mjsdailyhappenins'

A gloomy day!

2012-02-06T23:01:00.000-08:00

Today I was gloomy,

There really wasn't a particular reason why,

I just was....

...and it was obvious, well to those that know me well...

"are you tired? mad? sad? what's wrong?"

my answer nothing, I'm fine, but I did feel blah....

I went to lunch, I thought maybe I needed to eat?

well that didn't work..

I came back from lunch and admitted it..

"I was gloomy"

the answer? well DUH!! haha!

I went back to work, and thought about it,

then I figured it out,

At first I was sad, then I got mad,

I hate lies, and I have no respect for people who lie,

or for people who think that it's ok to be "shaddy"

and a little dishonest!

and when people do this it makes me sad, and then really, really mad...

Long story short and with no details, they're unnecessary...

Someone's dishonesty and lack of respect to me, because at this point it was disrespect to me, and the fact that I may have gotten in trouble had I gone along with it, made me gloomy today, and sad, and so mad that I wanted sooooo badly to cry, oh wait I did, when I got to the car....

I hate doing things wrong the first time and then wasting "precious" time doing them the way I wanted to in the first place... the right way!

I hate when people try, and I emphasize try, because most of the time it doesn't work! ;) to make me look stupid, I can do that all on my own thanks!

But I mostly hate when my honesty is questioned... I know I usually err on the side of honesty, BUT it's who I am, I hate lies, and I don't lie, and it still amazes me when people lie and think I'm gonna go along with it!

Someday people will figure out that lying and being "shaddy" will always come out in the end. Lies can't be hidden, at least not for long. And when they are finally caught the only ones who look stupid is them... right? right?? ;)

As for me I will continue to live my life with

Honesty, and Integrity

Because that is the way I was brought up... and because that is what let's me sleep at night! ;) And with that I will leave today's gloomy-ness behind me, and remember to

Because, well finding this is what made a gloomy day better today!! Gotta LOVE that Katie girl!! ;)

Here's to a GREAT week for everyone!! :)

I am now a member of the other side!

2012-02-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

I finally broke down and got an iPhone...

Yep, I decided it was time to join everyone else in cool "apple" land! ;) AND to be completely honest, it was Instagram that really pushed over the edge... That and the fact that my other phone kept jacking up, and eating my stuff, you know contacts, pictures, txts... ugh.. I am going to miss the back arrow on my old incredible phone the most I think...

That and the period, comma, and exclamation points being so accessible on the front txt screen, on the droid phone... BUT I can see that I am going to LOVE the iPhone, so far it's GREAT!! :) Now to figure out how to set everything up on this guy!! ;)

2012, A year of FIRSTS!!

2012-02-02T21:48:00.000-08:00

I really feel like 2012 will be a year filled with NEW FIRSTS! So I decided that I will keep "updating" this one blog, with one picture from whatever "first" I/we have done, of course there will be a full blog documenting the experience after.... ;)

We'll start the year with Lulu's first trip to D-land! :) She was leery at first, but waaaay into it, towards the end! ;)

...and at sushi night with the family I tried Sweet shrimp for the first time! ;) mmmmm.... sweet shrimp, YES they were raw, and wet, and yes that was the head on the side!! :) and YES I LOVED them! ;)

A Mud Run! my very first one! This one isn't until sometime in June, and believe it or not I am SUPER excited for it... ;)

...and my VERY first Etsy Purchase.... I LOVED it, everyone is/was right, etsy is amazing.... and if everything is as cute as this, I'm definitely on board!! :)

I got my very FIRST FLORAL ARRENGEMENT DELIVERY at work! and they were BEAUTIFUL! Thanks guys... you truly made my day! ;)

.....and I made a leap into "the other side," by joining the rest of the world, well most of the rest of the world... I finally broke down and got an iPhone! ;)

A flower delivery! :) 1/30

2012-02-02T21:45:00.000-08:00

LOVED, LOVED getting these the other day at work, they totally made my day! And I can honestly say they were my first arrangement ever delivered at work, sure I've gotten flowers before, but always at home! Work was a nice location for a delivery though...

Thank you little people friends.... I LOVED them!! ;)

They were sooooo pretty and all of my favorite colors! ;)

...aren't they BEAUTIFUL? ;)

What is HAPPINESS to you?

2012-02-01T19:54:00.000-08:00

My friend Allison wrote a blog that started off like this a few days ago.... you can find it here. I remember reading it, and thinking what a GREAT question, and I meant to answer it but the phone must of rang, or there must of been something interesting on tv.? or maybe I remembered something else I had to do... haha! YES, I am VERY easily distracted, and I hear it EVERYDAY! Oh well, it is what it is... Back to the blog, and my answer... Immediatly after reading it I thought, that's an easy answer, and I started making a "list," in my head,

the kids

people

sisco
pedi's
massages
sunrises/sunsets

sincerity

loyalty

my parents

my friends

baking

FOOD....

Not necessarily in that order... ;)

AND then today I finally figured it out... SURE, ALL of those things make me happy, but why? Today as I was driving my friend to the hospital, her mom was there and she wanted nothing else than to be with her....
It hit me.... HELPING people and being there for them is what makes ME happy.... It is truly what makes my cup stay half full. For the most part... There are definitely "not so happy" days, but those are thankfully very few and far between!! ;)
There's nothing more fulfilling and "happy" than watching the reaction of the kids when they see me, hearing 'RIIIIIAAAAA across the store when they come in to visit, or when they open the door to let me in at their house, or just to get my attention. Or the way that they lovinly snuggle, and want me to play with them... For the girls and their excitement over coming to visit and hang out with Tia MJ! They bring more happiness to my life than they will ever know, and for that I AM HAPPILY GRATEFUL EVERYDAY!! :)
There is also nothing more "happily" fulfilling than knowing that you have made as much of an impact in someone else's life as they have in yours....
Being spontaneous, and doing things without reservation! :)
RESPECT.... This one is BIG!
and of course the companionship of a good friend, and definitely family members, it means we are surrounded by GREAT people! and everyday I am happily thankful for the friends/family I have been blessed with! ;)
Or in knowing that you've helped someone in a way that they NEVER expected, this is what makes me happy, doing things for people, treating people like I want to be treated....
so there you have it, the things that make me happy and why... ;) Makes this quote I received today, so much more "true," ;)
"Happiness is in the heart,
not in the circumstances."
- Author Unknown
Thanks Allison for giving me something to think about!! ;) What makes you happy??

Thankful Sunday!

2012-01-29T21:51:00.000-08:00

....This was a "learning" week, in the LOYALTY AND GOSSIP department. ;)

I LOVE, LOVE, and am ABSOLUTELY GRATEFUL to a friend's show of loyalty towards me... There is seriously NOTHING better than knowing that a friend, "has your back." :D
friends setting "others" straight.... pheeewwww.... we all know how much I hate doing that! ;)
This week I am also thankful for party planning,
and recipe research
...and weekends off
....and quality time with the kids
...and serious, well sorta, they were "grown-up" conversations with friends! ;)
quality time with the kids
sleepovers, movie nights and popcorn
walks in the wagon, and exploring!
phone calls,
Meeting miss Laynie for the first time! :)
waiting to meet Miss Khloe, and the rest of the babies!
Pinterest
park dates
friends
crafting
and card making
quality time with my sister
my nook,
...and my new book
..and donuts, God knows I had waaaaayyy more than my share this week! ;)
...and playdoh
and beautiful skies
music, and songs
Uplifting quotes.... lots and lots of them! ;) I can't wait to share them!! :)

and this quote.... such a true statement, that I wish I could carry with me, EVERYWHERE so people could see it! ;)

Thankful Sunday!!

2012-01-22T21:27:00.000-08:00

It's been a while, I feel like life and the holidays got in the way! I ran out of time, every week!

But it's time to resume with the Thankful Sunday posts!!! :)

It's time to go back to "making" time for these oh so important posts!

This week I am thankful for a job, or two ;)

and for impromptu staying up until all hours of the night, evenings with the friends, spent talking, catching up, listening, reassuring, reminiscing and party planning with my longest and bestest friends... Those are truly the moments I LOVE!! Love you girlies! :)

for the chance to bake for my friends

for the love of a child/children

for God keeping me safe, and for new fuel pumps

for my dad

and Michael.... and his lesson on the "mechanics" of a fuel pump.. haha!
for my mom and her home cooked meals :)

and for family movie nights, there isn't anywhere else I would of wanted to be on saturday night... and the movie was GREAT too!! :)

for pictures, and my blog/online memory keeper!

for kid hugs
and phone calls, and out of the blue txts.
and friends, I am always grateful for loyal, honest, believe in "me" friends
for pictures, and photography
and for crafts! ;)
and for books, and my new nook... :)
and for naps on saturday afternoons,
and for relaxing, sports, blog, picture filled sundays!
I think that's all for now... until next week... Here's to hoping we all have LOTS to be thankful for.... :)

My first etsy purchase! :)

2012-01-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

anyone who knows me, knows that I am not an internet shopper, it scares me, the "what if's" that come with it scare me A LOT!! I have purchased some stuff online but it makes me nervous! have I said that before? ;)

The other day I was "surfing" the web for cake ideas, and accidentally ended up on etsy... I saw something and LOVED it... ugh... I wanted it, I needed it, I instantly thought, WHAT THE HELL! I'm gonna go for it, so I did, I ordered it, and paid with my paypal account... YEP! I'm official now! ;) haha! Then I waited patiently for my purchase to arrive! ;) And when it did arrive I was beside myself! The package it came in was so cute, and the necklace that was inside was even better in person!! :)

I LOVED my new purchase! And I can honestly say, if EVERYTHING off of etsy is this CUTE! Then I'm "all aboard!" ;)

Grateful!

2012-01-16T21:45:00.000-08:00

This morning I got to drive to work and enjoy the wonderful sky/and clouds, hiding the sun "painting" on my way to work... I've always said that this is my favorite time of the day... It's a perfect time for me to be thankful, a great time to take in all of the weekend's events, a good time to think, and plan, and a PERFECT time for me to be alone with God...

I had so much to be thankful for this morning too... This weekend we got a much "NEEDED" visit from Bee, Rome and the girls... We did so much in such a short amount of time... But it was a GREAT time!! :)

There is no doubt that anytime I spend time with the kids, any kids, I learn a lesson... It's usually a big one too!! I didn't know how to put that lesson into words until I ran across this saying on Pintrest...

I am ALWAYS amazed at the stuff V tells Lulu, when they come to my house... It's GREAT to see the stuff she remembers, it's NEVER about what we've bought her, although she remembers that too.. ;) It's ALWAYS about the stuff that she does here, you know Disneyland, and Playing at the Park, and going to the Penny Pickles Museum, and the special breakfasts that my mom makes for them, huevos and frijoles are their favorites... And playing with my parents, that always melts my heart, the love those girl's have for my parents is GREAT, and it's definitely as BIG as the love my parents have for them!! :)
And the LOVE they have for us, is AMAZING! Almost as big as ours is for them! ;)
Make memories, LOTS of them, they're important... And looking at things through a child's eye will always give you a different perspective, oh and go with the flow, ALWAYS go with the flow! ;)Those are the lesson's I learned from the girl's this time! :)

I can't wait to see them again.... V assured me it would be soon, she said her b-day is coming up, and we will be going to D-land to celebrate!! ;) I LOVE the way she thinks! :)

The best of me.. a review.... :)

2012-01-12T17:12:00.000-08:00

the heart-rending story of two small-town former high school sweethearts from opposite sides of the tracks. Now middle-aged, they've taken wildly divergent paths, but neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever altered their world. When they are both called back to their hometown for the funeral of the mentor who once gave them shelter, they will be forced to confront the choices each has made, and ask whether love can truly rewrite the past.

I LOVE, LOVE getting books for my birthday, and lucky for me, Nicholas Sparks, My all time favorite author, usually releases a new book... RIGHT before my birthday... So every year I know what to expect! ;) and this year was no different... Thanks little sister for the awesome book... I LOVED it! I'm thinking this is one of my all-time favorites... Who am I kidding? They're all my favorites!! ;) So if you have a chance you should read this one... Who doesn't love a good love story? and let me assure you, it was definitely a good one! :)

A fun baby shower for miss Khloe!

2012-01-08T20:18:00.000-08:00

I have LOTS AND LOTS of friends that are pregnant... This means, LOTS AND LOTS of baby showers... Today was Julie and Khloe's turn! Jessica and Kati did an awesome job with the shower... and I was lucky to get to help out with the treats!! You can read all about the decor/party on Jessica's party blog!
as usual there are a lot of pics... then again how could there not be? thanks for sharing yours Jessica! :)

Isn't this zebra clothesline adorable, I thought so... and it was complete with a handmade little beanie that our friend DeBran made!! so so cute!! :)

The treat table... LOVE, LOVE the way the cake looked... I think this one is really one of my favorites! :)

...Pretty fresh flower centerpieces.... :) I LOVE this flower, such a cute color!! :)

Kati made these YUMMY and oh so cute cookies.... :)

...and I made the cake! :)

...and the cupcakes! :)

...the "other" treat table... you really can NEVER have too many!! ;)

They had a delicious lunch spread... croissant sandwiches...

....veggies, muffins, and lots of salad's.... Perfect for a sunday lunch!

....the girl's, playing a game.... ;)

...time for a group shot... Prom pose anyone?? ;)

haha!! why not?? ;)

The hostesses with the mostesses and me!! :)

digging thru our purses for a game, and eating... nothing wrong with that!! ;)

This picture made me laugh... She was all alone out there, ready to eat... I joined her shortly after... we take our food seriously!! haha!! :)

Jessica brought out this good looking dessert plate... and YES! all the treats were just as good as they looked!! :)

Time for cake.... :)

getting ready to cut it..... :)

Thank you Jessica for taking this picture!! Looks yummy!! :)

...and a few more!! ;)

"visiting" around the cake!! ;)

Me and Miss Julie, the momma to be!! :)

I hope you enjoyed your baby shower and treats Julie!! and I can't wait to meet Miss Khloe in Person!! :)

Happy 30th birthday Gaby! :)

2012-01-07T16:32:00.000-08:00

My little sister turned 30 today!! YIKES! typing that just confirmed the fact that I am old! ;)

She requested birthday cupcakes for her celebration, so I went ahead and baked her up some!! ;) My mom helped me make the toppers... cute huh?? I LOVED the way they turned out! :)

Happy Birthday little sister!! WE <3 YOU!!! :)

Mike set up a dinner celebration at BJ's.... :) The turnout was GREAT!

The birthday girl with a cupcake and her birthday wine glass... Great thinking Misty!! :)

Cousin's for Life!!! I think that's what Liza said?? haha!! ;)

...and the birthday pizzoki arrived a little while after we finished eating and talking! ;) I've always thought those things were so cute!! ;) I LOVE Owen's smile in the background... :)

The girls! :) Smile everyone! :) Haha! Looks like Violette wants NOTHING to do with our picture! ;)

Gaby and the kiddos! LOVE this picture! :)

Gaby and some of her BFF's...

Look at the cute momma to be!! :D

Gaby and Ka'cee! :)

Gaby and M!

This picture cracks me up! Bella actually requested it, and then pretended like she wanted nothing to do with it! kids..... ;)

...and then she said we needed to take one with "daddy," and THAT'S the smile I was looking for!! ;)

The rest are phone pics! ;)

The BIRTHDAY girl again! she looks excited to be turning 30.... NO?? ;)

We lined up the cupcakes down the middle of the tables... and that was absolute torture for the kids... ooopppsss... I said we should of just let them eat one or two?? ;)

mmmm..... a mojito and cupcakes... that's my kind of night! BJ's has the BEST mojitos.... If you've never had one, you totally should! :)

Happy to you sister!! :)

I hope you had a wonderful birthday!! Here's to wishing you AMAZING 30's!! :)

My reward..... ;)

2012-01-06T12:45:00.000-08:00

After two and a half REALLY long weeks full of holidays and work, with only 2 days off somewhere in between, I finally had a weekend off!! A WHOLE WEEKEND!!! OMG!! I never get weekends off unless I request them.. This one was a "gift," ok maybe not a gift, but the schedule worked out in a way that they HAD to give me the weekend off... YIIPPEEE!!! It's what kept me going for the last day or 2... ;)

And it was the PERFECT weekend to have off, my sister turned 30 on the saturday and we were having a baby shower for my friend julie on sunday.. which meant LOTS of baking for me!! :) so that's how I relaxed on my weekend off, I baked and celebrated!! :) AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! :)

these pictures came from my phone... I will upload the better looking one's from the camera on their "special" blogs! ;)

Happy 30th birthday cupcakes... :)

....and there was a special cake for miss Kloe too!! :)
Here's the "before" picture.... ;)

...and the "still putting it together," pic!! :)

...Making the crowns that were going to top the cupcakes!! ;)

...and I ended up making a BIG one to use as a "centerpiece" for the cake! :)
...and the final product.... pictures aren't bad for having come from my phone!! ;)
and the FINAL product!!

I don't know why, but I think this is one of my favorites!! :)

....and cupcakes, it was definitely a weekend filled with cupcakes!! lots and lots of cupcakes! ;)

Here's to hoping that 2012 brings me more of these "surprise" WHOLE weekend off's...... ;)

Happy New Year's Eve/Day!!

2012-01-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

New Years E vE, this year I spent it with my sister, and our friend Bee, and the kids... Mike's grandpa was still in the hospital, and Mike was staying with him tonight, so Gaby and I were going to make it a movie and pizza night... :) sounded good and relaxing to me! ;) We ended up at Bernadette's house where we made it a wine and Wii dance night!! :) it was fun, and tiring, I took a nap, they took pictures, I danced, we ate, we talked, we played with the kids and we even got to watch fireworks... ;) and we documented it all with our camera phones!! ;) gotta love technology these days!

Here's our Happy New Year picture! :)

There were LOTS and LOTS of fireworks! :)

...and I was at work bright and early on New Years day... I started the year off with this AMAZING coffee, compliments of Robert.... I don't even really like Caramel, BUT he said I looked like I may need to try some today... and I think he was right... It was AMAZING... He really is the BEST coffee maker I've ever met!! ;)

....and when I came home from work I was greeted with this....

HOMEMADE PAELLA.... YUMMM... thanks mom, it was a GREAT way to bring in the new year, with yummy food!! :)

I LOVED this saying that Bee had at her house.... So I borrowed it... It's a GREAT reminder!! :)

Here's to hoping everyone had a terrific New Years Eve, we sure did.... And now we are all ready for the new year!!

Bring on 2012, we're READY!! :)

Farewell 2011....

2011-12-31T19:39:00.000-08:00

2011 was a year filled with many challenges

I am definitely 100% to blame for that!

Looking back now I can honestly say that 2011 didn't have a chance before it even started... I went into 2011 with SOMEONE ELSE'S INSECURITIES secured tightly in my head and in my heart... Ugh, if I could change that I would in a HEARTBEAT!

That alone caused me to spend the first part of the year feeling invisible, unappreciated and completely uncomfortable around my friends and their husbands, it made me feel weird about being a single 30 year old, it also made me sorta go into hiding, and as much as it HURTS, and I HATE to admit it, it made me questions God, in a way that I NEVER thought I could/would, it also made me question the person that I have become, and it made me question my friends, and their loyalties, and my loyalties, and the reasons why I did/do things...

It made me think long and hard about loyalty, and about what it means to be a friend..

2011 proved to me that it is true when they say, "our thoughts (mine helped by someone else,) eventually become our reality!" another not so proud moment...

many tears were shed, not my proudest moments either... But, it is what it is... right?? ;)

In the second part of the year I threw myself into a second job, and A LOT of baking... My NEW LOVE... I actually sold a few baked goods, and let me tell you, it was the Boost I needed... :) Both of these things left less time for negativity, and sadly less time for everyone else, BUT there was more time for/with myself and my thoughts, and thankfully it also led to the realization that, that other person's insecurities were NOT mine... I had never been one to feel uncomfortable or even invisible around anyone... I am who I am because that's were I should be... :) I've always done what I've wanted, I've always given 100% of myself to others.... I have always been my own person.. There was no need to start questioning that now...

With less time, I was also forced to "prioritize" the free time that I did have... and that meant that making and spending time with those people that mean the world to me, the one's who really make my life happy!..

It didn't come easy, I couldn't explain my feelings to my friends if I tried, and I tried... they tried to understand, but they couldn't... Shoot, I couldn't, I'm not sure I can now.... haha!! I think the best way to describe it, is by saying that it's not VERY easy to live in a society who thinks there is something wrong with you if you're in your 30's, single and with no children.... and even though I had experienced it before, I had never experienced it at this level before, I was finally faced with judgements and questions from people and yes I say people, who thought they would voice their opinions about how "weird" they thought it was... its hard to walk away from these coments especially when they're coming from people you see/saw fairly frequently, and in some instances almost daily... ;)

And that brought about the third part of the year... one filled with answers.... and the re-realization of what I already knew... My friends love for who I am, still hang out with me, because they like "me," and most IMPORTANTLY they accept me for who I am!
Friendship isn't about who has the biggest something or other, or who spends the most on someone else, or who hangs out the most with who, or who went were with who... and it is definitely not based on having a husband or children.... How sad would it be if we could only be friends with people who were EXACTLY the same as us?? Friendship, relationships in general are based on trust, and loyalty, they don't revolve around gossip, they merely revolve around spending time and loving one another, they are based on understanding, and honesty, respect and appreciation of each other, and of being there when it's important... Friendships are also about being a good ol' sounding board, thanks RB for being such a great one, I LOVE my work buddy! ;) All year long he listened to me talk things out, he watched me be sad, he heard me when I was "confused," he reasured me that being in my 30's and single wasn't weird! ;) he heard me complain, and ask why, he was honest in his opinions, when he was listeningm and he told me to SNAP OUT OF IT, when it had gone on too long... FUNNY until today I thought he wasn't ever really listening, turns out he actually heard everything I told him all year... ;) GREAT, now he's gonna hold me to my promise of a "positively fantastic new year..."

And I think it's because of him that I realized that this person and all of the comentaries did a lot more damage to me than I was willing to accept... Now it's not fair to completely blame that person for everything... It was me who allowed these feelings to "grow," and it was me who allowed the thoughts to continue to linger for so long... ;) It was me who became weak and scared, and I was the one that allowed myself to start questioning EVERYTHING! It was me who let this eat at me ALL year, maybe a little longer... I didn't know how to stop it, But I think I do now... ;) Thank God for NEW BEGINNINGS!
This year was also one filled with answered and unanswered prayers, and new hobbies, and hope for new beginnings...

DON'T get me wrong though, The year was filled with LOTS of happy moments too, and uncertainties, but mostly HAPPY TIMES! It was also filled with good friends, vacations, lots of picture taking, visits from family, lots of fun times with the kids, weddings, babies, parties, and fun family times! :)

So as 2011 comes to a close I will count my blessings, and I will thank God for everything he has given me... and I will make a promise to myself, to try and go back to being the Maria that had no insecurities, I know it wont be easy, heck I'm still scared, and "the things people say, or may say," are still in the back of my head... but I'm going to give it my BEST try, I'm going to genuinly not care what others think... I used to not before!! I will also make a promise to no longer feel uncomfortable being a single 30 year-old-ish with no children... If those close to me don't care why should it matter what anyone else thinks?? I will also promise myself to try and not talk or think about this at all next year, and to not let it bother me if it does come up... because really? who am I kidding?? It will come up...
I'm leaving ALL of the insecurities of 2011 behind me though... and this is definitely the BIGGEST one I had!

THERE IS A REASON FOR EVERYTHING, I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT GOD HAD A PLAN FOR ME, AND I promise to go back to believing that wholeheartedly...

It is what has gotten me along for 32 years, I hit a slight bump in the road in the 33rd and half of the 34th year, and lost my way for a while, BUT thankfully I think I have found my way again, and I do believe these bumps on the road are what makes us human!! ;) so with that I will bid farewell to 2011, and I will welcome 2012 with open arms, and with really BIG hopes for an AWESOME new year... :) Here's to hoping everyone has a good one too!! :)

XOXO!!!

Faith

2011-12-27T22:28:00.000-08:00

Faith is putting all your eggs in God's basket, then counting your blessings before they hatch.

~Ramona C. Carroll

Such a great quote for today... Today was one of those days when the "happenings" of the last few days finally "hit." The reality of how fragile life is showed it's ugly head around here again... and all I can think about is why? and then I quickly remember that as much as I sometimes don't understand that famous saying about God having a plan, he really does have a plan... We have been praying like crazy at my house.. And my mom has burned at least 2 candles maybe 3 since Christmas Eve. Gotta LOVE those candles and what they signify to us... They are a symbol, a very simple symbol of our Faith. :) Mike's grandpa had a massive heart attack on Christmas Eve, he's doing ok still very "fragile" though, and late last night one of my friends brother's lost his long battle with brain cancer... Todd's brother and their family has been in my thoughts and prayers for weeks, it makes me sad that once again we've lost someone to that awful disease... AND today my aunt called to tell us that her mom had had a stroke, and was in the hospital... ugh... really?? There is absolutely nothing worse than spending the holidays in a hospital... It has got to be the worst... So today I ask for prayers for the Marconi's and their families, and for the Puttnam's and their families, and for the Sanchez' and their families. Today I pray for understanding and strength for all of those involved, and I pray for the health of all of my loved one's and for all of their loved one's... And today I am thankful for health...

And tomorrow I will remember to hold those I love a little closer, and I will make sure to remember to tell my family and friends that I LOVE them!! ;)

Merry day after Christmas!

2011-12-26T22:14:00.000-08:00

Beautiful sunset sky on the day after Christmas... It was refreshing, even despite EVERYTHING that has been going on with some of the people I love.... I hope everyone got to enjoy the beautiful afternoon sky.... :)

Christmas 2011

2011-12-24T07:42:00.000-08:00

...NOTHING says Christmas like my mom's ham!! :) YUMMMMMM!!

I think this is one of my favorite parts of Christmas dinner... ;)

Christmas Eve was a little weird around here this year... I worked, drove my friend home from work, and delivered Christmas dinner to her and her family! Thanks mom for helping me, make that happen. Then I came home to find out that my brother had already come and gone, guess I missed him this year... and I'm not gonna lie, that made me really sad! Oh and the Chavi' were missing this year, which also made me sad.... I kept waiting for a surprise.... But it was Chrismas Eve and we were having "family" from Guatemala coming over for dinner so I changed and waited for them to arrive....

I set the table and eventually we were ready to eat... Only to find out that Gaby and Mike were on their way home, but they probably wouldn't be staying... His Grandpa had been taken to the hospital... YIKES!! They ended up coming for a few minutes, only to turn around and go back to San Pedro... We said a prayer for Grandpa Rino's health and preceded to eat.... How could we not... the food looked GREAT!! :)

....And my parents and I hung out with Arturo and Ceci, while we waited for midnight, and Baby Jesus' birth!

Arturo, Ceci and my mom!

My parents with Ceci and Arturo... Sadly this is as close to a "family" picture as my mom got this year... I guess I was busy taking pictures, I must of forgotten to take one of myself... Oh well at least I know I was there!!! guess that's what happens when one is the photographer! ;) hahaha!!! Seeeee, I said, weird Christmas Eve! :)

...the newlyweds!

....and santa was REALLY good to me this year! Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE to read... I've gone back and forth on a "reader." My sister told me last year that she had thought about getting me a Nook for Christmas, I wasn't sure how I would like it, I really thought I was "old school," and I LOVED the feel of a real book, BUT I decided this year that I may actually like an electronic reader, a place that would "house" all of my books.... ;) so that is what she got me this year.. and so far I LOVE it!!! Thank you sister!! :) And look at the fun cover my mom found for me! It's perfect! :)

....and I can't forget about my new sewing machine.... I can't wait to use it, and create something fun with it! :)

A refreshing sunrise....

2011-12-18T23:14:00.001-08:00

It's been a BUSYLY fun-filled weekend. There was quality time spent with the kids, work, tamale making, and cookie making and not much sleep getting... ;) After two VERY LATE nights I woke up super early today, I escaped early, I wanted to go see the sunrise, it's refreshing to me, I wanted to just watch it come up while sitting out there and thinking about how LUCKY I am while being thankful for EVERYTHING that God gives me everyday. There isn't one day that goes by that I don't remember that I am where I am because of God's grace. He blessed me with wonderful parents and siblings, great family, amazing friends, and wonderful lessons he teaches me everyday...
Isn't this a wonderful "painting?" ;)

Once again on Friday I was taught that life isn't always fair, and that it isn't "the cards that we hold that matter, but how we play the game..." I think that's why I needed the moment this morning, to remember that even though life is unfair sometimes, everyone makes it... people are placed in our lives to help... ;) and with that I went home, jumped back in my pajama's, hopped back into my nice warm bed, turned on a Christmas movie, and preceded to "sleep in" until 9ish... and no one was the wiser... well until now!! ;) seriously though, how lucky am I to have been able to jump back into a nice warm bed? it was chilly out today!

It's cookie making time....

2011-12-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

It had been a busy weekend, as all holiday weekends usually go... BUT I had told my mom that we could bake today... I was craving the fun that holiday cookie baking brings with it... So off we went, we have our traditional holiday cookies that we bake, and I decided to try and make some others as well... :)

We started off by making the dough for two of our family's favorites... Mandarin Orange cookies and Kidfords!

While my mom was "zesting" the mandarin oranges, I went to work on some red velvet snow cutie things that I had found online!

They turned out just as good as i thought! :) Phew... nothing like trying out new recipes for the holidays! ;)

I also decided to make chocolate one's, and those were actually pretty good too... chocolatey!!! :)

...time to get back to those family favorite one's! ;)

.....mmmmmmm!I took a cookie break to check out the beautiful afternoon sky!

.....our final products... We couldn't wait to get our hands into these guys!! :D

Kidfords....

...and yummy mandarin orange one's... MY FAVORITE! :)

Here's to spending another fun sunday baking with my mom... Oh how I LOVE these days!! :) Thanks mom, I know it was a REALLY LONG day, but I hope it was a fun one!

Tamales, tamales, tamales....

2011-12-17T06:48:00.000-08:00

My friend's family has a tamale making party every year! I got to join them this year and let me tell you it was a GREAT time! :)
Getting started!

It's not authentic tamale making if there is no beer around! ;)

...Our set-up.... :)

Jessica.... The official "spreader," showing me the "ropes" haha! at least she thought she was showing me the ropes! ;)

My hands were in the masa, for the majority of the time so there aren't really that many pictures of the "process", But here is one from the "toast" we made to our cooking tamale's... ;)

....and another... I had forgotten how many rounds of shots Dave brought around!

....and our first official tamale... As the newest member of the tamale making team, I got to have the first bite! and let me tell you, it was yummy!! :)

.....DOESN'T IT LOOK SO GOOD??? mmmmmm......

I LOVED hanging out with Priscilla and the family... We had so much fun! I seriously LOVE them!! :)

Me and Miss Amanda!

How cute are we? I LOVE my sister from another mother friend! :)

....Amanda and Baby Priscilla... I LOVE this picture! :) They're so cute!! :)

Me, Jessica and Alex! :)

Me and Jess... My other sister she said!! haha! ;) and the only blond one in the mix!

...and Frannie

Big Priscilla and Baby Priscilla! :)

...We also got to celebrate Miss Amanda's Birthday!! :)

....a fun cousin picture! Looks like Issac is ready to stick his finger into that cake! ;)

....cousins

...By the looks of things, it was a successful birthday party/tamale making celebration! ;)

..... the leftover masa, and spreaders...

Me and Pam!

thanks for a fun time Macksouds, Chavarria's and Ortega's... I can't wait until next year!! :)

A fun Friday night with the kids.....

2011-12-16T05:46:00.000-08:00

....I got to spend some quality time with the kiddos tonight.... while the parents went on a date night... ;) Jessica was kind enough to order us in some pizza... and she got us SOOOOO much food that when Owen and I answered the door the pizza man inquired, very honestly and with much concern I may add.... :/ "is there more than just the 2 of you in there tonight?" ummmm... I told him "No, it's just us tonight," he replied... "oh ok, you guys must be hungry then..." haha!! I preceded to tell him that, "the little guy ate A LOT." and with that he was on his way, and we went back in to make sure the rest of our friends hadn't gotten themselves into trouble while we were outside!

Yummy Pizza!

after pizza, pasta, cheese sticks and whatever else we could get our hands on... we started baking, and "creating..." Isn't her rudolph so cute? ;)

....and these two couldn't stop being silly! haha!

...she was soooo proud, so we took another pic! :)

..in the meantime, there was some sort of serious chocolate and m&m creativity going on here... LOOK at that concentration!

mmmmmmm.... these taste yummy!

...haha! I'm pretty sure he enjoyed these chocolate covered marshmallows the most! ;)

....and the first one out... she literaly fell asleep minutes before the parents got home... I guess drawing, baking and decorating took it out of her!! ;)

....and my delicious reward! The parents came back with this yummy treat for me! and let me tell you that it was just as tasty as it looks here! :)

Thanks guys! I hope you had fun on your double date... we certainly enjoyed ourselves! :)

The Holidays....

2011-12-15T22:56:00.000-08:00

....are definitely among us!

You know how I know this? because I haven't blogged in WEEKS... YIKEES, it's seriously been weeks, so much has happened, baby showers galore, a quilt was made with all the love I have in my heart for a good friend and her soon to be baby girl, and lots of treats were made for another friend's shower, there was a 30th birthday party complete with sumo wrestling suits... and then there was the annual Ornament party, one I look forward to every year, it always brings a fun new addition to my Christmas tree, this year was no exception, and it brings girls who we only get the chance to see once or twice a year... and there was a dorm group brunch get together to celebrate the holidays, and I know I haven't posted about Thanksgiving yet either, and then there's been a lot of working, and crafting, and more working, oh and somewhere in there I was sick, and there was a comedy night at Pechanga, and ahhhhh... I'm tired just writing about it, and the month isn't even over yet, I still have a tamale making party, and cookie making sunday and a birthday dinner at the mission inn, and Christmas Eve with the family, and surprising someone with Christmas dinner, and Christmas at Gaby and Mike's, and more baking and wrapping and delivering.... Looks like I've been busy "socializing" ;) I hope everyone's been enjoying the holidays and everything that comes with them... I know I have... Hopefully I'll get those pics up soon... maybe tomorrow?? ;) the one's from the sumo wrestling party are definitely "PRICELESS"! :D

Dorm brunch.....

2011-12-11T06:03:00.000-08:00

....Ahhhh, one of my favorite part of the holidays, the annual dorm Christmas party, this year we made it a brunch! I can never say it enough, I AM TRULY LUCKY AND BLESSED TO HAVE MET THESE WONDERFUL GROUP OF PEOPLE, THEY ARE DEFINITELY A BIGGER PART OF MY FAMILY THAN I COULD OF EVER IMAGINED, AND I AM BLESSED TO HAVE THEM IN MY LIFE! :) the dorm Christmas party is "my job." haha, not sure how that happened or when, but I LOVE planning it, and I LOVE having everone over for it! :)

Naturally it is full of fun baked goods, I found these online and decided to make them... they were so cute and so much fun to make! :)

...and I used my snowman plate for fruit, how cute is that plate? I wish I could use it all year long! :) and I made mexican wedding cookie things and banana bread! YUMM!

...and Angie thought it would be a good idea to make it an ugly sweater party, I said sure, BUT of course I waited until the last minute and couldn't find anything, so we went ahead and made me one... Gotta LOVE the fact that I had a bag of holiday fabric just laying around ready to be put to use! ;) AND yes that is a holiday chinchilla... ;) Thanks Angie, it was beautiful!

My friend Nichole makes this AMAZING blended salsa, I went ahead and made it, and even though it got good reviews, they all still said that they missed the original Maria salsa... Guess I should stick to what the people know!! ;) Next year guys... I promise! ;)

...Heather made her and Matt's sweaters, and I'm pretty sure that they won! ;)

The food spread! ;) There was an egg casserole thing, a french toast casserole, that was amazing, thank you Rachelle for the delicious recipe! :) we also had tamales, and those were definitely a hit! :)

...our "surprise" group shot! Charles was busy trying out my new tripod and other camera goodies! ;)

GROUP SHOT!

we had a smaller turnout this year... But it was still a lot of fun! :) We definitely missed everyone that couldn't come!

...our idea of a "silly shot!" ;)

Here's to fun times with good friends, until next year! :)

The annual Ornament Party!

2011-12-09T18:35:00.000-08:00

AHHHH!!! This is the party that I look forward to EVERY year! I feel like it really marks the beginning of the holiday season for me! And it's a great time to get together with friends, AND the best part is the fact that we all get to share one or two of our favorite treats/appetizers with everyone, while catching up with those we don't see very often... Oh and I can't forgeg about the ornament stealing!! ;) I LOVE this tradition that Jessica and Melissa started years ago! :)
Thanks for the pictures Jessica.... :)

Part of this year's spread!!! :)

There is definitely NEVER a shortage of food/treats! ;)

Me and Jessica!

Some of us girls! I always think it's amazing how long we've known each other... High school seems like such a long time ago!! ;)

haha!! SOMETHING must of been REALLY funny!! :)

third time's a charm!! ;)

Me, Jaime and Jessica... <3

....and we turned around and Mary was modeling!! haha!!

This little guy came out of nowhere with his binky, and blanket... and snuggled right on up!! I LOVE when they do that! ;) I think out of all of the kids he's been the BEST snuggler!! Notice the cookie... How could I resist not giving him one?? and the funny think is... he held it like that forever.. guess he just wanted it for "security?" ;)

....The ornaments.... ALL ready to be exchanged! :)

....and the girls, getting ready for the exchange!! ;)

....and our group shot... This is always the FUNNEST part of the evening... Have you ever tried getting 20+ people to look and smile at the same time?? haha!! ;)

Thanks again Jessica for hosting a fun ornament exchange party. It's always a great time!! :) I can't wait until next year!! ;)

Pedi time....

2011-12-07T22:08:00.000-08:00

Today I met my parents for an early dinner at Sizzler, sometimes the chicken wings and salad from their salad bar sound so AMAZINGLY delicious, it's all I can think about!! And they were up for it too.. sooooo, why not?? right?? ;)
I had one of these yummy strawberry lemonades with dinner.. and

yes, it was just as good as it looked! ;)

Then my mom and I were off to get a pedi, well she had a pedi, and I had my nails done.... I had them off for a week, and NEEDED to get them back on, so off we went! and my mom had never had a pedi before... yes I did say never... My sister and I had tried to get her to get one FOREVER, but she always turned us down... she doesn't like people touching her feet she said!

The people at the salon convinced her that I was VIP there, so she relaxed, and preceded to enjoy having her feet rubbed! ;) YES! Gaby they told mom that I had an account there... BUT I promise I don't go there that often! ;) When it was all over, she told me that she didn't realize what she had been missing out on.. And she signed up to come with us next time we go! haha!

I Love that she enjoyed herself so much!! :) And I LOVE that I got to spend quality time with my parents today.. It is definitely something I take for-granted, but I am trying to be better about it...

On the 6th day of Christmas....

2011-12-06T22:30:00.000-08:00

We got our Christmas tree!! :)

And YES, my dad went out of the house in his Santa hat! ;) haha!

I think this is by far my favorite part of Christmas! :) Going out and picking out the Christmas tree, it's something we still do as a family... :) My brother didn't get to come this year, that work thing always gets in the way!! ;) For me there is nothing like a real Christmas tree, I LOVE the smell, I love what it signifies, and I LOVE the memories that it brings back from my childhood, when the tree is what we looked forward to the most! :)

Me and the sister!

After looking at all of them I found the perfect one! I was guarding it, people get crazy about their trees.. ;)

Michael and Gaby located theirs too!! :)

...and what's one more picture while we wait for the trees to be wrapped and loaded for transport! ;)

...and on the 8th day of Christmas... we finally got to trim the tree!

Complete with some of my favorite ornaments... all new additions, thank you Jessica and Miss Karen for my new additions, they fit right in!! ;)

soooooo cute! and what a perfect one no? ;)

haha! I LOVE this one... it's a little kitchen aid! ;)

...and well it wouldn't be my tree if it didn't have a "baseball" soemthing or other on it!

...and two fun additions from my trip to NY!

and a new guy to the collection! :)

....and the final product! :)

...and my mom's fun centerpiece...

...This year I decided we needed a snowman wall... complete with the authentic feliz navidad tree that traveled all the way from Guatemala! :)

...and what's a snowman wall without a snowman table?? ;)

Merry Christmas everyone! :)

Let's Sumo!! ;)

2011-12-04T21:16:00.000-08:00

My friend Angie turned 30, and one of her college roomates turned 29. In order to celebrate their big days they decided that we should have a sumo wrestling party... It was something they've wanted to do since College I guess... and it was definitely a GREAT time!!! :) There are A LOT of pictures, BUT I did narrow it down to just "this many," and that task was not an easy one! ;)

It was a beautiful morning, and the suits were "ready!"

The birthday girls getting "dressed:.... haha!! I think Angie was taunting Shefali in this picture! ;)

...looks like Shefali was READY!! ;)

arrrrrr!!!!

...and it begins!

....and after all that, they finally went down!

The birthday girls!! :)

Then it was Jeff and Brian's turn!

They were pushing each other hard... and after a minute or so they were down!

...haha!

....so we told them they couldn't use their hands!

...and then it was mine and Rose's turn... ;/ sorta ready! ;)

..haha! we spent so much time laughing because I couldn't take Rose's request to knock her down seriously! ;)

then we tried the no hands approach!!

...and more laughing... haha! Don't let the pictures fool you, she knocked me on MY A$$ twice... but Brian was nice enough not to get that on camera! ;) Made me realize how out of shape I am... BUT it was a GREAT time! I'm sure I would do it again in a heartbeat! ;)

Matt and Charles were next! and doesn't Matt look so excited?? haha! ;)

...haha!! and Charles somehow got talked into the pink suit... and YES he was excited to get his sumo on?? ;)

READY!

...SET

GO!!!!!

....and naturally, the first man down was Charles! haha! ;)

...then it was Brent and Annie's turn, and they were BY FAR the funniest!

he kept trying to get her to push him....

....But she couldn't/wouldn't stop laughing... haha!

....soooooo, they went down together, in a hug like style!! ;) and she rolled, and rolled, and rolled around in that suit... so they were done after that!! ;) THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, guys for the laughs... ;)

...then we moved on to play a little tennis... That we an all do without causing injury to anyone! ;)

...after that we ate a little, caught up a litte, and then Rose and I left, I had another baby shower to get to, and Rose had to go home to get ready for work the next day!! It was a wonderful morning filled with LOTS and LOTS of laughs, and good friends!! :) I LOVE these guys and I can't wait 'till we do this again... and believe me, we planned to do it again... BUT I think next time we will plan to have a lot more people who want to participate!! ;)

A baby shower for Baby Agoston

2011-12-03T12:15:00.000-08:00

One of my old college roomates is having a baby! Naturally it was time for a baby shower... :) A couple of her other girlfriends got together and threw her and baby a shower! Everything turned out great! And the company was awesome as usual! It's always a fun time when we all get together, and I think it's even more special because we usually can ALL only get together a few times a year!! :)

So here is to celebrating baby girl Agoston and her mommy! :)

They had the corner bakery cater the food, and it was amazing as usual, and Catherine made a homemade potato cheese soup that was seriously to die for, and a chicken noodle soup, that almost everyone lost their marbles for!! :)

Carisse made these cute diaper cakes... and she didn't stop at 1 that girl was busy with the kids and still managed to make 3 diaper cakes..... ;) soooooo soooooo cute too!! :)

...and it's always nice to hang out with miss Christy... :) I think we were all glad that she made it to the shower.. It had been way too long! ;)

...and Christina! :)

Love these girls!! :)

time for presents! :)

Marcela and her mom!!

opening my special baby present!! :) The front!

and the back! :)

...our attempt at a group shot! ;)

my dorm sisters!! ;) the originals and a few adopted thru marriage one's!! ;) haha

Smile! It's time for another pic! ;)

me and the momma to be! :)

Christy and Marcela!

Here's to the end of another fun party... and fun times with good friends... Now we have to wait to meet baby girls Agoston, and I know we all can't wait!! :)

Baking with puppy...

2011-12-03T06:07:00.000-08:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE hanging out with my puppy buddy? We LOVE to hang out, he enjoys watching Grey's Anatomy with me, and he really likes to help me bake! ;) That's what he got to do today, we baked treats for Angies b-day and for Miss Laynie's baby shower! :) Thank you puppy for being such a good boy while I baked! :)

Another beautiful sunset....

2011-12-02T20:31:00.000-08:00

I LOVE when I walk out the door after a long day at work and see this!! AND the best part it that it ALWAYS looks different from every different angle I look at... Enjoy! I did!! ;)

sooooo pretty!

...and if you let it be, it's also soooo relaxing and calming too!! :)

Work.....

2011-12-01T23:58:00.000-08:00

.....something else to be thankful for....

at the beginning of the year I took on a second job, my hours at work kept getting cut, and my brother's business needed an assistant to the assistant... ;) So I stated helping/working a few hours a week at first.... And in the last few months it's been more like 2 full days, and a few more hours here and there.... :)

I feel like it is one of the best decisions I have made in a long time... It allows for me to spend more time with my mom, she's the "assistant" to the "boss"! ;) Who am I kidding? she basically runs the whole operation, well the paperwork/invoice/payroll part anyway, and now I help her!

It has allowed for me to save more money, and it allowed me to distance/throw myself into something new at a point in my life when I felt like I was losing control. And by losing control I really mean losing control of EVERYTHING! I have a lot to be thankful for this past year, and my 2nd job is definitely one of them, it saved me from "myself" and for that I will always be grateful! And it's helping to get me to the "next step.." ;)

Sooooo.... Every tuesday, and thursday, unless I have to work at the Big A, I start my day like this... ;)

With a full cup of coffee in my favorite Snowman mug!! :) Ready to start on those famous invoices, scheduling, billing, or payroll business that awaits me!! ;)

AND, on some days I get to look out the window, and enjoy a beautiful blue sky FULL of BIG FLUFFY CLOUDS... This is one of my favorite things.... :)

...AND a few hours could go by and the sky could inevitably turn into this....

...YEP... those are rain clouds you see... Gotta LOVE Southern California Weather... :)

Day 30 of thanks!

2011-11-30T23:43:00.000-08:00

a pizzoki to celebrate my birthday!! ;) and my bed, warm, cozy, and inviting me in for a nap.... ;)

....and that brings me to the end of my 30days of thanks! It was definitely a fun project for me to do! Don't get me wrong, the whole month wasn't peachy... there was some days when my mood could've gone "the other way," BUT this helped me see the "GOOD" parts of the day, EVERYDAY!!! Made this quote I heard the other day soooo true!

"Make a game of finding something positive in every situation. Ninety-five percent of your emotions are determined by how you interpret events to yourself."

-Brian Tracy

I hope everyone enjoyed my 30days of being thankful as much as I did! ;)

Day 29 of thanks!

2011-11-29T23:29:00.000-08:00

Creativity.... ;)

starting/continuing my special project... ;) I LOVE trying to be creative.... I'm not that good at it, but I've been slowly getting better!!! ;)

My very special project!!

2011-11-29T22:50:00.000-08:00

...A Quilt, for a SPECIAL baby, my absolute NEW LOVE!!! :)

One of my old college roomates informed me that she was pregnant a few months ago, so it was time to give her a baby shower... they chose a day at the end of November, I had to hurry up and "create" something FAST. It seems to me that as soon as October hits, life gets overwhelmingly busy... I thought about it, knew what I wanted to do, I asked my friend Sharon for help with the back part, it was embroidered, and my machine isn't that "talented." And that's as far as I got until 3 days before the shower... AHHHHHH!!! Have I ever mentioned I work better under pressure?? Well let me assure you that this probably one of the busiest weekends in November, and I ended up pulling it off, BARELY! and actually finishing it with 30 minutes to get ready, yes I said get ready, and that was for the shower in the OC!! THANK GOD I had requested the day off... I know, I know, I cut it REALLY REALLY close this time!! I was so happy with how it turned out though, totally made the stress worth it! Here's a couple of pics of the process... and the final product...

LOVE THE FABRIC!

the front and back of it... my friend Sharon embroidered "LOVE" strategically all over a white piece of fabric.. I wasn't sure how I felt about it at first, but, I LOVED how it turned out!

sewing away!!! :)

getting a "reminder" on folding the corners! ;/

ALL DONE!!! and with minutes to spare!! ;) Cute huh?? Baby still doesn't have a name, so I passed on "personalizing" it...

...and my mom knitted this one for baby!!

and the last 2 pictures are one's I edited and posted on twitter!! :) I also LOVE the editing picture feature my phone has to offer!! ;)

Day 28 of thanks!

2011-11-28T22:40:00.001-08:00

impromptu last minute "catch up" dinners with the forever sister friend! ;) Nothing beats good ol' catch up conversation over a hamburger and fries! ;)

Have I ever mentioned how lucky I am to have been blessed with GREAT friends??

Day 27 of thanks!

2011-11-27T22:36:00.000-08:00

My Brother and Sister,

they remind me who I am, and who I used to be, and who I am supposed to be... :) Today is my brother's birthday, and all day today I couldn't stop thinking how proud I am of him, and of the person he has become...

The little brother and the little sister have definitely made me proud... They are both amazingly successful people, and they both make me proud to be their big sister every day!! :)

Day 26 of thanks!

2011-11-26T22:03:00.000-08:00

christmas movies and Christmas decorating... This is by far my most FAVORITE season of all! ;)

Let's bring put the snowman family... ;) GREAT way to spend my Saturday off. ;)

Day 25 of thanks!

2011-11-25T22:31:00.000-08:00

Jaime and Chris....

...and yummy breakfast sandwiches! Thanks guys for always making me feel welcome, and for feeding me lunch on VERY short notice! ;)

...and for 4o'clock

after 9 VERY looooong days of work it was finally time for a day off, and a massage!! YIIIPPPEEEE!!!! :)

Day 24 of thanks!

2011-11-24T22:21:00.000-08:00

So many things to be thankful for today, GOD, family, friends, lessons learned, quality time, freedom, a warm house, a roof over my head, a car to get me from to and from, creativity, the ability to fullfill my NEEDS, the kids, WORK, just to name a few... Today especially I will be thankful to get to spend time with my family, eating laughing and talking around the dinner table, today we will enjoy Thanksgiving dinner made with all of the love that my mom has in her heart for us, today is our family day, and for that I am extremely THANKFUL!! :)

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T10:33:00.000-08:00

Blogging about Thanksgiving in January! Yep, I guess I'm a little behind! ;) But another one of this year's motto's is going to be "Better late than Never!" :)

Thanksgiving started by me making these little guys that I found on the idea room blog... if haven't visit it yet, you should, she has some really great things! These little guys were very easy to make... very time consuming, but not hard! ;) And the kids LOVED them!! :)

and again... Nothing says Thanksgiving like my mom's table FULL of yummy food.... ;) No ham or yams this year... But the turkey was good!! haha! ;)

...anyone for a little "bubbly?"

...and treats, we had lots of pies and a special chocolate, chocolate cake! :) Happy Birthday Little Brother!

My Brother's birthday always falls around Thanksgiving, so every year we sing and celebrate for him on Thanksgiving day! :) ooopppssss... looks like I cut my dad off? weird!

...and Mike and Gaby decided to play games.... haha!

...and then we had a sister photo shoot, I liked this one the best! ;)

....and one with Mom! ;)

...looking back through these now I wish I would of noticed that there weren't any pictures with my dad... He was there, enjoying dinner and "kid" time with us though!! ;) Here's to another fun family filled Thanksgiving! :)

Day 23 of thanks!

2011-11-23T22:15:00.000-08:00

CREATIVITY, quality time, and heartfelt conversations with friends! Aren't these guys soooooo cute??

I heard about these from a girl I follow on twitter, then Jessica and I spent the evening "creating" them... aren't they sooooo cute??? ;)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Day 22 of thanks!

2011-11-22T22:14:00.000-08:00

Health.... Today I am thankful for my health, it's been almost 5 years and I can honestly say that I haven't felt this good in YEARS!!! :) and something must be going "right" because I think I've even put on a few pounds... YIKEES!!! Oh and I am grateful/thankful for my dad's health too, and for everyone else's health that I know too!! ;)

Turkeys EVERYWHERE!!!

2011-11-22T22:08:00.000-08:00

I ran across these little guys on twitter, one of the "foodies," I follow posted about them... and let me tell you, I fell instantly IN LOVE with them, I got the supplies and thought they would be super cute to bring to the work pot-luck. BUT first I wanted to try and make them, to make sure they weren't a complete "fail." I thought I would send them home with Jessica, I would use the kids as my guinea pigs! ;)

The initial idea came from the idea room, you can see those here.

These are mine! ;) They actually weren't hard to make at all... the hardest part was finding the "perfect" candy corn for the feet!

I got a picture at work the next day showing me the excitement when the kids saw the treats... ;) haha!! made my day... I was glad that they liked them!!

trying out my new lens while making the turkeys... I'm not sure why, BUT I think this is one of my new favorite pictures!! ;) I LOVE my mom's colorful rose's

Day 21 of thanks!

2011-11-21T18:57:00.000-08:00

The Liberty to choose, Being able to make our own choices, and the liberty to try new things!
we all make choices, and today I am thankful for the liberty to be able to choose what I want... Today I got to exercise my "liberty," and tried Ox tails for the first time... let me tell you they were tasty!! :) I LOVE my cuban cooking friends!! and I LOVE being open to trying new things!! :)

Day 20 of thanks!

2011-11-20T21:50:00.000-08:00

pictures and blogging, Pictures REALLY are worth a 1000 words, and I LOVE that I get to share their/my story on a blog ;)

Day 19 of thanks!

2011-11-19T19:12:00.000-08:00

KIDS

everything about them, the fact that they're so resilient, and honest, their unconditional LOVE and the way they smile when they see a familiar face, their snuggles, the way they get excited over the smallest thing, the fact that they are easily pleased, their honesty, their hugs, loving with everything they have and expecting nothing in return, the way they look at the world, almost like they're seeing it for the first time... we have so much to learn from children, and today I am thankful for them! :)

Strawberry Cake Pops!

2011-11-18T21:42:00.000-08:00

..... For a Special little Girl!!

I had so much fun making these little guys... And it was so special to me that Kati asked Sophia if she wanted me to make her some cake pops... when she told me that, and that Sophia had said yes, I went to work! ;)

I was armed with all the supplies that I needed and with Bakerella's wonderful book! ;)

Thank you Kati for letting me borrow yours... This is a GREAT book, and it has specific instructions on exactly how to make the cake pops... If you don't have one of these, you should get one!! ;)

Sophia was having a Strawberry Shortcake Party so Strawberries were on the menu! ;)

Mike and Gaby were busy on this here day.... so I enlisted the help of my mom... I told her it was because I wanted company, but I think we both knew it was really because I wouldn't of been able to make these guys by myself!! ;) THANKS mom.... We did a good job! ;)

I started out by piping out the "leaves!"

....and of course I forgot to take pictures of the "process." But here is a few of the final product.. My mom was in charge of the "seeds," didn't she do a good job?? ;)

...and in the midst of my "procrastination," and finding the need to do MORE, I went ahead and made these guys too!! :) I had bought the molds for another party we had planned and actually never got to use them... BUT I thought this was the perfect occasion to whip them up!

I was really happy with how they all turned out... and I was super surprised to see how cute they looked inside the little fence that Kati created for them... There's no doubt that "presentation is EVERYTHING!"

Happy Birthday Miss Sophia!

I hope you had a wonderful birthday!! :)

Day 18 of thanks!

2011-11-18T19:13:00.000-08:00

Friday nights in... and getting to spend them creating these fun little guys....

friends who give me challenges like these... ;) and my mom who did an AMAZING job with the "seeds" ;-) what a fun way to spend some quality time together! ;)

Day 17 of thanks!

2011-11-17T19:24:00.000-08:00

buy 1 get 1 at Starbucks, brunch, friends, pedis, Dr. Mark, hobby lobby, and MY RED LIGHTNING, for driving me EVERYWHERE today!! :)

Day 16 of thanks!

2011-11-16T19:24:00.000-08:00

homecooked meals that simmered and cooked with love ALL day. The smell that filled the air was AMAZING! Yumm!! :)

Day 15 of thanks!

2011-11-15T19:26:00.000-08:00

comfy clothes and getting to work in them all day because let's face it, it was a stay home in my pj's kinda day ;/

Day 14 of thanks!

2011-11-14T19:28:00.000-08:00

dinner parties, and visiting family... Totally made "Monday" bearable today!! ;)

Princess Cupcakes!

2011-11-13T20:34:00.000-08:00

...Fun cupcakes for a 5 year old princess! ;)

My nail lady/friend's daughter was turning 5, and she asked me to make the treats for the party! These were fun and SUPER easy!! ;) They really liked how they turned out, and I did too!! :)

Happy Birthday Celeste! I hope you had a fantastic day!! :)

Day 13 of thanks!

2011-11-13T19:29:00.000-08:00

my dorm family, not everyone was able to come this time... ;) so we were a smaller group than usual, but we kept up our impromptu Sunday lunch... :) good food, good conversation, and GREAT company... Thank you #lomalies for providing us a place to catch up today .. :)

Day 12 of thanks!

2011-11-12T19:56:00.000-08:00

lazy, rainy and cold Saturday afternoons after work,

time for a little baking and some college football!! ;)

Day 11 of thanks!

2011-11-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

thankful for a fun-filled evening with friends... :) and for being able to come home to a nice warm bed! ;)

Day 10 of thanks!

2011-11-10T19:22:00.000-08:00

Quality time...

time spent with my parents, my friends, the kids, my sister, the puppy... :)

Day 9 of thanks!

2011-11-09T19:18:00.000-08:00

Sunrises.... and waking up to this.... ;)

what a beautiful morning today was... I got to watch the sky turn colors from my bed today, and I LOVED it... way to start the day with a clear head!! ;) I LOVE that my bedroom window looks out to this every morning... well almost... ;)

Day 8 of thanks!

2011-11-08T22:46:00.000-08:00

these guys.... ;) today and EVERYDAY! I'm grateful for my parents... my mom is the strongest, wisest, loving, most religious person I know, and my dad taught me everything I know about hard work, independence, and responsibility! Thanks to them I am the person who I am, and for that I'm grateful EVERYDAY!! :)

Day 7 of thanks!

2011-11-07T21:32:00.000-08:00

the ocean, its smell, the sound, and the calmness it brings

A beautiful drive through wine country

2011-11-06T23:08:00.000-08:00

I took a drive thru wine country the other day with Jessica and the kids... She had been telling me how amazing the sky was back there! and she was soooooo right... I couldn't get enough.. and was extremely sad that my phone decided to die half way back... But I got a few shots still... ;) There's nothing better than a sky after it rains.. it always looks so clear.... :)

Just another way that God uses to speak to us!! I LOVED it, and definitely took it all in.... :) ENJOY! I did!!

The sky was sooooo different everywhere we turned!

Lose yourself in nature and find peace.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 6 of thanks!

2011-11-06T21:30:00.000-08:00

The Joy of Baking, and how it makes me feel to watch people enjoy the "goods!" ;)
Windshield Wipers, and Ian, the wonderful boy that changed them for me... Awesome, now I can see and drive in the rain! ;)
and AMAZING Afternoon Skies! The skies through Wine Country were definitely amazing today! :)

A barrel of candy

2011-11-06T18:32:00.000-08:00

I've mentioned before how much I LOVE to bake... and I follow a lot of fun, and delicious blogs where I get my ideas from... ;) I'm still a little scared to "create" stuff on my own... plus a lot of the time I have little helpers with me, so we need easy to follow and not really messy stuff to do! :) I LOVE my quality "baking" time with the kids.... I saw the idea for this cake on recipegirl's blog, I LOVED the idea, and REALLY, REALLY wanted to make it for someone, just wasn't sure who!! Then Bobby had a birthday and I was hanging out with the kids, so I thought, "what a GREAT way to keep the children entertained for a little while!" and baked goods always make for a good part of a b-day gift! ;) I went ahead and baked the cake ahead of time... Yummy red velvet! ;)

When I got to their house I frosted it and we started "putting it together!" Recipegirl said to use chocolate frosting and that TOTALLY makes sense... BUT I wasn't sure how red velvet and chocolate would taste like... I was afraid that it would be too much chocolate, so we went with cream cheese frosting! ;)

The kids helped me "build" with the kit kats, they were funny, they would occasionally "accidentally" break one in half, so they HAD to eat it!!! haha!

Then we poured in the M&M's... see why the chocolate frosting would of made more sense? ;)

.....and after discussing with the kids, we decided that we needed MORE M&M's, so we ran off to the store for another bag... haha.... seeeeee.... much better, plus this way we had more left over to eat.. ;) Then Miss Ella used her phenomenal writing skills, and wrote on the cake for me! ;)

our finished product! ;) she was just as proud as she looked on the pic!! ;)

..... one more of our fun, SUPER easy and yummy cake creation, it was so easy that EVERYONE got to help!! ;)

Day 5 of thanks!

2011-11-05T23:16:00.000-07:00

thankful for an afternoon of movies, and Apple cider in my warm and cozy house...:)

Today really felt like fall... and I swear I was freezing when I got home, and sooooo tired from the week, I hope it was just the long week and not that I'm getting sick... :/ So after work I came home changed into comfy clothes, put my "wish big, win big" pieces on my game board, and preceded to watch movies, and drink some apple cider from the Kuerig, THANKS miss Karen, it's my NEW favorite... nothing says welcome to fall like that did! ;), in my warm cozy house, and oh so comfy couch, I think there may have been a nap in there too... ALWAYS THANKFUL that I have a roof over my head!

Day 4 of thanks!

2011-11-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

Today it's Laughter: Mainly because I am almost certain that if it wasn't for the ability of me to laugh, I would of surely cried at one point today! ;)

I am going to be COMPLETELY honest right now, and say that I had a REALLY hard time being thankful today... ALL I could think about is the fact that bad luck follows me...

this only happened because it was me! ugh!

It's funny I went back to work, red lightning is ok.... she's mostly just scratched and dented a little... and ALL I could thing of what DAMN this is my payback for NOT EVER forwarding those stupid chain letters I used to get in College! UGH!!! Bad luck for how many years did it say?? and are those years almost over?? eeecckkk!!!

Well the day wasn't all bad... I did get to visit with one of my favorite Co-Workers today... Miss Karen I hope you feel better, and thank you and Steve for your sweet words, one day hopefully soon!... ;)

and then there was a not so bad dessert date... ;)
So there you have it... a somewhat hard, yet thankful 4th day... Here's to hoping tomorrow is LOTS better!! ;)

Cinnamon roll pumpkin vanilla cake squares

2011-11-03T23:13:00.000-07:00

Another one of Picky Palate's yummy recipes... and sooooo easy to make... the recipe can be found here.

This one is a personal favorite too, it contains pumpkin... how could it not be?? ;) and I think it was a fan favorite as well... :)

You'll need,

1 box of yellow cake mix

4 eggs

1/2 Cup of milk

3.4 oz box of instant vanilla pudding

1/2 cup of sour cream

one small (15oz.) can of pumkin

1 stick, (8oz.) unsalted butter

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1/2 teqaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup powder sugar

and 1/4 to 1/2 cup heavy cream start with 1/4 use 1/2 if you need it!
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and spray a jelly roll pan with non stick cooking spray.
2. Place cake mix, eggs, oil, milk, pudding, sour cream and pumpkin into a stand or electric mixer, beating until well combined. Pour into prepared pan, spreading evenly.
3. Place butter into a microwave safe bowl and melt, about 30-40 seconds. Add brown sugar and cinnamon to bowl, mixing until combined. Drizzle mixture evenly over cake then take a knife and run it through to swirl.
4. Bake cake for 30-35 minutes, until cooked through and remove. Place powdered sugar and cream into a large bowl and mix until creamy and smooth. Drizzle over warm cake then let cool for 20 minutes before cutting into squares. After combining and cooking all of the ingredients, you get something yummy that looks like this!! ;)

....and the final squares looked like this... they were YUMMY!!! and I suggest you eat them warm... they're much more heavenly that way!! ;)

I had fun A LOT OF FUN sharing these goodies with friends!

.....and again, if you haven't visited her site.... you totally should now!! ;)

Day 3 of thanks!

2011-11-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

Baked Goods and Bible Study!

Nothing like enjoying a good ol' baked treat before starting our first day of Bible Study!

These yummy cinnamon roll pumpkin vanilla cake squares,(I will post the recipe soon ;)) and Bible Study with the girls is definitely something for me to be thankful for today! :) I can't wait for the rest of the 13 weeks... :)

Day 2 of thanks!

2011-11-02T23:19:00.000-07:00

small gummy bear sized blessings ;) and answered prayers...

THAT is what I am thankful for today! :) I got the most AMAZING news today, I immediatly I thought this is my "thanks" for today... Old friends of mine have been trying to get pregnant for 7 years, 7 years, IS a LONG time... It's been a VERY long EMOTIONAL, HARD road for them.... And when I saw them just a few months ago they told me they were getting ready to file all the paperwork required to adopt a baby... I think they had gotten to the point where there was nothing else they could do, they continued to pray, they stayed faithful of God's plan, and took the next step towards adopting, never once losing faith, and today I heard the most AMAZING news THEY ARE 3 MONTHS PREGNANT!!! YEEESSS!! As soon as I read that, I got teary eyed, how AWESOME, their/our prayers have been answered... Though the last 7 years Todd and Mindy have been a GREAT example of what faithfulness and patience looks like, and it looks like they have finally gotten their reward, the answer to their most hearfelt prayer... :) I can't wait to meet this new gift from God...

Feliz cumpleaños Tía Lela!!

2011-11-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a Birthday dinner to make someone feel a little special! :)

My mom and I decided to take out one of my grandma's, it's a long explanation, grandma is easiest! ;) to celebrate her b-day... We picked her up and went to Macaroni Grill... :)

We started dinner with a fabulous salad! I LOVE their dressing! ;)

....the chicken caprese looked pretty good... and I heard it wasn't bad! ;)

I had the lasagna bolognese, you shouldn't be surprised... I wasn't! ;)

I fixed it so that they would sing her Happy Birthday... and what do you know?? they actually do it in Italian... YEEESSS!!! Look at how happy and excited for that chocolate cake she was!! ;)

Yummmm!! they served this delicious warm chocolate cake with fresh chocolate ganache and whipped cream... and let me tell you! they were delicious! :)

Feliz Cumpleanos Tia Lela... Here's to doing it again soon!! ;)

30 Days of Thanks!

2011-11-01T21:32:00.000-07:00

I ran across this last year.... And thought it would be fun to do it... But it was too late by the time I saw it... Soooo I thought I'd start it today!! ;) Wanna Join me?? I'll be fun! I'll go first...

Today I am thankful for,

Forgiveness: "When you choose to forgive those who have hurt you, you take away their power."

What a GREAT quote, and a GREAT thing to be thankful for... The power for us to forgive people and ourselves and set ourselves free while at the same time releasing the past so it no longer has control over our thoughts or the way we feel. Only then can we continue on the path to our own well being and happiness... :)

Here's how to play

1. First and foremost, get that this is about giving thanks, and if moved to, sharing what you're thankful for with others. The goal is to consciously engage in (at least) one moment of thankfulness every day this month. That's it.

2. The thing for which you give thanks can be big or small--it doesn't matter, because even 30 small gratitudes will add up to something awesome by month's end. Not sure what to be thankful for? Check out the list of some of what people told us they were thankful for when we did this theme last year!
What you're thankful for can be anything at all--as long as you're consciously thankful for it. That's the key.
3. Truly, being thankful is enough. Sharing it via social media or in some other way is a gift to the world, because there are so very many people (we bet you know a lot of them!) who really struggle with giving thanks for the things that they have, or the people or events in their lives. Modeling being thankful is a way to gift them because as you share what you're thankful for, you shine a light--a light that tells others that it's ok for them to be thankful, too.
4. If you decide you want to share what you're thankful for, you might simply say it aloud, or you might choose to write it on paper, blog about it, share it with those you love over dinner, draw something, or even sing it. As with other 30 Day Projects, there's simply no wrong way to do this. Just make the way you do it your own--as unique and special as you are!
Don't have a blog? That's ok--thankfulness doesn't only come to those who blog! You can still play by writing in a journal, on napkins at lunch (think how cool it would be to have 30 napkins at the end of the month you could create an album with, or frame!), or on anything at all. It's about the practice, and the every day consistency.
and here's the linky link, if you want to read more on it... :)

Always Thankful!

2011-10-30T23:16:00.000-07:00

It's time for THANKFUL Sunday again!

Today I am Thankful for,

good friends

understanding

My mom's 10pm phone calls, no matter where I am, just to say good night and that she LOVES me. I LOVE you too mom! :D

my dad

my brother

my sister

my other brother ;)

Sisco Puppy

BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS!
Hope and Faith, and watching friends who are being uplifted by their GREAT belief...
My mom's GREAT Faith in candles, and the way she faithfully lights them for people who need them.
prayer circles, and people's eagerness to join them, no matter how far away they are... in hopes that it will bring peace to others..
Sleeping in until 10:45 WTH I haven't done that in a LONG LONG time... guess I was tired! :/
books and reading
music
fall nights
driving with the windows down
today I am also VERY thankful for the Angel's who kept red lightning from driving off the road earlier.... yikes... that was scary!! ;)
the smell of firewood burning in the neighbors fireplace...
The World Series, and actually getting to watch the game... uninterrupted! ;)
phone calls just to say hello!
respect
This quote I ran across!

Here's to another week gone... and for another which will soon begin... here's to hoping we all have a GREAT week ahead! :)

LOVE!!!

2011-10-30T01:09:00.000-07:00

Gaby and I put together a bag of halloween goodies and mailed them to the girls.... we were so excited for them to get their box.... It was nothing big, but their reactions were seriously priceless.... ;) don't mind V's obvious LOVE for candycorn... next time I think I will just send her a box of candy corn in the mail!! ;) Thanks Cousin for taking the videos and sharing them with us!!! :)

Live your life in Harmony!

2011-10-29T22:29:00.000-07:00

what a GREAT legacy to leave behind!
Have you ever attended the memorial service of someone's who's life was cut WAAAYYY too short? of someone who's legacy is something everyone including myself should strive to live by? I did today. Today I learned a little more of the type of person James was, I already knew he was a great soon-to-be husband, I also already knew he was a great father... that was all evident in pictures that I've seen, and in the few times that I actually met him....
What I didn't know, was that he actually lived his life in harmony, in harmony with himself, but most importantly in harmony with everyone else.... And he wished everyone else would do the same... Today I learned that he understood what was important in his life, he understood that his family came first, this guy would do anything for his friends, and he was the first to lend a helping hand... LIVE YOUR LIFE IN HARMONY is appearantly what he wanted... and he lived it everyday, (at least that's how everyone memorialized him)
"put your energy in what's important to you, YOUR family, YOUR kids, YOUR friends, YOUR life, and spread harmony, spread harmony everywhere you go, instead of worrying about what is going on in everyone else's lives, or why... THAT is NOT important to YOU!" (Pastor Dave, about what was important to James, and about what how James lived his life)
You never know when it will be too late...
GREAT LESSON to learn!
What a great way to remember someone,
How we survive is what makes us who we are!
As we stood in the driveway talking today I noticed this awesome
sunset... I shared it with Michael... What a GREAT painting God has painted for us on this day I told him... I think it means everything is going to be ok.... ;) we both just stared at it, lost in our own thoughts... I think Pastor Dave heard me, because he nodded his head too... ;)

again, God's painted a beautiful picture for me.... This one reminded me that with Faith comes Hope, and it is only with faith and hope that we are able to continue on our journey....
"If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it."
Author Unknown
RIP James... Thanks for reminding me/us what's important today, and thank you for always greeting me with that great big smile of yours, even though you hardly knew me.... BUT most IMPORTANTLY thank you for loving my friend and her babies the way they deserved to be LOVED...

A Shogun Birthday Celebration!!

2011-10-26T00:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthay to Me, Rachelle and Sarah!

Yummy sushi!! :) and a pineapple drink, I'll be honest... It wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be...

Birthday ice cream sunday with an umbrelly... YYEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! :)

...and a pumpkin spice Bundt cake from nothing Bundt cakes... Thanks Carlie, it was delicious!

...and DeBran made yummy apple pumpkin cupcakes... these guys were to die for, I think I ate 2... shhhhh... don't tell anyone! I wonder if she'll wanna share the recipe with me!! ;)

....time for a group shot! :) Thanks everyone for coming out to help us celebrate... :)

Happy Birthday again girls... and next time we really need to take a non creepy eye picture!! ;) gotta LOVE a good ol' phone pic!! ;)

Trust in God..... ALWAYS!

2011-10-24T21:51:00.000-07:00

I think it finally hit me today.... again God called another one of his children home... and again it was someone I knew, not very well, but what I knew of him was enough... I got home from work on monday and after thinking about it all day, the unfairness of it all, the why's, it finally hit me... the reality of what happened was fresh in my mind. The similarities to something I had gone thru a few years before... I think it finally ended up being too much, so I ended up walking to the front yard, JUST BECAUSE, I needed to think, I needed to sort it out in my head, I needed to be alone with God, I needed reassurance! I needed "understanding" just then I noticed the most BEAUTIFUL sunset sky... I sat in the driveway trying to put together my thoughts and the events of the 24 hours before.... I also talked to God, and asked Larry to welcome James home... I'm pretty sure they're up there getting along just fine... :) I also reflected on my sisters strength, and Bee's strenght... It's always amazing to me how strong we become when tragedy strikes... how we're able to gather strength from above to be supportive understanding and helpful...

Today I was sad, I was sad for a friend who's life just came to a traumatic stop, for a little while, someone who's life just took on a completely different direction. I was sad for the kids that were left behind, I was also sad for the parents, friends and anyone else who was left behind to pick up the pieces, to understand why things like these happen...

As I did that, I took in the most AMAZING almost soul cleansing sunset...

...and slowly I became hopeful, hopeful that no matter how devastating this was to a family, it was within God's plan. Why I have no idea, I may never know (today 10/29, was the service, and Bernadette said the same thing....) I was also hopeful that this family will make it thru, Bernadette is seriously one of the STRONGEST, most POSITIVE people I know!

In the midst of my talking to God, I took the picture below... and I swear, it looks like there's an Angel flying in the clouds... :)

...and then my phone went off... it was Jaime, she had sent a picture and all it said was " a little glimpse of Heaven" Oh how right she was.... isn't her picture beautiful?

Bee is someone I have known forever, she's been around so long, she's practically part of the family! when my sister got the call, I prayed for the best, although in my heart I think I knew, and my heart hurt, my heart hurt for someone who deserves nothing but the best... I couldn't stop thinking about it/them, I was mad, mad that life could be so unfair... I prayed for her, the kids, and mostly for my sister... I prayed for God to give her the strength she would need to be there for her Best Friend, it's hard, I know, I've been there....

God gives us a sunset everyday that reminds us of the awesome beauty in His creation and shows His unconditional love for you and me.

"Beyond the sunset God

waits for you and me."
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.- From a headstone in Ireland

Giving Thanks!

2011-10-23T00:20:00.000-07:00

1 Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Birthday week/month finally came to a stop today... I'm a little late giving thanks only because the week ended in a way that I wished had been different!

I had an AMAZING week and I have my family and friends to thank for that!

I also treated myself to a massage during the week, and I got my hair did, and there may have been a little shopping spree!! ;) Not a big one... we all know shopping isn't really my forte!!!

Somewhere in there, there was a facial too... How could I turn down a facial that contained pumpkin enzymes??? haha!! I know, I have sucker written ALL over my forehead! :)

I had many a birthday wish... on the phone, thru txt, on facebook, and there was even a birthday song thru skype!! ;)

Oh and as is customary, I got a call from my grandma in Guatemala at 4am... it never fais, EVEN when I was in college she would call that early.... haha! I'd blame it on the time change, but I'm not sure that's it anymore!! ;)

Thank you everyone for making me feel special all week!

My sister and Mike made me the most DELICIOUS DINNER, and my dad drove a LONG distance to pick me up a yummy birthday cake... Thanks mom for sending him out there!! ;)

Then there was a B-day BBQ specially for me... it contained all of my favorite foods... YUMMM... :)

...And I can't forget about the Disneyland birthday celebration.. we went, rode a few rides, walked around, shopped some, mentioned the fact that it felt weird without the kids and then came home! ;)

Thanks again everyone... you all did a terrific job making me feel special ALL WEEK!!! :)

Life's Short. Live Passionately! :)

2011-10-22T23:15:00.000-07:00

I took this picture a few weeks ago on my way to work! I am seriously proud of this picture... Honestly I have NO IDEA why??? Maybe it's because I feel like I captured what God was trying to tell me PERFECTLY! ;)

It came at the perfect time too!! ;) Oh how I LOVE the pictures God paints for me, so that I may understand what he is trying to tell me!! ;)

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." :)
-- Albert Einstein

.....and with a little "editing"! ;)

Life's short. Live passionately!♥
"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be ALIVE, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love-then make the day count!"
~ Steve Maraboli

Birthday Weekend!!

2011-10-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

Friday: my Birthday! :)

It was a terrific day.. full of birthday wishes... and yummy food! :) I met the girls for lunch, and then went back to work. :) Gaby and Mike made a DELICIOUS dinner in honor of me!! :) the food was so yummy that I had to share... ;) some day I will figure out how to make the pictures into collages, until then, you get to enjoy them, one by one!! ;)

My yummy birthday steak! :)

The salad was just as good as it looked on the picture! ;)

mmmmm..... :)

haha!! YES! I was excited! ;)

...and there was wine! ;)

...and this guy came to the party!! ;) isn't he so cute?? ;)

...after dinner, the boys watched TV, and I guess I took a nap! ;) that dumb couch gets me EVERY time!

my mom played with Sisco!

awwww.... :)

My dad traveled far to get me a cake... and let me tell you it was well worth it! I LOVED it! it was definitely tasty! ;)

Happy Birthday to me, with my Skype friends! ;) It's not the same without them!! ;)

Happy Birthday to me! ;)

This was seriously the BEST card EVER!! :) They had Sisco sign it for me with his paw... can you see it? it was super cute! I LOVED it... The things dog owners will do!! haha!! :) Thank You Mike for helping to get the perfect signature! LOVE YOU GUYS! :)

a family shot... my brother had to miss out because of work, but he was here in spirit!! :) We still need to teach Sisco how to pose for our family pictures! ;)

mom, and her girls! :)

Thank you guys for everything, everything was deliciously tasty! :)

Saturday: Birthday BBQ

Thank you! Jessica, Jaime, Melissa, Bobby, Chris, Ella, Lukey, Owen, Brody, Jakey Boy, and Miss Layla for celebrating with me today, the day was GREAT, the food was DELICIOUSLY TASTY, and the company was WONDERFUL!!! :) Love you guys!! :)

The girls! :)

Ella made goody bags for everyone including me... the birthday girl! ;) she made a moose hand puppet!

...and Jack-o-lanterns! there were also butterflies, and other jack-o-lanterns in there too! :0 thank you ELLA BELLA! I LOVED your goody bag... :)

Pretty decorations! :) and a perfect day for a BBQ!

mmmm... The "treat" table.... Jessica made banana cookies and pumpkin bread!! YUMM!!! those are a few of my favorites.. and look at those yummy caramel apples too! :)

They all got together and cooked all of my favorite foods, and I say all, because the boys helped too! ;) and we were ready to eat!! :) tri-tip, corn on the cobb, salad, fruit

...and twice baked potatoes... :D I was super excited to see these guys! ;)

and pasta salad, and pistachio salad, and rolls, and I'm sure there was more stuff I missed... ;)

...and Melissa made these super tasty apple turnover fritter things that I LOVED.... they are probably my new favorite thing to eat for breakfast! ;)

Happy Birthday to me!! :)

Thank you again guys... Everything was GREAT! :) you guys seriously made my day!! :) xoxoxo

Sunday: Birthday celebration at D-land!

It has become a birthday tradition, Gaby and I go to the Happiest Place on Earth to celebrate our birthdays... it's sorta like our sister day!! ;)

I have no idea how we've never ran into this before, but we did today... they had a special Dia de los Muertos display... ummm... ok... ;)

Dia de Los Muertos, is a holiday celebrated around the world in many hispanic cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

we had to get our picture taken with the skeleton band!! ;)

Then we moved on to Jack Skelion and the Haunted Mansion! ;)

The Haunted Mansion was all ready for Christmas it looks like!! ;)

Haha! Gaby bought me a birthday cupcake... EVERYONE needs a Disneyland birthday cupcake! ;)

I LOVE Halloween time at Disneyland, I think it's because it means that the holiday's are just around the corner... and THAT is definitely my favorite time of the year!! :)

...and of course we needed the "Traditional" Mickey pumpkin pic! :)

...and we spotted another perfect picture spot... WHAT is it with me and pumpkins?? ;)

We decided to call it a day a little early after a few rides... then we shopped on main street for a bit, picked up a little something for the girls, and decided to go on our way... we couldn't leave without one of these though... An Irish Creme frap from Haagen Daaz.... AAAAHHHHMMMMAAAAZZZZIIINNGGGG! and a great way to end the day! ;)

Thank you sister... Disneyland was fun! :0 Now lets go hit the Michael's sale, and see what other shopping we can do!! ;)

....And just like that... Birthday weekend came to an end... Thanks again to everyone who helped make it as special and fun as it was!! :)

Thirty-Four!!!

2011-10-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

ahhhh.... Birthday's, they come by once a year... and mine's here AGAIN! :)

"A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip!"

This is my chance to bid thirty-three good-bye and welcome thirty-four with OPEN ARMS!!

Thirty-Three, you were a rough year, But I wouldn't change any of it, I wouldn't do anything differently, as painful as the year was, it has made me a stronger person, and I think I came out of it stronger than I went in, and THAT is definitely a good thing!

This year was one filled with uncertainty, and fear,
confusion,
tears, and LOTS and LOTS of unanswered questions...
It was also one in which I questioned my morals, beliefs, and even the person I have become, and my expectations from others, as well as my expectations of others. I even questioned God at times, this part I'm ashamed to admit, but it is, what it is, and I did find myself asking WHY? A LOT, I think I have my answer now... ;)
It was also a year in which I can honestly say I felt lost, mainly because I finally let "society's" comments wear me down.
You were also a year filled with happiness,
fun vacations, and good food
It was a year full of family and friend fun,
It was also one in which I came to the realization that I AM living the life that God intended for me, even if society thinks it's "weird." like it or not this is where I'm supposed to be, and for the record, i like it! ;)
It was a year in which I finally made a hard decision and bid farewell to certain people who are not making my life easier, to people who obviously were put in my path so that I could learn from them, people who helped define who I am, but who also have moved on... people who brought A LOT of HAPPINESS to my life at one point in time, but who have also brought A LOT of SADNESS, CONFUSION and GRIEF, especially in the last year or two... Thank you Isaac for reminding me that in order to move on, and live the life that I was "granted", I must let go... It was hard but I did it, I only got rid of the one, even though I really did contemplate the other two!! ;)
This year was also full of lessons, I learned a GREAT deal about Honesty, trust, compassion, friendship, loyalty, and respect.
....AND I re-learned that a hug from a kid will make ANY day better... Thank you Bea, Jessica and Jaime for letting me be a part of your kid's lives... :)
Today I can honestly say that I am looking forward to 34. Everything seems to be going forward, the way it seems it's supposed to be...
I am also lucky to say that in 34 years I have one of the strongest support systems ever... I have a loving family, awesome forever friends, GREAT friends, a BBF...

so with that I am ready to welcome 34...

This is going to be a TERRIFIC year, I feel it... Here's to

"Letting go, and Letting God"!

Now I'm off to enjoy the journey that 34 will bring!!! :D

You Challenge!!!

2011-10-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

Self Portrait!

You challenge ends with a self portrait of me!! :)

Dim Sum, and a Birthday Celebration! :)

2011-10-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

Good food and good friends.....

is MY favorite way to celebrate!!! :)

I've known Isaac since our first year in College, we were neighbors at the dorms, and we've been friends ever since... Thru good and bad, we've made it... :)

and today was HIS birthday!! He wanted to celebrate by eating Dim Sum!!

Him and Tracy introduced me to Dim Sum a few years ago... and I think it's definitely good enough to make the hour drive to China town in LA!! :)

The pastries!!

The birthday boy!

Old friends, and birthday month buddies!!! ;)

friends!!!

the beginning of my feast! and I must admit that I definitely ate myself silly... ;)

Sheila and Steve ordered these guys... they kept staring at me... so I had to go ahead and eat one!! ;)

mmmmmmm...... :)

haha.... that poor guy had NO chance!!! ;)

me and Aunt Sheila... :)

Isaac and Tracy....

We ended the night with Milk tea and boba ball/sliver drinks... ummmm... yeah I can honestly say i'm still NOT a fan!!! :/

Here's to a fun birthday celebration, filled with friends and yummy food!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAAC!!!

Quotes to live by.... :)

2011-10-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some quotes I ran across this week that 'spoke' to me... Often times we question what happiness is.. and these sorta explain it, as long as we're "open" enough to read them for what they are!! ;)

Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings.♥ ~ Eat Pray Love

ugh... this last one... is soooo totally me... One of these days I will be able to "let go..." Hopefully sooner than later!! ;)