My Blog is Under Construction

Pardon the mess while I redesign my layout for your viewing pleasure.

Angela

Alex Says....

Alex said he felt a beap in his neck. I told him it was his hic-cups. He insisted that it wasn't. I said maybe it's your heartbeat. He said...ewww, your heart is in your neck.

What a Weekend!

Were do i begin. We found out Thursday that Adam's aunt Rosa passed away Wednesday, so we left for Chicago Friday morning. Rosa is Adam's mom's sister.


Visitation was Friday, and we got so see family that we haven't seen since our wedding, and others it was longer than that. Adam saw family that he hasn't seen since he was a baby, they remembered him in diapers. He saw cousins he grew up with . Rosa had two children, Rosie, and Frankie. They are both wonderful people. Rosie has the biggest heart. Rosie is a police dispatcher in Chicago, and the police and her co-workes came out in pull force to show there love and support. It was overwhelming. A pastor spoke at the visitation. He kept it real, and reminded me of my pastor. He prayed for comfort for the family, and said he didn't need to pray for Rosa because he knows were she is. He wanted to share the truth, and said that Rosa now knows the truth. He said that Rosa knew her family loves her, and that God loves her. But it's not until now that she knows the depth of her families love for her, or the depth of her heavenly fathers love for her.

Make a slide show, scrapbook, or ecard

After the funeral on Saturday the police and Rosie's co-workers put together a dinner for the family and friends. Again, it was so wonderful of them to do that. The family got to spend time together before everyone headed on there seperate ways with plans to keep in touch better in the future. Right before we left, it started snowing, so the kids were so excited. We let them play in the snow while we packed the car for our 5 hour ride back to Louisville.

We left Chicago at 2pm. 2 hours later we had made it 50 miles, when the snow turned to ice. We came to a stop on I-65, and sat for 4 hours. It took us 11 hours to get home. The map shows our 2 hour journey, and we stopped near Merriville for 4 hours.

Dishes

Last night we stopped by my Parents house. I was in the bathroom with my mom straightening her hair, when Alex walked in telling us that he washed all the dishes in the sink. No one asked him to do it, he just went into the kitchen and started doing dishes. My mom said, you did! (Very encouraging) Did someone run the water for you so you could rinse them off? ... He said No, I didn't need any water, they were all ready wet, so I just used a towel, and they are on the counter ready for you to put up!

We were cracking up, because they were sitting in the sink water ready to be washed. so my mom told him what a great job he did, and to leave them on the counter so she could put them away, so he didn't hurt himself, (so she could rewash them and put them up.)

Kids and Fasting

We are fasting as a family, and the boys are eating fruits and veggies for 3 days. We were just talking about it, and I asked Alex if he remembered why we are fasting.

He said...for bible bucks. lol

Then he asked if after tomorrow he could start another fast, because he wants to give up more for Jesus. My heart is so big it could burst.

Fasting

I want some coffee, but I want my family to be out of debt more.
I want some Pizza, but I want to grow in my relationship with God more.
I want a cookie, but I want to impact the Heart of the city more.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great. We went to my Grandfathers house in Livermore, Ky, and our whole family was in. My grandmother passed away 2 years ago, so everyone pitched in and cooked Thanksgiving Dinner. Dinner was great; we had the traditional Turkey, Ham and all the trimmings. I cooked Puerto Rican Rice and Pigeon Peas, and my sis cooked greens per my request (she make the best Greens!!!!)

Livermore reminds me of Mayberry. There are two caution lights, and one grocery store. The only restaurant chain is Subway, and you rent movies at the gas station. I love Livermore. My dad grew up there, and the house my grandfather lives in use to be my Granny's house. When we go there to visit is almost like it is it's own little world. There is a population of 1482 people, with 614 households, and 405 families. It's one of those towns were everyone knows everyone.

It was great to see everyone and catch up with what was going on in everyone’s lives. The kids played, Adam, Alex, Starr, Adriana, Alexandria, and Caden. Me and my sister and my cousins, my mom and my aunts, all looked at Ads for the Black Friday sales. The kids were driving everyone crazy, because it was too cold to play outside. They reminded me of all my cousins, and me and how we used to play together and get really creative, like the famous Pickelitis Homemade movie. It was about the dreaded disease Pickelitis.

My oldest son wants to be a Marine when he grows up. My Uncle Bob was a Major in the Marines and he had lots of cool things to show him. He gave Little Adam something he had made up that had all of his ranks that he attained, and his deployment information, and Little Adam loved it.

We went to the Cemetery, which sits on a hill, Oak Hill Cemetery. We always go to the cemetery, and love when my dad walks around with me telling me about our family and his friends who are buried there. As we went to leave I told Alex how I like to kneel down and say a prayer before I leave, and I looked over and his little eyes were squeezed shut. Then my dad kissed his hand and touched my grandmother’s tombstone, and we all did the same as we turned to leave.

When we got back to the house, we said our goodbyes, and I walked into the kitchen. There are so many memories in the house, and everywhere I look, I see my grandmother. In the bathroom her bathrobe still hangs, and her makeup is still on the vanity. It is always hard to leave. It's hard to leave my grandfather there, alone. But as a friend reminded me, one day he will be there with her, and it will like they never left each other.

I am so thankful for my family and my friends. I am thankful for my church. I am Thankful for my God, and that he gave his only Son for me, my family, friends, my church and for you too!

My Dad

This morning at 6am while I was on my way to work, I thought of my Dad. I love my dad with all my heart but there is something that makes our relationship special. My dad and my mom meet when I was 3, and have been together ever sense. Most people don't know that my dad is not my biological dad, and I am not embarrassed or hesitate to let people know, because he is more of a father to me, than I could have ever asked for if I designed it myself. I do not remember my Biological father, he left when I was little, and if he walked in the room right now, I wouldn't know him. Growing up, I would wonder every once in a while were he was, why he left, wondered what he may be like. I don't think of him often, I think it is because I don't feel a lose. Don't get me wrong, I still wonder sometimes. I think that is only natural, but I have found something better, or really he found me.





Not having a father can leave a huge hole in you that people try to fill with so many different things, drugs, sex, money, material things. I never felt this way, and it is because of an amazing man. If this is something that people sometimes can't get over, I figure that my dad is so amazing that he is the reason that I don't feel lost for not knowing my biological father.





My mom is the most amazing mother and wife, and I see the way my dad loves her, and it makes me love him even more. My dad is always expressing his love for my mother and for us. He tells me all the time how amazing my mom is. He loves Adam like his own son. And his grandkids are his world. We have to go over sometimes just so he can get his grandkid fix. My parents recently went to Florida alone, and they said they were so board, they both love being with there family, and said next time we will all be going together.





There are certain people in your life that you never doubt there love for you.





A few weeks ago Pastor did a sermon on forgiveness. It made me think. Have I forgiven my Biological Father. I thought about it, forgiveness is really the only thing I have struggled with about him not being there. I do forgive him. If he hadn't done what he did, then I would not have the wonderful dad I have now. My parents have shown me love, and nothing can ever replace that. I would never want to replace that. Nothing could replace the memories we have had as a family.



I remember when he came home when I was little and told my mom to pack our things we were going to Opry Land for the weekend, that was so much fun.


I remember when we danced at my wedding, that was such a special time for me.

I remember when he was baptized one year ago. That moment was the most amazing moment. When my dad started going to Church a little over 2 years ago I never thought I could ever get him in a church, let alone that he would be baptized. He would tell me that he loved going to church, but that he didn't need to be baptized because he was baptized as an infant. It was to my surprise when he told me that he would be baptized with my sister and niece, just the way is was designed my the big man upstairs. He was baptized with the most important things to him, his children and grandchildren. I wept as he gave his declaration that Jesus is the Lord of his life. That was huge, and answered prayer. Those are one of the prayers that you pray to live right and do what ever you can just so that God will grant that one prayer, to Baptize my dad, and it happened. I couldn't imagine when I prayed that how i could feel that day.

I compare my heavenly Fathers love to my Dads love for me. He loves me no matter what. I remind my self that God loves me more that my dad, and I know how much my dad loves me, so that is amazing.

I love my dad so much, and I think I love him more because he didn't have to be there, he could have said I don't' want two kids that aren't mine, I am not ready for kids. Instead he loved me mother so much, and in turn he loved us, and I can be sure of his love for me. He loved me by choice and that is more than anyone can ask for. I will never doubt his love for me, and that is the greatest feeling.

Black Friday

It is a tradition that me, my mom and my sisters go shopping the day after Thanksgiving (AKA Black Friday). I do not go out of town on Thanksgiving so that I can go shopping. We have it down to a science. We are up at 2am, and on the move at 3am. The earliest sales start at 5am, so we have to get there to be ready. I look forward to this, and I so ready this year. We save a lot of money, and I have been really good these past two years budgeting. Anyone that knows me, knows that I have an addiction. No, not chocolate. Not Coffee either, well I guess I have more than one. Shopping. Black Friday is the worst place to be when you are addiction to shopping or are an impulse shopper. Me and Adam have recently gone on a serious budget, we are on a mission to get out of Debt. So this year I will have my budget with me, and I will stick to it! I have already seen the ads, and know what I need, and I am ready to run, and stand in long lines, and squeeze threw the crowded Toy Dept, but more than anything I am ready for another Black Friday with my mom and sisters. We work as a team to get what we all need, and it's just something we do. After Thanksgiving dinner we will pull out our ads, and map out our strategy. One day I will video my Black Friday Adventure.

Married with Children

Finally after almost 12 years it has sunk in.... My husband looked at me yesturday and said...your my wife.....and we have kids...

Well honey, I am glad that you finally realized that.

He is goofy, but I know what he means. Do you ever just sit and it hits you, who you are, were you are, and think back to a time that you couldn't have imagined that you would be here, now, married with children. There are times I look at my husband and think, I can't believe it. He is my husband, I am so blessed to have him, and he is Hot! I look at our children, these amazing little people that came from us, they are a special gift. God really does amaze me. God made them from us. They work, like they function, there organs are inside working away, there minds are learning and growing, there soul, what can I say, they are amazing. it is just overwhelming sometimes to think how we came to be, were we came from, to look at how God brought us to were we are. I have to warn you, I can get really deep sometimes, and end up not even knowing what I am thinking about.

Alex says....

My sons are so funny, and are always saying things that make Adam and I laugh, so I thought I would start sharing those with you.

Last night Alex looked at his bother and said...Are you pondering what I am pondering?

We were rolling. It was funny, guess you had to be there.

My oldest son is going to kill me, but I am going to tell you anyway.

The other day I picked him up from school, and as soon as he got in the car he said, "I think I am in Love, cause I met two HOT Twins!" This is usually the stuff he tells his Dad, and doesn't want him to tell me, so I guess I am in the club now.

We invented Post-its!

This weekend was my husbands 10 year high school reunion. We have been together since High School, and I can't believe it's has been 10 years.

Friday night was family night at the J-town football game. Adam's best friend David and his wife Shannon, and there little boy Zachary, came up from Savannah for the reunion. So we went with them to the game. The boys had a ball, they had so much energy they could have gone out on the field and helped J-town out a little bit. At one point they almost did ( that will be another post on How do I control my Kids) Just jokin! We had a good time, but all we could think of was our Church and what a Big night it was, and how much we wanted to be there. Our church, New Vision Ministry Center just signed the contract to Purchase the Showcase Cinemas on Bardstown Rd. This will be our new Church home. We are so excited to be a part of this!!

Saturday night was the reunion, at Saints. Shannon and I had a great time talking, and Adam and David talked with there old friends, and just had a good time. It was funny how people had to ask Adam who I was since I look so different from High School, but Adam hasn't changed a bit. At one point everyone tried to share what they have been doing since High School. One guy won Price is Right in 2001, that was pretty cool. David went to the military, and a few said he was the last person they ever expected to go into the military. David and Shannon are doing great, they inspire me. We love them very much, and love being with them. Adam being the goof ball that he is, said his claim to fame what that he invented Post it's! I think our biggest accomplishment since high school, is that we are still together. We meet when I was a Sophomore, and Adam was a Junior. We have been threw a lot that other people would have thrown in the towel, because it could have been easier to quit than to work threw it. Most people didn't think we would make it because we were so young. We have been together for almost 12 years, and married 5 years, and we have two wonderful boys. I love my husband and my children with all my heart, and I can truly say that they are my greatest accomplishment.

Caught Red-handed!

We have been putting Trinidad and Laila's food up so that the pups do not eat it since they are on puppy food. Well I guess they just can't resist. As you can see, Rocky and Scooby Tag Team up so they can reach it. This isn't the first time they have done this, just the first time I caught them with my camera in hand. The funny thing is, I caught them just as they are tipping it over on the floor.

Boxer Property Law

Boxer Property Law

1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my mouth, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm chewing something up, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it just looks like mine, it's mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.

This just reminds me how much personality Boxers have and how much fun Boxers are. We currently have 4 boxers in our house. We are puppy sitting for some friends of ours. They are Laila's Puppies, and they are so cute you just want to eat them up. Rocky keep trying to nurse off of Laila again, and Scooby runs under the table were he use to love to play before he went to his new home. Some people say that Dogs only have short term memory, and that after a few weeks they forget there parents and siblings. However I would have to say that They remember each other, and they are having a ball. I will post some pics soon.

Happy 50th Birthday Dad!

Yesterday was my dad's 50th birthday party! I can't believe it. He looks good for 50. Last night we had dinner over at my parents and gave him his gifts. My sister got him 50 Twinkies!! We were all cracking up.

Adam told Alex earlier that it was Papaw's birthday. Alex asked how old he was, and when Adam told him 50, Alex said, "Dag!!! Well at least he has a lot of life left! That kid cracks me up. My dad got a kick out of that too.

"Mom, I think we have a good surprise!"

Last month the boys asked how I would know if I was going to have a baby. So I told them about the pregnancy tests. They would ask me all the time, "Mommy, have you peed on that thing yet?", and I would tell them that we weren't having a baby yet.

Well this month I have been testing to see when I would ovulate. On Tuesday I got an positive Ovulation test, and I forgot and left it on the bathroom counter. Little Adam came into the living room, and said, "Mom, I think we have a good surprise". Almost like he wasn't sure if it was a good surprise or not. I asked him what it was, and he said, "that thing in there has two lines, so I think your pregnant". I didn't now what to say at first, I didn't want to explain Ovulating, so I told him that it is supposed to have a positive sign if I am pregnant.

So when we test, I am going to have to get a pregnancy test that give a positive sign, or he won't believe it.

Pumkins Vandals

This morning as I backed out of the garage, I looked over to the right to see if any cars were coming, and I saw something orange scattered all over the neighbors yard. I looked at my porch, and you guessed it, NO Pumpkins. Someone had taken our pumpkins and smashed them up. Our large pumpkin was carved to look like Spongebob, and they even smashed our fake pumpkin that you plug up!! Alex was devastated because they smashed his small pumpkin that he painted when we went camping. It was grown from Magic Pumpkin seeds. The only one that was left was Adam's painted pumpkin.

I can't really remember if I smashed any pumpkins growing up, I know I egged houses, and TP'ed houses. However i can guarantee that once I saw my son devastated, and crying because someone smashed his pumpkins, that I will never do it again.

Lesson learned, and I hope you learned from this too. Don't smash pumpkins, because you don't know who's child will be left devastated.

More than meets the eye!

We bought the Transformers DVD last night, and watched it with my parents. We went to see it in the Theater, and loved it, I would have to say it is my Favorite movie right now. So we couldn't wait for it to come out on DVD. The boys were so excited, all three of them :o) My mom normally doesn't like movies like that, but she decided she would watch it with us as a family, and she loved it. If you haven't seen it, go and get yours today!!

Noelani Update

She's put on 2 pounds in the past two weeks and has gotten considerably taller. She is doing really well in her training class, sit, down, stand, come all seemed to be very easy for her. One step at a time, her little puppy will power can only stretch so far! I've attached a couple photos, they bought the cats a new play gym thing over the weekend, so far they haven't so much as even sniffed at it but Noelani has found it quite exciting and they are having a hard time keeping her out of it. Enjoy!!!