Good-bye 2008 , please bring something better for 2009

Wow, the year has come and gone in the wink of an eye.

2007 Diego passed away
Henry was diagnosed with brain cancer.
My sister in law was diagnosed with breast cancer.

2008 my sister in law lost her battle.

I am almost afraid of ringing in the new year.

As we say good-bye to 2008 we can only wish for better things to come.

cheers to a HEALTHY 2009.

Misc stuff and X-Mas

Last few weeks have been sort of busy with planning Adam's birthday party and x-mas.
His b-day was on Dec 21st and we celebrated "Elmo style". Although most people didn't show up last minute, Adam had a good time. Especially with his very own cake!

I attended a retreat with Erik for catechism. It was only for about 1 1/2 hour, but it was really nice to spend some "quality time" with him. They talked about sins and how God washes the sins away when you ask for forgiveness. The kids were asked to write down a sin on a paper. It was cut out in a form of a flower made of construction paper. They were suppose to fold the petal in, and put in a bowl of water. It was amazing to see how the flower opened up and the writing disappeared and the flower went to the bottom of the bowl. So that made them understand that when you are really sorry for your sins, you ask God for forgiveness and that he hears you by opening the flower and washing away the sin. But of course, that doesn't mean they can sin all the time. But I think they got the picture.
They also had the kids stand in front of the parents as we blessed their head, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, heart, hands, and feet. I was getting teary eyed as we repeated the beautiful words said to us. Erik would just look up at me, and give me those dimples while smiling and knotting yes at the same time.
We ended the evening with everyone lighting a candle. It was really nice.

I called in sick 1 day at work. I wasn't the one that was sick. It was actually both boys. They both had a cold and since it was raining cats and dogs, I didn't want them to leave the warmth of the house out into the cold. So I decided to stay home and just play nurse with my boys.

Went out for my annual X-Mas lunch with the office. We went to a steakhouse in Culver City.I had a fillet Mignon and it was pretty good. Not as good as previous years. The last 2 years we went to a french restaurant and that was a delicious piece of meat!

Erik and I made cookies for x-mas. I would have preferred to make them from scratch, but we didn't really have enough time. So we just bought the pre-made dough and we rolled it out and cut out different festive figures. Erik put icing and he was just happy with that.




taste approved by the chef!!


Adam was not 100% better. He actually got worse. So since it was his 1 year checkup anyway he was suppose to get a round of vaccine shots. Well we found out he had his 1st ear infection. poor baby. And he never cried about it. He is currently taking antibiotics for that and he is much better too! Needless to say, he didn't get the shots because of his cold. He has another appointment for next week. Thank God, the tossing and turning at night time only lasted like 2 nights, x-mas eve being one of them.
instead of dressing him up, I just put on his pajamas so that he would be nice and comfy.
We were at my parents house eating my mom's delicious tamales.
Y-U-M-M-Y!!! It was a nice evening.
X-mas day we woke up around 7:30 to open the few gifts that we had under our tree. Erik ripped through his gifts right away, while we helped Adam open his up. The expression on your kids face is just priceless. Especially when they say "this is the best Christmas ever!)Santa brought me a MUCH needed navigation system. I really needed it because I am the queen of getting lost! So instead of calling my husband , now I can ask "Samantha".



After we got dressed and went to our neighbors to wish them a Merry Christmas, we all met up at my sisters house and exchanged gifts there for the kids.
With the economy being so tough, we decided on gifts only for the kids. I still got a couple of nice tops though! We gave a priceless gift to each couple. A family calender. With pictures of everyone with events that have happened through the past year. We then left to visit Diego to take him a gift at the cemetery. We were suppose to go early in the morning, but since we were suppose to meet at my sisters early, we decided to go visit him after. We were only there briefly as it was FREEZING up in the hill so went home and just relaxed.

Friday we were suppose to meet up with a friend that flew from NJ, but they didn't get a rental car. They actually flew into San Diego and were suppose to meet us 1/2 way, but since the car rental didn't work out, our lunch didn't either.

Saturday we had plans in the evening with a friend (also co-worker). He had a party at his house. All Nepalese food. It was quite tasty! My husband, the boys , and I enjoyed ourselves. We left around 10:00pm though as Adam was getting fussy. As soon as we got in the car, he fell asleep.

Sunday I spoke with my friend again from NJ. This was the first time I had talked to her as I always talk to her over e-mail. She actually found me through Diego's website. They had the car rental, but it just wasn't possible this time for us to meet. They plan on coming to L.A. hopefully soon, but will hopefully meet her in person! Unfortunately we share the same pain and our angel children have really sparked a friendship with both of their mommies. After running errands, I did the usual, laundry and just getting ready for the dreadful Monday.
This week should hopefully be OK at work

Guess who turned 1?

Happy Birthday baby!! 1 year ago you made your entrance into this world. You have truly made a difference in our lives. I never thought I would smile again. But you have really made that change in me. You have brought so much love, laughter and happiness back into our home. And you have brought the entire family joy. You were truly sent from heaven. The year flew by so quick, but it's been the best.
I love you so much my little munchkin.


Here are some pictures of when you first arrived:

mommy anxiously waiting your arrival



The best doctor. He really took care of me so that you'd arrive safely in my arms.


mommy and daddy happy to finally have you in our arms.



Grandma "mom" bringing your biggest brother Erik in to meet you for the very first time:

I know your 2nd older brother Diego had met you way before us. You are one lucky baby. You have your own personal angel

and here you are 1 year later.
You are a blessing..







Wishing you many many more healthy birthdays.

It was a full house!!

This weekend was kinda busy for us.
On Friday after work I decided to stop by church to take the Virgen Mary some flowers. My husband took the kids home, so my parents accompanied me. It was C-R-A-Z-Y!! It took me about 45 minutes to find a parking space, and then we finally got off and since there was a mass, we decided to stay.
Then I dropped off my parents off at their house and went back home to pick up my husband and kids. We were headed to my older sister's house to pick up Henry's truck. My husband asked to borrow Henry's truck because we were going to clean up the back patio as we are getting ready to have a party. Adam's 1st b-day party!!! yey, I can't believe how fast the time has gone and I have enjoyed having him so much. He's brought me so much happiness. He's brought back happiness for all of us. He smiles for everything. He laughs at everything. He's just an amazing little guy. Love him to pieces.

Saturday, it was a chilly day. I didn't help my husband in the clean up as I said I would. I couldn't take Adam outside as I didn't want him to get sick. I got a few things done before heading to my sisters house again to pick up my nieces and nephew as they were all sleeping over our little house.
we had 5 kids plus us 2 adults. (7 people)!!! it was quite nice though. the kids running around, playing hide and seek. I just wish I had a bigger house though. I think they enjoyed themselves though. We ordered them pizza and those kids can sure eat!!
Next morning, we headed out to visit Diego at his gravesite. Luckily my sister had let us borrow her expedition, otherwise we would have gone in 2 cars!
we were only at the cemetary for about 10 minutes as it was cold. The kids only got off for about 1 minute to say hello to Diego. I had told them to stay in the car. But i thought it was cute that THEY wanted to get off to say hello to him. Then I sent them back inside the car.
We then headed to my parents house to celebrate my dad's b-day. His real b-day isn't until Tuesday Dec 16, but my mom made one of his favorite dishes on Sunday. Pozole.. yummy!!!
After dad opened his gifts and we sang happy b-day to him, we left. We went to go buy our X-mas tree. We got a Noble fir this year . We got home to decorate it and Adam just loves pulling on it. He also loves to break x-mas decorations that I have put on the coffee table. He's already broken about 3!!
it was a full weekend. Next weekend will be busier as it will be Adam's party on Sunday!

and today Monday, I am home with my kids. Erik has been having a bad cough and he's been under the weather for a few days now. Adam woke up a few times last night with a runny nose. So since it was raining cats and dogs today, I decided to stay home with them. I didn't want them going out in thise cold weather. but tomorrow, I am going back to work and Erik back at school. boo!

until next time.

Here we go again

It seems like we can't stop these family health issues from getting worse!

It's just been non stop and I have been feeling depressed about it.

After Diego passed away, Henry got diagnosed with brain cancer. Then we found out my sister in law in Mexico had breast cancer. She battled it for about 9 months, then passed away this past June.

Now Henry's dad ( my brother in law- my older sister's husband)is having health issues and keeps going in and out of hospitals and he is just not doing well. Henry went to visit him and just got back from Guatemala last Wednesday. He had just been released from the hospital right before Henry came back, now today his dad is back in the hospital.

We also got a phone call from my husbands family. His dad is also in the hospital.
At first they thought his sugar level had dropped because he is diabetic, but it has to do with his liver. He used to drink when he was younger and he was just a bad father figure. I have only met him a few times when we have gone to Mexico.
My MIL left him a long time ago, but of course people tell her what is going on and I am sure she feels bad. She had a miserable life with him as well as my husband and siblings. Their dad would come home drunk and beat up my MIL with all the kids watching and also put a gun to my husbands head (HIS OWN SON) and curse them all out.
Too much to say,but anyway, his dad is his dad. He really has no feelings for him, but I can tell he doesn't like to hear that his dad is not doing well. Who does??

I don't know how bad my FIL is, but I can only pray he gets better with his health. He is already blind due to the diabetes. His current mistress left him. I guess the saying "they will pay in the future" is true. He did so much harm to my MIL and her kids that now it seems he is paying.
I wish things would have been different and that our kids would get to know their paternal grandfather. The last time I saw him was at my sis in laws funeral and he did ask for our kids BY NAME.. so I did appreciate that.

I just PRAY that all these health issues/deaths stop! I know we all have to go sometime unfortunately, but all this is too soon.. boom, boom, boom all in less than 2 years.. geez. We need a break.

If you are reading this, please keep my brother in law Henry, his dad , and my FIL in your prayers.

thanks

Catching up again!

I seem to forget to update my blog. Or I sometimes feel like giving up, but then I kind of have to push myself to update it. I can then look back to it in the future. So it kind of serves as a diary as well.

let's see, since my last post:

We had parent conferences for Erik. All is good. He just needs to work a little more at being independent! For some reason, he likes having someone sit next to him and check his work while he's doing it. So that is something his teacher and I need to work on.

We also had a conference with this speech therapist. His teacher was also included as well as the principal.
This is his 4th year in speech therapy and he has improved so much. I have other issues that I feel upset about which I will have to write in a seperate post. But overall, this conference also went very well. My little guy is progressing. Slowly but surely.

My mom is back from Mexico and it's just wonderful having her back. Not because she take cares of my kids, but just having her back makes a big difference for all of us. We are all very close to her and miss her very much even when she is gone for 1 day!

I am back at the office, hating my commute, but oh well.

We had a nice Thanksgiving at my brother's house. Mom usually makes the turkey and we all take side dishes. It was a nice day. I do have to admit that I was a bit emotional in the morning. When I first woke up, I gave my thanks (in my mind) about everything we have in life. The only thing that is missing is Diego. He only lives in my heart. I thanked him for putting a smile back on my face for sending Adam. I don't know what I'd do without Adam. He has brought such a difference in our lives. Why can't we have all 3 boys physically with us? Only God knows. I also thanked God for allowing Henry to be with us. And also continue to pray that he celebrates MANY more holidays with us.
The rest of the day/evening, was full of food, family, and fun.

Didn't do any black Friday shopping, except on Saturday, Erik went to my brother's house again to sleep over with his cousin Ashley. So We took advantage and went to Toys R us , to get some toy shopping done.

not much happend the rest of the weekend besides the usual stuff.

It was kinda sucky coming back to the office after a 4 day break! But as much as I hate this job, I am thankful I still have it.