Anniversary #3

3 years ago today was a Saturday. It was about 4:05 in the afternoon. Darby Hughes, Roberto Miranda, and Tim Hunter is playing magnificently one of Darby’s original. Kurt Gebhards pulls me aside and prays for me. I’m waiting behind a door, waiting for my bride to be to walk down the aisle. I still remember that moment of quiet anticipation. All dressed up in black with a cream tie, I take my place. Doors open. She is escorted in. My heart is overly glad.
My life changed that day, for the better.

I am a sinner who is deeply flawed, yet loved and welcomed by a holy God only because Jesus died the death that I deserved and lived the perfect life I could never have lived. Then God applies what Jesus did to count for me. Salvation is already more than enough for this life and the next. On top of that, he has chosen to bless me even more 3 years ago in marriage.

God is keenly wise that He knew that I needed Paola. She has been my encourager, prayer warrior, helper, counselor, and dear friend. I adore her and I wake up daily thanking the Lord for her. She is authentic. She is humble. She loves Christ. She is a loving mom. She enjoys life. She loves to laugh. She understands me. She is patient with me. She is gorgeous. She is a gift. I brag and boast because God has been good for giving me a tremendous gift.

I celebrate today God’s goodness for not only what happened 3 years ago, but what has happened since then. I am a better man for it. I have grown to know the gospel deeper. I treasure Christ more.

Praise God for His Goodness.

Blissfully Yours,

Jon

She's got rhythm!

Jon here, I know that it's been a while since we posted. But we have some great things for all of you to see. Life's been well. Lola and I have been sick with cold these past few days. We are now part of Foundation Bible Study on Friday nights at Grace Church. I help with leading worship for the Bible study. I also am helping with Awana leading kids during the singing time.

During one of the practices on Friday night, Lola let Emma play with a shaker and we were shocked that she was able to keep time. We have a future Shiela E. on our hands. If you don't know who Shiela E. is, then I have just dated myself.

ONE!!!

Emma is ONE! She took her first two steps on her actual birthday. She loves Barney. She sings, although you have no idea what she is saying. She dances by bouncing up and down. She smiles by squinting her face, peruvians call it chinitas. Now she understands direction better. If I tell her to look she will, turn around, obey. Now today she walks a lot. She rather be walking and exploring than be carried. She likes to feed herself, and is just a joy to be with.

11 months old

Emma is 11 1/2 months old. We are excited that in two weeks we will be celebrating her first birthday. Grandpa Eli and Grandma Annie have been singing Happy Birthday to Emma everyday, and teaching her what to do when she is asked, How old are you?


This month Emma has developed in learning things so much quicker. She is now asking "what's that?" and says "right there" ,"all done", "Hello/Hola", "Buh-bye", light, bird,she says "happy" for us to sing her happy birthday.She'll say grandpa, papa, daddy, dada, elmo, and... Chado.....=) (my mom's name is charo so that is her attempting to say charo.)But still won't say mama.

She loves to play peek-a-boo, now she hides herself and then will pop out and say a-boo!She will walk while holding on at least with one hand. She has mastered the art of crawling. I love watching her stand up with out holding on to something,she spreads her legs out wide to keep her balance. HAHAH! She bites so we're working on that. No biting people or anything other than food. She starting to get it. =)

Show me your tongue!

With kids, I'm finding that there are many moments that light up and warm up my heart.

Emma found her muscles to control her tongue. If you tell her, "Emma, show me your tongue." This is what she does.

10 months old!

It just keeps getting better and better. She is now associating things together. She does hand movements to her baby songs, and tries to copy sounds of words and sometimes actually says the word (rare but it happened) She points for things she wants, and is starting to communicate her desires. Oh and she is a total Daddy's girl.





She plays so well with Grant Prince.He's her buddy, her first playmate. He is such a sweet boy. He is always sharing with her. He teaches her how to play with his toys or the toys where we are. I was so surprised while at the mall, there were lots of kids all bigger than her and she didn't mind them at all, she crawled from one side to the other watched how they used a toy and then do it herself. Joy and I were cracking up! I thank God for Joy she is such a kind and loving all weather friend. She's a great mom also and is doing such a great job instructing and guiding Grant.

Here Grant is showing her his cars.

Here they are at the mall.



This picture is how she is... smiles, big smiles. She is so playful and loves to learn. In this picture she had just walked with Grandma Annie from the inside of our apartment all the way to the middle of the courtyard outside. That was her first time walking! Look at the smile of accomplishment. Doesn't that face just say it all?!?!



Emma at her very first concert... Seeds Family Worship @ Grace. She was so sleepy but didn't want to miss out on all the action and worship.




Here Emma is with the singer of Seeds Family Worship (Her first music album ever, which I would play while she was in the womb)
She was wondering who he is...


She LOVES to eat.. Miss Independent rather feed herself than be fed.




eating yogurt melts in her pack-n-play while watching Your Baby Can Read video.


Bye-Bye we leave you with a video to watch...

9 Months Old

She laughs and talks to herself in the mirror and will wave as well. She loves other babies.LOVES to people watch, and can eat all day long. She wants to touch everything and eat everything.

On 4/18/09 she went to Disneyland for the first time. Jon and I got to share this experience with our dear friend Scott Potratz. It was surprising to me how much she enjoyed herself. She loved watching all the people and looking at all the lights. The rides were another story. She actually used that time for naps. It was hot and there were a lot of people there. We got annual passes and now can enjoy this time more often with family and friends. I always seem to catch something when I go... wonder what I can do to prevent it next time.


Emma is 9 Months Old... this past month (8 months Old) was so much fun! She is so interactive, loves watching her video of YBCR. She has learned to wave, clap, laughs when you tickle her, puts her arms up and down upon request.She officially has 4 teeth on top and three on the bottom.


Emma is so active. Let me share with you a memory that I want to treasure in my mind forever.

In the morning after Jon goes to work and Emma wakes up I am usually so tired and I will bring her with me to my bed and we both fall asleep. Lately I am awakened by little hands hitting my face and rasberries on my arm or even my tummy, I open my eyes to a beautiful smiling face and my little Emma clapping. She clapping that Mama woke up.

Another one is... One Saturday Morning I woke up to a very loud "DADA!!!! DADA!!!! APPO! DADA!!! DADA!!! APPO! DADA! APPO!" I went to check if everything was okay only to find Jon asleep on the recliner with Emma hitting him and yelling. I don't know if she was saying apple or what, but I found that to be so funny and sweet.


Here is a video (for you Abuelito Juan).. Emma clapping.