Sammy Maloney's First Communion

This weekend we witnessed my nephews first communion at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He was very excited and happy to partake in the church's Eucharistic celebration. Enjoy the pics!

Samuel (sammy) Maloney.

My family. Correction, minus one. David was working, he's my other gringo soon to be brother in law.

Sofia and Mima at Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant. We are waiting for our table.

Sofia with Mima and her cousins, Andrew and Sammy.

My brother Carlos with his precious baby girl, Gadi.

John Madden retiring

John Madden is putting his telestrator away.
The veteran NFL broadcaster and Hall of Fame coach is retiring.
"It's time," Madden said in a statement. "I'm 73 years old. My 50th wedding anniversary is this fall. I have two great sons and their families and my five grandchildren are at an age now when they know when I'm home and, more importantly, when I'm not."

Madden's last broadcast was February's Super Bowl between Arizona and Pittsburgh.

Madden is reluctant to fly and often traveled to games in a specially equipped bus, but says that's not what's forcing him to quit.
"I still love every part of it - the travel, the practices, the game film, the games, seeing old friends and meeting new people," he said. "But I know this is the right time."

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WHAT!!! NOOOO!!! The new NFL season this fall will not be the same without Madden. He will truly be missed! UGH! He is one truly irreplaceable guy! This might be stupid for some of you but this feels just like when Bob Barker from "The Price is Right" retired. I was devastated because on my summers off from school when I was younger and as an adult on my days off or when I was home sick, the only thing that I would watch on daytime TV was The Price is Right because Mr. Barker was truly awesome!!! I miss him too, since he retired I have not watched The Price is Right again. This sucks. -Sandra.

Marriage Weekend

This Friday April 17th, Retrouvaille will have their marriage retreat weekend. So far, John and I have registered 35 couples. Some have dropped which is always sad because you can hear the pain in their voice or when we read their e-mails. Just today, I received a call from this guy who is desperate and not sure about attending the Weekend and wanted me to explain if it is possible that it could help his marriage heal from an affair his wife is having.

Every time I get a call like this it breaks my heart because I hear the pain and I can totally understand it and all I can say is "yes, it is possible. Not easy, but possible when you are open to do the hardest work you have ever done in your life."

Not all the couples attending are suffering from an affair. Some have just grown apart over the years and are just living like roommates or staying together for the kids. Some have decided that marriage is to hard and want to go out and live the single life again. I had a call a few weeks back when the husband asked me, "I bet this is your first call from a husband asking about help." WRONG!

We get inquiries from both. Many times the wife just gets tired and wants to call it quits and that's when the husband wakes up and figures out he better do something before is too late. We have heard husbands cry, and desperate to save their marriage and it hurts me as much when the wives cry.

This is a hard ministry to work for but it truly has been a blessing in our lives. Please help us pray for all these couples who will be attending this Marriage weekend. Pray that they see the light at the end of the tunnel where Jesus is standing waiting to embrace them on a job well done.

God bless. -Sandra.

Easter Pics

We all met up at my sister Wendy's house in Richardson to celebrate Easter. Here's a few pics.

It rained in the morning so it was kinda chilly. Sofia didn't get to wear her Easter dress, but Mima saved the day and bought her a long sleeve beautiful Easter dress that you cannot see because I forgot to take out her jacket. This was her first year doing the Easter hunt. She learned quick and did not let anyone touch her bunny basket. You can see from her face that she's giving out a warning. "don't come any closer!"

The kids!

The girls! Sofia does not sit, she squats!
The Testosterone picture of the day!
Hope you were blessed this past Easter like we were. -The Seamans

I let Christ passed me by...

This past Wednesday, I was driving back home from work and to my left there was a guy with gray hair, in his mid 50's dressed in black pants, white shirt and a tie with a sign that read, "I need a job please." I would've stopped asked for his resume and help him but I decided it will better to continue on my way home without any interruptions. Now, I regret it. I just heard this priest give his sermon on EWTN talking about our personal cross and how many times we let Christ passed us by. After he said this, Christ took me back to this moment and I felt so guitly. Now I regret it. and I feel so remorseful and ashamed of what I did. I will not do that again.

I had forgotten about it, I felt bad for him. It takes so much guts and humility to stand in a corner of a street begging for work. I pray that someone did help him that was better than me, who recognized Christ in him. I sure didn't and I failed Christ. - sandra

Passover

"Every year Jews worldwide celebrate Passover by reliving the story of the Exodus from Egypt. The Israelite slaves fled Egypt in haste and had to eat their bread before it had time to rise. Thus, on Passover Jews eat matzo, which is unleavened bread. "

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Last night my mom and I watched the classic movie "The Ten Commandments" with Charlton Heston, we only got to watch Disc 1 out of 2 is a long movie and one of my favorites. John doesn't like the movie because of the acting, I just love it. Anyways, I don't care how many times I watch this movie it always brings tears in my eyes how faith and hope in the Lord can bring victory. But during the movie my mom kept saying "Charlton Heston was a handsome man." and I kept answering, "yes, mom he was very handsome." Indeed, he was a fine looking men, and a fine Christian, however, my mom and I were so touched when he went up to the sacred mountain and saw the burning bush and came down a changed man. Love how the Lord touches everyone and what's so cool is that it is different for everyone. Now, tomorrow night, It's "Passion of the Christ" movie night.

I remember coming out of the theather after watching it and I was numb. I couldn't believe why he went through all of that for me, what had I done for him? To deserve his love? It was an eye opener. I still cry when I see it but what I see now is the Lord's unconditional love for us. I have grown much since then in every way imaginable. My hope and prayer is that my children experience his love and forgiveness and are devoted to Him. -sandra

Got Hope?

God's Promises in Uncertain Times

By Chuck Colson

You don’t have to look far to find cause for worry today. As jobs disappear, as our retirement plans shrivel, anxiety is knitting brows everywhere. Including, at times, my own.

Part of our worry comes from the fact that most Americans aren’t used to it! We’ve had relatively little to worry about in life. Sure, these are hard times, but this is not the Great Depression. And while the nightly news gives us cause to bemoan the loss of moral absolutes in society, Christians have always found themselves—and will always find themselves—living in the midst of a depraved culture.

But no matter how dark a place or an age in time, God has never allowed the light of the Church to be extinguished. Plagues, persecutions, poverty—Christians have lived victoriously in the midst of it all.

How? They had something we’ve lost: a Christian ethic of hope.

Sadly, people have either trivialized or politicized the word hope. The American Heritage Dictionary defines hope as “the feeling that . . . events will turn out for the best.”
But a Christian hope isn’t a feeling. And it’s not wishful thinking. Hope comes from the certainty of God’s promises. These are promises like Romans 8:28—“God works in all things for the good of those who love him.” Promises like Acts 16:31—“Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Promises abound for us about future realities. God has promised believers that Christ will come again, will redeem our bodies, will make us holy, will let us share in His glory, and will give us eternal life. This isn’t simple optimism. And it isn’t hope pinned to a fallible human leader. This is a firm hope in the Creator.

When we don’t have a secure hope, we worry excessively about the future. But when our hope is secure, we are free to live in the fruits of hope.
John Piper has identified four fruits of Christian hope. First, Christian hope bears the fruit of true joy. Unlike happiness, joy is not dependent upon circumstances. Second, Christian hope produces sacrificial love. When we aren’t obsessing over self-preservation, we are free to give ourselves to others. Next, Christian hope yields boldness. The hopeful Christian is realistic about the reality of the world’s problems, but it is also certain of God’s ultimate victory.
That’s why Christian hope has produced bold men and women who’ve given their lives to missionary service, or heroes like William Wilberforce who’ve been willing to sacrifice career, property or popularity for Christ.

Finally, Christian hope bears the fruit of endurance. When setbacks come—and they do—Christians who have their eyes fixed firmly on God’s promises can continue in the good fight. They can press on because they know that their actions aren’t in vain. Christ will have the ultimate victory.

Sure, these are tough times. But when we grab hold of the hope we have in Christ, we will be able to live with the joy, the sacrificial love, the boldness, and the endurance we will need to face the challenges before us.

Tea Update

Well, not the 8th wonder solution I thought it was...I would say it works to retain my breakfast but that's about it. The afternoon puking is as strong as my baby crying for her nap.

When I take the tea for my morning sickness, I still feel the strong urge to puke, but the tea doesn't allow me which leaves me to feel miserable. Therefore, the question remains to puke or not to puke!? I say puke! I feel better afterwards and not miserable all afternoon.

I so HATE morning sickness, I SO HATE to eat and feel miserable afterwards only to feel relieve once I puke, I HATE not being able to eat everything I want. I HATE feeling tired. etc, etc, etc. I miss sushi...I miss my advil aspirin for my headaches...I miss having a margarita with my enchiladas once in a while...I miss running...Why can't I just be one of those pregnant ladies that just glows and feels awesome!?

why me? -sandra.

When Mom is not watching...

This is what happens to Sofia when I'm not watching what's going on. When John gets bored we all pay the price...

Don't ask me. It wasn't my idea.Sofia looks confused just like I was.

Ten Ways Jesus Changed the World

By Bill ShulerPastor, Capitla Life Church

1. He split our calendar in two: B.C. and A.D.

2. He showed us God is love.

3. He refused a crown to bear a cross.

4. He occupies no grave.

5. His sermon on the Mount set forth the highest standard for how we should live.

6. He modeled forgiveness in a world of stone throwers.

7. He transformed fishermen and tax collectors into world changers.

8. He healed the sick and raised the dead…enough said.

9. He challenged religion devoid of compassion.

10. He willingly accepted a cruel death so that we might have life.

As we enter Holy Week we contemplate Jesus’ death and that first Easter morning. The week started with betrayal, confusion and sorrow only to end in celebration. The scriptures tell us that God “showed his love among us — He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.”

Raspberry Leaf Tea - The 8th Wonder

I was skeptical at first when I was recommend to drink Raspberry Leaf Tea (organic, Caffeine free of course) and I would like to report it is WORKING!!!! OMGOSH! I am a convert of Raspberry Leaf Tea, it is controlling my morning sickness, it is giving me some of my energy back and my mood is changing! PRAISE THE LORD!

So, I had it yesterday around 3pm and felt fine, but at 6pm, that morning sickness feeling in my stomach returned and I was just about to give in when I decided to drink one more tea to see what happened and I didn't puke but found myself hungry for dinner that I actually ate!

But unfortunately, I will not be able to stop or control all morning sickness. The first thing I do every morning is of course insert toothbrush into mouth before I fix myself for work and my morning sickness starts once my toothbrush is in my mouth, but if that's all I have to go through all day, I'm good!

So, I want to give thanks to my Comadre Jo for recommending this awesome tea! I was telling John last night how great I felt and he was like, "you look different and you even look like you are actually awake!" mind you, I have been feeling like i'm dragging myself everywhere. Anyways, John said that he was even willing to try it for the energy and mood revival it gives. My mom wants to try it as well.

Did I mention that it also helps you with your stool? Yes, pregnant ladies have constipation problems and this tea helps you with it! Oh, I would also like to mention that I've been burping alot and breaking wind but who cares when I am able to eat, right!? At any rate, I'm in heaven and for the first time in a month, I enjoyed my breakfast this morning!

God Bless you Jo! -sandra

Morning Sickness Part Deux!

I'm not having fun right now. I'm not having fun eating anything right now knowing that it will just come back out, the good thing this time around is that I'm only puking half the food I eat. Puking is very hard when I'm at work, if there is no one in the bathroom, I dive into the toilet, but when there are people is so embarrasing! Sometimes, I wait and hold it but is painful. Right now no food sounds appealing to me, in fact i'm clueless and I struggle to find what is not going to hurt my throat when it comes out.

Like I have said, I have tried everything the first time around to stop the puking and nothing worked. So, I have been recommend (by Jo) this tea call, "Organic Raspberry Leaf" to help me with the puking, good thing is caffeine free. So, I tried it today and even though i'm skeptical whether it will ease it or not, is worth trying anything right now, however, when I first smell the tea it brought me back to my childhood. (my childhood was the best part of my life)

My grandmother used to work for this Americans back home in this very nice town, she used to be the maid and their house was a bed and breakfast, I loved the house. At any rate, sometimes when there was anything left over to eat my grandma used to give me some tea and she used to pour sugar just to make it a little sweeter. Well, this tea that I tried today smelled just like the one my grandmother used to give me, so I hope this is a good sign. I will update soon.

God Bless, - Sandra.