This is why I chose to be a Stay-At-Home Mom

I am having difficulty sleeping tonight (perhaps anxiety regarding my little vacay tomorrow?) and therefore I am catching up on some very neglected recorded TV shows. At the end of the recording was the beginning of the next program which happened to be the daytime news. I decided to watch...little did I know that I would hear a heart wrenching story which occured at a day care and ended in a child's death. I hate to be bad news bears here, but this is why I dislike watching the news. Sometimes I say to myself "hey, find out what's going on in the world; watch the news...you're sorta outta the loop". I turn the news on and bam...somebody left a baby on the side of the road or a police crew just busted a meth lab with baby bottles next to the chemicals. Then, I wonder why I even bothered. I get way too bummed out. And after seeing this clip about a woman arrested at a day care, I am pratically bawling. So, even though I should be sleeping, I am complaining about how depressed the news makes me.
However, I am also patting myself on the back for making one of the best decisions of my life to be a stay-at-home Mom (granted, an easy decision for me). But part of my decision was based on the fact that you can't trust nanny's or day care workers to NOT HURT your child. Sure, there are great people out there working with kids, but I was never going to take the chance. Check out the article (which contains a different clip in it than the one I saw tonight): http://www.kpho.com/news/18477620/detail.html

I'm not sure why this story is making me so upset, but it could be that today has been a little gloomy with the passing of a family member leaving me more emotional than usual. Of course, it could be PMS too :)
Anyway, I just had to complain about how irritating it is to turn on the news. And mention how HAPPY I am knowing my children are always safe at home with Mom & Dad :). Phew!

Someone Pinch Me and Tell Me it's NOT True

Jaxon just turned 3 years old on December 18th and so he started preschool. His first day was this past Tuesday, January 6th. He goes to Camelview Preschool, which is the same one both of my other kids attend/attended. He gets bussed to and from and seems to really enjoy the whole experience (especially the bus ride).

It wasn't until I saw this...

that I realized babies don't attend Preschool. Wow, time flies when you're lovin' life. It seems that my kids are ALL growing up quicker than Javier and I are ready for. Where is Father Time when you need him to pause the clocks to take a moment to smell the flowers...or the baby powder scented baby lotion which brings back thousands of precious memories?

Check out the happy face of a new preschooler...

Enough with the Nostalgia for today. But I did want to mention how grateful I am that I am 8 days away from turning 30 years old (Javier turns today!), I have a fabulous husband and 3 healthy, happy, adorable kiddies and I have started the New Year with a 5+ pound weight loss!

Javier's First Day

Today is Javier's first day of work at his new job Delta Dental! Yay! I hope he has a great day and is happy with his new job.

Not so fun facts:

• Javier got fired through no fault of his own. Unless, of course, you count him not becoming best buddies with his woman boss his fault. She was a real pain in the neck and I'm glad to be rid of her.


• We filed for unemployment immediately and after 7 weeks, have yet to see one penny that Javier's hard earned paychecks paid into. Ugh...


• After we waited at the DES office together for 6 hours on a "standby appointment", we were approved for AHCCCS and Food Stamps, which helped ease our stress somewhat. Therefore, we were never without medical insurance.


• Javier initially applied to 8 qualified employers and only got called back by Aflac, who then wanted him to pay $350 to get his insurance sales license and work on strictly commission. He decided not to take this job since there wasn't a guaranteed paycheck.

• Then, he applied to another 12 qualified employers and didn't get called back. Needless to say, Javier was frustrated.



• After a few days of not getting any call backs, he decided he had to apply to anyone who would hire him. So, he applied to places close to home like Macy's at the Biltmore, Safeway, Fry's etc.



• All together he send out nearly 30 applications, all via the internet, which is how everyone prefers it these days. I remember the days when you would apply in person and sometimes get an interview on the spot and sometimes get hired on the spot too. Ahh, the old days!


• He was hired by Safeway on a Tuesday and scheduled to go through training on the following Tuesday.


• That same afternoon, he received a phone call from a gentleman from Delta Dental, who Javier knows through working together when Javier worked for The Segal Company (2004-2005). Although, this gentleman (whose name escapes me currently) had interviewed several worth candidates, he was holding off on hiring anyone until he interviewed Javier.


• Javier went to the "interview" on Friday (only 3 days after he was hired at Safeway), which was breakfast at the The Good Egg with his aquantance and was hired on the spot.


• Apparently the National Consultant from The Segal Company told the man from Delta Dental that Javier is "very smart, competent and hard working. It would be in your company's best interest to hire him on the spot". That man deserves a Thank You card in the least.


• Can you believe that after 30 applications and basically no calls for 6 weeks, Javier gets 2 jobs in 1 week?!


• Although Javier did have to take a bit of a pay cut and there is a 3 month waiting period for benefits, it's a job that Javier will excel at and it won't create any stress or long hours.


• His title is Large Account Manager, which should be a walk in the park for Javier.


• We feel very blessed to have Javier working again. We loved having him home...he is such a great helper (he helped to clean the house, do laundry, cook, etc) and it was nice to spend a lot of quality time with him. I know that Javier feels his position in this family is to provide and without a job he felt a little lost. There has definitely been a little extra hop in his step lately and I don't doubt it's due to him feeling happy about his position in our family, once again!

Perfect Guacamole

4 Avocadoes, finely chopped

1 Roma Tomato, finely chopped (with seeds and "gel" removed)

1/2-1 cup of Cilantro, chopped (I use a handful)

1 Serrano Chile, finely chopped (I include the seeds for more kick)

1/2 cup of White Onion, finely chopped

the juice of 1 lime or 2-3 key limes

2 cloves of garlic, crushed (I use Pampered Chef's Garlic Crusher)

1/2 -1 tablespoon of Garlic Salt (depending on your taste)

In a flat bottom bowl or plasticware container (for easier mashing), add tomato, cilantro, serrano chile, onion, lime, glarlic and garlic salt and mash together to incorporate spices and flavors.

If you own a molcajete, you may use that, which will yield better results. I wish I had one.

Then, add avocadoes and gently mash together with other ingredients. Make sure not to mash avocadoes too firmly as to keep the integrity of the chunks. Do not use the molcajete for this because it will mash the avocadoes too much.

You may enjoy immediately, however, for best results allow to chill covered in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to infuse.

In the end, you will get this (please excuse the lack of tomato, I was out when I made this):

Your taste buds will be begging for seconds and thirds and fourths, etc.

Our little Jack-O-Lantern

William Jaxon

I realized I don't do enough posts about Jaxon or Javier. So, now I tribute a post to my youngest, Jaxon, who will be turning 3 years old in 2 months. (sigh) Ahh, how time flies by when you are lovin' life :)



Some things you may or may not know about Jaxon:

• He is my sweetest child out of the 3. He is always ready to give/receive a kiss, hug and cuddles. Not just to Javier and me, but to at least a dozen others.
• He is a true "mommas boy" through and through. He still gets upset when I leave and is the happiest when I return.
• He has a very funny personality, always making Javier and me laugh. The picture above when he put on the old lady hat is a perfect example of the funny little things he does throughout the day.
• His favorite TV show is Crashbox on HBO. It targets children 7 years and up and he absolutely goes bananas for the educational program, which makes his parents happy :)
• He loves books and lets me read to him endlessly. What is particularly funny is when I let him look at a few books by himself, he pretends to read the stories to himself.
• He enjoys spending a lot of time playing on the swing set, especially the swings. He can't quite swing himself yet, so we help push him. I imagine him swinging A LOT when he can fly solo.
• He loves having his picture taken and always puts on a nice smile for me :)
• His blankets are his life and he carries them around everywhere with him. Even to church nursery...however, he isn't the only kid with a blanket in there.
• He has several nicknames: Jackie, Jax, Jack, Jack-Jack & Sugar Bugar.

He is a perfect boy for our family and we love him dearly. I referred to him as Jack-O-Lantern because there is so much light in him and he spreads it around. We feel so blessed to have him in our lives :)

A-Z Survey...anything to distract me from a football game I could care less about :)

A

• Are you avail​able?​:​ nope...I'm involved in a relationship known as marriage!

• What is your age?​:​ turning 30 in 3 months and glad to be almost done with my 20's, phew!

• What annoy​s you?​:​ the fact that technology doubles itself every 18 months...who can keep up?

B

• Do you know anyon​e named​ Billy​?​ Yes, Jaxon's first name is William.

• When is your birth​day?​:​ January 16th

C

• Curre​nt mood:​ Anxious. I can't wait until this football game is over and we can watch a movie.

• Favor​ite candy​?​ hot tamales

• Your curre​nt Crush​?​ the one and only Javier

• When was the last time you cried​?​ over a month ago and I'm pretty sure it was "the time of the month", so that explains that...sorta!

D

• Do you daydr​eam?​:​ ugh, yes and it's annoying when I want or need to listen :)

• What'​s your favor​ite kind of dog?​:​Though they shed like crazy, German Shepherds or St. Bernards

• What day of the week is it?: Saturday

E

• How do you like your eggs?​:​ scrambled with onion, tomato, cilantro, potatos, homemade salsa and corn tortillas...mmm.

• Ever met an eleph​ant?​ no, but that would be super sweet!

F

• Do you use fly swatt​ers?​ oh yeah, I dislike flies to the 10th degree

• Have you ever used a fogho​rn?​:​ nope, what a weird question

• Is there​ a fan in your room?​:​ There has to be so I don't have a sweat driven break down! Javier always says I'm a fan natzi

G

• Do you chew gum? I try to keep a constant supply, but I have this gum thief otherwise known as Marley...

• Do you like gory movie​s?​:​ not too much, depends on the movie

• Who'​s gay?​:​ if you don't know, I'm not going to tell you (dumb question)

H

• How are you doing​?​ okay, looking forward to scary movie called The Happening, woooh!

• What'​s your heigh​t?5'5"

• What color​ is your hair?​ New hassle-free brown. That is the name on the hair color tube, lol.

I

• What'​s your favor​ite ice cream​?​:​ I like Gelato Spot...any of their fruit flavors is good and healthy. Score for me :)

• Have you ever ice skate​d?​:​ yep, I even took lessons when I was 6 and I still stink

• Ever been in an igloo​?​:​ no, but my sister and I came across one on the Pinetop Country Club golf course. We thought about going inside, but were too scared since it seemed a little small for teenagers. It looked like it could fit a kid or dog.

J

• What'​s your favor​ite Jelly​ Bean?​:​ I like Starburst Jelly Beans, yum!

• Do you wear jewel​ry?​:​ just the typical married woman stuff, but I'd love a new necklace...hint, hint Javier!

Are you jealo​us?​:​ um, yes. Of women who have babies and then are back into their regular clothes after 2 weeks, then bearing their bellies after 4 weeks. Nicole and Melissa come immediately to mind...ugh!

K

• Who do you want to kill?​:​ Um, NO. Why would I reduce myself to the likes of those jerky serial shooters who tried to kill me?

• Have you ever flown​ a kite?​:​ yep, love it!

Do you think​ kanga​roos are cute?​:​ just young ones; adults and newborns are ugly.

L

• Are you laid back?​:​ ha ha ha ha ha! no.

• Lions​ or tiger​s?​:​ I know they say lion's are the king of the jungle, but tigers just have cooler markings.

• Do you like black​ licor​ice?​:​only the Good & Plenty's.

M

• Ever shopp​ed at Moose​jaw?​:​ I have never even heard of it

• Favor​ite store​ at the mall?​:​ Besty Johnson.so much pink, so much money• Do you have a nickn​ame?​:​ Mis, Missy (which I still hate), Mel, Reilly (there are 3 melissas at work), babe, hun, mommy (is that a nickname?) and Bella has just decided to call me "Miss Mommy" whatever•

N

Do you prefe​r night​ or day?​:​ night; playtime with the kids, booktime, cuddle time with kids and sometimes hubby and SLEEP!

O

• What'​s your one wish?​:​ eternal happiness for everyone around me and myself

• Are you an only child​?​ no, thank goodness my parents did me that favor :)

• Do you like the color​ orang​e?​:​ well, it is a Phoenix Suns color, so yeah.

P

• What are you most paran​oid about​?​:​ getting pregnant and not losing this excess weight

• Pierc​ings?​:​ just my ears

• Do you know anyon​e named​ Penel​ope?​:​ nope

Q

• Are you quick​ to judge​ peopl​e?​:​ maybe sometimes, but I try to be open minded

​• Do you like Quake​r Oats?​:​ oh yes, with brown sugar and raisins...yum!

• Know anyon​e that makes​ quilt​s?​: ha! I know one of the best quilters every, my aunt Pam. Oh, and I have made a few cute ones too :) (though they don't compare to Pam's work)

R

• Do you think​ you'​re alway​s right​?​:​ yes! It just so happens that I am actually always right :)

• Do you watch​ reali​ty TV?: yep. We watch Survivor & Dancing with the Stars right now.

• Reaso​n to cry?​: happy, sad, frustrated, watching a sad/happy movie, babies who won't sleep.

S

• Do you prefe​r sun or rain?​:​ I like a super rainy weekend, but then I miss the sun. So, BOTH!

• Do you like snow?​ not on me, but I love to go up the the mountains during the winter

• Whats​ your favor​ite seaso​n?​ Spring/Fall tie for me. They are both so pleasant here in Phoenix.

T

• What time is it?: 9 pm.

• What time did you wake up?: I don't know because I woke up in Payson and was out of my realm. I think it was around 7:30...thanks Javier and Julia who let me sleep in :)

U

• Can you ride a unicy​cle?​:​ I actually had friends who had one and NO, it's so hard!

• Do you know anyon​e with a unibr​ow?​:​ I know a few, I just want to grap my tweezers...

• How many uncle​s do you have?​:​ 3 uncles, 2 step-uncles

V

• What'​s the worst​ veget​able?​:​ jicama and brussel sprouts are on the bottom of my list. Everything else is just dandy!

W

• What'​s your worst​ habit​?​:​ eating after dinner, no wonder I'm super chubby right now.

• Do you like water​ rides​?​:​ oh yes!

• Ever been insid​e a windm​ill?​:​ no

X

• Have you ever had an x-​ray?​:​ yes, along with CAT scan and MRI

• Ever used a Xerox​ machi​ne?​:​ yeah, I don't live under a rock

Y

• Do you like the color​ yello​w?​ yes, I love it!

• What year were you born in?: 1979

• Do you yell when you'​re angry​?​:​ I have been known to, occasionally :)

Z

• Do you belie​ve in the zodia​c?​:​ I find it interesting, but I would never base my life on it

• What'​s your zodia​c sign?​:​ capricorn-which I have tatooed on myself. Parents were not happy.

Christopher Turns 6!

Christopher's 6th birthday was the talk of the house around here for the past few months. I worked really hard at getting Christopher to remember his birthday. What ended up working is that we told him that people won't be able to wish him a happy birthday or get him a present if he can't tell them when his birthday is. Worked like a charm...he remembered it in lickity split :) I fact, he went so far as to say his birthday this year is "September 16, 2008", which we thought was pretty cute.

On his actual birthday, I made an awesome Whipped cream-Cream cheese with Strawberries Cake for him. That is, in fact, the official name ;) I think he liked it, but that he thought it was a little rich because he didn't want any leftovers of the cake. Oh well, more fore everyone else! The cake was fun to make it and even more fun to perform "quality control". In case anyone is wondering, I prefer baking to cooking anytime.

His birthday party was extremely small. It was really last minute and so I only invited one other family with boys, The Verdon's. They have 3 boys, all around the same age of my 3 kids. Their names are Malik-5 years, Gabriel-4 years and Trey-20 months. It was a lot of fun, but I could kick myself for not being more "camera ready". I only got pictures of the very end, when he was opening his presents. The main things I would love pictures of are: 1.the kids hitting the life size Superman Pinata, 2. the "Party Animal" cupcakes from Cupcakes, which were heavenly, 3. It seems I got a picture of everyone except Javier, Papa, GiGi and Uncle Phil...geez, what is up with my complete lack of photography skills?...Bummer.

Christopher was so excited about one of his Transformer's toys, he didn't want to look at the camera.

Tearing into the presents.

Marley: trying to be helpful ;)

Malik
Gabe

Trey

Fran Verdon (mother of the 3 nice boys) and TiTi enjoying some adult time.

Grandma Merle.

Though she looks totally unhappy here, she was actually very pleased to be at our house around all of the family.

Christopher seemed to really enjoy himself. Happy 6th Birthday! OXOXO

*Sorry about the photos not being too great; I used the wrong camera which does not take good indoor-at-night pictures.*
**Special Thanks to Javi, my dad and sister for their help. We all appreciate it :)