Photo Comparrision

On the left is Javier and on the right is me.

Here I am with my eyes wide open. If they were a little more "normal" I think the look would be even closer still.

Here's Javier again:

I see my lips, eyes, nose and facial shape in him a lot. He has my sleepy eye, poor baby. He has Roy's chin, though. What do you think?

El Camino

IT has arrived. Finally. After endless hours of work on Little Man Auto's part, it's done. For the most part and our too excited to talk son is driving it home now!!!

More pictures are SURE to follow but here's the one Roy took at the shop minutes ago. I'll get more when they get here.

Finger Sucker

I don't know how it happened but it has. We have a finger sucker on our hands (sik, I know). It was cute the first time he found those 2 fingers. He started clear up on his forehead and worked his way down to his open mouth. He rarely misses now, take a look:

Another shot taken a different day in his crib instead of the bouncer:

Here's one Troy took when I ran up the road for more lavender:

(Notice, it's almost the I Love You in ASL.)

And take a look here. Nothing to hide, with his eyes wide open: He sleeps so well, all night long actually; now we know why. When I cover those little boogers, his sleeves are wet but he doesn't get the fingers and he still sleeps all night long! So, I'm trying to keep them covered at night. Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with kids having a pacifier - I just didn't want mine to have them! I was Paco's pacifier and I thought it would go the same way with Javier. He can nurse whenever he wants and for as long as he wants and he does - along with sucking on his little fingers... sigh. I must be mad for being willing to sacrifice an hour of sleep for night nursing, I know. I just don't want to have to wean him from his fingers AND me. Will see how it goes, I guess.

Kids

Okay, summer is here I am going crazy. Not because of me but because of the kids being home and all the bickering and fighting I have to put up with in the course of a day. If it's not Melynda and Taylor fighting, it's Melynda and Paco or Taylor and Paco. Sigh.

We went to Karcher Mall today to buy anniversary cards and a present for my parents. We didn't even make it through the card buying without incident. Here's a condensed version of what happened:

The kids were to sit on the bench and wait for me to buy the cards in Hallmark. If they got up from the bench, I would take the accused to the restroom for a swat - no messing around today. Of course, Paco got up. I took him to the restroom and gave him a little swat for not minding. On our way back to the bench, I heard some girls' making a terrible racket and I thought, "Good, someone else's kids aren't minding either!" Imagine my dismay and horror when the kids in question where none other than my nearly 13 and 10 year old daughters' were fighting on the bench in the middle of the mall. I was mortified. Seems Taylor was annoying Melynda and Mel got fed up with her and SMACKED HER UPSIDE THE HEAD!!!! What?!?!?!

We left the mall. Immediately. Strait home. Will discuss with Dad what to do with them as I could have beat them to a pulp.

That being said, it's still a better day than working at the office. At least I can send them to bed for naps and have a Mocha Frappucino from my "mommy stash."

There was an old woman,

Who lived in a shoe;

She had so many children,

She didn't know what to do.

She gave them some broth,

Without any bread;

She whipped them all soundly,

And sent them to bed.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our 5th wedding anniversary. Most of the time, it seems much longer than 5 years yet I can remember like yesterday our dating days and find it hard to believe that 5 years has already passed!

Here we are with our parents on our wedding day

Today is also my parents' 47th anniversary! Not to be forgotten, my Uncle Gilbert and Aunt Kay celebrate 52 years today and their daughter and her husband make 30 years today! Yes, all on June 12th.

I WILL BE HERE
by Steven Curtis Chapman
Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I...I will be here
If in the dark we lose sight of love
Hold my hand and have no fear
'Cause I...I will be hereI will be here...
When you feel like bein' quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winnin' and losin' and tryin'
We'll be together
'Cause I will be here
Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I...I'll be here
Just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
I...I will be hereI will be here....
You can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you
And I will be hereTo watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here
I will be true
To the promise I have made
To you and to theOne who gave you to me
I...I will be here
And just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
'Cause I...I will be here....
We'll be together
'Cause I will be here

Fun Days

Yesterday we took all the kids to Eagle for their annual Fun Days! It was something that Roy used to do with the kids before I came along, something we did while dating and something I did as a single gal growing up... then we got married and quit going. ???

So, we went. Took a hundred bucks from the ATM and away we went to throw money to the wind - literally it seemed. :(
Here is Paco on a ride, having a blast, wearing his new BSU football jersey from his brothers.

And here the two of us are riding the horses. I have to say, the ride seemed to last forever!!! Doubt it did but it felt like to me, sitting astride the saddle.

From the carnival, we finished off our "moo-la" on a wonderful mexican dinner at Casa Mexico. I had chicken mole enchiladas that my baby boy is paying for today. Bummer. They were delicious last night but not so much today on his tummy. Poor baby. A grand dinner and the kids were so well behaved. All the servers kept commenting on how well behaved they were. YEAH!

It seems the big boys always have plans of some sort and we've been going a hundred miles an hour so it was a welcome break and treat to be all together for an evening of fun, food and family. Course, with that combo, can one go wrong?

Happy Birthday, Paco!

Happy Birthday, darling!

Roy and I were talking on Saturday about our sweet son's birth. It was so frightening! We went over the details of his birth and relived his sudden arrival, three weeks early via emergency c-section. You can't tell it today, at 3 years old, that he had a scary arrival into this world!

We celebrated by going to church and having our family over for the first birthday party at our new home. Paco's life-time friend, Camden, came over for the party and shared in the very hot fiesta.

I put more pictures from his party and of this photo shoot at Sears here.

I can't believe how grown up he is now. He speaks in full sentences, knows everything and learns more each day! We're fully potty-trained now but I am putting him in pull-ups at night again. It seems he "dribbles" at night and that's what wakes him to go potty. Well, it's too much work to change and wash sheets for dribbles, so we're wearing a pull-up and usually wake up dry but it eases my load and saves on laundry so pretty much a win-win for me right now.

He's still very much a snuggler on his terms, when he wants. Usually this is when I am holding/nursing Javier. Sigh. He loves napping with Mommy and she loves it, too. That has ended up being "our time" and we both enjoy it.

Here's to a great 3 years! Thanks, son, for blessing my life each and every day!

A Child's Ten Commandments

A CHILD'S 10 COMMANDMENTS

My hands are small; please don't expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can catch up with you.

My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely. Don't restrict me unnecessarily.

Housework will always be there. I'm little for only a short time - please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.

My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs. Don't nag me all day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness.) Treat me as you would like to be treated.

I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.

I need your encouragement to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I'll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of me.

Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn't quite measure up to your expectations. I know it's hard, but please don't try to compare me with my brothers and sisters.

Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.

Please take me to Sunday School and church regularly, setting a good example for me to follow. I enjoy learning more about God.

~ Sent to my by my ever-faithful friend, Doris.

She has "been there and done that" having raised 3 sons.~

Three Years Old

Well, Antonio has remained at the top of the growth charts for another year! Weighing in at a whopping 38 pounds, he's in the 95th% and at 39 1/2" he's in the 85th% for height. He did wonderfully at his doctor appointment today. Got the giggles when they were listening to his heart and lungs; which prolonged the experience... no shots today! YEAH!! For some reason, he wanted to nurse and I think that came about since Javier "got" to nurse at his appointments. Silly boy. I treated him to a Starbuck's hot cocoa instead! (I needed a treat, too, of course and opted for the Nonfat Dulce de Leche latte.) Being the good daughter I am, I took my mother her fave "peppermint mocha" and delivered it to her work.

Always, faithful, my Dad met us at the doctor's office to help me with both boys. What would I do without him??? Hope I don't know for a very very long time.

Paco did great answering all the questions and re-telling stories from the past year. It wasn't as challening as his preschool exam so he did great. Thankfully, he does wear a helmet when he rides the motorcycle. We do need to be better about him wearing it on his battery-operated four-wheeler.

Well, a birthday post is next with pictures so stay tuned!