The Escandon's Family Blog

Autumn!

Projected forecast today is 65 and maybe some rain tomorrow!

I hope it sticks. Autumn is my favorite season.

Halloween photos coming soon!

Labels: rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 7:59 AM | Permalink | Comments

Saturday morning we all got out of bed and decided at the very last minute possible to go to mass and then to the pumpkin farm to pick out pumpkins and take a family photo. Actually, we were planning on going to mass in the morning and had planned to take the family photos the week before but got busy working on the back yard. So, we got all dolled up and scurried out of the house just in time to make it to mass.

After mass was over at about 9:45 we headed to the pumpkin farm in Wine Country. We quickly found a nice spot to take our photo. Paul took some test shots...

I have no idea what was so interesting over there.


Or what was so disgusting down there.


Whatever it was both girls got a look and didn't like it either.


This is typical. Clare's mischivious grin and Lucy's "What 'cha looking at face". I love test shots, don't you?


This is what we finally came up with.


I am very pleased with the way the photo turned out. I just love the bright blue sky and green grapevines in the background. The colors go well with the brightness of the pumpkins. I had the girls wearing coordinating outfits and they looked adorable. Clare had a great time checking out all the pumpkins and rolling around in the hay. This was her first time to the pumpkin farm. Last year we were out of state visiting friends so we didn't do the whole pumpkin thing. The "farm" also had pig races, a corn maze, petting zoo, pony rides, and a train ride. We decided to forgo all the paid attractions and we were better off. Clare had enough fun watching the pigs and running around the farm and through the corn maze.






Notice the hay on her bum.


She's looking for just the right pumpkin...

Are you in there???


Found it!


Truth be told this isn't the pumpkin she picked out. In fact, she didn't pick out any pumpkins. I had our pumpkins all pick out and ready to go in our wagon. It was already 11:00am and the sun was blazing hot (it was nearly 100 degrees that day). I was ready to GO HOME.

Tonight we got around to carving said pumpkins.



And ta-da! Paul's is on the far left, mine is to the right, Clare's is in the middle with Lucy's righ next to hers.

Labels: clare, Family Life, halloween, holiday, Lucy Rose, paul, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments

Paul and I celebrated 3 years of marriage last week! Its amazing how fast the time goes. 3 years and we have two lovely beautiful daughters. Thank you sweet husband for being my very best friend. I don't know where I would be without you.


For your amusement... a few photos of us before we got married and our lives were forever changed. Not to mention before I got pregnant and gained 30 lbs, but that's another story.

Labels: Announcements, paul, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 8:32 AM | Permalink | Comments

Last month we spent over $200 eating out.


Yes, $200.


I write this with my head down in shame.


So, we decided to try and go the entire month of October with out eating out. Not once. Not even buying bottled water. No more Cold Stone frozen yogurt for us.

It probably wouldn't have been much of a challenge 2 1/2 years ago when our income was a lot less. We have been so blessed the past two years with the opportunity for Paul to bring in more money. But with the increase and no increase in housing expenses, we took it for granted. We went out for pizza, ate at nice restaurants (ok so it was only once and we had a gift card- but still), and drove thru when it was too convenient and too much work for me to make a full fresh meal.


We started today and I stocked our fridge and pantry with lots of yummy goodness! So far so good...but we are on day one. Maybe I can finally shed these 8lbs to get to pre-pregnancy weight. Although loosing more like 20 would be perfect.

My goal is for this to really help us save some dough and I am hoping homemade meals will just be routine for us once again! We took on a mortgage with a substantial increase in housing expenses... as much as I love to be cooked for and not have a messy kitchen afterward- I like the roof over my head even more.

Labels: Announcements, Family Life, household hints, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 8:24 PM | Permalink | Comments

I know its been quite a while. Not sure if anyone missed us. With my first trimester behind me, I have been spending a lot of time trying to catch up on the housework and chores that have been neglected lately. I plan on taking another hiatus from the computer starting Wednesday of next week and I won't be back until after Easter. So, I wanted to update and what's been going on around here.

Christmas was great. We spent Christmas Eve at my maternal Grandmothers with my side of the family. We had a delicious meal of pozole and tamales. Christmas morning we got up and went to Mass at The Mission, then went to my dad's for the early afternoon. We came home and all crashed for a family nap. Unfortunately, we do not have many photos. We were too busy enjoying our time. Plus, we didn't do any family gifts on Christmas. Both Paul and myself gave in and gave our presents over a week early. I bought him a rain coat he can use when he is filming in the rain, along with some fleece pajama bottoms. And I got an awesome HP laptop! We figure Clare was still to little to get the whole Christmas thing and we haven't decided on what traditions we are going to be celebrating so we just skipped buying her a present (read on... we make up for it). So we didn't have a Christmas morning at the tree. I will share the few photos we do have.





Paul went to the Rose Bowl with his father. Second year in a row, by the way.






The second week in January we took a mini-vacation to Big Bear Mountain. It was Clare's first time in the snow. Sadly, we forgot our camera so we didn't get the best photos. But I got two from my camera phone and a cute video of Clare and Paul sledding. I did try sledding but it was a little bouncy so I didn't want to do it again. I got a couple cute shots of her checking out the snow in her snow suit. She was really cute, she hated being inside the room in the lodge and wanted to be outside the whole time!



Clare is getting so stinkin' big! I can't believe it. She is no longer my baby but my big walking, running, toddler. She helps me all around the house and wants to do everything on her own. Her vocabulary is growing. She can now say baby, uh ooh, & mama (in addition to the words she was saying at Christmas time). She loves stuffed animals and loves to cuddle with them and take the small ones with her everywhere. Funny thing is that I don't care much for them. They are mere dust collectors. But hey, they make her happy and that makes me happy. I love watching her cuddle and kiss the animals. She is such a lover girl. She sees my belly and says "baby" and puts her lips out to kiss it! She loves other children also and wants to give them all love! I know she is just going to be a loving big sister. I can't wait! Here she is helping me rake the leaves in the front yard.



As I said, we made up for Christmas. I had been eying the Radio Flyer walker wagon for a while now... and I fell in love when Clare and I went to visit our friends in Washington (who happen to have one). So one Saturday afternoon we got in the car and drove down to Escondido to my favorite store. I am hooked to that store and we buy every gift for children there. They have a wonderful collection of wooden and classic toys. Just my style. They also carry organic baby and children's clothes, soft shoes, cloth diapers & accessories, baby slings, and so much other awesome stuff! Ok, commercial over. Clare loves her walker wagon. She plays with it more than her other walking toys. She loves to sit in it-even when playing by herself and loves to put her toys and stuffed animals in it and push them around. We took it with us one day when we went to mass so she could play with it afterwards. She and another boy from church had a good time. I blocked out his face because I did not get permission from his mother to post his photo on the internet.

And now there is me. I am currently about 14 weeks pregnant. Now that I am in the second trimester, I have a lot more energy to keep up on my wifely and motherly duties. The house is slowly starting to come together... although all it takes is a blink and Clare destroys or annihilates something. :o) She certainly is keeping me busy. I am being confirmed this Easter and that is exciting for me. I am attending RCIA with other converts to the Faith. So, my Lenten preparation for Easter I will be taking a hiatus from the computer and will be trying to immerse myself in prayer, spiritual reading, and my vocation. I hope to return with a new attitude on life and my Faith.

That's pretty much it for now... Paul's going to Las Vegas this weekend with work so Clare and I will spend the next 5 days or so trying to keep busy. I think a trip to the Wild Animal Park is in order!

Labels: clare, Family Life, holiday, paul, pictures, rachael, The Three Of Us, Thoughts, video

Posted by MamaEscandon at 9:09 PM | Permalink | Comments

My mom came over today to watch Clare for me. They went out for a walk and the house is quiet. To top it off, I am laying in my bed at 10am in my pjs playing with the awesome laptop Paul got me for Christmas.

I think I will now take a nap.

Labels: Family Life, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 10:01 AM | Permalink | Comments

If you recall when I wrote this, the whole Cry-it-Out thing just wasn't working. But I couldn't go back. So I decided to try something different.

When I put Clare to sleep I gently forced her onto her tummy. Well, I didn't really force her, just guided her. I stood there with her and rubbed her back until she fell asleep. She went down beautifully! No tears at all! She even stayed laying down. She goes down now so easy and even points to her crib. She doesn't fuss but some nights she takes longer and she likes to chat with me. She babbles and will stand up, kiss me, and lay back down on her stomach. Nights like that I will stay with her for 10 minutes or so then kiss her and walk out. She has yet to object. She also has a new friend. He is a huge elephant that Paul bought for her before she was born. It is as big as she is! She loves to cuddle and snuggle him and usually falls asleep clenching him. We were still having a hard time with naps and I didn't press the issue... but it is starting to be painful for me to nurse so I thought I had to do something since nursing at naps isn't working anymore. I nursed her for a few minutes today and then put her in the crib. She fell asleep in minutes. I am so relieved. I can hear her through the monitor; she is snoring!

Now we just have to work on the weaning thing...

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 2:22 PM | Permalink | Comments

It's been a rough couple of nights for Clare with our new sleep routine. For some reason (as well as it was going) we are going completely backwards. She is crying for longer times as if she is dying. She is fed, warm, clean, and pain free. I am at a total loss. She is trying to sleep. But the thing is she has been trying to sleep standing up for the past two nights. Her head lays on the edge of the crib and she tries to nod off. If she would just cry laying down and fall asleep that way it would be just fine and I am sure she would get some decent sleep. I don't think she is sleeping well while standing up. She is VERY noisy. She whimpers and lets out a cry about every 90 seconds or so. I just know she is trying to sleep comfortably while standing. Which, isn't going to happen. I don't know what to do anymore. I went to check on her tonight about an hour after she stopped crying and I caught her standing again with her head on the end of the crib and eyes closed. She woke up immediately. I picked her up and nursed her. I sat in my rocker and cried... I am upset that we have these problems, that I have to put her through crying it out, and that nothing we have tried (even the most gentle of approaches) has worked. I feel like there is no end in sight, and wonder why it hasn't gotten easier like everyone said it is supposed to! I am fearful at the possibility of having to go back to the way things were and trying to lay still for 12 hours a night to nurse her while being 6,7, or 8 months pregnant. I like having free time at night to catch up on housework, spend time with Paul, and just surf the net if I want (something that is near impossible with her around).

I feel hopeless... I suppose the next thing we can try is weaning. I was hoping to have at least 3 months of nursing left in us. But how can I wean her when all she wants to do is nurse all night long and won't get any sleep unless she does?

Arrrg. I wish there was an easy answer.

....

Oh, and I don't mean that I just love to surf the net and ignore my daughter. I do have legitimate things I have to do online. For example: pay my bills, keep track of our budget (which I am behind a good 4 months), and things of similar nature. These are the things that are most important... but I will admit, I do love catching up with friends online via email or catching up on my favorite blogs.

Labels: clare, Family Life, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 9:46 PM | Permalink | Comments

I am frustrated and exhausted today. Clare was doing so well sleeping in the crib. I started earlier in the week putting her in the crib at nap times. I figure with the new baby coming we really have to get a handle on her sleep and I just don't have the time to sleep with her for 2 hours every day for a nap (as much as I really would love to). Today is Saturday and I left Clare with Paul so I could go to the "gym". Well, I got in the car and realized that alone, with no baby in tow, I could get a lot more done errand wise. So I went to Targ*et to buy some diapers, then to Tj*Maxx to get some awesome dinnerware I saw earlier in the week (more on that later), went by Time Warner to return a modem from our first apartment (nearly 2 years ago), then to the dry cleaners to pick up Paul's suit coat and a sweater that I dropped off to have cleaned in July. It was on their "inventory"rack. By the time I was done with all of the running around town, it was lunch time and I had to get home to make sure Paul had enough time to get ready for a wedding he is doing tonight and I had to get Clare down for her nap. I realize our routine was waaaay off this morning me being gone. We got through lunch and tried to get Clare down for a nap. Three times. The first time she started screaming as if her arm fell off or something so I went to check on her. She was fine, but I remembered I didn't changer her diaper. So I got her all cleaned up, nursed again, and back in the crib she went. I decided I was just going to let her cry because I didn't want to confuse her. She cried, and cried, and cried. For almost an hour and a half (towards the end it was intermittent). I gave in. I swooped her up and we laid down in the bed and nursed. She was out in less than 30 seconds. So there I lay for hours for her to nap watching the only movie on TV (which happened to be one of the worst J-Lo movies EVER). I snoozed off for about 20 mins. I woke Clare up at 5 and she has been a cranky baby all evening. We played and I made some dinner, we ate, played some more, and it was time for bed. She's not going down easy. Not at all. We nurse in the rocker and she starts falling asleep. I stand up and hold her. She squeezes me tight with her arms around my body, puts her head on my shoulder "Don't leave me mama". I can feel her begging. It makes me sad. I start to pull away and she looks at me and kisses me twice right on the lips and gives me one more squeeze. Brakes my heart. But I can't go back. If I go back to the way it was we are going to have to start at day 1 all over again. I am also beginning to enjoy my evenings alone and free. It is now 7:47pm. I laid her down in her crib 15 minutes ago and she is still fussing. This is the longest she has cried since our first night. I feel like a horrible mother and as if my daughter is giving up on me. This is for the best though. I know she is OK up there. She is clean, fed, and I am pretty sure she isn't in any pain (I can only imagine it would be teething but I did give her some pain meds earlier today and it didn't help with her nap). I plus, she can sleep just fine with me. We only have 9 more months to get her sleeping at least a little more independently. I know a lot can happen in 9 months but sometimes I fear I will still be dealing with Clare and her sleep issues along with a newborn. I'd be a walking zombie! Oye... she's screaming again.

Labels: clare, Family Life, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 7:31 PM | Permalink | Comments

Yes, to all our readers... We are back! After taking a couple months to think about it (and an inspiring trip to Washington State) we finally decided to put Clare in the crib to cry it out. It was time and I have been "feeling" like it was the right time. 2 or 3 months ago I wasn't ready. This time I was. Call it mother's intuition, or the fact that I was going to bed at 8pm with my daughter while on a visit with a friend... but I'd like to think it was The Holy Spirit guiding me and telling me it was time to let it go and let my daughter sleep in her crib with out me.

I simply copied what my friend Ellie practices with her children. I like it because it lets the babe know its time for bed and I can still co-sleep. It was so easy (more confirmation for me that it was the right time). I nursed her in the rocker and just put her in the crib. She cried for only 15 minutes the first night, 20 seconds the second night, stopped before I got down my stairs the 3rd night and tonight I didn't even get a chance to close the door. She is in our room so she has been waking up when we come to bed. So we just grab her and bring her in with us and so far it hasn't had any affect on the next night.

I miss her at night but I am also relieved a little because I have some free time to do laundry, clean up, work on special projects, and spend time with Paul.

That said, I am going to have some more opportunity to post photos and updates with our family. Stay tuned!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Comments

The answer is no. We had a run of some good nights of 3 hours of sleep at a time but it didn't last long. The first night when I went upstairs to check on Paul and Clare she was alseep in his arms. He laid her down and she slept for 2 or 3 hours or so. I think once this week she went back asleep with out needing to be picked up. I just rubbed her tummy and hummed her back to sleep. We decided that putting her to sleep in the crib drowsy or semi-asleep after holding her would be more gentle than just laying her in there wide awake. The combination of anticipating her first birthday and her party and the transition really was exhausting me. I didn't sleep much Wednesday-Saturday. I kept thinking about her alone in the crib and I was missing her. You see, it isn't the co-sleeping that bothers us. We really enjoy co-sleeping... its the having no life and going to bed at 7:30pm that is bothersome. Even though Clare is an all night nurser, I never awaken from it anymore. She can easily find the breast, latch on, and just fall back asleep with out me ever waking up. I haven't felt as sleep deprived as I did last week since she was a newborn. So in a desperate attempt for some sleep... I just would bring her to bed with me once I was ready and she woke up. It worked OK. Until last night. I just threw in the towel. I put her in the bed drowsy and she looked as if she was going to sleep, which lasted maybe 60 seconds, then she woke up, rolled on her belly, got on all fours, and then on her knees and started bouncing. So, I picked her up and tried to lull her to sleep again. Then I put her back in the bed. I did this a total of 3 times. Paul tried to put her to sleep also and that didn't work either. So, I just brought her into the bed.

Tonight Paul got her to sleep. She has been asleep for maybe 20 mins. We'll see how it lasts. I am still a little conflicted about this whole thing, but I know in the long run its the best thing to do. I am slightly concerned about how it is effecting her. Since we have began this last week she has become more clingy to me and won't let me out of her sight. She won't even let me put her on the floor in the morning when I am trying to get out of bed and make it. I can't sit on the couch, I have to sit on the floor with her. She used to be a very friendly baby and wouldn't mind being held by just about anyone. Now she doesn't even want my mom to hold her! The only change that I can think of is this sleep thing. It was making me feel really bad last night. But I think if we are just really persistent about this is the way things are going to be and she knows she is taken care of just fine during the day, then things will just work themselves out. Eventually she will quit waking up... right? Maybe when she stops nursing all together? As long as she knows she needs to go in for the first chunk of the night. I would love also for her to be able to just lay in my bed in the morning for at least an hour or so... as it is, she is still nursing a lot once she comes to the bed. I can't get up with out her waking up even if she hasn't had enough sleep.

For now, I guess I will just go with the flow... see how this works out and pray that she gets the point! If any of you moms have any advice, I am sure happy to take it!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 8:38 PM | Permalink | Comments

Clare looks like this cat.

Labels: Nonsense, pictures, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 7:17 PM | Permalink | Comments

I'm not going to name the truck... unless I get a hefty compensation check from F*ord.


But my dad has one of these and we borrowed it to go pick some stuff in a storage unit about an hour away. Clare slept the entire ride there, the entire time we spent emptying the unit and putting everything in the truck, and about halfway home! I left the truck on while we were loading in and she slept through all the commotion!

Its too bad my dad isn't parting with his $50,000 truck anytime soon.

Labels: clare, Nonsense, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments

No, I am not pregnant with twins.

Clare's 5th, yes, FIFTH tooth is coming in!

We're here but I know, I have been MIA for a while. Just busy, trying to keep productive. But I am not sure how that is working out for me. :o)

Some posts to come, photos and video too. Clare learned to splash the water in the tub! She's too cute to put into words. I'll work on getting some stuff up soon for those of you who are having Clare withdrawals.

Peace!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, Nonsense, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments

I'm not going to go into any details but Paul and I are being taken to court. I had to run down to the clerks office to file and extension of the court date and because yesterday was a holiday, there was a ridiculously long line. When I got there, I was the 8Th person in line. An hour later I moved up only twice. Clare was getting really fussy. I had her in the sling and I tried to rock her to sleep. No dice. I figure she was hungry. But there were hordes of people all over the place and she doesn't nurse well in public. What to do? I just needed to hand in one piece of paper. Simple. The people in front of me were taking at least 30 minutes each at the window... with 5 people still in front of me, I knew I would be there forever. I excused myself from the line and went to financial services office to ask the woman in there if there was some kind of drop box I could put my ONE piece of paper in.

She was very kind and understanding. I tried to explain my situation with the baby and told her that I just couldn't wait 2 more hours until my turn and that everyone was beginning to stare because Clare was starting to loose it. Anyway, she said not to worry and that she would be happy to turn it in for me and all we had to do is call back and check to see what date they postponed our court date for. I thought she was sweet, and I was very grateful. She oogled googled at Clare and made a comment about breastfeeding. She then spoke to Clare in a baby voice and told Clare she needed to stop nursing.

"WOW, you're such a big girl! Its time for you to stop nursing! Now that you have teeth. (Turns to me) You don't want her biting, shes ready for the sippy cup"

I didn't really know what to say. I am not one for confrontation and especially in this situation, I wasn't going to argue with the lady. She was doing me a big favor. It didn't stop there. She went on and on...I can't remember everything she said.

With a disgusted look on her face and shaking her head "no".

"You aren't going to be doing that whole 12 months thing are you? Don't listen to those people! You don't need to do that. Do you find she is nursing just for comfort all the time?"

"Uh, no. She nurses because she is hungry"

It was only a half lie, she loves to nurse for comfort, and I LOVE and enjoy giving my babe the ultimate comfort she seeks... but, again I was too shocked at what I was hearing and I never have prepared myself for comments like those. She asked how old Clare was.

"5 months"

"Oh, goodness... she already has teeth?!"

"yep, one showed up about 3 weeks ago"

"Oh, just wait till she bites! You're going to have to stop then"

"Actually, we've been there, done that. She is learning it is NOT OK to bite mama"

She went on a little more about it and even though it really isn't any of her business and not that I needed an excuse for breastfeeding my baby... but In a desperate attempt to come up with something this is the only thing I could muster up under such pressure and after she asked me if I pumped or gave Clare a bottle.

"We actually practice ecological breastfeeding and we are trying to naturally space our babies."

She looked at me cross eyed.

"I have no fertility while I am nursing and this can space babies about 2 years apart. Plus, it is the best source of nutrition for my baby"

I think all she heard was two years nursing. Her jaw drooped to the floor

"You are going to nurse her for two years?"


"Well, its possible, but what I was referring to was the space between each birth. "

"Oh.... so you don't take any precautions?"
Not that my sex life is any of your business lady but...

"No, we no not contracept"

"Oh, boy... are you a glutton for punishment"

I looked at her confused and perplexed. I think it was pretty obvious I was uncomfortable. Why on earth would she think this was an appropriate conversation to have with a stranger? I expect those close to us to have questions. I am more than happy to answer the questions of friends and/or family members... people I know and who know us. I certainly am more comfortable speaking with them about it. Did it ever occur to her this woman that perhaps we love our child and we love children and hope to have many more? Does it ever occur to people that husbands and wives actually want to bear the fruit of their love?! I seriously doubt we will be ripe in old age and look back on our years of parenting and and marriage and say to each other "You know dear, we really shouldn't have had that last child."

I didn't want to give her any reason to not help me. So I quickly ended the conversation and got out of there... FAST!

Labels: Family Life, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments

In honor of Valentine's Day. today's WFMW is the " Love, Sweet Love" Edition. Shannon asking participants to share Valentines day ideas or relationship advice. I have three little bits of advice I would like to share.

First always do everything Ad maiorem dei gloriam- For the greater glory of God and always keep Christ the center of your marriage. With out Christ and His Church, you have no life in you.

Second is a piece of advice that a good friend and also my daughter's godmother gave to me when I got married.

Self Sacrifice, Self Sacrifice, Self Sacrifice!!!

I honestly believe that this is one of the secret keys to marriage that gets all but forgotten in today's society of instant gratification and self-love. The concept is simple. Each spouse must sacrifice their own well being out of the love for the other and choose what is best for him/her. When we are always doing what is best for the other person, we are putting our own needs aside and in turn showing our spouse true love. In the end, is usually a (almost) perfect compromise. It's simple... and, it works for us!

Most importantly, prayer. Pray with your spouse, pray as a family. As you go about your day to day hustle and bustle of washing dishes, folding laundry, picking the shoes up from the living room floor, putting that toilet seat back where it belongs... you get the point, pray for your spouse and for your children. Offer up an Ave for the person whose socks you are sorting or for whoever left their dirty underwear on the bathroom floor instead of being angry and frustrated. Always thank God for His love and for your family. Thank God that He provides for you and you have clothes on your back to fold and food to load up on those dishes that are piled in your sink! This reminds me of a plaque my grandmother has above her sink...a bit off topic, but I will share anyway. It reads:

Thank God for Dirty Dishes
Thank God for Dirty Dishes,
They have a tale to tell.
While others are going hungry,
We're eating very well.
With home and health and happiness,
I shouldn't want to fuss.
For by this stack of evidence,
God's very good to us.

Remember, a family that prays together stays together!

Labels: rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments

Babies and their sleep.

Labels: rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 11:03 PM | Permalink | Comments

Please check out EverydayMommy.Net (I stumbled upon it while browsing blogs.) Fortunately, I can find plenty of adorable clothes for Clare at her young age that are stylish and modest. Although I have come across some very inappropriate things for babies. Some people think it is cute and innocent... and that may very well be. But what kind of message are we sending to our children and to others about purity and modesty? I am all for my kids dressing cute and stylish... as long as it comes with an acceptable price tag (not really burlap sac or even jumper wearers in this house)! My sister in law has warned me though, the older they get... the more difficult it is to find modest clothing. By the grace of God... I will instill values of modesty and purity in my children. I REFUSE to dress my daughters like like grown women with low cut and revealing tops and miniskirts... regardless of the fact they have nothing to "show". That's what makes it so terrible! Is it just a coincidence that with the rising rates of pedophilia there is also an increase in the sexualization of children (especially young girls), wearing clothing that are revealing, risque, seductive, and very inappropriate for even adults to wear? I think not.

Moms for Modesty Mission Statement

• As a Mom for Modesty I believe in common-sense modesty for girls and young women.
• I believe in refraining from sexualizing our girls and young women.
• I believe that it is unwise and unfair to taunt boys and young men by permitting my daughter(s) to dress in an immodest manner.
• I believe that true beauty comes from within and I strive to teach my daughter(s) this truth.
• I will loyally shop at retailers that provide girls' and young womens clothing that is modest, affordable and stylish.

Labels: Family Life, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments

I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL! I'm going to the ROSE BOWL!

-Paul

Labels: paul, Thoughts

Posted by P. Escandon at 8:32 PM | Permalink | Comments

I know that as a Catholic Christian I should be focusing on the spiritual and internal preparation of Christmas and the coming of Christ this Advent season. Next year, when I am hopefully a little more organized and our daughter is a little older, hopefully we will start some of our own Advent and Christmas traditions. Any ideas are welcomed!

That aside, I am begining to see the importance of using the Advent season to prepare one's self for Christmas. Every year, as Christmas sneaks up on me over and over, I start to feel less and less "Christmas-y". To add, the holiday creeps up on me quicker and quicker with each passing year. Maybe all these feelings (or lack thereof) is because my life gets busier and busier, or maybe its because I just don't get as many cool presents anymore. The latter is doomed to happen as we get older. Suddenly I am the one running around trying to find meaningful gifts for everyone on my list without burning a hole in our wallet. I guess it is just easier to say... "I can't believe it's Christmas already! I's only 9 days away"! By the way, the 80 degree weather we have been having hasn't helped either.

I hope to only enrich our Advent and Christmas in years to come by focusing on the wonderful gift God has given us, Christ. I've been thinking. I would really like to give myself and my time a little more next Christmas to God by giving to others; get my family involved in helping others with Christ-like charity. Make this a new tradition. Invite others into our lives that may not have the things we have (and believe me, we don't live like kings). Those who may not have a meager meal to put on the table for Christmas dinner. Perhaps volunteering at a soup-kitchen, or visiting the sick, and the lonely who don't have a family to spend Christmas with. I want to teach my children to love and to be charilable to others, sacrificing what we have or may want because it is pleasing to God and because we love our neighbor. Teach them that we don't do this for ourselves. We do this for others for the Glory of God and to be good witness to the good things God has given us.

Surely, with traditions like these, it will feel like Christmas!

Labels: Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 2:05 PM | Permalink | Comments