It's The Holiday Season

Time to catch you up...
As I sit and reflect on November, I am flooded with an overwhelming sense of thankfulness. Thankful for every memory made, for every movie night, family dinner night, date nights, moments of uncontrollable laughter, bedtime prayers, hugs and snuggles, deep conversations, and moments of peace. It's important we take the time to reflect and see God's hand in all we do. He gives those moments meaning and purpose...He gives our lives purpose. Before I dive in on catch up time, as I sit here and write, I would like to impress the following because it's on my heart. The past few days and evenings Matt and I have united with our Nation in tears and heartache about the horrific events that occurred in CT last Friday. And although life must go on, I truly believe that those precious lives have impacted the hearts of so many Americans and have forced us to ask important questions. What if it was me or my kids? I encourage each and every one of you who reads this to slow life down, take a long time, and think about all those precious moments that have passed you by, the moment you are in and the moments yet to come. There is a loving, merciful, forgiving and powerful God walking along side you in those moments, wanting to love you, lead you and protect you. (Jeremiah 29:11)Cling to Him as you ask those questions. And find Hope in knowing Him and knowing that in His time we will understand His will in this life. I pray now that we don't forget all those lives that were taken, and that from this very sad event lives will be saved and added to the Book of Life!(Revelations 20:12).

So now as I reflect again on November, I praise God even more for these memories and rejoice in today and the events to come!

We finally got to visit the Cincinnati Zoo. It is the second oldest zoo in the U.S. It is a beautiful zoo, very comparable to the San Diego Zoo and in some ways even nicer.

Cute lil Red Panda :)

Mylie looking for the Red Pandas.

The trees of fall are so beautiful here!

Little Miss Baby Cheetah...the kids loved getting up close and personal with her :)

 

 

After everything we do we like to ask the kids, "what was your favorite?" Micah said he liked the baby cheetah, Mylie liked seeing the baby giraffe, and Max loved the penguins. Dad and I just liked being with our own lil zoo animals, Micah Monkey, Mylie Snuggle Bunny and Moosey!

 

 

Thanksgiving this year was amazing! Matt and I have always been a part of very large family Thanksgivings. This was the first time having a Thanksgiving dinner of less than 30 people. It was just our lil fam bam, Grandma Noni, Auntie Mindy, Megan and Morgan. Our family of 9. We had a great day making the turkey and all the fixings. Everyone, even Matt, had some hand in making our Thanksgiving feast! The food turned out delicious...but my favorite part of our dinner was the time we took after to read every card off our Thankful tree. All month long, each of us would write something we were thankful for and hang it on the tree. It was really sweet to read them on Thanksgiving. Here were some of my favorites:

Mylie: I'm thankful for tickle fights

Max: To go to the park

Micah: Thankful for Max and Micah when they play ball and for playing football with Dad

Morgan: Thankful for a roof over her head

Megan: Thankful for being in Ohio and all the new colors she saw this fall

...and 30 minutes later

Matt: Thankful that the Thankful Tree is over...until next year! LOL!

 

Helping Dad make Pumpkin Pies

Cooking and Chit Chat...my fav!

 Our own rendition of the Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving Picture :)

Thankful tree fun!

 The day after Thanksgiving we were quick to get Christmas up, since we would only have 20 some days to enjoy it. The tree is up and stocking are hung. The kids have enjoyed snuggling on the couch with countless hot chocolates this month! We love being in the holiday spirit here at home, but we are so excited to spend time with family and friends in California this Christmas and New Year!

 





 And just for fun...little Miss Mylie Pie playing dress up! She is such a joy in our household. I pray she never grows up and always has such a playful spirit.

 





Where did October go?

I think I'm still trying to catch my breath from the month of October, where did it go? It's amazing how fast the fall season seems to come and go. I think it was mid-September when we first started to notice a few trees change color. October was by far the most colorful month here in Ohio, but it seemed all the leaves feel too fast! Now here we are left with bare branches and chilly weather. However, it hasn't taken away from the splendor of the fall season. We've enjoyed many cups of hot chocolate, daily fires in our wood burning fireplace (courtesy of Dad), football, warm soup, cozy slippers, scarves, hats and big jackets. Everyday seems to bring a new experience and more things to be thankful for. Ahhhh...the season of thankfulness, by far my favorite.

October was too much fun in the Madrid home. It was our last month of football practices and games for Micah. He had an awesome season and really developed as a young man. Matt sincerely loved coaching Micah's team this year and thanked God daily for the opportunity. Micah says he already misses it, but is eagerly anticipating his very first basketball season. Mylie finished up her soccer season and earned her very first trophy! She was so excited. There is something about the first time you get a trophy, it makes my little ones so proud and beam with pride. They deserve each one! Mylie is still active in Cheer and Ballet...the fun never stops! Max too finished his soccer season. He had a blast and made lots of friends. Not sure what is next on the agenda for my little guy, maybe baseball?

As for me, I like to keep things active, so I enrolled at Matt's school in their Web Design and Development Diploma. I figure with my degree in Communications and Advertising, I could possibly start up my own Graphic Design and Web Design company someday and work from home. That's the plan, but we shall see where God takes me. I've really enjoyed my Image Manipulation class so far. The projects have been great and I've been learning a lot. The plan is to take one (maybe two) classes a semester and be done in about 2 years. This has given me the opportunity to do something I love and make something out of it. I love being a mom, wife and homemaker...but this allows me to be Marissa, and that is just as important! I'm so thankful to have the time, energy and support from my family to follow this dream of mine!

Matt's work is going really well. Matt's professional career has been such a testimony of how faithful God is. AI-Cincinnati is dong great things and growing in size. The look and feel of the school has improved and the staff seems to appreciate Matt's efforts there. Please continue to keep him in your prayers for wisdom and leadership. On one of my runs the other day, I was reflecting on my husband and all he is to this world (and my world) and I believe whole heartedly that God has soooooooo much in store for this guy! As you all know, I am Matt's biggest cheerleader! Matt is so smart and such a loyal person who truly loves people and loves his father in heaven, and I feel like the sky is the limit for him! We are so young and have a lifetime in front of us to fulfill our purpose in this crazy, amazing world. And I hope you all take that as encouragement in your own lives as well, we have a purpose and God has a plan! Proverbs 16:9 And in Max's new words "That's brilliant!"

Anywhooo, It's time for me to wrap it up and head over to Micah's school for some volunteer time. I also wanted to throw in here that Matt's and my trip to CA in October was so much fun and it was great seeing all of you. We had a blast at Alan Michael's football game and are sooooo incredibly proud of him. We got to have a late night dinner conversation with him and we were just so impressed by the amazing young man he has grown to be. Alan Michael, if you read this, Matt and I pray for you often and are so excited to see all that God has in store for you as you finish up your senior year at Chino Hills! Savor every minute but be excited for the future! You are going to be so successful in all you do if you keep God first! Love and hugs to you! And to all our family, friends and little ones, it was so special to see some of you and spend time with you. Thank you for making us feel so loved. Ohio is great, but we truly miss our family and friends! Can't wait to be back out at Christmas time to visit again. Mark your calendars December 20-January 5th!

Here are some highlight photos from October:

Megan and Morgan all prettied up for their Homecoming Dance.

Mylie's field trip to Spooky Hallow Farm

In the old school house/chapel with her friends.

 

 Just Gabby Girl enjoying her life in Ohio.

One of Micah's last game as a Guard on the Kings Nights 3rd Grade team.

 Another shade of fall...beautiful!

 Nothing like playing in a pile of leaves.

 Leaf Angels

Micah's school musical performance. He was so proud to perform for us.

 14 Acre Corn Acre Maze at the Iron Fruit Farm Pumpkin Patch

 I thought we lost Morgan!

Our Family Pic in the maze

They picked their pumpkins finally...it was a freezing 40 degrees out!

 My handsome little guy and an old fashioned water pump.

It was a very Happy Halloween!

Fall is here!

Red, yellow, orange...I've been like a kid in a candy store lately. As soon as I saw the slightest glimpse of the leaves changing, I looked forward to every morning when I had to drive the kids to school. Together we would point out the trees that were changing colors. And now, a few weeks into fall and everywhere you look there are changing leaves. It's so sweet to hear my kids get so excited about it, but I crack myself up too because I sound just as excited as them. My nieces Megan and Morgan are loving the change too. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said that between the three of us we are snapping pictures of fall daily.

The autumn beauty happening around us has given us many opportunities to talk to Micah, Mylie & Max about God's creation and His glory. Just the other day on the way to school Micah was telling me that God has to be the best artist. He said he loves our drive to school because there is so much nature to see and it reminds him that God is with us. We can learn so much from our sweet kids.

The fall temperatures have been fantastic. Everyday has been in the high 60's to low 70's. We have also had some rainy days in between. By now, we are all used to it raining randomly during the week. And I've got to say I really enjoy it. The only downside is, it makes me just want to sit inside and snuggle Max all day!

Micah and Mylie have gotten into the swing of their new school schedule. They recently participated in their school walk-a-thon, which they were very proud to be a part of. Micah started Mad Science at his school on Wednesdays. He is my little science nerd. He tells me that he already knows everything that they are learning. So funny! Mylie seems to be doing really great in Kindergarten. All of her class work comes home looking great! She loves writing her letters and coloring.

Back at home, Max and I have been doing mommy pre-school. I feel so blessed to be able to spend alone time talking and teaching him. Since he is the youngest, he has to compete for my attention. So now for the first time, he has my full undivided attention every morning. Since starting his pre-school workbooks and activities, I have to say I am amazed by my little guy. He is only 3 years old and already knows so much. He knows all his letters, numbers, shapes and colors. He loves matching things and sorting. Although he is such a smarty pants, his goofy side never ceases to make an appearance. For example, to give you a quick glance at Max's silly world, this morning we sat down to do a new puzzle. He sat quietly and figured out the puzzle all on his own. As soon as he was finished he wanted to do it again. Only this time I hear him say "Mommy, look. Is this right?" He had stuck a block inside the puzzle piece! Little Max is always looking to get a laugh! And he got one. :)

Sports! Micah is having a blast playing football. He has improved so much this year and is really getting into it. He loves having Matt as a coach and is proud to announce his greatest plays after every game. Mylie is a busy girl this fall doing cheer, ballet and soccer. When I ask her to pick a favorite, she says she can't decide because she loves them all. This is the first time Mylie has been so involved in outside activities and she has amazed us all! She is a determined little girl at all she does and gives 110%! She wants to be the best at everything...sounds like someone we all know...eeehhmmm...Matt. Soccer is the first sport she has played and WOW is she good! She caught onto the concept quickly and plays like a little firecracker. She is aggresive and fast and makes most of the goals for her team the "M&M's".  I see an exciting future in the world of sports for this little princess. Now, not to let the fierceness decieve you, she is still our little girly girl! As soon as she is in the cheer gym or wearing her ballet shoes, she assumes her role. It has been such a joy to watch my little princess enjoy the girly girl things, just like her mommy. I can't wait to show you all the upcoming cheer competition pics and her Nutcracker Ballet pics this winter. And lastly, Might Max! Max is playing soccer at the Y too! He looks forward to his class every week. It has been a great class to get him introduced to soccer and also a fun way to make friends.

There is so much more to write about, but I've run out of time for today. I have to leave to go be "lunch mom" during Micah's lunch time. (Another benefit of being a stay-at-home-mom) I'll try to get back to the blog in the next couple days to fill you in on the rest of our adventures...like me starting school, Megan and Morgans take on Ohio, update on Noni, and our upcoming trip to California! So until I write again...Buuu-Bye and we unanimously LOOOOOVVVEEE and MISSS our friends and family!

Hugs and kisses from Ohio!

Back to School

School is here! Micah and Mylie started school at Kings Mills Elementary and they couldn't be more excited. School supplies were purchased, new backpacks and lunch bags were picked out and their first day of school outfits too! That's always the fun part of back to school shopping. So here we are, back in school and it's time to get back into the swing of things.
 
 My big boy Micah started 3rd grade! Micah loves everything about school, his friends, his teacher, and learning new things. He had to fill out a student questionnaire for his new teacher and one of the questions was what was his favorite subject. He wrote "all of them"! His favorite subjects are Math and Science, but loves History and English too.

 
Mylie started Kindergarten this past Monday! For months leading up to this day, I have had little emotional moments reflecting on how quickly she has grown and how hard it was going to be to drop her off at school. Here in Ohio, Kindergarten has a full day schedule, 8:40 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.! That's a long time for mommy to be away from her Mylie. I say it this way, because my lil Miss Independent has no problem with full day Kindergarten. She has loved every day so far and I'm already getting her daily requests to sign up to take the bus home from school. She says, "But Moooommmm, all my friends take the bus"! And so it begins. 

 

Deer came to visit Mylie on her first day :)

 

 

Proud big brother was excited to walk Mylie to class.

 

Some fun Kindergarten moments so far that I have to remember forever are:
1. On the first day of school as I was walking her to her class she says, "Mommy, I'm a little bit nervous."
2. Our prayer time together on our drive to school with both Micah and Mylie.
3. Mylie's blank stare when I picked her up from school on her first day. Poor girl was wiped out! She even fell asleep in the car.
4. Fourth day of school, as I'm getting her ready, she says, "Mommy, I have school againnnnn?" She's learning she will have school every day from here on out.
5. Fourth day of school, during our drive, listening to Mylie sing, "Where you go, I'll go, Where you stay, I'll stay, When you move, I'll move, I will Follow..." Made my heart smile hearing her worship. I didn't even know she knew the song "I Will Follow" by Chris Tomlin. 

 

 

 

Check out Gracie's smile! She is excited for Mylie too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matt and I are very excited for Micah and Mylie's school year and are looking forward to the many more forever moments we will experience with them. Now it's Max's turn to get undivided attention from his mommy! Ready, Set, Goooo! What fun can we find today?!