Raising a Boy.

First-- I am incredibly blessed to have a little boy, and he's everything I hope and prayed for.
Now.

Raising a boy.

When I found out I was pregnant I 'knew' I was having a girl. So much so that I put money on it! I was SURE that I was having a girl. I always wanted to have a boy first so that all of my children would have that older brother to look up to, to guide and protect them etc. But I just had this feeling...

So when we found out we were having a boy I was....THRILLED!

At the time I was a Nanny of 2 little boys so I thought I could handle it..I was prepared.

But, low and behold my child is the average boy I wasn't quite expecting. Though he takes after me in his taste of music, dance style and wild hair...there are some things in his personality I am a little shocked by.

For example his LOVE of sports (what?!) where did that come from? He can throw a ball and hit his target PERFECTLY from 15-20 feet away. (he's 2)
Left handed and right handed, he's a diamond in the ruff.
Now, I know nothing about sports so as soon as he hits the age to put him in soccer, tball or basketball I'll be learning right along side him. I honestly don't know the difference from a touch down, home run or whatever you get in basketball.

He is also extremely interested in lizards, frogs, snakes and the likes. I'm sure you all think this is completely normal for a little boy (which it is) it's just catching me off guard.
He LOVES animals which I am proud of, I've always loved the zoo too but he takes it to another level. I took him to the zoo last week and he's been talking about it non-stop. I mean he remembers the exact routes we took to see what animals (what!? who is this kid!?).

And don't get me started on the jumping, climbing you think he's about to break a leg jumping that high stuff he's into.  he jumps from couch to couch, off the beds, all while running and making sound effects with his mouth. (I love this kid!)

Another Julien trait....he hates mud. If it's raining outside he doesn't want to walk to the car because of the mud, and if I make him anyways because it's not muddy he has to check his shoes as soon as he gets in the car and wipe them off, (hah!) he gets that from his Auntie Xaundelle. 

Raising a boy is SO much fun! He is definitely not the boy I thought he would be but he is SO much more! I couldn't have imagined a better kid!

The Nelsons have big news...

We’re leaving Texas and moving to Park City Utah!

In 1994 we (Aguirre’s) were living in Burbank, CA. My Dad (Allan) was going on a 3 month tour and my siblings (Xaundelle and Corin), My Mom and I were going to stay in Waxahachie TX with my Grandparents during that time. Texas not being our favorite place we were hoping it was just temporary.

In early 1994 my Mom (Cristina) received a vision of a white structure. The Lord showed her this structure in both winter and summer and told her that this is where we would live. As my Dad traveled he kept an eye out for this place that she had described. He would call and describe a place that might’ve fit the description only to have her say it wasn’t it.

When my Dad came through Dallas to ‘pick us up’ he stayed a few days and the Lord asked him ‘Where are you going?” my dad said “back home”. The Lord said “you are home..” And proceeded to tell him how he was to build a life for himself in Dallas. After 5 hours of struggling with the Lord he submitted. 2 days later God also spoke to my Mom (Cristina) and convinced her of the same thing.

Around the same time our Pastors from California were Lenny and Linda Perata. They married my Parents and walked with them through some of the hardest times.  They also married Hunter and I in 2009! Around the time we decided to stay in Dallas they were moving to Park City Utah, where they had previously pastored a church.  We always had a desire to serve along side of them and they invited my Parents to visit in October of 1995.

As they turned off the main highway from Salt Lake City and started entering into Park City, My Mom (Cristina) shouted out, “There it is!” My Dad knew exactly what she was talking about and without looking out the window asked her, “Are you sure?” “Yes”, she said, “I’m absolutely sure”.
They pulled over and proceeded to look at it from every possible way. They asked Lenny “what is this place?’ Lenny told them this was a historical landmark that represented Park City, UT. They continued to tell him about the vision my Mom had in 1994.

As my Parents were leaving Park City Lenny gave them some of the best advice, He told them to ‘Live there.’ in Dallas and not to ‘live here’ emotionally or psychologically. If the Lord was in the vision and if He wanted us to live in Park City, He would see it through.

 Over the years us kids grew to know the desire my parents had for Utah, it was something we all would start to pray for. We would visit and continuously pray over the city for the right timing, we would see how the church would grow and shrink, increase and decrease, good times and bad.

We’ve led worship in the church, preached and ministered over the years. It has become a part of our family and ultimately our community.
In August 2012 my parents went on a 3-week speaking tour. Park City UT was their last stop. This visit seemed ‘different’ than so many of the ones before. They described this time as being ‘real’. As my Mom stepped out onto Park City soil she felt as if ‘it was time.’

 During their visit Lenny and Linda expressed their desire for our community to come and serve with them.
When my parents returned from their trip they shared with our community (bible study and Shabbat group) how their desire for Utah has grown even more, they shared all the things God spoke to them during that week, how they felt like now was the time, and asked us all to pray with them about timing for any if not all of us to go with them.

Over the next 3 months we were praying for this move, they weren’t just asking for direction for them as a couple (Allan and Cristina) but as a community, which would include Ian and Elysa Hellermann, Xaundelle and Corin, and Hunter, Julien and I.
During this time some of our community members felt a sudden desire to go to Utah. Jacob Dolph, Asa Low and Sarahjane Gribbin started to pray for direction for themselves as well.

Hunter and I spent many days praying and asking the Lord what his desire was for US as a little family. I personally have always seen myself there since this is something I’ve prayed about almost my whole life. Only one thing was keeping all of us from agreeing to go. Our local church we all felt called to and committed to.


In November our Church announced that they would be merging with another local church and would no longer be. Therefore if you felt called to that specific congregation that will be ‘no more’ than you were free to be released.
This was HUGE confirmation for our entire community. At this time Ian and Elysa Hellermann, Jacob Dolph, Asa Low, Sarahjane Gribbin, Hunter, Julien and I committed to go to Utah. This was the final confirmation we needed to make this decision!

My Parents met with our pastors on behalf of our community and we have been released with their blessing to move forward with this move.

We feel the prompting of the Lord to downsize our lives .We are going through each room of the house and deciding what we should sell, giveaway, take, or discard. My Parents didn’t have a car to get to Utah or that was even capable of driving in Utah and on Monday (December 10th) the perfect 4WD vehicle was GIVEN to them! Even MORE confirmation!

We are focusing all our efforts — spiritually, physically and monetarily — on relocating to Park City, UT.

My parents will be leaving for Park City UT, on December 23rd for a job interview my Mom has on December 27th.

Hunter and I currently don’t have a set time we will be leaving, but we all believe we should be there by March 2013.


Our Role:
Hunter and I have a passion for discipleship and for the youth of this generation, we hope to be able to serve the youth group, children’s ministry and the local youth in Park City Utah.

Thank you all for your prayers and support, we are hoping to make this an easy transition.
As you may know moving is not cheap especially to another state. If you feel ever so inclined to help us with our moving costs and would like to make a donation you may do so here.
 http://menastreeswalking.net/donate

Thank you!

-The Nelsons

Coping with my 2 year old...

My name is Saphraine Nelson and I have a 2 year old...

My 2 year old is the prize of my life, I honestly wouldn't be complete without him. I am one of those girls that has wanted children my entire life, I had names picked out for them since I can remember!

I have nannied for numerous families, worked in nurserys since I was like 6 years old..I have ALWAYS wanted children.

But no one prepares you for 2's. They tell you how terrible they are or how great it is because 3 is worst.

I hit rock bottom today.

We aren't 'scheduled' people, we don't have set bedtimes, naptimes, eating times, etc. but lately Julien has been watching 1 episode of super why, dinosaur train, or Sesame street every morning.

This particular morning I let him watch 2 episodes of Go Diego Go (big mistake). When TV time was over and we turned it off he had a complete meltdown.

Coping with my 2 year old..

We distracted him with Voyage of the Dawn Treader (book), that lasted 5 minutes, we tried to take him outside...impossible, we tried to play hide and seek..didn't work..

Coping with my 2 year old...

Finally Sabba to the rescue...
He is finally calm, cool and collected reading a David Bowie book aka looking at picture of David Bowie.

Disagree all you want but around here our kids listen, watch and love David Bowie!


Coping with my 2 year old....

48 hrs with no baby

This past weekend (10/12-14) Hunter and I went to West Texas (San Angelo) for a friend's wedding.
We have been planning this trip for some time and thought since it's right around our 3rd Wedding Anniversary we should go without Julien.

We didn't talk much about it after deciding and even RSVP'd for 2 adults.

The closer it got to the date the more it started weighing on me. This would be my first weekend without Julien, my first weekend without seeing his sweet face, feeding him, running after him, consoling him....what will I do!

Even though I am very attached to my Son I knew I shouldn't back down, I WILL go on this anniversary trip without him and I WILL enjoy my time with my Husband!!

We had planned to leave early Friday morning (the 12th) while Julien was still sleeping, I am not a fan of 'sneaking out' on your children because I think that can cause fear and anxiety. So I explained to him Thursday night that when he woke up Abba and Ima would be 'bye bye' for the weekend''. He burst into tears saying 'bye bye Ima!!' I then had to explain to him that it wasn't until tomorrow and I settled him down to go to sleep.

I woke up super early to drive my brother and sister to the airport, ran errands, came to the house to pick up hunter and low and behold the clutch was going out on his car (the car we were planning on taking).
So I tried to transfer all of our stuff from his car to my car, explain to my parents what was going on and get out of there all before Julien woke up because I knew...If I had to say goodbye to that sweet face I wouldn't have the willpower to leave him.

We made it out just in time!

The first 12 hours were fine, we were having a blast! But when it was time to go to sleep without kissing Julien goodnight and singing him to sleep I got a little sad.

But, no worries, it turned out to be a great weekend for us! We got to talk to Julien first thing Saturday morning and within that 24 hour separation he started to say "yes!" when answering questions (big step for a 2 yr old). We came back Sunday afternoon and he was safe and sound with Sabba and Kiki.

Overall a successful weekend!

Wonderful Two's

Before getting into the blog, I'll give you some back story.

I have loved kids since I was a little tot, I was the one with the baby dolls attached to me at all times, holding the babies in the nursery when I was 8-10 years old. My dream was to be a Mother.

I was a nanny all through my teenage years. 2 little girls 2-4 years old, 2 boys 3-5 years old and then again 2 boys 13mo and 2 yrs for about 9-10 months. I was pretty familiar with 2 yr olds to say the least. 

When I found out I was pregnant with Julien and got my mind wrapped around it. I was fully prepared to be a Mother. This is my dream come true, I can totally handle this! I had no doubt I could handle a newborn, a toddler, a child and a teenager.

I was clearly not prepared for THIS Two yr old.

He was on a rampage 'I am independent, I am my own person, and I'm here to show you.'

Being a nanny is so sugar-coated, yes you deal with tantrums, fighting the kid to listen to you even when the mom isn't around....
This is different, this kid is mine...all mine. He knows what buttons to press, what words to say, how exactly to get his way.

We have our good days and our bad days, He can be the sweetest, cuddliest, mama's boy one moment. And screaming, hitting and rampaging the next.
It's quite the adventure around here!

 I wouldn't change one thing about it! 

8 day count down.

My sweet, little baby boy is almost.....two.

I can feel the tears coming now.

I can't believe these years have gone by SO fast, where has it gone?!
He says a new word almost every day, he's brilliant. ;)

I see him now in a size 4t shirt (it looks like it fits perfectly..i think it's stretchy), How did he grow into that? Just yesterday he was swimming in newborn onesies.
Have I mentioned how much he LOVES playing with balls? Soccer balls, footballs, tennis balls, bouncy balls...he's obsessed.
He plays soccer all day with his Sabba and CoCo, how did he learn how to kick a ball? I didn't have an hour long session teaching him all these new things he knows. he's brilliant.

Have I mentioned he's a dancer? What a dancer!! it's like he's choreographed each dance to each particular song that happens to come on the radio, He knows when it's appropriate for a slow spin or a quick hop or two. He's brilliant.

We got him a Dog on Saturday, a Labradoodle (long story) but he immediately knew it was his Dog. He ran around calling her "My", He knows how to play tag with her, walk her on her leash ( with assistance) and feed her (also with assistance). He's brilliant!
We named her Daisy, she's going to be a great dog for him.

I have 8 days until this little smarty pants turns 2, and 5 days until his birthday party. I have a long list of things I need to accomplish by Sunday but I honestly want to spend all day holding him, watching sesame street and holding back tears thinking of his baby days. How much I'll miss this cuddling, how i've enjoyed so much watching a little piece of my heart grow up, but at the same time this gut wrenching sadness that it's all happened too fast and I'll never have these same days again.

I hear over and over how much I'll enjoy every stage of life, but I see my husband, my brother, my dad..they don't have these cuddly, gushy, lovey, needy, cute, squishy relationships with their moms (honestly that would be weird). But that mother heart inside me never wants to lose that relationship! I always want him to need me, cuddle me, love me, reach for me, call my name when he needs me, cry for me, all of those things that makes your heart melt.

This is apart of growing up.

No language can express the power, and beauty, and heroism, and majesty of a mother's love.  It shrinks not where man cowers, and grows stronger where man faints, and over wastes of worldly fortunes sends the radiance of its quenchless fidelity like a star.  ~Edwin Hubbell Chapin

Child Rearing..I. Am. Not. Perfect.

Disclaimer: I am in no means perfect, I do not think I am perfect nor do I think my ways are better then your ways. This is strictly my opinion and I understand some might disagree with me.

I am a strong believer in the scripture that says: "Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:5-7
I believe this verse is for the modern day christian. 


Every night as I lay Julien in his bed to go to sleep I pray over him for the desires of his heart, that the Lord will instill in him an obedient, gracious, loving, kind and patient heart. That he will grow to be a courageous, prophetic, worshiping, praying mighty man of God.
With this prayer I must endure the consequences, He. Is. Strong. Willed.
And with that I strongly believe in..this scripture: He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
Proverbs 13:23-25 :).

Take note: I do not beat my child. I discipline.

I believe in letting our children be creative, letting their active minds get to work. We let Julien bang on the drums, have loud toys, run, jump, climb, scream, laugh, play dangerously in kitchen (don't think into it), brush his own teeth, play with water, have tangled hair, wear cut up jeans...we let our child have freedom, as well as discipline. 

That is what I believe is lacking in the modern American home.

Our American culture gives children too much freedom, children are now able to choose their own Gender!? Read Here. 
We are allowing Gender Neutral bathrooms in our public schools?! Read Here
I agree with the Author of this Children Choose Gender article, an 18 month old does not know the difference between male and female yet, the parents have some serious directing to do. 

I was a Nanny the majority of my Teenage years, I have been in these homes I have seen the other side. This is why I have decided to raise my children the way that I am. I have heard the empty threats "Put that down or you'll get a spanking" 20 minutes later the child still hasn't obeyed and the parent has just left the room, time outs go from 2 minutes to 20 seconds.
The parents of America have become lazy and ignorant. 
When they are in public and their child starts raising hell at Denny's they act shocked like it never happens, unfortunately the child just doesn't know any better.
There is no discipline in these homes. 


A good friend of mine once told me 'there is no such thing as your child having a bad day, it is you that is having the bad day.' our children feed off of our attitudes, emotions, atmospheres.. 

Today Julien was cranky from not having a long enough nap before we made it to the restaurant for lunch (wouldn't you be cranky?), he did VERY well for his situation. He was very patient as we waited for the rest of our party and ate as many chips as he could until he got plain BORED. He lasted a good hour and half before it was just too much and we had to leave.
Unfortunately Julien never got to finish that nap, by the time it was 8pm and we were trying to watch a movie at my parents house he was ready to go home. I don't know how many times we had to pause the movie to hear it over his whiny 'i'm tired' cries, so it made me stressed...which made him stressed...which made everyone stressed...which made us go home early.
I have no one to blame but myself.


It is important to give your children artistic expression and freedom to become who God made them to be, but there is a reason you are an adult and God gave you that child, YOU are responsible for who that child becomes. You are the only one who can take credit for that amazing little person. People of America love your children!!  But please..don't forget to discipline them, there is a reason you are their parent.