23 Years Ago

23 years ago today I was introducted to unconditional love! I welcomed into my life my first born Michael. Over the past years he has taught me many things, love, patience, frustration, stress and many other things. I just hope that I taught him half as much over the years. We have had some rough patches, but that unconditional love bridged the gap. I reflect over his life and I set back in amazment at the man he has become. He may not have done it the way I dreamed of years ago, but he did it his way. Which in my book it the best way. I am one PROUD Momma.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my favorite SON! Thank you for making me a Mom and being my test child.

21 years ago today......

I was blessed with this precious gift! Just in time for Christmas Michael arrived 4 weeks early to celebrate it. He has blessed my life in more ways than he will ever know. As I wonder where the past 21 years have gone I remember the good and bad times. I will be the first to admit he and I have faced a few trails over the past 21 years but not to an avail. I think he is finding his way in life. He may not be doing the way I had planned for him 21 years ago, when I first welcomed him into this world but he is doing it his way. As we all know we must do it on our own. He has turned into a wonderful young man with a love for live that makes me envious. He has the looks of the other most special man in my life my Dad. I look at this handsome young man and wonder how did I get so luck to be blessed with this most SPECIAL young man. I am honored to have him call me Mom. Happy Birthday my first born and FAVORITE son. I love you and am proud of you! So now go out and celebrate your life and keep doing for many more years!

**Photo taken by Marci Lambert.

SWEET SIXTEEN

Stephenie is 16 and full of life. She amazes me each day as I watch her grow in today a wonderful person. She loves life and wants to enjoy every minute of it. Loves her family, friends and herself.

Yesterday was her day and it was all about her for 24 hours.(truth be known it is that way most days). It start at about 6:45 for me getting ready for a Surprise Lunch Party for her.(I am sure that it was not a surprise as she and her 2 friends come home looking cute). With all the actives for the weekend we had to do lunch. There were about 35 people on hand to wish her HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I decorated the dinning room with pink and green, made cheese dip, Grandma got meats and cheese for sandwiches, made a strawberry cake(which she has had strawberry something since the age of 2), soft drinks and you have a party. Susan can over and helped me for about an hour to help me get things together. (yes an hour is a lot time for her,as she really doesn't have time to spare with 3 kids, working full time, house, husband) The first order of business was for Princess Stephenie to receive her Princess Tara, blinking Princess Pin and basket of pamper supplies. Of course even at 16 year old birthday parties you have goodie bags complete with candy, bubbles, pin wheels and water guns. Which were the hit. But when Stephenie decided to squirt Aunt Jessica the fun was on, as Aunt Jessica borrowed a water gun and was out for revenge and got it.(btw we maybe old but we still have a little child in us)

Then it was time for a little shopping with the gift certificates from the local shops here in Arlington.(just love to support the small shops here in town) Back home and ward robe change for the big night out on the town. We all looked cute and my outfit was approved. Hooters here we come for fried dill pickles, wings and crab legs. Someone over heard that is was her birthday and they put her on a chair, gave her a cup for a beck and menus for wings and sang Happy Birthday to her. Off to the mall for desert. Bowling was the next adventure on the list for the night. We went to Billy Hardwicks for Cosmic Bowling and a lot of laughs.

Mommy thoughts on the day: I am so blessed to have been given this WONDERFUL, FUNNY, BEAUTIFUL person. I still wonder where the first 16 years for her life went so quickly. How did she turn in this wonderful young women. My nerves are on edge about the driving. She is a good driver, but has a little bit too much confidence with out much experience. Wonder what the future has in store for her and what opportunities will be out there for her,

Discovery of my Niece

This is Katalina an AWESOME soccer player! She has been playing competitive soccer for over 2 years now. I am sorry to say that this is the first time I seen her play. Now that I am back in charge of what I do I went to see her on Saturday for the first time. It was so cold, but at least the rain held off until the end of the game. That I might add they won!!!! I felt so sorry for the girls standing out there on the field in shorts and all of us sitting on the sidelines in coats, covered with blankets and drinking hot beverages.

This is how I saw her most of the game running and man can she run. I am sure that is way she stays so small. After running this whole game she only ate a pbj sandwich. MMMMMMM maybe I should take up soccer for seniors and maybe I could lose all my weight. On the other hand I think I will stay with walking.

Not only did I discover that she is an awesome soccer player but that she is turning into a wonderful young lady. She has a heart full of love and smile that shines for miles.Especially now that she had braces taken off last week. She has a natural beauty that girls and women alike would die for. Discovering how wonderful this blessing from God made my weekend.

I see soccer being added to my spring time schedule. Watching her was great fun, but also taking photos of her and her team was lets say was another discovery that I made this weekend. I have spent years wanting to learn how to take photos and be one of those photo hounds that always has their camera with them. Taking snap shots of life as it pass by way too fast.

This was a weekend of moments. I even slowed down and noticed them. I went to a soccer game, lunch with great friends, shopping with another friend, created a couple of art pieces, got hugs from friends that I haven't seen in a while, (yes I love hugs), spent time with my sister, attend Sophia's birthday party, laughed and spent time with my wonderful daughter. AHHHHH the everyday MOMENTS!

Going Back to where it all began..

well that is where my LIFE began in Denver Co over 40 years ago. I will be traveling here for work in the end of April, so I figured that I should take Stephenie and show where my life started. Once I suggested this my parents decided that they wanted to go back there too. So the trip has turned into a small family vacation and a work trip for me. I was able to get us all on the same flight going out and they will be coming back before me as I will be staying for DST training(getting updated on our computer software package and seeing some great friends that I have made through work). This will be a great trip for me as I have not been back to see where I was born or lived as an infant since becoming an adult. I will be glad to be able to document this on film and hey all of my blogging friends better get ready as I will be boring you all with the photos. Of course we will travel up the mountain to see snow. This will be the highlight for Stephenie and I has both of LOVE the snow. We had to buy her a new coat today just for the trip as they are on clearance already for the season.(BTW the high today was in the 20's)

HAPPY BIRTDAY TO ME!

I slept in late 6:30 am that is. I got up and took myself to breakfast. Read a little and enjoyed a couple cups of tea and breakfast. Went back home for a long hot bubble bath which is such a pleasure and treat. Especially this time of year for me. But since I took the day from work I indulged. Went by the post office box and found a card from my DST buddies with a great happy. I also checked the my emails. had many warm wishes and ecards.

Okay I was going to spend the whole day by myself but who could resist this great smile and wonderful daughter. As it was raining, she couldn't go do what she wanted and under that great smile her teeth were killing her(she just had a orthodontist appointment on Friday and had a ton done to her braces). I invited her to hang out with her old Mom. Of course her take on it was: it's your birthday and I need to drive you and keep you company and there is food and you are buying. So off we went to Collierville a small town about 30 minutes away with a great town square, one of a kind shops and great family owned restaurants that serve food other than burgers and GREAT service. Found a couple of little treasures. Yes I have a problem with spending money on myself.

This is where we had lunch at the Silver Caboose. I really enjoy eating here. The atmosphere is relaxing and very enjoyable. Yes I had great company. I do love having time to just talk with Stephenie. She is so funny and full of life. I like to hear the stories of what is going on in her life. Which just makes me realize that not has much as changed everyone thinks. I am very blessed with a wonderful daughter. Then went to a couple of shops in Arlington to look and I did get a small piece of pottery that matched a tray that I got for Christmas of course Stephenie a treat as she calls it. My friends Renee, Steffen and I went to Macaroni Grill for dinner. Lets just say that the service was not there but the great conversation and friendship was. Steffen got me a really cool set of drill bits and a ratching screw set. I just love my handy woman tools. We had a great time just talking and getting caught up. Then is was to home and bed. Got to work on Sunday, but my birthday was all mine.

Well the birthday treats did start out on Friday. One of my co-workers took me to lunch and had them bring me a piece of cake with a candle. NO SINGING! I am not the one to have the whole restaurant to be looking at me. Then I got a cheese cake and necklace from a couple of my other co-workers. The biggest surprise was the tool box with my name on it and all the tools inside. My god-sister Christy, husband Nathan and Taylor, Samuel and Caleb(which shares my birthday) brought me by the office on Friday. I do know that it is very weird to hear a woman get excited about tools but I do know how to use them and will. My Mom, Susan(sister) and I went out to eat on Friday and had great time just talking uninterrupted.

This is picture of how I would really like to celebrate my birthday. Yes I know it is snow. It is on the list to just go and play in the great white stuff, drink warm drinks by a big fire and relax. You must have dreams! Thanks Lisa S for the great picture of your back yard!

Merry Christmas

The day started off with Stephenie and I seeing what Santa brought her and Michael (we will deliver it to him when he comes over to the Reynas for food and gift exchange) yes still at 15 and 20 Santa comes to our house. Then I threw a couple of surprises in for Stephenie(Miss I know everything I am getting). I gave her a blanket that I made and a couple of movies that she had mentioned that she wanted. All awhile I had a couple of breakfast casseroles cooking in the oven. We got dressed in our matching pj pants and off to the Reynas for food and gifts. The snowmen above were made by Katalina. I think they were so cute and she made each of us one.

There were many gifts. I got new gloves to walk in and dress ones too. But once again my Mom and Dad gave me a great surprise. This embroidery piece that my Mom's Dad did in 1911 at the age of 5 as you can see was written on the piece. It was done on paper.(sorry for the picture but glass really sucks). So now I have another great family piece for my house.

After all the food and gift unwrapping. We all went different directions. As you can see where Susan and Jose went. They were watching Holiday Inn. Dreaming about it is more like it. Yes they are using their new blankets that I made for them . They are 9 feet long so that you can really can cuddle up in them.

Ms Wilson you gave Joesph the most awesome present(his words exactly). He wanted pictures with the book. He loves Mustang cars and can tell more than you ever wanted to know about them. He also got a t shirt that Ford Mustang on it.

Good thing that Santa brought 4 controllers to the new Wii that the Reynas got. This is what the kids were doing after we finished the gifts. Yes they were playing and not fighting. I must admit that this a REALLY cool game system.

It also attracted the older generation too. Now Dad is saying that a Wii might be a good birthday present for him in February. I think that it is so cool that something can bring the young and older generations together.

Micheal and Stephenie went to pick up their Grandmother and took her to their Dad's for Christmas. I came home to watch my good old black and white Christmas movies. Have got to get to bed early as tomorrow is a work day.

I hope that this post finds you all enjoying your holiday and family even if it is via phone calls.