Immersion 2008

Here are some pictures from our Immersion. Immersion is the training we go to before our Mission Trip in Tiajuana, Mex. We leave for our trip July 25th.

New blog

I started one. It's my online journal between me and God. Each morning when I do my devotional I journal about what God is telling me and how I respond. Maybe one of these days I'll share the link with my kids so that they can read about the struggles that I've faced and how God has gotten me through them.

My Grandparents

My grandparents are moving to Mansfield this weekend and I can't wait. They currently live in Odessa which is 5.5 hours away, so we only get to see them twice a year. I moved away from Odessa when I was 15, that was 18 years ago. They will be living 4 minutes away. Yippeeee!!!!! I'm very close to my grandparents. I would stay at there house every weekend. On Saturday mornings, we'd go to McDonalds and then to the mall. On Sunday, we'd go to church and then go eat at Furr's Cafeteria.
It's because of my grandma that I know the Lord today. I remember her playing volleyball with me in the front yard, and sewing dresses for me. I remember always practicing spelling words with my grandpa (I would adminster the test to him). I remember everyday after school, I would make 2 icecream cones for my grandpa for him to eat when he got home from work. (I would catch the bus at there house).
Now they are in there late 60's early 70's and I finally get to see them everyday now. My grandma is the best cook. My grandpa was is an automobile accident 15 years ago, so now he's in a wheelchair. Thank God that workman's comp has provided income for them all these years. They were able to buy their new house in cash and were blessed to sell their exsisting house, to which they have lived in since 1955.
This house was a liquor store, and over the years with countless remodeling, it turned into a beautiful home and remains like that today. I can't believe I'm never going to go to Odessa again. Ok maybe for a funeral or something. Thanksgiving is going to be so cool here at my house and Christmas too... I so excited I can't wait.

August Rush

I saw this movie for the first time last night. It was sooooooo good! It keeps you on the edge of your feet. The music is great, and the story is great. I highly recommend this film.

When I grow up....

I don't know what I want to be... I have a career now, but I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. A nurse? A teacher? Hmmmm.

Too cute

Emma calls me Mama and I will call her Honey.

The other day, she had on some glasses and said.
"I'm the mama cause I have on glasses, and your the honey"

Exhaustion

We I've just been totally exhausted, growing a baby is hard work. All I want to do all day is sleep, so it's a miracle that I'm posting anything. I've been praying for energy. Well I got some tonight. I actually put a load of towels in the washer and I cleaned the kitchen and living room. I hope this surge of energy continues, because my husband and sister have had to pick up the slack. Thank you both so much for understanding.

Recital Pictures

Guess what...

We played out in the rain today.... it was fun... ok well I didn't play because I was video taping my kids and nephew.

We went to see Indiana Jones on Friday.... I wasn't impressed.

We got season passes to the new small waterpark in my city... We've gone twice already... We love it.

We're having a baby... our 3rd child will be due in Jan 09'

Going to "Weekend to Remember" this weekend.... The best marriage conference ever.

I know you're still in shock, yes we are having another baby... you heard me right the first time. I'm praying for a healthy baby, Eddie and the girls are praying for a healthly baby boy.

Our Trip

As we were eating lunch today, I told the girls that we were going on a Trip.

Isabel: Who?
Me: Daddy and Me
Isabel: By yourselves, without us?
Me: Yes
Isabel: We're going to stay here all by ourselves?
Me: No, your Tia Lily is going to come and stay with you.
Isabel: I'll pray about it.
Me: (Wondering what she was going to pray for) - Ok that would be good.
Isabel: I'll pray that ya'll won't get lost.

A TIME TABLE FOR LEARNING

A TIME TABLE FOR LEARNING

By Jean Warren

Every parent wants his or her child to do well in life. Most parents know that what a child learns before they enter school is just as important to future success as what they learn in school.

The problem as I see it, occurs when parents enthusiasm for helping their child succeed gets mixed up with trying to teach them things before they are developmentally ready.

Reading is a good example. Few children are ready to read before the age of six. Just because your child can recognize his name or points to the golden arches and says "MacDonalds", does not mean he or she has the skills to decode words at this time. In their natural concern to help their child, many parents try to push ahead their child's timetable for learning. This is usually done to prove to themselves and their friends and family just how advanced their offspring is. In rare cases, this may be true but most children need their preschool years for building brain connections.

Learning to problem solve, make connections between things, noticing likes and differences, learning to put things in order are the important things for preschoolers to be learning. These pursuits help children grow the circuits in their brains thus giving them the foundations for future learning. Don't waste your child's precious preschool years trying to jump start his learning. Give him the foundations now that will grow his mind so that he will be able to reach his full potential later on.

When you have the urge to push your child ahead, just remember the story of the little boy and the butterfly.

One day a boy found a challis (a butterfly cocoon) hanging from a tree. He was anxious for the butterfly to come out, so he decided to help him along. He carefully peeled back the layers of the cocoon and encouraged the butterfly to come out. But when the butterfly went to spread his wings, they only opened partially. The butterfly tried to fly off but couldn't because his wings had not been allowed to develop properly - in their own time.

In a young child's life, the first five years should be like a challis, a safe warm place where they are allowed to develop at their own rate, so that when they finally go off to school, they will be ready to fly!

Out smart the little ones

Emma has been doing fairly well with the potty. Her only issue (now don't get grossed out) is when she has soft poo poo. She always uses makes a mess in her panties. So Eddie has been "throwing away" toys when this happens. Yesterday he told me that he "threw away" another toy. He said she was like "ok". So I got the lowdown of the events. Evendently he was letting her pick the toy she wants to throw away... well that's not going to work. So at dinner I asked her what her favorite toy was.. she mentioned a new dog that her "Lita" gave her. At that moment it registered with Eddie what I was doing, and he called me "mean" and that I was "wrong".. oh well.. So I told Emma, tomorrow if you poo poo in your panties... then it registered with her what I was doing... she immediately shook her head no....

fast foward to today..
durning nap time I made her go potty before she laid down. she did pee pee. As she laid down she mentioned that her tummy hurt. I asked is she needed to go poo poo she said no... I reminded her that if he poo pooed in her pull-up (yes I made her put one on for nap time) that I would throw away that dog... Well 20 minutes later she came out of the room and said that she had to go potty. Guess what! She did soft poo poo in the potty. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess my tactics worked...

Thank You

I had a wonderful weekend for my birthday...
On Friday night went to the mall and met my sister and mom.. They watched the girls as I got my hair cut with the gift cards that I got for my birthday... Then my sister surprised me with the Crocs that I wanted.
When my husband got home from work that morning, we took us out to breakfast at Estella's (the best breakfast tacos)... Then we went to the local Crossfit gym for a tour and mini lesson..Then we went to Mardel's to buy the Marriage Devotional Bible, I got a One-Year Women on the Go devotional book instead.. Also picked up "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis. Then for a snack we went to the Palletera and got some yummy fruit cups... mine had granola and honey in it.. Then went to Target and bought some rocks for Emma and Isabel... Then for lunch all my close friends and family surprised me at Texas Roadhouse.. My mom gave me a visa gift card, an Itunes gift card and "Cover Up" by Michelle Martinez. After that my mom and sister watched the girls while we used a gift card to Cinemark that my friends gave me to go see Iron Man.. That was excellent. Then we went to eat at Danelitta's and watch my sister-in-law play guitar in her high school Mariachi Band. I got everything on my list. Thank You family and friends for making this such a memorable day. Love Ya

1. iTunes gift card
2. Crocs gift card
3. Gift card to get my hair cut and colored... I have 2 gray hairs.
4. "Cover-Up" by Michelle Martinez avaliable in Paperback
5. Gift card to Cinemark, with dinner for 2 at Texas Roadhouse, with 4 hours of babysitting.
6. 1 year Marriage Devotional Bible

A Lesson in Counting

The other day Emma was using the potty, she yelled out.

"Mommy I'm finished. I did 1 pee-pee and 10 poo-poos"

Right.... I didn't count them to confirm.

A Song for Me

Happy Birthday to Me
Happy Birthday to Me
Happy Birthday to Meeeee
Happy Birthday to Me

A many more..

When curiosity gets you remember...

If you are not part of the problem or part of the solution, then you don't need to know.

It's that time of year again

May 10th is just around the corner. What is May 10th you ask? Duh, my birthday....
Here is my annual wish list...

1. iTunes gift card
2. Crocs gift card
3. Gift card to get my hair cut and colored... I have 2 gray hairs.
4. "Cover-Up" by Michelle Martinez avaliable in Paperback
5. Gift card to Cinemark, with dinner for 2 at Texas Roadhouse, with 4 hours of babysitting.
6. 1 year Marriage Devotional Bible

Tijauna - Here we come!!!!

Guess What!!! Eddie and I have been chosen to lead a bunch of teenagers on a mission trip through Global Expeditions (part of Teen Mania). We will be going to Tijuana to build homes and conduct Vacation Bible School. To learn about the houses that we are going to build, you can click on this link Tijuana Blowout. Our trip is in July 25 - Aug 2, so we only have a few months to raise all of the funds for the trip. Your help is greatly needed. If you would like to contribute to the wonderful cause you can donate online at Global Expeditions. Search by our names or id's. My id is 2518929. Eddie's id is 2510277.

Thanks a bunch.

Installing Love

Tech Support: Yes, how can I help you?

Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love.
Can you guide me through the process?

Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?

Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?

Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?

Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are Running?

Tech Support: What programs are running?

Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.

Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off?

Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.

Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, "Error - Program not run on external components." What should I do?

Tech Support: Don't worry. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.

Customer: So, what should I do?

Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge Your Limitations.

Customer: Okay, done.

Tech Support: Now, copy them to the "My Heart" directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?

Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.

Customer: Thank you, God.

Conflict Resolution

This morning, on the way to church, the girls were arguing about who was older. Isabel ended the conversation with "Let's not fight anymore, because I don't want mom to say 'you're not going to get donuts'"..... smart girl.

This too shall pass

I pray for all who are going to some difficulty in their life. I pray that a year from now, whatever you are going through will be a distant memory. This too shall pass.

Tabata

Is the reason I'm still up, and can't sleep.
Is the best 16 minute workout ever.
Is why my husband is now fit as a fiddle
Is why I'm feel like my heart is about to explode.
Is why I'll probably be dead in the morning.

Tabata... google it.

Lessons learned from Vlad

So last week we went to the drive-in theater on a Monday night. We watched "Nims Island" and "Horton Heard a Who". I don't know if ya'll have seen the latter, but there are 2 characters named Vlad. The mean one (a vulture) and the bunny with cookies. So, the next night as we pull up to the driveway Eddie shots "Look Vlad". There was a bunny in our yard. So we park and get out to go and look for it. Well it was dark, and we could see it. My girls had their pen light out trying to find it. Then Eddie spots it in the street, it had gotten ran over by a car (that quick can you believe it) Anyways the girls were saying: Ohhh, poor bunny. I had to explain our rules about not running into the steet, because you can get smushed by a car and die, just like Vlad.
Well the next day, Vlad #2 was eating Vlad #1. so then I had to explain that vultures eat dead animals..... again (Ohhh poor bunny).

The Church of Oprah Exposed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA

Eddie Built these too...

Here are the bookselves that are in the girls playroom. My future guest room.. The 6 boxes in the middle are from Target and the 4 boxes on the bottom are from Ikea.

I finally took some pictures

Ok, here are some pictures of the bookselves that Eddie built. Behind the bookshelves is my office.

Easter Sunday

Pizza Hut is now Pasta Hut

How dumb is this.... How does a company with a known name change it... You don't fix what's not broken.

Here's the link to their website Pizza Hut now Pasta Hut

Other Praise

Eddie fixed his truck, by doing a chemical flush on the radiator... So do we sell it or keep it... By selling it we can pay off some debt. By keeping it we can use it to haul, stuff from home depot.
Hmmmm... since it is paid for, I think we're keeping it.

E. Valenzuela: Hard at Work

To God be the Glory

Guess what, with the Lord's help I found Isabel's DS-Lite, you know the pink video game that I was looking for on March 13th. So just like 10 minutes ago,
I was like: "God, why can't I find that game, I looked everywhere for it"
He was like: "You know what you've got to do."
I was like: "Ok, if it's not meant for me to find it, that's cool (as I'm thinking about how much money it cost). I'll just put it in your hands and be done with it. Watch I'll find it like in two years when we are doing spring cleaning for something"

So I started thinking about it again, and then it hit me, what if she took it to ballet and left it there, man that means it's gone forever. Then the thought occured to me that I never checked her ballet bag. The reason I never checked is because we hadn't taken it to ballet in a really long time. So I looked in the front pocket, and there it was. The video console with the extra game and the car charger. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Thank you Father, you are the best.

Clicking my heels isn't working

Well right now I'm in a hotel room watching "The Biggest Looser". Where I should be is landing at DFW airport. Unfortunately DFW airport is shut down because of weather. That means the earliest flight out of Madison is not until Thursday at 6:35 am. So I'm here another 2 days.

Well this gives me time to get some stuff that I need to get done for work done. And at night I've been putting together power point slides together for "Ressurection Day" our church service this Sunday.

I miss my kids, my husband, and working out. I can't workout here at the hotel because I didn't bring my tennis shoes. Oh well, I just have to workout Thurs, Friday, and double on Saturday.

I've got to run up to Target and buy "Enchanted" for Isabel and Emma.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I'm in Madison, WI today... it's like going to be a high of 39 degrees... In Dallas it's going to be a high of 78 degrees.....

I want to be in Dallas.

Swingers

Lost and Found

Has anyone seen this anywhere? I can't find it at my house. I've searched high and low, and in just about every box or drawer there is. It belongs to Isabel, we miss it. Pray that I find it.

Growing better all the time

It's that time of year again. Isabel will be 5 in May. What does that mean? P-A-R-T-Y.

Here is a history of parties.

1st - Big cookout with all our friends at our old clubhouse.
2nd - Gymboree (the kids had a blast)
3rd - Cinderalla party at our church's fellowship hall. Cinderalla showed up and hosted all the fun activities.
4th - Ballerina dress-up party at our house

And the 5th one will be... Drum roll please.....

STRAWBERRRY SHORTCAKE

Our house will become Strawberry Land
Characters that will be there will be

Strawberry Shortcake (of course). She will have chocolate covered strawberries, peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches, strawberry lemonade. She believes things are growing better all the time.

Lemon Meringune: She will have her beauty salon in Lemon Lane. Face painting, lots of glitter, and makeup.

Angle Cake: She will be set up in Cake Walk. She loves to decorate cakes. Each guest will be able to decorate their own mini cupcake.

Orange Blossom: She will provide the Orange Sherbert icecream punch.

Ginger Snap: She loves cookies. Guest will be able to decorate their own sugar cookie.

Rasberry Torte: She loves to workout. She will be in charge of all the outdoor activites, which will include an obstacle course, and of course a pinata.

Huckaberry Pie: He loves to skateboard, and play in his tree fort...... guess what we have a fort.

Blueberry Muffin: She loves to read, and will be reading a story to all the guests.

So we should have tons of fun.... Can't wait to show you the pictures...

One Big Party

This weekend was full of parties.

Thursday - Girls night out. Within the group of my friends we always have a girls night out for our birthdays. Tonight we went to see the movie "Definately, Maybe" and then we went to eat at a restaurant in downtown Ft. Worth called Cabo Grande. I didn't get home until 11:3o.

Friday - Party at my friends house, it was her birthday, she turned 11. Ok, she's really 44, but with the whole leap year thing she's only had 11 real birthdays. We ate and played games. It was great. Her theme was "Priceless", so all the gifts she received had to be made from the heart.

Saturday - Surprise party at an italian restaurant for my aunt who is turning 50. They are close friends with the owners, it was catered with Penna Pasta, pizza, cheese sticks, wings, salad. It was good. My mom made a delicious chocate moose cake. We made her an arrangement of chocolate covered strawberries.

Sunday - Right now our Sunday school class is here, we just did our bible study, right now Eddie went to go get pizzas and we are watching a movie.

Did I mentioned that I got and have had a headache all day, and not a little headache, but the one where it feels like a drum is beating in my head....... I'm tired, but it was a fun weekend.

I wish all days were like this....

Right now, I'm cooking lunch... tuna sandwiches. Eddie is working, I'm listening to the radio, the birds are chirping, and the girls are outside playing house. Ah to be a kid again. They have a playground set that I think is cool. We set the upstairs part of it like a living room and bedroom. 2 chairs, a blanket and 2 pillows. Below is a plastic kitchen with a table. They have been using the glider as their car, and the 2 swings as airplanes. Emma made a salad for Isabel.... They just finished picking flowers for their aunt and grandma. It's such a beautiful day. I made an arrangement of chocolate covered strawberries for my Aunt's 50th Birthday. Eddie dipped all the strawberries yesterday... Right now it's a beautiful day.

English Vocabulary

Food and Weather...

Me: Isabel it's chilly outside.
Isabel: It's hot outside?
Me: No, chilly as in cold..., not chili as in what I eat.

Roads...
As we were driving, we were on the service road.
Emma: Why are all those cars up there?
Me: They are on the highway.
Emma: Are we on the lowway?

SAHWAHM*

... well at least for 2 days of the week. It was easy when I could do all my work the night before or they took 2 hour naps everyday. Now I have conference calls, sometimes in 3 hour blocks, so I got a cordless phone with a headset with a mute button. I love SuperWhy! and BlockBuster. Also both girls have pc's in my office so they can have computer time as well. I can't wait unitl it gets hot, so that I can work out on the patio while they play or swim.. I also take my laptop to Chicken Red's which has free wi-fi and they love to go to chicken red's. Also this summer my nephew will be staying with us, so eventhough he will only be 8 years old, I have already designated him the "nanny". Isabel will be in school in August, which only leave Emma at home for 2 more years. A 2 day a week preschool is probably in her future.

*Stay-at-home-work-at-home-mom

The 3rd time in my life

I locked my keys in my car with the car running. The first 2 times, my kids were in the car. Now my husband has to get the girls up, throw them in the van, and fight rush hour, so that I can unlock my car. And on top of that I don't think there is enough gas in the car, so hopefully it will last long enough for him to follow me to a gas station. I hope to accomplish this all before my 9:00 am meeting.

"Skinny B*tch"

Ok, I can already hear all the gasps. Yes I bought a book entitled "Skinny B*tch", and let me tell you this was a very informative book about the food that we eat. I was laughing at the way the authors presented the information, not only informative, but funny as well. Our family had already started incorporating more fruits and vegetables into our diet last year. As well as eating more natural food choices, like natural peanut butter, organic foods, more green veges, and ground turkey and chicken. After reading this book, my thinking on other foods that we eat has changed. I won't go into detail, but the information in this book is shocking. So I have the book if anyone wants to read it.

Side note: I've lost about 13 pounds and I'm on my way to becoming a "Skinny B*tch".

Corporate America

I don't like it. I hate having goals and being measured, politics.. I hate it all.
I want to quit my job. Why? The money is great, I get to work from home 2 days a week so that my kids don't have to be in daycare, I like the people that I work with. But there is still something missing. I don't fill fullfilled, I don't feel like I'm making a difference. I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up.

Eat This Not That

How smart do you eat?
Eat This Not That

A Different Drug Problem

Thanks to Kristy for sharing this.

I give up

So after raving about Emma the other night, she did a 180 the following morning. After running around naked she decided to poop in the playroom. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I was very upset. So I give up. I've read so many things, and we've tried everying. So yesterday I put her potty in her playroom. I read somewhere that if you put it in the place they play at, it will be a constant reminder. Well when I got home my husband asked it I had put the potty in the playroom, I said "yes", he said because he had gone in there and noticed it had pee in it. So he asked Emma if she had pee pee'd in the potty and she said yes. So now that's my new strategy, I'm not going to bring it up anymore, if she needs to go hopefully she'll go on her own. My husbands concern was that she wouldn't wipe herself. At this point I don't care, it would be better than her running around in a wet pullup. But I just might leave the wipes next to the potty in case she wants to use those as well.

Polar F4

For Christmas I bought my husband the Polar F11 Heart Rate Monitor watch. He loves it, so I decided to get me one. I bought the F4 for women, mine doesn't do all that Eddie's does, but it does what I want it to do.

It keeps track of my heart rate and calculates how many calories I have burned. After a workout I can see what my min and max heart rate was and how many minutes I was in the target zone.

I used for the first time last night in my Zumba class. In 59 minutes I had burned 594 calories, my max rate was 182 and I was in target zone for 32 minutes.

I can't wait unitl my Total Toning class on Saturday, it will be interesting to see how many calories I burn there.

Chocolate milk for ransom

I've been holding out on giving Emma chocolate milk. I decided to hold in for ransome. See the first words out of her mouth each morning are "I want chocolate milk". Well she is over 3 years old and in May she was completely potty trained. Well there was a major change in her life, so she completely regressed. We've kept her in pull-ups because she would not poo poo in the potty. So I kept telling her all week that if she would poo poo in the potty, she would get chocolate milk.
Well guess what! Just 10 minutes ago she told me that she had to go potty and she went specifically to do poo poo. I was so happy for her. Way to go Emma. Hope you enjoy your chocolate milk tonight.

Christmas Eve

We are sitting here watching the Nativity Story. Our tree is surrounded in tons on gifts. Earlier we ate some Asado de Puerco and tonight we are going to eat some Pozole

(Pozole is a traditional pre-Columbian soup or stew made from hominy, with pork (or other meat), chile, and other seasonings and garnish, such as cabbage, lettuce, oregano, cilantro, avocado, radish, lime juice, etc.

)

Our families are going to be here. My mom made cookie and hot chocolate and Eddie's mom made the Pozole. I can't wait until everyone arrives.

Merry Christmas everyone.

New Again

Here's the link to the new country music video performed by Brad Paisley

and Sara Evans of their song 'New Again' depicting the crucifixion and

resurrection of Christ. It's very powerful and I thought you may want to

see it. The words are beautiful and the message is priceless.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NaSROohLzs

How'd they do that

Quiz Game

A baby

Isabel told me the other day that she wanted a baby. I told her that she would have to ask God for one. Then she replied. "Can you have a baby by Christmas?"

Noooo I don't think that's possible. Maybe next Christmas.

Learning to Spell

Isabel is learning to spell and read the cvc words.
Last night she cat, then I asked her to spell rat.

Isabel: What's a rat?
Me: A big mouse
Isabel: rat. rrrr "R" aaaaa "A" tttt "T" RAT!
Me: Good Job, that was great.
Isabel: Oh man.
Me: What?
Isabel: I don't know how to spell mouse.

We both just died laughing.

My Dancing Elves

Check out my kids and nephew as dancing elves... This is too cute.
Dancing Elves

Gotta Van Again

2006 Dodge Caravan 27k miles $10k

Yeah!!!! I still have the car...we are getting rid of the truck.

Holiday Ftiness Challenge

So I signed up for the "Holiday Fitness Challenge" at the Y So from today until Jan 12. I must loose body fat. I've been loosing a little weight, but I need to get on the ball and get on a plan. I've been eating alot better and I'm going to be going more weights, and I can't go all crazy eating during Thanksgiving and Christmas. I could possibly win a $100 gift card to Best Buy. I'll let you know how it goes. I've been taking a Zumba class once a week at the Y, and I love it. But my schedule prevents me from doing more. So I think I'm going to buy the DVD set. I was going to wait until Christmas, but I need them NOW. Hear that Eddie, NOW! I had to go buy Eddie a new iPod Nano, yeah the shuffle didn't work after all. So now he has the cool nano, which will go so unappreciated, I'm stuck the mini. I want the nano. Actually, I want the iPhone. I can dream right? I am gettin a Treo from work, so that will be kinda cool, I think.

Electronics and Water

So a year or so ago I washed my Belkin pc card... Took it out and let it dry and guess what it worked.

A couple of weeks ago I washed my usb drive....Took it out and let it dry and guess what it worked.

Saturday I washed Eddie's phone and ipod shuffle....Took it out and let it dry and guess what the ipod works, but we're still working on the phone.

Nursery Rhyme Confusion

So Emma was putting together a puzzle of a clown this morning..

When I asked her what she was doing she replied.

 

"Putting Humpty back together again."

Our Heros

Transformers

The other day, Emma who is 3 years and 1 month old amazed me. She picked up the DVD box for Transformers and pointed to each letter and started spelling the word.

EMMA; T - R - A - N - S - F - O - R - M - E - R - S spells transformers.

"Vacation"

My week vacation is coming to an end. Where did I go you ask? Mexico? Florida? Nowhere. I stayed home and played mommy all week. Eddie spent the week building a desk with 2 workstations for the girls and a two bookcases with a center piece. Can't wait until everything is all done so I can take pictures. Without going into too much detail it took six people to install the top half of the bookcases. They are in, it took about 45 minutes to insall it. It looks great. Eddie still needs to cut and paint the shelves, so I can't wait. Then the office will be complete.

Other things that have taken place this week. I have potty trained Emma for the 2nd time this year. She's at least 90% potty trained.

Also I got all my laundry washed, dryed, and put away. At night I wash the clothes we wear for that day. Throw them in the dryer in the morning, and the fold. No more laundry build up.

I've watched Transformers at least a dozen times.

I helped put together out church carnival,

I need a vacation from my vacation.

My First Real Buisness Trip

Went to Madison, WI this past Wed night. Almost didn't make it. Right before boarding, my name was called. The lady at the counter said that there were only 50 seats and I was number 51. So they offered $250 and a hotel stay. Tempting but I had a 8:30 meeting in te morning, so I had to be on that plane. I suggested to my boss that he stay and I go. Thank God at the last minute one passenger didn't show, so we both got to get on the plane. When I got there, I immediately went to a gift shop and bought a sweatshirt, because it was 50 degrees outside, and I was wearing a short sleeve shirt and crop pants. Meeting went well and I boarded the plane to come home at 4:45.... On the descent, a little north of Frisco, my right ear started to hurt bad. I mean so bad that I couldn't bear the pain. After about 5-10 minutes, the pain subsided, but I couldn't hear well out of that ear at all, and my ear wouldn't pop. Got home and when I went to sleep I still couldn't hear right. I woke up this morning, able to hear, but the ear still feels like it needs to pop. I hope it gets better.

Men and Weightloss

Since May, Eddie has been seriously working out. Since August he's been seriously eating healthy. He's lost about 25-30 lbs. He went to his yearly physical this morning and got some great news. Last year his body fat was 29% this year 9%.
Way to go Eddie.

Madison WI here I come

Tomorrow I will be flying out to Madison, WI to my company's headquarters. It will be a quick there and back trip. I will literally be gone for 24 hours. I fly out at 7 and will get back at 7 the next day. Fun huh? I hear it's beautiful in the fall out there so I'll be sure to take pictures and post them. Later.

New Rule, the Only Rule

So we now have only 1 rule in our house.. before yesterday we had many rules.
No biting
No fighting
No talking back
No mocking
etc.....

All point to the negative... Our new rule points to the positive.

Be Kind and Loving

That's it... if the girls are fighting I ask "Are you being kind and loving?"
if they are mocking each other "Are you being kind and loving?"
When I'm yelling at the top of my lungs because they are yelling at each other and can't hear me... "Am I being kind and loving????"

Confirmed... poop is funny

Isabel came around to Eddie and I saying that she had a secret.
So she whispered in my ear "Emma pooped"

Emma who likes to imitate her sister wanted to tell a secret too.
So she whispered in my ear "I pooped"

I died laughing.... this goes to prove Jeff's point... poop is funny.

Sunday school does pay off

So I asked Isabel to pick up her puzzles.
Isabel: "But I want you to help me."
Me: "No, I'm busy cooking you need to pick them up"
Isabel" "But remember at church we learned 'Help one another'?" So that means you have to help me.

At this point all I could say was "you're right" and I helped her pick them up.

Smaller Cities

What I like about Odessa, TX. When you go to a grocery store, even the big one HEB, they still walk your groceries out to your car and load them in your trunk for you.

What will we do now?

Since January we've been buying our dinners from the Dinner Station in the town that we live in. Just this week to my surprise I found out that they are no longer in buisness. The first words our of Eddie's mouth were "we're gonna starve" So now we actually have to plan our dinners. I'm distraut, even thinking about traveling 30 minutes to go to the next closest Dinner Station. What has this world come to?

I know I know

It's been awhile. Today was Emma's first day of ballet/tap. She was so excited to go. At the last 5 minutes the teachers call the parents back so that we can take pictures. I was the only parent without a camera. Bad parent? Oh well.

Crazy Week

On Tuesday I found out that my great-aunt passed away. So I decided to work from home on Wednesday, so that I could finish by 2:00 and pack and leave. Well guess what at 4:30 am our electricity went out. A tree branch fell on the power lines. We didn't get power back until 2:00 pm. Needless to say, I went to my sisiters house to work. I finally left my house at 2:00 to pick up my mom, we were just about to get on the highway when Eddie called to inform me that I had his keys, so I had to go back home to give them to him. So officially we didn't get on the road until 3:30. Also, the charger to my phone isn't working, so I bought another one. It charged a little and then stop charging. So I've been without a cell phone. I sure hope work hasn't been trying to get a hold of me. This could be a good case on why I need a company phone. My phone is just not reliable. I can't wait to get an iPhone. Anyways, today is my sister's 30th birthday. Happy Birthday Felicia. Gotta run.

I laughed until I cried.

A must read. You'll be laughing your socks off

The One Who Saves

Awesome message!

Isabel's Recital Pictures

Best News Today

A Cheesecake Factory will be opening up by the Parks Mall in the Fall. 15 minutes from my house.... that's awesome.

Here is the source of the news

Free WiFi in Texas

Want to know where to go for free wifi in texas, check this site out... Actually it'll tell you where there is free wifi nationwide, but the link I'm providing is just for Texas.

WiFi Free Spot

Let Freedom Ring

If you can't see the video then go to this link.

A Coffin or New Hope

The Internet has just about everything for sale ... but this may top them all!!!
Weddingringcoffin.com is selling the proper burial of a "dead marriage." The homepage reads:
"Give a dead marriage its proper, final resting place. It's time to bury the past and move on to a new tomorrow."
No, this isn't an urban legend. For $29.95 you can purchase a six-inch coffin with room for "his" and "hers" wedding rings! Plus you have your choice of inscriptions which includes:Rest In Peace, Gone and Forgotten, I Do ... NOT!!!, Six Feet Isn't Deep Enough!

That little coffin reminds us that every couple desperately NEEDS hope - not a coffin. They need the hope that comes from the truth of God's blueprints, not a funeral for a dead marriage.

If your marriage is in need of hope attend a Weekend to Remember Conference. It'll be life changing.

I see a flying pig

I'm working right now so I can get a head start for tomorrow. Not only that, I'm watching the Dallas Cowboys game, while my kids and nephew are outside getting wet with the water hose and my husband is mowing the yard....

Undo - Rush of Fools

My favorite song.

Street Beat

So I'm taking a street beat class at the Y. It's 1 hour long. It's a great workout. Basically the instructor shows you the dance moves 8 counts at a time. Then we put it all together. Then the music gets faster and we do endurance drills. That's the whole routine over and over again. Then we have a face-off. More fun. By the end of the class, I'm more than exhausted. Tuesday night I pulled a tendon. Not good. I don't see how I ever went dancing until 2 in the morning.

I've Lost It

"In life, losing things is a frequent occurrence. For someone with attention-deficit disorder, though, it's guaranteed. Money back, if you surprise yourself (and everyone else) by somehow keeping track of your stuff. ... If you have ADHD, there's virtually nothing you can do to avoid losing or misplacing something. "

I've lost my and had to replace my debit card too many times to count.

I've lost my cell phone for days on end.

I've lost my keys, and have found them in the girls bathroom sink mixed in with their toys
(yes I'm the one who left them there)

On Sunday, I lost my CF card for my camera, I could have sworn it was in my pocket.

On Monday, I accidentally threw my cell phone away because I had forgotten it had fallen in my lunch bag.

Today I couldn't find my husbands keys, I search my desk, purse, backpack... finally saw them peeking out from under the seat in the truck.

I just got a new bluetooth headset, I'm counting the days on when I will loose it.

Sweetness

Yesterday, my husband came home from work exhausted. I of course had to dash off to work. I left them with pancakes on the counter, Emma in her living room watching Diego, Isabel asleep, and Eddie on the couch wanting to sleep.

Eddie called me to tell me that around 8:30 the girls came into the living room because they were ready to eat. Then Isabel said the sweetest thing.

"Daddy, I came into the living room and saw you on the couch, so I went to my living room to watch TV"

How sweet was that, she let her Daddy sleep in a little.

Discrimination or stupidness

We know someone who works for the local ISD as a custodian. We found out yesterday that durning the summer months, if no one is utilizing the school (ie. children), then the air conditioners are kept turned off. Of course the office area is maintained cool and the computer room is maintained cool, but the rest of the building is HOT. The custodians who are there 8 hours a day durning the day or night have to clean in 96 degrees tempature or hotter, of course depending on how hot it is outside. I don't think this is right. Why can the office people who sit on there butts all day work comfortably in a nice air conditioned office. But the people who are really working hard and have to work with no AC? Well we are going to make some phone calls and try to get this situation turned around.

Home Projects

In our new house the girls playroom is half the size that it used to be. This has caused me to be creative with the space. I gave alot of big toys away and tried organizing well. The girls grandparents had bought them a toy organizer a couple of years ago. It worked fine for what it was, but the little baskets were sturdy would fall of the rack and would always look messy. So I got rid of it blessed someone else with it. I bought some more sturdy colorful baskets, and rolling bins. I had Eddie build me a custom shelving unit to hold everything. I can't wait to show you pictures......



Other projects in the future... #4 would be first on the list.

1. Guest bathroom: bead board on walls

2. Entryway: Have Eddie build a hall tree with a bench

3. Backporch: Tile it, install a ceiling fan, put in a metal shelving unit to hold a small tv and other stuff.

4. Girls rooms: Have Eddie build loft beds... Cinderella carriage for Isabel and doll house for Emma. The only mofifications I would make would be that there wouldn't be a bed under the dollhouse she would sleep on top. I would make the bottom a reading area. Same goes for the cinderella bed the bottom would be a reading area and Isabel would sleep on top

Y M C A

We joined "The Y" last week. I like it.. I take the street beat and zumba classes. And my girls like playing in the kid zone and swimming in the beach style pool. My husband is on a fitness kick. That's a good thing. Our girls drink organic milk (it's twice the price of regular milk). And we are eating 100% whole wheat bread. Also today we started counting our calorie intake. So far for me 290 for breakfast. Here is a great website (free) for you guys and gals who want to get healthy Intense-Workout.com. To count calories you can use Caloriecount.org.

Just for Fun

You could win an iPhone... yeah right what are the chances.. this is still fun.

Help pick the best gadget of all times.

Happenings....

The other morning my 2 year old locked herself in my room with our dog. As I proceeded to unlock the door, I could hear her singing "I Love You Lord". I decidied to just let her stay there and worship.

Isabel got her 4 year old checkup the other day. After all the tests, her doctor made the comment that she should just skip kindergarden altogether. That made me smile.

Emma has been mentioning that there are monsters in her room. So what do we used to keep the monstors out? Baby powder. I spread it on the carpet around her bed, then Isabel comes and prays with her. I then turn the ipod on Baby Einstein Lullibies.

My favorites time in the morning in when at 6:00 am, both my girls wake up and come into my bed where we snuggle and sleep for 1 hour longer.

Right now, Emma went into the pantry, got some crackers and is now sharing with her sister and the dog.. Oh no, the crackers just went all over the floor. Isabel just commented that now all the crackers have to go to Loba. They are having a blast. Emma just said "Mama, I think Loba likes it."

Gotta run.. bath time, devotional time, bed time....

Our Trip

All I've got to say is that we stopped 7 times on the way there and 3 times on the way back.
Took 6 hours to get there and 5 hours to get back.

Thanks to the 2 ladies who let me and Emma cut in front of you in the bathroom line.
And to the lady that was in front of you, how could you not let this adorable 2 year old go first.

Movie Review

Transformers: This movie was excellent. I loved it. It had drama, romance, action, everything. I can't wait until it comes out on DVD. Bumblebee is my favorite.

Blood Diamond: Another good film. Sad that humans go through what they do just for diamonds.

Pan's Labriyth: Excellent foreign film. Loved it, my husband loved it.

Live Free Die Hard: Saw this one last night. Towards the end the film messed up for a good five minutes. Got free tickets. Typical action packed film. I liked it.

Happy Anniversary Eddie

It's been 8 years... wow... can't wait until we get to go to Hawaii in 2 years....
Hope you have a wonderful day

Verse of the Day

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Romans 12:12 NLT

Letter Games

Letter Search: Your child will have fun running around the house searching for letter cards you've hidden. Each time he finds a letter he must say it aloud. Once he finds all the letters he can be rewarded with a small prize.

ABC Hopscotch: Play hopscotch but fill the sidewalk squares with letters or letter tiles instead of numbers!

Mix 'n' Match: Make two sets of alphabet cards: one of lowercase and one of uppercase letters. The object of the game is to match the uppercase and lowercase versions of each letter.

Letter March: Place alphabet cards on the floor forming a circle. Now play marching music and invite your child to step on the cards while marching to the beat. When you stop the music he must freeze in place and say the names of the letter he is standing on. Remove that letter, as in musical chairs, and repeat until only one special letter remains.

Play Tic Tac Toe: Instead of an X and an O, play with lowercase b and d, which are among the more difficult letters for children to recognize because they look so similar. Or choose any two letters your child might be having trouble identifying, or let your child choose any two letters she likes. It's an engaging way to practice visual discrimination.

Locks of Love

Here are pictures of isabel getting her hair cut to donate it to locks of love.

Your Daily Walk - Psalm 10-13 Wisdom vs Folly

A young child awakens and, for the next hour, resists all his parent's attempts to get him dressed, fed and on his way to school. If you were his parent, how would you feel?
The same child awakens, goes to his closet, selects his clothes and dresses himself without being asked. the net result is the same: He is dressed. But how do you as his parent feel?
A wise son obeys his father willingly; a foolish son only does so grudgingly or under compulsion. Which characterizes your obedience to your heavenly Father? Read Proverbs 10:1 thoughtfully. Then complete this sentence: Today I want to bring gladness (rather than heaviness) to the heart of God by gladly (rather than grudgingly) obeying him in the matter of _____________________. Now that's putting wisdom to work!

The opposite of ignorance in the spiritual realm is not knowledge but obedience.

7-Elevens turn into 'Simpsons' Kwik-E-Marts

It’s rumored that there are only two things in Texas, steers and The Simpsons!
6833 Northwest Highway
Dallas, TX 75225

I definately want to go see this one. Check out the article here

Damsels in Distress

On Friday, I was working from home. The girls and I were in the garage, they were riding bikes and playing with chalk. After about 2 times of the girls going in and out, I finally had to go in to get something. The door was locked. I had no keys and every window and other door was locked too. I only had my phone, laptop, and a pint size of water. I tried to break in but that didn't work. Then I called my husband and he had a brilliant idea of how to get in the house. He called our friend who is a fire-fighter as well to help out. 45 minutes later, he arrived and we were in the house. Thank you Steve.

It's been awhile

I know I've been gone for a while. I've been really busy with work. Anyways here goes.

New: I started working from home on the days that my husband is on shift. Yeah

Good: Pastor went to MD Anderson and will have surgery to remove tumor from kidney on July 10th

Bad/Good: We have to pay the IRS $1,600 by July 11th, and we just found out 2 weeks ago. (we'll have the money thank God)

Humor: What's the difference between a rectal themometer and an oral themometer? the taste

Think On It: Children need to know they have secure love. Sometimes our love is incomplete because our children feel they constantly have to compete for it. We tell them we love them and then they watch us make decisions regarding our careers, our friends, or our pastimes that directly undermine our ability to invest the time in them that love requires. For example:
We might declare that we have HAVE to work as much as we do because of bills, but then they see us deliberately making poor financial choices.
They don't question that we love them; they simply feel that we love other things more.

Catch Up

It's been a while so here goes.

Humor: The other day Emma looked down my shirt at my chest and said "Oooh mommy, you got big muscles like Daddy. (Those aren't muscles)

Prayer: My pastor just found out that he has a cancerous tumor in his kidneys. Pray that they can take it out and that it hasn't spread.

New: Our company moved to a new building. I've got a new desk. Building is great. The only complaint is that you can hear airplanes flying overhead all day long

Finally: Isabel's ballet/tap recital is tomorrow. Yeah!

Wisdom: The more we count the blessings we have the less we crave the luxuries we haven't

2 Kings 6:16

Don't

be afraid

the prophet answered

those who are with us are more

than those who are with them. 2 Kings 6:16

It is not the darkness that blocks your vision so much as what is between you and God.

This will remind me of the importance of proper spiritual focus in my walk with God