Inspiration to grow on...

"Let's tell the truth to people. When people ask, 'How are you?' have the nerve sometimes to answer truthfully. You must know, however, that people will start avaoiding you because, they, too, have knees that pain them and heads that hurt and they don't want to know about yours. But think of it this way: If people avoid you, you will have more time to meditate and do fine research on a cure for whatever truly afflicts you." 
— Maya Angelou (Letter to My Daughter)

Gearing up for Summer Vacation

My daughter has been home from school for two days now. She has a bad case of asthma this season. She's getting albuterol treatments 4-6 times a day and if it doesn't get better by tomorrow then she will receive her first dose of a steroid boost. I do not like my kids to be on any medication, except breathing is vital to their existence...so I am making an exception :) BTW: My daughter is hilarious after her treatments...another plus!

Including the weekend Desiree and Dominic have been home for 4 days together and it got me thinking about our summer plans and how we are going to spend our time. Typically I am stressed about all the down time and worried about them fighting and being in each others grills all day but the past few days they have been doing a great. They are playing together, napping together and definitely taking care of each other. It warms my heart to see them love each other. Yes, they do fight. Don't get me wrong but it's becoming less and less of that and more often than not they are able to work things out between the two of them.

We have run into some old friends and we are hopefully hooking up this summer to hang out. One of my closest friends put a pool in, so I am now her NEW, BFF LOL! Gotta love friends with pools. If you have a pool and you invite me to swim, I will feed you. Damn, good food, too!!! I promise :))

I think I have told you that I am training for an actual marathon. This weekend is mile 13.5 and I am so excited. I had a crazy mental block at 10 miles, I ran it over and over again 3 times and felt terrible afterwards.

 But now I have an "ambassador" trainer ( my life becomes more and more like Jerry Maguire all the time) only she's not an ambassador of "Kwan" she's an ambassador of running. She's amazing. She's 30 and she's run quite a few marathons and half marathons. Every time I have a concern she says "You should be fine" and that's it. I mean what do you say to that??

 Well she ran me past 10 miles, past 11.5 and now we're going on 13.5 and it's going to be a good things. She's optimistic about everything. I love her! I haven't told her that or else she'll think I am crazy!  But it's a good thing... My marathon is in July, planned that well, right? Can't wait to run 20 miles when it's 80 degree's outside at 7:30 am...but, I should be fine, right??

How do you spend your summers? Any exciting vacations planned? I'd love to hear from my readers and if you choose not to comment (weep), thank you for stopping by and spending precious time out of your day reading about my nonsense :)

"Imploding"

To collapse or cause to collapse violently inward.

That's what is happening to me these days when it comes to the situation with me and my son. And the suckiest (yes, that's a word) is that I can't blog about it. Vent about it in full...because I think he reads my blog. 

I have to pat myself on the back though,  for the past couple of weeks I haven't lost control, I haven't said certain things I've wanted to say to his dad. I have practiced patience. I have practice compassion. I have practiced understanding and I've left all the sarcastic, unkind remarks in my head.

I am still maintaining my boundaries, though. I feel better about myself. I feel like a stronger parent.

But with holding all that doesn't come without cost. It manifests itself in different ways. I have to figure out what to do when I am collapsing. Saturday, I ran 11.5 miles. It was amazing. I left a ton of negative energy out on the trail.  Today I went to church and heard the word there. Again, a healthy way to rid myself of the weights I am carrying right now.

We also have a counselor. She's a mother. She's had teenagers and I see in her eyes, the compassion for me. I also see her saying "Thank you LORD, that I am not in her shoes right now."

Last week she quoted part of a scriptures "we wait for the early and the late rains". I came home and looked up the scripture and here it is in full.

James 5:7

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.

Again, I am seeking health. Healthy mind, body and spirit. All this and the rains will come. It's going to be good.

10 on 10

Lot's of new things today...

A new ticket! 

New skills - I've bribed him with a new bike if he learns how to peddle! 

 My new beauty - My husband rocks!! 

I only ate the ears of this shiny new bunny.

Hello Diamonds...damn Oprah!! 

I will NOT take advantage of this new coupon...I know Gross, Right? Damn commercials...

 New growth, in our new planters again...my husband ...well you know...

She will be the next Imelda Marcos...pretty sure of it...

I found a new way to waste "nap time" 

And...Dinner (leftover)...not pretty but it was a new recipe and it was left over from last night here's the recipe...her's was much better but I had to leave out the cream and butter and pasta. That enabled me to eat those bunny ears : ) 

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/04/cajun-chicken-pasta/

Lucky Charms!

Linking up with Loves of Life for her Saturday Morning Scene


Good Saturday to you all.

This morning was exceptionally good for Desiree as her birthday week comes to a close. One last gift was presented to her today. Thanks to my man-boy for reminding me (yes, we visited yesterday, update to come later this weekend once I get a moment -you can get caught up here), he asked me if she liked her Lucky Charms "Oh, crap I completely forgot." So before I brought Alexander home to visit everyone we stopped at the store and he bought her a box of Lucky Charms.

Every birthday my kids get to pick out a junk cereal - which is pretty much forbidden at any other time. All year Desiree and Alexander look forward to that moment, where they rip open a box of Coco Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cookie Crisp (CRINGE!) whatever they want. They devour it in two days.

So today here's Desiree with her first bowl of pure sugar and empty calories  happiness! 

Did you know that Lucky Charms is America's #1 Source of Whole Grain??? 

Feliz Cinco De Mayo!!

A few weeks ago I called my sister at work. While we spoke, she received her PTO slips and she was telling me that she had been approved for all the days she requested. Naturally, I asked her what those days are?

1. Dr. Appt
2. Hair Appt.
3. Cinco De Mayo

I followed up with at "WTH? your taking Cinco De Mayo off?"
She says "Um, YES GIRL!"

Alright so I should have known better. We have celebrated every year for the past 7 years ( Only remember back that far because that's how long I've been an SAHM and have been able to partake in the festivities). We typically meet at a restaurant and listen to music and simply have a good time. Through out the day our friends and family come and go. But  today I figured I wouldn't go because I am lazy, and a homebody. But, then my cousin posted this video on Facebook:



And every time I hear this songs it reminds of the countless occasions where our family has been around Mariachi's and because this is one of my grandma's favorite songs (and after a few shots of tequila) she starts to sing it LOUD not with the Mariachi's she IS the Mariachi!! ...then someone always asks her to interpret it and I can hear her now...doing just that.

Then this video was posted




And this is another frequent request from my family. While these are two very, very common Mexican songs, they never cease to make me dance, sing and want to be with my girls....oh and I am totally craving a beer right now.

So, I am OUT! To be with the beautiful women in my life and listen to some Mariachi..AY! AY! AY! AY!

ADIOS! 

Goin' a lilbitcrazy!

OK, so it's been almost two weeks since Alexander has left. I have since called his dad, I have emailed his dad and yesterday I finally sent my son a text because I have received word that his grades are going down. No response from any party.

I am not sure why his dad thinks I am going to sit back and allow this to happen. I filed for custody and child support by the time my son was 6 months old. I have done everything legally and this time is NO exception. I think I have been patient through the past few weeks.

But for his dad to not call me back or allow Alexander to not call me is ridiculous. It's mean and rude, two characteristics of people I try to avoid. But this is my son, my child who he just snatched up and thinks he's going to be there for him NOW...after 15 years of  %12 custody (yeah, that's what's in the court order). %12, can you imagine being a %12 parent. Well here's a little glimpse on what %12 will getcha, he hasn't asked to pick up his son's clothes, his grades have all dropped, he's been seen out late on school nights, he's deleted all of his family members from Facebook...including his grandmother and he didn't call his sister on his birthday (which I reminded his dad of a few days before). I believe this type of behavior in the teen world is called "wylin'out" which screams...." I have NO parental guidance right now!!! SOMEBODY STOP ME!!"

Yet, all the while he's telling people that his son is happy. Really? Freakin' delusional.  Now he's gone from %12 to %100 percent and it's all falling apart. So I requested our file from the courthouse and in two days I will begin this endeavor on getting my son back. Of course, I am praying that it won't take that to get him back. I have high hopes that the alien invasion going on with my kid ends real soon and he remembers who he is, and what is right and wrong. I am praying so hard for that.

***Lucky Number 7***

Monday was Desiree's 7th birthday.  She woke up in the morning and announced " I like 7, I think it's going to be a good year!" Well, I am definitely going to take her word on that. We celebrated with

Red Velvet Cake (flavor requested by her) 

Crafts - Painting Bird houses - Any girls dream, right? 

Friends and Family! No pictures though. I guess I was too busy :( But it all went well because clearly she is one happy girl. She's amazing. Desiree, your right it's going to be a wonderful year! Happy Birthday my darling!