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Brave are those who decide 
to be parents

by Diana Cole

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One of the most popular children's make-belief games is playing 'house'. Do you remember those days? Which character were you? Were you imitating a parent or a sibling, maybe a  grandma or grandpa? 

Families are an essential part of society. It is common knowledge to know and understand , the first lessons will be taught in your home. 

M Russell Ballard an esclessiastical leader once said: "What we do and what we teach in our homes and in our families matters." from a talk called The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood.  ://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2006/03/the-sacred-responsibilities-of-parenthood?lang=eng

When in your life did you know you wanted to be a parent?

For my husband it was at the age of 8 years old. 

He was fortunate to grow in a loving home and have good role models to imitate. He grew up with security and love. 

I truly feel parenthood fulfilling the basic needs of life to a child and teaching them about being a good contributing citizen and have faith is really what Heavenly Father desires for each of his His children.

My childhood was very different. I had instability, insecurity, fear, unconditional love from one parent and only one friend, my brother. Just sad. 

Can you guess if I ever thought about being a parent. Before even thinking about parenting , I thought : "I may or may not marry but if I do , that would be nice" Very little hope.

I did get married to a loving man who became a great parent. After being married I had this strong feeling of when I was ready to start a family. It was a joint decision and consent. No regrets.

We are tired, grumpy some time, but oh so happy to have our kids.

One day our kids will understand and need to make the decision of parenthood.

You did it!!!

You did it Ben!!!

Four years of hard work and will be graduating this upcoming week. We almost didn't to bureaucratic gibberish, but that's another story.We are so proud of him, he's worked so hard and has been a humbling experience for us. One of many lessons taught was to finish school as soon as you can but at the same time we have no regret whatsoever about serving missions, getting married, having kids. You can have it all, we know it, it will only take a bit longer. All great things, dreams, require sacrifice. Going back to school was, to give us more security for our future. Now we are searching for work. Its coming, I know it!

There is more exciting news. Levi is fully potty trained. Everybody shout Hooray ! 
Our little big boy is wearing boxers, riding his bike, typing and writing his name, using funny expressions like ; "That's impossible!", "Awkward", he is fascinated by the solar system and much more.

Rocket launcher, best 8$ toy, thanks Grampa

Levi took this picture. Incredible

Eating "Worms in dirt"

Cole men

 Amaya is so adorable. Levi's sidekick, so cute. She has been going to the toilet 3 times so far, is it possible she can be potty trained by 18 months??? Please , please let it be. She loves coloring, pretend talking on the phone, singing, trying to put on her socks and shoes, knows her body parts, has been walking since she was 15 months, understands me when I talk to her in Spanish, loves books, makes bubbles in the tub, etc..  I've been loving dressing her up in her dresses, specially the ones from Guatemala that Nana brought her. Levi said the other day : "My baby is a princess". She loves to race with Levi, she doesn't care if she loses. Levi does give her a head start and sometimes lets her win. He is kind and loving, they both are. If you pretend crying, Amaya will come and hug you, Levi will probably say : "What happened to you?" and hug you.
I've been trying for a long time to put hair bands, barrettes in her hair but no, she will have none of it. I found that giving her some pig tails works. I do have to warn people not to say the word "HAIR" or else she touches her hair and they are gone.

Last month, we had a great visit from my family. It was so much fun for so little of time. We went on nice walks, ate lots of great food and 3 hours at the emergency room because of my mom's foot. The kids love their Nana, Tata, Nene, and Maya. Levi and Amaya were all ready to go back home with them. Tempting! NAH! I  would miss them too much after two hours.

Amaya family

Ready to go

Nana and Tata

Friends forever

Hanging out with the kiddies

Mami! -no- GrammA!

Girl talk

Spring is here!

 

Never cold enough to have a slurpy!

Spring is here! The weather has been great and awful. Great to the point that wearing a sweater would be fine and awful to the point that you should wear all your winter gear, snowsuit included. I prepared for our trip to Port Stanley. Going on the train for the second time, is what Levi has been looking forward since Christmas. We geared up for the Easter Egg Hunt, as you see even Grandpa Cole had his Tuque. This year Gramma thought of bringing chocolate eggs for Levi to find. Last year he didn't find any, being small he has no chance to outrun the big kids. Thanks Gramma!!! It was funny to see, we enjoyed it all. We loved being with the family.
 During Easter weekend, we saw  Grammy Cole, Carolyn,baby Abby and Christy. Amaya just loves her baby cousin and all babies for that matter. She kept on wanting to tickle her. Amaya was giggling ,smiling and talking (babbling) to her cousin. So sweet!

Amaya has been standing on her own, made her first steps today. She should be walking by the end of this month. She is also getting into everything. Snicky little girl. The toilet paper rolls are now out of her reach. She knows about 30 words.

Levi has been riding his bike. Has had already his first fall, while I was at work, not impressed. Its been hard for him not to touch his scab but he loves his bike. The kids are doing well, we are going outside more often.
Last night, Levi had a nightmare. Apparently people took his winter coat away. We tried to tried to explain that it was a dream, like a movie in your head while you sleep. Its all pretend, not real. He was inconsolable. I didn't know which coat at first , so I brought him his spring coat. He didn't like that one. Ben finally showed him his winter coat. He was happy, he understood and took his winter coat to bed with him. Oh dear! I once heard that the best teachers are the ones that can explain any complex subject to a little child and the child been able to understand.  

The boys had their long overdue haircuts. Ben is now at the end of his undergraduate degree. He says his brain is fried. He just needs to hold on until the end of this month. We need your prayers.
As for me, I'm still working and taking care of the kids, we have fun together and looking forward to nicer weather.
 
Got to love the last picture of Levi beautifying Amaya. I have to go, the kids are hyper ,and Ben and I are tired. Buenas noches!!!

On the go!

  Last month we were really sick with the flu, the sickness lasted about 3 weeks. We had all the symptoms. We kept away from family, friends and didn't bother going out. We tried to do as many activities as possible. Two toddlers with a cold are not as energetic but still can get you tired. We made an obstacle course made of toilet paper, played inside Boccie Ball and Hopscotch, colored, made towers of blocks, played with the Hotwheels and tracks, played trains, read books, played basketball, light-saber battles, hide and seek and watched movies. Because of us four being sick, after 3 weeks of Abigail's birth, Christy and Dustin's new baby girl, we finally met her and at the same time had a nice visit with Allie and Tayson. We had such a nice time, the kind we wish we could have more often. Ideally, it would be nice if our kids all grew up together, and I also mean little William and Ainsley.  Now that we have kids, I want to be close to family more now than ever.

 A few days later , I took the kids to Ottawa to see my family. We made it in less than 7 hours. We went for walks with Nana, Tata, Nene and Maya. Went to the Children's Museum, Levi just loved. He would have stayed there all day but could only stand to be there for 3 hours and he felt the same way when we went to the swimming pool at the Sports Centre near my parents home. Amaya and Levi are fish. The trip was short, we headed back early because I had to work. When we were getting ready to leave my parents had already gone to work. He asked " Where is Nana and Tata?" - At work honey. -"I hate that word" (with a frown). We said our goodbyes and left home. We managed to get home in 5 and a half hour. Impressive? I was not speeding and only stopped once. The road conditions were great, no traffic in Toronto (that's a miracle).
  

 Reptile Exhibition: We went with our friends Virginia, Landon and baby cutie Greyson. It was packed with kids. We saw all kinds or slippery and furry creatures. The kids got to see and touch an alligator, Giant tortus and a Lynx.  It was amazing to see but I was a bit on the edge when we saw the alligator, mother's protective instinct.

 Sugar Bush: One of the coldest days of the month. We enjoyed it by going on a tractor ride, learning and watching how they made Maple Syrup in the olden days and also modern day. We were spoiled with brunch too and had wonderful company.

 We've been also busy with going to the library, visiting Grammy, made our first painting together (pictures to come of the final project) and making Easter decorations.

Little Amaya is Amaing, she has been speaking more lately. She can clearly tell you when she is hungry for crackers, juice, wants to read books, wants you to pick her up, wants breastmilk, tells you when she is ALL done. She gives kisses, hugs, high fives and so much more. And did I mention Levi is saving for his mission, too cute.

 February was fun! It was Levi's birthday. We had a Star Wars' theme party. Jedi costumes for the boys (Levi,Landon,Noah and Dallyn), Light sabers , Star wars labels for the food (ei: chocolate chewies, Princess Leia cinnamon buns, Bobba Fett fruits, Vader veggies, Jedi Juice, Skywalker sandwiches. Every boy received a treat bag and Ben had made a Jedi Training Camp for them; going through a tunnel, had them use their light sabers and hit hanging balloons, throw balls at storm troopers and a cardboard thing I made to go behind and pretend to be Yoda, Luke, Chubbaca, Han Solo.The kids had a blast and so did we.

Story time with Grammy

This month, I've tried to attempt making another dress. I made a pattern by looking at a dress we sold at my work. I took notes made some drawings and came up with this little blue and pink dress for Amaya. The fabric is different and so is the flower. Doesn't she look great!

"Levi the Romeo".
Two Sundays ago, I had in my Sunbeams class ;Kali and Levi. There was free play time, a snack, a lesson and more free play. During this time, Levi turned to Kali, was less than a foot away and said while making sure she was looking at him "I love you.". I was shocked .Kali didn't seem to mind but did not reply. Her family must tell her that so many times, that hearing it from Levi didn't phase her. Oh well!.  Before the end of class , Levi again pronounced his love for her and gave her a hug. Kali still didn't reciprocate his affection.
At night time Ben was asking Levi about a Kali, the little girl he had met at church. "Do you think she's pretty?" Levi said " I think mommy is pretty!"
I'm glad to know that he thinks so.

 Levi has had many opportunities to share and to be kind at playground, mommy and babes playdates, library,church. He now says he has a baby, that he loves her and that she is beautiful. They play together HotWheels and both make car sounds.I love them, my boy and my girl. Amaya went from scooting to a half crawl to now full crawl. She stands on her own, will walk along furniture and holding her by the hand, climb, sing/hum the Star Wars songs, sing-along to Twinkle Twinkle little Star, Popcorn Popping, Wheels on the bus and make gestures to the songs. She can say : amen, juice, no, all done, mama, daddy, levi, mas, agua, jugo, i love you, tata, nene, book,up... 
The weather has been pretty crazy in London but we have tried to enjoy it. Here are some pictures of our Sunday walk with Mom and Dad and the kids. We did let Amaya go down the hill by herself, we were a bit scared, she didn't tip over and was fine.