Butterfly habitat

The boys have had a fantastic time with the butterfly habitat we got. They were so excited to be able to watch something grow. We ordered live caterpillars and they came in a cup in the mail. They had to just watch them inside the cup for 2 weeks as the caterpillars ate and then formed their chrystalis (cacoon). Once they formed the chrystalis we took them out and pinned them in the habitat we had for them. The looked every day to see how they were doing. After 2 more weeks the butterflies started coming out.



They just loved being able to see the whole process and they finally got a chance to get them out today and hold on their fingers for a littel while until the butterflies flew away. Each one got to have one of the butterflies sit on their hand or finger for quite some time. (Trusty butterflies!)

Now they want me to get the butterfly feeder so "their" butterflies will come back. It was a great process to watch and the boys really got a kick out of it. Best $20 we've spent in a long time!




Mama mama mama

Major News

Well the past couple of weeks have held some monumental events for our family. Not the least of which was my husbands announcement that his 10 year career at Verizon/Idearc/Supermedia was over and that he was taking a less stressful position with a remodeling business that offers no benefits. Less stressful for whom you might ask. I have every confidence that he will do a wonderful job but trying to find affordable health care/insurance etc. is pretty draining.

And then we became grandparents! On May 12 at 9:04pm Cameron Wyatt Sternberg made his entrance into the world at 7lbs even and 20.6 inches long. What a precious little guy and very calm. Best of all though, he is NOT a redhead!! Happy dance, happy dance. Crystal was in labor for 14 hours very comfortably and then after 5 sets of 10 seconds pushing, out he came. She really did a fantastic job and had no complications whatsoever. All the grandparents were present as well as one of Crystal's best friends. There was excitement and joy abounding and everyone got to hold Cameron and see those dark blue eyes just alert as ever and make all those funny sounds and ogle over him. What a miracle! I was thrilled to be a part of it. I couldn't help but think though that the delivery room/farmhouse/village square where my boys were born was not so joyful and they were probably not greeted in the same way as they entered the world. Their alert wide eyed looks weren't returned because no one was waiting to hold them or ogle over them. No one to come with smiles and kisses when they cried and no one sing or say a blessing over over them. OK I have to stop now before I start rambling. I'm so glad God's mercy's are new every morning and that He has blessed us with all these lives to be a part of.

So on top of that excitement, our oldest son, Travis, Graduated from Liberty University and was commissioned into the Army. We all went down for the commissioning which was a lovely ceremony. As a navy brat, I enjoy all that pomp and circumstance. Rob and I got to pin his shoulder boards on and I had to fight back the tears thinking I was preparing him for war. I know only God can do that and protect him too. I don't think I was only one though. Very proud moment for us and for him. He even presented me with a beautiful rose. It took a lot of hard work and he rose to the challenge. You go boy! The little boys enjoyed showing off their push ups to all the high ranking officers who were quite impressed with their form. (That's their punishment for misbehaving so as you can imagine they are quite good at them) While we were there we got to celebrate Mayra's birthday with her too. It was nice to have everyone together for a little while. We went out to Red Lobster for lunch and then headed back home with a feeling that time was just flying by.

The next morning was Victor's birthday! He is now 8! Woohoo. My sweet and kindhearted boy woke up with whooping cough like a barking seal. He loves to be tickled and wanted to be woken up that way on his birthday but as chance would have it the cough prevented that from happening. Poor guy. Typical middle kid. He opened his presents and had his favorite eggs with yolk. To the rest of us, that would be a fried egg that has a runny yellow middle. Since he turned 8 Papa got him his own pool cue as he had with Yuri when he was 8. He can now learn to play pool with papa. Patience was running a little thin however and Papa had to postpone the lessons for another day. Again, typical middle child's luck. It was then off to baseball games and then rushed home since Victors birthday wish was to go see his new nephew. So off to Northern Virginia we went to see Cameron. The boys really loved holding the baby but were quite a bit more excited by the dog and cat since they actually "did something". We had pizza as well as his cake and ice cream with Crystal, Max, and Cameron. Mayra came over to see the baby as well since she is now living in D.C. . It's very weird having little kids, grown kids, and now a grandchild. I wouldn't trade it for the world! By the time we got home everyone was sacked out and Victor was asleep before I could pray with him so I just had to pray over him instead. We usually take each child out to dinner by themselves for their birthday. Victor had to wait until the next day because we were at Crystals on his big day. We took him to Kyoto on Sunday evening since he loves sushi and wanted a repeat performance of last year sharing a love boat (sushi served in a bamboo boat with tempura, fruit, kabobs, sushi, sushimi, etc.) with mama and papa. I go for the cooked stuff but the guys ate everything and we all had a fun time and then went for ice cream at Maggie Moos ice cream place. Victor got the blue cotton candy ice cream and better batter ice cream in a sprinkle cone with marshmallows, gummy bears, and a cherry. Yep, I know what you are thinking (Sounds gross!) but the reluctant bite I had actually tasted pretty good. He never eats that many sweets so I was sure he wouldn't finish the whole thing so I felt better about letting him get all that. Sure enough he only ate about half and was ready to pitch it. I happily agreed that it was OK (just this time) to be a little wasteful and throw it away.
All in all a fun birthday for our smiley guy.
It has been quite a busy week with all these happy events but we are TIRED now. I know the boys haven't had a regular sleeping schedule lately either and it shows up in all the wrong places (school, church, baseball) so I look forward to more regular schedule soon. Soo ready for baseball to be over!

A whole tired but very blessed house of boys and mama mama mama

Mothers Day Blessings

What can I say? I'm extremely blessed to have 6 wonderful children, a great mom and a great mother in law. I missed my older kids today but was at least able to talk to 2 of the 3 of them. It seems like yesterday that they were as young as the ones we still have at home. Really makes you think about how you spend your time and what you spend your time doing. In the end all that really matters is what you did to glorify God. Taking care of his children is sometimes (well, a lot of the time) tiring, thankless work, but it will go so much further than anything money can buy or deeds can produce.

When you get butterfly kisses, and chocolate hands around your neck, and a half eaten candy bracelet and can truly say "Thank you, Lord" for what you have given me, then you get to get a small glimpse of heaven through the eyes or your child.

Well today I was treated to good morning kisses and a wonderful breakfast to include handmade cards and school projects from the little boys and a beautiful card from my husband as well as my new desk chair for the office. We went to church and then out to lunch at Plaza Azteca where they make the guacamole right at your table. No trouble finishing that off with some chips. Then it was home to relax and watch the movie "Tooth Fairy". Then I got to just relax, get my new phone activated and then enjoy a delicious dinner of shrimp and pasta alfredo made by my number one all time favorite chef, my husband.

I spent a little extra time with our 3 youngest ones today after their baths and retold their story of how Jesus had blessed us with them and that He knew when He created them that we would be their mama and papa to which they all responded with such honest hearts. Vanya said, "I thought you picked me because I was the cutest!" Veecha said,"I know mama. He told me that too." Yuri said,"I love you too mama. Can you scratch my back now." Out of the mouths of babes! Below are the videos they made me to remember this day. Priceless!

Thank you Lord for all my children!!!!!!
Mama Mama Mama