Helllllloooooooooooooooo

Hello dear friends!

Wow, it's been awhile since I've posted but I wanted to stop in, say hi, and share some pics! :) I just haven't really been into blogging lately, so I haven't posted. I mean when you can't even copy and paste Facebook statuses because you just have NO desire to blog, then it's time to take a step back and just not post! :) I've still continued to read my favs, post comments, etc. but I just haven't been posting.

In my last post I made mention of some issues we were having with Manuel, behaviorally, at school....thankfully he's had a week and a half of REALLY good behavior (even to the point that he got to bring home the class "pet"-a stuffed Build-A-Bear, named Bentley complete with a ton of accessories! :) so, fingers crossed, it was just a really bad (albeit short) stage he went through. Long story short, he was getting really angry and hitting friends only at school (he seemed to be "acting out" when he felt like he was being treated badly by peers or being talked about-regardless of the reason, it's clearly not acceptable, so we were really worried about him). After LOTS of prayers, lots of talking, and punishment, things seem to be turning around. We are going to have him talk to someone (a counselor) just to be safe! We'd rather it be nothing and at least hear it from a professional then him have something going on internally, and not address it. Please continue to pray for our family! Manuel is the sweetest, kindest soul out there, so this was way out of left field for us! Hopefully we've nipped it in the bud and things are on the upswing.

We've been having a great couple of weeks, and this past weekend was Manuel's "reward weekend" for all of his good behavior. Here are some pics...

 Manuel and Bentley sitting down for veggies and dip

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FRIENDS! If we are friends on Facebook, you know the first 23 things that I'm thankful for (because unlike this blog, I've kept up with my Facebook statuses! ;)) But just know that I'm thankful for each of you who read my blog. You all have become dear friends to me (even though we've never met...is that weird? ;)) I hope to be back to regularly posting soon....AFTER month end at work! :)

Days of Thanks...11, 12 and 13

Hello friends! Happy Weekend! :) I hope everyone has enjoyed their Saturday and Sunday! :)

Here are my last 3 days of thanks! :) ...

Day #11 of my Annual 30 Days of Thanks...today I am thankful for our freedom. Goodness knows there are so many people out there in other countries who would LOVE the freedom we are provided by living in the U.S. Most importantly, I'm thankful for all those men and women who made it possible! God bless the veterans, those who lost their lives fighting for us (and their families left behind), and those still in active duty!

Day #12...today I am thankful for one of my greatest friends in the entire world, Selina! Although many miles separate us and we don't see each other as much as we'd like to, we can always pick up right where we left off! She is always there to lend a listening ear and I couldn't be more thankful! :) Who would have thought that the girl I "met" at Veronica's party in 9th grade, who was so tough and scary (that cracks me up now! ;)) would become one of my best, most treasured, lifelong friends? Love ya Dr. Read! :)

Day #13 of my Annual 30 Days of Thanks...today I am thankful for my girls! There are only a few of them out there who are TRULY my friends, and they know who they are! (if I saw you last night, you're definitely in that bunch! :)) We might all be real grown ups now ;) BUT when we get together we can pick up right where we left off! I love you all! :)



And for good measure...(I went to a Thirty One party last night, and came home to this adorable scene! :) ...

They had built a huge fort and everyone was passed out! :) (That's Mia in the far background! :))

9, 10, and Prayers

Good Morning Friends!

I know I never posted Day #9 of thanks yesterday, so I'm going to post #9 & #10 in one day...

Day #9....today I am thankful for my aunts, uncles, and cousins! We are SO fortunate to have one another and to be so close! Although hundreds of miles separate some of us, our hearts are always close and bonded. To see families who are distant and not active in each others lives just makes me realize how truly lucky I am!!! My aunts and uncles are like second parents and my cousins are like siblings. We are there to help each other in our most difficult times and rejoice with each other in our times of happiness and joy. I love you all more then words can express! :)

Day #10 of my annual 30 Days of Thanks...today I am thankful for Nonna! She has been the most amazing mother/grandmother to all of us! Even at 81 years old she is still so full of life and "zest"! :) She plays bingo, goes to church, and shows the nursing home who is boss! ;) We don't ever visit her without coming home with a bag of goodies and her bingo winnings! :) I'm SO glad that my children have been able to know such a great woman! We love you Nonna! (not that she Facebooks, but still! ;))

Please pray for Manuel, pray for Manny and I. Something is going on with Manuel and we need to get to the bottom of it. His behavior (ONLY at school) has taken a complete 180 over the last two weeks (for the negative). Our hearts are heavy as we try to figure out what in the world is going on. It doesn't seem to be bullying, but clearly he is struggling (not academically, but socially), clearly he is acting out, and clearly this can't continue to happen. My heart isn't up for getting into specifics right now as it's still so confusing and out of left field that I'm not even sure I understand what is going on completely, but just please pray for us. Pray for my sweet boy who doesn't have a mean or angry bone in his body, but SOMETHING is going on. Thank you friends! :)

Day #8 of Thanks...

Day #8 of my Annual 30 days of thanks...today I am thankful for June 9, 2005, around 7:20am that is when I found out I was pregnant. I honestly believe that if I had never gotten pregnant I would not be here today. My life was on a very fast downward spiral, involving NOTHING good! Although it was a complete shock and I wasn't sure what I was going to do, my life changed that very second for the good. Everything stopped that day (the partying, the drugs, etc.) and I've never looked back. That is why I always say, Manuel saved my life. I truly believe he did! :)

Don't get me wrong, I love Mia as equally, but I was in a VERY bad place when I found out I was pregnant with Manuel. The pregnancy, the experience, the entire thing was just "different". I love both of my babies more then life itself, but my sweet son, my first born, my first baby, saved my life! :)

Oldies, but goodies :) ....

 

 I had temporarily lost my sanity for a span of time and let my husband buy him two birds, "Bath" and "Gomez" were their names :)

Not an oldie, but still, ADORABLE! :)

Day #7 of Thanks...

Hello friends! I'm pretty tired on this Monday morning, but with good reason...I actually stayed up to watch the Ravens vs. Steelers game, the entire game, so getting about 5 hours of sleep isn't really up my alley, but it was SOOOOOOO worth it! Go Ravens!!!!! :)

Now, onto Day #7...

Day #7 of my Annual 30 Days of Thanks...today I am thankful for the fact that my children will grow up in a household where they realize the importance of, not only attending church regularly, but the importance of TRULY worshiping! Also, where God will always be #1 in their lives...


Me: "Manuel, do you know who Daddy's best friend is, in front of EVERYONE else?" (I was referring to Manuel).
Manuel: "Daddy's #1 best friend is God!" :)

Manuel: "If church is so important, why do we only go to church one day a week, but go to school 5?"
Me: "Good question, buddy!" :)

Every night we say family prayers, before we start we always make sure the TV is muted. The other night I said to Manny, "Hey Mans, mute the TV for a second." and even though it wasn't prayer time, Mia automatically started saying her prayers! Even at her young age, she is starting to "get it". We couldn't be more proud! :)

Have a great day friends! :)

Day #6 of 30 Days of Thanks..

Happy Sunday!!!! We just got home from church, and hubby and I tried out a couples Bible study class. I was such a nervous wreck walking up the stairs, to head in the class. I swear I was going to have a panic attack. It was SO ridiculous because HELLO, if you don't feel accepted and loved at your own church, then where in the world can you feel comfortable at!??!?!? :) Clearly, I have issues! ;) Manny was just laughing (in a loving a way, of course! :)) at me as we walked up the stairs. It was a HUGE step for me to walk in those doors and I'm glad I did. We plan to go back next week! :) Now, its' time relax, HOPEFULLY nap (my children did not get the memo about Daylight Savings time and were up at 5:30AM!!!!!) AND there is a HUGE Ravens vs. Steelers game on tonight that I'm TRYING to stay for (way past my bedtime! :)) I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend! Until tomorrow... :)

Day #6 in my Annual 30 Days of Thanks...today I am thankful for my dad, Lou! I miss him dearly, not a day goes by that I don't think about him, and I really wish he could have met Mia (he would have DEFINITELY called her, "Miss Hollywood" ;)) but I know he is in no greater place. He is free of drugs, alcohol, and all of his health issues. He is happy and free! I'm glad I got to spend the last few years of his life showing him love, family, and letting him get to know Manuel. They had a truly special bond! Love you and miss you Dad! :)

In case you are new, here is the background behind my dad...here, here and here

Day #5 of Thanks...

Happy Weekend All!

I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy time with family and friends! We are off to a birthday party this afternoon (for one of Mia's little friends from church) and then hubby and I are off to see Third Day in concert. I am SOOOOOOOOOO excited!

Just wanted to share my day #5 from my Facebook status...

"Day #5 of my Annual 30 Days of Thanks...today I am thankful for Linnie! Honestly, I don't know what I would have done with either of my children if it hadn't been for her watching them for the last FIVE years!!!! :) Even when Manuel was sick and had seizures (way back when) I NEVER had to worry about his safety or well being because I knew he was in great hands (and the same goes for Mia now). She is like a second mother to them, and if they can't be home with me, I couldn't ask for a more wonderful person to take care of them! :) And she certainly makes sure my babies (and all of her babies) don't starve! ;) LOL! We love you Linnie!"

Have a great weekend everyone! :)

And for good measure....

Manuel's Kindergarten picture (pic of a pic, so poor quality, but A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E! :))