Rick doesn't live here

3 months-Luca

2012-02-22T18:23:00.000-08:00

Luca is 3 months...whew that went quick. I find myself most days thinking-uh what happened at Christmas...what did we do on my birthday. My mom made fun of me because all we did on my birthday was hang out and eat. But it felt so great to be still and do nothing. So alas life with 3 seems to be my limit-going out of the house is hard it take so much work. It is a catch 22 to have children so close together-I feel like my kids will be close growing up-which was what I wanted, but the burden on parents is a lot to take. I never want to come off that I don't love my children, but more I want to meet their needs. Right. this. second. it seems I am not able to meet everyone's needs (including my own-hello shower).
Now on to the good stuff!
***********************

Luca is so big! I bought an Ergo carrier to carry him around the house. He is almost in 9 month cloths-mostly 6 months. He almost rolled over today! As soon as I yelled "Luis Luis" he promptly put his head down. Here are a few photos that we took at a friend's house with a nice camera. Just looks like a little man he does

Luca Little

2012-02-17T21:17:00.001-08:00

Luca is 3 months old
*******************************
and I have no pic to post of that darling boy.

However he is...

-lifting up chubby legs

-giggling when tickled

-watching tv-ugh...no more tv for the other 2.

-smiling at everyone

-looking at me with grey eyes that are slowing turning brown.

Catchup

2012-02-05T17:16:00.000-08:00

I want to try and archive things that have interested me this week. So here we go.

These valentine gloves are awesome!

Free 2012 calendar.

I am starting a scrapbook called project life. I am excited to get started. I was thinking back to December after Luca was born and have NO recollection of what happened. WTH. So I thought either a weekly check in with some photos would be a nice way to do 2012. There is a digtal partnership with shutterfly and this brand. i think for us this is the way to go. I would love to do it by hand but Luis hates paper laying around and lord knows there is enough of that already at our house...

I have found what we are going to do Matias's valentines.

I think that is it from this week. <3 life

Today

2012-02-03T22:58:00.000-08:00

Outside my window... it is muddy and foggy

I am thinking... that I want to knit and have my hair done

I am thankful for... a chubby baby

From the kitchen... chili laid out to eat, and pbj sandwiches

I am creating...a little hat for a fore mentioned chubby baby

I am going... to Nadia's b-day and the gym tomorrow

I am reading... bible

I am hoping... that I will get some qt with all of my littles

I am hearing... blessed quiet

Around the house... lots of laughter and some minor hiccups

Did I mention we had a baby...

2012-01-20T23:09:00.000-08:00

Um yeah we had a baby.

Luca Edurado Vega was born 11.23.2011 at 6:40am -This is him last weekend all 8 weeks and 13 lbs of him.

I am back to work and therefor have time to blog ;) I can not believe we are a family of five! FIVE!!! Here is to babies and mostly to Luca. Our gentle giant-who was quite unexpected and also is now in the 95+ percentile for weights coming in at a whooping 13.5. In case you think I am a really crappy mom, I order this book and keeping tabs on the little one.

Day 5: Downsizing

2011-11-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

From this post
"As we collectively wake up to the fact that our constant need to accrue things – homes, cars, electronics…stuff – has led us to live beyond our means, we may find that we have a thing or two to learn from our kids. Place value on the experience and know when its time to own"

We are always continually downsizing. Maybe because our main living area is 680 sq. feet. Maybe because we are about to have a 3rd child, where i limited my clothing from 4 to 2 drawers in my dresser. Luis and I are always reading about people who have 50 possessions and are inspired. Or about the tiny house movement. I think part of it is about the idea that we can live simply, but the reality is we have way more than 50 things. I struggle to part with clothing and books and craft items...ect. I want to think of my life as fined honed collection not as my "stuff". It is getting there that is hard. I see all my wasted money on the stuff and think when will my collection start...I am getting there but there is more to be done...so much more.

When I look in the future, I think about the things I will want to have and there are not things. They are the people in my life, my husband and my children. So in order to live a simpler less cluttered life one must focus on the people and not on the stuff.

Day 4: On us

2011-11-04T21:08:00.000-07:00

From Sarah Healy article
"“You have to believe that the Lord put you together in the first place.” That’s what my father said in his toast. That was his advice to my husband and me, his way of saying that what we had was preordained, that it was divine. And really, it was as good an explanation as any for love."

My husband and I met in a club, salsa dancing. I had just returned from a mission trip to Mexico. i had no intention of meeting my husband that night. I had just wanted to meet a friend's boyfriend, that was all. When we were introduced, the world stop. I tried to deny that I like him over the next 3 months. I had wanted to be single forever, but alas God had other plans. God has been with us though out our now almost 7 years together. He put us together, he put Mexico on my heart. He brought us to our church where our marriage feels supported and we feel loved. I have never doubted God's Plan in our relationship. This has sustained me though the not so easy times, the times I wanted to be married to someone who understood "my culture" and for him the same. Though out it all is the love, that God placed in our hearts to move past those worldly things. Everyday I feel lucky to be his wife, to be the mother of his children...because these are the biggest gifts that I have received from God. A partner and children, who have nothing to do with me but the privileged to get be part of their lives. As we enter again into parenthood, it is amazing how we have grown and how we have changed. What we have witnessed in other. But it is nice to know that we have done those together.

Daily Thankgiving: Basking in the fall sun, while chatting with a friend while our littles play.

Day 3

2011-11-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

Here I am again, an hour earlier this time. The kids and I had a great day today we made muffins and hung out in pj's this morning. We went to stitch and bitch at my friend em's house with said muffins in tow. We brought Matias to school and then Milli and I came home where she took a nap. I read The End of the Affair for book club and starting a new knitting project. (Our family makes presents so I getting a head start this year.) I am making the psudo gap cowl via Jen Renne on Ravely. I made some chilli in my boyfriend aka the crockpot. Milli and I headed to pick up Matias from school. It was a beatiful day, and we took the stroller, but met Luis on the way and all went together. From there we came home and kids watched tv, while I knitted and Luis took a nap. We went to the library, got Starbucks (yum) :) and then home for dinner, chores and bed for the kids.

Random things:

-How I make chilli in the crockpot is 3 cans beans (one must be chilli beans). One can of tomatoes, some chilli powder and that is it. About a week ago I made chicken breast with salsa and I added those left overs as well. It was yummy!
-I am getting glasses, my eyes are swollen so my contacts are not fitting correctly and it is super annoying can not wait until my glasses come!
-I hate doing adult things, like canceling and getting insurance...setting up joint checking...changing my name.....
-Our new mini van plates are on, we are offical.

Daily thanksgiving:
It is nice to be able to do housework together at night it goes by fast, and keeps me in a good mood. I also felt not 9 months preggers today, I felt amazing!

Day 2

2011-11-02T20:02:00.000-07:00

I almost failed by not posting today. But alas it is now 10:03 and I remember. So yeah. Today was busy two doc appts and preschool drop off. I was able to get up early and do yoga and make steel cut oats for me and the kids for breakfast they are sloop yummy. I buy the ones at Trader Joe's and follow the recipe on the back then I will add to mine milk and raisins sometimes brown sugar but to me it is not essential. So that was our day, and this mama is tired off to bed for me...

Daily Thanksgiving: Matias waking up and chatting to himself and then singing a little song. I love that kid!

Day 1

2011-11-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

Hi!
Introduction
I am working on posting everyday in the month of Nov. I really want to start blogging on a more regular basis and feel like this might get me back into the habit. I think my blog suffered at the end of writing my thesis and general 2nd year grad school craziness. I could not really keep up with everything it was busy last year and so was I!I had to let go of more than just this blog. What is funny is I thought after school I would feel less busy, but that has not happen. So alas the blog still suffers.

What I really want the blog to be is a recording of my life. I kept a journal from 4th grade until 12 grade regualry, now online I can't share what I did then, but it still nice to have a written record of life. I am brainstroming some post for this month to hopefully help me not get writters block. That is my plan. Plus put a little recap of my day so for one month I can see that I did not get lost, and it year it can reflect back on what exactly happened.

Day recap:
Luis off to work.
Me and kids wake up and watch a show.
Prepare a potroast and poptarts (homemade)
Head to Mom's Group at church.
Bring Matias to school
Come home, let Milli nap-Do insurance stuff.
Luis gets home
Do dishes and clean up.
Pick up Matias
Run errands
Head to Molly's to help install a shelf
Come home (cleaning and time outs ensue)
Bath and bed time.
Household Paper work and blogging
BED!

Looking back, we did alot today...and here I thought nothing got done.

Daily thanksgiving
I am thankful for my children loving on my babybelly, giving it kisses and hugs.

IN the mail!

2011-10-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

I <3 mail. Oh how I do so I was excited today when this arrived via my UPS man!

What that's some lazy cloth diapers..oh hell yes!

But holy poop we are having a 3rd kid! I am beyond scared. I keep having a reocurring dream where the baby is born with a tooth...and weights 20lbs. Until then, i hope this baby decides that indeed it will weigh a normal weight, be healthy and most of all happy. I can do this and still be okay.

Have a nice day

2011-10-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

It is the week before Halloween!!!

I love Halloween. I worked on kids costumes over the week and was getting it all wrapped up today because tomorrow it is time to party. (Our first of 5 celebrations). One of my favorite memories growing up was my Dad fighting with the sewing machine to make our costumes. Yes, my dad was the sewer in the family. My parents have a Kennmore machine with all metal parts it is like operating a robot.

Luis was sweet today and brought my sewing machine out and got it all set up and ready to go. So I was able to get most of Matias's owl costume finished which I am basing off of this idea. He is grey owl so I am re-purposing some left over IKEA fabric that I have. I also have added some spots of green, left over from random projects. In the end it turning out, however at one point most of the feathers were not straight but it was easy enough to patch right up.

Milli princess Leia costume is close to being done I just have to get her buns done and she will be ready to fight the dark side.

I will make sure to share pictures soon :)

What I have read so far this month...

2011-10-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to keep forever, what books I have read though out the month. So alas here is what I have been reading as of late. I would rate this month so far as avg. I have not gotten one book that is a WOW book. I read the bittersweet book for book club, while I enjoyed the concept and the intro, the rest of the book pissed me off. While I like the fist book Gail Carriger offered me, I ended up disliking the character by the second. This is the 2nd time I have read The Bargin and it is just as good as it was the first. The second half of the month I will be taking on some more "serious reads" ;)

Family Fun

2011-10-18T16:22:00.000-07:00

I admit that I took these pictures to be our cute fall pictures but alas my children make everything frantic. So we visited the "pumpkin patch" got some pumpkins and called it a day.

We have been working hard to simplify our life as of late and talking about how to make it all work. I wish we could snap our fingers and make it all happen and work right. That we would be able to both be fulfilled in our work. This season in our life is intense, 3 children. New jobs and expectations. I feel that God is continually building our faith story, growing our faith as he leads us though what is the next step. My hope is that though what feels like constant change we are able to make it though to the other side as better people and help our children make sense of this crazy world.

Weekend

2011-10-09T21:50:00.000-07:00

With my new work schedule most people weekends are my work week. I am work Fri- Sun from 6pm to 2am. In most people's opinion that sounds horrible or maybe not worth it. To me it is amazing! I love having my week off and then weekend days. Let's face it when you have young children there is not alot of social life on the weekend's that happen after 6pm. We were able to enjoy the MN fallummer with pumpkin picking, church going. I was able to join some lovely women from church as well as some close friends to discus a book (and start of a book club). It was great conversation and it felt nice to really "talk" about a book. I love reading, and having dialog about books, it was really nice to connect with other mom via books :)

Tomorrow I have a super special idea and in the off chance that anyone reads this mum is the word.

Baby update- I am 32 weeks pregnant which is crazy. This pregnancy is strangely comfortable. i think not knowing the gender of this baby had made me feel less connected with the pregnancy. We are still having a tough time picking a boys name so I am hoping that a name will magically present itself as a wonderful option.

that is all for now.

This is for real-Elmo

2011-10-03T16:09:00.000-07:00

I love documentaries for this reason, in the end we are humans. Our ability to embody goodness is our ability to be human.

found via A cup of jo.

Where have you been; I have been right here...

2011-09-22T14:10:00.000-07:00

In all actuality I have been right here. By right here I mean tired crabby and not motivated to much of anything...

Did I mention that I am growing a baby and some how that it sucks my life blood out of me. I have been here present for my children in a new way, now that I have finished my degree and soon to be licensed in my field, pending passing my exam in 2 weeks time.

There is so much to do before the time comes and baby is here. I would like to have everything organized and welcoming for baby. The kids room was remodeled over the summer and it is quite the space. Artwork is needed but it is otherwise complete.

I am not sure if I will continue posting and writing to the blog. I don't feel excited about it and all the other blogs in the world feel professional and here I am not any of that. But until then I will continue to post when I feel the urge... :) Until then!

Happenings

2011-07-06T11:24:00.000-07:00

First of I am back!

See this screen shot proves I have officially graduated :)

Can not even begin to explain how great it feels to be done. Working at the same job and spending time with the kiddos. We have really just begun summer with this past holiday weekend which we celebrated Vega style by working all day and then eating at a Mexican restaurant watching a the Mexican national soccer team play Chilie. We had plans to go to the fireworks but by the time 8:30 rolled around we all were tired and went to bed. So all in all it was celebrated a little but different than most families but felt the best way for us.

We are awaiting the arrival of baby3, which is just really starting to settle in that a third child is joining our family. Actually it is again terrifying at being a parent again, but also exciting for so many reasons. We are not finding out the gender of this baby so again that is different and exciting for many different reasons.

While I hope to post more on this ole blog, I am not really sure if it is something that is important for me to continue. We shall see :0)

Baby 3!

2011-05-06T15:27:00.001-07:00

Baby3 on the way Nov 2011!

I will be back to posting on 06/26/2011! After my graduation from my MSW program stay tuned for updates.

Until then <3

In my head...

2011-02-21T14:59:00.000-08:00

Kids - Mgmt "Official video" from Bulch on Vimeo.

MGMT-KIDS
You were a child,
crawlin' on your knees toward it.
Makin' mama so proud,
but your voice was too loud.

We like to watch you laughing.
You pick the insects off plants.
No time to think of consequences.

Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wantin',
To be haunted.

Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wantin',
To be haunted.

The water is warm,
but it's sending me shivers.
A baby is born,
crying out for attention.
Memories fade,
like looking through a fogged mirror
Decision to decisions are made and not bought
But I thought,
this wouldn't hurt a lot.
I guess not.

Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.

A family of trees wantin',
To be haunted.

Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wantin',
To be haunted.

Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wantin',
To be haunted.

Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wantin',
To be haunted.

Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wantin',
To be haunted.

Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of treeeeees...

Things that get me....

2011-01-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about things that get at my soul. What has god has put in my life to effect me. While some people it is money, recognition whatever...I feel like god is leading me to peace. I am really effective by conflict, this displacement. Peace is huge, and ai admit I am not always peaceful. However, from inner peace to world peace it is all connected. What we are able to accomplih, I would like to think something. I want to think about peace pray about peace and make it happen....

Dream big

2010 reflection (2) in photos

2010-12-30T10:08:00.000-08:00

One month from my last post....

2010-12-27T21:23:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone. Needless to say I don't have much to say things are well Christmas was good. Kids are good too. Will be back soon with pictures and more to say.

And it contiunes...

2010-11-29T19:46:00.000-08:00

I have been expereincing some bumps latley. But overall things are good.

I started eating gluten free yesterday. Last night I slept better than I have in weeks! I woke up in the same postion that I feel asleep in. I am having issues with absorbtion of my thyroid hormore and also some other minerals. In addtion I have not lost weight and need too!!! NEED TOO!!!

School is hard. I am being challenged and not feeling challenged at the same time. I wish I had more time to get everything done! I wanted to focus on school this year. But my intership has left much to be desired. My supervisor talks about leaving and while part of me wants to graduate and get my hours done, the other part of me wants her to leave so I might have a different experience. It is really hard to be excited when the person that I am working with is not excited about social work. And also asks me questions like " Why did you really enter this profession?" Ummm why....to make a difference in the world, do do meaningful work, to watch people help themselves, i dunno, why did you enter the feild to feel good about yourself? (Which is what she told most people enter social work for) I think in the long run I will learn a lot from this experience but compared to last year it is just very blaise. I need to more than likely dig a little deeper and see where I can get the most from the experience.

The kids....

that will be something to talk to tommrow...

For today

2010-11-17T16:45:00.000-08:00

Outside my window... is cold and snow is on the ground.

I am thinking... that I want to knit and not go out to happy hour. That I can't wait for Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for... that my family loves me and my children are happy.

From the kitchen... nothing...tommrow winter vegetable skillet pie.

I am creating... diagnostic assesments....( that is so not sastifing)

I am going... to the gym tommrow to spin!

I am reading... The Untammed Bride

I am hoping... that I will get a big enough purse to stop carrying around my Trader Joe's bag.

I am hearing... typing and chatting

Around the house... need to purgeand clean

Update

2010-11-14T15:26:00.000-08:00

Bah! Where has the time gone.....

I have been really busy over the last two weeks with school. I wrote 50 pages in three days. While I have not got any grades back for the 4 papers back I feel good about where is school is going.

Recently went back and updated where I am at on my four goals. I was impressed that I had knocked out 3. Milli's sweater had to be restarted because it was not perfect enough. I am considering changing the yarn, because she is really not a pink girl. So I might change up the yarn and take it a touch darker.

In other news we had a exciting day yesterday with all the snow. A transformer blew right outside our house. We lit a bunch of candles and watched Harry Potter on my laptop (it had battery). The fire dept came as we live on a pretty busy street and Milli and Matias were both quite happy to watch out the window all the action.

We are going to welcome a new baby into our family. My cousin is pregant, which is really exciting! Aww babies.

Luis and I met with our lawyer yesterday. We got some encouraging news! We are excited to move foward with the immgration process. Luis and I have debated as to what the right decsion would be for our family. At this point it looks like moving foward in the process is the best decsion for everyone. I have been praying that God would contiune to provide protection to our family. He has been faithful in providing for us.

I hope you all are well. I am looking forward to a shorten work week and then Thanksgiving!!!

this...

2010-11-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

Did you want of these for free......I do! I do!!!
Go here to link to win a free bike from madsen cycles. Even if my dad thinks they look dangerous.....	* As a possible customer it would be nice to see helmets (just a thought) :)

Window Shopping

2010-10-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

An ipad with a wood cover

A comfy bike for the whole family....no trailer needed

11:29am

2010-09-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

We parted ways 2.5 hours ago... you are still gone for 1 more.

You hand held mine as we walked as fast as we could towards your school.

Golden sunlight, crisp air and orange trees.
You told me to slow down, " I am soooo tired".

Papa picked you up.

We we get to the brick building with green doors you "wake up"

Kisses and hugs. You are gone in your own place with your own experiences.

Me too. But you will share about friends, books, and animals.

Only if I ask of course.

Marshmellos

2010-09-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

As summer slips away so do these...

Here is say until next year to you guys...

1:38 PM The Kitchen

2010-09-21T12:07:00.000-07:00

I look at the stove and decide it is time to dig in and clean.
I feel a poke in my leg and see the little one with a big smile

I turn and smile. Quickly become a stove cleaning monster defending her land.

And the the little one runs out. Seeking refugee.

But it is not given, because I am having to much fun with the charade chase, catch, tickle and release.

and acting like a fool.

A fool with a clean stove top.

Forever

2010-09-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

How has your September been...mine has been crazy. I have not had time to catch my breath. I am worn out and a grump....

Then there are these two and all is well. My dad and Milli are too

Then there is this................mom.....mom don't be a grump be happy!

Ok little one...just let me tickle you first.

End of school and start of school

2010-09-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

I wrote awhile back that the I would write a reflection about my first year of grad school. While I think the time has past for a reflection. I think there are some life lessons that I can atrribute to that first 9 months of school. Simlar to having a baby, the process of cultivating and thinking hard about choices and ethics was the most marked expereince of my first year.

I think the most dramatic part of going back to school was learning that I was person. I was not defined by being a mother, which had consumed me for the last two years. It was scary at first to be my own person. Parenting allows you alot of freedom in the choices that you make, there is no one grading you or saying don't displine that way or this way. When choices that I made were commented and graded it was much more stepping out of my comfort zone. Overall my grades were sucessful and I was proud of the work I did. It was personal and indvidual accomplishments that were the best part of getting to achieve a personal goal.

The second thing about school is a lesson about myself and professionalism. Ealry on in the year, I became close friends with someone. When she confided something in me, I was shocked by the infomration and brought it up to a support group that was "confindental". Well one of the members brought it out into public and it became a huge deal. Everything recoved and the indvidual and I are still are friends. (Which is a testment to her and how cool she is) What that situation taught me was to take people face value with a little bit of skepism. I guess I should not have over reacted, but I am defensive about social work and the standards we should be held up too. Let me make this clear on this here blog. Particpating in illegal activity is wrong, but I am not going to be a tattletale on people. As a social worker it is impartive that we meet people where they are at inculding social workers. I think that I would have step back and listen to this advice I might have acted differently.

The third thing about school last year was, how I am really glad that Seward Co-op is close by....they have the best hot bar ever. I love the food it is really yummy. Oh and I liked learning... ;)

Well, school starts in less than a week and I have to go buy my books.

Annoyed

2010-08-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

Grrr....
This past week has been madness.

1. My internship changed.... which ended up with less flexibility and much juggling of schedules and childcare. It almost all sorted out and ready for school to begin in a week....

2. I have not had a good work out. This is entirely my own fault and I am having some mental blockage getting though my work outs. So here is to a better week. I did get in some yoga this morning, but I hardly consider that something that gets my blood pumping.

3.Details. I hate details....that is what I am swimming in right now.

4. Purging... I have got ridden of 4 clothing articles of my own and 4 of Matias's so 8 items total! I am celebrating that, because it is all I have. :)

5. We are going to a wedding this weekend and that should be great! We mailed off a package to a sweet friend who is having a baby girl. Dropped off a meal to a family that just had a sweet baby boy #4 and are ready for a different friend to welcome a baby by labor day#3. There are babies EVERYWHERE....(which oddly makes me not want to have more, must be the constant reminders of labor and pregnancy)

That is all I have right now....I hope to get some more thoughts down soon.

4 simple goals

2010-08-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

Elsie via a Beautiful Mess who's blog is amazing btw. Put up a little inspiration for us who were interested and I responded to the simple idea of 4 goals before 2011...awk. Can you believe it will be 2011? (My ten year high school reunion is next year).

I need some motivation at the moment I feel a little burned out. Which is strange because I have been up to nothing as of late beside being a mom and working. I like to be busy so when that internship, job, and school start up again after labor day I tend to do better when that level of activity is going on....

Here we go:

1. ~~Make time for myself to take care of my needs. -Schedule in times to workout 3 times a week and time to concentrate on "adult things" versus making due during mom time.-~~ Done! I joined a gym and have been seeing friends going to church regualry!

2. ~~Be a better parent -Number one should help significantly with this. I need to be calmer, more organized and sensitive to what the kids need and be there 100% for them-~~

3. Finish the knitting the cardigan for Milli.

4. Get ride of some things....-~~long board that never gets rode,~~ books that are ripped, books never read, clothing to small, stained, or not worn-Doing better than not on this! 11/8/2010

Vacation Part 1-Duluth

2010-08-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

We just a entire week away from our house. By golly it was amazing!!! In truth camping with a preschooler and a toddler was hard. I think the kids had a great time. They were troopers and made me laugh alot.
So here is our vacation part one

Luis views the tall ships.

We watched these cool people exchange vows.

First we headed up to Duluth for some aquarium and tall ship viewing. Here are the row of tall ships in the Duluth Harbor. They were tall and impressive.

Matias and Milli playing at the aquarium.

Don't put the TV in the closet....

2010-08-10T12:56:00.000-07:00

I think the heat has gotten to me. I followed through on a threat. Which end's in the phase " Mom, don't put the TV in the closet." Matias has been asserting his independence in a variety of ways this summer. Most are positive and make me really proud as a mom.

However the refusal to go into the woman's bathroom and screaming in parking lots that " your breaking me" (as I gently hold his hand) has taken over all of time out in public.

So let's keep this short and say the tv is in the closet....and it might never come out.

I sent Luis this article and it makes sense. Our home right now feels crowed and full. I feel like there are things that I don't need around every corner and the amount of things we have leads to disarray. Now I do admit to not being the cleanest person around but how would eliminating things feel and contribute to our happiness. And why not try it and see how it feels? As I read that article I thought....what happens if she has company over, where would she get plates from? Then I realized that we have only once in the 2.5 years that we have lived here had a "dinner party". So really do I have a need for extra plates?

I also have given some thought to things that are important and I want to be a part of lives and how ridding out life of things could make and impact on us. So therefor the next month is clear out 2010.

Birch Trees

2010-07-23T19:47:00.000-07:00

Something I really love is birch trees.

this is a painting that I want. The print is 100.00. It is beautiful and lovely and completed by one of my favorite mama artisits out there. One ms. K Barteski. This work sums up life for me. And it screams home!

I wanted to wallpaper our kitchen with the cole and sons wall paper that is ~~$100.00~~ $198.00a roll. But it is a ~~$100.00~~ $198.00 a roll people!

But what I do have that was not a 100.00 or 198.00 is a painting by my grandmother. It is actually the only thing I received after her death. Mostly because family members of mine put post it notes on everything, while the poor woman was lying on her death bed....but that is an entirely different story...

Recently it came to live in the living room. Which honestly I was upset when my husband put it there. But now it feels quite at home. Even in it's 1970's frame.

Until then I will keep searching for my cole and son's wall paper.

From my garden today!

2010-07-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

Today I picked my first cucumber!!! Can you find it in all that bounty! With this a yummy salad for lunch is in order. We have been regular salads from the garden and they are really amazing! The kids get excited to eat the veggies and Matias even ate some kale the other day.

Here is what in the simple garden salad:

Baby romaine
Swiss Chard(baby leaves)
Grape tomatoes
Basil
Today-cucumber!!!

Top with dressing, I like Annie's Cowgirl rance or this sweet onion dressing from sam's club :)

Enjoy!

Mom and daughter hike.

2010-07-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

On my needles

2010-07-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

From this book, the princess and the pea project. It is for Milli for Christmas. I just started the first matress....only 20 more squares to go. i also want to make the hippo from the book. It is so so cute!

Milli is extra special because I started working on a sweater for her from a raverly pattern- which make me a real knitter

There is a sweater I want to start for Luis that he said he liked, but I have to get faster! In order to finish that.

Matias has socks coming....

Milli got bangs...

2010-07-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

Big Dreams and Big Project

2010-07-12T18:38:00.000-07:00

Matias and I just got back from camping. We survivied and had fun to boot. Matias has been consipated for the majorty of his potty training and he was holding it in on trip. It was frustrating because you have to get him on the toliet with in 15 seconds of him starting to try he must be on the toliet in order to make everything "work". So that was hard, his personality changes and he is very whiney.

To make a long story short, we made a stop so I could use the bathroom and we got some drinks. He started his dance and I got him to the toliet quick enough. When "it" happened I was shocked, it was larger than any BM I have ever had....no wonder he was crabby. Not that it makes it eaiser. Anyhow....

I am looking towards christmas time already!

There are also serveral babies making their ways into the world at this time.

I really want to knit something for all of them.

So here it goes....I will post some of the projects I am thinking about.

Sunday=Funday

2010-07-05T19:47:00.000-07:00

We had a great 4th of July weekend. We ate hotdogs, hung out with family and all that jazz.
Best memory of the weekend is watching fireworks last night, how the kids were in wonder and just taking in the summer night.

Here is our funny family photo from today.... I was trying to show how to Not use a ring sling. When two others jumped in to show their personalities.

Hair and other things

2010-06-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

First things first I got a pretty new and fun hair cut. I always say I want something funky and I think I found something that is just the right amount of funky for me.

This kids have been gone this whole week at Grandma's. I miss them crazy. I have not really talked to them much because it is hard to listen to them. They are having a great time and I think my parents are too. I have been getting things organized at home in preparations for summer and to relax. I did our filing , got my new 401k set up, selected our new siding for the house, got quote for new car and home insurance, among other "adult" things. Luis and I worked on our will and also a letter to send out to families that donated to our churches missions trip by having him cater their graduation parties. I told him that when I graduate next year we are hiring someone else to the catering because there will be a party! he liked that idea.

Today I finished my last two Mental Health chapters for the trimester and I am working on a take home test now. After that I have a take home final, Presentation, and a lit. review to write. THEN I am scott free until Sept. I will do a little reflection wrap up post about school because it deserves one. Until then here are my cuties!

Dear 30 year old Matias...

2010-06-06T18:29:00.000-07:00

Tonight you stuck this rock up your nose. Then it came out right as we were leaving to go to the er. Your college fund thanks you. Please never anything up your nose again.
Love,
Mom
Ps. Please ignore my glamorous looks in this photo, I made lasagna today from scratch including noodles...

Holy cute!

2010-06-05T19:17:00.000-07:00

New pictures of the kiddos!

Matias....not really that happy at this moment...but man he gives good face. I just want to eat him! Yum!!!!

Miss Milli swiming but not having to much fun.

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend. I had class today and it was really nice. I have a mongo paper due Thurs so I will be typing typing until then...

Xoxo lc

Sunday Again

2010-05-30T15:12:00.000-07:00

Looks like Sunday is post day.

Things are well. I am at work currently :) Woot! But still having fun. I need to get at least one case study done while I am here.

We spent the night in Chippewa Falls, WI last night. Luis and Dad did a 50 miles bike ride today that ended with beer brats! The ride was sponsored by Leinie's. If you never had their Berry Beer...try it. It was so good!

Milli is on day 3 of walking...(tear, my baby). Matais is having a moment in time, I think it is known as 3.5 years of age evil! He is sweet so much of the time but then...BAM he is evil. Our ECFE teacher did tell us that the half of year is a time when the brain is growing at a dramatic rate, so the child experience disequilibrium. I we past this soon!

I hope all is well! With you, peace! lane

Stress and other matters

2010-05-23T18:39:00.000-07:00

Here is again a Sunday night and I feel like poo again. I found out yesterday that I had strept. I got a big ole penicillin shot....Oh and I did two presentations. I then came home from class about 2pm and slept on and off until about 7pm. Luis and I watched Avatar (such a good flick) and went back to bed at about 11:30pm. Everyone woke up late this morning about 8am. We headed out to church. We went to visit Luis's dad for his birthday and then came home. Everyone took a nap, besides Matias who watched a video. We then did a grocery run and came home. We had grill cheese and noodle soup for dinner. Nothing fancy but as Luis commented really hit the spot.

Church was wonderful as always. I have been holding on to a lot lately trying to fiqure out things on my own. Nothing major or big, but it was just all building up. School, work, family...if you try to do it all on your own, then what? It is sad of the constant reminding that I need, but just laying it all down in front of god and letting him take control is the only way to be relaxed. Yet, I am so stubborn. I really just need confidence right now that decisions I have made are are the right ones....and I truly believe that God will offer me peace and confidence in myself. I often now struggle with low self-esteem, which is really all about how well I feel with life events. I hope to look to stay more postive about myself and what I have to offer this world.
Sorry if this is to much information, I just want to remind my self of these things...

I plan to spend a little bit of time with the big guy each day this week. Listening and leting his will guide rather than my own.

This week will be low key. I have to work Memorial Day...but to me that is not a big deal in the long run. Matias starts a school program in 2 weeks which is very exciting, it is exactly one block from our house and that will be fun to walk him to school everyday. I hope that he will really enjoy it.

Milli has been doing a Frankenstein walk lately that kills me every time she does it! I will have to try and get it on video.

Peace. LC

The Goings On...

2010-05-10T22:17:00.000-07:00

I feel like such a blog loser.

Well here is the going ons....for the record

Milli:
Walking a little more everyday. She often walks with her arms straight up in the air.
She knows that at the end of the Dinosaur Train theme song...to raawww
She is saying mama, papa, grandpa
Shakes her head yes and no
Loves to lay down in the gravel and roll around

Matias:
Is couting to 20
Knows the alapbet, zoo song, more we get together and farmer in the dell
Still loves animals
Still likes to cuddle
Is very imaginative, lots of things chasing us everyday!

Luis:
Biked 100K
Has 5 grad parties booked and is donating all profits to the Misson in Mexico
Is running 1/2 MARATHON!

Lane:
Is going crazy from school...but not to bad
Finished a MAJOR knitting process
finished my internship
is training for a triathlon
Is watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer way to much!

We all were pretty sick 2 weeks ago and that was awful...seriously awful
We planted a garden on Sun and that was great!

I hope you all are well...take care

Milli's Birth Story!

2010-05-06T15:02:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

I am so excited today because Ms. Millie's birth story is featured at Progressive Pioneer! It is a litte romantic, but that is how I feel about that little person's entrance into the world.

I will be back soon with a post about how all is going in these parts. However, I have 3/11 cases study to "diagnose" done. So I have my work cut out for me.

Did I mention how much I love grad school?

Did I?

Anyhow, check out the post and browse around. You won't be disapointed :)

Cheers!

do you have 20 min?

2010-05-02T20:05:00.001-07:00

If so watch this presentation...
How do we really help the world....

Excellent Picks from a mom

2010-04-07T15:21:00.000-07:00

With my short break from school I have been using my netflix subscription like no other.

So in the past 3 weeks, this is what I have watched and holy cow it is too much but well...that is my own problem.

1. No impact Man-
Documentary- Loved this! I think Luis and I have had similar fights in our house. Plus it was inspirational and Luis and I are SERIOUSLY talking about how to live better and live greener!

2. Weeds Season 4
TV Series- Umm, this was awesome! The hot Mexican drug lord had a lot to do with my love. (I spent an hour on the internet and talking to Luis about this actor) Also the utter break from my own reality was engaging. Hands down the best part is the incredible acting the Mary Louise Parker brings to the series, you feel every decision that she makes thought her portrayal of Nancy.

3. princess and a frog-
Movie-ummm, this was an impulse rent and I am sorry that I watched it.

4. Women in Trouble
Movie-cute and weird....

Destructor

2010-04-05T10:31:00.000-07:00

Matias had this phase and I knew it was coming with Milli.

The destructor...

Which means at this moment a pad of paper is being ripped apart.

That my garden plants will be missing a few leaves.

And a sweet smile will make it all better. I love this stage, almost walking and exploring everything!
I can just hear her thoughts..."squirrel"....

I start a new trimester next week for school and once again this poor little blog will be neglected. My children however will not be, as they are the two squishy things in my life. Next to my tummy of course, which is being whipped into shape via Jillian Michaels and a possible triathlon or half-marathon. (Holy shit...I am going to run a half marathon...)

Until next time :)

Hoppy Birthday

2010-03-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

Milli is one!

Happy Birthday dearest girl! You a joy and kinda crazy, but we love you deeply. You have changed our lives and our family.

Love,

Mommy, Papa and Maitas

I didn't wait for the right moment, I just started

2010-03-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

and now i have this...

New Rings

2010-03-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about updating my wedding bands. At this time I have a lovely ring with a blue stone and a white gold band. When I wear both together they are huge on my hand. I am finding it difficult to type with them on. SO now I very rarely wear my wedding band.....(bad.)

source

So now I am contemplating a smaller band, that is hand crafted. I have been looking at many places. In reality I would love to melt down my grandma setting and my own and have a new ring created from them. How cool would that be! Does anyone know a person that could or would do that....

More importantly I should have thought about all of this before I went to some mall store for my wedding rings..*sigh*

More rings I like...

souce

11 months

2010-03-01T08:53:00.000-08:00

Has it been a whole month...geez.

Milli is now 11 months..*tear

Next month is the big party. We are doing a combined party with Luis. SO if you like ribs and other pinic foods. We are having an indoor picnic. What is Milli up to...lots of mischief she is a busy person who needsss her mama. I am ok with that because she won't in about a year...

Sweet 10

2010-02-09T19:08:00.000-08:00

what makes me happy....when I get to kiss this face, who is now 10 months old. Who is crawling up and down stairs chairs and tables. Who is funny and sweet and not very cuddly.....and who just turned off the baby monitor...better go check it out....until then

Naughty

2010-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

I never know where I will find the newest addition to our family....
I turned my back for a second and this is what I found....

Weekending...

2010-02-07T15:54:00.000-08:00

What a nice weekend.

It was so nice to not have school! We stayed home Friday night, I watched Rachel Getting Married and Sat morning I left bright and early to go get some homework done. Luis and the kids went sledding and met me at Highland grill for brunch. We went home, and the kids took a nap and I did some knitting and homework. Luis went to get some things at target including the 3rd House of Night book for me. It is my new vampire fix ;) Matias went over to the Lunder-Parker's for a playdate and then went to the co-op to get the rest of our ingredients for granola. When we got home I made granola and quesdillas for the kids. Luis and I were still pretty full from brunch and decided we would just have a snack during the evening.
We just hung out again and I did (you gussed it) more homework.

Today, we went to church. Watch Cars, did dishes, and watch a little super bowl. We are out on a quick date tonight to do our marriage course homework.

It was really nice to relax and have fun with the kids. We are so grateful that we go to such a wonderful church, I had someone pray for me today and I feel like a new person. Yeah! I hope you all have a good week.

Welcome to our new little blog..I am excited for it.

Dogme 95

2010-02-05T21:08:00.000-08:00

I took Danish to fulfill my second language requirement in college...random I know but I got a lot out of the 2 semester I took that still are with me today. None of which have to do with language.

1. my friendship with Jessica...jeg elsker du :)
2. A major crush on a grad student J.D. (which have some very funny stories that go along with it)
3. Love of danish interior...
4a. The hottest teacher of my undergrad! (Apparently I was a little boy crazy back then...love ya lulu)

4. Dogme 95 this artful film making was established by directors Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg. Danish dirctors who estabished these set of rules as found on Wikipedia.

The goal of the Dogme collective is to purify filmmaking by refusing expensive and spectacular special effects, postproduction modifications and other gimmicks. The emphasis on purity forces the filmmakers to focus on the actual story and on the actors' performances.

Filming must be done on location. Props and sets must not be brought in. If a particular prop is necessary for the story, a location must be chosen where this prop is to be found.
The sound must never be produced apart from the images or vice versa. Music must not be used unless it occurs within the scene being filmed, i.e., diegetic.
The camera must be a hand-held camera. Any movement or immobility attainable in the hand is permitted. The film must not take place where the camera is standing; filming must take place where the action takes place.
The film must be in colour. Special lighting is not acceptable (if there is too little light for exposure the scene must be cut or a single lamp be attached to the camera).
Optical work and filters are forbidden.
The film must not contain superficial action (murders, weapons, etc. must not occur.)
Temporal and geographical alienation are forbidden (that is to say that the film takes place here and now).
Genre movies are not acceptable.
The final picture must be transferred to the Academy 35mm film, with an aspect ratio of 4:3, that is, not widescreen. Originally, the requirement was that the film had to be filmed on Academy 35mm film, but the rule was relaxed to allow low-budget productions.
The director must not be credited.

What is the point you ask
****
Tonight I watched Rachel Getting Married which I started watching because of Ann Hathway and her rumored performance and I almost wet my pants at the Dogme 95 style I saw...I was so excited! I forgot how much I love this sytle of filming and to me it really makes the experience of the film intensify in the performance. I also love loved the multicultural feel to this film, I thought it was beatiful and like poetry. A must see in my book and better yet now you know all about Dogme you should netflix these few movies and shake it up...

The Celebration*
Italian for Beginners**
Elsker dig for Evigt***

These are my top 3 favorites and worth a watch!

*lot like Rachel getting married
**I own this movie it is so funny to me
***Crazy sad and good!

Things

2010-02-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

Menu planning makes life easier
Never turn your back on a baby who can scale chairs and tabels
Writing theory papers...fun in theory, not fun in realtity
OMG how many papers can profs agsin for 2 weeks!!!
I want an ipad and my brother has teased me endlessly about it...
Need to do something fun this weekend..but mostly I need to do homework
homework
homework

I have about 100 hours to go at my intership!

Something excited and totally scary happened today...more on that latter.

Finally-the new blog, I am transtion our blog this weekend. Like I said this one is more exciting and glamours that this ole blog has been. I will let you know the new link, after I get everything transtioned.

<3 Lane

My crazy lady

2010-01-28T20:47:00.000-08:00

What I am proud of....

2010-01-27T09:33:00.000-08:00

I need to write creatively today. Not about a social welfare topic because being a MSW student is all about saving the world, today is my day off ;)

***

Recently a woman by the name of Andrea at Superhero Journal posted on her life and her thoughts about making space.

Then Zoot posted these questions:

What do you think? Do you constantly find yourself amazed by other people online yet can’t see yourself in the same glowing light? Do you allow yourself pride in your work? Pride in yourself? Or do you give that pride to other people who are probably struggling with the same things you are?

I feel like the online community that I read is a group of a bunch of amazing people with their own gifts and talents. I am not sure how I fit into all of that. But I sure hell know that I can't compare myself to anyone with experiences and talents that I do not have. Yet I do, and while I want to be a super crafter with a super etsy shop, all the while being a super social work and a super wife and a super mom....(lol) Just writing it down looks like a crazy person...

The two bloggers mentioned above both have in many ways inspired me. Zoot for example inspired me to read Twilight, which has saved my sanity over the past year. I am not even kidding about that! That series has provided me an emotional space to get away from the heavy people problems that I have been encountering in social work and that is inspiring.

While I struggling with trying to do to much. I am a "yes" lady. I know that I can't do it all. (For example not dropping of SATC to Autumn when I said I would on mon.) But also knowing that I will get their tonight and I bless their family with a meal as well :) In the long run we can only do what we can. For me that means doing something nice for someone everyday and enjoying every minute with my family.

***

Something that I am proud of is this...I stop pumping in December. But I was able to breastfeed and pump for 9 months while being away from the home for 60+ hours a week. It was a huge accomplishment and I felt really close to Milli and my mechanical baby (my breast pump :)) While I have taken less pictures of her and got to be around her less, I still feel like being in school, working, internship have all made me a stronger and better person. I feel really satisfied with the variety that exist in my life and how I get to transition from worker, to pre-professional, to mom.

****

In the end it is a beautiful life and that is something to proud of.

Because I am a good for nothing friend

2010-01-18T11:39:00.000-08:00

What my children have done to me...well for one saying you will be somewhere and then never showing up. Well, I am sorry that I had to miss my friend's ablum release party this past Sat. But in an attemptto earn their love back, check out the viedo above. (Bridgette is even shaking an egg!!!) ~~Which BTW when do I get to guest star as the egg shaker...Chris you know it is my dream of dreams :)~~

No really listen and love! and then buy

My mom says....

2010-01-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

My mom says that I do not post enough pictures of Milli and honestly I don't. But here is the thing. By the time I find the camera, upload the pictures and then post...well you get the idea...lazy (call is 2nd child syndrome :))
But to appease the grandmother I found some pictures to post of milli...eating noodles yesterday during the vikings game. She was chowing down...and it ended up everywhere on the white floor, but it was to funny to stop the madness...and this is the reason we have the h2o mop....(which you should own if you don't already... because it is awesome!)

now, Where is the cord for the camera.....

update

2010-01-17T15:49:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update...Autumn is doing well and is out of the ICU.

We are hanging out today watching the Vikes play. Milli is refusing to nap and having some quiet time in her crib*. Matias is napping. My parents are coming down and Luis and I are hoping to get out to both do homework and hang out. Looking forward to that!

the hat in the picture, I bought at an event and Luis washed and dried it...so now Milli has an adorable hat, I just need to add a little heart or something....Well have a great Sunday!

Prayers

2010-01-15T19:31:00.000-08:00

I come to this place today with a heavy heart. I am asking for people to pray for a few favors...if you do pray

1. Please pray for Haiti. Healing and light in incredible darkness.

2. My friend Autumn. She fought aggressive breast cancer with a 6month old and 3 year old. Last Monday she had a seizure just 7 months after finish her chemo treatments. She underwent an surgery to remove a maligent brain tumor and is recovering well.

I am praying for full healing. Her husband said this and it made me cry because it is so beautiful and what love is all about...(the link is to caring bridge)

"This is one amazing woman. I know I don't have to tell any of you that...but I'm going to anyway. Autumn is amazing. And, she manages to look absolutely beautiful through the whole thing...eve
n with the bandage across her head and the knee-high inflation boot things...I'd take a picture but Autumn won't let me"

thanks! peace.

News

2010-01-13T20:56:00.000-08:00

I have news #1 I dyed my hair brown! (See Above)

Now that is out of the way....

Luis and I are starting a blog! In the interest of my sanity I might be letting Mommylog transition to the new blog. We are still in the planning stages because this is going to be a REAL blog. oh yeah baby, we are going to cook, talk about fashion, parenting crafting, house tours...ok maybe not house tours or fashion, but we are going to be writing it in Spanish and English so that will be different.

I will let you know more details as they come about. But I want to hear from you dear readers (all two of you) Should I keep Mommylog or would you just want to hear about our life in one place?

Changes

2010-01-03T17:57:00.000-08:00

Laundry-done Dishes-done clean floors-yes! Google Reader yes! Inbox 0 new-Yes! Let it all fill up again...

Tomorrow, starts a few new things.

1. Early wake up and me taking the kids to day care....ugh. My plan is to wake up with Luis and do a work out. Get ready, Get the kids ready and out the door by 7:15am. (Considering that is when I used to wake up...it is a little change) If I do, workout everyday this week, I am going to get myself a little reward.
2. We are starting a marriage course with church so that will be exciting. We even get a romantic meal for two! We have been wanting to take this course for 2 years so it is exciting to be doing it! A friend exclaimed, I am so excited for you two. I think it will be a great start to the new year.
3. New Trimester
4. New Year!

Have a great week everyone.

Happy 2010

2010-01-01T07:20:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010, it is a new decade people! How exciting is that. The best thing about having my birthday on New Year's Eve, is I always start the new year with a new age. I like that!

I was looking at my goals from 2009 and I met about 2/5. I did a great job finish craft projects that I started, and I think I let go of a a lot of expectations about letting my "job" define who I am. In 2009 we WELCOMED a new person, Milli. Who has again changed and redefined our lives completely. Matias became a big brother and a big personality. I accomplished a big life goal of being accepted into Master of Social Work program. I think as a mom we let go of some activities that were weighing us down.

2010-I not so much want to define it in specifics but rather words.

Make every moment count- This is our family motto this year. I think that this describes everything I want to accomplish this year. I want to make every minute a worthwhile experience. Even grocery shopping. What we buy and who we buy it from has become increasingly important to me. When we are cooking and playing spending time with my children, with my first trimester (of school) behind me, my time was limited and I missed them a lot. So I want to make the most of each day.

Look Forward-I really want to get some grown up stuff settled this year. Like getting a will and a better life insurance policy. I want to think about my health and how long do I want to be here and how do I want to live it. (Well!!!!) I think the more purposeful we can be in our actions will effect the end result and that is why I want to look forward and dream big.

Restart- Finding a couple of activities that restart me. I love yoga, knitting, reading a good book. I hope to look towards a few things that make me a better nicer person to be around. I want to be able to give to my family the best of me after a long day of work. I feel that with Luis's new work schedule that will be able to happen.

8 months

2009-12-18T17:56:00.000-08:00

Miss Milli has been 8 months for about a whole month now, but she is wild. Today she was sitting in the cart at Target pulling herself up...she fell because she was trying to pull herself on the tv cabinet and got a black eye.
But here that is neither here nor now. she is spunky and cutting two top teeth what more could a mother ask for. (A full night of sleep?)
She also is a very fashionable as of late this outfit is made up of her brother's hand me downs. When she looked at me questionably...I added a bow. She kept that bow on the whole day. What a lady.

In other news. I just received my first grade back from school and my hard class 3.5! Sweet, I will take it.

Stay turned for a handmade Christmas I have been a busy crafter at this house.

2009-12-14T19:49:00.000-08:00

See that it is a sock! A sock I knitted all by myself! Toot...my own horn.

Anyhow I am typing less and knitting more. I got a little scared because Christmas is so close so we have a lot of Christmas cheer to do in this house.
Little list..because I love em'

1. Get frame for Luis's gift
2. Finish Milli and Matias gifts
3. Dad
4. make tamales with the vega's
5. watch elf and drink hot coco
6. Go x-ski
7. go skate at the landmark center
8. watch the fake fire on tv

That is it for now I will post Milli's and Matias gifts that I making for them. They are pretty sweet!

Three

2009-12-04T08:09:00.000-08:00

Wobbly Cry

My Matias is 3 years old today! He is a little person who changed my life in a big way...

I have never told his birth story on this here blog (what kind of mom blogger am I) I thought it would be a nice gift to myself to remember that day and get it out in the open, all the gore, sweat, and tears that ended in a baby that had the funniest cry at birth.

The begining:

I came home from Mississippi and there was my handsome fiancee standing with flowers. He was wearing a courdy sport jacket and his hair was 3 times longer than it had been when I left. After seeing boys with fresh from basic training buzz cuts, his look was a refreshing changed and I hugged him and fell right back in love...

39.5 weeks later:

My parents are dropping my husband and I off at the hospital. I have a scheduled induction because, of the blood thinners that I am on during pregnancy. I am so nervous, talking 40 miles a mintue. I look at my mom and feel so scared. In my deepest parts of my brain I am thinking...How am I supposed to do this? I can not be a mom, lets just keep this baby inside. We have a crib, diapers and clothing all waiting at home. We have taken the classes and just want to see how everything goes, to see if I will need the pain meds. Secertly I am hoping I can make it...

We check in and get settled in our room. The nurse offers me some ambien...I take it and pass out.

We wake up the next morning and I am woozy. I note to myself never to take ambien again. The nurse offers me the opportunity to take a shower, I seize it in hopes to become less groggy. She says "once you get back we will get things going" AJKHUIYHBJKGJHGYWGIOJDS!!! I come back from the shower, the anatheolgist comes in and states that they are not going to be able to give me an epidural. This is after the pitocen is started so there is no turning back or no hope of an epidural.

I sit on the rocking chair for most of the morning after they break my water about nine. Luis hangs out with me, staying out of the way. We close the blinds in the room and turn off the lights. Rocking continues contractions start to get worse. I ask the nurse if I can get into the shower, she checks with the Doctor if I can be off the monitor. They check me I am at a 4 at 11:30 am. I head to the shower, my mom comes in and lets Luis go get some lunch, he walks me to the shower and waits. Contractions start getting worse and walk back to the room. I continue rock and breathing. Shift change happens and I get a new nurse Jan and a new Dr Dylanko. (Who was out of the 14 doctors in the group the one I wanted to deliver the baby). I relax a little, but the contractions do not. They hit me wave after wave. Luis is back now, I am on the bed and they are checking me...

Nurse Jan exclaims 6!!!

I exclaim bah!!!

I walk to the shower, Luis is being great. I am not. We get to the shower, the pain is intense. It helps but I am dry heaving and that is gross. I am crying and whining. Luis closes the shower curtain on me. (This is the only time in 12 hours he got mad at me). Jan comes and says I have to get out of the shower. I am only allowed to me off the fetal monitor for 30 minutes. I go back to the room and now everything gets a little blurry. Oprah is on, I knew if I made it Oprah, it would be soon. I get on the bed so Jan can check me. I am still a 6. Encouraging words are said. My mom comes in to ask Luis if he wants dinner, they are heading to Cossetta's. (I am pissed...I have not ate all day and want Cossettas). I am on the bed holding on the bed rail. Just trying to get though it contractions. They are coming in waves, and all I can say is owie...owie...owie....

Luis pulls it together and helps me to breath, I feel like I need to push. They call the Doctor. My mom comes in and brings Luis's food in and I yell....get out!!! In retrospect I am so sorry I yelled... the poor woman was just dropping off some food.

I start pushing when the Dr. Arrives, it is not going well. I try a different approach. First the head. Good, everyone says...keep going...keep going. One more push the Dr. says. I do I push with all my might. At 8:11pm with the most wobbly cry every known to man kind, Matias is out in the world. They pop him up on my chest. Luis looks dazed...he cuts the cord. (I ask him later what it felt like and what the placenta looked like too; He said both we oddly cool).

Afterwards, I felt so happy. I had done it!!!!

***

Today, I am at work and then have class. I wonder if the rest of my life on this day I will look at the clock and think about these moments as I am today. Recently as co-worker turned 60, his mother volunteers at our organization. I asked her on his birthday, so do you remember what you were doing...she replies "Oh Lord yes. The pain." I laughed for 5 minutes, I think you never forget.

But more importantly you never forget how much you changed. You can't describe it of course. As for me I thought I never wanted children, they never seemed like a possibility for me. I had closed off my heart to idea that I could be a mom. So when I became one, my heart burst right open and it changed me for the better. From my experience, I have been able to open myself up to many more in my life. I think many times in our life, we close ourselves off to what could be. We grow up, we no longer dream big.

Matias, my wish for you is that you dream big and have an open heart to all of the possibilities of what you life can be...but for now I will settle for you peeing in the toilet and not in a diaper. <3>

Hold Tight

2009-12-02T18:41:00.000-08:00

Love this song
As heard on Radio Heartland... (<3 Radio Heartland)
release
Karen Vieno Parus

Coming on Sunday....Milli 8 months.....Matias is 3!

here's the thing...

2009-11-29T18:41:00.000-08:00

So the thing is...I took no pictures of Milli's first thanksgiving...but

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving up in Cloquet. The kids had a blast hanging out with other and cousin, grandparents and great aunt's and uncle's and one uncle...

I was able to accomplish alot of homework for school and done with almost everything except for one paper and a reflection. I will try to get those done as much as I can at work tomorrow.

We have a big week ahead...Matias turns 3 on Friday, Milli is 8 months tomorrow and I have school allllll weekend...

However it will be a good week.

Little Town

2009-11-24T15:06:00.000-08:00

Look at this cute vintage village...seriously I want....

Thankful Day 2

2009-11-23T18:05:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for...

old friends

big appetites

popcorn bowls

leftover wine

smiling faces

excited babies

handmade gifts

inside jokes

bosses on vacation

new words

penguin books

playtime

bedtime

inadvertent hearts

Thankful

2009-11-22T19:39:00.000-08:00

Sitting with my husband and doing homework in the quite

Friends and new babies coming to this world

Supportive people who want to make a difference in the world

A possible 2nd chance for a new beginning!

Seeing family and friends in a few short days!

Blessed to have a great editor in my life ( go B!!! on hard paper)

Seeing smiles of 2 little people

2 teeth making an appearance

Sheppard's Pie and genius dinner ideas

A new shift for the husband

Great church friends!

Midnight movies

Cupcakes and peanut butter bars (and those who don't judge me for eating that)

knowing how to knit

lots of homework- I kid I kid, but the nerd in me thinks it is kinda fun...

7 MONTHS

2009-11-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

Beautiful girl!
Amazing!

So Cute!

This month flew by, you are as cute as ever and growing, growing and growing. We love you and just the other day you started waving. You love to say bah, bah, bah. Slow down little girl! Your a heartbreaker!

Halloween

2009-11-01T12:33:00.000-08:00

"Matias I really like you superman costume"
Thank you sister, I like it too. Look at the camera and smile.

Sorry dude, I have to go cheer on my boyfriend Adrien Peterson...

Seriously, sister smile...

See this is how you do it...Happy Halloween.
Love,
Superman and a Random Viking Cheerleader

Quite

2009-10-29T20:23:00.000-07:00

I have been so quite on this here old blog...not much to say I guess. Sure kids are growing and talking in full sentences and saying words like amazing!! The other is crawling like no one business and has seem to found her sleeping skills at night.
She MUST have been really working on that crawling during all the night waking she went though at 5 months. Milli is 7 months tomorrow.....exactly 7 months ago they started the drugs and that girl was on her way out.
Babies are the best, they are fresh and new and passionate about life. Recently with the large amount of stress that my life is going through, I find myself clingy to her infant joy. I find I hold her close and watch with amazed eyes as she does something way before her brother ever did. But in all that I am drawn to this quite desperation I have to define myself as a parent.

In situations lately where I am not defined as a parent makes such a huge difference in the parts of my life where I do identify as one. Milli in all of grace and wisdom has allowed me to do that by crawling sooner and being independent, but still needing me in little ways. She has allowed me to continue pumping, which today I could not believe that I have been back to work for 6 months and still pumping!!! I feel like I should get a gold star or something. It is crazy to think that I have done it!! But that has not been me...no my friends that is all her, my sweet yet crazy lady. (emiliana) <3

Crawling

2009-10-18T19:55:00.000-07:00

She is way past this now, as in crawling everywhere but it is still fun to put up here

6 Months

2009-10-06T18:43:00.000-07:00

My thoughts about Milli's 6th month of life are short and sweet, kinda like her.

Ms. Milli alive and thriving and smiling, this was a little impromtu shot of my lady hanging out on the couch, using the pillows to brace her sitting up, which she now has master the skill of sitting up and reaching for objects. Until she topples over because she is top heavy. Then low and behold she made it up on her hands and knees and started rocking away!

We still are nursing, Matias was compeltly weaned by this point in his life, he really just ate so much more than Milli does, at her last Dr. visit she weigh about 14 pounds.
Milli~ my interaction with you this month has been limited, due to the start of school and my internship. I have not seen you or cuddle you as much as I wanted too, but you soft skin is always on my mind, like coal for my engine when I am feeling worn out. (cheese factor) The best part of you being 6 months old (is not sleeping though the night, which you are not) is watching you watching the world, taking it in and thinking this is all mine to find out what is new and wonderful! Here is to another month of adventure and more cuddles!
Mama

Sad

2009-10-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

This weekend will mark, my first two days away from my baby2. First two nights, when she is not even sleeping though them...I know that my mom reads this blog (hi mom) and she is the one watching them and it is not about her (it is not about you mom) But the other part of me feels so selfish, so guilty, I just want to wrap each of my kids up in a little time capsule and never let them out. So, tonight I feel sad, I miss them already. School, seems long and longer, but rewarding. The fact that I am doing something for me sounds so trite. But alas, each moment with them counts more than the ones that I am not. Until then, I can be sad.

*Edit to add, (don't want to be a negative nelly anymore)

Every Act of Love

Demands for our attention

tug in all directions-

kids and work, partners

and practicalities, spiritual

practice and the unrelenting

rough and tumble of life.

It's a gift to remember

even for an instant that

the Infinite is in this mix,

and every act of love

is an offering that

circles back to us a

thousandfold in ways

we never could predict

-Danna Faulds

Songs

2009-09-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

Last Night I told Matias all about Emiliana's song, and then he was asking me to play his. (then I thought blogpost:)) But when I was pregnant with both kids, songs shaped their idenity to me. When I hear that song it describes how I felt or the mood that insipred their upbringing and shaping. So without further ado I present

Maitias Song: Gotta have you, The Weepies

Emiliana Song: Me and Armini, Emiliana Torini

Studin'

2009-09-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

Look we know how to study! We are having a lot of fun with iphoto. In actually we are not really having fun, reading about how you can get sued as a social worker ect ect. I have had a couple of accidents with caffeine over the last few days. Tonight I had a med esspresso drink and realized at the end of drinking it, that is was not decaf (cue Homer Simpson "Doh") Then on class on Friday, I had a Starbucks double shot, and realize after I had drank it, it was a + Energy....what?!? I was a chatterbox, good thing I had class and it was ok, and everyone knew about my little over caffeinated+energy problems. So in up coming days I hope to take it a little easy on all things caffinated.

In other news, I am trying a new approach to doing homework here, I am sure it will be one of many but the 2 weeks no school is a little hard to manage, you are not held as accountable, when you only show up every other week. However, here is my plan week 1 read, read, read. Have reading completed by Wed. This is crazy talk, but a good goal to have. Then let the writing commence or and interviews, that will be just dandy! Shannon, my partner for this project said she will think of a doozy problem to present me with in our planned interview! I have a more serious post to finish up that does not involve iphoto. I PROMISE!!

In baby2 news, I think Milli is sprouting her first tooth, I felt the little ridge, which means I will need to get lots of gummy kisses in the next few days. Because there is really nothing better than gummy kisses! Until then, I will be back with Milli's 6 month photos.

MN Love

2009-09-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

L'Empire des lumières : twinkle
Originally uploaded by TommyOshima

Luis and I went to the Prairie Home Companion Street Dance last night, it was such a blast. We went after the kiddos were in bed and sang some songs and danced a little. It was the perfect fall night and twinkle lights. It made me really happy to be there. That is why I love MN.

New Moon

2009-09-22T20:48:00.000-07:00

After Twilight I was not sure, but this trailer looks amazing, (Did I mention how much I love dramatic opera singing in movie trailers) I was talking with someone about this series and how much I love it, how it can transport me to my other life. So I just officially got excited for New Moon. Plus, I am really excited by Dakota Fanning growing up, what a beauty and amazing talent!
I am sure that this movie will be much more blockbuster than twilight was, I noticed that tickets were already on sale for the midnight show! Maybe I can convince my dad to take me again over Thanksgiving, after last year I am not sure he will go with much if any enthusiasm....

The sound of typing

2009-09-21T05:27:00.000-07:00

The sound of typing is going on a lot more than it used to around here. I thought I would jump on my blog and start writing for today. Because why not.

I have started to adjust my rountine around here. I am getting up ealrier than I used to, which is really awsome. It allows me time to get my thoughts and things toghter for the day and I like that. It seems like my head is floating around with 50 billion thoughts and being up in the morning gets me going, has made me wake up and smell the coffee.

We had a great weekend. We took it easy. I enjoyed the kids and I hope they enjoyed me.

Well I am off to a exciting day of receipting! We are off to the library tonight for some easy reads! Then off to bed, and me off to do homework!

Goofy

2009-09-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

We are having a little fun with I photo this morning and it is keeping Matias Busy!
Also Milli decided that this morning she would do some backwards crawling, and getting up on hands and knees, the child is a manic, we waited 10 months for Maitias to army crawl around! What a change! Have a great Saturday!

*Edit: I Have always wondered where Milli gets her super crazy big eyes, but I see exactly where the below face comes from and it IS a my scary eyed twin (with darker complexion of course ;))

things start to sprial

2009-09-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

Hello Monday.

I have been waiting for you all weekend. This past weekend marked the first weekend of classes and it was a little crazy. I was so glad that I was not the only person who walked out of Sat. morning class shitting my pants. But I made it though. Actually, it was exciting because everyone really wanted to be there and to experience the experience. I am excited that it is all about something I want to learn and more importantly, going to my intership. I already really like it there. I practicing really hard listening and observing and not to share to many personal issues. Because where I am at know I can tend to do to much of that.

I really missed the kids last week, it was hard to say goodbye every morning and not be there and know that I would not be home until much later then normal. Matias watched the new PBS kids show dinosaur train with all of his dinosaurs lined up in front of the Tv. Milli tried rice cereal with little success. (a resulting trip to urgent care as a matter of fact) She is fine and enjoyed the ceral, but we are still over to the allergist this week to make sure she is ok.

We also attended a wedding that was very dear to my heart, even though I missed the vows due to school, still Luis took some lovely pictures. Ellen and Eric said I do on Sept the 12th and we are so happy for them and Leo. Also check out the picture, that is her amazing backyard garden!!! How can I even compete :) Well I am off to write a paper all about me and my crazy family.

P.S. I lost 4 pounds on w.w. last week!!!

Break Up

2009-09-10T18:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I broke up with Perez.

Perez you ask...yes Perez Hilton.

Perez,
It was an awesome 2.5 years. Thanks for it all!

lane

Reality

2009-09-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

Have 200 pages of reading to do before Sept 11th the first day of classes...(insert mild heart attack)

Not to mention sleeping in our house lately is weird, so weird. Last night Matias had a pretty bad bout with food poisoning. He was barfing between 8:30 and 2am. The glamorous joys of being a mom. So I slept downstairs with Milli in our room and Luis up with Matias. Five hundred loads of laundry later, I think Matias is feeling better. Both kids are taking a long nap right now which I can not complain one bit about!

On the bright side we learned some important tips. Save your baby bathtub from the hospital makes an awesome emergency barf bucket. Matias always is a good kid even, when he is sick. He was uncomfortable yet oddly happy, during the whole ordeal. Most important tip, Lilo and Stitch solves everything for a 2.5 year old who is sick in the night! I was also really proud of how both Luis and I handled the situation. Let's face it this is the part of parenting that makes the flight or fight response come out. Oddly Luis and I always do well in these higher stake situations, the dishes is a whole other story...

Oh and the reading....well hopefully I get my books from amazon soon....
I have a few things to finish up in the house over the weekend, curtains int he dining room 1st and foremost! Cleaning the storage closet which I always seem to be cleaning. Making 1 more trip to goodwill and organizing cupboards. I really want to start next week with a clean house and fresh start. My plan is to use the blog to get me a writing mood in order to write papers so I hope to keep this up as school starts. Until then!

5 Months

2009-08-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

Milli is Five months, she is changing daily and making me laugh daily as well too. She has started to scream, roll over, grunt in a very scary manor, love her brother and recognized who and where he is. She loves the jumper and getting butterfly kisses. She is still not sleeping though the night but that is ok, because it gives us time to nurse during the night.

Not much else is new, I had orientation @ Augsburg and I start my internship next Tuesday and school on Friday. We are growing a ton as we learn to trust God about more and more things in our life. These next few months will be a huge adjustment. Happy end of summer!

quick

2009-08-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

Today I am fighting a cold, but a couple of things that caught my attention

1. You must check out this family photo website.

My school wish list:Headphones, because you can never look to rad studying...

Also one can never have enough pockets on a sweet bag.

Don't worry books and other things are my list as well. I feel like a little kid again getting all of my stuff ready for school outfits and pens notebooks. Not looking forward to leaving my little ones, but I will manage. It is crazy to thing that when this is all said and done I will have 4.5 and 2 year old little people. Wow!

Take care you crazy people!

jump

2009-08-19T22:02:00.000-07:00

How Milli puts herself to sleep

2009-08-17T18:38:00.000-07:00

Milli was on the couch while I got Matias ready for bed. I came back to find this scene. Which makes me confused and laugh at the same time. But here is to self soothing!

I picked up the blanket on the first picture! lol. Have a great week, we are hosting Tina and Michele from the country of Germany! Here is to some beer!

milli 4 months

2009-08-15T13:14:00.000-07:00