New haircut

Last school year, I don't know what happened with these teenagers but there was a breakout of "guys with long hair". I don't mean Metallica type long hair, but more like Zac Efron. I hated it. I hate guys with long hair. LOL. Jordan wanted to follow the trend and I let it go...He's never had long hair. All throughout his schooling, he had a "haircut requirement" so, I allowed it this time. I tolerated it for a year!!! That's all I can take. LOL. So, this past weekend - MANDATORY HAIRCUT! And I must say, he looks good and CLEAN!
-BEFORE-

-AFTER-

First Day Away...

When Joey was born, Eddie and I made a decision for me to stay home until he was big enough to go to "school". Because he was so premature when he was born, we were afraid of just putting him in daycare. We made a lot of sacrifices and still is today so that he can have the best care here at home.
I knew that when he turned 3 - it would be the time to start him off to pre-school, even part time perhaps. As it turns out, my job search is turning out to be not-so-lucky. However, the search for a good school continues. I'd rather be prepared ya know? So during our search, we were offered a "free day" at Gymboree. I've never even heard of this place as a school, I thought it was just a clothing store. Joey pointed it out during one of our drives actually. So I took this "free day" and experimented on how Joey would do without me.
He was so excited to go to "school" that he nearly broke his leg going upstairs to change his clothes.
I was really nervous about leaving him there. I had flashbacks of when I took Jordan to his first day of school. I was a wreck. I thought that he would cry all day while I was gone. Not this guy! He was such a trooper. I dropped him off and couldn't wait for me to disappear. LOL.

He had such a great day that he didn't want to leave. I hope that he reacts the same way when he really has to go....every...single...day! :)

Criminal Minds

Everyone is still asleep so I decided to get caught up on my Criminal Minds episodes. I started to watch this show just a few months ago and I realized that I am 4 seasons behind, but it is so addicting.... So I would watch re-runs on A&E and patiently waiting to be a part of Season 6. This is my new favorite show. It's a great show and a very well put together cast. Of course, Shemar Moore adds icing to the cake. Yummy!

ALTERED BINDERS - FUN STUFF

Here's my latest :) Giving old binders, new life! I had a few - so I made several idea books, a recipe book and a "take this in case the house burns down" binder!


This is the "take this in case the house burns down binder". It has everything from copies of credit cards, licenses, IDS, insurance info, medical info, medications we are all taking and allergies. I also included contact numbers on here. You JUST NEVER KNOW. I experienced Hurricane Katrina and although I don't ever wanna go through that again, it helps to be prepared.



This is my receipt binder, its separated by months. :) It's pretty self-explanatory...LOL


This binder is for "a good read" - my writings, my favorite articles - anything i like to read time and time again...





Here is my Photography Binder. In it goes photography tutorials, photo ideas, future purchases etc. Anything pertaining to photography.



This is my favorite! My Home Ideas Book. Everything that I hope to have in my house is in this book. Or more ideas for future projects :)

HILLSIDE FARMS...

A few weeks ago, we were thinking of going somewhere without having to spend any money. So after a few minutes of research, I came across a listing for Hillside Farms. I thought, what a great way to just go there and see how things are done! Not to mention all the animals Joey could see, up close.


Joey was a bit anxious to go in to see all the animals in the dairy farm. Until he realized how big they were...LOL



He was especially fond of the horses though. He loved it! He just watched them with awe...




The best part of this trip was the ice cream. As you can see, it's a hit!

FIRST DAY OF "HIGH SCHOOL"

It's hard for me to accept that my first born is going to highschool. This school year, he is a freshman. WOW! How fast time flies. I still remember his very first day of Kindergarten. :( He is an amazing kid and I only wish great things for him. Good luck Jordan, may you enjoy your high school years to its fullest! I love you.

Summer is almost over...

I hate that summer is almost over. I enjoy spending time with my boys. I like hanging out with them all day long. In two days, we will be back to our "routine". 6am wake ups, running back and forth to school, homeworks, stress, blah! LOL. I wish my kids can stay small, so we can all just stay home and play all day. It's hard to believe that Jordan will be in high school. I feel like I just jumped to the future. Joey is 3. I am starting to look for schools for him too. My kids get older each day, and I get older each day. I pray that my babies will remain my babies forever. Everytime I think of how fast time is flying, I can't help but think that one day - they will both move away and leave me here. It saddens me. I want to make sure that each day is memorable to them.
I often wonder if I am a good enough Mom to them. Or have I let the stress of life overcome the fun side of me. I never want life to take over. I just want it to be peanut butter and jelly days everyday. Movie nights in our pajamas and eating lots and lots of ice cream.
I am lucky to have been given a chance to be a Mom. It's the greatest thing to be. It's the greatest thing I am.

I love you J and j.

Grateful

During stressful crappy days like today - this sight, always makes me happy. There was a time in my life that I didn't even think about having kids, much less two. I certainly didn't want to have them this far apart. But, I am lucky - for I have been graced with two wonderful children who always seems to make me laugh just as I am about to explode.

TOO FUNNY TO FORGET:
Joey and I were looking at a magazine and he saw a girl eating watermelon, so he says, with such gusto "LOOK MOMMY, SHE'S EATING WATERLEMON"...haha

I see you...

Perhaps he has my genes! I have a photographer in training...LOL

Looking at the Bright Side...

I've had quite a few challenges this past few weeks. You know the kind. The ones that bring you to your knees, the ones that make you question your faith. I've had to think about what's truly important and if we all could actually live with just that. There was a time when money wasn't an issue. We were never wealthy, but we were comfortable. We went out to eat, we went to the movies any time we wanted, traveled, bought things we didn't need. I don't think we were careless with our money, but we sure didn't "pinch". After a while, money gets depleted and you're left with the coming paycheck. I have been searching for a job for seven months now and to my dismay, nothing. I get answered with "thank you for the application but...." or "we can't consider you because your required salary is higher than what we are currently offering".
I've had to sit down and re-evaluate everything that's happening in this household. From our budget, to our goals, to everything I can possibly think of. I was very upset for a while. So I prayed.
I pray everyday, anywhere, anytime. I believe that my faith has carried me through the most difficult times in my life. I am human and sometimes, I break. But through it all, my faith has always kept me afloat. I started to think that perhaps the reason why I am going through this difficult time right now is to realize that "there are a lot of people worse off than I am". Maybe its to make me realize that I have everything I've ever needed and I was blinded by all the material things I could achieve with money. I asked myself "did the money truly make me happy or happier?" NO. It covered us with material things and thats about it. The only good thing that money ever did for me was the opportunity to help my parents when they needed it. That was it.
I've had to reevaluate my life and everything that surrounds me. Things happen for a reason. Perhaps the reason why I can't find a job is because I already have the ultimate job in the world, I am a mother. Perhaps the reason why we are going through financial difficulty is to test our faith and our bond as a family. After all, I have everything I need. My faith in God only magnifies that. I am still very blessed. And each time I see my children, I am reaffirmed of what God can do. My children are the light of my life and God gave them to me, because He loves me.
I am still blessed and I am favored by God.

Future Model?

I guess he's gotten so used to me taking so many pictures of him that posing comes naturally now. LOL.

Weekend of Fun and a 14 Year Old...

It's amazing to me how fast time flies! I have a 14 year old! WOW. This weekend, we celebrated Jordan's birthday. We've been anticipating this "party" for weeks. The question of, "Jordan, how many people are coming?" was an everyday occurrence since we all agreed to have a party for him. The answer is always "I don't know, maybe 50" and of course I go, "Uh no! Too many people!" And so the conversation always ends up with "But Mom....."

Anyway, 17 showed up! Oddly, they were all very well behaved teenagers who found joy in water balloons, wrestling in the backyard, pizza and Friday the 13th! Eddie and I kept an eye on them all day and night.

It was fun watching them. Especially Jordan - he had the most amazing time. It was great to be reminded how fun it is to be young.

Happy Birthday Jordan! May you never be too old to play with water balloons and for me to buy you silly things! I love you.

Going mobile...Lets see how this works! :)

Beautiful Spring Day...

I keep telling myself that I am gonna get better at this blogging thing. Somehow I am always falling short. Ugh! I wish I could get myself organized long enough to actually gather my thoughts and put them down on this blog. Fact is, my days are always crazy busy. My days are filled with unforgettable things my children are doing or something sweet my husband is saying. I want to write them down. I want to document them and perhaps occasionally attach a picture. But again, by the time this house is actually quiet long enough for me to have time to write - I AM EXHAUSTED. At around 10ish, I usually run around the house and almost always end up IN MY BEDROOM. Then I fall into the inviting sight of my king size bed and my huge pillows that screams COME, BASK IN THE GLORY OF SWEET SLUMBER! And temptation always gets me.

I would lie down for a few seconds, thinking I have so much to write on my blog. I'm gonna get up in a few minutes to my computer and type away.

Then the alarm goes off at 5:00 am. It's a new day!

Perhaps, I will try again today....

BLACK AND GOLD SUPERBOWL

Wow! What an exciting game it was. For the first time in franchise history, the Saints is going to the Superbowl! I have never felt so excited to watch an NFL game in my life. It was very deserving! They have an amazing team. I still can't believe how calm Coach Peyton was during the entire game. I have never been so happy to have taken my blood pressure medicine! Ha!

Goodluck in Miami and Bless you boys!!!