Gerson & Betsy

April showers bring May flowers . . . or so the saying goes.


However, I don't believe THESE types of showers are to what that saying refers!


Yet, here in McAllen those are the types of showers we've had this spring! We've had two hail storms, and one was bad enough to do major damage. Just today a roofing company came by our house to see if we need a new roof. Thankfully, we are renting and all I had to say was, "Our landlord is taking care of it." But, many houses have thousands of dollars in damage ---- roofs, windows, cars, etc. It's really sad. I know of one family from our church who had to move out and rent a place until their house is repaired. There is so much damage throughout the city that it may not be repaired for months.

Don't worry, they mangaged to have a GREAT time as they worked!

Although the storms were a bit scary and we did have a day of work to clean up the mess, what we went through doesn't compare to what many other families are still dealing with. They are waiting on insurance companies, contractors, and paperwork to get their homes restored. Please lift these families up in prayer as they wait for life to return to normal again.

The boys continue to grow, grow, grow. They continue to delight, entertain, challenge, and surprise us! We are so blessed!
Uncle Pete came to visit us for New Year's. It was a joy to see him again. Although he lives in Texas, it's still a 7 hour drive for him to "drop in."
It was warm enough for us to be out and about with the boys part of the time.
This is at the new McAllen Convention Center. It's simply beautiful and almost every time we go we see professional photographers taking pictures of brides, quincenieras (girls turning 15 years old), and couples who are engaged. It's a hot spot for pictures!
Aunt Jamie came and visited us a week ago. She came for my mom's birthday, because my parents also arrived for a six week visit in the middle of January. Uncle Pete also returned for the special occasion!
We took Jamie to the Convention Center, as well. Yes, it was still warm --- even in the middle of February! That's one huge plus to living this far south. We LOVE our warm, mild winters.
We often take the boys to the Convention Center. Jayden loves the pool of water and he always looks for the turtles who live there. Then he wants to play soccer in the big open spaces around the Convention Center. We find the boys like this place better than any of the local parks.
We walk, splash in the water, play soccer, and enjoy the peaceful "waterfall."
When family comes to town, we also EAT well! Gerson almost always prepares a special meal of some kind ---- it usually involves grilled quail and yucca! YUM!
We've been so blessed to have so many wonderful family members come visit us in Texas. In fact, EVERY single one of my siblings has come to visit at one time or another. This time Jamie and I had time to some heart-to-heart time, but we still didn't accomplish a really good "second cup of coffee" time to chat. There was too much interference each morning with the kids!
Mom and Dad have been a tremendous blessing in the last 6 weeks. They leave tomorrow, but the time they have been here has really helped my kids know their grandparents. Edson has become "Grandma's boy"!
Just look at that face! He LOVES Grandma!!
And Grandma has read, read, and read to Jayden --- much to his delight. she brought him a new book (which is now called "Grandma's book") that he has had it read to him so much he has some of the 6 stoires practically memorized! He now runs to Grandma with his arms WIDE open to give her a hug when she arrives at our house. (Grandpa isn't in the pictures because he was behind the camera!) We are going to miss them, but are so blessed to have had so much wonderful time with them. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Wow. It's been a long time since my last post. Crazy how one day runs into the next and before you know it it's a new year! That's how I feel, at least.

The boys continue to grow, grow, grow. Jayden is finally outgrowing his 18 month old clothes --- and, yes, he's 3!!! I'm excited that his 24 month clothes now fit him, and he even has some 3T shirts, shorts, and pants that fit! He's FINALLY gaining some ground after being such a tiny baby.

Edson seems to think he can outgrow his big brother. Although he's just day shy of turning 10 months old, he is already wearing some 12 month clothes! In addition, he's into everything! He's walking, running, and climbing. He doesn't like to be restricted at all ---- wants to have freedom to roam and explore. Of course, that often gets him into trouble. I am convinced that God has assigned extra guardian angels to BOTH of my boys! Jayden needed them in the NICU and as he overcame so many physical difficulties; Edson needs them now that he's walking and exploring.

My two boys are so different. Jayden is quieter, a thinker. He loves the ABC's and he enjoys counting. He wants academic challenges and never tires of reading books. It's not uncommon for him to come, climb up onto my lap, and hand me a book. He's a cuddler ---- and he wants to be where people are. He wants to know he's not alone. He also tells me when he's ready to sleep. He goes to his bed with no protests (most of the time!), ready to close his eyes and slumber.

Edson . . . is the opposite! He's never still --- not even when he sleeps. (By the way, he was the same way in my womb! He kicked me so often that when he was still I was worried!) He wants to be on the move constantly and hates to be in any position that hinders his movement. He hates his high chair and can climb out of it. He hates being in a play yard and TRIES to climb out. He doesn't like his jumper chair, because it doesn't allow him to go where he wants. He doesn't even like to be held because even THAT is restrictive. He only likes to be held for affirmation --- but it only last mintues before he's skirming to get down.

I see my two boys and am amazed at how creative God is. I also wonder why God created my two little guys so differently. I have NO DOUBT that He has wonderful things in store for both of them and they have been created the way they are because of the purposes God has for them.

May God grant Gerson and I wisdom, strength, and help as we nurture them and allow them to be the boys God created them to be!

Such a sweet face. Such sweet mischief! Edson has begun getting into EVERYTHING. If I turn my back for one minute, he's into something he shouldn't be.

Just yesterday I left him in the play yard with our Leap Frog train to play with. When I returned to the living room just minutes later, he was standing on the seat of the train, holding onto the play yard gate for dear life. I ran for the camera (which I couldn't find because Gerson had it at work with him), and when I returned, Edson had climbed up further and was standing on the steering wheel of the train, leaning over at the waist to hold onto the gate! I ran over to him and quickly put him back on the floor.

How can a kid with such a sweet, innocent face get into such pickles?? I'm either going to stay young as I chase him or grow old as he scares me!

My boys are growing up! Jayden will turn three on November 11. I can't believe how fast the time flies! He is a pretty cheerful boy, loves the ABC's and #'s, and enjoys singing songs. I think he's going to my child who likes going to school.


Edson just turned 7 months old several days ago. He is on the go, go, go! Every time I turn my back, he's gettting into something he shouldn't! I guess he intends to keep his mommy young!



A couple of months ago, we bought an inflatable pool. It shares our carport with our car! It's so hot here, that when we do "swim" in it, we enjoy being in the shade! We haven't used it as much as I thought we would because the kids have been sick a lot during the last month. If we can stay healthy long enough, I hope to get the kids out more in the months to come when the weather is a little bit cooler.

It has been fun to watch the boys become friends and playmates. Edson has become bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the last month. He recognizes us and he LOVES his big brother. Whenever Jayden is within his radar, Edson's eyes follow him all over the room and he smiles whenever Jayden goes near him. It's just precious to watch.







Although their play is simple, it's always fun to watch Jayden "entertain" Edson. If we give Edson a toy, Jayden is right there to "teach" him how to use it.











Here they are playing with a mirror that one of Jayden's NICU nurses bought him when he came home from the hospital. We put it away awhile ago, but when we brought it out for Edson, Jayden was right there playing with it again!








A few weeks ago Gerson took Jayden to get a real haircut. It's so hot here, that even in our air-conditioned house, Jayden was constantly sweating. We decided the curls had to go so he would be more comfortable. When they got home from the barber's, I CRIED. Jayden looked so grown up! I missed the curls! However, I've gotten used to his new look and his hair is still quite curly. If we let it grow out in the winter, I'm sure the curls will return.

Hello Friends,

I just wanted to let you know that I've begun a new blog to write about our ministry here in McAllen. If you are interested in following that blog as well, the address is

tejedasportsministries.blogspot.com ("tejeda sports ministries" without the spaces)

Hopefully this will help me communicate better what God is doing here in McAllen, as well as help people know how to pray for us.

Hope to see you there!

Love, Betsy

Pure Cuteness

June 7th through 10th, the WGM missionaries in McAllen and Mexico got together for our annual field retreat. This year we went to South Padre Island! Our speaker, Tom Atkins, is in the back right corner. He was gracious to come all the from Gorgia to share the Word with us. Thanks, Tom!