Ramirez Ramblings

BIRTHDAY GALS!

2012-01-27T05:00:00.005-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GREAT GRANDMA AND GREAT AUNT RACHEL!

Bad Blogger, bad!

2012-01-25T16:06:00.000-06:00

or bad mom, bad! I've not taken ANY pictures, except these THREE, of my family! I haven't blogged in OVER a WEEK! What is going on? Nothing. We've just been going about our normal activities and I haven't documented any of it.

Austin had a bad last week with seizures, but we seemed to have gotten back on track.

Tyler went out of town for Region Choir tryouts this past Saturday.

Carli, is Carli.

And we are all loving our new baby!

He's such a sweet boy!

He's very playful, but when the kids are gone to school, he gets as much sleep in as possible! I'm sure he enjoys the peace!

I like this picture of Carli and Austin. Carli is such a momma. Here she was showing her Bubby how to play a certain game on the computer.

I promise to myself I will do better at my picture taking and blogging!

Scentsy-versary!

2012-01-16T10:29:00.000-06:00

Today marks ONE YEAR that I signed up to sell Scentsy!

I love everything about Scentsy products and being a consultant!

I get to meet new people, have parties, get free products, have a great team, and MAKE MONEY!

If you want any of the above benefits, let me know! I'd love to help you!

FYI: January is "Double Hostess Rewards". So book a home or basket party!

AND...If you do, I will also give YOU a free gift, in honor of my SCENTSY-versary!

Good boy!

2012-01-15T05:00:00.002-06:00

Oh this puppy love was the best decision! He's so good! So affectionate! so spoiled! He just makes us all so happy!

I took him to the groomers for the "works" Friday. I honestly felt like I was dropping off one of my children. I almost wanted to stay the whole time to watch him, instead of coming back two hours later!

And I didn't have to wonder/worry how he did, because he got a "PAWgress" Report Card.

Also, since we changed his name when we got him, we still needed to change his tag. So he got his new name tag with his new name and on the back, his new family's information. I feel like he's officially ours now!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY(S)!

2012-01-14T12:14:00.000-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY UNCLE ROBERT!

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TO MY NIECE, AMY!

First Awards Assembly!

2012-01-13T05:00:00.004-06:00

(I forgot my camera and had to use my cell.)

Carli had her very first awards assembly!

I still can't believe we're half way through school. That she's attended 83 days of kindergarten. I know the number of days only because SHE told me!
Anyway, Carli got the "Beary Best Friend" award; for being a best friend to everyone! Oh I love kindergarten! So does she! She also got her report card today and it was fantastic!
You'll notice, and be shocked I'm sure, to see that she has no bow in her hair. In fact, I looked around at all of the kinder girls and not one single BOW! A headband or plain ponytail here of there, but no bow!She hasn't worn one lately. Some of the time she'll put a clip or headband on. She now fixes her own hair and picks out her own clothes. This all will take some time for me to get use to. Her first word after all was BOW! I remember like it was yesterday how I would walk into her room and see her standing in her crib pointing to her bow holder, saying, "BOOOWW" and then patting her head! Uh, my baby girl! So, you can see how school has changed her quite a bit!

New Year Happenings

2012-01-10T12:09:00.000-06:00

Turns out, if I don't blog in over a week, people start to wonder what's going on? Who'd have thought?! SO, guess I should blog...
NOTHING has been going on. Well, life, but nothing too exciting! Sadly, I haven't even taken pictures, except for the few above! The one of Charlie by himself was when I took him to pick up Carli from school, sitting in the car line for the first time. He loved it and so did Carli! That will now be an everyday occurrence! The picture of the chairs and table - they're from my bedroom. The chairs use to have a blue pillows on them and the table had a silver lamp on it. I moved them into my living room, switched out the pillows and lamp...I believe I like them there!
Anyway, the kids had three weeks off for Christmas break, so, the first week of the new year, we just laid around, enjoying having nothing to do. Tyler was gone last weekend to Pearland, to hang out with friends. The 9th, school started back, YAY! I enjoy a break in the routine, but not for too long, so Monday was great for me! I did all of my house cleaning Sunday, so that Monday I only had laundry to do. It was cold and rained, a perfect day to stay in and cuddle with my pup. He needed the extra lovin' since it was his first time with ALL three kids and Anthony gone for the day.
See, I told ya, we've been up to nothing!
I'll blog again very soon and WILL have more pictures!

HAPPY NEW 2012!

2012-01-01T12:04:00.000-06:00

We had a FUN time ringing in 2012 at the Ely's house.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Visitors

2011-12-30T17:37:00.000-06:00

My baby brother Chad, my sister in law Kayce, and my one and only niece, Amy, surprised everyone by coming in from Hawaii (where he's stationed) to spend Christmas with their families in Texas!

We saw Kayce and Amy last year, but it had been a couple of years since we've seen Chad!

This would be "The Amy" picture! My first name is Amy, my aunt's first name is Amy, my Mimi's middle name is Amy, and then we have our little Amy!

Sweet cousins! I loved having them running around together!

We were happy to have them here for a couple of days! I didn't want to see them go!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-25T23:02:00.000-06:00

We've got somethin' to bark about...

2011-12-22T10:33:00.000-06:00

Meet our CHARLIE!

The newest member of our family!

He's about 2-3 years old, 15lbs. of preciousness! Very affectionate!

We drove to Pearland/Houston to pick him up from our friend Laura at the Meadowlake Pet Resort. He layed on my lap the whole two hour drive home.

He's houstrained. He scratches at the backyard when he needs to go out.

He played so hard when we got home and even took a walk, which he did very well with his leash. He went to bed early! Everyone fought over who he would sleep with, so we all camped out in the living room. I think he took turns sleeping with all of us.
He follows us around the house. So good with the kids. He's smart. He loves to cuddle.
We look forward to our life with Charlie!

Christmas Season Catch-up

2011-12-20T20:43:00.000-06:00

We've been pretty busy with Christmas festivites and I've hardly taken any pictures.
I do have all of my Christmas shopping done, but no Christmas cards...maybe I'll send out New Year's cards?
Anthony was off from work all last week. The kids were in school, so it was just us two,which never happens. We shopped, went out to eat, and even took in a movie. It was so NICE!
We had a Christmas party here at our house for Anthony's employees. Good time.
Carli had her class party. I made jingle bell necklaces for her classmates. That's always a fave! We filled that cute bucket that Rose made, with fun stuff along with a gift certificate for a massage! It was a fun time! I enjoyed being back in the class room, helping and watching the kids!
The kids are out of school now for THREE WHOLE WEEKS! I can't believe we're half way through the school year! Where has the year gone?

A year

2011-12-15T05:00:00.006-06:00

I really can not believe it's been a year that we have lived here. I think back and read all of my blog posts from this time last year and I think, " How has it been that long?" I also can't believe that Anthony was already living away and had started his new job, I was at home with the kids, going to work myself, packing, all during the busiest time of the year! Yes, it was crazy, but I knew then though, I would have to take it one day at a time, not think ahead, make lists (oh I how love and depend on my lists)-just stay in the moment. But yes, there of course were "overwhelming moments". I still prayed and told myself I would get through it...and I/WE did! Thank God for my blog. No matter how busy, late, or tired I was, I blogged everyday. I'm so glad I did! I can go back and read/see what we've gone through.Cause sometimes, those moments are a blur.
We're all settled in, finding our own niche (some taking longer than others) and getting use to being back here. We do still love and miss our old town- everyone and everything in it. It was a fabulous eight years! So good to us!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEYANIRA!

2011-12-14T00:00:00.009-06:00

Happy Birthday to my best friend of 17 years and God Mother of my children!

1995-Deyanira with Sam and me with Austin

Have a fantastic day Deyanira! We love you so very much!

Breakfast with Santa

2011-12-11T11:57:00.000-06:00

Saturday Carli, Tyler, and I went to Carli's school for Breakfast with Santa. The food was yummy, the crafts were fun, the hayride was cold! bikes were raffled and the cakes were auctioned. There was Santa, but Carli had NO desire to go near him.

Elf TYLER

2011-12-08T10:29:00.000-06:00

Tyler's school's eighth grade choir along with the school's eighth grade band, toured a few of the elementary schools on Wednesday to perform for the kids.I of course had to go to two of the schools to watch him! One of the schools was the one Austin went to Kinder-second grade. We loved that school and the people in it. It was so wonderful to be there to see everyone after TEN years! Especially my heart warming visit with Austin's kindergarten teacher/my friend. The second school was CARLI'S SCHOOL!!!
Tyler was Santa's elf. Look at how stinkin' cute he was! They did a great job and he had a blast! Especially the parts about lunch time. In one of our shopping centers, there are a few restaurants. The teacher said they could pick which one they wanted to go to and just meet back at the bus at what ever the particular time was. So him and some friends walked over to Wings and More...he felt so grown! His other favorite part was being at Carli's school!
Carli talked for a week to her teacher and friends about her Tyler coming to sing at school. She was over the moon! She was so giddy and silly when she saw him! At one point, Santa and his Elf walk into the crowd to shake hands. OH MY WORD! Carli acted crazy in love with Tyler! Like he was a rock star! Then at the end when Rudolph came out, some of the singers went and picked kids from the audience to come up and sing his song. Well, of course Tyler went and picked Carli. She would not let go of him-stayed hugging him! She was so proud that HE was HER brother! And who wouldn't be?! He did WONDERFUL and IS WONDERFUL!

BFF's BIRTHDAY TRIP!

2011-12-06T10:13:00.000-06:00

Deyanira and I both celebrate our birthdays in December. So we decided to make an annual bff birthday trip. Just us two, celebrating our birthdays. We were beyond excited! We've been friends for 17 years (Austin and Sam were 8/9 months old) and we never get to get a weekend away. We went to our favorite place, San Antonio! Our hotel was on the Riverwalk. All we had to do was walk out of the hotel door and we were already at the Riverwalk!
The weather was actually nice, everything was decorated for the Christmas season, the food of course was to die for, the laughter was non-stop, and conversation was wonderful. It truly was the best time!

It's beginning to....

2011-11-26T18:07:00.000-06:00

look a lot like Christmas! I say "beginning" because we only did the inside of the house. Tomorrow we do the outside! This year the tree decorating actually went faster. It may have had something to do with this adorable five and a half year old fashionista ~~demanding~~ willing to help me!

The pics aren't too good, they're taken with my cell phone.

Shopping Party

2011-11-25T12:00:00.002-06:00

Last weekend some of us girls got together for a Christmas Shopping Party! Each of us set up booths in my home, with merchandise we sold or made. It was a lot of fun, food, and laughs!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T00:00:00.004-06:00

A Star is Born!

2011-11-18T09:23:00.017-06:00

As I talked about in an earlier post, Austin had been attending Young Life. Well to add to their wonderfulness, YL had a talent show for the kids. I was extremely sad that I couldn't go, since I had been out all week with a serious back sprain. Anthony and Tyler did and they were blown away by how awesome Austin did! He wasn't nervous or shy one bit! He never even practiced! Just got the microphone and sang along with The Backstreet Boys' "I want it that way"
He told us when he got home, "When those people stood and clapped for me, I wanted to cry" He refers to himself as a "Star" now.
This totally makes my heart melt! Special Needs means so much more, He TRULY IS SPECIAL! So kind hearted, precious, and full of personality!
Austin was in heaven! He always says he's always wanted to be on stage and sing!
I'm very thankful to my sweet Tyler who took pictures and video on his IPOD!
REMEMBER, on the video, scroll down to the bottom of this page first to pause my music, then come back up here and play this video. you have to listen real close to hear him.

AUSTIN

2011-11-17T09:14:00.020-06:00

Austin has been attending Young Life once a week. It's not on a night with all of the high school kids, it's on a night where it's with Special Needs students, and not just students, but young and old adults. You should click on this link HERE to read more about it. It is wonderful! Austin loves it! The A&M students are so precious and love all and are so great with them! The YL leaders also come to school once a week and hang out with them.Something you don't realize is that yet another challenge with special needs kids, is church. It's hard finding a church with a program just for them. And in service, is he understanding the sermon? Likely not, He sure does love the music though. I was quite excited that he knew the songs they sang in Young Life! Well, YL, to us, is helping fill in that gap. So now, he's involved with something else and not just his sister and brother.They go for an hour and a half. Have refreshments. DANCE! Play games. Here he was playing a game (blowing q-tips through straws aiming at a turkey.). And a sermon...a wonderful sermon with props, perfect for their understanding.He's also involved in Special Olympics. This season it was bowling. We traveled out of town last weekend for Region games. Fun Day, complete with an "athlete village" where there was tons of food and game for all!

HAPPY BIRTDAY MIMI!

2011-11-16T10:28:00.005-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIMI! WE LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!

Ladies Night Out

2011-11-10T05:00:00.023-06:00

Tuesday night, I went out for a ladies night at church. It was for the start (a couple of weeks early) of the Advent Season.Me, Mary Louise, Aunt Dee, Mimi, and Mrs.Anderson (sure wish it wasn't blurry!)We had desserts...man, there were so many yummy treats!

Now, the musical we saw was by Minnie Pause and the Hot Flashes! They're a group of ladies that come together to sing and laugh at the experiences of dealing with life's ups and downs by trusting in God.They were so great! So funny! Beautiful voices! We laughed a lot! It was quite a different take on the Advent season, for sure!Click HERE to see their website. They're also on Face*book.
Here's a video. Not from last night. They have two different acts. The one we saw was a Christmas spirit one.
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Growing up!

2011-11-09T05:00:00.006-06:00

Kindergarten has totally changed our baby girl! I just can't say it enough! The shyness, no more! Totally a social butterfly! You should see her with the little gils in her class! What a precious group! She's so independant! I love seeing her JUMP out of the car in the mornings and RUN through the front doors of the school! I love that she points out every single teacher, cafeteria worker, and custodian by name and will stop to talk to them. She loves her "jobs" at school, especially when it's "messenger"! That's when you take the attendance down to the office and other notes and stuff to teachers. She's all over that place! I love how she's learning so so much everyday! She can't quit talking about her day when she gets home. You should hear the big words she uses. The stories she tells. I love that she knows all of her sight words and her math! Oh the things she knows!! Her teacher says, "She's a doll! A real sweetheart and just loves to learn and help others!"She continues to love crafting, drawing, and baking/cooking! She's also big into helping around the house. I'm talking folding towels, sweeping and mopping! And she's even starting to keep a better clean room. Ugh, that room! She just plays so hard that stuff is EVRYWHERE!She's loving dressing herself and doing her own hair. She brushes it all of the time! Most days to school, I'll let her fix her own hair with her own clip of choice. Most of the girls in her class have long hair and don't have any clip, bow, or headband in it. So she tries to do the same.She's got that lil' mother in her. In fact, that's what we call her. Sure, she fights with her brothers and is so dramatic, but she loves her "guys" so much! She really looks after Austin. I'm pretty sure she could take care of him without Anthony or I around.
One morning last week, when Carli was about to leave for school, I had to take a second look...she's starting to look older to me!I told her, "hey come here and let me take your picture! You're sure growing up!" She then said, "Oh ya, well look at my grown up teeth!" Finally, she is a-okay with the whole loosing teeth and doesn't mind showing people". So, here's a picture of how she looked that morning AND a picture of her adult bottom teeth!
Slow it down baby girl, I'm trying to savor these moments!

Hat Day

2011-11-08T05:00:00.004-06:00

Kindergarten had a hat parade and the theme was "Vocabulary has gone to our heads!" They were to decorate a hat with one of their vocabulary words. Carli picked "flower"!

Lunch Dates!

2011-11-07T05:00:00.003-06:00

I was SO excited to have lunch with Rose, Delia, and Rachael! Rose and Delia were in town visiting their daughters, so we couldn't go without seeing each other! It was such a nice lunch! Miss getting to have lunch with Rose on a daily basis!Can't wait for you ladies to come back in a couple of weeks!

A Haunting We Will Go...

2011-11-04T05:00:00.006-05:00

Halloween weekend, Deyanira and I took Christian, Tyler, and Emily to a haunted house. It was perfect cold weather, in a historic, renovated, hotel...in it's basement! Yes, us mommas went in too! Yes, we all screamed the whole way through! It was scary! Afterwards, we all walked down Main Street. It was neat to see all the people dressed in costumes, renovated store fronts, and even neater, the old buildings, untouched! Kinda spooky!Then, we of course had to stop for a midnight snack, we worked up an appetite!

Happy Birthday Able!

2011-11-03T05:00:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday Able! Have a wonderful day! All our love!1995-Austin and Able

Halloween Day!

2011-11-01T05:00:00.004-05:00

I decided since Carli is in Kindergarten and they're learning to read, I would give them beginner reader books for their Halloween class treats. Using the Scholastic book order was awesome! Each book was $1! I forgot to get a picture of Carli's teacher gift. But since she collects frogs and the whole classroom is frogs, I thought this would be a great "Happy Fall" gift!She's loving dressing herself lately!And then, Candy Corn Witch and Batman went out trick or treating, while Tyler stayed home to hand out candy.We stopped by to see Mimi!It was a spook-tacular night!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2011-10-31T00:00:00.002-05:00

T-Rob

2011-10-28T05:00:00.010-05:00

I just had to share our T-Rob's football picture! Oh so handsome!He really enjoys football!He also really enjoys choir! Two things his dad enjoyed all through school as well!
This is Tyler's medal from his choir competition last weekend.Eigth grade at his new school is turning out to be much better than last year for him! Tyler even says so! So we keep praying that he continues to do better and like it more! I Bet he will!

Happy Birthday Aunt Linda!

2011-10-27T05:00:00.005-05:00

Happy Birthday Aunt Linda, we love you and a late shout out for a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 30 years of marriage!

Festival Time

2011-10-25T05:00:00.001-05:00

This past Saturday,Tyler and I went over to Madisonville, to the Mushroom Festival. I hadn't been since Carli was about five months old. The kids ran around, while each of us adults worked at a wine tasting booth. Afterwards, we all went out to dinner. We had a very memorable day with one of our favorite families!

Monkeyin' Around

2011-10-22T05:00:00.007-05:00

and feelin' so much better after having to miss two days of school due to fever and a stomach bug.

Happy Birthday Sonja!

2011-10-20T05:00:00.003-05:00

Our cousin Sonja is turning the big 3-0 today!
Crazy, because I still see her as 12 (the age I met her!)

Happy Birthday Sonja! Have a beautiful day!

Choir

2011-10-19T05:00:00.005-05:00

Tyler and his eigth grade boys choir, had the opportunity to sing in one of our high school's choir concert Monday night. It was really great.

Birthday Party

2011-10-18T05:00:00.005-05:00

This past weekend we celebrated our cousin Rachel's birthday and it was a whole lotta FUN!

These two...

2011-10-15T05:00:00.002-05:00

are just really TOO CUTE!!

Happy Birthday Rachael!

2011-10-14T05:00:00.004-05:00

Our favorite Aggie is turning the BIG 21 today!
We love ya girlie, I know you'll have an awesome day! HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY!

Proud

2011-10-12T05:00:00.003-05:00

The other evening while we were getting ready for dinner, Austin told us that he wanted to show us what his test was at school that day. He also said that his teacher told them, "Don't look at anyone else, because they could be wrong". He got the biggest kick out of that and laughed! Ha! Next, he got out all of the things he needed:His test was on: SETTING THE TABLE!
He passed his test in his first period, Domestic Life Skills!
He was so proud! We were all so proud!

Jaguar of the week

2011-10-07T05:00:00.003-05:00

It was all about Carli as she was the "Jaguar of the Week"!Each day she got to bring a "favorite thing".And yesterday, it was "lunch with your favorite". So, Daddy and I both went. We took her, you guessed it...Taco Bell, her "favorite food"!
Afterwards, we went out to watch her play at recess. What a treat that was for us! She was so fun to watch running around with all of the little girls!
My gosh she sure loves school!

Happy Birthday Harrison!

2011-10-06T07:04:00.012-05:00

Today, this little man turns 5! He is super handsome, super sweet, and super smart!HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY HARRISON! LOVE YOU!

CLASS OF 1991

2011-10-03T05:00:00.004-05:00

This past weekend, Anthony had his high school class reunion...20 YEARS! Man, that sounds crazy! Can't believe it's been that long!I was just as excited to go as Anthony, since I had several friends in that class.We had alot of fun!Trevor, Kathy, me, and Anthony.Stacey and me.Jennifer, me, Gina.Thank you to our sweet Rachael for watching our kiddos both nights (and sending me this adorable pic!)It was a great weekend! We LOVED seeing everyone!
Can't believe it's my turn next year! WOA!

Sweet Lunch Date

2011-10-02T05:00:00.003-05:00

Last week, Carli invited her God mother to lunch with her at school. She told her exactly what she wanted her to bring her..."Taco Bell...two crunchy tacos with only the meat, cinamon twists, and a sprite!"
Friday came and Carli picked out her outfit and was excited for her sweet lunchdate!
Later that day, Deyanira sent me this picture:I LOVE THIS PICTURE OF THEM!!
And we got such a kick out of Carli telling her exactly what she wanted, that she also had to send a picture of that food, ALL GONE!That little bitty girl can put away some food! HA!
It was such a fun treat for her! Just the two of them! Carli loved it!

Happy Birthday Aunt Terry

2011-10-01T06:00:00.004-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT TERRY! LOVE YOU!

Homecoming

2011-09-29T05:00:00.004-05:00

Saturday night I was thrilled that I got asked to go with Deyanira to take pictures of Sam and his friends! They were on their way to their last high school homecoming dance. I still can not believe he's a senior!Now Sam is pretty tall but, so is his momma, so I'm pretty sure he was standing on a rock! Aren't they a great looking mother and son!Sam, so handsome and his date so cute!What a fabulous looking and fun group!

Homecoming Pep Rally

2011-09-28T05:00:00.004-05:00

This Friday was our high school's homecoming. I went to the pep rally. I didn't go because I had a son/daughter in the band, a son on the team, a daughter a cheerleader or on the drill team. I went because it was Austin's school and his first time to see a pep rally! Most parents wouldn't go or even think twice about. But when you have a special needs child, you appreciate those kinds of things. He's been talking about it forever and he couldn't wait to go! Let me tell you, I was excited to go too! I loved watching him watching it all! He had so much fun!Austin and Jennifer.Austin and Sam, who's on the Blue Crew this year, his SENIOR year! SENIOR!?!GRANGER SMITH! He was there for his "Drive Now, Text Later" campaign and then later that night had a concert in town. Such a good singer...and a cute one too!Austin and me! Great to be in my old high school gym again. It's been 19 YEARS!

Cross town show down

2011-09-27T05:00:00.011-05:00

We are in full football season around here and it's a lot of fun!

When all of the kids started school here, we didn't realize that while in junior high, Tyler and Christian would play against each other since they go to different schools.Well, that time came last Tuesday for these God brothers.Our #4, TYLER!!!!Our #20, CHRISTIAN!

Now, it really wasn't a "show down", BUT Christian's school did win. Congrats to them. It was neat having our two families together, even if they were playing each other.Oh, and Carli loves the games too...the cheerleaders and now, the MASCOT!

Thank you Deyanira for sending me these pictures!

Happy Birthday to the "J's"

2011-09-26T05:00:00.005-05:00

This hubby and wife, Jason and Joy are both celebrating their birthday...TODAY! Yep, same day. Same year. Born at the same hospital!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUSINS!

Happy Birthday Aunt Sally

2011-09-25T05:00:00.012-05:00

Happy Birthday Aunt Sally! We love you!(Aunt Rachel, Grandma, Aunt Terry, cousin Melissa, and AUNT SALLY!)

Me and my girl

2011-09-21T16:10:00.001-05:00

Grandparents' Day Lunch

2011-09-18T05:00:00.004-05:00

Last Friday was Grandparents' Day lunch at Carli's school. She brought her Great Grandmother Mimi. We brought Carli Taco Bell, while Mimi and I bought our spaghetti lunch tray. Carli was quite the show off. It was quite special having lunch in my old elementary school which Carli now uses, and my grandmother eating with us!!! Something she did a thousand times there with me and now with Carli!!!

Happy Birthday Joel

2011-09-17T05:00:00.002-05:00

1998- Jestin, Tyler, JOEL, and Austin.
Babies really do grow up and that little one, JOEL, is turning 18 today!
Happy Birthday cousin! We love you!

My three kids!!!

2011-09-16T05:00:00.002-05:00

I had to post pictures of these three kiddos, 'cause not only are they CUTE, they just make everything BETTER!!! Especially after a long, emotionally charged week! Parts of the week included two funerals (one of my friend, Allison, 37 and our best friend's 90 year old grandfather) and my other friend is in ICU (she is doing better). So prayers are welcome for all of the families involved.Thankful to God for these precious babes!

Honoring Allison

2011-09-13T05:00:00.011-05:00

Allison, always smiling! Such grace!
Raymond and I.
Jenny, Zhanna, Me, and Jill...I see Toni in the background.Holly and I.Jenny amd Lisa.Tanya and I.

Last year, at this time, I asked you to pray for my friend Allison.
We grew up one street apart. Went to the same schools. Went to the same church. Although we haven't seen each other in years, there was still the internet, where we could catch up.
At age 30, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Went through a year of treatments. Given a clean bill of health. Five years later, turns out she was only in remission. Cancer had came back with a vengeance. She was 36 years old, married, two baby boys, and a year of hard fighting was ahead! I began to read her journal entries on her Caring Bridge site, to keep up with her journey. I always knew she was a beautiful, human. So poised. So sweet. Loved Our God! But wow was I blown away by her faith! All of us are. She truly, truly gave it all to God. Praised him in the midst of this storm. Totally lived for Him! I felt that she was helping us grow closer to God. She was His witness. I could go on for miles, but to really know what I'm talking about, you can click on her Caring Bridge Site and start from the beginning. You will be inspired!

One of our precious friends, Raymond, came up with the most brilliant idea back in July. A concert in Ali's hometown, in the church she grew up and later wed in, honoring her. It would be called, "The Gospel According to Allison". The title is meant to show how Allison lived her life and applied everything she did/happen to her, to the Gospel. We would all gather around her and her family. She picked out every song/hymn. Every scripture. Her journal entries would be read, by friends. Special performances from loved ones. We would take a love offering. We would honor other cancer survivors. Pray over Ali and her family. PRAY for that miracle Ali believed whole hearted she would get. Afterwards we we gather in the Fellowship Hall and eat her favorites; ice cream and cheesecakes.

We did all of those things, on September 10th, except Allison was there only in spirit. She passed away two days before. The concert stayed true to it's purpose. Only this time, all of her friends would be comforting each other over her passing. It was the most beautiful thing I've been to. Sure there was sadness. But to know every bit of it was her. The church was full. People were even standing. How many people do you know that the mayor would have a proclamation for and half the town would turn out to honor for over two hours?! Raymond, you did a tremendous tribute! Everyone involved was amazing!
Seeing so many old friends was exciting! Funny actually, since we all felt that we still see each other everyday on Face*Book!

Monday came and we went to her funeral in Houston. It was no surprise it was as beautiful as her concert and her! Again, it was packed, with people from all over. Every scripture and song, all her favorites. Taken from her Caring Bridge site. Her quilt draped over her casket. Her personal touch everywhere.

It's so unreal to have a friend, the same age as you (37), pass away. I'm sad for her husband, her boys (4,2), and her parents (her little brother passed away when we were younger). But I know Allison is in Heaven with our Savior! SMILING hugely, like always!

When you pray for someone everyday, you feel very close to them. Recently, since it was hard for her to talk, I would drop a text to her every once in a while. On the last one, she said, "thank you for being one of my prayer warriors!" No Allison, thank you for teaching us. We are better for knowing you! You will be missed.

I take away from this, to enjoy and live in every moment. To praise Him all the time.

Allison's Caring Bridge Site, click here. Read from the beginning.
And a little bit of the concert,(pause my music on my blog and turn up the volume) click here.

Happy Birthday Rachel

2011-09-12T05:00:00.009-05:00

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY RACHEL! WE LOVE YOU!

9/11

2011-09-11T12:43:00.026-05:00

Today, we remember the horrific attacks made on us and thank again, everyone who helped that day.We will never forget that feeling! We'll never forget where we were and what we were doing.I was 27 years old. Austin was at school, he was 7. Tyler was 3. He was at home with me. I had a little daycare at the time. I had Myles (who was born the same day/year as Tyler), my Emily, and baby Sydney. We were all doing our thing, when I caught glimpse of the first tower that had just been hit. At that moment, my friend Francine called and said she was on her way to watch my tv. We sat in complete shock and stayed glued to the tv! Anthony had come home to grab a little tv, to take back to the bank for everyone there to watch. I remember crying . ALL of those innocent people dying! ALL the loved ones left behind! I also remember being so scared! Not knowing what all of this meant?!
I remember today, but am not sad. With the recent death of a friend and now today's 10 year anniversary of 9/11, I choose to LIVE! Enjoy this very moment! Never take anything or anyone for granted!

GO T-Y-L-E-R!

2011-09-10T05:00:00.015-05:00

Tyler had his first football game of the season! It was different cheering for him in green and white, at mine and Anthony's old junior high, and where Anthony also played football! The team did really good, they WON!Sadly, this is the ONLY shot I got of the game! They were just too far! I didn't even get to a picture of Tyler after the game! They ran off the field to the locker room, which was totally opposite of where we were :(Carli loved the cheerleaders! She stood, clap, and danced during the game! SURELY, I'll get a chance to take his picture in his uniform! I just have too!!

Carli school days and another trip to the dentist

2011-09-09T05:00:00.005-05:00

She's still LOVIN' school! So much, that every morning as we're walking out the door, she makes me take her picture!On September first she went to the dentist to have the little piece of gum/tissue removed that was hanging between her two top front teeth. Shegot three stitches and did absolutely wonderful!

Sunday Funday

2011-09-08T05:00:00.003-05:00

When it was time for the big game in town, we were so happy because it meant our friends were driving in and we would get to see them. While Lindsay and Cesar went to the game, Olivia and Julia stayed with us. The girls had a blast! They sure are growing so fast! Carli and Olivia play so differently now. Such big SCHOOL girls!We sure were glad to spend time with them! We've missed them!!

Happy Birthday Emily!

2011-09-07T05:00:00.005-05:00

OUR precious, sweet, smart, funny, and gorgeous Emily is turning 12 today! We love you so much Emmie! Have a terrific birthday!Last year I used one of Anthony's favorite pictures of you on your birthday post. This year, I used two of my favorites. I love this one of you as a baby. I feel so honored getting to keep you everyday when you were born. And then the most recent one. I love it because it's of just us girls! Mommas and daughters!
I just can't believe you're a pre-teen and taller than me! What a awesome young lady you're becoming! God Bless you girlie!

Lunch Date

2011-09-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

I picked my best friend up on her lunch break and we went to eat. Always FUN!

Happy Birthday Iris

2011-09-05T05:00:00.000-05:00

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY IRIS! We sure enjoyed getting dressed up and coming to your fancy tea party!

Friday night fun

2011-09-02T05:00:00.005-05:00

Last Friday, the Ely kiddos spent the night with us! What a good way to celebrate the end of the first week of school!

Blurry car pics, but good good time!

How are the students?

2011-09-01T05:00:00.016-05:00

We've got a week and a half of school down.
Austin of course is enjoying school! He loves going! And if you ever talk to Austin, you know that in the first minute of talking with him, he wants a girlfriend! So, of course that's his mission this school year!Ha!Tyler, actually is liking eigth grade. He's been the one that's having a harder time being new here. I too have my moments when I say I want to move back. But at our last talk, we both decided to go into this new school year with a better attitude. Make the most of it. Quit looking back at our old town and look forward to this town. Sure Anthony and I were born and raised here, we have all our family and friends here, but this is still new to Tyler. I really miss my friends that I had for the past nine years We built a great lil' life there. We love our family and friends here, but we love and miss our friends there. I think Tyler being an "upper class man" and football starting back has helped him. It's funny to me when we go to the mall and I hear guys call his name to say Hi and girls run up to hug him.And for the new school kid in our household, she is doing fantastic! Way beyond what we would've thought! I just pictured her being her usual very shy self and cling to me. Boy were we surprised! She walks in all by herself, has no problem at all! She talks our ears off from the minute I pick her up from the car line, till the second she falls asleep. She tells us every last detail of her whole day! Surely she would be exhausted, but nope! Mimi and I went to eat lunch with her on Friday and to watch her, you would think she has been going there for years! Her mannerisms are so much older too! She has really cracked us up!

Oh, and what about MOMMA, how am I doin'? Well, I think the first week was all about me trying to get the three kids morning, after school, and bedtime routines set. Which has gone good. So being on our second week, it's time for me to figure out what I should be doing while they're gone. I've never had all of my children in school, while I had no job to go to. So there's some adjustment going on.Yes, I missed them. The house is very quiet!

Happy Birthday Arlyssa!

2011-08-31T05:00:00.003-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUSIN! WE LOVE YOU! (L-R: Gabby, Carli, Rachel, ARLYSSA)

Visitors

2011-08-30T05:00:00.053-05:00

KOCH FAMILY, YOU MADE THE BLOG...TOLD YA! HA!We were so happy to have Dave, Laura, and Savannah come visit us for the day! Anthony and Dave use to work together.

It was a nice, fun, hangin' out kind of day! We laughed the whole time The kids played. Miss. Sav kept us quite entertained!And of course we had to go out to eat.Now that they know what a nice, easy two hour road trip it is to see us, SURELY they'll make a habit of coming to visit!

Happy Birthday Melanie

2011-08-29T05:00:00.004-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUSIN! WE LOVE YOU! (L-R: MELANIE, Arlyssa, Monique)

Downtown Night

2011-08-26T05:00:00.017-05:00

I'm really liking our downtown now. It's really turning into something.
Last weekend, Deyanira and I went downtown for Mexican food and of course margaritas. We then went to a local play, which was very good. Very thought provoking! We each came away with totally different thoughts, doubts I guess.Wonderful night.
Our little girls were happy to see us return. They had been at my house, which was full of loud boys.

Happy Birthday Aunt Dee

2011-08-25T05:00:00.006-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT DEE! HERE'S TO A WONDERFUL DAY! I LOVE YOU!(Christmas '10 my aunts and me: Diane, Terry, and DEE)

Happy Birthday Shawn

2011-08-24T05:00:00.013-05:00

Today, my little brother turns 32. Happy Birthday Shawn! We love you!

First Day of School!

2011-08-23T05:00:00.001-05:00

Sunday night we brought out the books for Carli.
We all slept good. Woke up great! And we were ready to welcome the new school year!
They all got dressed and ate at the back to school table. It had their school colors and mascots.
Austin was very ready to go back to high school!Couldn't wait to get on that bus!
Tyler, not so much ready to go to eighth grade. He walked slowly to the bus.
Carli did surprisingly well. She never whined or complained. Very cheerful! She was ready to give her teacher her apple.She couldn't wait to use her rest towel (not sure why it looks this way? It's hot pink, orange, light pink, and purple).
She was anxious to put on her new outfit and take her back pack and lunch box.

She held my hand only in the parking lot. She walked in front of me all the way to her classroom.
She went straight in, gave her teacher a hug and her apple and headed to sit in her desk.Okay, that was too quick and easy! She did WONDERFUL! No clinging. NO TEARS! I didn't even cry! Unbelievable!
So, the kids were off to school and Anthony and I? We went on our annual back to school breakfast date! We've been going since Austin started school...12 years ago!
Anthony then went to work and I headed to home to a very quiet house.

HOLD ON!!!

2011-08-22T05:30:00.019-05:00

FIRST, a look back at Austin's and Tyler's Kindergarten pictures, cause this momma is feeling a wee bit sentimental this morning.I can't relive their kindergarten memories without mentioning that TYLER cried all day long, every single day, for three straight weeks! Aw my sweet Boo Boo!

NOW, onto today. It is the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, I love the first day of school!
BUT WAIT!!! HOLD ON!!! I'm not ready for one of my kids to go this year!

I thought I was kind of ready. Turns out, I'm not!
My last baby is starting kindergarten TODAY!

How did this happen SO FAST?

I obviously blinked! Everyone says,"DON'T BLINK! Before ya know it, they'll be off to kindergarten!" and it is so very true! I KNOW THIS! I've sent two other kids off to kindergarten! I mean, man, look at how tiny my boys were! They were such babies! It seems like just yesterday! Now they're 17 and 13!!
And yes, each time I cried. TODAY is NO exception!

I'm happy for Carli to be growing and thriving!! I know this next phase in life is going to be so fun! I loved elementary school with the boys. But it just happened too quickly. She is totally my lil' shadow/my side kick. I'll miss her. I know she'll do just fine! SHE's SO READY!

EVERYONE, here's to a HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL POST TOMORROW!
Hopefully I'll get good pics of everyone and everything.

Happy Birthday Chris

2011-08-21T05:00:00.003-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO! YOUR SIS LOVES YOU!

All done!

2011-08-19T05:00:00.030-05:00

Carli had "Meet the teacher" last night. She already met her at our home visit, but this was a chance for them to bring their school supplies, see their classroom, meet their classmates, and us to fill out paper work.
Carli brought her teacher some personalized hand sanitizer.I also took her teacher this paper to fill out. Being a mom of a 17, 13, and 5 year old, along with teaching preschool for six years, I know quite a bit about teacher gifts, and this makes gift giving so much easier (I have the link if you'd like to go and print out one for your self). Carli and Daddy sitting at her desk. I forgot to get one of her and I and then her and the teacher.The secret room in the library. It's where the librarian reads to the classes.
And this would be Carli's 2nd tooth. She lost it last night 15minutes before we left for meet the teacher. As with the first tooth she lost a couple of weeks ago, this time was just as traumatizing for her! D-R-A-M-A! But this time, she managed to spit it out and not swallow it like before!

So...
Check ups, clothes shopping, supply shopping, schedule pick ups, athletic gear pick up, meet the teachers, haircuts, DONE! Last time for Tyler hanging out at "teen night". No more staying up very very late and waking up very very late!! No more eating all day long. It's time for ROUTINE! I'm ready. Austin is ready. Tyler is not ready. Carli is back and forth. It's been a good, lazy summer (but and extremely hot and dry! ICK!). We're all done! Bring on the school year!

School shopping!

2011-08-18T05:00:00.008-05:00

So we're pretty much done with summer...This year, since we have THREE kids in school and in a school district that has no uniform (ugh), Anthony and I took each child to do their school shopping. It was very nice to have time alone with each of them, PLUS, there was no chaos and fighting! NO Tyler, a puppy is NOT on your school supply list! Although all of us have tried to convince Dad it is :(Carli's FIRST SCHOOL SUPPLIES!

We have everything bought for ALL of the kids! Haircuts just done! I believe we're ready!

Pictures tomorrow of Carli's "Meet the teacher" at school, Tyler's schedule pick up and "Meet the teacher, and Austin visiting his classroom.

Happy Birthday Kayce

2011-08-17T05:00:00.005-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER IN LAW KAYCE! WE LOVE YOU!

Sweet lunch dates

2011-08-16T05:00:00.006-05:00

One of my favorite lil' families were passing through town and so we met up for lunch. (Lindsay and I)
(Olivia and Carli)(Baby Julia)

I'm so happy Carli and I got to see them...we've missed them SO MUCH!

Remembering Grandpa/Great Grandpa

2011-08-15T00:00:00.004-05:00

Today marks a year that we lost our Grandpa/Great Grandpa. We miss him so much.
We love him, we want to make him proud, we love each other, and those things are what has kept us strong this past year without him and will continue to do so.Yesterday, the family (this is maybe half of us-we were missing quite a bit) got together to celebrate him. We all had shirts made, ate a wonderful lunch and yummy cake. It was such a nice day! Everyone enjoyed it!Thank you Grandpa AND Grandma for creating this fabulous family!And a big thank you to Kathy, Penelope, and Sonja for dropping off Rapunzel. Carli thought she was so cute sitting by the door!

Girls night out

2011-08-10T10:00:00.016-05:00

LOVE LOVE LOVE spending time with my Deyanira!!!
17 years of best friends/sisters!

Winding down/gearing up

2011-08-09T15:30:00.007-05:00

Summer is winding down and we are gearing up for back to school. There have been dental check ups, physicals, eye exams. Tyler's school schedule will be picked up next week. School supplies bought and clothes shopping is about to start.

I've taken Carli up to her school a few times to start to get use to it. She loves it. You can see, she has made a friend, a first grader, who's mom is a teacher there. Carli has made herself quite at home and already knows where everything is in the school!She's already met her teacher last week,but today her teacher came to our house. They do home visits, which I'm not use to, but loved it! I'm feeling very comfortable and a little excited about her starting school! Especially since it was my elementary school!

Mother/Son road trip

2011-08-08T05:00:00.005-05:00

This past weekend Tyler and I headed to the land of the pears. Ahhh, it was so nice to be back in our old town.We crashed at Rose's house. Roland was celebrating his 13th Birthday. We had a really fun time!
I enjoyed some great laughs/girl time with Rose and Delia. Sad I didn't get any pictures of us!The boys had fun bowling! 13 year old boys could really care less to have their picture taken.These two crazy cuties were pretty hysterical! We all enjoyed some unexpected birthday cupcakes! (lol! Yep, there's a story behind these!)The birthday boy!Rose's ice cream cake! YUMMO!We hated to have to leave...see, even the cat wanted us to stay, so he slept in my bag!
But, we will go back soon. I just HAVE to visit everyone!

Special Dentist Visit

2011-08-04T05:00:00.005-05:00

(ME-5yrs.old)
(Shawn-5yrs.old)(Austin-5yrs.old)(Carli-5yrs.old)

What makes a dentist visit so special? The fact that MYSELF, my little brother Shawn, Austin, and now Carli have all gone to the SAME pediatric dentist! Moving back to our hometown has made finding doctors a little easy. So when it was Carli's turn for her dental visit, I knew just where to go!

Her dentist check up was perfect timing, since she lost her first tooth on the bottom already! She already has TWO FULL GROWN ADULT TEETH behind the baby one she just lost and one behind the baby tooth that is next to it which will be out very soon! The dentist said that if that one doesn't come out within a couple of weeks, we need to go ahead and pull it. Also, he said that she should be loosing her top two teeth not long from now, because she's got those adult teeth ready to come through. AND in the next four-six months, she'll be getting her permanent molars! Unbelievable! Not sure what I feel about that?! But I am proud that she is a member of the "NO CAVITY CLUB"! :)

105!

2011-08-03T05:00:00.004-05:00

We've been frequenting our favorite snow cone place all summer! That's kind of all you feel like eating when it's 105 outside!

Ramblings

2011-08-01T05:00:00.008-05:00

We've been trying to keep cool. Staying indoors. Anthony went back to work this past week after being on vacation for two weeks.
We all enjoyed this smurfy movie on Saturday! These lil' blue peeps are starting to invade our house now.
Wednesday night,I hosted a And that's all the pictures I have...the food came out, margaritas were poured, the scents were being smelled, and the conversations were terrific! Oh the laughter!

I have to show this picture of the ADORABLE Scentsy warmer Carli has. A CUPCAKE!
It just looks perfect in there!I can feel the summer is starting to wind down (a bit). We have less than a month till we start school. This is the week when I start the school shopping, Carli and Tyler each have well check-ups, and Carli has a dentist appointment. But we still have some time left and we will enjoy it!

Dinner for two

2011-07-29T05:00:00.007-05:00

When your husband is home on vacation from work, you can leave the kids with him to go over to your best friend's house. She happens to be off from work that day too. Her kids are all gone, her husband is at work till late. AWWW...quiet house! Just us besties! We enjoyed a Lifetime Movie and dinner for two! We laughed at how romantic our dinner looked and how we should've lit candles! HA! HA!

All better!

2011-07-28T05:00:00.002-05:00

Austin went Monday morning and got his stitches out. My goodness, he's about the bravest kid I know! So still, not a flinch! The doctor said that he was all better! That he healed great!

We love to eat!

2011-07-27T05:00:00.009-05:00

Just pics from one of our favorite places to eat! Any time Carli eats tortillas, she folds them so that when she takes bites and then opens them back up, they make circles!
I love me some migas!It's so filling. So delicious!!!!!

The TOOTH FAIRY cometh!

2011-07-25T05:00:00.004-05:00

I can not even tell you the last time the Tooth Fairy visited our house...the boys are 13 and 17 after all. And honestly, I haven't even given it much thought for Carli. Her being our last child, I try hard at savoring the moment and not wish for the next phase. Well, low and behold, on July 23rd, she was sitting on the couch with her favorite blanket. She was hiding under it, waiting to scare me, and when she did, she bumped her mouth on her chin (I believe) and she screamed, holding her mouth and we saw a little blood. She said it's been "wiggly" but didn't want to tell me. She was not happy or excited at all about loosing her first tooth! It scared her. She was so sad! She said "but it was my favorite tooth!" It was one of her bottom teeth. She won't let us look at her mouth or even talk about it. Girls, so emotional!
We weren't able to put her tooth under the pillow because we believe she swallowed it. She did draw a picture for the Tooth Fairy along with a picture holder made from a cup.
She woke up the next morning to find the picture gone and fairy dust everywhere...her night stand, pillow, bed, and even on her! Underneath her pillow was a little bag that had $5! There was even fairy dust in there too!
The boys were so excited for her! Austin drew her one of his famous Sponge Bob pictures and when he gave it to her he said, "This is for your special day!"
Anthony and I were so taken off guard by this. I had some mixed emotions for sure!
Carli, still feels the same way about the whole thing, so we don't talk about it much, ha!

Happy Birthday Uncle Bob

2011-07-24T05:00:00.003-05:00

Today My Uncle Bob is celebrating his birthday! Happy Birthday! We love you!

Gala

2011-07-22T05:00:00.006-05:00

The day after we got home from our vacation, it was time to have Miss. Rachael come over to watch the kids while Anthony and I went to the Hispanic Forum Gala.My shoes were my favorite, but they didn't show on the picture, so here they are.The sit down dinner was tasty! The speakers were great. The awards and auction were nice. The bands were wonderful. We danced a lot! We saw many many many friends and family as well. So weird to be back here. I'm so bummed that this picture turned out this way!!!! It's of Anthony and his Tia Cruz dancing.My camera stared acting better, so I got at least two good pics. Gilbert and Anthony and then Anthony and me.Almost six hours later, we arrived home...tired, but we had fun! A special thank you to cutie pie Rachael for staying with the kids!

Happy Birthday Monique!

2011-07-21T05:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday cousin! We love you!

Happy Birthday Sam!

2011-07-20T05:00:00.002-05:00

HAPPY 17TH SAMBO! Where did the time go? How on Earth on you going into your Senior year?!?! Have a terrific day! We love you so very much! (Babies Austin and Sam!)

2011 Family Vacation

2011-07-19T00:00:00.007-05:00

I didn't take too many pictures of our vacation this year.
I've been trying to "be more in the moment" on our outings.
We took our annual trip to San Antonio, where we stayed four days. IT WAS FUN as always!
We stayed at a great hotel. We had great dinners. Went to Sea World and the water park. Saw great shows. Sat in the "Splash Zone" for everyone of them! Rode great water rides. Swam until we wore out. Had a trip to the HOSPITAL ER. Had dinner with a wonderful friend

The trip to the ER is what I'm sure you want to know about. Let me start off by saying, if you don't believe in God or his Angels, then you obviously have not met Austin! I love my God. I also love our angel we have watching over us. I truly believe it's my mom. The day I was giving birth to Austin, I could see her in the room, although she had passed away two years prior. I've since seen her the birth of Tyler and Carli. With Austin's mental disability and seizures, there have been way too many times to count, that situations concerning him having a seizure could've turned horribly bad. I believe his guardian angel, my mom was taking care of him.
The last night at Sea World was no different. We were waiting on our shuttle to take us back to the hotel around 9:30pm. Austin was standing behind us when he had a "drop" seizure. He fell completely face forward onto the concrete. We weren't sure what we were going to see once we turned him over. He just had a couple of scrapes on his face and some blood coming from under his chin. Apparently he landed more on his chin because he had a gash in it. The park officer let our driver know what happened and the hotel said that no matter how late it was, they would come back to get us. The park EMTs cleaned him up and checked him out. Told us he definitely needed stitches. The shuttle picked us up and took us back to the hotel around 10:30pm. Anthony and Austin then went to the ER. Took x-rays and Austin got FOUR STITCHES! They got back at 4am. Now, here's some awesome God things about this situation:
Austin's injuries were so minor compared to what truly could have happened. I try not to think about what could've been...tragic!
From a standing position, falling face down, nothing blocking his fall, not even his hands, onto concrete!
Once on the ground, his head was only inches away from the cement column.
Someone near by with a first aid kit that had gauze in it so I could hold on his chin.
Another person with a bottle of water to hold on to his cheek in case it was hurt.
The officer, the EMT guys, our hotel staff.
Austin's seizure wasn't bad at all. He quickly came out of it and was talking perfectly by the time we left the first aid center at Sea World!
The hospital was next door to Sea World!
Our Hotel was across the street from both!
He was the perfect patient at the hospital. No one could believe it. He was so calm and still. Never even cried!
You better BELIEVE I spent the entire night thanking God for that night! The hotel staff felt so sad for him. They sent up this nice and comfy blanket for a get well present! He slept nice, never complained about pain and we all woke up and checked out of our room.
We headed to eat with... MISTI! My looonnng time friend that I haven't seen in 20 years! She brought her beautiful family and we had a wonderful, wonderful time! I didn't want to leave her!!! I'll post some pictures next week of us from back in the day.

It was definitely a trip to remember. Good and bad. But we NEVER let the bad interrupt us! We keep on a truckin'!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2011-07-18T00:00:00.003-05:00

I wish she was still here to celebrate with. Happy Birthday Mommy! I miss you! I love you!

We're baaaccck!

2011-07-16T00:00:00.014-05:00

Happy Birthday Chad!

2011-07-15T05:00:00.005-05:00

My baby brother is some how turning the big 3-0 today! We love you so much Chad!

Happy Birthday!!!

Vacay!

2011-07-08T05:00:00.005-05:00

Perfect Summer Desserts!

2011-07-07T05:00:00.016-05:00

(Ice cream sandwich cake) (Pink Lemonade Pie- it was already starting to get eaten!)

Well, since it's 100 degrees. we try to stay indoors during the middle of the day. Carli loves to help in the kitchen and we all love to eat, so we've been making a few goodies.
Here are two things that we have been making.
They're both wonderful! Great to have in the freezer. Although they don't last long in our house!