Thanksgivng, A Gash, & A Whole Lot Of Fun

Well Thanksgiving has come & gone & I have to say it was bitter sweet. Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday but not being with my family really didn't put me in the Thanksgiving mood. Of course I was thankful to have Ruben & Jacob but I really missed my parents and have never not spent a Thanksgiving with them. We had Thanksgiving at Ruben's parents house. We stuffed our faces and then Ruben, Jacob & I went outside and played a little football and rode Jacob's bike. He is doing really well! Shouldn't be long until we take off his training wheels...scary thought! We spent the rest of the night watching movies. Friday we hung around the house all day and I did some major cleaning. My mom & I are having a garage sale this weekend & I went through Jacob's room taking toys and clothes out. He was a good sport about it (thank you God) and helped me by telling me what toys he didn't play with anymore and which toys he wanted to keep. I still have to finish Ruben & mine room but I was happy to at least get Jacob's room done. That night when I was taking a shower I needed to shave because I was going to go get a pedi the next afternoon with Ruben's mom & sister. So I am shaving and I nick my knee on my right leg...boy did it sting!! Blood was gushing out of it and I put pressure on it and it finally stopped. On to my left leg. I get to the back of my leg and I don't know what happened...but I just feel a terrible sting. I look at my razor and see my skin just dangling from it. I look down at my leg and it is just bleeding. I almost passed out. I screamed for Ruben to bring me another towel and some gauze. He freaks out and hates what has just happened as he sees the blood going through the towel I wrapped around my leg. The gash is about 5 inches long...it was horrible. We get it all cleaned up and wrapped up. Man did that suck!! So I tell his mom I and going to need to cancel my pedi cause I was scared it would get infected with some of the stuff they use when giving pedi's...bummer! I decide my leg is ok and has stopped bleeding by the morning to go to my weight and ab class with Glor. What a work out...I love that class! I kept checking my leg making sure I wasn't bleeding and thankfully it didn't bleed during the class. After the gym I went to my mom's and cleaned out my old room & Jacob's room to throw stuff away or put it for the garage sale. Glor came over and so did my sister...thankgoodness...I needed company or else I never would have finished. That night I helped my mom get their Christmas tree and some other decorations out from the attic. We put up and decorated her tree...it looks beautiful! We had a lot of fun putting it up. It's our tradition...my mom & I always put up her Christmas tree. I love it! So image taking an hour weight and ab class starting at 8:30 a.m. and then cleaning pretty much non stop from 10:00 a.m. till about 5:00 p.m. and then climbing up and down an attic ladder carrying things until about 9:00 p.m. I was exhausted! About 12 hours non stop! Lets just say I was pretty sore when I woke up on Sunday! On Sunday Jacob & I, my mom, sister, brother in law & Madelyn all went to Incredible Pizza. We had a blast! Jacob & I rode the go karts and raced my sister & brother in law...we won! You should have heard Jacob laughing...he loved it! We played games and had lots of pizza. We headed home and hung out the rest of the night. I sure was tired! Poor Ruben had to spend the whole weekend studying for his Calculus test he has tonight...pray he does well! I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving surrounded by their loved ones!

Early

Great news! My Dad was able to go home from the hospital last night! Early! We thought he was going to have to wait until Wednesday but his Dr. gave him the all clear to resume normal activity. He will have to be on medicine but his stress test came back good and his heart has been beating regularly. THANK YOU GOD!

Last night there was a package with Ruben's name on it at the front door. We opened it & what was it? MY CAMERA!!!! A WEEK EARLY! I was so happy! I was a little bummed that I thought I wasn't going to have it back in time for Thanksgiving but now I will! Yippie!

I was a little bored at work yesterday afternoon & decided to put up my Christmas tree in the lobby. I figured since Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent the church members would like to see Christmas decor...not my Thanksgiving decor. I bought new ornaments for my tree and it looks beautiful!

2 more days until Thanksgiving!

I pray everyone has a safe and blessed Thanksgiving

surrounded by their family and friends!

Strong As An Ox, Stubborn As A Mule

On Wednesday night we all went to Jacob & Madelyn's Thanksgiving dinner at school. It was a blast & of course I was super excited to be having turkey. We ate & visited with their teachers and then headed home.

Thursday at MDO we had a Thanksgiving feast and each teacher brought a side & one of our Pre-K teachers brought a turkey...are you kidding me...you know I was in heaven. It was delicious! Glor & I headed to they gym after work...we needed it after the big lunch we just had. It was worth it! On Friday morning I dropped Jacob off at school and met up with Glor again at the gym. (We are feeling pretty good that we have been motivated) We had a great workout and then I headed home to do some cleaning & laundry. I then went and ran some errands and picked up Jacob from school. We meet Ruben at home and he got ready and we were off to the movies to see Planet 51. We met my sister, brother in law & Madelyn there. It was really cute movie & Jacob loved it. We picked up Pei Wei on the way home and had a relaxing night. On Saturday morning I got up early & got Jacob & I ready....we were heading to they gym...my sister, Glor & I decided to be brave and take a weight & cardio class. We dropped the kids off at the Kids Klub and did a short warm up. The class started at 8:30 a.m. and we were ready to go. 1 hour full of weight training and lots of cardio! Ahh! Boy did she work us! I really liked the class! We were dripping sweat by the class end. I knew we were going to be sore the next day...for sure! We headed home and I started to get ready...we had a birthday party to go to.

This is how my weekend was supposed to go:

Saturday: gym then birthday party

Sunday: my mom was making me an early Thanksgiving dinner

Here is how my weekend went:

Saturday: gym then got a call from my sister after we got home from the gym that she wasn't going to go to the birthday party. I ask why and she starts crying. She said that my mom had taken my dad to the emergency room and that something was wrong with his heart. My heart fell. That is my dad! He is the strongest man I know. Nothing is every wrong with him. This must be serious for him to want to go to the er. I start crying and Ruben runs to me to see what is wrong. He tells me to hurry up and get ready and we would go pick up my sister and head to the er. Ruben's dad comes to stay with Jacob and we are off to my sisters. We get there & I walk in first. I start crying because I cant bear to see my dad hooked up to all these machines. He starts crying and all I could do was hug him. It broke my heart...what I would have done to trade places with him. The Dr.'s said he had an irregular heart beat and they would need to transfer him to St. Luke's Hospital so they could give him meds that would thin his blood (so he wouldn't get blood clots) and to help make his heart pump regular. They said they would need to take him by ambulance but my dad had other plans. He said he was going to go eat at Cracker Barrel and then head to the hospital...the EMS just kinds laughed at him and said, "Sorry Sir, you need to ride in the ambulance." My dad is stubborn as a mule!! We follow the ambulance to the hospital where they put my dad in a private room (thank goodness...he would have drove the other patient crazy). Ruben went home and my sister and I stayed with my parents. I just kept praying to God how thankful I was he didn't take my dad. I couldn't go on living without my dad. He is my hero, my family, the person I look up to most in this whole world. My dad made so many sacrifices so my mom, sister & I could have everything & anything we wanted. He would miss my dance recitals cause he was working so he could build us a brand new house. He loves to build houses...he is about to start on my parents 3rd house...for what...they have a beautiful house...he just has to always be doing something...he never slows down. They told him he would have to stay in the hospital until Wednesday to make sure the meds were working right and that his heart was beating regular and just kept thinking he was going to leave early...sorry Dad...that's not how it works. On Sunday I took Jacob to the park for a bit and then we headed home for a nap. I watched Madelyn so my sister & brother in law could see my dad. I am hoping I will go today. This was not how my weekend was planned but I am just so thankful that my Dad is going to be ok. That is what I am most thankful for this Thanksgiving!

It's Like His 6th Sense...

Jacob, Jacob, Jacob! Apparently I have a snoop for a son. On Monday I went to Target during my lunch to find a birthday present that I needed for this weekend. I was in the toy section looking for the gift and noticed that they had some of the Toy Story toys that Jacob has been asking for Christmas. He loves Toy Story! So far we have gotten him the talking Buzz and talking pull string Woody. I found the remote control RC, aliens, the bank pig, and Mr. Potato Head so I decided to buy them. (All we need is Rex but I need to head to Toys R Us for that) So I check out and the lady puts all of his toys into a bag and the birthday gift was too big for a bag so I just carried it out. I got into the car and just put everything in the backseat. I pick up Jacob from school and he sees the birthday gift...it's for a girl...so he just asks if it's for Madelyn. I say no its for the birthday party and then he drops it. Whew...he didn't notice the bag with his toys in it. We are almost home when I hear him say, "Mommy, what's in the other bag...is it for me?" "No Jacob, it's things for just Mommy!" He drops it and whew again! We get into the house and he asks for a snack. Sure. I put the bag and my purse down and get him a snack. What do I hear? Jacob going through the bag! He tricked me!!!! He pulls out the RC and yells that race cars are only for boys...not MOMMIES! Just then Ruben walks in and wants to start playing with the toys too...2 kids here! I tell them no, it's for Christmas...that didn't go over so well! I finally won the battle by asking Jacob to help me wrap the presents so he could open them on Christmas. So as of right now he has 4 presents already wrapped and he tells everyone about them..."Guess what my mommy bought me!" We already are counting down till Christmas cause he just can't wait! He has no concept of time right now so here is how the conversations go:

Jacob: "Mommy, how many more days until Christmas?"

Me: "About 38 more days"

Jacob: "No, I think it's like in 20 minutes"

If only that were true. He is funny to watch when he watches t.v. He will be sitting down and as soon as the toy commercials come on he jumps up and puts his hands together and says:

"Dear Santa, I really really want that toy. Amen."

Haha! It is hilarious to hear! Bless him...at least he says Amen at the end. If the toys is for girls he then says:

"Dear Santa, that is a girl toy, please give that to Madelyn, Amen."

He is very thoughtful when it comes to his cousin, Madelyn. I hope she appreciates it when she is older. So from now on I will have to do better at hiding the rest presents so he doesn't find them.

Today we are going to Jacob's school Thanksgiving dinner. I am so excited. My parents are coming with me since Ruben can't miss school tonight...he is pretty bummed about it. My sister and brother in law will be eating with Madelyn...her first thanksgiving at school! Should be a fun night! Bring on the turkey! On Sunday my mom is making me an "early Thanksgiving dinner" because her and my dad are going out of town and we aren't going with them so I was a little upset we wouldn't be together on my FAVORITE holiday so she is making it up to me...I LOVE MY MOM!!

Cough, Confrence & Camera

This past week sure has been a crazy one. On Tuesday Jacob started with a fever coming and going and a very yucky cough. The fever went away on Wednesday but the cough just wouldn't go away. On Wednesday our Internet & phones at work went out and our "computer guy" wouldn't be able to come look at it until Saturday....what!? He has a job and a life so I understand he was busy. No biggie...just bored at work. Thursday Ruben took off because we had a parent/teacher conference at Jacob's school. No, he wasn't in trouble! In September they took a test called Braken and they finally got the results and wanted to go over everything with the parents. So Thursday we wake up and Jacob still isn't doing any better so I made a Dr. appointment for him that morning and Ruben took him while I went to work. It was fire truck day at MDO so it was fun to get to play on the fire truck. Ruben called that the Dr. said it was just congestion and would prescribe some medicine to help brake it up. Thank goodness it wasn't anything else. So they came and picked me up from work and we headed to Jacob's school for our conference. Jacob played in his class while Ruben & I had a nice talk with his teacher. We got very good reports! We left and picked up Jacob some lunch and they dropped me off back at work. Ruben and Jacob hung out at home until I got home and we all just relaxed...it was nice. Friday Jacob still had the cough so he & I stayed home. I got all my laundry done and in the afternoon we headed to the mall. Jacob was excited Santa was there. He was wearing an Astros t-shirt and hat so not exactly dressed up for Santa so we didn't take pictures with him but we did get to wave hello. We will go back when he is dressed nicer. That night I went to the movies with my sister & mom and saw a movie called "Precious". Not a movie you would watch over and over again but definitely a powerful movie...it's sad to think that really happens to people...makes you thankful for what you have. On Saturday Jacob didn't feel like going to bowling so we lounged around until it was time to go to my sister's. They were going to a birthday party and were taking Jacob with them. My mom and I went to lunch and went to Macy's...I needed new Mac and then to Hobby Lobby. My mom is making Madelyn pillow case dresses so we needed some new material. We found some of the cutest Christmas print ones. I found one that had Santa's all over it but instead of the white fur trim on his hat it had cheetah print so we found cheetah print ribbon to match...I can't wait until she makes it...it's going to look awesome! The rest of the day was a lazy day at home. On Sunday we went to Best Buy to have them look at my camera. It has been acting up lately and I wanted to take it in in case they needed to send it off I would at least have it back before Christmas. They said it was a software problem and they would need to send it in and it would take 2 weeks. My heart sank...2 weeks without my camera...what am I going to do? Ruben said it would be a nice vacation for him...how rude! We went to my parents for dinner and went home and Jacob played his Cars game on the Wii for a little bit before we headed to bed. Thank goodness his cough it better now.

I am so excited for Wednesday! At Jacob's school they will be having a Thanksgiving dinner for all the families. Last year it was a lot of fun so I can't wait for this years. I LOVE TURKEY & I LOVE THANKSGIVING!

"What Did He Say?"

Like I have said before...there is never a dull moment with Jacob. He cracks me up...I don't know where he gets some of the things he says...he is wise beyond his years. On Thursday we were practicing his bike and he got very brave and wanted to ride on the street since it was smoother than the sidewalk so I am literally jogging to keep up with him because he is flying on his bike. He sort of lost his balance and totally wiped out in front of 2 girls outside playing across the street. He got up and said, "O M G, why did I do that in front of the girls...I can't believe it. Mommy I want to go in, I don't want to look at them, I just want to go inside." Poor baby...his ego was bruised more than his arm or leg.

On Friday night Jacob spent the night at my parents and before we left we had dinner. He was looking down at his food and I just love when he looks down. I love looking at his long, dark eye lashes. They are beautiful! So I was starring at his eye lashes when he caught me looking at him and the conversation went like this:

Jacob: "Why are you starring at me?"

Me: "Because I made you & I can look at you any time I want."

Jacob: "No you didn't make me...I am not building blocks...I am a boy."

Ruben starts laughing and I am not understanding. Ruben explains...you didn't make him as in build him like you build with blocks. What!! I was amazed by his answer. He then came & hugged me and asked the sweetest question.

"Mommy, what's the story of me?"

Ah my eyes filled with tears...I thought it was so sweet. I then told him that God thought Daddy & I needed an angel so he brought him to us...he was content with that answer. I know that candy coated answer won't work for ever but at least it bought me some time.

On Sunday we went to the outlet mall in Cypress and Jacob didn't have a nap. If he doesn't have a nap we can expect a breakdown around 7:30 p.m. or so. He becomes tired but tries to do anything to stay awake. He starts acting up and grumpy. So Ruben was trying to put him to sleep around 8:30 & Jacob just wasn't having it. Ruben was getting upset Jacob wouldn't listen and told him that he was going to tell Santa that he was being a bad boy. Well Jacob starts laughing and Ruben says: "Keep laughing Jacob, I will be laughing at how much money I will be saving because I am not buying you Christmas presents because you don't behave." The room is quiet for a second then Jacob bust's out:

"Save money. Live Better. Wal-Mart."

I covered my mouth so I wouldn't laugh and Ruben starts laughing and just says, "I mean how can I be mad at that?" I mean how does a 4 year old just know that. Ahhh Jacob...what are we going to do with you? He is such a clown...he knows just what to say to get out of trouble.

Bike & Books

We have been working with Jacob on riding his bike and when it is just Jacob & I he knows how to peddle but still needs a little help on the handle bars but magically when Daddy is around he doesn't know how to do anything and wants Ruben to push him. So on Monday, it was a beautiful afternoon, Jacob & I took his bike out and did some practicing. I took some pictures as evidence to Ruben (who was at school) that he doesn't need help & can do it on his own. Poor Jakey got busted! Daddy is still a sucker & says he is going to help him anyway!

Jacob loves, loves, loves, LOVES books. He would rather "read" a book than watch t.v. or play with toys any day. (FYI...thank you God...please let this continue as he gets older, thank you. Amen) We go to the library every week if not every week and a half. His favorite book is "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" (one of my all time favorites too). He has that book but every time we go to library he goes straight to the section where the Laura Numberoff books are (the author of the If you give... series). So today I ordered Jacob 8 different "If You Give..." books for Christmas. He is going to be so excited. I can't wait!

Halloween & Wings Over Houston

Friday was supposed to be Jacob & Madelyn's costume parade at school but since it rained just about all day on Thursday and it was very cold on Friday morning they canceled the parade and the kids just had parties in each of their classrooms. My sister & I went back and forth between Jacob & Madelyn's classes and switched so we could see both parties. All the kids looked cute in their costumes & they all had a lot of fun playing games and eating treats. After the parties my sister & I headed to lunch and run a few errands. My sister needed to go to Gymboree to find Madelyn a winter jacket...thank goodness she found one...I didn't really feel like going to a bunch of stores. We went back and picked up Jacob & Madelyn and headed home. On Saturday morning Jacob had a costume party at his bowling class. He was excited to get to wear his costume again. They got to bowl in their costumes and eat "gross" snacks. It was really cute. They also had a costume contest...that Jacob won! 2 years in a row!! Ruben makes fun of me that I get so excited but I guess I am just competitive when it comes to Jacob. He says he can't wait for the day when they kick me out of the baseball game for getting to wild. Haha. After the bowling party we headed home and my mom & sister picked Jacob & I up for lunch and a little shopping. We were trying to stay out of the house because Ruben had a Calculus & Trigonometry test to study for. When we got home Jacob took a nap...he said he needed energy to go trick or treating. When he woke up we got ready and headed to my parents for his first trick or treat stop. After we left my mom's my sister & brother in law followed us home to go trick or treating with us. Ruben, Jacob, and Madelyn all had a blast running from house to house. They sure got a lot of loot!

On Sunday we were up early! Jacob, my mom & I were off to the Wings Over Houston Air Show. Poor Ruben had to miss it again...study, study, study! My dad works at Ellington field so we get tickets every year and get to sit under their tent and eat yummy food! It's awesome! I also took my friend Shawna, her husband and 2 kids...which are Jacob's best best best buddies! We all had a great time! It was very loud but still awesome to see. I have been going for years and it still amazes me. All in all we had an amazing weekend with amazing weather! What else could you ask for?