Sweet Moments

Can you believe that I experienced my sweet moment today at the Padre (baseball) game? Well, I did!

There were not too many people at the game today. Thank goodness because 1) it was hot. And 2) we were on the absolute top (of the top) last row. So I kept scooting down a row to stay in the shade. Usually Roque and Isha ended up directly behind Andan and I.

As we were sitting like this I felt these little tender arms wrap around my neck and embrace me in an unsolicited spontaneous hug. Tears came to my eyes as I eagerly excepted this gift from my 18 month old son, as I know that in another few years I will have to ask for affection and all too soon it may be an embarrassment to him to show such affection to his old lady, mom. I will store this memory in my heart as it is probably the only place it will survive through the tumultuous teen years. Lucky for me, Roque caught on camera what I caught in my heart!

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

I have been having fun making cards this weekend. As with anything new, It takes a while to find your groove or style. I am still trying to find mine.

I find a lot of inspiration on line. My "friends" card was inspired by Kristina Werner. You can check out her blog here. I love her style!

The rest of the cards were from sketches that I found on line.

I have a card idea that has been swirling around in my head for the last 24 hrs. So hopefuly in the next 24 hrs. I will have it done.

Bloom

This layout is for the Sassy Blinging Babes weekly challenge over at Scrapbook.com. The challenge was to have all these elements in the LO; tearing or distressing, edges inked, bling and use at least 5 flowers. When all I do is boy layouts, the flowers are really a challenge. I think it turned out well!

First Creations

Well, this scrapper is jumping on the card making band wagon. In an earlier post I explained my increasing desire to try my hand in this paper craft. I just had a birthday and my Mom and Dad gave me a gift card for Michael's. So I went ahead and picked up some tools of the trade and got to creating.

I love every one's blogs and hope to find a lot of ideas and some inspiration. Of coarse, I won't give up scrapbooking. I think these two crafts go hand in hand.

Our Summer Camping Trip

Daddy and Isha

S'more Anyone?

Justin "Fishing"

Happy Camper

Caught Off Guard

We went camping this past weekend at Lake Skinner. It is a part of Riverside County Parks and is located right outside Temecula. If you know anything about Temecula, you know we are NUTS to go camping there this time of year. Saying it is hot is an understatement. I think to be more acruate we could say the temperate is much closer to that place that my arch enemy, the Devil, lives.
Luckily we were able to use the water to keep cool. My Mom and Dad bought a slip~n~slide for the kids. We brought water balloons as well and had several balloon fights over the course of our five day stay.
There are other things to do at Lake Skinner. There's fishing. We didn't catch any. But we never seem to have any luck in that area. There's boating. My Dad brought his sail boat. Some of the kids got into sailing. My mom also rented a Patio Boat. These were bare bone boats. Ours didn't even have an anchor.
The campground itself is very nice. Bathrooms and showers are clean. There is some tree shade, green grass, and fire pits.
Speaking of fire pits. Isha had a run in with one on the first day we were there. He tripped and fell into it. Luckily there was no left over hot coals. But there was a strange sharp metal rod going across the bottom of it. He put his hands out to stop his fall (Thank God. It could have been worse) and cut his fingers up. One of the cuts was gaping and looked like it would require medical attention. So Roque, Isha and I were off to the nearest emergency room (which is not in Temecula) in Murrieta. Five hours and three stitches later we were on our way back to camp. I can say one good thing about the small emergency/hospital building; air conditioning. Isha did really well, much better than Mom and Dad who were a nervous wreck that their precious baby had to endure such an injury.
There was also a fair amount of ant bites, bee stings and mosquito bites. I know that I seem to be painting a grim picture of our camping experience. But in spite of all these things there is something invaluable about spending time with your family in an unstructured environment and rolling with the flow of the everyday experiences. Everyone truly had a good time. Even Isha, who had to sport a 2 pound bandage around his hand to keep his wound clean, was a happy camper.
I can't wait to go back next year. Um, Dad, Could you make the reservations for earlier in the summer?

Ladder Ball Anyone?

Only Andan!

Well, I guess there's a couple in the bunch!

What are the scheming up now?

Jared and Isha staying cool.

Some photos

Lake View

Sunrise

Dad's Toy

My Home Away From Home

Yea, we got smart and gave the 3 older boys their own tent.

On a Lighter Note

Whew, you did it!

Where you going?

Sitting so nice!

Thursday is story time at the library. They have two separate times. First is Toddler time. Isha clearly fits into this group and does really well. They are not required to sit down. They can listen to the story while moving around. They also add a lot of music and movement and a short free play time.

Then, after that is for the preschool age children. You have to sit. Usually I take a walk with Isha while Andan is enjoying his group. Yesterday, Isha kept running away from me and going to the door which leads to the story time. He'd tell me right as he pulled his little hand out of mine, "I run". I appreciated the warning as it gave me a jump start on the pursuit that was about to happen. As soon as he got to the glass door, he would knock LOUDLY.
After a repeat performance, I finally said to him, "Isha, you have to sit down if you go in there. You see Andan. He's SITTING." (Little whine) "Can you sit, Isha?" Isha vigorously nodded his head, yes. (yea right, I think) *sigh* (from me) "Ok, Let's try."

These photos are in the complete opposite order (don't know how to change that). These were taken with my cell phone. The one the bottom is the first one. He IS sitting. Very nicely, I might add, in front of his brother. The next photo up, notice him inching his way away from Andan.

Finally, much to my relief, the story is over and they do some music and movement. Whew.. I can breath again.

I have to agree with the author of this letter.

My Dad sent me this e mail. I am personally getting tired of all the media coverage of this man. There are more important things going on in this world.

The writer of this letter should not, I think, have apologized for telling
the truth and, if people were upset by his remarks, they haven't thought too
deeply about what he said
THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A SOLDIER IN IRAQ.
I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson . As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.
Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood , and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?

Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America .
Where is there moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate

sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "Thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become
so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"

I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan . They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have. Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it.
Feel free to pass this along if you want.
Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving
in the military;
"So that others may live..."
- Isaac
Only two people have ever effectively given their lives for you.
Jesus Christ and The American G.I.

One died for your sins, the other died to give you freedom.

Vincent J. Loiseau
Naval Inventory Control Point
Source Development Dept., Air Vehicle Division
Code: 0731.14
Phone: 215-697-6690
Fax: 215-697-6689
DSN: 442-6690

Creating Cards

I've been blog hoping the last couple of days. I love looking at every one's paper creations. But I have been feeling especially drawn to cards and stamping. I can feel something in me that is just dying to jump into this craft, head first. Even my Sassy Blinging Babe friends over at Scrapbook.com seem to have already been bitten. They are creating some beautiful cards and other paper creations.
The thing that is holding me back is...well...a couple of things. First, is Cody. I feel like I need to get his First Year album done before I start anything. Second, the space. I don't have a work area that I can start something, walk away mid project, and come back to finish later. That is why I currently set aside one day a week for scrapping. I haul all my supplies, paper and photos out to put it all away when I'm done.
About 18-19 years ago (when I was about18-19 yrs old) my grandma bought me tons of ink pads, stamps, embossing powders, heat gun, papers and other tools of the trade. I did get into making cards. But I was young and life was pulling me in different directions. Now I could kick myself! I gave all of it away about 3 yrs after the purchase. So...Yep...then there's that!

Fourth of July Fun

What are they looking at?

Just some of the 16 cousins.

Cuteness!

I am starting to look forward to the 4th of July every year. Celebrating our freedom as a country is great and never to be taken lightly! Add family, fun, fireworks and food to the mix and you have great memories to last a lifetime.

On Roque's side of the family there are 16 kids from 17 months to 16 years of age. There is also a house full of uncles and aunties to answer to. The islander food is great. The mood is festive and light.

The fireworks can be seen from the front yard as they are less than half a mile away. Everyone brings their folding or camping chairs and blankets. Then we sit back and enjoy the show in the comfort of Grandma's front yard. It is nice not to fight the crowds and still see such a great display of fireworks.

Sassy Blinging Babes Weekly Challenge

I did this layout as part of the Sassy Blinging Babes weekly challenge over at scrapbook.com. The challenge this week was to use a Becky Fleck sketch from the May 2009 archive maps( www.pagemapes.com). We are all doing the same sketch.

I just got my Cricut (paper cutter) this week. I love it! I used it to cut the dandelions and Cody's name.

The journaling on this layout says, "You are 13 and you have the attitude to prove it. I sometimes wish I could freeze you and thaw you out when you are 25." The pull tab has hidden journaling and a more sentimental message to Cody. I used the dandelions to go along with my "wish".

Stamping Anyone?

I try to set aside one day a week for my favorite hobby, Scrapbooking. How much I get done depends largely on my children and how independent of me they feel on that day. This last Wednesday, Isha woke up in a fabulous mood. The morning continued in this way as Andan and Isha settled into their day. Perfect scrapbooking day! Those of you who know Isha know that he is relatively small in stature for his age. He is just under 18 months and just barely over 20 lbs. I like to work at my dining room table where little hands cannot reach and I can see and hear what is going on through out the house. Imagine my shock to turn from my work for a second and turn back to find a surprise attack ON MY TABLE! Isha!! Little pint sized Isha standing on my table. I quickly lifted him down with a firm admonishment to stay off the table. Isha was quicker. Without me noticing, he had grabbed my Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink pad. Well, I noticed about a minute later after he inked his shirt and his hands! Luckily the ink pad survived and after a perfect little inked hand print and a couple of soap washings so did Isha. I can't say the same for the shirt!

Are We Having Fun Yet??

Father's Day...What can I say? Well, The kids got Dad a fishing pole along with some new lures and such. He was very pleased as secretly he wished for a fishing pole. But maybe he should have gone fishing by himself. We went to the local Lake Murray. We basically had to keep fishing Isha off the shoreline. This is a "no swimming" lake to top it off. I'm sure if you had a video and played it back while on fast forward, this would look quite comical. As it was we were attracting onlookers to our plight. Isha rushing the shoreline with Mom or Dad in Hot pursuit behind him. At one point, after continuously urging him ,"Isha, ride your car!", he got on his car, and with a knowing backward glance at Mom, headed full speed down to the shore line. I think we finally called it a day about 30 minutes after arriving.

Luckily, the day was not a complete loss. We headed to Grandpa and Grandma's house in the evening where the water is securely locked behind a childproof six foot fence and the kids pretty much have the freedom to play at their own risk.

Little Wii One

To better hear the video, disable the music on the second photo slider.

With the whole family playing the Wii and the Wii fit, Isha (not one to be left out) also participates. I'm not sure how he adds up his wii fit points, but from the looks of it he holds his own.This was two months ago, he was 15 months.

Wild Animals

We went to the Wild Animal Park on Friday with my Mom. I'm not sure who was wilder, the kids or the animals. But it was fun filled day! This was Isha's first trip to see the animals. The petting zoo was a riot. Is ha was a little offended when one of the deers kissed him on the head! Andan also had fun, once he got over "My legs are tired!" He perked up and enjoyed the lions and the animal show. They both loved the carousel. Grandma seemed to enjoy herself as well and assured me that the kids were well behaved (well, they better be!).

Moments

We had a long day today. My husband caught these photos of Isha and I as we were relaxing on the couch having a mommy-son moment.

Andan's Day

My Andan has graduated from preschool. He is going to kindergarten next school year. He has completed two years of preschool. This is his buddy sitting next to him. They have been in the same class since they were 3 and are best buds. I know preschool is not too big of a deal. But with all I've been through the last few years, everything is a celebration. Why? Because we can...simply because we can. I'll take all these moments big and small and be thankful that I have them.

We surprised Andan with a trip to Chuckee Cheese's. Grandma joined us for the celebration. Besides losing Isha for the longest 3 minutes of my life, fun was had by everyone.

Cute Isha Videos

To best view and HEAR the video, the music button on the picture slide needs to be disabled.

Isha is trying his best to balance these sunglasses on his nose!