Be the Change.....

In Sunday school Liliana learned a beautiful story! I have heard this story before but it meant so much more coming from a 8 yr. old.

  

The Starfish Story

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a young child picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the child, he asked, "What are you doing?"

The child replied, " Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out.  If I don't throw them back, they'll  die."

" My child," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?

You can't make a difference!"

After listening politely, the child bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, the child said...."

" I made a difference for that one."

Liliana said to me "mom,  no matter how small or big we all can make a change in the world!"  I think it is so important that these are the life lesson we teach our children.  I know if I want my girls to grow up strong independent women that loves themselves and others.  I must be that in their life. I must be the change I want to see in their world. 

Jonathan my husband has always said he must be the man and the husband that he wants for his girls. He must be the example of the expectations, of a man he wants his girls to marry. He wants them to know that their is a level of expectation and they are worthy of greatness. He must be the change he wants to see in their world.

One of my husbands favorite quotes is: " The integrity of a man is not what he does when others are looking but what he does when no one is looking."

To many young girls lack self confidence and think a man loves them  just because they say the words " i love you". Or don't realize how beautiful they are and how much they have to offer the world.  I know this Starfish story means so much on so many levels but Women we can be examples to all young girls.  Mothers we are the example of mothers to all children. Be the change you want to see in the world it's never to late. What ever journey you have walked to this point in your life has had a purpose to the next step you take. Embrace your life, it has a purpose.

God's purpose!

So every time you see a starfish remember the difference you can make even if it's only one person and that one person is

YOU!

Memorial Day

 

I have had so much prospective in my life. God has been working overtime in our family. My heart is beating on pure love and happiness. This weekend we enjoyed the simplest thing and sometimes the hardest thing for others "Family". On Memorial Day we spent the day living in Idaho. Ok, I have lived in Idaho for 2 years now but I haven't LIVED!!! Idaho has so much to offer great outdoor living, right in your back yard. We spent this weekend Praying and teaching our girls what Memorial Day is about. We watched the National Memorial Concert on PBS. WOW! My Jocelyn cried a few times. I wasn't sure if I should of allowed her to watch but in the end glad she did. When it was over she told me that she wanted to Pray for all the people that died and were hurt. She told me she needed to pray for her friend's mommy who is in the Navy and for a boy in her class who's father died who was in the Army. Liliana prayed at the same time. She isn't as vocal as Jocelyn but her heart shines just as bright.  

My Brother Eduardo Carrillo served two tours in Iraq both12 months long. During the broadcast Jocelyn  looked up at me with watered filled eyes and said " Mommy my Uncle Eddie fought in the Army and I'm happy he came home safe." I mean she is 6 yrs old. Don't underestimate the mind of a 6 yr. old. We have written letters before to our troops. Not always do I agree with the war but I will always support and pray for our troops. Most people spent this 3 day weekend parting and excited that they didn't have to work on Monday. When lives were sacrifice for the freedom that we all had on Monday. Sad that some people didn't even give that a thought. 

We try to make things simple and real for our girls to understand what our troops have given us today.

They have given us the freedom to proudly proclaim Jesus Christ our Savior publicly. In some countries if your a believer of Jesus your put in prison and beaten. My girls are sad by the reality of this fact and Thankful.

This cross overlooks Boise. It's called Table Rock.

 

They have given me the freedom to kiss my girls every night before they go to bed. In some countries to have more then one girl is forbidden. My heart bleeds for the mothers that have to make that choice and thankful everyday I didn't.

They give them the freedom and safety to live a life as a child should. In some countries children go to sleep at night thinking a good dream is someday they will carry a bomb to kill them self and others..... And I worried that watching the National Memorial Concert might be a little to much for the girls to handle.

We understand that our freedom isn't free it comes with a price that Great Men and Women so proudly pay. I ask you to pray everyday for soldiers returning or that has served before, just because they look normal on the out side they are wounded on the inside their heart and mind will never be the same. So, remember and pray always.

My Great Grandfather served in WWII lost an eye and they told him he would never read but he did. He lived to see my daughter his Great Great Grand Daughter. 

My Great Grandfather and my Brother are two of the most Honorable Men that I'm Honor to of been Bruce Snape's Great Granddaughter and proud to be Eduardo Carrillo's Sister!!!

All American Girls!!!

God Bless the USA!!!

Idaho living!

We spent a wonderful Memorial Day as a Family. We wanted to go for a hike with the kids and some friends. Nothing is better then a day with family and good friends. We looked up hiking in Idaho and found tons of trails and family activies right in our back yard we didn't have to drive but only 15mins and it felt like we escaped. We came across an artical from the National Geograhic that made us realize we live somewhere very special.

Good Friends share Good Times!

The Gonzales Family

Prefect picture spot.

It was sprinkling off and on the sun wanted to break through but that didn't stop us.

The wilderness child

As a mother this is one of my favorite picture. Jocelyn's face is lite up with happiness!

Run Run as fast as you can!!!

Liliana our sport-ie girl! We began to run because this was our second trail beginning to get hungry, tired and it began to rain hard.

(The things kids say: About 2 months ago I was chasing the kids and running pretty fast. Liliana was shocked...Why!!! When I caught her she said " Mom since when did you learn how to run!") Where are my High School pictures!!! V Cross country, V Track, JV Swim and V Soccer

Out of shape but I can still run! Come on kid I still got it in me!

Feed Me!!!

Relaxed at a park and eat

Jocelyn always doing something can't stay still

Bubble Fun!!!

Time to head to Table Rock

Family picture over looking the "The City of Trees" Boise. Beautiful!!!

The view is amazing!!! There is a cross at the top of this hike that can be seen in the city. It's lite up at night.

Imagine the view at night!

From there we headed to a fish place sorry unsure of the name so for now the fish place.

Liliana envisioned herself riding the fish in the lake.

Who Who Who's kids are you?

A deer jumped out of no where!

The Girls were so excited! It was so close to us.

Real Men Real Dads!!! 

They hold his heart!

After the fish place we walked the Boise Green Belt there is 26 miles of Green Belt. Lived here two years and never knew of this till now.

Soaking up the sun!!! It came out for about 30mins. Then rained again! We enjoyed it well it lasted!

We had a great day! The kids said it was the best day ever. Those words are music to my ears.  We hiked 2 trails, had a picnic and bubbles, overlooked Boise, walked the green belt (not all 26 miles), saw 4 deers, 1 raccoon, a bunch of fish and a squirrel fall out of a tree now that's not something you see everyday! (The kids thought that was funny ok, so did I. It fall hard too!) 

The Best part we were all TOGETHER!

"Priceless"