Saturday, January 31, 2009

Kenya chasing a laser,...

Here is little 30 second clip that gave me a good laugh,...
probably because I used to do this to my cat:




Enjoy :)
jason d.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Please Pray for Anna and Emma (conjoined twins)

Please be praying for the Wright family. Brandt and Paige found out when she was 18 weeks pregnant that they were having conjoined twins. She had three sonograms before this and had no clue that they were having conjoined twins.

Paige and I have been talking through emails, she is such a sweet person and loves the Lord. I copied this off of their cares page so you can know a little more about their girls:

MRI of Anna on the left and Emma is on the right about to suck her thumb.

"On Tuesday of this week, Paige and I went to visit her obstetrician in hopes of discovering the sex of the baby that we are scheduled to have on May 2. With Paige being almost 18 weeks into the pregnancy and having had three prior ultrasounds, we were shocked to discover that we are pregnant with conjoined twins. Not knowing anything about conjoined twins, we walked away from that visit understanding that there is basically one body in Paige’s womb with two heads.

The next day we had a level two ultrasound at Children’s Medical Center to learn more about the state of the pregnancy. It was amazing to see clearly that there are actually two conjoined, identical baby girls in Paige’s womb. The babies are connected from the shoulders to the hips. There are two perfectly formed heads sitting atop a fused torso. Within the fused torso, there are two spines, two hearts, two sets of lungs, more than two kidneys, one bladder, one liver, and one gastrointestinal track. The babies share two arms, one pelvis, two legs, one set of genitalia, and one rectum.

The survival rate for conjoined twins is extremely low. Fifty percent of all conjoined twins are stillborn, and the overall survival rate of conjoined twins is less than 25 percent. Given that our babies’ hearts are actually fused together, that one heart shows signs of significant malformation, and that separating the twins is not a possibility, the projected survival rate for our babies is even lower."


The doctors are saying that their girls are not going to make it. Please please be praying for Paige, Brandt and their four year old daughter Sophie. Please be praying for Anna and Emma and whatever the Lords will is for their life.

You can go to their cares page to learn more about the girls. They also have some sonogram pictures up there.

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/AnnaandEmma


You do have to register first I think all you have to put in it is your name, email address and a password. I promise it is worth the extra minute. Their care page name is AnnaandEmm.

Please take some time to pray for this family and offer them some encouragement.

Paige and Brandt we are praying for you guys. To God be the Glory!

Love,

The Delgados

Friday, January 23, 2009

Flash Back Friday - Kenya 6 months old

Well I forgot about Flash Back Friday last week sorry about that.
Here we are again this time we are going back to April of 2007 (i think) Kenya was 6 months old. She was already sitting up really good on her own.

She had NO hair until she was about a year old.
Look at those cheeks.
She was such an easy baby she would just fall asleep if she was tired no matter where she was.
She started getting up on her hands and knees at 6 months old
and was crawling by 7 months old.


I hope you enjoyed our flash back.

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Last Saturday we went to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
(minus the rodeo part it was sold out)
Jason kept referring to it as Disney Land for Cowboys.
We went with our buddies Curt, Mandy, Jay, Shannon and their kids.
It was Shannon's birthday so all the more reason to celebrate.
Happy Birthday Shannon we love you!


Kenya loved looking at all the different animals.
Here is Rusty the Longhorn.

Kenya loved the baby goat (I guess the proper word is kid).
Kenya loved the kid.

Look how cute Jadyn is on that horse.

And Andrew, the littlest cowboy, won the heart of every cowgirl that walked by.

We looked all day for the petting Zoo. We finally found it and it was a huge success. Kenya liked feeding the animals and wasn't afraid at all. Just so you all know I was never going to be one of those parents that had their kids on a leash. I thought it was mean and people should just have more control of their kids. Well that was before I had kids (you know when I was the perfect parent and had all the answers). I love using her monkey backpack (that's what she calls it). I know no matter where we are an no matter how many people are there I know that she is right there with me.

Andrew and Curt got in on the petting zoo action as well.
I was a little afraid of these ducks but not Kenya.

Kenya talked about riding horses all day. And we finally found the pony rides. She had so much fun and talked about it for the next few days.

This is pure country! That tire is bigger than me! Kenya is asleep in the Ergo Carrier if you don't have one GET ONE!
The perfect end to a day at the Stock Show FRIED FOOD!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Kenya sings her "Daddy" song



Kenya loves singing to her Daddy!
This is one of her favorite songs to sings to him. It goes like this:
"I love my Daddy, I love my Daddy..."
It is so cute!
Sorry it's so loud in the back ground, we were at the Forth Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
I will post more on that tomorrow.
Enjoy the song.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Presidential Election Reflections: (God's Sovereignty over the Presidential Election)

I have read some good prayers today from Al Mohler and from The Blazing Center blog.

I posted this on election day, but thought it still had relevance with Obama's inauguration going on today. I think it is a good reminder for us all,... so here it is again:



_________________________________________




Post-Election 11/05 Update: If you don't want to read my long post below, I think Justin Taylor summed up what I was getting at very good and pithy:

"No matter who you voted for--or whether you voted at all--it's important to remember that, as President, Barack Obama will have God-given authority to govern us, and that we should view him as a servant of God (Rom. 13:1, 4) to whom we should be subject (Rom. 13:1, 5; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).

  • We are to pray for Barack Obama (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
  • We are to thank God for Barack Obama (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
  • We are to respect Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7).
  • We are to honor Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7; 1 Pet. 2:17)."


_________________________________________



My original Pre-Election 11/04 post:



I pray that you would rest in God,...

Specifically in His ownership and rule of the earth:

For God is the King of all the earth;
sing praises with a psalm!
God reigns over the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.
- Psalm 47:7-8

...the world and its fullness are mine.
- Psalm 50:12

For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,
a great king over all the earth.
- Psalm 47:2



He is in charge of the rulers of the world and governments and presidents:

...Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings...
- Daniel 2:20-21

...the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will
- Daniel 4:17

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
- Romans 13:1-2

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will.
- Proverbs 21:1



No matter who is elected His plans and sovereign rule will NOT be frustrated:

Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.
- Psalm 112:2-3

For I know that the Lord is great,
and that our Lord is above all gods.
Whatever the Lord pleases, he does,
in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and all deeps.
- Psalm 135:5-6

The Lord of hosts has sworn:
“As I have planned,
so shall it be,
and as I have purposed,
so shall it stand,
- Isaiah 14:24

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
- Psalm 33:10-11

...he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”
- Daniel 4:25

...I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
- Isaiah 46:9-10

Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
- Proverbs 19:21

The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
- Proverbs 16:9

The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.
- Proverbs 16:33



What should a non-Christian's response be to God's sovereign rule? I think Paul says it best:

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
- Acts 17:24-31



and a Christian's response:

The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.
- Psalm 33:16-19

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,...
- 1 Timothy 2:1-3



If by providence our new president or any earthly ruler is reading this, here is something extra for you:

Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”

I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
- Psalm 2



"We don't have to despair or be driven into fearmongering or slander. No matter who wins, let's avoid despair. Let's avoid letting this consume us. Let's not sink to bitterness or slander.

Our citizenship is in Heaven. Our hope is not in one who will promise change (in whatever party/ideology), but in the One who never changes. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is still in control! Our salvation does not lie in human governments. Our hope is not in a candidate. True change does not come with a new administration. Let us hope in Christ!"

- last quote from http://makinghome.blogspot.com/2008/11/freedom-in-gods-sovereignty.html

Feel free to leave your election advice in the comments.

Soli Deo Gloria,

jason d.

p.s. to end with some truth and humor, always remember we will never find a Savior on Capitol Hill:






Sunday, January 11, 2009

Happy 2 Month Old Birthday Melody and Madison

Well, today Melody and Madison would have been two months old (can you believe that)! It seemed like just yesterday I was in the hospital saying hello and goodbye to them. I'm not sure where this post is going but I'm just going to write from my heart and we'll see what happens.


It is only after Melody and Madison's death that I truly realized what a miracle life is. I have been on countless blogs of people who have lost their babies, it happens all the time. For a baby to make it to full term be healthy and nothing go wrong during or right after birth... I'm telling you it's a MIRACLE. I don't say that to scare you because God is sovereign and in control and worry will not do anything about it anyway. Just trust Him and know that God's ways are far better than ours! I was saying all that to say that life is a gift from God. Who can right now keep their own heart beating or create their next breath? No one can! If that doesn't prove that there has to be a creator holding it all together I don't know what does.

God alone is the creator, giver and taker of life (Psalm 139:13-16; Job 12:10) and it breaks my heart when I read on countless blogs how many times a doctors tell women to abort her pregnancy because their baby wont make it or has special needs. Are you kidding me!? God is the only one that knew if Melody and Madison were going to be born alive. And they were born alive and breathing. God is the one who allowed them to die. We did not take our babies lives! Even if our babies had been still born I would not have regretted the decision we made to give our babies a chance at life.

If you are reading this and you are a doctor please know that every woman is well aware of the fact that she can end her pregnancy but once you say that to a woman it bears so much weight with them. Instead of telling her to abort the baby why don't you refer her to String of Pearls a ministry that helps families who's babies may not make it.

If you are considering aborting your baby because something may be wrong with your child and you would rather end the babies life now before you bond with the baby please let me tell you that is the worst thing you could do. You are still going to mourn the loss of your baby, but on top of that you will be mourning the fact that you killed your baby. And that is something that you will live with for the rest of your life.

Please if you are considering abortion email me vkdelgado@hotmail.com so I can encourage you and cry with you. I would love to walk the road of a very difficult pregnancy with you. Please believe me when I say it was not easy to carry babies knowing that they most likely will not make it. There were days when I was in so much pain from all the extra amniotic fluid that I could barely walk and I would almost cry every night at the thought of going to bed because I knew it would be so painful to turn over at night. I couldn't hold my daughter, cook my family dinner or clean my house. It was a long and hard 13 weeks (13 weeks from the time we found out that they were conjoined) and there were times I would just think "I'm doing this for nothing... our babies are going to die." But let me tell you it was for a purpose.

Also, I really did enjoy my pregnancy. I know it's hard to believe that I could enjoy it with everything that was going on. But I loved feeling our babies move and telling people how far along I was, I loved it when my family and friends would put their hand on my belly and feel the babies move. You see, it was hard and I was in pain but there was life growing inside of me. Two lives that God created and chose to give to us because He knew we would love them just the way He created them. I'm so thankful that God heard my hearts cry and gave us twins. It may not have been what I expected but He answered my prayer and used our babies lives for His Glory.

The Lord did such amazing things through Melody and Madison's short lives. I want to share a story with you all that happened the day we were leaving the hospital.

It was November 15th and it was time to go home. As I watched Jason pack up all of our things I couldn't help but think, "We and not going home with every thing that we came here with." We were leaving behind the two most important things that we brought, our babies. I was on the verge of having a break down, I knew that as soon as we left the hospital everything was going to be different. I was fully prepared to have a very emotional departure from the hospital. I hate crying in front of anyone besides Jason and Destinee. I knew that very soon someone would be coming with a wheel chair to get me and all of our bags and flowers. I was prepared to cry my eyes out and have a moment that was all about me and how I was feeling at the time.

Finally the guy came with a wheel chair but not the right kind. He came with a regular wheel chair (not the huge one with all the room for all the bags and flowers that people bring you). I couldn't believe it! He said something like, "Oh sorry, they didn't have anymore of the other wheel chairs... let me go see if I can find one." I remember thinking to myself after he left. I can not believe him. Just because our babies died doesn't mean that people didn't bring us flowers. I was really having a very selfish and self consumed moment. I remember thinking, "Oh great! This is who is going to wheel us out... I'm not even going to be able to have this moment." And I so wanted this moment of just crying my eyes out as we left because here is this young guy trying to be funny with us. I was so mad and I wasn't sure why. I even remember talking to the Lord and saying, "...and I'm not going to witness to Him either." Can you believe that!?...

So he came back with the right wheel chair this time and was kinda joking around with us. He was a really sweet guy. So he wheeled me outside and we were waiting for Jason to go and get the car. Then he said to me, "Y'all are like a really young and hip couple, y'all are like only the 2nd young couple that I have ever taken care of and the other couple said they were part of the church." I thought to my self, "You have got to be kidding me! I just want to think about myself right now and not witness to this guy." (How sad is that!!!!)

Then it hit me this whole time Jason and I have said our greatest prayer was that God would be glorified through this no matter what happened to our babies. And here I was trying to make this about me when it wasn't about me it was about what God wanted to do through our babies lives.

So then I asked him the question, "What do you think is going to happen to you after you die?" He was kinda taken back by the question and said, "I think I will go to heaven." Then I asked him, "Why?" He said because he had done a lot of good things. He worked at the hospital and tried to help people when ever he could. So I asked, "Do you think the good out weighs the bad?" He said, "Yes." So then I told him our righteousness is as filthy rags to the Lord (Isaiah 64:6). The Bible also says that it's appointed to every person once to die and then judgment (Hebrews 9:27). So that would be like you taking all you good deeds before the Lord and saying here you go Lord look what I have done for you. He looks at your righteousness as filthy rags (meaning a dirty, bloody, nasty menstrual pad). There is no way that you could ever be good enough to get into Heaven. The Bible say's that there was none good but one and that was God (Matthew 19:17). The Bible also says that if we have broken one of the commandments that we have broken them all (James 2:10). So if you have ever lied then you are guilty of that and breaking the rest of the law (thievery, murder, ect...). The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). I asked him, "Do you know what God did so that we wouldn't have to go to hell, so that we could be saved?" He said, "He sent his Son." I said, "Yes, Jesus died on the cross (taking our place) and God poured out His wrath on Jesus (the wrath that our sins deserved) for all those who would repent (acknowledge, apologize, and turn from our sins) and put our trust (have faith) in Jesus for our salvation." I also said, "I know your young, so are we, but our babies just died a few days ago, they only lived for an hour." I told him, "You don't know when you will take your last breath, so please consider these things." Then Jason pulled up right after that.

I left the hospital knowing that this wasn't about us. This was about what God wanted to do through our babies lives to bring Him glory. I'm so blessed that God chose to give us Melody and Madison. Was it hard? Yes! But I wouldn't trade it for the world!

So that brings me to my next idea. We have already received emails and phone calls and talked in person to many who have shared amazing stories of how the Lord has used Melody and Madison's lives to bring Him so much glory. But we would like to hear from you too. If the Lord used the lives of our babies to touch your life, even it it was just that you were more grateful for your kids, please leave a comment or if you would like to send us an email that would be great also (vkdelgado@hotmail.com). We would love to hear all of your stories and in return all of you reading all of the comments I believe will bring so much glory to the Lord to see what He did through giving us conjoined twin baby girls who lived in my womb for 32 weeks and on this earth for an hour who will forever be safe in the presence of Almighty, Most Holy God.

Thanks,
Vanessa D

Who can guess??? It's Kenya!

Who can guess what this is a picture of???



-------------------------------
UPDATE:

Well I'm not as clever as I thought, hahaha, most of you were right. That was a picture of Kenya's head full of bows. She ran into the living room with all of her bows and wanted me to put them on her. She left them on for hours and every time one would fall off she would bring it back and say, "Mommy, fix it please."

Next time I do a, "What is this a picture of" blog I'm going to have to be a bit more tricky... But until then here are a few more pictures for you to enjoy.

I want you to all remember that this was Kenya's idea to put all the bows on her head. She was having so much fun until I pulled out the camera. She did not want me taking her picture, and nearly gave me a death stare.
Yep still didn't want any pictures taken.
Oh look now she is having fun...

Friday, January 9, 2009

Flash Back Friday - October 2006

Hello all it's time once again for flash back Friday.
Today's journey takes up back to October 16, 2006 When Kenya Grace Delgado was born...

This is Kenya just seconds after birth. Look at that cone head :)
I love this picture too, it's just so sweet.
Our first family picture with all four of us.
Destinee was only 12, she has grown up so much over the past three years.
Kenya was only two days old here.
She weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces at birth and yes, I pushed her out...
I hope you all enjoyed our trip back a few years. Feel free to do your own Flash Back Friday but let me know if you do so I can check it out. If I stole the "Flash Back Friday" idea from your blog I'm very sorry but I don't remember seeing it anywhere else. Have a great weekend and be sure to hug the ones you love.

Vanessa D

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Tiny Treasures Learning Center - My in home daycare

Hello again blogging world. Sorry it's been so long since my last post things have gotten very busy.

As most of you know I have an in home daycare. After we found out that there was a possibility of me miscarry the babies Jason and I decided that I wouldn't work any more. We wanted to give the babies the best chance we could and we know that me working full time was not an option at that point. So I was on bed rest for about 13 weeks including the time I was resting after Melody and Madison were born. I wasn't sure if I was going to reopen the daycare because we didn't know if the girls would make it or not and we didn't know how I would feel afterward. After thinking about it for awhile I decided that I did want to watch kids again.

I have always LOVED watching kids and I really missed it. So three weeks ago I reopened my in home daycare. This week was my first full week though. I have really enjoyed having a lot of kids in our home again.

Kenya had a hard time at first but is doing much better now. She did not like sharing her toys or her Mom but she is a fast learner and is adjusting well. She loves having a friend close to her age and two babies to help with.

Below is Gabye, she is four. Gabye and Kenya love getting dressed up and having tea parties. Gabye picked out a bow for Kenya and three for herself it was so cute. She is really sweet and
easy going.

Gabye and Kenya are so silly and have so much fun together.


This is Levi, he is almost three months old. Today was his first day and he did great! Kenya loves to give him his bottles and she likes to tell me, "Mommy, he needs his passie." It's so cute she loves to help with both of the babies.

Levi is also a very good sleeper which is so nice.

So this is my life now Monday through Friday: four kids, age four and under. They are not all full time but it's still great practice since Jason and I want a big family. I love taking care of them all and I'm so thankful to be able to watch them! I pray yall have a great day.

Love,
Vanessa D

Friday, January 2, 2009

Flash Back Friday - Dee & Kenya (Dec 06)

This is Kenya and Destinee, December of 2006.
Destinee just turned 13 and Kenya was 2 months old.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Coming soon...

I'm not feeling very motivated to blog but I wanted to let yall know that as soon as I feel like it I will post about Kenya's Birthday, Melody and Madison's funeral, Christmas, special gifts we got for Christmas, what the Lord taught me the other day and New Year's.

See all the things you have to look forward to... We got all the pictures from Margaret and they are AMAZING!

Here are a few to tie you over until I do a real post...

Kenya loving on her sisters:

Melody Joy:

Madison Hope:

I love those sweet baby hands!

I love the Lord and I am so thankful that he chose to give us these babies.
His ways are far better than ours.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.