Flashback Friday - Me

I sit here and ponder what to flashback on today.. my kids... my marriage... me??? All hold a very special and important place in my heart. Today I choose me... I was the girl next door most of my life. Always did what was expected of me, never wanted to let others down and consistently followed the rules. With those actions came typical results. Average student in high school.. average athlete in softball and soccer... average student in college... average working career... average home... I am not complaining about average, nor asking for sympathy. Average has given me many amazing gifts, but now I want more then average. I am blessed to have people tell me when they see me after 10 or 15 years that I look exactly the same. I appreciate that I may still look 20, but again I would like to look like a grown up every now and then. You tell me, minus some added wrinkles... do I still look the same???

The top photo of me was in 1991 and I had just finished climbing half dome in Yosemite. The bottom photo was in April 1993 when I went to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Texas. I really enjoyed that trip!!

This is Chelsea and I in her Colorado home in 1994. I think she looks a lot like Isabella.

Kim and I with Max and Isabella in 2002

For the next 90 days I am setting new goals for myself... above average goals for me. I will let you know how it goes... I am expecting hard times, even harder times and some of the hardest moments of my life. Sounds kinda funny, I know, but hey I am ready to try something new!!!

Flashback Friday

We had the Montoya cousins over yesterday for a fun filled day of Wii for the boys , dress up for the girls and swimming for everyone!! All the cousins had a blast together and play so great together.

The first photo is from the scrapbook I attempted to make with Isabella. Max and her have a lot of baby photos together so in honor of flashback friday... here they are. Sophia and Aaron unfortunately do not have as many photos together as babies, so when you read this someday kids, we sorry.

Isabella and Max Princesses
Big Boys!!

Trying to get five smiling faces...not so simple. :)

Best bunch of kids I know!! Love you!!

Abby

I have just come to realize, it may not be normal that my third child talks in the third person all the time... Her vocabulary consists of

Abby do it
Abby drink milk
Abby want ba (pacifier), (yes I know at 2 1/2 it should be gone, but its not)
Abby brush teeth
Abby take shower
Abby get dressed

I am sure you get the picture...

With that said, I have also realized that now that I am home with her, I will be potty training, I will be taking her ba away and hearing her scream bloody murder for the first few days, I will be teaching her how to say "I" versus "Abby". These were all moments with my first two children my lovely second mommies (in-home day care providers) did for me. Although I am so grateful to be home now, boy o' boy it is different. So if their are any other moms out there that were previously in corporate America and then came home, I would love to pick your brain on how you have retrained yourself to feel fulfilled. Don't get me wrong, I know I am doing a good job and I am so grateful to have this time at home. But what is a good day for a stay at home mom... all the kids are smiling, get feed, get off to school, don't get hurt, learn something new from me? I would love to hear what makes it a good day for you.

Happy Monday to all those working and staying home... may you have a week filled with accomplishments, laughter, joy and smiles.

Flashback Friday

Happy Anniversary!!

I married the best man in the world for me!!

August 16, 2002 - Rehearsal Dinner

August 17, 2002 - Happiest Day

Thankful~

As many of you know I was laid off in May and have been home all summer with the kids. Times have been great, not so great and everything in between. All in all, I am happier then I ever could have imagined. Thank you lord for showing me a path I would not have taken on my own. I will continue to count my blessings everyday.

Flashback Friday

Eleven years ago tomorrow, I was on Catalina Island for my best friends wedding. It was a wonderful wedding filled with fantastic memories. We have been through a lot together these last 10 plus years, boyfriends (for me)... marriages... babies... more babies.... and more babies... Through it all we have continued to stay close friends and her family means the world to me.

Congratulations T and E, I love you guys!!

Time Flys When Your Having Fun!!

Were did the last two weeks go??

Lets see Darin and I were able to get away on an adult night and celebrate a family friends 60th birthday. We had a wonderful time and as always I thought I was 25 again and could party like a rock star. It was great to visit with our friends the Araujo's and Hardens.

Thank you for having us!! Tennille and Eddy

Tennille & I (she was such a good sport, putting up with me all night!!)

We celebrated Tia's 30th birthday at my parents house with some family and friends. I can't believe my sister is 30. She is so wonderful to my family and I love that in the past few months I have been able to see much more of her!! I love you sis!!

Aaron, Max, Isabella, Sophia, Ashlynn & Abby. Tia's 30th B Day at Grandma's

Happy Birthday Tia!! We love you!!

Lastly, we were able to make it to San Clemente State Beach to meet the Holland family for some summer fun!! The kids had a blast!!

Aaron, done with the boogie board, but still smiling
Keara and Abby - Sun bathing beauties

Abby loving the beach

And finally a few more pool days. We are so blessed to have a pool so close. The kids truly love it!!

Isabella and Abby always having fun!!