Kinder it is! TYJ!

Okay so this is not really new news (I'm like a month behind here, heh) but yes, as the title states, Kenji is going to Kinder now!! Hmmm, let me back track a bit. Well, due to many, many things (I'll save, you the reader, the details :D) happening, changing in the last couple of months and with things not panning out as I would have liked them too (I guess our ways are not His ways, right)?! :) I found myself seriously tossing up the idea of putting Kenji into Kinder not only for the obvious reasons; schooling, fun, etc. But also as a means for him to interact with kids (he's the only kid here, other than my 12 year DS brother) and get to practice and better learn Spanish!

Now as you all know, or at least parents, heh. Tuitions are not cheap! :D Speaking of tuitions, I knew that I didn't want to put Kenji into just any school - a public shcool. So with that factor alone the amount of money I would need in order to put him in Kinder could easily have been doubled! Yes, I'll be honest here, worrisome did hit, for a bit. Until I armed myself with faith, (you'd think lots of it but no it truly felt like I only had a bit of faith to put forth due to the many things I was experiencing at the time) and put the Lord on the spot through prayer. I told Him that to be perfectly honest there was NO way that I could afford such a thing, so He was going to have to do something, a VERY BIG something and pretty soon, as we were already in the beginning of August and school years begin towards the end of it.

Well, inspite of my little faith :D the Lord, unbenownst to me, had already began to prepare the way for the impossible - in my eyes. One day, our August Prayer Day, (we have a sweet friend who joins us for this occasion and she likes to bring lunch, wine and bread for communion) while chit-chatting at the table our friend out of the blue tells me "You know I see Kenji very restless. He needs to get out of his at-home environment. He needs little friends, don't you think? When the school year begins, why don't you enroll him into my Kinder, I'll pay for it!" Then she added, "Can you do that, like does your group allow it?" I explained to her the latest about that very subject and she embraced it very happily. It's given her a greater respect for us (The Family) to see that we aren't stuck in the past but are rather moving, changing, expanding while also remaining so radically different from the endless churches she well knows. I was SO amazed, baffled really, and ever so thankful to the Lord for once again coming through for me! TYJ!

(This friend of ours has known the Family for many, many years, but sadly didn't really know much about us, our doctrines etc., until we came in contact with her through some FM brethren here and began to get her up-to-date with how the Family is presently. She loves it, everything! And on top of joining us for our monthly PD she wants to begin having devotions with us 3 times a week! - for now. She's a labor leader, a go-getter type of person and has a connection, in some way or form, with many affluent families in the city).

As the month grew closer to the end - enrollment time and the like - I wasn't totally sure how much or what exactly our friend had in mind to cover financially. She had told me, that Prayer Day, we would talk about the details later. So with my faith a little stronger now, yet at the same time a bit apprehensive to find out if I would have to put forth some money towards Kenji's tuition, books, uniform etc., as I clearly had literally $ 00.00 for this. If it hadn't been for my mom's encouragement to leave it ALL up to Him through prayer, I would have worried myself sick, again. Silly me. :D

Anyways, with just a week away from kids starting school our friend called us and asked me to come by her office and sign Kenji up. I had butterflies in my tummy, I really did, as I made my way to the schools office. After the sign-up paper work being completed, she said; "Oh here, take these 2 sets of uniforms (shirt/shorts & shirt/pants) and sweater. And later when the winter uniforms and P.E uniforms arrive, I'll separate a set for Kenji. Is size 2 fine?" Size 2 looked closer like a size 3, so it was perfect! But that's not all, she then added; "He'll need a set of "Kinder I" books, let me see if my bookstore friend still has some." After the call she gave me a slip of paper and told me if I wouldn't mind doing her the favor of picking up the set of books down town as she wasn't sure she would have the time to do so that day but didn't want to loose those books, as it was the stores last set. And added, not to worry about a thing she had already worked out the payment. -- Would I mind merely picking them up?!! Heck no!! :D

So that's the brief (ha!) version of how the Lord not just answered my prayer - to have Kenji go to Kinder - but my desire as well, which was to have him go to a private school and to boot it's bilingual, and only 2 blocks away from our house! And the only expenses I had to make were buying him new tennis and school shoes and the pics they ask for when you sign them up! It couldn't have been better, or easier, or cheaper! He really does spoil us! :) TYJ! Today will mark 4 weeks of attending Kinder - what a shiner! Thankfully this time around he did a lot better when being dropped off - he hardly cried - TTL as that made it sooo much easier on me. :) -- My baby, I miss him so much when he's away.

It's taking him a little longer, though, to adjust to the new surroundings/environment, etc. But he's getting there, slowly. :) The other day I learned that he made a little friend! Yay, Progress! And he's beginning to communicate a little more with his teachers. What I really liked, though, is that his main teacher is both his Spanish and English instructor, rather than having 2 separate teachers for each language - that would only make it all the more difficult for him to adjust and grow in confidence. So I'm happy for that. :)

Okay, well I'll leave you with some Kinder related pics and of an activity we did with a couple who faithfully comes for weekly classes, as do their kids. Enjoy!

Viva Mexico! Viva la Patria!

This year round we weren't able to take the kids out and about to celebrate "El 16 de Septiembre/Dia de la Patria," -- because just a couple of days ago Kenji came down with a high fever (39.8) and Angel was still battling with a lingering cough and cold. Thank the Lord Kenji's fever is gone now and Angel is doing a lot better.

What we did do, though, was let them partake of the festivites via TV. It was actually a lot nicer, in my opinion, because we got to see a lot of the traditional things that happen on this memorable day. They saw the colorful and beautiful typical dresses that girls used to wear as well as the attire men wore, sombreros and all! They also saw various traditonal Mexican folklore dances like; "Jarabe Tapatio, La Culebra, El son de la Negra" among many other plus a whole lot of Mariachis!

Oh, they also saw desfiles, Viva Mexico cheering, how people show respect to the flag and heard the National Anthem, charreria, a slew of different Mexican dishes and firecrackers go off and all! So all in all it was a fun and new experience for them, even if just from home! And I told Kenji that we would make a Mexican dish for dinner. He chose chicken flautas, so we made that and all the trimmings that go with that particular dish. We also had some meat empanadas that a friend brought. -- The flautas were delicious!! The empanadas were also good, but far too spicy for me. :D

Granddad and Steve are away on a trip. They been gone since Kenji's birthday and still have another 3 weeks to go. Poor Kenji misses his "sweet abuelo" as he calls him. Actually he misses him so much, that the other day he told grandma; "Abuelita ya no te quiero llamar abuelita, te quiero llamar abuelito, porque el no esta aqui conmigo." Awww, I thought that was so sweet!! He just wants his abuelo back, no matter what! Heh!

And now I present to you some video clips of our cooking and of my very own patriotic fanatic! Ha! I'll add some pics of the meal and stuff later.





Click here to watch the boys preparing the trimmings. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u0CTvqehlc

Click here to see my little fanatic cheer for his country! Ha! -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2N9dsMiOsI

A day I am so happy for!

TO MY DARLING KENJI:

Baby love, happy, happy birthday!! I hope you had a fun time on your birthday, my dear, but most importantly I want you to know how happy and proud I am of you! You've grown up sooo much this past year I don't even know where to begin, but here are some things that stand out to me the most:

I thank Jesus for giving me such a sweet, loving, smart, considerate, polite, and handsome little fellow like yourself!! I don't feel I've done much to deserve the kind of unconditional love you give me daily, but I am ever so thankful for having this privilege. Thank you for loving me even when I am most certainly not in the most lovable mood -- like when I get frustrated with you at times and come close to loosing it :( and wish you would just behave a tad older. At such moments you never fail to run to my side and give me a smile and a huge hug and say; "It's okay mommy, don't be sad, it's my fault. I'm sorry!" even when sometimes it really isn't your fault. You just overlook my mistakes and love me anyways -- you put me to shame at times, really!

And I just love how attuned and considerate you are to my needs. Whenever I have a tummy ache, headache, backache, or any other ache for that matter, you're quick to come to my side to kiss the hurting member and comfort me -- even if you're in the middle of playing some exciting game between you and your toys. And the way you comfort me is just too sweet! With just a simple cry of "Kenji mommy's tummy is hurting..." you're by my side reassuring me to not worry or cry because you're here and you will pray for me to get better.

Furthermore the earnest with which you pray with is too darling and there is just no way that Jesus wouldn't answer your sweet sincere prayer; "Jesus, please help mommy tummy (or whatever is hurting) not hurt more, please Jesus. Me call on Almathor and 'Lixir', in Jesus name, amen." I love you, my sweet love! Thank you for looking out for mommy, being so considerate, strong and full of faith, and for loving mommy too much! XXX I seriously couldn't ask the Lord for anymore! You, just the way you are is more than I deserve! You truly are an angel - my angel! ILY soooooo much!

I am quite impressed with how much you crave, treasure, and love the Word, Jesus, and anything to do with those things. You never seem to get enough! At times I wonder if you really understand what I'm reading when we read things from older kids pubs like "Prospector, Gen Up, or MLK's" suited for older kids. But every time you amaze me with your understanding of spiritual things at such a young age. And as if that weren't enough how you try to apply what you read, or recite a verse or key promise you've learned, given the opportunity, is truly fantastic!

Here is something I want to congratulate you for, a truly great spiritual achievement you mastered this last year. And every time I think of it, it brings me great joy and pride. I'm amazed with the depth in which you've grasped the concept of "asking Jesus everything." And what's more that months ago the suggestion to listen to Jesus about something came from you! I didn't think you were ready, but you proved me wrong! It makes me so happy to see you now launch out on your own and listen to Jesus, on whatever matter concerns you presently. Nothing is too small to ask Jesus about, for you. I'm so proud of you, my little spiritual samuri! You really have lived up to your name significance, TYJ!

Oh, another thing I'm so proud of you for achieving this last year is reading! Yes, that's right, you now can fully read short one vowel phrases! And you're progressing quite nicely in your "Tommy and Meg" sight reading books too! Yippee! In no time you will be reading "Grandpa Jake" bedtime stories to mommy! - Will be looking forward to that! :) I wish I had a video clip of you reading, but thanks to someone (ahem) not cooperating quite as much to this, I haven't one. But as soon as the opportunity arises I will snatch a clip for memories sake.

These are just a few things I love about you and for which I am so proud of. But above all those things, what I am most thankful for is; that you are mine, mine, MINE. Totally and just mine :) - I'm pretty selfish, ha! But in a good way. ;) I'm blessed to have an angel like yourself to love me unconditionally, care for me kindly, cherish me highly, forgive me endlessly, and put up with me daily! I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU! HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, my champ!

A birthday prayer for Kenji:
"Jesus, thank you for sending such a perfect little bundle of love, a bubbly little one, my very own angel in disguise, Kenji, to me. I don't know that I've done anything to deserve such a gift of love, but I am ever so happy and thankful for him. Having him these last 3 years has been such a joy, blessing, and privilege. If it weren't for him (and You of course) my days would be sad, gloomy and not much to look forward to at the start of a new day. But with him in my life there is always something fun and exciting to explore together. And no matter how much of him I have daily, at the end of the day I just can't get enough!

Sweet love, I praise you for all the progress both physical and spiritual Kenji has made this last year and I ask that You please continue to keep him close to You and Your Word - desiring it. I also ask that You will help his little gift of prophecy to continue to grow, help me to remember to make more use of it throughout the day and most importantly to feed his faith so that his connection to You will be firmly set and that it will cause his child like faith to grow and grow and never quench.

Please send by his side a band of specialized warriors to watch over him, care for him, and speak to his heart and mind. Help his connection with his angels and spirit helpers to stay strong as he enters this new year and the many challenges that await him, especially in Kinder. I pray that he will remember the Word he's hid in his heart, call on it and use it to help him face whatever befalls him. I pray You give him confidence, faith and courage to be the sample You want and need him to be.

I also pray that You will help me be a better mom to Kenji, one who is more like You and less like myself. Give me strength, love, faith and wisdom to handle him as he grows a little more into his peculiar little self this year :D and help me to stay attuned and open to the heavenly childcare help You've mad available to us. Help me to always keep my eyes on You and on the fantastic future You have planned for us! In TPOTK, Amen."

Here's the scrumptious breakfast we made for Kenji's birthday; fruit, eggs and turkey bacon, and pancakes with milk. He wanted to eat outside on the balcony and in pajamas!

I decided to just take video clips of the happenings, rather than having to sort through so many pix in order to post a select few. So enjoy! -- With some I simply put the link of the clip, so CLICK ON THEM TOO or you can subscribe to my You Tube channel by clicking on this link here http://www.youtube.com/kenjiluna I might throw in a couple of pix as well.

Thank you, Angie, Liz, Esther and Ez for calling him! He was so flipped to be getting so much attention - calls. And Mig and Amber thank you for the little birthday song video clip, he loved it! Couldn't get him to stop singing the song to himself, ha!

Click on the link to watch Kenji making his breakfast. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzCK8aZhsEc

Click on the link to watch the boys enjoying their breakfast. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmmCTEwgtrU





Click on the link to watch Kenji receiving his last present and riding his scooter. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYyzoNrb5uA

Click on the link to watch Kenji opening his Cars memory game. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35LxMTeH_JA

Click on the link to watch Kenji playing memory. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEZThdtkoaM

And here are some photos of the outing we had in honor of Angel's birthday, 27th of August. The Lord supplied 2 big pizzas, spaghetti, and a delicious salad! Oh, and to boot, an ice-cream for Kenji - Angel really isn't into ice-cream, he was more than happy with his meal. TYJ! You'd think we would be satisfied with all that food, but somehow we still had some room for carrot cake! A friend called and asked if she could bring Angel a cake for his b-day, so sweet. And we let both of them open one of their presents that night - Angel's birthday.


Click on the link to watch Angel blowing out his candles! -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moCrVKb4c9g

Click on the link to watch Angel opening one of his presents! -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTLT0QikEWI

Click on the link to watch Kenji opening a present of his on Angel's b-day! - He didn't want to be left out, heh. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Ve9SXQvfc

Mommy's rest day is the highlight of the week!

The reason for this is because when I'm resting abuela and abuelo care for Kenji and it is then when Kenji gets to do a handyman project with abuelo. This time they made a weight bar from scratch! In other words they cut, sanded, and spray painted the wood to create Kenji's very own set of dumbbells! Ha! I assure you Kenji is in high heaven for this! :)

Just the other day it was grandma Margie's birthday so we sent her a little e-card and a couple of days later, much to our surprise she called to thank us for the card! When Kenji learned that I was talking to grandma Margie he pipped in "I want to talk to her too, mommy!" so I passed the phone to him and he just started chatting away with her. Ha!

He's usually pretty shy about talking with people on the phone, but fter greeting her he right away asked her his #1 favorite question; (the one he asks anyone who will give him the time of day) do you like cockroaches!? That got them started on a full-on conversation about bugs, animals, and the like! Oh, one thing though, he was sure to warn her that some dinosaurs are veerrry naughty, because they're carnivorous! (that's been his latest new word and fascination) But in heaven they won't be naughty or eat us! Heh! Such cuteness, if I may say so myself!

Some more of Kenji's cute thoughts:
* Yesterday Kenji overheard me telling mom that my ear was hurting me a bit. He quickly came to my side and asked me; "Why mom? What you put inside? A bean, papaya seed, a little bit of tissue, a rock, food? What? What you put inside?

At first I was a bit bewildered at his question, but then it came to me. Long ago when Kenji put a papaya seed in his nose, it began hurting him and it wasn't till about 2 weeks later that we took him to a specialized doctor to inspect his nose (we didn't know for sure if he did or did not have something stuck in his nose those 2 weeks) and out came a little papaya seed with growth and all! Yuck, I know!

So anyways, I realized that he was asking me what I had put inside my ear, because he associated my ear pain with his nose pain of long ago and I guess he figured I must of stuck something in my ear, just as he had in his nose! Ha! Quite the analysis there, Kenji! Heh!

* Upon returning from the park, Kenji walked in to the kitchen and asked me for a cup of water. After having his fill on the refreshing water he turned to me and with his hand on his chest said, "My heart is bubbling, mommy! You want to hear it!?" with a very concerned look on his face. Ha! - I guess "bubbling" was the closest thing he came up with to describe his fast-paced heart beat!

Guess what? It's 10 days till Kenji's birthday! Whoo-hoo!



Here are some pics of a awter park we went to earlier this month (I had forgotten to post them) and the other ones are from the recent things we've done this last week. Enjoy!