A Day At The Park In Pictures

365 - Day 10

1.  For my beautiful niece Leianna who taught me how to crochet a scarf!  I just finished my first one, and it's pretty darn cute if I do say so myself!

2.  For an adorable little one year old who's birthday party the kids and I attended today.  A day in the park with BBQ, good friends, face painting and animal balloons! It couldn't have been a more perfect way to entertain the kids as I was flying solo while Hubby went to the Raiders game. Which by the way, we won!!!  Smiles all around in this house tonight!

3.  Lastly I'm grateful there's finally some peace and quiet in the house today and the kids are asleep!  Mommy is pooped!

Tradition

There are a few absolutes when deciding on a mate.  For example, in the middle of courtship I asked my Hubby, then boyfriend, what he thought of the name Isabelle.  He said he thought it was very pretty.  Good answer on his part because I had known for years that I was going to have a daughter named Isabelle.  Should he have answered the question otherwise, let's just say these slipper boots would have been made for walkin'.  One of the Hubby's absolutes was that our children would bleed Silver & Black.  To say that Hubby was born a Raiders fan is putting it lightly.  This family is fanatical when it comes to their football team.  Win or (more accurately of late) lose, they are die-hards.  First outfit both of my kids were purchased as they grew in the womb were their Raiders Fanatics uniforms.

If I could direct the court to Exhibit A:

This is Isabelle.  No frilly pink here.  She was trained to have her game face on from the time she was just a poor little innocent fetus just trying to grow herself those fists you see clenched so tightly above.  Hubby talked to the belly all the time, and many of the times it was about the Raiders. *sigh*

Belle seemed to be the Raiders good luck charm.  We started winning!  Winning means, smiles!

Exhibit B:


















The smiles were abundant when we'd win.

I'd like to present Exhibit C:

The indoctrination continues.  This time we're allowed a purple bow and a smile.  Smiles are a must when we win!

Moving onto Exhibit D:

Learning to walk in the Silver and Black.  Gotta get the swagger down.

If I remember correctly this was the year we made it to the Super Bowl!!!  And then had our pahtooties handed to us on a silver platter. *boo* *hiss*

Please direct your attention to Exhibit E:

"C'mon! That was holding!" Yes, that is my little princess completing her first year of training in becoming a Super Raiders Fanatic. Look at that grip on the remote, the stank eye, the slouch, the chubby belly and cheek combo, and yelling at the TV!  She's mastered the skill of watching a game!



Moving on to the little man.  His training also began in the womb.  Once he actually was born, his required uniform was given to him a lot earlier than the girl. 

Please look at Exhibit F:

Literally on Day 1 Elias was rocking his Silver and Black. 

The poor little guy quickly realized, being a Raiders fan can be no fun when you lose.  You gotta get some thick skin and learn to keep a tough upper lip.

Exhibit G:

These are the faces that have plagued our Fanatics for a while now. 



We began this season with a party with the rest of the crazies (aka Grandpa, Uncle T, Uncle Rolly & clan).  We came with our game faces on and proudly wore our Silver & Black.

The girls had fun playing and posing....

And the boys were foolishly optimistic. 

The highlight of the day was the grub that MIL dished up.  DELISH!  Even if our team gets their butts kicked, we can always count on Abuelita to have beverages a plenty and food galore to drown our sorrows in.

In conclusion, I think I've done my part in breeding little Super Raiders Fanatics.  I'm also pretty sure that  Elias has come to the part in his training where he realizes bleeding Silver & Black is exhausting!

365 - Day 9

1. Hubby told me last night that he'd get up this morning with the kids so I could sleep.  The little guy woke up around 7 having leaked through his pull-up and was not too happy with his cold, wet sheets.  Hubby snored through this, so I hopped up to address the situation.  I brought the boy back into our bed where he proceeded to torture Hubs until he woke up and realized he was slacking on his duties.  Off they went downstairs to let Mommy sleep.  Thing is, I was wide awake and doubted I'd be able to fall asleep. Last thing I recall was thinking "dangitall anyway!  The one morning I can sleep and I can't!"  Then I woke up and the clock read 10:50something.  Thank you Mr. Sandman for putting me back to sleep, and thank you Hubby for wrangling the munchkins!  It was much needed!

2.  I have pretty cool brothers/sister-in-laws.  Shout out to "Uncle Jeff, Auntie Brooke, and Uncle T!"  The burritos adore all three, as do we.  Uncle T came over tonight and you could hardly contain the kids excitement all day awaiting his arrival.  Love to see the kids with their Aunties and Uncles.

3.  My Simply Vera boot slippers.  I bought them last year, and they are the most comfortable slippers I've ever owned!  Broke them out for the first time this "fall".  I'm hoping they are out again this year because I could use a new pair! 

Watch out Hallmark!

Isabelle may be cutting into your market share with her personalized, home made cards!

My girl

The Temptations said it better than I ever could....



"I've got sunshine on a cloudy day.

When it's cold outside I've got the month of May.

I guess you'd say

What can make me feel this way?

My girl (my girl, my girl)

Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)."

365 - Day 8

1. It's Friday, 'Nuff said!

2.  The business center where I work throws an annual BBQ, which was today.  Not only was the grub delish and adult beverages were abundant, but I got to spend a long lunch with my work peeps who I totally dig.  Good food, good company, lots of laughs, and there was even a DJ with a lime sorbet polo shirt on that spun some of my fave oldies.

3.  Whoever invented the taco, I give thanks for you tonight.  Tacos for din, and they were scrumdiddleyumptious.

365 - Day 7

1. My 365 project.  I've noticed how much my mood has changed focusing on things to be grateful for daily.  I am blessed in countless ways, and I'm grateful I'm realizing it.

2.  My new leopard heels that the hubs bought me on our anniversary.  They're fabulous. Great addition to my wardrobe and a spectacular way to spice up an outfit.

3.  My children are healthy.  I've been praying for a sweet little girl who is fighting AML.  It breaks my heart that she is sick.  It breaks my heart that any child is sick.  I can't even imagine the emotions that parent goes through who's child is sick. What a helpless feeling.  I thank God every single day that my children are healthy, and I pray that they stay that way. 

Speaking of Guilty Pleasures

I have a thing for cheesy early 90's boy bands.  Whenever I hear a Color Me Badd song, I have to turn it up, and belt it out. 

I mean, look at these guys, what's not to love? The thin eyebrows, the fades, the douchey thin beards and double earrings?  Lyrical nonsense like "we can do it 'til we both wake up."  Maybe it's just me, but I'm thinking if you're sleeping through "it", "it" can't be very good. *shrug*

A guilty pleasure spinoff are  two little SNL golden nuggets, D*ck in a Box and Mother Lover.  Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake hit a homerun with these tributes. Never fails to crack me up.  Enjoy the cheese-fest!

365 - Day 6

1. My girl loves to dance, and I love to watch her! I get to do just that every week.  I started her at 2 1/2 just so she could have an activity with little ones her age.  She ended up falling in love with it.  She dances nonstop!  It brings a huge smile to my face to watch her do what she loves best. I'm grateful that I'm able to!

Look at how much she's grown!

2.  My kids have 2 awesome sets of grandparents.  They help us in so many ways and provide endless amounts of support and cuddles/kisses for the kids. To carry on the dance theme, these were taken after Belle's last recital with her #1 fans.

The boy was too busy running around like a mad man to get in these pics!

3.  Last thing I'm grateful for tonight is a guilty pleasure, "Days of Our Lives". 

I've watched it since I was young.  I clearly remember being young and in the grocery store and my mom rushing so we'd make it home it time so we wouldn't miss the opening, "Like sand through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives..."  I'm pretty sure at that time Marlena thought John was Roman or something of the sort.  I have it set on our DVR to tape every day.  I don't watch daily and I end up with quite a collection to have a marathon whenever I'm in the mood.  Like tonight. Vivian is plotting to bury Maggie alive to keep her away from her husband Victor, who hates the woman (his wife Vivian) but married her only to keep his son Bo from killing her because Vivian was plotting to kill Bo's mistress Carly who killed her husband Vivian's nephew Lawrence. You follow??  Ahhh, good old fashion soap operas.  Much more entertaining than reality. 

He saved it for the perfect moment!

It's extremely hard having two children and not comparing them.  Belle was our first, and I was the overly nervous Mommy.  I took note of all of her milestones.  The thing is, she hit all of them way before schedule.  She was a complete chatterbox rambling on and on by the time she hit two.  I don't mean she'd put a word or two together. You could have a full on conversation with her as if she were an adult.  They say that women speak 20,000 words a day to men's 7,000.  Belle hits her 20,000 by lunch.  The girl can talk.  (Wonder where she gets that from?)

"BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH!"

Then came Bubb.  He's a complete 180 from how Belle was.  As a baby he was Mr. Chill.  Nothing fazed him.  He was the.perfect.baby.  If I could have a guarantee that all future babies would be exactly like him, I'd want 10 more.  My girly bits may beg to differ, and my ovaries and uterus are currently screaming, "woman, are you insane?!?!" and putting up "out of business" signs at the simple possibility of this.  Relax girls, I merely mean if you could order a baby, he'd be the kind you'd want to order. Expect to be in retirement the remainder of my days.  Unless of course I change my mind, in which case, you best hop to and produce another beautiful, healthy, perfect little burrito. Back to my point, he was cake as a baby.  As easy as he was, he was also, how did his doctor so kindly put it?  Oh yeah, lazy.  Whereas Belle was high strung and determined to conquer the world, Elias was calm, cool, and content just chillaxin'.

*Crickets*

Being the worry wart that I can be, I took him to his doctor numerous times.  Each time she evaluated him, then looked at me and said, "STOP COMPARING! Belle was VERY ADVANCED with milestones.  He's perfectly fine!  He's PERFECT!" She informed me that the second child usually speaks a lot later than the first.  The reason being?  The first one gets the second one whatever they need.  They have no motive to talk.  Add to that, that boys develop later.  Top it off that he has a sister that NEVER.SHUTS.UP.  How can I expect him to get a word in?  She told me to relax, he'll talk when he decides he's good and ready.  So I'd pack him up, and go home feeling reassured.  Until of course I'd run into a friend or two who's kids were little chatterboxes at his age and then I'd start to worry and back to the doc's we'd go.  Repeat this a few times.

He's been talking more and more lately, but usually it's just putting two or three words together. And sometimes it is pronounced a little funny and needs translation! I'm excellent at speaking Bubbinese! Tonight the following occurred:

I was in Elias' room sitting in the glider with both kids on my lap as we do every night.  We were rocking and singing their bedtime song.  In the middle of the song, Miss Isabelle decides to be ornery and starts kicking a box that's in reach.  "Belle, stop it please." Continue to sing.  Continue to kick.  "Belle, stop." Continue to sing.  Continue to kick.  "Belle, don't do that." Continue, continue, continue!  All of a sudden Elias reaches over, puts both hands on Belle's face (one on each cheek) and says as clear as can be, "DON'T DO THAT BELLE!  STOP IT!" 

Say WHAAAAAAAAAT???!?!?!?!  Belle's and my jaw dropped!  Not only did he speak, but he had the correct context, correct pronunciation, correct let-me-put-your-little-butt-on-blast-sissy tone!  There may or may not have been a neck roll and a finger snap at the end of his tirade. I guess he was just saving up his words for the perfect moment!  'Nuff said baby!  Mommy is beyond tickled! You are perfect and I will worry no more!  I wish I would have gotten it on video.  Priceless.  Completely priceless!

365 - Day 5

1. The girl just gobbled up a plate of Chicken Dijon, Lemon Rice, and Green Beans.  She didn't make a face, complain, or anything.  She dove right in and made "mmms" and "yummms" the whole time.  She even said, "Mama, this is delicious!!"  My super picky kid is becoming adventurous.  I'm stoked! Now to work on the boy!

2.  THIS IS ON TONIGHT!!!!!

If you're not watching this show, WATCH THIS SHOW!  But only if you don't mind some violence and adult content.  Oh, and sitting on the edge of your seat, holding your breath and SCREAMING at the top of your lungs.  This show raises my blood pressure and requires me to take a sedative or two, but I can't get enough!


3.  Have you ever been faced with taking the high road or completely obliterating someone who has screwed with you or your fam?  I have.  Too many times than I would like.  Today I was reminded of one of those times.  When this went down, I chose the high road.  I was reminded of this today and annoyed to no end. To be completely honest I had the split second thought today of how I could tear this person a new one and turn their whole world upside down.  For a minute I let my flesh indulge in the idea of how good that would feel.  Then I wiped the smirk off my face and told myself, "Self, you were raised better than that.  You aren't some drama ghetto queen.  Don't stoop to that level.  This is a miserable person, be glad you aren't them. Just because you can hurt someone, deserved or not, doesn't mean you should."  My parents instilled in me the morals of when to bite my tongue, turn my cheek, forgive even when not asked or deserved, and to give grace.  They taught me that God gives me this when I don't deserve it, and I should give it to others.  Not that I should let myself be walked on, but at times you should just cut ties and walk away.  For this, I am thankful.  It has removed unnecessary drama from my life. 

365 - Day 4

1.  Today I'm especially thankful for all of my friends who are trying to help my dad find employment.  It's tough times out there for so many people and so many companies.  It seems you have to know someone to even get a call back.  Any company that would hire my Pops would be lucky.  He's pretty much the most ethical, loyal, hard working man I know; so I know all it will take is him to get his foot in the door to land something!  I digress, I'm thankful for all of my friends who are trying to assist in the job hunt!

2.  Today I'm thankful for my job.  I was crazy busy today, and when that starts to stress me out I stop, take a breath, and realize...busy is good.  Busy keeps me employed.  So thankful that I am!

3. Lastly, I'm thankful the hubby took over reading time with our girl tonight.  After a long day, and cooking I was pooped.  I usually take care of bed time and enjoy doing it.  But tonight I was exhausted and hubby jumped up to take over.  *swoon*

365 - Day 3

1. I'm so thankful that my hubby and our girl have the relationship they do.  He is always so loving with her.  He makes sure to tell her that she is beautiful, just the way she is.  He takes her out just the two of them on daddy/daughter "dates".  I know a girl's relationship with her dad is critical to how she relates to men when she grows up, and exactly how she expects to be treated. My hubby is instilling in our girl that she deserves the best.

2.  There's a lot said about being a middle child.  I am one, and I actually think it's a great place to be!  I'm sandwiched between my beautiful sissy and rockstar bro with a three year difference on both sides. I love them both completely and have numerous reasons to be grateful for both of them. But I'll save that for additional 365's.  For this one, I'll just say my siblings in general and being the middle of this Oreo cookie.

 3.  The reason I love Sunday nights!  One of the best shows on TV!

Bubby

We did NOT name our son "BUBBY".  I assure you his birth certificate does not say "Bubby Burrito".  His name is Elias.  However, his sissy called him "Little Buddy" when he was in the womb.  And then when he was born somehow it become Bubby. AKA Bubb, Bubbers, Hubba Bubba....you get the picture.  He knows his name is Elias, yet he refers to himself as "Bubby" 90% of the time. 

"Bubb" loves nothing more than to look at pictures.  Pictures of A) his "baby" (aka his little cousin Sailor) and B) of himself.  When we were out for dinner tonight he was finished before everyone else as usual and wanted down!  Out came my camera in order to entertain him and buy us a few more minutes to finish.  He's mastered the art of the fake frown/pout/cry and begging.  Basically his game plan is to wear Mommy down by repeating himself over, and over, and over until I Just.Can't.Take.It.Any.More!  Case in point....

He knew I was videoing him and wanted to see it.  This little gem bought us another 20 minutes.  Smart Bubby, but even smarter Mommy!  Now to get this "Bubby" name to hit the back burner before he starts Kindergarten!

9 years ago, I'll never forget.

September 11, 2001 is a date I don't think any American will ever forget. I certainly won't. I remember my heart sinking when I woke up and my mom told me.  We sat glued to the TV watching the terror unfold all day.  A year later my husband and I went to New York on our Honeymoon.  It was the year anniversary of 9/11.  We went down to Ground Zero and paid our respects.  I remember the extreme sense of pride I had to be an American and how many Americans united at that time. I remember the patriotism and how you'd see American flags everywhere you went.  If you hurt one of us, you hurt all of us. 

I wish there was no such thing as hate.  No such thing as war.  A world where we could all value each other as human beings and respect our differences.  The lyrics to John Lennon's "Imagine" come to mind.  I want nothing more than for my children to grow up in a world filled with love and respect.  A world where there is no evil.  I guess that's an unattainable dream, but it's one to strive for. 

One of the passengers of Flight 93, Tom Burnett, was from my city.. Here's a few pictures from the street named after him today.

To all of the families that lost someone on this tragic day, I extend my thoughts and prayers that you have found peace.  To all of the brave men and women, not only on this day, but everyday, that ensure my freedom, thank you.  I will never forget.

365 - Day 2

1. This little guy.

"Hi Mommy! Hi! Hi! MWA!!!"

Mr. Busy is just that...BUSY. If I could bottle this guy's energy and sell it, I could afford not only me and the hubby retiring, but the whole extended fam.  He just keeps going, and going, and going.  Lately my little tornado will come to a screeching halt just to come over and say "Hi Mommy!"  He just wants to get a little love, give a little kiss, and then he's off!  That face you see above...that'll be the death of me.  My heart could seriously just stop one day from being overwhelmed with love for this munchy.

2.  Soft feet and hands and a girl named Tracy who made them that way.

It's been an ages since I went and spoiled myself with a mani/pedi.  Tried a new place, and the massage alone was worth every single penny!  Buh-bye rough Fred Flinstone feet, helllooooo soft, sexy, and smooth! I highly recommend pampering yourself and taking a trip over to Bollinger Nails.  Great clean atmosphere and the ladies are very friendly and do a fabulous job!

3.  The Motherload at Claim Jumper's. 

I won't be able to eat for another 2 weeks due to the calories that I consumed in less than ten minutes today.  I ate this tonight.

To be exact I shared this with four other adults.  We didn't finish it.  There is some leftover in my fridge.  I hear it whispering my name.  Maybe I'll kill it for breakfast, that is if the hubby and kids don't get to it first.  I may be rolling my fat butt into work in sweats on Monday due to nothing being able to fit.  Don't judge me.

365 - Day 1

1. Beyond grateful for my friend who assisted my techless self in sprucing up my blog!

2. Grateful this dreadful week is over and it's Friday!  We have a busy weekend ahead of us, but all of it should be enjoyable!  Food, friends, family...what more could a girl ask for!

3.  Dickey's.  No, not the kind that thugs sag, but the BBQ joint that just moved across the street from my work.  Not only do I now have a fabulously delish option to walk to when I can't get away, but they have...wait for it....
FREE.SOFT.SERVE.ICE CREAM.  Had some today to celebrate!

365 project

I've mulled it over and decided just posting a blog of any sort every day was kind of random.  I've had a few insanely rough days this week.  I've been otherwise known as "WalMart kind of happy" on a few days this week.  If you know me, you know I HATE WalMart.  Loathe WalMart!  Hate with the passion of a thousand hot burning suns kind of hate!  Why?  My anxiety level goes through the roof at WalMart.  I avoid WalMart like the plague!  I'm a Target kind of gal. I big fuzzy heart love me some Tar-jay!  Don't get me wrong, I'll still drag my pahtootie into WalMart for certain things, but when I do, my happiness level plummets. *disclaimer, WalMart I'm claiming my freedom of speech rights here, please do not sue me!*

In the depths of my WalMart kind of days I've also realized, I am very, very, very blessed.  I need to recognize that and focus on my glass being half full and not half empty. 

My 365 will be composed of daily blogging about 3 things I'm grateful for.  They could be heartfelt/serious things, or simple silly things that brought me into the sunlight and out of a WalMart kind of day!  Here we go!

Sprucing up the place

How's it looking?  Better I hope!  Thanks to my beautiful modelesque friend/coworker (eat your hearts out boys), I now have functional links to different sections of my blog.  I love me some good grubbin'!  If you do too, head on over to Grubbin' Goodness.  For tips on good reads or snooze fests to avoid, take a peaksy at my Reading Nook.  I've got a lot of reviews and recipes to posts.  Stay tuned!

Caution: Blog under Construction!!

Follow me down this round about train of thought, I promise we'll end up somewhere. Have you watched the movie "Julie and Julia"?  It's about a woman, Julie, who decides she's going to attempt to cook every recipe in Julia Child's first cookbook and blog about her journey.  Cut to a blog that's spun off of the "do something and blog about it 365 days".  In "New Dress A Day" Marissa allots herself $365, for 365 days to buy old, used, HIDEOUS garments and she makes them into something new and fashionable.  I'm addicted to this blog!  And here is where we get to our destination....I'm very intrigued by this idea of 365.  *Think, think, think* What can I do for 365 days and blog about? Hmmm.....Wait a minute, I can go weeks months without blogging!  How about I just blog for 365 days?  That for me would be a challenge.  Baby steps people, baby steps. 

In this goal I thought I'd spruce up the place a little to make it more functional and more inspiring for me.  Excuse the chaos, I promise I'm going somewhere with this new layout.  Hopefully it will be complete soon!

8 years and counting....

Happy 8th Anniversary Love!

xoxo

Happy Birthday to my Bestie! Celebrating 20 years of friendship!

20 years ago I was starting the 7th grade. Little did I know how monumental that year would be. That was the year that I became friends with what turned out to be my lifelong girlfriend, Karina. We have been friends for twenty years now. And when I say twenty years, I mean twenty years. There was never a period that went by where we weren't friends. If you know women, you know exactly how miraculous this is.

Here's the thing about girls/women...we can be catty, bitchy, jealous creatures. Women are notorious for being "frenemies". I've had plenty of these kinds of "friends" over the years. This is not what I found in Rina. What I found was someone who was just as ridiculously silly as me. Someone who is hilariously funny. Someone who loves to laugh, and loves life. Someone who is extremely caring. Someone who wants the very best for her friends and rejoices when they succeed and have happiness in their life. Someone who will cry with you, mourn with you, and get mad as hell with you. Someone that you call at 3am if you need a friend right at that moment, and you know not only will she answer, but will drop everything to be there for you.

Me and Rina at the Pussycat Dolls/BEP concert many moons ago.

We've survived twenty years of happiness, sorrow, bad hairstyles, douchey boyfriends, and hideous fashion. We've laughed so hard we've peed our pants. Twenty years of sleepovers, shopping trips, beach trips, Junior High, High School, College, engagement, wedding, becoming homeowners, and becoming "Auntie Rina" and Mommy. We've grown from two boy crazed tweens to two thirtysomething women who've come into our own.

I can only recall one time where we "fought". This was in High School and lasted all of maybe 2 days, and ended with us both hugging and crying like fools. The thing is, we're so close we can be totally honest with each other. I mean, what other girlfriend that isn't a sister can you depend on to tell you if you ACTUALLY look chubby in something, or if your boobs should be hoisted up higher in a certain bathing suit? Who else can you count on to tell you, "Girl, he is a DOUCHE and you deserve SO.MUCH.BETTER!" I've been asked before "Do you still keep in contact with Karina?" This question boggles my mind. You see, Karina isn't some acquaintance. She's not some seasonal friend. Life can get busy, and weeks can go by without us physically seeing each other, but when we do, it's the same two silly girls who neither time nor circumstance can come between.

They say you can't choose your family. I happen to be blessed with the best family a girl could ask for. I happen to be doubly blessed though, with my blood family and my family by choice. Karina is not just my best girlfriend, she is family. She will always be. I have no doubt that we will grow to be two little old ladies in our cute shoes talking and laughing about the time she almost walked in front of the whole school with her skirt tucked into her Snow White panties, or the time we....oh wait, never mind. Some things should be kept private!

Auntie Karina & Isabelle on her 1st Birthday

Chunky me, Auntie Rina & Elias on his Birth Day

Auntie Rina surprising Belle at the Happiest Place On Earth for her 6th Birthday

Today I celebrate my bestie's birthday. Happy Birthday my dear friend! May God bless you with many, many more wonderful years of life filled with laughter, happiness, and love. I consider myself so blessed and honored to be a part of them! I love you! xoxo