Wow! A post!

I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted! I guess the time just got away from me.
We had such a great summer spent with lots of fun, family time. Mostly we spent the weekend at the lake, went home to look forward to going back again the next weekend. Joe and I have so enjoyed that time with our boys and friends and family. Special time that just isn't the same without the warm sun, the sound of the boat, the time on the water and the uninterupted time talking. I can't say enough how much I cherish these times with my boys. I feel really lucky. I know, blessed.
Good thing we spent all that time together, because now, Aidan is in school 2 days a week, and Joe is working a lot. So not liking having to be on such a strict schedule. It is November and I still get the urge to rebel weekly.
Joe's brother, Mauro has been in the hospital for a week now. He had abdominal surgery. He was having a rough time of it for a day or two, but with some encouragement and a little help from a friend, he seems to be improving greatly every day. I feel happy that there is so much good coming out of such a scary event. I feel like the family has already gotten closer, and we are praying hard, for the return of a couple of "prodigal sons". The Lord has His ways, and they are always the best. Just so glad to see the good in all this, so soon.
Mona Vie. Oh, Mona Vie. We have been drinking this amazing juice for over a year now. I know, I know. I know what you're thinking...I can't even explain my thoughts on what a SIMPLE BOTTLE OF JUICE has done for our family. So I'm just gonnna leave it at that. But obviously, if I am talking about juice in my blog update, it's a great thing. Life changing stuff that WAS a part of our summer!
I will post pictures soon, hopefully before 2010!

One Blessed Woman

I had a nice long weekend away with my MOPS girlfriends. I am looking back feeling so very blessed to be surrounded by such amazing women. It was a truly great time to spend with friends and to form new friendships that I can already see are going to be special in my life. I am feeling so blessed and full!








I came home this afternoon to find my husband with a load of laundry in the dryer! I don't know how it works in the homes of my fellow stay at home moms, but in my home, it just comes with the job. It's not actually a part of the job that I totally hate, but none the less, it is always on MY to-do list. So imagine my shock that he decided to take it upon himself to make my evening a little easier. Have one less thing for me to worry about. Oh, wait, lets make that 2. He did the dishes, too! WOW! I am so impressed with my hubby. What a gift to come home and not have to jump right back into the grind, but to have the time (I came home mid nap) to sit on the couch with my guy and just talk. Uninterupted conversation. HEAVEN! When the boys woke up we headed over to mom and dad's to have my belated birthday dinner. Yep! I didn't have to make dinner, either! Happy birthday to me! But I think I accidentally got caffeinated coffee with my cake, because I am wide awake right now. Tomorrow should be interesting...

Swim

Beach day in March

Oh my gosh. I can't believe how long I've waited to put this stuf on here. But it seems like just yesterday that we were at the beach. We decided on a whim to drive to Oceanside and take the kids to Ruby's for dinner. We played on the beach a little and got some great pictures. I can't believe my Cruz. He is such a mamma's boy, but branching out in strides these days. After days

of him pulling on my leg and calling my name over and over and over, I thought I would be happy to be relieved of some of the pressure of being his only comfort. That is, aside from his blankie and his two fingers in his mouth. He is growing up. And Aidan, he's now got down the basics of swimming. It's so fun to see him jump in and swim to the side all by himself! Gotta savor these moments. Soaking it all in, now.

Ranunculas

So I haven't posted since January, and now, in one night, I am posting 3! I might as well multi task as usual. On Monday we went to the flower fields in Carlsbad. We had never been before. Heidi and the Fatter boys went with us and we had a lot of fun boy time, regardless of the fact that we had a horrible time trying to get some good picures! Oh, the frustrations of a mom trying to document the events in her child's life!

Training Day

So last week I tackled the job of toilet training Cruz. Another great way to celebrate his 2nd birthday, I guess. I should really say that the job was tackled by my mom and I . I could not have done it without her. When I trained Aidan, I used a method called 3 day potty training. It worked really well so I decided to give it a shot with Cruz. He didn't grasp it quite as quickly as Aidan, but it worked! By day 3, he knew to tell me when he had to go, and he wouldn't go in his underwear. And that includes night time! I am telling all you moms out there, you have to try it! It takes some real determination, but in the long run, it's so much better. Just commit 3 full days and nights, NO CRUTCHES, ie: pullups, and you will be done with diapers! I am so excited about how much money we are going to be saving! Oh yeah, and not having to change the diapers is an added bonus! Here's the site: http://www.3daypottytraining.com/
The only thing is...you have to do EXACTLY what she says to do. It can be hard. But who ever said potty training was easy? Ok, so I don't want to hear all your stories about your GIRLS who potty trained themselves. It is just depressing!! :)

Our baby is 2!

I can't believe that he is 2! It seems like just yesterday that I was sitting in my living room holding him for the first time. I can rememer the moment when I looked at his little face and thought " he is totally a Cruz, not an ____". We picked out a couple of names with both our boys, but didnt' decide on one until we met them. The other name we will keep a secret...just in case! We are so proud of our Cruz. He is such a sweet, gentle (most of the time), cuddly, momma's boy! He is so in love with his big brother. Every morning when he wakes up he says: "Brudder...Aidan sweeping!" All in a whisper. It's the most precious thing. It gives my heart such joy every morning to hear those little words. No matter how early it is! Cruz can be very sensitive, yet he stands up for himself very well. He is a picky eater, but at least he loves his Mona-Vie! He loves cars, trucks and Jana! Alayra, that is. He is a boys boy with a soft side. I cannot wait to see what God is going to do with him. I love to imagine all the ways that He will use their very unique personalities. I love you so much, Cruz. And I am so proud to be your mommy!

We went to the lake with Nonnie and Poppy, and of course, Hank, to celebrate. It was such a relaxing and fun way to celebrate!

So we did one of those family pictures with the timer, and it turned out pretty good, right? Both the boys are actually looking at the camera! Well, we found this rock to put the camera on. We piled all of our stuff there, including our video camera. Yep, you guessed it! We picked up the camera and our stuff and left the video camera. The worst part was that we didn't even realize it until we got home! So, some family came home that day with a new video camera, with some funny videos of Aidan sledding. Such a bummer! So we will have to rely on the memories from our still camera and the memories in our minds...my mushy mom brain. Good luck with that.

Aren't my boys cute?

Hawaii, yes, Finally!

I can't believe it's taken me so long to get this on here. But once a certain amount of time went by, I just procrastinated more. Hawaii was so fun. The boys loved going to the beach and exploring and playing with their cousin Sam and great Uncle Pete. It was a very special Christmas with memories we will not soon forget!