Simple DIY {Christmas} Gifts

 Draw or copy a cute image and frame it.

 Mold a shape with dry-clay and paint.

 Paint a favorite quote from a book, movie or an inspirational text then put it on a canvas.

 cute and simple necklaces, or hair accessories.

 Find a unique branch and paint or use dry clay.

Scraps of fabric can be used for a simple banner.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

Love,

PJ, Frances, Rock(8), Key(6), Story(4) and City(1)

Kids Thanksgiving Craft and Story

Happy Thanksgiving! 

The kids made these "suspicious turkeys" just in time for the holidays. We were calling them suspicious because they really do, don't they? The kids soon began making up a story to these suspicious turks (not a racist comment!) and that is how this story came into fruition...(craft idea from here)

Agent X, Y and S gathered at the Turkey Headquarters for a debriefing.
They'd be in the sky to their next assignment as soon as the subject was verified.

Contact made! Let's go!
The agents flew high, fast and stealth.

 They landed and had a visual on the enemy.....

Mr. Owl and Dinosaur Dragon! Fierce creatures who sought to take over the world.
There plan of attack was just about ready, a few minor changes then destruction!

 The turks plan of action: get in close then, a surprise attack.

Right above them and they weren't even detected. 

 Ahha! where do you think you're going Mr. Owl and Dinosaur Dragon?!

 Ouch, we didn't see that coming! Don't get too confident Dino Drag....

 Regroup Agent Turks! Let's stick together and attack.

Now you're surrounded. Give up and surrender!
Oh, no?

Ha! Enemy down. 

But wait where's Mr. Owl? 

Long gone I bet.

 Back to headquarters!

Debriefing and our next plan of action in acquiring Mr. Owl.
He won't stop till he's caught.
Till next time....

The End.

 Introducing: Agent X

Agent Y

and Agent S

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hard Week BUT...

Last week was tough. PJ was gone for a conference. I was sick while watching the kids. And even when PJ returned, it still was tense.  I couldn't help just feeling overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with parenting. Overwhelmed with ministry. Overwhelmed with relationships. Just overwhelmed.

I felt thin but thank God for his mercy that strengthened my soul. It's funny how sickness can really be a spiritual purging. Comfort, physical comfort, can be quite a foe.

I'm thankful for these times. The hard times. I know it's hard to praise the Lord Jesus during the trials. Thankful for God breaking through and allowing me see Jesus. Without him, life would be unbearable!

My soul is now strengthened-- Realizing how small I am and how BIG God is is refreshing. Leave it to the importance of the historical resurrection story, to open my eyes.

We remind our kids that Easter is not about a bunny, candy or eggs. But it's about a real person, the Son of God, who took the place of our sin, died on the cross, and rose on the 3rd day. His rising (his resurrection) proved to the world-- it showed that his death was the only God accepted sacrifice that could take away sin. Only a sinless, God-Man, Jesus Christ, could bear all sin and the punishment of the world. No other sacrifice or good deeds could do such a thing. Only Jesus' death. So that is why Easter is such a big deal! As one of my favorite hymns sings:

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is usually on family day and this year was no different. I almost skipped the kids little "love packages" from us but I just couldn't do it, I had to muster up something quick! Thanks to good'ole Pinterest, I got great, quick, DIY ideas. I made the girls "love" necklaces, out of wire (Story broke hers :/) and I made Rock simple, cute wooden arrows. Thankfully they were a hit and I was happy I didn't bail on the yearly love packages. I made PJ a simple canvas with a favorite quote of ours from "The Lion Witch and The Wardrobe." And he wrote me a poem... I love his poems! I have a collection of them that I need to somehow display. I have some up in our room bulletin board but I need something more creative. When he proposed to me he did it through a poem and it was so wonderful, thoughtful, and creative.

We bought the kids a little $1 mailbox from Target, and attached it next to their bedroom door in preparation for Valentine's Day, but now they want letters from us ALL the time! It's fun seeing them get so excited over little letters to each of them.

I secretly love Valentine's Day. I usually hear people dis it and say things like "Why should I just love and shower that person with gifts only on Valentine's Day?" I would just say, "Yeah don't. Shower them on Valentine's Day, the day before, 10 days after, 3 months after, and tomorrow!" Just think of it as a Reminder Day--reminding lovers to appreciate each other throughout the year.

2013

Twenty-thirteen was a good year. We added to our clan with Miss City Danika Tibayan, she entered our world and had our hearts! Watching our children become older the day they met City was precious and sad--To see them grow up and enter a new stage of life had mixed emotions. Here's a quick short review:

• All our kids were blessed with another year. 
• PJ and I celebrated our 8th anniversary with a low key dinner (since I was 2 months postpartum). 
• We were blessed with a trip to one of our favorite cities. 
• My baby sister became a mom. 
• My brother in law became a dad. 
• My other brother in law had his fourth... We were racing :) 
• Homeschooling got a whole lot more interesting!
• Family vacation was local and not as refreshing as we expected. Now we know for 2014 :)
• Our first time in Palm Springs.
• Blessings/praises, trials/sorrows, but a beautiful display of Christ and the Church at CrossView.
• Another year we all missed our Danika terribly. 
• Our nephew Niko became famous!
• We had our first ALONE date night, without City, a few weeks ago. Due to her not taking any bottle, we had to take her along :)
• Rock started learning to play the  piano, Key is extremely flexible and got her ears pierced, and Story got her first hair cut. 
• My Lovely, PJ is still pastoring CrossView and we are encouraged at what God is doing with our church members.
• I'm busy with being a wife, mommy, and faithful christian (by God's grace!). There's never a dull moment in the Tibayan household :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

                  

From the Tibayan IV girls :)

SO thankful to the Lord for everything! Been blessed listening to this song.

Smile Moment

I'm 40 weeks today and no baby. This baby seems to be very comfortable :) We're excited to meet this little boy OR girl! It's pretty exciting not knowing the gender-- adds more spice to our spicy life!

This Sunday is Easter Sunday!!! I hope we see the true meaning of this celebration and not the fluffy rabbit stuff :)

If I don't rush to the hospital, I'll be spending time with my older sister Brenda and the entire family. I love hanging out in her ginormous backyard! The kids love exploring and digging up stuff. She might even get a horse! Imagine that! My city kids would get a taste of the country hahaha!

MLK Day!

School Time today was low key but still very informative and educational.  I talked about racism in America and the impact Martin Luther King had to a great cause. We listened to his I have a dream speech as we crafted up a poster of different color handprints to represent various ethnicities. 

I asked them why we were making different color hand prints and then they broke out into song "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red, yellow, black, and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world!" I was happy to see them tie God's love to all people and things of "politics" to real life moral issues= Christian worldview :)

I Like...

Holiday Dresses!

{Things appreciated but not coveted}

Majestic Night Sequin Dress / Pleated Silt Tube Dress / Lace Bow Tie Frock Dress/ Fluid Blouson Dress / AB Studio Lace Dress / Ellen Dress / Lace Dress  / Silver A-Line Dress

"1776...

The Continental Congress published the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, announcing the colonists' intent to form a new nation." (This little jingle is part of Rock's school:)

 Hope everyone had a blessed 4th of July!

{There's nothing more freeing than having your wrongs made right, at the cross of Jesus Christ. I'm just a beggar telling another beggar, where to go if you're thirsty}

OMGosh!!! My sister's getting married today!!! PJ will marry them today, in a private ceremony at the beach, but I'll be there to snap a few photos. OMGosh!!!