Bowling

So the weather has been cruddy and all I want to do is stay in my pajamas all day and hide in the blankets and either watch Lifetime movies or sleep! This gloomy weather sure does affect my energy level. After letting the kids do whatever they wanted…like watch their favorite cartoons and eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches….well we decided to force ourselves to get dressed and get out of the house. Next thing you know we are at a Chinese restuarant with the rest of the family and then @ a bowling alley. We had a blast with the kiddos…they loved it and thats all that matters. I think we may do that again soon. It was nice to have some fun, the music blazing away, the kiddos dancing along with the disco ball and drinking soda like no tomorrow…..yeah it was party time!

  The Rugrats

  Isaac teaching the boys about bowling

  Me and my boys

  Go Benji!

  Denise is gonna make a STRIKE!

  Go Isaac its yo birthday!

   Too cute

   Whoopie Solomon

Wow how time flies when your HAVING FUN!!!

So where to begin….hmmm…well this weekend was great. Isaac, I and the boys went out and took Easter pics. Our new city has so much beautiful scenery. Everywhere you went you knew it was Spring Break, everywhere is jam-packed. We are all in our Easter-springy wear and the weather is super nice. My parents and Isaac’s parents will be in SA for Easter, so fun….always love their company. I know the boys are anxiously awaiting their arrival.

So we also went to this event in downtown called Luminaria….so so fun. So many lights, original food and so much entertainment. They had artists doing their work right there, from spray paint to glass-blowing, a laser light show, fireworks and so much more. There were also concerts going on, DJ’s blasting away with their music and live poetry readings. So I just love our new home…..always family-friendly. I know Solomon loved it. Here are some pics from our family night.

Well thats it for now.

-eLaiNe

My Beautiful Wela.

Baptistina Aparicio 

These past couple of days I cannot stop thinking about her. It has been 16 years since my wela (spanish for grandmother) went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was actually my great-grandmother, a beautiful godly woman full of wisdom and love. I was only 11 years old at the time. It never failed, she always had rice, beans and tortillas prepared. I recall her flipping those incredible tortillas on her little yellow stove. The beans were usually left on the burner to stay warm and the rice rested in a silver-burnt pot on the table. There was also fresh coffee and pan de dulce (sweetbread). My wela always had her hair pinned up in a bun. One day I walked into her room and saw her hair down. She was brushing her long, beautiful gray hair with a small comb. I was in awe of how beautiful she was and how she made me feel at that moment. What a site, a crown full of wisdom. I will never forget that moment. How I wish she was still alive to this day, to see how my life has turned out…she would be so proud of me.

Last night as I snuggled up with my boys in their bed as I normally do at bedtime untill they fall asleep, I began thinking about her again. I always have Klove (a christian music station) playing softly in the background. As I closed my eyes, I pictured myself in my wela’s house. The year was 1990…I walked into the living room, saw all the clutter my uncle Tali collected, then I walked into the kitchen and smelled the wonderful aroma of tortillas, rice and beans….I proceeded to walk into my wela’s room where her bed lay next to the front window and the small TV in the corner….I didn’t see her but I felt her. A deep sadness bloomed and tears weld up quickly…just then the song by Natalie Grant “I’m in better hands now” played…such perfect timing Lord. At that moment I knew God had let me experiece something beautiful…I don’t know how to explain it, but I felt her. You see, when I was only 2 years old, she was the one that brought me to Corpus Christi to live with my great-uncle and great-aunt (my mom and dad). I remember that trip and me laying in her arms. It was a hard transition for me, so I am told. She brought me to better hands and because of her prayers and her generosity I am blessed. I love you wela. When that time comes for me, I hope to see you on the bridge as some of my other family members have claimed to see as they are taking their last breath.

Yipee! My Benjamin is potty trained!!!

I am so proud of my two year old. It only took 1 week to potty train him. It just takes lots of patience and repetition. It sure paid off. So nice not having to buy anymore diapers. He is so good about letting me know he needs to go. He is talking a lot more…full sentences. It is truly amazing to see how much he has grown. He is so smart…that little boy of mine. Thank you Lord for such a beautiful addition to our family. He will do great things one day…I just know it. I’m so proud of my little rugrat!

What Makes me Happy?

Lets see…this comes naturally to me. I really don’t even have to think about it. I’m talking about myself. I could easily list my Heavenly Father, my husband and my boys, but today I am talking about girly-me. The little things that brighten my day for me, just me. So here we go.

I enjoy puting my makeup on. I love experimenting with different colors, shades and textures. My latest makeup technique of interest are the smokey eyes …love it! I’m so silly because I get all excited over this. I would love to buy me a case of every stinkin color of MAC eyeshadows. My daily dream is to be pampered w/ a makeover. I love my hair….I love fixing it….I love my straightener. That’s a girl’s best friend. I love buying salon products for my hair . It is truly my crown. I recently cut my hair. It’s never been this short but I kinda like it.  When I was in highschool, I would spend time @ my girlfriend’s houses and fix their hair. I recall prepping everybody’s hair before the school dances. We would take our very own before and after pics…so fun! I also remember getting my little neices all prettied-up…& even then I was a picture freak because I still have those before & after pics! Thats when the big hair was in. My neices are teens now and they’d probably kill me if I posted them. Lets see, what else…oh I love shopping for clothes. I love having insight of the latest fashions. I could literally spend a whole day @ the mall….no kidding! Before Christmas, I took my sis-in-law shopping for a whole new wardrobe…was so fun…I think I was more excited than she was. I so enjoy that! I love watching What not to Wear

 Stacey, Clinton, Nick and Carmindy…love you guys! I enjoy getting all ready for work meetings or presentations. Everytime I make myself up I look @ it as a work of art. Yes I am an artist..hehe. Yeah I am so full of it! Well what can I say thats me. That’s it for now girls…don’t forget to email me. Side-note…pamper yourself every now and then, its not selfishness its necessary!

2008!

So whats life been like? Well let me fill you in on the Castillo’s world.

First off, my Benjamin turned two so the new year brings a challenge. I have officailly started to potty train him. Two days ago he pottied for the first time in his musical chair. His face expression was classic when the music came on. I jumped up and screamed for joy. I think I freaked him out. Isaac was on the phone and he kinda looked at me weird!! hehe! I am hoping it will be a smooth transition. As for Solomon, my little prankster/joker/tazmanian…..well lets just say he takes after his daddy! That boy really works my patience!! Its so hard to keep a straight, stern face at times, I just want to die laughing sometimes. Nonetheless he is perfect the way he is, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Isaac has been keeping really busy with his business Echo Design Solutions, I am so proud of him. It has been truly awesome to see the hand of God in everything. Thank you Lord for your favor.

Lets see what else…ohh I cut my hair…I’ve never had my hair this short, but I really do love it. It’s sleek, stylish and professional. Love that! Still keeping busy with work, can’t complain….very convenient to be working from home. Well I believe that is it for now. Nighty-night.

Christmas

We sure did have a blast on Christmas eve/Christmas Day. I and the kiddos baked cookies and decorated them for Santa. We even threw reindeer oats in our frontyard…because of course that is what they eat. The best part ever is when Solomon ran upstairs up to our room and screamed, “Mama, dada, Santa came!” That was so precious. The boys and my neices opened all their presents and of course I took lots of pics…priceless. We then got packed and headed out to Corpus to visit both sides of the family. We arrived at My in-laws where the kids opened more gifts. We enjoyed a dinner of arroz con pollo…yum. Then we headed out to view cool Christmas lights. We returned where my mother-in-law had warm chocolate ready for us. The next day we headed out to my mom and dads where of course the kids opened more gifts…and whata ya know…more food. Forget the calories! We had some awesome posole…oh so good if you’ve never had it. Talk about feeling like a balloon. I wouldn’t have changed a thing, no regrets. I know we have all put on some pounds! New Year Resolution….LOSE WEIGHT….of course! Above are some pics of our Christmas. Enjoy, from our family to yours.

WHY BOTHER WITH A SENSE OF PRIDE?

Okay, where to begin? Let’s see, when you become a parent theres no point in trying to save face! Let me let you in on what I mean here.

Today we had our family day…Isaac and I took the boys out to a movie, bought them their favorite snacks, bought them clothes, even bought them little nicknacks from the machine. So how do we get repayed? I’m not complaining, trust me on this one…I’m actually laughing so hard my stomach hurts.

Incident #1 

First off, little Solomon, our 4 year old really needs to go to the bathroom at the most inconvenient times! We are at a restuarant finally eating when Solomon shouts he is desperately needing to go #2, at this point he’s holding himself running around in circles. At that same time, Isaac had stepped out to use the bathroom. And you moms know what I’m talking about….I have an almost 2 year old who I am dreading on taking to the bathroom along with my 4 year old. I text Isaac to hurry up, he comes rushing out…didn’t even get to use the bathroom. So I take Solomon in…few minutes later he is relieved. We go back to our table and Isaac proceeds back to the bathroom this time to take care of his business when Solomon as loud as he can be, shouts, “WHY IS DADDA GOING TO THE BATHROOM AGAIN!” How embarassing is that?

Incident #2 

Next stop, we are @ Barnes and Noble…yes we bought the boys books also. Solomon of course needs to go to the bathroom, but I don’t mind this much because I need to change Benji’s diaper. So there we are in the bathroom, when some lady lets out gas…(sorry…gross!)…Solomon again in his super loud voice says, “That wasn’t me mamma!” Then to add insult to injury he says, “Hey whats that smell, mamma why does it stink?” OMG! At this point I am silently laughing, trying my hardest to not let out a peep!

Incident #3

So we are at a resturant, the only available table was seated next to the bar. A man walks in and immediately seats himself at the bar. Solomon as loud as can be says, “Hey look dadda its a pirate….argh, LOOK DADDA THE PIRATE….LOOK MAMMA THE PIRATE…LOOK..LOOK!!” It turns out the man had a patch over his eye. OMG!

Incident #4

So again we’re at a restuarant…yes again a very public place! We are seated at a table enjoying our food when a man is slowly wheeled into the restuarant. He is waiting in the middle of our aisle while a worker accomodates enough space. Solomon is staring intensly at this point, not sure of what I should say or if I should say anything at all! Then yes here comes the defining moment. Solomon as loud as can be says, “Ha Ha, look dadda his leg is funny…why is his leg funny…ha ha?” The man was missing both his legs. OMG!

Incident #5

Alright, this one takes the cake by far! Why are these always restuarant/bathroom incidents???? So Solomon needs to go to the bathroom and again we are @ a nice restuarant. Isaac gladly takes him. A few minutes later Isaac comes back so red, so embarassed and says, “I will never take this child to the bathroom again!” Isaac tells me, Solomon had used #2, so as he was wiping him, Solomon says (again very loud), “Owww…hey thats hurts, what are you doing to my butt….oww that burns!” Isaac made it a point to say, “This is for the record, I am wiping my son’s butt just in case anyone is out there!” OMG!

So there you have it, no pride!

It’s Thanksgiving…..& your invited to my home :)

I know I know it came and went, but come reminisce with me……. 

It’s Thanksgiving morning, 12:00 a.m. to be exact and I am still awake cleaning the remnents of cookie dough and sprinkles that the kids have left behind on the kitchen island. The kids are all fast asleep and I am placing the last batch of cream-of-tarter cookies into the oven. My sister-in-law is prepping the banana bread, Isaac is cleaning upstairs and Michael is nowhere to be found. My feet ache yet I am determined to have all desserts prepared for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Oh darn, I almost forgot the apple-butter pumpkin pie in the oven, a delicious recipe from good’ole Southern girl, Paula Deen (food network channel).

A few minutes pass and I realize I don’t have enough of the spice I will use for my rub on the turkey. Isaac and Micheal head out to HEB to pick up more…so sweet! They return with Taco Cabana…crazy, you can’t send those two out without having an agenda of their own! I quickly begin toasting the blend of spices as the recipe specifically calls for and then onto the blender it goes. I am beginning to get worried…”will it be good, was this a dumb idea to try and take on the big bird myself?” Ok, enough of the paranoid talk….gotta get the regular pumpkin pie out of the oven. Denise is now onto her pecan pies. I am finally done (2:00 a.m.)…at least for now. Time to go get some rest…at least what I can get.

The alarm sounds, it is 9:30 a.m. Time to rise and shine! The outside temperature has dropped significantly, God you sure know how to bring in the holiday and warm my heart. I am feeling confident. No one else is awake in the home, so I quickly run to the kitchen and begin peeling the sweet potatoes to boil. I get the defrosted turkey out of the refrigerator….Denise and Isaac join me. Denise slices the veggies as I prepare the chicken stock for the gravy. We’re moving now….all four burners are going and the turkey is now being stuffed with lemons and rosemary. Isaac pours the olive oil and I embed the special blend of spices onto the bird. Oh what a site! I run to my room to freshen up…guests will be here shortly. Three hours later its done…WHAT!!! No way, grandma would not approve or believe! All credit is given to the special blend which formed a nice crust and maintained the juices.

12:00 p.m. and I hear Isaac calling, “You’re parents are here.” I run down the stairs, take a quick look at everything. The house smells of fall spices, the freshener is of apple pie, the living room is neat and not to metion the aroma of a suculant turkey. As I open the door I am greeted not just by my parents baring gifts for the kiddos but also by my nephew James and Isaac’s cousins, Abel and Roxanne. Wow…perfect timing. Hugs and kisses are exchanged and we all walk in anxiously to celebrate together. We are later joined by my in-laws, who made it in the nick of time. Picture time….enjoy

 I was a happy camper as I heard many compliments on how delicious the food was. This was by far one of the most memorable Thanksgivings I will never forget. More family joined us later on that evening. Everything went so smoothly, everyone ate, laughed and asked for seconds. Oh Thank you Lord for family, food and fun.

I am so grateful.

These are the things I am thankful for:

1) Knowing who I am in Christ.

2) For My wonderful, hard-working husband and my two baby boys.

3) For my extended family who I love to laugh and live life with.

4) For my stay-at-home job.

5) For my husband’s growing business.

6) For the smooth transition to a new city full of opportunity.

7) For the many family members that will be traveling to our home to share our Thanksgiving holiday.

8) For life’s experiences….I feel that we have grown as a family this year.

9) For true friends.

10) For health, love and peace.

These are just some of the things I am so excited about. Thank you Lord for being with me every step of the way. Thank you for all that you do and all that your going to do. The year of favor is nearing…I can feel it. The goosebumps give way to a new understanding. The heart skips a beat in light of new horizons. The butterflies flutter and as always naturally find their way to beauty and prosperity. A spirit of fulfillment and contentment is rediscovered, however this time with dignity. Lord you are my all. I love you.