Friday, June 24, 2011

Happy Birthday

Today my brother should be celebrating his 36th birthday beside his wife and daughter and instead, the hole that was left years ago still resides and we will celebrate without him yet again.  Cancer is nasty and it sucks.  Cancer didn't care that my brother wanted to be a dad and husband and give them the life our father never gave us.  I know birthdays in heaven have to be better than the birthdays we have here on earth but I still wish he was here to celebrate with.  One more hug, one more I love you and one more joke to get me through the day.  Then again, after that "one more", I am sure I would want more!  Happy Birthday Justin.  I doubt you are reading blogs in heaven but I just don't feel right not wishing you a happy birthday in some way.  I will celebrate you today, I will tell your nieces more stories and keep you here with us in spirit.  I love you!!!!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Raise Awareness

I write this blog to keep people updated on the goings on in our lives here.  I started this years ago, mainly for my family since I was living out of state and I would always get asked what was new and didn't want to repeat it all the time.  Somehow it has turned into something more.  I am sharing our life's struggles, our highs and our lows and throwing some recipes and fun stuff in from time to time.  Almost 2 years ago we started walking down a new road.  My oldest was diagnosed with Epilepsy, you can read her story over here.  It took me a little while to feel like I was standing strong again, it really knocked me down for a while and ever since then, I want to raise awareness.  Not only for her, but for kids who no longer have a voice, in the video below, it is summed up perfectly, "life isn't fair, sometimes it just isn't".  That statement is so true.  Seeing my child lay in a hospital bed hooked up to IV's and undergoing numerous testing, I think, life is not fair.  I wish I could take her place for her and go through her pain for her but I also think, no one should have to take her place.  It isn't fair for anyone to have to go through this.  Please take a moment and watch this video.  These are just a handful of families who have been affected and thee are numerous more out there.  I am one of those families.


After watching, if you feel the need to help or want to know what you can do for families like me, please just let me know.  One thing you will find about people living with Epilepsy is that they want people to know and they don't mind people helping raise awareness on their behalf.  Thank you in advance!!!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Three Blessings

9 years ago I was thrilled when I found out I would be having a beautiful baby girl.  4 years later I was a little disappointed to find out that it was another girl, but I was content and was happy my older girl would have a sister to bond with.  When my third turned out to be a girl, I was devastated.  I know a lot of you will think of how selfish and sick that sounds but I had my heart set on a boy.  When trying to get pregnant, I tried everything written on how to conceive a boy and I even started calling my belly the little boys name I had picked out.  So when the ultrasound tech asked if I wanted to know what I was having, my exact words were "Of course, I mean, I already know it is a boy, but you can just confirm that for me", the poor lady had no clue what to say, I feel so bad for putting her in that spot.  She looked at my two girls in their with me and said "looks like another little princess is joining the family".  I about died and asked her to check a couple more times.  How had I been so wrong, I was not meant to have three girls, I needed my boy!!  I know I heard God laughing at me that day, wondering how on earth I thought it was up to me.  Now that my girls have grown some, there have been many times that I have looked at them and knew it was exactly how it is supposed to be.  I look at my baby and think, there is no way I can picture having a boy.  Last night, we celebrated.  My oldest will be going into fourth grade after summer vacation and my middle one into kindergarten.  And how do girls celebrate?  Girls night in of course! We put on jammies, rented and movie and ate junk food to our hearts content.  Right before bed time, I chased the girls around the house and we ended up in my room.  At one point I was crawling on the floor about to jump up onto my bed where they were huddled and I knew I had to get my camera.  As I sprang up to shrieks of laughter, I saw my three little blessings holding on to one another and giggling.  It was a picture perfect moment and it was drilled into my head yet again, it is supposed to be like this.  Would I love to have a little boy?  I think ti would be amazing to have a son, to watch a boy grow into a man and make a life for himself but I am perfectly content with my girls, I couldn't imagine my life without it being with them.  As soon as the laughter died down, I did go get my camera and we had fun taking pictures.  And another thing about having all girls?  Taking pictures is a breeze, they all sat with me as we took a picture, looked at it and said "lets try that again"  15 tries later and we finally got some with all of us in it.  In all the chaos that is my life right now, I feel so happy that I have these three blessings in my life!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Olive Garden At Home

I need to say that I am not responsible for the recipe, however I really do wish that I was!!!!  I had some zucchini in my fridge and wanted to make a pasta dish with it but had no clue what to do.  I was wanting a really good alfredo sauce but had yet to be happy with one.  And that was when this super yummy recipe came into my life.  It jumped out at me with the title, it said ti is better than Olive Garden!!!  I was pretty skeptical when reading that.  Olive Garden alfredo, while I am sure it is loaded with way too many calories is also extremely delicious.  I can never order anything else except their chicken alfredo with angel hair pasta every time we go because I love the sauce!!  Because of it's claim, I had to try it and OMG, yes I said OMG, it is freakin fantastic!!!!!!  I dipped my spoon in when it was done to get a taste and I screamed OMG!!!  (I normally never use that term but it was warranted) The shriek of OMG brought my kids running wondering what was going on.  I told them how amazing dinner was going to be and thank the good Lord above, they agreed.  I didn't have any angel hair pasta on hand but I used regular spaghetti noodles and put some garlic sauteed zucchini on top.  Needless to say, dinner was OMG fantastic, you must try this recipe asap!!!!!!  Head on over here for the recipe and in the meantime, enjoy some delicious pictures (I don't claim to be a great photographer because, well, I am not, but food still looks good to me no matter what).....

This was my kids plate with cut up noodles :)

Oh that sauce, I think I might dream of that darn sauce!



On a side note, I was told that I HAD to take this picture!!!!  I happily obliged, they did however come running when they heard me shrieking with delight!!!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Welcome To Adulthood......A Little Late

So with the recent turn of events in my life I have found it necessary to get a job.  I am definitely not complaining, I am actually looking forward to this new stage and know that it will bring much happiness in the long run.  However, I have been a stay at home mom for 9 years and the only jobs I have had during that time was working at a mall and working in a restaurant.  I feel like I am very accomplished, I feel like i have done a lot for my kids, I have been a voice for my daughter and her Epilepsy and I feel like I am constantly learning new things and multi-tasking the heck out of life.  What is my kryptonite lately?  A flippin resume.  Even the word brings me to my knees.  Education?  Well, that would be my diploma from high school 11 years ago.  Work?  Cracker Barrell and Bath and Body Works.  Skills?  Many, I can change a dirty diaper while getting my other kid dressed while brushing my teeth and packing a school lunch.  Oh whats that, you don't care?  Oh good, glad my resume is mainly just my name and address.  Has anyone else had this problem?  I feel like I have suddenly done nothing while feeling like I have done everything.  here's hoping I can use those amazing mommy skills and pull off an amazing resume because right now, the outlook is grim.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

SYTYCD Part 1,000

If I am not watching So You Think You Can Dance on tv, I am eagerly awaiting for them to go on tour so I can sit front row and meet all the dancers after.  Yes, I am a little obsessed, but in a healthy way.  And yesterday topped it off, it was AMAZING!!  My Aunt and one of my friends both got tickets to a live taping.  This was not only exciting because it was a live taping but they have yet to air who actually has made the top 20 and will be on the show.  I have been sworn to secrecy about who has actually made it but I can tell you this, they are AMAZING!!!  And I am sure people say this every year but seriously, nothing was out of place last night.  They all danced strong and I was in awe.  After some of the numbers, I  was speechless!!!!  And not only did I see the dancers perform, I got to hear the amazing judges give feedback.  People like Robin Anton, Lil C, Tyce Deorio (swoon), Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe.  Can I say how awesome Nigel is?  We were there for 2 tapings.  The one they did in the morning did not have many people there and we got to stand front row to the right of the stage (I am wearing a blue cardigan, look for me, this is the last number where all top 20 dance, during the show I was seated in the middle 4 rows back).  Ok, back to Nigel, amazing power this man has.  There was part of the stage that eh did not like and as soon as he said he did not want it there, it was gone.  he didn't demand it like he was a power hungry a-hole, he just told it like ti was and because of his authority, people listened.  I was a little in awe.  One guy did give some lip and I thought the poor guy might get fired, I kind of wanted to go up to him and let him know who the man he was talking to was and that maybe he should just do it, lol, but none of that happened and Nigel was pleased.  At the later taping,t hey also had choreographers there.  Travis Wall and Sonya Tayeh to name a few.  And can I say this?  I did not get to sit and talk to Travis and I have always been a huge fan.  During his season I lived in Virginia Beach, VA where his mom has a dance studio and we were all Travis crazy.  He seemed like a major jerk!!  I was really let down.  When others were talking and not about him or when other choreographers were being praised for their work, he would sit arms crossed rolling his eyes and the only time he seemed happy or pleased was when they were talking about him.  He really came off as arrogant and it is so sad, it seems like Hollywood and fame has taken its toll on him, so sad!  Some dancers from past seasons were there as well, Robert (swoon again) and Katherine who looks identical to my cousin Jessica who was there as well.  It was just an awesome day and I am hoping I can go to another taping before it stops filming this season.  On a side note, as we were walking form the Grove to the taping for the second taping session, we saw none other than Ice T and Coco.  I know some of you may laugh but I was pretty excited.  And she is gorgeous!!!  I always thought she looked a little trashy but she looks gorgeous in person.  We weren't allowed to have cameras on the CBS property but we did get some pictures before going in late that afternoon......



So, I highly suggest watching this season!!!  Tonight the Las Vegas auditions will air and tomorrow, Thursday, June 09, the taping I was at will air.  It is the debut of the top 20 and it is a must see.  And see if you can spot me and my friends and family.  You may not get a prize for spotting us but, well, just do it anyway :)

Friday, June 3, 2011

Friendship Bracelets

My girl is getting older and has amazed me with some of the things she is into now.  She is not a girl who has a ton of friends and her close friends that she plays with everyday are 3 boys.  I am not alarmed, they are mean like girls are and she has had a hard time with some of the girls in her grade so for her, I am sure it is a safe haven of sorts.  There is one boy in particular, Adam, he has been in her class for the past couple of years until this year.  They really hit it off.  According to Cass in a story she wrote that was in her open house folder, Adam and her are best friends because he is different like her.  Adam and Cass also both go to special ed together and while I would like to say these 2 are normal, I am sure they get told otherwise by their peers.  I think they have the unspoken connection of 2 kids who have slight differences than the "normal" kids and so they have gravitated to one another.  The other day Cass came home sad, it turns out that Adam is moving.  My heart broke for my girl.  As an adult, saying goodbye to friends is never easy, for her I am sure it hurts more.  This boy has been her best friend, her safe place at school, someone she relates too.  Then she showed me her arm, "mom, look what Adam bought me"  Placed on her sweet little wrist was her very first friendship bracelet.  "He said he wanted me to have it so I could always remember him".........we were in the car so between having to drive and having my 3 girls stare at me, I decided the ugly cry was out of the picture.  How sweet is this boy?!  The school is selling friendship bracelets, I am not sure who it is benefiting, but he thought about my girl and wanted her to have something to remind her of him.  That next morning, I gave her some money so she could do the same and when she came home, she had another.  I guess he wanted to buy her another one after she bought him one.  I die!!!!!!  Why does he have to move?!!!  It saddens my heart for her.
Now, here is the funny part.  When we were talking about him yesterday, she told me how when he gets to San Diego, yadda yadda yadda, I had to stop her.  San Diego?  "Baby, that is great news!!!!"  For those of you who have no clue where I live, it is not far at all from San Diego.  If someone in San Diego called me right now and wanted to have lunch, it would be completely possible.  She may not be at the same school with him anymore and yes, she will have to make new friends and hopefully they are as kind, but I am hoping his parents will be on board for us to get the kids together every now and again.  I cannot see her saying a forever goodbye to this sweet boy!!!!
Now I know some of you are thinking it is more, that these two may have a sweet innocent school crush on one another and that may be so, but how cute are they?  Crushes at that age are innocent and they play star wars and battle swords for goodness sakes, it is fun.  Play on sweet children!!!
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