The "American Dream"

"No one should pretend that immigrants are threats to American identity because immigrants have shaped American identity. No one should claim that immigrants are a burden on our economy because the work and enterprise of immigrants helps sustain the economy." Bush said.

Although I'm not an immigrant and neither is my maternal side of the family. I do have alot to say about this issue. See my family was born in Texas all the way back to my Great-Grand Parents. My family was here when it was Mexico.

Eddie on the other hand was born in Mexico. He was brought over in a plane when he was 1. He became a citizen at the age of 18. Now he is a Fire fighter/Paramedic for the City of Richardson. Voted Rookie of the Year in 2000, and well respected among his peers.

I go to a all-Hispanic church. Many of our members are "undocumented", but to say "they are a burden to our economy" is ignorant. In a country where there is every opportunity to work, and succeed, these people are trying to do just that. They want the "American Dream". It saddens me that people who are born here complain that "they are taking all of the jobs". Well then get off your lazy butt and go work. It amazes me to see how many homeless people we have (who are citizens), but people who are not citizens manage to find jobs, get housing, and transportation. It saddens me that many students who are "undocumented", honor students won't get the chance to go to college. But there will be millions of students who are citizens that will throw the chance away.


If light of this I sure hope that our Senate will pass a "Guest Worker" law and the "Dream Act", so that people who want that dream will be able to fullfill it.

Gnishmer Farms

Saturday, we went out to Gnishmer Farms in Arlington. Right now they have strawberries. Here's the deal, you show up either Saturday or Sunday, between 10 and 5pm and they hand you a box. It's $2 a pound, and if you fill up the box it's between $10-12. We had lots of fun, I wish I had pictures, but left my camera at home. The girls loved picking the strawberries. Yesterday I took the box with me to church, since I had the 2-3yr old last night we washed the strawberries and distributed them to the other toddler classes. They are a big hit.

Gnishmer Famers
From I-20 exit Bowen. Take Bowen North, pass Pleasant Ridge.
It will be somewhere on Bowen in between Pleasant Ridge and California. It'll be on your left.

Poor Ryan

I was driving down Park Row on the right hand lane. Three cars were at a stand still in the left hand lane. As I passed them up, there was a boom. "Oh crap, I immediately stopped" A kids gets out of the Tahoe who just hit me. (See he was the middle car of the three, and became a little impatient).
We surveyed the damaged, and my bumper had popped out. I popped it back in and just asked him if we could move to the car wash so that I could get his insurance. He looked young. I asked for his driver's license, and it was one that was verticle.

"Ryan, how old are you?"
"17"
"Is this your first accident?"
"Yes ma'am" (great now I feel old)
"Ok, Ryan, becareful"
"Yes ma'am"

I felt so bad for him, cause now he would have to go home and explain to his dad, why the tahoe was scratched up. Poor kid. I sympathized, because as a young lady, I had my fair share of accidents, (too many to count) and you already feel bad, but then having to tell your parents is worse. I'll be calling Allstate today, to start the process of getting the car fixed. What a pain.

Book of Questions # 120

Would you accept $10,000 to shave your head and continue your normal activities sans hat or wig without explaining the reason for your haircut?

My Answer: Depends. If I needed the money to pay for an operation for my child, then yes. If it were just to get 10 grand for no reason, other than to pay bills, then probably not.

WARNING: For Women Only... Men read at your own risk

Please tell me this has happed to you.

I had a OB/GYN appt. today. I remembered I had it this morning at 8:30. At 10:25 I arrived in the parking lot, and did a quick check to make sure I had everything before going inside the building. "Insurance card? check. Debit card? check." Great, I locked the doors and headed for the door.... "Shaved legs? Oh crap, I forgot to shave this morning. And let's just say, I needed to shave badly. So there I am, walking back to the car, getting into the car, and leaving. Where to? I don't know. All I know is that I can't go in there with hairy legs. "Ok, I'll cancel." No, I've waited months for this appt. "Ok, maybe my electric razor is in the glovebox." No. "Ok, I'll go buy a razor." Great, there is a CostPlus just a block down. I run in and the only thing they have are disposible razors. Seeing that razor burn is a factor, I grab the shaving cream. I stand there looking at the can, contemplating how I'm going to smuggle it into the doctors office so that I can shave. "In my purse" I say to myself. Then I proceed to put it into my purse and walk to the checkout stand.. "What the heck are you doing?" Crap I grabbed the can out of my purse seconds before arriving to the register, and put it on the belt to pay for it.
I checked out and head back to the dr's office. 10:32 am. Ok only 2 minutes late. I put one razor into my purse and also the shaving cream. I grab about 5 wipes, just in case there are no paper towels in the bathroom.
I walk in. I check in and head to the bathroom, hopeing they don't call my name while I'm in there.
I proceed to shave my legs, from the ankle up.. seeing that I was wearing boots, I was not about to take them off.
Done.
I look in the mirror. Ok, I've got shaving cream on my shirt and a speck on my hair. Don't ask me how that happened I don't know.
I wipe it away, and leave the bathroom.
Mission Accomplished.

Michelle needs...

So, I decided to google "Michelle needs..." after reading "Shelly needs..." and here is what I need.

Michelle needs every advantage possible to attain this goal.
EMMA project at work

Michelle needs constant proof of love.
This is so true

Michelle needs to just shut up
This is probably true too

MICHELLE NEEDS YOUR HELP
Yes, definately in prayers

Michelle needs money so she can travel...
I do need money, doesn't everyone? And Disney World is first on my list.

Michelle needs to find her style.
Yes, just the other day, I changed by hairstyle, I just let it stay curly, when asking Isabel if she liked it she replied "It's a mess!"

Michelle needs to improve her communication
According to Eddie, he can't understand a thing I say, and is always trying to get my friend (who is a speech pathologist) to fix me.


Michelle needs to be in good shape and give it everything she's got.
So true... ok ok. On the days I get home early and Eddie is picking up the girls, I will exercise

Michelle needs a few more years to become a really sexy young woman. ...
I guess if I work on the one above, this could happen. :)


This was fun.

Perfect Pet

The guinea pig. My nephew has one, and Isabel loves it, and he loves her. They just sit together. He doesn't run away, and loves being cuddled.
I'm thinking about getting her one for her birthday.

What do you think?

Great Buys at Costco

2 leather scrapbooks - $14.00 (Anywhere else 19.99 ea)
320 sheets of multicolor cardstock 12x12 paper - 14.00 (Anywhere else .50 each on sale)
2 Nautica umbrellas (1 large, 1 Golf size) - 16.00 (Anywhere else the Golf umbrella alone would be at least $40.00)

Mr. Mom

Eddie stayed home yesterday with the girls. He'll do this every once in a while if he has a day off. Because of this I took his truck to work.
When I got home, he had washed and cleaned out my van, and had washed, and folded almost all of the clothes.
I was impressed.
Thank you Eddie for all that you do.

House For Sale

I been busy. House hunting, house selling, kids, work, church... you know the works.
The house is officially on the market. Not all the pictures are up yet, and we still need to do the virtual tour. The MLS# is 10492744.

Living Room

Workshop

Kitchen

Front of House

A great curving drive-way leading to a two-story 5/3.1/4 custom home on 1 acre featuring custom trim and cabinets through out, CAT 5 wiring, wired for security cameras, surround sound and multi room sound. Wonderful covered p orches and a detached 2 car garage/workshop (30x40) featuring an up-stairs area partially finished out (insulated, sheet-rocked, wired). Up-stairs other room can be study/work or private retreat.

Property Features
Bedroom(s) 5
Bath(s) full 3
Partial bath(s) 1
Style: Traditional
Fireplaces: Wood Burning
Cooling: Central Air - Electric
Heating: Central Heat-Elec
Garage: Garage Opener
Floors: Carpet;Ceramic Tile;Laminate
Roof: Composition
Sewer: City Sewer
Foundation: Piered Beam Slab;Slab
Water: City Water
Year Built: 2004
Sq. Ft.: 3437
Lot Size: 1.00 acre(s)
List Date: 03/11/2006
Days on Market: 5
MLS#: 10492744
Type: SFR
Status: Active
Amenities
Laundry: Dryer Hookup-Elec.;Washer Hookup
Parking: Attached;Detached;OverSized;Rear
Addl. Room Type: Library/Study Room;Unfinished Bonus Room
Lot Features: Large Backyard Grass;Interior Lot;Subdivision
Community Information
County: DALLAS
Subdivision: LAKE RIDGE SEC 21
School District: CEDAR HILL
Elementary School: LAKERIDGE
Middle School: PERMENTER
High School: CEDARHILL

House Hunters Part 1

Well we found a house on .5 acres in Arlington. 2200 sq Feet and it has a shop. Perfect. The house is older and we would totally remodel the inside. Paint, laminate wood floor, tile, new kitchen cabinets, new bookcases..... The backyard is huge, and it's on a street behind the Target on Cooper. We still need to do a walk through to see if there is any structural damage. If the price is right, we might buy.
Our house is officially on the market. I don't know the MLS# yet but when I get it I'll post, who everyone can take a look at the pictures.

A Special Guest will arrive.

Well guess who is coming to Isabel's Princess Party......drumroll.... CINDERELLA
She is going to be so excited. Cinderella will arrive with music a interative story a treasure hunt, face painting, balloons, and specials prizes for everyone. I can't wait. Isabel will have her Cinderella dress on, with slippers, tiara, and wand. My mom will make the cake look like Cinderella. It's going to be a blast. If anyone want's more information about Princess Parties, go to Jessica's Princess Parties.

Smokers, You're killing me....

Dana Reeve passed away from second hand smoke induced lung cancer. Trageic!
The other day I was in the womens restroom, and a girl walked in who reeked of smoke. I got so nausiated, I wanted to throw up. Inconsiderate!
Yesterday, I was in the gas station, and a scene from the movie "I'm gonna get you Sucker" flashed before me.

Guy: "Can I have 2 buffalo wings"
Attendend "What?"
Guy: "Can I have 2 buffalo wings"
Attendend "They are 4 for $3.49"

I was waiting for him to ask "How much for 1 rib?"
but he looked at the change he had in his hand and walked away.

I felt sorry for him, and I breifly thought, I'll buy his lunch.
Then I look in his hand and there was a brand new pack of cigarettes.
Forget it, I'm not buying you lunch. If you'd rather spend $4 on cigarettes than eat, that's your problem. Stupid!

Book of Questions #18

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one ability or quality, what would it be?

My Answer: The ability to finish my dotnet project in 1 week.

What about You?

My New Personal Trainer

I got a personal trainer yesterday. Since I have a room that has all my exercize equipment in it, my personal trainer encouraged me to use it.
She laid on the yoga mat and did some sort of leg lift, and told me to get on the gazelle. I didn't have on any shoes, but she didn't care, she wanted me to exercize on the gazelle. She then proceeded to go to the trampoline to jump. After about 5 minutes I told her that I was tired, and asked if I could stop. She allowed me to stop but then told me to jump on the trampoline.
As I started to jump, she said "Isn't it fun, Isn't it fun"...
No it's not fun, my calves are starting to hurt, and I'm starting to sweat.
"Faster, Faster" she yells. After awhile I stopped and proceeded to the yoga mat. I tried to remember some of my stretches. I bent to the side to touch my left toe.
"Other side" she says... and on we went. Next was situps.
"1, 2, 3, ...... 22, 23, 27".....she skipped some numbers. That's ok, it makes me feel like I did more that what I actually did. All in all I had a good workout, and went straight to bed. If anyone of you wants to borrower my personal trainer, she is avaliable on Tuesdays, for a small fee of "candy and a surprise". But if you feel you want to give a donation, she is saving up for college.

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

I just finished my study for church tomorrow. I was about to go to bed but I have a screaming 2 year old wanting to play on the internet, so I needed to escape. We moved her bed upstairs to fill the empty bedroom. It's a huge bedroom. It's all decorated with princess stuff, since she's a princess, and thinks she's Cinderella. I remember my first bedroom. We lived in a little bitty trailer. There was a hallway between the kitchen and where my mom's bed was at. The hallway was the length of a twin bed. To the left fit only a twin bed and the the right was a built in dresser. That was it. My room was a hallway. I remember in the 3rd grade my aunt gave me her compter, a TI99-4A. I would sit on the edge of my bed, pull out a drawer from the built in dresser and then I would take our chalk board and turn in around and place it on the drawer. I now had a desk. The keyboard would sit on the "desk" and I small tv would sit on the top of the dresser. The keyboard/pc would connect to the tv and I would write simple "Basic" programs. Even at the age of 8 I knew I wanted to be a programmer like my aunt. I graduated high school, in 93' and worked and paid my way through college. It did take my 6 years, but I finished. It's so cool to see that I fullfilled my dream.

Chili's I-30 & Collins

Yesterday we went to Chili's to eat. We got there at 11:15. At 12:15 our food arrived. 1 hour later. We asked for the manager, boxes to go, and checks... We only got a rude manager. So as I was putting a fork of salad in my mouth, I hear the words in slow motion "I don't think we should pay for this, we've been here for an hour" Then before I knew it, everyone around me was getting out of their chairs. I did a double take at my sandwich and reached for it. But I left it there. Man that sandwich sure did look good, since I hadn't even eaten breakfast that morning. Oh well. When we got back to the office, I got online at Chili's website to complain about the incident. If they send me some gift cards I will not use them at that Chili's..... I'll just use them down the street at On the Border (they are owned by the same company :)

Reality Check

This is what happens when you get bored. Yesterday my sister was looking up old high school classmates just to see where they are now. She looked up Joseph Roy Ewen III, son of a former city councilman of Arlington. He was her boyfriend in high school. Do you know what she found. DECEASED! I couldn't believe it when I heard it. After much digging, she found that he had passed away of cancer Nov 2004, and was only 27 years old. Wow, so young.
Needless to say, when someone you know dies and is about your age you start to wonder "who will be next, and will it be me"
Well in light of this my sister and I have vowed to get mammograms as soon as possible. See breast cancer runs in my family, and it does not discriminate against age. A woman that works with my sister who is 35 has stage 4 breast cancer, she's only 5 years old than me. I can not stress how important it is to get a yearly checkup, both men and women, and for women I encourage you to get mammograms yearly.

Moving from the red into the black

The phrase I used to say to Eddie, whenever I would bring a purchase home would be "It was only $10 dollars". Which I thought if I could get something for $10 that was a bargain. But as we all know, all of those $10 can add up to $100.
We'll we've been on a get out of debt budget, and needless to say my $10 days are gone.

Well yesterday, I went to Dixie's to buy a charm for a friend, it's her birthday this week. See her birthday falls on the 29th of Feb, and since there will be no 29th this year, she celebrates all week long.

Anyways.. back to Dixies.. I bought her a charm, it was like $5, then I bought me a charm it was like $4, then I was looking for a chain, cause mine broke a while back. So I found one only $4. Isn't that good? I mean $4, not $65 which I would have paid at Zales. Granted the one I got is silver and not white gold, but it looks the same. And did I mention only $4.

Well I showed it to Eddie and he said something to the effect of needing to pay off credit cards... I don't know, wasn't really paying attention, cause I had a new chain, and it only cost me $4.

I think I'm getting better, heck I cut down my favorite phrase down more than half. I think that is real progress.

Eddie's all around me

I don't remeber the day that we met, we had mutual friends, who were dating each other. He knew my sister. They both worked at "the pawn shop", First Cash Pawn to be exact, but at different locations. At first glance, not the type of guy I would think of dating. He as 2.5 years younger than me, had a fade, and worked at the pawn shop. I had my eye on someone else, my age, and taller. Also named Eddie. To make the story smoother we'll call him Eddie H.
I remeber being at a party dancing with Eddie H. After the party we all went to eat at Wendy's. Eddie H. on one side of me, and Eddie V (my future husband) on the other side of me. Eddie V, just one of the guys. Eddie H, ended up being too conceited. He was fine and he knew it.
As the months passed Eddie V and I became friends. We also became dance partners, we had a blast. We hung out more and more until he met another girl. That is when I started looking at him in a whole different way....

Magical Moments

Isabel having fun with her Daddy.


Emma being Dora the Explorer

Book of Questions # 6

You discover that your wonderful one-year-old chld is, because of a mixup at the hospital, not yours. Would you want to exchange the child to try to correct the mistake?

My Answer: No, I would not exchange. But I would investigate to see if the child is in a good home, if not, then I would try to get custody.

A Day of Rest

Normally on Wednesday's I leave work, pick up the kids, go to the dollar store to buy stuff for my Mission Friends class, go to my sister's or in-laws house, feed the girls, pick up a someone, and head to church where I set up for class and get ready to teach about 6-9 two-three year olds. This is all in a 3 hour time span.
Well yesterday I was exhausted. After all my running around, my sister informed me that Emma had pink eye. Sad to say, but a wave of relief washed over me. I've got plenty of pink eye medicine at the house, so I made some phone calls, and one more trip to drop all my class material off and headed home.
My mom was there to greet me. Isabel was asleep, and stayed asleep. Emma was being spoiled rotten by my mom as I made chicken quesadillas. We watched American Idol, and I dozed off to never never land. I got the much need sleep that I needed. It's so nice to have a day off every once in a while.

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. Psalm 116:7

Pobresita (UPDATE)

The apartment complex that she was staying in moved her to a different complex in an other area of town. The new place is managed by Christians, who shared with her that they pray God will lead people to them that they can minister to. They are going to contact Mission Arlington, to furnish her apartment, and also help her with daycare. A program that works with victims of crime is paying for her hospital bills, and offering other aid.

God is so good.

Pobresita (Poor little one)

She has been through alot and she's only 21. Sunday night,as she locked the car door, with her 15 month old little boy in her arms, and diaper bag and purse thrown over her shoulder, she starts the long walk towards her apartment on the 2nd floor. The night was cold, scary, dark, the beer store is only 50 feet away. This is not the greatest part of town for a single young mom to be living.
She is not even 10 feet from her car, and out of nowhere three black guys rush to her, attacking her from all angles. The baby slips out of her arms, smacking face first to the ground. A beer bottle comes crashing on her head, and in a matter of 10 seconds her world is shattered yet another time.
Back in Cedar Hill, 30 minutes away from her, I get a phone call. She was so hysterical, I could only pick out a few words. I wasn't even sure who was calling. At first I thought it was my sister, but no.
"Attack...beer bottle, head, took purse, bible bag, keys"' My first response was "Did you call the cops"... "Are you in your apartment? Stay there I'm on my way"
Well, that was a lie... I couldn't leave... I didn't want to put my two girls in danger, so I called someone else.
"You gotta help her"....
I called her back and the paramedic on the other line said that she was fine, but that she was being transported to the hospital, and the baby would be with her.

It makes me sick to my stomach that there are people who have no value for life. They prey on defenseless women and children..babies.

Yesterday, I was going driving around a parking lot at a grocery store, and saw three black guys. They were dressed thuggish, and I couldn't help wondering if they were the ones, who shattered my friends world.

1988 - 1996

August 1989, I made my first entry in a diary. I found that diary the other day. I was in Jr High, High School, and College. I was boy crazy, had low self-esteem until I reached college, and then I had a blast. Why did I stop writing in 1996? Well that's when I met Eddie. I think I have a few entries in other journals, I just have to locate them. But here's a synopsis... It's been a roller-coaster ride. Lots of ups and downs, more ups than downs. Well now it's 2006 and I've started writing again, only this time it's online. Blogger needs to figure out a way where we can print out all our entries with a single click, just in case they ever shut down. I would hate to loose all this history. One day I want my girls to read my journals so that when they say "you don't understand"... I can point to page 5 in my journal and recant my experiences as a teenager, and say "oh but I do"

I have the best Daddy in the whole world

He owns everything, my picture is on His refrigerator, He loves me no matter what I do, He makes me laugh, He always surprises me with gifts. My daddy is God, the only daddy I've ever known.

Just Friday, I checked the mail and there was a refund check from my OB/GYN in the amount of 455.00. Wow what a gift.

Tag Your It

4 Jobs I’ve Had In My Life:

Indoor Grand Prix - Got to ride go-karts for free.
Bell Helicopter - Got to ride helicopters for free.
PSC - A web development company. I got to wear shorts to work
Motherhood - I work 24 hours a day.

4 Goals I Set For This Year:

Exercise daily. - I walk twice a day
Get into the Word more. - I do my devotional daily
Debt Free - We're selling the house
Scrapbook more - Doing this at least once a month.


4 Movies I Could Watch Over And Over:

Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Who doesn't envy Ferris?
Top Gun - There's just something about men in fighter jets.
Breakfast Club - Classic 80's
Clueless - Every girls dream, big house, fast car, and lots of clothes



4 Places I Have Lived:

Odessa, TX
Hurst, TX
Arlington, TX
Cedar Hill, TX


4 TV Shows I Love To Watch:

General Hospital
House
Extreme Makeover Home Edition
Grey's Anatomy


4 Places I’ve Been On Vacation:

Los Angeles, CA
San Antonio, TX
Oden, AK
Odessa, TX


4 Websites I Visit Daily:

Bloglines
Bank of America
Blogger.com
Yahoo


4 Of My Favorite Foods:

Mexican - Taco's de Asada
Mexican - Sopes
Mexican - Posole
Mexican - Ceviche

4 Places I’d Rather Be Right Now:

Home watching TV
A beach
Disney World
Playing at the park with my girls

So Now I’m Going To Tag…

Shelly, Jeff, Jeremy, Tammara, Paul

There is a time for everything....

Well we're going to do it. We're going to sell our gorgeous home. Why? Because we can make at least $100,000 from the sale. Do you know what we can do with that money? Pay off debt, and put the rest on a house that's in Arlington closer to our family, friends, and church. Eddie will be able to quit his part-time jobs, and I'll be able to put my salary in the bank and mutual funds. Then the Valenzuela household will be in balance again.

Gone will be the days where we are working for CitiMortage, or American Express. We will be able to serve our community more, spend more time with our 2 beautiful daughters, take family vacations, and secure a future for their college funds.

Pray that God will just open the doors for us that this will go according to his plan.

I'm so excited!

Better late than never

If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven't you told them yet?

My Answer: Nothing I would regret. I tell my family each day that I love them.

Cute Sayings #1

Every so often my kids will say and do things that crack me up. So I decided to log these little moments.

Scene: Target, Emma and Grandma using one basket, Belle and I using another basket.
We are in different parts of the store.

Me: Isabel, where's grandma?
Isabel: I don't know
Me: Isabel, we lost grandma.
Isabel: I didn't loss grandma. You loss grandma.

And the Oscar for favorite princess goes to........

Cinderella (Of course)

So Isabel (2 yrs) is asking me if she can wear her Cinderella dress (It's actually Belle's dress), but Isabel likes pretending that she's Cinderella. So she puts it on and I grab the ladder to get her crown off of a shelf.

"Can we dance to my song Mommy?" She's talking about Cinderella's song "A Dream is Wish Your Heart makes". So I put it on and we start to dance. Emma of course wants to join us. So there we are the 3 princesses dancing in the living room.

After the song finishes Isabel is standing there and says

"I want to thank everybody for..." I'm not sure what else she said, but it sounded alot like she was giving her speech for best actress.

Bare-Naked Ladies

Well not quite, but I feel that way. I left my purse at home. What does that mean you ask? Well for starters, I have no makeup on. More importantly no lipstick. My nose is shining and I've got dark circles under my eyes.
Of course the logical thing would be to run up to Walgreens and buy some more.
Did you not hear me? I left my purse at home. What does that mean you ask again? No money! Can't even go to the ATM. Nothing. So I'm just sitting here, kicking myself, thanking God that I at least have my gas card. You see at the Chevron on Post and Paddock there is a Quiznos attached and they take Chevron cards. Yeah. So I won't starve today, thank God.
Hey I wonder is they sell lipstick?

Book of Questions # 2

Do you believe in ghosts or evil spirits? Would you be willing to spend the night alone in a remote house that is supposedly haunted?

My Answer: "Yes, I believe in evil spirits. No way would I spend a night alone in a haunted house, I can barely be alone in my own house"

T.H.I.N.K

Was listening to a broadcast this morning, talking about how to divorce proof your marriage. On thing that was mentioned was an acrostic on thinking before speaking.

T - Truthful Is what you are saying truthful?
H - Helpful Is what you are saying helpful?
I - Inspiring Is what you are saying inspiring?
N - Necessary Is what you are saying necessary?
K - Kind Is what you are saying kind?

THINK before you speak.

Kids say the darnest things

We were at Mc Donalds this weekend, the kids were playing in the McPlay Place. There were 2 other little girls playing who were cousins. Here's the conversation as I heard it.

"Madeline, can you come with me, cause I might see a stranger, and he might get me, and then I won't get to be your cousin no more"

We were at church, playing Hide and Seek in the dark, we are hide and a 4-year old was seeking. I hear.

"8 - 9 - 10..... (then some crying)"
I came out and asked "What's wrong?"
She replied "I lost myself"

Me and the girls were playing outside behind the garage. Isabel says

"I want to go home"
"We are home."
"I want to go in there" she says pointing to the house.

Last night at church, a kid runs up to me

"Hma. Michelle, Mikey has a iPocket"
"A what?"
"iPocket"
"What's that" thinking somehow I'd lost my iPod
"You cut with it"
So I went to see what it was, and lo and behold it was a pocket knife.
I think what he was saying was a knife pocket, I heard iPocket, and what he meant was pocket knife.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

There are many times that we go through trials and wonder what good will come out of it. In the past several weeks I have seen God work in our lives.

The Bad
Two weeks ago Emma was sick with rotavirus. She had a lowgrade fever and diahrea.

The Good
Of course she and Isabel stayed home all week with Eddie. This was good, cause it allow the girls to have some alone time with their Dad, and to also give us the chance to get Isabel potty-trained.

The Bad
We've been living with debt for about a year, since Emma was born. I hate it. We struggled to get our tax money on time, but did it.

The Good
We totally have changed with way we look at money. We have become savers and not just excessive spenders. The Lord has now blessed Eddie with more cabinet work, and 2 part-time jobs apart from his full-time fire-fighter position. Now we will attack the debt with a vengence

The Bad
I have goals to meet at work. I'm stressed about one of the projects, which I have doubt that it will be completed on time.

The Good
I'm learning a new programming language. I feel that I'm growing in my education.

I'm in Pain....

I woke up this morning with a terrible stomach ache. I even changed into some jeans that weren't as tight, just so I could have a little bit of comfort. As I was driving, my stomach hurt so bad that I had to completely undo my jeans, and I though I was in early labor. I hope it goes away. Eventhough I'm exhausted, tense, and would rather be in bed, I don't want to take a sick day. I'll try to suck it up.

To my children, with love - Part 1

Colossians1
9We have not stopped praying for you since the first day we heard about you. In fact, we always pray that God will show you everything he wants you to do and that you may have all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives.

10Then you will live a life that honors the Lord, and you will always please him by doing good deeds. You will come to know God even better.

11His glorious power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything, and you will be truly happy.

12I pray that you will be grateful to God for letting you have part in what he has promised his people in the kingdom of light.

13God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son,

14who forgives our sins and sets us free.

The next face-off

CINDERELLA VS. BATMAN

Isabel play fighting with Jacob my nephew.
Isabel: You Batman, I Cinderella.

The the fighting began.
Cinderella is a lot stronger than I thought.

What kind of bra are you?

You Are a Flashy Red Bra!

Outgoing, friendly, and fascinating. You're a charmer, with your pick of the men. But you want a man who's as magnetic as you are. You need someone who can keep up with your all night gab fests!

What Kind of Bra Are You?

I will not cross the picket line....

Day 3 with only wearning panties and no accidents. Yeah! Although she hadn't had a BM either. Right before she went to be we went potty and had a little B.M. so I was happy. I put on her "night night panties.. aka pull ups" and away she went. About 1 hour later Eddie comes to inform me that she pooped in her pull up.. Oh well poor kid had been holding for 3 days.
Hopefully tomorrow at church will go well. Even if I have to leave service to take her to the potty, I will not put a pullup on her. I have officially drawn the line. No more diapers.

We'll call her Stan... we'll call me Fed Up

Someone I used to consider a friend, (we'll call her Stan, (names have been changed to protect the innocent))I no longer do. I think our relationship started fading away at least 1.5 years ago. She used to take care of Isabel as an infant but when Isabel turned 1 yrs old I started having someone else take care of her. Let me just tell you it was the best decision ever. Isabel was a happier baby, and I was a happier mommy. (Never mix business and friendship....it doesn't work at least not for me). Anyways... needless to say we stopped hanging out. Not that I haven't tried to restore the friendship. She's made comments like "Tracy is my only friend" (she's your cousin, she has to like you)...that's strike number one Or when I say "Hey we haven't hung out in a while, we should get together" the reply was "WE don't hang out"....Ok strike two. Or the times when she's being Stan (Shoot that ain't nothing), you know always trying to one-up me on everything. It gets old.
So I've just stop talking to her altogether. I only talk to her when I need to,
other than that I don't even utter a "hi".

Do you know what's sad? We are both teachers in our church. And we are both acting like kids. Last night as I was leaving she was standing in the doorway, I said "excuse me" she moved and I passed through as I heard her say "Gosh I'm just standing in the doorway, relax"...

That did it. It's not like I said "Move! you're in my way"... all I said was "excuse me", I didn't shout, in fact it was in a very monotone voice.
Well she called and left a message saying "Hey wanted to talk to you to see if eveything is ok".... whatever

I asked my husband what should I do.. cause I'm not good at confronting people or being confronted. I either try to avoid the confrontation completely or if confronted I'm either very passive, won't say anything... or I go into complete attack mode.

He said I sould return the call, realizing that satan is at work, and would like nothing more to bring division in our church...
He's right, but I still don't want to call.

It is well with my soul

A guy that works with my father-in-law just lost his 2 year old in a drowning accident. The question I have for myself was "How would I feel in that situation?"
My first thought was "I'd be mad at God".... But after thinking about it for a while and reading an excerpt of a book called "In the arms of God", my perspective changed. In my mind I know that God is in control of all things, and that "all things work for the good of those who love Him, and who are called according to his purpose". In the words of my father-in-law "Kids belong to God, He just lets us take care of them for a little bit" So another question arises "Do I love God, more than earthly things or another human being?" Abraham did and he was counted as righteous.
The answer to the questions above. YES! I do love God more than anyone or anything. He has never foresaken me, and no matter how bad things may seem He has always been there to see me through. So I pray that through life's struggles and tragedies I will be able to say "It is well with my soul"

P.S. Please pray for Emma as she is sick right now with Rotavirus. Not too bad though as she's only thrown up twice since Sunday and the diahrea isn't that bad. She seems to be in good spirits.

That was a big check....

Well not exactly, since I don't write checks anymore... I paid my property taxes online on Friday. Whewwwwwwwww.. I can breath now.
My how times have changed. I remember when I was in the 6th grade my class had a lesson on how to write checks, fill out a register, and balance a checkbook. I haven't done that in ages. I wonder what the class would be like now.....
create a bill pay account, send a payment online, check your bank account to see if the draft went through....

Reciprocity

It so pays to be nice to others without expecting anything in return. Through our friend Vanessa, Eddie got a part-time job where she works. He'll be working there some while he's not at the fire department. Yeah!!!! Eddie is just not one to stay home and do nothing, so this is a good thing.

Surprise

Yesterday I told Isabel that her Wuelita had a surprise, and that the surprise was a puppy.
Well when we met Eddie at his mom's house, he told Isabel.
"Wuelita has a surprise!"
Isabel replied "No, it's a puppy"

Smarty pants!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I'm so overwhelmed right now. Work is my biggest stress. Enough said.

Spider Man = Web Developer

What kind of super hero are you? I'm Spider-Man. I can understand that, since he created webs...and I create WEBsites...

Your results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man 85% Supergirl 70% Catwoman 70% Hulk 60% Robin 55% The Flash 55% Superman 50% Green Lantern 50% Batman 45% Iron Man 45% Wonder Woman 40%

You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

10 Months from now

10 months from now Emma will be 2 years old.
10 months from now I'll get another tax statement
10 months from now we'll be preparing for another "Celebrando Jesus"
10 months from now I'll be asking Eddie to hurry up and finish my dinning room table.
10 months from now our friend Josh will come back from war in the Philipeens (? spelling)
10 months from now I will have implemented something in ASP.net
10 months from now I would have almost finished the entire bible.
10 months from now is not that far away.

Where will you be 10 months from now.

Book of Questions #1

For the person you loved deeply, would you be willing to move to a distant country, knowing there would be little chance of ever seeing your friends or family again?

Things to do with your kids.

Yesterday in Mission Friends we did some cool stuff... you can do this at home with your kiddos.

I bought the paperplates that are shaped as different animals.
I taught about sneezing and saying "God Bless You", and covering your mouth when you sneeze.
I had the kids glue the corner of a kleenex on the nose of the animal. On the back I wrote God Bless You. This craft is called a "Kerchoo"

Another craft is ediable art.
On a paperplate spray whip cream and let them spread it around with their fingers. When it's all spread out, they can then draw different pictures on it like a magnadoodle. Then you can give them colored marshmellows to create another picture on the whipped cream.

Why do you go to church?

Why do you go to church Mommy?Isabel asks.
Well we go to church to worship God. We sing to God, and we read the bible and we pray.
We sing to Jesus too? she asks.
Yes we sing to Jesus.
Then she breaks out singing the song "Happy Birthday Jesus"

This conversation repeated about 4 times in the car.
I'm so glad God gives me those teachable moments with my children.

If you were a cartoon.... who would you be?

Isabel is convinced that she is Cinderella. And if you tell her that she's not, she gets mad. The other day she was getting ready for her bath, got completely naked and yelled "I'm Cinderella". I busted out laughing. It was the funnies thing.

By the way according to her..
I am Swiper
Emma is Dora
Eddie is Boots
Jacob is Batman
Grandma is Sleeping Beauty

Why am I the sneaky fox? I want to be Inspector Gadget.

Aurora Heredia Garcia

Bori was my mom's counsin.... A prisoner in her own body and in her own home for many years. I wrote about her 4 months ago. She had the stomach bipass surgery and her health got worse ever since then. I'll greatly miss her sense of humor and kind heart. I will forever keep the huge blanket that she crocheted for Isabel. Bori I'll miss you, but I know that you are in heaven and that I will see you again.

Aurora Heredia GarciaCrane Aurora Heredia Garcia, 52, of Crane, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, at her residence.
Wake service will be at
7 p.m. Sunday at Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Good Shepherd Catholic Church with the Rev. Nilo Naluogon officiating. Burial will be at Crane County Cemetery.
She was born in Monahans and was a member of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church.
Survivors Daughter, Neomi L. Garcia of Crane; father, Ismael V. “Pete” Heredia Sr. of Crane; brothers, Ricky Heredia and Guadalupe “Wally” Heredia, both of Crane, Ismael Heredia Jr. of Andrews and Johnny Heredia of Phoenix.

Faithbook 2006

Well I started my faithbook yesterday. "Faithbook 2006: Gifts from God A-Z"
I'm as so siked up about this. I went and bought a book and pages for it yesterday.
My scrapbooking partner and close friend Chachi decided to do one to. So that's cool.

A: All things were made by Him. John 1:3

I have a picture of Isabel at 3 weeks naked with a bow that says Gift from God. It's so cute.

B: Bones of Bones, flesh of my flech. Gen.2:23

I'll put a picture of Emma at birth... she's my second gift from God.

I can't wait until the end of the year when this book is complete. It will be something that I can pass down to my daughters when they grow up.

Goals

Spiritual

1. Complete a faithbook from A-Z
2. Read the entire bible

Family

1. Do one load of laundry a day
2. Read a book each night to the girls

Physical

1. Workout for 30 minutes on Saturday mornings

Work

1. Brush up on my OO Analysis and Design (took a class 7 years ago at UTA)
2. Take a VB.net class
3. Clear out my que daily
4. Complete the rest of the goals outlined by my boss

Bathroom Talk

Ok, something weird happened to me yesterday. I went into the ladies bathroom, and there was only one other person there, who was washing her hands. As I was in the stall she asked
"Have you been outside?"
I stayed quiet, cause I didn't know if she was talking to me or not. Granted I was the only one there, but she could have been on the phone. It was just weird having someone talk to me while I'm going to the bathroom. Anyways, I stayed quiet. Then she said,
"Do you speak English?"
I was offended? Of course, weirdo, it's a requirement to work here. So I replied,
"Are you speaking to me?"
"Yes"...
"I'm sorry, didn't realize you were speaking to me. The weather is wonderful"
"Great, have a great day"

People, unless you know the person in the stall, don't talk to them, it's very weird.

Love Hurts

Isabel just loves Emma to death.. literally. She was giving her a hug, which because of the height difference is more chocking than hugging. Emma always tries to push her away. After about 10 hugs Emma was fed up.

"Isabel, no more hugs for Emma today"
"But I love her"
"I know you love her, but your hutting her"
"But I love her"
"Ok, but Emma doesn't want anymore hugs"
"But I love her"

coversation ended there... Emma get used to it. Love sometimes hurts.

Guess What????

I have internet access at home again... Yeah... I missed it. And guess what else? It's all Eddie's fault. He switch the modem and had it plug into a new wall. Well this new wall doesn't get a dial tone, so guess what no DSL either. I can't believe I went without sent Thanksgiving. Thanks to the sbc tech support, I thought about checking the phone line. So as we were trying other things I switched the line over to the old wall. Tech support had just about given up and was going to send a tech out when wa-la, I got all green lights... Yeah...
Now I can get caught up on all the stuff like surfing, and blogging, and uploading pictures, and fun stuff for the kids...
It's so glad to be back.

GH on the brain

I've 95% done on Emma's scrapbook. Yeah! I went to my friends house to scrapbook last night, it was great. Spent 2.5 hours just relaxing, talking, and cropping.
When I got home the girls were asleep and Eddie was watching TV. I went into my room and started watching GH. I'd been waiting since yesterday to watch. It was good. There is a new character, a surgeon, who I think was brought on to be a love interest for Robin, (a doctor as well, medical research). Eventhough she hates him right now, and is HIV positive, I know that they are going to fall in love. After the show I dreamt about them falling in love on the show, it was a good dream.
Anyways, I'm so glad I have DVR, 100% better than recording on VHS, and I can watch all my shows on Saturday or whenever I want. Technology is great.

New Drug Cocktail

I feel like crap today.... I'm sorry I meant to say I feel like snap... wait that doesn't sound right either.
See my friend pointed out that saying "Oh crap", doesn't sound good. I seem to think that it's better than saying "Oh Sh*t". Well I decided I'd try a word substitution and say "Oh snap" instead. It's not working. "Crap" is just drilled into my head. So how do I feel today? Awful, just plain awful. (I did it).

My allergies are kicking my bootay. I went to the doctor after work yesterday, hoping to get a shot. What they gave me was 4 prescriptions. So after that I went to pick up the girls and headed to Costco.

First thing I did was head to the bathroom. Isabel was wearing panties, so wanted to make sure she didn't have an accident. Next stop the pharmacy counter. Wait time 45 minutes.. Holy cow... I can't wait that long. But I really didn't have a choice. So down the aisles I went. I pick up my wipes, then headed to look for my scrapbooking paper. There was none to be found... Ahhh I knew I should have bought it when I had the chance. Next stop food. We shared a chicken bake... Hmm good. Then we picked up the meds... Total bill at Costco $96.00 + $50 at the doc's office. Not bad for one day... There goes my Christmas money.

My drug cocktail consists of: Allegra 180 (30 day), Prednisone (7 days), Nasonex (when needed), and Elidel (Twice a day).
My drug of choice is Nasonex. It's a nasal spray. I love it. It taste bad going down my troat, but it sure does work.

Hopefully I'll feel better by this afternoon.

Farwell Mrs. Sessums

Dixie's grandma passed away on Christmas Day. She would have been 81 in February. The funeral will be this Thursday. Please keep her husband and family in your prayers.
What I remember about her most is breakfast time. I went and visited their home in San Antonio when I was 17 years old. The first morning that we got up there was a spread on the kitchen table. Donuts, muffins, eggs, bacon, ham, and pancakes. I was stuffed, and she still wanted to feed me more. And she made the best orange julius' out of figs from her backyard. Dixie says it is bittersweet. Grandma Sessums was ready, and had been for quite awhile. Although healthy, active and eating right, she had a heart attack. She declined having surgery to fix it. She was able to say goodbye to her family and friends.
Farwell Mrs. Sessums.

The Tree is away....Christmas is over

Wow, another year is coming to an end. This Christmas was great. We spent it in our new house with our family. The girls and my nephew had tons of gifts to open. Guess I'm going to have to let them have two play rooms instead of just one. The girls did great in the Christmas play. They were presents. They were standing in the front, and Isabel thinking in her head (hey I need to be back there singing) immediately Isabel went to the back where the older kids were and started singing Happy Birthday Jesus. One by one the other toddlers followed suit... Emma was the only one who stood where she was supposed to. She's so obedient. The rest of the day was spent eating posole (like menudo, with out the gross stuff), tamales, and fruit cocktail salad. We opened gifts for what seems like hours. Box after box, the girls got clothes, toys, and lots of Dora and princess stuff. We got them a car and bike.... All in all this was a great Christmas.

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hope you guys and gals have a wonderful time with your families this Christmas Day.

Does this make me a bad mom?

Just last night I noticed that Emma has an "outy". I hadn't noticed it before. I wonder if it just popped out from being so full from eating. Hmmmm

I'm not that lucky

Just read this article, and thought to myself what would I do if someone left a ring worth $15,000 in my car.
Do I keep it? No, it would be a liability to me. I'd be a afaid of getting mugged just for the ring.
Do I sell it? Of course... I'd sell it in a heartbeat and then payoff my car with the proceeds.
What would you do?

Made with Love

This year being on a tight budget, we've had to be creative in our gift giving. So Eddie made something (can't say what, cause everyone got the same thing) from wood to give. It is really nice. In giving this gift away, I found that not only was it cost effecient, but the one who received this gift appreciated it alot more that had I just gone out and bought one. It just makes you feel really good inside knowing that you put a smile on someones face. Hopefully we can continue this next year as well.

Tribute to Dixie

My friend Dixie lives in New Braunfels. We've known each other since I was 15 years old. She's married and has 3 kids, so consequently she says doesn't have alot of time to read my blog. (I'll make sure she reads this post)
In high school she had a book called "The Book of Questions". We would stay up hours answering all the questions in the book, week after week after week.
It was alot of fun, plus you really get to know someone by asking lots of questions. So each week I will pose a question from this book, to be commented on. Hope you have as much fun as I did answering these questions.


Question #4 (from the book)

If you could spend one year of perfect happiness but afterward would remember nothing of the experience would you do so? If not, why not?

Mirror Mirror on the wall....

What is beauty?
For a woman it may mean her figure, hair, face, legs, breast, everything external. At least that is what society looks at. And we look at that as well. We comb our hair, put on makeup, paint our nails, workout (or at least try), we diet (or at least try) What's wrong with being beautiful on the outside, absolutely nothing as long as it doesn't define who you are.
Read these words from a song written and sung by BarlowGirl

Mirror, Mirror on the wall; Have I got it?
'Cause Mirror you've always told me who I am
I’m finding It’s not easy to be perfect
So sorry, you won’t define me
Sorry, you don’t own me

I have to remind myself of this. Gone are the days of size 6 and long thick curly black hair. I'm over the size 6 thing, there will come a time when I'll have the time to workout, but with two toddlers it ain't happening anytime soon.
Now my hair... Eddie used to say he loved my hair. I used to love my hair...but slowly it's fading away. I've been cursed by genetics. I remind myself that beauty is who I am in the Lord. I've got to work on this one.
Am I a beautiful person?
Do I shine the love and light of Jesus?
Sometimes I'm not. When I yell at someone, or am short with someone, or sarcastic...
Othertimes,I do. When I'm generous, or smile, or help others without a thought to myself.

Mirror I am seeing a new reflection
I’m looking into the eyes of He who made me
To Him I have beauty beyond compare

Annual Wish List

Every year I give my friends and family my annual wish list. That way they know exactly what to get me. I think it's help everyone all around. They don't have to rack their brains trying to figure out what to get me and I don't have to wait in a line for hours waiting to return something. So here goes.

1. A echthus silver charm for my bracelet (Christian fish).. $4-7.00 at Dixie's (Randolmill and 360)
2. A Costco gift card so I can buy the 2 packs of scrapbook paper (card stock and differnt designs) 11.00 and 13.00
3. $10 ITunes card so I can buy the new Third Day album... (you can get it at Best Buy)

See that wasn't so bad...

The only thing missing is the table

Bought this bike for Isabel for Christmas. `And a little car for Emma (a green and purple one). I can't wait for them to see the gifts. Christmas is at our house this year. The only people missing will be my grandparents and aunt and uncle. They will be in Odessa. Man I can't wait. Eddie's mom is making Tamales, and a chicken salad dish. My mom is making some Asado (red chili with meat)... she doesn't know it yet though. I think I'll make a chicken enchilada casserole. My mouth is already starting to water..... We'll get up extra early to give Emma and Isabel their bikes. We'll go to church with all our family joining us. Emma and Isabel will be in the Christmas program, where they will sing Happy Birthday Jesus and Feliz Navidad. Then we'll come back home to open gifts, and eat all that good food.
Oh wait... I don't have a dining room table. Eddie was supposed to build me one before Christmas, but it ain't gonna happen. I told him not to sweat it. I guess it's TV tray time... Just kidding, I'll get a table from the church.

If they button they fit

My sister is so generous. Last weekend she was out shopping and bought me and my husband some jeans. She wanted me to try them on immediately. I went in and tried them on. Good in the thighs, they came over my hips, sucking in the stomach. Now here goes..... Yes they button. I think we have a winner. Do they fit she ask? Well I got them buttoned, that's really the only place that they are tight.
Fastforward to yesterday... I put on the same jeans (not washed of course, wouldn't want them to shrink on me.) Guess what they fit even better the second time. I think I lost weight.... maybe just wishful thinking.

The Princess Syndrome

First Cinderella, now it's Beauty and the Beast... She loves watching these two movies, and loves putting on her princess dress.

We were taking pictures and the photographer asked "Who's your favorite princess" to which she replied "Me".

Eddie says "I love you Belle"... "Daddy, say I love you PRINCESS"

Prayer Request

UPDATE:
Thanks everyone for praying. The Lord has answered, and the answer was "not yet". He scored a 91 cumulative grade. But there were 5 people who scored higher. Eddie is glad the test is over.

Please pray for my husband Eddie. He is going to be taking a promotional exam tomorrow at 9:00 am. He is trying to promote to Driver Engineer at the fire dept.
He's been studying for about 4 months now. There are 4 positions open. Basically the people who have the top 4 grades get the spots (85 people will be testing).

Pray that he will have an easy day today at work, and will be able to rest.(he's at central station, which means they'll normally have numerous calls during the day, and calls during the night). Pray that he will be able to sleep all night long. Tomorrow, Pray that God will help him recall all of the information that he has stored in his head. And finally pray that he will get one of the top 4 grades so that he can get the promotion.

Thanks.
Michelle

Seven Things

A Man of Faith tagged me with the seven things. Here it goes:

Seven Things I want to Do Before I Die:
1. See both of my girls accept Christ and get baptized.
2. Be debt free
3. Go to Hawaii
4. Go on a cruise
5. Go to Disney World as a family
6. Swim with Dolphins
7. Watch my girls get married


Seven Things I Cannot Do:
1. Reject Christ
2. A Cartwheel
3. Imagine my life without my two girls and my husband
4. Watch the news when it involves tragedy w/ kids
5. Listen to the song "She walked Away" by BarlowGirl without crying
6. Be outright mean
7. Hit a ball with a bat


Seven Things That Attract Me To My Husband (romantic interest, best friend, whatever applies to you)
1. His sense of humor
2. His ambition
3. He's a great carpenter
4. He's a wonderful cook
5. He's a jack of all trades
6. He's a committed man of God
7. Awesome Firefighter and Paramedic

Seven Things I Say Most Often
1. I Love You, to my family
2. Like
3. Dude!
4. I'm out.
5. Shhhhh, mommy is listening to her show.
6. Isabel, eso no se ase!
7. Do you want to watch Dora or Diego?

Seven Books, Or Series, That I Love
1. The Bible
2. Where the Red Fern Grows
3. Little Miss Books, by Roger Hargreaves
4. Super Fudge, by Judy Blume
5. Old Yeller
6. The O'Malley Series
7. Stephanie Plum Novels, by Janet Evonovich


Seven Movies I Would Watch Over and Over Again
1. The Sandlot
2. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
3. Sixteen Candles
4. Grease
5. Top Gun
6. Lethal Weapon
7. Weird Science


Seven People I Want To Join In To
1. Eddie
2. Mom
3. WifeyandMommy
4. Life as an Ant, Jeremy
5. A Proverbs 31 woman
6. Dixie
7. Gladys

Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!

Is one of my favorite Christmas shows. And I'm glad the network still airs it every year. Why you ask, because towards the end of the show the one with the blanket (Linus?) recites the Christmas story my memory from the Bible, as he explains what Christmas is all about.
Two nights ago we started the family tradition of watching Christmas movies together. 1st was Elf, last night was Charlie Brown Christmas, and tonight will be the Christmas Story.
What's your favorite Christmas movie?

Music in the Air

I bought the coolest thing today. An FM Modulator
I can hook my ipod to it and play music in my car, I can also hook up my laptop and the girls can listen to their movies through the car speakers. Also you can hook up a usb drive that has mp3 files on it and play those as well. Check it out... Only $30 at Walmart.

Winter Weather

Hate it. There are some idiotic drivers out there. I'm just glad that I leave early enough where there is no one on the road.

Can't wait until all the ice goes away tomorrow.

Learning to ride a bike at 11

My mom bought me my first bike at 11 years, I remember I was in the 6th grade. I previously won a bike in the 3rd grade, by winning 1st place city wide for the Fire prevention poster contest. I rode my bike for all of about 20 minutes and got a flat. It being West Texas and all, we had lots of stickers in our yard. We chained the bike up behind our trailer, and it stayed there until it was eventually stolen.

So, I got this 10-speed bike for Christmas, my uncle spent all day putting it together. There were still some bolts left over at the end, so I wasn't confident that the bike wouldn't fall apart. We go outside to ride. Keep in mind that I'm 11 years old and don't know how to ride a bike, much less a 10-speed. I fell and fell and fell, my knees were so scraped up, I've got scares to prove it. Plus the pedals had spikes on them, so whenever my foot would slip the pedal would turn and hit the back of my ankle. Ouch.

Needless to say, I had fun on my bike, although the number of accidents that occured are too many to count. Although one comes to mind..

I was in high school, riding to my friend's house. I hit some gravel, and crashed into a fire hydrant. I flipped over the bike on the grass. I picked the bike up and noticed that the chain had fallen off. Well I had experience on putting it back on of course. I just jumped back on and took off. This bike eventually had to retire, because of another accident that bent the wheel. I can not wait until we buy our girls their first bikes.

Christmas Lights

Click on the video. Turn up your speakers.



For more information click here.

Thanks Stephanie for this link.

Resemblance. You think?

This was too cute not to share. Picture taken at a recent family outing.

S.U.P.E.R Wife

This morning as I drove to work. I was listening to a sermon from Dr. Ed Young, Pastor of Second Baptist of Houston. He's sermon was about being a SUPER Wife. What is a SUPER Wife you ask.

S Sex. Men need and want sex. Not out of duty, not using it as a bargaining chip. But as a expression of love.
U Unique appreciation. You know your husbands uniquely. Your husband needs to know that he is special, that he is needed, and that he matters.
P Partnership. They need a partner in the relationship. A husband should look forward to coming home to their partner. Set the atmosphere of a happy home.
E Enchanting wife. Attractive. Not primarily physical, but your inner beauty. Let your words, and mind be your inner attractiveness. Grace, Charm, your beauty in the Lord
R Recreational companionship. Women become friends by conversation. Men become friends through activity. You need an activity that you do together. Be your husband's best friend.

You are called upon to meet these needs of your husband. When you do, you will be blessed.

Breaking the Cycle

It hurt my heart when my 2 year old said "Don't yell at me!", this was of course after I had politely asked her to do something like 3 times, with no response. Nevertheless, I was wrong, and I apologized to her. I remember my mother yelling at me when I wouldn't listen, and I'm sure my grandmother yelled at her. And now the cycle seems to be continuing. But I'm going to put a stop to it. I just pray that the Lord helps me in this area. Isabel can be really stubborn sometimes, which I fully understand, since I'm the same way. I will have to be more patient with her.

The Dreaded "B" Word

Budget, I hate thinking about it, I hate looking at it, I hate paying bills from it, I hate sticking to it.

The last part is a real problem. It's so hard not to spend, but I've got to stick to my budget. So no more eating out. No more movies. No more shopping for anything. No more entertainment. Ok, maybe once a month.

Lord help help help me stick to my budget. I want to be DEBT free, and only with your help am I going to be able to reach this goal.

The Biggest Looser

Did you see the finale? I did an ex-coworkers wife was one of the contestants. All I can say is wow, all those people lost alot of weight. I'm so motivated now.
I bought the Quaker Oats Weight Control oatmeal, a banana, and a chicken ceasar salad to eat today. I eat oatmeal in the morning anyway, ok well not every morning, but I try. Ok, I can at least control what I eat, so I can't really blame anyone for that one. I just need to find a way that I can go work out. It's hard to go to the gym with two kids. Workout videos are boring. Mom, I you don't use your gazell, I want to use it. I can throw it upstairs and watch TV while I work out, and the kids can play in their playroom. Perfect!

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Life Questions

This week's question is "Who is a mentor you have had? - taken from A Proverbs 31 Woman

Irma Fisher - Got herself through college, became a programmer, favorite aunt, (well only aunt). She gave me my first computer, a TI-994A. And I still call her for programming advice every now and then.

Harold Freeze - Supervisor at Bell Helicopter (5 years), took me under his wing. I was his right-hand lady. Taught me that even the higer-ups put their pants on one leg at a time like we do, and they are no more special. Taught me how to say "no" when my workload is full. Taught me that if you ask someone to do something, be able to work along side them. Then in the future, they can do the task by themselves.

Playback Time

Remember those rectangle tape recorders. Before the days for double tape players, I would play the radio and have the tape recorder nearby to record the music onto cassette. Then I could play back an entire evening of songs.

Well, I think Isabel has a tape recorder under her shirt somewhere. Yesterday she was very clingly. And eventhough Emma walks now, I still carry her, cause she's alot slower than the rest of us. Isabel kept asking me to "hold you". Of course her dad can hold both of them in his arms at the same time, but I'm not her dad. So everytime she'd ask, I would reply with "I'll hold your hand".

Last night as we lay in bed, I said "Isabel, I want to hold you". As she grabbed my hand she said "I'll hold your hand". I just laughed.

The Voice of God

God's speaking to me, I just haven't been still enough to listen. I got pulled over twice this pass weekend, and got off with warnings. What have I learned from this experience.

1. Put my insurance card in the glovebox
2. Use your signal light.
3. If you can't make the turn, you can't make the turn.
4. There are merciful people out in the world.
5. When you screw up, some people give you breaks.
6. Be more careful.

Questions...

1. Am I taking a turn in my life that I shouldn't be taking?
2. Do I need to be more forgiving when people screw up? YES

Thanksgiving

Good food, alot of crankiness from everyone (even me). Glad it's over.

The mind of a 5 year old boy

"Hey Jacob what's your girlfriend's name?"
"I don't got a girlfriend"
"Didn't you have one?"
"yeah, Olivia, but I changed my mind"
"That's good, cause girlfriends are too expensive. You have to buy them presents for their birthday and Christmas"
"She's got her own Mama"

Thank Him

Thank Him today because-
He formed you and made you.
He has given you the breath of life.
He has given you this day.
He is working in you to become all that He has intended you to be.
He is working everything in your life together for the good.
He is using your difficulties and trials to conform you to His image.

Thank Him today for-
The forgiveness of your sins.
The peace that passes all understanding.
The smiles that have come to your face because His joy is in your heart.
The comfort of His presence that has quieted your heart and calmed your fears.
The hope that is in you because He has promised to always be with you.
The place in heaven that He has reserved and has prepared for you.
Thank Him today with-
Words of exaltation.
Songs of celebration.
A heart of strong devotion.
Thoughts of deep reflection.
Acts of admiration.
Claps of loud ovation.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Hebrews 13:15 (KJV)

Not a shy bone

Isabel had the opportunity to sing in front of the congregation. She stood there with the rest of her class, singing "He's got the Whole world in his hands" She did really well. She was not shy at all in front of the mic. I can't wait to see her in the next year singing her first special in front of the congregation. Speaking of specials I need to sing one for Christmas, just don't know which one. My favorite is a medley of "Oh Holy Night, Holy Holy Holy, and Agnus Dei". I wanted to do "Mary did you know", but in spanish. I've got to see if there is a translation out there somewhere.

What I Love about my Church

A fellow blogger inspired me to right this.

Only about 100 people.
I'm close to the pastor and his family. We're their children's god-parents
Everyone fits in the fellowship hall.
I know everyone by name.
I have a voice on certain matters.
It's a billigual church.
We have a praise band.
Humble members, who are generous.
We call each other Hermana and Hermano (Brother and Sister)
Fellowship cookouts are the best.
In the summer we play volleyball and basketball after evening service.
and last but not least....
God continually uses us for his purposes.

Dating

The daughter of a friend of mine is starting to date. The guy went over to their house last night to meet her parents. He so did not make a good impression on the parents. He was a nice kid, but when he and his friend arrived, they went straight into the girl's room. Strike 3, we're not even going to give him strike 1 and 2.

I'm so glad that I have 15 more years before my girls start dating.
Words that I will pass along....

Give them the Jesus test.

"When you first meet, if you can both talk about your love of Jesus, then the guy may ask our permission to date you.

2 Dogs and a girl

I'm in my van at RandolMill and Fielder. The light turns green so I take off. Wow the road sure is bumpy. I go a little further, and then it hits. I've got a flat tire. I guess ignoreing my low tire pressure light for 2 weeks wasn't smart. I pull over and makes some phone calls. I go to the gas station to try and put some air. 75 cents, I have no change and only a debit card. The gas attendant is nice enough to turn on the pump. I start to fill up the tire, or so I think. Jesus, (pronounced Hesus) gets there. He offers to take the tire off to go get a new one.
Take my truck he says. Ok, I take off and a mile down the road I notice something moving in the bed of the truck. I turn around and low and behold there's a dog. I bust a u and to go back. "Hey I'm going to take your dogs back to your house." "No they are fine, they stay back there to protect my equipment, go to work in peace". Wait "they", of my there are two of them back there. Ok, I can't argue at this point. I take off to work, praying that these dogs won't fly out of the truck. I've gone out to check on them like twice now, and they are just laying back there. I sure hope he gets here soon. And I have no idea what kind of tire I'm going to have and how much it's going to cost me. Oh well, it's a good day.

Santa just another character

Christmas is around the corner. My kids are 2 1/2 and 1. We havent' jumped into the whole Santa Clause thing yet, don't know if we will. It's not like I will ever go to the mall durning Christmas time and bump into him, since I try to do all my shopping on-line. This year, I'm not even going to shop. It's homemade gifts for everyone. Isabel did take a picture with Santa one year. It was cute. If they ask who he is I'll tell them "Santa Claus". He'll be right there with Elmo, Oscar, Big Bird, Dora, and Diego... all the other characters they watch and love. But they won't BELIEVE in Santa Claus. We are going to teach our children what Christmas is all about and that is the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We'll limit the presents to 3.. One big one, 1 little bitty one, and a biblical one. And we'll show them about giving to those who aren't as fortunate as they are.
We'll also sit around the living room watching all our favorites. "A Christmas Story", "A Charlie Brown Christmas", and "Elf". I used to open my presents Christmas Eve, but I'd like my kids to go to bed with something to look forward to getting up to. Running down the hall to the living room, to open their gifts, and going to Church. I love Christmas, and hope that my kids will have memories that they will eventually share with their kids.

Goals

Need some. For work. We are going to this new bonus program, and I need to come up with some goals for next year. Can't be so easy that I fly through them, and not so hard that they are unattainable. I have to prayerfully think about this, and come up with some by the end of the week. Lord help me.

It's in there somewhere

I know this verse... "I will hold your truths in my heart, so that I will not sin against you.".... For the life of me I can't remember where it is in the bible... Proverbs... something... That is proof that I need to memorize scripture more. Whenever I go to my friend Noemi for advice, she can always give me advice straight from the bible.
I want to be able to do that for my girls. I want to be able to give them not my opinion, but what God says on the matter. I guess my next step would be to get more into the word and memormize scripture.

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.