Gramma & Glitz

This is our life now. Thank God too! I don't mind at all really. All this extra time spent w/my mom will be cherished in the years to come. This I know. This is only the beginning since her discharge last week too.

This was all today...

Gramma: appt at home w/Speech therapist for memory

Gramma: Neurologist appt

Lunch w/my mom at Panda Express

Gramma gets a haircut

p/u girls at school

Homework & projects

dinner

blah, blah, blah

*did I mention it was TOO hot today? It's only getting hotter too!

my beautiful girl & her hairdo

girls' duct tape creations for teachers

if you haven't heard of FindingNana, you have to check out her shop!

I placed my order & within hours, her flair buttons were SOLD out!

Above photo: Glitz Design. 

 I chose these items because of the colors & the shabby vintage vibe. Cannot wait to use it this month for Craft Fusion DT!

This photo is made up of Teresa Collins. 

Yellow, gray & black. Need I say more? Plus Donna Salazar's queen bee stamp. Love it! Same w/all these goodies, they're are for Craft Fusion DT.

Have a great day!

xo

Update via Instagram

Yes, Instagram can sum up the latest happenings in my life. Is that sad or the norm w/all of us nowadays? I think the latter for most of us. Yes, this is what our world has come to and yes, I love it! Anyway, my last post was on the 1st and since I've been spending most of my days w/my mom in her room of the rehab center. She had fallen 3 times while she was there until I landed myself in the ICU for a week. I even got a phone call from my mom while she was in the same hospital as I, but downstairs in the ER. My niece had been w/her & paid me a quick visit while my mom went for an Xray. 

{I came to my mom's a few times just to sit on her patio & think about everything. At the same time, wishing my sister was still here.}

The weekend before my stay, my cousins came into town from Jersey. I saw them for a quick visit before I ended up in the ER w/my stomach having this super full feeling & pain in the center. I spent the week in ICU w/pancreatitis and triglycerides that were 4500! They used a machine to 'clean' my blood & I left w/triglyc. that were approx 300. This was a good thing. Needless to say, my body was severely stressed. 

{my happy mail get-well-gift! Love this bag/purse! I met a sweet girl Becca at a local Farmer's Market & had always eyed this pretty! She sent me a card along w/this while I was in the hospital. How sweet is she?!}

As if all this wasn't enough, my mom had moved to a better rehab facility. My husband has much to do w/all of this too. He was busy w/taking care of our girls & getting them to school, visiting my mom each day & taking care of many things for her & visiting me all the while. Yes, he's a trooper, my Hero, one we can count on again and again. He's proved this once before when I was real sick last year. *yes I love my hubby!

Between this & all that, the girls still had soccer, tournaments and Cottages for school. My husband even took video of our 2nd grader's performance. I missed her very first time of dancing w/a boy! =(

I can end this on a good note though, our oldest came from COS to visit this weekend. The girls were so happy to spend time w/her. Me too! Min, it felt good to be here for you to talk once again lil one! I love you much! xo

There are so many things I want to accomplish and on my to-do list. The only difference is I know now that I truly have to take it easy & slow my days down and take care of me. This will be a challenge but if I want to around in the years to come, this must happen.

Hope you all have a sunny fab weekend. For us here in AZ, it's raining w/occasional hail. Fun times!

xo

Pray Pray & Pray some more

The weeks are flying by & so much had to get pushed to the side. My girls were sick, the husband too. I did not catch it thank God! Perhaps he thought I had enough last year. School projects & Cottage Fairs are in full swing. Soccer tournaments too. 2-3 a weekend? Yes this pulls us in all directions. Literally. My little one is having tummy issues again plus her leg was absolutely killing her! *I think we cleared this hurtle since a few days ago! This is wonderful. =)

On top of all this, is my mom who had a seizure of some sort last Thursday. She's 81 and was doing pretty good living on her own. Her balance was off as she walked but she was still good to go. Cannot say the same this week. We took her to the hospital Thursday, she was released Saturday night. She was then taken straight to a rehabilitation center. Here, she is having all types of therapy which is wiping out all her energy. Her speech is slurred somewhat & her balance? Horrible. I don't see her getting better any time soon. Her memory is suffering as well. She even had a fall two nights ago in her room. She needs help to go from bed to restroom or to wheelchair. My mind is racing w/thoughts of how? what? why? how can I make this all better for her? She's very independent & must be hating all of this. The meds are making her sick as well. So much to think about.

All I can ask is please pray for my family. Prayers work just in case you were skeptical. I found out the hard way last year. So many prayers worked for me & I am truly thankful each and every day.

{this was from her stay at the hospital. today she doesn't look this happy or in such good spirits}

Times like this I wish w/everything my sister was here IRL w/me. She passed in 2006 and would of been next to me w/our mom every single day.

Happy Thursday to you.

xo

Almost Thirteen

This weekend our 12 y/o has a big soccer tournament. That being said, we started the celebrating today! We surprised the bday girl w/a trip to K1 Speed. She has been wanting to race here forever! She was either too young or too short to do so.

I think this is my new fave photo of my bday girl. =)

I don't about you but I simply cannot remember what all these flags mean! Only the important ones! haha!

Did I mention this is the first time ever both have raced? First race: Graciella took 2nd & Antonia took 4th. Second race: results above. 'Nuff said.

*******************

Girls had practice & Graciella had a game tonite. So as usual, dad goes one way & I go another! We stopped by Gramma's before game as per her request & we snapped a few photos!

Gramma thought she was funny w/her other poses, so consider yourself saved! Soon enough, we were off to meet w/our other half of our little familia & hop on the ever-so-familiar freeway and head to her game! I took more pix & even a short video of her in action, but until I get my dream of a camera... the action shots are not looking so swift. I'm just not liking those burst shot deals. =/

Yes, that el numero that's blurry? Ches. That is my daughter. **you needed to say that last line like Arnold Schwarzenegger!

Enjoy your day & those of you from Fab Thursday? I will be sure to visit you Sat. night. 

xo

My Heart is Full

I absolutely love this. This says it all...  I just found out about 30 mins ago that a long time friend from HS, that her mom passed away today. My heart is breaking for her bcuz I still have my mom, who just recently turned 80. Lately, I've been thinking about how things will be when I lose her forever. She & I are close. She lives a mile away. I drive her everywhere. We talk often throughout the day. I take care of lotsa of different things for her. She is the last living grandparent on both sides. My heart will be forever broken when that awful day comes. I'm afraid to ever face that day. In the meantime though, I did call my mom first to tell her the sad news. She remembers my girlfriend & was heart broken too. Why does this have to happen. It sucks. Period. I hate it. I have told my girls, that Gramma might drive you nuts for now... deal w/it, ignore it, change the subject... anything! Gramma is not going to be around for years & years to come. They understand & have been better around my mom. There is so much on my plate every day & no one, even those close to me, can possibly imagine ALL that is on my mind or to-do list each day. I worry about so many different things & have to remember so many different things, it'll make your head spin!

Back to 'my heart is full'. Between my mom, my girls & husband, boys and family that has passed... my heart is most definitely full. Although if I had another child, it would grow that much more! (that's not a possibility though!) Health, jobs, our home, cars... all that I am thankful for too. Times are tough. I wish it was better for the sake of our kids. =)

Isn't this the perfect necklace for any mom, Gramma or me?? heehee

Lisa Leonard is giving two away! Not sure when it ends, but if you win - I will gladly send you my mailing address. Good luck!

xo

Gramma's Wish List

We drove straight to see Gramma at her Xmas party after Graciella's dance. (daddy was at the San Tan Holiday Classic w/the girls) It was happening too at the Senior Center! =) Live music, dancing & friends... and Santa!

Graciella & Gramma hit the dance floor! My mom LOVES to dance! A little fyi. That's where I get it from! =)

Gramma & her good friend, Lucy.

I love this one. Gramma kept introducing Graciella 'this is my beautiful grand-daughter!'

Yes, Gramma is a poser!

Me & Santa (I hope he got my wish list!)

Gramma is also a joke-ster! My guess? She was asking for a rich husband for her 39 y/o self!

And this was a quick trip too! I thought anyway. We had fun. Super happy we made it. Gramma is the last grandparent we have. =( I hope she's still here to see Graciella graduate from HS... that's another 5 years! I think she will.

We love you much ma!

xoxo

Bdays, Halloween & Sneak Peak

Oct. 30th: Mischief Nite: I had it when I grew up, did you? Out here, no one really does it. However, the nite before a football game some houses get TP'd & such... then it takes me back! ha!

My mom's 79th bday. She'll tell you that she's 39 still. UGH! It was only funny the first 20 yrs you told this lie ma--! We had a small party for her here at home w/Carrie, Rob & Gia, all 5 of us & Gramma's friend, Dot. I even went crazy & printed 100 pix from Costco that same day to fill her album (she thought I would never do it!) I filled up w/pix from this year only! And I still could of added more!

The curly candles: Graciella's idea =)

Lele & Gramma

Dorothy: Gramma's new bff =)

Graciella & Giavanna

Lele, Gia & her mommy xo

Gia & Carrie

Oct. 31st, Halloween: Leleanna had a game (surprise! surprise!) at 8am the next morning. They won & Lele killed it! Daddy had to hold her back! She scored 5 goals! Whoohoo! Supah Stah---! Did you lunge fwd & throw your arms up in the air, while saying Supah Stah---?! Try it again, w/emotion people! heehee

The Dream Team: Jenna, Sera & Lele

Final score: 12-2 Thunderbolts!!

Antonia had a game in Scottsdale at 11am. Yep. You guessed it. Ran home after Lele's game, let puppies out & left that quick! Antonia had to be there by 1015! Her team played a good game & tied 3-3. Another game they SO should of won. The girls are still young though & learning from their mistakes. =) I'll keep it as that! heehee

Trick-or-Treating: Carrie, Rob & Gia gave candy out at our house, while I took the girls around our neighborhood. We were ready to start walking before the sun went down! Whoohoo! We ended up going around w/a neighbor & her son. Not many people were in the Halloween spirit! boo--! The girls had fun though. By 630, we were outta here! And off to a party! We brought cupcakes to add to the tons of food Grace had at her house.

70's rocker chick, Cinderella & my China girl

I love this pic. But not those For Sale signs that are ALL over!

We saw the Jesson girls long enough to take a quick pic!

Nov. 1st:  I had set my alarm for 450am bcuz we HAD to be out of the house at 615! Nope. Didn't go down like that. Of course, my iphone had to switch time zones that am. ?? I check the other clocks, once I turned my cell alarm off & they all said 6am! What?! Really?! Then, here comes Carlos walking in from work! So instead of having an hour to get myself & 3 girls ready... we had 15-20 mins! We left about 625am & jumped on the freeway headed out to Maryvale. (I learned this when we got there bcuz of the sign! duh! haha!) Anyway, it was hot. Once again. The girls were playing w/out a key defender. So that meant Graciella would be playing her position. She usually plays fwd. She does an awesome job though as def & no one gets past her & her tiny self! =) They have a new girl Maddy too. (she switched clubs - lucky us!)That was her first game & she scored our one goal! Go Maddy!! I'll hold my comments to myself, just in case someone reads this & has NOT heard them first hand! =) The girls played tough & held their own. Graciella hurt her knee, so bad Coach Beny had to carry her off the field. This is when Del Sol scored 3 goals. ?! Need I say more? I know G does not hold down the fort by herself back there, the other team members have to step up & do their job! Okay, I'll leave well enough alone. The other team's coach received a yellowcard! yay! And one of his players did too! That team w/the elbows! Whoo! It was bad. Soccer at this level is rough alone. But to teach your girls to go that extra mile & 'hurt' the players? Nope. Wasn't working. Graciella ended up going back in & was okay afterall. Thank God!

Graciella left w/a teammate & her family & we headed home. But NOT w/out a stop to QT first! =) She came home w/this! Interesting, I know. ?? I think a guy made it at Margaritaville.

I got this in the mail from a Rice Babies giveaway. =) Thx again!!

Nov. 2nd: Happy Birthday Carlos! Also, Happy Bday Harley! Yep, my husband & puppy share the same bday! We love you & appreciate all your hard work daddy! xo

Carlos had to rush off to work after we did cake & gifts. =/

We decided to take the boys for a walk & afterwards, we took all the Halloween decs down. I even had to drag the huge ladder out to reach the spider above garage. Ugh! That's all I meant to get done, but then we raked, swept and took the party to the truck! The girls went to town & cleaned all the garbage in the Suburban. They even broke out the cleaning wipes & wiped everything down! Whoohoo!

Hugo, Graciella, Antonia & Harley

(I like this pic but it's blurry! I took it w/iphone but I took the Rice Babies pic too same way! Hmm. Perhaps, I need to hold my breath next time!?)

Nov. 3rd:  Whew! I wish I could of flown to a tropical beach somewhere by myself for the day! I don't know what's going w/Graciella. She's 11 now & no it's NOT the whole pre-teen thing. She's a good kid but goes thru the same thing everyday. I cannot take it anymore. So, on that note, she was told as much that morning before school. I had volunteered ALL day in Antonia's & Lele's class, so this took my mind off all that happened in the am. =) After school, she was okay & went off to practice okay as well. We'll see. Perhaps I'll go more into detail at a later date.

Lele & I took pix for a sneak peak before the sprinklers went off & the sun went down! Thx to Connie & Gary for holding them, so I can get the perfect pix! =) {they just happened to be going tor a walk!}

Please leave a comment & let me know thoughts on color combos, prints, etc! I will def use your input in the NEAR future! Thx a bunch!! xo