What's happening with ETBVJK!

UPDATES..........FINALLY.........

2009-02-07T20:25:00.000-08:00

WELL.....WELL.....WELL... IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE UPDATING. HOPE ALL ARE DOING WELL. I AM STILL SETTLING INTO OUR NEW HOUSE AND ROUTINE . GETTING USED TO EVRYTHING HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE BUT I AM STILL ALIVE AND STILL HERE. aNYWAYS HERE ARE SOME RECENT PICS OF WHATS BEEN GOING ON WITH THE KIDDIES AND SUCH......I WILL WRITE MORE LATER!!!!!!!!

KAYLEE POSIN FOR A PIC

JEREMY ON THE PHONE
KAY AS HANNAH MONTANA

NESSA WITH FRIEND, CAROL

ME AND CARY AT GIRLS NIGHT OUT KARAOKE

BABY MAILE

SANTAN CAME 2008

GRANDMA WITH KIDDIES

THE KIDS!!!!!!!!!!

JEREMY, KAY AND CHRIS..........

CLYDE WAYNE.....

2008-10-01T22:46:00.000-07:00

CLYDE WAYNE

12-17-93 ~ 09-29-08

WELL, WE FINALLY HAD TO SEND CYLDE TO DOGGIE HEAVEN THIS LAST MONDAY. IT WAS AND STILL IS JUST TERRIBLE. MELISSA IS IN MOURNING REALLY BAD AND WE STILL CAN'T BELIEVE HE IS ACTUALLY GONE. HE LIVED A VERY HAPPY AND LONG LIFE. CLYDE WOULD HAVE BEEN 16 YEARS OLD IN DECEMBER. WHICH MAKES HIM 105 RIGHT NOW IN HUMAN YEARS! HIS MOUTH CANCER GOT REALLY BAD AND MELISSA KNEW THAT SHE HAD NO CHOICE, AND EVEN THOUGH HE SEEMED SO HAPPY, WE KNEW IT WAS GETTING BAD AND THAT IT WAS TIME. IT IS GOING TO BE REAL HARD AROUND HERE FOR A WHILE, I'M SURE, AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET HIM. HE HAS BEEN PART OF OUR FAMILY FOR ALMOST 16 YEARS..... WE WILL BE PICKING UP HIS ASHES THIS WEEK AS WELL. (IF ANY OF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SENDING MELISSA A CARD, (WHICH I KNOW SHE WOULD ENJOY.....SHE COULD REALLY USE SOME EXTRA ENCOURAGEMENT....... PLEASE DO SO) 5470 PEACOCK LANE, RIV, CA 92505......

ONE OF THE LAST PICS I TOOK OF CLYDE WITH THE KIDS......

CHRIS, KAYLEE, JEREMY, MAILE, AND CLYDE.....

THE NIGHT BEFORE WE TOOK CLYDE IN.....WE LET HIM HAVE ICE CREAM AND HERSHEY BARS AND MARSHMELLOWS.....( ALTHOUGH HE COULD BARELY EAT) HERE'S JAMES, MELISSA, GRANDMA, CHRIS AND JOSH.....

BABY AS ARRIVED!!!!!

2008-08-08T14:51:00.000-07:00

WELL.... HERE'S MELISSA AND JAMES' NEW BABY GIRL! SHE WAS BORN 08-08-08 AT 08:50 AM! (MOM'S NOT SURE ON THE SPELLING OF HER NAME SO I'LL GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT LATER!) MOM AND BABY ARE DOING GREAT! MELISSA HAD A SCHEDULED C-SECTION THIS MORNING AND HAD A BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL! SHE WAS 7 LBS 0.5 OZ AND WAS 18 1/2 INCHES LONG. (TINY COMPARED TO CHRIS', WHO WAS 10 LB 6 OZ. BUT STILL A VERY NORMAL BIRTH WEIGHT) I TOOK BIG BROTHER CHRISTOPHER DOWN TO SEE HIS MAMA THIS MORNING AT 7:30 AND THEN WE WAITED TO SEE HIS NEW BABY SISTER. HE WAS SO EXCITED AS WERE WE! MY MOM, BETH AND BECCA WERE ALL THERE WAITING TO SEE OUR FAMILIES NEW BUNDLE OF JOY! I BROUGHT CHRIS HOME A LITTLE BIT AGO (HE WAS GETTING TIRED AND READY TO COME HOME FOR A WHILE AND MOM NEEDED SOME REST) SO HERE ARE SOME OF HER FIRST PHOTOS!

MELISSA GETTING READY TO GO INTO THE OR....

HERE COMES PROUD NEW DADDY WITH THE BABY!

AWE.... I GET TO SNAP A QUICK PIC BEFORE THEY TAKE HER INTO THE NURSEY! GETTING ALL CLEANED UP AND STUFF.......

ISN'T SHE ADORABLE!

SHE'S AWAKE! WHAT IS GOING ON??? WHERE AM I???

AND HERE'S MOM, DAD, BIG BROTHER CHRIS AND BABY SISTER!

some updates on some summer events.......

2008-07-03T23:50:00.000-07:00

well..... i have been so busy with the big move and all, i have not even updated my blog for almost 2 months..... you don't realize all the crap you have til you have to pack and move it, huh? anyways, we are settling in and getting used to the new place. the kids are loving the pool and our summer parties have already begun. we had james' mom, phyllis' b-day bbq and a fathers day bbq, then we had vanessa's graduation party...... and jeremy's 10th b-day party is this sat. next sat is chris' 4th b-day party and then, melissa's baby shower is the 26th, (and becca's 20th b-day) i think we get a break in between the baby shower and kaylee's 7th b-day party in aug (don't have a date for that yet) whew...... does it ever end????? before i know it, it will be Christmas time again............well, i am exhausted, but did put some new pics on here for ya'll. ENJOY! AND HAVE A FUN AND SAFE 4TH OF JULY!!!!!!!!!

THE KIDDIES ENJOYING THE POOL IN THEIR BOAT

JEREMY GETTING PERFECT ATTENDANCE AWARD!

VANESSA, ME AND KAYLEE AFTER GRADUATION CEREMONIES.....

VANESSA GETTING TIRED OF ME TAKING PICS......

SMILE BIG MS. GRAD!!!!

BIG SIS, BECCA AND NESSA AT GRADUATION.....

CHRIS' GRANDMA PHYLLIS' B-DAY BBQ

CHRIS LICKING THE FROSTING BOWL!

FUN IN THE POOL!

Kaylee- Student Of The Month"

2008-05-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

some updates and a hello to everyone!!!!

2008-04-17T17:04:00.000-07:00

well, my poor baby broke her wrist in two places. both bones were called a 'buckle break' and she was in a temporary sling since it happened on wed. she finally got her cast on today, friday and she feels a bit better. she was playing in the front yard with the neighbor kids and jeremy and they were jumping off these sitting stools we have and she tried it and fell on her arm the wrong way. the past fews days have been, ugh, just miserable. wed night after taking her to the ER, she did not sleep at all and was in pain all night long. thurs I spent playing phone tag with doctors offices trying to get her referral from her primary doc for the orthopedic medical center. finally friday we went in and she got her full arm cast put on. it's PINK! of course. anyways, hope all are well and here are some updated pics.......

in her splint and not feeling to good.....

kaylee released over 1000 ladybugs last week into gardens and rose bushes. they have doing butterflies and stuf at school so i thought she'd enjoythis too. she loved it and guess what....there are no more aphids on our rose bushes!!!!

during spring break, i took the kiddies to lake perris. becca, jeremy, kaylee and jeremy's best friend donny went horseback riding for an hour then we went down to the lake and the kids cooled off in the lake and made sandcastles with vanessa!!! it was so hot too!

Easter Sunday, I cooked a prime rib (for the first time) and it was wonderful. everyone enjoyed it! the whole family came to our house with a dish and we had a big Easter egg hunt for the kids!

Kaylee Easter morning

Jeremy Easter morning...

March 6th is the anniversary of my brother, Seans death. The kids went with me and we decorated his grave and the kids blew a bunch a bubbles too. I can't believe it has been 12 years since he's been gone......

here's Chris at the park.....

and Kaylee at the park.....

new pics and a brief update........

2008-02-19T17:23:00.000-08:00

well, well, well....... I finally got my pc fixed. A big thank you to my friend TC, for fixing my computer!!! you are truly appreciated. anyhow.... here are some new pics of the kiddies and another big thank you to aunt heather for taking these beautiful pics and giving us the best offer in the world for these sheets. thank you! other than that, we are getting by and are working on what we're gonna do with our current house situation. will keep you all informed of our status in the future. american idol is on and i am going to watch it with eric and kaylee! love and miss ya'll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

new pics and updates...............

2008-02-08T23:39:00.000-08:00

MY 500TH POST AND LONG AWAITED UPDATES...........

2007-12-28T22:58:00.000-08:00

WELL WELL,,,, HERE I AM FINALLY UPDATING..... MY PC IS ON AND OFF AGAIN SO I AM TRYING TO UPDATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.... FIRST OFF..... I WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! WE ARE DOING ....OK.... AND STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO (OUR HOUSE SITUATION) BUT KIDS AND US ARE DOING FINE, OTHER THAN THAT! HERE ARE SOME PICS TO UPDATE YA'LL THROUGHT THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF OR SO, SINCE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO UPDAET!

KAYLEE AND I WENT TO DECORATE MY BROTHER, SEAN AND MY NANNY'S GRAVE ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND SHE ENJOYED IT JUST AS MUCH AS I DID..SHE TOOK HER LITTLE ACOUSTIC GUITAR AND SANG A A LITTLE SONG TO THEM.... IT WAS SO SWEET AND BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES.....

HERE'S MY SIS AND MY NEPHEW CHRIS OPENING GIFTS....

ERIC AND KAYLEE HANGIN OUT.............

JEREMY AND KAYLEE AT THE PLAZA IN FRONT OF THEIR DECORATED CHRITAMS TREE....

AND THEM WITH SANTA.............

KAYLEE WITH DILLON AND MY FRIENDS HOUSE FOR A B-DAY PARTY......

ME AND MY BF KELLI, BEING SILLY WITH BIG BALLOON BOOBIES!!!!!!!!!!!

Poor Rascal........

2007-11-06T22:55:00.000-08:00

this morning we found our blue parakeet, Rascal in the bottom of their cage. don't know what happened and the kids were upset. i got him out and we are gonna bury him next to Quicksilver (the kids old guinnea pig that died last year) in the back yard. i know that my yellow parakeet, lovebird, is lonely..... i haven't even heard her toady, like usual. she seems fine though, i checked her and covered her up for bed tonight.... but i can tell she is missing her buddy!

its all about karl..................

2007-11-05T21:39:00.000-08:00

well, karl got his grooming and he is so funny when we get home. he rolled and rolled around forever when we got home. i was real skeptical cause i had to take him to someone new. my usual groomers, i think are closing down cause i've been calling for over a week and leaving messages but no return phone call. that was the only one he's ever been too and hes pretty finicky. he is a total mommas boy and is under my feet 24 - 7. i found the most AWESOME lady thats not far from our house at all and she was great! she asked about him and i gave her the rundown and he did not give her any problem at all! she will be our new lady!!!! she is going to try and groom zoey (for the first time ever) on friday. she said small dogs are always worse and more nippy but she is good and i klnow she'll have no problem with her either. when i got there to pick up karl, he was just roaming around in the front oom of her little grooming house.... no cage and he was sssoooo happy to see me back to get him. he doesn't like car rides much and did not want to stay there when i dropped him of but less than two hours later, she called and he was ready. when we got home , he went crazy, just rollin and jumpin and all hiped up, i'm sure he felt so much better!!!! anywho..... here are some pics i snapped of him today!!!!!

9 TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY......

2007-10-28T15:34:00.000-07:00

ONCE AGAIN, WE HAD OUR ANNUAL HALLOWEEN AND BIRTHDAY BASH. ME AND MELISSA CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAYS WITH A BIG HALOWEEN PARTY! AND AGAIN IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS AND A LOT OF FUN! I WASN'T SURE IF WE WERE EVEN GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE IT THIS YEAR BUT WITH EXTRA HELP THIS YEAR, WE PULLED IT OFF AND EVERYONE HAD A BLAST. TH FIRST KEG WAS TAPPED BY 10 PM AND THE SECOND ONE IS DARN NEAR EMPTY! THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR PITCHING IN FUNDS TO KEEP THE KEG GOING! AND ERIC FOUND A NEW GAME, 'BEER PONG' AND THAT WAS A HUGE HIT EVERYONE WAS GETTING IN ON THE ACTION PLAYING THAT GAME! WE SAW SOME OLD FRIENDS THAT LIVE OUT OF TOWN THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN A LONG TIME AND THAT WAS AWESOME! AND OF COURSE WE HAD ALL OUR GOOD CLOSE FRIENDS HERE TOO! I AM SO GLAD THAT MY FRIEND KELLI GOT TO COME THIS YEAR! EVEN THOUGH SHE DIDN'T STAY AS LONG AS SHE WANTED TO DUE TO DUE TO HER BABYSITTING ARRANGEMENTS, AT LEAST SHE CAME FOR A WHILE! I WAS THE QUEEN OF HEARTS AND ERIC WAS THE KING (ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT KEEP HIS ON LONG AT ALL. IT WAS KINDA BULKY AND INTERFERED WITH HIS 'BEER PONGING' hehe (I HAD TO THINK CHEAP THIS YEAR AND FOR UNDER 20 BUCKS, I MADE OUR COSTUMES!) EVERYONE WAS DANCING AND GRUBBING ON THE NACHOS AND MEATBALLS, DIPS AND THE SPIKED PUNCH TOO! HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM OUR FUN NIGHT!

AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO CAME EARLY AND HELPED ME SET UP THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON EVERYTHING.... MELISSA, JAMES, JESSIE, JOSH AND DAVID...THANKS GUYS FOR YOUR HELP IN MAKING THIS YEARS BASH ANOTHER HIT!!!!

JAMES

MELISSA AS A PUNK-ROCKER!!!!

DAVID AND ME

JOSH AND BECCA- COWBOYED UP!!

MY GIRL, KELLI LIVIN OUT THE 80'S!

JUDI, ME AND KELLI! HAVING FUN!

GETTING THEIR GROOVE ON!

It's my favorite time of year.....FALL..........

2007-10-27T00:40:00.000-07:00

kaylee at the pumpkin patch

we went with my friend kelli and her two kids.....

jeremy did not want to go- i guess he thinks he's getting "too big" for things like this.... i dont know... he doesn't even want a costume........he says he gonna go trick or treat "as a kid".... what is this all about---- normal for a 9 year old boy ??????

me and Kaylee

the kids fell asleep with their dad

Kaylee with her Queen costume on. she went to the fall festival at one of our local parks with my sis, hubby and her cousin chris. they had fun at came home with prizes and goodies!!!!!

jeremy says.... "jeez, titi - this is just too much homework for me----this is how i found him when i went to check on him..... sound asleep.....

some updates...............

2007-10-17T20:14:00.000-07:00

last week I had Chris all week and we had fun! he enjoyed spending time with the kids and with aunt titi! here he is playing in the front yard~~~

jeremy got a little skateboard ramp today and he and his friends were out front trying to get the guts to actually try and go down it. Jeremy finally did and will perfect it, I'm sure. He always does like to perfect his new sports addiction......

a night at the roxbury...

2007-10-08T23:29:00.000-07:00

just some funny pics......

2007-10-08T17:52:00.001-07:00

here's Kaylee with her heartthrob, Zac Efron!!!!

and here she is on stage with the High School Musical Cast!!!!

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL ON ICE WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!!

2007-10-06T00:11:00.000-07:00

TONIGHT WAS HSM ON ICE TOUR AND KAYLEE WAS SO EXCITED. SHE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SINCE BEFORE HER BIRTHDAY IN AUG. (SHE GOT THE TICKETS FOR HER B-DAY) SHE WAS ABLE TO TAKE EMMALEE (THANK YOU HEATHER (AND IVAN FOR SWITCHING WEEKENDS W/HEATHER) THEY HAD SSSOOO MUCH FUN. IT WAS SO NEAT TO SEE THEM ENJOY SOMETHING SO MUCH AND WE EVEN GOT TO SEE PART OF THE REAL CAST WHO WAS WATCHING THE SHOW IN THE AUDIENCE. WE SAW ASHLEY TISDALE AND CORBIN BLUE AND MORE FROM THE ACTUAL CAST!!!! I WAS SCREAMING RIGHT ALONG WITH THE GIRLS!!! IT WAS GREAT!!! WE HIT MAJOR TRAFFIC GOING THERE. TYPICAL FOR A FRIDAY NIGHT AND ON ANY FREEWAY IN CA I GUESS, BUT COMING HOME WAS A BREEZE. ALL THE KIDS GOT HUGE HSM MEGAPHONES AT THE DOOR AND THEN K AND EMMY GOT THEIR OWN HSM PROGRAMS AND A HSM LOLLIPOP FOR SOUVINERS!!! WE HAD REALLY GOOD SEATS AND ERIC WAS EXCITED WHEN HE SAW ONE OF THE MAIN ACTORS FROM HIS FAVORITE SHOW, HEROES!!!! IT WAS REALLY NEAT AND I AM SO GLAD I BOUGHT THESE TICKETS WHEN THEY FIRST WENT ON SALE (ALMOST A YEAR AGO) IT WAS DEFINITLY WORTH THE WAIT!!!! HERE ARE SOME PICS ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT ALL GREAT CAUSE IT'S HARD TO GET GOOD PICS INSIDE A HUGE AND DARK STADIUM LIKE THE STAPLES CENTER!!! BUT HERE ARE SOME!!!!

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW HSM ONE OR TWO, YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THESE PICS BUT FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO LOVE HSM.... YOU WON'T HAVE ANY TROUBLE!!!! WE ABSOLUTLEY LOVED THE SHOW AND THE GIRLS HAD A BLAST!!!!!!!!

the wedding was beautiful.......

2007-09-17T22:44:00.000-07:00

(Kaylee-flower girl)

well, sat was heather and steves wedding and it was great!!!! everything went well and she is now officially Mrs. Cobb!!!! we had a lot of fun and i am so happy for them and wish them the best of luck!!!!! Here are some pics from her wonderful day!

(bride and grooms kiss)

(steve and heather during pictures)

(the big beautiful blended family!!!)

(emmalee and kaylee)

(eric, me and kaylee)

(kaylee)

IT'S OUR ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

2007-09-10T08:40:00.000-07:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US! IT'S BEEN 9 LONG AND WONDERFUL YEARS AND WE'RE STILL HERE!!! WITH ALL THE UPS AND DOWNS, WE MANAGE TO KEEP THE LOVE AND FAITH STRONG BETWEEN US! MAY'BE IT IS TIME TO MAKE IT REAL AND 'TIE THE KNOT'? WHAT DO YOU THINK?????

I LOVE YOU ERIC AND THANKS FOR 9 GREAT YEARS!!!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL........

2007-08-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

WELL, TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR MY KIDDIES. VANESSA STARTED THE BIG 12THE GRADE. HER SENIOR YEAR. WOW, MY BABY IS A SENIOR ALREADY! SHE LOOKED SO CUTE TOO! JEREMY IS IN 4TH NOW AND IS IN THE GATE PROGRAM STILL. HIS TEACHER SEEMED VERY NICE AND HE WILL START GETTING ACTUAL LETTER GRADES THIS YEAR. I GUESS 4TH GRADE IS THE BIG TEST, HUH? E LOOKED SO 'COOL' IN HIS DICKIES OUTFIT FORM AUNT HEATHER! AND KAYLEE STARTED 1ST. SHE WAS IN SCHOOL ALL DAY TODAY AND SHE SAID SHE LOVED IT!!! HER TEACHER IS VERY COOL! HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM THIS AM BEFORE WE LEFT FOR SCHOOL!!!

just a couple pics of my big first grader K....

2007-08-23T20:51:00.000-07:00

hot tamales....

2007-08-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

is he gorgeous or what?????????

THE COUNTDOWN..................

2007-08-17T15:43:00.000-07:00

ANYONE ELSE COUNTING DOWN THE WORLD PREMIERE OF 'HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2'? WE ARE IN OUR HOUSE, LET ME TELL YA!!!! KAYLEE IS SO EXCITED, SHE HAS BEEN COUNTING DOWN OR MONTHS NOW AND THE TIME IS NOW ALMOST HERE.... 1 HOUR AND 15 MINUTES TIL THE FIRST SHOWING HERE IN CA AT 5PM ON ONE OF THE DISNEY CHANNELS, THEN AGAIN AT 8PM ON THE OTHER DISNEY CHANNEL..... WE ARE RECORDING IT AND CANNOT WAIT! I AM EXCITED TOO! WE HAVE BEEN HUGE FANS SINCE BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 1 PREMIERED LAST SUMMER. WE COUNTED DOWN THEN TOO AND HELD A LITTLE PARTY! WELL, IT IS THAT TIME AGAIN! WHAT TIME IS IT? YEP, SUMMERTIME!!!!

ANYWHO, LET'S SEE IF THIS ONE IS AS GOOD AS THE FIRST! I'M SURE IT WILL BE!!! HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!!!!!

PARTY AND UPDATES.....

2007-08-11T23:04:00.000-07:00

THE KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTY WAS GREAT!!!! THANKS AGAIN NANA AND PAPA FOR EVERYTHING! WE ALL HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME! I COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU! AND WHEN JEREMY OPENED HIS GUITAR.... I GOT TEARS IN MY EYES WATCHING HIS REACTION. SO DID MY MOM AND SISTER! THAT WAS SO COOL. IT ASOLUTELY MADE HIS DAY! HE DIDNT EVEN FINISHED UNWRAPPING IT...HE JUMPED UP AND GAVE NANA AND PAPA THE BIGGEST HUG I'D EVER SEEN THEN WENT BACK TO FINISH UNWRAPPING IT!!! AND KAYLEE LOVES HER NEW BEDDING SET, SHE WANTED ME TO SET IT ALL UP TONIGHT, BUT I TALKED HER INTO WAITING TIL TOMORROW, WE JUST GOT HOME AND IT'S 11:30...... I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR COMING AND FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL GIFTS THEY GOT TODAY! THEY ARE JUST ABOUT READY TO START SCHOOL AND THAT MAKES ME SO HAPPY! THEY GOT NEW BACKPACKS FILLED WITH ALL THE NEEDED SCHOOL SUPPLIES, I THINK ABOUT 3 OUTFITS EACH, ( I STILL NEED TO GO THROUGH EVERYTHING AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WHAT, THAT WILL BE TOMORROW TOO) BY THE TIME WE GOT HOME, THEY WERE BOTH ASLEEP, BUT WOKE UP WHEN WE GOT HOME, JEREMY IS STILL UP RIGHT NOW WATCHING THE DVD GUITAR LESSON VIDEO THAT CAME WITH HIS GUITAR SITTING HERE IN THE FAMILY ROOM WITH ME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT SOME STUFF! HE IS SO EXCITED AND LOOKS REALLY COOL TOO! KAYLEE IS IN BED WITH HER EW HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL PILLOW AND SOFT BLANKET WATCHING DISNEY CHANNEL IN MY ROOM READY TO FALL BACK ASLEEP. I'M SURE. ERIC AND THEIR DAD, JOSH ARE IN THE KIDS ROOM PLAYING GOLF ON PS2. THEY HAVE BEEN CHALLENGING EACH OTHER ON THIS DUMB GAME NOW FOR OVER A WEEK. I GUESS WHATEVER MAKE THEM HAPPY, HUH!!!! ANY WAYS HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM OUR DAY AND A COUPLE MORE.... THANKS AGAIN NANA AND PAPA AND TO EVERYONE WHO CAME! WE LOVE YA'LL!

THE PARTY PLACE- (PAPA AND NANA'S BACKYARD)

THE WATERFALL INTO THE POOL

MY GOOD FRIENDS, DILSIA AND AARON

KAYLEE JUMPING IN THE WATER

VAL- YOU LOOK SEXY GIRLIE!!!

OK THE GUYS ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND.... THEY ARE TRYING TO THROW ERIC INTO THE POOL.......

YEP! ERIC IS NOW IN THE POOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LETS HAVE SOME ICE CREAM CAKE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY J AND K!!!!!!!!!!

JEREMY OPENING HIS GUITAR...... LOOK AT THAT FACIAL EXPRESSION!!!!

KAYLEE RIDING THE POOL JETSKI TOY!!!!!

HI MOMMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE GUYS HANGING OUT TOWARD THE END OF PARTY!!!!!!!

PIC OF ZOEY FROM THE OTHER DAY DRESSED UP AS A BALLERINA PUP!~!

KAYLEE AFTER WE PLAYED WITH MAKE UP... GOSH, SHE LOOKS SO MUCH OLDER AND SO PRETTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WELL, THE KIDS PARTY WAS GREAT! THANKS AGAIN NANA AND PAPA FOR EVERYTHING

We're Having a Birthday Party.....

2007-08-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Papa and Nana, I'm going to be able to have the kids party this Sat. Jeremy's already 9, (July) and Kaylee will be 6 the end of this month so we are having a combined pool party. They are going to help pay for the food and stuff which I cannot do now that I am jobless. My mom is going to get the nacho stuff so that will help too! I'm asking for clothes for them too for school cause I only have about 3 new school outfits each, but have no shoes, socks or chonies yet though. I know they'll get some toys so some clothes will be nice too! (Is that wrong of me or what) It's not like they don't like new clothes cause they both do!! I know everything will work out someday so I just keep my head up day by day. What else can I do.... I have my resume out there and am hoping to land something soon. I just wonder, ya know I think about all the stuff Eric and I have done over so many years for everyone else, our families, providing a wonderful home for J and K and just a whole lot of stuff and we just never see anything come back. I guess good things come to those who wait??? Anyhow, hope all is well and we'll talk at ya'll later.....

a day at the beach......and then some

2007-08-04T22:16:00.000-07:00

things are really bad at work and i escaped today to the beach with my sis, nephew, chris and J----K was at E's mom's in hemet visiting...... i will keep ya'll updated, but as of now, things look pretty bad about my JOB... (looks likeI'm losing my job) I don't know what I'm gonna do at this point.......but i also know that i cannot dwell on it either... maybe things do happen for a reason.....Please keep me and my family in your prayers cause this is what I am doing at this point.... Thank you.....

J really had a great time boogy boarding for the first time with a board. I was a bit scared at first and then realized how much fun he was having and just kept my eyes on him to make sure he was safe!!!! He did so good and had so much fun......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY'S ARE IN ORDER!!!!!!

2007-07-29T00:58:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECCA!!!!!!

MY BABY GIRL IS NOW 19 YEARS OLD.!! SHE IS DOING VERY WELL IN HER NEW APT AND SEEMS TO BE LOVING IT. I DO MISS HER VERY MUCH BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, I AM SO PROUD OF HER TOO. IT'S A BITTERSWEET FEELING. SHE HAD FRIENDS OVER TO HER APT THURS FOR HER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND I HAD A REALLY BAD HEADACHE, SO I WAS NOT FEELING GOOD AT ALL. ERIC AND I DID STOP BY, BUT NOT FOR VERY LONG.... IT WAS PROBABLY BETTER ANYHOW, SINCE IT WAS A BUNCH OF TEEN AGERS AND SUCH. PLUS I WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN, I COULDN'Y HARDLY STAND IT..... I WENT TO DR ON FRIDAY AND GOT A SHOT AND THEY PUT ME ON OXYGEN IN A DARK ROOM FOR 30 MINUTES TO HELP THE PAIN. SO FAR, SO GOOD. DON'T QUITE KNOW IF THIS WAS AN ACTUAL MIGRAINE, BUT IT WAS A 3 DAY LONG BAD HEADACHE... PROBABLY STRESS RELATED..... I DON'T KNOW.... I TOLD HER I WILL MAKE IT UP TO HER AND HER AND I WILL GO TO LUNCH OR DINNER TO CELEBRATE. HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM HER BIG NIGHT....

CHRISTOPHER, MY NEPHEW, CELEBRATED HIS 3RD THIS LAST SATURDAY AND WE ALL HAD FUN. HE HAD A BIG POOL PARTY WITH LOTS OF GOOD FOOD AND GIFTS AND FUN!!!!!!!!!!! HE WAS SO INTO EVERYTHING THIS YEAR WHERE AS LAST YEAR HE WAS STILL A BIT SHY! HE HAD AN ABSOLUTE BALL JUST WATCHING EVERYONE SWIM AND SWIMMING HIMSELF, THEN OPENING PRESENTS..... WELL- HE STARTED THROWING THE NEW CLOTHES TO THE SIDE AND ONLY WANTING THE TOYS, OF COURSE!!!! BUT HE HAD LOTS OF FUN!! IT TURNED OUT GREAT!!!! HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM OUR BUSY DAY. (MY MOM, GRANDMA IS BELOW HIDING IN THE POOL TOYS TOO!)

JUST SOME UPDATES---FINALLY......

2007-07-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

HOPE EVERYONE IS DOING GOOD! WE FINALLY GOT DSL ON OUR STREET- CAN YOU BELIEVE IT--- NO MORE DIAL UP! OF COURSE, AS SOON AS WE HEARD THAT HIGH SPPED WAS AVAILABLE MY COMPUTER TOOK A DUMP..... CAN'T EVEN GET IT TO TURN ON.... I AM SO PISSED ALL MY PICS ARE ON THERE... SO I FINALLY HOOKED UP THE COMPUTER I GOT FROM DAVID. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WERE SOME SORT OF SIGN FROM HIM OR WHAT, BUT EXACTLY ONE YEAR AFTER HE PASSED MY COMPUTER STOPS WORKING AND I HOOK UP HIS THAT HE HAD AT HIS PLACE.... WEIRD, HUH? THIS COMPUTER IS ALOT BETTER THAN MINE ACTUALLY, I JUST HADN'T HAD ALL THE TIME TO TRANSFER ALL MY STUFF ONTO THIS ONE. GUESS I'LL HAVE TO NOW IF I CAN GET INTO MY OLD ONE..... OH WELL! AT LEAST I HAVE ONE! I DON'T THINK I COULD BE WITHOUT ONE THESE DAYS! KNOW WHAT I MEAN????? WELL HERE ARE SOME PICS OF, WELL JUST SOME PICS TO GET YA'LL A LITTLE CAUGHT UP. I WILL UPDATE MORE LATER- WE HAVE 2 BIRTHDAY PARTIES ON SUN- DON'T THINK WE CAN MAKE IT TO BOTH BUT WE'LL SEE...... WE ARE IN THE HOPFUL FINAL STEPS OF OUR RE-FI - WE GOT SCREWED BY THE LAST GUY WHO WAS DOING IT AND I PAID FOR THE APPRAISAL AND EVERYTHING AND THEY WON'T EVEN GIVE ME THE RESULTS OR CALL US BACK TO GET A COPY OF IT. SO WE AD TO DO IT AGAIN..... I HAVE BEEN SO STRESSED OUT ON THIS WHOLE MESS, I CANNOT WAIT TIL IT'S DONE..... I ALSO WANT TO THANK PENNY AND JAY FOR HELPING ME OUT!!!! I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT YOU GUYS!!! I LOVE YA! ANYHOW-- ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!!! IT IS FRIDAY!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LEXI AND KARL!!!!!

K WENT ON A FIELDTRIP TUES TO AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC WITH DAYCARE-THIS IS WHAT SHE CAME HOME WITH! A BIG STING-RAY...SHE HAD LOTS OF FUN!!!

ZOEY

JOSH & JEREMY

JEREMY WITH ZOEY

ZOEY

EMMALEE AND KAYLEE

E, K AND J

HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM MY GOOD FRIENDS WEDDING I WENT TO ON 07-07-07!!. IT WAS SO NICE, RIGHT ON THE BEACH DOWN IN LAGUNA! VERY BEAUTIFUL AND THE RECEPTION WAS GREAT!!! CONGRATULATIONS JERRY & HEATHER!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-06-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

TO MY BIG BABY GIRL, KAY FOR GRADUATING KINDERGARTEN! THE CEREMONY WAS VERY NICE AND ADORABLE! IT WAS A HAWAIIAN STYLE GRADUATION AND THEY WERE ALL DRESSED FOR A LUAU PARTY!!!! THEY SANG TO US AND RECEIVED A FLOWER LEI FROM THEIR TEACHER AND THEIR CERTIFICATE! SHE BROUGHT HOME HER BIG MEMORY BOOK THAT SHE HAS BEEN MAKING ALL YEAR LONG. IT IS SO CUTE! HERE SHE IS STANDING ALL PROUD AND HAPPY!!!

THANKS TO ALL THAT CAME TO SEE HER DURING HER BIG DAY, DADDY, UNCLE ERIC AND JAMES, AUNT MELISSA AND CHRISTOPHER!, I KNOW SHE REALLY LOVED SEEING ALL OF US THERE TO CELEBRATE! AFTERWARDS, CHRISTOPHER CAME OVER FOR A WHILE AND THE KIDDIES WENT SWIMMING AND HUNG OUT. THEN I MADE HER FAVORITE DINNER, BBQ RIBS, BEANS AND RICE! SHE CHOWED DOWN ON HER RIBS AND HAD A GREAT TIME!

WE HAVE A NEW ADDITION TO OUR "ALREADY LARGE ENOUGH FAMILY" A NEW PUPPY. SHE IS HALF LLASO APSO AND HALF YORKIE. (SHE WAS FREE AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER) SHE IS ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE AND THE KIDS LOVE HER TO DEATH. I DON'T HAVE TOO MANY GOOD PICS OF HER YET BUT BELIEVE ME, I WILL ! SHE HAS ADAPTED REALLY WELL IN JUST A LITTLE OVER ONE WEEK! IT'S LIKE HAVING A BABY IN THE HOUSE, CAUSE SHE IS SO DARN SMALL AND I HAVE TO MAKE SURE SHE GETS HER PUPPY FOOD TWICE A DAY INSTEAD OF GETTING INTO LEXI AND KARLS FOOD. LEXI AND KARL HAVE BEEN SO GOOD WELCOMING HER INTO OUR HOME! THEY ARE BEING A VERY GOOD BIG BROTHER AND SISTER TO HER!

OTHER THEN THAT, I'M TRYING TO ONCE AGAIN, FIGURE OUT SOME VERY CHEAP THINGS TO DO BEFORE I GO BACK TO WORK. I JUST WISH THAT I COULD BOOK A ROOM AND TAKE THE KIDS SOMEWHERE BEFORE I GO BACK TO WORK ON THE 5TH. BUT BECAUSE MONEY IS SO TIGHT RIGHT NOW, I DON'T THING WE'LL BE DOING MUCH AT ALL. WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR THIS DARN LOAN TO GO THROUGH AND FINALIZE IN ORDER TO SEE IF OUR REFINANCE IS GONNA GO THROUGH. FIRST THINGS FIRST, I GUESS. WE MUST HAVE A HOME TO LIVE IN BEFORE WE HAVE ANY EXTRA FUN, RIGHT? ANYWHO.... HOPE ALL IS GOING WELL SO FAR THIS SUMMER!!!!

I AM DOG SITTING THIS WEEKEND SO I WONT BE DOING ANYTHING THIS WEEKEND BUT HOPEFULLY WANT TO PLAN FOR THIS NEXT WEEEK AND WEEKEND!!!!!

AND IF YA'LL HAVE ANY IDEAS ON CHEAP SUMMER FUN, LET ME KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!!

2007-06-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

I WANT TO WISH ALL THE DADS A BIG HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!! TO MY DAD, THE ONE I MISSED THE MOST TODAY, I LOVE AND MISS YOU SO MUCH. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN SEE HOW WELL YOUR KIDS ARE DOING THESE DAYS. WE TOOK FLOWERS TO YOUR GRAVESITE TODAY AND JOSH AND I TALKED OUT LOUD TO YOU, JOSH IS DOING SO GOOD, YOU WOULD BE SO PROUD OF HIM! WE LOVE AND MISS YOU SO MUCH!

TO MY HONEY ERIC, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE NOT THE BIOLOGICAL FATHER OF OUR KIDS, YOU ARE STILL A DAD IN MY EYES AND YOU ARE ONE AMAZING DAD!!! YOU HAVE STEPPED UP AND SUPPORTED ME AND THE KIDS IN A WAY THAT MANY FATHERS NEVER DO AND FOR THAT, I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL! THE KIDS LOVE AND CHERISH YOU AS IF YOU WERE THEIR DAD AND I HOPE YOU REALIZE THAT. I TRULY LOVE YOU AND APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO EVERYDAY FOR OUR FAMILY! I KNOW THAT YOU WORK HARD AND LONG HOURS (ESPECIALLY WITH THIS SECOND JOB) AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU! I COULD NOT BE DOING THIS WITH OUT YOU AND YOUR SUPPORT! WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK WITH STARS AND BACK TO THE MOON!!!!!!!!

TO ALL THE OTHER DAD'S IN MY LIFE, M BROTHER, JOSH (WHO I AM SO PROUD OF FOR DOING SO WELL THIS LAST YEAR), I LOVE YA BRO! , MY BROTHER IN LAW, JAMES, YOU ARE AN AMAZING DAD AND I COULDN'T PICTURE LIFE WITHOUT YOU IN IT~ MY SOON TO BE "OFFICIAL" BROTHER-IN-LAW, STEVE, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO EVEN EXPLAIN YOU, YOU ARE THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO HEATHER AND THE BEST DAD IN THE WORLD! TO PAPA RANDY, PAPA BILL AND PAPA GLENN, WE ALL LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND LOVE ALL THE TIME WE GET TO SPEND WITH YOU! A SPECIAL FATHERS DAY WISH TO JAMES MARIANI~ I KNOW IT HAS BEEN HARD FOR YOU AS YOU CELEBRATE YOUR FATHERS DAY THIS YEAR HOLDING THE MEMORIES OF DAVID CLOSE TO YOUR HEART. I HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL AND HAPPY DAY TODAY! I AM THINKING OF YOU AND PENNY ALWAYS!

I KNOW I PROBABLY DIDN'T MENTION ALL OF YOU SPECIAL DADS, BUT I WANTED TO MENTION THE ONES CLOSEST TO MY HEART AND IN MY LIFE!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL THE DADS OUT THERE!!!!

...........MOVING OUT............

2007-06-03T21:33:00.000-07:00

WELL, SAT WAS THE BIG DAY. BECCA IS OFFICIALLY MOVED OUT AND IN HER APARTMENT. YES, I'M STILL DEALING WITH IT. I DON'T THINK IT HAS REALLY HIT ME YET AS IT HAS ONLY BEEN ONE DAY. I AM SO PROUD OF HER AND SHE IS DOING SO WELL AS HER YOUNG ADULT LIFE BEGINS TO BLOSSOM. I THINK BACK SOMETIMES AND WONDER HOW OR IF MY LIFE WOULD BE DIFFERENT IF I GOT THE SOME OF THE SAME CHANCES THAT SHE IS GETTING. I GUESS I'M BRAGGING JUST A LITTLE BY SAYING THAT, BUT THAT'S OK, RIGHT? ANYHOW, HERE ARE SOME PICS DURING MOVING DAY AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO CAME AND HELPED (JAMES!!!) AND FOR ALL THE STUFF THAT WAS GIVEN TO HER. IF IT WEREN'T FOR OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE ALOT OF THE STUFF THEY HAVE! A BED, DINING ROOM TABLE AND CHAIRS, RECLINER, ENTERTAINMENT CENTER AND OF COURSE SOME EXTRA CASH THAT WENT TOWARDS THEIR DEPOSIT! WE'RE STILL LOOKING FOR A COUCH AND LOVE SEAT SO IF YA'LL KNOW OF A USED/CHEAP SET, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. WE ALMOST GOT A SET SAT MORN FROM A YARD SALE, BUIT WE WERE LIKE 10 MINUTES TO LATE, DARN IT!!!! I WISH I HAD THE MONEY TO GET HER THE THINGS SHE NEEDS, BUT I JUST DON'T, SO LITTLE BY LITTLE, HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING WILL FALL INTO PLACE. I WENT BACK OVER TODAY AND HELPED HER HANG SOME OF HER PICTURES UP. (SHE CALLED ME AND ASKED ME TO COME) AND SHE HAS ALREADY BEEN BACK HERE TONIGHT TO DO LAUNDRY!!! I ASKED HER HOW IT WAS LAST NIGHT AND SHE SAID, A LITTLE SCARY BUT ALRIGHT. I ASSURED HER THAT SHE'LL GET USED TO IT AND SHE KNOWS THAT I AM ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY AS WELL AS 5 MINUTES. (SHE TOLD ME THE SAME THING!!!) I LOVE YOU BECCA AND I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GOOD WEEKEND!!!

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY JAMES!!!!!!

2007-05-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, JAMES!!!! WE CELEBRATED TODAY AT HIS MOMS HOUSE. SHE AND MY SIS THREW HIM A BIG PARTY WITH BIG SUB SANDWICHES, HOT LINKS, CHIPS AND CHILI AND CHEESE, SALADS AND OF COURSE CAKE AND ICE CREAM.. (OH YEAH, DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE PONY KEG! )

I MADE THE CAKE FOR HIM AND IT CAME OUT REALLY YUMMY. I USED 4 CAKE MIXES AND 3 THINGS OF FROSTING NOT INCLUDING THE DECORATIVE FROSTING I USED. I DECORATED IT LIKE A CEMETARY FOR FUN AND LAUGHS!!!! IT'S A 14 INCH DOUBLE LAYER CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING!!!! EVERYONE LOVED IT!!!

MY SIS USED SOME OF MY HALLOWEEN DECO FOR PARTY PROPS SO THERE WAS TOMBSTONES AND STUFF OUT IN THE BACK YARD.... IT WAS ALL FOR FUN AND TO CELEBRRATE HIS "OVER-THE-HILL" YEAR!!!! WE PLAYED A COUPLE OF GAMES TOO! WHERE THE GUYS HAVE DRESS IN WOMENS CLOTHES, BRA AND ALL AND THE GIRLS DRESS IN GUYS CLOTHES AND DO A RELAY. IT WAS SO FUNNY WATCHING EVERYONE TRY AND HELP DRESS THEIR TEAM MATES UP!!!!

WE ALL HAD A GREAT TIME AND ME AND THE KIDS CAME HOME... E WENT TO PLAY POKER (AS USUAL) AND MY BRO IS STILL AT THE PARTY.....

MY MOM GAVE US A SCARE YESTERDAY... I AM REALLY WORRIED ABOUT HER LATELY. SHE WENT IN FOR A DR APPT CAUSE SHE'S BEEN HAVING SOME TROUBLE BREATHING AND STUFF. WELL, HER BLOOD PRESSURE WAS HIGH AND HER DR WHEELED HER STRAIGHT OVER TO ER AND HAD HER ADMITTED TO RUN SOME TESTS. THEY PUT HER ON OXYGEN AND RAN SOME TESTS, GAVE HER A SHOT AND LET HER GO HOME. SHE HAS TO FOLLOW UP WITH HER DR AND THEY WANT HER TO HAVE A SONOGRAM DONE OF HER HEART TO CHECK FOR FLUID. SHE DOESN'T REALLY TELL US KIDS THAT SHE'S FEELING BAD CAUSE SHE DOESN'T REALLY WANT TO KNOW HERSELF SO WE TOLD HER SHE NEEDS TO REALLY START TAKING BETTER CARE OF HERSELF. IT'S NOT TIME FOR HER TO LEAVE US YET. WE'LL HAVE TO GET ON HER TO FOLLOW UP WITH HER APPTS AND STUFF TO MAKE SURE SHE'S DOING OK.... HERE'S A PIC OF HER WITH VANESSA FROM THE PARTY TODAY.....

BECCA AND JOSH HAVE BEEN ON TEXAS. THEY DROVE OUT WED NIGHT AND ARE COMING HOME TOMORROW. THEY WENT OUT FOR HIS BRO'S GRADUATION. THEY ARE MOVING INTO THEIR APARTMENT NEXT WEEKEND!!! THEY ARE SO EXCITED AND I'M EXCITED FOR THEM TOO!

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL AND SAFE 3 DAY WEEKEND!!!!! IT'S A PAYROLL MONDAY FOR ME SOME I'LL BE GOING IN TO THE OFFICE FOR A WHILE ON MONDAY........

UPDATES...............

2007-05-21T20:17:00.000-07:00

THIS WEEKEND WAS GOOD.....I AM NEED OF A BREAK.... THAT IS FOR SURE...... WE HUNG OUT AND WENT SWIMMING AND BBQ'D. SUN I MADE HOMEMADE FISH TACOS AND THEY CAME OUT SSSSOOOOO YUMMY! WE ALSO SPLURGED AND HAD KARL GROOMED AND SHAVED. OOOOHHHHH MY, WHEN WE PICKED HIM UP ON SUNDAY, I THOUGHT WE WERE PICKING UP A DIFFERENT DOG. (KARL SAYS HI TO GRAMDMA AND GRANDPA MARIANI!!!!! )( THIS GROOMING TRIP, HE HAD NO FLEA PROBLEMS--- (WHICH I THOUGHT WAS WEIRD, THE LAST TIME AS LEXI HAS NEVER EVER HAD A FLEA PROBLEM.... AND HIS EARS WERE IN GREAT SHAPE! I GUESS THE MEDICINE I'VE BEEN GIVEN HIM IS WORKING GOOD NOW! (FRONTINE PLUS AND HIS EAR MEDS, PANALOG) THIS TIME, I TOLD THE GROOMER TO HAVE HIM AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE, CAUSE HE JUST GETS SO LONG AND RAGGEDY LOOKING.....HE LOOKS SO GOOD!!!!! HE WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE ME WHEN I PICKED HIM UP..... I THINK HE MAY HAVE BEEN THINKING THAT HE WAS GETTING DUMPED OFF AGAIN CAUSE HE REALLY DOES NOT LIKE CAR RIDES AND SINCE WE HAVE HAD HIM, HE HAS NOT BEEN FOR CAR RIDES OFTEN,,,, BUT WHEN WE DO, HE IS VERY HESITATE..... WE HAVE TO PICK HIS FAT BUTT UP AND PUT HIM IN THE CAR....HE IS GETTING SO MUCH BETTER WITH EVERYTHING AND WE HAVE GROWN SO CLOSE TO HIM..... I AM SURE HE FEELS MUCH BETTER TOO! SO HERE HE IS--- $45 DOLLARS LATER! WOULDN'T YOU BE COMFORTABLE LOOKING ALL COOL LIKE HE DOES..... HERE ARE SOME VARIOUS PICS I TOOK THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND AS WELL....

ALSO------BECCA GOT HER FIRST APARTMENT AND IS MOVING OUT IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS...... I'M TRYING TO DEAL WITH IT..... MY BABY IS MOVING OUT ON HER OWN AND I FEEL LIKE I'M LOSING HER..... I KNOW THAT I AM NOT NOT BUT STILL..... IT DOES HURT A LITTLE BIT.

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!!! LOVE AND MISS EVERYONE!!!!!

Are We Related.....................

2007-05-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

J and Zach are really resembling one another in these couple pictures!

THEY ARE SO DARN CUTE! Here is J on the potty years ago and Z on the potty recently and then J with over rated sunglasses on years ago and Z with big sunglasses on now....... Can you tell this difference????

So Cal heats up for SUMMER FUN!!!!!

2007-05-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

Yes, we are feeling the heat here in So Cal and the pool has been set up and the kiddies and ourselves are enjpying every minute of it! We splurged this year and got a little bit bigger pool for the family. We need to be able to cool off this heat we're going to experience. the kids absolutely LOVE it and I do too! The kids are doing so great and preparing to end this years school period. J will be going into the 4th grade GATE program. (He is my smart BOY!) and K will be entering her 1st grade school year with ALL advanced marks n her report cards. Vanessa is entering her SENIOR year and I am so PROUD of her progress from the last report card. Becca continues to soar, covering her regular job at Stater Bros, going to RCC College part time and her Modeling school courses on the weekends! I am so prud of her. She has taped her first TV show on TEEN NICK. 'The Teen Nick Show' With Hillary Duff, it was sooooo cool to see her on TV!

Eric started a second job for extra money and is doing great with it! This place LOVES him! It is a roadside assistance program and he got his BlackBerry and everything. He loves it and feels like he is on top of the world. He has only been doing this for 2 weeks and the supervisor already wants to move him up in the company, which to me is awesome! We are in the process of re-financing and need all the extra money we can get right now so this is a great opportunity for us! Here are some pics of the kids enjoying the pool and one of ME with My oldest , Becca (on right of screen) and one her best friends, Destiny (on left of screen

Penny & Jay----This pic is for you guys! I love and miss you guys and here is a picture OF ME!!!! You have been asking for one with me in it and here it is just for you!!!!! Karl says

HELLO and he misses you too!

oh my.....I finally did it...............

2007-04-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

She is so excited! what do ya'll think??? Yeah, It darn near killed me to chop it off but she really wanted it done! And remember...... IT WILL GROW BACK,,,,,, SHE IS ONLY 5!

We are going to donate her 12 inches of braid to the Locks Of Love Hair donation center which is what she wants to do! She also claims that when it grows again, she wants to do the same thing..... Cut it and donate it! I am so proud of her for her reasoning's and even though I had a hard time doing this...... I know that she is much more comfortable and happy!

Tonight she took a bath and insisted upon washing and brushing her own hair, which she was ABLE to do this time......She looks so much older........I feel like I'm losing my last baby girl!!!

UPDATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-04-11T21:53:00.000-07:00

JEREMY HAD HIS SCRIPT PERFORMANCE AT OPEN HOUSE LAST THURS. HE DID SO GOOD! HE SCRIPTED A PERFORMANCE OF MATTHEW GAGE, WHO IS A FAMOUS

EDUCATOR OF OUR COUNTY. HE DRESSED UP AND LOOKED SO HANSOME, AND DID A WONDERFUL JOB DURING OPEN HOUSE! WE AE SO PROUD OF HIM!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHLOEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SAT WAS J & K'S YOUNGER SISTERS BIRTHDAY PARTY. WE WENT FOR FUN AND

VISITING! THE KIDS HAD FUN AND WE ENJOYED CHIT-CHATING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM SAT. KAYLEE WITH CHLOEE AND THEN THEIR YOUNGEST BROTHER, BABY TRAVIS..... HE IS SO DORABLE AND SUCH A GOOD, HAPPY BABY!

......HAPPY EASTER.......

WE HUNG OUT AND THE KIDDIES WENT THROUGH THEIR BASKETS EARLY IN THE MORNING AND WE DYED EGGS AND HAD AN EGG HUNT LATER IN THE DAY. I MADE A HAM AND SCALLOPED POTATOS AND STUFF AND EVERYONE FILLED UP ON GOOD FOOD AND CANDY, OF COURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPDATES.......

2007-04-01T21:28:00.000-07:00

K HAD A BIG PROJECT DUE THIS LAST WEEK. SHE HAD TO BUILD 'HER TOWN'. WE HAD TO SHOW WHERE CERTAIN PLACES WERE LIKE THE HOSPITAL, POLICE STATION, FIRE STATION, HER SCHOOL, HOUSE, GROCERY STORE, THE PARK, ETC. SHE REALLY HAD FUN WITH THIS. THIS WAS HER FIRST REAL BIG PROJECT EVER. AND THIS IS FOR KINDERGARTEN. WE USED SUGAR CUBES FOR SOM EBUILDINGS AND SHE PAINTED THEM. FOR OTHER BUILDING WE USED CARD STOCK AND STUFF. I MADE TREES OUT OF SKEWERS AND SOME MOSS AND HOT GLUE. V HELPED OUT BY ASSTISTING HER WITH THE PARK WHICH FEATURED SWINGS, SLIDE AND A PICNIC BENCH. WE ALL HAD FUN WITH THIS ONE AND SHE HAS TO DO HER PRESENTATION THIS WEEK IN FRONT OF THE CLASS EXPLAINING WHAT EACH THING IS.

SUN WE TOOK THE KIDS TO CASTLE PARK FOR A FEW HOURS. THEIR DAD AND I WENT IN HALVES AND BOUGHT THEM AN ANNUAL PASS FOR GETTING EXCELLENT REPORT CARDS. YEAH!!!!!!!!! E STAYED HOME AND DID SOME LAUNDRY AND ENJOYED SOME QUIET TIME, I'M SURE! THEY WENT A ON A BUNCH OF RIDES AND WE ALL PLAYED A GAME OF MINITURE GOLF. THEY HAD A LOT OF FUN! WE GOT HOME A LITTLE WHILE AGO AND THEY HAD SHOWERS AND I BELEIVE THEY ARE BOTH ALREADY ASLEEP. THAT TIRED THEM OUT! ANYWAYS, IHOPE ALL ARE DOING WELL. I HAVE BEEN SO BUSY LATELY AT WORK THAT I HAVEN'T HAD THE EXTRA ENERGY TO DO MUCH MORE. ONE MORE WEEK AND THEN I WILL BE OFF FOR SPRING BREAK WITH THE KIDS, SO HOPEFULLY I'LL GET SOME MUCH NEEDED REST AND RELAXATION!!!

HERE ARE SOME PICS OF THEKIDS HAVING FUN WITH THEIR DAD AT CASTLE PARK!

Kaylee's Dance Recital......

2007-03-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

Saturday was K's dance recital. It was so cute! Very busy for me as I was a helper backstage and things got very hectic at times. I picked up one of K's friends, Madison from one of her dance classes and got them both ready at the same time Sat morning. Her mom, Lise got there a while later and she watched the first show with her family and then helped backstage during the 2nd show. They had 2 shows cause the first show sold out so we had a show at 1pm and another at 6pm. WHEW!!!!!!!!!! What a LONG EXHAUSTING day we had. Each show was 3 and a half hours long with a 20 minute intermission. After the first show ended we had about 1 hour for a break then back to the show we went. K had a lot of family come to see her and she was so excited. I still cannot believe that these girls lasted the whole day. I stayed backstage for the entire first show and assisted with 4-5 girls, making sure their make-up was touched up and costumes were changed accordingly. I was having fun too although it was tiring. All of our family came to the 6 o'clock show so by this time I was pooped. The girls were still going though. K had two different dacne performances and then their class finale so she had a total of 3 outfit changes. She loved every minute of it and she did so good for her first time on stage in front of a huge audience. I went into the 2nd show and watched K's 2 performances and then went backstage again to assist with Lise, Madison's mom with the rest of the girls. By this time, the girls were getting a bit crazy and we had to try our best to keep them calm and get ready for their last finale. We walked them out behind the curtain for their last finale and then they were finally DONE! It was so neat and the girls really had a good time. I'm a little disapointed that I did not get more pictures while backstage, but we were really busy, so here are a few pics from our day. I did get her performances on video though, so that's good! Here is K and Madison and then K in one of her costumes an one of her holding her roses she got Aunt Melissa and Uncle James!!!!!

Hope you all had a good weekend.....Back to the grind tomorrow.....

Last weekend, our neighbor gave the kids a ride on his Harley. K was so scared at first but after she watched J go for a ride, she did too! Of course, I had to snap a picture of them on it!

updates....

2007-02-26T20:23:00.000-08:00

well, hello all.....seems like I haven't blogged or updated in forever. For starters....my surgery went well. I had a lot of pain from the anesthesia this time as well as pain from the actual surgery. For about 3 days afterwards I had pain in my shoulders and chest which the nurse said I may have. I guess it it usual in some patients. I was under for about 1 and 1/2 hours during the procedure which is alot longer than the last procedure they did. It has been about a week and a half now and I am feeling much better. I have to go back to work tomorrow and I know I amgoing to be bombarded with stuff. Oh Well, I've already told myself, I'm just gonna take it easy and get through the day. I will know more about the outcome of this procedure in about two weeks, so I'll keep ya'll informed. I'm stitched up from the inside and glued on the outside so I don't have any nasty dressings or anything, just some discomfort in the area. Can't do any lifting or major stuff til after my follow up early next week. My doc is sure that this is really going to help me so we'll wait and see!

In other news...... Becca got another call from a very well known modeling agency.... John Casasblancas and we called them back this time. ( if you click on john casasblancas, it will take you to their website) She went down for an interview and audition and she got got a call back the very next day. This is a modeling and acting school with a very high profile reputation. She has REALLY wanted to have the opportunity to do this for a while now and she is getting her chance. She will be attending modeling classes every other Sat and continuing her classes she is taking during her 2nd semester of COLLEGE. And she is still working at Staters. So she is a very busy 18 year old!!!! I am so proud of her and I am so thrilled that she is going to get a chance to live out her dreams, which is something I never had the chance to do at her age as I already had two kids. Of course, there is money involved and we had to put down a pretty healthy down payment and now we are going to try to raise some money to help pay for the rest. We are having a big car wash this next weekend and I will be sending out flyers via email to everyone we know. So please check your emails for info. I really believe that this opportunity should not be passed up and her coach at this modeling school has rated her a VERY HIGH B+ and told us that she has BIG potential and really believes that she is going to get something out of this. So please, if you're interested in helping, let me know and we will greatly appreciate it!

Here are some pics of her befoer she went to her audition, which she had to dress business-like and in heels. I think she looks adorable!!!! There's also a pic of her with her boyfriend, Josh....

Angel's FAN FEST.....

2007-02-11T16:38:00.000-08:00

Saturday was Angels Baseball Fan Fest Event at Angels Stadium. Eric and J & K's dad took the kids and Jeremy's BF Donovan. They had a BLAST!!! E was like a little kid getting to meet and greet players and shake hands with the Angels owner! The kids got to meet players and pitching coaches and got a chance to learn some information about baseball and the Angels! They got their faces painted, went on some rides and filled up on snacks and of course, funnel cakes! There were obstacle courses and they got to meet a REAL ralley monkey as you can see in the photos below.

Eric's HUGE highlight of the whole day was getting a picture with Mike Soicia and Garret Anderson which id the bottom picture!!!!!! He was so excited!!!!

I stayed home and relaxed, did laundry and went over to Heathers in the evening to visit with her and the boys! It was nice! Friday is my surgery and I'll be off work for a week after that so I'll try to keep everyone updated!

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GOOD WEEKEND!!!

News...............

2007-01-29T22:06:00.000-08:00

Well, I - WE have been sick.....Eric and I both had it bad last week and Im so glad that I am finally feeling better. This ucky flu and congestion absolutely sucks! Then Thurs night, after I finally tried to eat some real food, I got voliently ill and puked my guts out. This of course made my heart rate go up and let me tell you,. it was pounding and would not slow down. I ended up at urgent care and they did an EKG and a chest x-ray. My heart rate was still a bit high and now I have to see my reg DR tomorrow and get a referral to a cardioligist to have some tests done. Hopefully this will not interfere with my already scheduled surgery which is for Feb 16 - to have a procedure called Novasure and and have my tubes tied: Here is some info on this newer type of procedure that will hopefully end my monthlys and ree me me from agony an pain:

What is the procedure like?
The application of energy is intended to permanently remove the endometrium (lining of the uterus), to reduce or eliminate future bleeding. Here's a look at how the procedure is performed:

Your doctor will slightly dilate your cervix and insert a slender wand through the cervix into the uterus.

The doctor then extends the triangular mesh device through the wand where it expands to conform to the dimensions of your uterine cavity.

Electrical energy is then delivered into the uterus on average for approximately 90 seconds.

The triangular mesh device is then retracted back into the wand and removed from the uterus.

(you can read more about this at NovaSure.com)

(I really hope that this will work!, it sounds good and my Dr who is a specialist, has convinced me)

I'm a little worried that if they don't have a concluse answer about my heart rate, that they will not want to do the surgery. So I am keeping my thoughts up and hoping for the best...

IN OTHER NEWS: Here's K and V posing for the camera his last weekend! K is so excited because her dance recital is coming up in March, so she has been busy...busy... learning and practicing her routines! And V is being sexy in her pics!!!!!

Also: I am doggie-sitting for a few days or a friend and karl the little Cocker is not being nice....I had to put him in the garage for a little while cause he was trying to attack him. Like he would have a chance with this big ole dog Blue! Lexi and Blue get along fine but Blue hadn't met Karl before this afternoon and they had their little run and now they are doing ok! I will be sleeping in the family room on my second bed (the couch) like I do alot anyways and keeping an ear and eye on them. They will be alright, they just had to get used to each other a little while!

Karl is our cocker and Blue is the bigger doggie! Although, right now Karl is on Blue comforter that his dad brought for him and he's not liking that too well! But hten again, Blue is on the couch, (my bed) so they'll have to be getting to their own dog beds real soon!!!!!

weekend stuff............

2007-01-21T18:54:00.000-08:00

~This is becca's beau playing' Dance, Dance, Revolution with them! He is such a cutie!!!

~here is Kaylee ready for T-ball for th first time~!

~ she has been practicing with her bro and friend!~

~kids playin throughout the weekend! Jeremy, Kaylee and BF Don!~

~J reading to little sis, K---James and The Giant Peach!!!!

They are too cute!!!!!!!!

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT WEEKEND AND I'M NOW PREPARING MYSELF FOR A BRAND NEW WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AARON

2007-01-14T18:19:00.000-08:00

A BIG BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT TO A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE THAT I HAVE KNOWN SINCE I WAS BORN-

(CUZ HE'S OLDER THAN ME---HEHEHE!)

LITERALLY, his parents and my parents were best friends and hung out together in their younger years.... Aaron and I are not even 1 year apart so we have always been pretty close. Although we have always lived about an hour drive from one another, we have always stayed in touch and now we both have families of our own and spending time with them is always wonderful! His wife, Dilsia is one of my best friends and our kids love to hang out together now too! They just boght hteir first home in Hesperia and I'm so happy for them! They really have worked hard to get this far and I am very proud of them both!

We went up yesterday and saw their house for the first time and celebrated Aaron's b-day!!! We played poker and had pizza and wonderful snacks and cake and stuff. Eric and I had J and K with us and they had a ball playing around there too! It was VERY CHILLY there-it got down to 9 degrees sometime during the late night/early morning and they had bits of snow in their backyard. The kids loved it!

Here are some pics I took during our stay......

~this was taken from their backyard~

~j and k watching the train go by in their backyard~

~k~

My baby's apartment searching......

2007-01-06T23:13:00.000-08:00

What am I going to do? I know.....I need to be adult about this and support her in every way possible, but inside, I feel sad. Becca and her boyfriend Josh, (whom I love) went apartment hunting today... Like seriously apartment hunting and I am feeling very bittersweet about the whole thing. Anyone have any thoughts or advice for me on this cause I could really be using some right about now.

I know that is is very NORMAL for young adults to move in together and whether or not they actuay make it together in life, this is a way of their learning of life and I'm am going to support her & them 100%. I was NEVER given this chance as a young adult to venture out on my own too figure out what I was going to do with my life and I want her to be able to do just that! She is a VERY good girl and in college and working and has her goals very well in mind!!! I could not ask for more. Her boyfriend, Josh, is incredible! He is so polite, kind and caring and loves her too death! He too is in college, has a good job right now and finishing up his college education with a metal fabrication degree, and has very oriented goals for their future. Can it be possible that you really, actualy meet your life-long mate in college and it sticks? When they got home tonight and were showing me pictures and applications and such from different apartment rentals, it really hit me,,,,,,they are serious,.........and I am going to have to face this and support them, no matter what! She was so excited to show me the pics she took while they were looking about different apartments throughout their search today! And I was very happy to be a part of it!

She said, mom....mom... look at this kitchen....isn't it cool!!!!!!!!!!! This complex has a pool and spa....but, (she said) don't worry..... I'm coming home all the time to do laundry, FOR FREE, don't worry, you guys won't miss me! ooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh OK! Of course, I was happy with that! As long as I now she is not that far away, I'll have to get over it and I will be a very proud mama and support her no matter what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank-you Jay & Penny......

2007-01-06T22:12:00.000-08:00

I want to Thank Penny & Jay for our package we received for Christmas! I LOVE the Lighthouse stuff you sent me!!!!! I hung the Lighthouse of the East Coast kitchen towel in my kitchen and told all the kids that it was NOT a dishtowel, but part of my lighthouse decor! and to keep their grubby hands off of it! So far, so good! Also the dogs love their goodies! Too be honest with you, Lexi loves the toys more than Karl, but Karl loves the eats more than Lexi!!!! Here are a few new pics of Karl and Lexi for you guys to see!!!! He is a VERY sweet, although we're still having a problem with his bathroom habits and my living room carpet. I think it's go to be either in the night or after I leave for work in the morning that he uses the living fr his bathroom. There's usually not a long a period of time that someones coming in and out of the house and lets the dogs out back to go potty, but he's still peeing in the living room. I have been working extra hard with him and to tell you the truth.... he is a little fiesty with others, (which I do not mind at all) When others try to call him to go out the back door for potty, he rarely listens to them... But if it is Me or Kaylee, (whom he LOVES) he goes right out!!!! I have grown very close to him and so has Kaylee. We bought him some Doggie cologne, (for in between grooming) cause, you know how Cockers have immense odors, (especially their ears) and she brushes him and everything. It is so funny how she can just call him out back and hold his collar with his doggie brush in the other hand and he just stands there and lets her brush him and spray him with his cologne! But you let ANYONE else try to control him like that and he does have ANYTHING to do with them. They have really bonded and I'm glad for that!!! He has an official full name now, you know...

- Karl David Mariani- Isn't he adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

We stayed around home for the New Year- Keepin' it safe and happy for everyone. We BBQ'd burgers and the kiddies played on J's new air hockey table that we set up in the garage-the adults even got involved a for a few games. My bro- J and K's dad was here too and they had fun hangin out with him for the New Year too! V was with my sister so she as not here and B and her boyfriend, Josh hung out here too. He is such a sweetheart! I know she is getting older and boyfriends have come and gone, but this guy is a definite keeper in my eyes. He is polite and well mannered and the most mature one we have met so far! I think she really likes him too! (I guess we'll see what happens this time, huh?) He is in a pic with her below....what a cutie, huh?

Around ten o'clck, we went down the street to our friends house, (where Jeremy's best friend lives) and hung out there to ring in the New Year and we danced and had a few drinks! The kids hung out until right after midnight and then K fell right to sleep, she was tired! J and his BF stayed up a little while later and crashed out around 1am. We on the other hand, didn't go t bd ntil about 3:30 or so AM..... That is SUPER LATE for me......and I am still recovering from my lost sleep.... Here are some pics of us being silly and having fun through out the night!!! We hung out and danced with our good old buddies and enjoyed ourselves very much!!!!!!!!!!!!

~this was my favorite pics of the night....I caught them by surprise and it looks like they are trying to make out with each other, doesn't it?

HAHAHA! This is E with one of our good friends, J!

(get off each other guys!!!!!, Just Kiddin!)

********HAPPY 2007 TO ALL********

Hope you all had a safe and Happy New Year Year!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.......

2006-12-25T22:52:00.000-08:00

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY!!!

CHRISTAMS EVE, MY FAMILY CAME OVER TO DO OUR 'ADULT' GIFT EXCHANGE AND FOR THE KIDDIES TO OPEN THEIR GIFTS FROM MY FAMILY...

I MADE A BIG HAM AND WE MADE SANDWICHES AND BAGELS AND STUFF. WE HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME PASSING OUT GIFTS AND STUFF. AND MY SIS WERE PLAYING AROUND WITH BECCA, TELLIN' HER SHE WAS A 'SKINNY MINI'....

......HERE ARE THEIR PICS PLAYING AROUND.......

BECCA GOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF 'ELVIS' STUFF (SHE COLLECTS THAT KINDA THING) AND THE KIDS LOVED EVERYTHING THEY GOT FROM THE FAM. MY NEPHEW, CHRIS ADORED THE THOMAS THE TRAIN TENT E AND I GOT HIM AND HE WANTED TO OPEN EVERYTHING HE GOT RIGHT AWAY! MY MOM LOVED HER PERFUME, 'AS USUAL' AND AFTER EVERYONE LEFT, THE KIDDIES WENT TO BED AND E AND I MET WITH SANTAS TO PREPARE STOCKINGS AND SANTA GIFTS.

K ACTUALLY SLEPT IN HER BED UNITL ABOUT 7AM....SINCE VANESSA WAS AT HER DADS THIS CHRISTMAS, SHE HAD MINOR INTERUPTIONS.....

J FELL RIGHT TO SLEEP AND DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO WAKE A 7AM WHEN K FORCED HIM AWAKE...... THE KIDS BIGGEST GIFTS FROM SANTA WERE:

K GOT A NEW BIKE (NO TRAINING WHEELS!!!)

AND J GOT A BIG AIR HOCKEY TABLE.........

PLUS THEY GOT A BUNCH MORE STUFF!!!

B GOT AN ADAPTER TO PLAY HER IPOD IN HER CAR OFF THE FM STEREO AND V GOT A NEW MP3 PLAYER WITH ACCESSORIES!!!!!

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND WE ARE WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

~I AM ON VACATION NOW AND I DO NOT GO BACK TO WORK (......CROSSING MY FINGERS........) UNTIL NEXT YEAR, JANUARY 8TH!!!!

MY WORK SCHEDULE KINDA SUCKS THIS YEAR, AS USUALLY I AM ON THE SAME SCHOOL CALENDAR AS THE KIDDIES, BUT THIS YEAR, IT'S DIFFERENT. THE KIDDIES HAVE ALREADY BEEN OFF A WEEK AND GO BACK TO SCHOOL ON JAN 2ND......AND I JUST STARTED MY TWO WEEKS VACATION ON DEC 25AND DO NOT GO BACK TIL JAN 8TH.......

OH WELL, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO EVERY MINUTE OF MY TIME OFF.....

BELIEVE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~ MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT~

Holiday Cheer.....

2006-12-16T23:00:00.000-08:00

The kids had their Holiday singing for parents this week and it was really cute. J's much more "the big kid" type and he seemed little embarrased of me with both the video and digital camera clicking away. So I tried to keep it as minimal as I possibly could for his peace of mind.....

(I did get it all on video though, and he does not not know it yet!!!!!!!)

Although, when K's day came, oooohhhh boy, she was ready....... I got her her a new Santa dress and she was ready to go boy!!!!!!!!!!!!

She wanted me to take pictures of all of her friends and made sure that I video taped the whole singing part so E could see it later. (cause he could not make it to this one) Here she is in her dress (one with bro J)and below with friends from class during their Holiday Party......

TOO MUCH HOMEWORK TITI................

2006-11-28T19:27:00.000-08:00

-I went out in the front yard yesterday evening for a quick minute to help E with the Christmas decorations and when I came in to check on K and her homework and this is what I found..........

She was just too tired to do aymore, I guess, cause she was passed out on the table, pencil in hand and all.

My big Kindergartner is also getting her very first BIG award this Thurs for Student of The Month. She does not know yet and I cannot wait. I will be there to get pictures as usual. E is even going ot try and make it! How exciting is that. We are so proud of her!!!!!!!!!

what's going on ??????

2006-11-24T17:39:00.000-08:00

well last sat we went to a very good friends house for their daughters 16th b-day party. HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY VALERIE! we had a blast. i must admit that I got a little buzzed and had an awesome time visiting and catching up with many old and some new friends. E drove so it was my turn to have some extra fun. we have been friends with this very special family for years and years and even though it's a little of a drive, it was well worth it. the kids went with and so did my bro, josh. all in all, we had a ball!

the doggies got groomed this week too. they really needed it. especially Karl, the cocker.... he looks SO much better and i know he's got to feel better too! they had Holiday scarfs on when i picked them up. they are too cute!!!!!

And of course, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE...... hope you all had a great Thanksgiving with your families. we had a great day...... i did not take too many pics yesterday but we did have a nice time visiting and eating as usual!

.................BLACK FRIDAY.................
E AND I GOT UP AT 4:30 AM AND HIT THE 3 STORES WE HAD ON OUR LIST AND GOT EVERYTHING WE HAD ON OUR LIST AND THEN SOME, AS USUAL........

man, are we just crazy, or what.......

actually, we saved many dollars, after we got home and i figured it out, it was REALLY worth it. we were able to come back home and take naps as kids, J & K spent this years Thanksgiving with their Nana & Papa in another town so they have been gone since Wed. and they are coming home today. I did miss them (alot) but on the other hand, it was nice to have a bit of a break and being able to get to go early bird shopping with E made up for it too! (as usually E stays home with the sleeping kids and I go, usaully with my sis)

ANYONE ELSE FIGHT THE CROWDS WITH AWESOME DOORBUSTING DEALS!!!!!!!!

a more personal update.......... and more.........

2006-11-12T18:31:00.000-08:00

let me tell ya'll a bit more about my situation, past and present. i know i list my profile as being a full time mom and aunt of 4, 2 teens of my own (B & V) and 2 that i am currently the legal guardian of. (J & K) well, most of that is true but V's dad and I have had 50/50 custody of her forever now and this last week it has come to a stop and a HUGE mess of a dispute. my V is currently near failing half of her classes this first quarter of her junior year and i cannot take it any longer. she has basically been 'living' at her dad's and weekends here with me unless she on break from school and during the summer. it's not like she wasn't here alot as her dad and stepmom's house is only 2 streets over from our house so she has always been close and able to go back and forth easily. Although her bedroom and the majority of her belongings 'were' at her dads house, this is where she starved to be. here 'at home' with her mom and sister. i finally took control and told her dad (who at first did not agree with me) that 'we' needed to give her the chance to turn her grades around (along with her attitude and other issues) and if this is what it's going to take then so be it. i reminded him and stepmom of our 50/50 custody (i just wanted to make it clear, not argue) and after 2 long nights of talking and meeting with them both, 'he' finally agreed to trying it. i know deep down inside (wherever my 'ms. hardass' feelings lay) this is what she really ached for. and trust me when i say that my level of guilt has been overflowing for years. we really don't have a room here to just let her have of her own right now, but she gets along well with J & K and for now she can hang with them until we figure out what we're gonna do. we do have the family room that was once a bedroom that we can work with so i'm not worried about it. she has been coming straight home from school AND.......... 'DOING HER HOMEWORK' AND EVEN 'DOING DISHES AND STUFF'. i know that she has become lazy and has the attitude of 'i don't care anymore so why try', but i can already see a difference and it's only been a week. i feel like as her mother, i owe her at least this much. i mean, i have had 2 children for over 4 years now here with me that aren't even my own and i'm sorry if her dad feels bad and is sad, but what else can i do. my own kids need me too, i am their mother and i'm sorry that i was very young when i had both my kids and things weren't right all the time, but things change and people change and i we can only move forward in our lives instead of dwell on the past.

whew.......ok well, lets get on it now i've got dinner to prepare........

here are K & J's fall pics from school (this is K's first kindergarten picture and J's 3rd grade picture)

also- today was K's Thanksgiving feast in her classroom. I went and served my duty and the "classroom volunteer". we had turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, squash, a bunch of pies and different stations set up like: make a necklace or hackey sack, a cranberry tasting station and then the kids put on their pilgrim and/or indian outfits they made in the class and sang us songs! it was really cute. i didn't get a lot of actual pictures cause i was video-taping too. here are a few from today!

UPDATES.........................

2006-11-01T16:07:00.000-08:00

I had to take some pics of K and Lexi at bedtime. YEAH, I know, Lexi is a little spoiled. She likes to be under the covers too! This is how K fell asleep this particular night!

This is K's parade and Halloween party at school. Only the Kinders got to participate i dressing up at school and having a little parade. E went and took some pics for me as I was really busy at work with my students' costume parade and pumpkin patch. I did her make up and sprayed her hair black with a white strpie down the middle! She is really looking like a scary Vampiress!

SAT-THE HALLOWEEN PARTY

Was another great one, as usual. Here I am as a witch as most of you already saw over on SHETZQ's blog. We didn't have quite as many people show this year but the first keg was empty by 10:30pm. I made my famous meatballs (and again, this year I did not get any of them) and the usual chips with chili and cheese. I also made some rum flovored cupcakes. They were a hit! I finally cleared the place out near 3am as you know the men can get when they get to that point of "alcohol and fighting" combined. All in all, it was another great party!

Here are Lexi and Karl in their Jailbird costumes. They are such good sports when I dress them up! Aren't they cute! They kept them on for a couple hours!

Halloween night-TRICK OR TREAT!!!!!!!!!!!1

Jnd K dressed as Vampires and friend D from down the street as a dirt bike rider. J is pretending to 'suck his blood'. E took the kids around with Dand D's dad this year and I sat on the porch and passed out candy. I had my scary music playing and my fog machines going off and some little ones wouldn't even come up. This is my favorite time of year and I enjoy doing that. HOPE YOU ALL HAD A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday.......

2006-10-17T19:17:00.000-07:00

October Is HHHHEEERRRREEEE....................

2006-10-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

My favorite time of year has come again........And so fast at that............I cannot believe that Halloween is here and that Christmas is now less than 2 months away. We are beginning to prepare for our 7th annual Halloween and Birthday Bash Celebration!!!! I am going to be turning 35 this month and I'm a little worried about it. I am getting old and not liking it. In between my latest Doctors' appts, I actual make it to work on time or make it a full day. I'm not complaining, my Dr's are running so many tests and I am so grateful for that. Just this week, I have had ultraounds taken of my belly, gall bladder and kidneys. I will wait on results and my next appt with my regular DR. Personally, I just continue to pray daily for some answers soon, or hopefully no BAD news will come of the majority of the tests. I hope ya'll are having a good week so far and I'll give you updates soon. here are a few pics of K after we bought some new skeleton decorations for this year............

Taking My Own Back To School Fall Pictures........

2006-09-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

Which ones do you like??????????

I'm OK..............

2006-09-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

Whew.....didn't know if I was gonna make it through this one......Doctor's say I had a panic attack. This was a first for me and it happenend at work last Thurs. It was terrible, I have never felt anything like it before in my whole life. I couldn't even drive myself to urgent care, I had to call E, who was on the road in his work truck and have him come drive me. Dr gave some ativan and sent me home. Well, sun night, I had another one and insisted on going to ER room. The ER Dr told me the same thing. Am I losing my mind or what? I am on overload at work and wondering what is wrong with me health wise has really been worrying me, but panic attacks? (I have been having stomach/abdominal pain for months now) I guess I worried myself into a panic attack knowing that my dr appt were coming up and I thought something terrible may be wrong. Well since last Thurs, I have been poked and proded numberous time and in numerous places, (thats gross, I know) I have had at least 10 viles of blood drawn for testing and so far everything came back ok. I have had a full blown pelvic exam and ultraound and dr found nothing in my female parts via ultrasound. This Thurs I will have a stomach/abdominal ultrasound and if they don't find anything there, I'll have a scope put down my throat to take some pics and see if there is anything there. YEAH for me, right......As far as my extremely miserable cycles every month, we're gonna start with a simple out patient surgery under general anethesia of course called a D & C. This is scheduled for friday, 10-20. E will taking off work that day to be with me and they do these in Fridays because usual recovery time is just acouple days, so I'll have the weekend. If this doesn't improve my problems, then OB Doc will then try and submit to my insurance to perform what is called a 'lunchbox hysterectomy'. It is a new and very costly procedure that is also an out patient procedure and there's no surgery involved. They will destroy the lining of my uterous and thats it. No more periods for me and goodness knows, we're fine with no more babies. We have enough of of those from kindergarten to college, we're good to go!!! I'm still reading up on this one, trying to find out all the long term effects and stuff, ya know.

So, I'm still alive, and I plan to stay that way for a long while. Halloween is right around the corner and I can't miss our 8th annual Halloween Party. I took last week off and slept most of the week trying to get panic attacks out of my mind and not dwell on things. Plus the ativan helped me sleep too. I am going back to work tomorrow and I am ping to be just fine! I have been praying everyday and yes, sometimes, I even talk to myself. I have to tell myself that I'm gonna be ok, ya know? Call me what you want, it won't bother me. I have to take care of myself now, instead of everyone else..........

VIOLATED......

2006-09-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

Gosh, you know that feeling that you see and hear about terrible things happening and at the same time you thank God that is wasn't you. Well it happened to me last Thursday while I was parked at the gym. Here I am, trying to better myself and working out with my sister and during the whole hour and a half that we were inside the gym, someone broke into my van and robbed me blind. Some asshole thieves who cannot take care of themselves in this world the way we do, they have to take our hard working, back busting belongings that we had to save up for before we could even buy them. And the most horrible thing about it is that they will probably never get caught and they will trade my precious belongings for a liitle dope somewhere and not even think twice about it. They got all my personal info as well which meant that I have had to place a watch on all my credit cards and my bank account. I will have to repeat this every three months to keep watch and control of my own identity. As my sis and I were walking out thurs evening (still daylight by the way) she was talking abou thow she did not like to park so far outin the parking lot because it was dangerous in which i was totally agreeing with. We walked her to her van first which was only 3 cars or so away from mine and then I alked on to my van. We noticed a couple of cars and a police officer at the very end of the lot and there was broken glass on the ground and one of the women was sitting on the ground talking on her cell. Man, I thought, poor lady. As I turned through the lot went to grab my cell which I had left in the car to call E and let him know I was on my way, i noticed it was gone. I thought ok, it fell onto the floor or something, then I saw that my work keys were gone from where I put them everyday after work. SHIT..............Ok then I see that my trunk light is on the dash which means my trunk was not shut all the way......Well, I knew that I had not been in the back all day........SON OF A &%#@! I said and I immediately pulled over quickly, shut my car off and got out. I thought what if someone is back there in my car. I circled the car, I did not have my phone to call anyone but found it was clear and drove home crying and feeling violated as heck.................. When I got back into the driver seat I noticed that the DVD players that once were strapped to the back of both seats for the kiddies were also gone......... I continued to drive home and call the police to file a report and figure out what else was missing and make a list of my "report stolen" calls I had ahead of me. Talk about a HUGE MESS that I have been dealing with. Anyhow...I know that all that stuff can be replaced and I thank God that nothing happened to me or anyone else affected by the break ins. I also learned that I won't ever leave any of my personal stuff in my car again.

On another note..... Sun, we went to a swim/BBQ get together with E's work colleagues and it was a lot of fun. It got my mind off of stuff and the kiddies had a blast swimming and playing the games that they had there. It was great! K officially took her life jacket off and YES... she jumped off the diving board and swam to the side and did it again! She is growing up too fast. She is loving Kindergarten and she loves it in the am when I drop them both off at school before going to work. I on the other hand, feel sad and cannot believe what I am doing. Here are some pics from the BBQ on Sun:

Becca's Softball Party & The First Day of School!

2006-08-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

Sat night was Becca's end of the summer league softball party at her coaches house. We had an absolute blast! Her coaches house is VERY nice and all I could say when I walked in was WOW.......OMG.....It looks like a house that is just for show and decoration ya know, no one really lives in it.......Totally immaculate and everything including the house was so HUGE and decorated so RICHLY that I almost wanted to take pictures of every room..... (no I did not, don't worry, LOL) You should of seen the master bath, straight from the show Cribs on MTV, I swear! Anyhow, we ended up staying way later than we had expected. E was not feeling well and we did not plan on staying long. But we started having so much fun and dancing and karaoke and stuff we didn't get home til darn near 2am. (the kiddies got to spend 1 night at their mom's before going back to school, so we were kiddieless) It was so funny when Coach G and his wife and team mom D did the awards for the girls..... Their team finished 1st place and all the girls received GOLD medals and then Coach G announced and handed the "special" awards for the season. After he was done with all the others, he called up Becca and one of her BF's for years now, Destiny....They are the 2 oldest girls on the team and this is their last year to play for this league cause the are both over 18. So they went up and coach awarded them with 'old people' canes from the party store. It was so freakin funny, I was literally crying with laughter, no one saw that coming......It was so great, I really needed a night like this one!!!!!!!

BACK TO SCHOOL~ K'S FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN,

B'S FIRST DAY OF COLLEGE, V STARTED 11TH, AND J STARTED 3RD....

B and V left too early for me this am so I did not get pic of them before they left....(they did that on purpose) But here are the kiddies, J and K while getting ready and at school.....K was so excited and she did a great job her first day for her first day of Kinder........... and we met J's teacher today too and all went well!!!!!

wrap up- E went to the dr's today, dr wanted to do x-rays and he came home pnemonia in his left lung.........and anti- biotics....... and watch out......his boss is gonna actually have a couple days off to recover..... how nice, huh??????????

anyways....hope all ya'll had a good weekend and are off to a great week!

Favorite Foto Friday.....

2006-08-24T19:39:00.000-07:00

~You'd Better Watch Out J~

~if you played along, let me know so I can check out your FFF~

Visit With Friends and Doheny Beach.......

2006-08-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

Early last week, the kiddies and I went to visit some close family friends of ours. I needed to get away and my friend D, cut and highlighted my hair for me. YEP....I actually did something for MYSELF for a change...... Believe it or not.... I had a great time socializing and catching up on old times! The kiddies had fun swimming with the kids the kids there and they got to spend some time at V.B.S. (Vacation Bible School) while we were there and they had alot of fun! K brought home corn that she got to plant herself in her class and J brought home some Bible books and lessons that he learned about.

Our camping trip to Doheny Beach was so much fun....

Most of the campsites there are close together but we had really cool neighbors and the kids made friends right away! When we finally made it into our tents at night, the sound of the crashing waves is what we heard while falling asleep. That by itself was enough for me! It was awesome!!!!! My friend, Y met us up there too for some good times! We got there early Friday and set up our tent and stuff and then headed down to the beach for some waves and fun in the sand. The sandy beach was about 100 feet from our tent. Very close and very neat! The kiddies had an absolute blast the whole weekend. We all had a blast this weekend. E got pretty blitzed Sat night and he was dancing around the campfire with the flashight. I haven't laughed as hard or as much as I did like this for a while. Me and my friend Y were having a great time wathing him and singing to the music! The kiddies were full of smores and sound asleep in the tent. We played poker throughout the weekend and even J is learning how to play now. Starting him early, I guess.....

All in all, I could not of asked for more fun! We will definetly be planning on reserving our own spot on the beach for next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow I have to go down and fill out a bunch of paperwork for daycare for the upcoming year and This Friday, we have Kindergarten orientation and K and I will meet her Kindergarten teacher and stuff. J will start 3rd grade and V will start the 11th grade and my Becca will start her first day of COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Favorite Foto Friday......

2006-08-17T23:23:00.000-07:00

HEY.....I'm back.........

2006-08-16T18:16:00.000-07:00

Well, seems like I've been gone forever..... I'm back home now for at least a day then we're off to the beach for a weekend camping trip. Much needed at that, I must say. Although it is a lot of work to go camping, we will have FUN, I'm sure! We got a deal from our neighbor, (gotta LOVE thy neighbors) cause they planned something else and gave us their reservations so it really wasn't planned by us we're gonna do it anyways! E got Fri and Mon off so I said LETS GO!!!!!!

the pageant was so much fun.... becca did sooo good for it being her first pageant. she looked absoulutey beautiful on stage in her formal wear! she answered her question with no stuttering or forgetfulness and accomplished her pivots and turns like a professional model! i was a very proud mom watching and helping her prepare in between competitions..... it was an extremely busy weekend... sat morn she had her personal interviews with the judges in ontario at the sheraton and sun morn we started our morn with rehearsal and then a lunch break and then back for dressing and make-up and hair touch-ups at 2:30pm to prepare for the pageant at 4pm. she did not win anything this time and that is totally ok.... she is not upset at all and then i asked her if she would do it again she said, "probably not mom, i think i'll stick to softball"

~here is a pic of when she did her casual wear routine on stage~

~walking to center stage with the MC~

~standing on stage in pose~

well crap......., i'm having trouble posting more pics right now so i will try again in the AM..... must be a blogger thing going on~ hope everyone had a good weekend and a great start to their week!

Wordless Wednesday.....

2006-08-08T18:37:00.000-07:00

weekend updates.......

2006-08-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

Thursday night E took K to see GREASE at our city college auditorium. Heather went to with Emmy and a couple of her neighbors. K loved it and she got to spend the night after with Emmy at Aunt Heathers! I took this pic of them before they left! She was sssooo excited!
J spent most of his weekend with his BF Donovan. All day Sat and most of Sun they hung out and went swimming at Don's grammas. I (WE, E and I) ) did a whole lot of nothing ALONG WITH some cleaning and laundry this weekend. It was nice to not have a party to host for a change! I really needed a weekend off! Sun we watched the boys while Heather and Steve went an Angels game with Steves daughter and one of her friends. I went to their place while they napped and then when they woke up, I brought them came back to our house. They had fun playing with Kaylee and with the dogs! Zach and Karl really had fun together!!!!

Next weekend is the pageant and I will be BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT WEEKEND.....

Favorite Foto Friday....

2006-08-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

TOO MUCH FUN!!!

HOPE ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Weekend updates.......

2006-07-30T22:20:00.000-07:00

Fri night, E and I went to have some time to ourselves at Franks Bar & Grill, had some beers and dinner and then we went over to Judi's ( a friend from work) and we did not get home until 2:30 am. It was nice to have some adult time but I am really paying for it now.....

Sat morn, we got all of David's stuff moved into storage and his mom and dad are now on their way back home. I really hope that we stay in touch with them and are able to see them again.... and just so you all know, we have adopted David's dog, Karl. He is a purebred Cocker Spaniel and he has adapted well here in the last few days. He and Lexi are getting to know one another and are becoming friends!

J & K's b-day pool party went great on Sat. (talk about another SUPER busy weekend) This year we combined the two cause we have had so much more stuff going on and finances are tough, I'm sure ya'll know what I mean. (Thanks Papa & Nana for letting us have a pool party at yur house! ) We had BBQ hot dogs and hot links, nachos, chili & cheese, tortilla wraps, fruit trays and cake and ice cream cones! Nana bought the huge super slide you see in these pics and let me tell you, IT WAS A HIT!!!!!! The kids had a ball on it!

Everyone had a blast and the party went on into the night with us adults sitting outside by the pool hanging out and stuff.

The kiddies got a lot of nice gifts and we thak you all for coming and for the awesome birthday gifts this year!!!!!

Today, Sunday, Becca and I had training class for the upcoming pageant. It went great and she has a bit of practicing to do because this is her first one but I know she will do fine! She (we) now have bit more sponsor $ to come up with and we need to finalize her outfits for the competition and we'll be set to go! It's getting more and more exciting as we go! For all that have had sponsored so far, We thank you very much!, We could not have done it without you!

Favorite Foto Friday....(& then some)

2006-07-27T22:26:00.000-07:00

This pic is from Becca's game Tuesday night.....This Tues night game was their FIRST loss of the summer season. Thats ok ladies, you'll gettem' next time and they did... Tonight, (thurs) they won with a score of 7 to 0..... YEAH! Becca pitched the whole game, she is getting better and better every season! It is a bit blurry but it's hard to get GOOD action shots, ya know?

Another thing I DO NEED to mention is TGIF!!!!!! This week has been extremely long and tiresome. We had a little memorial for David last night here at our house with his parents and his 'California Family', (us) We had lasagna, salad, garlic bread and jello pudding. His parents will have a ceremony once they get back home to NJ. They leave on Sun and Sat morning the guys are gonna get all David's furniture and stuff from his house moved into storage for them and we can deal with that at a later date. His Mom and Dad are ready to get back home and family there are missing them and I'm sure wanting to see them too. They will truly be missed and I hope we stay in touch. I went through a bunch of pics and scanned them all and Heather helped me put songs on it and I played it for them and everyone else that was here last night and they really enjoyed it. I only found 55 pics for this dvd, but i know I have more, and i chose 2 out of the 3 songs for the dvd as some of Davids favorites from our days. The Love Shack, B-52's, I Just Can't get Enough, Depeche Mode and then for the last song we did When I Get Where I'm Going, Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton. We burned a couple extra for them to take back home with them for family and they know that if they need more, we can make and mail them some more.

Yesterday and the day before, I spent attempting to explain to an almost 5 year old what it means when you die....... Yeah.... We have been around and around with questions and more questions and with the best answers I feel appropriate to be given. Once she (K) finaly realized that David had passed due to a severe illness, she wanted to know where HE went, what happened to his BODY.....(ok, i've had enough) K has only known that her Papa (my dad) passed from being very sick and this was two years ago and and I wasn't able at that time to explain to her the whole "why do people die" thing. so now, she wants to know EVERYTHING.... She does love going to Church and she knows about God and Jesus and believes in Heaven, (along with them thousands of questions that go along with it) So yesterday afternoon before our guests arrived, I reminded her that once darkness came, we would go out front and find the first star we saw and that would be our special star of David an she was happily agreed. (due to our current weather, we ONLY found ONE star in the night sky) THANK YOU LORD, BLESSED ARE OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS , IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.

Heather kept the kiddies for me today...thanks much.. cause, YEP, I am a stress basket. Today their day care had a field trip to WILD RIVERS, more that an hour away from home and a huge WATER park at that.....I know, I know, call me what you want. I thought about letting J go for about a day, but that lasted for about a minute..... (he does know how to swim, he's 8, but I just could not allow t.....) and Kaylee, NOPE , sorry, I just was not comfortable with her going AT ALL. She does not know how to swim yet and I'm sorry, but if I'm gonna let my youngsters participate in a water filled day, I want to be the responsible party. I'm sure I'll have many agreements in this scenerio......

(thx heather for keeping my babies in safe for the day!)

This Sat is also J & K's pool party and then Sun Becca has training class for the pageant which I will attend with her... (omgoodness, Do I ever get a break?)
I DESPERATELY NEED TO WASH A FULL LOAD OF WHITES AND DRY THEM, THEN FIND TIME TO FOLD THEM UP AND PUT THEM AWAY. I couldn't find socks for the kiddies tonight for the mornin'.......UUUGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday.......

2006-07-25T22:14:00.000-07:00

this weeks updates......

2006-07-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

AWFUL WEIRD WEATHER....... This is what our skies looked like yesterday afternoon. This whole weekends weather has been treacherous. At about 110 with thunder, lightning and even some rain, it has been terrible. We have had major power outages throughout our city with power sporadically going on and off all day..... A little scary if you ask me.... I even turned our thermostat up to 80 instead of 78 cause it just cannot cool down. I will be crying when I get our electric bill, I know but gosh, we would be frying and having heat stroke without it right now.... When Heathers power went out, she packed up her fam and went down to our local mall to try and find some comfort but said it was hot inside the mall too. This has been the worst summer heat that I can remember in a long time now.....

Friday night, we had a little surprise party for Becca for her 18th Birthday.....I went in to her work last week and asked her scheduling manager to please give her a shift on Friday to be off at 6pm and he did!!! It wasn't a huge party as we have a lot going on right now and well, you know how finances go. She just had a BIG grad party and now with the pageant, I didn't want to break everyone in my family including E and I..... We had pizza, salad and cake and she was totally surprised too. She actually was startled when she came through the door we all screamed and yelled surprise!!! It was great and yes, as you can see she and I even had a little cake fight......

Last Sunday, we went for Becca's pageant interview and application process. She got the phone call on Monday...She is in! She has been accepted to compete in her FIRST Miss Teen Pageant...Whew....Keep in mind that I am not a pageant mom, I'm a softball mom so we will definetly be learning together.... She is very excited and now we are on the road to getting sponsors before her training class on July 30. The pageant is Aug 13 so wish her (us) luck!!!!

These are a few pics I took before we left

David passed away this past Monday. It was really sad. I think he was ready to go be with his brother who was waiting for him, I'm sure. His parents broke down and all I could do was try to comfort them. I stood behind them hugging them as best I could while they watched their baby boy die. My mom and I took turns comforting them as we all cried and sobbed. Susan, (my moms best friend) was also there and she too cried and tried to comfort everyone as best she could. It was very sad and brought back many memories for me from when my dad passed 2 years ago. We will be having a memorial for David for his mom and dad at my house before they take their sons ashes back to New Jersey with them and prepare to have a funeral with their family there. Please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time....
Here are some pics from years ago of David and me and David with my girls.....

~Me and David~

~Becca and David~

~David and Vanessa taking a nap~

Favorite Foto Friday...

2006-07-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my nephew at the park last year...... I love this one of him!!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend, I have another busy one as usual this time of year!

Wordless Wednesday...

2006-07-19T16:51:00.000-07:00

WHEW....IT IS HOT!

2006-07-15T18:44:00.000-07:00

Talk about some heat here in So Ca. It is 6:45pm and still 103 outside and tomorrow's high is 107. I went to the gym this am and that is it, been inside ever since. Went outside to get the mail and OMG, it was horrible. E went to the Angel game with Steve today. Are they crazy or what? I am taking Heather out tonight for her birthday. My sis is gonna go with us too. We are gonna have FUN!!!! We haven't been out in a while so we'll have a blast, I'm sure! Tomorrow Becca and I have a pageant meeting to go to. Someone (I haven't figured out who yet) referred her to be consulted to be in a preliminary pageant and we meet with the lady tomorrow at a fancy hotel. We'll go and see what it's all about, she is excited about it and so am I.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend so far and hopefully staying as cool as possible!

Wordless Wednesday......

2006-07-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER!!!

2006-07-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday To You,

Happy Birthday Dear Heather,

Happy Birthday To You!

I have known Heather now for over 10 years and we have become extremely close throughout these years. Let me tell you, she is one incredible person. I have called her my sister in law for almost 8 years now, ever since her brother and I have been togethwe (even though we're not officially married yet)

We have shared many experiences together and she even lived with us for a while. She has always been there for me and I am here for her. When she lost her son Evan, I didn't know if she was going to be able to pull through, but with all of our support and care she has made it this far and one thing that I know helped her get through thus far was knowing that she had Emmalee, Evans little sister and her baby girl and the fact that her daughter needed her mommy was eminent. I know that you don't ever really get over losing a child especially when it's your own. Like they say, you're parents are supposed to die before their children. This is to be a Happy Day for her but at the same time she has so many memories of this month that she has a lot of down time and sadness. Evan passed away in July and his funeral was on her birthday so how happy could you be on your birthday when you think back to the same day years ago when you buried your son. I know that I could'nt be.

She has been very blessed in the past couple years of her life with her beautiful twin boys and in finding the love of her life Steve. I am so happy for her that she finally has some happiness in her life. She is such an incredible mother to those boys and to Emmy. She has gone through a lot with the boys being so premature and having to deal with so many illnesses with them brought back so many memories for her. I am glad that I was able to be there when they were born and through their incredible journey to where they are at today.

So as we celebrate and wish Heather a very happy birthday, she sits and remembers something very sad and she will for the rest of her life. I just want to say that I love you Heather and I am always a phone call away and just around the corner from ya! I am proud to say what a wonderful mommy you are to you children and we will never forget Evan, he will always be in our hearts and our thoughts.

So now that I know you are crying again, I wish you a Happy Birthday (old lady) LOL and I will be taking you out this next weekend, so plan on it girl!

Love Always, TiTi

The 4th and then two Birthday Parties in 1 day....

2006-07-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

We stayed home this year and BBQ'ed and hung out with friends an family. The kiddies had some sparklers and we did some other ones too. We invited David's parents over for dinner and I served them shrimp cocktails and they brought Coronas and limes, then we had BBQ chicken with baked potatos and corn on the cob. I knew that they wouldn't stay long so I made sure that dinner would ready during the shift change at the hospital. David is still not getting better as of today so please continue to pray for him and his family while they go this difficult time. Jay, (David's dad) was having a nice time chatting sports with Eric and it was nice to see that he could get his mind off of things for a little while. David's mom said that this was real good for him to laugh and talk a bit with someone because he really hasn't gotten to since David has been in the hospital.

Christopher loved the popping fireworks and he giggled everytime one went off. We could see the big fireworks from our corner and we strolled down there and watched for a while too.

Hope all had a wonderful and safe Fourth of July!!!!

My nephew Christophers 2nd birthday party was today. My sis had it over at her father-in-laws clubhouse and it was a pool party. He LOVES Thomas the Train so his party was just that. I even made his cake. Isn't it cute! One of the first gifts that he opened was the Thomas carrying case that I bought him and that was it, he was done with gifts. He took off and only wanted to play with the carrying case! His mommy and daddy opened the rest but a couple of them caught his eye. The Little Einsteins dvds that he got he studied like he was reading them, and then they opened this HUGE homemade Thomas blanket he he loved it!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY CHRISTOPHER!

~After Christophers party we went to Emmy's party. She had a candy party this year. It was real very cute, her mom had candy decorations and candy games and candy for prizes and the kids got to make cotton candy and they had a chocolate fountain going with marshmellows, strawberries and cookies for dipping. The girls sang to the High School Musical soundtrack and they are getting good already! The the girls got into their jammies and Heather had a total of 7 girls for her slumber party.

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY EMMY !!!!

~Here are Quentin & Zach enjoying the party and playing with their Uncle Eric~
Heather had the karaoke machine set up for the girls (and her)

This is Emmy and her mom singing one of their favorite songs together.

Aren't they just so cute!

Today is my last day off and it has been wonderful and was much needed at that. Tomorrow I go back to work and the kiddies go back to daycare. We have had a lot of fun between our vacation and the fourth of July and the b-day parties we had to just relaxing and hanging outside BBQ'ing and letting the kiddies play in their pool and on the slip and slide. We will continue our summer fun and we have many more b-days coming up too. Hope all are enjoying your summer so far!

Favorite Foto Friday.....

2006-07-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

this is one of my favorite action shots of K jumping in the pool during our vacation, i know it's a little blurry but i still love it!

Our vacation......

2006-07-03T17:49:00.000-07:00

Was great! ( I was a little worried at first because our whole drive their it rained off and in with lightning storms, but once we got into San Diego, it had cleared up)

I throughly enjoyed our little getaway. ~day 1~The zoo was our first trip and the kids liked it. J complained a but about it being boring at times and we just reminded that not everything we do revolves around what HE wants to do. (my goodness, can't they just be grateful for what they DO get?) anyways, he got over that and our day with the animals was fun. K loved meeting Pumbaa (from the Lion King, as you can see below, LOL) And the koalas looked like stuffed animals hanging on a branch to me....they are very cute.

Do they all have something in common or what? I LOVE the one of E behind the mask! I could of just left them all there at the zoo since they fit in so well! HEHEHE!!!

~day 2~The day I got too much sun....We went down to the beach and played in the water, which the kiddies REALLY like. The beach kinda scares me cause of the undertow and stuff and J likes to go out far and I'm such a paranoid freak of an aunt and wouldn't let him go out that far. They really had fun though and E took K out pretty far too, far enough to where the waves would knock her down with E right behind her catching her, don't worry, I WAS watching every moment. Then we walked up the pier (which was forever long) and the kiddies were amazed at how people were catching fish and they asked a bunch of questions and watched em bait their polls and cast em out and stuff. It was very hot and even though i used sun block, I still got a bit burned. Mostly on my face and head but not too bad. (I wore ball cap for the rest of our trip) E buried them in the sand and K made friends with some kids that had a lot of sand toys so she played with them for a while too while J and E went out further in the waves!
One of my favorite past times (along with E) was when we got to hang out in the spa-pool at our hotel and relax. Especially after our long busy days, it was really nice to come back and relax in the jacuzzi. The kiddies went back and forth from the pool to the spa too and they loved this time as well. We met many nice people, One of which I exchanged emails with and I'm gonna forward my links to my blogs. She and her god-daughter were there from Albequerky, NM and K and J made friends with her god daughter right away and everytime we were at the hotel or down at the pool, they all played together. (Hi Pam & Hailey) I got several pics of all them swimming and stuff that I will send to them. I also have some of favorite pics over on my photo blog so please check them out if you wish......
~day 3~ Sea World was the best! It was so much fun and we loved all the shows and stuff. The kiddies loved it when they got to feed the dolphins and sea lions. That was really cool. K literally fell overwhen Shamu first came up from the water when the show first started. We sat in the 2nd row (yes, in the SOAK ZONE, and YES we got SOAKED, which means I did not get a lot of pics during this show cause I was keeping my camera protected and hidden in its case the majority f the show. That was fine though, to see the look on the kiddies faces was priceless to me and I will never forget that! Definitely the BEST show there, incredible!
Oh yeah- K was EXACTLY 42 inches so she got to go on everything that Sea World had to offer.....AND she did too~! She is so fearless when is comes to stuf like that but bring up a flying insect and forget it man- she's a big scaredy cat! So we got to go on roller coaster there, The Journey to Atlantis that I also got SOAKED on-Me and J sat in the front and E and K were behind us and we all went on Shipwreck Rapids together that I also got SOAKED on. We made it to all the shows except for one and saw and rode on everything they had. By the time we left at closing, we were exhausted. We had a blast at Sea World! We drove thru Taco Bell and went bavk to our room and went down to the jacuzzi and pool for about an hour and a half before hitting the hay! This only took about 5 minutes after they hit their pillows!
~day 4~ was our 2 hour harbor cruise tour and we had to get all packed up and ready to head home before we drove down to the harbor to board our ship. It was really fun and the kids were a little scared at first and K kept asking if we were gonna sink. We got to see sea lions living in the wild and the coast of Mexico, the San Diego bridge that separated us from Mexico and several battle ships and stuff. Very neat experience. The same cruise ships do dinner cruises and champagne brunch cruises which E and I may do some day by ourselves! We stood on top during pur first hour then we went inside and E and I had a beer and the kiddies got a snack and they danced on the dance floor that they had on one of floors of the ship. They had a lot of fun. Then we walked around Sea Port Village and looked at the pirate ships and several battleship runways and stuff before heading back to the van to head for home.........

One our way home we hit major traffic then we found out that there was a brush fire on the side of the freeway and the freeway had been shut down. It took us over twice as long to get home as it did for us to get there. So we are finally home now and I have started unpacking all the clothes and started the laundry.

Tomorrow I have invited Davids mom and dad over for a BBQ with us for the 4th and they are coming. I think it will be nice that they don't spend the 4th alone. And since during the hospital shift changes, no visitors are allowed, which are between 6 and 8, they can be here with us having BBQ and they won't be but a few minutes from the hospital so they can return to their son after shift changes.

~Thanks to everyones nice comments from my previous post about David and his parents~

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO EVERYONE AND PLEASE BE SAFE IN WHATEVER YOU DO!!!

~HAPPY 50TH GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY JAY & PENNY~

2006-07-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

Well, we are home and our vacation was great, but before I continue about our trip I must first share a very special story with all of you. A very close family friend of ours, David is terminally ill and in the last couple months has spent a lot of time in the hospital battling his disease. (I am not going to go into detail about his illness at this time but continuous prayer is requested) David is very close to my mom and when my girls were younger, we were extremely close and he lived with us at times. He was like another brother to me and me and my girls loved him. I have many pictures and home videos of back then which I'm sure you'll get to see.

David's mom and dad live in New Jersey and David has been back and forth from California to New Jersey alot of his adult life and I always knew the name - ' Jay & Penny ' (yea Jay & Penny, David's mommy & daddy) but I never had the pleasure of actually meeting these wonderful people- until this afternoon. David went in to intensive care about 3 days ago and his parents 50th Weddng Anniversary celebration was scheduled for today Sat. July 1st , in New Jersey and everthing was already reserved and prepaid and they cancelled it all last minute to fly to here to CA day before yesterday because their baby boy, David is so sick.

Let me tell you, these people are INCREDIBLE people. I will probably not ever meet anyone like them again. David's dad, Jay is going to be 80 and he is a retired professor who still still student teaches and his mom is not only a fabulous mother and grandmother but a retired nurse and 75 ( i'm pretty sure she's 75, if not, she is going to be 75) and they look absolutely amazing. I have known and heard SO much about them all my life and to finally get to see them in person and hug and kiss em' was awesome!

We surprised them this evening at a local restaurant. They were planning on taking my mom and Susan (another friend of my mom and davids) out to dinner tonight at Market Broiler so my sis and I (along with my mom and susan) decided to try to make their dinner a little more special so me and my sis got there a little early and decorated the table with balloons and flowers and confetti and we got them am edible arrangement fruit basket with chocolate dipped apples in it and a nice bottle of champagne. They had NO idea and when they walked back to our table we started clapping and they were just looking at us like, who are those crazy ladies, then they realized and saw the balloons and flowers and their 50th champagne glasses with their name cards that I made for them at the table and they both (and us) teared up and they cried. It makes one feel good about themselves when you know that you have made a difference in one's life. When Penny finally sat down all she wished was that David was there with us......It was difficult to see them like that. ( that was incredible)

I was happy to see that a few times during our dinner, they both smiled and laughed with us and I would like to request special prayer for David and his mommy and daddy as they continue their journey to their son's recovery.

Penny and Jay: I love you guys and you and David will remain in my thoughts and prayers and I look forward to our many visits that I we will have and share with you David in the future.

( I will be posting updates and pictures about our vacation later on- more important things must always come first)

Love Always, Ti Ti

Packing Up.......

2006-06-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

ok- here i am now running around getting the bags packed and ready. Doing the final load of laundry before we depart. Do we ever feel like we're not forgetting SOMETHING? I know, we're only gonna be gone for 4 days but thats a long time away from home and with kiddies, you never know what you may need, right? We're taking a big ice chest full of drinks and waters and snacks like fruit cups and granola bars which we're gonna take into our hotel room and into the backpack that E will carry around during our big outings. Tomorrow morning we leave here and are going straight to the san diego zoo for the day, then we'll check into our hotel and wed we're going to hang out and do some walking around and go down to the beach and stuff , thur is sea world (kaylee cannot wait) and friday is our hornblower harbor tour on a big boat and the sea lion adventure, some more sightseeing and walking around the balboa park area and then we will head for home..... We have our week cut out for us, but we are gonna have FUN!!!!!! I will have many pics to share when we return and some much needed rest, I'm sure. Sunday is J's birthday so we will do something for him on his b-day but we're not having his pool party for another couple weeks. this year we're gonna combine their b-days and have one huge pool party at their papa's house! since K's b-day is in Aug and J's in July, it's not gonna be that big of deal! plus we had a grad this year and our vacation and money doesn't grow on trees, did you guys know that? well, i must get busy and check on my laundry and get finished up with packing! Hope all have a great week and I will update and check in on all of you when we return!

A few updates........

2006-06-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

Summer is definitely in the works here in So Cal. The heat is on the smell of BBQ is in the air! The kiddies are already browned and spend every second they can in the pool! I have been so busy lately that I am about a week behind on my updates! I will not be blogging next week because we will be on vacation~ YEAH!!!! I cannot wait to get out town! I will have many updates and pictures from our trip when we return next weekend! Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far and now I must go and buzz J's hair! He does not want me to but school is out and it is hot! He'll like it when I'm done!

Becca's graduation party went great. She got lots of cash and gifts from all of our friends and family! Thanks to everyone who came and to those that helped me out in bringing a dish. I really appreciate it. She already spent most of her money on her new ipod. That's what she wanted to get if she got enough dough and she did! We had a lot of fun and after most everyone left, some good friends of our family (who we don't get to see very often cause they live out of town) stayed later and we danced and talked and laughed and really had a good time! I still can't believe that I now have a soon to be daughter in college.

J had his end of the season pizza party and the team had fun playing video games and receiving their trophys. Another season gone and next season he will be moving up to the next league so he'll be in the minors! It doesn't seem like he has been playing for 4 years already. Gosh, I remember back 4 years ago whe he started and was just a little guy playing T-Ball! He is growing up too quick!

Favorite Foto Friday

2006-06-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Heather and I from a few years back! We were getting ready to go out! This is one of my favorite pictures of us!

Wordless Wednesday....

2006-06-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS BECCA!!!!!

2006-06-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of her and her accomplishments! She had worked very hard in achieving all that she has and for that I am PROUD. I cannot believe that I have a daughter that has graduated High School and will be starting COLLEGE classes in the fall. People always say, "There's no way YOU have a senior in high school, you're too young." And technically, they are correct. When I was Becca's age, I was toting around a baby carrier with her in it. (her biological father has never been a part of our lives) I had to go back and finish a few of my HS credits at adult education and they let me bring her with me every week when I turned my work in. We have had a long hard road, but with a lot of help and support from my family in raising her when she was little and I was so young, she has accomplished a major step in her life that I will always treasure. ( this actually makes me proud of the both of us)
I must thank my honey, Eric cause he stepped up to the plate 8 years ago and has been a dad to her ever since. He has taught her everything about softball and has coached many of her teams. Her love of sports comes from him. She has called him her step-dad for years now and that is really neat to me!

Gosh, I am becoming more and more emotional lately. I think it's cause I'm getting older, I don't know.

So here are some pics from Becca's days and from her graduation last night. It was very nice and I am still wondering where the time goes.......cause it sure does go fast.

I LOVE YOU BECCA!!!!!

~GO CLASS OF 2006~

Where Does The Time Go????

2006-06-09T20:55:00.000-07:00

Probably a question we ask ourselves EVERYDAY. I am experiencing Graduation this year more than ever. I have my oldest baby girl graduating High School and my youngest baby girl graduating preschool. (WOW, WHAT A STRETCH, HUH) I am amazed at the pictures that I have found lately. (Life before DIGITAL, huh?) It seems like I have been going through and scanning pictures for a good couple years now, although it's only been a few days. I have actually teared up more than ever lately. (yes, me, TiTi, I had tears come to my eyes) I want to thank Heather for my post and video from the boys today, THAT WAS JUST WHAT I NEEDED!!!!!!

Kaylee had her Preschool graduation ceremony today, it was absouletly adorable. I took many pictures and the once I got home, I was thinking back and WOW, I asked myself, where has he time gone? I went through some pictures and couldn't believe my eyes..... I hope you enjoy the collages I am posting below and just so you all know, I am feeling JUST a LITTLE OLD LATELY.

(GOSH, look at how Kaylee has grown up,

She is my Angel Baby! )

Favorite Foto(S) Friday.....

2006-06-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

~THIS IS MY DAD WHEN HE WAS JUST A BOY. THIS PICTURE REALLY REMINDS ME OF HOW JEREMY LOOKS TODAY~

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Happy HNT.....

2006-06-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

Yee-Haw.......

P.S.-my WW below is a cake poop cake that was made at my man's work for one of the guys!

Wordless Wednesday......

2006-05-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

2006-05-28T14:26:00.000-07:00

Riverside National Cementary Pictures....

2006-05-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

I don't know who this man is but I thought it was neat how he's just standing there looking out..... (and Heather is in the top one snapping away)

2006-05-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

Heather and I went to the National Cemetary today and snapped some pictures. Her grandparents are buried here and so is my dad. We got some neat shots.

2006-05-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday James! We celebrated James 39th birthday on Saturday at his moms. We had pizza, beer, soda, and juice for the kiddies and James dad played a little Hawaiian guitar when we sang Happy Birthday to him. It was neat!

Heather gave me the letter U- Thanks!

2006-05-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

Ok, Heather, you had to give me a difficult one, didn't ya?

Here we go, I'll do my best!

UNDERPAID: Who doesn't agree with this? We all want MORE money, don't we?

UMPIRE: My fiance is an umpire. He is umpired ever since he could. He learned
from his dad and often umpires with his dad. Usually he just umpires
girls softball but does some baseball sometimes too!

USEFUL: I find myself to be very useful, especially at work. Many colleagues come to me for answers and/or help with certain projects. Sometimes this can make me feel good and other times I wish they would leave me alone!

UNAVAILABLE: Which means I am taken! E and I have been together now almost 8 years. We did move our wedding date up a bit (only by 1 year, cause it takes $$$) but we are going to marry next May. We have had our share up ups and downs, trust me but I think we're in it for the long haul. I would love to spend the rest of my life with him and grow old together!

UNCLE: My great uncle was a millionaire and I never really knew him. He had some type of ownership in the 'Security Pacific Banks', which are now Bank of America. I knew him as a young kid when we had family gatherings at my great aunts house but after she passed, we didn't stay in touch.

UPFRONT: At work, people consider me to be upfront, cause I'll tell ya how it is from the get go. When I first started my job years ago, people thought I was a real bitch, then once they got to know me they felt more comfortable around me. Some people still think that sometimes but that's ok. Now at home in my personal atmosphere, I am known to not respond or answer as quickly as I should or sometimes they say that I am like talking to a wall. (I get that from my dad)

UNWIND: OK, this is a must.....although sometimes this does NOT happen for me, it sure is nice when it does. After a typical day for me, I need a little time to sit ALONE and not be bothered even if it's only a few minutes. Mornings are continous wake up calls to the little ones and continously reminding them to get dressed, get your socks and shoes on. Hurry up, brush teeth and get your backpacks and a granola bar, etc. Then off to day care to drop them off by 7:20am so I can attempot to get to wrok on time at 7:30am. (this rarley happens) Then after work at approx 3:45-4:00pm, I rewind my morning route and pick kids up from day care and depending on what day of the week it is we get prepared for baseball practice or game, a softball game or dance class. Once we fianlly get home, it's homework time as I prepare dinner. (sometimes dinners are quick ones, let me tell you!) Then usually by this time, E is home and helps me make sure they get showered and get their jammies on and stuff. WHEW!!!! NOW, I NEED TO DO SOME UNWINDING, THANKS!

UNDERSTANDING: When you have a family like mine, you must be understanding. That's all I have to say about this one!

UNIQUE: I think I am very unique. We all should feel this way about ourselves! I am one of a kind and wouldn't trade that for the world!

UNCONDITIONALLY: This is the love that I have for my family. My children keep me going when I am down and if it weren't for them and Eric, I don't know where I'd be today. My family means the world to me and I love them unconditionally.

OK, THERE ARE MY U's. THIS WAS NOT AN EASY LETTER BUT I DID IT! IF YOU WANT ME TO ASSIGN YOU A LETTER, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

Favorite Foto Friday....

2006-05-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

I got a phone call the other day from one of my cousins (on my dad's side) from Arkansas. I was glad to hear from her. The last time I saw her I was about 8 years old and she was 17 or so. We exchanged numbers and emails and we will be trying to catch up on some old times, even though we're so far apart. It's so neat to talk to my family with that southern accent, ya know. I like it! I sent her my blog links and she has been working on reading them. I got an email from her today and she told me that her birthday is the same day that my sister got married. How neat is that! She's also gonna be sending me some pictures now and then of my dad when he was younger and maybe some from other times as well. I would really like that!

So for my FFF this week, here one of the pictures that she sent to me. This is my dad when he was in the service many, many years ago. (I think it is so neat, thanks for sending it!)

~Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday weekend!!!~

Dance Posin' Pics.....

2006-05-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO ME!

2006-05-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to let everyone know that yesterday, May 21st was my ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY for not smoking. I smoked off and on for over 12 years. I am so glad I was able to kick that nasty habit. Now I can't stand the smell of them.

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Favorite Foto Friday

2006-05-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

This is Eric with nephew Zach when he was just a little guy! I love this picture of them...

Half-Nekkid Thursday.....

2006-05-17T21:42:00.000-07:00

I actually took this picture accidentally on our way to the concert last weekend.

~pretty in pink & showing a little skin~

Good Job Vanessa!!!

2006-05-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

We had Vanessa's Choir Banquet tonight. She received an award for Two Years of Dedicated Service! YEA! They served Mexican Food and the Choir had a great time spending time together out of the classroom!

Wordless Wednesday...

2006-05-16T21:29:00.000-07:00

What's happening with ETBVJK!

UPDATES..........FINALLY.........

CLYDE WAYNE.....

BABY AS ARRIVED!!!!!

some updates on some summer events.......

Kaylee- Student Of The Month"

some updates and a hello to everyone!!!!

new pics and a brief update........

new pics and updates...............

MY 500TH POST AND LONG AWAITED UPDATES...........

Poor Rascal........

its all about karl..................

9 TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY......

It's my favorite time of year.....FALL..........

some updates...............

a night at the roxbury...

just some funny pics......

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL ON ICE WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!!

the wedding was beautiful.......

IT'S OUR ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL........

just a couple pics of my big first grader K....

hot tamales....

THE COUNTDOWN..................

PARTY AND UPDATES.....

We're Having a Birthday Party.....

a day at the beach......and then some

HAPPY BIRTHDAY'S ARE IN ORDER!!!!!!

JUST SOME UPDATES---FINALLY......

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!!

...........MOVING OUT............

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY JAMES!!!!!!

UPDATES...............

Are We Related.....................

So Cal heats up for SUMMER FUN!!!!!

oh my.....I finally did it...............

UPDATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPDATES.......

Kaylee's Dance Recital......

updates....

Angel's FAN FEST.....

News...............

weekend stuff............

***********HAPPY BIRTHDAY AARON***********

My baby's apartment searching......

Thank-you Jay & Penny......

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.......

Holiday Cheer.....

TOO MUCH HOMEWORK TITI................

what's going on ??????

a more personal update.......... and more.........

UPDATES.........................

Wordless Wednesday.......

October Is HHHHEEERRRREEEE....................

Taking My Own Back To School Fall Pictures........

I'm OK..............

VIOLATED......

Becca's Softball Party & The First Day of School!

Favorite Foto Friday.....

Visit With Friends and Doheny Beach.......

Favorite Foto Friday......

HEY.....I'm back.........

Wordless Wednesday.....

weekend updates.......

Favorite Foto Friday....

Weekend updates.......

Favorite Foto Friday....(& then some)

Wordless Wednesday.......

this weeks updates......

Favorite Foto Friday...

Wordless Wednesday...

WHEW....IT IS HOT!

Wordless Wednesday......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER!!!

The 4th and then two Birthday Parties in 1 day....

Favorite Foto Friday.....

Our vacation......

~HAPPY 50TH GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY JAY & PENNY~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AARON