MEN!!!

When Noah and I were packing for the sabbatical he was questioning me on WHY I was packing Davis' nebulizer and medication for it. He didn't understand why we needed it because Davis hadn't needed it or used it in several months. I told him he needed to trust me and we weren't going to discuss it again. I was packing it and that was that. He backed down and said, "Your the boss when it comes to this stuff." I still knew he disagreed but he was right I am the BOSS and I am packing it.

So we made it to Colorado and two days later Davis got sick and we had to use the nebulizer twice a day (doctor's orders) for the next few days. Noah's statement, "I am glad WE brought his nebulizer!" YOU THINK!!!



Let's just say, MEN!!!

Noah's Birthday Celebration!!!

Here are some pictures of Noah's Birthday dinner. We went to the "Airplane Restaurant":

We ate in that airplane. It is an old Air Force plane.

This is the seat in the waiting area.

Part of the plane is inside the downstairs dining hall.

What's for dinner?

My boys were in heaven playing in the cockpit. It was a job getting them to leave!!!

"Happy Birthday sweetie and I hope this year is the best year ever!!! Davis and I loved being a part of this day and we love you very much!!!"

I Must Share!!!

Noah and Davis worked on a video today and I wanted to share with you all...



My boy is soo cute!!!

Sabbatical Highligths!!!

Here are some highlights from the week....

We drove to the top of the mountain. It was very chilly up there!

The winding road

An AMAZING view!

My niece Coryn posing for the camera!! She was in awe of the mountains.

Snow in June. We are not in Maryland anymore!!

We loved the view behind us. We had a wonderful day at Pikes Pike!!!

I took my niece to the Cave of the Winds. We had a blast!!!

The start of our adventure!

Coryn acting scared!!!

I am glad I didn't have to crawl in that hole!!

Watch your head!

A view of the canyon behind Coryn.

We learned a lot and had fun being stuck in a cave for an hour!!!

Chris Tomlin!!!

This week we had the opportunity to go see Chris Tomlin in concert at New Life church in Colorado Springs. It was an amazing concert and I can't believe how many of his songs we sing church. He is one talented guy!

He sang a new song and it really spoke to me. Here is the chorus:

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City

When I think about this chorus all I can do is think about our church and the cities that surround it. "For greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in Lanham, Greenbelt, Glenn Dale, Bowie, College Park, Annapolis...etc"

LOOK out CCF greater things are still to be done!!! He is not done with us! Let's keep running the race and keep reaching for greater things!!!

This is a song you must listen to:

Many Firsts!!!!

As new parents we have had a lot of firsts with Davis. It has been a joy experiencing these first and at times so sad that our boy is growing up!

Well this Sunday we experienced another first with Davis. When we picked Davis up from his classroom after church he was so excited to show us what he did,

This is the picture that he gave us:

Here was the conversation that we had:
Us: "Awesome Davis...You did a great job...Who is this man in the picture?"
Davis: "Jonah"
Us: "Did you learn about Jonah today?"
Davis: "Yes"
Us: "What did you learn?"
Davis: "He in boat...eat by big fish."
Us: "Awesome buddy!"

Noah and I were so excited that Davis learned something at church and was able to remember it when we picked him up. He has been able to tell us about Jonah every time we ask him. My boy is ready to learn Bible stories!!!!

Let's get this PARTY started!!!

I am so glad that Noah and I decided to spend our sabbatical in Colorado Springs. What an AMAZING area to live. I can't believe the temperature or the views. I can't get enough of the mountains!!!!

During our trip out here I was starting to find myself getting into a bit of a funk. It was getting hard for me to just sit around and do nothing. We live a fast pace life and we are always on the go, but with getting ready for our trip, the cruise, and driving out here I was feeling the need to start accomplishing the goels that we set for this sabbitical time:

• Spiritual renewal
• Physical renewal
• Family time
• Time to reflect on life and take inventory on what needs to stay or leave

I really need to take this time to look deep into Tricia Kaye:

• Who am I really?
• Why do I worry so much about what people think or say behind my back?
• When am I going to stop pleasing man and start pleasing God?
  
• Why do I need so many opinions when I want to make a decision?
  
• Why isn't God's and Noah's enough (they are the ones that will truly not judge me)?
• What are my top priorities in my life?

I read this quote from Holly Furtick's blog and it is so true and I am going to keep it very close to my heart this summer: "He who lives by the approval of others will die by the absence of the same."

So if you think about it please continue to pray for our time away from normal life and that we come back renewed, refreshed, and ready to go!!!

Father's Day!!!

There are three Father's in my life that I admire and am so blessed to have had and have in my life today. I wanted to take this Father's day blog to honor these three men:

My Father: Jose Raymond Rivera

What an AMAZING dad he was. I am who I am today because of this man!!! He was my biggest fan and loudest cheerleader. Father's Day hasn't been easy these last two years. I long so much to call and say Happy Father's Day or to buy him a gift and send him a card. I know he is happy where he is but I still ache to talk to him and to see him. What I miss the most about my father is all the time I would hear him tell me he loved me and how proud he was of me. My father touched so many lives and I still see the fruit of his labor. I keep a picture of him on my desk at the church, so I can always be reminded that my dad ran the race and he finished strong and so must I. I love and miss you daddy!!!

My Father in-law: Joseph Anthony Kaye

What a MAN!!! I love my father in-law and I hold him so dear to my heart. Since day one he accepted me into his family (that is the man he is). I look forward to seeing him because you get four things when you see Joe Kaye:

1. A huge smile
2. A hand raised in the air
3. A big hello
4. A big bear hug

You would think...how can someone always smile? Well, Joe Kaye is always smiling and that is one of the things that I admire about him. I wish I smiled half as much as him. Just like I was blessed with three moms, I have been blessed with two dads.
Joe Kaye has meet needs for me that I have needed from a dad and just like my own father I have never felt judged and I know that he is proud of me. He is always there when I need him.
I will never forget:

• One day after having Davis that I couldn't get out of bed and I was home alone. I was in a lot of pain and I needed a certain medicine. Dad went and got it, let himself in the house, and walked upstairs to my bedroom and gave me the medicine.
  
• Or the time when I shut my finger in my van door and I called over to their house (they only live 1.5 miles away) and all I got out was, "I got hurt...I need you...please help." He had no idea what happened or where I was and him and my mother in-law showed up with in minutes. I will never forget seeing him with no shirt on and his shorts weren't even zipped up, but all her cared was getting to me. If that is not love, then what is?

"Juju I love you and I am so blessed to call you dad. I pray that we have many many more years of Father's Day. Thank you for all you love and support and for being the "Hatme" that you are. Happy Father's Day!!!!"

My Husband (Davis' Potter): Noah Joesph Kaye

I don't even know where to begin. There is so much I could say about this AMAZING man, husband, and father. When I would dream about what my husband would be like or the father of my children, I never came close to what I got. Man God Hooked a sister up!!!

Every day Noah amazes me and the minute I think I have figured out the type of dad he is, he does something to throw me off. Noah has a lot of demands on his life and yet he does everything in his powers to put his family first. Since the day we brought Davis home Noah has tried to have healthy boundaries and make time for his family and these past 2 1/2 years he has succeeded.
"Noah, you are an AMAZING father and Davis Loves you very much. I love seeing his eyes light up when you come through the front door. Thank you for being there for us and loving us. We would be lost without you. Happy Father's Day!!!"

Thank God for Coryn!

My niece Coryn is with us as we make our journey to Colorado Springs. She will fly home(Mississippi)at the end of next week. She has been a blessing to have around. She has been meeting most of Davis' needs when we are in the car. I would be so tired if I had to keep climbing in the back for his pacifier, headphones, cup, etc... I can't tell how many times he has dropped something.

She was here to go with Noah to CMT awards. I would of hated standing for 3 hours in a huge crowd. They soaked it up! She also gave Noah and I an opportunity to have a date last night in Nashville. Thanks Coryn!

Most of all I am honored to spend time with her. Can't believe she is sixteen! My nieces are growing up so fast and it makes me feel old. I pray they continue to love the Lord and make the right choices.

Spent The Night With My "Best Buddy!"

Tonight Noah and my Niece Coryn went to the CMT Awards. Happy Father's Day and Early birthday present Noah!!!!


So tonight Davis and I spent the evening at the hotel.


There was so much to see and do. Not sure we saw it all but we had a great night!!! Here is some of what we did and Davis was a great sport for letting his mommy take (Make!!!) lots of pictures of him.

Davis had a great time swimming in the baby pool. He fell in at the end of our swim and he told me,"Mommy I can't like that!"

He is my cowboy!!!

Photo shoot part 1

We ate Davis' favorite food for dinner. Pizza and more Pizza!!!

Photo shoot 2!

Davis was so excited to be on a boat ride!!!

We ended the night with some ice cream. Yum our favorite!!!

He had a very fun and busy night. I love spending time with my "best buddy!"

June 10 ( They day I will never forget)!!

I was away this week on a cruise with some family and friends. We were at the beach on June 10 and I spent a portion of my time there reflecting on the 2 year anniversary of my father's passing. Here is what I wrote:


At this moment I am looking at the most beautiful view; the ocean. God made an AMAZING creation when he made the white beaches and the turquoise water. I am watching people swimming, laughing, and having a great time with their friends and family. Life is constantly moving….It never stands still. Yet today I am reminded by the day my heart was broken and I didn’t know if I would be able to mend it.
Two years ago I got the worst phone call of my life. My sister telling me that there was a canoe accident and my father had a heart attack.

• How could this be?
  
• God I thought we had a deal?
  
• You have my mother, why my dad too?
  
• I needed him God.
  
• How do I let him go?
  
• I am not ready to say goodbye.
  

These thoughts went through my head full speed. I thought I was going to have a heart attack myself. My heart ached with so much pain.

So it has been two years and I am on a private island in the Bahamas with friends and family. We are having such a great time but I knew what today was. The day I lost my daddy. The day life stood still for me. I didn’t know how to move on but 2 years later I am still living and living with joy in my heart. I have so much to be thankful for…

• I have an AMAZING husband and son
• I have GREAT family on both sides
• An AMAZING church family
• GREAT friends
• Most of all I was given the honor of being Jose Rivera’s daughter.

I know my dad wasn’t perfect (who’s is?) but he was mine and he loved me so very much. I loved making him proud and I still know he is. I will be forever grateful for his love and devotion. I can’t wait to see him again along with my heavenly father. I love you daddy!!!!

We Had a Blast!!!!

We had a great cruise and enjoyed being with our friends. Here are some pictures of our week.

We are ready to have fun!!!

Noah and Joel enjoying the sunset view.

Noah singing a song for our anniversary!!! I love you too baby!!

7 Years and still madly in love with this guy!!!

Noah had these flowers and candy waiting for me at our table. How sweet!!!

We rented a car in Grand Turks. We sat on the wrong side of the car and drove on the wrong side of the road.

Sahteva tasting conch. Nasty!!!!

We rented scooters in the Bahamas. Ismael and Serena had a blast!!!

So did Noah and the rest of the gang!!

I took it for a spin myself.

Not such a good idea when you don't know how to drive it!!! Man did it hurt and I gave Noah a bit of a scare. I am still paying for my poor decision!!!

Joel and Sahteva enjoying our second formal night.

We were having such a good time at dinner. Dinners were a highlight because we all came together and had great conversations.

Tammy and her daughters Jazzmine and Jessica.

Noah sang in the Carnival Legand on the last night for the whole ship. He ROCKED!!!

Selah sang too. She was AMAZING!!!

Randy and Gloria !!!!

That's my Garth!!!

Here to a great cruise!!! We all had a blast and ready for the next one!!!