Wk1: STOP doing what isn't working....

I had a great weekend! Friday I met one of Isabel's friend's mothers on the phone and we are setting up play dates. Then I went to the casino with three of my girlfriends. That was a blast. Saturday I took Isabel to pizza with my friend and her daughter and another little girl. We hung out for three hours, it was really nice to get out without all the attachments I am used to on a daily basis. Sunday morning, broke my laptop (darn mother board) then I went for coffee and then to Macy's with my best friend D'ann.

I'd say things have calmed so much this last week. I was feeling a bit depressed and not wanting to be around people. I would shelter myself in my home and not answer phone calls. I have since felt such relief in letting things go and being who I am good or bad. I have great friends who have helped with this process and people who don't even know me from church have helped too.

One of my greatest accomplishments, other then getting out of the house was having Miranda sleep in her crib. We did it people!! We really did it! I put her in there Saturday night and let her cry. About every 5 minutes, I'd walk in and pat her back but not pick her up. After about a half hour, she fell asleep and woke up a few times at night. It was GREAT! (if you knew, she was sleeping in her bouncer on the floor on the side of my bed) The second night, last night was even better. I think she is getting better sleep because of her nice comfy mattress. She woke up only twice. It was great!

I walked this weekend too. I walked 1.8 miles in 29.+ minutes. I think walking helps me out dramatically, I have such a busy life with my kids that sometimes I don't focus on myself. I end up hurting myself that way, letting me go and worrying about everything else, putting myself last. I have come to terms with, "if mama ain't happy, NO BODY will be happy, because I am just that much more miserable. SO I am devoting time to walking, it's a chance for me to take my kids out too and bond.

Let's see I haven't mentioned Raymond, he is doing good. Him and I talk so much these days, it's incredible the stages kids go through. He is very smart and athletic. He is joining the track team here at school. Keeping in shape for football. That rocks!

I am a proud mom of 6 full of love, smiles and compassion. These are all things that my kids taught me to have and use on a daily basis.


To get what you want, STOP doing what isn't working. --Dennis Weaver
God is Love Rev Run
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Compassion is defined as...

Well, today is Saturday and all is looking up. I had a fabulous week of baby crying, Mia screaming, Isabel sick, Gabe stayed home from having the flu and girls drama at school. Raymond quiet as usual, making me wonder what's in his mind. Who is he thinking of because every time I look in his eyes, I see sadness. As I type I hear the coughing of a nine year old and the stomping of a 2 year old and the fussiness of a 5 month old, this is how I start my days in my house on the weekends.

So this past week, I have found energy within myself and I'm not quite sure where it came from. As you have read, a week ago in church I was given a prayer shawl. Each stitch was made with a prayer. I wear my prayers on my sleeve. Every time I wear it I feel like I am with so many people, I don't feel sad or alone at home anymore.

Miranda has learned to sit on her own now, I feel sad in a way, my baby isn't such an infant anymore, but she is smart, you can tell by her expressions on her face.

We got the word, mama will be coaching this year! Sign ups are in March, so I am training and getting fit because this will be an exciting year for the girls!

Mia is playing with make-up. My little tom boy is now a girlie girl ... where did I go wrong hahaha.

Gabe is feeling much better. His boss won't let him work today to make up the time. It's ok, he worked 11.5 hours on Monday. We'll be fine.

My reading for the week, I have decided to take a new approach to life. I will be choosing readings for the week and implement them into my life. Since I will have a class next year for Catechism, I will lead the path with my faith and inner strength. By doing this, I will practice what I preach. (Not that I will really preach) SO this week's working is compassion.

Compassion is defined as... A deep awareness and sympathy for another's suffering... The scripture says that we all have a heart of compassion. Some practice and use this heart and some do not... BUT... We all have it.... Here's today's thought.... Practice compassion...... Some one is hurting...... Some one within your reach needs you... :-)

God is Love Rev Run

This is something I lack most times. I will take those under my wings and let them know it's Ok to be sad or cry but let's turn it into something positive. Until the next time I post.

Testing you know me!

testing it out!

52 weeks of a busy mom's life

So, I saw the 365 everywhere in blog world. I thought it would be cool of us SMamas to do it ourselves. Instead of 365, maybe 52 weeks. To tell the tale of one's life, the life of a busy mom. To talk about the daily chores and things that intrigue us to tick. To read one another's lives through another's eyes.

I feel ALIVE!

I have been walking every day for two weeks. I have been spending so much more time with my children. I smile a lot more then usual and I feel so blessed and grateful. I feel more optimistic and the funny thing is I know no idea where it came from. Don't you just love life when it grabs you by the breasts and kicks your ass in shape! That's how I feel right now, hahaha what a way to analyze that right!

I have been spending more time outside the home, I think the fresh air has helped motivate my ass into gear! I've been planning our wedding and thinking back into time what it felt like getting married to my husband the first time around. What an amazing feeling! I can't wait to do it again!

Thanks for reading!

What a great day!

So, we slept all night long. Or new president was signed into office today, and I went for a nice brisk walk. I feel healthy, happy and excited!

I am now watching Mr President Obama's luncheon on LIVE CNN. I don't think I ever cared so much to watch an inauguration before. I just hold so much faith in our new president to be successful and change the way we view our nation as one. I think a lot of Americans have lost faith over the years, I believe I was one too. I think it's an amazing time of life and I am so thrilled to be apart of it.

Remember ladies, write this in your baby's book! The day the world changed!

Happy Birthday mom

Today is my mom's birthday. She is young yet! Still under 50. We were talking about throwing her a celebration bash in a few years. I called her today to wish her another fantastic year. I asked what she was up to, but she said they didn't do much. Her boyfriend's mother made her a chocolate cake, funny thing though is she hates chocolate hahha... then they had a BBQ for her at his mom's house. That was very nice. So I suppose, once my wedding is done, I will start planning her birthday party for CA (she lives in TX) I'll have to pay to bring her this way and make it a total surprise!!

Happy birthday mom!

A powerful moment

So we went to church today. It was so uplifting, I think this is the most I've ever cried. We started the mass with the first reading, then second reading and then we heard the gospel reading read by our father. After the gospel, we go back into a room and talk about what we have heard for the day.

The topic was "peeled onions, and cutting back the layers". So I made mention about how my grandma passed away and my father in law's birthday was new years eve and just that life has been emotional and very hard because my kids are grieving, such as we are and I want to show them it's ok to cry but I don't want to cry because I feel like I need to stay strong. Then I started crying. I am trying to let these walls down and let it be ok to have feelings and know that's it's OK without feeling weak for the sake of my kids.

We talked more about living positively and things will always feel better. I suppose like cognitive thinking. It was very uplifting, to hear people have the same issues.

We went back to our pew and sat for the final prayer and right before we ended mass, they had a speaker come out. She spoke about these crocheted shawls. How these woman crocheted them by hand (many many of them) and how they have been sent all over the world. They are for healing broken hearts or sickened people. If you have faith, and believe, they help heal you. Then the father of our church blessed them. It was beautiful.

The first thing I heard was my son say he wanted one for his grandmother. I told him he could pick it out and give it to her when we saw her. So he picked a beautiful white one. As I was walking back to our table, a lady who is in our RCIA group walked up and gave me a beautiful brown shawl. I cried, I broke down in tears thanking her, she told me to believe and stay positive and things will get better. I have never had a stranger come to me and hug me and be so positive about life it was SO uplifting, she laid the shawl on my back and hugged me tight. My husband even cried a little. I felt so empowering, so uplifting, I felt such an amazing energy from her, it was awesome! I will take a picture later of these shawls.

I love our church and I love our community and I love my family.

Oooh Weee! American Idol

America Idol! I must admit, I am not a big fan of the show... I find it repulsive, listening to people who sound like "a cat that fell off the Empire State Building" how hilarious was that comment from Simon!! I watched the entire two hours last night and it was great!! They had some very talented people on the show! I can't wait to see the next episode! I really like the last girl who has three children, the welder who is a family man and the band team instructor!! whoo hoo!!

It's just BLAH!

Not a way to kick off the new year either let me tell you! This have been very hard at home. Horribly difficult! Trying to start the new year off on the right foot has been complicated. I can feel myself going into a deep funk of sadness. I need to find something to do outside of this house! I was thinking of picking up a part time job at a local retail store and maybe working a few hours. Just until things at home financially pick up again. I don't want to work days though, because of child care. I thought about a home based business but I don't think I have enough umph to want to get out and work that way... I don't know. I hope something changes soon.

An exciting moment in our life.

Last night I went to a Catechist meeting. Gabe, I and Raymond will do our first reconciliation during the Lent season. This is a huge deal for all of us, and everyone in our community. I haven't been to one yet, but I hear everyone comes together to the church at night. They do a small prayer and there is a father (priest) in the four corners of the church and that's where we do our confession. The father gives us absolution and we receive our penance. Then we are forgiven. We will reconnect our relationship with God. I think I feel really excited but nervous about this.

After reconciliation in the season of Lent, we will complete our first holy communion at East Vigil. Well, Raymond will, Gabe and myself will receive that one as well as our Confirmation. We have been working really hard to complete these sacraments. I think that is one of the biggest things I love about our religion, the continuous studying and renewing of our faith in God and Jesus. I have been waiting for this day since I was 12. I was afraid to go to church and complete them back in the day, but as a mother I feel it is important. It just couldn't be better timing either.

100 THINGS

100 things

Saw this on someone else's blog, and I decided to do it
Thanks Sara


you bold everything that you've done...


1. Started your own blog (Yes I have!)

2. Slept under the stars (even if it was a few hours)

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity. (Every week)

7. Been to Disneyland (YES!!!)

8. Climbed a mountain.

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo (In High School and in my car)

12. Visited Paris

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 in an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitchhiked

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill

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

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo's David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

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

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

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

l71. Eaten cavier.

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

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chicken pox

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

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a lawsuit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Read an entire book in one day

My grandma

Today we went to church, as we usually do every Sunday. I broke down in tears, not too many but enough... I was deeply sadden that I could not be there to be with my mom and to see grandma away. I know I shouldn't feel too awful I saw her in March with my kids, but still, my heart hurts that she has passed.

She was a very mean grandma, but I think that is what I loved about her so much. She caused a ruckus in my life, many of times with my parents and myself, but we over came all the silliness and were still one family.

I remember growing up, before my dad passed that everyone would gather at my grandma's house in Alviso. There were great times there in that house!! We would play football outside while all my aunts were cooking in the kitchen. My grandma had the greatest tortillas ooooh I learned to make them from her. And her fideo was awesome!! I learned a lot of my cooking from my grandma actually. My mom never made Hispanic food, it was all American.

I can still remember what my grandma's house looked like. It was a very old Victorian house that had two separate homes in one. The kitchen was HUGE but very old and ugly hahaha ask anyone!! The ceiling was GREEN! Yes, GREEN (an ugly green) and in the living room area, she had these ugly mirrors on the wall, they looked like tiles hahaha, this house had been through everything!! It went through the 82' flood in Alivso.

I remember my grandma would always speak to us in Spanish. She would get upset when we shook our shoulders and said "we don't understand grandma" I think that is why I have encouraged my kids to take Spanish in school. That was something that wasn't done in our house growing up. We just learned enough to know when someone was talking about us.

Ahh bless her soul. She lost my grandfather about nine years ago. I am sure she is resting with him in heaven.

Rest in Peace Ofelia Valdez 10.17-12.26.2008

I Am The New Year

~Author Unknown

I am the New Year.
I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living.
I am your opportunity to practice
what you have learned about life
during the last twelve months.
All that you sought
and didn't find is hidden in me,
waiting for you to search it out
with more determination.
All the good that you tried for
and didn't achieve is mine to grant
when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do,
all that you hoped but did not will,
all the faith that you claimed but did not have
-these slumber lightly,
waiting to be awakened by the touch of a
strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew
your allegiance to Him who said,
"Behold, I make all things new."
Rev. 21:5

I am the New Tear.

Saying Farwell

Well, I've let my baby go. I am happy about it though. Not happy because I am leaving, but happy about the time I put into it and the amount of growth it has had in one year. It has been amazing. I leave behind my baby to my very good internet friends. As everyone knows, SiggieTown was my world. I do have 4 children who need my attention though.

As I told Lisa last night,

I am, (sad that I am leaving) it was like my lil baby and I watched it grow =) you helped water it and the girls fed it, it was a great run, now I am exhausted LOL I feel 65 and should collect social security LMFAO !!!!!!!!!

Time to move on to bigger things. I have my son going into high school this year, I want to help him be successful. I will be coaching my daughter's cheer team and while Mia is a toddler (who is now potty trained) my Miranda is crawling and my time is taken.

I am hoping one day, not to long from now, I will go back, but only as a designer and nothing more.... I love you girls!!!

Our New Years Evening

It was fabulous!! The husband and I went out for a nice evening, it was soooo much fun!! I even drank 3 beers and felt tipsy it was great!! We got to listen to some great comedy, laugh all night long, we met a new couple who sat at a table we were placed it. They were ok, nice people. They didn't talk to much, I felt weird, because I never know when to shut up. The comedians we listened to were great!! Gabe thought I was drunk because I was laughing at everything they said, but I was just using it as medication... laughter cures all, haven't you heard!

We got to bring in New York City new years, it was fun!! We did the midnight kiss =). When the show was over, we went home to the kidos and they were ALL up still!!! So we sat on the couch and fell asleep with them.

50 seconds to midnight, we both woke and said "Happy New Years" .... and went back to sleep. hahahhaa!!! It was great!