Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Years Resolutions...

"Change is a coming"....to quote our president elect Barack Obama
So, this year I am making some changes to myself. Not necessarily "resolutions" more like commitments.
2008 was a good year but I won't lie...it's been some what of a tough year for us. In 2009 I would like to focus more on the positives and work my way out of this pit that I feel trapped in. This WILL be a good year for us.

For starters I am going to spend more time on me. I've somehow lost myself in the wonderful world of crazy mom...this year I will find myself. In my quest to be myself again I will focus on shedding some pounds...ok...a lot of them.

I will be more patient with my kids. I pray about this every night...
I try everyday but face it...it's hard sometimes. This year I will be better with it.

I'll cut back on nagging Jeff. Notice I said cut back...let's be realistic people! I do appreciate the fact that he lives his life on sometimes just two hours of sleep a day. So, I guess as long as the kids are still alive when I get home I'll be ok if the dishes from breakfast are still piled in the sink. (man, that hurt to type that)

I'll commitment myself to reading the bible everyday...even if it's just 10 minutes. I will find the time and I will do it.

I will learn to say "no"
Between PTA, church, Sunday school, wrestling, work and just trying to raise my kids I feel overwhelmed. Though I am not ready or even willing to drop any of these things I will learn to say "no" when I know I don't have the time or energy to handle the task.

I could go on and on. The bottom line is I want to be the best mom I can be but I have finally after almost 11 years of being a mommy realized that in order to be the best mom I can be I must first make myself happy. This is the year for that. Hang on cause I have a feeling 2009 is going to be one heck of a year.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Just Because...

I love this song and wanted to share it. We sing it at church and it's hands down one of my favorites. It you have the time sit and listen to the words...it will speak to you. At least it does to me.

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Remembering the TRUE meaning

I couldn't imagine how Mary would have felt delivering her child in a barn...with no epidural to boot!
I look at my kids and feel just a tremendous sense of responsibility to raise them up right, teach them right from wrong. Could you imagine the responsibility that would accompany the role of mommy to the son of God?!
I tried my best NOT to get hung up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas this year...but I'll admit I was not always successful in that. It's hard to slow down when the world around you is moving in fast forward.
Happy Birthday Jesus...we love you you!
I'll be talking to you soon...



I started this tradition a few years ago. To me it only seemed fitting to celebrate Jesus' birthday with a cake.

Christmas Evening...





We ended our Christmas festivities at my Grandmas house just like we do every year.
We had dinner and opened presents and had a great time. I can hardly believe Christmas is over for another year. Rest assured Brandon will have his list complete for next Christmas by the end of the week. :)

Christmas Day...morning






Rephrase that title to say Christmas Day EARLY morning!
Jeff and I crawled into bed at 3am...
We had fulfilled all our duties and finished the stupid movie that Jeff insisted we watch.
The next thing I remember was the tapping on my shoulder...my eyes popped open..."HE CAME!!!" Brandon exclaimed. A quick glance at the clock revealed the horror...3:50am! After a bit of pleading we convinced the kids to allow us to sleep until the clock said 5am....

In the end they were pleased with the haul that Santa brought.
Alyssa got her American Girl Samantha that she had been begging for since the summer. Brandon got his Nerf Vulcan shooter (if you ask him he can rattle off the exact name and serial number for you) and little Ella got a lot of toys too. Of course these were just the "highlights" they also got a Nintendo Wii which I think is an even bigger treat for Jeff who spent hours on Christmas morning perfecting his bowling stats.
We had a great Christmas morning!

Christmas Eve






Every Christmas Eve Jeff the kids and I all head over to his cousins for a big traditional Italian family celebration. Unlike me, Jeff has a large family filled with many Aunts, Uncles and cousins. It was fun to visit with everyone and see how big all the kids have gotten. We always have a lot of fun and Rudy makes the best food. (I'll butcher the names if I tried to list them)
Gabriella made friends with Danny (one of the many cousins) he took her around so patiently and showed her all the Christmas lights and decorations. It's rare for her to warm up to strangers but she really did like him.
This year one of Jeff's cousins husbands mother came. (that's a mouth full) She is an older woman, if I had to guess I would say in her 80's...
She adored Gabriella and was such a neat woman. She is Jewish and shared stories about how she escaped as a child to Poland to avoid the concentration camps. It was so interesting and such an eye opener. I could have sat and listened to her tell stories all night.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Cookies

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any dental bills that may accompany Brandon's cinnamon dot cookies!



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On Saturday my mom the kids and I made some Christmas cookies. A lot of them too. We had a great time and everyone helped. Brandon decorated, Alyssa helped me roll the dough and do the cut outs and Grandma made my favorite butter cookies.
I'm not done though...poor daddy wants my monster cookies, snicker doodles and his gingerbread men! I made a TON of cookies last year and he was quick to point that out...but...hello...I was off work last season. I'll do them though..just cause I love ya!

Merry Christmas...at Grandmas

We celebrated Christmas last night with my mom. We had a lot of fun and, like always got a lot of nice things.Enjoy the pictures!



Finally opening a gift...the first one!


Skinny jeans!

Pirate Brandon...showing off his weapon holsters

Moon Sand?! You're gonna get it mom!!


Finally...ribbons in the hair. I've been waiting for this moment :)

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Random Pictures


Hip Hop Class






Today was parent observation day for Alyssa's hip hop dance class.
As usual I was surprised and how well the kids were dancing. This is Alyssa's first year taking hip hop, she's a little stiff considering since she started dancing at 4 she has always been taught to hold perfect form and hip hop...well...that's the opposite. She did well though. I have no idea what song they were dancing to, in fact after class I was singing the words..or what I thought were the words in the car. I believe the words that came out of Alyssa's mouth were "MOM...don't ever do that again" yup...it's official...I'm old.

Visit with Santa

Today my mom and I took the kids to see Santa. We waited for a verrrryyy long 2 hours to see him but it was worth it. He took his time with each kid and though the wait was frustrating when it was my kids turn it made me realize how special he was. Surprisingly even Gabriella seemed to enjoy the visit...a huge change from our visit with Santa a few weekends back. Brandon came prepared with his ziplock of pictures he had collected from various toy catalogs and made sure he showed Santa everything he wanted and needed. I'm just glad he didn't get confused this time. :) Santa was very patient and when I suggested Brandon cut it short Santa politely told me they were not finished. Makes me remember how magical Christmas feels when your a child.

Who can say no to a face like this?!

Brandon and his Ziplock wish list :)

All of them...MERRY CHRISTMAS

Thursday, December 18, 2008

SNOW!



I realize these pictures are not great...but it's the best I have. Well, the best I have while I am here at work anyways.
Yesterday Vegas got some snow. I realize the people who live where snow is an everyday thing this is no big deal. But for us...well...it was a BIG deal. The kids had fun building snowmen and making snow angels. We had snowball fights too.
I kept getting calls all day about the snow but I had no idea just how much until I left work at 5. (that's the joy of spending 9 hours in a windowless office)
I think my favorite part of this cold weather is the fact that we woke up this morning to a broken heater! YIPPY!! Just what I always wanted...a week before Christmas! The only thing that could make it any better would be sick kids. Oh, wait...they already are!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Happy Birthday Jesus

HOW TO CELEBRATE CHRIST'S BIRTHDAY
-- from Christ

Dear children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking
My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually
born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors
who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan
festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily
understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.
I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just,
GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it
bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting
My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa?s and snowmen and put in a
small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that
there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there
would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday
tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can &
may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish:
I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation
to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that one, look up
John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish
list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is
being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home.
They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me
all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally.
They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his
staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be
praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice
hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they
don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I
came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that
I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that some people in your town will attempt to take their own
lives this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't
know who those people are, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It
could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local
Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the
holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile
and a kind word even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas"
that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on
Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and
let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially
one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You
may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town
who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any
presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you
don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation
Army or some other charity which believes in Me & they will make the
delivery for you.

10 Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty
to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you
wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one
of mine.

Love,
Jesus

Playing catch up

It has been a crazy couple of weeks trying to prepare for Christmas, dance rehersals, wrestling practices and tournamnets, PTA functions, WORK! whew...last year was a lot easier to juggle when I was home. Raising three kids and keeping up with the demands of their schedules (at least my kids schedules) and working full time is a tough job!

Alyssa danced in the Nutcracker last weekend. Those of you familiar with the story she danced the roll of one of Clara's friends in the opening party scenes. She did a fabulous job. I can't believe how grown she looked on that stage. BRAVO Alyssa...we are very proud of you!





Brandon wrestled in a tournament last Saturday. He took 2nd place. I don't have very good pictures as parents were not allowed mattside and....


this one made the day....well, we'll just say interesting. It's a lot harder this year with a one year old who would rather be out of her stroller. We survived though.

Coach Jake gave Jeff a coaches card which is a HUGE thing. He had one with Liberty too, but there program was so relaxed pretty much everyone got one if they wanted one. Now, the practices that were once closed to parents is now open...at least for Jeff. He's having a blast coaching though and even coached some kids at last weeks tournaments...not bad for someone who has had no prior wrestling experience. Thanks YouTube!

Monday, December 8, 2008

BC Christmas Parade

On Saturday my mom and I took the kids to the Christmas parade in Boulder City. It's no Macy's parade but the kids have always liked it. I have to admit I look forward to it every year too. It's a tradition that my mom and I have and they love going with Grandma. Even Gabriella had a great time this year, she was waving and rocking to the music.
Afterwards we went to my Grandmas aka Great Grandma to have dinner and celebrate her birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Grandma...we love you!