Just Saying...

It's a beautiful day. Thank YOU Heavenly Abba for such a beautiful day packed with blessings!

Wow! Love You my King!

Thank You for my children who are so loving and so well behaved. I am so pleased to see how much they love You. I am thankful that they are so smart and so eager to learn.

Truth is... I am very proud of my kids. Yeah... they are both simply amazing.

I am especially proud of Claudia who has been through so much during these couple of weeks, but Your promises remain for her and Your faithfulness continues.
When You speak a word into someone's life, it is REAL and it is TRUE and we simply have to cling to it and believe it.

It makes me sad to think that so many people out there take your blessings for granted and choose lies over truth even after You take the time to speak to them.
Why can't they just understand that You cannot be fooled? That's right. They can try to fool those around them, but they will never fool You.
Truth always wins! Hallelujah!

One thing that I continue to teach my children is that they must praise You, worship You and THANK YOU even when they are going through difficult times.
It is better to allow YOU to love us through hard times than to try to deal with difficult moments on our own.
You say in YOUR Word that difficult times will come, but that You are there to help us through them.

Thank You for that.
Thank You Abba! We love You. We simply love You and nothing that comes our way will take away our desire to serve You and honor You.

You don't punish Your people with illnesses or bad things. You know that those things are part of living in a very imperfect world... which is why You sent Your son Yeshua to Earth. He died not only for our sins, but He carried every illness on that cross and we are already victorious in His NAME! Amen!!!

It's simply amazing how much strength we feel when we have You in our hearts. You truly make us strong. Our Faith in You sustains us and Your FAITHFULNESS is forever present.

Thank You Abba.
B'HaShem Yeshua HaMashiach,
Amen

Sunday! Sunday!

First, we went to Menchie's for some fruity frozen KOSHER yogurt.
Then it was steak fajitas at Chili's, and finally, we went to Pet Smart to get Okelani's food and wee wee pads.
It's been a pleasant afternoon.
Now we're at home and while the kids relax I'll finish up some laundry, grade papers and listen to some praise and worship.
G-d is good.
G-d is sooooo good!!!
WE LOVE YOU ABBA!!!!

All Together Now...

We all slept together in one room because of last night's storms.
Okelani freaked out with all the thunder and well, we made sure that she was as comfortable as possible next to her mommy.

I mean, look at her cuteness! We have spoiled her rotten. LOL

Rainy Afternoon...

Love this rain!!!

It was bright and sunny this morning, and now it's rainy and gently refreshing this afternoon!

We have all decided to watch a good movie and maybe doze off early. Well, I think that I might wait until they doze off to finish up some laundry and maybe organize their school stuff.

Yogurt can wait until tomorrow! :) We are way too cozy to go out right now.

Loving Shabbat!

She wants to paint, he wants to swim, and I am about to park myself on a reclining chair in the lanai to read a good book!
Ahhhhhh yes!
The beauty of Shabbat is that you get to REST!
Then, it's off to Menchie's to give an even sweeter end to our beautiful day!

Shabbat Shalom y'all!

I Fought for You

I am crying so hard right now.
I am sooooo proud of my family. I am just so proud.

The Power of Words

Lunch with My Favorite Little Boy in the World!

After all the commotion with Claudia's surgery and all, Ricardo needed some quality time with his mommy, so we had lunch together and it was awesome! He told me all about the weather, oceanography and this new dinosaur I didn't even know existed. He also told me that there needs to be at least 100 gauss of magnetism to erase a credit card. LOL! So rubbing one credit card with another or putting it in with a cel phone will not demagnetize it. Loooooove my conversations with Ricardo.
Fun and interesting! :)

Best Mother's Day Weekend EVER!

Ok. So my mother's day weekend started off like this...

Without going into much detail, Claudia gave us a scare, the doctor ran tons of tests and scans to make sure that nothing bad had "come back". Well, nothing did. Hallelujah.
The docs have to take care of a cyst they found in one of her ovaries (unbelievable that she is getting cysts so soon!), but other than that she is doing great. We had an awesome weekend, and of course, while on this little adventure of ours I made sure that Claudia took it easy.

In spite of Claudia's hospital stay, Mother's Day weekend turned out better than I expected!
On Saturday we all went to Mizu Japanese Steakhouse! Yum! It was awesome!

Then after that, it was off to BooksAMillion! That is our other favorite place! As a matter of fact, we skipped going to the movies because we enjoy spending time there more! We all bought super cool books, enjoyed some delicious tea and left there very happy with our purchases! We even had an encounter with a singing lizard! LOL

THEN... we spent the night over at Evelyn's house! Evelyn and I go wayyyyyy back! When we were like 11 years old, she moved with her family like two houses down from mine, so we have been friends EVER SINCE! That's a long time! We both moved to Florida with our families and every once in a while we ALL get together and have a blast with the kiddos! She has two girls and boy and Claudia and Ricardo absolutely looooove spending time with Samantha, Amanda and Alex! When those five get together it's ALL about having a blast!

Ricardo totally LOVED walking Charlie (Okelani's future hubby)LOL

After the mother of all slumber parties, we all got ready to hit the waters of Wekiva Springs! BEAUTIFUL!!! Then it was off to Bahama Breeze... which was packed! We didn't stay there too long. The rest of the evening was spent with la familia and it was awesome!!! My mommy is the best mom in the WORLD!!! Love her!

Surfer Girl!

National Day of Prayer...

National Day of Prayer started off at school with the kids and with my students.
Tonight it culminates (but never ceases) with most of my family together around the dinner table, thanking G-d for EVERYTHING!

Hallelujah!

It's Italian for Dinner...

Does this sound good?

Tender boneless beef short ribs slow cooked in chianti wine sauce and served with portobello mushroom risotto and steamed vegetables...

That is DINNER to celebrate that one of my sisters is coming home from being deployed! Yay.

Let's see... since we're doing Italian, we can probably pair that up with some Panna Cotta for dessert! Yum!

Yup!
Delicioso!

Plans for the Weekend!

Look at me. It's only Wednesday and I'm already planning our weekend!!!!!

It looks like Mother's Day dinner at Bahama Breeze with good friends and their kiddos. We are definitely spending the weekend over at Altamonte Springs.
Then, it's off to Wekiva Springs with Evelyn, Amanda, Samantha and Alex! My kids are going to have a blast with their friends!
Cool beans.
It's a plan!
We're taking off because my dad is planning a special dinner with my mom... and they need their time alone together. Gotta give'em a little privacy, ya know! LOL
:)

Attention! Attention!

Attention all GOP Presidential wannabes! Please cancel all campaigns immediately! Save your $$$$ and taxpayer $$$ also. No need for an election next year! Obama will win reelection GUARANTEED!
It's a slam dunk!
I can see the headlines now: OSAMA PROPELS OBAMA TO LANDSLIDE WIN!!
The Obamanation continues....ewwwwww!!!!

We Went on a Nature Walk...

OK... so my kids wanted to walk the trails of Disney's Wilderness Preserve instead of bathe in the cool waters of Wekiva Springs. We saw everything from gators to bobcats, my heart was in my throat, it was mad hot and I wanted to go home! I love nature...but that was a death trap!

You're supposed to go on nature walks to relax, but I was on "flight or fight" mode the minute we hit the deeper trails.
This sign was not very reassuring...

Que calor hace! I need a swimming pool like NOW!

Tell them Osama is dead without proof of a body, and they celebrate.
Tell them Yeshua is dead and risen without proof of a body, and they speculate.

"I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." -Martin Luther King Jr.

Courageous!

I cannot WAIT for this movie to come out!
My children have never known what it feels like to have a dad in their lives and they probably never will.
So if you have the privilege of being a father, it's time to step up the game and REALLY be there for your kids.
As a mom I know that I am, even if I have to play both roles.
Thank you City of Life for sharing this link.

OSAMA BIN LADEN is DEAD!!!

Wow!
He was found living in a MANSION outside of Islamabad, Pakistan and NOT in a cave in Afghanistan!

Wow!
The dude was having the time of his life.... and our soldiers were dying all over Afghanistan's tough terrain while he was chilling in a comfortable dwelling!
Ugh.

Well... he is dead now.

Good night.

Next Week It's Wekiva Springs!

Up early!

It's more water fun in the sun! This mini vacation rocks!

Next week, if the weather holds, I might take the kiddos to Wekiva Springs National Park and camp out there.
We can go swimming at the lagoon, go canoeing, walk the trails....
Ahhh! Sounds good to simply enjoy nature in a nice and relaxing atmosphere. Yeah.
That's next week's plan for SURE!

After visiting Wekiva Springs, we'll go on a National Parks binge. Most parks are free and only charge $5 to $6 for parking.

It's a great way to have fun in the summer without breaking the bank.

A cooler with juices and sandwiches for the kids and voila! Fun on a budget!

Theme parks are not the only fun thing to do in Florida. Florida has an array of national parks, museums, beaches... and the cost for most of these is less than $10.

Gotta stretch that buck this summer! After Wekiva Springs we might take off to St Augustine and Jacksonville! We had a blast there last year, and I think that it would be awesome to go there again!

Here is a video of everything that we did there last year!  

We Had FUN at Coco Key Resort Today

The pool was delicious!
The day was beautiful!
The kids had fun!

What else can you ask for?
Now the kiddos are sleeping and we are just chillaxing! :)
G-d is awesome!



Claudia had her first REAL karaoke experience and I think that she did pretty good! :)

A Message to CHURCHIANS

I love G-d FOR REAL.
Do you love Him FOR REAL?
God's grace and mercy should not be used as an excuse to keep living sinful lives.

Royal Wedding...

My kids woke up early to watch the royal wedding, and my son couldn't help himself, "Eww, mom! Why are British people so ugly?"

Claudia then butts in... "Wow... I was thinking the exact same thing. I guess you have to be royalty to be good looking, 'cause everyone else is like... you know... a little bit of this... and a little bit of that..."

(whatever that meant, she had me rolling with laughter!)

Cookie Time!

On my way to buy baking stuff to bake cookies for my students!
They have two really big tests tomorrow and they studied really hard in class today, so they need a treat!

Ok. I'm on a cookie mission.

Zoom! Zoom!

Hmmm... Publix or Walmart?

Yeah... Publix!
In and out! Walmart is always chaotic.

Rumors of War

My ENTIRE family is coming over to watch this tonight. It will be streamed "live" from the website and only members will be allowed access.
As Jews, this concerns us and this is what we are preparing for.
As believers, G-d expects us to be ready. Not only physically and mentally, but also spiritually.
It's not death we fear, for we are not afraid to die for Yeshua.
We just have to do what HaShem has called us to do and speak His Word to everyone out there, Jews and Gentiles!
There is no time to waste.
Ladies and gentlemen... WE ARE the generation that WILL witness the return of Yeshua HaMashiach. He is on His way down and time is running out!

Love G-d!

Wow! I love G-d.

Today is going to be a beautiful day because He is with us!

Isn't it wonderful to know that G-d is with you?

It's the best feeling in the world!!!!!!

Love You Abba!

Love You my King!

Okelani's First Vet Visit

It was time for Okelani to get her shots and to visit the vet for the very first time!
The vet was super nice and took his time explaining everything to the kids.

The cost? $135 but all worth it for our new family member! :D

Rose of Sharon...

Song of Solomon
I am the rose of Sharon,
And the lily of the valleys.
Like a lily among thorns,
So is my love among the daughters.

G-d Spoke to Me on This Fun and Awesome Day!

So I decided to show up at this church (ACOR) today with Claudia, after a REALLY long debate with G-d, but He sure had a lot of things to tell me at the altar, and so I am writing them down because I don't want to forget.

This pastor (Yadira's Mom) placed her hands on me and almost immediately the presence of G-d was so strong that I could barely stand up. Claudia was right next to me, hanging on to dear life, because I could feel her getting weak on the knees too.

She said that she was seeing hot coal being placed over my mouth and that there was an angel with a very huge vase pouring something over my head.

She said that G-d wanted me to know that I am a precious pearl in His hands and that He has seen my heart and all the obstacles that the enemy has tried to place before me so that His purpose with me wouldn't be accomplished.

She said that He said that from this moment on He would not allow anything else to get in the way of what He has called me to do. That He has separated me from the very beginning for something very important and that I am to preach His word. More words of enouragement came along with that, but then the attention turned towards Claudia.

She said that G-d was showing her how Claudia was a gift for me, and that she has a very close connection with Him, and that G-d was going to use her to encourage me along the way of what I am about to do (which I gather has to do with preaching His Word)and He would also use her talent to bring others to Him. Almost as though He was saying that we are a team.

She began to say that all the pain in our hearts and the heavy burden because of those who have hurt us was being removed and washed away. All things new, and that my heart was precious to Him.

That He knew my thoughts... but that His plan for my life will happen no matter what. That I had been separated from the very beginning and given many talents that I will get to use in full for His glory.

More was said... but I'm still sort of floating in the heavens, because for the first time I do feel that this message came straight from G-d. These people don't know me. They have no idea what I've been through.
They had no idea that I was given this exact message on several occasions by several unknown individuals at different stages of my life.
They had no idea that this message has been passed on to me since I accepted Yeshua into my heart at the age of eight.

A lot of people see in me whatever they want to see.
Most never take the time to take a deeper look.
So glad for Yeshua.
So glad to know that He knows me and that I am whoever He says that I am, and not whoever others think that I am.

I'm ready and willing.

That's all I have to say.

Thank You Yeshua, for Your sacrifice. Thank You for rising up on the third day! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

After service we all had a little picnic time. We laughed bunches! Today was a blessed, fun and silly Sunday!
The kids had fun. We were all so blessed!
HaShem... You are simply amazing!
I love YOU!

Do You Think This Is a Joke Now?

My dad says that everything will start crumbling in May.

This is not a joke folks.
It's happening exactly as they have projected it would.
More so... it's happening exactly as my dad projected it would happen.

Stop Harassing My Kids!

Wow.
Why can't people keep things simple?
It isn't about how much you have, or what you can show off.

It's about the blessings that G-d gives and how you can pass them on to others.

Stop the competition.

To this day, my kids have NEVER even had a Nintendo DS or a PSP. I invested on a Wii because it's great exercise and awesome FAMILY fun, but that's it.
They don't walk around with cell phones or with the most expensive clothes or tennishoes.
Ladies and gentlemen, except for when there is a special occasion, we shop at Target or at Wal Mart.
I am raising my children to be thankful for having clothes!
Every day I remind them of how rich we are in comparison to the rest of the world and THEY REALLY get it.

Yes, they've been made fun of by other kids who wonder why they don't carry around the usual gadgets, but they have learned how to deal with the peer pressure.

So I don't drive the most expensive car around... but I am richer than others because the car I drive is paid off. I don't owe it to the bank.
So I spend like $500 a year fixing whatever goes wrong with it, but that is better than spending $500 a month on car payments.

Please, don't harass my kids.
They are happy and they don't plug into "gadgets" to disconnect from their family. We have actual CONVERSATIONS in the car and we actually spend quality time together.
When their friends come over to play, they are not allowed a single moment in front of the television. Unless they are all watching a movie, they go OUTSIDE to play. They jump and run and swim! They tackle each other and roll all over the grass and the dirt... like normal kids should.
They are not parked in front of a video game console indoors, missing out on a beautiful blue sky and lovely day.
My kids actually read and not by force. They prefer "Books A Million"  or the library to a movie theater. They prefer a new interesting book to a television show.

Do we go to Olive Garden once or twice a month? Of course! Spending $30-$40 on a nice and healthy family dinner is better than spending more than that several times a month at McDonald's! That stuff is junk!
My kids eat healthy!
If they can't eat healthy when we go out, then we wait to eat healthy at home.
Other than that, it's sandwiches and Caprisuns in an ice cooler in the trunk of the car until we can get to where we're going.

Life is expensive, but we have learned to balance it out.
You want to compete because you think that living in a six bedroom house makes ME rich?
Please climb down from your tree of ignorance and listen up.

You can live in a CAVE and if you are FREE of DEBT, you are among the richest in this world.

We don't live out of appearances.
We are hard working simple folks. We buy things cash. We don't believe in credit. We only take out loans that we can pay within the month, if an emergency shows up.
 We are selective with our friends and standoffish at times, because we have learned time and time again that people who have taken interest in a friendship with us, have only done so thinking that they can get something from us. It's always the same. They go to our house and look around and next thing we know, they are quick to assume that we are ready to lend them money. If I were to count the times that this has happened to us, I'd be rich for real.
Yes, we are reserved.
That doesn't mean that we don't laugh or rejoice. That doesn't mean that we are missing out on anything.
That just means that we don't go with the flow because we have learned (the hard way) that the flow doesn't always do the G-dly thing.

Don't let the crowd pressure you.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything.

We do help others, and when we do, it's from our heart.
We are just not out there to let people try to make us feel less for being who we are.

Like I said, stop harassing my kids.
They love life.
They love their family.
Above all things, they love G-d.

They don't need to "compete" to be happy.
They are happy just as they are and their friends have actually learned from them quite a bit.
To the point that we have a full house of kids playing at our backyard every single afternoon, because their friends have finally realized what they've been missing.
The running, the tagging, the improvised soccer games, the fire pit and marshmallow and smores after dark... you get the point.

Give your kids the world.
Give them your time, your energy and as the parent, DISCONNECT them from the stuff that keeps them disconnected from YOU.
If you have to, drag them out of their routine and make them sit at the table with you as a family.
TURN OFF the television.
Make an EFFORT to have a conversation with your children.

You will be amazed at how much YOU have missed out on.

Next time you see my kids and YOUR kids make fun of them for not having a cell phone or a PSP... remember this. My kids have face to face conversartions with their friends and family. They don't need to text their way through life. When was the last time that YOU had that? If you are into texting your kids rather than cuddling with them, that's your problem.
Do my kids get cell phones when we go out to the parks? Yes. They have the famous "Firefly" which allows calls and texting ONLY to family members and to 911. It is so small that it goes on a keychain or around their neck. It looks like a trinket, so nobody has to even know that it's a cell phone. It also comes with the famous GPS "chaperone" service, which actually helps locate your child if they ever get lost or taken. All you do is program it to your phone and you get the exact location of where they are.
Very small and very inexpensive. I don't have to worry that someone is texting my kids with porn or that my daughter could meet a perv on Facebook.

Finally... get a life and let us live ours.
If you spend your time talking about me, it's definitely because my life is way  more interesting than yours.


Sincerely,

Rose

Good!

My life is good.
G-d is good.
I am the happiest person alive!!!!

Claudia LOVES Okelani!

A preview of Claudia's Bat Mitzvah black and white pictures.
Desperate here to post them, but as always... good things take time and we just have to wait.