Unanswered Prayer

I was alone in Costco with all 4 kids, which I realize is an oxymoron. I mean I was the ONLY adult with all 4 kids and Eden announced she needed to go to the bathroom badly. My cart was full and I wasn't about to leave it so I told her she'd have to hold it. She said she REALLY needed to go. I said, "Let's pray about it and ask the Lord to send someone along who we know who can help us. They can stay with the cart and babies and I'll take you to the bathroom." We prayed and Eden began scanning every isle we entered looking for the person God would send. Her faith never wavered for a moment. She was fully confident He would send us someone.

(Now a bit of background: This is a prayer I have prayed many times through the years when I have found myself in need and almost ALWAYS someone is there immediately to help.) Today no one came. I was really beginning to feel anxious and my conversation with the Lord was going something like this, "Father, wouldn't this be a great opportunity to strengthened a little girl's faith? She'd really praise you and gush about it to Daddy and all her friends. Can't you do this for us? What's she going to think about the reality of prayer if You don't send some one?" Nothing. No one. I was preparing myself for how to address what appeared to be an "unanswered prayer." I started to explain how sometimes God says, "No" or "Wait."

Eden said, "I know Mommy. It's okay. Today He told me to wait and then He made me able to hold it. I know He could have sent someone, but He knew I could hold it." Her faith was still fully intact. I realized how fearful I'd been that one "unanswered prayer" would shatter her fragile, juvenile, beautiful faith. I was the one who the "no" was for and whose faith needed strengthened.

Thank You, Precious Father, for answering our Costco prayer with a "No."

My Undoing

Don't get your hopes up. I'm not back. I have huge aspirations to make this blog happen someday, but not right now. Baby #4, Zion Ryle, born May 12th, 2009 was my undoing when it comes to blogging. He is the sweetest and our family is now complete, but something had to give and so my blog did. Someday when all my babies are out of diapers and can complete the bedtime routine without me I may be ready to blog again. Until then... may your grow in faith in our Victorious, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Bike Ride

This is our precious church.

Home Sweet Home

We live in Lancaster, CA. It's an hour north of L.A.  We live 7 miles outside of town on the property of our church.  We're surrounded by alfalfa fields.   
This is the view looking East.  (Moses on the bike with one of the kids.)
This is the view looking South.
This is the view looking West.  The church is actually just west of our house but I walked North a bit.
A sunset from the front of our church.

Ballerina Eden... with tap shoes

Here I actually think she may have been doing the hula.  Grandma learned in Hawaii and taught her.  



This Fall Eden is taking a combo Ballet and Tap Dance class.  SHE LOVES IT. (understatement).  In August I found this leotard at a Thrift Store for $1.99.  Later at home as I examined it I realized it was 1)Brand new (tags inside) and 2)A fancy shmancy Dance brand.  I looked the leotard up online and found that Eden has a $25 leotard that the Lord provided for $1.99.  Thank you God!

Sweet Silas is One

October 1st we celebrated Silas Piper's first birthday.  He is a very sweet and happy boy.  He laughs easily and loves his sibling.   He's walking and trying to talk, favorite words being "All done." and "Uh Oh."
"Are they really going to let me get close to that glowing thing?"

Enjoying an earful of birthday cake.
Has anyone else had a child who likes to use his foot to help hold his drink?
The morning of his 1st birthday Moses buzzed his head.  This is the before picture.  It was actually his 4th haircut since birth, but just for fun we did it on his birthday.

Achy Breaky Heart

This is Malachi dancing to "Achy Breaky Heart".  No kidding.  In his favorite firetruck jammies no less.  He got the boots as an early birthday present from Grandpa and Grandma and they hardly leave his feet.  Sometimes (often) they are the only thing on him.  

We have this silly kids video from the early '90s with a kids rendition of "Achy Breaky" and he loves it.  The other day at church two visiting girls had boots on and he yelled at full volume, "Mommy, can they dance the 'Achy Breaky' with me?"

Out of the Woods

After weeks of nausea and vomiting I am starting to feel a little better.  Now I'm just exhausted and spitting.  (With all 4 pregnancies I have had ptyalism.  It's overactive saliva glands so my mouth waters all day and I have to spit out the extra saliva.  Makes me feel real lady-like... pp-too-ee.)

Thank you for praying for us and for the encouragement.  This round of morning sickness has definitely been the most severe I have endured.  I would probably think I was pretty sick right now if is wasn't such an improvement over a month ago.  Please continue to pray for a safe pregnancy.

Pregnant

I can't imagine that anyone is looking at my blog who hasn't already heard through some other means, but just in case, we are pregnant again!  With #4.  The part of the story that is somewhat unknown is that this was/is totally unplanned by the Estradas.  This is completely a "God's idea" baby.  I took 7 positive tests before Moses and I would believe it (especially Moses).  Now we, of course, are thrilled and already talking about having 4 kiddos like if he/she is here.

Morning sickness.  Why is it called that? I actually don't know anyone who only had it in the morning.  It has been BAD.  Especially at night.  Our precious Church Family has stepped in and helped with cooking, cleaning, laundry, child care.  I don't know how I would be doing it without them.  Please pray that we all would persevere during this hard time and honor Christ and that the "all-day" sickness would end soon.  My Mom comes Sunday... Praise the Lord.  Thank you for your joy and prayers.

Far to go...

So Ben, a little boy from our church, is here playing with Eden and Malachi.  3 kids+2 swings=conflict.  Malachi is whining about not getting a turn.  I remind him of the privilege of loving and serving his friend and sister.  

Ben hops off the swing and says, "Here Malachi you can swing.  I'll push you."  

I say, "Wow, Malachi, Ben is serving you.  What should you say?"  

Malachi, "Higher!"