Being myself, with a baby.

This is me reminding me that I can still do all the things I love. 

I just have a little person to do them with now. 

& that makes life even better.

~B

fresh tomatoes

During these hot summer days, Oliver and I take refuge in our tiny apartment to stay cool. Oliver plays on his owl blanket in the living room while I wash dishes and tidy up our little home. 

This day Oliver's mood is happy so I am able to wash the tomatoes from my mother's garden and the fresh cilantro from the supermarket. 

My parents, Oliver's Abuelo (spanish for grandfather) and Nana, spent Sunday afternoon with us. Every time we see them, they feed us or shower us with fresh vegetables from their little backyard garden and fresh eggs from the chickens. 

Yesterday, Nana brought green zucchinis, red ripe tomatoes and some of the freshly baked zucchini bread that I have loved for as long as I can remember. 

While Oliver watches me from his blanket, I gather ingredients to make pico de gallo, a fresh chopped salsa with a name that literally means "rooster's beak". I enjoy mine with tortilla chips, on tacos, with my breakfast of eggs and tortillas, and with countless other dishes. Mine is much simpler than most because I don't have any onions or fresh jalapeños to add to it but it will still be tasty because of the juicy tomatoes. I dice tomatoes and chop cilantro. Then I add the juice from a lime, garlic, spicy hot sauce, and a little salt and pepper. 

 

The result is colorful and delicious and perfect for a summer snack.

~Bethany

Poppa's Birthday

Nicholas celebrated his 27th birthday last weekend with friends, family, and lots of candles and birthday wishes. (I plan to post more pictures eventually)

Re-fashioned.

I purchased this vintage long pink skirt at the Salvation Army thrift store near my apartment. Every Saturday all items are 50% off, so I only paid about $1.50 for it. I was absolutely certain I could create something brilliant with it despite my sister Toya's intense disdain for it. I just hadn't got around to it until I saw the Granny Chic challenge on one of my new favorite blogs.  During Oliver's naps today, I refashioned the granny-ish skirt into super cuteness. 

I shortened it, switched the buttons out with some pearly white ones, and added a bow.

What do you all think of it? 

~B

waking up tired

today i feel tired.

my home is a mess, the clean laundry is folded but is still in baskets, & my hair is a bit bird's nest like from washing it and then falling asleep while it was still wet. 

But Nick is still sleeping peacefully in our bed which I hope is a sign that the birthday dinners I planned for him the past 2 days were a success. 

He slept while I played with Oliver, who decided to wake up at 7. Babies have no regard for weekends or holidays. Mine wakes with the sun, smile on his face and ready to play. 

so we play for a while...

I whisper the words of Psalm 23 to him as he smiles up at me and responds in his sweet baby language.

Then he slips into a peaceful sleep about the time that my alarm clock should be waking me, and I lay him down for a nap and drowsily began the day.

today i feel tired.

But, I remember the words I whispered to Oliver,

"...He leads me besides still waters. He restores my soul.." 

I will find strength in these words as I make breakfast;  as I get ready for church; as I teach 2nd & 3rd graders about Jesus today... 

& even though today I feel tired, 

my soul is restored.

family. love.

"..and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)"

-e.e. cummings

Oliver Aiden

I am small.
I am needy.
I am silly.
I make faces.
I cry when I need you.
I smile when I feel safe.

I look like an angel when I am asleep.

Sometimes I am a little monster when I am awake.
I LOVE to eat.
I have perfect little fingers and toes.
My tummy gets round when I am full.

I view the world around me with wonder.

To me, everything seems new and exciting.

Sometimes I just want to be held close and sang to.

Other times I would rather play.

I am very loved.

I am my family's whole world.

I am a mixture of my father and mother.

But, I am also simply me.

I am a b a b y.

And, I am two months old today.

Fireworks

As the sky darkened Monday evening, we decided to light a few fireworks on the street in front of the Sellai home. I have always loved fireworks. The lights and sounds created remind me of the significance of Independence Day and paint pictures in my mind of cannons and muskets and uniforms with brass buttons and freedom. The amount of light they create amazes me. I struggled to capture memories in the darkness with my camera and finally figured out that I could use the light from the explosions to illuminate the images. And I realized that a little bit of light goes a long way.... 

 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

~B. 

christmas caroling in July...

I bathed Oliver today, and he actually seemed to enjoy it. But then after the bath, he had a crying fit even though there was absolutely nothing wrong with him. I think he just needed a nap, but rocking him wasn't working so I thought I would sing to him, as I often do. The only song that came to mind, though, was a spanish Christmas carol that my family has sang together for as long as I can remember. 

So, I held Oliver close and we walked back and forth in our little apartment as I sang...

"ven a mi corazon, o cristo, pues en el hay lugar para ti, ven a mi corazon, o cristo, ven. 

pues en el hay lugar para ti..."

Over, and over again I sang, going through the verse and the chorus many times. And thankfully, Oliver found comfort in those lyrics that I cherish. His eyelids began to droop and his head rested on my shoulder as he quietly sank into a peaceful sleep. 

In the middle of summer's heat, I remembered the cold wintery air, and my parent's cozy living room where we gathered on Christmas Eve to sing those very words. And I thought about what the words mean, "come into my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room for you..." Those words are a prayer, and I hope that someday Oliver will sing them too, and mean them with all of his heart and soul.