudding, cool whip, berries. Repeat. 
• Refrigerate 1 hour.