The Arrival of Landon Jose

Our sweet boy, Landon Jose Nunez, arrived 9/17/16 at 3:02am at 9 lbs, 4 oz, 22.25 in. 

We have SO many reasons to be thankful! A quick, uncomplicated labor and delivery. A healthy boy - the doctor even commented on his umbilical chord! She exclaimed something along the lines of, "Whoa, look at the size of this chord! This is one healthy baby!" To us that was a sign of God's tremendous intervention...I mean come on! This doctor sees umbilical chords all the time! 

We had been praying he would come on the weekend so Luis could stay with me at the hospital and he did! I also asked the Lord the my labor be no longer than 5 hours (Ellie's was 26 hours!) The uncomfortable and painful contractions for Landon were from 10pm-3am. Exactly 5 hours. But they were SO MUCH MORE BEARABLE than Ellie's contractions, which were all in my back.

Another reason to be thankful was for my family! Landon arrived on the same day that two of my sisters (Hailey and Sharon) were on their way from Dallas for the week. As soon as I got home from the hospital they came over every morning to clean and make me breakfast and then my mom came with lunch everyday! Sharon also pampered me with a facial and styled my hair. Our church also set up a meal plan for dinners which is still going on in Landon's 3rd week. 

Ellie had a blast staying at Gaggy and Pappy's house the two nights we were in the hospital and it was wonderful she could be with her cousins! She has been so excited to receive her little brother into our home and has fully embraced him and looks for every opportunity to hold him and kiss him. It cracks me up because when she is done holding him she will say, "Ok go back to your mommy." 

Also, my other sister Cate came for a whirlwind visit to meet Landon over the weekend! We had a wonderful visit with her and Sohee and her friend, Dana. 

Another tremendous praise is that my mother in law was approved for a tourist visa the same week! So she will also be coming to meet Landon very soon. 

Our hearts are very full of awe and gratitude right now and we are so thankful for such a smooth transition from 3 to 4. Landon is such a good baby and has been very laid back (Or maybe I am just more laid back?) We are also thankful for such a quick recovery for me. 

Praise the Lord, O my soul! All my inmost being praise His holy name!

 

Seven Year Anniversary Celebration

This year marks 7 years of marriage for us, after having waited 7 years to get married! We struggled so much is those seven years prior to marriage and had so many ups and downs! I remember blowing a huge sigh of relief after we were married, because we were finally at a place of freedom to learn on our own. That doesn't mean everything has been easy! Each year has had its own set of struggles and challenges, but I truly believe each year has been sweeter and better. It's so nice to look back and see that what we struggled with 14 years ago is no longer an issue. Even things we struggled with a year ago are no longer issues! 

Luis and I come from very different backgrounds, and it really is a miracle to us tha we even ended up getting married. It's a miracle and a gift that God has blessed us with so much unity - something that was not natural but that we asked Him for over and over. I've really learned that our cultural differences have not been the biggest the thing to overcome. Having grown up a half mile down the road from him, I immersed myself completely in the culture and adopted it as my own. He also has embraced many good things of my culture having lived close to my family and now having lived in the U.S. for the past 4 years. We decided a long time ago to embrace the good in our cultures and reject the bad. And most importantly we've come to realize that our identity is rooted in Christ - not in our nationality. 

I think the biggest thing to overcome has been our pride and self-centeredness! It manifests itself differently in each of us, but that is what it comes down to. The more I humble myself and submit to him as the leader of our home, the more I give up my rights and desires and allow things to become US instead of ME - the better things are for us. It is the same with him. And I have really seen him laying down his life for me and putting me first over and over. 

I am so grateful for how far God has brought us! As we continue to learn how to walk in Christ-centeredness in our marriage, He will be faithful to show us the way. 

Below are a few pics from a little family vacation we took over our anniversary. we had a blast visiting Malabar Farm, Kingwood Botanical Center, a carousel downtown, Der Dutchman's restaurant, dining in a train car, Grandpa's Cheese Barn and staying at a hotel with its own splash harbor.

4th of July

This 4th of July found us at the wild animal park. It was bittersweet for me because the last time we had been there was with my Grampy dear! This year Ellie was old enough to enjoy the animals even more. Her favorite part was the aviary - but she didn't really care to feed the goats or the other animals! And she did not want to ride a camel with me this year! 

I was most fascinated by the peacock, the zebras and the giraffe. God's creation is truly magnificent and looking at the animals never gets old for me!