March & April

March was beautiful. We went to many baseball tournaments, to the mountains to play in snow, Jewel's gymnastics were in full swing, and Jake was growing by leaps and bounds. Of course, the highlight of my month was going to San Antonio to see a close friend.

Hope & I have been friends for almost 10 years. We met through livejournal, and hit it off. We had many things in common and through the years, we've been there for each other in some of our most difficult times. I can't believe it took so long for it to happen, but we finally met in person, after hundreds of emails and phone conversations. Like many of my LJ friends I have met over the years, it was like I knew her, and there was so awkwardness or uncomfortable moments. After all, I consider her one of my best friends. I didn't get to meet her son C, because he was away at school. I did however, get to meet her daughter K, and she opened up to Katie and I a lot more than I was expecting. It was wonderful. Hope showed us around San Antonio, since we've never been there before. We ate at spots that we don't have here in Vegas, she showed us some of the tourist spots in town, and some places that hold memories in her life. We didn't take many pictures, because we were too busy spending time together. I am glad that I made that trip and am already figuring out when next year that I am able to go back and see her. She may be coming here in December, and that opportunity has me excited.

April was lovely as well-baby showers, the engagement of my best friend, Easter, more baseball, Moms night out with the playgroup Moms. The kids got straight A's and perfect attendance this past report card. Jake can identify more alphabets. They all love reading and playing outside. Spent a lot of time with family and friends.

Pictures of course, because what's a long post with pictures?


At Lulu's in San Antonio, where I insisted on going after seeing it on a TV show. They have HUGE cinnamon rolls, which of course Katie and I hauled back to Vegas for our loved ones to try =)





San Antonio's River Walk and the boat tour we took:






The Alamo. It wasn't what I had pictured in my head. I thought it was in the middle of a field, and that it was hugely massive. Instead, it's in the middle of downtown smack in the middle of tall, historical, beautiful buildings. Vegas doesn't have a history like this city does.



Randoms of places she took us-beautiful parks with lakes, and Kate's Frosting, a delicious cupcake place (because a vacation isn't a vacation unless cupcakes are involved!), and me in front of a really huge pair of boots outside North Star Mall.





..and us goofing around at Hope's casa, complete with a shot out of some of our girls on Twitter =)




Katie and Hope, and Katie, Hope and I.


I'm always amazed at how we live in the middle of the desert, yet we have beautiful mountains that are snow covered, just 45 minutes from our house. It's one of our favorite late Winter/early Spring activities. We had lunch at the lodge and played on the mini slopes. It was a gorgeous 60 degrees that day.














Randoms of the kiddos with their friends during playgroup activities (birthday parties, Easter basket exchanges), baseball games, at the Sesame Street Live show, watching the fountains at the Bellagio and looking at the Spring display at their Conservatory, and playing at the park:

























Some of when I went out with the Mommies to a restaurant at Lake Las Vegas and the Ritz Carlton. LOL this was a fun night.





..and a few from my cousin Christine's baby shower. She's having a baby girl named Tatum. Yesterday was her due date.

That four letter L word.

2010 has been wonderful thus far, for many of my loved ones. From engagements, to weddings, to having babies, some of the special people in my life have had lots to celebrate.

On Easter, in front of friends and family, my best friend Katie and my husband's close friend Mike, got engaged. They are having a Winter 2011 wedding.

Cousin Christine is having a baby girl, Tatum. I went to her beautiful baby shower where she was indeed showered with gifts, well wishes and love. The next day, her and her Mike tied the knot in a small, intimate wedding.

I get a text a few days ago from Christine's sister, my other cousin, Bri. Her & Dave have decided to get married on May 8th in yet another intimate wedding on the Strip.

I am attending a wedding this weekend as my sister's date. I've met the Groom a few times (Gonzo is a radio voice on Vegas 107.9/Area 108). The bride seems lovely and I can't wait to see them tie the knot.

Coincidentally, the wedding I am going to this weekend is at the Chapel where B & I have decided to renew our vows in September of next year, for our 5 year anniversary.

With helping a great deal with my best friend's wedding planning, to helping cousin Bri choose a wedding venue, to attending weddings and also starting to plan our vow renewals, I'm on cloud 9. All the love in the air as well as it being Springtime has put me in a constant good mood. Life is beautiful. Love is beautiful.

A year later.

I notice that I've neglected this blog for exactly one year. I'll try to be better at updating, but there are no promises, as my beloved Livejournal that I've had for 10 years has my commitment. =)

Reading back on my post from a year ago, not much has changed. But of course I'm going to do the family recap again, because isn't that why you're here?

Me
What's changed since a year ago with me? I'll make a list, because it's easier.

- employed at a charter school close to home. I work part time hours and this works out great because my work week is very short and I am still home to do all the Mommy duties for the kiddos.

- house improvements/renovations are my current obsession. We've tackled many different projects in the house within the last 5 months that include remodeling the downstairs bathroom, painting the pool table room (and actually doing something more to the space because it was a really boring room), redoing the kitchen color scheme, putting wood flooring in the dining room, remodeling our whole bedroom (new furniture, paint), reflooring our master bathroom, painting and rearranging the 7 & 9 year olds' rooms. Even with all of this, none of the rooms seem COMPLETE, and it drives me nuts.

- we adopted a new dog named Bella. She is a cute white and brown spotted Chi-weenie. (Chihuahua/wiener dog aka Daschund). B rescued her from the animal shelter, and brought her home as a surprise. It took her a day to warm up to the other doggies, Buddy and Bo. Now they are inseparable. B and I are also greatly outnumbered now, with 3 dogs (2 boys, 1 girl) and 3 kids (2 boys, 1 girl).

Here are our fur-kiddos:


Buddy, Bella and Bo

- the baking obsession has simmered down a bit, for two reasons: my family is OVER sweets, and well, I lost weight by not eating so much sugar. I make homemade bread quite often but the cakes, truffles and cupcakes are reserved for special occasions.

- I've been going volunteer-loony. There are SO many volunteer opportunities in the city, and it's perfect for my need to be a well-rounded person. So far, I've volunteered at the Shade Tree Womens' & Childrens' Shelter, and the American Cancer Society. Within the next few months, I will be holding a bake sale for 'Bake for Hope' to raise money for the Susan G Komen foundation. I've also signed up to become a 'regular' volunteer at the Nevada Cancer Institute. Cancer organizations have a special meaning in my life since losing my Mom to brain tumors. I also hope to volunteer for Autism Awareness.

- I've become closer to many people in my life, but I've also cut ties with a few people. The older I get, the more I realize that true friends do not envy you nor talk negative behind your back. They are happy for your accomplishments and support you in your need to be an optimistic person. It took a true group of friends and my husband, to make me realize that my life is much better off without the toxicity of a few individuals. They were right. I no longer worry every day about who may or may not be talking about me in a harmful way. I consider myself a very giving person and I would do anything for my friends, until they prove that they weren't my friend to begin with.

- I still love my husband deeply and unconditionally. He is truly my other half and we are on a level of understanding that makes it easy to live together and flow together easily. Our values, wants and needs are similar, which makes it so much easier to communicate and avoid arguments. Not to say that we don't have our moments, but those moments aren't anything to be upset about. I'd much rather be angry for 30 seconds, then kiss and make up.

A few of B & I:



Us at Nascar Feb '10



Valentines Day '10



Venice Beach, CA 11/09



All of us at Disneyland


The 9 year old

- I have a NINE YEAR OLD, people. A handsome, intelligent, polite 9 year old. He still maintains his straight A, Honor Roll grades. He played his first tackle football season. He enjoys playing on his Little League team and he is also very excited to have recently started with a new club/travel team, Team On Deck. He just found out that Brian Giles of the MLB is going to be an Assistant Coach.

A few pics of the 9 year old:


November 09

Lake Havasu, AZ

Christmas 09

Holidays 09

Disneyland 09


7 year old

Oh, spunky little princess. Still quite the character, still emo and expressive. She likes to write plays and skits for commercials, she likes to think of lyrics for songs, she loves to draw and paint. Her ultimate favorite is to design clothes. She picks out her outfits for school the day before, and she also tries to pick out mine and her brothers' outfits for the following day. She had trouble with Math at the beginning of the school year and I was afraid that I was starting a long, drawn out battle of wills with her because she would get frustrated when she just 'couldn't get how to do it!' (her exact words). Luckily, we've seen a huge improvement in her grades, even math, and she's right back to being an Honor Roll student. Her cheerleading stint has been put on the back burner, and now she's been involved in Girl Scouts and gymnastics. Girl Scouts isn't quite keeping her interested. She's more of a mover and shaker. We are wrapping up her Girl Scout cookie sale and between myself and my best friend Katie, we helped Jewel sell close to 500 boxes of cookies. This Momma's TIRED of the money counting, box handling part of it, but it was a great experience.

The 7 year old:


Disneyland 09


Veterans Day 09




3 year old

I have no more babies anymore. My last child has officially transformed from a squishy baby to a HUGE toddler. Jake turned 3 in January, and he hasn't stopped growing. The last time we visited the doctor a week ago, he was 49 lbs. He speaks well, has a sense of humor and also a bad temper. He is loving, caring, curious, and a TRUE, TYPICAL BOY. He loves the dirt, all things related to racing, and getting into EVERYTHING.

Since I work part time, he stays with my MIL when I'm at work. Luckily, my InLaws enjoy staying with him Tues-Fri. I am truly fortunate that way. I adore my InLaws.

Since he is not in a school type setting, I work with him on counting and number recognition as well as the alphabet. We've been doing early preschool workbooks for colors, shapes and simple words. I am amazed at how quickly he catches on and is willing to work with me. Of course, he has off days as well. Since he's turned 3, he has had a handful of tantrums from either being overtired or wanting to do something all by himself and we haven't let him (for safety reasons).

He is my green eyed chubby cheeked baby and we all adore him.



Winter 09



Lake Havasu 09



I promise I'll try to be better at updating this more frequently =)

Why, hello

I always get the urge to post when it's way too late for me to be awake.

Totally unorganized, too.



This past weekend was a blast a group of us headed to Victorville, CA on Friday night, and returned on Sunday. While there, B was in another Demolition Derby, held at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds. We are returning 3 more times, as it is a series of 4 derbies.

Once again, good friends and my In-Laws provided tons of things to LOL about the whole weekend.


Been spending lots of time with my sister still. Been reading books when Jake naps.



The kids are doing great. As I gaze at them at the dinner table, them taking turns talking, or talking over each other which then causes a fight, I can't help but smile. Bambino, with the voice that's getting lower, these huge brown eyes and a smattering of light freckles on his cheeks. He describes to me the chants he's made up with his new team mates, or funny things a kid at school said. Drama Tween, the one with glittery eyelids after putting on her pretend makeup, or thinking up clever updates for her Twitter page (yes, she has her own Twitter). She's always so animated and full of wit. Bambino compared her tonight to the kid in the books "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"-the one that gets crazy when given sugar. That's just Drama Tween, pumped up on sugar or not. Freckles follows his siblings so much, and is beside himself with excitement when we pick them up from school. He is a polite toddler, both loving and lovingly mischevious.


I recently gave away the last of Freckle's 'baby' things. His slings, his crib. It really made me realize that the 'having babies' chapter of my life is completely over, and now I'll just be raising children. It's both a wonderful and bittersweet realization. No more groggy middle of the night feedings. No more teething. No more baby food. I also realized though, that there will ALWAYS be the nuzzling the kids' heads with my cheeks, the watching them while they sleep moments, and even them sitting on my lap, for as long as they want to do that. Then with those realizations, I am completely happy to begin this new chapter in life. I have after all, been blessed with 3 amazing children.



I've been having self esteem issues. I just feel so BLAH with myself lately. I spent time with my sister today, helping her organize her things for her trip to Egypt. She has all these cool, trendy items that I totally covet, but would be clueless as to how to put together an outfit, had I owned those things. Cool scarves, hats, drapey off the shoulder shirts. When going out, she always looks so put together. Granted, it takes her a few hours to get ready, LOL. I've never really been into the whole being dolled up thing. Unwrinkled jeans and a top are my staples. Of course, everyone has their 'better' days where they just feel like putting a little more effort into their normal look. Maybe I should motivate myself to have more days like that. This whole not having a job thing has really made me take two steps backward in the land of glam. Velour jogging suits are as glam as I get nowadays.

Because of these BLAH days, I've been wondering how B can manage coming home to ME every day. Disheveled looking, but with a sparkling clean home, and dinner ready. Why doesn't he get a cute wife AND a clean home? honestly, there is no reason why he can't have both.

Even with my disheveled ass, he still does these wonderful heart melting moments. He'll text me how much he loves me when we're sitting at a restaurant with a group of people. When he sees that elderly couple that live up the street from us, he'll call me and tell me, "Us in forty years is outside again".

The best thing about him, is that he has been actually LISTENING to what I desire, without me having to mention it more than once. I mentioned how much fun I had with a tire swing, when I was little. He then attempts to assemble one for the kids, then even takes the first one down and tries again to make a nicer one because the first one didn't meet his standards. He came home with the items needed to make a nicer one today, and finished the swing by the time I got back from visiting my sister:




It's been a little chilly here, and windy. I haven't been motivated to take any pictures lately, but I have around 200 that need to be uploaded onto the laptop.



I feel like I have so much more to update about, but am having a mental block as to how to write about it. If that even makes sense.

I don't want him to grow up

I've been a Mom for almost 9 years. My little man has always been my baby, regardless of how old he is. There is something about a first child, although you love ALL of your children the same amount. He's been my learning curve child, the one I've learned from the most.


My Kai. I was worried that he was going to be too shy, too quiet.

Friday night, he ran 3 miles with his new team. He interacted with the players and the Coach, and this was their first meeting. I thought the intense 2 hour practice was going to be too much for him, but he said he enjoyed it and can't wait to officially join this team.

I had a long talk this morning with the ex, Jason, regarding Kai & Jewel's extra-curricular activities. We go halves on expenses such as uniforms, sporting equipment, shoes, event expenses, etc. We both agreed that we're definitely going to have to step it up a notch, since Kai's going to be on two baseball teams-the one that Jason coaches is seasonal, with separate uniforms and bats. The other team that he just joined is year-round, with more expensive equipment and trips out of town. Once football starts up, he will be in tackle football for the first time (he's been on a flag football team for the past 3 years). Tackle football of course, requires pads, a helmet, mouth piece,new shoes since he's outgrown his old cleats. It's getting expensive. This is aside from Jewel's cheer expenses every month.


Kai is definitely worth the hard jab to our bank account. He is still maintaining a perfect report card, has never missed a day of school in the past 2 years, and is always winning awards at school.

Like a typical Mom, I am worried about him getting burnt out, or his schoolwork taking a back seat to his sports. Of course, it'll be easy to change that by not letting him play anymore. I guess this Momma's just trying to find the right balance of letting her boy grow up, and wanting to shelter and baby him. After all, he still is my baby.

It's a bittersweet thing, watching my little man grow up. I am so damned proud of all his accomplishments, that I want to cry. He is such a well mannered child, the best role model for his sister and brother. At the same time, it's a little sad watching him grow up so fast.

So, because he gets all embarrassed when I hug him and squish him and tell him I love him when I drop him off, I'll say it here- Mommy loves you so much and appreciates and cherishes every day she shares with you. You are truly a blessing, and I could not have asked for a better child.