"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
This weekend sure was a fun one! Friday night Ruben tried b-b-qing for us but mother nature had a different plan...in the middle of his cooking it started POURING! He managed to finish without getting too wet. It sure was good! We were hoping it didn't rain too much 'cause we had Jacob's Spring Fling Carnival at school the next morning. Thankful when we woke up the skies were clear! We had breakfast at McDonald's (Jacob's choice) with Ruben's parents and then off to the Carnival. My mom met us up there with Madelyn & Gabby. The carnival was held at the Primrose in Silverlake...both schools had the carnival together...Jacob goes to Primrose on Pearland Parkway since it is literally 2 seconds from my work & I like having him close to me in case I were to need to pick him up & it makes dropping him off & picking him up easier & faster. They had rides, face painting, pony rides (I stood from a distance to take pictures...I am terrified of horses), moonwalks, food...all kinds of stuff. We had a great time. When we went home it was time for a much needed nap! Come to find out Ruben's mom won one of the baskets we were raffling off so that was pretty cool.
We woke up and got ready to have dinner at my parent's house. B-B-Q again!! I'm not complaining!! We ate, talked & then Ruben, my dad, my sister & I played a game...I can't remember the name of it but it's a mixture of Chinese checkers & trouble. We had a blast!! My dad & sister are so loud Ruben was dying laughing. Everyone got really into it...my sister ending up winning. It was a lot of fun! Jacob & I stayed the night at my mom's cause she had to work in the morning and she was babysitting Gabby for the weekend so my sister & I were taking the kids to the new Children's Museum the next day. Jacob, Gabby, & Madelyn got into their swimming gear and we filled up my parents jacuzzi bath tub and they played in there for like almost an hour. Gabby was helping Jacob to swim and Madelyn was just splashing everywhere. We went to bed and in the morning I made breakfast for Jacob & Gabby and then we got ready for my sister to pick us up to head to the museum. We had a lot of fun there! There was so much stuff to do. The kids really enjoyed it! 
Today is 4 weeks until Jacob Ryan is 4 years old. Ruben & I still can't believe how old & big he has gotten. These past 4 years have seemed to just whiz on by. We love that we can do so much with him...he is a little man now. I have everything I need for his party. I found his pinata on Friday & I am so stoked about it!!! It's huge & has a lot of detail...I LOVE IT! I have everything I need for the center pieces, plates, napkins, balloons, prizes & games...everything but the food. I have to wait on that. I am so excited! I love planning birthday's!
I also can't wait for Mother's Day weekend!! On that Friday they will be having Muffins for Mom at Jacob's school...so awesome! On that Saturday we will be going to my favorite place in the world...an Astros game! Ruben says I'm weird I asked to go to the Astros game for my mother's day gift but there is nothing else I need or want. All I want is a day with my 2 favorite boys...it's all that I need & it makes me the happiest. Hope everyone has a great week!!
Yesterday was T-Ball Thursday...that what we call it now. We were getting ready to leave for T-Ball and Jacob was in the restroom with me while I was getting ready. He stood on the scale (a digital) and goes, "Hey mommy...I weigh 2 4's and 1 6!" I was like what are you talking about so I looked at the scale and it read it and it said 44.6. I couldn't help but laugh it was so cute...hey at least he got the numbers right & and in the right order. We went to T-Ball and they played a game...which are always fun to watch. They are all so cute to watch. Ruben & I usually help out on the field, helping the kids with where to run next etc. but Ruben told me I was banned from the field this time cause he said I get to into it! Haha! Jacob hit and ran well...we just really need to work on his catching. After practice we stopped and ate at Spring Creek B-B-Q. The new restaurant they opened in Pearland. We couldn't wait for it to open. We had eaten there when we went to Grapevine & we really liked it. We sat there and ate & watched some of the Astros game on the t.v. It was a great night!
Today my countdown begins...Jacob Ryan will be 4 years old in just 5 weeks!! I can't believe it! His birthday is on May 26...4 days after his due date...& boy were those the LONGEST 4 days of my life! I thought he was never going to come!! But he made his debut when he was ready...some things never change. I have already ordered & received his birthday supplies and now I just need a couple of things that I can buy at Party City or elsewhere and the food which I can't buy until his party gets closer. I know where I am getting his pinata & cake but just have to go order them and book his moonwalk. The other "surprise guest" is already lined up & ready to go! I can't wait! Some parents get sad when their child's birthday comes around but not me...I love it! I LOVE Jacob is getting older! I love watching him grow as a person with his own personality, watch his independence, and being able to do so many different things with him. I love picking him up from school and telling me about his day and what he's learned. He truly amazes me everyday. Last night we were sitting on the floor playing and he came behind me and hugged my neck and said, "Mommy you are so lucky!" I smiled and said, "Yes I am very lucky, God has blessed me with many things." and he laughed and said, "but Mommy, you are really lucky!" and I asked him why and he said, "Cause I'm your son!" Ruben and I couldn't stop laughing! I told him yes I was lucky God gave him to me. He makes my heart smile everyday!! On Saturday his school will be having their Spring Fling Carnival so that should be a lot of fun...he is really looking forward to it.
Friday Ruben & I both had off so it was so nice to be able to both sleep in. We hung out with Jacob all day! Around 5:00 p.m. Jacob & I headed off to my mom's to finish dying our Easter eggs. We had fun...Jacob would just dip them into the dye and then quickly take them out. All his were just tints of colors so my sister & I went back over his so they could be darker colors. We had dinner & headed home. Saturday it was up early so my sister could come pick me up so we could take Madelyn to Little Gym at 8:45 a.m. Since my sister just had surgery I went so I could help Madelyn in the class. Boy did that kick my butt!! I was running around with her, helping her do rolls, all kinds of stuff. It was like working out for an hour with a 25 pound weight!! She loves her Little Gym class so I was really excited I got to go & help. When the class was over we went & picked Jacob up and headed to the Rig to meet Katrina, Danny & Anakin for the Egg Drop. Oh my I have never seen so many people. It was crazy!! I don't think they were expecting that many people. We waited in line to get onto the field & people were pushing like no other. It was ridiculous!! The parents were more excited than the kids. After waiting & waiting we finally got onto the field & then more waiting the helicopter flew above and dropped tons of eggs. Jacob & I some how ended up in the front of the line & they told the people who were in the front to get the eggs in the middle of the field so the people in the back could get the eggs in the front of the field. Well when they said go the people in the front didn't listen & stopped at the first eggs causing people to fall & loose their kids. Jacob & I managed to not get knocked down and made our way to the middle of the field. Jacob got his 10 eggs and we got out of the way. Kids were crying because they didn't get any eggs or their parents were pulling them along. It was a mad house!! It was great they had a fun event planned like that but I don't think they imagined the amount of people that showed up was going to be that high. After we finally got out of the traffic we went to pick up some cakes I ordered for Easter for my parents & for Ruben's parents. We got home & rested for a bit then I had to get ready to go with Ruben's mom & cousin to see the Wizard of Oz play at the Hobby Center. It was so good!! We had a great time! The next morning came around and we had breakfast at Ruben's parent's and they had a egg hunt for Jacob inside since the weather in the morning was so yucky. He didn't mind it thought...he got candy and money in his eggs...what more could he ask for! We rested for a while and then headed to my mom & dad's for Easter dinner. We had turkey & all the trimmings. I love turkey!! My mom was going to b-b-q but we thought the weather was going to be bad all day so she made something for inside. We ate & let Madelyn & Jacob open their Easter baskets & gifts. After that Ruben & I hid the eggs outside and we all had fun watching them look for them. Well only Jacob but Madelyn got the ones on the grass. We did confetti eggs on each other which was fun too. We helped clean up & then headed home. Everyone took their shower and crashed!! It was a long weekend but lots of fun!!
Easter is definitely a BUSY time at work...I work at a church...obviously it would be!! I have had to prepare 2 bulletins...1 for Maundy Thursday and 1 for Easter Sunday, run extra bulletins than normal, special inserts, Lily order list, payroll for MDO & bills for the church all with a sick Pastor. I am off tomorrow so it will be nice to sleep in and get some much needed rest...although I only work 1/2 days on Friday it's not much of a day off but I will take it! I am not complaining...I love my job & I actually like it when it's busy. Keeps my mind from wondering. Tuesday morning I went to Jacob's Easter party at school. His class dressed up as Easter eggs for the parade...they were SOOOOOO cute. See look...
He was a little embarrassed but oh well he ended up having fun. All the classes were dressed up in spring themes like bunnies, bees, flowers, chickens. I think Jacob's class had the cutest costumes!! After the parade was over they went to their class room and I went and helped the teacher hide the Easter eggs out on their play ground. The smiles on the kids faces as they ran out to find the eggs was amazing. They had a great time. After their egg hunt they played musical chairs and had their party. It was a great morning. I then went to work to catch up on all my work. Yesterday we went to my moms & since Katrina is in town she and her family came over too. We had a great time catching up and watching Anakin & Madelyn "talk" to each other. I wonder if they understand each other? I am about to be FINISHED with all my work...THANK YOU GOD! Tonight is T-Ball....yey!! I LOVE THURSDAYS!! Tomorrow Jacob & I will sleep in and just do whatever he wants...should be a fun day...hoping it doesn't rain!! Hope everyone has a BLESSED Easter filled with lots of love and family!!
Yesterday was a very nerve wrecking one for me...my sister was having surgery. She had to be at the hospital at 7:00 a.m. and my mom & brother in law went with her. Madelyn spent the night with me so I could take her to her sitters in the morning and my sister would have a good nights rest before the big day. I wanted to be there at the hospital with them but I just new I would go crazy just waiting there so I went to work to try & keep occupied...no luck...I think I called my mom just about every 30 minutes to see if she heard anything. They didn't start my sister's surgery until about 11:30 a.m. and it took about 2 1/2 hours. In that time my stomach felt like it was in knots and my heart hurt because of not knowing how my sister was. I finally got the call the surgery was complete & everything went well!! Thank you God...I probably said that in my head 1,000+ times. My sister is still in some pain right now and will be able to go home tomorrow. I am so proud of her and her decision to have this surgery...it's going to be a NEW beginning for her and I am nothing short of happy for her! Tomorrow Jacob has t-ball so we are always happy about that! I love watching him play...makes my heart smile!! We will be missing his t-ball pictures and a friends birthday party this weekend because we will FINALLY be going to ride Thomas the Tank Engine. He is beyond excited!! He has so many Thomas movies, Thomas trains & track sets, Thomas puzzles...he just loves Thomas. We will be leaving early Saturday morning to Grapevine, TX (right outside Dallas). When we get there we will check into our hotel (it's amazing...we are staying at the Gaylord Texan Resort) and make it to Grapevine Vintage Railroad by 1:00 p.m. When we get there they will have different activities to do like games, Thomas story time, and meet Sir Topham Hatt and then at 2:00 p.m. we will board Thomas the Tank Engine for a 30 minute ride. After that we will just explore Grapevine and Dallas and head home Sunday afternoon. I am so excited...we all are. It's a short mini vacation but I know it will be one we will remember for ever. I can wait to see Jacob's face light up when he sees Thomas. After I go see my sister at the hospital today I have to get us all packed up so we can be ready to go.I also can't wait until Tuesday. Jacob will be having a Spring Parade and Easter Egg Hunt at school. I have his treats for his classmates ready & the 1 dozen eggs they have to take for the Egg Hunt. It should be really cute to watch them all hunt for the eggs. I love going to his school parties!! He will probably get embarressed when he gets older but I don't care...I'm going!! I thank God every day for blessing Ruben & I with that boy. He amazes me everyday! He says things I would never imagine I would hear a almost 4 year old boy say...he really is smart. & I'm not just saying that because I am his mom. His teacher always gives me good reports of how well he does in school...we are very proud of him. I work with him constantly. He loves when you to read books to him, playing his Hooked on Phonics games on my laptop and working in his work books. I hope he keeps up all his hard work through all his school years. I can't believe my little Jakey will be 4 in less than 2 months!! He's amazing & I feel so blessed and lucky to hear him call me...Mommy!! 
Today is Thursday & Thursdays to us means....T-Ball!!! Today will be Jacob Ryan's 2nd T-Ball practice. Last week they had to practice in the gym because the weather was too yucky for them to be outside. So hopefully today they will be able to actually play on the field! Fingers crossed!! He loved T-Ball last week and he has been talking about it ever since. He did really well at practice. He caught the ball, and swung really well at all his turns at the stand...Ruben & I were very proud of him. I probably would have broke my heart if he didn't like it but thank the good Lord he did. I took my regular digital camera & took so many pictures but being that it was in the gym the lighting wasn't always that good and of course my camera was dying and kept messing up. This time I am taking my professional camera!! I don't care what anyone thinks...Jacob is my 1 and only and I want to have great pictures to remember for ever!! Ruben thinks it's silly how many pictures I take but when he sees them he realizes that they are important. & besides he spent a lot of money on my camera so I better use it every chance I get. Here are a couple of pictures of Jacob playing T-Ball last week. 
So on Saturday, March 21 my niece, Madelyn Grace, will turn 1 years old!! I can't believe it!! Time has flown so fast since God brought our family that precious gift. She has filled my heart with so much love and joy...shes my Grassy!! It's also really neat that her 1st birthday party will actually get to be on her actual birthday. Her party theme is going to be Strawberry Shortcake because that was my sister's first birthday party theme so we thought it would be neat if they were the same. My sister isn't into characters and such so her party will be mostly reds, pinks, greens, and whites with accents of Strawberry Shortcake. It should be a day of fun!! We will have moonwalks, fun games for kids & adults (that should be the funniest), and food from Juanito's (our family loves Juanito's) and strawberry's you can dip in a chocolate fountain...all kind of stuff...it should be a lot of fun...I am so excited...I can't wait!! I also can't wait until she opens her present from me...I worked really hard on it & had it made early just in case...it came in much earlier than I had thought so I have it just sitting there trying not to look at it every day and by accident mess it up. I made her a photo book of her first year. It came out really nice I am so proud of it. Its a big 12X12 book with like 30 or so pages with pictures from my sister being pregnant, when she was first born, every holiday, and in the back I wrote a letter to her. I wanted to get her something that she would be able to keep forever if she wanted to...I figured she would gets lots of clothes and toys but this is something my sister could put away for her & look back at it when she is older. I would like to make her one for every year of her life so hopefully I will continue to do that. Here are a couple of pictures I took in her birthday outfits:
Madelyn in her birthday dress.
Madelyn in her birthday onesie & tutu that I made her. She looks so cute!!
Oh that Jacob Ryan....what a night he gave us!! It first started on Sunday night...we got home from my moms house and we picked up some dinner on the way home. We all ate & then Jacob wanted Ruben to shower him. So while he took him a shower I got his clothes ready for school the next day. We all got ready for bed & Jacob decides he wants to stay up and play...I don't think so...bed time is 8-8:30 for him. So he's not listening, laughing when we are trying to talk to him...just out of control!! I could not believe it!! Ruben starts to grow upset because he has to wake up at 4:30 a.m. and he is ready for bed. Jacob is streaming to watch t.v. and I had enough. We threaten him with not being able to play t-ball this week (which usually works when he starts to act up) but this time he didn't care. We then told him he was grounded from watching any t.v. for a few days which made him madder. Finally about 10:00 he gave up and passed out. The next morning he said he was sorry for how he acted and promised to be a good boy. Since he was good that morning I told him that when I picked him up from school we would go to the book fair and get the books he had picked out.
After work yesterday I worked out and then went to pick him up and we looked through all the books in the book fair. He picked out 2 books about baseball, 1 Clifford the Big Red Dog book, and 1 Cars book. So we went home and read his new books and had dinner and then went outside and practiced some t-ball. We came inside showered, played hide and go seek inside and tried to get ready for bed. Ruben let him watch Dragon Tales and Thomas on Sprout and then he said it was going to be time for bed. (Ruben has spring break from school this week which is why we were both putting him to bed instead of me just doing it...Ruben usually isn't home until after Jacob has already gone to bed...he gets out of school at 10) When they were over we turned the t.v. off and the fits started again!! I couldn't believe he was going to try to pull this stunt again!! So we let him cry until he figured out we weren't going to play his game. He didn't want to sleep in his room and he yelled and cried so I laid with him until he fell asleep...again around 10:00. I went back to our room and crashed. He woke up again later in the night so I went to lay with him & we both crashed out. I woke up around 4:00 a.m. and went back to our room until the alarm went off at 4:30...Ruben was so tired we didn't wake back up until 5:30 a.m. I think Jacob is acting this way to test what he can get away with but it can get to be so stressful. When he is with me alone he is lovey dovey with me, acts right but then when his Daddy is there he acts like any typical boy, which is fine but sometimes he gets out of line. Ruben doesn't like to discipline very much because he has work & school all week and doesn't get to spend as much time with him so when he does get to spend time with us he doesn't want to waste it punishing Jacob. I know he is a little boy and boys like to play rough and be loud but night time is not the time for all of that. He gets everything plus more and I think he needs to learn that he doesn't call the shots...we do. We can't let him get away with everything any more or he will only act out more. During the week we usually have a pretty solid routine down & I think its trowing him off that Ruben is home & of course he just wants to play with his Daddy. At school he is always good...I don't think he has ever gotten into trouble at school so I give him lots of credit for that. I hope tonight goes better!! Just need to vent a little!!
On Friday (the 13
th) we celebrated my Mommy's birthday & it was so much fun. We all met at my Mom & Dad's so we could give my Mom her birthday present (a new Coach wallet she was wanting) and
surprise her with a cake. We then went out for dinner & what a circus that was. Ruben thankfully called ahead to put our name on the list so we didn't have to wait that long. We had a fun time talking & laughing at Jacob & Madelyn of course. After dinner we went back to my Mom's for some cake!! I think she had a great birthday.
Saturday we didn't do anything but lounge around all day just the 3 of us which was nice. The weather was yucky but it made for some nice movie watching time.
Sunday I ran some errands with my sister & Mom to get some last minute things for Madelyn's 1st birthday party on Saturday. We went home and made the candy bags and filled her pinata. I can't wait until her party it should be so much fun!! My sister on the other hand is not taking it too well...she wants her to be a baby forever.
This week sure will be busy!! I have a lot to do before this weekend and Jacob has t-ball practice again on Thursday & we have family from out of town coming in on Friday...I can't wait! & then the BIG day will be on Saturday...please pray for NO rain...I honestly don't know what my sister would do if it rained...I think she would have a heart attack!! Jacob also has a book fair this week at school so we will probably shop for some books when I pick him up today...he already has some picked out that he pointed out this morning...he LOVES books!!
On March 31 my Sister will be having surgery...although surgery scares me I know this is a life changing time for my Sister & I am SO SO happy for her. So I ask you to please pray things go well during my Sister's surgery!!
So today is my sister's and brother in laws 3rd anniversary so I wanted to dedicate a blog to them. Happy Anniversary to two of the greatest people I know...I love you both and thank God you are in my life. I couldn't be luckier than to have an amazing sister & brother in law. May God bless you on your anniversary and all the MANY MANY more to come!
(Some pictures from their wedding - March 11, 2006)
Happy 3rd Anniversary Elisa & Gilbert!
Monday morning started out like any other day...the alarm went off at 4:00 a.m. & there I am trying to wake Ruben up but it was a no go...lets just say we both didn't wake up till about 5:30 a.m. (the time change took its toll on us) so Ruben gets dressed & off to work. I got up showered, watched the news & was doing my make up when I heard a car door close in the drive way...it freaked me out. With all the crazy things going on I am really paranoid it's not even funny! So I go to grab my phone from my purse & was headed to Jacob's room so we could hide...I seriously thought it was a robber. This sense of fear just came over me, my legs felt like they melted, my hands were shaking & tears were just rolling from my eyes...I hear banging at the back door & jiggling the door knob...I didn't know what to do...I was about to dial 911 when the door opened & there comes Ruben saying "Hey I brought do-nuts" so cheerful! I start crying like none other screaming at him for scaring me. I couldn't believe he would scare me like that...of course he didn't mean to & he felt really bad. I was honestly one of the scariest moments of my life!! So he came home from work cause his back had been bothering him since Sunday & they didn't want him getting hurt at work. So Jacob woke up & I got him dressed for Rodeo day at school & off we went. On the way I heard on the radio there was a loose gunman in Pearland...are you kidding me!! After what I just felt this morning!! So I called Ruben to watch the news and find out more. I dropped Jacob off at school & I went to work. Ruben called me & said he was going to pick up Jacob cause he didn't think it was safe since they couldn't find him. So he picked him up & I left work cause I just so uneasy about it. So we all spent the days together which was nice! What a crazy day!!On Saturday Ruben, I, Jacob, my mom, sister, Madelyn, and Rubens mom & dad went out to Denny's...my favorite and then headed out to the Rodeo Carnival. It was so much fun!! Jacob loved all the rides & even rode the mechanical bull...it was the cutest thing. I of course had to have a funnel cake before we left. We all had a great day & Jacob had a blast!! Well that's all for now...we are going to go outside & practice Jacob's t-ball...he starts on Thursday...yey!!
I saw someone else do this & thought it was pretty cool. Choose 25 random facts about yourself you think know one really knows about you. Seems pretty easy...but 25 is a big number so here it goes...1. Ryan is my all time favorite name...When we named Jacob Ryan I wanted a J name like mine & a R name like Ruben's but Jacob went first only because I wanted the J name first since I was the one that was going to be in labor with him so I thought I should have the right to have my first letter first...haha...& if he were to have been a girl I would have named him Ryan Morgan. I never had a girl name picked out (I think I always knew he would be a boy).2. I named my niece Madelyn Grace for some weird reasons my sister isn't too pleased with but she loved the name so much she agreed:Madelyn - In 5th grade I was in LOVE with Hanson!! They had a song called "Madeline" and I always loved it so there was her 1st name. We decided to spell it Madelyn because my sister didn't wasn't people to think her name was pronounced Mada - line.Grace - Any one who knows me knows how much I LOVE ELVIS!! So since my family would have not part in naming her Elvis Presley I snuck one in...I thought of Grace from GRACELAND...where Elvis lived. Haha!!3. My biggest pet peeve is when I am standing in line & someone behind me stands really close behind me so then I move up & they feel the need to move up as well. I can't stand for people to be in my space...I need room!4. My all time favorite movie is called Pure Country. It was made in like 1994 & George Strait stars in it. I know every word, every song & could watch it every day & never get tired of it...EVER! "Now go on, get your ass out of here"...a line from the movie...you have to watch it...its the best movie ever!5. I took Kindergarten twice! My mom lied about my birthday to get me into Mt. Carmel when I was 4. Can you believe that...my mom lied to a Catholic school...haha! So my family still teases me about having 2 birthdays cause growing up I didn't know which one was my real one. My real birthday is September 21 & my fake birthday was August 21...my mom makes me a birthday dinner on my fake birthday every year.6. I am constantly planning something. I hate not being prepared & if I am not in control I freak out. I start planning Jacob's birthday parties like 4 months in advance & would it be too much if I already know what I want him to be for Halloween this year...can't tell its a secret! I plan & plan...it's what I do.7. I have lived in Pearland my WHOLE life & couldn't imagine living any where else.8. I work at a Presbyterian Church but I am Catholic. It's nice to see others people perspectives on things though...I thank God every day for giving me my job.9. I don't hold my pencil/pen the correct way. I have a hard time helping Jacob with his writing because I could never learn the right way to hold it. Everyone tried and tried to help me but I just couldn't do it.10. I bite my nails. Always have & probably always will...I can't help it. I get fake nails & I just rip them off.11. My sister & brother in law have been married almost 3 years now & I sometimes still pull up the wedding speech I wrote for their wedding & read it...it was seriously a master piece...everyone in that hall was crying or teared up. I worked really hard on it! 12. My sister & I used to be on a bowling league when we were little...it was so much fun! I love to bowl...we still have our balls & take them when we go bowling now...geeky I know but it's better than using other balls who knows who used.13. Orange Skittles are my favorite!14. I gave up Chocolate for Lent this year...so good so far...until my mom reminded me it has only be 1 week...uhhh so long to go.15. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I could eat a turkey everyday I love it so much!16. During the summers when my sister & I were younger we used to stay home by ourselves so for lunch we would always make chicken nuggets, corn, & Lipton noodles or rice & have candle light lunches. (that's all we knew how to make so we ate it almost everyday)17. When I die I would like the following 3 songs played at my funeral: 1. Time of Your Life - Green Day, 2. With You In Your Dreams - Hanson, 3. I Can Only Imagine - Mercy MeA weird variety I know.18. Although I had Jacob Ryan at a young age, 4 months away from turning 20, I truly feel God gave him to Ruben & I for a purpose...I don't know where either one of us would be without him.19. I can't swallow pills...it is the most terrifying thing to me. It takes me a bottle of water to swallow my little b.c. pill everyday & I still struggle with it.20. I have a terrible memory...I can tell you what I wore the first day of school for every year but ask me what I did last week & I have to sit & think about it.21. I get distracted very easily....ask Ruben he knows...he hates how long it takes me to get ready cause I start talking or start watching t.v....I can't help it.22. Katrina & I have been best friends since the 6th grade...so that's...12 or so years (I love you Katrina)23. Club soda with lemon and salt is probably my favorite thing to drink...the sour the better!24. To Jacob I am the best singer in the world!25. I am a BIG Astros fan!! Jacob's room is Astros, his birthday party was Astros last year...I just love to watch them play. Minute Maid park is my favorite place to be. My dream for Jacob would be to one day play for the Astros so I could sit behind home plate & watch him play every game. I of course want him to do whatever makes him happy but hey...I can dream right!Wow that was actually kinda hard...but there you go!
Yesterday was of course Ash Wednesday. I didn't want to go to service early in the morning and then go to work with Ashes on my head...feeling it may be some sort of disrespectful to the church I work at (different religions...mine being Catholic, my job being Presbyterian) since they don't practice putting the ashes on your forehead. So my mom, sister & I decided that we would go to the 5:00 p.m. service. So I was busy at work trying to make sure they had all their bulletins and such ready for their service that night. I picked up Jacob from school and waited at church for my mom and sister. I took Jacob a couple of this Thomas books to keep him quite since an hour is a long time for that boy to be quite...especially just coming out of school. My family got there and then mass started. Madelyn started to get fussy so my sister took her to the cry room in the back. During the service Jacob just stared & stared at the big cross with Jesus up front. He has seen it many times before but today he just couldn't stop looking at it. He has this thing with hair & eyes...ever since he was a baby he has had to play with my hair to go to sleep and just loves touching mine or others hair...my mom just says its his security...instead of a security blanket...he likes to feel my hair...and he also has this thing with eyes...he always has to see your eyes & if something doesn't have eyes its always the first thing he asks..."Why doesn't that have eyes?" So he was staring at the Jesus asking my mom why didn't he have eyes and my mom told him he did they were just closed and of course he asked if Jesus could open them so he could see him and my mom said no he has them closed so he can watch over everyone. After we received our ashes he wanted to get a better look. So we went closer to show him he did have eyes & he just kept repeating, "Tell him to open his eyes so he can watch over me." It melted my heart to hear my 3 year old tell Jesus to open his eyes so He could watch over him. We went back to my moms and my sister came over (she had left church because Madelyn was having a fit b/c she hadn't taken a nap all day) and my sister asked Jacob how was church and he said it was good and that he saw Jesus but his eyes were closed...and my sister asked him why his eyes were closed and Jacob told her. "God has his eyes closed because he is watching over us because he died for us because he loves us." I was so amazed that he knew all of that. I am sure he doesn't truly understand it all but he was so proud and sure of his answer. I am so proud of my little man!! He really is growing up...scary to think in exactly 3 months (May 26) he will be 4 years old and moving up to the Pre-K class & wearing a uniform!!2 more weeks from today and Jacob Ryan will start t-ball...we are all so excited!! He loves to play so I hope he will do well with the rest of his team. We are still having to make him hit if off the t stand...he wants you to throw it to him so in his words he can "Smack that ball!!" He's so funny!
Well this past weekend sure was a BUSY one...we were running around everywhere!! The weekend just seemed to fly right on by. I was off on Friday since I was still sick & my Pastor told me to take the day...well really half day off & get better. Jacob & I slept in for once & I dropped him off at school (a little late) then it was off to my sisters. Elis, Madelyn & I were off to our errands about 10:00 a.m. First we went to Babies R Us for Madelyn's diapers & wipes ( I sure don't miss buying those) and we found her a onesie that is pink & hot pink for her 1st birthday photo shoot then we were off to the mall so I could get some new make up, and we went and exchanged something at Gap for Jacob & I got Madelyn some new pink shoes...so cute, and then looked for a birthday dress for Madelyn at Gymboree. We found one but since it was our first stop we decided to keep looking in case we found one some where else. By then we were all hungry & of course we went to Pei Wei...my favorite!! Man am I happy they opened one in Pearland...which I have yet to go to :(...the one at Baybrook is just the same so at least I got to go. After lunch we went to Carter's, Party City (were I found Jacob a conductor hat for when we take our Thomas the Train trip in April), and Imagination Toys & Shoes. We then decided we were going to go order Madelyn's Birthday Cake...a month early but we don't play around & wait last minute...I am a planner & like to make sure everything is taken care of & of course were we ordered her cake is seriously the best...& we wanted to buy a little cake to take home & munch on & while we were there I was tempted with Chocolate covered strawberries, so Elis bought me two...I don't think we were out of the parking lot & I had already eat them...I couldn't help it...they are my weakness!! So then off we were to Hobby Lobby to get matching tulle for Madelyn's birthday onesie...I love to make them for my Grassy!! By the time we got out of Hobby Lobby it was 4:00 p.m. & I couldn't believe were time went! We picked up Jacob from school & went back to Elis' & waited for my mom to come over. Everyone came over & we ordered pizza & played Rock Band...we had a lot of fun. We went home around 8:30 p.m. and watched a little t.v. with Ruben & everyone crashed out soon after.
Well Saturday it was up early & back on the move. Ruben stayed at home and finished home work & my mom & Elis came and picked us up and it was off to the invitation & stationary store so we could find Madelyn's invitations. They didn't have exactly what we were looking for but we did find some really cute ones that matched all the colors of her party so we were thankful for that. & of course I found Jacob's invitations too...even though its not until May, I know it early but using my mom's excuse..."We came all the way over here & you might as well get them since we are here"...so that's what I told Ruben...haha. Next we decided to go to Harwin to see if one of their dress shops would have a birthday dress for Madelyn. We went to 3 different stores & found 1 dress but it wasn't the right size. So we drove back to Pearland & went to find a pinata...we went to this place my mom had seen the one that would match her party & they had to order it since they sold the one my mom had seen...so I think that kinda made my sister nervous but what can you do. We went and had lunch at the new Gringo's and then went to Gymboree to get the original dress we had seen cause we were tired of looking! It was raining & cold & we had 2 sick kids with us so it was time to call it a day & go home!! Jacob & I took a much needed late nap when we got home. I went & picked up a couple of groceries & we had a night in. Jacob went to sleep about 8:30 which was surprising since he had taken the late nap.
Sunday I though would be a quite day of cleaning...we woke up, had breakfast & I then attacked Ruben & my closet. I took out EVERY thing I don't wear any more...& I mean everything!! As the pile of clothes pilled higher & higher I couldn't believe how much stuff I had. We are having a garage sale this weekend or next depending on the weather. I had taken Jacobs clothes out the week before & filled up 5 garbage bags of clothes that don't fit him...that's unreal...that boy had to much clothes & he still does. I'm have a hard time taking stuff out because I want to keep it or the shirt or whatever has a meaning to it but there was just no point keeping all of it & all the clothes still looks new cause he didn't wear it that many times. I can only imagine how much my sister will take out of Madelyn's clothes cause she had tons & tons of stuff & she just seemed to keep out growing stuff so all her stuff is new too!! So I was cleaning & Ruben's mom asked if we wanted to go to the Town Center with Ruben's Grandma, Aunt, and cousins. I never turn a trip to the mall down so there went my day of cleaning. We got ready & went to the mall. 2 hours later Jacob was tired & hungry...I think everyone was. We went to Texas Roadhouse...Ruben's mom & I were excited they opened one in Pearland so we had to go there. It was so good!! On the way home Jacob feel asleep & Ruben & I watched a movie.
We went every and any place this weekend & I'm still tired!! I love spending time with my family & its so exciting that we were shopping for Madelyn's 1st Birthday party...I love that little girl & thank God she is part of our family...1 more month & she will be 1 year old (March 21)...it really is crazy how time just flys. The blog was as long as my weekend...but I wouldn't have it any other way!!
Well we thought we had been lucky that Jacob hasn't gotten sick yet but now he has started this very nasty cough. Hes had a little cough for a few days but he was acting fine so we didn't think to much about it. Well Sunday he started the nasty cough so we went out & bough a humidifier and some cough syrup to see if that would help. He didn't cough at all on Sunday night so we thought he was going to be fine. Well Monday night his cough got a little worse so we thought we would try the humidifier again and see what happened & again he didn't cough. Well last night, Tuesday night, we were up pretty much all night giving him water, medicine, Vick's, any thing that would help him sleep. Ruben had enough and said we better get him to the Dr. TODAY!! So I called first thing this morning & the earliest time they had for today is at 3:00 p.m...my poor Jakey has to wait all day! So he went to school this morning & said he felt fine even though I know he was a little tired. I let his teacher know he would be leaving for a Dr. appointment & she said almost all the kids in his class have the cold. I hate this time of year & I hate for Jacob to be sick...makes me sad. So I am hoping the Dr. will give him some medicine that will take away his cough fast!!
Valentine's Day is just a few days away & I am so excited...it's nice there is a whole day that you can let your loved ones know how special they are to you. We aren't going to much this Valentine's day...Ruben has a major test to study for on Monday so we just plan on the 3 of us to go out for breakfast & spend the day together & with our families...it's Madelyn's 1st Valentine's day too which makes it just a little bit more special. We have her gift all ready to go!
Today is Jacob Ryan's Valentine's party & Sweetheart dance at school. I am so excited...I'm trying to kill time until it is time to leave. I never miss a school party...they are so much fun! My mom went to all mine & I plan to do the same for Jacob. We were signed up for drinks so we took those to school this morning along with his Valentine's for his friends and special goody bags I made for his whole class. I make them for every holiday, Ruben says I over do it but I just can't help it!
Well off to the party & dance...they are going to be so cute!! May everyone have a Happy Valentine's Day blessed with lots of love!!
As you can see it has been since November that I have written. At first I was so excited about starting this but then soon forgot about it. Well it's time to start again!!
I know many of you have by now heard about the movie, Fireproof, or the book, The Love Dare...well I too had heard about it & at first I thought it would be great to see but didn't know how I was going to run it by Ruben. I bought it on Tuesday, the day it came out & was just going to hold onto it until I thought the time was right to ask him to watch it with me. He's not the type that likes to watch movies about faith & that sort of thing. He has his beliefs but doesn't like to really talk about it. We don't get to spend as much time together as we would like since we both work, he has night classes on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and just the every day errands and doing things with Jacob Ryan our weeks just seem to fly right by us. On Friday we try to have movie night but with his homework being so time consuming he often watches the movie with me while he does his homework. So I though I will just tell him it's a love story & see if he catches on & pays attention. Well this past Friday, February 6, one of Jacob's favorite movies came out...Madagascar 2...& he knew so we just had to get it. I picked Jacob up from school & we met Ruben for dinner...Jacob was so surprised to see his Daddy waiting for him at the restaurant, since he didn't know he was going to be there. After dinner we stopped at Blockbuster to buy Madagascar 2 for Jakey. He was so happy...he loves that movie! We went home & watched his movie & then got him ready for bed. With Jacob asleep I asked Ruben if he would watch a movie with me. He said yes but also said he would have some homework to do as well. The usual...no big deal. He asked what the name was & what it was about & I just told him to watch if he could. As we watched I would see him glance from time to time...then his glances turned to stares...then it turned to dropping his homework & completely watching the movie with me!! I couldn't believe it!! The movie is a low budget film & sometimes the acting is the best but the message is AMAZING!! I won't say what its about but I recommend this movie for anyone who is married, in a relationship, or even just looking for the right direction. I believe in God & teach Jacob about Him & we pray every night & try to make it to church as much as possible but just watching that movie made me realize there is so much more...He is so much more. We need GOD in everything we do especially relationships. The thing that really amazed me was that Ruben loved the movie & thought we should watch it again. It really reached out to him. I ordered the book, The Love Dare, and we plan to start the 40 day challenge on Valentine's Day! Ever since we have watched that movie we have realized that we need to take time for ourselves everyday....in just these 5 days since we have seen the movie I see a big difference in our relationship & I am so thankful for that. Everyone should definitely watch it!!
We also stopped at the Blue Bell Creamery in 
We got back home around 5:00 p.m. and we were pretty 
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