counting down the days... SF here we come!!

Manuel and his boys, well
a couple of them messing
around after school on
Daddy's day off

I am praying that I will be rid of these darn sniffles by the time we leave on Friday for Santa Fe I just can't stand them anymore. Lastnight was Bunko night and I could hardly breathe, it was the first time I couldn't wait to go home. Lucky as it was that the hostess lastnight was only a couple of blocks away so after dinner, games, prizes and great desert I rolled down the hill and staight into bed with Sudafed. I love my girls night so these sniffles have to go far, far away.

I also feel guilty leaving my sick hubby home alone. However I am so excited to get to head out of dodge for a week, I didn't think we would make it back to Santa Fe until summer time so we are incredibly happy. We will be doing a lot of traveling over the next few months, Santa Fe this month, Mexico next month and Vegas in may. I hope all is well and I really hope that the sniffles skip your house entirely this season

darn wind

our duckies are back I
guess they don't mind
the wind or have
allergies HA

windy windy windy, that's all it's been around here and it's driving me crazy not only does my hair always look bad but my allergies are going crazy. The kiddos have been on this crazy rollercoaster with their allergies and I think we are all exhausted. Other than having red noses from the sniffles we are just chugging along counting down the days to spring break hope everyone is well:)

Snowy Sunday

Happy Birthday Grandpa
thanks for the cake & Ice
cream YUMMMM

Boys just want to have fun too!

Snow has arrived in the dessert, or at least a dusting and enough for the kiddos to make a snow man. Thought I'd share the pics, and share with you how much fun we had enjoying the day off. Saturday night the kids spent the night with my parents so Manuel and I had the whole night to ourselves and guess what we did...we went grocery shopping I know aren't we just a bundle of fun! Sunday morning we woke up early and took the doggies for a long walk, then it was off to play with the kiddos in the snow. Later the in-laws came to spend the afternoon with us it was my father-in-law's birthday so we had cake and laughed the afternoon away. It was a wonderful Sunday to bad it's already Monday, but hope everyone has a wonderful week:)

Go Sundogs

We have become such hockey fans over the last couple of years, although our team is struggling a bit this year it doesn't stop us from supporting them and having a little fun ourselves.

Happy February to all, my bunko group has decided that February is the actual start to the new year so Happy Groundhog New Years Day?? Anyway Hope everyone is doing great and chugging along like us waiting for spring. My household is having camping fever, we can't wait until it's warm enough to go into the great outdoors for a few days.

By the way congrats on the win yesterday Laura:(((

Nathan gets his green belt

All the Dragons with
their new belts

Nathan getting his new

belt YAY!!

Nathan had to break this

board with his hand to

get his new belt, he did

it on the first try

Nathan made a huge step in Kung Fu, he moved from junior green belt to solid green. We are so proud of him, the one requirement for this belt was improving behavior and respect. He had to get permission from home and from his teacher in order to move up. We are so proud of him, he is doing great and doing it all with wonderful behavior and a great attitude

Pics for you Jolyn...

Nicolas' turn with the
air blaster

Nathan about to eat

his very first sour cream

and onion flavored

cricket, YUCK! He loved them!

Nicolas and Nathan just

playing around

Nathan playing with

the air blaster!

Isaac playing in the little

kids area

Snow on Sandia Peak,

I haven't seen that in

a while, beautiful. We

were on the train when

I snapped this photo

When we were in Albuquerque we went to the coolest museum thanks to my Aunt Jolyn and her wonderful husband Steve. The kiddos had a ball in this huge children's museum so I wanted to share the pics :)

It's been a while but...

This year has started off to be a busy one, although how good I'm not sure yet. The girls in my bunko group said we have until February 1st to change any new years resolutions and after that date it's going to be a great year. I hope so, I know like many right now I have such hope that things in every way are going to turn around.
My new bible study is off to a great start. I'm doing yet again another Beth Moore study what can I say the woman rocks! She has a way of teaching me so much and keeping my attention and she is sooo dang funny.
The boys are doing great, keeping up with all their activities and all. Great news Nicolas made the honor roll!! We are so proud of him, after a challenging start to this school year with the move and all we were very worried, but he pulled through what a trooper. Hope all of you are doing well and off to a good start this year, maybe a new resolution I will make before feb. 1st is to blog a little more often:)

Happy New Year

Do not (earnestly) remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Isaiah 43:18-19

"God created us to need new beginnings, places where we can release our faith and say, "This is a place of new beginnings for me, a place to a have a fresh start." The dawn of a new year is always a good time for a fresh start". May you have a wonderful brand new year, may it be full of laughter, love, peace, happiness, health and countless blessings.

A wonderful Christmas...

me and the love of my life
standing in front of our snow family
oh so proud, now if only he
could keep his eyes open

Nathan's first attempt at

a snow man

Isaac playing in the snow

Christmas morning..still in his

pj's

Nicolas checking out what he

got in his stocking

me and my grandma

taking pictures with Santa

I promise I swear I've

been good all year long

Merry Christmas Nicolas

Isaac being a total ham! I had

to put this picture because

Isaac was a little afraid to take

any more pictures with Santa We have had one of the most memorable holidays in years. We went to Santa Fe to be with our family and had a wonderful time. We stayed for ten days, most of them were covered in snow and that is exactly what I wanted for Christmas, you know I'm a desert dweller now so the snow was absolutely gorgeous but so flippin cold!! I wanted to share some pictures because my words won't due any justice. Enjoy!

getting ready to hit the road...

Today as the snow was falling I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I was sitting in front of the window watching the snow and doing my Christmas cards (yes, but better late than never). I could hear the dryer in the back and all I could think of is how happy I am to be going to be with all of my family for Christmas. It's been years since we've all been together for the holidays and I feel so appreciative that I have such a wonderful family to go home to. I am also grateful for Manuel's family, I have grown to love them all as much as my own. With all the hustle and bustle this time of years brings it was nice to sit in the moment and to feel such excitement I hope your holidays are just as warm and your heart overflows with the joys of the season. This Christmas is about the deeper meaning of the season for my family, Christ may his peace be upon us all now and throughout the new year. I know I'm getting all mushy but I'm just so inspired to have an old fashioned family Christmas and to celebrate the real meaning of this day without all the bells and whistles of years past.

Happy Birthday to the Love of my life....

If only Happy Birthday covered it, if only it said how happy I am to celebrate today. The one day that is dedicated solely to the man I love. I am so blessed to have this man in my life and be his wife. "Know the Lord works wonders for the faithful" Psalm 4:4

Thank you Mikie sooooo very much for the blogger award, it's a biggie for me because I'm so not computer savy. So the rules are I have to say six things about myself ok here it goes, I'm so used to talking about the kiddos that it's hard for me to talk about myself.

1. My favorite color is red
2. I can't stand to eat liver and onions YUCK, but I like the way it smells while it's cooking
3. I secretly would love to be a team mascot, so I could let the inner dork in me loose and no
one would know it's me.
4. Halloween & Christmas are my favorite holidays
5. I should have named my boys Alvin, Simon & Theodore!!
6. Last but not least I have very strong faith in The Lord:)

Arizona's Christmas City...

Me & Laura watching the

parade what a great day!!

Saturday night @ the Courthouse

lighting, the kiddos trying to

take a peak at Santa:)

They boys and the dog waiting

to leave for the fun of the day ahead

Isaac in his cowboy boots

getting ready for the parade

what a hoot!
It's beginning to feel like Christmas finally! Well you wouldn't know it's December with the weather we're having, notice the lack of jackets and mittens at this year's Christmas parade. This weekend was just wonderful. We had some dear friends come from New Mexico to visit us and what a perfect weekend for a visit. This weekend was the kickoff to the holiday season in our little town. We started the weekend off with our friends by all loading up in my car on Friday night, picking up something to eat and then we were off to see the valley of lights. The lights were beautiful they get better and better every year. On Saturday we went to the Christmas parade and then went to the Prescott Resort where the kiddos decorated gingerbread men and then we went to see all the famous gingerbread houses, it's really amazing what people can do with sweets, so creative. Then that night it was off to the Court House lighting, we were late but it was still so beautiful. I love this time of year and I love my little Christmas city.

Turkey Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, we sure did. The weather has been grey and cold so I was cooking up a storm in the kitchen I made apple pies, pumpkin pies, hams, potatoes just about everything and I loved it. We spent the day at my mom's house with my family and my grandpa so it was wonderful. Nicolas was just precious he secretly wrote a two page letter about what he was so thankful for this year, he stood up and read it aloud to all of us. The boys all went on a hike through the dells while I stayed back to look over all the sale adds and it took me almost an hour and the funny part is I didn't even plan on shopping today, I usually don't but I just like to see the adds. I'm a procrastinator with my Christmas shopping. Hope all of you are well and have a wonderful weekend, we are off the the Sundogs Hockey game:)

9 years and counting...

What a wonderful day it's been today. Today Manuel and I are celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary. I can say that I am married to the most wonderful, loving, nurturing, compassionate and honest man. All those years ago I was indeed marrying my very best friend. God has brought us down a wonderful path, we've had our ups and our downs but I've learned that every relationship big or small has its seasons. I wouldn't trade what I share with him for the world, we have found a place of acceptance, respect and love and I wish every relationship makes it to that point it really is what marriage is about and makes it all worth it. I want to thank him for making our marriage a priority and for loving me flaws and all (he loves what a dork I can be he is a keeper).
The best news of all today is that my Grandpa is doing great. His tests came back that his tumors are shrinking, actually shrinking I'm so eternally grateful. I guess God is listening to our prayers each day on the way to school, Isaac is so cute he prays for his Grandpa Tony the one who lives "on the phone" every day. He thinks the rest of our family lives in Santa Fe but Grandpa lives on the phone too cute. What an amazing day our family has had. Thank you all again as the cards and gifts are still a daily occurrence in my mail box Love you all:)

blessed

We found out some very sad news last night and I ask all of you to pray with me for our dear friends. Our dear friends who had tried very hard to get pregnant for quite a while found out they were expecting not too long ago. Well she delivered ther couple's very first child, a son at 25 weeks, he weighed in at barely a pound. Although small he has been very courageous and strong in his fight for life, small in size huge in spirit. He is now almost three pounds at almost two months old. He has been blessed by miracles everyday, he has defied every odd. The doctor told this beautiful baby's mother yesterday that his brain is not growing, and hasn't grown since birth, while his head (skull) continues to grow his brain isn't developing, there is fluid between the skull and the brain and it is likely he will have cerebral palsy. I ask you to pray for this amazing family, they have been on such a roller coaster full of good days and bad. The baby is in a hospital over 100 miles away from home so there is constant travel. Please pray for baby Drezdin his beautiful mommy and his wonderful dad. Healthy babies are something I've taken for granted until now, I realize how blessed we are. I pray that this mother will soon hold a healthy baby in her arms and in her own home.
P.S The Ronald McDonald House has been allowing the family to stay, the house is across the street from the hospital, I never realized how much they do for families I will now use the donation boxes I see, they are such an amazing group they have provided so much.

Blessed is the man who trusts in The Lord Jeremiah 17:7

Oh what a day...

Nathan lost his
first tooth, yipee

Our little wishbone

What a fun filled day we've had today. I woke up older, but hopefully wiser today and had a great day. It started off with a great work out with Cody whom I just adore, thanks again Dad for the session. Then it was off and running for the rest of the day. Nathan had a Thanksgiving program at school today and he was the wishbone, just adorable. They sang the cutest song about gobble gobble and a wobble wobble, it was at this moment I wish I knew how to put video on my blog but anyway it was great you'll just have to trust me on that one, the pictures just don't do the little wishbone any justice. Then Nathan's darling teacher served us pumpkin pie in her classroom.

Then it was off to the Doctor's office for Nicolas he unfortunately was diagnosed with migraines, I'm so sorry for passing them on, I hope he doesn't suffer near as much as I have. So we have to start a log about them, like when, how often and what he has eaten when they occur and then we may have to see a neurologist I'm hoping that it's something we can take care of by means of diet. It's amazing how much kids health, behavior and so on is influenced by what they eat. That's it I'm moving to a farm and growing my own food, it's so hard to read every box, bottle and container I bring home. Oh and Nathan lost his very first tooth today, he was so excited he's been waiting for a long time for this, all of his friends have already lost several teeth. He's even more excited to have the Tooth Fairy coming over tonight, that's a big deal in our house. The first tooth is worth the most.

Now it's time to celebrate my birthday, we are having cake at my parent's house and then Manuel and I are going out for a drink. What a great day I've had and thank you to all who have called, sent cards & emails I love you all dearly.

Planning Christmas...

For the first time in a long time we are going to be away from home for Christmas. I've been on the Internet all day trying to find a flight for my hubby so he can meet me there on Christmas Eve and then fly out late Christmas Day. I'm sad he won't be able to spend much time with us but I also understand that it's an important time for him to be at work, I'm super excited that I get a Santa Fe Christmas though, and snow would just put the cherry on top for me. I haven't had snow on Christmas since I left SF and came to the dessert. So come on Santa I've been really good this year and all I want for Christmas is my family and a little or a lot of snow and maybe a sled!

With Thanksgiving being next week our little town kicks into overdrive and becomes the cutest little town on the planet. There are huge parades, light parades, caroling, courthouse lighting, valley of lights and the list just keeps going and going. It's during holidays that I really appreciate where I live and how lucky I am to raise my children in a small town. Leaving SF was one of the hardest things I thought, but now I feel it was He who grabbed my shoulders and guided me here, I am blessed in every way and blessed to be here. May the blessing of this coming season surround all of you and all of those you love.

Sick Day

How fast the flu can arrive, well I learned all about that yesterday. I was just going about my day had just finished up at Costco when Manuel called that Nicolas was in the nurse's office at school and for me to go and get him right away (Nicolas has Manuel's cell number memorized good boy!). When I got to his school I could barely walk in the office it was so full with sick kiddos. Nicolas was on the cot falling asleep, pale as a sheet and could barely keep his eyes open, far from the kid I had dropped off at school only a few hours earlier. The funny part is he is absolutely fine today hopefully we all stay healthy. Reconsidering getting us all a flu shot, love to all :) Happy Anniversary Laura & Marcos we love you!!

AWANA Annual Derby

Nicolas had sooo much fun, he was so excited to go show off his car. His car did pretty well until the very end. The end was good too though because he got to race his car against one of his best friend's car, so he was sad his car lost but excited that his friend was taking home a trophy. Overall the experience of doing a car with his dad and then getting to race is something I'm sure Nicolas is looking forward to doing again next year.