more than a month has past...

More than a month has past since I last wrote a blog. It's not what I intended, it's just that life is busy. It seems that sitting at a computer long enough to pay the bills is about all I have time for. Anything longer is a luxury. =) But I know that life moves in phases, and I have some time on my hands right now...so I thought I would put some thoughts on paper, err or the internet.

Christmas has come and gone. It was a wonderful experience this year. Santa brought the kids what the asked for...legos and a skateboard for Josh, and a big Barbie and drawing stuff for Bekah. There were so many presents this year...it's unbelievable. Truthfully, my kids are spoiled. Well, I guess I should say that we are all spoiled! We were showered with so many presents that there are too many to name. Santa even brought me a gift this year...a Wii Fit! ;) I had told Santa that I was a very good girl this year and he must have agreed cause Christmas morning..there it was! =)
We enjoyed a Christmas Eve dinner with my father-in-law, or dad, and the family. After dinner, we opened presents. I think that we have started a new tradition with that side of the family. Instead of Christmas Day, we open gifts on Christmas Eve. I kind of like it. I know the kids did! Next year, we will have a 5th child at Christmas time. Ben and Kathy are expecting their first...a little boy. I am so excited for them and can't wait to meet my newest nephew sometime in May.
After we left dad's, we headed to my parents' house...where the family had gathered. We decorated cookies and laughed. My parents have a cottage in the back, so we crashed there and enjoyed our traditional Christmas breakfast with them and opened presents. It was fun! Josh and Bekah left a cookie for Santa and a couple of small carrots for Rudolph. They were excited to see them eaten on Christmas morning. =)
Early on the 26th, my dad, myself, and the kids hit the open road for Phoenix, AZ. Which is where I am right now. We've spent time with aunts, uncles, grandparents. We've played with pets (Rebekah is especially fond of my grandma's 2 shih tzus. Pandie, one of her dogs, loves to lick and lick Bekah's face. And Bekah loves to receive the licks. She licks her so much Bekah's cheeks get chapped. I have to tell her no more and she says, "but, Mommy, I like it." lol We have eaten, eaten, and eaten so many home baked goodies that I won't even tell you what the scale told me the other day at Grandma's. (That's what New Year's Resolutions are for, right?)

For Christmas, Joshua and Rebekah received money from various people. Josh chose to buy legos. What else would he buy? I can't begin to tell you how many lego kits he has. Well, now he has 3 more. He will sit for hours putting the kits together. He's really good at it too.

All which leads me to this morning. I was awakened at 5:30 am by my daughter....who was vomiting. yes, just how we want to spend some vacation time...holed up in our hotel room with a stomach bug. poor thing....she threw up 2 more times within 45 min. before she fell asleep for awhile. As I write this blog, she has since gotten up to inform me that she is much better. That's good! I don't think we will take her out today though...just to be on the safe side. Wouldn't want to spread this Holiday Cheer around!!!! It will be a good day to rest, watch some movies, and play legos! Not to mention that I did just happen to bring the first 2 books of the Twilight Saga with me to AZ. =D It's a great day to finish book 1. yes, I have read all 4 books, and I've watched the 1st movie at least 15 times (I happened to bring the movie with me too!!!) and have already seen New Moon 3 times in the theater. But what can I say? Except..go Team Edward! =)

New Years is just days away. 2009 will soon be a memory. I am thankful for what God has done in my life in this past year. He has brought me and my family through so much and so far. And I continue to see His work in my life. I have a job which I like, my kids are doing well, we are on vacation in AZ, we got a new puppy...Bella, and Fidel and I are doing well. (of course these are in no order of importance). Life with Fidel is not perfect, but what relationship is? He is supportive, active, and involved in our lives. He is a changed man, I can definitley tell. But things like this take awhile. And it's taking awhile. And that's ok. I have learned from experience that when I rush things, well, they don't necessarily work out so well. Sometimes, I have my doubts...but I just remind myself that hey, God is in control. No matter what happens, He's got me and my family in His hands. And His Hands are so much more capable than mine. Too many times I try to take the reins and tell God where we are gonna go. Sometimes it works out...sometimes not so much.

Well, I think that this is a good stopping point. I need to go put some clothes in the laundry here at the laundry mat.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It's that time again..

School is out for a week so that can only mean one thing....I have some time to blog now. =)
When I am working, life stays busy, so it's hard to sit down and actually blog. I hardly get on Facebook either. But I will endeavor to correct both of these things this week while I am off. =)

I had started a to-do list for this week that I am off. Things like: touch-up paint through-out the house, paint the bathroom, paint the loft, finish knitting Eli's stocking, put up Christmas decorations, re-organize loft closet, re-organize bedroom closet, organize pantry....and well, the list goes on. However, I had to take another look at my list and get a little more realistic. It is not going to happen. I am keeping my niece and nephew Monday and Tuesday, an appt on Monday, movies on Wednesday (because I simply must see Twilight: New Moon for the 2nd time =) ), Thanksgiving on Thursday, and the annual tradition of Black Friday (woo hoo). So, as you see, I have already booked my week. NOt to say that maybe I wont' get to some things on my list, but in reality, most of them WON'T happen. That's okay....there's always the week before Christmas. =)

Joshua and Rebekah continue to grow by leaps and bounds. Rebekah is now reading and spelling. She LOVES to spell things...even if it's not a real word. "Mommy, what does B-A-B spell?" "Mommy, what does D-A-N spell?" "Rebekah, would you like to take a shower?" "uuuuhh, N-O, Mommy." yes, she's quite the speller these days. I get a little delighted to hear her read though. She can read simple words and stories and it's so cute. She writes "the" and can read it well too. Sigh, she's growing up. She gave her daddy a hard time the other day. Last weekend, I went to the Women of Faith conference in Houston, so Daddy kept the kids. He picked them up from school on Friday and took them to the park. While driving there, Rebekah piped up from the backseat. The conversation went something like this.
"Daddy, I'm not going to marry Joshua when I grow up." (they have often said that when they grow up they are going to marry each other. We have often responded with you can't marry your brother or your sister....we don't live in Arkansas. To which they would reply that they love each other. To which we replied that that was great...but you don't marry your siblings....well, they just didn't seem to get it)
"Oh really, why is that?"
"Cause he's my brother, DAddy."
"Yes, that's right, Joshua is your brother."
"I'm not going to marry Joshua. I'm going to marry someone else, Daddy."
'You are? Who are you going to marry?"
"I'm going to marry Jesse." (Jesse is a boy in her class.)
"Why Jesse, Rebekah?"
"Cause he says nice things to me."
It was about there that I received a phone call in Houston from my husband telling me that he did not sign up for this part of the parenting. That he couldn't handle it....lol! I started laughing as he told me the story and said we should pray now for her future spouse. Lord help me! She's gonna marry Jesse cause he says nice things to her!!!??? Man, I've got my work cut out for me. Needless to say, we later told Bekah that she didn't need to think about marriage cause you had to be 34 before you got married so she had plenty of time! I wonder how long that will work with her....................................

well, I was hoping to post some pics on here, but as I write this I am trying to load pics onto my computer from my camera. It's being so slow. I don't think it's gonna happen. =( I have some cute ones to. My niece turned 2. I have some adorable pics from that. I went to Houston. Got some fun pics there. Josh sang at school in a PTA meeting. (He did so good!) But I guess I will have to post them later. =)

Good night! God bless!

Boo! And other fun stuff

So it has definitely been awhile since I have updated on here. It is difficult to sit still long enough to actually type out an email...let alone blog. But I really do like blogging....and I think you like reading about it....maybe. =)

Actually, the truth is that my sister Shannon blogs so well, I can't help but be inspired to blog as well. She has the cutest, wittiest things to say....makes me want to blog as well. =)

We enjoyed Boo at the Zoo last weekend. It was SO MUCH fun! We had never been and it was very crowded. But the kids enjoyed themselves (and so did the mommies, ah hem!). Here are a few pictures from that very fun trip. My dad, Jay and Shannon, and Fidel and myself went with the kids.

This was Pumpkin Alley...or something like it. It had all these decorated pumpkins. I thought this version of Mike Wazosky was awesome!!!

Annnnnndddd, we're off to see the wizard...the wonderful wizard of Oz!!! And maybe shoot some Clones along the way.....Joshua and Fidel were Jango Fett and Boba Fett this year. I really, really tried to get Joshua to join our Wizard of Oz theme, but he'd have none of it! =) So, Anna and I chose our daughters costumes....=) Anna makes a great Dorothy (could it be because her name is Maryanna Dorothy Ramirez??) And Leyena is a spitting image of her mother....so we had 2 cute Dorothy's. So I chose to be Glinda....the blonde hair fit, as did the personality I am told....What does that mean anyway? =) Dad was kind enough to be our Scarecrow and Noah got the role of the Cowardly Lion. It was a hit at their church Fall Festival. We got a lot of looks and many took pictures. It was fun!

So that is our weekend or 2. The kids are doing very well in school. We had parent conferences on Friday...Joshua is pretty much an A student....although his handwriting is terrible. I have designed an incentive for him to do better. He has never been a fan of handwriting practice (he used to balk about it in kinder when I homeschooled him). So I gave him a handwriting book and said when it's completed, I will buy him a treat. His choice. It will probably be another Lego kit...but at least he's half way motivated to work on his handwriting!!

Speaking of motivation....ha ha. Fidel introduced the kids to the Candy Fairy tonight. What is the Candy Fairy you ask? Well, the Candy Fairy comes every year on Halloween night. She's very similar to the Tooth Fairy. Except, instead of teeth, she likes Candy. So, you take your loot of candy from Fall Festivals and Trick or Treating and you count out about 10 of you favorite candies that you want to keep. Then you place the rest in a bag and leave it on the fireplace for the Candy Fairy. When you are sleeping, she comes and takes your candy but leaves you money for it. Pretty cool, huh? Which means, the kids get candy, yet not so much it's driving you nuts. And they get a little spending money as well. Joshua and Bekah LOVED this idea. I wonder how much she pays for candy?? I guess we will find out tonight! And by the way....anyway wants some candy? =)

Well, I am done for now....it's been a fun, but long day!!

Good night! God bless!

At home with a sick 5 year old

It seems that my opportunties to actually sit down and blog are few and far between. I am at home today withg a sick 5 year old. She was a little cranky this morning. I couldn't figure out why...she got up on her own. I didn't have to wake her up for school. So she was fussing and I was getting irritated that she was whining...aarrgh. I started to brush her hair to get her ready for school when I touched her forehead. She was warm...hhhmm. Sure enough, fever. When I told her to go put her pjs on, she seemed to brighten a little. Hmmm, again! lol. She loves to watch cartoons all day!
So here I sit, watching "Dragon Tails" with my baby girl. She said we can cuddle. I love cuddles! =)
Josh was not so happy when he found out he was going to school....alone. In fact, his exact words were, "That's not fair! I don't want to go to school by myself. That's not fair!' He wanted to know how his sister got the fever.....cause it's not fair she has a fever and gets to stay home. LOL! Kids are so funny!
Work is good. Busy, but good.
Well, my little one calls, hopefully I'll publish another one of these sooner than later.!

A Disappointed 5 year old

Tonight was an exciting night for my daughter....she was going to try out a ballet class for the first time. I say try it out, but the truth is she is so stinking excited I believe that I will be signing her up after the initial class. She has talked about it a lot since we got her some shoes. Truth is...I think she likes ballet cause Barbie does a lot of ballet in her movies. Whenever she watches a Barbie movie, she will get up and dance around. It's cute. Ok, so back to my story. I get her dressed and up there....to find out the class has been cancelled. That's another story...but my daughter is not happy. She proceeds to throw her leotard dressed self onto the floor and loudly protest the cancellation. The owner felt terrible when I told him she was trying it out for the first time. Rebekah proceeded to throw a hissy. lol I had to finally tell her to put her shoes on or get a spanking. She put the shoes on.
Poor thing, it was downhill from there. She began to loudly cry and claim that her brother was ruining her life (as he was gladly proclaiming he was glad there was no class cause he didn't like girl stuff...it was ugly). Then she began to cry that she wanted to go see Grandpa Paul and that he hadn't come to eat lunch with her. And then she cried that there wasn't class. Needless to say...she was pretty much drama. I consoled her and tried to comfort her...but she would not be consoled. I began to sense that she was a little over the top and it seemed that a nap was in order. I told her that she would need to lay down at home if she continued to cry....she continued to cry as we got home. She then proceeded to prove me wrong about being over the top before....because what she began to do after that was hilariously dramatic and so not funny!! She went to my bed and cried and cried and cried and I could have swore that my 5 year old walked in that room but a 15 year old layed in that bed. It was soo funny! She was crying as if her world had ended and saying who knows what and laying this way and that way on the bed. So, 10 min. passes...I hear a break in teh crying (which is what I was waiting for so that I could go and get her and she could get up) and I hear her coming to the kitchen. ok...this is all happening in like 10 sec...the crying stops and she's coming to the kitchen.....and I say, "Rebekah, I didn't come get you." But Mommy, I stopped crying. (mind you...it's only been a 10 sec pause in the dramatic dept.) I remind her again that I didn't come get her. She turned around and began the waterworks. I chuckled and my heart broke at the same time. I waited about 5 more min. and went in to her....the sight of my 5 year old daughter, dressed in leotard and tights, hair in a bun with red rimmed watery eyes and the most saddest look ever just broke my heart!!!! I picked her up and we just sat together for awhile. When I figured she was calm and better, I asked her to go take a shower. Needless to say, while in the shower, I could hear her crying again!! and saying who knows what! lol. After she ate she has been much better. Who knows why all the tears and drama lasted as long as it did!!

So, that is a long, sad story. But a few thoughts come to mind. She's only 5!! and the display I saw today seemed to be a glimpse into her teenage years!! Yikes! And watching her and listening her reminded me of someone I once knew...someone who looked a lot like me and was about 16 years younger...........=)
I couldn't help but smile.

Ahh, parenting..such an adventure. Gotta love the ride!

Trip to Temple

Here are some of the pics from this weekend in Temple. After dinner Friday night, we put the kids down and I stayed at the house so that Philip and Anna could go out. I am sorry this pic is blurry but I love it....They went to the movies on the motorcycle. So, here's Philip and his biker chick. ;)
On Saturday, we went to the train station and climbed on a few trains. It was fun. The kids got to ring a bell and everything. The locomotive was SO BIG!!

This was a nice gazebo at the train station. I thought I would snap couple of pics near it.

Aaawwww!

Josh on the train. He's a big fan of Thomas the Tank engine...he has collected a few of the trains.

Anna and Noah standing at the foot of the train....wow...that is a really big wheel!

The gazebo again. This was one of like 3 shots....couldn't get everyone to look at the same time. By now, Noah was tired of taking pics for his Tia Sara. Oh well. =)

Rebekah is sooo cute. I try to fix her hair and make it cute...but she's 5 and is more interested in playing than whether or not her hair stays cute....which is a good thing I guess. I don't want her to be vain...lol

Noah was looking up at Anna I think.

Leyena is very photogenic. She picked this flower before we could tell her not to pick the flowers. Might as well use it for a cute pic....=)

And a picture of me. =)

Okay. So we're still at the train station place. And for $2 a person, you can get on these little carts that you pump to move...yes, you pay $2 a person to do all the work around this track. So Philip got on a cart with Josh and Rebekah and pumped them around. He said it was hard work!!

Anna got on a cart with Leyena. She said she burned a lot of calories. Leyena was helping. =)

So that's our trip to Temple. =) It was nice spending time with Philip. Now that he's at med school, we don't get to see him very much. He's about 2 hours away. Anna and Philip take turns commuting back and forth on the weekends to see each other....so we're praying for them. It's not easy...by far. But they are handling it with grace and so well. But I know it's hard. Philip can be very entertaining....so I miss having him around all the time. I pray these next 4 years and more pass quickly in that sense....

It's late!

Goodnight!!

I'm still alive...I know it's been awhile =)

Life stays busy since I am "back at work" full time. I say "back at work" cause you're always working....whether it's as a mom, dad, in the house, out of the house, room mom, whatever. I like my job...2nd grade bilingual. Truth is the bilingual is just a title...I get to teach in English--which I am far more comfortable doing (unless I am mad at them...then I can get on to them in Spanish and most of the others don't know what I'm saying ;) ). Anyway, I am enjoying it for the most part. It has it's ups and downs. The job is in that phase where a routine is getting established and I am finding the balance of really not bringing work home on the weekends if possible. That hasn't happened yet...but I do bring home less and less. Whew! Like there isn't enough to do as it is at home on the weekends...laundry, chores, errands, Six Flags, church, fun stuff! =)

So I got new do! I decided to cut my hair. Here's the before...

And here's the after...... My mom did it. I like it.

Josh and Rebekah have adjusted to a new school year. Although, Bekah does ask just about every night, "Mommy, do we have school tomorrow?" She's not a big fan of getting up in the morning....but once she's there she does fine. She once told me, "Mommy, we do too much work at school!" Lol, poor kid...she's only in kinder (all day kinder)....it only gets harder from here. ;)

The kids and I headed to Temple for the weekend. It was fun! I will post the pics that I took. I got some good ones I think.

I'll continue in a while...

Friday night fun

It's Friday night. Rebekah managed to spend the night with her best friend makenna. Josh and I are watching Batman (translated....Josh is watching Batman, mommy is on the internet. =) ) The kids just finished 2 weeks of school (3.5 weeks for me). I have to say that I actually enjoy the teaching. ) it's nice. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely tired by the end of the day!! Whew, and it's not a picnic juggling my job, my children, and my house. but it's manageable. =) It will be even better when I actually get my first paycheck at the end of the month. ;) those are always nice!!

Josh continues to lose teeth. He's lost like 5 or 6!! The tooth fairy is gonna have to take up a 2nd job if he keeps it up!!! =) He lost another tooth yesterday. I didn't evn know that one was loose!!!! Sheesh!! =) He's so cute though!

Rebekah likes school....until it's time to get up each morning. then she wants to know if we have to go to school that day. Sheesh!! Once there, she's fine. She likes to socialize. =) It's fun dressing her every morning in her uniform. I accessorize with bows. She's sooo cccuuuutttee! ;)

I am doing well myself. Like I said earlier. Fidel continues to be really helpful. he's over often, helping around the house (without being asked to!!) and asking for nothing in return. We talk often and just enjoy spending time together as a family. Neither of us is ready to move in together....I am in no hurry and I'm not sure I want to. And he isn't either. He's done a lot of hurtful things in the past and well....it takes time. He seems genuine...but he has before also. So, I am content to be separated and take it slow. Time has a way of showing all things....and it's been 3 months of seeing some change in him. And truth be told, I've changed as well. I think for the better. I'm stronger, calmer, more grounded. I would even say more grown up. that being said....life isn't over and as long as I'm here on earth....I will never be done growing, maturing, learning. Etc. Life is funny that way. The older I get, the less I seem to know and teh more I have to learn. It's nice that fidel does want to help take care of the kids and help provide and be a friend and all. But for me, it's also nice to know that whether he stays this course or goes retarded again...I'll be ok. Sad, yes, but ok. For my life and well-being doesn't depend on another human being. it depends on God. which is where it should have been all along. But I think i already mentioned that I am still learning and will always be learning. hey, somethings are harder to learn than others! ;)

On another note, I found out yesterday that I will be an aunt again!!!! Ben and Kathy are pregnant with their first!! Woo hoo!!! That's my brother in law and sis in law. I'm so excited! the Ramirez family is growing yet again! Now we will all have kids on that side of the family. Wow!! We need to get a bigger table for our family nights!! =) They are due in May which is perfect cause she's a teacher. So, another reason for me to do the happy dance!! Josh and Bekah are excited...they love cousins!!

Well, it's late. i pray you are well, blessed, and that you find peace in the arms of God. ;)

God bless!

A tribute to My Parents

Okay, so I've been wanting to post pics for awhile with my parents in them...but I had been asked not to so as to not spoil their surprise for family members....they've been losing lots of weight. So now that they are seeing family this weekend (I'm jealous....I want to go to AZ!!) I can now post all the pics I was careful to leave out before. So here is a blog just for them. I am proud of them....the healthier, newer, skinnier...Mom and Dad!!

This was when my Aunt Kim was in town. About a month ago. =)

This was around the same time...I think this is a cute picture with my dad!!!

Another cute pic of my dad and me....this was the 4rth of July. =)

This was the first day of school 2 weeks ago. I wrote earlier that my dad had showed up to be a part.....here he is with the kids. Thanks again, Dad for coming that day!!!!

So Dad's eyes are closed....but that's ok. =)

And that's my post. =) Enjoy AZ!!! Love ya

First Day of School

So Monday was the first day of school. Josh started 2nd grade and Rebekah started Kindergarten. (sniff sniff) I no longer have any children at home....both are now in school. Time has continued to march on....against my will at times.

Fidel surprised us that morning by arriving early to see the kids off to school. My dad also came since it was Rebekah's first day. When Josh first started school (pre-k) he came to see him off. he did the same for Rebekah. here is a pic of Del and the kids. They were excited about school and excited to see him.

This is all of us. It was also my first day with my new class.

Bekah with Papa Todd's hat! she was so cute!!!

sigh. yes, in kindergarten. I must admit. I didn't cry at first...but only because I was distracted with being at work myself. However....I did choke up when I saw her with her class a little while later.

Josh lined up outside with his class. he wasn't so sure about school. he really liked it when I homeschooled him in kinder and sometimes tells me "I just want to do school at home with you, Mommy." lol....

Del took more pics for me since I was technically supposed to be working and not just hovering over my babies. I thought this pic was funny because Josh is yawning. lol...a little too early for him? Here he is walking into the building with his classmates.

And here Josh is in his class room. The classes are set up in pods. So, since Josh is in 2nd grade and I teach 2nd grade, we are in the same pod..he's just 2 doors down. (well, technically there aren't doors, but you get what I mean.)

This is Rebekah's teacher, Ms. King. As soon as Bekah saw her and Del told her that was her teacher, Bekah walked right up to her and gave her a hug! Her is Bekah yawning in line!!

And so begins another school year for us. I like having the kids near by (however after school trying to get work done with them in the room with me is not an easy thing at times.) But I wouldn't have it any other way! it's great cause we go as a family and leave as a family. I have 18 students in my class so far. I am crossing my fingers I have a small class. We will see. My class is so well behaved...I am praying that it doesn't wear off too much!!!!!!! And all the teachers out there say "amen" with me. lol

God bless and goodnight!

Rebekah has a slumber party...

Since Rebekah was turning 5, we decided to let her have a slumber party. She got to invite 4 friends. She loves to have her toe nails painted so I offered to paint them. she asked for a spa pedicure!! lol...it tickles her feet.

Makenna was next in the foot spa. AAAhhhh, that feels good after a long day of playing.

Kaylin also wanted to have a turn in the foot spa.

While we were painting nails and taking turns in the foot spa (we being the lil ones), Jadyn showed up. I HAD to take a picture....she looked so cute and diva in her sunglasses. She was ready to hang with the girls.

So, Anna was dropping off Leyena and stayed for awhile. Noah doesn't let anything get in his way when he wants to try something out....so he wanted his turn in the foot spa. Which was funny...cause he only sat there for a minute.....

Before he decided it was more fun to try and SIT in the water!!! lol he got his shorts all wet. It was funny!!! Anna didn't think so! Well, maybe a little!

Before Noah left with his mommy, he got a hold of some of Josh's laundry...well...not quite sure what to do with these. And if you don't know...well you make it up!....

So he put them on his head!!!!! lol

My dad was a cool papa cause he brought over a bounce house for the kids to play in. Well, everyone was stinky so what's more fun than a bubble bath in the jacuzzi tub!! We loaded the girls in and they loved it!!

Makenna was the last one out. I think she was just glad to have it ALL to herself. She looks adorable here!!

I tried to get a group picture. My friend Vi dropped off her oldest, Stephanie (far left) and her 2 younger ones got to hang with us for awhile too. It was fun. So, here are the girls, clean from their bath, and in their pjs!

After that it was movie night! Movie choice of the night? Barbie of course!

Eli was asleep and Shannon was holding him. I thought this was a sweet pic.

Okay, so we made little beds in Bekah's room for all the girls. it was lights out at 10:30. this is right after I read a story and kissed each one goodnight.

Now you would think that after they painted nails, jumped in a bounce house, took a bath, watched a movie, ate popcorn and layed down at 10:30 that they would be READY to sleep. nnnnooooooo!!!! they stayed awake until after 12am!!!!! We finally had to say go to sleep or we'll separate you!! lol They went to sleep.

Then you would think that after sleeping so late, they would sleep in. Nope....up at 7:30. Ugh! lol

Bekah had a great time! And so did I. I hope it's something she remembers for a long time. =)