Love! Love! Love!

I am so loving our custom illustrated picture done by Katie Moon! She is so talented and made my family even more beautiful then I could have possibly imagined! I had heard about Katie and oohmoon through Lindsay Teague Moreno and when I saw hers, I knew I had to have one too! I really wanted to just capture time right now and freeze it! My girls are at the perfect ages right now and I know it a couple of years our family will be changing! Weegie is a junior, Speedy is almost in high school and Squiggler will be in Kindergarten!

Katie did a fantastic job capturing our family and our love for each other! The girls love it and so does my honey! I have big plans for this picture in our house! Thanks Katie and to my mom for helping me get this! It's my birthday/Christmas/lots of presents for the next year gift! LOL! I also feel so Blessed and fortunate because Katie will no longer be doing these types of illustrations. So glad I met her before she stopped! God is good all the time!

Family Field Trip!

 Today we decided to go on a Family Field trip before we all have to go back to school next week. My honey decided we should go see the USS IOWA. We got a great deal on a family pass and decided to go today! It was an absolutely gorgeous day here in Southern California! We headed out early this morning and made it to Long Beach in record time!

We were able to tour the entire boat and learn a lot about Navy ships and they way the Sailors live.  Weegie and Speedy really enjoyed it and took a lot of pictures. Squiggler didn't enjoy it as much, so I didn't get as many pictures since I was watching her so much.  It was a great way to spend the day as a family. There were quiet a few people there and the boat has only been there for a few months. They are hoping to pick up on attendance. Afterwards we went to eat lunch at Ports O Call at a restraunt that one of my honey's friends recommended.  We were very hungry at this time and the food was absolutely scrumptious and they gave big portions.  We all shared everyone's meal.  This may sound crazy, but that is one thing I love about my little family, we always share our food and taste everyone's meal. It's a great way to taste a lot of different food.  (I have cousins that do not share food and so I'm glad we do.)

We walked around a bit and Squiggler wanted to ride on the little rides they had.  I love the outfit she is wearing! She is such a fashionista! Hello Kitty, Leopard, boots and shades! What more could a girl ask for?

 I love my life!

Happy New Year!

Well 2013 is here and we had a nice New Year Eve where my honey cooked dinner, we stayed up watching movies and the ball drop! Squiggler fell asleep at 11:40 so she didn't make it to see the New Year! Today we had a nice day at home watching movies again, eating menudo for breakfast and a great ham dinner. It was a great ending, great beginning to 2013! Loved it! This is a little questionnaire I borrowed from Sophia Corbridge that she does every year. I did it 3 years ago, but hadn't done it since then. It was interesting to see what had stayed the same and what had changed!

1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before? Took my daughter to see 4 musicals in downtown Los Angeles and took my other daughter to two concerts by myself! I'm kind of a scaredy cat and don't like to go places by myself  (especially in the dark) but I did it and had a lot of fun too!
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I actually don't make resolutions, but I do try to have a good life and be a good person, but that is a given not a resolution.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No one in my family, but my hairdresser had a baby boy in October and she named him Lennon.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No one close to me, but family of some of my friends.
5. What countries did you visit? Canada! First time I have ever been out of the country! In May my daughter, Speedy and I went to Canada with her singing group. It was a great trip!
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012? Spend time with my best friend or at least plan to spend time with each other.  I feel bad that we live so close to each other and rarely spend time together. I know she is really busy, but I want to make it a point to try to get together monthly. We have been BFF's since we were 8!
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Two dates come to mind. The first is November 6th, Election night! I my goodness! Never has an election had such a big impact on me! The second is December 14, 2012. The day of the Sandy Hook School shootings. It was a sad day in America and as a teacher it will forever be etched in my brain.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Being a mom to 3 beautiful girls that are completely different. I love my girls so much and I am so happy of the relationships we have developed! I hope we are always close and they can always feel that they can come to me. My second was the letter I received from Mrs. Drew at the end of the school year! I will cherish that letter forever and always strive to be that teacher for my students,
9. What was your biggest failure? Not being organized! I have always have had problems with this, but I need to just get it together already! 
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No! Thank you God!
11. What was the best thing you bought? I bought a purple coat last January and I love it! Best purchase I have made in a long time and great price!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My girls earn this honor again! Weegie is just such a great girl and I am so proud of her work  in our church, the great friend she is to her friends and that she would protect her little sisters from anything.  Speedy for her hard work and dedication in school, in her singing and the great big sister she is to Squiggler and the relationship she has with Weegie. Squiggler is doing so well and is such a great listener at pre-school and in dance class! She loves her little sisters and is so friendly to everyone!
13. Where did most of your money go? To my girls! Between school and lessons they require a good amount of money, but I know it is all worth it!
14. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Getting my donorschoose projects funded and being able to give my students access to technology!
15. What song will always remind you of 2012? Gangham Style! That guy is all over the place and it is a crack up to see my student's dancing to that song.
16. What do you wish you'd done more of? Remembering to keep God first and to say my daily rosary completely.
17. What do you wish you'd done less of? Spending time on the computer. LOL! I get so many great ideas from Pinterest that I don't even have time to use them all!
18. How did you spend Christmas? With my beautiful family! We had a wonderful morning and then went to my brother in laws and had a wonderful rest of the day there.  Christmas this year was just wonderful and no drama! Loved it!
19. Did you fall in love in 2012? Yes with my wonderful hubby, my beautiful daughters and my awesome class of Kindergarteners.
20. What was your favorite TV program? Say Yes to the Dress and Gray’s Anantomy. (This has not changed in 3 years!) I also like Once Upon A Time and Private Practice. (Benjamin Bratt is my eye candy!)
21. What was the best book you read this year? I really like The Next Best Thing. I'm not sure why, but I wanted it to go on and not end.
22. What was your greatest musical discovery? I learned to really love Pitbull.
23. What did you want and get for Christmas? I got the prettiest necklace from my girls! I love it!
24. What was your favorite film of this year? Argo. I loved it and thought Ben Affleck was very good in it. (I don't see many movies actually.)
25. What did you do on your birthday? I was sick with a terrible cold, my cousin Joe was in the hospital having emergency surgery for a brain tumor and so it wasn't quiet what I had hoped for. My wish came true and my cousin came through the surgery and is doing well. His tumor is cancerous and he will have to go through chemo, but he is doing very well! Praise God!
26. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Nothing really! I have a great life and it is so full of Blessings! My honey would like it if we won the lotto, but I remind him we are so very rich already!
27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012? I have no fashion concepts! I wear what it easy and comfortable because I teach Kindergarten. I like to dress up 3 times a week and always wear jeans on Friday with my Kindergarten shirt!
28. What kept you sane? My Faith!
29. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Ellen De Generes. She is still my favorite celebrity and I wish I had time to watch her show. I fancy Benjamin Bratt! (Swoon!)
30. What political issue stirred you the most? Proposition 30 and 32! We won, we won! My honey and I went to sleep not knowing the outcome and when we woke up we were worried to check. I saw the results and wanted to cry! I think I did!
31. Who did you miss? My cousin Chris.  I saw him once in July, but I haven't seen or heard from him since then even though other family members have. 
32. Who was the best new person (people) you met? I love having lunch daily with my friends Jen and Martha. This is the first year we have had lunch together and so we are really getting to know one another. They are awesome ladies!
33. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012: Count your Blessings daily! Always try to see the bright side of things and remember there is nothing that you and God can't handle together!
34. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: Shine bright, tonight, you and I, we're beautiful like diamond in the sky! (That's Squiggler's song!) My personal pick is Oh How He Loves Us. (Weegie sings this everynight during her prayers.)

Top 10 of 2012!

These are in no particular order, but last night the family and I got together and picked our 10 most memorable moments of 2012! We even had a couple of honorable mentions and for the most part we agreed on these 10! I love that we get along so well and hope this continues for always!

 1. Weegie making her Confirmation in May! This was a glorious day for her and really the whole program was a life changing experience for her!

 2. This is a two parter because both girls wanted to be included.  Weegie said seeing two concerts (LMFAO and Pitbull) were in her top 10 and Vanessa said so where seeing 5 musicals this year. This picture was taken at the LMFAO concert in June! It was a great concert and so glad we saw them before they broke up!

 3. Squiggler's first dance recital and dancing her own dance, even though she did not have a solo! Weegie performing too and deciding she loves dance and is taking 2 classes this year! Thank you Royalty Dance Academy for a great year!

 4. Canada! Speedy and I going to Canada so she could compete with the Pacoima Singers and win Gold! It was a great experience for her and I!

5. Speedy becoming an Officer for the Pacoima Singers! This is a great honor and she really deserves it! Not only is she a fabulous singer, but she is a straight A student and works really hard!

 6. Going to Mickey's Halloween Party on Opening Night! We got great tickets for a great price! We had so much fun and it was such a great experience! I would definitely go again!

 2. This is part of number 2 and Speedy seeing 5 Musicals this year. She saw Wicked, Mama Mia, Billy Elliot, Memphis and The Book of Mormon. My favorite was Billy Elliot and her favorite was Memphis.

 7. Squiggler becoming the best in her class and winning a trophy for completing her first full year of dance!

 8. Squiggler going to school! She loves it and has the best teacher and is learning so much! She is such a smart little girl!

 9. Squiggler learned to swim! Our little mermaid loves the water, but hates to take a bath!

10. Being together 18 years and still we like each other! :) He is so cute and we are so opposite, but it works! I always tell him that some day he is going to wake up and say, "What the hell did I do?" I hope not! LOL! I love him so much and I am so Blessed for the life that we have been given by our Lord! Happy 2013  to everyone! May the year be everything you want and more then you hope for!

Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours!

 May the True Meaning of Christmas follow your heart now and always! God Bless!

My Heart is Hurting!

My heart was broken on Friday, December 14, 2012! I couldn't even imagine! These are my kids and I would do anything for them! I can't imagine anyone wanting to hurt them. They are the sweetest, most loving, brightest, energetic class! On Friday, I heard the news at lunchtime. I didn't dare let them know, but it was hard to keep my composure as I looked into their beautiful faces. It was the last day before we were off for 3 weeks, and we had a lot to do! I gave them their presents and they were so sweet and appreciative. One little boy came up and hugged me and said, "Thank you teacher for the presents." and then the rest of the class came up and we had a big group hug! I told them to be safe and to listen to their moms and dads during vacation. I'm kind of glad we don't have school tomorrow because it would be hard to answer their questions. I once had something terrible happen to my class, but nothing like this! I really just can't imagine and my thoughts and prayers go to Sandy Hook! The teachers, the students, the victims, the families, the community, the town, and to anybody that is hurting!

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38,

When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"This is heaven." declared a small boy. "We're spending Christmas at God's house."

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

Then He opened His arms and He called them by name,

And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring.

Those children all flew into the arms of their King,

And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had,

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of Mom and Dad."

Then He looked down on earth, the world far below,

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.

Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools."

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"Come now my children, let me show you around."

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Happy Birthday Squiggler!

 Today the Squiggler turned 4! I can't believe that my baby is 4 already! She is such a little girl and so sassy! She makes us laugh everyday and we can't believe how much energy she has! She is so smart and we love her so much! My husband and I both took the day off from school today so we could spend it with her.  She got to sleep in until 8:30 and when she woke up we were both there! She was so happy! We made breakfast and then got her ready for school!

 She had a very special dress for today, it was pink and frilly, just like she likes them!  We took her to school and it was her teacher's birthday too! How special! We ran around and got things for her party then we picked up her special pink cupcakes!  Her teacher loves celebrations and so we took lunch for the entire class! She wanted pizza, carrots, ranch dressing, juice and pink cupcakes. The kids loved it and they are so small that they only eat one slice of pizza.  Most kids don't like cupcakes and only eat the frosting.  Some kids in her class also brought her presents.  She got a Mr. Potato head, princess cups, markers and paper, a drawing set, barrettes, and a stuffed parrot with a pink blanket.  She was so happy!

After school we came home and got ready to go have her picture taken.  We got there early so we got to see Santa Claus! It has been the same Santa for the past 5 years of her life and I shared with him her first picture.  He gave her a coloring book and a stuffed reindeer.  He was really good to her and we were the only ones there.  We get to have breakfast with him in a couple of weeks too! This picture was taken 2 weeks ago,but I love it!!! It captures her perfectly.  We got some great shots of her today too, but not a lot because there were two little girls distracting her during her shoot.  The mother wasn't even watching her kids and they came in to see Squiggler so of course she wanted to talk to them.  We then went to Target so she could pick a toy and I was able to get my Kinder students a nice present too! I was so happy! She picked a Barbie and the Popstar Play thing.  It came with two little dolls and she really likes it. (She asked Santa for the DVD for Christmas.)  Afterwards we came home and I ran to Speedy Cheetahs concert to hear her sing.  She was great! When I came home I expected her to be asleep.  She wasn't, but her daddy was! LOL! We will have cake and ice cream tomorrow because it was just too late. I just wanted to blog today and capture what we did! We love you so much Squiggler! You have blessed our lives in ways we never knew possible! You bring so much happiness to us and we can't believe how fast you are growing! You are so sweet, polite and loving! You have a mischievous side too! You like school and love all your teachers! I will blog more about you tomorrow and hopefully share your Santa picture!