Harvest Fest

Tonight was Harvest Fest! We don't celebrate "Halloween" so our church offers a family-friendly alternative to going out trick or treating and uses this night as an outreach to the community. That's Harvest Fest. Along with about 600-700 people, Angel and Alliah enjoyed the bounce houses, rock climbing wall, bungee run, pumpkin patch, carnival games, face painting, cake walks, popcorn machine, prize drawings, free food and sodas and, of course, the candy, candy, candy!

Buying costumes for Halloween is pretty much a waste of money so for fun, we let our kids create their own costume out of the clothes they have.

This year Angel chose to be his favorite ball player #25 Barry Bonds AKA Angel Bonds!
Alliah LOVES cowboy boots on any day, so what else would she possibly want to be but a cute little Cowgirl. She was a cowgirl last year, too. Country runs through her blood!

Alliah strikes a pose as her enthusiastic self. Tonight was a blast!

Page Update!

I updated my page today!

Angel's Take On Scandal

Tonight as we were trying to hurry out the door for church, Angel stopped me and said there was something cool he learned and he just had to show me before he forgot. It was important! I reluctantly stopped and gave him my full attention (I'm practicing to be better at that). He said, "Mom, today I learned how to write the secret code name of the man who stayed at the water hotel with the gate in front of it." I said, "What are you talking about, Angel? You learned this at school today?" He showed me a piece of paper that read: II I / O II He said, "Yeah, Mom, watch...." He quickly wrote a "\" to connect the II's and to cross the / and smiled really big saying, "It says NIXON." Get it? It's the name of the man who stayed at the water hotel with the gate in front of it?! ha!

Family Life Conference

Well today I signed me and Larry up for our once a year ritual: Family Life's 'I Still Do' Marriage Conference. We have attended this marriage conference every year for the last 5 years. Both Larry and I are excited to go. It's a yearly shot in the arm against the ever fighting marriage viruses like "you live your life, I'll live mine", "don't tell me what to do or how to do it", "you're not the boss of me" and "you better check yo'self" kind of attitudes. We knew we REALLY needed to keep going to conferences like this one after we got kids. We are strong believers in that parents MUST be unified - a team - otherwise the kids will raise up like wild vines that can choke the life out of any mighty oak tree. Not intentionally, of course, - but love and respect can diminish or fade away while we try to keep up with hectic work/church/school/sport schedules, not to mention everyday living in the home. If you've never been to a Family Life conference, you oughta check one out. It's not only a marriage saver, but makes marriage a whole lot sweeter.

Our New Motto

After seeing "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" our family adopted a new motto from the movie: We are mexi-CANS, not mexi-CAN'TS! The kids were chanting it through Costco this afternoon. We got smiles from fellow mexicans and the "what in the world are you talking about" kind of looks from the non-mexicans LOL Don't know if it's a good motto or a bad motto quite yet, but it sure worked during this morning's soccer games!

It's Friday Night

It's Friday Night and the kids are so excited the weekend is here. We all are. It's been a LONG two weeks around our house so we decided we needed to get out and do something fun together as a family. We thought about driving to Fresno to visit family, but after checking the weather we didn't think that'd be a good idea for Larry (who doesn't do well in the heat). Then we talked about heading out to Swank Farms in Hollister. There's a pumpkin patch, two haunted houses, two cornstalk mazes, pumpkin sling shots and more. So I went online to check out the prices. It'd cost our family $100 - $150 to do all of the activities and we said uh......no. Now we have decided to go try a new restaurant that opened in Monterey called ISLANDS FINE BURGERS & DRINKS (gourmet burgers and yummy shakes) and we're heading to the movies to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua! I think this will be just what the doctor ordered. :oD

L-I-F-E

Tonight we played another game of Life. This time I joined in the fun. Larry was an entertainer who made $50K a year. Alliah was a mechanic. Angel, a hairdresser. Both made $30K a year. And me? An athlete and don't ask how much I made. We all bought starter homes and none of us went to college. Angel had twin boys, Alliah had one girl and I had one girl. Larry had no kids but sure did have lots of money. That's probably why he had lots of money (joke). Poor Alliah was sued twice by her brother and Angel switched professions and became a police officer. An hour and 15 minutes into the game we decided to call it and count the cash to see who won. Larry was first, Angel was second, Alliah third, then me. It was a fun evening and a memory created that we won't soon forget. Through all the hustle and bustle of LIFE, we have to remind ourselves that playing with our kids is important. Whether it's playing a board game, throwing a ball, taking a walk, or reading a book with our kids, they need us! They want nothing more than mom and dad's attention - undivided attention. It's not only good for them, but for us too. Thank you, again, Lord for my babies. Help us to be what they need us to be!

A Thankful Mommy

Today is a day that I stopped moving for a minute to exclusively thank God for my family. Between work, school, soccer, church, meetings, and more, I chose to stop and be a thankful Mommy. I am blessed with the most wonderful family; I couldn't ask for more. My husband, my son, my daughter - the three lights of my life. They're like the candles on my birthday cake. Sometimes they let me know how old I'm getting, but for the most part they are the lights that light up my darkest day. Just one hug from Alliah or a joke from Angel, a smile from Larry...oh how it drives away my blues. My family is irreplaceable. I could never imagine my life without them. When I read the morning paper or sit and watch the evening news all there is is bad news and horror stories about the economy, murders, accidents.... But even if all our money is gone, houses, land, cars, whatever...as long as I have my family and I know God, I know we'll be just fine. I love my family and I thank God for keeping us in the palm of His hand. I don't think there is a greater blessing than being in a family.

Adoption...

Well, we've all heard the saying, no news is good news right? Well, I don't agree with that statement!!! Last week, Monday, we got a call about a 6 month old baby girl, Mia. Her birthmother was nowhere to be found and her birthfather was a drugee, unable to take care of her. She needed to be placed in a home and she needed to be placed that same day. After reading the email from our social worker, Larry and I talked about it, and though she wasn't the baby boy we were hoping for, we agreed nevertheless and said we would accept this baby girl into our home. It was for about a 1/2 an hour that we thought little Mia would be coming home to us. We imagined for just a 1/2 an hour what it would be like having a baby in the house that same evening. Unfortunately, we got another call from our Adoption Agency telling us that baby Mia had been placed in another home earlier that morning. Before this second call, my heart leaped within me, only to fall flat upon the ground. Heartache. But, after regrouping ourselves and dusting off all the disappointment, Larry and I banded together and we continue to wait for our baby boy to find his way to our home (he already has our hearts). While the waiting is unbearable sometimes, we praise God for the two wonderful kids we already have. Angel and Alliah are truly our blessings from God! It's almost like they have some way of knowing when mom and dad need some extra lovin' because when they got home from school they hugged us, kissed us and wanted to be with us all afternoon. Well, more than usual. :D So, keep us in your prayers as we continue on and forge through this adoption process. God's in control and we know He is holding our baby boy in His hands until we meet him. He makes all things beautiful in HIS time.

Memories....

All I can say is...WOW! Many, many moons ago we pledged our love and our lives.

Soccer Pics

Soccer season is in full swing! Angel and Alliah got their soccer pictures last week and they came out so adorable. We practiced these smiles - no cheesey smiles...pictures are too expensive. :D Both kids played today. Angel's game was at 9am. Score was 3-0 with his team (Blue Lightnings) with three points! Alliah's game was at noon and it was a tie game 0-0. Her team is the Black Panthers. Both kids are hardcore when they play. Larry practices with them out in the driveway and it shows. We're so proud of them. Whatever they do, they pretty much always do their best. We hope you like the pictures!

Joy Comes In the Morning

Well I just got back to the office from a funeral. My brother-in-law's son died at the age of 22 years old. As I sat in the church listening to all of the wonderful things family and friends had to say about this young man my heart just wanted to scream out to all of the young people there, "Do you know Jesus?! Are you ready for your eternity if you died today?!" Like the minister said, we are not promised tomorrow. If you gain a tomorrow, it is truly a blessing from God. Tears did flow, but laughter also filled the sanctuary as a young life was celebrated. God did get all the glory for the short-lived life this young man did live. My sister was there for her husband, and her kids and us, her siblings, were there for her. Todays a sad day, but though weeping may endure for a night, joy will come in the morning. God's Word doesn't say we can't weep. We can weep for a night. But we have to trust the Lord in whatever He allows and grab a hold of and hang onto the joy and comfort only He can give. Love you all.

Later this afternoon.... I went to the gravesite burial. It was beautiful. The family felt loved, we sang "Blessed Assurance" and 10 white pigeons were released into the air. A very nice ending to a tragic day.

None of that 'Sissy Stuff

Here's a little sumthin' sumthin' for you to laugh about. A friend sent it to me and I emailed it out to all my TRUE friends. Here's to a good laugh...

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of True Friendship. You WON'T see cutesy little smiley faces here. Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.

1. When you are sad, I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!

2. When you are blue, I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile, I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

4. When you're scared, we will high tail it outta here.

5. When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused, I will use little words.

7. When you are sick, stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall, I'll pick you up and dust you off -- after I laugh my butt off!!

9. This is my oath... I pledge it to the end.

"Why?' you may ask; -- because you are my FRIEND!

Oh and last but not least: Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only YOU can feel the true warmth.

KidFest Monterey

I said I'd post our pics from KidFest. So here ya go...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Going Out!!!

I only have a few minutes to write because my hubby is taking me out tonight to dinner and a movie! It's been a long while since we've been out alone—at night. This afternoon the kids and I went to "Kidsfest" at the Monterey fairgrounds. We took my neice Valencia with us. Even though we had to wait almost 1/2 an hour for the giant inflatable slide, I reviewed the pics on my camera when I got home and it was well worth the wait. What smiles. I'll post some pics later on. Well, just wanted to sign in and say "HEY" but now I got to go get ready for my date!!! The kids aren't too excited about staying home with a sitter, but we told them it's a "kissie date" and after saying that, they were more than willing to stay home. :D 'Night all!

PS...Larry just reminded me to tell you all: At nine years old, Angel has decided he now wants to be called AJ. Short for Angel John. It's gonna take some getting used to because he's always been Angel. Don't know if that's gonna hang on, but for now I love my AJ.

Isaiah Visits

Today my nephew Isaiah got to spend the day with us. My baby sister, Nicole, had to work so we got to play with Isaiah all day long!! My mom ususally watches him during the week and Fridays are Nikki's regularly scheduled days off. Today was an exception. I can't believe how big Isaiah is getting...crawling all over the place, standing up all on his own, giving kisses and man oh man can that boy eat! Definitely Gonzales blood is in this little guy. I love this boy so much. Here's a few of the cute pics I got of him today:

From Liz

My sister Liz sent this to me. I thought it was funny. Thus, I share...


Tough Love vs. Spanking - Good Argument

Most of the American population thinks it improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of 'those moments.'

One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk.

Some say it's the vibration from the car, others say it's the time away from any distractions such as TV, Video Games, Computer, IPod, etc.

Either way, my kids usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. Eye to eye contact helps a lot too.

I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique.

Sincerely,
Your Friend

Today's Walk

Our family has decided to do at least a 1/2 an hour of exercise together every day. During today's walk, Alliah was doing cartwheels down the street. She'd do a cartwheel, take 2 or 3 steps and cartwheel again. Angel and Larry were throwing the football back and forth as they ran down the street - miraculously hitting me and Alliah only once each! I was walking, while making sure nobody got hurt. This was some of today's conversation:

Angel: "Alliah, you better be careful doing those cartwheels. You can get really hurt."

Alliah: "Don't worry, Angel, I'm a professional cartwheeler....aren't I Moma?"

Me: "Yes, Alliah, you are..."

Alliah: "But I'm not a professional walker because sometimes I bump into poles."

Check It Out!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Big Brother Blues

As I was stepping out of the shower this morning I heard a rustling going on. I heard the pitter patter of little feet running quickly down the stairs. Just as I grabbed my towel, I paused in silence. I heard the same pitter patter running UP the stairs. I stood, waiting for a sound from the mouth of one of my wonderfully behaved children. It was Alliah. Are we surprised? Anyway, I heard a screeching, whining voice say, "Angelllll, I told you a thousand times don't!!" this was followed by the laughter of a nine year old boy who'd just scared the bee-gee-bees out of his little sister. I don't know if he chased her with a spider or told her he had a dream about a headless mummy covered in blood, but I didn't ask. I stayed out of it! Angel has discovered the guilty pleasure of scaring his little sister half to death. He'll invite her to play with him upstairs in his room(at night) and then run downstairs leaving her all alone and shutting off the lights behind him. Or he'll wait until he hears Alliah singing in the shower, quietly open the door and turn off the light (at night). And yes, spine-shivering screaming is heard. I think the best he's ever got her is when we were all getting out of the car late one Wednesday night after church. Alliah is slow to get out of the car (unless she has to go to the bathroom) and is deathly afraid of raccoons. We have 2-5 raccoons that walk up and down our long driveway each night. On this particular night, Alliah was lolligagging to the door when Angel screamed "RACCOONS" in a "you-better-run" kinda voice. I have never seen Alliah run so fast. She hopped out of the car and started running to the front door crying and screaming, "Daddy, daddy, help me!" as if Godzilla himself was chasing her. Angel was laughing so hard he was holding his stomach, trying to stay standing up. We were all still outside on the porch (trying to find the house key in my wonderfully organized purse) and couldn't help but laugh at (1) Alliah for freaking out so bad and(2)at Angel laughing so hysterically. Once Alliah calmed down she gave Angel a piece of her mind and unwillingly retired to her bedroom. Needless to say, we said an extra long prayer that night so Alliah could sleep without thinking about the raccoons. Even though the kids go through all of this, I know Angel loves Alliah almost more than money. This is just a phase brothers and sisters go through. Oh, and no one can say anything bad about Alliah's big brother either. When other people are involved, they defend eachother like nobody's business. We stop the drama when things get out of hand (like when Dad joins forces with Angel), but sometimes it's just plain funny. I also know that there WILL BE a day that Alliah will be able to get Angel back for all of the pranks he's played on her.....like when they're in high school!

Fun Fun Fun

I had so much fun hanging out with my girlfriends this past weekend at the Women of Faith Conference. The highlight, besides being with some of the most wonderful women in the world and eating yummy food with extremely high caloric values, was seeing Mandisa LIVE in concert. She brought down the house! Man, that girl can sing. We also saw Nicole C. Mullens, Sandy Patti and got to hear all of the conference speakers to boot. I learned so much, too much to tell. Besides, I'm not done thinking it all out yet. None of us took a camera. I shot a few on my cell phone, but they didn't come out too clear. This weekend proved to me just how amazing God is and how much He loves me - and how amazing my friends really are and how much THEY love me, too. I'm surrounded by love 24/7. What else can a girl ask for?

And Then There's Naomi

My Friend Naomi = amazing, believing, caring, dependable, equal, forgiving, glorious, hilarious, igniting, jesus-loving, kingdom-building, loyal, merciful, near sighted (ha!), open-hearted, pleasant, quick to move, resourceful, servant, tasteful, understanding, vocal, wise,xciting, youthful, zealous.

After re-reading my last post and pausing to thank the Lord for the faithful friends He's given me, I couldn't leave out my Naomi. She's a friend everybody ought to have and I'm so glad she's mine!

Women of Faith Conference

I'm gearing up to leave with several of my bestest gal pals to the Women of Faith Conference in San Jose, CA. We leave tomorrow at 8am and will be back Saturday night. I'm looking forward to spending time with these Great Women who love the Lord with all their hearts and encourage me to keep doing the same. It'll be me, Lillian, Crystal, Angie, Erin, Julie and Able. Lillian---I've written about Lillian before. She's the real deal. If you want to know the truth, ask Lillian. She's honest, yet compassionate. She'd give you her last nickle if you needed it. I always know someone is praying for me because she is my friend. Crystal---now Crystal is just FUN! We have the same sense of humor and always end up laughing when we're together. She's also our Children's Director at church and my kids love her to death. And the girl can SANG! Angie---Angie is our Pastor's wife. She is hip, young, fresh...lol Really, she is a wonderful woman who loves the Lord and it shows. She's got great taste in music and style to top it off. Erin---Erin is a stay at home mommy who loves her kids more than anyone I know. She is on our Worship Team and can bring down the house! I am looking forward to getting to know Julie and Able. They are two of Lillian's friends and have recently started attending our church. I know we are all going to have a BLAST and take in all God is preparing to serve up! I'm taking my camera so I'll be posting some pics. I'm so glad God created FRIENDS. I'm especially glad He blessed me with mine!