Our little getaway!

I know, I know...it's been forever since I posted! I promise to do better! :)

A few weeks ago, Ted and I had the privilege of going away with some of our best friends to the Lake of the Ozarks. My bestie turned 30 recently and we have a new pack with them that whenever one of us turns 30...we go all out!!! Jamie's Daddy owns a lake condo so we got away for 4 nights with NO kids! 2 wonderful families in our church graciously watched our 3 kids so that we could have some much needed adult time. All weekend I felt like I was forgetting something because when we would go out all I had was my purse. I'm used to a heavy diaper bag, a baby on my hip and two holding hands...it was very strange. I have only been away from Bobby for 1 night, so that was different as well. We had such a peace about going away and we really enjoyed our time. We missed our kids, but we managed to not call home and just put Ted's and I's relationship on high priority and just enjoy our time together with our friends.

Ted has been working a ton! That's retail for you, long hours and late nights. I can't even begin to explain the joy I had to spend 5 whole days with him and having his full attention. We all stayed up late talking and playing games, and woke up cooking breakfast together. One morning we slept in pretty late...it was awesome, I'm not gonna lie! :)

My favorite part of the trip was when we went shopping at the outlet mall in Osage Beach. Jamie and I have been on MANY shopping adventures together, but we've never had our husbands come with us when we do them since they're usually watching the children. This time, the plan was for them to come with us for just a few hours and then they'd break off from us to have some "man time." We were having such a great time, that they decided to stay with us the whole time! This really was an ALL day affair! By the end of the day, I said, "I'm shopped out!" Ted was cracking up because I NEVER say that! They were so great about going from store to store with us and maintaining a great attitude the whole time. They would find a seat by the dressing room and give us their opinions as we tried on a million different things. It was wonderful! In the 8 years I've known the Alvarez', this was by far my favorite day that the 4 of us spent together. Jamie and I talked all day how our husband's made our day by staying with us. They even found some good purchases too ;)

On a side note, I hit a major goal while we were there. Since April, I've lost a little over 30 lbs making it the skinniest I've been in a LONG time. I was very excited to get a few new clothes that would flatter my new found figure. The first store we went in was Banana Republic, and I wasn't real excited because all the times I'd gone in there before I could never find anything that fit me. Ted kept pulling things for me and telling me to just try them on. I have been in need of jeans for quite sometime now, but they only went to a certain size. A size that I haven't worn since the January 2003, the exact time I met Ted. I was VERY hesitant to try them on, but trusted Ted and tried them on. To my surprise they FIT!!!! I came out of the dressing room and my husband was VERY excited to see that they fit so well, and very excited about the way they looked. I ended up getting them along with a few 2.97 shirts! I hit the jackpot in the very store I could never wear anything in. The best part about the whole story is that the next morning I took off all the tags and put my new skinny jeans on. My husband told me not to throw about the sticker that had the size of the pants on them. I was really confused! My sweet husband didn't want me to throw it away because he now has that sticker on his wallet to be able to see it everyday. It was such a big deal that he wanted to save it to remind us of how far I've come. I'm telling you, I have the best husband! Thank you, Lord for blessing me with the most incredible man!

Jame, I hope we made your bday weekend special. I love you so much, and am blessed to have you. We made so many memories that we'll never forget! I can't wait to see what comes when Ted and I turn 30! :)

The Incredibles!

This was the first time we dressed up with the kids on Halloween. Last year at this time we were living with my parents while waiting for our house to be ready to move into. We were last minute getting costumes ready, and when the day came Scotty was disappointed that we didn't dress up too. We promised him that we would dress up with them the next year.

Every month we have a movie picnic with the kids. They get to choose the movie and we get our tons of blankets, make popcorn and watch the whole thing together. Shortly after Bobby was born, the kids chose to watch The Incredibles for one of our picnics. About half way through Ted said, "I know what we are going to be for Halloween next year...The Incredibles!" Then he said, "We are for sure going to be The Incredibles because we have 2 boys and a girl just like in the movie." So, it was set we were going to dress up as The Incredibles as a family. Luckily, I had plenty of time to search eBay and slowly get all of our costumes. We got awesome deals on all of them and have been looking forward to Halloween for quite some time now.

It was so much fun! The kids loved it, and I know everyone enjoyed a laugh or two watching my husband and I where what felt like nothing. Teddy kept saying, "I feel so vulnerable!" all night long! I can't wait to see what we will be next year!

Hangin Tough!

We've had more craziness!!! Over a week ago my little man was running a moderate fever for about 3-4 days. We weren't real sure what was going on, but we happy when the fever broke! We were ecstatic to have things return to normal...which lasted about 24 hrs. Bobby then woke up with a rash, not bad just not normal for him. We didn't think much of it until the next morning he woke up with red bumps over his ENTIRE body! I ran him into Ted, and said, "this is not normal, right?!?! I'm not seeing things am I?" He reassured me that this was not normal and we needed to find out what was wrong ASAP. We both were thinking chicken pox, and then started thinking, "ok, 3 kids, so what 3 weeks of chicken pox???" Come to find out, my son has the measles!!! Yes, the measles!! Babies are not vaccinated until they are a year old, so he picked it up from some where. When the Dr. was asking if he's had these certain symptoms it was like are you reading my mind??? Yes, ALL of those and then some! My husband said, "Ame, the 1850's called and they want their measles back!" I LOVE that about him, I love his sense of humor! Measles is VERY contagious if you've not had the vaccine, so we haven't been able to take him out for a whole week. He looks so miserable, and I know he feels that way too. He's not eating like his usual self and is sleeping ALL the time. Seriously, today he took a nap from 10am-3pm! We are praying for a quick recovery and we are doing the best we can to keep him comfortable.

The other night I laying down in my husband's lap talking to him! One of my favorite things to do...he rubs my head and reassures me that this to shall pass and we're gonna be ok. Over the course of this year I've realized I'm not as tough as I thought. We've had thing after thing thrown at us. If you were to ask my parents or sister about me, I know they would tell you that I'm one tough cookie. They would say I have a high pain tolerance, hardly get emotional, am quick witted like my dad, and much more. Lately, I haven't felt so tough at all, and you know what??? I'm okay with that! It's been nice to really need my husband for encouragement mentally, physically, and spiritually. It's been nice to not try and do it all like I usually do. There have been some VERY unusual days in my house where there is laundry waiting to be folded, dishes needing to be washed, and the house not spotless. My sweet husband let me sleep in while he fed and dressed all 3 babies and folded laundry. He has been secretly putting my towels in the dryer while I shower and bringing them to me piping hot when I'm done. He has been going above and beyond to take care of me because I have needed that lately! He has been taking such great care of me, and lifting me up in this hard time...hard year really! By him doing all these things, it's given me the extra push to make it through this time. It's helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel. It has made me so thankful to call this man MY HUSBAND! Paul talks about glorying in his infirmities in 2 Cor 12:9, and that's what I'm going to do! That's how I'm going to be tough and hang tough is to glory in these things that the Lord has clearly allowed to happen in my family. I'm going to be thankful for another day to serve Him, and another day to give Him the glory!! I hope you will do the same!

Filled with joy!

Hello everyone! I have like 5 different post I am wanting to do, but for today I want to share something really special with you about my sweet son. Ever since we had our first baby Ted and I have quoted to them FREQUENTLY...as in every day Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." We realize that they didn't comprehend what we were telling them, but we see the bigger picture of desiring them to hide the Word in their heart. We know if we are saying and talking about it all the time, then it WILL be hid in their hearts. We explain to them that when they obey us then they are obeying the Lord. They understand that the Lord is pleased when they choose to obey. Scotty was able to quote the verse by himself by the time he was 18 months, and we are pleased to report that Olivia can now quote it as well. I don't know exactly what age Scotty was when Ted starting spending time with him and teaching him why the Lord has him here on this earth. If you were to walk in my house and say, "Scotty what are we here for?" He would right away say, "To preach the Word of God!" It gives me much joy to hear him say that, and know that from a young age he knows what the Lord desires from him. Ted and Scotty daily ask each other what they learned about in their reading. It's so cool to hear a 4 1/2 year olds perspective on things, such innocence!

Yesterday, our church had the annual picnic at the park. Each person has 1 minute to share a verse that the Lord has laid on their heart over the year. When Ted woke up yesterday he had a HORRIBLE migraine, which is unusual because my husband is hardly ever sick or down with anything. We went to church and he quickly realized that he needed to be home in bed lying very still until the migraine passed. Scotty was SO disappointed because he had been looking forward to going to the park all week. My bestie offered for her family to take him, which I was so happy to be able to focus more on Ted while the other 2 napped. Apparently while everyone was sharing, Scotty decided that he wanted to share something too. Uncle Mike said that was fine and he took Em's bible up with him in front of our whole church. He quoted Eph 6:1 and said the Lord was teaching him to obey. :) Makes me tear up even now thinking of him doing this. He came home and Ted asked him if he did anything special at the park. He VERY excitedly said, "Daddy, I preached the Word of God at church today! I told them about how I'm learning how to obey. Just like I'm here for, I preached today!" Ted and I took one look at each other and we each had tears in our eyes. Happy tears!!! We were filled with joy as we could first hand see the fruit from raising our children according to the Word of God. I still am amazed that my little shy son got up and spoke in front of quite a few people. We have NO excuses! If a 4 year old can comprehend, then we can too!

This encouraged me so much! Remember our children are little sponges and they ARE listening as you speak...make sure it's according to His Word!

Ahhhh....the Rose Garden

Last Friday was Ted's day off...Woo hoo!!! Since we've been back from vacation he's been working really long hours and his days off have been few. Our brother-in-law has a brother who is an amazing photographer, and we've been planning for months to do some family photos. For weeks we've been looking forward to doing this especially since Bobby is changing so much every day! So, Friday was finally here and time for pics! We couldn't decide where we wanted to take our photos and then they mentioned the Rose Garden. Everytime somebody talks about that place it makes me all happy inside. That is Ted's and I's "place." It's the place where his parents got married, it's the place where we would spend many evenings walking and talking about our future, it's the place that he asked me to spend the rest of my life with him, it's the place that we fell in love! So, we were pretty excited to take photographs there...

We started out with a Duff family photo including Ted's family. Then we took many more photos of the kids! Ted and I decided that we'd like to have some special pictures taken together. Chris (our photographer) asked us what spot we'd like to take our pics together, and Ted and I immediately said, "how about the spot where Ted proposed!" As we're walking there, Chris is giving us many compliments on our family and Ted and I's relationship, and how happy he is to be able to photograph us FINALLY! We get to our spot and it was like deja vu! The flowers looked EXACTLY the same as it did the day he proposed and I felt the same butterflies in my stomach that I felt that very night. For those next 10 min it was like time stood still. Chris did some creative poses with us and most of them were us gazing into each other's eyes. I kept thinking how blessed I am to be this man's wife, and how blessed I am to be the mother of his children. 7 years later, 3 kids, and madly in love with each other. When my husband looks at me, it's pure love in his eyes. I'm not kidding when I say that he gives me butterflies...frequently! He makes me feel like I'm the prettiest woman in the world, he makes me feel important, and he gives me a confidence that I wish I had years ago. As we stood in this same place I kept thanking the Lord for saving this man for ME! I prayed for years for my future husband and WOW the Lord gave me BETTER that what I was praying for! We hadn't visited "our spot" for quite sometime, but I'm so glad that we did! I'm thankful for that 10 min that we shared where time felt like it did stand still for us. Having 3 kids under the age of 4 is CRAZY! We're always on the go and Ted and I have to really work hard to make sure there is time left in the day for each other. But in that moment, I felt 19 all over again!! Thank you Teddy for being my leader, my best friend, and my true love!

All this to say, I encourage you to take some time and just BE with your spouse. Be with them in the moment without thinking about babies, dishes, laundry, etc. Be in that moment and thank the Lord for ALL He's given to you!

Black Bean Soup

Ok, after a month off I think it's time to get back to my blogging. After my husband posted that sweet post about my triathlon, I think he's even hooked. You may be seeing more posts from him in the future...

My sister, who lives in Guatamela, is looking for some new receipes. I think we can all relate to getting in a "rut" so to speak when it comes to cooking. I wanted to share this receipe with her, and then I thought I should share it will all of you. I found this receipe in one of my Biggest Loser cookbooks. Usually I wouldn't be too excited about a receipe with no meat in it. I was hesistant because I thought we won't get full, and I wasn't so sure my children would like it. When Ted was laid off this was a go to meal a lot because it's so inexpensive to make and YES, you will be satisfied! My children even like it!

1 TBS olive oil
1 lrg chopped onion
1 TBS chopped garlic
28oz can fire roasted tomato (I have used rotel in its place before)
1 TSP cummin
1 TSP chili powder
1 TSP red chili flakes (optional)
3 (15 oz) cans of black beans (you can also use kidney beans, white beans, or chick peas) or 4.5 cups of cooked beans
4 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
OPTIONAL: 3 cups fresh choppen spinach
Combine in large pot and simmer for 1 hour.

We top ours with some low fat mozz cheese!

It's so yummy! I hope this helps you Sara Beth! Check out her blog here http://fragrantaromaofchrist.blogspot.com/

The TRIATHLETE

So, Amy and I were talking about how we need to update the blog so here I am. I really just wanted to get on here and tell you all how PROUD of her I am, and that she completed her first Sprint Triathlon!!! What an amazing event to witness, and to top it all off she meet a professional triathlete the day before who also was an olympic sliver medalists. But it gets better, while she was in the last portion of her race, the run, Michellie came along side of her and paced her for a minute to give her that extra boost she needed. Not many people came say they have completed a Triathlon, even fewer can say that they have completed in an event WITH a professional athlete along side of you. WAY TO GO AMERS!!! I guess you have set the bar and now I need to be inducted into at least one of those groups.
Love you babe!
Ted