Disappointed.

Something disappointing happen to me last night. It was so "colossal", I slept all afternoon.

Maybe I am over exaggerating. But, for whatever reason, I was unable to start a class that I really wanted to join at my church. I may still be able to but in all the situation taught me something.  And this song added to my lesson.



It just made me realize that sometimes; I don't need to do ANYTHING else other than pour my heart out to the Lord and He will be there.

That's where I am now....pouring...and alone....."beautiful the mess we are..."

Back to School!

My hubby that is.... I wish him all the luck and I pray that he has the best semester ever.....

I wanted to share my "first day at college" story [GO COOGS!]. I heard some, "first day" stories on the radio this morning and thought it would be fun to share. And remember.

When I decided over 10 years ago [ YES, 10 YEARS AGO] to leave the small town of Mission and come to Houston to attend college; I didn't know what would happen or how things would play out. 11 years later, I am so Blessed. 

My story was; I went "away" to college. But, I came to Houston with my entire family. You see, we grew up between Houston and South Texas, so we had family here. Around the time when I graduated High School my family was ready for a change. We came here at the end of July and I was set to start school in August. 

Before this my cousin thought it might be a great idea for me to "meet people" (i.e. Ricardo, my now HUBBY) SO prior to starting school he decided, we would go on a double date. Get me acquainted with the city and ready to start school! Little did we know that the night we went out would be the same night I wanted to go back home, only 2 weeks after arriving in Houston. 

That day; I had gone to school, completed registration, financial aid, transportation arrangements, and so on. Well I had just gotten a new purse and stuffed it with all my paperwork, wallet with my new college I.D., and even had a camera that I had taken Senior pictures with but had a couple more left on it. I know how dumb this is, NOW. But, it would be the same purse that I took with me that night when we went out. 

Well my cousin, his then girlfriend now wife with three beautiful children, and Ricardo arrived to pick me up. We went out to dance and then dinner. Little did we know that at dinner, Ricardo's dad's white pick up truck would be broken into. [His dad JUST recently got rid of that truck, now he is sporting a new Toyota Tundra in Metallic Blue! Huge upgrade!] Completely beat up with a bat and our belongings GONE. Yes, after only 2 weeks in Houston as an "adult" my things were stolen. I was scared and devastated; the next day I wanted to pack up and go home! No joke. Certain that THIS would NEVER had happen had I been back home!? 

I started college, upset. Mad that I had lost all of my High School memories. Now thinking back. That's what college is about. Letting go of your "childhood" and entering a new life, a new season and moving forward! 

I thank God for the last 11 years and I thank Him for that night.....had it not been for that experience, I am not sure when I would have realized that I wasn't in "Kansas" anymore and that life would be VERY different from that point on. That I needed to get over it and grow up. 

I think I did, "get over it" and "grow up" and I hope that all those "kiddos" starting school; whether it's Pre-K, Kinder, Junior High, High School, or college, HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE and learn from everyone [mistakes and accomplishments] and everything around them [the world is MUCH bigger than you think]! 

Take it all in it doesn't last forever there is a real world out there waiting for you and Love your teachers they have been there and done that!  

Almost a ONE year old! {Count down to ONE!}

Month 11~ YES!!!! MONTH 11~ August 16, 2010

And still I sit before him in awe;

his little chunky hands grabbing at floating toys in the tub, his little round body like a buoy in the water.

I love him.

Him being in my life,

 captivates my heart every time.

The thought that something could ever happen to him kills me...

but I trust.

I trust the Lord that He has a hold on us.

That He has His arms wrapped around us and that He will never allow us to be without

His Love, His protection, His GRACE!

Santiago

He is so.....

Brave

Strong

Resilient

Bright

Tiny

Chunky

Lovable

Spunky

Mischievous

Loving

Soft

Happy

Blessed

Such a BOY!

Tough

Awesome

I am not just saying this because he is my son, ok maybe I am, but he is simply the most adorable and lovable little man you could ever meet.

I can't help but fall in LOVE with him EVERY time our eyes meet!

I know I am a little bias.

He IS incredibly smart for an 11 month old (ha. I know we all say this BUT IT'S TRUE!)

He...

SITS INDIAN STYLE...EVERYWHERE! HA.

Talks~Banana and Aqua along with Mama

Dances to EVERYTHING

LOVES Shrek!

Eats anything you give him

Loves WATER,

playing in and drinking it..not from the same place though, HA.  

Loves people

Wants to walk!

Thinks he's a big kid!

Loves his family

Wears pajamas

HATES shoes

Loves the OUTDOORS

IS VERY ACTIVE

IS VERY HEALTHY

IS VERY BLESSED

is a Ladies man...already. Ha.

His...

SMILE

LAUGH

{THOSE} EYES

{THOSE} CHEEEEEKS

Chunky toes

Michelin man arms and legs

Fat belly

EYES, HANDS, TOES, FEET, CHEEEEEEEKS, ROUND BELLY, FINGERS, LEGS, AND CHUNKY ARMS....

He is my little man!

He is my little Angel!

Thank You God for allowing me to care for one of your tiny Angels. For trusting me with him and for allowing him to fill my heart in places where no else had filled. Thank You God.

This month Santiago continues to develop, continues to give us and show us pure love, he continues to be our little miracle, our little Blessing. He is the best gift from God.

In a month..

he will be ONE!

he will have his FIRST Birthday Party.

he will have lived through so much in only 1 year!

he will be closer to becoming a running, talking, and crazy little man!

he will be closer to being baptized.

he will start a whole new year of exploring, growing, developing, learning, loving, meeting, being Blessed...

A whole NEW year!

wow.

WOW.

WOW.

{Tears of happiness, joy, love, from the heart, Blessings, LOVE fill my eyes.}

Can you believe it..it's been a year....THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THIS YEAR. 

Thank you for Blessing us...with your love, your friendship, your hugs, your kisses, your gifts, THANK YOU. May God Bless you all! 

now...planning....AHHHHHH only ONE MONTH LEFT! 

[Runs around like a chicken with her head cut off!] 

BLOG-CATION!

Ha.Ha.

So we are on vacation as of today!

I am sure I will have plenty of FUN and NEW things to tell you about when we get back!

I don't have a laptop! I know, can you believe that? But, I have LOTS of journals/notebooks and fun colored pens!

So,  while we are up, up and away.... enjoy some of our oldies but goodies!

THANKS FOR READING!!!!!

My VERY first Blog Post on my Wordpress Blog

Finding out I was pregnant

Telling everyone I was pregnant

My angry Uterus

Getting down to the nitty-gritty

Long awaited; Santiago's Birth Story

My VERY first Post on my Blogger!!!

My last weekend of Mother/Son alone time!

I REALLY, REALLY enjoyed my time with Santiago these last 81 days (YES YES YES 81 DAYS!!!) all this MOMMY/SON attention was BEAUTIFULLY amazing! God sent, for ab-so-lu-tely SURE! 

We will now be Blessed to share our time of love and everyday activities with Daddy! YAAAAY! (You have no idea, how big of a YAAY this is!) He has a lot of catching up to do with us, a lot of schedule changing to adjust to and MANY, MANY hours of love, hugs, and kisses to catch up on!


I can't wait to see Ricardo and to simply be in his presence everyday from now on (just don't tell him that..he gets a really, REALLY big head! Ha. Ah. What the heck...he's been away for so long we can let him have this one!)...Ricardo and I have been together for 11 years and in those 11 years we had NEVER, NEVER been away from each other more than a couple of weeks at a time and only for about a month or so at a time... So it's, to say the least, that the last 3 months have been, uhm, difficult, for both of us!(And of course our lil'bitty Lally, who really has no idea when we come and go but LOVES being around us!)  


Not to mention all the fears I had to overcome to get here, all the struggles that these last 3 months brought us and all the UGHS and AAAAAAAAHS I just had to bear with alone!

I didn't want to be negative but that's what life is about...the GRAND and the not so lovely, puh-weey ::POUTS:: moments!

The last 81 dyas have been both UP and down; sad and HAPPY, lonely and LOVED, Frustrating and upsetting, BUT MOST EVERYDAY...a smile, AND DEFINITELY EVERYDAY a BLESSING!

Always appreciative of this experience.Thankful of Ricardo's Internship, which helped pay bills this summer. An awesome reminder as to why God never allowed me to live alone, I couldn't handle it....I am after all a people person! Grateful that HE allowed me to, at this point in my life, experience "being", "living", "seeing" like a "single mom" (kinda-sorta)but simply Blessing me as a Wife and Mommy to One!

There are few who have been there the last 81 days...if you were THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, if not, NO WORRIES, God knows why and I can't keep you from being a Blessing for someone else, who needs it more than me!! That plus I COMPLETELY understand...we all have our lives, our own problems and our own 81 days to take care of....truly NO WORRIES,THANK YOU always!

SPECIAL THANKS TO MY MOM! RICARDO'S MOM! RICARDO'S AUNT MARYANN! RICARDO'S SISTER ALE AND COUSINS ERICA AND DANIELLE, FOR BEING AWESOME AUNTS TO Chunk Man! AND TO ERIC AND MAX FOR BEING AWESOME UNCLES WHILE RICARDO WAS AWAY!

LOTS OF LOVE!

On our last weekend together Santiago and I; slept in, went to the park, cleaned up, went to a Birthday party, enjoyed long naps, watched Shrek like a million times (he likes this movie!), and spent an entire afternoon with visitors in our home!

Here are some of the pictures:

Eating Cucumbers with a hint of lime

Some daily snacks

Things that make you go, HMMM?!

I know that she did this to herself.

But, I can't help but feel so bad and just wanted to cry for her when I saw this video.

I pray for those children.

Octo-Mom

I question the ability to raise this amount of children with support much less on your own; for them to become stable and well adjusted adults. As well as being able to monetarily afford such a feat. I know that all things are possible through Christ but this just blows my mind.

As we know from Jon and Kate that EIGHT, is sometimes TOO many. Although I will say that as kooky and uptight as Kate can be, or is portrayed to BE, I envy her organization skills and love that she has a nursing background. Those kids are so healthy and active! And they do age approprtaite CHORES!

Then there are the Duggars, who somehow seem to manage. Although the Mom seems a bit much "brain washy" for me, they manage. And, the whole "Buddy-system", seems like too much responsibility for those children. I feel like they never get to just be children. But who knows.  

Then there are Jen and Bryan, who TO ME, are a seemingly more relatable couple; who are actually dealing with the REAL LIFE issues of having six children and sustaining a good marriage and ok communication.

I just don’t know.

I would be a nervous wreck everyday!


I think had Jon and Kate kept their day jobs they may have still been together.

What do you think Blogger Mom’s; do-able or am I just a wimp?

Going Green.

So, I promised I was going to go GREEN for Santi. I did SOME research and basically ended up reading labels and finally just went to the store to buy some products. These are some of the products that I've found, that are affordable and don't smell horrible! I got these at Babies R Us with coupons from the websites but as always....Target has then as well and they accept different manufacturing coupons.


The first three are basic food area and baby clean up items:

And this last one is for his Bathroom, I usually clean it after every other bath...my little man is kinda dirty...and he does bathe every night! Ha.

In the sense of trying to be a "Green Mommy", and in an attempt to help myself be more healthy, I have started by giving my baby healthy foods he seems to love them! 

Did I mention he LOVES to eat!

Eating diced Bananas.

On one of my trips to Ikea I decided to pick up an Apple Cutter thingy, Ha. Apple Slicer? Who knows but I know I have heard other mothers rave about it...and oh my are they ever so right!

Again my Santi doesn't mind my endless cutting and dicing of fruit...he enjoys it every bit!

And it's a nice little mind exercise for him....check out the concentration and the curled toes! LOVE IT. LOVE IT.

Dim Sum Sundays and Family.

These are from last weekend when my hubby was in town and we also had family in from Reynosa!

This is after I went to pick him up from the airport:

This was Santiago on our way to see my family:

This is my family who came to visit from Mexico:

My little Cousin Bella.

The boys with their Great-Grandpa and my Tia Delia.

The boys with their Grandfather.

And again with their Great Grandpa (My dad's dad)

Whole new generation of COUSINS! Love it. My brother closed his eyes!

Then on Sunday we went to Ocean Palace on Bellaire and Boone to eat some Dim Sum, it was good but a bit overwhelming so I only got pictures outside:

All done eating.

Looking for the fish.

Ah. Found them. Santiago looks worried.

He didn't care for turtles, plus the water was weird looking.

Santiago was exhausted to say the least.

Santiago (My Tiny Chunk of a Man)

Month 10 (July 16, 2010) --this is about 15 days OVERDUE! I know....-- and in 16 days..I will be working on HIS 11TH MONTH UPDATE! O.M.GOSH!

Emotions:

You said "MONTH WHAT??!?!?"; I know…so did I!

Number 1, it totally crept up on me and number 2…can you believe it???

Seriously this month has come too fast. My baby will soon be a toddler!

Yes the “exhaustion” continues but this month was such a roller coaster of emotions that I didn't have time to think about it! I like it that way.

I know that I emphasize A LOT on the exhausting part of having a son but I hope everyone also understands or realizes how much fun it is! How amazing and awestruck you can feel just to have a child! And I hope it never comes off as bitter or complaining... I love my son with all my heart and LOVE having him in my life!

It's just not an easy task and I think most, if not all, mom's can agree, being a mom is the single most difficult and challenging job I have ever had! And let me tell you I have had some jobs! Ha. But with this new stage of my life, I must be TOO many people all at once! Christian/Catholic, Mom, Wife, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor, co-worker, funny person, supporter, consoler, housekeeper, accountant, babysitter, listener; trust me the list goes on and on!

BUT I LOVE IT!
I mean look at my life...what is there not to love?

And, my “attempt” to be a “single mom”…total fail. I have been frustrated, lonely and just plain miserable at times. My friend who is a Single Mom reminded me of how long she has been a Single Mom for and allowed me some perspective as to how EASY I have it…. Love You “T”.

Needless to say I have many wonderful Blessings in my life and have truly gained new appreciation for them, especially my husband whom I miss tremendously. You see I am usually a hardheaded, spoiled and naggy wife…with my husband gone….I realized this a LOT more…my husband even jokes by asking…so now do you miss me? I would usually say no, just to be stubborn, BUT these days it’s… "O.M.GOSH, YESSS!"

This month I also realized that although I was so jealous (and upset, and mad, and BITTER) of the fact that my husband got to stay home with my 'Ago from his this 3rd month until his 8th; for almost 3 months now I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy his new mobile adventures and he has sadly been missing some very cute and very joyous milestones!

But we all signed up for this Internship and it has definitely been for the best and in the end it will be to better our little family of 3! We are VERY grateful for it and it was a true Blessing this summer, although I didn't have too much money at the end of the month we paid all of our bills and got to have some fun as well!



Highlights:

• Santiago now has 6 teeth and 2 more in the works…yes..he has some good eating chompers and good thing.. cause he LOVES to eat!
• He now crawls almost to a “run” or “sprint” if you will, this kid is quick and he is YES… EVERYWHERE!
• He is TRYING to stand alone and still has “I can walk alone complex”.
• He is VERY "vocal" now, KNOWS exactly what to do to get your attention, how to “ask” for more and how to “ask” for help amongst other very amusing sounds and gestures!! Gestures “gimme” and wants everything!
• He LOVES to play with his Grandparents, tiring them out beyond their wildest imaginations; I think some days they wish they had stunt doubles, I KNOW I DO!
• He is VERY spoiled by EVERYONE.
• He is very, very good at sleeping at night now, pretty much through the night, out at 10pm up at 6:30am. Mostly due to his SUPER EXTREMELY ACTIVE days! Not a bad thing, I am Blessed to have a HAPPY and HEALTHY baby!
• He is very observant {Partly because he is witnessing the WORLD for the first time!
• Has MANY emotions; happy, grumpy, sleepy, hungry, thirsty, lazy, tired; maybe that’s how they came up with the 7 dwarfs names! By watching babies! Ha.
• He grunts when he doesn’t like something.
• He dances and LOVES music!
• He eats cheerios!
• He loves to play and be silly!
• He is very attached to me, yaaay and then boo! Ha.
• He helps me pack and unpack now!
• He loves dresser drawers and doors!
• He loves knowing that he's accomplished something; like all humans; like when he climbs over things or reaches for toys! I guess it’s reassurance!

Discoveries:

• That he looooves to DANCE!!
• Bugs! YES…and he loves to touch, feel and explore!
• I love when he looks out onto something new…almost everything at this point…and his glare of wonder and excitement all in one…he can’t contain himself and marvels at it…even if it just a piece of lint! Ha.

Challenges:

Mommy-

• Saying NO in a way that he understands.
• Finding new and creative ways to keep him from being bored. (i.e. Shakers and Flashcards)
• Having to deal with the illnesses Santi's and my own...on my own!
• Having to deal with all the house chores and bills on my own
• Having to handle IMPORTANT DECISIONS over the phone with the hubs!
• Sadness and Loneliness; mostly related to my husband not being around to help me right now!

Baby-

• Separation Anxiety, ESPECIALLY AFTER NAPS! And in this last week or so when I leave him at his Grandma’s house for the day…..he clenches to my arm and it just breaks my heart.
• Not getting his way and throwing fits and yes even holding his breath. Which is totally normal, I hear!
• Hitting others, SCRATCHING AND BITING!
• Being bored
• Having to wake up early to be taken to his place of daily care, his GranMa’s house
• Being easily scared by new objects AND sounds, like mom and dad’s laugh, it really freaks him out.
• Fever
• Cold
• Diarrhea
• Teething
• Getting him to go to sleep without an overnight bottle
• Getting him to sleep alone in his crib!
• Getting him to go to sleep at his bedtime!

Height: 29 5/8 Inches —90th percentile (Same as before)

Weight: 20.8 lbs---50th percentile (Same as before)

Next doctor’s visit: At 1 YEAR of age! (2 months)

What to look forward to:

His Baptism, still in the works.

His first Birthday!!! Only 2 months away.

The ZOO!

The Museum.

Trips and Travel in August.

MOST ANYTHING AT THIS POINT.

Must be a Mommy/Creative Week!

Ok, so I totally got this new idea.

A Blogger that I follow created a "Purge Book", well I am totally going to steal the idea and create my own (borrowed) recipe book! Should be fun!!!! It may be more like a binder but you get my drift! Ha. I will work on it and show it to you later...

This is something that I created the year (2006) I got married to keep all my new Wife papers together. I was very proud of it! But, looking at it now, it's not my most creative or nice looking work, Ha. It served it's purpose though. I had all my bills, medical information, name change paper work and all others in it. I had a Marriage prayer on the front and Bible Verses on the back for when it all weighed me down. The "I am not FORGOTTEN", it's my FAVORITE Israel Houghton song!

In the mean time know that Tuesday, I did a little "ME" shopping..ALTHOUGH everything was from the Clearance rack.....I still felt super guilty and went back and returned like 10 million things! Ok, just 2 shirts went back but I really didn't feel comfortable in them......this is what I kept:

My Fav is the Green one with the Flowers...it's cute... $3 at TARGET!

I also bought my beautiful son some pretty snazzy shorts:.

FOR $2!

And these cute little "Snack Bags" from the Dollar section at Target: 

Already in use: 

I ALSO tried this new "thing", my Sis in Law [::Waves:: "Hi, Ale!" ::Smiles::) is doing this whole "HerbaLife" thing. Well I was a total non-believer; until that night! I had a "super" "secret" Green Tea, to "give me energy" and call me crazy or totally susceptible to the power of suggestion but IT WORKED! No joke. Before I drank it I was so tired and want to just go to bed when I got home but then I had it and was like the Tasmanian devil for hours! [Good and Bad]


But yeah!


As you can see...it may...or may NOT....still be "working"...hmmmm..... [::laughs for no reason::]


In all, I had a good little time shopping that day....and then came yesterday...so number one I am getting ready for Santi's first Birthday and number 2...shopping is my weakness.


I went to Archiver's which by the way...they are evil...hahaha...not really but wait.... I went to return a hole punch($25.99)...(found the same one for $11.00 at Hobby Lobby, with a 40% off single item coupon)

Well, I went determined to get my money back....I walked in, approach the "nice" cashier and tell her I want to return and item. She then tells me "Ok great do you wanna shop around while I get this ready for you?"

I didn't want to be rude so I said sure..this is where they are evil..and I am weak...I found "stuff"..end of story I came back to the register and only walked out with a $19.00 dollar return.

You do the math....

With my return at Target, the 2 shirts that didn't sit well with me, I got $40.00 back. That's probably why they didn't sit well with me, all the others were less than $6 a piece! But then ended up buying some toys for Santiago's Birthday goodie bags to give out to the kids...they had some CUTE stuff! 

I couldn't resist! 

Leave you with this: I also wanted to share what my at home "creative" workstation looks like. It's my dining room table...I know..I need to work on a better creative space!