Track Suit Superstars, and our spontaneous weekend

We had a great, fun, spontaneous, unpredictable weekend!  We had planned to have my brother's family over for dinner and playtime on Friday night, and we did, but it was a little different than we had planned.  Around 4:30 that afternoon, our power went out.  We still had a little sunlight, but it was quickly getting darker.  The kids were very disappointed because they were so excited to have their cousins over.  So, I called my brother and informed him of the issue, and they decided to come anyway.  They picked up pizza (since we were unable to cook anything), and we ate by candlelight. It was quite romantic.  And, the kids had fun running around the house with flashlights.  Around 7, the lights came back on, and we enjoyed root beer floats, a game of Sardines with the adults and kids, and a dance party in the living room.  It was a very fun, and joyous night!

On Saturday, I took the older two to the gym, and took a great Step class and did some weights afterwards. It was a very good workout.  I then surprised the kiddos with smoothies (they have a shop at the gym).  We ran errands as a family that afternoon, and then we got invited to a birthday party last minute.  So, John stayed home to study, and the kids and I had a fun evening for a family friend over at my brother's home.  We ate tacos, visited, and the kids watched Toy Story 3. The night ended with blueberry apple cobbler, and brownies topped with chocolate chips cookies....what a yummy combo!  Good thing I worked out.

On Sunday we all went to church together, and then John drove on separately to get some studying done.  I figured I would just hang with the kids at home, get laundry done, do a valentine craft with Emilio and Gabi, etc.  Soon after I put Luci down for a nap though, I got a call from a neighbor explaining that her son was sick, and asking if we would like their Disney Live, Mickey's Magic Show tickets for that afternoon!  Would we?  Heck yeah!  We had to wake Luci up quickly, and skedaddle because the show started at 3:30 up in Everett, which is about an hour away.  We were so sad for our little friend, but felt so super blessed they would think of us to give the tickets to.  The kids LOVED the show!  Luci couldn't stop giggling when Donald Duck would come out, and Emilio and Gabi can't stop talking about all the super cool magic tricks they saw.  It was very fun, and unexpected. 

The kids all wore their Adidas outfits (we are calling them Tracks suits) this weekend for the first time (a gift from their Nonno and Nana for Christmas).  They looked so sporty in them.  They also got a little silly, as you can probably tell by the pictures.

Friday Updates

It is a lovely Friday afternoon here, at least for me! Emilio is off at kindergarten, Gabi is at her friend Cora's house for a play date, and Luci probably has her bottom in the air in her crib as she takes her afternoon snooze. So, I have been left with a little time to myself, which may I say, rarely happens .I got to take a long hot shower in the middle of the day (took Pilates this morning at the gym, so I needed a rinse off), threw a load of laundry in, checked FB, called the WA state licensing department for teaching info. (just looking into it for the future for possible substituting jobs), and mostly caught up on newsy blogs from friends. I thought I'd take this chance to update all my friends on how our three monkeys have been doing lately.

Emilio has been loving kindergarten. He has lots of buddies in his classroom, and adores his teacher. He is sounding out his words, and reading early reader books from the Bob series, and from the library, is noticing print lying around the house, and on signs as we run errands. It is very exciting! He is also piecing together sentences, and recording information that he finds interesting. Today, he decided he would write down what he had eaten for breakfast, snack and lunch. I loved seeing his interpretation of pumpkin bread....it was pugnbrid. Love it. He asked me, "Is that right Mommy," and I reply, "You are doing great, and I like how you spelled that." I don't correct him at this point, we can tell he's going to follow in his Mommy and Daddy's "perfectionist," shoes, and don't want to discourage him. Last week, Emilio was the student of the week, and was honored in a school assembly. We clapped for him, and cheered.
He's very interested in spiritual things right now, and has been pondering heaven, and asking us lots of questions. He is a deep thinker, and we like that about him, except that it usually happens around the bedtime hour, which may also be his way of prolonging the inevitable.
Emilio is taking a break from sports right now (they are so spendy sometimes!). We might sign him up for swimming again next month though, and he is quite the fish. We love our energetic, sweet dude! He is getting so big.

Emilio and his friend at the Student of the Month Assembly

Gabriela is doing very well in preschool. She sometimes shares a little too much with her teachers though. The other day she told them in circle time, "One time, my Mommy was really bossy, and I don't even know why?" Twerp! Gabi sometimes doesn't have a filter on what is appropriate or inappropriate to say in front of others which can make for some both awkward, and funny moments. She still loves pigs, but doesn't have the obsession she once did. She loves playing dress up, and we've grown to call her "Belle" dress from Disneyland, her uniform, as she wears it almost every day. Gabi can't wait to start ballet class again next week, mostly because she loves to dress up fancy for class. She loves to play with Polly Pockets, color, and be read to. She's an expert eye crosser, and loves to sing a princess song at the table about "Manners and Etiquette" for everyone to hear. Gabi is learning her letters and the sounds, along with her numbers as well. She is so excited to be a kindergartner next year. We love our funny, quirky Gabi, she makes us smile from ear to ear.

Princess Gabriela and Tiny Princess Luciana

Luciana is 21 months now. She is well on her way to being 2 years old, or even 10! She is extremely verbal and knows how to express herself. Just the other day at the library, she became angry with another little boy, and started yelled, "Dang it," at him. She also frequently tells us, "Stop it," or "go away." We have started describing her as "spicy, feisty, and stubborn." She is sweet too though, and loves giving hugs and kisses, and saying, "I wuv you mommy, or Daddy or Boo Boo or Babby." Luci loves Elmo, Dora, her blankie, her paci (only in bed though), and snacks (we had to take the doorknob off the pantry because she was sneaking into it to get herself food all the time). Luci has had lots of success pooping in the potty so far, but not many pee experiences. Kind of opposite from the norm, but we will take it. We are going to go full on with the potty training soon. We feel so blessed to have little Luci in our lives, she is full of zest, and we couldn't be happier about it.

Miss Smiley

 So, that's a little synopsis on how the kiddos are doing. Life is moving forward, whether we want it to or not.

I'm Back!

I could come up with a host of excuses on why I haven't written in so long, but I won't bore you with the details of our busy holiday season that was peppered with illness, and continues to be. I could say I'm sorry, but I'm trying to work on that, I've said, "I'm sorry" too many times in my life. Yes, there are appropriate times, but when it concerns a blog, I think I'd just be wasting my breath.
So, let's start over, not get overwhelmed with all I've missed journaling on here, and start anew! Happy New Year! I'm excited to see all that God will bring our way this year, the joys, the hardships, that He teachers us through, and even the mundane.
Since it is still January technically, i think I can still post this;
I filled out this survey in 2007 and again in 2008 and 2009, so it seems fitting to look over 2010.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

spoken at a memorial (two actually),

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

John and I came up with a plan last year, but I don't think we really kept them. Darn, fail! I'm not going to set up hard and fast rules for myself to adhere to, but just work on goals little by little as God brings things to light for me through the year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, my sister in law Jennette gave birth to our niece, Jocelyn, and my sister in law Emily gave birth to another new niece, Eliana. I have yet to meet Jocelyn because they live in Illinois, but we hope we can meet her this year.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, My Nonno (Italian for grandfather, my dad's father) passed away in February. We miss him terribly. He was such a special presence in our family. I have so many wonderful memories of visiting him in CA when I was growing up. We went to his memorial in the Bay Area to celebrate his life, and had a sweet time with all of the family. Seven days after his memorial, one of my sweetest friends went home to be with Jesus, my Grammy June (my mom's mother). Grammy and I had a very special relationship. We talked every Friday, and I both admired and loved her to pieces. I think about her all the time.

5. What countries did you visit?

NO other countries, just traveled to California and Oregon.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

a gym with group aerobics classes! And, I made that happen right away, because I signed up the last week in 2010 to start working out at LA Fitness instead of the dinky gym I had belonged to the last few years. I'm paying a lot more though which sometimes has me feeling regretful.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 21st- the day we got word that my Nonno passed away.
March 20th- My Nonno's memorial in CA.
March 21st - Spent a day at Six Flags with my whole family!
March 22nd- Luciana's 1st Birthday, my Dad and I spent the first few hours in the middle of the night taking her to the ER in CA where she was diagnosed with a double ear infection. We had to cancel our flights because the Dr said it would be excruciating for her to fly, rent a mini van and drive all the way back to Seattle.
March 27th - My Dad's Birthday, my baby girl's first birthday party (cupcake themed), and the day my heart broke again when I found out my Grammy had passed.
April 28th-May 2nd- Our first trip to Disneyland with our children, and John's parents. I was like a giddy child, and loved watching my children have so much fun!
May 8th- My Gabriela's 4th Birthday, a girls only Princess Party at home!
June 22nd- Our 8th anniversary (a neighbor friend watched the kids for us, so we could grab a bite together)!
mid July- when we went to the OR coast with my parents, and John's as well. We had fun digging in the sand that week, playing games, eating at Mo's, buying Salt water taffy and Sea Foam, helping my MIL paint an amazing mural for my VBS classroom, etc.
August 11th- being a part of my friend Sabrina's wedding (buddy since 3rd grade and on, and former roommate) with my daughter Gabriela, and our family watching.
September 13th- the day my Emilio had his 6th birthday party, a robot theme complete with robot costumes, a dance party, and robot snacks and cake!
September 14th- Emilio's 6th birthday!
September 18th- My children and I were all in my friend Theresa's (friend since 1st grade) wedding. It was a very rainy day for an outdoor wedding, but beautiful and fun nonetheless.
October 10th- booing with my kids in the neighborhood
November 1st- I was awoken in the middle of the night to come to my brother's house and take care of their two kiddos because my Sister in law was in labor. Eliana Marie was born that morning.
December 10'- Making Christmas cookies, taking care of sick kiddos, going out with our small group, planning and part hosting our first neighborhood progressive dinner, traditions with John's parents...seeing Santa, making gingerbread sleighs, eating out at Maggianos, and opening gifts. Driving to Portland, and taking our kids to see Annie by the NW Children's theatre, spending time together, opening gifts, etc. A month of special memories!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
doing a better job of standing up for myself in certain situations

9. What was your biggest failure?
assuming what others are thinking, just like last year. being insecure about certain friendships .

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thank you Lord!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
my All Star converse, love those things, they are so versatile and helped me get out of my "gym shoes" habit.

12. Who's behavior merited celebration?
I have to give props to my husband who is balancing work, school, and family pretty darn well this year.

13. Who's behavior made you appalled or depressed?
a women involved in the three car fender bender I was in last winter. She stopped abruptly on a street where she couldn't turn, the car in front of me slammed into her, and I tried to slow down, but the newly slick roads helped me slide right into him. She got out of her car screaming obscenities at him, and going off for more than an hour. Turns out she didn't have insurance or her license with her, and got a $500 dollar ticket, and neither party ever reported the accident to insurance.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, health insurance, our Disneyland trip.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
our trip to Six Flags, and Disneyland! Birthday parties for my kids (I LOVE planning those), nights out with friends, swimming parties in the summer, holiday traditions.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Dynamite by Taio Cruz, we have dance parties in our living room all the time, and this is the first song we play to get everyone out on the "so-called" dance floor!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? thinner
c) richer or poorer? poorer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
kept up with my blog more???

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
feeling guilty about what I'm not accomplishing at this point in my life.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
with John's parents the weekend before doing lots of fun festivities. Then in Portland with my family and friends. It was nice.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
with reading again, I've read some really fabulous books this year!

22. What was your favorite TV program?
I got into the Amazing Race this Fall, kind of liked that, Survivor, So You Think You Can Dance.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone.

24. What was best book you read?
The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and Marta's Legacy series, Her Mother's Hope, and Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Princess and the Frog cd is really great to listen to with my kids, we love the New Orleans style jazz music.

26. What did you want and get?
a new kitchen table!

27. What did you want and not get?
one more visit with my Nonno and Grammy before they passed away.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Tangled

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Party at my bro's house....they made delicious food for me. I turned 33!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I can't think of anything off the top of my head, that is realistic, that is.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Mostly jeans and t-shirts, my boots or converse. Gym clothes.

32. What kept you sane?
Jesus, and my phone conversations with my mom.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I didn't.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
none

35. Who did you miss?
All my peeps in OR, CA, NM, IL, IN, and SC! I think I'm covering where all my family and friends are spread out.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I really like E's kindergarten teacher, and love working with her when I volunteer once a month. A few of the new kinder moms, and ladies in my small group.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
that the reason for marriage may not be for happiness but to develop holiness. From the study, The Sacred Marriage by Gary Chapman.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way.
When sorrows, like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul.