5 years Old

Yesterday my baby turned five.

Well, I guess he isn't my baby anymore.

I put together this little video of him growing up.  I loved it, but then again, I'm his mom.  So this post might be more for friends and family, but heck, I think he's a cool kid, and I'm proud of him.  I'm gonna post it!!



Happy Weekend!  We're off to celebrate!  What are you up to this weekend?

Thoughts on Easter

Well Easter is coming in just a couple weeks and I had prepared to do a little baking activity about how to teach your small children about Christ's resurrection. However, my "Resurrection Rolls" did not turn out too good and I did not feel they were worthy of your viewing. Instead I have decided to share something very personal with you and I pray you bear with me.

This Easter season has been very difficult for my family. I just waved goodbye to my husband and sweet kids as they head out for the weekend to say farewell to a beloved Grandmother and Great Grandmother.

This photo was taken just days before dear Joanne was taken from this world suddenly due to cancer.

Not even two weeks ago did I say kiss my family goodbye as I flew up north to say farewell to my sweet 19 year old cousin, who was unable to win his battle against drugs and was taken from this earth too soon due to drug related causes.

This photo was taken 2 1/2 years ago on Fourth of July

Death is very painful...It does not feel natural for a loved one to be taken from us....It should not feel natural!  Because we were not created for death. So we rage against it, I rage against it. And then I take comfort in the promises of God, that even though sin and death have entered this world Jesus has made a way for us by dying on the cross  in our place so that we may live as His child eternally in heaven... 

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

John 16:33

And it is not enough that Jesus just died, but he also ROSE from the grave and conquered death! And this is why we celebrate EASTER!! Because even though there is pain and suffering, and even though my dearest loved ones died, both of them believed in what Christ did for them and both of them have found relief from their afflictions in the arms of Christ. DEATH HAS LOST IT'S STING!! 

This post has been difficult for me to write and feel there is so much I want to say but have no words to say them. As I sit here in tears (of sorrow and of joy) I think of these lyrics to one of my favorite Easter songs:

"Oh Death, where is your sting? Oh Hell, where is your victory? Oh Church come stand in the Light. The glory of God has defeated the night. Oh Death, where is your sting? Oh Hell, where is your victory? Oh Church come stand in the Light. Our God is not dead He's Alive, He's Alive!!"

I appreciate all you readers who I just bore a bit of my soul too. I want you to know that I would not have done so if I did not feel like you were all my friends. I love this community and I am grateful for all of you.

xo - Christie

 

And so I am in California...

And I thought I wouldn't be writing any more traveling posts for a while  Well, as it turns out I must be crazy and I decided to do it again.  With both boys.  By myself.  International flight.  Why don't we back up a bit, it's kinda a cool story...

So it's Tuesday evening in France which is Tuesday morning in LA.  I decided to call my dear, dear cousin to wish her well on her wedding this weekend.  This is kind of a bittersweet situation because I love her so much and cannot wait for her to marry her man.  And yet on the flip side I am here in France and only get to see pictures when they are loaded on Facebook.  Talk about a bummer.

So as Marissa and I are chatting, I texted my husband, "Oh, man. I really wish I could have gone to this wedding."  I think subconsciously I was hoping he would text me back saying, "There's still time, Babe. Let's get you a ticket!!" However, my husband, being the ever-so-practical man that he is texted back saying, "I told you we could have tried if you wanted to."  Past tense.  Dang it.  It looks like my chance has passed.  So I wished Marissa well trying to accurately express how much I wanted to be there without making her feel bad that I wasn't.  I think she was doing the same thing.

I hung up the phone and tried to get a hold of myself.  I have a very large, very close-knit family and it physically hurts when I have to miss important things like weddings and babies being born.  (I missed my niece being born a few weeks ago.)  However, I didn't want to express this emotion to my husband because, one, he already knows the way I feel.  There is no reason to rub it in.  And, two, I don't want him to feel bad that I didn't make it.  After all, it isn't his fault.

I walked out of our room where I was talking to Marissa and into the living room where he sat on his computer.  I plopped down next to him with a big sigh.  He already knew what I was feeling.  He repeated his text, "I told you we could have tried to go.  You wait until now to want to try?"

"No, we don't have to try.  I understand.  I waited too long and it's too expensive."  I picked up my computer thinking 'I am just gonna check if there are cheap flights.  What if by some bizarre chance we could do it?  Crazy, but worth a try.'  As I was picking it up I glanced over to Var's computer to see what he was doing.  Expedia.com.  What?  He was already checking flights for me!  Now I might have a husband who is adamantly against celebrating Valentine's Day and rarely (if ever) brings home flowers, but that man loves me practically.  And I couldn't ask for a better way to be loved.

So we started our search.  We checked airline miles, Travelocity, Expedia, CheapTickets, Air France and for some reason Var checked out Lufthsana.  Now remember, this was Tuesday night.  I closed my eyes and said a little prayer.  Lord, if this is from you, make it a reasonable, doable price.  If not, please give me peace about not going and settle my heart.  

He found tickets for all three of us leaving Thursday (now just a day away) for about $1500.  Now, I don't know if you know much about international flights, but that is an incredible price.  While he was checking all the ins and outs of the ticket and confirming everything I was having a freak-out session via Twitter DM's with my dear friend Gina.  Honestly, I feel like God put here there to talk through things with me at that very specific point in time.  And it was a blessing.

the happy couple

So here I am.  In California.  Surrounded by friends and family and loved ones to celebrate my cousin's marriage and to rejuvenate my soul with the blessings that are these people to me.  God is so good and this is a gift from Him.  The wedding was a beautiful day and I can't wait to show you some pictures of the day.  As you can see, the bride was radiant and oh-so-happy to marry her man.

me and the bride

And, needless to say, Christie and I are going to have so much fun actually working together, like in person, getting ready for April re-launch!!  Oh, so much fun!

Have a great day and God bless!!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Have you ever thought about what exactly this day does mean?  Or what it actually means to you personally?  Do you think it affects you?  Well, for me and my family, it does.  Quite a bit actually.  Obviously for the better.  Let's chat a bit.

Can you imagine it?  I know there are movies and people that have experienced some serious racism, but for the white folk out there, can you even imagine it?  What blows my mind is that people thought it was okay!  People thought it was okay to act like they were better than someone else because of their skin color.  People thought it was okay to think that blacks were less than them, even less than human.  It blows.my.mind.  And the innocent 'let's all be happy' girl in me wants to act like people don't think that anymore.  Like we've moved on.  Or if I just turn my head, will it all go away?

But I can't turn my head.  I am married to black man who has experienced for himself first hand some of this ugliness that I speak of.  I actually have witnessed it a bit as well.  Nothing with calling names or abuse or anything as blatant as that, because let's be honest, who in their right mind would try to beat up my husband? :)  But with remarks and statements, it makes me really sad.

I do think, however, we have come a long way.  We don't experience as much racism as we would have maybe 20 or 50 years ago.  We are able to be happily married without too much from other people. (Our college dating story on the other hand... oohhheeee the racism!)  I think the biggest problem is ignorance.  People don't know how to act around my husband because he's different.  He's big and black and has an accent.  People like me are drawn to it, but there are people who are just plain scared of it.

But then, I have to think about my beautiful, mixed babies in this world.  How will people view them?  Honestly, I don't care if people see them as black or white or mixed or just plain gorgeous.  I care about who they are as men.  I also care about how people treat them.  One of my biggest worries when we move back to the states is that people won't know how to treat them.  They are interracial.  They are intercultural.  They speak another language.  They are huge.  They look different.  I hope and pray that the transition is easy and that the parents where we live are bringing up their kids to be loving and accepting to different.  To embrace them.

But my number one thing I want my boys to know if this doesn't happen.  It is OK.  Daddy loves you. Mommy loves you.  Most importantly, God loves you.  You do not, let me repeat, do not need these people's acceptance to know that you are loved.

So if Martin Luther King Jr. hadn't stood up for what he believed in, for what is right, would we be where we are?  Would I have married my husband?  Would I have my beautiful and oh-so-precious babies?  Praise the Lord I don't have to think about those scenarios because he did.  The course of history was changed for the better and I pray that it only continues to do so.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Life Altering

A little over a month ago I wrote about losing my cousin a year ago.  It was a very hard time and we as a family are still dealing with the loss to this day.  Obviously, this is not something that is just cured overnight.  Unfortunately yesterday, my other other cousin, Tyson's brother, was in a similar accident.  He is in very serious condition.  At this point he is stabilized and the doctors are 'cautiously optimistic.'  He has had his right hand up to his forearm and his right leg amputated.  The next few days will be crucial.

I was in Las Vegas with my husband when I got the call from my mom.  We were planning on going out for a nice dinner for my birthday.  Obviously this puts a damper on things, and we decided to come home.  I needed to see my babies.

Things like this put your life in perspective, don't they?  What are you living for?  Why are we here?  What is important to me?  I believe that God has a purpose for everything and although we might not fully understand why he chose to take Tyson from us last year or to allow this to happen to Timmy this year, we do know that He is in control.  He did choose to let it happen.  And all we can do at this point is pray that Timmy is okay.  Pray that the Lord can open our eyes to His will and purpose.  Pray for the doctors that they will have wisdom in his surgeries.  And pray for the families.

I know that religion is a touchy subject to some people, and I understand that.  I don't want to be a weird Christian person that pushes my religion on other people.  I do, however, believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that he died for our sins so we can be with him in heaven.  I don't feel like I should have to cover that up or hide it, because this is a part of who I am.  And when something like this happens, I am thankful that I have that to lean on.  I know that no matter what happens in this crazy thing called life, I am in His hands.  I am taken care of.  And he loves Timmy, Tyson, Lavar, my kids, more than I do, more than I can imagine.  And boy does that make this a tad bit easier.

So if you pray, pray for my cousin.  Pray for the doctors.  Pray for the families, specially his wife and three kids who will be the most affected.  And then for his parents who lost their other son just last year.  Any support is so much appreciated, I can't even tell you how encouraged I am by your words.  Thank you so much.

Have a blessed day

Summer Lovin' Photo Contest

Finally I have put together some pictures of Yosemite.  I had so much fun.  I have been going up to Yosemite since before I was born (my poor mother slept in a tent at 8 months pregnant!) and have rarely missed a trip.  This year was truly one of the best times ever.  My boys are at their happiest when outside, and camping=outside all.the.time.  So perfect.

Here is Eli going for a run. So funny, trying to copy Tae.

The river was so full this year.  The rapids were great but it was freezing!!  It felt like the snow had just melted 10 minutes up river.   And in the spirit of relaxing, we decided to jump in and freeze our bootie patooties off. I think the award goes to husband when he was one of the first to jump in all his Bahamian-ness.

Tae's got a little karate chop going on in the first pic

I was shocked at my little man who threw on a life vest and went down by himself!!  He is so brave (sometimes), I love it!  Despite it being freezing, it was still refreshing and we had a wonderful day there.

We actually got to go to Yosemite Valley this trip.  I have been before, but I don't remember when was the last time.  So this was really neat to show Lavar and the kids such a beautiful place.  Even Lavar was impressed, and that takes quite a bit!

Just incredible! You can truly see God's majesty here!

This picture cracks me up.  Eli took some hot chocolate (No, I don't give my kids coffee. You crazy?! They don't need any more energy!) and was walking around the campsite with it.  I, of course, followed him around with a camera and got this shot.

Handsome camper-boy.

We have pictures of me using the same bath when I was a kid.  To say that my dad likes tradition is an understatement.  We also have pictures of Tae in the same bath at that age. 

Tae Yosemite 2008

Eli Yosemite 2011

This next picture makes my heart melt.  And laugh, a little, as Tae is putting his arm around Eli and Eli is pushing Tae.  Oh my boys.  What a beautiful picture though, right?  I mean the trees and river behind them, beautiful sunny day.  This is summer to me. 

And I started thinking, what does summer look like to you?  I would love to know, because every person and family are so different and unique in their own ways, of course summer would look different to different people.  And I don't know about you guys, but I am always looking for new things to do!

So then came my idea!  (with the help of my dad, actually!)  I am going to host a photo contest!  This Friday I am going to host a linky.  I want you all to make sure you come back and link up a post with your favorite summer photo.  What embodies summer for you?  Then I am going to take the top three summer photos and have everyone vote for their favorite!!   The winner will get to host this lovely button on their blog and a month of free advertising from me!  I will also be promoting this on my Facebook and Twitter accounts, so this would mean exposure!

So I hope that you all come back Friday to link up your summer photos.  Just write a post with one picture in the post and tell his what summer means to you.  If you already have a post, you can link that one up too.  Easy peesy!  Feel free to grab the button if you want to participate!

<a href=”http://manouvellemode.blogspot.com” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/nlynn6/summer-lovin-photo.gif”></a>

Have a great day! 

My Marriage Advice

My husband and I are celebrating 4 looong, glorious years of marriage today.  And because 4 years of marriage is more than most Hollywood couples, I feel like I am qualified to give everyone marriage advice.  So here you go.  :)

1.) Wives, learn to cook.  Didn't your momma ever tell you the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach??  That's how I bagged my man! (seriously not. Could not cook when we first were married)

2.)  Be easy.  Now I know I am married to an islander, but just relax ladies!  Life will not always perfect and those fairytale-endings you read when you were younger aren't true!  Your prince may have come, but I am guessing he took longer to get here and has a little more junk in the trunk! (not to mention he probably doesn't have a castle!)

3.)  Keep things spicy.  I like to keep it real.  Few ideas for ya: surprise him by wearing his shirt when he comes home from work.  Read my post on how to pick him up from the airport.  Breakfast in bed.  Get a babysitter without telling him and let him come home to you wearing something... nice.  You get the idea.

4.) Just because he is quiet doesn't mean there is something wrong.

5.)  Sometimes it is okay for you to be quiet.  Even if the only person you have talked to all day is a 4-year-old who repeated the same questions 50 times. 

6.)  Be respectful.  Men dig respect.  And I don't mean like bow every time he walks in, but respect his choices in the house. 

7.) LAUGH!  At yourself, at him, at your kids.  Keep things light, it helps keep fights to a minimum.

8.) Most importantly (for me at least) look to yourself first.  It isn't always easy, but before blaming and getting angry at him, try to see what you might have done and try to work on yourself.  After all, you can only control your own actions!

Well, that's all I got.  Maybe in another 4 years I will have 8 more things to tell you!  Love your man, ladies!

Var, I know it isn't always easy, and I might drive you crazy sometimes, but thank you for sticking with it and always trying to be better.  Here's to another 4 looong years.  Love you!

No Super Mom here

Okay.  So we need to talk.  I need some other opinions.

Since I have been back in America, about 2 months, I have pretty much fallen off the wagon.  Like, blogging wise.  I really love to blog, I do, but I am just not able to find the time.  I have been busy with summer things.  Like the pool, park, movies, hanging out with friends, jiu jitsu practice, watching other people's kids, you know, the regular things.

Source: dearmusketeer.blogspot.com via ThePomegranateBasket on Pinterest

And I love it, I really do.  I love spending this time with my kids.  Watching their skin get darker because of the amount of time they spend outside or in the pool.  I love our little family vacations which we don't get to do much of when we are in France.  I love our church friends and family and being involved as much as we can there.  I just love summer.  I am loving our summer.

Source: google.co.uk via Natalia on Pinterest

Then there is blogging.  And reading blogs. And staying updated on Twitter and Facebook and trying to understand Pinterest.  And comment on other bloggers and read new ones.  I am sure I am even missing things that I somehow should be doing.  Phew! 

Source: ffffound.com via Natalia on Pinterest

So here is my question: How the heck do you moms do it?  I can understand a little better if you don't have kids, because man do they take up a ton of time!  And yet, I know there are moms out there who homeschool their kids, work or own a shop, blog full time, and appear to do it all gracefully!  These are the super moms of the world. 

Source: tabletonic.blogspot.com via Natalia on Pinterest

No Super here!  Just mom.  And although I love and embrace my role as 'mother', I know there has to be a better balance to life.  I started this blog so that I can have time for me, something for me.  Now I am loosing site of that because I have horrible time management skills.  There has to be a better balance.

Source: eisymorgan.blogspot.com via Natalia on Pinterest

So what do you all do?  Mom or not, I know most women have a lot going on in their lives and a lot of you balance it great.  So I need advice.  I would love to hear how everyone else balances everything going on in their lives. 

Source: eisymorgan.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

And with all that in mind, I'm SORRY!  I have been awful at reading everyone's blogs and I seriously need it!  I miss it!  I miss the inspiration I get from everyone's lives!  I miss linky parties and meeting new people.  So forgive my absense as I learn to balance this crazy thing called life.  I can't wait to read all the suggestions!

Remembering Tyson

I just wanted to take a day to honor one of the best men I knew.  A year ago today, my cousin Tyson Lane Larson, passed away.  He was 28 years old when he passed and we all miss him dearly.

If I could write a little tribute to him, take a second to tell you about the man he was, I feel like somehow I am paying tribute to his character, to who he was.

He was a man of God.  He loved the Lord and showed it in the way he lived his life.  He was so kind.  His tender heart was unmatched.  He was always thinking of others and putting them first.  He was so accepting and loving, always making sure everyone felt like they fit in.

One night when I was about 8 months pregnant with Eli, I was feeling a little stressed because I didn't have Eli's room ready yet, it still needed to be painted, and I had no help.  My parents were out of town and my husband was in Austria.  I called Tyson to ask a question about patching the holes in the wall before I painted.  He kindly answered, telling me how and what I would need.  We hung up the phone and I started to try to patch the walls.

Not 20 minutes later the door opened downstairs and Tyson and his sweet wife Lindsey walked through the door with their paint clothes and supplies.  Then a little later his mom and dad (my aunt and uncle) came over and they had the room painted that night.

I didn't ask him.  He didn't have to help.  It was about 9:00 at night.  He didn't think about if he would be tired in the morning when he had to get up for work.  He didn't think about just relaxing at home and taking some time for himself.  He thought about me.  He dropped what he was doing just to help me.

Then there was the time we went on a cruise as a family.  I had found out I was pregnant the night before we left and I was obviously upset about it.  I was crying in the airport and somehow Tyson was the only one to notice.

Tyson: "you can tell me, Nat.  Everything is gonna be okay."

Me: "no, no Ty, this is a big one.  I don't think so."

Ty: "no, nothing is too big.  You can tell me."

Me: "Well, I'm pregnant."

*Pause*

Ty: "yep. That's a big deal."

Then for the rest of the trip, Tyson was my protector.  He explained to people about why I was drinking decaf coffee because I couldn't find the words.  He talked me out of running away because I thought that was my only option.  He was my cousin, my friend, my encourager.  He was there for me when I needed it the most. 

And although I have many fond memories of Tyson, these will stay in my heart forever.  These are a clear representation of who he was as a person.

If you have a second, his wife wrote a post about the man he was.  I know it isn't the same because you didn't know him, but it is an incredible post.  He was an incredible man and chose an incredible woman to spend his life with.

Life is short.  Live each day like it is your last.  No regrets.  No grudges.  You never know when the Lord will call you home.  If you don't know the Lord, pray that He will show himself to you.  Life is too short.

Here is a quote from Tyson's brother "I’m going to try not to think of it as such a bad day, but as a good day. I’m going to try and see it as what it really was, God called him home because his work here on earth was done. Tyson lived such a awesome God honoring life that God said, “you did it! Your reward is heaven."

We're not sad for Tyson.  We know where he is because of how he lived here.  We are just missing him down here.  I am looking forward to seeing him again someday!

Tyson and his wife Lindsey after Eli was born

Tyson and Lavar

Tyson and my brother Eric in Alaska

Tyson the night before he was taken 'home'.  Picture taken by his wife.  This face sums up his personality.