A Very Special Memorial Day

There are some days that are extra special; days that I just feel extra blessed. This past Monday was Memorial Day Holiday, and it was one of those extra special days.

It started with a sweet visit to the Memorial Park to clean and put new flowers on Jonathan David's grave. As Jonny cleaned, I held Daniel and told him about our first son, his older brother in Heaven. He listened quietly... I am not sure how much he understood, but it was special to tell him about Jonathan David. Next year Daniel will be three and I know he will understand much more... It's sad having to tell him about death at such a young age, but it is a reality that we all have to deal with at one time or another. My prayer is that because Daniel has a brother in Heaven, he may long for Jesus and our true home more - the same way as we have because of Jonathan David's life.

(For fun, look at Daniel last year on Memorial day - from baby to boy!)

We then returned home and had my dear friend Perla from Honduras over for lunch, with her two daughters, Wilsen and Libny, and her mother. They were visiting the U.S. because Libny had just recently graduated from college in Pennsylvania! Congratulations again Libny, I'm so proud of you! Our reunion after almost 3 years was emotional and so special. They are all so dear to me and our bond runs deep. I was also so happy to see Wilsen who got married only 5 months ago. Perla has been an amazing single mother and it is so wonderful to see how the girls are doing so well.

Daniel was shy for the first hour or so (he is going through a very shy phase with people he does not know), but I was thankful that he ended up playing with the girls before going down for his nap. He also had a cute moment with Buffy on our bed just before going to sleep (see photos below)!

Later that afternoon, we went over to the home of our friends (the Taracenas) for a cook-out (American word for barbecue!). We enjoyed hanging out with friends and Daniel had a blast playing in their huge yard. He loved going up the hill, throwing down a ball, running down the hill into Jonny's arms and catching the ball again. He did this over and over again and you can see how much he sweated!

I'm so thankful that I have been able to blog about this special day so that I can always remember it. Thank you Lord for a special Memorial Day this year!

Ahh...Summer!

Today was our first day back at the pool and it was just glorious. The pictures express better than I could ever describe, the joy that was experienced. Enjoy!

P.S. For fun, have a look at Daniel almost one year ago at the pool... he has grown so much!

Tia Nena - Time Of Celebration

It was tia Nena's birthday last weekend and we celebrated at our home with a dinner and invited one of her closest friends and children. We enjoyed being able to celebrate her birthday together, as well as the end of her medical treatments (chemotherapy and radiation). Despite all she has gone through the past 6 months, she is doing very well. She is now recuperating and plans to return back to work sometime this summer - hopefully in July.

For us, it has been a huge blessing walking this journey of faith with her; her trust in the Lord has only grown stronger and her faith has encouraged many. Thank you Lord Jesus for providing her with all that she has needed throughout this journey.Your presence and faithfulness have been so evident and we are so grateful.

Tia Nena, we love you so much and are so thankful for your life! Happy Birthday again!

Vovô Daddy

Hi Loved Ones!

We were recently blessed by a short visit from vovô Daddy! Daniel was shy the first evening he arrived, but then enjoyed spending time with him (he's been gone now for almost a week and Daniel continues to ask about him). We did a lot in the 4 days we had together. It was too short, and we are missing him already, but we are looking forward to him returning in September. Here are some highlights of our time with vovô:

A beautiful day together at the Arboretum

Hanging-out together early in the morning. Daniel loved when Vovo read to him.



And played with his stuffed animals...


Daddy was so impressed by the gymnastics facility.


But Vovo was most amazed at how Daniel ran and jumped around non-stop for a whole hour!



Check out the slide-show for more:

Very special times with you dear Daddy. Can't wait to see you again in September. We love you!

Mother's Day And Recent Fun Times

Hi Loved Ones! Sorry for the silence; we were sick during the last couple of weeks but thankfully, are all better now.

Today was Mother's Day here in the U.S. and I was treated very lovingly by Jonny and Daniel. Jonny gave me a special mouse-pad with photos of Daniel and a home-made card from Daniel and Jonathan David with photos. Daniel also made a special gift in Sunday school for me: he painted a vase (with his name and that said "I love you") and planted flowers and drew his hand on a beautiful pink heart which I have now displayed proudly on the wall!

Daniel said some cute things today; he noticed I was wearing different earrings and necklace and he said: "Wow, nice mamae!" It felt as if I was being admired by my little boy, very special. Jonny asked Daniel: "Doesn't mamae look beautiful?" And he replied: "Yeah!"

The weather is still very spring like - hot days mixed with cooler, windy ones. But on a recent warm afternoon, I kept Daniel busy on the deck playing with water - very simple, just a couple of bowls, spoon and jug, and he had was busy for over an hour while I cooked dinner! I also got some cute close-ups of him that afternoon.

We went to a Truck-Touch Fair this past Saturday and it was lots of fun - except for when we had to wait in line, Daniel doesn't get the concept yet so it was challenging at times. He enjoyed seeing all the different trucks, touching and going inside of them. We also got to do some painting which he loved - must try it at home soon, he really is enjoying artsy things more!

Wishing you a blessed week ahead!

A Special Weekend: Daniel's Dedication And Our 17th Anniversary

This past weekend was very special. On Sunday, we dedicated Daniel to God at our Church. It was a way for us to publicly thank God for Daniel and entrusting us with his life; acknowledge our total dependence and trust in God for raising Daniel, and commit to teach Daniel about Jesus. It was also an opportunity for our Church to pray for us and promise to support us in our mission as parents. It was also special to dedicate Daniel next to other couples and children who are part of our Church family - we are so blessed to be part of this community.

We also had 7 other close friends join us at our Church and their presence there made it extra special: Tia Nena, Jean and Jim, Chris and Corinne, and Parin and Heather. We then all had lunch at our home to celebrate the special occasion. Unfortunately, we didn't take many pictures but a few were taken of us from a distance at the Church during the dedication:

On Sunday, we also celebrated 17 years of being together! Can you believe it, 17 years?! It's hard for us to believe that it's been that long since Jonny asked me to "go out" with him in Singapore at age 15. Thanks to our wonderful neighbors, Parin and Heather, who babysat Daniel on Saturday night, we went to the Kennedy Center in DC and got to enjoy an African-American Gospel concert that had a choir of almost 200 people - it was a special cultural and spiritual experience. We hadn't been out at night on a date as a couple for ages, so it meant a lot to us! Daniel also had a blast with their son Devesh! As we left they were running around, causing havoc and he was very happy to say "bye" as we left. Here are some photos of us on our date!

Jonny and I have been reflecting on all that we have been through the past 17 years... and we recognize how much we have grown and matured. But what is clearest to us, is the evidence of God's grace and presence in our lives. Our relationship and family is what it is today, only because of all that God has done. Bringing us together at a young age from opposite sides of the world; leading us to Him in our early 20s; helping us grow through seasons of suffering and joy; blessing us with a strong and committed relationship that has withstood so much... We are just so thankful to God for everything and acknowledge that if it wasn't for Him, we would not be who or where we are today. Thank you Lord for blessing this 17 year relationship so much!