He did it!

Today I am thankful for Ryan.  He made the WT football team and we are so proud of him!!!  Ryan had a great senior football season at Canyon High School last year.  He decided to walk on for Spring football at WT.  He prepared very well and worked very hard once he was given this chance.  And his hard work paid off!  This picture is from Ryan's high school football banquet last year.

Ryan has always been a very determined young man.  He has a great personality and is always respectful. He likes to have fun and amazes me with his responsibility.  He is a wonderful brother, treating all his siblings with so much love and respect.  He is always thinking about other people and their feelings, putting others before himself.  Ryan works hard in the classroom and made the Dean's List his first semester at WT.  He makes friends easily and is always loyal. 

Ryan's heart is golden. 

I feel honored to be Ryan's step-mom.  He has always been accepting of me and has made me feel like an important part of his life.  That is such a gift and blessing to me.  I pray I have been there as he has needed me and that I can play a constant role in his life in the future.

It's an amazing experience to see your child have a dream, work extremely hard, and achieve their goal. Thank you Lord for blessing Ryan with his abilities and his wonderful heart!

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

I'm thankful for a fairly productive Monday and Tuesday, considering I have a Spring Break hangover.  Not the alcohol kind people!

I'm thankful I get to see my best friend when she comes to town at the end of the week.  I'm excited to spend time with her and her kiddos!

I'm thankful my children continue to grow and remain healthy.  Praise God!

I'm thankful for my dad.  He's been on my mind a lot.  He would have been 60 this last week.  I'm thankful for the time I had with him on this earth but I ache when I think about what could have been... 

I'm thankful that I can "let go and let God".  What a comfort.  When I can't carry things, He can.  Actually, I probably carry way too much when I should let Him help more.  Even when I can't seem to express my feelings in prayer, He knows my heart and hears my thoughts, needs, fears, and emotions.  Wow!

I'm thankful for the wind.  Yes, I said it.  The wind is nothing compared to what people across the world are dealing with today. 

And I'm thankful for you!  I believe God led me to write this blog and I believe He speaks through His people.  Thank you for reading my thoughts today.  I feel honored that you are here.  God bless you and your family today!

Psalm 18:46
The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!  Exalted be God my Savior!

A wonderful week!

I am so thankful for this last week!  It was a perfect combination of family, friends, fun, and relaxation.  Did much get done around the house?  Nope!  And I'm perfectly fine with that.  Earlier in the week we celebrated Ray's birthday.  Then Monday we went to Taos with friends and had THE BEST TIME!  We drove home through Albuquerque on Thursday and took the kids to the zoo.  We haven't done much since we've been home.  But I'm thankful the house is clean, the laundry is done, and there are groceries in the kitchen.  We are prepared to tackle our routine again in the morning.  I am so thankful, as educators, that we get this week off to relax and spend time with our family and friends. 

Today was the perfect ending to this week.  Regan and I went to Hereford to go to church with my grandma.  There was a guest preacher and he did a great job!  He spoke about healing from God.  Before today's service, if you mentioned healing to me, I would automatically relate it to physical healing of an illness or injury.  Not anymore!  I now have such a broadened idea of God's healing power.  He can heal my mind, my tongue, my heart, my emotions, my financial situation, my family, my relationships, my attitude, etc.  He can make me whole again through His healing powers.  This was eye-opening to me and it gave me so much hope.  Maybe a new way to view things and a new way to pray...

I am thankful for the gorgeous weather today!  I am thankful my kids played outside all afternoon.  I am thankful I have a great job to return to tomorrow! 

Jeremiah 17:14
Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

My husband, my best friend

Today I am especially thankful for Ray.  He's my husband and my best friend.  Happy birthday babe!

I am so thankful the good Lord brought Ray and I together.  We dated for quite a while before we got married.  Our wedding week and day were so fun!  Tons of friends and family joined us at Lake Tahoe for the big day!  This summer we'll be married six years.

The day after our wedding, Lake Tahoe

We have two beautiful children together, Regan(almost 5) and Reece(2).  My life was greatly enhanced when I became a step-mom to Rays's older children, Christopher(23), Ryan(19), and Michellie(16).  My life is better because of these amazing kids.

Ray with our two youngest blessings

I am thankful that Ray has always supported me.  He wants me to be happy and successful in my career.  He wants me to spend time with my girlfriends.  He wants to help me be a better person on a daily basis.  He lets me be me. 

Ray stays extrememly busy with his job.  He has experienced much success, due to hard work and great athletes that bought into his philosophy.  I am so very proud of the way he changes lives and gives young people the opportunities to find success.  His job keeps him away from us more than I like sometimes.  But I know he is fullfilling part of God's purpose for his life.  I support him completely and I'm thankful God blessed him with his coaching abilities. 

Ray and Alyssa after she won TWO state championships in one day!

I pray God continues to bless our marriage.  I pray He continues to show us how to be the best parents for our children.  I pray He continues to bless Ray through his career and rewards him for his hard work.

Ray-  I love you more today than I ever have.  Thank you for this amazing life!  You are an amazing daddy.  You are a faithful friend to many in your life.  You are my hero and I can't wait to spend the rest of our days together.  Thank you for loving me.  I love you so much babe!

My prayer for you...
Psalm 20:4
May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose.

He's always there

It's been a super rough week around our house.  Reece has been sick and sleep has been nonexhistant.  Ray  and I have been very busy with work on separate evenings.  So there has been a lot of single parenting going on.  When Reece is awake he has been extremely fussy and clingy.  When Reece has slept, I've immediately gone to bed myself because I know it won't be long before we are up again.  Needless to say, I have neglected my blog!

Today I am exhausted and at my wits end.  It truly was all I could do to get myself ready this morning and go to work.  As I think back on this crazy week, I am thankful for all the times God spoke to me through other people.  Two precious friends emailed me this morning and touched my heart with their words.  My mom called last night just to tell me she was thinking about us and praying for us.  Friends at work have been super encouraging and understanding.  We've been able to laugh about the trials we've experienced this week.  I'm also thankful Regan has been such an easy child this week, considering how difficult her little brother has been!  And, of course, I'm thankful we now have a week off!  Woohoo!

In every circumstance, there is always something to be thankful for.  At one point this week, I was up for 25 hours straight with a sick child that would only allow mommy to touch him.  I was thankful God gave me the stamina and patience I needed to get through a extra long work day and then go home and be the mommy Reece needed and wanted throughout the evening and night.  There were times, during those long nights this week, that I heard God say, "Kate, it's going to be ok.  Keep up the good work.  Seek me in your times of weakness."  Isn't it amazing that He is ALWAYS there?  ALWAYS and FOREVER.  Praise be to God!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

All the little things

Today I am thankful for all the little things.  I'm thankful for the medicine that is working to control Reece's high fever. I'm thankful my mother-in-law takes such amazing care of Reece and helps with Regan when we need her.  I'm thankful I got to see Bill Nye the Science Guy tonight with my students and their teachers. I'm thankful my sweet husband is so understanding when I need to work late on a week night.  I'm thankful for my comfy sweats and tshirt after a long long long day that started at 3:45 this morning.  I'm thankful I have a bed to go to.  Nighty-night!

My mom

The kids, my grandma, and I went to my mom's in Roswell on Friday.  They don't have internet so I was away from the computer for a few days.  I was overwhelmed by what I was thankful for all weekend...

My mom is my hero.  I thank God for her daily.  I want to be her.  Her heart is golden and her faith is inspiring.  The love she has for her family is obvious in every moment of her day and in every decision that she makes.  Her strength through my childhood still amazes me, daily.  She is my best friend and my biggest supporter.  Mom is extremely talented in many ways.  She always has a smile on her face and a positive thing to say.

We NEVER argue.  We did enough of that through the horrible teenage years and that was completely my fault.  She has always trusted me to make my own decisions, knowing I would be blessed by them and/or I would learn a good lesson.  I respect that about her so much.  She was also so good at "letting go" when it was time.  But there was never a doubt she was always there. 

I clearly remember the moment the nurse handed Regan to me the night she was born.  For the first time, I looked at that precious miracle from God and the love of my mom consumed me.  Everything she had done for me and said to me over the years came flooding back.  The love I felt for this child was just a glimpse into what my mom felt for me.  Wow. 

I can call her anytime of the day or night and she's always there.  She gives me her opinion or advice, without any judgement.  She covers her family and loved ones in prayer daily, with so much commitment.  I admire and respect more about her than I can possibly express.  She is the best mom, Nana, wife, sister, daughter, mother-in-law, and step-mom we could ask for.

I am so thankful for the time I had with her this weekend.  I am so thankful my little ones got to spend so much quality time with their Nana.  I am thankful for the time she had with her mom this weekend.  I am thankful I will see her again soon and that she is such a HUGE part of my life, no matter the distance.  The sacrifices, the gestures of love, the prayers...  I can never thank her enough.  I pray my children will see me as I see her.

Proverbs 31:29 and 31
Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. 
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Our "Little Man"

Reece Patrick Baca turned two years old today!  Thank you Heavenly Father for this precious blessing. 

I smile every single time I think about Reece.  He can make us laugh one minute and then challenge our best parenting skills the next.  He is full of life and does everything TO THE EXTREME.  Before we had Reece, I remember looking at other children acting crazy and thinking, "somebody control that kid".  HA!  God is getting a good chuckle out of this deal.  Reece goes 100 mph all day long and when it's time for bed he simply wants to cuddle with mommy.

I'm honored to be Reece's mother.  I am thankful God trusted me enough to give him to us to raise.  I love his free spirit and his great big laugh.  I love his passion for life.  I love how subborn and hard-headed he is.  I love how much he loves his older brothers and sisters.  They are his heros.  I love how extremely excited he gets every single evening when his daddy walks through the door.  His kisses melt my heart and his future excites me.

I pray God will continue to guide me to be the mother Reece needs and deserves.  I am so thankful for Reece on his special day, and every day.

2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Only days old, March 2009

Reece's hilarious expression!

Sweet cake face



Our awesome "Little Man" on his 2nd birthday

My Team

Today I am very thankful for our amazing GEAR UP team.  I love these people like family.  We work extremely well together and are always productive.  Everyone contributes in their own unique way and the team chemistry is like nothing I've ever experienced.  These people are unselfish, smart, witty, and passionate.  Each person plays a different role and the puzzle fits together well.  The level of trust and respect amongst us is comforting. 

We always have a lot of FUN while getting the job done!  They are each close friends of mine and our time together is always a blast.

I thank God daily for bringing us all together.  We are blessed to work with a program that is changing lives.  These co-workers have changed my life and I love them very much.

Jodi, Laurie, Nikki, Kyla, Becky, Missy, Jamie, Will, and Brandi- God brought us together to impact our students' lives.  He also brought us together to bless each other's lives.  I love you more each day and I'm so thankful for your friendships.  I pray God continues to bless you daily.  I pray our friendships are for a lifetime...

Jeremiah 32:19
"great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds"

My tutors rule!

I am the site coordinator for the GEAR UP grant at Hereford High School.  We have seven amazing tutors who work with our students.  Today I am so thankful for these amazing ladies.  Their commitment to our students and the success of the grant is inspiring.  They work extremely hard, with so much passion, to help our students learn and find success at school.  Our GEAR UP kids are blessed to have these ladies working with them.

Working with these ladies is so fun!  We get along so well and they always brighten my day.  They are dear friends and I thank the good Lord daily for placing each of them in my life.  I'm thankful our students and teachers have this opportunity to work with such wonderful, caring women.

April, Karen, Linda, Olivia, Jackye, Darlene, and Faith- you are amazing and I appreciate you so much!  THANK YOU for all you do!  The work you are doing will change lives forever. 

2 Corinthians 5:5
Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.