Jennifer Galindo

Can't Sleep

It's been a while since this has happened, but I can't fall asleep tonight.  My mind won't shut off.  So for the past 2 hours this is what I have done:

-- finished the last 4 chapters in a book I've been reading

-- prayed

-- stared at the ceiling for a bit

-- planned out my week in my head

-- checked in on my kids

-- checked my email

-- check my facebook

-- checked out Fox news and read about North Korea

-- wondered why in the world I'm wide awake

-- decided to blog

BK (before kids) I used to have nights like this often.  My mind would be racing with all that I had done that day or what needed to be done the next day.  Since the kids have been here, I've slept better.  Probably b/c I'm way more tired.  Maybe this means I'm settling into my new role as a mom and learning to juggle life a bit better.  If so, this is one old habit I really don't want to return to.  Maybe it's just a fluke.  Either way, I'm going to attempt again to catch some zzzzzz's.  Hopefully they won't be so elusive this time.

Happy Birthday Nick!

Yesterday was a great day!  Our little boy turned three years old!  It was a great day from start to finish.  In the morning Eddie and I got up a little early and cooked breakfast before the kids got up.  When Nick came downstairs he had a stack of french toast with 3 candles in them.  He was so excited when we sang happy birthday for the first time that day.  He even acted a little shy.  We enjoyed a great breakfast and then let him open his first gift.  The rest of the morning was a spend getting ready for his afternoon party.  We enjoyed a great afternoon and evening with a few close friends and family.  My desire was that Nick would feel more excited about the people than the gifts.  I really feel like he did that.  He played in his kiddie pool, jumped in the inflatable castle and ran all over the yard playing with toys!  After a long day, and no nap, he wrapped up the evening playing with his new Thomas the train & tracks! 

Happy birthday little guy!  Your dad and I are so blessed to have you in our lives and in our home!  You are God's gift to us and we love you more and more everyday!  God's plans for your life are so great and we look forward to watching you grow into the man of God you are meant to be!

Keeps Me Young

School is out for college students and over the past few weeks I've reunited with "kids" who were once IN the kid's ministry or young leaders at COTK.  I had coffee this morning with Jessica and Crissie was over just a couple of weeks ago.  Both so grown up and creating lives of their own.  I'll admit it makes me feel a little old.  But once I got past that I realized what amazing students have passed through our church.  Several are coming back now for the summer and I'm excited to reconnect with them.  In just a few weeks Chris, one of my very first kid's in the kid's ministry, will be be graduating from high school.  I'm so proud of him and so honored to be a part of so many kid's lives!  It's so great to watch God work in and through this next generation!  I love being a part of it.  Keeps me young!

Who's coming over today?

Eddie and I really do love spending time with people.  We have seasons of life where we seem to entertain more.  Now that we have adjusted more to having the kids, it seems we have had more people over in the past few weeks.  I wouldn't have thought it was a lot but lately Nick has been asking the same question almost every morning, "who's coming over today?"  I actually love it!  Nick is a very social little guy and I love showing him what true community is.  It's sharing life together.  It's spending time together.  Eddie and I still guard our family time but it's a lot of fun starting off this summer enjoying our back yard and "whoever comes over today."

Update

FINALLY!! Eddie and I are now licensed foster parents in the state of Michigan.  That may not seem like a big deal, but it's taken a very long 8+ months to see it happen.  But we're here and it will make the next step in our process go much smoother!  Thanks for all who have been praying for us!  We are so thankful!

Change of Plans

This weekend there was a major change of plans for our family.  Originally we were headed to PA for a wedding reception for Eddie's cousin.  We were really looking forward to getting away and being with family.  Unfortunately we had to make a difficult choice.  Break the bank or eat next week?  We chose the latter.  But what we were broken hearted over turned out to be a great weekend with no plans and lots of family time.  I don't think I realized how much we needed it until we started living it.  Friday we spend time at home and then headed to Ann Arbor for dinner. This is Eddie's favorite Michigan city.  He spends a lot of time there for work and it was fun having him show us around.  Today we're running around together and then headed to a going away party for his younger brother who is going into the Air Force.  Tomorrow we'll go to church together and then enjoy the last few hours of our weekend together.  It was an unexpected turn of events but I have a feeling the Lord knew exactly what we needed. I'm thankful for a hard working husband who listens to Jesus and for two amazing kids who bring so much joy to our home.  I know I've said it before, but I am blessed!

so.....

this weekend was just beautiful!  The kids and I had a long trip on Friday and when we got home we spent the evening enjoying the warm weather and grilled food!  I've complained about the winter.  I've even worn sandles when it was still too cold.  I considered it my protest against the winter season.  It seemed like it would never end.  But now I realize that I am actually thankful hat God gave us 4 seasons.  I guess I just wish some were longer and others were shorter.  Spring is my second favorite season right behind Fall.  It's that in between stage that I love the most.  I think the kids make me love this season so much because they love being outside.  I'm learning which clothes are play clothes and which are for nice occasions.  Shoes are the same.  I've already let both kids ruin a brand new pair of shoes b/c I didn't plan for "play" time.  I'm learning though.  I'm sure I have a long way to go, but I'll enjoy every step of the way.  Great weather with a great family!  I am blessed!

My New Journal

This week I got a new journal.  I love a nice new journal.  I actually bought a new pen too.  I love the freshness of starting a new page.  I've decided that blogging really isn't an online journal for me.  It's more of a way for me to update the world on fun things happening in our lives.  My new journal is where I know I'll explore the depths of my heart.  So for now, here is the latest and greatest story that warms my heart.  My parents sent Nick and Rosie a little package for Easter.  Lots of fun toys and markers and yes candy.  After they opened it we picked up  my phone to call my mom.  We got her voice mail and this is how it went:

Me: Nick, we're gonna tell Nana and Papa thank you.

Nick: Hi Nana.  Thank you.

Me: Say, I love my new car.

Nick: I love my new car.

Me: I like the letters too.

Nick: I like the letters too.

Me: Tell Papa hi.

Nick: In Jesus Name Amen.

Me: truly laughing out loud

What a week!

This past week was crazy!  I took last Monday off and it was a good thing I did.  It prepared me for life's roller coaster Monday through Saturday.  I spent Monday evening through Tuesday morning in the ER with my mother-in-law and the rest of week playing doctor to my two babies who had the flu. Sunday was even a little weird since Eddie stayed home with the kids and I went to church alone.  The afternoon was good though.  When I walked in the door from church Nick says, "Hi mama, I love you."  The thing is even though it was a crazy week with less sleep than normal, it was a blessed week.  I felt strength and grace through it all.  More and more I realize how little good I deserve and how many blessings the Lord pours out!  We are a blessed family!

Random Thoughts

Most often my blogs are topical.  Something happens and I share.  More often than not though I have so many little things that I think about but forget to write about.  So here is a random list of topics that could someday earn their own blog:

--I miss the warmer weather.  I am so excited about the prospect of spring being right around the corner.  It'll be fun to have our first walk around the neighborhood with our two little ones.

--Life is too crazy sometimes.  I don't always know how to stop and smell the roses, but I want to.  Some people seem to do it so naturally.  They live for those moments in life that you laugh so hard you snort.  Sometimes I think my personality has shifted from being more people and fun oriented to being more results and work oriented.  Not sure I like that.  This deserves more attention........

--We have a Spirital Breakthrough weekend scheduled at COTK this Fri-Sun.  Not sure what to expect, but feel so strongly God has great things in store.

-- I hate this whole economy crisis our country is going through.  I fight the same fears that so many around me fight.  But as Eddie's aunt reminded me the other day to worry is sinful.  That hurts to even say b/c I do it often, but if I'm not trusting Jesus I'm sayig I don't need His help or that even though I do need His help I'm not confident He'll actually show up.  One of my top songs right now says "This is my prayer in the fire, in weakness, in trial or pain.  There is a faith proved of more worth than gold, so refine me Lord throuh the flame...."

--Either I am a horrible typist or typepad can't keep up with my speed.  I'm having to backspace every few seconds to correct skipped letters......ugh

--I look forward to LOST every week.  It's been really good this season.

--I admit........I watch The Bachelor.

--I like to watch good movies.  It's been a while since one knocked me off my feet but I'm hoping some of the new ones will be worth my time.  We'll see.

--I love my husband.  I love my kids.  I love my parents and family.  I've loved having Eddie's aunt stay with us the past 3 week. I love my job.  I love the kids I minister to.  I love my friends.  I love Jesus.  I AM BLESSED!