Merry Christmas!!

From our family to yours :)

I would love to wish all families and friends a wonderful Christmas.

Our family, again, was blessed to be together for this wonderful season.

As always I was very emotional, all day... anything would set me off in tears, lol.

This is my fourth year without my mother being with my family,

 celebrating in the festivities.

She passed away Spring of 2008,

making Christmas 2007 her last Christmas holiday with us.

But it was amazingly awesome to be with my husband and children.

Danny's job takes him from the home many days at a time. He became very ill just before he was heading home for Christmas. I was really worried, him being diabetic, that he would be too sick to be a part of all the happy celebration, and in turn I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself. But with a whole day of rest and good food and lots of Gatorade he was back to himself. I believe he had dehydrated himself.

Our time together was wonderful. We were struggling this year monetarily but Cynthia made everyone dreams come true. What a trouper!! I just love her so much, not wanting much for herself but making sure her loved ones had something to make them smile; she made it happen! Julian was not short in gifts and she completely lavished me with an amazing amount of gifts; not only for myself, but for my preschool as well. I was completely moved beyond words. 

I pray you all had a tremendous time with your family and Friends. Hope you felt the wonderful blessings from God. And His wonderful gift of hope; a hope that just keeps on giving and giving and giving!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Fun with Julian



From bottom to top: Julian, Shawn, Jacob, McKenzie and Ava
Mrs. Ruby's Best Beginnings Preschool

When Julian has no school he spends the day with me and my lil people. He just asked me the other day why don't I get a job and work outside of home since I do nothing here. HAHA! That statement made me laugh right out loud. So watching lil people is not work?? Hmmm.

Julian seems to think it is all play and no chore. And I guess he would be right in saying that because when he is here... I cannot harness all their energies to do preschool work, let alone projects because they are using it  in moments like these (refer to picture above). When Julian spends his days with us the children do not want to go home at the end of the day. During the day they are driving me up the wall with all their chasing, climbing, running, falling, rolling, hiding, and piling up on Julian, NON-Stop!

At first I was only to happy when nap time came around, but then when JULIAN'S home... there is no concept of NAP!!!

At the end of the day or days they may not  want to go home but I sure would love for Julian to go home... Oh Wait!! This is Julian's home *sigh* O.K. then I am painstakingly waiting for Julian to go back to school the next day or following week. Ha! What a kid, I love him dearly and so do my little friends.

He does so well with them and gives them so much attention. His exuberance for play and wonderful imagination, he will forever be their hero.

THANK YOU, Julian for making our days crazy, wild, and extremely fun! We love you and cannot wait till the next time your school is closed!!

Mrs. Ruby's Preschool

L♥ve my Job!!

 

I am a preschool teacher, I consider it my 'Super Powers' ;) I love my job, little people and teaching.

I have been in the teaching field for about 16.3 years. During those years I taught preschool (including infants) to the eighth grade (13 year olds).  I found that I’d much rather cross a toddler then a pre-teen. Don't get me wrong I love pre-teens and teens but I’d rather be their friend than their authority, which has made raising teens quite challenging.

At this moment I am working from home. My son, Julian (BTW who is only 8), just ask me today, why  I don't have a real job and work. ROTFLOL!! JULIAN, REALLY?!? Trust me, just because I am at home all day does not mean I’m NOT working! HA!

My husband and I consider this a blessing, to be working from home. I absolutely love it and feel that I’m in the LORDs will; going somewhere I have never been before. It’s been an overwhelming journey ~because it is moving faster than I expected ~ and I just want to crumble under the enormity of it all and not move for a very long time. When Gods hand is in every aspect of your life, you feel as though you are moving in a whirlwind, moving forward, but in a whirlwind. And you may be doing just that! I know I have felt that I could not stop at any time, because if I did, I’d missed one of the greatest opportunities of my life. And I honestly believe I would of in this situation.

I’m teaching 4 little people in my house. They are mastering their numbers, writing their names, getting their letters down. They also love their shapes and colors in every possible art project that we can think of. They are working on their speech, space, and encounters with their peers. It can be extremely difficult to problem solve when your feelings have been hurt, when you have been spurned or when your blocks have been knocked over. Sharing or taking turns is the biggest challenge in any toddlers/preschools life, but it can be done with love, patience, and firm direction.

I love the toddler/preschool life!! Being a part of their little squabbles, hasty decisions (that usually make matters worse) and innocent love triangles just make my world a better place. It’s a beautiful distraction to sadness in this world and or problems in my own life that I myself cannot seem to solve. It has help me get through one of the greatest and toughest challenges in my life, my mother’s death.

But teaching little ones brings me great joy. I love watching them learn their boundaries, try to find themselves, learn their dis-likes and likes, realize; here at Ms Ruby’s school we can use our words and not get into trouble, watching their dimpled chubby hands work the play-dough or use scissors, trying to be big and dress themselves or helping their peers put on dress-up clothes… the list is endless with little people, not only do they learn something new every day, but each child teaches me something new every day as well.

As a parent you learn new things but you also know your children and can pretty much know what their next choice will be; whereas with me I get little people coming and going and I am surprised on a daily basis with new challenges and learning experiences.

And above all else, the love of a child is unconditional with so much forgiveness it can fill the deepest part of the ocean. Children are so trusting it sickens me when I hear on the news another child has been abused by an adult (especially their parents). They need us in so many ways without guilt or shame tacked on their every mistake that I love to be there for them as their provider. They fill me with such amazing healing and strength I just want to give back to them.

I love my job and this quote sums it up for me:

‘Find something you love to do and you'll never have to work a day in your life.’

Harvey MacKay

And since it is in my home, I have come to LOVE my home; love it more than I ever have since the day we bought it. I believe this is what the LORD has wanted me to feel for a very, very long time. Thank you LORD ~ you have filled my heart with praise!

**Photo shoot by Stephanie Flores Photography

A moment to be thankful!

 I know this is the day after but I don't think giving thanks to God should be set aside for just one day out of the year.

We had dinner here at my house this year. Since 2008 we have been going to Tahoe to celebrate our Thanksgiving [because of the loss of my mother; it was a nice change], but not this year. We stayed home and had a great time of just being together.
My husband and my daughter spent time in the kitchen learning, helping and enjoying each other's cooking. I on the other hand layed on the couch with a very bad headache, lol... but I have to say; it was so nice to just snuggled up with no responsibilities and no children needing my undivided attention. It was glorious bliss.

My husband, Cynthia, Sean, Julian with my older sister and Danny's older brother and mother enjoyed the comforts of my home. I kick myself because I didn't take a group picture *ouch* so sad.
Spending time with family is always or should always be a wonderful time. But I do have to say that wasn't always the case when I was a child growing up..

So what do I have to reflect on to be thankful for??
1. My husband was home for this holiday. He was not on the road somewhere far away from his family.
2. My daughter was off from work and was able to spend time with us as well. It was good to see her happy and finding herself in the kitchen with her daddy :) *memories*
3. Danny's brother, woody and his mother came and spent time with us. I'm thankful for Danny's mother, that she is still with us celebrating these holidays with our family.
4. My home has never looked better and I'm thankful for that. With all the remodeling and painting it's no longer an embarrassment to have people over, lol...
5. My preschool is coming along and I love how it is looking. The other wonderful thing about it is, the fact, that because my business is from home it makes me accountable to keep it looking fresh and presentable at all times. AND makes everyone else in the house-hold keep it clean... I LOVE IT!!! :D
6. My older sister Rose was here with me as well. She always spends Thanksgiving and Christmas with us because we only have each other [the other three sisters being so far away in AZ]. Since my mother died we have created a bond between us and sometimes I just don't see her enough. I love my sister, she is a gem
7. I'm thankful for five families the Lord has sent my way. They have been a tremendous help to me at  getting my preschool started. I will forever be grateful to them! They have helped from small jobs to supplies to a web-site... Jesus you are so good!!
8. I'm thankful for our animals, lol. I really am, they keep my youngest busy and entertained. Living in a household with four adults, has got to be hard on him most days. We find his best moments here at home with his dogs. They are truly his best friends!
9. I'm thankful for family ties... We all work together to keep our home, to make ends meet and to take care of the littlest in the home; Julian. I really believe he makes our live continue forward and helps us keep what is important into perspective.
10. I'm thankful for 'Freedom Christian School'. It has come into our lives at just the right time. I love the staff and the child-centered teaching. It goes above and beyond with all the children supporting families and churches. The Godly instructions is absolutely amazing as well. We are blessed.

With all this said; I am truly thankful. And not only with these ten I mentioned but for many, many more moments I couldn't ever post in one day. For it would take a life time.
So today on this extremely lazy day... Beautiful I have to say, the weather is absolutely breath taking; sunny, cool fall weather *gorgeous*! I'm blessed and could never thank the giver of all these things enough. He is the giver of life and He has giving not only me but my family as well, LIFE!! Life new and life everlasting. We have purpose and we have a reason to lift our hands in thanksgiving!!

**To GOD be the glory**

Beautiful country...

rest stop in Idaho

I was able to go on one of Danny's truck driving runs .

And the country side was absolutely gorgeous!!

As a matter of fact everywhere we went it was breath-taking.

We would stop at rest stops to sleep and I just couldn't believe the beauty.

quiet, peaceful, lush, clean, serene places to rest our weary heads.

At this stop the mood, set by the beauty and atmosphere of the area,

was wonderful displayed by this man who was sitting alone,

 overlooking the mountain side, just playing his guitar.

As the sun was setting for the night there was a stillness,

as we watched the wonderful hand of God at work.

Gorgeous, breath-taking, majestic... 

♫♪ We could sing of your love forever ♪♫ 

**A Moment to Remember**

YES, you have my heart for always & forever!!

Saturday, Sep. 24th, I had the worst migraine Iv had in a very long time (since June or July) I was extremely unfit to be around :( it was just awful, it made me extremely sick... It was probably the worst Iv had in months :(
When I'm like this, I usually stay to myself because I know how I can be... I'm unreasonable, short tempered, irritable, and extremely touchy; and I'm not proud of it; as a matter of fact I STRONGLY DISLIKE it.
I got up from the couch all sweaty from being under the cushions. I was looking a mess with my hair all matted (for I had been laying under there all day) from sweating. As I moved, my head felt like It was going to crack open... I was sad indeed... lol.
My husband was sitting in the room and I didn't realize it till he says, "Hey lovely, how you feeling?" well, I wasn't feeling all that great >:/ don't ask.. "I have something for you, can you sit up a minute and listen...
Really?!? You're asking me to sit up and listen for a minute?? But I kept my thoughts to myself and sat up very slowly, knowing it was my head giving me the sarcastic thought and not my husband sitting across form me.
He tells our son (Sean) to turn up the computer and proceeds to dedicate this song to me. Yup, I began to cry  ='/ I was a mess. The tears were hot and I couldn't open my eyes (the migraine doing a work on me). When I was able to open them, my husband was sitting across from me singing with the song and in tears as well.

♥♥Now I need to say this: And it is all to the glory of my wonderful Savior. Every year around our anniversary time. Danny and I cry; sing, hold, reflect, and caress each other. We whisper words of promise and thank God for another year of forgiveness, love, grace, mercy and our family. We feel extremely blessed that God made another year together possible because at one time,  it shouldn't of been so.

**It was a Moment to Remember**