Kid Tested, Mother Approved..After the Fact

Story Behind Picture:

I was on a phone call and Danny was sitting on the couch watching tv. I had to go find a paper and pen and while looking, I got distracted a little. Once I was done, I went back to the living

room and found this. What does this mean you ask?

This means he, got off of the couch, opened the pantry door, got the cereal, got back on the couch with the cereal, and plopped back down all in the few minutes I was gone. Sounds simple but this is the first time he's ever gone to the kitchen to get something to eat on his own. Ahhh, he's growing up! It was one of the cutest things I've ever seen!! Had to share. "Kix, you wouldn't happen to need a spokesman would you?"

I Did It!

With the history of breast cancer that runs in my family my doctor thought it wise for me to get my first mammogram to use as a baseline.

I went in and it was not bad at all! It didn't hurt, and the machine wasn't as intimidating as I had imagined. The hardest part to tell you the truth was waiting for the results. You know, the "what if."

Luckily, everything came back ok, and the peace of mind I have knowing that I'm ok and that I'm doing my part feels great!! I'm really glad I did it.

P.S. Since everything came back normal I don't have to do it again till I'm 35. Woo hoo!

Congratulations Hannah!

Congratulations to my beautiful niece, Hannah! She has been chosen to perform for Jay-Z and LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. They're going to be donating one hundred thousand dollars worth of instruments to her school. She is so excited. She says it's going to be the happiest day of her life! Can I go Hannah?

An Itch

For some reason I've had this itch to sew! Last week I took out my sewing machine. It's been over 3 years since I've used it. Don't get the wrong idea, I don't really know how to sew. The extent of my sewing consists of curtains made out of sheets, and throw pillows. That's it.

As I was practicing, the thread kept getting all knotted up so I decided to take it to my grandma's. It turns out the needle was in backwards and I wasn't threading it right. (You see, I know pretty much zero when it comes to sewing.) ANYWAY, after getting through a few obstacles, I finally made this pillow. Now, I'm not putting this on here to show off or anything. For journal purposes, I want my kids to know that I was somewhat of a domestic diva! We'll see, maybe I'll attempt something more challenging next time!

A New President of the United States

Any person who takes on the job of being the President of the United States of America, regardless of their political views, deserves our full respect at the end of the day. I can't even imagine dealing with everything that goes on not only in the United States today, but in the world. This is a person who willingly choses to take on all of our burdens and problems and tries to make the United States a better and safer place to live in for the people. What a tremendous responsibility. Although we may not agree on tactics used to get there, they are (hopefuly) only trying to do what is best for us.

Thank you very much President Bush.

Welcome President Obama.

To view President Bush's farewell speech click here.

To see Obama's inaguration speech click here.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day

August 28, 1963

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today..................And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

Sometimes dreams do come true...

Eventhough I didn't vote for him, I totally respect the fact that this is history in the making! How appropriate that today is the eve of Obama's inaguration.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

To read Martin Luther King's full speech, click here.

Extreme Makeover: Move That Bus!

Today was the day! The weather was perfect and Danny did beautifully. He just let us hold him without a fight. We got there about noon and the Ruiz family showed up at about 2pm. It's funny but eventhough I couldn't see ANYTHING, I feel some kind of satisfaction in going to support this family. Call me delusional or what you will, but I'm glad I went. Now, if you ask Cecilio and Daryl about it you'll probably get the opposite answer but I'm glad they were there to support me and help me with Danny. They're awesome! I love you guys!

While we were waiting for the shuttle, Danny made a friend.

Go Miners!

It's Eduardo Xol, one of the designers!

This was my view! Of course, with my luck,

the people in front of us had brought chairs to stand on.

Not to mention the signs that blocked our view.

Why was I doing this again? Oh yeah..........

Thanks to Cecilio's arms, we were able to get some good pictures.

I'm not sure who this is.

Daryl thinking, "What am I doing here?"

Balloons!!

They're here! We think.

Some people in front of us left a little early and we were able to snatch some pics of the Ruiz family and......Ty!! Is that really him?

Who knows what awaits them inside! I can't wait to find out.

According to the news, the show is due to air on Sunday, March 15th. How exciting!

Extreme Makeover Home Edition in El Paso!

Last week it was revealed that Extreme Makeover was here in El Paso! They are building a home for Maria Ruiz and her family. What a beautiful soul! She and her family had started building their dream home. When they were half way done they decided that there were people in Juarez who were in more need than them and they halted construction on their house to dedicate themselves to helping others. Last year she received a CNN Hero of the Year award for the charity work she does in Juarez. To read more about this award click here. To read more about her click here. What a beautiful example of quiet service. I had never heard of this woman until now, and she has touched me so much! She deserves all of this and more.

I've also been very impressed by the show. Yes I've watched it here and there, and yes, it always makes me cry, but let me tell you...yesterday we had the opportunity to visit the home, and it was quite a sight! Seeing all that goes into the show, all the volunteers, and these people working to help this one family, you just can't help but feel the spirit! It was very overwhelming. It was such a beautiful feeling and sight to see such service in action! I only wished I could of helped in some way! I guess I'll just show my support by being there and donating my cans.

In order to get to the house you need to take a shuttle. This was our driver! He was very willing to have his picture taken! He was a really nice guy.

The entrance! How exciting! And...........

Here's the house!

It's so beautiful. I love the color of the shutters. How exciting for this family!

Volunteers working into the night.

Some of the people who showed up to watch.

Hey it's Paul DiMeo, one of the designers from the show! You can hardly tell but it really is him. He did wave to us but my camera was too slow.

Just being nosy.

Today they are going to Move That Bus!! I hope I can get some good pictures! The family is going to be showing up at 3pm but they are suggesting people get there at 10am. We'll see how Danny does. I hate to do this but I might have to buy him some french fries or something! Horrible I know. He won't mind at all though. How exciting!! I can't wait. The house isn't even for me but I am just so excited for this family. I can't wait!!

Tagged Again

I've been tagged by my cousin Cassie! This is a neat one.

Rules:

Put the Fourth Picture from your Fourth Folder on your blog then tag four people.

Here's mine. Of course it would be a picture of Mr. Ocean.

I'm tagging Arnnette, Carla, CC, and Mary.

Experience Tag

I've been tagged! This was an interesting one. There is so much I have yet to do!!

Okay, here are the rules for this tag:
1: Each player must copy and paste this list in your own blog. Bold all of the things you have done and then post it.
2: At the end of the post you need to choose 5 people to get tagged and list their names.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (Does orchestra count?)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (Climbed up to the star on our mountain in El Paso)
9. Held a praying mantis
11. Bungee jumped (I rode a sky coaster with my cousin Cliff and vowed NEVER to bungee jump after that. That is the closest I'll ever get to bungee jumping.)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (Ummm, maybe?)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (Umm, does Adam-ondi-Ahman in Missouri count? Seriously.)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (Sign Language)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (Repelling count?)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt (I think)
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (Hawaii, it was beautiful)
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (We went to a Patriots Game (Soccer) and our picture was put in the paper.)
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House (Supposedly yes, but I don't remember)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (Ahhh, my little Danny Ocean)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument (Violin)

I'm tagging Carla, Ayrel, Lily, Kendal, and Shannon.

Happy New Year!

What better way to ring in 2009 than with kids and sparklers?! Kendal's dad, Dan, brought over some sparklers for New Year's Eve and I have to say that it made the night so special. Thanks Dan!! Happy New Year everyone. May this year be full of love, laughter, and many great memories.