I’m making the Turkey!! Ahhh!

Hello Thanksgiving!

For the very first time I will be making the BIRD…well I will have many helpful hands. I took it upon myself to find a five star recipe. I am making my own rub and will be stuffing the bird with many aromatic ingredients…yum. For the past couple of years Isaac has been the one to deep-fry the turkey…..oh so yummy if you haven’t had it that way. I am excited but at the same time scared out of my mind. When I cook anything the golden words I long to hear are, “Man this is so good!” I just hope it is delicious and that it will be my newfound traditional recipe. I also love to make pumpkin pies and going on 6-year tradition of sweet potato casserole. I absolutely love Thanksgiving & I’d hate to ruin it. I don’t think I’ll actually ruin it but I guess thats my nightmare right now! My parents will be back in town helping to celebrate the Holiday. Then of course the tradition continues on Turkey-day…..buying a Christmas tree and decorating the home. Oh so fun! The kids are excited…..I am so giddy….woo-hoo! Can’t wait. I am multi-tasking at the moment, typing and watching the Food Network channel around the clock. I don’t know if you know this, but I aspire to be the best chef in my home. I really wouldn’t mind going back to school for culinary arts….that may be in the near future…who knows. Okay thats it for now, talking about all this food makes me hungry….gotta get some grub!

Busy Weekend

Wow….I can’t believe the weekend came and went and now we are nearing yet another weekend! Not to mention Thanksgiving is right around the corner…..AHHHH!!! Time to pull out the recipes and make the grocery list and clean and decorate the house and …….I’m already exhausted! Well my parents  came into town and so did my mother-in-law and brother-in-law. My nephew also visted this weekend. Lots and lots of traffic in the house, I loved it. Its always nice to have family over.

Oh yes, and President Bush was here in SA visiting BAMC, or known as Brooke Army Medical Center. Isaac and I were on our way home, when we heard on the radio that Bush had arrived, a few seconds later my sister-in-law calls and says, “Air Force One has landed!” We happened to be passing the airport at that very second and lo-&-behold…..there is AIR FORCE 1…..Isaac took a quick snap, we got the tail end of it. Go to Isaac’s blog  and check it out.

 As I had mentioned previously in another post, my dad is a veteran. He was in the Korean war. My dad was honored at Solomon’s school for Veteran’s Day. It was so nice. My neice, Olivia is in the choir, their songs of tribute were beautiful. All the veterans were seated in the front while family members sat behind them for support. My dad had to stand and state when he was a part of the Navy and for how long. I really enjoyed this ceremony. The principal did a really good job at explaining to the kids of the importance and respect we should all bear towards our past and present soldiers. Here are a couple of pics of my dad at the ceremony.

     My Dad introducing himself     

    Grandpa Aparicio & the boys

The next day the whole family enjoyed an evening at Pico De Gallo, an amazing Mexican restuarant. Mmmm…..mmmm…good is all I have to say. Here are some more pics of our fun night.

 Say Cheese!       My mom and dad     

   My dad           Isaac and Jakob       

My parents will be back for Thanksgiving…yippee! Aside from celebrating Turkey Day, Denise, Michael, Isaac and I are looking forward to hitting up the stores for Black Friday! Hopefully we’ll SURVIVE and accomplish all of our Christmas shopping that night!!! Well thats all for now, love you all.

More Truth

Today has been interesting to say the least. More birdies sing but my heart no longer grows weary nor outraged, I become more calm because I know the saying is all too true, “La lengua castiga.” I have been a fly on the wall in the past to know that’s the case 100% of the time.  Just for clarification, I do not anticipate a downfall, rather I have feelings of a peaceful heart knowing all is not in my hands. For some reason part of the song “I’m a barbie girl…..” comes to mind. Hmmm, thats odd…maybe a little too odd! If this makes no sense to you, maybe its better that way. So anyways thats my ranting for today, lets get on the stuff that really matters……

Well my parents are coming into town tomorrow….YEAH. I don’t know who’s more excited, me or Solomon? He’s been asking for them for a good while. I guess its because they always bring him and Benjamin toys. We are going to a Veteran’s Celebration event since my dad is a veteran. It will be exciting, I can’t wait. Oh and I just found out President Bush will be here in SA tomorrow.

Today we celebrated my neice’s B-day, Davina turned 6 today. We all ate at Peter Piper Pizza and then came home for some tasty strawberry cake that Denise made. They all came back with souveniers….big oversized, blow-up bats and hammers…Isaac included….lovely!  It turned into a doggie pile, ommm more like a beating….well lets just say their were some tears! Crazy kids! Well onto bed I go. Good-night.

My Birthday Dinner

 My husband is so so so sweet. On my birthday, Nov 4th, he made me a chocolate cake all by himself, how romantic is that. Then he suprised me later on that evening by taking me out to a restuarant I had been eyeing….an Italian place, my favorite type of food. It was yummy, we tried the Chicken Mustard plate….sounded bitter but was totally the opposite. The chicken was served over a bed of garlic-buttered noodles….oh so tasty. The mood was so nice…a dimm place with a candle at our table…the Italian music and the artistry mimicking Italy. I love this place, would definately recommend this spot for a romantic getaway date, its called Pompeii Italian Grill. Thank you honey, I love you.

Saturday Morning

It’s Saturday morning, 8:30 a.m. to be exact and what am I doing up!!!! I should be in bed resting, sleeping in….but no here I am…blogging! I had every intension of sleeping in, however my little rugrats joined Isaac and I in bed way too early. So now the sounds I hear are Spongebob Squarepants and my wonderful husband’s snoring…..ahhhh how nice. So I choose to blog.

Last night Isaac made his famous hotwings…oh so tasty! I made some pasta and Denise added her delicious deviled eggs. By the way, this is an awesome combination. We watched the SPURS game…..well everybody else did. I was feeling ill yet again…so I found myself isolating myself upstairs and watching the George Lopez show on nick @ night. Then it was the boys bedtime, so I joined them in their room. Benji requested I sing the Wheels on the Bus, he loves that song. He sounds so cute, he does his happy dance, stops and makes it a point to sing the last phrase of the song…..he looks towards the ceiling and sings in a high pitch. He’s so adorable, he’s definately attached to my hip. Solomon loves the IF YOUR HAPPY and YOU KNOW IT song. He by the way is going great in school, he loves it, which I am very greatful for. He has his friends that he occassionally will talk to me about. In fact his teacher’s exact words were, “Oh no I had to break that group up!” I thought that was too funny. His teacher is our age (Isaac and I), he’s pretty cool, very easy to talk to.

I also just wanted to take some time to thank my loving husband for all he does. Thank you for letting me sleep those 4 hours during the day when I was feeling ill. Thank you for tending to me in any little thing that I needed. Most of all thank you for all that you do. I seriously would not know what to do without you. Even though I don’t say it as often as I should, “I love you and appreciate all that you do on a daily basis for our family.” Also thank-you for being a wonderful daddy. I see the boys faces light up when you wrestle with them or just run around the house with them playing hide-n-seek. Thank-you, thank-you. I love you.

Tomorrow is my birthday…I can’t believe it, I think it just snuck up on me this year…not to mention Thanksgiving is like in two-three weeks!!!! What!!! Another year flying by? Were the years always going by this fast, or this only an adult thing? None-the-less I am excited this time of year is here, I just wish the time could drag out these last two months. I hate to prepare and prepare and then like a lightening strike it is gone! No, I wish that I have lots of quality time with my family. That’s what it is all about. Well I hope that your Holidays are warm and blessed. We have two cold fronts coming our way, so snuggle up to your loved ones with a cup of hot chocolate and watch a Holiday movie. Love you all.

Halloween Fun

For Halloween we had pizza and went trick-or-treating down our neighborhood. We didn’t have to go too far until the little one’s bags became full. Michael unforunately was working. Nonetheless our bunch had a great time. Denise dressed up as a crazy Doctor, Isaac was a punkrocker  , I was a grecian goddess, Solomon was a ninja , Benjamin was a little pirate (by the way he got the special treatment from all the neighbors…more candy because he looked so cute), Olivia was a dead-bride, Skye was a beautiful fairy and last but not least Davina was a zombie Doctor. The weather was perfect, a cool breeze and lots of trick-or-treaters down the street. This is a pic of our first stop…sPoOkY….We had a mixture of both tricks and treats. My night didn’t end so pleasantly….as soon as we came home I became ill with a stomach virus. Just about everyone in the household had it days before…& I unfortunately had to get it last!!! Anyhow, our Halloween experience was a good one. I think I had more fun dressing everyone up to play their part. Thats it for now. Love you all.

GO SPURS GO!!!!

Ok so like I had to make this my title!!! You don’t know the SPURS until you’ve lived in SA, so the saying goes. It’s so true, man this city goes all out, its an official holiday every time the SPURS play. I have to say I’m loving it!!! Solomon went nuts watching them play for his first time. He and his cousins had little Spurs fans, they would scream and raise them high everytime the SPURS scored. Isaac and I are side by side working on our computers, I of course blogging, he is web surfing and watching the game. SPURS just won…yeah, 106 to 97 was the score.

Well we have been a busy bunch. This past weekend my mother-in-law, Ofie came into town with Michael’s mom, Bunnie. It was fun. We woke up early Saturday, had a good breakfast and then headed out to a local pumpkin patch with the kiddos. Here are some pics, enjoy.

Alright so I am a picture freak…oh-well! After a fun time at the pumpkin patch we headed out to do the tourists thing with the fam. Visit Isaac’s blog to see the sPoOky pics of the Spanish governor’s palace in downtown SA. Thought it would be fun considering Halloween is right around the corner.

Later that night we went shopping for last minute costume items…so fun. Can’t wait! I will post more pics of our Halloween fun. That’s it for now.

What to Blog about?

Lets see…..I want to blog, however I don’t have a certain subject. I do however have random thoughts….maybe I’ll go there.

I went blog surfing today….commented on some blogs…good stuff GIRLS! Its nice to read other people’s thoughts and get some relief of, “oh good I’m not the only one that thinks this way!” Life has a funny way of knocking you off balance…only the strong will survive…and I guess the others will whine.

Got some business plans in the works…can’t reveal too much. I just have to say we are excited and feel the season of favor…been watching Joel Osteen, love him and his crest white smile. Watering time for the near and upcoming harvest!

I love the weather….this morning in downtown SA the temp was 42 degrees. There was ice on our cars this morning.

I am fascinated with the huge army aircrafts…..I find myself giddy everytime one flies very low. I am truly amazed by those things.

Oh yes and my parents will be in town right after my birthday. We are going to celebrate veterans…its huge here in SA. My dad is a veteran and I am looking forward to their arrival. I will post pics. Also my mother-in-law and Micheal’s mom will be in town this weekend. Always fun for family to come and visit.

Solomon is definately excited that Halloween is right around the corner. He is going to be a ninja. Little brother Benjamin is going to be a pirate. I’m going to be a grecian goddess…I think thats how you spell it! Isaac is undecided…perhaps a hick with a mullet….his favorite or a mechanic with a mullet or a 70’s guy with an afro. Has both…just undecided. My sister-in-law, Denise  I think is going to be a renaissance woman. Olivia, my neice is going to be a zombie bride, Skye is going to be a beautiful purple fairy, Davina is going to be a Doctor and Michael is also undecided. We all have plans to go trick-or-treating down our neighborhood. Can’t wait!!!

Sometime this week we are all going to take pics at a local pumpkin patch…oh so fun! I am a picture freak!!!

Isaac is almost done with his second semester at school. He is getting his Masters Degree in Graphic Design. Aside from his dream, his business of course, Echo Design Solutions, he wouldn’t mind teaching at a college for Graphic Design. He has always been a good teacher…and he would love to extend the favor. Heck I wouldn’t have passed my algebra in college if it wasn’t for him…he sure does have the patience.

Well I guess now would be a good time to go to bed considering its almost 2 in the morning!!! Ok time to wrap it up. Goodnight to all…God bless.

Inspired

Man o Man….I am loving this temperature change! Today it was in the low 70’s…..YES!!! This is my absolute favorite time of the year. Time to gear up for Fall clothes.

Yesterday I had to stop by the office and drop off some paperwork.  As I stepped outside of my car, I felt the cool air brush through my hair, while the warm sun beamed down on my face. A familiar feeling evolved way down deep within my soul, touched my heart and created a sweet smile on my face. A feeling that cannot be described in one sentence. I believe that was the Holy Spirit. No matter where I go, where I am or what I do, You are there…always watching always protecting. This is not about religion, its about relationship. It has been an eye-opening experience. I will not accept Jesus second-hand, I want to know Him personally. If you are offended, you have not reached that understanding. I don’t want to hear religion at its best, whatever that is! I don’t want to be a part of the culture, the viscious cycle. I know Christ and thats all I care to know.  Arrogance….NO…confidence in Christ is what it is all about. Now I do have mentors who are near and dear to my heart that I will always go to when I seek advice, however these are genuine people who have been there, done that and have gotten the T-shirt. I can’t stand when someone can speak advice when they have never even experienced life themselves. Life is when you can overcome the curveballs it throws at you, of course with God’s help. I’m not talking about overcoming a  broken nail or throwing a fit because the color of the walls doesn’t match the rest of the decor or being so obsessed with your loss of hair that you try a different hairstyle that screams “old-fogie trying to be young again.”  Come on people!!! Get a grip, wake up and hear a druggie/drunk going cold turkey….hear a young girl pleading her case at the Medicaid office to approve her child, “she’s starving, she hasn’t eaten all day”…..or why not volunteer at the Women’s shelter and see the faces of battered women and hear the fear in their voices…or how about talking someone out of suicide…or being the voice of a sexually abused child in court. Step out of your circle of safety sometimes (not always)  and see if you can really hang with what “other” people are dealt with in life. You’d be amazed at how you would come back and define the word content. Your appreciation for what you have would far exceed your previous beliefs or expectations. People are so caught up in the rat-race or as I like to say, keeping up with the Jones’, MAN just love your life, love yourself and love others. The favor will come back ten-fold.

Peace out,

Vida Loca!

It has been a while since I last posted. Life has had me busy for the past couple of weeks. My little Solomon started school with his cousins here in SA. They love it. I am so impressed with the school district, they are so up to date, technology-wise, nothing compared to CCISD. His teachers are awesome, thank God.

Little Benji is still running the house, that little one is super tough. This one is going to be my football player. Yesterday Isaac was lounging in the living room watching T.V, when little Benji comes running out of nowhere and body slams Isaac on his side all together causing back pain….yeah those were his kidneys. While Isaac was recovering from the slam, Benji then picked up a hard toy and whip-lashed Isaac on the head! Talk about a little body-builder in the making!   My Benji-poo!

Things are going well with my job. I have become acquainted with my new co-workers and they seem to be a great bunch. We had lunch the other day at TGI Fridays…that was fun. My new supervisors are pretty cool and extremely helpful. Isaac is keeping busy with his business, as usual  (very handsome) . We are so loving all his weekends off and being able to spend time as a family. If he’s not working in his office, he is wrestling with the boys or bar-b-qing or watching “the Office.” By the way, our favorite show is going to air this week…”Heroes”, I so can’t wait!

Today we celebrated my neice’s B-day, she (Skye)  is 8 now……my how the years have flown by. Denise, Isaac and I had lunch at school with her today. Solomon joined us and so did Olivia. We also celebrated later in the evening by eating at Chris Madrid’s, an incredible burger place. We then came home and ate some birthday cake.

We also came across an old friend of ours who lives here in SA. I am glad we reunited. He (Javier) has been over to our house a couple of times now. Isaac is actually doing a website for him. He is such an awesome person, extremely talented, bien amable. Can’t wait to see the site!