Our Growing Family

Our Growing Family

Monday, November 30, 2009

25th Wedding Anniversary Surprise!





This past weekend my siblings and I threw our parents a surprise anniversary party celebrating 25 years of marriage. We had over 60 of our closest family and friends there to join us in celebrating. We totally caught them off guard, my Mom was nearly in tears. We opened with prayer, ate a yummy dinner, watched a slide show, a few people gave toasts, we played a game and then had a great time of fellowship and pictures. My Mom and Dad got married at a very young age, they kept Christ at the center of our family and defeated all odds against them. I love you mom and Dad, I am grateful for all the sacrifices you have made for our family and for everything you have accomplished in life. You're commitment to each other and to our family is inspirational. Here's to another 50+ years!



1984



2009


This is less than half of the Jauregui Family

Monday, November 9, 2009

My Little Mommy

The cold season has hit the Winters family. Jason has it now, I recently recovered and it all started with the little ones who are both better now. When I came down with a cold I realized Mommy's don't get breaks when they are sick. Dora the Explorer and Little Einsteins were on 24/7 as I tried to relax on the couch. One of my sick days Nevaeh came up to me gently rubbed my cheek, kissed me on the forehead and said...

Nevaeh: " You sick Mommy?"
Me: " Yes Baby, Mommy doesn't feel good."
Nevaeh: " I kiss it and make it all better Mommy."
Me: "Aw thanks honey, Mommy need medicine and rest."

Nevaeh ran into the other room, came back to cover me with a blanket and handed me a glass of water.

Nevaeh: "Here you go Mommy."
Me: "Thank you Nevaeh"
Nevaeh: " Ok Mommy, now we have to pray. God please make Mommy better, Amen.You better now Mommy?"

I couldn't say anything after that, all I could do was hug her. That's my little Mommy for you. She and Trinity were fighting over a stuffed animal about 15 minutes later but in that moment I was a proud Mom, feeling like I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.

I am so blessed to have family and friends who have supported me in raising my kids to know and love the Lord. A good friend of mine once told me it takes a tribe to raise a child. In my case it's an amazing family, loyal friends and a blessed church family. I wouldn't be where I am, who I am, or have the kids I have if it weren't for all of you!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Let Go and Let God

This is a motto I strive to live by yet fail to do so on a daily basis. This may be no surprise to many reading this blog but I have an issue with not saying " no" to people, taking on way more than I can handle. I take on a lot and instead of leading God control my life I try to "take the reins." I find time and time again that me taking the reins gets me no where but stressed, burnt out, empty, tired and anxious. You think I would learn? I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work in Ministry, I try to remind myself that it is not my ministry it's Gods. He will provide the teachers, He will guide us, He will touch the hearts and lives of the children. He may use us as His tools to do so, but we have to "let go and let God." I have been blessed with an incredible husband and two beautiful girls. I often try to play the role of super mom/wife. Cleaning, cooking, errands, paying bills, taking care of the animals and more. But the second I make that a priority over my spiritual life I sink into anxiety, fear, sometimes even fits of depression. I am learning that I HAVE to "let go and let God." To anyone reading this blog, I do not by any means think I have all the answers but one thing I do know and pray for you to know also is this... We have a wonderful and loving God who is here to "take the reins" of our lives, we simply have to " let go and let God." Give Him your anxiety, your stress, your finances, your worry, your fears even your hopes and dreams. This is something I am learning daily. I just felt led to write about how AMAZING He is and how there is NOTHING absolutely NOTHING I can do without Him.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Paint & Plant





Nevaeh and Trinity got a set of Paint&Plant characters for their birthday from my good friend Janet. It is basically a Chia Pet that you paint, plant and watch grow. Today was a sick day for the Winters girls so the painting activity came out and the girls had a blast! Trinity painted herself more that the project but it made for some cute pictures. Tomorrow we will be adding the soil, plating the seeds, then the girls get to watch it grow. Thanks Janet, this activity kept the girls busy for over an hour!



Thursday, October 8, 2009

Dairy Farm Fun!


We have been planning a trip to our friend Akke's Dairy Farm but for one reason or another we were never able to go. This week we finally made it happen and had so much fun! We pulled on to the farm and both girls yelled, " Look Mommy, lots of cows!" They were so excited. Akke gave us the grand tour, where they eat, what they eat, where and how they are milked, how the milk is processed and more. We even got to pet the baby cows (they are only 1 day old). We toured the vegetable garden area for a bit then the girls were able to pick out their very own pumpkins. They have a produce stand that is open to the public with lots of pumpkins, squash, yummy veggies, jams and breads. It's on Warnock on the right hand side if you're coming from San Vicente or on the Left if you are coming from Dye. The girls had a blast, it would be a lot of fun to make a play date with our friends out of this. You should check it out, we will definitely be going back!

NICKEL CITY!!!

I took my niece Kennedy, nephew Gavin and good friend Kolby to Nickel City for their birthdays. Neither of them have ever been and we all had a blast! The boys really liked all the car racing, jetski and shooting games while Kennedy and I stuck to the ticket games. My niece was a champ, she got (3)300 ticket jackpots! The other teenagers at Nickel City teased that they wanted her to play for them. We divided the tickets between the three of them and had fun picking out their prizes. We made a pit stop at the McDonalds drive thru for some Happy Meals and headed home. I had so much fun with the kiddos and enjoy the opportunities I get to spend quality time with them.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

My Little Cowgirls

Every morning when i go out to feed the horses Trinity demands to tag along. So I set her on top of the hay and get to work. This mornings feeding inspired a photo shoot I wanted to do of the girls, with the hazy weather and country scenery I was bound to at least get one good picture. Here are the pictures I came up with.