Friday, June 27, 2008
Well, through the Corona Dance Academy Lexi started dance, as mentioned in my previous blog. Well on Sunday was her first "recital". I was really nervous about how she was going to do. I mean gesh, we're taking this little 3 year old girl, and putting her up onstage in front of a large auditorium and expecting her to dance lol. I kept waiting fo the moment she realized what was going on and to freak out! Fortunately, that moment never happened. She got her first taste of "stardom" at the rehersal. She did really well and never once got shy, or scared. But the recital, well they led all the little girls out onto the stage with the lights out, and I thought, well surely we're going ot hear some tears. But no, they all walked out, and went behind the princess house where they stayed until the music cued. She came out and did her dance. Man was Momma a big crying baby! lol. There she was, my little princess, doing her first and second position on stage, her little hop over the wands, and blowing kisses to the crowd. We aren't allowed to take video, I could however purchase the professional video for $35.00 where I'll get to relive the whole 5 minute dance over and over again lol. So once I get the video I'll share her dance. Same with pictures. We are supposed to get her professional pictures this next week, so that will be exciting. We signed Ian up for his first season of AYSO soccer. I'm excited to get him going again. Ian is the type of kid that wakes up and wanders into our room and immediately asks "Momma what are we doing today". Needless to say if I don't keep him active he goes quite stir crazy. School was good, and that was the main reason we enrolled him, but because of different vacations we're taking this summer, I'm deciding not to do the various parks and rec activities due to cost and the amount of times we'd miss...So, I'm sure he'll start going cuckoo here soon. So, thats our latest adventure! I stopped comments from being allowed to post here. Due to the crazy pageant moms who wanted to be rude about my experience with that pageant, so any comments need to be left on myspace or emailed to me :)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
I haven't done a blog post since January. Terrible Terrible Terrible!
Well, since then, we've bought a house. We relocated to Corona, and have a little 3 bed. 3 bath house. It was quite the fixer upper, and we definitely put some sweat and tears into it. So far nothing has required blood so that's good :)
Ian continued going to Grace Christian Preschool, and I have to say that the one huge downfall to moving to Corona is that we wont be going to that school anymore. I can't put into words how amazing that school is. I was able to participate in the classroom a few times while Willie was unemployed in May, and was able to participate in the various activities that they did, and I just can't get over the loss of not going back. I'm so obsessed with it, but realize that I have to give Ian's new school a chance. I've already figured though that if I can get Ian and Lexi into Grace on the same Schedule that I could maybe get a part time job to have something to do while they are in school. I don't know, I'm mildly obsessed about it, theirs just so much missing from Ian's old school in the new one. Like Daily Chapel. A Calendar full of fun stuff like daddy and me snow day, mommy and me day, arts and crafts week, the friends that Ian made. . .well I'm just going to stop, I think you've gotten the point. . OBSESSED!
Lexi started a dance class in Corona. Right down the street from us is Corona Dance Academy. It's a Princess class and every Monday morning we go at 9:30 and walk in to a rack full of Princess (Disney) Costumes for them to wear while they dance. Talk about Lexi Heaven. This Sunday is her first Dance Recital, I'm so stinking excited. It's so neat to get to see Lexi do things as she gets older, the age limits go away and she's now able to participate.
We went to Target yesterday and got her Makeup and hairspray. You can't have bangs so I have to Aqua Net them to back to her pony tail. Makeup consists of blush and lipstick, the auditorium has those bright lights, and Lexi already as pale as she is wouldn't have a face at all if I didn't use a little.
So, I dont know. So, things are going well....not much else to write :) I'll post pictures :)
A few before and after pictures of the house: Hallway before:
Hallway AFter:
Living room before:
Living Room AFter:
Entry:
Entry after:
Lexi in her costume for her recital:
Monday, January 07, 2008
I wish that was the case today when I dropped Ian off at his first day of Preschool. Instead my little boy ran straight into the classroom, and it was me who had to ask "Where's my hug and kiss?"
I've known that my little boy was getting to this point. I've known he's been ready for preschool for some time now, its just the idea that if I accept this, then that means he's getting older, and sometimes I don't want to embrace that. I want him to forever be in my arms and protected from all that life will throw at him.
I'd say "acknowledgement time" first approached when we were out shopping for school clothes the other day. I was looking for size 5T long sleeve T-shirts, because that's what he is, a Toddler. Well that day my little boy was shoved out of the Toddler T's and into the regular sizes, and into his first XS.
So today, I dropped him off. Willie asked me how I held up. Well of course on our way there, I reminisced. I remembered driving to the hospital with Willie and my Cousin Courtney listening to Luciano Pavoratti, and begging Willie to take the bumps slower.
I remember his first diaper change, the most hysterical moment in the hospital all caught on film ready to embarrass him when he's going on his first date, or to the prom.
I remember his first fall down the flight of stairs at our house in Pueblo, and seeing him teetering on the edge of those stairs totally oblivious to the fall, and me freaking out for the next 2 hours crying hysterically while he giggled and played like nothing had ever happened.
The toy that he'd crawl too and drop the ball down and dance and make the funniest little goofy face.
How he'd say ditty and Hadem Momma instead of Kitty and Love You Momma.
Gosh I could just continue and continue, and it was so nice to have that moment, before he took off and left me ha ha. I don't feel bad that he did that or my feelings hurt, I look at it as a kudos to myself in giving him the self security and trust to know I would never leave him somewhere he wasn't safe.
So today, my little chunko started preschool. I didn't cry then, but unfortunately I'm teary now. Oh well. . lol I still have Lexi to go too.
Ian with the school bag that we decorated for him
Ian just born
Where did the time go?
That last question is just something that depressed me more and more, because I know I'll be saying that for many years to come :(
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
What a pair these two are. Ian is always the very outgoing boy. Always making new friends at the park, always talking to the other children, and encouraging interaction. Lexi is usually spotted not to far away from him, gathering bravery and mimicking his playful attitude. After a while she tends to wonder off, attracted by a beautiful flower, or baby tree and continues to play on her own. Rarely are these two ever in social situations apart from each other, and recently Lexi wasn't allowed to go to Mc Donalds with Ian and I because of bad behavior (she really needed a nap).
Watching Ian without his other half was very revealing. Gone was his "bigger than life" personality, and he barely interacted with the other children in the play zone. I found this odd, Ian is always very personable, why was today different. He went and tried to strike up conversation, but after a few failed attempts went on his way to play by himself (the two children were a year or so older, and brothers).
It suddenly hit me what was missing in Ian that day that his personality seemed to show a new light, and it was Lexi. He was actually asking to leave because he missed "baby" and made sure I brought home a happy meal for her.
The dynamic that the two of them share is so phenomenal and amazing to watch. They're more than brother and sister, they are best friends! The love and respect they have for each other (besides when they are pulling at each other and annoying each other) is so apparent even at this young of an age, that its amazing. So many times I've questioned myself about having them close together, and then things like an occurrence today happen, and I'm so glad they have each other and a best friend for life.
We were on our way to see Santa. Before hand we went to Red Robin for lunch, and after our meal and dress change, we were walking out and they got to pick a balloon. Ian picked a blue one and Lexi and pink. They carried their Balloons all the way to Santa, and even let me hold them while they talked to him about their X-Mas wish lists and photos, and then wanted them back afterwards. They had the best time running through the side walks at the outdoor mall with their balloons chasing them the whole way.
However, on our way to the car, Lexi let hers slip. I cannot even begin to describe how attached and loving Lexi is with her Balloons. She goes berserk whenever she loses one. It affects me in a terrible way too because she acts as though she just watched her favorite stuffed animal get thrown away, she acts very passionately about the balloon. So here comes her other half. Seeing her so distraught, he reaches out to her with his blue balloon, and say's "you can have my balloon baby". It took all I had to keep my tears from falling watching this enormous gesture of giving coming from a 4 year old. Lexi took the balloon, crossed the street, and let go of that one tool. But this time it was okay, brother gave her a hug, and said we'd get another one some day.
Amazing. Just truly amazing the things these little people see, feel, display. Just Amazing. And I'm so proud to have such a neat dynamic duo.
Lexi Ian and Santa
Lexi with her Balloon
Monday, October 22, 2007
So, we're really close to this wild fire. We saw it start yesterday at around 6:00 p.m. We woke up this morning to smoke all over the place, and looked out our window and saw gawkers over at the walmart across the street. We packed up the kids and took some video and pictures to share. We are all safe, the car is packed just in case.
These photos were taken at Portola and Alton, immediately behind the McDonalds and next to the Ralphs Shopping Center:
This was taken at Walmart when we drove over. Our apartments are in view when I zoom out, you can see how close it was. The amazing thing about this video is how quickly the fire "jumps" down the hill. Very powerful force of mother nature.
I'll put up more photos when I have them, unfortunately our printer isn't sending the material to our computer. Stupid technology ;)
Friday, August 10, 2007
Willies failed attempt at getting video of him and Ian going down the slide at Wild Rivers Water Park.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
We received this today from our insrance company in response to the documentation I sent them about our situation in Colorado:
"I have received the photographs and estimates. I'm going to have everything reviewed by my supervisor to confirm our subrogation rights against the management company. Once I have a final answer, I will call you to discuss settlement."
Keep your fingers crossed the final answer is "yes"
Friday, August 03, 2007
The Dugars family in Little Rock Arkansas just welcomed their 17th child into the world. Yes you read that correctly. 17th Child! It was an 8 lb 8 oz and joined its 16 siblings who range through ages 19-2. According to the article that I linked above, Michelle Duggar has been pregnant for a whopping 10.5 years of her life! I couldn't even take the 18 months that I was pregnant with my two, so all the more kudos to her for that fact alone.
But how many children are too many children? When I was 14 I was entered into a Pageant, and while we were waiting for the Judges to make some decisions on my age group, the MC would spontaneously call out contestants and ask them questions. My question was "How many children do you think people should have in a family". Well, I was naive. Without thought or even regard to the other contestant who was in a family of 12 siblings, I blurted out "2, because that’s how many I have in my family and that seems like a perfect amount." Later, after it was all over and I massacred my shot at the big trophy, my "Coach"/Aunt took me to the side and said that the correct answer was "However many children the parents love" was the more PC Answer.
Well now that I'm older, I feel as though my coach's answer was incorrect. I think there are a lot of factors that go into raising a family. Love is definitely the biggest factor, but I would say running a close second to love, is support. You need to be able to support your family, and if you can't handle one, you probably have no business having two.
I had recently while standing in line had a conversation about the Duggar's with a woman who was just in shock over the fact that this woman wanted to have another child. I told her about it and she just simply laughed and said something rude. Something rude to the comment of how its probably impossible to care for so many children and she's probably on food stamps and a drain on the economy. Well because I had visited the Duggar family website some time ago, I knew this wasn't the case. I also know that they have a 7,000 sq foot home (that is PAID for btw), have NO debt, and are really quite down to earth and very organized and friendly.
She combated me with "well, all those kids, someone has to get lost in the shuffle." My response was ”true, but you know, I think that as children get older, they start to look out for one another as well as themselves. The family seems very family oriented and I wouldn't bet if everyone pitches in, and the older children help with the everyday life just as would be in a family of two." She agreed, so I was pretty proud of myself for winning my argument.
So my point is, the Duggar's are loving parents, with 17 kids! I know that’s not the life that I would have wanted for myself, but I'm not going to judge these people or call them drains on the economy, because I've done my research and know otherwise. I won’t get into their belief system of "if gods wants me pregnant then he wants me pregnant" because on that front, I also think that god invented someone smart enough to invent birth control...But to each their own. 10 years pregnant? Not for me. But, congratulations to the Duggars on number 17!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
I figure I might as well get it out of my system. I'm sitting here on the verge of tears every time I think about it. Whenever she comes out I'm just reminded of how much I miss her. Throughout our years growing up she was the closest thing I ever had to a sister. Having her here in CA and watching how much she enjoyed the kids, and how much the kids loved her really gets to me when she leaves. I'm sure that Ian is going to wake up soon and ask if Courtney and Greg are gone. That'll be heartbreaking.
He did get to say his goodbyes last night though. We figured that that would be the last time he saw them so made sure he said bye. God that just sucks...
In other news, when it rains it pours, and aparantly all over our basement, and our management company decided to royally screw us. Our basement flooded by way of a window well they had supposedly fixed, and did a little damage to the flooring. Well, my management company being all that smart, decided to go in and start tearing up our flooring to prevent mold, and cause harm to the tenants. The tenants aren't there until Thursday but we'll ignore that, the more pressing issues is that they didn't start in the bedroom because the seventy year old man with arthritus that is house sitting couldn't move the furniture (imagine, the window started leaking in the bedroom and would spread out from there), but started in the family room!!! and worked there way in! How the heck is that going to work? you could seriously see where the water was underneath my laminate flooring? Man how much did you pay for your xray vision idiots.
So I'm estimating damages in between 1K and 3K. 200 for the window. Excavating services to get the lot figured out and draining properly, and at least 500-600 for the new laminate. We're thinking of sending Willie out to reinstall the laminate once its in. That might be cheaper than hiring someone else to do it. Well see. This is just a nighmare, my concern is getting rid of this management company ASAP. Its funny because everyone I ever talked to about rentals has always said "the renters tear up your house!", in my case its my management company. shesh
anyhoo,...here are some photos to share :)
