Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy New Year. .....

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

We've had a wonderful week leading up to Christmas. The girls and I went to the zoo lights last Saturday with The Miles and Jackson families. Mondo was sick, yet again, and was unable to join us. The highlight for A was riding on a Camel and K just enjoyed hanging out with her friend D. D is my friends 6 yr old son. K has an obvious crush on him and is not shy about following him around everywhere. Mondo can't help but laugh, as many have told him how "Boy Crazy" I was growing up. I don't seem to recall. It was very cold, for Arizona, at 35 degrees. We bundle up at 70 degrees, so for this we had scarves, hats and gloves on.

The next day, Sunday, the girls and I traveled two hours down to Tucson to see my cousin Amy's son in a pageant. He was the best Shepard there.

The kids enjoyed exchanging gifts and going to our favorite place Eegees. Eegees is a must if your ever in Tucson. They have the best subs and Slushies. They're loved so much that Letitia, one of my really good friends, begged me to bring her a slushy back to Phoenix.

We had a great time Christmas Eve spending time with my parents, going to church and opening presents. My favorite part of Christmas Eve, besides candle light service, is going to a community here in town that almost everyone participates in having lights on their house. We have done this each Christmas Eve since A was born. It's a nice time to just be with family and enjoy each others company.

Christmas we spent at Grandma Kathi's with Mondo's brothers and family. Katie loves the doll she received from grandma. After Grandmas we went to Terri's Aunt and Uncle's to see all of her family and several other stops through out the day. We are blessed to have all of our family living in town. The girls were excited to come home from grandmas to see what Santa had brought, K keeps singing birthday songs to Jesus and S just goes with the flow. All in all it was a nice day and we saw a lot of people. It's to bad we have to wait till a holiday to see each other. It seems like life just passes us by and sometimes we need to slow down to enjoy more of

it.

I hope everyone had a blessed day and remembers that Jesus is the reason for the season. Take time to slow down and enjoy life before it passes you by.

Happy Holidays

I hope everyone is having a Happy Holiday season. It's been a while since I posted. We have been very busy. Last weekend my work had their adult party and this weekend the children's party. Mondo was sick for our party this year, which was a bummer, it's the one time a year we get dressed up. The girls were excited to see Santa. Katie couldn't wait to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas. I asked her what she was going to tell him and was reminded that I'm not Santa. I'm guessing she wants something Hannah Montana. She seems to be very popular in our house. They had their face painted, decorated cookies and even had a reptile exibit where you could touch the snakes. It was a blast.

We also went and bought for a Christmas Angel at the mall. Katie didn't quite understand the concept at first. She wanted to know why we were buying gifts for Priscilla, our child's name, instead of her. It took a little while to warm up to the idea of giving to others, but by the end she was helping me pick out an outfit and toys.

We have been enjoying the Christmas music. Phoenix has a station that starts playing Christmas music 24/7 as of Thanksgiving. We've been dancing all over the house. I love this time of year!

We put our tree up this evening. All 4 1/2 feet of it. Unfortunately, Mondo is allergic to the spray on a brand new fake tree and tends to have allergies with real ones. So once again, we have are small tree on top of the coffee table. I'm hoping after Christmas to find a used tree where some of the fire retardant spray has worn off. But for now, we will still enjoy our small one.

Wishing everyone a safe Holiday Season.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We have been so blessed this year with a new addition and the wonderful support of family and friends. I know that it has been a hard year for many, but I am thankful for what we DO have. There are so many out there that are not so lucky. So hug your family and be thankful for what God has given you.

Mondo and I were talking and next year we want to ,as a family, help pass out meals or something to give back to those in need. We want our children to learn to give back to their community and appreciate what they do have. My cousin Charity was telling me of a program they have in California. I know there are many ways to give back and plan on looking into where we can be used as a family best.

In the picture above, Katie is displaying her turkey she made at preschool. I thought it was really cute. She was SO proud. (Sorry about the unmade bed in the background.) It was laundry day. LOL

Happy Thanksgiving.

The 1st Family Night

Tonight is the first Villanueva Weekly Family Night. I have Mondays off, so Allison asked me this weekend if Monday can be our Family Night. I asked her what she meant by this. She said we all sit around the bible and read bible stories and talk about what is going on with each other. Out of the mouths of babes.

We've always talked about God, read stories at bed, prayed with them etc... but we thought this was a great idea. The girls are really looking forward to it. I feel so blessed to have children that love God and want to learn more about him. Katie is still trying to grasp the concept that something can be true and real, even if you can't see him. Don't get me wrong, she still talks about God, but asks a lot of question of why can't we see him. I welcome the questions because it only helps her faith grow stronger.

I am also blessed that I grew up in a family that knows God. I don't remember a time where my mom and grandparents weren't taking me to church, singing about God, reading bible stories and much more. I know not all people are this lucky. I only hope that our children will feel as blessed.

It seems now a days the world is getting more and more away from God and becoming more worldly. Our children are going to need a strong relationship with God, besides the obvious reason of being saved and eternal life, but to help make good decisions when everyone else is going with the flow.

God has provided so many times through the years, as only he can, and I look forward to see what he has planned in the future for our family.

Arizona State Fair

It seems like every weekend we have something going on. This weekend Amy and Matt came up from Tucson to go to the fair with us. We had a great time. It was nice this visit that all the cousins got a long and made our visit quite relaxing. Maybe next year Mondo and Sean can join us too.

Here are some pictures from the fair.

Congrats Jenny and Kevin

Congrats to the Welsh family. Jenny is one of my best friends from childhood and just got her notification (referral) for their daughter Madeline from China. They will travel in the next 2 months to bring her home. It has been a LONG wait, over 2 years. Madeline's birthday is 11/29 and there is a good chance Jenny and Kevin will be in China or have her home for her 1st birthday.

Check out their journey to their daughter Madeline. It's a beautiful story and shows how God can provide us signs of his will.

www.kjjourneytomadeline.blogspot.com

Weekend with Family

This past weekend we had a great time with family. Friday night we left for California for the 5 1/2 hour drive to Placentia, California where my cousin Charity and her family live. It was nice that all three children slept the entire drive there. It was difficult at times managing the vehicle with the 20 + mph winds blowing but Mondo got us all there safely.

Charity,her daughters and us went to Huntington Beach on Saturday, while Don, Charity's husband, and Mondo went to the swap meet. I think they needed some male bonding time as there were to many women in the house. This was also the first time they got to meet Sean. He was great on the whole trip, only crying if he was wet or hungry.

The girls were excited to eat at our regular place at the end of the Huntington Beach Pier Ruby's Restaurant. Even though it was an hour wait to be seated, we enjoyed passing our time looking for ocean animals. We saw a seal and a dolphin. Much of this time was also spent trying to keep Savannah, 3 years old, and Katie, 4 years old, from falling off the pier and into the ocean. They were very fascinated by the water, especially Katie, and had a hard time containing themselves.

Sunday, both families, including Charity' s mom Loree, went to Knottsberry Farm. Unfortunately, they no longer had the same picture that we had taken as little kids, but we had a great time anyways. Ciara and Allie got soaked on the Rapid ride. I believe they could have rode this ride over and over again , had we let them.

Charity and Don, thanks for a great weekend. It was great to see you. The girls, as always, had a great time with their cousins. I know we wish we could live closer to each other, but for now, at least it's only 5 1/2 hours. Happy Anniversary, I'm glad you shared it with us. We'll see you soon.

A Quick Note!

Just a quick note to let you know everything is going well here. We have been very busy.

Allison is in soccer again and got her first goal last weekend! She was very proud. Katie has had a pretty bad cough and I'm taking her to the doctors tomorrow to make sure it's not Asthma..
Sean is growing. He goes to the doctor for his 4 month check up on Friday.

We are all looking forward to this upcoming weekend. We will be traveling to see my cousin Charity and her family in California. We are looking forward to the girls day at the beach, as the guys go to the swap meet, and all of us going to Knottsberry Farm. I have not been there since I was little. My mom has a picture of Julie, Charity and I at Knottsberry Farm when we were very little. We are sitting in a stage coach and they made us retake it when we were teenagers too. We thought it would be fun to try and get the same pictures of our children together, if it's still there.

I'll post pictures of our adventures when we return.

Memory Lane

Recently, the girls and I were looking through my shoebox of old pictures. The memories that it brought back. I think they thought their mom was always this "old". They loved laughing at my hair especially. I decided to flashback and post some of them.


Sophmore year. Even then I was ALWAYS on the phone. Probably to Jenny.

This had to be Freshman or Sophmore year because Jenny still lived in Phoenix. We dressed a like for the San Diego zoo. I remember us trying to find me a Rayon Red shirt and we went into a store asking if they had one. They looked at us crazy. The stores name was Cottons R Us. We were a little silly back then. Love ya Jen.

Daddy's little girl. I was 2 living in Germany. This picture reminds me of my middle daughter Katie. I wonder if I can find the wall -paper in the background for my house.

I think I'm in 4th or 5th grade. The singer is my cousin Amy, My sister Julie is the other back up singer. Wow my hair was short!



This was sometime in high school. This is Jenny one of my best friends growing up and still today. It's hard to tell on here, but my braces have blue rubber bands and I'm wearing blue eyeliner. Is blue eye liner even made anymore? Better then the fro picture at the top though. :)

It was nice to see these old pictures. I have always been silly, especially when I was younger, and they brought back a lot of good memories. But don't you worry Allie, Katie and Sean I am saving plenty of picutres to share with your children. Katie has recently given me a few for the files with cutting her hair. Not once but twice this past week. She now has NO BANGS too.

Traditions

Ever since I can remember my mom and dad have always bought me flowers on my birthday. Even when I was at college, I still received them. One simple act has meant so much over the years growing up. For the longest time I would not let Mondo buy flowers on my birthday, as this was my parents tradition. Now, I will accept flowers from whom ever wants to give them to me. :)

I started this tradition with the girls too. Mondo thought I was silly buying Allison flowers on her first birthday. "She's only 1," he said, "she won't know if you bought them or not." I'd know though. These are the little memories that mean so much as you grow older.

Thanks mom and dad for the tradition, it has meant so much to me over the years. More then you'll ever know. I always look forward to the delivery. This year it came a day early. It was a nice surprise. It's flowers made up to look like a slice of cake.

Now I have to figure out what tradition I am going to do for Sean every birthday. I guess, I could buy him flowers too. If you have any ideas let me know.

When I grow up I want to cut hair......

Today was a very fun day. My sister in law and I found a new splash pad with no other kids around. We had a wonderful time. In Phoenix it is still in the high 80's to high 90's. This time of year also comes with humidity, which I could do without. So cooling off in the water is always a treat. It was nice to spend the morning w/ the girls before school. They all seem to grow up so fast.


I also started a weight loss challenge with two of my friends today. We are doing something every month. This month, the one who looses the most weight gets a free pedicure , compliments of the other two. I could really really use that, as my feet look pretty bad from walking barefoot all the time. We are working out on my days off and I am going to be doing the elliptical and Tae Bo tapes during the kids nap time.



Tonight we did our workout and I got a frantic call from Allie and Mondo. Katie, our 4 1/2 year old, had decided she wanted a new hair cut. She went in the bathroom and cut her hair. She did this about a year ago, luckily just the underneath. The hair had just finally grown even. This time she cut it all over, most of it to her ears. I was mad, but couldn't stop laughing under my breath either. She was so proud of her work. Needless to say, we had to attempt to even it out. It is not exactly even, since she cut one side quite a bit shorter, but it will do. I felt bad for her, since she was crying the whole time we were having it cut, but then I reminded myself, she is the one who cut her hair. I am hoping this will remind her not to do it again, only time will tell. We went and bought some hair clips to help it out.

Everyone else is doing good. Mondo did have gout in his foot for about a week and was not able to walk, but that has since healed. Allison starts soccer practice this week and has started to do the kids Tae Bo tapes w/ me and daddy. She really is enjoying them. I will post pictures of the soccer games in the future. First game 09/13.


My sister in law Dori holding Sean

The baby is getting big. He is almost 3 months. He loves tummy time and is very strong. He is a very happy baby and is sleeping through the night. YEA He is very long and already in 6-9 months clothing. I love watching how he keeps changing.

School is back in session!

So far the week is off to a good start. Allison started back yesterday, Monday, and Katie started today.

Katie was so excited to be going to school like her sister. She woke up very early and every few mintues wanted to know if it was time to go yet. Can you believe it, I didn't even cry. I think I'm just to tired from the baby being up to cry. :)


Here are some pictures of their first day of school. My niece Layla also started preschool with Katie. They are in different classes, but both are in the afternoon session. It will make it easier for Dori and I to carpool.

Hope everyone is having a good week. Two down 1 to go. I know, I have a few years before Sean can go.

Summer Break Almost Over!

On Monday, August 11Th, Allison will start 2ND grade and Katie will start Preschool 4 days a week. I never thought I would be one of those moms who is so excited for school to start, but I am. We have had a very busy summer and I am ready for my sanity back. OK, with three kids, that might be a while. They are great kids, don't get me wrong, I'm just tired. Like all moms.

In May we were able to have a brief visit with some family and friends. Jenny and her family came down to visit and we were able to FINALLY meet Leo. He is such a cutey. We also had family from California come to visit in May for my baby shower.

June brought a new addition to our family, Sean. We are loving every minute of him and looking forward to watching him grow. He now is smiling, which just melts your heart. Allison has been a big help with the baby and has now started to earn allowance. She earns a few dollars a week for assisting me. As I reminded her, she does not earn money for keeping up her room, as that is her responsibility. However, since the baby has arrived she helps with other areas. Sean will be 2 months on the 9Th and is growing like a weed. He is very long and approx. 11 1/2 lbs. He has his doctor appointment next week. He is looking more and more like his dad. In the beginning there were many sleepless nights, but once we figured out we were starving him he started to sleep. I thought he had colic, but it was just a hungry stomach. Each child is different, so even with your third you learn something new.

In July we were able to take a trip down to Tucson. Matt, my cousin's son, turned 8. It was nice to get away and go up to Mount Lemon, which is an hour from Tucson. As most of you know, we live in Arizona. Yes, most of the time it's a dry heat, but 115 is still hot. In July and August it is not a dry heat, but it is still well over 100. This is our monsoon season. I have come to like this season, as it will be the only rain we get for the whole year. Mount Lemon was heavenly. A mere 67 degrees. I didn't want to leave. Back in Tucson it was over 100.

In August I started watching kids again and went back to my regular job part-time in the evening. I was blessed to have most of the summer off to spend with Sean and the girls. I watch a wonderful girl name Ajaya who will be two in September. Her mom is one of my best friends. This year I also had her brother Demetrius who was visiting for the summer. Luckily, he too is a great kid. He is six. Katie, my 4 year old, had her first crush. Yes Jenny, she is my child. :) Now I know how my parents felt, as I too was one who ALWAYS had crushes.

So as the summer comes to an end we are looking forward to the rest of the year and COOLER weather. Sometime in October it should start to cool off. This means under 90-100. We are hoping, also in October, to make a trip California to visit Charity and her family. Luckily, they only live 5 hours away, so the cousins are able to see each other every few months.

We hope that your summer was a fun one and that the rest of the year is as blessed.