Valedictorian 2013

This girl, named Speedy Cheetah, walked across the stage at her 8th grade awards night 7 times! She received an award in Science, English, History, Outstanding Citizenship, Presidential Excellence, Principal's High Honor Roll and Valedictorian! She had a perfect report card for all her 6 semesters at Pacoima Middle School! It was so cute to see her have to walk in her heels across the stage and shake everyone's hand. When they announced the criteria for Valedictorian, she whispered to herself that she thought she had all A's in all her report cards and then they called her name! She has had an awesome year in 8th grade! She was an officer (assistant director) in Musical Production, she had a solo in every show and in the big show she had 5 solos, a monologue and danced in all the other numbers. She also won a poetry contest and numerous prizes from various teachers. (Especially Dr. Nurnan) She is such a great girl and we are so proud of her! Many people came up to congratulate her father and I  which was so sweet! I don't take credit for her except that she came out of my womb. She has been a firecracker since she was born and I hope she keeps the momentum going. She has already decided where she wants to go to college and what she will major in. I will do what it takes to make sure her dreams come true! Love you Speedy Cheetah!

Mother's Day 2013

I love this picture! It was a great Mother's Day and I don't think I would have changed anything! We got up this morning and went to church. My mother and I then went to the Moose Lodge to have Mother's Day brunch! Two old friends from high school catered and it was great! I would have never in a million years expected those two guys to become chefs, open their own restaurant and catering business. Afterwards my mom and I went to the movies to see Big Wedding. I loved it! Then we went to the mall, Target and Starbucks. We came home to a beautiful dinner, and gifts. I got exactly what I asked for and my mom seemed very pleased with her gifts too! It was a nice warm day just like I like them. I love these girls and I am so glad that I am a mom. It is is the best job in the world and they are my most glorious blessings!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl! (Round 2)

 Happy 17th Birthday to our oldest Princess! On Thursday she had her birthday and celebrated at school with a bunch of goodies from her friends! She received cookies, make up, clothes and lots of cards. She asked her daddy to make her chicken parmesan and she went to dance class! (She didn't want to miss her class because her recital is coming up!) On Friday, I picked her and her besties up and dropped them off at the mall. They went to see Gatsby since they had just finished the book and out to dinner. They also went to Starbucks which we also did the day before, but that turned into a fiasco.  My Starbucks totally let me down, but that is another story! It all turned out to be okay because I did end up with a lot of free drinks! They had a great time!

 On Saturday, we went shopping in the morning and she bought a formal dress for a really great price and now has something to wear to her many dances she has next year! She took her lifelong bestie to the game with her and they had a blast! I'm so glad she had a great birthday and she still has more presents coming, just not yet. (Her sister does too) I love you baby girl! You make me a better person and I'm so glad that I'm your mom!

Happy 14th Birthday Baby Girl!

Today is Speedy Cheetah's birthday! She's been so busy that she says she actually forgot her birthday was coming up when I reminded her on Tuesday! She had school, CST testing, practice and then we went out to eat at her favorite place, Soup Plantation.She is getting a new phone for her birthday, but it's not here yet. She is also going to Magic Mountain this Saturday to compete and she just came back from Chicago for four days. I think so far this has been a good birthday for her. She is excited to be starting high school in the fall, but will miss her friends from middle school. (She is the only one from her class going to her new high school) I know this little girl will do great things in her life! She always had a special bond with her paternal grandpa and I have no doubt he is looking over her and guiding her every step! He would be so proud of her and her philosophical ways! Love you Speedy Cheetah!

My Cousin Joe

This picture was taken 10 years ago at my grandmother's funeral. These are my four cousins that are older then me.  (My cousin LaLa is missing.) I love this picture even though it was taken at a sad occasion. The reason I am posting this picture is because my cousin Joe died last night! (He is the one to my right in the picture.) I still can't believe that he is gone. He was young, only 49! He is my first cousin and the first of us to go as adults.He leaves a beautiful wife, 4 daughters, a son and a beautiful granddaughter.  Joe was a great guy with such a soothing voice and giving heart. (He is my first cousin and we haven't lost a cousin in 27 years so this is very hard!)

On my birthday this past year he had emergency surgery on a brain tumor. The doctors said that it was an aggressive tumor and had he not come in because of a headache then they don't know what would have happened.  After the surgery he was talking and walking like as if he just didn't have major surgery.  He lives kind of far away and I was very sick and couldn't go visit him.  My mom saw him two weeks ago and he was doing fine. He had just had a birthday and was going to start treatment for the cancer.

On Monday, the 28th of January he had a stroke and when they did the MRI they found that tumor was back and it was 3x the original size. He did not wake up and he got progressively worse! He died shortly before midnight last night. I wasn't there, but some of my cousins were. I'm sad that I never got to tell him goodbye, but I am so thankful for that month he had to take care of what he needed to. I won't go into detail here, but I think it was a gift from God that he was here on earth for another month.

Joe, I know you are in a much better place and it is us here on Earth that are selfish in wanting you to stay! Say hi to Tata, Grandma, and Your mom for us!You will be missed so much, but know that you live on in the beautiful family you have raised! I love you cousin!

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!