Splashing Summer Fun

We sure did get some gorgeous weather after a week of cold. And just in time for the local parks and rec grand opening of the new Dog Park and Spash Pad! They had free T-Shirts for everyone, and free hot dogs, chips and soda. Beach balls of every shape and size for the kids....and headbands with dog ears on them and the kids just love them!

Thomas had so much fun at the splash park, we can't wait to go again!

Then it was off to the beach! It was so beautiful! Christopher chose to stay up a ways and play in the sand, and Thomas ventured down to the water with Daddy...

And he had a ton of fun running from the waves, the water was cool but it didn't bother Thomas or Daddy!

It was so clear you could see Catalina, and we were there until almost when the sun went down!

The pelicans were flying and the surfers were surfin'! I told Thomas in a couple of years I'll teach him to surf!

I am sure we're in for our June Gloom cool down...but for our Memorial Weekend we are looking for some absolutely gorgeous weather! Tomorrow it is more summer fun with all his friend's at Marie's. I am sure we'll have more pics tomorrow!

And for all those serving in the Military, past and present, or those who have family or friends, serving in the military....let's take a moment to remember the sacrifice they make...and always remember that Freedom isn't Free! Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Brought to you by Unknown Mami

My Little Miracles

14 years ago today

I try not to think of it as a memory of death, but as a celebration of life...His Life...

14 years ago today, my Brother was killed. I miss him, I think of him often....my son carries his name, and I think of him. I hear the name "Paco" and think of him....strange I know! His name was Thomas Joseph, and we called him T.J. but his friends knew him as Tom. I called his house, just days before his death and his room mate answered and I asked for TJ and he said there was no one there by that name, I said ohh umm okay.

My brother then asked "So who'd they ask for? Paco?" and his room mate said no some guy named TJ? And he said that's ME ya dork! And he called me back, we laughed.

I called him the morning of his death and he never did call me back....so my last memory of my brother was PACO!

I think of him when all my friends children who were born on the same day....each year they turn....reminds me of him, and it makes me smile!

I miss that he isn't seeing my boys....he's not roling on the floor with them, he's not coming to corrupt them haha He's not telling them of stories of he and I when we were little. Now I tell them of him, and how much he would have loved them!

And I can't believe, after 14 years, how much it still hurts! And when it hurts, I get angry...at him, for leaving! But I know at the end of the day, I love him, still!

So all of you out there who have siblings who you aren't "that close" with...call them...today....tell them you love them and you are happy they are your sibling...because tomorrow might be to late!

In Loving Memory, A Soul Set Free to Fly
TJB
8-4-70 to 5-28-96

My Little Miracles

I just can't decide

So I sat staring at the screen for 20 minutes and just couldn't decide what I wanted to write on...

And I kept thinking that I only had a few thoughts on each one...so why not, it's been awhile since I've shared on every single one! Almost like a Random Thought day...

Yo estudio cinco anos de espanol en la escuela. Yo Hablo espanol poquito pero yo comprende mas. But when it comes to speaking the language of my job...I lack. And my Spanish spelling probably sucks too. So I am challenged daily in my job to make sure I am sure that I am selling what we both agree upon.

If I could do my wedding over again, I wouldn't change a thing. Actually, that is a lie...We got married in the Grand Canyon, in February. And it was beautiful....but there just wasn't as much snow as I wanted. So add some more of that white stuff and it would have been even better!

Time outs...I can tell you who doesn't ever seem to get a time out is Christopher, he's so laid back and easy going. When Thomas gets Time outs, it's because he's being stubborn! And no amount of disguise is going to get him out of it!

Wouldn't it be nice if one could sleep in to one's heart's content? That is what this mommy dreams about...at least give this mommy until 7am! Since Thomas has been potty trained and in his big boy bed he likes to get up between 6 and 6:25am to go pee and come into Mommy's bed...right when this mommy is dreaming about sleeping until 7!

I am not as creative with the poems as I used to...but all those that asked about my previous post here, let's just say that because this has affected my children...right now and for a lifetime I will say GOOD BYE!

All this and more is brought to you by Mama Kat

My Little Miracles

Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down

Thomas got this brand new JumpOLeen for his birthday...it's huge....takes up our whole living room....good thing it will be going outside soon!

And he just loves it, constantly asking "Bruddah, you want to jump with me?"

And if Christopher is an unwilling participant, he doesn't care....

He jumps away to his hearts content,

His very own trampoline so to speak.

Until he falls down to do it all over again! It's so funny, his hair sticks straight up from the static!

Thanks Maile, you are THE BEST!

Brought to you by Angie at Seven Clown Circus

And 5 Minutes for Mom

My Little Miracles

What's with people these days

When we are given the responsibility of a child….not only our own but others, I find it extremely important that we follow through with those responsibilities. And as a parent, I have failed my children. We make choices as parents for our children, and we hope that those are the best possible choices. We chose people to be in their lives and who we don’t want to be in their lives. We chose people who we think will love and guide our children in a loving way, in a way that, us, as their own parent, would want them to be guided. And when we, as parents, hand pick someone and pass that responsibility over to them, we expect and should demand they follow through with that!

Unfortunately I have made the wrong choice for my child, and now I will spend a lifetime explaining my mistake to my children. It’s sad actually! And I have always stated and will state again….You can do whatever you want to me….you can dislike me all you want, but the minute you mess with my children…It’s WRONG! You want to get the Irish up in me….mess with my child!

The anger I have is unexplainable in words….the hurt I feel for my children, beyond comprehension!! And the people behind it, should feel ashamed! But I know they could care less! And THAT, is what is wrong with today’s society!

My Little Miracles

My 1st born, turns 3

My baby.....My 1st born....My Miracle.
What can I possibly say? I never thought you would come to me, I never thought God would bless me with a miracle such as you! All 9lbs 9 oz of you! I stressed through the 1st trimester, If I could just make it until 16 1/2 weeks, which is the point at which I lost the last baby. At 16 1/2 weeks, I stressed until 20 weeks when I could see your beautiful heartbeat. You still made me sick. as. a. DOG, until almost 6 months. You kicked me over and over, kept me up nights, gave me my first taste of heartburn. And I loved every minute of it!

Then I thought my stress would end, I was home free....until I started thinking it's not over until you are born, safe, healthy and breathing in my arms....and I stressed more.

And you came out....beautiful....amazing....the best part of me, I found, In YOU!

And I thought my worries were over, until you lost 10% of your body weight, and became jaundice, and I couldn't have you with me all the time. They took you, put you under the lights, and only brought you to me every 3 hours for 20 minutes. I could come visit you, and I did often, but it broke my heart, and for the first time, you introduced me to Mommy Guilt. I did something wrong to make this hard for you! They let you come home after 4 days but on the 5th day of your life we returned to the hospital for a blood draw and another case of mommy guilt! But then you thrived...and grew...and amazed me at every turn!

And you turned 1, you were talking and walking and blowing whistles and popping balloons, and I was so proud to be your mommy! Pregnant with your brother, and still sick as a dog, I wanted you to know how very much I loved you. I sucked it up every day, so that you, my beautiful 1st born Miracle would know, that you, in my eyes, could do no wrong!

And before my eyes, you turned 2....the big brother....my handsome little man.

And now....today, the 24th of May, you turn 3....and I love you more and more with each passing moment. Because I have learned that life is too short, and you....my 1st born, aren't slowing down, and I am in no hurry to have you grow up and not need mommy anymore!

Happy Birthday Son, I Love You! And I am proud, Lucky and blessed to be chosen to be YOUR Mommy!

My Little Miracles

To Infinity.....and Beyond (the birthday)

Thomas turns 3....well almost. 3 years ago today I remember being angry that my doc called off my appt because of an emergency....How dare she, I was an emergency, carrying this enormous watermelon....uggh! Finally she called and said she could see me....and then I was given 2 days to get ready to be a mommy!! YIKES! And now....3 years later....
We have Toy Story 3 coming out, and I have a 3 year old who like Buzz and Woody and Hamm....And so his Birthday began....

I spent hours making his cake, and cupcakes for his party....and we only got TWO pics of the cake....on my cell phone. It is a #3 with Buzz, Woody and the Alien....

Then I spent another few hours making his cupycakes for his party....Hamm and Alien....

Tell me they didn't come out adorable? I know the kids didn't care, but I LOVED them!

Christopher feeling a little left out at the party since he wasn't in the staring role, but I told him he was still one of my favorite Deputies!

The kids had a BLAST at Thomas' pump it up party! Running around, bouncing, sliding, playing, jousting, boxing....there are a few not pictured...I think they were boxing!

And of course....eating Cupycakes!!

And the Birthday Boy was all up in arms being King for the day....It's good to be King!

And of course having my besties there to celebrate with us is a bonus too!
See you ladies in a couple of weeks for our next birthday celebration!

And Thomas got what he wasn't expecting.....a brand new JEEP!! New cars run in the family!

He LOVED it, and loved showing his Brother all the cool features while touring the yard.

And when Christopher was tired riding around, he took Monkey and Pooh for a ride, but they aren't as special as his brother, they had to ride in the back!!

Forget Balloons on the front gate his Aunt Tami had a banner made for him to let everyone know that it's Thomas' 3rd birthday and they were in the right place!!

More cake to finish off the day....

And with that, we will celebrate his actual Birthday on Monday the 24th, but he knows it's his WEEKEND!

Thanks for sharing it with us!

Now head on over to Unknown Mami's

My Little Miracles

It's more than eating paste

Thomas will be starting preschool in a few weeks here, a little private school down the road, and boy am I glad he is.

Tell me you don't remember Kindergarten...I do! Now I knew how to read and I knew how to do basic math because I had an older brother and I wanted to know what he knew....you know, speak the same language. Now back in my day, it was not a requirement for kindergarten.

I remember plain old half days, playing on the play ground, kids eating paste, using construction paper, coloring inside the lines. Playing in the little area that looked like a kitchen. Nap time with a nap mat (I wish we still had nap time with a nap mat at work) I remember story time, and writing our names, writing letters to mommy, making works of art for Mother's Day and Father's day. Making macaroni Christmas ornaments in the top of a jar lid. Show and Tell.

Now a days....All that....happens in preschool. Come Kindergarten...it's all work. And HOMEWORK. Yes you heard me right. H-O-M-E-W-O-R-K!

Sitting at work the other day, a friends daughter sitting at my desk, pulls out her back pack and a piece of paper, she asks for a pencil, which I gave her, she proudly and neatly put her name at the top of the page, and begins math problems.... I'm not talking 1+1 I am talking 8+3= and 12-7= and if you have 10 apples and your dog eats 4 how many apples will you have left? I'm not kidding you! And she went through, counting squares and circles and apples and doing MATH!

So I say to my friend, "Wow that is some great stuff for 1st grade, I can't wait until Thomas is doing all that" And her daughter says "She's in kindergarten" And I said ALL THAT? What happened to color in the lines and paste and glue sticks?

Gone....out the window! Good thing Thomas is smart, knows his ABC's and his numbers and is learning to properly hold his pen and is already coloring in the lines and knows and can draw his shapes...because in 2 years he's going to need to be reading and writing and math! He better enjoy his social time in preschool!

Kindergarten....it's not just for eating paste anymore!

My Little Miracles

My Happily Ever After

Once upon a time...
A girl...lived a lot of life in a short amount of time. And when at a dreadful doctor's appointment while living 1500 miles away from her home town and her family, she was told she had the "C" word.

Scared, unsure, and really nothing at all to show for her life....

Doctor's echoing in her head, tests results, more doctors, treatments....

Dreams unfullfilled, dreams that would never fade....

Enter's boy....



Boy, does impossible.....Boy sets girl's mind at ease...loves her like no other...and boy makes girl's every dream come true. Despite....or should I say In Spite of the "C" word.

Boy helps creates Miracle #1



And a short 9 months later helps girl create Miracle #2.....


15 months apart....Girl has Little Miracles.....


And boy.... no matter what faces Girl, now and in the future, he sticks by her, he loves her....

And she....Loves him and their Miracles more than life itself.

There is no better happily ever after!

Thanks Mama Kat for the reminder, that it doesn't get better than life with my boys!

My Little Miracles

There's a wocket in my pocket

Okay well maybe he doesn't have a wocket in his pocket, but it's one of his favorite books, along with Green Eggs and Ham and he goes around reciting it all the time.


But since he discovered he has pockets and things can fit into his pockets and they actually STAY in his pockets....I have found what he likes to keep in his pockets, because I didn't really think I would need to check his pockets before laundry!

So over a few weeks span these are the things I have found....
A couple of quarters he snatched up at Grandma's, a soda top, maybe he got that at Grandma's or maybe here, since we both save them. A couple of rocks, a penny, a little spongy duck, a Cars sticker, and a wormie....he had this little fake lizard thing, but it has since walked off the top of the dryer!

Oh I can't wait to see what else I will find in the washer from my boys pockets!

Brought to you by Angie at Seven Clown Circus and 5 Minutes for Mom

Sorry for my impromptu blogging hiatus, thanks for the concern that I got from so many of you, I have been super sick, and trying to plan a 3 year old's bday party....but more about that next time!

My Little Miracles

Leggo my Lego

You ever sat and really wondered the wonder in Lego's?

I mean sure you can build stuff....like right now Thomas just likes to stack them....one on top of another, one big huge tall sky scraper. And then he might like to put that on a set of wheels! The worlds tallest car! Christopher likes to tear it apart.....and then Thomas cries!
Then you can get a kit....Yes, please, let's get a kit....to make a car, or a plane....or even a house! Of course, yes, let's! So that when you lose that one piece it makes the whole thing WORTHLESS!!!

I think that is how my brother and I collected so many legos as kids....kits....for cars, helicopters and trucks....we'd lose ONE STINKIN PIECE and it was junk....so we went back to building really tall sky scrapers.

I just don't "get" Lego's! But I'll continue to play Lego's with my boys and we'll be on our way to Lego Land soon, and they will love that as well. But I just don't get it!

Not to mention the fact that OMG they KILL your feet if you step on them!

Brought to you by Mama Kat!

Oh and thanks to Mama Kat, I am a finalist for my story I wrote for one of her writer's workshops. And there is only 2 more days to vote! So Please, Make Mama Kat proud....Help out Rockford, and go here to vote for my story, Rockford finds his fire!

My Little Miracles