Life is a fairy tale

Isabel put on her "Belle" dress when she got out of the tub today.

Isabel: Mama, did you know Belle has a Beast?
Me: She does?
Isabel: Yeah, so you be the Beast and dance with me.
Me: (Laughing my head off) Ok.

Do you have a daughter? A must read...

I definately want Eddie to do this one...
I was laughing as I read.

Guarding Our Daughters’ Moral Purity

Road Bully

I love to drive my husband's truck. I miss the feeling of sitting up high, and being able to cut in, because I can. A little history about the truck. It's a 2001 Dodge Ram (black). Back in Dec, Eddie wrecked both back ends on the same day. for like 2 months I didn't quit understand how. What happened was that he had the trailer hooked up and jack-knifed it on both occasions.
Fast foward to this morning....
I was exiting Brown Blvd to come to work. The worst exit ever, because no one on the service road seems to yeild. As I was coming off I was stuck until the light turned green. Some rinky dinky car had the audacity to try and not let me in, to which I ignored. I said to her (of course she couldn't hear me) "I bigger than you, I'll run you over, and I don't care if you hit me." I was being a road bully and loving every minute of it.

Balance

Who knew that the day I went to my gynocologist would open up a huge can of questions about my life.

Do we want to do something permantely where we won't have anymore kids?
Do we want another baby?
If we have another baby, do I quit my job?
Can we afford for me to quit my job.
If I quit my job, I can't afford to send my kids to private school.
Do I home school, can I afford that?
Do we stay where we are in life and just make it better?
Can there be a balance? Yes
What is that balance? I don't know.

But the biggest question of all is God what are your plans for our family?
What are your plans and purposes for me, for my husband for our children.
Lord I pray for wisdom, I thank you that you have put people in my life to guide me. I pray for balance. I pray for your will.

300

The the movie 300 this weekend, and it was so good. I really enjoyed it. It is a ficticious movie dipicting the Battle of Thermopylae.

In the Battle of Thermopylae of 11 August 480 BC, an alliance of Greek city-states fought the invading Persian Empire at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the Persians for three days in one of history's most famous last stands. A small force led by King Leonidas of Sparta blocked the only road through which the massive army of Xerxes I could pass. After three days of battle, a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing a mountain path that led behind the Greek lines. Dismissing the rest of the army, King Leonidas stayed behind with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespian volunteers. The Persians succeeded in taking the pass but sustained heavy losses, extremely disproportionate to those of the Greeks. The fierce resistance of the Spartan-led army offered Athens the invaluable time to prepare for a decisive naval battle that would come to determine the outcome of the war.[1] The subsequent Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis in September left much of the Persian Empire's navy destroyed and Xerxes I was forced to retreat back to Asia, leaving his army in Greece under Mardonius, who was to meet the Greeks in battle one last time. The Spartans assembled at full strength and led a pan-Greek army that defeated the Persians decisively at the Battle of Plataea on 27 August 479 BC, ending the Greco-Persian War and with it the expansion of the Persian Empire into Europe.[2]

The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is often used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment, and good use of terrain to maximize an army's potential,[3] and has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds.[3] Taken from Wikipedia.

A Weekend to Remember

Eddie and I attended FamilyLife Today's "A Weekend to Remember". It was hosted at the Gaylor Texan Resort. The hotel was huge and beautiful. The conference was awesome. I highly recommend that everyone should experience this conference. They will be back next year around June.

Also if you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, there is going to be another conference on parenting, given by one of the speakers from this weekend.
The conference is on May 5, 2007 from 8-3pm at Fellowship Bible Church in Richardson.

Raising Truly Great Kids

I don't want to go into detail but this conference has truly made me see what God's plan is for marriage, opened my eyes to the things that I need to do to make our marriage great, and has given me a longing to please God through my service to my husband and kids.

National Goof-off Day

Yes it's that time of year again. Too bad I can't take full advantage of it. What will I do today? Invite a co-worker to play online Wheel of Fortune. Have fun goofing off. (Yes, I know my boss reads this.)

Just the way I like it.

When the Ranger Statdium became The Ballpark in Arlington, I thought to myself "what a dumb name, that's so generic". But over the years the name grew on me. Then in 2004, the Rangers sold out and gave the naming rights to Ameriquest. No way was I ever going to call Ranger Stadium, "Ameriquest Field". Well this morning, I heard on the news that the Rangers took back the naming rights, and it is now called, drum roll please........

The Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Latest Picture

Emma (2), Jacob (6, my nephew), Isabel (3)

It's a Monday

So I've decided to buy this book.

ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life

I so need it. I've had ADHD all my life, looking back to my childhood, adolescence, and so forth, I clearly see it. I took one of those online test and passed with flying colors. Then I went to a doctor and got an official diagnosis. So what does this all mean? Well, I'm not lazy like I've been told. I now know why I do the things I do. Not an excuse per say, just a better understanding. I opted not to take drugs. I instead recieve a newsletter from an ADD coach, and I strive to learn more about this condition. See right now, I should be working, but can't stay focused, instead I'm hyperfocused on writing this blog. Anyways, I found this book and will buy it at the end of the month. See already this morning, I left my lunch at home, yesterday I left my purse at home and who the heck knows where my daughter's 3 pair of jeans are at. I think at the daycare, but not totally sure. One thing that I have done to simplify my life is dinner. See I hated cooking dinner. Constant internal struggle. What am I going to cook, will my family like it, do I have all the stuff? I discovered The Dinner Station, and well lets just say that's one more thing I don't have to worry about.

Here's a little insight about ADHD and change.

Everyone knows that people with ADHD thrive on change. We're impulsive, after all. And when you're impulsive, change is a given.

In my opinion it isn't so simple.

I believe while adults with ADHD do adore some types of change, we find other
types of change disturbing.

Put simply, we adore changes that WE instigate. Yet people with ADHD don't as
easily accept change imposed by someone else.

Eddie, that's why I change my mind so much...

Chicken Red's

We went to a new restaurant in our area called Chicken Red's. I loved it and my kids loved it. The food was good and the outdoor play area was awesome. They had an small indoor play area as well. I'm thinking this would be a great location for a birthday party especially one falling on a weeknight. They had great icecream too.
We will definately be back. When we went yesterday there were alot of kids, and I'm hopeing it was because of spring break, but I have my doubts. This place is kid heaven. The problem that I observed was that the bigger kids would overrun the little kids. My 3 year old tried 3 times to go up one on the ladders and each time a bigger kid would cut in front of her. Finally I had had it. The next kid that I saw trying to pull that stunt, I told him that she was next and that he had to wait his turn. My 2 year old was going up a different ladder. She was like on the 3rd step, when 3 other kids were trying to climb up the same ladder as well. I don't think so. I had to tell them as well, to wait their turn. Me and another parent commented on how disorderly some of the kids were. I had no shame telling those other kids what to do. I'm used to it. I tell kids what do at church all the time. Besides, I was protecting my girls. I, in turn, have no problem with another adult correcting my kids if they are misbehaving without my knowledge. I expect it.

Distractions

The other night the girls were playing the their headbands. The little one insisted that she wanted Daddy to have one on too. The older one insisted that boys don't wear headbands. So the fighting began. The little takes the headband and starts running around the house with the older one not far behind, screaming and yelling. Me and Hubby were too busy watching American Idol to care. As long as there's no blood, right? We hear more screaming and yelling, to which Hubby ask me to check on them. Why me? Anyways, they come back running into the living room. The older one somehow distracts the younger one and takes the headband without her noticing. We tried to give hints to the older one that she should run and leave the room to hide the headband before the younger realizes what has happened. As she leaves, Hubby opens his big mouth and says look (there's something on the TV). He did this to distract the younger one from seeing the older one leaving. What happened was that the older one thought that Daddy was talking to her and walked back into the living room. We're yelling "Leave Leave, get out while you can" The younger comes back from T.V. hypnosis and boom she sees the headband in the older one's hand, grabs it and takes off running. The cycle began again.

My playlist (inspired by Amanda)

"Different Now" Out of Eden
This is the song that you roll down you window, crank up the base and dance in the car to. Love the lyrics.. Being different is so cool.

"Staring Back" Pillar
Good rock song...Really take a look at yourself from the inside out.

"Friend of God" Chris Tomlin with Israel Houghton.
Love this rendition. My girls love it too. We have hand motions and everything.

"Those Who Trust" Salvador
Great beat. Love the beginning guitar and drums, and love the message. Those who trust in the Lord... will not be moved.

"Hypnotized" Pillar
Pillar was the headliner band at last year's Acquire the Fire. I've loved the song eversince. Bought a t-shirt that says Piller (looks like the Miller sign) and had it autographed by the guitarist.

"You Make Me, Me" MXPX
Really fast and upbeat. You make me SMILE. You make me SING. You make me EVERYTHING

"Never Alone" Barlow Girl
It's Barlow Girl, need I say more. Even though you may not see God or feel Him, he is always there.

"Stand in the Rain" Superchick
Girl rock band, love it. Talks about standing strong in the midst of problems.

"Heaven" Live
Don't have to convince me that there's a God... just look at my girls.
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

"Glory" Selah & Nichole Nordeman
This is all about giving God the Glory. Love this song. Will sing it at church in the coming month, as soon as some of it can be translated into Spanish.

"I need you to love me" BarlowGirl
Shows how it's doesn't matter how much you've messed up, God still loves you.

"His eye is on the sparrow" Selah
Eversince Lauren Hill sung this song on Sister Act 2, I've been hooked.

"Un dia a la Vez" Salvador
"One day at a time".. a timeless hymn. Used to sing it at my grandma's church as a kid. This version is acoustic and beautiful.

"A Dios le Pido" Juanes.
Another upbeat song. Title translated to "It's God I ask".
He IS our provider.

Identity Crisis

Isabel said this to me today...

"Why is your hair still short? Go to the dentist like I say and get your hair cut long"

Also for the longest she wanted to be a ballerina, we signed her up in Feb. She's gone to class like 4 or 5 times. Now she doesn't want to be a ballerina anymore. She wants to be a football player (she really means soccer). That's because she saw kids playing soccer at the soccer fields by our house. What do I do? Do we pull her out of dance? Do we do both? Is she really sure she doesn't want to do ballet and tap anymore? I always said I wouldn't force my kids to participate in activities that they didn't like, but I spent $78 of dance stuff and it's only been a month. And to top it off, I found out today that she wouldn't get to dance in the recital in June, because they ordered costumes back in November and it's too late. So that's very disappointing too.

Credit Card Debt Free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it... We've paid off the last of our credit cards. It's such a great feeling. FREEDOM!!!!!!!

In other news....
I went to the Dinner Station last night and prepared 8 meals with my mother-in-law. It was alot of fun. Tonight will will eat Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas. I'll let you know how I like it.

Online Women's Conference

I've been dying to go to a women's conference, I just don't have the time. I'm wanting to go the the "Weekend to Remember" conference with my husband, but don't think we'll be able to, because we may not have a babysitter. Time and resources, that's what's lacking.
Well I found this online women's conference. And it's wonderful.
Celebrate Moms

Visual DNA

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Happy Birthday Irma

This posting is a day late, but better late than never. Right?
My aunt Irma turned 49 yesterday. As a child I remember alot of things about her. She is my favorite aunt. Well, she's my only aunt.

I remember at Christmas, she would bring out the JC Penny catalogue and let me circle everything I wanted. I thought this was the coolest. Even though I of course didn't get everything, just being able to window shop was awesome.

I remember I got on a plane at the age of 6 with a friend of hers and her friends daughter to come to Dallas to visit her. My first trip "alone". We went to Six Flags, Show Biz pizza, Chuck E. Cheese, Sesame Street Place. It was so much fun.

I remember she gave me her first computer. A TI-994a. She was a computer programmer which inspired me to become the same.

I remember when we moved down her the summer before my 10th grade year, her and my uncle took us shopping for school clothes. We it was actually my uncle. That tradition continue through high school.

I remember her letting me borrow the money for the down payment for my braces. Which I paid back.

I remember her co-signing for me for my first new car.

I remember her letting me borrow the money for my first semester at UTA, the cost was so much higher than TCJC I was in shock. I paid this back as well after I graduated.

I now live 5 minutes away from her which is purely coincidental.

She does have a great pool, which I'm hoping to get use out of this summer. Previous summers we've gone maybe once a season. (hint hint)

Irma, thank you for all the things you have shown me and done for me throughout the years. Love Ya.

Skin Care

So my sister has begun selling Arbonne. She gave me the NutriMinC® RE9® kit. I've been using it for the past couple of days and I like it. This morning I started the 6 step process which takes about 2 minutes to do. After I finished I thought to myself "I don't remember using the eye cream."
Well I had used the eye cream, I just used it all over my face. Hmmm that can't be bad right?

In other news... my 3 year old started taking showers instead of baths this week.
I love it.

Forks are overrated

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Scenes from a horror movie

So, I'm not one to wear high heels or dresses for that matter. Heck come winter, I go on hiatus from shaving (TMI?). Either way it's starting to get warm, so I decided that I need to lady up a bit. Also since we are having to dress up at work now (yuk), I needed to buy some nice shoes for my khaki's and dress paints. I was on a mission. I bought two pairs of shoes, black and brown. Cute too. The only problem is that the "blacks ones" had a bit of a heel, which I am not used to wearning at all. If you know me, you would know that I wear my sketcher sandels, skecther boots and tennis shoes. That's it. So when I tried them on at the store, I said to myself, "Self, I think these will work"....Five hours later I'm showing them to my husband and became a little concernd when the words out of his mouth were "Are you sure you can wear those?"... Well the next day I wore the "black ones", a little tight, but maybe my feet were swollen. After about 2 hours, I was hurting. How can women wear these for 8 hours. Every chance I got I took them off under my desk. By the end of the day I could only walk for 2 minutes at a time. Torture, just plain torture. I've gotta go and buy me some flats.

This morning I was going to put on my sketcher sandals and thought I should probably paint my toe nails RED. I picked up the nail poish and started shaking it. Immediatly the top flew off and there was red finger nail polish on the side of my tub. Oops, hmmm funny I don't remember opening the bottle. Anyways I cleaned it as good as I could without finger nail polish. Then I looked in the mirror. Seeing that I had just gotten out of the shower, I had yet to put on a shirt. My chest look like some killer from a slasher movie had slashed me, and I had no finger nail polish remover to remove it. At this point. I don't know when I'll ever make it to the store to get some, it could be days. I hope it doesn't scare my husband.

Steve Harvey Introduces Jesus Christ

Thanks to Kilikina for passing this one along.

So when is your birthday???

This time of year is crazy. I have a friend who's birthday is Feb 29th, so I never know when to say happy birthday, either before of after. We were having a discussion in the office about how we should steal 6 hours from the 28th and the 1st to create the 29th every year. That way those people born on that day chould celebrate on that day.
My grandpa's birthday is March 1st. I made the mistake of calling him yesterday and wishing him a happy birthday. Not once did he say "It's not my birthday", he just played right along. Later that evening I speak with my grandmother and she told me that I had called and wondered why I was wishing him a happy birthday when his was DAYS away.... "Sorry dear, February is a short month, your birthday is tomorrow" she tells him....
I don't feel silly anymore.

I got your back girl

Yesterday, I was busy in my room and Isabel comes in with the saddest face.
"I want some chocolate milk"
"Well let me finish what I'm doing and then I'll go get you some"
So she leaves. I then hear the conversation between my too girls.

Emma: "What's wrong Bell?"
Isabel: "I want some chocolate milk."
Emma: "you want chocolate milk? oh. I tell mama"

Then I hear little feet running towards my room.

Emma: Mama! Mama!
Me: I'm in here.
Emma: Mama, Bell want tocolate milk
Me: I know. Tell her I'll be there in a minute.
Emma: In minute, o-tay.

She runs back to the table.
Emma: Mama be here in minute.
Isabel: I want chocolate milk.

Emma runs again to my room to remind me that Isabel wants chocolate milk. It was the cutest thing to see how she was looking out for her big sister.

I greive

Today, my heart is filled with great sorrow. A friend of mine lost her husband on Saturday. I greive for her and her daughter. I just can't believe this. I mean we were pregnant at the same time, our babies were born 2 weeks apart. And now her little girl is going to have to grow up without her daddy. I cry for her. I pray for her. Lord please confort this family at this time, you know their needs.

One of those nights

I slept so good last night. It was almost perfect. I fell asleep around 9:30. I remember my husband coming to bed and turning on the fan to low, first for this year.
I awoke at around 12:30, and it felt like I had slept for ages. I awoke again at 5:05 am and hearing my husband driving off to work. For a moment, I had to think about whether it was Friday or Saturday. Crap it's Friday, 30 more minutes to rest my eyes. I awoke got the girls ready, bribed them with donuts and then we were out the door. Traffic was wonderful, it made me question again whether it was Saturday or not or if it was a holiday. Tonight my sister is hosting an Arbonne Party at my house and tomorrow is the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover live event. I have my weekend full, but it should be lots of fun.

Win a game for your family.

Rhyme-n-Tyme-Contest/

Check it out!

Girls just want to have fun

Climbing a retaining wall


The chase is on!


Wind in her hair


A long day is over

Handwriting Worksheets

This website will allow you to create a handwriting worksheet for your pre-schooler.
It will create the name that you enter into the box using dots or dashes so that your child can trace their name over and over again.

www.handwritingworksheets.com

Daylight-saving bug could foil computers

Microsoft planned to send its daylight-saving patch to Windows PCs with the "automatic update" feature Tuesday. Users with automatic updates turned off should download the patch from Microsoft. (New machines running Windows Vista are immune, since Vista was finalized after the 2005 law passed.)

However, computers running anything older than the most recent version of Windows XP, known as Service Pack 2, no longer get this level of tech support.

Owners of those PCs should go into the control panel and unclick the setting that tells the machine to automatically change the clock for daylight-saving time. They have to make the change themselves when the moment arrives. (This is a sizable population; according to Gartner, Windows 2000 alone was still running 14 percent of PCs worldwide last year.)

For people who store their appointments in Microsoft Outlook or other desktop-based calendar programs -- rather than dynamic, Web-based programs such as Google Calendar -- the situation gets trickier. Patches for calendar programs are available, but appointments entered before a patch was applied might still be registered in standard time rather than daylight time -- off by an hour.

Microsoft advises heavy calendar users to go online and download a small program known as "tzmove" -- Time Zone Move -- that can retrofit all previously booked appointments to the new daylight-saving rules. Other vendors offer similar tools for their systems.

Of course, it's likely not everyone would take that step, said Rich Kaplan, a Microsoft customer service vice president who oversaw the company's Y2K efforts and heads daylight-saving preparations. Hence Microsoft's advice to be cautious about meetings between March 11 and April 1.

"Because if one person applied the update, and one person didn't," he said, "you could end up there at the wrong time."

Pastor with 666 tattoo claims to be divine

Can we say "weirdo". It's so sad that people fall for this kind of stuff.

Read Article Here

Learn something new everyday

The United States seized Puerto Rico in 1898 at the end of the Spanish-American War.

Puerto Rico's 4 million people are U.S. citizens and can be drafted into the military but cannot vote for president and have no voting representation in Congress. They also do not pay federal taxes.

(I have a friend who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, so I found this interesting)

Subtle hints

Last night me and Isabel were in bed, she was cuddled up with me and said:

Isabel: "Some mommies give kisses"
Me: "Do you want me to give you a kiss?"
Isabel: "Yes", she nodded

To my Valentine

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Ear Infection

I took Emma to the doctor this morning. She has a ear infection on her right ear. Dr said caused by all the nose and chest stuff that she has. Poor baby.
In other news... want to hear something funny? A co-worker pulled a muscle in his back while flossing. So be careful when you floss.

It got us

Well, on Friday night Emma woke up with a fever. She had a cough throughout the week and had thrown up on Monday, but she was still feeling ok. Well I stayed home with her yesterday while Eddie and Isabel went to my in-laws to change the oil in both cars. We watched Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Mary Poppins, we slept, we played. We are at home again today. Eddie had to go to work, so it's just me and the girls. What was going to be a busy day of church activities is now a day of just taking it easy. I hope to get Emma well by Wednesday because that is when Eddie has to work again, and I want her to be able to enjoy her Valentines party at school for which I have to take cupcakes to. So be praying that we get better. Oh yeah I have the crud too. I have some congestion, and cough.

upper lip = mustache

Yesterday my 2 yearold was putting on chapstick all over her lips and around her mounth and upper lip.
My 3 year old said "Emma you don't put lipstick on your mustache you put it on your lips!"

Flu Epedimic

The school that my nephew attends is shutting down for the next 2 days. They have had 30% of the kids out due to having the Type B flu.
Here at work there are have several people sick with Sinus infections. I've had some initial symptoms but have taken extra precautions so that I can avoid having one myself. Take care out there.

BirthVerse

Check yours out here.

Here is mine.
1 Peter 5:10 NIV
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Here's Eddie's
John 10:14 NIV “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

Here's Isabel's
Romans 5:8 NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Here's Emma's
Zechariah 10:1 NIV
Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone.

The Protector

Sunday morning the girls were laying in my bed and Eddie was sleeping. I was trying to convince Emma to bite her Daddy on the nose to wake him up, because nothing else was working. As she went in for the kill, Isabel stopped her and said "That's not happening!". So I had Emma kiss her Daddy on the nose instead.

Smelly Monday

All was going well in the Valenzuela household this morning. I made my lunch, got breakfast ready for the girls, filled their cups with milk and headed out the door. I was running 15 minutes behind, I all was good. Throughout the 23 minute ride to school I urged Emma to eat her toast. She had already downed a whole glass and a half of chocolate milk. We pulled up to school and (blaaaaaaaaaa) and again (blaaaaaaaaa). Emma through up everything. Oh my gosh what do I do. Eddie is working today. Do I go back home to change her? Do I keep her at home? Ahhhhhhhh.
Well I called Eddie and he suggested that she should be fine, probably was just too full. So I locked the doors and ran into the school to get her change of clothes that were in her cubby hole. I saw Isabel's teacher and told her that the kids were in the car and we had an accident, so she was the lookout. Ran back to the car and changed Emma, tried to clean her coat the best I could, and went in. Saw Emma's teacher and told her what happened and she said they'd keep an eye on her. Then got in the car and went to work, noticed that I didn't have my purse, which means no make-up. My cell phone and wallet were in my pocket, so I stopped at Walgreens and got make-up, mascara, and lipstick. I will be keeping these in the car for future emergencies. So that was my morning. Hope yours was better.

Facing the Giants

We saw Facing the Giants this weekend. It was a wonderful movie. I cried, I laughed, and I cried some more. I will definately buy this one for our collection. You should check it out if you haven't already.

The Debt Snowball

On Feburary 24, we will go to Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover Live Event. We went last year and it was really cool. This year we are taking 5 other people with us. Let me just tell you what an impact this was for us. We were living paycheck to paycheck, in a huge house that we couldn't afford, driving new cars, stressing out all the time, struggleing to see how we would pay our property taxes. Finally got tired of it. We make really good money so we should be able to enjoy it.
So we got on a plan to pay off our debt. All our debt.
First we sold the van and bought my grandmothers 1997 Chev Lunima with 32,000 miles on it. My van 2004 already had $80,000 miles. Then we sold the house and moved into a another new one but just not as expensive. Now we are able to really attack the debt. We've paid off 2 credit cards and plan to pay the other 2 off by March. We plan to be completely debt free cars and all by the end of the year. We will then throw bunch of cash into our emergency fund. Then save up to go to Walt Disney World (we will pay this in cash). I can't wait until I can call the Dave Ramsey Show and yell "WE'RE DEBT FREE!!!!!!"

Pictures of House

I finally got the pictures downloaded from my camera. Enjoy!


The House



Walking through front door


Kitchen

Princess Isabel's room

Emma's Dora room

Literacy Websites

Here is a great web site for kids and literacy!

http://www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/currl/kindergarten/la.htm

Moments that make you proud

As we were driving we passed a church. Isabel yelled out.
"Look a cross! Jesus died on a cross!"

Yes he did.

Her Favorite Gift

Dora the Expolorer Backpack Set includes: checkers, bingo, dominoes, Tic Tac Toe, Go Fish, Match game, Crazy Eights and Old Maid.

This is Emma's favorite Christmas gift. I have to be careful and not let her just pull everything out, because then everything would be all over the floor, cards, checkers, bingo dots, dominoes... and it's a pain to clean. She's learned that we only plays with one game at a time.

I wonder who they took after.... wink wink

On Sunday, Isabel's sunday school teacher was raving about how smart she was. She was surprised that Isabel (3 years old) corrected her on how to spell Isabel. See the teacher normally spells it Isable. But Isabel, stopped her and showed her how to spell it right.

Last night me and Emma, who is 2, were playing Dominos, (yes she knows how), ok let me clarify it's Dora dominios, but she can still play.

Loba, our dog, wanted to go out in the middle of the night, but our door was shut to our bedroom, so she stood outside our door and shook (which makes her collar make noise) until I woke up and let her out.

My house is just full of smartness.

Potty Elmo

This doll has been very instrumental in helping both my girls get potty trained. We are on day 3 on using this doll with Emma. Let me tell you, she loves it and loves imitating it. In fact, today my husband caught her trying to hold it and asked her if she needed to go potty and she said "yes". We are on our way!!!!

Are you on the list?

Tonight is the night that Heroes starts back up again. Also 24 is showing at the same time. Seeing that I live in the stone ages and I don't have TiVo, I'm going to have to bust out the old vcr and record one. My favorite hero is Claire.

Communication

I have been having problems with my camera. It won't communicate with my laptop to download pictures, and I have so many to share. Not only that, my card is full, so I can't take more pictures and video until I download the ones on my card. I think I have to make a trip to Fry's to get a cf card reader, much easier than the usb port.
Speaking of communication, God had been really talking to me lately about things that I need to do to change and to get closer to Him. On Sunday, I will start a new journey that will help me do just that. Also, in February, we will hopefully attend the Total Money Makeove Live event hosted by Dave Ramsey for a second year in a row. We are hoping to get some of our friends and family to attend as well. It has changed our lives and we know that it will help others as well.

On a side note.....

Generous Wife Tip:
Do something with your husband that supports or encourages a friend. Are they responsible for children or an elderly parent? Volunteer together to sit for them so that they can run errands or have a date with their spouse. :)

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. Author Unknown

24

So I started watching 24 for the first time on Sunday night. Very exciting. Too bad I don't have DVR, I going to have to bust out the old VCR and buy a tape, just incase I ever miss it.

Ice, Ice Baby....
I hate ice on the road. Yesterday, Eddie had to work but he went in on Sunday and just spend the night. The girls school was closed so I had to stay with them. It's freezing outside. My dog doesn't even want to stay out, and she's a Siberian Husky. Funny huh? She doesn't know what winter is, being born and raised here in Texas. I spent the day cleaning my house and unpacking and organizing my office/scrapbooking room. Fun.

Guess what? I got new glasses. My had been broken for months, although I never wore them outside the house, I like these new ones so I'm wearing them instead of my glasses.... I'll take a picture soon.

Love....

Me: Isabel do you love me a little bit or alot?
Isabel: A little bit. (As she giggles at the surprised look on my face)

Me: Emma do you love me a little bit or alot?
Emma: Alot. (Guess whose getting a brand new car when she graduates)

Starbucks wanna be

I am not a starbucks drinker. Simply because I'm not really a coffee drinker and because Starbucks is too expensive. But I got a $20 gift card to Starbucks for Christmas. Needless to say I've treated others to Starbucks, because if I didn't I'd never get rid of all the money. The other day I walked into Barnes n' Nobles because it had a Starbucks in it, or so I thought. I ordered a frappachino, slid my gift card into the machine and it wouldn't work. The cashier asked me if it was debit or credit, and I informed her it was a Starbucks gift card. To my surprise she said that they were not starbucks, but a Barnes n' Noble SERVING Starbucks, so they couldn't take the gift card. So be warned all you owners of Starbucks gift cards.

Life Training 101

We we've started potting training Emma. Actually, her teachers started potty training her. They informed me last week that I need to bring pull-ups and start her on the same schedule on the days that she isn't in school. I don't know how I feel about this. Am I ready for my baby to be potty trained? She is 2. But then she won't be a baby anymore. That kind of makes me sad. Where has the time gone. Before I know it she'll be in kindergarden, then junior high, then high school, then college, then.... I can only pray that she and Isabel will seek the Lord in their lives and that they will follow his plan for them. There is so much that we need to teach them and we only have 18 years to do it in.

On a side note, my God-son, Carlos is graduating this year, and has decided to apply to the Honor Academy for a year.

The Honor Academy is designed to cultivate and develop the leadership potential in young adults while preparing them to impact today's world for Christ. The scope of the program is extensive and includes classroom instruction, practical hands-on experience, and life-transforming events. All are designed to give each intern at the Honor Academy a balanced, strategic approach to Godly character and lasting leadership skills.

Wow, I can only pray that my girls will grow to mature into Godly women and that their lives will be focused on serving him in whatever area he puts them in.

Dora Dil-Emma

So, Emma go the "I know your name" Dora the Explorer doll. This is a cool doll, because you insert a cd into your pc and program Dora to know your childs name, favorite everything, wakeup time, betime, stories, songs, etc.

Here's the problem. Isabel loves this doll, and Emma really doesn't really play with it much. Last night Isabel slept with the doll and woke up this morning with it. I told Emma to take the doll to her room. At that point Isabel through a total fit saying "mine,mine". Of course, Emma nags her on saying "no mine".

So here's the dilemma, Do I buy Isabel the doll ($40), just let her play with Emma's (It say's Good morning Emma! and other stuff), or reprogram the doll to say Isabel's name? Cast your votes now.

Rain, Rain

Yesterday as I drove home, It started to rain, it was cloudy on the east side of me and sunny on the west side of me. As I looked back over to the east, I saw the most beautiful rainbow. The entire rainbow. It was so beautiful. My girls were so excited to see the rainbow too. I also got the opportunity to tell them the meaning of the rainbow. God's promise to us that he would never again destroy the earth with a flood. Wow! Anyways, we sang the tradition rainy day songs and it reminded me of when I was a child. I used to think that a rainbow was round and went completely around the earth, and we only saw half of it and the other side of the earth saw the other half. I would also hope that my mom would reach the end of the rainbow while driving. That never happened. What are your fondest memories of rainbows?

Re-Solutions

Re-solution: To again try to find solutions to my problems, issues, and annoyances. To accomplish a goal. (my definition)

My re-solutions the year 2007.

1. Exercize on Thursday and Saturday by taking my dog and children on a walk.
2. Bringing my lunch to work everyday except Fridays and special occasions.
3. Getting my new house in order by the end of January.
4. Being completely debt free (cars and credit cards) by the end of the year.
4. Clean as I go, so that my house won't turn into a pig's sty.

So far I'm on track. I've got to go buy a harness for my dog (Siberian Husky) her name is Loba (spanish for a female wolf). I shall go and do that today at lunch. For lunch I brought a salad, soup and orange. I am cleaning as I go, I even put my husbands clothes that he left on the floor in the washer. Lucky him, I didn't turn it on. It still had his cell phone and keys in the pocket. I'm almost completely unpacked. The office is going to take a while because I need Eddie to build me some book cases. I paid off one credit card yesterday and will payoff another one by next week.

What have you resolved to do this year.
Side note: I will post pictures of my new house as soon as I take some.

See you next year.

By the time you hear from me again, we will have sold our house and moved into our new house. I can't wait only 1 week away. We do our walk-through today. I'll post pictures later. Let me just tell you how awesome God is. His timing is perfect. I'm glad the other 2 offers on our house fell through. Instead of having to store our stuff and move in with my mom, he has worked it out to where we are closing withing a week of each other and we will get to move directly from one house to the next. Awesome.

Also on a side note. Just wanted to tell my husband THANK YOU. You have truly been amazing this week. Thanks for washing, drying, hanging all the clothes, cooking, cleaning out the fridge, packing, staying home with the girls on your days off. Thank you.

Which reindeer are you?

You Are Dancer

Carefree and fun, you always find reasons to do a happy dance. Why You're Naughty: That dark stint you had as Santa's private dancer. Why You're Nice: You're friendly. Very friendly.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Smarter than the average bear

Joe Barbera one the the creators of "Tom & Jerry", "Yogi Bear", "the Flinstones", "Huckleberry Hound and Friends," "Top Cat," "Scooby-Doo," "Johnny Quest," "The Jetsons" and "Animal Follies", passed away yesterday. Let me just say the days that I spent watching these shows were hours well spent. I can still remember getting a highlighter and highlighting each day what shows I would watch. I need to get my kids a dvd of Tom & Jerrry. Now that my friends was a good cartoon, no voices and simply funny.

Bad Words

The other day Isabel was upset at me.
Belle: Do you want me to say that bad word again?
Me: What bad word?
Belle: You know "I don't want to be your friend anymore" that one.

Belle and Emma were fighting over something.
Belle said "but I had it first"
I said "So!"
Belle said "Don't tell me so, that's a bad word. Do you want me telling you so?"
I said "You're right, I'm sorry"

Now I have to try and elimate that out of my vocabulary, that or find a substitute.

Creating A.W.E. in your marriage

See this article here.

Our Deepest Fear

Our Deepest Fear
by Marianne Williamson
from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles
(also quoted in the movie Akeelah and the Bee)

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

The Other Side

Costco Adventures

I only have 2 kids. 3 and 2 years old. Going to costco can be an adventure. The one thing that I like about Costco is that it's cart is big enough to put two kids in the front of the basket. I dread going by myself with the girls. This is how it goes. The girls love to play which is fine but their playing includes alot of screaming, hugging, hitting, laughing, loud talking, more screaming, some crying, etc.....

I on the other hand am trying to concentrate on the shopping, and being ADHD, it is very difficult for me to concentrate on something with alot of other distractions. So I get fustrated, and can't wait to get out of costco. I try to ignore them, try to confort them, try to tell them to be quiet, try to be firm, try to threaten, nothing works for a long period of time. Then I get fed up and leave.

Yesterday we went to costco as a family, and my husband got to experience what I experienced. Am I just letting my kids have too much fun in the store? It's not like they are running around like animals? How do your kids act in the grocery store?

And the story continues...

Guess what? Eddie found my charger to my camera. It was in a wire basket in a kitchen cabinet. This was after I went to batteries plus, bought a $60 charger. Got back to work and realized that the AC adapter didn't work. Took it back to the store where I found that indeed it does work. Returned it anyways because if I didn't find mine, I could order one online for like $14. As I was heading back to work wondering how in the heck I was going to charge my batteries, I got the phone call from my hubby. It was the sweetest 3 words I had heard all day. "I found it".

Daily Bread:
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 147 : 11

My Middle Name? I lost it

I am always loosing everything. I can't find the charger to my camera and I need it. Both batteries are completely dead. The girls are performing in a Christmas program at school and I want to take pictures. So I'm just going to have to buy another one. That sucks.
Anyways, I finished making my Christmas gifts. Finally. I can't say what it is, because my family reads this blog. But they are great. Tomorrow I can hopefully post pictures of my little angels.

Daily Bread:

Cast all your anxiety on God because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5 : 7

His Timing. Part 1

We had been looking to get Isabel the Barbie Sounds so sweet trike from Fisher Price. I found it on amazon.com for 34.00 plus shipping. Then thought I found it on craigslist for $15 but it had already sold. We waited. We searched high and low, walmart, target, toys r us, everywhere, and we could not find it anywhere. So back to amazon.com. SOLD OUT! Well I accepted the fact that Isabel wouldn't be getting one after all. Then last night Eddie called and told me that he found it and the boy one for sell in Ft Worth. The guy is selling both together for $10. Isn't God great. Now we have to figure out who we are going to give the boy one to.

Another ADHD Moment

This morning was going well until after I left the house, I realized that I left my purse at home. Eventhough as I was walking out. I said to myself "Self, don't forget your purse". Well I put everything I had in my hands in the car, I put the girls in the car. I even went back in to get their poptarts. But I forgot my purse. That means: No makeup, no money. Then I got to the girls school 40 min. later and realized that Emma’s coat was not in the car. I on the other hand had 3 coats in the car. I was going to stop by my mom’s to get some makeup, but I felt so bad about leaving Emma’s coat at home, that I just went straight to work. If she doesn’t get a coat, I don’t get makeup. Luckily I brought my lunch.

Christmas...it's that time again

Well I've gotten 2 of my gifts this year. My husband bought me a new stero for my car. It has a cd player and a auxilary input for my ipod. I love it. My grandma ordered me this book, but won't come out until Jan 07. I loved the first book by this author, and have been waiting a year for this one to come out in paperback. It's a murder/suspense book. I've gotten the gift making almost done and most of the shopping done. Still got to go sing at a nursing home, and pass out candy/nut bags to a low income neighborhood. Parties to attend and give. Packing and moving to do. This is going to be a busy month.

Finally got in

Ok, I got my blogger back up and running again.... I've been away for so long.

Still haven't closed on selling our house. The lender wanted another apprasial. That was done on Monday. It's Wednesday, and we still haven't heard anything. I have faith that God will work this out in his perfect timing.

The last I heard, we should be closing on our new house in the last week of December, I'm of course hoping for sooner.

Verse of this day:

I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:27

From another PC

Can log into the new blogger beta from my pc, so using another pc. Will work at trying to fix the issues. Until then, adios.

Homeless among us

I never thought that I would be related to a homeless person. This person struggles with drug addiction. He'll be doing good for a while, will have a job, place to live, a vehicle and then he gets his check and sees that 1/2 of it is going to back child support. So he gets depressed after awhile, and slips back into old habits. It's so sad, he has back problems, liver problems, and who knows what else. As a family, we have helped him get on his feet over and over and over again. But how can you help someone who won't help themselves? Currently, he's living on the streets close by where I work. I'll be taking him left over thanksgiving food today. He's homeless, no place to sleep, no real meals, no clean clothes. Sad just sad. I think about Thursday, it's going to get below freezing. What will he do? Where will he go? Is this where his life is destined to be? That's the million dollar question.

Living out of a suitcase

Well we've got a contract on our house... I know what you're thinking. Yes we did take it off the market, but a real estate investor wants to buy it. We should close on it this Wednesday or the following Monday. Then we have 2 weeks to get out. Our new house that we had started builing back in September will be done and ready to move in by Jan 3rd, if not sooner. So to say that the next month is going to be hectic is an under statement. We will be living with my mom in her 2 bedroom apt. Pray for her sanity, because she is not used to having 4 extra people in her apt, much less when 2 of them are fighting or crying.

Anyways, let me leave you with this:

Me: Isabel, how many friends do you have.
Isabel: too..... too many

Let's Say Thanks to our Soldiers

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to ask you to join in "Let's Say
Thanks" that is being sponsored by Xerox.
It's free, important and only takes a moment. When you have a moment, please
go to this website:

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home.html

SELECT a thank-you card, ADD a greeting (select one of theirs or write your
own), Xerox will PRINT and MAIL the card to a U.S. Soldier, Marine, Sailor
or Airman serving overseas. It couldn't be simpler for us to do --
especially compared to what they do for us.

This is the real deal...I checked it out on snopes.com
Thanks.

The Miracles of Today

I got a phone call last night from my pastor of when I used to live in another city. He wanted to share with me the great things God was doing in the church and in other peoples lives.
A brief history about my pastor, he was a drug addict for 40 years before he gave his life over to Christ. About 3 months ago he was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. He got it from the needles he used. Well, people layed hands on him and prayed for him. He went back to the doctor and the Hepatitis C is completely gone.
He was telling his story to a couple and they wanted him to pray for their son (30 years old), who had a brain tumor. He went and prayed for the son. The son went to have another MRI done. The doctor asked why, he told the doctor and the he believed that God was going to heal him. So another MRI was done and the tumor was still there. The went ahead and started the 4 hour surgery. One hour into it, the doctor came out and told them that they had their miracle. The tumor was not there.

Isn't God awesome?

Total Rip-off

I was going to order a Cinderalla backpack for Isabel for Christmas it was on sale for $9.99. When I went to checkout the shipping came out to be $8.50. Can you believe that? I'm not paying $8.50 in shipping. I'll just have to go and see if I can find one in a store somewhere.

Little Miss Helper

I'm teaching Isabel to operate the microwave. She can open it, put the cups of milk in, close it, put 30 seconds, and start. The other day, Emma and I were in the kitchen, I was going to heat up their milk. I called for Isabel to help, but she was busy. I proceeded to put the milk in. Then a little voice from below said
"How bout me?" Ahhhh, Emma wanted to help. So I let her press the start button. I sometimes forget that she's 2 and growing up and won't be my little baby forever.

Great Christmas Gift

Art By Tonya

M.A.D.D

Just two days ago a girl named Justine was killled in a car accident. I remember when she was born 14 years ago on Halloween. Her mom's boyfriend was driving the car and was also killed. I found out that the person who hit them was drunk, and he came out fine. When are people going to learn. Please remeber if you are going to drink, please have a designated driver. Also always make sure that your kids are in proper restraints. It amazes me how many people don't have there kids in car seats.

During 2004, 7,810 passenger vehicle occupants under 15 years old were involved in fatal crashes. For those children, where restraint use was known, 29 percent were unrestrained; among those who were fatally injured, 50 percent were unrestrained. (NHTSA, 2005)

It is estimated that 451 children under age 5 were saved as a result of child restraint use in 2004; if all children under 5 had used child safety seats an estimated 566 lives (that is, an additional 114) could have been saved. An estimated 7,472 lives were saved by child restraints from 1975-2004. (NHTSA, 2005)

In 2003, 21 percent of the children under 15 years old who were killed in motor vehicle crashes were killed in alcohol-related crashes. (NHTSA, 2004)
Of the children 0-14 years old who were killed in alcohol-related crashes during 2003, 47 percent (209) were passengers in vehicles with drivers who had been drinking. (NHTSA, 2004)

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children from two to 14 years of age.

A New Frontier - Digital Scrapbooking

Well I've been thinking about switching to digital scrapbooking for many reasons.
1. It's cheaper
2. I don't have to be confined to my scrapbooking room.
3. Everything can be done on my laptop.
4. Did I mention that it's cheaper.

Well I tried it out and this is my first page. I don't know. I may create one 8x8 album as a "let's try it out and see if I like it".
I'll let you know.

Staying in Touch

On Friday I was going through my contacts and came across the number of a old college buddy. I decided to give her a call, and I'm so glad I did. I found out that she lives in Houston now, and has a daughter. It was so good talking to her.
Please keep her daughter Taylor Blankenship in prayer. Next summer, after she turns 1, she will have to undergo open heart surgery to repair a hole in her heart.
Kristi, if you are reading this, you and your family are in my prayers. I'll talk to ya soon.

"Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 2 Chronicles 6:40

Your voice counts

Don't forget to vote if you haven't already done so. General election is on Tuesday, Nov 7th. If you are not sure if you are registered or not you can find out.

ie. I googled Dallas County Voter Registration. I found the site where I can just type in my name and it told me where I was to go and vote and other information. If you don't have your voter registration card, don't worry all you need is your driver's license.

Back atcha John Kerry

If you haven't seen this, it's quite funny.

Halloween is Finally Over

It's been an exhausting week and 1/2. Out of the 3 nights that we had the haunted house at our church, 31 people became new believers. Thank you Felicia for watching the girls on those 3 nights. Sorry girls that you didn't get to go trick or treating, it was too cold outside, too dark, and you have enough candy from your carival and school parties. Actually, you may never go trick or treating, because as soon as your old enough to care about going, you'll be old enough to participate in the hauted house. Don't worry, you'll still get plenty of candy.
Well I'm glad it's over, now gotta prepare for Thanksgiving. Hmmmm just thinking about turkey, ham, dressing, greenbean casserole, mashed potatoes, corn, cranberries, tamales, pozole, asado.... oh my gosh, I'm getting hungry....
I can't wait only 3 weeks away.

Nine Weird Things.... I tagged myself so that makes 10

1. I can't walk into a pitch black room, very scary. I know that there is someone in there waiting to get me.
2. I can't sleep with my feet sticking out of the covers. I know that there is someone there waiting to get me.
3. I love cherries, but not cherry flavor stuff.
4. I love onion straws, onion loaves, thin onion rings, but can't eat raw onions on my hamburger.
5. Me and my husband have the same shoe size so we share shoes. Well I wear his, he doesn't wear mine.
6. I cut my own hair, and I cut it short, and it looks good. Can't be paying no one to do it for $48 dollars, when I can do it for free. (I used a double negative, bad Michelle, bad)
7. I listen to talk radio rather than real radio. I used to think that people who listened to talk radio were old and uncool. I know for a fact that I'm not old and I am very cool.
8. Sometimes I wish I can collapse on the kitchen floor and suck my fingers and rest, just like my daughter does.
9. I love that my 3 year old is headstrong, cause I know she won't take crap from no one, she ask why about everything, and stands her ground. What sucks is that she does it to me as well. We need to find a happy medium.

Need Sleep

Been practicing at church everynight this week from 7-11pm.
And then I get up at 5:30 am.
Ouch.
I'm exhausted.

But, the Judgement Day haunted house will be awesome. It's free.
Will be open this Friday, Saturday and next Tuesday from 7-10pm

If any of you want more info like where it's going to be at, you can email me.

10 trees for $10

If you are looking for some trees to plant at your home, visit
ArborDay.org. You sign up for $10 and they will send you 10 trees. You put in your zip code and they will so you different collections of trees that grow best in your area. Great Deal!

Low gas prices

Glad to be back. Just want to let everyone who lives in Arlington know that on the corner of Pleasant Ridge and Bowen there are 3 gas stations that compete. Race Track, Quick Trip and Citco. As of last night the price at all 3 is $1.88.
So it took me $19.46 to fill up my new car. Wow.

On vacation....but a lesson in colors

Well right now I'm on vacation. A real vacation. Not those vacations where you get up early, spend the entire day sight seeing, spending lots of money and exhausted at the end of the day. No, this is a real vacation. I'm at my grandma's house. All we are going to do is eat, sleep, shop, and watch lots of TV. So with that being said, I will not be blogging the remainder of the week... but I wanted to leave you with this story..

Everytime Isabel goes potty she says "I'm done" and we reply with "did you pee-pee or poo-poo" (because if she just pee-pees, she can wipe herself, if she poo-poos we help her out.)
She reples "I poo-pooed" So Eddie goes in the bathroom and says "Man that's a big one", and without skipping a beat she asks "Is it green or brown?"

Goodbye my love it's time to go

Well we sold the van. I loved that van, I drove it for exactly 3 years. I would have kept it forever. So sad to drive off and leave it behind. Good news is that we don't owe 15,000 on it anymore. Better news is that I'll be picking up my grandma's car on Monday. 97' Chevy Lumina 32,000 miles. Sweet.
I'll miss you van. I'll miss you.

Like Night and Day

On the driveway there was a butterfly, dead I assume because it wasn't moving and it's wings were flapping in the wind.

Isabel sees the butterfly and says "Ahhh look at the butterfly"
Emma sees the butterfly and gives it a big STOMP.

Isabel: Uhh, she killed it.
Me: No I think it was dead
Isabel: No, she did it.
Emma: (Fled the scene on foot)

Pony Party

Well Emma's 2nd party was on Saturday... Everything went good except that Emma fell asleep 45 before the party started, so I had to wake her up. That meant that she wasn't as happy as can be. She wasn't cranky, she was just not cheerful. As the day progressed she got better. My mom made the cake and did a wonderful job as usual. Also she made cupcakes inside of ice-cream cones. Those were a hit. Emma got tons of clothes and some toys... It was a great sucess.. Here are some pics.

Dora the Explorer Cake


Cake Icecream


A little smile


Cowgirl Emma

Are you there God, it's me Michelle

Silly question... I know you are there, you are so awesome.
Ok, last week we put our van on craigslist for sale and then also on cars.com.
We've had four calls on it since Friday. We couldn't show it this weekend for various reasons, but we are going to show it to 2 people tonight. Hopefully one of them will buy it. Also after 2 months of having no one come and look at the house someone called 30 minutes ago. They wanted to see it between 12:30-2:30. I had to call them back and tell them no, because the playroom is a wreck, my bathroom is a wreck, I was in the middle of washing clothes so I've got piles of clothes everywhere. We told them tonight between 5:30 - 7:30. That means I've got to get home and bust my butt... Eddie will be there, so hopefully he'll get most of it done.

Timing....God's timing is perfect.

Well all along we were praying that we'd sell our house. We started construction on another house, and the deadline to get out of that contract is Nov 30. Our hearts desire is to get out of debt, and God knows that. Since we hadn't shown the house in 2 months, we had given up and came to the conclusion that we were just going to stay. We love our house, but it is expensive to maintain (taxes, distance, still no landscaping, still no fence). So here goes.

God you know that we want to get out of debt. We got rid of cable, internet and the phone. We are even selling the van, and selling the house would be awesome. So whatever your plan is for us we'll take it. Your plan is better than our plan. If you want us to stay in the house fine, if not, fine. You be our guide. We totally turn the situation over to you. In any event, I know that you will always provide our needs plus some. I ask this all in the name of Jesus... Amen

Oops I did it again....

So last night I was driving home, I turned onto the main street that leads to my house. I was going 40... There was a car behind me.... right behind me.. I'm thinking to myself I hope that's not a cop, but if it is, I'm ok, because I'm going 40. Wrong!... The lights go off. Dang It. I put my signal on and turn onto a small street. Isabel "What's wrong Mommy?" Nothing... "Why did you say 'Dang it'?".. Cause I got pulled over... So I wait and roll down my window. The cops comes up. I look and...

Me: "Oh my gosh, It's me again!"...
it was the same officer that had pulled me over 2 weeks ago.
Officer De La Santos: "Weren't you driving a different car..."
Me: "No same car"
ODLS: "Oh I thougt it was a car. Were you on your way home?"
Me: "Of course"
ODLS: "Well, the reason I stopped you, was because you were going 43 in a 30"
Me: "No way!, I thought the speed limit was 40, hey but at least I have my driver's license and insurance card this time"... smiling big...
ODLS: "Ok, let me see" then he looks at Emma in the back seat "This one here is giving me a mean look, I think she's mad at me"
Me: "Oh is she mad-dogging you, sorry."
ODLS: Smiling... "I'll be right back"

He comes back...

ODLS: "Didn't I give you a warning last time?"
Me: "Yeah, but that was for a broken headlight." Another big smile.
ODLS: rolling his eyes, with the you got me look... "ok, do me a favor and slow it down"
Me: "Ok, thanks, but I really did think it was 40.. and you won't see me agian.. promise"

Whewwwww... got out of another one... I told Isabel "You dad is going to kill me"
So the rest of the way home, she would ask "When is daddy going to kill you?"
Not tonight thankfully he's working.

Can't rush great art, but you can try

On Friday, when I picked up Isabel from school, she didn't want to leave because she was painting a horse. As I watched her paint, I thought to myself, holy cow this is going to take forever, we'll never make it to the homecoming game on time, if she continues painting this way. See they use a long q-tip as their paintbrush. So she was putting the q-tip in the paint and putting a dot on the paper. Dot, by dot, she was painting the head... ok, I had to figure out how to get this girl to hurry up and paint so

I said "Isabel, can I help you color?"
"I'm painting, not coloring."
"Can I help you paint?"

She handed over the "paintbrush", and I proceeded to paint but moving the q-tip back and forth, to get more coverage. I handed it back to her and she continued to do the same. So instead of 2 hours it only took 10 minutes for her to finish. She was so proud. What sucks about the whole thing, is that when we got up to leave, she had to leave the painting there, because it was wet and had to dry. She didn't like that one bit.

Your mercies are new every morning....

so I run to you.

Everyday that I wake Isabel up to go to school, I know I'm in for a fight. All the kicking, crying, wining (I don't want to go to school) over and over and over again). She does this every single day, all the way to school. And when we get there, she kicks and screams some more. The teachers seem to be sympatheic with me but I can't help to wonder if they are saying in the back of their heads "Here we go again"...

This morning I prayed "Lord, please don't let Isabel cry, please give me patience, don't teach me patience, just give it to me"

So we are off... I wake her up and she cries, I get her in the car and she cries... oh no not agian. As we are driving over the lake I turn the music off and turn around (I know I'm driving, but it was only for a sec)... I say

"Isabel, do you like fighting with Mommy?"
She nods her head no
"Well it makes Mommy very sad when you fight with me. Can you not fight with me anymore?"
She nods her head yes
"Ok, do you want to help Mommy take Emma to class?"
She nods her head yes
"Then you will go to class, and not cry and Mommy will go to work"
She does nothing.
"Do you want me to sit with you for a while when we get to school?"
She nods her head yes

After that, the rest of the ride was peaceful. She sang to herself and struck up a conversation with Emma.
We got to school, Emma fell outside, blood and everything. Got her cleaned up and took her to class, I sat with Isabel for a minute and told her I had to go to work. She gave me a kiss and hug and said "Ok, bye Mommy"

As I walked out, I was is awe. I think the teachers were too.

Red October

So, we've been at our house for 1.5 years... since May of 2005. Eddie would tell you that he's been there since March of 2004, cause that's when we started building it. Ok, he not we. I did help clean all the ruble dirt, and I did screw in all the electrical plates, and other stuff. Anyways, we have not planted a single tree. I did plant some plants in some planters that sit on either side of the door, but they have all died.... so we are going to plant these trees. Aren't they beautiful... We are going to plant them in the back because that's where we get the most sun. But I just love that they are red, cause they match our front door. I can't wait until they are this big....They are on sell at Home Depot $45, (20 gallon trees).. A bargain.

50 Years.....with 50 more to go....

This is more for memorie sake...
My mom turned 50 on Saturday. We had a great day. Eddie made breakfast for us, eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, and french toast...mmmm good.
Then that evening we went out to eat at Red Robin, then went to shoot some pool and go bowling.
The only mishap was that after we had all finished eating, Emma started to choke on a french fry which caused her to throw up everying....
Yesterday, we went to Chucky Cheese after church with some friends to celebrate Emma's birthday, her official party is this Saturday. Can't wait.