equal excitement

moving to another blog location...

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:33:56 -0500

Thanks everyone for letting me know about my blog problems.
We've been working on migrating everything to a different blog software.
Now it's live, though we're still working on the design.
So, if you want to read my real latest entry, and give me comments about any of the past ones, check it out here...
http://journal.glauciamir.com

Also, change your rss feeds to receive updates from the new blog, because I will no longer be using this one...

looking forward to your comments....

school shuffle

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:47:37 -0500

This move will mean many changes for the family. Most of which I'm thrilled with, some of which I am sad over. Many which I can't even fathom yet.
One change that will be of great impact, is the change of schools. That is why a huge part of our decision will be based on what we learn about the schools and it's districts in and around Trenton, most readily, Bucks and Montgomery County.
The last couple days I've spend calling a variety of school districts.
Some have quite a bit of info to give, others are wishy-washy in their responses.
There are some issues, like half-day or full-day kindergarten, that are only a year long issue. Other issues like a good gifted program, and overall forward-thinking curriculum will be far more important since it will last for most of the boys' school careers.
Please pray for us as we make wise decisions with the information we're able to attain from far away.
Any one who knows about Bucks County or Montgomery County Schools, in Pennsylvania, is beckoned to respond.
Everyone's insights and thoughts are welcomed.

the start of our new life

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:26:13 -0500

So, I hope to record as much of this moving process as I can.
I should write everyday and I'm already backed up.
Fabio started in Trenton, NJ and is trying to get a grasp on the job.
He will be in NY for the weekend, and then back down again.
I have started to feel the sadness of leaving Graffiti, but more on that later.
I'm looking at housing listing as if it's an obsession. It seems like it's all I do.
We need to get pre-approved for a loan. But we need to shop around for the best rates
I started calling school districts in Pennsylvania in order to get a sense of what things are like.
We've sold lots of Fabio's college books on amazon marketplace.
We've go through all our books and kept half, and donated about 1/ to the Queens Library.
I never get enough sleep.
That's enough updates for now.

celebrating small victories...

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:22:47 -0500

I've been meaning to write for a couple days. If you have eaten any meals with us, in the past year, it will be no surprise to read about our difficulties with Phoenix' eating habits.
Each meal, even when he has a 2 tablespoon serving, or so, can take upwards of an hour. He's not picky, as much as he doesn't have much of a desire to eat.
We've tried everything from force feeding, to reward-based reinforcements, we've tried leaving him alone, we've tried saying "Eat, Phoenix! a million times.
Basically, all this, for the past year, without much success at all.
He's no longer "catching up" to Willik in size like we thought he might.
Even at school, where prizes are being given, and peer applause happens for those who finish their plates, has not really stirred him much. In about 3-4 weeks time, with 4 prizes possible, he has only earned one.
Well, it's been much to my surprise to report that for the past week or so, Phoenix has been eating his meal in a most timely manner.
He even had seconds on a few occasions, and he's thanking me for the meal, and actually meaning it. He has done this without much bantering from us, and we've just been really celebrating this and showing him how much pride and happiness we feel. Not every day has been stellar, but I do feel like we are turning a corner. I am ever so thankful!

I do feel 2 things are responsible for this change:
1. Phoenix decided in his mind, that he was ready to start eating. It was somehow an inward decision that reflects much of his personality. No begging or pleading from us could ever replace his desire and timing to do something.
2. I've been asking for friends' prayers on his challenging behavior, and I think it's no accident that some of this started to change after I was very specific about asking people to pray for specific needs concerning Phoenix.
God knows me and he knows my heart and my faults. He knows the levels of craziness I am able to handle, and I guess he thought it was time for this to phase to pass.
Yeah for kids who eat! Thanks Lord!

dreams vs. reality

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:55:25 -0500

So, this is the 2nd time in the last couple months, that the week prior to one of our fellowship meals at church, I have a nightmare about how crazy it all goes down.
I'm in charge of the meal. I plan the themes, I get people to sign up committing to what food they'll bring. And I call or email most everyone, reminding them of what they said they will bring. If I don't have enough people signed up, I then try and "wrangle" a few others to bring something as well, and then I plan and make something that will be a good fill-in to the rest of the stuff. Usually a main and large dish. If all else fails, we also take up donations, and we then with any of that money, get some appetizers or other things that make the meal go further.
Generally speaking, we have some 40-50 people eating on a fellowship meal. So it's a big deal to me to make sure people leave there well fed. It is aptly named a meal, after all.
So, this week, I had a nightmare about the meal. Our theme was St. Patrick's inspired, so the meal was either Irish, Irish-inspired or green. And I guess people felt overwhelmed about green foods, so we had a lot of people signing up for salads, but we had no one for main dishes.
So, in my nightmare, I was late getting down to the church's kitchen, where we usually prep the food for serving. Apparently I had been in a meeting which lasted too long, and by the time I got down there, people were all attacking the food, before we had even prayed. We had a large group of visitors, and they just wanted to do things their way--no one was listening. The place we were serving out of was a large tent, similar to those gazebos people set up in their backyard, but surrounded by white cloth-like material, with a real high ceiling. I kept trying to tell people my plan, but no one wanted to listen. I looked at the food, and we only had 2 or 3 small meat things, and we had like 10 salads. And I just felt like the feeding of the five thousand miracle would have to take place right then, if people would have their fill. I woke up still in the midst of people not listening, and basic madness.

Today was the fellowship meal, and I'm happy to say that we did not have madness. The only thing close to my dream was that there was a large group there. But there was plenty of good food. It was a hit! Everyone was well fed. There were left-overs of the food and desserts. There wasn't too little meat. I got there in order to prepare for everything ahead of time, and everything went well. We had about 50 people, and even though the food there represented only about 11 people/families, it went a long way. I'm ever so thankful for the people who made the food, cause they made the meal a real success, and they made me look good.
So, thank you: Lisa T., Rita L., Susan, Elaine, Liz, Bobby, Joy, Carmen, Stacey, Haynes. May God's blessing be upon you!

Extremely thankful

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:09:51 -0500

By now, most people that see us on a regular basis know that Fabio got the job in Trenton. I was waiting for him to write about it, so that I would then write about it as my own take.
That means we will be moving. That means we will be buying a house.
It means we will be closer to Patti(Fabio's mom) and Lawrence(his brother). It means we will still be close to a city, a few cities in fact, and we will still be pretty much on the East Coast.
We will have to adjust to a new place, a new way of life, new school and being away from most of our friends.
We will need to find a new church.
Some people have asked me whether or not I'm scared, overwhelmed or sad.
To that my answer is "no!" "Not Yet!!"
You see, we've been praying for such an opportunity for about 3 years.
I've been wanting a house. A backyard for the boys, a washer and dryer, a dishwasher, more than one bathroom, storage, and a place I can decorate and make our own. All this, knowing that we would move from New York City in order to have any and probably all these things. So, the real strong feeling I have right now is one of extreme thankfulness and excitement. After all, God has answered our prayers. One which we were real earnest about, and had not stopped praying for. We knew he'd do it in his time, and now that time is within reach. If I didn't spent at least a long while being thankful, God would consider me pretty shallow and ungrateful, and that is surely not the case here.
Now this doesn't mean I won't miss anyone, or don't care about what we're leaving behind.
We will be distant from my parents, for one. And the ease of babysitting and the help with emergencies will sorely be missed. Not to mention my mom's excellent cooking which we often get to sample.
We will no longer have Graffiti. Well, hopefully, we will still have all our friend's prayers, but we will have to find a new church. This, I am quite sure, will be our hardest transition, hands down. Last time I moved away from New York was at the end of the summer of 1997. At that time, I had been on staff with Graffiti, serving in the semester missionary position(for 1 1/2 years) as youth director. I left cause it was the right time to live. I went to work with a church which meets right outside of Yosemite National Park. Those first few months without Graffiti were murder!
Later, I moved to 29 Palms, to be close to Fabio(we were still dating, and he was stationed there with the Marines Corps). The church he was a member of was nice, and we were real involved in all kinds of ministries, but it was not Graffiti. We've been married for 9 years, and we've been at Graffiti even before our wedding, and we've been completely involved ever since.
We've visited lots or churches in many places we've been, and though we've found some nice ones, they were not Graffiti.
So, I don't really want to think about how much I will miss Graffiti.
See, now my face feels tight and I'm forced to think about it a little... :(
I won't dwell on it.
We will be here for a few more months, and we will enjoy it while we're here.
Can everyone be thankful with us, and rejoice because God is going to give us a house?!
Hallelujiah, Jesus!

missing church

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:30:07 -0500

We were away this weekend. We were celebrating Patricia's birthday in Maryland.
While there, we went to a church we'd been to before. Covenant Life Church is huge. They also have a private school that goes from K-12, for the members of the church.
One of the things we liked about the church is that their program for the kids is awesome. They are super organized; have these large rooms with legos and other age-appropriate toys for kids to play with while they're first getting there. According to Willik, they went on to another room, where they saw a mini-play about a Bible story and sang a few songs, and he really liked it. Phoenix was with a different age group, and he had fun as well. They weren't worried or disappointed to be apart.
While in the sanctuary, Patti[Fabio's mom], said she felt like we were at a rock concert, cause the sanctuary is humangous.
Awesome music, and great preaching/teaching, it was nice to visit and gain that big church experience; where everything goes right with the audio/visual, and no one's microphone causes problems, and you don't have to get to church extra early, just to make sure the projector will show up right.
But while it was a nice change, it still does not compete with Graffiti. There's nothing like being able to serve in the way I serve, helping to lead singing, desiging backgrounds for the sermon series, and leading in sunday school.
Knowing the names of everyone, knowing the people who teach my kids love them dearly. Knowing that this church is a church that serves.
I'm so thankful for my home church. I'm so thankful for my pastor and my family.
If you're ever in New York, come visit!

Phoenix is an artist

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:42:31 -0500

Every friday, Phoenix gets homework.
He's in Pre-K. He's 4 and a half.
So his homework consists of a book which we read to hhim, and then a sheet in which he is to make a drawing from something he liked in the book, and then tell us about it.
His artistic development has always been at the back of my mind, but this past weekend, I just had to scan and share it with everyone else.
Here's part of the book page he liked:

Here's the one Phoenix drew...

He was upset cause he ran out of space since the drawing space was so small.

What do you guys think?

Proud moments - part 2

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:24:12 -0500

If you know our family, or if you've been around us, you might have seen it, or heard me talk of Phoenix' strong will. You also probably read about Christmas Eve.

The way things tend to go to a real showdown, is whenever Phoenix doesn't get his way. This could mean anything from us telling him to eat, to him taking a shower, or even something as simple as us helping him put his shirt on.

If you know us, you also know that we give Phoenix choices--that is when he gets his way. Other than that, we are the parents, and we are the "bosses" and he has to do what we say, and that's all.
So you can imagine how often things turn to battle. Most of the time, we have at least one a day. On bad days, we might have a showdown every time I turn around.

With his strong will, comes a temper. This is so different than what we were used to, that this too has taken us by surprise, and made me crazy many times.

So, a lot of the time, I'm trying to convey to Phoenix that getting angry is okay, but throwing things or hitting people or things is not okay. I'm sure this lesson will take a while to completely sink in.

But here's the proud moment...
The other day, Saturday, we were home all day. The boys had plenty of time to play, and do whatever, because homework was done, and they were free. They had just received new toys from grandmom, who was visiting, so there was plenty to explore.
Needless to say, while they love each other a lot, they also get into stupid arguments and fights almost every 15 minutes--a whole day of them at home gets pretty long from my perspective.

Anyway, in the midst of one of their many fights, I suddenly hear Phoenix crying. Real crying, mixed with grunting, as he comes to the living room, looking for me. Not only is he crying, but he is almost losing his breath as he's so upset, and has his fists clenched.
As it turns out, Willik was being mean and manipulative[which happens constantly] and he hit Phoenix, and really hurt Phoenix's feelings.

Phoenix grunted and clenched his fist and cried, but he did not hit his brother! That was a huge victory!
Sure, he's hit him since then, and I'm sure he'll hit again, but in a world with a strong-willed 4 year old, I've been really asking God to show me the small improvements, because it's so easy to focus on all that goes wrong. So God did.

I'm very proud of Phoenix--he is listening, and he is trying! He got a lot of praise from me for that!

Keep praying for me so that I can teach them the right things, and celebrate the small moments of victory!

Proud moments - part 1

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:45:19 -0500

I don't know how much I've talked about this before on the blog, but I thought I should tell you about how incredibly generous Willik is.
Probably about 8 months ago, he decided that he wanted to give money to World Vision, because he heard or read about kids starving somewhere, and he was moved and saddened by it all. He got some money together, and we sent it to them, with his name on it. Now I'm partially regretting having put his name on it, because whenever the mail from World vision comes, he feels as if he has to give.
A couple months ago, he emptied his bank, and gave me everything he had, in order to send it to hungry people. I even argued with him, reminding him about how he would have nothing left to possibly buy something he might want later on, but he was unconvinced, and said he understood, and he wanted to send it anyway. That was something like $32.
Well, yesterday, he read some other letter from World Vision, and they had pictures of little kids in Africa going hungry. He wondered whether he'd have any money in his bank.
Now just so everyone understands, he's been getting a bit of an allowance for the past couple months, usually $2 or $3 depending on what he does as far as chores. He knows to give 10% at church, so there's not much he gets. Not only that, but he wants a Nintendo Wii, and so he and Phoenix decided to join together and gather the money they got, so they can save up for a Wii. They are about half way there, so far, with all the Christmas money.
Well, yesterday, when he did look in his bank, he had $10. I reminded him about the Wii.
His response was "A Wii is not more important than kids starving in Africa!" and with that he pointed his finger out the window saying "SEND IT!" This time around I didn't even argue. I just cried. And hugged him!
It's one of those moments I always want to remember. It makes me happy and proud to think of what kind of man he will become! Praise God!

Trouble at Christmas

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 20:27:17 -0500

It's hard to get a hold on to the mix of emotions one has at Christmas Eve. There's expectancy, and excitement. The celebration and advent of Christ's birth. Also, the expectations of giving gifts and receiving them as well. There's longing sometimes, when you might not be with the ones you love, or sadness if someone close died since last Christmas. For some people, all of the emotions associated with the holidays can be too much, and can lead to disastrous actions.

All that is true, but for me, yesterday, there was a lot of wondering and stress. I'm struggling with how to raise a very unruly and strong-willed 4-year-old. Most of the day, we had battles. Lots of "No!'s" were spoken, an occasional "I don't love You!" and your garden variety "go sit over there til I tell you to move"-type statements as well.

A few presents have even been removed from under the tree, due to the overall disrespect. The older one also joined in the fun, and lost a couple of his presents as well.
So, while preparing for Christmas Eve Supper, and trying to ponder the meaning of it all, I find myself hardly enjoying any of it.
On Sunday, I was told by our pastor that I am rich, as he looked at my kids. I know he's right, but he didn't witness some of yesterday's "displays of affection".

I know I'll be looking longingly at these years, when these years have come and gone, but right now, I look forward to bedtime everyday, I dread the car ride home, and week long vacations mean nothing but trouble, at times.
I need more insight, more prayer, more wisdom, and a different outlook.
Either way, it makes me wonder what Jesus was like as a kid, and what Mary did. He had to get in trouble sometime. We know he got in trouble when he was 12 at least.

Send me your thoughts! And pray for me!

30 day faces, again

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 23:25:17 -0500

I need your help. This year, I'm again embarking on the journey of 30 faces in the month of November. If you'd like to see what I did last year, go to my artblog.
If you'd like me to draw you or someone you care about, send me a pic ASAP.
If you'd like this to be more than just a quick drawing, and you'd like to commision me for some work; contact me via email, and we'll discuss it further!
Thanks. Looking forward to hearing from you.

i messed up - blog action day

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:51:15 -0500

Yesterday was Blog Action day. The action is supposed to be about the environment and how we were to write or post something about being green or whatever.
I missed the date, and didn't post. Something about not being in a school or work environment means that oftentimes, I don't know the date.
Anyway, around the people who are part of my circle of influence, I'm the greenest person I know. And I have a long way to go.
We do our recycling religiously! I wish NYC recycled more stuff. It's really a limited recycling plan, considering how many people are here, and how much trash we all produce.
I try and turn of our lights in every room any time no one is there, and have tried to encourage the boys to do the same. As regular light bulbs are burning out, we've been replacing them with energy bulbs.
Unfortunately, we're renters, so we don't make any decisions based on the choice of heat and things like this.
I'd like to get energy-efficient appliances, but again, it doesn't make sense to do that right now. Can't wait to have my own house.
Our TV has an energy-saving mode, and I always have it on. It's less bright, but if you have it on all the time, you get used to it.
I wish we could drive energy-efficient vehicles, but right now, our decisions for car purchases have been based more on affordability than idealism. One day soon though. I'd love recommendations of good cars that are helpful to the environment.
All in all, the thing that bothers me the most is how people always respond to me something about being only one person, and how what they do won't matter. It all makes me so angry because then I've got tons of people saying that, and so that's a bunch of people not making a difference.
Each person just needs to do all that they can, and if they do that, it will make a huge difference.
That's my 2 cents, a day late!

Funny mom video

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:04:12 -0500

While reading my sister in law's blog, I read about the video below.
I loved it, and I think if you're a mom, you'll love it too..,

Here are the lyrics...

"The Mom Song"

Get up now
Get up now
Get up out of bed
Wash your face
Brush your teeth
Comb your sleepyhead
Here's your clothes and your shoes
Hear the words I said
Get up now! Get up and make your bed
Are you hot? Are you cold?
Are you wearing that?
Where's your books and your lunch and your homework at?
Grab your coat and gloves and your scarf and hat
Don't forget! You gotta feed the cat
Eat your breakfast, the experts tell us it's the most important meal of all
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall
Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at 3 today
Don't forget your piano lesson is this afternoon so you must play
Don't shovel
Chew slowly
But hurry
The bus is here
Be careful
Come back here
Did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside, don't play rough, will you just play fair?
Be polite, make a friend, don't forget to share
Work it out, wait your turn, never take a dare
Get along! Don't make me come down there
Clean your room, fold your clothes, put your stuff away
Make your bed, do it now, do we have all day?
Were you born in a barn? Would you like some hay?
Can you even hear a word I say?
Answer the phone! Get off the phone!
Don't sit so close, turn it down, no texting at the table
No more computer time tonight!
Your iPod's my iPod if you don't listen up
Where are you going and with whom and what time do you think you're coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me makes you welcome everywhere you roam
You'll appreciate my wisdom someday when you're older and you're grown
Can't wait till you have a couple little children of your own
You'll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly
But right now I thank you not to roll your eyes at me
Close your mouth when you chew, would appreciate
Take a bite maybe two of the stuff you hate
Use your fork, do not burp or I'll set you straight
Eat the food I put upon your plate
Get an A, get the door, don't get smart with me
Get a grip, get in here, I'll count to three
Get a job, get a life, get a PHD
Get a dose of,
"I don't care who started it!
You're grounded until you're 36"
Get your story straight and tell the truth for once, for heaven's sake
And if all your friends jumped off a cliff would you jump, too?
If I've said it once, I've said at least a thousand times before
That you're too old to act this way
It must be your father's DNA
Look at me when I am talking
Stand up straighter when you walk
A place for everything and everything must be in place
Stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about
Oh!
Brush your teeth, wash your face, put your PJs on
Get in bed, get up here, say a prayer with mom
Don't forget, I love you
And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom's work never ends
You don't need the reason why
Because, because, because, because
I said so, I said so, I said so, I said so
I'm the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom!!
Ta da!!!

photo printer giveaway

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:17:28 -0500

They are giving away a cool photo printer at this site for mom bloggers.
It's a long shot, but I entered, and you could too, by leaving a comment.
Check out the site here.
And leave me a comment while you're at it. I love to have visitors!