Friday, June 30, 2006

2 Down

We paid off 2 debts today... Yeah!... It feels good doing that.
I can't wait until the day when I can scream I'm debt free.

Thursday, June 29, 2006

High School Reunion

No I'm not going to my high school reunion. I it feels like I've been to one.
Within the last 2 weeks I've seen 2 people that I went to high school with.
First was Laurie Rios, who in college, got married and became Laurie Alavarez, who then got a divorce and remarried and is now Laurie Nieto. Since we hung out in high school and college, somehow my got in touch with my sister, and then with me.
After emailing her, we saw each other this past Saturday at my nephews birthday party. She hasn't changed much in appearance. What has changed about her is that now she is following Christ. She told me that before going to Arlington High, she always went to a Christian private school. I would've never guessed. We talked about our churches, and she mentioned that she was praying about moving to a spanish congregation. I gave her info about the church. She said that she was going to send her kids there this summer for VBS. Cool. We are going to have lunch tomorrow.

Today I was at Albertson's durning lunch. I was walking in when I saw Monica. For the life of me I can't remember her last name. She had a little blond boy with her. That kinda caught me off guard, because Monica is Hispanic.... Anyways, as she passed me she was putting on her sunglasses, and I recognized her. Something told me to say something. So I said "Monica". She stopped took off her sunglasses and starred at me, like as if to say "who are you?" I said "Michelle Gomez" using my maiden name, because I knew if I used my real name she definately wouldn't know who I was. Still starring at me she asked "Where do I know you from?". I replied "High School". Then it registered with her. I'm thinking in my head.. I know I look totally different, I've gained weight since high school, and she of course is a thin as she was in high school, she probably can wear the same clothes.

Anyways, we chatted for a while, and then I asked her where she was going to church. And told her where I was attending. She said "You know we've been thinking about moving to a spanish congregation, wow this must be a sign from God"...

Anyways, she suggested that we exchanged numbers and get together. So we are going to have lunch next week.

I'm so glad that God has brought these two people back into my life.
Did I mentioned in 2 weeks, I going to go visit my friend Dixie in New Braunsfels.
We've been friends since High School.

P.S. It just dawned on me what Monica's last name was. See I've been recently listenting to this awesome band called Del Castillo (recommended by Dixie). Anyways.. that was her name, Monica Castillo.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

No Excuse

On my way to work I saw to women walking for excersize. The thing that caught my attention was that there children were walking with them. Children younger than 10. Amazing. What a great way to spend time with your kids and exercise. 2 weeks ago I adopted the same idea. I pull my 2 kiddos in their wagon as I walk. Not only is it great exercise, but they have a blast getting a wagon ride. Now I have no excuse not to exercise.

Fastest Scrapbooker on this side of the Pecos River

My God-daughter is turning 15 on July 4th. Her mother asked if I would create a scrapbook for her. "In a week?" I asked "No way". I said I would maybe get a couple of pages done. But by golly I'm finished. I created a book of 15 2-page layouts. Wow, I've never worked so fast in my life. It's a great book if I do say so myself. I should start a new buisness.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

A Printed Copy

Does anyone know of a EASY way that I can print out all of my blog entries. If ever Blogger were to go out of buisness for some reason, I don't want to loose all of this.

It was the clock.....

Update from post titled 6:08 am. It was the clock. I mean the clock went off at 5:07 instead of 5:15. But we didn't notice. I now make it a point not to get up until 5:30.

Preventing SIDS

For all you new moms out there.

Is there a simple, cheap and trusted intervention that can cut a baby's risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?

Yes, there is: The pacifier.

According to Hauck, they may have a direct effect on opening the airway. Babies who suck on a pacifier may also sleep less deeply and arouse more easily than infants who don't use them -- seeking the device if and when it falls from the mouth. Other experts have theorized that the pacifier's bulky handle leaves a protective airspace around the baby's nose and mouth as it lies upon the mattress or pillow.

AAP recomendations for preventing SIDS include:

1. Put infants to bed on their backs,
2. Only use firm sleep surfaces and keep soft objects, such as pillows and heavy blankets, out of the crib,
3. Give baby a smoke-free environment both before and after pregnancy,
4. Keep baby in the parents' bedroom, but not in bed with you,
5. Don't allow baby to get overheated. Infants shouldn't feel hot to the touch.

(By Meryl Hyman Harris HealthDay Reporter)

I followed each of these guidelines. Until this day, my kids kick off any blankets that I put on them. They are so used to not using them. I would just use the "Back to Sleep" zip up blanket on them when they were little. Now, in the winter I put on them in sweats.

My little one never used a pacifer, she still sucks on her first two fingers. She'll be 2 in October. I'm trying to break her of this. When I see her when her fingers in her mouth, I ask her to remove them. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I don't want her sucking on them anymore because they are now kind of crooked. Oh well I'll keep trying.

Monday, June 26, 2006

1 down 1 to go

Since Isabel has turned 3, it seems to me that she has passed the "terrible two" stage. She is more polite, for the most part she does what I ask her to do, and she is so helpful. Now don't get me wrong, she has her moments, when she gets selfish and doesn't want to share, or doesn't want to take her shoes off before going to bed.
That kid loves shoes. She can spend an hour in her closet trying on shoes that don't even fit her anymore. She loves wearing dresses and slippers, and if you give her lipgloss she, can sit for what seems like eternity applying and re-applying. I had to telkl her yesterday that you only apply lipstick twice a day (at least if you buy the one that stays on forever).
Emma is now in her "first adolescense (terrible twos)". "No" is now her favorite word. And if she doesn't get her way, she'll throw what ever is in her hand clear across the room. That girl has a good arm on her. She constantly picks fights with her older sister. Scratching, pulling hair, has even bit her once or twice. Even through all this, she is still the cutest little thing. It's hard for me to get mad at her, cause she just smiles. Her favorite thing is Dora the Explorer. She will have me read her book over and over again. I need to get her a new one. I will try to remember these times, because even though they are difficult at times, she'll only be 2 once.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

6:08 am

And I'm at work. A mistake I think. I'm not supposed to be here until 6:30-6:40.
The alarm went off at 5:00, or so I think. Eddie reset it to go off at 5:15, supposedly. I got up when it went off, jumped into the shower, did my hair, got dressed, got the girls clothes ready, put the girls in the car, and got some yoguart from the fridge. I was pulling out of the driveway at 5:35.
Now, either I am Wonder Woman or the clock had to have been wrong. I'll have to check tonight and make adjustments. I can't be coming into work early, wouldn't want my boss to think that I'm trying to look good. (right Jeff?).

Another Game

Last night Isabel came up to me with her arms extended out and her hands extended into fists.

Isabel: Which hand
Me: That one (pointing to the one on the right)
Isabel: (opening her hand, with nothing in it) Um Nope
She puts her hands behind her back and pretends to fiddle with them.
Isabel: Which hand
Me: That one (pointing to the one on the left)
Isabel: (opening her hand, with nothing in it) Um Nope

This went on and on... It was so cute.

Game 6

I turned the TV off right after the 3rd Quarter. I figured it they won then I would watch Game 7, and if they lost, well I don't want to see them loose.

They lost, and I'm glad I didn't have to witness it.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Tonight is the night

Mavs have got to win this game. I'm going to be so disappointed if they loose.
After work, I'm going to head home to my family. I think I'll stop along the way to get a magazine or something for my husband. He's been working alot lately and is tired. Hopefully this will cheer him up. If the weather cooperates, we'll head over to Mansfield to my aunts house to go swimming. Eddie is wanting to try out the girls' life-jackets. I think we'll just throw them into the pool. (Just kidding)
Anyways, I downloaded the new Selah cd from itunes titled Greatest Hyms. I love hymns, and they do an awesome job on this cd. My favorite is "His eye is on the sparrow" and "Bika Mono (Pass me not) / It is well with my soul". I highly recommend this cd.

In other areas...
We dropped the price of our house another 20,000. We haven't had someone come to see it in 2 weeks. We just want it sold, we enought cash to put down on another house. As soon as we sell and move to a more affordable home, Eddie will be able to quit his part-time jobs. Keep this situation in your prayers.

Friday, June 16, 2006

Happy Father's Day

To my Dad, aka God, aka Lord Almighty, aka Master of the Universe.

Just wanted to let know know how much I love you. Since conception, you have been there to protect me. All the times that I fell you lifted me up and held me in your arms. You always would give me wisdom when making decisions. Eventhough sometimes I disobeyed you, you still loved me as you punished me. You have been so good to me.
You are just the coolest dad. You always give me everything I need and even somethings I just want. You have given me some of the best gifts a girl would want. A mother and sister who loves me and would do anything for me. My grandma who told me about your son, Jesus. A husband, my life partner, who loves you just as much as I do. Children to call my own. Children that make me laugh, and give the best hugs and kisses. Thank you for teaching me about being humble and helping others in need. Thank you for putting people in my life that minister to me and that I can minster back to.
I cry "Abba", Father to the best Dad in all of the universe. Nothing and no one can compare to you.

Happy Father's Day
From your "favorite" daughter,
Love always and for eternity,

Michelle

Thursday, June 15, 2006

ATTITUDE

"Your attitude should be the same like that of Christ." Phil 4:13

For the past couple of months I've worked with someone who is a ordained minister of a local Christian church. At first, I was nice to this person and would try to be helpful. All I got back was ATTITUDE. This person was hired because of who she knew within the company. This person was hard to teach, hard to work with, and just plain not pleasant, to me or any other co-workers. I went to her supervisor concerning this matter. Later I found out that many of her teammates did the same. The supervisor had a talk with her. Let me tell you that helped so much. Today it was like talking to someone new. Nice, polite, mouth shut while learning, just a 180 turn-around. Funny thing, is that today, the person that got her the job, resigned. So now, she is back to being the rookie, new kid on the block. Funny how things work out. I'm glad there has been a change, it will make working with her all the more better.

Despite all of this, I look at myself. Do I always display the attitude of Christ?
At work, with my husband, with my children, at chruch, with the people I interact with. No not always. So I remind myself, I represent Christ everywhere I go, to everyone I talk to and interact with. I represent Him.

Philippians 1:27
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Angels watching over me

The weirdest thing happened this morning. My alarm is normally set to go off at 5:00 am. Well this morning I was awaken by the electricity going off.. How do you ask? The TV, turned off and on by itself, which made tons of noise and the answering maching made noise when it came back on. This really freaked me out. I looked at the alarm clock, and it was blinking 12:00. I got up and grabbed my cell phone and saw that it was 4:55 am. I'm so glad it happened when it did, cause I don't think I would have woken up had it happened at 2:00 am. Thank you guardian angel for waking me up on time.

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Weight Watchers

Well I decided to do Weight Watchers, on my own. I don't have the time to go to meetings. I started it on Tuesday and have been doing good keeping within my point value, which is 24 per day and an extra 35 for the whole week. I think I used the whole 35 today at lunch, just kidding. I had tacos, and I have no idea how many points those are, my guess is 3 tacos is about 18 poiints. What I do know is that I won't be going and eating at Chiptole anytime soon. The burrito I get is 24 points. I did figure out if I get the bowl instead, and cut out the rice, it would drop the point value to 11. I guess I can live with that. I even went and took the girls for a walk this evening. I pulled them in the wagon down our street, and let me tell you it's a long street. I took me 23 minutes to get there and back. It was a good walk. I think I'll make it a habit. Just me, the girls, and my ipod.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Conversations....

While eating dinner last night.

Grandma: Hey Isabel what's that are your hand?
Isabel: A boo-boo
Grandma: Ahhhh.. What were you doing?
Isabel: Falling.
Grandma: (laughing)
Isabel: I fall and I fall again.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Moments like these

Emma and I have an ongoing game that we play.
She'll yell out "Mama", and I'll yell back "Emma", well go back and forth for what seems like eternity. It's funny, because she'll copy me on how I say her name. If I whisper, she'll whisper. If I use a low voice, she'll use a low voice. I cherish moments like these.

1/2 Way There

Dear Diary....

Well I'm 1/2 way there. I started scrapbooking Isabel's Cinderella party pictures on Sunday night, and continued last night as well. Isabel is excited at seeing her book, and still remembers details of the party which was almost a month ago. Like when Cinderella painted a butterfly on her hand. Hopefully I can finish the book this week. What an accomplishment that would be. I think I'll go down to Walmart at lunch, I hear they have a great Disney section for scrapbooking materials... So far I have spent $48 on this book, and that is not counting the materials that were already on hand.

Friday, June 02, 2006

Galatians 5

"Love your neighbor as yourself."

It's not about me. Being a servant of Christ can be summed up in two words.

Consider Others.

If nothing else, Christ considered you when he died on the cross for your sins.

Consider others feelings, put their needs above your own, don't be selfish.

I'm talking to myself here.

GH Marathon

Since I was away on my mission trip (actually my grandma's house, but we help out alot there), I didn't watch General Hospital. So yesterday when I got home at 7:30 I started watching the last four days worth, I finished at 10:00. Isabel had spent the night at her grandma's and Emma had fallen asleep in the car, so it was perfect.
Monday and Tuesday were good, I couldn't skip Wednesday and Thursday. We'll see what today is like. When it comes to GH, I'm a junkie, been on it since the 80's and I was born in 1975.

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength


Yesterday was the last day and Isabel and Emma went to Sophia's house. Sophia started taking care of Isabel since she was 1 years old, and Emma since she was 3 months old. Since Isabel is 3, and Emma almost 2, I'm going to put them in preschool starting in August. In the meantime for the next 2 months their Aunt Lily will be taking care of them. She just finished college and will start teaching 1st grade in August. This should be a good summer for them. She will enroll them in the summer reading program at the local library, and do lots of other things with them as well.
As a thankyou gift to Sophia, I bought her a Precious Moment. The minute I saw it, I knew it was perfect. She still takes care of 2 other babies, so her hands will not go idle. It was so cute, just wanted to share.....

Thursday, June 01, 2006

The Faces of Emma

Face 1
On the drive back from Odessa...
Emma and Isabel both had plastic cups with cereal in them. Evidently, Isabel finished hers and asked if Emma would share.
Emma kindly transfered cereal from her own cup to Isabel's cup.

Awwww, how nice she shared. A Kodak moment.

Face 2
Same drive back from Odessa 3 hours later...
Emma and Isabel both had plastic cups with cookies in them. Evidently, Isabel finished hers and asked if Emma would share. Emma said no. Isabel preceed to scream "dame, dame" (traslated "give me some" "give me some")
As Isabel is throwing a fit, Emma quietly took the cookies out of her cup one by one and threw them on the floor. Then she threw the empty cup to Isabel as if saying "Here, take your cup, but you won't get no cookies"

Toooo funny, to get mad