Another first...

First... let me give tribute to our finished Thankful tree.

We spent yesterday just hanging out  - I made French Toast for breakfast, we cleaned up and did some chores, then worked on stuff around the house (nothing crazy - very relaxing). 

For dinner Marcos grilled burgers & dogs... I put the french fries in the oven! ;D After dinner, we migrated to the formal living room and opened THE box.

The box has been sitting there - ready for some attention - for a few weeks now. The time had finally come.
I know I mentioned this before - this is our first Christmas tree ever. The kids and I were super excited!
After bending and twisting each of the branches just so, we started to add the ornaments.  

UMMM. Nic just HAD to get in this picture! ;)

Once the tree was complete and looking mighty fine, I started to work on the wreath I was building from scratch.

Finally, we add a few more festive things to the front porch. We plan to add tinsel strands, Christmas lights, and, of course, snow on the windows.  I will be sure to add a complete "after" picture - hopefully next weekend.

Today, Marcos is at work, I am going to settle down and watch Eat, Pray, Love on DVD and then make Chocolate Chip cookies later this afternoon.

Another LOVE-filled day, with not much to do but enjoy ourselves.

I am thankful for my husband and my three beautiful children. I am thankful for this LOVELY house and what it means to us. I am thankful for this holiday season - and the firsts we get to experience.

Life is really, really good.

Cookies & Christmas - that's what Nic's thankful for

Here it is - Thanksgiving Eve.
I think I am just about ready to host my parents and grandparents tomorrow.
This being our first T-day in our new house - I am feeling anxious & excited.

The kids and I have been preparing all day.

We made a Thankful tree. The older kids wrote on their own leaves things they were thankful for.
I wrote down Nic's thoughts. After cookies and Christmas - it went all downhill from there (e.g. Spongebob).   We cut out extra leaves and set them, along with markers and tape, on the table in the hall so that our family can add to the tree as they see fit throughout the day tomorrow.

We then made some turkeys to hang on the wall.

Finally - I just took my pumpkin pies out of the oven.  I made pies last year (first time ever) but they were with store-bought, ready-to-use pie crust. This year, I wanted to make it from scratch. I found a KitchenAid mixer recipe - and IT WORKED!   Look at these sweethearts.

Impressed much? Yeah, I didn't think so. =)

Well, back to dressing my dining room table; I want it to look fantastic. Just getting started...

I hope you all have a wonderful and loved-filled Thanksgiving tomorrow! You deserve it. =)

P.S. Sorry abt the picture quality - still having issues with my camera's memory card. Had to use my BBerry.

Brrrrr!!

I swear - it has to be 20 degrees outside. It's gray and overcast. And cold!!
Okay, it's probably not 20 degrees out; it sure feels like it, though.
And if it feels like it's that cold outside, you can imagine what it feels like inside la casa. Right, 21 degrees.
Brrrr.

I want me 100's back!! And my Mr. Sunshine.

Speaking of misters...

Have you met my brother? His name is Jesse. Today he reenlisted in the U.S. Army for another two years. He joined in 1993 straight out of high school; this new reenlistment will take him to retirement!

Jess has completed three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan (and has been stationed in Saudi Arabia and has done "day trips" to the likes of Colombia). He is a Medic, and this past year was certified nationally and in the state of North Carolina as a Paramedic.

I'd be proud of him - except for the fact that he still insists that I was found under a rock.
So, for his accomplishments, I am whelmed. Not over nor under. Just whelmed.

Do you think I should put the heat on?! My toesies are cold.

Please hold & things to look forward to

I have a few posts I am just about ready to publish - but my camera is not cooperating. =(  As in, when I put the card into my laptop, it says it needs to reformat the card [and delete all of my pictures!]  I am too skurred to do anything - so these posts will have to wait.

Just to tease you a little - they involve pumpkin, bookcases, chocolate chips, and contact paper.  Not necessarily in that order.

[wow- I just realized that my kids put on Christmas music - LOVE IT!]

I cannot believe the year is coming to a close. There are a few things I have to look forward to.

[umm. Alex just changed the station. Darn him!]

Since I barely started this blog back in June, one thing you may not know about me is the fact that I love budgets. Since we've moved, I've yet to hook up my personal computer; I've been using my work and personal laptops.  On my beloved personal computer I have my budgets, past and future ones.

I am ready to get back to basics ($$$$), get organized, and create some personal and financial goals for 2011.  

Have you started thinking about things you'd like to accomplish next year?!

Free to a good home

Free, you say?
To a good home?

[pauses to ponder for a moment]

Yes, I have a good home. I think.

Office furniture? A whole room full?

Oak? Eh.

Wait. I have paint.  I'll take it!

[no cute baby elephants were harmed in the making of this post]
[pictures to come after i have had a chance to actually sand and paint the free stuff. bookcases -yay!]

El ama bailar

I want to share something with you!

I have here a video - it's about two minutes long - but so totally worth the time.

Nic loves to dance. This has become increasingly evident over the past few months. So much so, we've decided to enroll him in hip-hop classes. Maybe he will become famous and we can retire at the ripe young age of 40 (giving him a few years to learn a few eight counts, of course).

A few nights ago, we decided to go out for dinner at a On the Border; we were hungry for some Mexican food. As we sat out on the front patio, waiting for them to buzz us in, Nic decided to start dancing to the Spanish music that was playing.

For our entire 30 minute wait, Nic danced. He didn't care that people were watching him, that we were video taping him, or that it was chilly outside. He just kept going. Another small boy actually went up to him and said, "nice moves."

Nice moves! I agree.

He truly believes he is the Spanish Buzz in Toy Story 3. Watch for yourself.

What do you think?

My Golden Ticket?

The Making of Bungalow Sixteen

I know it now. I probably knew it back then. You know, before we bought the house. I just wanted to pretend a little. Even though I wish we could, we are not going to get everything done to the house that we want -- today.  That's what waiting 15 years will do to you. You want everything NOW.

It's not going to happen. It hasn't happened.

There are some things I don't even want to start; I'd hate to go all half-hazard. I need a plan. And money. And a plan. =)

One of those things is our master bedroom.  I wish I could explain, in words, what I am looking for in our sweet retreat. It's in my head. The picture is there every time I close my eyes and think of what our room could be.

I envision dark wood floors.
Sheer drapes - moving with the breeze.
Warmth.
Sturdy furniture.
Mostly white bedding.
Not sure about the walls... White?

I want the room to feel like we could step outside of our door and be on the beach in Tahiti? Costa Rica? Mexico? Hawaii? 

Let me Google for a bit.

Okay - I am back.

This is the closest I could get to what I envision... I think it's pretty darn perfect. And it's a villa located in Antigua. Wow. Book my flight, baby!

If you haven't learned by now, I am a theme person. I need themes in my life.

That is why our master bedroom will be called Bungalow Sixteen.

I have a thing for numbers, and I considered using our normal - use for everything - number 76, but decided that I like the sound of 16 better. We were married on the 16th -so it's still special. Probably our second favorite number. =)

I have some ideas for a sign or vinyl lettering that will be placed in the nook above our doorway - you know, to make it all official [and theme-y] like.

This is one of the rooms we are going to take our time doing. In the end, I want it to be perfect.

P.S. Contrary to my mom's belief, no palm trees will be harmed [er, used?] in the making of Bungalow Sixteen.

Bouncy Bouncy

We have so much going on in the next few weeks; my head is feeling bouncy, bouncy.

First - Thanksgiving - at yours truly's house. My parents and grandparents will be joining us.
Second - I have Bunco in December - so looking forward to it. We've got a great group of gals!
Third - Nic's BIRTHDAY!!!! 
Fourth - My birthday.
Fifth - Marcos' birthday.
Sixth - Our 16 year anniversary!!
Seventh - Christmas
Eight - New Years
Ninth - well, I will stop there for now.

I am having trouble believing that I am the proud owner of an almost four year old. It seems like he was born just yesterday.

We have a big bash planned for Nic... and his cousin Ben.  My "nephew" is turning 6 this year. His mom is my cousin. But I call him my nephew. It's easier that way. 

So Nic and Ben are having a Lego Pirate themed birthday here at the house. This year - being our first in the new house - we decided to go all out.... and rent one of these bad boys:

I can't wait to try it out!

Not my usual...

You could pretty much ask anyone who’s ever known me – one of my favorite pastimes is reading. While I have read a lot of books in my lifetime, I mostly stay within the same genres. I love romance, chick lit, and mystery novels.

Last night, after dinner, the family and I went to Border’s. It’s not something we usually do, but the weather was cool, the Christmas decorations were out – it sounded like fun.

I spent most of the time with Nic in the children’s section as he tore apart the area, playing with anything he could get his hands on looked for a book for me to read to him.

After about 30 minutes, I was finally rescued; Alex and Isabel decided to keep an eye on the kid so I could walk around and see if there were any books out I had yet to read.

Not sure how it happened, but I ended up in the Parenting section; it was right next to the Baby section (which I generally avoid like the plague nowadays). I started to browse through the titles. There weren’t a ton of books that were age appropriate. Meaning, most of the books I saw were about parenting younger kids. I figured while I was there, I would check to see if they had anything related to teen-age boys. You know, books that deal with more than just raising boys – because, for sure, we already messed up on that part. He’s almost, pretty-much raised; we just need to get through the next, very important, few years. Strike that. I don’t want to get just through it. I want my son to be engaged, try new things, work hard at school, and head off to college.

Among the disheveled piles of books, I found a book that called to me. It was on the plain side; smaller than the rest. But it caught my attention. It was the only one there of its kind.

boys adrift

by Leonard Sax, M.D., Ph.D.

The cover of the beak reads “The five factors driving the growing epidemic of unmotivated boys and underachieving young men.”

An epidemic.
That. Sounds. Scary.
I picked it up, intriqued.

Dr. Oz states that [this book is] “a must read for any parent of boys.” A must read? Then why wasn’t it given to me by the hospital staff 15 years ago? Besides the fact, it wasn’t yet published, of course.

I love my son – more than anything in this world. And I willing to do whatever it takes to guide him in the right most appropriate direction. That’s why I bought this book. I figured that if it could give me any insight or ideas on how to help him gain self-pride and motivation, then that would be a win for us.

The only other 'self-help' kind of books I've read dealt with personal finance. This one would be very new to me. But I will try anything once! ;D

Alex, for as long as I can remember, has been addicted to video games and computers. He has lacked pride in his school work, and the motivation to try new things. Him actually wanting to try out for football this past year surprised the Bee-Hey-Sus out of us. But we ran with it and we supported him, and then he lost interest in it, and we were sad. For the last few years, I’ve tried everything to get him to realize that high school is BIG STUFF. And that he WAS going to college – no doubt. Him entering high school happened faster than I could have imagined. Academically, I don’t know if he was ready. And that’s just one part of the problem.

There’s been threatening. Screaming. Crying.

And that was all from me.

He shrugs and says “I am doing my work now.” But he’s not.

He’s a funny, fun, and sweet kid. But how far will that get him in life?
The sands of time [relating to education, of course] are running out. How do I get him to make significant changes in such a short amount of time?
Currently, there’s no cell phone. No television. No going out.  And he doesn’t care.

I’ve had just a small chance to skim through the first chapter of boys adrift. I am hoping, as I sit down to really read through each passage, that something will jump out at me. To help or even to just give me hope.

I love that kid and I just want him to realize that the world is out there for him. That he can do anything or be anyone that he wants to be. That he’s not tied to this town or even this state. Marcos and I will support him in whatever he chooses. We just want him to be educated, and motivated, and excited.

That’s not too much to ask… Is it?

Do you SEE what I have to put up with?!

/sigh. i found this hanging on the side of the fridge last night.
oh my swooning heart.
love that husband of mine.

btw. did you know that magnets do NOT stick to stainless steel?! weird.

happy hump day!

I promised you a Pirate

And I never seldom break my promises.

Thanks, Mom, for sending the pictures over so I didn't have to confiscate Marcos' phone.

Meet Pirate Nic Joaquin

and his pegged leg.

He is my crazy kid.

and I love every ounce of his crazy.

P.S. They came off of a cell-phone camera...with not-so-good lighting. Sorry for the quality, but you get the idea, matey.

A weekend without plans

This past weekend was probably the first since we've been in the new house that we didn't have any plans, weren't committed to a get-together, and didn't have any real errands to run.

It was bliss. But, alas, it ended too soon.
In fact, the next several weekends will be jam packed with birthday and holiday stuff. Knowing that, we decided to enjoy a few days of just the kids and us.

Friday went something like this:

You know... Nic showing the entire neighborhood our TRUE COLORS.

I swear, he did it himself.

Ever since Lego Land, where the husband bought him a pirate hat, eye patch and sword, this kid has been obsessed.

I have a cute picture of him in this getup, complete with a mustache and pegged leg (again, his doing) that I will have to share. It's on the husband's phone - so it might be a day or two. But, it will be worth it.

Saturday, the husband and I did a quick Home Depot run. I wanted to purchase some paint for Nic's dresser that I am working on refinishing. It will hopefully look like a pirate's treasure chest when I am done with it. Hopefully.

While at the HD (yeah, we're close like that)... the husband and I browsed through the Christmas trees. I have celebrated Christmas my entire life (him, not so much)... but I have yet to have a Christmas tree in my OWN home. Since getting married, the husband, kids and I have always spent Christmas at my parent's house. The plan for this year to was to have Christmas here, at our new house. However, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to talk my better half into it. I guess, when you don't really celebrate holidays, it's one thing to go somewhere and celebrate it and another to do it in your own home.

We finally came to an agreement.

She's a 7.6 foot Wesley Pine.

Fake as all get out. But pre-lit and beautiful.

I am so freakin' excited. But, I have to tell you... I have not ONE single ornament to put on this sucker.

So, Nic and I will be taking my lunch break today and visiting the ever-so-wonderful Hobby Lobby.

I am sure there are a few [million] things we can use there.

The husband had to go back to work on Sunday, so the kids and I did stuff around the house. Things I have been trying to get done for a while. You know, things that involve a HAMMER and NAILS?!

In Isabel's room - after hanging some makeshift blinds, we realized the light purple actually is a little darker than we originally thought. It's staying - for now. I have no energy to paint and she likes it.

But, since I did by a quart of this really cool purple color [Purple Statice], I decided to dress up one of her walls.

Above her desk, we measured out a large square. We will add wood trim next weekend... And it's to be used for important things (awards, report cards, snapshots) that Isabel would like to have above her work area.

On one of the other walls, I've added a few Goodwill finds.

These hot air balloons were cream and black and had the words Paris, Milan, and London scripted on them. After some white spray paint, they add a pop. I am working Isabel to find the perfect saying or quote that we can add to that wall - floating between the balloons.  If you have any ideas - please feel free to share.

The vinyl lettering will be in black - to add some additional "color."  Beneath the balloons, will sit Isabel's dresser. I am still in the process of sanding it down and painting it white.

On the third wall, we've started Isabel's photo collection.

The shelf was another Goodwill find - and does a great job copying the lines/curves of the balloons.

I've added some really cute pictures of Isabel...

And empty frame (or two)...

and then there is the clock tower building thing. Another Goodwill find that Isabel wanted.

I don't know how it fits in, but she likes it. =)

There are a few more things we need to do for Isa - like bedding and pillows, but we've are off to a good start.

We also worked on Nic's room a bit.

I hung up the curtains (and curtain rod), some pictures, and the anchor (Hobby Lobby, 50% off!!).

The colors of the room were really decided on because of the curtains I've had for quite a while.

Here's the anchor up close. Love it.

I found this frame at Ross - took out the art work and added an old-world map that I mod-podged. I think it makes a great pirate map.

Again, a good start - but so much more to do.

We didn't get anything done in Alex's room this weekend - but we do have some plans.

He wants to create his own artwork using plywood and spray paint... so that will be an
 EVENT we have to plan for. Meaning, we will have to have a clean-up crew standing by!