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!