Growing up....

I remember when I was 12. Doesn't seem like that long ago actually, but in reality it's been darn near 20 years. Yikes!
It's unreal to me to think that I have a 12 year old. I still like to do fun things and if I remember correctly from when I was 12, parents don't do fun things. They just...well, parent.
The things that I find shocking now that I have actually grown up and become a parent are:
* parents actually do have lives. I remember being younger and not being able to wrap my head around things my mom use to share about her growing up years. To me, she had always just been mom.
* When people say to you, usually after you have had a sleepless night, your house is a mess and you can't remember when you had your last shower, "enjoy it, they will be grown before you know it". I realize that they actually did know what they were talking about. And though I did have plenty of nights where I pleaded with God to just make her sleep all night, a part of me would love to rewind time and pull her sleeping body unto my lap in the rocking chair and really take in that moment. Somehow I think if I attempted it now the outcome would not be so sweet.
* Parents really do have the best intentions when trying to help you remain "in style". I remember looking at things my mom would bring home and thinking, she must be crazy! I don't get the super skinny jeans that Alyssa obsesses over, or the giant sunglasses, or the scarves or the hair styles. I don't get much of any of that...
* Parents really do love you...I always knew that, never questioned it, but also never knew to what extent until I had Alyssa. It grew even stronger with Brandon and Gabriella too.
* Raising kids is tough! I'm thankful now, looking back, my childhood was carefree. To me, everything was great, my parents were excellent parents and did provide for us everything that they could. Now that I am a parent I realize that behind the scenes (aka mom & dad world) things were probably hectic and stressful. Much the way I feel on most days...

It's funny how as I have grown and seen things in a different light how much my appreciation for one grows. My goal in life now is to be the best mommy I can be, even if that means turning into my mother. :)

Alyssa's birthday...

For Alyssa's birthday this year we took her and a group of her friends to dinner at Famous Dave's BBQ and bowling at the South Point. For some reason, at 12 years old Chucky Cheese and Pump it Up just did not appeal to her. I have to say, just in case anyone cares, it was much nicer to just do your own thing then trying to have some scheduled party. It really allows you to actually enjoy the party and not feel so rushed to move from activity to activity. Anyways...
After bowling we had everyone back to our house for a scary movie night. Keep in mind...my kids don't do scary...Scooby Doo scares them. I think everyone liked the movie, despite the hype. At midnight Jeff took the boys home (go ahead and judge, cause I know you want to) and the girls settled in and did what girls do best.
I think Alyssa had a great party, we survived with minimal drama so in my book it was a success.

Spring is here...

I am so glad the nice weather is back. Going to the park to play is a lot more fun then being strapped in a car seat while we wait for Alyssa to finish dance classes.
Gabriella is really taking to the slide. In fact, she loves it! She is not a fan of the swings or the tiny gravel that makes her "toes leak" as she says.
The weather has been great, it reminds me why we love Vegas.

Jiu Jitsu- Gray Belt

Professor Rod and Brandon after the test

Brandon and Billy. Best buddies or more like brothers



With the official end of the wrestling season here, Brandon has started back at TapOut. Last Saturday (April 24th) he tested for his gray belt. Of course he passed...
This boy was born to do this sport!
Wrestling and the classes he has taken at TapOut have been a blessing to him. It's taught him discipline and respect in a way Jeff or I never could have alone. I'm so happy that he has a passion and is eager to follow it. Who know what the future has in store for him, but right now...we are so proud!

Happy Birthday, Alyssa!

Wow! 12 years....

I say it every year. Where does the time go?!
I remember her birthday so vividly, I can play back the entire day in my mind over and over again and never miss a detail, yet I can't remember what I did 5 minutes ago.

I knew from the moment we first discovered a baby was on the way that our lives would chance. We were young and naive. I was right though, our lives did change.
At 9:30pm on April 19, 1998 I became a mommy. The first months were rough as Jeff and I learned the ropes of parenting. Gone were the parties and late nights on the town, but that was ok with us.
Each year brought new and exciting changes. Not only was Alyssa growing and changing but so were Jeff and I. Alyssa gave our lives a different meaning and a reason to strive to always do our best.

I loved her from the very minute I laid my eyes on her, even before. I love her now more then she will ever know. Or at least until she has a child of her own (in many, many, MANY years!) She is the kind of person I wish I could be. Thoughtful, smart, talented, beautiful.

I wish I could keep you little forever, but since we can't, I promise to embrace your desire to grow up as long as you remember you will ALWAYS be our little peanut!

Sometimes I wish...

I could just freeze time. I think most moms do at some point in time.
My little tiny 5 pound baby girl will turn 12 on Monday. 12 people!!!
Most days I'm left wondering where the time has gone. The answer is, of course, time passes. It's been a whirlwind filled with plenty of days where I have prayed for them to end, yet now I find myself wishing for the rewind button...or at least the slow down button.

Gabriella...

I couldn't count the reasons why I love this little girl so much.
She says some of the funniest things. She loves her brother, sister and daddy...but she REALLY loves her mommy! I love that about her.
Her current favorites consist of...
*going to Grandmas house to play
*playing with her babysitter, Nikki
*going to my Cassie's house to play with Dozer
*talking on the phone
*eating fruit snacks and yogurt, both of which she can get to on her own, although the recent child lock on the pantry has hindered the fruit snack trips
*coloring...she's not picky either. She'll color in her coloring books, regular books, the floor, wall and furniture also seem to be her preference
*she LOVES music. She'll sing the words to Justin Bieber, Pink, Black Eye Peas and sadly Lady Gaga as well.
*She enjoys Starbucks as much as I do

She is such a good girl, always a joy to be around. Well, most of the time. The one thing I know for sure is regardless of the kind of day I am having her smile makes everything all better again!

Happy Birthday to my Jeffrey...

For some reason Gabriella did NOT want me singing Happy Birthday to daddy. Perhaps my voice was just to beautiful...


Last week was Jeff's birthday...
If you know my husband, then you know he is not a fan of making a deal out of this day...
if you know me, well...then you know, I really don't care what he wants. :)
So, on Sunday while we were all in Boulder City celebrating Easter with the family, we celebrated.

I know I talk a lot about my hubby on this blog. I just can't help it.
He's not perfect by any means, but his imperfections are small and in the big scheme of things I feel so blessed EVERYDAY to share this journey known as our life.
Happy (late) birthday Jeffrey...I love you!! :)

Easter Eggs...

Of course it's our tradition to color the Easter eggs too. Brandon, who begged to do this activity all.day.long...stuck around to color maybe 3 eggs before running off to build Legos. Gabriella and Alyssa had a lot of fun though...

Easter...

I can't believe another Easter has come and gone. The year seems to be going by so fast already!
We had a nice Easter. Low key, just the way I like it. Brandon was so into it this year, which made it so much fun. Even Gabriella was excited for the Easter Bunny this year.
Poor Jeff worked the night before. He got home about 4am. I kid you not...the minute he walked in the door Brandon woke up. Though I convinced him to go wait till 6am to actually get out of bed. Don't worry, though...he continued to wake me ever 5 minutes between 4 and 6 just to make sure I REALLY needed him to wait. So, anyways...this is Jeff partaking in the egg hunt festivities. In his defence, he did wake up every few minutes to share in the excitement. :)

Gabriella has a lot of fun looking for her eggs this year

It's impossible...

It's impossible to catch a good picture of my kids together.