Thanksgiving is among us

It has been too long since I have updated my BLOG..Bad blogger, yep, that's me! I really have been consumed with work, my school, the kids school, the house...you understand.

Yesterday I celebrated my 34th birthday. I had a great day hanging around the house with the kiddos. They are definitely my reason for being. I enjoy everything about being a mom. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Thanksgiving is just a few days away. We are staying around here, as usual. Troy, Gisela and Emilie will join us for our annual Thanksgiving feast. The usual spread, turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. Followed by alot of couch talk..Good times! It is really a good time to stop and enjoy one another. I know I am guilty of getting too caught up in everything that I don't stop and smell the roses. It is time I change that.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

It's almost March

I know... I haven't been doing a very good job keeping my blog updated. We've been busy and I have found Facebook. If you are reading this and haven't signed up for facebook, you must. It is a quick and convenient way to stay connected with friends and family. Congrats to my mom for recently joining Facebook.

We just returned from a 10 day vacation to Florida. We had a great time visiting friends and family. Some of which I haven't seen in years. Victor and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas. We had a great time and plan to get away together soon.

The kids are awesome. Colin is still the little actor/comedian that he has always been. He loves the show, "Drake and Josh". Hearing him sing the theme song cracks us up. He still loves school and looks forward to each day.

Madelynn is still doing great in school and has many friends. Here is a conversation we had the other night.

Madelynn: "Mommy, you're the best mommy in the world."
Me: "What makes me the best mommy?"
Madelynn: "You give me a bath, take me to school, fix me dinner."
Me: "Awe, thanks Madelynn."
Madelynn: "Oh yeah, you mop the floors and wash my clothes, too."

It is amazing how my housework does not go unnoticed to my 5 year-old daughter. It reminds me of a couple of years back. Madelynn was looking at the cover of the Cinderella DVD. You know the cover, Cinderella in her rags, sitting on the floor with a mop bucket. Madelynn said to me, "Mommy, (pointing at the cover of the DVD) look, it's you!" Priceless!

Phoebe is getting ready to turn 16 (April 21). She has yet to take driver's ed. (a requirement in GA). We are planning to send her on Spring break. She is doing great in school.

Victoria is also doing well in school. She had her first band performance a couple of weeks ago. She made first chair (trumpet). The beginning band did an awesome job.

School for me is going smoothly. I am down to one class and will start two more classes in March. I will begin some accounting classes (finally)! I was having some pain in my upper-abdomen before we left for vacation. I had been having pain in that spot off and on for a year or so. I decided to finally get it checked out. We thought it may be my gallbladder. The ultrasound showed nothing wrong with my gallbladder but something on my liver. I will be having a HIDA scan to see what exactly is causing the pain. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Victor went back to work today. He seemed anxious to see what has been happening in his department while he was away. I'm sure he will have a long week. Thank goodness that he still has five weeks of vacation remaining. He will definitely need it.

It's Sunday..and I am tired

By Sunday I should feel rested, right? Well not today. I've been off from work for seven days; I was scheduled to work today but woke up feeling ill. Something I ate yesterday did not agree with me. Needless to say, I called in. We sign a waiver when hired agreeing that we will not go to work if we have certain illnesses/symptoms. Let's just say, I had a symptom :-0 I really have enjoyed hanging out around the house this weekend. Yesterday, I took the girls (Colin stayed with Abuelita) to see Marley and Me. Cute movie. Afterwards, we came home and ate dinner and just relaxed. Yesterday was my big (and only) brother's 37th birthday, (sorry Troy, you still look 21). We decided to have him and his gf over for dinner tonight. Victor went to the store and bought a cake for his favorite EQ partner (it's an online game they play together through their Ps2's & Ps3's; quite addicting might I add). He also grilled steaks for dinner. What a guy! Just a note on his game addiction. It is cheaper than hanging out at a bar and it won't cause any diseases. Play on I say! Oh, until I ask him to do something, of course, hehe..

School is going well. This set of classes is a bit more challenging. In other words, I am learning.
The pricetag on this school better offer some "higher learning." Publix is reimbursing me, so I cannot complain.

Victor is loving work, not. He as his good and bad days. Who doesn't? He is anxiously awaiting his next vacation.

Phoebe and Victoria have both pulled another round of straight A's. I will surprise them with a little surprise lunch date. They deserve it.

Madelynn and Colin are LOVING school. They asked to go to school during their winter break. Tonight we had a change in routine. We read in front of the burning fireplace tonight. Madelynn read to me and read to them. She is making excellent progress. Earlier, we sat and did some of Madelynn's homework in the kitchen. Colin wrote his alphabet entirely by himself. I was pleasantly surprised. He is going to be reading early.

The house is coming together. We are going to have some more work done this week. Phoebe is anxious about having the work completed, as she is sleeping in Madelynn's room. Madelynn loves the idea though.

I haven't found my usb cord yet, no pics. Sorry.

Oh yeah, before I go; we are taking a trip to Florida for ten days. I have something planned for Victor and I, but he doesn't know yet. I am surprising him for his b-day. Let's hope he doesn't read this blog before then. Anyways, we got a steal on the tickets and hate driving the 11 hours to miami. Heidi (my sister) has a van that we can drive while we are there. Thanks Eric and Heidi for taking care of us! To say I am ready to go is an understatement. I am not a big "sun" fan, but I could go for a little beach action.

Have a great week!

2009 is here!!

Happy New Year to you all. It seems as though we hurried right through the holidays. The kids have had a nice, long break. I too, had a break from school. I worked a bit, but am taking some time off to get things together around here. There is still work that needs completing in the basement. Our ceiling tiles are on order and will take another two weeks.

Everything else is grand. I start back with school tomorrow. I've added another class, Environmental Science. It should be interesting. The kids start back Wednesday. We have a couple more days to bum around. I promise you, we will be bumming :)

We are planning our mid-winter vacation to Florida. We are hoping to fly, depending on the deals. We were planning a trip to Disney. Instead, we are going to try a cruise, finally!! Disney is cruising the kids free through May. I am going to see about booking a cruise for May. This will give us ample time to get Colin and Madelynn's passports together.

I hope to find my usb cord for my camera to upload some Christmas photos. Victor was so sweet and bought me a new laptop for Christmas. I got him a PS3, which he wanted so badly. Only to have to return it because the newer PS3's aren't compatable with the PS2 games. Sony messed up big with this one. Nobody wants these new PS3s now.

Have a nice week!!

Merry Christmas!

Well, not exactly, but very soon. We've had a rough week here. Last week a pipe broke under our kitchen sink while we were not home. Water ran into our living room and basement. I know things can always be worse and I am thankful it was clear water and not gray or black. Regardless, it is no picnic. Our floors on the first and second floors had to be removed. Yes, the ones Victor spent his vacation last year installing. The basement sustained the most damage. Phoebe's room sits underneath the kitchen, so you can imagine. We have insurance and they have been terrific thus far. The new floors are being installed as I type.

Besides the bad news we are keeping our spirits high. Santa is coming tomorrow night and the kids couldn't be any more excited. We haven't exactly made any definite plans, but we will be celebrating as a family.

I am on winter break from school, which is going terrific. I took some time off from work for Christmas. After New Year I am taking an additional two weeks off form work to get things together around here.

Phoebe flew out Saturday :(..
I hate to see her go everytime. She was excited to see her Dad and other relatives in Miami. Victoria is going to Florida on the 27th, to visit her Grandma. She is celebrating her 12th birthday Friday. When I first started dating Victor she had just turned 2! It doesn't seem possible. The years fly by us and we don't even take time to stop and smell the roses.

Madelynn and Colin are doing great as well. Colin amazes me (as much as all of my kids do). He has a "workshop" that I bought him for hus 3rd birthday. He plays with it alot. Although he doesn't bang on the hammer or use the battery operated drill; instead, he puts the foam "wood" pieces together. Yesterday he made an actual boat. He has the ability to create things that I wouldn't have the sense to build. Puzzles that just give me a headache, Colin manages to put together. I think we may have an engineer or architecht on our hands.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Eleven days Until Christmas

We've been super busy around here. Thanksgiving came and went. We had a great holiday and are thankful for each other. Christmas is right around the corner. I've completed my shopping with the exception of some stocking stuffer items. The kids are so excited and just can't wait.

Madelynn and Colin had their last day on Friday. I am looking forward to take them in the morning. Phoebe and Victoria have 4 more days. Phoebe has been working on a few papers that are due this week. Victoria has a book report she is working on. Between the kids and I, someone is always working on something. It keeps us young, I say. They both are heading to Florida for part of their break. Phoebe will leave on the 20th and Victoria on the 27th.

Work and school for Victor and I are going smooth. I will have a winter break for 10 days. I look forward to my break very much. It is the only break all year. I don't mind going straight through, I want to graduate before I'm 50.

Have a great week!

38 Days until Christmas

I know Thanksgiving is next week, that doesn't even see possible. We have a lot to look forward to around here. My birthday (not) is Saturday. Victor and I are going to try and hit up a pretty cool place in Atlanta for dinner. I am only working one day next week, as the kids are out of school. Heidi, the boys and mom are coming in the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. They are staying through Saturday. Madelynn and Colin haven't stopped talking about Grandma here lately. They are so anxious to see her. They are equally excited about seeing their cousins, Christian and Matthew. We are planning a few activities to keep them busy while they're here.

My classes are coming to a close; this is my last week. No break, I will jump right into another set of classes. I look forward to completing my paper and powerpoint, ugh. It is not so bad juggling it all now, as I am working 3 days a week.

Madelynn and Colin both have their "feasts" at school this week. Madelynn brought home her songs to rehearse for the Christmas program. She is playing Mary in the performance. I will begin helping her recite her lines. She is receiving her report card this week as well. She is doing fantastic with her reading. I am happy to see her excited about learning.

Phoebe and Victoria are hanging in there. they are anxious about there upcoming week out of school. Who could blame them? We all need a break from time to time.

Have a great week!