I am amazed at things that I learn......... Things that I don't even think twice about. Things that I think every one knows. BUT, they DON'T.

Tonight, Rich was talking to Marcelo. He talked about how our bodies are special...we treat them right..modesty.....etc. Rich mentioned the word "body"(in spanish). Marcelo didn't know what that was.

I'm amazed at the things we think everyone has to know or should know. I mean, our bodies...we have had these since we have been born. For him 5 years. Nobody to share what the word "body" meant.

Marcelo is still learning so many things. He is like a sponge. Some things are very hard for him, other things are very easy. We are still not to normal. Days can be very hard, but every once in a while I see a bit into his thinking or old ways of life. Some of it is so sad.

I do know that what he has faced and is facing in life will all be part of who he needs to be for the future. It will shape him into the man God wants him to be and to touch the lives of certain people that most people won't be able to....... All because of what his life has given him.

It seems like we both are going through some life changing experiences at the same time. It isn't always fun while in the middle of it all.

I was having a rough day, for certain reasons, a couple of days ago. I went in prayer that night asking Heavenly Father for help, comfort, and peace. I woke the next morning feeling renewed. I felt at peace and happy. It is wonderful to feel Heavenly Father's love in my life and to see Him working in my life. I'm so grateful for prayer. I could never live with out it. Miracles happen every day all because of prayer......This I am grateful for.

Everyday life is getting so much better. Every week we see how our family is becoming more united with Marcelo. We still have some challenges, but they have gotten soooo much better. Yesturday, the kids came home from school around 1:00. We all watched a movie and although Marcelo doesn't watch them it was relaxing. He played in the same room, coming up to us every once in awhile. There were no fights and no tantrums. It was so nice to have that comfort feeling in our home again. (not that we don't have fights on a everyday bases...)

Marcelo is still learning about us and our silly jokes. Yesturday, after his shower, all the boys were in the bathroom. I got the silly string out and started spraying them. All the boys were laughing and begging me to spray them. Marcelo cried. He was probably thinking, "I'm all clean and what in the world is she spraying on me." It didn't take long before he was begging for me to spray him. The best part was that Rich came home in the middle of this, SO I got to spray him.

Then I went into the kitchen and got Sarah and Savannah. They loved it!!

Rich and I got Bryanna the other night when she was watching American Idol. She was covered in it. I realized shortly afterwards that we better get it all out of her long hair. Clean up isn't always fun. :)

So, silly string, coloring faces with marker, dressing up, and even putting pull ups on their heads have helped chase the winter blues away. I almost forgot, we ahve done a lot of leg wrestling. We even talked Grandma Neal into doing it with the boys. We all loved this. It was very funny!!!

Oh, my Trey Trey. I just love this boy so much. We got to celebrate his 6th birthday and allow him to feel special. He wanted chocolate cake with chocolate icing, to go swimming and a pinata. We as a family had so much fun swimming and then the next day shoveling snow to do the pinata outside. What fun ideas Trey had.

I have been so impressed with Trey and the love he has shown Marcelo coming into our family. He is so willing to share and give him ONE more chance. Trey is so smart. He is great at sounding out words and focusing on reading outloud. I love his hugs and kisses. I love looking into his brown eyes. I have loved this since he was a little baby. Something in his eyes are so precious and familar to me. I am amazed at his ability to not get hurt more than he has. I really think he has about 10 angels that protect him and some nights they got to be so happy he is asleep. My Trey has grown so much. He, at times, has growing pains in his legs during the night that are very painful for him.

Trey is very fast and sometimes I think he is faster than what his brain can keep up with. He is so busy. Infact, one night I was taking pictures of him watching a movie in every picture his hands are in a different position. That boy could not hold still. :) I love my wiggle worm. He is my cutie pie.

My sisters are the best. They gave me a "JIll"night. We all got together for some good treats and to sit and talk. My Mom , Aunt Barb, and even my Grandma Mini came along with all my sisters(except Jen and Judy:( )

It was so fun to be with them and get out for a night.

Our Grandma Mini was the one keeping us laughing with her excitement about her new, silver, FUN shoes. The deal she got on them was even more exciting for her. She is a 92 year young lady . She is the center of our family. I just love her.....What a fun night!!

This was such a fun day for Bryanna and me. Bryanna has taken ballet since she was 5 years old. The time had finally come that she got her point shoes. We went with her class and they all got fitted for their shoes. Even her cute teacher got a pair. We celebrated by all going out to eat afterwards.
Bryanna is loving her point shoes. The first three days she wore This year she will be able to dance in the recital with her new shoes.
It was so exciting to see her get something she has worked so hard to do. I love seeing her do
something she loves.

Ok.....I guess the Lord wanted to test me from what I said in my last blog.

Sunday was a "hit hard day on Jill". WHAT? The day after I say I can't give up, I want to give up! Funny how that works. I guess everyone hits a day when they feel they are just empty and have nothing else to give. I thought of my kids last night. I realized they all had food on the table during their three meals, they were alive, and I DID tell them that I loved them. Maybe that isn't great, but tomorrow is another day. ....AND I survived

Rich was super great the whole day on Sunday. It was nice to have him home some of the time.

Today, I was able to sleep in a bit(thanks to Rich) and wake to Kiefer and Caleb climbing into bed to cudddle. They had this abc game that they were playing with. They kept pushing the "u" button. It would make the u sound and then say the word "underwear". They then would just laugh thinking it was the funniest word ever made. When they were finished with that they would brush my hair. It felt so good. They are so sweet and I really miss mornings like this.

I felt so good waking up to such happiness. I felt God was saying, "I know things can be tough, but here is some sunshine for you. Enjoy!!!!" Thus, I have felt that all day today. What a gift I have been given.

PLUS, dare I say it at 3:15 in the afternoon, there has been no time outs today AND I haven't had to ask Kiefer or Caleb to get off Marcelo's face, stop pulling his ears, stop pushing him, or to even leave him alone. IT IS A MIRACLE!!!!!!! They have played and laughed all afternoon. This is another gift today that I'm recieving with open arms.